Around Town

Meetings & Lectures, May 25, 2007

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

In a talk entitled, “A Glimpse of the Real World,” Hector Ulloa describes the compulsory community service program that has changed the lives of Instituto Allende art students working with young artists in Xichú, one of the most remote and underdeveloped regions in the state of Guanajuato.

Ulloa, a former editor of Atención and currently the Academic Director of Instituto Allende, has written numerous articles on social, political and cultural aspects of Mexico. In his own words, “his viewpoint is most often controversial.”

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

St. Paul’s Church celebrates Feast of Pentecost

On Sunday, May 27, the parish celebrates the Feast of Pentecost. The word, Pentecost, signifies 50 days, a week of weeks comprising the Easter Season, culminating in this Feast of the Holy Spirit. It is also 10 days after the Feast of the Ascension of Christ into heaven. We are told that the disciples and other followers of the Way of Christ (as it was then known) were gathered in Jerusalem on that day and that they heard a sound like a violent wind and saw tongues of fire resting on the heads of the disciples.

Then it is written that they began to speak in such a way that people of many different languages could understand them, each in her or his own tongue. Others came to see what was happening and were astonished to hear this group speaking in the languages of many different peoples. It has come to be known as the birthday of the Church because, from that moment on, the disciples carried the message of Christ to all parts of the world.

The season of Pentecost comprises the largest of the Church year, extending to the First Sunday of Advent (four Sundays before Christmas Day)—so this year, from May 27 through November 25. The Church is decked out in red (as are many of the people in the pews) on this day to symbolize the tongues of fire and inspiration of God that alit on the disciples. It reminds us also of the gift of the Holy Spirit who continues to inspire and guide us in our faith.

St. Paul’s Anglican Church, located at Cardo 6, offers services every Sunday morning at 9:00 and 10:30 (English) and noon (Spanish). All are welcome. For further information about St. Paul’s, please contact Father Michael Long at 152-0387.

The maguey plant is focus of Rotary talk

Roberto Salcedo, a local businessman and a member of the cultural group called Fiestas, Costumbres y Tradiciones addresses the Midday Rotary Club on Tuesday, May 29.

An aficionado of San Miguel’s culture and history, Salcedo plans to discuss one of the most sacred plants of the high plains of Mexico—the maguey. Did you know that entire villages created a viable economy around the derivative extracts of this awesome plant? Pulque, for example, an ancient fermented drink, has been part of our region’s heritage since pre-Hispanic days.

Roberto also intends to bring artifacts that are still used today in the villages around Querétaro, Hidalgo, Puebla and the state of Mexico. He believes strongly that San Miguel should become a World Heritage Site (UNESCO) and has been working with local government officials so that the city will qualify for that designation. If time permits, he will explain what that status might mean for our town.

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. 

Classes & Workshops

“The Artist’s Way”

A 10-week creative recovery course for women is offered at LifePath Retreat Center starting June 1, based on the highly successful book by Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way. The bedrock of this guided course focuses on creating pathways into your consciousness where blocks (we all have them) are dissolved, allowing you to regain your creativity. The author states that “no matter your age or lifepath, creativity is your true nature.” The objective is to align oneself with that true nature.

Using a set of proven tools, principles, exercises, the guidance of an experienced facilitator and the synergy of like-minded participants, self-limiting beliefs, fears, sabotage, jealousy, blame, guilt and other inhibiting forces will be replaced with artistic confidence and productivity, allowing participants to be freer to create and live more creatively.

Patricia Mahan is the faciltator. She has been involved in the arts for over 25 years and has facilitated this course in New Mexico, Oregon and San Miguel.

The workshop is held Fridays from 1-2:30pm. Cost is US$120. For more information, call or email Beverly Nelson at Lifepath at docbeverly@aol.com , 154-8465 or Patricia Mahan at dannpatm@yahoo.com  or 154-0462.

Cure the babble virus one word at a time

Claim the power of your words with conscious, intimate conversation skills.

We all have habits and routines we are not even aware of that feed the “Babble Virus.” With Conscious Language skills you’ll be certain your communication is clear.

We’ve been programmed by society’s socially and politically correct manner of speech.

We make all kinds of assumptions because we don’t have the skill to ask without judgment or condemnation of self or others. The work of Robert Tennyson Stevens and others can give us the tools needed to turn this around.

Learn and practice a new way of communicating. Ask, find your voice, be clear. Join “Intimate Conversation: the Power of your Words” June 8 and 21 in the Sala Quetzal at the Bibleotica Pública, at 5pm and June 14 at 5pm at LifePath. A 50-peso donation is requested. For more information, or private sessions contact: naturescradlecollectivo@gmail.com  or call 044-415-149-0153.

Tours & Excursions

Instituto Allende hosts field trip

Instituto Allende leads a field trip Saturday, June 2, to the city of Querétaro at 9am. Querétaro was an Otomí Indian settlement the Aztecs eventually conquered and then fitted the settlement into their empire

After the initial siege and fall of the Aztec Empire (1521-1523), the Spanish advanced north seizing Querétaro in 1531. Since then the area has become an important center in Mexico for religious, political, cultural and historical reasons. Its romance and attraction have held steady.

The city has played a significant role internationally. Maximillan, one-time French emperor of Mexico and his wife Carlota, established a chapel there and the treaty between the US and Mexico, ending the Mexican-American war was negotiated and drawn up in Querétaro.

During the outing, there will be stops at the famous Aqueduct, which was an ambitious feat in engineering in the mid-19th Century, the Cementerio de los Hombres Illustres, the Plaza de Armas and Querétaro’s centerpiece, the Villa del Villar del Aquila Fountain. 

Querétaro’s popular outdoor market is on the itinerary, as is a walking tour through the typical colonial streets to see the gardens, churches, fountains and the house of La Marquesa, now a luxury hotel. Lastly, there is a visit to the Hill of the Bells where stands the Benito Juarez Monument along with the Chapel of Archduke Maximillan. 

Each Wednesday, at Instituto, at 4 pm, a free lecture previews the forthcoming week’s field trip to give those interested an idea of what is on the agenda. Instituto Allende tours are all-inclusive. Native-speaking, bilingual guides offer further insight within a secure environment. Each tour costs US$55. 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

On Saturday, May 26, the Adventurers see how life was lived in colonial days. The house we visit is an authentic 17th century home, carefully restored, adding a few modern conveniences,such as bathrooms, and a pool in place of the central patio.

You see the use of cantera, in pillars, arches and beautifully carved fireplaces. The kitchen boasts colorful hand-painted tiles from Dolores Hidalgo.

Next we leave Centro and visit a mountain-side modern colonial, Richard Leet’s work-in-progress. We will see the future guest house and then head off to the finished stables, which house his beautiful Andalucian horses. They will be brought out to be petted and admired. This tour leaves from inside the Jardín, across from the Parroquia Church, 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

Monthly Alma Sale 

The sale is at the home for the elderly in Callejón Lejona on May 26 from 10am to 1pm. There are wonderful low prices and a very wide selection of articles including clothes, shoes, bedding, many many knicknacks and books, paintings, electrical wall heating units kitchen ware, fireplace shovel and tongs, a sofa for the porch etc, etc. Come and pick up some real bargains and help the elderly.

Tours of the residence on request. The bodega is five short blocks behind the new Mega Store. See you the last Saturday of the month!

Volunteer Opportunities

Casas Hogares volunteers needed

San Miguel’s three children’s refuges—casas hogares (Mexiquito, Santa Julia, and Sollano)—need the help of the community in order to meet their many volunteer and special event opportunities this summer. Please call 152-3709 in SMA, 925-418-8003 from the US, or email robin@robinloving.com if you might be able to oversee an event or coordinate volunteers. You would be working with English-speaking volunteers and event participants and Spanish-speaking directors of each children’s home. Thank you!

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.