The Baja Citizen

Archive for May, 2012

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La Paz Ladies Luncheon slated for June 7th at Trocadero’s

May 31, 2012

Louiza Lanoy
I’ve been waiting a long time to bring you to this incredible restaurant, TrocaderO’s. Why? Well it is smaller than most other places and therefore better to keep this gem for the summer months when our numbers dwindle somewhat.
Finally, Thursday, June 7th is the day and 12:15 pm. is the time. Chef Marie Fimbre is preparing a special menu for us. The price will be $150 pesos including the tax but not the tip. They have a great red and white wine for $50 pesos a glass. The appetizers and desserts are extra. Her tuna ceviche and scallop appertizers are incredible and worth the price. A table of 4 might want to share, or not.
Chef Marie tells me they can accommodate 40-45 people. Some may have to be seated at the bar and other perhaps outside. Please reserve now at luizalanoy@yahoo.com. Remember ALL are welcome!
: La Paz Ladies Luncheon
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Mexican Association of Real Estate Agents Sworn in at Beachside Breakfast in La Paz

May 31, 2012

Susan Fogel
With contributions by John Glaab, Director Emeritus
Ceremonies and rituals help us mark passages in life. And last Saturday on the patio of the beautiful Playa de La Paz condo development, the board of directors of Asociacion Mexicana Profesionales Inmobiliaria (AMPI) was sworn in. Even though the board was elected in the Fall, they waited to hold the Toma de Protesta or swearing in ceremony until May, the anniversary month of the La Paz chapter of AMPI.
Founded in 1956, AMPI is the association of real estate agents here in Mexico and they are affiliated with the National Association of Realtors (NAR). And AMPI members may join NAR and also use the big blue R Realtor trademark to describe themselves. Mexico is on the short list to host the 2014 congress of the International Land Federation.
But the board members weren’t sitting idly by waiting to be sworn in.
They have continued to work to elevate the level of professionalism and ethical practices within the real estate group, and to inform the public that AMPI members are the only real estate agents they should be working with.  They have staffed a booth promoting La Paz at a real estate expo in Van Nuys, CA and have contributed money towards campaigns to keep their industry vital.
Many sectors of La Paz municipal and state governments were represented including Lic. Sergio Gutierrez La Barrera representing our mayor, Esthela Ponce. Gutierrez also administered the oath to the board members. Jose Luis Gaytan is the president, Victor Granados, vice president, Susan Fogel, secretary and Eduardo Ramirez, treasurer. Other board members sworn in were Brian Westerlund, Gordon Herpst, Carolina Ortiz and Luis Rojas.
It was a gorgeous day at the beach, the water sparkled, the white tents billowed in the breeze, and a lovely breakfast was served. How better to mark a special occasion then at the beach?  Jeffrey Curtis, the developer of Playa de La Paz, hosted and underwrote the entire event.
For more information about International and National real estate happenings email John Glaab: John.glaab@settlement-co.com and follow AMPI on Facebook.
Susan Fogel is the broker of www.Prestigepropertygrouplapaz.com
: Real Estate News
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The Baja Citizen in El Centenario

May 31, 2012

The May 29th, 2012 edition of the Baja Citizen is on the street. Pick up your copy at your favourite place today, including at Paradise Found Roadside Grill & Bar in El Centenario.

: Administration
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Frank Hills `La Cruz Roja es La Paz´ Unveiled

May 27, 2012


 TBC
 The Cruz Roja (Red Cross) offices on Avenida de los Atleticos, just off of Colosio and across the Municipality of La Paz Building, just got a little bit happier.
 Thanks to local artist Frank Hills, a large, bright mural painting now makes the entrance to the once somber building much more pleasant, not only for the workers but for visitors as well.
 Hills was asked by Dr. Enrique Tuchmann, President of Cruz Roja La Paz, to help make the offices of Cruz Roja more inviting.  After showing three different ideas, the two agreed upon the backdrop of the Kiosko on the malecon and 16 de septiembre in La Paz circa 1940 with a Red Cross ambulance in the foreground.
 At an unveiling ceremony in honor of Hills and the mural, Dr. Tuchmann had these kind words, “We really appreciate the work of Frank. We love it. Thank-you on behalf of the Red Cross. We also would like to invite you Frank to become a part of the Red Cross and our volunteer committee. We would like to involve the English speaking community in our activities.”
An honored and humble Hills said, “This is a pleasure. Several people have asked me how long it took me to get this mural painted. I always answer that it took 5 days to put it on the wall, but it took me about 40 years to get ready to do it.  I thank all of you for coming today.  I really appreciate it.”
During the event, Hills also explained how the mural was named. “The employees named the mural as it belongs to them, to everyone who is a part of this organization.  I asked them to think it over and let me know what they would like to name it. They informed me today that they would like to call the mural La Cruz Roja es La Paz. So there you have it.”

Photos courtesy of Thomas Ireton
: Local Events
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Thinking of putting up a lemonade stand for extra cash?

May 27, 2012
·SOMEONE MAYBE WATCHING YOU
Theo Breadguy
Already in Loreto and in Todos Santos, complaints have been registered denouncing criminal activity by foreigners. “They are taking our jobs and livelihood away” is the sort of rhetoric heard by the city council members and the National Immigration Institute, or INM by its initials in Spanish.
Recently here in La Paz, voices were raised via a radio talk show, concerning the presence of unlicensed and/or unregistered foreigners doing business at the post office park’s Tianguis Natural farmers’ market.  The program host Miguel Angel Ojeda, as his custom, read aloud text messages received by listeners.  The concern was that it was unfair and illegal that residents were not being allowed to sell their wares and that foreigners were verbally abusive and receiving money that should be going to the local citizenry.
Mr. Ojeda also accepted telephone calls from supporters of the farmers’ market, rebutting the claims by the texters. One such caller stated,  “I am a Mexican citizen and am proud to associate with the foreigners who created the market and come to sell their organic and natural products. They operate licensed businesses, pay taxes and observe all rules and requirements for lucrative activities in Mexico,” The caller, Cristina Campos the marmalade lady, also suggested that the persons doing the complaining and who had been refused space at the market were street artisans, who already had been granted designated areas to display and sell their wares…
Persons sympathetic to the efforts put forth by the organizers of the Tianguis Natural notified steering committee members of a planned inspection by officials of immigration.
In the established guidelines for the participants in the Tianguis Natural, acknowledgement is made that all persons who sell hold themselves responsible for having all necessary permissions and paperwork in place.
A uniformed inspector for the National Immigration Institute presented himself to one of the steering committee members on the next market day, presenting documents issued by the regional director authorizing him to review the immigration status of the vendors.  With total professionalism and courtesy on the part of the inspector, he discreetly began to examine sellers’ paperwork.  A total of three of the twenty-some participants of the market were asked to report to the immigration office at their earliest convenience to respond to apparent irregularities in their permissions.  No one was detained or arrested and no property or money was seized.
The Tuesday and Saturday markets will continue over the long heat season, however the venue for the Tuesday market will change. For fresh produce, cheese, breads and artwork and ware, sellers will congregate on the shaded patio of Sabores de Mexico, located on Madero at Constitucion, directly across the street from Pan D’Les Bakery and Las Manitas ARTesanias. The markets begin at 9:30, with all vendors in place by 10 a.m.
: Local News
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Grand Opening of Sierra Laguna Vineyards in Todos Santos during Gastrovino 2012.

May 27, 2012
Todos Santos isn’t the first place that comes to mind in Baja if one mentioned an up and coming winery, but that’s just what Zach and Kristianna Everett have set out to change.
Owners of the new Sierra Laguna Vineyards, they are on a mission to make quality sustainable wines right in our backyard and give us a few new surprising tasting possibilities in the process.
The grand opening and first tasting of their uniquely made wines will happen on May 20th from 1-7pm as part of the Gastrovino Festival in the plaza of Todos Santos. The festival will boast 5 of Baja’s best wineries, with winemakers on hand to pour samples as well as 10 of the best local restaurants to sample some great culinary creations.
Sierra Laguna Vineyards is looking forward to debuting the first fruits of their labor right next to some of Mexico’s top wineries, and share the wines with as much personality as the community in which they were made.
For more information about Gastrovino, visit www.gastrovino.mx
for Sierra Laguna Vineyards, visit www.facebook.com/SierraLaguna
: Local Events
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BOCCI BALLING FOR EAST CAPE SCHOLARSHIPS

May 27, 2012
John Brooke
Clink, clank, bonk, plop, groan, gasp, and grunt. Those are the hushed sounds of the Annual East Cape Guild, AC Bocci Ball Tournament.  East Cape Guild Bocci Ball is not played on a regulation bocce court. It’s played on mostly flat, level dirt and packed gravel surfaces amongst rock outcroppings, cholla, cactus, and thorn bearing trees.
It’s a serious fun filled fund raising event to generate scholarships for high school level children in the East Cape Community.
Fourteen, four person teams, chosen from 56 guys and gals, played Bocci Ball in the hot sand, rocks, prickly thorns and cactus at the Colina del Sol development Club House facility and site in Los Barriles.
It is a popular annual deal, over one hundred supporters came out to gawk at the well-behaved and genteel bowlers.
An ATV wagon train circulated continuously, providing iced beverages to the players and spectators. In one case, the wagon supplied ice to the injured foot of a keen woman bocci ball hurler.
40 Guild Member Volunteers not only provided and served the delicious meal break, they staffed the beverage and raffle tickets booths, organized the playing areas and set out and retrieved the buckets of balls at each play station.
At the lunch break, barbecued succulent chicken was served with roasted potatoes and crisp coleslaw. Enjoyed by spectators and players. Of course, a medley of cold refreshments were available.
A bunch of students from CECyT High School in Santiago wowed the audience with an improv sketch full of sound a fury that delighted and puzzled the audience. One of the boys, Julio, delivered several beautiful Spanish songs with his show stopping polished voice.
This year’s happy result is due to an ongoing series of Guild fundraising efforts such as Monte Carlo Night, Baja HaHa Golf Tourney, Bocci Ball Tournament, The Guild Members own Cookbook sales and cash donations,
Jill Borggreve Guild Chairman, informed me that 147 students will be receiving East Cape Scholarship Certificates during the Award Ceremony on May 19, at the cancha in Los Barriles.

Photography by Joan Pratt.
: Local Events
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New Edition of the Baja Citizen Available On-Line

May 23, 2012

The May 1st and May 15th edition of the Baja Citizen is now on-line at www.bajacitizen.com. Enjoy!

: Administration
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Help Us Get More Flights to La Paz!

May 23, 2012

Follow the link to help us get more flights to La Paz!

WestJet: Please add La Paz, BCS (LAP) to your regular flight schedule!www.change.orgThose of us who live in or visit La Paz must drive 3 hours on a very dangerous highway to the airport in San Jose del Cabo (SJD) in order to fly home…

: Administration
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More Writers Visit La Paz, Baja

May 22, 2012

More Writers Visit La Paz
TBC
Once again, the city of La Paz hosted a group of Canadian and American writers and bloggers from various publications north of the border including Living After 50 Magazine, Today’s Bride and the Edmonton Journal. The group was invited down to visit the city by Emprhotur, the Secretary of Tourism and Paolucci Communications, the California based PR firm hired by Emprhotur to help market and promote La Paz internationally.
The 3-day media visit consisted of a day trip to the friendly sea lions of the Los Islotes colony, kayaking on the Sea of Cortez, tours of La Paz’s tourist developments including CostaBaja, Playas de La Paz and Azul de Cortez, wandering the streets of downtown La Paz and the malecon as well as dining at La Paz’s finest restaurants.
This is now the third media trip La Paz has hosted in hopes of promoting the city in the form of articles, photos and editorial in publications that market potential travelers to La Paz.

: Local News