Featured Presentations Scheduled for Your Enjoyment in the LCS Gardens

Registration is strongly encouraged. CLICK TO RESERVE MONDAY-SATURDAY

Open Circle Ajijic

June 5, 2022
Presentation by Tran Dang: America’s Children: Displaced and Disadvantaged in Mexico
YouTube link: Coming Soon

Amid an economic downturn, mass deportations, and intensifying anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States, Mexican migrants have been forced to return to Mexico, and their U.S.-born family members have emigrated with them. The arrival of these Americans has contributed to an extraordinary growth of the U.S. population in Mexico, now home to more than 600,000 American children. While these children struggle to adapt to a new language, country, and education system, they are losing language and cultural ties to the United States. We know the vast majority plan to return home one day, but will they be prepared? Come join us on June 6th to hear from Tran about what she’s learned from in-depth interviews about America’s children in Mexico and what her organization, The Rhizome Center for Migrants, is doing to ensure their future.

Tran Dang, Founder and Executive Director of The Rhizome Center for Migrants.Tran is a former large law firm attorney who has represented victims of persecution in regional human rights forums and systems, UNHCR, and the UN special procedures. Before moving to Mexico where she currently resides, she directed a human rights office and legal aid clinic in Bangkok, Thailand. In 2018, she founded The Rhizome Center for Migrants, a U.S. nonprofit providing post-deportation legal, advocacy, and reintegration support to the returned and deported community in Western Central Mexico.

The Rhizome Center for Migrants (www.rhizomecenter.org) is an independent, secular 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our on-the-ground project in Guadalajara, Jalisco, supports deported and returned migrants through legal aid, advocacy, and reintegration support. Today, the Rhizome Center is the leading voice on binational issues impacting the deported and their family.

Open Circle Ajijic

June 12, 2022
Presentation by Dr. Kelly Randolph Bennett: Meditation on the Go
YouTube link: Coming Soon

Meditation is the most valuable skill I have learned! To practice it formally takes time, effort, and planning. In meditation, we intentionally develop our brain, mind, body, and soul to manifest universal perspectives, where all possibilities exist. With more limited time, we can derive satisfaction from conversations with our source on the run. 24/7. Call this dual attention. Two sides of your brain carry on two separate activities at the same time, while connected to each other. imagine that! The familiar part is to maintain a focus on the practical activity at hand (call it local flow), while simultaneously uniting with the universal energies of creation (call it universal flow). With dual attention, the emphasis and intent are on unity with source, not on the practices. The lifeblood of unity runs through the quality of connection, enhanced by dual attention, and established by adequate opening (willingness) and expanding (inclusion).

Dr. Kelly Bennett began his career as a rocket scientist. Over the past 55 years, he has helped individuals and businesses around the world flourish by applying clinical, developmental, and neuro-psychology, brainwave optimization, meditation, and prayer as a psychologist and professor. While professionally credentialed, he has lived and practiced in the United States, Australia, South-east Asia, and Ecuador. He now resides with his wife Cheryl ("charlie") in Ajijic, Mexico.

Open Circle Ajijic

June 19, 2022
Presentation by Dr. Daniel Acuff, Ph.D., M.S.P. (Masters in Spiritual Psychology): EXTRAORDINARY LIVING
A Personal Enhancement Presentation
YouTube link: Coming Soon

With Dr. Acuff as a guide, you as a participant can expect to explore various important keys to creating an extraordinary life experience. You will be invited and sometimes challenged to look at questions related to how you are currently fulfilling your needs and how this leads to your level of happiness. A high and consistent degree of happiness is a goal of extraordinary living. You, and we, will examine questions such as:
• What if any physical challenges do you experience?
• What are the causes of stress in your life?
• What makes you anxious? What do you worry about?
• What makes you sad?
• How’s your social life…from often feeling alone to being a bit overwhelmed?
• Do you feel safe? Physically? Emotionally?
• Do you feel stimulated intellectually? Often Bored?
• How do your beliefs help or hinder your happiness?
• What excites you?
• What activities make you happy? How can you do more of these?
• What brings you joy? How can you create more joy?
• What are you passionate about?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being the least happy, and 10 being ridiculously joyful most of the time, what number do you give yourself?
• What could you do or change to raise that number up?

Dr. Acuff has been a conference speaker and workshop leader in front of more than 6,000 participants around the globe – from South Africa to Norway. He has led seminars and workshops on topics such as Relationships, Breakthrough Performance, Success, Excellence of Communication, Handling of Breakdowns, Integrity, Creativity, Self-Expression, Leadership, Health and Fitness, Excellence, Commitment and Sex and Intimacy. He has consulted with participants from major corporations such as Disney, Kraft, Hallmark, Kellogg’s, ABC TV, M&M Mars, Marvel, Sega and the US Dept. of Agriculture. Dr. Acuff is the author of 14 books and a variety of articles related to human needs and motivation, communication and relationship.

Open Circle Ajijic

June 26, 2022
The presentation for this week is still being prepared. If you would be interested in making a future presentation at Open Circle, please use our Contact Us web form [a href="presentation_form.php" name="Open Circle Presentation Form"] *** HERE *** [/a] to tell us your ideas.

Open Circle Ajijic

July 3, 2022
Presentation by Steve Nousen: Benjamin Franklin Returns to 1776
YouTube link: Coming Soon

Dr. Benjamin Franklin returns to Open Circle on July 3 at 10:30. Dr. Franklin will address the events growing out of the British aggression against the Patriots who continue to fight and die in the cause of Liberty. Since he made his last address at Open Circle, Dr. Franklin has recovered from an ill-fated diplomatic trip to Canada which nearly cost him his life. Upon his return to Philadelphia, he co-authored the Declaration of Independence and helped shepherd it through Congress. On September 11th, he met with the British commander in a last ditch effort to find a peaceful end to the war. That effort failed and the United States is now faced with a prolonged war. The setting for Dr. Franklin's latest Open Circle talk is dockside in Philadelphia. It is October 28, 1776 and the 70 year-old Franklin is about to depart on the most important mission of his career. The future of the United States hangs in the balance. Please come to wish Dr. Franklin success on his critical endeavor.

Award-winning teacher, actor, and lobbyist, Steven Nousen has presented Ben Franklin to countless audiences ranging in age from 9-90. He has entertained and informed people at conventions, schools, and universities. He has spoken at the National Geographic Society and the Library of Congress. In his presentations, the audience becomes part of the show. "Dr. Franklin" engages in dialogue with those in attendance. In marking the 246th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Steven will close the program with a reading of a revised and updated interpretation of the Declaration.

If You Missed an In-person Presentation, You Can Still Enjoy It On-line.

Open Circle Ajijic

May 29, 2022
Presentation by David Greenstein: The Innocence Project, Wrongly Convicted.
YouTube link: Coming Soon

Frightening and fascinating. Real stories of real people who have been freed by The Innocence Project, including some in Mexico.

What happens when an innocent person is convicted and all avenues of appeal have been closed? The Innocence Project is not part of the legal system. It is private and has had over 1,000 people freed, some off Death Rows. One should understand that innocent is not the same as "Not Guilty."

I have given this talk to well over 10,000 people during the 9-years I did Enrichment Lectures on Royal Caribbean cruises. On many cruises this talk was voted one of the "Top Ten" best features of onboard "activities." It won't disappoint. Q&A period available after talk.

Open Circle Ajijic

May 22, 2022
Presentation by Virtuosi Guadalajara: A Concert of Works by Dimitri Shostakovich and Samuel Barber
YouTube link: Coming Soon

In about 3 months Ajijic will be teeming with about 60 young violinists, cellists, pianists and violists from all over the world. Some are coming from as far away as Amsterdam, South Korea, England, Israel, Spain and many from Canada, United States and of course Mexico. Many attend schools such as Juilliard, Royal College of Music, Bloomington Indiana, UNAM, and Eastman. These young university students between the ages of 18 and 25 are coming to participate in an intensive 2 week workshop/festival called Festival del Lago to study closely with a highly skilled and experienced faculty alongside some of the most in demand teachers in North America. A group of young talented Mexican students, who have been attending the festival since its inception have formed an ensemble called Virtuosi Guadalajara, and on May 22nd they, alongside their teacher will perform works by Dimitri Shostakovich and American composer Samuel Barber.

Virtuosi Guadalajara is a conductor-less string orchestra consisting of 16 of some of the most talented young Mexican violinists, violists and cellists who ages range between 15 and 24 years old. They are led and coached by Christopher Wilshere who is also their private musical instructor and the artistic director of Festival del Lago. For LCS’s Open Circle on May 22nd we will be performing two iconic works. Arguably Shostakovich’s greatest and most terrifying composition, the famous String Quartet #8 arranged for string orchestra, along with Samuel Barber’s beautiful Adagio for Strings which grew in notoriety after it was used in the movie Platoon staring Charlie Sheen and William Dafoe. Not only will we be performing and discussing these moving works, but we’ll also pull back the curtain and show you some of the process and rehearsal techniques that we’ve developed as an ensemble. You might be surprised at how much it can grow ones appreciation for the music. We’re excited to be performing for you and hope to see you there!

Open Circle Ajijic

May 15, 2022
Presentation by Juanita Crampton: Post Life Planning for Pets
YouTube link: Coming Soon

Ajijic and Lakeside communities are animal lovers. Expats and Mexican families are giving homes to many of the stray dogs and cats that have traditionally roamed the streets in record numbers. The question for us older expats, is what do we do with our pets when we can no longer care for them. The truth is many of us have pets who will outlive us. We are making end of life plans for ourselves. Are we making end of life plans for our pets? Post Life Planning for Pets is a new program Lakeside whose mission is to raise awareness about the need to plan. This is a program embraced by the animal rescue community as a way to minimize animals being dumped or abandoned when an owner dies. The program suggests guidelines for making a plan. This talk can offer a conversation and answer questions about planning for pets.

Juanita Crampton is an Ajijic resident, retired here for 5 1/2 years. Animal lover and visionary for the program Post Life Planning for Pets. Formerly a business owner and co-creator of Sattwa Chai, a nationally recognized chai brand in the US and Canadian markets. Partner in Briggs and Crampton caterers and Table for Two in Portland Oregon. Social worker in case management with low income adults and in resource development for developmentally disabled adults.

Open Circle Ajijic

May 8, 2022
Presentation by Fernando Ausin: BioTu
YouTube link: Coming Soon

BioTU is a sustainability education program that inspires sustainability-minded leadership and a deep sense of community collaboration through practical education, local opportunities, and replicable solutions. We provide educational resources that support the restoration of local environments through feasible solutions that leverage ecotechnologies and that promote sustainable entrepreneurship within communities in a creative, conscious, and enriching way. After 13 years of a mobile educational program criss-crossing Mexico and beyond, BioTU is currently developing its first Sustainability Education Training Center lakeside at the CETAC01 technical high school campus in Jocotepec. Please join us in co-creating an innovative and inspiring methodology for today’s students and future generations. You can learn more about their work at www.biotu.org.

Fernando Ausin is an international social entrepreneur with a strong passion for social justice and global sustainability. For the past 15 years, he has been studying the promise of survival for humanity from an indigenous perspective, travelling across 48 states in the US and most of Mexico to learn from scientists, academics and indigenous elders. He is the Co-Founder and Executive Director to BioTU, where he helps transmit their lessons to younger generations. He holds a BA in Latin American politics from Dartmouth College and has worked extensively as a consultant, educator and healer around the globe. For more information about Fernando, you can visit www.facebook.com/fausingomez/

Open Circle Ajijic

May 1, 2022
Presentation by David Rosh: The Universal Threshold to Life: The Experience of Grief and Loss
YouTube link: [a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Fc_iWP4Bpc" target="_blank"]** CLICK HERE **[/a]

We all begin our life journey in a warm and protected space – the peace of our mother’s womb. It would seem the Creator intended for that amniotic universe to be paradise. What is true, paradise or not, is we all got evicted.

I have come to see that loss is the SINE QUA NON for the journey. We are born via traumatic loss. We are endowed from the first moment with our most overlooked gift – our breath. Each new breath is born out of loss. Then, the new born shows us that we come equipped with survival energies: pain, anger, fear and love. Although these energies have no moral value, when not honored, they can result in behavior ignoble, even villainous.

Our learning the healthy expression of these feelings transforms not just “paradise lost” but the constant of loss into a JOURNEY TOWARD WHOLENESS. For most, if not all of us, a significant measure of those energies gets pushed down, ignored, rationalized, intellectualized, anesthetized through ignorance, addiction and/or dysfunctional programming.

Whatever has been your most recent or painful loss, I invite you to an 8 week experience of transforming that loss into liberation and empowerment. That's your win. In exchange for this service, I ask that you gift the Lakeside Food Bank, following each session, with an amount of your choosing. Win/Win

David Rosh began his work as a priest and teacher. After earning a master’s degree in social work from Rutgers University he made his career as a psychotherapist, licensed marriage counselor and certified family therapist. His postgraduate studies and passion continue to be the study of transpersonal psychology. He served as Spiritual Coach with Hospice of the Valley for eight years. For over 20 years he led experiences of liberation and empowerment as a certified Grief Recovery Specialist with Arizona Banner Hospice having served some 8000 clients. He is a certified Infinite Possibilities Trainer. He proudly offers as his claim to fame walking “the wild woozy” while engaged in a Native American Vision Quest in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.

Open Circle Ajijic

April 24, 2022
Presentation by David Ellison: Story Time With Dave
YouTube link: Coming Soon

During his 36-year career as an educator, Dave taught many subjects at various levels; but one of his favorites was reading and literature. It wasn't at first when he was forced to cram the classics down the throats of youngsters not yet able to comprehend, much less appreciate them. Then, there was an explosion of superb writing for young and adolescent readers, stories about kids of all ages and diversities laden with exciting adventures and poignant moral choices. Dave will share some of the best that helped him fall in love with teaching again, and his students fall in love with reading for the first time. You will enjoy listening to these stories, too. While Dave will briefly touch on some of the dire statistics regarding reading in the US today, his will be a light-hearted, joyful sharing of great literature. When's the last time someone read a great story to you?

Open Circle Ajijic

April 17, 2022
Presentation by Jesus Victoriano López Vega: The Neill James Legacy
YouTube link: [a href="https://youtu.be/UlRyMu4Xvfw" target="_blank"]** CLICK HERE **[/a]

This movement started on late 50's by former Neill James. She founded two cultural centers known as Bibliotecas Públicas, on separated locations; one on 6 Esquinas, West Ajijic Biblioteca "La Colmena", another one on downtown Biblioteca "La Central" on Constitución near Galeana St. With its children's art program, this one was my grandmother’s property. The budding artists started on the 60's and 70's. Many of them were sent to a prestigious art Institution from Latinoamérica Instituto Allende Gto. INBA. A new art Society was starting in Ajijic "Sociedad de Artistas de Ajijic" by the local budding artists organizing cultural events that were taking place on former Neill James home, Quinta Tzintzuntzan built in 1948. After Neill's death, her Legacy continued "Colección de Arte Infantil" a collection that James started from her first generation of the late 50's by selecting the children's art on decades. This collection is well kept by LCS

Jesus Victoriano López Vega, born in Ajijic, started painting in this art program in 1969 at the age of 7 and been a volunteer in this program at Quinta Tzintzuntzan since 1984, at Neill's former home until today's LCS.

Open Circle Ajijic

April 10, 2022
Presentation by Beverly Jensen: Wireless Wake-up Call
YouTube link: [a href="https://youtu.be/vRz4Cz5VZAk" target="_blank"]** CLICK HERE **[/a]

This past decade the insurance industry studied the science done on the telecom industry, and in 2015, Lloyd’s of London, the bellwether of the industry, concluded that the wireless technology does cause non-ionizing radiation. Lloyd’s concluded that it’s a pollutant, like asbestos, and they’re not going to cover health claims in ordinary policies. The whole insurance industry has followed. It’s not a matter of IF you will be affected but WHEN.

Dr. Jensen will discuss the symptoms of Electro-magnetic sensitivity and common diseases. Most importantly, there are simple steps everyone can take to reduce exposure, and some behavior modification may be necessary!

She holds degrees in Journalism from Missouri, and a doctorate in communication from the University of Washington. Her work has been as a journalist, teaching marketing communication in emerging markets, and for 20 years working in communication strategies for development. Her interest in natural health treatments evolved from managing health projects and personal experiences.

To view additional presentations from our Open Circle 2022 series, ** CLICK HERE ** to visit the on-line archive. Archives of presentations from 2014 - 2021 are also available for viewing under the Videos tab on the Open Circle menu above.