Dear Bella Sirena Homeowners,

Dear Bella Sirena Homeowners,
It is my hope that you enjoy our 'Third Quarter Newsletter' and, of course, my letter. It is also my
hope that this letter finds everyone well and happy, enjoying a summer filled with family and fun
activities.
I can tell you without fear of denial that this year has been the busiest summer season for Bella
Sirena rentals and for tourists in general to our lovely fishing village of Puerto Penasco. When the
government project of our 'Home Cruise Port' gets underway, the tourist numbers will grow along
with our property values and condominium/villa sales. You might be wondering why the 'Home
Cruise Port' project has not begun, and I wish there were some definitive answers. In my humble
capacity, I have none for you. I can only tell you that the Mexican government has funded the
project. Whether the delay in getting started is 'bid reviews' or some 'engineering delay' I cannot
say. The good news is that tourists and visitors are coming back in good numbers. Bella Sirena's
inventory is just about depleted, except for some penthouses. A few business minds feel we can
perhaps have double-digit increases by the end of the year.
Homeowners,
My letters usually begin with my rambling about the constant sun, soft blue skies, and the lovely Sea
of Cortez...just wanted to make you wait a couple of paragraphs for it. Some of you might have bets
wagered! "Betcha he starts his letter with 'soft blue skies, constant sun, and the lovely Sea of
Cortez..." If such bets were made, my compliments to the winners.
What’s Inside?
President’s Letter
Commercial Flights
In Puerto Penasco
Happenings at Bella Sirena
Patti Giles
Member at Large
Real Estate Update
Fideicomisos are not Trusts
Employee’s Father’s Day
As some of you know, my term as president of the HOA Board ends at the end of October. That is
good news for some, perhaps, but with such a lovable personality and gracious nature, not too very
likely. I should quickly add that I would not be running for the BOD again, and, in fact, will be taking
early leave and returning to my home state of Tennessee... This is likely the last letter you will
receive from me. I do hope that the 'President Letters' and the 'Quarterly Newsletters' continue. In
the midst of my sometime silly utterances, hopefully there have been some news items that have
been helpful and positive for you.
Reuben Honored
Kevin Garcia will be taking over as President upon my departure, while maintaining the position of
Treasurer until the November elections. I couldn’t leave Bella Sirena in more capable hands.
Classifieds
More good news: Patti Giles is to serve out the rest of my term as an ‘At Large’ board member.
Anyone who knows Patti knows that she is Bella Sirena all the way. She even has Nate (her German
Shepherd) trained in the Mexican language.
The following 'Third Quarter Newsletter' has most of the news. It's my wish to convey to you this
simple statement: It has been my pleasure to serve you in this BOD capacity, and it is my hope that
all your hopes and wishes are in transit to you. Bless you all.
Sincerely,
New Employee
Website Links
Personal Training
Pinacate Biosphere
Feeling Good at the Beach
The Doctor will See You
Bill Chitwood
Good Bye Bill & Julie
Bill Chitwood - President
BELLA SIRENA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President - Bella Sirena BOD
That’s All Folks!
_
Commercial Flights in Puerto Peñasco
The long awaited flight from Las Vegas to Rocky Point has arrived on June 20, 2013 at approximately 12:36 pm. This
landing opens the City of Puerto Peñasco to the international travel scene and adds it to the aviation flight grid and
maps of the world.
Crowds gathered at the airport to welcome the first tourist disembarking from the Aero Mexico flight. A ceremony
was held at the airport where snacks were served by the 2013 TOP Chef winner (Chef Neftali Ponce) and the mayor
Gerardo Figueroa Zazueta officially opened the new route.
The route is set up for Hermosillo to Puerto Peñasco to Las Vegas and return. The flights will be through the Aero
Mexico airlines and a connecting flight schedule will be run by Delta airlines in the US. There are approximately 280
daily connections in Las Vegas. The more than one million Mexican residents visiting Disney world every year will
now be able to fly there via Hermosillo and Puerto Peñasco by connecting in Las Vegas.
Online bookings can be done on http://www.aeromexico.com and the airport code for Rocky Point is PPE (Puerto
Peñasco). Flights will depart on Thursdays and Sundays. The flight duration will be less than two hours.
The Tourism Development Commission and the Tourism Board of Mexico signed an agreement to promote the
flights in Las Vegas and other areas where research has shown the visitors originate from. Travel agents from the
Las Vegas area visited the resorts in Puerto Peñasco during this week to evaluate and experience what our city has
to offer.
The City of Puerto Penasco has written another page in history.
Michiel Bosch
WeSellRockyPoint.com
ANNUAL HOMEOWNER’S GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING
Scheduled for Saturday, November 2, 2013
“I KNOW YOU
WANT ME”
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Video
A recently produced video highlighting Bella Sirena & Sandy Beach
has been making the rounds. Our own Ed & Carol Walencikowski
have cameo parts – of course, their kids were the ones involved in
producing the video.
“When our crew ventured to the white sand beaches of Mexico, we
discovered that Pitbull's hit, 'I Know You Want Me' quickly became
our vacation theme song.
San Diego video and media production company specializing in
Travel/Lifestyle, Fashion and Events as well as Corporate and
Commercial film, video and TV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeFLmEU4FmM&fea
ture=youtube_gdata_player
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Looking for some
Help!
If you’ve read Bill’s Presidents Letter
you are aware that Bella now needs a
new editor for the Quarterly Newsletters. Please let any member of
the board know if you are willing to take on this task. It really is a lot
of fun, even though a bit of work. But there are a lot of people willing
to pitch in with articles. And something always seems to be going on
in Penasco. As Scott Poturalski can attest to, his biggest problem was
getting me to stop gathering news. Scott is the person who does the
beautiful finishing touches and who makes it the enjoyable newsletter
that finally goes out to the homeowners. Scott, thank you so much for
putting up with me and my ‘bugging’ (someone might even go so far
as to call it ‘nagging’).
_______________________________________________________
You will also note that Patti Giles, who came within a whisker of
winning a spot on the board in November, has agreed to serve out
Bill’s remaining term as a Member at Large on the BOD.
Julie Chitwood, Editor
Patti
Giles
__
MEMBER
AT
LARGE
Patti spent over 25 years in the hospitality industry.
She worked at several five star hotel and
restaurants in many capacities ie: Beverage
manager, banquet manager, restaurant manager
and some housekeeping management when the
head housekeeper had to go out on a emergency
medical leave. In 1989 Patti joined a meeting
planning company. Her position was pre-planning
and running meetings, negotiating hotel room
rates, food and beverage pricing and meeting
space.
In 1993 she became co- owner of a travel agency.
She soon took over as sole owner. The company
immediately brought meeting planning into the
fold of what became one of the top meeting
planning companies in the US. In 2001 her
company, CLT Meetings International, was named
one of Florida’s Fastest Growing Companies and
also INC 500 # 50 of the fastest growing private
companies. In 2002, they were ranked # 482. In
2004 Patti was ranked # 1 in both Central Florida’s
Minority-Owned business and Largest WomenOwned Business. In 2001 she was a finalist of the
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year Award.
Patti had 85 full time employees and 450 free lance
independent contractors who executed the
meetings on site, one of whom owns in the A
building. The smallest Incentive Trip was 10 top
level executives while the largest meeting planned
and executed was 10,000 in Las Vegas, twice in one
year. Patti sold the company in 2007 and retired to
spend more time with her family. She continues to
consult and negotiate on behalf of several entities.
As you can see from the above, Patti will bring
many talents to her position on the board. She also
looks like a perfect fit for coming up with profitable
ideas for the Bella Sirena Resort Services arm of
Bella.
Patti and Nate, her beloved German Shepherd, can
often be seen enjoying the beauty of the Bella
Sirena grounds.
Real Estate Market
There’s no doubt that the crowds have been returning to our little stretch of
sundrenched beaches and ice cold margaritas! It’s great to see the renewed energy in
Penasco and also nice to see that the real estate market is finally moving in the right
direction! The sales activity over the past year along Sandy Beach has been impressive,
with over 160 properties sold since July, 2012. Although the sales prices were not where
we all wanted to see them, they are starting on their way up.
There are currently 222 Sandy Beach properties listed for sale, but only FOUR properties
remain for sale at Bella Sirena! The reasons for the demand at Bella are obvious and with
the new “buzz” about town, it should be another strong year ahead.
If you have any interest in listing your property, I would sincerely appreciate the opportunity
to discuss it with you. We know Bella better than anyone! - Scott Poturalski – Coastal Group
[email protected]
Fideicomisos (Mexican Land Trusts) Are Not Trusts
Really, This Time - No more filing Form 3520-3520-A!
Today, we are happy to announce that U.S. taxpayers can continue to hold their Mexican real estate—whether residential or not—through
Fideicomisos without worrying about the arcane U.S. foreign-trust reporting rules. Amy Jetel’s work helping U.S. taxpayers with this issue
over the last few years has finally led to a Revenue Ruling holding that a fideicomiso (called a “Mexican Land Trust” in the ruling) is not a
“trust” for U.S. tax purposes.
I last told you all about a private letter ruling (PLR 201245003) from the IRS on behalf of a client who owned coastal Mexican real estate. In
that PLR, the IRS held that the client’s Mexican Land Trust was not truly a “trust” under U.S. tax law. Accordingly, the U.S. reporting
requirements applicable to “foreign trusts” did not apply. However, a PLR is binding only for the taxpayer who requested it. This new
Revenue Ruling is binding authority that all taxpayers can rely on.
Thus, if you have been filing Forms 3520 and 3520-A for your fideicomiso, you can stop. However, we recommend that you file forms that
are properly marked “final” so that the IRS will not expect any more forms from you. If you need help filing final Forms 3520 and 3520-A, I
would be happy to help:).
Theresa Keeley - Santerre & Vande Krol, Ltd. (A Bella Sirena Homeowner)
Employees’ Fathers Day
New
Employee
Mario
Huerta
Saturday Jun 22, 2013, the Bella Sirena employees (men only) celebrated
Father's day at a local ranch, with a beef grill, sodas, beer, karaoke and a
cowboy show.
The Bella Sirena staff: Maintenance, housekeeping, security guards, driver
and Ruben would like to thank the Bella Sirena homeowners for a wonderful
time. Previously the ‘Moms’ had celebrated their day.
recently joined Bella Sirena’s Security
team. Mario is 34 and is married. He
was born in Mazatian, Sinaloa, and
raised in Phoenix AZ.
Mario is a welcome addition to the
Bella Sirena family.
WEBSITE LINKS
A listing of several helpful websites with a lot of information
for Bella Sirena homeowners:
www.bellasirenahoa.com
online for information for your own unit; read up on the R&Rs; check out past
newsletters and current events along with what is happening at the Azul Bar.
www.stratfordmanagement.org
keep up to date with your HOA management account.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/406201426113616/
join other homeowners in asking questions, making suggestions and keeping up
to date on what is going on at Bella Sirena as well as Penasco. If you have any
questions regarding the Facebook group, please feel free to write Cindy
Ruecker (#B202) at [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/bellasirena.rockypoint
another Facebook page relating to Bella Sirena
CLASSIFIED ADS
SEGUNDA “THIS & THAT”:
When looking for furnishings for your
condo or home check out Segunda
"This & That" at the Old Port. It is just
down the hill from the Friendly
Dolphin. New and Consigned Items.
Open Tuesday through Saturday noon
to four. Closed until October 1st.
RUBEN ROBLES BELTRAN
Honored
On July 2, 2013, Ruben Robles Beltran was elected as the President of the
Certified Public Accountants Association of Puerto Peñasco, for 2013-2014.
Fidel Ramirez (President of the Certified Public Accountants Association of
Sonora) came from Hermosillo to swear Ruben and his other Board Members
into office.
Take advantage of having a great personal trainer right here at Bella!
“Matt is an outstanding trainer! He mixes it up, makes it fun,
and definitely gets results!” – Scott P.
[email protected]
BEACH or GYM
602.628.5029
Pinacate Biosphere Reserve and Desert of Altar named World Heritage Site!
Press Release
On Friday, June 21, 2013, at the World Heritage Convention in Phnom Penh and Siam Reap, in the kingdom of Cambodia, the
Pinacate Biosphere Reserve and Grand Desert of Altar in Sonora, Mexico was named to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage
sites. It is worth noting the Pinacate was the only entrant from Latin America under consideration, with other entrants from
India, Italy, Kenya, Namibia, the Philippines, Tajikistan, Vietnam, Canada, Guinea Bissau, South Africa, and Russia.
It was not an easy process, remarks Engineer Federico Godínez Leal, Director of the Pinacate Reserve, “…it was a
tremendous collaborative effort and a four-year process dedicated to preparing the 240 page document for registry, (along
with) innumerable photographs, graphics and informative tables to fulfill all requirements. These were submitted to
UNESCO in February of 2012.” Nevertheless, the proposal to seek this status arose more than 10 years ago through the
National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP).
The Pinacate participated under the following criteria in
justifying its registry as a World Heritage Site:
* Criteria VII: Containing superlative natural phenomena or
areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic
importance;
* Criteria VIII: An outstanding example representing major
stages of earth’s history, including the record of life,
significant on-going geological processes in the
development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or
physiographic features;
* Criteria X: Containing the most important and significant
natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological
diversity, including those containing threatened species of
outstanding universal value from the point of view of
science or conservation.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to promote the identification,
protection, and conservation of sites around the world considered to have an outstanding value for humanity. The mission
of the 1972 World Heritage Convention, represented in an international treaty, is to encourage countries around the world
to protect their heritage, name sites within their borders to be part of the World Heritage List, encourage governments to
establish management plans to promote conservation within these sites, help said governments protect World Heritage
Sites through technical assistance and professional training, provide emergency assistance in cases of imminent danger,
provide governments with activities to raise awareness among the population as to the World Heritage Sites and
conservation of these, encourage of the local community in conserving the site, and encouraging international cooperation
in the conservation of the site, among others.
Pinacate Biosphere Reserve and Desert of Altar (cont.)
The most important advantage of being named a World Heritage Site is
that of belonging to an international community that appreciates and
is interested in sites with universal value, representing a conjunction of
exceptional examples. The prestige of being a country wherein a World
Heritage Site is located serves as a catalyst to increase awareness in
the preservation of this heritage. Another advantage is that of gaining
access to an annual 1 million dollar fund to help participating countries
identify, preserve, and promote World Heritage Sites. These sites also
benefit from the drawing up and application of plans with a global
scope that propose appropriate preservation measures, as well as
monitoring efforts. As additional support, the local team that manages
the site may also receive expert technical training. Registry within the
list of World Heritage Sites brings along with it greater public
awareness of the area and its value, which in turn increases
tourism. When these activities are planned correctly, and
organized
in line with
the principles
of of income for the site as
organized in line with the principles of sustainable tourism, they
can represent
an important
source
well as the local economy.
We have seen in recent years how the name of the Pinacate has found a place in the minds of those seeking pristine
landscapes, unique beauty, and rich biodiversity. There are countless reports, articles, stories, and even entertainment
programs that have increasingly promoted the site. Nevertheless, there is still much to be done and now being part of this very
important list is yet another tool toward reaching this goal.
Feeling good after a day at the beach?
Study proves benefits of spending time near the ocean
A study at the University of Exeter found several pieces of evidence which suggested living near the ocean is good for your health.
By ASHLEY COLLMAN
Did your weekend trip to the beach leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed? Well now there's science that proves exactly why you got that
feeling. A new study conducted at the University of Exeter found that there were numerous health benefits to spending time near the
ocean.
The study was presented last Wednesday at a science policy conference hosted by the American Geophysical Union. The multi-faceted
study conducted several experiments to determine whether being near a beach setting affected health.
When a person goes to the beach, It's not going to be any great surprise to you that people relax,' said study researcher Michael White. The
more complex question was how being near the beach impacted people's health. The researchers studied census data in England and found
that those who lived near the coast reported better health.
While one could argue that this may have something to do with wealthier people being able to afford living on the coast, the researchers
actually found that it was the lower socioeconomic communities that reported the greatest health benefits.
Just moving closer to the beach had an effect on people. The researchers found that moving closer to the sea 'significantly improves
people's well being,' about as tenth as much as getting a new job. Moving to the sea may also reduce stress and encourage physical activity,
White said.
In one experiment the researchers gave study participants a set of pictures with hypothetical hotel room views, then asked how much they
were willing to pay for the room. Subjects had an option of an ocean view, green fields or cities. The results showed that the majority of the
subjects would pay the most for the ocean view. The researchers are continuing to study the health benefits of seaside living. One of their
ongoing studies involves putting people in stressful situations like dental surgeries and then placing them virtually in a beach setting or
dental room for comparison. Early signs show that people reported feeling less pain when immersed in the seaside setting.
One of the study's organizers, Lora Fleming, said their results could help create a form of therapy based on ocean exposure.
[Note: For those of us who enjoy the wonder of the Sea of Cortez we could have saved them the money spent on the study. But I guess it is
always nice when science agrees with us that it is good for us to play hooky on our beloved shores. – Julie Chitwood]
THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU NOW – in
Sonora
Kevin Garcia recently brought down some ‘Inside Tucson Business’
issues which contain a series of articles about the growing trend of
‘Medical Tourism’ in Mexico.
People from the border states have known for some time that dental
services are much less expensive in Mexico. Bill and I found the
dental office to match those in the USA with professionalism and upto-date technology. Several major differences however – first being
price. A teeth cleaning, including a checkup and x-rays if needed cost $45 US in Penasco. We did not have to pay an enormous amount
for a first visit. In the States we discovered that you couldn’t just walk
in and announce you just need your teeth cleaned. You had to jump
through expensive hoops. One interesting observation is that
Mexican dentists do not think unnecessary x-rays are good for people and I recently read an article where the Medical field in the
US is coming to that same conclusion. But, in the US x-rays are a big money making program.
Now people are discovering the same holds true for cost savings in the medical field in Mexico. The articles pointed out the
excellent care given to patients in hospitals in Hermosillo at less than one third of what it might cost in the States.
One woman, Cindy Lundy, related her story of deciding to have hip surgery in Hermosillo because she did not have insurance and
could not afford the high prices charged in the States on her limited income. One Portland physician had indicated she would
need at least $65,000 in her account before he would consider doing the surgery as long as she wasn’t by insurance. Her search
led her to Intermed – www.gointermed.com – a quasi-public firm in Tucson that links foreigners to medical professionals in
Sonora.
Cindy decided to investigate further and she was connected to a Dr. Eduardo Cinco at San Jose Hospital in Hermosillo. The
breakdown of costs, including $12 US for an x-ray, came to a total of $15,400 US. This also included a two week stay, with meals,
at a local hotel. Cindy would have to be flat on her back for two weeks as she had chosen a titanium-to-titanium prosthesis. She
also commented on the excellent care she had received throughout her stay in Hermosillo.
Another of the articles addressed the difference in costs for lab work. Because of the US Clinical Laboratories Improvement Act of
1988, it requires laboratories to perform tests and report results to an ‘authorized provider. The law allows states to define
authorized providers but normally they are defined as physicians. Keith Rosenblum wrote about wanting to obtain a simple blood
test to make sure he would qualify for a better rate on an insurance policy that was under consideration.
In order to obtain the test in the US he would have to visit his doctor to get authorization, thereby insuring as well that it showed
up on his medical records. They also explained that the test he wanted only came as part of a panel of tests. As you can guess, we
are talking money here. Heading down to Sonora he had the single test done, received his result by a PDF file by 2:45 pm and it
only cost him the sum of 35 pesos ($2.80 US).
‘Inside Tucson Business’ part 1: ‘Americans benefit as Mexico sheds its Third-World stigma and goes cutting-edge’, Keith
Rosenblum wrote: “But it is the paying American patients – the uninsured and under insured – who have created an industry in
Mexico and are responsible for the start-up of Sonora Hospitality, a state initiative that promotes travel to and services at private
hospitals and clinics throughout the state.”
Puerto Penasco is also looking to benefit by this new ‘medical tourist’ industry. Recently I heard that a plastic surgeon has set up
practice in Penasco. Because of its close proximity to the border and lure of our beautiful beaches while recovering, Penasco is a
natural for the new medical tourist industry.
One thing to keep in mind – no matter what doctor and/or location you are thinking of using, you should always do due diligence
in checking them out. Unfortunately, even in the medical community there can be those that prey on those most in need. I am
sure we have all heard of life savings forked out for a ‘miraculous cancer cure’, i.e. remembering what actor Steve McQueen went
through decades ago.
“I must keep dreaming, keep believing that something
Wonderful got me here and will take me to where it is
I’m supposed to go when the time is right.” –
Billy Ray Chitwood