The sun fades as young people walk the path under the trees. Candles are being lit here and there. Each new light brightens the space around it, which shines with a different color. Orange chrysanthemums, turquois and purple skulls. A cross of white sea salt rests on the ground, next to a jet black dog. As the sky darkens, more candles are lit, reflecting colors onto the under-side of the branches.

November begins in Mexico with the Dia de Los Muertos. The ceremonies of ‘the Day of the Dead’ are meant to coax the spirits of loved ones to return, and spend time with those who remember them. Altares (Alters) offer a chance for the spirits to be guided back to us, and give those in this world a way to express their love through the many details involved in making the Altares.

Students from Puerto Penascos’ Cobach (similar to a junior college in the states), take part in the annual Altares building workshop and contest. Dozens of students and their families learn in great detail this very special part of Mexican culture, then present their labors of love to the publlic.

As judges take notes, family members demonstrate the depth of their knowledge of the traditions of Dia de Los Muertos, some dressed as Calaveras or Catrinas. Common elements include the smoke of insense, a black dog who will be there to guide the spirit from the other world, and water for spirits thirsty from their long journey.

Mixed with the ceremonial neccesities are many personal touches. The guitar Grandmother played. A baseball jersey. Tequila pored and waiting. Every real thing is attached to a story. The hat pulled from it’s resting place in the back of the closet begins to emit memories. From the memory, comes stories. Sharing them is how the ones we remember come back.

Rocky Point regulars know – every once in a while, a strong wind will blow into town and stay for a few days. A famous film from the Mexican Cinema is set in one of these storms, out in the dunes of the Pinacate Biosphere reserve.

‘Viento Negro’, or Black Wind, was made in 1964 and tells it’s story around true events that happened during the construction of the railway that connected the State of Baja California with the rest of Mexico.

As part of National Conservation Week (October 27th through 31st), the Cine Club of Puerto Penasco presents the film during  its’ regular Tuesday night event, CineMartes. Every week, the patio of Puerto Viejo Coffee shop finds a gathering of film buffs, as well as those who like to enjoy a pleasant outside event while the weather is so nice.

Admission is free, and the film starts at 8:30pm. Puerto Viejo is located in the Old Port, one block off of the Malecon on Calle Zaragoza, across from the main church.

This one just in. The band Ruca is playing Saturday, October 25th for two shows at two different bars, right on Rocky Point’s Malecon.

Ruca is built around the songs of Haley GrigItis, as well as her great voice. She and the band normally perform in Phoenix, but were in Rocky Point this past July playing at the Summer Beach Party. Ruca’s music is mix of pop and reggae.

This time, they are at Beach Bum Restaurant and Bar from 2pm till 5pm, then across the street at Boo Bar from 8pm till 11pm. Yikes, maybe they need some help carrying there equipment?

Ruca’s music is fun. If you are in town, come check them out. Get a sample and find out more at casaruca.com or http://www.reverbnation.com/rucamusic

Most people know Jerry Canez from all of the catering he does for local weddings. Or from teaching culinary courses at the local university. His real home base though is Players Sports Bar. Yes, he finds time to offer a place for local sports fans to unwind with a cold beer and some good food.

On a recent night, some of us went to check out Players. As expected, there were plenty of big screen T.V.’s on the wall so you could be immersed in the game of your choice. Not being a particularly big sports fan, I came to check out the food!

Specifically, we went to try the wings. Wings seem to be universal, and Rocky Point has a lot of places claiming to offer the best. Knowing Jerry’s cooking from events he has catered, I figured his were a good bet.

We started with a hamburger, just because. What’s nice about the hamburgers here is that Jerry’s makes their own buns,l

and it shows. Flavored with herbs and spices, they really make the burger special. The wings come in a variety of flavors – barbeque, atomic, etc. We decided to try two of the unusual ones. First was the Tamarindo.

Tamarindo, if you haven’t tried it, is a citrusy – brown sugary syrup that is used in a lot of Mexican cooking. Sweet and tart, here it is mixed with tiny crushed chiltepin chiles. These can be super hot, so we asked for medium. Good choice. A nice mix of flavors, but not too spicey.

Next up was the habanero chile with pineapple. The pineapple is pureed till it is like an apple sauce. To this sweetness is added the famously fiery habanero. This one we for sure wanted to back off the heat. No problem, as it turned out. In fact I could have used a little more. But what a great combination of flavors! For those who like ‘hot’, This could be your new favorite.

If you thought there was nothing new to satisfy a chicken wing craving, try Player’s Sports Bar.

Players is located on Blvd. Benito Juarez, the main street. It is on the right coming into town, just past the Plaza de la Madre and a block before Burger King. You can contact them at 638 115 0983.

Rocky Point Rally number fourteen is just around the corner (Nov. 6 – 9). Will there be a big turn out? Last years Rally topped seven thousand, which is pretty darned good. But you never know.

One thing for sure is that there are people in Rocky Point who always play a big part in the show, no matter what. As a Gold Sponsor for this years Rally, Seaside Reservations wants to take the time to recognise those who are always in the thick of it.

While you may see Jill Michell on her bike during the Rocky Point Rally, you are just as likely to see her behind a bar. Working.

“They asked us at the last minute if the band Mogollon could be in front of my bar a few years ago. Which was great, my little place on the Mirador was packed. Except we didn’t have time to stock up, so after a while we were full of people just sorta hanging out” says Jill.

This year, that won’t be the case. South Side Jillz, her new place, opens this month in time for the Rally. “This building was on the original Playa Hermosa, then they built the land out around it. It is a real piece of Rocky Point history, and I’d like to give back and get the place up and running” she says.

Located at the top of Calle 13, bright blue, can’t-miss-it South Side Jillz is a natural turn around point for bikers cruising the bars and other entertainment options the street has to offer. Count on finding pool tables and maybe the longest bar in town.

While we talk, we hear another bike roaring up the street. Max Fu stops in. He is part of the Rocky Point Riders, the towns own motorcycle club. Time to get some bike photos.

“Hey c’mon Tony, we wannna dance!” Sun setting on the back patio of Colin’s Cantina, someone calls out from one of the tables. Tony Jimenez is just finishing setting up the equipment and lights for his regular Thursday evening set. “O.K., ready” he says, and strums the first chord on his guitar.

Definitely ´un-plugged’, the mood is just right for hanging out with friends, watching the stars come out, maybe dancing with your honey. More people arrive as a waiter brings guacamole, chips, and mugs of beer frosted over with ice.

¨We are owners here. We love that we can just walk over to Colin´s.¨ the lady tells me. She takes a seat as the song ends, even though her grand kids try to pull her back up for more dancing. Colin´s Cantina is by the entrance to the Princesa Resort, and is open to the public. ¨Wanna dance?¨ she says, and nods her head towards the kids, ¨with them!¨

A slow country song from Tony saves me. Tony plays Thursdays at Colin´s, from 6pm until 8pm. On weekends you can find him playing and singing at Boobar on the Malecon with his group, The BooBoys.

Colin´s Cantina really is the local corner bar-restaurant. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Colin´s is also the place to show up to watch the game, have a burger, and something cold on tap. They are open seven days a week, with Happy Hour from 4pm till 6pm.

Taking a bite of my shrimp taco, I look up to see the two grand daughters staring at me, arms crossed. At that very moment, Tony hits the first notes of ¨Brown Eyed Girl¨. Ah, who could say no.

Tony Jimenez sings and plays guitar Thursday nights from 6pm until 8pm at Colin´s Cantina, located at the entrance to the Princesa de Penasco Resort. Colin´s hours are Monday and Tuesday, 12pm til 8pm, and Wednesday through Sunday 8am til 10pm. You can contact them at 638 382 8020 or on Facebook.                                                                                                                                                 by Richard Scott

After music on Friday and Saturday night (this past October 10th and 11th) that incuded the inaugural performance of Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers inside Banditos, RCPM guitarist Jim Dalton lead a leisuely Sunday of song and drink for those that remained of the previous nights sold out audience. And there where quit a few!

Dalton and friends (see photos) played for a good long time, set just the right vibe, and got everyone looking forward to the next appearance of the group in Rocky Point.

 

Hobie Cat lovers got together this past weekend for the 14th Pinata Regatta. Rocky Point cooperated with it’s usual awesome warm and sunny weather.

Two times a year, fleets from Tucson and Phoenix get together to do what they love, based out of the Playa Bonita RV Resort. As always, the event delivers a beautiful splash of colors to the waters of Rocky Point.

Congratulations to champions and Puerto Peñasco regulars Heather and Brian Heffernan.

I just had to stop. After having driven by this corner many times, here was something new. A bright red VW beetle was parked there, with a small crowd gathered around it. While it is not unusual to see one of these old classics still being driven in Rocky Point, seeing one with hot dogs sizzling on a grill where the seats should be is.

 

On Freemont Blvd., right past the Bomberos (firefighters) you will find it. Just the thing for a low cost, late night snack. (Three hot dogs and a half liter of Coca Cola is a snack, right?) Wrapped in bacon and set in a soft, fluffy, chewy, bun (the kind you never see in the U.S.), your hotdog can now be topped with any of the condiments laid out along the VW’s driver side. Cucumbers in cream, grated carrots with oregano, nacho cheese and more awaits.

“Salchi what?” I ask. “Salchipapas” says the man holding the tongs behind the grill. This, he says, is their specialty. “O.K., uno por favor.” He gives me a look that says “of course”, as if ordering two would be ridiculous.

His assistant tosses potato slices in a metal basket. But where the heck is he gonna…? Scooting around to the back of the Bug, he pulls open the hood where the engine used to be. A deep fryer! Genius!

I wait impatiently to find out what exactly it is that I have ordered. “This originated in Peru” the assistant tells me as he drops the fries onto paper to drain. Maybe the ancient Inca were into hotdogs too? With a big knife the cook chops two bacon wrapped dogs into little pieces, then scoops them into a basket with the spuds.

“Con todo?” (“With everything?”). Since I said yes, I get mayonaise, catsup, mustard, and some nice grilled onions. The assistant suggests adding nacho cheese, that’s how they do it in Peru dontcha know?

Judging by the small crowd of customers here tonight (and everynight), I am not the only one who appreciates the food and friendlyness at… “Hey, what is the name of this place?” The cook looks up to the street light as he considers the answer. I guess no one ever asked before. The VW Beetle has a different nickname depending what country you are in. In the U.S., it is the Bug. In Brazil, the Samba. And in Mexico? “El Vocho” he tells me. One of the easiest ‘restaurants’ to find in Rocky Point, go to Freemont and look for the bright red Vocho with steam coming out of the back.

By Richard Scott

Colins Cantina sits at the entrance to the Princesa de Penasco Resort. New this year, Colins has become the neighborhood diner and corner bar all rolled into one.

Colins offers Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner six days a week (closed Wednesdays). On the menu can be found baskets full of tasty fish tacos, a chicken burger topped with real Hatch green chili, or over sized chicken fingers served with the house chipotle cream sauce for dipping.

Portions tend towards the large. I tried the Chimichanga (pictured above). It is filled with beef or chicken and deep fried to a golden brown. Presented in true dinner style with guacamole, sour cream, fries and beans on the side. Caramba!

Breakfast is a mix of Mexican and American favorites, from Machaca and eggs to lox and bagels, with all you would expect in between. One serious contender for best breakfast in town are the blueberry bacon pancakes. Big and fluffy, they tell me that a lot of time went into finding the correct ratio of bacon bits to blueberries. Sounds like an excuse to pig out to me!

Little Colins has recently been expanded with a new dining area, bringing in some corner booths and more tables. The folks who work at Colins really are friendly, and if you are spending time down at the Princesa pool, dont be surprised to see a waiter in with a big sombrero come around asking if you would like to order snacks aor something to drink. Now thats serrvice.

Colins Cantina is open to the public, and is easy to find at the entrance to the Princesa Resort on Rocky Points Sandy Beach.