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by Greg Brady
2009 finds Mazatlán looking forward to another year of sunshine and smooth sailing. What a wonderful place to live! Reading news accounts of the meteorological and economic climate up north makes a gringo want to tell all his friends and family, “Come on down, the water’s fine!”
Speaking of water, the nearby Preso Picachos dam project, the most ambitious public works endeavor in Mexican history, is proceeding full speed ahead, and may even be finished before its scheduled 2010 completion date. Once operating, an enormous man made lake will provide a vast and reliable source of water to the region, for household, industrial and farm uses. In Mexico’s number one agricultural state of Sinaloa, the additional water will greatly boost fruit and vegetable production- good news for local consumers!
 Mazatlán’s 2009 Carnival Queen pageant has a new twist: Niky Malina is an international beauty born of Czech émigres in Canada before moving to Mazatlán as a girl. She speaks several languages, and is hoping to be the first Canadian Reina de Carnaval, although, as usual in a city whose women are famous worldwide for their beauty, the competition is formidable.
New Year’s Eve finds the Golden Zone alive and bustling as the holidays lure vacationers from the wintry climes, filling the hotels and beaches with welcome visitors. Regulars note that it is warmer compared to last year’s record “cold spell” (by Mazatlán standards, any time you put on a sweater it is officially “cold”). Those returning from last season will see the dramatic growth that has been going on, particularly along the Sabalo- Cerritos strip to the north and in the Historical District in the heart of Old Town. A swanky new casino has opened in the Golden Zone, with more on the way. Residential development in the tourist zones continues at a brisk pace, as more and more penny-wise retirees are choosing a subtropical paradise, especially during the mild winter months. And it makes sense: not only is luxury housing affordable, the day to day cost of living is quite low, even if you eat in restaurants, hire a cleaning lady and laze around on the beach all day.
And, of course, in Mazatlán there is no shortage of charitable organizations for those kind and generous souls who wish to get involved in good causes: Hands Across the Border, Forget Me Not, Friends of Mexico, Lions’ Club, Rotary Club, Amigos de los Animales, Conrehabit, Rancho de los Niños, Casa Damasco and many other fine local groups offer helping hands addressing local needs.
 The Mazatlán Venados finished the second heat of the season in great form, remaining in first place of the Mexican Pacific Coast League from start to finish. The playoffs begin in January, to determine who goes to the Caribbean Series, in which Mexico faces other such beisbol powerhouses as Cuba, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. This year the early February Serie del Caribe will be held in the border town of Mexicali, and promises to draw record crowds augmented by fans from nearby southern California. The Venados look like the team to be beat. Strikeout king Walter Silva, batting champion Christian Quintero and the regular crew of stalwarts have just been joined by the González brothers, Adrián and Edgar, on leave from the San Diego Padres (where Adrián hit 36 homers and knocked in 119 runs in ‘08). Hopefully he will help offset some of the other big leaguers coming home for the Series, notably Vinnie Castilla for the Hermosillo Naranjeros. For excitement and emotion, you can’t beat a playoff game at the Estadio Teodoro Mariscal, so get your tickets early!
That’s all for now! GB
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