Ellie

Confirmation received, it should have read the 25th. Thanks.

So you either get home and wash your gloves with soap and water - OR throw them away and start a shortage of gloves.

Message for U.S. Citizens: U.S. Embassy Mexico City (March 21, 2020) Location: Mexico Event: Joint Statement on U.S.-Mexico Joint Initiative to Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic The United States and Mexico agree on the need for a dedicated joint effort to prevent spread of the COVID-19 virus and address the economic effects resulting from reduced mobility along our shared border. The U.S. and Mexican governments further recognize critical services such as food, fuel, healthcare, and life-saving medicines must reach people on both sides of the border every day. Essential travel must therefore continue unimpeded during this time. In order to ensure that essential travel can continue, the United States and Mexico are also temporarily restricting all non-essential travel across its borders. This action does not prevent U.S. citizens from returning home. This action does not apply to air travel. These restrictions are temporary and go into effect on March 21, 2020. They will remain in effect through 11:59 pm on April 20, 2020. This decision has been coordinated with the Governments of Mexico and Canada. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for further information on the temporary limitations on nonessential travel. Actions to Take: • Learn more about the temporary limitations on our webpage. • Visit Customs and Border Protection’s website for more information on operations and wait times at ports of entry between Mexico and the United States. • Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information. • Many travelers worldwide have reported unexpected flight cancellations and limited flight availability. Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions. • Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Mexico. • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Assistance: • For Emergency Assistance for U.S. citizens in Mexico, call 81 4160 5512 from Mexico or 1-844-528-6611 from the United States. • The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City is located at: Paseo de la Reforma 305 Colonia Cuauhtémoc 06500, Ciudad de México Phone: +52-55-5080-2000 Fax: +52-55-5080-2005 E-Mail: ACSMexicoCity@state.gov • State Department – Consular Affairs: 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter. • Follow the U.S. Embassy in Mexico on Facebook and Twitter. • Review the Crime and Safety Reports for Mexico. • Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist. Unsubscribe

Lakeside Insurance will continue services Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am-2pm. Claravision Optometrist will dispense glasses only on Thursday, March 19, and then will determine if services will be offered on a weekly basis. Polo Hearing Aid Services will be at LCS Monday, March 23, and the will determine if services will be offered in the following weeks. IMSS will be at LCS Monday and Tuesday, March 23 & 24 and then will determine if services will be offered in the following weeks Becerra Immigration will be at the LCS on Thursdays, March 19 & 26, for immigration services. he will then determine if he shall be at the LCS to offer immigration services.

The cafe is open indefinitely - is working on a new menu and possible home delivery and hopes to stay open as long as possible. The library is open until 2 pm today and then will be closed. Return your books to the drop box after that and when they reopen, they'll, I'm sure take into account the closing vs. past due books, etc. There will be one person in the Service Office handling service questions, etc and also membership. All events are cancelled.

Dear Members and Friends, Yesterday, your Board of Directors came together to address next steps as it relates to CORONAVIRUS. Rather than planning for the largest AGM in our history and to look forward to extending the legacy of LCS and celebrating these past 65 years, we decided on the heart wrenching but necessary steps to do the right thing to safeguard the health and safety of our members, volunteers and the community at large. And as a result, made the following decisions: The Lake Chapala Society Annual General Meeting that was scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 19, 2020 will be postponed to a later date.  To postpone programs and events that have attracted so many loyal members and the community at-large over the years. This includes the LCS Blues Festival scheduled for Saturday, March 21st and the Fashion Show that was scheduled to take place in April.  To temporarily suspend programs, activities, events and services, including our libraries until the level of contact with others is safer. This includes those offered at the Wilkes Center.  We ask our volunteers who would have face-to-face interactions with our constituents to stay at home until we feel that full activities can be placed back on track. However, the grounds of the Lake Chapala Society will remain open, so that individuals can walk the grounds, enjoy the gardens and have access to the Internet to stay in touch with family, friends and current events.  In addition, we will retain our staff to maintain our buildings and grounds, keep the information desk and office open along with all the other behind the scenes operations so we can resume programs, services and events when conditions are ready. These actions are designed to reduce the threat of spreading of this disease, while keeping the Lake Chapala Society’s doors open to the community during these times to help assist those that may be in need. We want to assure you that the legacy of ‘people helping people’ is not lost during these critical times. We are your community and we are here for you! And while many of our members are returning to their native countries, many more are here year around, along with so many in the Mexican community that rely on LCS as a connection with the foreign community. We need your continued support of LCS through both your membership and generous donations. Keeping all this in mind you will be able to stay connected by renewing your membership online and you will receive a credit towards future classes for trips and events that have been postponed, or you can use the same tickets when these programs are rescheduled, please hold on to your receipts or tickets. Any donations to assist us with continuing our mission at Lake Chapala Society and allowing our staff to maintain the grounds would be greatly appreciated. It is very important to keep the Lake Chapala Society’s doors in the community open in these times to help those that may be in need or require assistance. We are your community and we are here for you! Warm regards, Carole Wolff President

Dear Members and Friends, Yesterday, your Board of Directors came together to address next steps as it relates to CORONAVIRUS. Rather than planning for the largest AGM in our history and to look forward to extending the legacy of LCS and celebrating these past 65 years, we decided on the heart wrenching but necessary steps to do the right thing to safeguard the health and safety of our members, volunteers and the community at large. And as a result, made the following decisions:  The Lake Chapala Society Annual General Meeting that was scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 19, 2020 will be postponed to a later date.  To postpone programs and events that have attracted so many loyal members and the community at-large over the years. This includes the LCS Blues Festival scheduled for Saturday, March 21st and the Fashion Show that was scheduled to take place in April.  To temporarily suspend programs, activities, events and services, including our libraries until the level of contact with others is safer. This includes those offered at the Wilkes Center.  We ask our volunteers who would have face-to-face interactions with our constituents to stay at home until we feel that full activities can be placed back on track. However, the grounds of the Lake Chapala Society will remain open, so that individuals can walk the grounds, enjoy the gardens and have access to the Internet to stay in touch with family, friends and current events.  In addition, we will retain our staff to maintain our buildings and grounds, keep the information desk and office open along with all the other behind the scenes operations so we can resume programs, services and events when conditions are ready. These actions are designed to reduce the threat of spreading of this disease, while keeping the Lake Chapala Society’s doors open to the community during these times to help assist those that may be in need. We want to assure you that the legacy of ‘people helping people’ is not lost during these critical times. We are your community and we are here for you! And while many of our members are returning to their native countries, many more are here year around, along with so many in the Mexican community that rely on LCS as a connection with the foreign community. We need your continued support of LCS through both your membership and generous donations. Keeping all this in mind you will be able to stay connected by renewing your membership online and you will receive a credit towards future classes for trips and events that have been postponed, or you can use the same tickets when these programs are rescheduled, please hold on to your receipts or tickets. Any donations to assist us with continuing our mission at Lake Chapala Society and allowing our staff to maintain the grounds would be greatly appreciated. It is very important to keep the Lake Chapala Society’s doors in the community open in these times to help those that may be in need or require assistance. We are your community and we are here for you! Warm regards, Carole Wolff President

Tickets on sale at LCS service desk and LCS Website Wednesday, 15 April Galerias Mall/Costco Major upscale retailers including Liverpool, Best Buy, Sears, Home Store and restaurants Cheesecake Factory, PF Chang and more, also shop Costco, Sams, Mega and Office Depot. Cost 450pesos for members and 550pesos for non-members Bus departs promptly at 9:30am from the sculpture in La Floresta. We will depart Costco at 4pm Wednesday, 22 April Bed Bath and Beyond/City Market in the Plaza Patria Mall Shop the famous Bed Bath and Beyond for fine linens and other household goods and The City Market for Fine Food stuffs from all over the world. Also enjoy the Patria Mall. Should be a great shopping experience Cost 450pesos for members and 550pesos for non-members Bus departs promptly at 10am for the sculpture in La Floresta We will depart Plaza Patria at 3pm Wednesday13 May Tonala Tonala is the place to shop for home decor, especially accessories, including tableware for fine dining. Visit the studios of world famous Dutch glass sculptor Max Koekkoek Birfelder and the renown Mexican ceramist Galeria Bernabe The streets are lined with shops offering all sorts of interesting objects and good eateries. A street map of the area will be provided to you. Cost 450pesos for members and 550pesos for non-members. Bus departs promptly at 10am from the sculpture in La Floresta Wednesday, 20 May Galerias Mall/Costco Major upscale retailers including Liverpool, Best Buy, Sears, Home Store and restaurants Cheesecake Factory, PF Chang and more, also shop Costco, Sams, Mega and Office Depot. Cost 450pesos for members and 550pesos for non-members Bus departs promptly at 9:30am from the sculpture in La Floresta. We will depart Costco at 4pm

PLEASE NOTE = THE MARCH 19 TRIP TO AMATITAN/TEQUILA - TRES MUJERES DISTILLERY HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

LCS Personal Enrichment Program 2020 LCS classes are not first come first serve, they are first payed first served. To sign up, make sure your membership is current and covers the duration of this course. Registration requires payment. There is no refund. The Five Revolutions that Shaped Western Thought. Instructor: Ted Rogers Course Fee: $800 MXN Course Dates: Series of 7 sessions, Wednesdays, March 11, 18, 25, April 01,08, 15 & 22, 2020 Course Time: Wednesday, 1:00 to 2:30 pm Course Location: SCBR Min/Max Students required: 11/20 Enrollment begins Feb 12 from 10:00 to 14:00 at de LCS Office Enrollment ends March 05. Description: This course focuses on how five revolutions, the Glorious Revolution, the US Revolution, the French Revolution, the Russian Revolution, and the Indian Revolution shaped western thought and politics, defining the contemporary Western world as we know it. Ted Rogers tcrogersphd@gmail.com Ted is an energetic and enthusiastic instructor. Holding a triple concentration Ph.D. in history from the University of Colorado, Ted also earned that university’s top teaching award. He has been Visiting Scholar at the London School of Economics, Lambeth Palace, and the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. His travels to over fifty countries, having lived in four of them, give him a unique perspective, which further informs his teaching. He is published in three countries. Ted is a permanent resident of Ajijic, where he lives with his beautiful wife, Glenda, and their three crazy dogs.

LCS Prueba México Program 2020 LCS classes are not first come first serve, they are first payed first served. To sign up, make sure your membership is current and covers the duration of this course. Registration requires payment. There is no refund. Cocoa and table chocolate (Mexican Traditional Chocolate) Event Fee: $650 MXN Event Dates: March 27, 2020 Event Time: Friday, 10:00 to 1:00 pm Event Location: Grass next to the Gazebo Min/Max Students required: 11/15 Enrollment begins Feb 26 from 10:00 to 2:00 pm at the LCS Office Enrollment ends March 23. Description: Since ancient times, Cocoa was known and used as a food that gave power, this is because of the amount of nutrients it has as well as the chemical substances that it produces in our body, which generate feelings of Joy, Energy, Clarity, Pleasure and many more. In this workshop you will learn to identify and recognize the fruit of cocoa Study the process cocoa goes through from seed to the end result of a delicious table chocolate. Savor the experience of what this wonderful seed shares and gives to us to enjoy! About our instructor NORA MALDONADO VALENCIA Bachelor of Tourism 2009. After collaborating in different transnational companies specializing in the segment of casual food and the tourism sector, and participating in business development in a specialized consultancy from 2004 to 2013, In October 2013 Nora concludes That it is time to embark on a new adventure, The Adventure of Cocoa and Chocolate, which is named: “LUNA CACAU”, since it observes that our roots and our Mesoamerican culture are mixed from our origins with the Creole seeds that they cultivated our ancestors creators of civilizations. And so it makes the decision to generate the media, as a social activist, for the dissemination and preservation of our culture and tradition through multicultural expression and flavors such as chocolate.

There were TWO motorcycle accidents yesterday. One in La Floresta earlier in the morning - the other in Riberas by the 7-11. Driver from first accident taken to hospital and will be ok.

CORRECTION TO ZOO PRICE........should be 650 pesos for members and 750 for non members.

NEVER say NEVER - Merrill Lynch would prefer the U.S. consulate to avoid any possible problems with your documents which might involve members of your family or others in the U.S. SO I so smartly took my documents to the U.S. with me and in Nevada a notary can witness and notarize your documents - which she did. Well my address is in Illinois who does not allow same signature notary for witness/notary. Little did I know. Learned my lesson - no matter how impressive the notario's seal, it's not worth the chance - depending your what you need the signature for. And I have indeed known of others with similar problems...