So perhaps my Western mind has learned (and is still learning) how to think differently, how to consider - and accept - radically alternative ways to respond and communicate and just get through life, one day, one errand, one phone call, at a time. This can be challenging, interesting, frustrating and not always easy – but what’s the alternative? I believe that’s why and what we left behind.

That said, you’ll notice M! has fewer pages this month – we’ve gone down to our “summer size,” more manageable during these slower, more quiet months. You’ll still find lots of interesting, fun articles, from long-time writers and columnists as well as new folks. Our fantastic cover art this month is from Victor Cabanillas, a member of a local graphic design group; El Buscadero discusses the many faces and forms of local panhandlers and new writer Jim Hight takes us on an excursion through some Mazatlán neighborhoods. We’ve got a profile of the Centro arts organization Recrea and the work of Leticia Fuentes and Cecilia Duarte, and NoMa heads north, way out of town, for a look at what’s going on up there. Just in time for the hot weather, Standing Order shares the best non-alcoholic cold drink in town and Risa discusses the astrological climate for the next few weeks.

Aspiring writer? We’d love to have more Mexico travel stories, so if you’ve got plans and feel like writing, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

One more thing: Our prayers and best wishes go to long-time M! writer Betty Schwarz, who’s been dealing with health issues recently. We wish her a speedy recovery in the company of her family and look forward to more of her well-researched, funny and interesting historical stories about Mazatlán in the future.

Enjoy!

Janet