By Carlos Ramírez Zago On a city known for its art, architecture, and bohemian spirit, a quiet but determined community trains every week with a goal that goes beyond winning games: to develop people with character, discipline, and purpose. This is the San Miguel Rugby Club , also known as Los Angels de San Miguel , a team that has represented San Miguel de Allende in national tournaments since 2012, but above all has transformed lives. "Rugby changes our lives. What you lear

By Dennis Taylor Hummingbirds, comprising the Trochilidae  family, are native to the Americas. Around 360 to 375 species grouped into nine subgroups can be found from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, but most are located in Central and South America. The Broad-billed and the Violet-crowned hummingbirds , are what I like to call our little jewels.  Although México is blessed with at least sixty different species of hummingbirds, only these two stay with us year-round. Eight others

By Frank "Sugar" Hudson The Mexican wine industry is exploding.  With vineyards and wineries being opened everywhere. With reds, whites and sparkling wines coming from all parts of the country, it is truly a giant leap for the industry. México’s diverse climates from ocean-cooled valleys to high-desert plateaus and open highland plains there is always the perfect climate for growing grapes. Early history of wine in México goes back to 1597 with the establishment of Casa Mader

By Aundria McMillan Humphrey Maru Vázquez , with seven international awards, doesn’t just paint; she radiates art and lives it. It’s who she is, and she shares it generously, like it’s second nature. With over five decades of painting behind her, Maru’s recent 50 th  anniversary exhibition at the Querétaro Art Museum was more than a milestone—it was a celebration of a life steeped in emotion, adventure, and relentless creativity. Asked how her voice/art has changed over the y

By Natalie Taylor What happens when you meld classical, contemporary, and Mexican folklore dances? You get a marvelous combination of mellow, ancient movements and sounds, and the crispness of modern motion. The blend of ancestral Mexican dances, the poetry of traditional songs, the colorful attire, and the lithe moves of contemporary dance, combined with contemporary sounds and lights become a dream state turned reality. Ballet Nepantla was born in 2017 in New York, with And

By Catherine Marenghi The annual San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival,  despite its name, is not just for writers. Several years ago, the conference added a Pleasures of Reading  category to its workshop offerings. Unlike other workshop offerings, these do not focus on structured learning, lectures, or exercises. Their only purpose is to enjoy the sheer pleasure of reading. The program features world-class authors. Judyth Hill , a poet and teacher who will lea

By Felecia Ford For more than six decades, Bill Kavanagh  has lived and breathed music, from his early days on the Chicago scene to his latest creative chapter in San Miguel. A multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and longtime recording studio owner, collaboration runs through every note of Bill’s life. FF: You started playing music at just nine years old. What first pulled you toward music? BK: Music was my first love, my enduring passion. My mother always had music go

By Staff Writer Professor Angie Hobbs  will speak on ‘The Threat to Democracy’  on November 18th. She is Emerita Professor of the Public Understanding of Philosophy at the University of Sheffield, England. She earned her degree in Classics and a PhD in Ancient Philosophy at the University of Cambridge. Drawing from her forthcoming book,  “Why Plato Matters Now” , she will share how Plato described the rise of the demagogue—an individual who exploits fear, flattery, and false

HIR Casa , a leading Mexican real estate financing institution with more than 30 years of experience, announces the opening of an office in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, a city recognized worldwide for its cultural and tourist wealth and high demand for properties from foreign clients. HIR Casa has transformed the way families access home financing, backed by figures that reflect its strength: More than 45 billion pesos financed. More than 22,600 clients supported in be

By Mae Hart “Any help is good help,”  said Kirsten McCormick, founder of Teen Connect . When she first moved to San Miguel de Allende she noticed how there weren't many activities for teens, so she started a teen meet up group for San Miguel. Kirsten wanted her own kids to have the opportunity to make friends and have engaging activities to look forward to outside of school. Shev has an inspiring story of working with teens by being a choir teacher, voice teacher, and she has

By Doreen Cumberford A few Fridays ago, we went to Don Lupe's for an event. As I sat down Monica said “Your Usual"? She was on her way to place the order before I could answer. It somehow stopped me in my tracks. When did I suddenly become someone with a usual at a country grill in San Miguel? Belonging is peculiar when you've chosen to live far from where you were born. We don't often talk about it directly, it feels too vulnerable, or too complex. But for those of us who've

By Bill Wilson Comrades mine and I in the midst, and their memory ever to keep for the dead I loved so well.”— Walt Whitman It’s that time of the year when here in México there is a cultural collision of celebrations. It also marks the anniversary of our arrival in San Miguel de Allende as full-time residents. And Halloween-an imported holiday often celebrated by expats and some Mexicans- and the solemn and festive celebration- greeted us as we took a stroll around the jardin

By Amy G. Rothlin November has always been one of my favorite months, it’s a season of crisp light, color, and memory. As we begin the month honoring our departed loved ones, the city transforms into a living altar. This year, I found myself drawn to one of the most beautiful celebrations of Día de Muertos  in town: Seeds of Life at Hotel Hacienda El Santuario. If you’ve ever stepped through the doors of Hacienda El Santuario , you know what I mean when I say it feels like en

By Dr. Jim Starr By definition, “health” is a state of optimum balance of body, mind, and spirit, and not merely the absence of symptoms or disease. How does that relate to all of us here in San Miguel? BODY Foods?  Surely, we have the freshest choices of organic, farm fresh foods. Our markets and supermarkets give us unlimited varieties of everything. Exercise?  It's almost impossible to not walk in our beautiful pueblo . Each calle  is unique and filled with so many “mental

By Sanderella Roy San Miguel de Allende hums with an energy that seems to awaken the creative spirit in all who arrive. For many, creativity is not simply an activity but an expression of the soul, an intuitive process that brings both release and growth. We see it in individuals who come here and bloom, discovering new facets of themselves through painting, writing, music, or craft. We see it in the murals and street art splashed with bold colors, and in the lovingly decorat

By Pascual Hijuelos Graphic design is probably one of the most grueling and competitive career fields an artist can pursue. Essentially you are expected to generate a profitable income for your client through your art work. There is little time for good will and humanitarian pursuits. Marvin Berk  is  an artist who was able to achieve  commercial success and support humanitarian causes throughout his artistic career. For over forty years Marvin worked as a graphic designer—be

By Jonathan Lockwood Oskar Vásquez, 42, is a deeply spiritual man. So spiritual that I found myself getting mesmerized by his explanations of tonas and nahuales . This was by far the longest interview I’ve conducted in this Mezcal Spotlight  series. But when you’re sitting with someone who speaks of mezcal as a living spirit, intertwined with the same unseen forces that shape our lives, you don’t interrupt. Before you know it, hours slip by unnoticed. Oskar, along with his fa

By Sara Tylosky Young riders from eight countries, including the United States, will gather for the  Concours de Dressage International (CDI)  World Cup Qualifier at Rancho San Vicente, near Santa Fe, México. This historic competition -  the first multi-nation youth  CDI in México in 20 years - is bringing a new kind of excitement to the equestrian world through a unique borrowed-horse program, inspired by the Dressage4Kids concept. The initiative allows qualified youth to tr

By Sharon Doherty Most of us can remember a teacher who made a real difference in our lives, someone whose warmth, patience, and sense of humor helped us discover a love of learning. But imagine how much more powerful that connection can be when you are a Deaf child meeting a teacher who is also Deaf, who understands your world and your language completely. Laura  is one such teacher. Her story begins when her parents enrolled her at EEESMA School for the Deaf  in 2013, at th

By Mark Rewerts Art transcends time, culture, and language, serving as a mirror to the human experience. Its value lies not only in aesthetic beauty but also in its ability to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and inspire change.  Warren Buffet is quoted as saying “price is what you pay, value is what you get.”  One of my most recent careers was in vintage and antique resale. My partner and I would spend hours attending estate sales and there was always one common thread. You

By Natalie Taylor María Luisa, Pakina , Langenscheidt  was born in México City to a Mexican-German heritage. Her great-grandfather, came to México from Germany in the late 1800s and married into a family connected to the Obregons, a distinguished Mexican family. She grew up in México City but at the age of eight the family moved to San Miguel de Allende, where she did her primary schooling. Right after high school she married Jaime Fernandez, and as young housewife and mother

By Doreen Cumberford We know that San Miguel is a fantastic place to live, but do we ever stop to consider what a remarkable place it is to die? For expats, this enchanting colonial city offers profound cultural discoveries about death and dying that differ dramatically from often sterile Northern approaches. Here, death is embraced as natural, celebrated with joy, processions and celebrations rather than hidden away. When expats die overseas, complexity multiplies instantly.

By Amy G. Rothlin San Miguel de Allende’s dining scene never ceases to surprise, and last week Nudol  hosted a very special pop-up that brought together community, creativity, and unforgettable flavors. Chef Alexis Torres  took over Nudol’s eclectic Asian kitchen and crafted a “farm-to-table with an Asian twist” menu that wowed diners from start to finish. I’ve long wanted to try Naakary’s renowned offerings in the beautiful eco-community of Sosnabar , tucked along the road t

By Carolina de la Cajiga A holiday disaster, a dare, and a woman with vision… In the sun-drenched heart of San Miguel de Allende, Barbara Edell Poole —known as Barbe or her playful alias, Madam Turca —found her calling in an unexpected place: a famous former bordello, first known as Casa de La Turca . Her story is a charming testament to serendipity, resilience, and saying ‘yes’ to adventure. Barbe recounts, “It began in 1994, with a family holiday and a plumbing disaster tha