Tom McCormick Honored

As the season draws to a close, we say good bye to all our friends, among whom we count dearly, Tom McCormick.  Tom left this world behind and has gone ahead but his friends and fellow golfers stopped a moment this morning to remember him.  This memorial bench is located at Tom & Sally’s favorite hole, the #4 here at Estrella del Mar. Next time you pass, take a seat, enjoy the view.

Furniture Sale Update

I have added prices to my list of furniture for sale.  Just scroll down to see it!!

 

I have added a vacuum to the list!

Check Your Debit Card Balance

The word downtown is that some debit card numbers have been duplicated and used especially when using Santender ATMs. Might be a good idea to check your balance just in case.

Emergency Message to American Citizens Living and Traveling in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico

This is to advise American citizens living and traveling in Mazatlan about recent violent crimes at locations frequented by residents and tourists.  Between August 6^th and August 8^th there were three armed robberies at three popular locations within a three block radius in the city.

• On August 8, 2011  Fruteria Alicia on Aquiles Serdan Street between Mariano Escobedo and Constitucion, was robbed at gunpoint.  Alicias is a popular fresh fruit market in the downtown area.

• Customers, waitresses and the bartender at Edgar’s bar were robbed at gunpoint on August 7, 2011.  Edgar’s bar is at the corner of Aquiles Serdan and Mariano Escobedo’s Street, a block from the City Hall, and is it is popular spot among American tourists and residents.

• Another downtown bar,  Club Bar 21, located on Angel Flores and Teniente Azueta was robbed at gunpoint on August 6, 2011, at around 8:30 at night.

U.S. citizens are advised to adhere to the following recommendations to reduce the risk of falling victim to local crime:

• Avoid outside cafes and exterior dining areas of restaurants that abut streets and pedestrian walkways.
• Avoid, as much as possible, open display of valuable items (IPOD, jewelry, Blackberry…etc)
• Do not use public buses or hail taxis directly off the street; taxis are permitted, but the U.S. Consulate strongly urges individuals to call radio dispatched taxi companies.
• Avoid walking home late at night; if you must then attempt to do so using the “buddy-system”.

Be alert to your personal security situation at all times and please let Consular Agency Mazatlan or U. S. Consulate General Hermosillo know if you are a victim of crime.

They All Sail Away Eventually

For those of you who knew my Mother, Yvonne, a very special soul who loved Estrella dearly, you need to know that she has left us behind. She passed away very quietly last week, just before the Royal Wedding that she anticipated so sweetly. The next day, the photo book I had made of her visit with us, just two short weeks ago, arrived. Her face was so delighted to be sitting by our pool, warming by our bonfire, enjoying our shrimp at Lety’s and Mariscos ISSA. Too short… too short.

Where in the World Is?????

I need to get Willie Routman’s cookbook to her but I don’t know when she might be here.  Does anyone know?

Also, I need to return the hotel certificates that the Cunliffe’s donated to the Silent Auction (they drew no bids). Does anyone know how to contact them?

Neither Rain Nor Cold Nor Dark of Night…

If anyone has mail they would like to have mailed this weekend, let me know. I fly out on Continental to Houston Sunday.

Also, don’t forget to set your clocks forward Sunday morning.

Pacific Time

Don’t forget that, while our clocks did not change, those at home did. This means that when you call your mother at night, it will be an hour earlier. It also means that your favorite TV shows will be on an hour earlier. Mexico will go on DST in a couple of weeks.

Emergency Information

Did you have a plan yesterday?  I know we didn’t need one, but someday, we might. One upshot of last week’s US Consular Agency meeting in Mazatlan was the distribution of Emergency Services information. We, here at Estrella del Mar, are very well off due to our built in emergency services. We have three EMTs on staff and one is always on duty 24/7. You can meet them, or at least 2 of them on the Staff Bios page. If you have an emergency, all you have to do is call the Las Villas Hotel. Their direct number is 915-5850. If you do not have a phone, there is one in the lobby. When using that phone, all you need to do is dial “3034″. All the desk clerks speak good English and will know how to help you.

Additionally, the Consular Agency has the following emergency services contact list:

• Their website – hermosillo.usconsulate.gov/mazatlan.html
• Their telephone – 01-669-916-5889 daytime. 045-669-918-0303 after hours.
• Their email – mazagent@prodigy.net.mx

To receive travel alerts, simply click on the link on the blogroll in the right hand column of this eBulletin Board. To reiterate, the web address is travel.state.gov.

The Consular Agency strongly suggests that you register with them. This is so they will know where to look for you in case of extreme disaster. Go to travelregistration.state.gov to sign up.

If you are off the property and need to contact emergency services the Mexican equivalent to 911 is O66 for land lines and  O88 from you mobile phone. Not all operators speak English so be prepared to ask for an English speaker. Just say “Ingles?” (ing-glaze?). If there is not one available, be prepared to read the following Spanish translation. You can get a copy of this “cheat sheet” at the US Consular Agency. They are located in the lobby of the Playa Mazatlan Hotel in the Golden Zone. Or better yet, just stop by Condo 105 and I’ll make you a copy.

1. Me llamo….. (my name is….)
2. Quiero reportar un incendio…….emergencia médica…..un crimen……un accidente. I want to report a fire…. a medical emergency….a crime….an accident.
3. La dirreción es….. The address is….  Say the street name with a nearby corner (esquina de) or a nearby large store or building.
4. Then call the consulate.

The Consular Agency has the following Security Hints:

• Be unpredictable in your schedule.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Avoid choke points and be wary of diversions. Leave space enough to pull out and around the car in front of you.
• If you are being followed or harassed by someone in another vehicle, drive directly to a police station, newspaper office, hospital or other large public facility. Do not stop, do not get out of your car.
• Do not reveal any personal information where you night be overheard.
• Know your driving route. Avoid getting lost. Avoid roads with few crossroads.
• Park in a secure, well lighted space. Be prepared to pay the parking attendant. He will watch your car. Beware if he is not there when you come back. Remember where you parked. Avoid wandering about as if lost.
• Secrete your purchases in the trunk.
• Do not carry cash. Use your credit card if possible. Carry keys, cash & cards separately from each other.
• Use indoor ATMs.
• If you plan on being away overnight, inform someone of your travel plans.
• Carry a copy of your passport and leave the original safely at home.
• Play the “what if” game and think of what evasive actions you might take if you suddenly find yourself in a dangerous situation.
• Beware of motorcycles or bicycles with two riders.
• Be sure you have plenty of gas and good tires.
• If confronted by a gunman who wants your vehicle, give it up immediately.

There has been a Mexican Government warning out since late December to Mexican doctors, teachers and social workers to avoid travel to the mountain communities surrounding Mazatlan. This includes Concordia, Copala, La Noria, Recodo, and El Quelite. The safest way to visit these places is via well marked, large tourist vans or buses. The carnage that occurred over Carnaval happened at 5 am in the basement parking lot of a popular nightclub… not a place most tourists would be. Be smart. Be informed. Be safe.

Cook Books Are Sold Out!

The iQue Sabroso! Cook has sold out on the first day!! For those of you who are not in residence, don’t worry.  Kris has your copy safely put away for when you arrive.  The $25 “Plain Jane” version was available only to those who prepaid. If you would like to upgrade your Plain Jane to a “Jayne Mansfield” ($45), please let me know and I will have the upgrade completed before your arrival.  Just drop me an email or put a comment on the blog.