AROUND TOWN

Meetings & Lectures

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship



This week the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meeting features the girl’s choir from the Santa Julia orphanage. The girls are students in anYél, a nonprofit school of music dedicated to providing free high-quality early childhood music education to the children of San Miguel de Allende.

Founded by Elsmarie Norby, a Julliard-trained, pianist, teacher, and choral director, anYél’s goal is to instill the belief in children that they are musical beings, and that music matters in every life. 

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. 

Globalization lecture series

Corporate capitalism has morphed into a global stage that leaps beyond traditional national bounds, a trend that is popularly called “globalization.” Just what does this mean in historical terms? What are its implications for the middle classes and the poor? How does it affect North and South relations?

These are among the questions that will be examined in a February course being offered by the Center for Global Justice: Globalization 101. The course is taught by the center founders, and ex-professors: Betsy Bowman, Cliff DuRand and Bob Stone.

Alternatives to corporate-led globalization that can better meet the needs of people and lead to more just societies will also be examined.

Globalization 101 will meet in six sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1–2:30pm beginning February 4. Registration fee is 600 pesos. Pre-register now by calling 150-0025 or emailing info@globaljusticecenter.org. 

Rotary, now more than ever 

Midday Rotary Club welcomes Donald Kwait, Rotarian since July 1956, as their guest speaker on Tuesday, February 5. He will address the topic of why voluntary organizations like Rotary must increase their efforts in the fight against disease, hunger, illiteracy and extreme poverty throughout the world.

Don has served Rotary in many positions including a Trustee for Rotary Foundation, Director of Rotary International, International Assembly Discussion Leader, International Institute Chairman, Rotary Information Counselor and District Governor. In 1982-83, he served as aide to RI President Hiroji Mukasa.

He has received the Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service among other awards and is a charter member of the Rotary Foundation Bequest Society.

In 2002–03, as Zone Coordinator for the Polio Eradication Fundraising Committee, his zones raised over US$11.4 million and were the second out of 17-paired districts in the Rotary world.

The Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday meets every Tuesday at their new location, the Hotel Real de Minas at the intersection of Ancha de San Antonio and Stirling Dickinson. Check-in time is 12–12:25pm 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. For more information, please go to the website: www.rotarysma.org. 

The Shock Doctrine

Naomi Klein’s revealing book The Shock Doctrine has made its way onto best seller’s lists in six countries. That is a remarkable feat for such a radical critique of what she calls “Free Market Fundamentalism.” She argues that the fundamentalism of neo-liberal economics a la Milton Friedman demands that everything be privatized and turned into a commodity so it can be sold for a profit to those who can afford it. As for those who are less fortunate, they just have to do without.

Services that were once public goods—security, education, transportation, etc.—are increasingly becoming available only to those who can afford private security services such as private schools. When a disaster comes along, the inability of the government to meet emergency needs (think Katrina) only reinforces reliance on privatized services. Government hollowed out by privatization only leads to further privatization, a trend which Klein labels “disaster-capitalism complex.”

Book review and discussion by Gregory Diamant and Larry Ellman of Naomi Klein’s The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Free Market Fundamentalism, held on Wednesday, February 6 at 10:30am at Sala Quetzal. The cost is 50 pesos.

Free lecture on estate planning

For those who would like to understand the impact of international estate planning while living in Mexico, US attorney David R. Barrow presents a lecture, “Estate Planning for the Expatriate,” in the Biblioteca Publica’s Sala Quetzal on February 8 from 6:30–7:30pm.

Barrow, one of the few attorneys licensed by the Mexican federal government to practice US law in Mexico, will talk about wills, trusts, planned giving and other topics of interest to the US expatriate in Mexico.

This lecture is free of charge as part of an ongoing lecture series about international law and how it affects the English-speaking expatriate. Other parts of the series are: “Assets Protection and Planning”, “So You Want to Start a Business”, and “Some Different Ways to Look at Real Estate Purchasing.” Donations to the Biblioteca Pública are encouraged.

David Barrow can be reached at 152-6378 or smalawyer@gmail.com. 



Classes & Workshops

Chess workshops

Free chess workshops meet Mondays—children 8 to 12 years old at 4-5pm in the Sala Infantil, and adults at 5-6:30pm in the central patio of the Biblioteca Pública. The Biblioteca has chess sets, but bring your own if you’re fond of it. Local chess master Francisco de Santiago will provide a few minutes of tactics and then you’ll have over an hour to practice tricks on your opponents. Some players gather in the patio informally about 5pm on other days of the week. Play has started at Mama Mia, Umaran 8, Wednesdays, 5–7pm. They have tournament-class sets and a strong player in assistant manager Martín, who is committed to offering real benefits with a chess ID card at the restaurant.

Gathering of facilitators for healing

Something wonderful happens when “two or more are gathered together.” Here is what someone said last year about this gathering. “Larry and Alicia provide something that is rare and so needed these days: a space for anyone looking for a sense of peace, for healing and for real connection with others. We were given an opportunity to share our work and to learn from others, but what was most powerful was simply the shared intention of the group.”

The first Gathering of Facilitators for Healing, an “energy exchange,” takes place at 12pm on Thursday, February 7 at Privada de Pila Seca 5 (turn into cul de sac at Pila Seca 46.) The meeting is free and open to the public. “Healers” are invited to participate.” For more information call 152-0376.

Amherst Artist and Writers Workshop

Kimberly Kinser is beginning the 2008 workshop series at LifePath (Recreo 80) on February 5. The group meets for 10 weeks, every Tuesday from 10am to 1pm, concluding on April 8. Writers at all levels benefit from a weekly commitment to their craft in a safe and supportive environment. The cost is US$200 or 2200 pesos for the entire 10 weeks. Contact Kimberly by email kekinser@mac.com , to register or for more information.

Advanced Meditation Workshop

In Buddhist tradition, the wisdom of insight refers to the deep understanding and experience of the nature of reality. The quality of that nature is of Impermanence, Unsatisfactoriness, and Selflessness. When this nature is clearly seen and experienced, an end to clinging and to suffering is possible.

This workshop for those experienced in meditation, will intellectually explore the meaning of these three characteristics. We will use contemplation to penetrate our understanding, followed by periods of silence in which to experience these qualities directly.

According to tradition, these teachings are offered freely. There will be an opportunity to offer donations in appreciation.

The workshop will be led by Ann Barden, Saturday, February 9, 9:30am–1:30 pm, Meditation Center of San Miguel, Callejon Blanco 4. She is a teacher with Deep Spring Center in Ann Arbor Michigan, and with Forestway. For registration or questions call Barden at 154-5104.

Tours & Trips

The World Heritage city of Guanajuato

Those who like to explore beyond the confines of San Miguel might consider a visit to Guanajuato. This field trip offered by Instituto Allende is a rich chance to see the city deemed a World Heritage site by the United Nations. Special attention will be given to the colonial architecture preserved in residential areas.

Other stops on the itinerary are the University of Guanajuato and the city’s stately governmental buildings, along with a number of museums, including the home of native son Diego Rivera.

Field trip leaves Saturday, February 9, at 9am, Instituto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio 20, US$55, all-inclusive. Preview lecture, Wednesday, February 6, 4pm.

All Instituto Allende tours are led by bilingual guides. Reservations must be made in advance. For more information visit or call Instituto Allende, 152-0226.

Film & Video

The Power of Nightmares

This week, the Center for Global Justice Snowbird Symposium Film Series presents “The Power of Nightmares: The Rise of the Politics of Fear.” The three-hour BBC documentary, shown over two days, compares the rise of the American Neo-Conservative movement and the radical Islamist movement, juxtaposing their origins and noting strong similarities between the two.

Part One, “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” explains the origins of radical Islamism and Neo-Conservatism and how they were both born out of the failure of the liberal dream to build a better world. Part Two, “The Phantom Victory,” tells how Islamist factions join the Neo-Conservative-influenced Reagan Administration to combat the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. Part Three, “The Shadows in the Cave,” addresses the actual rise of Al Qaeda and how it was enabled by the Neo-Cons. 

While the three episodes work in concert, they can also stand independently. It is still worthwhile if you can only see one or two parts. The first two parts will be shown at 3 pm, Monday, February 4, and the third part will be shown at 3pm, Thursday, February 7, at the Teatro Santa Ana in the Biblioteca. A panel will discuss the films following the complete showing. Admission is 50 pesos for each viewing.

Zen Video Series

The Meditation Center of San Miguel opens a weekly series of eight videos with a Zen theme with Aldous Huxley: The Gravity of Light. Although not Zen, or even Buddhist, this documentary examines the cultural commentary and social prophecy of this visionary author who had an important impact on thought in America in the years preceding the explosion of Buddhism that later took place. Along with Alan Watts, who will be featured second in the series, Huxley pointed many people in the direction of Buddhism and Zen.

The documentary was written and directed by Oliver Hockenhull in 1997. It is a contemporary reading of Huxley’s oeuvre, a rendition and interpretation, inspired by an immersion into his life and thought. Complex, iconoclastic, psychedelic and historical, it incorporates rare archival footage, computer rendered 3D animation, speculative fictions, and selections from his essays.

As seating is limited, early arrival is recommended. A 20 peso contribution is requested. The videos will be shown Thursdays beginning February 7 at 5:30pm at the Meditation Center, Callejon Blanco 4, off Quebrada.



Volunteer Opportunities

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


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.)

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.

"Leading With English" Needs Volunteers to Teach English in Jalpa

Forgotten Child International (F.I.N.O. in Mexico) has had such a positive effect on the school children of the Jalpa community, that we have been formally accepted to be a part of the school's curriculum in the Jalpa Elementary School. Our program has expanded to include 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 which are reinforced by teams of English speaking volunteers. You can do it. It's rewarding, for the children and you. We are looking for a 6-week, one or two times a week commitment from 11:45 a.m. until 2:45 p.m. (Includes driving time). We can help with your transportation. Please get in touch: info@forgottenchild.org.  We are a non-profit organization whose mission is to change children’s lives by inspiring leadership amongst underprivileged, rural children living in central Mexico. We work with community leaders to develop alternative paths toward economic, spiritual and educational wellbeing. We reach these goals through sustainable, culturally sensitive, school and community projects.

Pro Musica

Pro Musica de San Miguel AC puts on more than 30 classical music concerts throughout the year in the city. We are looking for volunteers to fulfill various roles. These include helping out as ushers at St Paul’s church and other venues during concerts, selling tickets prior to the House and Garden Tour at the Biblioteca on Sunday mornings, helping to organize suppers in private homes after concerts for our musicians and patrons, and assisting with publicity, marketing and fundraising. We are a fun group of people to work with and the music is fantastic! Contact Pro Musica’s President, Michael Pearl, at 152-2688 or email him at mpearl5493@aol.com.