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Culture, Dance, Food and Rodeo Events Highlight La Misión Fiesta
text by connie ellig; photos by david hopps & connie ellig

Steeped in tradition, the tranquil rural valley of La Misión will burst into action on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26, 2013 for one of the largest outdoor festivals of its type in Baja – the 34th Annual La Misión Fiesta. Once the site of a large population of Cumiai (Kumiai) indigenous peoples, the valley will commemorate its heritage including its discovery by Spanish explorers in 1769 and its rich mission history; the foundation of “Rancho La Misión Viejo de San Miguel” by Irish settler Felipe Crosthwaite Armstrong in 1862; and the subsequent land consolidation and establishment of “Ejido La Misión” in 1938. Interestingly enough, many of the descendents of La Misión’s early inhabitants and founders actively participate in the fiesta’s various activities.
 
la mision fiesta bonfireThe family-oriented event offers plenty of attractions for all ages: cultural exhibits, arts and crafts, colorful folkloric and calabaceado dancers from northern Baja California and southern California, live music, lots of delicious home-style Mexican food, and an action-packed Mexican country rodeo known as a vaquería. In the evening, there are neon-lit rides and amusements plus a huge bonfire, dramatically lighted by torch-wielding local cowboys on horseback.
 
The fiesta officially opens at 8am on Saturday with sports contests, followed by the opening of the Campamento Vaquero (Cowboy Camp) at 1pm. Visitors can enjoy regional foods and tour the preserved ruins of the San Miguel Arcángel de la Frontera mission, established by Dominican Friar Luis Sales in 1787, before viewing the start of cattle branding, calf roping and other cowboy contests down in the arena and corral area at 3pm.
 
calabaceadoOn the open-air stage next to the primary school, there will be a special presentation by folkloric dancers from La Misión and San Ysidro, CA at 3pm, followed by the 16th Annual State Calabaceado Dance Festival at 4:30pm featuring nearly a dozen professional dance companies. Those who have never seen a performance of this high-energy, leg-twirling, foot-stomping traditional Mexican dance are in for an amazing treat! At 7pm, diplomas will be awarded to participating dance troupes.
 
At 8pm, there will be a huge ceremonial bonfire down at the traditional Cowboy Camp with a Calabaceado Contest for local dancers, and native songs and dances performed by the Kumiai from San José de la Zorra. Overnight dry camping is allowed; security and restrooms are provided. For the adventurous, the Cowboy Camp is a rare opportunity to meet descendants of the founders of the valley of La Misión and the vaqueros (cowboys) who make their living from this land. Language barriers tend to disappear in the Mexican atmosphere of hospitality and friendship.
 
Sunday’s festivities will begin at 9am with the opening of the “Micro-History of La Misión” exhibition and a Catholic mass of thanksgiving, followed by a civic and school parade at 10am, and the official inauguration of the event at noon.
 
Folkloric dancing will begin on the stage at 12:30pm and continue throughout the afternoon until 6:30pm. Nearly one dozen folkloric troupes will perform traditional dances from the different states of Mexico. Don’t miss the exotic “Danza del Borrego Cimarrón (Dance of the Bighorn Sheep)” at 1pm by the Kicukpaico Dance Group. Additional Sunday highlights include a presentation of “Mexican Airs” by guitarist Miguel de Hoyos with Paco Díaz at 2:25pm and a special performance of “Nativo,” a music and dance production based on the history of Baja California, by the Compañia de Danza de Baja California at 5:20pm.
 
la mision rodeoAlthough the folkloric dancers can be compelling, another must-see is the 2:25pm historic cabalgata (procession) of costumed riders on horseback that will wind its way down to the corral and arena area and signal the start of the regional rodeo competition. At 3pm the dust will fly as real-life cowboys ride bulls and broncos and execute other daring and dexterous feats while contending for trophies.
 
Although the upper area onstage entertainment and the lower area rodeo contests start winding down between 6-7pm, the celebration continues from 8pm-midnight in the Cowboy Camp with live music, dancing, foods and rides.
 
mission ruinsThe two-day La Misión Fiesta is held on the patios and grounds adjoining the primary school and San Miguel Arcángel de la Frontera mission ruins at Km. 65.5 on the Tijuana-Ensenada Free Road (use southbound exit from the toll road at La Fonda). Admission is free; a donation is requested for onsite parking. For more information, contact Professor Mario Reyes at the UABC School of Tourism in Tijuana at tel/fax (664)682-1697 or e-mail
 
La Misión Fiesta is an excellent opportunity to enjoy an authentic, informal country-style festival while experiencing the traditions and culture of Baja California. Be sure to wear sun protection, comfortable clothes and walking shoes, and be prepared to have a great time!
 
Please note that times posted are approximate.


Kawasaki’s Bell draws first Motorcycle Start at 45th Tecate SCORE Baja 500

from www.score-international.com
SAN DIEGO, CA – Following Tuesday’s night live drawing for starting positions, Southern California desert racing ace Robby Bell, the defending overall winner, will be the first motorcycle off the starting line in the upcoming 45th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 500 desert race. Entries from around the world continue to arrive for Round 2 of the 2013 SCORE Desert Series, to be held May 30-June 2 in Mexico’s northern Baja California, starting and finishing in Ensenada, the seaside port on the Pacific Ocean, 80 miles south of San Diego.

With SCORE Trophy Trucks and unlimited Class 1 open-wheel desert race cars qualifying for starting positions, Bell is certain of his starting position on Saturday, June 1. The start draw was broadcast live worldwide during a special edition of Roger Norman’s Dirt Live Internet show.

SCORE is celebrating its 40th year as the world’s foremost desert racing organization in 2013 and this race is traditionally one of the most popular events on the SCORE schedule. Most the world’s best desert racers will be in action at this year’s 45th anniversary of the Tecate SCORE Baja 500, the original desert race produced by SCORE on July 26, 1974.

It is an elapsed-time race with staggered starts with the green flag on Saturday (June 1) dropping first for the motorcycles and ATVs at 6 a.m. and several hours later for the cars and trucks. (read entire story)


Baja California is fast becoming the First Choice for Retirement
by patrick osio
hispanicvista.com

That Baja California will become the first choice for retirement by Americans and Canadians is not a question as to whether it will or won’t, as it will. Rather the question is how fast?
 
It has been a matter of perception since places like San Miguel Allende, Ajijic, Chapala, Puerto Vallarta and other more mature inland and coastal regions have better name recognition; but in the state of Baja California places like Rosarito Beach, Ensenada, Tecate, Playas de Tijuana and San Felipe are winning recognition as retirement havens.
 
Perceptions aside of the estimated 1 million Americans living in Mexico, approximately 25 % live in the Baja California peninsula already, which is no small percentage.
 
It may sound like local bravado predicting that Baja California will become the overwhelming retirement choice for Americans and even Canadians within the next 10 to 15 years. Such prediction is greatly supported as Baja offers the diversity meeting the goals, aspirations and needs of a majority of today’s and future retirees.
 
We are familiar with the population sector called Baby Boomers, as those born between 1946 and 1964, that number over 78 million, who will be reaching retirement age (65) between the years 2011 and 2029, and the pre-Baby Boomers those born between 1935 and 1945 whose 2013 ages range between 68 and 85, numbering over 30 million.
 
Obviously the number of now and future retirees is more than ample, so the question is why would they choose one place over another?
 
To grasp why Baja is becoming the favored retirement region, one must first recognize the four options available and in order of preference:
1. Don’t move – stay put.
2. Downsize within the same community.
3. Move to another community or other state.
4. Move out of country.
 
Were it economically possible to live by the sea shore or ocean view vicinity, U.S. retirees faced with choice number 3 above, San Diego would be a primary location of choice, but the high living cost makes it nearly impossible for the majority of retirees. This in turn, due to its immediate proximity, makes the Baja California north coast from the U.S. border to Ensenada a very desirable alternative.
 
For those choosing to move out of country, Mexico is already the first choice; however, putting a damper on this trend has been the fear of personal safety concerns that the U.S. media has imbedded in the minds of its audience. The second damper has been the global economy that had slashed U.S. property values and devastated retirement accounts which in large numbers forced the postponement of retirement.
 
But the documentary, The North Baja Coast: Come Visit, Stay to Live, showcasing interviews with American expatriates whose sincere testimonies are discarding the negative individual security reports as they attest to being safe, and getting the word out on cost of living savings, availability of quality medical services, near perfect weather, plentiful activities amid wonderful and caring people.
 
The primary retiree moving to Mexico to date has been the “active adult” who does not require help in daily living activities. However, attention to the “aging in place” must be recognized as the natural sequence in aging will at some point in time require assistance in daily chores and local affordable and timely available health services becoming increasingly important services that are also available in Baja or if preferred within short mileage in San Diego.
 
At present the various reasons for choosing Mexico for retirement, depending on the income level of the retiree, range from looking for luxury at bargain prices, but with familiar comforts found in U.S. homes, and the more active also seek adventure, cultural exchanges and new learning experiences, coupled with quality of life. Primary attractions to a particular region are climate, security, available quality health care, convenient location and of primary consideration – better living at less cost. Here again, Baja exceeds expectations.
 
To further understand the potential attraction of Baja California and indeed, Mexico, I use data provided by arguably the most qualified husband-wife team in the field of aging, Maddy and Dr. Ken Dychtwald, who find that though active adults share an “age range,” their plans, goals and aspirations are most often quite diverse, and have segregated them into four categories:
1. “Ageless Explorer” – personifies the current ideal for retirement and is not satisfied with traditional retirement – they seek to be active, productive and independent.
2. “Comfortably Content” – this group seeks relaxation and enjoyment of the fruits of their labor without any further real responsibilities.
3. “Live for Today” – enjoy fund and adventure but are financially unprepared for a comfortable retirement.
4. “Sick and Tired” – are inactive, unfulfilled and resigned to less than a satisfying future.
 
Categories 1, 2 and 3 represent the most likely candidates for Mexico retirement. Active Living International concludes that those three categories identified by the Dychtwald group are close to 28 million strong providing ample potential retirees for all of Mexico but this author bets for all above reasons that Baja California will become the first to “fill up.”

Patrick Osio is the editor of HispanicVista, and co-founder of TransBorder Communications, producers of the documentary, “The North Baja Coast: Come Visit, Stay to Live.” Contact at Posiojr@aol.com


The Baja Review
text by barbara keller; photo by david hopps

Celebrating its first anniversary in January 2013, the Baja Review is a hard copy, print on paper newspaper with no breaking news. It’s published once a month and is on the stands on the 23rd for the coming month. The focus is good restaurants, wineries, hotels, music, outdoor life, events, and community. My agenda is to inform, comfort and encourage the English speaking ex-pats living here, to support and stimulate the Mexican economy, and in time, to reach and reassure the folks contemplating tourism in northern Baja.
 
The Baja Review has some excellent writers: Tom Gatch, of Hooked on Baja fame, composes the fishing column and a restaurant review column; Sitara Perez chronicles a wine diary of her first year making wines in the Guadalupe valley; Susan Shea provides a golf column. Classical music aficionado and choral ensemble member Margit Gantt presents classical music reviews. Bunny Wingate, a prolific writer and playwright, does a monthly column about the interesting women in Rosarito. And from time to time we have the wine report - wine tastings hosted by Juan Hussong of Sano’s Restaurant in Ensenada.
 
The quality is good, the articles are interesting, and the ads are cheap. Be sure to check out the Baja Review!
 
If you have stories or articles that fit generally into the categories we focus on, you are welcome to contact me at (646)155-0581 or e-mail barbarakeller3@gmail.com with your questions or submissions. Please keep stories less than 500 words and nothing scary or contentious.
 
From South to North you can find the Baja Review on the 23rd or 24th of the month in many places, but for sure at Baja Mama’s Restaurant (Punta Banda), Terra Peninsular Community Center & Gallery (Ensenada), L.A. Cetto Cava at Km. 108 highway north of Ensenada, Ochentos Pizza (San Antonio de las Minas), and Tres Hermanos Grocery (San Antonio de las Minas). Between Ensenada and Rosarito, the Baja Review is at La Fonda Restaurant and Hotel, Splash Restaurant and Bar, Baja’s Click-on.com Business Center and Charly’s Place, and in Rosarito, Rod and Dottie’s Mail Room, International Mail Service at Oceana Plaza, and the Rosarito Beach Hotel. Once you have a copy of the Baja Review, check the back page for a listing of other places you can find the paper. Enjoy, please, and I welcome feedback.

 
Book Review: Peter Fowler's Good Info for Gringos Living in Baja, Second Edition
by marsh cassady
Fowler 2nd edition cover“Peter Fowler gave me a copy of his book,” said Gabriella Mendez of the Hearing Aid Store in Chula Vista. “I’m Mexican American and visit Baja often. Even so, the book is very useful.” She was talking about the first edition of Fowler’s Good Info for Gringos Living in Baja. The expanded fourth edition has just been published, and it is even more useful! For those of you unfamiliar with the book, it’s a guide to help both foreign residents and visitors to learn the ins and outs of living in Baja California and also to learn more about the people and the culture. The pocket-size quick reference paperback is available through Amazon as a paperback and via Kindle.


Get Hooked on Hooked on Baja
hooked on baja coverEscape to a land of magical, natural beauty that offers a warm sun, a host of beautiful coastlines and some of the very finest saltwater fishing on the entire planet. Hooked on Baja by Tom Gatch gives you the maps, GPS waypoints, proper angling techniques, tackle and species information that you need to be successful when fishing and exploring the coasts of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula.

Much more than a simple fishing guide, Hooked on Baja incorporates many true-life adventures from some of Baja’s foremost outdoors personalities along with travel information, deliciously authentic south of the border recipes and, for those who end up being ‘hooked on Baja’ themselves, vital information on how to go about purchasing and legally securing real estate property along the picturesque coast of the Baja California peninsula.

Hooked on Baja allows readers to step away from the hustle, bustle and traffic gridlock that are a regular part of life in many of the crowded urban communities north of the Mexican border. Discover a place where there are still countless opportunities for relaxation, recreation and retirement in an enchanting world where the fish are nearly always biting, and lines of pelicans are regularly observed gliding silently mere inches above the pounding surf. 

Released on September 15, 2007, Hooked on Baja is now available at Borders, Barnes & Noble and Costco warehouse stores in southern California, as well as through most major online booksellers.


Chewing the (Low) Fat with “Burro Bob”
text by connie ellig; photos by david hopps & connie ellig
author bob wiseman with cookbooksOn the evening I sat down to interview noted Southwest cookbook author Bob Wiseman, it had been a long twelve-hour day at the J.D. Hussong Chili Cookoff in Ensenada. We could hear the chili and salsa competitors celebrating and/or consoling themselves with margaritas and beer while singing karaoke in the bar. With great fortitude we resisted the temptation to join the festivities and instead proceeded with the interview.

As I discovered, a conversation with “Burro Bob” (as he is known in chili cookoff circles) can cover a colorful spectrum of topics ranging from Mexican and Southwest cooking to history, geography, travel, photography, western writers and fly-fishing. (read entire story with recipes)

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