MARK YOUR CALENDAR
November 28th & 29th
 

Taste of Peñasco
FOOD + WINE + FUNDRAISER

The second annual fund raising culinary event TASTE OF PEÑASCO is set for Saturday, November 29^th from Noon to 6:00 p.m.and will be held at the beachfront Esplanade at Bella Sirena Condominiums. A mouth-water-ing event for the senses and surprises for all ! More important is the special charity that will benefit from the proceeds – Puerto Peñasco Lions Clubs.
 

The event will be open to the public and guests may buy tickets for food and sample the delicacies of the various restaurants featuring their specialty dishes, and Swim Poolside Lounge & Grill will offer “libation stations.” Highlight of this wonderful event will be the delicious food from our local restaurants and beautiful art from our community. We are asking everyone who attends to bring of pair of glasses they are no longer able to use as a donation to the Lion’s Club.
 

This year we are also adding the iron Chef Competition which will take place Friday, November 28^th at the Ocean View Seafood & Steak House which is at the Sonoran Sky Resort and we will honor the “Iron Chef Winner” of Puerto Peñasco at the event on Saturday.
 

The festival’s goal is to offer alternative activities and events to sun and beach for visitors and local alike. A family oriented event including entertainment with a children’s play, music to all dance to latin rythms, a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon with family and friends.
 

While at the Taste of Peñasco (TOP), Puerto Peñasco’s main restaurants will showcase the culinary talents of their fine chefs. A few of the featured restaurants are Hacienda Las Fuentes, Max’s Café, Swim Poolside Lounge & Grill at Bella Sirena, Miguel’s Steakhouse at Peñasco del Sol, Puesta del Sol at Playa Bonita Resort & Portofino Fine Italian Cuisine. Only 10 restaurants will participate, so if you interested, you
 

Opening up possibilities for five new micro-businesses
        Following recent authorization granted by the State DIF system, five new micro-businesses will soon begin operations in the city, through an investment of nearly $75,000 pesos.
Municipal DIF President, Minerva Ramirez de Renteria, presented the economic support to families in various neighborhoods of the city.  With these funds, recipients will be able to begin their own businesses and contribute to the local economy.
The support included the equipping of an economic kitchen, sewing workshop, beauty salon, a piñata making workshop, and a hot dog stand. Support is being provided under a credit scheme that recipients must repay within a period no greater than 24 months, and with a three month grace period.
In an act held at the facilities of the offices of Integral Family Development (DIF), those benefiting from the support included Elizabeth Acedo Garcia, Veronica Micaela Lopez Blanco, Judith Elizabeth Vega Montez, Maria Laura Valdovinos Arreguin and Mr. Manuel de Jesus Urbina Narcia.
Filled with the emotion of now being able to open their own business, Mrs. Maria Laura Valdovinos Arreguin spoke on behalf of the entrepreneurs and expressed gratitude to the head of the Municipal DIF.  She reiterated her commitment to comply with the credit payments that provided for the acquisition of this equipment.
Ramirez de Renteria underscored the importance of consolidating these types of actions, thereby providing families with necessary tools for further advancement.
She committed timely follow-up for the new micro-businesses, as well as continued steps for the authorization of more productive projects for Puerto Peñasco.
The DIF President expressed her congratulations and acknowledgement for the entrepreneurs and stated her belief that here in Puerto Peñasco the efforts of both women and men are needed to get ahead.
Norma Agundez Serna, DIF Director, accompanied the DIF President along with Nereida Olivas Reyes, Coordinator of Community Programs.

DIF Server up school breakfasts at La Montaña Center for                                                      Multiple Care
 

Breakfasts to benefits 4,937 children and young people
 

Nearly 70 children and young adolescents were presents as the 2008-2009 school breakfast program got underway at the “ La Montaña “ Center for Multiple Care. The school breakfast program will directly benefit 4,937 local students.
During this academic cycle, 1,667 hot breakfasts and 3,270 cold breakfast will be distributed daily at Puerto Peñasco’s elementary and preschool.
A welcome surprise was the visit of Minerva Ramirez de Renteria, Municipal DIF President, at La Montaña school. Accompanied by a team of collaborators, the DIF President personally presented the first meal, which will be served daily at the Hot Breakfast unit.
Through the creation of the School Breakfast Committee, Arminda St. Clair, Director of La Montaña, along with parents, made a commitment to DIF to carry out activities of selection and registry to weigh and measure young students, as well as organize participation in the daily preparation of meal.
Which the objective of supporting the young population, this program guarantees that children receive a daily ration of nutrients to confront problem of malnutrition and the risk of weight gain and obesity; these benefits will provide better academic performance results.
The meal will be delicious and varied and include options that can be prepared to the liking of the little ones.
DIF offers Committees training in order to assure the successful operation of the breakfast program. The program, they stated, also helps strengthen the economy of families by offering an option to reduce the consumption of junk food at schools.

In his youth, Fernando Lopez Trasviña was a 6-1 ht. point guard representing the basketball team for the City of Guaymas in Regional and State of Sonora tournament. His love for the sport motivated him to created new Major and Amateur Basketball Leagues right here in Puerto Peñasco. Born in Guaymas, Sonora, he moved to Rocky Point 11 years ago working as a sales agent for Sandy Beach condominium projects Princesa de Peñasco and Las Palomas.
  Fernando is currently the president of the Rockies de Peñasco Basketball Club A.C. and is inviting the entire community to help expand basketball activities for boys and girls from 8 to 15 years old. Mr. Humberto Cuadras is the Director and has been upgrading the league and doing a fantastic job. We all know that belonging to a team, or being a part of something, gives many kids the selfesteem they may be lacking. It also helps form friendships, provides great exercise anda teaches them how to be good sports and get along with one another. Besides all of that, the big reasons the team was started was to reduced the potential of kids becoming delinquents, dropping out of school, becoming addicted to drugs or joining street gangs. It also helps the kids relate better within their family environment and the community.
  The basketball courts all located in various neighborhoods all over the city so they are accessible to all of the children who want to participate. Sister cities Phoenix and Tucson plan to pit their basketball team against our Rockies in friendly exchanges. Remember when you
played sports in school, how fun it was to travel to a neighboring city to
play their team. Well, okay, so being the  visiting team wasn’t always that fun, but the team will get to play both here in Peñasco and in Arizona.
 Though basketball is a fun sport, the Rockies are serious about it. Beginning this month, when the childrens head back to school, the fathers of the children who want to be a part of the team will sign a commitment- not just a permission slip, but a commitment. Fernando says he appreciates the support  the kids parents are showing. He also thanks the City of Puerto Peñasco and the State of Sonora for remodeling the local basketball gym, showing their genuine support for this new Rockies Basketball Team. He would also like to thanks the Arizona Youth Supports Foundation, being represented by President Mr. Rick Busa from Scottsdale, Arizona. Rick is also an owner at the Princesa and Las Palomas.
If you qould like to participate in this basketball project, your donations are always welcome and gratefully accepted. The Rockies are in need of; new basketballs; new size 5 (or 28.5) Nike, Spalding or Wilson tennis shoes – or comparable brand that will support hours of running up and down the court; new, plain t-shirts in sizes small and medium, and in colors of navy blue, red or white. You may leave any of these donations at the Coffee Point located on Blvd. Benito Juarez, across from the Municipal Gymnasium (Gimnasio Municipal), or at the office of the Rocky Point Times. If you would like more information about the Rockies Basketball League, please contact Fernando Lopez in Rocky Point, local cell 044-638-114-1926, email fernandoLT65@hotmail.com or the Youth Supports Foundation of Arizona in Scottsdale, President Rick Busa (602) 620-5839, email rbusa@ysfaz.org. The kisd are part of our game plan and everyone of them deserves a chance. The Rockies Basketball Leagues give them that chance, so please support them..

Praise for work of fire department
Call to maintain community assistance
           
In honor of Fire Fighter’s day, the work of members from the heroic Puerto Peñasco Fire Department was praised. During the official ceremony, a call was made to the fire fighters to sustain their care and assistance for the community.
In a central event hall in the city, family members, friends and authorities gathered to honor the valuable public servants.  During the event, in which four new firemen were sworn in, recognitions were handed out honoring years of service as well as acknowledgement for the support of the municipal authorities and the department’s board. There was also a moment taken to remember fallen firemen.
The celebration, which was preceded early on with a mass of thanksgiving, was carried out in a simple yet moving manner. The morning mass was followed by the demonstration through the principal streets of the city and a gathering of members from the fire department.
In the official ceremony, held that night, firemen Jorge Arturo Ramos first retold a true tragic story and then called on department members to reflect on little things that can build or destroy life, and how details left ignored can cause fires.
He stressed that there are those who have lost their homes due to only small things; he emphasized that life not be tarnished from things that can be addressed or prevented. He noted that seemingly insignificant things can result in one losing their life, family, work, and children.
Fire department and civil protection director, Nicandro Cornejo Torres, stated that the intent of this institution is to assure quality emergency services for the community.
He point out that this celebration is beneficial to internally reflect on past experiences, current situation and what may be coming in order to learn from the past, enjoy the present and build a better future.
Cornejo Torres expressed his appreciation and stressed the support that Mayor Heriberto Renteria Sanchez has provided, as well as that of the fire department board, in maintaining services that the community of Puerto Peñasco demands.
Hector Acosta Felix, president of the board, remarked that all of the members of this department would continue to provide their best efforts towards contributing to the continued growth and strength of the fire department and services.

“Youth with a future”

Scholarship program begins

Providing support for 24 university students 

Through the provision of support for 24 university students headed to other cities to complete their professional degrees, the scholarship program of the “Youth with a Future” association was recently launched.

      Beginning in September, the civil organization, backed by representative Sergio Cuellar Yescas, and presided over by Rev. Luis Sandoval Sandoval, will provide scholarship recipients a 750 peso monthly assistance during the present semester.  The scholarships together represent a monthly total amount of $18,000 pesos.

Under the motto, “Constructing your future now” the presentation of the first two check took place in an event held at the auditorium of the local Chamber of Commerce. The event was to represent Peñasco students headed to study in Mexicali, Hermosillo or in other cities.

      During the event, Luis Sandoval Sandoval highlighter that the selection of the 24 scholarship recipients, from the 50 applicants, took into account their living standards and the abilities of each within their studies.

He stressed that they selected those most in need, but with the condition that they must maintain a general average of nine.  He explained they do not want to create mediocre students, but rather well prepare students that can help the community of Puerto Peñasco.

On behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Rafael Vazquez the young student Hector Diaz Jimenez gave thanks for the support, which undoubtedly will be used to the full advantage by all selected in this first scholarships package.

      The young scholar stated that upon receiving the support they each take on a commitment order to, in time, return to Puerto Peñasco and provide benefits for other young people looking to the further their studies.

Representative Sergio Cuellar Yescas stated that he was not a man of many words and preferred to speak about the facts implied by this scholarship program, which received support from local business.

      He stated that it is time to support young people, but not solely through words.  He remarked it is time to assist young students who put forth the extra effort towards getting their degrees.

After narrating his difficult personal experience as a student, Cuellar Yescas asked the young students to value the scholarships given to them.  He pointed out that this does not imply solely an economic benefit but rather a tremendous responsibility towards other young students and with businesses that believe in them as they work to accomplish their goals.

Cuellar Yescas gave thanks to the support of the businesses that made the “Youth with a Future” association scholarships possible, as they have each given their grain of sand for the benefit of the young students.