In the September issue of the Rocky Point Times, as part of my Editorial, I wrote about an experience I had with my nephew Rusty, when we were stopped by the Army late night in a desolate area. In the article I wrote that the Army personnel were carrying AK-47 rifles. Since that editorial hit the streets, I have received several comments via email and telephone about the Army not carrying AK-47s and would I correct that statement because, “The mention of AK-47s implies drug cartels”.

I must admit that I’m not that knowledgeable about military weaponry, and I should have written that we were surrounded by men with bazookas. At that moment in time, in our eyes, those guns were just BIG! After some research on the internet, I have since learned that the AK-47 was originally made in Russia around 1947. AK-47 and has since been copied by the Chinese, and is the weapon of choice by the cartels. The weapons carried by the Mexican Army are the FX-05 AND G3. Personally I can’t tell the difference, but I apologize for my ignorance and if I ever have occasion to again write about rifles, (which I hope is never) I will get my facts straight.
I experienced another faux pas recently. I was on my way from Rocky Point to Ajo and, as I approached U.S. Customs, I saw that there were 3 vehicles in the lane in front of me, but none in the adjoining lane, so I pulled up to the stop sign and waited for the agents to pass me thru to the booth. I could see several agents in the office lane but none in front of me. After waiting a few minutes, I eased my truck forward, hoping to get their attention. I was about ten feet away from the booth, when I got all the attention I needed and then some. An agent came towards me at a fast trot, waving his arms and asking if I could read.

When he came to my truck window, he pointed towards the station roof. When I looked up to where he was pointing, I saw large electric signs over each lane, OPEN and CLOSED. I apologized and told the agent that after using the border for the past twenty years I was like one of Pablo’s dogs, in that if a lane was closed there was always an orange road cone placed at the entrance. Not seeing one (an orange cone) I assumed the lane was open. The agent said that the signs were new and much more visible at night. I backed up and went in the OPEN lane.
Speaking of the border, a reminder if you roll down your windows and have everyone’s documents ready for inspection, the lines move much faster. And they go much faster IF YOU PULL INTO THE CORRECT LANE.
Entrepreneur personified, the definition definitely fits a local businessman, who was born and raised in Rocky Point. He started working at age ten, walking the beaches selling shrimp. Through a span of eighteen years, he has either owned or worked at taco stands, for a while he sold fish and shrimp wholesale to restaurants, he opened the Señor Shrimp restaurant in Old Port which was sold and is now the Boo Bar, he is FDA certified and U.S. Licensed and still wholesales fish and shrimp to several upscale restaurants in the Phoenix and San Diego area. Within the last two years, in his spare time, he has opened the Mare Blu and Mi Familia restaurants on Sandy Beach, also Don Julio Bar and Grill, formerly Hacienda Las Fuentes on Blvd Fremont. His latest acquisition is Mare Blu Bistro, formally Lily’s Restaurant in Old Port.

I asked him how he can keep on top of all his ventures and his answer was, he surrounds himself with capable personnel. As an example, two of his newest chefs came from Portofino’s, and Miguel the chef at Mare Blu Reef was, for thirteen years, was chef at Pasta Brionis in Scottsdale, Arizona. I told him I think he’s become the Rupert Murdock for Rocky Points food industry, but his real name is Sr. Julio Valenzuela, and you can usually find him having breakfast at Don Julio’s or lunch eating a pizza or Italian dish at Mare Blu Bistro. Each restaurant is open from 9am till 10pm. For dinner you can find him at Mare Blu or Mi Familia, having one of their daily specials or just enjoying some soft mood music. Both restaurants are open from 4pm to 10pm. All locations accept credit cards with the exception of American Express. They are also available for special occasions, group rates, catering, or private parties. Check out their ads in every issue of the Rocky Point Times.