October 27, 2006, Classic car show, By Mary Murrell, Benefit for Feed the Hungry, New office building and library, Two chances to buy handicrafts

On Saturday, November 4, a parade of classic cars from clubs around Mexico will drive through San Miguel to the new parking facility at Cardo, kicking off the weekend of festivities celebrating the Carrera Panamericana. The cars remain on exhibit for four hours in the parking lot.

Car clubs from San Luis Potosí, León, Guadalajara, Querétaro, Celaya, Dolores Hidalgo, Morelia and Aguascalientes will participate in the show. A competition for the best car in the show will be held, based on the votes submitted by people who attend the event. There will be music, souvenirs and food prepared by Feed the Hungry cooks.

Later in the day, at approximately 5pm, the convoy of Carrera Panamericana race cars will arrive at a pit stop located at the new Presidencia parking lot on the Salida a Querétaro. Everyone is invited to come out to welcome the drivers who are coming to San Miguel to help the children of Feed the Hungry.

For most of the race drivers, 2006 will be their first Carrera. They joined together in the “Coyote Convoy” in Laredo, Texas, to come to San Miguel. The 24 racing teams transport their cars on trucks and trailers, leaving Nuevo Laredo very early the morning of November 4, stopping only to refuel so they can arrive in San Miguel around 5pm. They will stay until Sunday, when their cars will be on display in the area around the Jardín, then leave to go to Puebla for the race.

Many of the drivers will be visiting Mexico for the first time. They are excited to stop in San Miguel and see our town. About half of the drivers will return to race La Carrera again, and a few will race in it for many years. Drivers who will be in San Miguel include Martin Schneider, driving a 1954 Oldsmobile; Jerry Churchill, a championship stock car racer, driving a 1954 Oldsmobile in his eighth Carrera; Chris Cooper, an artist from Los Angeles, California, and famous for alternative hot rod art, co-driver of a 1965 Mustang; Ralph Carungi, driving a 1954 Lincoln; Che Voigt, on his honeymoon, driving 1963 Volvo P-1800; Nicolina Hubert and Anna Sorensson, driver and co-driver from Sweden, driving a 1960 SAAB Sonnet (sports car); James and Edward Argalas, driving 1966 Alfa Romeo; Richard Morrison, driving 1956 Mercedes; David Bassemir, driving 1965 Mustang; and Gerie Bledsoe, North American Coordinator for La Carrera Panamericana and convoy leader, driving 1965 Mustang in his eighth Carrera.

A special celebration is planned for Saturday night, November 4, to honor the Carrera Panamericana drivers. It begins with a private art show and cocktails at the Whitfield Gallery and then moves to Bellas Artes for a four-course dinner and entertainment. The drivers, who are coming to San Miguel at their own expense, will be honored for their support of Feed the Hungry.

On Sunday, November 5, the race cars will be exhibited in the area around the Jardín. Drivers and racing teams will be with their cars to answer questions and sign autographs. The exhibition is free.

Friday, November 3, 6–8pm Art Opening

Works on race cars by schoolchildren of Jalpa& Palo Colorado

Whitfield Gallery, San Francisco 18

Saturday, November 4,

11am, Parade of classic cars to Cardo parking lot

Noon–4pm, San Miguel Classic Car Show, Cardo parking lot, 50 pesos, children free

5pm, Cars arrive at pit stop at new Presidencia, Salida a Querétaro

7pm, Private art show and cocktails, Whitfield Gallery followed by dinner at Bellas Artes, US$150

Sunday, November 5, noon–3:30pm, Meet drivers & see race cars, Esplanade, Jardín

For tickets call the Feed the Hungry office: 152-2402 or email

contact@feedthehungrysma.org

New office building and library

For many years, the office of El Charco del Ingenio was located in downtown San Miguel, which was not very convenient. Finally, with the helpful support of several donors, we have constructed a simple adobe building at the entrance of the Charco to house the administrative office, as well as a small library dedicated to the natural resources of the region.

This new space is planned to be ready at the end of October, and all members, friends and collaborators of the Charco are invited to join in a cocktail inauguration. At the inauguration, visitors can admire the traditional altar of the dead created by Hermes Arroyo, dedicated to the memory of Toni de Gerez, an enthusiastic friend and collaborator of the botanical garden.

The event includes presentation of the book 20 Trees of the Charco del Ingenio, published by the botanical garden. It will be available for sale soon.

Two chances to buy handicrafts

Day of the Dead Fair

Saturday, October 28, 10am–6pm

Meson de San Antonio (across from Nirvana on Mesones)

Mujeres Trabajando Juntas is having a special sale in the patio of the Biblioteca Pública on Friday, October 27, from 11am to 7pm. For more information or to make an order call Ángeles at 154-7589.

Also, during the Day of the Dead Fair, Mujeres Trabajando Juntas will sell Day of the Dead jewelry, ceramics, hand-carved wooden crosses, feng shui art, mosaics, catrinas and more, in addition to their embroidered cushion covers, flags, purses and other hand-crafted items.