Casita Linda embraces ancient adobe construction
By Jean Gerber May 9, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Following a remarkable visit to San Miguel by a group of talented architecture students from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Casita Linda has adopted a new model for the construction of low-cost housing it provides to the poorest members of our community.

These 14 students, led by their professor Silvia Acosta, volunteered to help Casita Linda investigate new ways of approaching the design. But what they discovered is, in fact, ancient. Adobe brick has been used in Mexico for centuries. According to one of the RISD students, “it is as fundamental to Mexican culture as growing corn.” But as “progress” has taken hold, Mexico’s rural population has rejected adobe, opting for cement and the modernity it represents. Today adobe is rarely seen in the campo, often only a crumbing relic of a bygone era, as are the skills to manufacture and use it. 

Ironically, it took a group of privileged young Americans to reintroduce this craft to the people whose forebears used it to build a nation. But as Acosta explained, “We did not come here with the intent of using adobe [but] we found an ill fit between the cold, concrete houses that dominate the new construction and the mesmerizing, richly layered cultural fabric of Mexico.” 

The students found adobe to be a superior material and Casita Linda agreed. Adobe is widely available—it can be made from the very earth upon which the communities dwell.

Also, adobe is nontoxic and, unlike concrete and brick, has excellent thermal qualities, keeping homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The casitas are equipped with small solar power systems for electricity. “We are excited about the process of going green,” said Charles Cunliffe, head of construction for Casita Linda. 

What is most exciting for Casita Linda, however, is the opportunity adobe represents to provide impoverished rural communities with the skills to build and maintain their own homes. As one student observed, “We are engaged in an attempt to re-empower Mexicans with the knowledge to fabricate their own dwelling with their own resources.”

To realize this goal, Casita Linda needs your help. Please consider contributing toward the construction of an adobe home for a family in desperate need. You can change the course of their lives forever and help rehabilitate an entire community. For more information, visit www.casitalinda.org.  Jean Gerber is the Executive Director of Casita Linda.

Tenth Amigos de Animales blitz
By Kathy Frankel

Amigos de Animales, founded in 2001, held its tenth blitz April 5–6, spaying/neutering 145 dogs and cats in Fracc. Ignacio Ramirez, across from the new General Hospital. The location was kindly donated free of charge by carpenter José Cruz Ibarra. Amigos was able to accommodate five volunteer vets and assistants in the workshop-turned-clinic. The room was also set up to weigh animals, prepare them for surgery, operate and then provide recovery areas for both dogs and cats. A Blitz of this sort requires 40 volunteers a day, 8am–6pm. Amigos is grateful to the many animal lovers who willingly volunteer. In addition, Hecho en Mexico donated 120 sandwiches to feed the volunteers, Maple Bakery donated 120 loaves of bread and Sam’s in Querétero gave us all the cardboard for the recovery area floors. Barbara and Scott Herrick provided 200 tamales to feed those waiting with their animals. During the seven years of its existence, Amigos has neutered over 6,941 animals. People now remark on the smaller numbers of stray or ill animals in the streets.

Amigos also has been busy in other areas. Through its efforts, animals can no longer be sold in public places like the Tuesday Market, where there is no guarantee of healthy animals for the buyer or a loving home for the animals. Amigos was also concerned about the condition of the police dogs so we paid 50 percent of the cost for new large cages. Recently Amigos worked to have the government allocate 8,230 meters of land behind the new Presidencia building for a new dog pound and paid half the cost of the fencing, which is now completed. Because funding has not yet been secured to start the new pound, Amigos has paid half of the cost for 20 new cages plus half the roofing costs at the old pound near the bus station. All animals were previously kept in two smallish pens with little weather protection: small dogs, large dogs, healthy and sick dogs and those in heat—all were thrown in together.

The Amigos board recently voted in a new policy to separate animals that arrive in the pound, keeping the healthy and adoptable ones separate and letting the public know they are available for adoption. This should reduce the number of animals that have to be euthanized as required by law. Radio announcements are being made offering dogs for adoption. Twice a week the pound will be open at the most convenient times for the public to come and see animals that need loving homes. 

Amigos has hired its own vet to assure that animals are well cared for in the present pound. Dr. Omar Córdova works in cooperation with the municipality’s veterinarian to be sure that animals not claimed by their owners are painlessly euthanized in the legally required five days with appropriate medication supplied by Amigos. In years past, animals picked up were electrocuted.

Amigos is planning an extension of service by setting up a clinic at the present pound to spay/neuter animals free of charge for those unable to pay the usual cost. Hours for this service will be announced in the paper and on the radio. Presently, Dr. Octavio Capitán is paid by Amigos to drive out to the campo (countryside) to hold small free sterilizations. Finally, Amigos President Arno K. Naumann will meet with the Director of Culture and Education in Guanajuato to see if the state will consider holding weekly classes on animals and their care in the schools. Free coloring books are already distributed by Amigos to children in schools and at Blitzes.

Amigos’ work is vital to improving the lives of animals in San Miguel. We are grateful for all the support we receive from volunteers at the Blitzes and donors in our fundraising efforts. Finishing the new pound will require significant funding. Anyone willing to help in this important endeavor can contact Rosalie Gower at (415) 154-0186 for donations and also to volunteer at Blitzes. Our goal is to have San Miguel be a model community in its respect for life and loving care of animals.

Casas Hogares raise money through Beanie Baby sales

We raised US$350 in Beanie Baby sales (thanks to Mackenzie’s donation of the Beanie Babies and your donations for them), which Lou will match.

After giving all the kids Beanies, there are a few left that Bill will sell for us.

So, each house will receive at least US$250 or 2,500 pesos.

Lions Club honors radio station XESQ
By George Sickler

For its many years of public service to support the Lions Club eye and diabetes-testing clinic, San Miguel’s XESQ 1280 AM radio station has received a special plaque of recognition and gratitude from club members.

Receiving the plaque on behalf of XESQ and its employees was the station director, Javier Zavala Ortiz. The presentation was made at the station by Ellen Gary and Mirl Gratton, Lions Club president and first vice-president.

“Since our eye clinic opened in 1992, XESQ and its staff have been instrumental in spreading the word that we’re open for business to provide free eye tests and glasses to the greater San Miguel Hispanic community,” Gary said. “Often XESQ is the best, if not the only, method of communication for people living either in town or outside of town. Perhaps just as importantly, the station helps us assure that people don’t come from miles away and discover we’re closed for a major Mexican or US holiday.”

Gary and Gratton said that the clinic, located at Correo 63 in San Miguel, has over 32,000 pairs of donated prescription eyeglasses in stock. Each has been inspected, graded and computer catalogued. The clinic is open every Thursday, except holidays. To date, over 15,000 eye exams have been conducted by the club members and its volunteer medical experts from Optica San Miguel.

“But frankly,” Gary says, “a huge inventory of eyeglasses is meaningless unless people know it’s available. And for that, we’re deeply grateful to the people at XESQ for helping us spread the word.”

“What also is important to us,” Gratton says, “is that we have been able to renew our focus on diabetes testing, which we do on Thursday mornings. It’s unfortunate but true that local people are somewhat disposed to have diabetes. XESQ has been doing a great job spreading the word that we provide testing to help folks in need get an early start on treatment. We’ve had around 1,500 checks since the program was renewed a few years ago, and I think we’re making a meaningful difference for those who test positive.”

In receiving the plaque on behalf of the station, Director Zavala said, “The Lions Club is no stranger to me and my family. My father was a member during his lifetime. I understand what the Lions are trying to accomplish for the community and we’re delighted to provide what we can to help them succeed.”

The International Lions Club of San Miguel de Allende was established in 1987. The eye clinic was opened in 1992 and the diabetes clinic was re-launched in 2005.

Ellen Gary, a native of Buffalo, NY, and a retired teacher, has been a Lions Club member here since 1996 and lives in colonia Guadalupe. Mirl Gratton, also a retired teacher, was born in Montana. He and his wife Carolyn reside in colonia Atascadero and he has been a member since 1990.

George Sickler is the Lions Club communications director. For information, call 044 (415) 113-0353 or email: GeorgeSickler@Yahoo.Com.
 

Sanmiguelense Federico Vidargas wins Global Service Award
By Tanya Pantone

Sanmiguelense architect Federico Vidargas was honored with the prestigious 2008 Global Service Award from Illinois Institute of Technology’s (IIT) Alumni Association for his outstanding contributions to the university, the community and his profession. A ceremony celebrating all 20 of the 2008 Alumni Award winners was held Friday, May 2. 

A 1976 IIT Master of Architecture alumnus, Federico Vidargas has designed and coordinated successful architecture projects in the Middle East, Western and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the United States. He served as IIT Alumni Association President from 2003 to 2005, during which time he encouraged the development of alumni chapters abroad. Born in San Miguel, Federico Vidargas is the son of Dotty Vidargas Birk and the brother of Ricardo Vidargas. Serving as a visiting professor at Universidad de Guanajuanto in Mexico from 1993 to 1995, Vidargas chaired the building committee for the public library in San Miguel de Allende and was a member of the Friends of the Park, working as a community liaison. Currently, he is working to strengthen ties between his undergraduate alma mater, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and IIT, and is advising IIT on the formation of an alumni association in Mexico and recruitment of Mexican students.

The IIT Alumni Awards are divided into seven categories: Outstanding Young Alumnus/a, Professional Achievement, Alumni Service, Lifetime Achievement, Global Service, Collens Merit and Alumni Medal. Winners are selected by the members of the IIT Alumni Awards Judges Team which is comprised of previous award recipients.

Tanya Pantone is the Media Relations Specialist for communications and marketing at the Illinois Institute of Technology.