My how time flies.  I meant to get back to you with a Friday afternoon update, but I had to run to a meeting.  So, from Cesar at the Ranch: “Oh almost forgot I was reading one of your posts today and we still have live music at Juanitos Cantina on Thursdays night, Friday night we have karaoke, Saturday night we have Live music, and Sunday morning we have live music at the Pavilion.” Also from Cesar: “Haven’t been in touch in a long time I’ve been busy but now I have some time to bother you now. I have some exciting news for you.   Chuy & The Sing out Sisters are going to be appearing every Friday night @ Juanitos Cantina for the month of august. So let everyone know. I hope to see here some time soon.”

And in answer to my question regarding tomorrow’s swap meet: “Yes the swap meet is still going on every Saturday morning from 7am to 10am come down and bring lots of people with you we really need the support.” Tonight at the Jollymon from sistawife:  “Derek is playing at JollyMon, Denny Jim Manning are sitting in and Hal is going to at a touch of nostalgia with his classic standards.  tomorrow night Tavo’s Revolution is at Georges in the Parking Lot.

We’ve been so busy with our “Walk About with Kat” series that I’ve tended to ignore my little baby, Kat’s Korner.  Thank you everyone for your very nice comments about the walk abouts.  Stay tuned as they will get better.  First and foremost, the San Felipe Title Company Book Store is closed until September 2. The Lighthouse Restaurant is closed until September as well as the Sports Bar Fandango.  No more live music at La Vaquita Marina Restaurant until September and I believe the same goes for Juanito’s at the ranch.  Every one is tightening their belts to make it through the summer and for the local fishermen; they’re just hoping for a good shrimp season in a couple of months.  I think it can be safely said we are in the middle of a depression rather than recession. Every business I went into had more staff than customers and in case you were not aware, it’s very expensive to pay all of the benefits and taxes which are required by law when there is no business.  I took the photo below on the way back from Mexicali.    Photo by Kat.

I was speaking with Sergio Leon Cuevas, who incidentally had a baby boy in August and Sergio says he looks just like him, about the new concept for the upcoming shrimp festival November 5, 6, 7 and 8.  He has a very good idea to get the festival back to what it started out to be and that is a festival of shrimp and small dishes that everyone can afford to buy as they stroll the Malécon.  Sit down dinners have become the norm the past few years and many complained they simply wanted to taste it.  So, if Sergio’s new plan flies, the music will be at the south end of the Malécon, next to the Costa Azul.  Traffic will be shut off at the corner of Mar de Cortez Sur but open at the other end for parking.  And by the way, the city is broke and it would be very nice if a few of the local bands offered to play for the city gratis during the festival.

Back to Sergio’s plan.  Everyone pays 5,000 pesos now who wants to participate in the shrimp festival; when festival time approaches, each booth holder will receive 4,000 pesos worth of shrimp to prepare any way you like and you can sell them at the festival.  It will be a people’s choice rather than judge’s decision on the best shrimp dish and real estate booths will be kept at a minimum.  It’s a very good concept as long as all the participants have the 5,000 pesos now and not a lot of us do. In the end, it will only cost 1,000 pesos to enter the festival and you already have your shrimp. This is for individuals as well as restaurants or taco stands.  There will be rules on hygiene for booths and all the shrimp will be the same size. Now all of this is Sergio’s proposal to the powers that be.  It could be rejected or it could be implemented.  We’ll just have to wait and see.  Photo by Kat.

Rumor has it there is no airline coming into San Felipe from Tijuana or any other place, although there is one other Mexican airline that is giving a proposal.  What a shame we have an International Airport and no commercial flights.  How crazy is that.  Friday, July 30 the Singout Sisters with Chuy will be at Juanito’s; Mac and Nan I think at PDO and Agave Blues at Jollymon (I’ll revise it tomorrow). Te quero mucho Miguelito. More as the day progresses.  We’ll be off filming “Walk-Abouts with Kat” this afternoon, but drop us an email if you need to get in touch.  Painting by Ricardo.  Photo by Kat.