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Lights, camera, action! The first edition of the Valle de Guadalupe Film Festival is kicking off with a well-deserved tribute to renowned Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Arau. Known for directing hits like A Walk in the Clouds (starring Keanu Reeves), Zapata: The Dream of a Hero, and the iconic Like Water for Chocolate, Arau has made a lasting impact on Mexican cinema. This special homage will take place on Friday, September 20, at 5:30 PM at the Museo de la Vid y el Vino.
Arau also holds the unique distinction of being the first to direct famed American director Woody Allen in the film Picking Up the Pieces. Intrigued?
You can learn more fascinating details like this at the film discussion led by critic Ernesto Diezmartínez, starting at 6:00 PM right after the tribute. Following this, the visual artist Julio Orozco will unveil his exhibition “Halls of the Past, Projections of the Future” at 7:00 PM.
To round off the festival’s opening day, there will be a concert of “Great Works of the Seventh Art” performed by the Wind Quintet of the Baja California Orchestra at 8:30 PM. And if that’s not enough, stick around for the video mapping presentation “Libélula” at 10:00 PM.
Best of all? Admission to all these activities is free! The festivities start on Friday, September 20, at 5:30 PM at the Museo de la Vid y el Vino in Valle de Guadalupe. The museum is located at Carr. Fed. Tecate-Ensenada Km 81.3371 Fracc. Norte, 22750 Francisco Zarco, B.C.
For the full festival program, visit: https://festivaldecinevalleguadalupe.com
BY THE UNKNOWN GRINGO
COMPARISON IS THE THIEF OF JOY
Comparison is the thief of joy. You know who said that? Theodore Roosevelt, the U.S. President from 1901-1909. And I get his point. If I compare myself to another man……. younger, handsome, beautiful house, in better shape, Italian sports car, whiter teeth, doesn’t have hair growing out of his nose or ears like I do…… then I start looking for the mezcal. There is always someone doing better than me.
But over the years I have compared myself to people I know who have a passion for a place that is as strong as mine is for Ensenada. And what it takes for them to get to that place versus what it takes for me to get to Ensenada is interesting.
I met my best-friend-from-college, Dan, when I moved to Oregon. He met Ruth there. They got married and live in a small town off Highway 5 between Portland and Salem. And they are absolutely in love with Newfoundland. This started in 1998 and they fly there two times a year out of Portland to either Minneapolis or Atlanta, then to Toronto, then to St. John’s, Newfoundland. It takes them about 16 hours from their front door to the hotel that they like. 16 hours.
Dan says Toronto is the worst part of the trip. The flight regs for Air Canada say that if there is lightning in the area you have to wait in your parked plane on the tarmac a full hour until after that possibility passes before you can pull up to the jet way and exit the plane. They have sat in their plane for hours before the lightning leaves. And they have sat and watched their connecting flight take off without them. It’s called a ground stop.
Now they have also fallen in love with New Zealand. Wanna guess? Their home to Portland to LAX to Auckland to Christchurch airport is 27 and a half hours. And finally to their B&B destination there’s a 3 and a half hour drive in a rental car. That’s 31 hours from bed to bed. 31.
Let’s compare. I had my best-friend-from-childhood’s daughter come to live with me for two years from her home in Utah while she pursued a career as an actress. Her heaven on earth? Disneyland. As a child her whole family would drive a full day to get to Los Angeles for the beach…..and Disneyland. Just 35 miles from where I live. Kelly bought an annual pass and sometimes went there twice a day…… with a friend and then maybe by herself later on. From my house to the House of the Mouse? An hour maximum if traffic is slow on Highway 5. Maybe an hour.
Now. Me. To Ensenada. On a motorcycle. For years I used to drive my cargo van when I was buying solid wood rancho furniture in Rosarito and Ensenada. A comfortable room on wheels that I could fit anything into. And drive in the middle of the night if I wanted. No more. You’ll read why. Now I leave on the motorcycle before the sun comes up to avoid as much traffic as possible in LA, Orange, and San Diego counties but NOT when it’s real dark because I don’t want to hit a peeled off big-rig tire tread or a handyman’s ladder on the 5. The natural resting position for a motorcycle is laying on its side and not up on two wheels. You defy gravity when you ride one. It’s 213 miles to my hotel down there. I will gas up before I cross the border so I can ride all the way to Ensenada and then all the way home on that full tank of gas. My bike has a large gas tank. Crossing the border going south is fast and then I take the toll road along the coast. I can do this in 3 and a half hours.
Going north is different. No need to get more gas but I have to cross into the United States and that can take more time than crossing the border going south. Now, I am on a motorcycle. I do not have to wait in line at any of the crossings, Tijuana or Tecate. No two to three hour, mind-grinding waits because motorcycles can “bounce” the line by going in between the cars, around the concrete barriers, around the vendors and beggars, and sometimes on the sidewalks. I call it the “culture” of the border. The people in the cars expect it. I have never had anyone yell at me. The vendors expect it too. This dates back to when all motorcycles had air-cooled engines. They had to keep moving to prevent the engine from over-heating and locking up. Nowadays, most bikes have radiators or oil coolers to prevent that. My 1986 bike? Air-cooled. But I have to tell you……bouncing the line going north has always made me feel like a king. Yes, I am exposed to wind, heat, cold, fog, rain, oil and debris on the road, bugs hitting me….. but bouncing that line? Sweet. By the way, motorcyclists have a name for people driving protected in their cars. Cagers.
How long to get home? About the same. I do leave Ensenada just as early as when I leave home and stopping for gas going south chews up a little less time than crossing the border going north, but at the most it should be maybe 15 extra minutes to get home. There will be a little more traffic since I am going through Los Angeles county in full daylight but this is almost always on a Sunday morning. Can’t complain.
But I can compare. I have friends in better shape and worse shape than me. I’m 71 years old now and definitely feel the effects of my age. I can complain but I have three close friends who have passed on. I’m alive and they aren’t.
Should we compare at all? I’ve got an idea. I’ll take you to my four favorite taco places in Ensenada — Los Originales, Tacos Don Zefe, La Avioneta, and Tacos Lily — and you take me to your four. We’ll compare. And if I lose ……well, I will actually be happy to lose, won’t I? Adios, amigos.
Eric Faulken the executive director of the Glen Canyon Institute said, “One or two dry winters can put our water supply in a crisis mode like we experienced in 2022, and that is the real story.” But heavy winter rain and snowfall of 2023 bailed us out of a very dire situation temporarily. However, we watched much of the precious liquid flow right out into the ocean. Never the less it did help wells and reservoirs for a time. As a reminder, Baja’s north coastal region receives 80% of its water requirements from the Colorado River. Baja relies on the water allotments from the US each year. Seven states including California also draw their allotments from these waters. These next two years are critical because the 1922 River Compact Agreement expires, which has protected our rights under the compact. Heated negotiation has been ongoing for a number of years. The question is who gets what amount of the lifesaving liquid under the new compact in 2026? In reality it would take six consecutive wet winters to fill the Lake Powell and Lake Mead reservoirs. At the moment the Bureau of Reclamation (USBR,) lives in hope of good winters, and its forecasted allotments are based on this hope that nature will provide for our over consumption.
Zack Frankly the executive director of the Utah Rivers Council said, “We are playing with loaded dice. The big winter of 2023 created the misconception that Reservoir levels were going to rebound. But America’s two largest reservoirs are only about 37% full. That is like winning the lottery and still being bankrupt. The Bureau of Reclamation reports that six states and Baja will be under Tier One water shortage, which will be the least severe designation. The State of California is exempt. California does not have to comply until the water crisis enters a tier three condition. A number of conservation groups say that the Bureau keeps overestimating its predictions of its future flows. Yet the Bureau reported that Lake Mead has dropped 15 feet as of July 2024. To put it into perspective, the level of Lake Mead as of this writing, is just 8 feet above the severe drought levels in July 2022. Hope might not be the best way to prepare for the future.
The Colorado runs through a vast desert on its way to the Gulf of California, however 75 miles of the once mighty river no longer makes it into Baja California. When the River Compact was created in 1922, evaporation loss was not factored. Lake Mead was full and population was very small. It is certainly a major factor today because of the exploding population in the west. The Bureau now estimates a whopping 10% lost. The allotments must be corrected for the new compact in 2026. These negotiations which will affect 40 million people, agriculture, and Baja California. The USBR said the lower Basin States plus Baja had finally agreed, but now with this new report of a substantial evaporation loss before allotments, it is back to the negotiations. Upper basin states can draw right from the river, so the fight is that the losses fall to the lower basin states. The lower Basin believes everyone should share equally.
The US federal government wants the states to agree on one proposal, rather than two, before it installs any new Colorado River water rules. States say they’re working towards consensus, but signs of progress have been few and far between. While the next set of rules won’t go into effect until 2026, the federal government wants to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. The Biden Administration is asking states to agree on one proposal before the end of 2024. Jim Lochhead, one of Colorado’s top water negotiators said, “I think the fundamental lesson is that we’re much better off controlling our own destiny than putting our future in the hands of nine justices on the United States Supreme Court who don’t understand Western water law, and who don’t understand life in the West,”
What might not be known by US tax payers is that the states of Arizona, California, Nevada and Baja have been paid to reduce their water usage. The federal government set aside $4 Billion for Colorado River work, and a portion of that has been directed specifically at programs that help farmers to reduce their water use. The agreement, calls for the federal government to pay about $1.2 billion to irrigation districts, cities and Native American tribes in the three states, if they temporarily use less water. Since 2021 Mexico has been paid $65 million dollars in compensation.
Water is a “Hot Commodity.” The Colorado River is one of the most valuable resources in the United States. Wall Street sees dollar signs in a future drought crisis, as there are ways ready to make money from the misfortune of others. Water wasn’t always thought of as a commodity that could be bought and sold. Water was at one time considered a human right. The 1992 Dublin Principles declared water an “economic good” for the first time and stated that trading water as a commodity is the most efficient means of managing scarce water resources. However, this directly threatens the fundamental notion that water is a human right, “to be available to all people regardless of their income or economic ability.”
There are literally billions of dollars at stake and Wall Street sees what was actually seen 20 years ago, that water would become the new oil in the 21st century. They are the largest land owner in the Grand Valley, Colorado which gives them river water rights. If Wall Street is betting that there will be another drought on its way, and is backing their speculation with millions of dollars, it may be wise to stay informed.
References:
~ Gringo Gazette:, Water Watch Series begins: ggnorth.com/2021/08/august-16-2021-edition
~ Binational Waters
~ Flow: For the Love of Water- Can you imagine the power of a Water Cartel? Melissa Sevigny, July, 2024
~ KUNC, Western Water News, Here’s what you need to know, Alex Hager, May 9, 2024
~ The New York Times: Colorado River States Are, Christopher Flavelle, January, 2024
~ Mojo Adventures Youtube channel
Editor’s Note: Martina has researched and authored 13 Water Watch articles since 2021. She is a columnist for Baja Bound as the Baja StoryTeller and is the author of Dust in My Sandals, Tales from a Baja Traveler in which she shares decades of her travels up and down the peninsula. See our ad and order today for a gift that keeps on giving.
Ladies of Baja, it’s time to dust off your best yoga pants and get ready for a day that’s all about you—no kids, no partners, no to-do lists. Just you, a bunch of like-minded women, and an agenda that’s all about recharging those life batteries.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 21st, because from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, the Second Baja Women’s Conference is taking over CEART in Rosarito. Think of it as a spa day for the soul, but with more chakras, a splash of creativity, and a side of salsa—yes, dancing, not the dip.
This isn’t your average conference where you nod off after too much coffee. No, this is a day designed to make you feel like the rockstar you are. Whether you’re looking to rediscover your creative side, sort out your chakras, or just want to have a comfortable chat about sex (because, why not?), there’s something here for everyone.
Sessions will be offered in English, Spanish, and even a bit of Spanglish because we know you’ve got that bilingual game down. Here’s just a taste of what’s on the menu:
Bilingual Sessions: Start your day with Gloria Snyder’s “Women’s Circle,” where you’ll find and strengthen your voice in life, speech, and even song with Carol Clary’s “Find and Strengthen Your Voice in Life, Speech, and Song.” If you’re in need of some serious zen, don’t miss Rose Lee’s “Chakras, Reiki, Singing Bowls.”
English Sessions: Things get spicy with Sherri Jaye’s “A Comfortable Chat on Sex,” where nothing’s off-limits. On the more holistic side, Winifred Morice will dive into “Nutrition: Wellness is an Inside Job,” while Sue McDevitt explores the “Role of Creativity in Self Care.”
For those of you who’ve been carrying the weight of the world, Alice Vernoux’s “Female Myth of Servitude: Reframing the Caretaker Role” is a must-attend. Heal through art with Shauna Robeson’s “Healing Art Therapy,” and learn how to stock a pantry that would make any nutritionist proud with Karen Schuppert’s “Building a Healthy Pantry.”
If you’ve got some thoughts about your end-of-life plans but haven’t quite put them on paper, Marti and Karri Benjamin will guide you through “Making Your End-of-Life Wishes Known.” Stress got you down? Maria Denzin will help you balance it all out in “Stress and Creating Balance.” Suzanne Mulroy takes a deep dive into what it means to be truly healthy in “Rethinking Dis-ease and What it Means to Be Healthy.” Marti Benjamin returns with “Flourish: The Science of Well-being,” and if you’ve got some old wounds that need tending, Elizabeth Bello’s “Transforming Trauma to Passion” will show you how to turn that pain into power.
And let’s not forget the often-ignored but totally important topic of menopause and andropause—Dr. Gloria Godinez has you covered in “Menopause and Andropause.”
Spanish Sessions: For our Spanish-speaking sisters, Dra. Gloria Godinez will also be discussing “Entendiendo la Menopausia y la Andropausia,” while Dra. Neblina Ninel Vega Salazar will explore “La Otra Cara de la Depresión.” If you’ve been carrying childhood baggage, Lic. Claudia Araujo’s “Sanando a Tu Niña Interior” is where you need to be. Creativity doesn’t just have to be in English—Sue McDevitt’s “El Papel de la Creatividad en el Autocuidado” will be offered en español as well.
Gloria Snyder returns with “El Poder de tu Palabra,” a session that will have you owning your voice in no time. And for those looking to reclaim their power, Dra. Elvia Moreno Berry’s “Mujeres y Empoderamiento” and Nina Raffaele Aponte’s “Empoderamiento de la Nutrición Holística” will be essential stops on your conference journey.
But wait, there’s more! The day wraps up with a salsa dancing lesson from the fabulous Gabriela López Arnaut. So, not only will you leave with a recharged mind and spirit, but you’ll also have some new moves to show off at your next fiesta.
Why Should You Care?
Let’s be real. Life gets hectic. Between work, family, and the occasional meltdown over where to put the avocado toast on the food pyramid, we all need a day to step back and focus on number one: YOU. The Baja Women’s Conference is your golden ticket to do just that. You’ll leave feeling refreshed, motivated, and maybe even a little bit wiser—or at least with a better pantry.
And hey, it’s not just about the sessions. It’s about connecting with other women who get it, who’ve been there, done that, and might even have the T-shirt. This is your tribe, and they’re waiting to meet you.
Tickets are going fast (because who wouldn’t want in on this?), so grab yours online for $65.00. If you’re more of a last-minute planner, they’re $75.00 at the door. Head over to Baja Women’s Conference Website for all the details, session info, and to snag your ticket before they’re gone.
And let’s not forget to give a shoutout to the conference’s advertising sponsor, The Shack Sports Bar and Grill, because nothing says “women’s empowerment” like knowing where to grab a cold one after a day of self-care.
So, whether you’re looking to strengthen your voice, balance your chakras, or just have a good laugh while learning a thing or two, the Second Baja Women’s Conference is where you need to be. This isn’t just an event—it’s an investment in yourself. And let’s face it, you’re worth it.
Don’t miss out on this chance to recharge, refocus, and maybe even learn how to dance like nobody’s watching (but if they are, you’ll be ready). See you there, chicas!
It’s that time of year again—when the air is filled with the smell of tacos, the crackle of fireworks, and the undeniable urge to shout “¡Viva México!” at the top of your lungs. Yes, we’re talking about Mexico’s Independence Day! And this isn’t just your regular run-of-the-mill, let’s-light-a-sparkler type of celebration. No, folks, this is big. Bigger than your neighbor’s oversized sombrero, and possibly louder too (Los Ángeles Azules, anyone?).
So, What’s the Big Deal About September 16th?
Let’s clear this up. September 16th marks Mexico’s official Independence Day. If you thought Cinco de Mayo was the big one, well, you’ve probably spent too much time at tourist bars. Independence Day is when Mexico celebrates breaking free from Spanish rule—think of it as the country’s 4th of July but with way more spice. This year’s festivities are packing a punch across Baja, and you’re definitely going to want to be part of it. And lucky for you, there’s no shortage of events to choose from.
The Grito: Not Just Yelling—It’s Patriotic
First things first: the “Grito de Independencia.” If you’re new to the scene, here’s the deal. It all goes down the night of September 15th when local officials (in outfits that put Uncle Sam to shame) step out onto balconies and reenact the legendary call to arms, originally screamed by priest Miguel Hidalgo in 1810. Thousands gather in town squares, and once the cry is done, the party kicks off. Think of it like when the ball drops on New Year’s Eve, but instead of confetti, there are churros.
Baja’s Events—Where to Be and Why
Tijuana: Tijuana is pulling out all the stops this year with Sonora Dinamita leading the celebrations. The event kicks off at 6:00 PM at the Glorieta del Monumento a Miguel Hidalgo, and let’s just say, if you’re not dancing, you’re doing it wrong. With music that’ll have everyone moving, and fireworks lighting up the sky, it’s a fiesta you won’t want to miss.
Rosarito: For those in Rosarito, the Palacio Municipal will host a lively verbena popular starting at 6:00 PM. Expect delicious Mexican street food, traditional crafts, and artisanal goods. Live music will start at 7:00 PM, keeping the energy high until the Grito at 10:00 PM, delivered by the mayor herself. The festivities continue with music until midnight, ensuring a night filled with joy and community spirit.
Ensenada: If you’re in Ensenada, get ready for a traditional Mexican fiesta at the Explanada del DIF Municipal. There’s no big-name performance this year, but the night will be filled with the authentic spirit of Mexico: live music, dance performances, and, of course, delicious street food at 6:00 pm. So, while you may not have Sonora Dinamita to groove to, the atmosphere will more than make up for it with a strong focus on cultural pride and community spirit.
Mexicali: Over in Mexicali, the party’s getting kicked up a notch with Los Ángeles Azules taking over at 11:00 PM. The Grito will be followed by a massive fireworks show, tons of food stands (you’ll want to visit at least twice), and a crowd that’s as lively as the tacos are spicy. If you’re up for a dance marathon under the Baja sky, Mexicali is the place to be.
Now, before you head out to any of these events, here are a few tips to make sure you’re fiesta-ready:
– Wear something green, white, or red. Yes, you’ll feel like you’re auditioning for a Mexican flag-themed pageant, but it’s all in good fun.
– Get your grito voice ready. Whether you’re shouting “¡Viva México!” or something that sort of sounds like it, volume matters. So don’t hold back.
– Pace your taco intake or pozole, tamales chile en nogada, tinga (Almost all mexican plates you can imagine together) . We get it. The sight of freshly made tacos al pastor can make anyone weak at the knees. But if you’re planning to make it through the night, a slow and steady approach will serve you well. Trust us, you don’t want to tap out before the fireworks.
You might be wondering, “Why should I get involved?” Well, aside from the fact that it’s a blast, celebrating Mexico’s Independence Day is a way to connect with the local community. Whether you’ve lived in Baja for years or just touched down last week, this is a moment where everyone comes together, united by good food, great music, and, of course, the love of tequila.
Besides, who doesn’t love a good excuse to party? You can always tell your friends back home that you’re “immersing yourself in the local culture.” You might even learn a thing or two about Mexican history between cumbia beats. But mostly, you’ll leave with a full stomach, new friends, and a head full of fireworks.
So put on your best sombrero, grab your friends, and get ready for a night filled with fireworks, fun, and lots of gritos. ¡Viva México, indeed!
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Baja California’s Civil Protection authorities have issued a heat advisory for the upcoming weekend, warning of significantly higher temperatures across the region. Residents are being urged to take precautions and stay safe as the heatwave rolls in.
According to the forecast, Mexicali is set to hit a scorching 47°C, while Tijuana may reach 41°C. Other areas like Tecate, Playas de Rosarito, Ensenada, San Quintín, and San Felipe are also expected to see high temperatures, ranging from 32°C to 40°C.
Officials are advising residents to limit outdoor activities, stay hydrated, and seek cool, shaded places whenever possible. For those who must be outdoors, it’s crucial to take extra precautions like wearing lightweight clothing and carrying water.
In case of an emergency, residents should call 911 or contact local authorities.
Stay safe, Baja California! This weekend’s heat is no joke, and it’s best to be prepared.
The Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC), through its School of Enology and Gastronomy, has officially announced the 2024 edition of the Mexico International Wine Competition (MIWC). The event will take place on October 29 and 30, 2024, at the Department of Informatics and Libraries on the UABC Ensenada campus.
The MIWC is set to bring together top-tier wines from around the world, where they will be evaluated by a specialized jury. The competition aims to recognize excellence in winemaking according to international oenological standards, in a setting that promotes transparency, academia, and institutional integrity.
Alejandro Jiménez Hernández, the director of the School of Enology and Gastronomy, highlighted the event’s long-standing history. Initially organized by Baja California’s winemaking sector, the competition has been under UABC’s management for 17 years. The MIWC holds the distinction of being the first international wine competition in Mexico backed by an educational institution and meets the standards of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). Faculty and students from various university programs actively participate in the event, reflecting its academic roots.
Jiménez Hernández emphasized the expertise of the judges, who come with extensive national and international experience in the wine industry. This guarantees that the evaluation process will be both serious and objective.
UABC has also pioneered the use of a computerized wine evaluation system, developed in-house. This system ensures the results are processed and announced quickly, demonstrating the university’s commitment to transparency.
Griselda López González, the competition’s technical coordinator, provided details about the registration process, which is open to all winemaking companies interested in participating. Entries must meet specific technical requirements, such as chemical analysis, and wines will be judged in categories like white, red, rosé, sparkling, and sweet wines. López González also mentioned that the registration deadline is September 27, 2024, with entry fees varying depending on the number of samples submitted by each winery.
Winning labels in each category can earn distinctions such as Grand Gold, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and the prestigious Mexico Medal, awarded to the highest-scoring wine in its category. The total number of medals awarded cannot exceed 30% of the total entries, ensuring a selective recognition process. López González added that labels previously awarded in past editions—those with the same name, varietal, or vintage—are excluded from competing again.
UABC encourages regional, national, and international winemaking companies to take part in the MIWC. The competition not only recognizes excellence in wine production but also fosters collaboration and exchange within the industry.
For more information on registration and the competition’s guidelines, visit the official Mexico International Wine Competition website: https://concursodelvino.ens.uabc.mx.
