Esta es la primera vez que nosotras en el podcast Gira a la Izquierda en el Cactus, intentamos ofrecer un resumen--en espanol--de nuestras entrevistas con la comunidad de expatriados y snowbirds de San Felipe. Esperamos que lo disfruten y lo encuentren informativo. Nos encantaria saber de ti. Por favor, dejanos un comentario o mandanos un mensaje a cactusleft@gmail.com.

Con carino,

Tus antifriones, Calyn Whedbee, Tricia Sikes, y Linda Wiggins

Notas del Episodio

Este segmento es un resumen de una entrevista con Phil y Susie Woolpert, quienes hablan de su mudanza a San Felipe, México, y su experiencia viviendo allí a tiempo completo. Comparten detalles sobre cómo sus familias comenzaron a visitar la zona, su decisión de mudarse y construir una casa en Cantou Cove, y los desafíos y logros de adaptar su hogar para operar con energía solar. También hablan sobre el comportamiento cultural del área, sus interacciones con la comunidad y su participación en esfuerzos de limpieza de playas y apoyo a escuelas locales. La conversación toca diversos aspectos de su vida en México, incluyendo su amor por la comunidad, su experiencia con mascotas y su visión de la zona en comparación con los Estados Unidos.

In this episode, Tricia and I sat down for a casual visit with Phil and Susie Woolpert, who have chosen to live full-time in San Felipe, Mexico. They discuss their journey to make San Felipe their permanent home, including their previous residency in Campo Ocotillo and their move to Cantu Cove. The conversation touches on aspects of renovating their Cantu Cove home, their experiences with solar power and contractors, and their interactions with local businesses and people. They also share insights into their family'svisits and activities in San Felipe, their engagement with a local school, and their perspectives on cultural differences, including their efforts to address littering and theiraffection for their rescue dog, “Snaggle.” Susie also reveals her secret recipe for “Coconut-it’s not really-Ceviche.

We invite you to sit back and enjoy listening in on a fun and informative conversation!

Cal & Tricia & Wigs

How to Listen and Support
Turn Left at the Cactus is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and most major platforms. Listeners can subscribe, become sponsors, submit guest nominations—and/or send a “propina” via http://www.ko‑fi.com turnleftatthecactus. For updates and behind‑the‑scenescontent, join the Turn Left at the Cactus Podcast Facebook group or email CactusLeft@gmail.com.

With roots in education, music and community service, TLATC ismore than a podcast—it’s a living chronicle of San Felipe’s evolving identity, told by ex-pats and snowbirds who call it home.

Show Notes:

This excerpt features Bill and Donna White, discussing their move to San Felipe, Mexico, seeking simplicity and a relaxed retirement after running a restaurant and gas station in Idaho. They share their passion for animal rescue, detailing their involvement with local dog and cat populations, including fostering, transporting, and collaborating with the San Felipe Dog Rescue. A significant focus is on their work with SNIP (Spay and Neuter Project) clinics, highlighting the efforts to control the stray animal population through affordable procedures, educating the local community, and the challenges they face, including addressing barbaric animal control practices by the municipality.

Bill and Donna White are deeply committed to animal welfare in San Felipe. Their tireless efforts, in collaboration with local organizations and volunteers, are making a tangiblepositive impact on the lives of countless animals and are contributing to a shift in community attitudes towards pet care. Their story exemplifies the power of individuals to make a significant difference in their adopted country.

ABOUT TLATC

Turn Left at the Cactus is a locally operated podcast in San Felipe, Baja, Mexico. Calyn Whedbee is the creator of the podcast and is responsible for production, post-production, and hosting the show. Additional co-hosts include TriciaSikes and Linda Wiggins. Tricia is the author of TLATC thematic music, while Linda assists with research material for the show.

We dropped our first podcast in the summer of 2022. And, honestly, given the demographic we are working with, wehad absolutely no idea whether any of it would fly. To our amusement and surprise, however, our listening base is growing --“poco a poco.”

The primary focus of TLATC is to ascertain what it is that foreign nationals living and working here--full or part time-- find so attractive about the area; why they move here; and whatthey think is deserving of more attention. We hope to capture and store the many stories the expatriate community has about the history and evolution of the area and our impact on it. However, we don't necessarily stick to a script, so our conversations often lead us to some un-chartered territory.

We drop episodes as often as we interview people and can run the material through the post-production process. Our team consists of retirees. And, as anyone who has made a home here knows, life in SF can pull in many different directions.Consequently, we don’t always operate on a strict production schedule. By joining the TLATC group on Facebook you’ll always be the first to get a notification of the latest episode.

We also host three different “segments” in addition toour interviews :

Forks in the Road—A deeper dive into organizations, businesses, events, happenings in and around San Felipe.

Cactus Connection—During the "snowbird season" we come out with a listing of upcoming events

Cactus Calls—Impromptu phone calls to organizers, representatives, and business people in thecommunity hoping to find out more about events.

Please LIKE, REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE. This helps people find us. Or, drop us a “propina” at: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/turnleftatthecactus⁠.

If there is someone special in the community that you feel deserves a shout out on TLATC, please email: cactusleft@gmail.com. Give us their name and why they deserve a shout out.

If you, or your organization have a special event you want mentioned and promoted let us know.

Please follow us on Face Book at: Turn Left at the Cactus Podcast

Thanks for listening!

Cal Whedbee: Producer/Post-Production Editor/Co-Host

Tricia Sikes: Co-Host/MusicProducer

Linda Wiggins: Co-Host/Researcher

*The views expressed by our guests may not always be our own. Nevertheless, we are open to all views, beliefs, and opinions for the simple reason that ALL views are what ultimately make up or community.

In this episode, the team from The Deep Dive Podcast do a review of Turn Left at the Cactus, a podcast launched in the summer of 2022 by Cal Whedbee and Tricia Sykes that explores the community of San Felipe, Baja California. The hosts of Turn Left at the Cactus primarily interview expatriates to understand why they have chosen to live there, but the show also features segments like "Forks in the Road" for in-depth looks at local organizations and "Cactus Connection" for bi-weekly updates on San Felipe events. Created as a passion project by the retired hosts, the podcast aims to inform both current and prospective residents, fostering a sense of community through a Facebook group and encouraging listener engagement. Whileopen to sponsorships from trusted local businesses, the focus remains on authentic storytelling and sharing diverse perspectives within the San Felipe area. Listen in to hear what others are saying about this podcast.

********

If you, or your organization have a special event you want to have mentioned and promoted,please don't hesitate to send us an email at cactusleft@gmail.com. We will make sure it gets a mention.

Please follow us on Face Book at: Turn Left at the Cactus Podcast

Thanks for listening!

Cal Whedbee :Producer/Editor/Co-Host

Tricia Sikes: Co-Host/Music Producer

Linda Wiggins: CoHost/Researcher

Show Notes

In this particular episode, Cal and Wigs interview Scott Parker about the upcoming third annual charity golf tournament benefiting local children's institutions in San Felipe. The conversation highlights the event's details, such as its date (April 9th), cost ($100 per person to participate), the $10K Hole-In-One competition, and the involvement of the San Felipe Brewing Company as the host and a key sponsor. Beyond the golf itself, the discussion emphasizes the community spirit and charitable purpose, also inviting non-golfers to the after-party and raffle at the brewery to support these important local causes. The upcoming event is the third annual charity golf tournament. It is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April the 9th. The cost to participate is $100 per person. The proceeds from the tournament will benefit three local institutions that support children:

•Movimiento Por El Autismo San Felipe:A relatively new program (around 1.5-2 years old) that promotes social inclusion and education for autistic individuals of all ages in San Felipe.

•Hoy Si Comi: A local nonprofit that provides daily lunches to up to 150 low-income students who might otherwise not eat that day.

•CAM School: An educational institution offering special education services to students with disabilities, aiming for their integral development and social inclusion.

The San Felipe Brewing Company is the host and sponsor of the event. The tournament aims for 60 players each year, and it typically sees an 80/20 mix of local and expat golfers, many of whom regularly play on the course.

A significant highlight of the tournament is the $10,000 hole-in-one prize offered on par three hole number five, sponsored by San Felipe Solar and Electric. To be eligible for the prize, men must hit the hole from at least 155 yards, and women from at least 140 yards.

Even if you are not participating as a golfer, the public is welcome to spectate, particularly at hole number five. Additionally, there will be an after-tournament party at the brewery starting around 3:00 PM, which is open to everyone. This party will feature a raffle with a tremendous number of really good prizes, such as a stay at Chenowith Lodge and a tasting at Cheese Caves Negros, and around 30-35 other nice prizes.

The golf tournament itself will have a shotgun start at 10:00 AM and follow a four-person scramble format, with an expected round time of about four hours. At the hole-in-one hole (number five), the brewery will have a booth set up with beer available.

The deadline to signup for the golf tournament is next Friday (as of the recording)-April 4. Those interested in participating can find more information on the flyer at the brewery or can contact Scott Parker by texting or calling (707)548-3032.

Last year, the event successfully raised $5,500 for the charities.

Tired of scanning posters and upteen zillion SF "chatter" pages for SF happenings? Hey, have we got a solution for you!

Slap on those ear buds, turn on that phone--or computer --and subscribe to Turn Left at the Cactus through your favorite podcast host like Apple or Spotify. If that's too complicated, just Google "Turn Left at the Cactus" and select which podcast you want to listen to. It's fast, its easy, and you get to hear local ex-pats wax on about our community and what's happening! It's like going to the local bar without leaving the comfort of your cozy desert-by-the-sea home. What could be better? Well, actually ....going to one of our local area establishments with friends is probably better for your mental health...but, this will do in a pinch. ;-)

Enjoy this episode of Cactus Connection!

PS Do you know of an event or organization that could use a little push....how about sending us a message and letting us know about it? Gracias!!

Cal, Tricia, Wigs

Show Notes:

This audio excerpt from Turn Left at the Cactus/Cactus Call introduces Cari Shaw, who is organizing the dogfood drive called "250 for the 250" to benefit the San Felipe Dog Rescue, coinciding with the SCORE Baja 250 off-road race. Cari, with help from volunteer, Barbara Fenski, and others in the area are seeking donations of 250 bags of dog food to help the overpopulated dog rescue, especially during puppy season and the summer months when donations typically decrease. They have established multiple drop-off locations, including the San Felipe Brewing Company, downtown at Fat Boys, andthe San Felipe Dog Rescue facility itself, and encourage both racers and the general public to contribute, noting that beef, lamb, or salmon-based food is preferred due to border restrictions on chicken. Beyond food, the rescue alsoneeds volunteers, fosters, and help with constructing new facilities as well as bedding, doggie essentials, kiddie pools (for summer heat), and monetary donations.

Drop-off locations for dog food include:

• The SF Brewery
• Fat Boys Pizza
• San Felipe Dog Rescue

Link to SF Dog Rescue:

https://sanfelipedogrescue.org/

KEY POINTS:

• Cari's 2nd-year aiding dog rescues

• Over 110 dogs, half are puppies

• 250 bags of dog food goal

• Volunteer & construction of facility extension needed \

• Ongoing support needed year-round

Apologies for the quality of the phone conversations. We are continuing to work on bringing you a much higher quality audio production from our calls. Eventually we'll get it right.

If you, or your organization would like a mention or a shout out either on Cactus Connections or on a Cactus Call, please email us at: cactusleft@gmail.com or send us a message through our Facebook group page.

We are a free podcast service to the San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico area.

Thanks for listening!

Cal, Tricia, and Wigs

Show Notes:

Turn Left at the Cactus drops a bi-weekly podcast segment called "Cactus Connections" hosted this time around by Cal and Wigs, providing listeners with an overview of upcoming events in the San Felipe area. They encourage community members to share their events by emailing cactusleft@gmail.com or contacting them through Turn Left at the Cactus Facebook group page. In this episode they discuss reminders like a Monday morning walk, the San Felipe Museum's limited hours for the centennial, cornhole events, and fitness classes. Looking ahead, they preview numerous March and April activities, including an International Women's Day tea, an endurance challenge, a steak in the park fundraiser, a beach volleyball tournament, a powerlifting competition, a cancer walk, a pickleball tournament, a trail dog run in Tijuana, and the redneck Riviera concert in Campo Perla. April will also feature the San Felipe 250 off-road race, a charity golf tournament, a casino night fundraiser, a "Meat Bazinga" event, a South Campo poker run, and a nighttime hike in the Valley of the Giants. Interspersed are local insights and upcoming segments promising more event information.