Ensenada Gazette - Events and News from Baja California, Mexico

Two Not-To-Miss Art Expositions at Ensenada's CEARTE

text by connie ellig; photos by david hopps & connie ellig

Several hundred art aficionados were treated to an explosion of vibrant colors on the evening of the Fourth of July. The display was not pyrotechnical but it was equally as spectacular: It was the inauguration of José Carrillo Cedillo’s “Primero Sueño (First I Dream)” Exposition at Ensenada’s State Center of the Arts (CEARTE).

carrillo paintings

The exhibition consists of 15 large paintings including a huge, 12-foot by 7 1/2-foot mural, all created by this international award winning artist between the years 2000-2008. All are acrylics on canvas or wood, painted with saturated colors so richly intense that they virtually leap off the walls of the Sala Ernesto Muñoz Acosta. The paintings are largely figurative, often with whimsical representations of Frida Kahlo, mermaids, robust women, cats and/or the artist himself. Through his imaginative subject matters, use of brilliant colors and uniquely personal style that is both expressionistic and naïf, José Carrillo Cedillo entices viewers into his own world, a sensual world that is magical, mystical, harmonious, humorous, emotionally stirring and vastly entertaining. “Primero Sueño” will remain on display through August 26, 2008. (read entire story)

Mexico Tourism, Travel & Real Estate Expo
to take place at Marriott Hotel in Irvine, California

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — The Mexico, Tourism, Travel & Real Estate Expo, presented by the Mexico Tourism Board, AeroMexico Airlines, Luma Living, The Real Estate Book, Bancomer and Baja California Tourism, will take place at the Marriott Hotel in Irvine on Saturday, August 23, 2008 from 10:30am-4pm. The Expo will feature exhibitors promoting the travel/tourism industry and real estate products from throughout Mexico.

“The purpose of the show is to promote tourism and real estate in Mexico by bringing together Mexico-based businesses and tourism officials with U.S. consumers, buyers, travel & real estate industry professionals and the media,” said Ted Donovan, event organizer and president of Mexico Travel and Real Estate Expo. “The event was held last February in San Diego and the response by exhibitors and the general public was overwhelming. We are excited to bring the show back for another year and once again provide a forum for educating consumers and tourists about Mexico tourism, travel and real estate products.”

Gold-level sponsors include: AeroMexico Airlines, the Mexico Tourism Board, Luma Living Development, Baja California Secretary of Tourism, Bancomer, and The Real Estate Book Northern Baja.

Exhibitors to date include (additional exhibitors will be added): Ask Gringo Realtors, Baja Airventures, Baja and Beyond Tours, Baja Bound Insurance, Bajamar, Baja Sur Vacation Rentals, Baja Times Newspaper, Baja Traveler Magazine, BajaVisitor Tours, Binational Emergency Medical Care Committee, Boca de Iguanas, Casa Natalie Hotel & Spa, Consulate of Mexico in Los Angeles, Copper Canyon Tourist Advisor Tours, Developer Direct, Diamante Associates, Distinctive Homes Magazine, Eco Paraiso Xixim Hotel, El Dorado Ranch, Ensenada Tourism Board, Estero Beach Resort, Fairmont Mexico Resorts, Hotel Coral & Marina, International Gateway Insurance Brokers, La Elegancia Rosarito, La Punta Realty, Lake Chapala Tourism, Las Rosas Hotel & Spa, Las Villas de Mexico, Lencho's Mexico Tours, Los Cabos Golf Resort' Luna Blanca Resorts, Mexico Living Magazine, Mexico Traveler Magazine, Mita Residential, Nationwide Commerical Brokers, Oaxaca State Tourism, Real Estate Investors Association, Ricardo Amigo Real Estate, Rosarito Beach Hotel & Spa, Rosarito Tourism, SafeMex, San Felipe Casa del Sol, Sandman Yacht Charters, Sera Resorts, Sirenis Hotels, Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts, Suite Getaways, Sunbelt Books, Tequila Fortaleza, The Lodge at Creel, Thrifty Car Rental, Ventana Magazine, Ventanas a La Paz, Volaris Airlines, and Wildcoast Environmental Group.

Admission is free. In addition to the Expo, a series of complimentary seminar presentations on tourism destinations, Mexico culture, and owning real estate in Mexico will be offered throughout the day. Various raffle prizes will also be given away throughout the Expo including round-trip tickets on AeroMexico Airlines.

For additional information including exhibit and sponsorship availability, contact Ted Donovan at U.S. tel. (619)985-4950 or by e-mail Information can be accessed at www.mexicotravelandrealestate.com The event will be held at the Marriott Hotel at 18000 Von Karman Ave in Irvine, CA.

Joint Announcement from the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security on Passport Card Production

The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today (July 22, 2008) that the new U.S. Passport Card is in full production and is now being distributed. The Passport Card is a convenient, wallet-sized document for land and sea travel between the United States and Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. It is not valid for international travel by air.

Beginning in June 2009, travelers will be required to present a single Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document denoting both citizenship and identity when entering the United States through a land or sea border.

More than 350,000 Americans pre-ordered the U.S. Passport Cards since the State Department began taking orders on February 1. Over 7,600 cards have already been mailed to advance customers, and all pre-orders are expected to be filled by September 30, 2008. After that initial distribution, we expect the processing time for passport cards to be the same as for passport books – less than four weeks. Customers will be able to track the progress of their passport card application online beginning in mid-August.

The passport card will facilitate the frequent travel of Americans living in border communities by utilizing a vicinity-read radio frequency identification (RFID) chip. With this technology, DHS’ U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers will be able to access photographs and other biographical information stored in secure government databases before the traveler reaches the inspection booth so that inspection can be facilitated. For privacy protection, no personal information is stored on the electronic chip itself. The chip will have only a unique number pointing to a stored record contained in secure government databases.

“We are pleased to offer Americans a choice of documents, the traditional passport book, and now the passport card, to meet their personal needs for international travel,” said Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Janice L. Jacobs. “The passport card is the newest addition to the Department’s long history of providing secure, reliable services to the American traveling public.”

“We have been working closely with the U.S. Department of State to be able to provide another type of secure identification that is vital to protecting our nation’s borders,” said Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Policy Stewart Baker. “The new passport cards will help facilitate legitimate travel while allowing our frontline personnel to focus more on those who may pose a threat.”

The Passport Card is available for $45dlls. for first-time adult applicants and $35dlls. for children under 16. Adults who currently have valid passports can apply for the passport card by mail for $20dlls. For information on how to apply for a U.S. Passport Card or the traditional passport book please visit the following website: http://www.travel.state.gov

Ensenada Emerges as Overall Winner of the Baja 500
text by connie ellig & david hopps; photo by connie ellig

Held May 29-June 1, 2008, the 40th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 500 was a win-win situation for everyone involved including racers, fans, sponsors, organizers, Mexican officials and local businesses. Apart from several minor injuries inherent to the dangers of desert racing, the event ran smoothly and encountered no problems, an occurrence that can be attributed to security measures provided by the federal, state and municipal police and the presence of Mexican army and navy personnel.

For the first time in the history of the Baja 500, the pre-race Manufacturer’s Midway and Contingency, as well as the start and finish lines, were all located on Blvd. Costero adjacent to the historic Riviera Cultural Center. (In the past, the finish lines have been south of Ensenada in Santo Tomás, southeast of Ensenada in Ojos Negros, or on the outskirts of Ensenada.) “To place all the race activities on the coastal boulevard makes a lot of sense. As a result of having everything centered in downtown Ensenada against the scenic backdrop of cruise ships and Todos Santos Bay, the city more fully benefits from the race-related international media coverage,” stated SCORE CEO/President Sal Fish. “What was truly incredible about this year’s Baja 500 was the outstanding professional planning among Mexican tourism and government offices that ensured the security of an event of this magnitude. They really stepped up to the challenge!” (read entire story)

Amanda Miguel Brings Mother's Day Magic to Ensenada

text by connie ellig; photos by connie ellig & david hopps

Traditionally celebrated in Mexico on May 10, Mother’s Day was a truly memorable occasion in Ensenada this year for 600 concertgoers who enjoyed a live performance by world famous Latin American pop star Amanda Miguel and her husband/producer, Diego Verdaguer, in the gardens of the oceanfront Casa de los Siete Patios. The evening concert, which was part of their “El Mejor Show Romántico de America 2008” tour, was presented by MPG Music Promotion Group in conjunction with Restaurant El Rey Sol and Club Rotario Ensenada Calafia, A.C., the latter of which received a portion of event proceeds to benefit Rotary projects in the local community. (read entire story and see photos)

Baja California Language College Honored by Sunset Magazine

ENSENADA, BAJA CALIFORNIA – The Baja California Language College proudly accepted accolades from Sunset magazine in their May 2008 issue. The Ensenada, Mexico based Spanish immersion college was ranked #3 in Sunset’s “Top 10 Smart Vacations.” The piece highlighted destinations where one can come home from a trip not just relaxed but smarter. Among other “Top 10 Smart Vacations” noted were Spirit Yoga and Hiking (Sedona, AZ), Geological Digs (Kauai, HI) and Learn California Wines (Yosemite National Park, CA).

Sunset has covered the Western United States for more than a century focusing on travel, outdoor living, food and home projects. It has over 1 million subscribers and covers 13 U.S. states as well as British Columbia, Canada and Mexico.

College president Keith Rolle was enthused with the article. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be recognized by such a prestigious publication as Sunset. The news really came out of the blue. All of us in Ensenada are excited about the article as we head into the summer months.”

Ensenada is only 90 miles south of downtown San Diego and is easily accessible by personal car or public transportation.

The Baja California Language College is Baja’s premier Spanish immersion school. It has earned international renown for its legal, medical and executive programs as well as programs for educators, teens and children. For more information visit the Baja California Language College web site or contact Keith Rolle at U.S. tel. (619)758-9711; e-mail

Ensenada Photographers Honored
text by connie ellig; photos by david hopps, connie ellig & enrique botello

A small but select group of Ensenada photographers were recently honored for their artistic contributions to “Paisaje Natural del Estado de Baja California,” a book published by the Secretaría de Protección al Ambiente in coordination with the Instituto de Cultura de Baja California. Among the environmental and cultural officials who attended the special reception and book presentation held on April 16, 2008 at Ensenada’s Centro Estatal de las Artes (CEARTE) were Baja California State Government Subsecretary General Miguel Angel Barreto, Secretary of Environmental Protection Sócrates Bastida Hernández, Director of State Environmental Impact Thelma Castañeda Custodio, Director of Municipal Ecology Héctor Chávez, and the Director of the Institute of Culture in Ensenada, Vanesa Verdugo. (read entire story)

“Ensenada Live It Distinguished Visitor Discount Card” Now Available

ENSENADA, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO – The Ensenada Tourism Board, City Government and Proturismo are pleased to announce the “Ensenada Live It Distinguished Visitor Card” which provides travelers with up to 20% discounts at select hotels, resorts, RV parks, restaurants, shops, wineries, golf courses and spas, plus sportfishing, medical and a variety of other services in Ensenada. Offering a true savings value for its one-time cost of $12dlls., the “Ensenada Live It Distinguished Visitor Card” is valid through November 30, 2010.

Unlike coupons that can be used only once, the Ensenada Distinguished Visitor Card can be used for up to four people an unlimited number of times. The card is easy to use – simply present it to a participating merchant that posts the Welcome Distinguished Visitor Card sticker and receive the discount. The more it is used, the more savings can be obtained! (For a complete directory of participating merchants, visit www.enjoyensenada.com. Additional discounts will be added on a monthly basis.)

The front of the Ensenada Distinguished Visitor Card features a photo of 2007-2010 Ensenada Mayor Pablo Alejo Lopez. For confidence and security, the back of the card lists information and emergency phone numbers as well as a statement in Spanish requesting that civil and military authorities in Mexico offer assistance and courtesy to the bearer of the card.

In Ensenada the Distinguished Visitor Card can be purchased from participating merchants or the Proturismo de Ensenada Visitor Information Center located at the city’s northern entrance in the triangle formed by Blvd. Lazaro Cardenas (Blvd. Costero), Calle de la Marina and Blvd. Teniente Azueta. It is also available at the San Diego Visitor Information Center at 2688 East Mission Bay Drive, in San Ysidro at Instant Mexico Auto Insurance Services at 223 Via De San Ysidro and Baja-Mex Insurance Services, Inc. at 4575 Camino De La Plaza, and online at Baja Bound Mexican Insurance Service.

The third largest city in the state of Baja California, Ensenada is located on the peninsula’s Pacific coast only 70 miles south of the international border. With its mild climate, warm and friendly atmosphere, extensive calendar of annual events, and accessibility by land, sea and air, Ensenada has remained a favorite tourist destination among international and national visitors for decades. It is renowned for its fishing, seafood, canning and wine making industries as well as its excellent restaurants, superb shopping, ample array of services, wide variety of accommodations, sports and recreational activities, and many fascinating historical, cultural and natural points of interest.

The “Ensenada Live It Distinguished Visitor Card” is an excellent opportunity to stretch travel and vacation dollars even further to experience the warm hospitality, cosmopolitan charm and cultural traditions of Ensenada. For additional information about purchasing cards or participating in the discount program, contact the Ensenada Tourism Board at tel. (646)178-8588 or (646)178-8578; e-mail