Bajainvestment.com

Robert Redford rodará película en Rosarito Baja California, México

Gustavo Torres — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:29:00 GMT

laya del Carmén.- La estrella de cine estadounidense Robert Redford anunció este jueves que rodará este año una película en México cuyo protagonista es un náufrago y sobre la que evitó dar más detalles.

"No habrá muchas palabras en esta película, pero prometo que es (un proyecto) muy atractivo", dijo el septuagenario actor, que fue invitado especial de una reunión de empresarios del sector turístico en un hotel de la zona de playas llamada Riviera Maya, cerca del puerto de Playa del Carmen, en el Caribe mexicano.

Redford explicó ante los empresarios cómo las inversiones en proyectos pequeños pero atractivos producen buenos resultados, como lo ha hecho con el festival de cine independiente de Sundance, que este intérprete ganador del Oscar y del Globo de Oro creó en 1980.

Hemos demostrado que el hacer buenas películas no necesariamente requiere de grandes inversiones. El equilibrio entre el presupuesto y la energía creativa es una buena simbiosis", dijo Redford, quien fue precedido en el evento por el multimillonario mexicano Carlos Slim.

"Películas como 'Gente común' o 'El candidato', en las que gastamos menos de 2.5 millones de dólares, tuvieron una extraordinaria acogida", recordó en alusión a dos de sus filmes.

Redford subrayó que el hecho de que vuelva a filmar en México es simplemente la confirmación de la buena relación que ha mantenido con América Latina.

"Una relación que comenzó en los años sesenta cuando nos trasladamos a Cuernavaca y Taxco en México para rodar un filme que transcurría supuestamente en Bogotá", agregó.

Redford instó a los empresarios del turismo a mantener estrategias para sus negocios que respeten el medio ambiente y eviten los efectos del cambio climático. "Este planeta es el real y único legado que podemos dejarle a nuestros hijos", enfatizó.

Robert Redford returns to the big screen with All is Lost

Gustavo Torres — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:48:00 GMT

It was back in 2007 when we last saw Robert Redford on the big screen with Lions for Lambs which he also directed. Now The Hollywood Reporter confirms that the actor will return from the hand of JC Chandor with the film All is Lost, a story of survival at sea a man that Lionsgate will distribute. Chandor met Redford in the Sundance Film Festival last year when the latter presented Margin Call and after rumors that the actor could participate in his next film, Redford and Chandor finally reached an...(read more)

Mexican Officials Hit Road To Promote Baja Tourism

Gustavo Torres — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:37:00 GMT

May 4, 2012 Tovin Lapan Source: (c)2012 the Las Vegas Sun (Las Vegas, Nev.) Hugo Torres, the former mayor of Rosarito Beach, Mexico, is on a mission to "replace fear with facts" and again lure U.S. tourists to his beloved Baja California. Torres and Juan Tintos, Baja California's secretary of tourism, were in Las Vegas on Thursday as part of their tour across the Southwestern United States, spreading the word that the Mexican state just south of San Diego is full of great spas, wineries,...(read more)

The Landmark Rosarito Beach Hotel Establishes Easter Weekend Records

Gustavo Torres — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:59:00 GMT

By Ron Raposa ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---The landmark Rosarito Beach Hotel this Easter weekend had its highest occupancy rate in a decade and the largest number of guests in its 87-year history. The Friday and Saturday occupancy rates of up to 88 percent were the highest for the holiday in 10 years. With the hotel expansion in 2008 from 230 rooms and suites to 500, those figures this year gave the hotel its largest number of Easter weekend guests ever. “This was a wonderful turnout...(read more)

MEXICO TRAVEL WARNING

Gustavo Torres — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:37:00 GMT

They will bring you fresh drinks under a Palapa. It’s a very dangerous custom. Gary P. Cinti Cinti Land Planning...(read more)

New Reading and Writing Program for Underserved Children

Gustavo Torres — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:39:00 GMT

Baja Times The Rosarito Friends of the Library will sponsor a unique new reading and writing program for underserved children in Colonia Morelos, an area located east of downtown in the far hills. The program, which will be held at the small Morelos public library, will begin on Saturday May 19 and will run for five successive Saturdays, terminating on June 16 with a gala final Fiesta. Fifth and sixth grade participants will read brief biographies and family histories of selected Mexican heroes,...(read more)

Chef Anthony Bourdain dishes on travel, family

Gustavo Torres — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:32:00 GMT

The Travel Channel host likes Baja's creative chefs but not his 5-year-old's culinary choices. Written by Nancy Mills Food guru Anthony Bourdain, 55, visits Finland, Portugal, Malaysia and Croatia in the eighth season of Travel Channel’s No Reservations. But his favorite is Baja, Mexico. “There’s an incredible culinary scene going on there at a time when the tourist industry has been pretty much devastated,” he says. “I was really impressed by the do-it-yourself...(read more)

State approves Baja California wind contract

Gustavo Torres — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 21:54:00 GMT

Written by
Morgan Lee
A contract to provide San Diego with electricity from a future wind farm in Baja California was approved Thursday by state utilities regulators, despite concerns about pricing.
The Energia Sierra Juarez wind power plant would provide enough electricity to power the equivalent of about 65,000 homes within San Diego Gas & Electric territory.
A 20-year, $820 million power purchase agreement between project developer Sempra U.S. Gas & Power and corporate affiliate SDG&E was approved by a 4-1 vote of the California Public Utilities Commission. SDG&E customers will pay for the electricity.
Several hurdles remain for the wind farm, including presidential approval for a cross-border tie-in line and construction of a substation to access U.S. transmission lines. The project is the first stage of more extensive plans by Sempra to install turbines along a hundred-mile stretch of windswept highlands atop the Sierra Juárez in Baja California.
"I think it's a very important energy resource for California," Public Utilities Commissioner Timothy Simon said of the current proposal.
Commissioner Catherine Sandoval, who wavered in earlier discussions, voted in favor of the power purchase agreement, saying the price was "not tremendously higher" than comparable projects and that wind studies showed it would provide electricity during hours when demand is relatively high.
The Sierra Juarez contract offered a rare glimpse of current pricing for green energy. The terms of most power agreements remain confidential for years under rules designed to ensure competitive bidding, but deals between corporate affiliates -- in this case two subsidiaries of utility holding company Sempra Energy -- are made public before approval.
Dissenting Commissioner Mike Florio said the contract's $106.50-per-megawatt price was too high for wind energy and warned that the cost of expanding the state's renewable energy portfolio eventually could lead to a public backlash.
"Sooner or later the costs of these contracts that we're approving are going to come home to roost," Florio said.
Under legislation signed last year by Gov. Jerry Brown, electricity retailers in California must provide one-third of their power by 2020 from renewable sources such as wind, solar and geothermal plants. Energia Sierra Juarez would play a small part in helping San Diego Gas & Electric meet state mandates.
Unlike wind projects in the U.S., Sierra Juarez is not eligible for the federal production tax credit that has spurred rapid growth in the wind industry.
“Ultimately tax payers are not on the hook to subsidize this project," said Chris Cate, vice president of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association.
Cate was among several representatives of San Diego business associations to attended the meeting in San Francisco and voice support for the project. Several ratepayer advocate groups have objected to the project.
Approval of the project's cross-border tie-in line is opposed by labor unions in the United States, environmental groups on both sides of the border and California state legislators who say it would export potential U.S. jobs to Mexico.
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Want to know about the Top events of the year in Baja?

Gustavo Torres — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:08:00 GMT

THE BEST OF BAJA

Tourism website compiles the top events of the year

www.utsandiego.com

The vibe on the ground seems to be that “Baja is back!” Of course, Baja aficionados know Baja never went anywhere, but there’s a noticeable resurgence of interest in the region. And as reported by Baja.com, the quickest-growing segment of tourists is not the cruise ship passengers, guests at five-star resorts or students on spring break; it’s visitors seeking an authentic travel and life experience. Those of us familiar with Baja already appreciate its pristine environment and natural beauty. Whether it’s food, music, culture, nature or adventure you’re seeking, Baja has it all.

In addition to our list of the best annual events in the region, Baja.com has gathered information about hundreds of other events in Baja. Since many events depend on good weather, dates and times can change. So please be sure to confirm the schedule on Baja.com before you book your travel.

For more details such as event maps, official websites, and photos of the events, visit baja.com/events.

Upcoming events

March

San Jose del Cabo: Festival de San Jose del Cabo

Every year during March, San Jose celebrates its patron saint (St. Joseph) with music, dance, and parades in Plaza Mijares. Food booths can be found throughout the historic district and downtown, where attendees can sample spicy tamales and the typical sugared pumpkin sweets. The festival usually continues for 11 days; beginning and ending dates will vary.

Cost: Free admission.

East Cape: 12th annual Baja Shakespeare Festival (March 22-25)

This year’s performance is a British-style pantomime with a Baja twist — a parody of “Cinderella” that will entertain kids and amuse adults. The play will be presented for four nights on the outdoor stage at the beautiful Rancho Buena Vista Hotel in Buena Vista, near Los Barriles.

Cost: Approximately $20.

San Jose del Cabo: Eighth annual Liga MAC JazzFest (March 23)

This jazz festival helps raise money for medical, food and educational programs for low-income families and individuals in San Jose del Cabo. This year’s headliners will be Motown’s Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.

Cost: $150 to $350.

April

Ensenada: 65th Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race (April 27-29)

Any sailor worth his salt has heard stories about the trail of beer this race used to leave behind. This is a social event and there are opportunities to hop aboard a yacht in Newport Beach and participate if you are an experienced crew member.

Cost: Entry fee ranges from $125 to $225.

Mexicali to Cabo: NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally (April 28)

For those not quite ready for the Baja 1000, this rally offers everyone in the family a way to share in the adventure of a drive down the peninsula. Along the way, you’ll get to know many other fans of Baja. The winner is the participant who has the most fun!

Cost: Free for spectators; participant registration starts at $1,600 per vehicle.

May

Rosarito Art Fest (May 26 & 27, Memorial Weekend)

The Rosarito Art Festival will be celebrating its third year, hoping to build upon the rampant success of last year’s event. The event is put on by the artist’s community of Playas de Rosarito, and will showcase the skills of over 100 well known artists that represent the backbone of the visual arts community in the region. Music all day, food and beverages from Baja California.

Cost: Free

June

San Diego: The Baja Bash / Baja is Back (June 2)

Wildcoast, the international conservation team responsible for groundbreaking environmental projects and campaigns in Baja California, is behind this innovative event that will celebrate the beauty of Baja. Surf legends, community leaders and environmental pioneers will gather at the Port Pavilion on San Diego’s Broadway Pier to share ideas and experiences about the Baja they love. We’ll see you there!

San Jose del Cabo: G-20 in Los Cabos (June 18-19)

The G-20 is an important financial and economic international summit. It is comprised of 20 members — the world’s major and emerging economies. In 2012 the meeting will take place in Los Cabos. The summit’s meetings will be held at the new Convention Center in San Jose del Cabo to discuss such economic and financial issues as the reform of international financial institutions, financial supervision and regulation, and the international monetary system.

Cabo San Lucas: Annual Stars & Stripes Fishing and Golf Tournament (June 28 to July 1)

This is the “feel-good” Cabo event of the year, which since 1996 has raised more than $11 million to benefit children in the U.S. and Mexico. The four-day event includes a fishing tournament, golf and live music.

Cost: Registration is $2,375 per person (all inclusive packages are available).

July

Cabo San Lucas: Third annual Cabo Marine Show (July 5-7)

For those who love boating, this event is a must. Representatives from charter companies, nautical services, marinas, resorts, top-of-the-line golf courses and water event promoters will attend the event, which includes three days of concerts and cocktail parties at the IGY Marina in Cabo San Lucas.

Cost: Free.

Tijuana: Tijuana Beer Fest (during July; dates still to be determined)

This festival features more than 100 types of beer and also has great music during the two days dedicated to the art of brewing and tasting.

Cost: Entry tickets are approximately $8.

August

Ensenada: Wine Festival — Fiestas de la Vendimia (during August; dates still to be determined)

The festival’s name comes from the Latin word for wine, vinum, and demere, meaning “to take” or “take away.” The Vendimia is time for celebration, with the two-century-old wine tradition of the Guadalupe Valley as the focus. For nearly three weeks in August wine aficionados can sample wines, savor gourmet meals and attend workshops and concerts. Last year’s activities included an opera concert in a local vineyard.

Cost: The price varies for each event during the Vendimia; tickets range from $100 to more than $1,000.

October

Cabo San Lucas: Pimp ‘N’ Ho Costume Ball (Oct. 27)

This is the most outrageous party of the year in Los Cabos. It has been an annual event since 1998, and each year draws a bigger crowd. The dress code requires either a pimp or “ho” costume, and there are prizes awarded for best costumes. Guest DJs take turn spinning records throughout the night.

Cost: Tickets start at $20 in July and increase every month, up to $100 on the night of the event.

Cabo San Lucas: Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament (Oct. 23-27)

Bisbee’s Black and Blue is one of the biggest fishing tournaments in Mexico, with a grand prize of more than $1 million. With two back-to-back events in Cabo — the Los Cabos Offshore and the Black and Blue — the Bisbee is also one of the most active and popular of the fishing tournaments.

Cost: Registration starts at $5,000.

Cabo San Lucas: Baja Ha-Ha (Oct. 28 to Nov. 10)

All boats over 27 feet (power or sail) that are designed, built and maintained for open-ocean sailing are welcome to participate in this two-week rally from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas. The event is all about having a good time and meeting new friends along the approximately 750 miles of the course. The end of the race in Cabo is celebrated with several parties and an awards ceremony.

Cost: Registration begins at $325 per boat.

November

San Felipe: San Felipe Shrimp Festival (November; dates still to be determined)

Every November, San Felipe celebrates the shrimp harvest with a festival that features an abundance of succulent shrimp dishes, tequila and regionally produced wine tastings and folkloric dances. There’s also a competition that rewards the chef with the best shrimp dish.

Cost: Admission is free; $5 and $10 tickets are available for shrimp and drink tasting.

Ensenada: Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 (November; dates still to be determined)

The Baja 1000 is one of the world’s most famous rally races, covering 1,000 miles of rugged, unforgiving terrain. More than 200,000 spectators are drawn to the event each year as approximately 300 cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs attempt to navigate the mountainous course. This is an event that needs to be experienced to be appreciated, and spectators are encouraged to view this popular race.

Cost: Free for spectators; vehicle entry fees start at $3,000.

January and February 2013

Todos Santos: Todos Santos Music Festival (January; inaugural event was Jan. 5-21, 2012)

This was a charitable three-week event at The Hotel California, featuring Peter Buck of REM, Steve Wynn, Robyn Hitchcock and Scott McCaughey. There were concerts four nights each week, and special guests such as Chuck Prophet, Kevn Kinney and The Elected made surprise appearances.

Cost: This was a free event with a few seats sold for $5 each.

East Cape: Lord of the Wind Showdown (Los Barriles) (January; the 2012 event was Jan. 12-16)

With a $20,000 prize offered to the winner, some of the best wind-sport enthusiasts in the world attend this event, putting on a spectacular show. More than 800 people enjoyed the live music and beach parties of the 2012 event.

Cost: Free for spectators; event registration $90 to $115.

Ensenada: The Peligroso at Todos Santos Island (January or February; last event took place in 2011)

The competition only takes place when the waves are 30 feet or larger. While the event did not happen in 2012, typically surfers from all corners of the world come together to take part in this unique “paddle-in” surfing competition.

Cost: Free for spectators.

Mulege: Pig Races (February)

No Baja roundup would be complete without this 28th annual event. Eight four-legged contestants are cheered on by a crowd of several hundred people. Spectators can place bets and compete in a hog-calling contest.

Cost: Free for spectators.

Todos Santos: Third annual Open Studio Tour (February)

This is an opportunity to go behind the scenes and explore the famous Todos Santos art galleries. You can watch as renowned artists create their works in their own studios. More than 30 painters, sculptors and photographers will open their doors to the public and share their passion and vision with other art lovers.

Cost: Approximately $12.

Todos Santos: Todos Santos Historic Home Tour (February)

The historic home tour meanders through the more notable sections of town and gives information about how the architecture fits into the overall history of Todos Santos. Many artisans have worked tirelessly to restore these historic buildings, keeping them intact for future generations.

Cost: Approximately $10.

Todos Santos: Film Festival (late February and early March)

The 2013 edition of the Todos Santos film festival will be in both Todos Santos and La Paz, with innovative independent filmmakers presenting their movies, documentaries and shorts from Mexico, Spain, Cuba, Chile and Argentina. The first half of the 10-day festival is in Todos Santos, then the festival moves to La Paz.

Cost: Approximately $12 per screening.

Rosarito Beach Hotel Plans Specials To Promote Ongoing Tourism Increase

Gustavo Torres — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:32:00 GMT

Following last year's 17 percent increase in U.S. visitors, the landmark Rosarito Beach Hotel has a number of price promotions, packages and special events planned to continue the ongoing upswing this year.

With Easter week a popular time for vacation and holiday getaways, the hotel offers a weekday package from $79 that includes an oceanfront room and two dinners for adults, plus free stay and dinner for two children under 12. The Easter weekend rate starts from $109.

This year, Cinco de Mayo weekend coincides with the spring edition of the very popular Rosarito-Ensenada 50-Mile Fun Bike Ride and oceanfront packages are offered starting at $79. The offer is both for people wanting to spend Cinco de Mayo in the holiday's home country and those involved in the ride, which has attracted hundreds of thousands over more than 30 years.

On July 7 the Flying Samaritans will hold its third annual July 4th Beach Barbeque at the hotel. The gala seaside event attracts hundreds from the city's 14,000-member expatriate community as well as visitors from the U.S. All profits benefit the group's free clinics.

"We've got many other promotions this year, including our Spring Romance spa and wine package from $99, plus those who spend a $100 at the hotel get a complimentary Fast Pass to speed their return border crossing," said hotel sales and marketing director Daniel Torres.

More details on these promotions plus many others offered at the legendary hotel are available at www.rosaritobeachhotel.com

The Rosarito Beach Hotel and Resort is a Baja landmark that has hosted millions of visitors since opening in 1925. With more than 500 rooms and suites, its amenities include restaurants, bars and an elegant spa. A luxurious 18-story tower with 271 suites opened four years ago.

The Rosarito Beach Hotel also offers time shares and full ownership of luxury suites through its condo-hotel program.

www.bajainvestment.com

Video de Rosarito.

Gustavo Torres — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:06:00 GMT

Rosarito Baja California Playas de Rosarito Vacaciones Descubre Baja California
Gastronomia, Galerias de Arte, Playa, Estudios de Cine, Compras, Langosta Estilo Puerto Nuevo,

www.bajainvestment.com

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FORTALECERÁ BC INTERCAMBIO COMERCIAL CON ISRAEL

Gustavo Torres — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:17:00 GMT

JERUSALEN, ISRAEL, A 21 DE MARZO DE 2012.-Baja California fortalecerá su relación comercial con Israel con el fin de posicionar productos locales en el mercado mundial y así crear más y mejores empleos para los bajacalifornianos.

Durante el cuarto día de trabajo, el Gobernador del Estado, José Guadalupe Osuna Millán y Shalom SimHon, Ministro del Comercio, Trabajo e Industria del Gobierno israelí sostuvieron una reunión de trabajo para estrechar las relaciones en materia de comercio con el fin de buscar beneficios mutuos.

El mandatario estatal señaló que actualmente existe una relación comercial en los temas de seguridad e irrigación y durante esta gira se ha visualizado la apertura al tema de la reutilización del agua, en donde Israel tiene ya una gran experiencia, por ello invitó al funcionario israelí a seguir buscando mayores oportunidades de intercambio comercial.

El Gobernador Osuna Millán, mencionó que tan sólo en el tema de irrigación, Baja California supera a Israel en cultivos plantados bajo invernadero con 600 hectáreas sembradas, en las cuales se ha implementado la tecnología desarrollada por israelitas.

Por su parte el ministro del Gobierno de Israel, hizo énfasis en el interés del Gobierno de su país, en apoyar a naciones con posibles problemas hídricos, transfiriendo tecnologías que les permitan una mayor productividad en pequeñas áreas de cultivo.

Ante la presencia de Federico Salas, Embajador de México en Israel, el titular del ejecutivo estatal, así como el ministro israelí, reconocieron que empresas bajacalifornianas han trabajado de manera conjunta a compañías israelitas por más de 18 años, por ello la importancia a seguir buscando nuevos mercados entre estas dos entidades, para hacer crecer esta relación económica.

Es por ello que se logró el acuerdo entre el Gobernador, el Ministro y el Embajador de preparar una presentación de productos enológicos y gastronómicos de Baja California en suelo israelí en el corto plazo, en donde posibles clientes conozcan la calidad de los productos que se generan en el Estado y así dar una apertura a estos en dicho país.

Durante esta reunión también acompañaron al Gobernador: Antonio Rodríguez Hernández, Secretario de Fomento Agropecuario; Alejandro Mungaray Lagarda, Secretario de Desarrollo Económico; Renato Sandoval Franco, Secretario del Trabajo y Previsión Social y AviIvanir, Gerente Zona Baja California de Netafim.

www.bajainvestment.com

ENSENADA’S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ‘MEGA MIXER’ A SMASHING SUCCESS!

Gustavo Torres — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:00:00 GMT

http://www.sandiegoreader.com

During an era when some people wonder if it is still safe to travel in Baja California, it was refreshing to witness the throngs of visiting Americans, ex-pats and local residents that packed themselves into Ensenada’s Riviera Del Pacifico conference center yesterday to sip tasty Baja wines and munch on finger foods while schmoozing with dignitaries, business professionals and other guests who were present at the festive event.

Speakers on hand included Ensenada Mayor, Enrique Pelayo Torres, Baja’s Secretary of Tourism, Juan Tintos, Baja Director of International Relations, Sigfrido Pineda and former Mayor of Rosarito Beach, Hugo Torres Chabert. The Mega Mixer proved to be an effective vehicle for raising awareness regarding the unique recreational and residential opportunities that are available in Baja Norte and throughout the Baja peninsula.

In a separate exclusive interview, Secretary of Tourism, Juan Tintos, offered his assurance to all U.S. anglers staying in Mexico 72 hours or less that there is absolutely no need for them to obtain a visa to go fishing in northern Baja if they are towing their own boat down or going out with a local sportfishing operation. His clarification was offered in response to previous allegations by some U.S. sportfishing operators that all foreign anglers fishing in Mexican waters would now need to carry current visa documentation in addition to their valid Mexican fishing license to fish there. No license is ever required to fish from shore, a jetty, pier or other land based platform.

From the standpoint of ‘petro-tourism’, the cruise port city of Ensenada with its Mediterranean like climate offers a near perfect solution for southern Californians looking for a quality bargain getaway that keeps getting better as soon as they drive across the International Border. At the current exchange rate, regular gasoline at the state run Pemex stations runs about $2.97 a gallon, as opposed to over $4.30 a gallon in San Diego and Los Angeles.

With the conspicuous presence of several branches of the Mexican military along with federal, state and local police, Ensenada has gained that reputation of being perhaps the safest city in Mexico; it is also distinguished by the fact that, per capita, it boasts the highest preponderance of advanced academic degrees in all of Latin America.

Consolidated back with Rosarito desalination project

Gustavo Torres — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:50:00 GMT

Cayman Islands company Consolidated Water Co is back on board the Rosarito desalination project in Baja California, Mexico. The 100 MGD (375,000 m³/d) seawater plant is designed to supply drinking water demand on both sides of the US/Mexico border.

www.desalination.biz

Rick McTaggart, Consolidated CEO, made the announcement while reporting on the company's annual figures on 15 March 2012.

"I am pleased to report that we have negotiated an agreement with one of the other shareholders in our Mexican joint venture, NSC Agua SA de CV (NSC)," said McTaggart, "and we now control 75% of the shares of NSC.

In November 2012, Consolidated announced that it was looking to sell its 50% stake in the project, which will be sited near the US border about 30 miles (50 km) from San Diego.

With the resolution of certain internal NSC issues that delayed the project, the company is moving forward with the Rosarito desalination project, McTaggart now says. "We are enthusiastic about this project and its prospects for success given the growing need for water on both sides of the US-Mexico border."

"Recent natural events, including the earthquake in Mexicali in April 2010 and increasingly frequent droughts on the Colorado River system, have highlighted the fragility of existing water resources and heightened interest in seawater desalination as a permanent solution to water problems in the region," he added.

Taggart also reported that Consolidated had deployed full-time engineering and management assets to Asia, where the company was pursuing several new projects in markets that have characteristics similar to its traditional Caribbean market, including tourism-based economies, stable political and economic environments and limited supplies of potable water. He expected some of these projects to materialize soon and hoped to initiate business in Asia by the end of 2012.

Posted on 19 March 2012

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Celebrate Spring with Us!

Gustavo Torres — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:40:00 GMT

U.S. expats want tourists to return to Baja California

Gustavo Torres — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:52:00 GMT

ENSENADA In their campaign to bring back U.S. visitors, Baja California authorities are increasingly looking to a new source of support: testimonials from members of the state’s U.S. expatriate community.

Tillie Foster, 79, is a U.S. expatriate who lives in Ensenada and is queen of her local Red Hat chapter. In the background are dancers from a local high school who served as entertainment for the first Baja International Community Mega Mixer. / Photo by Sandra Dibble * U-T

Through family connections, business contacts, social media, radio programs, promotional videos — any means that are at hand — residents such as Tillie Foster have been gladly stepping up to support their adopted home.

“Baja’s been good to me. I’ve made so many friends here,” said Foster, 79, a member of the Baja Image Committee who moved to Ensenada from Orange County 36 years ago. “I hate to see what’s been happening over the past five or six years.”

Foster was one of the promoters of the first Baja International Community Mega Mixer, held last Thursday at the historic Hotel Riviera del Pacífico, a civic and cultural center in downtown Ensenada. The gathering drew an estimated 300 expats from different parts of Baja California, many of them eager to share their viewpoint about life south of the border.

“It’s more relaxed. We’re done with snow, we’re done with cold,” said Gary Pliley, a 64-year-old retiree from Utah.

“You make friends here that you could call at two in the morning if you needed help,” said Carol Main, 69, who moved to Baja California from San Diego.

Also at the Thursday event was Vivian Scott, a marketing professor from Nevada. She was instrumental in persuading Las Vegas-based radio host Les Kincaid to broadcast his one-hour program, “Wines du Jour,” from an Ensenada hotel later that day.

“We have an investment in Baja,” said Scott, who with her husband owns a condo in San Felipe. “The farther you get from Mexico, the more entrenched the negativity.”

Ensenada, like tourist destinations statewide, has been struggling to bring back U.S. tourism. Hotels, restaurants and other businesses across Baja California have been working to recover from the sharp decline of American visitors since 2006, the result of a combination of factors, including the U.S. economic downturn, clogged border crossings, a new U.S. passport requirement and fears of crime in Mexico.

“The strongest testimony, the best, is from people who live here in our state,” Ensenada Mayor Enrique Pelayo, said as he addressed the Riviera gathering.

North of Ensenada, Rosarito Beach saw roughly a 70 percent drop in U.S. visitors from 2005 to 2010, said Hugo Torres, owner of the hotel and the city’s former mayor. For the first time in years, the downward trend was reversed, he said, as his hotel registered a 17 percent increase in Americans in 2011 over 2010.

Torres, who is president of the Baja Image Committee, has joined state tourism authorities in seeking out the support of members of the expatriate community, made up of an estimated 25,000 full- and part-time residents.

Their endorsements “are one more way of projecting an image that things are right, conditions are right for people to come down,” said Juan Tintos, Baja California’s Tourism Secretary.

Last year, Tintos’ office commissioned a 10-minute promotional video titled, “What is Baja?” The video draws heavily on interviews with U.S. visitors, residents and promoters such as Gary Foster, who runs the twice-yearly Rosarito-to-Ensenada bike ride.

“Turn off the TV and talk to someone who’s been there,” said Foster, whose event has suffered from the drop in U.S. visitors. “The tourists that travel to Baja are the best ambassadors Baja has because they know the real story.”

sandra.dibble@utsandiego.com • (619) 293-1716 • Twitter @sandradibble

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How to Find Gas at $1.46 Less Per Gallon (Really)

Gustavo Torres — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:28:00 GMT

By Dennis Romero Fri., Mar. 16 2012 at 7:00 AM Comments (6) Categories: Economy

Tricia Wang

What if we told you we knew of a place where you could save about $1.46 a gallon on gas -- today?

What if we told you, while you were in the neighborhood getting your cheap gas you could also dine on meals that have the foodie nation buzzing, get a huge discount on your prescription drugs, and take a picture with a zonkey (that's a zebra crossed with a donkey, but not really)?

You'd say we sound like a cheesy salesman using the "what if we told you" ruse? Yes, but other than that you'd be all about this.

Well, not so fast.

You see, this non-mythical land of gas and gastronomy is 135 miles away, at least. So you'd have to dedicate a day to it. And the savings would do you no good unless you really wanted to go there anyway.

But you do:

starlen

Tijuana scenery.

A round trip drive to Tijuana with a car that gets 20 miles per gallon, with an average L.A. gas price of $4.35, will cost you nearly $59 in fuel.

But if you fill her up in TJ (yes, despite what the New Yorker says, even locals have been calling it TJ -- for decades) you can see a savings of $20 on that 13 or so gallons it would take for your outing.

The San Diego Union-Tribune says the savings between SoCal gas prices and Tijuana gas prices, given the peso exchange rate, is about $1.46 a gallon.

And, yes, people in Southern California are already taking advantage of the discount.

Heck, $20 dollars in Tijuana can buy you like a couple buckets of beer, a huge bag of crap weed (don't try bringing it across the border, though), or a nice dinner for two.

Of course, Mexican gas is not as complicated as California's clean-burning blends (and that's part of the reason why it's cheaper), and finding Mexican gas with high enough octane for this reporter's car would be a feat.

And then there's this: They kill people in Mexico. A lot of them, it seems. But mostly they're people in the business. Yeah, that business.

But that's none of your business, so you're probably safe.

And some locals now claim that things are much better in Tijuana -- so much so that the rich folks are starting to move back there from their second and third homes in San Diego.

Given all that, it's still a little bit of a gamble -- like betting on the greyhounds at Caliente.

But $20 certainly gives you a few more chips to play with.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

Mexico's Booming Economy – What Investors Need to Know

Gustavo Torres — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:21:00 GMT

By Richard Houghton & Sean O'Neal

A report by the Financial Times compared Mexico's current economic state to that of Spain 20 years ago

Mexico's economy is on fire and now is the time to invest, if today's news headlines are any indication. Check out the impressive array of information below, which we have gleaned from a wide variety of stories written recently by some of the world's most respected financial institutions and reporting agencies.

According to Goldman Sachs, Mexico's rapidly advancing infrastructure, increasing middle class and rapidly declining poverty rates will foster a higher GDP per capita than all but three European countries by the year 2050. This estimate might be conservative, when you consider that according to Forbes magazine Mexico's economy and GDP was already 11th in the world as of 2010, which Bloomberg, CNBC and Reuters all noted was a growth of 5.5 percent that year – the most in the last decade.

Furthermore, NASDAQ has called Mexico “one of the world's largest developing economies,” pointing out that per capita the Mexican economy is already larger than those of China, India and Brazil. In addition, UK Trade & Investment has announced that it expects Mexico's economy to surpass the UK's by the year 2040, also pointing out that the UK is one of the largest investors in Mexico.

A report by the Financial Times compared Mexico's current economic state to that of Spain 20 years ago, while IT exports from the country are expected to surpass $3.5 billion US in 2011 according to a report by Forbes Magazine. In addition, the European Union is working to improve its ties with Mexico by making it a “strategic partner,” while Honda has announced intentions to invest around $800 million according to a report by USA Today. Also of note, Bloomberg covered announcements from Nissan, General Motors, Mazda and Volkswagen to invest more than $400 million each in auto manufacturing facilities throughout Mexico.

With all of this growth and international interest, it's no surprise that Bloomberg recently reported that Mexico has raised its forecast for foreign direct investment in 2011 to $20 billion US – a figure that is a full 11% higher than previous predictions.

www.bajainvestment.com

Rosarito Beach, Baja, La Jolla del Mar oceanfront condominium, LP $150,000

Gustavo Torres — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:47:00 GMT

La Jolla del Mar oceanfront condominium, that seller needs to sale in Rosarito Beach, Baja Mexico, by Remax Baja Realty.
Price: $150,000 USD
Type: Condominium
Style: Single Story
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Size: 1,341 sq. ft.
YearlyTaxes: $250

Beautiful oceanfront condo in Rosarito Beach, located in La Jolla del Mar ocean complex. Full gym, sandy beach, great location, only 2 miles south of Rosarito Beach Hotel.
For this and more Rosarito beach, Baja condominiums and homes, inlcuding La Jolla, Rosarito Beach condo hotel and much more, please log into our webpage at www.RemaxBaja.com and for instant baja MLS search www.BajaInvestment.com

Phone: 619 270 5446
Cell: 1661 611 0473
Fax: 01152 100 2076

Affordable San Marino homes in Rosarito Beach

Gustavo Torres — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:31:00 GMT

Affordable Homes In Rosarito Asking Price: $95,000 - $190,000 USD (Negotiable - Financing Available)

San Marino is a residential community located in Baja California, a few miles north of Rosarito Beach... just half a mile from the Pacific Ocean, offering quality homes at prices starting at only $138,000. Featuring several three bedroom floor plans ranging from 1350 to 2000 square feet, all these beautiful homes include open designs, lots of amenities, and a commitment to quality and service. We can offer every home with title and bank trust, and a variety of mortgage and payment options.

This amazing site, on a hill overlooking the ocean, is just 5 minutes from Rosarito Beach and only 45 minutes from downtown San Diego. This Rosarito homes are an affordable housing option that offers real value. Fantastic and affordable Baja and Rosarito real estate! What you've been looking for.

With magnificent ocean views, a great location, fantastic weather and beach access San Mar Rosarito Homes offers a lifestyle that is truly the art of living. Fantastic and affordable Rosarito real estate.

Beautiful Baja ocean view homes!

"A place were the sight rejoices from the sea, the sky, the mountains and vegetation"

This Baja Homes is a development supported by one of the largest home developers in northern Baja, one of the most serious and important house builders companies of northwest Mexico.

San Marino Rosarito Homes offer the support of Title Insurance, guaranteeing your investment's solidity and security.

You can also find closeness with the United States, mainly the city of San Diego, which gives Descanso a strategic location for relaxation and enjoyment, it is very close to Golf Courses, to the most important wineries of Baja California, to the beautiful port of Ensenada, the fun of Rosarito, the dynamism of Tijuana or the California Border.

Come and visit this beautiful Rosarito real estate site. You will love it!

For more information on these affordable San Marino homes, and all homes in the Baja area, please log into the instant MLS Baja page at www.BajaInvestment.com

We love referrals, so agents be ready!

The Baja Grape Adventure

Gustavo Torres — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:15:00 GMT

This is a UNIQUE Off-Road Trip like no other... a 55 Mile FUN RIDE, from Rosarito Beach at the Pacific to the beautiful Guadalupe Valley (Baja's Wine Country) and Back to Rosarito, with the best scenic views you can encounter in BAJA, crossing the water creeks, sierras, ranches and farms, otherwise inaccessible to the public.

E-Mail: info@toomuchfun.com.mx

Winds of Change in Mexico

Gustavo Torres — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:11:00 GMT

By Boomers Abroad

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a loan of up to 72 million usd to help finance the construction of a 396-megawatt wind farm in Mexico, a project that will expand renewable energy supply in the country and contribute to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The project, the biggest wind farm in Mexico and one of the largest in Latin America, will be located in the La Ventosa region of Oaxaca, one of the world’s best regions for wind resources. The project, forecast to reduce emissions by up to approximately 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, will be made up of 132 towers with turbines and include the construction of a 52-kilometer transmission line linking the farm with the electricity grid. The operation is part of growing IDB support to help Mexico develop its renewableenergy industry. The Bank has been supporting Mexico in developing the regulatory and institutional framework necessary to incorporate renewable sources of energy into the energy matrix as well as implement its Renewable Energy Law.

www.bajainvestment.com

Baja wants the movie spotlight again

Gustavo Torres — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:02:00 GMT

A 35-acre studio complex was thriving until drug-related violence and tough competition interfered. Now, with 'Little Boy,' it's trying for a comeback.

By Richard Marosi, Los Angeles Times

January 3, 2012

Reporting from Rosarito Beach, Mexico—

Hollywood made a big splash here when it sank the movie replica of the "Titanic" in an enormous water tank built specifically for the cinematic spectacle. The films "Master and Commander" and "Pearl Harbor" followed, with the cannon shots and explosions from those productions rattling high-rise condos and palapa bars up and down the craggy Baja California coast.

But fears of drug wars and incentives from rival production facilities all but shut down film-making at Baja Studios, a 35-acre facility on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. Also closed was the Titanic-inspired theme park, which once drew thousands to gawk at the mementos from Hollywood's second-biggest box office film of all time.

Now, movie fever may be building again. Cameras began rolling this summer on the first feature filmed in years at the studio. The movie, "Little Boy," a World War II-era film set in a Northern California fishing town, drew Academy Award-nominated actors, put local movie crews to work and signaled the studio's ability to still lure major productions south of the border.

Casting the film was a challenge as some actors shied away because they feared local crime, said Eduardo Verastegui, "Little Boy's" executive producer. But the 12-week shoot went off without a hitch for a cast that eventually included Kevin James, Tom Wilkinson and Emily Watson.

"They lived there for a while and were having a great time, and loving the people," Verastegui said. "It's an amazing studio … and you save a lot of money at the same time."

Built in 1996 by 20th Century Fox, Baja Studios has four sound stages and outdoor water tanks that are among the biggest in the world. Other pluses: Local film crews are cheaper than their Hollywood counterparts and the studio's location just south of Rosarito Beach is a few hours' drive from Southern California. The trip is even shorter for people using the facility's heliport.

Over the years, all or part of about nine films were produced there. In 2005, one of the stages hosted rehearsals for the rock group U2 ahead of the band's Vertigo world tour. In 2007, 20th Century Fox sold the studio to a group of local investors who hoped to make it a job growth engine in the region.

But in 2008, during pre-production work for the "Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," Mexico's drug war flared in Rosarito Beach. Seven cops were killed in one month, and the studio moved the production to New Zealand.

Security concerns were only part of the reason for the switch, according to Kurt Honold, a Tijuana-based businessman who is part of an investors' group that owns the studio. With facilities elsewhere offering aggressive incentive packages, Baja Studios, as well as the broader Mexican film industry, had lost its competitive edge, he said.

The Mexican government responded by establishing incentive packages offering up to 17.5% cash rebates and tax breaks for the costs of movies shot in Mexico. President Felipe Calderon announced the incentives program at the studio in March 2010, saying he wanted Mexico to become "Latin America's movie capital."

U.S. and international locales continue rolling out ever-more enticing incentive packages, so Mexico's ability to attract film shoots faces serious challenges. Some observers say that Mexico's incentives still don't match other regions' aggressive offerings. And negative perceptions about drug violence persist, even though crime in Baja California has declined significantly in the last two years.

Mexican investors and government officials are hoping that the studio's track record for turning out blockbusters will provide an edge. With a deep pool of local film crew professionals, many of whom have worked in Hollywood, the studio is a "turn-key solution," said Ricardo Alvarez, the head of innovation at Pro Mex, the government agency that promotes the film industry.

"We have the people, we have the resources, we have the facilities and we have the supply chain," he said. "It's one of the advantages of being so close to Hollywood. Lots of our talent has experience working in Hollywood productions. That is really helpful. It allows you to solidify your credentials."

For Rosarito Beach, the movie dollars and big-spending studio executives and stars nourish all levels of an economy struggling from a collapse in tourism. During film shoots, actors and production crews fill dozens of hotel rooms and oceanfront homes. Residents still remember the sight of Russell Crowe jogging from his hotel to the studio every morning, and photos of Leonardo DiCaprio line the walls at a nearby Marriott Hotel.

For years, eateries offering Titanic-themed burgers and seafood did brisk business, and hundreds of extras would be shuttled from downtown Rosarito Beach. Honold said everyone from hotel maids to highly skilled camera technicians benefit from a film production, as well as businesses across the border in San Diego, where people often make big-item purchases like cars.

"For every penny spent in Mexico, 50% goes back to the U.S.," Honold said.

Little Boy's production provided a taste of past windfalls, pumping about $14 million into the local economy, according to Honold. Crews constructed a Norman Rockwell-esque town overlooking the ocean and long-vacant production offices and dressing rooms — one still bearing the name of Peter Weir, the director of "Master and Commander" — were once again buzzing with activity.

Verastegui, the executive producer, said filming in Baja California sliced 50% off the budget, without sacrificing quality. Some cast members agreed. "I think that if people knew about this facility — that it's this good, with people around here that are this competent — they'd be flocking down here in droves," Wilkinson, the actor, said in an interview with filmmakers.

www.bajainvestment.com

Atencion a turistas Nacionales y extranjeros!

Gustavo Torres — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:12:00 GMT

Playas de Rosarito, B.C. a Martes 20 de Diciembre de 2011.

En Playas de Rosarito se esta volviendo a integrar el COMITÉ CIUDADANO DE ATENCIÒN AL TURISTA!

Estamos muy contentos, ya que esto siempre ha ayudado bastante a conservar la tranquilidad en los turistas, asi como asisitencia en casi cualquier situacion.

La reunion para formar dicho comite, el cual llego a tener hasta 400 miembros, todos de la localidad, sera este 26 de enero, a las 9am en el Salon Las Americas del Hotel Rosarito.

El comite ha sido integrado por residentes rosaritences tanto nacionales como extranajeros, ya que tenemos una gran poblacion, de alrededor de un 15% de la poblacion total, que son extranjeros. En su mayoria del vecino pais de Estados Unidos, pero tambien tenemos canadienses, guatemaltecos, holandeses, noruegos, chinos y mucho mas.

Se les invita a todos los que nos acompanen el 26 de enero, 2012

Gustavo Torres

RE/MAX Baja Realty

Baja is getting movies again!

Gustavo Torres — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:02:00 GMT

Bellow is a very interesting article written by Mr. Richard Marossi for the Associtated Press, published in the Los Angeles Times last week. The most interesting part is that, Mr. Marosi is mostly very critical on Mexico and Baja California... in my personal opinion. Please read it, as I am sure that you will find it very informative. Also, just FYI, Baja Studios, which is located in Rosarito Beach, Baja, about three miles south of downtown, is looking and talking into receiving a few more very important movie productions in the coming months, with great and amazing movie stars... Great for Baja residents and Baja real estate. I will keep you all posted here!

Read on...

Baja wants the movie spotlight again

A 35-acre studio complex was thriving until drug-related violence and tough competition interfered. Now, with 'Little Boy,' it's trying for a comback

A huge replica of the Titanic, shown in 1997, was built at Baja Studios for the filming of the blockbuster movie about the doomed liner. The studio was all but shut down over fears of drug wars and fierce competition. (Los Angeles Times / January 13, 1997)

Also
Graphic: Baja Studios

By Richard Marosi, Los Angeles Times
January 3, 2012

Reporting from Rosarito Beach, Mexico—

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