RediscoveRosarito to host art exhibition, "From Baja to Boston," featuring Mexican artist, David Silvah
By Katie BarnesBoston, MA. November 27, 2011. On December 1st and 2nd, the RediscoveRosarito team will host “From Baja to Boston,” an art exhibit featuring noted Mexican artist, David Silvah, who has traveled to Boston from Rosarito, Mexico for the event. The event will take place during the SOWA (South of Washington) Artist Guild’s Open Studios, which is located at Studio 216, 450 Harrison Avenue in Boston’s South End neighborhood.
All work at the exhibit will be available for purchase and a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Rosarito. Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m., RediscoveRosarito will host an intimate meet-and-greet with Silvah and preview his artwork on display; refreshments will be served. Friday, Silvah will take part in Open Studios, a monthly event that showcases the work of hundreds of local artists. Skye Schulte, a local Boston artist, has generously donated the studio space for this event. Both events are free of charge and open to the public. 450 Harrison Street is located near the MBTA Silver Line “Washington & E. Berkeley” station and Red Line “Broadway” station. Additionally, bus routes #11, #47, and #9 serve the location.
David Silvah is originally from Guarache, Mexico, and has been working as an artist in Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico for the past eighteen years. As a teenage, Silvah began painting to win over a young girl, and over the years his artwork has evolved to focus on a diverse subject range and utilizes a variety of mediums. He has captured international attention for his fusion of Mexican and U.S. identities and his paintings of “La Maja Española” and the Spanish bullfight. More information on Silvah’s artwork can be found on his website < www.silvah.com> and in this brief preview video < http://goo.gl/ER7Lm>.
The RediscoveRosarito project, headquartered at Emerson College in Boston, MA, and a product of students in crisis communication, public diplomacy, and public affairs courses, is an ongoing image restoration campaign for the city of Rosarito, a beachfront resort destination 35 miles south of San Diego. The project is committed to collaborating with local and regional stakeholders to rebuild Rosarito's image through discourse, dialogue, and a comprehensive online communication strategy. More information can be found on the project's website: <www.rediscoverosarito.org>.
Tienen fe y filman en Rosarito, Little Boy se encuentra ya en su octava semana de rodaje, de un total de 11, todas en Baja California
By: Omar Cabrera
Ciudad de México (19 octubre 2011)
Porque es un gran cuento mágico que explora la fe desde la mirada de un niño, la actriz Emily Watson aceptó sin reparo protagonizar la cinta mexicana Little Boy, y venir a Baja California a rodarla, a pesar del clima de violencia que se vive en el País, mismo que, dijo, no ha sentido durante su estancia en tierra nacional.
En entrevista vía telefónica, durante una pausa del rodaje, la dos veces nominada al Óscar (por Hilary and Jackie y Rompiendo Las Olas) afirmó que se ha sentido tan bien en el convulsionado norte del País que hasta ha podido recorrer la ruta del vino en Valle de Guadalupe en compañía del productor y actor de la cinta, Eduardo Verástegui, sin hablar de los restaurantes a los que también el actor la ha llevado en Rosarito, en especial para probar los tacos de langosta.
"Me siento muy bien, muy segura, la gente es muy cálida, cuando leí el guión de inmediato quise participar en la película porque es una gran historia, no puse atención en dónde era, y me parece importante que se haga cine en México con todo y las noticias malas, que además ocurren en todo el mundo. "Yo me he sentido muy tranquila, es un lugar maravilloso", contó la actriz, quien dijo estar apenas por segunda ocasión en el País.
Little Boy se encuentra ya en su octava semana de rodaje, de un total de 11, todas en Baja California, y la mayoría de ellas en los Baja Film Studios de Rosarito (donde se filmó Titanic), pues ahí mismo se construyó todo un pueblito californiano de los años 40, que es donde se sitúa la historia. El filme es una producción de la empresa mexicana Metanoia Films, cofundada por Verástegui y Alejandro Monteverde, este último director de la cinta, y representa la segunda película de esta empresa, después de Bella.
"Eduardo es admirable, encantador, y los demás conforman un gran equipo. Además del elenco, que es también grandioso, creo que será una película que dará mucho de qué hablar", aseguró la actriz. La cinta, que narra los avatares de un niño (Jakob Salvati) que buscará la forma de alcanzar y traer de regreso a su padre, quien fue convocado a la milicia estadounidense durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, cuenta con las actuaciones de Kevin James (conocido por la serie King of Queens), Sean Astin (Sam en la saga de El Señor de los Anillos) y Tom Wilkinson (dos veces nominado al Óscar por Crimen Imperdonable y Michael Clayton), entre otros.
"Mi personaje es la madre del niño, es una mujer que apoya a su hijo en su sueño, y me encanta porque lo acompaña en su fe, el niño va a buscar a su padre, y debo decir que Jakob es un descubrimiento increíble, es muy bueno", subrayó Watson, quien acaba de filmar también War Horse, dirigida por Steven Spielberg, cinta ambientada en la Primera Guerra Mundial. Además de producir la historia, Verástegui dará vida a un sacerdote que colabora con la esperanza del niño. El filme, que se prevé estrenar en el segundo semestre de 2012, se titula Little Boy porque hace referencia a la forma en que le dicen al niño protagonista, que tiene 8 años, pero en realidad parece de 5.
Se empecinan con México
Little Boy es una producción de 25 millones de dólares que lucirá en pantalla como si fuera de 60, advirtió el productor Eduardo Verástegui, quien se empecinó en que el rodaje tuviera lugar en México, con todo y que muchos de los actores que buscaron al principio no querían saber de la cinta si se filmaba aquí, debido al clima de inseguridad. "Vimos muchas opciones, Vancouver, Argentina, Estados Unidos, pero sentíamos que como productores mexicanos no estábamos poniendo de nuestra parte para sacar al País adelante, así que buscamos a los actores que aceptaran venir y todo ha salido de maravilla", dijo. El filme tendrá efectos especiales de tinte mágico, inspirados en las ilustraciones del pintor Norman Rockwell. "Sus ilustraciones capturaban la vida coloquial de una manera interesante, con cierto humor, y algunos pasajes de la película parecerán como si él las hubiera ilustrado", adelantó Verástegui.
Sobrevive Rosarito
Los Baja Studio de Rosarito fueron construidos por la 20th Century Fox en 1996, para filmar Titanic. Como el mar está frente a los estudios, que tienen capacidad para albergar barcos de todo tipo, se filmaron ahí superproducciones como Capitán de Mar y Guerra y Pearl Harbor. Pero los ejecutivos de Fox, tras no contar con apoyos fiscales para incrementar los rodajes en esas instalaciones, las vendieron a mexicanos que han enfrentado una severa crisis laboral, pues debido a la violencia e inseguridad varias películas de Hollywood prefirieron irse a otros países, entre ellas la tercera parte de Las Crónicas de Narnia. Fue el Presidente Felipe Calderón quien dio una esperanza al lanzar el año pasado un estímulo fiscal para producciones extranjeras. El Mandatario incluso acudió a los estudios con Diego Luna, para promover este nuevo respaldo económico.
http://www.reforma.com/gente/articulo/630/1258143/default.asp
Ciudad de México (19 octubre 2011)
Porque es un gran cuento mágico que explora la fe desde la mirada de un niño, la actriz Emily Watson aceptó sin reparo protagonizar la cinta mexicana Little Boy, y venir a Baja California a rodarla, a pesar del clima de violencia que se vive en el País, mismo que, dijo, no ha sentido durante su estancia en tierra nacional.
En entrevista vía telefónica, durante una pausa del rodaje, la dos veces nominada al Óscar (por Hilary and Jackie y Rompiendo Las Olas) afirmó que se ha sentido tan bien en el convulsionado norte del País que hasta ha podido recorrer la ruta del vino en Valle de Guadalupe en compañía del productor y actor de la cinta, Eduardo Verástegui, sin hablar de los restaurantes a los que también el actor la ha llevado en Rosarito, en especial para probar los tacos de langosta.
"Me siento muy bien, muy segura, la gente es muy cálida, cuando leí el guión de inmediato quise participar en la película porque es una gran historia, no puse atención en dónde era, y me parece importante que se haga cine en México con todo y las noticias malas, que además ocurren en todo el mundo. "Yo me he sentido muy tranquila, es un lugar maravilloso", contó la actriz, quien dijo estar apenas por segunda ocasión en el País.
Little Boy se encuentra ya en su octava semana de rodaje, de un total de 11, todas en Baja California, y la mayoría de ellas en los Baja Film Studios de Rosarito (donde se filmó Titanic), pues ahí mismo se construyó todo un pueblito californiano de los años 40, que es donde se sitúa la historia. El filme es una producción de la empresa mexicana Metanoia Films, cofundada por Verástegui y Alejandro Monteverde, este último director de la cinta, y representa la segunda película de esta empresa, después de Bella.
"Eduardo es admirable, encantador, y los demás conforman un gran equipo. Además del elenco, que es también grandioso, creo que será una película que dará mucho de qué hablar", aseguró la actriz. La cinta, que narra los avatares de un niño (Jakob Salvati) que buscará la forma de alcanzar y traer de regreso a su padre, quien fue convocado a la milicia estadounidense durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, cuenta con las actuaciones de Kevin James (conocido por la serie King of Queens), Sean Astin (Sam en la saga de El Señor de los Anillos) y Tom Wilkinson (dos veces nominado al Óscar por Crimen Imperdonable y Michael Clayton), entre otros.
"Mi personaje es la madre del niño, es una mujer que apoya a su hijo en su sueño, y me encanta porque lo acompaña en su fe, el niño va a buscar a su padre, y debo decir que Jakob es un descubrimiento increíble, es muy bueno", subrayó Watson, quien acaba de filmar también War Horse, dirigida por Steven Spielberg, cinta ambientada en la Primera Guerra Mundial. Además de producir la historia, Verástegui dará vida a un sacerdote que colabora con la esperanza del niño. El filme, que se prevé estrenar en el segundo semestre de 2012, se titula Little Boy porque hace referencia a la forma en que le dicen al niño protagonista, que tiene 8 años, pero en realidad parece de 5.
Se empecinan con México
Little Boy es una producción de 25 millones de dólares que lucirá en pantalla como si fuera de 60, advirtió el productor Eduardo Verástegui, quien se empecinó en que el rodaje tuviera lugar en México, con todo y que muchos de los actores que buscaron al principio no querían saber de la cinta si se filmaba aquí, debido al clima de inseguridad. "Vimos muchas opciones, Vancouver, Argentina, Estados Unidos, pero sentíamos que como productores mexicanos no estábamos poniendo de nuestra parte para sacar al País adelante, así que buscamos a los actores que aceptaran venir y todo ha salido de maravilla", dijo. El filme tendrá efectos especiales de tinte mágico, inspirados en las ilustraciones del pintor Norman Rockwell. "Sus ilustraciones capturaban la vida coloquial de una manera interesante, con cierto humor, y algunos pasajes de la película parecerán como si él las hubiera ilustrado", adelantó Verástegui.
Sobrevive Rosarito
Los Baja Studio de Rosarito fueron construidos por la 20th Century Fox en 1996, para filmar Titanic. Como el mar está frente a los estudios, que tienen capacidad para albergar barcos de todo tipo, se filmaron ahí superproducciones como Capitán de Mar y Guerra y Pearl Harbor. Pero los ejecutivos de Fox, tras no contar con apoyos fiscales para incrementar los rodajes en esas instalaciones, las vendieron a mexicanos que han enfrentado una severa crisis laboral, pues debido a la violencia e inseguridad varias películas de Hollywood prefirieron irse a otros países, entre ellas la tercera parte de Las Crónicas de Narnia. Fue el Presidente Felipe Calderón quien dio una esperanza al lanzar el año pasado un estímulo fiscal para producciones extranjeras. El Mandatario incluso acudió a los estudios con Diego Luna, para promover este nuevo respaldo económico.
http://www.reforma.com/gente/articulo/630/1258143/default.asp
Emerson students host event to celebrate Rosarito Film Festival, continue work with ongoing image restoration campaign
Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico; October 14, 2011. As part of the ongoing RediscoveRosarito image restoration campaign, six Emerson graduate students traveled to Rosarito, Mexico with Emerson professor, Dr. Gregory Payne, over Columbus Day weekend. On Saturday, October 8, 2011, the students hosted "4 Años del Rosarito Film Festival" at local venue, the Lizard Lounge. Through a collaboration with Lizard Lounge owner, Sam Graves, the event showcased student films created throughout the four-year lifespan of the Rosarito Film Festival.
The Rosarito Film Festival is weeklong workshop made possible by a collaboration of alums, faculty, and students of Emerson College; RediscoveRosarito; The L.A. Internship Program; Campus Movie Fest; the Rosarito Beach Hotel; and the former Mayor of Rosarito, Hugo Torres. Working in teams, students from Rosarito are given a camera, tripod, microphone, and computer and have one week to shoot and edit a film that showcases their vantage point on Rosarito. This fall's event celebrated student achievement, and brought together student filmmakers and community members for a discussion of how festival films can be further used to promote more positive perceptions of Rosarito.
The Emerson graduate students, Taja Glover, Prang Pongtana, Nahla Abualula, Lin Zhou, and Kaitlin Barnes of the Communication Management program and Amy Lo of the Integrated Marketing Communication program, engaged in a variety of activities and events designed to use public diplomacy to promote accurate perceptions of Rosarito. During this weekend trip, students filmed community events, such as the Puerto Nuevo Lobster Festival, and interviewed local community members. Taja Glover, a second-year student in Emerson's communication management, captured footage to use in a 30-minute television show she plans to produce for Boston Neighborhood Network; the program will detail the RediscoveRosarito project and its impact. The students also filmed personal testimonials describing their experiences in Rosarito and the project's applicability for their professional aspirations; these will be available on the project's website: <www.rediscoverosarito.org>.
The RediscoveRosarito project, headquartered at Emerson College in Boston, MA, is an ongoing image restoration campaign for the city of Rosarito, a beachfront resort destination 35 miles south of San Diego. The project is committed to collaborating with local and regional stakeholders to rebuild Rosarito's image through discourse, dialogue, and a comprehensive online communication strategy. Students volunteer their time and assume all travel costs and the Rosarito Beach Hotel generously provides lodging for team members. This December, students will host an art and wine exposition in Boston, which will feature the work of renowned Baja artists, including David Silvah, and wine from the Guadalupe valley in Baja California, Mexico. More information can be found on the project's website: <www.rediscoverosarito.org>.
Media contact: Kaitlin Barnes, 2011 RediscoveRosarito Team, 617/990-4806, kaitlinsbarnes@gmail.com
The Rosarito Film Festival is weeklong workshop made possible by a collaboration of alums, faculty, and students of Emerson College; RediscoveRosarito; The L.A. Internship Program; Campus Movie Fest; the Rosarito Beach Hotel; and the former Mayor of Rosarito, Hugo Torres. Working in teams, students from Rosarito are given a camera, tripod, microphone, and computer and have one week to shoot and edit a film that showcases their vantage point on Rosarito. This fall's event celebrated student achievement, and brought together student filmmakers and community members for a discussion of how festival films can be further used to promote more positive perceptions of Rosarito.
The Emerson graduate students, Taja Glover, Prang Pongtana, Nahla Abualula, Lin Zhou, and Kaitlin Barnes of the Communication Management program and Amy Lo of the Integrated Marketing Communication program, engaged in a variety of activities and events designed to use public diplomacy to promote accurate perceptions of Rosarito. During this weekend trip, students filmed community events, such as the Puerto Nuevo Lobster Festival, and interviewed local community members. Taja Glover, a second-year student in Emerson's communication management, captured footage to use in a 30-minute television show she plans to produce for Boston Neighborhood Network; the program will detail the RediscoveRosarito project and its impact. The students also filmed personal testimonials describing their experiences in Rosarito and the project's applicability for their professional aspirations; these will be available on the project's website: <www.rediscoverosarito.org>.
The RediscoveRosarito project, headquartered at Emerson College in Boston, MA, is an ongoing image restoration campaign for the city of Rosarito, a beachfront resort destination 35 miles south of San Diego. The project is committed to collaborating with local and regional stakeholders to rebuild Rosarito's image through discourse, dialogue, and a comprehensive online communication strategy. Students volunteer their time and assume all travel costs and the Rosarito Beach Hotel generously provides lodging for team members. This December, students will host an art and wine exposition in Boston, which will feature the work of renowned Baja artists, including David Silvah, and wine from the Guadalupe valley in Baja California, Mexico. More information can be found on the project's website: <www.rediscoverosarito.org>.
Media contact: Kaitlin Barnes, 2011 RediscoveRosarito Team, 617/990-4806, kaitlinsbarnes@gmail.com
RediscoveRosarito to host 4-Year Celebration of Rosarito Film Festival
Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico; October 30, 2011. On October 8, 2011, the RediscoveRosarito team will host "4 Años del Rosarito Film Festival" at The Lizard Lounge in Rosarito, Baja California. The event will take place from 5:30-8PM and will feature film screenings, free giveways, and the opportunity to meet film festival participants, RediscoveRosarito team members from Emerson College, and local community and business leaders. A celebration of the collaborative efforts of the past four years of the film festival, the event is free of charge and open to the public.
The Rosarito Film Festival is a week-long workshop made possible by a collaboration of alums, faculty, and students of Emerson College; RediscoveRosarito; The L.A. Internship Program; Campus Movie Fest; the Rosarito Beach Hotel; and the former Mayor of Rosarito, Hugo Torres. As part of the RediscoveRosarito campaign, which is an effort to project a positive image of the town of Rosarito, the film festival offers students an opportunity to develop and produce a film from their vantage point on Rosarito. Working in teams, the students are given a camera, tripod, microphone, and computer and have one week to shoot and edit a film. All equipment is donated by Campus MovieFest, the world’s largest student film festival. Annually, the festival concludes with a red carpet premiere and awards ceremony at the Baja Fox Studios.
The RediscoveRosarito project, headquartered at Emerson College in Boston, MA, is an ongoing image restoration campaign for the city of Rosarito, a beachfront resort destination 35 miles south of San Diego. The project is committed to collaborating with local and regional stakeholders to rebuild Rosarito's image through discourse, dialogue, and a comprehensive online communication strategy. More information can be found on the project's website: <www.rediscoverosarito.org>.
Media contact: Kaitlin Barnes, 2011 RediscoveRosarito Team, 617/990-4806, kaitlinsbarnes@gmail.com
The Rosarito Film Festival is a week-long workshop made possible by a collaboration of alums, faculty, and students of Emerson College; RediscoveRosarito; The L.A. Internship Program; Campus Movie Fest; the Rosarito Beach Hotel; and the former Mayor of Rosarito, Hugo Torres. As part of the RediscoveRosarito campaign, which is an effort to project a positive image of the town of Rosarito, the film festival offers students an opportunity to develop and produce a film from their vantage point on Rosarito. Working in teams, the students are given a camera, tripod, microphone, and computer and have one week to shoot and edit a film. All equipment is donated by Campus MovieFest, the world’s largest student film festival. Annually, the festival concludes with a red carpet premiere and awards ceremony at the Baja Fox Studios.
The RediscoveRosarito project, headquartered at Emerson College in Boston, MA, is an ongoing image restoration campaign for the city of Rosarito, a beachfront resort destination 35 miles south of San Diego. The project is committed to collaborating with local and regional stakeholders to rebuild Rosarito's image through discourse, dialogue, and a comprehensive online communication strategy. More information can be found on the project's website: <www.rediscoverosarito.org>.
Media contact: Kaitlin Barnes, 2011 RediscoveRosarito Team, 617/990-4806, kaitlinsbarnes@gmail.com
RediscoveRosarito presents in Chile!
By: Kaitlin Barnes
Santiago, Chile; August 28, 2011. RediscoveRosarito director, Dr. J. Gregory Payne, and team members, Kaitlin Barnes and Peter Hall, traveled to Chile this past August to collaborate with administrators, professors and students at three DuocUC campuses. The trip included visits to campuses in Concepción, Viña Del Mar, and Santiago, and utilized the RediscoveRosarito project, among other public diplomacy initiatives led by Dr. Payne, as a model for how students can engage in image restoration campaigns through public diplomacy in their respective locations.
Presentations focused on various aspects of the four-year, ongoing RediscoveRosarito image restoration campaign, with a special focus on how initiatives such as the Faces of Rosarito series and Rosarito Film Festival can be modified and replicated by Chilean students and professors. The feedback from DuocUC students was overwhelmingly positive; many could relate aspects of the campaign to the need for image restoration / place branding in their own cities. The Chile Global Diplomacy Project will continue to facilitate dialogue and further understanding through communication, as students in Boston and Chile will work together over the academic year to realize joint public diplomacy projects.
For more information, please visit the Chile Global Diplomacy website here!
Santiago, Chile; August 28, 2011. RediscoveRosarito director, Dr. J. Gregory Payne, and team members, Kaitlin Barnes and Peter Hall, traveled to Chile this past August to collaborate with administrators, professors and students at three DuocUC campuses. The trip included visits to campuses in Concepción, Viña Del Mar, and Santiago, and utilized the RediscoveRosarito project, among other public diplomacy initiatives led by Dr. Payne, as a model for how students can engage in image restoration campaigns through public diplomacy in their respective locations.
Presentations focused on various aspects of the four-year, ongoing RediscoveRosarito image restoration campaign, with a special focus on how initiatives such as the Faces of Rosarito series and Rosarito Film Festival can be modified and replicated by Chilean students and professors. The feedback from DuocUC students was overwhelmingly positive; many could relate aspects of the campaign to the need for image restoration / place branding in their own cities. The Chile Global Diplomacy Project will continue to facilitate dialogue and further understanding through communication, as students in Boston and Chile will work together over the academic year to realize joint public diplomacy projects.
For more information, please visit the Chile Global Diplomacy website here!
Take a look at this great piece in the New York Post about Tijuana and Baja California!
The new Tijuana cool¡Hola amigos! Pull on your big person pants and head for the border — time to get reacquainted with one of North America's most secretly awesome cities
IT'S tough all over, but for Tijuana, the last few years have been murder.
Terror fears? Let's build some walls. Illegal immigrant fears? More walls again, tighter restrictions, longer lines. Oh, and now that crossing the border is a huge pain, how about we tack on a bird flu scare. And just for fun, the drug wars?
Stroll down the Avenida Revolucion these days – the heart of this Baja California border city's tourist zone – and you'll find it as forlorn as a winter's day on the Coney Island boardwalk, with gate after gate rolled down, shut tight. Last year, it was reported that nearly sixty percent of the businesses in the once-thriving district had failed.
Something happened, though, while we were out. Today, with the local drug wars at a lull and the mood around town one of cautious optimism -- statistically, the city is safer right now than popular American destinations like New Orleans, says Jason Thomas Fritz, editor of culture and news site Tijuanalandia.com – Tijuana feels different....
Click here to read the whole story: http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/travel/the_new_tijuana_cool_PYIFsMdE8ssg72RrmqAiHK#ixzz1WWpdUL81
IT'S tough all over, but for Tijuana, the last few years have been murder.
Terror fears? Let's build some walls. Illegal immigrant fears? More walls again, tighter restrictions, longer lines. Oh, and now that crossing the border is a huge pain, how about we tack on a bird flu scare. And just for fun, the drug wars?
Stroll down the Avenida Revolucion these days – the heart of this Baja California border city's tourist zone – and you'll find it as forlorn as a winter's day on the Coney Island boardwalk, with gate after gate rolled down, shut tight. Last year, it was reported that nearly sixty percent of the businesses in the once-thriving district had failed.
Something happened, though, while we were out. Today, with the local drug wars at a lull and the mood around town one of cautious optimism -- statistically, the city is safer right now than popular American destinations like New Orleans, says Jason Thomas Fritz, editor of culture and news site Tijuanalandia.com – Tijuana feels different....
Click here to read the whole story: http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/travel/the_new_tijuana_cool_PYIFsMdE8ssg72RrmqAiHK#ixzz1WWpdUL81
2011 Rosarito Film Festival recognizes student achievement in cinematography at Baja Studios
By: Kaitlin Barnes
Rosarito, Baja California; August 16, 2011. The 4th Annual Rosarito Film Festival concluded this past Sunday, August 14th, with a red carpet premier at Baja Fox Studios that showcased six student-created films. Nine participants entered the 2011 Film Festival and teamed up to conceptualize, film, edit, and produce five-minute short films during the eight-day festival. The Rosarito Film Festival is a collaborative effort of Hugo Torres and the Rosarito Beach Hotel, which hosts students and festival staff for the entire week; Daniel Costa and Campus Movie Fest, which provides HD camcorders, Apple laptops, and additional filming equipment; and Baja Fox Studios, which hosts the festival premier. Additionally, Emerson College students contributing to the RediscoveRosarito image restoration campaign (led by professor Dr. Gregory Payne) and participants of the L.A. Internship Program (directed by Janice Payne) participate as festival staff and communication consultants. Michael McManus of Lone Knight Productions directs the film workshops and serves as lead professor. Pete Hall, a graduate of Emerson College, coordinates the media for the festival and also assists students with their film projects. All festival staff volunteer their time and expertise for the festival and neither the City of Rosarito nor festival participants incur any costs.
The closing event of the festival unveiled the films of Fabian Veloz, Monica De Leon, Marcos Daniel Delgado, Alejandro Solórzano Garibaldi, Hector Rico, Jesus Vazquez, Martha Nevarez, Armando Calderón, and Gerardo Remírez. The premier also showcased the work of past participants, Corina Martinez Tobón and Yesli Ferrusca, in a behind-the-scenes film of all the week's activities. Before the presentation of awards, McManus told the audience that "award decisions were harder than any past year" because of the high level of filming and creativity demonstrated by all participants. The Best Film Award, sponsored by Rosarito Beach Hotel owner and former mayor, Hugo Torres, was presented to Jesus Vazquez for "Casting Call"; Vazquez was also awarded the Michael McManus Best Actor Award for his role in the film. The Pedro Rodrigues Public Diplomacy Award went to Marcos Daniel Delgado and Gerardo Remírez for "Cambio de Perspectivas," which depicts the experiences of two friends living on opposite sides of the U.S.-Mexican border. Alejandro Solórzano and Hector Rico received the David Twomey Award for Creativity for "Somewhere," a film that showcases the skateboarding culture of Rosarito. Payne noted that, "all films showcased give voice to Rosarito and Baja, and help promote positive images of the area."
Notable attendees and judges for the premier included Daniel Torres, general manager of the Rosarito Beach Hotel; Ron Raposa, communications consultant; Rolando Navarro, manager at Baja Studios; Dr. Gregory Payne, executive director for the festival; Janice Payne, executive director of the L.A. Internship Program; Michael McManus, festival director; Terri Pagano, Rosarito resident; and festival communication coordinators, Kaitlin Barnes and Ada Renedo. During the premier, Payne and Barnes also presented a check to the Rosarito Boys & Girls Club; the Club was the beneficiary of over one thousand dollars from a RediscoveRosarito fundraiser previously hosted in Boston.
For more festival information, visit <www.2011rosaritofilmfestival.weebly.com>, and to learn more about the RediscoveRosarito campaign, please visit <www.rediscoverosarito.org>.
Media Contact: Kaitlin Barnes, <kaitlinsbarnes@gmail.com>, 617-990-4806
Rosarito, Baja California; August 16, 2011. The 4th Annual Rosarito Film Festival concluded this past Sunday, August 14th, with a red carpet premier at Baja Fox Studios that showcased six student-created films. Nine participants entered the 2011 Film Festival and teamed up to conceptualize, film, edit, and produce five-minute short films during the eight-day festival. The Rosarito Film Festival is a collaborative effort of Hugo Torres and the Rosarito Beach Hotel, which hosts students and festival staff for the entire week; Daniel Costa and Campus Movie Fest, which provides HD camcorders, Apple laptops, and additional filming equipment; and Baja Fox Studios, which hosts the festival premier. Additionally, Emerson College students contributing to the RediscoveRosarito image restoration campaign (led by professor Dr. Gregory Payne) and participants of the L.A. Internship Program (directed by Janice Payne) participate as festival staff and communication consultants. Michael McManus of Lone Knight Productions directs the film workshops and serves as lead professor. Pete Hall, a graduate of Emerson College, coordinates the media for the festival and also assists students with their film projects. All festival staff volunteer their time and expertise for the festival and neither the City of Rosarito nor festival participants incur any costs.
The closing event of the festival unveiled the films of Fabian Veloz, Monica De Leon, Marcos Daniel Delgado, Alejandro Solórzano Garibaldi, Hector Rico, Jesus Vazquez, Martha Nevarez, Armando Calderón, and Gerardo Remírez. The premier also showcased the work of past participants, Corina Martinez Tobón and Yesli Ferrusca, in a behind-the-scenes film of all the week's activities. Before the presentation of awards, McManus told the audience that "award decisions were harder than any past year" because of the high level of filming and creativity demonstrated by all participants. The Best Film Award, sponsored by Rosarito Beach Hotel owner and former mayor, Hugo Torres, was presented to Jesus Vazquez for "Casting Call"; Vazquez was also awarded the Michael McManus Best Actor Award for his role in the film. The Pedro Rodrigues Public Diplomacy Award went to Marcos Daniel Delgado and Gerardo Remírez for "Cambio de Perspectivas," which depicts the experiences of two friends living on opposite sides of the U.S.-Mexican border. Alejandro Solórzano and Hector Rico received the David Twomey Award for Creativity for "Somewhere," a film that showcases the skateboarding culture of Rosarito. Payne noted that, "all films showcased give voice to Rosarito and Baja, and help promote positive images of the area."
Notable attendees and judges for the premier included Daniel Torres, general manager of the Rosarito Beach Hotel; Ron Raposa, communications consultant; Rolando Navarro, manager at Baja Studios; Dr. Gregory Payne, executive director for the festival; Janice Payne, executive director of the L.A. Internship Program; Michael McManus, festival director; Terri Pagano, Rosarito resident; and festival communication coordinators, Kaitlin Barnes and Ada Renedo. During the premier, Payne and Barnes also presented a check to the Rosarito Boys & Girls Club; the Club was the beneficiary of over one thousand dollars from a RediscoveRosarito fundraiser previously hosted in Boston.
For more festival information, visit <www.2011rosaritofilmfestival.weebly.com>, and to learn more about the RediscoveRosarito campaign, please visit <www.rediscoverosarito.org>.
Media Contact: Kaitlin Barnes, <kaitlinsbarnes@gmail.com>, 617-990-4806
4th Annual Rosarito Student Film Festival
By: Ada Renedo
Rosarito Beach, Baja California. August 6, 2011. For the fourth continuous summer, The Rosarito Student Film Festival will take place August 6 –14, 2011 at the Rosarito Beach Hotel in Rosarito Beach, Baja Mexico. “We are happy to welcome our friends back to Rosarito and to sponsor another Film Festival to teach our young people how to tell their own story,” said Hugo Torres, proprietor of the Hotel.
Sponsored by the City of Rosarito, The LA Program, Campus Movie Fest, and students, alums and faculty of Emerson College in Boston, the festival is a grassroots public diplomacy project aimed at communicating an accurate image of life in Rosarito, from the perspective of those who live in this beachside community. Daniel Torres, “the Rosarito Hotel is happy to host the 4th Student Film Festival with local and international participants working together and capturing the beauty of Rosarito and Baja California”.
Gregory Payne, Director of the Festival and Associate Professor at Emerson College, said “The Festival is about engagement at the grassroots level, empowering the youth of Rosarito to tell their stories to publics worldwide that their city is safe, serene and less than one hour from San Diego”.
Past film projects have been screened at special events at Baja Studios, Rosarito, Las Vegas, Boston, New York and Barcelona. Student participants have presented their work in Los Angeles and San Diego, and virtually to audiences in Boston, Washington D.C. and Miami. Regarding the international twist of the program, Dan Costa, from Campus Movie Fest, shares in the excitement of “this collaborative effort in training young people in Rosarito to have their first experience in film making”. Janice Payne, Director of the L.A. Internship Program, also collaborates bringing students from Barcelona to Rosarito for “this rich intercultural experience”.
For more information please visit www.rediscoverosarito.org and the site of the 2011 Festival, www.2011rosaritofilmfestival.weebly.com
About the Rosarito Student Film Festival
The 4th Annual Rosarito Student Film Project is dedicated to providing participants with an intensive hands-on practical workshop experience in filmmaking. Students will work closely with film industry professionals, current students and alums of Emerson College – Boston, and members of the LA Program (www.laprogram.org) in a one-week project culminating in the production of a student film focusing on a positive and accurate perception of Rosarito or Baja California. The student films can be in the format of a PSA, documentary, docudrama, or drama.
During this one-week project, students will decide on the topic, write and develop the script, and produce and edit a 3 - 8 minute film showcased at the Baja Studios.
Media Contact: Ada Renedo, <adarenedo@gmail.com
Rosarito Beach, Baja California. August 6, 2011. For the fourth continuous summer, The Rosarito Student Film Festival will take place August 6 –14, 2011 at the Rosarito Beach Hotel in Rosarito Beach, Baja Mexico. “We are happy to welcome our friends back to Rosarito and to sponsor another Film Festival to teach our young people how to tell their own story,” said Hugo Torres, proprietor of the Hotel.
Sponsored by the City of Rosarito, The LA Program, Campus Movie Fest, and students, alums and faculty of Emerson College in Boston, the festival is a grassroots public diplomacy project aimed at communicating an accurate image of life in Rosarito, from the perspective of those who live in this beachside community. Daniel Torres, “the Rosarito Hotel is happy to host the 4th Student Film Festival with local and international participants working together and capturing the beauty of Rosarito and Baja California”.
Gregory Payne, Director of the Festival and Associate Professor at Emerson College, said “The Festival is about engagement at the grassroots level, empowering the youth of Rosarito to tell their stories to publics worldwide that their city is safe, serene and less than one hour from San Diego”.
Past film projects have been screened at special events at Baja Studios, Rosarito, Las Vegas, Boston, New York and Barcelona. Student participants have presented their work in Los Angeles and San Diego, and virtually to audiences in Boston, Washington D.C. and Miami. Regarding the international twist of the program, Dan Costa, from Campus Movie Fest, shares in the excitement of “this collaborative effort in training young people in Rosarito to have their first experience in film making”. Janice Payne, Director of the L.A. Internship Program, also collaborates bringing students from Barcelona to Rosarito for “this rich intercultural experience”.
For more information please visit www.rediscoverosarito.org and the site of the 2011 Festival, www.2011rosaritofilmfestival.weebly.com
About the Rosarito Student Film Festival
The 4th Annual Rosarito Student Film Project is dedicated to providing participants with an intensive hands-on practical workshop experience in filmmaking. Students will work closely with film industry professionals, current students and alums of Emerson College – Boston, and members of the LA Program (www.laprogram.org) in a one-week project culminating in the production of a student film focusing on a positive and accurate perception of Rosarito or Baja California. The student films can be in the format of a PSA, documentary, docudrama, or drama.
During this one-week project, students will decide on the topic, write and develop the script, and produce and edit a 3 - 8 minute film showcased at the Baja Studios.
Media Contact: Ada Renedo, <adarenedo@gmail.com
The San Diego Red featured this great article about Baja's wineries...check it out!
Wineries poised to uncork grape festivities: Route blends wines with beautiful landscape
By: Omar Millán July 24, 2011
VALLE DE GUADALUPE, Ensenada – One hour south of San Diego, particularly in August, there is a magical place that for more than 120 years has captured the soul of the earth. It’s called “The Wine Route,” a highway northeast of Ensenada that connects the valleys of Guadalupe, San Antonio de las Minas and Calafia, the agricultural area where nearly 250 growers nurture grapes for wine.
Those valleys and in San Vicente and the Santo Tomás Valley -- south of Ensenada – produce 126 million liters of wine annually, 90 percent of the table wines produced in Mexico, according to the regional winegrowers association. The bucolic landscape is beautiful year round, however, growers begin harvesting the grapes in August, an occasion for a month’s worth of celebration, called “la vendimia.” It becomes a continuous party centered on wine. There are wine competitions, dances, great banquets, concerts, bullfights and guided tours through cellars and vineyards.
The vineyards of Santo Tomás, founded in 1888, and LA Cetto, founded in 1930, are the oldest in the region. Their wines are even sold in countries with a rich history in winemaking, such as France and Italy. However, the region also has other producers that have reached international stature, more modest houses and even boutique and family-owned wineries. Some offer a sampling of their wines accompanied by exceptional food.
“What characterizes these wines is the marine breeze. We don’t have much water here, but we can boast about the climates that we do have: the great marine breeze that envelopes the valleys. This fortifies our grapes. And there’s the personal touch that each grower gives his grapes,” explained José Abraham Gómez Gutiérrez, director of the School of Winemaking and Gastronomy at Baja California Autonomous University, Ensenada campus.
Click here to read the full story!
By: Omar Millán July 24, 2011
VALLE DE GUADALUPE, Ensenada – One hour south of San Diego, particularly in August, there is a magical place that for more than 120 years has captured the soul of the earth. It’s called “The Wine Route,” a highway northeast of Ensenada that connects the valleys of Guadalupe, San Antonio de las Minas and Calafia, the agricultural area where nearly 250 growers nurture grapes for wine.
Those valleys and in San Vicente and the Santo Tomás Valley -- south of Ensenada – produce 126 million liters of wine annually, 90 percent of the table wines produced in Mexico, according to the regional winegrowers association. The bucolic landscape is beautiful year round, however, growers begin harvesting the grapes in August, an occasion for a month’s worth of celebration, called “la vendimia.” It becomes a continuous party centered on wine. There are wine competitions, dances, great banquets, concerts, bullfights and guided tours through cellars and vineyards.
The vineyards of Santo Tomás, founded in 1888, and LA Cetto, founded in 1930, are the oldest in the region. Their wines are even sold in countries with a rich history in winemaking, such as France and Italy. However, the region also has other producers that have reached international stature, more modest houses and even boutique and family-owned wineries. Some offer a sampling of their wines accompanied by exceptional food.
“What characterizes these wines is the marine breeze. We don’t have much water here, but we can boast about the climates that we do have: the great marine breeze that envelopes the valleys. This fortifies our grapes. And there’s the personal touch that each grower gives his grapes,” explained José Abraham Gómez Gutiérrez, director of the School of Winemaking and Gastronomy at Baja California Autonomous University, Ensenada campus.
Click here to read the full story!
Check out this recent article about Americans and Canadians in Mexico!
Americans Moving to Mexico in Droves
by Michael Zenn - BoomersAbroad.com
June 29, 2011
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Recent reports strongly indicate that the highly televised Mexican drug war has not stopped most Americans from traveling or moving South of the Border. In fact, according to an ABC News report, of the 5.25 million Americans living in other countries, the vast majority (over 1 million) live in Mexico, and many more may be on their way. A number of Mexican communities now virtually look like U.S. suburbs and in some cases American and Canadian property owners outnumber locals.
No Fear Here
In areas far from US border towns, such as Puerto Vallarta, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, Mexico’s drug war is a distant and far away place. In fact, when surveyed, most Americans living here feel that they are much safer than in cities like L.A., New York, Chicago, Atlanta or Miami. Indeed, recent statistics prove them to be right.
According to a report last year by the LA Times, tourist areas in Mexico are 12 times safer than Tampa or Honolulu, 17 times safer than Dallas or West Palm Beach, 26 times safer than Orlando or Houston and a whopping 39 times safer than the U.S. capital, Washington D.C., and Americans and Canadians are coming in droves.
Click here to read the full story!
by Michael Zenn - BoomersAbroad.com
June 29, 2011
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Recent reports strongly indicate that the highly televised Mexican drug war has not stopped most Americans from traveling or moving South of the Border. In fact, according to an ABC News report, of the 5.25 million Americans living in other countries, the vast majority (over 1 million) live in Mexico, and many more may be on their way. A number of Mexican communities now virtually look like U.S. suburbs and in some cases American and Canadian property owners outnumber locals.
No Fear Here
In areas far from US border towns, such as Puerto Vallarta, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, Mexico’s drug war is a distant and far away place. In fact, when surveyed, most Americans living here feel that they are much safer than in cities like L.A., New York, Chicago, Atlanta or Miami. Indeed, recent statistics prove them to be right.
According to a report last year by the LA Times, tourist areas in Mexico are 12 times safer than Tampa or Honolulu, 17 times safer than Dallas or West Palm Beach, 26 times safer than Orlando or Houston and a whopping 39 times safer than the U.S. capital, Washington D.C., and Americans and Canadians are coming in droves.
Click here to read the full story!
Check out this new article about the Valle de Guadalupe; it was featured in the San Diego Reader!
By Lorena Mancilla
Published Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Imagine a valley filled with vineyards surrounded by olive trees. The weather is dry and warm and there’s hardly any wind. There are only a couple of paved roads and people mostly walk or drive on dirt roads bordered with shrubbery. The sounds and sights of the country are subtle: birds, mountains, desert plants — wait, there’s also drama: a turkey vulture devours a squirrel. Oh, well.
One could be standing in California or it could be Italy, but this place is Mexico; actually, it’s Ensenada, but without the breeze of the Pacific. The place is Valle de Guadalupe, a region with a Mediterranean climate where 80 percent of Mexican wine is produced...
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the article!
Published Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Imagine a valley filled with vineyards surrounded by olive trees. The weather is dry and warm and there’s hardly any wind. There are only a couple of paved roads and people mostly walk or drive on dirt roads bordered with shrubbery. The sounds and sights of the country are subtle: birds, mountains, desert plants — wait, there’s also drama: a turkey vulture devours a squirrel. Oh, well.
One could be standing in California or it could be Italy, but this place is Mexico; actually, it’s Ensenada, but without the breeze of the Pacific. The place is Valle de Guadalupe, a region with a Mediterranean climate where 80 percent of Mexican wine is produced...
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the article!
RediscoveRosarito presents at first ever Baja Image Committee Summit, June 8-9, 2011
On June 8th and 9th, Dr. Gregory Payne and RediscoveRosarito team member Katie Barnes presented at the first ever Baja Image Committee Summit. The event, titled "Building Baja's Tomorrow Today" gathered nearly 70 community leaders and expats from all of Baja Norte. The RediscoveRosarito presentation focused on using the project as a model for similar collaborations throughout Baja. Dr. Payne and Ms. Barnes stressed the importance of social media and grassroots public diplomacy in building an image restoration campaign. The presenters showcased the Faces of Rosarito series and the Rosarito Student Film Festival as examples of successful collaborative initiatives.
The 2-day conference, which was sponsored by the Rosarito Beach Hotel, included presentations by Hugo Torres, head of the Baja Image Committee and former mayor of Rosarito, Baja State Tourism Secretary Juan Tintos, founder of the Live Mexico campaign Chris Hill, Steve Kashkett, U.S. Consul General for Baja, and several others.
The first event of it's kind, the summit closed with commitments from attendees to share information with others throughout Baja. Participants focused on the necessity of improving communication and increasing collaboration among the various Baja towns and regions.
The 2-day conference, which was sponsored by the Rosarito Beach Hotel, included presentations by Hugo Torres, head of the Baja Image Committee and former mayor of Rosarito, Baja State Tourism Secretary Juan Tintos, founder of the Live Mexico campaign Chris Hill, Steve Kashkett, U.S. Consul General for Baja, and several others.
The first event of it's kind, the summit closed with commitments from attendees to share information with others throughout Baja. Participants focused on the necessity of improving communication and increasing collaboration among the various Baja towns and regions.
Ernesto Coppel Kelly, a Mexican resort entrepreneur, said now is a good time to travel to Mexico.
by Troy Orem / SanDiegoRed.com
Tourism in Mexico is up again despite the perception that it is not safe because of the drug-related violence that has claimed thousands of Mexican lives in recent years, according to a binational panel in San Diego on Tuesday. “The perception is that we are losing ground but it’s the other way,” said Ernesto Coppel Kelly, one of Mexico’s leading tourism entrepreneurs.
Coppel was speaking at a roundtable discussion organized by the Mexico Center of the San Diego Regional Chamber that focused on U.S tourism to Mexico. The panel included Baja California, Tijuana and San Diego tourism and transportation officials and the editor-in-chief of the San Diego Business Journal. Coppel, chairman of the Pueblo Bonito resorts and spas in Mazatlan and Los Cabos, said more than 22 million foreign tourists visited Mexico last year, a 12 percent increase from the previous year and another increase is expected this year. More than six million visitors last year were Americans, he said.“With better news from the media we could have better business,” Coppel said.
He said later during an interview that tourism was up largely because prices were cut to attract foreign visitors. “We have bargains. Our prices are so low because of the economy and because of the bad media we’ve been getting,” Coppel said. “Our rates are the lowest.” Most of the panelists faulted the news media for fueling the perception that Mexico is not safe. Reo Carr, editor-in-chief of the San Diego Business Journal, said journalists were doing their jobs reporting events taking place in Mexico. “I don’t think we’re reporting things that aren’t happening.” “I know that they are true,” Coppel said. “But let’s confine it to its correct proportion.”
Panelists expressed concern that the drug-related violence in Mexico continued to overshadow the positive economic ties between the two countries. The violence also was not being put in the proper context for the average American to understand. “We have a problem. Of course we do,” Coppel said. “But we’re making lots of progress. Ninety nine percent of the people who die are criminals,” he said. “The roots of the problem are being attacked. We are winning this fight against these gangs. We cannot finish it in one month. It’s going to take a few years or more. We want order. We want peace.” Carr agreed the news media need to provide more balanced coverage of Mexico but that the country’s image is going to take a while to change. “A few spectacular crime sprees by the drug cartels completely change the perception,” he said.
Juan Tintos Funcke, Baja California’s secretary of tourism, replied, “Yes, we do have our Columbines. We do have our incidents where a violent act makes the front page but it’s the same in other countries.” Mariano Escobedo, president of the Tijuana Convention and Visitors Bureau, said tourist spots in the city remain safe and Americans are starting to return to visit. “To us violence is almost a non-issue,” Escobedo said. He noted a 26 percent increase in American travelers visiting Tijuana last year as compared to 2009. “There’s violence in Tijuana, in the hills. It’s gangs versus gangs. They’re not targeting Americans. There is no spillover into tourist sections,” Escobedo said. In fact, a much of the crime that occurs in Tijuana occurs in its eastern and southern neighborhoods, far away from financial and tourist districts. Sporadically, though, there have been killings in these commercial areas, mostly involving street-level drug dealers, according to authorities. His biggest concern is that violence happening in other Mexican border states will be associated with Tijuana and continue to cast a negative image over the city, he said. Tintos said his office earlier this year formed a Baja California image committee made up of Americans who live in the Mexican border state who want to get the word out that it is a safe place to visit and live. It has also hired a public relations firm to “go after the news media, in a good way.”
“There are a lot of good things happening in Baja that we have not been very good at promoting,” Tintos said.
Leonel.sanchez@gmail.com
Patrick Osio
POsioJr@aol.com
Tourism in Mexico is up again despite the perception that it is not safe because of the drug-related violence that has claimed thousands of Mexican lives in recent years, according to a binational panel in San Diego on Tuesday. “The perception is that we are losing ground but it’s the other way,” said Ernesto Coppel Kelly, one of Mexico’s leading tourism entrepreneurs.
Coppel was speaking at a roundtable discussion organized by the Mexico Center of the San Diego Regional Chamber that focused on U.S tourism to Mexico. The panel included Baja California, Tijuana and San Diego tourism and transportation officials and the editor-in-chief of the San Diego Business Journal. Coppel, chairman of the Pueblo Bonito resorts and spas in Mazatlan and Los Cabos, said more than 22 million foreign tourists visited Mexico last year, a 12 percent increase from the previous year and another increase is expected this year. More than six million visitors last year were Americans, he said.“With better news from the media we could have better business,” Coppel said.
He said later during an interview that tourism was up largely because prices were cut to attract foreign visitors. “We have bargains. Our prices are so low because of the economy and because of the bad media we’ve been getting,” Coppel said. “Our rates are the lowest.” Most of the panelists faulted the news media for fueling the perception that Mexico is not safe. Reo Carr, editor-in-chief of the San Diego Business Journal, said journalists were doing their jobs reporting events taking place in Mexico. “I don’t think we’re reporting things that aren’t happening.” “I know that they are true,” Coppel said. “But let’s confine it to its correct proportion.”
Panelists expressed concern that the drug-related violence in Mexico continued to overshadow the positive economic ties between the two countries. The violence also was not being put in the proper context for the average American to understand. “We have a problem. Of course we do,” Coppel said. “But we’re making lots of progress. Ninety nine percent of the people who die are criminals,” he said. “The roots of the problem are being attacked. We are winning this fight against these gangs. We cannot finish it in one month. It’s going to take a few years or more. We want order. We want peace.” Carr agreed the news media need to provide more balanced coverage of Mexico but that the country’s image is going to take a while to change. “A few spectacular crime sprees by the drug cartels completely change the perception,” he said.
Juan Tintos Funcke, Baja California’s secretary of tourism, replied, “Yes, we do have our Columbines. We do have our incidents where a violent act makes the front page but it’s the same in other countries.” Mariano Escobedo, president of the Tijuana Convention and Visitors Bureau, said tourist spots in the city remain safe and Americans are starting to return to visit. “To us violence is almost a non-issue,” Escobedo said. He noted a 26 percent increase in American travelers visiting Tijuana last year as compared to 2009. “There’s violence in Tijuana, in the hills. It’s gangs versus gangs. They’re not targeting Americans. There is no spillover into tourist sections,” Escobedo said. In fact, a much of the crime that occurs in Tijuana occurs in its eastern and southern neighborhoods, far away from financial and tourist districts. Sporadically, though, there have been killings in these commercial areas, mostly involving street-level drug dealers, according to authorities. His biggest concern is that violence happening in other Mexican border states will be associated with Tijuana and continue to cast a negative image over the city, he said. Tintos said his office earlier this year formed a Baja California image committee made up of Americans who live in the Mexican border state who want to get the word out that it is a safe place to visit and live. It has also hired a public relations firm to “go after the news media, in a good way.”
“There are a lot of good things happening in Baja that we have not been very good at promoting,” Tintos said.
Leonel.sanchez@gmail.com
Patrick Osio
POsioJr@aol.com
2011 Rosarito Art Fest
Check out the Rosarito Art Fest this weekend! Artwork of over one hundred artists will be showcased in a festival that includes delicious food and great music too! For more info, be sure to check out the website: www.rosaritoartfest.com
ROSARITO ART FEST was born as a proposal for local and foreign artists to expose, promote and market their art. It combines efforts with established institutes and organizations that currently work together to promote economic and artistic development of Rosarito and Baja California.
One of the main purposes of the event is to promote the artistic culture through the community´s active participation and interaction with the artists themselves. Furthermore, establish Rosarito as an strategic and very important destination for cultural tourism and art in the State of Baja California
ROSARITO ART FEST is aimed at local, regional and foreign communities in search for a different cultural experience and that are interested in the acquisition and collection of fine art pieces.
This event will combine both renowned artists as well as promising new values from different regions, and will include musical and gastronomical presentations that will suggest to the attendees to admire, acquire and enjoy the different proposals and performances in display.
ROSARITO ART FEST in its 2nd edition will take place on May 28 & 29 2011, in Blvd. Benito Juárez (Hotel Zone) from 11 am to 10 pm. Free entrance.
ROSARITO ART FEST was born as a proposal for local and foreign artists to expose, promote and market their art. It combines efforts with established institutes and organizations that currently work together to promote economic and artistic development of Rosarito and Baja California.
One of the main purposes of the event is to promote the artistic culture through the community´s active participation and interaction with the artists themselves. Furthermore, establish Rosarito as an strategic and very important destination for cultural tourism and art in the State of Baja California
ROSARITO ART FEST is aimed at local, regional and foreign communities in search for a different cultural experience and that are interested in the acquisition and collection of fine art pieces.
This event will combine both renowned artists as well as promising new values from different regions, and will include musical and gastronomical presentations that will suggest to the attendees to admire, acquire and enjoy the different proposals and performances in display.
ROSARITO ART FEST in its 2nd edition will take place on May 28 & 29 2011, in Blvd. Benito Juárez (Hotel Zone) from 11 am to 10 pm. Free entrance.
MAY 19, 2011 - Hollywood Producer Praises Baja As Ideal Vacation Spot, Film Locale
ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO -- A prominent Hollywood producer at a May 8 media conference praised Baja as a beautiful and safe vacation spot and appealing film locale.
Producer Steve Lee Jones said he had visited Baja frequently for many years but had stayed away recently because of reports of scattered drug violence in Mexico.
“I bought into the perception,” Jones said. “But we learned very quickly that the fear was not founded.”
Jones was at the Rosarito Beach Hotel to celebrate his birthday with friends and in conjunction with work on his documentary film about the resurgence of Baja, which features Tijuana’s Baby Rock nightclub.
Jones produced “You Don’t Know Jack,” starring Al Pacino as Dr. Jack Kervorkian, and is making a film about automaker John DeLorean with Colin Firth.
“We live 125 miles away (in Los Angeles), and Mexico is like an adjacent state,” Jones said. “Yet in the last few years I have watched, disheartened as she has become a place of dubious reputation, and that saddens my heart. “Reality is that the media hype from emanating neighboring towns has tainted the world’s opinion of this resort area. “There are numerous cities in the US that are far more dangerous than these resort areas of Baja,” he said.
Jones added: “So I call upon everyone, rich and poor to do whatever they can within their means to stop this negative spiral. Let your voices be heard... be louder than the sensational media.”
“Now is the time for Americans to vacation and party and enjoy our southern neighbor more than ever,” Jones said. Hotel Marketing Director Daniel Torres, who served as translator, added that the Baja tourism industry must bring back more U.S. visitors, who once were up to 90 percent of the market.
Jones said some parts of Mexico remained troubled by drug violence
but “here in Rosarito and Tijuana, the (government’s) efforts are obvious and we feel safe... and we feel welcome.”
Responding to media questions, Jones said that Baja --- Titanic and Master & Commander were filmed at Fox Studios in Rosarito --- was an excellent locale for film production. He said offering generous incentives to filmmakers would help speed the process and mentioned as an example the U.S. state of Michigan, where filmmakers received production rebates up to 42 percent.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ron Raposa / 619-948-3740 / ronraposa@hotmail.com
Producer Steve Lee Jones said he had visited Baja frequently for many years but had stayed away recently because of reports of scattered drug violence in Mexico.
“I bought into the perception,” Jones said. “But we learned very quickly that the fear was not founded.”
Jones was at the Rosarito Beach Hotel to celebrate his birthday with friends and in conjunction with work on his documentary film about the resurgence of Baja, which features Tijuana’s Baby Rock nightclub.
Jones produced “You Don’t Know Jack,” starring Al Pacino as Dr. Jack Kervorkian, and is making a film about automaker John DeLorean with Colin Firth.
“We live 125 miles away (in Los Angeles), and Mexico is like an adjacent state,” Jones said. “Yet in the last few years I have watched, disheartened as she has become a place of dubious reputation, and that saddens my heart. “Reality is that the media hype from emanating neighboring towns has tainted the world’s opinion of this resort area. “There are numerous cities in the US that are far more dangerous than these resort areas of Baja,” he said.
Jones added: “So I call upon everyone, rich and poor to do whatever they can within their means to stop this negative spiral. Let your voices be heard... be louder than the sensational media.”
“Now is the time for Americans to vacation and party and enjoy our southern neighbor more than ever,” Jones said. Hotel Marketing Director Daniel Torres, who served as translator, added that the Baja tourism industry must bring back more U.S. visitors, who once were up to 90 percent of the market.
Jones said some parts of Mexico remained troubled by drug violence
but “here in Rosarito and Tijuana, the (government’s) efforts are obvious and we feel safe... and we feel welcome.”
Responding to media questions, Jones said that Baja --- Titanic and Master & Commander were filmed at Fox Studios in Rosarito --- was an excellent locale for film production. He said offering generous incentives to filmmakers would help speed the process and mentioned as an example the U.S. state of Michigan, where filmmakers received production rebates up to 42 percent.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ron Raposa / 619-948-3740 / ronraposa@hotmail.com
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NOVEMBER 26, 2010 - Rosarito Mayor Cites Reductions in Crime & Corruption In Third Annual City Report
ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---Mayor Hugo Torres Wednesday night in his third state of the city report cited major gains in reducing crime and corruption in the city. More than 500 people attended the report in City Hall plaza, the last of Torres' three-year term which began in December of 2007 and ends this month. The speech prompted frequent applause. Among accomplishments, Torres cited a 21 percent reduction in crime in 2009 and an additional 14 percent to date this year, the greatest reduction in all of Baja. The current crime rate is the lowest since the state began keeping figures for the city in 2000.
To accomplish this reduction, it was necessary to replace about 60 percent of the city police department, many of whom were suspected of working with organized crime, he said. The city also expanded the size of the force and added a tourist police department. Torres gave much of the credit for the gains to Director of Public Safety Jorge Montero, an Army captain on leave, who spearheaded the efforts after surviving an assassination attempt. Torres also thanked the Army and other branches of government for support. To further fight corruption, his administration made a strong commitment to transparency and strict financial accountability, the mayor said.
In addition, the city made strong commitments to education, youth programs and drug prevention efforts to help build for the future, he said. Torres also thanked city council members and others who helped in achieving the progress for Rosarito. He cited the need for continued work to build upon the gains and also inform people of the progress that has been made.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ron Raposa / 619-948-3740 / ronraposa@hotmail.com
NOVEMBER 9, 2010 - Mayor Torres Tells Expats Of Progress As He Concludes Three Years In Office
ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---Mayor Hugo Torres on Saturday told the United Society of Baja California of three years of efforts that have brought the city crime rate to its lowest since the state began compiling figures in 2000. “If you thought Rosarito was safe 10 years ago, now it is as safe or safer,” Torres told one of the largest expatriate groups in the city which includes an estimated 14,000 foreign-born residents. Torres, who also owns the landmark Rosarito Beach Hotel, took office in December of 2007 and leaves at the end of this month.
Mayors in Mexico are limited to three-year terms. Torres said he initially did not want to run for Mayor of the city he helped found in 1995: “I’m a business man not a politician. I was borrowed for this job.” But he was troubled by corruption in the police department, which included a failure to crack down on drug gangs in the city. “If I had owned a hot dog cart, I might have just moved it,” he said. “But with the hotel, I couldn’t do that.” The first year in office was marked by an assassination attempt on his new police chief Jorge Montero, an Army captain on leave, the need to replace most officers and killings between rival gangs. “I was threatened at the same time, but we had to get through it and we did,” he said. “When my police chief survived and decided to stay on, I knew we were going to be OK.”
To ensure that Rosarito remains an excellent city in the future, Torres has worked to expand drug prevention efforts, visited all city schools and helped develop more community programs, including the city’s first Boys & Girls Club. Also, he said, “We should continue to keep an eye on the police, which is something we didn’t do enough of in the past.” Torres said he regrets that more people in the U.S. are not aware that Rosarito is safer than ever, in part because of extensive media coverage of struggles with drug gangs elsewhere in Mexico including Juarez, 600 miles to the east.
“Unfortunately, we have not been able to bring the tourists back,” he said. Tourism is the largest contributor to the city’s economy. Torres thanked USBC members for their support and for being excellent ambassadors for Rosarito by helping inform people in the U.S. what living in the city really is like. “We loved working with you over the years,” USBC secretary Judy Westphal told the mayor. “You’ve been absolutely fabulous.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Ron Raposa / 619-948-3740 / ronraposa@hotmail.com
DECEMBER 7, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DECEMBER 7, 2009
Mexican, U.S. Officials Meet In Santa AnaFor 2nd Mayors of the Californias Summit
SANTA ANA, CA---Government and law enforcement officials from both sides of the border met at the Santa Ana Police headquarters December 4 for the 2nd Binational Mayors of the Californias Summit.
The goal of the meetings is to increase cooperation between officials from Southern California and Baja, a region that combined represents one of the world’s larger economies as well having many other shared interests.
Among cities represented were Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada, Tecate, Santa Ana, Brea, South El Monte, West Covina, La Habra, Redondo Beach and Fullerton at the event co-hosted by Santa Ana groups and Rosarito.
Workshops at the daylong summit included ones on security, infrastructure and the economy. The importance of sharing information and efforts in the closely linked region was stressed.
“The border does not exist when we talk about air quality, when we talk about water quality,” said Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulito in explaining the need for increased cooperation.
Law enforcement agencies from both sides of the border talked of ways to share information and training resources.
Officials from several U.S. cities said they would share information with their Mexico counterparts, including ways to develop more fuel efficient vehicle fleets. A recently formed group from Rancho Santiago Community College talked of a new and ongoing effort to present a fuller and more balanced picture in the U.S. of activities in Mexico.
The summits are inspired in part by a memorandum of understanding between California Gov. Schwarzenegger and Baja California Gov. Osuna Millan to promote more cooperation on regional issues.
Rosarito Beach Mayor Hugo Torres talked of the importance of both areas working together to improved the border crossings and also establishing a follow-up committee to share information between the summits.
The next summit was scheduled for April in Rosarito and Mayor Torres said efforts would be made to involve more mayors.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ron Raposa 619-948-3740 ronraposa@hotmail.com
Mexican, U.S. Officials Meet In Santa AnaFor 2nd Mayors of the Californias Summit
SANTA ANA, CA---Government and law enforcement officials from both sides of the border met at the Santa Ana Police headquarters December 4 for the 2nd Binational Mayors of the Californias Summit.
The goal of the meetings is to increase cooperation between officials from Southern California and Baja, a region that combined represents one of the world’s larger economies as well having many other shared interests.
Among cities represented were Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada, Tecate, Santa Ana, Brea, South El Monte, West Covina, La Habra, Redondo Beach and Fullerton at the event co-hosted by Santa Ana groups and Rosarito.
Workshops at the daylong summit included ones on security, infrastructure and the economy. The importance of sharing information and efforts in the closely linked region was stressed.
“The border does not exist when we talk about air quality, when we talk about water quality,” said Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulito in explaining the need for increased cooperation.
Law enforcement agencies from both sides of the border talked of ways to share information and training resources.
Officials from several U.S. cities said they would share information with their Mexico counterparts, including ways to develop more fuel efficient vehicle fleets. A recently formed group from Rancho Santiago Community College talked of a new and ongoing effort to present a fuller and more balanced picture in the U.S. of activities in Mexico.
The summits are inspired in part by a memorandum of understanding between California Gov. Schwarzenegger and Baja California Gov. Osuna Millan to promote more cooperation on regional issues.
Rosarito Beach Mayor Hugo Torres talked of the importance of both areas working together to improved the border crossings and also establishing a follow-up committee to share information between the summits.
The next summit was scheduled for April in Rosarito and Mayor Torres said efforts would be made to involve more mayors.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ron Raposa 619-948-3740 ronraposa@hotmail.com
OCTOBER 21, 2009
NEW COLLABORATION BETWEEN CALIF. GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER AND BAJA CALIF. GOV. MILLIAN
Build on Cooperative Efforts to Create a More Vibrant Economy, Healthier Environment in Border Region
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Baja California Governor José Guadalupe Osuna Millán today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to continue to build upon their cooperative efforts on important issues in the California-Baja California border region. Specifically in the agreement, they commit both states to work together in the areas of economic development, commerce, tourism, environmental protection, border crossings, security and civil protection, health, renewable energy and agriculture. “Our common border makes us more than just neighbors, it makes us partners in working together to improve the lives of all border residents,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “I am proud of the great relationship California has built with all of the Border States including Baja California. And, with today’s action, we are continuing to build on that relationship to create a more vibrant economy and healthier environment for both of our states.” The MOU specifically commits California and Baja California to work together in the following areas: ·
Economic Development, Commerce and Tourism: Promote open borders with an emphasis on the safe, lawful and quick transport of goods and people. ·
Environmental Protection: Work to protect natural resources including improving water and air quality. Specifically, commits California to clean up scrap tires and protect estuary areas in the border region. ·
Border Crossings: Improve the safety of both Mexicans and Americans as they cross various points of entry between California and Baja California, by improving efficiencies, infrastructure and wait times at the border. o It has been over a decade since a border crossing has opened between California and Baja California, Mexico. In December 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger announced the issuance of a federal permit that clears the way to create a new California-Mexico border crossing in Otay Mesa between the two states. Granted by the U.S. Department of State, the federal permit promises to accommodate projected trade growth and improve economic activity between this region and other parts of the world. The project is projected to break ground in 2012 and open to traffic in 2014. ·
Security and Civil Protection: California will offer ongoing support and training programs for law enforcement officials in Mexico. ·
Health: Monitor and provide mutual support of border health initiatives focused on disease prevention and health promotion, particularly for the H1N1 flu virus. ·
Renewable Energy: Work to create new opportunity for investment in green technology that can be used by both states. · Agriculture: Provide cross-border training programs, technology-transfers and pest exclusion activities. ·
California-Mexico Border Relations Council: Encourages Baja California to establish a mirror entity to the California-Mexico Border Relations Council, created in 2006 when Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 3021 to identify dialogue opportunities between California and Mexico, in an effort to foster goodwill and communication. California will share best practices and provide training so that Baja California may create its own Council, in addition to arranging for bi-annual meetings which will bring both councils together. Additionally, administration officials from both California and Baja California signed three MOUs to foster partnerships and growth in areas of mutual concern: ·
Emergency Preparedness & Response: California Emergency Management Agency Acting Secretary Matthew Bettenhausen and Baja California State Department of Civil Protection Director Alfredo Escobedo Ortiz signed an agreement to provide emergency preparedness and response training when possible. ·
Agriculture: California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura and Baja California Department of Agriculture and Livestock Development Secretary Antonio Rodriguez Hernandez signed an interagency cooperation agreement for animal, plant health and food safety, in addition to research. ·
Energy: California Energy Commission Vice Chair James Boyd and Baja California Energy Director David Muñoz signed an agreement to promote energy efficiency, fuel efficiency and conservation program; promote energy technologies from renewable sources; and coordinate energy related training. Governor Schwarzenegger and Baja California Governor Osuna Millán have previously collaborated on important issues facing their states including the fight against climate change. At Governor Schwarzenegger’s Global Climate Summit in November 2008, both governors joined global leaders from six countries to sign a declaration to acknowledge the threats of global warming on natural resources and economic prosperity, and called on states and provinces to build and strengthen cooperative efforts to implement strategies that can immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions in advance of the next global agreement on climate change. Governor Schwarzenegger also recently signed two bills to help enhance the border region’s environmental quality: · AB 1079 by Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella) establishing the New River Improvement Project, committing California to the restoration of the New River which flows from the city of Mexicali, Baja California, through the city of Calexico, California. · SB 167 by Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny (D-San Diego) to allow for funds generated by the California tire fee to be used for cleanup of tire waste along the border region.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Baja California Governor José Guadalupe Osuna Millán today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to continue to build upon their cooperative efforts on important issues in the California-Baja California border region. Specifically in the agreement, they commit both states to work together in the areas of economic development, commerce, tourism, environmental protection, border crossings, security and civil protection, health, renewable energy and agriculture. “Our common border makes us more than just neighbors, it makes us partners in working together to improve the lives of all border residents,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “I am proud of the great relationship California has built with all of the Border States including Baja California. And, with today’s action, we are continuing to build on that relationship to create a more vibrant economy and healthier environment for both of our states.” The MOU specifically commits California and Baja California to work together in the following areas: ·
Economic Development, Commerce and Tourism: Promote open borders with an emphasis on the safe, lawful and quick transport of goods and people. ·
Environmental Protection: Work to protect natural resources including improving water and air quality. Specifically, commits California to clean up scrap tires and protect estuary areas in the border region. ·
Border Crossings: Improve the safety of both Mexicans and Americans as they cross various points of entry between California and Baja California, by improving efficiencies, infrastructure and wait times at the border. o It has been over a decade since a border crossing has opened between California and Baja California, Mexico. In December 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger announced the issuance of a federal permit that clears the way to create a new California-Mexico border crossing in Otay Mesa between the two states. Granted by the U.S. Department of State, the federal permit promises to accommodate projected trade growth and improve economic activity between this region and other parts of the world. The project is projected to break ground in 2012 and open to traffic in 2014. ·
Security and Civil Protection: California will offer ongoing support and training programs for law enforcement officials in Mexico. ·
Health: Monitor and provide mutual support of border health initiatives focused on disease prevention and health promotion, particularly for the H1N1 flu virus. ·
Renewable Energy: Work to create new opportunity for investment in green technology that can be used by both states. · Agriculture: Provide cross-border training programs, technology-transfers and pest exclusion activities. ·
California-Mexico Border Relations Council: Encourages Baja California to establish a mirror entity to the California-Mexico Border Relations Council, created in 2006 when Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 3021 to identify dialogue opportunities between California and Mexico, in an effort to foster goodwill and communication. California will share best practices and provide training so that Baja California may create its own Council, in addition to arranging for bi-annual meetings which will bring both councils together. Additionally, administration officials from both California and Baja California signed three MOUs to foster partnerships and growth in areas of mutual concern: ·
Emergency Preparedness & Response: California Emergency Management Agency Acting Secretary Matthew Bettenhausen and Baja California State Department of Civil Protection Director Alfredo Escobedo Ortiz signed an agreement to provide emergency preparedness and response training when possible. ·
Agriculture: California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura and Baja California Department of Agriculture and Livestock Development Secretary Antonio Rodriguez Hernandez signed an interagency cooperation agreement for animal, plant health and food safety, in addition to research. ·
Energy: California Energy Commission Vice Chair James Boyd and Baja California Energy Director David Muñoz signed an agreement to promote energy efficiency, fuel efficiency and conservation program; promote energy technologies from renewable sources; and coordinate energy related training. Governor Schwarzenegger and Baja California Governor Osuna Millán have previously collaborated on important issues facing their states including the fight against climate change. At Governor Schwarzenegger’s Global Climate Summit in November 2008, both governors joined global leaders from six countries to sign a declaration to acknowledge the threats of global warming on natural resources and economic prosperity, and called on states and provinces to build and strengthen cooperative efforts to implement strategies that can immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions in advance of the next global agreement on climate change. Governor Schwarzenegger also recently signed two bills to help enhance the border region’s environmental quality: · AB 1079 by Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella) establishing the New River Improvement Project, committing California to the restoration of the New River which flows from the city of Mexicali, Baja California, through the city of Calexico, California. · SB 167 by Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny (D-San Diego) to allow for funds generated by the California tire fee to be used for cleanup of tire waste along the border region.
OCTOBER 19, 2009
Local Rosarito Television Interview with Students and Dr. Payne from 2nd Annual Rosarito Student Film Festival, Sept, 2009
OCTOBER 12, 2009
Mi Rosarito - Winner of David P. Twomey Creativity Award
More to Come
SEPTEMBER 3, 2009
REDISCOVER ROSARITO PROJECT RECOGNIZES STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---In a Sunday screening at Baja Studios the 10 students who participated in this year’s Rediscover Rosarito Film Project were honored and best films from the session selected. Mayor Hugo Torres gave the welcoming20remarks to those attending, and thanked both the participants and the organizers of the film project. The seven-day filmmaking class was organized by Emerson College Professor Gregory Payne, who leads a project dedicated to conveying an accurate picture of the city in the United States. Students ranged from ages 17 to 28. “You’re all leaders,” Payne told the student film makers Sunday night. This year’s intensive class, the second annual, was led by independent Hollywood pro ducer Michael McManus, who worked closely with students on scripts, production and editing of the short films. Campus MovieFest, the world’s largest student film festival, provided HD Panasonic Cameras supplied cameras, Apple laptops, and other equipment for the local and high school and college students. The LA Program, a private international student exchange, also assisted. Emerson College students and alumni also participate. Payne and others donate their time for the class and there is no cost to students or to Rosarito. The Rosarito Beach Hotel donates facilities, lodging and food. Baja Studios, where Titanic and Master & Commander were filmed, donated it theater facility. Taking the class this year were Armando Calderon, Viktor Gonzalez, Lucas Seamanduras, Alberto Martinez, Guillermo Jimenez, Antonio Mendoza, Dalia Salazar, Samuel Paredes and Michelle Hinojo. Corina Martinez, who took the class last year, also participated and served as an assistant instructor. Most students worked as two-person teams and produced six short films of several minutes each. A behind-the-scenes look at this year’s project also was produced and shown to the 80 people at the two-hour ceremony at the Baja Studios auditorium. The best film award was shared by two works. One was Rediscover Rosarito by Hinojo and Parales; the other was Pasado Meridiana by Martinez and Jimenez. Judging the entries were Payne; McManus; Janice Payne of the LA Program, Baja Studios manager Rolando Navarro; Pedro Rodrigues, a master’s candidate at Superior Escuela de Communicaciones in Lisbon, Portugal; and Ron Raposa, Rosarito’s international public relations representative. The David Twomey Award for Creativity in Advocacy went to Paredes and Hinojo and the Michael McManus Acting Award to Calderon. Payne, whose family has a vacation home in Rosarito and who has visited the city for years, said he started the RediscoveRosarito project because many people in the U.S. were not receiving a full and accurate picture of life in area. MEDIA CONTACT: Ron Raposa 619-948-3740 ronraposa@hotmail.com
AUGUST 23, 2009
REDISCOVER ROSARITO GOES TO THE BALLGAME
On Sunday, August 23, 2009, eight Rosarito Beach-area residents were treated to an afternoon at San Diego’s PETCO Park, courtesy of the Padres Foundation and in conjunction with an ongoing public affairs project, “Rediscover Rosarito”, led by Emerson College students and faculty. The students, aged 13 to 18, enjoyed a memorable experience while serving as cross-cultural ambassadors for the Baja community.
Rosarito Beach Mayor Hugo Torres expressed his gratitude to the Padres organization for hosting the group, providing their tickets, and presenting them with souvenirs. Both Torres and the Padres envision the event as the first step in a long-term partnership: “There are many Padres fans in Rosarito Beach and there will certainly be many more. We very much look forward to continuing to develop interest in both the Padres and in our beachside community, which is only thirty miles away from San Diego,” he said.
''The Padres were delighted to serve as hosts,'' said Alex Montoya, the Padres Director of Latino Relations, ''and show how baseball in a beautiful ballpark is tremendously fun, especially for the children present. At the same time we look forward to speaking more with officials from Rosarito and exploring more things we can do in that city and how we can make their visits to PETCO Park even better.''
The event was organized by Rediscover Rosarito, (http://www.rediscoverosarito.org) a public affairs/public diplomacy project led by Dr. Gregory Payne that is dedicated to the community of Playas de Rosarito, Baja California. Established in 2008, the effort is run by a grassroots coalition of graduate students from Emerson College in Boston and local Rosarito Beach leaders and supporters. Its mission is to mitigate the effects of a steady stream of bad news and inaccurate reporting coming from Mexico and restore Rosarito Beach’s image as a safe, secure, convenient location for tourism, retirement and investment.
The afternoon was spearheaded by Emerson Masters in Communication Management candidate Jeffrey Werner, who worked closely with Rosarito-area leaders, “I was personally excited to have helped build a much-needed bridge between the municipality and the Padres, in addition to the obvious pleasure of sharing the event with the students themselves.” He added, “I look forward to similar future endeavors with Mayor Torres and his staff.”
Emerson School of Communication Dean Janis Anderson also expressed her support for the project: ”It is always gratifying to find our students utilizing their Emerson education by applying it to a real world situation and using it to do their best to improve a particular situation.”
For more information, please contact:
Ron Raposa
Telephone: (619) 948-3740
E-mail: ronraposa@hotmail.com
Rosarito Beach Mayor Hugo Torres expressed his gratitude to the Padres organization for hosting the group, providing their tickets, and presenting them with souvenirs. Both Torres and the Padres envision the event as the first step in a long-term partnership: “There are many Padres fans in Rosarito Beach and there will certainly be many more. We very much look forward to continuing to develop interest in both the Padres and in our beachside community, which is only thirty miles away from San Diego,” he said.
''The Padres were delighted to serve as hosts,'' said Alex Montoya, the Padres Director of Latino Relations, ''and show how baseball in a beautiful ballpark is tremendously fun, especially for the children present. At the same time we look forward to speaking more with officials from Rosarito and exploring more things we can do in that city and how we can make their visits to PETCO Park even better.''
The event was organized by Rediscover Rosarito, (http://www.rediscoverosarito.org) a public affairs/public diplomacy project led by Dr. Gregory Payne that is dedicated to the community of Playas de Rosarito, Baja California. Established in 2008, the effort is run by a grassroots coalition of graduate students from Emerson College in Boston and local Rosarito Beach leaders and supporters. Its mission is to mitigate the effects of a steady stream of bad news and inaccurate reporting coming from Mexico and restore Rosarito Beach’s image as a safe, secure, convenient location for tourism, retirement and investment.
The afternoon was spearheaded by Emerson Masters in Communication Management candidate Jeffrey Werner, who worked closely with Rosarito-area leaders, “I was personally excited to have helped build a much-needed bridge between the municipality and the Padres, in addition to the obvious pleasure of sharing the event with the students themselves.” He added, “I look forward to similar future endeavors with Mayor Torres and his staff.”
Emerson School of Communication Dean Janis Anderson also expressed her support for the project: ”It is always gratifying to find our students utilizing their Emerson education by applying it to a real world situation and using it to do their best to improve a particular situation.”
For more information, please contact:
Ron Raposa
Telephone: (619) 948-3740
E-mail: ronraposa@hotmail.com
AUGUST 21, 2009
OFFICIAL FILM FESTIVAL PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUGUST 20, 2009
Rosarito Project Teaches 10 Students Filmmaking And Promotes City Image
ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---Starting Sunday 10 local students will take a six-day filmmaking class led by an Emerson College professor who heads a project dedicated to conveying an accurate picture of the city in the United States. Public affairs professor Gregory Payne will lead the class with the assistance of Michael McManus, an independent television and film producer. Emerson college students and alumni also participateCampus MovieFest, the world’s largest student film festival, is supplying Panasonic HD cameras, Apple laptops, and other equipment for the local and high school and college students. The LA Program, a private international student exchange, also assists. Payne and others donate their time for the class and there is no cost to students or to Rosarito. The hotel donates facilities, lodging and food.During the intensive six-day class students will stay and study at the hosting Rosarito Beach Hotel while completing short films about Rosarito. Those will be shown Sunday evening Aug. 30 at Baja Studios, where Titanic and Master & Commander were filmed. This is the second year of the project, held in conjunction with Payne’s ongoing class project RediscoveRosarito (website: RediscoveRosarito.org)“Last year we had a great group of Rosarito students who produced some fine short films conveying the image of the city they know well,” Payne said. “I am excited to be doing it again." Rosarito Beach Mayor Hugo Torres is a strong supporter of the projects. “Dr. Payne through the RediscoveRosarito project and the film project has been a great friend and supporter of Rosarito,” Torres said. “The city is very appreciative of the ongoing efforts of the professor, his colleagues and students.”Payne, whose family has a vacation home in Rosarito and who has visited the city for years, said he started the RediscoveRosartio project because much of the media coverage he was seeing in the U.S. was not giving an accurate picture of life in area. He said that much of the coverage of the Mexican government’s crackdown on drug cartels has created the misperception that Rosarito is unsafe for residents and visitors, and has had a devastating effect on the region’s economy. "Some of the coverage I was seeing in the U.S. was responsible and balanced, especially from media who knew the area best,” he said.
“But a number of stories, including some from large national media outlets, perpetuated an image of the area that simply was not accurate. Sensationalism and simplification too often were the main elements in the reporting."
The RediscoveRosarito website contains a media watch component among other elements. The project’s mission statement is “to sustain a grassroots, international coalition between students from Emerson College in Boston, local leaders of Rosarito Beach, and others dedicated to restoring the image of Rosarito Beach as a safe, secure, prime location for tourism, retirement and real estate investment.”
“To put it as simply as possible, the overwhelming perception that has been created of Rosarito in the United States is not an accurate one.” Payne said.
“Through the project, we want to bring the perception in line with the reality. Like places everywhere, Rosarito is neither perfect not without problems. But it is an outstanding city and a welcoming one to its many visitors and expatriate residents.”
He added: “Mayor Torres has put some excellent services in place for visitors and foreign residents that you will not find even in major tourist destinations in the United States.”
Payne is an associate professor and former chair of Emerson College's Department of Communication Studies. He is Director of the Center for Ethics in Political and Health Communication, which he co-founded in 1996. Payne holds a doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as well as an MPA from theKennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is co-author of The Impossible Dream, a biography of former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley. Joining Payne as instructor this year is Michael McManus, who has won a best actor from Campus MovieFest and produced a film that was finalist in national competition. He also is an alumnus of Emerson.
Campus MovieFest, which is supplying equipment, is the only event of its kind to provide Apple laptops, Panasonic HD camcorders, AT&T phones, and training all for free to tens of thousands of students around the globe. Campus MovieFest President Dan Costa said he is “proud that Campus MovieFest can be a part of a program that encourages students to make a difference, and tell their story through movie making. That’s what CMF is all about.” Students at more than 50 colleges and universities have one week to create their own short movies, with each school hosting red carpet finales to showcase its top movies.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ron Raposa
619-948-3740
ronraposa@hotmail.com
Rosarito Project Teaches 10 Students Filmmaking And Promotes City Image
ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---Starting Sunday 10 local students will take a six-day filmmaking class led by an Emerson College professor who heads a project dedicated to conveying an accurate picture of the city in the United States. Public affairs professor Gregory Payne will lead the class with the assistance of Michael McManus, an independent television and film producer. Emerson college students and alumni also participateCampus MovieFest, the world’s largest student film festival, is supplying Panasonic HD cameras, Apple laptops, and other equipment for the local and high school and college students. The LA Program, a private international student exchange, also assists. Payne and others donate their time for the class and there is no cost to students or to Rosarito. The hotel donates facilities, lodging and food.During the intensive six-day class students will stay and study at the hosting Rosarito Beach Hotel while completing short films about Rosarito. Those will be shown Sunday evening Aug. 30 at Baja Studios, where Titanic and Master & Commander were filmed. This is the second year of the project, held in conjunction with Payne’s ongoing class project RediscoveRosarito (website: RediscoveRosarito.org)“Last year we had a great group of Rosarito students who produced some fine short films conveying the image of the city they know well,” Payne said. “I am excited to be doing it again." Rosarito Beach Mayor Hugo Torres is a strong supporter of the projects. “Dr. Payne through the RediscoveRosarito project and the film project has been a great friend and supporter of Rosarito,” Torres said. “The city is very appreciative of the ongoing efforts of the professor, his colleagues and students.”Payne, whose family has a vacation home in Rosarito and who has visited the city for years, said he started the RediscoveRosartio project because much of the media coverage he was seeing in the U.S. was not giving an accurate picture of life in area. He said that much of the coverage of the Mexican government’s crackdown on drug cartels has created the misperception that Rosarito is unsafe for residents and visitors, and has had a devastating effect on the region’s economy. "Some of the coverage I was seeing in the U.S. was responsible and balanced, especially from media who knew the area best,” he said.
“But a number of stories, including some from large national media outlets, perpetuated an image of the area that simply was not accurate. Sensationalism and simplification too often were the main elements in the reporting."
The RediscoveRosarito website contains a media watch component among other elements. The project’s mission statement is “to sustain a grassroots, international coalition between students from Emerson College in Boston, local leaders of Rosarito Beach, and others dedicated to restoring the image of Rosarito Beach as a safe, secure, prime location for tourism, retirement and real estate investment.”
“To put it as simply as possible, the overwhelming perception that has been created of Rosarito in the United States is not an accurate one.” Payne said.
“Through the project, we want to bring the perception in line with the reality. Like places everywhere, Rosarito is neither perfect not without problems. But it is an outstanding city and a welcoming one to its many visitors and expatriate residents.”
He added: “Mayor Torres has put some excellent services in place for visitors and foreign residents that you will not find even in major tourist destinations in the United States.”
Payne is an associate professor and former chair of Emerson College's Department of Communication Studies. He is Director of the Center for Ethics in Political and Health Communication, which he co-founded in 1996. Payne holds a doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as well as an MPA from theKennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is co-author of The Impossible Dream, a biography of former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley. Joining Payne as instructor this year is Michael McManus, who has won a best actor from Campus MovieFest and produced a film that was finalist in national competition. He also is an alumnus of Emerson.
Campus MovieFest, which is supplying equipment, is the only event of its kind to provide Apple laptops, Panasonic HD camcorders, AT&T phones, and training all for free to tens of thousands of students around the globe. Campus MovieFest President Dan Costa said he is “proud that Campus MovieFest can be a part of a program that encourages students to make a difference, and tell their story through movie making. That’s what CMF is all about.” Students at more than 50 colleges and universities have one week to create their own short movies, with each school hosting red carpet finales to showcase its top movies.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ron Raposa
619-948-3740
ronraposa@hotmail.com
AUGUST 23, 2009
ROSARITO TALKS BACK
Mayor Hugo Torres
Americans may be safer than they think as tourists in Baja California
By S.D. LIDDICK
Photo by http://web.mac.com/sergiosphoto
Darey Castro is a minor celebrity in Mexico’s banda and grupera music community. Though he’s had several songs on the charts, his greatest claim to fame is surviving an attempt on his life. In 2004, he was shot four times during an incident that killed four of his band mates. The bloodletting occurred as a result of his affiliation with two warring drug cartels. Today he lives in Los Angeles and says he is forbidden to return to his native country.
In 2007, Castro calmly explained to me in the plush offices of his Los Angeles–based music label that U.S. territory has already been carved up by Mexican cartels. He’s been forbidden to travel to Arizona because the southern part of that state is controlled by a rival faction. But he also said Americans aren’t in danger. In fact, he said, in Mexico it’s common for cartel gunmen to check IDs before carrying out executions. Mexican natives with American citizenship are often spared. Messing with gringos is generally proscribed south of the border, as heat from the DEA and FBI——and subsequent pressure from the Mexican army and federal authorities——is highly uncomfortable for the narcos.
When Mexican president Felipe Calderón came to office in 2006, he cut traditional ties with organized crime and declared war on the drug trade——a war many upper-level Mexican authorities and intellectuals say is unwinnable. Those authorities know what officials on both sides of the border have known for years: The drug paradigm in Mexico is as simple (and immutable) as supply and demand. As long as the United States remains one of the world’s most insatiable narcotics markets, ambitious Mexicans will continue to supply the drugs, despite the threat of jail time and death.
FULL STORY
By S.D. LIDDICK
Photo by http://web.mac.com/sergiosphoto
Darey Castro is a minor celebrity in Mexico’s banda and grupera music community. Though he’s had several songs on the charts, his greatest claim to fame is surviving an attempt on his life. In 2004, he was shot four times during an incident that killed four of his band mates. The bloodletting occurred as a result of his affiliation with two warring drug cartels. Today he lives in Los Angeles and says he is forbidden to return to his native country.
In 2007, Castro calmly explained to me in the plush offices of his Los Angeles–based music label that U.S. territory has already been carved up by Mexican cartels. He’s been forbidden to travel to Arizona because the southern part of that state is controlled by a rival faction. But he also said Americans aren’t in danger. In fact, he said, in Mexico it’s common for cartel gunmen to check IDs before carrying out executions. Mexican natives with American citizenship are often spared. Messing with gringos is generally proscribed south of the border, as heat from the DEA and FBI——and subsequent pressure from the Mexican army and federal authorities——is highly uncomfortable for the narcos.
When Mexican president Felipe Calderón came to office in 2006, he cut traditional ties with organized crime and declared war on the drug trade——a war many upper-level Mexican authorities and intellectuals say is unwinnable. Those authorities know what officials on both sides of the border have known for years: The drug paradigm in Mexico is as simple (and immutable) as supply and demand. As long as the United States remains one of the world’s most insatiable narcotics markets, ambitious Mexicans will continue to supply the drugs, despite the threat of jail time and death.
FULL STORY
AUGUST 12, 2009
THE STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS TO ROSARITO
Originally created by four students, and now the world's largest student film and music festival, Campus MovieFest is the only event of its kind to provide Apple laptops, Panasonic HD camcorders, AT&T phones, and training all for free to tens of thousands of students around the globe. Students at over 50 colleges and universities have one week to create their own short movies, with each school hosting red carpet finales to showcase its top movies. The best of the best move on to their CMF regional grand finales, which determine the top student teams that move onto the CMF International Grand Finale on the lot of Paramount Studios. Over 250,000 students have participated, earning over $1,000,000 in prizing. Thousands of past movies are available for viewing online at www.campusmoviefest.com, as well as in-flight on Virgin America, on AT&T phones, and at the Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival.
Last year, students in Rosarito showcased what the Baja means to them as a part of Campus Movie Fest, and this year the results are sure to be even more impressive!
Last year, students in Rosarito showcased what the Baja means to them as a part of Campus Movie Fest, and this year the results are sure to be even more impressive!
JULY 20, 2009
MEXICO VACATIONS, NO PLANNING REQUIRED
Adventura Spa Palace
SFGATE.com
All-inclusive resorts with cattle-call buffets and indifferent service are still with us, but they're rapidly being replaced by architect-designed havens with vaunted international chefs and 3-to-1 employee-to-guest ratios. Golf, tennis, zip lines, climbing walls and even trapeze lessons have replaced conga lines and limbo dancing. And with deals to entice travelers back to Mexico multiplying like Tribbles, now is a great time to discover this new breed of all-inclusive.
FULL STORY
All-inclusive resorts with cattle-call buffets and indifferent service are still with us, but they're rapidly being replaced by architect-designed havens with vaunted international chefs and 3-to-1 employee-to-guest ratios. Golf, tennis, zip lines, climbing walls and even trapeze lessons have replaced conga lines and limbo dancing. And with deals to entice travelers back to Mexico multiplying like Tribbles, now is a great time to discover this new breed of all-inclusive.
FULL STORY
JULY 6, 2009
MEXICO WINS PRAISE FOR SWINE FLU RESPONSE
OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"Mexico gave the world an early warning, and it also gave the world a model of rapid and transparent reporting, aggressive control measures, and generous sharing of data and samples," Chan said Thursday during a two-day summit of health ministers in Cancun.
Just how effective Mexico's draconian response was will take some time to determine, because scientists will have to compare what was done with what might have happened had the country done nothing, said Nancy Cox, who leads the influenza division of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"However, they were so courageous to do what they did. It impressed the entire world," Cox said.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon also faced resistance at home — he said some state officials wanted to hide the numbers for fear it would cause panic, but he overruled them.
FULL STORY
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"Mexico gave the world an early warning, and it also gave the world a model of rapid and transparent reporting, aggressive control measures, and generous sharing of data and samples," Chan said Thursday during a two-day summit of health ministers in Cancun.
Just how effective Mexico's draconian response was will take some time to determine, because scientists will have to compare what was done with what might have happened had the country done nothing, said Nancy Cox, who leads the influenza division of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"However, they were so courageous to do what they did. It impressed the entire world," Cox said.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon also faced resistance at home — he said some state officials wanted to hide the numbers for fear it would cause panic, but he overruled them.
FULL STORY
JULY 4, 2009 - HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
FUN IN THE SUN - THE BAJA TEQUILA DANCE
JUNE 30, 2009
HATE CROWDS? TRAVEL TO MEXICO
Examiner.com
The Mexican tourism industry has taken it in la boca this year thanks to the triple whammy of the H1N1 viral outbreak, warnings over drug violence and the down economy. So for those adventurous enough to vamanos, bargains await and crowds are few, according to reports.
An Associated Press dispatch in June details the serendipitous experience of a Seattle resident who, with his friends, decided to head to Mexico and came away delighted to have an entire resort almost to themselves.
His friend reported paying a mere $142 a week for a rental car originally booked at $350.
Chains such as Real Resorts Mexican promise free vacations a year for three years if a guest comes down with H1N1 within two weeks of the end of their stay.
Rooms at many Mexican resort destinations are being offered at steep discounts. As of this writing, the travel booking site Expedia.com is offering flights and stays to Cancun at up to an 70 percent off. In the Los Angeles Times, Mexican journalist Andres Martinez appealed in its editorial pages to, in effect, help a brother out.
"Mexico needs the help of all Americans," he writes, "Either by booking a week's holiday on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta or Los Cabos, or visiting Mexico City, or any of the colonial towns in the heart of the country. This is for the common good."
So take your pick, you can either be a mercenary and take advantage of a beaten down neighbor, or appeal to your softer side by helping boost a flagging tourist trade of a key local neighbor. Either way, the word from down south makes for quite the call of la sirena.
The Mexican tourism industry has taken it in la boca this year thanks to the triple whammy of the H1N1 viral outbreak, warnings over drug violence and the down economy. So for those adventurous enough to vamanos, bargains await and crowds are few, according to reports.
An Associated Press dispatch in June details the serendipitous experience of a Seattle resident who, with his friends, decided to head to Mexico and came away delighted to have an entire resort almost to themselves.
His friend reported paying a mere $142 a week for a rental car originally booked at $350.
Chains such as Real Resorts Mexican promise free vacations a year for three years if a guest comes down with H1N1 within two weeks of the end of their stay.
Rooms at many Mexican resort destinations are being offered at steep discounts. As of this writing, the travel booking site Expedia.com is offering flights and stays to Cancun at up to an 70 percent off. In the Los Angeles Times, Mexican journalist Andres Martinez appealed in its editorial pages to, in effect, help a brother out.
"Mexico needs the help of all Americans," he writes, "Either by booking a week's holiday on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta or Los Cabos, or visiting Mexico City, or any of the colonial towns in the heart of the country. This is for the common good."
So take your pick, you can either be a mercenary and take advantage of a beaten down neighbor, or appeal to your softer side by helping boost a flagging tourist trade of a key local neighbor. Either way, the word from down south makes for quite the call of la sirena.
JUNE 29, 2009
CONFERENCE TO BRING TOGETHER US/MEXICO SISTER CITIES
Austin Business Journal
The Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the governor’s office and the city of Austin to host the 2009 U.S./Mexico Sister Cities International Conference from Aug. 5 through Aug. 9, an event that will bring about 300 attendees from more than 160 U.S. cities and their sister city counterparts in Mexico.
The Sister Cities International (SCI) is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network, created in 1956 by President Dwight Eisenhower, that aims to create and strengthens partnerships between the United States and international communities.
The conference agenda will include discussions keynoted by: Hope Andrade, Texas secretary of state; Rosalba Ojeda, consul general of Mexico; Lloyd Doggett, U.S. congressman; Daniel Llanes, local Texan artist; and Art Acevedo, city of Austin police chief.
It will take place at the Sheraton Hotel on 701 East 11th Street.
The Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the governor’s office and the city of Austin to host the 2009 U.S./Mexico Sister Cities International Conference from Aug. 5 through Aug. 9, an event that will bring about 300 attendees from more than 160 U.S. cities and their sister city counterparts in Mexico.
The Sister Cities International (SCI) is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network, created in 1956 by President Dwight Eisenhower, that aims to create and strengthens partnerships between the United States and international communities.
The conference agenda will include discussions keynoted by: Hope Andrade, Texas secretary of state; Rosalba Ojeda, consul general of Mexico; Lloyd Doggett, U.S. congressman; Daniel Llanes, local Texan artist; and Art Acevedo, city of Austin police chief.
It will take place at the Sheraton Hotel on 701 East 11th Street.
JUNE 23, 2009
SWINE FLU MIGHT HAVE COME FROM ASIA
DONALD G. MCNEIL
New York Times
Contrary to the popular assumption that the new swine flu pandemic arose on factory farms in Mexico, federal agriculture officials now believe that it most likely emerged in pigs in Asia, but then traveled to North America in a human.
But they emphasized that there was no way to prove their theory and only sketchy data underpinning it.
There is no evidence that this new virus, which combines Eurasian and North American genes, has ever circulated in North American pigs, while there is tantalizing evidence that a closely related “sister virus” has circulated in Asia.
FULL STORY
New York Times
Contrary to the popular assumption that the new swine flu pandemic arose on factory farms in Mexico, federal agriculture officials now believe that it most likely emerged in pigs in Asia, but then traveled to North America in a human.
But they emphasized that there was no way to prove their theory and only sketchy data underpinning it.
There is no evidence that this new virus, which combines Eurasian and North American genes, has ever circulated in North American pigs, while there is tantalizing evidence that a closely related “sister virus” has circulated in Asia.
FULL STORY
JUNE 9, 2009
DRUG VIOLENCE CONTINUES IN MEXICO, PUBLIC REMAINS BEHIND CALDERON
Greg Flakus
VOA News
This past weekend, gun battles between federal forces and drug cartel gunmen in Mexico claimed more than 20 lives. One of the bloodiest incidents occurred in the resort city of Acapulco, where soldiers killed 16 gunmen. But there are signs that the government is making progress in its war against organized crime.
FULL STORY
VOA News
This past weekend, gun battles between federal forces and drug cartel gunmen in Mexico claimed more than 20 lives. One of the bloodiest incidents occurred in the resort city of Acapulco, where soldiers killed 16 gunmen. But there are signs that the government is making progress in its war against organized crime.
FULL STORY
JULY 2, 2009
MEXICO IS SAFER THAN YOU THINK
Phil Friedman
Dailybreeze.com
Mexico has been reduced to a single, small, geographical piece of this earth. If there is a murder in Michoacan, then the presumption of the 24-hour news cycle has been that it is too dangerous to travel to Rosarito Beach even though it is thousands of miles away. According to Arturo Martinez from the Mexican Tourism office, no tourists have been killed in the drug war violence throughout Mexico.
Still, on a recent CNN news report, U.S. citizens were warned not to travel to Mexico. Well what part of Mexico was CNN referring to? Mexico is a huge country and to say travel to Mexico is dangerous is not only inadequate information but very misleading.
FULL STORY
Dailybreeze.com
Mexico has been reduced to a single, small, geographical piece of this earth. If there is a murder in Michoacan, then the presumption of the 24-hour news cycle has been that it is too dangerous to travel to Rosarito Beach even though it is thousands of miles away. According to Arturo Martinez from the Mexican Tourism office, no tourists have been killed in the drug war violence throughout Mexico.
Still, on a recent CNN news report, U.S. citizens were warned not to travel to Mexico. Well what part of Mexico was CNN referring to? Mexico is a huge country and to say travel to Mexico is dangerous is not only inadequate information but very misleading.
FULL STORY
SEPTEMBER 19 2009
ROSARITO ON THE REBOUND
By TERI SFORZA The Orange County Register
So imagine an Italian Archie Bunker bellowing, "You're goin' WHERE?!?!"
My aging dad – and many of my much younger friends – couldn't quite fathom why my husband and I were heading to Rosarito Beach for a long weekend with our 5-year-old daughter in August. Swine flu! Shootouts! Drug wars! Kidnappings! Carjackings! All this, and worse, had become synonymous in their minds with the Mexican border area around Tijuana.
I confess to having an overly emotional attachment to Rosarito. It was more than 20 years ago that I made my first foray into Baja after moving to California, and it was a revelation – there was a foreign country with a different language … right down the block! I dragged friends there for firsthand lessons on border issues, I bought handmade furniture from artisans there, I got married there nine years ago, and my husband and I vowed to return every year to celebrate our anniversary.
FULL STORY
So imagine an Italian Archie Bunker bellowing, "You're goin' WHERE?!?!"
My aging dad – and many of my much younger friends – couldn't quite fathom why my husband and I were heading to Rosarito Beach for a long weekend with our 5-year-old daughter in August. Swine flu! Shootouts! Drug wars! Kidnappings! Carjackings! All this, and worse, had become synonymous in their minds with the Mexican border area around Tijuana.
I confess to having an overly emotional attachment to Rosarito. It was more than 20 years ago that I made my first foray into Baja after moving to California, and it was a revelation – there was a foreign country with a different language … right down the block! I dragged friends there for firsthand lessons on border issues, I bought handmade furniture from artisans there, I got married there nine years ago, and my husband and I vowed to return every year to celebrate our anniversary.
FULL STORY
JUNE 9, 2009
BE NEIGHBORLY, TO TO MEXICO
Andrés Martinez
Los Angeles Times
Your neighbor needs your help. Do you have it within you to lend a hand? Will you book yourself a week on the beach in Cabo or Puerto Vallarta, or explore Mexico City or one of the colonial cities in the heart of Mexico? You know, for the common good.
This has been a banner decade for empathy tourism -- many Americans flocking to New York after 9/11 and to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina did so with a sense of public service. Mexico now needs a similar surge.
FULL STORY
Los Angeles Times
Your neighbor needs your help. Do you have it within you to lend a hand? Will you book yourself a week on the beach in Cabo or Puerto Vallarta, or explore Mexico City or one of the colonial cities in the heart of Mexico? You know, for the common good.
This has been a banner decade for empathy tourism -- many Americans flocking to New York after 9/11 and to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina did so with a sense of public service. Mexico now needs a similar surge.
FULL STORY
MAY 30, 2009
AMERICAN RETIREES MAKE A LIFE IN MEXICO, CHEAPLY
DAVID REINBOLD
McClatchy Newspapers
What kind of person sells all her possessions, hops in a car with a fistful of cash and drives south of the border to make a new life?
Meet Barbara Swartz: She's done it twice.
"It takes a sense of adventure," said the 78-year-old, whose roots are in California. "I've come here twice, once 25 years ago, and once five years ago after my husband died, and each time I sold everything I owned and left."
Or meet Gordon White, a retired software executive who left the snow and ice of Michigan 12 years ago and has never looked back.
"The transition was nice," White said. "No more cold, no more snow, no more ice. The only ice I see is in my drinks now. I love it."
Swartz and White are among the estimated million American expatriates living in Mexico, the largest community of American expatriates anywhere in the world. They come to Mexico for its sunshine and warm weather, its proximity to home and a cost of living that's far lower than in the United States.
FULL STORY
McClatchy Newspapers
What kind of person sells all her possessions, hops in a car with a fistful of cash and drives south of the border to make a new life?
Meet Barbara Swartz: She's done it twice.
"It takes a sense of adventure," said the 78-year-old, whose roots are in California. "I've come here twice, once 25 years ago, and once five years ago after my husband died, and each time I sold everything I owned and left."
Or meet Gordon White, a retired software executive who left the snow and ice of Michigan 12 years ago and has never looked back.
"The transition was nice," White said. "No more cold, no more snow, no more ice. The only ice I see is in my drinks now. I love it."
Swartz and White are among the estimated million American expatriates living in Mexico, the largest community of American expatriates anywhere in the world. They come to Mexico for its sunshine and warm weather, its proximity to home and a cost of living that's far lower than in the United States.
FULL STORY
MAY 28, 2009
FEARLESS TRAVELERS CAN CASH IN ON MEXICO'S POST-FLU DEALS
Christine Delsol
SFGate.com
It's been two weeks since the State Department and the Centers for Disease Control lifted their travel warnings on travel to Mexico, and the deals are rolling in.
The CDC lifted its recommendation against nonessential travel to Mexico on May 15, citing evidence that Mexico's flu outbreak was slowing down, increasing numbers of cases in the United States and other countries were unrelated to Mexico travel, and that the risk of infection appears to be lower than first believed. The State Department quickly followed suit.
FULL STORY
SFGate.com
It's been two weeks since the State Department and the Centers for Disease Control lifted their travel warnings on travel to Mexico, and the deals are rolling in.
The CDC lifted its recommendation against nonessential travel to Mexico on May 15, citing evidence that Mexico's flu outbreak was slowing down, increasing numbers of cases in the United States and other countries were unrelated to Mexico travel, and that the risk of infection appears to be lower than first believed. The State Department quickly followed suit.
FULL STORY
MAY 22, 2009
WILL THE US EVENTUALLY SEND TROOPS TO MEXICO TO BATTLE DRUG CARTELS?
By Ruben Navarrette Jr.
Globalpost.com
SAN DIEGO — Eager to be all things to all people, President Barack Obama tends to say one thing and do another. And so, when Obama said recently that he had no interest in "militarizing" the U.S.-Mexico border, it was only a matter of time before the administration drew up plans to do just that. Sure enough, according to media reports, the Pentagon and Homeland Security Department are developing contingency plans to send National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.
The specifics have yet to be worked out, but the $350 million initiative would radically expand the role of the U.S. military in the drug war. The proposal does not mention troop deployments, only that the military would receive the funding "for counter-narcotics and other activities" on the border.
FULL STORY
Globalpost.com
SAN DIEGO — Eager to be all things to all people, President Barack Obama tends to say one thing and do another. And so, when Obama said recently that he had no interest in "militarizing" the U.S.-Mexico border, it was only a matter of time before the administration drew up plans to do just that. Sure enough, according to media reports, the Pentagon and Homeland Security Department are developing contingency plans to send National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.
The specifics have yet to be worked out, but the $350 million initiative would radically expand the role of the U.S. military in the drug war. The proposal does not mention troop deployments, only that the military would receive the funding "for counter-narcotics and other activities" on the border.
FULL STORY
MAY 10, 2009
THE CRISIS CAME. MEXICO DIDN'T FAIL. SURPRISED?
LARRY ROHTER
nytimes.com
MEXICO CITY — Just for argument’s sake, let’s compare Mexico’s management of the swine flu epidemic that broke out here last month with China’s handling of SARS in 2002. The Chinese initially tried to deny there was an outbreak, were slow to combat its spread and resisted cooperation with foreign investigators. By the time SARS was brought under control, more than 700 people had died.
Mexico’s conduct has been different. The authorities may have been slow to identify the threat, but once they did, they quickly notified international health agencies, acted efficiently to prevent the epidemic from mushrooming, and began working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States. As of Friday, the death toll was 45.
FULL STORY
MAY 1, 2009
GET THE FACTS: SWINE FLU MISCONCEPTIONS ANSWERED
John Lauerman
bloomberg.com
April 30 (Bloomberg) -- Swine flu has sickened at least 257 people in 11 countries, including Mexico, the U.S., New Zealand, Canada and the U.K., according to the World Health Organization.
The organization raised its six-tier pandemic alert to 5 and said the world’s first influenza pandemic since 1968 may soon be declared. Hundreds of more cases are suspected, as health officials around the world check to see whether infections have occurred in their countries and ready measures to prevent its spread.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about swine flu. The information is drawn from the data released by the World Health Organization in Geneva and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
FULL STORY
APRIL 21, 2009
OBAMA AND CALDERON: THIS IS OUR SHARED PROBLEM
Michael Coe
foreignpolicyblogs.com
American President-elect Barack Obama met with Mexican President Felipe Calderon in Washington. More detailed analysis to follow, but see coverage here. Significantly, the BBC points out that this will be “Mr Obama's first [meeting] with a foreign leader since his election in November”. Although high-profile issues of the global financial crisis and wars abroad will dominate American policymaking, Obama's meeting with Calderon sends an important signal of solidarity between the two countries. The most pressing issue now is organized crime and the widespread violence that is engulfing Mexico. The US is responsible in large part due to the demand of drugs and lax gun laws which allow traffickers to bring weapons into Mexico. See BBC article here.
However, it is important to remember that when President Bush was first elected, his first meeting with a head of state was with then President Fox of Mexico. The bilateral agenda between the two countries, primarily about trade and immigration at the time, was quickly sidelined after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
APRIL 6, 2009
SMART POWER MEETS STAR POWER: HILLARY CLINTON IN MEXICO
Pamela Starr
uscpublicdiplomacy.org
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent trip to Mexico (March 25-26) demonstrated, once again, the power of public diplomacy. The trip was a tour de force (with only one minor mishap) that opened a window of opportunity in a bilateral relationship that had become badly damaged. Prior to her trip, the mood toward the United States in Mexico was quite sour, the consequence of both Bush administration policies and recent developments.
Mexico still harbors disappointment at have been shunted from the center of the U.S. foreign policy stage during the Bush administration’s first months to the margins of Washington’s concerns... FULL TEXT
