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Baja Norte

Calendar of Events, Rosarito

Rosarito Calendar of Events

Every Saturday, 10:00 am at IMAC Central park. Chess for all ages. www.facebook.com/IMAC Rosarito.

 Every First Saturday. 10 am. United Society of Baja California (USBC) general meeting at the Titanic Room of the Calafia Hotel. Useful info for the English speaking community of charitable, community service, and social organizations. www.unitedsocietyofbaja.org. 664-748-3949.

Every First Saturday. Noon-sundown. Open Studio Art Walk, a free tour of galleries in Rosarito Beach Hotel commercial center. Meet artists at work in their studios. pacothepainter@hotmail.com

Every Third Saturday. 1 pm. USBC, United Society of Baja California, monthly potluck dinner, at La Maroma sports bar, across from Burger King. Different themes every month. Usually, live entertainment. Free. Membership $20 per year.

Second Sunday of every month, Pet sterilization by the Baja Spay and Neuter Foundation at the Centro de Diagnostico Clinico Vetrinario, ave. Queretaro #2331-3, Col Cacho, Tijuana. 200 pesos, 661-124-3619, or Robin at www.BajaSpayNeuter.org.

Last Sunday of every month, Jewish Chavurah. Gordon Kane – gordonmkane@gmail.com.

November 28, Thursday; Happy Thanksgiving! See our special article on our website www.ggnorth.com.

November 29, Friday, 4 pm; Wine & Design at De Colores Ceramic Studio (k 40) Create a customizable ornament. Starts at $10 for all supplies. $5 holds reservation at https://decolores-mexico.cojm. 661-104-0022.

November 29 & 30, Friday & Saturday, December 1st, Sunday, 10 am – 8 pm; Rosarito Crystal and Gem Show at Hotel Calafia (km 35.5). Gems, minerals & fossils; show, buy and sell. Admission: $3.  664-444-9527.

November 30, Saturday, 9 am – 1 pm; Lecture and Practice about Taoist Arts by Zi Xiao. Chinese traditional culture & history; bioenergetics healing arts; Taoist meditation. Venustiano Carranza, Primo Tapia, Mision Viejo. 646-189-7470; qigong_w.bc@hotmail.com.

November 30, Saturday, 12:30 – 3:30 pm; Harvest Jamboree and Holiday Food Drive at Vista Hermosa Resort (k43). All musicians welcome to join the jam to fight hunger. Acoustic, blues, country, bluegrass, and Americana. Non-perishable food items and donations. Proceeds to support Hearts of Baja. www.BAHsociety.com.

December 1, Sunday, 1 – 4 pm; Tempest Trading Holiday Concert and Art Bazaar (k 40.5). Music by Rosarito’s Academia de Musica Allegro. Local artists, craftspeople, and confectioners. 661-688-1161.

December 4, Wednesday, 1 pm; Flying Samaritans White Elephant Gift Swap & Luncheon at Las Rocas Resort. Minimum value: $10. Donation $20. RSVP Susan: susansmithz@hotmail.com or 858-240-2360 or 662-200-6066

December 6, Friday, 5 – 8 pm; A Very Merry Diva’s Christmas Party, holiday food drive and fundraiser to benefit Blues Against Hunger Society at Pavilion Restaurant, featuring Brigette Rios Purdy. $18 show with holiday menu available. Tickets at Pavilion Restaurant or online at www.BAHSociety.com.

December 6 & 7, Friday 7 pm, & Saturday 4 pm; The Kumiai Theatre Company presents El Jugete del Ano (Toy of the Year), at CEART Rosarito. Free. 661-100-6338. Facebook/ CEART Rosarito.

December 7, Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm; Friends of the Library Annual Home Tour for the Holidays. Includes homes with “year-round architectural style.” All proceeds benefit Rosarito Reads program and the Bookmobile. Full tour: $35; North or South tours $20 each. Tickets at Click-on, Mail Express & Xtras, or online at www.friendsofthelibrary.com.mx.

December 7, Saturday, 12 pm; 1st Annual Barra Vieja Art and Beer Festival featuring more than 20 local exhibitors. K 47 next to the fire station in Primo Tapia. Free entry. Food, craft beers, art, live music and more.

December 8, Sunday, 2 pm; A Taste of Black Cross Wines at Black Cross Vineyard. $5 entry. Complimentary tasting. Wine, food, and more. Facebook.com/ Black Cross Wines.

December 8, Sunday, 6 pm; Blanca Navidad (“White Christmas”) Concert at IMAC Rosarito (behind CitiBanamex). All of your Christmas music favorites performed by the Academy of Music de Allegro. $100 pesos. Facebook.com/ IMAC Rosarito.

December 11th, 2019 2:30-3:30 pm Watch your step! Fall Prevention In Seniors. Join us for this FREE conference at  SerenCenter Rosarito. Cookies & coffee will be served to all guests. RSVP: 1800 030 0070 or info@serenacare.net

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 Rosarito

Where To Spend Thanksgiving in Rosarito?

November 28, Thursday; Thanksgiving dinner at Vista Hermosa Resort. Three seatings: 2 – 4:40, 5 – 7:30 & 8 – 10pm. Turkey with ALL the sides, pumpkin pie, one glass champagne. Live music 5:30 – 8:30. Reservations required, 661-114-6278; www.vistahermosaresort.com.

November 28, Thursday; Thanksgiving at Happy Hour Bar & Restaurant (k 43.5). All-you-can-eat turkey buffet with all the fixings, plus one glass champagne or wine. $11.95. Reservations: 661-613-2043.

November 28, Thursday, from 3 pm; Thanksgiving at Los Amigos Sports Bar & Grill (k 30). $13 includes turkey with all the fixings, including one glass of wine & pie. Pre-pay by November 26 to ensure a seat. Music by Eloy Miron. Now accepts credit cards. 661-120-3639.

November 28, Thursday, from 3 pm; Thanksgiving at Popotla Restaurant & Bar (k 34). Includes turkey and all the fixings. Reservations: 1-619-373-8895 or 661-612-1505.

November 28, Thursday, from 3 pm; Thanksgiving at Ruben’s Restaurant and Steakhouse. Turkey with all the fixings, including pie. $13.75. Happy hour 3 – 6 pm. Facebook/ Ruben’s Steakhouse.

November 28, Thursday, 4 pm; Thanksgiving at Susanna’s Restaurant. $25 prepaid. Reservations strongly suggested. 661-613-1187. Facebook/ Susanna’s Restaurant in Rosarito.

November 28 & 29, Thursday and Friday, 12 – 10 pm; Thanksgiving at Rosarito Beach Hotel. $19.90; “Early Bird” dinner (before 6 pm) $17.90. Three courser dinner includes Turkey and all fixings, with pie. Reservations: 1-800-343-8582 or 661-612-1111 x 11365; www.rosaritobeachhotel.com.

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 Breaking News, Rosarito

Rene’s Casino Shut Down Over Lack Of Permits

On October 7, the Directorate of Inspection, Verification, and Ordination of Public Roads implemented an operation in the four casinos in Rosarito to verify whether they had municipal permits to operate.

During the operation in Rene’s Casino, those in charge assured they had the documentation in order, but they never presented it, so the city inspectors proceeded to close it.

Later, federal inspectors from the Department of Justice (PGR), trough the Federal Public Ministry, proceeded to place seals on the doors corresponding to the closure because they didn’t even have the operating permits granted by the Federal Government through the “Secretaría de Governacion” or Office for Domestic Affairs.

More than a month after the closure, the owners have not shown the required documentation, so the establishment has remained closed.

City Hall Secretary, Manuel González Araujo, explained that if a business of this type does not have the proper permit issued by the Federal Government through the Office for Domestic Affairs, it cannot access other municipal permits, including the sale of alcoholic beverages. He also mentioned that during the operation, this turned out to be the only casino without the corresponding federal permits.

The big question here is how could they operate for years without having the proper permits.

 

SOURCE: Ecos de Rosarito
Photo: Gringo Gazette
Rewritten in English by Alondra Arce

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 Calendar of Events, Rosarito

Rosarito Calendar of Events

November 14, Thursday, 5 pm; Tragic to Magic Happy Dog fundraiser at Los Amigos Bar & Restaurant. $20 includes dinner and cocktail. Entertainment and karaoke begins at 7 pm.

November 16, Saturday, 12:30 – 3:30 pm; Harvest Jamboree and Holiday Food Drive at Vista Hermosa Resort (k43). All musicians welcome to join the jam to fight hunger. Acoustic, blues, country, bluegrass, and Americana. Non-perishable food items and donations. Proceeds to support Hearts of Baja. www.BAHsociety.com.

November 16, Saturday, 1 pm; USBC Thanksgiving Potluck luncheon at La Maroma Bar. Members free/ Guests $5, plus dish to serve 8. Must sign up by November 14. RSVP: BajaMaggie2@yahoo.com; 1-619-997-0824.

November 16, Saturday, 6 pm; Rosarito Beach Hotel presents Viva la Revolution! With mariachi, folklorico, and entertainment by Sonora con Dinamita. $190 pesos, includes buffet. 661-612-1126 or 01-800-265-2322. www.rosaritobeachhotel.com.

November 16 & 17, Saturday & Sunday, 12 – 10 pm; Katrina Fest at IMAC Rosarito (behind CitiBanamex). Live entertainment all day. Facebook/ IMAC Rosarito.

November 19, Tuesday, 3 pm; Hearts of Baja 4th Annual Toy Drive at Splash Restaurant. Entrance with unwrapped toy or $10. Buffet included. www.heartsofbaja.com.

November 22, Friday, 5 pm; Cenando Numero 5 dining event at Baja California Center. Tickets: $500 pesos at www.eventbrite.com.  Tastings from local area hosted by CEMDI Metropolitano. Facebook/ CEMDI, 661-613-1382.

November 23, Saturday, 12:30 – 3:30 pm; Harvest Jamboree and Holiday Food Drive at Vista Hermosa Resort (k43). All musicians welcome to join the jam to fight hunger. Acoustic, blues, country, bluegrass, and Americana. Non-perishable food items and donations. Proceeds to support Hearts of Baja. www.BAHsociety.com.

November 28, Thursday, Thanksgiving! Please see the special Thanksgiving section next issue.

 

Every Wednesday, 10:30 am – 12 pm; Speak Spanish Naturally with Erendira Abel at IMAC Library. eabel@bajaexpatservices.pro.

Every Wednesday, 10am – 12pm; Adult painting class at IMAC Rosarito in the main park. Bilingual instructor. 200 peso registration/ 300 pesos per month. IMACRosarito@gmail.com; Facebook/imacrosarito.

Every Wednesday, 7:30 – 9:00 am; Tai Chi classes with certified instructor Eugenio Encinas at Galeria Fausto Polanco Rosarito. 350 pesos per month. Alyce: 664-368-6733; Alberto: 661-125-9191.

Every Second Wednesday (except December). 10 am. Friends of the Library meeting at CEART Rosarito. Promotes reading and literacy in Rosarito. www.friendsofthelibrary.com.mx. 661-612-3659.

Every Third Wednesday of the Month (except December), Flying Samaritan’s General Meeting at Villas Del Mar (k 31.5). www.flyingsamaritansrosarito.org;  Susansmithz@hotmail.com; 1-858-234-2360; 661-100-6066.

Every Third Wednesday (except December) 1:00 – 4:00 pm, Flying Samaritan’s Outrageous Bingo at Popotla Jr. Restaurant (across from El Nido – formerly California Fresh), Food and Drink specials; free parking behind restaurant; Six games, 4 cards for $10; Karen: kajomc@yahoo.coojm; (US) 1-818-515-0067l (MX) 664-609-3419.

Second and Fourth Wednesday, 1 pm; Cruz Roja Primo Tapia Bingo at El Pescador Restaurant. 6 games/ 2 cards for $5. Reduced price menu; Jamesphausmann@gmail.com; 1-623-217-9795.

Every other Thursday 12 pm; Baja Wordsmiths Writing group meets at L’Estancia Restaurant (turn at the wooden water wheel). Bring something to write with. RSVP to Facebook.com/ Baja Wordsmiths for date.

Every Thursday. 8:30 am. Local Board of Realtors (APIR) meets at Oceana Grill. Good place for buyers or sellers to find a Realtor

Every Second Thursday. 10 am. Cruz Roja Volunteers, Rosarito Chapter General Meeting NOW at Beach Comber Rest. . www.cruzrojarosarito.org.mx; President: Mary Moreno, miqueridomx@yahoo.com.

Every Third Thursday. 10 am. General Meeting for FRAO, Foreign Residents Assistance Office. Open to the public. Calafia Hotel.  Speaker’s presentation. FRAO@Rosarito.gob.mx.

Every Friday, 12 – 2 pm; Adult painting class at IMAC Rosarito in the main park. Bilingual instructor. 200 pesos registration/ 300 pesos monthly. IMAC Rosarito@gmail.com; Facebook/imacrosarito.

Every Monday and Friday (that is NOT a Mexican holiday) 11 am – 1 pm; Free beginner and intermediate Spanish Classes at the Palacio Municpal, through the FRAO office. Contact Liz for information: 661-614-9600, ext. 1080, or email: frao@rosarito.gob.mx.

Every Saturday, 10:00 am at IMAC Central park. Chess for all ages. www.facebook.com/IMAC Rosarito.

 Every First Saturday. 10 am. United Society of Baja California (USBC) general meeting at the Titanic Room of the Calafia Hotel. Good info for the English speaking community of charitable, community service and social organizations. www.unitedsocietyofbaja.org. 664-748-3949.

Every First Saturday. Noon-sundown. Open Studio Art Walk, a free tour of galleries in Rosarito Beach Hotel commercial center. Meet artists at work in their studios. pacothepainter@hotmail.com

Every Third Saturday. 1pm. USBC, United Society of Baja California, monthly potluck dinner, at La Maroma sports bar, across from Burger King. Different theme every month. Usually live entertainment. Free. Membership $20 per year.

Second Sunday of every month, Pet sterilization by the Baja Spay and Neuter Foundation at the Centro de Diagnostico Clinico Vetrinario, ave. Queretaro #2331-3, Col Cacho, Tijuana. 200 pesos, 661-124-3619, or Robin at www.BajaSpayNeuter.org.

Last Sunday of every month, Jewish Chavurah. Gordon Kane – gordonmkane@gmail.com.

Every day but one day at a time AA Grupo Gringo meets daily #16 Mar Meditteraneo (two blocks behind Del Mar Beach Club). Saturday, 3:00; Sunday, Monday, Thursday: 10:00 am; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 6:00 pm.  Additional meetings in Cantamar (just south of the footbridge) Tuesday and Friday, 10:00 am.  661-614-1678.

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 Charities, Rosarito

Dolls and Balls Toy Drive

The Heart of Baja annual 1000 Dolls and Balls toy drive has started! 1000 dolls, balls, and other toys are needed to help children of all ages enjoy Christmas, Donations will go to the children of local orphanages, and those on ranches, farms, and in the hills.

You may drop unwrapped gifts at Charly’s Place (k 37.5); Los Amigo’s Restaurant (k 30); Judith Douglas Spa (k 40); Click-on Mailroom (k 40.5); Vista Hermosa (k 43 – formerly Bobby’s by the Sea); La Paloma (k 28); Chubbies Restaurant; and Mata Ashta (San Antonio del Mar). You may even schedule a pick-up by calling 442-273-7348. If you don’t have the time or inclination to shop, donations may be made online at www.heartsofbaja.com. Remember, this is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity, so all cash donations are tax-deductible on your US tax returns.

Do you shop on Amazon? Instead of going to Amazon.com, go to smile.amazon.com and enter “Hearts of Baja Children’s Homes Network” into your chosen charity. A percentage of your purchases will go to Hearts of Baja! How easy is that? Especially if you were going to order toys from Amazon anyway. Let’s help Rosarito’s children have a Merry Christmas!

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 Articles, Baja Norte

Giving Thanks

The spooks and ghouls of Halloween have gone into hiding; the departed loved ones who were honored during Day of the Dead await their next visit to their living counterparts.

The languid, lazy days of summer are over. School is back in session. Days are short, and flu season is back with a vengeance.

So how do we deal with the crisp fall months and the promise of another winter season?

We go shopping, of course!

Once upon a time (but well before MY time, I’m fairly certain), each holiday was representative of a corresponding season and usually was representative of a religious (or spiritual) observance.

Now that we’ve become indoctrinated by the corporate guidelines of product release dates and numeric progressions (we’re up to iPhone 11 and Samsung Galaxy S-10), we know what Junior wants to find in his Christmas stocking well before the younger kids go trick-or-treating.

Nothing wrong with that. We’re evolving as a race. We want everyone to be happy and fulfilled.

But way back in our memory banks the true meaning of each holiday still resides. We know that, well before our time, many people paid some significant dues in order to guarantee that we would have the freedom to worship and to celebrate each and every holiday in whatever manner we so choose.

Thanksgiving is celebrated in countries other than the United States, but is generally accepted in each of them to be a time of recognizing and honoring a power greater than ourselves, a power that governs the seasons and the bounty of the earth itself, and is therefore respectfully paid tribute to by either fasting during lean times or feasting during successful ones.

Pilgrims and Puritans who emigrated from England in the 1620’s and 1630’s celebrated Days of Fasting and Days of Thanksgiving in their home country and brought those traditions with them to their new home in North America.

In 1619, possibly the first Thanksgiving feast was celebrated by a group of 38 English settlers at Charles City County, Virginia. This event had been decreed as a religious celebration in recognition of the grace of God, by whose blessing the travelers reached their destination safely.

In 1621, another group of settlers celebrated at Plymouth Rock in what is now Massachusetts. They were fortunate in that the Native American Indians were generous and kind, and provided them with a bountiful feast to celebrate the success of their long journey.

Subsequent celebrations in New England included another celebration in Plymouth in 1623 and a Puritan holiday in Boston in 1631.

Up until 1682, religious leaders proclaimed that annual celebrations be held in reverence and appreciation for the bountiful gifts provided by successful harvests, most of which occurred well before the November date which later became set as the last Thursday of each November.

As the first President of the United States, George Washington decreed that November 26th be recognized as a national holiday, “as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God.”

Later, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made Thanksgiving a celebration to be held on the last Thursday of November, providing for a four-day holiday for many workers and their families.

So here we are! As with many if not all of the traditional holidays, Thanksgiving has evolved into a shopping frenzy, this one happening just before  Christmas. “Black Friday” has become an annual circus during which adults flock to the brick-and-mortar retail outlets to fight each other over the latest gadget from Apple or Microsoft to place beneath the aluminum Christmas tree for their beloved children.

In reality, the beauty of Thanksgiving is that it is a time for family members to enjoy a brief reunion, to give thanks for their health and safety, and to enjoy a few days of relaxation away from the stress of the workplace and a return to the comfort of home, sweet home.

Although Thanksgiving is not officially a holiday in Mexico, many ex-pats living in the Mediterranean warmth and security of Baja celebrate here anyway.

Many restaurants have Thanksgiving specials, catering to the people who cherish that holiday as a time to take stock of their many blessings and give thanks accordingly.

Also, as Thanksgiving is a signpost that Christmas is almost upon us, many people show their appreciation for their good fortune by donating to local shelters, orphanages, and institutions such as Cruz Roja.

Giving thanks by giving back is the most spiritual way one can show his or her appreciation for the good life here in Baja.

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 Articles, Charities, Ensenada, Rosarito

Pulling Together After the Fires

In October, fires ran rampant through areas of northern Baja. Several areas of Rosarito were hit hard. This article will focus on re-building operations that have come to my attention as of the first week of November. There may have been additional fires, and certainly more sources of relief that haven’t yet come to light. But here’s what we know as of this writing:

We’ve already heard numerous accounts of individual suffering due to the tragic fires, so we need not reiterate those tragedies. Our focus here is to shed light on sources of relief and recovery.

The two main fire areas were in Rosarito in the Ejido Morelos/ Santa Anita del Mar area, about three miles east of the Rosarito Beach Hotel, where 20 – 30 homes burned. The other primary location is in La Mision, where approximately 40 homes burned, many of which were owned by expats.

One big difference is that most of the less fortunate Mexican homeowners do not carry home insurance, so when the home and/or car is destroyed they are left with nothing. Most of them work for mere pesos to begin with, and In many cases the fires destroyed their means and implements of income, such as food preparation utensils or house-cleaning supplies.

Here are the Facebook organizations that have come to my attention as of the Gringo Gazette publication deadline:

KSitas – on Facebook and www.ksitas.org; a 501c3 non-profit organization. Funds may be donated to https://ksitas.org/bajacampaigns. 100% of the money donated will go to building supplies and labor for rebuilding homes.

Colectivo Surf Brew Company (above White Horse Liquors) and local artist Jaime Carbo spearheaded this group. An auction of some of Jaime’s artwork is scheduled to aid the rebuilding effort. The first house is nearly finished, at a cost of about $6000 (USD). Their website is an excellent source of relief efforts.

Facebook: Baja Fire Victims – Led by Jackie Alameda (Of Baja Blues Fest) and Lisa Marlott, their group is working to rebuild 30 homes. They’re appealing to the public for food items, toiletries, diapers, building materials, medical supplies, blankets and sleeping bags. www.gofundme.com/f/baja-fire-Victims is their website. For more Information please call: 1-858-790-2380.

Facebook: La Mision Fire Relief Fund – and https://openarmsmexico.org. Led by Daniel and Heidi Elizarraraz, Directors. You may donate at the website through PayPal or with a credit card. Checks may be sent to Open Arms, PO Box 6605, Chula Vista, CA 91909. All donations are tax-deductible. Phone: 1-619-882-9001 or 01152-646-255-0858. Check their website for information on how to donate.

Kumiai Fire Relief Drive – to help our indigenous “first people” in the hills. Needed are non-perishable food, water, clothes, blankets, toiletries, wood, pet feed and cash. Drop off points are at Kumeyaay Community College, Monday-Friday, 10 am – 4 pm and Saturday / Sunday 10 am – 2 pm. Manzanita Activity Center Monday – Friday 10 am – 2 pm, and Viejas Recreational Center, Monday – Friday 8 am – 8 pm. Contact Martha Rodriguez 760-445-7726 for information. Also Grace Sesma, 720-363-6034, and Brooke Baines, US 1-619-519-8264.

I must caution you about Go Fund Me pages where you are not personally knowledgeable of the person in charge. These may be used for good or for evil purposes. If you know the person or group hosting the page, by all means feel free to contribute, but tragedy attracts creeps who take advantage of the situation for their own personal enrichment. Make sure you know your money is being used for the purpose you intended.

There will certainly be more groups forthcoming. Please share through your social media, or by personal reference. Much help is needed. You may also take donations of clothing, household goods, etc. to the local Cruz Roja Thrift Stores in Rosarito and Primo Tapia, which help our community year-round.

Thank you so much for your support of the community.

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 Breaking News, Charities, Cuisine, Ensenada, Events, Wine

Paellas Event to Benefit the Recent Fire Victims

In a recent press conference Rubén Barrau, presented us with the “Paellaton” event, organized by business groups CANACO and CANIRAC, in order to provide support to all those who were affected by the recent fires in the region.

This event will present an approximate of 27 restaurants that will be offering paella; with several bands brightening up the event. In addition, assistants will have the opportunity to participate in raffles for free nights at participant hotels.

The cost of the tickets will be $350 MXN (about $19 USD) which will include a plate of paella and a glass of wine, with all the proceeds going to those affected by the recent fires.

Tickets may be purchased the same day of the event at the box office, which will be held this Sunday, November 10, 2019 at the facilities of Riviera, Ensenada Social, Civic and Cultural Center starting at 12:00 pm.

Luis Tirado, president of the National Chamber of Restaurants and Seasoned Foods of Ensenada (CANIRAC), mentioned that some of the restaurants which will be present on the day of the event will be: Agua de Vid, Cantera, Casa Frida, La 4ta, La Cevichería, Mesón de Don Fernando, as well as several wineries and more.

Accountant Marco Estudillo, also an organizer of the event, said that they will be extra careful on the handling of the collected funds, making sure they get where they are needed the most, in the most transparent way possible. All proceeds will be clearly inventoried and channeled to both the firefighters and more than 30 families that lost everything to the fires.

Finally, Jorge Menchaca, president of the National Chamber of Commerce of Ensenada (CANACO), emphasized that the idea of replicating the Paellaton each year could be an alternative to solve community problems from inside the society itself.

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