Executive Summary: Through selective reporting, presenting information without context and insufficient analysis, U.S. media outlets have helped perpetuate the mistaken perception that Mexico, including all of Baja California, is a "drug war crisis zone" unsafe for visitors. The net result is the conflation of President Felipe Calderón's campaign against the drug cartels with tourism in the minds of millions of ordinary Americans, who have chosen to travel elsewhere or stay home. Media coverage of the drug war crisis has thus spawned a second, equally urgent one: Rosarito Beach's economy, like those of other areas almost entirely dependent on American tourism, has suffered a devastating revenue decline of more than 75%.
Rosarito Beach and Baja California's other coastal towns have for decades been a popular destination for U.S. tourists. Their economies are largely dependent on American tourism, especially road-trip vacationers from southern California and the Southwest U.S. The region also has a high number of permanent American residents: an estimated 14,000 Americans (nearly 10% of the population) make Rosarito their home today. These communities' fortunes are therefore directly linked to how Americans view them.
Tourism to Baja California started to decline in mid-2008, as southern California media such as the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, and local TV news devoted more space and time to rising levels of cartel-related violence in some areas of Mexico. The story gained some national coverage during the year but it remained largely limited to outlets like the wire services and The New York Times. Consequently, it remained underreported to the vast majority of the American public. It should be less of a surprise, then, that Mexican tourism as a whole actually increased slightly in 2008 and the beginning of 2009 as Americans sought out high-value, low-cost destinations near home in the midst of the ongoing worldwide recession. ARE YOU SURE ON THIS? However, Rosarito, given its proximity to Tijuana, an area perceived by Americans to be under constant siege, did not share in this increase.
The situation abruptly worsened in late 2008 and early 2009, when media outlets across the U.S. began releasing stories en masse related to President Calderón's now-two-year old campaign against the drug cartels. A "perfect storm" of factors caused the increase. First, a US military report released in November, the "Joint Operating Environment 2008" (JOE 2008), outlined 25 years worth of speculative strategic scenarios including Mexico's "sudden rapid collapse" as one among many other more serious and likely possibilities. Second, as Calderón's campaign succeeded in capturing or killing cartel leaders, those that took their place displayed a level of brutality unknown to their predecessors. Third, a wave of kidnappings centered in the Phoenix, AZ area almost exclusively among people involved with drug and/or human smuggling fueled unsubstantiated fears that violence could "spill over" the border. All of this occurred as violence levels skyrocketed in border communities like Nuevo Laredo, Ciudad Juarez, and to a somewhat lesser extent, Tijuana.
As the story evolved from a pattern, to a trend, to ultimately a crisis, it gained ominous-sounding series names that did little to clarify its true complexity: "Mexico Under Siege" (LA Times), "Mexico at War" (Washington Post), "The War Next Door" (CNN), etc. The lack of context in most of these reports, especially prior to Secretary of State Clinton's visit in mid-March, only compounded the problem. In the case of the 56-page JOE 2008 report, for example, the contingency of Mexico becoming a failed state is mentioned in only two paragraphs. By contrast, the same possibility in Pakistan takes up a page and general issues concerning Russia and China, 3 pages each. Moreover, the report specifically disclaims, "this document is speculative in nature and does not suppose to predict what will happen." This was mostly ignored in ensuing news coverage, and instead the hypothetical case was reported and re-reported as a likely near-term event.
A U.S. State Department travel "alert" posted on February 20, 2009 – right before the crucial Spring Break season – for certain areas of Mexico was similarly misreported. One of two types of State Department notices, an "alert" suggests that travelers exercise caution in specific portions of a country due to a short-term condition, while a much stronger "warning" recommends avoiding an entire country because of endemic instability. This alert, essentially a renewal of one first issued almost three years prior, was regularly and inaccurately characterized as the latter. A State Department spokesman's March 6 clarification that the alert was not intended to direct tourists to completely avoid Mexico was often overlooked. Additionally, the limited geographic nature of the alert was often ignored: although Tijuana was mentioned by name (with qualifications), Rosarito was not, and the alert focused mainly on the hazards of travel to Juarez, a city over 600 miles away and never an American tourist destination to begin with. This would be akin to warning tourists away from the Jersey Shore in the 1920's because of mob clashes with the FBI in Chicago.
Another type of problematic reporting involves the recycling of high-drama crimes, usually involving Americans, without regard for when they actually occurred. While these stories are typically tied into ongoing coverage of the drug war, links to the cartels are made tenuously if at all. A December 28, 2008 "ABC World News" report told of a San Diego-area couple brutally robbed by armed men who broke into their RV, and also sexually assaulted the woman. Crucial background was omitted, however: the incident occurred 13 months prior and they were alone, away from tourist zones in an isolated area south of Ensenada, over 40 miles away from Rosarito. Further, they were extensively profiled by both local and national media in early 2008. Similarly, Anderson Cooper interviewed the crusading family of a kidnapped and murdered Mexico City businessman as part of an early 2009 "60 Minutes" piece. He, too, failed to mention that the incident occurred in 2006, before Calderón took office, and was already well publicized.
Because most news media tend to focus on conflict, but not places where conflict is absent, towns like Rosarito are rarely depicted. American audiences don't read, hear, or see that fighting between and against cartels is generally concentrated in far-away places and has not affected daily life on the ground there, especially for tourists. People uninvolved with drugs have not been targeted or victimized, nor have tourist areas been the site of violence. Even the recent assault in Acapulco was in the run-down former tourist corridor, which is several miles away from its current core. It is extremely unlikely that a foreign visitor would inadvertently end up in such an area. Similarly, the current front line of the campaign, Ciudad Juarez, is hundreds of miles away from Rosarito. Little or none of this below-the-surface detail makes its way into most media reports. Consequently, readers, listeners, and viewers are left with the impression that all of Mexico is a violent, lawless place ready to collapse, which is simply not supported by evidence.
Media rhetoric has evolved notably over the course of the crisis. Initially, it amounted to little more than occasional mention of a "Mexican" problem, then gradual recognition of its worsening even as it remained "theirs". This changed amid a climate of fear at the first signs the problem could potentially become an "American" one also. The narrative shifted dramatically after President Obama's inauguration, however, when he unprecedentedly acknowledged that American demand, rather than Mexican supply, fueled drug smuggling into the U.S. as well as its side effects in both countries. Secretary Clinton then explicitly proclaimed, "We stand with you!" during her March visit, a sentiment repeatedly bolstered by the President during his trip in April. Afterward, coverage of cartel-related violence began to include more nuance and careful reporting, but stories quickly faded in the early panic over the H1N1 (originally "Mexican") flu, which incidentally is now theorized to have originated in Asia.
U.S. media have largely focused on other topics since then, but the damage to Mexico is done: the entire country has been painted as a war zone, a depiction detached from reality in places like Rosarito. With the flu-related furor now abated, drug war stories are trickling out once again. Given the decline in extreme episodes of violence relative to earlier this year, coverage now centers on corruption and weapons trafficking. To be sure, the drug cartels remain a serious threat. As Secretary Clinton pointed out during her visit, these highly organized criminals use vast sums of money from American drug consumers to buy high-powered weaponry and ammunition in the U.S. and to smuggle them back over the border to circumvent Mexico's strict gun laws. Drug money is also used to buy off government and law enforcement officials, although Calderón's anti-corruption thrust now shows some signs of success.
One critical fact remains clear, however: there is no evidence or history of tourists being harmed by cartel-related violence. Further, the threat of so-called "spillover" violence into the border states that spawned a great deal of coverage in the pre-April period has failed to materialize. Nor has Mexico become the failed state so vigorously predicted earlier in the year. None of these facts are actively reported to the American public.
Rosarito has in fact taken an approach to press coverage that is uncharacteristically proactive for Mexican communities in a crisis. Specifically, Mayor Hugo Torres has aggressively attempted to meet and dialogue with journalists about problematic stories and factual inaccuracies. This important relationship, an essential component of effective crisis communication, has been mutually beneficial: journalists and interest groups have official input from the municipality and the Mayor, along with his staff, have developed a better understanding of the dynamics of today's media environment.
While violent confrontation between cartels and the military continues in parts of Mexico, the conflict has a minimal effect on life in Rosarito. The current plunge in tourism revenue is the unfortunate side effect of inaccurate reporting, speculative scenarios described as near-term probabilities, and the failure to put facts in their proper context. There are fewer camera crews and reporters in Mexico now, and in most cases, they never visited places like Rosarito in the first place. Unfortunately, the people of Rosarito are unfairly suffering the loss of their livelihood because Americans have been given the false impression that their lives are at risk if they visit. It is hoped that a calmer, more critical analysis of the facts can emerge, one that does not hide the truth, but accurately depicts life in Rosarito as welcoming, safe, and affordable.
"Baja (California) Media Analysis," prepared by Scott Hanning and Jeffrey Werner, Emerson Strategic Communication Group, for (Playas de Rosarito) Mayor Hugo Torres; Emerson Communication Group: Charmiant Corrado, Scott Hanning, Rob Rykowski, Jeffrey Werner and Professor Gregory Payne; Emerson College, Boston, MA
Every summer the wineries of Baja California, Mexico pool their talents and wares to host an amazing series of wine, food, music and cultural events throughout the region. Most of these festivities take place in Ensenada and/or the Valle de Guadalupe, with a few events in other areas. You may need to get a bank loan to attend some of the events, but if you're selective and practical you can enjoy some great wine, food and entertainment.
The Vendimia 2009 begins August 7th and continues to August 23rd. Summer temperatures during these events usually hover around 100˚F, so pace yourselves and hydrate with fresh water as needed. Due to the abundance of wine, it is suggested that you book lodging (ASAP) and spend the night near the location of the event. Hotel Plaza Fatima, Hacienda Guadalupe and Rancho Malagon B&B still have some rooms for the event season, if you act fast.
Two of my favorite events include "Noche de Cofradia en Ensenada," to be held this year on Tuesday, August 18th at 6 p.m. This is the most reasonably priced event and exposes your palate to about 30 wineries and local culinary establishments. Held at the seaport terminal, this competition matches wines with regional gourmet cuisine.
Another great day can be enjoyed Saturday, August 15 at 6 p.m., during the annual "Malagon Family Celebration" held near Francisco Zarco on a 500 acre ranch, vineyard, winery, and B&B. This family orientated event includes a horse show, live jazz and mariachi, an abundance of authentic Mexican/American food, and large samples of all their wines. In addition, their B&B is available for lodging during many of the other events, if you book early!
Here's the main schedule of events for August 2009
Friday August 7th at 7 p.m. is the 19th "Wine Experience" held at Centro Cívico y Cultural Riviera del Pacifico, in Ensenada. This fun "opening event" is a presentation of the wines, labels and vintages of Baja California, music, food tasting and art.
Saturday August 8th at 9 a.m. is the "XVII Concurso International Ensenada Tierra del Vino" wine competition, held in the Hotel Coral y Marina. Professional judges select the best wines in the competition.
Saturday August 8th at 8:30 a.m. is a golf tournament at Real del Mar Golf Club, sponsored by Hotel Calafia y Vinos Bibayoff. Happy golfers play "four man scramble," with a wine tasting at each hole, exquisite food samplings; followed by an awards dinner with prizes, raffle & auction.
Saturday August 8th at 9:00 a.m. is an informative and educational venue called "Winemaker Visits," held at most regional wineries where winemakers host visitors to taste and describe their wines. There are three of these events.
Saturday August 8th at 6:30 p.m. is a "Gala Dinner" held at Vinícola Adobe Guadalupe, featuring a formal dinner and wine auction for the rich and famous.
Sunday August 9th, with an early start of 7:00 a.m., lucky guests can ride on horseback for 20K with wine tastings at wineries in the Guadalupe Valley and lunch.
Sunday August 9th at 1:30 p.m. is the annual "Country Lunch" at Viña de Liceaga Winery, San Antonio de las Minas, featuring baked lamb, house wine and live music.
Sunday August 9th at 6:00 p.m. is the popular Monte Xanic "Sunset Concert." They present works from classical repertoire, accompanied by fine cheeses and house wine in a beautiful valley setting!
Monday August 10th at 6:00 p.m. is the second Monte Xanic "Sunset Concert."
Friday August 14th offers Jazz at EL Mogor winery at 5:30 p.m., with house wines and Mediterranean empanadas.
Friday August 14th at 6:00 p.m. Vinícola Viña de Liceaga, San Antonio de las Minas, presents a variety of local cheeses, accompanied by house wine and music.
Friday August 14th at 6:00 p.m. The Manzanilla Restaurant near the Ensenada harbor will present gourmet tapas matched with premium Viñas Pijoan wines. A popular event!
Saturday August 15th at 9:00 a.m. is another "Winemaker Visits," held in most Valle de Guadalupe wineries, where winemakers host visitors at their wineries to taste and describe their wines.
Saturday August 15th at 4:00 p.m. is an event not to be missed! You won't need a bank loan to enjoy this wonderful Russian family. "Russian Memories," at Bibayoff Winery, with Russian music, dancers, food and wines. All people are welcome!
Saturday August 15th at 6:00 p.m. is the Malagon Family Celebration held near the village of Francisco Zarco. A horse show, live jazz and mariachi with authentic Mexican/American cuisine and large samples of all their premium wines.
Saturday August 15th at 1 p.m. Party "To the Sounds of Vinisterra," held at the winery featuring gourmet food and music, along with some of Mexico's best wine.
Sunday August 16th at 6:30 p.m. is "Velada Italiana en Villa Montefiori," with Italian soirée at Villa Montefiori, opera music in the vineyard, Italian cuisine (traditional Italian food), wine tasting, music.
Tuesday March 18th at 6:00 p.m. is my favorite event of the season! "La Noche de Cofradia en Ensenada," to be held this year on Tuesday August 18th at 6 p.m. This is the most reasonably priced event and exposes your palate to about 30 wineries and local culinary establishments. Held at the seaport terminal, this competition matches wines with regional gourmet cuisine.
Thursday August 20th is the only free event, held at the Park in Ejido El Porvenir at 4:00 p.m., with music, local food and wine.
Friday August 21st at 7:00 p.m. is a presentation of artisan wine, olive oils, and other handcrafted products. Held at the "La Escuelita" wine school in El Provenir.
Friday August 21st at 7:30 p.m. is "Mexican Delights at Valmar Winery" in Ensenada. 19:30 Hrs. Deluxe dinner with a great variety of delicious Mexican dishes, paired with the best house wines, along with music and dancing.
Saturday August 22nd at 9:00 a.m. is the final "Winemaker Visits," where winemakers host visitors at their wineries to taste and describe their wines.
Saturday August 22nd, beginning at 2:00 p.m., is the famous Santo Tomas Winery Street Fair, with numerous artistic expressions, games, music, food and house wines.
Sunday August 23rd is the Grand Finale, at 12:00 noon, with the 18th annual "Paella Cooking Contest." Held at Rancho San Gabriel, San Antonio de las Minas. A very popular (always sold out well in advance) country contest for cooking rice paella style, sampling of paella and wines, dancing and music.
Have fun, be safe, don't drink and drive, hydrate during the events! It's probably a great idea to get on the wait list ASAP, as tickets sales are usually chaotic, confusing and presented at the last possible second before the events.
Also see "Plan Now for Baja California's 2009 'Fiestas de la Vendimia,'" by Steve Dryden, MexiData.info, 02/16/09
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Steve Dryden is a wine, food and travel writer living in northwestern Baja California, in the heart of Mexico's premier wine country, where he also guides individual and small group wine tours and books lodging. He can be reached via e-mail at sbdryden@hotmail.com or www.bajawineandtours.com.
This past Saturday, downtown San Diego played host to an unusual international culinary convention, as Mexican elected officials joined restaurateurs and business owners to present the finest flavors and tastes from Baja. More out-of-the-box thinking will be required if our southern neighbor is to emerge in a new era of border relations.
Entitled "Baja by the Sea," the free event at the Embarcadero Marina Park North brought out thousands of San Diegans interested in wine tastings, dishes and business ventures hailing from the coastal region. For many, it was an opportunity to be reintroduced to the culturally rich nation at our doorstep, and savor the traditional tastes of Mexican cuisine that are too often found homogenized and diluted for the Western palate in the United States. Though Mexican cities have been avid promoters of their local events and festivals, this new approach of bringing the best of Baja to San Diego was a successful outreach effort to prospective tourists and customers that haven't crossed the border in some time. Praise is deserving of Baja California Gov. José Guadalupe Osuna Millán and Tijuana Mayor Jorge Ramos, who were on hand with the mayors of Mexicali, Rosarito, Ensenada and Tecate to showcase and support their region, and to the Port of San Diego and Baja tourism boards who sponsored the occasion.
Baja by the Sea was a bright spot for a region that has been unfairly swamped by negative news headlines, evoking fear and hysteria from the international community. The recent dramatic drug-related violence has been largely a response to the successful efforts of Mexican law enforcement officials to crack down on the illegal drug trade and capture key cartel leaders over the last decade, spurring volatility and brutal power grabs among the criminal hierarchy. Frenzied media reports over the "swine flu" and its supposed Mexican origins were proven to be overblown this year, as the 117 confirmed global deaths to date failed to produce the speculated worldwide pandemic, and pale in comparison to the fact that the regular seasonal flu kills up to half a million people each year. But the subsiding of the health hysteria did not come before Chinese government officials indiscriminately detained and quarantined Mexican nationals this spring, and one San Diego congressman calling for the White House to shut down the U.S.-Mexico border to protect Americans from the "serious threat" of swine flu. Few have come forward to reproach these damaging public overreactions that have had a powerful psychological effect on whether tourists visit Mexico, which in the Baja region has seen a decline of American visitors for years.
According to statistics from the Tijuana Convention & Visitor's Bureau, the total number of estimated Americans crossing the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa Ports of Entry (including U.S. citizens living in Baja and working in San Diego) in 2008 was 42 percent below 2004 figures. More recently, the total American border crossings in the first three months of 2009 are fewer than at the same time last year. This bleak trend may be compounded by new U.S. border crossing requirements beginning this week for passports and new identification cards to be used by visitors to Mexico and Canada in order to re-enter the country. Whether these new security demands will negatively impact tourism remains to be seen, but they should give urgency to Mexican officials to adopt innovative strategies to marketing tourism and foreign investment opportunities to their U.S. neighbors.
With Baja by the Sea the first attempt at a new annual event, Baja promoters should weigh the merits of establishing a permanent showroom in San Diego for residents to experience and learn about regional fare and visitor destinations. Consider the success of the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center, established in 2005 to present the "bounty of the county," highlighting the many boutique wineries and agricultural products that are grown regionally and too often, unknowingly. Nestled across the San Diego Convention Center, the Culinary Center doubled in size in 2007, and continues to host fun and educational gastronomic events for tourists and locals alike in a wine tasting room environment. A downtown Baja Wine & Culinary Center could showcase the dozens of vineyards that thrive in a rich, Mediterranean-like climate along a charming countryside that evokes memories of Napa County before its mass commercialization. Most Baja wineries are small, family-owned operations that produce 5,000 or less cases per year, and could benefit from the exposure, especially to those who have been hesitant of visiting the Baja region. Michelle Martain, whose family owns the outstanding Cavas Valmar Winery in Ensenada, favored the idea of a full-time tasting room in San Diego. "We try to promote our products through events, but if there was an opportunity for something like the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center, it would be wonderful; there is so much to proudly offer," said Martain.
Though the San Diego-Baja economy is trudging through tough economic times, our outlook is stronger from changing perceptions and adopting innovative approaches to bi-national tourism. Martain is optimistic about the future of the Baja region, as "there is a lot to discover in Baja, sometimes the news dramatizes what is
About 1 million adult Californians seek health care in Mexico each year – and that figure is likely growing as the recession expands the ranks of the uninsured who are drawn to cheaper care south of the border, said the lead researcher of the first major report on the topic released Tuesday. These people live from the Bay Area to San Diego County. Most come to Mexico for prescription drugs and dental care, and a smaller number go for surgeries. Beyond finances, other factors prompting individuals to head south include language and cultural barriers. Living within 15 miles of the border also greatly increases the likelihood of someone obtaining health services in Mexico. Angela Tapia, 45, of San Ysidro crosses the border several times each year to see her gynecologist. She also had back surgery in Tijuana a decade ago. “It's cheaper to go there,” said Tapia, who doesn't have health insurance. “When you go to those doctors, they give you time, they ask a lot of questions and they care about you.” Roughly half of the cross-border patients are Mexican immigrants, a statistic that might challenge the popular notion of Mexicans burdening California's hospitals and clinics by receiving all of their health care on this side of the border, said UCLA public health professor Steven Wallace, lead author of the new report. “What this helps document is that (some) immigrants are facing barriers to receiving care in the United States, and they are turning to Mexico for that care,” said Wallace, who also serves as associate director of UCLA's Center for Health Policy Research. “And it's not just immigrants facing barriers here.” Approximately half a million U.S. citizens living in California also seek health services in Mexico, Wallace and his UCLA colleagues found. Altogether, about 4 percent of adult Californians traveled to Mexico for some type of medical care. Wallace's study was published Tuesday in Medical Care, a journal for the American Public Health Association. He and his fellow researchers based their analysis on data from the 2001 California Health Interview Survey, which questioned more than 55,000 random households across the state. The wide-ranging survey, conducted once every two years, is funded by a coalition of agencies and groups including the state Department of Public Health, the National Cancer Institute and the California Endowment. Those done since 2001 have not asked about accessing health care south of the border. Wallace's group was the first to delve deeply into the statistics on medical treatment in Mexico. Previous research relied on anecdotal accounts or small localized populations. The cross-border trend likely will intensify as the number of Mexican immigrants living in California increases and the recession costs more people their jobs and health insurance coverage, Wallace said. Between 2001 and 2007, the population of Mexican immigrants in California grew by 756,000 to 4.6 million, according to the Center for Immigration Studies in Washington, D.C. “The numbers that are bad in this study have only gotten worse,” said Margaret Laws, director of the California HealthCare Foundation's Innovations for the Underserved program. “Under the current climate, they will continue to get worse.” The UCLA researchers found that more than 13 percent of Mexican immigrants traveled to Mexico for care, with the largest number visiting dentists. Such patients make up the diverse range of U.S. residents who visit the Bartell Dental Clinic on Avenida Revolucion in the heart of Tijuana's tourist district, said Dr. William Bartell Jr. “Probably 95 percent of my clientele are self-employed or their jobs don't provide any dental insurance,” he said. The clinic, which has a Web site that targets Americans, sees about 10 patients a day – nearly all from north of the border. That's enough to keep three full-time and several part-time dentists busy, Bartell said. Mexican immigrants who lived in California for less than 15 years were less likely to cross the border for care than those who had been in the country longer, the UCLA report said. Many shorter-term immigrants are undocumented, so they face risks every time they leave the United States and try to return. Among all other Californians, the top health-related reason for going to Mexico was to purchase prescription drugs. Much attention has been given to doctors performing cosmetic and weight-loss surgeries on Americans in Mexican cities such as Tijuana. But Wallace found that only 7 percent of the 464,000 non-Latino Californians who sought treatment across the border went there for medical procedures, including surgeries and treatments for serious illnesses like cancer. Health insurers offering relatively low-cost coverage plans that allow Southern Californians to receive care on both sides of the border should be encouraged by the study's findings, Wallace said. In fact, several of the largest players in the cross-border insurance market have recorded steady growth in recent years. Membership in Health Net's U.S-Mexico plan has reached 40,000, up from 23,700 in late 2007, said Brad Kiefer, a spokesman for the health maintenance organization. Sistemas Medicos Nacionales S.A., the only Mexican HMO licensed to operate in California, now has about 21,000 members in San Diego and Imperial counties, said Christina Suggett, the company's chief operating officer. Staff writer Sandra Dibble contributed to this report.
By Keith Darcé, Union-Tribune Staff Writer
ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---This tourist destination reminds visitors from the United States that as of June 1 they’ll need a passport or similar document to re-enter the U.S. by land or sea.
That is the date for full implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Since January 2007 the requirements have been in effect for air travelers returning from Mexico or Canada.
Under the provisions, U.S. citizens age 18 or older re-entering the country will be required to show a passport, passport card, or approved traveler document such as a NEXUS or SENTRI pass.
Previously, a birth certificate and proof of identity were sufficient. For those under 18, a birth certificate still will be acceptable. Full requirements and application procedures are available at www.cbp.gov
Rosarito has posted notice of the changes on its Convention and Visitors Bureau website (www.rosarito.org) and shared them with city businesses and residents, which include an estimated 14,000 U.S. citizens.
The new requirements, according to U.S. officials, are intended both to make the border more secure and speed processing by providing inspectors with a more standard set of re-entry documents.
“We hope that the transition goes smoothly and that the new procedures do indeed make the border crossing more efficient for our visitors and others who use it,” said Rosarito Beach Mayor Hugo Torres.
The San Ysidro port of entry, used by many of the one-million annual visitors to Rosarito, is the busiest border crossing in the world.
Affordable quality health care available in Baja California
In response to a recent column discussing the attractiveness of Tijuana’s medical services to many San Diegans and others from Southern California, a reader commented that it was wrong to promote a service at the expense of local doctors. Another declared medical care in Mexico was not at par with local standards and people were at risk by going to Mexico. And of course the presently popular warning that one risks one’s their very life crossing into war-torn Tijuana.
The biggest promoter for seeking medical services in Tijuana, and indeed all of Baja California, is the high cost of medical services for millions of Southern Californians, especially the seven million who lack coverage of any type.
Even the 17 million who are covered often face harsh limits such as high deductibles and co-payments for services and medications. Those costs themselves sometimes keep people from seeking services.
The un- and underinsured who turn to medical services in Baja, with Tijuana being the central point, are finding prices 40 percent to 80 percent less than those in Southern California.
Among the insurers seeking these patients as customers is Blue Shield’s Access Baja HMO Health Plan. It requires clients live within 50 miles of the border and covers most of San Diego and Imperial counties.
In Baja, just like in California, the quality of medical treatment is dependent on the quality of the medical practitioners. Blue Shield investigates and contracts with medical providers in Tijuana, Tecate and Mexicali to assure the quality of health care along with the contractual obligation on costs and co-payments charged to members of the program.
HMOs offering services to state residents are governed by the California Knox Keene Act of 1975. The act was amended in 1998 requiring HMOs offering services out of the country be licensed and regulated by the state of California. In 1998 a number of Mexican medical facilities applied for such a license, but only one was actually granted.
The company, SIMNSA, is thriving. It owns its own medical facilities and has on its staff about 200 physicians covering more than 50 specialties. It has its own dental, vision and complete lab services and contracts with leading area hospitals for inpatient care as needed.
SIMNSA is the only out-of-country HMO licensed to sell group insurance in California where the insured members can only obtain the service in Tijuana or the SIMNSA facilities in Tecate and Mexicali. Every year SIMNSA undergoes a state audit on services, complaints, costs, etc. Like Blue Shield, SIMNSA also is also restricted to offering the insurance within 50 miles of the border.
Separately, insurers Aetna and Health Net have made deals with SIMNSA. Since SIMNSA is the owner and operator of its own facilities in Baja, both Aetna and Health Net offer medical group insurance within the 50-mile restricted region offered to companies with a high percentage of Hispanics employees.
The savings can be significant. For example, a group premium covering a family of four can cost $1,000 a month. The SIMNSA premium is around $400, with no deductible and in most cases no co-pay.
Delta Dental offers dental group insurance on a 50-50 coverage and co-pay. A crown in California is around $800. At Denti Center in Tijuana, a Delta Dental approved source, the cost is $400. The amount that Delta Dental pays thus covers the entire bill, saving the insured $400.
At Excel Hospital in Tijuana, cardiovascular surgery is performed by Dr. Jose Hernandez, renowned on both sides of the border for his skills. An open-heart surgery that can cost up to $100,000 in California costs around $20,000 in his state-of-the-art hospital.
Similar high-percentage savings are realized on many other treatments, for example, such as weight loss, plastic surgery and hair transplant. As always, care must be exercised in choosing the right doctor, regardless the side of the border.
Patrick Osio Jr. can be reached at posiojr@sandiegometro.com. The veteran consultant has participated on writing scripts for documentaries on Baja California real estate, medical services, and retirement information at TransBorderCommunications.com.
As of April 1, 2009 Roganto and Malagon wineries have formed a partnership with their wine tasting room and wine bar in the Adobe Shopping Mall, on First Street in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. This cozy wine outlet is located inside a modern shopping plaza originally designed for cruise ship guests who walk along Lopez Mateos (First Street), with an additional side entrance at #69 Gastelum.
The Adobe Shopping Plaza is centered between Ruiz and Gastelum, at #490 First Street, and it features thirty foot tall entrances and ceilings, modern sculptures, artwork, custom jewelry, and specialty gift items.
The wine tasting room is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm – providing guests and local wine lovers an opportunity to purchase wine from two of Mexico's top wineries at winery prices with no middleman interference.
Roganto Wine, or Vides y Vinos Californianos S.P.R. de R.L, is considered by experts to be one of the top wineries in Mexico. Their 2005 Tempranillo has been awarded top reviews by international wine experts and judges. Currently only about 100 cases of the wine are available for purchase, by the taste, glass or bottle, from the new wine tasting room. This 2005 Tempranillo was aged in a combination of various new oak barrels for ten months, and it is a prime example of a top quality Mexican wine.
In addition, wine lovers can purchase the 2005 blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon, or the superb 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. About 80 cases of the Temp/Cab blend (aged in new oak for 22 months) remain, and 100 cases of the Cabernet (22 months in new French oak) are available by the taste, glass or bottle.
The Roganto winery is technically a boutique winery in size and production, but the wines are artisan in quality. Their state-of-the-art winery is truly a hidden treasure of Ensenada, located behind a well drilling and commercial pump business – just a few miles south of downtown on Reforma Avenue.
Two wine enthusiasts, Rogelio Sanchez and Antonio Luis Escalante, have teamed up to create the remarkable Roganto wines. One of their newest premium wines is an incredible 2007 Sauvignon Blanc. It's not a traditional herbal and grassy tasting wine typical of this varietal, but an elegant wine with tropical fruit, guava, pineapple and pear on the nose, refreshing, crisp, well balanced and delicious. The production was limited to 550 cases, with fermentation in stainless steel tanks and no oak barrel aging. These two dedicated local winemakers also create two distinct Chardonnay wines, one with stainless steel fermentation and no oak barrel aging ($22), and another excellent Chardonnay aged in new French oak for 22 months, which will be featured soon in the new tasting room.
Nathan Malagon of Viñedos Malagon Winery near Francisco Zarco, in Valle de Guadalupe, is the new partner of the Roganto-Malagon Tasting Room. According to Nathan, "both Roganto and I wanted to provide visitors and local wine lovers in Ensenada an opportunity to explore our wines. Due to the fact that our wineries are located in remote areas, we've teamed up to bring our wines directly to wine consumers with our winery pricing. In addition, by May 1st we plan to be open on Friday and Saturday nights until midnight, so on weekends we'll transform into a wine bar and lounge."
Renowned Orange County Peruvian Chef Ennio Rocca will be offering his famous Peruvian-Italian-Mexican fusion entrees on Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon until 5 pm. Currently the tasting room offers free paella on Wednesdays with the purchase of a glass of wine, and cheese cake topped Malagon's lemoncetto at $3 per slice – everyday.
Ennio Rocca has been a leading chef in the Laguna Beach and Newport Beach areas for over 25 years. He's originally from Peru and is in the process of transitioning from Laguna to become a contributor to Ensenada's "culinary renaissance." He's well-known for his style of cooking that combines a blend of Peru, Italy and Mexico cuisine, seasonings and flavors into culinary delights that pair well with premium wines.
Viñedos Malagon is known for growing quality "old vine Grenache." In fact, one of their three premium wines won gold this year in the 16th International Wine Competition in Ensenada, and their 2006 Reserva received 92 points from Wine Spectator Magazine.
One of the first winemakers in Valle de Guadalupe to explore the old vine Grenache grapes at Rancho Malagon was Jose Luis Durant, a Chilean oenologist, then the winemaker for Pedro Domecq. Jose was the original winemaker and consultant for Viñedos Malagon. He came to México in the year 2000 to work at the Casa Pedro Domecq and now owns his own wine company: Sinergi-VT. His natural talent for creating superb Mexican wines has made him well-known and much respected in the region. In addition to having worked for Viñedos Malagon, he currently works for local wineries Agrifolia and Norte 32, and owns a partnership in the winery Vinos y Terruños, Icaro.
Jose Luis Durant is one of Mexico's top creative wine artisans, and he has helped Nathan Malagon in creating three phenomenal wines. Their 2006 Equua is a magical blend of 70% old vine Grenache and 30% Petite Sirah, aged in oak barrels for 12 months. They just released their 2007 Equua with a slightly different blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Petite Sirah. It's very distinct, rich, full of character, and of excellent quality. The 2007 Reserva is their most elegant wine, an outstanding blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% old vine Grenache, 14% Petite Sirah, and 6% Merlot, aged in new French oak barrels for 12 months.
The Malagon family is becoming a serious player in Mexico's emerging wine culture. In addition to creating great wines they host an amazing B&B operation. The Rancho Malagon bed and breakfast facility is centered in a courtyard that features a cantina, private kitchen and dining area with a fireplace. Four deluxe room options are available to meet your specific needs. The "Grenache Suite" features a spacious living room area with sofa, a queen bed, and a large private bathroom. This room also features a private patio looking out into the beautiful gardens. The "Green Room" includes a queen size bed, private bathroom and balcony with a sitting area offering a majestic view of the mountain range. The "Blue Room" includes two full size beds with one private bathroom and balcony with sitting area featuring a view of the mountains.
Many guests rent the entire complex to host family, friends and clients. The ranch reflects the traditional values cherished by the Malagon family and showcases their respect for nature, conservation, preservation of the land and the Baja California ranch lifestyle. And somehow their wines seem to capture that same essence via the expression of the old vine roots that are deeply woven into the native soil of the valley, transforming mature fruit into rich, complex wine that speaks volumes about the strength and determination of the abandoned vines that waited patiently for decades for someone to discover their palate pleasing treasures.
Rancho Malagon, or Viñedos Malagon, is a "hidden jewel" located in the village of Francisco Zarco in Valle de Guadalupe. This family owned 400 acre ranch, vineyards, winery, and bed and breakfast gets a gold medal for hospitality, first class service, romantic ambiance, hidden location, and for creating fantastic wines. Until recently this amazing private estate has been "a little known haven" for select friends and members of the Malagon family whose relatives have owned the property for several generations.
One would never have guessed that such a special ranch exists behind the village of Francisco Zarco, where lucky guests experience a stunning setting with valley and mountain views, an abundance of natural beauty, blessed with wealth of peace and tranquility. The ranch was originally a Russian homestead, established in the early 1900's by Molokan settlers. In 2000 Jose Luis Malagon purchased the ranch from relatives with the vision of creating premium wine crafted from old vine Grenache grapes planted over fifty years ago on his property. Over the years, with the help of his wife, children and friends, they've created the perfect Baja California retreat.
Next time you're in downtown Ensenada, stop by and sample wines from two premium wineries of Baja California. The tasting room will be featuring guest wineries each month as well as hosting special events. Guests from the cruise ships who purchase a case of wine will be offered free transportation to the port, and local residents can use their free taxi shuttle if they live within five miles of the tasting room.
This summer Roganto wines will be available for tasting and purchase at the Rancho Malagon tasting room in Valle De Guadalupe, and Malagon will be hosting another unique food and wine event this summer during Baja California's Fiestas de la Vendimia in August.
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Steve Dryden is a wine, food and travel writer living in northwestern Baja California, in the heart of Mexico's premier wine country, where he also guides private and small group wine tours and books lodging. He can be reached via e-mail at sbdryden@hotmail.com or www.bajawineandtours.com.
Mexico's drug mayhem closer than we think
Of all the comments made recently about the drug-related murders in Mexico, among the most disappointing came from our new president.
Speaking at his recent prime-time press conference, Barack Obama declared that his administration would take a greater role in battling Mexican drug cartels. The number of agents at the border will more than double; extra resources will go to damming up the flow of guns into Mexico; and enhanced cooperation with Mexican authorities is promised.
Obama said these measures would ensure "that the border communities in the United States are protected and you're not seeing a spillover of violence, and that we are helping the Mexican government deal with a very challenging situation." With all due respect, Mr. President, the violence is already here. Take in the nightly news broadcast in virtually any major U.S. city, and you'll see drug-related violence is rampant. For that matter, it spread long ago to places such as Omaha and Nashville and Kansas City.
Oh, I know what Obama was referring to. He meant the outlandish bloodshed Mexico has suffered since President Felipe Calderon took office and declared war on drug cartels. A horror movie director couldn't have scripted the gore any better. Torture and murder between drug rivals are common, as are the beheadings of federal police who are trying to break the cartels and ferret out those in their own ranks who are involved. The tally of death rises daily, with more than 7,200 murders since the beginning of 2008. This kind of violence € ¦’· which threatens to plunge Mexican society into chaos € ¦’· has stayed south of the border. But let's be honest. It wouldn't happen, and couldn't happen, without accomplices on this side. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton got nearer to this truth recently in a startlingly frank comment as she set off to Mexico to meet with Calderon. "Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade," Clinton said.
Bravo, finally a public admission of complicity from the top of the political food chain! However, let's not stop at the Saturday night coke fiends, bong hitters and meth heads. Let's talk about the businesses on this side of the border that supply the high-powered weapons to the Mexican cartels.
Let's talk about how the money gets laundered state-side. It's all well and good to send a few more platoons of Homeland Security agents to the border, and to send Blackhawk helicopters and all manner of surveillance gizmos to Mexico. But our foremost efforts need to remain on this side of the border, where presumably they can have their greatest impact. Federal agents need to use every available measure to break the cartel's foothold in the States, much as they did with the Mafia. A huge portion of the drugs consumed in the U.S. are ferried up through Mexico. We're a $65 billion market for the cartels. The Mexican drug lords did not seize the U.S. drug market overnight, but it did occur in something of a vacuum of concern. We've had our share of drug violence, to be sure. We're just not inclined to assign responsibility to anybody but drug users and inner city folks caught up in the mess for quick profits or to feed their own addictions.
For too long Americans have been anesthetized to drug violence because the stories are so familiar and yet so distant from our own lives. Yet another poor black or Latino killed as they grub at the bottom rungs of the drug trade. Change the channel.
Only now, with the violence of Mexico threatening tourism there and terrifying people living in states such as California, Texas and Arizona, is the public becoming concerned. And yet, even President Obama doesn't readily make the connection. Yes, the reign of terror is unfolding in Mexico, but it is hardly "contained" there. It's here, it's entrenched, and it's not going away on its own.
TIJUANA — Some people won't cross the border for fear of the violence they hear about on the news. Others dread the long waits to cross the border back to the United States. And many are not spending the way they used to because of the poor economy. Whatever the reason, the reality is that U.S. tourism to Tijuana and the rest of Baja California has sunk. The business sector, along with local and state governments, is trying new ways to persuade tourists to cross the border, especially as spring vacations begin. "We don't have the tourism we used to have some years back," said Jessica Lucero, assistant director of the Tijuana Convention and Visitors Committee, the agency behind the initiatives. "We're looking to create new strategies so tourists will come back." According to the committee's director, Jahdiel Vargas, the number of tourists who crossed from San Ysidro to Tijuana in 2008 fell by 10 percent. Farther south, the drop felt like a plunge, said Jean-Loup Bitterlin, owner of the El Rey Sol restaurant and the Posada Rey Sol hotel in Ensenada. Bitterlin estimated that the number of weekend visitors to Ensenada dropped by 80 percent last year. "We're facing a lot of challenges," he said. The Cruce Rápido/Fast Track program, launched in January, gives U.S. tourists who spend at least 1,000 pesos (about $66) at participating establishments a pass that allows them to use a designated lane at the San Ysidro crossing with a shorter wait. On an average weekend, wait times in the regular vehicle lanes can reach three hours, but the dedicated lane reduces the wait to 30 to 45 minutes, said Lucero, the pilot program's coordinator. The goal is for tourists who use this incentive to wait no more than 15 minutes to cross the border, she said. About 20 hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses in Ensenada, Rosarito Beach and Tijuana have enrolled in the program. To participate, businesses buy 50 passes for $100. The dedicated lane is on the left side of the San Ysidro crossing and is marked by signs that guide tourists from Zona Río and Second Street (Calle Segunda) in downtown Tijuana. Upon reaching the booth at the entrance to the lane, which is also for customers using medical services, drivers present to a police officer the pass and a receipt that confirms their purchases. The driver then proceeds to the U.S. gates. Lucero said 34 tourists have used the lane since January, when the program began. Publicity about it is just beginning, and the visitors committee is creating maps with directions to the special lane to hand out to tourists who get the passes, Lucero said. Bitterlin, the Ensenada restaurateur, was the first to sign up to participate in the program. "I believe in it because it creates an incentive for tourists," he said. Another effort by tourism officials is the "120 Things to Do in Tijuana" promotion. The campaign makes various suggestions for visitors, including things that are unique to the city. It began Saturday and will last 120 days, until July 11, when Tijuana will celebrate its 120th birthday. The association also created a Web site – 120thingstodointijuana.org – where users can upload pictures and tell stories of their visits to Tijuana, said Vargas of the visitors committee, which created the campaign. At the completion of the campaign, the person who participates the most on the site will receive a prize that has yet to be determined, Vargas said. "We're going to show all the positives, all the good things Tijuana has to offer," Vargas said. Pablo Jaime Saínz is a contributor to the Union-Tribune's Spanish-language newspaper, Enlace. BUSINESSES PARTICIPATING IN FAST TRACK ROSARITO BEACH Rosarito Beach Hotel Festival Plaza Hotel Calafia Hotel Brisas del Mar Hotel Las Rocas Resort & Spa La Casa de la Langosta Grand Baja Resort Puerto Nuevo II restaurant Fausto Polanco ENSENADA El Rey Sol restaurant and Posada El Rey Sol hotel Adobe Guadalupe Estero Beach Hotel Cortez Hotel Desert Inn Hotel El Cid Sano's Playitas Club del Mar TIJUANA Vita Spa Corona Plaza Hotel Real del Río Hotel
Writing From Washington -- Last month, a hit squad sent by a Mexican drug cartel brazenly broke into the homes of nine police officers in a ranching town in northern Mexico. They kidnapped the officers, piled them into a convoy of SUVs and sped off into the night.
After being summoned by local authorities, troops from Ciudad Juarez, 80 miles to the north, located the convoy and fought a running gun battle with the kidnappers. When the smoke cleared, 21 people were dead, including six policemen who had been tortured and murdered before the soldiers could save them.
Even in Mexico, where a spiraling drug war has claimed more than 7,000 lives in the last 15 months, the scale of the violence was shocking. But in one respect, the shootout represented a breakthrough.
Soon after the bullets stopped flying, a Mexican military officer called a trusted U.S. contact and offered to let American officials inspect the weapons taken from the hit men. The guns were mostly AK-47 knockoffs, and U.S. agents traced them to a dealer in El Paso, just across the Rio Grande from Ciudad Juarez. The dealer was already on trial for arming the cartels. He now faces new charges.
Mexico is not the failed state that some pundits have warned about, but the crisis is undeniable -- and it cannot be addressed without the United States and Mexico working together to combat crimes that respect no border. But our response must be respectful of our long partnership with Mexico.
Today, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a field hearing in El Paso to hear from U.S. and Mexican officials about ways to develop a better joint response to the border violence.
Our two countries are already cooperating at an unprecedented level. President Felipe Calderon has approved the extradition of a record 178 drug traffickers to the U.S., and he deserves praise for his courageous stand in going after the drug cartels. But there is more that can be done on both sides.
Too often the kind of cross-border cooperation seen in the recent kidnappings is the result of personal relationships rather than institutional partnerships. Mexico's military and government should allow the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to examine every gun seized to identify and shut down the sellers, who are almost always on our side of the border.
We must stop the flow of handguns, assault rifles and machine guns, which pass from the U.S. to Mexico at a rate of 60,000 a year. Right now, southbound traffic crosses the border essentially uninspected. That cannot continue. The Obama administration's decision to increase resources assigned to interdict guns at the border is a good first step, but other actions must be taken as well. For instance, we must enforce existing laws against exporting weapons across international borders. We should revive the ban on assault rifle imports to the U.S., which was mistakenly allowed to expire in 2004.
The U.S. government needs to greatly improve its efforts to shut down demand for drugs on this side of the border. Too many Americans are the consumers of drugs that transit Mexico, and that trade will exist as long as there is demand.
We also need better intelligence-sharing to alert both sides to the movement of drugs, arms and cash in both directions. We should aim to unify our databases of suspicious vehicles and deploy license-plate readers and other surveillance systems. To do this, both sides must build the trust that allows information against a common enemy to be shared in a timely and effective manner.
Beyond the border, we need to use our extensive intelligence resources to develop a better strategic picture of how the cartels operate in the U.S. This is our turf, and we have an obligation to attack the trade more aggressively and share the findings with our Mexican counterparts.
Finally, we should ratify the Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Weapons and Explosives. The U.S. was one of the first countries to sign the convention after it was adopted by the Organization of American States in 1997. But we are among the few that have failed to ratify it, even though it fully respects U.S. law with regard to the legal sale and use of guns.
We've heard politicians repeat the mantra that we must "fight them over there so we don't have to fight them here." When it comes to Mexico's drug cartels, this happens to be true. We should help our neighbors reclaim their streets -- and keep ours safer in the process.
John Kerry (D-Mass.) chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
| AMPI.... Do you know who or what this is? |
 It is a professional association of Realtors, alive and well in Rosarito, in good standing in the state of Baja and with the National AMPI Association in Mexico City. We are affiliated with the National Association of Realtors in the U.S. AMPI Rosarito in Baja California Norte is off to a strong, optimistic start for 2009.
Since AMPI’s inception in Rosarito in 2004, we have had some “growing pains” as there always are with new organizations where individual participation is vital and necessary. We were pleased when AMPI National came then to instruct and certify about twenty of us and we grew to thirty three members in 2008. The goal for our chapter is an ambitious ninety-nine members.
We in the business realize the importance of AMPI as the 21st Century professional face of Realtors, not just on the Baja Coast area but throughout Mexico. Working within the guidelines of AMPI National gives us uniformity in how we do our work. The goal for us as a group is to improve business relationships with disclosure and transparency.
During this global economic downturn, we in Rosarito intend to focus on the positive aspects with clients and each other. With a strong committed President, a proactive Board and Committee chairpersons, our plans for the year include continuing the current programs and adding to our agenda for promoting AMPI Rosarito to become a more integral part of the community by being more visible and active.
Belonging to AMPI gives each of us a professional image which is of utmost importance, not just what we know about our business, but how we do the work of listing and selling properties as Realtors. Membership for associates in related businesses are encouraged and invited to join us, companies such as Title and Insurance companies, Home Inspection and Security Companies, Developers, Architects, Banks and Mortgage companies in the business of making consumer loans. Associates are essential as we work as a team providing service to clients.
AMPI Rosarito will resume its continuing education classes in Escrow, closings and the costs associated with them, contracts, disclosure, technology, Federal Zone, Real Estate taxes, how to sell as a trusted professional. Another positive aspect coming in the future include State and Federal licensing which will be a great benefit to us and the people we serve.
We look forward to having an AMPI website completed where we will have standardized contracts, a Multiple Listing Service, marketing only properties with clear titles, reporting actual sale prices so we will have real comparables to discuss with clients. And we will have information on the website for those interested in how it is to live in Baja, all services available, clubs, organizations, etc.
Another most important area is that our local AMPI will be working with the City government as it pertains to developers in the planning and construction stages of offering their ventures to the public.
The structure of Rosarito AMPI includes the officers, vocals and important committees.
They are: Admissions, Continuing Education, Publicity/Marketing, Technology, Developers, Community Involvement, Safety, Events, Elections, and Honor and Justice.
We are undertaking two ambitious fundraising events in 2009 scheduled a few months apart. Our emphasis will be on charities of our area and to help our Association meet some of the operating expenses.
In the Spring, we will have a fiesta, a celebration for all of the greater Rosarito area residents and for residents of the Unites States who visit and enjoy this area, many of whom purchase Real Estate here. The fiesta will be a joint, cooperative effort of AMPI and the associations of restaurants, hotels, spas, Chamber of Commerce, Tourism, furniture, artists, dance, music and civic organizations.
In the Fall, a golf tournament, a fun event for the Real Estate industry and their clients.
This promises to be a great day of golf and fellowship, with prizes, raffles, dinner and dancing.
AMPI Rosarito is definitely a team effort as a group making a difference in our work and in the community. Members will be listed with a contact number in a March edition of the Baja Times as this is the enrollment period for past and new members.
Laura Miller, Publicity Chairman
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| Mayor of Rosarito Meets With The Mexican Consul to San Diego |
Playas de Rosarito, B.C., Friday, January 30th. - Today Mayor C.P. Hugo Torres Chabert met with the Mexican Consul to San Diego, Remedios Gómez Arnau. At this meeting, the Mayor explained the present security situation and the steps that have occurred when purging the police. They have undergone Security evaluations, and they are enabled to provide attention to visitors. They have been equipped with necessary tools for good performance of their work. He also commented that there have been some problems with disinformation by some of the media in California that recycle very old news, and news not factually based. He also spoke about the tourist and commercial attractions that Rosarito has, including the new emphasis on “Health Tourism.”
He said that he was available for foreign travel whenever necessary and also could bring representatives for real estate promotions; or whatever is required. Also, he indicated that there is a possibility of contracting with an American company that does public relations.
Among several other things, Lic. Laura Wong, President of COTUCO (Comité de Turismo y Convenciones) of Rosarito, explained about the training that the bilingual police of Rosarito receive from other police organizations in California.
Gómez Arnau suggested the Consulate can help by inserting a link in the Consulate web page, in which four points are emphasized: First - combating insecurity with photos of the police, Secondly - the attractiveness that Rosarito has, Thirdly - the savings acquired from properties in Baja California, compared with California, and in fourth place, promoting Health Tourism. He also suggested placing promotional spots in several San Diego television channels. In these, testimonies of American citizens could be shown who live calmly in Rosarito, said the Consul. Also, show the president of SEMPRA, who has displayed a predilection for Rosarito tacos. Additionally, he noted some things that are not known generally, such as the raising of deer and quail.
Also the Consulate offered its support, helping to coordinate a pair of events that would include a press conference and possible cocktails in the offices of the consulate with sponsors.
Another proposal would be that Rosarito participate with modules in the “ART WALK,” Arts of Mexico section, which is held annually in the “Little Italy” zone.
Another suggested event would be “CELEBRATE ROSARITO,” in Balboa Park. This event could be made in some museum and offer gastronomical samples, such as fish or lobster tacos, among other foods of the region. In addition, exhibit furniture made in Rosarito, folkloric ballet and other artistic manifestations.
The mayor commented that the lists are given; now it is necessary to start the projects |
Note that this information is outdated.
The dates for the 2009 Fiesta de la Vendemia are August 7 - 23.
One of my favorite road trips is to visit Guadalupe Valley (Our Wine Region) in Ensenada, Baja California.
Located only an hour south of Rosarito, Guadalupe Valley produces 90% of all the wines in Mexico, many of them renowned and prized in countries such as Chile, Italy, and France.
A great quantity of small wineries that exist in this locality, described in detail by our good friend Steve Dryden in the Baja Times wine section, have had visitors from all over the world interested in this place, surrounded by mountains and bathed in golden sunshine.
During this season, the trip on both highways is beautiful. The free road through the town of la Misión delights with its green meadows; the toll road touches the spectator with spectacular vistas of the Pacific Ocean, and starry nights... they are the best.
When one visits the Guadalupe Valley he can understand the experience of sharing this small community with a little Ensenada history and its multicultural origin.
The visits to the small museums filled with vestiges of the first Russians who arrived in the area, they are obligatory. In order to understand a place, one should know its history, and the Valley of Guadalupe has much to show. Another important stop is to buy Russian bread, aged cheeses and canned olives or marmalades.
My second favorite road trip is without a doubt is going to the Bufadora. The experience is so impressive that more than once I have stopped at the side of the road to contemplate the landscape. Towards the end of the week there is the opportunity to stop to walk through the Sunday swap meet where you can buy fresh fruit and some crafts.
Some years ago, the Bufadora was on a deserted dirt road. At the end was a small look-out point. These days it is a development filled with artesian shops, jewelry stores, candy stores, restaurants, and above all a place with a quiet family atmosphere.
The area is surrounded by houses, first occupied by Americanos that have made this little piece of paradise their retirement place.
The complete experience is seeing the water explode at the cliff; the beautiful rainbow reflected in the thousands of droplets of water, and an impressive sound experience difficult to forget.
If you have a bit of time to travel, do not forget to travel the roads in Baja California, where you will undoubtedly find treasures which will leave a pleasant memory of our State.
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| | | Baja Wine Country News | By Steve Dryden
STAFF WRITER
Plan NOW for Fiestas de la Vendimia
The 2009 annual Fiestas de la Vendimia will be held from August 7th through August 23rd. And, each year everyone seems to cry and scream, “I couldn’t get tickets or find lodging in the valley”. Well folks, please stop “wine-ing” and plan today if you really want to enjoy another great summer celebration in Mexico’s premier wine country or in other regional communities. Operators are standing by to reserve your tickets or put you on a waiting list at: (646) 178-3038 or fiestasvendimia@hotmail.com or www.fiestasdelavendimia.com. Remember, “mañana” may be too late for this fiesta, even in Mexico!
My favorite event is the la Cofradia event that takes place near the cruise ship terminal in Ensenada. This location looks like the Embarcadero or Seaport Village in San Diego with the scenic Ensenada harbor and the mountains near Punta Banda as backdrops. The event is sponsored and hosted by la Cofradia, a dedicated group of food and wine lovers who formed an association 22 years ago to further enhance their knowledge of high quality wine and gourmet food. Their annual “Noche de Cofradia en Ensenada” event pairs up wine from 30 wineries with gourmet samples of culinary delights from 30 restaurants in the region from Tijuana, Rosarito Beach, Ensenada and Tecate. Local chefs and winemakers meet before the event, pick partners during a random drawing, carefully sample food and wine and then match their favorites for the event competition. This event allows you to sample Baja California’s premier wine and the best gourmet entrees from the top culinary wizards in our region. They make enough samples for 600 to 1000 people. During the event international judges pick the three best matches (food and wine) and also allow the public (People’s Choice) to pick their three favorite matches. This is a great event that shouldn’t be missed because it gives you an opportunity to discover Mexico’s best food and wine at one single event! Cost is usually about $50 usd.
Liceaga winery presents awesome wine country picnic events each year at their winery in San Antonio de las Minas. This is a popular venue because of the tasteful lamb, live music and the abundance of Liceaga’s premier wines. Tickets are usually about $60 usd at (646) 178-2922. Rancho Malagon in the village of Francisco Zarco will host another dynamic event this year. Tickets are still available at: www.ranchomalagon.com The Cetto family will present another “phenomenal” concert, dinner and more on Saturday August 15th. Information and Reservations (664) 685-3031 or www.cettowines.com. Prior to that event, the renown Mariachi Vargas with Carlos Culvar will entertain lucky guests at the valley winery on June 13th. Tickets are extremely limited for both events, so move fast to secure tickets and to attend these fun productions. I’ve had good luck getting tickets from the valley winery at: valle@gpocetto.com
There will be more than thirty diverse ad interesting events to attend this year over a sixteen day period during August. Everyone has their favorite events and wineries, and if you’ve never attended before, now is a great time to plan. I suggest that you spend the night near the location of the event, if possible. Never drink, party and then attempt to drive out of the area! For Ensenada events I suggest lodging at Costa Baja Hotel which is near the la Cofradia and the Opening Day festivities. Lodging in the valley fills up fast, in fact, many venues are already booked during August. Some rooms are still available at: Hotel Fatima, Hacienda Guadalupe Hotel, Rancho Malagon, and Adobe Guadalupe Vineyards/Inn and at Costa Baja in Ensenada. Book your rooms now, or bring a tent. Actually. for those who love camping, you might consider the campground in San Antonio Necua, near the L.A. Cetto winery. Th native Kumiai people offer camping for $6 per night, with hot showers, BBQ,s, water and picnic tables in a remote and peaceful ancient oak grove.
Once I receive the actual event schedule, pricing, times and dates for 2009, I’ll post that information in this column. Until then, remember that there are two kinds of guests for Fiestas de la Vendimia, “the quick and the left-out.”
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