What Americans Think about Rosarito

The Honorable Mayor Hugo Torres, Playas de Rosarito, Mexico.

Dear Mayor;

My wife and I have been enjoying the wonderful cities, people and culture of Mexico for over 20 years, and have never had a bad experience in our travels. We are now retired and live about half time at Club Marena, and we love Mexico more than ever, with no fear for our safety. We travel through the border region several times per month, and have never seen a single incidence of violence as reported in the American press. We do see the Federal Police and Army along our traveled routes, and welcome their presence because we know that they are helping to protect the citizens and tourists in the area.

We are constantly calming minds of our friends, family and neighbors by assuring them that the true situation in Mexico is no different than in any other city of the world, that the violence is among the warring drug cartels and the Mexican Government, and that the American press is grossly misrepresenting the true situation. We also encourage those same family and friends to join us in the Baja experience, and have no qualms about having our 3 beautiful grandchildren and their parents visit us.

We thank you for being a visionary and brave leader that continues to make Rosarito Beach a wonderful place to live and visit!

Sincerely,

Steve Manning
Rosarito, Baja California. Mexico

What Americans Think about Rosarito

Honorable Mayor Hugo Torres, Rosarito, Mexico

Dear Mayor Torres;

My late wife and I purchased a condominium at Club Marena in 2005. After the death of my wife and the sale of my business in Chicago, I have had the opportunity to spend more time in Rosarito.

I love Rosarito, the people, the culture, the weather, the beauty of the landscape and the ocean, the food, and virtually everything about Rosarito. I have been in Rosarito for all of 2009 so far, and I plan to make it my permanent home. We have started a small business here, and we travel the neighboring cities (Tijuana, Playas de Tijuana, Ensenada) frequently on business without incident or fear of any danger. I attend civic events and movies in Rosarito at night, meet friends for dinners at night, and have never encountered any kind of difficulty. I feel much safer here in Rosarito than I felt in the Chicago area than it is in Rosarito.

Several family members and friends from the states have visited me here in Rosarito, after expressing grave concern about the reports of violence that are continually broadcast in the U.S. media. Every one of my visitors loved Rosarito and felt perfectly safe and welcome here – and they left wondering what all of the news reports were really about.

One of my brothers has made a deposit on a new condominium here after visiting me.

Viva Rosarito!

Sincerely,

Allan Browne
Rosarito, Baja, CA

What Americans Think about Rosarito

Honorable Mayor Hugo Torres, Rosarito Beach, Mexico

March 21, 2009 - We live in Scottsdale during the winter months, and then move to our home in Rosarito Beach for 5-6 months in the summer. We have had it for 4 years. We are totally in love with everything about being there!

I feel much safer in Rosarito than I do in Scottsdale! WE walk anywhere, interact with the people (who are the most loving, kind and gracious we have met anywhere in the world!), love to walk on the beach, boogie board, and most of all just relax and have fun in our retirement years in a warm and peaceful environment.

I would let my kids come back here, alone, at any time. You have done a great job adding to the police, and upgrading existing ones. But there never was a crime problem. The drug dealers are as far away from us in Rosarito as they are in Scottsdale – we only see it on the news, but it is nowhere near us, here or there.

If these so-called reports would LIVE in Rosarito for a week or two, what they write would be completely different! It is the best place in the worlds to live – San Diego weather, great food, low prices and TOTALLY SAFE!
Regards,

Morrie and Marsha Baker
Scottsdale, AZ

Message to LA Times From Rosarito Mayor Hugo Torres Chabert

I wish the Obama administration would recognize the effort we are making in cleaning up our cities, our police forces, our state and country. Certain elements in the US government have reacted very quickly in telling people not to come to Mexico, talking only about the problems we have and that we have a lot of narcos.

We do, but you have more over there in the United States. Our criminals sell the drugs wholesale, you distribute them retail and the amount of money handled by U.S. distributors is probably 10 times as much. There has to be some recognition of that aspect.

For our city in particular, the travel warning is very important, as is recognition by the United States of what we're doing to fight trafficking. The US warning was issued after they saw some of the drug traffickers killed among themselves.

We have had lots of killings between traffickers. Ninety-six percent of the killings we have had in our area are between traffickers and that also happens in New Orleans or Baltimore or other cities with high crime rates. But all of a sudden, there is a campaign to stay away from Mexico.

In Rosarito, we have lost about 70% of tourists since the middle of last year. It had already dropped at the beginning of last year, but by mid-year, when the leader of the Arrellano Felix cartel was taken to the United States, the group was left headless and two guys wanted to get control and they started killing each other.

We haven't had any tourist or visitor caught in any crossfire in 20 years. We have 20million visitors a year in Baja California, so really the risk is not there for a tourist. I would really like the travel advisory to be investigated. They put it on because of what they read in the press and that's not exactly what happens here.



Hugo Torres
htorres@hotelrosarito.com.mx

Testimonials for Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico

While driving to my home in Bajamar from the US my car broke down on the highway at 1AM a Rosarito Policeman made sure I was ok and then found a shop that would fix my car at that late time,2 hours and $ 50.00 USD I was on the road.........Mucho Gracias

B. Larsen, Bajamar

Testimonials for Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico

I am a native Californian who has been visiting Baja since I was a child. There have been many changes over the years, but few as dramatic as in the decade or so since Rosarito became an incorporated city. Particularly in the recent years, Rosarito has faced a crisis and stepped forward with deliberate speed and leadership to bring order and safety to its residents and visitors.


Now as a full-time ex-patriot foreign resident, my real-life experience in Rosarito is far different from the one I see portrayed in the media. Of the 14, 000 or more full-time foreign resident Americans and Canadians living here, I am unaware of a single incident where any innocent foreign residents or tourist visitors have been victims of the violence visited upon us by the drug cartels. All but a few of the incidents between drug dealers have taken place, while technically within the city limits of Rosarito, far into the deserted canyons and hills surrounding the population center.


Teen-agers are not, perhaps, the most prudent tourists, but even these young people have ventured into our city for years and not one has encountered the predicted danger. In 2009, there are fewer of them so far, but they are coming here, and they are having fun-filled, violence-free vacations at bargain prices. Even the State Department "alert" stated calmly that Mexico is one of the most visited countries by Americans, who are advised to stay in tourist areas! All of the business zone in central Rosarito is a "tourist area" where visitors walk from taco stands to fish markets, from disco bar to family restaurant, from motels to luxury condos, and from sidewalk cafe to art gallery.


I am a member of the Rosarito Friends of the Library, and we visit libraries throughout the city without fear, even in outlaying colonias. Recently major corporations such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Applebees, Burger King and GNC Nutrition have opened locations in Rosarito. Others are coming. They share our confidence in the safety and sunshine we enjoy in Rosarito.


Just so you know... I am semi-retired, but have nothing to sell. I don't own a business here, don't sell real estate, and don't have a financial interest in the tourists who either visit or don't visit Rosarito and Baja. It is simply an injustice to watch repeated media reports that use years old video tape and information from other parts of the country while they stand in San Ysidro, California and do their reporting with cameras pointing toward Mexico... where they have never visited.

Ken Bell
Rosarito, Baja California
RosaritoKen@gmail.com

Testimonials for Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico

One fact to know about us first is that we do not have a cell phone - left them ALL back in Colorado feeling we did not need them here in Rosarito. On Thursday, March 12, 2009, approximately 4:15PM, we had just crossed the border coming back from a day at the doctors in Hillcrest, CA. Our van just died on the street along the Mexican side the of border fence. Several bystanders jumped into action and pushed us out of traffic.

These men, at one point, had become quite demanding of money. And then a Tijuana resident, Sr. Barajas, stopped and came to our aid. He spoke English as well as his native Spanish. He helped by translating with the guys who had pushed us. He volunteered to go for a tow truck and he would be right back. Just after he left a Motorcycle Officer, Sahagun S., stationed out of Playas de Tijuana, stopped. He spoke English, was extremely professional, courteous and helpful.

He also offered to call a tow truck and in fact did so. Without a word his presence disbanded the group of men who had pushed our van. Within 15 minutes, two tow trucks simultaneously show up. In one of them is Sr. Barajas and it is a flat bed, which is exactly what we had asked for. Sr. Barajas again translated for us, negotiating with Ranulfo of Gruas Guardado in Tijuana, to take us to Rosarito AND for a fair price. We told Officer Sahagun how much we appreciated his assistance and to tell the tow truck he called we were sorry but we could not use them. We felt we had to go with Sr. Barajas after his coming through for us. We were at our mechanics and then our home in Rosarito by 6:30PM, just shortly after dark.

If it had not been for the people of Tijuana, Playas de Tijuana and Rosarito - all of them - we may have been in a collision or worse. We have been here for 2 years and this is just one of several occasions that the citizens and officials of the Baja have come to our aid. We love it here and believe strongly that this is a FANTASTIC place to live.

Nate And Julia Prine
Rosarito - Full time resident & Lovin' IT

Testimonials for Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico

I've lived here in Rosarito for 2 1/2 years in a wonderful home on the beach. I do everything I would do if I were living in San Diego, only at about 1/2 the price. Rosarito is a charming town with the friendliest people I have ever encountered in all my travels. How many times have you had on-coming traffic stop for you, so you could make a left turn? Happens to me all the time here!
Do I feel safe? Absolutely! I have spoken to many people in the American community and they too feel perfectly safe. The bad guys are not after us, they're mostly after each other. When the US media quotes "drug deaths in Mexico" The are reporting on an entire country NOT Baja. I don't know what the number of Drug related incidents are in the US, but I'll bet if you included users along with dealers and assaults, robberies and other related issues, you'd come up with a pretty high number

Sr. Torres, the mayor of Rosarito has done an incredible job of cleaning up the police force and even setting up a Tourist Police group (all of whom speak English) who are ready to help you with any problems you may encounter. But frankly there's no reason to expect any problems, other than needing some directions on how to find something.
The merchants and restaurants in town are anxious to have your business and in addition to generally lower prices, you dollar goes a lot further here in Baja
COME ON DOWN!!!

Susan Smith
susansmithz@hotmail.com

Murder By Media: What Misleading News Coverage Is Doing To Mexico

By Hugo Torres, Mayor
Rosarito Beach, Mexico

ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---In Rosarito Beach, as in much of Mexico, we are fighting two battles these days.

One is against organized crime. The other is against misleading media coverage that wrongly implies that much of Mexico is unsafe for visitors and residents, and which is devastating our economy.

Some reporters, stories and outlets have been responsible and balanced, including some of those who know this area best. Many, perhaps most, have not.

The war that Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon has launched against drug cartels (which are fed in part by a $38 billion yearly U.S. drug market) is indeed a serious one, one of vital concern for both our countries.

We welcome and invite serious and analytical coverage of this struggle. Such coverage can be of significant help to both countries, which have much at stake.

What we don’t welcome is inaccurate, sensationalized, unbalanced and unfair coverage, which provides no insight but only promotes fear and misunderstanding. There has been far too much of this and it continues largely unabated.

Some media reports are simply biased and inaccurate. They are from individuals or media outlets that have an agenda against Mexico and will publish anything to promote it, whether or not it is true.

What is more troubling are reports from mainstream media that present an unbalanced, superficial and worrisome portrait of what life is like in Mexico, including Baja, California.

This is sometimes done because sensationalism sells; other times because of lack of understanding: many reporters never even visit. At other times, the situation in one city is presented as if it represents all of Mexico, a vast country.

Reports repeatedly talk of 6,000 drug-related deaths in Mexico in 2008. (That surely is a troubling number, as is the existence of organized crime and the corruption it has caused. We’ve had to work hard in Rosarito to clean it up and it is a continuing challenge.) But what the reports don’t mention when they talk of killings is that Mexico is an immense country of 110 million people.

The reports often don’t mention that while some law enforcement personnel have been killed, cartel members primarily are killing each other as it becomes harder for them to do business, as they fight each other for shrinking territories.

What the reports also don’t mention is that in 2008, according to MSNBC, the murder rate in New Orleans was much higher than that of Tijuana. (Yet you will not see many if any stories warning people not to go to New Orleans. Much of the U.S. media uses far different standards when reporting stories outside the U.S.)

More troubling, the reports seldom state clearly that 90 percent or more of the killings in Mexico are drug-related. The typical resident is not targeted, nor is the visitor. As in New Orleans --- as in gang wars in Los Angeles --- the tourist is not the target.

Yet, those who watch or read many sensationalized media reports in the U.S. have become afraid to visit our region of Mexico, where tourism has dropped more than 50 percent, a reduction that has caused painful economic hardship here.

Sometimes reports cite, out of context, the U.S. State Department alert concerning travel to Mexico, indicating it advises people not to go.

In fact, while noting that drug-related violence has increased recently in Mexico, the alert (not a warning) in part advises “common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate businesses and tourist areas.’ That’s good advice for travelers most anywhere.

The U.S. State Department also notes that “millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year (including thousands who cross the U.S. land border every day for study, tourism or business).” You can read the entire alert on the U.S. Customs website.

Our many frequent visitors and expatriate residents (we have 14,000 in Rosarito alone) are among those who speak strongly of feeling secure here. They know the situation first-hand --- not from media reports.

This is not to say that Mexico does not have some crime problems, or that no visitor or U.S. resident will ever be victim of a crime in Mexico. With more than 20 million annual visitors and hundreds of thousands of expatriate residents, a crime will occasionally happen, just as it does in the U.S. and other countries.

But that is rare here.

More typical is the experience of Jack Flynn, owner of the Professional Longboard Association, who is a part-time Rosarito resident and has been coming here for decades to surf. He never has had one problem. He encourages people --- including fellow surfers --- to come see for themselves.

A graduate-level public affairs class at Emerson College, a prestigious communications school in Boston, recently began doing a study on U.S. coverage of Mexico. Already it has found many instances of sensationalism and bias, including from some prestigious media outlets from which better should be expected.

No one at Emerson is getting paid for this project. It is being conducted because the professor of the class, Gregory Payne, saw a vast difference between life in Rosarito, where his family has a home, and what the media was reporting.

He simply could not recognize the safe and enjoyable Rosarito he knows first-hand from the one he was encountering in media reports. He knows that with recent changes, Rosarito probably is safer than ever --- despite the impression created by many media reports.

We hope the Emerson project, along with other efforts and the media’s self-examination of its own reporting, will result in fairer coverage in the future. In the meantime, please talk to those who know the area first-hand --- or visit yourself --- to get an accurate picture.

Right now, you’re not getting one from many media reports.

(Hugo Torres is in his second three-year term as Mayor of Rosarito, which he began
in December of 2007. Since taking office he has reformed the police force, adding a special tourist police force, and an office for visitor assistance.)

Testimonials for Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico

I get very upset at what I read in the American Press regarding Mexico, in particular. Rosarito Beach. Yes, there have been some serious issues regarding corrupt groups, but their quarrel is between themselves and it rarely spills over into the civilian section and when it does, it is just a person being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I see more problems in the daily newspapers stateside, such as daily carjacking, gang issues and murders just to name a few. I really think that all this hype about Mexico is more to do with selling papers than giving its readers the real information.

I have a home in Rosarito Beach and another home stateside. I have been coming to Rosarito since I was a teenager and have had my home here for over 30 years. In all that time, I have never encountered any problems. Maybe I was just lucky, but most of my friends feel the same way I do. SAFE.

I love the lifestyle, kick back and relaxing. Every time I travel from the states to Rosarito, I feel like a huge stone has been removed from my back and I slide right back into that relaxed feeling of being back in Mexico. Rosarito Beach is a great little seaside get away and offers everything that is imaginable, good restaurants, reasonable hotel rates, a great beach, terrific shopping (and with the peso being as it now is, shopping is a bargain) and most of all relaxation.

Dr. Harry O.
ifapres@yahoo.com

Rosarito Beach Pro Surf Contest postponed until Aug. 7th -9th

March 18th, 2009- The City of Rosarito Beach and FDt Marketing, organizers of the Rosarito Beach Pro Surf Contest, announced today that the 1st annual surf contest has been postponed until August 7th. The event, which is setup up as an ASP WQS 1 star, is being postponed to help give organizers more time to work with sponsors on developing their sponsor programs and activation for the event.

“The postponement of this event is in no way related to the media attacks on Rosarito Safety, I still believe tourists can come down to Rosarito, have a good time, and not worry about crime and violence. My major focus is sponsorship activation, and timing. We have had a lot of interest from companies who have large ties in the Mexico market, but with the short time frame we have been working with to develop the event , it has made it hard for us at FDt Marketing to coordinate the types of programs that these companies would like to see come out of this contest. Knowing these companies are contributing a portion of their budgets to this event, I want to make sure the correct sponsorship activation is in place for all companies getting involved”, Jeff Stoner, President of FDt Marketing.

The new date given to the Rosarito Beach Pro, not only helps out the event organizers, but helps create another contest during the summer for the surfers. “We decided on Aug 7th-9th because of the other contest surrounding those dates. The US Open is two weeks beforehand, followed by the Puerto Escondido event, and with the Rosarito Beach Pro sliding in behind those two events, it gives surfers another contest before the 2 week layoff in the schedule. We felt instead of trying to rush into this contest, we would push the date back to make sure we have plenty of time to organize the event and work with sponsors”, said Jeff Stoner. He goes on to say, “We are dedicated to the success of each event we organize and develop, and this contest is no different. We want to put on the best contest possible for the surfers”.

You can find all the updated information on the Rosarito website at www.rosarito.org. For event questions please contact FDt Marketing at 858.272.2191.


CONTACT INFORMATION: info@fdtmarketing.com or 858.272.2191

Testimonials for Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico

From the moment I moved here almost two years ago my experience has been wonderful. I feel safer in my little town of La Mision than I ever did in any US city or rural town.

The people here have been, almost without exception, kind, friendly, helpful, respectful, gentle and warm. My favorite part of life in Mexico is that nearly everyone will smile and wave if you smile and wave.

Their willingness to engage and their trust in other human beings is a balm to my tired soul. I love the landscape too, the sea, the rocks, and the unique buildings. It's as though each one was created and built spontaneously, and then painted in glorious colors just for me.

Barbara K.

Testimonials for Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico

As residents since 1998 we have never regretted our decision to come to Baja. The weather, the people, and the lifestyle is all we hoped it would be. If you are an independent spirit with a flexible approach to life you can't make a better choice than living the good life here. Come join us!

--
SYLVIA DOMBROSKY

Testimonials for Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico

I am an americano having lived in baja california for 2 1/2 years. I own a home in Rosarito; for the last seven months I have lived in an apartment in downtown Tijuana for part of the week. It angers me how so much negative publicity is put out on both cities. I feel perfectly safe here.

People seem to forget that there is crime in San Diego, Oakland, or anywhere else in the United States. It is a pity to see the tourists staying away, the negative stories written about Baja, and the businesses and people directly hurt by the stories. This is my home and I love every day I am here!



Jack E. George

Testimonials for Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico

It's terribly true that so often it's the perception of the facts that counts, not the facts. So it is with Rosarito and crime.

My wife and I live a wonderful life in our condo in Rosarito Beach, living nicely on what would be called a poverty level income on the other side of the border. We "go to town" often and have never been bothered by that "crime" so falsely played up by the American media. I worked hard to become a governor back in the 'states.

Literally walking the entire state (1197 miles) while campaigning, I met thousands of hard-working people who would be called ordinary folks. I stayed in their homes night after night for four months. Here in Baja, I have met not as many but a lot of "ordinary folks" working hard for a living. It's a rotten shame that the exaggerations and lies being thrown out by newspapers and on TV "up north," are causing ordinary honest and hard working folks down here horrible harm from losses of jobs and income All of us Norte Americans should try hard to get out the real facts and dispel those false perceptions that unfortunately lead so many people to say, "I don't do Mexico."

To repeat, let's all spread the facts: This is a delightful place to live and to shop and the plain facts are that as you enjoy yourself in downtown Rosarito, those bad guys will not bother you.

Dan Walker, former Governor of Illinois

Testimonials for Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico

I feel safer here than I have in some places I've lives and traveled in the US. My last home in the US was in Eastlake and I feel safer here. Never hear a gunshot or see anyone that would frighten me.. I sleep at night listening to the ocean.

Nancy Callison RN
callnanc@hotmail.com

Testimonials for Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico

I have lived full time in Rosarito for 4 years this June and have only 'flowers' to report! Waking up on the ocean makes me pinch myself and Thank God for allowing me to fulfill my dream of living on the beach. A 'buenos dias', como estes or buen dia with a grand smile greets me where ever I go...

VIVA MEXICO,

A.K.
akenesie@yahoo.com

Testimonials for Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico

Four years ago I heard Dan Rather of CBS announce that there was much activity at the border, both ways. He said Americans were heading to Mexico in big numbers to retire.

I sold everything, put a footlocker in my car along with my cat and headed for Baja. My quality of life greatly improved because of the cost of living here. I live just a few blocks from the beach which I walk often, in downtown Rosarito Beach, close to shopping and entertainment. I’m not far from the border so I can get to San Diego for my Medicare. I’m only minutes away from one of the best heart clinics in the region. I feel safe. I’ve never heard a shot or seen a gun or a dead body. I have a caregiver 6 days/week. The cost of my apartment and my caregiver would be absolutely prohibitive in the USA. Everyday I thank God for delivering me from a life of mediocrity to a life of serenity. As they say in Mexico, estoy muy contento!

Peter Fowler
Retired American living in Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico
Author, Good Info for Gringos Living in Baja
www.info4gringos-baja.com
619-407-7089

Testimonials for Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico

We enjoy a far more quiet, friendly, inexpensive life in the Rosarito Beach area than we do in even our beautiful small town north of Santa Cruz, Ca. True, we stay away from downtown Tijuana in the middle of the night, and we don't flaunt an expensive car and fancy clothes even in Rosarito; but that is no more precaution than we would take in Watts, East L.A., Hartford, etc. in the States.

Oh, and our house here on the ocean front cost us less than a neighborhood tract house in Ca. Jack Haeger and Janice Patten

--
Dr. Jack H. Haeger
jhhaeger@gmail.com

Fall in love with Rosarito all over again!

The City of Rosarito Beach is inviting you to our 1st Annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, a fun filled weekend of Saturday and Sunday, May 2nd and 3rd which will focus on the vibrant colors, alluring flavors and lively sounds of Mexico.

There will be something for everyone! Starting with a two day restaurant competition, highlighting the scents and flavors of early Puebla, a headliner “concert” on Saturday night, many “native” dance troupes, many local artisans, local music, carriage rides and a “grand finale” fireworks display. Wear your best local garb; there will be a “best dressed” contest just for the fun of it!
Through the Hotel Association there are special hotel rates, with spa and golf packages available. Don’t forget to bring your surfboard!

This fiesta is a collaboration of the City of Rosarito and many of the Cities’ local business associations. This is our way to remind you that Rosarito Beach is fun, diverse and still, very safe. Please mark your calendars, and come enjoy yourselves with us.

For local information about Rosarito Beach log onto: www.rosarito.org

Baja Car Fest Rosarito 2009

Rosarito Beach, B. C. - With great enthusiasm and joy, the organizing committee of BAJA CAR FEST 2009, organized by TJ Soul Tijuana Car Club, the Automobile Council of Baja, members of "Rincon del Abuelo", and MVC events agency, presented a proposal before the local media and businessmen for the BAJA CAR FEST event, First Edition, which will consist of the exhibition of classic cars, low riders, mustangs, vw’s, euros, motorcycles and bicycles, to be held on Sunday, May 17 of 2009, in the Parking lot of Pavilion Rosarito Grand shopping center, at the North part of town.
The participation of 100 to 150 automotive, motorcycle and bicycle participants from car clubs from the states of Sonora and California, and the different clubs that comprise the Automobile Council of Baja California is planned for Rosarito.

It was also announced that the funds collected in this event will be donated to the members of "Rincon del Abuelo" a senior citizens non-profit organization group and thus offer greater support to other adults focused on supporting occupational programs by helping initiate small businesses with economic supports, which will require that the interested parties approach this future association to make their request and project proposal so that it may be evaluated and, if feasible, support can be granted to them.

Besides supporting social work, this event also can help the tourist sector because the visit of people from Sonora, California, and other Baja California cities is expected. Since BAJACARFEST is working on an excellent promotional plan that includes the states mentioned above, as well as supporting the city's economy, it is inviting the various businesses of the city to participate as sponsors and exhibitors in the event.

For further information Email: bajacarfest2009@hotmail.com

Tacos & Beer Festival at Rosarito Beach, Come and Enjoy the Flavors of Baja!

The Rosarito Chamber of Restaurants invites you to join the annual Tacos & Beer Festival on March 21st from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in front of Festival Plaza Hotel at the main street.

Come and taste the real flavor of Mexico while enjoying a delicious beer in a great family atmosphere.

Folkloric ballet, Mexican music and several shows will amenize the evening.

Tacos represent one of the most traditional dishes in the Mexican cuisine and are served in very different ways. From “Perrones” invented in Rosarito Beach, where the meat is cooked over a mesquite wood fire, to “Mulitas” which are filled with delicious cheeses that melts in your mouth, to the fish tacos where fresh fish is caught locally each day … you won’t run out of options to try. This event will showcase the diversity of flavors that exist in the world famous Baja California.

Prices will range between $12-$15 pesos per food sample at the event and general entrance will be free.

At the mains stage the Ballet Yuman will perform folkloric dances, Group Acero will present a Rodeo Show and they will have participation of many local artists.

Some of the participant restaurants are: “Carnitas el Cachanilla, Restaurant El Patio from Hotel Festival Plaza, Mariscos el Carrizal, Tacos Víctor, Tacos El Gerente, Tacos Tijuana Jr, Las Cubetas Restaurant-Bar, El Pollo Feliz Restaurant, Mariscos Mi Jacalito and for the kids they will have Virgilios Pizza.

For more information please call 01152(661)612-0700 or e-mail: martha@bajaevents.com.mx

Rosarito Beach Pro WQS Event Still On Amid Government Agency Warnings, Security Heightened

MARCH 9TH, 2009- The City of Rosarito announced today that the Rosarito Beach Pro WQS event scheduled for April 3rd-5th is still on and full steam ahead. With the support from city officials, such as the Rosarito police and Rosarito’s own, Mayor Hugo Torres, event organizers feel very confident the event can over with no major incidents, as security surrounding Rosarito has been heightened to insure everyone’s safety.
“We are very happy that FDt Marketing and the ASP have decided to host the event here in beautiful Rosarito Beach at the Rosarito Beach Hotel Pier. The surf contest is a very important event for Rosarito, as this city has been a favorite destination for surfers through the years. The contest has plenty of potential to be a successful event, and I am more than happy to make sure we host the Surf Contest every year from now on” said Hugo Torres, Mayor of Rosarito Beach.

Mayor Torres, has taken many steps to ensure the safety of residents and tourists of Rosarito by enlisting the help of federal and state police to help patrol the streets. Over 50 state police officers are now helping the 150 local police officers patrol the city streets and outlying areas of Rosarito. The additional security has been added around the city, after reports earlier this week that the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms gave warnings to spring breakers not to head into Tijuana and Rosarito Beach areas for spring break due to the dangers surrounding Northern Mexico and Baja California.

“We welcome all Spring Breakers as usual, Rosarito is safer than ever as we have launched the Tourist Police Force, a group of attentive bilingual officers, trained especially to deal with tourists issues; we also have the Tourist Attention Department, available 24/7 and a fully bilingual Ombudsman for mayor incidents. We have no problems here and no tourist has been affected by organized crime in the last 20 years”, stated Mayor Torres, when asked about his thoughts surrounding security for Spring Breakers, Surfers, and spectators heading into Rosarito over the next few weeks.

Rosarito officials amid all the recent bad press, feel that the Rosarito Beach Pro surf contest, and the few weeks of spring break will still see a large turnout. Rosarito has also launched a campaign to help educate people and let them know that violence in Rosarito Beach has not been an issue, nor have tourists been targets in the Rosarito area for organized crime.
For more information on Rosarito Beach, the Rosarito Beach Pro, and the safety surrounding the city please visit www.Rosarito.org.

CONTACT INFORMATION: info@fdtmarketing.com or 858.200.7619

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

By Ron Raposa

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.

Rosarito Beach Security Q&A

Rosarito Beach, the popular Spring Break destination is preparing to welcome hundreds of students from different U. S. Universities.

Rosarito Mayor Hugo Torres is expecting a good Spring Break Season this year, because the government took actions to improve security and tourist attention, while they are in the area.
Mayor Torres answered some questions to clarify what is the actual situation in Rosarito.

01.-What is Rosarito offering to the Spring Breakers?
Rosarito is offering sandy beaches, outdoor activities, delicious food, great shopping, accommodations, hospitality, entertainment, affordable prices and fun.

02.-Is it safe to visit Rosarito?
Rosarito is safer than ever before. We created the Tourist Police Force, a bilingual new group of young officers to protect and help visitors, and a Tourist Attention Office, working 24/7 for any incidents our visitors may have during their stay in Rosarito.

03.-Do you have any advice for the Spring Break Students?
They must use common sense like when visiting any city in the world; stay always within the tourist areas; avoid dark-isolated areas, and stay close to their friends.

04. - Are there any other rules tourist have to observe during their visit to Rosarito?
Do not drink nor carry open liquor bottles in the streets or when driving; drugs and firearms are not allowed in Mexico, and respect traffic signals. If someone gets stopped by the police, they must ask for the bilingual traffic ticket. They can pay the bilingual traffic ticket fine with a U.S. check from home. Fines are converted to dollars at the back of the ticket.

05. - Is violence affecting tourists?
Not a single tourist has been affected by serious crime in the last year. Publicized violence is not directed against common citizens or visitors. It is a battle amongst drug cartels always very far away from the tourist areas.

Dr. Jim Gerber Director of Latin American Studies at San Diego State University recently wrote an article about violence in border cities and how it is affecting people on both sides of the border. This in an excerption of the article:

“The murder rate in Tijuana is less than 40 per 100,000, which puts it between Oakland, CA and St. Louis, MO. That is high, but less than Baltimore and Detroit (mid-40s) and well below New Orleans (65 to 95, depending on who you talk to). New Orleans is a great place to visit, and we have yet to meet anyone who decided not to go due to its murder rate.”
“In addition to crossing the border fairly frequently, we have talked at length to our colleagues at various institutions throughout the border region, all of whom assure us that although crime has increased, our students, colleagues and average US citizen are not targets any more than are average Mexican citizens and they look forward to our continued interactions with them.”

“San Diego FBI Agent Keith Slotter has been telling parents for nearly a year that college kids have generally not been targets, but adds that they should be told to keep a low profile and be aware of their surroundings.” Abc News – USA \ Feb. 27, 2009

If you need more information about Rosarito dial U. S. Toll Free: 1800-962-BAJA or log onto: www.rosarito.org