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<strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong><br />
US Ex-Pats Get<br />
a Chance to<br />
Tell Mexican<br />
Government<br />
Representatives<br />
What They Want<br />
and Need<br />
YEAR: 3 Nº: 71 PUBLISHER: Hally J. Productions S. de R.L. EDITOR: Gari-Ellen Donohoe<br />
Susan Fogel<br />
“Mi Casa es Tu Casa are words<br />
imprinted on our DNA,” said President<br />
Felipe Calderon. And Maestra Gloria<br />
Guevara Manzo, the Secretary of<br />
Tourism for the Mexican Government,<br />
emphasized this in her opening words<br />
to the 46 delegates representing major<br />
centers for American retirees. At the<br />
first annual Expat Forum, her mission<br />
is to welcome people to Mexico and to<br />
truly make her home their home.<br />
Many of you may recall reading in<br />
this paper that the International<br />
Community Foundation (ICF) surveyed<br />
US ex-pats about why they came to<br />
Mexico and what they want to do here.<br />
Several La Paz citizens took part in the<br />
survey and follow-up focus groups.<br />
The results of these surveys reached<br />
the eyes and ears of President<br />
Calderon, and he took them seriously.<br />
The Mexican Government wants<br />
foreign retirees here and they want<br />
to make them welcome; he wants to<br />
know what his government can do<br />
Continues on page 6<br />
Local artists and community members, including Frank Hills, Thomas Ireton, Mala Sorhuet, Andre Prefontaine, Lucia Frausto and Juan Manuel<br />
Velazquez Lopez along with several school children are on hand to help inaugurate the very first “Urban Runway” project on 5 de Febrero and<br />
Calle Rangel. The mural is named Mural de Héroes Marinos. Story on page 4. Photo courtesy of Francisco Solis.<br />
The Law of Aguinaldo<br />
Les Carmona<br />
Roughly 90 years ago, Mexico adopted<br />
the law of Aguinaldo, the formal<br />
payment of Christmas bonus. As part<br />
of the framework of the constitution<br />
adopted in 1917, the worker suddenly<br />
gained the right to be treated as a<br />
freeman instead of a virtual slave<br />
to the wealthy few. One of these<br />
benefits was the annual payment of<br />
extra money at Christmas time.<br />
The concept of Aguinaldo is not unique<br />
to Mexico. In some Caribbean and Latin<br />
American countries, the Aguinaldo is<br />
a token payment given to Christmas<br />
carolers, or even the name given to the<br />
songs themselves. The custom traces<br />
back to the three kings, who brought<br />
gifts to the baby born in the manger.<br />
In early 15 th century Spain, the practice<br />
became the duty of the citizen to pay to<br />
the royalty, the disciple to the master<br />
and the faithful, to the Church. Thus,<br />
written into the post-constitution<br />
anti-church labor laws, the Aguinaldo<br />
became the burden of the employer.<br />
The payment of Aguinaldo is<br />
mandatory, due by <strong>December</strong> 20 th<br />
every year and must be paid in cash.<br />
Food baskets, gifts or warm clothing<br />
do not fulfill the requirement although<br />
are a much appreciated addition.<br />
Domestic workers, those who clean<br />
the home or tend the garden, are not<br />
exempt from Aguinaldo, although<br />
many foreigners<br />
do not know<br />
how to properly<br />
calculate the<br />
amount due. A<br />
full-time salaried<br />
worker receives<br />
15 days pay but<br />
for the maid or<br />
caretaker, you<br />
need to do the<br />
math.<br />
To calculate the<br />
amount for a part-time employee, divide<br />
the number of days worked during the<br />
past year by 365. Multiply that figure<br />
by 15 x the daily salary to determine<br />
Continues on page 18
<strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong> 2<br />
Hello folks!<br />
It’s Christmas time in La Paz, and even<br />
though we don’t have the snow, we<br />
do have the cold weather. Time to<br />
bring out those sweaters and extra<br />
blankets and the ice skates. The ice<br />
skates?<br />
Have you checked out the new skating<br />
rink in front of the Municipality of La<br />
Paz offices on Luis Donaldo Colosio,<br />
between Carabineros and Ave. De<br />
los Deportistas? With these chilly<br />
winds and my switch from frappes to<br />
hot chocolate, I guess what is<br />
wrong with having a skating<br />
rink in La Paz – other than<br />
not being able to actually buy<br />
skates in the city?<br />
As a gift to the citizens of La<br />
Paz, Mayor Esthela Ponce is<br />
treating her constituents to<br />
a month of skating on ice;<br />
a first is this desert town.<br />
According to officials, very<br />
little of the cost of the ice<br />
skating extravaganza is being billed<br />
to local taxpayers. So naysayers who<br />
wish the city would spend money on<br />
other things, just imagine the look on<br />
the faces of little kids ice skating for<br />
the very first time. It maybe the only<br />
opportunity they have to experience<br />
such a beautiful moment.<br />
Photo courtesy of the City of La Paz.<br />
And although there are very few ice<br />
skate owners in the city, skates will<br />
be on loan at the ice rink at no cost.<br />
will Care for Kids La Paz be able to<br />
provide a special lunch and Christmas<br />
toys to all the children – some who<br />
would not otherwise have had a new<br />
toy this year.<br />
The Costa<strong>Baja</strong> family has on display<br />
at their main entrance the Tree of Joy<br />
with Toys, and will be donating<br />
all gifts to FANLAP (Fundacion<br />
Aydua los Niños). The gifts will<br />
be given out on January 6 th ,<br />
King’s Day in Mexico, at the<br />
FANLAP comedor.<br />
Also, Coca-Cola, the 5 Rotary<br />
Clubs of La Paz, and the City of<br />
La Paz are working together<br />
this year to collect their goal of<br />
500 gifts at the giant Christmas<br />
Tree on the Malecon at the<br />
corner of 16 de Septiembre.<br />
More details for each gift collection<br />
drive can be found on page 15 in the<br />
Little bit of This section.<br />
What a great gift to the citizens of<br />
the Municipality of La Paz.<br />
* * *<br />
We sometimes forget what<br />
Christmas is really all about with<br />
<strong>December</strong> being a whirlwind of<br />
activity, of parties and shopping,<br />
and of eating too much. But if we<br />
would just sit back, relax, and think<br />
about it, it really is a time to give<br />
and a time to share. Several readers<br />
have been asking how can they<br />
give this holiday season, and, as<br />
the holiday season approaches, I’d<br />
like to take this opportunity to list a<br />
few organizations that could use a<br />
helping hand this time of year.<br />
Barb Spencer, the founder of Care<br />
for Kids La Paz, is throwing her<br />
annual Christmas party for the kids<br />
of Colonia Vista Hermosa, located<br />
on the outskirts of La Paz. Only with<br />
the help of friends and volunteers<br />
Last but not least, La Paz Ladies<br />
Palermo’s, is taking a gift collection<br />
for the women and children at the<br />
Women’s Shelter of La Paz. Contact<br />
Luncheon’<br />
to be held<br />
Christmas<br />
on <strong>December</strong><br />
Dinner,<br />
20 at<br />
luizalanoy@yahoo.com for more<br />
details.<br />
There are other groups that collect<br />
gifts; these are just the ones I have<br />
been in contact with. Please do what<br />
you can and give, whatever you can,<br />
to make this year extra special for<br />
someone else.<br />
To all of our readers of the <strong>Baja</strong><br />
<strong>Citizen</strong>, we extend our best wishes<br />
for a joyous holiday season and<br />
prosperous New Year. Happy<br />
holidays!<br />
Yours,<br />
Gari-Ellen
3 <strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong><br />
So, Should US Ex-Pats Register with the US Embassy?<br />
Susan Fogel<br />
At a recent dinner in Mexico City,<br />
some ex-pats living in La Paz met<br />
Sara Craig, Director of <strong>Citizen</strong>s<br />
Services at the US Embassy. Her<br />
response to the headline question is,<br />
“Yes. Every citizen should register.”<br />
The first question asked of Ms. Craig<br />
was, “What about the IRS using<br />
that information to harass us?” She<br />
chuckled a moment, and then said<br />
that the IRS has tried mightily to<br />
pierce the right to privacy that every<br />
US citizen has. The various embassies<br />
have won the fight every time the<br />
IRS tried to access information from<br />
them.<br />
Of course, most US expats pay their<br />
taxes and have no fear of the IRS. But<br />
it is always the most frequently asked<br />
question: Exactly what happens<br />
to our privacy if we register with<br />
the embassy? She assured us many<br />
times that our privacy is protected.<br />
Well, it is protected unless you are a<br />
wanted felon; then she is obligated<br />
to turn you in. But a wanted felon<br />
would most likely NOT register with<br />
anyone.<br />
2. In case there is an emergency<br />
back in the US and family<br />
members need to find you.<br />
3. In case you are hurt, sick, or<br />
dead, the embassy knows<br />
who to contact to help you<br />
or to transport your remains<br />
home.<br />
4. So that you can receive<br />
email updates from the Department<br />
of State and the<br />
embassy regarding their actions,<br />
and other information<br />
that may be important.<br />
5. In case of a weather or political<br />
emergency, to offer<br />
evacuation services. Not so<br />
likely in La Paz, but other<br />
places in Mexico have natural<br />
disasters.<br />
Ms. Craig mentioned more than once<br />
that if someone turned up dead or<br />
hurt and unable to communicate, the<br />
Embassy would have no way to find<br />
a family member, unless they were<br />
registered. Even if you are traveling<br />
in Mexico and something happens,<br />
if your information is on file, your<br />
friends or family in the old country<br />
can be contacted.<br />
Here is a quote from its webpage:<br />
“You can’t predict when an<br />
emergency will arise, but you can<br />
plan and prepare for one before<br />
it happens! We encourage all U.S.<br />
citizens who are traveling or living<br />
abroad to enroll with the U.S. State<br />
Department through its Smart<br />
Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).<br />
It is a fast and free world-wide service<br />
to record information about your<br />
upcoming trip or current residence<br />
abroad and provide useful contact<br />
information that can be used by the<br />
nearest Embassy or Consulate in a<br />
emergency or disaster.”<br />
You can enroll online at: http://travel.<br />
state.gov/step. Enter your relevant<br />
contact information and the time<br />
you will be staying in Mexico (for<br />
long-term residents, enter 5 years). If<br />
you want to receive up-to-date safety<br />
and security information, please be<br />
sure to provide an email address.<br />
Susan Fogel is the broker/owner<br />
of PrestigePropertyGroupLaPaz.<br />
com and the Secretary of AMPI.<br />
You can reach her at susan@<br />
prestigepropertygrouplapaz.<br />
com. Follow her Blog www.<br />
mexicomusings.com. She is also the<br />
author of Margarita Mind: How to<br />
Avoid It; A Guide to Buying Mexico<br />
Real Estate Safely & Sanely.<br />
Why would you register with the<br />
embassy? Here are some reasons:<br />
1. To register a birth, death, or<br />
marriage.<br />
You can register on the US Embassy<br />
website: http://mexico.usembassy.<br />
gov/eng/citizen_services.html<br />
Publisher: Hally J. Productions S. de R. L .<br />
La Paz, BCS 23090 Mexico<br />
Editor<br />
Gari-Ellen Donohoe<br />
gari-ellen@bajacitizen.com<br />
Gari-Ellen’s cell (612) 159 13 88<br />
Graphic Design<br />
Gabriela Inzunza Salgado<br />
The <strong>Baja</strong> <strong>Citizen</strong> is a free circulation community newspaper that is distributed in La Paz and<br />
the communities of Centenario, Todos Santos, Pescadero, El Sargento/La Ventana and Los Barriles<br />
every second Monday.<br />
The views of contributers to The <strong>Baja</strong> <strong>Citizen</strong> do not necesarily reflect those of the Publishers.
<strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong> 4<br />
“URBAN RUNWAY”<br />
PROGRAM INAUGURATED<br />
TBC<br />
With the participation of<br />
Frank Hills, Thomas Ireton,<br />
Mala Sorhuet and Andre<br />
Prefontaine, the inauguration<br />
of “Urban Runway” took place<br />
on November 24th, a program<br />
organized by the La Paz<br />
Municipal Cultural Department<br />
under the direction of Matilde<br />
Cervantes Navarrete. With the<br />
help of these important personalities<br />
from the art scene, as well as Lucia<br />
Frausto and Juan Manuel Velazquez<br />
Lopez, who coordianted the first<br />
work of art, Mural de Héroes Marinos,<br />
school children in La Paz were given<br />
the opportunity to learn about urban<br />
expression and the need to respect<br />
public spaces.<br />
According to Uruil Eduardo<br />
Santana Soltero, who was on hand<br />
representing Mayor Esthela Ponce<br />
at the event, the objective of “Urban<br />
runway” and saving public spaces is<br />
the homework of everyone, and a<br />
consciousness needs to be created<br />
in the children of La Paz that public<br />
spaces belong to them and that they<br />
must be maintained, cleaned and<br />
respected with postive actions.<br />
Frank Hills painting the face of a young student at<br />
the Mural de Heroes Marinos<br />
Matilde Cervantes of the program “Urban Runway”<br />
All who attended the first “Urban T<br />
runway” event clearly felt the impact<br />
of the their first work, Mural de Heroes R<br />
Marinos, and the commit involved tob<br />
make the wall an expression of art. w<br />
Artist Velazquez said, “this is focused p<br />
towards children; with the end being o<br />
able achieve communication throughu<br />
the medium of art and painting of a<br />
mural that is 100% urban expression.” I<br />
With the help of the mentioned local t<br />
artists, “Urban runway” hopes toc<br />
conserve more public spaces andb<br />
protect the environment. Creating p<br />
a culture of recycling and general a<br />
protection of public spaces is a<br />
group effort and with the help and T<br />
promotion of those involved in this d<br />
first mural, a respect of public spaces S<br />
and the commitment to conserve and i<br />
protect these spaces has been planted o<br />
in the minds of many.<br />
P<br />
a<br />
All are invited to come down and g<br />
check out this impressive mural on o<br />
5 de febrero and Calle Rangel, in d<br />
Manglito. The Cultural Department<br />
has plans to continue with their H<br />
“Urban Runway” program and r<br />
rescue other public spaces. t<br />
t<br />
Photos courtesy of Francisco –<br />
Solis.<br />
m<br />
–<br />
p<br />
t
5 <strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong><br />
Tourism Associations Try<br />
to Redirect Spending of 3%<br />
Hotel Tax<br />
TBC<br />
Representatives of tourism and<br />
business associations in the state met<br />
with local congressmen last week to<br />
present their plan for the redirection<br />
of funds generated from the hotel tax<br />
under the Ley de Ingresos for 2012.<br />
In <strong>Baja</strong> California Sur (BCS), a 3% hotel<br />
tax is applied to hotel guests, and<br />
currently two percent of that tax is<br />
being used for the marketing and<br />
promotion of the state, both nationally<br />
and internationally.<br />
The remaining one percent is<br />
designated for FOIS, or the Trust for<br />
Social Works and Infrastructure. FOIS<br />
is divided among the five municipalities<br />
of BCS: Loreto, Mulege, Comendo, La<br />
Paz, and Los Cabos. It is distributed<br />
according to how much tax is<br />
generated in each municipality. This<br />
one percent is used for social works,<br />
decided by each municipality.<br />
However, tourism and business<br />
representatives would like to see<br />
the money that is currently directed<br />
towards social projects<br />
– estimated to be 36<br />
million pesos annually<br />
– redirected towards<br />
promoting tourism in<br />
the state.<br />
several months, presenting their plan<br />
to congressman and municipal officials.<br />
According to 2010 data, the 3% hotel<br />
tax represents about 94 million pesos<br />
that year.<br />
With the financial crisis still being<br />
heavily felt in Mexico, businesses<br />
would like to see more money spent<br />
on bringing more visitors to the state,<br />
and to making BCS a true tourist<br />
destination. They feel the more<br />
money directed towards tourism<br />
promotion, the state’s number one<br />
source of income, the better for all<br />
Sudcalifornianos.<br />
Congressmen Gil Cueva, Alberto<br />
Treviño, Ernesto Ibarra, and Juan<br />
Alberto Valdivia were in attendance,<br />
as well as Secretary of Tourism Ruben<br />
Reachi, and representatives of the five<br />
municipalities of BCS.<br />
Because it is the end of the year, the<br />
tourism and business sectors have<br />
until the 15 th of <strong>December</strong> to make<br />
their case and have the Ley de Ingresos<br />
of 2012 amended.<br />
The idea of redirecting<br />
all three precent of<br />
the hotel tax towards<br />
tourism promotion<br />
comes from the<br />
business sector and<br />
tourism associations.<br />
Both groups have<br />
seen working on this<br />
initiative over the past<br />
Tourism Associations from the 5 municipalities meet with local<br />
congressmen to discuss the 3% hotel tax.<br />
Need an Ambulance, The<br />
Fire Department or Police?<br />
Call 066
<strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong><br />
6<br />
Continues from front page<br />
better for foreign residents. Several responders to<br />
the survey were invited to attend the first annual<br />
Asamblea Nacional Jubilados Norteamericanos en<br />
Mexico (National Forum for US Retirees) in Mexico<br />
City last Thursday and Friday. Also representing the<br />
president were: Nathan Wolf Lustbader, Director<br />
of Exterior Relations, the department that makes<br />
decisions about foreign residency rules, and<br />
Fernando Olivera, the federal sub-secretary of<br />
tourism.<br />
Richard Kly, President and CEO of ICF and the<br />
organizer of the event recapped the survey results<br />
and added the results of the most recent survey.<br />
Most retirees are looking for an active retirement<br />
and several are opening businesses or re-inventing<br />
themselves in other ways. Although no one knows<br />
for sure how many Americans live in Mexico, it is<br />
generally assumed that there are two million expats.<br />
These people have, on average US$1,000<br />
disposable income which translates into 20 billion<br />
US dollars going into the local economies. By<br />
contrast, income from “remitters”, Mexicans living<br />
in the US sending money home, is US$18 billion. So<br />
the foreign community has a real economic value to<br />
Mexico.<br />
Juli Goff, founder and owner of the Spanish<br />
immersion school, Se Habla La Paz was also on the<br />
dais representing the foreign community and said<br />
she has a passion for Mexico and wants to help.<br />
After the opening ceremonies, there were small<br />
break-out groups where the real work was done.<br />
The ex-pats were broken down by region; the two<br />
states of the <strong>Baja</strong> Peninsula were in one group. All the<br />
participants felt they were making history, starting<br />
a discourse, and generally having input, and seeing<br />
that what they had to say was important to Mexican<br />
federal and state government representatives.<br />
The government representatives attending the<br />
<strong>Baja</strong> session were Cesar Rivera, Delegado of Playa<br />
Rosarito and Ruben Reachi Lugo, Secretary of<br />
Tourism for <strong>Baja</strong> California Sur. Also present in each<br />
break-out group was a moderator. Our moderator<br />
was from a Mexico City university. Interestingly, he<br />
said he had never been to La Paz, he does his work<br />
from Mexico City. But he said that he knew that La<br />
Paz was beautiful and wanted to visit soon.<br />
In fact, when anyone said they were from La Paz,<br />
the various Mexicans in the group smiled and<br />
said “Ahhhhh, La Paz.” The <strong>Baja</strong> group included<br />
residents of Rosarito Beach, Ensenada, Mulege,<br />
Ensenada, La Paz, and Todos Santos. The La Paz<br />
contingent was the largest, including Judy Petersen,<br />
Juli Goff, Maureen Ryan, Ira and Susan Fogel, Nancy<br />
Fitzmorris, and Susan and Brian Key.<br />
Can you believe that after plying the attendees with<br />
food and wine on Thursday evening, the organizers<br />
handed out homework? Well, they did! They wanted<br />
us to consider four questions and discuss them in<br />
the breakout sessions.<br />
The questions:<br />
1. How can the Mexican government and North<br />
American expatriate community work together to<br />
increase economic opportunities/benefits to local<br />
communities, including tourism?<br />
a. How can we best leverage the internal<br />
market?<br />
2. How can the Mexican government help the<br />
North American expat community age in place (i.e.<br />
housing, medical service, public transportation)?<br />
3. How can the Mexican government improve or<br />
expand civic engagement in local communities<br />
(philanthropy, FM3 assistance)?<br />
4. How can the American expat community help to<br />
improve the image of Mexico outside the country?<br />
a. Becoming ambassadors of the experience<br />
of living and traveling in Mexico.<br />
Each question was taken in turn and everyone in<br />
the room was encouraged to respond. Then the<br />
Mexican representatives gave their impressions and<br />
responses.<br />
The meeting was open and respectful, no one<br />
made rude remarks, and most everyone had the<br />
same concerns, including the Mexican government<br />
representatives. Everyone came with their own<br />
concerns and voiced them as well. While the<br />
meeting was casual and cordial, the participants<br />
took their homework seriously and made good<br />
suggestions and voiced their concerns. Several<br />
members of the <strong>Baja</strong> focus group worked for or<br />
headed charities helping Mexican citizens. After<br />
the breakout sessions, each group compiled a list of<br />
their concerns and suggestions.<br />
Interestingly, all of the break-out groups had the<br />
same concerns.<br />
• The government, businesses, and foreigners<br />
need better communication<br />
• Create channels and opportunities for foreigners<br />
living and working in Mexico<br />
• More and better infrastructure, including:<br />
o Handicap access<br />
o Bilingual nurses<br />
o Home health care<br />
o Sustainable communities<br />
o Developers, municipalities, and<br />
states to work together on what<br />
people really want<br />
• Certified service providers<br />
• Willingness of foreigners to help other expats<br />
• Make it easier to volunteer (not having to<br />
change the FM2 or FM3)<br />
• Foreigners would like to volunteer in the<br />
schools<br />
• Ex-pats would like to be ambassadors about<br />
Mexico in their home countries.<br />
•<br />
Everyone agreed better air service and better<br />
airfares would make a difference to tourism. Annual<br />
renewal of FM2 and FM3 documents was a big<br />
issue. The secretary of Exterior Relations said they<br />
would consider a three or four year term, but the<br />
fee would be higher. All-in-all, the participants felt<br />
that their voices were heard.<br />
In closing remarks, Nathan Wolf Lustbader, the<br />
Subdirector of Exterior Relations said:<br />
“…We accept these recommendations. We have<br />
paved the road, and we will improve the road. This<br />
was a positive experience and we have started a<br />
constructive dialogue between you, the state, and<br />
federal agencies; together we will build a better<br />
Mexico…”<br />
ICF will be issuing a report by the end of the year<br />
and will make it available to the public. We will let<br />
you know when it is ready.<br />
her<br />
prestigepropertygrouplapaz.com, Follow her Blog<br />
www.mexicomusings.com She is also the author of<br />
Margarita Mind: How to Avoid It: A Guide to Buying<br />
Susan Fogel is the broker/owner of<br />
PrestigepPropertyGroupLaPaz.com<br />
secretary of AMPI. You can reach<br />
and<br />
at susan@<br />
the<br />
Mexico Real Estate Safely & Sanely.<br />
La Paz’s Juli Goff pictured with Maestra Gloria Guevara Manzo and<br />
Lic. Nathan Wolf Lustbader<br />
La Paz Phone Numbers<br />
Police, Fire Department,<br />
Red Cross (emergency):<br />
066<br />
Highway Patrol/Federal Police:<br />
122 0369<br />
IMSS Hospital:<br />
122 7377<br />
Fidepaz Clinic:<br />
124 0400<br />
COPT (Port Captain):<br />
122 0243<br />
Immigration:<br />
125 3493 or 124 6349<br />
State Tourism Office:<br />
124 0100 or 120 0199
7 <strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong><br />
La Paz AMPI Members Raise the Bar of Professionalism and<br />
Elect New Board of Directors<br />
Susan Fogel<br />
Back in 2001 when a group of real estate<br />
agents started the La Paz chapter of<br />
Asociacion Mexicano de Profesionales<br />
Inmobiliarios (AMPI), they had a<br />
laundry list of things they would like to<br />
see accomplished. AMPI is the Mexican<br />
equivalent of the National Association<br />
of Realtors (NAR) in the United States.<br />
Among those items:<br />
• Exclusive listings<br />
• A multiple-listing service<br />
• Escrow<br />
• Title Insurance<br />
• Standardized contract<br />
None of this seems very radical to<br />
those that have sold or purchased a<br />
home or practiced real estate in the US<br />
or Canada, but these were contentious<br />
issues in La Paz 10 years ago.<br />
There were no franchises, like<br />
Coldwell Banker, RE/MAX, or Century<br />
21. Mortgages were unheard of.<br />
Individual agents did not cooperate<br />
and newcomers were not welcomed<br />
with open arms. It was not unusual<br />
to see a property for sale with several<br />
different real estate agents’ signs<br />
nailed on the fence or wall. There was<br />
controversy over who had the right<br />
to sell a property and who earned a<br />
commission.<br />
The local AMPI chapter expanded and<br />
retracted as the real estate market<br />
boomed or waned, but the steadfast<br />
members were educating themselves<br />
and the public about best practices. In<br />
the past few years, the La Paz chapter<br />
has grown and caught the attention of<br />
people at the national and state level.<br />
They paid a visit to La Paz to find out<br />
what was happening here to make it<br />
such a success.<br />
Last month the La Paz AMPI members<br />
elected a new board of directors and<br />
“consejeros” or consultant members.<br />
Their continuing mission is to raise<br />
the bar of professional behavior. By<br />
doing this, buyers and sellers can be<br />
assured of proper representation, safe<br />
handling of their money, and delivery<br />
of a good title.<br />
The AMPI members are self-policing<br />
the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to<br />
ensure that all agents using the system<br />
are following the strict rules. This also<br />
means that agents will cooperate with<br />
each other in showing listings and that<br />
commissions will be shared. The new<br />
board of directors will be meeting with<br />
local agents and inviting them to join<br />
AMPI and to help agents learn how to<br />
use the MLS.<br />
The La Paz chapter recently staffed<br />
a booth at the Anaheim NAR expo<br />
and increased awareness of La Paz<br />
among 20,000 real estate agents in<br />
the US. It is all about cooperation,<br />
education, building its membership,<br />
and making AMPI a trusted name.<br />
Mortgage brokers and title company<br />
representatives have been asked to<br />
address the group and keep them<br />
posted on new programs.<br />
Two people that have been unfailing in<br />
their support of AMPI are Linda Neil and<br />
John Glaab. They have been named, by<br />
unanimous vote, Consejeros Emeritus.<br />
They were both founding members of<br />
the Cabo San Lucas and La Paz AMPI<br />
chapters. Linda works with AMPI and<br />
NAR at the national and international<br />
level. Their input will be invaluable.<br />
Vice President: Victor Granados. Victor<br />
is the broker of South <strong>Baja</strong> Properties<br />
and was the treasurer last year. He<br />
also accepts membership applications.<br />
victor@southbajaproperties.com<br />
Treasurer: Eduardo Ramirez. Eduardo<br />
is the broker of Global Real Estate.<br />
eduardo@globalrealestate.com.mx<br />
Secretary: Susan Fogel. Susan is the<br />
broker of Prestige Property Group<br />
La Paz.com. Susan was a founding<br />
member of the La Paz chapter. susan@<br />
prestigepropertygrouplapaz.com<br />
The consejeros are:<br />
Brian Westerlund, broker of Diamante<br />
Associates. Brian is the MLS committee<br />
chair. brian@diamanteassociates.com<br />
Gordon Herpst, Broker Omni Services.<br />
Gordon is a founding member of the La<br />
Paz chapter omnilapaz@gmail.com<br />
Alonzo Stell, Realtor, past president<br />
of the La Paz chapter. Alonzo.stell@<br />
gmail.com<br />
Luis Rojas Broker La Paz <strong>Baja</strong> Realty<br />
lapazbajarealty@hotmail.com<br />
Zulma Ramirez, Sales Agent at Costa<br />
<strong>Baja</strong>. zulmar76@hotmail.com<br />
Carolina Ortiz Canto, Broker Inmobilaria<br />
Carolina. carolinayasociados@hotmail.<br />
com<br />
This is going to be a good year in real<br />
estate in La Paz and the AMPI members<br />
are prepared to help buyers and sellers<br />
achieve their dreams. Please contact<br />
any of the current board members<br />
with any questions or concerns.<br />
Susan Fogel is the broker/owner of<br />
PrestigePropertyGroupLaPaz.com, she<br />
is the author of Margarita Mind: How to<br />
Avoid It; A Guide to Buying Mexico Real<br />
Estate Safely and Sanely<br />
You may email Susan at susan@<br />
prestigepropertygrouplapaz.com<br />
The new board members are:<br />
President: Jose Luis Gaytan. Jose<br />
is accepting a second term as the<br />
president. He is an attorney and<br />
closing agent. His company is Gaytan<br />
& Associates and his email is jose@<br />
gaytanlegalservices.com<br />
Send it to: gari-ellen@bajacitizen.com
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<strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong> 8<br />
Las Pastorelas<br />
Helga Kuhne<br />
Among the Mexican<br />
Christmas traditions,<br />
the most fun to do or<br />
watch are the Pastorelas, or Shepherds<br />
Plays, staged throughout the<br />
holiday season by both amateur and<br />
professional groups. These theatrical<br />
presentations, often improvised,<br />
date back to Mexico’s colonial time,<br />
when the catholic missionaries wooed<br />
converts and taught doctrine through<br />
dramatizations of the birth of Jesus,<br />
the adoration of the Three Holy Kings<br />
and the struggle between good and<br />
evil.<br />
The pastorals are named after the<br />
pastores, or shepherds, because they<br />
are the main characters in the play.<br />
These plays, very light and full of<br />
humor, tell the story of the shepherd’s<br />
adoration of baby Jesus. First, they<br />
are visited in the field by an angel<br />
who announces the holy birth. They<br />
follow a bright star leading them to<br />
Bethlehem, but while they are on their<br />
way they are plagued by a series of<br />
evils and misadventures provoked by<br />
the Devil. These are staged in a very<br />
funny way with fights between the<br />
angels and the devil. They tease each<br />
other throughout the play, trying to<br />
get the shepherds on their side. But<br />
in the end, good always wins and the<br />
shepherds reach their destination.<br />
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This kind of theater originated in a<br />
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Franciscan monks who brought it to s<br />
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Adoration of the Magi¥, written in<br />
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chapels of the many convents whichR<br />
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In all the pastorelas, the characters are b<br />
the same: Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, T<br />
the Three Holy Kings, the angels, the o<br />
Devil and the shepherds like Gila, Bato, g<br />
Blas and Bartolo. After conquering all (<br />
the evils, the play ends with the birth ofo<br />
Jesus and the happiness of everybody I<br />
present. They share laughs and warm t<br />
tamales, atole, ponche and traditionalv<br />
stage a Pastorela at the end of theI<br />
year and mothers and fathers dress p<br />
their children as little shepherds and b<br />
angels and delight with their funny t<br />
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the life of Jesus to them.<br />
t<br />
the Spanish Conquest.<br />
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for the<br />
language,<br />
first time in<br />
was<br />
1550<br />
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performed<br />
in the open<br />
were used as a stage.<br />
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food.<br />
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elementary<br />
in La Paz,<br />
schools,<br />
it is a tradition<br />
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performances.<br />
i<br />
Mexican Indians liked these<br />
representations very much because<br />
they were very fond of dancing,<br />
humor and pantomime in their own<br />
celebrations and this way they felt they<br />
were keeping their own traditions. It<br />
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9 <strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong><br />
Feliz Navidad, Happy Hanukah, Merry<br />
Christmas and a Happy New Year. I<br />
recently conducted a scientific survey<br />
to determine how my friends felt about<br />
the upcoming holidays. After careful<br />
analysis the data clearly showed that<br />
51% were looking forward to holiday<br />
season, 52% wished they could sleep<br />
through it, and 27% were undecided.<br />
(Please note there was a 30% margin of<br />
error). Like the agnostic I am, I fell into<br />
the third, and least popular, group.<br />
And, of course, like most children born<br />
into dysfunctional families, I blame my<br />
parents for that and everything else.<br />
How can I describe my family?<br />
Remember the movie “My Big Fat<br />
Greek Wedding”? That was us – with a<br />
twist. Like the movie, my parents were<br />
born, raised and got married in Greece.<br />
They immigrated to the U.S. and within<br />
one year they managed to bring my<br />
grandmother from the Old Country<br />
(she lived with us until she died). We<br />
owned a family-run restaurant, and<br />
I even fell for a non-Greek but, unlike<br />
the movie, my family did something<br />
very unorthodox shortly before I was<br />
born – they left the Greek Church and<br />
joined a rigid, rule-loving, religion that<br />
shunned all holidays.<br />
I was a Greek raised on lamb, garlic and<br />
pride. It’s easy to be smug when you<br />
believe that your religion is the only<br />
true one. Then, as happened to Eve<br />
in Eden, one day temptation slithered<br />
into my life. But while Eve succumbed<br />
to an apple tree, I was lured by an<br />
evergreen.<br />
I wasn’t in a garden when temptation<br />
hissed at me. I was merely walking<br />
home from school, when a classmate<br />
invited me to her home to see her<br />
Christmas tree. I slunk past my house<br />
and, in one city block, broke 100% of<br />
three family rules: always come directly<br />
home from school, avoid (whenever<br />
possible) contact with people who<br />
don’t belong to our church and do not,<br />
under any circumstances, participate<br />
in pagan holidays.<br />
When I entered Janet’s house, guilt<br />
tiptoed in behind me. The pungent<br />
odor of cedar reminded me of my<br />
mother’s closet. I hesitated – but only<br />
for a moment. The tree nearly touched<br />
the ceiling and the tinseled limbs<br />
obscured the living room window.<br />
Janet’s mother flicked the switch<br />
and a happy explosion of colored<br />
lights converted that humble room<br />
into a fairyland. We sat on the floor,<br />
drank hot chocolate, and listened to<br />
Johnny Mathis croon carols. My hand<br />
trembled when I reached for a reindeer<br />
ornament; I was 92% certain that my<br />
“jealous God” would send a lightning<br />
bolt to strike me dead. Instead, I was<br />
destined to lug around a heavy secret:<br />
Pagan or not – I was 100% sure I wanted<br />
to celebrate Christmas.<br />
Twenty-one years later, when I was<br />
33 years old, I got my chance. Alex<br />
accepted a promotion which included<br />
a transfer to Minneapolis. I kissed my<br />
parents good-by and sped away from<br />
the straight-laced religious life I’d<br />
known.<br />
Late on Christmas Eve, 1997, Alex and<br />
I drove past the local hardware store.<br />
A huge handwritten sign read “Free<br />
Christmas Trees”. Alex looked at me<br />
and raised his eyebrows. I refused to<br />
leave the car but he quickly grabbed a<br />
scraggly specimen and wrestled it onto<br />
our roof rack. I smelled the pine all the<br />
way home and I could see the tip of the<br />
tree jiggle through the cold Minnesota<br />
night. My nerves felt as jittery as the<br />
tree; I searched the sky for lightning<br />
but the heavens were indifferent.<br />
We pulled into our driveway and our<br />
neighbor, Tony, helped Alex carry the<br />
tree into our house. We didn’t own<br />
Christmas lights or tinsel.<br />
Tony said, “Francis and I have<br />
boxes of extra decorations; I’ll<br />
be right back.” They returned<br />
with boxes piled high.<br />
Although I remained a safe<br />
distance from the forbidden<br />
tree, I was excited. This was<br />
my very first Christmas!<br />
Oh Christmas Tree.<br />
Then Francis said, “Tony,<br />
don’t just fling the tinsel onto<br />
the tree in handfuls. You’re<br />
supposed to hang it one<br />
string at a time. No, no, Alex,<br />
the lights are too far apart.”<br />
No, don’t put two green<br />
stockings so close together.”<br />
Something was wrong. This<br />
wasn’t anything like Perry<br />
Como’s Christmas family. At<br />
midnight, finally alone with<br />
Alex, we switched on the<br />
lights and, although I “oohed<br />
and aahed”, my excitement was as<br />
artificial as Rudolph’s red nose.<br />
I decided I needed to try harder to<br />
catch the holiday spirit. We were given<br />
another opportunity to celebrate on<br />
New Year’s Day. We joined my coworkers<br />
for a Rose Bowl party. The<br />
women were in the kitchen doing all<br />
the work; the men drank too much,<br />
ate with their eyes glued to the TV and<br />
screamed at the referees. The women<br />
watched the children – and the clock.<br />
On our way home Alex said, “Well, that<br />
was a complete waste of time.”<br />
But I’m tenacious. For the last three<br />
decades I’ve pretended my way<br />
through the holidays always hoping<br />
to experience the same Spirit of the<br />
Season that I felt at Janet’s home<br />
when I was a child. And this year I’ve<br />
been very, very good, so maybe, if<br />
there really is a Santa, he’ll bring me<br />
the one gift I’ve been waiting for – a<br />
100% enthusiastic holiday season.
<strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong> 10<br />
ANOTHER GREAT FANLAP<br />
SUBASTA<br />
It is all for the kids!<br />
TBC<br />
FANLAP’S <strong>2011</strong> (Fundacion Ayuda los<br />
Niños de La Paz) edition of SUBASTA,<br />
held Sunday, <strong>December</strong> 4 th at Marina<br />
La Paz, was yet again a very successful<br />
fundraiser for the non-profit. SUBASTA<br />
included plenty of food and drinks, the<br />
sale of used clothes, bakery treats and<br />
a silent and live auction of varying items<br />
donated by community members. A<br />
kids corner was set up which included<br />
face painting, craft making and a play<br />
area for jumping! Other booths were<br />
set up with people selling their wares<br />
including art and knick knacks.<br />
accomplish this by creating a network<br />
of participation within the community,<br />
the public and private sector and nongovernmental<br />
organizations.<br />
According to FANLAP president Judy<br />
Peterson, after several months of<br />
preparation with the help of several<br />
volunteers, nearly 180,000 pesos were<br />
raised for FANLAP programs.<br />
“We had a wonderful event and did<br />
much better than we expected given<br />
all the other activities<br />
going on this year.<br />
There was an<br />
excellent turn-out,”<br />
Peterson explained.<br />
Claudia at Subasta <strong>2011</strong><br />
Some of the programs FANLAP provides<br />
to children in the neighborhoods<br />
Marquez de Leon, Laguna Azul, Villas<br />
de Guadalupe, and Vista Hermosa<br />
include a hot lunch program Monday<br />
to Friday where they<br />
feed over 150 kids with<br />
the meal prepared by<br />
volunteer moms from<br />
the neighborhood.<br />
Peterson also<br />
stressed that<br />
there would be no<br />
SUBASTA without<br />
the help of all those<br />
involved. “We<br />
need to thank all<br />
those businesses<br />
who donated prizes for the raffle,<br />
and the venders who donated a<br />
minimum of 30% to FANLAP, some<br />
donated 100%. And our volunteers,<br />
without whom we could never have<br />
handled such an event. Of course, last<br />
but not least all those who came and<br />
spent their hard-earned money and<br />
had a good time. SUBASTA has really<br />
become a community event.”<br />
They also provide<br />
scholarships to over<br />
200 students to help<br />
them attend junior<br />
high and high school.<br />
Also, some university<br />
students are being<br />
supported by FANLAP.<br />
The organization helps buy uniforms,<br />
school supplies and bus fare to and<br />
from school.<br />
Judy Peterson at SUBASTA<br />
You may read about the programs<br />
supported by FANLAP by visiting their<br />
website at www.lapazninos.org.<br />
All proceeds from the SUBASTA “Fair<br />
& Auction” go towards helping those<br />
in need. FANLAP`s mission is to offer<br />
children and adolescents who live in<br />
marginal neighborhoods in La Paz an<br />
essential base to develop a dignified<br />
and responsible life by promoting<br />
a nutritious diet and offering tools<br />
to obtain a quality education and<br />
physical and mental well-being. They<br />
Molly, Donneley and Sharon
11 <strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong>
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<strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong> 12<br />
The Adventures of Thomas Ireton<br />
on Show at The Bagel Shop<br />
S<br />
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The Bagel Shop on 291 Belizario<br />
Dominguez between 5 de Mayo<br />
and Constitution is hosting the<br />
photographs of Thomas Ireton, a local<br />
talent in many realms of art.<br />
Ireton, originally from the United<br />
States but who know calls La Paz,<br />
loves to just jump into an old jeep with<br />
an artist or photographer friend in the<br />
wee hours of the morning to one of the<br />
outlying areas around La Paz and shoot<br />
sunrises, the landscapes and any other<br />
object that catches his eye. His safaris<br />
have covered many of the wonderful<br />
and more obscure haciendas, mines<br />
and historic sites that <strong>Baja</strong> has to offer.<br />
He admits his adventures<br />
often leave him with more<br />
questions than answers.<br />
You can enjoy snapshots from<br />
some of Ireton’s adventures<br />
on the second floor gallery<br />
of The Bagel Shop. The<br />
photographs, which are for<br />
sale, will be on display until<br />
the end of <strong>December</strong>. For<br />
more information, call Ireton<br />
at 612 103 0495 or send him an<br />
e-mail at iretontom@gmail.<br />
com.<br />
Tom Ireton
13 <strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong><br />
My Love/Hate Relationship<br />
with the Christmas Tianguis<br />
TBC<br />
I have a love/hate relationship with<br />
the traditional La Paz Christmas<br />
Tianguis. The Tianguis, or open-air<br />
street stands, can be found right<br />
downtown La Paz, on the streets<br />
of Madero and Independencia.<br />
Along several blocks of streets,<br />
vendors are lined up selling toys,<br />
clothes, shoes, backpacks, games,<br />
Christmas decorations, gift wrapping<br />
and plenty more for gift giving and<br />
preparing.<br />
I love the Christmas Tianguis because<br />
it is one-stop shopping. You can find<br />
almost anything, all with in a few<br />
blocks. Park the car and just walk.<br />
Some vendors sell hot and cold<br />
beverages and traditional Christmas<br />
treats such as buñuelos. If you haven’t<br />
tried a buñuelo, you must try.<br />
Christmas Tianguis Sign<br />
Families are together walking around,<br />
people are happy and the atmosphere<br />
is filled with joy, as is should be over<br />
the holidays.<br />
The hate part? The traffic along<br />
Madero and the entire vicinity of Jardín<br />
Velasco almost comes to a halt. Traffic<br />
police are usually working on the main<br />
intersections this time of year, directing<br />
traffic, but they actually manage to<br />
slow things down even more.<br />
Parking, so precious on a good day<br />
in downtown La Paz, is almost nonexistent.<br />
People are usually in a hurry<br />
and when they can’t find a place to<br />
park, frustration sets in and their<br />
driving skills deteriorate. Beware of<br />
the frustrated driver!<br />
Christmas Tianguis<br />
Several great stores, also perfect for<br />
looking for that perfect gift, can also<br />
be found in this area, including Casa<br />
Parra and Sabores de Mexico.<br />
The happiness and the craziness of the<br />
Christmas Tianguis in this part of the<br />
city will continue until Christmas Day.
<strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong> 14<br />
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15 <strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong><br />
ICE SKATING AT THE MUNICIPALITY<br />
UILDINGS IN LA PAZ<br />
kating in La Paz??!! For the first<br />
ime EVER in La Paz history, you will<br />
ave the opportunity to skate on ice;<br />
ou will have to see it to believe it!<br />
ast Sunday, an ice skating rink at the<br />
alacio Municipal on Luis Donaldo<br />
olosio between Carabineros and Ave.<br />
e los Deportistas has opened and will<br />
e in use for the next month from 3 to<br />
1pm. No charge for using the rink. It’s<br />
gift from the Municipality of La Paz to<br />
he people.<br />
OTARY CHRISTMAS TREE<br />
otary Christmas Tree will be installed<br />
his week at the Kiosko on the Malecon<br />
cross from 16 de Septiembre. Bring a<br />
mile to a child with a new Christmas<br />
ift for a child of any age. Please, no<br />
attery operated or military toys. Gifts<br />
ill be distributed by the five Rotary<br />
lubs of La Paz to children in vulnerable<br />
ircumstances. La Paz Rotary Clubs<br />
ork in such communities in the<br />
reater La Paz area and beyond and<br />
nows which communities are most<br />
n need of this special boost for La Paz<br />
rea children. This tree is provided by<br />
oca –Cola and the project is supported<br />
y the H. XIV Ayuntamiento de La<br />
az. Goal is 5,000 presents! Contact<br />
aureen Ryan morene4@yahoo.com,<br />
12-157-7101.<br />
ARE FOR KIDS LA PAZ CHRISTMAS<br />
IESTA<br />
are for Kids La Paz is a charity helping<br />
n the colonia Vista Hermosa on the<br />
utskirts of La Paz. Every year we<br />
hrow a Christmas fiesta for about 150<br />
ids. This year it will be Sat. Dec 17 at 11<br />
m. For many of the children, this gift<br />
ight be the only one they receive for<br />
hristmas. If you would like to donate a<br />
ift and bring joy to a child, &/or join us<br />
or this wonderful celebration, please<br />
ontact Barbara Spencer at 125-3980<br />
r careforkidslapaz@yahoo.com.<br />
CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT COSTABAJA<br />
Costabaja invites everyone to join<br />
them on <strong>December</strong> 16 th at 6:00 pm for<br />
a Christmas Carol Concert performed<br />
by the Coro Romance and the Coro<br />
Juvenil from the State’s Music School.<br />
The concert will be directed by Omar<br />
Ramirez. Hot cocoa, churros and<br />
buñuelos will be served. For further<br />
information, please call 612 175 0100<br />
ext. 6401 or e-mail Valeria at vrivera@<br />
costabaja.com.<br />
GALA CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL AT<br />
TEATRO DE LA CIUDAD<br />
Alegría del Mundo <strong>2011</strong> (Joy to the<br />
World) is being regarded as those in<br />
the “know” as the most important<br />
gala Christmas festival in the history<br />
of the city of La Paz. Participating in<br />
one of Mexico’s most famous tenors,<br />
Fernando de La Mora as well as Olivia<br />
Gorra (Soprano) and Camerata de Las<br />
Américas Director is James Demster.<br />
The performance begins at 7:30pm at<br />
Teatro de La Ciudad. Admission is 100<br />
pesos.<br />
ENJOY CHRISTMAS EVE AT PALERMO’S<br />
Remember, most restaurants in town<br />
will be serving traditional Christmas<br />
Day turkey dinners on the Eve of<br />
the 24 th , which is more commonly<br />
celebrated here than the 25 th . Call your<br />
favorite local restaurant early to makes<br />
plans if you hope to dine out on the 24 th<br />
or 25 th . Palermo’s on the Malecon will<br />
be serving an octopus and shrimp salad<br />
along with your choice of rhombus<br />
shape pasta filled with cranberry,<br />
ricotta cheese, parmigiano reggiano,<br />
pork ossobuco stew or stuffed turkey<br />
breast with duck meat and fresh herbs<br />
and cranberry cream sauce and for<br />
dessert, Italian Christmas Cake with<br />
strawberry pasrty cream and white<br />
chocolate sauce. All for only 420 pesos.<br />
Please call Palermo’s for a reservation<br />
at 123-1222.<br />
FANLAP AND COSTABAJA’S TREE OF<br />
JOY<br />
Come with your family to Costa<strong>Baja</strong> and<br />
donate a new toy to their Tree of Joy,<br />
located at the main entrance fountain,<br />
during the month of <strong>December</strong>. All toys<br />
will be given to the children of FANLAP<br />
and will be delivered to their comedor<br />
in January for King’s Day. FANLAP and<br />
Costa<strong>Baja</strong> thank-you for helping them<br />
bring smiles to the children of La Paz.<br />
Arbol de la Alegria-ingles-curvas.pdf 1 12/8/11 1:05 PM<br />
FARMER’S MARKET – TUESDAYS AND<br />
SATURDAYS<br />
The tianguis natural farmers market<br />
has returned to Tuesdays and<br />
Saturdays. Fresh greens and seasonal<br />
offerings, organic eggs, jams, sauces,<br />
german sausages, baked goods<br />
including Sharon’s goodies and Pan<br />
D’Les artisan breads. Handicrafts and<br />
items for mind.body.spirit. 9:30 am<br />
start time, the market is at the corner<br />
of Constitucion and Revolucion de 1910<br />
in the little park across the street from<br />
the post office.<br />
PALABRA POR PALABRA BOOK CLUB<br />
– SHANTARAM<br />
Do you enjoy reading books and want<br />
to share your thoughts with others?<br />
The Palabra por Palabra book club<br />
will be getting together on Tuesday,<br />
January 9th, <strong>2011</strong> starting at 2:00 pm<br />
at the house of Jean D. The group will<br />
be discussing Shantaram by Gregory<br />
David Roberts. Please remember all<br />
are welcome. For further information,<br />
contact Elia at rubyredfield@gmail.<br />
com.
<strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong> 16<br />
LATE SEASON SURPRISES!<br />
http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/<br />
Property Tax Discount Until<br />
End of <strong>December</strong>, <strong>2011</strong><br />
The City of La Paz will continue with its<br />
temporary tax discount program for<br />
2012 property taxes. This temporary<br />
discount, which began on October<br />
16th, <strong>2011</strong>, will run until the end of the<br />
year. If you pay your 2012 property<br />
taxes before <strong>December</strong> 31st, <strong>2011</strong> in<br />
one payment, you will receive a 30%<br />
discount on the total amount.<br />
The Municipality of La Paz offices are<br />
located on Blvd. Luis Donoldo Colosio<br />
and the corner of de los Deportistas.<br />
There will also be a 20% discount<br />
honored on payments of all property<br />
taxes that were not paid prior to 2012.<br />
In addition, an 80% discount is available<br />
on all fines that were applied for not<br />
paying your taxes on<br />
time in previous years.<br />
The total property<br />
tax payment must be<br />
made in one payment<br />
for the discount to<br />
apply. Have your clave<br />
catastra or cadastral<br />
number handy to<br />
help you with the process at Servicios<br />
Catastrales offices on the second floor<br />
of the Municipality of La Paz building.<br />
This number can be found on your<br />
notary papers of the properties you<br />
have in La Paz. Also, you can head to<br />
the City of La Paz webpage www.<br />
lapaz.gob.mx to make your payment<br />
on-line.<br />
As I’m writing this, it’s raining in La<br />
Paz. It’s been an up-and-down week<br />
for weather, which has reflected in the<br />
fishing. Although this is the first real<br />
rain, it’s been threatening some days.<br />
Other days it’s windy. Other days it’s<br />
bright, sunny, perfect.<br />
This is pretty typical for the changein-season,<br />
but I had to say, it’s gotten<br />
cooler faster than I remember. Many<br />
of us locals are already wearing jackets<br />
and long pants and it never hurts to<br />
keep a sweatshirt handy if the winds<br />
come up and it gets a little chilly (chilly<br />
for us…the tourists think we’re nuts!).<br />
Anyway, the fishing is pretty much<br />
dictated by the weather conditions,<br />
which obviously dictate the water<br />
conditions.<br />
I’m not so worried about a little bit of<br />
rain. Yea, it’s cooler and you might get<br />
a bit of wet…it never lasts long. But,<br />
even when it rains, normally, there’s<br />
not a lot of wind so you can still get into<br />
some decent fishing. If there’s wind,<br />
that’s when things are not so good.<br />
Wind churns up waves and chop. Wind<br />
brings surf and turns up the water,<br />
especially in the areas where we have<br />
to look for bait in the shallow areas.<br />
If the winds are over a few days then<br />
the water can get really turned up<br />
and green and cloudy. Not so good<br />
for fishing…at least not for pelagic<br />
species like the dorado and billfish and<br />
maybe even some tuna that are still<br />
out there…if you can get to them…if<br />
the conditions are right…if the water<br />
is not turned up and if you can get bait!<br />
That’s a lot of “ifs”.<br />
But even when it’s windy, at least<br />
there’s some good inshore fishing to<br />
be had. This past week, we still got into<br />
good numbers of sierra, cabrilla and<br />
snapper. Some of the sierra this year<br />
are already some of the larger sierra I<br />
think I’ve seen in awhile. I kid you not<br />
when I say, they look like baby wahoo!<br />
Sue Paul and<br />
her wahoo.<br />
Teeth and sleek! Some 5-pound sierra<br />
are not uncommon. That’s a nice sized<br />
fish, especially on light tackle. We’re<br />
seeing more and more pargo as well…<br />
mostly the barred pargo and yellow<br />
pargo/ snapper, but all tough in the<br />
rocks and great eating.<br />
There were some nice surprises. A few<br />
times, we still got into dorado. Good<br />
spots are east of Espiritu Santo Island;<br />
the south end of Cerralvo Island and<br />
around Punta Perrico especially on the<br />
south end in the ensenada curve by<br />
the old Hotel Las Arenas. If you can’t<br />
get bait, then trolling smaller feather<br />
or skipping the small plastic hoochies<br />
on the surface chop gets the strikes. If<br />
you only have a little bait, then get a<br />
hookup on the trolled lures or feathers<br />
then draw the fish in with the live bait!<br />
Also, if you’re willing to “go long”<br />
and maybe “get wet and bounced,”<br />
the north and south end of Cerralvo<br />
Island has kicked our some wahoo.<br />
That’s a big surprise since this year the<br />
wahoo have been around, but just not<br />
biting. I think this year we only saw a<br />
handful. However, the last week or so,<br />
there were a few caught, but everyone<br />
talked about the long bumpy ride out<br />
there and the erratic seas and strong<br />
winds while trolling around. For<br />
some…it was worth it!<br />
Hope your Holidays are off to a good<br />
start! That’s our story from Jonathan<br />
and Jilly at Jonathan Roldan’s<br />
Tailhunter International.
17 <strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong><br />
Home Buyers Beware! Margarita Mind Is a Financially Fatal<br />
Disease!<br />
Susan Fogel<br />
Margarita Mind: Please leave home<br />
without it! What is Margarita Mind<br />
and why do you have to be inoculated,<br />
prepared, and ready to resist it? Let me<br />
relate a conversation with a friend of<br />
mine, an insurance broker and Realtor<br />
that has lived in Mexico for over 20<br />
years.<br />
“I have a great idea for a business: I am<br />
going to set up a locker system at the<br />
border in Tijuana. You know, like they<br />
have at bus and train stations? Well, my<br />
lockers will be small, about the size of<br />
a melon, a cantaloupe, or honeydew.<br />
Foreigners coming down to buy real<br />
estate can check their brains and then<br />
go happily south and muck around,<br />
listening to every Juan, Jose, and<br />
Maria about the way around the rules<br />
of buying property. Then, when they<br />
have been parted from their money<br />
and signed away their rights, if they can<br />
find their locker key, they can retrieve<br />
their brains just before returning to the<br />
US or Canada.”<br />
“What a great idea,” I said. “Those<br />
people can wander around in a daze,<br />
and since there are no brain waves and<br />
no lights on upstairs, we can identify<br />
them as fools and work with only those<br />
with their brains intact.”<br />
That’s Margarita Mind―doing things<br />
in a foreign country you would never<br />
do at home. Buying a house when<br />
all objective indicators say it’s a bad<br />
deal—just because you love it. Last I<br />
checked, you can’t bank love.<br />
Now we know that none of you, our<br />
readers have Margarita Mind, but just<br />
in case you have a friend that might<br />
catch it, we are warning you. There<br />
has been a rash of potential buyers in<br />
La Paz making the rounds of the real<br />
estate offices and asking for particular<br />
kinds of hard-to-find properties.<br />
Somehow, they think that contacting<br />
every agent in town is a good way to<br />
work. Wrong! And here is why.<br />
1. You are taking a risk if you are not<br />
working with an agent that is a<br />
member of A.M.P.I. (the Mexican<br />
Realtor Association) and the Multiple<br />
Listing Service. These agents<br />
adhere to a higher level of business<br />
practice and a code of ethics<br />
that protects buyers. The Multiple<br />
Listing System (MLS) has money<br />
fines built in for member agents<br />
that misbehave. So you know they<br />
are going to do a good job for you.<br />
2. The word gets around that you<br />
are shopping every agent in town,<br />
so the agents will not expend the<br />
energy to really find you a property<br />
that suits your needs.<br />
Now that we have the MLS, one agent<br />
can help you look at any property in the<br />
entire state. Any agent can show and<br />
sell any other agent’s listed property. If<br />
the property is listed on the MLS, then<br />
the agent has the required documents<br />
and you are assured that the seller is<br />
the legal owner and can sell you the<br />
property, and you know what you are<br />
buying because it is in writing. And by<br />
working with one agent you get their<br />
100% undivided attention.<br />
When shopping for property in<br />
Mexico, follow this rule:<br />
If you would not do it in the old<br />
country, why would you do it in a<br />
foreign country where you do not<br />
speak the language and you do not<br />
know all the rules? If it doesn’t feel<br />
right, get more information or just<br />
don’t do it.<br />
Because most agents you might work<br />
with are either Canadian or American<br />
and we now have escrow and title<br />
insurance, and a property search<br />
feature identical to those in the other<br />
two countries of North America, you<br />
might be lulled into thinking that<br />
real estate practices are the same<br />
here. It isn’t the same. Yes, you can<br />
make an offer and the seller may<br />
counter it, just like up north, but the<br />
closing of the real estate transaction<br />
is complicated, paper intensive, and<br />
time-consuming. And that is why we<br />
have specialized closing companies<br />
that exist just to shepherd your papers<br />
and those of the seller’s through the<br />
system. In the case of Stewart Title<br />
Latin America in Cabo San Lucas, the<br />
settlement company with offices in La<br />
Paz and Cabo San Lucas and Jose Luis<br />
Gaytan a closing attorney in La Paz<br />
your funds can be safely escrowed in<br />
the US, your Mexican papers handled<br />
promptly and properly and your title<br />
insurance issued at closing. All of the<br />
closing entities have lawyers on staff<br />
to review everything and they are<br />
approved to work with those lenders<br />
that make loans to foreigners. There<br />
are no shortcuts, better ways, or<br />
secrets deals to get your transaction<br />
closed faster.<br />
Here are some key phrases that should<br />
make the little hairs on the back of<br />
your neck stand up:<br />
1. “That’s the way it’s done<br />
here.”<br />
2. “There’s a way around it.”<br />
3. “You don’t need escrow; just<br />
pay the seller in cash.”<br />
Buying property in Mexico, and<br />
especially in La Paz, is safe. You are<br />
protected when you follow these<br />
steps:<br />
1. Work with one agent and<br />
make sure they are members<br />
of A.M.P.I and the MLS.<br />
Continues from page 18
<strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong><br />
18<br />
Continues from page 17<br />
2. Scan your passport and driver’s<br />
license; they will be needed<br />
for many steps of the process.<br />
3. Bring proof of funds to close:<br />
bank statements, bank letter,<br />
pre-approved loan.<br />
4. Don’t let “house-love” blind<br />
you to faults with the paperwork<br />
or the condition of the<br />
property.<br />
5. INSIST that your Good Faith<br />
Deposit be deposited in an<br />
escrow account. This will be a<br />
trust account in the US.<br />
6. Ask for an estimated closing<br />
cost statement before you<br />
make the offer; this will help<br />
you know how much money<br />
you will need.<br />
7. NEVER allow any money to go<br />
to the seller before the closing.<br />
8. If you are buying in a planned<br />
development, ask about the<br />
homeowner’s dues, review<br />
the CC&Rs, and ask to see the<br />
budget and proof of insurance<br />
on the common areas.<br />
9. If you are building, ensure that<br />
dates are set for progress in<br />
construction and don’t release<br />
any money unless those dates<br />
are met.<br />
10. Go ahead! Take the leap to<br />
owning a home in paradise,<br />
just do it with your brain fully<br />
engaged.<br />
Now, you or your friends are inoculated<br />
against Margarita Mind. Go… have a<br />
nice cold one!<br />
Susan Fogel is the broker/owner of<br />
PrestigePropertyGroupLaPaz.com,<br />
she is the author of “Margarita Mind—<br />
How to Avoid It: A Guide to Buying<br />
Mexico Real Estate Safely and Sanely”<br />
You may email Susan at: susan@<br />
prestigepropertygrouplapaz.com<br />
We are headed to Palermo’s<br />
ladies!<br />
hef Alessandro Mancuso cordially<br />
nvites you to the <strong>December</strong> edition<br />
f the La Paz Ladies Luncheon at<br />
alermo’s, located on the Malecon<br />
etween Morelos and Hidalgo. A<br />
raditional Christmas turkey dinner<br />
ill be served. The luncheon will be<br />
eld on <strong>December</strong> 20 th , <strong>2011</strong> starting<br />
ith the meet & greet at 12:15pm<br />
ollowed by the main event at<br />
:00pm.<br />
end in your reservations now to<br />
uizalanoy@yahoo.com. All are<br />
elcome. It is a great way to catch up<br />
ith friends both new and old!<br />
Bring a gift!<br />
Manager Israel Perez and Chef Alessandro Mancuso<br />
There will be a 50/50 draw for the<br />
Shelter for Women and Children. They<br />
are hoping to raise enough money to<br />
pay for the installation of the hot water<br />
boiler gifted by a friend. Also, please<br />
bring a gift for the women and children<br />
of the shelter. Details will be sent out<br />
with your reservation if you would like<br />
to participate.<br />
See you on the 20 th . It will be fun!<br />
Continues from front page<br />
the amount of the Aguinaldo. As an<br />
example, once a week at $200 pesos<br />
per day, Juana Fulana gets a bonus<br />
payment of $427.68.<br />
one time per week, 200 pesos and 52 days<br />
52 days divided by one year is 0.14256<br />
0.14256 times fifteen days equals 2.1384<br />
2.1384 times 200 pesos is 427.68 pesos<br />
You will also most likely be approached<br />
at your home by the sanitation workers<br />
who pick up your discards. They will<br />
ask you for an Aguinaldo. You are not<br />
legally required to give them anything<br />
at Christmas, but ask yourself what<br />
is a few pesos compared to strewn<br />
garbage or crushed or stolen trash<br />
bins?<br />
On a related note, effects on the<br />
economy:<br />
Every <strong>December</strong>, the local economy<br />
shifts. Imperceptible to the casual<br />
tourist, the business owners face a<br />
huge drain on their pocketbooks,<br />
hopefully to be replenished with the<br />
sales generated by folks who suddenly<br />
have cash a-plenty.<br />
Some of the money goes to pay back<br />
debt, what is left over goes to buy gifts<br />
and traditional holiday foods such as<br />
dried cod and rompope. For those<br />
who have credit cards, they often<br />
become once again extended to the<br />
maximum limit, leading to the “cuesta<br />
de enero” or the January economic<br />
slowdown when the paycheck again<br />
does not stretch far enough to meet<br />
basic needs.<br />
The President of Mexico, Felipe<br />
Calderon, recently took a bold step<br />
to stimulate the country’s economic<br />
picture. During the holiday weekend<br />
of November 18 th to 21 st , Revolution<br />
Day, he released to federal employees<br />
40% of their Aguinaldo and convinced<br />
manufacturers and retailers to offer<br />
discounts and incentives to shoppers.<br />
Naming the campaign El Buen Fin, or<br />
the great end [of the week and of the<br />
year] merchants were provided special<br />
signage and participation guidelines.<br />
A website was created, www.buenfin.<br />
org, to promote the movement.<br />
On the grand scale, success was<br />
declared. Bancomer bank reported a<br />
65% increase in credit purchases and<br />
other entities also reported percentage<br />
increases.<br />
At the local level, a newspaper<br />
editorial columnist suggested that the<br />
campaign was poorly represented by<br />
local businesses, citing scant discounts<br />
on closeout merchandise, rather than<br />
the grand promises of incredible<br />
bargains. Other critics suggested<br />
that the featured products should<br />
have been limited to domestically<br />
produced items, rather than the vast<br />
number of plasma televisions that<br />
were purchased for their holiday joy<br />
value. And the question remains, now<br />
that only 60 percent of the Christmas<br />
bonus remains to be delivered, what<br />
will the rest of the year bring?<br />
Contributing writer Les Carmona bakes<br />
artisan breads and pastries for his shop<br />
Pan D’Les bakery while assimilating to<br />
the pace of La Paz. The bakery is on<br />
Madero Street between Degollado<br />
and Ocampo, two short blocks from<br />
the Malecon.<br />
www.bajacitizen.com
19 <strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong><br />
his is a calendar of arts and cultural<br />
vents in La Paz, México. Schedules<br />
an change, so if your heart is set on a<br />
articular event, best to double-check<br />
lace and time. For more information,<br />
lease head to the website www.<br />
ozinlapaz.com.<br />
ECEMBER CALENDER<br />
ONTINUING<br />
ntil Dec. 24 (opens Dec. 10), art show:<br />
econstrucciones is the title of this<br />
xhibition of paintings by the talented<br />
oung painter Gabriel Rodriguez<br />
t Centro Cultural La Paz, on 16 de<br />
eptiembre near the corner of Belisario<br />
ominguez.<br />
ntil Dec. 31, art show: Danish artist<br />
irsten K. Kester has a show at the<br />
estaurant La Pazion de La Pazta,<br />
llende 36 (in Hotel Mediterrane, a half<br />
lock from the Malecón). This show<br />
eflects her experience of the beauty<br />
f Africa, where she has travelled and<br />
ainted. For more information, visit<br />
ww.kesters-kunst.dk or e-mail info@<br />
ester.dk<br />
ntil Dec. 31, student art show: A<br />
ollective exhibition of student work is<br />
t Teatro Juárez, Belisario Domínguez<br />
etween 16 de Septiembre and<br />
ndependencia.<br />
ecember, street market: The tianguis<br />
street market) are open for business<br />
o Christmas shoppers at Jardín Velasco<br />
n Revolución between 5 de Mayo and<br />
ndependencia and adjoining streets.<br />
arking in that area can be scarce this<br />
ime of year and traffic congested.<br />
adero Street from 5 de Mayo to 16 de<br />
eptiembre is blocked to cars.<br />
ecember, photography show: “The<br />
mage Makers” is the title of this<br />
xhibition of photographs by Gary<br />
atha and Tom Ireton. The show, which<br />
pened Dec. 3, is in the upstairs gallery<br />
f The Bagel Shop Gallery, Belisario<br />
ominguez 291 (between 5 de Mayo<br />
nd Constitución, a block up from the<br />
Malecón). Admission is free. No closing<br />
date for the show is listed.<br />
Permanent, exhibition of photography<br />
and video: The collective exhibition<br />
Hombre, Naturaleza y Cultura (man,<br />
nature and culture) in the CÓDEX<br />
Península salon of the Centro Cultural<br />
La Paz is a permanent photography<br />
show that highlights the special<br />
characteristics that make up the<br />
cultural identity of <strong>Baja</strong> California Sur.<br />
A video showcasing BCS complements<br />
the photographs. Photographers are<br />
Elizabeth Moreno Damm, Enrique<br />
Hambleton, Alejandro Rivas Sánchez,<br />
Carlos Navarro Serment, Carlos<br />
Aguilera Calderón, Miguel Ángel<br />
de la Cueva and Fernando Sánchez<br />
Bernal. Text is in English and Spanish.<br />
Admission is free.<br />
TUESDAY, DEC. 13<br />
Fieldtrip to Centro Cultural La Paz: Se<br />
Habla La Paz language school sponsors<br />
this fieldtrip to the cultural centre on<br />
16 de Septiembre for a fieldtrip on<br />
Las Posadas de México. For more<br />
information, call (612) 122-7763 or<br />
e-mail info@sehablalapaz.com<br />
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14<br />
Christmas recital for voice and piano:<br />
Loyda Vázquez (soprano) and Cruz de<br />
La Paz (pianist) perform at 20:00 in the<br />
Salón de usos múltiples at the Centro<br />
Cultural La Paz, 16 de Septiembre<br />
near Belisario Dominguez across from<br />
Sears. Admission is free.<br />
THURSDAY, DEC. 15<br />
Christmas music festival: The Sala de<br />
Conciertos La Paz presents Festival<br />
Navideño, performances by soloists,<br />
ensembles and choral music from the<br />
Escuela de Música del Estado (the state<br />
music school). It starts at 7 p.m. at the<br />
Sala de Conciertos SCON, Morelos<br />
1055 on the corner of Marcelo Rubio.<br />
Admission is 20 pesos.<br />
Theatre: Curvas Peligrosas (dangerous<br />
curves), performed by Grupo Altaira<br />
and directed by Alfonso Álvarez<br />
Bañuelos, starts at 7 p.m. in the patio<br />
of Centro Cultural La Paz. Admission is<br />
free.<br />
FRIDAY, DEC. 16<br />
Pro Conciencia International Festival:<br />
Events in La Paz begin at 19:00 at<br />
the Centro Cultural La Paz, on 16 de<br />
Septiembre near Belisario Dominguez,<br />
across from Sears. Admission is free.<br />
Tonight’s program: 19:00, Brass<br />
concert by the state music school;<br />
20:00, ethnic-world music by Jaya,<br />
Coyote & Macehual; 21:00 “Good<br />
Vibration” concert by the Starship<br />
Monkeys.<br />
Gala Christmas festival: The poster<br />
describes Alegría del mundo (Joy to<br />
the World) as “the most important<br />
gala Christmas festival in the history<br />
of the city of La Paz.” Participating are<br />
Fernando de La Mora (Tenor), Olivia<br />
Gorra (Soprano) and Camerata de Las<br />
Américas Director is James Demster<br />
The performance begins at 19:30 at<br />
Teatro de La Ciudad. Admission is 100<br />
pesos.<br />
Jazz concert at Tonantzin: Seven<br />
Clouds to Heaven performs at 8:30 p.m.<br />
in the intimate setting of the courtyard<br />
of Galería Tonantzin on Constitución<br />
320 between Revolución and Aquiles<br />
Serdán (a few doors down from the<br />
post office). For more information and<br />
for advance tickets, visit the gallery or<br />
phone 122 76 25 and cel. 612 154 86 25.<br />
Film night: The Dancer Upstairs,<br />
directed by John Malkovitch (2003),<br />
starts at 19:00 at Galería La Encantada,<br />
on Belisario Dominguez 1245 (between<br />
5 de Mayo and Callejón Constitución).<br />
Admission is free. Tel: 1853469; web<br />
page www.galerialaencantada.com<br />
SATURDAY, DEC. 17<br />
ExpoFest at Instituto Tecnologico<br />
de La Paz: The school is celebrating<br />
the semester’s end from 10 a.m. to<br />
noon with short presentations by its<br />
English and French students. There<br />
will be food, music, dance and lots of<br />
history and culture from 20 different<br />
English- and French-speaking countries<br />
represented at the event. The school<br />
is hoping for good attendance from<br />
the La Paz foreign community so that<br />
students can demonstrate in English<br />
and French what they’ve learned to<br />
people who will understand them. The<br />
TEC (ITLP) is at Forjadores and Colosio:<br />
travel on Colosio away from the city<br />
toward the hills (on the highway to<br />
El Sargento) and make a right at the<br />
first stop sign onto La Paz Street. It’s<br />
a dirt road. Go to the end (one block)<br />
to enter the campus and make a left<br />
when you enter to go to the gym.<br />
Christmas bazaar: The event is from<br />
3 to 8 p.m. at the Casa de Cultura<br />
Municipal, the city’s cultural centre<br />
on Independencia 807 between<br />
Altamirano and Gómez Farías. For sale<br />
are works of art, crafts, books sweets,<br />
toys and more. For information, e-mail<br />
culturalapaz01@gmail.com or call<br />
Bernardo Valadez at 612-104-8352<br />
Chamber music concert: The group<br />
Trío con Brío plays beautiful music<br />
with a sometimes surprising twist —<br />
Baroque, romantic and classical — in<br />
this free concert at 19:00 in the Salón<br />
de usos múltiples at the Centro Cultural<br />
La Paz, 16 de Septiembre near Belisario<br />
Dominguez across from Sears.<br />
SUNDAY, DEC. 18<br />
Family event: It starts at 19:00 at<br />
Parque Revolución, Félix Ortega and<br />
Nicolás Bravo, across the street from<br />
Chedraui.<br />
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21<br />
Symphony orchestra concert: The<br />
Sala de Conciertos La Paz presents<br />
the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Escuela<br />
de Música del Estado in concert under<br />
the direction of Luís Peláez García. The<br />
program includes works by Haydn,<br />
Chávez, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky. It<br />
starts at 19:00 at the Sala de Conciertos<br />
SCON, Morelos 1055 on the corner of<br />
Marcelo Rubio.<br />
Admission is 100 pesos.
<strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong> 20<br />
Two New Family Restaurants Now Open<br />
For You to Check Out!<br />
TBC<br />
Dining out has been fun<br />
lately. New restaurants<br />
always seem to be<br />
opening up this time of<br />
year and I love checking<br />
them out and seeing<br />
what new offerings can<br />
be enjoyed in La Paz.<br />
Last week my family<br />
and I were invited to the<br />
grand opening of two<br />
very different but equally<br />
delightful restaurants;<br />
one featuring Italian<br />
cuisine and the other; 100% Mexican!<br />
Mis Amores Wine & Steak House<br />
First off is the restaurant Mis Amores<br />
Wine & Steak House, on Marquez<br />
de Leon, between Aquiles Serdan<br />
and Guillermo Prieto. Opened for<br />
breakfast, lunch and dinner, 8:00 am<br />
to 10:30 pm, daily.<br />
Mis Amores comes to us from the<br />
owners of La Cava del Patron, Andres<br />
and Mirza Peñaranda and their son,<br />
the writer of the Sudcaliforniano Wine<br />
Club that is featured in this paper,<br />
Andres Jr. Mis Amores Wine & Steak<br />
Mis Amores on Marquez de Leon, next door to La Cava del Patron<br />
House is located right next door to<br />
their wine store.<br />
Mis Amores, with the help of Chef<br />
Aaron Beltran, will be featuring fine<br />
Mexican cuisine, including ceviches<br />
and tostadas for lighter fair and ribeyes<br />
and pork ribs for main dishes.<br />
Desserts include crème brule and<br />
sweet tamales with banana.<br />
Breakfasts, which include gourmet<br />
tamales, chimichanges (delicious) or<br />
gorditas with your choice of toppings<br />
start at 50 pesos. Ceviches and Tosadas<br />
start at 60 pesos, Rib-eyes - 3oo pesos.<br />
But what really sets them apart from<br />
other restaurants in La Paz is their<br />
One of the many beautiful dishes at Mis Amores<br />
pricing on bottles of wine. The bottle<br />
of wine you order for dinner is priced<br />
the same as if you bought the wine at<br />
La Cava del Patron. No mark-up!<br />
So take out that special birthday gal or<br />
your partner in life and enjoy a beautiful<br />
and relaxed dining experience out<br />
at Mis Amores in their beautifully<br />
decorated, open air patio. A real treat.<br />
Sapori d’Italia<br />
The second place<br />
you need to<br />
check out, and my<br />
daughter Molly’s<br />
favorite, is Sapori<br />
d’Italia, located<br />
on Guillermo<br />
Prieto, between<br />
Reforma and<br />
Independencia.<br />
Opened from 1:00<br />
pm to 11:00 pm.<br />
Closed Mondays.<br />
Sapori d’Italia just<br />
opened their doors<br />
last week but they<br />
have already become a neighborhood<br />
favorite. Owners Salvador Yee and<br />
Rosa Elena de Yee and daughter Rox<br />
have found Pizzaiolo (pizza chef)<br />
Antonio La Monica and together,<br />
delicious pizza, pastas and salads and<br />
are being served at very reasonable<br />
prices.<br />
M<br />
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h<br />
h<br />
T<br />
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p<br />
S<br />
brand of flour from Italy. Top that with t<br />
their newly built wood burning, brick<br />
pizza oven, and you have a crust that<br />
is crispy and tender with a light and<br />
chewy texture.<br />
T<br />
i<br />
Pick out any combination of toppingsA<br />
or try out one of Sapori’s 12 different c<br />
combinations. Prices range from 99 C<br />
pesos for a margherita pizza to 160a<br />
pesos with several toppings. o<br />
t<br />
Their 14 inch pizzas can be baked in less c<br />
than 3 minutes so so long to waiting 20o<br />
minutes for your pizza to bake. You canc<br />
just grab a stool and watch Pizzailoao<br />
Antonio whip you up and pizza and e<br />
bake it in just minutes. Indoor<br />
and patio dining also available.<br />
Pizzaiolo Anthony<br />
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b<br />
p<br />
a<br />
What makes Sapori d’Italia’s pizzas<br />
and pastas so special is that they are<br />
using a highly refined and soft quality<br />
Yee de la Toba family and friends
21 <strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong><br />
Healing Arts Center of Todos<br />
Santos<br />
Centro de Terapias Alternativas<br />
PrestigePropertyGroupLaPaz.com<br />
Beach Community Homes<br />
& Land For Sale<br />
More people every year are seeking<br />
out vacation destinations that offer<br />
healthful amenities such as day spas,<br />
hot springs, yoga and massage.<br />
The <strong>Baja</strong> California Sur area has all<br />
of that and more with the healing<br />
practitioners and teachers of Todos<br />
Santos & Pescadero coming together<br />
to form the new Healing Arts Center.<br />
The center is being called forth<br />
into reality by Jane Sipe, Licensed<br />
Acupuncturist. Jane has served the<br />
community with acupuncture and<br />
Chinese herbal treatments for 6 years,<br />
and is now enlisting practitioners<br />
of other modalities and disciplines<br />
to join her in offering a diverse and<br />
comprehensive set of treatment<br />
options as well as some fascinating<br />
classes. Those who have visited her<br />
office on Cerro La Poza will know<br />
exactly where to find the newly<br />
expanded clinic. If you haven’t<br />
been there, any of the teachers and<br />
practitioners can provide directions<br />
and a map.<br />
The new Healing Arts Center of Todos<br />
Santos starts off this month offering<br />
the following:<br />
• Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese<br />
Medicine<br />
Jane Sipe, L. Ac.: jasi57@<br />
juno.com<br />
www.<br />
nccaomdiplomates.com/<br />
janesipe 612-151-7026 and<br />
Barbara Elsner 1sheurchin@<br />
gmail.com<br />
• T’ai Chi & Qi Gong Classes<br />
Rhoda Jacobs: barakabaja@gmail.<br />
com 612-157-6088<br />
• Reiki Treatments & Chakra<br />
Balancing<br />
Allison Eaton: info@allisoneaton.<br />
com www.allisoneaton.com<br />
612-152-3896<br />
• Massage<br />
Odile “Deedee” Muller: odile.<br />
muller84@orange.fr 612-119-<br />
4158 and Kurtis Parsons:<br />
puravidahealthfood@gmail.com<br />
612-169-2095<br />
• Healing with Acutonics (Sound<br />
Healing)<br />
Lynn Wedekind: Tuneintoit@<br />
gmail.com<br />
• Kinan (Ancient form of Mayan-<br />
Toltec Yoga)<br />
Daniel Camargo: daniel@<br />
ancestralmessenger.com www.<br />
ancestralmessenger.com<br />
• Transformational Breathwork,<br />
Yoga, & Biomagnetism<br />
Genevieve Laquerre: genevieve@<br />
mahalayavida.com or www.<br />
mahalayavida.com<br />
SOLD! Beachfront home 2 bed 3 bath &casita $599,000<br />
Beachfront 3 bed 2 bath, casita w/income $599,000<br />
Near beach 3 bed 3 bath, office, $400,000<br />
Private 2 bed 2 bath patio bar, heated pool $325,000<br />
Gated view homes new, built for you $200-<br />
350k<br />
Beachview 2 bed 2 bath 2 car garage extras $218,000<br />
Beach view 2 bed 2 bath Jacuzzi tub $218,000<br />
15 View lots owner financing $30-55k<br />
Ofc: 612 125 1894 Cell: 612 141 9173<br />
Susan@PrestigePropertyGroupLaPaz.com<br />
All properties listed on MLS<br />
• Counseling & Psychotherapy<br />
(Individuals & Couples)<br />
Shawna Owen: harmonywithall@<br />
mac.com 612-151-7728<br />
• Feldenkrais<br />
Dinah Hornung: dinahbyron@<br />
gmail.com 612-136-9075<br />
Some of these teachers and<br />
practitioners are full time residents<br />
of Todos Santos and will be here<br />
throughout the season, if not the<br />
whole year. There are others who are<br />
here for a shorter time. Be sure to take<br />
advantage of their services right away<br />
so you don’t miss out. Also, watch<br />
for who and what kind of support will<br />
come in next. There will be an everchanging<br />
flow of resources available<br />
as we go along.<br />
encouraged to contact any of the<br />
teachers and practitioners with their<br />
questions about: particular health<br />
challenges, the treatments and classes<br />
that are offered, and for scheduling<br />
Visitors and residents alike are<br />
sessions.<br />
Let’s put Todos Santos on the map for<br />
health and healing, right along with<br />
our incredible artists and surfing!
<strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong> 22<br />
CULTURAL PRESENTATIONS<br />
AT SE HABLA…LA PAZ<br />
J<br />
Se Habla La Paz invites you to<br />
their Tuesday afternoon cultural<br />
presentations in easy to understand<br />
Spanish. The following topics will be<br />
covered:<br />
Jan 3 Día de reyes magos<br />
Jan 10 Calendario Azteca at the<br />
Anthropology Museum, 5 de mayo &<br />
Altamirano<br />
Jan 17 El Chocolate<br />
Jan 24 Fechas importantes para los<br />
Mexicanos<br />
Jan 31 Estado: Coahuila<br />
All of the presentations start at 1:15<br />
and last 45-60 minutes.<br />
The presentations are given in simple<br />
Spanish and there are handouts for<br />
each presentation available. Unless<br />
stated, all presentations are in La<br />
Biblioteca of the school:<br />
Francisco I. Madero #540 between<br />
Guerrero y Republica<br />
For questions or more information,<br />
the office phone is 122-7763, email<br />
info@sehablalapaz.com or SKYPE<br />
julidelapaz.<br />
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23 <strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong><br />
VALIDITY OF DOCUMENTS<br />
IN MEXICO<br />
Jacques-Edouard Beaulne<br />
Many foreigners who immigrate<br />
to a different country rely on other<br />
compatriots to find out what is what<br />
and most of the time, ready to help<br />
locker room lawyers do the same thus,<br />
perpetual misinformation is given.<br />
In Mexico, a document sent by fax or<br />
e-mail is NOT a valid document as the<br />
only recognized document by law is<br />
the ORIGINAL or a certified copy.<br />
This is extremely important when one<br />
is doing CLOSINGS on a real estate<br />
property since every document from<br />
the time of when the closing process<br />
begins to the time the final document<br />
“Fideicomiso Traslativo de Dominio”<br />
(FTD contract) or “Escritura” (Writing)<br />
is signed in front of the “Notario<br />
Publico” (Contract lawyer), is part of<br />
the chain of events and can be used<br />
in litigation. In other words, a promise<br />
of sale and purchase, addendum(s),<br />
certificates of no leans and/or water<br />
debt and/or no debt of property taxes<br />
and “Evaluo” or appraisals, must be<br />
presented as originals and not as fax<br />
transmitted or e-mail attachment<br />
documents.<br />
Because people live in different<br />
countries, some contracts are signed<br />
in different countries and on different<br />
dates; when this is the case one must<br />
follow the rules where one signs so as<br />
to validate his signature.<br />
For example, a buyer and seller in<br />
different countries with a contract<br />
which originates in Mexico: The<br />
contract which is signed in Mexico must<br />
be signed IN FRONT of two witnesses<br />
who are NOT part of the deal, who<br />
are NOT members of the family(ies)<br />
or working for the Real Estate broker<br />
or agent. In the USA or Canada, the<br />
person(s) who signs the contract must<br />
sign in front an authority who will<br />
recognize the signature(s), in the USA<br />
and in Canada, except Quebec, one<br />
must sign in front of a notary who will<br />
appose his seal and note, in Quebec<br />
the person who does this is called<br />
“Commisaire à l’asermentation”. Once<br />
this is done, the document has to be<br />
legalized before returning to Mexico.<br />
The proper steps for a document which<br />
originates in Mexico are:<br />
A)After signature(s) are received one<br />
must obtain an “Apostille” from the State<br />
government.<br />
B)In the event that the document is sent<br />
to the United States of America: Signature<br />
is done as said in the previous paragraph<br />
and then must be presented to the<br />
nearest State Department to receive an<br />
“Apostille”.<br />
C)If the document is sent to Canada, once<br />
signed, it must be declared legal in Mexico<br />
thus the document must be presented to<br />
the nearest Mexican Consulate to receive<br />
a seal.<br />
D)In the event that the document is not in<br />
Spanish, one must have the document plus<br />
the “Apostille” or seal translated by an<br />
official translator (recognized by Superior<br />
Tribunal in Mexico or Government in<br />
Canada or USA ) in Spanish.<br />
When a document originates in a<br />
foreign country, the procedure is the<br />
same. Signatures are done as per the<br />
local law and presented to either State<br />
Dept. or Consulate and translated in<br />
Spanish by an official translator.<br />
For any comments or questions on<br />
this or any other legal matter, send<br />
an e-mail to can-am-mex-law-firm@<br />
hotmail.com.<br />
For Rent<br />
Residence in Comitan beach<br />
front community for rent.<br />
1 large bedroom, 3 baths<br />
with large outdoor living<br />
space including pool, palapa,<br />
bbq, bar and jacuzzi. Pool<br />
maintenance and gardener<br />
provided.<br />
Call 612 140 2871<br />
or Email marthamagda87@hotmail.com for details.
<strong>December</strong> <strong>13th</strong>, <strong>2011</strong> 24