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Local Events
A classic line of continuous breaking surf under a bright halo of sunlight that attempted to burn through the cool misty cloud hugging the beach. Live music provided by Tim Lang and Kurtiz Parsons blasted out from the high hill overlooking the Second Annual Sand Castle Contest, in Vinorama.
Our hosts, the Crossroads Country Club, is housed in a stunning modern Mondrian like building. It consists of a modular array of structures. Sharp angular geometry in cutting contrast to the natural rolling sand dunes and the undulating coastline.
The Club House kitchen was steadily satisfying the hungry and thirsty hill climbing spectators. A magnificent soaring multi turreted Sand Castle stood just behind the outdoor bandstand. Down below, Sterling Dietz, a strolling Magician treating with tricks the crowds, who were sheltering under colorful umbrellas and portable sombras. His magic was a welcome diversion, for a few spellbinding moments. A welcome change in their intense appreciation of their sandy artist friends, who were toiling mightily, creating their inspired masterpieces for judging. Joan Hafenecker, owner and hostess, mingled with her guests as a succession of cold Mexican beers and hot food flowed from her beachfront kiosk.
Then it was time to evaluate the artwork. International Master Sand Sculptor Brett Stoker, announced:
First Place Winner: A masterful sand sculpture “Manta Rays.” Created by The Handy Manny team from right here in Vinorama, East Cape.
Second Place Winner: Big floppy ears, tongue hanging out, and sandy claws, “The Puppy.” Sculpted by The Monster team all the way from Mexico City.
Third and three equal Winners: “Escape to the Other Side.” By a family team, from San Jose del Montreal. “La Tortuga.” Carved by team Los Costenos. “Jolly Roger” a sand carving by the Cross Roads Country Club team was also a Third Place Winner.
“The Castle,” received an honorable mention for The Canucks team from Whistler British Columbia, Canada.
Over time, all these exquisite works will crumble, they’re only made of sand. They’ll be resurrected in new, creative forms, by inspired sculptors in next seasons Annual Sandcastle Competition.
Support marine mammals tomorrow, June 2nd at Coromuel Beach at the first ever Music Festival in La Paz in support of our national treasures.
Music will start at 2:00 pm and the line up includes Riddim Forz, The Good All Times, Silver Band eden and Bipolar.
A 50 peso donation would be gladly received.
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
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
John BrookeClink, 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. |
Last night’s eclipse of the sun, Baja style. Photo courtesy of Donneley McCann.
Pictures are worth a thousand words and these ladies are sure happy!
Forty two women came out to enjoy the ambience offered by Stella’s Restaurant on the beach. The buffet luncheon consisted of different pizzas, pastas and plenty of salad.
Thank you to the owner and staff at Stella’s on the Beach for making this such an enjoyable event.
In conjunction with the 477 Anniversary of the La Paz Founding Festival
Manuel Amarillas Vanegas
The first Classic Car Festival and Parade came to life in 2002 in conjunction with the La Paz’s Founding Festival with the hopes of enriching the program of the cities festival with something unique. The car shows goal has also been to bring the sport of automotive recreation and restoration to both tourists and local families in a healthy and friendly environment.
Today it is a reality and a tradition here in the capital of BCS. The car show is firmly a part of La Paz’s Founding Festival. We have celebrated a decade together, the Classic Car Festival and Parade and Founding Festival, and thanks to the XIV City Government of La Paz and the Municipal Department of Culture, Cultural Institute of Baja California Sur and the unconditional support of enthusiastic participants, sponsors from numerous local businesses as well as the owners of classical cars, we will be celebrating year XI.
Not one of the previous years events has been the same. Proof of that exists in the category of “Car of Year”, where not one car has been a repeat winner in the now 10-year event. Winners have also represented all corners of Baja California Sur including Loreto, Cd. Constitucion, La Rivera and Cabo San Lucas.
The history of winners since the spring edition of the first Classic Car Festival starts in 2002 with Eduardo Van Wormer Ruiz from La Rivera, BCS and his Ford Sedan 2 door, Model “A” 1929. In 2003, we celebrated a Ford Pick-up Model “A” 1931 and owner Cesar Scholnick. In 2004, Alfonso Jaime Tabasco won the award with his Chevrolet Camaro SS 1967, 1st edition. In 2005 we saw a Porshe 911 S/C 1970, European Sport with owner Roberto Ortega Wheler.
In 2006 Roland and Wendy Bellerive of Loreto, BCS won with their Graham-Hollywood 1941; they only made 800 of this model and it was a treat to see. 2007 we enjoyed a Ford Mustang 2+2 fastback 1965 with owner Martín Guluarte Ceseña. 2008 saw a Chevrolet pick-up 1949 with Juan Ojeda of Cd. Constitución, BCS as the winner. 2009 we celebrated a Plymouth deluxe 4 door with owner Eduardo Reyes of Cabo San Lucas. 2010, Raymond Novelli won with his Ford deluxe 1941 Convertible and in 2011, when we celebrated the 10th anniversary, the winner was a Ford Big-Job 1956 belonging to Orlando Ojeda of Cd. Constitución.
The Spring Classic and Antique Auto Show will take place on May 19th and 20th on the Malecon in conjunction with the 477 Anniversary of the La Paz Founding Festival. Six different categories will be judged. For more information, contact Manuel Amarillas at (612) 125-3306, cell 141-8554 or by e-mail at hector_manuel_amarillas@msn.com
Highlights:
May 2nd at 7:30pm at the corner of 16 de Septiembre and Belisario Dominguez, the crowning of Reina Calafia 2012, Estefanía Elizabeth Olachea Bermúdez.
May 2nd at 9:00pm, at the corner of 16 de Septiembre and Belizario Dominguez. Samantha Rae in concert.
May 3rd at 8:30pm on the beach and the 16 de Septiembre Kiosco.
A must see event for the family. The re-enactment of the arrival of Hernan Cortes’ to the Californias.
May 4th starting at 5:30pm at Jardin Velasco, which is in front of the Cathedral between 5 de Mayo and Independencia. A three-day cultural fair and tianguis so bring change and plan on enjoying local arts and crafts, jewelry, breads and baked goods, salsas and dips, soaps and lotions and so much more.
May 5th at 9:00pm at Jardín Velasco, 5 de Mayo between Madero and Revolución. Hernan Romero, a virtuoso guitarist, singer, and componer performs.
May 6th at 10:00pm at Centro Cultural La Paz, 16 de Septiembre near the corner of Belisario Dominguez. NSM PSM performs: No Somos Macho Pero Somos Mucho. For the younger crowd I would think.
