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.