AROUND TOWN

Meetings & Lectures

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

For many years now, we have been warned that the Mayan Calendar, which has existed for 5,000 years, will come to an end in the year 2012. The implications have been speculated on endlessly with some predicting it means the end of the world. Ex-Catholic Priest and a licensed marriage counselor, Colin Hanlen shares his understanding of the calendar, its origins, and its implications this Sunday.

The world is not coming to an end, he says. Rather it is coming to a new and improved beginning, or transformation, leading to cooperation and harmony on Earth. Hanlen has studied the Mayan calendar for more than 15 years with some of the calendar’s leading scholars.

The UU Fellowship meets every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. 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



Midday Rotary Club

On Tuesday, February 24, Rotarians welcome Natalie Hardy and Kathi Hamblet from the Sociedad Protectora de Animales as guest speakers. Natalie has been active with the S.P.A since 2004 and has served as Director since 2006. Her keen sense of relationship to and concern for the welfare of animals springs from her Midwest farm upbringing. Kathi Hamblet has been involved with the SPA for over 5 years. She works on a daily basis to help find ways to improve the health, safety and quality of life for the dogs at the shelter and to reach out into the community to help educate, train and build relationships between dogs and people.

Natalie and Kathi will discuss the SPA sponsorship program involving Mexican teens who are learning to teach obedience and give care to companion animals. 

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.



St. Paul’s looks forward to Easter

The Venerable Michael Long, Rector of St. Paul’s Church, invites the community to a special service on Ash Wednesday, February 25, at 10:30am. On Sunday, February 22, during the 10:30am church service, the 2009 members of the church Vestry will be officially commissioned. They are: Bonnie Eriksmoen, Lee Feuerstein, John Herron, Beth Kaestner, Paul Gross, Bill Lieberman, Rebecca Peterson, Norma Robinson, Adrian Ross, Bob Spencer, Francisco “Paco” Vázquez Fresan and Jackie White. All are welcome to join in this celebration at St Paul’s Church, calle Cardo 6.


Facilitators for Healing

The fifth Gathering of Facilitators for Healing , an “energy exchange,” takes place at noon on Thursday, February 26, 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.

Tours & Excursions

Saturday Adventure Tours

First stop is to see the riot of color created by the gemstones of William Harris & Luis Pantoja. Few leave without indulging themselves, so bring your checkbook! Another “gem” is their home, filled with treasures, and their garden is truly enchanted. 

Next is a new addition to the tour, Hacienda San Nicholas de Puerto de Nieto. This 17th century hacienda was one of the first built in this region. The meter-thick walls with round towers were built for protection from the Chichimecas. More than 300,000 green-leafed Agapantha or Lily of the Nile, grace the gardens. This is the place of which dreams are made—dreams of centuries past or dreams of a glorious future! 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 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 here 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

Play Your Favorite Game for a Good Cause

Hospice San Miguel’s benefit Card and Games Party hosted by Casa de Sierra Nevada, Hospicio 35, is this Sunday, February 22, noon to 5pm. Tickets for a donation of 150 pesos per person are available at Border Crossings, La Conexión, Solutions and La Victoriana. Tickets also will be on sale this weekend at the Jardín. Get your friends together so you can buy all the tickets you need at once. On Sunday, bring your own game with you and have fun! A cash bar and a specially priced lunch will be available for purchase. Attendance prizes include dinners for two, spa treatments, massages, gifts, personally guided walking tour and original jewelry. Enjoy the beautiful atmosphere, the outstanding food, the great prizes, the camaraderie and the fun, passing the afternoon together for a great cause!


Diversified music at Instituto Allende

On Wednesday evening, February 25, 8 pm, Frank Bravo and his hot Son Soneros salsa band sizzle the night under the stars at the patio of Instituto Allende’s Mi Casa Restaurant. The Son Soneros brings out the Latin in all and gets those in attendance dancing whether they are salsa aficionados, or just beginners prompted by the pulsating tunes.

The following evening, Thursday, February 26, at 5:30 pm, on Instituto’s Plaza Pergola, local favorite Rafael de la Rocha performs. This local composer, singer and guitar player sings the best repertoire of love songs.

Cost of admission for either performance is 100 pesos and a complimentary beverage is provided.


Super-Bodega Sale

In March, the Bodega adds a special section of rare and collectible books, valued from 50 pesos to 5,000. The books are from the many donations the library receives. Each Thursday, 10am–1pm, more volumes will be added to the special section on the Biblioteca patio. This sale provides additional funds for the library. The Bodega de Sorpresas has helped fund the Biblioteca’s scholarship programs for decades through weekly sales of books and other items.


Croquet, anyone?

The 2009 season of San Migel croquet is underway, however, memberships are available for as short a period as one month for visitors or longer residents. The Club is ready to offer a series of lessons at no cost to anyone who would like to try this fascinating game of skill and strategy. Interested? Call Max Neder at 152-1090 or George Mauze at 150-0138.

Star gazing at El Charco!

The Year of Astronomy is 2009, and El Charco celebrates with evening events led by astronomer Phyllis Pitluga. The first is Friday, February 27, 6:30pm til midnight, when we watch for the “green flash” with a prism, use telescopes, search for Venus and the new comet Lulin, enjoy demonstrations on the motions of Venus and Saturn, and identify the Earth’s shadow. In addition to Phyllis, Linton Pitluga and Rodrigo Trevino will assist with the telescopes 

General admission 30 pesos, children under 12 are free, as are members (donations appreciated.)

Films & Videos

Meditation Center, Seeking the 36

On Thursday, February 26, at 5:30pm, presents a documentary film by Nico Lanson, Dennis Lanson and Stephen Billias.

Seeking the 36 is the powerful and compelling story of an idealistic girl’s search to find healing for a troubled world, a world in desperate need of a major spiritual shift. The documentary follows young Nico Lanson’s quixotic journey in search of today’s Lamed Vov, the 36 Just Souls of Jewish folklore. According to tradition, should a time come when not even one Just Soul is to be found upon the earth, the planet would collapse into a terminal state of chaos, destruction, and despair.

In the course of her quest, Nico questions ordinary people and spiritual authorities, attends a Hindu kirtan with Krishna Das, and interviews a few who might just qualify for membership among the 36: an auto mechanic, a shoemaker, a street musician, and a fellow student among others. In Boulder, Colorado, she visits Naropa University faculty to gain more insights. Finally she meets with Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, founder of the Jewish renewal movement. This kindly wise man advises Nico to become the change she seeks.

Dennis Lanson, a documentary filmmaker (Phans of Jersey City, Booming) and professor currently on sabbatical in San Miguel, will be on hand to speak about the project and answer questions.

The Meditation Center, at Callejon Blanco 4, near Quebrada, is Buddhist oriented and open to all forms of silent, still meditation. Like most events at the Center, the films are free, although donations are always very welcome to maintain the Center. 



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.