Festival 2014 issue

Celia with Festival 2014 issue of Journal del Pacifico, Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico

Celia with Festival 2014 issue of Journal del Pacifico

We’ve been busy delivering the Festival issue of Journal del Pacifico–it’s hard keeping the new issue in stock! People are loving the Manta Ray feature story by Bryan and Sergio Jauregui and stunning photographs by Kaia Thomson and Iker Algorri.

 

Festival de Cine de Todos Santos program cover by Gloria Marie Von Jansky, Baja, Mexico

Festival de Cine de Todos Santos program cover by Gloria Marie Von Jansky

The 11th annual Festival de Cine de Todos Santos begins Thursday, February 20 and will fill the town with famous Spanish and Mexican actors, distinguished Spanish diplomats, daring international directors, budding local film-makers, and dozens of great movies. And you won’t even have to work very hard to get to it; this year the festival will show films not only in Todos Santos, but Pescadero and La Paz as well.

Carnaval takes place February 27 through March 4 on the malecón in La Paz.

The festival spirit continues with the Todos Santos Historic Home Tour on March 16 and the first Greenfest in Cabo March 27 through 29.

March 17th, Shut Up Frank’s will have their Lucky 17th Annual St. Patrick’s Day party with green beer and homemade Corn Beef and Cabbage with all the sides.

A lot is going on in Todos Santos’ historic district. Guaycura Boutique Hotel will be opening their new Beach Club at the restored lighthouse on Todos Santos’ southwest beach. They are also making changes to the restaurant at the hotel and will be having live music every other weekend at the Sky Lounge and Tapas bar.

At the Todos Santos Inn, La Copa Cocina is open and serving a delicious variety of small plate dishes—perfect for sharing while enjoying the jazz music of “Pepe and Friends” at the upstairs bar, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. La Copa Cocina is open from 5 to 10 pm, closed Wednesday.

Artique Boutique is open! Alexis carries unique women’s clothing, swimsuits, jewelry and accessories. Check out her store, located in Plaza Antiqua at the three way stop on Juárez street—now with a special on many items!

IndiO Spirit Native Culture Arts, across the street from the Guaycura Hotel, has museum quality and custom leather art, paintings, clothing, accessories and more. While there, inquire about their Turtle Island Healing Lodge and upcoming seminars.

People stop in Todos Santos to shop at the two organic / fresh food stores, ¡Que Rico! and Pura Vida. ¡Que Rico! stocks a variety of specialty products like organic meats, cheeses, homemade spreads, breads and more. Their new facebook page is QueRicoFoods.

Not only does Pura Vida carry those hard to find organic, health and local products, they also serve healthy fare at the restaurant. If you’re interested in buying this family minded venue with a commitment to community health, contact Joella Coronado.

MerciTodo is the Todos Santos’ “notions” store with materials, thread, ribbons and many of your sewing needs. They also custom make curtains, pillows and many more home furnishings.

If you’re driving south, stop at Vicbi’s on the way out of Todos Santos for natural homemade ice creams like mango and pitahaya. They are also open early with coffee, burritos and other food for the road.

Baja’s first and only Float Spa, Joy of Floating, is located next door to Baja Beans Roasting Co. in Pescadero. Relax in the luxurious warm Epsom salt tank and emerge rejuvenated. Flotation therapy is a luxurious escape and an extremely powerful tool for strengthening the immune system and improving health.

Birding in Baja California Sur cover, Baja, MexicoIf you missed the well attended Todos Santos presentation and book signing for Todos Santos Eco Adventures’ and Kaia Thomson’s photographic book, Birding in Baja California Sur, on February 16 at the Guaycura Hotel, you’ll get another chance to attend March 8 at La Encantada in La Paz. The book is available at El Tecolote Bookstore in Todos Santos and Allende Books in La Paz.

We’re starting on our Spring “Wining and Dining” issue soon. Deadline is March 1. Contact us for more information!

Valentine’s Weekend

Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve got it here!

IndiO Spirit, Todos Santos, Baja, MexicoThis Friday, February 14th, from 5 to 6:30 pm, IndiO Spirit in Todos Santos will host a “Valentine’s Day Sunset Sound Meditation for Worldwide Day Of Sound Healing–A Harmonic Heart Realignment for All.” Immerse yourself with the transformative vibrations of the planetary tones of the Acutonics Healing System with The Ohm Gong, Tibetan Bowls, Bells, Chimes and Tuning Forks—for balance, harmonic healing and reconnection with the divine harmonies and rhythms of the universe.

 

Across the street at the Restaurant at Guaycura Boutique Hotel you can enjoy a Valentine’s weekend for two, February 14, 15 and 16th, starting at 1 pm daily, the chef will be preparing a romantic “prix fixe” meal for two using only the freshest local ingredients.

For cool listening to hot jazz, there’s no better place than La Copa at The Todos Santos Inn. This Friday, from 7 to 11 pm, “Pepe and Friends” will welcome Grammy award winning artist, Terry Townson. Share a delicious variety of chef Patricio’s small plate dishes from La Copa Cocina with your loved one.

Amigos de El Pescadero will be holding a Valentine’s Day Fundraiser, February 14, at 6 pm, at Mariscos El Pescadero Restaurant on Highway 19, Pescadero. Raffle tickets for whale-watching trip to Magadalena Bay for 2. Raffle tickets are 10 pesos and can be purchased at Pescadero Life Booth at Baja Beans Sunday Market or online: www.PescaderoLife.com. Amigos de El Pescadero is a non-profit multi-cultural, community organization that undertakes projects that benefit the community, such as infrastructure improvements, neighborhood security issues, and support to health programs.

Birding in Baja California Sur by Kaia Thomson and Todos Santos Eco Adventures, Todos Santos, Baja, MexicoSunday, February 16th, at 4:30 pm, will be a Presentation and Book Signing for Todos Santos Eco Adventures’ and Kaia Thomson’s stunning Birding in Baja California Sur. Books will be available for purchase. You won’t want to miss this one!

Birding in Baja California Sur is available at El Tecolote Bookstore in Todos Santos and Allende Books in La Paz.

Holiday 2013 issue

Journal del Pacifico Holiday 2013 cover by Kate Turning, Baja, MexicoWe’ve been busy delivering the new issue of Journal del Pacfico in Todos Santos and La Paz. People are raving over our rocking cover by Kate Turning with model Yannick Rondero and makeup by Martin Juan Carlos of W. Salon in La Paz.

The third Todos Santos Music Festival will take place at the Hotel California in mid-January with one concert in the town plaza. For more on the festival, check out our feature story by Doug Newcomb with photos from last year by Vivian Johnson.

Creative energy is flowing in Southern Baja! You can find many local authors in print now. This month we have an interview with Elizabeth Day about her book, Living with Gusto. Out now is Pamela Cobb’s Tales of Tiny Town which features her popular essays that have appeared over the years in the Journal del Pacifico. And the beautiful new photo collection Birding in Baja by Journal del Pacifico contributor Kaia Thomson, will be out for Christmas—see her hummingbird photos in this issue. All are available at El Tecolote Bookstore in Todos Santos and Allende Books in La Paz.

The array of visual arts is stunning. Galería El Triunfo is open, again, for the season with the works by Gabo and Karin Schubert. Swing over to San Antonio on your way and visit Liz’s art studio at Rancho La Venta. Multi-media photographer Emanuela Gardner has an opening January 9, at Hotel Casa Tota.

Galeria Logan will host an art opening with new works by Jill Logan and Doug West on January 18. And you can find Jill Casty’s sculptures in glass at Art House in La Paz, Galería de Todos Santos or Pez Gordo in San José del Cabo. Gloria Ruenitz’s new works can be seen at Galería de Todos Santos and Pez Gordo in San José del Cabo.

Nomad Chic has opened in their new location just down from El Tecolote Bookstore and Juice Bar. Nomad Chic is proud to be the exclusive location in Todos Santos and USA online for Acuarela Swimwear. Look at our events listing for their upcoming informal and “pop-up” modeling dates.

We received a lot of positive feedback on our featured restaurant reviews in our previous issue, Fall 2013. You can find another selection this issue, including Rumi Garden. Speaking of food… Wind and “C” will be open December 13, at the same location as last year—Los Cardones B&B at Cerritos Beach in Pescadero.

We can’t wait for the new restaurant at La Copa in the Todos Santos Inn to open in mid-December. Chef Patricio is planning a delicious menu using fresh, local ingredients. And Landi’s Restaurant has opened in its new location next to the Teatro Márquez de León in the historic district of Todos Santos.

If you’re looking for antojitos (literally “little cravings”) Carnitas Uruapan is the place to go. They serve authentic Mexican favorites such as sopes, huaraches, chiles rellenos and more.

Estudio Baja is located downtown between Miguel’s Restaurant and La Cabaña in Todos Santos. Studio rentals are available for your movement classes or workshops, and a treatment room for massage/energy work is also available for rent. It’s a tranquil atmosphere with wall of mirrors, bathroom, fans, and beautiful wood floors in a convenient downtown location. Stop in and check out their Yamuna Body Rolling and Foot Fitness. This practice uses gravity from your body weight to move over specialized balls that roll out tension in your muscles. It’s like giving yourself a deep tissue massage!

Chocolates La Laguna is the place to find handmade Christmas goodies. Lots of stocking stuffers along with a line of liqueur chocolates including damiana truffles and large chocolate bars. They have something affordable for everyone!

La Bodega de Todos Santos has a wide selection of Baja wines for the holiday season as well as t-shirts, olive oil and other gift items.

The Gardening Guru will be holding a demonstration and seminar/workshop on Thursday, January 31, at Baja Beans in Pescadero. You can find out more information by clicking on the link or stop by her stand at the Baja Beans, La Esquina or Los Cabos Pedregal Farmer’s markets.

Tiny Tienda, on the otro lado, in Todos Santos is now open. You can find items ranging from organic shampoo and deodorant to organic fertilizer to local artwork and cards. Photographer Laurie Pearce Bauer’s art prints are available for sale. Look for the sign on the tree in Las Tunas.

Dr. David Martinez at MartVet in Todos Santos, can help you with all your pet needs—consultations, vaccinations, surgeries, grooming, health certificates and pet supplies. See his new ad this issue for more information.

One of the charities sponsored by the Todos Santos Music Festival this year is the Hogar del Niño A.C.—a non-profit, safe home for children who are abandoned, mistreated, or orphaned. It is a registered charity, recognized by the Mexican government as a sanctuary for at-risk children. The loving care these children receive is funded entirely by donations. The average number of children at the Hogar is usually 25, and they range in age from 3 to 16 years. A special wine pairing benefit dinner will be held at Rancho Pescadero on December 18. Look for details in our events section. To make a tax-deductible holiday donation, click on “Donate” on the website http://hogardelnino-baja.org/ or go to http://padrinoproject.com/ and click on “Become A Padrino.”

Have you made a New Year’s resolution to stay fit or get fit? Gimnasio Powerzone offers individuals and families monthly, three-month and annual memberships.

¡Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año Nuevo!

Fall / Otoño 2013

We’ve received a lot of great feedback on the Summer issue White Sand Massage and Day Spa feature story. I’m glad that our readers enjoyed learning about facials as much as I enjoyed getting one. This issue I sat down over a couple of beers with local artist “Indian” Dennis to talk about his popular painted cow skulls.

Reading Rainbow producer Kyle Rohrbach filming biologist Stephanie Rousso, Baja, Mexico, Sea Turtles

Reading Rainbow producer Kyle Rohrbach filming biologist Stephanie Rousso

This fall I also had the opportunity to spend a night at “sea turtle camp” with Todos Santos Eco Adventures and their wildlife biologist Stephanie Rousso, who wrote “Moon Dance of a Sea Turtle” (JDP Summer 2013 issue). Reading Rainbow producer Kyle Rohrbach was along filming the night patrol for an upcoming episode. We had a lot of fun, learned a lot and saved four Olive Ridley turtle nests.
I hope to share more of my adventures with our readers in upcoming issues.
In this edition, look for our feature story on water—an important issue for all of us living in Baja California Sur. Local artist Nanette Hayles’ “Sea un Avatar” posters benefit the groups working against mining in the Sierra de la Laguna mountains (the source of our water) and are available at Galería NE Hayles and La Esquina in Todos Santos.

We’ve also included a sampling of fun restaurants in Todos Santos. For the complete series of reviews, visit Todos Santos Eco Adventures’ blog.

H2O Water Professionals sell and install state of the art water purification and conditioning systems for homes and businesses. Visit their showroom on Calle Madero in La Paz, or contact their Todos Santos / Pescadero representative.

Rancho la Venta is one of the oldest ranch sites in Southern Baja, located in a greenbelt between San Bartolo and San Antonio. You can enjoy horseback riding, hiking and bird watching on hundreds of acres of mountain trails, swim in their spring-fed granite pool, and lunch on authentic ranch fare including organic veggies from the garden. Touring the wine cellar, vineyard and art studio makes a great day trip, or stay overnight in one of their cozy casitas if you’d like to experience it all.

Many of Journal del Pacifico’s contributors have books coming out soon. Photographer Claude Vogel’s new collection of stunning photographs from the Hotel California is due out in November. Also in November look for Pamela Cobb’s Tales from Tiny Town, a compilation of her experiences since retiring to Todos Santos and illustrated by local artists.

Birding in Baja book by Kaia Thomson, Baja, MexicoPhotographer Kaia Thomson has shared some photos from her 12 years of birding in Baja California Sur on this issue’s cover and in our feature “Birding in Baja.” Her book Birding in Baja California Sur, published by Todos Santos Eco Adventures and produced by Journal del Pacifico, will be out soon!

You’ll be able to find all the above books at El Tecolote Bookstore in Todos Santos and Allende Books in La Paz. El Tecolote also serves up the best espresso in town at their Juice/Espresso Bar. Enjoy a latte, mocha, or Americano coffee or have a delicious juice or smoothie made to order from their large selection of local fruits and veggies! Mmm…

Just behind El Tecolote Bookstore you can find the best handmade chocolates in Todos Santos at Chocolates La Laguna. This year they will also have full-size chocolate bars, including dark chocolate/peppermint, dark chocolate/orange and 66% Mexico Origin dark chocolate.

Jackie Scherer and Keith Van Cleve have published the 4th edition of Some Birds of Baja / Algunas Aves de Baja California (see article in JDP Spring 2012 #4 issue). This book is for sale at the San José Organic Farmer’s Market and at Liga MAC bookstore in San Jose del Cabo.

The improvement project in the “pueblo nuevo” part of Todos Santos has been completed and all the newly paved streets are one way streets now. We’ve highlighted all the one ways in yellow on our Todos Santos map with arrows showing the correct driving direction.

Rancho Pescadero is open again after their summer remodeling. November 14 through 17, they are hosting “The Best of Baja Culinary Weekend.” A “mix + mingle” with Baja’s top chefs and renowned winemaker, Phil Gregory of Vena Cava. Activities include cocktails and cooking classes, demonstrations, wine and tequila tastings and, of course, gourmet dinners.

Hotel Guaycura was also busy remodeling this fall. Their beautiful boutique hotel, restaurant, pool and sky bar are open again in the historic district of Todos Santos. All that is missing is you!

Insurance agent Gaby Trujillo Coronado has opened a new office on the “otro lado” of Todos Santos, called Coronado & Fernandez. They can help you with your auto, home, health and life insurance needs. AF Design & Construction will be sharing the new office space.

Baja Zen yoga studio is now open near Los Cerritos beach. They have morning and evening yoga classes and many interesting workshops scheduled for the upcoming season. Visit their facebook page for details and a map to their location.

Brody’s Pizza, on the road to Cerritos beach, will be serving breakfast in addition to their tasty pizzas this season. Look for them to re-open in November.

Baja Retreats is a new retreat center in Pescadero. Yoga, art, surf, meditation, skim board, nature… Vacation with Inspiration! Call or visit their website for information.

The third Todos Santos Music Festival will take place at the Hotel California January 16 through 25, 2014. For more information, see our blog post and be sure to check out our great feature in the next issue of the JDP about the bands and festival.

If you’ve missed any of the articles or issues mentioned above, you can find them all online, read our blog and find our publishing schedule at: journaldelpacifico.com