AROUND TOWN

Meetings & Lectures

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

What do Unitarian Universalists believe in? Jon Sievert relates the process of becoming a UU at this week’s Fellowship Meeting.

UUs value the individual spiritual journey and believe there is no one right way to lead a religious life. Religion is ultimately not about what you think, but how you live. Unitarian Universalism is a faith of deeds, not creeds, that respects the answers offered by Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and the other great faith traditions, but respects the mystery more. UUs believe that no single religion has a monopoly on wisdom and that the ultimate truth about God and Creation, death, meaning, and the human spirit cannot be captured in a narrow statement of faith.

Sievert has been a full-time resident of San Miguel de Allende for six years. In his other life he was a photographer, writer, editor and book publisher. He became a Unitarian a few years ago after shunning any kind of religious affiliation since grade school.

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 for coffee hour afterwards.



Midday Rotary Club

On November 24, the Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday holds its club assembly and business meeting.

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 12–12:25pm and the meeting starts promptly at 12:30. The meeting is followed by a luncheon and visitors are invited to stay for lunch and fellowship. Visit www.rotarysma.org  for more information.

Lions Club International

The Lions Club meets Thursday, December 3, at Sappos Restaurant at calle Nueva 10.

Check in time is 12:30pm and the meeting begins at 1pm, on the first and third Thursdays of each month. You may order lunch from the special menu and one-hour validated parking is available next door. For additional information, contact Mick Maguire 152-7523.

Mattress Project

St. Paul’s Mattress Project needs your clean plastic bags. Drop off in the special box at Bagel Cafe, Correo 19, or at La Conexión, Aldama 3; Biblioteca Pública, Insurgentes 25; or St. Paul's Church, Cardo 6.

Classes & Workshops

Chess workshops

Free chess workshops for adults meet Mondays 5–6:30pm in the central patio of the Biblioteca Pública. Players also gather at Casa de la Cultura on Chorro, 10am–2pm on Saturdays and 4:30–7pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Bereavement Support Groups available

Hospice San Miguel sponsors two free bereavement support groups for area residents who have lost loved ones. The groups are small, so reservations are necessary.

The first group, led by Dorie Beach, is for English speakers and meets on Wednesdays, 11:30am–1pm in Centro. Contact Dorie at 154-7605 or delaplaya3@yahoo.com  to arrange to attend the group.

Leticia Gonzales leads the second group, for Spanish speakers, on Thursdays, 5–6:30pm at Hospice San Miguel, Manuel Rocha 35 in Col. La Lejona. Contact Leticia directly at 044 (415) 113-9806 or lego_2000_mx@yahoo.com.mx  to arrange to attend the group.

For more information about the groups or any Hospice service, call 154-4287, email mail@hospicesma.org  or visit www.hospicesma.org. 

Tours & Excursions

Saturday Adventure Tours

Adventurers, don't miss this tour! Otherwise you will only be able to see these sites by appointment only. Visit the most absurdly colorful home, museum, gallery and workshop you will ever see. You will need your sunglasses upon entering this home of royal purple, burnt-orange and azure walls. The astounding home of Anado McLauchlin doubles as a museum and showroom for his wonderful pieces of art. In his workshop you will find a mixture of Buddha & Chichimeca. Treasure-seekers, here is the pot of gold! Fantastic, imaginative masks are carved by Carlos Ramírez Galvan.

Next, we go back to the real world and the Rancho Las Animas of Lucinda Johnson, where she designs and hand paints beautiful tiles, both the small azulejos used in kitchens and baths, and larger decorative tiles. Six very talented artists embellish the tiles for her. Lucinda is also a lover of horses; she has a total of 16, some of which she has rescued from people who were underfeeding them, not giving the TLC as she does. You will find this a most interesting ranch, lots to see. Cameras a must!

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

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. Enjoy a stroll in nature while learning about our conservation project and garden. Entry is 30 pesos (waived for members) and the tour is 50 pesos. We suggest you wear a hat and closed shoes. Reservations are not necessary. Information: www.elcharco.org  or 154-8838.

Bird Walks 

Signe Hammer leads bird walks in El Charco del Ingenio on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Join her on Wednesday, December 2, at 9am for a 2.5-hour exploration of San Miguel’s botanical garden.

The walk is for birders of all levels, no reservations are needed and you are free to leave the walk at any time. Bring binoculars and water, and wear comfortable walking shoes and a hat. Cost is 50 pesos for members of either El Charco or Audubon, 80 pesos for nonmembers (includes El Charco entrance fee).



Performances & Events

Arthur Murray Dance Studio

Tuesday is the Newcomer Party at 7:45pm, students and visitors gather on Friday for the Studio Party at 8:30pm and Saturday is the Latin Party, also at 8:30pm. Every other Wednesday is Singles Night at 8:30pm; upcoming dates are September 30 and October 14. Parties are free to Arthur Murray students and 200 pesos for non-students (Singles Night is 100 pesos). Call today to schedule a free first lesson: 152-0095 or 044 (415) 106-4401, or stop by Hernández Macías 68.

Singles Social Group

San Miguel Wednesday Social Group now meets at the Sunset Bar in Casa Linda, Mesones 101, diagonally across the street from Teatro Ángela Peralta. Singles, couples and anyone interested in meeting new people are welcome every Wednesday, 5:30–7:30pm, for 2-for-1 national drinks, delicious Mexican botanas and lively conversation.

Instituto Allende Arts & Crafts Fair

Instituto Allende will host four arts and crafts fairs the forthcoming winter season. Popular amongst locals and tourists, the fair goes into its tenth consecutive season produced by Lou Christine, Gabriela Zavala and Matin Villafranco. Fair dates are Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-6pm; December 26-27, January 16-17, February 6-7 and March 6-7.

The fair features over 100 of some of Mexico’s finest artists and craftspersons from Guanajuato and neighboring states. There is continuous live entertainment both days and an array of foods. It's a family event.

Three-meter-long tables cost vendors 700 pesos for both days. Reservations are being taken now at Instituto’s tourist office, Ancha de San Antonio 20, 152-0226.

The Tall Boys Band at Cerveza de San Miguel

Flip Nicholson, Joel Barker and David Truly are The Tall Boys Band. Their music is based on rowdy harmonies, rollicking guitar work and an undeniable chemistry between the three players. Their original music is all about beer, tequila, good food, fun times and the kicked back Mexican lifestyle.

The band you love has decided to return, and this time for two nights of fun. They will be live at Cerveza de San Miguel on November 19 and 20. Both performances start at 7:30pm. Cerveza is on the Libramiento Dolores Hidalgo, 1 km past the Fábrica la Aurora.



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.


Biblioteca Scholarship committee

The Biblioteca Pública seeks volunteers for assorted tasks for the Scholarship committee. The Biblioteca Scholarship program is one of the longest running programs in San Miguel and has assisted hundreds of talented young people improve their lives.

If you require more information or if this volunteer opportunity appeals to you, contact General Manager Michel Amanton at the library, email michel@bibliotecasma.com  or call (415) 154-6000.


Volunteer Coordinator

The House & Garden tour seeks a volunteer coordinator. Ideally, the person lives here year-round, is very capable and organized. The hours are 10am to noon on Sundays. Preferably, the coordinator will have the flexibility to work a house if we run short on volunteers. The volunteer coordinator does just that, coordinates House & Garden tour volunteers on Sunday mornings for the houses and drivers. For more information or if interested, email jenniferhamiltonsma@yahoo.com.