The recent cold front that shivered through much of Mexico (including Puerto Peñasco), bringing with it bitter temperatures and school closings, is on its way out and warmer air can be felt blowing through town. Mornings and evenings are still chilly and though we see a brave tourist or two donning shorts from time to time around town, a warm jacket or long-sleeve shirt is still a good bet for the time being. Actually, this is the time of year when layering becomes an art form to adjust to the 70°F temps of the day and the hovering round 40°F dips at night.
This weekend’s rundown includes events around town, plus ideas for outings in and around Rocky Point over the long holiday MLK weekend.
Jan. 18 – Things are sure to heat up at the Chili Cook off and Swap Meet at Playa de Oro RV Park, 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Tasting cups are available, though get there early (tasting starting 11 a.m.) as the chili may not last. The Rocky Point Christmas Club is the beneficiary of all proceeds from the event.
Thunder on the Beach Race Lessons! Starting this Friday, Thunder on the Beach will begin offering instruction in the finer skill of race car driving, along with laps around their dirt track over by the Reef. We hear the first instruction day is planned from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., with costs at $50 US for instruction and 5 laps plus $25 US for 5 additional laps. That will surely heat things up! More information and registration forms available at: Thunder on the Beach Raceway
Jan. 19 – Mermaid’s Market will be back at Plaza del Camarón, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., so be sure to stop by to see a number of the talented artists from town. The Mermaid’s Market is scheduled for every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month (now through May).
Golf! Jan. 19th is the Cholla Bay Sportsmen’s Club (CBSC) 5th January Golf tournament at Las Palomas, with a 9 a.m. shotgun start this 2 man scramble is open to golfers of all skills and ranges. Register with Mike Dugan or at JJ’s Cantina: mirhe1@aol.com Proceeds to enhance Cholla Bay Sportsmen’s Club Search and Rescue facilities and donation to the local DIF.
Movies! CitiCinemas has recently revamped their website, which can be found at: www.citicinemas.com On the first page 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! Things are just about warm enough to go traipsing around craters at the Pinacate Biosphere Reserve north of town, though be sure to stop by the Shuck Toak Visitors Center first (approx. KM 15 when heading north). Winter hours for the 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
By the way….Happy 30th Anniversary to the Las Conchas Homeowners Association… VIVA la FIESTA!!
Next Week
As we look ahead, golf and music are on the agenda for next week!
Jan. 25 – 27th: It’s the 4th Annual Major League baseball Coaches Clinic for local youth baseball teams. The weekend includes a golf tournament for organizers, sponsors, and coaches on Sunday, Jan. 27th to be held this year at the spectacular Laguna del Mar course. Contact Rick Busa of the YSF for more information: rbusa@ysf.com.mx
Jan. 25th: Roger Clyne solo in Mexico, music and stories at Wrecked – plus he won’t be so solo as his special guests will be the Hickman Dalton Gang including Jim Dalton (RCPM) and Johnny Hickman (Cracker) as the Three Amigos shake things up at Wrecked at the Reef. Info and tickets: www.peacetimegoods.com (Limited number of tickets still available at Wrecked)
Jan. 26th – 1st Mexican Moonshine Tequila Classic – 9 hole golf extravaganza at The Links course (Las Palomas) in the mid-morning hours leading up to January Jam VI. You may get a chance to share a cart with one of the Peacemakers, or at least a shot of Mexican Moonshine. Register at: Mexican Moonshine Tequila Classic
Jan. 26th – JANUARY JAM VI – grab a sombrero and a scarf and wrap up for Roger Clyne and the Peacemaker’s annual January trek to JJ’s Cantina in Cholla Bay. Local mariachi singer Hernán will be getting things started around sunset! Info and tickets: www.peacetimegoods.com
Coming up
**Sorry, no Carnaval festivities have been announced for 2013 in Puerto Peñasco. (Usually one week prior to Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13)**
Feb. 2 – CBSC Game Night
Feb. 4th – Bank Holiday (Constitution Day observed – the Día de la Constitución is Feb. 5th)
Feb 12th – Uncommon Women @ Don Julio’s
Feb. 15th – 17th Angler of the Year Phase I @ JJ’s Cantina in Cholla Bay
Feb. 15th – RockyPoint 360 presents a Day with Movie Director Alex Rivera (Sleep Dealer, 2008)! Screenings, conversation, and more! More information and tickets coming soon!
Feb. 16th – Taste of Peñasco and Iron Chef Competition (Yummm!) Tucson folk: Check out this offer from Wake up Tucson! 1st Annual Wake Up Tucson listener trip
Mark your Calendar!
InSANDity “Mexican Ninja” beach obstacle course ~ March 14 – 19
Thunder on the Beach Mud Run ~ March 16
JJ’s Bathtub Races ~ April 6
Cholla Bay Sportsmen’s Club Horseshoe Tournament ~ April 6
OuttaTownProductions Retro Volleyball ~ April 6
Funkalicious Volleyball ~ April 20
Las Palomas Triathlon ~ April 27
JJ’s One club Open ~ April 27
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.