Amnesty International comes to San Miguel
By Bill Joiner-Gilsdorf February 15, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Information Session
Amnesty International Mexico
Sat, Feb 23, 1–3pm
Posada de la Aldea
Ancha de San Antonio 15

Amnesty International is active in Mexico and coming to San Miguel de Allende. Those interested in human rights are invited to a public information and discussion session on February 23.

Featured speakers will include Alberto Herrera, Executive Director of Amnestia Internacional, Seccion Mexicana, and Guadalupe Rivas, past president of Amnesty Mexico and activist at the international level. They will discuss what Amnesty Mexico is doing and how we can support their work. Donations to support the work of Amnesty Mexico will be welcomed.

Amnesty International is the oldest and largest international movement of people dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights. Two and a half million members are working to build a world in which every person enjoys the rights included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. Towards this end:

· Amnesty International takes action to stop grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination.

We campaign, for example, to free prisoners of conscience, protect refugees, abolish the death penalty and end political killings, “disappearances” and torture. Amnesty has focused worldwide attention on human rights violations at Guantanamo and on the arbitrary imprisonment of dissidents in Burma (Myanmar) and in Latin America.

· Amnesty International seeks to expose human rights abuses accurately and quickly. We systematically and independently research the facts of individual cases and patterns of human rights abuses. These findings are publicized, and members, supporters and staff then mobilize persistent public pressure on governments, armed political groups, companies and others to prevent and stop these violations.

· Amnesty International promotes public awareness and understanding of the full range of human rights, and works with a global community of organizations to ensure broad support and respect for all human rights.

· Amnesty International is governed by its members. We are independent of all governments, political persuasions and religious creeds. We are funded by our members and donors, and no funds are sought or accepted from governments.

For information, contact: Bill Gilsdorf at 154-4408 or joinergilsdorf@hotmail.com. 

Democrats Abroad in San Miguel make history
By Georgeann Johnson

February 5 was a historic day for the foreign community in San Miguel. For the first time in history, Democrats living in Mexico, and in over 100 countries throughout the world, voted in person in a US primary.

Sponsored by the organization Democrats Abroad, the Global Democratic Primary allowed Americans to vote in person or on the internet in the first step of choosing the Democrats Abroad 22-member delegation to the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August.

For two months, San Miguel Democrats Abroad Chair Gretchen Sullivan, Vice Chair Bruce Rossley and members of the local chapter worked to assure that every American in San Miguel had the opportunity to make their voices heard in the selection of this year’s Democratic Presidential candidate.

Voting in person took place February 5 at the Biblioteca Pública. The number of voters here far exceeded expectations—516 Americans cast ballots at the Biblioteca throughout the day. It is estimated that over 200 more votes were registered from San Miguel residents via the internet. Sullivan said, “Primary Election Day in San Miguel was a huge success and a real tribute to all of our residents and to the Democratic candidates.”

All votes from Democrats Abroad will be tabulated and made public on February 21. The next step in the process will be caucuses throughout the world in April. The Caucus for Democrats Abroad will be held in April in Vancouver, Canada. Delegates to the caucus will choose delegates to the Democratic National Convention who will be required to cast their votes reflecting the proportional representation of the votes received by Presidential candidates on February 5. Doris Tolpen, Vice Chair of Mexico Democrats Abroad and Bruce Rossley, a member of the National Executive Committee, will be delegates from Mexico to the Vancouver caucus.

The Republican Party does not have a delegation at its convention which represents voters abroad.

Voting on February 5 was followed by an election night party at Restaurante los Milagros which was attended by over 200 San Miguel Democrats. At the party, Sullivan announced the results of in-person voting in San Miguel. Senator Barack Obama received 305 votes and Senator Hillary Clinton 194, with the remaining candidates receiving votes in the single digits. She emphasized that the these were preliminary results which represented only the in-person voting and that the total vote from Mexico, including internet voting, will be announced in the first edition of Atención after February 21.

As a result of the Democratic Global Primary, San Miguel Democrats Abroad is now the largest membership organization in the city, with 747 members.

Rossley said, in his remarks introducing Sullivan, “Now is the time to let the Republicans continue to attack each other and realize that we have two wonderful candidates in Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. In San Miguel, we now begin our efforts for November to elect either President Obama or President Clinton.”

Sullivan said, “We can all take great pride in what we have accomplished here in San Miguel and we can now take a few days to rest, but only a few. We will soon announce plans for a gala Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in March which will raise funds to allow us to mount a major campaign to elect our Democratic nominee through voter registration and absentee ballot efforts.” 

She continued, “We want to thank all of those who worked so hard to make this primary election such a success, particularly those who worked at the polls on election day. They include Alexis White, Mark Bilker, Pat Ellsworth, Terry Daugherty, Ofelia Estes, Lorraine Baldwin, Barry Devine, Carole Geraci, Peggy Bell, Georgeann Johnson, Kathy Devine, Ellen Goldberg, John deLeon, Judith Jenya, Manya Argue, Irene deLeon, Judith Robinson, Michael Hertz, Jeuett Rod, Bruce Rossley, Gretchen Sullivan, Robert Sullivan and Ken Rowland.”

Making a Difference
By Leona Camp

Every Sunday when I arrive at the Biblioteca to help with the House and Garden Tours, I am always warmly greeted by Chris Doolin. Chris is already set up by 10am to sell his photographs when I get to the library.

Chris donates 30 percent of the money he makes selling his photos to the Biblioteca. In the last three years, Chris has donated over 153,000 pesos. In addition Chris has a special mission—a grade school just past the railroad tracks and down the road a bit here in San Miguel. His story shows how one dedicated person can make a difference.

Chris met a couple on the beach in 1995 and came to San Miguel two years later for their wedding. After his return the States, Chris’s San Miguel friend continued to email him, telling him wonderful stories about life in Mexico.

Chris decided he had two of everything he didn’t need and was running through airports to make a living. Overweight and unhappy with the political scene in the US, he moved to San Miguel in August of 2002. He gave himself a year to make a living taking pictures.

One day in San Miguel, Chris rode along with Robert Olvarez to deliver food to the school that would become his special mission. There were several hundred families living near the school and 85 children going to school there. The principal, Patricia Lopez Monjaras, has been the principal and a teacher there for 18 years and Salvador Salinas Sanchez has taught there for 20 years. Their commitment has helped inspire Chris. He started putting aside 20 percent of what he made selling photographs for the school.

Since that commitment, many visitors have added curtains to the classroom windows to help control light. Fruit trees have been planted and several desk tops replaced. Chris brought a wedding party to visit the school and was able to buy the paint to paint the school with donations from those visitors. The painting was done by Salvador, the teacher, on weekends.

With the help of other people and their donations fourth, fifth, and sixth graders have been able to take field trips to León for the last two years, in addition to one to the zoo and one to the Science Center. For a US$100 donation to help pay the US$500 for the bus, the donor was able to go along with the kids. Chris looks away and gets choked up when he talks about this. He explains that the ride was quiet and all eyes were looking out the window, seeing a world not far from home but one they had never seen before. Previously, a big trip for these children was a visit to el centro in San Miguel.

Another person Chris connected with, Christina Runkel, arranged for Christmas stockings from Florida filled with “kid’s stuff.” There were also jackets, hats, scarves, and gloves. This school and homes here are not heated, so the jackets have really helped. Dr. Vargus, a local dentist, is buying eight pairs of shoes for those that need them most. It is believed that more shoes will be donated over time.

Once there was no electricity at the school for two weeks. The electric company estimated they would correct the problem in about six months. Chris and his connections paid US$15 and had electricity on for a couple of hours. Some other success stories include having the Lion’s Club come to the school and test all the children and their parents for diabetes. Of the 150 people tested that day, none were found to be diabetic. Chris attributes this to the fact that these families live on about US$150 a month, raise their own animals and produce and don’t have money to spend on sodas and other junk food. The Lion’s Club provided glasses for a few that needed them on that same visit. On another occasion, a chiropractor from Florida did 140 adjustments at the school, some for children but mostly for adults. She also taught ways to walk and lift to avoid problems.

Christmas before last, there was a Posada from the school through the neighborhood, and featured Robert Olvarez as Santa. About 250 parents attended and provided tamales for the celebration.

Chris is now working to raise US$600 to hire a specialist in Mexico who paints educational motifs on playgrounds, something the school has requested. Chris supports what the school asks for and comments, “They know what they need.” About US$200 has been raised. If you can help with perhaps a US$50 donation, Chris would love to get your call on his cell phone at 044-415-101-7497. Another request from the school is for a volunteer to come regularly and teach English.

While Chris’s mission has been to improving the lives of these students and families at one school, he has not done it on his own and insists others get credit for helping make it happen. His thanks go to Jennifer Hamilton and the volunteers from the House and Garden Tour, Robert and Annette Olvarez, Mike and Fran Schiavo, Christina Runkel, Doug Chism, and Robert Waters.

View the eclipse from El Charco
By Alicia Rivero

Lunar Eclipse
El Charco del Ingenio
Wed, Feb 20, 6:30pm
10 pesos, members & children free

The best place to view the total eclipse of the moon is La Plaza de los Cuatro Vientos at El Charco del Ingenio, San Miguel’s own botanical garden. Just over a year ago, El Charco welcomed 300+ people from the community to enjoy its special vantage point with its unobstructed vista of the eastern sky.

Once again, El Charco and Science Camp San Miguel, with resident astronomer Phyllis Pitluga and her husband Linton Pitluga, have developed an evening of activities, ponche and lots of viewing of the moon and the planets with telescopes.

A lunar eclipse occurs at least two times a year, whenever some portion of the earth‘s shadow falls upon the moon. The moon will always be full during a lunar eclipse; that is, from the perspective of the sun, the moon will be directly behind the earth. This eclipse season offers a total lunar eclipse when the moon passes through the earth’s shadow and a great night sky is cast with hundreds of stars.

Saturn and Mars will be visible along with the star Regulus, which is the brightest star in the constellation Leo and one of the brightest stars in the nighttime sky.

The entire San Miguel community is welcome to come to El Charco and share the wonder of the night sky. The event starts at nightfall. Phyllis Pitluga, Astronomer Emerita of the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, Chicago, and a current San Miguel resident. will hold an interactive demonstration on the eclipse. Everyone, children and adults, is welcome to participate in a discussion about the relative size of the moon to the earth and its relative distance to it, and create a visual enactment of the eclipse using props and strong flashlights. Individuals will be invited to draw their shadows using the long shadow shed by the angle of the setting sun. The sun sets at 6:44pm, so Phyllis will start promptly at 6:30pm.

Any community members who would be interested in setting up their telescopes in the park and sharing its view with others are called upon. Drop an email to aliciarivero123@gmail.com and use subject line ECLIPSE to let us know if you’ll be bringing a telescope and whether you require some assistance setting it up.

By 9:50pm, the moon will have completed its passage through the deep shadow of the earth. From 6:30pm on, at La Plaza de los Cuatro Vientos, warm ponche, starry sights and, to quote our resident astronomer, “a certain magical darkness will take hold.” 

Rural girls need more support
By Roger Hind and Joan Strouse

Mujeres en Cambio
Rustic Rancho Lunch and Atotonilco Sanctuary Tour
Thu, Feb 28, 2pm
Fernandez Ranch, Atotonilco
Buses depart 1:30pm from Calle Cardo, opposite St. Paul’s Church
Entry by ticket only, 250 pesos at Casa de Papel

For the Mujeres en Cambio major annual fundraiser for 2008, we will once again present a delicious buffet lunch in a rustic setting at the country home of Jaime and Pakina Fernandez, near Atotonilco.

Lunch tables will be set up in the grounds of the ranch and you will be at liberty to enjoy a peaceful wander through the gardens.

In addition to opening her home to us, Pakina will be supplying the main course—chicken mole, rice, beans and tortillas. Guacamole will be served as an appetizer. As usual, Mujeres en Cambio core members will supply salads, desserts, coffee and tea.

We hear many heartwarming success stories from the students we support. In a recent follow-up with one of our university students we found out how Inés (not her real name) is doing. Inés completed high school last summer and moved from her rural community to León where she is studying Business Administration. Inés has had difficulty adjusting to living away from her family; she is the only member of her family to study past sixth grade.

“I don’t know how this would be possible without my scholarship from Mujeres en Cambio. I don’t think I would have even dared to think about going on to study more,” she says. Her courage and determination really shine when you realize that the modest scholarship from Mujeres en Cambio covers only part of her university tuition, books, supplies and fees.

The size of the city, the rigor of the university curriculum, the amount of preparation needed to do well in her course work, and adjusting to her more world-savvy classmates are all things that Inés is learning to navigate. We are so proud of Inés and all the similar young women striving for a better future.

We are especially proud that you will have the chance to meet some of our scholarship recipients. As a special bonus, after the lunch we have arranged a tour of the World Heritage Atotonilco Sanctuary. We also anticipate drawing the winner of the beautiful wall hanging donated by the San Miguel Quilters.

If you are driving and have room in your car, please go past St Paul’s before departure in case there is overflow from the buses. Details and directions are printed on the reverse of the tickets. Access to the buses and entry to the lunch and sanctuary are by advance purchase only. There are only 150 tickets and they always sell out quickly. No tickets will be sold on the day.

For more information, visit our website, www.mujeresencambio.com , or call Roger at 154-6552 (no reservations can be taken).

Mujeres en Cambio Raffle

The ¡Viva San Miguel! wall hanging (45” x 56”), donated by San Miguel Quilters, will be raffled to support Mujeres en Cambio work. The quilt is valued at US$2,000, but tickets are only 50 pesos at Casa de Papel (Mesones 57A). For more information, contact Pat Donahue at 152-6945.

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, the membership plans and organizes fundraising events to provide educational scholarships.

Scholarships: We currently support 160 students, promising young women recommended by their school principals. Continued receipt of a scholarship is dependent upon maintaining good grades. Annual high school scholarships are US$275. College students receive US$1,000 annually.

Finances: We raise and pay out approximately US$75,000 per year. Administrative costs are nearly zero since most are funded by members. Exceptions include legal and accounting costs required by law and limited fundraising expenses.

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

To contact: Please visit www.mujeresencambio.com. 

Thinking big but starting with backpacks
By Dianne Walta Hart

“It’s not about me. It’s about the children.” Bob Allen leans back into a corner at the Bagel Café, tucking his tall frame into a spot between a yellow wall on one side and a stone wall on the other. “I have more time than treasures,” he says, “so I put out feelers.” He rolls his eyes and says dismissively, as if to explain himself, “I always do that.”

His gravelly voice takes on a hint of emotion, a Midwestern accent tinged with time in Alabama, and he adds, “It’s a neat thing to do, raising funds, kicking ideas around, putting things together.”

So what does he come up with when he kicks around ideas? Well, backpacks for one thing. Through his efforts, 870 backpacks have been distributed to schoolchildren in kindergartens and elementary schools in some of the poorest ranchos. Los Ricos de Abajo, Pozos de Banderas, Flores de Begoña, La Cuadrilla and Palo Colorado are all places where Feed the Hungry has kitchens.

He has another 1150 backpacks hung up at the border, all donated by a big box store, a race car driver and generous friends. The backpacks await political connection or a stroke of good luck to get them through customs, but even when they arrive, Bob will still need more than 2000 backpacks in order to supply a backpack to each child who is fed by Feed the Hungry, a total of 4,000 and growing. He’s a guy who thinks big.

The backpacks aren’t empty. Each one of them contains a stash of school supplies especially designed for the grade the students are in—crayons, color pencils, glue sticks, toothbrush and toothpaste for the younger ones, calculators for the older children, and for all of them pencils, pencil sharpeners, erasers, notebooks and rulers.

While he thinks big, he also focuses on the small items and talks about school supplies the way some San Miguel residents talk about real estate: 79 pesos for 144 pencils at Costco, rulers for two pesos each if he bought 600 at the shop on the corner, a pencil sharpener for 50 centavos. He compares prices at small neighborhood tiendas and big-name ones, cuts deals and goes with the best price.

He says “we,” but truth be known, it’s a one-man show. Friends have donated money, others have helped with time, and Feed the Hungry volunteers have packed for him and then driven him to the countryside. But the energy, the ideas and the determination come from Bob. 

“I wanted to do this without ever going out to the schools. I just knew that if I went, it would tear my heart out.” He paused and then said, “And then it happened, I went and now I’m hooked.” 

Bob moved to San Miguel eight years ago. A successful career selling corporate jets, a heart problem followed by his doctor’s advice and a desire to change his life all told him it was time to slow down and move somewhere else. A friend recommended San Miguel, so Bob sold everything, bought an old van and drove down, thinking to himself that if he didn’t like it, he’d go someplace else. 

Then he ran into Tony Adlerbert of Feed the Hungry, who convinced him to put his efforts in that direction. By Bob’s own admission, he’s a salesman, has been all his life, so badgering his friends isn’t hard to do. He’ll try to get money out of anyone for his favorite charity.

At first he thought he’d arrange for backpacks for one school. Then a friend asked him, why not all the schools? He arranged for a fundraiser at Planta Baja and then kept going. What’s next, once he’s able to get backpacks for everyone? He laughs the easy laugh that belies his energy and says, “Well, I’ll keep trying, using my contacts, having little dinners, small fundraisers in different restaurants, and improve the children’s educational process, always at Feed the Hungry’s kitchens. I’ll talk to the teachers about their exceptional children, maybe get funds to send them to high school and then, who knows, on to college.” Thinking big but starting with backpacks.

Dianne Walta Hart is a member of Feed the Hungry's Board of Directors. She is an Oregon State University emerita instructor, and when it is raining in Oregon, she lives in San Miguel.

Get involved!

If you would like to help Bob Allen’s backpack project, please email Bob at bob@questfone.com  and he’ll send you a list of needs and best prices. Then you can drop them off at one of his favorite restaurants: Romanos, Hernández Macías 93; Bagel Café Correo 19; or Planta Baja, Canal 28. Just say this is for Bob Allen and his backpacks. If you’d like to make a monetary contribution, make the check out to Feed the Hungry, mark it “for Bob’s backpacks,” slip the check into an envelope and leave it at one of the same restaurants. Bob will find it. Also see: http://www.feedthehungrysma.org. 

A reflection on the San Miguel Walk
By Abby Lohr

On Thursday, January 24, the first day of the Pilgrimage for San Juan de los Lagos, I awoke to the obnoxious sound of my alarm at 5:45am. With sleep still lingering in my eyelids, I slipped on my sneakers, grabbed my water bottle and walked to the Jardín.

Upon arrival there, I found the small group of employees and CASA donors who would be participating in the fifth year of the San Miguel Walk to raise money for the domestic violence prevention program at CASA (Centro para los Adolescentes de San Miguel de Allende).

As we waited for all to arrive, a drum beat began nearby and those representing CASA congregated near Canal Street. I knew the Pilgrimage for San Juan de los Lagos was a big event but I had no idea how many people participated. As we stood on the side of the street, we watched thousands of people pass. Some danced traditional local dances, some held placards and representations of the Virgin while others carried their young children.

Eventually, the CASA group was able to squeeze into the procession. We carried banners and passed out information about CASA as well as domestic violence prevention.

Although we were not walking for the same purpose as the pilgrims, they accepted and included us in the events throughout the day. For example, as we moved farther and farther down Canal Street, we were offered water, bread, oranges and numerous other snacks. I was impressed by the generosity of the San Miguel community.

Then we walked and walked and walked. I was able to converse with numerous donors as well as CASA employees about CASA, domestic violence and Mexican culture. I learned about San Juan de los Lagos, Mexican slang and domestic violence issues. As we walked, the sun rose and we were subjected to the heat. At this point, my feet began to hurt and I longed for lunch. I pushed on and was encouraged by watching some of the pilgrims who carried babies.

Finally, we gathered on the side of a dirt road under trees and tents to eat tacos de canasta and to rest our weary feet. I felt tired, thirsty and sunburned.

The pain that I experienced from walking 10 miles, however, was nothing when compared to the pain caused by domestic violence. By putting my weariness in perspective, I felt that my aches and pains had gone toward a good cause. Hopefully, from my efforts on that day, more people in abusive situations will receive assistance, more people will be aware of the harmful effects of domestic violence, and more people will be aware of the amazing services CASA has to offer. I know I will never forget the information I learned about domestic violence nor the friends I made through this experience with CASA.

Abby Lohr graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is serving an internship with CASA.

Best of Burro Festival supports Jalpa programs
By Sheryl McDonald and Sara Tylosky

Best of Burro Festival
Sat, Mar 15
Village of Jalpa
395 pesos adults, 200 pesos children 12–18, under 12 free 

The second annual Best of Burro Festival in the rural village of Jalpa is now in the final planning stages. Don’t miss the chance to participate in this unique and hilarious event. The cost includes round-trip bus transportation, a tour of Forgotten Child International/FINO’s projects, the spectacular parade of burros and a delicious comida prepared by women of the community.

The comida is served in the historic 1700s vicarage ruins. In addition, there is a silent auction supported by local businesses. The day ends with a stop at the local Sensual Chocolatier factory to purchase chocolates before your return to San Miguel.

A photo shoot set-up will let you take pictures of some of the best-dressed burros in Mexico. Where else can you see this many burros decked out in their finest? Prizes are awarded in 20 categories for biggest teeth, longest ears, loudest bray, best legs, etc.

First prize is “People’s Choice” so you will have a chance to make your personal preference known.

The festival is sponsored by Forgotten Child International and its Mexican counterpart, Fondación Internaciónal de Niños Olivdados, A.C. (FINO). Proceeds support the completion of Jalpa’s first community library (with bilingual material), the new Leading with English program, the elementary school kitchen (Feed the Hungry) and other projects. 

Specifically, the Leading with English program is designed to inspire leadership to continue education beyond middle school, the average age when many children leave school to seek employment (often far away from home) or tend their younger siblings while the mother works. We work with community leaders to motivate the children and use a combination of hands-on approaches reinforced by teams of English-speaking volunteers from San Miguel. “We are trying to show the kids different options in life,” one volunteer said.

Look for a handsome burro decked out in his best attire in the Jardín, Saturday, March 1 and 8, 10am–1pm to promote the event. Have your picture taken with the burro! Tickets also will be available at Solutions and Casa Papel. 

Jalpa may be limited in its material wealth, but nothing stands in the way of the imagination and creativity of these children when it comes to dressing the burros. You will view this event with a smile, talk about it for months to come and wait eagerly for next year’s event. 

For additional information contact us at info@forgottenchild.org. 

Sara Tylosky, cofounder of FINO and the Leading with English program, is fluent in Spanish and grew up all over the world. Sheryl MacDonald is a retired school board trustee who divides her time between San Miguel and Ottawa, On.

Bargain hunters at ALMA
By Robin MacKenzie

ALMA Sale
Sat, Feb 23, 10am–1pm
Jacaranda 148, Fracc. La Lejona
Four blocks from Mega
Free shuttle van from Espinos every half hour

Pick up: Rosalie 154-0186

It’s the last Saturday of the month. All is quiet at 8am in the cobbled parking lot outside ALMA. With Rosalie Gower and Annette Olivarez in charge, it is not long before volunteers arrive to set up the monthly bodega sale in a flood of activity.

They are greeted by Matilda and Big Girl, friendly tail-wagging dogs. Not only does the sale of donated items provide this lovely, old folks’ refuge with needed operating expenses, it is a great time for bargain hunters.

Refinements over the years have streamlined the set-up process. Clothes are sorted and hung on caster-footed racks. Books, sold by the bag for 20 pesos, are categorized and shelved.

They join an interesting assortment of household goods, potted plants, jewelry, luggage, picture frames and art. Most items are displayed on blue-tarped tables, making a lovely visual overlooking ALMA’s raised-bed gardens.

By 9am, folks begin arriving, scanning treasures through the chain link fence. Residents Juanita and Carmen take up their usual seats between the shoes and purses under a shade bush. They, too, love the action at the Saturday sale. Friends who stop by ALMA for a weekly game of dominos in sunny dining room or fellowship by the fountain in the newly planted courtyard greet these ladies. 

Watches are frequently checked as the 10am opening hour nears. Two checkout tables are manned along with a bolsa storage point. When the signal is given, the gate is opened and the crowd surges in: Mexicans, gringos, kids and even a pet or two.

They have their eyes on particular goods: the paired shoe display (selling from 5 to 15 pesos), 5-peso purses, kids’ clothing, linens, or the pile of suitcases. Everything is very reasonably priced. Occasionally the sale is all you can stuff in a bag for 40 pesos, clearing older merchandise, making way for new. Customers flow through steadily all morning as the sun climbs overhead. All too soon, the 1pm closing hour arrives. Weary workers are happy to trundle in the racks, store extras, stack tables and fold tarps. 

Donations to this worthy cause are always welcome. For pick up, call Rosalie at 154-0186. Nothing goes to waste. If an item is not appropriate for the sale, it is donated to a variety of other good causes. 

Robin MacKenzie is spending her third winter in San Miguel, having driven down with husband, Jim (photographer of ALMA shots) from Frankfort, Michigan.