Around Town, Feb 2, 2007

Meetings & Lectures


Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

“Working with the Migrant Population in the US” is the topic addressed by Janice Page at this Sunday’s Unitarian Universalist Service. She discusses her experiences as an ESL teacher, a medical interpreter, a coordinator of a dental clinic for migrants, an interpreter for art classes, and an outreach worker for a program called Alcanzar, a program aimed at helping migrant families with children.

The UU Fellowship meets Sundays at 10:30am at La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15. Visitors are invited to the service and then to brunch in the hotel restaurant. For more information about Mexico’s only chartered UU Fellowship visit portalsanmiguel.com/lifestyle/unitarians/unitarians.html.

Support group for Macular degeneration

The Support Group for Macular Degeneration meets 10am, Monday, Feb 5, at the Biblioteca Pública, English classroom, 2nd floor.

AMD (Aging Macular Degeneration) causes a degree of vision deficiency, ranging from mild vision deficiency to almost total blindness. 

The next meeting is devoted to individuals sharing how they cope with their inabilities to read, drive and do other daily tasks. Those diagnosed as AMD patients but don't notice vision deficiency are welcome to this group as it may help prepare them for a loss of vision—the inevitable outcome of the diagnosis. For more information, call Rev. Wheelright at 152-1861.

Men’s Spiritual Group

The founding meeting of a men’s spiritual group convenes at 6:30pm, Monday, February 5, at LifePath Center, Recreo 80, in order to help men get in touch once again with the spiritual aspect of their lives. 

Host Jock Whitehouse, author, spiritual guide and leader of the workshop “Transformation through Crisis: Six Steps to Spiritual Wholeness,” emphasizes the transcendent spiritual aspects of our selves and seeks to awaken the internal language necessary to lead a spiritually inspired life. 

The group meets on the first and third Mondays of each month, from 6:30 to 8:30pm. For more information contact Jock Whitehouse at jockwhitehouse@mindspring.com, or call 152-8146. Cost is 100 pesos.

Midday Rotary Club

Señor Hugo Victoria is the guest speaker on Tuesday, February 6, at the Midday Rotary Club. A native of Monterrey, Victoria was the creator and operator of a famous chain of five natural food restaurants and whole-wheat bakeries called “Sr. Natural.” 

Victoria recently decided to make San Miguel his base of operations, after years of visiting. His plans include retail locations, a restaurant, a local manufacturing and production plant, a physical training center for martial arts and a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the use of soy products for children and low-income families. Victoria’s talk includes solutions available to us and fun, easy ways to save money and walk more softly on the earth.

The Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday meets Tuesdays at 12:30pm at the Villa Jacaranda Hotel, Aldama 53. Visiting Rotarians and others interested in Rotary are invited to attend. Lunch follows at 1:30pm in the hotel dining room. For more information, visit our website: www.rotarysma.org. 

Fifth Gathering of Facilitators for Healing

The fifth Gathering of Facilitators for Healing, an “energy exchange,” takes place at 12pm on Thursday, February 8, at Privada de Pila Seca 5 (turn into cul de sac opposite Pila Seca 45.) Every meeting is different. The meeting is free and open to the public, including those in need. Facilitators are invited to participate. Call 152-0376, to reserve a place.

A portrait of the Parroquia: slide show and lecture

At 5:30pm, Thursday, February 8, author and photographer Robert de Gast presents photographs during a slide show and lecture at the Teatro Santa Ana at the Biblioteca Pública, Insurgentes 25, on the history of the church and the ways in which San Miguel’s icon is used to promote the town (and sell merchandise!).

The slide show, “A Portrait of the Parroquia,” explores spaces within the church seldom seen by the casual visitor. Photographs show what it’s like to climb up the spires or down into the crypt. 

Robert de Gast, a long-time resident, is a photojournalist and teacher and the author of nine books.

Admission is 50 pesos and benefits the library’s programs.

Garden lecture series

Cristina Orci speaks on local medicinal plants 9:30am, February 9, at the reception area of the Botanical Gardens. Cristina is a clinical herbalist whose formal studies include Clinical Herbalist training at the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine, (with a focus on desert plants), an Ayurvedic Studies certificate at the Ayurveda Institute in Albuquerque, and a one year training on special topics in clinical herbalism with Amanda McQuade Crawford in California.

Cost is 70 pesos for members and 100 for non-members. Contact Naomi at nzerriffi@yahoo.com for reservations.

Classes & Workshops

Computer Obedience Training: the next level

Roger Hind’s Level 2 of Computer Obedience Training began on Tuesday, January 30. This class is for people who have mastered Windows basics (covered in the Level 1 course) and wish to progress to the next level.

Classes are held in the computer training room at the Biblioteca Pública and cover protecting and maintaining your computer, customizing Windows and a many shortcuts.

Classes run from 10:30am until 1pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays over a four-week period. Cost is 350 pesos. The class is limited to 10 people, with current library membership.

Hind’s manual is available at the first class. The cost is 150 pesos.

Enrollment is also open for Hind’s Level 1 (introductory) course, which begins on February 27. Class times, costs and requirements are the same as the Level 2 course. Please note that these classes are for PC users; we do not have Macs.

For more information, contact Roger at 154-6552 or rogerhind@hotmail.com. 

Querétaro Aikikai joins with Aikido San Miguel for a workshop

On Saturday, February 3, the Querétaro Aikido community comes to San Miguel to participate with our Aikido community in two classes at Aikido San Miguel, Ignacio Allende 57. Rowland Sensei of San Miguel will teach a class at 11:00am, and Avila Sensei from Querétaro will teach at 12:30pm. Free admission.

Anyone with Aikido experience is welcome to join the practice. (Please arrive early enough to change and stretch before the starting time of class.) All community members are welcome to watch and learn about Aikido, a noncompetitive, defensive martial art practiced by men and women of all ages. Those without experience who are interested in trying a class may do so without cost during normally scheduled Aikido San Miguel classes.

Contact Ken Rowland at 152-3709 or email Aikidosma@yahoo.com  for normal class times and other information.

Eva Hunter gives writing workshop

The Writer’s Workshop: San Miguel presents Eva Hunter in a six-day intensive writing workshop, “Style Workshop for Prose,” which runs from February 5 through February 10. The class meets daily from 9am to 1pm. Cost is US$245 or the peso equivalent and is due on date of registration.

The Style Workshop is for both fiction and non-fiction writers. Hunter developed the workshop because she saw a need for writers to learn how to edit and polish their own work.

Hunter is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in well-known publications in the United States and internationally. Her book, Lord of The Dolls: Voyage In Xochimilco, a collaboration with photographer Jo Brenzo, will be released in late February.

For information, email wordhuntermx@yahoo.com  or call 152-6634.

Sazón cooking classes and tasting dinners

From February 5 to 7, Chef Guillermo Méndez, the executive chef of El Olivo, in Mallorca, Spain visits Casa de Sierra Nevada and teaches two Sazón classes as well as hosting a special tasting dinner at the Centro restaurant. 

Here’s a sample of what’s included in the tasting dinner: Tartar de dos pescados con dátiles, tirabeques, piel de naranja en vinagreta de lavanda; Mero con aromas y sabores del mediterráneo en salsa molinera; and Carre de cordero en costra de aceitunas negras en salsa de hierbas.

Chef Guillermo’s cooking classes are from 11am to 1:30pm on Monday, February 5, and Wednesday, February 7. Cost is 650 pesos. For details and reservations, call Sazón’s director at 044-415-113-9854.

His Mallorcan Tasting Dinners are from 6 to 10pm on Monday, February 5, and Tuesday, February 6, at the Hospicio 35 restaurant. Cost is 600 pesos. For details and reservations, call Casa de Sierra Nevada: 152-7040

Mexico under NAFTA course

Thirteen years ago NAFTA was heralded as bringing Mexico into the First World. Today, it is widely seen as having increased poverty, fueled massive migration and failed to develop the nation’s industry. 

To understand this fundamental transformation of Mexican society, the Center for Global Justice is offering a course “Mexico under NAFTA.” Retired professor of social philosophy Cliff DuRand and Atahualpa Caldera, a master’s candidate in watershed management at the University of Querétaro teach the course. 

Thecourse is taught from 11am to 2pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, February 8, 13, 15, 20, 22 and 27 in room 128 of the University of León building on Plaza Cívica. 500 pesos fee covers all course materials. Register in advance by calling 150-0025 or email to info@globaljusticecenter.org. 

Shambhala training level II: the birth of the warrior

The San Miguel de Allende Shambhala Meditation group invites you to attend Shambhala Training Level 2: “Birth of the Warrior”. The weekend explores fear, fearlessness and how we construct a “cocoon” to shield ourselves from recognizing our fears and connecting to our basic goodness.

The course is open to all who have completed Shambhala Level I. Ozzie Cheek is the director of the program which is held February 9– 11, at Callejón Blanco 4. 

For information call John Perkins at 120-0767 or email: jperkins@ca.inter.net. 

Acting Course

From February 19 through March 15, Jerry Phalen will teach an acting course, on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30am until noon at the rehearsal hall of John Wharton’s Shelter Theater. He begins with sight reading and monologues and scene study for more advanced students. Scripts are provided. Students should dress comfortably and bring a notepad.

Jerry Phalen has been a professional actor for over 25 years and has appeared in over 60 plays. 

Class size is limited to10 students. Tuition is 800 pesos. (The proceeds will benefit L’Alianza, a bicultural organization of producers, directors and performing artists.) To register, contact Fran Rowe at 152-1166 or email her at franrowe@prodigy.net.mx. 

Tours & Excursions

Saturday Adventurers

Do you want an expensive mud-pack treatment for your feet— for free? Join the Adventurers and help Honoro Sanchez mix the mud used in making his bricks, tiles and tejas (roof tiles). His unique process includes making “mud pies” using your feet. The mix is then rolled out, placed into forms, then dried and fired in their gas kiln. Their bricks, floor tiles and tejas are well represented in the US.

Next we go to Kathy and Steve’s Ranch La Capilla, where excursions are hosted into the countryside and the sights can be enjoyed from horseback. There are many stone casitas, now converted to stables, a tack room and charming guest cottages. A 16th-century chapel, decorated with frescoes, is still on the property. Their ranch home is a mix of old and new Mexico, furniture and artifacts. Kathy will tell us about how this area was once the stomping ground of the Chichimecas.

The Saturday Adventurers 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 Martin Smith, curator of plants. View plants in the nursery, including many rare species. 

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. 

Instituto Allende schedules two field trips

The next Instituto Allende field trips take the adventurous beyond the Bajío region of Mexico. Trip 1 is a day trip to three nearby haciendas; the other is an overnight stay in Mexico City including a side trip to the famous pyramids. Trips depart on Saturday, February 10; the overnight trip departs at 7am, and the hacienda outing leaves at 9am.

The hacienda outing visits three properties. First La Quemada, built in the late 1600s, then the impressive hacienda of Jaral de Berrio, and finally to La Ventilla, a large property with sweeping views. The trip costs US$55, all-inclusive.

The Mexico City trip includes a tour of the historic downtown, including the impressive Bellas Artes, el Caballito monument, the Zócalo, cathedral, national palace and museums. 

The cost for this trip is US$225, all-inclusive (transportation, hotel, museum fees, and four restaurant meals and refreshments.)

Bilingual guides lead all tours. A free preview lecture is held each Wednesday at 4pm at the Instituto. For information and reservations, call 152-0226 or come to the Instituto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio 20.

Performances & Events

Full moon ceremony

The full moon ceremony will be held on Friday, February 2, at 7pm at the Four Winds Plaza. A 30-peso donation is requested and benefits the Charco del Ingenio Fund.

Instituto arts and crafts fair this weekend

Instituto Allende’s second winter-season arts and crafts fair takes place Saturday and Sunday, February 3 and 4, from 10am to 6pm. The Instituto’s fair has been in existence for seven years and features some of San Miguel’s finest artists and craftspeople. There is all-day entertainment, food and admission is free.

Films & Videos

Shalom SMA Film 

Shalom SMA Forum screens Paper Clips, a documentary about a middle school in Tennessee that took on a mission to understand the enormity of the Holocaust, at 4:30pm, Monday, February 5, in the TV Room of the Hotel Quinta Loreto, Loreto 15. 

Struggling to grasp the concept of six million Holocaust victims, the students decide to collect six million paper clips. Before long, the school is overrun with paper clips, and the town soon hosts death camp survivors and some very moved German reporters. It is an extraordinary experiment in Holocaust education. 

A 50-peso donation is requested.

Volunteer Opportunities

Library volunteers needed

The Biblioteca Pública still needs volunteers in several departments. In the Tienda, we need people, preferably with retail experience, to work morning and evening shifts during the week (10am to 2pm and 3pm to 6pm). In Teatro Santa Ana, we need hands-on gadget men to help José Luis with ticket sales and other tasks from 10:30am to 3pm. Volunteers with basic computer skills are needed in the computer center from 4pm to 7pm. Bus guides for the House & Garden Tour are needed on Sundays from noon to 2:30pm. 

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

Atención seeks sales and client relations consultant 

To provide improved service to our advertising clients, Atención is seeking the short-term assistance of a consultant familiar with client relations and sales administration to work with our sales and reception staff. Some knowledge of Spanish would be helpful. If you are interested, please send an email to edit@atencionsanmiguel.org,  with “sales consultant” in the message line.

Children’s English teacher needed

One of the teachers in the children’s English program at the Biblioteca has had a sudden death in the family and has had to leave San Miguel. She has a class of six eight-year-olds that meets at the Biblioteca Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:45pm. We need someone willing to take this class from now until the end of May. The teacher was well-prepared and left extensive teaching materials and lesson plans for several weeks. If you could fill this urgent need, please call Gerald Camp at 120-0951 or email smacasamilagro@yahoo.com. 

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  or drop them by our office at Insurgentes 25, Centro (upstairs at the Biblioteca Pública).