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Meetings & Lectures
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Longtime activist and San Miguelense Joe Ershun leads a commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade at this week’s Unitarian Unversalist Fellowship meeting.
The Lincoln Brigade, formed in 1937 at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War, was the American contingent of volunteers from around the world who went to Spain to fight against the fascist forces of Generalísimo Franco after he overthrew the first Spanish democracy. Many of them were members of the Communist Party or affiliated with socialist or anarchist organizations.
While too young to volunteer for the Brigade, Ershun was drafted in 1941 at the outbreak of World War II. Because of his membership in the Communist Party, he was quickly labeled a subversive and “premature anti-fascist” by the Army when he refused to “name names” after being subpoenaed by a forerunner of the McCarthy Committee. As a result, he was assigned to a unit made up of other “premature anti-fascists” who were veterans of the Lincoln Brigade. Ershun will describe his experience and discuss the historic significance of the Brigade.
The UU Fellowship meets every Sunday, 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
Shambala day
The Tibetan New Year—Sunday, February 18—represents one of the most important traditions of Shambhala Buddhism. This celebration is called Shambala Day, and it is a time to express the wealth and richness of the spiritual and cultural heritage of Shambhala Buddhism through feasting, practice and community. The day features a talk by the leader of the worldwide Shambhala Buddhist community, the Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, through a phone hook-up to meditation centers and groups from 5 continents and over 25 countries around the world.
The Shambhala Meditation Group in San Miguel de Allende is pleased to host a celebration of this auspicious day. In addition to the worldwide talk, the day will include meditation practice and a potluck brunch. We invite everyone to attend a free talk on Wednesday, February 14, at 7:30pm, on the subject of Shambhala Day, held at the Meditation Center on Callejón Blanco 4. More details about the festivities will be provided. For additional information, call John Perkins or Margaretta Sander at 120-0767. To learn more about Shambhala Buddhism, log onto
www.shambhala.org.
Fun with Yiddish
Come meet with a friendly group and practice Mommalochen. Meets February 15 and every other Thursday from 10:30am to noon. Phone 152-4610 for details.
Sixth Gathering of Facilitators for Healing
The sixth 2007 Gathering of Facilitators for Healing, an “energy exchange,” takes place at 12pm, Thursday, February 15, 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 on the program.
“Finding Inner Peace” Talk at LifePath
On Friday, February 16, at 6pm Lifepath Retreat Center will host a free, one hour talk entitled “Finding Inner Peace,” presented by the Ishaya Monks of San Miguel. The Ishayas teach a series of powerful techniques, called Ascension, that lead you to experience your own inner source of peace, joy and unconditional love. The Ascension workshop will immediately follow the talk Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday. For details call the SMA Ishayas at 154-9793, or email
sma_ishayas@yahoo.com
Classes & Workshops
Jewelry classes
San Miguel Visiting Artisan/Educator Evelina Kolchinsky is on a dual mission to help women design jewelry that is noticed and to ensure that the orphaned and abandoned girls of Casa Hogar Santa Julia Don Bosco, A.C., get the resources they need for daily life. Evelina is offering classes to women who want to learn to make beautiful jewelry, with the proceeds benefiting the Santa Julia girls. On Monday, February 12, the class is for earrings and pendants. On Friday, February 16, you will learn to make necklaces. Monday, February 19, the class is on bracelets. On Friday, February 23, the class makes treasure chests. And on Monday, February 26, you will learn to make beautiful wire sculpted jewelry.
Each class will be limited to only 12 students to ensure that each participant is able to receive individual guidance. All classes will be from 10am–noon at the Biblioteca Pública at Insurgentes 25. The suggested donation for each class is only $25 USD or $250 pesos. Participants who want to attend all five classes may do so at the discounted rate of $100 USD/1,000 pesos.
A Mano at Hernandez Macías 116 has a full description of each class and a list of supplies needed for each class. In addition, A Mano is offering a discount on supplies for these classes.
Evelina lives in Andover, Massachusettes where she designs beaded jewelry and couture hats. Her bold creations are "designed to be noticed." You can see her work at
www.theEvelinaCollection.com.
For more information, contact Evelina at ek@theevelinacollection.com.
To register, email robin@robinloving.com.
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.
La Cocina cooking classes
Tuesday, February 13th, from 4–7pm is devoted to naturally healthy Mexican food, some of which dates back to pre-Hispanic times. The menu includes guacamole made with a molcajete, chicken with roasted tomato salsa, shrimp in pumpkin seed sauce, cactus salad and mango mousse.
Thursday, February 15, from 4–7pm, the class features traditional Mexican fare. After snacking on freshly made sopes con tinga, you’ll learn the secrets of making homemade mole, one of Mexico’s most festive dishes. The menu features mole poblano, chiles rellenos and tres leches cake. La Cocina offers you more than a cooking class—it’s a fun evening out with dinner, margaritas and new friends. The cost is US$45 per person. For more information and registration, stop by El Buen Café, Jesús 23, between 9 and 4 or see
www.mexicocooks.com.
San Miguel de Saigon culinary and yoga workshop
Sagrada Wellness is offering an exciting three day retreat, February 16–19, where you can taste and learn authentic Vietnamese flavors with Ann Le, author of the popular Vietnamese cookbook The Little Saigon Cookbook: Vietnamese Cuisine and Culture in Southern California’s Little Saigon. Le will lead three cooking classes and teach guests how to prepare delicious fare and the Vietnamese principles behind the layering of flavors.
For details, visit www.sagradawellness.com
or call 044-415-101-8312 or 323-924-5950 (US number). Day rates are available.
Fresh produce from San Miguel’s local markets will be used to recreate Vietnamese meals according to the principles of the Sagrada lifestyle. Free time may be spent hiking in the surrounding mountains, or enjoying Sagrada’s acclaimed yoga, acupuncture and massage treatment. A delicious Vietnamese family-style dinner will conclude each evening.
Ann will be leading another San Miguel de Saigon retreat June 7–10 at Sagrada Wellness.
Beauty class
Take a sensuous, relaxing day to learn about roses, lavender, shea butter and essential oils. All materials are included and you will return home with basic alchemy skills and a personalized beauty kit. Class size is limited to 10 people. Pre-registration is required. February 17 from 10am–4pm. 650 pesos. For more information and registration, call Shanti Revotskie at 154-0407 or 044-415-109-5146.
Tours & Excursions
Saturday Adventurers
On February 10, the Adventurers are off to Juan José Alvarez’s Guajuye to watch the process of glass blowing—from the recycled glass being cleaned and melted down to being blown into exquisite shapes. You have the opportunity to buy the finished products in the shop nearby. We then travel out of town to the lovely hilltop home of Marta and Javier Alvarez. Opening out to magnificent views, the whole house is decorated in superb taste. The house features a wall of glass that brings the outdoors inside, exquisite antiques gathered on their world travels, a pool with a view and much more.
The tour leaves from the Jardín across from the Parroquia at 10:30am.
Lions Club fundraising excursion
The International Lions Club is sponsoring a fundraising trip for their clinic, which dispenses free glasses and diabetes testing. On February 13, they will go to Jalapa, Veracruz and Puebla, returning on February 18. In Jalapa, the group will visit the famous museum of anthropology with its collection of huge Olmec heads. There will be an optional river rafting trip the next morning, after which the group will travel by bus to Veracruz, where they will stay at a five-star hotel with swimming pools on the harbor. On the way to Veracruz, they will stop at the hacienda of Santa Ana.
In Veracruz, sightseeing includes museums, aquarium, an at-cost hour long harbor tour by boat and the zócalo. The bus will make a trip down the coast to Boca del Rio, and also north of the city where there are ruins of the pre-Hispanic Totonacs.
Leaving Veracruz at 9am, the bus will go to Puebla in time for lunch and sightseeing. The next day, there will be more time for sightseeing and lunch, before the group leaves for San Miguel.
The cost of the trip, including bus, hotel, breakfasts, tips, a donation to the Lions club eye clinic and a bring-your-own cocktail party with nibbles provided by the club is 3600 pesos each, double occupancy, or 5350 pesos single. Reservations and payment must be made by Monday, February 12. For information, call Jean Schickel, 152-0934.
Insituto Allende trip to Atotonilco, Dolores Hidalgo and Guanajuato
On February 17, at 9am, Instituto Allende leads a field trip to nearby Atotonilco, Dolores Hidalgo and the city of Guanajuato.
The sanctuary of Atotonilco is the place where rebel priest Miguel Hidalgo took up the likeness of the Virgin of Guadalupe and used it as an inspirational banner in the initial moments of Mexico’s fight for independence. The church also showcases murals, sculpture and baroque art from the mid-18th century. The next stop is Dolores Hidalgo, a center for talavera ceramics. On Dolores’ main square, Miguel Hidalgo uttered his famous “¡Viva Mexico!,” the historical cry for freedom referred to as “El Grito.” The main square also offers ice creams with unique and unusual flavors, such as avocado, shrimp and tequila, along with other more traditional types.
Later, the tour heads to the capital city of Guanajuato, a charming city with a great cultural tradition and home of the University of Guanajuato. Famed painter Diego Rivera’s home is on the tour, along with an easy walking tour of other sites of interest such as the Plaza de la Paz and the main square.
Other points of interest include the university and the stately governmental buildings in Centro, along with a number of museums.
The cost for the all-inclusive trips is US$55, which includes transportation, museum fees and a restaurant meal. All tours are led by bilingual guides within a secure environment. A free lecture is given each Wednesday at 4pm for the weekend’s upcoming field trip. Reservations are required, and fees must be paid in advance. For more information, visit Instituto Allende at Ancha de San Antonio 20 or call 152-0226.
Performances & Events
SPA tag sale fundraiser
On Saturday, February 10, from 10am to 1pm, the SPA will hold a special Valentine's tag sale with many high-quality donations for purchase. Come, have fun, shop the Gran Bodega; 1000 Blvd. Conspiracion, past the old Gigante and before new Presidencia Building. Food, music and more. 154-5761.
Fluviales de Vida fundraiser
Fluviales de Vida in San Miguel de Allende is hosting a fundraising event on Sunday, February 11, from 2–6 pm at Casa de Aves resort to raise funds to renovate the sewage treatment facility at the Sanctuario in Atotonilco.
Its 40,000 annual pilgrims generate the largest source of raw sewage in the Rio Laja between San Miguel and Dolores Hildalgo. The new system will recycle water and save 60% of the 10,000 cubic meters of pristine thermal water that is currently extracted from the aquifer each month. It will also eliminate 10,500 cubic meters of black water per month that currently flows into the Rio Laja. The event will include dancers, a presentation on the natural features of the region, live entertainment and a Mexican buffet. Free shuttle buses will run from San Miguel.
Tickets are 500 pesos, which includes complimentary beer, wine and margaritas. They are available at Border Crossings, Solutions, La Conexión and Ticket Central at the Tienda in the Biblioteca Pública.
Films & Videos
Joseph Goldstein insight meditation video
At 5:30pm on February 15, the Meditation Center of San Miguel de Allende presents the Vipassana video Purity of Action, Purity of Mind.
This talk is based on teachings of the Buddha, who taught a practice leading to freedom from suffering. It was made at the Yucca Valley Meditation Retreat, held in the desert of southern California, in April 1989.
Joseph Goldstein has been leading retreats with great skill throughout the world since 1974. He co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, and has written The Experience of Insight and co-authored Seeking the Heart of Wisdom.
The video is presented at Callejón Blanco 4. Suggested donation 20 pesos. Please arrive early; space is limited.
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