AROUND TOWN
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Meetings & Lectures
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
At this Sunday’s service, the Rev. Dr. Thomas D. Lynch argues in “The Third Awakening” that humankind is on the cusp of a new religious awakening focusing more on spirituality than religious dogma. According to Rev. Lynch, history records two major religious awakenings during human existence. The first, awareness of a god or gods, separated us from other species and shapes our social context to this day. The second occurred about 3,000 years ago when humans began to shift their collective understanding of God to include notions of oneness and spirituality.
Rev. Lynch is the Executive Director of the International Academy for Interfaith Studies. Prior to that, he was a university professor for 34 years and has written or edited 15 books.
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
On Tuesday, September 22, the Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday holds its bimonthly Club Assembly. Even though there will be no guest speaker, visiting Rotarians and others interested in Rotary are welcome to attend this 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 12–12:15pm 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 next meets Thursday, October 1, 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.
The Empowerment Center
The Empowerment Center has scheduled 12 events for Wednesday–Monday, September 15–21. Located at Privada Calzada de La Aurora 5, Col. Guadalupe, (415) 100-7633, the center is a gifting community and all are welcome to attend any event at no charge, though a donation is appreciated.
Book Club: Meets monthly on Wednesdays, 4–5:30pm with facilitator Judith Jenya.
The next meeting is September 23.
Writer’s Group: Meets weekly on Thursdays, 10am–1pm with facilitator Nicole Brussard. The next meeting is September 24.
Eckhart Tolle: An open discussion follows video presentations of A New Earth, on Thursdays, 2–4pm.
Grupo de Conversaciones en Español: Facilitado por Tosco, Jueves, de las 6–7:30pm.
Personal Philosophy of Life Dialogues: Tuesdays, 10:30am–noon, information: 152-4606.
TED’s Greatest Presentations: Awesome video followed by an open discussion on Wednesdays, noon–1pm.
Great Minds of the Western Intellectual Tradition: Part 1: Introduction to Classical Origins is the first lecture in a 12-part series, delivered Friday, September 18, 11am–1pm, by Professor Ashton Nichol, Ph.D.
Spiritual Reunion: Celebrating the Law of Attraction on Saturdays, 2:30–4pm.
Video Presentation: Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations, Lectures 34 and 35, two half-hour videos followed by open discussion on Saturday, September 19, 4:30–6pm.
Movie Presentation: Down the Rabbit Hole, Monday, September 21, 1–3pm.
Meditation Practice: Quiet the mind and cultivate compassion with facilitator Suzanne Smith on Mondays, 4–5pm.
Spirituality and Spiritual Growth: Tom Lynch from the International Academy of Interfaith Studies facilitates a continuing lecture series followed by a lively discussion on Sunday, September 20, 2–3:30pm.
Personal Philosophy of Life group
Five years ago, the Rev. Nancy Anderson and Owen Thomas founded the Center of Unity in Diversity. The center sponsors, in English and Spanish, respectful Personal Philosophy of Life dialogues on subjects pertinent to living in truly successful ways. The atmosphere in these meetings of interest, respect, no criticism or attempts to change others’ opinions has led to deep and meaningful communication, and to the growth of attendance.
Besides the Tuesday meetings in English, 10:30am–noon, and Spanish meetings on Thursdays, 4–5:30pm, the center also welcomes the Friends of Unity spiritual meetings (a San Miguel tradition for 20 years) Thursday mornings, 10:30–11:30am.
Meetings have been at Cafe, Etc., Reloj 37, but due to attendance growth, the location of the English language meetings on Tuesdays changed on September 15 to The Empowerment Center, Privada Calzada de La Aurora 5, the narrow street near the parking lot on Calzada de La Aurora in Col. Guadalupe. The 10:30am–noon time remains the same. All are welcome and no charge or donation is taken.
For information, call Rev. Anderson at 152-4606 or email revnancyaa@gmail.com.
Classes & Workshops
Danzón class schedule changes
We must pay a substantial increase in rent for the danzón classes at El Sindicato, Casa de las Artes Escenicas. We get a half hour more of class time per week with the new schedule. One-hour Beginners classes are Wednesdays, 6–7pm; the two-hour Intermediate/Advanced classes are Tuesdays, 6–8pm. We have to increase the donation per class per student. It is now at 30 pesos and we haven’t yet decided on the new rate. We’ll keep it as reasonable as possible and keep students informed.
Tours & Excursions
Saturday Adventure Tours
Eunice O’Hanna’s home and workshop are on a curvy, tree-lined street, where she creates one-of-a-kind necklaces, most with an Aztec influence. They are all so gorgeous you will want more than one. Her home is unique, full of tongue-in-cheek murals, such as one of Adam and Eve caught right after the serpent entered Paradise. You will find many novel decorating ideas in this home. The kitchen is Mexican, with walls of colorful tiles from Dolores Hidalgo.
A short ride through the countryside brings us to the ex-hacienda La Landeta, built in the sixteenth century by Otomí Indians. Note the natural talent used by the Otomís in the facade of the hacienda—small stones laid as decoration between large stones. We visit the chapel where 400-year-old frescos are still visible. One entry to the hacienda is through the vaulted ex-granary, a huge room now used for wedding receptions and other large events. The mosaic stone paths were laid in various shades of grey stones, forming stylized flowers and one giant scorpion! Much to explore in this old hacienda, which today is used as a religious retreat. Take your camera; preserve memories.
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.
Lions Club Valle de Bravo trip
The Lions Club is off to the Switzerland of Mexico for a 2-night/3-day stay Thursday–Saturday, October 1–3. A beautiful lake created by a hydroelectric project in the forties made Valle de Bravo a blue-and-green waterside paradise and popular weekend spot.
The trip is 2,800 pesos each, double occupancy, for two nights at the Loto Azul hotel, including all breakfasts, tips, first-class bus and a donation to the Lions Club. The Lions Club does free diabetes testing and gives free glasses to the needy at their clinic every Thusday morning at Correo 63.
Reserve with Jean Schickel at 152-0934 or email her at jeanschickel@yahoo.com.
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.
Haciendas in the Heart of Mexico
Mexico’s haciendas open their doors each Thursday, 9am–7pm, during July, August and September. The owners and staff of Hacienda de Monjas, Hacienda de San Juan Pan de Arriba and Hacienda La Jaula, in the municipality of San Diego de la Unión in Guanajuato, welcome tourists to learn about the richness of the history of these large dwellings. Visitors are treated to an engaging version of Mexican colonial history as the people of the haciendas share their customs, their knowledge and their food.
Tickets at 900 pesos are available at Teatro Santa Ana, or call the project’s headquarters at 045 (442) 274-3540 or 274-3541. The full-day tour includes transportation, guide/translator, explanations of each Hacienda, visit to production areas, meals and tastings.
Performances & Events
Mariachi Mass at St. Paul’s
The third annual Mariachi Mass is set for Sunday, 10:30am, September 20, at St. Paul’s Church, Cardo 6. A lively group of mariachis replace the regular choir and also will sing during a mini-cookout in the Parish Hall after the service. Hotdogs, soft drinks and chips will be available for 40 pesos per person and the money goes to Centro Infantil San Pablo, the preschool for needy Mexican children founded by St. Paul’s. All are welcome to attend the service and the cookout.
Films & Videos
Forum/Shalom San Miguel: The Disputation
Forum/Shalom San Miguel presents the film version of the acclaimed play The Disputation, with discussion following, on Monday, September 21, 5pm in the Quinta de Loreto TV Salon, Loreto 15. The Disputation was a four-day debate in 1263, in Barcelona, between Rabbi Nachmanides and Dominican monk Pablo Christiani. They covered three main points. Had the Messiah appeared? Was the Messiah divine? Were Jews or Christians right?
King Jaime I of Aragón, as official arbiter and against all expectations, ruled in favor of Nachmanides. Today, Nachmanides’s work and contribution to Jewish thought is viewed as a testament to his knowledge and scholarship.
Those interested in religion, dialectics and history will enjoy this lively exchange of ideas and friendship. The 50-peso donation includes refreshments.
Meditation Center
The Meditation Center of San Miguel presents Video 10 in the 12-week Eckhart Tolle series, Touching the Eternal, from a retreat in India in 2002. The series continues Thursday, Sep 24, at 5:30pm at Callejon Blanco 4. 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.
Patronato pro Niños
Patronato pro Niños is looking for caring volunteers who wish to work with the schoolchildren and teachers in the areas surrounding San Miguel. They are searching for children in need of medical and dental care. Volunteers should have Spanish capability and/or a car that can withstand back roads. Volunteers are teamed to complement capabilities and are asked to dedicate two mornings a month during the school year. Contact Steve Livingston at steve@stevelivingston.com.
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