AROUND TOWN

Meetings & Lectures

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Cliff DuRand addresses “Individualism and the Impoverishment of Democracy” at this Sunday’s meeting. Individualism is the belief that we are the masters of our own fate, which prompts us to think we don’t need social institutions to support us. In a democracy, these institutions are the collective means by which society nurtures its members and we need them to flourish. The individualistic culture so predominant in the US prompts us to devalue democracy and weakens those institutions.

Professor DuRand taught philosophy for 40 years democracy. He sees individualism as hampering current efforts of the Obama administration to deal with the multiple crises the US faces.

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.

St. Paul’s Church

St. Paul’s Church welcomes participants to two notable events this week—a lunch and a Taize service. On Sunday, April 26, lunch at the Longhorn Smokehouse, Salida a Celaya 6, follows the 10:30am worship service. Church Deacon Ernie Townsend will put on his chef’s toque and provide a baked ziti comida to raise funds for one of St. Paul’s outreach programs, Centro Infantil San Pablo, an accredited preschool for needy children in Colonia Independencia. Lunch is 75 pesos, with a cash bar.

On Thursday, April 30, Rev. Michael Long leads a Taize service at 7pm. This service of readings and chanting celebrates the ecumenical work of the world-renowned Taize Monastery in France. Their founder Brother Roger (1915–2005), was awarded the UNESCO Prize for Peace in 1988. 

Midday Rotary Club

On Tuesday, April 28, the Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday welcomes Jeannie Ralston, author of The Unlikely Lavender Queen. Her book tells the story of her transformation from a journalist in Manhattan to a lavender farmer in rural Texas.

Her continuing adventure has brought her to San Miguel where she now lives with her family. She has been a valuable advisor and contributor to the local lavender co-op established outside San Miguel by St. Anthony’s Alliance. This co-op is growing lavender as a cash crop to help support the community while so many of the men are away in the US to work.

Jeannie Ralston has created The Seed Campaign to donate part of the proceeds from sales of her book on Amazon to various nonprofit organizations. Go to www.jeannieralston.com to participate.

The Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday meets Tuesdays at Hotel Real de Minas, intersection of calles Ancha de San Antonio and Stirling Dickinson. Check-in time is 12–12:15pm and the meeting starts promptly at 12:30. Visit www.rotarysma.org  for more information.



Tours & Excursions

Saturday Adventure Tours

This Saturday, April 25, we see a fabulous home whose owner, Eunice O’Hanna, makes fantastic necklaces. Most have Aztec or Mayan influences and they are just what you have been looking for—one-of-a-kind, smart and different. Every corner, every wall has a figure or a mural, all with a tongue-in-cheek twist, such as the Adam and Eve mural depicting the Garden of Eden just after the serpent entered. Every nook of this home will inspire you to do something different, to be a bit daring!

Next stop is the beautiful Rancho La Loma, where Andalusian horses are raised and trained in dressage. After a show, we tour the extensive grounds, starting with Trojes, casitas from Pátzcuaro now converted to guest houses with modern amenities such as baths and kitchens. The large tack room features antique carriages, including the first Mexico City horse-drawn taxi. In the covered bleachers, we will see the talent of these beautiful horses. They are almost black when first born; as they grow older they become white. They are put through their paces by an imperceptible movement of the reins—an incredible show of grace and beauty. Bring cameras today!

These tours benefit the Centro de Crecimiento school for disabled children and leave the Jardín, across from the Parroquia, at 10:30am.


Botanical Garden Tour 

A guided tour in English of El Charco del Ingenio each Tuesday and Thursday, 10am–12:30pm, is a fun and informative activity for people of all ages. Entry is 30 pesos (waived for members) and the tour is 50 pesos. Wear a hat and closed shoes. The juice bar next to the gift shop has water and refreshments. The easiest way there is by taxi. Staff will call a taxi for the return trip. Reservations are not necessary. Information: www.elcharco.org  or email nzerriffi@yahoo.com. 



Performances & Events

Bellas Artes opening

The Flujo del Corazón exposition of paintings by Edith (Kyla) Bramson at Sala de Alumnos in Bellas Artes opens Friday, April 24 at 7pm. All are invited!


Tardes de Tertulia at Bellas Artes 

Wednesday Cultural Gatherings are at 6pm in Café las Musas in Bellas Artes, a wonderful space for musical and theatrical performances about different kinds of music. Zarzuela was in March 27, Neapolitan songs in April and tango is May 6 and 13.

In these comical performances in both English and Spanish, our characters, the count and the countess of Bellas Artes, tell you the history of the musical genre and the musicians interpret it.

They are Christian Baumgartner, Laumuq, Xavier Hernandez (tenor), Liliana Gutierrez (piano) and Gabriela Perales (soprano).

LASMA Movimiento Cultural, a nonprofit organization of diverse artists, presents the gatherings to promote culture in our community and to support artists’ creative proposals.



Films & Videos

Meditation Center

The Meditation Center at Callejon Blanco 4, near Quebrada, presents I Am That I Am, the teachings of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, Part 2, on Thursday, April 30, at 5:30pm. Please arrive well before 5:30, as seating is limited and late arrivals disturb others. The films are free, though donations are always welcome.

Narrated by Dr. Stephen Wolinsky, this DVD contains the complete teachings of Sri Nisargadatta and “experiential meditations” to lead the viewer into the I am, and beyond. These teachings convey Maharaj’s basic premise, “All you can teach is understanding, the rest comes on its own.” 

Forum/ShalomSMA

As we stroll through museums and galleries, do we think about how these works came to be in their places? You are sure to be surprised by the number of masterpieces you’ll recognize and by their violent and hidden history.

Joan Allen narrates The Rape of Europa, a documentary that chronicles 12 years of Nazi art pillage and the international effort to locate, protect and return millions of valuable treasures.

The screening is Monday, April 27, at 5pm, in the Hotel Quinta Loreto TV room,

Loreto 15. Plan to stay afterward, enjoy the refreshments and share your impressions. Your 50-peso donation helps us continue our Outreach Programs in San Miguel.





Volunteer Opportunities 

Does your nonprofit need some extra help, perhaps for an upcoming event? Send new, short requests for volunteers to edit@atencionsanmiguel.org  with “Volunteer Opportunities” in the subject line. Listings run for four issues.