* General Calendar * Live music at local bars and sponsors * Subject to changes *

IMPORTANT! MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATION PAPERS AND ID READILY AVAILABLE FOR CROSSING BORDER BOTH INTO MEXICO AND FOR THE RIDE BACK NORTH! NO WEAPONS!

Thursday & Friday

Meet up spot @ Vazquez Licores in Sonoyta

9 am – 5 pm Rally Registration @ Barclin’s gas station  *In town registration option @ Playa Bonita Resort 10 am – 5 pm

PreReg – WILL CALL spot! Puerto Peñasco – Sonoyta Highway

Charity Poker Run

Thurs & Fri – Pick up cards @ Barclin’s Registration Stop (*Do on your own or join up on Fri 1 pm TBA – Hand in cards on Fri 5-6 pm at Playa Bonita beach party)

Thursday – KICK OFF BIKE FIESTA

Friday – Desert Ride

Fri / Sat / Sun – Pirate Boat Cruise – get there @11:30 a.m. Ship sails @ Noon (Free w/Rally registration NO ICE CHESTS – Cash bar on board)

POKER RUN MEET UP @ 1 pm : TBA

Do the Poker Run on your own (Thurs & Fri) or meet up to ride together 1st card @ TBA   Turn-in completed cards Fri 5 pm – 6 pm @ Playa Bonita Beach Party

Friday – Queen of the Streets All-Female Ride-In Bike Show

Friday – TRADITIONAL BEACH PARTY @ Playa Bonita Resort

Friday & Saturday – Fiesta on Calles 12 y 13

Saturday  

Bike show @ City Hall parking lot

9 – 10 am Bike Registration / 10 – 11:30 am Viewing

12 PM AWARDS BEFORE BIKE PARADE

Categories:

Trike

Sport

Vintage

Paint

Ingenuity / Inventive

Metric

Custom

Chopper

Bagger

People’s Choice

Judge’s Choice

Best of Show

 11:30 am Bike Parade line-up

Corner across street from Fire Department – Blvd. Carrillo (Fremont)

BIKE PARADE

Stands up @ 12:30 pm – Parade Route TBA

Sunday   

7 am – 9 am Bike Blessing @ Plaza a la Madre

SEE YOU FOR THE 2023 ROCKY POINT RALLY – NOV. 9TH – 12TH, 2023!

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.



Signed by Vice Mayor Mike Pineda and Rocky Point Secretary Miguel Angel Maciel Felix, the agreement creates a five-year framework between the two cities to boost economic development in both areas.

“The intent was really to highlight, promote and educate the residents of both of our communities on one another,” Pineda said. “For us as a city — considering our new tourism designation — it gives us the ability to promote and advertise our city, whether it be here within the state or elsewhere. And in this case, internationally, we wanted to take advantage of those opportunities.”

A Sister Cities agreement is a relationship between two cities that is officially recognized by the highest elected official from both communities, according to Sister Cities International.

This agreement comes with a plethora of benefits to both Avondale and Rocky Point. Specifically, from an economic development standpoint, the dollars flowing into both areas through tourism and other areas provides a big boost to either city’s local economy.

“It could be beneficial for students and residents of Rocky Point who are looking to further their education,” Pineda said. “And so, looking at our educational institutions, like Estrella Mountain Community College, maybe even some of the local, other educational opportunities and universities that we have in that part of town to take advantage of.

“Really, what we’re looking at is translating to actual revenues that will be coming into the city.”

Rocky Point was an area that Avondale’s economic development department was “aggressively” targeting, as they saw the potential successes that both cities would see in a shared capacity.

“We are excited about the opportunities that this collaboration with our neighbors in Rocky Point presents,” said Ken Chapa, economic development director for the city of Avondale. “This agreement will create new avenues for both cities to benefit our residents in the years to come.”

The list of positives that the agreement provides is long, including business, commerce, culture and cross-promotional opportunities. Certain areas of cooperation will include strategies to boost health care destinations and tourism attractions, promotion of events and commerce in both cities, and promotion of community assets.

“Whether it be through publication materials, whether it be marketing materials, billboards, however we can communicate the benefits that we offer within the city of Avondale just gives us that positive approach,” Pineda said. “Anytime that our economic development team is speaking to businesses, corporations, entities that would like to look at Avondale as a potential landing point, we want to be able to highlight some agreements such as this to take advantage of those opportunities.”

Moving forward, Pineda feels that the city’s boost from this agreement will help pave a way for more agreements to be “successful” in the future, overall positively affecting Avondale’s continued growth.

“It’s the whole team, it’s city management, its leadership within and all of the departments of the city — our economic development team, Discover Avondale and the council — because obviously it takes the council to approve. … Everybody is looking at the potential success, the potential opportunity,” he said.

“We are taking an aggressive approach to highlighting what our community brings to the table and looking forward to other opportunities that may exist now or in the future.” 

Sonoran weightlifter Noemí “Mimí” Rodríguez Lugo, the pride of Puerto Peñasco, achieved a good debut at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, in Chile, where she came very close to getting on the podium after finishing in fourth overall position in the over 87 kilogram division.

In a statement, the Sports Commission of the State of Sonora (CODESON) highlighted that Rodríguez Lugo, originally from Puerto Peñasco, and who has just achieved third place in the Athlete category in the State Sports Award, competed against nine lifters in the Chimwoke Gym in the Chilean capital.

The 21-year-old added a total of 264 kilograms to place herself as the fourth best in the entire women's competition, since she achieved 114 in the snatch and 150 in the clean and jerk modality.

In what was the snatch competition, the Puerto Peñon woman opened with 108 on the bar, but she failed on her second opportunity, when she tried to hoist 113, however, she closed strong.

Later, in the clean and jerk competition, Adbeel Noemí started at full speed with two good lifts, the first of 145 and the second of 150, which in the end was the one she registered, as her attempt at 154 was unsuccessful.

The gold medal went to the American Mary Theisen-Lappin, who lifted 277 kilograms, leaving the Ecuadorian Lisseth Betzaida Ayoví with the silver at 276 kilograms, and the bronze went to the Dominican Crismery Santana with 267 kilograms.

Rodriguez and her coach father visited the Sonoran Star Sales Office for a press conference and to give her thanks to the support that the new Sonoran Star Resort has given her. 

Mexico has barred the import of GMO corn for human consumption, raising the ire of exporter US where most corn is GMO.

Corn is sacred in Mexico. Its roots can be traced to Aztec and Mayan creation stories that exalted the arrival of a crop that was key to their survival.

In modern times, maiz, as it is known in Spanish, maintains its cultural, spiritual and political prominence as a staple in Mexican cuisine – and, increasingly, a brewing trade dispute.

Mexico has drawn a line in the sand with the United States when it comes to genetically modified corn, barring its use and import for human consumption, and gradually phasing it out for livestock feed or industrial uses.

After months of negotiations, US officials announced last month that they were pulling a lever under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), seeking an intermediary to resolve the dispute.

For Mexico, the issue is multi-pronged, but rooted in ensuring the affordability and availability of a crucial crop, experts say. For the US, it is about business. Corn is its biggest crop and the vast majority of it is genetically engineered.

Far from a regional issue, it is a feud that could have wide-reaching implications for importing and exporting nations, as evidenced also by Canada, which has added its voice to the proceedings and backed the United States in saying that Mexico’s position on biotech is “not scientifically supported” and could “unnecessarily disrupt trade in the North American market”.

As the role of industrial agriculture comes under added scrutiny in the era of climate change, Mexico’s stand to protect small-scale farmers is one that others are watching closely.

“I would say Mexico is at the forefront of the world,” said Ernesto Hernández López, a professor at Chapman University in California, who specialises in international law and food law.

What is this trade dispute about?

It is illegal to grow genetically modified corn on Mexican soil. In 2020, Mexico expanded the prohibition with a decree banning all GMO corn, including imports, as of January 31, 2024, on the grounds that doing so protected its food security, its rural communities, its food heritage and the health of its people.

It also announced that it would impose strict limits on the import, distribution and use of the contentious herbicide glyphosate – widely used in GMO farming – culminating in its complete ban by that date. Glyphosate is a well-known weed killer whose potential to cause cancer is the subject of heated debate.

In February of this year, Mexico issued another decree that softened its stance. It scrapped the date by which animal feed corn – which represents the vast majority of imports from the US – is banned. This means yellow GMO corn used for animal feed can continue to cross the border, although the decree still states the intention of “gradually substituting” it, but with no date set.

The decree maintains the ban on GMO corn used for human consumption in dough and tortillas, which is white corn. The Mexican government said Mexico produces enough white corn that is free of GMOs to sustain itself.

“Mexico is the center of origin of more than 55 strains of maize. The food security policy of the Government of Mexico consists of preserving this biocultural heritage,” the government said in a statement, in addition to preserving the sustainable farming practices of peasant communities. “This has to do with consolidating sovereignty and food security in a central part of Mexican culture.”

The move rankled the US, which considered it an affront to the free trade rules of the region. After multiple meetings and consultations with Mexican officials, the US announced in August it would seek to establish a dispute settlement panel under the USMCA, arguing that the Mexican decree “undermines the market access” Mexico had agreed to provide.

The US considers Mexico’s ban an affront to free trade rules of the region.

“Mexico’s approach to biotechnology is not based on science and runs counter to decades’ worth of evidence demonstrating its safety and the rigorous, science-based regulatory review system that ensures it poses no harm to human health and the environment,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement.

“Innovations in agricultural biotechnology play a key role in advancing solutions to our shared global challenges, including food and nutrition insecurity, the climate crisis and the lingering effects of food price inflation,” he said.

Mexico says it will not back down from its position, which it asserts is rooted in science. Officials have said that the United States has refused to take part in additional scientific research on the health impact of GM corn. “[That] makes no sense because if a government cares about people’s health, then they would have no problem doing further research on the health implications,” Mexican Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro said in August.

How big of a deal is this?

Mexico bought nearly $5bn worth of corn, the vast majority of it yellow GMO corn that is destined for livestock feed, from the US in 2022 making it the second-biggest destination for the US crop. Some 17 million tons of yellow corn flowed south of the border last year.

While more than 90 percent of the corn grown in the US is genetically engineered, white corn represents a small portion of US exports to Mexico, and “little if any” is genetically modified, suggesting to researchers that the dispute will have a “limited effect” on American farmers in the short term.

Nonetheless, trade unions, such as the National Corn Growers Association, maintain the ban would be “catastrophic” for US producers and threatens the integrity of the USMCA. Certain states, like Illinois for instance, send most of their corn exports to Mexico.

This traditional Mexican pan dulce, with its distinctive shape, is commonly made as an offering during Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), November 1-2. Aside from being eaten with gusto and deeply loved, Pan de Muerto often serves as an altar decoration to both honor and celebrate those who’ve died

PREP:

50 mins

BAKE:

40 to 45 mins

TOTAL:

11 hrs

YIELD:

Two 8'' round loaves

Ingredients:

Starter:

1/2 cup (113g) milk, lukewarm; whole preferred

1 tablespoon instant yeast

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

1/2 cup (60g) King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour

Dough:

2 tablespoons (28g) orange blossom water, rose water, or water

2 teaspoons orange zest (grated rind)

1 1/2 teaspoons anise seeds

3 1/2 cups (420g) King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour

1 teaspoon table salt

1/2 cup (99g) granulated sugar

4 large eggs

16 tablespoons (226g) unsalted butter, cut in 1/2" cubes; at room temperature

Topping:

6 tablespoons (85g) butter, melted

1/3 cup (66g) granulated sugar, for dusting

Instructions:

Bake Mode:

To make the starter: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the lukewarm milk, yeast, sugar, and flour. Stir with a whisk or fork, cover, and set aside until the mixture begins to bubble, about 20 to 25 minutes.

To make the dough: Add the remaining ingredients (except the butter) to the starter. Using the flat beater attachment, beat at low speed until everything is combined.

Scrape the bowl and beater and switch to the dough hook. Knead at medium speed for 10 to 12 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed, until the dough pulls away from the sides and makes a slapping sound.

On low speed, add 3 tablespoons of the butter at a time, incorporating each addition before adding the next. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl as necessary.

Once all the butter has been incorporated, increase the speed to medium and beat for another 8 to 10 minutes, until the dough slaps against the bowl. It will be smooth, yet still a bit sticky; resist the urge to add more flour.

Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover and allow it to rise until almost doubled, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly greased surface and gently fold it over on itself. Place the dough back into the bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

To shape the Pan de Muerto: Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and let it rest in a warm spot for about 30 to 45 minutes to come to room temperature.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment.

Portion off one-quarter of the dough (about 280g). Divide that quarter into two pieces (140g each). Set them aside.

Divide the remaining three-quarters of the dough into two pieces (about 425g each). Shape each piece into a ball, then press down gently to make flatter rounds about 6" in diameter. Place the rounds on the prepared baking sheet.

Divide each of the smaller pieces of dough into thirds (about 46g each), to make a total of six pieces. Shape two of the pieces into balls and roll the other four into ropes about 6" to 7" long. Pinch the ropes at intervals to make them look like bones.

Place two of the “bones” over one of the large dough rounds, crossing them in the middle. Place one of the small dough balls in the center and press down firmly to anchor it as securely as possible.

Shape the rest of the dough the same way you shaped the first loaf, making a second loaf.

Cover the loaves and allow them to rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

While the loaves are rising, preheat the oven to 350°F.

To bake the Pan de Muerto: Bake the loaves for 20 minutes, until lightly browned on top. Open the oven and loosely cover both loaves with foil. Bake for another 20 to 25 minutes, until the loaves are fully baked and dark golden brown on the bottom and top, and their internal temperature is 190°F.

Remove the loaves from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet, about 20 minutes.

To top the Pan de Muerto: Brush the loaves with the melted butter. Repeat a second time, brushing a section of the loaf with the melted butter and immediately covering that section with a generous amount of sugar, so the sugar sticks before the butter cools and dries.

Continue buttering and sugaring the loaves section by section. Transfer them to a rack to cool completely before slicing.

Of the 23,314 vascular plant species native to Mexico, anywhere from 3,000–5,000 are thought to have medicinal benefits. (Government of Mexico)

Traditional plant medicine in Mexico is layered. To say this article has even scratched the surface would be a gross understatement. But, these are a few of the most popular treatments.

Mexica sculpture

This is not referring exclusively to psychedelics. This genre encompasses a much larger swath of the plant kingdom, nearly all of which can be traced back to the beginnings of Mesoamerican civilization.

Of the 23,314 vascular plant species native to Mexico, anywhere from 3,000–5,000 are thought to have medicinal benefits, according to the University of Texas at El Paso’s Herbal Safety website. Many, like the ones listed below, are still used today.

Mexican arnica

Not to be confused with European arnica, Mexican arnica still reaps similar anti-inflammatory benefits. For stomach issues and nervous disorders, it was traditionally ingested in a tea form. Today, it is commonly found as a tablet or cream applied topically to reduce swelling and inflammation.

Mexican arnica plant

Aloe, like leather bombers, is a forever trend. For centuries, it’s been used to improve digestion and treat burns. It’s now found in beverages, lotions and other over-the-counter skin-care products. Several Mexican states use the plant as a supplement for Type 2 diabetes.

Sarsaparilla (Mexican zarsaparilla)

Sarsaparilla was a Mesoamerican go-to for patients in need of an anti-inflammatory or an immunity booster. It’s also thought to improve liver function. You will most commonly find it today sold as a tea.

Mexican oregano

Oregano oil is a staple in most plant-medicine cabinets as an alternative to antibiotics. Mexican oregano was, and is, used to fight respiratory illnesses and stomach ailments and promote overall healing. The Maya have been using it for centuries to cure or relieve patients of asthmatic conditions.

Damiana

Found in the driest regions of Mexico, damiana boasts a wide variety of health benefits for your intestinal tract and bladder. It’s even used as an antidepressant. However, damiana’s real draw is its aphrodisiac qualities, a fact long known by the Maya.

Copal

You probably know very well that distinct, smoky scent of burning copal used to cleanse unnecessary energies from your body or home. For thousands of years, the coveted tree resin was also used as a Mesoamerican medicine to cure toothaches, headaches and diarrhea.

Maize

Medical maize isn’t used as often today as it was in the past. Everyone from the Mexica (Aztec) to the Maya used corn to cure fevers, fatigue, ulcers and kidney problems.

Nopal

Joint pain? Nausea? Diabetes? If you like to “eat your medicine,” you’ll be delighted to learn that nopal cactus was used traditionally to cure such ailments. Modern alternative medicine practitioners tout the prickly pear’s ability to lower inflammation and regulate blood glucose levels.

Chayote

Originally used medicinally by the Mexica, we now know that the compounds in chayote squash promote heart health and control blood sugar. It’s often suggested as an anti-arteriosclerosis.

Cacao

Its use to treat fatigue, promote weight gain and improve digestion among the Mexica and Maya has been well documented by researchers. But why are cacao ceremonies all the rage these days?

Aside from mood-boosting phenylethylamine and high levels of antioxidants, some indigenous peoples of Mexico believe that the deity Quetzalcoatl brought it from the gods. “It’s the blood of the earth, through which we can obtain strength, sensitivity and joy at being alive,” says Giovanna Navarro, a Mexico City native who has been leading cacao ceremonies for five years.

Peyote

Its use can be traced back more than 5,000 years as both a hallucinogen and enema for fever reduction. Eating it raw can be highly nauseating, so it’s common to ingest it as a powder. Peyote is used today to increase creativity, awareness, euphoria and assist in chronic pain relief.

Salvia divinorum

Also known as la hierba de la pastora (the shepherdess’ herb) Salvia divinorum is grown in Oaxaca’s Sierra Madre Oriental and used ritualistically by the Mazatec. Medicinally, it’s said to improve stomach ailments like “swollen belly” and diarrhea, as well as anemia and headaches. It’s usually smoked or taken as a tincture and is so powerful that high doses can lead to complete loss of physical control. The trip is said to be colorful, light and full of laughter when taken properly.

Bufo alvarius

Not a plant, but natural nonetheless. The Bufo alvarius (Colorado river toad) is native to the state of Sonora, and it was used as far back as the Olmec period. Its skin secretes a powerful substance with high concentrations of 5-MeO-DMT, a substance that some believe is produced in the human pineal gland during birth, death, positive moods and REM sleep. It has not yet been scientifically proven to be present in humans, though animal studies have shown that trace amounts can be found in rats.

This medicine “stimulates the immune system and triggers healing by eliminating the emotional root of disease”, according to Emmanuelle Rodríguez , an ancestral medicine therapist in Mexico City. The substance is crystallized and smoked in sessions lasting up to 15 minutes.

Note: If you plan on experimenting with psychedelics of any kind, please talk to a professional and please do so in the presence of an experienced practitioner.

October 2023

September 2023

August 2023

July 2023

June 2023

May 2023

April 2023

March 2023

February 2023

January 2023

December 2022

November 2022

October 2022

Let me know if you would like links to any of the earlier ones. (Over 12 years worth)