Show Notes:

Join the crew at Turn Left at the Cactus Podcast as they celebrate San Felipe's centennial through a summary of its historical journey and iconic landmarks like the Valley of the Giants. This episode revisits a past episode (a remix of an old Fork--we've come a long way, baby!), delving into the region's cultural and economic significance and the captivating tale of a 20-ton Cardon cactus. Uncover the unique blend of history and resilience that defines our vibrant desert town of San Felipe along the Sea of Cortez. And, the question remains...palm trees or Cardons?

Key Points:

• San Felipe celebrates its centennial history.

• Discover the Valley of the Giants and towering cacti.

• Explore Baja California's cultural and ecological richness.

• Unveil the tale of the World's Fair Cardone cactus.

• Cardone cacti's contribution to desert life.

TO SUPPORT TURN LEFT AT THE CACTUS

Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW us on FaceBook and--especially on your favorite podcast host! And, please share us with your friends. This helps people who want to know more about the area find us.

And, we wouldn't say no to a propina (a tip) at: ⁠⁠⁠http://www.ko-fi.com turnleftatthecactus⁠⁠⁠ ! Muchisimas Gracias!

If you, your organization, or, your business would like to sponsor an episode, please email us at cactusleft@gmail.com.--or--DM us via FB Messenger or What'sAp.

*We choose our sponsors very carefully. If you hear us talking about products or services it's because we have tried the product or service, and, can vouch for it.*

If your organization or business has an event that you’d like us to mention, please email us at cactusleft@gmail.com.--or--DM us via FB Messenger or What'sAp.

Thanks for listening!

Cal & Tricia

Your Co-Hosts,

*The views expressed by our guests may not necessarily be ours. However, we respect the right of others to hold whatever beliefs they my choose to have.*

To learn more about the author, Marnie J Ross and her mystery book series, go to: https://marniejross.wpcomstaging.com

To contact El Dorado Ranch real estate agent, Rachel Fraser, you can find her on Facebook at: Rachel Fraser--at El Dorado Ranch, San Felipe, B.C.

Show Notes:

Summary

This Cactus Call was with Lynn Lazarine, the operator of a non-profit equestrian center located on El Dorado Ranch (but not affiliated with it), in Northern Baja, Mexico outside of San Felipe, Mexico. Lynn discusses a range of upcoming events and programs designed to engage the local expat and Mexican communities, as well as children with disabilities. These initiatives include an endurance race, therapeutic riding programs, connected horse seminars, combined training events, Kentucky Derby party, and much more.

Key Ideas and Upcoming Events:

• Endurance Race: March 9th, with check-in on March 8th. 10-15 expected participants, not including the CAM kids. Includes a 25-mile race, a 10-mile loop, and a supervised 5K race for children with disabilities.
• Connected Horse Seminars: First session: Feb 18, 21, 25, and 28. Second session: March 18, 21, 25, and 28. Each session is from 9AM - 12 PM, and accommodates up to three couples.
• Combined Training Event: April 12th (practice) and 13th (show). A fundraiser with food and a bar.
• Kentucky Derby Party: May 3rd. A potluck with mint juleps and hat decorating.
• CAM Therapeutic Riding Program: Volunteer opportunities on Tuesdays, 9am - 12pm, for the remaining two weeks.
• Equestrian Center Location: On El Dorado Ranch, but not affiliated with or supported by the HOA. It is non profit.
• Contact Information: Lynn can be reached at Lynn@HorsesInBaja.com or via WhatsApp at +52 686 526-2912. Website in horsesinbaja.com
• Volunteers: Potential volunteers are encouraged to contact Lynn.
• Newsletter: Lynn sends a two-page newsletter the first week of every month, which can be accessed by contacting her.

More thoughts:

• Promote Volunteerism: Encourage community members to sign up as volunteers via website, newsletters, and flyers.
• Promote the "Connected Horse" Program: The program addresses a significant need in the community and should be emphasized for both those with and without a formal diagnosis.
• Encourage Community Participation: Encourage the local community to participate in the events, particularly the endurance race, and showcase the local caballeros.

• Emphasize the Non-Profit Status: Clearly communicate that the center is non-profit and not supported by the HOA to allay any concerns.

• 
  

  If you are enjoying our podcasts featuring the many individuals and organizations and businesses that make up the community of San Felipe, Baja, Mexico, please LIKE, REVIEW, and SHARE us with your friends.

  Until next time,

  Don't forget to TURN LEFT AT THE CACTUS!

  Salud

  Cal & Tricia

Show Notes:

Las Amigas Casino Fundraiser

This podcast “phone-out” interview talks about the Las Amigas Casino fundraiser on January 30th, a non-profit organization supporting San Felipe children's education since 1986. The event, held at the Ejido social hall, offers various casino games and prizes, with all proceeds funding educational scholarships. Attendees can purchase chips beforehand at the swap meet (for bonus chips) or at the door. Food and drinks will be available, and the event runs from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM. This interview with spokesperson, Michelle McDonald provides details on location, activities, and how to participate.

Disclaimer: Given that this is a phone conversation—and, that we haven’t worked out all the bugs—we apologize ahead of time for the quality. We aren’t where we want to be on this one—yet!

Thanks for listening! Please remember to support us by subscribing to our podcast through your favorite podcast host! Salud

Cal & Tricia

Key Themes and Information:

• Las Amigas is a non-profit established in 1986 focused on providing educational support to children in San Felipe.
• Their primary mission is to empower children through education.
• They provide financial assistance to students in need, covering costs such as school supplies, bus tickets, and uniforms.
• They also administer a scholarship program for high school students seeking to further their education.
• Quote: "We are all about education... we help the children in San Felipe who need financial support in order to continue in school, whether that be through school supplies, bus tickets or uniforms... and... the scholarships that we award each spring for high school students that are looking to further their education but need financial help to do so."
• Casino Fundraiser Purpose: To raise funds for educational scholarships awarded each spring to local students.
• Date: January 30th, 2025
• Location: Ejido Social Hall (Salon Social) on Highway 5, kilometer 183.
• Directions: Turn at the Orange Pharmacy, then right on the second street. The Ejido building is white with a playground in front. Google Maps is also suggested to find "Salon Social".
• Format: Guests purchase chips to play casino games. The chips act as a donation and entry fee.
• Quote: "Essentially, you can purchase a bag of plain chips... and this is essentially your donation and your entry. So, all of the proceeds from this event go toward the educational scholarships that we award each spring for local students."
• Fundraiser Details:Chip Purchase: Chips can be purchased in advance (pre-sale tickets available at the swap meet on Saturdays) or at the door.
• Pre-sale tickets include a bonus bag of chips worth 100 pesos.
• Chips available in price points: 500 pesos for 500 worth of chips and 350 pesos for 350 worth of chips.
• Activities: Various casino games will be available, including poker, blackjack, roulette, and Texas hold 'em.
• Bingo is available for those who prefer not to gamble.
• Food and Drink: A "no host bar" will offer alcohol, wine, and beer with proceeds benefiting the scholarship fund.
• Food will be provided by Juanitos Lol (the same vendor from the previous year), so attendees will not go hungry.
• Quote: "we have a no host bar... all of the proceeds from that go towards our scholarship fund. We also have food provided by Juanitos, Lol... So, you won't leave on an empty stomach."
• Prizes: Voucher cards will be distributed at the end of the event, which participants will fill in with their chip total.
• Prizes will be awarded to those with the highest totals.
• Prizes include gift sets donated by community members, and there will be a variety of other prizes.
• Time: The event runs from approximately 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm, however late arrivals are welcome to participate.
• Quote: "We usually play until about 5:30 or so, and then we'll start collecting the um the vouchers... You can show up at any time um and grab a bag of chips and play and just jump right in."

Welcome back to Cactus Connections.

Cal and Tricia take a mini break in this episode of Cactus Connections. Sitting in for them are guest hosts, Adam and Ivy.

This podcast episode provides a comprehensive update on events in San Felipe, Baja, Mexico. Specifically, it highlights upcoming activities at El Dorado Ranch, including fitness classes, social events, and educational programs. The episode also features information about community organizations like Club Los Amigos and the Equestrian Center, showcasing their contributions to education and equestrian sports. Furthermore, listeners are informed about various upcoming events in San Felipe, such as food festivals, races, and art fairs, spanning multiple months. Finally, the podcast encourages listeners to visit San Felipe and experience its vibrant culture and activities.

If you're enjoying these podcasts, don't forget to Like and Subscribe! And, tell your friends about us!

Thanks for listening!

Saludos

Cal & Tricia

PS Apologies: Adam and Ivy struggle with Spanish pronunciation...way more than ...even Wigs does! ;-)

Let us know what you think:

cactusleft@gmail.com

Show Notes:

Listen in as Jerry Calley shares how a simple lark trip to San Felipe became a love affair with this vibrant area. Get the scoop on what fuels Rotary's benevolence and Jerry's attraction to this slice of paradise.

Key:

• Jerry Calley--Mr. Rotary
• Rotary's profound impact on San Felipe
• Serendipitous family engagement and attachment to area
• Unique Rotary fundraising events
• Jerry's move from Phoenix
• Baja Mar--Jerry's escape from the summer heat
• Best way to keep in shape

ABOUT OUR PODCAST

Turn Left at the Cactus is a locally operated podcast in San Felipe, Baja, Mexico. This podcast is produced by Calyn Whedbee and co-hosted together with Tricia Sikes. We dropped our first podcast in the summer of 2022. And, honestly, given the demographic we are working with, we had absolutely no idea whether any of it would fly. And, honestly, we still don’t know. To our amusement and surprise, however, ourlistening base is growing --“poco a poco.”

Theprimary focus of Turn Left is discovering what foreign nationals, living and working here--full or part time--find so attractive about the area; why they moved here; and what they think is deserving of more attention. However, we don't always stick to the script, so virtually anything is possible.

We drop episodes as often as we can interview people and get them into postproduction. Given that we are retired, and that this is -- to use the cliché: a labor of love. AND, given that life in SF tends to pull all of us in lots of different directions, we have opted out trying to stick to a specific production schedule. We “drop” when we can. If , however, you join the group on Facebook you’ll always be the first to get a notification of the latest episode.

Thanks for listening. Please support us by leaving a Like on Facebook and a Like and a Review on your favorite podcast host. It helps people find us.

Saludos!

Cal & Tricia

contact us at: cactusleft@gmail.com

*The views and opinions expressed by our guests are not necessarily ours*

Well hold on to your sun screen. The girls are at it again.

Not happy with remaining just a Tri-Pod, i.e. Interviews, Forks in the Road, and Cactus Connection segments--and, eager to include different technology (while also making extra work for themselves)--they've gone and added yet another segment to further confuse you, their listeners.

Introducing San Felipe's first (and, only) Quadra-Pod. ;-)

• Interviews,
• Forks,
• Connections, AND
• Cactus Call-In

But, we digress....

***

In the first of these Cactus Call-Ins, the girls check-in with Cara Kociela to determine whether the Tequila Pigs have become Ducks. Or, ...whether that's even possible?

Join us to find out.

Show Notes:

From charity events to art showcases and off-road races, Tricia & Cal unwrap a few of the upcoming happenings around town. They attempt to discuss:

• No resolutions
• Could we get a heads up? Please!
• Cat ladies and DNA tests
• Busing kids in San Felipe
• Loosing our minds
• McNabes, Border Collies and does anyone but Cal care
• Lessons in searching Chatter
• Meat Bazingas, casinos, and tasting San Felipe
• Tribute to the good guys

And, to give her version of an intro to the podcast is Ms. Cribbage herself, Linda "Wigs" Wiggins. Enjoy!

Salud and Feliz Ano!

Cal & Tricia

**** Correction: Club Las Amigas Casino at the Ejido Social Hall is NOT on January 9. It has been moved to JANUARY 30. Doors open at 2 p.m. Please make this change! And, proceeds are going toward university scholarships for local students. We apologize for any confusion we may have caused. We can only be as accurate as the info we get on Facebook or from posters the day before recording. Sorry folks!

Please don't forget to support us: like, subscribe, review and share our podcasts with your friends. It helps get the word out about our town's podcast.

For information or suggestions for Cactus Connections, Forks in the Road, or our Interviews, please email us at: cactusleft@gmail.com. Or, grab us as we wander around town.

You can also leave us a PROPINA if you are enjoying the podcast at https://www.ko-fi.com/turnleftatthecactus.com We will love you forever. ;-)

Show Notes:

Dive into the heart of Baja where vibrant art meets seaside living! Join us at San Felipe's festive crafts fair as we capture the essence, charm, and voices of its people. From snowbirds to full-timers, get a quick glimpse of life in this coastal haven. Tune in for an episode filled with thoughts about San Felipe from crafts people, artisans, and craft fair-goers.

Key Points:

• Artisans share San Felipe feelings
• Crafting community bonds in Baja
• Snowbirds finding refuge by sea
• Baja fair boosts local creativity

Our thanks to the San Felipe Brewing Company for organizing this annual event and for allowing us to wander around harassing people with our microphones! Thanks also to Linda Wiggins who agreed to be humiliated by dressing up as a seven foot giant cactus (which everyone thought was a pickle). And, very special thanks to the following individuals for agreeing to come out of their witness protection programs long enough to share their feelings about San Felipe.

Cindy Coe

Dave Borges

Jeanie Young Bardakjian

Kathy Thompson

Dawn Molina

Margaret Cefalu

Sharon Walker

Singing Tom Cary

Mark Safara (we think his last name is fake)

Charlotte (lady who hides pesos in jewelry)

Sue & Connie hiding out in Pete's Camp under the guise of creating Christmas gifts.

*If we missed anyone-or got your last names wrong-apologies. We're just not used to working in an environment that doesn't resemble an Isis cell. :-}

Wishing all our listeners and supporters a very Merry Christmas and a positively wonderful Baja New Year! May we have a little rain. ;-)

Salud!

Cal & Tricia

To reach us: cactusleft@gmail.com or messages via FB: Turn Left at the Cactus Podcast.

Please rate, review, and subscribe. It helps people find us.