Bajainvestment.com

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.

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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.

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CAVE PAINTING

Gustavo Torres — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:45:00 GMT

Path of rock art in Baja California

Baja California offers an important archaeological wealth that is fully expressed in the cave murals that are all over the peninsula.

Calendar Markers

The Vallecito region, located 5 km northwest of the village of La Rumorosa (in the North of the peninsula.), is the best-known site of the State. Because of its location, it is recommended to devote one day to make your visit.

Located in the sierra Juarez summits, it covers about 200 hectares where between woodlots pine and agaves capricious stone formations exist showing groups of rock paintings with a wide range of topics, ranging from abstract-geometric to more figurative: forms humanoid, stars and others. Most famous painting of the place is El Diablito;, anthropomorphic red with two wavy stripes drawing on the head by way of devil horns; it’s merit lies not only in the composition but in its role as a calendar marker : in the morning of the winter solstice enters the shelter where and illuminates directly and exclusively the Diablito eyes.

Near El Vallecito at Km 57 of the Rumorosa –Mexicali Highway is another wonderful site. In this large cubic stone, there are several humanoid figures painted, some of them made with white strokes on darkened walls by the smoke of ancient bonfires. There are also petro glyphs and mortars.

Some researchers believe that there was human presence on the peninsula millions of years ago, but the available evidence only displays more or less from 8000 B.C. However, the above sites are newer, it is estimated that they were done in the past thousand years, although the engravings, more resistant to erosion, might be older.

The magic of Las Pintas

In the Valley of Guadalupe area, there is a set of paintings on a promontory located at the El Milagros Ranch.

South of the city of Ensenada, along the road near the village of San Vicente Ferrer, stands Rancho la Llave located beside the San Vicente Creek Ranch stands a 10 meter high rock painted of petro glyphs. Designs are all geometric, with straight lines, it’s meaning although not understood, is perhaps the best preserved throughout the Northwest of Mexico predominance. Southward, the next zone is Las Pintas, a special place. The area consists of a comprehensive set of huge rocks between two hills.

The surface of the rocks highlights hundreds of cryptic white drawings. This is one of the most beautiful sites due to the desert environment that surrounds it.

Crossings and colors

Another interesting area is located approximately 50 kmts. further to the Southeast. This is a small group of although dispersed petro glyphs on the shores of the San Fernando creek. More geometric designs and abstract strokes on an orange tone, two stone drawings attract attention: A solitary Latin cross and the other, a complex composition which seems like a sailing vessel. Some people believe that they were made after the arrival of Spaniards, which is feasible, given the proximity of the site to the Mission of San Fernando Velicatá, founded by fray Junípero Serra in 1769;; and the coast by where galleons]s since the sixteenth century, is less than 100 km away. The cave painted Cataviñá located further at 50 km southeast in the Rocky part of the central desert is a worthy place to of visit. The site contains magnificent murals; it is in the form of a tunnel of about 3 meters long under a colossal hanging rock. The semispherical roof presents dozens of triangles, squares and lined rectangles, concentric circles, Suns as found at El Vallecito.

Astonished by the variety of colors in just two or three square meters: black, from of manganese oxide; the ochre gets of Hematite (iron oxide), white derived from limestone rocks, more mysterious yellow and orange. Cataviñá was the center of the great enigma on this tour. The great mural area begins bout 130 km south, those other monumental paintings with figurative art natural size and at times greater.

Only four human figures with black face patches are known.
This one, from El Cajón del Valle, has exceptionally well preserved colors.
(Photograph by Harry W. Crosby, courtesy Sunbelt Publications)

Archeological zones of Baja California

El Vallecito

Take Federal highway No. 2 Tijuana -Mexicali , until you reach La Rumorosa to km 73 is followed by the North taking a dirt road that follows 3 km west of the village course the road goes through the restaurant El Chipo continues North and arrives directly onsite at the crossing by the Rancho Santa Maria del Oro , 3 km further. Open Wednesday at 8: 00 to 5: 00 PM to Sunday , access not allowed after 6:00PM.

Kilometer 57

Drive from the Rumorosa descending to Mexicali on Federal No.2 Highway the exit will be on your right hand side 57.5 km

Rancho El Milagro

Reference: Valle de Guadalupe. (Zarco Francisco)

Rancho La Llave

Reference: San Vicente Ferrer.

Las Pintas

22 kms east of El Rosario de Arriba on Road heading; at km 81, take the secondary right (South). After 30 km you will reach the ghost town of El Malvar or ejido Abelardo l. Rodriguez. In the first houses turn left (East), continue straight and take the first deviation to the left until you find the site about 6 km ahead.

San Fernando Velicatá

Follow the signs of the ruins of the Mission of the same name that are towards km 119 of the stretch of the heading ranging from San Quintín southward. Passing the ruins continue thousand meters more.

Cataviñá

Reference: town of Cataviñá or St Agnes.

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Rosarito Beach Hotel Traditional Farmer´s Market & Rosarito Art Fest Baazar

Gustavo Torres — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:33:00 GMT

Rosarito Beach Hotel
Celebrates the Holidays with a:

Christmas Farmer’s Market.

Salon Mexicano & Terraza.
Sunday December 4th.
12 pm to 5 pm.
Guest of honor: Rosarito Art Fest.
FREE ENTRANCE.

Come and enjoy…

Exquisite BBQ Grill
Tamales
Wine tasting
Cheese, bread
Organic products
Art bazaar
Art kid's activities
Live entertainment "Group Factor 7"
Special christmas show by Ballet Ixtlazihuatl
and much more!

From Americans to Americans: Mexico Taxi Project

Gustavo Torres — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:51:00 GMT

MEXICO TAXI PROJECT

Written by Luis Dominguez
07 November 2011

Mexico's security issues have taken a toll on its image as a paradise-like destination. Mexico's Tourism Board is trying to change that negative perception with a creative campaign where the message of a safe Mexico came from Americans themselves.

The campaign is called Mexico Taxi Project and it will feature tourists returning from Mexico chatting about their trips with the taxi drivers who are taking them home.

According to The New York Times the campaign has an estimated budget of more than USD$30 million, and is seeking to change perceptions about conditions that visitors find in Mexico.

Mexico Taxi Project is inspired in the popular HBO series "Taxicab Confesions", and is based in this simple premise: "A message from Americans to Americans". The idea behind the campaign is that real tourists, who have just been in Mexico, will have more credibility with the American audience.

In one of the spots, the driver asks his passengers if they felt safe while in Cabo, and one of them replied saying "Oh yeah." A second man says: "Totally safe", and then a woman says: "I would definitely recommend it. Everything you hear on the news is not what you experience down there." A screenwriter couldn't write it any better.

The tourists have just arrived from their trips to Mexico, and they are being driven to their homes on town cars equipped with hidden cameras that filmed the rides from airports in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. At the end of the trip, as in the candid camera show, they are told about the cameras and the whole campaign, and they have the option to authorize or reject the use of their testimonials. So far none of the tourists asked to sign a waiver have declined, according to Gerardo Llanes, chief marketing officer at the Mexico Tourism Board.

According to the Mexico Tourism Board, between 95% and 97% of American tourists, will come back to the country, which says a lot about their level of satisfaction. With this data in mind, was that the Mexico Taxi Project was created, trying to maximize the positive feedback that was already there, and which the project is only using to make an impact on Mexico's image. "We know we are taking a chance..., but the chance of negatives are so small" said Mr. Llanes.

The campaign also includes online and print advertising and there will also be versions of the commercials for Canada.

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The movie "Little Boy" being filmed in Rosarito

Gustavo Torres — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:35:00 GMT

Little Boy..... An epic "Adult Fairy Tale"
Little Boy from director Alejandro Monteverde will be produced by LA-based Metanoia Films at a budget of $24 million, funded by U.S. and Mexican investors and much of the movie is set to be filmed in Rosarito at Baja Studios, as well as Tijuana, Ensenada, and Tecate..
The movie stars Kevin James, Ben Chaplin, Emily Watson and David Henrie in a story that tells of an eight-year-old boy with developmental problems whose only friend is his father. The movie is set in a beach front town during World War II and has a Norman Rockwell look and feel to it. After dad goes to war, the boy is forced to confront the cruelty of his schoolmates as well as others.
Picture is scheduled to be released in 2012.
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What is Baja?

Gustavo Torres — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:56:00 GMT

Expats Talk

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Baja California hosts Emerging Baby Boomers conference in Rosarito

Gustavo Torres — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:51:00 GMT

Baja California and AMAR Retirement Communities Association present educational seminar for development experts

The city of Rosarito in Baja California, Mexico, welcomes the Emerging Baby Boomers Conference on Nov. 16-17, 2011, hosted by Baja California and AMAR, the Retirement Communities Association in Mexico.

The two-day conference takes place at the Rosarito Beach Hotel and will address the nature of the baby boomer market. The conference will also highlight how businesses and investors can reach this market and continue developing the senior living and care industry within the Baja California and Sea of Cortes regions Baja California provides economic stability, socio-cultural comfort and geographic appeal, fitting the retirement needs of those ages fifty and older. There are more than 100,000 retirees and expats living full- or part-time in the Sea of Cortes and Baja Peninsula areas, with approximately 35 percent of these retirees requiring some form of assisted living care.

The Emerging Baby Boomers Conference will not only highlight everything Baja offers for retirees, but will also provide investors and developers with immediate and long-term business opportunities to help their business thrive in a growing market. "Our location is unparalleled with any other region in Mexico and considered the next big retirement and expat destination in the country," said Javier Govi, Founder & President of AMAR.

"In fact, this region alone has the largest retirement population in Latin America. By 2020, the total number of retirees and expats is expected to increase to 250,000." Guest speakers include Jeff Stevens, director of planning at Danielian Associates; David Truly, president of IRM Research; Chad Martin, principal of Global Research; and Rick Jensen, president and chief executive officer of Northstar Senior Living.

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FRIEDMAN: Busy Mexican fishing trip is planned

Gustavo Torres — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:26:00 GMT

By Philip Friedman Columnist

Philip Friedman Outdoors is headed to Rosarito Beach Nov.25-27 for fishing, golf, shopping and great Baja cuisine. A bus will be waiting on the U.S. side of the border to take the group to the Rosarito Beach Hotel and back so that no one will have to drive in Mexico or pay for Mexican Insurance.

A fishing trip is planned out of Ensenada, as well as side trips to the La Bufadora blowhole, Ensenada, and the Baja Wine Country. Also along on the trip will be Dr. Dave Patel from Long Beach Memorial Hospital. He will be putting on a free medical clinic for the poor in Rosarito Beach. PFO is also taking an X-ray machine to a poor clinic in Baja so that more people might be cared for.

If you would like to join in on this great weekend, you can get more information by calling 424-237-0250 or by e-mailing PhilipFriedmanOutdoors@gmail.com. Cost for two people and two nights at the Rosarito Beach Hotel is $199.

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21st Century Border Initiative

Gustavo Torres — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:28:00 GMT

In April of 2010 the governments of Mexico and the United States issued a Declaration of the 21st Century Border. This declaration stated an understanding that: ‘’a joint and collaborative administration of their common border is critical to transforming management of the border to enhance security and efficiency.’’

The 21st Century Border Initiative of NDN/NPI has been designed to support, promote and develop this important vision for how our two countries manage our common border region. We have done this by facilitating events, papers, essays and creating a network of like minded individuals both inside and outside the beltway.

It is the core belief of this initiative that the bi-lateral relationship between the United States and Mexico is one of the United State’s most important relationships in the world. By the end of this year Mexico is set to be the United State’s second largest trading partner with more than a billion dollars in goods a day moving between our countries. The US domestic population is now 10 percent of Mexican descent, making our cultural, economic and familial ties extensive and deepening.

Through a new and better strategy, more resources and greater cooperation with our Mexican partners, the border region is much safer today. Crime is down, illegal migration has slowed, seizures of illegal drugs, guns and bulk cash has soared, all while trade and legal border crossings have increased. Despite the very real challenge of the cartel violence, the US side of the border has seen great progress in recent years. And while there has been great success in recent years in bringing about a better border region, of course much more must be done.

Declaration by The Government Of The United States Of America and The Government Of The United Mexican States Concerning Twenty-First Century Border Management

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary

The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Mexican States, hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Participants,”

Acknowledging their shared interest in creating a border that promotes their economic competitiveness and enhances their security through the secure, efficient, rapid, and lawful movement of goods and people;

Expressing a desire to fundamentally restructure the way in which the shared border between Mexico and the United States is managed to enhance public safety, welcome lawful visitors, encourage trade, strengthen cultural ties, and reduce the cost of doing business in North America;

Recognizing the importance of securing and facilitating the lawful flow of goods, services, and people between their countries;

Understanding that joint and collaborative administration of their common border is critical to transforming management of the border to enhance security and efficiency;

Recognizing the potential value, both in terms of enhancing security and reducing congestion, of shifting certain screening and inspection activities, traditionally performed at the immediate border, to geographic departure and transit zones away from the border and of considering other non-traditional border crossing concepts;

Appreciating that enhancing the flow of information needed for effective shared border management requires professionalism in law enforcement, strong institutional capacity, and effective interagency coordination in and between both countries;

Recognizing that transnational criminal organizations threaten the economies and security of both the United States and Mexico and that both countries share responsibility for the conditions that give rise to these criminal organizations and that allow them to endure, as well as shared responsibility for remedying those conditions;

Understanding that law enforcement coordination between the Participants is essential to preventing crime and to disrupting and dismantling transnational criminal organizations;

Sharing an interest in ensuring a legal, orderly system for managing migration between their countries and developing coordinated procedures for managing repatriation and ensuring that it remains safe and humane;

Hereby express their commitment to strengthen cooperation in:

Enhancing economic competitiveness by expediting lawful trade, while preventing the transit of illegal merchandise between their two countries,
Facilitating lawful travel in a manner that also prevents the illegal movement of people between their two countries,
Sharing information that enhances secure flows of goods and people, and
Disrupting and dismantling transnational criminal organizations and punishing their members and supporters.

I. AREAS OF COLLABORATION

In light of these mutual understandings, the Participants expect to work in a collaborative and coordinated fashion across a wide-range of border-related activities, including:

Programs focused on reducing congestion and delays in cross-border traffic entering both Mexico and the United States, building a foundation for efficient border and expanded economic growth, improving community safety and quality of life, and reducing unhealthy emissions from idling vehicles;
The creation, expansion, or mutual recognition of “trusted shipper” programs such as FAST and C-TPAT and “trusted traveler” programs such as SENTRI and Global Entry, allowing enforcement authorities to concentrate their efforts where they are most needed to stop illicit border flows;
Pre-screening, pre-clearance, and pre-inspection of people, goods, and products, particularly where such activities increase the Participants’ abilities to intercept dangerous individuals, hazardous goods, and contraband before they cause harm and to alleviate congestion at ports of entry;
The enhancement of the repatriation processes through the exchange of information and close bilateral cooperation, with special attention to vulnerable people such as unaccompanied minors, pregnant women, and the sick and elderly.
The improvement of bilateral mechanisms to share information related to aviation security and border security.
The development of complementary risk management strategies aimed at separating high-risk and low-risk shipments, as well as high-risk and low-risk individuals, including specific procedures for repatriation of individuals with criminal records;
The standardized collection and single entry of trade data, so that importers and exporters are asked for a given piece of information only once, reducing the administrative burden of compliance and therefore the cost of trade;
Improved bi-national coordination in planning, financing, permitting, designing, building, and operating ports of entry, as well as optimal staffing of ports of entry;
Promotion of a closer partnership with the private sector, the trade community, and international partners to secure supply chains;
Development of shared priorities for public investments in ports of entry along the border, planned in coordination with the infrastructure feeding into them, as well as funding mechanisms for such projects, including private sector participation;
Joint assessments of threats, development of a common understanding of the operating environment, and joint identification of geographic areas of focus for law enforcement operations;
Augmentation of their collection, analysis, and sharing of information from interdictions, investigations, and prosecutions to disrupt “criminal flows” and enhance public safety; and
Bringing together border communities and relevant stakeholders as partners in efforts to, protect public safety by integrating law enforcement efforts with other government functions including social assistance, community outreach, and responsiveness to citizen concerns.

II. IMPLEMENTATION AND OVERSIGHT

To coordinate and facilitate work aimed at furthering the goals noted in this Declaration, the Participants intend to establish a Twenty-First Century Border Bilateral Executive Steering Committee (ESC) composed of representatives from the appropriate federal government departments and offices. For the United States, this includes representatives from the Departments of State, Homeland Security, Justice, Transportation, Agriculture, Commerce, Interior, Defense, and the Office of the United State Trade Representative, and for Mexico includes representatives from the Secretariats of Foreign Relations, Interior, Finance and Public Credit, Economy, Public Security, Communications and Transportation, Agriculture, and the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic. Each Participant should integrate its own section of the ESC section into the relevant interagency processes to achieve better bilateral coordination.

It is expected that the inaugural meeting of the ESC, to be convened no later than August 19, 2010, will develop a mutually accepted action plan to realize the goals of this Declaration and identify working groups, drawing, where appropriate, upon existing bilateral, border-related groups, to implement the action plan.

III. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

This Declaration represents an understanding between the Participants and does not constitute a legally binding agreement. The Participants understand that activities in support of the goals mentioned in this Declaration are to be carried out in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Participants’ countries, and applicable international agreements to which the Participants’ countries are parties. The Participants are expected to bear their own costs in engaging in any such activities. All such activities are subject to the availability of funds and human resources.

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In Brief – News and Analysis – August 2011

Gustavo Torres — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:35:00 GMT

Tijuana safer than Cincinnati

“I felt safer in Tijuana than I do in most places in Cincinnati,” words spoken by the Chief Financial Officer of a major U.S. company visiting Tijuana investigating the possibility of starting a maquiladora operation there. While not at liberty to disclose the name of the company at this time, the story is worth telling as it bodes well for the recuperation of Baja and as more and more of the actual facts are discovered by visitors. In addition to the great observation above quoted, there is also other great news coming from this one visit.

I was asked to organize a visit by the company’s CFO and V.P. of Operations (COO) that is the third largest in its field in the U.S. with annual sales of several hundred million. The company was interested but concerned with the security issues as well as worker’s efficiency – but in particular the “drug war” security as in Ohio the newspapers had really played out the issue. So it was with some trepidation that the two executives arrived.

The team chosen did Tijuana proud. Judith Wilson of Bryan, Gonzalez Vargas & Gonzalez Baz for the law: Mauricio Monroy of Monroy Contadores for the accounting: Jean-Paul de Kervor of Maquila Properties for the industrial real estate, Fernando Ortiz-Barbachano of Barbachano International and Warren Carter of Qualifind for the key personnel executive search. They each came across as the true professionals that they are and duly impressed with their hospitality and competence winning the respect of the visitors.

Even the bureaucratic process came across looking good. The first stop was at the port of entry immigration office (Gobernacion) for the visitors to obtain their Mexican FMM visa (business visa – USD$24 good for 180 days). The officer and staff were friendly and efficient; the team was out of there in less than 20 minutes – very impressive. Further good news for the region was that there were other business people obtaining the same type of visas.

JP de Kervor, really knows his business, he know each of the industrial parks, where the vacancies are, the sizes, prices, infrastructure and everyone in the parks and buildings visited knew him by first name or rather initials – JP. He also made arrangements to visit existing maquiladora operations and speak with the management. Judith Wilson also arranged visiting some of the law firm’s maquiladora clients. Each place was well managed and the workers’ efficiency was impressive. In one such visit, as we were about to leave the owner of the maquiladora with over 400 employees (furniture mfg, Los Angeles headquarters) was arriving and introduced to the group. I took the opportunity to ask him for the benefit of our visitors about his take on the security issue to which he replied he had been in Tijuana 10 years and has never had a problem and the follow up question about worker’s efficiency he said it was better than five times greater than he had experienced in the U.S.

The visitors were taken throughout the city – to the east, to the south, to the north and west so they got to visit quite a bit of the municipality over the two days they visited. While going over the legal and accounting details Lic. Wilson’s office with Monroy, the CFO made his observation regarding his feelings of safety. The next day I met for breakfast before their departure and was thanked profusely and assured that Tijuana will be the placed for their company.

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Film set in World War II being shot in Baja California

Gustavo Torres — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:08:00 GMT

Written by Sandra Dibble

A movie set in California during World War II is being shot in Baja California, generating an estimated $14 million investment to the state and bringing new hope to the region’s lagging film industry.

Filmmaker Eduardo Verástegui describes “Little Boy” as an “adult fairy tale,” with a look inspired by Norman Rockwell’s paintings. Much of the action will be shot in English at Baja Studios south of downtown Rosarito Beach, the same location where James Cameron’s 1997 movie “Titanic” was filmed.

“We can call it the reactivation of the film industry in Baja,” said Juan Tintos, the state’s tourism secretary.

Verástegui is a Mexican actor and filmmaker who with two partners formed Metanoia Films, the Los Angeles production company behind the movie. By filming in Mexico, Verástegui said that they are able to cut their cost in half: A production that would have cost more than $48 million in the United States is costing $24 million, said Verástegui,

“There was really good disposition on the part of the government. They said, ‘What can we do for you so that you come to the state and make a movie that speaks well of Baja California?’ ” Verástegui said in an interview at Baja Studios.

Workers building a set for the film "Little Boy" at Baja Studios south of Rosarito Beach. (Sandra Dibble)

Kurt Honold, president of Baja Studios, said “Little Boy” would be the first production in Baja California to take advantage of an incentive program launched last year by President Felipe Calderón that gives foreign filmmakers a 7.5 percent rebate of what they spend in Mexico.

In a news conference at the studios on Monday announcing the production of “Little Boy,” Baja California Gov. José Guadalupe Osuna Millán said he is proposing a further incentive that would release film production companies from a state payroll tax.

“It makes sense to come to Mexico, because Mexico is close,” Honold said. “It also has to make sense economically.”

Baja California lost opportunities in recent years with the withdrawal of film productions from the state. Disney Studios’ plan to film “Chronicles of Narnia” at Baja Studios was halted in 2008, amid a rise in drug-related violence in the region.

Honold acknowledged that violence was one motivation for the studio’s decision to move production to Australia but said that the main reason was economic. “It didn’t make sense economically because we didn’t have the incentive program,” he said.

A subsequent Disney project, “Captain Nemo,” was halted when Disney “decided to change directions in management, and stopped everything related to movies except animation,” Honold said. Baja Studios has reestablished contact with Disney about the film.

State authorities say that the filming of “Little Boy” will generate $14 million in revenue for Baja California. It will create 450 jobs, 90 percent of them in Mexico, they said. An additional 1,000 people will be hired as extras, including many members of Rosarito Beach’s sizable community of U.S. ex-pats.

Though based at Baja Studios, the movie will also be shot in the Guadalupe Valley, the Laguna Salada, a rural area of Tecate, and Tijuana’s Casa de la Cultura, as well as Todos Santos in Baja California Sur. The settings will depict scenes that include a prisoner-of-war camp in the Philippines and Hiroshima after the atomic bomb.

Filming won’t begin until late this month, though preproduction work has begun, including the construction of a set at Baja Film Studios meant to depict the California town.

The film is the Metanoia’s second production. Verástegui and Alejandro Gómez Monteverde, the director of “Little Boy” collaborated for the 2005 film “Bella,” a $3 million production filmed in New York in 23 days that won the People’s Choice Award in 2007 at the Toronto International Film Festival.

“Little Boy” tells the story of eight-year-old Pepper, who lives in a California coastal town and dreams about rescuing his father, a soldier fighting on the Pacific front. It will feature British actors Ben Chaplin and Emily Watson, as well as U.S. actors Michael Rapaport and Jakob Salvati. Verástegui will play a Mexican priest. He said they are still in negotiations over one of the principal roles.

Filming is scheduled to start late this month, and last for 11 weeks, Verástegui said.

www.bajainvestment.com

Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride..- Celebrating the Art of Jose Guadalupe Posada

Gustavo Torres — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 20:17:00 GMT

24 september, 2011 - 10:00 a.m.

Working tirelessly for over forty years as an artisan who refused to compromise the integrity of his work, Jose Guadalupe Posada became Mexico's most beloved national artist. Renewing and preserving the art of engraving, Posada became a constant inspiration to Mexican artists of the twentieth century, including the world-famous Mexican muralists, Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco.

While some of his subjects may require some explanation for non-Mexican viewers, the prints of this popular artist never fail to arouse immediate and lasting admiration all over the world for the brilliancy of their craftsmanship, composition and graphic techniques, and for their amazing source of imagination. His work symbolizes that life is transitory, and we should celebrate every day!

The most imaginative and celebrated facet of his creations is the Calaveras, the Spanish word for skull, and, by extension, skeleton. In the case of our design for the September 2011 event, it continues the tradition of Posada by illustrating every conceivable activity in human existenceÐin this case the sport of bicycling.

Most of the art that is inspired by Posada is sold around All Souls Day on November 2, The Day of the Dead in Mexico. At this holiday, it is traditional to sell figurines, toys, cakes, candy, etc. in the form of skeletons. Posada used his Calaveras prints as social reportage, cultural manifestos and social satire.

His influence on Mexican art since his time is a matter of public record. In their biographies, both Jose Clemente Orozco and Diego Rivera have told how they were inspired by watching him at work in his shop when they were children. Graphic art in Mexico has been strongly influenced by Posada, as can be seen in the constant presence of Catrinas, the beautifully illustrated skeletons.

Jose Guadalupe Posada remains one of the major influences in Mexican art forms, and we celebrate his work to honor him and give the recognition that he so well deserves.

This is The Original Party on Wheels
Rosarito Ensenada began in 1979. It's an award-winning 50 mile bicycle ride along the Pacific Coast and inland through rural countryside from Rosarito Beach to Ensenada, plus a Finish Line Fiesta on the Ensenada waterfront with food, drinks and live music until sunset.

About the Event
Rosarito Ensenada began in 1979. It is an award-winning 50 mile bicycle ride along the Pacific Coast and inland through rural countryside from Rosarito Beach to Ensenada, plus a Finish Line Fiesta on the Ensenada waterfront with food, drinks and live music

www.bajainvestment.com

Metanoia plays with 'Little Boy'

Gustavo Torres — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:09:00 GMT

Pic to star Ben Chaplin and Emily Watson

By James Young
L.A.-based Metanoia Films is set to make helmer Alejandro Monteverde's "Little Boy," starring Ben Chaplin, Emily Watson and David Henrie.
Pic is budgeted at $24 million, funded by a nearly 50-50 split between U.S. and Mexican investors.

Little Boy" is a family drama set in small-town America in the early days of WWII. It revolves around an 8-year-old with developmental problems. His only friend is his father, and with his departure to war, the troubled boy is forced to confront the cruelty of schoolmates and others.

Filmmakers held a nationwide casting for the titular role, coming up with first-timer Jakob Salvati.

Pic will begin an 11-week shoot in Baja California at the end of August and should be ready for play in 2012.

Metanoia is taking advantage of the state's new film promotion law that establishes a framework for films to work with the government and local industry, centered largely around the independent Baja Studios, where "Titanic" was shot.

Film will also shoot in Rosarito beach, Ensenada, Tijuana and Tecate.

Metanoia was founded in 2005 by Monteverde, thesp-producer Eduardo Verastegui, childhood friends from Mexico, along with Leo Severino.

In choosing Baja, Verastegui noted the support of Governor Jose Guadalupe Osuna and praised Baja Studios prexy Kurt Honold for undercutting the competition in what the studios hope will be the start of a long relationship with Metanoia.

The film will apply for the Fondo ProAudioVisual rebate that was created last year to attract "high-impact" productions. It would be the first of such projects for Baja California and the fifth overall to take the federal rebate.

Metanoia's first outing was 2006's "Bella," helmed by Monteverde and produced by and starring Verastegui.

Budgeted at $3 million, the pic earned $40 million worldwide and took the audience prize at Toronto -- a first for a Mexican director, paving the way for the larger scale "Little Boy."