Books and Becas fundraiser for the Biblioteca
By Atención staff (July 14, 2006)

Fifty-three years ago, the Biblioteca Pública consisted of a few books, some dedicated volunteer educators and a group of eager children. Today, the Biblioteca has a large section just for children and also reference materials for students from kindergarten to university age. For book lovers in the community, the Biblioteca has a multilingual collection that rivals any in Mexico. This library has reason to celebrate its books.

There is also reason to celebrate its becas (scholarships), which the library from its very beginning has offered San Miguel's students. In the early days, the becas were only for children in primary school grades. Then, as the government built middle and high schools, the program expanded to meet the new student population.

Almost overnight, the hundreds of small rural communities that comprise greater San Miguel found themselves with primary schools, then middle schools and high schools with televised curriculums. The Mexican government has thrown all its weight into building rural schools in the last 25 years. Today, children whose parents had never had access to schooling find themselves studying in high school and dreaming of a university education.

This year, the library gave becas to 100 rural students in grades 7 through 12 and 70 becas to students attending universities. This is a reason to feel proud, but there can be no resting on laurels. Every year will find more students applying for becas, and every year the costs of university education will increase. Similarly with books: the library can celebrate its wonderful children's wing and its shelves of reference materials …but there is continuing need for more books and more stimulius for young readers.

The Book and Becas fundraiser has a full schedule packed into just three hours, with the special participation of several authors and artists:

Wim Coleman and Pat Perrin is a husband-and-wife team who have written many works of fiction and nonfiction for children ages seven to young adult, and novels for adults. Pat and Wim manage the local PEN scholarship program. This event marks the debut of Pat's newest book, The Secret World of Unicorns ( www.wim-pat.com ).

Lucina Kathmann is 30-year San Miguel resident and mother of eight. The international PEN vice president is a novelist, short story writer, journalist and essayist in Spanish and English. Lucina presents her children's book, Payshapes and the Bear ( www.internationalpen.org.uk ).

Richard Keep is a New York Times best-selling author/illustrator of picture books for children ages four to eight. Recent works highlight Hispanic themes. Richard's picture book, Clatter Bash! A Day of the Dead Celebration, was inspired in San Miguel and won Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, and IRA/CBC Children's Choice Awards in 2005 ( www.richardkeep.net ).

Linda Lowery is also an award-winning, New York Times best-selling author/illustrator of fiction and nonfiction books for children ages four to young adult, in English and Spanish. This event marks the debut of Linda's newest middle-grade novel, Truth and Salsa, set in San Miguel ( www.lindalowery.com ).

Victor Sahuatoba debuts his children's book El Felino Feliz ( www.internationalpen.org.uk) .

Blanca Estela Gómez Santiago creates furniture, toys and paintings in the dot style typical of the painted alebrijes of Oaxaca.

Heidi Levasseur, is an artist, art teacher, and folk-art dealer who represents Mexican artists. Heidi is owner and innkeeper of San Miguel's Casa de la Cuesta, along with her husband Bill.
 
Gumersindo Olvares España creates traditional Mexican wooden toys, all by hand. The patterns and ideas for these colorful, humorous and clever creations have been handed down in the family for several generations. A legend in his own time, Gumersindo's work is displayed in a variety of folk art museums across Mexico.

Johfrej chocolates have been the works of art from the Mexico City-based Patiño family since 1920, using only Mexican ingredients including cacao beans from Tabasco and Chiapas. Eduardo and Ramon's San Miguel chocolate shop is located at San Francisco 25.

Books and Becas fundraiser
Wednesday, July 19, 4:30-7:30pm
Author Book Signings/Sales in Café Santa Ana
Artists' Show 'n' Tell/Sales in Courtyard 
Free Kids' Raffle Drawings every 15 minutes 
Free Cookies and Lemonade for Kids, & a Cash Bar for the kids at heart


MexArt shows its stuff
By Patty Arrieta

The talented students of MexArt, a summer teen program in San Miguel, have spent a month studying and working toward a dance performance and an art exhibition.

On Thursday, July 20, at 8pm the dance majors put on a show at the Sindicato, Recreo 4. In past years, these shows have been spectacular, with students presenting hip-hop, jazz, modern dance and salsa. These teens also teach a class to local children ages 6 to 12; these children also perform a group number at the event. 

I am the dance instructor. Hailing from Guadalajara, I have been in New York since 1998, working as a professional dancer with various modern companies and traveling the world.

The art show will be held the following night, Friday, July 21, from 6 to 7:30pm at Casa Crayola, located at Calzada de la Aurora 48 (on the left, before the bridge). Art students will display the work they've produced in the past month here in San Miguel. The art instructors are all San Miguel residents: Shannon Reese, photography; Oscar Martínez, painting and drawing; Joan Elena Goldberg, ceramics; Samuel Yañez, iron working.

MexArt is in its sixth summer. Students come from all over the United States and Canada to study art or dance and Spanish in San Miguel. MexArt offers two separate, one-month programss, and the shows next week highlight the accomplishments of the first-session students. These teens range from age 15 to 18. The second session begins on July 23 and includes teens that range from 14 to 16 years of age.

Dance performance and art exhibit,by the students of MexArt
Thursday, July 20, 8pm (dance) Sindicato, Recreo 4
Friday, July 21, 6-7:30pm (Art exhibit) Casa Crayola, Calzada de la Aurora 48
Free



A night in Casablanca
By Paul Piazzese

Just the name "Casablanca" stirs the senses, conjuring visions of women in caftans of turquoise, pinks and ocher and the enticements of foods with accents of almonds, raisons and mint. Succumb to the mystery of its magical spell and attend the Patronato Pro Niños fund-raising event on Friday, July 28. The monies raised fund a wide range of services within the medical and dental field to assist needy children in our community.

This year's live auction items will tempt you, too, with vacation locations in the Virgin Islands, Paris, Jamaica, Peru and Puerto Vallarta. There will be jewelry by designers Kelli Brown, Tom Perkins, Wayne L. Smith, Joan McClutchy Vidargas and Anne Pratt. Bid on special evenings hosted by some of our San Miguel residents, such as a gourmet French dinner party in Candelaria and an international menu served in a beautiful French-inspired home in Atotonilco. Or perhaps a five-course Asian meal will lure you to place the winning bid. Also offered will be art by your favorite San Miguel artists, as well as specialty items. Pick up the "A Night in Casablanca" catalog for the complete list and description of all 52 items, or go to the website at www.patronatoproninos.org/auction_raffle.html.

This special evening starts at 5:30pm with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres during the silent auction. A catalog for the silent auction is also available. At 7pm the live action will begin while guests enjoy a Moroccan-inspired dinner. The evening will close with a drawing of raffle prizes. First prize is a week for two in Hawaii at the luxurious Turtle Bay Resort on the legendary North Shore of Oahu. Round-trip airfare is included. The second prize is a Broadway getaway to New York City, including three nights in a hotel and three theater performances for two. Round-trip airfare is also included. Raffle tickets are US$100, and the winners need not be present to collect their prizes.

Tables seating 10 guests can be reserved for US$100. For reservations, ticket purchases or further inquiries contact Lily at 152-7796 or 154-9708 and she will have your tickets delivered to you. You can also visit our office at San Francisco 1, Interior 4, or you may also purchase tickets from Patronato Pro Niños board members and friends. Nonresidents of San Miguel can order tickets from our website (noted above). We accept cash, checks, MasterCard, Visa and American Express.
Look for our volunteers at the Patronato Pro Niños sales table in the Jardín the week of July 17, from 11am to 2pm.

Patronato Pro Niños, auction and raffle
Friday, July 28, 5:30pm, Salon Acuario, Cardenal 4, Residencial La Luz, Salida a Querétaro, US $75