Mexican Dispatch: A Quiet Beach Town, Kept That Way by "Tourist" Police

New America Media/PBS NewsHour, News Report, Jose Luis Sierra, Posted: Sep 16, 2010

ROSARITO BEACH, Mexico—Walking or driving down boulevard Benito Juarez, the main street of Rosarito Beach, gives no hints of the struggles this tourist community has been fighting for the past four years.

As the sun sinks over the Pacific Ocean, neon lights advertise hotel rooms at competitive prices. Restaurants from French, Japanese, or local cuisine that offers rabbit, snake, quail, goat or deer meat— as well as the typical hamburger or Mexican menus—entice customers with margarita specials. Bars and discos compete for customers with loud music. If you care to ask, locals will advise you about the best choices.

If things get a little out of hand, "tourist police" will show up and make an effort to help you feel safe.

The town has a population of about 130,000 residents—14,000 of them U.S. citizens living here permanently. It gained fame in the 1920s for being a favorite spot for Hollywood legends like Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe, and now is advertised as the closest place south of the U.S.-Mexico border where tourists can enjoy the good life at affordable prices.

But locals say things have changed, as they recall the period of 2006-2008, when a violent crime was reported on an average every two hours.

Tourism, with a little more than 1 million visitors a year and the main staple of the local economy, has gone down more than 50 percent. Hotels, restaurants and just about every business related to the service industry faced the choice of closing or reducing staff and scaling down operations.

But the final blow came with the burst of the local real estate market bubble, a little more than three years ago.

Nobody saw it coming, after years of brisk sales of condos and villas along Rosarito Beach. There was a splashy announcement that billionaire Donald Trump would lend his name to a lavish coastal condo-hotel project, 10 miles south of the border on the outskirts of the town. Developers took Trump's move as a sign of confidence and began a frenetic pace of construction.

Thousands of U.S. retirees flocked to the area by the busload in search of an opportunity to own beachfront property at prices impossible to find north of the border. As side benefits, they saw the opportunities of a much lower cost of living, low property taxes, and the option of renting out their property when not in use.

"We originally built out our office space to support 30 to 60 agents. And currently we are running around 10, six. So that's basically what the marketing is supporting right now," said David Biondolillo, a real estate agent in charge of a five tower luxury condos by the beach, with prices ranging from the low $200,000 to $460,000.

Happy to get by, and with most of his 600 units already sold, Biondolillo is one of the lucky few. He said that more than 200 projects with permits already approved had to be shut down for lack of financing. That includes the project to which Trump had lent his name. It now resembles an empty pit.

For now, just as in the United States, a new market is emerging. Buyers are beginning to scout for foreclosure properties, or properties that are being offered for 30-40 percent under their original price, as developers scramble to recoup whatever they can from their investments. Still, perception plays a key role in this strategy.

"True, we had a problem with police corruption and crime four years ago, and that's one of the reasons I ran for mayor," said Hugo Torres, just a few months from finishing his second stint in that post. Torres is also owner of the Rosarito Beach Hotel.

"People ask me constantly if Rosarito is safe. My answer is always yes. It is as safe as any other city in the world. It is a matter of common sense. If you deal with drugs or are involved in any type criminal activity, you will never be safe, no matter where you are," said the 74-year-old mayor.

Flying Samaritans Thank Rosarito Mayor For Help with Fourth of July Clinic Fundraiser

By Ron Raposa

ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---Members of the Flying Samaritans presented a plaque to city Mayor Hugo Torres for his support in a July 4 fundraiser that raised $9,000 for the group's free health clinic.

More than 800 people, many from this city's large expatriate community, attended a traditional July Fourth celebration with a few Mexican touches for flavor at the Rosarito Beach Hotel. It was sponsored in part by the city.
The event was so popular with both the expatriate and Mexican community that it will become an annual event, said Flying Samaritans President Susan Smith.

The Samaritans operate a twice-monthly free clinic for those who cannot afford other health care. Total yearly operating costs of the privately funded effort are about $20,000, Smith said, and donations have been hard to get in tougher economic times.

Because of publicity from the July 4th celebration, patients at the most recent clinic increased to 150 from a past average of about 110, Smith said. The Samaritans hope at some point in the future to build a clinic instead of using a rented house.

Mayor Torres thanked members both for their work in helping the community and for providing an event that was enjoyed by so many.

http://www.bajainvestment.com/

Rosarito Commends 3 Women For Work On ‘Baja Blondes’ Reality TV Program

By Ron Raposa


ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA , MEXICO ---The city has recognized three women for their work on developing a reality TV show that highlights the beauty, attractions and advantages of living in Baja California.


City Mayor Hugo Torres on Wednesday presented a plaque to Susanna Stehr, Debbie Shine and Robin Mackenzie, the trio of U.S. women who comprise the Baja Blondes.


Ms. Stehr lives in Rosarito where she owns a restaurant, Ms. Shine is an interior designer living here and Ms. Mackenzie is a writer/producer who lives both in the United States and Baja.


The three have produced a pilot for a reality TV series they hope will be broadcast in the U.S. It shows the beauty, comfort and relaxing pace of life in Baja. The series would feature fascinating regional people and places, as well as highlight the personalities of the women.

With media coverage focusing largely on Mexico ’s crackdown on drug cartels many people in the U.S. have lost sight of the fact that Baja is a wonderful. safe and welcoming place to visit and live, Ms. Stehr said.


Mayor Torres said the Baja Blondes are excellent ambassadors for Rosarito and the region because they show the actual lives of U.S. women living and working here, which gives what they say added credibility.


Those who gathered in the mayor’s office for the presentation. including city council members and other officials, also were shown a video clip of a recent Channel 5 San Diego interview which featured the Baja Blondes.

 (Photo shows, from left, Debbie Shine, Susanna Stehr, Rosarito Mayor Hugo Torres and Robin Mackenzie,)

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Rosarito 2009 Crime Rate Falls 21% To A Baja California Best 5-Year Low

By Ron Raposa





ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---For 2009 Rosarito had the largest year-to-year decline in crime of any city in Baja California --- 21 percent --- and was the only city to reach a five-year low, according to state figures.









“These are very encouraging figures for Rosarito, especially in difficult economic times, when crime historically increases,” said Mayor Hugo Torres.









Calling the fight against crime a lifelong challenge for any city, Torres, who ran in 2007 on a platform of public security, said strong efforts will continue this year to reduce crime.









Those efforts, he said, will include increased policing in certain areas, more emphasis on neighborhood watch and private security, plus sports and other programs to keep city youth from delinquency and drug use.









Baja Gov. Jose Guadalupe Osuna Millan told the San Diego Union that Rosarito’s reduction in crime was one of Baja California’s success stories.









Overall, Baja California crime declined by an average of 10 percent in 2009 from 2008 and was lower than the level of the previous two years. The state’s rate was the same as 2006 and higher only than 2005.









Rosarito led all Baja cities in major categories for 2009, recording a 24 percent year-to-year decline in robbery and burglaries, 38 percent in violent crimes and 56 percent in murders, from 61 to 27, according to the Baja state figures.









Five of the killings were between members of rival drug cartels as the government makes it more difficult for them to operate, and three were of police officers.









Torres said that the drug-related killings are very troubling but even with them Rosarito has a lower homicide rate than many U.S. cities, including New Orleans, St. Louis and Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. (Based on FBI figures for 2008, the latest published)









“Understandably, much of the media coverage in the U.S. has focused on the crackdown on organized crime --- it’s a vital international issue,” he said. “But that has helped create a misleading impression about security here.”









Since taking office, Torres has led efforts to replace more than half of the city’s police force while expanding its size from about 150 to 230 officers.









He also established a special tourist police force that uses bilingual traffic tickets that can be mailed in from the U.S., an ombudsman office and a city department for visitor assistance.









The mayor also brought in former Army Capt. Jorge Montero to lead the police department as director of public security. He has praised his work as well as the support of the City Council









Torres also cited federal and state support plus a close working relationship with the Rosarito office of the state attorney general, which is responsible for most reporting and investigation of crime.









“Prevention is the key to crime reduction,” said Torres, who added that the city’s focus would remain on public security.









Rosarito also is working on expanding positive activities including sports and drug prevention programs for youth. Torres has personally talked to more than 15,000 of the city’s 23,000 school children and plans to visit the remainder this year.









Many programs have begun to benefit city youth, including the start of construction last year on the city’s first Boys & Girls Club.

http://www.bajainvestment.com/

Weekly Fishing Column: Rosarito Beach welcomes anglers

By Phil Friedman,

Arturo Martinez from the tourism department was at the National Sports Grill in Torrance Thursday at 7 p.m., to talk about a weekend trip to Rosarito Beach, April 9-11.

The trip will feature a surf and pier fishing competition that usually produces barred perch, corbina and halibut.

The key to catching a big halibut on the pier is using live bait. Bring some mackerel snag rigs and snag yourself a few mackerel. Toss one of those mackerel off the pier and you stand a great chance of catching a nice flatfish.

The key to catching corbina is light line. Six-pound test with a trout rod is perfect. A cast of just a few feet is usually perfect. The corbina are in the surf right where the waves are crashing, so that's where you want to present your bait. Sand crabs, muscles, ghost shrimp and Berkley gulp bait all work really well.

Martinez says you get two nights at the Rosarito Beach Hotel, two welcome drinks, two breakfast buffets, two no-host parties, a free barbecue on Saturday, 4 p.m. late checkout and 15 percent off in the hotel spa. The cost is only $285 per couple.

In addition to the fishing, there will be a casino tour, a wine country tour, golf and lots to do at the hotel.

On Saturday, 150 children from the local orphanages will be bused to the Rosarito Beach pier for a day of fishing, beach games and swimming and a basketball clinic put on by world champion Laker Flynn Robinson. You can be a mentor to the kids if you like for what promises to be a special day.


Martinez is making it easy for South Bay residents to get to the Rosarito Beach Hotel. For $99, you can board a bus departing from Wilson Park at 2 p.m. on April 9 to take you to the beach resort. Libations and snacks are included. The bus will depart the hotel on Sunday at 4 p.m. to take you back to Torrance. To sign up for the excursion, call 310-328-8426 or email philip@976-TUNA.com.

Correlation? Sea Adventure II skipper Terry Clayton was fishing for blackgill cod on a commercial trip last week when a spot of 15-pound albacore breezed down the side of his boat. Just as the school approached, a fish jumped clear out of the water.

"I could see its wings perfectly," Clayton said.

This could be a sign of an accelerated season due to the warm El Ni o waters.

"This has to be a good sign for 2010," he said.

Chris Toth of Rancho Palos Verdes was scuba diving recently with friends off Abalone Cove when he looked into a cave only to see a giant eye staring back at him. That eye belonged to a 23-pound sheephead that Toth speared.

The creature thrashed around and mangled Toth's spear, leaving it lodged in the cave. Toth handed the prize member of the wrasse family to a friend who swam it to the surface.

It was the biggest fish Toth had ever speared and a thrilling experience for everyone who was there.

"And the best part of it was those fish tacos," Toth said.

Jennifer Aniston celebrated her 41st birthday last week in Cabo San Lucas.

The actress chose Cabo San Lucas to rebut claims of rampant swine flu and violence. She also is involved in raising funds for a Tijuana orphanage called El Faro.

http://www.bajainvestment.com/

New Baja Tourist Police Force

From Ron Raposa

SAN DIEGO — Mexican cities south of the California border on Friday marked the launch of the new Metropolitan Tourist Police in an effort to regain the confidence of Americans looking for lobster dinners, cheap margaritas and pristine beaches.


Twenty-two police officers from Tijuana, Playas de Rosarito and Ensenada were recognized for completing a one-day course at the San Diego police academy to prepare for the April 1 launch of the new force, a joint effort of the cities to patrol a 70-mile stretch of Pacific coastline.

Americans have stayed away in the past year, largely because of media exagerations and false perceptions of violence affecting tourism.

"It won't be magic, but at least we're trying," William Yu, Tijuana's liaison for binational affairs, told the officers Thursday as he prepared them for the ceremony.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders said during Friday's event at the city's police headquarters that the new force should ease tourists' understandable concerns about safety.

I’m confident that this relationship will enable us to expand tourism opportunities on both sides of the border,” San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders told an audience of officers, mayors and representatives from both the Mexican and U.S. consulates.

The Metropolitan Tourist Police will join with other agencies in patrolling parts of the 70-mile tourist corridor from Tijuana to Ensenada. They will offer special assistance to visitors and also can issue bilingual traffic tickets that can be paid from the U.S.

The officers, who will have their own uniforms and cars, said they liked a visit during the class to a simulated shooting range in which they were asked to react to threatening scenarios played on a video screen.

San Diego police Sgt. David Landman also drew on training material that is widely used by California law enforcement agencies, including role-playing techniques with an emphasis on how to treat people respectfully.

Landman, who oversees training for veteran San Diego officers, quizzed the officers often.

"If a police officer runs a stop sign, it sends a very bad signal to the people," one said.

"You must practice what you preach, set an example for the people," another chimed in.

The officers will return to Mexico to train colleagues in each of the three cities for the special force, which is expected to eventually have 350 officers. Playas de Rosarito, widely known as Rosarito Beach, will begin with 30 officers. Tijuana expects to start with about 60.

Some Mexican officials and American expatriates said the region has been unfairly tarnished, partly by recycled media reports of violence against tourists more than two years ago. Officials said the vast majority of murder victims were small-time drug dealers caught in turf battles.

The battered tourism industry remains an economic pillar of Mexico's northern Baja California peninsula.

Yet in Rosarito Beach, authorities estimated the number of visitors during the high season of April to November slid 70 percent from 2005 to 2009. Tourism accounts for about 60 percent of the economy in the city of 120,000 people.

Approximately 15% of these residents are American expats

Obviously, great deals and amazing prices -from groceries and souvenirs to hotels and real estate, can be found in the Rosarito Beach and Ensenada areas at the moment.
In fact, northern Baja is preparing a major advertising campaing, both in the US and Mexico... and branding the beautiful norhtern Baja area with the name of "Riviera Baja"
"We need to show everyone the beauties and richenes of this part of Mexico... said Hugo Torres, Rosarito Beach´s mayor.

The Baja Riviera branding is supported by the city governments of Rosarito Beach, Ensenada and Tijuana and by all business and civil organizations in the Baja area.


http://www.bajainvestment.com/

Mexican officials meeting in Santa Ana

By THERESA CISNEROS
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ANTA ANA Leaders from across Southern and Baja California are gathering at the Police Department today to share information on public safety, economic development and regional infrastructure.
It's an ongoing effort to strengthen communication between cities on both sides of the border.

The discussions are taking place during the 2nd Bi-National Mayors of the Californias Summit – sponsored by the cities of Santa Ana and Rosarito Beach.

Mayor Miguel Pulido said such steps help Mexico become a stronger partner, which directly benefits the United States.
"A safer Mexico and a stronger Mexico is a better Mexico for us all," he said.

Local officials scheduled to participate include Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas and Irvine Councilman Steven Choi. Mayors from Rosarito, Ensenada, Tijuana and Tecate are also participating.

They'll meet in small groups to talk about issues and draft plans.

They are trading ideas on renewable-energy technologies, water agencies and law enforcement.

The inaugural summit, held in Anaheim in January, focused mostly on boosting tourism in both regions, and was followed up by a summer meeting in Ensenada. The next gathering is scheduled for the spring in Rosarito.

Mayors on both sides say they're starting to see fruits from the increased communication.

The city of Ensenada, for example, has debuted new jail facilities and crime-predicting computer software based on what representatives witnessed during visits to the Santa Ana Police Department.

http://www.bajainvestment.com/

Weekly Fishing Column: Punta Colonet well worth trip to Baja

The Daily Breeze
By Phil Friedman, Correspondent


Punta Colonet is located 120 miles south of the Mexican border in Tijuana.


The drive there takes you through some of the most picturesque geography of northern Baja California. You will pass through Tijuana, Rosarito Beach, Ensenada, the Baja Wine Country and more.


Highway Mexico 1 will take you through breath-taking views of the Coronado Islands, sheer cliffs, fish taco stands and wonderfully warm Baja California people. Hugo Torres, Mayor of Rosarito Beach, has done everything in his power to make Rosarito safe. The fact is, despite the fact no tourists have been killed in Northern Baja, the 24-hour news cycle as well as other influences have made the drive to Baja less desirable.


I have driven to Cabo San Lucas five times in the last two years without incident and have hooked my two sons on the Baja experience. There is so much to love about a road trip to Baja but for my sons, it always comes down to the warm and friendly people of Baja.


There is another way to get to Punta Colonet. You can jump on a sportboat out of San Diego for the next several months and enjoy spectacular fishing.


Yes, you will miss the people and the drive but you will experience the rich and bountiful seas of Punta Colonet.


Mike Acker of Long Beach made the trip on the New Lo-An last weekend.


"This was as good as fishing as I have ever seen," Acker said.


"Huge lingcod, big red snapper, halibut and more," he continued. "If


you are into action and great eating fish then this is it."
Acker said from the time they arrived, it was constant action on a variety of fish. In fact, while Acker is not a big fan of bottom fishing, he soon became a convert.


"You only fish in about 200 feet of water so you feel the fight," he said. "Besides, these are some of the best, if not the best eating fish of the sea."


Nothing makes a better fish taco than a colonet red snapper. Deep fried and battered, the filet is put in a corn tortilla and then garnished with salsa, cilantro, onions, guacamole, sour cream and more. You talk about culinary ecstasy, this is it. Put some rice and beans on the side and you have a meal that your guests will remember for a long time to come.


Proper tackle on a colonet trip only requires a couple of outfits. A 25- and 40- pound outfit will be perfect. Eight- to 16-ounce sinkers are perfect along with 3-O hooks. Lingcod are another aggressive and delicious fish that are bountiful off Punta Colonet. Tagging studies show that lingcod are largely non-migratory and colonize in localized areas.


Lingcod live on the bottom, but may feed throughout the water column. And unlike many other bottom fish species like rockfish, lingcod do not have an air bladder, which enables them to freely swim up and down the water column without injury. Sport or commercial anglers can haul lingcod from depths of 500 feet or more to the surface and release them unharmed. Hard-fighting, great eating and yet another reason to head south of the border.


This Friday night, the Pacific Queen is departing from Fisherman's Landing in San Diego on a weekend trip to the rich waters of Colonet. The tips is priced at $250 with food and permits extra.


www.bajainvestment.com

Rosarito-Ensenada Bike Ride To Top 20 Million Mile Mark This Sept. 26

Rosarito-Ensenada Bike Ride To Top
20 Million Mile Mark This Sept. 26

Ron Raposa


ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---Now in its 30th year the Rosarito-Ensenada 50-Mile Fun Bicycle Ride will surpass 20 million total miles covered with its Sept. 26 event.

About 5,000 riders are expected for the festive scenic ride, much of it along a coastal route from Rosarito to Ensenada, said ride organizer Gary Foster.

During the past 30 years since 1979, the iconic twice-yearly event has been held 52 times and almost 400,000 riders have participated, Foster said.

“This great anniversary edition of the ride will be as festive as years past, both for our many riders and the thousands of people who come to view the event and cheer on the participants,” Foster said.

Added Rosarito Beach Mayor Hugo Torres, whose city hosts the event: “The ride is one of the signature events for Rosarito and this region of Baja. It attracts excellent people and creates a great atmosphere. We’re greatly looking forward to it.”

Participants can register online for $45 through www.BetterSignUp.com, or they can register on the day of the event for $50 at the Rosarito Beach Hotel. More information is available at www.RosaritoEnsenada.com as well as www.rosarito.org

The Rosarito-Ensenada ride has been called the Original Party on Wheels. Revelers in costume roll along, tossing candy to children along the course. Beach cruisers strap boom boxes to their handlebars. Parents tow children.

Racing teams form pace lines, trying to beat the official record of 1:52:54 set in April of 2007. Other participants just ride for the enjoyment and atmosphere.

Transportation packages from the United States are available, Foster said. Tour companies transport riders’ bicycles at no extra charge, and because the buses return to the United State through the rapid SENTRI lane, cyclists avoid a wait at the border.

Many hotels offer special rates and are participating in the Border Fast Pass program which can cut border waits by half, especially on the weekends, Foster said.

The Finish Line Fiesta is free for participants and spectators, overlooking the Ensenada harbor with panoramic views of the cruise ships at sunset. Live rock-n-roll, jazz and salsa plays into the night while local chefs serve their best.

Massage therapists are available to work out every knot, and there will be a lot
of celebrating with ice cold beer and award-winning wines from Baja’s wine country, Foster said.

Shuttles are available on the event course from the finish line to the start line before and after the event. So if participants stay in Rosarito Beach, they can take the shuttle back to Rosarito after the event.

“The corridor from Rosarito Beach to Ensenada is safe for tourists, and Baja remains a beautiful and affordable destination for travel with friends and family," Foster added.

Foster said that this recent e-mail from a frequent ride participant summed up the spirit of the event: “Thanks for another great experience! I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve done this ride since the early 1990’s. All I know is they keep getting better!”

www.bajainvestment.com

Baja Is Safe For Visitors, Says Ranking U.S. Diplomat

ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---Baja is safe for visitors and he hopes its vital tourism sector quickly rebounds, a leading U.S. diplomat told El Mexicano newspaper in a front-page story published Monday.

Ronald Kramer, head of the U.S Consulate in Tijuana, said that some coverage of Mexico’s war against drug cartels had falsely created the impression in the U.S. that the area is unsafe for visitors.

While the bi-national effort against drug cartels is a serious one, visitors are not targeted, Kramer said. He also praised the Mexican army and authorities for their successes in the effort.

Kramer expects efforts by Mexican leaders, including Rosarito Beach Hugo Torres, to be successful in rebuilding Mexico’s image, but said the country’s economy and many of its people currently are suffering because of the significant loss of tourism dollars.

Kramer also said concerns in past weeks about the H1N1 virus (also known as the swine flu) had hurt the area’s economy.

He cited as an example some cruise lines canceling voyages to Ensenada and diverting them to San Diego, which actually had more confirmed cases of the flu.

MEDIA CONTACT:Ron Raposa

www.bajainvestment.com

Imagineering a solution for the Middle East

David Lansing
davidlansing.com
Friday, June 5, 2009

You know how it is when you’ve got a couple of hours to kill at the airport. You read Vanity Fair, get your shoes shined, wander around the Duty Free shop pricing the Kahlua. And if you still have time on your hands, like I do, you use the back of your receipt from California Pizza Kitchen to noodle out thoughts on how to solve the problems in the Middle East.

So here’s what I’ve come up with: First, Emanuel Rahm quietly goes out and hires Disney’s Imagineers, the folks that brought us a faux-Matterhorn and “It’s a Small World,” to build clever recreations of sections of Jerusalem, including the Wailing Wall and the Damascus Gate, which are then buried under a sandy stretch of desert in northern Baja. Shortly thereafter Hillary announces the construction of a new FasTrak toll road between San Diego and San Felipe, sans border checkpoint, at a joint press conference with Mexican president Felipe Calderon who then proclaims that the Sea of Cortez, named after the despised Spanish conqueror, will henceforth be referred to by its original pre-conquest name, Mar Muerto. The new toll road will be called Carretera de la Muerte (also known as the Sea-to-Sea Highway in the States).

Now, while the toll road is being built, anthropologists are brought in to insure that no important archaeological sites are destroyed during construction and lo and behold, in several sea lion caves along the coast, they not only come across a number of used rubbers and old Corona bottles but some ancient scrolls written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Spanglish on the sort of wax paper used to wrap fish tacos back in the day.

While the Mar Muerto Scrolls (as Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush soon dubs them) are being deciphered, an earth mover pushing over cardon cacti uncovers what appears to be the ruins of a buried city near the town of Rosarito Beach that includes a long stone wall made of concrete and plaster of Paris that, in sections, appears to be at least 60 feet high and, oddly enough, has chinks in it where little pieces of paper have been inserted. The notes say things like “Pray for a shot of storm surf” and “Doc Ball owns the green room!”

The timing of the discovery is fortuitous as the archaeologists, as well as the judges from American Idol, who happen to be vacationing at the nearby Festival Plaza Hotel (except Paula Abdul, who wasn’t invited), pronounce that these are ancient text, some at least 30 years old (or longer than anyone can remember), and they clearly indicate that Baja is the Promised Land. As for those other scrolls found in and around Qumran 60 years ago? Scholars had been reading them upside down. Bummer.

Barack Obama quickly convenes a summit meeting at Camp David with President Calderon and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after which it is announced that the United States and Israel have jointly agreed to purchase the entire 1,100-mile-long Baja peninsula for an undisclosed amount of cash plus a fleet of new (but unsold) ‘08 Hummers stuffed with credit default swaps bundled by Lehman Brothers and a 50 percent stake in the recently restructured GM. “In addition,” says an obviously pleased Obama, “we are throwing in the state of Texas as a measure of goodwill.”

The entire population of Israel will be relocated to Baja just as soon as Pequeña Jerusalén (as Rosarito Beach is quickly renamed) is unearthed, announces Netanyahu during a joint press conference in which all three leaders wear identical white guyabara wedding shirts and black skull caps. No current Mexican residents in Baja will be forced to move. In fact, says the Prime Minister, “Since Baja is three times the size of Israel but has only a third of the population, we hope our Mexican amigos stay. Afterall, we have lots of hotels and golf courses to build. And, personally, I love nachos.”

Israel will be given to the Palestinians. Nuevo Israel (formerly Baja) announces it will pay for its portion of the transaction (the cash) by eliminating its military which is now unnecessary as Netanyahu, or El Jefe as he asks to be called, points out since the country will be surrounded on three sides by water and share a common border with its BFF, the United States. Plans are also announced to expand the border-free toll road from Los Angeles to Jaifa (formerly Cabo).

Treaties are signed, photos taken, twitters sent.

www.bajainvestment.com

Is Mexico safer than New Orleans?

Posted by Jason Clampet at 3/26/2009

I've been a big fan of Baja California ever since I lived in Los Angeles and began taking frequent trips to the peninsula. I'm not sure, though, how accurate my impressions of the place are now, considering that I spent all of my time there before the uptick in violence that began in 2008. From the recent press reports and the warnings coming from the State Department as well as TV talk-show hosts, you'd think all of Mexico was a death trap waiting to snap shut on you as soon as you cleared customs in Tijuana, Mexico City, Cancun, or Cabo San Lucas.

I got sick of sifting through all the "don't go to Mexico" stories out there, so I emailed Hugo Torres, the mayor of Rosarito, for some perspective. Rosarito, a 20-minute drive from downtown Tijuana, became a hot spot in the early 2000s for southern Californians seeking affordable second homes. It's also a popular weekend spot for college kids and soldiers from the San Diego area.

Torres has a few biases, to say the least: in addition to being mayor, his family has long owned Rosarito's most notable hotel (Sinatra, Orson Welles, and Rita Hayworth were a few of its guests from Hollywood's Golden Age). But he's not an idiot, which is why he's not going to say "come on down, it's safe" if he thinks that'll lead to San Diego surfer getting kidnapped



"The best way [to know what's going on] is to talk to our frequent visitors or some of the 14,000 expatriates who live here," Mayor Torres emailed me. "They know from first-hand experience that Rosarito is safe and welcoming, perhaps more so than ever."


"The inaccurate perception of insecurity here has greatly reduced tourism. That perception, along with the U.S. economic slump, also has deeply impacted residential building. Together, it has been a tough economic hit. About 5 restaurants closed in this period, so far, one hotel closed for previous problem aggravated by the current crisis. Approximately 1,500 jobs have been lost."

A number of residential developments have been suspended or shut down completely, including a Trump condo tower that would have likely been a debacle with or without the violence and economic slump. Yesterday, Rosarito delayed until August a pro surfing contest that was to be held in April, citing a lack of sponsors and the need to wait until the media frenzy died down.

Torres trusts that will happen soon enough. "In general, the media that know us best and cover us most closely have presented the most accurate portrait. This includes, foremost, the San Diego Union-Triubune and also the Los Angeles Times. Pete Thomas, who writes the "Outposts" blog for the Times, has been excellent. Many of the sensationalized stories are done by reporters who seldom --- and sometimes never --- visit the area."

Like other Mexico boosters, Torres pushes the cartel-on-cartel violence story line. "The violence we have had has been primarily between rival factions of a drug cartels as more pressure is brought upon them; our visitors are not targeted nor is the typical resident affected. However, the inaccurate perception of insecurity here has greatly reduced tourism."

A vast majority -- over 90% by just about any count -- of those that have been killed in Tijuana and other cities are related to the drug trade in one way or another. It's also true that the violence is so concentrated in certain cities that there is rarely spillover into nearby towns, let alone other states. Baja California Sur, which takes up the southern half of the peninsula and includes La Paz and the Los Cabos area, had one drug-related murder this year, making the area safer than just about any city in the United States. Torres and others have pointed out that New Orleans, which almost everyone in the travel industry encourages people to visit, ranked third in 2008 for the most murders per capita in the world -- just between Cape Town, South Africa and Moscow, Russia.

That doesn't mean people shouldn't be careful when traveleing there. "We'd give pretty much the same advice that works for travelers anywhere," Torres says. "Stay in the popular tourist and business areas and avoid ones where things like drug dealing and prostitution occur. That won't be hard to do."

Photo credit:
Guadalupe Valley vineyards
Photo by jasoncedit

Gustavo Torres
www.bajainvestment.com

WAR ON THE DRUG CARTELS

As we've seen in the many many new US news reports on the drugs and violence, there is a war going on. We've seen too that, like Mrs. Clinton mentioned repeatedly, as long as the US continues the drug demand, all countries in the world will keep supplying it.
The difference here is that Mexico declared a WAR ON THE DRUG CARTELS…
I wish I could say the same for the US and other countries. I have never seen where the US police forces capture a drug boss in US soil.
WHY are we leaving the war only to Mexico? And yes, we have a drug war going on in Mexico, trying to stop narcotics from crossing the border.
Drugs mostly come from Colombia, Venezuela, Panama and other places, stop in Mexico, and then find their way into the US market. And the news people love to exaggerate the situation and show Mexico and places like Baja, very unstable, and like some even say in these blogs…”on the brink of civil war”.
This is amazingly ridiculous. Mexico is a stable country, and in most Mexican cities, you wont event know there is a drug war going on. In Baja, for example, we have over 20 million American tourists visiting every year, and no big incident involving an American has occurred in the last 18 months.
Out of 20 million VISITORS! How many incidents involving Americans have occurred in cities in the US in the same period?
Please be real! I ask US media: please be fair, and show the other side of Mexico! In some Baja cities, like Rosarito Beach for example, over 10% of the population is American, living happily, and now upset at US media, as they are scaring their friends and family from visiting them! They mostly believe that there is an agenda to attack and discredit Mexico. In another example, an agent for the US State Departement in California, saw some news reports, and based on that, he issued the travel alert for spring breakers NOT to travel to Baja or other parts of Mexico.
Yes, out of exagerated news reports… no facts, no knowledge!
Millions of spring breakers had been coming to Baja for over many years, and NO incident what so ever has happend to any of these visitors… Now with these media reports, the Tourisim sector in Baja is in crisis. I know bad and scary news sells more, but look at the damage to our country when newspeople don’t cover the true facts.
Mexico’s number one export is oil, but our number two income source is tourism.


Gustavo from Baja
www.bajainvestment.com

Ron Raposa

College Project Focuses On Media Accuracy in The Coverage of Rosarito Beach, Mexico
ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO ---A public affairs class from Boston’s prestigious Emerson College for the second year will focus on conveying an accurate picture of this tourist city and dispelling misleading U.S. media reports.

The RediscoveRosarito project is that of a graduate class in public affairs led by Emerson College professor Gregory Payne, whose family also has a home in the tourist and vacation city 30 miles south of San Diego.

Payne originated the idea for the project in international public affairs after seeing some U.S. media reports that presented a picture of Rosarito far removed from the city that he had known for years and to which he is a frequent visitor.
“One of our major objectives it to ensure that the stories and narratives are backed with facts and not sensationalized solely to get the attention of the public,” Payne said.

“Last year and this year, we see the mediated reality at odds with the facts. Rosarito is a safe and secure city for tourists to visit and expatriates to move to and enjoy the Baja Mexican lifestyle.”
He cited a recent segment on ABC World News Tonight as an example of misleading coverage.

“Mexico under the leadership of President Felipe Calderon is conducting a serious battle against drug cartels. But despite what some media reports have indicated, regular residents and visitors to Baja California are not the targets.”
Rosarito Mayor Hugo Torres said he was very appreciative of the work of Payne and his class, 10 of whose members visited Rosarito when the project was launched. He said that inaccurate perceptions had badly damaged the city’s tourism-based economy.

“It’s gratifying to have such a prestigious U.S. college as Emerson advocating for us and helping our story be told in a fair and balanced way,” Torres said. “With our new tourist police force and other steps, Rosarito with its population of 14,000 expatiates is safer and more welcoming than ever.”

Emerson students this year will continue the bi-lingual RediscoveRosarito website, the second Rosarito Student Film Festival, and a media ethics project - rosaritofactcheck - dedicated to making sure the media’s message is fair and accurate.
The results of this media audit will be presented at the National Communication Association`s Annual Convention in Chicago this November and at the International Academy of Business Disciplines Annual Convention in Los Angeles, Spring, 2010.

Results of the audit will also be submitted to Media Ethics, a scholarly publication on the role of ethics and the media, as well as to local news affiliates in California and Mexico, Payne said.
Emerson students also are working on a collaborative project with students from Southern California colleges dedicated to promoting Rosarito as a great place for spring break and weekend trips.
A public relations campaign will be developed to promote this effort by the class at Emerson, founded in 1880 as the only school devoted exclusively to communication,

RE/MAX Baja Realty
www.remax-baja.com

Legendary Rosarito Beach Hotel Offers $29 Introductory Rate Through Feb. 12

ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---The legendary Rosarito Beach Hotel, Baja’s largest and most historic resort, is offering a special $29 rate on standard rooms through Feb 12.
“We’re offering this largely to introduce people to the expanded and refurbished Rosarito Beach Hotel,” said Laura Torres, executive director of the 500-unit beachfront resort about 30 miles south of downtown San Diego.
The rate is the lowest offered since the 1990s, Ms. Torres said. Advance registration is required and availability limited. Fridays, Saturdays, holidays and select blackout days are excluded.
“The $29 rate applies only to standard rooms in our Coronado and Playas towers, but we expect that people will take the opportunity to visit our new Pacifico Tower while here,” Ms. Torres said.
The 271-suite 17-story beachfront Pacifico opened Aug, 2. The tower is a condo-hotel, where people can purchase a unit as well as stay as guests.
The $29 dollar offer, made possible in part by the dollar gaining strength against the peso, also is a way to reward loyal guests and counter some recent bad publicity about Baja.
“Coverage of Mexico’s war against organized crime has made some people worried about security in Baja,” Ms. Torres said. “We hope this offer will help make people aware that Baja remains a safe place for visitors.”
The Rosarito Beach Hotel opened in 1925 and was a popular stop for the Hollywood crowd, with guests including Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, Rita Hayworth and Frank Sinatra.
It features two restaurants, a world-class European Spa, and folkloric ballet show on weekends. The resort has a quarter-mile fishing pier and hosted the Mexican surfing championships.
Rosarito Beach is a popular tourist destination which attracts more than a million visitors a year. Its lively downtown, rich in shopping and entertainment, is a short stroll from the hotel.
Attractions including the world-famous Puerto Nuevo lobster village and theme park of Xploration, where Titanic and Master & Commander were filmed, are just a few miles away.
“It’s fresh lobster season and a great time do some early holiday shopping,” Ms. Torres said. “With this $29 offer, there never will be a more affordable time to visit.”
Additional information is available on www.RosaritoBeachHotel.com

GUSTAVO TORRES
www.remax-baja.com
1-866-588-2252

Flow to river channel to drop; irrigation uses seen

By Sandra Dibble
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

September 26, 2008

TIJUANA – It sits on a hillside miles from San Diego, rising above tightly packed colonias in Tijuana's fast-growing eastern end. Despite its distance from the border, the new Monte de Los Olivos sewage treatment plant has been drawing applause in California.
Expected to begin operation within a month, the $9 million plant will at full capacity treat the waste of some 265,000 residents to a tertiary level, clean enough for irrigation. Together with a smaller but similar plant, La Morita, set to open this year, Monte de Los Olivos will dramatically decrease the flow of untreated sewage down the Tijuana River channel that leads to the border.

The operation of the two plants also will relieve Tijuana's main sewage treatment plant, the over-burdened Punta Bandera facility south of Playas de Tijuana. By the middle of next year, officials hope the operation of the new plants will largely eliminate the coastal discharges of untreated sewage at Punta Bandera.

“This project puts Baja California at the vanguard of sewage treatment in Mexico,” Baja California Gov. José Guadalupe Osuna Millán told a crowd of more than 300 gathered for yesterday's inauguration ceremony at Monte de los Olivos.

The plant's opening marks the first step in an ambitious state-led reclamation project for Tijuana that will take years to develop. The city's 1.4 million residents look to piped-in water from the Colorado River to meet more than 90 percent of their water needs, and the state has been hard-pressed to expand the region's supply.

By using treated water for irrigation and industry, the state hopes to save the Colorado River water for residential and commercial purposes. But before they can proceed, they need to build a network of pipes to deliver the reclaimed water, and find enough users.

No one disputes that the plants at Monte de los Olivos and La Morita, which will treat sewage in the Tijuana River watershed, represent a major step forward for the city. Financing for the two plants, along with a third scheduled to open next year in southern Tijuana, is through a low-interest loan from the Japanese government and Mexico's federal government. The builder is a Mexico City-based company named Fypasa.

Initially, only 10 percent of Monte de los Olivos' output capacity will be used for reclamation, said Hernando Duran, head of the state public service commission in Tijuana, known as CESPT. The state is setting up a system that will pipe any of the unused treated effluent for discharge into the Pacific Ocean south of Punta Bandera.
“While the system is designed, it's not fully ready,” Romo said. “Overall, it's a very good sign, but people should not expect results by tomorrow.”

Within four years, Duran said the hope is to be using at least three-fourths of Monte de los Olivos' capacity in reclamation projects. Beyond that, the state is also studying the possibility of piping some of the reclaimed water to a point above Tijuana's RodrNguez Dam, allowing it to filter through into the reservoir.

“They deserve a huge amount of credit for what they've done,” said Bart Christensen, senior engineer with California's State Water Resources Control Board, and his agency's border coordinator. “They have the same goals as San Diego, but they don't have the resources San Diego has. They have to be really creative to get their infrastructure implemented in Tijuana. This really demonstrates Mexico's commitment to addressing their own waste water infrastructure needs.”

Despite progress, Tijuana's sewage flow continues to exceed the city's treatment capacity. Cross-border sewage spills have for decades been a contentious issue, as incidents in the Tijuana River basin are likely to be felt across the border in the Tijuana River estuary in Imperial Beach. Though dry weather flows have largely been eliminated, cross-border sewage flows during wet weather continue to shut down South Bay beaches.

Monte de los Olivos “is a critical facility that's necessary to meet Tijuana's waste water treatment needs today and in the future,” said Su Cox, an environmental engineer with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which has been working closely with CESPT on a plan to connect an additional 34,000 residents in eastern Tijuana to the sewer system.

“The thing that's great about this is that it addresses environmental health and public health needs on both sides of the border.”

Highlights
Cost: The $9 million Monte de los Olivos plant will treat sewage from about 265,000 residents in eastern Tijuana.

Irrigation: The plant launches a major reuse project for Tijuana, and officials are installing pipes to distribute the water to green areas. Most of the flow will initially be discharged into the ocean.

Coastal discharge: The plant provides relief for the overburdened coastal Punta Bandera plant. Together with future La Morita plant and new sewage collection projects, the coastal discharge of untreated sewage from the Punta Bandera plant is near an end.

Cross-border: Cross-border sewage flows in wet weather will continue, but the concentration of sewage in those flows is expected to decrease.

Other projects: A third sewage treatment plant in southern Tijuana, a desalination plant in Ensenada that will produce 5.7 million gallons of water a day, and expansion of the Colorado River aqueduct.

www.bajainvestment.com

Dylan Southworth wins 4th circuit of Las Americas Pro Am

Isaac Avila Cegobiano

Dylan Southworth : photo Isaac Avila Cegobiano

Copas Las Americas Stop #4

Dylan Southworth wins the 4th cup circuit of Las Americas Pro Am > Espanol abajo

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 19 September, 2008 : - - The local Sayulita Dylan Sourthworth was the fourth stop in Rosarito, BC. Dylan has to be #1 in the Copas Las Americas, now, for sure, he won the Nationals first place in Nexpa as well as in Cabo San Lucas in junior category, he is #2 in the Alas Latin Tour, he ended up #11 in the World Juniors. He only just turned 18 in July.

Sunday 14

With a clear day and a pleasant sun, Playas de Rosarito showed him to surfers with its good climate that we are welcome to this pleasant Mexican Tourist Destination, the waves had dropped slightly but maintained their good form until he reached the wind and conditions varied a bit but that was not an excuse for the surfers who came to compete with everything at stake for $ 81000 pesos to distribute prize.

In this final because they saw the surfers arrived in half an hour that they gave these young surfers staged an electrifying final where more than 800 people who were on the beach appreciated applauding the actions of surfers. The winner of this fourth stop was Dylan who became the first surfer to win two stops of the circuit. Child Congratulations!

WINNERS SHORT BOARD

1. Dylan Southworth $ 30,000 pesos
2. José Manuel Trujillo 20,000 “
3. Abel Estopin 10,000 “
4. Christian Corzo 7,000 “
5. Heriberto Ramirez 5,000 “
6. Raúl Medina 1,000 “
7. Diego Cadena 1,000 ‘
8. Angelo Lozano 1,000 “

BODYBOARDS

This category ran 12 heats before reaching the finals stressing the current National champion Yolanda White, who was the only woman to compete in heats of these men, demonstrating their good level to enter the first heat and move up to the final where they faced Jonatan Lopez, who is her husband and father of the little Helio
At the end came

WINNERS BODYBOARDS

1. Jonatan Lopéz
2. Jonatan Jimenez
3. Jorge Lopéz
4. Yolanda Blanco

www.circuitosurfamericas.com

Espanol

El local de Sayulita Dylan Sourthworth se llevó la cuarta parada en Rosarito, B.C.

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 19 September, 2008 : - - Gracias al decidido apoyo del Alcalde Municipal de Playas de Rosarito C.P. Hugo Torres Chabert la cuarta parada del circuito de surf copa las americas se llevo a cabo, en donde 32 competidores de tabla corta y tabla de cuerpo libre dierón el show durante dos días de competencías, en esta cuarta parada hubo algunos surfers de California.

Durante el día Viernes se pudo observar a los surfers entrenar en La Playa del muelle, a el torneo llegaron surfers de Oaxaca, Guerrero, Colima, Nayarit, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Baja California Sur y los anfitriones La B.C. afortunadamente para todos Playas de Rosarito le dio una gran bienvenida al circuito y lo recibió con olas de 3-5 pies con buena forma cosa que motivo a los surfers y durante este día Viernes pudimos verlos entrenar sacando aéreos y otras maniobras radicales.

Domingo 14

Con un día despejado y un agradable sol, Playas de Rosarito le mostraba a los surfers con su buen clima que somos bienvenidos a este agradable Destino Turístico Mexicano, las olas habían bajado un poco pero mantenían su buena forma hasta que llegó el viento y las condiciones variaron un poco pero eso no fue excusa para los surfers que entraron con todo a competir ya que estaban en juego $ 81,000 pesos a repartir en premios.

En esta final se pudo observar el porque estos surfers llegaron, en la media hora que se les dio estos jóvenes surfers protagonizaron una final electrizante en donde los mas de 800 gentes que hubo en la playa agradecían aplaudiendo las maniobras de los surfers. El ganador de esta cuarta parada fue Dylan quien se convierte en el primer surfer en ganar dos paradas del Circuito.¡¡¡ Enhorabuena niño!!!!

Tabla de Cuerpo

En esta categoría se corrieron 12 heats antes de llegar a la final destacando la actual campeona Nacional Yolanda Blanco quien fue la única mujer en competir en estos heats de hombres, demostrando su buen nivel al entrar en el primer heat e ir avanzando hasta llegar a la final en donde se enfrentó a Jonatan López quien es su esposo y papá de el pequeño Helio

A la final llegaron Jonatan Jiménez, Yolanda Blanco, Jorge López , Jonatan López. Quedando en primer lugar Jonatan López

Esta cuarta parada se llevo a cabo gracias a nuestros patrocinadores que hicierón posible que este torneo se llevara a cabo X Ayuntamiento de Playas de Rosarito, COTUCO, Quik Silver, Planeta Surf, Monster, Hotel Rosarito Beach, Newsurfersvillage.com.

www.circuitosurfamericas.com
www.bajainvestment.com

BAJA CALIFORNIA, POTENCIA DE ENERGÍAS RENOVABLES

Inversiones por un monto de 4 mil 900 millones de dólares se esperan recibir a mediano plazo en el corredor Mexicali-Tijuana mediante la ejecución proyectos de energías alternativas, informó el secretario de Desarrollo Económico del Estado, José Posada Gallego. Con lo cual, dijo, Baja California se colocaría como una potencia en la producción de aparatos para generar energías renovables.
El funcionario estatal indicó que la Entidad tiene un crecimiento en demanda energética al año de poco más de 100 megawatts, por lo que se ha fijado como meta obtener 20 por ciento de su energía de fuentes renovables.

En reciente gira de promoción realizada en España, lograron contactar a cinco empresas proveedoras de insumos de la industria de energías alternas. El secretario de la Sedeco dijo que la empresa española Abengoa, la cual aplica soluciones innovadoras para el desarrollo sostenible en los sectores de infraestructura, medio ambiente y energía, expertos en la gestión de agua, anunció la apertura de una oficina en Baja California para Octubre del 2008 en el área de investigación y desarrollo de tecnología de manejo de agua. Por lo que, Posada Gallego aseguró que el Estado sigue siendo muy competitivo en cuanto a la atracción de nuevas inversiones en las áreas de la aeroespacial, aeronáutica, energías renovables, tecnologías de la información y electrónica.

La Playa Motorcross

This NEW track is located just 10 minutes NORTH of downtown Rosarito Beach, Mexico, on the Toll Road K24 on the Hwy.
An incredible OCEAN VIEW track like no other!

Directions to the track:

From San Diego and LA: from Hwy 5 or 805 South, enter Tijuana, Mexico via San Ysidro. Follow the Rosarito-Ensenada TOLL-ROAD, look at the left at K24 on the Hwy (you'll see the track there, continue for about 1/2 mile, make a "U" turn at the RANCHO DEL MAR off ramp, going over the bridge, get on the Highway back to Tijuana, and Slow down for a VERY TECHNICAL exit.
The layout is the classic Outdoors MOTOCROSS Style.

www.bajainvestment.com

The Real Story About Baja as Told by American Expatriates

Baja California American and Canadian expatriates become stars of documentary

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- After months of endless sensational news articles on ongoing and constant rehashing of old stories scaring visitors to stay away, American expatriates living in Baja California said, "Enough."

The Baja California peninsula is home to an estimated 250,000 American expatriates with some 30,000 of them living in Tijuana, Rosarito Beach and Ensenada. Rosarito alone touts over 14,000 American retirees, nearly 10 percent of their 150,000 population.

Melinda Bates, former Social Director for the White House during the eight years of the Clinton Administration, has lived in Rosarito for over three years said, "I read the same news everyone else reads, but I feel perfectly safe here." Mona Keys, originally from Denver who moved to San Diego only to find she couldn't afford to live along the coast so she and her husband moved to Baja Mar in Ensenada said, "My mother calls me from Denver because the news about Baja frightened her, but I tell her not to worry, we're perfectly safe here."

Anne Hines, Canadian expatriate living in Rosarito for 10 year said, "The biggest challenge my fellow expats and I have is allying the fears of our family and friends when they read the headlines and many embellished or just plain untrue stories of the dire consequences for anyone venturing down to Baja."

Many expatriates believe US journalists purposely do not interview them because it would belie the notion that Americans are not safe in Baja.

The expats quickly volunteered to be interviewed for the documentary, The North Baja Coast: Come Visit - Stay to Live, produced by San Diego based TransBorder Communications. The documentary shows the beauty of Baja but the stars are the expatriates who tell their stories on living in Mexico including their personal security, quality and costs of medical services, cost of living and quality of life.

The documentary also highlights each of the four Baja California municipalities: Tijuana, Rosarito Beach, Ensenada, Tecate and Mexicali along with San Felipe, Baja's Palm Springs with a beach.

The half-hour documentary will be shown 50 times from August 25 through September 14 on a number of Time Warner Cable channels in West Los Angeles/San Fernando Valley, Ventura, Orange and Inland Empire counties.

Contact:
Hector C. Molina
TransBorder Communications
http://www.transbordercommunications.com

From your friends at RE/MAX Baja Realty
www.bajainvestment.com