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Free / Gratis
Issue No. 73
show, along with our big Art Festival the Sunday before Easter. These two events are some of our major fundraisers for the programs we support here in the East Cape area. We appreciate the support from the local residents—full and part time– and the visitors. Make sure you make this event your December 6 activity! For more information on the show or to become a vendor, please contact Elizabeth at edesignsbaja@aol.com.
December 2015 / January 2016
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Get Ready for January’s Big Event!!
Just
a short ride north of ‘downtown’ Los Barriles, you will find the neighborhood of Colina del Sol. There, in the clubhouse of Colina del Sol , you will enjoy the Asociacion de Artes December Art show. This show provides a showcase for local artists 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. The Asociacion de Artes (who puts out this great paper) is the producer of this
December/January
It is coming up!!!
January 13—17, 2016
There are activities and events each day! See Lordofthewindbaja.com for the schedule. Go to page 3 for more details and story.
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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 2015/16 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 Gary Graham Renee Lagloire Jorge Bergin Chris Courtright Linda Ross Kim Schoenfield Jill Borggreve Yvonne Gordon Aracely Vargas Urmas Kaldveer Connie Heinen Theresa Comber Annette Kaiser Sefi Held Karen Porter Tehroma Lask Walter S. Zapotoczny Jr. Gisela Talamantes Saenz 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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LORD OF THE WIND
By Aracely Vargas Reprinted with permission from Coldwell Banker Riveras Photos by Lori Makabe
Can you feel it? It is the excitement flowing thru the air. Can you see it? It is the rush of a competition about to kick off… Can you taste it? It is called victory. Welcome to the annual Lord of the Wind competition in Los Barriles. Baja’s East Cape is home to a beautiful serene atmosphere where idle days are spent enjoying nature and the salty ocean breezes messing with your hair is a daily routine. But do not let yourself be fooled by the peacefulness of this area, as with the winter winds rises the opportunity to surf, play and be one with the ever unpredictable wind over the turquoise water of the Sea of Cortez. The Lord of the Wind (LOW) competition is an exciting demonstration of kiteboarding, where professionals from all around the world play to claim the title as the best while showcasing skills comparable to the Olympic half pipe, the XGames and the athleticism of gymnastics… but all of it on the water! It all started 6 years ago when a group of residents saw the potential of this ever growing sport and envisioned a fun, family-oriented event not just to promote it, but to help and give back to the community. Before everyone knew it, it has become an international must-go-to event. This time we are expecting a participation of at least 120 athletes from over 15 different countries. Within the competition there are multiple divisions as well as categories, and it is encouraging to see that the women’s classification has been growing steadily. One of the organizers could not have put it better: the LOW is an event planned to bridge the community together, to let everyone know about the beauty and easiness of this sport and to make it a competition that entire families look for each year. We, at Coldwell Banker Riveras, are happy to be one of its proud sponsors. Proceeds of the event have always been directed towards the benefit of the community; overseen by the Rotary Club of Los Barriles, LOW has contributed with expanding the Rotary Technology Center by increasing the hours of operation and modern equipment, continued support to the La Ribera and Santiago albergues to improve the living conditions for the local children, plus, many more altruistic deeds. If you were wondering about the challenges and what it takes to be in the water… you’d be surprised at how easy it can be. Yes, it takes a lot of practice and dedication to perform some of the most stunning flips, but on average, for an amateur, a good 12 hrs of theory and practice on land can get you in the water, and as you progress and learn to December/January
dominate the kite, you will soon be one with the wind. Exotikite is the Original Los Barriles Kiteboarding School since 1998 and it is a great place to begin your practice! The Lord of the Wind event is made by caring neighbors eager to promote the beautiful community they get to call home. So mark your calendars and take a trip down to Baja’s East Cape… you and your family will enjoy it to the fullest! Did you know? The Lord of the Wind Competition will be on January 13 – 17th, 2016 in Los Barriles, BCS, México. This year will mark the IKA North American Kiteboard Championship It is sanctioned by International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) and Federación Mexicana de Vela (FMV) and Association Mexicana Kiteboard. The event includes five days of racing, jumping, flipping and soaring over the Sea of Cortez with over a 1,000 spectators roaring for their favorite ones Not only is about competition, but the LOW includes six rocking parties where everyone can mingle and relax with fellow competitors and locals.
More information at http://lordofthewindbaja.com/
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Hobie Outback delivers a magnificent marlin moment
By: Gary Graham Early in my fishing career, there was a select group of anglers who had caught a marlin while alone on their boats – Skelly Wilbur, aboard his boat, "6-Pak;" Bill George, aboard "Misty Bill;" Robert Newton on "Bob ‘n Round" and Don Abrego on his "Presidio." Their exploits become my Holy Grail. These men were rebels in a sense of the Satellite Outlaw Radio's motto, "No fences, No badges" – proudly flaunting their ability to do something that the tricked-out sportfisher crowd with their hired-gun -crews couldn't or wouldn't do. When I caught my 232-pound swordfish alone on my Blackman skiff, I was certain I would never again reach that high. The heroes became my friends and we all cherished the Mexican Silver Dollars we were awarded when we joined the exalted "solo" billfish club. Our paths crossed often through the years as we each pursued our own lives, and the coins served as a talisman signifying the strong bond that tied us together throughout our lifetimes. Recently, I was in Loreto with the Hobie fishing team of Morgan Promnitz, Chris Holmes, Jeffrey Fortuna and Doug Olander (Senior Editor of Sport Fishing Magazine) and friend Rob Sherman. We were hosted by Ana Gloria Benziger, general manager of Hotel Oasis, the beautiful, unique traditional hotel overlooking the Sea of Cortez.
On a mission to explore the Sea of Cortez and the many islands that surround Loreto, we carried six Hobie kayaks – four 12-foot Outbacks, two 13-foot Revolutions equipped with bait tanks and several outfitted with Lowrance Depth Sounders. We accomplished all we set out to do and that story will be told another time; however, this is about my unanticipated encounter with a striped marlin aboard one of the Hobie Outbacks. I had spent 13 months planning and arranging the trip down to every little detail, including coordinating the logistics. The notion of targeting a billfish or actually catching one during the trip never crossed my mind. My experience on a Hobie was limited; the time I have fished from them, I have found them to be an ideal setup for an angler … being able to maneuver the kayak while having your hands free to fight a fish is a huge advantage and should not be overlooked. When the opportunity presented itself, I couldn't imagine not trying. It was one of those signature, Sea of Cortez oily-slick, calm days. There had been several billfish hooked and more seen, so I navigated my Outback farther out into the channel. I pinned a caballito from the live bait tank on a circle hook attached to my Penn spinning outfit and dropped the squirming live bait into the wake of the kayak. As luck would have it, the billfish popped back behind me … closer to Isla Coronado. Francisco, one of our pangueros, had already spotted some and Morgan was closer. He was searching for the fish Francisco had spotted and I pedaled back in his direction. Pedaling the rig is less strenuous than peddling a bicycle on a flat surface. As a side note, I fished four days in the kayak, pedaling and trolling most of the time without any hint of sore muscles. I didn't have the clicker turned on the Penn Spinfisher V, so the first sound I heard was a loud splash. Looking back, I saw the marlin attached to my line headed for the horizon; using the joy stick and pedals, I quickly pointed the bow of the Outback toward the fleeing fish. The drag was set light and once the fish finally quit leaping about, I began adjusting the drag tighter and tighter until the marlin was quietly towing the kayak. It then became only a matter of my being able to pedal fast enough to begin regaining line. When the direction of the marlin’s course changed, it was easy enough to adjust the direction of the kayak and I continued to edge the Hobie closer and closer to the marlin. During the entire half-hour, memories of my old buddies Continued on page 5
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Continued from pg 4
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from the "solo" billfish club – sadly, now all deceased for many years – flooded through my thoughts and I paid mental tribute to them for a few fleeting moments as I released the striped marlin. I'm not sure if it was my imagination or just wishful thinking, but I felt as though all of my old heroes were right there, cheering me on and savoring the event. With nothing but the sound of the water slapping on the bow and the sounds of the splashes when the fish jumped, this was awesome … one of the best experiences I’ve had … a fantastic do-it-yourself event that I will cherish forever, even if I did earn the dubious distinction of being the oldest person on the planet to catch a striped marlin from a Hobie Outback.
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LOOKING BACK, I saw the marlin attached to my line headed for the horizon; using the joy stick and pedals, I quickly pointed the bow of the Outback toward the fleeing fish.
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Monte Carlo Night 2015 By: Jill Borggreve
The East Cape Guild was established in 1997 to help local students continue in school through the 12th grade. Since the Mexican government does not provide free education or transportation after secondaria (ninth grade) many students are forced to drop out. Since 1998 the Guild has raised over $533K and provided over 1600 scholarships. These scholarships include the full year’s cost of tuition as well as bus transportation for those who require it. The families are still responsible for the costs of uniforms, supplies, insurance and other school charges. In May, 2015 the annual Scholarship Award Ceremony was held and awarded 137 scholarships to students entering or already attending prepatoria (high school). Although attendance at the ceremony is not a requirement for receiving a scholarship the majority of students and their proud families are there to receive their certificates. This year was particularly difficult since, although we set a new level of fundraising, we were not able to fund an additional 30 students who qualified. The becas (scholarships) are awarded based on an application which includes a letter requesting the scholarship in Spanish and English, a recommendation from a teacher or other non-related person, as well as grades that must
be an 8 or higher in each class (out of 10). The becas are awarded on high academic achievement as well as financial need. The East Cape Guild is open to everyone, we even have a few men who have joined! The annual dues are a low $50. We meet six times a year during the season and really have a lot of fun while we work to provide the necessary funds to sponsor these students. The Guild is always looking for new talent to join us in our efforts to raise funds. We are an all-volunteer organization and every peso of profit goes to fund scholarships. Where else can you meet people outside your neighborhood and help benefit the local community while having a great time? One of our most fun events is the annual Monte Carlo Night held each year in November. This year’s event was no exception. It’s an evening of playing blackjack, craps, and roulette for the chance to bid on donated gifts as well as enjoy a wonderful Mexican buffet dinner. This year this event added approximately $8000.00 to the coffers to be awarded as scholarships at next year’s Scholarship Award Ceremony. After press deadline the Guild will hold the Baja Ha Ha Tournament which is also a great way to have fun and contribute to the scholarship fund. Please help us meet the needs of our deserving local students by attending these events in the future, or by making a cash donation. If you are interested in learning more about the Guild please contact Jill Borggreve at b2jborg@gmail.com.
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The Intimate and true adventures of “El Ballenero” Episode 10 By: Urmas Kaldveer, PhD
Three close encounters in one day! I’m sorry to have missed contributing to the previous issue. This was due to another medical emergency, not lack of interest. I will pick up from my last described adventurous swim with a pod of Orcas (issue # 71). At times a person is lucky enough to have more than one close encounter in a day. Such was the case in early April of 2011. My research funds had run out but there were still whales in the area. It had been a good year with over 40 ID’s and a number of close encounters. My faith in the “quest” to see into the eye of the whale had been strongly reinforced by a mother and calf pair that chose to swim with me earlier in the season. Thinking only of simply enjoying the day I paddled out to The WZ (“whale zone”) in my kayak and settled in to some meditation and sun. The Sea was flat, not a cloud in the sky, water was warm and I was feeling good. Within a short time after closing my eyes and beginning my meditation,I heard the distinct sound of a whale blow to my north. It was two humpbacks on their way south to take the corner at Cabo San Lucas and begin the long swim north. I paddled towards them but they were too far away to intercept so I just watched them as they drew parallel to me. Then to my surprise one broke off and headed straight for me. This was a 90 degree change in direction so it was indeed coming to see ME. As it came closer I couldn’t decide whether to get in the water or not. If you commit to getting in too quickly and they change direction you usually lose them, whereas if you stay in your kayak you can paddle to correct your intercept line. I waited too long, yes it was making directly for me and before I could get in the water the whale dove and passed underneath my kayak no more than 10’ below me. The water was very clear and I had the opportunity to see it clearly in all its magnificent detail. It too was getting a good look at me by turning on its side so we were “eyeballing” each other.
in position but no need, this one ALSO turned and headed straight for me. This is not at all like my experience in 2007 when I was chasing whales all over the bay for an encounter...this time they were coming to me!! This time I did not want to ponder what I would do, I’d let the whale decide. This one again heads DIRECTLY for my broadside, dives just before reaching me and does the same maneuver, right under the kayak, 10’ or so, rolls to the side for an eyeball-to-eyeball look. FANTASTIC! I am really elated, two “close encounters” in 15 minutes and INITIATED by the whales!! Now comes the “kicker”, yes a third whale breaks off from a new group of three that have now shown up closer to shore and are sure to pass before I can get to them. The one that turned and began towards me I decided was going to be a real close encounter because I just knew it was coming to see me. I dove out of my kayak and waited and there it was, diving just before reaching me (say 30’) and again going under me but this time we were no more than 8’ apart and I was in the water too. Eyeball to eyeball just doesn’t quite cut it! Same roll to the side, same benevolent and inquisitive look, and the same heartwarming feeling of acceptance by the “Whale People”! I literally could not believe my good fortune. These were not “chance” encounters, nor encounters forced by me, these were completely and totally initiated by the whales themselves. I am starting my 11th season in 2016 and actively soliciting donations to continue my work. Donations can be made to: MioSah, C/O Susan Janssen, 20 Highland Court, Ukiah, CA 95482 or made online to my GoFundMe site at…… My book, THE OTHERS, “The Whale People” is available online at Balboa Press, Barnes and Noble and Amazon. Gofund.me/6j0prg
Ah, that was good. How nice that it came over to say hello. Believe me when I say that each and every one of these type of encounters thrills me as much as the first...even more actually . I settled back into my meditation but before I could get started I see another whale coming from a distance away and from the north again. Well, this is nice I thought, an opportunity for a second encounter. I paddled to get December/January
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Ahoy Matey! Baja Shakespeare 2016 By: Kim Scholefield
Come set sail for Baja Shakespeare's 16th annual production, the whacky adventure of “The Lost Barrels of Pleasure Island”. Our story takes place right here on the East Cape; is it one of truth or is it a folklore tale? Are Pirates as mean and blood thirsty as their reputation? Can Pirates sing and dance? Where are the lost barrels hidden? And, where, in the Sea of Cortez, is Pleasure Island? Our favorite Director, Camilla Ford will be returning, as well as our very talented Musical Director, Jeanette Grittani. If anyone can get Pirates to dance, it's our own Choreographer, Robin Jackman! Auditions will be held Tuesday, December 22, 10am. Please contact Kim for more information: tyfield1@hotmail.com
Baja Shakespeare will be returning to their theater at the Convention Center at Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort (Spa). Tickets for the shows will remain the same at $20.00 usd if you are interested in information about Friends of Shakespeare, please contact Anne: herschleb@gmail.com Blimey! Be warned! This show is guaranteed to hoist your mast and help you discover your booty! Last year we sold out! Do not miss this highly entertaining, outrageous comedy! Or it's the Davy Jones Locker for you! ARRRRGH…
Mark your calendars now for our 6 shows! Opening night is Friday, March 11, Saturday 12 and Sunday Matinee 13, Thursday 17, Friday 18 and Closing Saturday March 19th. All shows are 7pm, except for the Sunday Matinee 1:30pm.
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December/January
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San Antonio Cultural Center By: Chris Courtright
San Antonio is easy to miss. Unless you know about what is off the highway, you drive right by thinking San Antinio consists of only a small store and gas station and one big arroyo! Well, take a left at the arroyo, or just after the gas/store, and you will be surprised at the village behind. Follow the cobblestone roads to the big church, and right across the street is the Cultural Center located in a classic old yellow Mexican style building with green shutters. We discovered the center many years ago on an exploration trip to this quaint little town. We entered the main room and saw a store full of hand made items. Then out from the back room comes Maryzonia Diaz Lecoma, the founder of the center, and a real personality! She is a woman educated in Mexico and the Los Angeles California area with big goals and dreams for the members of this community. Maryzonia returned to the area in late 1999 and quickly saw the need for something for the kids and women to do. Concerned that keeping traditional Mexican artwork skills alive was important to the future of all Mexicans, and liking to do Arts and Crafts herself, she started teaching classes. The community responded well, and the local kids loved to have something to do after school. One thing it is important to remember is that in Mexico, school does not include art classes, so these ‘after school’ programs are very important. Classes were held wherever she could get a space – the school, businesses, homes – including her own home. In 2005 Maryzonia was put on the payroll from La Paz County. In 2007, Maryzonia moved into the current location of the Cultural Center. The building has great history, and its own resident Ghost! It was a counting house/store in the late 1800’s, high school dormitory, delegado house (the resident ghost) and a
single family home. The Center has a kiln -and really needs someone to come and help teach pottery, a loom – with Seldon Wylde teaching the women from the center, a big back room, which is the big work room where many of the creations come out of. Classes range from jewelry making, embroidery, weaving, pottery, wood working, card making, rug making and a favorite, piñata. Right now all classes are taught by Maryzonia, but she realizes that she has liminations to her knowledge in many of the areas she teaches. That is why she is always looking for guest teachers. The guest teacher would teach what they know best, only requiring a couple hours for only a few times. The hope is that a local community member could learn well enough for good quality items to be produced. She is also looking for donations of supplies. Some of the top needs are: Saws – for wood working – mostly small hand saws Wood scraps – of all sizes Wood working tools Band saw Cleaning supplies and toilet paper Any and all different craft supplies – fabric, jewelry supplies & beads, card making supplies, yarn, embroidery thread, etc. The goal Maryzonia has is twofold. First, she wants to provide something for the kids to do to keep them occupied, not only their fingers, but their minds. We all have heard the statistics of what ‘bored’ kids can do and the negative roads that they might go down. Maryzonia does not want to have that happen and has spent the past 15 years to see that there are things to do. Secondly, they are learning skills that they could turn around into a job, therefore helping them economically. All the items in the store have a name along with the price. When their item is sold, they get 100% of the funds. She says that the kids are like “diamonds in the rough, they just need some polishing”. Monday and Continued on pg 11
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Cultural Center continued from pg 10
Friday, is the 5th and 6th grader’s day, Wednesday is her day to work with Kindergarteners, and Tuesday and Thursday is High Schoolers – 72 of them! And every day women of the community come – sometime to help and sometimes to create. December starts a community competition for the ‘best piñata’s’. You will see all styles, big and small, traditional and abstract and all created by San Antinio community members. On December 15th at 5pm in the Plaza in the center of town will be the judging and awards ceremony. Not only will you be able to view the entries, but you will be able to buy them! What a great way to celebrate Christmas in Baja! The Cultural Center is open Monday – Friday from 9am – 3 pm. You can contact Maryzonia at 612-119-7668 or creazonya@yahoo.com. So, add San Antonio and the Cultural Center to your list of ‘must do’s’ while down here, and for sure when you have guests!
December/January
Fiesta of the Virgen of Guadalupe By: Linda Ross
On the last December 11th, before we left Mexico and moved north, Steve and I drove to LaPaz to take part in the celebration of the Fiesta of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Her day is actually the 12th, but Mexican fiestas always begin on the ‘eve’ of the occasion. I’d been there each of the five years that we have lived in Mexico and Steve had only missed one. This time, as the first year, it was just the two of us. We arrived just in time to watch the big, brass band descend from the flatbed truck on which they had arrived at the “Sanctuario.” The procession of many hundreds of pilgrims would arrive shortly, walking the mile from the downtown cathedral. The brass players found their places on the pavement surrounded by mounted horsemen, the Charros Guadalupanos – cowboys dedicated to the Virgin and sponsors of the band – machos all. One of the horsemen dismounted and, facing the crowd on the curb, held a large, framed picture of the Virgin. And without prelude, the band burst into a raucous, passionate serenade to their “Madrecita”, an outpouring from the soul. The sound was like an avalanche sweeping us up in such a vivid, thrilling Mexican-style homage. I was elated at the outpouring of emotion and glanced up at a dark, blue velvet sky. As we watched, the full moon emerged from behind a veil of white-gold cloud and shone brightly down on us, reflecting her light on the golden trumpets, trombones and tubas. We shared the benediction later as we passed out red roses, a personal tradition we’d created, to ladies among the pilgrims who were elderly or seemed most in need…in Her name. In Tipeyac, where she first appeared, the inscription mounted on the wall of the chapel at the top of the hill is: “No estoy aqui que soy tu madre?” “Am I not here, who is your Mother?”
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Christmas Eve, East Cape Style
T’was the night before Christmas And all through the Casa Not a creature was stirring Caramba! Que pasa?
I watched as they came And this quaint little hombre Was shouting and whistling And calling by nombre: “Ay Pancho, ay Pepe Ay Cuco, ay Beto, ay Chato Ay Chopo, Macuco y Nieto!”
Los ninos were tucked Away in their camas Some in long underwear Some in pajamas
Then standing erect With his hands on his pecho He flew to the top Of our very own techo.
While hanging the stockings With mucho cuidado In hopes that old Santa Would feel obligado.
With his round little belly Like a bowl of jalea He struggled to squeeze Down our old chiminea
To bring all children Both Buenos and malos A nice batch of dulces And other regalos.
Then huffing and puffing. At last in our sala With soot smeared All over his red suit de gala.
Outside in the yard There rose such a grito That I jumped to my feet Like a frightened cabrito.
He filled all the stockings With lovely regalos – For none of the niños Had been very malos.
I ran to the window And looked out afuera And who in the world Do you think that it era?
Then chuckling aloud Seeming very contento He turned like a flash And was gone like the viento.
Saint Nick in a sleigh And a big red sombrero Came dashing along Like a crazy bombero.
And I heard him exclaim and This is verdad “Merry Christmas to all And Feliz Navidad!”
And pulling his sleigh Instead of vendados Were eight little burros Approaching volados.
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Author Unknown
December/January
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December/January
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Microcurrent
brighten complexion. Followed with a ReVitalizing Mask loaded with vitamins and CoQ10 to improve elasticity and increase collagen and finishing with a collagen ampoule and moisturizer. (90 minutes)
By: Connie Heinen
What is it? Also known as facial toning, microcurrent is an esthetic treatment that physically firms and tones the skin through muscle re-education. Microcurrent utilizes micro-size, pulsating current to resonate with the body’s own bio-electrical exchanges that take place at the cellular level. When microcurrent is applied, it triggers impulses to facilitate a chemical reaction to activate the release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) at the cellular level. Adenosine triphosphate is a high-energy molecule that is in the mitochondria of a cell is considered the “energy of life.” As (ATP) is collected and generated into muscle, it may use this energy to ‘communicate’ muscle re-education.
For more information about the treatments, please visit my website:www.solutionsdebelleza.com or email:permsolutions@aol.com Phone:(624)141-0422
.
As people age, the body’s biological current and chemical energy slows down, cellular renewal takes longer and skin cells stop performing efficiently. This leads to multiple skin problems: loss of tone, elasticity and firmness; fine lines; wrinkles; sagging—all signs of aging. Microcurrent can help reverse this process by reenergizing the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the only energy molecule that the body will accept and utilize as energy. Without ATP, the human body does not function effectively and will eventually deteriorate. Yet, the body does not store ATP. Despite its low electrical vibration, microcurrent treatments are very effective. These currents can essentially turn on a process in the body similar to the way electricity can turn on a light or a radio. It helps increase protein synthesis, promote waste removal, stimulate healing, regenerate tissue, balance free radical damage, boost cell growth, enhance natural collagen and elastin production, provide circulatory benefits, and work directly on the nerves and muscle fibers. Its mild frequency does not stimulate sensory nerves, is pain-free and causes no discomfort. A series of treatments is recommended but results can be seen after just one session. November/December Special (Offer good thru January 1st) Anti-Aging Trio For the holidays I'm combining 3 of my most popular anti-aging treatments into one fantastic treatment? Ultrasonic Exfoliation to shed dead skin cells and smooth the skin Microcurrent Facial Toning to boost collagen and elastin while toning and lifting facial muscles LED Photo Rejuvenation to stimulate collage and
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EF Block An Environmental Approach to Building in Baja By: Theresa Comber
It's the poetry of the process that I love. Someone in the East Cape buys a refrigerator and on recycling day brings the polystyrene packaging to the community recycling center. When there's enough polystyrene gathered together, a truck swings by and swings it onto their trailer and takes it to the EF Block plant near La Paz. There they break down the packaging to its original, tiny little form using what seems a bit like a cake mixer process and then they add concrete and sand to the blend. Another secret ingredient or two and then it's poured into a 4 foot long concrete block form. At 5 feet long, 12 inches wide, 10 inches high, this EF block is remarkably light, weighing the same as a 16 inch long, 6 inch wide and 8 inch tall standard, pure concrete block. Beyond its remarkable lightness of being, in the hot Baja the EF Block has an R-Value of 40, compared against the R-Value of a concrete block at...0. According to "Energy Star", R-Value is the measure of insulation's ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the R-Value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Complimented by double paned windows, it's not just better, it's astounding. Built with EF Block, the ambient wintertime temperature of our house was nearly a constant 70 degrees, varying in early mornings from about 68 degrees to evenings of about 71 degrees.
As for cost? The EF Block cost the same as concrete blocks. And an experienced builder - and there are now at least two or three highly regarded local builders using them - knows the true construction cost savings come in the building up process as they stack rapidly and the process is cleaner and smoother. The vertical holes are filled with concrete making the entire building super strong, capable of withstanding a 250 mile wind. In a hurricane zone, this super glue like strength makes sense. It seems that using it in the tornado alley of the US heartland makes superb sense as well. ``
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Having put the product to the test for nearly two years, the pom poms are out and I'm cheerleading for the entire poetic, environmentally sound, cost saving, human value sensibility of EF Blocks. With no horse in the race, just a vision for the best living possible, the proof is 100% in the pudding and we've just finishing adding another 600 square feet to our home using EF block.
When Baja's summer sun really cranks up, this heat barrier and the cost savings of not running air conditioning becomes highly important. The protective polystyrene barrier of the block literally creates a cooling, air conditioned feel; walking into the house there's a palatable, refreshing difference. When it's hot outside and the air conditioners are used, they can be turned off in the early morning hours. Keeping the house closed up and using only ceiling fans, the A/C can be left off until the sun is high and hot in the sky, usually around 1 - 2 pm. The best news? Electric bills during midsummer months are HALF compared against like size concrete block homes in our neighborhood. Beyond just the benefit of being a super insulating performer, the polystyrene principles in the block create a noise buffering effect as well. It's pleasantly quieter as the insulation attenuates interior noise - music, voices, clanging cooking, and the echoing or noise bouncing effect is substantially lessened. December/January
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Maybe I’m a Toltec By: Jorge Bergin
Both my parents told me their forebears were natives of County Cork, Ireland (my pop’s grandfather could have been born in the 1790s) but maybe they had reasons to lie to me. For a long time now I’ve had the feeling I might have the blood of Toltecs or Olmecs in me. Today was one of those days. This was the day the register/ photo/lamina machine for driver’s licenses down here in pucker-brush country was scheduled to be in our little village for new and renewal licenses. In the last few years it has been kind of hit and miss – once, at the appointed place and hour we learned the machine, the people, were in another village. The next time they had the wrong date, the next time the machine wasn’t working.
about the timing. The DMV guy said “The machine is still in San Jose. Come back in two hours.” I pulled out of the parking lot with a smile on my face because I knew that I had time for two Bloody Marys’ and a sandwich before I had to even think about going back. I also knew that my Toltec/Mexican license clerk hermanos in San Jose were not to be rushed to our little pueblo for this simple business because they only had one thing to do today and heaven knows how long that might take.
A bonus might appear because I might well be more photogenic in my pre-siesta mode. Take a look at your gringo friend’s Mexican driver’s license picture and mine and you’ll find my big grin displaying the difference almost native blood and attitude can make.
Like a good citizen I had gone to the proper local office, made out the application, gave up all my I.D. and license copies, even paid for the renewal and got a receipt. All that’s left is to have my photo taken, turn in my old license, and get the new one.
Learned a loooong time ago that if you want to survive down here in retirement, only do one thing a day. My one thing today is to renew my old license. The all important time to do this one thing has just come and gone. I was supposed to be there (when the machine arrives) at 10:00. I was early at 9:45.When I heard the office phone ringing I got a bad feeling
Located next to East Cape Health Center Our management services include the following:
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Feliz Navidad Traditions in Mexico
From: Why Christmas.com The first thing to know about celebrating Christmas in Mexico is that most everybody takes off the last two weeks in December to spend more time with the family, visit with old friends, even make new friends. In Mexico, Christmas is celebrated from December 12th to January 6th. From December 16th to Christmas Eve, children often perform the 'Posada' processions or Posadas. Posada is Spanish for Inn or Lodging. There are nine Posadas. These celebrate the part of the Christmas story where Joseph and Mary looked for somewhere to stay. For the Posadas, the outside of houses are decorated with evergreens, moss and paper lanterns In each Posada, children are given candles and a board, with painted clay figures of Mary riding on a donkey and Joseph, to carry round the streets. They call at the houses of friends and neighbors and sing a song at each home. The song they sing is about Joseph and Mary asking for a room in the house. But the children are told that there is no room in the house and that they must go away. Eventually they are told there is room and are welcomed in! When the children go into the house they say prayers of thanks and then they have a party with food, games and fireworks. Each night a different house holds the Posada party. At the final Posada, on Christmas Eve, a manger and figures of shepherds are put on to the board. When the Posada house has been found, a baby Jesus is put into the manger and then families go to a midnight Church service. After the Church service there are more fireworks to celebrate the start of Christmas. One game that is often played at Posada parties is piñata. A piñata is a decorated clay or papier-mâché jar filled with sweets and hung from the ceiling or tree branch. The piñata is often decorated something like a ball with seven peaks around it. The peaks or spikes represent the 'seven deadly sins'. Piñata's can also be in the form of an animal or bird (such as a donkey). To play the game, children are blind-folded and take turns to hit the piñata with a stick until it splits open and the sweets pour out. Then the children rush to pick up as many sweets as they can. As well as the posada's, another type of Christmas play known as Pastorelas (The Shepherds). These tell the story of the shepherds going to find the baby Jesus and are often very funny. The devil tries to stop them by tempting them along the way. But the shepherds always get there in the end, often with the help of the Archangel Michael, who comes and beats the devil! December/January
Christmas Eve is known as 'Noche Buena' and is a family day. People often take part in the final Posada and then in the evening have the main Christmas meal. At midnight, many people go to a Midnight Mass service, known as the 'Misa de Gallo' (Mass of the Rooster). There are lots of fireworks to celebrate Christmas Day. Poinsettia flowers are known as 'nochebuena' (Christmas Eve) flowers in Mexico. People in Mexico also celebrate 'los Santos Inocentes' or 'Day of the Innocent Saints' on December 28th ad it's very like April Fools Day in the UK and USA. 28th December is when people remember the babies that were killed on the orders of King Herod when he was trying to kill the baby Jesus. In some states in Mexico children expect Santa Claus (Santo Clós) to come on December 24th. In the south of Mexico children expect presents on January 6th at Epiphany, which is known as 'el Dia de los Reyes'. But, where there is not a lot of Western influence, Santo Clós is not so popular. In Mexico, presents might also be brought by 'El Niñito Dios' (baby Jesus). On el Dia de los Reyes the presents are left by the Three Kings (or Magi). If you've had a visit from Santa on Christmas Eve, you might also get some candy on el Dia de los Reyes! It's traditional to eat a special cake called 'Rosca de Reyes' (Three Kings Cake) on Epiphany. A figure of Baby Jesus is hidden inside the cake. Whoever has the baby Jesus in their piece of cake is the 'Godparent' of Jesus for that year. Another important day, is Candelaria (also known as Candlemas) on the 2nd February and it marks the end of the Mexican Christmas celebrations. Lots of Mexicans have a party for Candelaria…… Now that is one long holiday season!!! Traditional Nativity Scene
Rosca de Reyes Cake
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CAPS FOR CANCER By: Annette Kaiser
Annette Kaiser hails from Central Africa, now Zimbabwe. While living in the States she started knitting ‘Caps for Cancer’ patients in many hospitals in Colorado. After several years, she was asked to supply doggie sweaters for the 4-legged patients of the CSU Vet Cancer Clinic.
Some of the many ‘Cap-ers’ and the creations of the week!!
‘Caps for Cancer’ began in Los Barriles with a group of 4 ladies making hats for the Cancer clinic hospitals in both San Jose and La Paz. The knitting group rapidly expanded to over 25 Mexican, Canadian, and American women who donate their time and talent to knit, crochet and weave for the kids with cancer as well as heart disease. Through Char Wenger, who operates the East Cape Health Center, we supply the caps for her Passport to Health children and sick kids that come to her clinic in Los Barriles. The need for caps has grown, as well as other knitted clothing including booties, shawls, scarves, ponchos, and lap blankets. Now we supply to the hospitals in La Paz and San Jose.
Caps for Cancer runs totally on donations. There is no charge to either join the group or be supplied with yarns for the various items. We want to thank all our donors of yarn, needles and looms in the East Cape, US and Canada. Contact Annette Kaiser at iikaiser@frii.com if you would like to join or make articles for ‘Caps for Cancer’. Just 1 ball of yarn will make at least 2 hats. Please bring down one ball in your suitcase for our cause. If everyone brings down one ball of yarn, that is a LOT of caps!
On December 5th, at the Community Market in LB, come meet the yarn craft artisans of Caps for Cancer and see them demonstrate their craft. On display will be the items we create that will be sent to the local hospitals. You can also purchase raffle ticket for a lap blanket crocheted by Janine Barnes. Funds raised will help purchase more yarn. You can bring yarn donations and/or money donations to help us purchase yarn also. See you there!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ POSTCARDS By: Yvonne Gordon
Have you ever had a sweetheart Who from you lived far away Who would send you heartfelt postcards A new one each and every day? Well the Creator is no sweetheart He's an All-wise and Powerful Being But each morn I look through my window I feel that same very heartfelt thing The chirping birds, the buzzing bees The sweet-scented flowers, the bright green trees The beauty in the sky, in the clouds and in the sun Reminds me that He loves me Yes his new gift, a bright new day, has only just begun!
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Exercise and cellulite By: Sefi Held
Cellulite - we all know what it looks like and we don't like it. Upon my arrival in Baja this Winter, I was approached by a woman wanting to know what to do with the cellulite that seems to have appeared after the age of 50. The first thing you should know is that, in a medical sense, cellulite is simply plain old fat! It does have that defining characteristic of looking like cottage cheese or like the peel of one of our Baja oranges. The reason for that is that we have connective tissue that separates fat cells into compartments. Men tend to have the horizontal or crisscross patterns to those compartments while women's compartments have that nice honeycomb appearance giving fat a greater chance to bulge into that cottage cheese effect. That is why we women are more likely to develop cellulite than men and we seem to collect it mainly around the hips and thighs. Cellulite becomes more noticeable with age due to the fact that our skin gets thinner over time.
Of course, not everybody will develop cellulite in their lifetime. Genetics determines where your fat cells are and how many fat cells you have. Activity level is another important factor associated with cellulite so if you exercise regularly, you will decrease your odds of developing cellulite, or if you do, your dimpled look won't be quite so pronounced. Beware of the quick fix! Too many desperate people still hang on to the idea of those easy, quick fixes like the cellulite cream makers, medical procedures such as liposuc-
just does not work - no amount of cream applied to the skin can penetrate and rearrange the fat cells beneath the surface. Liposuction is designed to remove the excess deposits of fat, but it does not change the appearance of fat. Body wraps are only temporary as well - fat is compressible and when you wrap it, it will smooth your skin, but the next day your skin will be back to its normal shape. Another of the misconceptions is that dieting alone can zap that fat tissue. There are diets where you will lose weight and at least one quarter of that weight loss will be muscle which tends to lower your metabolism. When you return to your regular eating habits, you will regain more weight than what you lost due to the fact that your metabolism is now slower. OK, so what is the solution? The experts recommend daily cardio exercise combined with resistance training and a healthy diet. An exercise program does not have to be complicated in order to be effective. For strength training exercises, any tool is fine, including dumbbells, elastic bands, body weight and machines. Some effective free-weight exercises include squats, lunges, band hip adduction and abduction, bodyweight plank, trunk extensions and trunk curl. Still not sure where to start? Come and check out all the fabulous classes at the Sukhasana Yoga and Pilates Studio and we can help get you started on the right track. While results won't happen overnight, a consistent program of regular movement combined with a sensible diet can go a long way toward not only improving your appearance but your overall health and well being. Our Sukhasana Yoga and Pilates Studio is up and running and all of our instructors are fully qualified and certified, including CPR, and we would like to provide you with the safest and most enjoyable classes possible. Stay tuned to the Baja Pony Express and you will find the entire studio schedule posted on the Calendar. See you all real soon! Sefi Held, A.C.E., CanfitPro certified Personal Trainer, Fitness, Yoga, Pilates and Older Adult Fitness Specialist Instructor, Resist-A-Ball and Zumba certified.
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Buen Provecho in San Bartolo
By: Denise Elliott and Renée Lagloire The history of Buen Provecho Mexican cooking and culture classes is closely tied to the East Cape area. Denise Elliott, a Chef, and Renée Lagloire, an Anthropologist started their cooking classes in La Paz, where they stayed for two seasons. Their friend Holly Burgin, of East Cape Recycling Baja attended a class early on with a group of friends, and was an ambassador in the East Cape for their classes. Many of the students for the first two years in La Paz drove in from Los Barriles and other communities nearby. When Denise and Renée started to think about a location for their classes, the East Cape region seemed a logical choice. Eventually, they purchased a property in San Bartolo and a cookhouse was built by local talent, using local rock. The first year of classes in their new location (third year for Buen Provecho) exceeded all expectations. There was much merriment and great food. Renée and Denise are very grateful to their students for being so supportive of the cooking classes. They are also happy that the composted dirt they are making on the property is now available for sale in Los Barriles at Armando Molina’s hardware store on the Trans Peninsular Highway. The organic seasonal bounty from their orchard is being sold at Joe’s Deli, also in Los Barriles. So, little by little projects are being developed. Denise and Renée consider their adventure a huge learning experience. There were certainly some lessons learned in the move to San Bartolo. So some changes are planned for the upcoming cooking season. The main change in the fourth season is that all of the menus for the classes are at the Chef’s discretion with input from students. This is because sourcing of fresh ingredients is so different in the East Cape than it was in La Paz. With freshness trumping everything else, by the end of the third season, the actual menus prepared in the Buen Provecho Mexican cooking and culture classes started to have little resemblance to those published on the web site. For this reason, the change to Chef’s discretion was made. This, of course, opens the pathway for the integration of dishes that students would like to learn to cook … Buen Provecho is encouraging requests from the students. On their web site Denise and Renée have posted some sample menus to show the range and breadth of offerings in each class. The actual menus for each of the classes will be determined by the Chef with student input.
such that most classes yield leftovers so those loved ones who don’t attend class can also get a taste when the student returns home. The students are asked to bring storage containers, beer/ wine if they would like that with their meal, and are requested to wear close-toed shoes for safety. Reservations are required, so if you would like to attend one of Buen Provecho’s classes or with the holidays if you would like to buy gift certificates for a class, please contact Renée or Denise at info@buenprovechobaja.com or by phone 612-11-98034. For more information please go to www.buenprovechobaja.com or go like “Buen Provecho Baja” on Facebook.
One of the favorite rice dishes prepared in Buen Provecho classes is white rice with toasted angel hair pasta (Arroz blanco con fideos). Denise and Renée offer this recipe for you to try at home.
White Rice with Toasted Angel Hair Pasta
- Arroz Blanco con Fideos 2 cups white rice (and hot tap water for soaking) ¼ cup. cup olive oil 4 oz. or about 1 cup fideo pasta, or Angel Hair pasta broken into pieces ½ cup white onion, finely chopped 2 small garlic cloves 4 cups water (or chicken broth) 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice 1 tsp. salt, or to taste
1. Soak the white rice in hot water for 5 minutes. Drain, rinse with cold water and drain again. 2. Soak the white rice in hot water for 5 minutes. Drain, rinse with cold water and drain again. 3. In a small skillet, heat the oil over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add the angel hair and fry for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. It should be browned but not burned. 4. Incorporate the drained rice, cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice achieves a milky white color and it feels and sounds heavier when you move it. 5. Add the chopped onion and garlic, stir and cook for another 2 minutes. Pour the water or broth over the rice, add the salt and lime juice, and once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover with the lid, and cook for about 20 minutes. 6. The rice is ready when the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender and cooked. Turn off the heat and keep it covered for at least 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve.
Consistent with last year, Denise and Renée are scheduling classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from December 1 to March 12. They are taking reservations for classes until a minimum of six students are enrolled, at which point the class is confirmed. Each class has a maximum of 14 students. The cost of the class is $85 US ($80 for BCS residents). On the day of class, the students are invited to come half an hour early for a quick walking tour of the Buen Provecho orchards. The class includes a small meal within the first hour of arrival, while learning about ingredients in the menu. Portions are planned
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Baja 1983 By: Karen L Porter
Looking out of the Mexicana aging plane window I watched the mountains rise up on the right and the scrubby desert emerge from the left. This was going to be a great adventure. Baja was unchartered land for most tourists in 1983. (Californians and fishermen had it pretty much to themselves.) Descending from the back of the plane-what a novel idea-blasted by the hot air coming off the tarmac we made our way to the cinderblock building and palapa hut to wait for our bags. We were three Idaho couples who really came to see if the fishing was as a good as reported (the men) and to kick back in the sunshine with books (the women.) Apparently we had landed in the middle of nowhere. I looked around. No ocean beaches in sight. A few VW green and red taxi’s were parked randomly in the lot. A fellow approached with a hand lettered sign which read HOTEL Cabo San Lucas. Exchanging no English or Spanish we followed him to the VW bus.
The two lane road was slow and it seemed like forever before we spotted the incredible blue of the Sea of Cortez. The sleepy town of San Jose del Cabo with its shacks and unfinished construction which seem to be a combination of business and home barely caught our attention. Some time later we passed through a brick arch marking the entrance to the hotel and the cobblestone road opened on to a vista of palm trees and bougainvillea. The Hotel Cabo San Lucus was truly a monument to Mexican architecture. Taken in with full appreciation of the magnificent setting on a rocky beach front point, suspended out over the cliffs with open air dining, the sound of the background waves crashing on the rocks, we broke into smiles. Open to the sky the lobby desk was inviting our check-in. No question it was easily the most beautiful setting imaginable for a girl from Illinois. Dropping our luggage quickly
in our rooms we took a look around. A stroll through the grounds and along the beach left us all giddy with our good fortune. This promised to be the best vacation imaginable in a paradise, more beautiful than Hawaii and no people. Where to begin? Lunch? Pool? Beach? Book? Having left behind our household of five noisy children I was adrift in the possibilities. It was very strange to have no phone or television in our super-deluxe room. I soon learned there was NO PHONE at all. Not at the front desk or in the entire hotel. Nearest phone? Down the road about fifteen miles. The Hacienda Hotel in Cabo San Lucus boasted the only phone for the entire tip of Baja. Standing there in disbelief I tried to get a grip on my slowly rising panic. After checking into a hotel I always call home to give contact numbers for emergencies. With five children you anticipate some incident will require at least one frantic call from the babysitter (often my mother and father) back home. How was I going to talk everyone into a quick trip to the Hacienda Hotel? The isolation was palpable. There were few cars in the cobblestone parking lot. People arrived in taxis and disappeared in to their rooms along a long and open hallway. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner brought us all together. The dining room was open to the sky, covered by that new marvel, a palapa. Small finches sat on the lips of the maple syrup pitchers (before Purell!) The song of the birds, breezes through the palms, and the surf were the only sounds. On the third day, the men had scheduled a fishing charter out of the Cabo San Lucus marina. The women decided it was time to make a dash for souvenirs as well. The men left much too early so we had the hotel desk get us a taxi. It was fifteen dollars each way but we figured that was certainly a bargain considering the men were paying three hundred dollars for a day of fishing. Jumping into the turquoise taxi with the lively pink fringe hanging from the sun visors we settled into the seats covered with Mexican blankets. We were excited to see Cabo and try the phone at the Hacienda Hotel. We had been on the road about five minutes. There was no traffic and the two lane road was surrounded by scrubby cactus and prickly looking bushes. In the middle of no where our driver pulled off the highway. He got out, walked back, opened the trunk and pull out a baseball bat! We looked at each other in horror. be robbed!” I gulped.
“We are going to
We were speechless in fear. I jumped out. Speaking not a word of Spanish I stood silently by the door. Having
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no idea what I could, or should do I watched helplessly. The driver began by banging on the hubcaps of the rear tires. When he had finished banging on all four, and satisfied he was not going to lose them, he climbed back in. Giving him a thumbs up, I sheepishly climbed back in as well. We arrived safely in Cabo San Lucas a short time later. There were two streets, three hotels, a Marina and a few shops. Our adventures had begun.
Live in Baja, Love the Outdoors By: Tehroma Lask
Outdoor Living in Baja is available year round in the East Cape. Before making Los Barriles, Baja California Sur my permanent home in 1994, I lived in Eastern Oregon. Winters included short days, long dark nights, sometimes snow or ice and temperatures nearing zero. Sunlight was limited as was time outdoors. After spending hours, days and months indoors, by February I felt like I was clawing the walls, desperate for time outside, warmth, fresh air, vitamin D, less clothing, open doors and windows, freedom to move in and out, without the layering required to keep a body warm. On the bright side, I did have my share of snow ball fights, ice pranks down the back of my shirt shock in junior high, some of the usual cold weather
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outdoor activities and once, I got to ski – seventeen and fearless, I flew down the slopes, fell on my front, sides and behind many times and was lucky to walk away uninjured. On that day, I had the most fun ever until my early thirties when I started kiteboarding, taking advantage of the abundant north wind, as well as, friendly, patient, knowledgeable and professional lessons at Exotikite Kiteboarding. One of the main reasons I chose to put down roots and make LB my home was to live in a place where I could live indoor-outdoor twelve months out of the year. With smart design, considering wind, sun, shade, seasons, natural climate and weather patterns, it is not only possible to enjoy indoor-outdoor living year round, but pleasant. In over twenty years of living here, I have to say the only time it is impossible to enjoy outdoor living is during a hurricane. Even on the coldest day of winter, an outdoor area that is protected from the wind and exposed to the warm rays of sunshine can be cozy and inviting. Without sunshine, it can still be nice, as long as there is wind protection! Add an outdoor chimenea and voila! Even better. On the warmest day of summer, feel the occasional early morning breeze and gentle south wind during its visit, add some ceiling or floor fans and it can be enjoyable to be outside. Frequent swims, cool showers and iced drinks to stay hydrated, slow movement – not being in too much of a hurry and the quiet of summer – sans hurricanes – feel like a blessed reprieve. For those who love to hike the ever changing local hillside trails, summer hiking is possible, again – slow movement, much hydration, less distance, early ascent and watch for rattle snakes when you walk. Stop and smell the cactus flower, be home and under shade before the sun blazes down. Our bedrooms and office are air-conditioned, making sleeping comfortable, as well as, concentrating on work possible. We did air-condition our entire home for several years, but soon realized – aside from the high power bills – that air-conditioning our home, closing doors and windows, I felt as confined and limited to staying indoors as I had in Eastern Oregon during winter up there. We decided to donate the great room’s A/C to the local high school where our son is now a senior, open our windows and doors, adapt to the daily temperature, cook outdoors, move slower – during summer in LB, doing less is not only possible Continued on page 24
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, but necessary! Last summer was our first offering yoga classes at Healing Winds Holistic Center and after several piped in with the opinion we would need A/C to stay cool and keep classes going all summer, I decided to experiment with adapting the practice to the season – again, slow gentle movement, less is more, cooling, restorative poses and we did it! We stayed relatively cool, the classes lasted all summer and as we now transition into cooler months, I notice more energy is available and onward we go.
UBL Designs, originally known as VOS en Construction, has been designing and building custom homes since 1991. We have witnessed and been part of the boom, worked through and downsized during the recession. Over the last five years, we have collaborated with clients who over the years have become our friends, mainly focusing on additions, remodels and the creation of Outdoor Living. To share with our community some unique, beautiful and livable outdoor areas we have created, on January 6, 2016, we plan to host a Winter Garden and Outdoor Living Area Tour. Eight patios will be open to the public to walk through, meander, pause, inspire, sit down, and breathe in the fresh Baja air. Enjoy the warm, sunlit and wind protected areas. Walk through the shaded, cool and well ventilated areas comfortable for warmer months. Each
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outdoor area, a style of its own, and reflection of the homeowners themselves - styles range from Old Baja with contemporary flair, Santa Fe, Whimsical, Mainland Mexico Colonial and Hacienda, Desert style, with creative and eclectic combinations in each place. Materials include bricks, rocks, pebbles, plaster and a variety of textures and colors, bright shiny tiles, glass bottles, mosaics, wood, concrete and more. Gardens range from desert plants, dirt and space between to lush, green, blooming and organic. Seven out of eight gardens benefit from immediate re-use of gray water, is reutilizing water from showers, bathroom sinks and washing machines to irrigate plantings throughout. In the desert, water is scarce and shade is king. Join us! We look forward to seeing you at our Winter Garden and Outdoor Living Area Tour, January 6, 2016. Since the tour falls on Three Kings Day, enjoy a traditional Rosca and refreshments, with fun surprises and prizes for a lucky few. Mark your calendars, save the date, bring your partner, spouse, a friend, family member, the more the merrier! Details will be posted on the BPE, our website and blog www.ubldesigns.com No matter the size of your house, adding a Garden and Outdoor Living Area will increase the unique, beautiful, livable and lovable nature of your Baja Home!
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2015 – 2016 Season Calendar Dec 4 East Cape Guild Christmas Party Dec 6 Asociacion de Artes December Art Show – Colina del Sol January 12 thru the 17th Lord of Winds February 9th Rotary Carnival Parade and Celebration Feb 13th Asociacion de Artes Artist Home Tour March 5 Baja Ha Ha - East Cape Guild March 10th thru 14 Rotary Workdays at the Alburgues March 11 – 19 Baja Shakespeare 2016 Play “The Lost Barrels of Pleasure Island” March 20 Asociacion de Artes Art Festival – at Palmas April 16 Bocce Ball Tournament - East Cape Guild April 22nd Earth Day – Rotary If you are an organization with an event date, please send it to u s and we will put it on our long range calendar! December/January
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STOP THE MINING APPROVALS! By: Veronica Velasco
DID YOU KNOW THAT NEW OPEN PIT MINES (MINAS) ARE CLOSE TO APPROVAL IN THE SIERRA DE LA LAGUNA MOUNTAINS BEHIND OUR TOWNS AND CITIES?! THIS AREA HAS BEEN PROTECTED FROM MINING SINCE THE 1800's BECAUSE EVEN NOW SOME LOCAL TOWNS STILL CAN NOT DRINK THEIR LOCAL WATER DUE TO THE HIGH CONCENTRATION OF ARSENIC LEFT FROM THE LAST SMALL MINING OPERATIONS - IMAGINE WHAT BIG MINING OPERATIONS WILL DO!! ... BUT NOW POLITICIANS ARE IGNORING THIS TIME HONOURED PROTECTION! LET'S NOT LET THE GOVERNMENT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE AGAIN! PLEASE HELP US TO STOP ANY MINING IN BAJA SUR BY GOING NOW TO: FACEBOOK - FRENTE CIUDADANO EN DEFENSA DEL AGUA y LA VIDA EN BCS
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2016 Workshops and Classes with Anne Hebebrand in Todos Santos www.annehebebrand.com
Two Day Workshop: Acrylic Gels, Mediums and Pastes Explorations When: January 14 & 15 and Feb 25 & 26 Where: Anne’s Studio on Calle Ripple in San Sebastian, Todos Santos Cost: 300$ USD, includes all materials Have you ever wondered how to use acrylic gels, pastes, mediums and various grounds with your painting? This workshop will cover a variety of acrylic materials and their properties. You will learn about the different products and how to use them together to create new surfaces, textures, finishes, opacities and transparencies and how to incorporate these materials into your own work. If you have been using acrylics in a traditional manner, you will discover new and inventive manipulations of acrylics that will open up new horizons! In this two-day workshop you will complete various projects involving photo transfer, acrylic skins, sgrafitto and subtractive processes. Students will receive their own Golden A-Z Acrylics Set (30 samples).
Two day Workshop: Mixed media and Collage When: March 10 & 11 Where: Anne’s Studio on Calle Ripple in San Sebastian, Todos Santos Cost: 300$ USD, includes all materials This two-day collage workshop will challenge you to find new and unique ways of making art. Open to beginners as well as advanced students, you will focus on the creative process by combining materials in unusual ways. We will experiment with different papers, techniques and ideas to create personal and innovative collages while learning about color, composition, texture, shape and design. During this two-day workshop, you will learn various techniques of how to incorporate drawing, painting, stamping, transfers and cropping with your collage.
All workshops are appropriate for beginners as well as more advanced students. I can give individual attention to all students at various levels of ability and you can progress at their own pace, since there will be no more than four students per class. Please send me an email (annehebebrand@gmail.com) as soon as possible to hold your spot; class size is limited to four people.
About the Artist Anne Hebebrand splits her time between the East Coast of the United States and Todos Santos, a small artist town in Baja California, Mexico. Anne works in a variety of media ranging from oil, acrylics, watercolor, collage and mixed media. She explores painting through experimentation; looking for new and exciting directions her painting takes her. Vibrant color radiates from her richly layered textured paintings. Anne's pieces are in many private collections in the United States, Germany and Mexico. Some of Anne's creations are now on view at Pez Gordo in Cabos San Lucas, Mexico. Anne has been featured in several publications including the New York Times and Art New England. You can view her work at www.annehebebrand.com and see some samples of her as well as her students’ work at www.pinterest.com/ annehebebrand. An equally accomplished teacher of art, Anne was named the Connecticut Art Education Association's Outstanding Secondary Arts Educator in 2012. As a teacher, she loves to share her artistic passion and is likewise inspired by her students' creative explorations. She has taught painting, drawing and art history at the college and high school level.
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Boco del Alamo Cave Paintings By Walter S. Zapotoczny Jr.
One of my adventures while living in Baja took me north of Los Barriles along the beach road past El Cardonal in search of the Boco del Alamo cave paintings, near White Face Mountain. When exploring in the desert or the mountains, it is always a good idea to go with a group of people, so I decided to ask my friend Brian Cummings from the Asociación de Artes in Los Barriles if he would be interested in taking me in his dune buggy. A full-time resident of the Baja, Brian has over twelve years experience exploring the area in his modified Volkswagen. Accompanying us in their dune buggy were Bob and Judy Eustice who are part-time residents with over ten years of desert exploring. I felt confident that I was in good hands for the trip. After loading up with water, adjusting our goggles, and synchronizing our Global Positioning Systems (GPS), we were off to our start point just north of Los Barriles. A little more than two miles north of the Hotel Palmas de Cortez entrance and past the Buenos Aires Arroyo and the San Bartolo Arroyo is a blue “Punta Pescadero Paradise” road sign. To the left is a hard surface road to El Cardonal. To the right is the dirt road that parallels the beach and our route of travel. We wandered along the dirt road cut into the side of the hill. It was just wide enough for one vehicle in some spots. The road climbed along the rocky cliffs that flank the smooth blue water of the Sea of Cortez. I thought how truly beautiful a place it is, full of extreme landscape, lonely rural roads, and the occasional house built on the side of the cliff. The breathtaking views from far above the sea are worth the trip alone. After a little more than six miles, we came across a beach with rocks jutting out into the crystal-clear shallow water. Brian told me that this is a favorite snorkeling spot of the locals. About a mile later, we came to Hotel Punta Pescadero and the airstrip that services hotel guests and the half dozen or so private homes along the beach. After another four miles, it was time to stop at the Mar Y Tierra Restaurant for breakfast. After breakfast, we traveled northwest through El Cardonal and past the intersection with the hard surfaced road that began in Los Barriles (this is an alternative route for the return trip). After approximately five and a half miles, we reached the village of Boco del Alamo. A short distance north from the road intersection to the village is a dirt road on the left that leads to a parking area and the trailhead. We turned on the road and followed it, continuing to bear left, heading toward the large rock on top of the mountain until we reached an open area and the trailhead. We parked the dune buggies and followed the
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footpath a short distance to a small-unlocked gate. Once through the gate, we followed the path up the side of the hill. The climb was a little steep but there are plenty of places to rest along the way and enjoy the view of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains and the Bahia Los Muertos (Bay of the Dead). We came across huge Card贸n cactus. I know that these are very slow growing plants and many specimens live well over 300 years. I wondered what stories they could tell. The higher we climbed, the more we could see of the rock formations at the top of the mountain. I wondered if there were Indian shelters there too. In the distance, I could see the Card贸ns towering above the Creosote Bush and Prickly Pear. Turkey Vultures circled in the canyon below. I wondered what they had their eyes on. At least they were not circling above us. After the twenty-minute climb, we reached the rock overhang and the paintings. The large rock extended out about ten or twelve feet. It was obvious why the Indians would have used it for shelter. It provided protection from the elements and gave them a great view of the area. I could clearly see red and black figures of people, fish, an eagle, deer, and small animals. The first thing that struck me was how bright the red paint remained after all the years of erosion. I read that some of these pigments
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have a mineral origin. Rocks were pulverized, then sifted, and mixed with some type of vegetable-based glue like pine-tree resin or the sap of the Nopal (prickly pear). Other kinds of cactus that would permit its application on the rock with the fingers or some kind of brush were also used. Some of the smaller rocks scattered around the area have a red and black color similar to the paintings. I stood there admiring the paintings and thinking about the Pre-Columbian Cochimi tribes that wandered through Baja's canyons. The paintings of people and animals provide a unique glimpse into the ancient past of Baja California. Indian peoples migrated to the Baja peninsula as early as 9,000 or 10,000 years ago. Local legend claims the Boco del Alamo cave paintings to be about 800 years old. Images of wildlife are the most common paintings on Baja rock-shelters. Scattered throughout four mountain ranges in hundreds of sites, Baja California's rock art is unique -- in style, dimension, quality, and quantity. The rock art of Baja California is considered by many experts to be among the world's most important groupings of Continued on page 30
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prehistoric rock paintings. The paintings vary in age from 1100 BC to AD 1300. Motifs include human figures, weapons, and animal species such as rabbit, puma, lynx, deer, wild goat/sheep, whale, turtle, tuna, sardine, octopus, eagle, and pelican; there are also abstract elements of various forms. For more information about the cave paintings of Baja California, visit the Bradshaw Foundation website at http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/baja/. Spanish missionaries knew of the painted rock-shelters as early as 1728. They admired the fact that those colors should have remained permanent in the stone through many centuries without being damaged by either air or water. Francisco Javier Clavigero, in his 1789 Historia de la Antigua o Baja California, was the first to describe the painted rock-shelters, noting pictures of men and women, and the different species of animals. I am happy that I made the trip to see the cave paintings. Eventually, water will erode them away and they will not be visible. It was a privilege to have seen them and to enjoy the spectacular scenery, great company, and
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wonderful food on the way. You should make the trip before the paintings are gone. Enjoy the beauty of both the cave art and the surrounding desert. You will not regret it. It is a superb day trip from our East Cape.
Walter S. Zapotoczny Jr. is a retired U.S. Army historian. He works today as a freelance writer. Walter has published several books and is working on some new books. He and his wife Bonnie used to live in Los Barriles. They now reside in Pennsylvania.
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Baseball Camp Number 3
SCREEN REPAIRS Window Screens, Sliding Screen Door, Rescreens, Repair or Replace Rollers on Screen or Glass Doors or New Screens Mobile, Local & Reliable
We had our 3rd camp in Buena Vista on Nov 21. We had a smaller than normal group, but what a great time we had! We has some of the players from LB’s women's softball team to play with us and that was great. We were also honored to have Mike Mayne, a College Hall of Fame coach, to come and help us out (we hope he can continue to come!). We also had many of the same coaches, that have been with us from the beginning, to come and work with the kids in the sun, and we thank them so much for that! Go to our facebook page and check out our pictures! www.facebook.com/ beisbolcampoeneastcape/
Please call us at 624-358-2669 E-Mail - r.screen@hotmail.com
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Our Remarkable New Delegada, Francie Olachea By: Theresa Comber
The most people who have ever voted turned out. Then, the most people who have ever voted for a single candidate marked their ballet for Francis 'Francie' Olachea. Newly elected and now our community's first ever female and first ever bilingual 'Delegada', Francie holds the position which is closely associated with a town Mayor.
Elections are a whirlwind and the government moves with haste. A candidate registers to run just two weeks before election day, which was Sunday, November 8. Campaigns last for a short 11 days as candidates must stop campaigning three days before election day, which are held on Sundays. The winner candidate is sworn in on Wednesday and reports to work on Thursday. Wearing Dorothy's magic red slippers, Francie did just that and hit the ground running with incredible ease. She now inhabits her office with a remarkable beauty that compliments her mind, skills, and the experience gained from her successful accounting career. The Los Barriles jurisdiction is a 't' shape that's missing the left arm. From Los Barriles it extends north on the coast past El Cardonal , Boca del Alamo and finally La Linea. It also heads south and then 8 miles west up the basurera road to the remote mountain towns of El Coro and Corral Falso; then due west to San Bartolo. In Mexico, your most important form of ID is your 'Voter Card' and approximately 2000 folks hold voter cards in this jurisdiction. Of those, an unprecedented 1200 voters showed up, nearly double any previous election and Francie triumphed with nearly 60 percent of the vote against two other candidates, both from San Bartolo. That's an important point; the past two Delegados have been from San Bartolo, and on that pueblo's behalf have
done a great job directing funding and attention to their roadside town - check out those enviable topes! And never before have our multi-cultural, multilingual communities had a bilingual Delegado. This is all terrific news for our community and for our collective futures. Francie's values are rooted in family, community and economy. She has raised two beautiful daughters here, both currently in university - one in BC, Canada and one in Guadalajara, and along with her supportive husband, Juan Angel, owns the very successful accounting firm of 'Rochin Olachea' situated in their building where Bancomer bank is located. She has been involved with non-profit organizations since they began nearly 20 years ago, including helping coordinate the Guild and direct tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships. She began Southern Baja's only completely free summer camp by aligning with the Art Association and East Cape Recycling Baja to provide 100 children a three week learning, sports and cultural experience. The role of Delegada is similar to a Mayor, although it diverges dramatically as Delegada's don't actually have a budget. Their most important task is to 'advocate' to the overseeing jurisdictions above them the county, the state, the federal offices - and make the case for allocating a piece of the money pie to fill the needs that will benefit our coastal communities. It's brutal. It's a constant battle of justifying and cajoling and often begging uphill. And as we have the disadvantage of being the furthest town geographically away from the La Paz state capital, we often are overlooked in the allocation process. Add to that the 40 employees that she's responsible for, and you know it's a big job. But Francie is a seasoned business woman, adept at negotiations and possesses an agile mind and keen understanding of our community and the varied processes to gain results. What does she need from us, the deeply caring, deeply invested and highly involved English speaking community? Support. She calls this her 'Three Year Gift' to her community and it appears financially that it certainly is. She is obliged to be at the Delegacion building daily and for her efforts will be earning about $270 a week. But her heart is here; her commitment is deep and her desire is to strive for and to better this community and the people and families and businesses that also call it home.
If you are on facebook, 'like' Francie as she uses it as a communications forum for what's happening. If you'd like to talk with Francie her number is:
62 414 10525
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Soon, we'll gather together with Francie so she can learn what's important to her English speaking community. Please be on standby for that meeting during the first week of December. In the meantime, raise a glass to this woman and know she's an incredible advocate for our diverse community.
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Must be able to swim and be comfortable in the water. Students must be between the ages of 14 and 18yrs. Be responsible and willing to learn. Students family arranges pick up and drop-off.
This afterschool program is completely free to the student and their family. ExotiKite provides the equipment and everything the student needs to learn. Various local donors, as well as a very successful Silent Auction in November, contribute to the instructors' wages. We currently
Francie talking with the citizens of her community
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LB Kiteboarding for Kids By: Kim Scholefield
LB Kiteboarding for Kids is a non-profit, afterschool program in Los Barriles, created in 2012, by Ian and Megan, from ExotiKite Kiteboarding.. They had talked for a number of years about creating an inexpensive and successful way to get local kids into kiteboarding, not only to share the joy of kiteboarding but also out of a desire to give local students a positive outlet to expend their energy afterschool.
have 14 students enrolled in the program and they will all learn to kite this windy winter. Judy Hart and Jack Lentz created Baja Sports, a collection of donated kiting gear, free for these students who wish to continue practicing on their own after lessons.
Learning to kiteboard is a fun and exciting sport and an avenue to possible employment opportunities. Several of our instructors learned in Los Barriles when they were in school and continued on to teach for ExotiKite. When the students complete the program they will also have the opportunity to assist with daily operations at the school.
Students learn from professional, certified instructors. Emphasis on safety and competence before progression, is required. Lessons are conducted in Spanish and are completed in a safe and enjoyable manner. Responsible, local students are encouraged and supported to learn to kiteboard in a safe, professional, and successful environment. The requirements to join the program are: December/January
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More Changes to the Mexican Immigration Law made on 2014 By Gisela Talamantes Saenz, Attorney at Law
Foreigners with no previous immigration status in Mexico that want to apply for temporary or permanent status must stop at the Mexican Consulate abroad first! On October 30, 2014 the new immigration law was amended again introducing different proceedings and new requirement giving the authority to the Mexican Consulates abroad to be able to grant temporary and permanent resident status before the foreigner enters Mexico. If the foreigner decides to enter Mexico he may do so under the tourist visa for 180 days, nevertheless, if he wishes to become a temporary or permanent resident once in Mexico he or she won’t be able to do it at the local immigration offices of INAMI as before, now he or she must start the process at any Mexican Consulate abroad. What does Tourist, Temporary or Permanent resident status means? 1. Entry and residency of foreigners in Mexico. In general terms the new law makes two distinctions: A Foreigners residing in Mexico for NO LONGER than 180 days B Foreigners residing in Mexico for MORE THAN 180 days a.
Residency for no longer than 180 days. When a foreigner wishes to stay in Mexico for no more than 180 days, performing an economic or non-economic activity, he or she may be able to request the status of “estancia”, for example tourists, business people and temporary travelers may apply for this status. The foreigners under this condition of “estancia” shall request at their entrance into Mexico a Migratory form denominated “Forma Migratoria Múltiple” (“FMM”), which is generally delivered to the foreigner on airplanes or other type of transportation. Except for the foreigners that are related to Mexicans, the foreigners holding an (FMM) will not be able to change his or her status for another that will allow him or her to stay longer than 180 days, therefore he or she will have to exit the country once the 180 days are up. b. Residency for more than 180 days. When a foreigner pretends to stay in Mexico more than 180 days, performing an economic or non-economic activity, he or she shall apply for the following migratory status: (i) Temporary Resident; or (ii) Permanent Resident. i) Temporary Residency (“Residencia Temporal”). This status will allow the foreigner to remain in Mexico for a period no longer than four years, being able to entry and exit México as he or she wishes. The foreigner will have to apply for this status before the Mexican Consulate abroad and obtain a visa stamp on his or her passport stating Temporary Resident (“Residente Temporal”). This visa will have an expiration date of approximately 180 days, within this time the foreigner must come to Mexico
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before the Immigration offices of INAMI and obtain the corresponding card with the legend (“Residente Temporal”). ii) Permanent Resident (“Residente Permanente”). This status allows the foreigner to remain in México indefinitely with a working permit, being able to entry and exit Mexico as he or she wishes. Not all the foreigners will be able obtain this status only the ones that comply with the requirements of the new law for example relatives of permanent residents or Mexicans, foreigners with more than four years under the temporary residency status, among others) will be able to apply for this status. The foreigners that qualify to obtain this status shall request it to the migratory authorities and will obtain a card with the legend stating Permanent Resident (“Residente Permanente”). Being the Permanent Resident status the most wanted between the foreign community, we provide a guide of documents and requirements being asked by most of the Mexican Consulates abroad, however you must check with your local Mexican Consulate to confirm requirements. MANDATORY: Original Passport Photo (32mm x 26 mm) - frontal view, in color, white background Proof of legal residence in the USA (non US Citizens) Fee (36.00dlls) *we recommend you also show copies of your property titles in Mexico (Fideicomisos) IF YOU ARE RETIRED CHOOSE ONE OPTION 1.
2.
Proof of investment or bank accounts with an average monthly balance equivalent to $129,500.00 USD ( show 12 months of statements) Proof of monthly income from pensions of at least $2,600.00 USD ( show 6 Months of statements)
If the foreigner is related to a Mexican or to a foreigner with permanent resident status he or she may apply for permanent resident status providing proof of their relationship with documents such as birth and marriage certificates, card or document proving Mexican citizenship. Proof of economic solvency to support the family: investment receipts or bank statements showing an average monthly balance $1,554.00USD or employment or a pension with monthly income greater than $520.00 USD (6 months) The above is just a guideline given by one of the Mexican Consulates in the United States; if you are from Canada or other countries please contact your Continued on page 35
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Read the color version online at www.eastcapearts.com Immigration continued from pg 34 local Mexican Consulate in order to be able to meet their specific requirements. Required minimum retirement income and bank investments amounts may vary with the fluctuation of the exchange rate. For more information please contact Gisela Talamantes Saenz at gisela@bajalegals.com or via cell phone 612.136.4598. Website: www.bajalegals.com : offices in La Paz and Los Barriles.
Christene Comstock “Enjoy the best of health�
Therapeutic Massage Come check out my new office in the serenity of a peaceful garden! Massage Swedish Thai Deep tissue Reiki Rain drop Facials Aroma therapy Acupressure Body Scrub
spadecortez@yahoo.com (044) 624-160-1203
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