Publisher's Message About Article Submissions - Although we are not responsible for most of the articles submitted to The Baja Western Onion, our main goal is to pass along fair, balanced, useful and informative content for benefit of all of our readers. We also seek to prevent fights from breaking out here as a result of something someone submitted, and to limit debate on any issue that generates strong emotions. Admittedly, it's next to impossible to "read between the lines" or to verify every fact in every article, but we apologize sincerely to anyone who might be affected whenever we fall short of our goals.
We recognize the Baja Western Onion can't be all things to all readers nor do we want it to be. Basically, we're only interested in reprinting useful community news, and not rants, opinions, criticisms or witch hunts. There are other venues, such as BajaNomad.com, that are better suited for that.
In our efforts to maintain peace and domestic tranquility for all our readers, we use a set of guidelines, also known as an "Editorial Policy," to decide what gets reprinted in the Onion. Please note these recent changes and additions to our policy:
www.bajawesternonion.com/faq.asp#5Thank you for your understanding and your support in helping the Baja Western Onion to remain a useful and positive community resource for all our readers. - Alan Thompson, Publisher, Baja Western Onion, Todos Santos
Recycling Program Grows Beyond All Expectations - On behalf of Todos Tortugueros, A.C. and ASUPMATOMA, A.C. I’d like to thank everyone for participating in our volunteer recycling program. This past Saturday we processed 35 sacks of plastic and 10 sacks of glass. Group members, German, Jorge and Francesca are working all summer with high school students from Rustic Pathways in a weekly “recycle-up” (20 sacks collected 6-21!) at Punta Lobos beach. Others worked to “recycle” the new Delegado’s inauguration event on Friday night and Saturday morning, where bevies in plastic bottles were given away.
We are about to do a town wide study of people’s perceptions and willingness to participate in a city wide recycling program. The study will also include a practical pilot program with 10 households and five businesses. Although we have received donations from the Saltzman family, Jenny, Sergio, Garth and Uva, Billy and Celia, Larry and Laurel, John and Pam, Sherry, Roger and Barbara, Marilyn, Judy, Wendy Faith and others, your continued support will insure that the program will continue. Hours are Saturday 1-3 P.M. and Tuesday 5-7 P.M. The recycling center is located on Rangel just up from Miguel's Restaurant. Patricia Baum, President, Todos Tortugueros, A..C.
- teampaty1[-at-]hotmail.com, www.todostortugueros.org, 612 145-0882
Submit your News and Events articles here: http://www.bajawesternonion.com/submitarticle.asp
No More 500 Peso Telcel Amigo Cards? - As many of you may know, TelCel offers phone cards from 100 to 500 pesos for their Amigo cell phone plans. The best value has always been to buy the 500 peso cards because they would give you an additional 400 peso bonus for a total of 900 pesos phone credit (an 80% bonus).
The last time I tried to refill my TelCel Amigo cell phone account online through my Banorte account, the order for 500 pesos kept failing. I thought it was a problem with Banorte's web site. I then drove all over town looking for 500 peso cards and nobody had them, including the TelCel store. There were also no explanations why.
The store across the street from my house tried to get one for me but they were told by their distributor that there would be no more 500 peso cards available for at least two months.
Acting on a whim, I was able to buy the 300 peso option online with no problems. But you only get a 150 peso bonus (50% bonus) with this option. I then checked my bank account history and there were all my attempts to buy the 500 peso quantity showing as rejected by TelCel.
My suspicion is the TelCel may have eliminated the 500 peso card (and the 400 peso bonus). Can anyone shed light on this, and/or notify the Onion where we can still buy 500 peso cards? - Alan Thompson, alan[-at-]baja1.com, www.bajawesternonion.com, 612 117 0484, Todos Santos
Gas Shortages In Northern Baja - Hearing many news reports of gas shortages and station closures in Northern Baja due to so many North Americans crossing the border to buy gas at roughly 60% of US prices. Gas and diesel sales there are up by 30%, and many Mexican cars and trucks have been idled waiting for the Pemex stations to get more gas. Advice is to fill up in San Quintin or San Vicente and again in Ensenada when driving North. You may be lucky to catch a station with gas in Tijuana or Tecate before you cross but don't count on it. We would appreciate any road reports for inclusion in the 'Onion. - Alan Thompson, alan[-at-]baja1.com, www.bajawesternonion.com, 612 117 0484, Todos Santos
To All Those Driving South!!! (Courtesy, Baja Pony Express) - David and I made the drive in the new RAMPAGE truck last Wednesday and experienced the "no diesel to be found" crisis!!! We fueled in Aliso Viejo (only about three quarters since diesel was almost $5.25) and figured we'd re-fuel in TJ. No go to TJ, Ensenada, Rosarita and still further south. Trucks and cars were pulled off to the side and all the stations were quoting Friday as the earliest they would get their next shipment of diesel. (Of course we didn't fuel the empty containers in the bed either due to the price.).
David figured all the trucks heading north meant that we'd eventually find some diesel. If not, the plan was to buy from a rancher or just pull over and wait it out at a stop along the way. He found the ONLY station at about midnight that had diesel in San Vincente (about 80km from San Quintin). They were running low and said there were no other stations with diesel, that they were the ONLY ones. Just a note to those driving south - fill to the top and carry extra fuel cans with you when driving a diesel truck. Until the price of diesel drops, this will most likely be a common occurance from what we understood........Janel and David
Report On Ad To Assist With Truck From San Diego - I recently advertised in the Baja Western Onion that I would be willing to assist others by bringing down items from San Diego in my truck for only the cost of the gas. This is a report on the outcome:
I am pleased to say I did bring down a large load for someone. No difficulty was anticipated and none occurred.
I received requests to bring in items from as far as L.A., San Francisco, and Riverside. One very pleasant person considered flying a thousand miles to help me with her goods. Regrettably, I was unable to assist at such distances. Everyone was pleasant and kind.
My truck and papers were initially inspected at the San Ysidro crossing. Four of the six Military checkpoints examined my cargo. Only two requested papers. Everyone wanted originals, but unfortunately, I had only copies. Contrary to claims by others, military checkpoints are only concerned with drugs and guns. In Guerrero Negro, an Aduana inspector accompanied the military person but did not look inside the cargo box or request papers as I am disabled and the paperwork was in my baggage on the other side of the cab and difficult for me to reach. He was very understanding. I told them what I was carrying and my destination, and that was satisfactory. They were quite pleasant and helpful.
I was stopped by the federal police for speeding on the four lane between Insurgentes and Ciudad Constitucion. I apparently was doing 130K in a 40K zone. He requested cargo papers, license & registration, insurance papers, and FM-3 and Passport. We chatted about Mexico, our families, and the terrible corruption in the current government. He was pleasant and invited me to dinner at his casa when I come through again in July. I accepted.
He did not give me a ticket and I gave him 100 pesos to help support the police presence. He was kind enough to go for change as I am disabled and had only a $500 peso note. He was very pleasant and said I must be a blond Mexican because I am a Catholic with seven children. We both laughed at that for a long time.
Sad news: According to the tow truck crew attempting to recover a late model beige SUV at the bottom of a 400 foot cliff, an American had unfortunately just been killed. The tow truck driver said the SUV was traveling uphill, headed north toward Mulege at a high rate of speed when the driver suffered a heart attack causing him to swerve off the road and plunge to his death. This terrible accident occurred at the Sea of Cortez vista turnout a few miles south of Mulege. After leaving the road the car missed the north end of the retaining wall by only four feet, hurtled 70 feet across the cliff face before striking a rocky outcrop and plummeted, end over end, some 400 feet to the bottom. The car came to rest only 20 meters from the sea.
Recommendation: I had my commercial box truck tuned and serviced at the SpeeDee service center at Blvd. Reforma 275 in Ensenada. I highly recommend this franchise and their experienced, capable mechanics. The store is clean and well organized. They are quick and honest. They did a complete tune, service, fluids and filters and brake and suspension inspection on a 7 liter V-8 Ford F450 Super Duty, plus removed the front shocks and replaced all end bushings. All for $1,650 pesos, in just three hours.
It was a normal, pleasant and uneventful trip other than having a semi run me off the road while attempting to pass me on a blind corner. Any questions/comments, please feel free to email. - John Cook, forte41[-at-]hotmail.com, 612-165-6084, La Paz
Submit your Comments, Questions and Answers articles here: http://www.bajawesternonion.com/submitarticle.asp
Submit your Rides Needed/Available articles here: http://www.bajawesternonion.com/submitarticle.asp
Dinner And A Movie Night At Buena Vida - This Friday will be a MYSTERY MOVIE night. We will tell you one thing about it, it will be good! We will serve a dinner of chicken and various pastas for $135 pesos. The dinner will start at 6:30 and the movie will start at 7:30 due to the longer days. We look forward to seeing you! - Jessie Rutowski, jessierutowski[-at-]hotmail.com, 6121343100, Todos Santos
Ana San Sushi Bar Two-for-One Special! - Now and throughout the summer, come in and take advantage of our Two-for-One Special every Wednesday from 2 PM to 7 PM. We are located just across the street from the park in downtown Todos Santos.
Open Monday to Saturday from 1 PM to 9 PM, serving sushi, sashimi, tempura and Ana's famous chicken teriyaki. Also, fresh fish fillet when available. Wine, beer and Sake also available. Reservations suggested for groups of six or more. 612 137 9856 - Ana San
Submit your Restaurant and Food News articles here: http://www.bajawesternonion.com/submitarticle.asp
Open Mike Night at The Sandbar - Starting this next Tuesday, July 2nd, Alan Thompson and Eddie Tibbals will be hosting the Open Mike Night at the Sandbar in Pescadero from 8 PM on. We'll supply a small PA with two mikes, and a couple of guitar amps. Please bring your own ax or voice, and be ready for an evening of fun and a variety of music!
We'd like to hear beforehand from any musicians or groups who want to jam so we can better plan the time available for everyone to play. Please call or send e mail to alan[-at-]baja1.com, 612 117.0484, Todos Santos
Submit your Music/Entertainment News articles here: http://www.bajawesternonion.com/submitarticle.asp
Seeking Summer Saint - When I was called to investigate a dog hiding in a pile of debris with her recently delivered litter, I was expecting something feral, frightened, possibly aggressive. What I found was a cute, social red-haired little terrier, about 15 pounds. She appears to be highly adoptable, but she needs a home where she and her babies can be cleaned up and looked after until they, too, have found homes.
Historically male pups are easier to find homes for than females, and small dogs go ahead of large ones. Six of this litter are males. Funds are available to have her spayed and possibly to help with food. Anyone out there interested in this summer project? - Janet Howey, janethowey[-at-]yahoo.com, Todos Santos
Submit your Pet Corner articles here: http://www.bajawesternonion.com/submitarticle.asp
Wood Needed For Anti-litter Beach Signs - Todos Tortugueros and the kids from Rustic Pathways have begun the beach clean-ups scheduled for this summer. We will be sweeping the beach from Punta Lobos north every Saturday for eight weeks! We have high hopes to make a huge positive impact, especially at Punta Lobos. We will be making signs at Punta Lobos, and other beach access spots regarding the impact of litter. If you have any plywood, 2x4's or 4x4's laying around collecting dust, please consider donating them to this worthy cause. We also need paint, cement, and nails. Muchs gracias from all of us at Todos Tortugueros! - Francesca, todostortugueros[-at-]live.com, www.todostortugueros.org, 145.0353, Todos Santos
Maid Wanted - Help. I am looking for a maid, once a week. I live five minutes walking distance from Hotel California, and I would greatly appreciate any recommendation. If anybody can help, I will be very thankful Sylvie Sabatier, ssabatier[-at-]earthlink.net, 612 161 2582, Todos Santos
Submit your Misc. For Sale/Wanted articles here: http://www.bajawesternonion.com/submitarticle.asp
'94 Chev. 1/2 Ton Pick-up, 4x4,extended Cab - former California forest service truck, government maintained, 350, A/C, 4x4, radio, 5 speed, great shape, camper shell, sliding rear window, tow and off road package, bilstein shocks, immigration green, shortbed, Rhinoliner protected. - Denny Berg, dberg001[-at-]gmail.com, 6121315174, Todos Santos
Submit your Vehicles for Sale articles here: http://www.bajawesternonion.com/submitarticle.asp
Rental Or House/Pet Sitting - Middle aged couple planning to visit TS in Jan. '09 for 2-3 weeks, iterested in a modest place away from road and relatively quiet, no more than two miles from town. We have several friends who live there. Please email B Knueven, bknueven1[-at-]sbcglobal.net, Thank you.
Two Bedroom Casa Available July 19-29th - Our homey casa features a panoramic ocean view, two bedrooms, loft, a spacious living/dining area with fully equipped kitchen, ceiling fans, covered patio and roof deck. You can see, hear and breathe the fresh salt air of the Pacific Ocean. The wide Las Tunas beach, its golden sands stretching for miles in both directions, is a short stroll from the house. The weather is delightful in July. $450 per week or $95 per night, three night minimum, plus 10% tax. Visit www.casajacinta.shutterfly.com to see pictures. Contact Carol Van Sant, casajacinta[-at-]gmail.com, 707-923-2468, Todos Santos
Submit your Rentals Available/Wanted articles here: http://www.bajawesternonion.com/submitarticle.asp
Submit your Real Estate articles here: http://www.bajawesternonion.com/submitarticle.asp
Announcing The Building In Baja Newsletter - You bought land in Baja and now you’re:
- Contemplating building. . .
- Can’t seem to finish building. . . or. . .
- Can’t remember why you started building?
- What common mistakes/pitfalls to avoid
- Which professionals have integrity
- Professional shortcuts and secrets
- What bids and contracts should look like
- What not to take for granted
Simple Shorts - - Enjoy a charming selection of vignettes by Judy Flohr, part-time Todos Santos resident. Truth and fantasy mix, revealing the beauty, delight, mystery and sadness of nature, human and otherwise, in these very short pieces. Her book, Simple Shorts, is available at El Tecolote bookstore for 140 pesos. - , janethowey[-at-]yahoo.com, 145-0295 - , janethowey[-at-]yahoo.com, 145-0295
Spanish Tutor - Would you like to work on your Spanish this summer? One-on-one tutoring available at your home or mine. - Serena Saltzman, brentserena[-at-]gmail.com, 612-13-28913, Todos Santos
Here Is Something Different To Try This Summer. - On Saturday afternoons from 3-5 P.M.there will be a series of cooking classes with Chef Antonio Jesus Salgado Nunez, a talented and local culinary genius. Combining the traditional foods of Todos Santos with a touch of gourmet, you will learn creative and delicious ways to prepare nopales, queso regional, pitaya, mango, enchiladas plus how to make some wonderful breads and pastas from scratch. Class size is limited so contact us soon. Six sessions beginning Saturday July 5. Cost is $25 for each class or $120us (1200 pesos) for all 6 classes. Includes ingredients. Call or email for more details. isabelsmyth2002[-at-]yahoo.ca 612 104 7082 isabelsmyth2002[-at-]yahoo.ca, 612 104 7082
House & Business Painting & Gardening - - A painting contractor in Todos Santos! We are a residential and business painting company (interior and exterior). We also do gardening jobs, apply sealer on concrete surfaces, fumigation of palapas and gardens. We are awaiting the opportunity to serve your painting needs in a prompt, efficient and professional manner. Pescadero area also. - Roberta And Victor Lopez, houseandbusiness[-at-]gmail.com, 612+1339002, Todos Santos
Submit your Commercial articles here: http://www.bajawesternonion.com/submitarticle.asp
Quote of the Day: " The thing we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down. " - Mary Pickford
Community Calendar
Denotes New or Updated Onion Item This Week
Open Mike Night With Eddie Tibbals and Alan Thompson - 8 P.M., The Sandbar, Pescadero. Contact Alan if you want to play, alan[-at-]baja1.com, 612 117.0484
Two-For-One Special - 2 P.M. - 7 P.M., Ana San Sushi, Todos Santos, across from Park, Reservations (groups of six or more) 612 137 9856
