FLAGS, PARADES AND CIVIC ceremonies mark the month of September, "Month of the Nation", when México celebrates its independence. The entire nation is swathed in red, white and green; flags and bunting adorn homes, businesses and fly from cars and buses.

But, beyond the patriotic doings, it is a time to celebrate Mexico and its heritage; And what an amazing heritage it is: In popular culture, culinary traditions and history, there's only one Mexico!

I have always loved the fact that music is a live medium here. Strolling troubadours cruise our beach-front restaurants, ready to provide romance and nostalgia for a few dollars. Every community has its brass band to provide the appropriate importance to its celebrations and observances and to its joy and its grief. And at any gathering of friends and family, someone is likely to produce a guitar to sing and play into the wee hours.

So this month we celebrate "Beautiful, beloved México" through its music and its fabulous food. and we invite you to join the festivities.
- - Warren Sharpe, editor

This Month in Puerto

The early decades of independence were troubled times for the new nation. The war had devastated the economy and political instability made effective government impossible and there were threats from abroad: Spain, refusing to accept the loss of its colony, blockaded the country. France and the U.S. pressured for compensation for losses suffered during the civil upheavals. First, the French seized Veracruz and forced the government to sign a treaty paying indemnification. Then it was the turn of the aggressively expansionist United States. With an ineffectual central government and an army poorly equiped and with unbelievably inept leadership (does the name Antonio López de Santa Anna ring a bell?), Mexico was powerless to prevent the annexation of Texas and then the invasion by U.S. forces led by Gen. Winfield Scott.

But, the defending Mexican forces did not lack courage. In 1847, in the capital, the cadets at the military school at Chapultepec offered their lives in a last ditch defense against the invaders.

On Sept. 13, these martyrs are remembered as the Heroic Children of Chapultepec. A flag-raising ceremony takes place at 7 a.m. and a civic ceremony eulogizing the national heroes begins at 8 a.m. at the City Hall Plaza.

Monday 15
Ceremony of the Cry for Independence
Throughout Mexico, on this night before Independence Day, people gather at the local government building to watch music and dance performances, listen to speeches and the traditional ceremony commemorating the Cry of Dolores, el Grito de Dolores, which launched the struggle for freedom from Spain.

It was Santa Ana who initiated the re-enactment of El Grito as part of Independence celebrations in 1853. But we probably have Don Porfirio Díaz to thank for establishing the event on Sept. 15 -- which happened to be his birthday -- at the glittering ceremony in 1910 marking the centenary of the Independence movement.

According to the historical record, Father Hidalgo called for "Death to the Spaniards! Long Live the Virgin of Guadalupe!" Today, the local head of government invokes the following:

"Mexicans, long live Mexico; Long live Independence; Long live Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla; Long live José María Morelos y Pavon; Long live all the heroes who gave us our country and our freedom. Long live Mexico! Long live Mexico! Long live Mexico!"

After the speeches are over, bells are rung and the fireworks are launched into the skies, it's time to dance into the wee hours. Many of our advertisers will offer special Mexican-themed programs.

Tuesday 16
Independence Day
The 198th anniversary of the birth of the movement for independence from Spain. The day begins with a civic and military parade at about 8:30 a.m., leaving the Benito Juárez sports fields near the market and making its way down Av. Oaxaca to the Town Hall.

There are always other activities to celebrate the national holiday: Rodeos, dances, carnival rides etc.

Friday 19 - Monday 22
Paddle Board Tournament
Sadly, the Central Surf Longboard Contest, a highlight of the summer surf season, won't take place this year, for lack of sponsorship. But, perhaps this, the first such event to take be held in Mexico, will make up for it. Stand-Up-Paddle surfing, an ancient Hawaiian sport, is experiencing a world-wide resurgence. Its advocates say that this combination of surfboarding and paddling provides a great "core" workout. And it's easier on the knees for some of us older guys.

Many of us have watched Angel Salinas practicing this discipline at Zicatela over that past months, and it's Angel who has invited a dozen or so athletes from the mainland U.S., Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Mexico to Puerto for these four days of exhibition and competition. They'll be splitting a $12,500 dollar purse.

It should be fun.

Monday 22
First Day of Autumn
officially begins at 10:44 a.m.

Saturday 27 - Mon 29
Feast of St. Michael
Annual Fair in Puerto's colonia San Miguel, as well as many other communities named for the Archangel. You can enjoy the usual complement of music, parades, fireworks, dancing and rodeos. Details are unavailable at press time.

The 29th is actually a feast day commemorating Archangels Rafael and Gabriel, as well Michael, so expect similar celebrations in communities named for them.

Friday October 3
Festival of Fandango
At the time of the Spanish conquest, the Oaxacan coast had long been under the control of a dynasty based in Tutútepec, the town founded by Mixtec invaders in 357 A.D.

San Pedro Tutútepec or Villa Tutútepec de Melchior Ocampo is famous for its Fandango de Varitas, a kind of chilena music which traditionally features five or six musicians playing guitar, violin, cajón (a percussion instrument fashioned from a wooden box), charrasca and a cántaro (a kind of bass made from a clay pot).

The Fandango is danced at all important fiestas. The first Friday of October is a mayordomía fiesta, dedicated to the Virgin of the Rosary. The mayordomo is the sponsor of the fiesta in which musicians and dancers perform. Villa Tutútepec boasts an interesting museum that documents its rich history. It's a dozen Km off the Coast Highway at about Km 66, just past Santa Rosa de Lima. The festival is often repeated on the following Friday.

Friday 5 - Monday 8
Festival of Our Lady of the Rosary
Seems that Santa María Colotepec has a ton of Annual Fairs. Every date on the liturgical calendar referring to St. Mary is occasion for a full-blown fiesta. Nothing wrong with that, of course.
Santa María Colotepec

Saturday October 11
Miss Puerto Escondido
The pageant to select Señorita Puerto Escondido, 2008, who will preside over the activities during the Fiestas of November, as well as representing the city at civic events throughout the year.

It's open to any woman aged 16 to 25 who has lived on the coast for at least a year. Contest includes swimsuit, regional costume and evening gown segments.
9 p.m. City Hall Plaza

Read this Month's Featured Articles:
Music: The Heart of Mexican Culture
Cooking Green, White & Red