Friends of Barron would like to thank Estrella del Mar, Señor Carranza and Jorge Corral for their donation of $50,000 pesos. These funds will go a long way to fulfill the committment that Friends of Barron has made to the people of Barron. In the past eleven years, we have augmented school infrastructure, aided students in their pursuit of higher education, provided micro-financing for upstart businesses, installed computer labs at the primary, secondary and prep schools and provided medical and dental clinics to bring the wonders of modern medicine to this tiny agricultural outpost. Please remember that it is due to the efforts of a gardening staff made up primarily of Barron residents that make this golf course so attractive. Friends of Barron would also like to thank the following Estrella del Mar residents who have selflessly participated in the achievement of the lofty goals set forth by Friends of Barron:  Dale Lyster, Richard McGuire, Claire Silk, Margaret Perez, Jeremy Kennell, those who support our 33 scholarship students and all the people who assist with the clinics. Thank you, players, for coming out to the charity golf tournament every year. I guaratee the money will be put to good use.

All you need to do is put “FOB CANAM Inc” as the name of the charity. Amazon will send a tiny percentage of your purchase total to us as a donation, free to you. All those pennies can add up!!

The Barron Ejido president, Jorge Hilario Espinosa formed a committee of four Barron leaders to solicit local government (municipality of Mazatlan) support and funding for the project. The committee has raised $50,000 pesos in Barron for the project so far.

The Ejido of Barron has donated the land for the new clinic and has transferred title to the municipality of Mazatlan.

FOB CANAM INC has committed $400,000 pesos to the project.  We have also offered to help equip it once built.  We have raised $300,000 pesos to date.

The government has agreed to build and staff the clinic and has produced plans and budgets.  They estimate a $1,600,000 peso construction project.

Elections were in July and a new municipal president will take power this month.  So far his administration has verbally agreed to pursue the project.  Obviously, this participation is key to success.  We have been told that nothing will happen until the new administration takes control. We will routinely advise you of progress.

Your shopping makes a difference. Do your regular Amazon shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/81-4719413 and Amazon donates to Fob Canam Inc.

Because of the generosity of many individuals, the Barron high school has taken delivery of 22 Samsung tablets connecting to the new high speed internet. Thanks to Jeremy Kennell and Lance Gutersohn, these machines are becoming part of the educational curriculum, accelerating these kids into the 21st century. Thank you Lance and Jeremy and everyone else who made this happen. More computers are needed however, so if you have about $300 usd to spare, donate it and we will buy another computer. We have a RallyUp site devoted to this effort.

Other developments include the extension of high speed internet into both the middle school and the primary school. For the first tine in history, all three principals are working together to improve the educational standards in Barron

The third wonderful thing happening in Barron is the addition of an internet hotspot in the plaza. Very soon, anyone with a smartphone will be able to connect to the internet while enjoying the beautiful plaza. Hopefully, they will be doing their homework.

The final step in the right direction is that plans for a new medical/dental clinic are progressing. Completion of this clinic is a milestone that will coincidentally mark the end of our annual dental clinic in the primary school. For the past six years, a remarkable set of dental professionals have donated their time, money and expertise to improve the dental health of the community. Simple thanks to this team, led by Jeff and Deb Astroth and Kurt Ferre, is insufficient. In a feeble effort to convey our thanks, we will be hosting a special Mother’s Day Taco Party scheduled for Thursday, May 10. If you can attend, you will be most welcome.

Ahhhh , Isn’t Technology Great?

Ahhhh , Isn’t Technology Great?
— Read on laslagunitas.com/2018/03/08/ahhhh-isnt-technology-great/

The founder and first dean of the dental school attended by the leading practitioners that run our annual primary school dental clinic, Northwestern University, was Dr. G.V. Black. He wrote extensively about the use of silver nitrate back in the early 20th Century.  The use of silver nitrate fell out of favor in the mid 1950’s because it turned caries from brown to black. That it was a simple and effective treatment for juvenile caries was put aside in favor of drilling and filling in a formal dentist office.

Rediscovered about 10 years ago, FOBs use of the compound during the past six years has added to the database and finally the kissing cousin, silver diamine fluoride, has now received FDA approval.