Around Town, Nov 03, 2006

Meetings & Lectures

Midday Rotary Club

On Tuesday, November 7, José Sanchez, president of the Bomberos de San Miguel de Allende (Fire Chief of San Miguel), will be the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday. Rotarian Gordon Logan, program chair for this meeting, will introduce Sr. Sanchez. 

Sr. Sanchez, a San Miguel native, worked for many years in Michigan, where he was a volunteer fireman for 17 years before returning to San Miguel. He has been with the San Miguel fire department for 10 years and has been its fire chief for the last six years. His talk will cover the history of the San Miguel Fire Department, its service area, how it works with the community and Cruz Roja (The Red Cross), the location of the fire department and types of equipment they use, the employees and volunteers and how they are trained. There will be time for a question-and-answer period after his talk.

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, check the website: www.rotarysma.org 

Neighborhood Watch Program

Miguel Kegel explains the Department of Public Safety’s Neighborhood Watch program at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Sunday, November 5. The program provides a means for citizens to assist the police department in stopping home invasion, vehicle theft, vandalism and drugs in our community. Kegel, now general manager of the Biblioteca Pública, was formerly in charge of San Miguel’s Foreign Community Assistance Office and continues to serve as the coordinator for this vital security project.

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 service and then join the UUs in the hotel restaurant for brunch. For more information, visit www.portalsanmiguel.com/lifestyle/unitarians/unitarians.html 

Classes & Workshops

Sazón classes and tours

On Saturday, November 4, Sazón chef Gonzalo Martínez will conduct a market tour and class from 10:30am to 12:30pm. He takes students on a culinary adventure to San Miguel’s colorful mercado, where they meet the ladies from the campo who bring in all the local vegetables, fruits, cheeses and flowers, and learn to shop like pros. 

Back in the Sazón kitchen, Martínez demonstrates the basic techniques of roasting and preparing chiles and how to create perfect salsas. The market tours will be offered every Tuesday. Cost is US$45.

On Tuesday, November 7, Paco Cadenas leads the tour, same time and cost. Sazón is located at Correo 22. 

Nurture your spirit

What does it mean to be a “spiritual being?” And how does this realization affect our lives? These topics have become popular in mainstream media in the last few years, particularly through research into near-death experiences and research exploring past life, future life and life between lives regressions. 

As spiritual beings we have needs that our human activities cannot fulfill. No amount of material wealth or social activity can satisfy our spiritual hunger. Spiritual hunger is fulfilled through spiritual nourishment; what has always been sought in some form of spiritual practice. At its most basic, this practice involves setting aside time regularly to focus our awareness on our spiritual self, or more accurately, Self.

The big question for most people is how to do this. The Ishayas’ Ascension is one such path. As spiritual beings nothing is more natural and pleasurable than bringing our awareness to rest on our Infinite Self. By using simple techniques based on the powerful emotions of Praise, Gratitude and Love (as demonstrated in the work of Dr. Masaru Emoto) the mind is brought into a state of harmony with the Infinite Self while the body quickly develops a state of rest deeper than sleep, allowing for the release of accumulated stress.

Nataraj Ishaya is an Ishaya Monk and Teacher of the Ishayas’ Ascension. He invites you to learn the techniques of Ascension at a weekend workshop on November 10, 11 and 12. 

It will begin with a free introductory talk “Finding Inner Peace,” at 6pm on Friday, November 10 at San Antonio Abad 13. For more information you can reach him at 154-9793 or sma_ishayas@yahoo.com  and visit www.ishayas.org 

Tours & Excursions

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 that 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 is 50 pesos. All proceeds benefit the garden. The tour is in English and starts at the main entrance at 9am and lasts about 2 hours. Bring a hat and water. Space is limited, so reserve by calling Martin at 154-8838 or 154-4715 or email charco@unisono.net.mx 


Saturday Adventurers

On November 4 the Adventurers take a one-stop tour of the San Gabriel talavera factory, located on the way to Dolores Hidalgo. The factory produces talavera pottery using designs from Spain and also original designs. We visit the factory and watch the artists painstakingly apply paint to a cup or plate. We will also visit two family homes, where we will see how they use their beautiful ceramic products not only as decor but also as everyday dishes. Then we make a stop at the “goodies” shop, where you can indulge in the world of wondrous talavera—from tiny salt and pepper shakers to triple-tiered fountains, from huge decorative plates to sugar bowls and whole sets of lead-free dishes in colorful designs. Tiles, basins, plaques: whatever you need is here! The tour leaves from inside the Jardín, across from the Parroquia, at 10:30am.


Lions Club trip to Cuernavaca and Taxco

On November 14 the International Lions Club of San Miguel will lead a three-day trip to Cuernavaca and Taxco to raise money to support the clinic, which dispenses glasses to the needy and tests for diabetes. 

They will travel by first-class bus and arrive in Cuernavaca in time for lunch and sightseeing. Not to be missed are the Palacio de Cortes, the Jardín Borda, the cathedral, the Museo Robert Brady, a waterfall and a pottery center. The Lions will supply the nibbles at a BYO cocktail party at a beautiful hotel. The next morning, the group will leave for one of the most important archaeological sites in central Mexico, Xochicalco. From there the group will go to Taxco, an old silver mining town. Sightseeing includes the Parroquia de Santa Presa, the Museo Spratling, the Casa Borda, a cultural center for artists, and the Museo de la Plateria, a small museum of silverwork. 

There will be an optional trip to the caverns of Cacahuamilpa. Accommodations are at a five-star hotel, with another cocktail party. On the return trip, there will be a stop in Metepec, renowned for the Tree of Life sculptures created by the artisans. Travelers are expected to return to San Miguel around 9pm Thursday. 

The trip includes first-class bus, hotels, breakfasts, tips and a donation to the Lions. The cost for double occupancy is 1,900 pesos each, and a single is 2,900 pesos. 

Reservations may be made by calling Jean Schickel at 152-0934, and payment must be made by November 9.

Performances & Events

San Miguel Designers’ holiday show

San Miguel Designers will hold a show and sale on Friday and Saturday, November 3 and 4, from 11am to 4pm at Reloj 23, next door to the Blue Door Bakery.

San Miguel Designers include Jenny Norman, who shows mosaics and door snakes; Patrice Wynne, with her Day of the Dead aprons, handbags, and clothing; Dawn Gaskill, exhibiting her encaustic painting, shawls and feng shui artwork; Cathe Dailey, presenting boudoir chairs and exquisitely embroidered bags; Alegría Scully, who hand-knits gorgeous scarves with a jewel-like quality; Alma Guerrero, selling her hand-fashioned, jeweled necklaces and vintage clothing; and Carmen Delzell, newly returned from her eighth trip to India and featuring Indian enameled jewelry, mirror cloth pillows, embroidered cloth, assorted Indian fabrics and silks. Other San Miguel designers will show their art and wares also. All profits from Cathe’s sales go directly to San Miguel charities Casa Hogar Don Bosco and Casa Hogar de los Angeles. Carmen Delzell will send a substantial donation to a crippled 17-year-old in India who will use the money to set up a business to provide for himself.


Democrats Abroad party venue changed

The location of the Election Night Party hosted by SMA Democrats Abroad has been changed to Cantina de los Milagros at Reloj 17. It starts at 7pm on Tuesday, November 7. Admission is 150 pesos, which largely goes to cover delicious botanas and your first beer or wine. Cash bar thereafter. We will have big-screen TV coverage of US network election reporting. Tickets are limited and are on sale at Border Crossings, Solutions and La Conexión.


International potluck dinner at St. Paul’s

Future international potluck dinners will be held the second Saturday of odd months; the next dinner will be November 11 at 6:30pm at Saint Paul’s Church, Cardo 6. 

The November 11 dinner will feature East Indian food. The Biblioteca Pública has cookbooks, and the Saint Paul's Church library also has a couple. Guests should prepare a dish to feed eight hungry people. If you can’t cook, rather than take your money, we can suggest already prepared food for you to buy and bring to the dinner. 

For reservations, call Pat Caballero at 152-7663. We need to know how many to expect and what you are bringing. Everyone is welcome! You don’t have to be a member of St. Paul’s to participate. This is an excellent way to meet others in the community. 


Slovenian quintet at Ángela Peralta

On Friday, November 10, Slowind, a classical music quintet from Slovenia, appears at the Ángela Peralta Theater. The famed quintet is made up of soloists of the Slovene Philharmonic. Their repertoire includes compositions from the classical and romantic periods, but most of the ensemble’s attention is focused on works of the 20th and 21st centuries. The ensemble has performed throughout Europe and has won several prestigious awards. Slowind is coming to San Miguel at the end of their American tour. It will be their first performance in Latin America. Tickets can be purchased at the theater office or at El Buen Cafe between 9am and 4pm.

Films & Videos

Shalom SMA Forum film

This week, Shalom SMA Forum presents the Israeli film Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi, a coming-of-age story that will warm your hearts.

Pimply, blank-faced Shlomi, 16, tries to keep the peace in his chaotic and demanding family. He runs the household and cooks the meals while his kvetching mother works. (His philandering father has been kicked out). Ordered about by older and favorite son Doron, a preening, would-be Lothario, Shlomi is really a doormat. Only his French-speaking grandfather, whom Shlomi also has to bathe, appreciates the boy’s efforts. Hormones running wild, Shlomi silently carries a torch for girl-next-door Rona (played by Aya Koren, an Israeli Liv Tyler), a no-nonsense, independent young woman, who may be one of his brother’s conquests.

Shlomi is, in fact, easy to overlook, until his math teacher realizes he is a mathematical prodigy and urges him to pursue higher education. For years, his mother has ignored any hint that her son may have a future other than being a cook. 

Like Broken Wings, this Israeli domestic comedy/drama focuses squarely on a turbulent working-class household. As Shlomi, Oshri Cohen’s simple and understated performance is well balanced by the broad, but not over-the-top, family members. His mother is so needy she sucks all the oxygen in the room. But her selfishness understandably comes from pain of rejection. The entire cast adds depth to roles that could have been one-note instead. While the outcome is never in doubt, it is not forced, sharing the mother’s take-it-or-leave-it attitude. However, it is not quite believable that Shlomi would be considered “semi-retarded,” given he can whip up amazing dinners and desserts. 

The film will be shown on Monday, November 6, at 4:30pm in the TV room of the Hotel Quinta Loreto. It is 94 minutes long and there will be a discussion following the film. A 50-peso donation is requested.


Film screened during Pozos ArtWalk

Cinema Colectiva presents the documentary Damaged Books directed by Pozos resident Cynthia Buzzard (Bikini Virgen, Dia Sin Inmigrantes) on Saturday and Sunday, November 11 and 12, at the Pozos ArtWalk. Show times are noon and 2pm each day. This film follows the artistic process of four Santa Fe, New Mexico, artists (including Pozos artist Lena Bartula) who transform vandalized books into a global message for diversity, tolerance and understanding. English, no subtitles, 51 minutes, 50 pesos. Number 3 on the ArtWalk map.

Volunteer Opportunities

CASA volunteers needed

The Texas Podiatric Medical Foundation in Austin, Texas, is sponsoring a visit by a team of podiatrists and nurses to the CASA clinic in Colonia San Rafael November 8, 9 and 10. The doctors will arrive with medical supplies and equipment donated by various foundations and charitable institutions. Translators are needed, since not all of the medical team speaks Spanish. 

On Tuesday, November 14, volunteers are needed to prepare the CASA bulletin, LOGOES (Achievements) for mailing. About 1,000 newsletters will be ready for folding, stuffing and stamping from 9am in the morning.

If you can help with either of these, please call Pat at 154-9478 or email mexicanpat@yahoo.com 


Teachers and substitutes needed for Biblioteca’s English program

Teaching English not only opens your heart and mind to the people of this community, but serves to open doors for those who study with you. Speaking English increases job and career opportunities as well as confidence and self-esteem. 

And what does it give you? A way to give back to the community of San Miguel de Allende in a meaningful and rewarding way. A way to get to know Mexicans from all walks of life. Plus an opportunity to learn about yourself.

Our materials lead you through fail-safe daily lesson plans. And you do not need to speak Spanish or buy materials. Just bring your generous spirit and enthusiasm and we’ll furnish the rest. Classes meet twice a week and times may be arranged to fit your schedule. To volunteer or to get more information, call Gerald Camp at 120-0951 or contact Judy Boston, volunteer coordinator, at volunteers@bibliotecasma.com 



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