Around Town, Nov 24, 2006
Meetings & Lectures

Ghosts of Thanksgiving’s past

A panel of UU members will explore their “Ghosts of Thanksgivings Past” at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Sunday, November 26. Participants include Judy McKay, Bobbi Bell, Lee Veal and Amanda Ruiz.

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/lifestyleunitarians/unitarians.html

Midday Rotary

On Tuesday, November 28, Gail Lawton is the speaker at the Midday Rotary Club. Gail founded this club and was its president last year. Ideas on restructuring the club and new member orientations will be presented.

The Midday Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at 12:30pm at the Villa Jacaranda Hotel, Aldama 53. Visiting Rotarians and those interested in Rotary are invited to attend. Lunch follows downstairs at 1:30pm.

Classes & Workshops

Computer obedience training

Beginning Tuesday, November 28, and continuing twice weekly for four weeks, Roger Hind’s acclaimed computer classes for new users and for those who want to review the basics will be offered in the computer training room at the Biblioteca.

Hind is particularly well known for his ability to put at ease those suffering from “computerphobia.” Classes will be in plain English (no computerese!). Each student will have his or her own computer, and there will be lots of hands-on exercises to reinforce the principles as they are presented. Please note that the classes are for PC users—the classroom does not have Macs.

Among the topics to be covered are introduction to computers and computing, Windows and basic Windows techniques, word processing and internet-based functions such as browsing, searching and managing email and attachments.

Classes will run from 10:30am until 1pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays for four weeks. Pre-enrollment, including payment of the course fee of 350 pesos, is required. Classes are limited to 10 people, who must be temporary or full members of the library. A temporary membership costs 150 pesos, of which 100 pesos is refundable when you leave San Miguel. A detailed manual written by Hind is an essential adjunct to the class and is available at the first class for 150 pesos. Hind donates 100 percent of the course fee to the library’s scholarship fund.

For more information regarding course objectives and content, contact Hind by phone at 154-6552 or via email at rogerhind@hotmail.com 

Archetypal drama at La Escuela

The Institute for Archetypal Drama presents a series of workshops conducted by Bill Pearlman for the upcoming season of New Beginnings, which is the archetypal theme. On three Thursdays—November 30, December 7 and 14—the workshops will be held from 12 to 3pm at Keith Keller’s La Escuela, 27 Ancha de San Antonio. Fee is 500 pesos for the three sessions. For information, email Bill at bdpearl@yahoo.com or call him at 415-113-3560.

Bill Pearlman is a poet, licensed therapist and theater professional who offers workshops worldwide. He is the author of several books, including Characters of the Sacred: The World of Archetypal Drama. His selected poems, Brazilian Incarnation, is currently available through Rough Road Press. This is his seventh year of presenting workshops in San Miguel. He has taught at NYU, CIIS, Southwestern College (Santa Fe) and The University of New Mexico.

Sazón cooking class

On Friday, December 1, the Sazón chef presents a cooking class featuring contemporary Mexican fare. The chef puts a fresh spin on regional Mexican favorites, creating salsas using seasonal fruits, chiles stuffed with nutritional grains and delicious but healthy desserts. The class is held from 11am to 1pm; fee is US$55. Sazón is located at Correo 22. (154-7671, or the web site www.sazonsanmiguel.com)

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. Additionally, you will have an opportunity to see the plants in the nursery, which is not ordinarily open to the public. El Charco protects and propagates many rare species and plants threatened with extinction.

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

Saturday Adventurers

Do you want to experience how life was lived in the 17th century in a true Colonial townhouse? Join the Adventurers to relive this period in a lovingly restored colonial mansion. Upon entering, you will see a pool, one of the house’s modern touches. However, the cantera arches, columns and fireplaces are authentic, and the dining room retains its original arched door. 

The quaint, antique décor adds to the building’s historical interest.

Afterwards, we travel through the countryside to Estelara, the ceramic factory of Raul and Lupe Hernández. Raul will take us through the step-by-step process—from mixing the stoneware clay to firing the pieces. Beautifully designed vases, lamp bases and coffee mugs are available to add to your collection or give as gifts.

Performances & Events

Special sale at library

On Saturday, November 25, the Biblioteca Pública, located at Insurgentes 25, hold’s a sale from 10am to 1pm. Among the many items offered are new and near-new books in English, paperbacks and hardbacks, lots of quality fiction, cookbooks, cassette tapes/CDs and videocassettes. Proceeds go toward purchasing new library books.

Films & Videos

Shalom SMA film rescheduled

Shalom SMA will be showing The Garden of Finzi-Contini on Monday, November 27, at 4:30pm in the TV room of the Quinta Loreto Hotel.

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.

A 50-peso donation is requested.

Volunteeer Opportunities

Library gift shop a great place for volunteers

When I think about the library shop La Tienda, the first word that comes to mind is passion—the passion shown by the people who are deeply involved in the preparations for reopening the new and improved gift shop space. Not simply passion for the wonderful merchandise that we’ll be carrying, but for the Biblioteca programs that the sales proceeds support.

The second word that comes to mind is volunteers. La Tienda is managed by volunteers, which is an astonishing fact when you think about it. Our volunteers ensure that the merchandise is well cared for and that the Biblioteca’s supported charities and artist collections are prominently displayed.

I have been given a charge by the board that amounts to nothing less than a wholesale transformation of the way La Tienda does business. The board wishes us to become a professionally run gift shop—and so it shall be. In order to do this, we need your talents and your time. We did not get to the place where we are now without the help of many volunteers. We will not get to the place we wish to be without the help of many more. Contact Judy Boston at volunteers@bibliotecasma.com to discuss volunteer opportunities.

Stephanie Hough Lanier 
Store Manager.



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