Meetings & Lectures, April 20, 2007

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Querétaro writer/actor/poet John Donahue reads from a collection of his works at this Sunday’s Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meeting.

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.htm.

Biblioteca President to address Rotary Club


For the second time, Ali Zerriffi, President of the Biblioteca Pública, is the guest speaker at the Midday Rotary Club. On Tuesday, April 24, he speaks about some of the innovations which have taken place at the Library during his three-year administration including the new software system that is just being implemented in order to better catalogue the library collection of more than 60-thousand books.

Recently, the Biblioteca Board and key staff members held a retreat in which key concepts, ideas and future plans were made, and Zerriffi intends to share some of those ideas with Rotary members and guests. 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. 

Democrats to watch: 2008 candidates debate

The first televised debate among the Democratic 2008 presidential candidates takes place on Thursday, April 26 on MSNBC. The San Miguel chapter of Democrats Abroad is holding a general membership meeting that day at 5pm at Casa Payo at Zacateros 26 (at Pila Seca). It is followed by an opportunity to view the debate on big screen TVs starting at 6pm. There is no admission charge and all members and Democrats are invited.

Tours & Excursions

Saturday Adventurers

This Saturday we go to the country estate of Michelle Connors, a well-known artist, where we visit her most unusual home, built of adobe, with a palm thatched roof. It might sound primitive, but the interior is completely modern. The gardens have walls of semi-precious stones glittering in the sun, with steps leading to various levels including Michelle’s studio. We can relax under the thatched roof, sitting on benches made of mesquite split logs. There is so much to see and enjoy on the grounds of this country home. This tour leaves from inside 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 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. 

Audubon hosts Los Picachos hike

As promised, Audubon San Miguel presents the much awaited and anticipated hike in Los Picachos. The hike is held, weather permitting, on Saturday, April 28. Participants should meet at 7:30am in the new Lucerniega parking lot in front of the new Gigante. Pick-up trucks and 4-wheel drives are more than welcome to transport hikers since travel to the ascent is rugged. The hike is approximately 3.6 miles each way with an ascent of 2600 meters. The hike is difficult due to the altitude and hikers should bring water and lunch. We will return around 1:30pm. Fees are as follows: Audubon members 100 pesos; non members 200 pesos; membership in Audubon and the hike 300 pesos; hike and membership in Charco 500 pesos. Please call Al Lerner at 152-8159 for reservations or vellum1@mac.com. 

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. 

You too can be the change, April 20, 2007

Lecture

“Modern Day Self-Sustainable Society”

Tues, Apr 24, 5pm

Sala Quetzal

Biblioteca Pública

Insurgentes 25



Have you seen the movie An Inconvenient Truth or The Secret? If you did you know each one of us can make a difference in the wellness of our Earth. We are the creators of our reality and in our expanding awareness and recognition of our polluting ways, we can plainly see our footprints on Mother Earth.

Are you willing to co-create and be the change that’s so obviously needed? Simply by rethinking and reducing our daily consumption we can activate that change. We’ll leave a greener earth for our grandchildren, great-grandchildren or. Envision five generations ahead the way indigenous people do and really become conscious of your part in this project of life renewing itself. Activate the change today.

Conscious conservational living is creating a balance in our daily lives. Studying tribal wisdom as I have for over 30 years, I’ve learned that there is no single way but a combination of elements that show us how we are connected to everything and responsible for everything that our lives touch. Every step we take creates a reaction and consequence with our living earth. Tribal ways, and the modern adaptation found in Permaculture, speak of their understanding of living lightly on the Mother Earth to thrive and survive, offer solutions to our situations in today’s pollution epidemic.

Come to the Sala Quetzal on April 24 to learn more about how you can do your part in the reconnection of respect for this Mother Ship we call our Earth.

To learn more about self-sustainable living, upcoming classes and lectures on self-sustainable urban permaculture contact Mike Hooper 152 8186 or naturescradlecollectivo@gmail.com.