By Angela Higley Ferro I recently read an article in the New York Times about how to make friends as an adult. A completely valid discussion, especially considering how much harder it can be to connect with others now compared to our childhoods. Life moves quickly; we are busy with work, partners, and children who often serve as our built-in besties. Additionally, as adults, we tend to be more self-aware, grappling with social hesitations that didn’t exist during our younger

By Jonathan Lockwood For around a year Mezcal Spotlight has stayed politely close to home — local bars, local restaurants. Fine. But mezcal doesn't start in a bar. It starts in the ground, in fire, in a family argument about whose abuelo did it better. Cecilia and I have known the unbelievably sweet Alejandro and Bethy of Hacienda Vergel de Guadalupe for several years, but only a few weekends ago finally visited them at their hacienda in San Luis de la Paz, about an hour and

By Frank "Sugar" Hudson May in San Miguel de Allende marks the transition from the dry spring season into the early buildup of summer. It’s one of the warmest months of the year, with increasingly humid conditions and the first signs of the rainy season. The month of May begins with Labor Day, May 1st, which is celebrated with a parade of Union workers. The real celebration begins two day later on May 3rd: Día de La Santa Cruz. Construction workers will show up after attend

By Carla Maria Pérez May in San Miguel brings longer days, brighter sun, and air that feels hotter and thinner all at once. Sit under the trees in El Jardín and you’ll find shade and breeze, a cool oasis in the middle of town. Step onto the surrounding streets, though, and the comfort can disappear quickly. Cobblestones bake, heat rises, and your energy can drain faster than expected. Altitude and dry climate create a onetwo punch for the body. At roughly 6,400 feet, your bod

By Natalie Taylor Daniela Méndez Vega was born in San Miguel de Allende and went to school here. She grew up in a home without books, and the only reading she learned was in school. The only books she had ever seen in a home were those owned by an aunt who kept a whole collection of “pretty books” with attractive leather covers. They were stacked on a shelf along with other knick-knacks, not for reading but simply as “decoration.” When Daniela was fifteen, she experienced a t

By Catherine Marenghi A woman newly arrived in San Miguel shared a complaint on Facebook: She had sampled her first ear of local corn, and she bitterly proclaimed, “Mexican corn is terrible!” To say her statement was sacrilegious would be an understatement. After all, corn is one of the sacred foods of México. It was first cultivated in México thousands of years ago, producing hundreds of varieties, of which this woman had tasted only one. Corn is integral not only to Mexican

By Camie Fenton Our May edition offers a deep meditation on the concept of community. As Charles Woollett concludes on pages 30 & 31, “I am because we are”—a sentiment echoed by Angela Higley Ferro on page 8, who observes that life in San Miguel is less about networking and more about fostering a deep, enduring sense of belonging. Don Krim carries this thread further on page 68, arguing that the best way to break through cultural barriers is to sustain a multicultural identit

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