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And the best to you this Guadalupe Reyes.

This 12th of December, Mexico celebrates its adoration for the Virgin of Guadalupe. It's a day of pageants and pilgrimages throughout the country. This is also the day that kick-starts our holiday season, and when San Miguel de Allende comes alive with posadas, mariachis, danzantes, tamales, and atole, the delicious warm porridge-like drink made from cornstarch.

The Posadas begin on December 16 and end on December 24, which is called Noche Buena. Families and colonias gather at each others homes and celebrate by singing traditional Mexican songs... much like caroling in the US. The fiestas continue on through New Years Day and end on the Day of the Three Kings (Dia de Los Reyes), on the 6th of January. Hence the source of the popular name for this holiday season, Guadalupe Reyes - and a time we all give thanks.

This has been a great year for Portal San Miguel. As the year comes to an end I'd like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you who have been so supportive, and have worked so diligently to help make Portal San Miguel the hottest thing in town since hot tamales.

We're going through many big and exiting changes at Portal San Miguel, in an effort to make it the best resource on the net for visitors and residents alike. We're constantly working to make it as user-friendly and efficient as possible, so please keep sending us your comments and suggestions. Your opinions are an invaluable guide for us to help better serve you.

All of us at Portal San Miguel would like to thank you for making us a success. We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season, and a wonderful 2008!

                                                                                     
                                                                                    Portal San Miguel

Ideal Stocking Stuffer!
Support Anyel Navidad
Elsmarie Norby's beautiful classical Christmas collection is available for sale now at La Connexion, Casa de Papel, and Libreria La Deriva, located in Fabrica La Aurora. Proceeds of your purchase go to support this wonderful organization. For more information about Anyel, visit www.anyel.com.

Festival de San Miguel de Allende
December 21 -31st, Teatro Angela Peralta

Gilberto Munguia presents this years superb classical music lineup for the 2007 Festival de San Miguel de Allende. Since 1986, Mr. Munguia has hosted some of the finest chamber music performances in Mexico.

First sponsored by the Banco Nacional de Mexico, and then by AT&T, the festival grew from four concerts to eighteen. This year's line up will feature a free children's performance of Peter and The Wolf, as well as a free Christmas Day concert. Check out the complete schedule at festivalsma.com.

New Hot Spot!
La Botica

What’s new in the nightlife of San Miguel? Well, if you happen to stroll down Umaran, just past the Limerick you’ll soon find out. At number 30-A is La Botica, San Miguel’s first and only Mezcaleria. Open from 5pm to midnight every day of the week, except Sunday, La Botica is a great place to meet up with friends for a sip of local mezcal without the loud and raucous bar atmosphere. More info >

4th Annual Art & Whimsy Show with Anado, Patrice & the world at Casa Las Ranas in La Cieneguita
December 8& 9, 11am-4pm
If you live in San Miguel, you can bet your relatives expect something more imaginative from you at Christmas than a fruit cake or a subscription to Newsweek.

One answer to the annual gift headache would be to head out to the fourth annual Art and Whimsy Holiday Show held at Casa las Ranas in La Cieneguita, which is in the countryside just 15 minutes outside San Miguel. More info >

Attention Writers!
3rd Annual San Miguel Writers' Conference
February 22 – 24, 2008
Hotel Real de Minas, San Miguel de Allende
Over 20 breakout sessions to attend. Coaching Session, Manuscript Critiques & a Manuscript Contest. To enter, submit the first 30 pages of your manuscript for a chance to meet and receive written critique from a New York literary agent. Tickets on Sale Now! More info >

Brighten the Life of an Orphaned Child.
12th Annual Border Crossings Party for Orphans
January 5, 2008
Mexiquito Orphanage

An annual tradition for the past 12 years, Border Crossings is hosting their Christmas Party for orphans on January 5, 2008, on Three Kings Day.

Almost 70 orphans from Mexiquito, Santa Juilia and Don Bosco orphanages lives will experience a day's worth of joy due to the generosity of Border Crossings and those patrons who are kind enough to open both their hearts and pocketbooks to the less fortunate. To participate in this event, stop by Border Crossings where you will find the wish lists of the children. You can then sponsor a child and then come to the celebration at Mexiquito Orphanage, on the 5th of January. A worthwhile event which will brighten the life of a child. More info >

Shop Now!
Galeria Atotonilco Holiday Sale
Saturdays and Sundays from now until Christmas
11am - 6pm, 185-2225, 044-415-153-5365

Galeria Atotonilco will be OPEN every weekend from now until Christmas, 11 to 6 (except Sunday, December 16.) We are also open during the week by appointment: 185-2225. Gallery owner Mayer Shacter just returned from Tonala with a van full of spectacular new ceramics. Many of these pieces were commissioned especially for the gallery and are not normally available.

There are have several pieces by the famous paper mache artist from Guanajuato, Mauricio Hernandez. You'll find country antiques, Huichol jewelry and art, historic photographs, and a gallery full of wonderful folk art.

Directions to Galeria Atotonilco