General News
August 30
– Sanmiguelenses joined citizens of many cities in Mexico and the Capital in peaceful demonstrations (the demonstrators wore white) against the violence and unsettled state of affairs that result from the drug trade, which begets police corruption, kidnapping, murders and social disruptions. In Mexico City, the demonstration focused on the recent kidnapping and murder of a boy of 14. In San Miguel de Allende, the focus was on the death of a man (Adrián Valdéz) who was unjustly arrested in June, handcuffed then stepped on by a police officer. His family paid for his release by the authorities. Because he was then in a bad condition, he was taken to the General Hospital, and was later taken to a hospital in León, where he died from apparent cerebral trauma. The SMA police claim the man leaped from a car on the way to the jail and hit his head. Other complaints about the police force are numerous.
Happier news is that during the past two months, the green areas of the city plus the medians of both the Exits to Celaya and Querétaro are being replanted with plants that need only basic maintenance and little water. The red stone (tezontle) that has been used in the medians is being is being replaced with mulch and gravel in a water-saving effort.
The on-line SMAmap has joined the Juarde and Conexiones to help keep folks oriented in the city and some areas outside of town. SMAmap was started by Andy Baltimore and Rick Wendling, computer gurus from way back. Baltimore is a former computer consultant for Fortune 100 companies and Wendling formerly was manager of the voice and data network in a multinational insurance company.
September 10
– St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is to have a “Road Show” as a fund raising event to benefit the Centro Infantil. Entrance and a wine and cheese tasting combines with appraisals of stuff people have in mind to sell. Antiques expert Tom and Joy Price, Lee Feurestein and Mort Erlick will do the appraisals. The “Roadshow” will be in the Parish Hall, Calle Cardo 6, from 5:00 to 9:00.
San Miguel Firefighters, celebrate their 25 years of existence with a concert and ceremony in remembrance of the firefighters who lost their lives on the job on this date in 2001 in the Jardín on September 11; then a Cantiflas movie “El Bombero Atómico,” also in the Jardín on September 12. On September 14, there will be a parade through downtown streets by SMA and visiting firefighters.
A lavender (the herb-flower) field is blooming at Rancho La Colorada near Dolores Hidalgo. The co-op there grows the lavender and incorporates it into soaps, sachets and pillows to sell. On September 14, in the Petit Four, Mesones 99, A Lavender Affair will raise money for the St. Anthony’s Alliance. Local author Jeannie Ralston of The Unlikely Lavender Queen: A Memoir of Unexpected Blossoming is donating a percentage of book sales to the project.
Groups and Meetings
September 7
- The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will hear Ben-Zion Ptashnik former state senator from Vermont will speak on “Suatainable San Miguel: The Global Challenge.” The Fellowship, which welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity, meets each Sunday in La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15 at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome.
September 9
– The Midday Rotary Club at its weekly meeting in the Hotel Real de Minas will hear guest speaker SMA city historian speak on the protected City and the Sanctuary of Atotonilco. The group gathers from noon till 12:25. The meeting starts promptly at 12:30. For more information, go to www.rotarysma.org.
September 9
– The formation of an improv group takes place at the Shelter VH4, Vicente Guerrero 4. English-speaking actors or wannabes are encouraged to contact Norman Ariaza at 152-5454 for more information. Visit the website at sheltervg4.
Bereavement support groups in both English and Spanish are part of the Hospice offerings. Anne Howells will be leading the English-speaking group on Mondays from 2:00 to 3:30 at Hospice headquarters, Manuel Rocha 35, Colonia La Lejona. Pre-meeting contact with Howells is at 185-8218 or anne_howells@yahoo.com. For Spanish speakers, Leticia Gonzalez of the Hospice staff will lead the group on Thursdays from 5:00 to 6:30 at Hospice San Miguel. Gonzalez can be contacted at 044 (415) 114-8331 or Lego_2000_mz@yahoo.com.mx.
Lectures
September 6
– The faculty of Economics at UNAM initiates a series of talks, the first of which will be “Food Crisis” given in the Santa Ana Theater by Dr. Roberto Escalante Semerena at noon. This first of the series will have FREE entrance. All funds will be plowed in to allow the new UNAM center at the Biblioteca Pública grow. Entrance is at Insurgentes 25.
September 9
– Arturo Morales will lecture on the traditions of Las Fiestas Patronales in the Santa Ana Theater at 1:30. Entrance is at Insurgentes 25.
September 9
– Renee Devereaux, M.S. will lecture on Creating Change in behavior patterns in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal at 3:00. Entrance is at Insurgentes 25.
Tours
September 13
– Saturday Adventure Tours usually visits an in-town artisan or artist and then goes out to the country to visit one of the businesses that surround our town. The tour leaves from in front of the Parroquia at 10:30.
September 14
- The House and Garden Tour begins gathering at the Biblioteca Pública at 11:00 a.m. and leaves at noon to visit 3 houses.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, a walking tour of historic SMA led by SMA volunteers leaves the Jardín in front of the Parroquia. The tour lasts a little over two hours and is mostly level walking. Taking the tour helps provide medical and dental care for children in need through Patronato Pro Niños.
September 9, 10 & 11
– The Tuesday morning tour of the Botanic Garden has expanded to Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The tour meets at the main entrance at 10:00 a.m. and lasts about two and a half hours. Bring hat and water and wear comfortable walking shoes. For further information, call 154-8838.
Movies
Biblioteca Cinemateca
Sep 5 – Forget Baghdad, Eng Doc – 3:00
Sin Dajar Huella, Sp/Eng – 5:00
Sep 6 – Kids Matinee – cartoons – noon – FREE
Sep 8 – I Like Killing Flies, Doc. Eng – 3:00
Lost and Found in Mexico, Doc. Eng – 5:00
Life According to Muriel, Sp/Eng – 6:30
Sep 9 – John Jay Audubon: Drawn from Nature (part of PBS American Masters
Series) – FREE to Audubon members – 3:00
I Like Killing Flies, Doc. Eng – 5:30
Life According to Muriel, Sp/Eng – 7:30
Sep 10, 11 & 12 Theater in Maintenance (no movies)
Sep 13 – Kids Matinee – cartoons – noon – FREE
MM Cinemas
– For schedule mmcinemas or 120-4743
Movie Pocket Theater – El Market Bistro,
Hernández Macías 95 – 1:30, 4:00 & 7:00
Shelter Theater,
VG4 Vincente Guerreo 4, Col. San Rafael – 7:00
www.sheltervg4.com
Sep 5 – The Sea Inside, Sp/Eng
Sep 6 – Shine A Light, Scorsese film
Sep 7 – The Magdalene Sisters
Sep 9 – Goodnight Mr. Tom
Sep 10 – God Grew Tired of Us
Sep 11 – Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle
Sep 12 – Talk to Her, Sp/Eng
Sep 13 – Gypsy Caravan, w/Johnny Depp
Meditation Center of San Miguel, Callejón Blanco 4 (off Quebrada)
Thursdays, the first for 3 weeks – US-born Gangaji on three videos – 5:30
The Arts — Readings
September 12
– Authors’ Sala will meet in St. Paul’s, Cardo 6, to hear David Lida read from his recently published book First Stop in the New World: Mexico City, the Capital of the 21st Century. The reading is from 5:00 to 7:00.
Performing Arts
September 6 and 7
– Pro Música will present famed violinist Joseph Gold in concert with Debbie Dare (on violin and viol) and pianist Miles Graber. The concerts are in St Paul’s church, Calle Cardo 6 at 5:00. Advance sale of tickets are in Casa de Papel, Mesones 57; La Conexión, Aldama 3; St. Paul’s office; and Biblioteca Pública, Insurgentes 25. One hour before concert time, tickets are available at the door.
September 8 and 12
- A concert by Sergio Basurto playing the folk harp and flamenco guitar will be in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal at 7:30. Entrance is at Reloj 50A.
September 12
– Patricia Rincon’s Dance workshops end with a performance of “The Myth Project III: American Dreaming” in the Bellas Artes Auditorium, Hernández Macías 75, at 8:30.
September 12
- El Viejo Topo Café-Teatro, Calle Stirling Dickinson 28, will have the Alan James Band, which plays a mixture of blues, rock, folk, funk etc. The concert begins at 9:00. Reservations at 154-8701.
September 5
- Javier “Gitano” Estrada will give a concert of Gypsy guitar and voice in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal at 7:00. Entrance is at Reloj 50A.
Exhibitions and Openings
September 5 thru 12
– Evita Avery’s La Calaca Gallery, Mesones 93, will exhibit Amuzgo huipil weaving. The Amuzgos are indigenous people, with their own language, living in the states of Guerrero and Oaxaca. This exhibition of huipiles, rebozos and long pieces for tables is the work
of a 120-woman co-op. Daily hours are 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 and 4:00 to 6:00.
September 5
– Fábrica la Aurora’s galleries and studios sponsor and evening art walk – the first of monthly walks – when all will be open with the studios in full operation from 5:00 to 7:00. There will be an opening of the exhibit of Cristina Alfaro in Ar & Ar – Galería Estudio. which lasts until 8:00. Then the Generator Gallery will have 19 artists exhibiting their Impressions of Mexico from September 6 thru October 2.
September 9
– The Rainbow Art Gallery, Ancha de San Antonio 3, will have a 7-artist group show, with the opening from 6:00 to 9:00.
September 10
– Galería Ra Luz in the Posada de San Francisco, corner of el Jardín and Calle Hidalgo will have an opening of works by Genny Claro and Esperanza Orvañanos entitled Faith and Traditions. The opening is from 6:00 to 8:00.
September 12
– Contemporary, unusual jewelry in exhibition by invitation only at Casa Limón, Hospicio 44, will then be on view on September 19 and 26 from noon to 5:00.
September 14
– Galería Casa Diana and Boutique 4 Vientos, Recreo 48, will have a Fiestas Patrias celebration with a collective exhibition from noon to 3:00.
Workshops and Classes
Beginning September 10 – Buddhist Kelsang Wangchog will lead meditation classes in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal from 10:00 a.m. to ll:30 a.m. Entrance is at Insurgentes 25.
The Clubhouse at Los Labradores, off the road to Dolores Hidalgo is now offering classes in painting (11:00 a.m. Wednesdays), yoga (7:00 Thursdays in the gym) and photography (11 a.m. Saturdays). Plus there are 2 weekend workshops (September 6 & 7) Quantum Touch and (September 26 thru 28) Self Discovery. Call Norma Sánchez for further information and reservations at (415) 185-2202.
Tags: The Weekender