Welcome to the hottest, most humid month of the year here in Rocky Point (although, it's a tossup between August and September). We have had some very hot days mixed with some overcast, cooler weather, and it even rained a bit on a couple occasions. I really don't mind that much and I definitely prefer it to the relatively cold months of January and February. Actually, it's really hard to believe that it is already August anyway, and that this year is more than half over. It won't be long before we start seeing Christmas ads. Even in our slower paced little city by the Sea, time goes by too fast these days. I guess that we all just need to enjoy it while we can!
As far as Puerto Penasco, we are staying very busy. The overall makeup of tourists has shifted a bit from USA and Canada visitors to mostly Mexican Nationals, Mexican Americans and those from other Countries. This has become the norm for the hot Summer months. Not that many years back, we became a ghost town after the 4th of July and up until Labor day. That has changed as we are discovered more and more by those living in Mexicali, Tijuana, San Luis, Hermosillo and places further away. This is the time of year when the Mexican population generally takes time off and goes on vacations. Now that we are discovered, the Summer rentals are as high or even higher than the rest of the year. It really is great news and the Summer visitors help to keep the local economy strong all year long.
August vacations can also cause some inconveniences and frustrations as well. Many Government and professional offices, restaurants, and businesses close for a couple weeks this month as their owners take a well earned vacation. The little corner store that I frequent has been closed for 2 weeks and that alone is inconvenience enough for me.
Roadwork has begun on Calle 13 and Calle 12, both having the asphalt torn up and hauled away. As of now, they are both impassible but they seem to be moving fast. It certainly hurts the businesses there and it looks like they are making a special effort to get it done quickly. The road past the Cholla Mall to the new Convention Center is also under construction. I drove the road the other day and had to navigate around several dump trucks and water trucks. That one seems to be moving along quickly as well.
We have officially broken the record for number of sales and for dollar amount of sales for an entire year since our sales department began 8 years ago - and we still have 5 months left in this year! We are definitely doing things right and it shows. If you're buying or selling a Sonoran Resorts Condo, we are your obvious choice! Call or stop by any time.
Enjoy the month and, as always, let me know if there is anything at all that I can do for you. I am here every day and I promise that I'll try to help.
Please check out some of our condos for sale along the right column.
You can see all of our listings by going to our website:
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Once again, I hope that you enjoy the newsletter and continue to recommend it to your friends. Our audience keeps growing and I really appreciate all your positive comments. Thanks for the help in spreading the word. Also, please feel free to give me thoughts, suggestions, or ideas for future newsletters. If you would like to see any of my previous newsletters, please click this LINK to go to the newsletter archive page on our website.
ADOT Project to Repave SR85 Through Ajo Scheduled for Month of August
ADOT reminds us to plan for the extra travel time to and from Rocky Point due to scheduled repaving of State Route 85 through Ajo during the month of August. Please read the details of the work schedule in this ADOT memo, which also contains links and phone numbers where you can get updated information as to the progress and changes in the work schedule.
(There's also a timely reminder and link at the end of the ADOT announcement about the monsoon season that might be worth your while to open and read.)
ADOT ANNOUNCEMENT
Project to repave State Route 85 through Ajo scheduled to begin July 31
The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin a resurfacing project on State Route 85 in the community of Ajo on Wednesday, July 31.
The $544,000 project will entail milling and replacing 1.3 miles of the existing highway asphalt from a half mile north of Rasmussen Road to Ajo Well No. 1 Road, the removal of four rail crossings in three locations within the project area, and utility work.
The project is expected to be complete in late August.
Ajo residents and motorists driving through the community can expect the following work schedule and travel restrictions during the first week of work.
Crews will conduct survey work sometime during the evening of Wednesday, July 31 and motorists can expect brief lane closures with flagging personnel directing traffic through the work areas. The specific time of the survey work has not been determined.
Work to remove existing asphalt from intersecting streets and driveways will be done from 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1 until 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2. Crews and signage will direct traffic to alternate routes during intersection closures.
The second week of the project (Mon., Aug. 5 - Fri., Aug. 9) will entail utility relocation and continued removal of asphalt from intersection streets and driveways.
The third week of the project (Sun. Aug. 11 - Fri., Aug. 16) will entail milling and paving operations on the SR 85 travel lanes. A pilot vehicle will direct traffic through the work areas. Striping work will be done on Fri., Aug. 16 with a rolling lane closure in effect.
The final week of the project (Mon., Aug. 10 - Tues., Aug. 20) will entail application of a fog seal and the installation of vehicle detectors. Pilot vehicles and flagging crews will direct traffic, depending on the distance of required lane closures.
ADOT will provide more detailed information as the project continues.
ADOT encourages motorists to obey posted speed limits and be alert for construction equipment and personnel. Weather and equipment issues may affect the construction schedule.
For more information about this project, call the ADOT project hotline at 1.855.712.8530. Visit www.facebook.com/azdot or www.azdot.gov for more information about ADOT.
Arizona's monsoon season is June through September and all drivers should prepare for dust storms. Will you know what to do when a dust storm hits? Go to Pull Aside, Stay Alive for important safety tips.
Rocky Point Rubber Ducky Race 2013-Exceeded Goals in Funds and Fun!
Nearly 650 Rubber Duckies, over 200 Ducky Sponsors, 30 generous prize donors, nearly 70 big hearted volunteers and one 54' fishing yacht donated by Captain and owner, Adolfo Perez, all came together on Sunday July 21st and exceeded the goal of raising enough money to take care of the expensive summer utilities of the nonprofit, all volunteer Esperanza Para Vida Nueva Community Center in Puerto Pe�asco.
Guaranteeing the utilities of the center are covered ensures that the important life skills educational work will continue without interruption, thus sending otherwise unemployable families into the economic marketplace with needed skills to fulfill demand in areas such as hair cutting, cosmetology, sewing and alterations, cooking and bilingual services.
Behind this creative idea to raise money for the center is 13 year Rocky Point resident, Barbara Olszewski, who, along with her equally dedicated husband, Mark, founded the non-profit Adopt-a-Classroom organization that collects and distributes school supplies and other much needed items to over 8,000 children in 10 schools in Puerto Pe�asco and one in Port Lobo.
Contributions of time, money and great effort by Mark and Barb have evolved over a dozen years into a resourceful giving entity that has fulfilled the needs of many deserving organizations ranging from acquiring sponsors and equipment for the Puerto Pe�asco "Rolling Rockies Wheelchair Basketball Team" to providing personal time and locating donors of resources such as sewing machines, computers, cookware, food and more that have enabled the teaching of life skills to the community surrounding the La Esperanza Para Vida Nueva Center.
Esperanza Para Vida Nueva is a fully sanctioned "Institution of Social Assistance" and was originally founded nine years ago by Harold and Kathy Tuttle and Robert and Pamela Martin. (http://www.laesperanzaparanuevavida.mex.tl ) Their faith-based concept from the beginning was to create a socially redeeming program to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community by showing God's love through their own actions, participation and service with their greatest hope and goal being that the community would become self-sufficient.
Mark and Barb met the Tuttles in 2007 and began helping them raise funds, locate equipment and help with building improvements on the Center. One of Barb's fundraising ideas was the original Rubber Ducky Race of two years ago.
On a beautiful Sunday morning of July 21st, Captain Adolfo Perez, good friend and supporter of about anything Mark or Barb are involved in, steered his agile cruiser, About Time, toward Sandy Beach with 20 volunteers on board, among whom included Mark and Barb, Harold and Kathy Tuttle and loyal supporter, Ron Alofs who doesn't need an excuse to visit Rocky Point, but decided to come down, don a wet suit, fins and snorkel to help his good friend Mark herd some Duckies from his favorite strategic position: sub-surface in the Sea of Cortez.
As Adolfo approaches a distance of about half a kilometer off Sandy Beach and drops anchor, four kayaks are released off the back of the About Time to be manned by Mark and one of Adolfo's boat hands, Iv�n, plus three brave community center volunteers: two brothers, Miguel and Enrique Mu�ez and Erik Stanley, a missionary from Community of Hope Church in Maricopa, Arizona who teaches Life Gardening at the Center and whose wife, Martha serves as Secretary and Activity Coordinator at the Center and was leading the group of about 50 volunteers from the beach.
No sooner had these maritime marvels mounted their sleek vessels (plus one mask and snorkel containing Ron's head bobbing from the sea), than Barb, Kathy and Harold were dumping Duckies, all 650 of them into the rustling waters. And the Rubber Ducky Race was on!
Note: Our...umm... policy requiring strict adherence to lexicological correctness makes it necessary to clarify that we know Duckies cannot be "herded" because the proper name for a group of Duckies, if they are on the water, is a "paddling" of Duckies (among others). This clarification is necessary to avoid confusion when describing how hard the kayakers had to paddle to paddle the paddling of Duckies. Paddling a paddling of Duckies for half a kilometer in a rising tide is no piddling task. And, in Ron's defense, snorkeling beneath the paddling among the paddlers' paddles is no small risk either.
With monumental maneuvering technique and patience the kayak team had the paddling of Duckies in the "stretch" racing for the beach. Soon thereafter, all were accounted for and the winners were recorded free and clear of conflict.
Border Crossings in Both Directions Have Restrictions on What Can and Can Not Pass
Although it may seem that the Border Crossings (in both directions) have changed what is allowed and not allowed, in fact they have not. The change is that they are enforcing the existing laws more strictly. They have also added Agriculture Agents on the Mexican side which brings food items under more scrutiny than in the recent past. Overall, it's still pretty simple and 9 times out of 10, you get the green light anyway and don't have to even stop.
Of course when you do catch the red in Mexico, and every time in the USA, it can still make a huge difference depending on the Agent, their mood, how pleasant you are, and sometimes it seems, which way the wind is blowing. For the most part, the Agents on both sides have been very friendly and understanding, even as they are taking the t-bone steaks out of your cooler, or the bag of fresh oranges out of your trunk...
For the record, here is some information and links from both the Mexican and USA governments regarding what can cross and why some things can not:
Mexico SAGARPA-SENASICA Statement:
The importation of live animals, products and by products of animal, vegetable, fishing and aquiculture origin, can introduce pests and diseases that are not currently present in the region and provoke production and economic losses, and limit the exportation of our products abroad.
In order to avoid this, SAGARPA-SENASICA personnel are vigilant and carry out inspections at maritime ports, borders, international airports and crossing points throughout the country, supported by dogs that are trained to detect any organic product that may represent a health or safety risk. Their offices located at each one of these inspection points are called OISA's or Offices of Agricultural Health Inspection.
Before traveling to Mexico, it is very important that you are familiar with the requirements the government has established for introducing live animals or products and by products of animal, plant, fishing and aquiculture origin which can be found on the navigation bar to the right (NAVEGACION), or at the Modulos de Consulta located on the Home page of the site in the section called Tramites y Servicios.
If upon your arrival to Mexico you DECLARE that you have an agricultural or food product in your baggage (purse, suitcases, bags, backpacks, etc), a SENASICA-SAGARPA official will evaluate the health condition of the item and determine if an import process is required, or if it must be retained and destroyed in accordance with government ordinance.
Hotel occupancy in Mexico grew by 6.7 percent in the first half of 2013 compared with the same period last year, the Tourism Secretariat said Tuesday.
On June 30, the average number of hotel rooms rented in the country's 70 main tourist destinations during the first half of this year rose to 194,038, while during the same period in 2012 an average of 181,787 rooms were rented.
The beach destinations that reported the largest increase in hotel occupancy were Nuevo Vallarta (31.5 percent), Puerto Escondido (23.7 percent), Cancun (13.1 percent) and the Riviera Maya (7.9 percent).
With regard to the large cities, those registering the greatest increases in hotel occupancy were Monterrey, with 10.1 percent, Guadalajara, with 6.4 percent, and Mexico City, with 6.3 percent.
Tourism generates about 9 percent of Mexico's GDP, is the country's No. 3 source of hard currency after oil exports and remittances and provides direct employment for 2.5 million people.
Last year, Mexico received 23 million international tourists and registered 178 million domestic tourists, and the sector generated revenues of more than $11 billion.
El Pescadito Fish Taquer�a-the New Fish in the Pond...
Well, El Pescadito is only new to our pond. It's actually a 14 year old franchise operation with 28 restaurants nationwide and a very successful franchise concept involving proprietary recipes, secret sauces and dressings, cleanliness, training and service.
All these attributes are obvious as you enter the bright colored patio-style eatery-most of the nine creative taco dishes on the uncomplicated menu involve several combinations of tempura batter-fried or grilled shrimp, fish, and marlin prepared before your eyes while you wait-which is not that long.
And the prices are easy on the pocketbook as well. All the taco plates are $26 pesos, except for the grande "Enchiloso" of grilled cheese and shrimp ("You'll die of excitement", the cleverly written menu exclaims). It is $33 pesos and it's the only item on the menu that is not reduced to $21 pesos on "Taco Tuesdays".
In fact, their whole concept is based around serving you a fresh cooked meal quickly; you add a healthy assortment of fresh vegetables kept chilled in an ice-packed stainless steel service counter well stocked with El Pescadito original (and don't forget, secret) recipe dressings and sauces made fresh throughout the day. Even El Pescadito's hours-9:00 AM to 5:00 PM seven days a week-tell you they're designed to take care of your hunger pangs during a break from work, shopping or to urgently satisfy that Puerto Pe�asco shrimp attack we're all prone to from time to time.
El Pescadito is conveniently located on Benito Juarez very close to the "Y" intersection of Constituci�n; so close, in fact, that you can enter the restaurant from either street. Their new sign on the Benito Juarez side is tall and red with their bright blue smiling fish logo over a bright red Coca Cola sign lower on the sign post.
You'll really like the hospitality of the owners, Noelia and Antonio Gonz�lez, newly married but long-time sweethearts, Antonio's brother, Gabriel, who have owned a successful El Pescadito franchise in Hermosillo for seven years, and local resident, Ernesto Garc�a who is also the Operations Manager. They chose Rocky Point for this, their second franchise, "because we see the growth starting to happen (again) and know that the destination is going to be the next big tourist area in northern Mexico, if not all Mexico," Noelia explains. They believe it so much that they've relocated to our little slice of paradise by the sea.
It's important to note that, in addition to the unique sauces and dressings, the hand-made pico de gallo, red onions, the coleslaw-like cabbage condiment are all made fresh every day. Plus, Noelia blends her exclusive recipes for Horchata, Jamaica and Tea that provide their soothing flavors.
Her recipes have been developed during years of extensive food and beverage experience with the Cheesecake Factory, for whom she opened nearly 50 franchises throughout the U.S.
and Middle East.
It's safe to say you're in good hands with these restaurant professionals who have built this venue to appeal as much to the American and Canadian visitors as to the local lunch crowd.
El Pescadito is all about the food, but then it's also about the typical Mexican atmosphere, color, cleanliness, and attentive service to customers. Check it out for yourself seven days a week from 9 to 5.
With Schools Beginning In August, Adopt-A-Classroom Is In Need of School Supplies for Kids
Schools in Mexico start up in August, and thus do the needs for school supplies by the nonprofit charity organization, Adopt-a-Classroom founded in 2003 by Rocky Point residents, Barb and Mark Olszewski. Throughout every year they have acted as the central distribution point, including delivery, to 11 schools in Rocky Point and one in Port Lobos a little over 2 hours drive south, helping provide educational supplies to nearly 10,000 kids.
It's a labor of love for this dedicated couple who do a lot more in the community than just run their important Adopt-a-Classroom charity. Mark helps sponsor the Rolling Rockies Wheel Chair Basketball Team and has raised money, equipment and awareness of the team all over the state of Sonora and southern U.S. Mark and Barb also work with and have raised funds and collected clothing, toys and equipment for the Monta�a School of Special Needs Children, the Hope for New Life Community Center, the House of Hope for Children, the DIF Infantil de Amores for Orphans, the DIF Rehabilitation Center and many others.
Mark and Barb have a huge loyal following on Facebook of folks who appreciate their grass roots style of helping the needy in Rocky Point. If you aren't familiar with this inspirational pair of good people, read more about them at http://www.sonoranresorts.mx/?p=4658.
Now is the time of year to collect school supplies for the little ones in the dozen grade schools served by Adopt-a-Classroom and Barb reminds us that Back to School supplies are on sale at most stores already, like Wal-Mart and Target as well as grocery and drug stores. Her goal this year is 3,000 spiral notebooks and 2,000 plus pencils in addition to the other equipment that makes schools run, like pencil sharpeners, chalk, paint and paint brushes, coloring books, drawing paper, etc. If you live in Puerto Pe�asco and would like to help, spiral notebooks and pencils are on sale at Bodega Aurrera.
If you're planning a trip down to our little slice of paradise by the sea, why not pick up a few dollars worth of supplies when you go shopping and bring them with. You can leave them at any of the four Sonoran Resorts Sales Offices in the Spa, Sea, Sun or Sky. Or, just give Barb a call and she'll gladly pick them up from wherever you're staying. You can reach her as follows: Local home: 383-4963; Mexico Cell: 638-114-2406 (Remember: If you're calling from a condo land line, you must dial 044 first when calling a cell phone); or call her before you leave the states on her Vonage number: 602-324-9529. And Barb has the coolest email address in town: [email protected].
How Manuel Belen Perez Brings the Art of Ancient Aztec Palm Woven Baskets to Current Day Puerto Pe�asco
Early one morning, little Manuel Bel�n Perez followed his grandfather, taking three steps to his grandfather's one, as they climbed the steep rocky path into the palm woods high above his Nahuatl pueblo. Manuel loved and trusted his grandfather as the patriarch of the Bel�n Perez Nahuatl family of basket weavers. Those daily climbs, as grueling as they were, would always be an adventure to Manuel and a pleasing memory to him even now because it represents the beginning of a life long journey learning the ancient art of basket weaving.
The Perez family follows a tradition of basket weaving that dates back to the Spanish conquest in the 1500's when indigenous Aztec tribal populations (actually called 'families' rather than tribes) scattered to the mountain sides in fear of Spanish leader, Hernan Cort�s and reestablished their way of life in the isolation and protection of the rugged mountainous regions in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Over a million Nahuatl descendants of the Aztec culture still speak the native language, also called Nahuatl. It is the most spoken besides Spanish of the 68 indigenous national languages in this ever-wondrous country of color and lore.
Most of the other indigenous languages, which cover the gamut of ancient Indian cultures, some spoken by only hundreds of natives, some with less than 30 speakers, but nonetheless, regarded and respected as an official national language enjoying the same rights as Spanish, obviously the most spoken language in Mexico.
Little Manuel was following in the footsteps of the male inhabitants of Tlamacazapa (pronounced: Tlah-mah-kah-zah-pah) and was learning how to cut and harvest the highest quality palm fronds that make some of the strongest, prettiest and most detailed baskets in the world. Manuel learned how to cut the leaves just right so that they would grow back and be ready to cut again and again-but only, his grandfather taught him, if they were cut the right way each time. When grandfather had cut enough palms to fill his carrying pouch to the limit of both volume and weight, he cut a few more and bound them into a miniature pouch and strapped it across Manuel's forehead so he could learn how to maintain his balance while negotiating the steep rocky trails back down to the pueblo.
The pueblo women take the palms from there and proceed through the process of drying, which involves different times for different palms. The green leaves must dry for three to five days and the leaves that are going be dyed must be boiled in water and cooked for ten minutes then laid out to dry for two days. To give the Nahuatl baskets their unique bright colors, those leaves are then boiled in herbal dyes of many different colors. Only after this meticulous process is followed precisely are the palms ready for weaving.
The time it takes to weave a basket is dependent on the size. A small basket can take a full day to complete, and a close look at the perfection of the weaving and strength of the basket explains why. Just think of how long it must take to weave a basket three feet tall and 2 feet wide with beautiful colors woven into it from bottom to top, and then flowers or other native designs laced upon it with bright threads and precision art.
Manuel grew up in an ancient civilization that exists today. Tlamacazapa (bet you can't say that three times), a mountainside pueblo with no running water, little electricity, wood stoves, diets of tortillas (corn), salt, and sometimes cheese and salsa. The town's only economic income is from basket weaving, so you know they understand how important beauty, quality, and functionality are to their survival.
As a curious kid growing up, Manuel learned all the phases of basket weaving from his mother and sister. He learned the art of threading designs onto the baskets from his father. By the time he was ready to go out into the modern world from the pueblo to sell his family's baskets, Manuel was an expert in the whole art of basket weaving which would contribute to his success in sales. He took off for Quer�taro eventually living in Zihuatanejo for a few years and sending money home to the pueblo from his basket sales. His mother was happy to make more baskets for her son...
Meet Bob Livingston of Thunder on the Beach Sports Bar, Restaurant and Boutique Hotel
Everyone who knows Bob Livingston knows him as that risk taking dirt track owner and racer who retired to Cholla Bay a little over two years ago and shortly afterward talked Gus Brown into letting him plow a dirt track in that huge oval "hole" in the desert behind Reef RV Park. Yep, that Bob Livingston. He brought quite a few racers down for various types of dirt track racing, the kinds he had run on Thunder Raceway in Show Low, Arizona, which he built and owned for 17 years before retiring to our little slice of paradise by the sea.
Bob, however, is one of those guys, like many here in Rocky Point, who could and should have a book written about his life. In fact, he already has the title: "The Life of Bobby Joe Trouble". There just wasn't enough action at his track down here, aptly named Thunder on the Beach Raceway, especially the type that could rustle up enough adrenaline to thread the veins of a guy who's raced about every kind of vehicle and vessel that would hold enough horsepower to scale a six foot wall with one wrong move or take a 200 mph nitro-injected skip around a lake surface, or go so fast so quick it requires a parachute to stop.
In May of 2012 Bob came up with another way to stay close enough to touch Trouble. He gave his half of the raceway to his partner, Darron Dodd, who bought a few modified racers and conducts a driving school for folks who would like drive them around the dirt track for fun, and who hasn't wanted to do that?
Bob had wanted to open a restaurant and bar in Rocky Point since he discovered the destination in 1979. Now was his opportunity. He took over an ideal location in the Malecon. It's the very first restaurant you see as you come down the hill into the Malecon- bright yellow, orange, red and blue, so traditional Mexican it'll make you hungry for a taco just looking at it. Part of the deal included eight rooms that he refurbished into cute and clean boutique hotel rooms that line the entryway back to the palapa bar area that literally overlooks the sea. When we say "literally", what we mean is on a windy day at high tide, customers are treated to a unique phenomenon of natural water fountains shooting up through rectangular water spouts built into the palapa covered patio. These are worth the visit, and there's a lot more there too.
You can take the racer away from the racetrack but you can't take the racetrack from the racer, so the iconic "Checkered Flag" is symbolized by black and white checkered tile tables and counters along with dozens of photos of racing cars and boats signed by drivers dating back to the seventies and several plaques with various NASCAR Achievement Awards. NFL commemorative plates for every pro team including his beloved San Francisco 49ers line the upper border of the inside area where the shuffle board is kept cool and slidey. Those photos by the way are inside the air conditioned part of the sprawling venue. Bob talks about the place like it's the den in his home as he pulls down the 8 foot screen on the patio he's going to show televised sports events of all kinds, and says he'll have another 6 footer inside as well. Those are in addition to the other high mounted flat screens he already has around the place.
If you know Bob, you know how personable he is, but one thing that became obvious during our visit was how he is regarded by his loyal staff. They love the guy and probably wouldn't leave him if he fired them! And he won't because every one of them has a personality similar to his-you feel like you've known them from before.
As if the restaurant and hotel operation weren't enough to keep Bob busy until his wife of 17 years, Janet, reaches retirement eligibility in September, he and another partner, Andy Rivera, bought 2/3 interest in a cattle farm outside Rocky Point, the profits from which he plans to use to fulfill his long time dream to supply coats and boots for every kid in Puerto Pe�asco because, "No child should be without a coat or boots in the winter time."...
Rotary International Youth Clubs of Utah and Families Helping Families Work Together to Build Homes for Rocky Point Families
June was a huge month for music in Puerto Pe�asco, but there is always room for more good deeds to be accomplished here and organizations to perform them. Rocky Point had barely disappeared from the rear view mirror of Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers' historic bus, the "Stallion", before another charitable project had begun here.
A group of about 100 generous and dedicated youth from the Utah District of Rotary International Interact and Rotaract Youth Clubs arrived in our little slice of paradise by the sea to build a home for a deserving mother and her three children. And that they did! As it has been for the last four years, this was a joint effort of the American Nonprofit Corporation, Families Helping Families Mexico, Inc, their Mexican Nonprofit, Casas Perpetuales Parker, AC and Rotary International.
Working under the experienced supervision of Jared Parker, the highly respected contractor from Salt Lake City, who donates his time several times a year to build homes here for local families, the kids worked as a miraculously synchronized team and had the house up and ready for drywall in three days flat-not a unique feat for Rotary Youth Clubs who with a group of 180 last year built three 1000 sf houses in four days, complete with roofs, window and interior framing ready for dry wall. You can visit http://www.sonoranresorts.mx/?p=5132 for a daily pictorial of last year's amazing accomplishment.
Families Helping Families have been coming down every Christmas for 10 years building a home each year for a family selected through the Mormon Church. Four years ago Jared met with the Utah leaders of Rotary about the project and they got excited about the possibility of their youth groups getting involved. The result has been phenomenal, with groups of up to 180 young people from ages 13 to 18 raising the money to not only fund their expenses for the trip down, but for the building materials to construct the homes!
As if building a home in record breaking time wasn't enough, these Rotary youth groups find time to accompany adult educational committee members to visit Rotary sponsored schools in the area bringing supplies, equipment and making cultural exchanges with the students and administration. Then, the youth also walk through the neighborhoods and hand out hundreds of product packets to the homes that contain personal hygiene supplies such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and other products needed daily by families.
On this trip the group was able to dedicate the house they built to a single Mother, America Olivas and her three children, 9 year old America, Axel, 7 years of age and Britani, 3. They also presented the keys to one of the houses they built during their trip last June to Rafael and Veronica Sotelo and their three children, Nidia, 13, Iram, 10 and Jesus, 7. The family was astonished to see the home completely finished and furnished complete with clothing and toys the group had brought down and donated to help them get a new start on life. It was a moving experience to see gratitude in the speechless faces of the parents and watch the children jump on the beds as they discovered new toys, and clothing!.
The dates aren't set for their next trip down, but it will be between fall and new years and will surely involve many of the same young people, some of whom will serve this effort several times, living their simple but meaningful slogan, "Service Above Self"...
Popular Demand: Mermaid's Market Encores Sonoran Spa Lobby for One Day Exhibit Labor Day Weekend Saturday August 31st
After a successful event was held in the air conditioned luxury of the Sonoran Spa Beachfront Resort Condominium Lobby in July, it will return to that same location by popular demand for a one day exhibition on Saturday August 31st of Labor Day weekend. You'll be able to satisfy your most pedantic arts and crafts cravings at this event from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM
Pe�asco Recreation, original organizers of the Mermaid's Market with years of event management experience are wisely bringing the show into air conditioned comfort where it will be open to the public for shopping, browsing, learning and meeting new friends at the hospitable exhibitors' booths-and all within full view of the sparkling Sea of Cortez.
You'll find a variety of arts and crafts, quality hand crafted jewelry and gift selections. Memories of your time on the beaches of Puerto Pe�asco and many other treasures of the sea await your perusal at the Mermaid's Market, even unique clothing designs and handmade fashions you just might find irresistible. There's photographic art as well as scenic photos from the most popular digital artists from right here in our little slice of paradise by the sea.
Your innermost ardent desires to save our planet could be tapped by amazing items recycled from the most unusual sources. Choose from among metal sculptures expertly recycled from iron and steel mounted in polished stone; perfect planters and pots you'd never guess were recycled and refinished from old tire casings into colorful and attractive as well as useful patio decorations.
Full amenities surround the Sonoran Spa lobby to give you options for lunch or a drink right off the lobby. You can even work in a massage or other beauty treatment at the full service La Spa Beauty Center with their entrance located in the lobby.
Just tell the security guard at the entrance gate that you're going to the Mermaid's Market and you'll be welcomed with a smile. The fun starts at 10:00 AM.
Destiny Dance Academy Makes Lifetime Memories for 12 Students Performing at Disneyland
Disneyland. Wow! Just to visit would be a dream come true for most kids. But for 12 exceptional dance students from Destiny Dance Academy the Disney dream was taken to another memorable level when they were selected to represent not only Puerto Pe�asco, but the country of Mexico and perform in two Disney parades along with hundreds of other young people from four countries. Perhaps even more spectacular was their selection to perform two special dance routines in the internationally famous Disneyland Talent Showcase. This year's theme was "Dance the Magic" Summer Dance Classic at the Disneyland Resort.
The 12 young ladies selected to perform in Disneyland were: Julianna Escabosa, Nancy Meza, Irlanda Castro, Paulina Zavala, Diana Peralta, Valeria Casanova, Daney Guzman, Leslie Cuadras, Paloma Rivera, Monica Curiel, Sof�a Mendivil, and Silvana Mendivil. Because they are so deserving of recognition, we've identified them for you in a group photo in this blog. Photos were taken and contributed by academy owner, Marisa Arellano and several parents.
Just how special it is being selected to perform at Disneyland (they also danced in the parade at Disney's California Adventure next door to Disneyland), is hard to comprehend until you realize the steps necessary just to be considered for participation. Depending on which phase, video auditions are submitted with original choreography, then for the parade alone specific choreographic interpretations are required and then submitted for further consideration in another video. For the Disneyland Talent Showcase, this local group of 12 young artists was chosen from hundreds of competing auditions worldwide and became the first dance team ever to represent Mexico in this prestigious event.
Disneyland's appreciation of the original choreography by Destiny Dance Academy owner, instructor and award winning choreographer, Marisa Arellano Vel�zquez was a milestone in the objectives of Marisa who has taken the school to international acclaim since purchasing it in September of 2012. This is indeed the kind of accomplishments from which great academy credentials are made. They are the qualifications discerning parents seek to give their children the edge in talent and performance development and exposure.
It' s hard to find a better showcase than a Disney venue because of their experienced attention to detail, showmanship, teamwork and creative interpretation, which they attribute to the instructor as much as to the individual talent of the young artists.
The dream for these young performers began promptly at 1:00 PM on Friday July 12 when they reported to the colossal and highly restricted (no cameras, no family or friends) Disney Back Stage area which was plenty large enough for 500 parade performers to warm up, stretch (mirrors and stretch bars included), change into their costumes and practice in groups of 100 to 150; all of which they completed before the parade started at 6:00 PM sharp, with enough time to walk completely around the outside of the park to the staging area.
The "Dance the Magic" parade at Disneyland is a musical reverie involving all the Disney characters and 500 girls in vibrantly colored costumes performing intricately fast-paced dance movements continuously for 10 solid minutes from one end of the park to the other ending back at the famous "Back Stage" area.
In case dancing for ten minutes seems strenuous, that was just a warm up for the Saturday parade through the winding Main Street of California Adventure Park that takes a grueling 20 minutes of the same fast-paced, non-stop dancing.
Still in the midst of an adrenaline rush from being a part of one of the most famous parades on our planet, each girl was issued a hot pink "Disney Performing Arts T-shirt, a "Dance the Magic" pin (sure to become an heirloom for generations to come) and their cherished VIP lanyards. Then they were off with their families and friends-in all a combined group of about 60-to enjoy the iconic park of every childhood fantasy. Only these kids were part of making that fantasy!...
Tipping guidelines for Mexico are nearly the same as tipping guidelines used in the United States or Canada, with some exceptions. Most service employees earn very little or sometimes no base salary and the tips they earn comprise the vast majority of their overall income.
Following are some general tipping guidelines, beginning with the jobs where tipping differs from the United States and Canada.
GROCERY STORES
The bagging clerks (very often children) earn no wage at all. Most people will leave them at least 1 to 5 pesos, more if they take your cart out to your car for you and help you load your groceries. Remember that foreign coins have no value in Mexico. Not even the banks accept them.
TAXI DRIVERS
People do not normally tip taxi drivers. However, if a taxi driver provides extra service, e.g., loading/unloading your bags or groceries, waiting for you while you shop, etc., then a tip is warranted for the extra effort.
RESTAURANT WAITERS/WAITRESSES
If you receive good service from your waiter or waitress, it is customary to leave a tip of 15% of the cost of the food/beverages before the value added tax (listed as 'IVA' or Impuesto al Valor Agregado on your bill) is added. IVA is 11%, so if you want to leave a 16% tip, simply use a bit more than the amount of IVA to leave as your tip. This doesn't work always as often the IVA is not shown, but simply included in the bill.You may choose to leave more for exceptional service, and less for poor service.Some restaurants automatically add a tip to your bill, regardless of whether or not you're in a large party. A charge labeled "propina" on your bill is a gratuity that the restaurant includes automatically with each bill. It is not necessary to tip an additional amount.
BARTENDERS/COCKTAIL SERVERS
A minimum of $1-2 U.S. per round of drinks is customary, or if you're running a tab, leave 15-20% of the total as a tip. Remember, if you are receiving Happy Hour half-price, tip on the regular pricing amount.
MUSICIANS & BANDS
Remember to leave a tip in the musician/band's tip jar. For an evening of entertainment, $5 U.S. is suggested as a minimum. Again, do not leave foreign coins.
BAGGAGE HANDLERS/BELL BOYS
A tip of $1-2 U.S. per bag is customary, more if you have a lot of luggage or very heavy or otherwise difficult bags to deal with, or if they must take your bags up a flight of stairs to your room.
SPA SERVICE PROVIDERS
Spa service providers (massage therapists, aestheticians, manicurists, hair stylists) are usually tipped 15-20% of the cost of the spa treatment. The exception to the rule: no tip is necessary if the service is provided by the owner of the establishment, or by a nurse or doctor.
HOUSEKEEPER
Housekeepers should be tipped based on the occupancy of your room; $2-5 U.S. or 20 - 60 pesos per person staying in your room, per housekeeping visit. Please tip more if your hotel or resort room is very messy (e.g., lots of dirty dishes, clothes strewn everywhere, a room full of sand that has been tracked in, etc.)
TOUR AND ACTIVITY GUIDES
If you're on a tour with a lot of people (20-100 people), each person should leave a tip of at least $5 U.S. or 50-60 pesos. If you're on a tour with very few people (e.g., four people in your family), the group should leave a tip that is equivalent to 15-20% of the cost of the tour.
FISHING CAPTAIN AND CREW
Special Note: It is customary in Mexico to hand the tip directly to the captain rather than a crew member.
Tipping guidelines for a fishing charter are often debated because of the high cost of fishing (usually $500 U.S. or more for a charter). Avid fisherman believe that you should tip the captain/crew a minimum of 15-20% of the charter, regardless of the size of the charter or number of crew on the boat. For example, if you chartered a boat that cost $500 U.S., then the anglers on board would tip a combined total of $100 U.S.
Others believe that the boat captain should earn $50 U.S., and the crew $25 U.S. each. For a charter boat with one captain and two crew, that means that the anglers on board should tip a combined total of $100 U.S.
Both methods result in a similar tip for smaller charters. However, the difference comes in when you charter a larger boat. If, for instance, you charter a larger boat for $1,100 U.S. with one captain and two crew members, and you tip 20% of the cost of the charter, the tip would be $220 U.S. However, if you use the second method, the tip would only be $100 U.S. The theory is that the captain and two-member crew work no harder on a larger boat than they do on a smaller boat, so the tip shouldn't be tied to the cost of the charter but rather to the service provided.
Report: Mexico Cheaper than China for Manufacturing Appliances
Manufacturing in Mexico will increasingly offer cost advantages over manufacturing in China and other major economies, according to new research by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), which foresees manufacturing adding $20 billion to $60 billion in output to Mexico's economy annually within the next five years.
The group said that, with the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), U.S. manufacturers of components for finished goods assembled in Mexico also stand to benefit.
The group said Mexico's improving competitive edge is driven by relatively low labor costs and shorter supply chains, which results from Mexico's closer proximity to U.S. markets.
Mexico also has an important advantage in its 44 free-trade agreements, which allow many of its exports to go into major economies with few or no duties. Mexico has more free-trade agreements than any other nation.
The group pointed to tipping point that was reached in 2012. It was then that the average manufacturing cost in Mexico, adjusted for productivity, became less than the costs in China. BCG projects that, by 2015, average total manufacturing costs in Mexico could be about 6% less than in China and 20%-30% lower than in Japan, Germany, Italy, and Belgium.
"Mexico is in a strong position to be a significant winner from shifts in the global economy," said Harold L. Sirkin, a BCG senior partner. "That is good news not only for Mexico, which relies on exports for around one-third of its GDP. It's also good for America, since products made in Mexico contain four times as many U.S.-made parts, on average, as those made in China."
New Music Videos Shot in Rocky Point In Part at the Sonoran Sky Resort
Luis Coronel - Somos Ajenos ft. Nena Guzman
I Know You Want Me
Rum-Spiked Horchata
"The Mayans and Aztecs called this the drink of the gods."
Horchata varies in taste across Latin America. Although the drinks may share the same name, the flavor of each is unique to its country of origin.
While in some countries the drink is usually tan and "milky", some recipes call for milk, and others do not. Other ingredients often include sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Though horchata was once typically homemade, it is now available in both ready-to-drink (shelf-stable or refrigerated) and powdered form in grocery stores. Horchata, together with tamarindo and jamaica, are the three typical drink flavors of Mexican agua frescas.
In Mexico and Guatemala, horchata is made of rice, sometimes with vanilla and always with cinnamon.
The horchata found in south of Honduras and in El Salvador is primarily made from morro seeds, not rice. Other common ingredients include ground cocoa, cinnamon, sesame seeds, nutmeg, tigernuts and vanilla. Other nuts that may also be used include peanuts, almonds and cashews. Because of these ingredients, the horchata is usually strained before serving.
In Nicaragua and Honduras, horchata refers to the drink known as semilla de jicaro, made from the jicaro seeds ground with rice and spices. The drink is made with cold milk and sugar, and is very popular nationally. Recently, Nicaragua has begun exporting this product, primarily to the United States.
In Puerto Rico, horchata is made with sesame seeds ground with rice, vanilla and cinnamon with either evaporated milk, milk or water. Some recipes call for coconut milk, allspice and rum.
In Venezuela, horchata is generally called chicha, and the alcoholic variant is called chicha andina.
In Ecuador, horchata is a clear red infusion of 18 herbs, and is most famous in the province of Loja.
Original recipe makes 8 servings
Directions
Mix the rice and warm water together in a bowl, and let stand for 1/2 hour. Reserving the water, drain, and place the rice in the bowl of a food processor. Add the cinnamon and process until a paste forms. Return the rice to the water and let stand at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally as the water turns milky white.
Strain the rice through a fine sieve into a bowl or pitcher. Stir in the milk, condensed milk, vanilla, and rum, if desired, until evenly blended. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
To serve, divide the ice cubes between four glasses, and pour the chilled horchata over the ice.
Why Is There a Worm In My Tequila?
You probably think this is some ancient Mexican tradition, right? Not unless your idea of ancient is 1950. We even know who invented the practice. Various reasons are given for it, but I say it all boils down to: Let's see if we can get sell more alcohol by getting the gringos to eat worms.
First let's get a few things straight. There is no worm in tequila, or at least there isn't supposed to be. Purists (hah!) say the worm belongs only in a related product, mescal. Strictly speaking, mescal is a generic term meaning any distillate of the many species of agave (or maguey) plant, tequila included. Today, however, mescal is popularly understood to mean a product bottled in the region around the city of Oaxaca. For years this stuff was basically home-brewed firewater consumed by the locals, but in 1950, Mexico City entrepreneur Jacobo Lozano Paez hit on the idea of putting a worm in each bottle as a marketing gimmick. Stroke of genius, eh? I don't get it either, but that's what separates us from the visionaries.
The critter in question is the agave worm, which is actually a butterfly larva. The worms bore into the agave plant's pineapple-like heart, and quite a few get cooked up in the brew used to make mescal. Far from being grossed out, Jacobo concluded that the worm was an essential component of the liquor's flavor and color. He may also have figured, Hey, mescal is about as palatable as paint remover, and the only people who are going to drink this stuff are macho lunatics, so why not take it to the max? In fairness, the worms were also said to have aphrodisiac properties, and worms and bugs are sometimes consumed in Mexico as a delicacy. (Supposedly this dates back to the Aztecs). At any rate, the ploy worked and the worm in the bottle is now a firmly established tradition.
The genuine agave worm is a bright coral color, which fades to pink in the bottle. Some bottlers substitute a species of white worm that lives in the leaves of the agave plant. Connoisseurs complain that the white worm isn't as tasty as the red one, which to me is like complaining that your soup contains the wrong species of fly. To me the whole thing seems pretty silly. I've had a sip or three of mescal in my day, and my feeling is, if you want to get sick, who needs a worm?
Have a great August. Try to stay cool. I'll be back next month,
This condo must be seen to be believed. Panoramic views down the beach in both directions. It has never been a rental and looks brand new. The owners are anxious to sell and are offering great terms and even One Year with No Payments. Call our office for more details. This one could be your dream come true. 602-476-7511
Super low down payment on this beautiful two bedroom ground floor condo at the Sonoran Spa Resort. Just $36,000 down and you can assume a fully amortized loan at 5.9%. That deal is hard to beat. Fully furnished and ready to go. Great rental income potential.
Best priced 2 bedroom at the Sonoran Spa! This is a very nice 2 bedroom with fantastic views. It shows very well and has been a great rental. You can't go wrong with this condo whether for your personal use or as a money making investment through rentals. Call or stop by one of our sales offices for more information. This one will sell soon.
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Great Terms on this beautiful 2 bedroom West building condo at the Sonoran Sun. Just 20% down gets you in and you will have 20 years at 5.9% to pay it off. True oceanfront living can be yours for only $49,800 down.
Not many of these great one bedrooms left and this one is a beauty. Fabulous views and a great price. This would make a great rental or keep it for yourself. Either way, you can't go wrong here. Beautifully furnished and ready to go, this condo can't be beat. You really need to come and see this one before it's gone.
You really need to see this condo! Grand views of the Sea of Cortez from your wraparound balcony is just the beginning. Priced to sell and one of the very nicest condos on Sandy Beach. This one is a must see.
This is a great price on a fantastic condo at the Sea. True oceanfront luxury with unbelievable views from your private terrace. Nicely furnished and ready to go. This unit also has an impressive rental history and would make an excellent investment. Call or stop by one of our sales offices today.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
Sonoran Spa N502 1BR North Building $119,000 Terms
Only $23,800 down and you're in this great one bedroom condo. Can't beat the price or the down payment. Condos at this price are few and far between these days and they don't last long. Come and check this one out before it's gone. Stop by or call today.
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Best priced 1 bedroom at the Sonoran Sky Resort. This one is unfurnished and waiting for your creative design. Seller financing is available with 25% down. Great Buy!
Check out this beautiful 2 bedroom condo. Sold unfurnished and ready for all of your finishing touches. It is on the desirable 4th floor in the West building. See the lights of Old Port every night. Just 20% down and 5.9% for a full 20 year fully amortized loan.
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If you are looking for a 2 bedroom but prefer to share the cost with someone else, this is the perfect opportunity for you. This is a fantastic condo and here is your chance to buy 50% ownership. The Seller is even offering terms. Just 25% down and you are the proud co-owner of this beachfront beauty. Call or stop by one of our sales offices today for more details.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
We are Rocky Point's only exclusive and dedicated team who have always, and will always, sell Sonoran Resorts and only Sonoran Resorts!
If you are looking for a team of real professionals who specialize in Puerto Penasco's best family of "True Beachfront" resorts, you've found us, and we are here to serve you.
No one can serve you better when it comes to the Sonoran Resorts. We were there at the beginning, and we will continue to be there.
We don't just sell the Sonoran Resorts, we ARE the Sonoran Resorts. We work directly with the Developers, the HOAs, and the Rental companies. We can help you in ways that no one else can.
Special Offers
We are constantly looking for new ideas to help us sell our listings. Here are a couple offers that you may or may not be familiar with:
Promotional Stay:
If you know of someone who may be interested in getting to know our resorts better with the idea of a possible purchase, we will offer them a 2 night stay for only $99. No tax, no cleaning fee. However, we are not a rental agency. We try to limit these promotional stays to potential Buyers.
Finders Fee:
If anyone refers a Buyer to us, we will pay them up to 1.5% of the sales price. There is no need to be licensed as Mexico does not have that requirement at this time. Just give us the name and contact information of a potential Buyer before we have any contact with them and, if they buy, we will send a check for up to 1.5% of the sales price to the referrer. This is only valid if they are new clients, unknown to us. Once we make contact with someone, they can no longer be referred by an outside source. Please contact me personally for the details.
