AROUND TOWN
Meetings & Lectures


Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

At this Sunday’s service, founder Ceci Escobar discusses the mission and accomplishments of IREE, a nonprofit school dedicated to the education of children with hearing impairments or learning disabilities, the only school in San Miguel to do so.

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.

Writers’ and Readers’ Forum

A bilingual forum for writers and readers is alive and welcoming again at 2pm Sundays at Restaurante Bugambilia, Hidalgo 42. The group is open for anyone to read, in English or Spanish, and attracts playwrights, novelists, poets, writers of memoirs or nonfiction, and those just interested in the writing process. Sometimes members offer brief critiques, but the format encourages reading rather than the lengthy wrestling with manuscripts you would find in a writers’ workshop. First-timers can read excerpts from their work, or just listen if they aren‘t feeling bold that day. Last week, Sunday attendees at Bugambilia offered two poems, a memoir and a slice-of-life essay. Email Vic Rauch at vrbjrmk@aol.com  for more information.

Feminism in the US: Win, lose or draw?

On Monday, January 14 at 10:30am in the Sala Quetzal of the Biblioteca Publica Professor Emerita Sandra Bartky, author of Femininity and Domination, will deliver a lecture entitled: “Feminism in the US: Win, Lose or Draw?”

An active feminist for four decades and a pioneer in the field of women’s studies, Professor Bartky will give a talk on feminism’s current situation. She will consider the ways in which the conservative backlash of the past 20 years has affected both the organized women’s movement and public opinion concerning issues of gender. The revival of feminism in the late sixties and early seventies is known as the “Second Wave.” Now we are in the presence of a “Third Wave” of younger feminists. Bartky will examine the interesting generational differences between the Second and Third Waves, dissimilarities that concern self-presentation, relationships with men and sexuality.

Midday Rotary: DIF executive director to speak 

Many foreigners have heard of DIF, literally translated as the “System for the Integral Development of the Family,” but know little about the function of this major governmental arm. Who better to explain it than Gabriela Bribiesca Rocha, the Executive Director of DIF?

Sra. Bribiesca-Rocha will speak about the functions of DIF at the Midday Rotary meeting of Tuesday, January 15. She will put particular emphasis on the new DIF housing program. (Mi Casa DIFerente). She and her staff also are responsible for other DIF programs, such as providing basic food needs for disadvantaged children, providing day care facilities and prevention of domestic violence.

Gabriela was brought up in San Miguel where she studied and worked until going to Madrid, Spain in 2003 to complete a masters degree in international rights along with her husband, Cristobal Finkelstein, now Assistant to the Mayor and Secretary to the City Council. They became parents this past February to daughter, Alexa, an event which Gabriela describes as the “best experience of my life.”

All interested parties are invited to join us for this interesting presentation. The Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday meets every Tuesday at our new location, the Hotel Real de Minas at the corner of Calles Ancha de San Antonio and Stirling Dickinson. Check-in time is 12–12:25pm and the meeting starts promptly at 12:30. Visiting Rotarians are especially encouraged to attend and to join us for lunch immediately after the meeting.

Monarch butterflies: “The winged wonders of the insect world”

On Tuesday, January 15 at 4pm the Sociedad Audubon de México A.C. will present the popular slide show, “Monarchs: Butterflies Without Borders” at the Villa Jacaranda, Aldama 53. Presented by Bob Graham, retired naturalist from Parks Canada, the slide show details the lifecycle of the Monarch butterfly and its fantastic migration from the milkweed fields of the northern United States and Canada to Mexico. Bob also will emphasize some of the problems threatening the very survival of this endangered phenomenon.

Scientists believe that the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) belongs to a family whose evolutionary origins are tropical. No member of this family can tolerate freezing at any stage of their lifecycle so they cannot winter in the north. Nevertheless, over tens of thousands of years, Monarchs have extended their breeding territory into the extensive milkweed fields of the United States and Canada.

Each fall, like many Canadian and American humans, Monarchs abandon their northern homes and head south. What triggers this exodus among Monarchs is uncertain, but decreasing hours of daylight and cooler temperatures are likely to play a major role. Their final destination is high in the mountains that make up the Sierra de Angengueo, in the State of Michoacán, only a half-day’s drive south from San Miguel. For some Monarchs this journey spans much of North America.

Audubon members are welcome to attend the Monarch presentation at no charge. For others, tickets can be purchased for 50 pesos the afternoon of the presentation. All proceeds will 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. For additional information, please call Bob Graham at 154-9856.

A portrait of the Parroquia

It is not a cathedral. It is not the oldest church in San Miguel. Parroquia simply means “parish.” Its façade was only finished a little over a hundred years ago and has recently been renovated.

But San Miguel de Allende’s parish church, La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, has become world-famous, the symbol that instantly identifies San Miguel the way the Eiffel Tower, say, announces Paris, or the Golden Gate Bridge announces San Francisco.

On Tuesday, January 15 at 5 pm, local author and photographer Robert de Gast will present hundreds of photographs during a slide show and lecture at the Teatro Santa Ana at the Biblioteca Pública, Insurgentes 25. He will discuss the history of the church and show the many ways in which San Miguel’s icon has been used to promote the town.

“A Portrait of the Parroquia” will explore many spaces within the church seldom seen by the casual visitor, showing what it’s like to climb up into the towers or to descend into the crypt.

Robert de Gast, a long-time resident, is a photojournalist and teacher and the author of nine books, including, most recently, Behind the Doors of San Miguel.

The talk will end in sufficient time for those planning to attend the PEN lecture at the nearby Bellas Artes. Admission to the presentation is 50 pesos and benefits the many programs of the Biblioteca.

Civilian contractors in Iraq

The role of civilian contractors in Iraq has become a focus of great controversy in recent months.

Come hear firsthand about the experiences of Mike and Kathy Hayes who worked in Iraq for 2 1/2 years as civilian contractors with Kellogg, Brown & Root (KBR). Recent San Miguel transplants, they will report on the role and conduct of civilian contractors in Iraq in an illustrated lecture sponsored by the Center for Global Justice.

Both are US Air Force retirees who served in the Middle East during the first Gulf War in 1991. They have recently returned from Iraq, where they worked for KBR, formerly a subsidiary of Halliburton. 

“Civilian Contractors in Iraq: A Firsthand Report” by Mike and Kathy Hayes. Wednesday, January 16 at 10:30am the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal. Admission is 50 pesos.

Lecture on real estate and business startups 

Would you like to buy property in Mexico, but just can’t figure out how to put the financial package together? Have you been considering starting a business here? US Attorney David Barrow will address both topics in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal on January 16 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. As Barrow prefers to make his forums exchanges rather than lectures, he will also discuss other law topics of interest to the English-speaking expatriate population living in Mexico.

Other presentations that Barrow will be offering over the next six weeks are “Estate Planning for the Expatriate,” and “Asset Protection.” Barrow is an actively practicing US attorney with over 20 years’ experience in international law, especially in the areas of estate planning, real property and business. The presentation is free, though donations to the Biblioteca Pública are appreciated.

For more information contact David R. Barrow at 154-8975 or smalawyer@gmail.com. 

Classes & Workshops

Chess workshops

Free chess workshops resumed Monday, January 7. Children 8 to 12 years old meet 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, or if it seems to be lucky. Local chess master Francisco de Santiago will provide a few minutes of tactics and tricks, and then you’ll have over an hour to practice them on your opponents. Last week, 10 players gathered in the patio and enjoyed the battle of wits so much they may meet there informally on other days of the week. One woman from Chelan, Washington, drubbed her opponent three times in an hour. He surely had a nice chessboard, though. Play will start soon at Mama Mia’s, probably Wednesdays, 5–7pm. They’ve already bought tournament-class sets, on the advice of assistant manager Martín, one of the strongest players in town.

The Dances of Universal Peace in San Miguel

The Dances of Universal Peace are coming to San Miguel on Friday, January 11 and Friday, January 18 from 7-9pm at the Warren Hardy School at the corner of San Rafael and San Antonio Abad. The evenings will be facilitated by two experienced leaders from the U.S., Grace Marie of Ft. Collins, Colorado, and Mansur Richard Conviser, of Missoula, Montana.

The Dances of Universal Peace use sacred phrases and mantras from world wisdom traditions and combine them with music. They are done in a circle, using simple folk dance movements. To perform the dances requires no special training or experience and can be done by anyone. The steps are easy to learn; their movements, sacred phrases, and melodies are taught within the circle each time. Some dances involve partners, and some don’t; in either case, it is not necessary to bring a partner with you. They are sung in a variety of languages, providing access to a broad range of traditions, and their tempos vary from upbeat to meditative. While the dances provide challenges for some during their first experience with the Dances of Universal Peace, they also provide a special way to promote inner and world peace and bring the local community together. The Dances are accompanied by live music with Grace Marie on guitar and Mansur on violin.

The practice of the Dances was begun by Samuel Lewis in San Francisco in the late 1960s. Lewis was a student of Sufism, Buddhism, Judaism, mystical Christianity, and many of the world’s other spiritual traditions.

We hope that you will join us for this wonderful experience of opening the heart through movement and music. A donation of 50 pesos is requested. For more information please contact Cherie Celeste at 152-82 20 or cherie@cheriestcyr.com. 

Tours & Excursions

Instituto Allende tour to Mexico City

Instituto Allende will lead an overnight field trip to Mexico City and the nearby pyramids on Saturday, January 19. The trip provides a historic tour of the nation’s capital, including the downtown area, the impressive Bellas Artes, el Caballito Monument, the Zocalo, the Cathedral and the National Palace. 

The valley of Mexico was, as it still is today, the center of Mesoamerica’s high civilization. Participants will visit the site of the great temple, which was once the heart of the Aztec ceremonial world. The temple was completely buried and remained hidden for 270 years after the conquest. Since the rediscovery, artifacts have come to light, such as the eight-ton statue of the Moon Goddess and a 24-ton calendar stone. There’s an adjacent museum that houses a magnificent collection of Aztec art including altars, statuary and weapons of the time. The quantity and quality of these finds far surpasses anything previously discovered from this period of Mesoamerican history.

There will be a visit to the renowned Anthropological Museum. This hallmark complex perpetually educates and inspires the nation and its people. Explanations of all artifacts and installations are printed out next to each exhibit in Spanish and English. Later there will be a tour of Mexico City’s nightlife. On Sunday there’s a trip to Teotihuacán, Mexico’s unsurpassable pyramids.

The cost for this trip is US$235, all-inclusive (transportation, hotel, museum fees, and four restaurant meals and refreshments). Native-speaking, bilingual guides lead all Instituto Allende tours and offer further insight within a secure environment. A free preview lecture of upcoming weekend field trips takes place each Wednesday at 4pm at the Instituto. Reservations are a must and fees must be paid in advance. Visa and MasterCard accepted. For more information, visit or call 152-0226. Instituto Allende is located at Ancha de San Antonio 20.

First Adventures tour of 2008

The tour will begin at Lupita & Pedro’s factory, where the members will learn how to make papier-maché. This step-by-step demonstration will cover the entire process of how raw materials such as rolls of toilet paper, brown wrapping paper, flour, glue and water are turned into a gooey mass, which is then formed into molds of the object being made. They are then allowed to dry before being put through many layers of paint and lacquer. There are baskets and barrels full of lush fruit and yummy looking “pan dulces,” all quite indigestible, but perfect for home decorations. Following this demonstration the tour will continue to the oasis created by Patsy DuBois, a well-known caterer and cooking teacher. Her kitchen is to die for, as is the rest of her home, which is a little museum of Mexican folk art. Hung on the walls you will see wondrous pieces she has collected from all over

Mexico. If we are good, Patsy will give us a yummy sample of her art. The tour leaves from inside the Jardin, across from the Parroquia, at 10:30am.

Performances & Events

Second annual blessing of the poodles

On Thursday, January 17, the Second Annual Blessing of the Poodles will be held at 5pm (same day as the Blessing of the Animals). Once again we are asking poodle owners and friends to bring their dogs (any size or combination) with a leash and plastic bag to the front of the Oratorio at 4:45pm. The church is located at the corner of Insurgentes and Pepe Llanos, up the stairs past Calle Loreto, north of the Biblioteca. Don’t forget your cameras! For more information call Arlena at 154-8410.

Videos & Films

Iraq for Sale: The war profiteers

Robert Greenwald’s documentary tells the story of what happens to everyday Americans when corporations go to war. It takes you inside the lives of soldiers, truck drivers, widows and children who have been changed forever as a result of profiteering in the reconstruction of Iraq. Iraq for Sale uncovers the connections between private corporations making a killing in Iraq and the decision-makers who allow them to do so. 

The film will be shown on Monday, January 14 at 3:00pm in Teatro Santa Ana. Admission is 50 pesos. Sponsored by Center for Global Justice. Phone 150-0025.