Welcome to Kat's Korner El Rincon de la Gata - The San Felipe Scoop

13 August, 2008 - Wednesday. Update: I wrote earlier that Nan and Max will be at the Happy Jackass this Friday, but it's next Friday, the 25th not the day after tomorrow. Evidently Cliff is making some renovations, which means he's better. Good to hear he's recovered. So, mark your calendar for next Friday evening to join Nan and Max at the Happy Jackass beginning at 6:00 p.m. For those of you from out of town, it was formerly named the Los Arcos Restaurant. It seems as though people are starting to book rooms for Labor Day Weekend, which is a welcome treat. Before I forget, I want to post a photo of Walt and Lisa's Sonnenberg's great grandson, Reagan. He's a cutie and Walt sent it to me from Wisconsin while I was in Seattle. His wife, Lisa, is recovering from back surgery, so Walt will have to bake the cookies. They have a place out at El Dorado Ranch and spend part of each winter here. He's a doll (the baby and Walt). A speedy recovery to Lisa and we'll see you when the season starts.

I also heard from Bob Frohm, one of the pioneers of El Dorado Ranch. He had a beautiful house on three lots, I believe. I'm sure it's still there. He's curious to see photos of improvements around the ranch. If you live out there and have a digital, please feel free to snap a few photos and send them to me. I would appreciate it. I know I have a lot of photos to post but after watering around my yard at the crack of dawn and then watering at my lot in Campo Ocotillos, which is about four hours of time with a hose or a bucket in my hand, I am too tired. I took some photos this evening which will appear shortly. I'm going to take a little nap. I hauled the garbage out this morning so I wouldn't miss the pickup tomorrow. Oh, I almost forgot. "Hair by Nancy" will be relocating shortly. Ms. Nancy is "expanding" which speaks highly of her skills as a hair dresser artista. (Rumor has it she's come in to some east coast dinero). Congrats! I'll let you know the exact location, but I heard it might be by the Tat parlor on Mar de Cortez. I'll let you know when I know. A lot of people went to the El Cortez for their Wednesday night filet mignon. My friend Greeneyes is going to fix dinner again and the main course is "filet mignon" ... I was on my way up the hill to get gas and pulled up next to RayRay Lloyd (a former pilot for the Royal Air force), who was pulling into the parking lot and Tony and his cousin Lindsay (from London) were going to go with Tony's neighbors, the Sheltons. Earlier, I re-read this entire page and found a few typos so I'm going to correct those. I just hate that! Victor sent me some beautiful photos and I have some wonderful shots taken by James Hatton, which I will also get posted. Mañana

I got up at 6:00 a.m. and had a cup of coffee and started watering around my yard (with the help of a friend); did a load of laundry; got the garbage outside a day early because I missed it last Thursday; finished working the photos from last night and now it's time to jump in the shower and get to the office. What a gorgeous sunset we had last night and although it was a bit on the warm side in my house, it wasn't that bad. I left the front door open and the fan on and I survived. If it gets too bad, I can always go into Desiree's little house and turn the air on in there. It's only six weeks until the humidity breaks and I'm a tough little cookie. A great turnout last night for the 46th wedding anniversary party for Sherry and Rodger. Next Tuesday is Barbie's birthday, so they'll have another party up there. Friday night, Nan and her husband will be at the Happy Jackass (Los Arcos) singing their hearts out and I understand there is always a good turnout, so I'm going to go there this Friday and take some photos. I'm not joining the circuit cause I can't really sing, but it's fun to watch. More later as I'm late, as usual. I'll get last nights photos on when I get to The Net.

12 August, 2008 - Tuesday. Update 11:58 p.m. Got back from the Lighthouse Restaurant and it was packed; a lot of people singing, including yours truly. I'll write more about it later and put some photos on but first I wanted to share this story of a local man's first trip on a plane. It's very interesting. MrRagtime@aol.com is a field reporter for the hood, so to speak and he sends me updates and reviews of restaurants. At any rate, read on:

"Your blurb on Pat Butler's DC-3 brought back old memories. The old DC-3 was the first plane I flew on. October 1946....American Airlines, New York Laguardia Airport to San Francisco. 22 hours. 13 stops. A southern route - Pittsburgh, Dayton, Wichita, Albuquerque, Los Angeles. They didn't have pressurized cabins so they tried to stay under 6000 feet. 23-passengers. A stewardess who had to be, by law, a Registered Nurse. Food service - on demand - assorted sandwiches wrapped in wax paper, a variety of fruit, a large thermos of coffee (re-filled at most stops). Remember, canned soda didn't come out until the late 50's. A restroom - similar to a Porta-Potti. Heat ? A joke. Parachutes available (but not issued) to each passenger. Wichita and Albuquerque and several other airports were merely a fenced-in portion of a field. Offices were about 12 x 12 ft with an outhouse. Price was $87 one-way. In the 50s, I got my pilot's license and often passed DC-3s in my little Piper Comanche. DC-3 average speed was about 150 mph. My Comanche did about 190 mph. Well over 10,000 were produced. Many are still flying. They have never had a major structural failure. Guess you will suffer tonight - 7:30 - temp is 92 but with 72% humidity, it feels like 113. Tom".

The remark about me suffering is because my air conditioner went out in the middle of the night, but it hasn't been that bad. I spent three summers down here without air and many winters without heat. I turn off my electric water heater for the summer and wash always in cold - except for in the summer because the pipes are too close to the surface and the water is hot. Although I've had many driers, I've never hooked one up. I hang everything on the line to dry and have it ironed or if I'm broke, I iron it myself. I will download the photos I took tonight and in the morning I will do what I do. I sang with Barbie tonight and it was a great crowd. A little humid inside, however. Mas muy pronto! We have a lot of pilots in San Felipe. Kat and Barbie below; photo by John Chow.

I missed the garbage pick up today, again. Can't wait until Jerry gets back in December. He lives in my daughter's little house on the property and takes care of the yard, the dogs and garbage and whatever else needs looking after. The dogs cry when he leaves and they simply walk to the gate with me when I go. I'm going to try walking away from the gate and see if the traitors at least whimper. When Jerry returned to his property in Washington, some one had cut the lock and stole both of his generators, so he has no electric. If I don't pay my bill today, I won't either. It was due August 9. Okay, on to bigger and better things. I posted the information on the DC-3 and you can read it here. It's a very interesting read and I sat in the cockpit, but the photo was ugly, so I didn't post it. (No ego here).

I went swimming in the Sea of Cortez yesterday for the first time in a couple of years. I was at Pop's Camp and the tide was going out and I scraped my foot on a rock. It was nice being in the sea again, but as soon as I got home, I scrubbed with soap and water, as everyone should do after swimming. No further comment on that subject. The news about Zapp and the new Puppy Palace (where the link was not working below) is now working and you can see it below or click here. Also, the photos of the presentation of the new Dodge 4x4 pickup trucks o the City of San Felipe on the Malécon are up and ready for your viewing. You can see them here. Below is a photo of some of our local Rotary members who attended the ceremony and luncheon afterwards, which I didn't go to. Tuesdays and Thursdays you can reach Luis and me at 577-2577 or you can call my cell at 117-9016 or simply send an email. The Net is closed Tuesdays and Thursdays. We are working on the new presentation page for Kat's Pod casts and other goodies. It will be worth the wait or I'll be on the next bus out of Dodge.

Tonight, Tuesday August 12 is the 46th wedding anniversary of Sherry and Rodger Duvall (Barbie's parents) and Sherry, Barbi and Chuey will be doing Karaoke as usual at the Lighthouse Restaurant up on the hill overlooking the old shipyard. It's in the hood, so you know it's cool. At any rate, the restaurant is preparing a special dinner of New York Steak, baked potato and salad for 89 NM (which is about $8.90) and, this will bring out all the Margarita drinkers - all Margaritas are $1.00 all evening. Remember I told you that Rodger was starting a shuttle service for their Tuesday night Karaoke. If you are planning to take advantage of the $1.00 Margaritas, please take advantage of this great service. The fist pickup at the El Dorado Pemex is at 5:30 p.m. and returns at 8:00 p.m. for a drop off and another pickup (for late comers) which will leave the Pemex at about 8:05 and the last bus out of town leaves the restaurant at 10:00 p.m. This is a free service, however, donations are welcome to cover the cost of gas and believe me, it's a lot cheaper than going to jail for driving while drinking and getting your car out of impound. Call Rodger at 686-147-9432 or 576-0047 to get on the list. It should be a fun party and I may even sing (watch out). Happy Anniversary Sherry and Rodger!! On a side note, it's nice to see the local restaurants lowering some of their prices. As I've said many times, it's better to have a lot of people than no one at all and that would be in the "duh" department. Sherry and Rodger pictured below. Photo by Barbie.

AnitaNet, our newest "prodigy" at The Net (actually, she is a volunteer who helps out at The Net and hangs out with us big kids once in a while. She's very talented and smart and almost 16!!) She has designed our new logo which we will unveil this week. I lent AnitaNet one of my digital cameras as she rides her bike around town and she came back with photos of the new location for the San Felipe Title Company Bookstore. It's actually in the same building where UABC was and where I taught for five years. This is what AnitaNet said: "Went for a walk yesterday past the where the bookstore relocated and saw Ed setting the books up. Had a chat...they are going to open on Thursday. They won't have all the books out and everything done yet, but they will be open for business! I got a few pictures :-) inside the new bookstore. It is a lot more spacious and they did a really nice job with the space!! It is also a lot more quiet inside..not as much street noise. It is very nice and I can't wait for Thursday now!!". So, maybe Baja Java will move next door to them in Tia's old spot and it will be like old home week. Here are the photos of a move in progress. Photos by AnitaNet. Ed and Catalina Meders have found a new home and let's home they stay there for a long time as I wouldn't want to pack all those books more than once. Also, Ed and Catalina might want to talk to the powers that be and see if Seguro Social will "share" that huge parking lot that sits empty most of the time across from the store.

Ed Meders, the "brain thrust" behind the San Felipe Title Company (If you ever saw "Brother Where Out Thou" you'd understand the comment)

11 August, 2008 - Monday. My Dreamweaver program is giving me the blues, so I'll have to finish posting the photos later so please check back. In the mean time, don't forget about the Flamenco guitar player performing at Playa de Oro on September 10. It's by reservation only and you can call (686) 230-9933. More later! Also, we are gearing up for Labor Day Weekend and the Rockodile and Beachcomber will have their blowout three days of crazy fun. You can click the logo below for more information.

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