AROUND TOWN

Meetings & Lectures

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Hydrologist Robin Luxmoore addresses the pressing issue of San Miguel de Allende’s diminishing water supply and offers some possible courses of action at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Sunday, October 28.

Mr. Luxmoore, a year-round SMA resident, has a distinguished background working with water issues throughout Canada for more than 25 years. For the past decade, he has been deeply involved with water restoration and awareness issues in San Miguel. He currently serves on the board of Salvemos al Rio Laja and the Audubon Society.

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.

Discussion of Day of Dead at Rotary

In Mexico, the Day of the Dead is a holiday that tends to be a subject of fascination for visitors from abroad. With its rare mix of pre-Hispanic and Roman Catholic rituals, it is a perfect illustration of pre-Hispanic and Spanish cultures that has come to define the country and its people.

On Tuesday, October 30, our guest speaker is Fred Stresen-Reuter. His extensive 45-minute presentation traces the origins of European and indigenous American practices and how they converged after the conquest. He also reviews how Christianity was perceived and implemented by the indigenous people of Mexico.

Frederick A. Stresen-Reuter II received his BA in History from Lake Forest College and completed additional studies in Salzburg, Austria. He received the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art (a knight’s cross) from the President of Austria. After a successful career with a global mining company he retired to San Miguel de Allende to pursue his first love— studying Mexican Indigenous history and art.

The Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday meets every Tuesday at the Villa Jacaranda Hotel, Aldama 53. Check-in time is 12–12:25pm and the meeting starts promptly at 12:30pm. Visiting Rotarians, those interested in Rotary, and all members of the general community 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 1:30 in the hotel dining room. For more information, please go to the Rotary Club website, www.rotarysma.org.

All Soul’s Day service at St. Paul’s

An ecumenical prayer service honoring those who have died will be held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church on All Soul’s Day, Friday, November 2, at 2:00pm, Calle de Cardo 6. Participants will reflect on departed family members and friends, as well as those who have died for noble causes and lost to war or violence. Mementos or photographs of loved ones may be used in meditation; candles will be provided. All are welcome.

Tours & Excursions

Saturday Adventurers

The Saturday Adventurers will learn about the art of papel maché (papier-mâché) from the finest producer in San Miguel. A master of the art takes fresh, new butcher paper, sanitary rolls and newspaper, mixes the paper with flour, water and glue, then puts this mix into the various molds. After the pieces dry they are unmolded, painted and varnished. The luscious-looking fruit and pan dulces are exported worldwide.

The bus labors up the steep mountain-side, where we see what will eventually be a most fabulous home. All rooms have a view to see the world below. Back down the mountain, we head to the stables of Richard Leet, where he shows off his prize Andalucian horses. The tack-room is so neat and comfortably furnished, you’d like to move in. This tour leaves from inside the Jardín, across from the Parroquia, at 10:30am.

Botanical Garden

Every Tuesday morning, discover the marvels of cacti and other Mexican plants as well as the history of El Charco with Mario Mendoza, vice-director of the Garden. 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 2.5 hours. Bring a hat and water. Space is limited, so reserve by calling 154-8838 or email charcodelingenio@gmail.com.

Lion’s Club trip to Taxco and Cuernavaca

The International Lions Club of San Miguel will be sponsoring another trip, this time to Cuernavaca and Taxco. They will be leaving Wednesday, November 14 for 3 days, traveling on a first class bus. The first stop will be in Cuernavaca, where if desired, they can have lunch at Marianitas, world-renowned, and then do sightseeing, visiting the Palacio de Cortes, the Jardín Borda, the cathedral and the Museo Robert Brady. On the way to Taxco, they will stop at Xochicalco, one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico. Then on to Taxco for silver shopping and sightseeing. There will be another cocktail party, with nibbles supplied by the Lions. On Friday, the bus will stop in Metepec where the trees of life are made, before returning to San Miguel. The cost of the trip is 1820 pesos each double occupancy and 2700 single, including bus, hotels, taxes and tips, plus a donation to the Lions Club which dispenses glasses to the needy and gives free diabetes testing on Thursday mornings at the clinic at Corr
eo 63. Reservations and payment must be made by November l. For more information, call Jean Schickel, 152-0934.

Films & Videos

Zen film at Meditation Center

On November 1 at 5:30pm, the Meditation Center of San Miguel will present a feature film, Un Buda, set in Buenos Aires and the Argentine countryside. The film follows two brothers, orphaned as children by Argentina’s “Dirty War,” who as adults find themselves lost and drifting. Tomas is now a withdrawn though compassionate young man who follows ascetic practices in a vain search for life’s deeper meaning. Meanwhile, he can’t seem to get a handle on the practicalities of living in the world. His older brother, Rafael, pursues meaning solely on the intellectual level. A university philosophy professor, he has difficulty with relationships. The brothers’ struggles with each other and the world around them take a dramatic turn when they find themselves at a Zen retreat center in the beautiful Cordovan countryside. Here each brother finds what he was looking for, in a most unexpected way.

In Spanish with English subtitles, Un Buda was the first feature film written and directed by Diego Rafecas, a Zen teacher from Argentina. He also plays the role of Rafael. The film’s retreat center, roshi and students are the real thing.

The Meditation Center, located at Callejon Blanco 4 near Quebrada, is open to all forms of silent, still meditation. (See the Religious Meetings box for timings.) All meditation sittings and most presentations are offered freely to one and all in the Buddhist tradition of generosity. A donation of 20 pesos is suggested to defray costs of film presentations only. Please try to arrive early as seating is limited, and arrivals after 5:30pm disturb others.

Lecture
Estate planning in Mexico: A presentation on myths, folklaw and reality

Estate Planning
Tues, Oct 30, 6:30pm
Sala Quetzal
Biblioteca Pública
Reloj 50A
Donation

Maybe this sounds familiar to you. “If I buy property in Mexico, I am required by law to have a Mexican will, or at my death, the State will give my property to the University of Guanajuato,” or, “Contracts written in English aren’t valid in Mexico,” or, “If I have a US will, Mexico won’t uphold it upon my death.”

If you’ve answered “False” to all three statements, you are correct. These erroneous beliefs are only part of a vast body of misleading “folklaw” that exists among English-speaking expatriates in Mexico, according to US attorney David Barrow. Beginning with “Estate Planning” on October 30, Barrow will present a free monthly series on issues in international law that affect US citizens living in Mexico. Among them will be “Asset Protection,” “So You Have a Great Idea for a New Business” and “Real Estate: Some Options You May Not Know About.”

David Barrow is an actively practicing US attorney with offices in San Miguel de Allende. He has over 25 years of experience in international law, including estate planning, business law and real property. For more information, please call his office at 154-8975 or email smalawyer@gmail.com.



House & Garden Tour

Treasures in store for this weekend’s House & Garden tour By Jennifer Hamilton Sun, Oct 28, 11:30am Biblioteca Pública Insurgentes 25 150 pesos Benefits Biblioteca scholarship fund

The Biblioteca Pública’s beloved House & Garden tour has two treasures in store for tour attendants this weekend— one in town, the other in the country.

The art-filled, Mexican contemporary house of Terry Kutt Reinhart and Jack Reinhart has been photographed for books such as Mexicolor, In a Mexican Garden and Mexican Style Exteriors. A commanding 85-foot boveda (vaulted ceiling) greets visitors upon entering. This special house radiates from two courtyards and spills into a large garden complete with a 30-foot fish pond. Notice how the owners have used the vibrant and exciting colors of Mexico. Jack and Terry’s home overflows with beautiful objects from their collection of contemporary American craft, American modern paintings and an ever-expanding and fine collection of Mexican folk art. This casa is a feast for the eyes and a lift for the spirit!

The home of Mayer Shacter and Susan Page is so full of wonders that it could take a whole book to describe it. The house was designed by prizewinning San Francisco architects House & House, and to say it is a treat for the eyes is putting it mildly.

A riot of color, a plethora of sensual and undulating shapes, a flood of design treats await visitors as they enter under a curvaceous canopy separating the main house from the studio/gallery. A softly flowing water wall falls gently to its pebbled base leading to the entranceway where an abundance of delights greets visitors once they are inside. Windows are curvaceous, as too are the lighting fixtures, kitchen islands and walls. Soft colors blend in concert from wall to wall, room to room, and while large in size, every room has been cunningly designed to emanate a feeling of coziness and warmth. 

The master suite encircles and is open to part of the garden, with both indoor and outdoor showers encased in colorful tile mosaics, and the bathtub designed to Susan’s  exact proportions.

There are four guest bedrooms, and what should not be missed throughout are the bathroom sinks—each diverse and stunning in their concept, and mostly unrecognizable as bathroom sinks. One shower contains a cross behind glass. It was painted by the workers on the day they began construction. Their intention was to tile over it after construction was completed, but Mayer and Susan wanted to keep this remembrance as a tribute to their workers and had it enclosed in glass. 

Comfortable furnishings were placed throughout, and you will view numerous collections from Japanese ikebana baskets and antique teapots to contemporary ceramics and glass to excellent Mexican folk art and, oh, so much more.

The dogs even have their own private dog-washing bathroom. Impossible to describe it all here, it is worth a return visit for a private and detailed tour. With eight acres of land hugging the Rio Laja, Mayer and Susan are still working on details outside, but of special note is the infinity pool with its extraordinary sculpture by Jerry Rothman. The Santuario de Atotonilco can be seen from the rooftop deck. 

Cathi House designed the entranceway and its softly rolling canopy specifically to align with this famous and ancient retreat just a mile away.

Mayer’s gallery is choc-a-bloc full of treats including over a hundred vintage Mexican textiles, antique Mexican furniture, historic photographs, and distinctive folk art. Susan is the respected and recognized author of six relationship books. The lights in her office were designed by the architect to incorporate words from her books.

Volunteer Opportunities

Does your nonprofit need hands? Send your short requests to edit@atencionsanmiguel.org  with “Volunteer Opportunities” in the subject line.

Jazz Fest

The upcoming Festival de Jazz y Blues (November 21–25) needs your help. Antonio Lozoya and Doug Robinson have teamed up to build a world-class event, and have lined up a sparkling roster of acts. Some generous sanmiguelenses have already committed to ushering, selling souvenirs, and putting up posters. So we now need volunteers for a few specialized tasks: 

Drive to the Leon airport in your own car to pick up or drop off a featured performer. Contact Mike Hager at rendenzvous4music@yahoo.com.  Persuade local restaurants to feed a few hungry musicians gratis. Contact Antonio Lozoya at sanmigueljazz@yahoo.com.mx.  Sell incredibly cost-effective ads in the Festival program to local businesses. Contact Antonio Lozoya at sanmigueljazz@yahoo.com.mx.  House a well-behaved musician in your own home or casita for a few nights. Contact Doug Robinson at jazzooo@aol.com.  We also need financial sponsors to underwrite talent. If you are willing to sponsor a musician or an act, contact Doug Robinson at jazzooo@aol.com  or Antonio Lozoya at sanmigueljazz@yahoo.com.mx.  

“Leading With English” needs volunteers to teach English in Jalpa

Forgotten Child International has had such a positive effect on school children of the Jalpa community, that we have been invited to be a part of the Elementary School curriculum. This program focuses on leadership skills through English language acquisition for 3rd through 6th grade children. “Leading with English” uses a unique combination of interdisciplinary, experiential and hands-on approaches to teach English which are reinforced by teams of English speaking volunteers. It’s rewarding, for the children and volunteers. We are looking for a 6-week commitment of volunteering on Tuesday and Thursday from 12:15 to 3:00pm starting October 2. This includes driving time out and back. We can help with transportation. Please get in touch: info@forgottenchild.org. Jalpa is a small community of about 1,500 people about a 30 minute drive along the “Road to Independence” (the old road to Queretaro) nestled in a beautiful valley full of wild flowers this time of year. We are a non-profit organization whose mission is to identify leadership amongst underprivileged, rural children living in central Mexico by working with community leaders to develop alternative paths toward economic, spiritual and educational wellbeing http://www.forgottenchild.org. 

Save A Mexican Mutt (SAMM) is a charitable organization that rescues, spays/neuters, provides veterinary care, socializes, and transports highly adoptable Mexican street dogs to the United States for adoption. We need volunteers to foster dogs for up to six weeks and to transport dogs to the United States. If you live here full or part-time and can provide a temporary loving home for one of the many dogs in line to be transported to their forever homes or are traveling to Texas, New Mexico or Colorado by car and can transport one or more dogs with you, please contact Kelly Karger at info@saveamexicanmutt.org and see our website at www.saveamexicanmutt.org. (Save A Mexican Mutt is a US 501c3 charitable organization. Donations to SAMM are tax deductible on your US federal tax return.)

Hosts needed for Jovenes Adelante fundraiser

Jovenes Adelante, a local non-profit providing university scholarships to low income students from the San Miguel area is sponsoring a “Get to Know San Miguel” trip for residents of the Ajijic-Lake Chapala area over the weekend of November 23–25. All proceeds will help fund additional university scholarships.

A bus leaves Ajijic on Friday morning, with a Jovenes Adelante member as host, arriving that afternoon in San Miguel, and the guests will return Sunday afternoon. This will be an event-packed weekend with entertainment, accommodations in local homes and meals included.

For more information about the trip, or if you are interested in being a host family and providing guest accommodations for Friday and Saturday night, and breakfasts Saturday and Sunday mornings, email jovenesadelante@gmail.com or write to Jovenes Adelante at La Conexión Box 49A, Aldama 3, San Miguel de Allende or call Nancy Dobbs at 152 7353 for more information. Tell your friends in the area that tickets will be available at the Lake Chapala Society ticket booth.

Field volunteers needed for Patronato Pro Ninos

PPN, one of the oldest and most vibrant charities in SMA, is looking for a selective group of volunteers who would be willing to dedicate two or more mornings per month to go out to the outlying areas of the municipality of San Miguel de Allende to visit schools, talk about the work that PPN is doing to assist children with medical and dental problems, and to invite those children who need medical attention to the office of PPN for evaluation and assistance at little or no cost to the family. The volunteers ideally would either be reasonably fluent in Spanish and/or have a car/truck/SUV which can withstand the back (mostly unpaved) roads of the municipality. If interested, please contact Steve Livingston at steve@stevelivingston.com with your name and contact information. 

Feed the Hungry looking for screening volunteers

Feed the Hungry is looking for volunteers to help with the preventive medical screening of our school children. We are looking for persons with one or more of the following skills: Bilingual persons, drivers with access to vehicle with high ground clearance willing to drive out to the ranchos, computer data input persons. This medical work is being conducted in cooperation with Patronato Pro Niños for the children our organizations serve. For more information please contact us on 152-2402 or contact@feedthehungrysma.org.