Santa Julia children in community posada
By Robin Loving Rowland: photos by Fran Schiavo
December 19, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Community Posada
Casa Hogar Santa Julia
Sat, Dec 20, 6pm
Begin: Sazón
Correo 22
End: Casa de Sierra Nevada
Santa Elena 2

Join Casa de Sierra Nevada and our community friends for the third annual Community Posada, featuring the children from Casa Hogar Santa Julia. The posada ends at Sierra Nevada’s Parque Juárez location.

Posadas are processions held each on the nine days prior to Christmas to remind the faithful of the nine days that Mary and Joseph traveled seeking “room at the inn” for the birth of Jesus. Casa Hogar Santa Julia is a home for children from dire family circumstances such as abuse, neglect and extreme poverty. The four nuns raising the 40 children must rely almost solely on community contributions for every aspect of their work, including food, clothing, utilities, transportation, insurance, medicine and education.

“The children will be dressed as Mary, Joseph, angels and shepherds. They will be accompanied by traditional burros, the children of Casa de Sierra Nevada staff and anyone from the community who wishes to participate in this very moving event,” said Sierra Nevada General Manager Marc Rodríguez.

Following the posada, during which carols will be sung, refreshments will be served at Sierra Nevada “En El Parque,” and there will be various children’s activities such as piñatas, pony rides and a live manger exhibit of tame burros, sheep, goats and cattle. The public is invited to participate and to bring donations of funds or other items for the children.

US tax-deductible donations may be made to the San Miguel Community Foundation, noting Santa Julia on the memo line. These or other items for the children may be dropped of at Sierra Nevada reception areas at Hospicio 42 or Santa Elena 2, or at Sazón Cooking School, Correo 22, between now and January 12. 

In addition, donations may be dropped off at the Santa Julia box at Border Crossings, Relox at Mesones, Box 121A, or mailed to 9902 Crystal Court, Suite 107, Laredo, TX 78045.

For more information, contact Robin Loving Rowland at 152-3709 in San Miguel, (925) 418-8003 from the US or Canada, robin@robinloving.com , info@santajulia.org,  or www.santajulia.org. 

San Miguel Quilters 

More than 100 people attended the San Miguel Quilters first-ever exhibit and raffle on December 12 at the Bordello Gallery, located at Casa de la Turca B&B. The featured prize was a whimsical dog- and cat-themed quilt, made by the San Miguel Quilters. Alicia Price was the lucky raffle winner. This event raised 13,400 pesos for the Sociedad Protectora de Animales (SPA) from the sale of 278 raffle tickets. Wine was donated by VinoClubSMA and hors d’oeuvres were provided by SPA members. The event was a definite success, with quilters modeling their fashion creations. The group makes quilts for local charities to aid in their fundraising efforts.

Chili Cook-off warms winter
By Mary Jones

Chili Cook-off 
Centro de Crecimientos
Sat, Jan 24 
Hotel Real de Minas
Salida a Celaya
200 pesos entry fee

San Miguel’s third annual Chili Cook-off is now open for entries by cooks and vendors. Proceeds will benefit the Centro de Crecimiento, an organization that offers rehabilitation, education and training for children with disabilities.

Fifteen cook-off champions from Texas have already signed on for the international competition.

Some of Texas’ best-known singers will be on hand to provide entertainment. The Escaramusa Cocomacon from Dolores Hidalgo will perform ballet on horses and the Charros del Santuario de Atotonilco will give demonstrations in the hotel’s bullring adjacent to the cook-off area.

The second annual Chili Cook-off earlier this year drew over 1,000 people. With a greatly expanded program, chair-person Mary Jones is expecting a crowd of well over 2,000 next month.

One of the two chili cook-off competitions will be for locals, who will be able to cook their entries in their home or restaurant. The other will be for international competitors who will have to prepare their chili on site. Locals can enter the international category at no extra cost, but will have to comply with tougher rules. The top three winners will be invited to enter the world championship at Terlingua, Texas, the first Saturday in November 2009.

The spacious grounds of the Hotel Real de Minas will accommodate up to 40 tents for vendors selling jewelry, clothes, rugs, hot dogs and other items.

Separate competitions will be held to determine the best beans, margaritas and salsa. Other contests will determine the best-dressed dog, crazy hats, best-dressed cowgirl and cowboy.

The entry fee for locals entering the Chili Cook-off is 200 pesos until January 12. After that, the fee rises to 250 pesos. The fee for vendors is 250 pesos until January 1 and 300 pesos thereafter.

Pick up and return entry forms and fees to Keith Thompson, Longhorn Smokehouse, Salida a Celaya 6, telephone: 044 (415) 109-8795. Additional information is available from Mary Jones at 152-5875, email: mfjonesco4@yahoo.com.

Democrats Abroad arrange absentee balloting
By Mark Bilker

Absentee Ballots
Prior to Tues, Jan 20 
La Conexión, Aldama 3

In an effort to maximize participation in its January 20, 2009 election of officers, the San Miguel chapter of Democrats Abroad has arranged both email and absentee balloting.

All chapter members are encouraged to attend the January 20 meeting and cast their ballots in person, but for those unable to attend absentee ballots are now available at La Conexión, Aldama 3. Many members will also have the opportunity to vote via email.

Those eligible to participate in the election include all who voted in the spring Global Primary, members listed in the DA International database as San Miguel chapter members and those who are on the local chapter’s list of members. 

Walking with the Niños on Christmas
By Ann Mauzé

Christmas Day Walking Tour
Patronatos Pro Niños 
Thu, Dec 25, 9:45am
Jardín 
100 pesos 

Here’s a way to give yourself a holiday treat and help provide needy children with medical and dental care. Patronatos Pro Niños (PPN) is offering a once-a-year-special: A two-hour guided tour of Centro on Christmas morning. The presentation includes historical information about buildings and places of interest, but on this day guides also offer insights to customs observed by Mexicans during the Christmas season. People should gather in the Jardin, across from the Parroquia, for a prompt departure at 10am.

The Christmas Day Walking Tour has become a tradition for residents and visitors alike. Beginning six years ago with two guides, PPN now has four guides to lead people around the 10-block area. Past participants have found it to be an enjoyable way to spend a few hours with a friend or family member. Others come with a group and make it a party. Betse Davies, who heads PPN’s Walking Tours, suggests staying in town for a cup of cappuccino or lunch at one of the several restaurants around the Jardín that will be open on Christmas.

Whether you have been naughty or nice, PPN invites you to join the Christmas walk or one of its other regularly scheduled tours that week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:45am.

For additional information, call Davies at 154-4353 or the Patronato Pro Niños Development Office at 152-7796.


.