Just in from Vancouver, Bonnie hit the historic Cine Rios theater in Rosarito on the crest of a scorching heat wave, and promptly appeared on stage in the persona of Liza Minelli in Cabaret, thus setting the tone for a steamy performance.  Preceded by her reputation from last year’s one-woman show, DIVAS, Bonnie was back by popular demand, as evidenced …

Moises Hernandez has been fashioning beautiful baskets on the side of the free road near the Pescador Restaurant since 1978.  He patiently and skillfully cuts the carrizo, which is a tall reed that looks like bamboo.  He peels the strips, then pounds them flat until they are perfect for working.  The next step is to cut the strips into the …

The Readers Digest… Remember that? Not exactly fashionable to admit reading it these days.  A staple of my youth, I sat down monthly to read it as soon as it arrived; I loved that the Table of Contents was right on the cover (I lamented when a format change moved it inside).  I could jump right to my favorite humor …

I am drawn to cars like a moth to a flame.  Often, as I drive on Benito Juarez, I notice an upholstery shop named Tapiceria Abarca, at number 293, where I’ve seen very clean, older, custom cars parked in front.  Naturally, I had to stop, meet the owner.  Jamie Abarca, who has been in the upholstery business for 49 years …

Tales of rediscovered art treasures tend toward Nazi loot stashed in Austrian attics.  Less dramatic sagas can still be compelling.  Consider one concerning radio transcriptions by an artist dubbed `the hillbilly Shakespeare,’ rescued from a small town florist shop in Oklahoma.  At first, the collector who found them couldn’t listen, since radio transcriptions require a special turntable and the one …

One of the most visible vines in southern California and all over Baja is the gorgeous bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis or Bougainvillea brasiliensis).  This flowering beauty is native to South America.  Its name was given in honor of Louis Antoine de Bougainville, a French Naval admiral, who in 1768 began his long journey to the Pacific Ocean and discovered the vine …

A lot of people suggest Susanna’s Restaurant as a special place to go for a great dinner, especially when you want to impress friends or family who are visiting from the States, or for a special occasion like an anniversary, birthday or Valentine’s Day.  But, we like to go when we just want an especially well-prepared dinner and a great …

I’ve never been good at finding my way, so I was happy when Map Quest came along and thrilled with the arrival of the GPS. When we moved to Mexico I bought the right chip for my GPS and hoped for the best.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.  It will get me to the border crossing in Otay.  …

My wife and I have decided to make our move to Rosarito full-time.  After ten years of living here part-time, we feel comfortable in making the total commitment.  But, that involves some major changes. First hurdle, obtain a California driver’s license.  I went online and found and printed some practice tests.  Always one to take short cuts, I figured we’d …