AROUND TOWN
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Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
The state of renewable energy development in Mexico will be addressed by Ben Ptashnik at this week’s Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Meeting.
According to Ptashnik, Mexico now places great importance on reduction of carbon emissions through the development of renewable energy, and Mexico’s policies have moved forward in the last three years as much as the US has in the past 10 to further the cause. Mexicali in Baja California is one of the largest geothermal power producing places in the world and sells significant amounts to Los Angeles. Kyocera recently finished its Tijuana-based solar photovoltaics modules manufacturing plant, and VienTek operates two wind turbine manufacturing plants in Juárez.
Ptashnik is a former state senator from Vermont who was deeply involved in environment issues and struggles. He is the founder of Solar San Miguel International and the San Miguel Center for Ecological Sustainability A.C. He has worked extensively with Mexican policymakers to advance public policy in net metering and acceptance of renewable energy resources.
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 Tuesday, October 27, we are pleased to have José Luis Mendoza as our guest speaker. José Luis is the Cultural and Artistic Director of the Biblioteca Pública. He is well known to San Miguel residents for his role in providing outstanding programs at the Teatro Santa Ana and for his weekly cinema review in Atención.
José Luis will talk about the Biblioteca and its programs as an instrument of blending the multicultural population of San Miguel. Additionally, he will describe the benefits and importance of volunteering in the Biblioteca’s daily operation and provide an overview of the range of volunteer opportunities.
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, November 5, 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 Nick 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
Have you ever wanted to learn how to do papier mâché? Saturday, October 24, is your chance. We are going to the first class, export quality factory of Pedro Hernández, where we will be shown step by step how it is done—using only paper, water, flour and glue to make the gooey mix. This is then put in the mold of the object being made that day. The two halves are put together, hung on lines, let to dry and unmolded. Then begins the many layers of shellac and varnish. If it is to be a shiny red apple, one of the artistic workers gives it a coat of vermillion, then perhaps a streak or two of yellow. When dry, someone puts the stem on, a re-cut little twig and… voilá!
From here we head to the showroom, which looks like a market, filled with barrels of fruits and vegetables, also baskets filled with good-enough-to-eat pan dulces (sweet rolls). Adorable clowns swing from the ceiling, wonderful gifts for a child. Or, take home strings of red chile peppers to brighten up your kitchen.
Then we go organic—to Vía Orgánica, where they are growing all sorts of vegetables for the tienda in Colonia Guadalupe. The people of this ranch also give seminars on how to sow, fertilize, and spray for insects, all with friendly organic natural substances. The ranch home is made of adobe with a palm-thatched roof that is completely rain proof. While outside it seems rustic, it has a quite modern, open interior, with a lovely tiled kitchen and a loft bedroom. Don’t forget your camera!
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 and Wednesdays.
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, October 14 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.
Films & Videos
Meditation Center
The Meditation Center presents another video from Eckhardt Tolle, Bringing Stillness into Everyday Life, at 5:30pm, Thursday, October 29, at Callejon Blanco 4.
Eckhardt Tolle has emerged as one of the world’s finest spiritual teachers of our time. His books, The Power of Now, Practicing the Power of Now, Stillness Speaks and A New Earth, are international bestsellers, and his talks draw large crowds around the world.
In this video, discover the secrets of bringing stillness into everyday life. The compulsion to think and identify with our personal history is a deep-seated habit. Learn to let go of compulsive thinking and of who you think you are. Begin living as the aware Presence that is the essence of your being. This talk reveals practical hints on accessing that field of still Presence.
Presentations of the center are free; donations are gratefully accepted.
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.
Bilingual translators for the Biblioteca
The Biblioteca Pública needs translators to convert articles and documents for our website and newsletter from English to Spanish, and Spanish to English. The documents and articles will range from 50 to 200 words.
All work can be done via email and by the individual article and/or document. The time commitment for this volunteer opportunity will vary by the individual.
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.
Pro Musica
Pro Musica is San Miguel’s leading promoter of classical music, staging over 20 concerts every year at St. Paul’s Church. We hold wine and botanas receptions, champagne parties and dinners after many of the concerts. We are looking for a part-time volunteer to help us organize and oversee these functions between September and March each season. This is a fun role and an opportunity to meet a wide range of people on a social basis. Contact Pro Musica President Michael Pearl at 152-2688 or 044 (415) 100-1458, or email
mpearl5493@aol.com.
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.
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