Tijuana bars, discos and other commercial establishments that sell alcohol have a new issue at hand: the city government has mandated that they must comply with the municipal closing times and stop selling alcohol after-hours.

In the past years, these businesses were covered by the “extra hours” policy, which allowed Tijuana’s bars and nightclubs to operate until the morning hours. This benefit has been indefinitely suspended in an effort to decrease the social unrest and criminal activity that affects the city as a result of, according to Tijuana’s mayor, the “uncontrolled alcohol expenditure that affects this city”.

Businesses that fail to comply will receive a hefty fine, and upon a second violation, they can have their doors closed by city inspectors.

Current alcohol sales hours will be:
self-service stores (oxxo’s, supermarkets, etc.): 10am to 10pm
restaurants, billiard rooms and liquor stores: 10am to 12am
bar-restaurants and turistic bars: 10am to 2am
karaoke and musical bars: 10am to 3am

The Ensenada Carnival 2010 will take place from February 11th to February 16th. This event, that has become a traditional party in the beautiful city of Ensenada, will feature numerous musical groups from both Baja California and Sonora, as well as a seemingly endless string of events.

The main attractions, though, will be the Desfile de Carros Alegoricos y Comparsas (Floats and Decorated Vehicles Parade) and the Noche de Comparsas (Street-dancing Night); the schedules being:

1st Parade - February 13, 2010 2pm to 2am
2nd Parade - February 14, 2010 6pm to 2am
Street-dancing Night - February 15, 2010 6pm to 2am
3rd Parade - February 16, 2010 2pm to 2am

For more information, please contact the Ensenada Carnival Special Events Committee by calling (01152) (646) 175.77.40

The 2009 Tequila Festival and Expo is returning to Tijuana, BC MX on October 16th thru 18th, 2009 at Ave. Revolution. The festival is an exciting and culturally intense event because its main focus is on educating visitors on tasting and sorting out the many different types of Tequila in Mexico.

Five Star Tours is providing a one of a kind tour to the annual Tequila Expo in Tijuana,MX. The Tequila Expo is an event where participants will have the opportunity to taste and savor over 100 different Tequilas from different parts of Mexico. You will also learn how to distinguish by taste, smell and color what makes very good Tequila. You can also buy and import** all Tequilas on sight for you to enjoy at your home or wherever it may lead. The Tequila Expo Tour will be one of the best tours you’ll ever take this side of the border.

Upon boarding a Tequila expert will teach you the history of Tequila and how to be able to distinguish certain Tequilas by different factors. We also have an opportunity to taste Tequila on board the bus! The Tequila expert will give the best tips on how to find Tequila bargains.

We will cross the border and proceed to the Expo. There you will go leisurely to taste, sample, learn & buy the Tequilas of your choice. Remember it is UNLIMITED Tequila Tasting at its finest!

Also, you will have free time to do shopping & have lunch at your own leisure (lunch is not included).

** - If a California resident (over 21 years of age) returns from Mexico as a pedestrian or in a vehicle other than a common carrier then the alcohol limit is one-liter, which is the “duty-free” amount allowed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. For more legal information on importing Tequilas go to http://www.abc.ca.gov/permits/importing.html

Costs*:
Adults(18+): $ 39.00

Includes:
Round Trip transportation to Festival
Admission
2 shots of Tequila on board our bus.
*Costs do not include driver’s or
waiter’s tips, 18 to 20 year olds must have a parent or legal guardian on the tour to be allowed in.

October 16, 2009: Departure: 6pm and Return: 12am

October 17, 2009: Departure: 3pm and Return: 8pm

October 18, 2009: Departure: 1pm and Return: 6pm

Departures from Downtown San Diego (Amtrak Train Station), 1050 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

For more information you can call 619 232 5040

A non-profit group is being formed to raise money to expand drug prevention efforts to children in the city’s school system.

“It’s easier to prevent the children from becoming involved in drugs than it is to deal with crime and rehabilitation later,” said Victor Padilla, who has been appointed by Mayor Hugo Torres to lead the effort.

“This is an extremely important program for the future of our youth and our city,” Mayor Torres said. “We have noticed an increase in attempts to sell drugs near schools.”

Much of crime that occurs anywhere is drug related, Padilla added.

The group’s immediate goal is to raise about $8,000 so that an additional eight Rosarito police officers can be sent to the 15-day training session to become certified as instructors in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program (DARE).

Two Rosarito officers currently are certified.

DARE was founded in the United States in 1983 and is now offered in 75 percent of U.S. school districts plus 43 countries throughout the world, including 85 cities in Mexico.

The program includes education efforts in schools to teach children the dangers of drug involvement, plus emphasis on positive after-school activities. Rosarito also wants to expand its DARE program to work more with parents, Padilla said.

Rosarito has offered DARE since 1990 — when the city still was part of Tijuana, he said, and hopes soon to have an office for the program at City Hall.

Local groups including the Footprinters, a law enforcement support organization, have been very supportive of the effort, Padilla said, and he wants to talk to other groups in Rosarito to tell them about the program and help raise money.

Anyone interested in having Padilla speak or in donating to Rosarito’s DARE program can contact him at 664-105-3459.

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

This year the race celebrates its 30th anniversary with a party like we’ve never seen before, so I encourage all my readers to attend, it will be well worth it!

WHEN: September 26, 2009.

If you plan on participating on the race, you can register last minute on September 25th between 4pm and 7pm and on September 26th between 7am and 10am, at the parking lot of the Rosarito Beach Hotel. To register online, visit http://www.rosaritoensenada.org/english/registernow.html

A “Go for the Weekend” option is being offered by Coach America to those wanting to spend that couple of days at the beautiful North Baja area. Coach America is providing round-trips from San Diego with two nights in Ensenada at the Villa Marina Hotel and shuttle to Rosarito start line on Saturday morning. $319 single, $221 double, $188 triple, $171 quad. Price is per person based on how many in your party, so bring a few friends and save! For more info visit http://www.sandiegograyline.com/2009BajaBikeRide.shtml

The legendary Rosarito Beach Hotel is offering the chance to rediscover the resort and the tourist city for $19.25 a night Sundays through Thursdays from Sept. 14 through Oct. 29, 2009.

The rate applies to select rooms in its oceanfront Coronado Tower, one of three at the 500-room resort which, not coincidentally, opened in 1925. U.S. holidays and special events are excluded, and reservations must be made by Sept. 14.

“The $19.25 price is the lowest we have offered in decades,” said hotel Executive Director Laura Torres, a third-generation owner of the landmark hotel. “The weather is perfect and it’s a beautiful time to be here.”

“The price of $19.25 is a reminder of the year we opened,” Ms. Torres said. “More importantly, we want to give people an irresistible incentive to rediscover this wonderful area and the resort. That’s why we’re calling the program Rediscover Rosarito.”

The hotel also will offer lower rates on attractive packages and suites, including the 271 in its 18-story luxury condo-hotel Pacifico Tower, which opened in 2007.

Rosarito, 30 miles south of San Diego, is known for its pristine beaches, surfing, fine dining including the famous Puerto Nuevo Lobster Village, exceptional shopping and original arts.

It also home to Baja Studios, where James Cameron’s Titanic and Master & Commander were filmed and which now offers tours and a museum of Titanic sets and memorabilia.

The city has been so popular with its many visitors that an estimated 14,000 expatriates now call it home.

The hotel opened in 1925 and become the resort for Baja and Southern California, including Hollywood. Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, Gregory Peck and John Wayne are among the galaxy of stars who have been guests.

The hotel has a quarter-mile fishing pier, two restaurants, including Chabert’s, the world-class Casa Playa Spa located in the former family mansion, world-class music and dance events, bars and fine shops. It also is a popular wedding destination.

Advance registration is required to take advantage of the $19.25 offer. People can visit www.RosaritoBeachHotel.com or call 1-866-ROSARITO.

The first Rosarito Beach Pro-Am surf contest will be held this Saturday and Sunday with $10,000 in prizes.

A media conference for the event will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday on the second floor of Rosarito City Hall. The event is organized by the city, FDt Marketing and sponsored by Monster Energy Drink

“We have promotional parties set up for Saturday Aug 22 , and beach activities happening during the event,” said Jeff Stoner, president of FDt Marketing.

The event will be webcast live on surfshot.com.

Registration for the contest is open, and spots remain for those interested in competing. Registration is available on active.com (keyword search: Rosarito Beach), or by contacting the FDT Marketing offices directly at 858.272.2191.

Registration fees are $100. Hotel accommodations and discounts are provided by the Rosarito Beach Hotel, and can be made by calling (866) ROSARITO.

Shuttle services will be provided to and from the US Border to the Rosarito Beach Hotel. Passports are required. For more information on the Rosarito Beach Pro-AM surf contest, please visit rosarito.org/surf or call FDt Marketing at 858.272.2191.