The rock will begin Thursday afternoon at Banditos followed by performances at JJ's Cantina and back to Banditos late night.  You can also find performances at Al Capone's Seafood and Pizza, Xochitl's, on the beach in front of the Sonoran Sea during Roger's Rock and Beach Soccer Tournament and the Mexican Moonshine Main Stage, located across the street from Banditos on Sandy Beach.  This year will feature not one, but two nights of reunion sets by The Refreshments,  Mile Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts, an all-star collaboration tribute to the Rolling Stones as well as two headlining performances by hosts Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers.  Fans can also expect fireworks both nights, a full bar and locally produced tacos Friday and Saturday night.   A complete list of performances is at www.circusmexicus.net .

Although ticket buyers have been confirmed from 27 states and 4 countries so far, those new to Penasco will find the newly created Penasco Tourism Assistance Unit at select Circus Mexicus events.  This unit was created to help visitors anyway they can with directions, information and most important a safe environment.  Circus Mexicus wants to send special thanks in advance to the TAU members and administration.

Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 and will be sold on Thursday, 6/9 at Banditos from 2-5pm then at JJ's from 6:30-9:30. On Friday, 6/10 we will be at Banditos from 2-6pm with the drawing taking place at 6:00. You do not have to be present to win (with the exception of a few prizes which will be noted.) If you can't be at the drawing, simply give us your contact info and we will find you.

The Shake, Raffle and Roll charity raffle will take place Thursday and Friday at the various Circus Mexicus events.  Fans can buy raffle tickets and enter to win great prizes such as rare Refreshments collectibles, premium Dbacks tickets behind the plate, golf foursomes, exclusive experiences and many more.  All funds raised stay in Penasco to support various charities with direct support.

The raffle/silent auction benefits charities in the Puerto Pe�asco community including Esperanza para los Ni�os children's home, DIF Family Services Agency, The Pe�asco Youth Sports Foundation and Equinoterapia Corceles Del Desierto De Sonora, a program that uses horses to provide various therapeutic services. See the list of very impressive prizes available to win below: 

GAEMS - M-155 Pro Gaming Monitor, Diamondback tickets - 5 awesome tickets including parking pass, Igloo cooler filled with Four Peaks' finest beer, $50 gc and 2 rcpm beach chairs, Signed Fender guitar, Glyph mosaic wall hanging by Puerto Pe�asco artist Eduardo Vivanco, Cymbal lamp made by legendary drummer PH Naffah, Glyph necklace by artist Laury Burns, Silver cuff bracelet made from PH's cymbals by artist Tom Spaulding, Sunset fishing cruise for 6 people, Opportunity to introduce The Refreshments on stage Saturday night June 11 of Circus Mexicus, Golf with Nick and PH at The Phoenician, Custom written song by Jason Boots, and many more. 

Various event ticket packages exist for everyone and are available for review at www.circusmexicus.net .  Viva Penasco!

    Watch this great video from Mayor Kiko Munro welcoming Circus Mexicus to town

In inaugurating a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) course led by firefighters from Tucson, Arizona, Puerto Penasco Mayor Kiko Munro reiterated the backing of his administration to strengthen the professionalism of health personnel and members from Public Safety, the local Fire Department, Civil Protection, and the Tourist Assistance Unit.

The Mayor explained that the training, which was held at the Penasco Expo Convention Center, derives from the Sister City relationship with Tucson that was renewed on February 2nd of this year.  

"You have my support, as well as the commitment of this administration, to continue helping to prepare yourselves as these types of courses will allow you to progress", indicated Kiko Munro.  

Course Coordinator Donna Whitman of Tucson-Mexico Sister Cities remarked that follow-up will be provided for these workshops in the  future, and thanked the Mayor for his full support in making this happen.  

"We'd like to thank Kiko Munro for his concern to train all Fire Department and Civil Protection staff, and for strengthening the bonds of friendship and solidarity", stated Whitman at the event.  

Similarly, Tucson-Mexico Sister Cities President Frank Valenzuela expressed his gratitude to local authorities for the warmth and sisterhood between both communities.     

More than 140 men and women from the Fire Department, Tourist Assistance Unit, employees of Seaside Reservations, and service providers from several of the resorts on Sandy beach participated in the CPR training, along with students from the Technological University of Puerto Penasco (UTPP). 

Allowing gas stations to set their own prices could come sooner than planned in the opinion of Gulf Mexico chief executive Sergio de la Vega, Reuters reported recently.

The Finance Secretariat is scheduled to discontinue setting prices at the beginning of 2018 and until then, says de la Vega, it doesn't make sense for private companies to import fuels, which they have been allowed to do since last month.

That change came nine months early after the federal government decided to modify the schedule. De la Vega believes it's possible the government will do the same for the liberalization of gasoline and diesel prices.

"Right now, prices aren't liberalized and there's no certainty that the imports will be competitive. They could be very cheap or very expensive," he told Reuters.

Gulf plans to open 100 gas stations this year in 18 cities, beginning with five in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla and the State of M�xico, just outside Mexico City, in July.

De la Vega said about 1,000 Pemex franchises have said they will switch over to Gulf.

The company expects to have a distribution network in place by the end of 2017. Until then it will have to buy from Pemex and pay to use that company's pipelines and storage facilities.

Salsa was sold in the Aztec market places. Salsa, the Spanish word for sauce, is uncooked and sometimes pureed until chunky, smooth, or chopped. Large red tomatoes, tomatillo, chipotle {a staple in the Aztec diet} and the avocado are found in the modern salsa, and are the same core ingredients used in the past.  

The tomatillo is a fruit that dates back to at least 800 BC, the word meaning round and plump. The Aztecs domesticated it, and when the Europeans came to Mexico, they documented the local foods and often confused the names by shortening the words.  Though never popular with Europeans, it thrived in Italy. Today a relative of the fruit is common in the US. Tomatillo, a member of the night shade family, provides tart flavor in many different green sauces.

The Portuguese aided the spread of the chili pepper plants. Thought the earliest mention was in 1542 when a German herbalist, Leonhart Fuchs, described and illustrated several types of peppers. Though for people of Europe, the history of the pepper began in the late 15th century, when Colombus brought the peppers home. There is archaeological evidence that peppers were in use since 5000 BC.

The term enchilada is first referenced in the US in 1885. Yet the concept of tortillas being used as a wrap can be clearly linked to the Aztecs. The word enchilada means "in chile."

Pre-Columbus is how far back the Tamale can be traced. The Friar Bernardino de Sahagun documented that the Spaniards were served tamales by the Aztecs in the 1550's.  

Other foods that we associate with Mexican cuisine, are not traditionally so. The Flan was discovered in Medieval Europe. And ceviche is an Inca discovery, eating their catch of the day raw with only a few seasonings. It wasn't until the late 15th century when Native American chefs of Ecuador and Peru began to add the citrus fruits with the South American fish, and creating the dish that we know today.  

Flavors from around the world have influenced Mexican dishes. The same can be said about Mexican traditional favorites affecting other countries menus. In just about every culture you look at, you can find a hint of Mexico. 

In any language, prepositions seem to have no logic to them. Often, the rules just have to be memorized. For example, in English, we say at home vs. in the house.

Besides the subjunctive mood, perhaps one of the most challenging concepts for non-native Spanish speakers to master is understanding when to use por and when to use para - both translating to for in English. However, when it comes to the Spanish por and para, you're in luck! There are multiple rules to help you know which one to use.

1. It's more than a translation

Even though your trusty Spanish-English dictionary will list for as the definition of both por and para, their use goes well beyond the direct English translation. It's all about context. Even in English, while we may use for in multiple instances, it can convey a different meaning.

Examples:
Estoy buscando aquel libro para ti. (I am looking for that book for you.)
Estoy buscando aquel libro por ti. (I am looking for that book for you.)

In the first sentence, I am looking for that book to give it to you. In the second sentence, I am looking for that book on your behalf (because you may be too busy to go to the bookstore).

It's a subtle difference, but understanding this in English will help you understand when to use por and when to use para in Spanish.

2. Understand Cause vs. Effect

A trick to understanding when to use por and when to use para is knowing which is associated with cause and which is associated with effect.

Basically:
por → cause
para → effect

This might sound a little confusing so let's use some examples.

Imagine you're working at a company with Alvaro, and you both have the same boss, Marisol. To talk about your boss, you would both say:
Trabajo para Marisol. (I work for Marisol.)

In this instance, to say I work for Marisol means the same thing as saying I am looking for that book. Marisol and the book are the effect of the situations.

Now, if Alvaro was to call in sick and you had to cover for him on a project, you would say:
Trabajo por Alvaro. (I work for/on behalf of Alvaro.)

In this instance, to say I work for Alvaro is the same as I am looking on behalf of you. Alvaro is the reason why, the cause, for you to be working. In general, para is used when a statement calls for in order to and por is used when a statement calls for on behalf of. This might be a little difficult to understand at first, but just think about why the action is occurring. Are you working to produce results for your boss (para)? Or are you working on behalf of your sick coworker (por)?

3. Differentiate Travel vs. Destination

In Spanish, por and para can be used to describe travel or motion. A simple rule to remember when to use the the two propositions is:

Por refers to travel/motion through a place or location.
Para refers to the destination of a journey.

Examples:
Salimos por la puerta. (We left through the door.)
Viajamos para el Caribe. (We travel to the Caribbean.)

In the first example, la puerta is how we go to the destination - what we go through. In the second example, el caribe is my destination - what we go to.

4. Know Duration vs. Deadline

This is probably the easiest rule to master. When talking about how long it took to accomplish something, or how long it took to go somewhere, use por. But when talking about a deadline for an action, use para.

Examples:
Conduje por dos horas. (I drove for two hours.)
Estos deberes son para el lunes. (This homework is for Monday.)

Whether it's doing homework, driving, walking, or traveling, whenever a statement refers to duration, use por. When a statement refers to a deadline, use para.

5. Review the first four rules!

Understanding por vs. para is one of the best ways to improve your Spanish proficiency. With these rules, you will for sure be on your way to having a better grasp of one of the more challenging concepts for non-native speakers.

Think that you've got it down? Try this PRACTICE QUIZ to find out!    

Happy learning!