Rocky Point Times May 2017

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rockypointtimes@yahoo.com • find us on facebook • follow us on twitter • www.rptimes.com

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The Rocky Point Times Newspaper • (011-52-638) 383-6325 • US (480) 463-6255


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rockypointtimes@yahoo.com • find us on facebook • follow us on twitter • www.rptimes.com

By Lannette Phipps

The Rocky Point Times Newspaper is Puerto Peñasco’s #1 Tourist Newspaper, family owned and operated since 1993 in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico, and written entirely in English! We are, and have always been, dedicated to helping the community in which we live, as well as promoting our city and bringing tourism to Rocky Point. We are a TOURIST NEWSPAPER dedicated to promoting tourism! ROCKY POINT TIMES STAFF Thomas Nelson O’Hare III (RIP 1941-2013) Founder / Owner Sandra Jo O’Hare Owner / Managing Editor / Publisher Lannette Phipps Editorial / Contributing Writer Alicia Grajeda - Administrative Executive Marco Zepeda - Sales and Accounts Executive Beatriz Lumbreras - Freelance Graphic Artist Manny Sánchez Radical Gravity Media Web + Social + Video www.RadicalGravity.com MONTHLY CIRCULATION/DISTRIBUTION Our newspapers are hand delivered in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico and in the U.S. to Lukeville, Ajo, Gila Bend and Arizona. We bulk mail to over 600 monthly subscribers. The Rocky Point Times is printed in Mexico

Let us all sing together, “May! Oh May, Glorious May!” May has always been my favorite month of the year, that is until this year. April rocked! The weather was awesome, the wind was mild (except right after we landscaped the yard), and I wanted to spend every moment outside (on my patio with a glass of wine, of course). I think I’m really starting to sound like my Dad, Tom, except he would say… “In my buggy with a Tecate”. And for a guy who never really liked the sand, he sure did spend a lot of time in, on and around it. Ah, the good ole days. I remember one time he wanted me to drive his yellow buggy into town, and he would follow, only he failed to tell me that the brakes had gone out…hence the trip into town. Luckily I figured it out almost as soon as I turned off of the ranch road onto the highway. It would be fun to put together a coffee table book of the Rocky Point Times shenanigans from day one. You can bet a lot of our readers would see themselves in print. Oh, that would be fun.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Go to our Website www.rptimes.com click on subscriptions or call us at or write us at P.O. Box 887 Lukeville, Az 85341 ADVERTISING IN THE ROCKY POINT TIMES For Information Email Us at rockypointtimes@yahoo.com. AD DEADLINE 10th of the month, preceeding publication MEXICO OFFICES: Pino Suarez No. 124, off of Calle 13 Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico 83550 C. P. U.S. MAILING ADDRESS Please send correspondence to address PO Box 887, Lukeville, Arizona 85341 TELEPHONE from the U.S. dial (011-52-638) 383-6325 Local dial 383-6325 from the U.S. dial (480) 463-6255 EMAIL ADDRESS & WEBSITE rockypointtimes@yahoo.com www.rptimes.com FACEBOOK See our Facebook Page at Rocky Point Times Newspaper CONTRIBUTING WRITERS See Page 70 PHOTO & ARTICLE SUBMISSION The Rocky Point Times is not responsible for the content of any advertising, nor has it attempted to verify any ad claims. Content contained in this publication is not authorized to be copied or reproduced without the permission of the Editor and Advertiser or Contributing Writer.

I wanted to give a quick shout out to Pat and Les Foss, pictured here on their 50th Anniversary Cruise with, what else, the Rocky Point Times! They are long

time Rocky Pointers who’ve just recently sold their rental condos and home in El Mirador to finally retire in New Mexico. Pat is the one who taught me how to be a real beachcomber and shell collector. I have to say it was really hard to try and beat her down the beach to the best shell. Lots of great memories and all of us here at the paper would like to wish them a long, healthy and happy life and hopefully they will be back to visit and we will get out that way sometime. Lots of great events this month, as always, so be sure to read this entire issue and check the calendar of events. The month starts out with The Hobie Piñata Regatta, at Playa Bonita, May 5. Also on May 5, is a Cinco de Mayo Festival and celebration for Shayna at Tekila Bar on the Malecon in Old Port. Jill’s BBQ Contest will also be on May 5th. Sign up at South Side Jillz at the end of Calle 13, before the contest. Don’t forget Mother’s Day and, if you’re like my Mom, Sandy, you try to score on Mexico Mother’s Day (May 10th) as well as U.S. Mother’s Day (May 14). Not to mention that she thinks the entire month of May is her birthday celebration. Tough life! My Uncle Pat will be in Rocky Point the latter part of May, so all you single ladies have been warned. He’s a handsome and very funny dude. I’m sure you will be able to find my Mom and my Uncle jammin’ to Mark Mulligan at the Pink Cadillac on May 27th. Only a $5 cover and $10 if you want VIP seating. He sings out by the pool and there is lots of seating around a large bar as well as tables and chairs. Great food and drinks too. We have a Charity Pancake Breakfast at Latitude 31° on Sunday, the 28th, so you don’t want to miss that. The proceeds benefit the Esperanza para Nueva Vida Community Center. Rocky Point’s own baseball team, the Tiburones, began playing last month and the home games are open to everyone. I believe the stadium has been fully renovated and a game is super cheap – like $60ish pesos ($3usd) and there might be some cheap seats. They are the Tiburones de Peñasco and their website is tiburonesdepenasco.com

for their schedule… Oh, and the baseball stadium is located at the corner of Calle 26 and Benito Juarez, on the right hand side going north.

I keep forgetting to let you all know that the Zipline is now open. It touts itself as the 2nd longest zipline in Mexico and you can go 150’ over the desert. They have not 1, not 2, not 3, but 5 different lines. It’s located on Cholla Mountain, zipping over Competition Hill. Ages 3 and up can ride... Good Lord, if there is a 3-year-old that is that brave I want a photo! (Yes, there is no ziplining in this chicken’s future!) Oh, and you have to be under 250lbs. If you would like more info or reservations call in the US (928) 304-0953 and visit their website at www.rockypointzipline.com. Let’s not forget that the El Golfo Run is May 12th through the 14th so get in touch with Alicia or Sandy, or Mario, at the office 383-6325, or rockypointtimes@yahoo. com if you will be joining us this trip. It started out as a 4x4 trip, but nowadays you don’t need a 4x4 if you take the Coastal Highway to El Golfo. The beach part of the trip is the most fun for me, and there are plenty of shenanigans that go on over the couple days there. A reminder that Circus Mexicus is upon us once again June 8th through the 11th so make plans to attend this fun music festival. Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers head up this fun 4-day event full of charity events, food and drinking Mexican Moonshine Tequila. Oh, and music too!

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The Rocky Point Times Newspaper • (011-52-638) 383-6325 • US (480) 463-6255

ADVERTISERINDEX & PHONENUMBERS DIALING INSTRUCTIONS from the U.S., Canada and Mexico

ALSO SEE OUR GENERAL INFO. PAGES FOR MORE INFO.

(52) Mexico’s Country Code (638) Puerto Peñasco’s City Code Call U.S. & Canada from Mexico Dial 001 + (area code) + 7 digit number

CALLING FROM THE U.S.

Dialing a Land Line dial 011-52-638 + last 7-digits of number listed Dialing a Cellular Phone dial 011-521-638 + last 7-digits of number listed

CALLING WITHIN MEXICO

dial 01 + area code + 7-digit number Mexico businesses outside of Peñasco are listed as 01 + area code + phone number in this Index.

LOCAL CELLULAR PHONES

from a land line dial 044 + 638 + 7-digit number from local cell to cell dial 638 + 7-digit number

Duke’s Restaurant-Bar.................044-638-104-0338

Little Italy Pizza..................................(928) 683-2221

Rocky Point Services............................638-114-8132

or...................................................044-638-380-6650

Living Stones Ministry...........................480-243-8452

or..................................................520-303-3960

Lourdes Rivera..........................044-638-380-3366

Rocky Point Times Newspaper.....................383-6325

E

M

Eddie Wharez.....................383-8633/602-324-9328

Made in Puerto Peñasco................044-638-380-8233

S

Mar de Cortez Rentals....................................388-8747

Salerno, Rosarie..........383-8417/044-638-384-7145

F

Mare Blu Ristorante.......................................383-0605

or.......................................................520-777-0018

Family of God................................................383-3480

Mayan Palace Golf Course........................383-GOLF

Sanborns Insurance........U.S. Toll Free 800-222-0158

Farmacias De Descuento..............383-3131/388-8280

Max’s Cafe..................................................383-1011

Sandy Beach Massage....................044-638-384-4418

Fish.............................................044-638-110-7137 Five Senses Spa...................................638-112-1652 Fit Vida Bistro.............................................383-1992 Fortaleza del Sol........................044-638-110-9519 Francis, Jonni..............................044-638-112-1197 Frenchy’s.......................................044-638-690-1472 Friendly Dolphin.......................................383-2608

Local cellular phones start with 044+638 in this index.

CELL PHONES OUTSIDE OF PP

G

to dial a long distance cell from a local PP cell dial 045 + city code + 7-digit number to dial PP from a long distance MX cell dial 045-638 + 7-digit number

Galeria del Mar Bermejo...........................383-3488

U.S. numbers are listed with (brackets) around area code. Some businesses have U.S. offices and others may be using VOIP lines.

Gila Bend Title and Registration Services..928-683-2577

U.S. AREA CODES & VOIP LINES

Galeria Luis y Gaby.......................................383-7174 German Brats..............................044-638-110-4970 Gift Shop & Gallery..............................520-387-6858 Giuseppi’s Espresso...................................383-5181

INDEX

Glorias Beauty Salon.................................383-5075

A

or................................................044-638-384-0458

A bit of Shangrila RV........................480-225-6546

Grout Doctor........................................638-380-9293

Ajo Chamber of Commerce.....................520-387-7742

Guardian Title and Escrow..............044-638-386-1445

Ajo Plaza..............................................520-387-5044

or.........................................................623-910-2930

Ajo Print Shop......................................520-387-6858

Green Point................................................383-2938 Gretchen Ellinger...............383-1425/602-317-3881

Ajo Satellite Sales..............................520-387-4846

H

Aleman, Victor................................044-638-105-7839

Hacienda del Sol Furniture......388-0545/602-903-2112

Amazon Window Covering.....................623-925-8199

Head Out to Rocky Point Shuttle Ser vice

American Legion...........................................388-8841

U.S. Toll Free.............866-443-2368/602-971-0166

Aqua Grande Towing.............383-5770/(520) 232-2149

Hotel Viña del Mar................................383-0100

Arizona Realty........................................520-387-8787

or.....................................................602-606-7768

Art Stop & Plaza Gallery............................520-387-6858

U.S. Toll Free...........................01-800-560-2123

B

I-J-K

Baja Autoservices...................................638-383-4925

Imagen Oral..................................................388-7953

Balboas Rest..................................................383-5155

InnSuites Hotels and Suites

Biosfera Dry Cleaners.....................................383-1667

U.S. Toll Free......................................888-INNSUITES

Bonita RV Park...............................................383-1400

INTERCAM..............................................388-1191

Bórquez, Ricardo, Atty............388-6110/520-407-6756

International Insurance....................623-551-8501

Brooks, Dee...................................................383-3919

JJ’s Cantina...................................................383-2785

Bryan’s.....................................................388-5365

John Hibbert Realty Ex...........................638-380-5112

Burrito Express..............................................383-8460

John Witt Realty Ex.................................623-523-2180 Joyeria Max...........................................388-5512

C

Kaffeehaus.............................................388-1065

Candy Cake.........................................638-383-2673

Kilombo.................................................638-388-5339

Canvas................................................638-383-1161

Kord’s Auto Care...............................520-387-6962

Chochoy Veterinary.......................................383-2338

Kyle Wood..............................................480-297-8079

C.H.O.P.P.S............................................480-648-7689

or..........................................................480-463-6255

Ecofun Rentals.........................................388-9699

Max Jeweler...............................................388-5512 Mermaid’s Market.................................388-5004 Mexican Beach Developers.......................383-6099 or.....................044-638-384-7145/520-777-0018 Mexican Vistas Co..........382-5400/044-638-384-6445 or...........................................................623-698-0117 Mexico Insurance Center..................1-800-404-1088 Mirsa Tile........................................638-383-6770 Muebles Coloniales....................................383-6670 Muebles Imperiales......................................383-6480

Santiago’s Body Shop.............................638-384-1962 Santiagos Ocean Services...........................388-5318 or.......................................................(602) 324-9558 Santo Tomas.....................................(480) 861-0355 Satellite Services................................638-103-5317 Satisfied Frog................................638-383-1743 Sea of Cortez Adventures...................(928) 380-8619 Seaside Window Coverings.........................383-5181 Sea Side Reservations.....383-7795/1-888-262-4508 Señorita Rita Sunset Cruise.............044-638-107-3727

or.......................................................714-395-4117

Servicios Medicos Veterinarios..................383-3344

N-O

Si Como No! Etc.....................................520-387-7080

Nails Center................................................388-0434 Napa Auto (Ajo).................................24 HOUR TOW ....................................(520) 387-4TOW (387-4869) Optica Turati................................................383-4645

P Pablo Realty........................383-8657/602-288-8687 Pane e Vino Restaurant................044-638-105-7455 Pedro’s Restaurant.......................044-638-105-5166 Peninsula de Cortes Golf Course..................383-GOLF Peñasco Beauty Center...............................383-1086 Peñasco Marine.........................................383-3700 Petals & Perfums.....................................383-5758 Pink Cadillac........................................383-5880 Pizarrro, Rita..............388-8030/044-638-386-5203 Playa Bonita Resort....................383-2586/383-2199 Playa Bonita Resort RV Park.......................383-2596 U.S. Toll Free.......................................888-232-8142 Mexico Toll Free.............................01-800-426-6482 Pollo Papago.............................044-638-385-1301 Predador....................383-8787/044-638-110-1625 Premium Services...........383-5758/602-476-1187 Prestige Properties......................044-638-388-7777 ................................................(520) 505-7777 Pro Services...............383-6161/044-638-113-0446 Puerta Privada......................383-1020/480-445-9200

Q&R Realty Executives...........................602-283-9800 or.................................................638-388-1295 Reincom..........................................638-102-0065

Shangrila RV Park................................480-225-6546 Silva, Yolanda Insurance...............................383-6280 Skullz............................................................388-9900 Sonoran Autoservice.......................602-909-4864 or.......................................................638-382-5423 Sonoran Grill...............................................382-8089 Sonoran Resorts.................................602-476-7511 Sonoran Resorts Sales Consultant Brenda Sabo..............................044-638-105-3157 Stegall Katz & Whitaker.........................602-241-9221 Su Casa...........................................638-690-1345 Sun Valley Services.....................................383-8891 Sushi Sun Restaurant...................................383-2772

T Tapia, Miguel......................................602-266-0225 Tekila Bar.....................................044-638-107-5863 Tequila Factory..............................................388-0606 The Print Shop....................................520-387-6858 Tommy Thomas Home Inspections..044-638-110-4728 or.........................................................602-748-4134 Towing Aqua Grande..(638) 383-5770 / (520) 232-2149 Turati Optical..............................................383-4645 Twin Dolphins Real Estate and Rentals......383-3919 or........................................................602-324-7241 T&T International Law Group..............602-465-6556

U-V U.S. Border Movers..................044-638-113-8365 or.............................................480-232-3518 Victor Aleman..............................044-638-105-7839 Viña del Mar Hotel............383-0100/602-606-7768 Viva Mexico Taqueria...........................638-104-7252

Repeat Performance.........................520-387-4948

CIMA...........................................................383-1854

L

Rey del Mar................................................383-5490

W

Coldwell Banker by the Sea...388-8999/602-425-5133

La Casa del Capitan Restaurant....................383-5698

Richard Savino................................638-380-4272

Western Outdoor Times......................(480) 947-6219

Colins Cantina...............................................382-8020

Tony’s Cafe.........................................638-690-1589

or..................................................(480) 707-3822

La Siesta Motel................................520-387-6569

Rocky Point Calendar..................see Mexican Vistas

X-Y-Z

D

Laguna Shores Golf & Country Club..................383-4670

Rocky Point Chiropractic....................(638) 386-1306

Xochitl’s Cafe (Sally’s Cholla Cafe)..................382-5283

D’Lucy Spa.................383-1471/044-638-105-8993

U.S. Toll Free.........................................800-513-1426

or.............................................U.S. Cell (480) 263-3242

Yolanda Silva Insurance................................383-6280

Del Mar Charters........................................383-2802

Las Palmas.............................................800-671-2799

Rocky Point Home Builders................(638) 383-6524

ZaGas.......................................................383-8100

Dr. Grijalva, D.D.S...........................................383-3434

or.................................................638-690-2933

or...............................................U.S. 815-553-2683

Zuquin Restaurant........................................383-3250

Don Julio Bar & Grill......................................388-0056

Latitude 31...............................................383-4311

Rocky Point Realty Group.....383-4699/602-334-4134

Zuq Deli & Salads.........................................388-5050


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The Rocky Point Times Newspaper • (011-52-638) 383-6325 • US (480) 463-6255

CHURCHES Phone Numbers

Assembly of God..........................................................383-3364 Adonai Comunidad Cristiana.......................................383-3865 Grupo Unidad Cristianos de Peñasco..........................383-2240 Peñasco Christian Fellowship.......................................383-4513 Family of God Christian Fellowship.........................383-3480 Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall.............................388-6244 Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.....................................383-2959 Templo La Hermosa...................................................383-7130

EMERGENCY & Important Phone Numbers dial 911 & 066 for EMERGENCIES AirEvac............................................................001-880-321-9522 SkyMed Air Ambulance.................................001-866-805-9624 AIRPORTS International.................................................................383-6097 CITY HALL (Municipal Building) H. Ayuntamiento de Peñasco.....................383-2056/383-2060 CLINICS Clinica San Jose............................................................383-5121 Clinica Santa Fe...........................................383-2447/383-4040 Clinica Santa Isabel (Maternity)...................................383-3645 Clinica Santa Maria.......................................................383-2440 Cruz Roja (Red Cross)...................................................383-2266 Desert Senita Community Health Center..........(520) 387-5651 Emergency dial...071

Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE).......................383-2684 FIRE DEPARTMENT

Emergency dial...068

Departamento de Bomberos.......................................383-2828 FISHIERIES DEPARTMENT Departamento de Pesca...............................................383-2116 Oficina de Pesca, San Diego, CA........................(619) 233-4324 GARBAGE/SANITATION DEPARTMENT Oomislim.......................................................................383-4909 GAS (Propane) Hidrogas........................................................................383-5650 Z’Gas..............................................................................383-8284 ZaGas.............................................................................383-8100 HOSPITALS (See Clinics also) Community...................................................................383-4566 IMSS (Social Security)...................................................383-2870 Municipal......................................................................383-2110 IMMIGRATION............................................................383-2526 MARINE RESCUE (VHF Channel 28) Port Captain..................................................................383-3035 Emergencies dial............................................462 or 627 or 767 POLICE

that DELIVER Benny’s Pizza 383-6001 7 days, 11am-10pm

Fit Vida Bistro 383-1992

Cheiky’s Pizza 383-3627, Closed Wed.

La Fondita 383-8384 9am-9pm

Cocina Express 383-8358 Mon.-Sat. 10am-8pm Sun. 12pm-7pm

Sushi Sun 383-2772

Domino’s Pizza 383-3838 7 days 10am-8pm El Condor Pizza 388-5383 7 days, 12pm-10pm FEDE’S 383-3419 (044-638) 100-5834 12pm-5pm, Closed Sun.

AIR AMBULANCE (dial within Mexico)

ELECTRIC

RESTAURANTS

Emergency dial...066

Puerto Peñasco Station..............................383-2626/383-1616 State Judicial Police (Policía Judicial del Estado).........383-2783 PUBLIC SECURITY DEPARTMENT Seguridad Pública Municipal......................383-2626/383-1616 RAILROAD Ferrocarril......................................................................383-2610 RED CROSS Cruz Roja.....................................................................383-2266 SOCIAL SECURITY (IMSS) Instituto Méxicano del Seguro Social.........383-2677/383-2777 TELEPHONE Teléfonos de México.....................................................383-2780 Towing................(011-52-638) 383-5770 / U.S. (520) 232-2149 U.S. CONSULATES (in Mexico) Nogales.............................................................01-631-313-4820 dial from the U.S......................................011-52-631-313-4820 WATER Oomapas.......................................................................383-6080 Organismo Operador....................................................383-6080 Piteco (water tank delivery).........................................383-3315

Figaros Pizza 383-8181

TIKI Fresh Foods (044-638) 105-8001 (044-638) 112-0996 9am-9pm, Closed. Sun. Tortas San Luis 388-6405, 7 days, 9am-9pm Yummi Salads (044-638) 113-8822 Zuquin Cakes 383-3250 (044-638) 105-4389 7 days, 9am-5pm

Pet Friendly

HOTELS

If you would like to bring your pet with you to Rocky Point, here are a few places you both will be welcome. Baja Hotel Matamoros and Campeche in El Mirador US dial (602) 559-1705 Local Phone (011-52-638) 383-6878 Local Fax (011-52-638) 383-7676 Fax Website www.hotelbaja.net Email bajahotel@gmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bella Vista Condo US dial (775) 287-3830 Email julwitnan@aol.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Casa de Carolina Campeche in El Mirador US dial (602) 412-3565 Local Phone (011-52-638) 383-5482 Email cdecpp@prodigy.net.mx Mail: PO Box 589, Lukeville, AZ 85341 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hotel Viña del Mar In Old Port at the end of the Malecon Local 383-3600 or 383-0100 www.vinadelmarhotel.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------La Palapa Condos & Casitas Local 383-3866 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Madre del Mar (with permission) US dial (520) 407-6394 or (520) 303-7530 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Peñasco del Sol Paseo Las Glorias # 1 Mexico Toll Free 01-800-614-9484 Worldwide Toll Free 1-888-683-006 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Seaside Beach Home Rentals Blvd. Benito Juarez, next to Banamex at the north end of town US Toll Free (877) 629-5691 • Local 383-1545 Website www.seasidemexico.com Email seasidebhremails@gmail.com

VETERINARY CARE

Chochoy 383-2338 Guillermo Prieto & Melchor Ocampo Gallo de Oro (044) 638-112-3343 Samuel Ocaña La Posta 383-2574 Simon Morua & Guillermo Prieto

Servicios Medicos Veterinarios 383-3344 Blvd. Sonora & Galeana (west of Josefa)


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The Rocky Point Times Newspaper • (011-52-638) 383-6325 • US (480) 463-6255

EVENTS CALENDAR MAY 2017 EVERYDAY Al Anon Family Groups. Email to schedule a meeting; Marcia at marsupis@gmail.com. American Legion Post MX-15 open from 8am-8pm in El Mirador in the old Los Juanes Restaurant. MONDAYS 10AM Alcoholics Anonymous meets (English) (See Pg. 42). 12PM Horseshoe tournament at South Side Jillz, open to anyone who cares to play, and with happy hour prices! 1PM Horseshoe Tournament at South Side Jillz. Every Monday. 6PM Alcoholics Anonymous meets (Spanish) (See Pg. 42). TUESDAYS 2PM CEDO Free Public Talk in English and Tour of their facility in Las Conchas. Look for the giant Fin Whale Skeleton. Fun experience for the entire family. Phone 382-0113 for more info. 4PM CEDO Nature Talk in Spanish CBSC – Cholla Bay Sportsmen’s Club meets once a month (on Tues. or Sat.). 4PM Peñasco Singles Happy Hour, every Tuesday at Playa Bonita Resort. 8PM Cinemartes - Art Film Nights at Cafe Puerto Viejo in Old Port. 2PM - Powerball Bingo at the American Legion Post MX 15. 2pm. Cost $7 dlls for 6 games. WEDNESDAYS SOBS – South of the Border Singles meet every Wednesday for Happy Hour at Playa Bonita Resort. First Wednesday of every month is business meeting. 10AM Alcoholics Anonymous meets (English) (See Pg. 42). 11AM – Horseshoe Tournament at the Pithaya in El Mirador. 3PM Shooter Bingo at Playa Bonita RV Park Social Club. $6.00 for 6 games with money payouts for each game. After each game, a shooter number is called, if you have this number you get a “shooter” of tequila or ?? Join us each Wednesday in our air conditioned club house. 5PM – AA meets (Spanish). 6PM Alcoholics Anonymous meets (Spanish) (See Pg. 42). PINK CADILLAC - swim up bar, open Wed. thru Sun. 2PM till close. Burgers, pizza and more. THURSDAYS PINK CADILLAC - swim up bar, open Wed. thru Sun. 2PM till close. Burgers, pizza and more during the summer months. 2PM - POWERBAL BINGO at the American Legion Post MX15 3PM Dart Tournament at the Pink Cadillac in El Mirador. All welcome. 4PM The Connection Happy Hour, now on Thursdays at Puesta del Sol Restaurant at Playa Bonita Resort. 5PM-7PM Ladies Day at South Side Jillz, music, games and a “surprise” for all, happy hour prices and a good selection of wine. 2PM - Powerball Bingo at the American Legion Post MX 15. 2pm. Cost $7 dlls for 6 games. FRIDAYS 8AM Alcoholics Anonymous “Freebirds” newcomers/book study meeting. Call 382-5001 for more info (See Pg. 42). PINK CADILLAC - swim up bar, open Wed. thru Sun. 2PM till close. Burgers, pizza and more during the summer months. 7PM Eight Ball Tournament at South Side Jillz for the Pool players, double elimination, blind draw. 8PM - Pool Tournament at South Side Jillz. Every Friday. SATURDAYS 2PM CEDO Free Nature Talk in Spanish and Tour of their facility in Las Conchas. Fun experience for the entire family. Call 382-0113 for info. 4PM CEDO Nature Talk in English PINK CADILLAC - swim up bar, open Wed. thru Sun. 2PM till close. Burgers, pizza and more during the summer months. 2PM - Powerball Bingo at the American Legion Post MX 15. 2pm. Cost $7 dlls for 6 games. SUNDAYS 9AM Non-Denominational Worship Services with Family of God. Located on Blvd. Costera N 2000A. Everyone welcome. Church Office: 383-3480. 3PM Dart Tournament at the Pink Cadillac. Church Service at 10:00AM Bilingual Service with Peñasco Christian Fellowship located 1 blk east of Josefa Ortiz de D. on Melchor Ocampo. Experience worship with both American & Mexican Christians! Phone: (011-52-638) 3834513. San Jose Mission Church- in Cholla Bay. Bilingual Catholic Mass. At 8am every Sunday. All our welcome.

CHECK OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST EVENTS! Monday 1st Friday 26th • Día del trabajo • CBSC Fishing Derby (Mexico Labor Day) Phase 3 in Cholla Bay. Friday 5th Friday 27th • Cinco de Mayo. • CBSC Fishing Derby • 2nd Annual BBQ Phase 3 in Cholla Bay. Contest at South Side Jillz Sunday 28th • CBSC Fishing Derby Awards & Fish Fry in Saturday 6th • Kentucky Derby party Cholla Bay. at Boo Bar with a • Pancake Breakfast raffle, stick horse and Silent Auction at races and a hat Latitude 31 contest. • Cinco de Mayo Monday 29th Birthday Regatta for more info • Happy Sandy! visit www.fleet514. • Memorial Day. com JUNE 2017 Sunday 7th • Cinco de Mayo Regatta for more info Thursday 8th Mexicus visit www.fleet514. • Circus (Roger Clyne & The com Peace Makers). th Wednesday 10 • Dia de las Madres. Friday 9th • Circus Mexicus (Roger Clyne & The Thursday 11th • CBSC Fishing Derby Peace Makers). Phase 2 in Cholla Bay. • 11th Las Palomas Saturday 10th Mexicus A n n i v e r s a r y • Circus (Roger Clyne & The Tournament. Peace Makers). th Friday 12 • CBSC Fishing Derby Sunday 11th Mexicus Phase 2 in Cholla Bay. • Circus (Roger Clyne & The • 42nd El Golfo Peace Makers). Run. Email rockypointtimes@ yahoo.com for more Sunday 18th • Father’s Days. info. • Tequila 150 - SADR. JULY 2017 th Saturday 13 • CBSC Fishing Derby Tuesday 4th Phase 2 in Cholla Bay. • Independence Day • Tequila 150 - SADR AUGUST 2017 Sunday 14th • Mother’s Day. Tuesday 1st • CBSC Fishing Derby • Alicia’s Birthday! Phase 2 in Cholla Bay. SEPTEMBER 2017 th Thursday 25 • CBSC Fishing Derby Monday 1st Phase 3 in Cholla Bay. • Labor Day

Amigas y amigos, there’s no Q&A this time as Cap’n Greg has an important issue to clear up. An oft-repeated biblical verse says he who is without sin should cast the first stone. Obviously, there ain’t no human person without at least a little bit of sin— and some of us have waaaay more than others—so the verse seeks to remind us we should be slow to accuse and quick to forgive. The reason I am mentioning this, is a hyper-alert Rocky Point Times reader dumped a whole load of rocks on me because I made an error in the February issue. Silly me. I said there are 8 hours and 25 minutes between high tides. Actually, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a lunar day is about 24 hours and 50 minutes long, so approximately 12 hours and 25 minutes pass between high tides. The point I was trying to make is that keeping track of tides is not easy, so consulting a tide chart is absolutely necessary for writers and fishermen, of which I am both. And, golly gee whiz, I made a mistake. It’s not my first and won’t be my last, so get over

it. You should also be advised that no animals were harmed while I wrote this column, although one did get yelled at several times for chewing my huaraches. That said, in much of today’s political climate where stupid is an asset, there are some people who think scientific fact is the same as fake news. They consider the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its tracking of tide movements and severe weather a waste of taxpayer money. Of course, the VA, traffic cops and OSHA are a waste of money, too, until you need the services they provide. So... back to Rocky Point and the tides. When you look in this issue at the tide chart (as I should have done a couple months ago) please pay special attention to the highs and lows, because that’s when Nature puts on a spectacle here that’s seen few places on Earth. Next month, check this space. I will attempt to be error free while discussing why some street corners have two or three stop signs while others have none. And why coming to a full stop is hardly ever enough. Stay curious, my friends.

Got a ? for Cap’n Greg? Email to rockypointtimes@yahoo.com or send to RPTimes: PO Box 887, Lukeville, AZ 85341


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The Rocky Point Times Newspaper • (011-52-638) 383-6325 • US (480) 463-6255

Potpourri - Short Shorts of All Sorts!

Sometimes so much is going on in our little slice of paradise by the sea that we can’t address the many short subjects with proper attention. To handle the hodgepodge of dangling subject matter, we invented the Potpourri Page. Here are a few “short shorts” to keep you up to date. It’s Not Too Early to Mark Your Calendar for our 2017 Las Vegas Night for Charity!

their training over the past weeks, and there will also be an additional four Agents who will graduate from the Lifesaving training program, just in time for the busy summertime tourist season. The TAU Advisory Committee is still looking for donations towards uniforms, first aid items, and necessary equipment. If you can help with a donation of supplies or funds, please contact the committee at touristassistancerockypoint@gmail.com The TAU responded to several accidents over the Spring Break period, and the very busy time during the Semana Santa holiday. The TAU was responsible for the stabilization and treatment at the scene of several accidents, very likely saving lives. This is the case on many occasions, especially during the busier holiday periods in which literally more than one hundred thousand tourists populate our little city and beaches, all at the same time. TAU Agents also attended meetings last month with both the local Cub Scouts and the Boy Scouts where they shared information and demonstrated various first aid, first responder, and other TAU duties with the eager young group. Circus Mexicus 2017 Tickets Now on Sale

Local Bomberos Receive Donations from AZ Cities of Greer and Show Low

The local bomberos (fire department) have received donations of emergency and firefighter equipment from the Greer White Mountain Ambulance Service Company and the City of Show Low, Arizona. With invaluable support and donations such as these, we will significantly improve the conditions of the local civil protection unit and fire department. Rocky Point Mourns the Loss of Armando Ramírez

Municipal Coordinator of Public Projects, Terencio Gutiérrez Valenzuela, detailed work on the Cota Miranda facilities included installation of synthetic grass on the baseball field, 750 lineal meters of cyclone fence along with 36 lineal meters of fence behind the back stop, laying of concrete, 4 metallic bleachers, shade, and lights. Alfredo Guzmán, Sports Manager of the Tiburones de Puerto Peñasco baseball team, then presented a plaque to Ernesto Munro Palacio for his history as a baseball player in municipal state, national, and international championships, noting the 2017 Veterans’ League has been named in his honor. More than 22,000 Families to Benefit from Energy Saving Program in Peñasco

On Saturday, July 1, 2017, Sonoran Resorts will host our 6th Annual Las Vegas Night for Charity. For anyone who has not attended in the past, you’ll definitely need to be sure to add it to your “must attend” list once per year. Blackjack, Poker, Roulette, Raffles, Prizes and more Prizes - and a great dinner. Plus, each year we put every penny from the event towards a good local cause. Last year we painted a school inside and out, and provided some much needed equipment. The year before, we made some needed repairs and provided A/C units and other needed items to the senior retirement home, and so on. Much more information to come in next month’s paper, but now’s the time to set aside some time to come down on July 1st. It’s Red Cross Donations Time Again - Please Give When You See Them

Tickets for Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers’ 4-day, rockn-roll festival in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, are on sale now. This year, tickets will be sold through Eventbrite. A ticket link and lineup information are on Circusmexicus. net. There will be a limited number of VIP tickets that will allow concert-goers to see the show from either the Side/ Backstage Decks or the Soundboard Decks. Or, if you’re not getting a VIP pass, get the combo ticket for both the Friday and Saturday night main events and save some money! Admit it, you’ve been waiting for this all year! Its four days of rock & roll, beaches, tacos, and Mexican Moonshine Tequila with a few thousand of your closet friends. It’s Circus Mexicus XXVI. Get your tickets starting Sunday! Rocky Point Scout Troops Looking for Donations of Camping/ Outdoor Gear

Jesús Armando Ramírez Islas, Public Notary No. 29 of Puerto Peñasco, died on March 20th of complications in surgery at Hospital San José in Hermosillo. Licenciado Ramírez Islas, who was affectionately known as “El Mandy”, is survived by his wife. Ramírez Islas, originally from Nogales, Sonora, arrived in Puerto Peñasco as a Notary Public in the mid-1990s and became entrenched in Peñasco society. He created the Civil Association, Fomento de una Cultura Social de Legalidad, accompanied by Dr. Miguel Ángel Padilla Durán, Lic. María Jesús Cruz Murrieta and Lic. Armando Castillo Montiel. Mandy also served in various service agencies such as CEDO and in the support of the release of prisoners with minor sentences. He had been a candidate for Mayor for the PRI party on more than one occasion, and he previously served as Undersecretary of Government. Rest in Peace Licenciado. Rocky Point will Soon Have New Aquarium Attraction

Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. March 16, 2017. During an event led by Mayor Kiko Munro, in an effort to preserve the environment while supporting family economies, the energy savings program “Ahórrate una Luz” once again provided an exchange of incandescent lightbulbs for energy saving ones. Together with Rosario Rodríguez Quiñonez, Sonora Delegate for Social Development, as well as Rogelio Díaz Brown from the State Secretary of Social Development, and Carlos Millán Félix, Northwest Regional Manager of DICONSA, the mayor thanked the public servants for their work to benefit the community. The mayor explained via the lightbulb exchange program, over 36,000 energy saving lamps were distributed in Puerto Peñasco during 2016, benefiting more than 7200 families. The goal of the program is to reach 22,000 families in Puerto Peñasco. Díaz Brown from the Secretary of Social Development detailed they seek to expand the program to several municipalities, noting to date it has benefited more than 780,000 people in Sonora. OXXO Stores Owner to Invest US $1.3 Billion

In marking the official start to the 2017 Red Cross fundraiser drive, Mayor Kiko Munro presented a 40 thousand peso donation to board members of the local Red Cross Delegation. The national fundraiser, under the theme “Continue helping to save lives”, will run from March 14th through May 30th. Together with local Red Cross board president Julio Valenzuela, the mayor acknowledged the work of emergency responders and Red Cross members, encouraging residents and visitors help in achieving the 2017 goal to raise 460,000 pesos. Valenzuela detailed the Puerto Peñasco Red Cross currently has 6 ambulances, 60 emergency responders and volunteers, and has undergone several renovations and improvements to its facilities. You will see volunteers set up at intersections and topes (speed bumps) around town asking for donations. They are all dressed in Red Cross uniforms and usually have an ambulance at the site as well. Please help them as you pass, if you can. Tourist Assistance Unit Updates

The TAU has recruited 4 more Agents and started

The newly formed troops in Rocky Point are still looking for new or used camping equipment, fishing equipment, army surplus items, and other related items to be used for training and outings with the eager new recruits. The weather is perfect for some hiking and camping right now so please take a look through your garage, attic, or storage unit to see what you might have to donate. Or, of course, you can stop by a local Walmart or your favorite outdoor activities store and pick up a few items to donate. Everything will be put to good use and will be greatly appreciated. Feel free to drop it off at any of the Sonoran Resorts Sales Offices or email Barb at rpbarbo@ gmail.com. While you are digging around in your garage or storage shed looking for camping gear, if you should happen to run across any of your old musical instruments, go ahead and grab them too. They can come to life again to help music students learn the beauty of playing an instrument. Given the real needs of dozens of students in furthering their studies in learning how to play an instrument, along with the goal of creating a symphony orchestra at the Academia, an ongoing campaign has been launched to collect donated musical instruments and supplies for the Academia. Additional ways you can take part are to help sponsor a student music scholarship, or contribute to instructor salary expenses.

The Cet-Mar aquarium has been closed for quite some time and, even though it was a bit dated and eccentric in some ways, everyone just loved being able to see, smell, and sometimes even touch, many of the species of plants and animals that populate the land and sea in our area. While CEDO is a wonderful resource for information and nature activities, since the Cet-Mar acquarium had closed, there have been no live animal exhibits in town. Enter the new Mar de Cortez Acquarium. The new Aquarium will open soon but no date has been set as of this writing. To get to the new aquarium take Sinaloa (Reggies 8/12 street) to the Coco Rock (was the Caribbean Parrot) and turn west - go 2 blocks, and you are there. They will operate on donations and it will take at least $500 Pesos per day just for feeding the animals. This amount does not include the utilities and other costs involved. Along with a nominal entry fee, they will be accepting donations to help keep the doors open. Mayor Inaugurates Jesús Coto Miranda Athletic Field With local baseball teams, athletes, and families on hand, Mayor Kiko Munro Lopez inaugurated the 2017 Veterans’ Baseball League, inaugurating the renovated facilities of the Cota Miranda field made possible through a 4.5 million peso investment.

Femsa also predicts double-digit growth across all its divisions The company that operates the OXXO convenience store chain, Mexico’s largest, will invest about US $1.3 billion this year, despite economic uncertainty. Fomento Económico Mexicano, known as Femsa, intends to proceed with caution but expects to continue investing in new gas stations and stores, and predicts double-digit growth in all its divisions. This despite external factors such as the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement and exchange rate volatility, corporate director Eduardo Padilla told analysts in a conference call. He said Femsa will continue with its strategy of opening 50 new OXXO Gas station-convenience stores a year. About $770 million of this year’s capital expenditures, which will be approximately the same as last year, will be in Coca-Cola Femsa, the world’s largest Coca-Cola bottler. CEO Carlos Salazar Lomelín said Femsa continues to see a favorable consumer environment in spite of external in its fourth-quarter financial report the company said it opened 1,164 new OXXO stores in 2016, closing the year with 15,225 in total.

This article is brought to you by the Sonoran Resorts Sales Group, www.sonoranresorts.mx, Jim Ringquist, Director of Sales and Marketing.


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Choosing the Proper Building Materials for your Rocky Point Home

By Joseph Sanchez President, Rocky Point Home Builders

With nearly 365 days of sunshine and perfect weather each day, Puerto Peñasco is our paradise, but the seaside elements and climate that attracts us to this paradise are the same elements that will wreak havoc on building materials used to construct your home. Building a home is Puerto Peñasco is an important investment so you want to make sure you are using building materials that are sustainable in this environment in order to maintain your return on investment and minimize your maintenance costs.

Concrete Block

Most Americans are used to the traditional ways of building a home and which is typically pouring a concrete slab and using wood 2 x 4s to frame out the building. Well here Puerto Peñasco wood is almost never used, and instead all homes are constructed using concrete block. All of your exterior walls and interior walls will be concrete block which is the staple building material here. There are many benefits to using concrete block such as its natural insulation qualities, resistance to sound, its strength and durability, resistance to fire and seismic activity. In the long run, concrete buildings will stand the test of time through their low maintenance requirements and have a significant sustainable advantage over other structures. For example

Solar Reflective Glass Photo - When choosing what type of glass to use we recommend a solar reflective glass as seen here. Solar reflective glass reflects a portion of incoming solar radiation, which limits heat penetration into home lowering your HVAC usage.

moisture, which can undermine other building materials through rust or rot, has no weakening effect on concrete. Neither termites nor mold take any toll on concrete as well. In fact, concrete continues to strengthen over time, which is why concrete structures built thousands of years ago are still intact.

Windows

When choosing the type of window to install, never install vinyl or wood framed windows and instead always opt for aluminum framed windows. Vinyl windows will warp and leak over time, due to the heat of the sun. Wood windows will slowly dry rot and eventually will become infested with termites. Aluminum windows are actually less expensive than a wood or vinyl option but are virtually maintenance free and that is the benefit. The only maintenance needed each year is to caulk and seal around the windows.

When choosing what type of glass to use, we recommend a solar reflective glass. Reflective glass has a special metallic coating that makes it possible to see out, while preventing people from seeing in offering a level of privacy during the day. Reflective glass allows just the right amount of natural light into the home, while at the same time reducing glare. In addition, solar reflective glass reflects a portion of incoming solar radiation, which limits heat penetration into home lowering your HVAC usage.

In Puerto Peñasco all homes are constructed using concrete block and they will stand the test of time through their low maintenance requirements and have a significant sustainable advantage over other structures.

Stay Away from Wood

Workers Laying Concrete Block - There are many benefits to using concrete block such as its natural insulation qualities, resistance to sound, its strength and durability, resistance to fire and seismic activity.

The only wood in your home should be your doors and cabinets and they should always be pre-treated for termites before they are installed. Other than that, wood is not a material that is sustainable here in Puerto Peñasco because the salt and sand in the air combined with the high temperatures breaks down wood over time. Our recommendation is to opt for a faux wood if you want to the look of wood, but do not want the headaches associated with using the material. About the author: Joseph Sanchez is president of Rocky Point Home Builders a design/build contractor specializing in custom home design, construction and renovations. He resides here in Puerto Peñasco with his wife and two children and is originally from Chicago. Contact him at sales@rockypointhomebuilders. com

Methane Plant is the First to Use Nopal

A staple of Mexican landscapes and countless dishes, nopal - also known as prickly pear cactus - is now powering a tortilla plant and two vehicles in Michoacán. It was 10 years ago that Rogelio Sosa López, a farmer and tortilla producer in Zitácuaro, Michoacán, and an associate, Antonio Rodríguez, began investigating cheaper sources of fuel and power generation, which represented Sosa’s biggest costs. Using old equipment and a trial-anderror approach they began producing methane with nopal, reducing energy costs by between 40% and 50%, said Rodríguez, a former Pemex employee. Now they have a two-hectare nopal plantation and a processing plant where a special machine liquefies the nopal. The resulting pulp is mixed in large tanks with water at 38 degrees C, “the right temperature for nopal to break down and release methane.” Further treatment with sulphuric acid extracts carbon dioxide, giving the plant a 96% concentration of methane at a production rate of eight tonnes a day. The complete process is sustainable, said Rodríguez, because it produces only water and nopal waste that is used to Sosa’s and Rodríguez’ project, now a firm called Nopalimex, is the first in the world to produce biogas from the cactus. Another inadvertent result of their investigation was that the methane could also be used to power motor vehicles. Two have been running on nopal methane for two years at a cost of 10 pesos per liter. Come next year, the farmers turned fuel innovators plan to be ready to supply the fuel needs of vehicles owned by the Zitácuaro municipality, such as police patrol cars and ambulances. In order to run on methane, the vehicles have to be modified with a small container tank, a vaporizer and a nitrogen container. In all, the ZItácuaro municipality will save 30% of its fuel costs during the first two years, said the mayor. Sosa said the state government has also shown interest in further developing their project and investing in it, as has a Spanish firm that has even suggested international clients for the nopal methane. This article is brought to you by the Sonoran Resorts Sales Group, www.sonoranresorts.mx, Jim Ringquist, Director of Sales and Marketing.


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The Rocky Point Times Newspaper • (011-52-638) 383-6325 • US (480) 463-6255

(a 501©3 non-profit Corporation)

by Nancy Phelan AKA “The Pack Leader” ‘Animals come into our lives as gifts from God, for companionship, to teach us, and to heal us. They deserve our very best efforts in caring for them’ Dr. Ihor Basko, DVM

April showers may come your way, they bring the flowers that bloom in May. Also this time of year we are seeing so many puppies and kittens being born and abandoned. Please get your animal spayed and neutered. The city had a free clinic in April and will be having another one in May. You can call Dr. Javier at Chochoys or Dr. Erik at El Gallo for exact dates. Paws up to the veterinarians for helping curb the unwanted litters being born in the streets. Please, if you can, bring supplies for the clinic and drop them off at the center. Call Nancy if you have donations…383-1012 or (602) 412-3932.

We have new kittens, only one day old, dropped off in the street yesterday. Bottle feeding is time consuming and costly. Please, if you see newborns, leave them in case the Mama is around and just out searching for food. Make them comfortable with a box, blankets and food for the mother. If mama has been run over or no longer around them, it is safe to collect them. We are always looking for fosters for the bottle fed babies. If you can foster even one or two kittens or puppies, please call Nancy. We are in need of kitten and puppy bottles and powdered milk. Small blankets and small soft beds are also needed at this time. Cleaning supplies of all kinds are always welcome.

Pictures of the kittens and five little puppies are attached. The three puppies from Las Conchas are ready for adoption, and are going to be huge. If you are looking to adopt a puppy, kitten, cat or dog, please give us a call. A big thank you to Brenna Farrell for volunteering and helping with the puppies and kittens. We gave the puppies their first vaccine yesterday, so they are off to a good start. We also spend time bottle feeding the 4 new kittens. I call Brenna the “Puppy Whisperer”.

If you need a pet sitter this season give Nancy a call or send a message over Facebook. We try to update our Facebook page as time allows now that we are inundated with the newborns. Come visit us on Facebook…Animal Adoption Center of Rocky Point along with the Rocky Point Times, Chochoys and El Gallo Veterinarians. Anyone looking for an ATV for the El Golfo run? We have a 2009 Joyner with only 21,000 miles, new tires, goes 60 mph. Selling to be able to care for the animals,. Asking $8,500.00 or best offer. Give Nancy a call if you are interested, it is located in Rocky Point. A big thank you to all that help the animals in Rocky Point. www.rpaac.org Mexico (011-52-638) 383-1012 Phoenix (602) 412-3932 Tucson (520) 407-6594 AACORP INC 501 (c) 3 Tax Exempt nancy_phelan@yahoo.com nancy@rpaac.org AACORP PO Box 1031, Lukeville, AZ 85341

Mexico Welcomed RecordBreaking 35 Million International Visitors in 2016

World-famous Mexican hospitality and diverse tourism experiences fuel industry growth. The Mexico Tourism Board announced a record-breaking 35 million international visitors traveled to Mexico in 2016, representing a growth of 9 percent compared to 2015. This growth is more than twice the global industry average, most recently reported at 3.9 percent by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in January 2017. Additionally, tourism spending by international visitors grew even faster, at 10.4 percent, highlighting the strength of Mexico’s appeal to luxury travelers, interest in multi-destination visits, and demand for Mexico’s gastronomy, artisanal goods and shopping offering. “Mexico’s sustained, fast growth is a testament to the incredible quality and diversity in our tourism offering and the hard work for the entire industry, both internationally and domestically. More than 9 million Mexicans working in the tourism and hospitality industry have made it their mission to ensure visitors have incredible experiences,” remarked Lourdes Berho, CEO of the Mexico Tourism Board. “Plans are already underway to ensure 2017 builds upon these achievements and that Mexico continues to welcome all visitors and give them reasons to come back again and again.”

Mexico’s World Famous Hospitality Makes Visitors Feel At Home True to the famous Mexican adage, ‘Mi casa es su casa’ (my home is your home), travelers from all over the world have recognized Mexico as being one

of the most welcoming and friendliest places to visit in 2016. In fact, the Mexico Tourism Board’s internal consumer tracking studies showed more than 94 percent of visitors reported an experience that “exceeded their expectations” and 86 percent say they would “like to come back again” in the next six months- some of the highest scores in the industry. Examples include: Tourists arriving by air grew at an even faster rate of 10.7 percent, propelled by continued expansion in connectivity. This includes service from new international markets to multiple Mexico destinations, expanded frequency on existing routes, and upgraded aircraft featuring additional seats along with improved passenger experiences. The Mexico Tourism Board’s recently announced 2017 tourism development strategy included a focus on developing expanded products and personalized marketing campaigns focusing on areas such as luxury, weddings and romance, diving, biodiversity and nature, culture, gastronomy, high-profile events, sports and adventure, as well as programs for audience segments such as millennials, LGBTQ and retirees. In each of these areas, partnerships with key destinations as well as global travel operators will bring an everexpanded portfolio of options to travelers of all types. These industry partnerships are critical to Mexico’s goal to appeal to a broader audience in new markets, globally. This will help in achieving the new ambitious goal of reaching 50 million international visitors by 2021.

This article is brought to you by the Sonoran Resorts Sales Group, www.sonoranresorts.mx, Jim Ringquist, Director of Sales and Marketing.


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The Rocky Point Times Newspaper • (011-52-638) 383-6325 • US (480) 463-6255

9 Fun, Insanely Crazy Things to do in Rocky Point 3. By Anita Kaltenbaugh

OK, maybe not insanely crazy to everyone…but for a reasonable person, the following list will probably get your heart racing. For the person afraid of speed, heights, and unusual activities it will test you... For those of you who like action and adventure, well, it may just be another crazy day at the beach. Anyhow if you haven’t tried the list below, you might want to take a chance on a few and see if your heartbeat starts accelerating, and a sudden feeling of adventure overcomes you. (Caution: If none of the below seem exciting or fun, maybe you’re just a little crazier than you thought). 1. Rocky Point Zip Line- Rocky Point has a zipline! Yes, for those folks who have never ventured over toward the charming community of Cholla Bay, you may be unfamiliar with the majestic spot, Competition Hill. It’s the large patch of sand, where quads, sand rails and all-terrain vehicles race up and down a large sand mound. I could tell you some stories on sand rails, but I won’t. Now, you can zip down the hill in ultra-cool style without being in the sand. Ziplining. The owner and operators, Universal Zipline Technology, through its local affiliate Rocky Point Zipline, have ziplines all over the world and a proven safety record. I heard firsthand from a friend of mine, it was awesome, and she is ready to do it again! Head toward Cholla Bay after the turn off to the Wrecked at the Reef. 2. Ultra-light flight- Have you tried a flight on the ultra-light aircrafts on the beach? Perhaps you are sitting on the beach or a balcony of a condo and you see a strange looking flying machine overhead, looks like a hang glider, but wait, the flyers are sitting down and there is a motor. My husband takes everyone who visits, to a location on Sandy Beach and convinces them to take the ride of their life. The exciting

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flight last about 20 minutes. You get a shot of adrenaline and a great view of Rocky Point from the air. Located on Sandy Beach on the turn- in road to Wrecked at the Reef Cantina. Try it out! Snorkel with the sea lions on Bird Island- OK, this may sound crazy to some, but take a boat ride to Bird Island with snorkel gear in hand and jump in the water with hundreds of sea lions. Make sure to take an underwater camera as they will come right up to you with their big brown eyes, blinking against your mask. Just remember sharks do like sea lions… I’m just saying it’s a fact (not that I have ever seen one at Bird Island). If you are interested in taking a trip to Bird Island try ecofunrentals@gmail. com or www.delmarcharters.com or www.santiagosoceanservices.com. Some beach towns offer ‘swim with the dolphins”, we offer ‘swim with the sea lions’. Horseback riding on the beachWhether this gets your heart beating or not may depend on how experienced you are in the equestrian arena. Just riding any animal is exciting, and a beach ride at sunset is romantic and may make your heart beat in a different way. Every evening around sunset you will see the horses come out to the beach around Playa Bonita and work their way down Sandy Beach offering rides to customers. Bring a camera and maybe a carrot. Take a ride on the Banana boat- A fast zippy fast ride pulled by a panga boat. The banana boat rides are fun. They love to pile you on and fling you around. It’s safe, bumpy, old fashioned entertainment, but hold on tight or you might go flying into the sea. Look for them on the water in front of the resorts on Sandy Beach- life jackets and a fun ride are included. Try your hand at Kite surfing- Picture surfing but with a kite attached to it. Catching air, lifting up off the waves and then back down on the top of the water. It is a pretty sight to see and, I imagine, a more exciting sport to try, this should get the juices flowing. If you ever tried this in Hawaii or another beautiful location try it out in Peñasco. Jet Ski on the Sea of Cortez- What other body of water can you get on a jet ski in front of your resort and ride the waves around the sea. Rocky Point generally does not have surfing waves so jet skiers can glide across flat waters and ride the machine from one point of Sandy Beach to the other. Rocky Point prices are much cheaper for Jet Ski rentals than those in the United States. Take a spin and experience

A literary column By Marcia Diane

one end of Sandy Beach to the other, or take a trip around the peninsula to Cholla Bay. 8. Kayak around Pinto and Pelican point to Cholla Bay- Ok here is a day adventure for you. Bring down your kayak or rent Kayaks (Las Palomas has kayak rentals beside them Eco Fun Rentals, ecofunrentals@gmail. com and a few places will have them sitting out on the way into Old Port). Go out at Wrecked at the Reef Cantina on Sandy Beach, and kayak around the peninsula of Cholla Bay. Cholla Bay is a peninsula with two jetting points. You might experience some strong currents at the points, but we said insanely crazy, didn’t we? Kayak around to the still water of beautiful Cholla Bay, and then pull your kayaks up in front of JJ’s Cantina and have a snack, and a beverage... then depending on what beverage you had-- kayak back or find a friend to pick you up! Note: Check the tide charts in the Rocky Point Times. 9. Rocky Point Stand Up Paddle Boarding- Here’s a rather new sport in town to Rocky Point. Paddle Boarding. (SUP) It looks relatively easy, but when is the last time you glided or walked on water? If you have never tried this before, I challenge you try it and tell me you got up the first time. A few private residents or visitors may have been seen in the past gliding on top of the sea in what looked like a surfboard, but now they are everywhere, and available for rentals and lessons. Message them on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ rockypointpaddleboarding. There are many more exciting and fun things to do in Rocky Point with new adventures being offered every day. In my opinion it is impossible not to have fun in our beautiful seaside town. Above is a small selection of 9, but stay tuned for more! Subscribe to Anita Kaltenbaugh’s blog, Www.wordstravelfilm.com. This blog features Puerto Penasco as a travel destination, and a great site to discover other travel destinations, book, and movie reviews. Anita is the author of the 2017 book “Travel Secrets, and the fiction suspense novel, A Deep Thing, under the name, A. K. Smith. Both available on Amazon, Barnes & Nobel.

Anita Kaltenbaugh is the Mexico travel examiner at examiner.com and author of the book “Travel Secrets- Insider guide to planning, affording and taking more vacations” available on Amazon.com. Watch for her debut fiction novel, “A Deep Thing” being released in Summer 2016 by The Wild Rose Press.

Once in my youth, an employer told me never change the day you clean on your client…so if I’m to take her advice, and it has proven to be a good standby in my life going forward…I’d not change the name of this column. But I have to tell you the Storytelling events we’ve been having are taking off like fireworks! And had we gone with Literary events…yawn, not so much. OK, I won’t change the name…folks wouldn’t know where to find us in the paper under a new name…it’s tempting. Oh I know, ya’ll just come on over to one of the Storytellingevents and then you can have it both ways. Below you will find our ‘schedule’, that being a little bit of a relative term to full time residents and shop owners in our beloved town. For example we put forward our Storytellingevent at Kilombo’s by a month on account of Semana Santa… everyone agreeing that people are pretty much otherwise occupied during that time. Now, we did have our second one out at Sally’s café, Xochitls in Cholla Bay and a good time was reported. We featured Harper Lee’s famous work To Kill A Mocking Bird and the second and final novel she ever wrote; Go Set A Watchman. Through those stories we told our own about growing up in several cultures simultaneously…and the challenges we faced. Since I’m kind of showcasing oral traditions this month, I want to direct you all towards an amazing young poet; Olivia Gatewood…whose YouTube performance is listed at the below. This young woman is a talent, goodness…we are so lucky that our youth is bringing forth such astounding work. https://youtu.be/FEJ18ZFUg_E go listen everybody and then, then come listen to the stories being told, come share yours at our two events pretty much scheduled each month on the first and second Monday’s of the month. But just to be sure, call first if you prefer to make sure we’re there. Afterhours at Sally’s-Xochitls Café 382-5283@ 3:00 pm First Monday of each month. Second Monday Storytelling-Kilombo 638-388-5339 @ 8:00 pm And as always we welcome and encourage you to join in at m.diane. writeon@gmail.com for our writers online group. If you want a real treat go to Poets.org and listen to her read this poem out loud. And of course please join us for our online writing group at: m.diane.writeon@gmail.com


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Oc3an View Ministry is The Conduit for Donors and Doers to Help Grateful Communities in Need By Joe Houchin

It was just two years ago when Conrado Flores Rodriguez, after devoting four years as a full time volunteer with a local missionary group, found himself being led by God to utilize his love for people and service to take on an amplified role to serve all of God’s people. Within a month of that glorious day in January of 2015, with the gentle waves of the Sea of Cortez coursing his bare feet as he prayed for guidance and received that life-changing command from his Creator, Conrad opened the doors of the non-profit Oc3an View Ministry with the clearly defined mission to host and provide outreach and service opportunities for large or small mission groups and the equally clear vision to serve as a conduit and facilitation service between those missions and the local churches, community centers, rehab centers, schools, athletic teams, families and other local organizations and ministries serving the needy in Puerto Peñasco. His commitment was, and is, to develop lifelong relationships with all those local organizations committed to helping the needy while creating loyalty, confidence and repeat visits by hosting the contributing missions who choose to help Puerto Peñasco, no matter the size. “We are not a church; we are not a specific religion. We are a ministry serving all of God’s children”, explained Conrad. In addition to the more than a dozen active outreach programs Oc3an View Ministry has developed the c3 Memorial Scholarship Fund is of special significance to Conrad. Oc3an View Ministry and c3 Memorial Scholarship Fund are in dedication to Conrado Andre Flores III, the late son of Michelle and Conrado Flores. The c3 in Oc3an View Ministry represents Conrad III, born in Lovelock, Nevada on April 22, 1985. He departed to heaven on April 9, 2013. A donation to the c3 Memorial Scholarship Fund will bless a deserving graduating student to further his or her education. Details for donations are on the web site listed below. Although he carries the non-profit title of Founder and President, Conrad is a worker, a doer, a visionary who sees the good and the potential in all of God’s people. Conrad is driven by his deep faith and embraces his talents as God’s gifts that prepared him to build the ministry according to God’s plan and perfect timing. Through his visionary spirit Conrad looked at a dilapidated concrete shell at the entrance to a quaint old beach front hotel and visualized the shell becoming the ministry office and reception center,

and the old hotel with new paint and some refurbishment would become the perfect accommodations for visiting missions. By virtue of his own hard work ethic and the people skills to recruit other volunteers, he miraculously manifested that concrete shell into a comfortable attractive reception center to meet and plan future missions with the many organizers he has befriended with his honest, contagious personality. Within the first year of Oc3an View Ministry, Conrad had arranged a near perfect partnership with the owner of that iconic old Granada Del Mar Hotel, situated right on the beach in the historic Mirador neighborhood of Puerto Peñasco. During the second year, Conrad discovered an odd-shaped lot with two bare and roofless shacks in the heart of the city and visualized a donation facility and community center, a salon to provide haircuts to the needy and homeless and even an outdoor grill and dining area to feed lunch to the hungry on weekends. You guessed it. Not only is the donation center a roofed and enclosed reality, but it is well stocked with donations including clothes, building materials, tools and supplies. The salon is now also open with a roof, a new bathroom and the supplies and volunteers who are currently providing the community’s needy with haircuts. The grill now serves free lunches on weekends to the transients who roam the neighborhood from the nearby train tracks and the homeless and needy who come from around the neighborhood. They display the donated clothes in a thrift store fashion and make them available for mere pesos, just enough to give a sense of value to them while instilling a feeling of self-worth in the individuals to whom a couple of pesos might represent half their net worth on any given day. The donation center accepts donations of all types and will even pick them up if you call. Most of the donations have been given by the more than 20 mission groups and

dozens of families and individuals in appreciation for the excellent care and attention by Oc3an View Ministry as their host, arranging every detail of bringing these goodhearted missionaries together with grateful local churches, ministries, schools, community centers and families in need of construction projects that have included adding bathrooms, plumbing, roofs, bedroom additions, painting and providing supplies for community outreach programs and many other creative activities such as concerts, special needs learning programs and so many other good deeds. The impact has proven the validity of Oc3an View’s mission, vision and timing for Puerto Peñasco. Oc3an View Ministry has accomplished so much in its two-year existence, we highly recommend that you visit their well-designed web site at www.oc3anviewministry.com and learn more. On the web site you will find a map to both the ministry office and hotel and the donation center. Also visit their Facebook page. You can call the ministry office from the U.S. or Mexico at: (U.S.): 480264-1172 or (Mexico) 638-109-8017. Email: Oc3anViewMinistry@gmail.com. Even though Conrad Flores would never bring this up, his selfless dedication to his faith in God is exemplified by the fact that while he gives 110% to his ministry, he also supports his family entirely through the income from operating his BackStreet Dogs and Tacos cart, which he voluntarily moved from an established location for many years to the donation center property and essentially started over from scratch building a new local clientele. And here’s the clincher that adds even more to the solid credibility of this man of God and his Oc3an View Ministry; he moved his dogs and tacos cart business so he can use it to help serve free lunches to the needy and homeless on weekends before he opens it for business every Wednesday through Saturday from 6:00PM to Midnight.

This article is brought to you by the Sonoran Resorts Sales Group, www.sonoranresorts.mx, Jim Ringquist, Director of Sales and Marketing.

La Cantina Sports Bar, Tiki Beach Bar at Sonoran Sky Resort Under New Management

Located directly on Sandy Beach, in the area decorated by the State of Sonora with the prized “Certified Clean Beach” designation, The Sonoran Sky Resort is a true gem that really deserves a visit. Beyond the luxury high-end condos, the Sonoran Sky Resort has some truly wonderful businesses that are open to not only to condo owners and guests, but to the general public as well. As you come to the private gated entry, just let the guards know that you will be spending some time at the Tiki Beach Bar or at La Cantina Sports Bar and they will allow you through to enjoy yourselves at one of the oceanfront attractions. Rain or shine, windy or calm, too hot or just right, you can decide whether you prefer to sit on a colorful tiki bar stool right on the beach or step inside to grab a booth to watch your favorite sporting events and enjoy the refreshing airconditioning. Both locations have fully stocked bars, and a nice selection of menu items from snacks to full meals. Everything is good...But, the Sonoran Resorts aren’t satisfied with good. Sometimes when something is already really good it’s hard to imagine making improvements on it, but that’s exactly what has happened at the Sonoran Sky Resort. Our new Food and Beverage/Events Manager, Frida Modonia, has a lot to offer and finding ways to improve on the already good businesses of La Cantina Sports Bar and the Tiki Beach Bar are on her list of objectives. Frida is a very personable lady and she is easy to like, right from the start. But, don’t let that fool you. She is a very experienced business person and has loads of experience in the food and beverage industry, having worked at some of the biggest and best companies from Puerto Peñasco, to Puerta Vallarta, Rivera Maya, and Los Cabos, only to return home to the Sonoran Sky in Rocky Point. We are fortunate to have her. How about live music on Thursdays with Jesse Gerardo, and Friday with the Hillson Group on the patio in front of the beach? Agua de Coco is a very popular local group and they will be playing on Saturday. The menu is being upgraded, room service added, even more high end beers and liquors coming. How about poolside service? Of course. (Room service and poolside service are for owners/guests only). For those who have frequented the Sky hotspots, you will be pleased to see things as they are transformed, improved, and upgraded - even if you already think that it’s as good as it can get. And, for those who have not been there, it’s time to check them out. What are you waiting for? Frida and her friendly staff are definitely waiting for you! Be sure to say Hello to Frida while you are there as well! This article is brought to you by the Sonoran Resorts Sales Team, www.sonoranresorts. mx, Jim Ringquist, Director of Sales and Marketing. Sign up for Jim’s Monthly Newsletter: www.tinyurl.com/JimNewsletter


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Winning the rust wars By Cholla Charli

Watching the sun shimmer off the waters of the Sea of Cortez is always breathtaking, but battling the effects of sun and salt air on everything metal can be a disheartening reality here.

hard finish that is tougher and thicker than paint, with no risk of running or sagging.

Next is the color coat and finally a transparent, durable clear coat for ultraviolet protection. “There is a big difference between the quality of coating needed for the typical dry Arizona environment and the coating required to withstand the sun, sand, sea and salt air in Rocky Point,” said Cramer. “If you only visit this area a few times a year, then take your vehicle or trailer back to Arizona and wash it down, you might be able to manage with a lesser quality coating.

Cholla Bay Powder Coating sales representative Bob Livingston with one of the newly coated security doors for the Sonoran Spa. The new Cholla Bay Powder Coating facility is on the first street to the right as you enter the Cholla/ Barracho Flats neighborhood. Watch for a sign pointing the way.

Brand new, freshly painted trailers, chassis, security doors, outdoor furniture – you name it – will all fall victim to rust eventually. Sanding and repainting works, but it is an ineffective, expensive and never-ending task.

It produces a finish that will last infinitely longer than paint, and the process produces less hazardous waste in the environment than conventional liquid coatings. Cramer explained that it is a three coat process starting with a zinc-rich primer for corrosion resistance.

Patio Furniture This patio set and the propane tank in the background are now brighter and stronger than when they were new.

The powder coating process starts with sandblasting. They can also help those who need just sandblasting for any number of projects.

Knowing this, 18-year Cholla residents Kyle and Tina Cramer, saw the opportunity to help people win that war. They imported all the equipment from Louisiana, built a facility and started Cholla Bay Powder Coating. The new facility began operation just this spring and it has been met with enthusiasm by soldiers in the rust wars, both home owners and commercial property managers. The process starts with sand blasting the metal surface to its raw state. Then a free-flowing dry thermoplastic or thermoset polymer powder is electrostatically sprayed onto every surface. The product is then moved into an enormous oven and cured under heat to allow the powder to flow and form a skin on the metal. The process creates a

The company boasts the largest heat treatment oven in Mexico. Here the powder is baked on, becoming a part of the metal and impervious to nearly all wear and weather.

“However, if you’re talking about a security door or patio furniture that will have to stand the ravages of this climate 365 days a year, you have to up the game. Here you’re in the corrosion big leagues,” Cramer explained. Kyle and Tina Cramer have had several business operations in Cholla Bay. They have also owned and operated KC Air Conditioning in Chandler for almost 30 years. Tina says that’s how they know what it takes to operate a successful and honest business. They have two employees on site, Julio, who is fluent in both English and Spanish, oversees the plant. Yudar walks each piece through the process. Both men work to assure the quality of the finished product. Local sales representative Bob Livingston is helping to grow the business and Kyle and Tina bring it all together. Cholla Bay Powder Coating is located on the south end of Cholla Bay, on the first road to the right, just before the Ron Rico market. If you are sick of rust, there is an answer. For more details, call Kyle Cramer at 602-989-0646 or call the office at 683-382-5450.

Where Did It Go By Rob Baylor

Mexico is a beautiful place to live or vacation. With its’ abundance of gorgeous beaches, breathtaking sunsets, hundreds of shops, restaurants and bars. Inexpensive housing, friendly people, medical, dental, and veterinary services for your pets, are very good and affordable. This just makes sense to retire here in Mexico! We have been here full time for over 6 years and are very happy we decided to live here. We have met so many people from all over the world. I was backing my truck up to my trailer at a local RV park and got out to see which way to go to line up with the hitch when I heard some people a few spaces down talking in I think Russian. One of the men came over and motioned for me to watch him help me back up straight to hook up. He then noticed I was limping from a recent surgery and volunteered to help me get my trailer ready to move. How nice that was. I was in Tucson at the VA Hospital when my wife Nancy and a friend delivered the trailer to this park and we didn’t have the right electrical cord so a couple loaned her an adapter cord. They left before I could return it, so if you read this article, I have it for you. Where is this article going you say? I’m getting to that. When I was a kid I was taught to respect other people and their property. I would get my fanny wacked if I misbehaved in a social atmosphere. Today if you do that it is abuse. Rules? What’s that? Those don’t pertain to me! I’m here to let go and have fun! I’m probably going to be in deep do-do for this but I have rights too. I worked hard all my life to be able to be where I am. I raised my children and when I go out to eat at a nice restaurant I really don’t appreciate kids running all over, screaming and disturbing me. Sit and enjoy your meal and let me do the same. We have beautiful sandy beaches and I can take my shoes off and get the sand between my toes and have a nice walk listening to the waves. I have two Chihuahuas on leashes getting their feet wet and getting some exercise. Whoops, I just stepped in some dog “poo” that some owner didn’t pick up! Oh and here come two Pit Bulls not on a leash! They attacked a little Pomeranian on a leash and chewed it up. Hundreds of dollars in vet bills. No leashes, running free, getting their exercise! My wife was taking the trash out at dark in Las Conchas and a Pitt Bull came from across the street and tried to get our little dog. The big dog knocked my wife down and held her down, still trying for our dog. The law about dogs being on a leash must not pertain to these owners. I have seen and heard complaints like this all the time. I am NOT picking on the breed of dog. Other breeds attack, also. Owners let their dogs on a leash urinate and defecate on our flower pots and carpet and don’t pick it up, so when I walk out my gate I step in it. Pleeeese be a nice neighbor! Just one more thing, ATV’S! A sign at the entrance states no motos (atv’s), also speed limit 5mph. Quiet time in the park is 10pm7am. Us elderly folks don’t have the staying power the younger people have and we go to bed earlier. Please respect us. Idle by us and don’t let your machine keep us awake. I value sitting on my patio saying ‘HI’ to people walking by and not smell animal leavings. I want to feel safe when I go for a walk. After all this venting we want to welcome you to our home and this great country. Come sit with me and swap stories or better yet, LETS GO FISHING!


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Still Lookin’ for The Cruise Ship

By Mike Bibb

I know, I’ve been skeptical of the highly touted cruise ship project from the very beginning. Call me a “Doubting Thomas” or “Ye of little faith,” to use scriptural references. Others have labeled me an idiot to dispute the wisdom of questioning this scheme. I’ve been called worse. Actually, being labeled an idiot might be a compliment. Fact of the matter, I just don’t see the port project happening. Not that I’m equating the long anticipated Puerto Peñasco Home Port adventure to being totally comatose, but seems it’s been on life-support for the past three or four years; ever since original pier construction boulders and backfill debris was blasted and trucked from Black Mountain, a couple of miles away. Then, Black Mountain rocks were suddenly determined to be noncompatible with construction standards. They weren’t the correct size or weight. Yet, entry into the Rocky Point harbor and Old Port sea wall in town is lined with local rocks gathered from nearby sources. They appear to be controlling surf and wave erosion just fine. As nearly as I can determine, there are no fabricated concrete blocks fouling the natural landscape. After beginning construction activities in 2013, it’s been one delay after another; labor disputes, material inconsistencies, funding problems, legal issues, to name a few. The goal of

completing the first phase in 2014 - the pier, terminal and docks - has long since passed. So far, just a bunch of rocks and piles of concrete cubes have been dumped into the water. The pier is about half-finished and little work has been accomplished for many months. I’m not a project engineer, but hauling rocks and manufacturing big concrete cubes would appear to be the less difficult part of the enterprise. Installation of infrastructure, buildings and attendant facilities to service large cruise ships is the more challenging, and expensive portion of the task. As in many things, it’s all about the money. While hundreds of millions of pesos have already been spent on the project, hundreds of millions more are still needed. Anticipated completion schedules have been frequently modified and are now projected to be sometime beyond 2018. “2018 and Beyond” - Sounds like a Sci-Fi flick, not a tourist attraction actively promoted in the Cholla Bay area. Presently, no definitive start-up dates have been announced by government officials, although everyone from the federal maritime office, to the governor, to the state tourism secretary, to the city mayor, to the local convention and visitors bureau representative have pledged their support to reinvigorate an idea that has been plagued with dilemmas since announcement. Obviously, large scale construction projects are sometimes beset with various unforeseen issues, but usually the more important matters - financing, legal contracts and construction agreements are resolved before the first spade of sand is removed. In this case, it appears things are working in reverse. As a compromise, when big ideas are determined to be unworkable, smaller concepts are offered as an alternative. If constructing facilities to accommodate super-ships is no longer a realistic plan, then maybe a down-sized and less expensive version of the project would be more acceptable. After all, a slice of the pie is better than no pie at all. In the meantime, the half-completed jetty is providing plenty of local gossip and speculation. I’m not absolutely certain, but I wouldn’t doubt “officepool” wagering is taking place among the community, with many bets being placed on an anticipated date of completion. Perhaps the successful wagerer could win an all-expense-paid trip for two to Bird Island or maybe a romantic sunset cruise drifting along Sandy Beach aboard the pirate boat, since that’s as close to a “cruise” they will probably get. Unless, the more adventuresome types opt for a speedy trip down the newly opened Rocky Point Zipline. At least they’ll briefly get an elevated view of the concrete block storage yard and a glimpse of where the cruise ship would be docking if there was actually a cruise ship pier to dock to!!!

Rocky Point’s Rodeo Drive By Barbara Iverson

Welcome to paradise. Beautiful beaches, sunshine and great restaurants, but best of all, shopping on Rodeo Drive. There are over 50 friendly vendors, many of them making what they sell right there in their shop.

Not everyone can even afford to have a shop and consign their wares to other shops. One of those people is Tomas Lopez who was brought to Peñasco as a youngster by his parents. Hailing from Oaxaca he is so proud of his heritage and wants to share some of it with Puerto Peñasco. He began by bringing up black clay pottery that Oaxaca is known for and consigning it to Su Casa, where you can see these wonderful works of art. Black clay (barro negro), known for its color, sheen and unique shapes and decorative designs, is made in a small village called San Bartolo Coyotepec. The tradition of making this beautiful pottery originated over 2,000 years ago the clay comes in a gray color but they found by buffing it, it changed to the rich black you see today. Stop by and see it for yourself.

Tomas is a young man with dreams of a bright future. He began fulfilling those dreams not only by consigning his clay pieces to Su Casa, but by making ice cream

and selling it on the street from his bicycle cart. He has been saving all his money by living with his parents and recently opened an ice cream store on Benito Juarez across the street from Coffee Point and just north of the stadium. He saw no one in Peñasco had traditional Mexican ice cream and is filling that niche. Made by hand with only fresh ingredients this is something not to be missed. Not only the usual strawberry, vanilla and chocolate but, you’ll find cucumber, burnt milk and tamarindo or how about oreo cookie. Shop Rodeo Drive, dinner at Mariachi’s and Tequila and homemade Mexican ice cream. This is indeed paradise. See you on the Drive.


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TRAVELINFORMATION TOURIST ASSISTANCE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO REMEMBER

If you dispute any incident or infraction, need help or have questions, please go to the Police Station, located north of town. Pay any and all fines ONLY at the station. IF YOU ARE PULLED OVER ALWAYS: • Write down the Name of the Officer • And the Number on the back of the vehicle that pulled you over • Record the location you were pulled over and the exact time

POLICE EMERGENCIES

DIAL...066

Nationwide: from ANY PHONE. TelCel users can also dial *112 to go directly to the Peñasco Police Station

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

REPORT ANY ATTEMPT OF BRIBES BY CALLING INTERNAL AFFAIRS AT 388-6552

YOU MUST FILE AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT!

If you feel you have been wronged by an officer(s), you MUST make an official complaint so that the police department can take action. If they have no record of the incident, then they have no proof. Telling your friends and complaining to others will not get the problem solved - it only creates more problems and allows the officer to go on “doing business as usual”. File a complaint and save others the same grief you have gone through and make our city a better place.

DO NOT PAY OR OFFER TO PAY ANY OFFICER DIRECTLY WHEN PULLED OVER.

All fines are to be paid at the main police station

PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED Passports are required for re-entry into the U.S. when travelling by vehicle into Mexico. You may also present a Passport Card, Enhanced Driver’s License, SENTRI or NEXXUS Cards when leaving Mexico. Children under the age of 16 need to present their Birth Certificate. This applies to any port of entry when driving into Mexico.

ABOUT PUERTO PEÑASCO Puerto Peñasco, also known as Rocky Point, is located in the State of Sonora on the Sea of Cortez. It is approz. 66 miles from the U.S. border at Lukeville, AZ and the Mexican border at Sonoyta, MX. Rocky Point is located within the “Free Zone”, so no vehicle permits are required for you to visit, but you will need your Passport or other ID (see above) to re-enter the United States. Rocky Point offers a variety of land and sea activities for every age and is very family oriented. It also offers a variety of dining and lodging choices as well as beach camping and RV Parks. Rocky Point is known for its warm weather, beautiful sunsets and gorgeous beaches. Relax and enjoy a day on the beach or at one of our many spas. Head out for a day of shoppingm to find everything from one-ofa-kind fine art to curious. Plan a day of golf on some of the most beautiful and challenging courses around. And when the sun has set, head out for some local night time entertainment.

DRIVING TO ROCKY POINT

take you all the way to the U.S./Mexico border at Lukeville, AZ and Sonoyta, MX. The Maricopa Hwy. will lead you right into Gila Bend, exit left once you come to the stop sign and follow the above directions.

COMING FROM TUCSON You will take the old Ajo Hwy. (Hwy. 86), which will lead you through Sells and end at Why, AZ. At the stop sign take a left onto Hwy. 85 (at Why) and head to the border (see above). Gas stations, restrooms, ATM’s & convenience stores are located in Gila Bend, Ajo, Why and Lukeville. AZ before reaching the border.

COMING FROM CALIFORNIA The Crossing at San Luis (south of Yuma, AZ) is the fastest and easiest point to cross. Head East on I-8 and take Hwy. 95 S towards Yuma. You will cross at San Luis Rio Colorado. Continue straight for a few blocks, turn left at the signal on to Ave. Obregon. That is the main road through San Luis. You will go all the way through town and see a sign for Puerto Peñasco and El Golfo de Santa Clara off to your right. Exit right at the bridge and follow the signs to Puerto Peñasco. Theres is a toll booth you will go through (currently $110 pesos). The road is smooth and free of potholes and has plenty of places to pass and pull over. Just outside of El Golfo, you will turn left onto the Coastal Highway (003) and follow that all the way to Rocky Point. Signs are clearly marked. Look on our facebook page for pictures of the signs, roadway, stops and scenery.

ENTERING MEXICO Hwy. 8 from the Lukeville border to Rocky Point is a good 2-lane road with plenty of emergency parking and places to pass. It is an open range (watch out for wildlife) and is patrolled by the highway police as well as the Green Angels (roadside assistance). Please see Crossing the Border in this section for more info.

YOU MUST HAVE MEXICAN VEHICLE INSURANCE...IT’S THE LAW A minimum of liability is required. COMING FROM PHOENIX Take either I-10 (west side) or the Maricopa Hwy. (east side). Take the Gila Bend/Mexico exit off of I-10 and head toward Gila Bend. Once you pass through Gila Bend you will exit onto Hwy. 85 (south) toward Ajo/Mexico. Hwy. 85 will

ACCIDENTS If you are involved in a (nondeath) accident in Mexico, you are considered at fault until proven otherwise. All parties are taken to the police station where you

ACCIDENTS CON’T and your vehicle may be detained until restitution is made. If a minor is involved in an accident, the parents are responsible for the child. Parents must pay fines and/or restitution. Minors are usually detained but not jailed in non-death accidents or traffic violations. You need to file a police report and phone your Mexican insurance adjustor immediately in the event of an accident. You (most likely) will be held in jail if you are in an accident in which a death occurs.

AIRLINE SERVICE & AIRPORTS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Mar de Cortes International Airport (011-52-638) 383-6097 www.aeropuertomardecortes.com Airport Administrator: Alonso Dominguez Ruiz Libramiento Carretera Sonoyta-Caborca 71 Ejido Miramar, Colonia Miramar

PERSONAL AIRCRAFT To fly your own plane you must have your: pilots license, medical certificate, registration, air worthiness certificate, and Mexican airplane insurance. GENERAL AIRPORT INFORMATION Airport ICAO ID: MMPE Location: 17 miles East of downtown Elevation: 88 ft. Mar de Cortes Radio Tower Frequency: 118.85 Website contains complete info. on Airport loanding, parking other fees Type of Services: RS: Int’l regular flights RFF Category: 7 Airport Coordinates: 31° 21’ 6.836” LN113° 18’ 19.44” LW Runway Center Runway Designation: 18-36 Runway 18 THR Elev.: 84 ft./Runway 36 Elev.: 88 ft. Airport Reference Number: 4D Runway Lengths: 8,100 ft. Airport Size: 1,482.6 Acres U.S. AIRPORTS (CLOSEST)

Phoenix, Tucson & Nogales, AZ

BUS STATIONS (MEXICO)

ABC - Phone: 383-1999 (Auto Transportes de la Baja California) Located on Constitucion, just N of the signal at Blvd. Benito Juarez Albatros - Phone: 388-0888 E side of Benito Juarez, N of the Stadium Norte de Sonora - Phone: 383-3640 E side of Blvd. Benito Juarez, S of No. Releccion (Calle 26) and N of Pemex TAP - Phone: 383-6761 (Transportes y Autobuses del Pacifico) W side of Blvd. Benito Juarez, N of the signal at Constitucion

FOR U.S. - SEE SHUTTLE SERVICES

CAR RENTALS Some major rental companies do permit their vehicles to be driven into Mexico. Call their AZ offices directly instead of their national offices. You may be required to carry their Mexican insurance. Mexico law requires that you must carry a minimum of liability insurance. Arizona (Phoenix Area) Enterprise, Advantage, Dollar, Saban’s Puerto Peñasco (from the U.S. dial 011-52-638) Alamo Rent A Car 102-0277 Bufalo 388-9999 M.G. Rentals 383-3814 Pro Rent-A-Car 388-5823 Rio Car Rental 383-8181 The Point Rent-A-Car 388-5823

CONSULATES MEXICAN CONSULATES Tucson: 553 S. Stone Ave., 85701 (520) 882-5595 • Mon.-Fri. 8 AM - 2 PM Phoenix: P 320 E McDowell Rd Ste 320 Phoenix, AZ 85004 • (602) 242-7398 Nogales: 480 Grand Ave., 89562 • (520) 287-3175 Douglas: 541 10th St., 85607 • (520) 364-3107 U.S. CONSULATES Nogales, Mexico from Mexico (01-631) 311-8150 Fax: (01-631) 313-4652 from the U.S. (011-52-631) 311-8150 Fax: (011-52-631) 313-4652 http://travel.state.gov Email: NogalesASC@state.gov What the Consulate CAN DO if you are arrested in Mexico • Visit you in jail after your arrest • Provide you a list of local attorneys • Inform you of judicial procedures • Notify family and friends • Relay requests for aid or monetary support • Protest abuse/mistreatment to authorities What the Consulate CANNOT DO if you are arrested in Mexico • Demand your immediate release • Get you out of jail or out of the country • Pay legal fees w/U.S. Government money • Pay fines w/U.S. Government money

CONTRALORIA SONOYTA Dear traveler, when crossing the border of Sonoyta, Sonora you suffer any abuse by any police authority, make sure to file a Complaint. The Mayor’s office is here to help with any problem you may have, make sure to contact us to: (651) 512-1172 or ( 651) 100-9530 or email contraloriasocialsonoyta@hotmail.com We are available 24 /7, every day of the week.

CROSSING THE BORDER CLOSED MIDNIGHT - 6:00 AM

Arizona (Lukeville) Border Mexico (Sonoyta) Border As soon as you pass the chainlink fence, you are entering into Mexico. There are two lanes going into Mexico. Wait for the vehicle ahead of you to pass all the way through the lane before proceeding. VEHICLE INSPECTION There are two means of inspection: 1) Fiscal Traffic Light Nothing to declare/items under allowed limit

2) Integral Inspection

Voluntary declaration/items over allowed limit

As you cross the Mexican Border there are two narrow lanes with a (traffic) light at the end of the lane. As you proceed ahead, the light will flash RED (alto - stop) or GREEN (pase - go). 1) FISCAL TRAFFIC LIGHT STOP (alto) - RED LIGHT If the light turns red you will pull off to the left where an officer will ask you some questions such as where you are going, how long you are staying, and what you are bringing into Mexico. The officer will most likely look through your vehicle and belongings. Do not leave your vehicle unattended and do accompany the officer during his search. If you incur any problems be sure to get the name and badge number of the officer. GO (pase) - GREEN LIGHT If you get the green light you can pass through without any inspection. Please note that you still may be pulled over and inspected even if you get the green light. 2) INTEGRAL INSPECTION This is the voluntary request for the examination of your articles, if you have items to declare which exceed your allowed

limits. Before you enter the lanes to cross into Mexico, you will pull off to your left and park in the assigned spaces against the chainlink fence. You will need to go to the small building, which sits in the middle of the two lanes, and tell the officer what items you have to declare and the value of each item. When you are finished filling out the form, the import tax (impuestos) will be assessed and you will be handed two forms to take to the bank and pay. (The bank is at the side of the brick building, past the fountain.) If it is after hours, you will pay your impuestos to the agent who will stamp your form and issue you a receipt. An agent may want to come and inspect your load. The taxes you pay are in pesos and you can now pay with a credit card (they will accept dollars) and are to be paid directly to the bank and you will be issued a receipt. You will need that receipt to cross the border. (If you are pulled over by Aduana after leaving the border, you will need the receipt as proof of payment.) After you have paid your taxes, you will need to cross the border and go through the Fiscal Traffic Light. If you get the red light you will need to pull over and show your receipt to the officer. If you come through the fiscal traffic light, and merchandise is found, which was not declared, you could have to pay a fine of 4x the commercial value of the articles plus your vehicle and belongings may be seized. If you choose the Integral Inspection the fine will be 1½x the value. In both cases you forfeit the right to the tax exemption. Your vehicle and personal belongings can be confiscated if you do not stop and declare merchandise over your limit allowed by Mexican Law.

DUTY FREE ITEMS You are allowed $300 USD tax free in new merchandise per person. Merchandise must be in same vehicle as person(s) declaring. The following is a list of items which you may bring into Mexico tax free. • Items for personal use such as clothing, shoes and toiletries according to the length of your stay. • 1 photographic or motion video camera, including a power source and rolls of film or video cassettes. (No professional equipment.) • Books and magazines. • 1 used sports article or piece of equipment for individual use. • 1 carton of cigarrettes. • 3 liters (approx. 3 quarts) of wine, alcohol, beer, etc. if the passenger is an adult. You may import an additional 2 liters and pay the corresponding tax. • Medicine for personal use (with your prescription). • Suitcases to transport your items.

If you are legally a resident of another country, in addition to the items listed, you may also bring the following items: • Binoculars • Camping equipment • Portable television, radio and 20 cds • Laptop computer • 5 used toys if the passenger is a child • Fishing tackle • Pair of skis • 2 tennis rackets • A non-motorized boat up to 5½ meters in length or a surfboard with or without a sail

If you are traveling by a camper, trailer, motorhome you may also bring in: • VCR • Bicycle with or without a motor • Household linens • Kitchen utensils • Livingroom & bedroom furniture You may import additional merchandise valued up to $1,000 per vehicle by paying the corresponding tax without the intervention of a customs broker. Over $1,000 USD requires a broker, which are located just across the border.


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TRAVELINFORMATION FIREARMS & DRUGS Firearms, illegal drugs and ammunition are NOT allowed into Mexico. Hunters may bring their firearm with the proper paperwork/ clearance. Possession carries a pentalty of 5 to 30 years.

IMPORTING You are allowed to bring in $300 USD per person worth of new merchandise - this does not include your personal items such as clothing, toiletries, etc. If you have new merchandise in excess of $300 per person you will need to declare your items and pay the impuestos (taxes) before crossing into Mexico. You may import up to $1,000 USD in new merchandise per vehicle without the assistance of a Customs Broker. To declare items you are bringing into Mexico, turn left as you cross the border, just beyond the chainlink fence. Park in the designated spot and go into the Aduana Building in the middle of the two lanes. See Crossing the Border for more information on declaring merchandise. If your merchandise totals more than $1,000 USD per vehicle, you will need the assistance of a customs broker. Customs brokers are located on the Mexican side of the border. Park on the U.S. side and walk across to one of their offices. Customs Brokers in Sonoyta, Mex. Agencia Ibarrola (011-52-651) 512-1878 Aserco Imp. (011-52-651) 512-0009 MultiServicios Sinaloa (011-52-651) 512-1593 or 1599

INSURANCE Medical Insurance Family or personal trip/ vacation medical insurance can be purchased by some providers in the U.S. Check your existing policy to see what coverage is offered while visiting Mexico. Most clinics in Rocky Point do not accept U.S. insurance as payment. Vehicle Insurance Mexican Law states that you MUST HAVE MEXICAN INSURANCE while driving in Mexico. A minimum of liability is required though full coverage is recommended. You can insure your driver’s license if driving a buggy, quad, rail, etc., but the vehicle cannot be insured for theft. If your vehicle is stolen, you must immediately file a local, federal (state) and U.S. police report. The insurance companies usually pay low blue book and extras such as rims, tires, stereo, etc. are not covered. Most U.S. policies ARE NOT recognized in Mexico. You may purchase insurance over the internet, phone, mail or stop at a number of places on your way to Rocky Point. Look in this issue for Mexican Insurance.

MILEAGE FROM ROCKY POINT TO Agua Prieta, Mexico......345 miles Ajo, Arizona......................................90 miles Caborca, Mexico.............................154 miles Ciudad Obregon, Mexico...............491 miles Guaymas, Mexico...........................408 miles Hermosillo, Mexico........................321 miles

Kino Bay, Mexico............................393 miles Las Vegas, Nevada..........................514 miles Los Angeles, California...................540 miles Lukeville, Arizona..............................66 miles Nogales, Mexico.............................287 miles Phoenix, Arizona............................217 miles San Carlos, Mexico.........................407 miles San Diego, California......................366 miles Santa Ana, Mexico.........................217 miles Sonoyta, Mexico..............................62 miles Tucson, Arizona..............................208 miles Yuma, Arizona................................260 miles Coastal Highway 003

This highway will run from Baja, California through Rocky Point to San Carlos. It is completed from El Golfo de Santa Clara to Rocky Point and from El Desemboque to Puerto Libertdad. Southern California visitors will be able to cut their driving time by using this beautiful, safe new highway! It is a nice, wide, 2-lane highway with rest stops, plenty of passing and wide shoulders for emergencies. See Driving to Puerto Peñasco at the beginning of this section.

PETS Only domestic animals (dogs & cats) are permitted into Mexico and you are allowed only two (2) animals per vehicle. You need to carry a copy of your pet’s current rabies vaccination certificate as you may be asked for it as you cross the border. Mexico has many stray animals roaming the streets so please keep an eye on your pet. Many pets are lost in Rocky Point each year due to unfamiliar surroundings and firework noise. If your animal is lost while visiting Rocky Point, we have found the best thing to do is scour the area where he/she was last seen. You can also pass out flyers to taxi drivers and water truck delivery men and post them all over town. Putting an announcement on the local AM and FM radio stations are also a good idea. Be sure you have a collar and tag on your animal as well as a current photo. Contrary to popular belief, your pet is not welcome at most establishments, especially where food is served. Please check with the staff before bringing your pet inside as the business can be fined for health violations.

RE-ENTERING THE UNITED STATES CLOSED MIDNIGHT - 6:00 AM Have your I.D. or Passport ready Bureau of Customs and Border Protection PO Box C, Lukeville, AZ 85341 (520) 387-5671, Fax: (520) 387-5309 Passports

On June 1st, 2009, U.S. Citizens reentering the United States (via vehicle) from Mexico will be required to show their Passport, Passport Card, Enhanced Driver’s License, NEXXUS or SENTRI card. Everyone in the vehicle needs to provide one of the above forms if identificaton. Parents bringing their babies, who have not received their official birth certificate, may bring the temporary one issued by the hospital. Children 16 and under will be required to show a copy of their birth certificate. Wait Times Traffic is greatly increased during holiday and busy weekends. Please plan your trip accordingly. A good idea is to arrive a day early, and stay a day later. You can check border wait times on the internet at http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt Permitted Items 100 cigars, 200 cigarettes 1 liter (39.8 fl. oz.) of alcohol, per person, 21 yrs. or older. You are NOT permitted, at the Lukeville Port of Entry, to pay duty and import additional alcohol. This is a Pima County law, not an Arizona or U.S. state law, so check with the individual border crossing. Fruits and Vegetables: bananas, blackberries, cactus fruits, dates, dewberries, grapes, lychees, melons, papayas, pineapples, and strawberries. (Most citrus such as oranges and grapefruit are NOT permitted.) Vegetables are permitted, except for those on the prohibited list. Okra, however, is subject to certain restrictions. Nuts: acorns, almonds, cocoa beans, chestnuts, coconuts (without husks or milk), peanuts, pecans, pinons (pinenuts), tamarind beans, walnuts and waternuts. Seafood: 50 lbs. of fish or shrimp per vehicle. Avoid customs penalties by declaring all articles acquired in Mexico, and in your possession at the time of your reentry into the United States. If in doubt whether an article should be declared, always declare it first to the Customs Officer on duty. If you understate the value of an article you declare, you may have to pay a penalty in addition to the payment of duty. If you fail to declare an article, acquired in Mexico, not only is the item subject to seizure, but you will be liable for a personal penalty. You are entitled to a $800 exemption in a 30 day period. Articles totaling $800 may be entered free of duty, subject to limitations on liquor, cigarettes & cigars. Prohibited Items Agricultural items are prohibited if they can carry plant pests or animal diseases. Cuban Cigars Medicine requires a prescription, carry a copy of your U.S. prescription with you. Fruits and Vegetables: sugarcane, potatoes, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams. (Exceptions: Cooked potatoes and avocados without seeds, except in California.) Plants, Seeds and Soil: plants and seeds require special permits. Soil and some plants are prohibited. Check in advance with agricultural inspectors. (Exception: some dried plant parts for medicinal purposes are permitted.) Meat and Game: pork, raw and cooked, including sausages, cold cuts, skins, and pork tacos is prohibited. (Exceptions: shelf-stable, canned pork and hardcooked pork skins (cracklings) are permitted.) Poultry: raw meat from both domesticated and game fowl is prohibited. (Exception: thoroughly cooked poultry is permitted.) Eggs: prohibited. (Exceptions: boiled and cooked eggs are permitted.) Game: check with agricultural inspectors in advance.

Live Birds: wild and domesticated birds, including poultry are prohibited. To import personally owned pet birds, contact agricultural inspectors in advance. Straw: generally prohibited. This includes wheat straw, seeds, animal feed, and all articles made from this material. In addition to the excepted items listed above, many agricultural items are permitted if they pass inspection to be sure they are free of pests, soil and sand.

SHUTTLE SERVICES Daily shuttle service is available from the Phoenix and Tucson areas to Rocky Point and cities in-between. Please contact the companies directly for their schedules and rates. If you need door to door service, clarify that they offer that service and if you need to be picked up at the airport make sure that the shuttle has a permit to pick up passengers at the airport. Head Out to Rocky Point (602) 971-0166, Toll Free 866-443-2368 www.headouttorockypoint.com Nena’s Transportation 388-7089 or (602) 442-6802 Located on Benito Juarez, N of the Baseball Stadium by Coffee Point Transportes Superior 383-3640 Calle Lazaro Cardenas, Esq. Benito Juarez Bus Station TNS/Estrella Blanca Sonoyta: Across the border on the west side of the street. 01-651-512-3374 At the Bus Station: 01-651-512-0784 Phoenix: 29th & VanBuren: 602-455-9522

SPEED LIMITS SPEED LIMITS FOR PUERTO PEÑASCO STREETS 10 KPH / 6 MPH in School Zones 30 KPH / 18 MPH on City Streets 60 KPH / 37 MPH on any Blvd., unless posted ortherwise 60 KPH / 37 MPH on the Resort Rd, from Playa Bonita to Cholla Bay

TRAVEL BEYOND THE FREE ZONE Puerto Peñasco is located in the Free Zone, where you do not need vehicle/tourist visas to visit. If you plan to travel beyond the Free Zone you will need the following: FMT (personal tourist visa) and your vehicle permit if you plan to drive. Personal Visa (FMT) Available at the I m m i g rat i o n Office in Sonoyta, on your right as you cross the border. They are open from 8:00 AM until Midnight. You will need to bring your birth certificate and/or valid driver’s license. You can either park on the U.S. side and walk across or you can go through the border and park. You will need to show your ID and fill out the necessary paperwork (it is in English and Spanish). Once you have filled out the paperwork you will take it over to Banca Serfin, pay approx. $195 pesos (per person) and return to the office to give them a copy.

At this time you cannot obtain your FMT in Peñasco, but the Immigration office can stamp your FM3 or FM2 for travel beyond the free zone. If you are flying into the airport you can obtain your FMT when you arrive at the Peñasco airport. By law, anyone who stays in Mexico for more than 72 hours, is required to have an FMT, whether you stay within the Free Zone or not. Automobile Visa The Free Zone covers most of Sonora, but if you plan to drive past Guaymas, Sonora, you will need to obtain a permit for your vehicle. This can be done in San Emeterio, about 20 miles south of Sonoyta on Hwy 2 or at the check point outside of Guaymas. The cost for this permit is approx. $44 dlls. You cannot get a permit in Rocky Point. You will need the original and 3 copies of: • Registration, Title and the valid driver’s license of the vehicle owner • Credit card in the vehicle owner’s name • FMT, FM3, FM2, Passport or birth certificate • Leasing contract (if the vehicle is rented or leased), which must be in the name of the person importing the vehicle. If the vehicle belongs to a company, the papers certifying the employee works for the company. If you do not have a credit card you can post a bond payable to the Federal Treasury issued by an authorized bonding company in Mexico. As an alternative to posting bond you may make a cash deposit at Banco del Ejercito in an amount equal to the value according to the “Table of Vehicle Values for Bonding Companies.” At Banco del Ejercito your credit card will be charged approx. $30 USD. A cash deposit will also be accepted if you do not have a credit card. Your deposit plus any interest will be returned to you when you leave Mexico. You may choose to obtain a bond through an authorized Mexican bonding company located at all border crossings. The bonding company also assess taxes and processing costs for this service. The vehicle permit is good for 6 months and for any type of vehicle weighing under 3 tons. When departing Mexico, and if you are not planning to drive the vehicle back into Mexico, the permit must be canceled with Customs. If your car is found in Mexico, beyond the Free Zone, and beyond the authorized time, or without the appropriate papers, it will be confiscated. Always carry the importation permit with you when driving your vehicle into Mexico. Take it with you when you exit the vehicle - do not leave this document in your car. Make a copy and leave a copy in the car - same with your insurance. The sale, abandonment or use of the vehicle for financial gain, a criminal act, etc. will result in its confiscation. The vehicle may be driven by the spouse or adult children as long as they have the same immigration status. It is a good idea to get a notarized document, if you are driving a vehicle beyond the free zone that is not registered in your name, nor the owner is in the vehicle. It should simply state that the owner has given you permission to drive the vehicle, you may want to include the make, model, year, color and VIN number. The Rocky Point Times Newspaper strives to keep the information up-to-date. Laws, rules and info. change constantly, so if you notice an error, or have additional info., please let us know so that we may change the info. Contact us with questions or corrections at rockypointtimes@ yahoo.com or phone (480) 4636255 or local 383-6325.


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It’s May! Spring is here. It’s time to celebrate Mother’s Day

Puerto Peñasco Becomes Tourist Destination with Longest Certified Clean Beach in Mexico, and First in Sonora

By Stephanie Wood

This mother’s day I offer this tribute to my grandmother who inspired me to follow my passions and not always follow the rules. She passed away two years ago in April and her story still inspires me. She was able to come to Rocky Point with us once and luckily we saw dolphins on that trip and she sat on the beach for hours and we walked and collected shells on the beach. My grandma was one of the original wild women of our time. She was born in Kansas in 1926 and lived thru the great depression and the dust bowl, and in her own words if they didn’t grow it on their farm, they didn’t eat it. She got divorced three times when you weren’t supposed to even once. She worked when women weren’t supposed to. She raised three girls who grew up to be strong, independent, amazing, wild women. Those three women and my grandma made me into the women I am today, and I am passing her legacy down to my two daughters, her great granddaughters. She has two grandsons that she, with their wild mothers, helped mold into men, who are both married to strong, wild women. She taught them, as we should all teach our sons, not to be afraid or fear wild women, but to love and honor them for their spirit. My grandma taught me to be kind and to be happy. She told us time and again life is too short not to be happy and to try to make the best of every situation and see the good in it. And she loved us all fiercely, because if she was ever fierce

about anything it was her girls and her grandchildren. The love she had for her children made her seem tame and mild to some, but her spirit always remained wild. It showed in little ways to remind us of it, in her bright red Buick Wildcat, and her 5 inch heels, and her sexy dresses that I found in her closet and played dress up in as a little girl. Because, although we can seem to be tamed as we go thru life, it is only the fierce love for our family that keeps us tethered. But be warned, as my wonderful husband, uncle, brother, and cousin know, if you love a wild woman, she will speak her mind, and follow her career and take trips on her own, and ask for forgiveness rather than permission, she will not apologize for being wild or crazy, she will embrace it. And she will break free from time to time and go out dancing and drinking and laughing with her friends until the wee hours of the morning, but she will come home and be there with her family

for breakfast in the morning - as long as you give her lots of coffee and Advil and let her take a nap later. My grandmother’s mark on history is this legacy, to change the world for the better, with love and kindness and happiness and fierceness. I have seen it in my life with those who have known her and are better for it. And I have seen her daughters, who have changed the world for the better and left their mark on other wild women, who have said if it wasn’t for Marilyn or Barbara or Esther, they wouldn’t have had the courage to follow thru on their goals and dreams. And those women go out and do the same thing for other women - and the world is changed for the better. And every man who stands beside his wild woman and embraces her and says to the world it’s OK to love a strong, independent, amazing, wild woman - that changes the world for the better. And for every young girl, like our daughters, who will accept nothing less that changes the world for the better. I am so blessed and thankful that I was given the gift that she was chosen for me to be my grandma. So as we celebrate her life today, forever young at heart, go out and be kind, be happy, love fiercely with all of your heart, and make the world a better place one person at a time. In dedication ~ Loretta Yates ~ January 1926 – April 2015.

Photo of Beach in front of the Sonoran Sky Resort with “Certified Clean Beach” flag flying During the First Ordinary Session of the Clean Beach Committee, held at the Puerto Peñasco Convention Center, the city was recognized as having the longest beach to receive clean beach certification in Mexico, and the first to receive such certification in Sonora by the National Water Commission. Omar Gómez Ruíz, General Coordinator for the Emergency Care and Basin Council, and personal representative of National Water Commission Director Roberto Ramírez de la Parra, presented Mayor Kiko Munro with the Clean Beach Certification and 5 certification flags. With this, Sonora joins the states of Jalisco, Baja California Sur, Guerrero, Quintana Roo, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, and Oaxaca as having the national distinction concerning beach sustainability per requirements of the Mexican Institute of Standardization and Certification. “It took Sonora 13 years to achieve the first Clean Beach certification,” acknowledged Mayor Kiko Munro. “It is precisely here in our home, that Puerto Peñasco was able to achieve this momentous success by raising the first flag accrediting 1525 meters of coastline in the area known as Sandy Beach.” He added it now becomes necessary to sustain steps to keep the area certified while also explaining these efforts should continue so that this is not the only beach in Puerto Peñasco to receive clean beach certification. Omar Gómez Ruíz, General Coordinator of Emergency Care and Basin Council, and personal representative of National Water Commission Director Roberto Ramírez de la Parra, stressed the relevance of certification as Puerto Peñasco depends greatly on tourism. Certification will expand the city’s landscape of potential visitors, which will strengthen the economy and family incomes. “Puerto Peñasco and the area known as Sandy Beach is now at the forefront as a national and international tourist destination, becoming the first beach in Sonora to receive certification and the longest certified clean beach in the country,” affirmed Gómez Ruíz. As the session ended, members of the Clean Beach Committee agreed to seek additional certification and the international Blue Flag honor, granted by the Environmental Education Foundation. Playa Bonita Hotel was the stage for the symbolic raising of the first certification flag, accrediting Sandy Beach as a Clean Beach. This article is brought to you by the Sonoran Resorts Sales Group, www.sonoranresorts.mx, Jim Ringquist, Director of Sales and Marketing.


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GENERALINFORMATION ATV’s ATV’S ARE NOT PERMITTED ON CITY BEACHES Please follow these rules when riding ATV’s in Rocky Point. • Helmets recommended • Only 2 persons per ATV • No riding after dark • Driver’s must be 16 yrs. of age • Do not race, jump, do wheelies, etc. • Do not drink and drive DO NOT RIDE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS Main Blvd. Benito Juarez Blvd. Fremont or in the Old Port

You will be fined if riding in these areas. Fines are to be paid only at the police station.

$$ BANKING & MONEY $$ Typical Bank Hours Mon.-Fri. open 8:30 or 9 AM, close 4 or 5 PM Saturday 9 or 10 AM - 2 PM Banks do not offer Safety Deposit Boxes BANKS IN PUERTO PEÑASCO BANAMEX Sucursal Pinacate Blvd. Benito Juárez & Campeche 383-3943 or 383-4830 Blvd. Benito Juárez & Blvd. López Portillo 388-5842 or 388-5844 BANCOMER 383-2947 or 383-2430 Blvd. Benito Juárez & V. Estrella and in Plaza Fremont BANORTE 383-5955 • Blvd. Benito Juárez 388-6901 • Blvd. Fremont & Sinaloa SANTANDER SERFIN 383-2091 or 383-4288 Blvd. Benito Juárez & Calle 13 Hwy. 85, north of town ATM MACHINES ATM’s are located at the banks and have 24 hr. access. They give pesos only. The only one that gives dollars is the Banorte ATM on Fremont. When the machine prompts Pesos? Dollars? you must select pesos or your transaction will be aborted. There are U.S. ATM machines in Ajo, Why and Lukeville, AZ. CHECKS & CREDIT CARDS Most merchants do not accept U.S. checks and they are not cashable at banks or money exchanges. Some merchants do accept credit cards, but check first and ask if there is an additional charge. MONEY EXCHANGE All merchants accept USD. If you would like to exchange your dollars into pesos you can do so at one of the banks or at the money exchanges. Depending on the exchange rate, sometimes you are better off paying in USD or pesos, you will have to do the math. TRAVELERS CHECKS Travelers Checks are accepted by some merchants, but are not cashable at any bank in Puerto Peñasco. U.S. BANKS Closest U.S. bank to Puerto Peñasco National Bank 101 La Mina Avenue, Ajo, AZ 85321 (520) 387-2200 Mon.-Thurs. 9-4, Fri. 9-5

They do not exchange pesos or Canadian $

WIRE SERVICE You can send money to a person in Rocky Point, from the U.S., by using MoneyGram or Western Union. MoneyGram transfers are picked up at Coppel Department Store on Ave. Constitucion (across from Super Ley grocery store). It must say Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico and the receipent must have a driver’s license or a passport and the transaction number to retrieve the money. Western Union transfers may be picked up at the local post office during business hours, must show proof of ID. You cannot wire money to a bank for someone who does not have an account.

CHURCHES 7th Day Adventist Church Pastor Jose Luis Perez Perez Ave. Sinaloa (between Alberto Lizárraga & Gregorio Escalante) Tel: (638) 383-6760 Cel: (638) 100-6602 Worship Saturday 9:30am 2nd Location in Nuevo Peñasco Corner of 51st Ave & Aquiles Serdan (East side of Town) Adonai Comunidad Cristiana Lucero Viuda de Morúa #257 between López Mateos & Healy Col. Luis Donaldo Colosio Tel. 638.383.3865 www.adonaicc.net Assembly of God 383-3364 Ave. Luis Encinas & 27th Street Apostolic Church Constitucion Ave. & 15th Street Good Samaritan Callejon 25 and Ave. 65 (N. of Lazaro Cardenas) (638) 112-7035 Sunday Service 10:30 am Grupo Unidad Cristianos de Peñasco Pastor Ernesto Portugal 383-2240 North on Benito Juarez to Simon Morua, turn right (east), 1 blk. past Ace Hardware, turn right, church is on your left before Melchor Ocampo. English Headphone available Sunday Services 9:30am-11:15 & 11:30-1:30 Thursday: 7:30 - 9:00pm Church office hours Monday - Friday 9:30am to 2:00pm Peñasco Christian Fellowship 383-4513 ask for Stan or Becky Tedrow On Melchor Ocampo, 1/2 blk. E. of Blvd. Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez. Bilingual Services Sunday Services: 10am and 11:15am Wednesday Services: 7:00pm Family of God Christian Fellowship Non-Denominational Worship Services 383-3480 Blvd. Costero N 2000A, Fracc. Las Palomas English Services, Everyone Welcome Spanish Translation Offered Sunday Services: 9:00am Iglesia Sagrado Corazon de Jesus (Sacred Heart Church) Paseo V. Estrella in Old Port. Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall 388-6244 Stadium road, on the left side just before Blvd. Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez, behind COFESA Sunday-English 9:30AM Mormon Church 18th St & Cuauhtémoc Ave Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe 383-2959 Calle 20 Simon Morua Sunday Services: 8:00 am and 10:00 am 1:00 pm, 6:00 pm and 7:30 pm Rocky Point Bible Church Iglesia Ev. Nuevo Nacimiento Pastor Manuel Agundez Blvd. Samuel Ocaña between San Luis and Guillermo Prieto Services in Spanish, but many English speaking groups attend to translate Services Sunday and Wednesday and Bible Study Groups Children’s Ministry every Saturday in Colonia Nueva Good News Club with Esperanza de Vida San Francisco Blvd. Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez Sunday Service: 11:00 am San Jose Mission Church Bilingual Catholic Mass offered every Sunday at 8 a.m. at San Jose’ Church in La Cholla/Cholla Bay. Everyone is welcome.

San Judas Tadeo near old Cholla Bay Road Sunday Services: 5:00 pm San Martin de Porres Ave. Luis Encinas Sunday Services: 9:00 am Templo La Hermosa 383-7130 Pastor Carlos Gracian Located next to the new cemetery Sunday Services: 10:00 am WEDDINGS: You need the proper documentation to be legally married in Mexico. Please see the “Weddings” section for more information

EMERGENCIES Puerto Peñasco’s hospitals and clinics handle a variety of emergency and nonemergency situations. Most visitors visit one of the Clinics (listed below) or the Red Cross for emergency services. Ground and air ambulance transport services are available. CLINICS Clínica Santa Fe Simón Morúa, 2nd corner off of Blvd. Benito Juárez English speaking doctors Lab on site, X-rays 383-2447 or 383-4040 Clínica San Jose 383-5121 English Speaking Doctors Blvd. Benito Juarez Clínica Santa Isabel (Maternity) 383-3645 Puerto Peñasco Clínica Santa María 383-2440 Puerto Peñasco CLOSEST U.S. CLINIC Desert Senita Health Center 401 Malcate, Ajo, AZ 85321 Off main blvd. at curve, N of the bank (520) 387-5651 CRUZ ROJA (RED CROSS) EMERGENCY DIAL 065 383-2266 Cruz Roja Mexicana Services are absolutely free 24 Hours, 7 Days a Week Red Cross does not receive any funding and operate solely on donations. Your contributions will be welcome at any time in their office on Blvd Fremont or stop when you see them on your way into town. Red Cross has Technicians and Instructors available in case of a disaster in Puerto Peñasco. They treat non-life threatening wounds and can prepare patients for ground or air ambulance service to U.S. OTHER IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS dialed from Mexico AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE AirEvac......................001-880-321-9522 Sky Med...................001-866-805-9624 CLINICS...............see Clincs on this page HOSPITALS Community...............................383-4566 IMSS..........................................383-5186 EMERGENCY NUMBERS WHEN IN DOUBT DIAL 066 Electric dial...071 Fire Department dial...068 Marine Rescue dial...462,627 or 767 VHF Channel 26 is monitored by CBSC Police dial...060 WHEN IN DOUBT DIAL 911 or 066

FIRST AID Scorpion Stings First aid for any scorpion sting should involve cooling the wound, which allows the body to more easily break down the molecular structure of the venom. Cooling also reduces pain. Use ice or cool running water if available. On a warm night, a wet compress will help. Keep the victim calm and still. Panic and activity speed up the venom’s spread. Symptoms may include heavy sweating, difficulty swallowing, blurred vision, loss of bowel control, jerky muscular reflexes, and respiratory distress. These serious signs are cause for quick evacuation to a medical facility. Antitoxins are available in many areas where dangerous scorpions live. The doctors, clinics and Red Cross are experts at treating stings. Snake Bites Yes! We do have snakes in Puerto Peñasco. Not usually found in city areas. If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, or any other kind of venmous snake, seek medical attention immediately. Anti-venom is available here in Peñasco. Jellyfish They are usually bright blue and are present in our waters during June, July and August, although they are sometimes hard to see because of the clarity of the water. Some years we have a few, and other years we have tons. In some beach communities, you will find far less than others. A good test to see if they are present, is to look along the tidelines for any that have washed ashore if they’re up there then there’s a pretty good chance they’re in the water. Use caution when walking barefoot on the beach or digging through the sand with your hands, they can still sting you (I know from experience). If you are stung, get to a doctor or the Red Cross immediately for treatment. Stingray Stings Our Rocky Point doctors, clinics and Red Cross are well adept at treating stings. The best way to avoid a sting is by doing the “stingray shuffle!” To avoid stepping on a ray, shuffle your feet slowly as you move through the surf to scare the rays away. Round stingrays are very good at burying in the sand and will remain buried even as you approach. By shuffling your feet you will brush against them and they will scurry away. If you walk through the water as you normally do you will most likely step square on the back of them which causes their barbed tail to come up and sting you. Be extra careful in area where the sediment is silty/sand or where the water is particularly warm. What do you do if you get stung by a ray? Get out of the water and head to the nearest doctor. If you are stranded out where these facilities are not available follow these steps and seek medical attention as soon as you can. First, let the wound bleed - this will allow any toxins entered with the barb to get out. Next, immerse the wound in hot water, as hot as the patient can stand for approximately 45 minutes: This denatures the protein toxin and relieves a majority of the pain. Then treat wound as any other puncture wound or cut, keep clean and bandage: This reduces the chance of infection, promotes healing. If pain or bleeding persists, if wound is large or if patient shows signs of an allergic reaction, see a doctor immediately! If you are staying at a resort go to the desk or convenience store - they may have a first aid kit with a treatment.

FISHING & BOATING PERSONAL WATERCRAFT You do not need to obtain a boat permit for your persona watercraft. However, if you plan to fish from your boat, each person fishing must have a fishing license which can be purchased here in Puerto Peñasco. As with vehicles, it is a good idea to carry two copies of your title and registration for your watercraft and trailer. DO NOT BRING THE ORIGINALS! One copy should be kept on your boat/watercraft and the other shoud be carried on your person or put in a safe location during your stay. FISHING PERMITS You MUST have a fishing license for everyone onboard a boat, even if they are not fishing, permits are checked. You do not need a permit if you are fishing from the shore. Permits can be obtained locally at the Capitania de Puerto, M-F, 8AM to 3PM or at the Mexican Consulate in Phoenix. Fishing Permit Rates (approx.) Pesos Daily - $106.00; Weekly - $220.00 Monthly - $315.00; Yearly - $410.00 CHARTERS Many charter boats and pangas are available for hire by the hour/half-day/ day, or organized trip. We do not have any companies that rent boats for your personal use. Charter boats are located all over town and at the docks and on your way into Old Port (right hand side) as well as at Safe Marina and in Cholla Bay. Reputable charters are always the best choice. Please make sure there is enough safety gear on the boat for all persons in your party and that the captain has a marine radio in the event of an emergency. Fishing en Peñasco: Seasonal Fishing Calendar FISH JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Trigger Fish Corvina Dolphin Fish Dorado Flounder Grouper Mackeral Pinto Bass Pompano Red Snapper Rock Bass Sea Bass Sea Trout Sierra Skipjack Yellowtail

FISHING & BOATING CON’T SEASONAL FISHING Spring: March, April, May Yellowtail, Grouper, Snapper, Whitefish, Pinto and Bass Summer: June, July, August Sailfish, Dolphin Fish, Marlin, Skipjack, Sierra Fall: September, October, November Sailfish, Dolphin Fish, Marlin, Skipjack, Sierra Winter: December, January, February Yellowtail, Grouper, Pinto Bass, Snapper


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GENERALINFORMATION FM3 & IMMIGRATION IMMIGRATION OFFICE Open Mon.-Fri. 8:00AM - 12:00NOON (011-52-638) 383-2526 For more info on how to obtain your Visitor or Permanent Resident Visa go to http://www.inm.gob.mx/ index.php and click on the English tab, or you can go directly to the Immigration Office and they will be happy to help you. The office is located on Blvd. Fremont at Fremont Plaza, across from Banorte. There are many companies and individuals which can assist you with your immigration paperwork, please look in our Classified Section, under “Services” for suggestions.

GREEN ANGELS Angeles Verdes EMERGENCY DIAL 078 The Green Angels patrol the highway (Hwy. 8) from Puerto Peñasco to Sonoyta offering free roadside assistance to ve- hicles experiencing mechanical problems. Their trucks are green and white and clearly marked. They are on patrol from sunrise to sunset, 7 days a week. What to do if you need help? If you need assistance on the highway, whether it be a broken fan belt, blown tire or empty gas tank, pull over to the side of the road and lift the hood of your vehicle. If it is at night, please use your flashers for safety and always move as far away from the highway as you can to avoid accidents. Lifting your hood signals the Green Angels, as well as other helpful travellers, that you are in distress and in need of help. The Green Angels do not charge for their mechanical services, but you will need to pay for your own auto parts, gas, oil, etc. The Green Angels offer the following services: Aide in the event of an accident Emergency radio communication Mechanical assistance Tourist Information

INTERNET SERVICE & WIFI There are many internet cafes where you can check your email or surf the net. Some have computer stations and some offer WiFi. Most of the larger RV parks, hotels and condos have wireless and/or computer centers for your use. Telefonos de Mexico (TelMex) offers Prodigy internet service for land lines.

LATITUDE & LONGITUDE Latitude - 31°, 19 minutes N Longitude - 113°, 32 min. W Bird Island: 31°, 01.31 min., N by 113°, 14.93 min. W

MAIL SERVICES Puerto Peñasco Post Office (011-52-638) 383-2350 Monday - Friday 8:00 am-6:00 pm Money Wires, Telegrams & Mail Located just off Blvd. Fremont next to Twin Dolphins. The post office does not offer U.S. postal services. To send a letter in Mexico, you need a Mexican stamp, which can be purchased at the post office. They do not sell U.S. stamps. You may receive mail at your residence, however it takes approx. 2-4 weeks to arrive and the system is not terribly reliable.

U.S. MAIL DELIVERY TO ROCKY POINT Burrito Express U.S. mail dropoff and pick-up service from Peñasco to Lukeville. U.S. POST OFFICE Phone/Fax: (520) 387-6364 Located at the Lukeville border in AZ, approx. 66 miles from Rocky Point. PO boxes and General Delivery available. Window Service: 8AM-12:30PM, 1-4PM M-F General Delivery Available free for a max. of 30 days. You must show ID at the post office and fill out a form. You are the ONLY one who can pick up your GD mail. PO boxes are available, approx. $22/6-mo. Post office will need 2 forms of ID and you will be required to fill out an application. Boxes are located in the post office and in the General Store.

METRIC EQUIVALENTS Equivalents for Length 1” = 2.5 cm 6” = (1/2 ft.) = 15 cm 12” = (1 ft.) = 30 cm 36” = (3 ft.) = 90 cm 40” = 100 cm (1 meter) To convert ounces to grams, multiply the number of ounces by 30. Equivalents for Weight 1 ounce = 1/16 lb. = 30g 4 ounces = 1/4 lb. = 120g 8 ounces = 1/2 lb. = 240g 12 ounces = 3/4 lb. = 360g 16 ounces = 1 lb. = 480g Equivalents for Liquid Measurements 1/4 tsp = 1 ml 1/2 tsp = 2 ml 1 tsp = 5 ml 2 tbls = 1/8 cup = 1 fl. oz = 30 ml 4 tbls = 1/4 cup = 2 fl. oz = 60 ml 8 tbsl = 1/2 cup = 4 fl. oz = 120 ml 12 tbls = 3/4 cup = 6 fl. oz = 180 ml 1 Pint = 2 cups = 16 fl. oz = 480 ml 1 Quart = 4 cups = 32 fl. oz = 960 ml Gallons to pints x 8 1 US gallon = 3.78541178 liters Gallons to liters x 3.785 Gallons to quarts x 4

NOTARY PUBLICS (NOTARIOS)

The Mexican Notario is a highly specialized lawyer authorized by the Mexican Government. They intervene in civil and commercial business. Your best interest is supposed to be the Notario Publico’s main concern. They give judicial advisement according to Mexican Law and their authority exceeds that of a lawyer and is similar to that of an arbitrator in the U.S. You should consult a Notario when: buying or selling property, foreign Investments, inheritance, wills, mortgages, contracts, private contracts, financial operations, credit titles, arbitration, bank trusts, etc. You should consult a Notary Public (Notario Publico) in Mexico before signing any contract or legal document.

NOTARIO PUBLICOS Lic. Jesus Armando Ramirez Islas Prolongacion Coahuila No. 10 (next to post office) U.S. Toll Free (877) 832-8554 383-5460, Fax 383-5005 PO Box 100, Lukeville, AZ 85341 Lic. René Osvaldo Ortega Felix Ave. Alcantar in the Old Port 383-2006 Notary Publics in Sonoyta Lic. Fco. Javier Manzo Taylor from Mexico (01-651) 512-1747

PINACATE BIOSPHERE RESERVE Reserva de la Biosfera de El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar The Pinacate Biosphere Reserve is home to some of the world’s largest volcanic craters and is one of the most pristine and diverse areas in the Sonoran Desert. It has a large variety of plant and wildlife species that inhabit this sometimes hostile area. In the winter, you may see snow on the Pinacates. And in the summer, temperatures soar well over 110°. U.S. astronauts trained for their lunar landing mission in this area as the terrain mimics that found on the moon.

You can take a day trip and explore the Pinacate area and volcanic craters by vehicle, camp overnight (in designated) areas, walk or hike. You must register at the entrace to the Reserve (located in Nayarit, approx. 20 miles N of Rocky Point). This will allow Biosphere personnel to make sure you are safe at all times.

• Speed Limit: 25 MPH • Terrain/Roads: Dirt, desert • Watch out for flora and fauna • Do not leave the road in your vehicle • Take enough drinking water with you • Respect all signs on roads and trails • Do not remove or damage plants, rocks, wood, animals or artifacts • Take all trash and waste with you • Do not enter the region from any unauthorized access road CAMPING & CAMPSITES Red Cone, El Tecolote, Backcountry areas INTERPRETATIVE TRAILS El Elegante Crater Trail 1.2 mile linear trail Walk 0.6 miles on the border of El Elegante crater. Terrain is mostly flat. Mayo Cone Trail 1.2 mile linear trail Located in El Tecolote camping area Walk 0.6 miles to the top of Mayo Cone. You will climb 344 ft. to the top. This hike is rated as a medium difficulty trail.

RV PARKS DRY CAMPING There are a few places to dry camp on the beach north and south of Rocky Point, but really nowhere in city limits except on Sandy Beach next to The Reef, and Concha Del Mar at the other end of Sandy Beach. Almost all of the RV Parks in Puerto Peñasco offer tent camping. There are three oceanfront rv parks with services available and many more in town or with an ocean view. Oceanfront RV parks are: Cholla Bay - The Reef (638) 383-0650 El Mirador - Playa de Oro (638) 2668 Sandy Beach - Playa Bonita (638) 383-2596 Sandy Beach - Concha del Mar (638) 383-4273 Pets are allowed on the beaches and at the RV parks. Dogs must be leashed and please pick up after them. See “Pets” in this section for more information. Please call the individual park for their rates and reservations.

U.S. DMV (MOTOR VEHICLES) The closest U.S. Department of Motor Vehicles to Puerto Peñasco is in Gila Bend. Authorized Service Provider Registration, title, no original drivers licenses, copies/ duplicates only. M-F 9AM-6PM, SAT 9AM-1PM 606 E. Pima St. • (928) 683-2577

VIRTUAL CONSULATE The 1st Wednesday of every month, the Virtual Consulate is open to the American Community. Located at City Hall on the 1st floor facing Fremont Blvd. 10am-12pm.

WEDDINGS Rocky Point offers a variety of perfect wedding settings - from a barefoot sunset wedding to a lavish wedding at a 5-star resort. Many of the hotels, resorts and restaurants offer wedding planning services and catering as do these wedding specilaists:

Si I Do! - (011-52-638) 383-0700 www.siido.com

Wedding Music by Pablo 602) 288-8687 LEGAL CEREMONY IN MEXICO To get married in a legal ceremony in Puerto Peñasco you need: Birth certificates, translated into Spanish, notarized in Mexico; Divorce Decree; Blood test (in Rocky Point); Visas (FMT’s); 4 Witnesses (w/Visas). Your wedding planner will help you plan your reinactment ceremony as well.

TELEPHONES Puerto Peñasco’s phone company for home and business hook-up is Telefonos de Mexico (TelMex). Cellular service is available through TelCel and Movistar. U.S. carrier AT&T works pretty good here as long as you have the International Plan. DIALING INSTRUCTIONS Call Mexico from U.S. & Canada to dial a land line 011+52+638+7-digit number to dial a Peñasco cellular 011+52+1+638+7-digit number Call U.S. & Canada from Mexico dial 001+(area code)+7 digit number Call Collect from Mexico to U.S. dial 090 for a bilingual operatorCall Overseas from Mexico dial 00+country code+city code+phone number Country codes and Mexico area codes are listed in the TelMex Phone book Call another City in Mexico dial 01+(city code)+number AT&T Operator dial 001-800-462-4240 TELEPHONE COMPANY Telefonos de Mexico (TelMex) Juan de la Barrera and Calle 18 Office open 8 am • 383-2288 Phone & Internet services available TelMex (Land Line) Prefixes 383, 382, 388, 102, 108 Phone numbers are written in a variety of ways, here are a few you may see around town. 3-6325 = dial 383 + 6325 638-38-36325 = dial 383-6325 (638) 383-6325 = dial 383-6325 52+(638) 383-6325 = dial 383-6325 Mexico’s Country Code = 52 Puerto Peñasco’s City Code = 638 LONG DISTANCE To make a long distance call, your best bet is to find a cafe or internet cafe with a VOIP phone. Second best is to purchase a prepaid phone card (LADATEL) from pharmacies or businesses, and use one of the many pay phones along the streets - follow the instructions on the phone. You can also use one of the long distance (larga distancia) calling services located around town.

U.S. CALLING CARDS If you use your calling card and dial an 800#, that is not toll free within Mexico, you will be charged twice for this call - 1 charge for calling the 800 #, and then a 2nd charge on your phone card. You may also use one of the long distance services to call the U.S. and Canada. CELLULAR PHONES to dial a cell phone from a land line dial 044 + 638 + 7-digit number to dial from local cell to local cell dial 638 + 7-digit number to dial out of city cell from local cell dial 045 + city code + 7-digit number Any number that does not start with a 383, 388, 382, 102 or 108 is most likely a cellular phone You cannot dial a U.S. 800# from your Mexican cellular phone. The only U.S. cell carrier, we have found to work in Rocky Point 96% of the time, is AT&T’s International Plan. All services work - SMS, MMS, Blackberry, etc. Follow the instructions (left) for dialing the U.S. or Canada, and to dial a land line. To dial a cell phone, you may have to dial 044 + 638 + 7-digit number, or you may just need to drop the 044. Sometimes, when calling a local cell, I had to dial as if I were dialing a cell from the U.S. Check plans and where you spend the most time. TelCel’s Blackberry plan is much cheaper than AT&T’s, plus they have a reasonable International Plan for when I travel to the U.S. You can also get an unlocked phone, buy a SIM card, and switch chips as you cross the border. Mexico cell carriers are supposed to start fingerprinting everyone who purchases a cell phone or SIM card. AREA CODES FOR NEARBY CITIES Caborca.............................................637 El Golfo de Santa Clara.................................653 Guaymas...........................................622 Hermosillo........................................662 Mexicali, B.C.................................................686 Nogales.................................................631 Santa Ana.....................................................641 San Luis Rio Colorado..................................653 San Carlos.....................................................622 San Felipe, B.C...............................................686 Sonoyta...................................................651 Check phonebook for more area codes

VOIP LINES Local internet acccess enables you to use a VOIP line in Rocky Point. HOW TO DIAL 800’s U.S. 800#’s are not free of charge when called from Mexico. The charge for calling an 800# is approx. $1USD/min. 800 = dial 001+880+phone number 888 = dial 001+881+phone number 877 = dial 001+882+phone number 866 = dial 001+883+phone number 855 = dial 001+884+phone number 844 = dial 001+885+phone number

WEATHER Puerto Peñasco is known for having 362 days of sunshine! The wind does kick up, a few sprinkles will fall, and the humidity creeps in around July/August, but other than that it’s darn near perfect around here.


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The Rocky Point Times Newspaper • (011-52-638) 383-6325 • US (480) 463-6255


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The Rocky Point Times Newspaper • (011-52-638) 383-6325 • US (480) 463-6255

CLUBSANDORGANIZATIONS AACORP (ANIMAL CENTER) Founder: Nancy Phelan: 383-1012 Leon de la Barra (Calle 15), 3 blocks east of the main blvd. Benito Juarez nancy_phelan@yahoo.com AACORP Tax Deductible Donations PO Box 1031, Lukeville, AZ 85341 A group dedicated to helping the stray animals by providing no-cost spay and neuter clinics, adoption, dog and cat food, medicine and medical care. The center is run solely on donations and is an Arizona 501(c)3 non-profit corporation so all of your donations are taxdeductible. The center is always in desperate need of dog, cat, kitten and puppy food, animal toys, bedding, cleaning supplies, old towels and blankets as well as medicine and monetary donations to pay vet bills, purchase animal food and medicine. Please drop off food/supplies directly to the center.

AMPI The Asociación Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios (AMPI), or the Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals, Puerto Peñasco 51, represents ethical professionalism in real estate practice and promotes education among real estate professionals. A sister organization to National Association of Realtors (NAR) in the United Estates, AMPI works closely with the State of Sonora to provide education for real estate licensure, which is required in the State of Sonora for all agents who represent any type of property transaction including sales, rentals, property management, and promotion. Active in the community, AMPI promotes Puerto Peñasco as a vacation and retirement destination, members donate generously to local causes, and AMPI works with other organizations to sponsor community activities. AMPI operates the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) on behalf of our real estate clients. Board members: President: Rommel Bustamante Vice President: Maria Ituarte Treasurer: Rebecca Palomino Legal: Ricardo Borquez Secretary/V.P. Communications: Robin Miller Treasurer: Kris Nichols Legal: Ricardo Borquez VP Education: Joseph Toland VP Ethics: John Walz For Inquiries, please contact: Luisa Federico, AMPI Administrator email: luisa.ampi51@gmail.com AMPI Phone: 638-382-0439

ADOPT-A-CLASSROOM

Provides basic school supplies, computers, copiers, chalkboards, etc. to local classrooms Founder: Barbara Olszewski: 383-4963 (602) 324-9529 www.rockypointclassroom.com Donations can be dropped off at the Rocky Point Times Office or sent to Barb at: PO Box 695, Lukeville, AZ 85341

AGRUPACION GEORGE PAPANICOLAOU

BUNCO BABES

CEDO CON’T

Madrid and Ave. Marcelo Pino grupaciongeorgepapanicolaou@hotmail.com Cancer clinic dedicated to early prevention. Screenings and tests available. MONTHLY MEETINGS 1st Thurs. of every month PATIENT CONSULTATIONS Wednesday 9AM-1PM PAP SMEARS Friday 9AM-2PM by appointment only Please call 1 to 2 weeks prior 383-4399

Sandy Spain 388-0857/(044-638) 109-4109 Ladies play Bunco at 3:30pm on the 3rd Wednesday of the month October-June at Giuseppi’s on Blvd. Fremont.

Isla San Jorge Snorkel with the sea lions in their natural habitat at Bird Island or just enjoy the scenery from the boat and take photos. A must do trip!

AL ANON Al Anon Family Groups. Email to schedule a meeting; Marcia at marsupis@gmail.com

AMERICAN LEGION POST MX 15 141 Chihuahua & Matamoros (Calle #1) Across from Pink Cadillac Open daily and the Public Always Welcome 2017 OFFICERS: Commander: Mike LaBarge Vice Commander: Jerry Clackler 2nd Vice Commander: Robert Lee Rowe Adjutant: John Stubblefield General Meetings 1st Tuesday of month at 10:00 a.m. (from October thru June) Contact Food & Beverage Manager Danny Anderson for information regarding special events, celebrations & dinners throughout the year. Bingo: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 2:00 p.m. NFL Football: Sundays 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Telephone Numbers: U.S. (602) 539-2047 Mexico 011-52 (638) 388-8841 Magic Jack (602) 539-2047 ALL VISITORS WELCOME!

CANACO-SERV Y TUR Puerto Peñasco Chamber of Commerce Servicios y Turismos de Pto. Peñasco Phone: 383-4468 Located on Blvd. Fremont and Coahuila Monday - Friday 8AM-3PM President: Guillermo Muñoz Fierro

(Please note that our Chamber of Commerce is not like those that you find in U.S. cities and do not provide the same services and information.)

CASA HOGAR (ELDERLY HOME) Director: Santiago Ruiz Hurtado Phone: 383-2599 Ave. Miguel Hidalgo (Calle 13) and Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez Casa Hogar is supported solely on donations and they always welcome visitors to sing and play games. Take Blvd. Fremont toward Las Conchas, make a left at the Pemex station, cross over the rrx tracks and they are on your left. If you would like to make a donation you can make a check to: Patronato Pro Asilo de Ancianos de Puerto Peñasco A.C. and drop it off at the home. You may drop checks or donations off at the Rocky Point Times office.

ANTI-GRAFFITI CAMPAIGN Founder: Eloy Gonzalez: 044-638-112-0898 eloy_glez_glez@hotmail.com Group dedicated to wiping out the unsightly graffiti in Puerto Peñasco. Donations of paint, brushes, rollers, and your time are always welcome and needed.

BARB’S DOG RESCUE Help Us Help Them. We are a concerned group of dog lovers working to better the lives of Peñasco’s dogs. We are expanding our facility on the edge of town where we house dogs. We are committed to taking in abandoned and neglected dogs, maintaining and rehabilitating them in a healthy environment and finding loving permanent homes. We ask for your help. Virtually every dog that comes to us is malnourished and in poor health. The need is great. Visit Barb’s Dog Shelter located 8 miles north of Rocky Point on the highway to Sonoyta, where you will see signs. Donations are also accepted at Twin Dolphins Real Estate on Fremont Blvd, next to Cruz Roja. E-Mail barbsdogrescue@ gmail.com Visit us on Facebook or Call Barb at (044-638) 114-1659 or Dee at (044-638) 384-0113 or from the US (602) 324-7241.

BOOK & EXCHANGE Rocky Point Times Office Ave. Pino Suarez (off Calle 13) Phone: 383-6325: Mon.-Wed. 9am-5pm www.rptimes.com Free Book, VHS and DVD exchange for all Rocky Point residents and visitors.

Donations payable to: Cholla Bay Christmas Fund Please send to: Nancy Schmidli 10645 W Connecticut Ave., Sun City, AZ 85351 An organization that celebrates a Christmas party for their fellow Cholla Bay Mexican neighbors in early December. Santa shows up for pictures with the kids, children get to pick a gift for their mother, take a crack at the piñata, have a group sing-along and munch on hot dogs and chips. After all the fun, Santa delivers gifts for the children and food boxes for the families.

CHOLLA BAY SPORTSMENS CLUB Also referred to as the CBSC Dues: $40, Payable to CBSC P.O. Box 77152, Tucson, AZ 85703

Help to pay their electric bill, especially during the summer months, is always needed. You may also make a donation at a local grocery store for the purchase food and items.

The Cholla Bay Sportsmens Club is responsible for maintaining, monitoring, and staffing the VHF Marine Channel 28 for the northern Sea of Cortez as well as CB Radio Channel 3. The CBSC pays the salary of the operator, aides in search and rescue operations and can aid in the transportation of critical victims. They also publish the Cholla Chatter and put on numerous events during the year such as the CBSC Fishing Derby, Horseshoe Tournament and other fun stuff held in Cholla Bay.

CEDO

OFFICERS President: Mike Dugan Vice-President: Helen Dahlstrom Secretary: Billie Crumbley: 382-5133 Treasurer: Enedina Otañez: 382-5142 Membership: Laura McIntyre BOARD MEMBERS Sal Otañez, Rhea Dugan, Don Schinidli, Paul Schoonover, Shirley McDonald, Larry McIntyre, Kelly and Dave Adams, Pat Goodin, Chuck Blair, Marlene Blair, Connie Horton

AMOR MINISTRIES International Headquarters: 1664 Precision Park Lane San Diego, CA 92173 Phone: (619) 662-1200 www.amor.org Amor Ministries builds more than 1,000 new homes across Mexico for Mexican families. They are selected to receive homes by the Mexico Ministry Planning Board. Pastors discern the needs within their community, present their nominations and one (or more) are selected to receive a new home built by Amor volunteers.

CHOLLA BAY CHRISTMAS PARTY

Center for the Study of Oceans & Deserts Phone: 382-0113 or (520) 829-4501 Located in Las Conchas, look for the Fin Whale skeleton Mon. - Sat. 9AM-5PM; Sun. 10AM-2PM PO Box 1579, Lukeville, AZ 85341 info@cedointercultural.org www.cedointercultural.org CEDO is the Intercultural Center for the Study of Oceans and Deserts. Home to a giant fin whale skeleton and a desert botanical garden, CEDO is a field station for researchers and school classes, an education center with library, laboratories, book store and gift shop - An Intercultural Experience. CEDO is a nonprofit organization dedicated to research, education and conservation of the planet’s last great frontiers: the Sea of Cortez. LOTS OF FUN AND GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS! FREE PUBLIC TOURS Every Tuesday 2PM; Saturday 4PM CEDO ADVENTURES FOR EVERYONE Kayak Capers Explore beautiful Estero Morua with expert guides. Local ecology talk, kayak rental, picnic feast,drinks all in an environment rich with shore birds, crabs and halophytes. Estero Excursions Oyster farms, fiddler crabs and the “shrimp dance” are part of this walking tour of a pristine upper Gulf wetland. Kayak Estero Morua and/or tour with CEDO experts. Tidepool Explorations Explore the tidepools with CEDO experts. Explore the Sand Dunes Spectacular Gran Desierto de Altar. This sea of natural dunes is the world’s largest. An experience you won’t forget! Pinacate Adventure Explore the geologic wonders of the Pincate Biosphere Reserve on a tour with CEDO experts.

The CBSC provides an invaluable service for those at sea and promotes good relations between American visitors and our Mexican neighbors.

CHOLLA CHARITIES FOUNDATION Sally Dalton: 382-5283 (Xochitl’s Cafe) Donations payable to: Cholla Charity Fund Send to: Kathy Barnard 1547 E. Royal Palm Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85020 Organization that helps Mexican families, who live and work in Cholla Bay, with unexpected expenses such as medical, living, funeral, etc.They also collect and distribute blankets and warm clothing for children in Cholla Bay. Donations may be dropped off at Xochitl’s Cafe in Cholla Bay.

C.I.D.A Director: Joaquin Celaya Rendon Phone: 044-638-102-0514 Call for directions Shelter providing housing, food and care for those addicted to drugs and alcohol.

CONNECTION CLUB Meet every Thursday at 4pm at Puesta Del Sol Restaurant at Playa Bonita Resort. Want to meet folks in Puerto Peñasco? Come to The Connection, a happy hour gathering where you can meet a great group of people. Married? Single? Full-time or part-time resident? Mexican, American, other nationality, young, mature? It doesn’t matter. Everyone is welcome.

COORDINACION DE SALUD MUN. Puerto Peñasco Animal Control Dedicated to prevention and disease control Mon-Fri 8am-3pm, Phone: 388-5152 Coordinator: Dra. Socorro Canine Tech.: Mario Lopez Sub-Director: Jesus Bejarano Social Worker: Marina Soto Siqueiros We always welcome donations of dog food, supplies and medicine

D.I.F. Desarrollo Integral de la Familia Sinaloa and Ruiz Cortines dif@puertopenasco.gob.mx difpuertopenasco@hotmail.com www.difpenasco.gob.mx www.puertopenasco.gob.mx Directora: Mayor’s Wife Supported solely by donations, this social service organization offers medical aid and a variety of services for needy families. If you know of a family in need you may contact DIF for help. They hold many public fundraisers throughout the year to raise money.

CHILDREN’S HOME D.I.F. children’s home is on Calle Marcelo Pino and Callejon Benito Juarez. The home is equipped to accommodate 50 children ranging in ages from newborns to 11 years. Children are taken care of until their families have complied with the rehabilitation period, treatments, or requests by SDMF. The home is located just behind the Basic Unit Rehabilitation Center of D.I.F.

EL GOLFO RUN Sandra O’Hare Rocky Point Times Newspaper 383-6325 or from U.S. 480-463-6255 rockypointtimes@yahoo.com

The El Golfo Run is a fun bi-annual 4x4 trip (May and Oct) to El Golfo de Santa Clara through the desert, salt flats and onto the beach - even the coastal hwy. All 4x4’s welcome to join. There is no charge, fee, etc., you pay for your own motel and food when you get there. (Must have a sense of humor and be very patient.)

ESPERANZA PARA LOS NIÑOS Children’s Home: I.A.P., Casa Hogar para niños desamparados 383-2378 Off of Hwy. 8, 15 mi. N of Rocky Point PO Box 1024, Lukeville, AZ 85341 Secretary: Jose Manuel Barrera Sanchez Treasurer: Florencia Lucila G. Miron The children’s home is located outside of town, apx. 15 miles, and houses anywhere from 10 to 40 children. It provides temporary housing for families that cannot afford to take care of their children or are having a hard time. This is not an orphanage - these children are not up for adoption. They are always in need of cleaning supplies and fresh food (not canned items).


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CLUBSANDORGANIZATIONS ESPERANZA DE VIDA

MEN’S SHELTER

OLD BOYS SOCIAL CLUB

Darlene Laura and Carole Fields Ave. Pino Suarez No. 143, Col. El Ferrocarril, Playa “F” Provides clothes, food, toys and medicine to the children/families in Colonia Nueva area.

Centro de Rehabilitación para Adultos y Jovenes La Esperanza A.C. Local Director: C. José de La Cruz Bravo 044-638-106-4079 identificacruz@live.com.mx On Simon Morua behind the new cemetery The center helps men in need by providing clothing, housing, job training and food. They run solely on donations.

President: Lew Felton Fun group that hold meetings every month and puts on a variety of fun activities such as the Bash every year and donates to local charities and organizations.

FUNERAL HOMES Funeraria Renacimiento 383-1233 Funeraria Santa Cecilia 383-2522

MEXICO CHILDRENS FOUNDATION

GREEN ANGELS Angeles Verdes Hwy. 8 Patrol: Sunrise to Sunset Pull off shoulder and raise vehicle hood EMERGENCY DIAL 078 Provides assistance, tourist aid, information and emergency radio service for travellers on Hwy. 8 from Sonoyta to Rocky Point. Bilingual “Green Angels” provide protection service, medical aid and basic mechanical aid. There is no charge for mechanical service, you will only pay for auto parts, gas, oil, etc.

GRUPO SAN PEREGRINO Spiritual Support Cancer Group Dra. Arminda Gonzalez: 110-4934 Glenda Lopez: 383-2414 Mariana Perez: (044-638) 102-0564 sanperegrinopenasco@gmail.com The group’s mission is to provide spiritual and monetary support to individuals in Rocky Point that are affected by cancer.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Hábitat para la Humanidad, Mexico A.C. Pedro Martínez, English Spoken: 383-4323 Habitat for Humanity builds homes for families in need all over the world.

Founder: Steve Schwab Established 2003 520-232-2241 7655 E Redfield Rd. Suite 3 Scottsdale, AZ, 85260 www.mexicochildrensfoundation.org Email: info@mexicochildrensfoundation.org A non-profit organization in Puerto Peñasco dedicated to enriching the lives of the children and their families. The organization provides medical assistance, assists families, offers education and assists in the general enrichment of children’s lives. The group holds many events during the year including golf tournaments, a children’s walk, triathlon, concerts and a New Year’s Eve Bash.

HELPING HANDS

MISSION VILLA GRANADA

Manos de Ayuda, Inc. 383-5287 or (520) 760-8645 President: Ramon Contreras Pamela J. Lyke Marquez: pjlmarquez@aol.com Manos de Ayuda, Inc. is a non-profit corporation that provides rehabilitation, health education, medical and therapy equipment and supplies to children with special needs. They also help with construction modifications at a nursing home, a free clinic, and day care facility. These projects are made possible by volunteer efforts and financial assistance. Your help is always needed.

2 blocks east of Lucas Chicken, in the former Villa Granada Hotel. We provide lodging and meals for Missionaries who work on improving/building churches out in the San Rafael Community and other assorted projects. GM Pastor Edgar Cabrera (638) 383-1394. Main Office for (480) 503-8832. Maggie, is bilingual. Volunteers for maintenance/cleaning needed, as well as rice, beans, building supplies/ materials, tools, children art/crafts supplies, canned foods, Spanish bibles, and prayer. Weekend Missions, A.C.-Mexican Non-Profit. Weekend Missions, Inc. USA 501c3.

I.R.A.D. Director: Julio Alberto Lucero Arreola 044-638-109-2566 Located off of Cholla Bay Road I.R.A.D. is the institute for the recovery of drug addicts and alcoholics. The shelter houses, feeds and cares for those persons addicted. They rely and operate solely on donations and often sell candy to raise money to keep the centers open. They will always present their identification.

LAS CONCHAS HOMEOWNERS ASSOC. Phone: 382-0050 / (602) 476-1454 Guard Gate: 382-0095 President: Ginger Beauchamp Executive Vice President: Naoma Leader Vice President: Bart Stockton Treasurer: Randi Alcott Secretary: Raylene Pavlicek

LIONS CLUB Phone: 383-2488 Ave. Niños Heroes and Juan Aldama President: Ramón Ramos Rodríguez Women’s Committee President Lupita de Ramos Some of their programs include info. & action for the prevention of hypertension and diabetes, prescription glasses, eye surgery, supply wheelchairs, braces, crutches, etc. Donations of eyeglasses, or any other items may be dropped off at the office of the RPTimes.

NUEVA CREACION Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Center Sub Directors: Gregorio Soto Rodriguez and Guadalupe de Soto Phone: 044-638-105-9804 Calle Juan Aldama No. 527 Go to the new cemetary, turn right, go one block and turn left and 6 blocks ahead you will see the center.

OC3AN VIEW MINISTRY We are a Mexican non-profit organization, hosting large and small mission groups to bring aid and comfort to folks in need. Our office is located on the property of the Granada Del Mar Hotel over-looking the beautiful Sea of Cortez. Our Ministry Community Center Donation Facility; (thrift store) is located on Kino Blvd & Francisco Madero, caddy-corner to 2 Fish Ministerios. Hours of operation: TuesdaySaturday 12pm-5pm...All types of donations are welcome...For detailed information about us visit or WEB site: www.oc3anviewministry.com or Like us on facebook. To schedule a mission group with our exciting ministry making a difference in the community...contact: Conrad Flores, Founder & President Oc3anviewministry@gmail.com

U.S # 480-264-1172 MX Cell # 638-109-8017

PEÑASCO SINGLES (PS) A group of local singles, both full and part time residences. All singles are invited to join (no fee) this laid back group for the happy hours each Tuesday at 4 pm at Puesta del Sol restaurant at Playa Bonita Resort. The location for the Saturday breakfasts will be announced at this happy hour. For more information contact any of the following: Emma 383-3273 (local number) or 702-359-1095 (magic jack), Marti 812-319-1463 (U.S. cell works locally), or Dick 638-105-0615 (local cell) or 602-321-8106 (U.S. cell works locally) or just show up at the Tuesday happy hour and introduce yourself.

RED HAT LADIES LUNCHEON

SANTIAGO RUIZ SALCIDO ASSOCIATION

Brenda Barden: (638) 382-8611 The Puerto Peñasco Chapter gets together on the last Monday of the month at 1PM (Oct.-June) to have lunch and show off their “red hats and purple dresses”. All ladies welcome. Call for reservations or info.

This group offers help to people in their terminal cancer phase. It is comprised of a group of people who offer care to cancer patients who suffer from a terminal illness, when the time comes that the hospital can do nothing further. The patients are given support to help them have a better quality of life by receiving love, respect, and understanding in their final hours. Contact: awyspot@hotmail.com Santiago Ruiz Salcido Rocky Point cellular (044-638) 384-6166 The groups’ basic needs are adult diapers, Ensure shakes, medicines, hospital beds etc.

REHABILITATION CENTER Unidad Basica de Rehabilitacion Therapy for the handicap and those with special needs. Consultations accepted. Coordinator: Esperanza Lopez Trasviña Phone: 383-1918 Juan Aldama & Marcelo Pino

ROCKY POINT CHRISTMAS Tab Gray: tab@rockypoint.com Family of God Christian Fellowship PO Box 738, Lukeville, AZ 85341

PINACATE BIOSPHERE RESERVE

2 FISH MINISTERIOS

Fundación para Conservación del Pinacate, A.C. Office Hours: 9AM - 5PM U.S. Mail: PO Box 745, Ajo, AZ 85321 El Pinacate Biosphere Reserve is considered one of the most unique volcanic zones in the world. The conservation of these gigantic craters and the surrounding areas are an important part of our ancient history and culture. Self guided hikes, overnight camping and exploring are allowed in the area provided you do not harm, disrupt or take plants, wildlife or artifacts from the area. Visitors must register at the office as they enter the reserve. The reserve is located at the halfway town (Nayarit) between Rocky Point and Sonoyta. Also located near this area is Gran Desierto de Altar, home to the largest area of natural sand dunes.

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS WOMEN Professional Business Women’s Club Meetings each Tuesday 8PM Phone: 383-2052 Monday - Friday 9AM - 1PM Constitucion and Serdán esq. # 1 www.bpwpuertopenasco.com This association of professional business women meets once a week and helps young women who are finishing school - high school or college and who have economic needs.

RED CROSS (CRUZ ROJA) EMERGENCY DIAL 911 OR 060 Business Phone: 383-2266 www.cruzrojapenasco.org.mx

Monetary donations can be made in person, to the Red Cross people with their cans out when you see them in the street or you may deposit directly into their account: Banamex Acct# 7661161 SUC. 472 Located on Blvd. Fremont, across from the Fire Department (Bomberos) SERVICES ARE FREE OF CHARGE The Red Cross offers its services free of charge to the general public. They handle a number of minor injuries such as stings, bites, cuts, sprains, broken bones, etc. They have ambulance service and offer their services 24 hours a day. They work with local doctors and clinics to provide emergency care for patients with more serious injuries. They operate solely on donations, so please donate when you can. They are always in need of medical supplies, crutches, wheelchairs, etc. You may drop off donations at the Red Cross or at the office of the Rocky Point Times. The Red Cross can fill Portable Oxygen Tanks with prior notice.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER SINGLES South of the Border Singles (SOB’s) meets every Wednesday at 4:00PM at Playa Bonita Restaurant for cocktails/dinner. Monthly business meetings first Wednesday at 5:30PM at Playa Bonita. Sunday 9AM gather for weekly 9:30AM breakfast at various RP restaurants. Other fun events, short trips, parties throughout the year. All singles welcome! Local contact: Robert Adams at Playa Bonita RV Park adibob@prodigy.net.mx, local 382-5034 or Magic Jack (602) 449-1030 or Jean McCauley at Las Conchas; jeanmcc61@gmail. com Mexican cell phone is (044-638) 386-9774 or Magic Jack is (520) 303-4332. Founder: Pastor Stan Tedrow Peñasco Christian Fellowship

A group of a variety of community members who volunteer their time and efforts to raise money, purchase supplies and provide food bags, shoes and toys at Christmas time for the less fortunate. Every year thousands of children, men and women flock to receive their goodies, take pictures with Santa Claus, play games, eat hot dogs and have a great day. Volunteers spend all year collecting donations and then coordinate efforts a few weeks prior to the big event, which usually takes place mid-December.

ROTARY CLUB PUERTO PEÑASCO MAR DE CORTÉS Meet on Wednesdays at 8:00AM in Don Julio’s restaurant at the Old Port (Malecón). Email julio_cesarvalenzuela@hotmail.com.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER GROUP AA Passport Club We’ve moved to: Offices of Ocean View Ministry 18 Ave. S. Sinaloa M.W.F. 10:00 am Open AA meeting Contacts: Conrado @ MX cell: 638-109-8017 OVM office @: 480-264-1172 Marcia @ marsupis@gmail.com

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL Ginger Phillips: (972) 742-3740 Thrift Store open Monday - Saturday 9am-4pm Run solely on donations Turn W on Samuel Ocaña, go to the first 4-way stop and turn left, go 1 block and turn right, then go 2 blocks and turn left. Thrift store is the light green building located at the end of the street on the right hand side. St. Vincent de Paul helps needy citizens by furnishing clothing, food baskets, medical assistance and basic needs.

SANTA CLAUS CLUB Organizer: John Fowler: 602-840-1528 PO Box 5, Lukeville, AZ 85341 Delivers food boxes, bikes, toys and clothes to needy families all year long. Donations are accepted and transported to Rocky Point year round. If you have a donation pickup in the Phoenix area, call John Fowler or email santaclausclub@hotmail.com.

SAN JOSE CHURCH MISSION OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

Cholla Bay Road on the right before you enter La Cholla. Mass time as 8 a.m.

Melchor Ocampo & Tecla Bustamante Donations accepted and welcomed at the Felowship Monday Friday 8AM - 2PM All gifts are taxdeductible Checks payable to: Mission Heartbeat PO Box 1032, Lukeville, AZ 85341 This rapidly growing organization was created after seeing the desperate need families were faced with when the U.S. economy declined, heavily impacting Mexico, and the peso dropped dramatically. As a result, jobs vanished, more people became homeless and could no longer afford to feed their families. Pastor Stan Tedrow shared his burden to feed the hungry with his congregation, and two feeding sites were born on February 24, 2009 with more being added since then. Currently, citizens can receive a hot meal at Fountain of Life Mission in Colonia San Rafael and at Arizona Taco Place on Constitucion and at Aquiles Serdan across from Hotel Paraiso del Desierto on Constitucion.

TOURISM BUREAU (OCV)

Puerto Peñasco Convention & Visitor’s Bureau 388-0444/US Toll Free 877-843-3717 Mexico Toll Free: 01-800-552-2820 Ave. Coahuila 444 Int. 1a Fremont & Víctor Estrella www.cometorockypoint.com Mon-Fri: 9am-2pm & 4-7pm, Sat 9am-3pm President: Hector Vazquez Lic. Ana Laura Saens: 383-7025 Rafael Gonzales V.: 388-0444

WEEKEND MISSIONS

323 Leon de La Barra and Madero (in the old Hotel Villa Granada) 383-1394/(480) 626-5440/(480) 503-8832 Founders: Mark, Jerry and Rusty

WOMEN’S SHELTER Centro de Rehabilitación para Mujeres La Esperanza A.C. Directora: Hna. Ana Krause: 044-638-102-0869 anaycruz@live.com From Blvd. Samuel Ocaña, turn north at sign on Pto. Ensenada. Go 10 blocks and the women’s center will be on your left, just before the last cross street.

YOUTH SPORTS FOUNDATION Rick Busa: rbusa1972@gmail.com Promotes youth sports in Puerto Peñasco. Donations of sports equipment, uniforms, etc. always welcome. Call for sports schedule and come out to watch the kids play.


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The Rocky Point Times Newspaper • (011-52-638) 383-6325 • US (480) 463-6255


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CBSC Horseshoe/Corn Hole tournament By Cholla Charli

The 10th annual Cholla Bay Sportsman’s Club Horseshoe (and Corn Hole) tournament took place on April 1 with 17 winners earning nearly $1,000; but the real winner was Cruz Roja, the local Red Cross, the designated charity for this year’s event. There was lots of action at the 10th annual Cholla Bay Sportsman’s Club’s Horseshoe and Corn Hole tournament last month. The event was a benefit for Cruz Roja and the CBSC marine radio facility at Cholla Bay.

Horseshoe tournament chair Billie Crumbly, presents a check to Cruz Roja representatives from first-place winners Darrell and Mike Smith. The club will also present a check in May to Cruz Roja for a portion of the net proceeds from the tournament with the balance going to support the radio facility at Cholla Bay.

The Horseshoe competition drew 92 entries (46 teams) and Corn Hole saw 54 competitors (27 teams) step up. In addition, 49 people entered a new competition, the King of the Hill challenge, in which each player pitched 20 horseshoes to a pit with five stakes to rack up the most points. Jason Abrosio won that competition.

In the Corn Hole competition, Rick Cornelius and Victor Espinosa garnered first place. In second place was Craig Burch and Tom Almunn and third place went to Aaron Green and Tom Larson. The second place team donated their winnings back to the Sportsman’s Club. The club holds a variety of events over the year to support the marine radio facility at the Cholla Bay launch area. That communication service has been a literal life saver for many boaters over the years. In addition, they support local non-profit organizations, like the Cruz Roja, that serve Rocky Point. The 62nd annual CBSC Fishing Tournament started the weekend of April 20 and continues the weekends of May 11 and May 25, with the fish fry and awards event set for May 28 at the Cholla Bay HOA Clubhouse. For more information contact Chuck Blair at 602492-1781 or Kelley Adams at 480-3450623. Those who would like to be a part of the Sportsman’s Club can send a check for $40 (single or family membership) to membership chair Helen Dahlstrom at P.O. Box 77152, Tucson, AZ 85703.

Caroline Coury, Tucson, AZ for donating food/clothes Pappars, Tucson, AZ, for donating clothes Marilyn, Playa Encanto, RP, for donating blankets and bedding Dena Schick, Colorado, for donating clothes, bedding and toys Derek Newman, Arizona, for donating bedding and clothing Mary Baines, donation of clothes Brian & Heather Hefferman, Cebolla, NM, donation of bedding and clothes William Hunt, San Antonio, TX, donation of books, clothing and misc. Carol & Jack Terrio, Chandler, AZ, donation of handycap equipment Cindy Lynn, donation of clothing Ceddena Griggs, Tucson, AZ, donation of toys and clothing Sepe, Los Angeles, CA, donation of clothing and misc. Mary, Wisconsin, donation of books Lisa Prunetti, donation of baby blankets Marie Domont, Arizona, donation of clothes, toys, and bedding Linda Mahum, Arizona, donation of clothes Terri Kay, California, donation of clothes and baby carrier Durgain Gilmore, Cottonwood, AZ, donation of clothes and baby carrier

Opponents Colton Parker (L) from Buckeye and Kyle Cramer from La Cholla and Chandler, wait as their teammates’ horseshoes fly to the stake.

First place in the Horseshoe tournament was taken by father and son Mike and Darrell Smith, who donated their winnings to the Red Cross. Second place went to brother and sister Ryan and Maya Patrick, who donated their prize money back to the Sportsman’s Club. Susie Flinn and Fae Baldwin pulled off a double win, taking third in the overall competition and first in the women’s division. Second place in the women’s tournament was won by Chantele Miller and Kate Thompson, who also donated their winnings to the club.

Thank you for your Donations! Barney, from Chandler, AZ for donating toys and clothes

Pic of plaque presented to The Rocky Point Times Newspaper for their support to the CBSC.

All Donations Welcome! We take, clothing, shoes, cleaning supplies, towels, bedding, toys, sports equipment, school supplies, non perishable food, dog/cat food, pet supplies.


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The Rocky Point Times Newspaper • (011-52-638) 383-6325 • US (480) 463-6255


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Area Beaches! Puerto Peñasco’s main attraction is undoubtedly its beaches, the horizontal strip where the sea merges with the rocky and sandy shores. In addition to the coastline for those staying at beachfront hotels and condo complexes along Sandy Beach, there are various spots in Puerto Peñasco where one can enjoy a warm corner of the Sea of Cortez.

Playa Hermosa One of the most popular beaches is “Playa Hermosa,” which extends from in front of area hotels and toward the condo complexes of Sandy Beach. This stretch of beach traditionally receives the greatest number of tourists, given there are no marked drop-offs or pronounced rocks. To facilitate access to Playa Hermosa, steps have been built at the spot known as “Los Palacios” next to the first condominium complex of the hotel zone, as well as at the area referred to as “Los Guardados,” the two principal access points. Another entry is along a walkway located between Hotel Peñasco del Sol and Gamma seafood restaurant. Sun shade rental is available along Playa Hermosa.

El Mirador The area of the Mirador is another coastline offering various access points to the beach. The Mirador also offers a number of hotels and smaller condo complexes, along with RV parks restaurants, cantinas, and mini markets, for visitors.

Dozens of families make their way to this rockier shore to enjoy the sea. Here the drop-offs can be more pronounced during low tides and swimming is recommended only when the water is calm. Beach access spots are located along the Mirador and primarily toward the end of the Mirador intersecting with Ave. Sinaloa.

La Cholla The area known as La Cholla, primarily consisting of U.S. residents, offers a coast frequented by both Mexicans and people from the U.S. given its much calmer waters. Although Cholla Bay is about 6 miles from the urban spread of Puerto Peñasco, a visit to the warm beach stretching from Pelican Point to the boat launch is well worth it. Hidden between the beach homes on the west side of Cholla Bay, one can also make their way down to the rocky landscape of Tucson Beach where families of sea lions often make their ways onto the rocks to relax. The area has local restaurants and markets.

The Mojo Boogie Fly Fishing Experience By Vince Deadmond

Many have never experienced this magical wondrous state fly fishing bliss. If you don’t fly fish, seldom fly fish, or you throw all of your energy into climbing the corporate ladder, I wouldn’t expect you to know what I am talking about. If, on the other hand, you have a powerful desire to fish, you spend time, money, and effort scheming on how to get another day of fly fishing, you are on the right track. The more you fish and try to become a better fisher person, the closer you get to winning the fly fishing lotto, and having the mojo boogie fly fishing experience. What is the mojo boogie fly fishing experience you ask? It’s when it all comes together, anticipation matches results. It’s one of those rare days when you are the master, you expect to catch a fish on every cast. You finally have the right equipment, technique, and your skill set allows you to catch fish after fish. Your timing is perfect, you are presenting the fish exactly what it wants. This kind of fishing happens so seldom that you are going to get a good amount of skepticism by those you tell. It’s hard not to have a bit of swagger after one of the best days of fishing ever, but believe me it’s better to down play your good fortune. No fooling, I had a mojo boogie kind of day at La Pinta on April 1, 2017. I launched my pontoon boat on an outgoing tide, and fished the far shore. I positioned myself close to Flounder Beach, where there was a back eddy at the low tide. The lack of current seemed to keep several large bait balls close to the beach. Realizing that these bait balls are usually bigger fish magnets I started casting close to, but not into the bait

ball. I was rewarded with numerous Orange mouth Corvina and Pompano. This was the best fishing of the year for me. I probably had 15 days of serious fishing since January and the results had been lack luster. This trip I bagged many quality fish in a three hour period, along with releasing undersized fish and losing other fish to poor hook sets. Here is a saltwater tip: Your trout hook set, where you raise the tip of the rod won’t hook these hard mouth saltwater fish. You need to develop the strip strike, where you pull two foot of fly line back suddenly as you raise the rod tip. Here is a tip of the cap to Johnny Winter and all the other blues singers that accompany me on long drives from one fishing destination to the next. I did have a mojo boogie kind of day and had a gallon and one half of fillets after I left the cleaning station. The fillets went into the smoker and turned out delicious. I hope this fish story inspires you to get out and have your own fly fishing adventure.

Mi Playa Dirt roads from off one of the city’s main boulevard lead directly to Mi Playa. This area offers parking and a number of palapas for a fun family afternoon. However, it is recommended children not swim in this spot given stronger currents that can occur in this area. To get to Mi Playa, take the dirt road off Blvd. Fremont and follow the signs. Entrance and exit routes are separate leading in and out of Mi Playa.

Vince Deadmond the Fly Fishing Hardware Guy can be reached at Best True Value Hardware 237 N Apache Trail Apache Junction, AZ vince@ajbest.com and at 480 982 7461.


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Civic Holidays in Mexico By Rosarie Salerno

There are three classifications of Holidays in Mexico: Statutory, Civic and Festivities. This article will review the 12 Civic holidays observed by the nation. Workers may take a Civic Holiday day off, but are not entitled to be paid. Dia del Ejercito, Army Day, is commemorated on February 19th. The Mexican Army is the combined branches of the land and air services and is the largest of the Mexican Military, aka, the National Defense Army. Mexico rejects interference of one nation in the affairs of another nation and has no foreign nation-state adversaries. The Mexican Military is only concerned in matters of issues within their own country. Dia de la Bandera, Flag Day, is celebrated on February 24th. Since 1937, Flag Day has officially honored the current and previous flags of Mexico. As the War of Independence from Spain ended, February 24, 1821, General Vincente Guerrero declared Mexico’s independence and presented the new Flag of the Three Guarantees. Aniversario de la Expropiacion Petrolera, the Anniversary of the Oil Expropriation, is commemorated on March 18th. President Lazaro Cardenas declared, on March 18, 1938, that all oil reserves found in Mexico belong to the nation, as stated in the Constitution of 1917. Vigorous political support from the labor unions and the Mexican population earned President Cardenas and his government strong support. On June 7, 1938 Petromex, now called Pemex, was created. Heroica Defensa de Veracruz, Heroic Defense, is celebrated on the 21st of April, commemorates the defense against the US occupation of the Mexican Port of Veracruz in 1914. Cadets studying at the Naval Academy located at the Port fought the US Marines. Lieutenant Jose Azueta, a cadet, manned a machine gun outside of the academy on his own, causing a number of casualties. He did, eventually, become one of the fatalities of the battles which lasted for 6 months. Fifty-six Medals of Honor were awarded to the young men from the Academy by the Secretary of the Navy. Cinco de Mayo, the Fifth of May, celebrated on May 5th is one of the most important celebrations for Mexico. It is not their Independence Day but, for them that day represents their valiant fight to maintain their independence from foreign invasion. On the morning

of May 5, 1862, in the town of Puebla, 100 miles east of Mexico City, a Mexican army of 4,000 brave men smashed 8,000 French, well trained soldiers. The French Soldiers had the most modern war equipment of the day, under the command of Napoleon III. The victory was a remarkable feat not only because the Mexicans were armed only with machetes, sticks and stampeding cattle but, were outnumbered 2 to 1. Cinco de Mayo is an official holiday in the State of Puebla, but a civic holiday for the rest of the nation. Natalicio de Miguel Hidalgo, May 8th, the birthday of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla; who initiated the Mexican War of Independence from Spain in 1810 with the famous speech known as El Grito. Dia de la Marina, June 1st, Marine’s Day or Navy Day, the Ministry of War created the Mexican Navy in 1821. From 1810 through the mid-19th century, Mexico was in a constant state of war with Spain which would not recognize Mexico’s independence. Mexico’s first fleet was purchased from the USA to remove the remaining Spanish ships from its coasts. Dia de los Ninos Heroes, September 13th, Boy Heroes Day, celebrates the battle of Chapultepec during the Mexican-American War of 1847. Chapultepec was a fortress that guarded the gates of Mexico City, it also served as a military academy. The Americans assaulted and captured the fortress, but Mexico takes great pride in the 200 cadets, some as young as 13 years old, who bravely fought to defend the gates. Grito de Dolores, Cry of Dolores, is commemorated on September 15th. El Grito was the shout that started the War of Independence against Spain on the eve of September 16, 1810; El Grito was a speech made by Miguel Hidalgo at a church chapel in Guanajuato. There are usually great festivities with fireworks at the Municipal Building in the evening. Consumacion de la Independencia, on September 27, celebrates the end of the War of Independence from Spain in 1821. Natalicio de Jose Ma. Morelos y Pavon celebrates the birthday of Father Morelos in 1765, on the 29th of September. He is considered one of the founding fathers of the Mexican nation. Descubrimiento de America, Columbus Day, October 12th; commemorates the discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus in 1492.

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Consumer Law in Mexico: What are your Rights?

Most people who have spent any appreciable time in Mexico are likely to have been subject to a little ‘gringo tax’, paying a bit more than the “normal” price for a product or service. Do you know what your options are when situations like this arise? There are laws that protect consumers in Mexico, and here’s where to turn when you have a bad experience. Mexico passed the Federal Consumer Protection Law in 1976, becoming the second Latin American country to do so. The law was introduced to protect the rights of consumers and hold Mexican businesses accountable for fraud and abuse. This led to the establishment of the government agency PROFECO (Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor), responsible for verifying, investigating and punishing claims brought before them. PROFECO has the authority to stop businesses trading (mostly temporarily) and levy fines, the amount dependent on the violation committed. It’s possible that you may have walked past a business closed by PROFECO, with large PROFECO signs covering the entrance (note that these should not be confused with the “Clausurado” signs which are also often seen - these are business closed by the city’s Health & Safety authorities). PROFECO is also responsible for evaluating gas stations and investigating claims made against them. There are many consumer violations that PROFECO is authorized to investigate. However, to make life easy, here is a list of the most common violations that the public should be aware of: 1. Mandatory Tipping - tips or service surcharges cannot be added to a bill. 2. Prices not exhibited - prices must be available in writing - not only informed verbally. 3. Imposed purchases - a venue cannot ask for a minimum spend or insist on purchases in exchange for a table. 4. Promotions and Special Offers - a business cannot deny you promotional prices. 5. Total Price - prices displayed must include all taxes and any additional charges.

6. Currency - prices must be displayed in Mexican Pesos, although additional currencies may be shown too. 7. Discrimination - a business cannot discriminate against you because of race, gender, nationality, sexual orientation or disability. This includes charging a ‘gringo tax’. Violations should be reported using one of the channels below: Website: http://www.profeco.gob.mx/ Phone: 5568 8722 and 01 800 468 8722 Email: denunciasprofeco@profeco.gob.mx Mobile App: PROFECA en 30 (search the app store on your mobile device) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ ProfecoOficial Twitter: @Profeco By Letter or in person to your local office. Note that a lot of information available on the PROFECO website is available in English, and there will usually also be someone available to speak with you in English if you call. Emails and letters can be written and will be responded to in English. Your rights are also protected if you do not live in Mexico and have bought a product or service from a company operating in Mexico that you are not happy with. PROFECO’s ‘CARE’ department (Departamento de Conciliación a Residentes en el Extranjero) can assist complainants in reaching a solution. If you have any questions concerning your complaint or the process involved, the CARE unit can be reached by telephone on (55) 5211 1723 or e-mail: extranjeros@ profeco.gob.mx. It may take several months for a complaint to be investigated and settled. However, there is a clear path of action that starts once your case has been verified. In the first instance, contact will be made with the business in question. If PROFECO cannot resolve the matter with the business alone, the complainant and accused will be invited to attend a hearing to reach a solution. In severe cases where a case is still not solved after the two above steps, PROFECO will step in as arbitrator to settle the dispute. Mexico’s Love of The Beatles Lives On.

This article is brought to you by the Sonoran Resorts Sales Group, www.sonoranresorts.mx, Jim Ringquist, Director of Sales and Marketing.


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Puerto Peñasco Welcomed More Than 125,000 Visitors Over Spring Break 2017

Municipal Tourism Director Luis Altamirano Almada reported more than 125,000 tourists visited Puerto Peñasco over three weeks of the 2017 Spring Break period, with hotel and condo occupancy rates registering at 100%. This surpasses numbers of 2016 when an estimated 110,000 Spring Breakers visited the area, pointing to around a 10% increase in tourism. “Thanks to tourism promotion, more people than expected visited over Spring Break,” he detailed, acknowledging instructions of Mayor Kiko Munro to receive visitors with open arms. He also pointed to coordination among the different levels of government in providing safety and appropriate emergency measures. “Tourists recognize and understand that Puerto Peñasco is safe,” indicated Altamirano, “We registered occupancy at 100%, highlighting professionalism of services so that people leave happy and even more so, return.” Underscoring the importance of tourism as one of Puerto Peñasco’s main economic engines, the Municipal Tourism Director remarked the city seeks to continuously innovate by providing quality weekend events so that visitors can enjoy experiences to complement the natural beauty of the beach, boat rides, and the Pinacate Biosphere Reserve. This article is brought to you by the Sonoran Resorts Sales Group, www.sonoranresorts.mx, Jim Ringquist, Director of Sales and Marketing.

As Foreign Property Owners, What Rights Do You Have Under Mexican Law? Given New USA Policies - Could I Lose My Property in Mexico? Answer: NO! By Agustin Galindo, Attorney at Law

During these times of economic and political changes, many foreign investors are worried about losing their real estate properties in Mexico as a reprisal to current USA policies against Mexican illegal immigrants and threats of governmental retaliations against companies that invest in Mexico (i.e., Carrier, Ford or General Motors for example). Many USA citizens and other foreigners have invested in second residences, vacation property, or own hotels or Bed & Breakfast inns in Mexico. Other foreigners live in Mexico full-time and own property. My response as a Mexican attorney: If you are a property owner in Mexico, whether your property is on the border, coastline or interior; or whether you own it through a bank trust, directly, or through a Mexican corporation; your ownership and possession are protected by one of the most essential guaranties of the Constitution of Mexico (Article 14), that restricts the retroactive application of any law and provides for due process of law. Thereby, in accordance with the Mexican Constitution, if you are a property owner in Mexico, regardless of the location or type of ownership (bank trust, direct, or through a Mexican corporation), if any new law is issued or the current laws are amended to restrict such ownership, that law or amendment cannot be applied in a retroactive manner. In addition, the Constitution provides that no one can be deprived of ownership or possession without following a legal process before a competent court in accordance to the current rules of procedure. Again, to summarize your rights as a foreigner under the Constitution of Mexico: If You Own Property through a Bank Trust: Property that is located on the

border or shoreline in Mexico (technically named “restricted zone”) can only be owned by a foreign individual through a bank beneficiary trust with duration of 50 years with subsequent extension in accordance with the Foreign Investment Law and its regulations. Therefore, even if such laws were to be amended or abrogated, the Mexican Constitution gives you the right to maintain your beneficiary trust rights over property owned in this manner. If You Own Property Directly: Property that is located in the interior of the country can be owned directly by a foreigner. In this case, under the Mexican Constitution, your ownership cannot be restricted in any manner, and you will be able to keep such ownership until you transfer it, sell it, or will it to others. If You Own Property through a Mexican Corporation: Another way for a foreigner to own property in Mexico is by owning shares in a Mexican corporation, and that Mexican corporation owns the property; whether it is on the border, shoreline or in the interior. In the case of owning shares of a Mexican corporation that owns property, such share ownership cannot be restricted, and you will also keep its ownership until you transfer such shares. My Advice: Don’t be worried about your property rights and investment. Just make sure you have all the correct paperwork and title in place. For your reference, below please find a transcript of part of Article 14 of the Mexican Political Constitution: “Article 14. No law shall have a retroactive effect against an individual. No one may be deprived of his/her freedom, properties, possessions or rights, unless a process before the competent court is carried out, wherein all essentials formalities intrinsic to the procedure are fulfilled and pursuant to the laws issued prior to such fact...”

This article is brought to you by the Sonoran Resorts Sales Group, www.sonoranresorts.mx, Jim Ringquist, Director of Sales and Marketing.

Mañana

By Dan McWhitis

Definition of mañana: an indefinite time in the future. Future, time to come, hereafter - the time yet to come. One attention grabber relative to Mexican culture is the concept of “mañana” Yeah, what’s that? In the Latins, mañana can mean morning, tomorrow or sometime later. It’s the ‘sometime later’ that raises eyebrows. In the United States, if someone agrees to be at a certain place at a specific time, we normally expect they’ll show-up close to the scheduled time, but in Mexico this can be a whole different experience. Example, say the washing machine in your home has flooded the bottom portion of the house and you’re forced to call Pablo’s Emergency Plumbing Service. Pablo’s wife assures you he will have his crew to your place within an hour. Sounds good, so you prepare your family, advising everyone they need to hang close to the house until the plumber arrives. Noon comes and the family waits and waits. Hours go by and still no plumber. Inquiring phone calls go unanswered, or the plumber’s wife insists he’ll be there in twenty minutes. With the day & afternoon shot frustration sets in only to be replaced by hopelessness, then miraculously a truck pulls into the drive around 7:30 pm. There just a wee bit of a problem, Pablo explains he doesn’t have the correct parts or tools to repair the problem. He reschedules for the next day and advises you to keep the water turned off. The Latin concept of manana produces other & more complicated scenarios especially when dealing with dating. In Mexico, it’s normal to meet for a date (cita in Spanish) at a predetermined location, but this has a slippery slope. Latin beauties are never going to be on time. I can attest, I’ve suffered these waits and they sometimes last more than two hours. Did Jobe wait two hours? When she arrives looking dazzling all problems melt away, she gives you a quick kiss on the cheek and apologizes, “Amor, I’m so sorry, but our family was having problems in the basement with our washing machine and we had to wait for a plumber to fix it. Please forgive me.” What a smile. Did I mention Jobe?


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City Launches Intense Street Repair and Renovation Program

Those who frequent and love Rocky Point share one common knowledge: the weather here can be very hard on things. The salt air, humidity, occasional heavy rain and strong winds, and just being built around the sea, causes many things to rust, corrode, and deteriorate at a faster pace than those areas further away from the coast. The roads around town are certainly no exception. After the torrential rainfall, which has been registered as a record for the past 50 years, during February here in Puerto Peñasco, the roads have gotten worse and there were areas that were already in serious need of repair. The City has responded by stepping up the ongoing repair program and adding additional personnel and resources. Municipal Coordinator of Public Projects, Terencio Gutiérrez Valenzuela, detailed the city would be pouring 100 cubic meters of asphalt into area streets as part of a comprehensive road repair and pothole program. He explained focus in upcoming days would be given to Blvd. Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez, stretching from Blvd. López Portillo to Derecho de Vía, and

subsequently to Calle Sinaloa and Calle Alejandro Sobarzo, along with other area streets in poor condition. He detailed the comprehensive road repair program includes a 40 member crew from Public Services, as well as various types of machinery and equipment to help with both repairs and street cleaning. Gutiérrez Valenzuela stated that staff from Public Services would be applying asphalt along city streets most impacted by the rains. He acknowledged this is a recurring problem, and while more rains may come they are taking steps to advance work, given the serious deterioration of several city roadways. Hand in hand with the roadwork, a Peñasco Limpio (Clean Peñasco) campaign is being implemented with the goal of improving and maintaining the city’s urban image. This work includes general clean-up and clearing of debris, along with sweeping off streets and sidewalks. Along with these steps, he encouraged residents to join in by keeping the areas front of their homes clean. “The idea”, he stated, “is in working together we can improve the quality of life for residents, as well as the city’s overall image.”

This article is brought to you by the Sonoran Resorts Sales Group, www.sonoranresorts.mx, Jim Ringquist, Director of Sales and Marketing.

St. Francis Niche Donated to Casa Hogar By Mike Bibb

In early March, local senior citizen home Casa Hogar, received a St. Francis wall niche. The wooden icon, representing Saint Francis and Mother Mary was constructed, donated and installed by Safford, Arizona residents Mike and Eilene Bibb. The Bibb’s have previously given numerous religious items to several Rocky Point churches, children’s homes and other organizations. They’ve also donated dozens of similar revered pieces of spiritual art to many churches and cemeteries in Mexico, Arizona and New Mexico. Accepting the niche for Casa Hogar were Mother Superior Asuncion and Sister Silva. Assisting in the installation, Jose de Jesus, aided in contributing his experience and assistance to the project.

Servicios Medicos Veterinarios

I have submitted this article to the Rocky Point Times in appreciation for the wonderful service that was performed by the Servicios Medicos Veterinarios doctors and staff: • Senior Vet VMD Ataulfo León Félix • Master Vet VMD Jesus D. Briseño Torres • Master Vet VMD Adrian Sixto Resendiz • Intern Vet VMD Diana Gastelum Quintero • Assistant Blanca Anaya Cano • Assistant Christhian Nañes Castro • Specialist Vet Surgeon VMD Riab Katrib (Mexico City) • Manager/Director MBA Alejandra León Flores This past November, we were on the beach with our two Shih Tzus. One of them, Ollie, fell over on his back and was injured, he was walking unbalanced and his back was hunched up. We called Servicios Medicos Veterinarios in Puerto Peñasco We met with Dr. Leon, and he performed a clinical examination on Ollie. Dr. Leon was so thorough and took time to explain everything in detail to us. Manager/Director MBA Alejandra León Flores interpreted everything he was telling us, and listened to our concerns as well. Dr’s recommendation was to keep Ollie overnight to observe him and medicate him. Next day he was doing so much better we could bring him home, but he started falling over and could not keep his balance, worse than the first time we’d taken him into the hospital. This time an x-ray was done, but it was not conclusive in determining what type of spine injury he was suffering from. Dr. Leon talked to us about doing an MRI on Ollis back, this way we would be able to not only locate the exact spot where his injury was but also determine what type of injury it was and weather or not we could do something to help him. At this point in time, Olli was no longer able to walk at all; he could only bearly move his neck to eat and drink, but that was it. There are no MRI facilities in Puerto Peñasco, but this could be done at another hospital in San

Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora. A different city a few hours from the port, where we were. Guess What? Dr. Leon drove with Ollie and one of his assistants to San Luis to get the MRI. They drove back the same day and we went in to get the results and a pertinent recommendation with Dr. León. Ollie had a herniated and intervertebral disc and its content was pressing against his medulla, interrupting his ability to move freely. He showed us the MRI results along with the x-rays and explained everything clearly and completely. He does not rush you through anything and he answers all the questions you may have. Olli needed spine surgery ASAP. Dr. Leon has experience performing spine surgery, but the location of Ollie’s injury was very intricate (cervical spine: C2-C3), and the surgical procedure indicated to help him, he was not comfortable performing. He did have an associate who is a specialist in this type of injury; Specialist Vet Surgeon VMD Riab Katrib, practicing in Mexico City. So, guess what!? Servicios Médicos Veterinarios made the logistic arrangements to have our beloved dog operated on down there, and Dr. Leon drove with Ollie to Mexicali, Baja California, to fly off to Mexico City. Ollie’s surgery was performed that same evening and it lasted about 2 ½ hours long. The very next day, Dr. Leon flew back to Mexicali and drove back to Puerto Peñasco. The surgery went very well, we even saw pictures of the surgery. We met again for a long consultation going over what to expect, in terms of recovery, physical therapy and post op special care for our dog. Dr León was very confident that Ollie “will be running again on the beach soon enough”. Ollie is now going through hydrotherapy. He is doing great, and is well on his way to a great recovery and actually has already started going out to the beach and doing some of that jogging. We truly appreciate Dr. Leon, all the doctors and the staff. They have been so loving and caring to Ollie, and I think he is a big hit with them. This hospital is very busy, and other clients are so happy with the service they receive for their pets. We wanted other animal lovers to know how happy we are to have found a facility that is really here for the caring of our four-legged children and goes beyond the call of duty, if needed. Thank You Dr. Leon, and staff, for your medical, professional, and caring services. Rick and Mary Schrah Puerto Peñasco/Colorado


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Working Abroad: Foreign Earned Income Exclusion There are many Americans who are earning income in Mexico or other countries outside of the United States and would like to reduce their tax responsibility to Uncle Sam. That opening sentence will likely prompt more than a few readers to ask themselves, “Why would I pay taxes to the American government if I live and work in another country?” That’s an excellent question and the answer is simple: The United States is one of only two countries on the planet that taxes its non-resident citizens on their global income. - The other country is the small African nation of Eritrea. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) This is how it works: if you meet the requirements below, you can exclude foreign earned income from your gross income on your U.S. tax return. The maximum amount of the exclusion depends on the tax year and increases each year based on inflation. Here are the maximum exemptions for the indicated tax years: 2015: $100,800 2016: $101,300 2017: $102,100 As you can see, that’s a substantial amount of money. Basic Requirements: According to the IRS, in order to qualify for the income exclusion you must 1) have foreign earned income, 2) your tax home must be in a foreign country and 3) you must be one of the following: • A U.S. citizen who is a bona fide resident of a foreign country or countries for an uninterrupted period that includes an entire tax year. • A U.S. citizen or a U.S. resident alien who is physically present in a foreign country or countries for at least 330 full days during any period of 12 consecutive months. The first option, being a bona fide resident of a foreign country, is not as easy to prove as you might think. It’s not a standard “yes” or “no” type of question and it can be a little subjective. The second option, the physical presence test, is much easier to prove and that’s the recommended route for most people. You’ll need to track the exact dates that you were in the United States during the 12 month period. If you even go one day over, you’ll lose the exemption.

If you are employed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies, you cannot claim the exemption. Income Limitations: The FEIE only applies to the income that you earn by actually providing services in the foreign country: salaries, wages, commissions and tips. It does not apply to passive income, which is referred to as unearned income by the IRS. The following are examples of unearned income: pension and annuity payments; social security payments; capital gains; interest; gambling winnings; and alimony. Rental Income: Generally speaking, rental income is unearned income. If you perform personal services in connection with the production of rent, up to 30% of your net rental income can be considered earned income. Here is an example taken directly from IRS Publication 54 (2016): Larry Smith, a U.S. citizen living in Australia, owns and operates a rooming house in Sydney. If he is operating the rooming house as a business that requires capital and personal services, he can consider up to 30% of net rental income as earned income. On the other hand, if he just owns the rooming house and performs no personal services connected with its operation, except perhaps making minor repairs and collecting rents, none of his net income from the house is considered earned income. It is all unearned income. Bad News for the Self-Employed: If you’re self-employed, you can still claim the exemption on income; however, you’ll still be responsible to pay selfemployment tax on the income. In other words, Uncle Sam will be asking for 15.3% of your reported foreign income. Yep, that one stings a little. Taxes can be more than a little more complicated once you live and work in a foreign country. It’s always advisable to speak with a professional who specializes in preparing taxes for expats.

This article is brought to you by the Sonoran Resorts Sales Group, www.sonoranresorts.mx, Jim Ringquist, Director of Sales and Marketing.


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Paying your bills in Mexico The Beatles formed in 1960 and just like you did back home the band’s first album, Please Please Me appeared in March 1963 By Cholla Charli

Seven years later, in April 1970, Paul McCartney publicly announced his departure, which brought an official end to the remarkable musical endeavor, and paved the way for its members to pursue solo careers. The Beatles never toured Mexico: the country was far less open in the 1960s and it was hard for foreign bands to perform here-a far-cry from today’s open Mexico, where a constant stream of top music acts from around the globe arrive to perform sell-out concerts in Mexico City virtually every week of the year. The omission of a live performance, and the absence now of their physical presence as a band, fail to dampen Mexico’s interminable love and care for the Fab Four from Liverpool. Over fifty years and two generations later, Mexicans’ love of the Beatles lives on, and not just in wistful memory. Radio Universal in Mexico City plays two hours of Beatles (mornings and evenings) every weekday on a program featuring the band’s best-known hits as well giving listeners an opportunity to discover some of their more obscure numbers. Mexico is awash with Beatles Tribute Bands-they perform every week somewhere in the capital. In 2015, Mexico set a new World Record for the most number of people to gather dressed as members of The Beatles and they remain among the most-listened to bands on Spotify in Mexico City. Even now, restaurants, cafes, night-clubs,

museums, street art, book collectionsand more, remain replete with Beatles memorabilia. Paul McCartney played several paid-concerts at Mexico City’s Foro Sol auditorium in 2010, and then in the spring of 2012-forty-two years after the Beatles officially broke-up-he returned to Mexico City and gave a free concert in the capital’s Zocalo-the secondlargest central plaza in the world. Tens of thousands of fans attended the event and were especially enamored with McCartney’s contemporary renditions of The Beatles classics. 80,000 people roared when Paul opened the concert with All my lovin’ - and he continued to keep devoted fans enthralled by performing virtually non-stop for nearly three hours. Although the Beatles were together for only ten years, the legacy they created for popular music has yet to be equaled by any other music band, and perhaps nowhere else in the world today is their legacy kept alive as it is in Mexico. Mexico’s ongoing enchantment with a British band from a city in the north of England most Mexicans had never even heard of before The Beatles arrived-and talent which touched the hearts of millions-is testament to music’s gift; Mexicans’ openness to sharing and experiencing foreign cultures has helped the country to expand its own horizons and cultivated inspiration across borders and across generations.

This article is brought to you by the Sonoran Resorts Sales Group, www.sonoranresorts.mx, Jim Ringquist, Director of Sales and Marketing.

Many people with vacation homes here in Peñasco choose to have a bill pay service. Since Cholla is now my full-time and only home, I thought that I should learn how to handle these small tasks, just like I did in the states. It was never difficult, but now it’s a snap. I just found out that I can pay for my Mexico land line and Internet without having to drive to the Peñasco office and circle the block three times to find a parking place. Yea! Communication was a prime consideration when Bob and I decided to make Cholla our full-time home. Like most people today, we wanted reliable Internet access and easy telephone connections for international and national calls. Telmex to the rescue! For over a year, I drove down to the Telmex office every quarter, paid for three months’ service and marked the calendar to be sure that I wouldn’t miss the next payment and lose my Internet. Then I learned that Telmex has set up a system so that people living in the U.S., can pay for phone service for their relatives in Mexico. That system makes it possible for those of us with homes here – whether full-time or part-time – to automate that task as well. So here’s what you do: Call toll-free to TelmexUSA at 800275-1259 Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Standard time and ask for a Customer ID number (they speak English, of course). They will want your Telmex phone number in Rocky Point, your account number and the name on the account. Once you have your customer number, go online to www.telmexusa.com. In the upper right corner of the Web page is a globe icon that toggles between EN for English and ES for Español. Set the page to EN. Next, click the “Retail Services” tab, scroll down if you need to and click on “Pay in USA” box. This pops up two options. Click on “Mexico en Linea”. Fill in the onscreen

form with your 10 digit Mexico land line number, US telephone number (your U.S. cell number will do) and the customer number the San Ysidro office gave you when you called. Now log in. You can make a payment then and there, or you have other payment options. In upper right corner are three horizontal parallel lines – the icon for a menu. Click that and scroll down through the menu on the left to “Retail Services,” then “Payment Options.” There are links to information on how to pay by phone, mail a check or money order, how to pay with debit or credit card, and how to set up an automatic payment. You can mail your payment to: Telmex USA, LLC at 482 W. San Ysidro Blvd, #2254, San Ysidro, CA, 92173-2444. Or you can pay by phone with a credit or debit card. The toll-free payment number is 800-290-1649. If you want to set up an auto pay, click the Automatic Payment Format link to print the form. It includes the regulations about auto payment and spaces for you to fill in basic information about your account and your payment information. This form is then mailed to the Telmex USA address above. There is a $2 fee per payment for the online payment service, but at the cost of gasoline in Mexico, if you are more than 10 miles from the Telmex office, you’ll save that much in gas and you won’t have the hassle of trying to find a parking place on that block. More good news! No more running to the bank for pesos and shoving a stack of bills into the ATMs at CFE. You can easily go to the CFE site, create an account and pay online using your US debit or credit VISA or MasterCard. They aren’t set up for auto pay yet, but it’s a big step up in making it all easy. If your friends back in the U.S. say that you are living in a third-world country, tell them they are right, but it has nothing to do with technology. We are thoroughly modern here in Rocky Point! In another article we’ll find out what does or doesn’t make Mexico “third-world”.

This screenshot shows the TelmexUSA website where you can create an account, pay your bill or set up auto-pay from your debit or credit card.


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The Rocky Point Times Newspaper • (011-52-638) 383-6325 • US (480) 463-6255

Fish Identification Giant Black Sea Bass (Mero Prieto)

Barred Pargo (Pargo Mulato)

Body dark gray to black and has numerous fine teeth. This fish is fairly common to the north of the Midriff. They feed on Mackerel, Lobster, Tuna, Shark and large chunk baits and can grow to over 500 lbs. Giant Black Sea Bass prefer deep rocky bottoms. They are strong fighters and make excellent table fair.

This fish is found throughout the Sea of Cortez both inshore and offshore. They are deep bodied, greenishgold on their back with red on their lower sides and about 8 dark bars across the body. They average 3 -10 lbs., but can grow up to 30 lbs. Pargo are a good fighting fish that takes chunk baits fished on the bottom and are very good eating.

T h i s Sea Bass is the most common large Grouper in the upper and central Gulf. They can grow to about 5ft. in length and weigh up to 200 lbs. In the summer these fish usually are found at depths below 100 ft., but in late fall they move to shallower reefs, then back to deep water in early summer. They prefer rocky bottoms with caves and crevices. They are veracious predators and strong fighters when hooked.

The body and fins are bright red with a pink to white belly. They prefer deep water around 250 ft. and fee mainly at night. The average weight is 2-5 lbs. but do get up to 15 lbs. Red Snapper takes baits fished near the bottom and yo-yo’d jigs. Excellent eating.

Gulf Grouper (Baya)

Broom Tail Grouper (Garropa Jasplada)

The body color is olive brown with dark irregular blotches on the sides. Unlike other Groupers it has a tagged tail fin. Groupers prefer deep waters and takes large baits and jigs. Very strong fighter, but dives into rocks. They can weigh up to 100 lbs., and make excellent eating.

Leopard Grouper – Spotted phase / Leopard Grouper golden phase

Leopard or Golden Grouper (Sardinera) – This fish has two color phases; a golden phase which is uncommon and the spotted phase. The spotted phase has small reddish brown spots and a grayish brown black with white margins on the fins. They prefer shallow water and feed at dawn and dusk. Average weight is 5-25 lbs., but can grow up to 50 lbs. A good strong fighter that uses rocks to his advantage. Makes for great eating.

Spotted Cabrilla (Pinta, Cabrilla Pinta)

The body and fins are covered by reddish-brown spots. General coloration of the body is gray with dusky bars. The coloration looks very much like a Sand Bass, but this fish is much larger (up to 30 lbs.). This fish has rounded dorsal, anal and tail fins. They are found abundantly in rocky structures and will hit feathers, jigs and fresh dead baits. Good fighters and excellent eating.

Red Snapper (Huachinango)

Spotted Sand Bass (Cabrilla Pintica)

A very abundant fish found inshore and offshore in the upper Sea of Cortez. Their color is an olivebrown with many black spots. The Spotted Sand Bass frequents shallow to moderate depths over sand and rocky bottoms. Takes live bait, small lures and feathers. Makes good live bait for larger fish, also is very good eating. Averages 1-3 lbs.

Cortez Halibut (Lenguado)

A flat fish with both eyes on one side. Found throughout the Sea of Cortez both inshore and offshore. Dark brown above with 8 -10 dark spots and a white underside. Prefers sandy bottoms. Takes drifted live or dead baits and small feathers. The mouth has a large single row of sharp teeth in each jaw. They average 3-5 lbs., but can get up to 25 lbs., and are excellent eating.

Finescale Trigger Fish (Cotchi)

F o u n d throughout the Sea of Cortez, both inshore and offshore. Body color ranges from brownish to a blueish gray. They are voracious feeders and will take almost any bait and most jigs. Cotchi are very strong fighters and an excellent eating fish. Average weight is 2 – 4 lbs., but can weigh more than 8 lbs. and grow to 2 ½ ft. in length.

Pacific Sharpnose Shark (Bironche)

This Shark is blueish gray on the back shading into a reddish brown on it’s sides. The Sharpnose has non-serrated teeth with a deep notch on one side. This shark is commonly caught out of Puerto Peñasco and is the most common requiem shark in the Gulf. Grow to 4ft. in length.

Scalloped Hammerhead (Pez Martillo)

Deep olive to brownish gray with a white belly. Has a long upper tail lobe and a evenly scalloped head. This Shark is common throughout the Gulf and can reach up to 12 ft. in length.

Sierra Mackerel (Pez Sierra)

F o u n d throughout the Sea of Cortez inshore in large schools. The Sierra body colors are dark blue on the back and silver on its sides with several rows of golden spots along the sides. An excellent game fish that hits jigs and live bait. These fish are a very good eating especially as ceviche. They are also used extensively for bait. The average weight is 1-5 lbs. but can reach 15 lbs. and 3 ft. long.

Paloma Pompano (Palometa Pampanito)

Pompano are common throughout the Gulf. They are usually taken from shore or in shallow water on shiny spoons and lures. The body of the Pompano is dark on top with bright silvery sides and black tips on the dorsal fins. An excellent eating fish that grows up to 20 inches and up to 5lbs.

Yellowtail (Jurel De Aleta Amarilla)

F o u n d throughout the Sea of Cortez except in the far noth. Colors consist of a brassy yellow strip along its side and a blue/gray to olive above. Prefers live bait or jigs trolled or yoyo’d. The fillets are best when marinated and then barbecued. Yellowtails gro to 5 ft. long and can weigh up to 80 lbs.

Black Skipjack (Barrilete)

Their body color is dark on top, silvery on the bottom with stripes running down on the back and 3-5 black spots on the abdomen just below the pectoral fin. They migrate to the upper Gulf in late May or early June. May weigh up to 12 lbs. The meat is very strong in flavor. Skipjack makes an excellent bait fish.

Dolphin Fish (Dorado)

The body is a brilliant goldengreen in color. Snout profile of older males is blunt and high foreheaded, whereas the females head is more tapered. The Dorado likes warm blue waters and migrates to the upper Gulf in late May or early June. They are an excellent food fish and can grow up to 6 ft. in length and weight up to 90 lbs.

Sailfish (Pez Vela)

T h e S a i l f i s h’s

body is dark blue on its back with a bright silver stomach and a very large dorsal fin. They may be seen basking on the surface following the warm waters to the upper Gulf in late May or early June. 100 lb fish are common, but fish up to 182 lbs. have been recorded. Very poor food value, so please practice catch and release.

Mako Shark (Tiburon Mako)

Found worldwide in tropical and warm temperature seas. The body is streamline and well proportioned. The back of the Mako is a brilliant blue-gray and the sides are light blue, changing to a snowy white on the belly. The Mako is the undisputed leader in attacks on boats, when hooked it will unleash its fury, leaping as high as 30’ out of the water. Has been known to bite the boat and occasionally leap into it, causing severe injuries to the angles. It can be easily distinguished from all the sharks by its teeth, which are curved like daggers with no cusps at the base or serrations along the razor sharp edges. The front surface is flat and the teeth are curved inward.

Pacific Sardine (“Sardina del Pacifio”)

Has a series of spots above the midline. Grows up to 12 inches, excellent bait fish.

White Seabass

Grayish blue back, silver sides, white belly and a square tail. Average length is 2 -5 ft. long and up to 90 lbs.

Shortfin Corvina

Gray b a c k w i t h silver sides, a white belly and a square tail. Medium mouth full of spikey teeth. Averages 1 ½ to 3 ½ ft. in length and a weight of 3 – 20 lbs.

Orangemouth Corvina

Gray back, cream colored sides and a triangular tail. Inside the mouth is orange to yellow in color. Average length is 1 ½ to 4ft. and weight from 3- 30 lbs.

Totoaba

B o d y dull silver burnished somewhat with iridescent copper over clad with small dark spots. Totoaba have angular tails and small eyes. They can grow up to 6 ft. in length and weigh up to 300 lbs. CAUTION: ALL TOTOABA ARE AN ENDANGERED SPECIES AND ARE PROTECTED BY LAW AND MUST BE RELEASED.


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The Rocky Point Times Newspaper • (011-52-638) 383-6325 • US (480) 463-6255

Panadería La Tapatía, a Family Bakery for 63 Years with a Delicious Secret By Joe Houchin

Watching Jesus Felix mixing, kneading, cutting and shaping the dough for dozens of different kinds of breads, rolls and sweet goodies is a lesson in skilled consistency, attention to detail, complete understanding of what it takes to make bread products beyond good, to the top of delicious—and that’s before the family’s unique style of baking even begins, which is another lesson in the mastery of bread making that has been handed down for six generations.

Jesus’ great grandfather, Rafael Vargas Vargas, opened La Tapatía near the old port years ago introducing his own unique method of baking bolillos, the Mexican all-purpose bread. About six years later he moved the bakery to its present location on Venustiano Carranza, the next street east of Luis Encinas. From Luis Encinas, you turn east at the corner where the big new “La Luz del Mundo” Church is and the La Tapatía sign is just south on Carranza. (There is no street sign on that corner but you can see the La Tapatía sign.) You have to enter the bakery along the south side of the building.

Jesus still uses the original brick oven that contributes to the unique flavor of his baked goods. But, as rare as the antique baking oven is, that isn’t the entire “secret” to their six decades of maintaining a large base of loyal customers. The rest of the secret is in the use of the hard woods, mesquite and ironwood, to bake their breads. Of course, it’s not really a secret; it is just that few, if anyone, employ these difficult to handle woods for baking. Just to master the skill of using mesquite and ironwood for baking is a tedious trial and error undertaking, even under a master’s supervision and tutoring. However, once mastered, the finished bread products are baked to an art-like quality with a flavor all their own. Ah, but wait; there’s more to the baking artistry of La Tapatía. Just when you think you’ve seen the entire process, Jesus starts stacking the most recent hand-formed bolillos on 1 X 8 boards near the glowing mouth of his oven, still in the form of dough. These are always the last items on his daily baking agenda, which begins at 6:00 AM and ends with the bolillos at approximately 1:00 PM, a dedicated ritual Jesus has performed daily for 28 years and his

patriarchs before him have done for an additional three and a half decades. Just prior to transferring the bolillos about a dozen at a time onto a long narrow wooden wedge he uses to place them into the heated enclosure, Jesus readies an iron curtain a size larger than the oven’s entry with a small rectangular opening at the bottom, positions it near the glowing entrance and, with another wooden rod, pokes the flaming nuggets into their final positions, extends his arm knowingly behind him, grabs a liter cup of water and slings it upon the fiery coals creating a massive torrent of steam and repeats the action until the vapor is bellowing to his satisfaction. He quickly encloses

the steaming interior with the iron curtain and with rapid precision loads and shuttles the bolillos through the small rectangular opening and awaits the perfection of his artistry whereupon, with the same precise timing, Jesus retrieves his golden treasures to spread tasty pleasure to all who have discovered the delicious difference the right amount of steam makes in baking Mexico’s traditional bolillos. The Felix family live right next door to the bakery and you may see Jesus’ beautiful little girl, Vanessa, popping in and out after school. For a distinctive treat for yourself, pick up some baked goods from Panadería La Tapatía from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. For a truly exceptional treat, arrive a half hour before 1:00 PM and witness the “bolillo finale” by the master himself, Jesus Felix. You’ll be glad you did!

This article is brought to you by the Sonoran Resorts Sales Group, www.sonoranresorts.mx, Jim Ringquist, Director of Sales and Marketing.


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The Rocky Point Times Newspaper • (011-52-638) 383-6325 • US (480) 463-6255

CLASSIFIEDADS ANNOUNCEMENTS BILINGUAL SERVICES SUNDAY 10AM with Peñasco Christian Fellowship. Bilingual services also offered Wednesday at 7PM. Located ½ block E. of the Melchor Ocampo & Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez intersection. North from Las Conchas Pemex, ½ blk E. at 3rd stop sign past railroad tracks. For more info. call Stan or Becky at 383-4513. (#1-24) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES KINGDOM HALL Thursday Ministry School & Service Meeting 7pm. Sunday Public Discourse 9:30am. Located on the (baseball) stadium road, on the left, just before the big blvd. Call 382-0049 or 383-3885. (#a1a) GRUPO UNIDAD CRISTIANOS DE PEÑASCO Pastor Ernesto Portugal. Headphones available for English translation. Sunday service 10:30AM, Thursday Service 7:30PM, Children’s school same hours. Church office open Monday through Friday 9:30AM to 2PM. Located on Simon Morua. Call for info. (01152-638) 383-2240. (#1-ch) ADOPT-A-CLASSROOM – Charity organization operated for 9 years now by Barb and Mark Olszewski, helping 9 schools and over 2,500 students. If anyone would like to help us with donations of spiral notebooks, pencils, crayons, erasers, rulers, etc...it will really be appreciated. You may use the offices of the Rocky Point Times Newspaper for a drop-off-point (off Calle 13map in paper), or get information at www.rockypointclassroom.com (#1-AAC) PUERTO PEÑASCO ‘ROCKIES’ WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL – Needs team boosters and sponsors!! Visitors are welcome to come watch us practice each Sunday 3-6PM at the Municipal Gymnasium on the main Blvd. at the north end of town. WE NEED DONATIONS to purchase sport wheelchairs for basketball. We ALSO NEED basketballs and uniforms!! Call Mark (602) 324-9529 or in Rocky Point (011-52-638) 383-4963. Email markbarb@prodigy.net.mx (#1WC) BARB’S DOG RESCUE – located 8 miles north of Rocky Point on the highway to Sonoyta, signs on both sides of highway. Also donation drop off point at Twin Dolphins Real Estate on Blvd Fremont, next to Cruz Roja (Red Cross). barbsdogrescue@ gmail.com. Mexico (011-521-638) 114-1659 or (044-638) 384-0113. From the US dial (602) 324-7241. (#1-dg) AMERICAN LEGION MX-15 OF ROCKY POINT – is located in the Mirador Beach area, just down from Manny’s Beach Club, up the hill behind Pink Cadillac, downstairs at Los Juanes Restaurant. We serve Breakfast from 8am-11am and Lunch 11am - 2pm and Dinner Specials. post15mx@mail.com (#1-AL)

SAN JOSE MISSION CHURCH – Bilingual Catholic Mass offered every Sunday at 8 a.m. at San Jose’ Church in La Cholla/Cholla Bay. Everyone is welcome.(#1SJ) ANIMAL ADOPTION CENTER OF ROCKY POINT – (A 501© tax exempt corporation) wwwrpaac. org. Center located north of Benito Juarez on Calle 15 (Leon de la Barra) 3 blocks left corner. Also donation drop point at Rocky Point Times Offices (011-52-638) 383-1012, Phoenix (602) 4123932, Tucson (520) 407-6594, nancy_phelan@yahoo.com. AACORP P.O. Box 1031, Lukeville, AZ 85341. (#1-AAC)

BEAUTY SALONS GLORIAS BEAUTY SALON SINCE 1969! We do it all and we carry a full line of beauty supplies. Gloria’s Beauty Shop is located on Constitucion, just before Super Ley Market. Phone locally at 383-5075 or from the U.S. (011-52-638) 383-5075 for an appointment, ask for Gloria. English Spoken. (#25-13) PBC - PEÑASCO BEAUTY CENTER - IN Rocky Point Full line AVON Beauty Supplies. Hair, Nails, Facials, Massage, Manicures and Pedicures (638) 383-1086. English Spoken. On Constitucion, across from Super Ley (#25-1)

BILL PAYING SERVICE WHILE YOU’RE AWAY I’LL PAY YOUR electric, water, phone, bills, etc. Since 1993 I’ve been working with Immigration services. English/Spanish spoken. References available. Call Silvia Villa at Premium Services, locally at 383-5758, or from the U.S. dial (602) 4761187, or email me at sivife@ hotmail.com. (#30-2) BILL PAYING – Maintenance and cleaning. FM3 Services. Proservices Rocky Point. Fremont Plaza #15. Mon. thru Fri. 8:30-4:30, Sat. 8:30-1:30. (638) 383-6161. English/Spanish Cel (044-638) 113-0446. astrid. avila@live.com.mx (PS-1) COFFEE AND COFFEE HOUSES MAX’S CAFÉ: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, Dinner, Pizza, Full Espresso and Liquor Bar. Free Wireless Internet & Phone to the U.S. Located in front of Hotel Peñasco del Sol. Live Music Thur-Sun 8PM-11PM 383-1011. (#56-5)

BEST COFFEE IN TOWN – XOCHITLS CAFE (Sally’s place) in Cholla Bay. Not to mention awesome food! Breakfast 6AM2PM! You can’t beat her chiles rellenos and spinach omelet. Call to order ahead 382-5283. (#5610) GIUSEPPIS ESPRESSO RESTAURANT - PASTRY – inside or outside seating. Located on Blvd. Fremont, left side past Cruz Roja (Red Cross) Open at 8AM until 4PM on Mon, Tue & Thur. Friday & Saturday breakfast and lunch. Sunday 8AM - 2PM (Closed Wednesdays) (011-52638) 383-5181 www.giuseppis. info. Leashed, well behaved dogs always welcome. (#56-6) DENTAL SERVICES WANT A DENTIST WHO USES THE latest in technology and equipment when getting your teeth cared for? Ernesto Grijalva, D.D.S. comes highly recommended by all of his patients – ask anyone of them! Stop by his office located on Blvd. Fremont, just south of the fire dept. or call Mario for an appointment (011-52-638) 3833434. (#64-3) FM3 SERVICES SERVICES FOR AMERICANS – Permanent and Temporary Residence, Tax ID Numbers (Hacienda Registration), accounting services, bill paying and more. Office location: Sun Valley Business and Immigration Service, Blvd. Benito Juarez No. 191 Between Nicolas Bravo & Simon Morua. Call local at 3838891, from the U.S. dial (520) 829-4340 or email Bianeysvisa@ aol.com or Dynorasvisa@aol. com. English spoken. (#79-9) FM2/FM3/RFC/HACIENDA/ IMSS – If you don’t speak Spanish, or just want someone to help guide you through the process, call Silvia Villa at Premium Services at 383-5758, or from the U.S. dial (602) 4761187 or sivife@hotmail.com. Translations from English to Spanish or Spanish to English also available – any document you need translated. Call Silvia whenever you need help with anything from bill paying to ordering flowers! (#79-1) BILL PAYING – Maintenance and cleaning. FM3 Services. Proservices Rocky Point. Fremont Plaza #15. Mon. thru Fri. 8:30-4:30, Sat. 8:30-1:30. (638) 383-6161. English/Spanish Cel (044-638) 113-0446. astrid. avila@live.com.mx (PS-1)

FOR SALE Neto’s Pastime Bar. Fully equipped and includes a Series 7 Liquor License. Selling “AS IS”. Ideal location in the heart of Gila Bend. 2000 sq ft Bar, 1100 sq ft 2nd building, covered patio between suites. Buildings have separate water and electric meters, 3 phase power available. Commercial underground 200 service to bar. Call Listing Agent, Paula Lambert, (520) 560-2256 for details. (#86-10) FURNITURE DELIVERY MOVING FROM THE STATES to all of Mexico. Since 1987. Our price includes no surprise fees from pickups to setups. No middle man, door to door service. Email geoff@bordermovers.com or phone (480) 232-3518. (#90-9) HOUSES & CONDOS FOR RENT LONG TERM & NIGHTLY RENTALS, Las Conchas, Mirador, In Town, Sandy Beach Homes and Condos. Starting at $150.00 USD per month. Twin Dolphins (011-52638) 383-3919, (602) 324-7241 (#100-4) PUERTA PRIVADA LONG TERM LEASE 2 OR 3 bdrm condos for long term lease only. Furnished or unfurnished available. Visit model on site 9am to 5pm daily for more info. (#100-42) BEAUTIFUL OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT RANGING FROM 50-75 M2 Perfect for business professionals. Located Luis Encinas and Calle 24. English Call 815-553-2683 or Spanish call 638-105-7936. (#124-1) HOUSES & CONDOS FOR SALE AJO HOUSE – 3bd, 2ba. Backyard faces County Park, mountain views. Has a/c full house backup generator. Bottom of “U” street, nice neighborhood in Ajo, AZ. (520) 387-5474. (#102-m) PLAYA DORADA – $229K Close to International Airpot. Beachfront, large 2bd, 2ba. Private parking, security. HOA and electric. Call PABLO REALTY (602) 288-8687. Local 383-8657. Email pablorealty@ hotmail.com (#102-PR) INSURANCE SERVICES INSURANCE AND BONDING AGENCY – REAL ESTATE Mexican & American Insurance: Auto, boat, life, house, commercial. Yolanda Silva, Agent. Ave Nayarit #62. Call 383-6280. (#107-1) JEWELERS JOYERIA MAX – MAX’S JEWELRY - Custom design, repairs, diamonds and gemstones. Special orders are our specialty. Open 11AM – 9PM Monday through Saturdays. Shop located on the north side of No Reeleccion (Calle 26), just east of RR tracks. Lamek_ fu@hotmail.com. Call Max (011-52638) 388-5512 and 383-2698. (#110-2)

LOTS FOR SALE TWO ADJOINING LOTS – for sale. Two blocks from beach, each lot is 875m2, one isa corner lot. In Playa Bonita area. Good business location. $200K, price is negotiable. Contact F. Cordero at garcnan@ gmail.com. (#115-31) MASSAGE U.S.A. CERTIFIED MASSAGE THERAPIST. Several bodywork modalities available. Out calls or in clinic. $55 per hour. Best massage in town. Rita Pizarro, from U.S. dial (602) 748-4134, clinic (011-52-638) 383-8030, local dial 383-8030 or (044-638) 386-5203 or email ritapizarro@ gmail.com. (#120-6) SPA BLUE SKY – Wonderful anti-stress massage, facials, pedicures. Outcalls. $35 dlls per hour. Call Sixto Jimenez. On Blvd. Samuel Ocaña. 383-2105 and cell (044-638) 107-7720. Email qatejmez@hotmail.com. (#120-1) PEST CONTROL PREDADOR - TERMITES, cockroaches, mosquitoes, flies, bees, fire ants, fleas, scorpions, spiders, rats, ants, mice. We have our Federal License. English spoken. Call Juan Mendivil, owner at 383-8787. 24hr emergency phone dial (044 - 638) 113-0691. (#126-1) REAL ESTATE SERVICES TWIN DOLPHINS – Blvd. Fremont, next to Red Cross. Mexico (638) 383-3919 US (602) 324-7241. (#140-1) ROCKY POINT REALTY GROUP – Jonni Francis at Paseo Las Glorias, across from Peñasco del Sol. Mexico (638) 382-5355 US (602) 334-4134. (#140-2) HOME INSPECTIONS. Be an intelligent investor: Get a home inspection before you buy your next home or investment property in Mexico. Puerto Peñasco’s only full time Home Inspector. Call (602) 748-4134, local dial (044-638) 3807212 or email tomthomas360@ gmail.com. (#140-4) SERVICES PET SITTING SERVICE – DON’T WORRY about your animals for a day, week or month! Vacation with peace of mind. I will look after your cats or dogs. Lots of experience with animals! Phone Nancy at (011-52-638) 383-1012. (#157-21)

SATELLITE TV – Sales, service & installation. Residential & Commercial (638) 103-5317 Mex Cel. (602) 635-2246 Vonage. (#157-2) ROCKY POINT HOME INSPECTIONS – Inspections by US inspector 25+years in Real Estate, Homes and Condos. Be a smart investor 602-538-0027 tomthomas360@gmail.com. (#157-1) AQUA GRANDE TOWING – Tows to U.S.A. No Problem. All operators fluent in English and Spanish. Dennis Bleeker (01152-638) 383-5770. From the U.S. (520) 232-2149. (#157-3) PROFESSIONAL CLEANING HOUSES – condos, RV’s, boats. Cater Happy Hours and parties too. Only $100.00 PESOS per hour. References, honest worker. Call Esther at SantiagosOceanServices. AZ cell in Rocky Point #602-324-9558 or local cell (044-638) 112-8908. (#157-4) SHUTTLE SERVICE HEAD OUT TO ROCKY POINT – door to door shuttle service from Phoenix to Rocky Point. Group and one-way rates available. Wanna Go? Let Us Know! Email headout@cox.net, phone in the U.S. (602) 971-0166 or U.S. Toll Free (866) 443-2368. www. headouttorockypoint.com. No waiting in border lines when you ride with us! (#158-3) WANTED MISSION VILLA GRANADA is now interviewing candidates for the Administrator position. Management skills and office skills are required. Must be willing to physically work, and to also perform office tasks. Verbal and written communication skills must be adequate. Helpful if bilingual, and English speaking is required. Computer skills are necessary. Other skills that are helpful are restaurant and hotel experience. Come be a part of something bigger than yourself and be the caretaker of the Mission Villa Granada! Email your contact information to info@ weekendmissions.com or call Mark at (480) 231-1940 or Mary at (480) 503-8832. (#192-1)

CLASSIFIED AD PRICES 25 WORDS FOR $15 WORDS AFTER 25 ARE 20¢ PER WORD


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Is Mexico a Third-World Country? Yes and no!

The juxtaposition of high-dollar properties and dilapidated structures throughout Rocky Point is emblematic of the first-world/third-world debate, but originally the designation was entirely political, not economic. By Cholla Charli

The term “third-world” came about during the Cold War. Nations like the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan and much of Western Europe, who aligned with NATO and capitalism were labeled as “first-world.” Nations that ascribed to communism – the Soviet Union and China – were “second-world”. Those with neither alliance, including South American nations, African nations, Ireland, Austria, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Mexico and others, were the “third-world”. The NATO alliance was a benefit to the “first-world” nations but really was of no importance to Mexico. Mexico is a peaceful nation, having never engaged in conflict outside its borders. In addition it shares a border with one of the strongest militarized nation in the world. It has a small and efficient military that supports the country in times of disaster but would not be inclined or equipped to go to war on a global scale. So, Mexico is not a member of NATO. It has no need to be. And it is not a communist nation. Therefore, yes, it is third-world by the original definition. However, it really does not qualify as a third-world nation by the modern definition of that term. According to businessdictionary. com, third-world is “a collective name for most of the nations of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle

East, many of which share a colonial past and are variously termed as developing, less developed, or least developed countries. “They support 75 percent of the world’s population but consume only 20 percent of its resources, and are generally characterized by (1) slow pace of industrialization, (2) low to very low levels of per capita income that is insufficient to generate savings for economic growth, (3) low literacy levels but high rate of population growth, (4) poor health facilities and transport infrastructure, (5) dependence on agricultural and commodity exports as main foreign exchange earners”. Mexico is definitely a developing nation - hopefully, all nations are developing. Of 230 nations, Mexico falls at number 91 for Gross Domestic Product (per capita income), whereas the United States is at number 18. However, Mexico boasts highquality, modern medical facilities. It’s literacy rate is at 94 percent – just three points below that of the U.S. It’s birthrate is 18 per thousand compared with 12.5 in the U.S., and more than 40 in most African nations. Mexico is technologically advanced and has a diverse economic base. So, when people describe Mexico as a “third-world country,” you can nod you heard and say, “Yes,” or you can heighten their awareness of this beautiful, peaceful, developing country that we enjoy as a full-time home or vacation destination.

Letters to Editor Send your letters to the editor to our mailing address P.O. Box 887 Lukeville, AZ 85341 or email us at rockypointtimes@yahoo.com

Good PM. I have a 2004 Chev Silverado pickup that requires air condition work. Can you refer me to a place in RP where English is spoken. We have been visiting RP since 1993, but have not had any work done on our truck. I need new actuator installed, which will require the dash to be removed, a 5-6 hour job. I have the correct parts. Many thanks, Daryll Daryll Evans Reincom is one of our house a/c advertisers, and he recommends you call Joel Monge on Blvd. Sonora. The name of the business is Refri-Autos, kitty corner from Las Yaquesitas restaurant, so they would be on the left side. You can give him a call, he speaks some English but one of his employees speaks perfect English 638-107-9045. Hi Alicia. Again I am asking for your help to locate an auto paint shop in Rocky Point. MY 2004 Chev is in need of a paint job. Many thanks for your help. Daryll Evans Queen Creek, AZ I am out of the office but if you look towards the back of the paper (January) you will see the ad for Santiagos body shop) He has a paint booth (which not everyone does), and he has good recommendations. We are looking for 2017 RP Tide Calendars. When there during the holidays, they could not be found. Any information would be appreciated. Al and Kathy Tittes Hi Kathy, we have them here at the office :) Dear Alicia, Thank you for your assistance. We will send a check out this morning for $35 for Tide Calendars. If we need to send it to an address other than that for the Rocky Point Times, please Advise. Also, could you provide us with the information to get a subscription to the Rocky Point Times, as we don’t make it to Mexico every month. If the cost is more than $35 for the calendars please let us know. Thanks again, Al and Kathy Tittes I won’t know how much it is to mail the calendars until I mail them out, but the price for the calendars is $15 dlls each, so I think the total will be about $35 dlls including shipping. Let me know and I will send them asap. Thank you Thanks so much Alicia for your help and speedy responses. Yes, we would also like a year’s subscription. We will include the $35.00 with the check for the calendars. We so enjoy reading the Rocky Point Times, getting updates on what’s happening, etc. We enjoy our house in Cholla Bay and hope to make it down more often this year. Thank you

Lot’s of great Sonoran beef in RP - you can go to the Reef, Miguels, Mickeys or even Super Ley or a corner carniceria and grill your own! Mona Coury We have the best Sonoran beef here. Some of our restaurants serve a nice thick steak, but we don’t have a “Steak House” per se. Rocky Point Times, can you give me directions to La Curva Restaurant? Thank you. Bonnie Biggins La Curva is on Blvd Kino, north of Calle 13, and south of Blvd Sonora. If you are on the main Blvd Benito Juarez, go to the RRX and turn east (You will be on Blvd Kino). After the stop sign at Calle 13, keep going straight up Kino and La Curva is on your right. I love Chilleen’s and always stop in when I’m heading up north. They have amazing food, great service and fun atmosphere. I can say the same wonderful things about Satisfied Frog. My family lives in Cave Creek. Whenever we visit RP you can bet that we will be there at least once every day. It’s our favorite getaway! Christie Turner Yes, we love the SATISFIED FROG too! Can’t pick a favorite day to go, everything is soooo good! Sandy, Alicia I’ve recently learned there is a soap box derby type race in RP, “Charanga”. This year’s race is scheduled in April. Having an interest in this kind of stuff, I’ve tried locating a web site to obtain additional info - rules, entry forms, etc. - but haven’t been successful. Can you guys help me out? Mike Bibb We have been in touch with Santiago, the president of the Casa Hogar, who is planning the “CHARANGA DERBY” in April 2017. We will post when we have more information.


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32. Sting 33. Professors’ aides (abbr.) 35. Ginger __ 36. What Santa smokes 38. Poker fee 41. Unprincipled lout 44. Magician’s cry 47. Actor Flynn 49. Bashful expressions 50. Hereditary Hindu social class 51. String instruments 52. Grad student’s ordeals 53. Play part 54. Freeway sign 57. Very wicked 58. Metrical foot 59. Scent 60. African river 61. Beef __

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DOWN 1. Mix slightly 2. “Rule Britannia” composer 3. DEA employee 4. Dual tool 5. Biblical mountain 6. Powders 7. Russian inland sea 8. parties 9. Eat away 10. Monty Python member Michael 11. Copies, for short 13. Tiny 14. Cuss 20. Edgar Allan __ 24. Proverbs 25. Son 26. Join 27. Sushi staple 28. Accounts __ 29. Alpha follower

A R I A

ACROSS 1. Lucid 5. Bus depot (abbr.) 8. Insurance agents (abbr.) 12. Capture 13. Fibbers 15. Part of Q.E.D. 16. Concerning (2 wds.) 17. Spouse’s relative (hyph.) 18. Pepsi flavor 19. Bin 21. Fix a manuscript 22. Elevator pioneer 23. Poplars 25. Beer keg 29. Naughty child 30. Off-Broadway award 31. Punta del __, Uruguay 34. Puff of smoke 37. Flower of New Mexico 39. Felix or Garfield 40. __ boom 42. Almost adult 43. Boss’s impatient abbr. 45. Wine valley 46. Filler 48. Grated 50. Bee’s delight 53. Duck type 55. Distinctive atmosphere 56. Economic downturns 62. Attempt 63. Open 64. Mine entrance 65. Blab 66. Dialect 67. Birthmark 68. Being (Lat.) 69. “Annabel __” 70. Prepare coffee

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If you need an FMM… By Gretchen Ellinger If you are fortunate enough to have purchased property in Rocky Point, your Transaction Coordinator may have told you that you will need an FMM for the closing. You may also need an FMM for travel to destinations beyond the “free zone,” or for other purposes, as required by individual circumstances. The Forma Migratoria Múltiple, commonly called the FMM, is a document issued by México’s INM, Instituto Nacional de Migración translated as “Méxican Immigration.” The FMM is casually called a tourist card or tourist visa, although it is not officially a visa. It is issued to citizens of the U.S., Canada and other countries for vacation purposes, and to verify that you are legally authorized to be in Mexico. Unless a foreigner (to Mexico) has a temporary or permanent residence card, the FMM is required for the signing of documents such as contracts and bank trusts, or at some banks for opening an account. The FMM is issued for 180 days, and is technically valid for one entry into México, although many people keep it for more than one entry, particularly if they will be signing documents over a period of six months or less.

Don’t be intimidated - obtaining an FMM is easy, at least for those of us who cross the border from Lukeville into México at Sonoyta, and at $32usd, as of this writing, is fairly inexpensive. 1. When you cross the border at Lukeville into Sonoyta, you will see offices immediately to your right. 2. Park there, at the curb, right after passing through customs. The second office is the Immigration Office - look for the INM on or over the door - that is the office you want. 3. Ask for the FMM form, and fill out the FMM form completely, using the information on your passport. The INM official will check your passport against the information you provided on the form, and will sometimes ask for another form of identification, such as a driver license. 4. The cost of the FMM is $32.00usd. Having cash in the exact amount is helpful - sometimes change is not available. Usually there is someone in the INM office who speaks English, but sometimes the only person on duty speaks only Spanish. The officials are generally helpful and friendly, and even when languages differ, getting an FMM is usually painfree.

“Oh To Be Young Again” By Rob Baylor There is a song that goes “Do you remember when we used to sing”. That is what I am thinking about now at 3:30 am. When you reflect on your life, you realize what you did wrong, what you said or did that you can’t change and boy, I don’t have time in a day to do that. I did a lot of stupid things in my 73 years. Some turned out OK and some not so ok. We all have, and now most of us wish we could go back and change them. One of mine is I quit school at fifteen and joined the Navy. It made a man of me right quick. I was sitting on the cement patio after washing my clothes by hand (Mom used to take care of that) and saying to myself, “You dumb sob, look what you got yourself into”. Then again, the first night in the waters off Vietnam, with guns going off all night I just knew I was going to end up in the water, and there are no buses to take me home, and if there were I had no idea which one to catch. Then it was all the jobs I had before I woke up. With no education I didn’t make very much money, and like a lot of us struggled to get by. ‘Robbing Peter

to pay Paul’. Then Peter got mad and there went my nice new car. Where is the bus stop? In the 60’s my boss asked me what my goals were. I replied “if I could make five dollars an hour I would be in fat city”. I enjoy my life now don’t get me wrong. I have a wonderful wife, kids I love, and grandchildren I adore. And that is the gist of this article. Sometimes I think that if I could do it over again, I would stay in school and get a good education I wouldn’t have had to go through all the trials and tribulations of being on the bottom rung of the ladder. Hindsight is always better than foresight! One of my Granddaughters, Raeanne, is in her early to mid-twenties, lives in the Denver area, and included in the April issue of this paper is an article she wrote. She married last August, has a bunch of jobs, which I can’t keep track of. Web designer, Para Legal, Writer for a Newspaper, Life coach, Wedding Planner, and I lost track. She got an education and makes more in a week than I did in a month. Oh well it is what it is. Dang I wish I was young again, sometimes.


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BARB’S DOG RESCUE NEWSLETTER “Help Us Help Them”

By Barb Mumaugh

The beautiful spring weather we all enjoy so much before the summer heat arrives! As we discussed in last month’s article, “April showers bring May flowers”...and puppies! It is puppy birthing season and many litters are born in Rocky Point. Litters of puppies who are starving and malnourished and who have nowhere else to go, are brought to Barb’s Rescue Shelter, located right outside the entrance of the city. A place where they will be fed and sheltered in a clean, safe environment. They are off the streets and desert areas of Rocky Point. They receive medical attention and individual attention to their specific needs. They are spayed and neutered and given medication as needed. They eat food that has been donated by the generous public to help Barb feed her many rescue dogs.

Barb has puppies and stray dogs brought to her every day. She has daily financial needs in order to continue her rescue work for the dogs of Rocky Point. Her facility is open to the public and she encourages people to come see her work and efforts. Most of all, we encourage you to open your heart and wallets to help her continue her critical work to save these defenseless animals! Thank you for your support and help! Ways You Can Help - Some of the puppies and dogs we get in are terrified of humans as they have been mistreated in the past. It can take hours of work socializing them and getting them to trust that people are good. Others have been hit by a car or beaten and need immediate medical attention. This is where your donation of dog food, monetary help or even coming by to help socialize the dogs is crucial. We are a 501c3 so everything is tax deductible. We would not be able to help any dogs or puppies without your support and all donations are greatly appreciated. Donations can either be dropped off at the rescue, mailed to P.O. Box 116, Lukeville 85341 or at www.barbsdogrescuerp.com. We can also coordinate donations to be transported from Phoenix or Tucson to Rocky Point. The phone number for Barb’s Dog Rescue is 1-480-2641162. Please visit us on our Barb’s Dog Rescue Facebook page as well for news, pictures and updates.

Please visit us online http://www.facebook.com/BarbsDogRescue or our website www.BarbsDogRescueRP.com Barb’s Mexico cell # (638) 114-1659 or her US # (602) 774-1578. Email barbsdogrescue@gmail.com. We can pick up donations in the US and Puerto Peñasco.


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Our Contributing writers...

Steve Franklin

Steve Franklin is a Cholla Bay resident and has been photographing wildlife for 20 years. He is also an Arson Detective for the Phoenix Fire Department. He enjoys taking photos of all sea life above and below the water. He visits the Yellowstone and Grand Teton areas of Wyoming as well as the Sonoran desert areas of Arizona & Mexico each year. His photography is displayed at Xochitl’s Restaurant in Cholla Bay, and at Gaby & Luis Galeria in Old Town near Mercedes.

Gretchen Ellinger

After years of visiting México, and nearly 15 years a full-time resident of Puerto Peñasco, Gretchen thinks moving to Rocky Point from the USA was the best thing she ever did for herself! Gretchen has been a real estate agent in Rocky Point for as long as she has lived here, and has written for the “Rocky Point Times” for much of that time. After living in beach communities for many years, she and her little dog Luna moved to a neighborhood in town, and are so glad they did! Besides fulltime neighbors and all the conveniences, beaches are a quick drive away, and in town there is something new and interesting every day.

Rosarie Salerno

Has been a contributing writer, for the Rocky Point Times, since 2006. Rosarie has lived in Rocky Point for over 10 years. She has been a full time real estate professional in Rocky Point since she arrived and has been a licensed real estate agent in Arizona since 1986. She moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1972. Rosarie studied Accounting in N.Y.C., Fashion Designing as well as Video and Film Production in Tucson. Not only did she sell real estate in Tucson, but had a small income tax preparation service for almost 20 years. Rosarie is highly analytical in her work. She has an inquisitive mind.

Mike Bibb

Contributing writer, Mike Bibb from Safford, Arizona, is a recovering paranoid-schizophrenic with several bipolar disorders. As long as he remains under constant medication, the public is generally not at risk. However, he has been known to lapse into bouts of uncontrollable thirst which can only be sedated with multiple servings of iced Indios, Dox Equis or some similar tonic. There is no picture of him available at this time due to national security reasons should his face be seen in public.

Vince Deadmond

Vince Deadmond, “The Fly Fishing Hardware Guy”, is co-owner of Best Hardware in Apache Junction, AZ. He is an enthusiastic, caffeinated, fly fisher in search of a really good cookie. He has fly fishing stories published on the web, in local newspapers and magazines. His stories tangle family, friends, and fly lines.

Dan McWhitis Broker - Teacher - Beach Bum - Me. Disgusting, it’s not a game, it’s a way of life.

Marcia Diane

I’ve had the honor of writing for one of the best publications in the business and with some of the finest colleagues for over a year now, yea RPT! When I was little I promoted circuses and trained animals. Now that was something to write about. When I grew up I just couldn’t stop, writing that is. Though I’ve stolen and trained some horses since then. Can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather live than this astounding Sonoran Desert Sea…lucky, lucky me. Anybody who’s inclined to share their private thoughts, don’t hesitate to join our on-line writing group at m.diane. writeon@gmail.com. We put out our submissions every second Friday of the month. See you all there.

Bob Snyder

Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. High school class clown. Transplanted out west at the tender age of 20. Married in Las Vegas, where he raised 3 kids. Worked in sales his whole adult life. He has been coming to RP on vacation for about 20 years from Las Vegas. He has lived and worked year round at Puerta Privada on Sandy Beach for the past 5 years. Bob had a ton of fun being cast from the local pool to play a small roll in the Diego Luna directed movie, ‘Cesar Chavez’ staring Michael Peña. Loves fishing, golfing, horseshoes and pool, and of course, telling jokes.

Stephanie Wood

Stephanie Wood grew up in Wichita, KS and moved to Phoenix in 1992 to attend ASU. Her first trip to Mexico was Nogales at age18 to shop and drink margaritas. She’s been coming to Rocky Point since 2007, and fell in love immediately and started looking for a condo the very first day. Rocky Point combines her love of Mexico and the beach. She loves exploring Rocky Point and sharing her experiences with others. She has two kids who are growing up on the beach and learning to embrace a world view and appreciation of other cultures. Her goal is to travel more extensively in Mexico as time and funds allow and continue writing about her experiences.

Cholla Charli

Cholla Charli (aka Charlotte Keller) has had family ties to La Cholla since 1969, and is now a full-time resident there, having retired from a career in marketing, publishing and public relations. An award-winning writer and photographer, she enjoys sharing stories about the organizations, activities, events and people in her new home town.

Anita Kaltenbaugh

Originally from Western Pennsylvania, lived and worked in Rocky Point for two years. Waking up and walking the beach everyday was a dream come true. Anita and her husband love to travel and explore new and different places all over the world, but her heart still remains in Puerto Peñasco. Anita Kaltenbaugh is the Mexico travel examiner at examiner.com and author of the book “Travel SecretsInsider guide to planning, affording and taking more vacations” available on Kindle, NOOK and Amazon.com.

Nancy Phelan

Born in Boston, Nancy settled in Phoenix, Arizona, where she has three daughters and seven grandchildren. Nancy received her Masters degree from Northern Arizona University. Her computer career included Xerox and Control Data. She represented wineries in Europe working out of Libourne, France connecting wineries in Europe to the suppliers in the USA. Since the year 2000 when she retired to Puerto Peñasco, she was appalled by the brutal way animals were treated and abused. Nancy started an animal rescue “Animal Adoption Center of Rocky Point”. Today she works closely with the city of Puerto Peñasco, conducting spay/neuter clinics and adoptions events.

Cap’n Greg

live in Green Valley.

Escaped Iowa’s snow for Arizona’s sun in 1989, and immediately jumped the border to sample the culture and cerveza of Mexico. A US Navy veteran, his love for the ocean drew him to Rocky Point, which he has enjoyed immensely. Although he offers salty advice to Sea of Cortez visitors, the Cap’n also frequents the Northwest Ontario Bush, and has been writing a “North With Doc” humor column for In-Fisherman magazine for more than 20 years. Cap’n Greg, his wife Sandy, and their silky/pom pup Jezebel

Rob Baylor

Rob was born and lived for 60 years in Missoula, Mt. He retired in 2004 after 35 years as a self employed appliance service technician. Rob served two tours in Viet Nam in the 60’s and is very involved in the American Legion. He moved to Denver Co in 2004 where he married his wonderful wife, and editor, Nancy. They moved to Rocky Point in 2011, where Rob loves to fish, eat tacos and drink beer on the beach.

Mark Paliscak Marco purchased his condo on Sandy Beach over 10 years ago, and lives part-time at Bella Sirena, and at home in Scottsdale with his family. My favorite thing about writing for the Rocky Point Times is to explore everything our cool city has to offer… from deep sea fishing to throwing back a margarita at a local watering hole to just chilling at our beach. I love the new experiences and sharing the stories about the interesting people and places I see. I am also amazed with each passing year the outpouring of support that people from all over give to our family charity to aid the poor living along the railroad tracks here in Rocky Point. The love and generosity is truly amazing! If you have an interesting story about Rocky Point whether it is your place of employment, an upcoming event, a past event, an old or funny story, please email Marco at mpaliscak@amerifirst.us. You may be featured in the next... MARCO Y AMIGOS!

Jim Ringquist

Jim has had a long career as a Real Estate Broker, both in Arizona and in Sonora, Mexico. As a ten year full-time resident of Rocky Point, Director of Sales and Marketing for the four Sonoran Resorts beachfront condo developments, and President of the Puerto Peñasco Tourist Assistance Advisory Committee, Jim works hard to stay on top of what is going on around town. He certainly doesn’t consider himself a writer, but he does send out a monthly newsletter to a growing number of clients and Rocky Point enthusiasts to share what he can about the area. Puerto Peñasco is home to Jim and he has no plans to leave any time soon.


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Quack Ups

The Shish-Ka-Bobbing Butcher Bird

By Steve Franklin

By Bob Snyder

A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument, and neither of

them

wanted

to

concede

their position. As they passed a

Loggerhead Shrikes are thick-bodied songbirds that live throughout the United States and Mexico. They have large, blocky heads and a thick bill with a small hook. The tail is fairly long and rounded. Their colors resemble a mockingbird, except they are squattier and have a black mask, like a raccoon, through their eyes. The tail is black with white corners; the wings are black with white at the base of the primary wings that form a small “handkerchief ” spot when the wing is closed and larger white patches in flight. Juveniles have darker barring above and below.

barnyard of mules, goats and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, “Relatives of yours?” “Yep,” the

Loggerhead Shrike sits on a palm frong looking for prey

Desert surrounding Rocky Point makes it ideal for the Loggerhead Shrike to find thorns for its skewering purposes. I have seen them in Rocky Point, mainly along the golf course, hanging out on palm trees, and near cholla cactus. They have a pleasant chirping sound like an elegant cricket.

wife replied, “in-laws.” -------------------------------------A husband and wife were golfing when suddenly the wife asked, “Honey, if I died would you get married again?” The husband said, “No sweetie.” The woman said, “I’m sure you would.” So the man said, “Okay, I would” Then the woman asked, “Would you let her sleep in our bed?”

And

the man replied, “Ya, I guess so.”

Loggerhead Shrike at the Golf Course

They can be distinguished from most song birds by their sharp beak tip used to catch carnivorous prey such as lizards, mice, snakes, frogs, smaller birds and all insects. They have a macabre nickname of the “Butcher Bird”. This name is derived from their insatiability to pierce their prey and impale it through a spiny thorn on a tree or cactus. This not only instantly kills the prey it also holds it in place for easier devouring and storage. The Sonoran

Loggerhead Shrike chirps like a song bird

Loggerhead Shrikes are one step away from being classified as a raptor. They have the sharp beak and sharp talons, they only lack the crushing ability of their talons to be classified as a bird of prey. They

certainly have the bold fierce personality of a raptor. They hunt over land much like a Kingfisher hunts over water. By hovering in air they can fixate on their prey and move into a quick precise dive onto their subject. They have two sharp needles on their beak that assists them when piercing into the neck for a quick kill. They can kill and carry prey as heavy and large as they are. When they encounter a poisonous animal as prey they will allow the scorpion or insect or toad to rot for 3 to 4 days thus disabling the venom in the creature so it can be devoured without incident. Loggerhead Shrikes will store their food much like a squirrel. One reason is to have a cache of food on hand for bad times; another reason is to show their stash off to a female Loggerhead for mating purposes. (The gals always go for the guy with all the stuff).

Then the wife asked, “Would you let her use my golf clubs?” And the husband replied, “No, she’s

Loggerhead Shrike pierces a small mouse

left handed.”

Shrike in Flight

Another interesting fact about Shrikes is they will pick up a leaf or piece of tree bark and practice impaling it over a thorn in order to keep their deadly impaling skills up to par. They perform this ritual quite often. The mammal world is very lucky the Loggerhead Shrike is not a larger bird. If they were, there would be a lot more gopher and squirrel shish-ka-bobs in the desert.


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