Norbert is On His Way - Now a Category Four Hurricane, Norbert is winding his way North with a predicted path to turn Eastward and cross the Baja Friday Night somewhere south of Magdalena Bay. Tropical storm force winds currently extend outward up to 145 miles from the center. Some weakening is predicted before Norbert reaches the coast. Stay safe, everyone. - BWO
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_ep5.shtml?5day#contents
Recycling Center - It seems the directions we put in the last Onion were unclear, sorry. There will be signs up this next Friday, October 10 - open from 11:00 A.M. till noon. The recycling center is on the school grounds, on the road between the school and Cruz Ruz. Turn south off of Huerto (the paved road, last road to the left leaving town for Cabo.) Patricia tells us they will be ready to accept glass, aluminum, plastic and cardboard this Friday, October 10. unclear, sorry. (You could also look up Cruz Roja on the Todos Santos map in the Calendario.) Editor, BWO
Dharma Talks With Robert K. Hall M.D. - Dharma Talks resume this coming Sunday--October 12th, 10-11:30 A.M. This season marks the 8th year of talks offered by Robert K. Hall, M.D. The talks are preceded by a period of guided meditation with instructions in the Vipassana tradition. Select talks are now available online for listening or downloading. Transcribed talks are also available for reading at your leisure from the newly redesigned web site. Dharma talks are free of charge and everyone is welcome -- located in the heart of Todos Santos at La A.R.C.A. community center on Calle Topete and Pilar. We look forward to you seeing you there! - Alvaro Colindres, eldharma[-at-]prodigy.net.mx,, www.robertkhall.com, 612-145-0676, Todos Santos
Special Needs School Correction - My apologies. The correct address to read the program for the Special Needs Educators Conference being held in Monterrey, MX. Please go to
www.primercongresosobrediscapacidad.com
The conference will benefit the CAM teachers here, not to mention the children
at the Special Needs (CAM)School on
La Cachora road. And please remember that they are not funded by the government! Many thanks to Felix at CAFELIX for his generous donation to the school children!
Large or small donations will be greatly appreciated by these dedicated teachers who want to learn new teaching techniques at the Conference. Please help!
You may contact me for more
information! - Mary Shortell, mshortell[-at-]hotmail.com, 145 0512, Todos Santos
Third Annual Sacred Healers Retreat Nov 9-14, 2008 Contact Patricia J Huff, sacredhealersretreat[-at-]hotmail.com, US 619-819-9212, Pescadero
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Costco Shoppers - El Refugio, Mariposa's dog sanctuary in Pescadero, has an arrangement with Costco, thanks to a wonderful woman named Trish, that allows us to purchase dog food at a substantial discount. We need volunteers to pick it up. It is a simple procedure and requires only a few extra steps while you are at Costco. Some knowledge of Spanish is helpful. Please let us know if you could help with occasional pick-ups. - Maryann, maryann[-at-]bajawesternonion.com, 612-153-1777
Bus From Los Cabos To Pescadero - Has anyone taken the bus lately from Los Cabos airport to Pescadero? We arrive Alaska Air at 2 P.M. on Tuesday Oct.14th. I'd love to know what bus to catch, whether or not we have to change in Cabo, & how much it costs. Thanks ahead for your info! - Cynthia Van Alstyne, cynvana[-at-]aol.com, 415-309-9787, Pescadero
Auto Insurance - There was a great article in the Onion awhile back about auto insurance in Mexico. I can't find it in the 'Best of the Onion', does anyone have that article or know who wrote it. Thanks - Holly Garcia, Hollygarci[-at-]aol.com, Pescadero
----------------------------------We've started archiving the most recent back issues of the Baja Western Onion. You can find them here: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs043/1101836030076/archive/1101889249038.html. Not all of the back issues are posted yet (we have about 300 total!). We'll add more as time allows. - Alan
RE: Dates - are a winter crop, and it may still be early for them. When they are in season, you can often find them at the dulcerias on the north end of Todos Santos - on the way out of town toward La Paz, on your right. - Jane Sipe, jasi57[-at-]juno.com, 145-0110
Dish Network To Issue New Smart Cards To All Customers - Beginning this fall, all DISH Network satellite receivers will require the installation of a new "Smart Card" in order to continue to receive their programming. DISH Network will send a packet by mail to your billing address containing the new Smart Card(s), along with installation instructions. Each new card corresponds to a specific receiver identified in the packet. The old card(s) will expire within 2-3 weeks of the arrival of the packet and your receiver will lose its authorization without the new cards. Please note that many DISH Network receivers do not currently have a card but these will also need the new card inserted in order to continue to receive programming.
The cards should be sent to the billing address for your account that DISH Network has on file in the US. In the event you do not receive your new Smart Card, you may need to contact DISH Network and have them send new cards to another address. Be sure to tell them that you have a new "Mailing" address, and not a new "Physical" address.
Customers should follow the included instructions to install the new cards. There is a slot in the front left side of each receiver, and the process is simple. Here is a link to a PDF file containing the instructions:
https://rweb.echostar.com/departmental_content/TechPortal/pdf/uptraining/20080623_g3_card_swap.pdf
If your Smart Cards have already arrived in the US, and you are currently in Baja, you may need to make arrangements to have your cards delivered to Baja in order to continue to receive programming. Please note that your Satellite TV Dealer or installer does not have access to these cards and cannot provide replacement cards. - Alan Thompson, alan[-at-]BajaSatellite.com, Todos Santos
Borrowing Cars In The Baja - I have some experience with the car thing in the Baja. People are understandably reluctant to lend wheels because very few (Gringo-owned vehicles anyway, probably others as well) are insured for Mexico. It costs a fortune to import a vehicle, so people still take a chance. Good friends don't want you to be stopped and thrown in jail for driving (their) unlicensed car, nor are they willing to take the chance that their wheels might be impounded.
I caretake for different friends in Todos Santos in the off - season and charge nothing for my services. I love to do it and have a holiday at the same time, but I have learned that one really can't expect people to lend me their vehicle. It's too risky, for me as well as for them.
I have driven down twice, from Vancouver Island B.C. It was so worth it to have my own wheels and not be under any obligation to anyone. I was very lucky this year, had only to pay for a friend's Mexican-registered car to be licensed, and it was legally mine to drive for the three months I was there. (Gracias, Geraldo). Even that was not a simple procedure. T hree trips to La Paz and hours in a government office line-up (MUCHO gracias, Enrique)!
I just thought I'd react to Ted's e-mail so he doesn't have a bad experience with cars. Rent or drive down, is my suggestion for an anxiety-free vacation. Besides, the car rental people can sure use our business, and they earn every penny of it.
- Nicola Newton, n_newton[-at-]telus.net, 250 9232384, Todos Santos
Anyone Have A Kayak Or Canoe - that they would be interested in lending, or renting out for a week? Will be camping beach side SOC Nov 12-19. Willing to leave a deposit. (and can provide references!) - Fred & Marie-rose Hagen, mhagen[-at-]shaw.ca, Todos Santos
Help In East Cape - New to East Cape going from 11-4 until 11-22. My only way to converse is Baja Western Onion. Got some good ideas, but? Staying in Los Brailles on the beach Would like to meet someone to show me around. No tricks. I am not Gay. Questions are: Where to buy food and the best place to meet and see the people. Best and cheapest place to fish. Don't know how to spell English let alone speak Spanish. Can you help? I can drive to you. - tlemanowic[-at-]sbcglobal.net, 760-727-5063, Todos Santos
What One Needs To Know About The Legal Immigration Status When Entering And / Or Living Mexico (Courtesy, Baja Pony Express) -
FMT: One who wants to come as a tourist or doing business during a short time must fill out a document called FMT at any Mexican consulate, the border, aboard a commercial flight or at the port of entry of a ship. The document has instructions in English and Spanish and must be filled correctly. One has to pay at any bank for said document, except if you are traveling on a commercial flight. The maximum time that one can legally be in Mexico with an FMT is given at the discretion of the Immigration officer who receives the FMT. The law indicates that the limit is 180 days. In the even that one has an FMT for less than 180 days one can present himself to any immigration office and request additional time, again this is subject to the Immigration officer's discretion. In the event that one comes in the country without having
FM-3: The FM-3 is mandatory for anyone who wishes to be in the country for more than 180 days, the maximum time is 365 days; this been said the number of days is at the discretion of the Immigration officer. The holder of said document does not have any residential rights according to a note in page 2 of the FM-3 booklet in other words he is considered a "Visitor". One wants to be able to work must request this and prove that he will not take away a job from a Mexican National, in other words a foreigner can not work in Mexico in the event that a person with the Mexican nationality (born or naturalized) can do the job.
If one formed a partnership (S.A. de C.V. or S. de R.L. de C.V.) and the Charter indicates that he is the Administrator or the Manager he can not perform any other job. If one elected to be in business under his own name he must indicate to the Immigration official that he will administer the business. The holder of an FM-3 can enter and leave the country at any time and there is no restrictions on the time spend abroad. The government fees are paid at any bank in Mexico.
FM-2: The FM-2 is the document that provides the immigrant status to a foreigner who elected to live no less than 70 % of the time over a 5 year period in Mexico. This means that one can be out of the country for a maximum of 18 months (accumulative) during a 5 year period. One acquires Residential Rights by having an FM-2. The government fees are paid at any bank in Mexico.
FAQS: What follows 5 years with an FM-2? After 5 years of holding an FM-2 one has two avenues to choose from, either continue to be an immigrant or acquire the Mexican nationality. If one chooses to continue as an emigrant one can request this at any immigration office. In the event that one elects to be part of the Mexican society one must request his "Narturalization" at the Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) [Secretary of External Relations]. To be able to acquire the nationality one has to fulfill the conditions indicated in the Ley de Nacionalidad (Nationality Law).Any queries about the above subject or any legal matter please feel free to send us an e-mail at info[-at-]can-am-mex.com - LIC. JACQUES-EDOUARD BEAULNE, Abogado, Avocat, Lawyer, Notaria 8, Planta Alta, suite 4 & 6, Esq., Allende y Serdan, La Paz
Can one obtain an FM-2 without having to have an FM-3? Yes one can obtain an FM-2 if one proves to the Immigration officer that he has elected to live as an immigrant in Mexico. This been said, since the law provide discretionary powers to the Immigration officers one must present irrefutable proof regarding his intentions.
Can one appeal the decision (Resolución) of an Immigration Officer? Yes within 15 days from the day following the reception of the decision.
Does one have to go to the Immigration office several times? No unless one who does the process not using a rep., experience tells us that when one does it himself that he has to travel several times.one who uses the services of an approved legal rep., only has to go once at the initial request to sign and put his fingerprints on the booklet and the FM-1 form, for renewal (prorroga) or any other request one does not have to present himself if using a representative.
Does one have to be in Mexico for renewal or any other request? No if one uses an approved legal rep.
Can one be fined? Yes if one enters the country without a proper immigration document or does not present on time his request for renewal or does work he is not allowed to do or holds two different immigration documents (one has an FM-3 or 2 and elects to travel with an FMT).
Can one be detained by immigration officials? Yes.
Can one be removed from Mexico by immigration officers? Yes but first one has a Right to appeal the decision before been taken to the border.
Can immigration officers apply Article 33 of the Constitution to deport as "Persona non Grata" a foreigner? Yes once the resolution is signed by the President of the Country.
Who should be the legal representative? One can use anyone but it is recommended to only use a person who graduated as a lawyer and who specializes in Immigration processes because it is a very important legal process which if not done properly can result in residency problems and / or impossibility in appealing, along with additional and unnecessary cost to the client.
Driving To Todos Santos? - Are you driving from New Mexico to Todos Santos? We need someone to take down supplies (two small art easels, art supplies, canvas, boxes of dry foods, grains etc.) for our three month stay (Jan. to April) in Todos Santos. We live in northern NM, but could meet someone who could take our supplies down for us. Please email:Barbara at bcardona[-at-]cybermesa.com. Or call 505.689.2253 - U.S.. number- Barbara Cardona, www.cardonahinegallery.com
Submit your Rides Needed/Available articles here: http://www.bajawesternonion.com/submitarticle.asp
Cook Your Ow T-bone Steak Night Opening Delayed Due to Norbert - We are delaying the beginning of our regular season of cook your own T-Bone Steak Night for one more week due to the impending storm. We will plan to open for the season on Thursday, October 16 at 6 P.M. YUMMY tender t bone cooked the way you like it, baked potato with sour cream and butter, hot garlic bread, and a garden fresh green salad, with your choice of dressings. All this for the low price of 180.00 pesos. The bar will be open as always to serve you your favorite beverage. Just a reminder, reservations are REQUIRED. So get your name on the list, and come join us for opening night. It is easy, just call 612-14-00069, or drop by a day or two before to get signed up. it will be fun. - Barbara Perkins, barbara_perkins[-at-]hotmail.com,
Café D'licia Reopening For Our 5th Season! - This Saturday, October 11th, Cafe D'licia will open with our same hours, 9 A.M. till 3 P.M. five days a week, Wednesday thru Sunday. Again we will offer great homemade meals as well as espressos, smoothies, beer and cocktails in our relaxed tropical setting. We look forward to seeing you for breakfast or lunch! - Alicia Dufaux, cafe.dlicia[-at-]gmail.com, 145-0862, Todos Santos
New Calendar Of Breads For Pan D' Les - The new La Paz bakery, Pan D'Les located on Madero at Ocampo, one block past the department store MAS in the downtown area now has a cycle of bread production. The rustico and Italian round breads are available every day.
Monday-Whole wheat four cereal breadThe bakery is now open from 7 until 12:30 and 3 to 6 during the week and from 7 until 2 on Saturday. Parking is available for 20 cents (2 pesos) for 15 minutes at the car wash lot directly across the street. - Pan D'les, lapaz.breadguy[-at-]gmail.com, eatingthroughlapaz.blogspot.com, 044 612 119 83 92, La Paz
Tuesday-Whole wheat greek olive bread
Wednesday-Red wine walnut bread
Thursday-Pizza and focaccia
Friday-Whole wheat four cereal bread and honey cornbread
Saturday-Bagels and whole wheat cinnamon raisin
Mondays-Wednesday-Friday Chabatta
Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday WW Baguette
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Dog For Adoption - This is one lovable dog. Charlie came to us in Barrio San Juan a week ago, obviously looking for a home. He is incredibly good natured and sweet and gets along with all our dogs and many cats. He's about 6-9 mos. old, in great health, but he really craves some one-on-one affection. If you adopt this dog, you'll have a pal for life. - Pamela Cobb, senoracobb[-at-]yahoo.com, 612-155-0622, Todos Santos
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Jeep for sale - Classic 1984 CJ-7, 6 cyl.,standard transmission, lock-in hubs, great for the beach and around town $2,450.00 OBO - Don Mitchell, kiwimay1999[-at-]yahoo.com, 044-612-104-7278
2005 Ford Explorer 4 X 4, $12,000 (Photo at Right>>>) - Less than 45,000 miles, the third row seats seven, roof rack, power everything, runs perfectly. Only the CD player doesn't work, otherwise the car is perfect. Transferrable extended factory warranty to 100k miles. Already down in Baja, although not imported (it is registered in Nevada).
If you're coming down for the season, need a car and don't want to make the drive, why not consider buying this great, reliable SUV.
Contact me by phone in the U.S. at 970-389-3490 or
Lisagreenco[-at-]hotmail.com - Lisa Green
1995 Toyota Previa Van For Sale - Excellent condition and great gas mileage. Silver with tan interior. All wheel drive, front and rear air conditioning, luggage rack, single CD player and rear speakers. Leather seats, rear seats fold up and center seats are removable. Current Oregon plates with registration/tags good through Aug 2009. 157,000 miles. Google Toyota Previa for specifics. Low Blue Book at $4,100 U.S. Asking $3,500 U.S.. Call or e-mail - Best time to call is after 4:00pm. - Shawn Or Bonnie, sunburntgringos[-at-]hotmail.com, 612-134-0141, Pescadero
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Thanksgiving Week Available - Maritas Casitas are still available for Thanksgiving - call soon!
Wanted: House For Rent - My husband and I are wanting to relocate to the Todos Santos area and are seeking an inexpensive house to rent, 1 or 2 bedrooms, that also allows pets. We have no preference of in-town or outside of town. My husband is leaving Florida to drive down the first week of November. A timely response would be greatly appreciated. Please contact us by e-mail. - Teri Chapman, eddchap[-at-]mchsi.com, 850-565-4937, Todos Santos
Trailer Space Needed - Responsible gringa here for past several years is looking for a lot or property in Todos, Pescadero or nearby that needs a good caretaker on a long term basis. I need space to park my house trailer (about 20 ft), water, power. Please call Barbara, celular 612 133 2438. Gracias! - Barbara Hofmann,Todos Santos
Charming Todos Town Home - Enjoy the historic ambiance of Todos Santos from the pleasure of your own patio. This 1 bedroom 1 bath private casita comes fully stocked to entertain or relax your days away from the kitchen to the sweeping ocean and oasis vistas. Walk to town, quick drive to all beaches. Internet available for longer term. Private residence. We are very dog friendly -perros encouraged :) Please email for pics & more info. Rates:
November-March $100/night min. 3 nights- Nina, ninaneens[-at-]gmail.com, Todos Santos
$500/week (2 nights FREE!!)
$800/month
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Drawing Classes - For those of you who are returning to Todos Santos, our Thursday morning drawing class continues and we are learning a lot and enjoying each meeting. Each class is unique and no prior experience is necessary. 9:00-10:30 on Thursday mornings - email me for information and directions. - Tori Sepulveda, oscarntori[-at-]yahoo.com, 612-136-6738, Todos Santos
Audio And Video Consulting - We've expanded our services to include custom audio and video consulting and installation services for home entertainment and communications systems.
Work Wanted: - I am a hard working, honest and responsible man from Todos Santos. I am married with 3 young daughters. I am available to do work for you. I speak and understand English. I have many American/Canadian friends and clients. I can provide these services - real estate sales, house security and property management, trash collection and hauling, general handyman jobs, and assistance in facilitating various bill payments with Mexican businesses and organizations. References can be provided upon request. You can reach me by email or phone. - Victor Sossa, lacio31[-at-]hotmail.com, 612 132-87-77 & 612 135 4
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Quote of the Day: " I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. " - Robert McCloskey, State Department spokesman
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