Gypsy Jan - 6-7-2012 at 11:06 AM
From The San Diego Union Tribune
Written by Sandra Dibble June 6, 2012
For San Diegan Deborah Szekely, volunteerism and philanthropy are a way of life.
"Deborah Szekely, the 90-year-old founder of Tecate's Rancho La Puerta spa, is slated to receive Mexico's highest honor for foreigners, the Order of
the Aztec Eagle.
Also being honored is Wayne Cornelius, an immigration expert and director emeritus of the UC San Diego Center for U.S. Mexican Studies, "for his work
of more than five decades to achieve greater and better understanding of Mexico in the United States," according to a statment by President Felipe
Calderon.
A third American to receive the honor is Rick Bayless, an American chef who specializes in Mexican cuisine, and hosts a PBS series Mexico: One Plate
at a Time.
Calderon praised Szekely for her contributions to Tecate "oriented to preserving the environmental, social and cultural heritage over the past seven
decades."
In his proclamation, published in Mexico's Diario Oficial de la Federacion, Calderon highlights Szekely's community projects in Tecate, including:
environmental training and campouts for 25,000 children; the protection of 2,000 acres of Rancho La Puerta through the 2004 establishment
establishment of a conservation easement with the Mexican environmental group, Pronatura; financing of a program to improve the urban zone around the
Tecate River.
Wayne Cornelius
Cornelius "during 38 years of teaching has formed a great number of experts on Mexico in different universities," Calderon said. "He has promoted the
creation of various academic centers, among them the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies in 1979 and the Center for Comparative Immigration Studies," both
at UCSD.
Szekely, a San Diego resident, founded Rancho La Puerta in 1940 together with her husband, Edmond. According to the proclamation, the awards ceremoney
will take place in Washington, D.C. this month.
The Order of the Aztec Eagle was created by Mexican President Abelardo L. Rodriguez in 1933 to honor foreigners who make contributions to Mexico. It
is given by the office of Mexico's foreign minister. "
Gysby jan
captkw - 6-7-2012 at 11:13 AM
Hola,Thanks for all of your awsome postS !!good stuff !!K & T
You Are Very Welcome, captkw
Gypsy Jan - 6-7-2012 at 11:41 AM
I try to pay it forward.
BajaBlanca - 6-7-2012 at 01:30 PM
really neat. does anyone know anything about rancho la puerta ?
Rancho La Puerta is a sister to The Golden Door in San Diego
Gypsy Jan - 6-7-2012 at 02:05 PM
Both were started by the same people.
http://www.rancholapuerta.com/
http://www.goldendoor.com/
They specialize in weight loss and detox programs with an emphasis on exercise, meditation, yoga, spa treatments, and healthy, organic, grown-on-the
property, low calorie vegetarian and vegan cuisine.
Many celebrities go to the spas to recharge and refresh. Their presence in never released to the media.