Turn Left at the Cactus

Calyn Whedbee
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Monthly

Turn Left at the Cactus (TLATC) is a podcast about the people, places, businesses, characters, and stories that make San Felipe, Baja California, unique. We talk with locals, expats, snowbirds, and visitors about why they came, why they stay, and what you should know about life here. Discover hidden gems, Baja adventures, local tips, useful info—and plenty that's completely useless but fun. Grab a cerveza and join us!

  1. 2d ago

    Detrás del Rosa: 20 Años de Esperanza

    Season 5 Episodio 128 En este episodio de Turn Left at the Cactus, nos reunimos con Donna, sobreviviente de cáncer y colaboradora del centro; Shannon, organizadora del evento y defensora de la comunidad; y Elizabeth, enfermera profesional del Centro Oncológico de San Felipe. Lo que comenzó hace 20 años como un pequeño proyecto de recaudación de fondos se ha convertido en un centro integral de detección, diagnóstico, apoyo y cuidados paliativos que atiende tanto a la comunidad mexicana como a los residentes extranjeros de San Felipe. Hablamos sobre la importancia de la detección temprana, los servicios gratuitos y de bajo costo que ofrece el centro y las experiencias de quienes han enfrentado el cáncer personalmente. Donna comparte su propia historia de cáncer de mama y explica por qué los estudios preventivos son tan importantes, incluso cuando no existen síntomas. También conocemos más sobre la Cena Rosa 2026, el principal evento anual de recaudación de fondos del centro, y sobre otras formas en que nuestra comunidad puede ayudar. En este episodio 00:00 – Introducción y misión La importancia de la detección temprana y el papel del Centro Oncológico en nuestra comunidad. 02:15 – 20 años de evolución Cómo tres sobrevivientes de cáncer de mama y una enfermera de salud pública ayudaron a crear la infraestructura oncológica de San Felipe. 08:30 – Detección y diagnóstico Servicios gratuitos y subsidiados para mujeres, hombres y niños. 18:10 – La historia de Donna Una experiencia personal con cáncer de mama y el mensaje de que los estudios preventivos pueden salvar vidas. 25:40 – Apoyo al paciente y cuidados paliativos Visitas a domicilio, atención paliativa, apoyo para transporte a Mexicali y préstamo de equipos médicos. 34:00 – Cena Rosa 2026 Información sobre el evento, desfile de sobrevivientes, menú, boletos y transporte compartido. 45:00 – Cómo puede ayudar la comunidad El centro necesita voluntarios, suministros médicos y profesionales de salud mental que hablen inglés. 56:00 – Caminata contra el cáncer y Casa Abierta La Caminata anual, los colores de las camisetas y una visita al nuevo equipo de mamografía 3D. Cena Rosa 2026 Los boletos están disponibles en San Felipe Brewing Company, en el Centro Oncológico y a través de miembros del Rotary Club. Las donaciones también pueden hacerse mediante Zelle a través de representantes del Rotary Club, San Felipe Brewing Company o contactando directamente al centro por Facebook. Apoya a Turn Left at the Cactus: Dale “Me gusta”, suscríbete y acompáñanos en más historias de nuestra comunidad. Contacto: cactusleft@gmail.com Apoyo al podcast: ko-fi.com/turnleftofthecactus Cena Rosa: Donde: Hamacas Hotel San Felipe BeachCuando: Miercoles, 28 de octubreHora: 6 p.m.Cuanto cuesta: 600p

  2. 2d ago

    Behind the Pink: 20 Years of Hope

    Show Notes: S5 EP 127: San Felipe Cancer Center & Pink Dinner 2026Guests: Donna (Cancer Survivor & Center Supporter), Shannon (EventOrganizer & Advocate), and Elizabeth (Licensed Center Nurse)  Episode Overview & SummaryIn this episode of *Turn Left at the Cactus*, the hosts sit down with Donna,Shannon, and Elizabeth from the San Felipe Oncology Detection and Support Center (Centro Oncológico de San Felipe*) to discuss the critical role community healthcare plays in Baja California. What began twenty years ago as a grassroots fundraising project has grown into a comprehensive detection,screening, and hospice center serving local Mexican residents and the expatriate community alike.The episode covers the history and growth of the center, details the wide array of free and low-cost diagnostic services offered for women, men, and children, and shares personal survivor experiences on why preventive screening is life-saving. Special focus is given to the upcoming Pink Dinner 2026 (Cena Rosa), the clinic's premier annual fundraiser, alongside an urgent community call for volunteers, medical supplies, and mental health professionals.Key Topics & Episode Breakdown00:00 – Introduction &Mission: Welcoming Donna, Shannon, and Elizabeth; framing early cancerdetection as a message of community hope and empowerment.02:15 – 20-Year Evolution of theCenter:** How three breast cancer survivors and a dedicated public health nursebuilt San Felipe's oncology infrastructure from scratch.08:30 – Diagnostic & ScreeningOfferings:** Comprehensive breakdown of free and subsidized screeningsavailable for women, men, and pediatric risk assessments.18:10 – Survivor Testimonial &Preventive Care:** Donna shares her personal battle with stage 2 breast cancer,explaining why annual screenings are essential even when asymptomatic.25:40 – Patient Navigation &Hospice Facilities:** Home visits, palliative care suites, transportationstipends to Mexicali, and equipment loans for local families.34:00 – The Pink Dinner 2026 (CenaRosa):** Event logistics, survivor fashion show, menu details, ticketlocations, and carpooling recommendations.45:00 – Operational Needs &Volunteer Callout:** Navigating the loss of government youth worker programs,seeking English-speaking mental health counselors, and local donorrecognition.56:00 – Annual Cancer Walk &November Open House:** Celebrating community solidarity, t-shirt color themes,and touring the new 3D mammography equipment. The 20-Year Evolution of the San Felipe Oncology CenterPink Dinner Tickets: Available at San Felipe Brewing Company, the Cancer Center, and through Rotary Club members.Direct Donations & Zelle:Monetary contributions and Zelle transfers can be arranged through Rotary Club representatives, San Felipe Brewing Company, or via direct message on the clinic's official Facebook page.Podcast Support: Support *Turn Left at the Cactus* by liking, subscribing, or visiting ko-fi.com/turnleftofthecactus. Contact the podcast team at cactusleft@gmail.com.

  3. Sep 13

    Baja, Alitas y Nuevos Comienzos: La Historia del Wing Shack

    NOTAS DEL SHOW: En este episodio conoceremos un poco de la historia de Jen y Derik Shinton, una pareja que dejó atrás sus vidas profesionales en Estados Unidos para comenzar una nueva aventura en San Felipe, México, donde abrieron su restaurante, Wing Shack. La entrevista completa está en inglés, pero para nuestros seguidores de habla hispana hemos incluido este resumen en español para que puedan conocer los puntos más destacados de la conversación. Este resumen ofrece una mirada general al episodio, mientras que la entrevista completa está llena de anécdotas, detalles y experiencias personales que cuentan la historia de su camino. Jen y Derik nos comparten cómo su amor por la cultura local y su deseo de tener un retiro activo los llevaron a transformar un pequeño remolque en un negocio exitoso dentro de una cervecería. También hablan sobre algunos de los retos de operar un restaurante en Baja California, desde conseguir ingredientes hasta adaptar su menú con nuevas opciones como pizzas y platillos vegetarianos. A lo largo de la charla, destacan la importancia de brindar un servicio constante, crear conexiones con la comunidad y construir relaciones con residentes y visitantes. Al final, comparten cómo han encontrado en este pequeño pueblo pesquero un lugar donde se sienten seguros, bienvenidos y parte de la comunidad.

  4. Sep 12

    What the Hell are We Doing? Derek and Jen Reveal All

    Show Notes From a First Date to a Chicken Shack What happens when a mechanic retires young, gets restless, buys a tiny food trailer, and discovers that he has absolutely no idea how to run a restaurant? Apparently... You open The Wing Shack. In this episode of Turn Left at the Cactus, Cal and Wigs sit down with Jennifer and Derik Shinton, the couple behind one of San Felipe's favorite places for wings, pizza, sandwiches, and good food. But their story begins long before the restaurant. Jennifer grew up in Las Vegas. Derik grew up in Southern California. San Felipe was Derik's long-term retirement dream—and Jennifer's very first visit here happened to be on their first date. No pressure. Fortunately, she fell in love with Baja almost immediately. From there, their story takes some unexpected turns: early retirement, garage projects, cold beer at 7:30 in the morning, a growing need for something meaningful to do, a tiny 11-by-6-foot food shack, nervous first days, overflowing fryers, trial-by-fire restaurant lessons, and a business that kept growing whether they were entirely ready for it or not. Today, The Wing Shack has grown far beyond its original little trailer at the Garden of Eat'n and has become part of the food community at San Felipe Brewing Company. Jennifer and Derik talk candidly—and hilariously—about: • Why San Felipe was literally part of their first date • What made them fall in love with Baja • The unexpected reality of retiring young • How The Wing Shack actually began • What it's like opening a restaurant when you don't really know what you're doing • The terrifying early days and some spectacular kitchen disasters • Finding reliable staff and building a team • The challenges of finding supplies in Baja • Why consistency matters • How a tiny shack eventually grew into something much bigger • And what's next for The Wing Shack It's funny, honest, occasionally chaotic—and a perfect example of how many San Felipe stories begin with one plan... and end up somewhere completely different. Because sometimes you come to Baja thinking you're going to slow down. And then you accidentally open a restaurant. Turn Left at the Cactus — The Stories of San Felipe

  5. Aug 31

    S5 EP 124 A Little Musing from Cal

    . Dear San Felipe, This one is a little different. There’s no new business to tell you about. No upcoming event. No change around town that you need to know about. Just a thought that’s been sitting with me lately. We talk about getting older as though it means something is being lost. We call ourselves old, older, retired, elderly—as if those words somehow tell the whole story. But think about what we actually carry with us. If you grew up in the 1940s, ’50s, ’60s, or ’70s, you have lived through an astonishing piece of history. You remember a world of rotary phones, encyclopedias, handwritten letters, and televisions with rabbit ears. And you’ve watched that world become smartphones, the internet, and now artificial intelligence. Then many of us came to San Felipe carrying another history with us—decades of work, family, friendships, adventures, mistakes, successes, losses, reinventions, and stories. We are, whether we realize it or not, living history. And that got me thinking about what happens to all that history when the people who lived it are no longer here to tell it. Because San Felipe is changing. It always has. And someday, someone will want to know what this place was like—not just the dates and buildings and businesses, but who lived here, why they came, what they loved, what they struggled with, and what made them decide to stay. Maybe that is one of the things Turn Left at the Cactus has been doing all along. We’ve been preserving a little piece of San Felipe’s history. This episode's Fork in the Road is my personal musing about getting older, the extraordinary history each of us carries, and why taking the time to listen to one another may matter more than we think. So this one is for all of us who have a few Because the stories of San Felipe aren’t just about this place. They are the people who made it home. Turn Left at the Cactus Everyone has a story. -Cal

  6. Aug 30

    S5 EP123Espanol: Sunrunner → San Felipe Express

    Fork in the Road: Sunrunner → San Felipe Express Ha habido mucha conversación y también muchas preguntas sobre la transición de Sunrunner a San Felipe Express. En este episodio especial de Fork in the Road, Cal y Wigs comparten un resumen en español de la entrevista que realizaron con Jon y Daisy de San Felipe Express. La entrevista original fue en inglés, y en este episodio presentamos en español los puntos y la información más importantes de esa conversación. Jon y Daisy nos cuentan cómo llegaron a San Felipe, cómo se involucraron en el negocio de correo y paquetes y qué significa para ellos asumir la operación que anteriormente estaba a cargo de Sunrunner. También hablamos sobre algunos de los temas que más preguntas han generado en la comunidad: horarios y ubicaciones de las oficinas, membresías, recogida de correo y paquetes, correo de salida hacia Estados Unidos, el nuevo calendario de viajes a EE. UU. y qué pueden esperar los clientes durante esta transición. Horarios actuales de las oficinas OFICINA NORTE Domingo y lunes: Cerrada Martes: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM Miércoles: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM Jueves: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM Viernes: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM Sábado: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM Correo electrónico: sfx@sfxnorth.com OFICINA SUR Domingo y lunes: Cerrada Martes: 1:00–4:00 PM Miércoles: 1:00–3:00 PM Jueves: 1:00–3:00 PM Viernes: 1:00–4:00 PM Sábado: 1:00–3:00 PM Correo electrónico: sfx@sfxsouth.com Como explica Jon durante la entrevista, una transición de este tamaño puede tener algunos obstáculos mientras la nueva operación se pone en marcha. Su objetivo es hacer que el cambio sea lo más sencillo posible para los clientes. Así que, si te has preguntado qué pasa con tu membresía de Sunrunner, dónde recoger tus paquetes, cuándo puedes ir a la oficina o cómo comunicarte con San Felipe Express, este episodio te ayudará a entender mejor los cambios. 🎧 Escucha este resumen en español de nuestra conversación con Jon y Daisy de San Felipe Express, aquí en Turn Left at the Cactus. Y si quieres escuchar la conversación completa, puedes encontrar la entrevista original en inglés en tu plataforma de podcasts favorita.

  7. Aug 29

    S5 EP 123 Sunrunner Becomes San Felipe Express

    Fork in the Road: Sunrunner Becomes San Felipe Express: An Interview with Jon and Daisy Rinaldi There’s been a lot of conversation—and quite a few questions—about the transition from Sunrunner to San Felipe Express. In this Fork in the Road episode, Cal and Wigs sit down with Jon and Daisy of San Felipe Express to talk about the transition and what it means for customers. You’ll hear how Jon and Daisy came to San Felipe, how they got into the mail and package business, and what they’re doing to take on the former Sunrunner operation. They also answer some of the questions we’ve been hearing around the community, including office locations and hours, memberships, mail and package pickup, outbound mail, the U.S. shuttle schedule, and what customers can expect during the transition. And, because some of the information has changed, here are the current office hours and contact information: North Office Sunday & Monday: Closed Tuesday: 8 AM–12 PM Wednesday: 9 AM–12 PM Thursday: 9 AM–12 PM Friday: 8 AM–12 PM Saturday: 9 AM–12 PM Email: sfx@sfxnorth.com South Office Sunday & Monday: Closed Tuesday: 1–4 PM Wednesday: 1–3 PM Thursday: 1–3 PM Friday: 1–4 PM Saturday: 1–3 PM Email: sfx@sfxsouth.com As Jon says during the interview, there will be some bumps along the road as the new operation gets up and running, but the goal is to keep things as smooth as possible for customers. So, if you’ve been wondering what happens to your Sunrunner membership, where your packages are going, when you can pick them up, or how to get your questions answered, this episode is for you. Take a Fork in the Road with us—and get the answers directly from Jon and Daisy of San Felipe Express. Don't forget to like, subscribe and comment on your favorite podcast host. It helps others find the podcast. Support us at: ko-fi.com/turnleftatthecactus or contact us: cactusleft@gmail.com Thanks for Listening! Cal & Wigs

  8. Aug 15

    S5 Ep 122 Sunrunner Mail: What’s Changing—and What Comes Next?

    Show NOTES: Sunrunner Mail: What’s Changing—and What Comes Next If you’re a Sunrunner Mail customer, you’ve probably heard that some changes are coming. And when it involves something as important as your mail and packages, it’s natural to have questions. In this episode of *Turn Left at the Cactus*, Cal and Wigs sit down with **Jenn and Shawn Gumenberg from Sunrunner Mail** to talk about the company’s change of ownership, the move toward a Yuma-based operation, what customers can expect during the transition, and—perhaps most importantly—why they’ve decided it’s time for a change. After four years of running Sunrunner as a demanding, seven-days-a-week operation, Jenn and Shawn have reached a point where they’re ready to get some of their lives back and spend more time with family. But they also wanted to make sure the customers who depend on Sunrunner weren’t left wondering what happens next. So rather than simply announce the changes, we invited Jenn and Shawn to tell the story themselves. This is a conversation about a local business, a significant change for its customers, and the very human decisions that sometimes happen behind the scenes of the businesses we rely on every day. **If you’re a Sunrunner customer, this is one you’ll want to hear—and you’ll want to pay attention to the information about updating your shipping details as the transition takes place.** And while the practical details matter, there’s another part of the story worth hearing: after four years of serving the San Felipe community, Jenn and Shawn are making a decision about their own lives and what comes next for them. Thanks, Jenn and Shawn, for taking the time to explain what’s happening—and for the four years of work you’ve put into Sunrunner and the San Felipe community. Listen now—and if you use Sunrunner Mail, make sure you know what’s changing. The sky is not falling...... We have also included the original information (again) from Jenn and Shawn unless you missed it the first time around. If you aren't in the habit of checking email...and, you don't believe us....please check your email. Change your mailing address to the new mailing address NOW. You have until August 30. Show Notes: Change of Ownership Notice Sunrunner has some BIG news to share with all our valued customers After some serious soul searching, we have decided it is time to sell the business San Felipe Express has agreed to buy the business effective September 1st, 2026 What does this mean for you as a current Sunrunner customer? · Your address will need to change to Yuma IMMEDIATELY for all packages and mail · (Please delete your associated PO Box and Rockwood addresses from your accounts to minimize ordering errors) Package address:Your Name SFX 11720 S Foothills Blvd Ste 9 PMB 501- _______(your current Sunrunner mailbox #) Yuma AZ 85367 **SFX is required after your name for packages! **PMB 501 is required- it is the receiver identifier YOUR GENERAL MAIL ADDRESS IS EXACTLY THE SAME BUT DOES NOT REQUIRE THE "SFX" AFTER YOUR NAME (AS WITH PACKAGES). Short character allowance address:Your Name 11720 S Foothills Blvd Ste 9 PMB 501-___ (your current box number) Yuma, AZ 85367 · You will need to contact EVERYONE who sends you mail to change your mailing address (I’m sorry, I know this is not easy). The PO box and Rockwood addresses are going away · You will have only ONE address, which will make ordering easier, no questions what to send where · San Felipe Express will pick packages/mail up from both addresses in Calexico short term while you make the address transition beginning August 12th, 2026. Don’t worry about any packages already in route. They will be brought down from Calexico. The current owners Jennifer and Shawn will stay on as long as needed to help make the transition as smooth as possible and answer any questions you may have

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5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Turn Left at the Cactus (TLATC) is a podcast about the people, places, businesses, characters, and stories that make San Felipe, Baja California, unique. We talk with locals, expats, snowbirds, and visitors about why they came, why they stay, and what you should know about life here. Discover hidden gems, Baja adventures, local tips, useful info—and plenty that's completely useless but fun. Grab a cerveza and join us!

Information

  • Creator
    Calyn Whedbee
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    133
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Calyn Whedbee
  • Show Website
    Turn Left at the Cactus

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