Earth Check in Puerto Peñasco

With a commitment to sustainable eco-tourism, Mayan Palace resort is currently participating in a certification process by the environmental organization “Earth Check,” who certifies companies that comply with optimization processes in the use of soil, water, and the surrounding environment.
As part of the certification strategy is to help the community and raise awareness about use of the environment in a favorable and sustainable way, the resort is currently promoting programs within Peñasco through the involvement of elementary schools. The primary objective of these programs is to provide young minds with basic knowledge of the importance of separating trash, as well as that of reforestation. The company is also donating a variety of items, including labeled receptacles for the separation of trash, so that students can participate in this effort directly. Read more…

More than 10,000 tourists, and hotel occupancy rates at 61% among principal accommodation providers, helped confirm that negative promotion of the area had minimal impact during the recently celebrated U.S. Memorial Day weekend from May 27-31, reported Oscar Palacio Soto, President of the city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau (OCV).
Palacio Soto indicated the city was able to overcome various negative factors, including an alert about unofficial stops along the highway into the city, issued by the U.S. Consulate in Nogales, as well as questions of safety on the Mexican side of the border and current economic difficulties in the neighboring state of Arizona.
He detailed that, according to periodic monitoring over the busy weekend, Thursday, May 27 reported a 30% occupancy rate while on Friday this rose to 58%, 88% by Saturday and 69% on Sunday. Read more…

Local Delights by Sami Rivero

Beginning mid-June, World Cup fever began its run through Peñasco, as well as across the globe. As I write this, sadly both the U.S. and Mexico have been knocked out of the tournament and the 8 teams to move on have been decided. Yet, whatever happens I am reminded at this time of the impact sports can have in bringing people together if only for a moment to cheer and gasp, celebrate and agonize or even hold our collective breath in waiting for that last shot. This feeling in June also rang through Peñasco’s sports bars during the NBA finals, the Stanley Cup, not to mention the National Basketball Championship hosted right here in Rocky Point.
So, as of June 11th I have been held hostage by the World Cup – well, that and with the road work in front of my office in the Old Port I prefer to work at home. I have woken up early to watch the 6:30 a.m. matches; I waved my U.S. flag and wore my blue bandana, I donned my Mexican team jersey from the ’96 Cup in Germany, but alas to no avail. After Mexico beat France 2-0 it was a thrill to hear cars honking as they drove by. Read more…

Reinforcing the dream of its founders

In recognition of department founders and those who have died in the line of duty, the 36th anniversary of the founding of the Puerto Peñasco volunteer Fire Department was celebrated the afternoon of June 11th.
Miguel Ángel Sarabia, Norberto Pino, Silvestre Olivas and Eduardo Heredia, founding members of the fire department and in attendance at the event held at the city’s central fire station, were reminded of the dream that became a reality with the creation of a department to combat fires and respond to emergencies.
The act to commemorate 36 years of constant struggle and work was attended by local authorities, members from the institution and invited guests from Prescott, Arizona.
Prescott Mayor Marlin Kuykendall used this opportunity to present the Puerto Peñasco fire department with a fully-equipped 2004 Ford ambulance.
Prior to this, Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro praised the work of the fire department founders who in 1974 had the vision of creating this institution in Puerto Peñasco, leading to the saving of many lives. Read more…

Winner chosen fro 12 beautiful contestants

Miss Erika Bernal, originally from Hermosillo, was crowned Miss Sonora 2010 on Saturday, June 12th, before a crowd of more than 1,000 who attended the event held at Las Palomas in Puerto Peñasco.
The National Director of the Miss Mexico events, former Miss Universe Lupita Jones, along with 2009 Miss Sonora Lorena Camargo, Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro and his wife Marcela Albelaiz de Zepeda crowned the incoming state beauty queen.
During the evening, which was full of elegance and glamour, the event showcased the 12 state semifinalists in three runway walks including casual dress, bathing suit, and formal wear, and highlighted their own confidence and style.
At the gala event, Jessica Lerma was chosen online by Imparcial followers as Miss Sonora, receiving nearly 4,655 votes. Lerma was also chosen as best hairstyle, while Nina Aguilar was selected as Miss Congeniality, Sheila Longoria as Miss Photogenic and Erika Bernal as Miss Elegance. Read more…

Sonora triumphed during the finals of the National Basketball Championship after outscoring the squad from Baja California 74 to 58. The final win ensured Sonora’s success at the recent tournament held in Peñasco, which brought together the best of basketball in Mexico.
Peñasco Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro, accompanied by his wife Marcela Albelaiz de Zepeda, were on hand for the championship game and enthusiastically cheered on the triumphant win of the Sonoran team at the tournament, which once again placed Puerto Peñasco front and center on the national-international scene.
The Mayor expressed appreciation for the support of the Mexican Basketball Athletic Association (ADEMEBA) for having organized the event that brought together the best of the best in Mexican basketball including Horacio Llamas, Anthony Pedroza, Héctor Hernández, Jorge “Coquis” Rochin, Ramsés “Lulo” Benítez, among many others.
He congratulated the teams for their brilliant performance during the National Championship, similarly thanking all who turned out to watch the games that were also seen by viewers across the country as the games were broadcast by a national station Read more…

Soap opera heads to beach

Sonora has a variety of unique characteristics that has allowed for great back drops during the filming of numerous soap operas, highlighting how “filmable” Sonora is, expressed well known producer Pedro Damián.
During a press conference, Damián stated Puerto Peñasco in particular has lighting and clarity that benefits film making, which is why during two weeks the city’s beaches provided the backdrop for the soap opera “Niña de mi corazón” (Girl of my heart). The Mexican soap opera recently filmed 20 episodes and 125 scenes in Peñasco, which were to air during the month of June.
For two weeks, approximately 50 people from Televisa, among them lead actors, their nemeses and secondary actors, directors, cameramen, technicans and support staff worked on the filming. This included the use of natural locations including the beach, Pinacate Biosphere Reserve, urban settings, La Cholla, and the marina, among others. Read more…

Binational gathering of rescue responders

In order to join efforts in emergency care, Peñasco recently hosted a binational gathering of rescue responders from Arizona, Sonoyta, and Puerto Peñasco.
A local hotel was host to this gathering, which included the participation of nearly 100 emergency responders from Mexico and 35 paramedics from the U.S.
Eleazar García, coordinator of Binational Programs of the Southeast Arizona Educational Health Center, remarked that this is the tenth annual conference of this non-profit organization, and represents coordinated work with the University of Arizona.
He noted this is the seventh time Puerto Peñasco has served as host and the objective is to strengthen the collaboration that has always existed between Peñasco and Arizona.
Eleazar García stated that, although they had expected negative repercussions due to problems surrounding Arizona’s law SB 1070 set to go into effect at the end of July, this did not impact the course or results of the binational exchange. Read more…

strong>”Smile, they’re watching us” campaign launched

Promoting a culture of clean-up among all sectors of the community, particularly youth, is the objective of the campaign “Smile, they’re watching us,” recently launched by the Municipal administration.
Within the framework of the first Civic Wednesday out in the community, Mayor Alejandro Zepeda made note of these efforts to improve the image of Puerto Peñasco by presenting a cleaner look to the entire urban area.
The first session of “Smile, they’re watching us,” which will be held at least once a week, was carried out in the area of Nueva Esperanza and included the participation of neighborhood residents and a brigade of at least 300 people.
Buttons denoting the program, and the painting of a wall at a park, were symbolic actions marking the launch of the clean-up campaign that encourages Peñasco residents to pick up around the front of their homes, deposit trash in appropriate Read more…

Sewer projects, totaling nearly 20 million pesos, will be done in the city thanks to resources approved by the State Government, announced Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro.
The Mayor indicated steps to extend sewer systems will be done principally in the northwestern part of the city, in the neighborhood of Nueva Esperanza, which is one of the sectors lacking this service.
He stated these actions are prior to road paving projects that are part of an ambitious program currently under negotiation.
Mayor Zepeda Munro detailed during a recent trip to Hermosillo authorization was given for two parts of resources, one for 12 million pesos and the other for nearly 8, totaling 20 million pesos, which will be used essentially for the sewer system. Read more…

Denial that city projects are being slowed down

The state government will support the local municipality to achieve a financial reengineering to resolve adverse financial problems passed down from the former administration, reported Roberto Romero López, State Executive Technical Secretary.
During a press conference held after a city tour alongside the mayor and other city officials, Romero López denied that given the city’s adverse situation they are holding back city projects for Puerto Peñasco.
He underscored the administration of Sonora Governor Guillermo Padrés is focused on municipalities, and therefore they are working closely with cities so that together they may achieve beneficial results for the majority.
He noted municipal finances are not great, with outstanding debts of up to 230 million pesos, thus the importance of getting out from under these problems in order to provide results to the community.
Romero López indicated there are currently talks of a financial reengineering in order to obtain better terms from creditors and raise the credit rating of the municipal government. Read more…

Goal to reduce response times

As of last month, new strategies were put into effect to unify the local police department while devising new sectors in order to improve monitoring and surveillance work, reported Erick Landagaray Macías, city Police Chief.
Chief Landagaray Macías reported they have already been able to see positive results with this new strategy, substantially reducing response times to calls while reinforcing police presence in neighborhoods.
He detailed through the reorganization of logistics and operatives, all municipal agents are now members of Police and Transit without the prior distinction of those serving in the police department and others under Municipal Transit.
In addition, he stated, they have established new sectors consisting of three specific zones: tourism sector, central, and outskirts. These were defined following a study of calls, where they were able to determine the best division of the city’s sectors. Read more…

Plan to call for intervention from SEDENA

In order to prevent tragedies such as that which took place in recent days on the outskirts of the city when a firework warehouse blew up, leaving one person dead and another seriously injured, a firmer hand will be implemented to control the administration and sale of fireworks in the city, reported Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro.
A week after the tragedy, which took place at (powder) warehouse number 1 on the outskirts of the city in the neighborhood of Nueva Esperanza, the Mayor indicated that although it is not the direct responsibility of local authorities to do verification on behalf of Civil Protection, he plans to request intervention of the Secretary of National Defense (SEDENA).
Mayor Zepeda Munro indicated a factor to take into account in this matter is that tourists enjoy using fireworks, therefore they Read more…

Call for stricter judicial guidelines

Puerto Peñasco recently hosted the “2010 Community Environmental Forum,” organized by the State Congress, and included the participation of nearly 100 people from diverse sectors of the city, and a call for stricter environmental guidelines.
Construction of a landfill in line with appropriate regulations, the elimination of oxidation lagoons, recycling and use of minerals such as calcium from marine shells, as well as the construction of a waste water treatment plant, among other themes, were part of the proposals presented during the event that drew participation from the community.
State Congress President, Gerardo Figueroa Zazueta, and Representative César Augusto Marcor Ramírez, president of the Energy and Environment Commission, lead the forum held in Peñasco, which is the fifth of its kind to be held in Sonora.
The State Congress President, along with Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro, welcomed participants and explained environment impact and conditions revolving around circumstances for people and all living beings. Read more…