By Marilyn K. Simon
We woke up Saturday AM to something quite unfamiliar… RAIN! Not to worry… we got the most extraordinary rainbow with it!
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Marilyn K. Simon, Ph.D.
Online Faculty Mentor
Del Mar, CA
Calafia Mexico
Monthly Archives: November 2009
Rainy Day in Calafia Rosarito Baja
Seaside Vacation Homes – Save Money South of the Border
By: Craig Delman
Vacation Homes – Save Money South of the Border - Las Ventanas in Rosarito Beach
If you’re looking for the best seaside vacation homes at the most affordable prices, Mexico has the lot to offer when it comes to ocean views, sunsets, water sports, activities, and amenities in their vacation home rentals.
It wasn’t that long ago when foreigners of Mexico were not allowed to own or invest in beachfront real estate, which left a lot of “would be” buyers frustrated, knowing there was cheap oceanfront property available in a prime location but the opportunity to own or invest in beachfront real estate in Mexico was nil.
In 2005 the government of Mexico enacted fideicomiso, which is roughly translated to mean real estate trust, making it possible for US and other foreign investors to purchase the cheap oceanfront property available, making Mexico a popular spot for exclusive luxury style residences and a haven for beachfront real estate investments
What Makes Mexico a More Affordable Vacation Home Choice? read more »
Thanksgiving from the White House to Calafia, Rosarito Beach, Mexico
By Melinda Bates
Melind Bates in The White House Rose Garden with the lucky turkey who got pardoned on Thanksgiving by President Bill Clinton
That’s me in the picture there, and you may wonder why I’m petting a turkey. Good question! (‘Cause, you know, who does that? Not to mention, isn’t that the biggest turkey you’ve ever seen?) Well, that’s not just ANY turkey. That’s the official, White House turkey! You’ve probably seen a video clip of a President smiling, laying his hand on a humongous white bird and officially “pardoning” it, as the beginning of Thanksgiving.
This happens every year in the White House Rose Garden, and there I am, just before President Bill Clinton steps out of the Oval Office (far left corner) to honor this tradition.
Why am I there? That’s another good question. I’m there because my office, for all eight years of the Clinton administration, was just across the House in the East Wing. Every morning I’d see the President’s schedule for official events. So, when the President was doing something fun and interesting, I’d walk on over to watch. Just one of the incredible perks of being a Special Assistant to the President and Director, White House Visitors Office – and of being a lifelong friend of Bill.
For this particular event, the turkey farmer selected brings a van with not one, but two of these huge birds. Why two? Because 1) the birds are so darn top-heavy you never know if or when they might just topple over and lie there with their little feet in the air (NOT a great visual for TV) and 2) you also never know when they might keel over from the sheer excitement and stress of the moment, and then you’d have a DEAD turkey for the shot, and that would be horrible! So there’s always a back-up turkey. Just in case. And POTUS pardons it, and it goes off to live in a petting zoo somewhere. Probably just as well. I always thought there could be no natural way to grow a turkey that size. read more »
McMillins Baja Comeback – Results in Overall 4-wheel win at 42nd Tecate Baja 1000
McMillins Baja Comeback – Results in Overall 4-wheel win at 42nd Tecate Baja 1000
ENSENADA, Mexico—Etching their names on the granite history of the world’s most legendary desert race, Kendall Norman/Tim Weigand/Quinn Cody along with the team of Andy McMillin and his father Scott became part of motorsports history by capturing the overall 2-wheel and 4-wheel victories late Friday and early Saturday in the 42nd Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, the granddaddy of all desert races.
Defeating a deep and talented field of 328 sturdy starters that came from 39 U.S. States and 14 countries, the Norman/Weigan/Cody trio won Class 22 on the Johnny Campbell Racing Honda CRF450X motorcycle while the McMillins powered their way to the top of the marquee SCORE Trophy-Truck division in the No. 31 McMillin Racing Chevy Silverado.
After complete review of the data tracking devices used by each vehicle in the race and with time penalties assessed accordingly for course deviations and/or speeding on the brief pavement sections used as part of the race course, the results were declared official by SCORE International officials at 6 a.m. on Sunday morning. read more »
Why retirees are fleeing the US
A move to another country may make economic sense, especially for seniors who don’t have enough savings to live in retirement without a dramatic cut in lifestyle.
By Scott Burns
A move to another country may make economic sense
Several years ago a Dallas couple approaching retirement disappeared. Well-known on the charitable-event circuit, the couple were in Dallas one day and gone the next. Phone disconnected. No forwarding address. No working cell-phone number.
Eventually, word spread that they were somewhere in Mexico. They had sold whatever they owned, packed their car and headed for the border. They were, conflicting reports said, living in small towns, the kind of places seldom featured in travel magazines.
We can only speculate on what happened. I think they were broke, had little or nothing in savings and knew they had to make a major change to survive on their Social Security income and minimal savings. Like millions of other Americans, their ship never came in. They got older. Work became harder to find. Suddenly, they realized their life was entirely unsustainable. They were heading toward a cliff. read more »
A heartfelt Gracias! – A Baja Real Estate Testimonial
Written By: Professor Wade Lorentzon aka Lorenzo
Children of Casa de Paz
I am a professor of Psychology here in Calgary and for the past ten summers have brought teams of 25 eager dedicated students for the month of August to work with the 55 children of Casa de Paz, nestled in the beautiful vineyard filled Guadalupe valley. The orphanage is a sanctuary, an oasis of love and careful family nurture on a 20 hectare working vegetable farm.
A year ago to continue my vision for a Beach house/guest home for returning students and their families I inquired at Calafia and met my new found friends Max and Kathy Katz, who represent the selling of many fine condo and homes along the gold coast of Baja. read more »
U.S. Rotary Club Helps Maintain Beach & Makes Statement on Safety of Rosarito
Villanueva, far left; Rosarito Mayor Hugo Torres, center in striped maroon sweater; and Bruce Howard, far right in yellow vest
ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO—Seven members of a California Rotary club joined with about 20 local Rotarians and Rosarito residents Saturday in an event to demonstrate this tourist area is perfectly safe for visitors.
The event organized by Rotarians from Cambria, California was officially a beach maintenance session but Bruce Howard, past president of that club, said its main purpose was to help eliminate inaccurate perceptions that have developed in the U.S.
“We want to tell people that Baja is safe,” said Howard, who owns a vacation home in Rosarito. “We’re coming down, we love coming down and we feel safe and welcome and comfortable here.”
Howard said media coverage of the Mexican government’s aggressive crackdown on drug cartels, including some sensationalized stories, has created the impression among some in the U.S. that the area is unsafe for visitors. read more »
Rosarito Event This Saturday Has 2 Purposes: Maintain The Beach & Support The Region
Rosarito Beach - Photo by Javier Carrillo
ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO—The Rotary Club of Cambria, California is co-sponsoring with its Rosarito counterpart this Saturday a beach maintenance day — but its main purpose is to show this area is safe for U.S. visitors.
“Any beach can benefit from a clean-up day, but the ones here are maintained very nicely,” said Bruce Howard, past president of the Cambria club. “Our main goal in bringing Rotary members down is to help correct misperceptions in the U.S.”
Participants in the beach maintenance day will meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday on the beach in front of the Rosarito Beach Hotel. Local residents can join the effort just by showing up.
One group will head south, towards Rene’s Campo, while the other group will head north to clean up as much of the beach as possible during the two-hour event, according to Edson Ruiz, the President of the Rotary Club of Rosarito.
Ruiz is asking all youth and service groups, clubs and organizations in the area, including members of Rosarito’s large expatriate community, to participate. read more »
Tijuana’s Blue Tarp School Captures The Imagination
The Park Dale Players will perform the new musical based on the children’s book “Armando and the Blue Tarp School” on Saturday, November 14, 2009, at UCSD. Blue Tarp School (audio MP3)
For more info on the School contact Marilyn K. Simon, resident of Calafia Condos.
Above: "Armando and the Blue Tarp School" is a children's book that will be adapted into a new musical by the Park Dale Players at UCSD.
MAUREEN CAVANAUGH (Host): I’m Maureen Cavanaugh, and you’re listening to These Days on KPBS. As bad as our economy is right now, sometimes it’s also important to remember how prosperous we really are living in the United States. Even during hard times, there are things we take for granted that people don’t have in many parts of the world, for instance, schools with computers and books and desks and walls. Several years ago, a teacher named David Lynch started an unusual school at a dump in Tijuana. He gathered some of that city’s poorest children together on a big blue tarp and started teaching. The story found its way to many news organizations and David Lynch was able to start a foundation to help establish other schools. And, the story of that blue tarp school is now the subject of both a children’s book and a children’s musical. I’d like to welcome my guests. Edith Fine, co-author of the children’s book, “Armando and the Blue Tarp School.” Edith, welcome to These Days.
EDITH FINE (Author): Thanks, Maureen, hi.
CAVANAUGH: And Pat Lydersen is playwright for the musical adaptation of “Armando and the Blue Tarp School,” to be performed by the Park Dale Players, a group of local young actors. Pat, welcome to These Days.
PAT LYDERSEN (Playwright): Thank you.
CAVANAUGH: Now, Edith, if you could, tell us just a little bit more about David Lynch’s Blue Tarp School. When did he start it and how did you hear about it? read more »
