Sunday July 12

Title:  Building a Mexican-Canadian-American institution: Lakeside News
Presenter: Dr. Patrick O'Heffernan

Lakeside is often lauded for its good relationships between the Expat and Mexican communities. How did that happen?
Lakeside News may be one answer.
Lakeside News is the only bilingual newspaper in Mexico, run by a completely integrated staff of employees and volunteers.
Its birth is an example of “Mexican Magic” – getting things done without timelines, job descriptions, or money. It started when a young Latina photographer asked an old expat for his video. That led to funny moments, impossible tasks, misunderstandings, the right people magically appearing, besos, abrazos, and tequila.   Mostly, it's a story of how one Expat found magic, family, and the strength at 80 years old to correct newspaper pages at 11:30 pm.
Dr. Patrick O'Heffernan is co-founder and Editor of Lakeside News. He’s been a journalist, professor, staff to California Governor Brown, and NPO executive. He helped create the Santa Barbara Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary and Baja’s Laguna Ojo de Liebre Whale Refuge. He has an Emmy, 5 Addies, a Webby, and commendations from the Egyptian, Japanese and Chapala governments. He and his wife have been here 6 years

Sunday July 19

Title:  Unsung Songs of Legendary Mexican Women Composers
Presenter: Dr. Juanita Ulloa

Did you know "Bésame Mucho" and "What a Difference a day Made" were written by female legends in Mexico between 1934-1941? What are their stories? Their contributions are often off the radar yet SO significant. Why are there so few women composing/performing mariachi songs today? These questions will be addressed with stories and some songs by Dr. Juanita Ulloa, Operachi Singer/songwriter/Scholar/Professor of Voice. This talk/singing may be of interest to anyone who loves songs or music in general, and wants to learn more Spanish and
Dr. Juanita Ulloa is an international Operachi songstress/songwriter who inspires powerful beauty of songs from Mexico/Latin America. She was reviewed alongside Santana as a pioneering artist in a vocal niche of her own (Hispanic Magazine), champions female composers and just moved to Ajijic! Dr. Juanita has CDs of mariachi, boleros, & award winning bilingual children's songs. Her Oxford book "The Mariachi Voice" is available worldwide.

Sunday July 26

Mindful Walking and Living – A Playful Experiential Presenter: Taj Baker

What if your daily walk could reset your body and lift your mood? Join Taj Baker for a lively, practical exploration of mindful walking—designed for real life, from uneven sidewalks to busy minds. Through simple, playful practices, you’ll discover how to feel more present, confident, and energized with every step. No special gear or perfect posture required—just curiosity and a willingness to move.Taj Baker is a painter/printmaker and mindfulness and creativity coach with an M.A. in Art Therapy from Naropa University. Drawing on decades of meditation practice, Taj brings warmth, humor, and real-world insight to help you feel steadier, safer, and more alive—even when life gets wobbly.

Sunday Aug 2

Men's Health After 50: What the Body Tries to Tell Us Presenter: Dr. Santiago Hernández

What changes in a man's body after 50, and which changes deserve attention? This presentation explores the connections between the heart, hormones, sleep, metabolism, mood, and lifestyle, revealing how they influence health and longevity. Drawing on current medical understanding, it explains why certain conditions become more common with age, why warning signs often go unnoticed, and how practical, sustainable habits can help protect long-term energy, health, and longevity.
Dr. Santiago Hernández is a Mexican-American physician who has practiced primary care and longevity medicine in the Lake Chapala area for more than a decade. Educated in both the United States and Mexico, he completed his undergraduate studies at Indiana University and earned his medical degree in Guadalajara. Bilingual and bicultural, Dr. Hernández is committed to preventive medicine, healthy aging, and empowering patients with the knowledge to better understand their health and make informed decisions throughout life.

Sunday Aug 9

Twelve Years of Music, Education, and Community at Lakeside
Presenter: Eleazar Soto

How does a small lakeside town become a destination for world-class jazz while transforming lives through music education? For more than twelve years, musician Eleazar Soto has worked to make music accessible to children, youth, and adults while bringing internationally acclaimed artists to Lake Chapala through El Lago Suena. This presentation traces the story behind that vision, the partnerships that made it possible, and how music, education, and community have come together to help place Lakeside on the international cultural map.
Eleazar Soto is a saxophonist, guitarist, educator, and cultural producer who has lived in Ajijic for the past twelve years. A graduate of the School of Music at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León and certified by Mexico's Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP), he teaches music at La Cochera Cultural and serves as its artistic resident and music curator. Through Rezzonante Producciones, he has produced international concerts that connect world-class artists with the Lake Chapala community.

Sunday Aug 16

The Most Famous Forgotten Founder of America
Presenter: Mark Donaldson

Why did John Adams declare, “Without the pen of Paine, Washington’s sword would have been wielded in vain,” yet few Americans know Thomas Paine today? As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, this presentation explores the extraordinary life of the revolutionary writer whose words inspired independence, sustained the fight for freedom, challenged slavery, and influenced leaders on both sides of the Atlantic. Discover why Paine became one of the most celebrated—and ultimately most overlooked—figures of the American Revolution.
Mark Donaldson is an active member of the Lakeside theater community, having appeared in numerous productions with Lakeside Little Theatre, Bare Stage, and Bravo Theatre. Through his portrayal of Thomas Paine in Jeffrey Smith's acclaimed solo work, Donaldson discovered what he describes as a personal "Great Awakening" about one of America's most influential—and most overlooked—Founding Fathers. He is passionate about bringing Paine's remarkable story and enduring legacy to new audiences.

Sunday Aug 23

From AIDS to Ajijic Cares: Three Generations, One Conversation

Presenters: Bobby Lancaster, KJ Purcell-Beard, and Mitsunari Zapata

What can one community's response to the AIDS crisis teach us about the conversations we still struggle to have today? Through an intergenerational conversation, leaders from Ajijic Cares reflect on the organization's evolution from HIV awareness to broader sexual health education and community engagement. Along the way, they explore changing attitudes toward HIV, sexuality, stigma, and care while examining why the lessons of the AIDS crisis remain relevant today. Their stories offer a thoughtful perspective on compassion, education, and building healthier, more informed communities.
Bobby Lancaster, KJ Purcell-Beard, and Mitsunari Zapata represent three generations of leadership within Ajijic Cares. Bobby helped establish the organization’s roots through World AIDS Day efforts in Lakeside. KJ serves as president during a period of growth and transition. Mitsu, a psychologist and sexual educator, leads the organization’s year-round educational and community programs focused on sexual health, prevention, and access to resources.

Sunday Aug 30

Finding Your Flow: Living with Greater Ease, Presence, and Purpose

Presenter: William “Be” Arsdale

Most people have experienced moments when life feels unusually effortless, connected, and fully alive—often described as being “in the flow.” Why do those moments seem to come and go? This presentation explores the nature of flow, examining how fear, resistance, expectations, and unconscious habits can interrupt it, and how greater awareness, presence, and emotional understanding can help restore it. Attendees will discover practical insights for recognizing patterns, responding more consciously to life's challenges, and cultivating a greater sense of ease, connection, and well-being.

William “Be” Van Arsdale is a writer, facilitator, and longtime student of contemplative philosophy, emotional awareness, and personal transformation. Drawing on decades of life experience, spiritual inquiry, and reflective practice, he explores how presence, conscious choice, and emotional understanding can foster greater ease, connection, and meaning in everyday life. His work integrates practical insights with timeless contemplative traditions to help people navigate life with greater awareness and resilience.