Rocky Point Times - March 2021 by Rocky Point Services

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

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Editorial by Lannette Phipps

Founder's/Owner's Thomas Nelson O'Hare III (RIP 1941-2013) Sandra Jo O'Hare (RIP 1946-2018) The Rocky Point Times Newspaper is a tourist newspaper which has been family owned and operated since 1993. We have always been dedicated to helping and promoting the community in which we have lived, full-time, since 1991.We pride ourselves on bringing tourists and locals entertainment as well as helpful and accurate information. ROCKY POINT TIMES STAFF Lannette Phipps – Editor Patrick Kilcullen – Managing Editor Alicia Grajeda – Administrative Executive Marco Zepeda – Sales and Accounts Executive Beatriz Lumbreras – Freelance Graphic Artist MONTHLY CIRCULATION/DISTRIBUTION The RPTimes is hand delivered to Puerto Peñasco, MX and Lukeville and Ajo, AZ. We have an average of over 400 monthly subscribers from all over the U.S. and Canada. SUBSCRIPTIONS 1 year subscription (12 months) is $35 USD Go to www.rptimes.com and click on subscriptions or mail your check to Rocky Point Times LLC, PO Box 887, Lukeville, AZ 85341. ADVERTISING/AD DEADLINE Deadline for ads is the 10th of the month preceding publication (Sept. 10th for Oct. edition). Call or email us for ad rates. MEXICO OFFICES: Ave. Agustin Melgar (off of Samuel Ocaña), Pto. Peñasco, Son. Mexico 83550 Col. Nueva Esperanza U.S. MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 887, Lukeville, AZ 85341 PHONE/EMAIL From the U.S. call (480) 463-6255 Local call 383-6325 rockypointtimes@yahoo.com WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA www.rptimes.com Facebook: Rocky Point Times Newspaper Twitter: @RockyPointTimes. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Anita Kaltenbaugh, Allen Schwartz Cap'n Greg, Cholla Charli Joseph Sanchez, Kathleen Duncan Mark Paliscak, Rosarie Salerno Rob Baylor, Vince Deadmond Linda & Bo Bernard, Stephanie Wood 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.

hat a fantastic February we’ve had! The weather has been gorgeous, the whales are making appearances, people are coming down and enjoying our beaches, the outdoors, our fresh air and seafood, our large variety of restaurants and shopping and our wonderful community. Businesses are slowly recovering, and everyone seems to be following the city’s sanitary protocols. Our curfew is even being extended for Semana Santa and Spring Break, which started this month and will end the beginning of April… Rocky Point is going to be busy, busy, busy. The new curfew hours for Spring Break and Semana Santa (Feb. 26th through March 14th and March 29th through April 4th) are 12AM to 6AM Monday through Thursday and 1AM to 6AM Friday through Sunday. This is great news for visitors and businesses alike. I am happy about this as well having slid home just under (or over) curfew many, many times – so now we will all have an extra hour or two to be out and about. Here in Mexico the fun doesn’t even get started until 11PM!! There are no increased restrictions with these new curfews, however, the city is planning to be out in force to make sure everyone is following sanitary protocols like wearing your mask while in public spaces, and when there are two people or more in a vehicle, and in stores and restaurants (until seated). Try to be very conscious about wearing your mask and social distancing so our city can stay open and no one gets fined including you or your favorite businesses. Speaking of fines, it seems a lot of people have been getting the “boot” on their vehicle while down in the Old Port. The boot goes on

when your parking meter runs out of money so make sure you add enough time for your activities and don’t rely on ANYONE to keep track of the meter for you. Each meter is for 2 parking spaces (left and right) so make sure that you press the arrow for your parking space before you start feeding the meter coins. Also make sure that the meter is crediting you the correct time – they do accept pesos and U.S. quarters. If you do happen to get the boot, there is a place to pay your fine and get your boot removed right there in the center of the Malecon, on the water side. Here is a photo of the building where you go to pay your fine.

And while on the subject of fines, I have to, once again, warn you about the Sonoyta police, ugh. What a pain. Just when we think we’ve followed all of their rules and speed limits, the come up with more way to get fined while driving through the city. The latest “gotcha” is the policeman that hangs out at the stop sign in the middle of town, where the school is, before Ley Market, if you are headed south. There are 3 stop signs (4 if the one is out for Cruz Roja or DIF at the south end of town) that you go through when you drive through Sonoyta; 1st is at the intersection of Hwy. 2; 2nd is just at the end of the old Vazquez Liquors (and there is usually a guy there selling fresh produce); and the 3rd is a few blocks up from that one, kind of in the center of town (there is a big tree and a lone building on your right and to the left is a street

with a school at the end). A lot of people miss this stop sign because it is not very noticeable, or you are following the cars in front of you who blow through the stop sign – by choice or they just don’t see it. I took a photo of the stop sign (going south) so you can see where it is. You need to come to a complete stop, going south AND coming north, AND you also need to make sure the intersection is completely clear of vehicles before proceeding. NO VEHICLES IN THE INTERSECTION! So, if someone is coming out of the side street by the school, they need to be completely out of the intersection and into their lane before you can proceed through the stop sign. So, DO NOT leave your stop sign until the car is completely in its lane (going north or south). People are being pulled over for not stopping at this stop sign, and those that do and challenge the policeman, have been told that the intersection wasn’t clear before they advanced. So, come to a complete stop and wait for the intersection to be clear. If you have a passenger in your vehicle, you might want to even record your trip through Sonoyta or turn on your dash cam. I know that sounds ridiculous, but we have received so many complaints about people being pulled over by the police in Sonoyta and there just doesn’t seem to be any recourse to stop this behavior. The only thing we can do is pay our fine at the police station – DO NOT PAY THE OFFICER. I know it’s an inconvenience to take 30 minutes off your trip and go pay your fine (if guilty) at the police station. Don’t consider it a “donation” for the officer’s family. All you’re doing is condoning their behavior and making the problem worse for your fellow travelers. We don’t want our new visitor’s first experience to be being pulled over by the Sonoyta CON'T ON PAGE 32

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

ADVERTISERINDEX ADVERTISER INDEX & PHONE PHONENUMBERS NUMBERS 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 (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 area code + 7-digit number

Mexico businesses outside of Peñasco are listed as area code + phone number in this Index.

LOCAL CELLULAR PHONES

from a land line dial 638 + 7-digit number from local cell to cell dial 638 + 7-digit number Local cellular phones start with 044+638 in this index.

CELL PHONES OUTSIDE OF PP

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

U.S. AREA CODES & VOIP LINES

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

INDEX

A Ajo Chamber of Commerce...(520) 387-7742 American Legion..............(638) 388-8841 Animal Adoption Center......(638) 383-1012 ............................................(602) 412-3932 Antonio Lopez - HVAC Specialist.................. ............................................638-114-5022 Artemiza Gandara, Playa Sonora Realty ................(638) 119-2211 / (602) 718-5066 B Baja Auto Service................(638) 383-4295 or.........................................(638) 110-7205 Barb's Dog Rescue...............(638) 114-1659 or.........................................(602) 774-1578 Brenda Sabo.......................(638) 105-3157 Burrito Express...................(638) 383-8460 C Casago......(638) 383-0700 / (888) 262-4508 Chochoy Veterinary Clinic.....(638) 383-2338 24 hr. Emergency...............(638) 380-9285 Cielito Lindo..............(638) 108-2100 Ext. 7 Colins Cantina...................(638) 382-8020 Christoper Guarino, Las Palomas Sales ...........................................(480) 257-5757 Claudia Valdivia...............(638) 113-0111 D Dr. Grijalva, D.D.S...............(638) 383-3434 Day-Spa-Cito..................(638) 156-2889 E Encantame Towers...................................... ....................(480) 445-9200 / 638-688-1010 Excellence Garage Doors & More................ .........................383-5333 or 638-105-9897

F Family of God Christian Fellowship Medical Clinics.......(638) 383-3480 / (480) 812-5200 Five Senses Spa & Hair Clinic..(638) 112-1652 or......................(638) 108-1000 ext.210035 Francis, Jonni......................(638) 112-1197 G Gastelum, Jonathan - HVAC Specialist........ .............................................638-113-7004 Garufa Steakhouse...........(638) 688-0101 Georgina Ross......................(638) 388-5322 ............................................(520) 222-4750 Gila Bend Title and Registration Services..... ..........................................(928) 683-2577 H Head Out to Rocky Point Shuttle Service................................(602) 971-0166 Hotel Viña del Mar..............(638) 383-0100 or.......................................(602) 606-7768 U.S. Toll Free.....................01-800-560-2123 I-J-K Iron City Polaris...................(520) 836-1971 or.......................................(602) 272-5551 John Hibbert, Las Palomas Sales ................................(480) 257-5757 John Witt, Las Palomas Sales ..................................(480) 257-5757 John Witt Realty Ex............(623) 523-2180 Jonathan Gastelum - HVAC Specialist....... .............................................638-113-7004 Kenneth Wallace, Las Palomas Sales ..................................(480) 257-5757 Kimberly Guethle.................(480) 495-5207 or......................................(480) 993-0998 Kord's Auto Care.................(520) 387-6962 or......................................(520) 387-4TOW L Laguna Shores Resort.........(638) 383-0210 or......................................(800) 513-1426 Las Palomas Sales...............(480) 257-5757 Lopez, Antonio - HVAC Specialist............. ...................................638-114-5022 M Mar de Cortez Beach Home & Condo Rentals ..........................................(638) 388-8747 or................(638) 112-8194 / (602) 218-7300 Margarita Mermaids...........(638) 388-5042 Mark Paliscak....................(602) 526-7478 Mexico Insurance Center....1-800-404-1088 Mirsa Tile.............................(638) 383-6770 Mare Blu Ristorante.............(638) 383-0605 Moo Steak House & Grille....(638) 114-3595 Muebles Coloniales..........(638) 383-6670 or .........................................(638) 383-6671

N-O Napa Auto & RV.....................(520) 387-6962 or.......................................(520) 387-4TOW P Pane e Vino Restaurant......(638) 105-7455 Pedro's Restaurant.............(638) 383-8889 Predador Pest Control..........(638) 383-8787 or...............(638) 113-0691 / (602) 702-4417 Puerta Privada....102-3075 / (602) 445-6430 Puerto Peñasco Realty and Services ............................................(520) 777-0018 Playa Sonora Realty............(638) 119-2211 or...............................(602) 718-5066 Q&R Realty Executives...............(638) 116-0387 or..............(638) 113-0426 / (520) 407-6086 Richard Savino.....................638-380-4272 or.........................................(480) 707-3822 Rocky Fish............................(638) 113-9885 Rocky Point Home Builders...(638) 383-6524 or...................................(815) 553-2683 Rocky Point Realty Group.....(638) 112-1197 or.........................................(602) 647-9993 Rocky Point Times Newspaper...................... ...........................................(638) 383-6325 or.......................................(480) 463-6255 S Salerno, Rosarie...(520) 777-0018 Señorita Rita Sunset Cruise...(638) 113-3727 Servicios Medicos Veterinarios..... ...........................................(638) 383-3344 or Caborca................(637) 372-4717 Sonoran Resorts..................602-476-7511 Su Casa.............................(638) 690-1345 Sun Valley Business and Immigration Services...............................(638) 383-8891 or...............(638) 383-8896 / (520) 829-4340 T Tequila Factory.....................(638) 388-0606 Tucson Rolling Shutters & Screens............. ......................383-5333 or 638-105-9897 Turati Optical.......................(638) 383-4645 or........................................(520) 505-6236 Twin Dolphins Real Estate and Rentals....... ............................................(638) 383-3919 or.............(602) 324-7241/(638) 384-0113 V Viña del Mar Hotel................(638) 383-0100 or.........(602) 606-7768/01-800-560-2123 Veterinary Clinic Chochoy.....(638) 383-2338 24 hr. Emergency................(638) 638-9285 Veterinary Medical Services..638-383-334 .............................................637-372-4717 W Wayne Corcoran, Laguna Shores Resales...... .............383-7263 ext. 7264 / (480) 356-1645 WhyNot Travel Store.............(520) 387-7783

EMERGENCY & Important Phone Numbers dial 911 & 066 for EMERGENCIES AIR AMBULANCE (dial within Mexico) AirEvac............................001-880-321-9522 SkyMed Air Ambulance..001-866-805-9624 AIRPORTS International.........................(638) 383-6097 CITY HALL (Municipal Building) H. Ayuntamiento de Peñasco.(638) 383-2056 or............................................(638) 383-2060 CLINICS Clinica San Jose......................(638) 383-5121 Clinica Santa Fe.....(638) 383-2447/383-4040 Clinica Santa Isabel (Maternity)....383-3645 Clinica Santa Maria.................(638) 383-2440 Cruz Roja (Red Cross).............(638) 383-2266 Desert Senita Community Health Center..... ..............................................(520) 387-5651 ELECTRIC Emergency dial...................071 Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE)........ ..............................................(638) 383-2684 FIRE DEPARTMENT Emergency dial....068 Departamento de Bomberos.(638) 383-2828 FISHIERIES DEPARTMENT Departamento de Pesca........(638) 383-2116 Oficina de Pesca, San Diego, CA................... ..............................................(619) 233-4324 GARBAGE/SANITATION DEPARTMENT Oomislim................................(638) 383-4909 GAS (Propane) Hidrogas................................(638) 383-5650 Z’Gas.....................................(638) 383-8284 ZaGas....................................(638) 383-8100 HOSPITALS (See Clinics also) Community...........................(638) 383-4566 IMSS (Social Security)...........(638) 383-2870 Municipal..............................(638) 383-2110 IMMIGRATION....................(638) 383-2526 MARINE RESCUE (VHF Channel 28) Port Captain..........................(638) 383-3035 Emergencies dial.462 or 627 or 767 POLICE Emergency dial......................066 Puerto Peñasco Station........(638) 383-2626 or...........................................(638) 383-1616 State Judicial Police (Policía Judicial del Estado)...(638) 383-2783 PUBLIC SECURITY DEPARTMENT Seguridad Pública Municipal.(638) 383-2626 or............................................(638) 383-1616 RAILROAD Ferrocarril..............................(638) 383-2610 RED CROSS Cruz Roja...............................(638) 383-2266 SOCIAL SECURITY (IMSS) Instituto Méxicano del Seguro Social........... ...............................................(638) 383-2677 or............................................(638) 383-2777 TELEPHONE Teléfonos de México.............(638) 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................................(638) 383-6080 Organismo Operador.............(638) 383-6080 Piteco (water tank delivery)...(638) 383-3315

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he question Cap'n Greg gets most often is: What are my favorite restaurants in Rocky Point? While I have answered that query approximately 99 times, I'll do it again to make it an even 100. The criteria I use to rate restaurants are food quality, service, price, and ambience. While I have had some not-sogood meals at Peñasco eateries, the majority are consistent in their food quality. Part of food quality is the general cleanliness of the place. I have enjoyed many meals in buildings with dirt floors and no windows, but I have also been to beautifully tiled establishments that even flies would find disgusting. Excellent service (as well as several pre-meal cocktails) can elevate a mediocre dinner to a gourmet experience. That said, I have found that most of those who prepare food here are motivated to serve you well,

because their entire existence is built on repeat business. Everyone wants good food cheap, but the days of three-for-a-dollar tacos are long gone. Those on a budget would do well to frequent street stands where low overhead typically translates to lower prices. Restaurants that cater to family groups are often less expensive as well. Rocky Point has seen a surge in fine dining in the last dozen years, and there are plenty of places where you can test the old adage: You get what you pay for. The last criteria is ambience. I much prefer to eat with a view of the water, but during spring break and busy holidays, I enjoy watching the people more than the pelicans. So, to answer the question, my favorite restaurants in Rocky Point are the dozens that offer food, service, prices and ambience that are all good. Cap'n Greg wishes you a delicious search for your own favorites.

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

Things to Avoid when Building your Mexican Dream Home

By Joseph Sanchez President, Rocky Point Home Builders

uilding a new home in Puerto Peñasco is a dream come true for many people. While the process is exciting, it can be unfortunately full of potential pit falls and costly mistakes. This article will discuss some of the common mistakes to avoid when building your dream home. Shopping on Price, Not Quality

We all love to save money so receiving an extremely low bid from a home builder or shopping just purely on price may seem like a good idea but as the old wise man said, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is and as the Mexican wise man said, “You get what you pay for in Mexico”. There are many reasons how a home builder/contractor will submit a very low-priced bid and the most common reason is illegally paid workers. The contractor will not pay workers according to Mexican Federal law

There are many reasons why a contractor will submit a very low-priced bid and one common reason is underpaid workers.

which mandates a Federal Minimum Wage along with many social welfare benefits for healthcare, housing, and social security here in Mexico. If you hire a company that does not follow the Federal Labor Laws you could be fined, potentially have your project shut down, will be responsible to pay any medical bills for any injuries incurred by a worker on your job site and worstcase scenario you can have your home seized. If a company is willing to cheat on Federal Labor Law imagine what he will cheat on during your job. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure that the company you hire is paying all Federal mandated wages to their workers or risk serious penalties. Using these types of workers, the contractor doesn’t have to pay the workers normal wages and he will pass the savings on to you hence the low bid. When you receive a bid that is dramatically lower than the rest of the competition remember this article. Choosing a Good Lot in the Right Community

An important step in the process of building a home is purchasing a nice lot in a good location. The community's association or HOA is just as important so make sure you review all the bylaws to make sure you agree with them. Some communities have fees for construction permission/ permits others have water and electric connection fees and they can be a significant cost so make sure you know those costs upfront and that you can afford them and factor in your budget. Make sure your lot has access to water and electricity if available. If it does not have access to water, you can always truck in water and dump it into your cistern. However, if the lot does not have electricity, I would look for a lot that does have access to electricity or has the electricity assessment paid saving you up to $20,000 USD or more when you go to break ground. Another important thing to consider is the grade or slope of your lot. You want to purchase a lot that is relatively flat and does not require a lot of fill to bring it up to street level or requires a lot of excavation to reduce

Going it alone and not hiring an experienced contractor/home builder may seem like a great way to save money but in the end, it is guaranteed to cost you more than you anticipated.

the fill down to street level. Grading your lot can be an expensive process and can add up to $10,000-$40,000 in extra costs to the construction price of a home. Try to purchase a lot that does not require truckloads of fill or require truckloads of takeaway and you will save money. To determine how level a lot is take the center height of the street and compare that to height of the lot you are considering for purchase. It should be as high or close to the center high of the street.

There are many highly experienced contractors from the U.S. who come to Mexico and want to build a home and feel that they have the experience to accomplish the task here. But what happens is they soon realize that the materials used to build homes, the language barrier, dealing with workers, culture and navigating the governmental bureaucracy for permits, DRO signatures, etc. are all things that can sabotage a project. For example, here in Puerto Peñasco, we build homes out of concrete block, poured concrete with reinforced Don’t Go It Alone concrete beams. In the U.S. it’s typical Going it alone and not hiring an to build homes out of wood studs experienced contractor/home builder and plywood walls. The construction may seem like a great way to save process is totally different here, money but in the end, it is guaranteed heavier, slower, using different tools to cost you more than you anticipated. and requires a tremendous amount of experience. Without that masonry experience working with poured concrete and concrete block, the mistakes will pile up as fast as the extra costs. Considering that the profit on a home build by a professional home builder is typically just only 10%. A 10% profit is not a large sum of money relative to the total cost to build and the time it An important step in the process of building a will take so save yourself the home is purchasing a nice lot in a good location potential disaster and hire a with water and electricity. professional.

About the author: Joseph Sanchez is president of Rocky Point Home Builders a design/build contractor specializing in custom home design, construction and engineered renovations and a real estate agent with RE/MAX Legacy. He resides here in Puerto Peñasco with his wife and three children and is originally from Chicago. For more information email him at sales@rockypointhomebuilders.com.

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

A bad day of fishing is not so bad By Vince Deadmond

inter fishing, January and February is reliably poor fishing in Peñasco. You may have a day or two where you actually catch a fish, but the smell of skunk permeates the boat often enough. My group of friends, The Over The Hill Gang, saw the tide chart was at a neap tide for the Super Bowl weekend. This looked like a good time to escape our COVID quarantines and fish even if the fishing wasn't very promising. Our first fishing day was out at La Pinta the second estuary, the wind was calm, and the fishing wasn't as bad as I expected. I had actually caught a few small Cabrilla and three larger Cabrilla. When I looked behind me, I spotted two dolphins. Then two more, I would notice a total of 10 dolphins, and I knew that meant trouble for the local fish population. The dolphins worked in unison to rodeo roundup the available fish. When they were done there were small bits of fish flesh, like they had been run through a food processor. The fish catching suddenly stopped and we decided to come back and fish another day. A good thing about Peñasco is the abundance of wonderful places to eat and drink. Without too much effort I managed to convince my friends to visit Krissy and Rick at Margarita Mermaids on Thursday evening. The once-a-week wine tasting is always a favorite meal of mine, and the Malbec was wonderful. I ordered a small plate

of food so I could order the apple tacos for dessert. The live music of Heber Alvarez was well done. We could carry on our conversations and plot our next fishing move. Sadly, the next day was too windy to fish.

Saturday, we fished The Point and had some success fishing deep. Some nice Triggers were caught, and I hooked a Red Snapper. The fish was around 4 pounds and a real scrappy fighter. I was concerned that the fish would break my fly rod. My fishing buddy Joe Staller managed to get a picture of my fish. I have caught Red Snapper before, but they are not common in the fish caught by my group of fishers. We cleaned the fish and dropped them off at Cookiez Cantina. I asked them to make a ceviche appetizer for our dinner. It was delicious! I was in Peñasco for the fishing, and a little event called the Super Bowl happened to be on TV at the Pit Bar Sunday afternoon. There was some good-natured yelling back and forth early in the game, but it was pretty much over by halftime. I really didn't care because I didn't have a dog in this fight. I enjoyed the commercials, and some of the patrons were talkative and shared some good, but inappropriate jokes. My “Dad Jokes” got the groans and the occasional smile that I expected. So, for a bad fishing weekend where not many fish were caught, it was still a good time. Stay healthy and plan to go fish!

Contact information for Vince Deadmond the retired fly-fishing hardware guy, vince@ ajbest.com and 480 818 1796. Fly fishing Puerto Peñasco should remain good through December. Check the tide chart, I prefer the neap tides for fly fishing from my kayak.

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By Anita Kaltenbaugh

f you’re feeling old, look at the sea and know this, the Sea of Cortez is the youngest in the world. I don’t think if it has Fountain of Youth powers but who knows, jump in, and try it out? Yes, Jacque Cousteau who nicknamed the Sea of Cortez as the “World’s Aquarium “is spot on in 2021. Maybe, the marine animals missed all the human activity last year with the beaches and marina’s closed but make no mistake the sea creatures are ready to impress and put on a show. It’s March and the whales are still here! Boaters, fisherman and tour boats have been spotting an array of aquatic wildlife since January. January started with Orca sightings and moved right into February with fin whales, greys, and humpbacks. So, what will March bring? The best answer is - you never know. Maybe you’ll run into a whale shark, like we did once by Daydream Cove. Or you might even take a boat cruise toward Bird Island and run into a super pod of dolphins. A super pod or mega pod

means miles of dolphins flipping and spinning as far as the eyes can see. Who knows? The sea is your oyster. Regardless, if you’re simply amazed by pelican formations or herons, the only way you’re going to experience outstanding sea life is to get on a boat and get on the Sea of Cortez. This is not just any body of water; this is a special sea. As John Steinbeck once wrote of our precious Sea of Cortez, “a dream hangs over the whole region.” If you’re visiting here on Spring Break, Get Out on The Water. 10 Fun Facts about the Sea of Cortez:

It was named in honor of the Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes in 1593. At around 5 million years old, the Sea of Cortez is the youngest sea in the world. This diverse body of water has more than 900 varieties of fish and more than 2000 species of marine invertebrates. Biologically speaking, the Sea of Cortez is the richest body of water on our entire planet. In Puerto Peñasco, the northern end of the sea, we have 32-foot tidal range, the third largest in North America. It’s deep! the Sea of Cortez now has a remarkable depth of over 2 miles at its mouth. Much of its width is over 80 miles across. How did the Sea of Cortez come to be? Well, A whole lotta of shaking was going on, the Baja peninsula was formed during a time of frequent

earthquakes and volcanic activity, while this was happening, the volcanoes and San Andreas fault were creating what we know as the Sea of Cortez. Over 37 islands exist in the Sea of Cortez, our closest island nicknamed Bird Island is available by boat tour out of Puerto Peñasco. Lots of birds, but also one of the largest Sea Lion and Seal Colonies! The San Andreas fault runs right down the very middle of the Sea of Cortez. Wow! The Sea of Cortez also known as the Gulf of California is my favorite sea, get on it or in it and I bet you’ll agree. How do you get on the water?

Book a spot on one of the many outfits that safely take tourists out. What can you expect to see? Dolphins, Whales, Sea Turtles, Whale Sharks, Sea Lion, Manta rays, Sharks, Sailfish, Jellyfish, Sting Rays, Puffer Fish. The list is endless. You can book a tour and kayak with the sea lions by Bird Island or rent a kayak and hope to run into a dolphin or a whale. For the younger crowd and young at heart, you can book a tour on a pirate ship and see fireworks and a fun show. You can grab your favorite fishing friend and spend the day fishing for grouper, yellowtail, or sea bass. Go scuba diving, kayaking or SUPing! Sunset Cruises, Parasailing, Fishing Charters, Bird Island Tours, Private Boat Rentals. The List is endless!

Here’s a few local boat tour operators to contact: Start at their website or Facebook page. The below are operating in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions. Del Mar Charters with Captain Oscar – delmarcharters.com: or Facebook (520) 407-6054 oscar@delmarcharters. com Great catamaran for groups. 8-4 closed on Tuesdays. Eco Fun Rentals – ecofunrentals.com Facebook: Eco Fun Rentals Two decker boat and a fun cruising party boat. Rocky Point Fishing Club – rockypointflishingclub.com Facebook: Rocky Point Fishing Club Variety of boats, Wanderlust 40” cruiser. Santiago’s Ocean Service santiagooceanservices.com (638) 3885318 Variety of boats to offer. Pancho Villa – panchovillarockypoint. com (638) 110-3487 Fun fishing, sunset and boat tours. Rey Del Mar- Facebook - Rey Del Mar Peñasco - Home of the Pirate ship (638) 383-5490 Barco Intrepid - Facebook Barco Intrepid. Dinner and sunset cruise.

"Land was created to provide a place for boats to visit." ~Brooks Atkinson

Anita Kaltenbaugh is the author of the book “Travel Secrets- Insider guide to planning, affording and taking more vacations” available on Amazon and author of debut suspense novel a Deep Thing by A.K. Smith. Check out her blog at www.wordstravelfilm.com/blog

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

Visitors Grace St. Joseph’s with New Doors and Pews

By Cholla Charli

hat do people like to do when they go on vacation? Surveys will tell you that the number-one activity is shopping; but a group of men from Cody, Wyoming and Salt Lake City, Utah like to give instead of get. Two years ago Tom Lillie, Don Kramer, Dale Englund and Ken Stockwell, along with their wives, spent a number of weeks in their RVs on the beach in Rocky Point. After attending Mass at St. Joseph’s church in La Cholla, Ken Stockwell asked the church sexton, Bob Keller if there was anything the men could do to be of service to the church. He explained they were all handy with tools, so Keller suggested they build a couple of pews. The men ended up building four pews, expanding the seating capacity by one-third. When February rolled around this year, the group returned to Rocky Point. This time Dale couldn’t make it, but Ken’s brother Jerry joined the crew. They called ahead to see how they could help the church. Keller explained that St. Joseph’s needed interior doors to reduce the dust and especially the noise from the roadway. They were planning to build the doors, but Lillie’s daughter Jolene had a connection that proved to be God-sent. She works for Epic Window and Doors which had a set of Windsor Windows French doors that would be a great fit for the doorway in the church. The company offered a significant discount because the doors would be going to a mission church in Mexico. Lillie purchased the doors and he and his crew brought them down in their toy haulers. They went straight to the church, unloaded the doors and in a matter of hours the doors were framed in and functioning beautifully.

New interior doors at St. Joseph’s church will help to reduce noise and dust from the street.

They left equal distance on each side which will soon be filled in with wood panels or glass blocks, or perhaps, stained glass. But their service didn’t end there. With more time left in their stay, they asked Keller if there was something more, they could do to help. “I told them we could use a couple more pews and they were ready to build,” Keller said. “I picked up the lumber and in two days, they had constructed another four pews. We are now at capacity in the church. After the Covid restrictions are lifted it will be beautiful to see all those seats filled to capacity.” St. Joseph’s church in La Cholla offers the only bilingual Mass in Puerto Peñasco. Service is at 8 a.m., each Sunday. To reach the church, take the road past the Sandy Beach resorts and the sand road past Wrecked at the Reef. As you wind toward Cholla Bay, the church is on the right and well-marked. Those who would like more information about the church, you can call sexton Bob Keller at (928) 706-6928 or e-mail him at: bob@ keller.net.

Volunteers from Wyoming and Utah returned this year to build four more pews for St. Joseph’s church and to donate and install new interior doors. (L-R) St. Joseph’s sexton Bob Keller, Jerry Stockwell, Tom Lillie (standing) Ken Stockwell and Don Kramer.

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

Helping

By The Old Gringo

f you spend any time in Puerto Peñasco, and you pay attention, it is not hard to see the need. While there is a population of those in need in most northern cities, here in our town the need is more acute, especially when you factor in a pandemic. Many people have been severely impacted by the lock downs and the ensuing restrictions. Loss of income, loss jobs, of loss of housing, loss of dignity...all this, and more, has been visited upon a large swath of the people of Peñasco. While the restrictions may ease, the effect of the downturn on our local economy and the people will be felt far into the future. If you are new to our town, you might notice that there are groups of folks that are trying to help. Some are church based, others,

like Oc3anview Ministry (www. oc3anviewministry.com) are not. Everyone is welcome...full stop. Oc3anview was begun about five years ago by Conrad(o) Flores. His objectives were broad and ambitious, but he and his group of volunteers have made large strides in realizing them, helping our affected neighbors to not only weather the current situation, but begin to prepare for a brighter future as well. Originally, Conrad relied on networking with about a dozen church and unaffiliated ministries for the majority of his funding. The arrival of COVID effectively put a stop to that. The funding has dried up, and there is a greater need now than ever before. What, you might ask, does Oc3anview need the money for? A lot of things. Conrad tells me that his ministry provides the following to the local community: At 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at Blvd. Kino and Francisco Madero meals are served to those in need. A thrift store, called Segundas (seconds) has been established to help provide clothing and other essentials at very affordable prices. Additionally, many items are simply given to those who need them (blankets, shoes, etc.) at the ministry’s distribution center. The money earned by the thrift store helps to fund the other programs. Those programs? In addition to providing nutritious meals

three days a week, and starting up the thrift shop, Conrad and Oc3anview have begun working on a trade training program for local residents, to teach critical and in demand job skills. Since many of the missions that he had been working with had come down to help build a few houses, they brought tools... lots of tools. After they were done, they left them. What better way to make use of that boon than to use them to teach the building trades to the unskilled labor force here in town? But wait! There’s more! Oc3anview has an athletics

program too! They provide sports equipment and have built basketball courts and other athletic areas for local youth. While ambitious, the ministry has been able, up to now, to get these programs off the ground and operational. With the onset of COVID and all that ensued, funding has pretty much dried up, threatening the continued success of the mission. The mission partners that Conrad had networked with have stopped coming to Peñasco due to the pandemic and restrictions. Individual volunteers have jumped in to help defray expenses and move goods and donations, gathered elsewhere, to town, but that is a temporary fix. Conrad told me that, while some (many) of the missions that come to Peñasco are affiliated with a church, Oc3anview is not. It is a completely independent and nondenominational organization and does not represent any church affiliation. It is a Mexican nonprofit, akin to a 501(c) 3 in the U.S. (they are currently in the process of applying for a 501 (c) 3 status in the U.S. as well). A quick scan of their website (www.oc3anviewministry.com) will tell you all you need to know about the ministry, Conrad, and the fine folks who give so much of themselves to those less fortunate in our community. The amount of effort that has been directed toward helping Peñasco’s people is tremendous and is an ongoing struggle. Seeing the dedication and commitment of Conrad and his ministry, is heartening. While there are many worthy (and some not so worthy) charities that you can donate to, and we all know how many requests we get every day, this one is worth your consideration. Donations can be made through the website and are gratefully accepted. Whether you’re a first-time visitor, frequent visitor or a permanent resident, if you want to do something for the town you enjoy visiting that makes a difference, why not donate to this mission?

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

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

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

Tia Katy’s Corner March 2021

In the short time it has been open, the response to the C.A.T.I. program has been tremendously positive. In addition to receiving consistent support from our team of local therapists, thanks to an exciting new partnership with ASU, C.A.T.I. students are also able to benefit from weekly speech tele-therapy with bilingual therapists from the ASU Speech and Language Clinic.

In the Midst of a Pandemic a Dream Comes True!

or the past several years I have dreamed of expanding our program to provide support for kids with special needs. I am thrilled that our current program is providing local public-school students with the resources they need to go to school and succeed academically. However, I truly believe that EVERY young person should have the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential, regardless of their strengths and challenges. Unfortunately, like many developing countries, Mexico has struggled to provide for the developmental and educational needs of children with disabilities. In Rocky Point, a lack of comprehensive, professional services for children with special needs has left most families having to travel to the Children’s Hospital in Hermosillo, Mexico. Unfortunately, many local families lack the resources necessary to make this 6 - 8-hour trip on a regular basis, leaving their children without the professional services they need to reach their potential. Over the past four years I have had the privilege of getting to know many local young people with special needs and their families. Every one of them has shared with

me the sadness, frustration, and hardship they have experienced trying to access the therapies and other professional support that their children need to develop to their fullest potential. Their stories are both heartbreaking and inspiring. By the end of 2019 my local team and I began planning for a new program to serve these very special students. Then the COVID crisis hit leaving the hundreds of publicschool students in our regular program facing unprecedented barriers to education. Providing these almost 600 students with the resources they now need for remote learning left our budget strained. We had to put plans for the new special needs program on hold. A leap of faith

Although we did not have the funds available for this project that we had hoped to, in January of 2021 we decided to take a leap of faith. I was thrilled to be there

with my team for the launch of a new program called ‘Centro de Atencion y Terapias Infantil’ (C.A.T.I.) which translates to ‘Center for Attention and Therapies for Children.’ C.A.T.I.’s team of therapists, special educators and other professionals is now available to help local young people with special needs overcome obstacles to independence and reach their potential. Family members are included as active members of the therapy program and receive ongoing support to teach them how to help their children learn the skills they need to develop and thrive.

Each student attending C.A.T.I. receives an initial evaluation and then a therapeutic and educational plan developed for him/her. Most students receive therapies and other support at the C.A.T.I. center 4 times a week and the cost is 4,000 pesos or approximately $200 a month. We need your help!

Unfortunately, many local students with special needs come from families that lack the resources to pay privately for the C.A.T.I. program. We are using funds previously raised to support more than a dozen students, but we are hoping to find sponsors to help fund the many students on our waiting list. You can provide this lifechanging opportunity for a young person with special needs by sponsoring a C.A.T.I. student at stepsoflove.org/special-needs.

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TRAVELINFORMATION TRAVEL INFORMATION NEW COVID-19 PROTOCOLS BRODER CROSSING HOURS 6AM-8PM SONOYTA & LUKEVILLE DO NOT STOP IN SONOYTA, DRIVE STRAIGHT THRU TO ROCKY POINT DO NOT SPEED IN SONOYTA - 40 KMH & WEAR YOUR MASK

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...911 or 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 388-0423

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 shopping to find everything from one-of-a-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 PHOENIX

All parties are taken to the police station where you 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

CONSULATES MEXICAN CONSULATES Tucson: 3915 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85711 (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

COMING FROM CALIFORNIA

U.S. AIRPORTS (CLOSEST)

COVID CROSSING HOURS 6AM to 8PM Mexico & the U.S. Sonoyta/Lukeville

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.

Phoenix, Tucson & Nogales, AZ

CLOSED MIDNIGHT - 6:00 AM

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. 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 CON’T

ACCIDENTS If you are involved in a (nondeath) accident in Mexico, you are considered at fault until proven otherwise.

BUS STATIONS (MEXICO) ABC (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

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

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 of alcohol & beer, 6 liters of wine. You may import more by paying 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 TRAVEL INFORMATION 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 $3,000 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. 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 COVID-19 HOURS 6AM-8PM CLOSED 8PM to 6AM 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 Phone (602) 971-0166 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: 602-4559522

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. $558 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. $59.16 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. from $200 USD. to $400 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.

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

GENERALINFORMATION GENERAL INFORMATION ATV’s ATV’S ARE NOT PERMITTED ON CITY BEACHES Please follow these rules when riding ATV’s in Rocky Point. • Helmets mandatory • 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. VETERINARY CLINICS Veterinary Medical Services 638-383-334 / 637-372-4717 Chochoy 638-380-9285 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 GENERAL INFORMATION 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 vehicles 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 entrance 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.

SEMAR (MARINE SEARCH AND RESCUE) SECRETARIA DE MARINA - ARMADA DE MEXICO Located in the Marina 638-383-1691 01-800-627-4621 Channel 16 VHF Frecuency 2182 MHZ sarmarina@semar.gob.mx

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.

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 operator Call 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 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 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.

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. 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.

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

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32 CON'T FROM PAGE 3

police. Follow these rules when going through Sonoyta and let’s try to stop these shenanigans…#1 DO NOT SPEED!! The speed limit ranges between 20kmh and 40kmh throughout town and you just have to ignore everyone riding your butt because you are going so slow. #2 WEAR YOUR MASK through town. #3 DO NOT STOP IN THE CITY (until we hear differently from the Mayor of Sonoyta). If you get pulled over, #4 PAY YOUR FINE AT THE POLICE STATION!! As I’ve stated before in a previous Editorial, the stop sign south of town, when present, IS a legal stop sign according to the policeman that pulled me over for not stopping. Even if you are NOT donating to the charity, you still need to come to a complete stop at the stop sign.

Sonoyta Stop sign in the middle of town. Photos were taken south. You need to stop coming north as well.

On a positive note, Puerto Peñasco is becoming a favorite place for working remotely. I have talked to many, many people who are choosing to work from their homes and/or renting a place down here where they can both live and work remotely – and they are loving it! And there are also people who have taken early retirement and/or are exploring the idea. People are even taking extended vacations and working from the beach. Hotels, condos,

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

rentals and even restaurants are beefing up their wifi connections and/or adding free wifi as well as USB ports and plugs-ins to make it easier for people to connect. You can pick up a local Telcel cellular line and phone for cheap and many U.S. carriers offer unlimited data, calls and texts to Mexico. I have both – a local Telcel phone number as well as an unlimited Verizon plan with a U.S. phone number. One caveat - read your contract – I noticed with Verizon that if more than a certain % of your activity is based outside of the U.S., then they can revoke your plan. Side Note: I was having tons of problems with my Verizon signal on my old phone - a Samsung Note 8 - the best I could ever get was LTE, but when I upgraded to the Note20 with 5G, I’ve had no problems whatsoever. I constantly get 4G or at least 3G. And I’ve had this conversation with many people who were having the same problems disappear after they upgraded. I don’t know if that’s the fix to a crappy U.S. signal, but it has worked for me and many others.) Another Side Note: Related, but not related, are electric car charging stations. Did I mention this last month? Some Peñasco resorts have charging stations for your electric cars. Who knew? If you are one of the lucky ones who can work remotely, you might want to check out life on our beach!

Photo taken from Puerta Privada, Peñasco's ONLY non-rental condo development...and they have electric car charging stations.

Along the lines of working remotely, or even just spending more time in Rocky Point, people want to know how they can receive their mail, FedEx, UPS and other packages. Burrito Express (see their ad in this issue) offers a mail pickup service. They go to the Lukeville Post Office three times per week to pick up USPS mail and packages. If you have FedEx and UPS packages (that won’t ship to your PO Box) that you need to receive and/or send, you can have them

sent to K-5 Enterprises (Radio Shack) in Ajo. They will receive, sign and hold them for you, and they charge $5 per package. If you need to receive a package, send it to: YOUR NAME, 625 N 2nd Ave, Ajo, AZ 85321. You can give them a call for more information at (520) 387-5837. Just a reminder that if you are ordering off of Amazon.com, you can use Amazon Smile and have a portion of your purchases goes toward the charity of your choice. My charity of choice is Barb’s Dog Rescue here in Rocky Point. If you’re not using Amazon Smile and donating, make the switch and shop away while donating to a cause of your choice! Speaking of Barb’s Dog Rescue, the WhyNot Store in Why, AZ stores dog food that has been donated and needs transportation down to them, so if you have room in your vehicle, please stop by and bring what you can for them. The donations are located outside on the patio to the left of the door into the store.

City, which was one of their two favorite places. If you find yourself in Havasu, go check out their memorial stone under the bridge. And thanks Uncle Pat, they may not have been “founders”, but they were certainly pioneers.

The Memorial Walkway, under the London Bridge, commemorating the Founders of Lake Havasu City, AZ.

Tom and Sandy O'Hare's Memorial Brick...thanks Brunk!!

In the coming months look forward to stories about my adventures camping in the Pinacates with friends and expert guide Israel Nava, as well as the Boo Bar Poker Run, and my adventures in Guerrero Negro and San Ignacio and wherever else I get to between now and then. Have a great Spring Break, Easter and Semana Santa!

Why Not Travel Store in Why, AZ - on your way down to Rocky Point, is where you can drop off, and pick-up dog food for Barb's Dog Rescue.

Many of you knew my parents, Tom and Sandra O’Hare who were the heart of this paper, and many of you knew that they started the Local Business Directory Yellow Pages when we lived in Lake Havasu City, AZ back in the 80s. They went head-to-head with the big telephone company and printed phone books for cities in Arizona, Nevada and California. They did this until they retired in the early 90s and found themselves in Puerto Peñasco, coming for a vacation, and ending up with The Rocky Point Times Newspaper. Recently a “Memorial Walkway” was created for the “Founders” of Lake Havasu City under the London Bridge and my Uncle Patrick Kilcullen purchased a memorial stone for them to make sure they are always a permanent part of Lake Havasu

One of the crosses at the Elegante Crater in the Pinacate Biosphere Region.

Some of the participants of the Boo Bar Poker Run (every year on the Monday after Superbowl Sunday). Fantastic day with new friends in the desert and on the beach!

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

CLUBSAND CLUBS ANDORGANIZATIONS ORGANIZATIONS AACORP (ANIMAL CENTER)

AMOR MINISTRIES

CANACO-SERV Y TUR

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 CATS & KITTENS NEED TO FIND FOREVER HOMES NOW as the animal center will be closing this year. We have been dedicated to helping the stray animals of Rocky Point for 15+ years, but it is time to close our doors. Donations are still needed and welcome: We are a 501(c)3 non-profit so your donations are tax deductible. See this issue for current needs or call the above number.

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.

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: Elia Neyda Javalera Chavez

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 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

AIM PEÑASCO Kathleen Duncan - Founder Non-profit Organization, to improve the lives of children in need in Mexico. Address - Avenida Francisco I Madero & Comonfort www.stepsoflove.org 638 388 5434 carolina.pacheco@aimpenasco.org

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Welcome Open AA Meetings at South of the Border Passport Club Location: Directly across from Granada del Mar Hotel South of Sinaloa st., where the road ends and the sea begins at the office of Oc3an View Ministry. Schedule: M-W-F 10AM Women's Recovery AA/Al-Anon Open Meeting Thursday at 11AM Contact Conrado at MX Cell (638) 109-8017 Marcia: 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: Mike Williams Adjutant: Gary May General Meetings 1st Wednesday 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. Telephone Numbers: U.S. (602) 539-2047 Mexico 011-52 (638) 388-8841 Magic Jack (602) 539-2047 ALL VISITORS WELCOME!

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: Joseph Toland Vice President: Jorge "George" Bravo Secretary VP Communications: Robin Miller Treasurer: John Thompson Legal: Lic. Leticia Marquez VP Education: Cathy Poturalski VP Events: Martin Martinez VP Ethics: Kyle Woods For inquiries, please contact: Blanca Valdez, AMPI Administrator Email: penascoampi@gmail.com AMPI phone: 638-388-0006

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.

(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: Father Abraham Garcia Lopez 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.

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.

CENTRO COMUNITARIO PALABRAS DE ESPERANZA (Words of Hope/Rocky Point Medical Clinics) Our mission is to promote the holistic development of the local Puerto Peñasco community's families through the education, health, personal and spiritual growth programs that are offered here. Address - Cjon. Juan Aldama entre Av. 68 & 69 #668, Col. San Rafael Hours: Monday - Saturday 9 AM-5 PM penascowordsofhope@gmail.com Phone: 638 690 1531

CHOLLA BAY CHRISTMAS PARTY 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 CEDO

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.

BOOK & EXCHANGE

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!

Rocky Point Times Office Ave. Agustin Melgar, Off Of Blvd. Samuel Ocaña Puerto Peñasco, Son. Mexico 83550 Col. Nueva Esperanza Phone: 383-6325: Mon.-Wed. 9am-5pm www.rptimes.com Free Book, VHS and DVD exchange for all Rocky Point residents and visitors.

Pinacate Adventure Explore the geologic wonders of the Pincate Biosphere Reserve on a tour with CEDO experts. 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!

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

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. 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. OFFICERS President: Mike Dugan: 638-382-5237 Vice-President: Lew Felton Secretary: Barb Baird: 638-384-2281 Treasurer: Enedina Otanez: 638-382-5142 Membership: Eamonn O'Callaghan: (602) 394-9879 BOARD MEMBERS Pat Goodin, Rhea Dugan, Nancy Schmidly, Chuck Blair, Marlene Blair, Dave Heath, Connie Horton, Billie Crumbley, Theresa Orcutt 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: 638-102-0514 Cellphone: (044-638) 091-65 Call for directions Shelter providing housing, food and care for those addicted to drugs and alcohol. Donations needed all year long.

COORDINACION DE SALUD MUN. Puerto Peñasco Animal Control Dedicated to prevention and disease control Mon-Fri 8am-3pm, Phone: 388-5152 Coordinator: Dr. Erick Gastelum Pacheco 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

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).

ESPERANZA DE VIDA 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.

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CLUBSAND CLUBS ANDORGANIZATIONS ORGANIZATIONS FUNERAL HOMES

Funeraria Renacimiento 383-1233 Funeraria Santa Cecilia 383-2522

GOD'S GRACE FOUNDATION Founder: Robert Gutiérrez (480) 273-7141 Facebook/www.godsgracefoundation Feeding. clothing and first aid Christian Ministry.

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.

HELPING HANDS 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.

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.

KNOX TRAIL COUNCIL BSA Yvette Lavin yvettelavin1212@gmail.com (508) 667-4031

LA ESPERANZA PARA NUEVA VIDA The Community center is located on Lazaro Cardenas #538 (Eastern part of RP) The Association is created to give Hope for a change in the way of life for those in the community who desire improvement. Contact rpbarbo@gmail.com for more info or to help.

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.

MEN’S SHELTER 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.

MEXICO CHILDRENS FOUNDATION

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.

MISSION VILLA GRANADA (Weekend Missions) Be part of something bigger than yourself! We provide a 3-day international missions trip for less than $150 per person. Includes lodging and all meals. We are a Christian Ministry. However, anyone is welcome to join us in serving the RP Community. Volunteers needed at Mission Villa Granada for maintenance, cleaning, cooking, church building upkeep, marketing, or anything you love to do. We are located at the former Villa Granada Hotel, 2 blocks east of El Pollo Lucas. Visit Weekendmissions.com, email pva@cox. net or call Carmen (638) 103-4336 or Vincent (602) 696-3288.

NUEVA CREACION

Rehabilitation Center and Shelter for women, teens, and children suffering drug addiction, abuse or violence. The Center is a legally stablished Non Profit Institution. Director: Guadalupe de Soto and Guadalupe de Soto (638) 105-9804 taviita_07@hotmail.com Juan Aldama #527 (52 & 53 Streets) Colonia Nuevo Peñasco.

OC3AN VIEW MINISTRY

PUERTO PEÑASCO SCOUTING PROJECT Contact: Deb Turner (638) 386-8645 (520) 906-3096 trnrrck@yahoo.com

www.oc3anviewministry.com We are a Mexican non-profit hosting mission groups; bringing aid and comfort to families and the displaced. Our Community Center is located on Kino Blvd at Francisco Madero. We accept clothing, current dated dry food items, new children’s toys, school supplies, household goods, furniture, tools and construction materials. From our thrift store sales we fund all aspects of our ministry; these include: our dinner, fun free family events, community construction opportunities, and ministries at rehab centers. Hours of Operation at our Community Center: Thrift Store: Tues. thru Sat. 12-5 Our Dinner, serving free food: Tues. & Thur. 1-2 Free Fun Family events: scheduled throughout the year watch for them on FBoc3anviewminisry Please come join us. For information about serving opportunities at Our Dinner, Thrift Store, Mission Groups, Fun Free Family events, construction projects and rehab center ministries go to: www.oc3eanviewministry.com Conrad Flores, President and Founder oceanviewministry@gmail.com US: 480-264-1172 MX: 638-109-8017

OLD BOYS SOCIAL CLUB 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.

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: Marti 812-3191463 (U.S. cell works locally), or Dick 638-1050615 (local cell) or 602-321-8106 (U.S. cell works locally) or just show up at the Tuesday happy hour and introduce yourself.

PINACATE BIOSPHERE RESERVE

Barbara Olszewski rpbarbo@gmail.com (602) 324-9529 / (638) 114-2406

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.

President: Shandra Keesecker Secretary: Oscar Palacio Soto clubrotariopuertopenasco@gmail.com www.clubrotariopuertopenasco.com FB: @clubrotariopuertopenasco Meetings: Wednesdays 8 am @ Don Julio in the Old Port

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.

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.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL 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.

STEPS OF LOVE

The Red Cross can fill Portable Oxygen Tanks with prior notice.

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

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.

ROTARY CLUB PUERTO PEÑASCO MAR DE CORTÉS

Steps of Love's mission is to help youth in Mexico break the cycle of poverty by facilitating access to quality educational opportunities. www.stepsoflove.org (480) 420-8141 contact@stepsoflove.org

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

WOMEN REHAB CENTER 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.

Centro de Rehabilitacion para Mujeres La Esperanza A.C. Directora: Hna. Ana Krause: (638) 102-0869 anaycruz@live.com From. Blvd. Samuel Ocaña, turn north at sign on Pto. Ensenada. Go 10 blicks 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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And…We Have A Winner!!! Rocky Point Times Photo Contest :)

By Mark Paliscak

eliz Marzo to everyone... especially everyone who signed up for Shave the Whale boat extravaganza. As I write this article, I am getting ready for an, “ALL ABOARD” the Eco Fun Boat to join in the fun times. As a repeat client and whale watcher, I can truly say…it is a blast and an awesome way to meet new friends, hang with our current

friends and see the amazing whales and sights right here in our sea! Ahhhh, March my favorite month of all in Rocky Point…the start of SPRING BREAK!!! And this “season” usually lasts a couple months long with all the different spring break times throughout Mexico and the USA. I look forward to seeing you all doing a little jig, a shot and a 69 song to celebrate the season! Well, the 2021 ROCKY POINT TIMES PHOTO CONTEST came to a conclusion this past month. Thank you for all of the entries into the contest. Some of them were downright hysterical and I again had to draw on some esteem members (ok, a few fun folks we met around town) of the community to help choose the winners this year. There were a couple entries that were really good but came with no name or phone # and I did try to respond a few times to gather the info, but there was no reply. But, we still had plenty of winning photos come in. Thank

you to EVERYONE who took the time to enter…As Mia Hamm has been quoted, “The person that said winning isn’t everything, never won anything.” Thank you so much to our fine friends from Manny’s Beach Club, Encantame Towers and Tekila Bar who donated and sported some super cool gift baskets for our winners. Please remember to thank our sponsors and go see them for a meal or a cocktail or even better…go buy a condo at Encantame Towers and be our neighbor forever! And now the drum roll please… 3rd place…Renee Gerard from Sedona!!! 2nd place…Michelle Jennings from Scottsdale!!! 1st place and our Grand Prize Winner goes to…Mary Ann Appleton from Playa Encanto right here in Rocky Point!!! Congratulations to all of our lucky winners. I sincerely wish everyone is staying safe and healthy. Hopefully, our music festivals and concerts return to us soon. Even without these though, you can always catch a cool band playing around town anywhere… just ask Hey Hey Hey Zeus (Jesus) over at Banditos :). Be good Rocky Point and always remember, life is like looking for your phone…most of the time, it’s right there in your hand! ADIOS AMIGOS GOD BLESS

By Nancy Phelan AKA “The Pack Leader”

"Making Rocky Point a better place to be an animal" Quote By Lannette Phipps

appy St. Patrick’s to all. Please take a look at the cats we have at the center. We are feeding over 50 cats and kittens and still need your help. Cats are abundant in Rocky Point though not as noticeable as the dogs and there are no other centers to care for abandoned, sick and hurt cats and kittens. We currently use 12 to 15 bags of dry cat food per month and 4 cases of canned food. If you can donate food to help feed the cats and kittens, it can be purchased locally. We are also in need of vaccines. I can order a quantity of 50 for about $300 USD. And some of our residents need a visit to the veterinarian. If you can help with food or veterinary costs, your donation would be greatly appreciated. And if you are interested in adopting a cat or a kitten, please contact me for an appointment. Donations can be made via Paypal at: nancy_phelan@yahoo. com or mail a check to our nonprofit corporation: AACORP, PO Box 1031, Lukeville, AZ 85341. Any amount will help and thank you in advance. 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

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Cloves

By Rosarie Salerno

he name of the spice known as clove, comes from the French word, clou, meaning nail. Cloves are aromatic dried flower buds from an evergreen tree native to the Maluku Islands located in Indonesia, historically referred to as the Spice Islands. It is believed a tree named Afo, is considered to be between 350 to 400 years old, currently lives on the island of Ternate in Indonesia. The Chinese, noted in 226 BCE, chewed the flowerets to freshen their breath. During the 16th and 17th centuries cloves were so precious that they were worth more than gold. It was one of the spices that motivated Columbus, in 1492, to seek a westward sea route to India and Magellan to circumnavigate the globe in 1522 CE. When Magellan's ship returned to Europe it was loaded with cloves and other spices. During the 1800s the Dutch gained control of the spice trade and began burning clove trees so that they would maintain the monopoly, to the dismay of the natives who held a tradition of planting the tree upon the birth of a child. Eventually, the monopoly was broken, and the price came down making cloves affordable to more than the very rich. For millenniums, cloves have been used to treat many ailments; as an antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral, analgesic, even for malaria and cholera, topically to treat acne, styes and sores. Its health benefits come from the compound, eugenol. Cloves are still used in the 5,000 year-old tradition of Ayurvedic medicine in India. During the 1800s cloves were found in United States’ medicines. In dentistry the oil was used for pain and as an antibiotic applied into cavities. Cloves will increase hydrochloric acid in the stomach, thereby, improving peristalsis. Other benefits of cloves are that it works as an anti-inflammatory agent, provides vitamin C, manganese, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acid. It can also be used as an ant repellant and to attract some species of bees. According to WEBMED cloves are used for upset stomachs and as an expectorant. Clove oil can be used for diarrhea, hernia, nausea and vomiting. If applied to the skin it has a counterirritant property and if applied via the mouth for throat inflammation. Cloves are also used in food preparations including Asian, African, Near and Middle Eastern dishes for curries and marinades. In Mexico

cloves are known clavos de olor. The Mexicans make a flavorful hot chocolate drink, called champurrado, by mixing together corn meal, milk, chocolate and cinnamon; since cloves and cinnamon are a great combination many people use the cloves for added flavor. Another Mexican favorite is bunuelos, a crispy deep-fried tortilla, sprinkled with sugar, cinnamon and ground cloves. Mexicans also use cloves in their sweet tamales. By letting coarsely ground cloves steep in very hot water, not boiling, for 10 to 20 minutes, then straining, will brew a mild to strong drinkable tea. Some people take some form of cloves every day to strengthen their immune system. When starting clove tea, it is recommended that small amounts be drunk every few days before drinking larger amounts because it may cause some digestive discomforts. Cloves are used to flavor gum and wines and can also be found in some toothpaste, soaps, cosmetics, and perfumes. Cloves should be stored in a tightly sealed glass container. Indonesians smoke a cigarette called kretec. The cigarettes contain about 80% tobacco and are considered more toxic than regular cigarettes because it's necessary to inhale harder. The cigarettes are also manufactured, exported and smoked in Europe and Asia; in the USA they are sold as a cigar. This industry employs about 10 million people. A popular tradition around the Christmas season, is to combine fresh oranges and insert cloves, that can be arranged in decorative patterns, creating a fragrant pomander. By pre-poking holes in the orange with a skewer or toothpick it will make it easier to push in the clove but, not too deep, so as not to pierce the rind all the way through the white pulp. Eugenol is known to slow blood clotting and should be avoided before surgery. Too much clove oil in the mouth can cause damage to gums and mucous membranes. It is possible to have allergic reactions or side effects from cloves. Excessive use can cause liver problems. As with any herb or spice before being used for health benefits never stop taking prescription medications and please consult with your health care provider. This article is for information purposes only and not to be taken as medical advice. As with any herbal remedy, you should consult with your health care professional. You should never stop taking prescribed medications without instructions from your physician.

For all your Bank Trust and Real Estate needs please contact me

Rosarie Salerno Consulting

rosariesalerno@hotmail.com (520)777-0018 (520)822-7507

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and Sommelier Edgar Salgado, who can suggest the perfect wine to compliment your dinner. Ask him about their 2008 Spanish Veronia Gran Reserva Wine that you can’t find anywhere.

By Lannette Phipps

restaurant, they issue you hand sanitizer and take your temperature as most local businesses are doing now. Garufa is open 7 days a week: Sunday through Thursday 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM; and Friday and Saturday from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Reservations can be made by calling (638) 688-0101 and they are located at Sandy Beach on Paseo Las Olas #2.

Oscar Castañón ~ Chef Beef Carpaccio

his month has been another feeding frenzy that took me from guac, pizza and stealing Jose’s fries at Boo Bar…to an amazing dinner at MOO’s Grand Opening… to Chef Mickey’s phenomenal shrimp and dates in gorgonzola sauce…to lobster at Mario’s and San Remedio in Guerrero Negro… to date shakes and Enchiladas Suiza in San Ignacio…then back to Guerrero Negro for Tony’s shrimp tacos…and finally home to Rocky Point for more shrimp and dates and macadamia nut crusted flounder at Mickey’s… oh, and then to Mary’s for leftover

Cowboy Steak

“Mary’s Chicago Style” pizza from Cheiky’s. (Yes, we do dine and hang out together…a lot!) I’m going to throw in a couple photos from Chef Mickey’s and MOO and will catch you up on their superb food and all the others next month, but this month we’re going to feature Mario and Alicia’s excellent dinner at Garufa’s. I was over on the Baja, so I didn’t get to go, but Mary and I plan to go soon, don’t we Mary? (haha)

Edgar Salgado ~ Somelier

Angel

Garufa Steakhouse is the place to go if you are looking for great ambience and a fantastic steak, not to mention their great wine selection. You can choose your own bottle or leave it up to Captain

Their server for the night was Angel who brought them fresh baked bread with butter and Argentina red salsa, chimichurri and aluvias or white bean salsa. Chef Oscar Castañon prepared and presented everything perfectly from their appetizers to main dishes. They started off the night with shrimp empanadas, beef carpaccio and clam chowder in a sourdough bowl, all of which were excellent, of course.

Lamb Lollipops at MOO

Blackened Grouper at MOO Salsas

Mario ordered the Argentinian Tenderloin (Lomo Argentino) which is served with a side of mushrooms in red wine sauce. For Alicia’s main course she ordered the Cowboy Steak with whole sea salt. Her steak was served with grilled onion, jalapeño and a side of asparagus. To top off the evening they opted for apple strudel and delicious Dulce de Leche Crepes flamed with liquor and Carajillo, which is Spanish Liquor 43 and Café Espresso – she said it was not sweet, but very good. They had a great evening and said that the service and attention was top notch. Upon entering the

Shrimp and Dates in Gorgonzola Sauce at Chef Mickey's

Bone Marrow at MOO

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BARB’S DOG RESCUE NEWSLETTER SORRY, NO VACANCY

By Bo & Linda Bernard

Our Older Dogs (A.K.A. Residents)

t’s a cold February night. Winter holds on stubbornly as another cold front pushes through. The absence of food, water and shelter has driven a mama dog to temporarily leave her eight newborn pups to search for something that will sustain her as she does her best to care for her brood. But the search is futile this night. She wearily returns to her tiny puppies in hopes that her body heat and the little milk she can manufacture in her dehydrated state can comfort them. Sleep comes slowly as hunger and anxiety grip her skin and bone frame. She will search again tomorrow. We saw a heartwarming article recently about a 14 year old dog named Wiggles finding her forever home after 11 years in an Illinois shelter. It really hit home for us, as over half of the dogs at Barb’s are considered full-time residents. For the most part, these are older dogs or dogs that carry the scars (blind, burns, amputations) of neglect or abuse. So, when one is lucky enough to find a loving family, even if it isn’t one of ours, it brings joy to our hearts. We get it. Everyone loves puppies. They are cute, cuddly, wiggly and full of possibilities. Older dogs are, well, old. They often prefer walks to runs and naps to playing fetch. But they are not without possibilities of their own. Their hearts are filled with love, and they make excellent companions…especially if you are of the age where you prefer walks over runs and enjoy an occasional nap on a sunny, spring afternoon.

the no-longer-wanted animals of Rocky Point. Polly is loving and affectionate and would make a perfect companion. She has been waiting a very long time for her forever home. Hopefully, the someone who will make her dream come true will be you. Polly and other ready-to-join-your-family pets can be seen daily from 10 am – 2 pm at Barb’s. How You Can Help

We are still limited by current border restrictions on the number of dogs we can transport each week. Consequently, we have many dogs that have been adopted and are simply waiting for transportation to their forever homes in Arizona. If you can help us transport a dog to his/her new owners, contact Barb or stop by the Rescue between 10 and 2 for more information. Our adoptive dogs have had all vaccinations, been spayed or neutered, and have the appropriate documentation to cross the border. And if you are a Rocky Point resident, please consider fostering a puppy (or two) in your home. The socialization and care you provide them is so valuable. Better still, adopt one of our adult residents. Rescue dogs make wonderful companions and will reward your generosity with undying love and affection. Each of these options opens up much needed space for other puppies and dogs who desperately need our help.

Meet Polly

Polly is a longtime resident and shelter volunteer favorite. She arrived at Barb’s nine years ago, undernourished and dehydrated, but lucky to have been found. She had been abandoned at the dump south of town, a common site for Please visit us online at http://www.facebook.com/BarbsDogRescue or our website: www.BarbsDogRescue.org or Barb’s Mexico cell: (638) 114-1659 or U.S. cell: (602) 774-1578 Email: barbsdogrescue@gmail.com

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Tony’s Mystic Whale Tours

The Experience of a Lifetime Continues… By Lannette Phipps

ell, I’ve just arrived back from my trip over to Guerrero Negro and what a fantastic week! A few things have changed this year, but the experience was pretty much the same and just as awesome as last year. This year Tony has added a whale migration lecture, guided salt plant tour, and some tourist shopping, so that was cool. The “hoochie-mama” bar was closed, so that was a bummer, but we made up for it lots of “parking lot parties” – lots of fun for us, but pretty sure the motel patrons didn’t appreciate, especially Room #3! The restaurants do have bars, and some have pool tables, and they were all open, but I was really looking forward to seeing Patti, Eileen and maybe even Keith and Frankie on the pole - there’s always next year!

Mario and Whale

Grey Whales come to visit

Yes, Guerrero Negro is still definitely on my yearly-to-dolist though next year I’m going to shoot for mid-March when the babies are bigger and more social. We did have a couple come close to the boat and I did see a super tiny newborn (if you can imagine a super tiny Grey Whale!). Last year we had a lot of calf action, but this year the Grey’s were still making babies so there was lots of lovin’ going on and “Pink Floyd’s” were making appearances – a sight one is not soon to forget. Now is a great time to book your trip for this month or next as there is already more baby action going on even since I left. Contact Tony Ballesteros at www. mysticwhaletours.com or give him a call at (520) 249-2337 or email him at tonyballesteros2@ msn.com. Back to last year…It’s Saturday night (I think) in Guerrero Nego at the “hoochie-mama” bar and in walks a bunch of Gringos. I don’t think it’s a sight they had seen in a while because we overheard Barbara calling her boss…her boss did come in a little later and didn’t give us the boot, so all was good. Patti and Dan played pool, Mary and Barbara worked the juke box, and Candy and I sat at the bar people watching and checking out the décor like

the giant stiletto shaped chair. Hmmmm. There was some line dancing, some pole dancing, and some shenanigans, but I won’t name names as to protect the guilty. The beer was cold, the entertainment was cheap, and a good time was had by all. We stumbled out of the bar, down the street, and back to our motel and were none the worse for wear the next morning. Good times! I did develop a bad case of laringytis sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning… Hmmmm.

I’m going to say that this conversation took place sometime Saturday night, probably at the bar, since our flight back home was the next day - and it didn’t go exactly like this, but it was definitely Mary’s idea… Mary: I don’t want to go home tomorrow. I want to go out and see more whales. We should stay! Why don’t we stay? Who wants to stay? Lannette, you want to stay? We can catch a flight later in the week.

Me, Mario and Alicia with Calf

So how did Mario and Alicia wind up in the photos in Guerrero Negro?

She was a BIG girl!

My shadow on the whale...see the eye and how huge the whales are!

Me: Sure, let’s stay, WTH! Long and short of the story… We stayed, but there was only one seat available on any flight back to Peñasco. So how do we (meaning me) get back home? Hmmmm. The first thing that comes to my mind is Mario and Alicia – they love adventure, and they don’t mind driving, so they can drive my truck down, hang out with the whales for a few days, and then we can all drive back. I shoot them a message and see if they want to come CON'T ON PAGE 48

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48 CON'T FROM PAGE 46

down. Of course, they do, but they can’t drive my vehicle since it is registered in the U.S. Crap. Okay, rent a car. Yes, rent a car! Does Rocky Point even still have rental cars? Luckily, Mario knows everything and everyone in town and finds a rental car in no time! We get all the details ironed out and they are to leave the next day after they pick up some items that Mary and I need.

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jeans for whale watching trips (they had already been worn for two days) and one semi-clean pair for outings. Next time, I will have my laundry washed. (I did get a couple new t-shirts once Mario and Alicia came with money.) Monday morning Mario and Alicia hit the road and Tony led Mary and I to some of the best birria I’ve ever had. The night before we had an excellent dinner at San Remedio, where we ate quite a few times this year as well. I mostly feast on lobster when in Guerrero Negro, but did spend a lot of time at Tony’s Tacos ordering shrimp tacos by the 3s. Tony’s serves up some of the best shrimp tacos I’ve ever had – rivaled only by Rocky Point’s own Blue Marlin in the Old Port.

Whale checking us out. The water was so calm and clear.

Things we didn’t think about when we decided to stay a week… We only packed clothes, medicine and toiletries for 2 days and we only brought enough cash for a couple of days as well…no bank cards or credit cards – actually I think I had 1 credit card that stopped working and Dan was kind enough to pay my $123 bill at the souvenir shop. (Bet he’ll never do that again since it only took me a year to pay him back!) So, the next couple days had us back and forth to each other’s rooms borrowing brushes, conditioner, pesos and other items one of us or the other ran out of. Mary was smart and had her laundry done while I thought I could tough it out and designate one pair of

These beautiful gentle giants don't even make a wake when they cruise by the boat.

If I remember correctly, I think we expected Mario and Alicia to arrive around 10PM so they would have plenty of time to rest up before we headed out for whale watching the next morning. We usually leave the motel by 7:30AM so that we get out on the water by 9AM. Well, it seems that something happened to Alicia’s map program or phone

or both and they ended up taking the long way though they didn’t know it at the time. When she called about 6PM that night and said they were in Ensenada, Tony asked me what they were doing there? I said something happened to her phone or map program and that’s where they ended up. He said they could’ve shaved like 5 or more hours off of the trip if they had come down the newly redone Hwy. 5 out of San Felipe over to Hwy. 1. Well, I couldn’t really tell them at that point in their journey that they had gone way out of their way. I didn’t want to make them feel bad since they couldn’t backtrack and save time, so I just kept quiet and told them to drive safely. They arrived somewhere between 2 and 3AM and were surprisingly energetic and eager to go see the whales the next morning. We went out a few times with Tony and his new group and we had a blast. Some days it took while for the whales to interact with us, but eventually we did get to see and touch babies as well as the biggin’s and the cannon ball jellyfish were still around, so we got to hold a couple of those. With each new group that came in, Tony let us tag along to dinner and to the salt plant tours so they got to experience all that as well. This year, due to Covid, we weren’t allowed to tour the salt plant, but were still able to see the outside of the operation, the giant salt hill, trucks, barges and overall operation. After a fun-filled week, we had to head home so we hit the road at 6AM so we could make it home by dark. Mary was flying out that same day and the took one last trip out with the group and, of course, she claimed it was the BEST outing of our ENTIRE

trip. Yeah, sure, whatever. I didn’t believe her until I watched her video and while I won’t admit it was the best, because how could it be if I wasn’t there, but it was pretty cool.

Surrounded by Grey Whales.

Each and every time out is a completely different experience. The comment I heard the most this year was how the actual experience is nothing like they imagined – you just can’t describe it no matter how awesome you make it sound; the real thing is SO much better. I did have a few new experiences this year like the newborn calf, getting to touch the mouth and baleen and my first belly rub ever – that was super awesome. Since whale season goes into April, I’ll write an article next month about this year’s excursion and girl’s trip down to San Ignacio...and my speeding ticket :/ If you have the means to go whale watching with Tony this year, I highly recommend the trip – it is an unforgettable experience. If you can’t make it over to the Baja, be sure to jump on one of our local charters to go out whale watching here in Rocky Point before the whales are gone.

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Quality Medicare Services Offered just 90 miles away

By Cholla Charli

here is great pleasure and serenity living here on the Sea of Cortez; and retirement is infinitely more affordable than in the United States. Apart from grandchildren, perhaps the single thing keeping retirees from making Rocky Point their full-time residence is medical care. The local clinics do a great job of dealing with day-to-day health issues at a surprisingly low fee; but it is still an out-of-pocket expense that Medicare and medi-gap insurance will not cover. At the suggestion of a friend here, my husband and I moved our medical records from our primary care physician in Lake Havasu City to the Desert Senita Community Health Center in Ajo. It’s just a little over a two-hour drive, the facility is first-class, and the medical and support staff are professional, cheerful and caring.

The Health Center has been ex panded and upgraded over the last four years to a high quality, comprehensive care facility.

The clinic provides routine medical exams and treatment. In addition to well-equipped exam rooms, the center has an on-site medical lab, X-ray, pharmacy, physical therapy, dental and vision services, and behavior health care. When a higher level of care is

The Desert Senita Community Health Center in Ajo is the closest facility providing comprehensive health care services to patients on Medicare.

needed, the Center’s referrals office works with facilities in Phoenix and Tucson to get patients the specialized care they need. Desert Senita is staffed by a year-round physician and a winterseason physician, numerous nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants, two registered nurses, an LPN, nursing assistants and support staff. All of them are dedicated to serving the health needs of their patients. CEO Jonathan Leonard said, “We put a significant focus on our culture as an organization, making sure that everyone sees themselves as an equal player. We strive to provide quality, local, affordable health care.” Twenty years ago, the center was designated a federally qualified health center, which requires a Board of Directors, at least 51 percent of whom are community members Leonard said, “The Board is focused on being sure the services we offer are those the community needs. Our business plan is built around serving patients with Medicare. “We coordinate with as many Medicare Advantage plans (and Medicare supplement providers) as we can. If a patient has a unique plan, we work to get into their network. That is not always to our financial advantage but when we are the only provider within 80 miles, it is important for the patients,” Leonard added.

A significant number of fulltime Rocky Point residents with Medicare now have the Ajo facility as their primary care location. Leonard said the Center is definitely open to new patients, whether they are full-time in Mexico or seasonal residents. Leonard explained that most people who have Medicare and travel do not choose an advantage or managed Medicare plan because the direct plan “gives them greater flexibility for how they seek services. It allows us to serve parttime residents.” Seasonal residents can request that copies of their medical records be sent to the Health Center to set up a situation with dual primary care providers. “When they return home, their treatment information is shared with their primary care provider at home,” Leonard said. “With our status as a federally qualified health center, we have to take full responsibility for the quality of care provided. To assure that, we work with your primary care physician back home to share information about treatment,” he explained. He recommends that patients request copies of their medical records and bring them into the Center in Ajo. When they return home, they can collect any record of treatment at the Center and take it to their other physician’s office. It is remarkable that this small, former mining town has such

quality health services. Leonard explained that the Center was started after the Phelps Dodge mining operation closed down. Two doctors moved into what had been the miners’ dormitory and started providing services to the community. From there, Phelps Dodge entered into a contract with Tucson Medical Center to provide administrative support for the Center. A consultant group working with TMC told the Phelps Dodge leadership that it would be better served by having the clinic be a federally qualified health center. “Once that status was gained, it opened us to different grant opportunities.” Leonard said. “The original grant came from Freeport-McMoRan Inc., which has owned the mine for several years. They continue to assure that all services around the mine and the community are taken care of.” In the last four years, the Center has gone from the most basic facilities and care, to a high-quality health center, and it continues to grow. For more information about the Center go to: https://www. facebook.com/desertsenita/ or to start the process to become a patient, call 520-387-5651.

CEO Jonathan Leonard (L) consults with full-time physician Dr. Jeffrey Lavoy in an exam room at the Center.

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