Around Town, Dec 01, 2006
Meetings & Lectures


Midday Rotary Club

On Tuesday, December 5, the Midday Rotary holds their annual meeting to elect officers and directors for 2007–08. Club members vote for president, president-elect, vice president, director, treasurer and secretary.

As required by the by-laws, voting will be by written ballot and no proxy voting is permitted. Members who will be out of town must submit an absentee ballot to the secretary by mail or by email before the annual meeting and must disclose their names for control purposes.

Club meetings scheduled for December 26 and January 2 have been cancelled for the holidays.

The Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday meets every Tuesday at 12:30pm at the Villa Jacaranda Hotel, Aldama 53. Visiting Rotarians and others interested in Rotary are invited to attend this meeting. Lunch follows at 1:30pm in the hotel dining room. For more information, see our website at www.rotarysma.org 

Process theology and the reinvention of faith

The Reverend Doctor Harold H. Weicker addresses the topic of “Process Theology and The Reinvention of Faith” at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Sunday, December 3.

Ordained a deacon and then a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1965, he served in two cathedrals and was the founding minister of two congregations in California and Idaho. Weicker also worked with Duke Ellington, the great jazz composer, pianist and bandleader, during the last seven years of his life, producing sacred music concerts and handling his personal and business matters. He presided at Ellington’s funeral and internment in 1974. In the mid-1970s, Weicker and his wife, Carol, founded a spiritual retreat and conference center in New Mexico, which they eventually sold to a well-known adolescent alcoholism and drug treatment center.

The Weickers retired to San Miguel two years ago. Both are board members of Patronato Pro Niños, where Weicker is in charge of the illness prevention program. He is also the founder of the recently formed, nondenominational San Miguel Christian Fellowship.

The UU Fellowship meets every Sunday at 10:30am at La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15. Visitors are invited to attend the ser-vice and join the UUs in the hotel restaurant for brunch. For more information, visit www.portalsanmiguel.com/lifestyle/unitarians/unitarians.html. 

Shambhala public talk offered 

Imagine a path of spiritual opening that does not require religious dogma. Imagine quantum physics discovering the same nature of reality 2,500 years later. Imagine medieval chivalry applied to modern society. Imagine a path of warriorship where war is not the object. Imagine the ancient wisdom traditions of the East combined with the pragmatism of the West. Imagine a way of living that so inspired others that it was called Shangri-La. Imagine that this path is available to all people right here in San Miguel de Allende. Imagine Shambhala. A public talk will be offered on December 6 from 6:30 to 8:30pm, titled “Imagine Shambhala.” The evening will offer simple meditation instruction and practice and a talk by a senior meditation student. Coffee, tea and dessert will follow. The evening program, conducted in English with Spanish translation, is free of charge. Callejón Blanco 4 (off Quebrada). Information: 152-5814.

Jesus and Buddha: bearers of truth

How do Christianity and Buddhism look at the deepest questions of religion and spirituality today? Join us at the Meditation Center for a series of three conversations between the Rev. Dr. Harold Weicker, a retired Episcopal priest of 41 years, and Frank Simons, a long-time Buddhist student and practioner. Examples of the questions to be addressed are: What are our different views of God? What is our life’s purpose? How do we approach living responsibly on the planet? What is right living? What is the importance of the teachings and communities of faith in each religion? Why is a Buddhist/Christian dialog important? How can Christians and Buddhists help each other?

These and other questions will be addressed in the form of a conversation, not a debate. Weicker and Simons both believe that each of these two great world religions enjoy truths that complement and enhance one another. The first conversation will be at 5:30pm on Tuesday, December 5, at the Meditation Center at Callejón Blanco 4; the second and third conversations will be held on the following Tuesdays. There is no charge. For more information, call Simons at 152-0536 or Weicker at 152-6249.

San Miguel Christian Fellowship

The Rev. Dr. Harold Weicker will talk about “Faith, the Communication of the Heart” at The San Miguel Christian Fellowship on Saturday, December 2, at 4pm. This nondenominational group meets at the Villa Santa Monica Hotel on the south side of Parque Juárez. All are welcome. The SMCF is looking for new members. For more information, visit www.smacf.org  or call 152-6249.

Classes & Workshops

Sazón cooking classes

On Tuesday, December 5, Sazón chef Paco Cárdenas conducts a market tour from 11am to 1pm. Cost is US$45. Paco’s passion for cooking began in his grandmother’s kitchen. Shopping at the mercado was part of that delicious experience. Paco walks you through the bustling market and introduces you to the ladies from the campo who bring in local vegetables, fruits, cheeses and flowers. Back at Sazón, Paco will create some special dishes based on fresh, seasonal ingredients purchased at the market.

On Thursday, December 7, Cárdenas leads a class on cooking with cazuelas from 10am to noon; cost is US$55. These authentic Mexican cooking vessels might look great on a shelf, but with a little know-how they’ll become your favorite cooking pot. Paco will show you how to season and use a cazuela to create a traditional Mexican menu of Arroz a la Mexicana (Mexican rice), Chiles Poblanos Rellenos de Queso Cotija (chiles stuffed with cheese), Frijoles de la Olla (beans), Tortillas Hechas a Mano (handmade tortillas) and Pastel Tres Leches (cake made with three milks). Cazuelas are available for purchase in the store.

Sazón is located at Correo 22; see the website at www.sazonsanmiguel.com 

Tours & Excursions

Lions Club trip to Guadalajara

The International Lions Club of San Miguel sponsors a three-day sightseeing and holiday shopping excursion to Guadalajara, leaving on Wednesday, December 6. Sightseeing suggestions include: the cathedral, presidencia municipal, Plaza de Armas, palacia de gobierno, rotonda de los hombres ilustres, Museo Regional de Guadalajara, palacio de justicia, a trip to the zoo and a day trip to Tonala and Tlaquepaque.

The cost is 1,800 pesos per person, which includes double occupancy at a historic five-star hotel within walking distance of most of the city’s main attractions, breakfasts, first-class bus, all tips and a donation to the Lions Club, which dispenses glasses to the needy and sponsors diabetic testing. Reservations and payments must be received by December 4. Call Jean Schickel at 152-0934.

Saturday Adventurers

On one of the most beautiful streets in San Miguel lies a hidden treasure, the home and workshop of Eunice O’Hanna, an artist specializing in one-of-a-kind necklaces. Although the house is decorated throughout with her colorful and humorous murals, the main attractions are her necklaces—hundreds of wearable works of art. You will be tempted to buy several, especially now during the holiday season.

We then travel out of town to the lovely hilltop home of Marta and Javier Alvarez. Opening out to magnificent views, the whole house is decorated in superb taste. The house features a wall of glass that brings the outdoors inside, exquisite antiques gathered on their world travels, a pool with a view and much more.

The tour leaves from the Jardín across from the Parroquia at 10:30am.

Botanical garden tour

Every Tuesday morning discover the marvels of cacti and other Mexican plants as well as the history of El Charco with Martin Smith, curator of plants. An additional privilege of this visit is the opportunity to see the plants in the nursery, which is not ordinarily open to the public. Many rare species and plants threatened with extinction are protected and propagated at El Charco.

Entrance fee is 30 pesos (waived for members) and the tour costs 50 pesos. All proceeds benefit the garden. The tour is conducted in English, starts at the main entrance at 9am and lasts about two hours. Bring a hat and water. Space is limited, so make your reservation by calling Martin at 154-8838 or 154-4715 or email charco@unisono.net.mx 



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