Help keep young Mexican women in school
By Joan Strouse November 7, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Mujeres en Cambio Luncheon
Thu, Nov 20, 2pm
Hacienda de las Flores
Hospicio 16
120 pesos; advance tickets at Casa de Papel

Join with other friends of Mujeres en Cambio for sumptuous empanadas prepared by guest chef Hortensia Mendoza of La Casita Feliz in Guadiana. Side dishes, salads and desserts prepared by core members of Mujeres en Cambio accompany the meal.

As at all of our events, proceeds go to provide educational scholarships to young rural Mexican women who live in ranchos near San Miguel.

Entry to the November lunch requires a pre-paid ticket, available at Casa de Papel, Mesones 57A. For more information, contact Joan at 152-2820 (sorry, no phone reservations can be taken).

Mujeres en Cambio Fast Facts

Mujeres en Cambio helps young rural Mexican women gain an education and thus foster their self-sufficiency, self-esteem and self-respect. We currently support 150 scholarship students, promising young women recommended by their school’s principal and teachers. 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. We raise and pay out approximately US$75,000 per year. Administrative costs are nearly zero since most are funded by members. Exceptions include our legally required accounting and legal fees. Membership is entirely composed of volunteers who plan and organize fundraising events. We are a legally established nonprofit organization under Mexican law. US tax-deductible donations may be made through San Miguel Community Foundation. Visit www.mujeresencombio.org  for more information.

Bob Kelly in the kitchen: An appreciation

I got to know Bob Kelly in the kitchen. I would come down from Manhattan to stay with Sue Beere. Arriving in the evening, I’d find them in the kitchen, Bob at the stove, the room warm and aromatic. Maybe something simple—shrimp, rice and vegetables, made tasty with herbs from a well-stocked cabinet. Or maybe something new out of a Diana Kennedy cookbook, of which he owned several. 

He was a generous man as well as a serious cook with a light touch, never above improvisation. One evening, when I’d gotten caught in a deluge while walking down Santo Domingo to a yoga class—Bob had predicted it wouldn’t rain—I returned to find hot homemade pizza and a glass of red wine.

In the mornings, if I was early, I’d find Bob in the kitchen fixing oatmeal for himself and breakfast in bed for Sue. For a dinner party he and Sue gave, he produced memorable spare ribs. For a party I gave, he drove me to his favorite butcher for chicken wings and baked them with his special sauce. In fact, for that party he drove me all over town—up to the Mega for groceries and to several places in search of his recommended Tequila Azul.

When Diana Kennedy was in town, Bob combined journalism with food, sitting in on one of her classes and interviewing her for an article. (I thought the least I could do was to give him her new cookbook.) 

I once told Bob he was a superb cook, but he demurred. He was a good cook, he said—his son, the chef, was superb. Be that as it may, Bob was wonderful—in and out of the kitchen. 

Signe Hammer



Save the Laja remembers Bob Kelly

Salvemos al Rio Laja is saddened by the loss of Bob Kelly, who died on October 22. For many years, Bob was a member of the General Assembly, a board member in 2005, and president in 2006. During his presidency SRL made great progress in bringing environmental concerns to communities, chiefly in the restoration of waterways. By teaching and by demonstration in the field, children are now learning to preserve and maintain the environment in their area. Bob’s dedication made all of this possible, and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts go out to his family and close friends.

Robin Luxmoore & Salvemos el Rio Laja



Five years with Atención 

Bob Kelly worked closely with Atención San Miguel over the past five years providing regular articles, before deadlines, for the Pro Musica season performances and the Chamber Music Festival as well as sitting on the Atención Editorial Advisory Board. It was always a pleasure to see him; his off-beat, fun observations added life to press conferences and meetings. A true gentleman and professional, he is missed.

Suzanne Ludekens & Atención staff