Mexico Fires 3200 Federal Police

Even here in Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico, far from the drug cartel turf wars, we worry about the effect it is all having on our adopted country. We know that many of the police (at all levels) are corrupt – we routinely see minor examples of corruption.

Today it was announced that 3200 Federal Police were fired, most for failing lie detector tests. I am thinking this is a good precedent and hope it has the desired results.

Mexico Fires 3200 Federal Police

Mexicana Airlines To Shut Down, Midnight August 28, 2010

Mexicana Airlines, perhaps the most reliable and comfortable of the Mexican Airlines, has had serious money problems this spring and summer. Supposedly a white knight investor group was going to save them but apparently negotiations have failed and Mexicana will close all services as of midnight tonight. Read more courtesy of the New York Times:

Mexicana Airlines Shuts Down

Dune House Construction Restarts in Las Tunas, Todos Santos

I don’t know much, but there is a small crew working the site and new construction materials have been delivered. The cement mixer has returned and a large generator is onsite.

Jimena Navarrete (Of Guadalajara) Wins Miss Universe Crown

La Tapatia, Jimena Navarrete, has been crowned Miss Universe, only the second Mexicana to win the contest. Jimena says she will use her postition to help promote Mexico.

Mexico’s Newest Icon: 22-year-old Miss Universe

Tropical Storm Frank Approaches Baja

Our storm season has truly begun. Tropical Storm Frank, soon to be a Cat 1 hurricane, is forecast to take the time honored approach to Baja and is projected to stay south of us. This is the normal path for storms in mid-August, but if you look at the historical information on Weather Underground, sometimes they deviate in their direction.

Project Path Of Tropical Storm Frank

Satellite Image Of Tropical Storm Frank

This Just In! Cabo Cortes Permits Withdrawn!

The following is quoted from the CaboPulmoVivo.Org website:

SUCCESS!

Dear friends of Cabo Pulmo Vivo, it is with great joy that we inform you that SEMARNAT, the federal environment ministry, has decided to revoke the environmental permits that it had granted for Cabo Cortes. This represents a great victory for those of us who love Cabo Pulmo and believe that a sustainable tourism model is possible.

We want to thank you for all of your support. Whether you helped spread the word about this webpage or helped us collect signatures, congratulations are deserved by us all. This was, above all, a collective achievement. Recognition should also be given to the accurate and timely decision by SEMARNAT, which showed a welcome sensibility to the voice of civil society. We should be filled by hope in knowing that the voice of organized citizens is capable of creating great changes, when backed up by sound science and presented in a respectful way, through the appropriate institutional channels.

Cabo Cortés, as would be the case with any person or company, has the right to request these environmental permits again, be it with the project we know, or a modified version. We trust that, if they so decide, more attention will be paid to the information they present to the public, to the voice of the local community and to the current planning instruments for the region.

As for this webpage, we have closed the signature section, but please continue to come back, to check for updates, future events, images, publications and all Cabo Pulmo related information.

CABO PULMO VIVO

Olive Ridley (Golfina) and Leatherback (Laud) Turtle Nesting Season

Well, the heat and humidity of August has finally arrived in full force. You know when it’s 85F inside the house at midnight and moments after showering, you are sweating once again. That’s toasty! At dawn, it’s only dropped to 83F. With two tropical depressions kicking around south of us, the heat is not likely to abate anytime soon. Bienvenidos a verano Todos Santos style!

But this means turtle nesting season won’t be far behind. Olive Ridleys (Golfina) are nesting now, July through February, and Leatherbacks (Laud) nest in the Todos Santos region from October though April. If you want to get involved in helping to save Leatherbacks (an endangered species), visit the local rescue group’s website –  Tortugueros Las Playitas A.C., our non-profit group that hunts for nests and incubates the eggs in a greenhouse before releasing the babies to the sea.

For some great photos of Leatherbacks and hatchlings on the Atlantic side, check out Leatherbacks in Trinidad from the British online paper, Telegraph.

2011 Todos Santos Art Festival Dates Announced

Organizers of the 2011 Todos Santos Art Festival today emailed me the dates for the upcoming festival: February 12 – 19, 2011.

This is much later than usual, but there was a conflict with local elections and since the festival is funded by the government, it must be held on dates that do not conflict with any other government event, including elections.

Be sure to check http://www.todossantos-baja.com for more generalized festival info and schedules when they become available:

Todos Santos Art Festival

St. Joseph Grotto Statue

Here’s a better view of the mock-up of the statue that will be the main feature of the St. Joseph Grotto in Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico. Benito Ortega is the artist creating the sculpture.

St. Joseph Grotto Statue

More St. Joseph Grotto Information

Benito Ortega is the artistic force behind the St. Joseph Grotto sculpture. He is very talented and was featured in the November 2008 issue of El Calendario.

Padre Sergio is the father of our local church, Iglesia del Pilar. He is totally committed to seeing this grotto become a reality.

Jan and Tony Gould are the motivating force behind this project. It would be difficult enough to do this in their own country, in their native language, but they are undaunted by the unique difficulties that Mexico and the Spanish language present.

From Left: Tony and Jan Gould, Padre Sergio, Benito Ortega