AROUND TOWN, July 20, 2007

Meetings & Lectures

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

At a time of year when many are traveling, spiritual counselor Joseph Dispenza addresses this Sunday’s UU Fellowship service on the topic of “Travel as Spiritual Practice.”

“All travel is inner travel,” says Dispenza, author of The Way of the Traveler and other spiritual self-help books. In this talk, he describes travel in terms of the mythical hero’s journey and suggests ten ways to make ordinary travel into an extraordinary spiritual practice. Creating a travel shrine prior to leaving home and packing values to bring along on a trip are two methods for raising awareness of travel as a spiritual activity.

Joseph entered the Order of Holy Cross early in life and lived as a monk for eight years—the first year of which he spent in total silence. Later, he left the monastery to pursue a more active life, working for social change with a number of humanitarian organizations. He holds a BA in humanities and MA in communication, and was for several years the Director of Education Programs for the American Film Institute in Washington, DC. A longtime San Miguel resident, he co-founded LifePath in 2000 to fulfill a dream to offer others the unique experiences he had as a monk and a student of spirituality.

The UU Fellowship meets every Sunday at 10:30am at La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15 and welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation and gender identity. 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

Susana Alonso Martinez, a local authority in stained glass design and production, is the guest speaker at the Midday Rotary club meeting on Tuesday, July 24. She will discuss stained glass history and techniques shown in a PowerPoint presentation.

A graphic designer by profession, Susana specialized in the design and manufacture of stained glass at Oregon State University, where she also studied photography, weaving and ceramics. Upon returning to Querétaro, she became a stained glass designer. Susana has developed major glass projects for public and private institutions as well as residences in major Mexican cities.

Susana Alonso now resides in San Miguel with her family, where she continues to design and teach the various stained glass processes in private classes.

The Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday meets every Tuesday at the Villa Jacaranda Hotel, Aldama 53, Centro. Check-in time is 12:00–12:25 and the meeting starts promptly at 12:30pm. Visiting Rotarians and others interested in Rotary are invited to attend this meeting. Rotary is an organization of business and professional persons united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Lunch follows at 1:30pm in the hotel dining room. For more information, please go to the website: www.rotarysma.org.

Classes & Workshops

Meditation Center hosts retreat

Steve Shealy, together with the Meditation Center of San Miguel, offers a weekend retreat, “Mindfulness Meditation Beyond the Cushion: An Integrated Practice,” August 3–5 in San Miguel.

Mindfulness, a core practice common to all traditions of Buddhism, brings clear, non-judgmental awareness to the present moment. According to Buddhist philosophy, mindless reactivity is a major source of human suffering.

The retreat will use Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as its framework. This program has a solid base of empirical support for clinical conditions ranging from chronic pain, anxiety and depression to breast cancer, eating disorders and substance abuse. Those who complete MBSR programs commonly report reduced physical pain and emotional distress, increased awareness, more harmonious relationships and greater peace and overall well-being.

The primary focus at the retreat will be on sitting meditation, walking meditation and mindful Hatha yoga. Clear, progressive instructions for these and other meditative practices will be combined with experiential exercises and interactive discussion periods. No prior meditation or yoga experience is necessary.

The retreat supports the Meditation Center of San Miguel as well as the teacher, and is offered on a Dana (generosity) basis with a potluck lunch on Saturday and Sunday. No registration is necessary. Please bring vegetarian food to share with the group.

Steve Shealy, PhD, a clinical psychologist with an independent practice in Tampa, Florida.To learn more, visit his website http://www.BeMindful.org or contact the teacher directly at steve@BeMindful.org. 


La Cocina cooking classes

On Wednesday, July 25 discover “The Art of Chiles Rellenos.” This popular class, taught by Mercedes Arteaga, owner of La Bugambilia restaurant, highlights the fundamentals of working with chiles. Bugambilia’s famed chiles en nogada, the national dish of Mexico, is on the menu, as well as chile poblano soup, traditional cheese chile rellenos, and stuffed ancho chiles. The cooking portion is followed by a small feast, so come with a big appetite. The class runs from 2–5pm and costs US$55 per person.

This week at La Cocina we have a special guest chef from Oaxaca. Susana Trilling, author of Seasons of my Heart cookbook, is a television host of a PBS series on Mexican cuisine. Before moving to Oaxaca and opening her cooking school 15 years ago, Susana was a chef at her own restaurants in New York and Philadelphia. She will be in San Miguel offering classes on traditional Oaxacan food Friday, July 27 from 4–7pm and Saturday, July 28 from 11–2pm.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are devoted to traditional Mexican cooking. Hands-on classes are taught by Kris Rudolph, owner of El Buen Café, and encompass such dishes as sopes, moles, chile rellenos, cactus salad and tres leches cake. It’s not just a cooking class, but a fun evening out with a full dinner and margaritas. The cost is US$45 per person.

For more information and registration, stop by El Buen Café, Jesus 23, between 9am and 4pm.


Talk at LifePath

On Friday, July 27 at 4pm Lifepath Retreat Center hosts a free, one-hour talk entitled “Finding Inner Peace,” presented by the Ishaya Monks of San Miguel. The Ishayas teach a series of powerful meditation techniques, called Ascension, that lead you to experience your own inner source of peace, joy and unconditional love. A weekend Ascension workshop will immediately follow the talk Friday evening. For details, please call the SMA Ishayas at 152-2531, or email sma_ishayas@yahoo.com. 

Tours & Excursions

Instituto Allenede trip to nearby towns

On Saturday, July 28, at 9am Instituto Allende Tours hosts a day-long field trip to nearby Atotonilco, Dolores Hidalgo and the city of Guanajuato.

The sanctuary of Atotonilco is the very place where rebel priest Michael Hidalgo latched onto the likeness of the Virgin of Guadalupe and used it as an inspirational banner that became the freedom flag during the initial moments of Mexico’s fight for independence. The church also showcases murals, sculpture and baroque art from the mid-eighteenth century. Next stop, Dolores Hidalgo—a center for Talavera style ceramics. Dolores’ main square is where Miguel Hidalgo uttered his famous cry for freedom, referred to as “El Grito.” The main square also offers unusual flavored ice creams, such as avocado, shrimp and tequila, along with other more traditional types.

Later the tour heads to the capital of Guanajuato, a charming city with great cultural tradition and home of the University of Guanajuato. Famed painter Diego Rivera’s home is on the bill along with an easy-going walking tour of other sites of interest like the Plazas de la Paz and the main Jardín.

During the heyday of silver mining, the city of Guanajuato was recognized as one of the wealthiest cities in the entire world. Grand houses were built by the Spanish silver barons of the day. On the tour, special attention will be given to the preserved colonial architecture in residential areas.

Other points of interest to be visited are the University, the stately governmental buildings in Centro and a number of museums. Cost for the all-inclusive trip is US$55 (transportation, museum fees, restaurant meal etc).

All tours are led by native-speaking bilingual guides within a secure environment. A free lecture at the Instituto each Wednesday at 4pm covers the weekend’s upcoming field trip. Reservations are a must and fees must be paid in advance. Visa and MasterCard accepted. For more information, visit or call 152-0226.


Saturday Adventurers

It’s a one-stop tour for the Adventurers at San Gabriel. There is so much to see, to do and to buy! It’s talavera heaven! Visiting the factory we see them filling the molds with the liquid ceramic and see them painting the plates, cups and vases. Oobjects coming out of the kiln have completely changed colors under the intense heat. We are privileged to visit their homes, where we will see their products put to practical use. Now it’s off to the showroom. Here there is more talavera than you ever hoped to see, everything from tiny salt and peppers to huge urns, or a three-tiered talavera fountain. There are beautifully designed sets of dishes, or a simple tea set. To anyone building, this is the place to buy your tiles, bathroom basins, or the plaque with your house number. This tour leaves from inside the Jardín, across from the Parroquia at 10:30am.

Performances & Events

MexArt presents teen talent

Art, music and dance have always been an essential part of the culture in San Miguel. Each summer students from around the globe travel to Mexico in search of broadening their training in the arts. MexArt, summer teen institutes, is one place where many teenagers come to live and study for a month. With MexArt, American students may focus on visual arts, dance and Spanish language, while integrating into the Latin American culture.

MexArt is in its seventh year of operation and its director, Carly Cross, lives locally. Her staff consists of local artists and guest teachers from the US, as well as counselors, Virginia Reardon and Jean Schuler. This year, the dance department is being led by Patty Arrieta, a professional dancer from New York City.The dance students present choreography ranging from jazz, modern, hip-hop, salsa to musical theater. In addition, students have participated in community service classes, teaching dance to kids from around San Miguel. These local children will also present a piece in our showcase. The dance performance is held Friday, July 20 at 8pm at El Sindicato, Recreo 4, Centro. This show is not to be missed and is free of charge.

Art students will present an exhibit earlier Friday evening. Painting, photography, silver jewelry, iron work and ceramics will be on diplay. Students have learned these exciting art medas from some of the best local artists in San Miguel. Painting and drawing is lead by Nina Wisniewski, photography by Shannon Reece, silver jewelry by Paco Perez, iron work by Jose Juan Palacio and ceramics by Joan Elena Goldberg. The art exhibit will take place from 5–6:30pm, at Casa Crayola, Calzada de la Aurora 48. Please come show your support for all our students and the great work they have accomplished throughout these last few weeks.


Authors’ Sala book fair

San Miguel Authors’ Sala first started to offer programs supporting the local writers’ community in August 2003.

After four years, the Sala has hosted more than a hundred events, including a radio show, literary supplements, an anthology, readings, signings, book launches and workshops, introducing hundreds of writers to San Miguel audiences.

New York publishers and agents, bestselling authors of many titles, a Pulitzer Prize winner, an Oprah celebrity, a Playboy bunny/author and poets contemplating their first chapbook have all been featured.

To celebrate this fourth anniversary, the San Miguel Authors’ Sala hosts a Book Fair Saturday, Aug. 4, 5–7pm, in the Hotel Posada de San Francisco, Plaza Principal 2 on the Jardín. Admission is free.

Authors signing their books and answering questions, such as what passion inspires their writing, include O’Henry Award winner Janice Eidus, who is launching her latest novel, The War of the Rosens, that weekend.

Others are Manja Argue, Charlotte Bell, James Cervantes, Alice Denham, Wayne Greenhaw, Ricky Harris, Gerald Helferich, C.M. Mayo, Susan V. Page, Sharon Solwitz and Masako Takahaski.

More about these authors and their works—and the passions behind their books—will be announced next issue.

For more information about the Authors’ Sala and the Book Fair on Aug. 4, go to www.sanmiguelauthors.com, or contact Kathy Devine at katalinasma@hotmail.com  or Sala founder Susan V. Page at susanvpage@mac.com. 

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering at the Biblioteca

If you would like to volunteer to assist in any of the following departments, please see Elia in the Sala Infantil, Monday-Friday, 4–(N)5pm, or send an email to volunteers@bibliotecasma.com and Judy Boston will get back to you. The departments with the most need are La Tienda, teaching English to kids, the Book Committee, English conversation with students, the computer room, the Sala Infantil with literacy programs and painting, administration, the Café, the House and Garden Tour, and Atencíon. A minimum commitment of 3 months is requested for most of these positions.

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.