Around Town, 
May 11, 2007

Meetings & Lectures

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

In honor of Mother’s Day, four UU members share their feelings and memories at this Sunday’s Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meeting. Participants include Phyllis Culp, Jon Sievert, Ellen Snyder, and Lee Veal.

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


Rotary speaker on finding fulfillment

On May 15, the Midday Rotary Club meeting presents Dr. Martha Susan Horton, a practicing psychologist and founder of The Amate Institute. The Amate Institute offers healing options for those in the final phases of life, their caregivers, and those touched by addictions of all sorts. She works with both Spanish and English speaking individuals.

Dr. Horton speaks on “Achieving Emotional Maturity, Meaning and Fulfillment in Adulthood.” The talk focuses on the series of tasks identified with finding adult fulfillment in the 60 Year Harvard Study (published in 2002). She explores blocks to completing those tasks and what can be done to remove those blocks. There will be time for questions after her talk.

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. 


St. Paul’s offers programs in Spanish

The Spanish Language Ministry at St. Paul’s Church is expanding to include educational opportunities. On Saturday mornings a Bible study in Spanish convenes at 10am in the Sunday School room. Father Michael Long leads the discussion. (The noon English language Bible study group will continue every Saturday morning as well.)

Basic information about the Bible and an inquiry into the Gospel according to Mark are the subjects covered for the first semester. Anyone wishing to explore Bible topics in Spanish is warmly invited to join in the discussion. Those wishing to improve Spanish skills are also welcome. Both Bible study groups are free of charge and open to the public. 

The Holy Eucharist is celebrated in Spanish every Sunday at noon in the sanctuary. Come for coffee hour at 11:30am and stay for the service. As always, all are welcome.

Tours & Excursions

Saturday Adventurers

On one of the most beautiful streets in San Miguel lies a hidden treasure—the home and workshop of Eunice O’Hanna, an artist specializing in one-of-a-kind necklaces. Although the house is decorated throughout with her colorful and humorous murals, the main attractions are her necklaces—hundreds of wearable works of art. You will be tempted to buy several. 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. 

Performances & Events

Audubon presents Winged Migration

Audubon Mexico presents Winged Migration, the spectacular film of birds on the wing, at Villa Jacaranda on Tuesday, May 15, at 4pm. The film is, according to Amazon.com, “as close as any of us will get to sharing the sky,” with the birds.

French director Jacques Perrin and his crew of dedicated filmmakers and birdwatchers, using planes, gliders, helicopters and balloons, have given us an astonishing look at the lives of birds as they fly through 40 countries and every continent.

This awe-inspiring film uses no special effects whatsoever—just soaring, seemingly miraculous camera work that makes the viewer feel as if he or she is flying along with the birds. There are a few titles and very limited narration, otherwise just the birds, flying tirelessly across the skies of the world, seemingly taking us along with them. Winged Migration is a film that inevitably has the audience wondering, “How in the name of movie making did they ever pull this off?”

Tickets for the film are 50 pesos (Audubon members free) and can be purchased at the door the afternoon of the presentation. Proceeds go to the Sociedad Audubon de México A.C. The Sociedad would like to thank the Villa Jacaranda for the use of their Cine/bar theater.

Benefit concert for ALMA

ALMA, the home for the elderly in San Miguel, is very pleased to announce that singer/songwriter Carolina Miller, who has performed regularly on US radio shows and at concerts in both the US and Europe, has agreed to give a benefit concert for ALMA on Sunday May 20 from 4–6pm. The event is held in the beautiful shaded garden of the ranch of Nonie Mulcater in Los Frailes, Pedro Paramo, El Mirador below the castle and to the right. Also performing is the wonderful Tuna Traditional, local troubadours who carry on the rich tradition of songs from 17th century Spain and Mexico. There will be a cash bar, so cool drinks can be enjoyed throughout the event and tickets are available in the Jardín from May 9 to May 19 from 10am to 1pm. It would be hard to find a more wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon than surrounded by friends, in a beautiful shady garden enjoying joyful music. Call 154-0186 for information.



Films & Videos

Shalom San Miguel film forum

In Walk on Water a retired Mossad hero’s final job is to befriend a very idealistic young brother and sister who will attend the secret birthday party of their fugitive Nazi grandfather back in Germany, an SS man whom the Mossad has been tracking for 50+years. A very human story, it takes place in today’s Israel and Germany. Fascinating production and great casting and writing, a not to be missed event.

Join the discussion to follow at the Television Salon of the Hotel Quinta Loreto: Monday, May 14 at 4:30pm. A 50-peso donation is appreciated.





Volunteer Opportunities

Feed the Hungry volunteers needed

The Feed the Hungry program in San Miguel has need for volunteer drivers to deliver food commodities from our warehouse located in San Miguel to Feed the Hungry kitchens attached to various schools in poor neighborhoods located in and around San Miguel. Volunteer drivers provide their own vehicles for delivery on Tuesday mornings from 8–10am. This opportunity provides a wonderful chance for you to participate in a program providing a free, hot, balanced meal to over 3,000 children per school day. Please contact Duane Eriksmoen, Director Food Distribution at 154-6904 or deriksmoen@aol.com  or Al Kocourek, 152-5576 or penq1@aol.com. 

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, 4–5pm, 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.

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. 



Memorial Day ceremony

Held by American Legion Post 8
Mon, May 28, 10:30am
Panteón Cemetery
Camino Viejo al Panteón
turn right in front of Hotel Real de Minas

American Legion Post 8 holds a Memorial Day ceremony and placing of flags on veteran graves. The public is welcome. If you are an honorably discharged American veteran of any service please call J.D. Hines at 152-3917 for further information.