Around Town, Oct 06, 2006

Meetings & Lectures


Jewish roots of my Unitarianism

Longtime sanmiguelense Joe Ershun discusses how his traditional Jewish roots evolved into Unitarianism at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Sunday, October 8.

Joe has led a long life as an engaged social activist, dating back to the 1930s. His rich work life included four years in the US Army during WWII and jobs as a copywriter, teacher, chicken farmer, and founder/editor of the Steelworkers Union newspaper. He was cofounder of the “Peace Now” project in Philadelphia and founder of the San Miguel AIDS 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 portalsanmiguel.com/lifestyle/unitarians/unitarians.html.



Midday Rotary Club

On Tuesday, October 10, Emily Vogtmann, District 4160 Rotary Foundation Representative, will be the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday. 

Emily was chosen as the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar for District 6290, which includes the west coast of Michigan and some of Ontario, Canada. She is currently attending La Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (the Autonomous University of Querétaro) in Querétaro, specializing in community development. 

Emily was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and lived there most of her life. In her senior year of high school, she was a Rotary Exchange Student in Lapua, Finland, and she said, “it was quite possibly the best year of my life. Upon my return from Europe, I went to Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, where I studied biochemistry and Spanish. I graduated in the fall of 2005 with two degrees and a desire to help people less fortunate than myself receive proper medical care. I really believe that the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship will help me reach my goal of promoting better health services for the underserved populations of the world.”

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 www.rotarysma.org 

Classes & Workshops

Basic Photography Workshop

San Miguel Workshops presents a Basic Photography Workshop with Ri Anderson, whose work the Boston Globe calls “haunting and complex.” The six-week course meets once a week for three hours beginning October 11 through November 15 from 10am to 1pm.

The course is designed to help students take control of their cameras and their images. The first half of the class focuses on understanding the technical aspects of the camera, and the second half on creating a coherent body of work. Classes will include slide shows of important fine art photographers, as well as in-depth critiques of student work.

Anderson has been teaching and exhibiting for over 10 years. Her work has been featured in numerous museums and galleries in Boston and New York. She received her Master of Fine Arts degree through Massachusetts College of Art. Students are invited to use film or digital cameras, provided they have manual settings. 

The cost is US$180 for the six-week course. For more information or to register go to www.sanmiguelworkshops.com  or call Jody at 152-0478.

Zen drawing classes continue

In September, Edgardo Kerlegand taught a beginning series of four Zen drawing classes; by request of the participants, this will be an ongoing class. Two new series of four beginning classes will be start on Monday, October 9, at 5pm, and Tuesday, October 10, at 11am.

Kerlegand was born in the state of Chiapas and has been painting since the age of 12. His time spent in two different monasteries and his introspection and spirituality, along with Tao and Zen philosophies, make the classes a unique drawing experience. His teaching technique comes from the Japanese teachers of sumi-e.

Kerlegand has exhibited in the US, Latin America and Europe. He has also taught in Latin America and Europe. His work is currently on exhibit at Galería Barro in the Fabrica Aurora (17c, behind the cafe). The cost of the four classes is US$125. For more information call Marlene Johansing at 152-0497.



Family constellation with Dinesh

Bert Hellinger’s Family Constellation with Dinesh this year will be held November 3 through 5 at the Hotel Quinta Loreto TV room. For more information, contact Christel at 152-7923. Dinesh has led these seminars, here for five years; here is what some past participants had to say:



“I had a profound experience working with Dinesh. This workshop gave me a great insight into how we carry our family architecture with us and how this impacts us day to day. Experiential learning takes place that changes our lives.” 

—David Cross



“For anyone having issues with family, here is someone who can move you through.

It is a transforming experience to work with Dinesh. He is an enlightened, gentle master. Vale la pena.” 

—Warren Hardy



“Each time I experience working with Dinesh and the family constellations I am moved to a deeper and more humble place in myself. I highly recommend it!” 

—Sandra Young



“To be chosen as a representative in a constellation, feelings open up that I normally do not experience. I realize that this has to do with the person I represent. To participate in the workshop as a representative opens a deeper connection to how other people feel. I get to ‘stand in’ as a mother, grandmother, aborted child, ‘fate’ and much more. It brings me closer to my fellow humans.” 

—Christel Meissner

Tours & Excursions


Saturday Adventurers

On Saturday, October 7, the Adventurers travel to Eunice O’Hanna’s, where we’ll really get “strung out” looking at hundreds of hand-strung, one-of-a-kind necklaces, each a work of art. Here is a chance to do some Christmas shopping. There are also other interesting objects designed by Eunice, and they make perfect stocking stuffers. Using brilliant murals and Mexican crafts, throughout, she has made her home a work of art. Don’t miss the mural of Adam and Eve, depicted just after the serpent appears. A short ride then brings us to Ex-Hacienda La Landeta, built for the Count of Canal, the first Spanish governor of this area. Built by his Otomí laborers, we will see the artistic stonework of the facade and inlaid mosaic stones of the walkways. We will also view the original chapel with its partially visible, old frescoes. The granary of Colonial times is now used for elaborate wedding receptions. The central patio, with an old cantera fountain in the center, remains as it was, and the rooms surround a red-tiled 
corridor. We will also be shown the era, a raised, circular area where grain was separated from chaff with the help of the wind currents. The tour leaves from inside the Jardín, across from the Parroquia, at 10:30am.



Audubon’s October birdwalk

The Audubon birdwalk takes place on October 15, the third Sunday of the month. Transportation permitting, we will go to a new site on the other side of the Presa, which we have visited only once before. That time, we saw a rewarding number of bird species and enjoyed exploring a new scene.

The birdwalk is a monthly event offered by Sociedad de Audubon. It is free for members of our chapter, and a donation of 100 pesos or US$10 is asked of nonmembers. People wishing to take part should be in front of the Instituto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio 20, by 8am. The group leaves promptly at 8:15am. A hat and drinking water are recommended, as well as binoculars if available.

Call Fen with questions at 044-415-153-5438.

Crossword