FIRST KITE FLYING CONTEST |  Saturday, September 18

Kites have always been a symbol of fun, joy and freedom and they also help us understand physics and natural phenomena.  To celebrate the arrival of windy Autumn we invite children and teens to participate in this first kite flying contest to keep the tradition (the nahuatl word, paploti means butterfly) and to promote creativity.  Here’s how it works:

• All the kites made in the workshop on September 18th from 11am to 3p m at El Charco will participate.
  
  
• The workshop costs $50pesos/participant (including materials). There are 2 categories: children from 7-12 (who may be assisted by an adult) and teens from 13-17 years old.
  
  
• The competition will take place in Parque Landeta on the 18th from 4-5p.m.
  
  
• Prizes will be given to the top 3 in each category. Judges will take into consideration 40% for originality and 60% for the highest flying kite.
  
• The competition will depend on the weather that day.

For information and to registers: elcharcocomunicacion@gmail.com
Tel: (415) 154.4715 or (415) 154.8838

photo by Hector Guevara

Objective:  Use the landscape of El Charco del Ingenio as the scene for an artistic creation in harmony with the surroundings of the natural reserve using natural materials that fit both visually and ecologically with the environment.

RULES:

• Everyone over the age of 18 may participate, either as individuals or in a team.
  
  
• Bring to El Charco’s reception a closed envelope with your proposal/ project which includes the principal idea, justification, description and conceptualization, the location inside the Garden where the project will be put, description of the materials and methods of construction, a sketch of the project with measurements, dimensions and time needed to complete.  Also please include a photo, a brief biographical sketch with your complete name, place and date of birth, actual address, telephone, email address, and a brief description of your artistic field on no more than 2 pages.
  
  
• The natural materials (of course of the region) to use may be earth, rocks, branches, trunks, leaves, grass, flowers, seeds, water, air, natural pigments.
  
  
• All costs and materials to be assumed by the participant.
  
  
• Registration is $50 pesos (to be used for the inauguration). Each participant or team may submit up to 3 projects/ proposals.
  
  
• Deadline for submitting the proposal is Monday, October 11, 2010 by 5p.m.
  
  
• El Charco del Ingenio will chose 11 projects basing the selection on aesthetics and creativity as well as the respect and appropriateness of the project for the location.
  
  
• The selected artists will be notified on Monday, October 18, 2010.
  
  
• The selected artists will have 25 days to complete the project. The process for completion should be in consultation in advance with the Direction of El Charco.
  
  
• The inauguration/ presentation of all of the projects will be Saturday, November 13th at 11am at the Garden.
  
  
• All ephemeral works may stay indefinitely in the Garden if the staff deems it appropriate. All other works must be removed after December 31, 2010 at the artist’s expense unless the Direction of El Charco deems it necessary to remove the work sooner.
  
  
• All selected participants will be recognized by El Charco del Ingenio.

To d ownload the rules, click here:

Join this first Land Art exhibition!!

MORE BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION CLASSES
September 27 – October 1

To register or for more information: Marlene Parra: elcharcocomunicacion@gmail.com

THE CHILDREN’S GARDEN, JARDIN DE LA TIERRA, IS COMING ALONG…

The entrance, a bower which is being woven in the form of a boveda, is almost complete. This space for the young (and the not so young accompanying them) will bring back childhood memories and dreams.

The rainwater cistern is also almost done and on top is a spiral ramp leading to the Solar Calendar, a main module of this special garden.  Through a hole in the roof, the sun’s rays will mark the main astronomical and cultural dates (equinox, solstice, special celebrations, etc.) as well as the hours of the day (solar clock). 

This group effort is being managed by El Charco along with invited assistance from Timoteo Wachter, Guillermo Veytia and Betsy January as well as our maestros, Don Toño and Don Tereso.

DOG PARK

This area of El Charco is now open and each day it is being used by more and more members. The comments by the users – important for us in this experimental time – have generally been very positive and all suggestions are welcome.  Soon signs will be posted and other elements added to make the space better, such as more benches for resting. If you are a member and are interested in using the Dog Park area, please see the Receptionist at the entrance to El Charco to learn more about the rules and how to use the park.

UNAM’S RESEARCH CENTER TAKES SHAPE IN PARQUE LANDETA

GET TO KNOW OUR TEAM

Abraham Garcia Granados, better known as “Tornillo” by the staff, has a key position in our organization. He is responsible for the Conservatory of Mexican Plants, a job he assumes with great pride. Tornillo started out in maintenance and lately was assisting in propagation where he learned some great secrets. His ability to learn and be a team player have made him a loved and appreciated person at El Charco.

Since this month the Autumn equinox falls on the same day as the full moon, we will have a double celebration in the Plaza of Four Winds led by Dayana Paz, in charge of the temazcal and other workshops the last few months.

We suggest bringing a blue candle, orange or yellow flowers, or some similar offering to the wind such as incense.  It is worth coming a little early to watch the coincidence of the setting of the sun among the mountains on the horizon, and the rising of the moon. We recommend that you come with a jacket and bring a musical instrument.

Objective: Learn holistic massage that will help people have self love. Five techniques are integrated to benefit different systems and organs: shiatsu, reflexology, acupressure, holistic massage and Swedish massage). Class: History of massage, effects on organisms, when not to have a massage, chakras, use of breath in the massage, unblock energy, basic psycho-aromatherapy, preparation for a massage, effects of manipulations and routine of the massage. Required materials:  towels, loose clothing, pillow or cushion with towel When:  September 23, 24 from 12 – 5 pm and 25th from 11 am – 5 pm

RESERVATION NECESSARY : elcharcocomunicacion@gmail.com | Tel:154.8838, 154.4715, o in the Botanical Garden visitor’s center.

This sweat-lodge steam bath, of ritual and healing character, takes place under the direction of an experienced temazcal leader in the ruins of the hacienda located in the Botanical Garden on the far side of the reservoir.

The combination of heat, humidity and fragrant herbs provides a purifying experience for the body and spirit. Its benefits are multiple: it activates circulation, increases the body’s defenses, eliminates pains, decreases uric acid, relaxes the muscles, regulates the nervous system, stimulates respiration and is excellent for losing weight.

RESERVATION NECESSARY: elcharcocomunicacion@gmail.com | Tel:154.8838, 154.4715, o in the Botanical Garden visitor’s center.

EL CHARCO IN QUERETARO

El Charco del Ingenio already has a prestigious reputation not only in San Miguel but throughout Mexico, and other parts of the world, and now more people in our neighboring city of Queretaro will know about it as well.  Recently, Monica Arias of Diario de Queretaro wrote an article in the “What to do” section about El Charco encouraging people from Queretaro to visit and enjoy the reserve.  The article can be read at : http://www.oem.com.mx/diariodequeretaro/notas/n1754952.htm

CONSERVATION WORKSHOP TO BE HELD AT EL CHARCO

We are pleased that organizations such as Salvemos al Rio Laja, Ecosystem Science, NRCS and USDA, have chosen El Charco as the venue for a First Workshop on the Management and Conservation of pasture land in farming sites in the upper watershed of the Rio Laja. This meeting will take place Tuesday, August 31 to September 2.  The El Charco team wishes all the participants good luck in their discussions and congratulations for such a detailed workshop.