This year the highly anticipated local event, The Mexican Chili Cook Off, will be held February 10th, 11th and 12th, 2012.

This is an event that everybody seems happy to participate in was originally started by the late Morley Eager of La Nueva Posada 35 years ago.
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On Sunday night January 15th the 2012 Golden Globes took place. It was once again hosted by Ricky Gervais who did a wonderful job. It is a surprise to some that he was invited back after his irreverent performance last year but it is a credit to the producers that they were brave enough to have him host again. Although he seemed perhaps a little less outrageous in his attacks on the stars he is very funny and certainly brightened up the format of the show.
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My husband and I seldom agree on what to watch on television which is why we have Star Choice with about 100 channels and local cable.

Last year we did happen upon a program on PBS (388 on Star Choice) which we both enjoyed very much. We were sad when the announced the season finale and delighted when Season 2 of Downton Abbey began January 8th, 2012. Other episodes are to be aired January 15th, 22nd, 29th, February 5th, 12th and 19th.
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We have Star Choice television from Canada which we get from Shaw Direct and for more information you can access their web site at: www.shawdirect.ca

We also have local cable. Prior to Star Choice we had always been very professionally looked after by Ajijic Electronics S.A. de C.V. Ajijic Electronics is located at Las Flores #2-A in Ajijic and the telephone # is 766-1117 and 766-3371. The emails are: satelites2002@prodigy.net.mx or ajijicelectronics@yahoo.com
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Officers of the Arizona-based Palacio Development Group were in the Chapala area this week to break ground in the construction of a full service “Las Vegas-style” hotel-casino complex projected for opening in one year.

The complex will be named Lake Chapala Hotel and Casino Resort and is located on eight hectares of land just to the east and slightly above Chula Vista Norte. It will be set in the heart of a fifty hectare spread called Tierra Salada, also now undergoing development as a residential subdivision.

It will be the first of its kind in Mexico and is costing approximately $40,000.00 dollars is designed to appeal to the high-en clientele from Guadalajara.
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This Wednesday, August 3rd is the 21st Anniversary of the landmark of Ajijic, Lake Chapala, La Nueva Posada.

La Nueva Posada is offering a complimentary margarita from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on August 3rd.

La Nueva Posada has been serving the lakeside community since 1978 and the Eager family has always taken an active part in looking after their guests.
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Right here in Ajijic, Lake Chapala we have a very beautiful executive 9 hole golf course called the Chula Vista Golf and Country Club. It is located at KM 53 Carretera a Chapala-Jocotepec and their phone # is 766-2515. This also the entrance to Upper Chula vista.

This is a golf course that I have played at for many years for a number of reasons. One, it is very close and two people can get around usually in two and a half hours so your entire day is not taken up.

Two, although it is only 9 holes and relatively short it is a very challenging golf course.
The fairways are very narrow and one has to be accurate with their tee shots or they might well end up in the arroyo.

Three, it is beautifully maintained and two or three holes have a breathtaking view of Lake Chapala. The fairways are green, the greens are well kept and there are flowers and flowering trees everywhere.
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Chili Cook Off 2011
Organizers have come up with stellar acts from near and far to keep things simmering at the Chili Cook Off on February 18th, 19th and 20th. This popular annual event takes place at Tobolandia in Ajijic which is located at the carretera and libramento.
Don’t miss the Irish dancers on Sunday!

Friday, February 18th
11:00 am – Gate opens
11:30 am – Noe and his guitar serenade us
12:30 pm – The Hawaiian Dancers of the Alakai Kela Academy
1:30 pm- The Hot Rhythms of Bozza Brasil
2:30 pm – The Mr. Chili Cook Off Contest
4:00 pm – Salsa winners announced
5:00 pm – Gate closes
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We are lucky enough to have Northern Lights return to Ajijic.

This year there are 6 concerts and an event at La Nueva Posada from February 19th to March 1at, 2011.

The Gala Opening is Cultures in Communication on Saturday, February 19th at 7:30 pm at the Auditorio de la Ribera, Ajijic and costs $300.00 pesos. All new this year. the largest orchestra ever. Beethoven;s 7th; Mozart’s Piano Concerto in A Major and a World Premiere commissioned for the Games, The Pan American overture by Gary Kulesha.

Guitango 2 with Guitarist Alvin Tung on Monday, February 21st, 7:30 pm also at the Auditorio de La Ribera, Ajijic at a cost of $150.00 pesos. Returning by popular demand after over-capacity crowds were overwhelmed by his virtuosity last year. See and hear things on the guitar that you thought impossible.

Drew Jurecka Jazz Quintet again at the Auditorio is on Wednesday, February 23rd, at 7:30 pm for $250.00 pesos. All new Jazz Band this year. Jazz Violin in the style of Stephane Grappelli.. Old tunes, new tunes and original tunes.

Intimate Settings The Attacca String Quartet is being held at El Dorado Private Residence Club (South Side of the Libramento #98, San Antonio Tlayacapan) on Friday, February 25th at 7:30pm for a cost of $150.00 pesos. From New York City and Julliard School, the Attacca String Quartet in concert. A very special intimate setting. Tickets limited Get them early.

An Evening with Jill Barber is being held at the Auditorio Saturday, February 26th at 7:30 pm for a cost of $250/00 pesos. An enchanting concert evening with the double Juno award nominee. Canadian singer,song writerand east coast star backed by the Hot Jazz Quintet. New to the festival this year.

GalaClosing War and Peace at the Auditorio Tuesday, March 1st, 7:30 pm for a cost of $300.00 pesos. The Festival Chanber Orchestra. A grand finale. Honegger’s Symphony #2 for String Orchestra and Trumpet. Dvorak;s famous Serenade for Strings.

Lastly there is a Special Event at La Nueva Posada which is a Hot Jazz Dinner concert on Thursday, February 24th at 6:00 pm for a cost of $400.00. All new jazz band and dinner under the stars with Drew Jurecka and guests. Tickets available at La Nueva Posada only and is a special event and is not included in any packages.

Tickets are on sale now at the Lake Chapala Society Ticket Booth from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and at Charter club Tours at Plaza Montana on the Carretera at Colon in Ajijic.

For more information on these wonderful concerts or to become a patron of the Festival please visit their website at: www.scotiabanknorthernlightsmusiccfestival.com

These concerts are always very well attended and we are lucky to have these very talented Canadian Musicians here to perform for our community again and we have Chris Wilshire to thank for this.

I know I recently wrote about Chef Laurent opening up his new restaurant in Hotel Casa Blanca but having dined there with friends last night it bears another look.

Laurent Cuisine is located at Calle 16 de Septiembre # 29 in Ajiic across from The Lake Chapala Society.

Their email address is: laurentatcasablanca@gmail.com and the phone number for reservation (which is advised) is 766-1500,

Previously I posted items from their menu which you can access on this site.

Last night our dinner was exquisite.

I had emailed them earlier in the day to see if they were open and received a prompt reply saying they were open and we were very welcome. I did this as many restaurants are closed on Tuesday.

Laurent Cuisine is open Tuesday to Saturday from 12:30 pm – 10:00 pm and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

We arrived and were shown to a lovely table near the front of the restaurant and were very impressed at how beautifully the restaurant was appointed. The tables are chairs were warm and comfortable and situated well apart for privacy.

The quality of the food was, as usual, excellent. We all had the Caesar Salad carefully prepared at our table which reminded us of the old and wonderful day of the Westbury (more…)