The waves and winter whales of Puerto Peñasco hit the air this past week, making the rounds first on Facebook, then on Arizona news, and finally onto national networks in the US. We’d like to thank Gillie Panasewicz in particular as her amazing pictures really put Rocky Point on the map! How exciting! While seeing whales in the area this time of year is not a new phenomenon, this is the first time that many can remember having these majestic creatures so near our shores. Needless to say, many are looking out to sea from the vantage point of fishing boats and catamarans, or from atop Cerro de la Ballena (Whale Hill) to see if they can catch a glimpse of whale tail. Curiously, we were always told that el Cerro de la Ballena was so named given its form (particularly when looking at it from the Mirador)…yet now Whale Hill has a whole other meaning as it can be spotted in the background of exciting whale shots captured by eager sea adventurers. What better way to spend the weekend, or to celebrate Valentine’s Day next week than with a whale scouting adventure out to sea?!
With a “quiet” weekend ahead of us, we thought we’d take a look at what’s coming up:
Movies! www.citicinemas.com Select your city, and then once in Puerto Peñasco select “cartelera” (movie times) *subject to change*. Sub = subtitled (generally with Spanish subtitles) Dob = Dubbed in Spanish. Movies and times on left-hand side of screen. New films (Estrenos!) are usually up on Friday of each week and showtimes begin after 1 p.m. daily. Matinee pricing available on Sundays, plus look for special pricing every Wednesday.
Pinacate! Winter hours for the Visitors Center and Pinacate entrance are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and recommendations are for morning visitors to stop by the Visitors Center first (with its newly installed museum pieces) and take in their interpretative trails and spectacular views over ancient lava flows. Then, continue along with a visit to the Pinacate craters (entry pass is valid for both spots). Cost $50 pesos visitors, $25 pesos Peñasco residents.
CEDO! Ecotours at the Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans are back for 2013 with trips this weekend to the Pinacate plus a Sunday excursion to San Jorge (a.k.a. Bird Island). For more information see their monthly Ecotour schedule
Feb. 8 & 9: There’s a shadow, puppet show at the Municipal Auditorium with two showings each day, 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. The Auditorium is located across from City Hall.
Feb 12th – Uncommon Women @ Don Julio’s 5 p.m. Donations raised from gathering will go to the art projects of the women from Manos de Dios, at the San Rafael Community Center. Be sure to check out our article ….Do you know Monica?
Feb. 14th – Valentine’s Dinner fundraiser for the Red Cross – Quinta Ventura event hall
Feb. 15th – RockyPoint 360 presents a Day with Movie Director Alex Rivera (Sleep Dealer, 2008)! Screenings, conversation, and more! Tickets are going fast! Tickets: 30 pesos Available at: Eddie Wharez Diseño y Casa, CEDO, RockyPoint 360 (info@rockypoint360.com), and CitiCinemas.
Feb. 15th – 17th Angler of the Year Phase I @ JJ’s Cantina in Cholla Bay
Feb. 16th – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Taste of Peñasco and Iron Chef Competition (Yummm!) Funds from this year’s Taste are for the local Fire Department, the DIF’s hemodialysis project, and the Santa Claus Club. Tucson folk: Check out this offer from Wake up Tucson! 1st Annual Wake Up Tucson listener trip
Raffle tickets are available at: Latitude 31, Peñasco Beauty Center, ProAlliance Insurance, with Mary Snyder at Puerta Privada, and with John Fowler of the Santa Claus Club. You could be a Taste judge – Raffle tickets $5 US / each. Other raffle prizes include amazing vacation packages, dining, colored contacts, discounts, artwork, 2 tickets to this year’s Circus Mexicus (RCPM FANS!!), plus a Phoenix Suns package with tickets, photographs, and more! General raffle tickets: $5 US or 6 for $20 (with the purchase of 4 you get 2 FREE!). On day of event, food and drink tickets $1 US each (12 pesos).
Feb. 16th – Las Conchas Presidents Day Yard Sale – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Section 7 Lots 34 and 35 One of the many activities of the Las Conchas Community Relations Community in raising funds to assist with their valuable projects and supporting: La Montaña school for children with special needs, Casa Hogar, DIF, monthly food program, Esperanza children’s home, Amores de Peñasco Children’s home, and more.
Feb. 16th – German Bratwurst Fest starting at 4 p.m. with our amigo Walter Malchow. Authentic German Brats and German music www.waltersbrats.com
Feb. 16th – Noche Bohemia fundraiser organized by DIF and Los Rolling Rockies Wheelchair Basketball squad. Enjoy an evening of cheese, bread, wine, and music at the INAPAM Salon (Corner of Av. Sinaloa and Ruiz Cortinez) 50 pesos / person
March
Spring Break weeks: March 9 – 23
March 14 – 19 – Get ready for a challenge with the InSANDity Mexican Ninja beach obstacle course Info: InSANDity beach obstacle course
March 16 – Wanna get dirty? How about a Mud Run over at Thunder on the Beach’s course by the Reef Registration Open now: Dirty Beach Mud Run
March 17 – 18 – Sand? Southern Arizona Desert Racing’s March Sand Storm 300 Info: race-dezert.com
March 23rd : Over the Line Softball will be at it again, coming to the plate for the Santa Claus Club (other OTL dates in 2013 early June and mid-October)
Semana Santa weeks: March 24 – April 6
April
Uncle Skate has its 4th Annual Atomic Crew Skate Event for the 2nd weekend of Semana Santa Additional info: Contact Dean Wegner from Uncle Skate DEAN43AZ@aol.com 602-774-1111 Plus, check out Uncle Skate’s page: www.uncleskate.org
April 6 JJ’s Bathtub Races
April 6 Cholla Bay Sportsmen’s Club Horseshoe Tournament
April 6 & 7 OuttaTownProductions Retro Volleyball
April 20 Funkalicious Volleyball
April 27 Las Palomas Triathlon ~ Swim. Bike. Run!
April 27 JJ’s One club Open
April 27 – 28 Arizona MultiHull Fleet 42 Sailing “Cinco de Mayo” – Playa Bonita R.V. Park, Rocky Point, Mexico.
May
El Golfo Run (Rocky Point Times)
May 4 Mariachi and Tequila Fest
May 18 Tequila 125 Off Road racing
May 15 – 19 Uniting Nations Cup
June
Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers Circus Mexicus XXII June 6 – 9, 2013
Upcoming events? Check out our Event Calendar! If you have information you’d like to add, please let us know at info@rockypoint360.com cell: 638 380 8849, or from the US: 480-282-4226 For weekend rundown announcements, please get them to us at least by Monday-ish of that week…though the earlier the better! Don’t forget to subscribe to RockyPoint360.com to get all our articles and announcements and/or Like us on Facebook at Rocky Point 360.