Puerto Penasco once again received the Clean Sustainable Beach Level 2 certificate for another year. This is the fifth consecutive time that we have achieved the coveted certificate. The environmental audit was carried out in December, but the award was announced last month, confirmed Luis César García González, Coordinator of the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (ZOFEMAT). He reported that the Mexican Institute for Standardization and Certification issued the positive decision which certifies that the Mexican Standard for Beach Sustainability is complied with.

 He stated that, thanks to the work of the Local Committee for Clean Beaches, local private institutions, and volunteers, 1,791 meters between Playa Bonita and the Sonoran Sun were accredited once again, by meeting the requirements and specifications of environmental quality, health, safety and services for the sustainability of the beaches.

García González affirmed that the recertification of Sandy Beach as Level 2 Sustainable Clean Beach was achieved for the fifth consecutive time and work is already being carried out to maintain the certification and manage new areas of coastline in our area for future accreditations. He stressed that they are committed to ecological sustainability in addition to raising awareness among residents and tourists to support the sanitation of the natural beauty of the beaches of this municipality.

 The director of Zofemat indicated that the call for the community of Puerto Penasco and the various sectors has been successful and the Clean Beach certification transcends three administrations for the collective benefit of this tourist destination.

 He stressed that the collaboration of federal and state authorities, as well as members of the Clean Beaches Local Committee, the business, hotels, tourism sector, educational institutions, and general society are all recognized for their support in achieving co-participation to achieve beach recertification.

by Robin Miller

It was a pleasure to be invited to the baseball clinic this weekend. Beginning with Friday with the press conference and introduction of the coaches, which are professional and retired players and baseball enthusiasts. Then on Saturday, was the actual baseball clinic held at the local baseball stadium where I observed the coaches practicing skills with the kids. There were between 70-75 boys and 1 girl, in the ages of 10 to 16. The reason for this age group is because they can focus on their skills. Under age 10 they found that their focus is not as keen, but once they turn 10, they are very welcome to attend. There had been 125 to 150 in the past and this time they expected 70 to 80. They said even if 1 kid shows up, it’s all worth it.

There were several different “stations” set up. Pitching, batting, catching, fielding etc, with small groups, so the kids will benefits from the instructions. When I arrived to take photos at the fielding station, I watched one boy throw the ball from 50 feet directly through an old tire, it was fast and accurate every time.

The reason for this baseball clinic in Rocky Point, is to pass the word to kids, boys and girls, that they can reach their dreams and goals. If they want to be a professional ball player, or just be involved in a healthy sports activity, this is their opportunity to get off the streets and into an organized group that believes in them. This clinic was founded over 11 years ago and has gone through several changes. Now that after 2 years of Covid has kept the clinic away, the coaches are regrouping to build a solid foundation to get this clinic back on track.

Kudos go to all the volunteers, and the head coach is Pete Hartman, a professional ball player of 15 years. Pete told me that everyone has a job to do, from the coaches, equipment organizer, photographers, social media and more “positions” make the difference, plus all the behind the scenes people who support and donate equipment and money to the cause. There are the families who support the coaches to the families who bring their kids to the field to observe, and then there are the condo owners who have donated their condos for a couple nights for the coaches and their families.

Pete had just met with Puerto Penasco’s Sports Director on Saturday to donate equipment to the city’s baseball program. Pete said that anyone can donate, just when you’re at a yard sale or Goodwill, if you see any baseball gear, you can let someone know and it can be picked up and brought to Rocky Point, unless of course you could use a trip to the beach and deliver equipment yourself.

The baseball clinic is being called “Grupo Deportivo Para Puerto Penasco” and will soon have a social media outlet where information can be found to donate or come to an event. The LLC will be worked on between Mexico and the U.S. so donations will be a tax write off.

At Friday’s “meet and greet” there was a panel of 10 fielding questions from the audience of family, friends, media, and invitees. They mentioned that a good goal would be a 2 day clinic to accommodate more kids. This whole thing is very exciting because it will give kids a good path to follow, keep them off the streets, they can tell their friends and clinics teach them good sportsmanship, punctuality, teamwork and a sense of belonging. There was a family from the Phoenix area drove down this weekend to have their 2 boys join in the clinic, and further South, a bus full of kids left at 2AM and arrived early, waiting for the gates to open.

After about 4 hours of clinic time, there was fun time where the kids got to play wiffle ball and suddenly were reenergized and had a great time for another hour. I bet they had a nice siesta when they got home.

Another huge supporter is Jose Flores from the BooBar. He told me that it is OK to let everyone know it’s fine to contact him so he can pass the word once the Facebook page is completed, plus if anyone has photos of clinics in the past, send to him so they can create a photo album of past clinics. Also a big thank you to Jose offering his place for the Saturday evening banquet of roasted pig and trimmings.

This is a list of the names I gathered of the volunteer coaches:

Pete Hartmann

Troy Pearce

JD Ramirez

Mitch Talbot

Jose Ulloa

Juan Medina

Leo Acosta

Javier Gamboa

Juan Sereiso

Jonathan Romero

Pete Lacock

Brian McNichol

Sorry if I omitted anyone, there are so many behind the scenes “helpers”.

What a blessing to be invited to this by my friend Dolores Vargas Michaels, who has been a supporter from the beginning. Her son is a retired professional player and she’s a baseball mom. I had no idea the magnitude of this program and it’s already taking off quickly, the guys are organized and everyone has their part/position to play. They handed out baseball hats with their cool logo. This is only the beginning.

For more information you can contact Maria Garcia ivyergarciever@hotmail.com or Jose Flores boobarpenasco@gmail.com

The Mermaid's Market will be completing its 10th season this spring with just five more events to go! Our March schedule remains, as always, the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month.

However, as we move into April and May our schedule changes to reflect a break for the Semana Santa holiday and the extension of the market into the month of May.

In 2021, the Mermaid's Market finale was held on Memorial Day weekend and it was a success with many vendors and visitors enjoying the slightly longer season! Our Pirate and Mermaid Party has been a fun end-of-the-season event for many years now! For 2022, we will break the "1st and 3rd Saturday" traditional schedule to hold our finale on the fourth Saturday of the month - Saturday, May 28th. Mark your calendar now and be sure to join us!

A special procedure exists for residents to import their personal goods to Mexico free of usual taxes using a "Menaje de Casa" (household items) exemption

When you move to Mexico to live part-time, full-time or for a fixed period, you may want to bring personal goods to furnish your home and/or items which hold sentimental value to you.

Under international trade agreements, there are strict limits on goods that individuals can move across borders (usually restricted to a few hundred dollars’ worth of items per crossing) and anything over this limit requires import duty and sales tax to be paid on the value of the goods.

To help individuals, couples or families who have legal residency in Mexico move their personal things here, the law allows for a one-time import of personal goods duty and tax-free.

The process is subject to certain rules and must be completed within six months of your first entry to Mexico as a legal resident.

This article explains the rules and procedures, what’s allowed and disallowed in your shipment, how to begin the process, and what you’ll need for Mexican Customs to release your shipment.

In all cases, you need to apply for a Menaje de Casa (an inventory of household goods) which is applied for and granted through Mexican Consulates abroad.

You must apply for your Menaje de Casa at a Mexican Consulate abroad. The applicant must attend the consulate in person: you cannot hire a third party to petition the application on your behalf.

There are different categories of Menaje de Casa, but the ones which apply to most people moving to Mexico are these:

For foreign residents who have a temporary residency permit and intend to stay in Mexico for between 1-4 years. Temporary residency permits can be exchanged for permanent residency permits after 4 years in some circumstances, but if you don’t become a permanent resident, the law stipulates that the goods you import under this regime must be exported from Mexico at the end of your stay.

This is issued to foreign residents who are granted permanent legal residency in Mexico. Items imported under this regime are deemed a definitive import and do not need to be returned to their point of origin.

A special category of Menaje de Casa exists for Mexican nationals living abroad who wish to bring back their goods and any work tools to Mexico. Items imported under this regime are deemed a definitive import and do not need to be returned to their point of origin.

If you are working in the clergy, for a national government, or in the diplomatic service, other types of Menaje de Casa might apply to your circumstances. Other specialized classifications also exist. You should seek advice from the Mexican Consulate, or your removal company—the good ones are well-versed in the rules and provide practical help to facilitate the smooth crossing of your personal goods into Mexico.

You will need to complete some documentation. If you are using the services of a professional removals company, they can assist with some of this:

An application form, available from the Mexican Consulate, duly completed and signed.

Your current passport

Original of your current passport and 4 copies of the information page.

A typed letter, addressed to the Consulate General of Mexico, requesting the Household Goods Import Certificate. The letter must include the date of travel, the port of entry, and must also include the current address in U.S. and the address where you will be living in Mexico. It should be signed by the applicant.

Your current Mexican residency card or Mexican visa (sticker in your passport) —Temporary or Permanent— and 4 copies of this.

If you present your resident visa (the sticker the consulate places in your passport following a successful residency application) instead of your resident card as a proof of your immigration status when you apply for a Menaje de Casa, then you will need to acquire and present your Mexican resident card before the Customs authorities will release your shipment.

If your resident card issuance is delayed you might have to pay storage fees while you wait for your paperwork to wend its way through the system. We therefore recommend you have your residency card in hand before you finalize your intended shipping dates.

You will need to present a detailed inventory of all the goods you want to ship to Mexico. The inventory needs to be presented in Spanish in a specific format. (Ask the Mexican Consulate or your removal company about the format required for the inventory.) Each item needs to be numbered sequentially, and include a description, the quantity of each item, a marque (brand), model, and serial number if relevant. Some items may be grouped together, but we recommend you get advice from a removal company about this, as grouping the ‘wrong’ things together can cause problems with the import process. See green and red boxes below about allowed and disallowed items.

The consulate and/or the removals company if you use one (recommended) may ask you for additional documentation to be completed to facilitate the shipment of your consignment of goods to Mexico.

The Mexican consulate will charge you a fee of about US$130 (or local currency equivalent) which must be paid in cash. Removal companies may charge additional fees for paperwork preparation—ask your chosen removal company for details.

The Mexican Consulate will process your application, usually within two business days, and issue you with a certificate. This certificate must accompany your shipment.

There are rules about what constitutes ‘personal household goods’ and you will not be allowed to import any goods which are new, or restricted.

Every item should be six months of age or older and used.

Household items include things like domestic furniture, clothing, bed linens, curtains, decorative items, outdoor garden/patio furniture, mirrors, art and art supplies, musical instruments, books, bicycles (but not motorcycles or scooters—see red box below), children’s toys, domestic tools, computers, electronics equipment, domestic appliances, statues and ornaments, home-office equipment, medical appliances and equipment that supports people with low mobility or disabilities.

New items are not allowed—all items must be used and at least six months old.

Firearms and ammunition are illegal and cannot be brought to Mexico.

You can only bring one of each domestic appliance or electronics equipment. Any vehicle that requires a plated registration license –including scooters, motorcycles, and cars– are not considered household goods.

Common items which people try to import but are disallowed include liquid propane gas tanks (e.g. for BBQs), caustic acid or solvent-based chemicals or cleaners, clothing with store labels or tags attached, perfumes and toiletries, new electronic equipment, new home appliances, new furniture, and food items.

Other items which are also disallowed as part of a personal consignment include taxidermy, high value antiques and artwork, artworks which are destined for a gallery, vehicle tires, as well as any goods which are primarily designed for commercial or industrial use.