AROUND TOWN

Meetings & Lectures

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Nadyeli Rojas Tovar, a psychology student from the University of Guanajuato, discusses her experiences in the campo as a Center For Global Justice intern at this Sunday’s Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meeting.

The Research Internship Program is a cross-cultural, cooperative learning experience for University students from around the world, to acquaint them with the social, economic and political realities influenced by United States’ foreign policy supporting corporate globalization over the past half century.

Interns live with Mexican families in nearby rural communities to carry out community-initiated projects. These projects offer opportunities to learn about transforming family structures, changing roles of women, community economic initiatives, resistance to land privatization, and the search for alternative economic means of survival and development.

Nadyeli has interned in the program for the past three years and served as an advisor for other interns in the campo experience. Her Powerpoint presentation will address life in the campo and ethical issues concerning intervention in communities.

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 20, we celebrate Rotary Foundation Month. The Rotary Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational and cultural exchange programs.

Rotary International is the world’s first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the motto Service above Self. The Rotary Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.

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 Mick Maguire 152-7523.

The Empowerment Center

Trust Yourself is a three-week seminar by Rev. Nancy Anderson based on the wisdom of Ralph Waldo Emerson. The meetings take place on Mondays, November 9, 16 and 23, 1–3pm at The Empowerment Center, Privada Calzada de La Aurora 5.


Emerson is one of the most quoted American philosophers and writers. His words speak to the transcendent truths of our being and also give much practical insight for living with nature and our fellow human beings. His writings are part of the foundation of the New Thought metaphysical teachings and the Unitarian/Universalist church.

In this seminar we’ll explore his voice for personal self-reliance based on an understanding of universal principles that precludes narrow selfishness. A voice for the America of his day, his wisdom transcends that country and era and enlightens people worldwide today.

Please register by November 5 for the three sessions. Use email: revnancyaa@gmail.com or telephone: 152-4606. The total fee of 150 pesos may be paid in advance by November 9, or in three payments.


If you have a copy of Emerson’s Essays, bring a favorite passage from Nature and/or Self-Reliance.



Tours & Excursions


Saturday Adventure Tours

We are taking an extraordinary adventure on Saturday, October 31. This is an opportunity to visit the Galería Atotonilco without having to make an appointment, which is the only other way to see this exceptional Mexican folk art museum.

We also will see Mayer Shacter’s home, which is quite like a museum with a number of remarkable collections. Of special interest is the collection of teapots. It is a beautiful modern home, with large windows giving views not only of the flower-filled garden, but also to the distant countryside.


Nearby is the gallery, where you can expect the unexpected and you won’t be disappointed. You will see high quality folk art from every state, in a variety of forms. There are country antiques, historic photographs and vintage textiles. Quite likely you will see a display for Day of the Dead. Huge ceramic urns, as well as smaller pots feature the exquisite designs of Tonalá by master potter, Luis Cortez.

There is so much to see, and you also will find folk art for sale. Bring a camera for the country vistas!


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, November 4 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).


Global Justice Trip

The Center for Global Justice visits Cieneguilla on October 31. Visit one of the few indigenous (Chichimeca and Otomí) areas of Guanajuato state, where ancient traditions and language flourish alongside modernity. A women’s artisan marketing co-op creates baskets and other woven goods. Breakfast, tour of medicinal plants garden, purification ceremony and comida will be offered. The cost of 500 pesos covers van transportation, meals, purification ceremony and translation for this day trip. For more information, contact Lydia@globaljusticecenter.org or call 150-0025.




Films & Videos

Meditation Center 

The Meditation Center of San Miguel presents Eckhardt Tolle’s The Doorway Into Now, at 5:30pm, Thursday, November 5, at Callejon Blanco 4.


Eckhardt Tolle, one of the most highly respected and acclaimed spiritual teachers of our time, speaks to friends, family, neighbors and over 2,000 other people in his home town of Vancouver, British Columbia, all eager to hear his uncomplicated, insightful and profound teaching that takes the listener through the doorway of the present moment.

In this talk, Eckhardt brilliantly articulates how our history is a reflection of human unconsciousness and explains the nature of the awakening of consciousness that has now become an urgent necessity. More importantly, this captivating session represents an opportunity to experience at first hand the realization that Eckhardt’s words point to: “Who you are, at the most fundamental level, is deeper than any thought.”

Presentations of the Meditation Center are offered without charge. 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.



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.




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.