YEAR: 3 Nº: 59 PUBLISHER: Hally J. Productions S. de R.L. EDITOR: Gari-Ellen Donohoe

www.bajacitizen.com

May 30th, 2011

Construction Complete on Tourist Pier

New Logo and Branding Campaign for La Paz to be Announced

Continues on page 4

A beautiful, scarlet macaw was found wandering the rooftop of a home in La Posada. The homeowners fed the macaw some apples and water and started making calls to find the bird’s owner. As of presstime, no owner had been found.

Photo courtesy of Richard Archer.

Construction complete of new pier along the malecon in La Paz.

Continues on page 4

TBC

Coming soon! A new look and a new branding campaign aimed at increasing tourist traffic to La Paz.

In order to promote La Paz, Baja California Sur, to worldwide tourism, 9 tourist developments in the area, including CostaBaja, Paraiso del Mar and Azul de Cortez, EMPRHOTUR (the La Paz Hotel and tourism enterprise association) and the State’s Secretary of Tourism, have joined forces and put forth a budget of nearly 800,000 US dollars over the next 3-years to market La Paz internationally. The sole purpose of this marketing campaign is to increase traffic to La Paz. Officials are hoping to get the campaign started by the end of 2011.

Paolucci Communication Arts, a California marketing and PR firm, have been hired to come up with a new identity for La Paz. The firm, which has worked extensively with the marketing efforts of Bahia De Los Suenos, a world-class development, complete with golf course and beach front villas located about 35 kilometers southwest of La Paz, visited La Paz in January of this year, speaking with developers, business owners and ex-pats living in La Paz, looking for the answer to the almost million dollar question, “What is it about La Paz that attracted you to stay here?”

La Paz will be introduced to the world with the unveiling of the branding campaign on June 14, 2011. Paolucci Communication Arts, in the company of La Paz’s Mayor Esthela Ponce and Governor Marcos Covarrubias, will present the new logo as well as announcing the 1.5 billion dollars in planned

TBC

After several months of construction, a new tourist pier, located in between Cuauhtemoc Park and Los Arcos Hotel on the malecon of La Paz, is set to open. Administracion Portuaria Integral of Baja California Sur, S.A. de C. V. (APIBCS) built the pier and will manage all activities from it.

APIBCS is a company of the State government that was created in 1996, in a bid to facilitate in the development of tourism, fishing and commercialization of the State. The administration, planning, construction and commercialization of the ports of La Paz, Pichilingue, San Juan de la Costa, San

Carlos, Puerto Escondido, Santa Rosalia, San Marcos and Santa María fall under the responsibilities of APIBCS.

The still unnamed pier was built to help facilitate order in the Bay of La Paz. Not only does it improve the infrastructure along the malecon, it is to be used by local fisherman and tourist companies that

May 30th, 2011 2

Publisher: Hally J. Productions S. de R. L.La Paz, BCS 23090 Mexico

The Baja Citizen is a free circulation community newspaper that is distributed in La Paz and the communities of Centenario, Todos Santos, Pescadero, El Sargento/La Ventana and Los Ba-rriles every second Monday.

The views of contributers to The Baja Citizen do not necesarily reflect those of the Publishers.

Editor Gari-Ellen Donohoe

gari-ellen@bajacitizen.comGari-Ellen’s cell (612) 159 13 88

Graphic DesignGabriela Inzunza Salgado

I picked my daughter up from school the other day and she greeted me with a big hug, a red face and handed me a form she told me I needed to fill out. I took a quick look at it and saw the state government logo on it, which got my attention. I then focused a little harder under the bright sun and realized it was a form for school uniforms.

School uniforms are mandatory at most schools in La Paz. Each school has there own school colors, logo and style of dress. For example, my daughter

must wear a white t-shirt complete with the school logo and a navy skort with white socks and runners when she has gym class. When she doesn’t have gym class, a white blouse under a navy blue jumper, white socks and black dress shoes. No ands, ifs or buts about it. School uniform or no school.

My daughter has two sets of each uniform; some kids just have one of each. The cost of each uniform, complete with shoes, runs between 600 to 800 pesos. Add on to that the price of school supplies and cleaning supplies for the school, including Fabuloso and toilet paper, times that by the number of kids in the family… To say the least, back-to-school shopping can

get kind of pricey, especially when we remember that minimum wage in La Paz is 59.62 pesos a day.

As I was trying to understand the reason for the form, my daughter’s teacher started explaining to the group of parents that had circled around the classroom entrance that the State government had just announced that they will be buying 1 school uniform for every primary school-aged child attending public school for the next school year. The form was to be filled out, complete with shirt and pants/skirt size and returned no later than May 27th to the school.

Wow, I thought. Big move by the State government. Impressive.

I later dug around a bit and found out the government plans on buying 74,000 school uniforms for the 2011-2012 school year. That equals to one uniform for each primary school aged student in public school in each of the 5 municipalities of Baja California Sur.

So in each of the 329 public, primary schools in Baja California Sur, students can count on buying one less uniform for the school year. That could be a savings of 300 to 400 pesos, which is a big step in helping the economies of families with school-aged kids come August.

So when school starts for another year on August 23rd, 2011, all children that study in primary school will be going to classes uniformed, no exceptions. The government also states that this is just another one of Governor Marcos Covarrubias campaign promises completed and a positive sign of his commitment to better the education for children in the state.

Political or not, I know how my wallet hurts in August after back-to-school shopping. A little help for families with young students in the house is a step in the right direction, anytime.

Yours,

Gari-EllenSchool uniform application form.

3 May 30th, 2011

La Paz Working on Romantic Getaway Destination Status

TBC

The State’s Secretary of Tourism, along with the private sector, have joined forces to promote La Paz as a potential Romantic Destination, to attract travelers in search of these experiences for their weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries or engagement getaways.

A general planning meeting took place with representatives of the State Government, tourist developments, including CostaBaja Resort & Spa and Paraiso del Mar and one of the major Destination Management Company’s with experience in the romantic destination industry from Los Cabos, in attendance.

Lic. Veronica Ruiz, Director of the State Tourism Trust, stated that the importance of Romantic Getaways have increased all over the world. For example, 16% of weddings in the United States were destination weddings, which means 350,000 ceremonies took place away from the homes of both the bride and groom. 23% of those weddings were held here in Mexico.

In order of preference, the top destinations in Mexico for destination weddings are Riviera Maya, Cancún, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta.

46 is the average number of guests that attend destination weddings and each guest has an average cost of 1,620 USD, leaving behind a total of 74,520 USD per wedding. Additionally, the cost for the average bride and groom for the event is 18,400 USD, giving a grand total of 92,920 USD per wedding.

32,000 Destination Weddings took place in Mexico last year.

Ruben Reachi, the Secretary of Tourism in BCS said, “There is no doubt that La Paz can reach a place on this privileged list of destinations popular for weddings. To make things happen, we need to take the necessary steps and have a plan of action that started today with this first meeting and also with the representation of Los Cabos and La Paz at events such as LOVE WEDDINGS MEXCIO, that took place in Los Angeles and New York at the end of this month.”

May 30th, 2011 4

Continues from front page

Checking things out at the used clothing sale at Pelicanos.

Continues from front page

Patricia Solem and Frank Hills Art Show at Alianza Francesa

development within La Paz and the surrounding area. Tours will be given of each of the tourist

developments along with their future development plans.

Officials have also been asked to discuss the tranquility of La Paz and the city’s low crime rate, as sound bites from the media in the United States and Canada have recently been

utilize small lanchas or boats, as a point of departure and return in the bay. Currently, small crafts can be seen leaving the beaches from several points along the malecon.

painting the entire country of Mexico with the same brush; that of heavy violence and disorder.

Local business groups applaud the efforts of everyone involved and hope a new branding strategy will get the message across to foreign tourists that La Paz is a quiet and unique city worth visiting.

Local and tourist foot traffic will also to be welcomed on the pier.

At press time, the grand opening date had yet to be announced by the State government.

All are invited to attend an art show of the watercolors of Frank Hills and the oil paintings of Patricia Solem at the Alianza Francesa, on Revolucion between Morelos and Victoria, opening at 8:30 p.m. on June 2, 2011. The show will continue until June 20. There will be plenty of friends and wine at the opening as well as Sergio Aguirre playing guitar, so don’t miss it!!

Frank Hills and Pat Solem

5 May 30th, 2011

Susan Fogel

Back in the year 2000 when my beloved and I arrived in La Paz, I wrote amusing emails to friends in the old country chronicling our fun and frustration in setting up our new home and new life. Back in their cubicle jobs, my friends wrote to say that they found my life exotic and adventurous.

And to this day, almost eleven years later, I am still sending notes home. Well I am blogging and posting on Facebook and Tweeting about life near the Tropic of Cancer.

I have posted videos of a group on horseback-Western saddle and chaps-tying up in front of Café Exquisito in Chametla and blogged about the sea plane that made an emergency landing in the shallow water in front of my house in El Comitan. And I posted photos of the weird, grey, wooden shoe-shaped boat that washed up. To friends back home, it is all so charming.That brings me to the Great Chametla Hay Bale Price Wars. Since I have lived here, there has been a flat-bed trailer stacked high with hay bales on the side of the road in Chametla. Well not every single day, but seasonally and with regularity. Many times after a summer rain--remember summer rain?--rains that would inundate the roads and sometimes cut us off from La Paz. Remember those? It’s been awhile, with the drought and all.

The Great Chametla Hay Bale Price Wars!

Anyway, after a rain, the hay-bale tractor would slowly sink in the mud, and one time it fell on its side. I never saw a sign indicating whether the hay was for sale. I never saw anyone buy hay, nor saw anyone attend to the truck. Eventually, the hay load would dwindle and the truck would disappear until next year.

I never said anything about it, just observed it, and made a note. In fact, I never thought about it until it would show up again and slowly sink in the mud. Well that all changed this year.Tractor trailers sprung up in several places around town. The trailers, piled high with hay, sported handwritten signs “$65” and nothing else. But in Chametla, the competition became fierce. No longer alone on the side of the road, the original trailer in its usual place appeared for the first time with a $65 sign. Across the highway on your left, as you head into La Paz, another trailer laden with hay bales appeared. For awhile, they advertised the same price. As a true entrepreneur, hay bale trailer number one lowered its price to

64 pesos. Then a third trailer arrived. Its hay bale price was also 64 pesos, so trailer number two sprouted a 64 peso sign.

Remember, all the years I drove past the original trailer? I never saw activity, no evidence of anyone belonging to the trailer. In fact, the first year I saw it, I thought it got stuck in the mud and was abandoned. And now someone is changing the price …almost daily. Anyway, we started taking note of the great hay bale price war. Once, we drove to town in the morning and saw one price, 64 pesos, and drive back a few hours later and noted that the prices had dropped to 62 pesos.

By the time the week was out, the war was in full nuclear stand-off. The infiltrator trucks now had signs saying 50 pesos and 60 pesos, ON THE SAME TRUCK. We surmised that the lower price was for older hay than the 60 peso hay, it looked drier to us. Well, would the horses and cows really know the difference? I know my Chihuahua

Coco-Nut Ibrahim Garcia would turn down dog food that sat out too long, but he is not an animal, just ask him. But a cow? That’s fodder for thought. Mr. Hay Magnate on the right side of the road now had a “help wanted” ( se solicita empleados) sign on his trailer. I am not making this up. Here is the ad I imagine: “Good job, no brainer. Sit in parked car all day and wait.” You know, if you were writing a book and needed some coffee money,

this would not be such a bad job. You could get an adapter for your laptop and crank the AC in the car and write. And every once in a while, wander over to Café Exquisito for an iced latte--double decaf, hold the whip cream, and use the restroom, then wander back. And you could keep an eye on the competition, and lower your price, as needed. You would need a

Magic Marker with a wide tip and some poster board. I am sure Mr. Hay Magnate would spring for your supplies.Not a bad job.

And you thought nothing ever happened in Chametla!

Hay sales no experience. Sit in car and wait. Bring Magic Marker (wide tip) and poster board.

Fresh hay $62, closeout hay $50 No refunds.

Established 1999, we will not be undersold.

painting the entire country of Mexico with the same brush; that of heavy violence and disorder.

Local business groups applaud the efforts of everyone involved and hope a new branding strategy will get the message across to foreign tourists that La Paz is a quiet and unique city worth visiting.

All are invited to attend an art show of the watercolors of Frank Hills and the oil paintings of Patricia Solem at the Alianza Francesa, on Revolucion between Morelos and Victoria, opening at 8:30 p.m. on June 2, 2011. The show will continue until June 20. There will be plenty of friends and wine at the opening as well as Sergio Aguirre playing guitar, so don’t miss it!!

May 30th, 2011 6

Local Writer Receives Award

Jonathan Roldan

At the Outdoor Writers Association of California (OWAC) meeting in Lake County, on Sunday, May 1, Jonathan Roldan, owner of Tailhunter International here in La Paz, received the second place award for best Newspaper Column, “Barbarians in Cotton Dresses.”

OWAC honored outdoor writing, photography, video and radio broadcast work that appeared in 2010.Founded in 1986, OWAC is a non-profit organization of professional outdoor communicators from California and surrounding western states. The org anization began with a strong core of avid anglers and hunters and has grown to include those who communicate about boating, camping, hiking, wildlife, biking, climbing, skiing, travel and other outdoor activities. OWAC now consists of newspaper and magazine staffers,

freelance writers, book authors, radio broadcasters, video producers, editors, photographers and artists. Together, OWAC communicators reach an audience of nearly 20 million readers, listeners and viewers in the largest outdoor market in America. Visit www.owac.org for more information.

7 May 30th, 2011

Changes are coming for the Tianguis Natural Farmers’ Market

Sam Rose at the Tianguis Natural Farmers-Market. Photo courtesy of KB Morrissey.

Les Carmona

Presently convening every Tuesday and Saturday in the Post Office Park at the intersection of Revolucion of 1910 and Constitucion in the capitol city of La Paz, June will bring changes to the configuration and presentation of the market.

Given the shrunken population during the summer months, the end of the growing season and the rise in temperature, the tianguis natural farmers’market will pare down from twice per week to Saturdays only. Some vendors will suspend participation, others are planning their strategies to continue bringing product to market and thanks to support from the economic development council of La Paz county, new vendors from the outlying ranchos will be given access in the form of transportation and shade.

During the summer, shoppers can continue to enjoy fresh produce, jam and jellies, empanadas, cakes and cookies, artisan bread, plus cheeses, seafood, sauces and pastas, plus salt from the sea of cortez, coffee beans and snacks. Clothing, fabric, art, stationery, items for home and garden, gadgets and patio décor as well.

There is no charge to attend but shoppers are asked to bring small change when making purchases, remember to take along a tote bag

freelance writers, book authors, radio broadcasters, video producers, editors, photographers and artists. Together, OWAC communicators reach an audience of nearly 20 million readers, listeners and viewers in the largest outdoor market in America. Visit www.owac.org for more information.

or cooler and please, refrain from tobacco use on market grounds. Selling officially gets underway at 930 but earlybirds are inevitable. The market breaks when vendors sell out or the overhead sun gets too fierce.

With your continued interest and support, the tianguis natural farmers’ market will continue to evolve, growing fresher and more vigorous with every successful week. Thanks for being a part of this important effort to bring quality to La Paz.

May 30th, 2011 8

Donut Man

The malecon of La Paz.

It’s a daily ritual. While I wait for coffee to brew, I check my calendar and slash through the box that was yesterday. Now, there are only a few dates remaining until we reach the square where I’ve written, “Leave for El Norte”.

I wrote those words months ago without any particular emotion. But this morning, when I realized how fast the date was approaching, dread came and sat squarely on my shoulders. It will be hard to leave La Paz.

There are a dozen things we need to do: Pre-pay utility bills. Arrange to have our plants watered and the sidewalk swept. Take down paintings and mirrors to protect them from

condensation caused by heavy rain. Empty the fountain. Ask friends to drive us to the airport. So many details. But none are the cause of my distress.

I’m anxious because there are so many things I’ll miss and want to do before we leave La Paz.

I’ll miss fish tacos and arrachera at Rancho Viejo.

And being part of the Sunday evening Malecon Mixmaster composed of bikers, skateboarders, rollerbladers, strollers and out-of-control battery powered cars driven by two-year-olds. I want to watch the sun light up the bay early on a Sunday morning when the Malecon is free of traffic.

I want to play Rummiqub with Ginger and Mercedes. And just once, I’d like to win.

I’d like to finish and return the novel Caramelo.

I’ll miss suggestions from the Sea of Cortez Writers’ group. And their patience.

I’d love to write a perfect first draft. Lose four pounds so I can fit into my swimsuit.

Master the subjunctive tense in Spanish.

Learn to paint like Ulla.

Okay, maybe the last four are a bit unrealistic but emotions and realism rarely co-exist.

The reality is that Alex and I have been lucky. We take care of large beautiful homes in the States but nevertheless; I’ll miss our small house with its plant-filled patios. I’ll miss dark-eyed Mexican children but will settle for blond, blue-eyed substitutes. I’ll miss the roosters but not the barking dogs. The music but not the all-night parties. The 85-degree water temperature but not the humid

1 0 5 - d e g r e e afternoons. I’ll crave fish tacos but will savor Thai and Indian food.

There are things I am looking forward to. Libraries. Foreign films with English subtitles. Trader Joes. And, on Sunday

mornings, Alex will buy three fat newspapers – in English, and then he’ll drive to a donut shop and bring home an old-fashioned donut for me and a huge apple fritter for himself. We’ll sit on the balcony, read to each other, drink coffee, and eat donuts. I know that even if I manage to drop four pounds before we leave La Paz, I’ll gain them back in El Norte.

But at least I won’t be friendless because some of our La Paz pals have homes in California and Oregon. We’ll visit. And create memories. And I’ll look for odd or amusing experiences to write about for the Baja Citizen; it will help connect me to La Paz.

And, each morning while we’re in the States, as I wait for coffee to brew, I’ll mark a slash through the day that was yesterday. And one day, there will be just a few dates unmarked until we reach the square where I’ve written, “Return to La Paz”. And I’ll recognize the tickle in my tummy means that soon I’ll be coming home.

9 May 30th, 2011

Continues on page 19

QUEEN CALAFIA, THE SPIRIT OF CALIFORNIA

Helga Kuhne

Calafia was a fictional warrior queen who ruled over a kingdom of black woman living on the mythical island of California. The character of queen Calafia was penned by Spanish writer Garci Rodriguez de Montalvo who introduced her in his popular novel entitled “Las sergas de Esplandián” (The adventures of Esplandián) written around 1500.

The name of Calafia was likely formed from the Arabic word khalifa (religious state leader), which is known as caliph in English and califa in Spanish. Similarly, the name of Calafia´s monarchy, California, originated from the same root fabricated by the author to remind the 16th century Spanish reader of the “ Reconquista,” (Reconquest or Recapturing) a centuries long fight between Christians and Muslims which had concluded in Spain. Several Christian kingdoms of Spain and Portugal succeeded in retaking the Iberian Peninsula from the Moorish government. With its final defeat in 1492, the entire Iberian Peninsula was brought back under Christian rule, thus completing the “Reconquista.”

The character of Calafia is used by Montalvo to portray the superiority of chivalry in which the attractive virgin queen is conquered, converted to Christian beliefs and married off. The book was very popular for decades and was selected by author Miguel de Cervantes as the first of many harmful books to be burnt by characters in his famous novel “Don Quijote de la Mancha”.

In the novel, Calafia is a pagan, regal black woman, courageous, strong of limb and large in person, full in the bloom of womanhood, the most beautiful of a long line of queens who ruled over the mythical realm of California. She is said to be “ desirous of achieving great things”. She wanted to see the world and plunder a portion of it with superior fighting ability,

using her army of women warriors. She commanded a fleet of ships with which she demanded tribute from surrounding lands, and she kept an aerial defense force of griffins, fabulous animals that were native to California, trained to kill any man they found.During one of her adventures, Calafia meets Radiaro, a Muslim warrior who convinces her to join him in retaking Constantinople from the Christian armies holding it. Her subjects arm themselves with weapons and armor made of gold, as there is no other metal in California. They fill their ships with supplies, take their 500 griffins and sail with her to Turkey to fight the Christians, though she has no concept of what it means to be Muslim or Christian. In the siege, the griffins harm enemy and friendly forces, so they are withdrawn.

Calafia and her ally Radiaro fight a single combat against the Christian leaders, a king and his son the knight Espaldián. Radiaro duels with Espaldián and Calafia duels with king Amadis. They trade blows until he disarms her and knocks her helmet off. Both Calafia and Radiaro surrender to the Christians, and she accepts Christianity as the one true faith. She marries Talanque, a large and handsome knight who fought with her outside the city gate and her sister Liota marries Maneli, Talanque´s companion in arms. The women return to California with their husbands to establish a new dynasty complete with both sexes, under the Christian banner.

In his novel, Montalvo´s description of Calafia, her people and her country was based upon many centuries of stories of Amazons, groups of woman warriors who fought like men. As well, the story of an island paradise filled with gold and pearls was a recurring theme that Montalvo was familiar with. In seeking new land, Spanish explorers were often led onward after hearing about a land of gold or a land ruled by women. The novel had a strong influence on the searching Conquistadors, who believed they might find a nation of women and riches somewhere at the edge of the known world.

The explorer Hernán Cortés and his men were familiar with the book. Cortés quoted it many times. As governor of México, he sent out an expedition of two ships, one guided by the pilot Fortún Ximénez, who led a mutiny, killing the expedition’s leader and a number of sailors. He kept sailing north and in early 1534 landed in what is known today as La Paz, Baja California Sur. Ximénez, who reported pearls found, believed the land was a large island. He and the natives killed his escort warriors when they went ashore for water. The few remaining sailors brought the ship and its story back to Cortés. He led and expedition back to the land, arriving on May 1, 1535, a day known as Santa Cruz de Mayo, and in keeping with methods of

contemporary discoverers, he named it Santa Cruz.

Believing Baja California to be an island was an understandable mistake, giving the titillating details and attractions of Montalvo´s tale. This misinterpretation of the Baja California Peninsula was faithfully recorded in maps of the subsequent two centuries characteristically displaying an “Isle of California” west of the North American Continent, notwithstanding practical confirmation of Baja’s peninsular status as early as 1539, and required the official statement of the Spanish government as late as 1747 that “California is not an island”.

For many years the Montalvo´s novel languished is obscurity, with no connection known between it and the name of California and further translations and many scholars offered their own interpretations about the origin of the name.

It is not known who first named the area California, but the name appears many times in different reports. Nevertheless, the name became the one used popularly by Spaniards, and by 1770, the entire Pacific coast controlled by Spain was officially known as California and the Spanish-speaking people who lived there were called Californios.

Queen Calafia

May 30th, 2011 10

11 May 30th, 2011

Note from Judy Peterson, FANLAP - The following is a message from Anina and Claudio, a Swiss couple who visited La Paz as part of their trip around the world. Thank you to the person from Club Cruceros who put them in contact with us.

After traveling by bus from San Diego through beautiful Baja California, we finally reached La Paz. Our initial idea was to find a position as crew members on a sail boat to mainland Mexico. As finding such a position usually takes some time, we decided to look for an interesting volunteer opportunity in or around La Paz. Through members of the Club Cruceros de La Paz, we got in touch with FANLAP and contacted Judy via email. The response came in quickly and sounded very promising.

One day later we arranged a meeting with Judy and Pete and together we drove to the comedor (dining hall) at Laguna Azul. We got introduced to the kitchen staff - all volunteers who live in the surrounding area. They have just finished preparing lunch for the approximately 150 children that are usually expected to come to the comedor after school. Everything seemed very well organized, clean and ready for that big rush. So the staff had a little bit extra time to chat and fool around - one thing they always enjoy as we found out later...

We started helping out in the kitchen the very next day. It was fun. While preparing all the different meals, we got a perfect introduction to the Mexican kitchen - of course told in Spanish only, which greatly improved our knowledge of this foreign language. When food was ready, the whole staff sat together and had lunch just before the children arrived.

A Letter from Anina and Claudio

That was usually the time when we had the most lively conversations and learned a lot about everyday life in Mexico, which was really interesting. However, the daily highlight was the arrival of the children. We usually stood at the desk and gave out the food, which kept us really busy but - looking in all those happy children’s faces - filled us with great felicity. After some days, the children by and by lost their initial shyness, while we enjoyed our volunteering more and more. Besides helping out at the comedor during the weekdays,

we also assisted the art class on Saturdays. A great opportunity to get in closer touch with the children and to play with them. After some days at the comedor Laguna Azul we realized that this work gave us so much satisfaction that our initial plan to travel further to the mainland became dispensable.

Thank you for letting us be a part of your team and having this precious and touching experience at FANLAP!Anina & Claudio

Anina and Claudio in the kitchen

Comedor-Staff Anina y Claudio

May 30th, 2011 12

All Points South Under New Management

TBC

All Points South Property Management has just been acquired by lindaneil properties and effective immediately, management of the company will be handled by Jim Donahoe and Francisco Gonzalez.

Loek and Ans Verburgt, who have spent the past 3 years managing La Paz’s premier property management company, have decided to take a new direction in their lives and felt that it was time to semi-retire.

“We have enjoyed our time immensely at All Points South and have spent the past 3 years building the company from a few properties to now well over 30 rental properties. However, we want to spend more time with our grandchildren and have come to a point in our lives that a full-time job is just too demanding of our time. We hope to find something to keep us occupied but in the mean time, we will be enjoying more tranquil days.”

Ans and Loek have spent the past month working with Jim and Francisco to provide a stress free transition for clients and improving some aspects of the company.

Jim Donahoe stated that, “I am excited about this opportunity. I certainly feel that the great foundation built by Loek and Ans and the professionalism demanded by Linda Neil with help guide the growth of All Points South. In addition, the natural link between lindaneil properties and APS will serve each company and its clients well in the future.”

Jim and Francisco look forward to the many challenges ahead at All Points South and are eager to serve the Baja community in all matters of property management. For more information about All Points South, please contact Jim at:jim@lindaneil.com.

Ans and Loek

13 May 30th, 2011

SHOPPING 101

Trade is the transfer of ownership of goods or services from one person to another. A network that allows trade is called a market. The original form of trade was barter and barter-like methods dating back 100,000 years. The invention of currency greatly simplified and promoted trade. Commodity money - precious metals, conch shells, barley and beads as examples - came first and finally fiat money. Fiat currency is money whose value is not derived from any essential value (such as gold). Instead it has value only by government order (fiat) and the government declare it to be legal tender. Modern day monetary items (coins and bills) are no longer tied to the value of gold. Money in the form of currency has been around a lot of years and I expect will be for many more to come. Unfortunately, I never seem to have enough of the stuff when I am out there shopping!

Inspired by a reader’s letter, this week had me on a quest to find a source for lamb meat and more specifically a rack of lamb. Numerous inquiries later I am following instructions to look for an animal feed store on Las Garzas before Ley. More specifically I would suggest you look for a small building painted bright red with the product name “Purina” boldly printed in white on the exterior walls. There is a parking lot in front of the warehouse dispensing hay to the left side of which is an entrance to the red building. This building is an animal/veterinary supply store, which does not sell lamb. Once inside you must ask to speak to Joaquin. He is the source – has a ranch in the San Pedro area that raises this meat. I went armed with a diagram of the cuts of lamb meat and a photograph of a rack of lamb along with its Spanish name “el anaquel de cordero” but as soon as Joaquin saw the photograph he said, “oh, rack”. Fortunately for me, he happened to have two racks right there frozen and ready to acquire, one of which is now in my freezer.

In the nearby Ley store, I found some interesting items, one of which was a mini-table adjustable colander. Expanding so that it fits over your kitchen sink, whatever its size, you can wash, dice, slice, grate or chop with easy cleanup. There was a good assortment of candle holders, one of nice, heavy, clear glass, rectangular in shape with hollows to hold six tea lights. Great as a centerpiece as it would not obstruct the view of dinner guests seated across from each other. Should you need instant privacy on any window, they have 36” X 72” and 48” X 72” peel and stick pleated paper blinds that are quite presentable. For games you can find a dominoes, backgammon or Chinese checkers CD for 59.90 pesos to test your skill or luck.

Stopping at City Club, I was intrigued by the featured MACFORMET television wall mounting devices. In three different sizes to support a LED, LCD or plasma from 39” to 60” with tilting ability seems to me to be a wonderful way to not have to dust a piece of furniture on which your TV would otherwise have its home. And if you do stop … be sure to pick up a bag, or two or three, of Jans Maxi Mixed Roots all natural sea salted exotic blend of purple and orange sweet potatoes and taro and cassava chips. To die for!

I threw the gauntlet down in my last column by suggesting some male out there might like to go shopping and clue me in from a male perspective. A male did and the time we spent in Pesca Baja Marine (# 540 16 de septiembre) was most enjoyable and informative. Whether it be under or on the water, this store has every conceivable fishing or diving need imaginable, including an underwater notebook and underwater laser pointer! Not a lot of boating supplies but some great in house flags. I know more about supplies needed for fishing than I really need to know but some fun stuff I saw did include a 8”

Continues 0n page 19

Susan Fogel has designed and made two grocery bag/ totes especially for the Baja Dogs silent auction at Palermo’s on June 4, 2011. Two full-sized grocery bags 12w x 16h x 9d.

Going Green Hasn’t been prettier!

They are made of high quality polished cotton, fully lined in durable cotton and additionally vinyl-lined to keep them clean inside.

And they have a sturdy removable foam-core base, no saggy collapsing bottom. Two outside pockets and sturdy denim straps make these pretty bags practical as well.These bags can hold a lot of groceries.

Come and enjoy the fashion show, the lunch and bid on these and other silent auction items. For tickets, contact Azereth at Palermo’s banquetespalermos@hotmail.com.

May 30th, 2011 14

Realtors® Congregate In Washington

John K. Glaab, CIPS

More than 8,000 members of The National Association of Realtors® met in Washington, D.C. for the mid year meetings held each year in May. While most were from the United States, others were from around the world, including Mexico. Sergio Gomez, Vice President of the Association of Mexican Real Estate Processionals (AMPI) and John Glaab from La Paz, Baja California Sur were in Washington for the event.

One of the more popular events during the week of meetings was the “2011 Symposium On Mortgage Liquidity: Ensuring Mortgage Availability for Creditworthy Homebuyers.” Emmy Award winning journalist Diana Olick, a real estate reporter for CNBC, moderated a nine-person panel. Following a free flowing discussion on the subject, Diana Olick moderated a lively Q & A session. During that session, bankers took the heat on several issues, including the heavy restrictions they currently are placing on loans and the time frame for processing paper on transactions involving the sale of foreclosed properties.

Always enjoyable are the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) New Designee Recognition Breakfast, the International Networking Reception and the Committee Meeting of the Global Alliances Group. New Designees from around the world receive their certificates and PINS at the breakfast. In 2010, 460 were added to the roll. The international

reception allows conference goers to renew acquaintances with Realtors® from around the world and make new friends.

Each year, there are embassy visits for CIPS Designees. Selected members go in groups of eleven to one of the four designated embassies. Being invited to go is almost like winning a lottery. This year, India, Peru, Poland and Spain were on the list. I was selected for the visit to Spanish Embassy. Our group was led by Veronica Seva-Gonzalez, CIPS formerly of Barcelona and now living in D.C. Her mother is in real estate sales in Barcelona. We met with Fernando Merry, Head Economic and Commercial Counselor. We explained the CIPS program and the role of NAR in U.S. real estate. Fernando spoke about the work of his department, fomenting trade between his country and the U.S.

During the week, U.S. REALTORS® made “Hill Visits”. The purpose was to lobby representatives seeking support for NAR’s 2011 Federal Policy Agenda. Three of the five items on this year’s Agenda are; Access to Affordable Mortgage Products, The Future of the Secondary Mortgage Market and Preserving Home Ownership Tax Benefits.

John Glaab is a Certified International Property Specialist. He is active in NAR’s Global Business Alliances Group.

Send it to: gari-ellen@bajacitizen.com

TBC

Well over a 100 friends of Ecology Project International (EPI), including EPI founders Julie Osborn and Scott Prankratz, attended the 2nd Annual Dinner Party to Raise Funds for EPI Mexico at Palermero’s Restaurant on May 20th, 2011.

After a welcome to guests from Ms. Osborn and Mr. Prankratz, students who participated in EPI field programs in the past gave brief testimonials of their time studying the natural wonders of the Sea of Cortez and the conservation of the region.

The evening continued with both a silent and live auction, with items including a 3 day-stay for 4 at Rancho Las Cruces, a kayak tour at Balandra courtesy of Baja Outdoor Adventures and a exotic trip for two to Costa Rica. All auction items were graciously donated by local business owners including Sabores de Mexico, Galeria Galeria, La Concha Hotel and The Cortez Club. 95,000.00 pesos were raised during the evening, with funds going towards scholarships for students from La Paz with limited resources. Selected participants of the EPI scholarship

program will have the opportunity to take courses in environmental studies, conservation and sciences. They will have the chance to snorkel over coral reefs collecting data for vital research, swim with sea lions, study marine biology and kayak beneath the island cliffs of Espiritu Santo. Most importantly, they will also be given the tools needed to take on an active role in the conservation of the Baja region.

EPI is an education and student group travel non-profit dedicated to developing field science partnerships between local experts and high school students to address critical conservation issues worldwide. Ecology Project has 5 years in La Paz inspiring high school and university students to be ecologically protective through field-based excursions and programs.

Ecology Project International Holds 2nd Annual Dinner Party at Palermo’s

EPI at Palermo’s

15 May 30th, 2011

GREEN BUILDING, WHAT ABOUT IT?

Angel Arteaga, Civil Engineer

Green Building is turning into an important trend in developed countries. It is exciting to see how locally some professionals in the design and construction business are eager to make this a part of our community development. But what are really the benefits that sustainable practices can bring, not only to the environment, but also to our life? If you are planning to get involved in a building project, Is Green Building a good option for you? Green Building looks to transform the way buildings are designed, built and operated to create more comfortable, healthier and sustainable built environments while reducing energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and solid waste generation. In other words, a truly green project should reduce costs, increase value, and achieve more predictable results in the design, construction, and operation of built environments, delivering in

this way, higher performance, lower environmental impact, and ultimately regenerative designs.

This is what green building is about; proving itself as a better option than conventional design and construction processes. However, a major factor to decide whether to move to a different building process is, in many cases, the final cost involved. What is the cost-benefit relation of sustainable building compared to conventional construction? The answer to this question in our next Green Building article which will give you solid facts and options to opt for sustainable practices.

Would you like to know more about our Sustainable Design and Construction Services? Send the author an e-mail at a.arteaga1980@gmail.com or give him a call at Consultoría Integral & Diseño, 612 155 5555.

Send it to: gari-ellen@bajacitizen.com

May 30th, 2011 16

17 May 30th, 2011

BAJA DOGS AND CENTRO MUJERES HOSTING LUNCHEON/FASHION SHOW

On Saturday, June 4TH from 1pm to 4pm, come and see the newest fashions and enjoy a fantastic buffet luncheon at Palermos Restaurant. Fashions will be a variety of outfits including bathing suits, cover-ups and jewelry. There will also be a silent auction. Tickets are only $250 pesos and can be purchased from Baja Dog volunteers by emailing info@bajadogslapaz.org or by contacting Azereth at Palermos @ banquetespalermos@hotmail.com.

CLASSIC GUITAR DUO TOMAS & YUDY

The Classic Guitar Duo Tomas & Yudy will be in concert on June 4th, 2011 at 8:30 pm at Galeria Tonantzin, located on 320 Constitucion, between Revolución & Serdán. Tomas and Yudy with present a classical & latin american music with an exclusive repertoire from Mexico, Cuba, Brasil and Argentia. There is a pre-sale ticket price of 50 pesos. For more information, please call 122 76 25.

CONSULAR AGENCY OF CANADA IN CABO HAS MOVED

The Consular Agency of Canada in Los Cabos is moving. Please note that, as of Monday, May 16, 2011, the Consular Agency of Canada in Los Cabos will be located at the following address: Plaza San Lucas Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 0.5, local 82 Colonia El Tezal 23454 Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur Tel: (624) 142-4333 Fax: (624) 142-4262 E-mail: lcabo@international.gc.ca Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm.

BAJA BISQUITS AT BAJA BBQ GRILLS Y MAS

L.C. and the gang at Baja BBQ Grills y Mas will be hosting Baja Bisquits in the

front of their store on 5 de Febrero and Guillermo Prieto on Fridays from 9 am to 1 pm. They will be serving breakfast skillets, apple fritters, and cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting, along with hot coffee for breakfast. For lunch, pulled BBQ pork sandwiches and Italian sausage sandwiches, both with creamy coleslaw will be served. Also, if you would like to order sausage, call Ace at (612) 149-3572 and he will have it waiting on Friday for pick-up.

CORAZON CAFÉ HOSTS MUSICAL COMEDY

“Gardel de Bergerac: Cada Día Canta Mejor” is the title of the musical comedy based on the life of the famous Argentinian singer Carlos Gardel and directed by Alfonso Figueroa Urías. The show will take place on Thursday, June 2 starting at 8:30 p.m. at Corazón Café, on the corner of Revolución and Constitución. For more information about the dinner-theatre event, call Corazón Café at 128 8985 or e-mail Alfonso Figueroa at info@elcolectivochunique.com.

INFORMAL ART GROUP

Frank Hills and Patricia Solem encourage all artists to join them on Wednesday mornings at the new space at Mariana de La Paz, for informal painting, conversation and coffee. They usually meet at around 9:00 am until 1:00pm. For information, Frank can be reached at 612 154 1050 or zorba1360@yahoo.com. There are no rules, no membership fees and no classes. Everyone welcome.

FARMER’S MARKET – SATURDAYS

Note of interest!! The organic sidewalk market of natural foods in now being held on Saturdays in the park on the corner of Constitución and Revolución,

across from the post office and Corazón Café. It is no longer on Madero Street. The market starts at 9:30 am and end at about noon, but some vendors may sell out earlier. You’ll also find some arts, crafts and home-baked goodies at the markets.

HOUSTON TENOR AND SOPRANO AT LA ENCANTADA

Tenor Alejandro Magallon and soprano Alisa White, members of the Houston Grand Opera, present an evening of arias and duets at La Encantada gallery, on Bellisario Dominguez between Cinco de Mayo and Constitución on Friday, June 3. There is no cover charge. La Encantada will serve its regular menu. For more information, e-mail laencantada.galeriacavadeli@gmail.com.

PALABRA POR PALABRA JUNE BOOK CLUB

The Palabra por Palabra book club will

be getting together on Tuesday, June 7th, 2011 starting at 2:00 pm at the of Jean D. Please be prepared with your notes on A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick. For further information, please contact Elia at rubyredfield@gmail.com.

LA PAZ LADIES LUNCHEON JUNE EDITION

The La Paz Ladies Luncheon June edition will be held at La Concha Hotel and Resort’s Las Palmas Restaurant on June 9th, 2011. All women are welcome. It’s a chance to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones and to catch up on what’s happening in La Paz. At a meet-and-greet session before sitting down to lunch, which begins at 12:15, Mexican and ex-pat women business owners are encouraged to come to promote their businesses. Lunch will be served at 1:00pm. For more information and to reserve your spot, e-mail Louise Lanoy at luizalanoy@yahoo.com.

May 30th, 2011 18

Fun (?) : Let’s practice some vocabulary, look at the picture and write the word or the verb (there are various possible answers …) (from our course “Spanish for Travelers”)

Answers: Have fun ! Summer is almost here, and if you unscramble the following words you will find some activities, objects, conditions, things … all related with summer vacation.

Answers : Now you know some Mexican states’ names. But can you name their capitals?

(State-capital : Jalisco – Guadalajara / Tabasco – Tabasco / Veracruz – Xalapa / Chiapas – Tuxla Gutierrez / Sonora – Hermosillo / Sinaloa – Culiacán / Michoacán – Morelia / Chihuahua – Chihuahua / Tamaulipas – Ciudad Victoria / Coahuila – Saltillo / Durango – Durango / Nayarit – Tepic / Colima – Colima / Hidalgo – Pachuca / Oaxaca – Oaxaca / Puebla – Puebla / Campeche – Campeche / Yucatán – Mérida / Guanajuato – Guanajuato / Zacatecas – Zacatecas)

Maureen Ryan

Loreto Fest celebrated its “quinceañera” or 15th anniversary this year in great style in Puerto Escondido, thanks to the great organizational skills of the “Hidden Port Yacht Club” and countless volunteers. We could feel the spirit of comradely when we first arrived, with people pitching in to make the event run smoothly, and run smoothly it did.

An estimated 150 boats were moored or anchored within the interior bay which is administered by Fonatour’s Singlar Marina in Puerto Escondido, with an additional 50 or more moored or anchored outside the bay in the Ellipse, the “Waiting Room” or other anchorages. With the addition of locals, over 500 people attended some part of the 4-day event. Loreto Fest offers all of its activities with the goal of connecting people, as well as to raise funds for several local foundations and Asociaciones Civiles, which provide support for education for rural young people around the Puerto Escondido and Loreto areas as well as health care to rural communities.

Loreto Fest offered seminars of interest to boaters, fishermen, artisans, crafters and kids of all ages. During the event, there were a large variety of sports, games and tournaments offering competition in various card

games, dominoes, horseshoes, bocci ball, dingy races, and over the line. There were craft booths, a kid’s activity booth, food, drinks, silent auctions and raffles. The event is very family friendly and all events were open to all ages. There was live music, singing and dancing most nights, with 2 great bands: the Beach Dogs from Loreto and Bluz Explozion from La Paz, as well as live performances by a variety of talented attendees on the two open mike nights.

As a fundraiser, Loreto Fest was quite successful. The auctions and raffles alone raised $37,000 pesos for charity.

The Singlar Marina, which typically averages 30 – 50 boats, handled their full house quite well. Constanza Noriega Curtis and her staff appeared well organized, courteous and very attentive throughout Loreto Fest. Water Taxi rides were offered daily to and from boats, and everyone took advantage of this service the last day of festivities when a norther blew in, making dingy rides difficult to hazardous. Several dingies wound up on the docks. With winds gusting up to 30 knots, the moorings held up quite well, thanks to the work over the last couple of years by the company “Marinos y Submarinos” and Ray Watt, who quickly responded to the few problems the wind caused.

Loreto Fest 2011

Puerto Escondido

19 May 30th, 2011

combination sharpening stone; both plain and fish decorated male oriented eyeglass straps and large floating key chains. Fish decals that can be used on windows, license plates, bumpers, mailboxes, outboard motors scuba tanks, bait buckets, sliding or shower doors were near the entrance door. My purchase … a nifty shaped vegetable peeler made by the same folks who made the original Swiss Army knife. It makes peeling ever so easy.

Having trouble finding a product that I may discover while shopping – write me at shopping101@writeme.comUntil then, I will keep shopping!

Continues from page 13

Calafia, also known as Califia, has been depicted as the Spirit of California, and has been the subject of modern day sculpture, paintings, stories and films. She often figures in the myth of California´s origin, symbolizing an untamed and bountiful land prior to European settlement.

The word California can trace its origin back to dreams of great wealth, beautiful women, strange beasts and difficult obstacles. They all have played a part in the history of this place.

Continues from page 9LA PAZ Phone numbers

POLICE, FIRE DEPART-MENT,

RED CROSS (emergency): 066

HIGHWAY PATROL/FEDER-AL POLICE:

122 0369

IMSS HOSPITAL: 122 7377

FIDEPAZ CLINIC: 124 0400

COPT (POrT CaPTain): 122 0243

IMMIGRATION: 125 3493 OR 124 6349

STATE TOURISM OFFICE: 124 0100 OR 120 0199

games, dominoes, horseshoes, bocci ball, dingy races, and over the line. There were craft booths, a kid’s activity booth, food, drinks, silent auctions and raffles. The event is very family friendly and all events were open to all ages. There was live music, singing and dancing most nights, with 2 great bands: the Beach Dogs from Loreto and Bluz Explozion from La Paz, as well as live performances by a variety of talented attendees on the two open mike nights.

As a fundraiser, Loreto Fest was quite successful. The auctions and raffles alone raised $37,000 pesos for charity.

The Singlar Marina, which typically averages 30 – 50 boats, handled their full house quite well. Constanza Noriega Curtis and her staff appeared well organized, courteous and very attentive throughout Loreto Fest. Water Taxi rides were offered daily to and from boats, and everyone took advantage of this service the last day of festivities when a norther blew in, making dingy rides difficult to hazardous. Several dingies wound up on the docks. With winds gusting up to 30 knots, the moorings held up quite well, thanks to the work over the last couple of years by the company “Marinos y Submarinos” and Ray Watt, who quickly responded to the few problems the wind caused.

May 30th, 2011 20