The Weatherman Files
Finally, after many years of trying to talk our "Humble Host" to go public, 'The Weatherman' has allowed us to tell selected stories about the sporting life of one, infamous, Weatherman.
Sun Valley, Idaho 1979
Way before HaileyWood
The Sun Valley Sojourn
-Buddy, a life long friend and 'The Weatherman', gets invited to live and work in Sun Valley Idaho for a season. The winter ski season.
-When they arrive, the sports duo discover the harsh economic truth of the Wood River Valley. 'The slack', the time in-between Summers business and ski season. Until the snow falls, there are no jobs on the mountain, something Weatherman and Buddy were looking forward to.
-Uncle Jack gets the guys jobs at the 'Western Cafe'. The duos work was food prep and washing dishes. Buddy's was busing tables.
Little did Weatherman know of the history of the building, during their work at the famous cafe. Later they found out about the Hollywood history of the site, the 'Ketchum "Alpine Club & Cafe" "Hunting Casino"'.
Working days and nights at the Western, he made his way throughout the property. Weatherman relates, that on several occasions during evening shifts, he did see moving figures in his peripheral vision, men in cowboy hats.
Women in fashionable dresses. After years of writing his own notes on his experiences, Weatherman would discover the true history of the building. Gaming, parties and famous people.
-The Western Café opened in the 1950s in a building that is believed to have been constructed in the mid 1940s. The revered restaurant was popular with people from the "lower country"—the area comprising Twin Falls and Burley—for its casual atmosphere and affordable prices. One regular at the Western, said he was one of the first two or three customers the "mom-and-pop" diner attracted. He said the café ultimately became very popular with local residents. "The food was always very good". "You could get a quarter of a pie as one single serving and coffee was five cents a cup … It catered mostly to the working people of the valley".
The Western Café served its last customers on May 31, 2004, ending its run as one of the oldest establishments in downtown Ketchum, Idaho. The main street in Ketchum, leading to Sun Valley, first got its legs in 1947, with wooden sidewalks.
-After work, hanging out near the Hemingway house, one evening another visage got Weatherman's attention...at first he thought it was Uncle Jack.
Uncle Jack was famous in his own right. He was the resort company pharmacist. He had carte blanche in town at all the social establishments like Whiskey Jacques.
Uncle Jack also served as the official town (Sun Valley-Ketchum) Santa Claus.
-Hemingways spirit permeates the Wood River Valley. History was not on the sporting guys interest list at the time, however they were imprinted with many aspects of 'For Whom The Bell Tolls', later in life.
-During the ski season house parties picked up around the valley. At one house party, our heroes were graced by the Hemingway girls.
-Grumpy's was brand new and many schooners were consumed and shared.
-While making their way into the Sun Valley scene, the duo stumble on Hailey, just down the valley, to 'Mr. Bill's Gaming' storefront.
Weatherman saves the actor, Clint Eastwood on the Flying Squirrel lift chair
Weatherman is employed by Sun Valley Company as a snowmaker and chair lift operator
As a roving chair lift operator, Weatherman worked all the chairlifts on Baldy Mountain. Working the Flying Squirrel lift was challenging. The very fast, rapid turnaround and chair loading was the fastest lift, west of the Mississippi.
The famous actor approached the entrance with a female friend and was too slow to accomplish loading onto the chair, Weatherman recognized what he needed to do, he punched the stop button on the controls of the lift with his left hand and he held the chair with his right arm, before it struck Mr. Eastwood and his guest on the chair.
Disaster averted, the most likely outcome of a badly timed load at that chairlift, by someone of a later age, let's say. Subjects are likely thrown to the ground and broken bones are possible.
Mr. Eastwood turned to the Weatherman, as he was softly moving to sit on the chair and said, "that was close, thanks".
-Following other company employees down the mountain, after their day of work, Weatherman borrows a cafeteria tray to sled two thousand feet down the slopes of Baldy Mountain to the Warm Springs apres ski scene.
What a rush, with snowmobile boots and the Sun Valley Company jacket, Mike used the fastest conveyance to the bottom of Baldy Mountain, the company cafeteria tray. Made of sturdy fiberglass, one needed only the solid strength of a young man and rigid bones and muscle to ride the jarring terrain to the required social hangouts.
-Skiing more than a month, thirty plus days during the season (for free) the scene with fellow employees was a chance for a young man to grow up. And improve his skiing from absolute beginner to novice to at least, advanced intermediate.
-In a chance meeting while working on the mountain, Weatherman meets and eventually collaborates with skiing great, Warren Miller.
Weatherman collaborates with famed skiing film director, Warren Miller
Hollywood runs through The Weatherman's storyline
The Los Cabos, Mexico business
Weatherman holds the exclusive tour company contract with the Parr Family in Los Cabos
More on the travel services provided to resort customers, later.
Weather Services provided to cape area resorts
At the time, resorts in western Mexico relied on the federal water commission out of Mexico City for tropical storm advisories.
They received infrequent reports via FAX machine, into the offices of the hotels, throughout the Pacific coast.
Way before 'the internet', the resort owners couldn't get anyone on the phone in Mexico City and the only other source of storm information was the new 'Weather Channel', available on satellite tv dishes making their way into Mexico.
Sadly, the weather channel was not focused on Mexico. The presenters on the channel often never showed the Pacific coast, they were always talking about the Atlantic coast, giving their tropical system reports.
Weatherman developed a service at the right time. Resort owners were now calling his offices in San Diego, seeking help.
When crazy big storm systems were lurking off the coast, the service was the only way many in Southern Baja knew what was happening, weather wise.
Truly, the service represented the best advice. "No news, is good news".
Recognized by the US National Weather Service, the service has now been delivering answers to users for over forty-five years.
Weatherman's amazing resume and list of friends
Some time ago, "the Weatherman" removed his resume from public view. We beg to differ, there's alot more business for the company to accomplish, so we've reposted his work here.
Weatherman and Company
A short message about us. Professional Services and specialized media produced to enlighten.Over 50 years of service excellence.
Wonderful people and the Team.
Weatherman and his family have lived in San Diego for over fifty years.
Not to mention Weatherman's service to his country, his Grandfather served in the U.S. Army under Patton in WWII. His Father served in the U.S. Navy for over thirty years, his service on river boats in Vietnam and as an instructor at San Diego's Naval Ocean Systems Services Command developed skills that he passed on. His Father-In Law also served on river boats in Vietnam. His Godfather served as a senior engineer for the Hubble Telescope and advanced defense programs for a major defense related contractor.
Weatherman first caught the travel bug when his Grandfather told the family how he trained for his war service in the deserts of California and his service to his country in the far away lands of North Africa, Italy and the Battle of the Bulge.
In the heady days of the "Tecate Bull-Run", Mexican Bullfights, Jai'Lai and Mike's a-Go-Go on Revolution Boulevard in Tjuana, Weatherman graduated from Marian High School, located on the border near Downtown Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Weatherman participated in and sponsored the first Tijuana River Valley Area Rodeo.
Directly out of high school, Weatherman began his service to his country. Afterwards, 'WXMAN' graduated from the KCBQ Radio Workshop once located in Santee California. He also served as a weekend Disc Jockey at the Famous '60's Vibe' giant 50,000 watt station, KCBQ-AM.
In 1978, his service in radio continued in special services on Mission Bay at 91X, at the start of their new format.
Later, starting in 2006, Weatherman started working with the San Diego ESPN Network local stations and the launch of FOX SPORTS 1 Radio Network, launched in 2014. Weatherman and the company continues to supply local and network radio, exclusive content unavailable anywhere else.
Back when, in community service at the time, he served on the Marian High School Blue Ribbon Committee while he served on various City of Imperial Beach committees, including the Beachfront Development Committee and the Human Relations Committee.
Throughout the eighties, Weatherman served in various professional roles with business associations in San Diego county, including the Imperial Chamber of Commerce, as the Executive Manager. The Original Imperial Beach Sandcastle Committee, as the Promotion Director. The Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce, as the Executive Director and he established the "Resource Center", following the history of the Spring Valley Improvement Committee from 1912!
During Weathermans tenure in the Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce, the County of San Diego went to Sacramento, the capital of the State of California, the SD County Board of Supervisors had its paid lobbyist create law that ended any local area formations of cities in the state. At the time, Weatherman, on behalf of the largest populated community of San Diego county, Spring Valley, was petitioning LAFCO for the formation of city status for the community.
To this day, no city has formed in the State of California since!
Weatherman served the County of San Diego on the formation committee and as the By Laws Chairman for the development of the San Diego South Bay Economic Development Corporation. Mike teamed with the San Diego legend David Nuffer on several high-visibility public relations efforts for Southern California.
Since 1985, he has been working with travel professionals on projects south of the border. He worked directly with Economist Milton Friedman, to establish an Office of Protocol under the International Trade Commission of San Diego.
From 1987, he is the Founder of the trade association, Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce and served as the Corporate Secretary and Executive Vice President at the same time. In 1988, while serving as the Chairman of the South Bay Chambers of Commerce Executives Committee, he helped organize the largest American Congressional delegation ever to visit San Diego.
In 1991, Safari Club was chosen, along with several other Mexican companies to serve as an official "host agency" for the Republic of Mexico for the 1991 Total Eclipse of the Sun, in Baja California Sur.
From 1994, the Safari Club has designed and executed many public, hands-on, science related programs. In 1995, Weatherman worked in the formation of the new 'Patronato', to foster and protect the East Cape of Baja South.
In 1999, he was celebrated the State of Baja California "Amigo de Baja California Award", for his work with the Tourism Department of Baja Norte, Mexico.
Also from 1998, Weatherman and the Safari Club, collaborated with the Automobile Club of Southern California in promoting travel to Baja California, Mexico. From 1999, the Club formed the first Eco-Sensitive tour company in Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., 'Southern Baja California'.
Also in 2000, Weatherman won the right to participate in the Mexico Visitor Card program. Mexican Immigration, approved of the Safari Club, selling the Republic of Mexico official tourist cards to the American public.
Weatherman participated in many Television and Film shoots in Baja California and Baja Sur.
As an example, he was the Executive Location Producer behind the E! Entertainment program,
From 2002, he focused Club efforts on safety issues. Being a member of the San Diego County Emergency Medical Services Committee, as the Mexico Representive. The American Consulate in Tijuana now has a full-time duty officer, serving the needs of Americans traveling in Baja, for emergency services, because of his work. Security Services now serve as our primary business for travelers in Mexico.
Weatherman served as a negotiating conduit between the State of Baja California and County of San Diego, developing improved Cross-Border Medical Emergency Protocols, during this time. Mike is now an active volunteer for American Medical Emergency Xpedition (AMEX).
From 2004, the Safari Club enhanced its promotions of the surfing and offroad communities. Beyond the crazy surf and off-road stereotypes, deserved or not, Safari Club sponsored more people and events than any other Baja Company. In 2004, the club hosted the infamous 'Viewing Party' at the Safari Club Ranch in north county San Diego, of the unreleased, off-road, now, classic, "Dust To Glory". Baja Safari also sponsored the "Dust To Glory" Hollywood Sunset Boulevard Red Carpet premiere party and the theatrical opening in San Diego.
The Safari Club are longtime supporters of the "Wind an Sea" Surf Club, Southern California 4x4 Club and many other Surf and offroad competitions. In 2005, the CABO 500 offroad race, founded by the Safari Club, invited American racers to southern Baja for the first time. Offroad racing has been an institution for over 50 years in Baja Sur, but never with North Americans.
Since 2005, Weatherman has sponsored broadband based telecommunications, 'Internet' and network broadcast based sports and travel promotions. The longest running shows in the genre, Baja Racing News RADIO LIVE! and OFF-ROAD LIVE!
In the Dos Mares CABO 500, also started in 2005, we teamed with a local Baja auto club, the state off-road association and the Mexican National Federation of off-road racing.
In 2006, the first American racer won a southern Baja offroad race at the first CABO 500, which ran from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas. Danny Anderson of Las Vegas, in a Class 1 Jimco, smoked the rest of the field, with over an hour lead.
Cabo Safari Resort welcomed Off-Road vehicle and product dealers from around North America, Japan and Europe throughout this time frame, after offering and delivering the most aggressive sales producer incentive program, ever provided the industry.
In 2008, Cabo Safari Resort and our Los Cabos operations sustained the 2007 gains and secured the customer base originally started with our exclusive work with the Five Star, Five Diamond, Latin America Resorts of the Year, while we developed our regional ecotours. The Hotel Cabo San Lucas and Hacienda Beach Resort tour hospitality groups transferred their last customers to our operations.
In 2015, Weatherman celebrated 107 Years of Desert Off-Road Racing, with the originator of that racing sanction, the Maricopa Auto Club of Arizona. Our club is the International Promoter of "The Desert Classic" and the 1915-2015 Centennial celebration of the San Diego Exposition at "Balboa Park".
In 2017, the Company celebrated its best class win at the 50th Baja 1000 in La Paz.
An example of real-time Baja travel information, only available from our Club, is our "Baja Weather Service" service. The only weather services recognized by the United States National Weather Service, based soley on Baja California, Mexico. During Hurricane season, sometimes we are the only organization that has 'a handle' on storm conditions in Baja.
The "SPEED Mex" division provided racing and specialized services for the 'extra special needy' desert off-road racing community. The San Felipe Baja 250, Baja 500, Baja 1000, CABO 500 and CABO 1000 are all covered for international travel choices. In 2006, the only 'on-the-dirt', 'prerunner insurance coverage' was first offered through, The "Baja Racers Edge".
Since 2009, our Safari Club continues to deliver specialized services to numerous publics, who require exceptional experiences in Mexico. We are also bringing these rare experiences ONLINE with BAJA LIVE!
We have delivered Baja experiences to hundreds of thousands of Baja fanatics and newbies. Stay tuned, we have some very exciting advancements scheduled this year! The Weatherman continues to stand up for Americans seeking unique travel experiences and find value in celebrating life!
On the United States side of the border, at various times, Weatherman retained field offices at Jacumba Hot Springs, City of San Diego Airport - Brown Field and Downtown, San Diego, California. For many years, Weatherman served The County of San Diego Supervisor Dianne Jacob, as a Member of the East County San Diego Trails Committee.
Weatherman has been quartered in South County San Diego, in Bonita. We continue as a major stakeholder in Bonita, California as a horseman and member of the San Diego Corral of The Westerners.
the history of Baja Safari.
Jack Cummings, Market Manager, GOODYEAR TIRES RACING
"Weatherman, you showed me the real 'Wild side' of Cabo and Baja. I have been all over the world and you shared true treasures I would have never discovered myself."
Brooke Burke, "Wild On, E! Entertainment Television
"The Sheriff Department of the County of San Diego commend Weathermans Team in providing innovative resource assistance."
Sheriff Jim Roache, County of San Diego
"Dear Weatherman, What a lovely low key travel trip our snorkeling safari turned out to be. You organized well, the company was neat, the weather perfect, the fish cooperative and the stark scenery unequaled. Even the shelling was good (not that we need any more shells we have been to the South Seas and the Red Sea). We even liked the bumpy roads and the sometimes dimming lights, since that added to the safari adventure, reminding us that we were not on Main Street, USA. Thank you again."
Elibet Marshall, Safari Club Member and Tour participant
"Dear Weatherman, your staffs knowledge of the Wine Country of Mexico is unique. I never thought a coach tour of Mexico could be so enjoyable".
Mary Gimble, University Club of San Diego
"To Weatherman, thank you so much for your fine services! I dont know what my family would have done without you!
Samuel Knox, Safari Club Member
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If we're lucky, Weatherman will let us continue writing>>>
Jose Luna, Special Contributor
OFF-ROAD Network LIVE! SPECIAL