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4 July, 2008 - Friday. Happy 4th of July to everyone. If you click on the podcast link above, Luis has designed a new page and it's up and running. We will be doing remote pod casts and I'm really excited about it. I really want to thank Luis Almodovar, producer extrordanaire and Tony, President of the Instituto de Informatica de San Felipe (IISFAC) for all their help and support. That being said, if you haven't already listened to one, they are readily available.

3 July, 2008 - Thursday. Talk about crazy weather and the "there is no global warming" believers, the last 24 hours should convince anyone with any doubt that we are experiencing it all over the world. Having been raised in Seattle and spending most vacations camping, you absolutely could not plan any picnic or trip without taking into account being rained out. We had the most enormous lightening and thunder storm last night, which lasted until this morning (along with torrents of rain) and then pebble sized hail; a little bit of sun and now, it has stopped raining but it's a bit cloudy, but not cold. The humidity over this past weekend was also very high, which is also odd. I have never taken a trip back up here without it raining every other day, but the weather has been absolutely perfect - until last night. I suppose that's why everyone from California has moved up here. At any rate, it's pretty hot in San Felipe. Jerry tells me it was 105 at the house, although it's cooler at the beach. I'm sure my dogs are digging up a storm. More later.

Mac and Nan are guest hosting karaoke at the Happy Jackass on Friday, July 4. According to Nan: "It will be a party! We are telling everyone to come prepared to sing, drink, dance and be rowdy!!!! It should be a good time based on the last couple of weeks. Francisco is doing an awesome job of taking care of the patrons and the pizza and other menu choices have all been delicious!" So, if you're looking for something to do on Friday night, try the Happy Jackass and watch Nan throw her hips around. I said "hips" not "lips". She performs a great act for one of her songs, which I saw at The Lighthouse Restaurant, which still has their band, although I'm not sure what they are calling themselves these days.La Vaquita will probably have Vatos Locos playing this weekend and of course, as always, the Beachcomber and Rockodile are having their blow out this weekend and you can click to get your VIP pass. Juanito's Cantina at El Dorado Ranch may have something planned, but I'm not sure, except they are having a Volley Ball Tournament on Saturday, July 5 (according to Kaaren). So, regardless of where you live or where you'll be staying, you'll find plenty to do and have a great time basking in the sun and swimming in the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez.

2 July, 2008 - Wednesday. Steven Foreman, head dog man at the San Felipe Animal Rescue, sent an email this morning announcing the following: "Mark Dille has left Java Jitters, and all his customers will be happy to know that he is now cooking and running the Deli at the new Sundance. John and Lynne Hall, proprietors of Sundance, have committed to catering the San Felipe Animal Rescue HOWL-O-WEEN MASQUERADE BALL & DANCE PARTY on Friday, October 31st at the Beachcomber, and Mark will be all dressed up again this year, serving his seasonal delights to help raise money for ZAPP and SFAR". So, mark it on your calendar and take a trip out to Plaza Paraiso and check out their new place.

1 July, 2008 - Tuesday. I'm back (in the saddle, so to speak) but not in San Felipe. However, first things first. It was NOT Arturo of Third Generation who passed away. It was Arturo Castaneda, a local street musician and good friend of Arturo's and Tavo's. Arturo Castaneda's widow has worked at the animal shelter second hand store and groomed dogs for years. She used to groom my big dog, Panda before she died. Our hearts go out to Mrs. Castaneda and services will be held at the Catholic Church in San Felipe tomorrow, Wednesday, at 10:00 a.m., with a small gathering afterwards. I have much more news and photos to post, but I wanted to clarify this rumor as soon as possible. I can't be there to attend the services, obviously, but send my flowers via this photo.

Speaking of new endeavors. Lynne and John Hall, owners of Sundance Deli and Sun Runner Mail Service have moved from Playa de Oro down the street a bit to a strip mall called "Plaza Paraiso". They will have room for more product and the big surprise is they will have a beer garden/sports bar. Good luck to Lynne and Captain John.

Speaking of moving. Amor Properties has moved back to our end of town and by "our" I mean The Net, One of a Kind, Fandango and Juanita at the Washtub in the south end of town. Welcome back Uria! The "cool" people are in the south end of town!

The "party of the year" as I've heard it called, held by Denny and Sandy Flannigan at the Latin Gardens Restaurant, which is now closed for the summer, was a huge success. Kaaren, one of my El Dorado Ranch field reporters and Donna, another, both wrote and said it was a blast. Mixed reviews on the appetizers, but what the hay - it was a party and I understand Amapola (Al's Back Street Bar) and Babs (Sea Ya Sandi) were dancing up a storm and Denny did a bang up job getting the crowd going. More pictures here. Photos by Kaaren.

25 June, 2008 - Wednesday. I apologize for not posting since I left but as luck would have it, and my luck has been right up there on the universal Karma scale, the high speed internet company my sister contracted for uses a similar policy as our own beloved Telnor. Remember, they give you the modem and a program and a "good luck" wave; the only difference is this company mails the modem, etc. At any rate, after many, many days and hours of frustration, it turned out to be a filter on the pole outside. Hmm. I guess I should have climbed up that pole and removed the filter as they charged a month in advance before it was installed. Oh well, just one more of life's little obstacles which really seem trivial in the entire scheme of things. I have a million things to post, so please be patient. I will be caught up by next year, at this same time. Khye "Shrek" Blair at nine months. How cute is he?

One of our newest changes (as soon as I have all the photos uploaded) will be the addition of a gallery of photos by Victor Rodriguez Ratliff on Kat's Gallery. He's an excellent photographer and a great guy. His grandfather was the former President of Mexico and in our Pod Cast archives, you can listen to his interview. When I return, I'll have a new camera with a wide lens, so you'll see some better photos from yours truly, so watch out Victor. In the mean time, here's a photo sent by Victor and if you'll click the photo, you'll see a bigger version.

This week in the Pacific Northwest it has been beautiful, chilly at times but a lot of sun. From what I hear, it's been very warm down San Felipe way. I did say earlier, get ready for a long, hot summer!! Update on my sister Paulla. She is improving in body and spirit; we only need to arrange for a hospital stay in California which will hopefully put her on the liver list or allow a donor or two to give a piece of their liver, which I call "cut and paste". She has good days and bad days, like we all do, and again, the overwhelming response I've received with your prayers, etc. - well, there are no words to express my gratitude.

June 30, 2008 will mark the second "season" of Kat's Korner Pod Casts (the same day as I turn 58 which has no significance at all - at least I don't think it does!!). Luis Almodovar, my extremely talented producer has been working very hard to get the new site up and running and I think you'll be surprised at some of the very cool things we have planned. I also want to thank Tony, who is the big, big boss, for getting us the professional microphone along and other equipment as well as the Instituto de Informatica de San Felipe (of which I am Vice President, so I'm also thanking myself). I will be recording part of the Pod Cast from here, along with my daughter, Desiree' D. Blair. Desiree' will give her input on what it's really like around town on the 4th of July weekend from a "younger" person's view as she used to live with me in San Felipe. This will be our first attempt at a remote recording, but I have all the confidence in the world that Luis can fix whatever I screw up. If you are interested in sponsoring a pod cast, please contact Luis at The Net.

I would like to thank all of Kat's Korner "Field Reporters" for sending me scoop and photos, which I have ready to post, but it's probably old news by now (if you live in San Felipe). On second thought, San Peyton Place news travels fast and furious through emails, etc., however, I normally give the news a different slant. Rather like Fox - unbiased and fair (yeah, right). If they wish to remain unnamed, please let me know asap as I'll be posting that news this afternoon. Abril Flores Montés on the right.

The day before I left, my compadrés at The Net gave me a small pre-birthday party "Mexicana" style. Abril, my "political little sister" and Abril's sister Marie, made and hand painted the traditional candy bags which all guests received; our local "pie lady" made my favorite cake, Pineapple Upside Down and we had a piñata, which I have hanging in my house in San Felipe. I hope the heat hasn't melted all the candy. More photos to follow in Kat's Gallery. Thanks guys!!

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