Around Town, April 13, 2007

Meetings & Lectures


Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

“My Theological Lexicon: A Work in Progress” is Earl Cruser’s topic at this Sunday’s Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meeting.

A former Presbyterian minister, Cruser emphasizes that he speaks as a layman still searching for answers to the “Big Questions” that life places before us and simply wants to share his thoughts on some of the key words used in traditional religion as one way to better define the UU faith.

After leaving the ministry, he served as Executive Director of the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House and Executive Director of the Alameda County Association for the Mentally Retarded. He and his wife, Jane, are longtime residents of the San Francisco Bay Area, who have made 14 trips to Mexico in their motor home since 1984.

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 about Mexico’s only chartered UU Fellowship visit portalsanmiguel.com/lifestyle/unitarians/unitarians.html.

Former District Attorney to address immigration issue

Presenting a problem that has no clear solution is always a recipe for an interesting

discussion. Illegal immigration in the United States is one such subject, and Ronald Ruiz takes it on when he addresses the Midday Rotary Club on Tuesday, April 17.

Ruiz knows that there is no ready solution to this very complex problem. However, he recognizes that the government has to do something soon to deal with the economic, social and security implications of this phenomenon. In his talk, he brings his own special legal and political perspective to bear in providing various options for handling the illegal immigration problem.

Ron Ruiz practiced criminal law for 31 years in California and had served as the District Attorney of Santa Cruz County. In 1975, he was appointed to the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board for a five-year term by then Governor, Jerry Brown. That Board had been established to give farm workers the right to organize, vote and bargain over the terms and conditions of employment.

The Midday Rotary Club of San Miguel meets every Tuesday at 12:30pm in the upstairs theater at the Villa Jacaranda Hotel (Aldama 53). Visiting Rotarians and all others are invited to attend. Lunch follows at 1:30pm. For more information, check out the website: www.rotarysma.org .

Classes & Workshops

Weekend body movement workshop with Donna Eshelman, M.A., G.C.F.P.

Returning for her second workshop in San Miguel, Donna shares with us her unique and sought-after approach to a pain-free and more fluid body mobility. This class appeals to exercise and movement enthusiasts, their teachers and any one wishing to move with greater ease.

Derived from Donna’s certifications and knowledge in Pilates, Iyengar yoga, Feldenkrais®, Bones for Life, and Gyrotonic methods, this program offers ‘short-cuts’ to immediately improve biomechanical action in an exercise setting and alleviate pain. You can take this hands-on learning and integrate it in to your practices, allowing you to get better results, faster. Discussions include how to modify processes for various conditions of discomfort such as low back pain, and how to improve a strength training program by creating a more articulate skeletal frame.

The class is open to all levels of ability and fitness. The applied movements are subtle but profound and applicable for all practices. Classes are 2 to 3 hours, and although attending all classes will enrich your understanding, Donna teaches in a way that each day will bring new learning. 

This course is Phase I of a certification program and welcome to all. Certainly, it is encouraged that instructors consider this opportunity to enhance their learning and teaching.

For your attendance, you get: Better results faster; you move more gracefully; can alleviate pain and learn how to harness the power of the nervous system.

Donna has over 13 years of teaching experience working with a diverse clientele including athletes, performers and people recovering from injury. She was previously Director of Fitness and Rehabilitation at the Center for Physical Health in Los Angeles. Donna holds a Masters in Dance from UCLA. She has been recognized and awarded as “Best Pilates Instructor of the Year, LA.”

The workshop is located at Mesones 14, EnForma—back patio studio and takes place on April 20–22: Friday and Saturday at noon; and Sunday at 11am. Cost is 750 pesos for all 3 classes. Private sessions with Donna are also available. Please bring a blanket, two or three bath towels and a small pillow. This is very, very important.

Contact Sue Lawrence for sign up or questions at 044-415-149-0176 or 152-2969. Please call ASAP to reserve your place. For updates, visit: www.sanmiguelmasterclass.com .

Drama workshop for kids!

A series of drama workshops aimed at children who may not have experimented with drama before or been given the opportunity, begins on Wednesday, April 18, in the Sala Infantil at the Biblioteca Pública. With an emphasis on fun and games rather than on turning SMA youth into professional actors, this is the perfect workshop for any outgoing child. Initially only for ages 8–12, we start with a workshop entitled ¿Qué es teatro? (What is theatre?). So please come along and join us from 5–6pm for an hour of free fun. This workshop is suitable for both English and Spanish speakers as it hopes to cross communication and cultural boundaries with the universal language of performance. Please note this will be run by student volunteer Elizabeth Dunn, if anyone would like to give input or help out, please email lizdunn2000@hotmail.com .

Tours & Excursions

Saturday Adventurers

On April 14, the Saturday Adventurers learn about the art of papel maché (papier mâché) from the finest producer in San Miguel. A master of the art takes fresh, new butcher paper, sanitary rolls and newspaper, mixes the paper with flour, water and glue, then puts this mix into the various molds. After the pieces dry they are unmolded, painted and varnished. The luscious-looking fruit and pan dulces are exported worldwide. This tour leaves from inside the Jardín, across from the Parroquia at 10:30am.

Audobon birdwalk

The Audubon Birdwalk is planned for April 15, the third Sunday of the month. Transportation permitting, we are going to the new bird site on the other side of the Presa, where we see a somewhat different variety of birds. Any one who can contribute transportation will be greatly appreciated. The trip takes 22 minutes on easy highways. 

The Birdwalk is a monthly event offered to members and non-members alike. Members of the San Miguel chapter are invited gratis. Non-members are asked to make a contribution of US$10 or 100 pesos to the ecological projects in which Audubon is involved.

People wishing to take part should meet in front of Instituto Allende at 8am. The cars leave promptly at 8:15. Hats and drinking water are recommended, as well as binoculars and bird books if available.

People with questions may call Fen at 044-415-153-5438.

Botanical Garden tour

Every Tuesday morning, discover the marvels of cacti and other Mexican plants as well as the history of El Charco with Mario Mendoza, Assistant Director of the garden. The tour includes a visit to the nursery which contains many rare species and is not usually open to the public.

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, lasting about 2 hours. Bring a hat and water. Space is limited, so reserve by calling 154-8838 or email charcodelingenio@gmail.com .

Performances & Events

Seeking men & women in their 20s & 30s for a staged reading

Iguana Productions is teaming up with San Miguel Author’s Sala and The Center for Global Justice for a very special September 11 theatrical event at Teatro Santa Ana. Director, Alan Jordan, is seeking men and women in their 20s and 30s interested in participating in this very special staged reading. Participants have to commit to limited rehearsals in August and also in September.

Since we are looking for specific types, a preliminary interview with the director is necessary. Previous acting experience, although helpful, is not necessary.

For an interview and more information, please call Alan at 154-0352.

Volunteer Opportunities

Library volunteers needed

The Biblioteca Pública needs volunteers in several departments.

In the Tienda, we need two more people, preferably with retail experience, to work morning and evening shifts during the week (10am to 2pm and 3 to 6pm). Volunteers with basic computer skills are needed in the computer center, hours are flexible. The Sunday House & Garden Tour needs a cashier (11am–12:30pm) and always welcomes house and bus guides on Sundays from noon to 2:30pm. The English program needs English teachers who will be here this April and May.

A minimum three-month commitment is requested for these positions. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Judy Boston at volunteers@bibliotecasma.com .

Atención volunteers needed

Atención seeks volunteer proofreaders. If you are obsessive about grammar, spelling and punctuation and would like to contribute your expertise, contact Atención at edit@atencionsanmiguel.org .

See you in the funny papers

Mark Saunders, creator of Atención’s “Más o Menos” cartoon, invites suggestions from readers for funny material about living in San Miguel that would lend itself to a cartoon. Selected ideas will be drawn by the cartoonist, and authors will be given credit as well as a signed copy of their cartoon. Please send your “expat” cartoon ideas to edit@atencionsanmiguel.org .