or Kim Barber's Buzzins' June 27, 2010
They may have been Favored, but they weren't the Favorite!
  
June 20, 2010
Calm Seas - Boggles the Mind
It's a breezy day, and as I sit here contemplating the waves, I find it nearly incomprehensible that a body of water, as large as the Sea of Cortez, could ever be completely calm. And maybe it can never be absolutely still, but it can come close.
June 19, 2010
We Completed CIPS!
It's sure been a full week. The course was great, so full of information. I haven't had time to digest it all and will likely be reflecting back on this week for a long time to come. It has changed my perspective of this world we all call home. Given me a new lense from which to view it, so to speak.
June 14, 2010
So Far Fascinating - CIPS Started Today!
Today I attended the first day of the 5 day Certified International Property Specialist course. It was hosted here in Puerto Penasco at the Las Palmoas Resort. I had contemplated a week in a classroom with some trepedation. The weather is great, I live by the sea, I wasn't sure if I wouldn't become a little cabin feverish as the week wore on.
I'm happy to report that the day zipped by. Great instructor and plenty of really interesting content. For example, some of the worlds poorest countries, also have such cumbersome processes of transferring ownership of property, that it can literally take years.
In Lima, Peru, there are 728 steps involved in transferring a title, in Haiti, the 111 steps take more than 4000 days, and in the Phillipines, their 168 steps take between 13 and 25 years! If it took a couple of decades to flip a house, well.....fascinating to explore the connections!
Also, food for thought, it seems countries with MacDonalds don't go to war with each other! (No I'm not endorsing MacDonalds), and we didn't spend much time on that one, just an interesting observation.
Puerto Penasco Average Temperatures | Month | Average High | Average Low | January | 56 | 33 | February | 59 | 35 | March | 66 | 42 | April | 75 | 49 | May | 81 | 58 | June | 87 | 66 | July | 90 | 70 | August | 88 | 68 | September | 84 | 63 | October | 75 | 51 | November | 68 | 43 | December | 59 | 36 |
URGENT NOTICE - Highway Census Poll The Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT in Spanish) will conduct a census poll on Highway 8 between Sonoyta and Puerto Peñasco where motorist will be asked Origin-Destination information on their trip and commercial vehicles will be weighed. The company doing this work is conducting this poll on ALL Highways in the States of Sonora and Chihuahua under contract from the Secretary. They had planned to conduct this census from the 24th until 28th of May but because of the latest incidents in the news, they have agreed to postpone it starting next Monday the 31st in the afternoon to set up equipment and the actual polling at 11:59 PM until Friday June 4th at midnight. This is a 24 hour operation. Signs will be placed one mile before the polling station and the personnel will be wearing the proper highway vests and identification.  Medical News SkyMed is an option you might also want to consider when travelling or living in Mexico. They are an airambulance service that will transport you to the hospital of your choice in the US or Canada. http://www.skymed.com/enroll.aspx click the link for more information.
Speaking of health...
-If you're vacationing in an area where you're concerned about the quality of local drinking water, don't forget that ice is often made from just that. To avoid possible infection, pack a few plastic ice cubes and keep them in your room refrigerator freezer.
-Did you know, Listerine is an effective, affordable mosquito repellant, put it in a spray bottle and spray wherever you play!
Memorial Day Weekend Memorial Day weekend approaches and once again we take another hit in the news. Here is a portion of an article that's been repeated all over the internet about a story that’s been reported, as well, on television news programs in the US:
NOGALES (KGUN9-TV) - The U.S. Consulate in Nogales issued a "warden message" - a warning - May 19 regarding travel to Puerto Penasco - Rocky Point - Sonora, a popular weekend vacation spot. Officials said there are unconfirmed reports that unauthorized checkpoints have been set up at night along Highway 8, the main road to Rocky Point, by "unknown persons at night." The consulate "strongly" advises travelers who plan to drive on Highway 8 to travel only during daylight hours. The announcement states: "At some checkpoints, motorists who have not stopped at unofficial checkpoints have been shot at and killed." However, no details on any shooting incidents was provided by the consulate.
On May 25 business leaders in Penasco met with the director of Mexcico’s Federal Highway Patrol, I’m happy to report he denied knowledge of any such occurances. Local police chief Erick Landagaray said the Consulate had issued a warning without a thread of truth. State and Federal Attorneys General also said there is no basis to these claims. Apparently the US consulate released unsubstantiated information, in violation of their own policy and in the process is harming this community, including about 100,000 US and Canadian citizens who enjoy living and doing business here. Please tell your friends, it’s as safe here as just about anywhere else, safer even than many places! Market Statistics - Things are Looking Up!
Property Sales
| Mar | Feb | Jan | Dec | Nov | Oct | Last 6 Mo | 18 | 9 | 10 | 15 | 13 | 13 | Previous year | 2 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 4 |
Puerto Mio is Under Construction!
Golf Tournament
Reminder - Las Palomas Golf Tournament is May 14 - 16, $300 entry fee covers food and beverage as well contact: laspalomasrockypointmexico.com
If You Have Pets~Warning!
Cocoa Mulch, sold by Target, Home Depot, and Foreman's Garden Supply, among others, contains Theobromine which can be fatal to dogs. It is manufactured by Hershey's, and apparently smells like chocolate. While Hershey's admits it can be dangerous, they claim most dogs won't eat it. There have apparently been fatalities however. So, if you use this particular mulch, watch that your dog doesn't eat it.
Easter Sunday Quake
 Well the most exciting event to happen around here lately was of course the Easter Sunday earthquake. At 7.2 it was the largest to hit Mexico since 2003, when a 7.6 struck offshore of Colina, killing 29 and leaving about 10,000 homeless. I'm glad to report that we fared much better, it was even an interesting experience.
I was on a sound, solid, cement, 2nd floor patio, it was rocking like a rowboat. It took a moment to realize I wasn't having bout of vertigo, a friend thought he was starting to have a heart attack - you just don't expect that it's the building that's moving, so your first reaction
is to think you're about to have some kind of health crisis.
Luckily there were no health crisis here, nor crisis of any other kind. It seems the town and all the residents survived more or less unscathed! Unfortunately the folks in Mexicali weren't so lucky.
San Andreas Fault
We were recently treated to this spectacle, right in front of our home. As the tide went out, this little, finger sized, octopus was trapped in a shell. He climbed out, and headed for the water, delivering a little message as soon as he was safely back in his element. (you can see in the bottom shot, octopus in upper left corner - little message in lower right (ink blob floating down :) ).
Here's a Fishing Report I liked:
WWFG Fishing Reports
Everything you need, you can find in our fishing reports
Santiago's Ocean Services
Puerto Penasco-Rocky Point, Mexico
The fishing, fun and excitement are always on the menu here in this awesome beach front community. Besides some great fishing on the north eastern side of the Sea of Cortez there are many activities happening for locals and tourist alike. From Mar 19 to Mar 31, 2010 there's the annual Jetski Race and Expo. Anyone can enter and come view new jet skies on the market. Friday nights, special pool tournaments at one of the local cantinas....and drink specials too. On sat Apr 10th Cholla Bay Club House is host to the 3rd annual CBSC horseshoe tournamnet. Big prize money and a whole lot of fun. At the Rocky Point Beach Club Jesse Gererdo performs live. So come on down to Rocky Point. Do some fishing, Groupers are running out around 22 miles. Just a few weeks ago we hit on some Golden Groupers. Only about 25 lbs but it's always the thrill of the catch. Call Santiagos Ocean Services at AZ # 602 324 9558 or visit www.santiagosoceanservices.com for reservations. Join in on the rest of the fun here in Rocky Point a short 4 hr drive from Phoenix or Tucson, AZ.
An Abundance of Upcoming Events:
- Aquacross Rocky Point 2010 - March 19 - 31 - contact frarolic@hotmail.com for more info.
- The Best Salsa Music in the World! - April 3, 9:pm, Hotel Penasco Del Sol
- CBSC Horseshoe Tournament - 3rd annual - 10 am, contact chollabayhoa.net for more info
- Jesse Gerrardo in concert - April 13, Rocky Point Beach Club - contact http://thesunsetcantina.com for more info
And more to come:
April 17 - Rockabilly Car Show
April 23 - 2ale 4 Triathalon
May 9 - Fun Run
May 14 - 16 - Fans of Rocky Point Bash
May 23 - 1st International Tortilla Festival - They're aiming for a Guiness world record for largest tortilla!
June 12 - Roger Clyne's Circus Mexicus
July 32 - 25, 2nd 2010 Summer Bash Because Health Care Shouldn't Hurt - Mexicare - $250 a year covers it all!  Here's an interesting article someone recently sent me: MEXICO CITY - It sounds like the perfect health plan: medical care with no limits, no deductibles, free medicines, tests, X-rays, eyeglasses, even dental work - all for a flat fee of $250 or less a year. To get it, all you have to do is move to Mexico. To read the entire article go to: http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2009/08/29/20090829biz-mexicare0830.html note: I have no personal experrience with this health plan - KB Puerto Penasco Home Sale Totals
This Year | Last Year | May ’10 - ? | May ’09 - 5 | Apr ’10 - ? | Apr ’09- 17 | Mar ’10 - ? | Mar ‘9 - 2 | Feb ’10 - 11 | Feb ‘09 - 7 | Jan ’10 - 11 | Jan ’09 - 1 | Dec ’09 - 20 | Dec '08 - 10 | Nov ’09 - 15 | Nov ‘08 - 9 |
Flying to Puerto Penasco, Rocky Point, Mexico
Airlines:
I've received numerous inquiries about flights to Penasco. I've heard on good authority that a deal has been struck with a major commercial carrier to start running scheduled flights through our new Mar de Cortez international airport in the next couple of months. I regret that I've been sworn to secrecy until the official announcement is made, however I will share information as soon as I am able. (We're all so excited - I can't hardly wait!)
March 30, 2010
Rock Bottom Prices at Various Resorts
  We've a fair bit of rain lately, for here. What a treat to drive to the border and see how green everything was in the desert.
Oh, not only was the drive from Puerto Penasco, Rocky Point, Mexico to the border at Sonoyta, Mexico, beautiful, it was peaceful as well.
Construction has begun and they mean business! Just the other night, I observed workmen burning the midnight oil. If you haven't heard, Puerto Mio will be a hotel/convention center, and home to theatres, restaurants and retailers. The city has responded by committing to an upgrade of the Old Port, Mirador areas. Power lines will be moved underground and roads repaved, and areas will be designated as pedestrian only. Apparently they're hoping to be up and running by end of summer, if they keep working those nights - they just might be! |