Come to our presentations at LCS Gardens

Open Circle provides a supportive environment to gather for social interaction and to improve our understanding of ourselves, our community and our world.

Upcoming

November 10

Michael Hogan "Deaf Cat in the Rain" and other stories

A sometimes humorous and sometimes poignant series of stories presented by well-known author illuminating some of the missteps and joys of living and working in Mexico from his latest book The Michael Hogan Reader.

Michael Hogan is an historian, author and poet who has lived in Mexico for 35 years. He has written thirty books including The Irish Soldiers of Mexico which was the basis for an MGM movie. His short stories and essays have appeared in numerous magazines from the Paris Review and Harvard Review to the Smithsonian. Penguin Books includes his work in the college text, 100 Great Essays.

November 17, 2024
Wings, Guns, and Coming of Age in America

Robert Case

November 24, 2024
Capturing History: the Life of Walter Thornton

Nancy T Navarro

December 1, 2024
Why Our Stories Matter

Alicia Knox

If You Missed an In-person Presentation, You Can Still Enjoy It Online

Learning Love

Is it possible to learn to love? Certainly important to ourselves, our community, and our world. I will outline the 5 levels of love; the Spectrum of Love and its opposites; read mystical poetry from Rumi and Hafiz; discuss falling in love, heartbreak, and grief; yearning for an unknown better; and the practical application of love in the world.

Past Presentations

About Open Circle

For nearly 30 years, the Lake Chapala area has been honored to host Mexico’s longest-standing weekly English language lecture series. Begun in 1995 by volunteers under the title of “New Dimensions” and initially focused on various aspects of spirituality, in 2001 the program became “Open Circle” and was hosted in homes and restaurants. The Lake Chapala Society became Open Circle Ajijic’s permanent home in the early 2000’s and (since 20021) has become an official Lake Chapala Society program.

 

Mission Statement: 

“Open Circle Ajijic provides a supportive environment to gather for social interaction and to improve our understanding of ourselves, our community, and our world. Presentations span a wide range of intellectual, cultural, physical, and spiritual topics. We do not necessarily agree with the ideas and philosophies of our presenters. We encourage you to listen with an open mind and form your own opinions.”

 

"Deaf Cat in the Rain" and other stories
Michael Hogan - November 10, 2024

A sometimes humorous and sometimes poignant series of stories presented by well-known author illuminating some of the missteps and joys of living and working in Mexico from his latest book The Michael Hogan Reader.

Michael Hogan is an historian, author and poet who has lived in Mexico for 35 years. He has written thirty books including The Irish Soldiers of Mexico which was the basis for an MGM movie. His short stories and essays have appeared in numerous magazines from the Paris Review and Harvard Review to the Smithsonian. Penguin Books includes his work in the college text, 100 Great Essays.

Close
Wings, Guns, and Coming of Age in America: A search for the Positive Masculine
Robert Case - November 17, 2024

In the tradition of Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey, Robert Case presents living, working and playing in the aftermath of Columbine from his latest memoir titled Cycling Through Columbine (2022).  Case will present the importance of keeping your dreams alive, how you can’t buy health (or happiness), but you can buy a bicycle.

Robert William Case is a former Jefferson County  Colorado assistant county attorney.

Entrepreneur – Author – Adventure Cyclist My public speaking experience includes practicing law in Jefferson County, Colorado for over twenty years with a JD from the University of Denver (1988). I continue to exercise my communication skills as an active member of Toastmasters International. Formal education includes: MS (Geology) U of Utah, BS (Geology) Allegheny College, and a Certificate from the Bovine School of Improv, Denver, Colorado.

Close
Capturing History: the Life of Walter Thornton
Nancy T Navarro - November 24, 2024

Ajijic has been home to several luminaries from the USA and Canada at various times in their lives. For example, Zara Alexeyewa, popularly known as ‘La Rusa’ (‘The Russian’), settled in Ajijic in the 1940s. We bring you the story of our father, Walter Thornton (popularly known as ‘The Merchant of Venus’), who made Ajijic his home in 1958, living here for over 30 years after marrying our mother. Here is a glimpse of our story, chronicled in a book:

Capturing History: The Pioneering Expat Who Lived a Second Life in Ajijic and the Iconic Image That Defined the 1929 Stock Market Crash and the Great Depression: The Merchant of Venus: The Life of Walter Thornton

Nestled amidst the vibrant landscapes of Ajijic, Mexico stands the mesmerizing Tile House, a kaleidoscope of colors and architectural marvel adorned with six domes that allow the sun to weave its magic within, surrounded by five magnificent fountains that serenely spit water into the air. This charming casa holds a secret, a cache of American history concealed within boxes and documents belonging to Walter Thornton, the enigmatic “Merchant of Venus.”

Thornton, a man who lived a quiet life in Mexico with his second wife Candelaria and their brood of six children, harbored a mysterious past that remained veiled from his family for decades. His daughters, now residing in the U.S., stumbled upon a revelation in 2004 while watching the film Seabiscuit. A fleeting image of their father surfaced, linking him to the iconic 1929 photograph synonymous with the Stock Market Crash.

Intrigued by this unexpected revelation, the Thornton Sisters embarked on an emotional journey back to their childhood home in Mexico. What they uncovered within its walls rewrote the tapestry of American history. Assisted by historians, they pieced together the mosaic of Walter Thornton’s life—a pioneer who indelibly shaped the American beauty, modeling, and advertising industries from the late 1920s to 1955.

No, thank you. I do not want.
100% secure your website.
Why Our Stories Matter
Alicia Knox - December 1, 2024

Why Our Stories Matter~ Seen. Remembered. Valued.

As a storytelling photographer, I believe in the power of documenting life through visual images and the written word!

Interweaving my photographs and stories, I will offer a multi-media presentation of Guatemala, the Project Somos Children’s Learning Village, and beyond! I will talk about the importance of documenting our lives and WHY it is key to get your stories written down and your photographs printed, particularly in this digital age!

For thirteen years, my husband Greg and I lived on-site at Project Somos in Guatemala. Daily, I captured images of our life, the staff and the children that make up this beautiful, bustling learning village which serves the local indigenous Guatemalan community.

While in Guatemala, I met so many families that had few to zero photos of themselves or their families. I would offer to make photos and then return to share the images with them. For me, it is one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. It was a sobering reminder of what is most important.

Have you ever dug through your photos and found yourself lost in an image that included that ugly orange floral family couch, the full ashtray and your cousins dog-piled on the floor, unposed? What about that photo of you and your siblings meeting your newest baby sister/brother when they arrived home? For me, these are the magical photos that capture the true nature of family and daily life. Candid. Real. Authentic. I will talk about why these types of images are so important and how YOU can capture more of them!

While we are still here on this planet, we have an opportunity to get organized. We can gather our stories and our photographs. Your life’s legacy matters to your family. Our stories matter. We all want to be seen and remembered. My presentation will remind and reignite the importance of gathering and safe guarding YOUR precious stories of YOUR precious life.

Close
Scroll to Top