Tis the season! I’m very happy to give 2025 a big Adios and give 2026 a big Bienvenido. I know I’m not the only one who has been feeling that 2025 has been a weird year so buh-bye. Here’s to putting energy into making 2026 an awesome year and sending 2025 out with some charitable acts and acts of kindness which make us all feel good.
As you well know Puerto Peñasco has many, many organizations that are in desperate need of your generosity all year long, but during the holiday season people seem to be more conscious of giving to others. And giving doesn’t have to mean money or physical items, some organizations just need your time to help hand out donations, bag up food items, wrap gifts or several other things that don’t require your wallet.
A side note before I get on with the spirit of giving…I would like to give a giant heartfelt Adios, and thank you, to our beloved contributing writer Cap’n Greg who is sailing off into the sunset after 20 years of writing for this paper. No, he hasn’t “sailed” but his sails have caught wind. I know my mom, Sandy, would be very sad to read his last column this month, but very grateful and happy that she knew him for so many years and had such a wonderful relationship. We’ve had so many wonderful contributing writers over the years, thanks to my mom, and I know she put Cap’n Greg right up there with Hale O’Malley and Lonesome Lui. I do hope that Cap’n Greg’s space fills up with another voice of someone who loves Puerto Peñasco…and wants to write for free lol. We have enjoyed your columns Cap’n Greg, we thank you, will miss you and wish you a beautiful 2026.
And while on the subject of contributing writers, please read through the articles in this edition (and every edition, of course) if you are looking to donate this season. As I said above, tangible items and money are not the only things needed. Every organization has their own needs so feel free to personally reach out to any organization or club to see what their particular needs are. (See our Clubs and Organizations Pages.) Things that are always needed at this time of year are blankets, bedding and warm clothing. Jackets and warm clothing are needed in children and adult sizes as are shoes and socks. And don’t bother bringing items down with you if it makes you nervous or you don’t want to import…We have a HUGE Walmart, a Sam’s Club, a Coppel, tons of retail shops and segundas – all where you can purchase any and all of these items. But, of course, if you have these items that you or your kids no longer wear, please pack them in your luggage and bring them down and donate them to a local charity.
In addition to warm clothing, local charities always need non-perishable food items, school supplies, backpacks, cleaning supplies and even used towels and blankets for animal shelters as well as pet supplies and food. Many businesses and organizations in town collect and distribute items to local families and places like Casa Hogar, Esperanza para Los Niños, as well as the men’s and women’s shelters. If you’ve never been to these organizations or out to the barrios distributing gifts and food on Christmas, I strongly encourage you to do so. You can tag along with clubs like the American Legion, help out with the Santa Claus Club or go yourself. It will make your year! If you’d rather just donate you are always welcome to bring them to our office Mon.-Fri. Alicia and Mario, always make sure that the donations we receive, go to those in need. Even the extra $$ we get for subscriptions goes to feeding stray cats, of which now we seem to have acquired 2 or 3: I know the little gray one is cute and friendly (and adoptable) and the other is a bruiser – the 3rd comes and goes.
Odds and ends: If you’re in town on the 20th you won’t want to miss the Nautical Parade which starts at 5:00 PM and is right out in front of Sandy Beach – the boat light parade. Los Tiburones Baseball Team will be back starting April 23rd, so watch for their schedule. And lastly, if you pay these bills by the year, you usually get a pretty good discount if you pay them in January – property taxes, water, trash and license plates. If you have any questions about where you pay these bills or where the office is located, check our Municipal Buildings Page in this edition.
Hope you have a great December. Feliz Año Nuevo (almost) and see you at the beach!
