April is upon us. Spring Break is over and Semana Santa is just gearing up. The busiest days are Friday through Sunday. With the covid concerns of some people and the restrictions in place by the city, it’s hard to say how many will come to town this year. My guess is that it will be very busy. Maybe even busier than a normal year, since it was cancelled completely last year. In recent years, well over 100,000 people come to this town with a normal population of just over 60,000. And, they mostly congregate in the same areas (Malecon, Calle 13, Sandy Beach), so those areas become extremely busy.
Though the turnout remains to be seen this year, Semana Santa in Rocky Point really is the quintessential Mexican Holiday and you will either love it or you will hate it. Those that attend are super friendly and fun loving but the traffic is comparable to rush hour Phoenix in some places, and there are people and lines everywhere. Some who live here fill their tanks with gas and their refrigerators with food ahead of time so they can "hunker" down and wait until it's over. It really can be a lot of fun, but it isn't for everyone. So, if you don't relish the crowds, parties, and Mexican Banda music until 3:00a.m., you might want to stay home and come down next weekend instead. No problem though, because all will back to normal by Wednesday or Thursday of next week. This really is an example of the fun and diversity of living in our popular little tourist town. Actually, if you don't own a place here, there is probably no way that you would find as much as a shoebox to rent anyway. Town is usually FULL for this holiday.
More people are venturing into the ocean these days, so the water must be warming up a bit. I haven't tested it myself yet this year, but son went kayaking on Tuesday and he mentioned that it was still pretty chilly. Overall, the weather is beautiful again and Spring is here. Our busy season is upon us once again and I truly expect this to be a very good year.
Whale watching is finished for another season, but the same captains and their boats regularly go out on sunset cruises and Bird Island cruises. Check out Del Mar Charters, Eco Fun Tours, Pancho Villa, or Rey del Mar (pirate ship) for good choices. Shrimp season has also ended for another year. The best time to buy shrimp is during the actual shrimping season (obviously), and that is loosely considered the Months with the letter “R”. But, you can get great shrimp all year long and since it is usually flash frozen as it’s caught, most won’t know the difference in taste or quality in February or in July.
Enjoy this beautiful month, come to Rocky Point if you can, and if you need anything don't hesitate to ask. Let me put my experience and expertise to work for you, and remember, as always, I've been here full-time for over 13 years and I am more than happy to help you with whatever you need, whether Sonoran Resorts related or not.
Just give me a call or send me an email any time and I will do my very best to help you. If I can't help you myself, I'm sure that I can point you in the right direction and help find you someone who can.
Besides the links below, you can our listings at the following:
www.sonoranresorts.mx
www.sonoranresortsresales.com
AMPI Puerto Penasco MLS
Point 2 Agent Multinational MLS
Pick up a handout at any of our Sonoran Resorts
Barrett Jackson Show - Scottsdale and Las Vegas
Various Real Estate and Trade shows in AZ, NV, and CA
Our listings are also shared with the following:
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Exclusively Serving the Sonoran Resorts
Buy & Sell Direct and SAVE!
20 Years Experience on Sandy Beach
Four Fully Completed Beachfront Resorts
We Have Earned Our Stellar Reputation
Your Only Logical Choice when Buying
or Selling a Sonoran Resorts Condo!
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Survey Finds Greater Interest in Moving to Mexico Among US, Canadian Citizens |
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54% of respondents said they were very likely to move to Mexico, up 5% over 2019
A new survey by an online magazine for expats suggests that more Canadian and United States citizens are interested in making Mexico their home than in previous years — especially as a retirement destination.
The survey, conducted by Expats in Mexico, queried about 300 readers primarily from the U.S. and Canada. It found that 54% of respondents were extremely likely or very likely to move to Mexico, a 5% increase compared to the magazine’s similar survey in 2019.
“This year’s results confirm that there is a heightened interest by Americans, Canadians and aspiring expats from other countries in moving to Mexico, especially among baby boomers,” Expats in Mexico founder Robert Nelson said. “About 40%, though, are not quite ready to move within the next year, citing the need to continue working to save more money.”
However, once they get here, they’re likely to stay: nearly three-quarters of respondents said they would be retiring in Mexico, and two-thirds said they were interested in living full-time in Mexico instead of doing the “snowbird” dual existence in Mexico and their native country, the latter a 10% increase from the 2019 survey
The survey also saw a 10% increase in the number of single people planning to move to Mexico. This year, 36% said they planned to move here alone.
Perhaps not surprisingly, lifestyle was by far the No. 1 reason readers gave for moving to Mexico. Four out of 10 respondents said they were looking for a different lifestyle, while the No. 2 reason was a lower cost of living, perhaps influenced by the high percentage of retirees that responded to the survey, Nelson said. Climate was also a primary motivator.
Mexico’s latest census, conducted in 2020 counted 1.1 million expats currently living in Mexico, nearly 190,000 more than in the previous census in 2010. However, the census likely greatly undercounts the expat population who live in Mexico for just part of the year.
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Requirements Remain Unchanged for Travel to Rocky Point over Easter Holiday |
This is a clarification of the current status of travel to Rocky Point. In recent days, we have seen some conflicting information. We want to share current official rules set out by the local government.
Recently, Puerto Peñasco Municipal Health Coordinator Erik Gastelum publicly confirmed that requirements to travel to Rocky Point, and health rules while in town, will remain unchanged.
There will be NO requirement for proof of vaccine, or negative COVID test. You will NOT have to show proof of a reservation at a local hotel or resort. There will be NO health filter coming into town.
You are allowed to cross the border at Lukeville, travel to Rocky Point, and re-enter there back into the US. For example, 23 thousand tourists visited Rocky Point over the first weekend of Spring Break without a hitch. This according to the Peñasco Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
Here are the Official rules and regulations from Puerto Peñasco’s Municipal Health and Safety Board that apply to current and upcoming travel to Rocky Point.
Municipal Health & Safety Board approved strategies to prevent spread of COVID-19 over Spring Break and Semana Santa
With the goal of safeguarding the health and integrity of residents and visitors alike, members of the Municipal Health & Safety Board have approved new preventive measures for the upcoming periods of Spring Break and Semana Santa 2021.
In addition to health protocols already in effect across town, including use of masks in public and social distancing, these approved measures will be in place from February 26 – March 14th, and again from March 29th – April 4th.
Spring Break & Semana Santa 2021 Health Protocols in Rocky Point
General health prevention measures already in place (mandatory use of masks in public, reduced capacities in establishments, social distancing) remain in effect.
Hours for Activities / Curfews during Spring Break period (Feb. 26th – March 14th) and Semana Santa (March 29th – April 4th)
Monday – Thursday – Curfew from midnight – 6 a.m.
Friday – Sunday – Curfew from 1 a.m. – 6 a.m.
Hotels, motels, condos, rentals, resorts:
Hotels and motels – maximum capacity 60%
Condos, villas, and similar lodging facilities – maximum capacity 80%
Rental homes (not in resort complex) – maximum capacity 100%
Restaurants / Bars
General safety and prevention measures in effect
Curfew hours in effect (indicated above). Hours for sale / consumption of alcoholic beverages is subject to the Sonora Alcohol Office
In closed spaces – maximum capacity 50%
In open air spaces – maximum capacity 60%
May contract live music, preferably local
Beaches – Playa Hermosa, Playa Bonita, Mirador, Mi Playa, and La Cholla ADHERE TO MEASURES ESTABLISHED BY ZOFEMAT (Federal Maritime Land Zone office)
Beach Hours 6 am – 7 pm
All access spots to be open
Sanitizing tunnel to be installed at main access point to Playa Hermosa
NO GLASS BOTTLES, GRILLS, CAMPFIRES
Rental tents to be spaced out – max 10 people per tent
No installation of beach bars / stages / contracting music groups
Masks to be worn when accessing beach and/or interacting with vendors
PETS MUST BE ON LEASH AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBLE FOR CURBING THEIR PET
Sports fishing and boats for tourism:
Recreational fishing – maximum capacity 80%, including crew
Tourism boats – maximum capacity 60%, including crew
Restricted access to tourism boats for children under 12 or adults over 65
Malecon area:
Hours 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Contracting music groups (bandas) or programming music from vehicles is prohibited
Alcohol sales and set up of beer tents to sell along public area is prohibited
All businesses and restaurants in the “Malecon” area must adhere to these rules
In town – Calle 13, Mirador, and throughout the city:
General safety and prevention measures in effect
Curfew hours in effect (indicated above). Hours for sale / consumption of alcoholic beverages is subject to the Sonora Alcohol Office
Alcohol sales and set up of beer tents to sell along public area is prohibited
All businesses and restaurants in the “Malecon” area must adhere to these rules
Event / meeting halls:
General safety and prevention measures in effect
Curfew hours in effect (indicated above). Hours for sale / consumption of alcoholic beverages is subject to the Sonora Alcohol Office
Closed spaces – maximum capacity 40%
Open air spaces – maximum capacity 50%
Businesses / Churches
Health protocols remain in effect as established in Letter of Commitment ratified with Office on Economic Development
Approval of request submitted for 24 hour Convenience Stores
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Food and Drink at the Sonoran Sky Resort:
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Mayor Kiko Munro Announces Annual Red Cross Collection Drive |
Mayor Kiko Munro began the annual Red Cross funds collection drive with a donation of fifty thousand pesos. The Annual fundraising period of the Puerto Peñasco Delegation Red Cross helps to support the work carried out by these professionals in protecting citizens and visitors to Rocky Point on a regular basis and even more so during the difficult time over the past year or so due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Accompanied by Irma Rojas, Administrator, Karina Rivera, Volunteer Coordinator, Miguel Ibarra Lomlí, as well as Jeniffer López, Lifeguard, the Mayor of Puerto Peñasco recognized the noble work carried out by the worthy institution, who this year set out to achieve the goal of raising $ 715,151 pesos for this year’s collection drive.
“We were always proud to work as a coordinated team with the Puerto Peñasco Red Cross. And to the best of our ability we always set out to be facilitators of infrastructure, materials, gasoline, and with economic resources which are necessary to continue their work with professionalism, always striving for better conditions and capabilities, ”explained the mayor.
Irma Barajas, administrator of the Puerto Peñasco Red Cross reported that the collection will be carried out with all possible sanitary means and will last two months, from March 22 to May 31, seeking to obtain resources in order to continue offering services since before the arrival of Covid-19 and during these holiday dates.
Lifeguard, Miguel Ángel Ibarra, recalled that unfortunately the 2020 edition of this collection could not be carried out because the Coronavirus pandemic, so their resources have been reduced, making it more difficult to effectively serve the public.
He indicated that, although permission was requested from the City Council for the collection points in some areas, the fundraising so as not to expose the elderly and others who have always supported this collection as volunteers.
Finally, Mayor Kiko Munro called on citizens and visitors alike to show solidarity with the worthy institution, which has provided uninterrupted services throughout the current health crisis. If you see a volunteer collecting on street corners or busy areas, please be sure to give a donation.
It’s worth noting, the last campaign, held in 2019, raised 719,000 pesos (approximately $39,000 US), representing 20% more than that year’s fundraising goal.
The Red Cross in Puerto Peñasco is located on Blvd. Fremont, and can be contacted directly at 638-383-2266, or emergencies reported to 911
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Potpourri!
Short Shorts of All Sorts!
Sometimes so much is going on in our little slice of paradise by the sea that we can't address the many short subjects with proper attention. To handle the hodgepodge of dangling subject matter, we invented the Potpourri Page. Here are a few "short shorts" to keep you up to date.
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Rocky Point Green on the Covid-19 Traffic Light System |
The Health authorities updated, the epidemiological traffic light and the status will be reevaluated again on April 4. Currently, Puerto Penasco is green.
The traffic-light system is based on four colors:
RED Core economic activities are allowed, including strolling in the area surrounding of your home during the day.
ORANGE In addition to core economic activities, non-essential businesses can run with only 30% of their staff. Maximum precautionary measures must be taken, mainly with people that may be at a higher risk of a severe COVID-19 illness. Outdoor activity centers will be open, allowing only a limited capacity (number of people).
YELLOW All working activities are allowed, with care being taken of people that may be at a higher risk of a severe COVID-19 illness. Outdoor activity centers will be open allowing only a limited capacity (number of people). As is true with other traffic-light colors, these activities should be carried out using basic precautionary measures and care being taken of people that may be at a higher risk of a severe COVID-19 illness.
GREEN All activities, including schooling, are allowed.
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Rotary “Paint Mexico” Campaign Brightens Access Ramps |
As part of a broader “Pinta México” campaign to celebrate the 116th anniversary of Rotary International, several members of the local Rotary Club (CR Mar de Peñasco) picked up their paintbrushes to help paint the town.
Current club president Enrique Rodríguez Ramírez detailed in this case, the club focused on painting handicapped ramps and access points in different parts of the city. He explained shortly before Spring Break the group began by painting on the north side of the “La Milla” recreational complex, and then completed an additional 12 ramps in the malecon. In a second outing, the group completed an additional 15 ramps and access spots in the malecon.
The president of the local Rotary Club emphasized, in addition to their part in the “Pinta México” campaign and despite challenges due to the pandemic, the club has focused efforts this year primarily on helping with supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) at the local General Hospital, Red Cross, Fire Department, IMSS, ISSSTE, and Centro de Salud. The group has also donated medical supplies during this time to the Dialysis Unit as well as the Casa Hogar home for the elderly.
For more information on the local Rotary Club CR Mar de Peñasco, contact them on FB: Club Rotario Mar de Peñasco or email: [email protected]
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Rocky Point to Begin Recycling Tires |
The Municipal Government of Puerto Peñasco has begun a program recycle waste tires, shredding them to be used in the cement industry.
Beginning this month, tire shredding machinery will arrive in Puerto Peñasco, which will be installed next to the garbage dump and will have the capacity to shred 5 thousand tires in eight hours.
This program will eliminate the tires that have accumulated on one side of the garbage dump for many years, and should help create more room, help cut down on the fires, and help the environment, all in one. Tires can also be dropped off on one of the five recycle collection centers that already operate in different parts of the city. The tire collection centers will be operating from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm
Another benefit to getting rid of the tires will be the elimination of a breeding grounds for mosquitos. Since the tires had held water after a rain, creating an ideal environment for eggs to hatch.
Local tire shops are also being asked to take all of their used tires to the one side of the landfill so that they can be shredded and recycled. Private citizens can drop off old tires at the landfill or at one of the existing recycle collection centers around town.
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While it may seem like an easy way to get on with your vacation, paying an officer on the spot is not a good idea and it only serves to encourage the rouge officers who may ask for it. Paying at the station is always the best idea, and it will also get you a discount if you pay on the same day.
While the problem does exist, it is not a chronic situation and the bad apples are removed quickly, once they are discovered by the City. The best way to avoid the problem is simply not to break the law in the first place. Drive safely and follow the speed limits. Stop completely at stop signs, and use common sense, just as you would in the USA. And, remember to drive 20 MPH through Sonoyta. They watch very closely for speeders or rolling stoppers. Here are a few tips and facts for your information:
1. All tickets have 50% off paying that day "which you have to pay since you aren’t driving a Mexican car".
2. Cops can't search your car. They need a search warrant "SEARCH ORDER".
3. Take pic of the unit or video "unit and officer" You have the right to do so.
4. If you give them money, you only prolong and encourage the problem.
5. Best to pay in pesos, even if the exchange rate is not the best.
Example:
Speeding ticket: $ 806 pesos
806 ÷ 2 = 403 pesos
403 ÷ 19 = $37 USD fine
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Circus Mexicus Announcement |
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With unprecedented excitement, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers are bringing their musical circus back to Puerto Penasco for five days of long overdue fun June 10-14, 2021. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, March 20th beginning at 10:00am Mountain/AZ at www.circusmexicus.net . Any local safety measures in place mid-June will be incorporated into the festival.
Along with just about everything else in 2020, Circus Mexicus in Penasco went dark with the hopes of returning in 2021. Organizers are not only confident this will happen, but it will be on a level never experienced before in the 21 year history of the event. Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers will headline both Friday and Saturday nights performing different setlists on the Cancion Tequila Main Stage adjacent to Banditos on Sandy Beach. Joining RCPM Friday will be Authority Zero who have brought their high energy, aggressive reggae beats to stages around the world for 20 years and Arizona's Black Bottom Lighters open the show. From New Braunfels, TX, Cody Canada & The Departed and Northern Idaho's Jeff Crosby & The Refugees round out Saturday night supporting RCPM.
Other acts playing throughout Puerto Penasco all weekend include Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts (a part of Motley Crue, Poison, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts 2020 scheduled Stadium Tour), Jason DeVore (Authority Zero), Jesse Valenzuela (Gin Blossoms), The Cole Trains, Jim Dalton, The Jons, Las Calakas, Dalton Domino, Mark Zubia, Sara Robinson Band, Darci Carlson, Drew Cooper and many more. Line ups and Schedule are posted at www.circusmexicus.net now. Any purchased Circus Mexicus ticket will allow entry into all shows. Door charges will be in place for several shows for those without a Circus Mexicus wristband.
"We've been looking forward to Circus Mexicus for well over a year now and the irony tickets go on sale the same week the state of Sonora's COVID risk assessment was downgraded to Green (the least risky level) is not lost on any of us. Get vaccinated, stay safe and we'll see you in Penasco for 5 safe days of fun", Peacemakers' bass player Nick Scropos commented in a recent interview.
This year the Circus Mexicus Shake, Raffle and Roll will once again raise money for local Penasco charities. Fans are encouraged to bring household goods and personal hygiene items to Banditos on Friday afternoon as well as cash for chances to win autographed merchandise, art, jewelry and the opportunity to introduce Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers on stage Saturday night!
Originally started in 2000 as a single rooftop party performed by newly formed Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, Circus Mexicus has evolved into a 5 day party with music, sun, sand and sea as the backdrop. Recent years have featured more nationally touring artists playing stages large and small throughout Puerto Penasco. Fireworks rain over the Cancion Tequila Main Stage Friday and Saturday nights and fans are encouraged to leave Sandy Beach during the day to catch acts playing at venues such as Capone's, JJ's Cantina, Chango's, Wrecked at The Reef, Manny's Beach Club, Tekila Bar, Boo Bar, Moo Steakhouse and Grill and Xochitl's.
Sound fun?
Here's your list of things to do:
1. Grab your accommodations NOW.
2. Find the ticket link on www.circusmexicus.net beginning this Saturday, March 20th and grab your tickets.
3. Share on social media and tell all your friends to join you for the best Summer kick-off party celebrating life through rock n roll.
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23,000 Tourists Visited Rocky Point on the First Weekend of Spring Break |
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With an average of 70% occupancy in hotels and condos, the first weekend of Spring Break 2021 in Puerto Peñasco saw an influx of around 23,000 tourists, stated Héctor Vásquez del Mercado.
The President of the Office of Conventions and Visitors (OCV) remarked that, despite the restrictions due to Coronavirus, the expectation in the number of springbreakers was reached, despite the fact that the weather had been a bit cold. The resulting economic gain from the week as estimated at twenty-eight million pesos.
The flow of springbreakers continued throughout remainder of the month, but information has not yet been released as to the number of visitors or the estimated economic impact on the city.
Vásquez del Mercado affirmed that although the numbers are favorable in terms of economic gains and number of visitors, it is recognized that during the weekend there were establishments and places in which the protocols for Covid-19 were not fully respected and, although they were few, he emphasized that It is still important not to lower our guard to avoid increased infection rates and the change of the epidemiological traffic light in Sonora.
The President of the OCV stressed that the United States Department of State did not issue an extraordinary travel alert this year as happens so often just before holiday periods. Puerto Peñasco is recognized as a healthy and safe destination, helping to speed the recovering of the economy while boosting the confidence of foreign tourism.
Héctor Vásquez stressed that there were no accidental deaths over the Spring Break holiday, although there have been several injuries, mostly as the result of alcohol use and/or bad judgement.
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Get Ready to Party! The Semana Santa Phenomenon |
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It’s a human spring migration from the landlocked interior to the sunny beach-truly a cultural phenomenon. Sure, there is the spring break for the young but in Mexico at Easter time, the entire country has vacation for the same two weeks which promotes family time at the beach. Multigenerational family units come to the beach over the two week period beginning Friday, March 25 continuing to Easter Sunday, April 4, with the busiest time being Friday through Sunday at Easter. Some families also stay for semana Pascal which is the week after Easter. It’s a festive, high energy time and fun to watch. Due to the stay at home for 2020, it is likely that this year’s crowds will be huge.
Of course the Mexican health department is gearing up and has protocols in place for Semana Santa 2021. According to the Ministry of Tourism there will be greater surveillance on the beaches and tourist areas. As well, restaurants/bars/ hotels are will have occupancy limits and there will be a curfew, facemask requirement, and other safety measures in place as well. Whether or not the rules will be followed, remains to be seen.
The local administration stressed the importance of continued use of masks and frequent hand sanitizing as well as observing social distancing. The suggestion to promote activities at home is going by the wayside as parents have had their children totally at home for over a year: all family members need fresh air and a change of scenery.
To avoid getting frazzled by the gridlock due to the increased drivers on the road or in the stores, plan ahead and stock up in advance. Do your food shopping early in the day before the revelers wake up. Grab a cold beverage and spend time people watching- it’s a great way to get into the spirit of the occasion!
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Spring Breakers Suffer Accidents, but No Loss of Life |
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Spring Break in Rocky Point has been popular with college students for many years. And, with youth, energy, and very often excessive alcohol consumption, there are bound to be accidents. ATVs, UTVs, and alcohol do not mix and the majority of accidents involved some type of offroad vehicle accident. Sometimes people die. It is not unheard of and not even that uncommon during Spring Break here.
While there were quite a few accidents again this year, luckily there were no deaths. The Tourist Assistance Unit is usually the agency that responds to the offroad accidents as they have offroad equipment and even an offroad ambulance for the exact situations. Hats off to them again this year for doing such a great job rescuing, treating, and transporting accident victims. There is no doubt that they save lives many times over throughout the entire year.
Here are just a couple examples of accidents that happened during the past month, and which should not have happened at all.
A young American tourist suffered serious after, apparently due to excessive alcohol consumption, she fell from a sixth floor of the condominium building where she was staying. The injured person was identified as Sarah M., 19 years old, originally from Meza, Arizona. She was stabilized in Rocky Point and then transported to AZ for further treatment, the combination of actions likely saving her life.
The official report details that around 01:13 am on Sunday, March 14, police response was requested at the Las Palmas condominium complex, due to a person falling from the sixth floor.
Marco Antonio R. G., a security guard at the condo complex, notified the authorities that he was in the access booth with his colleague Enrique V., when they heard a loud sound from the parking area. They left the booth to see what it was about and found several people already there around the accident victim. He called the emergency services requesting police and an ambulance. She had fallen, landing on the hood of a car that was parked in front of the building.
A Red Cross ambulance arrived at the scene and after providing first aid to the young lady and then proceeded to transfer her to the private naval clinic for her medical care. The doctor on duty at the hospital reported that she had a fractured tibia and fibula of the right leg and a fracture of the pelvis. After being stabilized, she was transferred to the United States for specialized medical attention.
A Can-Am UTV rolled on the dirt road to Cholla Bay, leaving the young tourist in serious condition.
A public safety report indicates that at 5:45 a.m. on March 6, a radio dispatch was sent out prompting elements of the TAU to respond to the scene. Upon arriving at the place the agents found the wrecked 2021 Can Am X3 vehicle with Montana plates. The driver, a young man named John B, was inside the vehicle and badly injured. He was given first aid and put in a Red Cross ambulance, immediately being transferred to a local clinic.
Subsequently, the location and the vehicle were inspected, showing that the vehicle had been operating at excessive speeds. While driving, apparently, he abruptly changed his driving path to his right and lost control of the vehicle, beginning a skid on the left side of approximately 16.7 meters before rolling over four times and ending up on the left side of the vehicle. The vehicle had been so badly damaged, that it had to be loaded onto a flatbed with a crane before being towed to the municipal yard.
The driver was treated by the doctor on duty and found to have a fractured left radius, fractured left wrist, fractured 3rd and 5th fingers of the left hand, serious abrasions and cuts to the skin, subcutaneous cellular tissue, and torn ligaments in the thighs and the back of the left hand. After initial treatment of the injuries, he was transported to AZ for further treatment.
Obviously, the moral of these stories is: Come down and have lots of fun. But, please don’t leave your brains at the border!
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Rocky Point Earns Clean Beach Certification for the 4th Consecutive Year
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It is official. For the fourth consecutive year, Sandy Beach has received the coveted certificate of Clean Sustainable Beach level II, granted by the Mexican Institute of Normalization and Certification A.C. The certification came after a request from City Hall and members of the Puerto Peñasco Clean Beaches Local Committee, that the beach be inspected for recertification, reported Mayor Kiko Munro.
The Rocky Point Mayor reiterated that history continues to be made by achieving the certification of 1,788 linear meters of beach for recreational use in front of the majestic Sea of Cortez, being the only beach in Sonora to obtain this award, adding to the Blue Flag international certification in Manny´s Beach in Mirador Beach.
He stressed that this achievement is part of a teamwork between Government and Society, and has been since the beginning of his administration in 2015. Residents and visitors can be proud to visit one of the largest beaches in Mexico with certification of Sustainable Clean Beach.
“Once again, the result of the work between society and the government pays off. Our most sincere recognition and gratitude to all those who do their bit to maintain this great ecological project so that the beaches of Puerto Peñasco are clean, with good water quality, coastal infrastructure, biodiversity, safety and services, and environmental education " .
Mayor Kiko Munro explained the many benefits that this brings, promoting more interest in always improving the environmental, health, safety and service quality of the beach, identifying and preventing risks and environmental impacts, improving the image and competitiveness of the destination, as well as protecting the environment through conservation of biodiversity allowing Rocky Point it’s place at the international forefront of beaches in Mexico.
Finally, he pointed out once more that Puerto Peñasco continues to be recognized as the best tourist destination in northwestern Mexico, in part by having this type of national and international recognition and a range of attractions that this destination offers to Mexico and to the World.
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Amazon Bets on Mexico: Will Open a New Shipping Center in Sonora |
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So far this year, Amazon has announced the opening of two logistics centers in the country: the first in Tepotzotlán and the second in Hermosillo.
The e-commerce giant Amazon announced the opening of a new shipping center in Hermosillo, Sonora, to expedite the delivery of packages in the northern region of the country.
This is the second center announced by Jeff Bezos’ company, since just a month ago it announced the opening of a new logistics center in Tepotzotlán, State of Mexico.
“We are more than pleased to continue our expansion in Mexico, now in the state of Sonora. We are proud to be able to offer hundreds of job opportunities in Hermosillo and reach the homes of our clients in that area of the Mexican territory, ”said Diego Méndez de la Luz, Amazon’s Director of Operations in Mexico.
The opening of the new Sonora center will allow Prime members to have same-day deliveries in Hermosillo and next-day deliveries to the Ciudad Obregón, Guaymas, San Luis Río Colorado, Nogales, and Navojoa areas.
Similarly, Amazon will open vacancies in different areas such as operations, human resources, security, and finance, among others.
” Candidates will be able to apply through the platform www.amazon.jobs, in which they will find a wide variety of jobs with competitive salaries in the industry and comprehensive benefits available, in addition to the possibility of developing long-term growth”, highlighted the company through a statement.
The state governor stressed that these investments in Sonora are to promote the generation of jobs in the entity, for the benefit of Sonoran families and are the result of the actions that have been carried out to achieve the economic reactivation of Sonora in the face of the pandemic by COVID-19.
“This investment is being built in more than 500 thousand feet in the Hermosillo Industrial Park, which has a current status of 30 percent complete, and will generate jobs from the construction of the property to the operation of Amazon in Hermosillo to meet the requests in the state and in the north of the country ”, mentioned the state official.
Jorge Vidal Ahumada, Secretary of the Economy, said that they have worked with Amazon especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and now the digital commerce company decides to build this new shipping center in Sonora.
With this new center, direct and indirect jobs will be generated, both with the construction of the building and its operation, with the people who will collect, pack and send orders to customers and the local supply will also be strengthened, said the owner. of Economy, highlighting that this will allow to reinforce the generation of jobs in the entity, for the benefit of Sonoran families
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CBP Expands Simplified Arrival in Arizona |
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has introduced Simplified Arrival at the pedestrian border crossings at the Ports of Lukeville and Sasabe, AZ.
Simplified Arrival is an enhanced international arrival process that uses biometric facial comparison technology to automate the manual document checks that are already required for admission into the United States. This process provides travelers with a secure, touchless travel experience while fulfilling a longstanding Congressional mandate to biometrically record the entry and exit of non-U.S. citizens.
Located in Pima County, Lukeville and Sasabe are two of the smaller of the six ports of entry in the state of Arizona, crossing between Sonora, Mexico and the United States. CBP Officers at the Port of Lukeville processed more than 280,000 privately owned vehicles and more than 632,000 pedestrians in Fiscal Year 2020, while Sasabe officers processed just more than 23,000 vehicles and 43,000 pedestrians. Comparatively, officers at the much larger Port of Nogales, divided into DeConcini, Morley, and Mariposa gates crossing into Sonora and Mariposa, Mexico, processed more than 2.4 million vehicles and nearly 6.7 million pedestrians.
“CBP is employing facial biometrics to build a best-in-class travel system that facilitates lawful travel while maintaining the highest security and privacy standards,” said Guadalupe H. Ramirez, CBP Director of Field Operations for the Tucson Field Office. “The touchless identity verification process will enhance the travel experience for the nearly 700,000 passengers and pedestrians who enter the United States through Lukeville and Sasabe every year.”
Simplified Arrival only uses the biometric facial comparison process at a time and place where travelers are already required by law to verify their identity by presenting a travel document. When a traveler arrives at the pedestrian lanes at Lukeville or Sasabe, he or she will pause for a photo at the primary inspection point. A CBP officer will review and query the travel document, which will retrieve the traveler’s passport or visa photo from government holdings. The new photo of the traveler will be compared to the photo previously collected.
The biometric facial comparison process only takes a few seconds and is more than 98 percent accurate. In addition, foreign travelers who have traveled to the United States previously will no longer need to provide fingerprints, as their identity will be confirmed through the touchless facial biometric process.
Simplified Arrival pairs one of the industry’s highest ranked facial comparison algorithms (as assessed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology) with trained CBP officers who are skilled at verifying the authenticity of travel documents. If a traveler cannot be matched to a photo on record using the Simplified Arrival process, the traveler will proceed through the traditional inspection process consistent with existing requirements for admission into the United States.
To date, more than 64 million travelers have participated in the biometric facial comparison process at air, land and seaports of entry. Since September 2018, CBP has leveraged facial biometrics to prevent more than 500 imposters from illegally entering the United States by using genuine travel documents that were issued to other people.
U.S. travelers and those foreign nationals who are not required to provide biometrics and wish to opt out of the new biometric process may notify a CBP officer as they approach the primary inspection point. These travelers will be required to present a valid travel document for inspection by a CBP officer and will be processed consistent with existing requirements for admission into the United States.
CBP is committed to its privacy obligations and has taken steps to safeguard the privacy of all travelers. CBP has employed strong technical security safeguards and has limited the amount of personally identifiable information used in the facial biometric process. New photos of U.S. citizens will be deleted within 12 hours. Photos of most foreign nationals will be stored in a secure Department of Homeland Security system.
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Do They Check Your Receipt and Items When Leaving the Supermarket? It’s Against the Law |
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Profeco announced that this threatens the freedom, security and integrity of consumers, and could even apply fines.
Has it happened to you that when you leave the supermarket they check your purchase receipt and the items you carry? This has become a very common practice in establishments due to the constant thefts that have been registered, but you should know that this is illegal.
The Federal Consumer Prosecutor’s Office ( Profeco ), points out in its articles 9. and 10 of the Federal Consumer Protection Law (LFPC), that suppliers of goods or services are prohibited from taking acting that violate the freedom safety or integrity of its consumers
The foregoing is due to the fact that they cannot review the articles they carry under the pretext of registration or investigation, regardless of whether they are made by the same supplier, collaborators, subordinates, guards, guards, or auxiliary personnel
who work in the said place
Therefore, if a client is caught in flagrante delicto committing a crime, suppliers, their agents or employees should only limit themselves, under their responsibility, to placing the alleged offender at the disposal of the corresponding authority.
Therefore, if customers continue to be reviewed, Profeco could impose a fine of 834.15 to 3,262,498.76 pesos (for 2021), in terms of precept 128 of the LFPC. In the same way, the affected party could request reparation for non-material damage or, where appropriate, compensation for damages caused in the event that the accused crime is not proven.
A few days ago, the director of Profeco called on the establishments to stop carrying out these practices that are improper and said that they will be reviewing that this is complied with, otherwise the corresponding fines could be imposed.
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Family Mourns 11-Year-Old Boy Killed by Horse in Rocky Point |
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After a tragedy in Rocky Point, family and friends are trying to support a family dealing with immeasurable grief.
On Feb. 19, 11-year-old Andrei Bercovich Garcia died in a freak accident in Rocky Point. “Every person he came in contact with he touched their heart” Maria Garcia, Andrei's mother, said.
His mother said her son was an athlete, excelling at any sport he played. She said Andrei hoped to become a professional athlete, cared about family, and had so much potential. "I thought of him as my own. I thought of him as one of my own kids because I loved him so much," Justine, Andrei's sister, said.
Maria moved to Mexico a little before her son's birth and the family stayed in Mexico. Justine said there were plans for Andrei to move to Arizona in the next few years. However, those plans never came to fruition. “He was a dream. He was a dream to me, and he will always continue to be that." Justine said.
On Friday, Feb. 19, Andrei went to volunteer feeding horses that are meant to help kids with disabilities. “That day we were not supposed to go, but we went," Garcia said. While working in the stalls, one of the horses suddenly kicked back, hitting Andrei in the head. Andrei was rushed to a nearby hospital in Mexicali, a life-saving procedure seemed initially to work.
“Saturday, he was doing good, Sunday he was doing -- but I don’t know what was happening Sunday night, but he stopped breathing,” Garcia said. Andrei was declared brain dead, passing away on Feb. 23. “Every day it gets harder and harder and I thought it was going to get easier.. and it hasn’t,” Garcia said.
In these darkest of times, support and help has been coming from Rocky Point and also Arizona. “It was literally people from back home.” Justine said. Friends, family, even strangers have been helping the family out. Arizona donations accounted for more than $18,000 of the approximately $24,000 raised in the GoFundMe. “I just want to thank everybody," Garcia said.
Maria Garcia was a member of the Tourist Assistance Unit and could really use some help right now with medical bills and funeral expenses. If you can, please give a donation at the link below:
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Nearly 9 Million Students Have Dropped Out During the School Year |
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Almost 9 million students aged 3 to 29 abandoned their studies during the 2020-2021 school year due to the coronavirus pandemic, a lack of money or because they had to work, according to the national statistics agency Inegi.
Results of an Inegi survey on the pandemic’s impact on education show that 8.8 million children, teenagers and young adults were forced to abandon their studies this academic year, which began virtually last August.
That figure is higher than the entire population of Jalisco and almost equal to that of Mexico City (excluding the greater metropolitan area).
Of the 8.8 million students who stopped studying, 2.3 million did so for reasons directly related to the pandemic, 2.9 million left their educational institutions due to a lack of resources (meaning their families couldn’t afford to pay expenses associated with online learning) and 3.6 million made the decision because they had to work.
An additional 738,000 students abandoned their studies during the 2019-2020 school year. Almost 60% of that number cited the pandemic as the reason why they left.
The Inegi survey also found that students are dedicating significantly less time to their education while studying virtually at home. Only 11.8% of students spend eight hours per day or more attending virtual classes and doing schoolwork, while 48.3% spend three to five hours studying and 23.5% dedicate fewer than three hours of their time to their education.
In addition, the survey found that more than a quarter of households where students live had to purchase electronic devices and/or install internet service so that they could study during the suspension of in-person classes.
The most commonly cited advantage of virtual classes was that students’ health is not placed at risk while the No. 1 disadvantage was that learning is not as successful as it is in the classroom.
Manuel Gil Antón, an education researcher at the Colegio de México, told the newspaper El Universal that the pandemic has deepened educational inequality in Mexico.
Mexico’s poorest children – “the forgotten ones” – have been most affected by the shift to online learning and have left schools in the greatest numbers, he said.
Gil pointed out that poor households usually don’t have computers and charged that the Ministry of Public Education (SEP) “could have done things better.”
“It could have been more creative, delivered less generalized content,” he said.
Alma Maldonado, an education researcher at the National Polytechnic Institute, said the Inegi numbers are indicative of the failure of SEP’s education strategy during the pandemic. She asserted that its online curriculums have been largely irrelevant to students’ needs and have failed to appeal to them.
Maldonado also said there has been a lack of support for teachers giving the virtual classes, although she acknowledged that educators have done their best. She asserted that it will take years to recover pre-pandemic school enrollment levels.
Schools closed due to the pandemic a year ago and have not reopened in any state in the country, but President López Obrador said Thursday morning that classes could resume soon in Chiapas, Veracruz, Sonora and Chihuahua, depending on the coronavirus risk level as established by the stoplight risk map. Sonora, Campeche and Chiapas are already green, the color at which schools may reopen.
A large association of private schools, many of which have seen their revenue plummet during the pandemic due to students moving to public schools, called for its members to reopen on March 1 but the Education Ministry quickly warned that reopening would be a violation of government policy.
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Meet the Sonoran's Family of Beachfront Resorts |
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Carnitas - Mexican Braised Pork |
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Pork carnitas—Mexican braised and fried pork chunks with their addictively crisp edges. This recipe is the classic—with one exception. Instead of being cooked entirely on the stovetop, the pot is slid into the oven so you don’t have to tirelessly attend to the burner to make sure the pork is cooking at just the right temperature.
Carnitas, literally meaning "little meats", is a dish of Mexican cuisine that originated in the state of Michoacán. Carnitas are made by braising or simmering pork in oil or preferably lard until tender. The process takes three to four hours, and the result is very tender and juicy meat, which is then typically served with chopped cilantro, diced onion, salsa, guacamole, tortillas, and refried beans.
Pork carnitas are traditionally made using the heavily marbled, rich boston butt or picnic ham cuts of pork. The 6–16 lb (3–7 kg) sections are usually cut down to a workable (6–10 lb) size and seasoned heavily before slow braising or deep frying.
The traditional way to cook carnitas is in a copper pot (or any thick-bottomed pot that disperses the heat evenly), in a process similar to confit. Lard is used to cover the dish in proportion to the amount of meat being cooked. Once the lard has melted, pork and flavorings are added (usually salt, chili, cumin, oregano or Mexican oregano, marjoram, thyme, bay leaf, and crushed garlic cloves). Traditional carnitas are then made by a process of simmering the meat in the lard until tender over a very low heat. Once appropriate tenderness is achieved, the heat is turned up and the outside of the pork begins to crisp. At this stage, the collagen in the meat has broken down sufficiently to allow it to be pulled apart by hand or fork or chopped with a cleaver. The meat can then be used as an ingredient in tamales, tacos, tortas, and burritos.
INGREDIENTS
4 pounds fatty pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch pieces
3 cups cold water
1 medium white onion, thinly sliced
1/2 orange, preferably seedless, cut into 2 wedges (or 1 to 2 oranges if using the Instant Pot Variation)
1/4 cup lard, (or, for the lard averse, vegetable oil)
8 garlic cloves, peeled
3 bay leaves
1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons dried oregano, preferably Mexican, crumbled
1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons fine salt, or 3 to 4 teaspoons kosher salt
DIRECTIONS
Place all of the ingredients in a wide 6- to 7-quart heavy pot. (Don’t worry if everything isn’t completely submerged.) Bring to a boil, skimming any scum that collects on the surface as necessary.
Reduce the heat to medium-lowish and simmer vigorously, stirring occasionally, until the pork is fork-tender and the liquid has completely evaporated, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Discard the orange pieces and bay leaves.
Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C)
If your pot isn’t ovenproof, transfer the pork and fat to a dish of some sort that’s ovenproof. Slide the pork into the oven, uncovered, and let it fry in its own fat until it’s browned, 20 to 30 minutes. There’s no need to stir. Serve it straight from the pot. (Leftovers—as if!—keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.) Originally published December 14, 2015.
VARIATIONS
SLOW COOKER CARNITAS
Just toss everything in the slow cooker, reducing the amount of water by at least 1 cup, and cook on low, covered the entire time, for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 6 to 8 hours, or until the pork is tender and falls apart. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, place the chunks of pork to a large skillet, leaving the cooking liquid in the cooker. If desired, shred the pork using 2 forks (or your fingertips if you like things messy). Heat the pork in the skillet over medium to medium-high heat until crisp at the edges but still knee-weakeningly tender within. If desired, dribble a little of the strained cooking liquid over the pork before serving to moisten and flavor it. (If the cooking liquid is quite watery, pour it into a saucepan and simmer until it reduces to the desired consistency.) Curious to hear more about working magic with your slow cooker? Check out what our testers had to say in the TC comments below and then peruse our entire selection of slow cooker recipes.
INSTANT POT CARNITAS
Season the pork with the salt and, working in batches, sear the pork in a large skillet in the lard or olive oil until very, very brown. (The Instant Pot’s insert is too narrow and high-sided to sear effectively. It takes too long and the meat ends up steamed rather than seared. Trust us, the skillet is infinitely better and faster.) Meanwhile, juice 1 or 2 oranges to yield 1/2 cup orange juice. Layer the onions, garlic, juiced orange halves, orange wedges, and bay leaf on the bottom of the Instant Pot insert. Dump in the pork and sprinkle with oregano as you go. Drizzle over the condensed milk and orange juice. Secure the lid and push the pressure release valve to “sealing.” Select “manual” and set the cooking time to 30 minutes at high pressure. When finished, carefully quick release the pot by moving the pressure release to “venting.” Once the steam is fully released, open the pot and scoop the pork with a slotted spoon onto a foil-lined baking sheet. Discard the orange halves and bay leaf. Cook the pork in the oven at 450°F (232°C) until crisped, 10 to 15 minutes.
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Cardinal Numbers in Words |
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It's said that even people who can waltz through a lie-detector test will stumble doing arithmetic in a foreign language
It’s said that even people who can waltz through a lie-detector test without so much as blinking will stumble if required to do arithmetic in a foreign language.
This probably wouldn’t be very useful for Sherlock Holmes to know in these days of $1 calculators, since it’s rather hard to find anyone who can do much arithmetic in their own language without the aid of an intelligent chip and LCD screen.
Big numbers get trickier in Spanish
Numbers in Spanish —particularly big numbers— can be a bit tricky for native English speakers. The Spanish-speaking world still uses thousands of millions — miles de millones— for billions, and un billon is a million millions, or a U.S. trillion.
Whereas in English you would say “four point five billion,” the correct way in Spanish is “cuatro mil quinientos millones” (four thousand five hundred million). Written form is no less complicated. It could be rendered “4 mil 500 millones,” or “4,500 millones.” Four point five million, meanwhile, is “cuatro millones quinientos mil” or “4 millones 500 mil.”
A particular trap for people in a hurry is when there are no hundreds of thousands, only tens of thousands. So 4 mil 50 millones (four thousand and fifty million) is 4.05 billion, and easily confused with 4.5 billion.
Expressing financial economics
A number of people who work in high finance do a lot of their business in English, and some get quite tongue-tied when mentally translating back into their native Spanish the numbers they are explaining.
The deal was worth, wait for it —”cuatro punto cinco billones, es decir, cuatro punto cinco, miles de millones” with a pause to think between cinco and miles.
The flip side of this —i.e. difficulties for native Spanish speakers learning English— is the use of multiples of a hundred to refer to thousands. Sixteen hundred and forty-five, for example, in Spanish is mil seiscientos cuarenta y cinco (the “and” goes in a different place) and Spanish speakers have to stop and think about numbers expressed in that way in English.
A final point about commas and numbers
While retaining the thousands of millions, Mexico has parted ways with continental Europeans and South America in that it separates thousands and millions with a comma, and fractions with a period, as in the U.S., the U.K. and elsewhere. The use of an apostrophe to separate millions has survived in some old-fashioned documents, such as those “typed up” in backwater offices.
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Sonoran Sales Group - The OFFICIAL sales team for Sonoran Resorts!
We are Rocky Point's one and only exclusive and dedicated team who have always, and will always, sell Sonoran Resorts and ONLY Sonoran Resorts!
If you are looking for a team of real professionals who specialize in Puerto Penasco's best family of "True Beachfront" resorts, you've found us, and we are here to serve you.
Whether Buying or Selling, no one can serve you better when it comes to the Sonoran Resorts. We have been here since the beginning, and we will be here for you when you need us.
Our In-House closing team will make things happen quickly and professionally and we will save you money. Our attorneys are on salary and no additional attorney fees are charged to our clients. Loyalty to the Sonoran Resorts Sales Team is both appreciated and rewarded!
We don't just sell the Sonoran Resorts, we ARE the Sonoran Resorts. We work directly with the Developers, the HOAs, and the Rental companies.
We really can help you in ways that no one else can.
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Let me know if you would like links to any of the earlier ones. (Almost 10 years worth)
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Just for the fun of it... |
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