By Christina Johnson Dear San Miguel de Allende, I love you for the memories that live in my blood and body, from childhood until this day. Do you remember when I rode my horse into your canyon as a child? The chocolate scent of those sweet white ground flowers. The toothless man collecting sticks for his home fire, and how we laughed together, he and I, as if the afternoon had no intention of ending. Sometimes I didn't come home until the sun had gone to warm yolk, then to c

By Judith Jenya In the welcoming kitchens of San Miguel de Allende, visitors from around the world gather to learn the secrets of traditional Mexican cooking from a woman whose life has been defined by caring for others. Long before she began teaching travelers how to prepare family recipes, Isabel García built a career as a pediatrician, hospital administrator, widow’s advocate, and mother of three. Her story begins in México City, where she was born the eldest of four siste

By Randolph Rogers The two gentlemen whom I refer to are men who have contributed greatly to the fabric of San Miguel de Allende, and specifically to Colonia San Antonio. Their contributions prove that one can make a difference at any stage of life. Fortunately for San Migue, they chose this place, and we are all the beneficiaries. In many ways, they’ve led parallel lives, but that’s where the similarities end. Their journeys were very different, but the common thread is thei

By Don Krim As Jóvenes Adelante’s selection team screens hundreds of 2 biographical videos, and other document submissions from eager undergraduate students, there is another quiet process under way: our own graduates seeking specialized Master’s degrees. Some of those requests I expected - one of my own mentees, for instance, applying for a Master’s in criminal law prior to a further specialization in criminal investigation; another I know seeking an advanced degree to suppo

By Staff Writer San Miguel’s streets really start to heat up by late April. It’s a time to remember that emotional and mental benefits come from taking time off the hot streets and sneaking in a visit to The Spa. Treatments like massages can stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good hormones, which can enhance your mood and promote feelings of happiness. Also expect reduced anxiety (and who is not seeking that?) as engaging in self-care at a spa can

By Bob Graham Starting with grackles! First, let’s get the species of grackles that we see in San Miguel correct. They are not Common Grackles, a species that are very often seen in the skies of the US and Canada, but which doesn’t range into México. Also, despite at least one local publication’s claim, they are not Boat-tailed Grackles either! Except in Florida, Boat-tails rarely stray far from saltwater shores and they only range as far south as Houston Texas. Instead,

By Cat Silver If you’ve ever painted a wall in San Miguel de Allende and wondered why the color looks different from the sample, you’re not alone. The intense light here and vibrant building materials can subtly change how colors appear in a room. Understanding simple ideas from Color Theory helps explain why—and can make choosing paint and furnishings much easier. Many of us choose colors by instinct. We like blue. We don’t like yellow. We’ve always painted our living room g

By Doreen Cumberford This is the first of several articles on raising expat children in San Miguel. Have you noticed children laughing in multiple languages in the Jardin? Families sharing helado at sunset? Strollers navigating cobblestones like drunken sailors? Something is shifting in San Miguel de Allende. Many more expatriate families are choosing to raise their kids in this colonial hilltop town than ever before. Having raised my own daughter as a Third Culture Kid in Ja

By Lisa Babincsak At kilometer 81 on the road from San Miguel de Allende to Dolores Hidalgo, there is a vineyard development that shouldn’t work. La Santísima Trinidad sits at the furthest reach of the corridor—well past the thermal springs, past the UNESCO sanctuary at Atotonilco, past the point where most buyers would be expected to lose interest. By every rule of conventional real estate logic, this is the wrong location for a luxury destination. Too remote. Too far from

By Alan Jacobson What happens when the spotlight fades? That’s the question at the heart of Quartet , Ronald Harwood’s insightful and often very funny play about four retired opera singers sharing life in a home for musicians. But beyond its elegant setting, the play becomes a reflection on something much more universal—how we hold onto identity, relationships, and purpose as time moves forward. What makes Quartet so engaging is its honesty. These characters are accomplished,

By Staff Writer A few weeks ago, members of San Miguel de Allende’s real estate community gathered for an important occasion: the swearing-in of the 2026 Board of Directors of AMPI , the Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals. The evening began with the traditional Honors to the Mexican Flag, setting a respectful tone for the event. This was followed by the presentation of the Presidium, which included leaders from both the national AMPI organization and our local

By Camie Fenton, Publisher Located just a short downhill walk to the town square, Atascadero provides close proximity to the heart of the city. It’s a Neighborhood with deep roots and creative spirit: Originally a sprawling hacienda with orchards and grazing land, Atascadero has long been a peaceful escape. Today, it offers larger lots and more privacy than many other upscale neighborhoods. At the neighborhood’s entrance stands the historic Suites Santo Domingo, born of Germ

By Catherine Marenghi There’s something about San Miguel that seems to nurture book clubs. At any given moment, dozens of books may be under discussion in homes or cafes, over food or coffee or wine. Book clubs are part of the fabric of San Miguel. On February 24 th , Atención News launched the Atención Book Club at the historic Casa Nigromante . Author Rosaleen Bertolino read from her award-winning book, The Paper Demon and Other Stories . The event drew a substantial and

By Colleen Sorenson An ancient stream runs through our city. For centuries, its waters sustained people and wildlife, enabling settlement, nourishing orchards and livelihoods, and shaping daily life. To celebrate this ancient stream and our local artists, La Vida de Las Cachinches is a captivating new mural project along the arroyo , promoting respect and the beauty of our urban nature. Twelve San Miguel artists are coming together in April 19 th through 22 nd , partnering wi

By Patricia Schneider As the plane descends into the 2-to-5-million-year-old Valley of México, the city appears all at once, stretching across the high plateau. In the distance, Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl rise majestically, volcanoes that have watched over this valley for hundreds of thousands of years. The mexica founded Tenochtitlan around 1325, on an island in Lake Texcoco , once a vast shimmering blue expanse encircled by mountains. Long before the Spanish arrived, t

Join us as we celebrate outstanding local authors. No signup required, no fees. Just read the book and come meet the author for a lively presentation and book discussion. See you at Casa Nigromante, Umarán #38 on April 28. Catherine Marenghi will talk about Walking With Beth: Conversations With My 100-Year-Old Friend with author Merilyn Simonds. Books are available at Aurora Books, Tesoros Bookstore at the Biblioteca, and online booksellers.

By Lisa Babincsak In San Miguel, people rarely ask what you do. The real question is: "Do you walk… or do you drive?" It tells you almost everything you need to know. Where they live. Who they know. Whether they're in orthopedic shoes or still pretending cobblestones are charming. People who live in Centro walk. Proudly. Almost religiously. Even uphill, in the rain, carrying produce, a folding chair, and a small dog in a sling. They believe walking is a lifestyle. And honestl

By Carolyn Studer “When oppressed communities sing, they are doing more than making music. They are declaring that the present reality does not get the last word.” — Rev. Dr. Brian Blount For centuries, music has given voice to hope in times of hardship. From spirituals sung in the face of slavery to the improvisational freedom of jazz and the bold, defiant energy of rap, African American music has carried a message of resistance and hope. That tradition will come to San Mig

By Amy G. Rothlin There are places in San Miguel de Allende that become more than restaurants, they become part of the rhythm of our lives. Ten Ten Pie has been one of those places. This April, as the beloved Ten Ten Pie prepares to close its doors for the final time this coming May, it feels less like the end of a business and more like the closing of a chapter in San Miguel’s collective story. Thirty-three years ago, when Ten Ten Pie first opened on Cuna de Allende, San

By Staff Writer On April 1 st , 2025, Mitigare’s Hospice and Palliative Care Center opened its doors in San Miguel de Allende, marking a significant milestone for compassionate care in our community. Just days earlier, on March 29 th , friends, supporters, and partners gathered to celebrate the grand opening—an occasion made even more meaningful by the journey that began on November 27, 2023, when the first stone was laid in the presence of Mayor Mauricio Trejo. In the year s

By Judith Jenya For many writers, the life of letters can be solitary. But for one Canadian couple, writing has been a shared journey—sometimes collaborative, sometimes parallel, but always deeply intertwined. Merilyn grew up in Ontario, Canada, near Stratford. When she was seven, her family moved to Brazil. The experience left a lasting mark. “It gave me a taste for the fabulous,” she recalls. Her writing life began early. A diary given to her at age seven eventually evolve

By Isabel Castrejón Pascacio Art and fashion have always moved in quiet conversation with one another, each reflecting the spirit of its time while subtly shaping the other. Long before fashion shows and glossy magazines, clothing itself was a canvas, embroidered with symbols, dyed with meaning, and crafted to express identity, status, and belief. Meanwhile, painters and sculptors documented the garments of their eras, preserving not only aesthetic preferences but entire cult

By Carolina de la Cajiga “I left France twenty-one years ago in search of an adventure,” recalls Marie Moebius , director of San Miguel’s Biblioteca Pública and co-founder of YAM Gallery . “It now feels as if México carried me along a rushing current.” When Marie landed in México City, she enrolled in intensive Spanish lessons for four months at UNAM—five hours a day. “I am grateful for the opportunity to study at this historic institution.” With a wink, she says, “I learned

By Jonathan Lockwood A YEAR of monthly M ezcal Spotlight articles? Almost every one aimed at a local, mezcal -focused establishment? That wasn’t exactly the plan... But if we go back to right around 10 years ago all these mezcalerías just didn’t exist. So I started my own thing: the Friday Mezcal & Cigar Club . I’d only been in San Miguel de Allende for a couple of years, and it didn’t take long to realize I needed to get out more. I’m grateful for voiceover work, but four a