Benefit Concert Update

The fundraising concert in aid of the Fundación Astra last Saturday went really well! We were well supported by the local community with close to 150 people attending on the night.

Thanks to all the volunteers who helped all day, and all our friends and suppliers who made the event run so smoothly.

Thanks to the people on our blog list who donated online. Did anyone have difficulty making a donation? We would love to hear any comments, as the number of individual donors was lower than expected but the amounts were substantial. 

And special thanks to my fellow band members who devoted their vacation and made the event so special. We now know that the band’s name is almost impossible for Mexicans to pronounce! So here’s to Brandon McCheese / Brad McGinnyvinny / Badly McKimbly  !!!

Donations can still be made online: https://fundacionastra.org/

Please contact us if you have any problems.

Freeman's Benefit Concert - NOV 2023

Every few years Paul and I throw our energy into fundraising for worthwhile causes near our home in La Paz Mexico. It is difficult to choose just one as we see so much need in the area. 

Earlier this year we discovered a small non profit medical clinic right in our neighbourhood called Fundación Astra. The clinic provides preventive and curative health services to the most vulnerable populations. Most of the staff are medical professionals who have their own day jobs and volunteer at the clinic in their time off. Doctor’s, Dentists, Nutritionists, Acupuncturist, Psycho Therapists….. These services are free to anyone who comes to the clinic for help.

We are hosting a Benefit Concert on Nov 25th in Mexico. Paul's band The Bradley Mcgillivray Blues band from Vancouver is flying down to play and ALL proceeds will support FundacionAstra. 

We are sorry you can’t be there, but we would like to encourage you to help us help these families. Your donation will really make a difference.

Their website is set up to accept donations in Mexican Pesos via PayPal or using a credit card. Here is the link:

https://fundacionastra.org/donar/

$10 (170 pesos) provides 2 diabetic patients treatment for one month

$50 (850 pesos) provides 10 children multivitamins for one month

$100 (1700 pesos) buys food staples for a family of 4 for one month

$250 (4250 pesos) enables one outreach primary health care campaign

$500 (8500 pesos) facilitates a workshop on Nutrition for 20 women

(Figures shown are in US dollars)

Thanks everyone - Please share this with anyone you think can support our efforts or would like to learn more. 

Please add “Benefit Concert”…. as a comment. 

Leanne & Paul

May 2023

 Flying back to Vancouver tomorrow. Here is our last blog until we come back here in November.

I'm going to miss playing on the Malecon every Saturday

The Scotts visited and we walked (7 mins) up to Casa del Bagre

Iain in his happy place! (IPA in Mexico is pronounced eeepa)

Leanne and Kathy literally flying in Mike's trimaran

A bit slower... kayaking at Playa Balandra

Another happy place for Iain

We stopped at the cactus sanctuary near El Triunfo

and visited the local cemetery (glad it was daytime)

Now on the Pacific coast with Jill and Naveen

We were told these chalk letters have something to do with a census?

It's hard to imagine these soft little 'petals' soon become 2" needles

On the hike from Playa Tecalote to Balandra

Spectacular views!

and amazing agave flowers

We have been twice to Seaside restaurant. The food is pretty good too!

This space will be filled with people in November when the band plays a benefit gig

We are very proud of Nicky!

We cant wait to see these little people again!

March into April 2023

March was super busy for us with Nicky, Phil, Rylie and Oakley visiting, plus their friends April and Tapio spent a couple of days here. Then Jonathan and Lilly joined the fun and Kendrianne arrived last- it was so great to have such a lovely long time with all of them. 

It's hard to choose the best photos, so there are lots! 

'La Vaquita' left the roof of the supermarket to appear in this year's carnaval parade!

Paul plays tennis with Tone (92!) every Saturday at Capi's new court

Attending the La Ventana Beer Festival with Tamara, Fred and Steve

We hosted Karen's House Concert with 55 people attending

Flamenco 'hack' - how to fix a broken thumbnail with superglue and ping pong ball 

On our whale watching trip, Leanne and Karen got soaked

Old school tailor in the centro - sign translates as "tricks and composures"

Lupita finally opens her taco place - we've been 3 times already

Our friend Juan with his friends and matching bandanas

Leanne rocking her authentic mexican poncho

Sound check for Ambulance fundraiser "Jazz in the Desert"

We were invited to attend Karen & Celia's wedding

Paul loves to be woken up with venomous snake videos in the morning

First day popsicles by the pool!

Rylie getting her nails done at Kathy's

Smores by the fire with April & Tapio and kids

Cool bike rentals on the Malecon

Having a laugh with lunch at McFisher's

Sand castle number 1

Rylie did a beautiful sketch of a native 'weed' in our garden

The cousins having breakfast

The cousins in the pool. Oakley chose to have that expression on every pic!

Lovely pic - brunch at Casa del Bagre

Different building technique on sand castle number 2

Girls only happy hour at Bagre

Rylie gets a flute lesson from Karen

Oakley likes Mexico

Lilly likes guacamole!

...and corn tortillas (pizza, as she calls them!)

Lovely roof top photo

Jonathan replicates the Bagre grilled caesar salad. Yum!

Another lovely sunset photo

We managed to squeeze in 9 holes at Paraiso del Mar

Say "Cheeese" in the 'baby pool'

Lilly has applied for citizenship!

Meeting 'Coco' the 47 year old cockatoo

Lilly with a rose from Daddy! 

Here are some short videos: