AROUND TOWN


Meetings & Lectures

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Hector Ulloa addresses the complex issue of migration at this Sunday’s Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Service in a talk called “The Pros and Cons of Migration: the side of the story nobody wants to talk about.”

A longtime student and observer of Mexican history and journalism, Ulloa is currently the academic dean of the Instituto Allende and a former editor of Atención.

The UU Fellowship meets every Sunday at 10:30am at La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15 and welcomes everyone. Visitors are invited to attend the service and then join the UUs in the hotel restaurant for brunch.

Finding inner peace: free talk

On Friday, March 7 at 4pm, the Ishaya Monks of San Miguel host a free, one hour talk entitled “Finding Inner Peace,” at the Warren Hardy School, San Antonio Abad 13. The Ishayas teach a series of powerful meditation techniques, called Ascension, which lead you to experience your own inner source of peace, joy and unconditional love. This discussion focuses on the many benefits of daily inner practice and describes the unique characteristics of the Ishayas’ Ascension. A workshop immediately follows the talk, beginning Friday evening, and continuing Saturday and Sunday. For more details please email the SMA Ishayas at sma_ishayas@yahoo.com. 

Midday Rotary Club

On Tuesday March 11, we are proud to have Dr. Richard A. Scanlan speak to us on diet and cancer. Dr. Scanlan graduated from Cornell University, received his Ph.D. in food science, organic chemistry and biochemistry from Oregon State University and became the head of that department before finishing his career at Oregon State University as Dean of Research.

Dr. Scanlan’s specialty was the cancer-provoking properties of nitrosamines. He continues to teach courses on food and toxicology in Thailand and Spain every year and he has just completed a tour in Cambodia helping establish a food science program there.

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 Calles Ancha de San Antonio and Stirling Dickinson. Check-in time is 12–12:25pm and the meeting starts promptly at 12:30. For more information, please go to the website: www.rotarysma.org. 

Underfoot and out-of-hand: A slideshow

When walking around Paris you are likely to be looking around and ahead. If you are walking in New York you are likely to be looking up. But when walking around San Miguel you have to be looking down. All the time! Sidewalks are narrow, the cobblestones can be lethal and level surfaces are almost nonexistent. But navigating the streets can be both dangerous and delightful.

On Tuesday, March 11, at 5pm, Robert de Gast presents a slide show in Teatro Santa Ana of images he has made while walking the streets and looking down. De Gast finds beauty and meaning in the discarded objects, stones, “gringo traps” and other bizarre aspects of the underfoot landscape of San Miguel. 

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

The one-hour presentation is in Teatro Santa Ana at the Biblioteca Pública. The 50-peso admission charge helps fund the library’s many programs.

Cross-border labor solidarity between Mexico and the US

One of the important positive responses to Mexico’s globalization has been the development of cross-border solidarity between unions in the US and Mexico. This is the focus of a Center for Global Justice talk Wednesday at 10:30am by Marge Allen, former senior lobbyist, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and Benjamin Davis, Director of the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center in Mexico City.

Allen summarizes what the US labor movement’s position has been on immigration legislation and where things stand on that issue in Washington now. Davis discusses the socio-economic context, history and structure of the Mexican trade union movement, as well as current solidarity initiatives.

Allen joined AFSCME in 1989 where she lobbied on a wide variety of issues including worker and human rights, trade, immigration, labor law, education and health care.

Davis has a law degree as well as a master’s degree in anthropology. He has practiced labor and employment law and worked as an organizer, business agent and researcher for several unions before becoming the Mexico Country Program Director for the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center.

The lecture is in the Sala Quetzal and the cost is 50 pesos. 

US imperialism, past and present

“Imperialism” used to be a dirty word not to be mentioned in polite company. Next Friday the Center for Global Justice presents reviews of two recent books that have opposing perspectives on the subject.

Dr. Betsy Bowman, Research Associate at the Center, will review John Perkins’ Secret History of the American Empire. His earlier best-selling book, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, had lifted the veil on how Third World countries were lured into unsustainable debt by developmental aid projects.

Dr. Cliff DuRand, also a Research Associate at the Center for Global Justice, reviews Robert Kagan’s Dangerous Nation, a diplomatic history of the US from before it’s founding to the dawn of the twentieth century. Kagan’s new book seeks to ground that view in a scholarly reinterpretation of US history. Far from being a peaceful, isolationist nation, Kagan argues that we have been an expansionary, imperialistic people from the beginning…and that is nothing to be apologetic about.

These two books invite us to reflect on the character of the American soul. Come join the discussion. Friday, March 14 at 10:30am in Sala Quetzal, 50 pesos.

Classes & Workshops

Book jacket design workshop 

The Authors’ Sala offers a workshop on “The Secrets of Book Cover Design for Authors,” a 3-hour, hands-on workshop with award-winning book designer, Margot Boland. The workshop takes place in a beautiful private home on Saturday morning, March 8, 10am–1pm.

Margot Boland has designed books and book jackets for many of Canada’s major publishing houses and is an award-winning designer for the Art Gallery of Ontario. A frequent visitor to San Miguel, Margot had the honor of designing and co-compiling with Marilyn Westlake, Reva Brooks Photographs, published by Reva’s husband, the eminent painter, Leonard Brooks. 

Participants should have a project they are working on, or at least thinking about, and must have a working title. Please bring to the workshop all of the following materials: white computer paper (lots), graphite pencils, colored pencils, a pencil sharpener, a black technical pen, a twelve inch ruler, small scissors, scotch tape and a glue stick.

The workshop costs 100 pesos. To reserve a spot, contact Susan Page at susan@susanpage.com  or 185-2225.

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 good chess sets, but bring your own if you like. Eighteen players crowded the north portal of the patio on March 3. Two new Jims and a Jack proved to be formidable. Some players meet in the patio informally other days of the week.

Ten players gathered at Mama Mia, Umaran 8, on Wednesday, 5–7pm. With the warmer weather, assistant manager Martín opened the rooftop terraces so we could play chess like aristocrats. The restaurant has tournament-class sets, long inlaid tables, attentive waiters and spectacular views of churches, mountains and sunsets.

Chess classes for kids also are available now at Casa de la Cultura in Chorro, Wednesdays and Fridays, 5–7pm. Adults play chess there starting at 10am on Saturdays with, once again, views spectacular enough for chess aristocrats.

Healing ornament workshop

Jenny Norman presents a “Make your own healing ornament” workshop on March 13, 10am–1pm. The workshop consists of two parts: a guided meditation, facilitated by Norman, who is a psychic and healer and mosaic artist. During the meditation, the participants identify colors specific to their personal growth and healing goals, answering the question, “What colors represent health to me?” After the guided meditation, each workshop participant will make a personal healing ornament, using glass beads and an Austrian crystal to make a nine inch ornament. The crystal and glass beads are provided as part of the 580-peso workshop fee. If participants choose to use semi-precious stones in the ornament, Norman will provide a list of local stores where the stones may be purchased before the workshop. For more information, contact Jenny Norman at 154-6797 or jennyvdesigns@yahoo.com. 

Seventh Gathering of Facilitators for Healing

One never knows what will happen. The next Gathering of Facilitators for Healing, an “energy exchange,” takes place at noon on Thursday, March 13, at Privada de Pila Seca 5 (turn into cul-de-sac opposite Pila Seca 45.) The meeting is free and open to the public, including those in need. Facilitators are invited to participate. For more information, call 152-0376.

The art of dying in love: workshop on tanatology

Pain-killers in terminal cases should be used allowing coherent and proper interaction between patient and relatives. Real agony only exists when unnecessary medical actions are taken.

This workshop provides necessary tools to help a dying patient, to recognize when is opportune to get another opinion and to prepare ourselves to accept death. It empowers the patient to decide what he wants for himself.

Tanatology workshop at the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal, Friday, March 14, 4–6pm. The 100-peso fee benefits the kids’ projects at the Biblioteca.

Self and subsidy publishing workshop

Got a book you’re ready to publish now but can’t find a publisher? Are you considering doing it yourself? In a four-hour workshop, independent publisher Jon Sievert explains the digitally changed world of book publishing that has put a professionally printed and bound book within the financial reach of literally anyone.

Sievert covers the economics of publishing, the process of editing, designing, printing and marketing, how to sell your book on Amazon and get into book stores, how to get reviews, how to use your book as a springboard to other opportunities and the rapidly emerging world of e-books (electronic books). In addition, he provides written handouts that point to a wealth of resources for publishers and authors.

In 1996, Sievert formed humble press to publish his book, Concert Photography: How to Shoot and Sell Music Business Photographs, which has sold more than 5,000 copies to date. He is still active as a designer, editor and book coach.

The workshop is scheduled from 10 am–2pm on Saturday, March 15. Class size is limited to 12, and the cost is 500 pesos. To enroll or for more information, call 154-5058 or email jon@humblepress.com. 

Trips & Tours

Saturday Adventurers

On Saturday, March 8, Adventurers learn the ancient art of papier-mâché at the first-class factory of Perdro Hernandez. We are taken step by step, from the raw material of old newspaper, rolls of sanitary paper, brown wrapping paper, flour, glue and water. See this made into a gooey mush, then put into prepared molds. These are carefully taken out of their molds and hung to dry before going through various coats of paint, lacquer, shellac and more glue, until at last it is revealed to be a perfect creation of a shiny red apple or a luscious ear of yellow corn.

Then off through rugged country to the Jaguar Museum of Jennifer Haas, the likes of which you will never see again. This is one of the best collections of folk art in Mexico. Jennifer has travelled to undiscovered villages to buy their crafts and their costumes, both everyday and fiesta. Cameras are a must! This tour leaves from inside the Jardín, across from the Parroquia, at 10:30am.

Insituto Allende trip

On Saturday, March 15 at 9am, Instituto Allende Tours hosts a day-long trip to nearby Atotonilco, Dolores Hidalgo and the City of Guanajuato.

The sanctuary of Atotonilco is where rebel priest Miguel Hidalgo latched onto the likeness of the Virgin of Guadalupe and used it as an inspirational banner that became the freedom flag during Mexico’s fight for independence. Next stop is Dolores Hidalgo, a center for Talavera-style ceramics. The main square is where Miguel Hidalgo uttered his famous “El Grito.” Later the tour heads to the capital city of Guanajuato, a charming city with great cultural tradition and home of the University of Guanajuato.

Cost for the all-inclusive trips is US$65. (Transportation, museum fees, restaurant served meal etc.) All tours are led by native-speaking, bilingual guides. A free lecture is given each Wednesday, at 4pm at Instituto Allende previewing the upcoming weekend’s field trip. Reservations are a must and fees must be paid in advance. Visa and MasterCard accepted. For more information, visit or call 152-0226.

Sewing co-op Hacienda la Trinidad now taking orders 

On March 15 the Center for Global Justice returns to see the new clothes the sewing co-op has made and to consider ways to help these women and their co-op. On March 16, Dr. Betsy Bowman takes them to the fabric fair in a town near Leon.

Started in 1999 with 27 members, Angelina worked tirelessly to find small government grants to get the concrete blocks to build her workshop, as well as the sewing machines, fabric and training. Today the revolving loan fund of the Center for Global Justice is raising money to lend them to buy a vehicle to market their clothes and buy quality fabrics at a good price.

Join us in our next visit Saturday, March 15, for a lunch of the best pollo con mole that you’ll eat. Please call the office at 150-0025 or come by Calzada de la Luz 42, to reserve your place. The trip costs 300 pesos which includes transportation, translation, comida and guides. We meet at the Center at 9am and leave at 9:15. We return by 4pm.

Films & Videos

Snowbird Symposium

This week’s films presented by the Center for Global Justice Snowbird Symposium are Prescription for Disaster (3pm, Monday, March 10) and The Corporation (3pm, Thursday, March 13).

Prescription for Disaster provides an in-depth investigation into the symbiotic relationships between the pharmaceutical industry, the FDA, lobbyists, lawmakers, medical schools and researchers, and the impact this has on consumers and their health care. It’s estimated that Americans spent nearly $2 trillion treating disease last year.

The Corporation is a provocative, witty and sweepingly informative documentary that breaks down the concept of “corporation” using humor, factoids and interviews from an impressive panel that includes commentators such as Howard Zinn, Milton Friedman, Michael Moore, Naomi Klein, Noam Chomsky and CEOs from some of the world’s biggest companies.

Co-directed by Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott, The Corporation was made in Canada in 2001 and has won 26 international awards, including the Audience Choice Award at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. It runs for 2 ½ hours in the original, but has been edited down to a more manageable 120 minutes for this showing.

Both will be screened at the Teatro Santa Ana in the Biblioteca Publica. Admission is 50 pesos.

ShalomSMA’s forum presentation

Winner of six Israeli Oscars, including Best Picture, Time of Favor, is a taut thriller about the tense relationship between the Orthodox nationalists and the military.

Both a political-psychological drama and a love story between a passionate woman and two best friends, this profound film raises important questions about faith, duty and love of country. 

Be sure to join us after the filming for refreshments and a lively discussion. All points of view are honored. Your donation of 50 pesos helps sustain ShalomSMA’s outreach programs. Monday, March 10 at 5pm at the Hotel Quinta Loreto TV Salon. For more information, contact Joanne Yakerson at 152-001.

Bioneers film series

Come see magic mushrooms that help clean up the planet. In the evolutionary scheme of living things, the fungi kingdom is older than the plant kingdom, and yet, fungi share more of their DNA with human beings (30 percent) than plants do.

Paul Stamets, master of the mysterious mycelia world, talks about the underground network formed by the twisting, twining shoots of mushrooms. Stamets is also a micro-photographer and has intriguing shots of the inner world of mushrooms.

Paul Stamets was one of the many brilliant presenters at the annual Bioneers Conference. This year he was joined by his ecological twin in the science of chemistry, Dr. Paul Anastas. Dr. Anastas is director of the US Green Chemistry Program and is a professor at Yale’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. In this film he explains that moving towards a sustainable civilization depends on major changes taking place in the nature of our products, processes and systems.

These Bioneers Films will be shown, Tuesday, March 11, from 3–4pm at the Teatro Santa Ana in the Biblioteca Pública. Cost is 50 pesos.

Zen Video Series

The sixth presentation in our series is the documentary, Peace in Every Step with Thich Nhat Hahn. Those of us who cared about the war in Vietnam will remember this Buddhist monk’s role in settling the conflict for which Martin Luther King Jr. nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Seating is limited; early arrival is recommended. A 20-peso contribution is requested.

This video shows on Thursday, March 13 at 5:30pm at the Meditation Center, Callejon Blanco 4, off Quebrada.

Performances & Events

Actors Alert–auditions for one-act plays

Casting for a pair of one-act plays. Need a man and a woman, 40s to 50s; a man and woman, 30s; a man, 20s; an older man; and an older woman (a total of seven people). Auditions are Monday, March 10 at 10am in the classroom above Teatro Santa Ana in the Biblioteca Pública. For information, contact Dean Taylor (415) 119-0556.


Fiesta del Sol

On Tuesday, March 18, the Center for Global Justice holds a “Fiesta del Sol” fundraiser that celebrates solar energy with music and delicious sun-cooked food.

As Mexico’s trees are used up to cook and heat water, solar stoves offer a solution. Fossil fuels are beyond most rural budgets, and a life of wood hauling usually means chronic knee pain. Demonstrations on March 18 introduce the ingenious new low-tech, carbon-neutral, smokeless cookers—easily built from affordable materials.

The event takes place 2–5pm at the Four Winds Circle of the Charco del Ingenio Botanical Garden. Tickets are 300 pesos and can be purchased at Calzada de la Luz 42 or at any Center event in March.

Participants can meet Center members and staff to learn about Center programs. Transportation is available. For more information please call 150-0025.