Rosarito-Ensenada Bike Ride To Top 20 Million Mile Mark This Saturday

Now in its 30^th 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.

Rosarito Beach on KLAA Radio Last Night; Live From Angel Stadium with Philip Friedman

Philip Friedman spent 2 segments on his radio show Sunday evening talking about his great weekend in Rosarito Beach. "My family and I love Rosarito Beach and just can't get enough of being here," said Friedman.

15 year old Patrick Friedman was also emphatic about his Rosarito weekend. "When you walk in to the Rosarito Beach Hotel, you just feel like you are part of the family," said Patrick. "The worst part about a trip to Rosarito Beach is having to go home," he said.

Don Ashley has been in Sportfishing for over 50 years and loves going to Rosarito Beach. The owner of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach called in to the show to say that he wouldn't miss a trip to Rosarito Beach and that he has one of the best seafood meals he has ever had at Vinces Restaurant in downtown Rosarito Beach.

    Philips show is broadcast live from Angel Stadium on AM 830 radio at 8 PM on Sunday evenings. You can also listen worldwide on www.AM830KLAA.com .

Rosarito Beach In The Newspaper by Philip Friedman   

Rosarito Beach was also featured this week in Philip's article in the Daily Breeze. You can see it by clicking here-  http://www.dailybreeze.com/sportscolumnists/ci_15637484

Rosarito rebound: The seaside resort of Rosarito Beach, located 30 miles south of San Diego, had its best weekend for tourism of the summer with most major hotels at or near full capacity.

Tourism had slowed in Rosarito Beach the past three years because scattered drug violence in Mexico made some people in the U.S. concerned about security in the area.

"We had a 23 percent reduction in crime last year to our lowest level in five years, and the rate is down another 13 percent so far this year, Rosarito Beach Mayor Hugo Torres said.

Surf and pier fishing have been excellent for a few halibut and lots of barred perch and corbina right in front of the Rosarito Beach Hotel.

Philip A Friedman
2655 W. Carson St., Torrance, CA 90503
310- 328-8426 Philip@976-TUNA.Com
www.976-TUNA.Com www.YouthFishing.org www.ChristianRodriguez.org

Rosarito Beautification Effort Underway With Popotla Boulevard Projects & Others

A section of the city best known for housing the creation of beautiful things is the first to benefit from a new volunteer city beautification effort.

Sculptures including Neptune and others created by local artists have been installed along Popotla Boulevard, south of the main downtown, over the past several years.

Popotla is a section of Rosarito known for handmade furniture, metal sculpting, tile and glass work, art galleries and much more. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Rosarito.

Now the effort, organized by Juan Bosco president of AFAMARO, the Rosarito artisans’ association, is expanding to include Benito Juarez, which is the name of Popotla as it runs though the center and north of Rosarito.

A non-profit group is being formed to lead the project. It will consist of four subcommittees, one each for Rosarito north, Rosarito downtown, Popotla Boulevard and the Puerto Nuevo area.

Along the boulevard three murals will be painted, several fountains, old doors, sculptures and more will be installed, as well as plants, pots, banners and more.

Donations including materials are being sought to assist in the project. Anyone wanting to help can contact Laura Wong at bajatimes@prodigy.net.mx, Citlalitl Pereda at presidente@rosarito.org, or Bosco at juanbosco@afamaro.com

Rosarito’s Year-To-Date Crime Total Declines To Lowest Level In 5 Years

The number of crimes in this city from January to August of 2009 compared to the same eight months of 2008 declined by 24 percent, according to state government figures.

Rosarito had the largest decrease of any of northern Baja’s five cities --- which had an average decline of 10 percent --- and it was the only city where figures reached a five-year low.

“We are proud of the decrease,”

said Rosarito Beach Mayor Hugo Torres.

“We attribute it to improving our police force and expanding its size from about 140 officers to about 230, better equipment and expanded citizen watch efforts.”

“Police Chief Jorge Montero also has done an exceptional job,”

he said. Montero, a former Army captain, was brought in as chief in December of 2007.

Torres also cited strong support from the state attorney general’s office and arrests of high-level criminals by the Mexican military as reasons for the decline.

“We know there is much additional work to do, as there always is in fighting crime, but these are some very solid and encouraging numbers,”

added Torres, who took office in December of 2007.

The total number of crimes throughout the state declined from 92,060 to 83,155, with Rosarito accounting for 3 percent. Almost every major category declined with the exception of homicides, which went from 417 to 482 in Baja and 17 to 19 in Rosarito.

“The increase is primarily due to members of rival drug cartels killing each other as it becomes tougher for them to function because of the government’s crackdown on organized crime,”

Torres said.

“We hope to see a significant reduction in that category in the future. Currently it’s significantly higher than the U.S. average although lower than 2007 figures for cities including New Orleans and Baltimore, and about the same as Washington, D.C.”

Registration Underway For November 7 Rosarito-Puerto Nuevo Half Marathon

Registration is underway for the fifth Rosarito-Puerto Nuevo Half Marathon on Nov. 7, an event that organizers hope will attract 600 participants in various categories.

Categories for the event along the Pacific Ocean are men, women 18 to 24; 25 to 29 30 to 34; 35 to 39; 40 to 44; 45 to 49; 50 to 54; 55 to 59 and over 60 years. There also is a wheelchair category.

Trophies will be awarded for first, second and third place in each category, including wheelchairs. Cash prizes for the winners are first $400, second $300 and third $ 200.

For winners in the wheelchair categories first will be $150, second $100 and third $50. The winning Rosarito residents in men and women’s categories will each receive $200. They must prove at least three years of residence.

Commemorative medals will be awarded for the first 150 men and 50 women who finish and shirts given to each participant.

Entry fee is $100 pesos or $10 U.S. and registration is available at the Rosarito Convention & Visitors Bureau or the Institutes of Sport in Mexicali, Ensenada and Tijuana.

The last day to register will be Friday, Nov. 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the race pavilion. More information is available by calling 661-614-1454 in Puerto Nuevo, 661-612-0396 in Rosarito or emailing promoter@rosarito.org

From the U.S. people can phone 1-800-962-BAJA.

Management of the event is provided the State Association of Athletics of Baja California and the event is endorsed by the Mexican Federation of Athletics.

"This event is a tradition in Rosarito and people are excited about another great event with a large of number of participants,” said Gerardo Medina, president of the State Association of Athletics.

San Diego To Assist Baja California In Training New Tourist Police Force

The San Diego Police Department will help train members of a new Mexican metropolitan tourist police force that will patrol from Tijuana to Ensenada.

The training agreement was formalized in a letter of intent signed Monday at San Diego City Hall by Mayor Jerry Sanders and mayors of the Baja California cities of Tijuana, Rosarito and Ensenada.

The new force will patrol primarily the 50-mile coastal tourist corridor from the U.S.-Mexico border to Ensenada. Exact size of the force and other details will be developed in the next few weeks prior to the start of training.

The goal is to have the force in operation by early next year. It will be designed primarily to deal with visitors from the U.S., Baja's traditional main market.

“We’ve always prided ourselves on our working relationship with our friends to the south,”

Sanders said, adding that the economies of the two regions are closely tied and both benefit from binational tourism.

“What’s good for Rosarito and Tijuana and Ensenada is good for San Diego,”

he said.

Sanders also commended the three Baja California mayors on their “very courageous” efforts in Mexico’s crackdown on organized crime elements involved in the international drug trade.

Rosarito Beach Mayor Hugo Torres said that having San Diego police, who are very experienced in dealing with international and U.S. tourists, assisting with training would be a great benefit.

“It will help us find out how American police work so we can provide better services,”

Torres said.

Torres said that visitors always have been safe in Baja but the new metropolitan tourist police would help make them feel more comfortable, secure and welcome.

Rosarito in 2008 started its own 30-member tourist police force, a special city department for attention to tourists, an ombudsman’s office to assist visitors and now issues bilingual traffic tickets that can be mailed in with fines from the U.S.

Rosarito’s Year-To-Date Crime Total Declines To Lowest Level In 5 Years

The number of crimes in this city from January to August of 2009 compared to the same eight months of 2008 declined by 24 percent, according to state government figures.

Rosarito had the largest decrease of any of northern Baja’s five cities --- which had an average decline of 10 percent --- and it was the only city where figures reached a five-year low.

“We are proud of the decrease,”

said Rosarito Beach Mayor Hugo Torres.

“We attribute it to improving our police force and expanding its size from about 140 officers to about 230, better equipment and expanded citizen watch efforts.”

“Police Chief Jorge Montero also has done an exceptional job,”

he said. Montero, a former Army captain, was brought in as chief in December of 2007.

Torres also cited strong support from the state attorney general’s office and arrests of high-level criminals by the Mexican military as reasons for the decline.

“We know there is much additional work to do, as there always is in fighting crime, but these are some very solid and encouraging numbers,”

added Torres, who took office in December of 2007.

The total number of crimes throughout the state declined from 92,060 to 83,155, with Rosarito accounting for 3 percent. Almost every major category declined with the exception of homicides, which went from 417 to 482 in Baja and 17 to 19 in Rosarito.

“The increase is primarily due to members of rival drug cartels killing each other as it becomes tougher for them to function because of the government’s crackdown on organized crime,”

Torres said.

“We hope to see a significant reduction in that category in the future. Currently it’s significantly higher than the U.S. average although lower than 2007 figures for cities including New Orleans and Baltimore, and about the same as Washington, D.C.”

In other categories in Rosarito, total crimes of violence went from 40 to 39 (-3 percent), robberies and burglaries (combined) from 1,657 to 1,178 (-29 percent), vehicle thefts from 768 to 430 (-44 percent) and home burglaries from 362 to 364 (+1 percent).

Baja Charity Golf Tournament

AMPI, Rosarito Board of Realtors invites you to enjoy a fabulous day of October golf over the Columbus Day weekend at the beautiful Real Del Mar Golf Course. Your day will include 18 holes of golf with cart, continental breakfast, lunch at the turn and ending with a catered steak and shrimp dinner plus dancing to the sounds of a big band. Save the date of Sunday, October 11th. Golf is open to all who want to play for $125 USD pre-registration, or $150 USD day of the event.

Please register at www.BajaCharity.com

This will be a 4 person scramble with check in at 8:30 AM. Play begins at 10:00 AM. There will be prizes, contests, silent auctions and all around great fun for a field of 144 golfers.

Dinner and dancing will be open for non golfers as well and we encourage the community to join us for this festive evening. Dinner and dancing for non-golfers is $40 USD.

The tournament will benefit three of the City’s most involved charities; DIF Rosarito, Flying Samaritans, and Boys & Girls Club of Mexico.

Summary

What: AMPI Charity Golf Tournament & Dinner Ball
Where: Real Del Mar Golf Course – just 12 miles south of the border - www.realdelmar.com
When: Sunday, October 11, 2009
For: To Benefit the children and their families from Rosarito Beach
Charities: DIF Rosarito, Flying Samaritans and Boys & Girls Club of Mexico
Price: Pre-registration is $125 USD. $150 at the day of the event
Time: Check-in at 8:30 am. Play starts at 10:00 am

The Mexico Promotional Event to take place in San Diego, California

SAN DIEGO,CA — THE MEXICO PROMOTIONAL EVENT, presented by the Mexico Tourism Board and AeroMexico Airlines, will take place at Liberty Station in San Diego on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Event will feature exhibitors promoting Mexico travel/tourism, culture, and real estate products from over 20 destinations. Entertainment will include traditional music and dancers plus authentic Mexican food samplings.

Sponsors include: AeroMexico Airlines and the Mexico Tourism Board.

Exhibitors to date from 20 destinations including Baja California, Colonial Mexico, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Los Cabos, Nayarit, Puerto Vallarta, the Riviera Maya, Rocky Point, San Miguel de Allende and the Yucatan will be present. More destinations are expected to be announced in the near future.

In addition to the Event, a series of complimentary seminar presentations on tourism destinations, Mexican culture, authors, and real estate in Mexico will be offered throughout the day. Various raffle prizes will also be given away throughout the Expo including round-trip tickets on AeroMexico Airlines and hotel stays.

For additional information including exhibit and sponsorship availability, contact Ana Bravo at 619.584.0829 or by email at mexicoexpo@yahoo.com. Information can be accessed at www.themexicoevent.com. The event will be held at Liberty Station Convention Center in Point Loma near the San Diego Int'l. Airport.

Several Hundred Attend Mexican-Themed Fashion Show At San Diego’s Mingei Museum

SAN DIEGO, CA---Several hundred people attended a Friday evening fashion show by Mexican design house Pineda Covalin at the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park which also featured a variety of food from Rosarito restaurants and Baja wines.

The Baja State Secretary of Tourism, Rosarito Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Rosarito chamber of restaurants were among sponsors of the three-hour event. Other sponsors included Union Bank and AeroMexico.

As well as viewing the fashion show by the internationally acclaimed designers Cristina Pineda and Ricardo Covelin, guests also sampled seafood and traditional Mexican dishes from numerous Rosarito restaurants and enjoyed wines from Baja’s Guadalupe Valley.

The colorful and elegant fashions were inspired by traditional Mexican culture. Mexican music accompanied the event, which was the second that Baja tourism groups have helped sponsor at the elegant Balboa Park museum in the past year.

“It’s a great way to introduce or remind people in the San Diego area of all the great attractions that our region of Baja has to offer,”

said Jesus Santos, manager of the Rosarito Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Additional information about Rosarito, a popular seaside tourist destination 20 miles south of the border, is available at www.rosarito.org

Rosarito’s 199th Independence Day Celebration Largest In City History

The celebration on Sept. 16 of the Mexico’s 199th Independence Day --- which included a parade and other festivities --- was the largest in city history.

Sept. 16 is the anniversary of Mexico’s independence from Spain. The bicentennial celebration will be next year.

Among those viewing the parade were Brig. Gen. Alfonso Duarte, commander of the 2nd Military Zone; Hugo Torres, mayor of Rosarito; Santos Humberto Gomez Leyva, commander Naval region II; and Jorge Montero, Rosarito’s secretary of public safety.

A large number of military units participated in the parade, a sign of support for Rosarito’s role in Mexico’s crackdown on organized crime as well as the city’s significant public safety improvements.

“This was the largest participation ever of military units, recognizing our efforts in security and crime prevention,”

Torres said.

Mayor Torres said next year’s Independence Day celebration, to mark Mexico’s bicentennial year, likely will be even larger:

“We already have many activities planned to honor those who made independence possible and helped build the nation.”

Baja Sand 2009

Amateur Sand Figure contest, At The Rosarito Beach Hotel Beach, the 8 time international champion team will be there, Steak & Lobster event, live music, free workshops, and much more.

info@rosarito.org caniracrosarito@hotmail.com rosaritotur@baja.gob.mx

ROSARITO ENSENADA BIKE RIDE PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT

Viva La Fiesta!

Since 1979, bicyclists have headed to Baja California for a legendary tour along the
Pacific Coast Highway and inland through rural countryside from Rosarito Beach to
Ensenada. You’ve probably heard about it—maybe event rode it back in the day: the
award-winning Rosarito Ensenada 50 Mile Fun Bicycle Ride®. Each April and
September, thousands of cyclists still ride this iconic cycling event.
Over the last 30 years, the event has been held 52 times, hosting almost 400,000
riders. On September 26th, the total number of miles ridden by Rosarito Ensenada
participants will surpass 20 million miles!

If you’ve already done it, it’s time to ride again. And if you never have, you’re in for the ride of your life. One of our participants, John from Laguna Beach, sent us an email,saying “I rode for the fist time and had a blast! Your event was a well-oiled process honed by years of experience, and it really showed!”
The event course is fully supported with purified water, Powerade, bicycle repair, sag trucks for tired riders, and emergency medical crews, and every participant receives a commemorative Finisher’s Medal.

Rosarito Ensenada really earns its reputation as 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. Racing teams form pace lines, trying to beat the official record of 1:52:54 set in April of 2007. And parents tow toddlers in bicycle trailers.

John from Laguna Beach also wrote,

“After years of riding, I was
reminded of the pure joy and outright fun a bike ride can bring a family!”

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 will play into the night while local chefs serve their best fish tacos and carne asada.

Massage therapists will 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.
Transportation packages from Coach America are available for participants who prefer
to NOT drive into Mexico: one day round trip and also a weekend tour including hotel
and round-trip bus from San Diego. Tour companies transport riders’ bicycles at no
extra charge, and because the buses return to the United States through the rapid
SENTRI lane, cyclists avoid the traditional wait at the border.

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.

And if participants stay in Ensenada, they can take the shuttle to Rosarito in the morning for the start of the event.

In addition to the bike ride, there are a lot of fun activities to choose from. Visit the wine country and taste for yourself why it has reached international acclaim for its high quality of wines. Go sport fishing and catch your limit in the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Visit the 80 foot geyser at la Bufadora or the movie studio where Pirates
of the Caribbean was filmed. Or stroll along the streets of Rosarito and Ensenada,
shopping for hand made arts and crafts.

Malcolm F. from Placentia, CA wrote us to say,

“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!”

Participants can register online for $45 through BetterSignUp.com, or they can register on the day of the event for $50 at the Rosarito Beach Hotel.
Come to ride, or just come along for the ride. Visit Mexico and discover Baja California.

Join our Party on Wheels on September 26 at the 30th Anniversary Rosarito Ensenada
50 Mile Fun Bicycle Ride.

www.rosaritoensenada.com

Te invitamos a participar en los talleres de escultura de arena.

Los fines de semana del 11 al 13 y del 18 al 20 de septiembre de 9:00 am a 1:00 pm
Frente al Hotel Rosarito Beach, Costo Gratuito.

¡Prepárate para que participes en el primer concurso amateur de figuras de arena, que se llevara a cabo en el día mundial del turismo el próximo 27 de Septiembre a partir de las 10:00 a.m. en la playa frente al Hotel Rosarito Beach, habrá premios sorpresa!

Más información: (661) 612.03963 / (661) 612.0200 info@rosarito.org, rosaritotur@baja.gob.mx

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

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!”

Baja California Forms Public-Private Partnership To Promote Filmmaking In The Diverse Region

ROSARITO, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---A major public-private partnership has been formed to promote filmmaking in the diverse region and make it more competitive with other countries in attracting international productions.

The Cinematographic Cluster of Baja California (Cluster Cinematografico De Baja California) will include industry representatives, heads of the business councils of Baja’s five cities as well as their convention and visitors bureaus.

Baja Film Commissioner Gabriel Del Valle also will be a member, said Conrado Acevedo, president of the group that formed in July and is finalizing its formal structure. Acevedo’s family has been involved in production in Mexico and the United States.

Acevedo also is owner of Rosarito’s Calafia hotel and an historian.

“This group is a very important step for Baja in realizing its filmmaking potential,” said Rosarito Beach Mayor Hugo Torres. “The region has had some major successes but there is room for tremendous growth. It can be a major segment of our economy.”

Acevedo said the group’s goal is to create $1 billion in annual spending from filmmaking in 10 years.

Baja has had some major filmmaking successes in the past. Rosarito is home to Baja Studios, which has huge salt-water tanks and where Titanic, Master & Commander and other blockbusters were produced.

Also, the region offers great diversity of settings, from the sea to mountains to deserts, a skilled workforce and is about two hours from Los Angeles, where many of those involved in the industry live.

But Mexico must get more competitive with other countries including Australia, Canada and India. Baja Studios recently lost the latest installment of the Chronicles of Narnia because of security concerns and because Australia offered $15 million in tax breaks.

The security concerns were caused by Mexico’s crackdown on drug cartels but “we can prove that no actor or anyone involved in a production has ever been affected,” Acevedo said.

Rediscover Rosarito Project Recognizes Achivements By Students of 2009 Class

ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---In a Sunday screening at Baja Studios the 10 students who participated in this year’s Rediscover Rosarito Film Project were honored and best films from the session selected.

Mayor Hugo Torres gave the welcoming remarks to those attending, and thanked both the participants and the organizers of the film project.

The seven-day filmmaking class was organized by Emerson College Professor Gregory Payne, who leads a project dedicated to conveying an accurate picture of the city in the United States. Students ranged from ages 17 to 28.

“You’re all leaders,” Payne told the student film makers Sunday night.

This year’s intensive class, the second annual, was led by independent Hollywood producer Michael McManus, who worked closely with students on scripts, production and editing of the short films.

Campus MovieFest, the world’s largest student film festival, provided HD Panasonic Cameras supplied cameras, Apple laptops, and other equipment for the local and high school and college students.

The LA Program, a private international student exchange, also assisted. Emerson College students and alumni also participate.

Payne and others donate their time for the class and there is no cost to students or to Rosarito. The Rosarito Beach Hotel donates facilities, lodging and food. Baja Studios, where Titanic and Master & Commander were filmed, donated it theater facility.

Taking the class this year were Armando Calderon, Viktor Gonzalez, Lucas Seamanduras, Alberto Martinez, Guillermo Jimenez, Antonio Mendoza, Dalia Salazar, Samuel Paredes and Michelle Hinojo.

Corina Martinez, who took the class last year, also participated and served as an assistant instructor.

Most students worked as two-person teams and produced six short films of several minutes each. A behind-the-scenes look at this year’s project also was produced and shown to the 80 people at the two-hour ceremony at the Baja Studios auditorium.

The best film award was shared by two works. One was Rediscover Rosarito by Hinojo and Parales; the other was Pasado Meridiana by Martinez and Jimenez.

Judging the entries were Payne; McManus; Janice Payne of the LA Program, Baja Studios manager Rolando Navarro; Pedro Rodrigues, a master’s candidate at Superior Escuela de Communicaciones in Lisbon, Portugal; and Ron Raposa, Rosarito’s international public relations representative.

The David Twomey Award for Creativity in Advocacy went to Paredes and Hinojo and the Michael McManus Acting Award to Calderon.

Payne, whose family has a vacation home in Rosarito and who has visited the city for years, said he started the RediscoveRosarito project because many people in the U.S. were not receiving a full and accurate picture of life in area.

the Mayor of Rosarito, Baja California, Hugo Torres Chabert, visited Huntington Park and Glendale

On August 11th, the Mayor of Rosarito, Baja California, Hugo Torres Chabert, visited Huntington Park and Glendale, California to strengthen political and commercial ties, as well as links with the tourist industry with the two Californian cities, which have a “Sister Cities Agreement” with Rosarito. During the visit, Mayor Torres Chabert joined Huntington Park Mayor Mario Gómez in conducting a conference in the Huntington Park City Council. Mayor Torres also participated in a Glendale City Council session, which was headed by Glendale Mayor Frank J. Quintero

Eric McHenry takes the 2009 Rosarito Beach Pro-Am

McHenry Cruises In Finals, takes 1st Annual Rosarito Beach Pro Am Presented by Monster Energy

Residents and tourists of Rosarito Beach were treated to a one of the most talked about surf contests the City of Rosarito has ever hosted, as everyone in attendance was one hand to witness former ASP surfer and two time Puerto Escondido Champion, Eric McHenry (USA) cruise to one of the most memorable finals in recent memory.

McHenry, who was one of the early favorites to win the contest, pulled off two backside 360’s, and one aerial maneuver on back to back waves to beat out Jose Manuel Trujillo (MEX), Julio Quinones (MEX), and Sam Baugh (USA) in a brilliantly surfed thirty minute final by all competitors. With scores tight, and waves reaching as high as 6’ to 7’, McHenry was able to pull off some maneuvers that has made him famous in the world of surfing.

“The progressive level of surfing, combined with the sick waves made for an exciting contest and I was really stoked to win”, said Eric Mchenry. He continues on to say, "A huge thanks to all involved in putting on the Rosarito ProAM, all the sponsors, the city, the hotel and all the locals who supported the event. This couldn’t have been done without their support.”

The contest in Rosarito won’t be the last, as FDt Marketing, event organizers for the contest plan to continue negotiations with the City of Rosarito to make sure this contest becomes an annual event for the city and the surfers.

To find out more about the City of Rosarito or FDt Marketing please visit their respective websites www.rosarito.org, and www.fdtmarketing.com


Finals:

1st Place: Eric McHenry (USA)15.06

2nd Place: Jose Manuel Trujillo (MEX) 11.75

3rd Place: Julio Quinones (MEX) 9.26

4TH place: Sam Baugh (USA) 9.03