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Gringo Gazette

‘¡Que Viva Cine Latino!’ Outdoor Film Series Returns this September with Selena, COCO, Ana Serradilla, y más!

San Ysidro, CA (August 27, 2019) – The San Diego Latino Film Festival is proud to announce the return of it’s Outdoor Latino film series, ¡Que Viva Cine Latino!, to San Ysidro this September. The series, presented by Las Americas Premium Outlets, will showcase some of the latest and best Latino films under the stars.

Movie lovers will enjoy outstanding and renowned Latino movies in a unique, outdoor setting. The event will take place every Wednesday in September (4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th) beginning at 6:30 p.m. with live entertainment, art exhibits and costume contests at select screenings at the Paseo del Arte corridor at Las Americas Premium Outlets, located between the Old Navy and Coach stores.

“We are pleased to host ¡Que Viva Cine Latino! for the third consecutive year. This is a phenomenal opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate Latinx culture in a family-friendly setting.” said Megan Madrigal, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Las Americas Premium Outlets. “We are proud of our partnership with the Media Arts Center San Diego and encourage guests to come enjoy live music, movies and much more.”

The film selection will feature this year’s romantic comedy La Boda de mi Mejor amigo starring Ana Serradilla (September 4th); the animated adventure film Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse (September 11th); Selena, the biographical drama about the Tejano music star Selena (September 18th); and Coco, the Pixar sensation and new animated classic celebrating Día de los Muertos (September 25th).

All screenings are free and open to the public, with seating available on a first-come basis. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets and grab a snack at one of the many food locations throughout the center.

 

About Las Americas Premium Outlets®

Las Americas Premium Outlets offers more than 125 outlet stores, including impressive savings at Adidas, Banana Republic, Kipling, Disney Outlet, Calvin Klein, Coach, Gap Factory Store, Guess, J.Crew Factory, kate spade new york, Michael Kors, Nike Factory Store, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Bahama, Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour and more. The property is located in the southern region of San Diego County, off I-5, the primary north-south corridor on Camino de la Plaza, the last exit before the international border crossing into Mexico. For more information, visit www.premiumoutlets.com/lasamericas or call 619-934-8400. Follow Las Americas Premium Outlets on Twitter and Instagram at @lasamericaspo, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lasamericaspremiumoutlets.

 

About Simon

Simon is a global leader in retail real estate ownership, management and development and an S&P100 company (Simon Property Group, NYSE:SPG). Our industry-leading retail properties and investments across North America, Europe, and Asia provide shopping experiences for millions of consumers every day and generate billions in annual sales. For more information, visit simon.com.

 

About Media Arts Center San Diego

Media Arts Center San Diego, a 501 c(3) non-profit organization, has been promoting independent cinema and teaching the art of filmmaking for over 24 years in the San Diego – Baja California Region. Its programs and services include Youth Media & Tech Camps, Teen Producers Project, the Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival, Digital Gym CINEMA, iVIE Awards & Student Film Festival, and Community Video Production Services.

Creative Gastronomy Comes to Town

BY DANIELLE WILLIAMS

Tripping at Viaje is what I like to do on a mellow Sunday afternoon on the terrasse of the newer restaurant in town, VIAJE, COCINA DEL MUNDO.  Cool jazz from a 4-piece ensemble, a glass of Chardonnay, and having just polished off an order of enfrijoladas – a sort of chicken crepes in a luscious bean sauce redolent of pasillas chiles – takes me close to Nirvana, or maybe pig’s heaven with an ocean view.

Open with much fanfare in February, Viaje is located midtown Rosarito in the Quinta del Mar complex. You drive through the arch and it is a straight shot around the fountain.

The building had been a restaurant in a former incarnation some 15 years ago when it burned down.  In came Jerome Gombert, a talented and ambitious Frenchman with successful restaurant experience in San Diego (Vagabond in North Park).  He had the vision to turn the structure into the stunning establishment it has become. Assisted by designer Roderick Shade of Architectural Digest fame, he has created an airy, elegant, yet hip space. The design takes advantage of existing exposed structural elements: the cellar, the vintage tile and wide plank wood floor, and wall niches. It has two distinct areas: a refectory style room around an oyster bar with two dozen huge lanterns to offset the bare bone feeling; in sharp contrast you then proceed to an explosion of colors and textures for a 1001-nights feeling provided by kilometers of draped sari fabrics in the two cozy rooms adjoining the patio.

When alone, I sit at the bar for a chat with Jeser, the amiable bartender. As a bonus, it affords a full view of the open kitchen with pedigreed chef, Jonathan  Casas, and his team in action. Everything is prepared to order with mostly local ingredients: organic veggies from the Guadalupe Valley and seafood from Ensenada and San Quintin.

Viaje, meaning “travel” offers a culinary tour of the world with an eclectic selection of French, Peruvian, Moroccan, and Chinese preparations.  I have not tried it all, but the steak tartare is for me a near addiction: chopped to order fresh sirloin with assorted spices. Jonathan’s rendition of bouillabaisse, the French fish soup, is another favorite.  If you are fussy about your oysters, you’ll love these plump, sweet on the shell – the best anywhere.  My companions have raved about the various ceviches which  I have not tried yet, but looked like works of art.

Several times, the attendance was minimal making me think that Viaje has not yet appeared on everyone’s radar.  I have heard that some folks are intimidated by the exotic touch and fear high prices. In reality, the prices are reasonable and the place is unpretentious as is Jerome whose hospitality makes you feel at home. As of this writing, there is a happy hour from 5-7 on weekdays with music on Friday. Try it, enjoy it, and why not toss a coin in the fountain on your way out.

Classifieds

Calafia 3BR Condo for Sale  https://calafiacondo.wordpress.com

ENSENADA CITY LIGHTS: 3BR/2BA quality view home for rent minutes from downtown. 2500 sq ft. Sundeck, patio, garden, fireplace. Hi-speed Internet & Direct TV available. $1000/mo. Armando at 646-171-6806 or email bajaConstruc20@hotmail.com (#15)

FOR RENT ENSENADA 3bedroom, 2bath, like new, 1carport, fenced, secure, near Costco, $500/mo. cell 646-161-5613 (#14)

Large 2 bedroom 2 bath house located on view property in La Mision. Glassed in porch,and 2 patios on heavily landscaped private lot. Fenced parking for 2 cars. Free WIFI and free water.call US 619 270 8991 or Mx 646 155 0011.

New for sale! Just listed fantastic house with coastal, ocean and mountain views! Partially furnished and comes with washer/dryer. 2 Large lots, 2 br 2 bath, double garage w/ automatic door opener, out-shed, large shaded palapa patio, quiet neighborhood, secure gated american community. La mision area. 45 Easy minutes to the us border via freeway, 5 minutes from great restaurants, bars, and activities. Only $149,000 usd. Owner financing available with substantial down payment-email me for more info. Also same area 2 br 2 bath only $39,000. Plus long term rentals available $300 and up. E-mail mexico-real-estate@hotmail.Com… 30 Years in fantastico mexico ! Lucky me! Give me a call …Bill’s Baja Bargains 760 554 4238 mex 646 155 0029

Large 2 bedroom 2 bath house located on view property in La Mision. Glassed in porch,and 2 patios on heavily landscaped private lot. Fenced parking for 2 cars. Free WIFI and free water.call US 619 270 8991 or Mx 646 155 0011.

Rosarito Calendar of Events

Every Monday through Friday, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm; Pickleball at the Rosarito Pickleball Complex and Training Camp at Parque Reforma (west of Pabellon center – turn left at Oxxo). Three courts. $2 court fee per day. Bring water and folding chair. Facebook.com/ Rosarito Pickleball for all information.

Every Monday, 10:45 am, duplicate bridge at Baja Gold Bridge Club, KM 42 at the Rosarito Beach Christian Church. bajagoldcoastbridgeclub@gmail.com.

Every Tuesday, 10 – 11 am, Chair Yoga at IMAC Rosarito, Salon 3 (behind Banamex). To register, send name and phone number to wellnesshealingliving@gmail.com.

Every Second Tuesday, 1 pm; The Baja Business Club Unlimited Meeting (BBCU) at Ruben’s Restaurant (k 43). Network with other local business professionals. Chuck Smith: Gorgeouswomenofbaja@gmail.com for more information.

Every Tuesday – Rotary Club meets at Rosarito Beach Hotel. 664-376-2620.

Every Tuesday, 10 – 11 am; Chair Yoga with Erendira Abel at IMAC, Salon 3. eabel@bajaexpatservices.pro.

Every Wednesday, 10:30 am – 12 pm; Learn Spanish Naturally at IMAC Rosarito, at the Library. To register, send name and phone number to eabel@bajaexpatservices.pro.

Every Wednesday, 10:30 am – 12 pm; Speak Spanish Naturally with Erendira Abel at IMAC Library. eabel@bajaexpatservices.pro.

Every Wednesday, 10am – 12pm; Adult painting class at IMAC Rosarito in the main park. Bilingual instructor. 200 peso registration/ 300 pesos per month. IMACRosarito@gmail.com; Facebook/imacrosarito.

Every Wednesday, 7:30 – 9:00 am; Tai Chi classes with certified instructor Eugenio Encinas at Galeria Fausto Polanco Rosarito. 350 pesos per month. Alyce: 664-368-6733; Alberto: 661-125-9191.

Every Second Wednesday (except December). 10 am. Friends of the Library meeting at CEART Rosarito. Promotes reading and literacy in Rosarito. www.friendsofthelibrary.com.mx. 661-612-3659.

Every Third Wednesday of the Month (except December), Flying Samaritan’s General Meeting at Villas Del Mar (k 31.5). www.flyingsamaritansrosarito.org;  Susansmithz@hotmail.com; 1-858-234-2360; 661-100-6066.

Every Third Wednesday (except December) 1:00 – 4:00 pm, Flying Samaritan’s Outrageous Bingo at Popotla Jr. Restaurant (across from El Nido – formerly California Fresh), Food and Drink specials; free parking behind restaurant; Six games, 4 cards for $10; Karen: kajomc@yahoo.coojm; (US) 1-818-515-0067l (MX) 664-609-3419.

Second and Fourth Wednesday, 1 pm; Cruz Roja Primo Tapia Bingo at El Pescador Restaurant. 6 games/ 2 cards for $5. Reduced price menu; Jamesphausmann@gmail.com; 1-623-217-9795.

Every Other Thursday 12 pm; Baja Wordsmiths Writing group meets at L’Estancia Restaurant (turn at the wooden water wheel). Bring something to write with. RSVP to Facebook.com/ Baja Wordsmiths for date.

Every Thursday. 8:30 am. Local Board of Realtors (APIR) meets at Oceana Grill. Good place for buyers or sellers to find a Realtor

Every Second Thursday. 10 am. Cruz Roja Volunteers, Rosarito Chapter General Meeting NOW at Beach Comber Rest. . www.cruzrojarosarito.org.mx; President: Mary Moreno, miqueridomx@yahoo.com.

Every Third Thursday. 10 am. General Meeting for FRAO, Foreign Residents Assistance Office. Open to the public. Calafia Hotel.  Speaker’s presentation. FRAO@Rosarito.gob.mx.

Every Friday, 12 – 2 pm; Adult painting class at IMAC Rosarito in the main park. Bilingual instructor. 200 pesos registration/ 300 pesos monthly. IMAC Rosarito@gmail.com; Facebook/imacrosarito.

Every Monday and Friday (that is NOT a Mexican holiday) 11 am – 1 pm; Free beginner and intermediate Spanish Classes at the Palacio Municpal, through the FRAO office. Contact Liz for information: 661-614-9600, ext. 1080, or email: frao@rosarito.gob.mx.

Every Saturday, 10:00 am at IMAC Central park. Chess for all ages. www.facebook.com/IMAC Rosarito.

 Every First Saturday. 10 am. United Society of Baja California (USBC) general meeting at the Titanic Room of the Calafia Hotel. Good info for the English speaking community of charitable, community service and social organizations. www.unitedsocietyofbaja.org. 664-748-3949.

Every First Saturday. Noon-sundown. Open Studio Art Walk, a free tour of galleries in Rosarito Beach Hotel commercial center. Meet artists at work in their studios. pacothepainter@hotmail.com

Every Third Saturday. 1pm. USBC, United Society of Baja California, monthly potluck dinner, at La Maroma sports bar, across from Burger King. Different theme every month. Usually live entertainment. Free. Membership $20 per year.

Second Sunday of every month, Pet sterilization by the Baja Spay and Neuter Foundation at the Centro de Diagnostico Clinico Vetrinario, ave. Queretaro #2331-3, Col Cacho, Tijuana. 200 pesos, 661-124-3619, or Robin at www.BajaSpayNeuter.org.

Last Sunday of every month, Jewish Chavurah. Gordon Kane – gordonmkane@gmail.com.

Every day but one day at a time AA Grupo Gringo meets daily #16 Mar Mediterraneo (two blocks behind Del Mar Beach Club). Saturday, 3:00; Sunday, Monday, Thursday: 10:00 am; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 6:00 pm.  Additional meetings in Cantamar (just south of the footbridge) Tuesday and Friday, 10:00 am.  661-614-1678.

September 6, Friday, 5 – 8 pm; First Friday House Party Hawaiian Style at the Rosarito Beach Parrot Head Club (located in Pikin Ziplines k 42). Live music, vendor space available. Contact Lori Chaffin at Facebook.com/ Baja Lori Chaffin.

September 7, Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm; Bill’s Baja Garage and Art Sale at Puerte del Valle plaza. 8 tables available for vendors, $20 per table. Billwelsch@gmail.com; US: 1-760-554-4238; MX: 646-155-0029.

September 7, Saturday, 10 am; USBC Monthly meeting at Calafia Hotel. Guest speakers. Find out what’s happening in the community. www.unitedsocietyofbaja.org.

September 7, Saturday, 12 – 6 pm; Bright & Shiny, Bold & Beautiful, Ladies Day Out at Baja Glass and Art Gallery at Quintas Calafia Hotel (k 35.5). Shop for beautiful items and experience Luminess Airbrush make-up demonstration (as seen on TV). Facebook.com/ Baja Glass and Art Studio.

September 7, Saturday, 5 pm; Celebrate Abelardo Rodriguez Park’s 52nd anniversary with the historical presentation: “Abelardo Rodriguez Park: Historical Panorama of a Public and Cultural Space in Playas de Rosarito” by Aaron Garcia Acosta. Facebook.com/ IMAC Rosarito.

September 7, Saturday, 5 – 9 pm; Seniors Supporting Apoyando Abuelitos (Seniors) Annual Fundraiser Fiesta at Mata Ashta (San Antonio Del Mar). Food, music, raffles! Tickets: $30 through PayPal at foodforabuelitos@gmail.com. Reggie Corsaro: foodforabuelitos@gmail.com.

September 9, Monday, 11 am – 5 pm; Casting Call at Baja Studios! Needed are extras for two television shows filming between October 2019 and May 2020; Male and female, ages 6 – 70.  No appointment necessary. Facebook.com/ Agencia BarbarellaCasting

September 12, Thursday, 10 am; Cruz Roja Rosarito General Meeting at Quintas del Mar Hotel. Facebook.com/ Cruz Roja Voluntarios Americanos de Rosarito.

September 13 – 16, Friday – Monday, 10 am – 10 pm ; Festival of the Seven Oaxacan Moles at San Fernando Plaza (across from Smart & Final).  Four days of live entertainment, marimba, folkloric dancing, with costumes and moles representing the seven regions of Oaxaca. Free entrance. Facebook.com/ Union de Empresarios Oaxaquenos.

September 14, Saturday, 12 pm; Rosarito Beer Fest by the Beach at Abelardo Rodriguez Park/IMAC (behind Banamex). Food, entertainment, vendors, and 40 different craft beers of the region. Must be 18 years old. Tickets 300 pesos, available at www.boletop.com.mx  through Facebook.com/ Rosarito Beer fest by the beach.

September 15, Sunday, 6 – 9 pm; “Viva Mexico!” with Miguel de Hoyos and Alex Depue at Hotel La Mision (k 59). Tickets available at Hotel La Mision. 646-155-0333; Facebook.com/ Hotel La Mision.

September 20 & 21, Friday & Saturday; Pat’s Pub n Tub South of the Border Golf weekend at Vista Hermosa (formerly Bobby’s by the Sea). Must book by September 8. Baja Mar Golf Resort. Fiesta at Vista Hermosa Saturay night for all (even non-golfers).  Info, reservations and tickets: Isidro / Abel: 1-619-810-7666; Krista: 1-714-269-0920.

Casting Call! Extras Needed!

Monday, September 9th, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm at Baja Studios, Rosarito. Extras needed for two television shows filming between October 2019 and May 2020. The Barbarella Casting Agency is looking for men and women of all ages (6 – 70), all sizes, all “looks.” Especially needed: Men with hair and mustaches in full growth.

What to expect: Have your photo taken; have measurements taken for costumes, and provide your name and contact information. No appointment needed – Just show up.

Are you a SmartTraveler?

Are you a US Citizen who is a long-term resident of Baja California?  Or a casual tourist, just visiting for a few days?

Either way, there’s a great free resource for you available from the US State Department!  Smart Traveler is the official State Department app for U.S. travelers.  It provides access to frequently-updated official country information, travel alerts, travel warnings, maps, U.S. embassy locations, and more. With Smart Traveler, you can create personal itineraries, add notes, and organize your trips.

Smart Traveler also provides access to the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment enables the State Department to better assist you in emergencies such as natural disasters, unrest in foreign countries, or lost/stolen passports overseas. During your travels, STEP can help your family and friends reach you in an emergency. Smart Traveler also provides quick access to the Department’s Consular Affairs Facebook and Twitter pages.

To get started, go to your app store and search for “Smart Traveler”.  Download the app to your mobile device, and follow the on-screen directions to register for STEP.  Part of the process includes identifying where you are (or will be), and for how long, as well as providing identification and address details.  This allows email alerts specific to your geographical location to be sent in the event of natural disasters or other issues

Wherever you’re going, stay safer and use the SmartTraveler app and STEP.  You’ll be glad you did!

Mexican Immigration Is Checking Your Status

A few checkpoints and even some raids have been set up by the Mexican Immigration Office in Tijuana in order to check the immigration status of foreigners living here.

Alejandro Ruiz, head of the office in Baja California, stated that these efforts were initiated because of the massive influx of Central American immigrants that got here in recent months, but that they were not limited to them. Any foreigner that passes through an immigration checkpoint will be asked for its documents, and Ruiz says that these operations will continue for months to come. Although there have not been any reported deportation of US citizens this might be an excellent time to consider legalizing your status here. At the time authorities are being lenient with people that have expired permits but are they are said to be following up on their renewal.

Alexander Magnum, the coordinator of the Foreign Residents Attention Office in Rosarito, stated in FRAO’s facebook page that it was important for all Americans living here to have legal residency documents in order. He is gathering signatures from foreigners to try and lower the USD 1,200 minimum income requirement for temporary residency to $900.

Although the process of getting your temporary or permanent residency in order is not as difficult as it is in the US, most foreigners never start the paperwork since immigration laws were not really enforced around here.

Love at First Bark

Kyle, left, 1 year old; Sarah, right, 3 years old. A love story from Los Adoptables, the magic kingdom where dogs and cats find happiness, a safe and healthy environment, and learn that humans make good pets!

Contact Los Adoptables for information about adopting Rock or any of his friends at the shelter. Call them at: (646) 187 8693, email info@losadoptables.org or visit their website www.losadoptables.org.

It’s All in the Cards

BY ORLANDO GOTAY

Earthquakes can be catastrophic events due to massive forces and unpredictability. Science always looks for clues to figure out when the next “big one” will arrive.  In the tax arena, I can’t predict, but there’s an earthquake looming– aimed at persons who own, trade or use virtual currencies (“crypto”).

The IRS responds slowly to technology. Early 2014 guidance simply said crypto was “property” and that crypto income or gain just had to be reported like any other property.

In November 2016, the IRS went after Coinbase, a large San Francisco based crypto exchange, seeking trader information. In 2017 the IRS won– a list of persons with at least one transaction of $20,000 or more between 2013 and 2015.

In June 2019, the IRS sent letters to 10,000 persons urging “review” of tax reporting on account of crypto transactions. Two additional versions of the letter exist, in which the IRS states “potential misreporting” of transactions, or even requesting specific taxpayer responses.

This month, H.M. Revenue and Customs (the British IRS) requested user names and transaction data from UK-based exchanges. The tectonic plates are beginning to shift all over. Tax administrators have seen not just massive money floating around, but unreported and untaxed money.

From IRS court filings: “There has been an explosion of billions of dollars of wealth in just a few years from bitcoin, a significant amount of which has no doubt accrued to United States taxpayers, with virtually no third-party reporting to the IRS of that increase in income.”

And that takes me to the next point, the likely earthquake.

So far, “foreign” crypto is not reportable under Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR) or Form 8938, Report of Specified Foreign Financial Assets. But all those IRS letters can’t be seen in isolation; they must be part of a broader effort. That could be updated guidance, including new reporting requirements for “foreign” crypto.  And if this concerns you, you should follow this closely.

If “foreign” crypto holdings are reportable, I would expect some type of shoehorning into existing FBAR/8938 reporting schemes…akin to a square peg in a round hole. This would likely require potentially massive information gathering from its owners, just to be able to comply. I would urge crypto holders to look immediately at their holdings, and to begin getting a grasp of the magnitude of data that could be needed: exchanges, transactions, digital wallets, valuation of e-coin, and more.  Forewarned is forearmed!

 

Orlando Gotay is a California licensed tax attorney (with a Master of Laws in Taxation) admitted to practice before the IRS, the U.S. Tax Court and other taxing agencies.  His love of things Mexican has led him to devote part of his practice to federal and state tax matters of U.S. expats in Mexico.  He can be reached at tax@orlandogotay.com or Facebook: GotayTaxLawyer.  This is just a most general outline. It is informational only and not meant as legal advice.

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