AROUND TOWN
December 5, 2008 San Miguel de Allende
Meetings & Lectures
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Canadian Stefan Benediktson discusses Iceland’s successful approach to energy independence at this week’s meeting.
Renewable energy has supplied more than 70 percent of Iceland’s primary energy needs since 1999—proportionally more than any other country. It is at the forefront of renewable energy research and plans to become the world’s first completely energy-independent country.
He is the author of several books, including Stefan’s Story: A Half Century in the International Oil Business.
The UU Fellowship meets every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. 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.
Midday Rotary Club
On Tuesday, December 9, massage therapist Margaret Tallis speaks on optimum health through bodywork and the holistic benefits of deep tissue massage, structural alignment and lymphatic drainage treatment.
The Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday meets every Tuesday at Hotel Real de Minas at the intersection of Calles Ancha de San Antonio and Stirling Dickinson. Check-in time is 12–12:25pm and the meeting starts promptly at 12:30. Visit www.rotarysma.org for more information.
Social and newcomers club
The social and newcomers club meets every Tuesday night either at a local restaurant or a house. The club also runs rubber bridge on Friday at noon at Casa Payo restaurant and provide donations to the elderly. For more information about the weekly dinner, call Jean Schikel at 152-4299 or Paula Nesti, 152-4299.
Mysteries of the Virgen de Guadalupe
On Thursday, December 11, 5–7pm, spiritual teacher Maria Teresa Valenzuela and astrologer Georgeann Johnson present a slide show and talk on The Mysteries of the Virgen de Guadalupe.
The talk is based on a synthesis of legend, astrology, archaeo-astronomy and offers a historical overview of La Virgen. The talk is at the Warren Hardy Language School, located across from the San Juan de Dios Church at San Rafael 6 (side entrance). The cost is 50 pesos.
Lady of Guadalupe celebration
Casa Hogar Mexiquito hosts a celebration for the Lady of Guadalupe on Friday, December 12, at Santuario Hogar Guadalupano church off Carretera a Dolores Hidalgo. The party starts early (4am) with birthday songs (Mananita) for the Lady. Eucharist celebrations are set for 9am and noon. The March of the Indians is at 5:30pm, when adults and children parade dressed in indigenous clothing. Mexican food will be available for sale, native dances will be performed and there will be a raffle and bingo in the afternoon. The Mexiquito boys are working on warm scarves to sell at reasonable prices. Madre Theofila Jaimes Aviles, the new Casa Hogar director, welcomes you to a day filled with ongoing activities. Proceeds fund maintenance, clothing and food for the children of Casa Hogar.
Classes & Workshops
Chess: patio and terrace
Chess players meet Mondays 5–6:30pm in the north portal of the Biblioteca Pública’s central patio and continues in the Café Santa Ana. Players meet three times a week at Casa de la Cultura on Chorro: Saturdays, 10am–2pm, Wednesdays and Fridays, 4–7pm.
Contact improvisation workshop
In the contact improvisation workshop Instructor Mark Moti Zemelman teaches students to differentiate subtle impulses in our choices and our partner’s choices. The workshop, with live music by Moti, meets December 6–9, noon–3pm, at Estudio de Danza Libelula, Plaza de San Antonio 10B, Col. San Antonio. It is limited to 12 persons and costs 1,100 pesos (or 350 pesos daily). To register, contact Elsanne at elsasunshine@yahoo.com or (415) 109-4982.
Tours & Excursions
Saturday Adventure Tours
Have you ever wondered how those real-looking fruits and vegetables, and those good-enough-to-eat pan dulce are made? Adventurers visit one of the most established workshops of paper mache in San Miguel.
Then onto the magnificent hillside home of Alma Caballero. The home is a feast for the eyes! Of course—take that camera! This tour leaves from inside the Jardín, across from the Parroquia, at 10:30am.
Botanical Garden tour
El Charco del Ingenio (Jardín Botánico) offers two-hour tours on Tuesdays at 10am sharp. Bring a hat, water and good walking shoes. Fees are 50 pesos for members and 80 pesos for nonmembers. Private tours are 150 pesos per person (minimum five).
The easiest way to Jardín Botánico is by taxi. Staff will call a taxi for the return trip to town.
Reservations are not necessary. If you have any questions, email nzerriffi@yahoo.com.
Performances & Events
Arthur Murray dance at Romanos
The twice-monthly Arthur Murray dance night is at Romanos Italian restaurant, Hernández Macías 93, on Friday, December 5, 7:30–9pm. No cover charge; 100-peso minimum order requested per table.
Karaoke fundraiser for Teen Writing Workshops
Come sing, dance and help raise funds for 30 high school students to attend the Teen Creative Writing Workshops during the Fourth Annual San Miguel Writers’ Conference. Karaoke Night begins at 8pm with host Anne Nicolai, on Friday, December 12 at Dila’s, Ancha de San Antonio 31. A 50-peso donation is requested and Dila’s will donate 10 percent of all drink purchases to the scholarship fund. For more information, contact Jody Feagan at jody@sanmiguelworkshops.com.
Films & Videos
Meditation Center: Fearless Mountain 104
The Meditation Center at Callejón Blanco 4 presents Fearless Mountain at 5:30pm, Thursday, December 11. This documentary by Tony and Andrew Anthony gives an insight into the lives and teachings of the forest-dwelling monks of the Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery in the ancient Theravada tradition. Meditation Center presentations are free, but donations are accepted.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Community Connections section of the Atención website at www.atencionsanmiguel.org lists nonprofit organizations.Send short requests for volunteers to edit@atencionsanmiguel.org with “Volunteer Opportunities” in the subject line.
Leading with English
FINO (Fundación de Niños Olvidados) seeks teachers for elementary-age children. Contact Elizabeth at finoac@gmail.com or go to our website at www.finomex.org.
Volunteer coordinator
The Biblioteca Pública seeks a highly motivated person to coordinate and cultivate a network of volunteers for the many different departments at the institution. Contact General Manager Miguel Kegel at 152-1210 or gm@bibliotecasma.com.
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