Around Town, Nov 17, 2006
Meetings & Lectures

Separation of Church and State … how far do you go?

The Rev. Dr. Harold Weicker, retired Episcopal clergyman and well-known lecturer, will be the speaker at the San Miguel Christian Fellowship meeting on Saturday, November 18, at 4pm at the Villa Santa Monica Hotel. 

Dr. Weicker will address the provisions of the First Amendment of The Bill of Rights regarding religion in America and the role of government in the life of faith-based institutions.

All are welcome. There will be time for questions and discussion.

Revisioning Liberal Religion

The Rev. Dr. Farley Wheelwright discusses “Revisioning Liberal Religion” at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Sunday, November 19. The Unitarian religion is the only one in the Western world with no dogma or creed. To belong to any other religion, one must subscribe to a faith derived from certain historical events or biblical lore. Unitarians place emphasis on spirituality and put the burden of right living on each individual. Ethics, morality, civic responsibility and building a community for self and family are more important than theological constructs or sacred literature based on myth, creeds or political machinations of ecclesiastical power groups.

Unitarian policies are created and altered at annual General Assemblies, and Rev. Wheelwright will describe the process Unitarians use to form their beliefs and establish programs to create a more just, ecological and peaceable world. Assisted by Ellen Snyder, he will provide a report on the latest General Assembly held in St. Louis.

The Unitarian 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 members in the hotel restaurant for brunch. For more information, visit portalsanmiguel.com/lifestyle/unitarians/unitarians.html.

Buddhist nun talks on inner peace 

A public talk in English by Mexican Buddhist nun Kelsang Wangchog, resident teacher of the “Centro Budista Sukhavati” in Querétaro, will take place in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal on Friday, November 24, from 7 to 9 pm. Cost is 100 pesos.

Classes & Workshops

November Tours and classes at Sazón

On Tuesday, November 21, Saturday, November 25 and Tuesday, November 28, the chef will take you on a culinary adventure to San Miguel’s colorful mercado. You’ll meet the ladies from the campo who bring in local vegetables, fruits, cheeses and flowers, and you’ll learn to shop like a pro.

Back in the Sazón kitchen, the chef will show you the basic techniques for roasting and preparing chiles and how to create perfect salsas. Class is from 10:30am to 12:30pm; the fee is US $45.

On Wednesday, November 22, Chef Gonzalo Mártinez teaches “Handmade Mexican Fusion” from 11am to 1pm. A master of fusion cuisine, he’ll shop for what’s seasonal and fresh at the market and turn Mexican favorites into a delightful. Sazón is located at Correo 22. See the website at www.sazonsanmiguel.com 

Tours & Excursions

November Audubon birdwalk

We apologize to disappointed birders for the notices in Atención announcing birdwalks every Sunday. The truth is, there is only one official birdwalk each month, on the third Sunday. The next birdwalk is November 19. 

The group will meet in front of the Instituto Allende at 8am, and cars will leave promptly at 8:15. This month we plan to go to the Charco del Ingenio, our invaluable botanical garden. Migrating birds should have arrived by now, many of them water birds who appreciate the presa with its islands constructed for the benefit of the birds.

People interested in taking part in this excursion should sign in promptly at 8am. The event is free to members of this chapter of Audubon, and a donation of 100 pesos, or US$10, is asked of non-members to contribute to the ecological projects in which Audubon is involved. Binoculars and bird books are helpful but not necessary; there will be several books and at least one scope among the group.

Hats and drinking water are recommended. The walk is usually over by 11:30am or noon.

Anyone with questions can call Fen at 044-415-153-5438 or Bob at 154-9856.

Saturday Adventurers

Do you want an expensive mud-pack treatment for your feet—for free? Join the Adventurers and help Honoro Sánchez mix the mud used in making his bricks, tiles and tejas (roof tiles). He demonstrates the process from breaking up and sifting the special dirt to mixing this with sand and water, then making “mud pies” using your feet. 

This dough-like mud is then taken to the shed, where it is rolled out like pie crust, put over or into forms, then unmolded to dry for 24 hours before being fired in their gas kiln. Their bricks, floor tiles and tejas are well represented in the US, especially in Texas.

We then travel past fields of sunflowers to “La Era,” the dairy ranch of Vincent Gómez, where he milks over 800 cows. This rich milk is sold to Danone, maker of yogurt. Getting to visit their charming home is a special treat as we see the artistic talent of his wife, Angelica, who creates Tiffany-style lampshades and colorful leaded-glass windows. 

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 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 



Performances & Events

Reception welcomes new chef at La Princesa

On Friday, November 17, La Cava de la Princesa welcomes its new chef, Ángel Flores, with a cocktail party at 7pm to which everyone is invited. 

Flores, age 27, was born in Mexico City. He graduated from the master’s program at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional, one of Mexico’s most prestigious cooking schools. 

Since then, he has worked as a chef in many great restaurants, such as Restaurante Azulejos in Camino Real, Restaurante Maguen David in Mexico City, Hotel Aventura Spa in Cancún and Hotel del Prado, among others. He has also studied Swiss, Brazilian and Cuban cuisine and in 1999 and 2000 was named Mexican national champion ice sculptor. 

La Princesa’s management team is thrilled to present their newest crew member. The restaurant, located at Recreo 3, is open from 1pm until late at night Tuesday through Sunday. 

L’Invito Pizza opens in second location

L’Invito Pizza invites the public to the opening of its second restaurant on Friday, November 17, at 6pm. The new restaurant is located at the corner of Calzada de la Luz and Calzada de la Aurora. Like the original restaurant at Ancha de San Antonio 32B, the new location also offers home delivery (154-6228 or 154-1000).

Actors needed for January production

Theatre Workshop is planning a staged reading at the Santa Ana Theater of an original, full-length play by Gabriella Bernard and Geoff Hargreaves for mid-January 2007. 

They will need a cast of five actors: two women in their 50s or early 60s, one man of the same age, and one woman and one man who are or could pass for twenty-somethings. Also required are a stage-manager and a publicity person.

The production will benefit the children’s orphanage and will be presented on January 16, 18 and 21.The play is largely set in San Miguel and deals with a love triangle among two sisters and an attractive surgeon, complicated by the hopes and fears of their offspring. 

If you are interested, contact Gabriella Bernard at 152-5790 or Geoff Hargreaves at 152-5343 or at geoffhar22@hotmail.com as early as possible.

WillowBend holds Anne Frank casting call

WillowBend Productions is currently seeking two additional cast members for their production of The Diary of Anne Frank to be presented at the Teatro Santa Ana January 29 through February 4, 2007. There will be two rehearsals beginning December 12 then a break for the Christmas holidays, with full rehearsals resuming on January 2 until opening night.

The following cast members are needed:

Margot Frank: The older sister of Anne, should be around 17. Studious and quiet, she is the exact opposite of Anne. Can be older but must look young enough to play 17.

Peter Van Dann: 16 years old, he is a quiet, shy boy devoted to his cat Moochie. Anne helps bring him out of his shell. Can be older but must look young enough to pass for 16.

Mr. Kraler: Late-30s or mid-40s. Assistant to Mr. Frank who works downstairs and is one of the people who help hide the Frank and Van Dann families. Contact Michael Whaley at WillowBend to arrange an interview: (044-415-111-7149 or email WillowProd@aol.com 

Films & Videos

Shalom SMA film

On Monday, November 20, the Shalom SMA Forum presents the movie The Garden of the Finzi-Continis, a story of anti-Semitism with a different twist. It was the winner of the 1971 Academy Award for Best Foreign Picture. The story takes place in Italy during 1938. Mussolini’s brand of fascism already holds the country in a firm grip, and sanctions against the Jews are increasing. 

Although many believe that the anti-Semitic excesses of Nazi Germany will not be repeated in Italy, Jewish freedoms are being systematically curtailed to the point where many consider themselves to be no better than “third-class citizens.” A recent declaration makes it illegal for Jews to marry non-Jews, attend public schools, have a phone listing, join the armed forces or hire Aryan servants. 

The Finzi-Continis are a powerful, wealthy Jewish family who live a cloistered existence on an enclosed, palatial estate in Ferrara. They are by far the most influential people in the region, and, for at least a while, their position keeps them relatively safe from the growing tide of prejudice. Mico (Dominique Sanda) and Antonio (Helmut Berger), the two adult Finzi-Contini children, have tennis parties for their Jewish friends, all of whom have been expelled from the local tennis club. One of the most frequent visitors to these parties is Giorgio Bassani (Lino Capolicchio), a middle-class friend of the family. But, while Giorgio is fond of all of the Finzi-Continis, he has a special place in his heart for Mico. Unfortunately for him, his love is not returned.

This is a lyrical, almost-poetic motion picture and illustrates the false belief held by some privileged Jewish citizens that, if they isolated themselves from the ugliness of the political climate, they might be spared its ravages. Closing one’s eyes doesn’t make the threat any less immediate—a lesson that the entire world learned through World War II. 

The clearest message delivered by The Garden of the Finzi-Continis is that no matter how important wealth, prestige and education are, they are no defense against mindless, irrational bigotry. The movie will be shown at 4:30pm in the TV room of the Hotel Quinta Loreto. A 50-pesos donation is requested.




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