La Paz To Have A Convention Center In 2012

December 27th, 2011
YEAR: 3 Nº: 72 PUBLISHER: Hally J. Productions S. de R.L. EDITOR: Gari-Ellen Donohoe
La Paz To Have
A Convention
Center In 2012
TBC
Governor Marcos Covarrubias Villaseñor has managed
to receive from congress in Mexico City a commitment
of 90 million pesos to start the first phase of a
convention center for La Paz.
The Governor stated that because of the need to look
for alternatives to reactive tourism in La Paz, he asked
congress for resources to start this project that would
contribute greatly to tourism development of the area.
Judy Peterson of FANLAP and Valeria Rivera Alvarado of CostaBaja are joined by children of FANLAP at COSTABAJA’S TREE OF JOY celebration.
All toys collected until December 31st, 2011 will be delivered to the FANLAP comedor for King’s Day, January 6th, 2012. FANLAP and CostaBaja
thank-you for helping them bring smiles to the children of La Paz.
Governor Covarrubias
Villaseñor Inaugurates
New Tourist Pier
Covarrubias Villaseñor pointed out that the convention
center project for La Paz will help the state promote
itself to Mexico and to the World as a place for business
tourism and a destination capable of hosting large
events.
Lastly, the Governor acknowledged the will of the
federal government for their continued support of
the state with projects and actions aimed at improving
the quality of life for those who live in Baja California
Sur. Actions that allow for the reactivation of the local
economy and new options to attract tourism
and generate new sources of employment.
TBC
Governor Marcos Covarrubias Villaseñor has inaugurated
a new tourist pier located between Cuauhtemoc Park
and Los Arcos Hotel on the Malecon of La Paz.
Continues on page 19
“We have a preliminary strategy that includes a
convention center for La Paz that will be built in phases.
Therefore, once the first phase is complete, the center
will be functional but construction will continue. All
said and done, 300 millions will be spent and La Paz will
have a center for up to 2000 people,” he said.
A new tourist pier on the malecon was inaugurated by
Governor Marcos Covarrubias Villaseñor.
2
December 27th, 2011
Where has the time gone?! I was
just telling Gaby, who puts the paper
together, that this is the last edition
for 2011. What happened to 2011? It all
seems a blur to me now. But I had a great
year, not exceptional but a good one and
thank-you to all my friends who helped
keep me sane throughout it. I thrive on
your love and support.
Anyhow, my kids want time to go even
faster. They want me to wrap up this
edition NOW! They think if I get this
letter done, the faster our Christmas
holiday will start. We have our suitcases
packed, as we are headed out to spend
Christmas with the Abuelos in Culiacan,
Sinaloa. Yes, it is going to be one of
THOSE Christmas’.
Movies playing included three new
releases and 2 family films; a variety
for any avid moviegoer. As for other
movie theatres in Mexico, most movies
at Cinemex are shown in English and
subtitled in Spanish. Kids movies are
generally dubbed in Spanish as was our
movie of choice yesterday, Alvin and the
Chipmunks 3. That Alvin is a feisty one!
But the kids are super excited and are
behaving rather well considering they
are on a break from school and have not
done much today other than ask me,
“How many more hours until we go on
the airplane.” I am glad we are leaving
tomorrow. I can’t take much more of
that question.
Paz Shopping Center on Abasolo, which
is home as well to Mega Comercial or La
Comer, as they are calling themselves in
local radio advertisements, Cinemex is
new to La Paz with 7 screens and 3 VIP
screens.
Yesterday, to break-up the
afternoon, the kids and I
ventured out to the new
Cinemex movie theatre. A
two minute drive from our
house (note to self – walk
next time) I think this new
movie theatre will be a
favourite of ours.
Located in the new Punto La
What are the VIP screening rooms all
about? Of course I asked and they
showed me a beautiful viewing room
with fewer seats and chairs that recline.
No need to wait in line for your popcorn
and drink. The VIP screening rooms
have waiters, so you take your seat
and someone will arrive shortly to take
your order. No more missing out on the
previews for upcoming movies as you
wait in line for popcorn. Nice! Cost for
VIP tickets are currently at 70 pesos but
I am told that this will go up a bit in the
New Year. Cost for tickets for the other
7 screens is 35 pesos, all ages, all day,
everyday.
To know what is playing, head to the
Cinemex website at www.cinemex.com
and head to Ciudad and find La Paz.
Find the Buscar icon, click and the list
of movies will appear that are currently
playing. Click on whichever movie you
would like to see and get show times,
trailer and language info.
Cinepolis, located in the
Soriana Mall on Forjadores,
has opened a smaller, 5
screen theater at the new
Soriana grocery store at
Paseo La Paz Mall, beside
Home Depot. To see what
is playing at either of the
Cinepolis theatres in La
Paz, head to the webpage
www.cinepolis.com and
head to Ciudad and find La
Cinemex
Paz. Then head to Complejo and choose
either Cinepolis La Paz (original movie
theatre) or Cinepolis Paseo La Paz. Then,
just click on the consulta cartelera to see
what is playing and show times. Easy.
All right folks, I am signing off for the last
time in 2011. Have a safe and fun holiday
season. I wish you all health, love and
happiness for 2012. See you when I get
back.
Yours,
Gari-Ellen
3
December 27th, 2011
The Results are in for the Baja Citizen First Annual “Best Of”!
Thank-you to all of those who
voted in the 1st Annual Baja
Citizen “Best of”. Just under
100 ballots came in and have
been counted. None other
than Garda Donohoe, our
extra special assistant, tallied
the results.
A few categories were added by YOU,
the voter, and some categories were left
blank. Also, Best Sushi, Best Massage
and Best Hairstylist were all tied (Best
Sushi with five restaurants!), so no clear
winner.
We would like to thank the following
three businesses in the city of La Paz
who hosted the official ballot boxes for
the “Best of” ballot.
Allende Books on Indepencenica,
between Serdan and G. Prieto.
Omni Services on the Malecon, between
Ocampo and Lerdo de Tejeda
Sabores de Mexico on Madero, between
5 de Mayo and Constitucion
Readers, you gave us your opinion on the
“Best Of” and by voting for your business
of choice, we hope that some of your
favorite local merchants that may have
been struggling to stay afloat get a much
needed financial shot in the arm. Please
support our local businesses in La Paz.
Without
further ado –
The “Best Of”
2011
GOOD EATS
Taco Stand – Rancho Viejo on Marquez
de Leon
Restaurant – Palermo’s on the Malecon
Best Pizza – Il Rustico on Revolucion
Best
Breakfast
– Rancho Viejo
Palapa on Piñeda
Best
Fish
–
Moyeyos Seafood
on the Malecon
Best Bakery – Pan
D’Les on Madero
Best Ice-Cream – La Fuente on the
Malecon
Best Bar –
Tailhunter on
the Malecon
Best Margarita
– The Shack on
Allende
Best Grocery Store – Chedraui on Abasolo
ON THE WATER
Best Dive Shop
– Buceo Carey
at Marina de La
Paz
Best Fishing Trips –
Tailhunter International
on the Malecon
Best Day Trip – Isla Espirito Santo
Best Snorkling - Isla Espirito Santo
Best Marina – Marina La Paz on Topete
Best Marine Supply – Agencia Seamar at
Marina de La Paz
Kayaking Outfillter – BOA
Best Beach
– Balandra
Beach
LANGUAGE
Best Spanish School –
Se Habla…La Paz on
Madero
Best Other Langange
School – Allianca
Francais on Guillermo
Prieto
LODGING
Best Hotel –
La Concha Resort
ARTS & CULTURE
Best Museum – Museum of Anthropology
and History of Baja
Best Festival – Dia de los Muertos –
November 1st and 2nd at the Teatro de la
Ciudad
Best
Gifs/Crafts
– Las Manitas on
Independencia
Best Band – Laura
and The Baja Boys
Best Solo – Laura
Best Bookstore
–
Allende
Books
on
Independencia
Publisher: Hally J. Productions S. de R. L .
La Paz, BCS 23090 Mexico
Editor
Gari-Ellen Donohoe
[email protected]
Gari-Ellen’s cell (612) 159 13 88
Graphic Design
Gabriela Inzunza Salgado
The Baja Citizen is a free circ ulation community newspaper that is distributed in La Paz and
the communities of Centenario, Todos Santos, Pescadero, El Sargento/La Ventana and Los Barriles every second Monday.
The views of contributers to The Baja Citizen do not necesarily reflect those of the Publishers.
Best B&B – El
Angel Azul on
Independencia
BEST
Gym – Kinesis Mind and Body Studio on
Piñeda
Optical Shop – Valdez on Bravo
Pharmacy – Farmacorama on 16 de
Septiembre
Electronics – Steren on Forjadores
Hardware Store – El Arco on Abasolo
BEST VIEWS
For
Sunset
–
Tailhunters on the
Malecon
For Sunrise – The
Malecon
WINE & SPIRITS
Best Wine List – La Encantada on Belisario
Dominguez
Continues on page 19
December 27th, 2011
4
Hi Gari-Ellen,
The headline told it all--”US Ex-Pats Get
A Chance to Tell Mexican Government
Representatives What They Want and
Need”--but I read the article anyway.
I would like your readers to consider
two points: can any of them imagine
the national government of the USA
or Canada convening an assembly of
Mexican ex-pats to ask them what
they want and need? And, since most
of the people represented at the Expat Forum are not Mexican citizens, by
what possible right do they put what
they want and need before the wants
and needs of the Mexican people? And
yes, the agenda they came up with does
exactly that.
Mark Twain said there were “lies,
damned lies, and statistics,” by which
he meant that it is possible to prove
diametrically opposed “facts” by a
selective use of numbers. The idea that
ex-pats contribute more to the well-being
of Mexico than we cost by our presence
here is a proposition that can be proved
or disproved, depending on the numbers
one uses. Same for whether Mexicans
living in the USA or Canada contribute
or cost more. What is undeniably true is
that well-to-do Mexicans get richer from
our presence here, and that well-to-do
Americans get richer from the presence
of Mexicans in the USA. If life in the USA
were so worth emulating for the majority
of residents, there would be no Occupy
movement, and the call of ex-pats to
make Mexico more like where they come
from is ludicrous. We are the economic
elite here, and the very least we can do for
our host country and people is let them
have the Mexico THEY want, not the one
SOME of us prefer. And they do NOT want
to lose their homes and access to the
waters they have fished for generations-as they have in Los Cabos and Todos
Santos--so that wealthy English-speakers
and wealthy Spanish-speakers can make
each other wealthier. And they do NOTI
want ugly developments all over the lands
God made beautiful.
t
n
What an amazing thing it would be ifp
there were a national summit--or even
a local one--of ex-pats who had theT
agenda “Ask not what Mexico can dof
for us, ask what we can do for Mexico.”t
Myself, I moved to La Paz three yearsC
ago precisely because it was so unlikew
the USA, and each commercial plazas
development that decreases the incomep
of family businesses is a heartbreak toP
me, not a cause for celebration. If youP
want a Costco culture, please move tot
Cabo. If you want your signs in English,
please move to Todos Santos. La Paz is
for people who value peace for the many
over prosperity for the few.
Thanks for listening,
Susan Starr
Hi Susan,
Thanks for sending your letter. I enjoyed
your comment, “Ask not what Mexico
can do for us, ask what we can do for
Mexico.” This rings very true, especially
Continues on page 14
5
r
FLOR DE NOCHE BUENA:
THE FLOWER OF THE
HOLY NIGHT
Helga Kuhne
In Mexico, the coming of the Christmas
season is announced by the blooming of
the Flor de Nochebuena, the Mexican
name of the flower English-speaking
fpeople call Poinsettia.
eThe shrub, that can grow from 2 to 16
ofeet tall with colors ranging from white
to pink to scarlet, is native to Mexico and
Central America where it grows in moist,
ewooded ravines and rocky hillsides. The
ascientific name of this flower is Euphorbia
pulcherrima, meaning the most beautiful.
oPoinsettia gets its name from Joel Roberts
uPoinsett, the first United States Minister
oto Mexico after the independence from
,
s
o
y
4
Spain.
He
introduced the
plant to the
USA in 1828.
From the 17th
Poinsettia
century,
the
Franciscan friars in Mexico included the
plants in their Christmas celebrations.
The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to
symbolize the Star of Bethlehem and the
red color represents blood and sacrifice,
through the crucifixion of Jesus.
Once more, we enjoy the sight of the
most beautiful flower celebrating
Christmas in many parts of the world,
reminding us of our past and present
traditions and the importance of gifts
from our heart, no matter how tiny and
humble, like the actual flower of the Flor
de Nochebuena, which is not the red
part of it but the small yellow structures
found in the center of each leaf bunch,
which are called Cyathia. In Mexico, the
Flor de Nochebuena is a beautiful and
appreciated Christmas gift, full of life
and meaning. It is, after all, a gift from
Mexico to the world!!
FELIZ NAVIDAD Y FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW
YEAR!
December 27th, 2011
December 27th, 2011
6
The Tianguis Natural
celebrates one year of
continuous activity
T
p
h
p
s
y
b
h
c
g
t
p
Les Carmona
Saturday in the park
I think it was the Fourth of July
People talking, people laughing
A man selling ice cream…
singing Italian songs
Can you dig it
Yes I can and I’ve been
waiting such a long time
Chicago, Saturday in the park
Need an Ambulance, The
Fire Department or Police?
Call 066
More and more, residents and visitors
are making it a habit to spend time on
Saturdays and Tuesdays at the post office
park to socialize, exercise and shop for
producer-to-table comestibles. Started
a year ago in November, the Tianguis
Natural attracts some 150 shoppers in
the three hours the market operates and
features some twenty -plus vendors.
Veggies in the Park.
Some of the regular sellers come from
Todos Santos, Pescadero or San Pedro.
Others come from the neighboring
Chametla or El Centenario and many have
anchors to the city of La Paz, producing
from their workshops and kitchens, or
bring product made at the family ranch
or farm perhaps as distant as Ciudad
Constitucion.
Over the next few issues of the Baja
Citizen, we will be profiling some of the
regular sellers, so be sure to read the
column, Saturdays in the park.
Art in the Park.
To make your experience more fulfillingF
and to insure the best quality, the marketc
f
organizers urge you to
e
• Bring your own shopping or totet
a
bag
• Please refrain from smoking onw
C
the park grounds
• Bring small bills and coins to payD
for your selections
• Purchase from the market
participants
rather
than
itinerant street vendors offering
burritos, tamales, frozen ices or
jumbo shrimp and scallops.
• Socialized leashed animals are
permitted
• Do have your car washed by one
of the fellows hovering by the
market. They have been vetted
by the market committee and
are registered with the city.
• Please observe and respect
the handicapped and green
restricted parking zones
• Prices are set by individual
sellers.
The post office park is at Revolucion de
1910 and Constitucion, across the street
from the main post office and Corazon
Café. The park is private property and its
use is gratefully acknowledged.
1
2
7
December 27th, 2011
The average person gains eight
pounds during the Christmas
holiday. Eight pounds! Eight
pounds is nearly one dress
size. Eight pounds feel like
your jeans were washed in
boiling water and then dried in
hell. Eight pounds is groaning,
climbing up the stairs and
grunting when you bend over
to cut your toe nails. Eight
pounds won’t be ignored.
For us who add Mexican
celebrations to our already
food-laden holidays, those
eight pounds might turn into
ten because in La Paz holidays
are stretched far beyond our
Thanksgiving,
nwillpower.
Christmas, New Year’s Evening,
yDia del Santos Reyes (Jan 6th…
think hot chocolate and sweet
bread with plastic babies hidden inside),
nand finally on Feb 2nd, Dia de la Candelaria
(a tamale party hosted by those who
cut into the baby on Jan. 6th). And, of
course, we can’t forget the sweetest day
of all – St. Valentine’s Day.
eBut don’t despair, help is available.
Starting in October women’s magazines
offer advice, first on how to avoid the
weight gain, and then after the holidays,
when readers are lugging around those
extra pounds, they publish diets that
they guarantee will melt away the
newly acquired weight. And we buy the
magazines. We’re hopeful, desperate,
and finally disappointed. Because there
are two major problems with their
tapproach: first, the diet articles are
nsandwiched between photos and recipes
of irresistibly gooey, sugary desserts,
and second the suggestions only work if
you’re anorexic.
Here are a few tips I actually found on the
internet – honest-to-god:
1. To shave calories, go easy when adding nuts, cheese, cream sauces, gravy,
butter, and whipped cream -- additions
that don’t add much to the meal. Don’t
add much to a meal??? Who are they trying to kid? Turkey breast can’t be swallowed without gravy.
2. Hold a mineral water in your dominant hand so it won’t be so easy to grab
food. No problem; I’m ambidextrous.
pecan-pie-brownies
3. Be a food snob. If you don’t love it,
don’t eat it. Great, I won’t touch the Brussels sprouts.
4. Eating sensibly throughout the day
will take the edge off the appetite and
empower a bit of restraint. Sensible eating just primes my appetite for decadent
goodies.
5. When you arrive at the party wait at
least 30 minutes before eating. What???
There won’t be any food left.
6. After dinner, try a spirited game of
charades, or rent an instructional dance
video followed by a dance-off. The only
exercise our men want is going to the buffet table for seconds.
7. Skip the appetizers. Or choose veggies and fruit. Let’s see: Blue cheese
wrapped in filo pastry or celery sticks? No
contest.
8. Put only two items on your plate at
the buffet table. Return as many times
as you like, but only take two items each
time. Pecan and Pumpkin pie – every
time!
Can you see how nutty these suggestions
are? But don’t despair. After losing and
gaining the same eight pounds hundreds
of time, I’ve come up with my own practical advice:
1. Don’t stay home during the holidays.
Travel. To a deserted island where nuts,
cheese, cream sauces, gravy, butter and
whipped cream aren’t available.
2. Forget cookie exchanges. Instead
have a fruit exchange. Every person
brings a piece of fruit for each guest, and
at the end of the exchange, everyone will
go home with enough fruit to give them
the runs for a week.
3. Go on an Overeater’s Anonymous
cruise for 14 days. Where steamed veggies are the main entree and the plates
are the size of a baby’s palm. A cruise
that confiscates smuggled treats upon
boarding and doesn’t allow land excursions.
4. Find a doctor who will prescribe some
old-fashioned diet pills – just enough to
get you through the holidays. You’ll be
the hit of every party; not only will you
rattle-on like a Carnaval blanket hawker
but, long after the other guests have
gone home, you’ll scrub the hostess’s
kitchen cabinets, linen closets and bathrooms.
5. Find a doctor who will sell you lithium
– why not sleep through the entire holiday season?
6. Check yourself into a hospital. The
red Jell-O and dry chicken breast will ensure that instead of gaining weight, you’ll
be so weak when you leave; they’ll push
you out in a wheelchair.
7. Start a really big argument with your
husband or your best friend. Bring up
the ugly past. Guaranteed to ruin even
the best appetite.
8. Avoid friends who say, “Oh, I’m always forgetting to eat; look how lose my
jeans fit.” Or, “I’ve stuffed myself all season and haven’t gained a pound.” You
know who they are. Ignore them completely.
Get real, friends. You’ve got two choices:
You can remain slim but feel deprived
or you can simply embrace the eight
pounds you’re going to gain. Enjoy each
bite of special holiday food. And be really
nice to friends that are one size larger
than you. Ask them to borrow some of
their clothes until you shed those extra
pounds…sometime in April. Or May.
Don’t feel timid; after all, they’ll need
to borrow clothes from friends that are
even larger than they are.
Happy Holidays!
December 27th, 2011
8
Christmas at Palermo’s for the La Paz Ladies
Luncheon
Luiza Lanoy
Chef Alessandro, Chef par excellence,
pulled out all the stops to create another
memorable meal for the La Paz Ladies
Luncheon Christmas lunch.
It is so unfortunate that we didn’t get a
picture of the appetizer nor dessert.
Our meal started with a salad of romaine
lettuce accompanied by a wrap filled
with several cheeses and spices. It was
so huge that many thought that it was
the main course.
Christmas Turkey Luncheon at Palermo’s
You can see for yourselves in the above
picture why we were so shocked when we
saw the waiters come out with the main
course. Many were already full from the
salad course. I swear, the turkey slices
were one half inch thick. These succulent
thick slices of turkey were encrusted in
an mixture of spices and apple. YUMM!!
Is that a puff pastry on the side? Yes
it was, stuffed with traitional turkey
stuffing. The combination flavours was
outstanding and very different from the
traditional stuffing.
Friends of the La Paz Ladies Luncheon
If that wasn’t enough, Chef Alessandro
wowed us again with dessert – a Tiramisu
with lots of chocolate curls topped with
Ursula, Ans, Leanne and Linda
a plain cake soaked in A Taste of the Baja
Strawberry Margarita Jam.
Many of the ladies brought gifts for
the women and children at the Shelter.
On behalf of Benita Moreles, owner of
the Shelter for Women and Children
and Mujeres Ayudando a Mujeres, A.C.
we thank you from the bottom of our
hearts. We also raised $2,200 pesos for
the Shelter with the raffle of Brunch for
two at Palermo’s and a basket of wine,
Christmas cake (purchased from June
Bertlesen) and a jar of Baja Cranberry
Orange Brandy Jam.
four beautiful blondes!!
Also a big thank-you to JT Taylor who
organized a silent auction of five
beautifully hand-painted iron
work angels, with proceeds
going towards the 4 chariteis
the luncheon supports; Ciudad
de los Niños, Mujeres Ayudando
Mujeres, Care for Kids La Paz and
FANLAP.
Thank-you Chef Alessandro for
the incredible meal. It is little
wonder that Palermo’s on the
Malecon is one of La Paz’s top
restaurants. For reservations at
Palermo’s, please call 123 1222.
9
December 27th, 2011
December 27th, 2011
10
La Paz Rotary Christmas Tree
Maureen Ryan
This year offered many opportunities to give a gift
to a child who might otherwise not receive. One of
these, the Rotary Christmas Tree, has been receiving
Christmas gifts for children since December 7th, 2011. On the 22nd of this month, workers at PEMEX delivered
approximately 100 gifts. In conjunction with the local
Cineopolis, any gift received was rewarded with a free
movie coupon for a December 23rd viewing.
The 5 Rotary Clubs in La Paz will distribute all of the
gifts collected. On New Years Eve, Rotary Club
Balandra will bring them to their annual Christmas
party they host in colonia Villas de Guadalupe. Around
“Día de Los Reyes” on January 6th, the traditional day
for children’s gifts here in Mexico, Bahia de La Paz will
deliver their gifts to a residence for children attending
school from very rural zones. Club La Paz will bring their
gifts to a rural agricultural settlement. Other clubs
Rotary Tree Receives Gifts From Pemex Workers.
Photo courtesy of Bob Walker
participating include Guaycura and Bermejo. Each club
selected a community in economic risk to bring a bit of
Christmas joy to the children who live there. Thanks and congratulations to all who participated in
giving to this or any other Christmas tree gift drives
around town. People’s generosity made many children
happy this Christmas, which is the true spirit of
Christmas after all.
11
The Lord of the Wind
Showdown 2012
In Los Barriles
The Lord of the Wind Showdown
(LOWS) is back! Considered one of the
top extreme water sport events of 2011,
LOWS will again seek out the world’s top
talent in kiteboarding, windsurfing and
SUP, January 12-16, 2012 in Los Barriles.
What is LOWS? The Lord of The Wind
Showdown event takes place in the Sea
of Cortez in Baja Mexico. The event is
open to professionals, amateurs and
spectators. The event is packed with
non-stop course racing, freestyle and big
air competitions ending with the face-off
between windsurfers and kiteboarders
to determine who is Lord of the Wind.
Three days prior to the competition and
event, LOWS is offering clinics with pro
windsurfers and kiteboarders January
9th- 11th.
Unique to the 2012 event will be the
filming of Sand Masters 20th episode for
the Travel Channel, produced by Painless
Entertainment.
Sand Masters is a half-hour docuseries that follows a team of talented
sand sculptors as they travel the globe
building incredible works of art at some
of the world’s premiere events.
“Kiteboarding and windsurfing will
get a full episode on network TV. This
is a wonderful opportunity for the
wind sports industry!” Said executive
producer and director of content, Erin
Calmes, Keta Films and LOWS.
Painless Entertainment will shoot the
segment alongside the theme of the
event, The Lord of The Wind Showdown.
No Envy. Who’s it Gonna Be…? A
Kiteboarder or Windsurfer to take the
title of Lord of The Wind and part of
20,000.00 in cash prizes!
“We’re excited that Sand Masters is on
board for our second annual competition
as their desire to be involved highlights
both the success of our first event and
the enthusiasm already in gear for 2012,”
Chris Rogers and Dan Holbrook event
organizers and owners said.
Experience The Lord of the Wind
Showdown from anywhere around the
world while EpicSessions.tv and Meta
Café deliver live action and interviews.
Participate directly in the event via livechat and chime in on the action. Utilizing
brand new exclusive motion tracking
hardware from Epic Sessions, experience
firsthand the competitive pressure of
the winner-take-all Kiting Big Air and
Showdown with live 3D data integration.
Chris Ernst of ESPN, X-Games, and the
ASP World Tour, is the official host
alongside Josh Sampiero of Windsurfing
Magazine.
Send your athletes. It’s Gonna Be Good!!
Register at Lordofthewindbaja.com
December 27th, 2011
La Paz Phone Numbers
Police, Fire Department,
Red Cross (emergency):
066
Highway Patrol/Federal
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
December 27th, 2011
12
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13
ICE SKATING AT THE MUNICIPALITY
BUILDINGS IN LA PAZ
Fireworks display at midnight. All are
welcome. Free admission.
For the first time
EVER in La Paz history,
you will have the opportunity to skate on
ice; you will have to see it to believe it! An
ice skating rink at the Palacio Municipal
on Luis Donaldo Colosio between
Carabineros and Ave. De los Deportistas
can be found and opened from 4 to
11pm daily. No charge for using the
rink
or the skates that are available. Long
lines but worth the wait. It’s a gift from
the Municipality of La Paz to the people.
Skating available until January 11th, 2012.
FARMER’S MARKET – TUESDAYS AND
SATURDAYS
FANLAP AND COSTABAJA’S TREE OF JOY
Come with your family to CostaBaja and
donate a new toy to their Tree of Joy,
located at the main entrance fountain,
during the month of December. All toys
will be given to the children of FANLAP
and will be delivered to their comedor in
January for King’s Day, January 6th, 2012.
FANLAP and CostaBaja thank-you for
helping them bring smiles to the children
of La Paz. Gifts cn be dropped of until
December 31st, 2011.
CELEBRATE NEW
YEARS EVE AT THE
KIOSK ON THE
MALECON
The Kiosk on the
Malecon at 16 de
Septiembre will be
the headquarters
for the Municipality
of
La
Paz’s
countdown to the
New Year. Starting
at 9:00 pm, an
artistic
program
will begin which
includes
bandas
sinaloenses, salsa
and merengue, a
mime show and a special sunset show on
the water.
The countdown to the New Year will start
at 11:45. Two clock towers will be installed
to help with the countdown celebration.
The tianguis natural farmers market has
returned to Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Fresh greens and seasonal offerings,
organic eggs, jams, sauces, german
sausages, baked goods including
Sharon’s goodies and Pan D’Les artisan
breads. Handicrafts and items for mind.
body.spirit. 9:30 am start time, the
market is at the corner of Constitucion
and Revolucion de 1910 in the little park
across the street from the post office.
PALABRA POR PALABRA BOOK CLUB –
SHANTARAM
Do you enjoy reading books and want
to share your thoughts with others? The
Palabra por Palabra book club will be
getting together on Tuesday, January
10th, 2011 starting at 2:00 pm at the house
of Jean D. The group will be discussing
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts.
Please remember all are welcome. For
further information, contact Elia at
[email protected].
LA PAZ LADIES LUNCHEON AT CAFÉ
MILANOS
La Paz Ladies’ Luncheon January
edition will be held on Thursday,
January 12th. Once again start at
12:15 p.m. with lunch to follow at 1
p.m. at Caffe Milano Esquerro, 15,
downtown La Paz. The charity this
month will be Care for Kids La Paz.
For information and/or reservations,
e-mail luizalanoy@yahoo.
CULTURAL PRESENTATIONS AT SE
HABLA…LA PAZ
Se Habla La Paz invites you to their
Tuesday afternoon cultural presentations
in easy to understand Spanish. The
following topics will be covered:
Jan 3 Día de reyes magos
Jan 10 Calendario Azteca at the
December 27th, 2011
Anthropology Museum, 5 de mayo &
Altamirano
Jan 17 El Chocolate
Jan 24 Fechas importantes para los
Mexicanos
Jan 31 Estado: Coahuila
All of the presentations start at 1:15 and
last 45-60 minutes. The presentations
are given in simple Spanish and there are
handouts for each presentation available. Unless stated, all presentations are in
La Biblioteca of the school on Francisco
I. Madero #540 between Guerrero
and Republica. For questions or more
information, the office phone is 122-7763,
email [email protected] or SKYPE
julidelapaz.
BLUE WHALE PRESENTATION AT
ECOLOGY PROJECT INTERNATIONAL
Come learn about the largest animal
living on earth. Blue whale expert Dr.
Diane Gendron has researched cetaceans
for over 20 years and will share her
findings and images on January 11, 2012
at the Ecology Project International
(EPI) campus. The presentation will be
in English and begins at 5:oo pm. The
event is free and open to the public. For more information contact wendy@
ecologyproject.org. EPI is located on
Guillermo Prieto 1038 between Encinas
and Navarro T. 612 165-6561.
14
December 27th, 2011
ONLY TWO STRONG DAYS
OF WIND MAKE FOR SOME
DECENT WINTER FISHING
http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.
com/
The early part of the week of the
18th of December was really quite
nice for fishing. It was cloudy
and overcast, but not cold and
best of all…not windy! Nice and
flat. And the fishing surprised us. Good catches of dorado up to 20
pounds were hitting just out of Bahia
de Los Muertos as well as the south side
of Cerralvo Island. One private boat of
amigos went out to the 88 and said it
was “unlimited” dorado fishing… “catch
and release as fast as we could go full
speed!” All of this in winter!
As well, there were the bread-and-butter
fish…sierra willing to go as well. Our
boats were averaging about 4-15 nice
sierra with some up to 5 pounds and
when a good school was found, the fish
were voracious! In addition to the sierra,
we also found some surprising palometa
schools which are members of the jack
family…sort of like a greenish/yellow
jack crevalle. Great fighters and good
eating as well! A bit like pompano. Some
of the commercial guys out there were
thick into the fish.
Jilly and Jonathan
All of this was while the skies were grey
and the winds were flat…
Then, about Thursday, the sun popped
out and skies were brilliant. And the
winds came back up! And fishing sort
of tanked. Bait got hard to find. Fish
scattered. Some scratchy sierra and
dorado fishing. Really picky bite. And
that was it…
Saturday, the winds died down again and
the fish popped back up…it’s going to
be a typical pattern during the winter. But that’s what it’s like this time of year. Everything is variable and you just have
to roll with whatever is biting.
That’s our story from Jonathan and
Jilly at Jonathan Roldan’s Tailhunter
International. Happy New Year!
Last Week for ‎Property Tax
Discount 2011
The City of La Paz has one more week left
with its temporary tax discount program
for 2012 property taxes. This temporary
discount, which began on October 16th,
2011, will run until the end of the year. If
you pay your 2012 property taxes before
December 31st, 2011 in one payment, you
will receive a 30% discount on the total
amount.
The Municipality of La Paz offices are
located on Blvd. Luis Donoldo Colosio
and the corner of de los Deportistas.
There will also be a 20% discount honored
on payments of all property taxes that
were not paid prior to 2012. In addition,
an 80% discount is available on all fines
that were applied for not paying your
taxes on time in previous years. The total
Continues from page 4
this time of year, but it is something
we should be striving for daily, no? I
think of the Judy Petersons and the
Barb Spencers and Dhorea Ryans who
work everyday, trying to make a better
Mexico. I am sure we could get hundreds
out to your proposed summit!! I am here
to help in anyway I can. Just ask.
I also think it is important to note that
I have been told by more than one
official at the department of tourism
that they are very impressed that expats in La Paz are so involved in the
community and committed to protecting
the environment, supporting marginal
communities and various non-profit
groups. The volunteer work of ex-pats
does not go unnoticed.
However, the invitation of Mexican
officials to hear the point of view of expats residing here in Mexico is for me,
something that should be celebrated.
It is no secret that Mexico relies heavily
on tourism to keep the economy going,
especially here in Baja California Sur.
property tax
payment must
be made in one
payment
for
the
discount
to apply. Have
your
clave
catastra
or
cadastral
number handy
to help you
with the process at Servicios Catastrales
offices on the second floor of the
Municipality of La Paz building. This
number can be found on your notary
papers of the properties you have in La
Paz. Also, you can head to the City of
La Paz webpage www.lapaz.gob.mx to
make your payment on-line.
And what better way to improve a major
source of income to the country than to
open the lines of communication to expats and asking them directing, “What
can we do?”
In my hometown in Canada, we recently
had a large influx of Mexican workers
arrive to work at a processing plant.
What did the City of Brandon do when
they arrived? They asked them what they
could do to help them in their transition.
They group wanted English classes, Mass
in Spanish and warmer clothes. Within a
week, all three were accomplished.
I would rather live in harmony than
to have difficulties between the two
communities Susan. For the government
to open the lines of communication and
ask for feedback is a big step towards
improving the community for everyone,
in the long run.
I appreciate your point of view. Thanks
for sharing.
Yours,
Gari-Ellen
15
December 27th, 2011
A Few Humble Suggestions for the United States of
America
J. Michael Sullivan
A favorite past-time of Americans visiting
or living in Mexico is to make definitive
statements about how Mexicans “Should
Do Things Differently.”
Here’s the drill. Mexican officials should
be more honest and less corrupt. You
should get the same instructions from
all bureaucrats each and every time.
Mexicans should show up on time for
an appointment or otherwise phone.
And show up for party if they tell you
that they that they will, and without
several uninvited guests in tow. How
about apologizing for bumping grocery
carts into you or standing dead-center in
store aisles chatting while you try to get
around them with your own cart?
The kids that run “wild” in restaurants
and stores: what’s up with that?
Shouldn’t drivers use their turn signals,
for heaven’s sake? Not stop their cars
in the middle of a street to chat with a
friend? Carry auto insurance? Wait on you
more quickly at restaurants and stores?
Stop jerry-rigging repairs? Cease littering?
Turn down the volume? Spay and neuter
cats and dogs? Stop the drugs going into
the US? Allow foreign oil companies to
help Mexico extract oil?
Here’s a personal favorite, heard from
a tourist: Mexicans should speak less
Mexican and more English.
In brief, the theme is that I choose to visit
the country, I live here, and I even love
this country to the south, but Mexico
should be more like the United States
and less like Mexico.
Define irony.
It’s not that Mexico is perfect or that
Mexicans are clueless. Ask Mexicans who
trust you what they would change about
their country. You’ll get a mostly honest,
searching and often lengthy litany of
complaints and concerns.
But let’s turn the tables. Just for fun. In
the spirit of enlightened self-interest.
A mental exercise to ward off senility.
Here’s today’s challenge. How might
the US benefit from becoming more like
Mexico, at least in a few, modest ways?
Based on having lived four years in La
Paz and now having “repatriated” to the
US a year ago, I have some suggestions,
delivered with all due respect to my
fellow countrymen.
• Relax. I do appreciate the efficiency in the US of A. Most of
the time. But allow me leisurely
meals. I’m here to eat, not refuel. Give me time for a brief
chat with you when doing business. Making business more
personal makes business more
pleasurable. Avoid jumping on
and at me the minute I walk into
a store. Assault fails as a sales
tactic. Power walking is good
exercise, but you miss so much
along the way.
• Go Technicolor. Rich, full-bodied
colors will not kill you. Beige and
gray just might. Slowly. How
about more spicy reds, sunny
yellows, earthy mustards, brilliant blues and, yes, even rosy
pinks? Delight the eyes and feed
the soul.
• Become a block head, a concrete block head that is. American buildings, especially homes,
tend to be match-stick affairs,
with wallboard, splintering
wood and brittle plastic. Not so
in Mexico. Mexican buildings are
more likely to “take a lickin’ and
keep on tickin’” to quote the old
Timex watch commercials. No
rubble and ruins after a hurricane in Mexico. Simply mop, dry
and you’re good to go. Concrete
houses, block or otherwise, are
safer and seem more “rooted.”
• Ground the “helicopter” parenting style with older children.
Do you really need to structure
and supervise every aspect of a
child’s life, right down to their
breathing? Whose needs are
being met here? A child’s need
to learn to fall down and pick
themselves up and to chart their
own course? Or your own need
to be appease the relentless,
hypercritical, demanding voice
in your mind? Mexico is more
like the old days in the US of A.
Continues from page 18
16
December 27th, 2011
French Couple Set To Perform
Acrobatic Show From Their
Boat
TBC
Spectacular Air Show of Radio Controled Airplanes and Helicopters . Photo courtesy of Manuel Amarillas Vanegas.
On the morning of Sunday, December 18th, Club Pelicanos celebrated their first ever Radio Controled Airplanes and
Helicopters show in Baja California Sur. The show was organized by the airplane model pilots that belong to the Club
Pelicanos located in Chametla, just outside of La Paz. The exhibition, free of charge, was a gift to those who attended
and was promoted in hopes of promoting a healthy recreational hobby for the entire family.
PrestigePropertyGroupLaPaz.com
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All properties listed on MLS
It could be because
of chance, or maybe
just luck but La Paz
residents are in for
a treat, Cirque du
Soleil style, thanks
to
the
amazing
organizational skills of
Arnold Candray.
Last August, Arnold
Candray had the
privilege of watching
a
remarkable
performance by a
French acrobatic team
(Delphine Lechifflart Lechifflart and Franck
and Franck Rabilier)
at a marina in Seattle, Washington.
Lechifflart and Franck have sailed
worldwide, including the Caribbean,
South America and Europe and have
performed their splendid acrobatic
routine with musical accompaniment and
colored lights on their 40-foot sailboat,
LaLoupiote.
They perform on LaLoupiote. It is also
their home.
After their performance in Seattle,
Candray, who owns a home here in La
Paz, had the opportunity to meet the
French couple and found out they had
plans to head down the Baja. Candray,
so impressed with their show, made
contact with local marina owners in
T
e
c
p
p
p
r
La Paz to see if thereC
was a chance to haveU
LaLopiote sail into theY
bay of the city and hostp
a few performances. b
A
The pieces seem to bei
falling into place andv
at press time, MarinaU
de La Paz (JanuaryK
20th & 21st) and Marinar
Palmira (January 27th3
& 28th) have steppedf
forward with offers ofh
boat slips for actualw
show performances.m
Other dates could bek
scheduled as otherU
marinas in the city haveI
been in talks as well.e
Please check the January 9th edition ofB
the Baja Citizen for confirmed datesu
and times of the performances aboardB
LaLoupiote.
M
t
Lechifflart and Franck perform for free,U
but pass a hat for donations. The show ate
Marina de La Paz, for example, will haveJ
30% of donations received earmarked ford
FANLAP, Fundacion Ayuda los Niños deP
La Paz. Their performances generally runa
20 minutes long.
H
n
Thank-you to Candray for his continuedP
support in bringing LaLoupiote to La Paz.
If you would like to learn more about
Lechifflart and Franck, head to their
webpage at:
www.voilierspectacle.com.
This is a calendar of arts and cultural
events in La Paz, México. Schedules
can change, so if your heart is set on a
particular event, best to double-check
place and time. For more information,
please head to the website www.
rozinlapaz.com.
eCONTINUING EVENTS
Until Dec. 31, Marina CostaBaja gift tree:
eYou can donate toys to the “Tree of Joy”
project, a collection for children helped
by the charity FANLAP (Fundación
Ayuda Niños La Paz, A.C.). For more
information, call 612-175-0100 or email
[email protected]
aUntil Dec. 31, art show: Danish artist
yKirsten K. Kester has a show at the
arestaurant La Pazion de La Pazta, Allende
h36 (in Hotel Mediterrane, a half block
from the Malecón). This show reflects
fher experience of the beauty of Africa,
lwhere she has travelled and painted. For
more information, visit www.kestersekunst.dk or e-mail [email protected]
Until Dec. 31, photography show: “The
Image Makers” is the title of this
exhibition of photographs by Gary
fBatha and Tom Ireton. The show is in the
supstairs gallery of The Bagel Shop Gallery,
dBelisario Dominguez 291 (between 5 de
Mayo and Constitución, a block up from
the Malecón). Admission is free.
Until Dec. 31, student art show: A collective
exhibition of student work is at Teatro
eJuárez, Belisario Domínguez between 16
de Septiembre and Independencia.
ePermanent, exhibition of photography
and video: The collective exhibition
Hombre, Naturaleza y Cultura (man,
nature and culture) in the CÓDEX
dPenínsula salon of the Centro Cultural La
.
t
17
Paz is a permanent photography show
that highlights the special characteristics
that make up the cultural identity of
Baja California Sur. A video showcasing
BCS complements the photographs.
Photographers are Elizabeth Moreno
Damm, Enrique Hambleton, Alejandro
Rivas Sánchez, Carlos Navarro Serment,
Carlos Aguilera Calderón, Miguel Ángel
de la Cueva and Fernando Sánchez
Bernal. Text is in English and Spanish.
Admission is free.
LOOKING AHEAD EVENTS
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28
El Día de los Santos Inocentes: This is a
day for pranks, equivalent to April Fool’s
Day. Don’t be surprised if you see a few
outlandish headlines and stories in the
local newspapers today. If you read to the
end of the article, you will learn that only
“an innocent dove” would believe that
story. There’s a dark side to the origin of
this day: From the website Mexconnect
: “It is believed the custom originally
recalls King Herod’s instructions to kill
all the newborn children to destroy the
infant child god. It is typical of Mexico
and Mexicans to laugh in the face of
tragedy, to challenge the fears which
intimidate. In Victorian times, friends
would send one another elaborate notes
detailing some great tragedy or horrible
problem requiring them to borrow sums
of money, tools, or household items,
much like an April Fool’s prank. When
the friend, forgetting the day, would
respond, the prank player sent a gift of
sweets or miniature toys in memory of
the Innocents lost to Herod with a note
saying ‘Innocent little dove who allowed
December 27th, 2011
yourself to be deceived, knowing that on
this day, nothing should be lent.’”
FRIDAY, JAN. 6
Día de Reyes (Kings’ Day): This is the
celebration of Epiphany, when the Three
Wise Men arrived bearing their treasured
gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for
the baby Jesus. On the night of Jan. 5,
one tradition is for children to place their
old shoes under the bed or in the living
room, where the Wise Men will leave
presents. Nowadays, many families open
gifts on Christmas Eve (Noche Buena),
but others still prefer to open some
or all of their Christmas gifts on Día de
Reyes. Jan. 6 is also when a traditional
wreath-shaped bread called Rosca de
Reyes is served, often with hot chocolate
and tamales. Baked into the Rosca are
figurines of the baby Jesus. Those who
find the figurines in their slice of bread
host a party Feb. 2, Día de la Candelaria
(Candlemas Day).
Wednesday, Feb. 1
Art show opens: Mujeres y Niñas de
México (women and girls of Mexico),
an exhibition of paintings by Frank Hills,
opens at 7 p.m. in the lobby of Teatro
de La Ciudad, at Navarro and Héroes de
Independencia. The show continues until
Feb. 15. Admission is free.
Thursday, Feb. 16
Carnaval La Paz begins: The city’s
biggest annual celebration will be Feb.
16 to 21. Organizers are promising a wellorganized, high-level event.
LIVE MUSIC IN THE CITY
Baja South Band. The group plays
Thursdays 6:30-10 p.m. at Pelicanos
restaurant at about Kilometer 14 in El
Centenario. Band members include
Fernando and Alfonso; Laura and Henry
are now part of a band called “Laura and
the Baja Boys.” For more information
about Pelicanos, see listing on Live Music
page. (updated December 2011)
BiPolar Band: The group plays Fridays
6:30-10 p.m. at Pelicanos restaurant,
Kilometer 14 in El Centenario. For more
information about Pelicanos, see listing
on Live Music page. (updated October
2011)
Laura and the Baja Boys: This rollickin’
and tuneful rock-and-roll band plays from
6:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays at La Costa
Restaurant, at Rangel and Navarro near
Marina de La Paz. On Fridays, the band
plays from 7 to 11 p.m. at Tailhunter’s
Bar and Restaurant, Obregón 755 (on
the Malecón between Salvatierra and
Iglesia). Band members are Henry Korol,
Laura Lothian, Alfonso Rojo and Benny
Nuñez.
Piano: KB Morrissey plays Sundays
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during brunch at
Palermo’s Ristorante, on the Malecón
between Hidalgo and Morelos Streets.
KB has been called the most versatile
pianist in La Paz: she covers jazz, ragtime,
classical, ballads, and blues. You’re sure
to hear a favorite or two.
Seven Clouds to Heaven jazz band:
The La Paz group plays Saturdays at 8
p.m. at Galería La Encantada, Belisario
Dominguez 1245 (between 5 de Mayo
and Callejón Constitución).
Trova music: You can listen to trova music
by Armando Arellano every Friday at 8
p.m. at Galería La Encantada, Belisario
Dominguez 1245 (between 5 de Mayo
and Callejón Constitución). A trovador,
traditionally, is a singer accompanied by
guitar.
Music school - public rehearsals,
Tuesdays and Fridays: Rehearsals of the
Orquesta Juvenil de la Escuela de Música
del Estado, 1055 Morelos on the corner
of Marcelo Rubio, are free and open to
the public at Sala de Conciertos La Paz.
Public rehearsals Tuesdays are 18:00 to
20:30; Fridays are 17:00 to 20:00. You may
wish to double-check with the school
that there’s a rehearsal on a particular
evening. The school’s phone number is
(612) 125-55-19 and the e-mail address is
serv_escolares@escuelademusicabcs.
com.
18
December 27th, 2011
Continues from page 15
Children do run freer in many
ways. Is this why (together with
the adoration given to their children) Mexican children are so
darn charming?
• Reach out and touch someone. A nod will do, but not do
much. A warm greeting sets an
amiable tone. How about saying hello and good day? Better
yet, how about a handshake?
Or, shocking as this may be,
how about a hug and kiss on
the check or a hearty slap to
the back when greeting family
and friends? When was the last
time you snuggled on the couch
with your grown children? Startling for most Americans, this is
a common sight in Mexico. No,
this need not be a come-on or
otherwise be nasty and inappropriate. Yes, I know, germs
abound. But cordial, friendly
and loving relationships are also
communicable syndromes. Here
is the clear message: I’m really
glad and much honored to be
with you, my family member or
friend. I hold you in my esteem
and with affection and love. And
nothing says this like touching.
• Take a hike. Or at least a family
walk in the evening. A Mexican
tradition, you see entire families, strolling about in the early
PM on boardwalks, in town
squares and even in malls, especially if the weather is torrid and
the location air-conditioned. Fathers hold infants in their arms,
mothers ride herd on the children, the kids romp and play
and grandmother brings up the
rear. No huddling over portable
electronics or glued to the boob
tube, isolated and disconnected.
What’s to gain? Exercise, stress
relief and family bonding in one
inexpensive package.
• Courtesy rules. As the American
etiquette columnist Miss Man-
•
•
•
•
ners says, manners separate
man from beast and stop us
from killing each other. Please,
thank-you, you’re welcome: the
triad signs of a civilized society.
Keep the homeless home.
Homeless people are a rare sight
in Mexico. Why? Family. Mexican
families take care of their own.
Granted, having grandmother
at home and a bevy of relatives
nearby help. And field work is a
better fit than computer work
in an office for those with various mental impairments. Still,
there’s a lesson here. Honor,
or at least tolerate family members in need, and care for them.
Make room in the house, put
another tortilla on the grill and
find them something useful to
do. Family members, unless abusive, deserve to be recycled, not
dumped.
Make up your mind about sex
and violence. There’s a stern,
puritanical guard at the front
door but a ready purveyor in the
back for these goods in the United States. On the one hand, you
condemn, regulate, and censor
via laws and regulations, from
the many pulpits and by the social pressure applied in the circles of proper society. Want to
ruin politicians? Catch them having an affair. Guaranteed. Never
mind their accomplishments
or potential for good governing. On the other, you sell, disseminate and applaud sex and
violence at a ferocious rate. Call
girls on Craig’s list? Smack your
kids in public? Gun shows? Too
split are the attitudes and therefore too out of control, either
way. A big-time brouhaha because of a “wardrobe malfunction?” Please. Life is too short.
Yes, dogs, cats and other pets
deserve good treatment. But
a $1000 reward for a lost cat?
Thousands of dollars to treat
cancer in a pet? Designer doggie
coats? This kind of money would
provide basic necessities for a
third world child, or even a poor
first world youngster, for a long
time. Call me chauvinistic or
homo sapiens-centric. But, in my
opinion, the children of our species should be our first priority.
Have informed judgments of
Mexico and the Mexican people.
Get to know Mexicans and their
history and culture and, better
C
yet, live there and learn. I’m not
interested in your strongly stat-B
ed opinions about Mexico whenF
all you do, at best, is read the
headlines in American newspapers or listen to the sound bites
on American TV. Or live in gringo
ghettos. We’re neighbors, with
shared problems and the need
for shared solutions. A parochial
world-view is not helpful. How
about this? Most illegal immi-M
grants to the States would pre-W
fer to be home in Mexico. Mexi-–
cans are North Americans too.M
Look at a map. And the UnitedL
States has the very same, veryS
large disparity in income distri-S
bution as the infamous MexicanS
one.
• Do not think that Tex-Mex style
food is real Mexican food. Ok,
so salsa is the new ketchup. But
among other things, a taco is a
snack in Mexico, not the main
course. Have you ever tried
mole sauce, with its chocolate
base and multiple, subtle spices? Mexico has a world-class culinary tradition that blends the
best of old and new. Think outside the Bell.
• Realize what the US Census
Bureau has acknowledged recently. All Hispanics are not
the same. Are all the citizens of
English-speaking countries the
same? Try selling that in Australia or South Africa. Puerto Rico is
not Mexico, the Dominican Republic not San Salvador.
•
Don’t get me wrong. The United States
should not be Mexico. Nor could it be,
US nativists’ fears aside. History is not
bunk. The United States has many, many
wonderful strengths and qualities, my
appreciation newly refreshed with my
repatriation. Already mentioned is the
efficiency. Here are a few more on my list:
the rights grievance and appeal, access
to an independent and varied media,
a strong tradition of philanthropy and
volunteering, and well-lit, well-signed and
well-paved roads. Add to these this true
blessing: noise ordinances. Hallelujah.
One, useable and useful definition
of humility is this: humility is true
perspective. How humble, how true is
our American perspective about our way
of life? The culture of other countries?
America, cherry-pick the best and leave
the rest. Could become one of our
national strengths, yes?
19
Continues from page 3
BEST PLACES TO BUY…
Fresh Fish – Bravo Market on Bravo
h
-Meat – Arumburo on Madero
Women’s Clothing
-– Liverpool
.Men’s Clothing –
Liverpool
Shoe Store –
-Sears on 16 de
nSeptiembre
,
t
a Continues from front page
n The pier was built to help facilitate
order in the Bay of La Paz. Not only
e does it improve the infrastructure
- along the malecon, it is to be used by
- local fisherman and tour outfitters
that 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.
t Local and tourist foot traffic will also to
be welcomed on the pier.
“We are sure that this new infrastructure
will be used greatly in the city of La Paz,
s by the tourism sector as well as by the
citizens of La Paz. It adds a touch of
beauty to the port, one more attraction
December 27th, 2011
Fabric – Bonanza
on Revolucion
Jewelry – Ibarra
Pottery
on
Guillermo Prieto
Pastry – Sharon’s
Goodies at the
Saturday Market
German Sausage – Sausage Lady at the
Saturday Market
Coffee – The Bagel Shop on Belisario
Dominguez
Burgers – The Shack on Allende
Until November of 2012!!
to offer tourists to La Paz,” Covarrubias
Villaseñor said.
Covarrubias Villaseñor also indicated that
these types of government actions help
initiate the development of productive
activities for the state and in particular,
the City of La Paz and put order, comfort
and security to recreational activities
and services provided by tour outfitters.
The new pier comes with an investment
of 10 million pesos. At the inauguration,
Governor Covarrubias Villaseñor also
announced the investment of 145 million
pesos from both the federal and state
government in the renovation of the
Pichilingue Ferry Terminal, which
will get started in 2012.
s
,
t
s
d
e
n
y
?
Send it to: [email protected]
For Rent
Residence in Comitan beach
front community for rent. 1 large bedroom, 3 baths
with large outdoor living
space including pool, palapa,
bbq, bar and jacuzzi. Pool
maintenance and gardener
provided.
Call 612 140 2871
or Email [email protected] for details.
December 27th, 2011
20