AROUND TOWN

Meetings & Lectures

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

In recognition of Black History Month, Sandy Brooks reads from the work of four black poets—Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Phyllis Wheatley and Laura Lee Nash—in a talk titled “Lift Every Voice.”

Brooks has been an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of New York for 15 years, where she facilitates a poetry circle and has served in numerous leadership positions. Her first career was as a children's librarian and high school English teacher. In retirement she teaches English to foreign students at the International Center in New York City.

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.

Midday Rotary Club

The February 17 program at the Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende is “How do you have a fun, safe trip to Mexico City while eating well?” featuring Jim Johnston, Nick Gilman and Patrice Wynne. The meeting will be held at 12:30 pm at the Real de Minas Hotel. All are welcome and there is no charge.

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.

Facilitators for Healing

The fifth Gathering of Facilitators for Healing , an “energy exchange,” takes place at noon on Thursday, February 19, at Privada de Pila Seca 5 (turn into the cul-de-sac opposite Pila Seca 45). Every meeting is different. The meeting is free and open to the public, including those in need. Facilitators are invited to participate. Call 152-0376 for questions.



Classes & Workshops

Beads from around the world 

Due to popular demand beadologist Ruth Walzer Shine repeats her informative and entertaining lecture/slideshow and workshop on beads. The lecture/exhibit is Tuesday, February 17, at 5 pm inside Galería Pinto; the workshop is on Wednesday, February 18, 10am to 4 pm. 

Walzer has collected beads all her life, traveling the world to assemble her collection. Her first encounter with the magical allure of beads occurred when Walzer worked as an assistant to an archaeologist at pre-Columbian ruins. 

Walzer will speak about her adventures in the bead trade and showcase some of her prized and unique ones. Admission for the lecture is 50 pesos and 600 pesos for the workshop. For more information contact Instituto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio 20, 152-0226.



Tours & Excursions

Saturday Adventurers Tours

A most interesting tour on February 14 goes first to Honorio Sánchez brick factory, where we will see the steps needed to create the bricks, flooring and roofs for all the houses being built. You can even help, with your bare feet—make the brick “dough” into the right consistency. When it has set to “ripen,” the mix is poured into various molds, such as the teja for the rounded tile roofs you see, dried and then baked in a gas kiln. These tiles and bricks are exported to the US.

Next stop is Rancho La Capilla. After a long ride, we reach a cluster of centuries-old stone houses, now converted into guest houses and stables We will see a eighteenth-century chapel whose walls are covered with fading frescos. As a grand finale, owners Kathy and Steve invite us to see their home, a delightful mix of artifacts and modern. The view from their front terrace is magnificent; no one ever wants to leave. Don’t forget your camera!

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

Instituto Allende field trips

Fall in love with Mexico City on the Insituto Allende trip Saturday, February 14, departing at 7am. The tour visits historic downtown, home to Bellas Artes, el Caballito Monument, the Zócalo, the Cathedral and the National Palace. The famed Anthropological Museum is undoubtedly one of the highlights. Artifacts and representations of the diverse cultural groups of Mexico and the distinct historical periods are on display. Visitors enjoy a Saturday night in the largest city in Mexico and then the next day visit the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacán. 

The trip, US$235, is all-inclusive; reservations are a must: 152-0226.

Instituto Allende continues the winter field-trip season on Saturday, February 21, at 9 am, to Dolores Hidalgo and the City of Guanajuato. Dolores Hidalgo is renowned as the center for Talavera style ceramics.

In front of the church on the main square Miguel Hidalgo uttered his famous “¡Viva Mexico!,” the historical cry for freedom referred to as “El Grito.” The main square also offers ice creams with unique and unusual flavors, such as avocado, shrimp and tequila, along with other more traditional types. 

Later, the tour heads to the capital city of Guanajuato, a charming city with a great cultural tradition and home of the University of Guanajuato. Famed painter Diego Rivera’s home is on the tour, along with an easy walking tour of other sites of interest such as the Plaza de la Paz and the main square.

Other points of interest include the university and the stately governmental buildings in Centro, along with a number of museums. Cost for this trip is US$65.

And for an overnight adventure Insituto Allende takes a tour to Michoacán to see the Monarch butterflies in their natural habitat on Saturday, February 21, at 8 am.

Other points of interests include a visit to the historic town of Acámbaro and its historic museum. 

The trip costs US$235 and is all inclusive. 

A free preview lecture occurs every Wednesday, at 4 p.m. at the Instituto. One-time San Miguel mayor, Jaime Fernandez, often leads tours.

Reservations are a must. For more information, call 152-0226 or visit Ancha de San Antonio 20.

Botanical Garden Tour on Tuesdays and Thursdays 

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

Arts and Crafts Fair

This Valentine’s Day weekend join us for a special arts and crafts fair featuring 15 of San Miguel’s best artists and artisans in the beautiful patio of the Che’riloche Grill Bar for a romantic meal with special holiday offers. Join us for this first-ever Valentine’s Day event, February 14–15, 10am–8pm, at Ancha de San Antonio 9.

For the love of dogs & dance

The Balet Folkloríco de San Miguel and Amigos de Animales invite you to a social and cultural celebration featuring traditional Mexican dance, music and food. Photos of the dancers by George Baker will be on sale. This event is a fund-raiser for costumes for the dance troupe and the spay and neuter program of the animal charity.

The event is Sunday, February 15, 1pm, at the Lions Club, across from the San Antonio church, colonia San Antonio. Entrance 100 pesos.

Aztec dancers at Instituto Allende

A traditionally dressed Aztec dance troupe will entertain on the patio at Instituto Allende's Mi Casa Restaurant, Wednesday February 18, at 8 pm. The Acocoentli dancers will perform the "Dances of the Conquest ", support of this group enables the young performers to attend celebrations around the country. Admission 100 pesos.



Films & Videos

Meditation Center

The Meditation Center at Callejon Blanco 4, presents its weekly film on Thursday, February 19, at 5:30pm.



Volunteer Opportunities

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



Pro Musica 

Pro Musica de San Miguel is looking for a volunteer to be the secretary to its board, to send out agendas, attend board meetings and prepare the minutes. The eight annual board meetings are between September and May. Pro Musica promotes classical music with 20 concerts a year at St. Paul’s Church. This position offers the opportunity to be involved in a fascinating aspect of the arts world. No knowledge of music is neccessary. Contact President Michael Pearl at 152-2688 or mpearl5493@aol.com. 



Centro Infantil 

Centro Infantil, a preschool and kindergarten program for disadvantaged Mexican children ages 3–5, an outreach program of St. Paul’s Church modeled on Head Start, has several volunteer opportunities. A volunteer arts coordinator, preferably experienced with preschool children, to develop and implement an arts program incorporating volunteers. Some Spanish desirable. Also needed are volunteer English teachers for one hour per week and volunteer classroom assistants one morning per week. Contact Linda Work at 154-5729 or work_Linda@yahoo.com. 



Santa Julia Girls 

Volunteers are needed for the Adolescent Life Skills Program. Last semester’s pilot was a success, so the Madres are seeking female Mexican mentors to continue. 

Contact Robin Loving at robin@robinloving.com  if you can help with beds or roof repairs to the Madre house.



El Nigromante

Volunteers are needed at Centro CASSA “El Nigromante” for the children’s English and computing programs, and the mixed painting and chess workshops. All are afternoon programs and some experience with children is required. Visit Pepe Llanos 14, or call Jesús Rodríguez, 152-7855.



Patronato Pro Niños 

PPN provides health and dental care to needy children and seeks volunteers two mornings a month throughout the school year to offer services to ill children in outlying areas. Should be fluent in Spanish and/or have a vehicle that can travel unpaved roads. Contact Steve Livingston at steve@stevelivingston.com. 

For the “Wash Your Hands” project, sponsored jointly by PPN and Feed the Hungry, volunteers are needed to demonstrate hand-washing skills to children in San Miguel schools. Transportation and teaching information provided; dates and times flexible. Spanish a plus. Contact marylcarruth@yahoo.com.