Around Town

Meetings & Lectures

Biblioteca Pública general meeting

The February general meeting of the Biblioteca Pública will take place Friday, February 23, at 11am in the Sala Quetzal of the Biblioteca Pública, Insurgentes 25.

Henceforth, the monthly meeting will take place the last Friday of the month.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

The topic for this Sunday’s service is “Standing on the Side of Love.” Rev. Jeff Jones addresses the issues of fear, ignorance and otherism, the trend throughout history to differentiate oneself from those who don’t fit society’s definition of “normal.”

In a naturally diverse world, each of us has gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered friends who should be fully and genuinely welcomed into our communities of faith. What we learn from society, however, often gets in the way.

Rev. Jones also introduces The Welcoming Congregation, a nine-week study program for those who wish to begin the important work of understanding and dismantling the pernicious constructs that contribute to heterosexism and heterosexist privilege.

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

Midday Rotary Club

On Tuesday, February 27, the Midday Rotary Club presents New Member Classification Talks. New Rotary Members will give a 5-7 minute presentation of their background and experience. These talks have proven to be very beneficial as they have opened doors to new avenues of service to Rotarians.

The Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday meets every Tuesday at 12:30pm in the upstairs theatre of the Villa Jacaranda Hotel, Aldama 53, Centro. Visiting Rotarians and others interested in Rotary are always invited to attend. A special lunch follows the meeting at 1:30 in the hotel dining room and everyone is encouraged to attend. For more information, please go to our website, www.rotarysma.org. 

Gathering of Facilitators for Healing

The next Gathering of Facilitators for Healing , an “energy exchange,” takes place at 12pm on Thursday, March 1, 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 on the program.

Classes & Workshops

St. Paul's Wednesday study series in Lent

A Lenten series, “Women of the Passion,” from the book of that title by Katie Sherrod, is presented by Sibylle Van Dijk and Father Michael Long. The class is offered Wednesdays during Lent, February 28 through March 28, at 12:15pm in St. Paul’s parish hall. The series is free of charge, open to the public and all are welcome. Please fill out the sign-up sheet in the parish hall to register.

Sherrod writes of the woman who anoints Jesus, the woman who stemmed the flow of blood, the widow with the mite and the woman taken in adultery, among others. The first-person point of view gives voice to “silent” women who had witnessed the passion of Jesus.

Washi-Zookei workshop

For the fourth year Margarita Orozco and Mary Pennington are teaching a three-day workshop using the Japanese technique, washi-zookei. Different materials, textures, colors and concepts are implemented in order to use the artist’s creative versatility to “paint” a picture.

Jane Easton Brashares, one of last year’s students wrote the following: “My three month sabbatical in San Miguel was for the purpose of learning to speak Spanish. Along with this I added a paper making class I saw advertised in Atención. With no experience, exposure or confidence in any artistic endeavor, I cautiously joined the class. Within hours I recognized new, creative possibilities. With gentleness, encouragement and hands-on expertise, the teachers, Margarita Orozco and Mary Pennington, helped me create my images with paper. To my amazement, I actually created pieces I enjoy. At home I continue to pulp paint and to derive great pleasure in the process.” 

The workshop is held at Orozco’s studio (La Lejona, Primera Seccion-Jacaranda 6) from Thursday to Saturday, March 1–3 from 10am to 2pm. The cost is US$250 and includes all equipment and materials. For information or to register contact mary.pennington@yahoo.com  or call 154-9479 or 1523969.

Abundance and Your Dream Metaphor workshop

“Abundance” is so much more than money. Understanding how abundance fits into our sense of life direction is rich with possibilities for growth, manifestation and spiritual awareness.

We’ll be working with dream, image and past life metaphors, both personal and visual for our life and abundance structures. 

The workshop includes working with deep imagery from our unconscious and subconscious mind. Here we rediscover and remember these gifts. We look forward to working with each individual in a way that engages all levels of consciousness. The cost for this workshop, held March 9–11, is US$160. For information and registration, please contact Benjie Nelson in Mexico at 415-152-6594, in the US at 707-931-4018 or by email at torahsma@email.com. 

Matlach photography workshop

Michael Matlach has photographed in over thirty countries throughout his career and has been conducting photo tours throughout Southeast Asia for the last seven years. He brings his expertise and sense of adventure to San Miguel in his upcoming workshop during Semana Santa. Early on in his career he served as a technical assistant on assignment for National Geographic, Time, and Life magazines. Taking that background, he traveled independently for many years exploring the cultural backroads of Europe and Asia. 

His clients often remark about his ability to help photographers develop their skills in interfacing with different cultures, which result in better and more unique images. His easygoing manner and sense of humor allow him to overcome cultural obstacles and engage his subjects so that they are relaxed and spontaneous.

Mike’s images have been critically recognized throughout the years in a variety of venues. He was the winning photographer of the 2003 Travel Photographer of the Year/Colour & Passion category held in the United Kingdom. This award recognized his particular skill at motion photography.

In his San Miguel workshop, each day is structured around a morning and afternoon photo shoot to one of the areas unique attractions, focusing on many lesser known locations and Holy Week rituals that include religious ceremonies, processions, and biblical events. Each day concludes with a review of participant's daily digital images and group discussion. As this is primarily a field workshop, the emphasis is on location photography and techniques used to make your initial image captures as well-crafted as possible.

More information on Michael can be found at www.michaelmatlach.com  and  

www.photographysanmiguel.com. 

Tours & Excursions

No Saturday Adventurers tour February 24

The Centro de Crecimiento Saturday Adventurers tour is cancelled February 24 due to the “Vino & Paella” event at the Vista Real Hotel. The tour resumes March 3.

Instituto Allende hosts two field trips

Instituo Allende has two field trips planned for March 3 and 4. The first is a jaunt to the states of Michoacán and Mexico to witness the incredible migration from Canada of the monarch butterfly. This is an overnight trip to the preserves. The first stop is the historic town of Acambaro, Guanajuato, to visit the museum and shop in the town famous for bread baking and confections. We visit various museums and places of interests along the way before checking into the hotel. On Sunday the tour takes in the sanctuaries to view millions and millions of butterflies. The trip is all-inclusive, including transportation, hotel, museum fees, meals (five), snacks and cocktails. Cost is US$225.

The second trip is a day trip to the city of Guanajuato on Saturday, March 5, at 9am. This field trip offers a chance to see the city that has been deemed a World Heritage site by the United Nations. Special attention is given to the preserved architecture of a colonial period in residential areas. 

Guanajuato’s underground tunnel system enables traffic to move beneath the busy city to relieve congestion. Riding beneath the busy streets makes for a unique experience. Above, the city center is a good place to stroll and shop. Time is allotted for such. 

Points of interest that will be visited are the grounds and buildings of the University of Guanajuato and the city’s governmental buildings, along with a number of museums, including the home of native son and famous painter Diego Rivera. Cost is US$55, all-inclusive, which includes transportation, museum fees, restaurant meal, snacks and cocktails.

Each Wednesday at 4pm there is a free lecture at the Instituto, previewing the upcoming weekend’s field trips. Bilingual guides who offer rare insights in a secure environment lead all Instituto Allende tours. Reservations are a must. For more information, call Instituto Allende at 152-0226. Instituto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio 20. Visa and MasterCard are accepted.

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 two 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. 

Friday symphony rides again

Joan Nagle, organizer of the Friday Symphony trips to Guanajuato, has switched the venue to Querétaro as the Guanajuato Symphony is on tour in China.

Trips to the Querétaro Symphony began Friday, February 16th, and continue every Friday night during February and March. Programs for February and March are listed online at www.ofeq.org.mx.  Click on: “Nuestra Progamacion,” then “ver programacion.”

This year, your contributions help two young Mexicans attend the Summer Session at Northfield Mount Hermon (NMH), a private high school in Massachusetts. Mario and Maritza are prepa (high school) students whose parents could never afford to give them this opportunity. Both they and their families are excited about the chance to polish their English and gain the skills that will help launch them into productive lives. 

Email aquajoan@yahoo.com  with your name and the number attending by the Tuesday of the week you plan to attend. Your reservation will be confirmed by email but will not be complete until your payment for transportation is received. Payment must be made by the Wednesday of the week you wish to attend. Transportation cost is US$25 or 260 pesos per person. There are no refunds, but you may send replacements. Put your money in an envelope along with your name, phone number, number of persons attending, amount paid (number of persons X $25 US or 260 pesos) and the date of the performance you wish to attend. Deposit your envelope with money and information in Box 185A, Border Crossings, 57 Mesones (another entrance on Reloj). Your money must be in Border Crossings by Wednesday at 4pm before the Friday concert that you wish to attend. Receipt of the money will be confirmed by email as soon as it is received.

Please note that the staff at Border Crossings do not have information about the trip, your reservations or the symphony, nor can they supply envelopes.

On the day of the concert vans depart at 5:30pm from St. Paul’s Church on Cardo and return to the same location. You will have time for comida before the 8:30pm concert at Teatro de la Republica in Querétaro. Tickets for the performance are sold at the door and range in price from 90 to 200 pesos.

Address questions to Joan Nagle at aquajoan@yahoo.com. 

Performances & Events

Total eclipse of the moon

Saturday, March 3, there will be a total eclipse of the moon. Even though the initial and total phases of the eclipse will not be visible in San Miguel, we can observe the final phase as the full moon rises (a little after 6:45pm). The moon will rise over the horizon partially in the eclipse, gradually recuperating its full illumination over the following 30 minutes. As in the past, the Botanical Garden will remain open late to observe this astronomical event. At the end, we will meet at the Four Winds Plaza around a fire to have hot punch. For the youngsters we have prepared an interesting educational show about the eclipse beginning at 5:30pm

We suggest you dress warmly. If you have a telescope or binoculars, this would be a good time to dust them off and bring along.

General admission for this event is 10 pesos, free for children and members of the botanical garden.

Shalom San Miguel Purim celebrations

On the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, in the year 365 BCE (or thereabout), the entire Jewish community was slated to be massacred by the Persian court’s wicked grand vizier, Haman the Agagite. He cast lots, Purim in Hebrew, to choose this day of reckoning. Fortunately, his evil plans for “ethnic cleansing” in the ancient Middle East were thwarted, thanks to the timely intervention of the beautiful Queen Esther and her uncle Mordechai, as told in the Biblical Book of Esther. Since then, Jews around the world have celebrated this divine deliverance by public readings of the Megillah (the Book of Esther), giving charity and gifts to friends and strangers and gathering for joyous parties replete with food, drink, plays, costumes and noisemakers.

Shalom San Miguel celebrates Purim this year with two special events. On Saturday, March 3, there is a Havdalah service and community Megillah reading at 7:30pm in the Salon TV of the Quinta Loreto Hotel, Loreto 15. All are welcome. Light refreshments will be served. On Sunday, March 4, at noon there is a Purim costume party/luncheon at Patsy’s Place (near Atotonilco). Costumes are optional, but highly recommended to keep us in the spirit of this happy holiday! In addition to another opportunity to take part in our community Megillah reading, there will be a short Purim play presented by the children of the Shalom San Miguel Hebrew School, followed by a festive meal, including home-baked hamentaschen cookies. All this for only 200 pesos per person, bus transportation included. Please call Doris Tolpen at 154-5438 for reservations and further details. Space is limited, so call today.

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 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. 

Teachers needed for English classes

If you’re an open-hearted, open-minded individual who wants to give back to the community you’ve grown to love, we want you. The Biblioteca Pública needs people who are willing to volunteer just three hours a week to teach English to children or adults.

Teaching English not only opens your heart and mind to the people of this community but serves to open doors for those who study with you. Learning to speak English increases job and career opportunities as well as confidence and self-esteem.

At this time we need three teachers for our adult classes and one for a children’s class of 8 to 11-year-olds. Classes meet two days a week for one and a half hours each day. No experience is necessary; we will train you and provide all teaching materials. We need people who will commit to teaching from March through May.

To volunteer or to get more information, call Gerald Camp, coordinator of the Biblioteca English program, at 120-0951 or email at 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 off at our office at Insurgentes 25, Centro (upstairs at the Biblioteca Pública).