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October/November 2015
Issue No. 72
Free / Gratis
Asociacion de Artes is Looking for a Few Good Men and Women By: Chris Courtright
Let me start with some background. I first met Los Barriles in 2001, and it was love at first sight. We bought in 2006- were welcomed by Hurricane John taking out ½ our palapa, but it did not phase us at all. We retired in 2009 and spent our first long stretch together – my husband and I – in the fall of 2009. Right away, I knew I had to find a purpose. Reading, doing things and entertaining for the pleasure only of myself and my husband was quickly not cutting it. My neighbor did all kinds of exciting things for this group, Asociacion de Artes. I was familiar with the great Art Festival that was held in the spring, so I just asked a few questions. I quickly found out about all the good works that the Asociacion does. They provided school supplies to 15+ East Cape schools and they do a monthly ‘Art & Craft Saturday’ for local kids. They are sponsors of, and teachers at, the award winning summer school program “Cursos de Verano’ for hundreds of our local kids. They also do Art Studio tours, support the spring Sports Tournaments, tput on two large, and well attended yearly Art Festivals and have started numerous programs in the Pueblos of the greater East Cape area…..and this great East Capers Periodico. I started volunteering for the art festival – which I became a vendor at – and the Saturday A&C days, and soon found out that what a great group of folks were volunteers. Even though there was some ‘hard work’, I had a blast and felt very satisfied. I then went to a board meeting and decided to become a board member, and then took on the job of the editor of the East Capers Periodico. And I am having a great time! But, as often happens, the Asociacion de Artes is
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going through some hard times. We have lost some long time members – starting with JoAnn Hyslop, and since then we have had several key members return to the States. We miss them and it leaves some holes in our board and volunteer crew that we need to fill. Now, I said ‘hard work’, but really, in the scheme of things, there is very little hard work, and very few hours that I truly put into my volunteering. We have a variety of jobs available for all skill levels and physical abilities. Some take more time, but most only take a few hours a month. Our biggest time consumer is the Spring Art Show, but many hands make for light work for all. The biggest benefit does not go to the Asociacion de Artes or the kids we help but, it goes to me. What a difference it makes to my psyche and soul to know that what I did will make a difference in someone’s life. How fun to see the kids around town, ones that I taught at the Saturday A&C class. I also love the big smile or a hug that I get at the end of the class. How important to know that the money I help the Asociacion de Artes make will help supply local schools with the very needed school supplies and programs to fill the gaps in the education here in Mexico. I ask that you take a look at your days while down here and figure out when you can pull out a few hours each month to help out and have a great time doing it. I know that the benefits you get out of volunteering for the Associacion de Artes far outweigh the time you put in! For more information check out our website www.eastcapearts.com. Or email us at eastcapearts@gmail.com.
Asociacion de Artes Wants You!
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Advertising in East Capers Advertising in the East Capers gets the word out about your business AND your ad money supports the 3 week 'Cursos de Verano' summer school, for over 120 local children and provides art supplies for 18 East Cape public schools. In addition to space in the printed version, your color ad appears in the online version at no additional cost. You can download the 2014/15 Advertising Kit by visiting our website at: www.eastcapearts.com.
Tax-deductable Contributions to the Asociación de Artes The Asociación de Artes del Mar de Cortez A.C., Los Barriles, B.C. Sur, Mexico is a legal non-profit Mexican corporation not affiliated with any other organization, association, club or business. The Asociación is in full compliance with the terms of the NAFTA agreement of January 1, 1994. As such, contributions made to the Asociación de Artes are tax-deductable in the United States, Mexico and Canada. For more information visit: www.eastcapearts.com or the NAFTA Website at: http://www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-tradeagreements/north-american-free-trade-agreementnafta.
Volunteers Needed! The Asociación de Artes needs volunteers to help support their programs that bring the arts to the local communities and the schools. To learn more about these programs, visit: www.eastcapearts.com. If you would like to volunteer, send an email to: eastcapearts@gmail.com.
Call for Articles East Capers is looking for fiction and true stories about our region and items that affect our residents. If you are interested in submitting articles, recipes, stories or your personal experiences in Baja, email your 1,000-words or less article to: eastcapersmagazine@gmail.com
East Capers Periódico Publisher Asociación de Artes del Mar de Cortez A.C., Los Barriles, BCS, Mexico Editor Christine Courtright Copy Editor Pako Ford Circulation Brian Cummings Advertising Kathy Obenshain Denise Linnet Contributors Holly Bergin Pako Ford Gary Graham Renee Lagloire Jorge Bergin Chris Courtright Steve Reed Francis Olachea Linda Ross Kim Schoenfield John David Lionel Brooke Jo Ann Hyslop Kathy Wood (Woody) Troy Givens Megam O’Leary Jill Borggreve Yvonne Gordon Jacques-Edward Beaulne Jon Courtright Veronica Velasco Printer Imprenta Ciudad Los Niños, La Paz, BCS, Mexico To learn about Ciudad Los Niños, visit their website at: http://ciudadninoslapaz.org/english/home.htm ——————————— The opinions expressed within the articles in East Capers are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Asociación de Artes del Mar de Cortez A.C. Newsletter Email Address eastcapersmagazine@gmail.com
Thank You!
This publication is possible with the help of the board members of the Asociación de Artes and members of the community.
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Pirates!!
Baja Shakespeare 2016!
Baja Shakespeare will be returning to their theatre at the Convention Center at Hotel Buenavista Beach Resort Tickets will remain the same at $20. Aaaargh Matey! Shiver me timber s! Hoist up the anchor (Spa). & get ready to sail the Sea of Cortez with Baja ShakeIf you wish to join this motley crew of Pirates, auditions speare's 16th annual production! This year's wild, hilarious will be held with Camilla during her Christmas visadventure will tell the tale of the pirates of Buena Vista it. You can never have too many Pirates! Aargh! For searching for the lost treasure of Los Barriles. more information, please contact Our much beloved Director Camilla Ford will be returning, Kim: tyfield1@hotmail.com as well as our very talented Musical Director, Jeanette Grittani. Mark your calendars now for our 6 shows: Opening Friday March 11, Saturday 12, Sunday Matinee 13, Thursday 17, Friday 18 and closing Saturday the 19th. This weekend will coincide with the annual Arts Festival on Sunday, the 20th. All shows are 7pm except for the Sunday 13th, afternoon Matinee, for those of you who do not like to drive at night.
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A person wrapped up in himself, makes a very small package
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Weather Trouble Redefined By: Jorge Bergin
Since we live near the tip of the Baja California peninsula we have always been acutely aware of hurricane activity predictions especially in El Niño years which bring warmer water that can enhance storm buildup and intensity. We usually have plenty of warning time and in the last 20 years we have survived with little damage by just taking the usual precautions, boarding up, etc. Probably the worst was Hurricane John with 115 MPH winds in small tornados in the eyewall – the tornados act like those in Kansas where it destroys 2 homes, misses 2 more, etc. Can’t really prepare much for that and we really have no place to go, to hide, to hunker down except our little concrete Mexican house. We’re in the middle of a very strong El Niño right now and so far so good --- not one storm has come close to this area. While I have been wallowing in that good, safe feeling I found this report about big natural mega storms on the Pacific coast of the U.S., Canada and Mexico. A Summary from Scientific American Magazine: Earth Science folks have found solid evidence of California Mega Storms that occurred every 100 to 200 years for many centuries. The last one, 154 years ago was a whopper and dwarfs any storm damage in North America from severe weather harm to people and property.
In 1861 there were about 500,000 people in California and most of them lived in the northern part of the state. In that year (and part of the next) a series of torrential storms dropped rain and snow in record numbers- 66 inches of rain in Los Angeles. * Cattle raisers lost 200,000 animals * One in 8 homes were destroyed * ¼ of the California economy was destroyed and the state went bankrupt * Many towns, villages and mining camps were simply washed away * A lake 30 feet deep filled the Central Valley (300 miles by 20 miles) * 15 feet of snow in the Sierras breaking numbers. Similar damage occurred all the way up the Pacific coast and inland to the Rockies. It must have been a very rough time for everyone since the telegraph system failed and interstate transportation was disrupted for months by flooding. Weather science people called the storms Atmospheric Rivers of Water. There is absolutely nothing to be done just in case. There is no money for just in case. If the Rivers in the Sky come this year the fires will go out and the water will go where water goes. Now, when I bring up the weather to find storms to the south that have potential to come up here and hurt us, I will say “Well, it’s just a little old hurricane, not Old Man Atmospheric Rivers of Water.”
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Old Dogs
By: Jorge Bergin Dogs are good pets but short term companions. Life for us and other mammals is very fickle, so you never really know who will survive the other. Down here in our sleepy little Mexican village we have outlived some of our wonderful pets – mostly they were walk-ons, beach dogs who probably came from a long line of the same. The danger in that line is that dogs eat almost anything they find on the beach and lots of those dead or dying things are bad for livers and spleens and such and over time, I suppose, that diet can weaken the genes. One of our favorites was a big handsome mix about 60 pounds named Enano (when we could hold him in one hand, the vet announced he would be a small dog). A scroungy female pup came up from the beach, took one look at him and fell in love. She was covered with insects of all kinds, her fur patchy from some kind of fungus but she was happy and determined to be around this house, this family. She planted herself by our gate and there she stayed, day and night – after a while I took her some water and snuck her a little food --- my wife didn’t want the ugly girl around.
but an animal who needs end of life care. She is in a state one might call WTD, waiting to die. But, so am I. With that in mind it becomes easier for me to do all the things I can for her to make her last weeks, months, who knows, less fearful, free of pain; preparing for her a soft place to fall. For almost two years now my routine is to step gingerly over her huge hulk wherever she flops down, rather than kicking or nudging her out of my path. She is given dog treats a couple of times a day, the last of my occasional small bowl of ice cream, loving hugs and pats. Time now not for palliative care; just tender old dog care --- accommodation, consideration and patience. I’ve always hated the idea of being a burden to my loved ones as I leave. If I die suddenly while I’m still active and willful it will be a blessing but if, like Fea, I live beyond my time I hope my friends and family will remember the example I tried to set with my mascots, hope they step over me rather than kick me out of the way. A little taste of ice cream now and then would be nice.
After almost two weeks I opened the gate, let her in and announced to my wife that her determination was overwhelming and she deserved a better life. We took her to the vet in San Jose del Cabo who gave her shots, cleaned her up and gave us a bag full of medicine to bring her back to a healthy condition. She fit right in here and responded to the care. She had a winning personality but she was still an ugly little dog who I named “Fea”.
Fea has survived several other pets who succumbed to internal kinds of cancer. She still lives with us and another dog companion named Tino. Fea is 16 years old and Tino is 12. Determined as Fea is she is reaching the end of her string and now becomes not a just a mascot
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6.6 Earthquake – Problems in Paradise?? By: Jo Ann Hyslop
The Gulf of California has been "host" to many earthquakes over the centuries. So, when the ground shook at 1:14 am on Sunday the 13th of September recently, most of the East Cape residents and regular visitors just slept through it! The offshore epicenter was 48 miles southsouthwest of Los Mochis on the mainland in the state of Sinaloa. The major quake was preceded by two smaller quakes of magnitude 4.9 and 5.3. Mexico's national coordinator of civil protection, Luis Felipe Puente, sent a tweet saying that there were no immediate reports of damage in Los Mochis or in Baja California Sur on the other side of the gulf. Mexico lies on three active tectonic plates. It is one of the world's most active regions. The San Andreas Fault is well known to shake things up once in a while as it weaves northward from the Gulf on its way to, and through, California. It was the actions of this fault, many years ago, when a major quake tore a chunk of
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land out of the bay on the mainland at Puerto Vallarta, next to Cabo Corrientes, sending it across the Sea of Cortez and attaching it to the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, now Cabo San Lucas, and a popular tourist destination. If you have a map of Mexico handy, check these two areas and you will find that they correspond and fit together. If you are interested in Mexico's flora and fauna, you will detect a distinct similarity in the type of plants and the weather patterns in both regions.
Los Mochis
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Race to LaPaz By: JoAnn Hyslop
Strange as it may seem, the multi-billion dollar tourist industry in Baja California Sur owes its existence to a kooky scheme hatched by a San Fernando Valley florist named, Ed Pearlman. In the '60s, Tourism south of the California border amounted to a few sport-fishing resorts in Mulege, Loreto, La Paz , East Cape and Cabo San Lucas. These resorts were almost exclusively the domain of the private aviation crowd who were interested in sport fishing. Since the dirt road down the peninsula was rocky and, in places impassible, travelers needed to be equipped with specialized vehicles. Ed Pearlman, the Valley florist, had an idea! How about an all-out race from the border to La Paz! Exaggerated yarns appeared in motorcycling magazines, stirring the imagination of the sales department of American Honda Motorcycle Company and they set out to establish an elapsed time record from the border to La Paz. The initial "Mexican 1000 Off Road Race" was off and running! The Madison Avenue boys who handled the Chevy truck publicity staged a leisurely caravan (complete with mechanics, spare October/November
parts and a machine shop) down to La Paz and turned the resulting footage over to copywriters who came up with this slogan.... "We Beat the Baja!"....which was aired on National Television! Those of us who had an intimate acquaintanceship of Baja California turned to each other in wonderment and asked... "Where in hell is ‘The Baja’ located” ? But when the news that Baja California had one of the worst roads in the Western Hemisphere reached Presidente Luis Echeverria, he immediately ordered construction on the trans-peninsular highway (Highway #1) which was completed in 1973. The "Baja 1000" attracted sponsorship from automobile and motorcycle manufactures. It became a major international racing event complete with professional drivers and network television coverage. Hotel chains knew good publicity when they saw it. International airport development was a natural spin-off. But... what happened to Ed Pearlman? When last we heard from him, he was still selling carnations.
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'La cortesia' By :Lynda Ross
What I learned in Mexico was how to love. Of course, I already felt fairly accomplished at loving my son, my husband and various dear friends. But did I know how to love other human beings? Only, at best, in the most abstract fashion. Among Spanish-speaking people, an old tradition known as 'la cortesia', governs human interaction. The word is not a direct cognate; it does not mean the same as 'courtesy' in English. It is, rather, a guide to social behavior. Among its many facets, deeply ingrained in the Mexican psyche, is the custom that everyone is greeted. On the street, "buenos dias," "buenas tardes," and "buenas noches", is offered to each person encountered. It's the norm. At a gathering, business or social, interaction awaits the greeting by and of, each arrival personally. A handshake, at times an 'abrazo', and certain spoken formalities, assure that everyone involved has been acknowledged, hence valued. Of course, I am not so naĂŻve as to assume that every Mexican is pure of heart and sincere in their behavior; however, the custom of acknowledging one another gives respect to the other and maintains one's own selfrespect.
than Americans. It has been named "fatalistic". It is certainly based traditionally on their spiritual heritage. It is a type of realism which knows that Life - 'La Vida' - has a mind of its own. In San Bartolo, each person is well known to the other. Roles are well understood. Some, Americans find less attractive than others. Our neighbor’s cousin was known to be a thief, though a charming one. Our neighbor continued to loan him money even knowing that he might never be able to collect. The cousin’s thievery nature does not cause him to be rejected by the community; instead there is certain grudging admiration for his prowess. He's not a bad guy and it is understood that his nefarious activities do not deny him acceptance because he IS as God made him. Light and dark interplay in a much more graceful dance than "norte americanos" understand. A famous Mexican image shows a "charro (Mexican cowboy) standing with one foot victoriously planted on a prone skeleton. The accompanying logo states "me vale Madre", loosely translated declaring, "I don't give a F * * K". Acceptance to the cycles of time allows for embracing the present moment and sharing with those you meet. It includes us all. Recognition and an encompassing embrace doesn't that sound like two giant steps in the direction of love?
What is the essence of love? Must we not first recognize the Other? And then, perhaps, the next step will be acceptance, not as our ideal version, but the "as is" version in front of us. Mexicans have a very different relationship with Life
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The Enigmatic Pericú of Baja California Sur By: Renée Lagloire, Buen Provecho Baja
My neighbor (Pako Ford in San Bartolo) mentioned his fascination with the Pericú, the native people who inhabited the Cape Region at the time of contact with the Europeans. He said that they were thought to have been very different physically and culturally from their neighbors. Intrigued, I decided to find out more about them. Turns out that even though the Pericú have been extinct since the beginning of the 18th century, they have been an enigma, and continue as such, making waves in the archaeological world in 2003 and again in 2013. The Pericú, also called Pericues or Cora, were said to have been a tall and thin people living on the southern edge of the Baja peninsula. Around a thousand years ago, there were four centers of Pericú socio-religious importance in the Cape region: La Paz, Cabo Pulmo, Isla Espirtu Santo, and Cabo San Lucas. Because the Pericú were a maritime people, their territory also included the islands of Cerralvo, La Partida and San José. (In historic times, La Paz seemed to be a disputed area, with chronic discord between the Pericú and the Guaycura who controlled the neighboring territory.)
they suffered great loss in the fighting. This left them devastated. By the time the Jesuits were expelled from Baja in 1768, the Pericú were culturally extinct (although their genes may have survived in local populations.) So, why are the Pericú making headlines in archaeological circles in the 21st century if they died out in the 18th century? The short answer is that the prevailing theory of the populating of the Americas is increasingly being questioned. The idea has been that hunters and gatherers walked across the Bering Strait around 9 to 10,000 years ago and went on to populate the Americas. But, the timeline isn’t working so well for the Bering Strait passage theory. For example, relevant to the story of the Pericú is Mexico City’s Peñon Woman III which was dated at 12,755 years ago, and skulls in Brazil carbon dated at 8 to 11,000 years ago. Voices were being heard in the archaeological world suggesting that the Americas were populated by at least two migrations, an ancient one up to 35,000 years ago via a maritime route, and a second one later via the Bering Strait. This hypothesis would have the two waves of migrants carrying different genetic materials discernable by DNA testing.
So, how does that relate to the Pericú? The earliest archaeological evidence of the Pericú dates at 10,000 years ago, although it’s been suggested that arrival on the peninsula could have occurred as early as 25,000 years ago. The Pericú have puzzled anthropologists because they There were three missions within the Pericú territory dur- differed from their nearest neighbors physically and culing the Jesuit reign in Baja (La Paz est. 1720; Santiago turally. est. 1724; and San José del Cabo est. 1730). The Pericú, though, were never completely assimilated into the mis- The skulls found in Pericú burial sites are described as sion system and in 1734, they revolted against the Jesuits. being extremely long and narrow (hyperdolichocephalic) This rebellion was the most serious challenge to the reli- when compared to skulls from prehistoric Native gious order that the Jesuits encountered in the Baja. By Continued on Page 11 then, though, the Pericú were weakened by diseases and
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Pericú continued: Americans, whose skulls tend to be round and broadcheeked. The Pericú skulls were compared to other similar elongated skulls in the Americas: Mexico City’s Peñon Woman III mentioned above, and Brazilian skulls. Since those skulls were very old and shared an elongated shape, archaeologists postulated that the Pericú could have shared ancestors (with elongated heads) who came in the first wave of ancient sea-faring migrants. In addition to cranial evidence, archaeologists pointed out that the Pericú spoke a language that was different from that spoken by their neighbors, the Guaycura. The Pericú burial practices were also more elaborate -- they practiced secondary burials where bones were painted with red ochre and were placed in caves or rock outcrops. And, the Pericú were a maritime people, who used wooden rafts and double-bladed paddles while other coastal groups had tule balsas. In the big picture of the populating of the Americas, this was a fairly interesting line of thinking, with some data to support it. So, for a decade those interested in such things debated in the literature, weighing the scant data, and postulating on the feasibility of an early sea-faring migration (concluding, by the way, that it was feasible!) Granted, it would have been very cool if our very own Baja California Sur Pericú turned out to be from the hypothesized ancient populators of the Americas. But it was not to be! We live in marvelous times, and in 2013 the findings from analysis of Pericú DNA by the TGOFA Project (Tracking the Generic Origins of the First Americans) concluded that the Pericú “have an Amerindian genetic composition and are not part of this hypothesized first wave of migrants to the Americas.” We’ll see how these timelines for the populating of the Americas work out over time, but for a decade, the Pericú’s enigmatic ways were of interest in the archaeological world. The Pericú, although culturally extinct since the 18th century, have played an important role in shaping the thinking about how the Americas might have been populated. Renée Lagloire is an applied anthropologist with a special interest in Mexico and Baja. She and Denise Elliott, Chef, own and operate Buen Provecho cooking and culture classes in San Bartolo, BCS. For more information, please see www.buenprovechobaja.com, or come “Like” Buen Provecho
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The Joys of Aging I have become quite a frivolous old gal. I’m seeing five gentlemen every day. As soon as I awake, Will Power helps me out of bed. When he leaves I go see John. Then Charley Horse comes along and when he is here, he takes a lot of my attention. When he leaves, Arthur Ritis, shows up and stays the rest of the day. He doesn’t like to stay in one place very long so he takes me from joint to joint. After such a busy day, I’m really tired and ready to go to bed with Ben Gay. What a day!!!
Saturday Market Season 5!!! The Los Barriles Community Market wants to welcome you all back for the 2015-16 season. We are in our 5th season, hard to believe, isn't it? We are so proud to enter this fifth season with you all, as it has all been thanks to you that our little market carries on! The market began with the goal of bringing together both communities, local and foreign to our town and providing a platform for community causes, fund raisers, local artists and musicians, farmers and food vendors. We want to encourage everyone to continue to help us achieve this goal by bringing your talent, your shopping bags or just your smile to the community market every Saturday morning. Vendors need people. People need vendors. This season's first market will be Nov.21at the New City Park, from 9am-1pm. and the market will run until April 2, 2016. All our local stars will be there and we are always open to new talent. Come by the City Park on Nov.21 and help us kick off the season. See you at the Los Barriles Community Market.
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Rough Around The Edges By: Gary Graham If you ever spent time at the now defunct Hotel Rancho Buena Vista back in its hey day in the seventies and eighties, sooner or later you were bound to meet Theodore (Ted) Bonney. Pleasant or a train wreck, that first encounter would etch an impression of Ted that would last a lifetime. Don't get me wrong, this Boston native could be a charmer if he chose to be, but if he was rubbed the wrong way, he would dismiss the person with a withering glance peppered with a stream of profanity for which he became famous during his nearly four decades at East Cape. A brash MIT graduate, Bonney became an entrepreneur building a Steel Company in Southern California which floundered in the early sixties and he was left owing massive amounts of money to the IRS. He and his wife, Virginia, loaded up their 30-foot, gas-powered wood cruiser and fled the country, cruising down the west coast of Baja, around the tip of Cabo and up into the Sea of Cortez before his boat floundered and he beached it in front of Rancho Buena Vista Hotel. His arrival was memorable and set the stage for the rest of his life in Baja. Little is known about the trip itself except for the conclusion on the beach in front of the fledging fish camp. "With steam and smoke pouring out of the engine box, the bilge was rapidly filling with saltwater," Bonney related the story to me years ago. "I had no other choice than beaching the boat quickly. At full throttle I hit the beach in front of a group of Mexicans surrounding a gringo who seemed to be in charge." Bonney and his wife leaped from the still smoking boat, feet crunching on the damp sand and walked up to a bewildered Col. Gene Walters thrusting out his hand. "My name is Ted Bonney and I need a job." Thus he closed one chapter and opened another. Capitalizing on skills he had acquired while serving on pit crews for Trans-Continental road races, Bonney was first hired as a mechanic to repair the gasoline engines that powered RBV's fishing fleet at the time. His major handicap was the language. In order to communicate with the employees, he needed to learn to speak Spanish quickly. He turned to Mexican television and spent hours teaching himself Spanish by watching cartoons.
he Ranch. He applied his knowledge to renovating the quaint fish camp into one of the most popular hotels in the area. Rancho Buena Vista's fame grew with the help of Ray Cannon who visited often enough that Col. Gene Walters and his Mexican partners, the Hermosillo family from mainland Mexico, constructed a separate circular suite overlooking the Sea of Cortez for Cannon's frequent visits where he could write away from the other guests of the hotel. Over the years not only did Bonney build a home for himself but he also oversaw the construction of the airstrip, the bar, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, a growing number of guests' rooms, a new two story home for the Hermosillo's as well as upgrades to the Colonel's home. His contribution to the infrastructure was huge. But topping it all was his design and construction of the first sewage treatment plant in the area. That become the model for future plants built at surrounding hotels. When California Department of Fish and Game and Mr. James Squire approached the hotel about instituting a program to encourage tag and release to gather more data about billfish, Bonney became a enthusiastic supporter of the T&R concept and Rancho Buena Vista became one of the first hotels in East Cape to embrace the program. Annual awards were given to the skipper who tagged and released the most marlin. One of RBV's Captains, Jesus Araiza was awarded the High Skipper Award nineteen different years during his career! Over the years Bonney's cranky disposition with guests and employees alike became the basis for many stories by complaining guests, employees and even friends. Many had been summarily dismissed from the Ranch in a hail of expletives and forbidden to ever return to the hotel. However, his generosity often overshadowed those outbursts…smoothing out those rough edges while earning him admiration and friendships and making a lasting impact on the East Cape community with his personal kindness to those that he cared for. Like the world he inhabited, Ted Bonney was as prickly as the cactus that surrounded him, and often as dry and unforgiving as that same environment, and yet for many, who came to him for help or advice, he could be the oasis that
His Engineering degree from MIT served him well at
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WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS WHEN ARRESTED OR STOPPED BY A POLICEMAN? By: Jacques-Edward Beaulne, Lawyer Reprinted from LaPaz Gringos
When arrested, you have a right to: Be treated physically and verbally with courtesy. Be explained the charge(s). Refuse to let police search on your property if search warrant is not presented. One phone call. Be represented by lawyer, private of public defender. An official translator paid by the State. Refuse to sign any documents. Refuse to make any declaration. Be examined by a doctor before being incarcerated. Be visited while in jail. Bail if the crime accused of is minor. Any denunciation against arresting officer Be judged as innocent until proven guilty. When stopped by police on the highway or street: Right to ALL of the above, plus, Ask the policeman to be taken to the station. Ask for a policeman’s ID. Refuse to pay any amount to police officer. Pay city’s traffic violation only at TRANSITO office (police station). Pay the fine emitted by Federal police in relation to a violation to the regulations on. Highway to the bank. Refuse inspection of the vehicle if the police does not have a search warrant
charged at 50% of the amount listed in the back of the ticket or on the list at the police station. It is illegal to give to any police officer any amount of money to cover a fine, BASTA CON LA CORRUPTION (no more corruption) is the call from the President of the Country….so please respect it. If one does a mistake while driving that results in an infraction, one must NOT contribute to corruption and be abused by .police officers. ONE MUST ASK FOR THE TICKET AND PAY THE FINE. In case of harassment present to the police officer a sheet of paper on which you wrote: Nombre / Name: Numero de su credencial: Typo de infraccion/ Type of infraction: Por favor llevame a su superior/ Take me to your superior. Call at any time if you should have questions. (612) 348-9793. I will assist the caller so that we can stop the corruption and my services will be free.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lets end the cycle of corruption with the police and not fuel the problem by immediately paying them off! That may be faster, but does not solve the problem.
In the event that one is stopped by a traffic policeman, one must NOT be intimated by surrounding polices with guns, whatever is the caliber. One must ask what is the reason for been stopped, one has to present his driver’s license and registration papers. The police can detain the driver’s license and registration papers but cannot by law remove the license plate. All mentioned documents must be returned to the driver immediately after the fine is paid. Fines are paid at the bank regarding federal fines and at the city’s central police station (Transito) when it is for a violation of the traffic regulations in the city or town. Fines paid in within 48 days of the date of emission are
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felt she needed a proper name. Being that she was an Egyption Mau, they named her Cleopatra? A nephew immediately intervened and said “no you have to call her CleocaBy: Jon Courtright tr a”….we call her Cleo. Sometimes, things happen in the universe that you know must be pre assigned to your life. It was just a What a life this ‘million dollar cat’ has. We live in an apple couple of years ago when my wife (Chris) and I had orchard.... where there is lots of mice, birds and quail.... arrived for the winter at our place in Los Barriles and Cleocatra is very happy and good at pest control. She was we heard a noise up on top of the palapa..... it sounded greatly rewarded when she got the mole that was destroying like a herd of elephants running across! The our small grass patch- a huge source of distress for us. When ‘elephants’ was followed by a “meow”..... we looked at we return to the Baja, she returns to running across the palaeach other very puzzled and we answered “meow” back pas, chasing geckos, bats and more birds. Our friends say she hit the lottery, but really, we both came out well. The and we got a “meow”’ in return. And that is how it hole in our heart created by our cat that recently passed was started. filled. We have faithful friend…. yes, even as a cat! And, For the next several days stretching into weeks, it hap- we don’t have to worry about mice in our homes!!! pened time and time again.... the ‘herd of elephants’ running across the palapa followed by “meow” conver- She is sitting on my lap as I write this...with her paw on my sation. We saw her, what we both thought was a tab- arm. Not sure if she is being a cat, or just making sure I got by…. a little skinny putty tat (kitty cat). At first she the story right! wouldn't have anything to do with us... every time we saw her she’d scat away. We just figured it was a neighbor’s kitty, but no one had a new cat. Still we continued seeing her in the garbage cans, running the Window Screens, Sliding Screen palapas and dashing across the street.
The Lottery Winning Cat
SCREEN REPAIRS
After a few weeks of this, one night while I was reading, this cat, we named “Gato”, waltzed in and rubbed up against my leg... and then she was gone in a flash. And so this contact went on. One night Chris went next door to check on the neighbor’s house and there was ‘Gato’ sleeping on their outdoor couch. She warmed up and let Chris pick her up. She followed Chris over and we and fed her. We had just lost our beloved 18 year old red tabby a month or so before, and so we had an over stock of cat food. Well, ‘Gato’ seemed to like what she saw and she moved in. It was like she showed up with her bags and asked “were is the litter box”? It was obvious by her pink leather collar (with a bell), that she was a loved pet. It was also obvious she did not understand Spanish. We put out notices in the pony express and Craigslist, with no reply. In the middle of May, it was time to go north, we all packed up and headed back up to our home in Washington and took her to the vet in town. No chip, so, I guess we had a new cat. The Vet confirmed she was about a year old and that she was a breed called Egyptian Mau. We hadn’t named her... just calling her ‘Gato’, really which was pretty lame. We really should change that. After my nieces and nephews saw her, they October/November
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In Praise of the Fragrant Guava
By: Renée Lagloire and Denise Elliott Buen Provecho Mexican Cooking and Culture Classes A few days ago, a visitor at Buen Provecho in San Bartolo poetically described his walk down from the cookhouse to the orchard, saying that on the way his attention had been “hijacked by the sweet and musky perfume of hundreds of guavas ripening in the trees.” He nailed it! It is truly an olfactory treat to be in San Bartolo during guava season (September -November). Not only do the orchards smell fabulous, but families cooking down the fresh local fruit to make a regional delicacy called “ate” or “dulce de fruta” also generate wafts of amazing fruity and smoky smells. There are hundreds of varieties of guavas, but the most commonly grown and eaten are Psidium guajava, which are in the myrtle family. Guavas have several small seeds surrounded by fleshy pulp. Here in Mexico, the guava is called “guayaba” and is a favorite. Guavas are native to Mexico, Central America and parts of the Caribbean. From the Americas, the plants were taken to the rest of the tropical world, where they flourished.
Guava Cooler – A gua Fresca de Guayaba 14 guavas with ends cut, then quartered 14 cups water Sugar to taste, about 1/2 cup Juice of 2 limes (optional) 1. Add the fruit and 2-3 cups of the water to a blender and puree until smooth. Strain through a sieve into a large pitcher. 2. Add the rest of water, sugar to taste and lime juice if using. Stir well and add more water and sugar as needed. Serve well chilled. Renée Lagloire, Anthropologist, and Denise Elliott, Chef, own and operate Buen Provecho cooking and culture classes in San Bartolo, BCS. Their 4th season starts December 1 and ends March 12, 2016 with classes scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (reservations required). For more information, please see www.buenprovechobaja.com, or come “Like” Buen Provecho Baja on Facebook.
It turns out that guavas are a super-food. They are chock-full of vitamin C, with one guava containing up to four times more of that vitamin than an orange. Guavas also pack iron, Vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and manganese. In addition, they are a good source of pectin, a dietary fiber. The guava is actually a berry from an evergreen shrub/small tree that grows up to 50 feet (15 meters). The guava trees thrive in a variety of soil types in tropical regions, and bear fruit within 4 years of planting. The berry/fruit is green and hard, and when it changes color, it’s time to harvest. An unripe guava is astringent. Ripe, the guava has a sweet and fabulous taste. In some areas of the world, the introduced species have gone wild, forming extensive thickets, overrunning pastures, and fields, and roads. More commonly though, guavas have quietly been eaten by millions of people who live in the tropics worldwide who either have trees or buy their fruit in local markets. Guavas bruise easily and ripen quickly. Until refrigeration became widespread fresh guavas remained local. Because of its high level of pectin, the fruit lends itself to the making of jams, pastes, or other fruit confections. Those products travel well and are found in many ethnic markets throughout the world. The next time you drive through San Bartolo, check out the dulce de guayaba (it’s delicious paired with cheeses). Or in your home, you can make this delicious guava cooler (agua de guayaba):
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Guava Plant October/November
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The Summer Blues By: Theresa Comber
For nearly 6 weeks in the East Cape region of the Sea of Cortez this summer, we could practically guarantee a blue marlin catch. At least four of our Awesome clients, who have searched for Blue Marlin in these abundant waters for more than 25 years, with their high hopes always dashed, landed their first “Blue”. And a handful of new Awesome anglers, who haven’t nearly paid their fishing dues, found themselves in the enviable position of catching a Blue Marln, one of the world’s most incredible fighting fish. Perhaps the most coveted catch for big game fishermen, Blue Marlin join Black Marlin as the largest of all billfish. They are worldwide travelers found in temperate zones, always following the earth’s ocean currents in search of warm water and abundant prey. Heading toward the equator during winter, they move north during summer months, often finding their way into our abundant, warm waters of the Sea of Cortez. A fun fact, not only are they Blue Marlin, they prefer blue water - with temperatures no cooler than 75 degrees, and are equally comfortable with surface waters up to 90 degrees. Nicely, that’s Baja’s summer surface temperatures and the best months for pursuing Blue Marlin are July, August, September, October although we’ve released Blue Marlin as late as Thanksgiving. Blue Marlin get their name from their 15 rows of light, cobalt blue colored stripes that, when they are October/November
excited, absolutely glow with pigment containing light reflecting cells. And deep water becomes blue when there is less particulate matter like phytoplankton, and when it’s warm, and the other colors of the rainbow are absorbed more quickly, leaving us with beautiful blue. When on the hunt, ‘Blues’ have been clocked at nearly 70 miles per hour, cleverly tucking in all their fin paraphernalia into grooves to keep them streamlined and fast. When caught, they turn into greyhounds with the strength of a Mack truck and the speed of a launched rocket. You can see them tear off your transom and in seconds they have skipped across the surface of the water, ripping a quarter mile of line from your reel before the Captain can shout to the deck “Marlina Azul, Marlina Azul” and begin to navigate the boat in response to the catch. “Blues” are tenacious and fight ferociously both at the surface and below; unfortunately this strength, coupled with their tenacious attitude, may be their biggest weakness. Blue Marlin fail during the fight at a much higher rate than striped marlin, perhaps as high as 1 out of 2. It’s a catch and release quandary that requires anglers and their Captains to understand the delicate aspect of this incredible fish, attempting to assure it can be caught, fought and successfully released. And even under the best of circumstances, they can still succumb. And when the big blues succumb, we are most often losing the most productive of the breeding species. Continued on Page 18
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Summer Blues Continued: Although male and female Blue Marlin won’t reach sexual maturity for two to four years, the males weight plateaus at around 350 pounds, with life expectancy of approximately 18 years. Female blues continue to grow monumentally larger and grow to as much as 1200 pounds (IGFA world record is 1402 pounds), can stretch to 16 feet long and live for as many as 27 years. Females spawn during late summer and fall, sometimes 3 to 4 times, laying as many as 7 million eggs, although few fish reach maturity. Beyond commercial long liners or as fish industry by-catch, Blues have just two true predators, keeping a wary out for Great White and Mako sharks that target them for dinner. The billfish tournament conflict for fishing ‘Big Blues’ is that they are predominately mature females, the species breeding females and often the most reproductively viable, reminding us always that they are the best mothers for future Blue Marlin. What helps these enormous fish grow? Blue Marlin have been known to gulp down tuna as large as 100 pounds, and prefer them, mackerel, squid, including Humboldt, and a feast of smaller bait fish in the mix of their diet. Debated for many years, we now know Blues use their bills for slashing, stunning, poking and stabbing whatever it is they are after in an attempt to slow it down enough to eat it. Likely the best known Blue Marlin is the one that played such an important role in Ernest Hemingway’s iconic fish story ‘The Old Man and the Sea’. Although we no longer hunt alone in small pangas with sail and ore like Hemingway’s famous Santiago looking for big marlin, here’s hoping that this enormous, magnificent species can continue to grow and thrive into the future. And 2015 will definitely go down in the record books as one with summer blues. And if you do fight one and it succumbs and is in your boat, the best thing to do is to honor it, share the meat with your friends, raise a toast and enjoy the meal knowing that you fought one of the world’s most incredible creatures.
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October/November
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Monte Carlo Night Information: Please add our web address http://www.eastcapeguild.com For more information about Monte Carlo Night contact Connie Unmacht at corngoodcu@gmail.com or phone 624-141-0815 “We are a Family Company working in the Eastcape area since 1998…”
Jorge Ayala, Jr
Architect since 2006 Prof Lic # 5832089 Cell Ph # (624) 348-5607 ljacompanylb@gmail.com
Jorge Ayala, Sr
Civil Engineer since 1984 Prof Lic # 1356247 Cell Ph (612) 348-8417 losbarrilesdesigns@gmail.com
Big Happenings for East Cape Guild for Fall By: Jill Borggreve
Once again the East Cape Guild is working hard to raise money to keep our local students in high school and at the same time providing fun community activities. Mark your calendars for this fall’s fun events and come out to play with us. The Guild will hold the popular Monte Carlo Night on November 21 at Buena Vista Resor t. This evening of gaming, including blackjack, craps & roulette, is all for fun. The winners get to bid on prizes at the end of the evening. Dinner is included and a no-host bar is also available. Tickets will be available by the 1st of November and are limited so sign up early. Contact Debbie Babbitt at babbitt_jim@yahoo.com for tickets and information. Just a week later on November 28 the Guild will hold the Baja Ha Ha Golf Tournament in the ar r oyo. This is a morning event and welcomes golfers of all ability or lack thereof. The drink cart will keep you hydrated and hot dogs are also available for those who need further sustenance. The champs will be awarded at the end of the event. Contact Bob & Irene DeAndero at dacbob@gmail.com for more information. Both of these events are important factors in being able to raise enough money to support all the qualified students. The Guild continues to set a very high standard for the students to aim for with their grades. This May we awarded 137 scholarships, but still had to disappoint around 30 students due to the limited amount of our funds. Please help us meet the needs of our deserving local students by attending these events, or if you can, making a cash donation. The East Cape Guild is always looking for new talent to join us in this effort so if you are interested in learning more about the Guild please contact Jill Borggreve at b2jborg@gmail.com.
We can provide you the following services: Architecture from the Concepts to the Final Drawings in Cad system, including the services in 3D renderings. Civil, Structural & Mechanical Engineering. Construction of any type of Building Systems such as Foam Panels, Cement Blocks, Post and Beams, Concrete Insulated Forms, Rammed Earth, Etc… Our Main Office is located in downtown Los Bar r iles on the main drag, next to La Fayla’s Supermarket. Office Ph # (624) 141-0155 Email: losbarrilesdesigns@gmail.com
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October/November
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Los Barriles Kiteboarding? By: Megan O'Leary
I sit at my childhood friends kitchen counter, drinking coffee and preparing for the week ahead. We are in Lincoln City, on the Oregon Coast. We left our home in Hood River yesterday after spending 8 weeks there kiteboarding, meeting with distributors, purchasing the latest and greatest in kiteboarding equipment and accessories, marketing and getting away from the Baja summer heat. Every new season, I reflect on how we got here and how fortunate we are to be able to live, work and raise a family in Los Barriles. This year, we look forward to our 10th official year in business. Ian began teaching kiteboarding and windsurfing in Los Barriles in 1998. He made the transition from windsurfing when his boss at the time saw kiteboarding as “the next big thing”. For Ian it was, he fell in love with the sport and a few years later opened his own kiteboarding school run from a palapa on North Beach.
After years of hard work we opened our beachwear and kiteboarding equipment retail store. We are the first and only of its kind in Los Barriles. You can find everything from wetsuits and boardshorts to sunscreen and sunglasses. Visitors can also rent paddle boards, sign up for October/November
kiteboarding lessons, and we also offer diving and snorkeling tours and certifications through our partners, Dive In Baja. It is a one stop shop for any watersport enthusiast! Our store is located r ight across the street from Campestre Triny’s. Our school is the main attraction. During our high season we can teach up to 25 students a day. Everyday is full of infectious smiles and energy. Even visitors, having a beer at the on-site restaurant, La Playa, feel the excitement from the students returning from their lessons. Recently we added foil boarding instruction to our lesson packages. This exciting new discipline uses a hydrofoil board where the rider hovers 3ft above the waters surface. It is amazing to watch and even better to try! As one of our students exclaimed “It is like riding on the clouds!” Our school location also boasts free public wi-fi, bathrooms, an on-site store and beachfront accommodation. It is a great place to swing by in the morning to rent some paddleboards and then meet back at La Playa Restaurant for an excellent breakfast and coffee. We sell season passes for paddle board rentals and also have multiple standup paddle boarding classes and tours including SUP Yoga and wave riding. We are open 7 days a week November-April. www.exotikite.com Email: losbarrileskiteboarding@gmail.com
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To all those out there who provided donations, thank you. I know I have said numerous times already, but we cannot thank you all enough for your enthusiasm, generosity and support. It is because of the kindhearted folks of Los Barriles that we look forward like to coming back next year to show a new group of Heroes a great Baja Adventure once again. If you know any of these individuals who were a crucial part in the success of this adventure, please thank them and let them know how much they are appreciated. If you should wish to help us on our next Baja Adventure, please let us know. You can visit our website at www.americahheroadventures.org, send us a message at info@americanheroadventures.org or get in contact with Ms. Barb Albright casaalbright@gmail.com 624-141-0823
American Hero Thank You Letter to Los Barriles We at American Hero Adventures would like to send out a huge thank you to the Los Barriles community for providing us with such an awesome adventure this past July. This was the first time marlin fishing for each of our six Heroes. We had a very successful two days of fishing thanks to our guides/captains; Mr. Rod Albright, Mr. Dave Kinzer and Mr. Jim Hall. Every Hero hooked and released a marlin within those two days. We’d also like to thank Ms. Donna Ryan from the Road Runner for hosting a lunchtime meet and greet for our Heroes to mingle with the fine folks of Los Barriles and chow down on some fantastic food. Thanks to Mr. Charlie Winston and Mr. Jim Hall who brought out their sand rigs and took us for a ride through the hills and canyons and down the beach on our last day. Ms. Cindy Kirkwood from East Cape Tackle made sure that the Heroes had something to remember their trip to the Baja by giving each of them a shirt and tackle to take home. Mr. Don Giottonini from the Sacramento Safari Club and his team were instrumental in raising funds for us to acquire plane tickets for our Heroes. Mr. Jim Lawrence provided us with exclusive access to his wonderful beach house which allowed our heroes to kick back, relax and enjoy the Baja to its full effect. Ms. Sandy Hall did a great job running round taking pictures of all the events and being our “on scene” photographer. And of course, thanks to Mrs. Barb Albright! We owe her a great deal for turning this dream into an adventure! If it weren’t for her months of hard work, organizing and fundraising none of this would have been possible.
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Respectfully, Troy R. Givens CPT, USA(Ret) President/Founder (541) 968-4170 www.americanheroadventures.org
One happy group of travelers! Thank you to this group of American Heros for what they do to protect our freedom!!!
October/November
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'Chubasco' By: Lynda Ross
San Bartolo sits in a mountain pass, 1200 feet above sea level. Behind it rise majestic high mountains. Sometime, in late summer, when the rains are due and the earth is parched and the air is so thick with humidity that you can hardly breath it, clouds begin to form amongst the mountain peaks. Moisture may have blown in from the Pacific, on the other side of the mountain range, though the really big storms circle around the end of the peninsula and swing in from the east. Then the thunder and lightning begin and we can see the clouds release their burden onto the mountain tops, but not yet enough to wash clean the sticky, dusty air below. Yet, the flood water descends through the valleys and arroyos so the summer-boney cattle may drink. When the hurricanes come, the water roars down the arroyo, enough to wash away large trucks. The year that Hurricane John hit San Bartolo, two men were killed trying to cross a storm filled arroyo down near the gulf coast.
RAIN HAS FALLEN ON BAJA I stared outside and saw the green The green of trees once brown I smelt the dampness in the air Heard the gentle patter of rain kissing the ground The birds were chirping with delight Insects quite numerous had taken to flight Puddles forming, dragonflies a-swarming For a nature-lover, a beautiful sight You can almost see the weeds bursting forth Once stunted plants are starting to sprout This yearly ritual is truly amazing Even bowed-low trees our God is raising -Yvonne Gordon
Hurricane John passed directly over San Bartolo in 2006. It was the first of September, and we had been in La Paz overnight. With a little warning, we had just enough time to buy bottled water and food and hurry the 50 miles home to secure as much as possible at the house. It came at night, so hot we were naked on the bed, and, with all the windows and doors shut tight, the water still sprayed in on us. The howling was as if the house were surrounded by hordes of wild animals keening and yelping, circling to find a way in. And in the morning, the living room floor was two inches deep in mud. The retaining wall, that kept the street above from collapsing into our front yard, had given way when the wind caused the power pole to careen onto our rooftop. By morning, the sky was clear and the only sounds were those of our neighbors, out early, surveying the damage, plus the roar of the water surging down the arroyo, a hundred yards below.
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Colina del Sol Art Show December 6th 10am – 3pm
The Colina del Sol Art Show is held on December 6th, on the grounds of the Colina del Sol Clubhouse, north of Los Barriles. The Colina del Sol Art show provides a showcase for local artist to present their creations to the public, and just in time for the holiday shopping season!! Not only can you shop, but you can find food vendors, musical entertainment and a great opportunity to meet with old friends and make new friends in great surroundings. Make sure you mark this date on your calendar and we will see you at the Colina del Sol Art Show! For more information on the show or to become a vendor, please contact Elizabeth at edesignsbaja@aol.com.
~~~~~~~~~~ Congratulations Francie!
Our own Francie Olachea Rochin, local business owner/partner of Olachea Contadores and honored community leader, has decided to lead our community by running for Los Barriles’ Delegado (Mayor). Francie’s commitment to our East Cape runs as deep as her multigeneration roots. A professional accountant, she put herself through university to complete an education that would have allowed her to go any big city. Francie chose to return to her beloved East Cape and raise her family and run her business. She has a unique perspective and a seamless understanding of our diverse community. She will make a superb Delegado, and will our need support. Please contact combertheresa@hotmail.com with your interests and hopes for our community.
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East Capers Magazine
Articles and Ad’s have NEW Deadlines We love the articles that are send it to the magazine. It is the ad’s that informs us and keeps this paper as a free publication. But , we now have new deadlines! For this season, the deadlines are as follows: Issue Date Submission Deadline Dec/Jan November 15
Out on Streets December 1st
Feb/March
February 1st
April/May 24
Jan 15 March 15
April 1st
There you are you naughty Kitty! October/November
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Open Pit Mining A Clear and Present Danger Here in the Baja By:Veronica Velasco
Pako Ford asked me to write a short article about the dangers of open pits mining. I’m no scientist, I have no academic credentials, all I have is common sense and love for My Dear Baja. But we don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know. Just google it, see what is already going on in Sacred Native North American and Canadian land and all around the World. I don’t have to reinvent the wheel for you. We all know the dangers. But the biggest danger is that we say nothing, do nothing and let it happen. Please, don’t leave us alone! We should be together in this: Fighting against Toxic Mega mining Projects (over 30 depredatory mining grants are waiting authorization in Baja California Sur, like starving coyotes). If you truly love this pristine tropical desert paradise joint us locals in our legal, peaceful battle, our war is not over yet. Don’t be afraid about getting involved, this is not about politics, it is about clean water or arsenic poisoning , about health or sickness, about life or death, simple as that. You may not be citizens but you are residents that pay taxes... a lot of them by the way! Specially Predial (land tax), if you pay taxes, you have right to speak up, to have an opinion and defend it. Your financial contribution in our community in immeasurable. Use that power. To be honest, except for very few gringos and Canadians in San Bartolo, I haven’t hear much from the foreign community in East Cape. You may think that if things get too ugly down here you just can sale your property, pack and go back home. Think twice. Your beautiful
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beachfront house will worth a nickel in a ghost town.
What to do: Next time I invite you to an Information Meeting, COME. Last time only 2 Canadians from San Bartolo and 1 American from Los Barriles showed up. I was very disappointed. The experts from Frente Ciudadano en Defensa del Agua y La Vida en BCS are willing to come again. I´ll let you know soonest we have a date. They´ll give you all the hard data and answer your questions about the legal status of our cause. Get together, write and sign a petition, ask the Delegado to take a clear position on this issue. Get an appointment with the Mayor in La Paz and let him know what you think. You are entitled to protect your investment. Talk, talk, talk… with your neighbor, your boat captain, your maid, your local merchant and hotelier, put a bump sticker in your car, use your social network on internet to vent the issue, every pacific way to let everybody know you are against Toxic Mining in Baja.
Baja Lovers: RISE!! Watch for more details on this matter that we all need to keep our eyes on—if we love the Baja the pristine way it is!
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October/November
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Baseball Camp Returns to the Eastcape By: Chris Courtright
As the leaves turn to the rich and beautiful fall colors here in the States, baseball season winds down and we get ready for the World Series. With the ending of baseball season up in the States, down in the Eastcape, we are just getting started! Once again, November 21st from 9am – 1pm, we will hold Sawyers Baseball Camp #3 in Buena Vista. We invite kids ages 6yrs to 15yrs, but do not turn anyone away, and we encourage girls to come and join in the fun. We teach the basics of the game – catching & fielding, pitching and throwing and hitting. When the kids leave, they will have a good understanding of the skills needed to play, and they will be ready to start on the community team. We have collected equipment over the summer and will leave a ‘bundle’ (catching gear, batting helmets, mitts, balls, bats and bases) in the community where we hold the camp. We find someone that lives near the soccer field/baseball field to house the equipment. The kids go after school get the gear and then return it in the evening. We have found that this is the best way to ensure that a full set stays a full set. We are happy to report that it has worked out great in Campamento and Los Barriles so far. We are still in great need of mitts and balls and uniforms –new or used gear is great too! Once we have had the camp, we help the community set up a youth team. We will find uniforms for them, then they can practice and are ready to join our soon to be formed league! We ask everyone to check with their little leagues back home to see if they have old uniforms they can donate. How cool that there will be some baseball games we will be able to attend soon! This year we are excited to report that the San Diego Padres are excited about what we are doing and want to help. We hope we can connect to get some hats and other give-aways for the participants and with any luck a player to help be a coach! They want to get more involved with us and could be a great support! Hey, with the talent we have seen in 2 camps, there are some boy’s right here that could be wearing a Padres uniform in their future! And to think, we might have helped this happen!!!!
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How can you help, you are asking? Well, let me tell you what we need: * volunteers of all skills the day of the camp – being an ex-pro is not needed! * donations of equipment and uniforms. * donations of snacks for the camp day too * cash donations to buy bases and other supplies We all have a great time working with the kids and watching their progression. The little ones are so much fun to watch, and you will be amazed at the natural talent some of the older kids possess! For more information, please contact me at jonandchris@juno.com. Check out our facebook page www.facebook.com/ beisbolcampoeneastcape - and see our cover picture of our team in Campamento with their uniforms!!
Spring camp scrimmage! And we can do it again this November!
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Technological Excellence in our Community
Los Barriles Technology Center Club Rotario de Los Barriles By Steve Reed
Three young men from our community have been selected to compete in an international competition in South Africa. No, it’s not a fishing tournament, nor for hydrofoiling, kiteboarding, or any of the other activities we might normally expect from our area. Andres Lucero Lucero, Jesus Leonel Castro Garcia, and Angel Efrain Martinez Abundiz will be competing for world honors in Science, Technology and Innovation after winning a national award earlier this year in Tampico. In the 2015 ExpoCiencias National competition last June, their project, Motor Electrico Fuera de Borda k-791, or Outboard Electric Motor k-791, took Second place and then earned Fourth in a competition for Creative Technology later the same month. They will attend the 2016 International Competition in South Africa as one of three teams representing Mexico.
night, sleeps only 4-6 hours, does his homework and attends school from 2:30pm to 10:30pm, when he can finally go home to Boca de Alamo. Jesus Leonel Castro Garcia is from Los Barriles. Jesus is 18 years old and lives with his mother who works in Cabo San Lucas. His father has a different family and supports them all as a mechanic. Jesus works part time with his father as a "mechanic helper" to help support his family and still keeps his grades up. Angel Efrain Martinez Abundiz is from Los Barriles. Angel is 17 years old and lives with his sister and their father, "Barchi", an artist who sells his paintings in the Los Barriles Cancha. Angel studies very hard and is always first in his class even though he works part time helping his father. Saludos to Andres, Jesus and Angel. Three projects have been selected to represent Mexico in the International Science Expo in South Africa next year. One team came from Monterrey, one from Mexico City, and the third team came from our small town of Los Barriles.
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These young men use the Los Barriles Technology Center provided by Club Rotario to do their research and homework. Angel and Jesus Leonel can be found there most afternoons and Andres joins them whenever he can. Andres Lucero Lucero is from Boca de Alamo, north of El Cardonal. He is 21 years old and was unable to go to school until three years ago when the EMSAD (the local school in Los Barriles) opened its doors. With the help of a scholarship from a generous Rotarian in Los Barriles and the East Cape Guild, Andres is completing high school and maintains good grades. He fishes for bait at
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October/November
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A New Season Club Rotario de Los Barriles By: Steve Reed Club Rotario de Los Barriles has been quiet this past summer, but the calm belies our enthusiasm as we prepare for a very ambitious season. We will resume regular meetings Wednesday, October 21st, at Lighthouse Pizza across from the Los Barriles fountain. Everyone is welcome. Our Rotary District 4100 President from La Paz, Juan Rafael Flores López, will visit Club Rotario de Los Barriles on Wednesday, November 4th. Recently elected, President Flores and his wife are already spreading positive ripples throughout the Baja. The President is committed to pursuing healthful water for all of the Baja and his remarks to our Rotary at our first meeting in November are expected to set an ambitious tone for our new season. Everyone is invited to our Open House Thursday evening, November 12th starting at 6pm at Homes and Land of Baja in Los Barriles. If you’d like to know more about Rotary and our local projects, or just want to hang out with some very nice people, join us for refreshments and light snacks. Rotary International’s primary goal this year is healthful water. Their mission coincides closely with our efforts to bring healthful water to the residents of Baja Norte and Sur, as well as Sonora and Sinaloa. Approximately 13,000 families are often forced to drink contaminated and mineral laden water when 90% of them can be helped by using a simple filtration system available for just $50.00 USD. We understand even simple solutions can often be out of reach of those in need, so with the help of the Mexican Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, along with Rotary Clubs from throughout District 4100 and the United States, we are raising $25,000 USD to provide the initial filters for a pilot project this fall. Five hundred filter kits with buckets will be distributed to families in Baja Sur as part of a Global Grant from Rotary. Working with Rotary Clubs from Truckee, California and Point West, California, we’re applying for another Global Grant to help pay for the next two phases of our healthy water project strategy.
into a major kiteboarding event worldwide. Activities are planned every evening for competitors and visitors alike. If you like watching incredible athletic feats on and above the water in a friendly, festive atmosphere, be sure to mark your calendar for the Lord of the Wind. Our support of the alburgues in San Antonio, La Ribera and Santiago will continue this coming spring. Rotarians from Truckee, Nevada City, Point West-Sacramento, Reno, Oakhurst and Mariposa have committed to providing true hands-on support and financial assistance for projects scheduled for March 10 thru 14th of 2016. Teenagers from the Rotary Club of Madera, California, are planning to visit Los Barriles during their Spring Break in late March, 2016 to provide support on a variety of alburgue and other projects related to education. Children helping children bridging cultural voids will be an education for all of us and we expect their enthusiasm to be contagious.
Bringing healthy water after Odile
Photos by Ethan Lovell
This season the Lord of the Wind International Kiteboard Competition happens from January 13th through January 17th, 2016. Our Lord of the Wind (LOW) has matured October/November
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Health: 124-8203 Dental: 141-0375
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October/November
Read the color version online at www.eastcapearts.com
To Protect & Preserve our Environment Educating our Community’s Children By: Theresa Comber
It’s working. And it’s because of you. Your commitment to the recycling program and our ability to educate our community’s children to protect and preserve our incredible environment is having a profound impact. For three weeks this summer beginning in July and stretching into August, East Cape Recycling Baja finished its third year deeply involved with Los Barriles’ ‘Cursos de Verano’ children’s summer program, hosting 80 eager 6 – 12 years olds in the heat of the Baja summer. Advertising and Marketing experts say it takes three times to set a message, and like summer sea sponges, these children are absorbing the message of just exactly how precious our East Cape area and the Sea of Cortez are. Consider if you were born here, in the richness of this environment, not having traveled to areas that are not so richly blessed with sea life or surrounded by this profound desert mountain landscape. We’re promoting the analogy with our kids that our area is a ‘capullo’, a cocoon, and one that holds inside a gifted richness that must be protected, and it’s their job to undertake this responsibility now and into the future.
to teach and infuse in our future leaders. Starting small, starting young, educating and leading by example, we are making a difference – thanks to you! Questions, ideas, want to get involved? Please send an email to:
This summer’s educational theme was ‘Nuestra Planeta Esta Feliz Cuando Cuidamos su Animales Marino’; “Our Planet is Happy When We Care for our Marine Animals”. We focused our first week on turtles, our second week on whale sharks and our third week on Cabo Pulmo. We were fortunate to host three remarkable women, including the Director of Southern Baja’s Turtle program, a world renowned whale shark expert from La Paz and the Government’s preservation director at Cabo Pulmo. Teaching two days each, these women infused our area’s children with their passion, their knowledge, their love of their species and implored them to become ambassadors for the sea and the land. These children now GET it! Their pride in their community and the sea that surrounds it is palpable. Encouraged along by the prize of a day’s snorkeling and exploring at Cabo Pulmo’s Marine Park, 10 winners leading the pack for the recycling competition helped collected more than one ton of plastic and cardboard. We have hopes now of expanding our recycling program. We are looking forward to working with Los Barriles’ city leaders to develop another collection center so that these inspired children and their families, along with our community’s schools, restaurants and businesses can adopt the values we’re helping
October/November
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Let’s Go Fishin’ on the Sea of Cortez”, this poem
SWEET DREAMS By: John David Lionel Brooke
was written expressly for the Parker grandchildren by my dearest “amiga” Kathie Wood (a.k.a. Woody). Kathie, her husband Mel and their little Chihuahua “Buster Brown” (so little he can fit in a shoe) have visited us in Los Barriles many times and like us, they just love it here. Enjoy, Connie & David Parker.
As the VA Meds, took possession of his tortured brain, Charlie finally, fell into a deep sleep. Visions of chocolate rivers cascaded through his mind, so powerful that he could taste them. He flew through a whirling storm of butterchews, truffles, nougats, caramels, buttercreams, coconut, and raspberry creams, seeming so real and exciting, that he surrendered all sensibilities to his overpowering sensual appetite. He was high on overwhelming feelings of wellbeing.
“LET’S GO FISHIN’ ON THE SEA OF CORTEZ”
In this dark delicious dream, Charlie became aware that he was just one of many riders locked into the highspeed semisweet 65% cacao Roller Coaster Gondola. Up, up they climbed, seemingly forever. Suddenly they were over-the-top into a stomach-flipping plunge, snaking, and twisting as they screamed into an ocean, of warm chocolate liquor.
Let's go fishin' in the early day, While frigates sweep across the bay. Among the dolphins, whales and more Look there -- you'll see a manta soar!
S" erotonins firing synapses into their neurotransmitters released amphetamines, norepinephrine's and of course massive bursts of dopamine's."The words of Charlie's therapist ricocheted in his mind. I"'m a chocoholic prisoner in my own semisweet mind. Am I being punished or is this my reward? Maybe, I'm just a hollow dark-chocolate Easter Bunny in love with a sugar enrobed Marzipan Ballerina?"He mused fretfully, in his ambrosial nightmare.
He was drowning in that delicious, saucy-sweet sea, as the sound of his cell phone and his lingering unanswered rhetorical questions buzzed in his brain; bringing Charlie back to foggy consciousness. Overpowered and frightened by his dream, he knew, that the ambrosial taste of chocolate would once again caress his lips, and seduce his sweet tooth. Galvanized by his visions, Charlie, was committed to resume his profession, as a chocolatier,
Let's go fishin' on the Sea of Cortez! That's what Grandpa Parker says. We'll cast our line with feather bait And settle down to watch and wait.
Grandpa Parker, who's in the know, Says catch a marlin, let it go... And skip that skipjack -- not for you, But "Si" to sierra and tuna, too. We wait until the time is right: The rod jerks hard -- we've got a bite! Then Grandpa reels in slow and steady While Gram gets her big fish net ready. And there it is, beyond the rail -A big one, dancing on its tail! A good dorado, full of fight, Will fill our tummies well tonight.. And after dinner, tired and fed, I’ll settle in my comfy bed And hope tomorrow Grandpa says, "Let's go fishin' on the Sea of Cortez!" Yes! Woody 2014
The Chocolate Soldier vowed that "Charlie's Chocolates," would rise again, in the Mexican heart of Gringolandia, thus providing the Los Barriles community with celebratory bon bons, for their sw!eeties. Charlie Hampton say’s “Hola! Y bienvenidos” to all his friends and vows that ‘Charlies Chocolates will be back
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October/November
Read the color version online at www.eastcapearts.com
Gringo : Who knew? By: Pako Ford
Gringo, a word that refers to a foreigner in the Latin world ‌ Good word? Bad word? What is the meaning? The words use serves as a reminder of how contact across a linguistic divide is often fraught with tension.One can refer to the 'other' by a common name - Gringo. The origin of the word is clouded in myth. Several stories of origin come from the Mexican - American war of 18451847. But the word has been around far longer than that. The earliest known printed use of the word 'gringo' appeared in 'El Dicionario Castellano', a Spanish dictionary, published in 1787 - The definition : Gringos, they call these foreigners who have a certain type of accent which keeps them from speaking Spanish easily and naturally. And, in Madrid, they give the same name and for the same reason.. Another definition from 'El Nuevo Dicionario, FrancesEspanol', 1817 states : Hablar en griego, en quirigay, en gringo ( to speak in greek, in gibberish, in gringo). And W.D. Whitneys Century Dictionary from 1889 defines gringo as -Spanish for gibberish, a variation of griego (Greek). We, who speak English, refer to incomprehensible speech as being Greek, as in, 'it's Greek to me' - a phrase that's been around since Rome was the empire.
Welcome, Travel Season!!!! October/November
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Los Barriles – BIG Time Turtle Town! By: Theresa Comber
Are you serious? Our East Cape turtle program is set to break a record BIG time by collecting and moving to the nursery more than 50,000 baby turtles! The Araiza brothers, Omar & Noe, say this laying season is blowing them away. As of the first day of October, they have already collected and relocated 38,000 turtle eggs, equal to last season’s total, and two more months still remain in the laying season. Seriously! What’s happening in our beautiful Sea of Cortez to encourage a nearly 30% increase? First, according to the nonprofit organization Grupo Tortuguero Los Barriles which the Araiza’s oversee and spans the 13 kilometers between La Ribera and Los Barriles’ North Beach, the waters warmed earlier this year, encouraging females to begin their laying. As mother turtles can lay up to three times a season, with an average of 100 eggs per nest, the mother’s may already have laid their second and working on their third clutch of eggs. Second, correlating with the warmer waters, there appears to be a rich abundance of food source for these hungry mommas, encouraging them to stay in our East Cape region. Third, with such a positive marine environment and accommodating beaches, the Mother Turtles
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are….happy! Could all this turtle laying be related to ‘El Nino’, the cyclical warm water trend? Perhaps, the Araiza’s say, but their personal experience doesn’t extend to the last El Nino event. What they do know is that since the happy turtle laying began on July 12, it has overwhelmed their mornings; Noe and Omar now split the day and cover the beach once late in the evening – 11 pmish, as well as at dawn, finding on average 4 nests each sweep, with as many as 17 being found – that’s nearly 1700 eggs in just a single day. In the fenced, beach front nursery located between the Buenas Aires & San Bartolo arroyos, the Araiza’s replicate the unique excavation pattern the hard working Mother’s use to create their nests – a thin chute style neck approximately a foot deep from the top, which then opens up to a round basket at the bottom to accommodate, protect and incubate their brood. And these babies are now making their presence known daily, with the early nests now hatching and being escorted to the sea. If helping baby turtles return to the sea is on your list of incredible things to do, please check Grupo Tortuguero Los Barriles facebook for updates and public releases after October 15, or drop an email to omarariaza1@hotmail.com, cell 624-11-73561 or Noe Araiza cell 624- 16-09625. And to remember the occasion, a batch of new tshirts are available and can be picked up at East Cape Casas & RV Resort’s office.
October/November
Read the color version online at www.eastcapearts.com
Summer Classes for Youth in Los Barriles By: Francis Olachea (translated by Kathleen Bulger)
In the summer of 2008, Francis Olachea and a group of fr iends initiated the most active summer in all of Eastcape, including all of BCS: Summer classes were held in Los Barriles. Thanks to the support of the local Art Association, the classes are free of charge and have been offered for eight consecutive summers.
Having a great time at Cursor De Verano
The summer classes last 3 full weeks and include both metal and physical activities. The classes begin in the middle of July and end the first week of August. Courses meet from Monday to Friday from 7:30 am until 2:30 pm. Upon completion of the classes, teams meet with new acquaintances who share the same interest in a sport and competitions are organized from 4 to 7 pm. The result of the classes include a healthy living skills, being active and new friends made. The youth can then demonstrate skills his/ her and their own favorite team to parents, friends and community. A total of 100 children, between the ages of 5 and 14 years, are eligible to participate. The teams are divided into five teams. Team 1: Team 2: Team 3: Team 4: Team 5:
A project with recycled materials. Swimming fun!
5 to 6 years of age 7, 8, 9 years of age 10,11 years of age 12 years old 13,14, 15 years old
The main objective of the summer courses is "The co-existence of sports and culture for the activation of body and mind" The activities that are offered in Eastcape during the summer include: football, volleyball, ping pong, Kung Fu, track, swimming and basketball and track. We would like to give a special thanks to the Asociacion de Artes for their support both financial and with volunteers to keep the summer program going.
October/November
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October/November