Dog lovers descend on San Miguel’s 1st Canmiguelada
By Jim Karger February 22, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

A young girl stared longingly at Gloria, one of hundreds of dogs at San Miguel’s 1st Canmiguelada. It was a day of celebration of man’s love for his canine friends held in a lush wooded area behind the Hotel Real De Minas last Sunday, February 17.

“I wish I could have a dog like you,” the young girl told Gloria, one of several rescues attending in hopes of finding their forever homes.

“But we live above a restaurant my parents own in León and I can’t have a dog there,” she explained.

The young girl played with Gloria for more than an hour and then walked over to the donation jar for Save a Mexican Mutt, calmly and deliberately reaching into her purse. She pulled out the only bill in her wallet, and dropped in 50 pesos. I had been watching for some time but it must have been the unintended tear running down my right cheek that finally gave me away. She looked up.

“I want to help,” she whispered. “I feel so sorry for the homeless dogs, don’t you?” I nodded and she and went back to Gloria. After a few minutes she said, “I have to go now,” petting the dog one last time. And then she was gone.

That was one of many moving experiences to be seen and felt at San Miguel’s 1st Canmiguelada (the name is from “canino” or “canine”) sponsored by Dra. Alma Ruth Miranda Valenzuela and her staff at PetVet, who spent months planning the day of events.

Dra. Alma got the idea for Canmiguelada at the San Miguel Dog Show in which only purebred dogs with fancy pedigrees can complete and only adults can enter the ring. The sight of so many children who wanted to be included, inspired her to create an event in which children as well as adults, mixed breed as well as non-papered pure breed dogs, could all participate.

Dogs of all breeds were the focus of Canmiguelada, with contests that included “Best Trick,” “Happiest Dog,” “Best Costume,” “Most Beautiful” and even “Most Disobedient.” All the events brought laughter and cries of joy from a crowd of more than 400.

Lectures and demonstrations on caring for animals were well-attended. Smiles marked the faces of those who came to show off their beloved pet, socialize, eat, drink, shop from various vendors, or simply to spend the day with others like themselves, who have found a special place in their hearts for their canine companions.

Asked why she went to the trouble, Dra. Alma smiled. “When a child wins a competition and their eyes would light up as he or she is handed the ribbon—it made it all worthwhile.” And, for all attendees, it was indeed worthwhile.

As for the young girl, I believe she is destined to make a dog a part of her life, perhaps many dogs, as Dra. Alma has, if not now then very soon.

Will there be another Canmiguelada in 2009? Dra. Alma didn’t hesitate. “Of course,” she replied. “Next year we’ll have even more events, poop bags for the owners and water for the dogs. It will continue to get bigger and better.”

Like so many dogs who have been rescued from the streets, Gloria is still looking for a permanent home. To learn more about opportunities in rescue, foster, transport and adoption, turn your browser to www.saveamexicanmutt.org. To learn more about Dra. Alma’s work or to meet her friendly staff, visit her clinic located at Stirling Dickenson 27 in San Miguel.

Jim Karger is a resident of San Miguel, a frequent contributor to Atención, and is married to Kelly Karger, founder of Save A Mexican Mutt, a charity dedicated to the rescue, spay/neuter, adoption, and transport of Mexican street dogs.

A look at the future of San Miguel
By Joan Duke & Kathy Lichter

Va por San Miguel is an organization devoted to protecting the natural heritage, culture and history of San Miguel. The chairman of the governing board is Ricardo Vidargas and the officers include Lorea San Martin and Liz Castillon as well as Dorothy Vidargas, Arturo Morales, Adolfo Cervantes and Cesar Arias.

About 100 people attended the group’s third public meeting on February 6 at Recreo 4.

What is most important to the group is to ensure that any plans for the city are in accordance with the 1939 law for the protection and conservation of San Miguel de Allende.

The law can be found at www.vaporsanmiguel.blogspot.com. The group would like to have the governor appoint a monitoring board that carries out the dictates of the law. The law states that any new construction work should not proceed without prior written authorization of the board. This is to ensure that buildings conform with the architectural style of the city. 

A petition was filed in November with the city council proposing compliance with the 1939 law. No response has been received and therefore a lawsuit has been filed to demand an Amparo to force a response in writing and in terms of the law.

Some of the items discussed at the meeting include the following:

· The Colloquium on Traffic Issues which took place at the end of January was attended by Va por SMA representatives. The group supports the suggestion that a workshop involving experts and citizens to outline a plan be conducted within the next several months. They ask that the San Miguel Bureau of Traffic and Transportation not release their study until the workshop is completed.

· An example of protection of areas not included in the land management plan is the development of San Miguel Viejo which is an Otomi Indian site. Work is underway but the management plans of the municipality and micro-regions will not be ready until later this year. The developer of the project attended the meeting and explained that they are complying with all laws with great respect for the Otomi natives and the municipality of San Miguel.

· At the new development El Caracol, the distance from the construction to the Libramiento remains a troubling issue for the neighbors who believe it will create a more dangerous entry, exit and crossing. The Department of Transit has not submitted a plan to address this issue. 

· At Ciénega of Cachinches (corner of Libramiento Dolores & Estacion del Tren), the fields are being cleared and low-lying areas filled for building a Wal-mart. There is great concern about the effect on the environment as well as the impact on the small established businesses in town. All permits so far have been made at the federal level and not the local level.

· Billboards and signs. There have been improvements by the Desarollo Urbano in signage in different parts of the city, but there does not appear to be a consistent rule in place. Cases in point are Pollo Feliz, Ford, Ramsas Uniroyal as well as at various entrance points to the city.

· Relationship of the Directorate of Desarollo Urbano with other units. The group is concerned that there is no proper relationship between Desarollo Urbano and Ecologia. This may cause problems where work related to construction may or may not be coordinated with other infrastructure activities on roads, cabling, etc.

· Starbucks. There is a plan (the banner is already unfurled) to put a Starbucks on Canal across from the Jardín on the corner of Hidalgo in Casa Canal. Wouldn’t it be helpful for all residents of San Miguel to know about such proposals so that they may have input and in that way participate in decisions that will affect them? The plan could be reviewed and suggestions made to ensure that everything is done in accordance with the guidelines for the Centro Historico.

· Most important, there is a monthly meeting of the organization. All residents of San Miguel are welcome. Everything that is taking place in our town affects everyone, from the traffic to the parking lots, from national franchises to pollution. You can find out what is going on by attending the meetings. We welcome your involvement.

Joan Duke and Kathy Lichter are concerned residents of San Miguel who attended the meeting.

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, Ont.

A vote for education, culture and community
(From Ken Rowland, Biblioteca Pública treasurer)

Biblioteca Pública Board Election
Tue, Mar 4, 11am–2pm
Sala Quetzal
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
Current membership necessary

The Biblioteca Pública, public library, holds its annual election March 4. This unique institution is home to the second largest collection of English language books in Mexico, hosts numerous educational and cultural programs and activities as well as several enterprises that provide funding for the institution. 

Library members are invited to vote for the following board members in the March 4 election. Please check your membership is current.

Sue Beere

Nominated for Director at Large

Sue Beere has worked with the Biblioteca on the Board of Directors and on Atención (she was editor twice). For the past year she has served as Recording Secretary on the Board of Directors. She is also Treasurer of Jovenes Adelante and in charge of the San Miguel Oral Archives project.


Gregory Diamant 

Nominated for President

I have been serving on the Board of the Biblioteca for the past two and a half years as Vice President. It has been an honor for me to have worked with so many dedicated people, both staff and volunteers. 

My professional career before moving to San Miguel has been concentrated in managing and owning small and medium-sized businesses. While working in New York I served on the board of First Step, a project of the Coalition for the Homeless, that aided single women in re-entering the work force and reclaiming their families. Here in San Miguel I am a member/volunteer with Amigos de Animales, Center for Global Justice, Charco de Ingenio and the Sociedad de Protectores de Animales.

As we enter the new year, we are faced with many challenges: improving the financial heath of the institution, completing upgrades to the infrastructure and augmenting our programs that serve Mexican youth. As president, my focus will be on these aforementioned areas and to build on the success of the past years by further engaging our Board and staff by tapping their creativity to realize our goals. We intend to integrate our information systems throughout the library and rationalize our accounting systems. We will create new and dynamic summer programs for kids so that they can safely and productively be engaged during their vacations. With the ongoing cooperation between the Biblioteca and the UNAM, we will be able to offer new and exciting educational programs that will benefit the entire community and bring a new level of continuing education to San Miguel. Plans are in the works for cooperation with US institutions of higher learning that will also add a new dimension to the services of the library.

We will call on you, our current and future members and volunteers, to make our ambitious programs a reality. With your cooperation and that of our wonderful staff and volunteers, our library will truly be a beacon in the community.


Patric Ellsworth

Nominated for Assistant Treasurer

Patric, along with his wife Diana, moved to San Miguel de Allende in the fall of 2005, after having lived most of his life in northern California. He was the founder and president of a wholesale wine business which he ran for more than 15 years before becoming involved in the nonprofit social service field. He served for seven years on the Board of Directors of Youth Homes, Inc. of Walnut Creek, CA, including one year as Board Chairman. Following his Board service, Patric became Executive Director of Youth Homes. Upon leaving Youth Homes, he was employed as the Executive Director of Rubicon Children’s Center in Fremont, CA, and served in that capacity for eight years. He also has several years’ experience as a commercial property manager and business consultant.

In addition, Patric has served on the boards of Kiwanis Club of Grand Lake-Oakland (as treasurer) and Children’s Fund of the Bay Area-Fremont (as treasurer). He is a co-founder and Secretary-Treasurer of the Parker Street Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose focus is on providing affordable housing. He is currently the Assistant Treasurer of the Biblioteca Publica.


Sioban O’Donoghue

Nominated for Director at Large

Sioban O’Donoghue was born in Newport, Isle of Wight, but has lived in Mexico since she was a child. She studied at Mercer College and later attended law school at the National University in Mexico City, and has recently obtained a diploma in art therapy.

Her experience includes working at the British Embassy as information officer, the United States embassy in Mexico City as a trade officer and for Texas Commerce Bank as manager for government affairs in Mexico.

She is a founding member of Papalote Museo del Niño, the children’s museum in Mexico City, where she worked as director of exhibitions and collections manager. Afterwards she and her team of designers founded a new design firm, Expo–Musee, where they developed many projects and exhibitions. She also co-founded Poliedrum, where she worked as creative director for special projects for Mexico City’s government and for several private clients.

She has served as a founding member of the council for Unicef-Mexico and for the board Niños Cantores del Centro Historico. She has been an advisor for the social and development program in rural communities in Puebla and is a member of the board of Centro de Crecimiento here. She lives with her husband Alfonso Alarcón in San Miguel.

It’s wild and wonderful at El Charco
By Sylvia Jessop

Birds and butterflies, flowering plants and ferns, the amazing biodiversity of the wild habitats of El Charco del Ingenio botanical garden is now revealed. Nature is right on our doorstep waiting for us.

After months of fieldwork by Walter Meagher (botanist) and Wayne Colony (geologist), the natural wealth of El Charco has been captured in shining words and stunning photos.

Working together, collecting plants and explaining habitats, the two have produced a unique book, Wild and Wonderful: Nature up Close in el Charco. Meagher’s writing illuminated by Colony’s dazzling color photos brings alive the bounty of flora and fauna in this rich reserve.

Destined to secure a place for El Charco in the wider world of natural history, Wild and Wonderful is a voyage of discovery for all nature lovers. Ideas and stories—how the shapes of flowers relate to the nature of the pollinators, for example—carry the pulse of the book.

It reveals little-known facts about the swifts who arrive at El Charco in November and joyously slice their way through the air; the great kiskadee, the Pavarottis of the family; the butterflies that read a kind of Braille to find a host plant on which to lay their eggs; and the dancing bees that instruct their fellow workers where to find rich sources of pollen. Seeing the world through Meagher’s eyes is like exploring a magical new universe.

Meagher borrowed the words of Louis Agassiz (1807-1873) to show what he most hopes readers will do: “Go to Nature/Take the facts into your own hands/Look, and see for yourself.”

Walter Meagher studied botany with Edgar T. Wherry, Warren H. Wagner, Ed Voss and Steve Tonsor, names well known to professional botanists. Wayne Colony’s photos make an art book of nature. He taught geology at Clark College and examined the ocean floor in research studies. Wendy Meagher, art college graduate and professional book designer, selected the photos and designed the book.

The ducks have arrived at El Charco
By Naomi Zerriffi

Lecture and slide show
Susan Colony
Thu, Feb 28, 9:30am
El Charco del Ingenio library
Members 70 pesos, nonmembers 100 pesos
Reservations required: email nzerriffi@yahoo.com 

Black-headed stilt

Northern Shoveler

Anyone who has ever watched a flight of migrating birds overhead may have wondered where they were going. Like many visitors from the US and Canada, hundreds of ducks and shorebirds migrate here for the winter (November through February) to enjoy the warmth and security of Presa de Las Colonias in El Charco del Ingenio botanical garden.

Each winter at least 20 species of ducks and shorebirds, some in great numbers, return to San Miguel. Flocks of northern shovelers, northern pintails, and green-winged teals fly in from the north, splashing down in the welcoming waters of El Charco’s presa, joining the resident Mexican ducks and American coots in peaceful co-existence.

The exotic avocet, in its winter colors of black and white, and the long-legged black-necked stilt arrive early, to probe the mudflats around the presa with San Miguel’s familiar white-faced ibis. From time to time flocks of dowitchers, phalaropes and various “peeps” drop by to check out the presa’s buffet of edibles. Although the presa is a relatively small body of water in the middle of Mexico, it seems to provide everything these birds need for a rejuvenating winter stay.

Susasn Colony presents a lecture and slide show on our winter visitors, followed by a short walk. The photos will present these birds close-up in their gorgeous colors and often exotic beauty. The lecture will highlight several chapters in the upcoming book, Wild and Wonderful: Nature up Close in El Charco by Walter Meagher and Wayne Colony, which will be available in March.

“Noche de Amor”raises 18,600 pesos for ALMA
By Beverly Russell

All the best seats for the recent “Noche de Amor” concert were sold out and ticket lines went around the block. In an exciting debut, Los Logros presented an evening of romantic Mexican and North American love songs. Pianist Liz Stone and vocalists Ron Shawn and Ken Vaun performed before a wildly exuberant audience who were humming the tunes along with the singers for much of the evening at Teatro Ángela Peralta.

Los Logros’ program of 25 songs was interspersed with haunting music by the Trio Rio Negro and passionate tangos by the top two tango dancers in San Miguel, Esther and Daniel Ramirez, owners of La Grotta restaurant.

Los Logros received enthusiastic applause throughout the concert. People loved the singers’ quick change into ponchos and cowboy hats for some of the country music.

It was a fiesta evening. “I was sitting in the Falco circle, looking down on the heads of many people I knew,” said the Venerable Michael Long, rector of St. Paul’s Church where Vaun assists in the services. “When Ken sang ‘The Sweetest Thing I Have Ever Seen,’ I really came unglued.”

San Miguel’s dancing and stage star Peggy Powell particularly liked “Meet Me Tonight in Laredo,” which brought back special memories for her. The emotional “Somewhere My Love,” from Dr. Zhivago, was another popular number.

Special thanks to Taylor Korobow for staging and artistic direction, and Rosalie Gower for stage management.

Beverly Russell is author of several books on design and the arts. She has written articles for numerous publications including The New York Times.

Rustic rancho buffet lunch
By Roger Hind

Mujeres en Cambio Rustic Rancho Lunch and Atotonilco Sanctuary Tour Thu, Feb 28, 2pm Entry by ticket only–250 pesos at Casa de Papel

Next week, Mujeres en Cambio holds its major annual fundraiser for 2008, a delicious buffet lunch in a rustic setting near Atotonilco. The main course will be chicken mole, rice, beans and tortillas, with guacamole as an appetizer. Core members will supply salads, desserts, coffee and tea. Our hosts Pakina and Jaime Fernandez will donate all cash bar receipts to Mujeres en Cambio.

As a special bonus, after the lunch Pakina has arranged a guided tour of the World Heritage Atotonilco Sanctuary. 

Some scholarship recipients will attend and at least one will sit at each table so you will have a chance to get to know firsthand how a scholarship can change a girl’s life.

Provided enough tickets have been sold, we will draw the raffle for the wall hanging donated by the San Miguel Quilters. Hooked rugs, whimsical folk art pieces created by the women of our Las Rancheritas project, also will be on sale.

Buses leave from Calle Cardo, opposite St. Paul’s Church, at 1:30pm. If you are driving and have space in your vehicle, please stop by St. Paul’s 1:15–1:25pm in case there is overflow from the buses. Driving 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. The 150 tickets always sell out quickly.

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.

In loving memory of Marian Blair
By Andrea Usher

“Death is only a horizon, and a horizon is nothing, save the limit of our sight.” —Rossiter W. Raymond, 1840/1918.

A memorial service will be held for Marian Blair on Saturday, March 1 at 5pm in the Jardin Botanico (Plaza de los Cuatro Vientos) of San Miguel de Allende. Please join us in person or from a distance wherever you may be. In sharing during the memorial service, we can share a drop of Marian’s immortality, something that goes beyond time and space by reflecting on this question.

What has Marian given me that is still alive in me now?

She could not speak, she could not move but she was surrounded by love—and knew it. Marian passed into another dimension, most likely a new adventure, on January 3, at the beginning of this new year.

Many of you in San Miguel knew Marian in one or another of her many activities or as the caring mother and friend she always was. The earthquake of 1985 shook her loose from her roots in Mexico City and brought her and her ex-husband, Sergio Orozco, here to establish a new life. Although her son, Adrian, was born in Mexico City, he and his brother Marco (born in the old hospital on San Francisco), are true sanmiguelenses.

In Mexico City, Marian had had a very successful career in the restaurant business. When I suggested she teach cooking she said, “That’s behind me.” She was instrumental in establishing Los Charcos, a Waldorf school, to offer a broader scope of education to primary students. Later, as the administrator of the library, she concentrated on setting and achieving new goals for the scholarship program. Her dream was to establish a center for delinquent boys. Marian’s last enterprise was in joining the rapidly growing building boom. She left her personal mark on some lovely homes. It was at this time that she contracted ALS, a devastating disease.

In three and a half years we, Marian’s family, watched a loving and beautiful mother, daughter, sister, aunt and niece, slowly fade away. She taught us all lessons we will not forget. She did not blame life nor God nor anyone for her condition. Her spirit always shone through. Marian's friends never left her alone. She was blessed by close relationships. Marian’s integrity, commitment, joy, laughter, generosity will live on in all our hearts. We, her family, wish to thank all of you for your caring love, hospice included.

Kathryn Blair


Not long ago on a very windy, warm, fall afternoon I sat with Marian in her garden. We talked about many inspiring topics as usual and touched on something that particularly perked our interest: Our essence and how it has manifested in our lives. As we talked about our lives’ “professions” and “projects,” we figured that our essence was the fire, the passion and the creativity behind all those ideas. We talked about the passion and fire that made Marian build houses, raise children, start schools and tirelessly search for answers. The conversation was inspiring, as the afternoon wore on and the breeze through the leaves made a wonderful soothing sound. We listened to the leaves dance in the trees and sing to us for a few minutes and then her face lit up, filled with passion and a big smile. She typed, “Vic, how about this for an idea...let’s make wind chimes!” “Yes, Marian, let’s do!”

Victoria Robbins 


Dear Marian, hers was a life well lived, of boundless spiritual sensitivity and amazing dignity. She understood and embraced Karma. What a great blessing and privilege to have shared a much too short friendship with such a loving spirit—a guide to legends, lore and shamans. Marian will forever smile upon us.

Tom Strickland


I met Marian when I arrived in San Miguel six and a half years ago. She was my first real friend here. We had an immediate heart connection. It was if we had known one another forever. She welcomed me with a generosity of spirit, introducing me to her friends and family. I mentioned to her one day that I had never seen Mexico City and she said let me take you there and show you around. Off we went and she took me all over the city showing me her favorite haunts. We even had lunch at the University Club that used to be the home of one of her aunts. The last time I saw Marian was about a week before she died. We just sat with each other and looked in each other’s eyes. I had the feeling I had come home.

Michael Sudheer

Volunteers invited to discover San Miguel’s opportunities
By Robin Loving

Volunteer Fair
Fri, Feb 29–Sat, Mar 1, 10am–2pm
Biblioteca Pública
Free

San Miguel has been called a caring community and rightly so. With approximately 150 community organizations which contribute to the health and welfare of local citizens, the community is rich in resources.

It’s not difficult to find a cause that attracts one to give of his or her time, treasure, or talent. Or is it? Most of these organizations are run strictly by volunteers who are not fulltime employees, so it can be frustrating to find one’s exact fit. “My husband called every community group he could find to volunteer his photographic services,” said Judy the other day at the gym, “and he didn’t get one taker!” 

“I’ll put him to work,” I offered as I overheard her conversation. We were both relieved, but there is a better way to connect those who would like to help with those who need help. The Volunteer Fair features a dozen organizations with information about how to connect your skill with the community’s need.

Too busy to volunteer? Or do you fear being consumed by an organization? Remember, virtual volunteering—working on behalf of a cause via your computer whenever and wherever you find it convenient—is very valuable work. You can just say no if you don’t feel you are being treated respectfully. That said, not every organization will have an appropriate fit for any one of us, so we must be reasonable in what we want from a volunteer opportunity. 

Free to the public and only 100 pesos per table for community organizations, this fair could be a way to find what you are looking for. Attendees will include CASA, Feed the Hungry, Instituto de Conservacion de la Cultura, San Miguel School of English, Amigos de Animales, Audubon Society, Hospice San Miguel, Fondacion Internacional de Ninos Internacional, Save a Mexican Mutt, El Charco, Jovenes Adelante, Mujeres en Cambio, Casas Hogares, Biblioteca Pública and Rotary Club of San Miguel.

So, if you’ve been thinking about volunteering but have not yet found the right one for you, come to the Biblioteca and explore! For more information, contact Biblioteca Volunteer Coordinator Judy Boston at volunteers@bibliotecasma.com.

Robin Loving helps nonprofits through development, volunteer management and donor relations. She volunteers with anyone interested in supporting the Casa Hogar Kids. Contact robin@robinloving.com,  152-3709 SMA, (925) 418-8003 US.