Hemp Bill Passes in House: The Green Benefits of Hemp

A farm bill passed by the House of Representatives includes an amendment to grow hemp for academic or agricultural research purposes in states where industrial hemp farming is already legal. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), instrumental in getting the hemp bill provision included on the Senate Farm Bill said, "We are laying the groundwork for a new commodity market for Kentucky farmers." Kentucky is one of the 10 states that can now benefit from the passing of the hemp amendment.

DR_NK...I'd like to vowel a buy Pat!

Pat Sajak was drunk on occasion in the early years of The Wheel of Fortune which puts him on par with most of his viewing audience. Somehow this has been making the news cycle. I wouldn't expect anything less than drunkenness from a television game show host. Not that I have anything against Pat or his letter-turning drinking partner Vanna White. Isn't being drunk a requisite in life?

Hipster Reindeer of New York

(Or How New York Invented Christmas)

New York lays claim to most everything and Christmas is no exception. From Santa Claus himself to eight tiny reindeer you wouldn't be noggin' if not for New York.

Christmas is so hip that St. Nick himself is from Chelsea. Clement Clarke Moore's Manhattan spread was named Chelsea and he developed the neighborhood that later became the hipster haven Chelsea. Where else would you expect to find characters named Dasher, Prancer, Donner, Blitzen, Comet and Cupid?

Angel Dust Christmas Song

Feliz Navidad!

Radiohead to open for Carlos Santana in Autlan to Benefit Tenacatita

Tenacatita Beach February 30, 2009

Hot on the heels of Radiohead's double-secret surprise concert for 80 000 people at #OccupyWallStreet on September 30, 2011 unidentified spokesmen have revealed that Radiohead will play a triple-secret concert in Autlan, Mexico on November 31, 2011.

Wax On Wax Off: New Enviro Surf Wax

As a surfer, it is your responsibility to be aware of your impact on the environment. It is every surfer’s obligation to protect and care for the place that gives us so much enjoyment. After all, without a healthy ocean ecosystem, surfing would be nonexistent. Everything from driving in search of waves, wetsuit production (and disposal), surfboard foam and resins, and even wax, have an impact. Surf wax is the only product in surfing which is truly disposable, yet is required by every surfer, for every session. The goal of wax is to displace water, while remaining sticky, and petroleum-based products are extremely effective at accomplishing those goals.

Estoy Pacheco European Tour: In Search of a Buzz

Eight percent of liquid bliss!

Estoy Pacheco's summer tour 2011 has us on the road in Europe. Last year we were stuck on a farm in Canada - pinche gringos!

First stop in Europe - Rome. While we couldn't find any herb we found Cannabis Beer. I was already drunk by the time I started chugging it down - at the Cantina Mexicana along the banks of the Tiber believe it or not - so I can't say with any certainty if it tasted like sativa or indica. I was just grateful that it didn't taste like skunk.

Eco Art by Christopher Rodrigues @ NYC's RARE Gallery

New York City's RARE Gallery is pleased to announce ". . . all of you on the good Earth," an exhibition of Planets, a series of otherworldly photo-collaged digital images by British/Canadian artist Christopher Rodrigues. The show, which runs from June 30 to August 12, marks Rodrigues' solo debut at RARE.

Michelada Michigana - Mexico's Hangover Cure Adapted for Middle America

When the New York Times starts writing about micheladas you know that one of Mexico's favorite breakfast drinks is catching on North of the Border... or at least in the East Village. What's that you say? We're not supposed to be drinking micheladas for breakfast. How else are you going to get rid of your hangover?

It's the End of the World as We Know It!

It's the end of the world as we know it so I'll get high!

Since the world is coming to and end on Saturday May 21, 2011 this is going to be the last article from the fertile mind of Estoy Pacheco. I'm going to be getting incredibly stoned over the next two days!

Super Mario: Super High

I came across an old Nintendo system before the holidays and spent far too much time reacquainting myself with Mario, Luigi, and callouses on my thumbs. Super Mario is back!

Bigger than ever, Mario returns in this short clip making the rounds at SXSW. High on 'shrooms, the Mustachioed One is dangerously on the hunt for his ex-girlfriend.

St Patrick's Day - Running of the Bulls Mexican Style

This is why your mother told you not to play with matches!

The little town of San Patricio, Jalisco, Mexico celebrates its patron saint (St. Patrick) with a week long celebration culminating nightly with a fireworks display in the town square.

They go crazy!

Dharma Bums of Barra de Navidad: Volume One

The Dharma Bums of Barra de Navidad and their friends wax poetic on the beauty of the Costalegre, Mexico and the characters that populate a tiny seaside drinking village with a fishing problem.

Was it really a year ago that a disparate group of individuals found each other and a shared passion for art, literature, and poetry in Barra? It was and now the fruits of that experience can be shared with the first volume of The Bar None Anthology. Now available online. (Advance copies have been circulating around Barra de Navidad for the past few weeks.)

Read what this collective has to say about each other, their shared experiences and their love for their adopted community by the Pacific Ocean. Whether it is the ABCs of Barra, the often cumbersome hangover or a walk in the rain, this time capsule captures the spirit and love from the fertile minds of Chuck, Russell, Chynna, Billy, Brenda, Sue, Jordan, Zanne, Mark, Sharon and the Newlyweds. Their vision is captured through the stroke of a pen or through the stroke of a brush. It was a stroke of good fortune that brought them all together for one magical winter.

As it reads at the top of this page, the Costalegre is home to many talented individuals. The idea for this anthology took root in the prescient words of Russell who said, "that art which is not shared withers away and dies." The Bar None Anthology is intended to be shared among friends and family. Art will not wither away and die on our watch.

T’was Before That Night In Spanglish

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the casa,
Not a creature was stirring - ¡Caramba! ¿Qué pasa?
Los niños were tucked away in their camas,
Some in long underwear, some in pijamas,

Clap Your Hands for Reverend Peyton

Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band is on the road in support of it's latest disc The Wages. The ironically named Big Damn Band consists of only three members - The Reverend on guitar, his wife Breezy on the washboard and drummer Aaron 'Cuz' Persinger.

Maple Syrup - The Sappiest Canadian songs EVER!

There's nothing like a weekend in Niagara Falls. The Honeymoon City, the Capital of Kitsch, snow globe souvenirs and a ride on the Maid of the Mist. The musical lineup in the coming months include Styx, Foreigner and Tony Orlando. Surely, this is where the 70s go to die.

All this musical reminiscing got me to thinking, "What are the sappiest Canadian songs ever written and foisted upon an unsuspecting public?" Or in other words how can I drive my friends crazy after a night of herbs and tequila. How do I get a houseful of reprobates to shout in unison; "Turn that @#$% off!"

The Blessing of the Waves in Surf City USA

ORANGE, CA – Southern California is home to many world-class surf breaks and the majority of these are in Orange County. Many people spend much of their time surfing and enjoying the natural beauty of the coast line and recognize the spiritual importance of this natural asset. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange will, in solidarity with other faith traditions, host the third annual Blessing of the Waves at the iconic Huntington Beach Pier (400 Pacific Coast Highway) October 3, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

The goal of the event is to bring together surfers and ocean-minded people, regardless of their faith tradition, to show spiritual appreciation for the ocean and all that it gives the planet and its population. This gathering demonstrates concern for a cherished environment already compromised by the effects of climate change, toxic emissions, and other pollution.

I Wanna Be Like Mommy!

Mrs. Pacheco (who does not exist) was really irked after seeing this artwork from little Estar (who doesn't exist either) who handed it in as a kindergarten assignment. Pinned to Estar's shirt the following morning was this note to the teacher:

Joey's Journey: Medical Marijuana Saves Child's Life

Knocking on death's door, 10 year old Joey Perez was slowly dying. The potpourri of prescription medications he’d consumed since the age of five were damaging his body beyond repair. The side effects were literally killing him. Doctors had no answers, or any safe alternatives. Their only suggestion was the combination of a few more meds, and to experiment with what happened next.

Broken Social Scene and the G20 Police State

Toronto's Broken Social Scene are promoting this mash up video of the recent police state activities (otherwise known as the G20 meetings )in their hometown. Sent in by an anonymous fan the video is set to Meet Me In The Basement. BSS's YouTube statement reads in part, "The rest speaks for itself."

The Arts and Crafts group fresh off a gig at Chicago's Pitchfork Music Festival also asks that you, "please share this video."