Las pandillas de San Miguel
Compiled by Atención staff April 18, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Moving to San Miguel usually requires some initiation—taking your garbage out in your pajamas at 7am, falling for the tenth time on the cobblestone streets, getting a healthy dose of Montezuma’s revenge. Richard Lander dissects the initiation into the “gangs” of San Miguel—which one do you belong to?

For the complete run-down, visit his blog at http://richland.wordpress.com/. 

The Doing Good Works Gang

The underlying theme to San Miguel is art. When you come to San Miguel you either make or buy art.

But not everyone has the talent, eye or wallet to make or buy art. These poor souls were lost in San Miguel until the Doing Good Works Gang was formed. It took a long time to get this gang off the ground. The first step was finding a cause. It had to be fun, not involve a lot of time, leave members free for bridge games, not involve getting dirty, not cost a lot of money and provide a place to meet other expats. That is why the SPA was such an early hit for a cause. But first they had to get rid of the all the ugly dogs with a city cull. Another easy one was the Library. The worst downside was dust on the books.

The next step is raising money. Early in the morning they invade the Jardín and set up tables staffed by volunteers who coerce other gangs and tourists to support their cause.

They use guilt to extract money from tourists. If you are a tourist reading this, then remember to always say you are going home tomorrow so you will never be there for any of their events.

The last step is publicity. What is the point of doing good works if no one know about it. Never give anyone your email address as it will be flooded with stories of their good works. Whenever anyone tells you about their good works be impressed.

Warren Hardy Gang

This gang is identified by the yellow bag they carry announcing they are part of the Warren Hardy Gang. Warren is one of the few men to develop a large well organized gang in San Miguel. He and his partner Tuli have been here since 1990 recruiting members.

They have four levels of membership. Level 1’s can be seen struggling with their power verbs in the Jardin. They are constantly telling Mexicans what they want, need, like, can, have to and where they are going. Sometimes it is a question and sometimes it is a statement. Level’s 2’s live in the past and tell Mexicans what they paid, saw, ate, cooked and where they went. Few Mexicans understand them but they smile nicely and say something they will never understand. Level 3’s and 4’s are all very tense and have seven levels of tension. They can be understood by Mexicans and are very dangerous as they can now buy real estate.

Facelift Gang

The origin of this gang’s colors and theme came from a misunderstanding. Helen Patterson came to San Miguel in late October 1992 for a facelist or “mascaracuero” which means mask to hide an old lady in Spanish. November 2 was the first day she felt well enough to venture forth from the spa after her surgery. As she walked the streets she began to cry when she saw all the Day of the Dead pictures, carvings and objets d’arte.

Self-centered, speaking not a word of Spanish and knowing nothing about Mexican customs she thought that the town had put on this festival to cheer her up and to celebrate her new look. Immediately she bought a house in Centro and remodelled it with some of the proceeds of her divorce. As more and more facelifts were done in San Miguel, Helen, still speaking no Spanish nor knowing anything about where she lived, recruited fellow macaracueras into her gang. Each November 2 they parade in the streets of San Miguel showing all women they can look like the Day of the Dead if they want.

Work continues to protect and conserve San Miguel
By Robert Duke

Va por San Miguel continues to work to encourage the active enforcement of the laws including the “La Ley de 39” to protect and conserve our beautiful town of San Miguel de Allende. A petition (http://vaporsanmiguel.blogspot.com/2007_12_04_archive.html) was prepared by this group and presented to the Presidencia. This requested that the official actively enforce the laws for the Protection and Conservation of San Miguel; and that they convene a “Monitoring Board”” that is charged with giving or denying permits to build, renovate, restore homes and buildings that are within the urban center.

There was no response from the municipality so an Amporo was filed with a federal judge. The judge has since ruled that this petition must be answered by the Presidencia. They have recently responded and the legal counsel for the Va Por San Miguel group is reviewing the legality of this response to determine if the answers are congruent with the questions asked. Va Por San Miguel will publish the results of this review.

At the last meeting on April 8, four working committees met and reported on their status and plans. The Finance Committee lead by Ricardo Vidargas asked for volunteers to form a fund raising group to raise money for the group’s activities. The current bank balance is 2252 pesos. After the meeting a number of membership donations were made which should help to fund some of the upcoming activities.

The Transparency Committee led by Lorea San Martin began by discussing the articles in Atención regarding the Starbucks demonstration. It was agreed to prepare a response to the criticism. The response will note the fact that the group’s members including foreigners do many things for San Miguel and represent residents who are concerned and actively involved in supporting sustainable development and many local charitable causes. The protest was not against the Starbucks Coffee, but against this type of franchise-based business which they believe does not fit with the urban heritage and historical nature of our colonial town.

Va Por San Miguel plans to begin publishing a monthly “Citizen’s Gazette” in the May or June timeframe in Spanish. The content will include: a summary report from working committees with photos; tips on how to be a good citizen (i.e. know your rights and responsibilities and get involved); how the City Council works; and a section for citizen’s participation intended to be a forum to report on acts of abuse or acts of helpfulness by city authorities and to propose solutions to conflicts or problem. Ideas and material for publication can be sent to loreasm@gmail.com . Work on the Gazette design will be done by Jose Corro and the prototype will be presented at the next meeting. Jose will also work on improvements to the web page.

The Urban Development Committee lead by Arturo Morales plans to submit a petition to authorities to make public the authorizations (traffic studies, environmental impact, civil protection, etc) for the Wal-Mart development in order to understand if they are operating within regulations.

They also plan to submit a petition to authorities to make public the plans for development in the Otomi area. This is to assure that all regulations regarding developments next to rivers or waterways, and archeological sites are being respected.

They plan to file a compliant against the Las Ventanas Golf Club project because it is moving large amounts of dirt from along the Laja River, in order to build-up the golf-course landscape. Their concern is the destabilization of the riverbank.

The Historic Center Committee lead by Dotty Vidarges focused on traffic circulation to determine if this is one of the main problems in the Centro. The committee is collecting ideas to present to the authorities including:

Working in conjunction with the Urban Development Committee to urge the municipality to conduct a workshop to inform the public about the plans for roads, transportation, changes to churches and public building with regard to the work being done on behalf of “Pueblos Magicos.” This is to sure that the transportation solutions being sought are congruent with the Patrimony of Humanity qualifications.

Compiling a list of things that go against the rules & regulations of the historic center (i.e., signage, renovations, etc.).

The next meeting of Va Por San Miguel is Tuesday, May 6 at 7pm at Calle Recreo 4. All are invited to attend.

The spring CASA sale is here
By Leigh Bohné

Spring Sale/La Gran Venta de Primavera
Sat, Apr 26, 9am–3pm
Patios of CASA
Santa Julia 15
Col. Santa Julia
Please contact Elsbeth at 152-2813 or Ana Peña at 154-6060

If we make a living by what we get, surely we make a life by what we give. C.A.S.A., the Center for the Adolescents of San Miguel de Allende, now in its 27th year, has been giving to this community and has been an inspiration to others in this long history of dedication to the people of San Miguel de Allende. This groundbreaking program, devoted since its insipience to education, family planning and reproductive health services, has grown greatly over the years. A maternity/family medical clinic, which opened in 1994, has served over 60,000 people. This building located in Colonia Santa Julia, is a state of the art facility, staffed with very capable nurses and midwifes.

CASA has the only accredited midwifery school in Mexico. Over 20 midwifes have already graduated from the course, and another 29 midwifes will graduate this year. Midwives are trained not only to help women have a healthy pregnancy and natural birth experience, they are also experts in general women’s health care.

The pre-school and daycare center provide a safe environment for children from all over San Miguel. Forty percent of these children come from single parent homes. The program is established on a “pay as you can” basis. There are currently 115 children being cared for, from infants to preschoolers. 

CASA has taken a leading role in drawing attention to the widespread problem of domestic violence. CASA has provided psychological assistance and shelter for these victims since its inception. There is on-staff legal counsel.

The best way to communicate with adolescents - especially regarding sensitive topics such as sex education and domestic violence or abuse - is through their peers. Thus, CASA has initiated a number of programs directed and staffed by young people interested in working in the rural communities surrounding San Miguel. There is a theatre program whose plays revolve around themes of family planning and prevention of violence, and whose actors interact with the audience in a comfortable and open environment. Promotores Básicos, also known as ECOSS, is an educational program that focuses on ecology by replanting trees and promoting the care and protection of animals. PESANE (Promotores de Educación Sexual a Nivel Estatal) is also run by young employees of CASA and holds workshops to facilitate the discussion of sexual health. Lastly, CASA’s radio program is a weekly chance for residents of the communities of San Miguel to tune in to hear an ongoing “novela” about a graduate of the CASA midwife program.

On April 26 we all have an opportunity to make a life by what we give—after you’ve finished spring cleaning, please bring anything you no longer need to the Gran Venta de Primavera to benefit these and other CASA programs. We look forward to seeing you, and thank you for your support.

Leigh Bohné is an intern at CASA.

New Garden Club photo contest

Instead of creating a calendar this year, the Garden Club will make a packet of tear-out postcards featuring photographs of San Miguel and its people. The postcards will showcase 16 photos from contest entries and past photo winners.

The period for entering photos begins now and continues through May 9. Proceeds from postcard packet sales will be used for beautification and education projects within the San Miguel community.

Photo winners will receive five postcard packets and will be invited to the Garden Club’s annual luncheon.

Entry guidelines:

· The contest is open to everyone—resident or visitor, professional or amateur.

· A maximum of five submissions per person is allowed.

· If you are submitting your entries in digital format, their resolution must be at least 300 DPI.

· Negatives unaccompanied by prints are not eligible.

· Photos and negatives will returned if your entry includes name, address and telephone number. CDs will not be returned..
· Entries may also be submitted electronically to vellum1@mac.com. 

· All entries must include a title for the submission and the photographer’s name for credit in the postcard packet.

· Hand-delivered entries will be accepted until May 9 at the mailbox of Jane Sallis, at the BorderCrossings mail station at La Aurora.

· Mail entries from the US to Jane Sallis, BC-2323, 9902 Crystal Ct. #107, Laredo TX, 78045-6379.



For more information about this contest, please email Jane@JaneSallis.com  and put “photo contest” in the subject line of your email.

Appreciation for Mujeres en Cambio supporters
By Roger Hind

Mujeres en Cambio April Luncheon
Thu, Apr 24, 2pm
Hacienda de las Flores
Hospicio 16
Advance tickets 120 pesos

The main dish at the next Mujeres en Cambio luncheon will be Lemon Chicken prepared by the China Palace restaurant. Members will prepare salads, side dishes and desserts. The monthly event helps raise educational scholarship funds for 150 young women from the ranchos around San Miguel.

While the group’s members (all volunteers) provide the operational, administrative and organizational skills to run the program, we could not succeed without our supporters, to whom I’m dedicating this article. Key among them are the people who attend our monthly events and spread the word about us to their friends and associates. We love you!

We recently learned that we had been approved for a grant from the Michael P. Wein Foundation, our third. The foundation generously supports many community groups. As a former CPA, Michael’s business skills are formidable and we consider it an honor that we are able to meet the exacting financial reporting and transparency requirements to receive a grant. The foundation’s grant is both a huge vote of confidence in our organization and a financial boon. Thank you to Michael and the other trustees.

Most of our events are held at the beautiful B&B, Hacienda de las Flores. Owner Alicia donates the kitchen, dining room, staff, tableware, tea and coffee. We simply could not continue without Alicia’s generous support.

For hosting our three events outside of Hacienda de las Flores each year we wish to thank Jaime and Pakina Fernandez, Patsy Dubois, and Heidi and Bill Le Vasseur.

Casa de Papel sells tickets for our events. Nearly every month of the year they deal with selling from 40 to 130 tickets. Susanna and her staff are always cheerful, patient and helpful—another invaluable contribution to our success!

Now and then an individual or group will donate a valuable and desirable article for us to raffle. This year the San Miguel Quilters crafted a magnificent wall hanging that raised US$1,600, a generous and sincerely appreciated gift from a group of caring and talented people.

One of our members, photographer Charlotte Bell, works tirelessly to support the rug-hooking project known as the Rancheritas of Agustin Gonzales. The group financed the project nearly 13 years ago as a way for impoverished women to make and sell folk art to improve their lives. Charlotte has carried the torch for many years, helping the women to learn and hone their marketing and business skills, finding sales and marketing opportunities and locating, consolidating and transporting wool. Charlotte also organized last year’s San Miguel Art Show, profits from which were donated to our cause. Right on, Charlotte!

Finally, you are reading this article because of the enthusiastic support we receive from Suzanne Ludekens and her team at Atención. The regular appearance of our stories makes our events a success and helps spread the word about our group. We could not do it without you—thanks!

For further information, call Roger Hind at 154-6552 (sorry, no luncheon reservations can be taken).


Mujeres en Cambio at a glance

Objective: To help young Mexican rural women to gain an education and thus to foster their self-sufficiency, self-esteem and self-respect.

Members: Entirely composed of volunteers, members plan and organize fundraising events to provide educational scholarships.

Scholarships: We currently support over 150 promising young women recommended by their school principals. Maintaining good grades means continuing to receive annual scholarships: US$275 for high school and US$1,000 for college.

Finances: We raise and pay out US$75,000 per year. Almost all administrative costs are met by members. Exceptions include legal and accounting costs required by law and limited fundraising expenses.

Legal status: We are a nonprofit organization under Mexican law. US tax-deductible donations may be made through San Miguel Community Foundation.

To contact: Please visit www.mujeresencambio.com.