Spring 2019

Journal del Pacifico Spring 2019, "Wise Woman" by Kate Turning, Baja, Mexico

Spring 2019, “Wise Woman” by Kate Turning

Thank you for all the compliments on the Winter 2019 issue with the El Triunfo cover by Kenny Viese. Both long-term residents and newcomers enjoyed the trip down memory lane with tales of local history and personalities. We are sure that you will enjoy this issue with our annual cover by the multi-talented Kate Turning and her team.

 

 

 

 

 

Gastrovino Baja Food & Wine Festival ad in Journal del Pacifico, Baja, MexicoKate Turning also provided the stunning images for this year’s GastroVino Baja Food & Wine Festival feature. This popular festival (not to be missed) is now in its eighth year. Check out our stories to find out what’s new this May.

In a strong bid to conserve local Todos Santos ecosystems and biodiversity, Dr. Roberto Carmona and his colleagues Gerardo Marrón, Adriana Hernández Alvarez, Abigail Rivas, and Gustavo D. Danemann documented the wildlife and vegetation at the lagoon at La Poza during dozens of visits from 2014 to 2016. While the Todos Santos community helped, Dr. Carmona and his colleagues’ was largely self-funded and resulted in a report submitted to the Mexican government to have the lagoon declared an Area Critica. The lagoon at La Poza is a prime habitat for the critically endangered endemic bird species, the Belding’s yellowthroat. Bryan Jáuregui of Todos Santos Eco Adventures tells the tale in this issue. Local photographers Claude Vogel, Alvaro Colindres, and Kaia Thomson share some of their healthy and unhealthy lagoon photos in the story.

Amor d’vino has moved to a new location on calle Militar in Todos Santos. You will find it just around the corner from Todos Santos Brewing and across the street from Bodega Lizzaraga and Que Rico. Stop in and see their great wine selection.

Rancho LaVenta is a jewel located between San Antonio and San Bartolo at km 144.5. Cozy casitas include gourmet breakfast, cooking facilities, and a unique pool and sauna. Taste estate wines or buy a bottle and enjoy it poolside. Check out the art studio and tour the working ranch. Other activities include hiking, birding and horse riding.
www.rancholaventa.com or Facebook/bajabirding/.

Besame Mucho 2nd Anniversary, Baja, MexicoBesamé Mucho Bazaar and The Baja 100 teamed up for a fun-filled 2nd anniversary party for Besamé Mucho on the plaza in Todos Santos this past March. Stop by the store and explore its treasures from around the world.

Gallo Azul Pizza Art Bar is celebrating their 5th anniversary in Todos Santos, read the interview with owner Alan Becerril in this issue.

And April 20th, Shaka’s Cantina on the road to Cerritos Beach will celebrate their one-year anniversary with an all-day party. Celebrate with drink and food specials, and live music with ‘Los Leones.’

April 26th, The First Festival de Mole will take place in the Todos Santos Plaza Publica. It’s a great opportunity to sample moles from 15 different chefs.

The Palapa Society of Todos Santos A.C. understands the importance that education makes in a child’s life and future opportunities. Read the article in this issue to find out how you can make a difference.

Since December 2017, Over the Edge Baja (OTE) bike shop has been the soul center of destination mountain biking in Todos Santos. OTE stores are experts in providing professional, technical service for your bicycle and they stock high performance dream bikes that you can rent or buy. Over The Edge is all about connecting people to places and building trails along the way.

Have you tried ionized water to look and feel your best? It’s available locally at Pura Vida Health Foods in Todos Santos, or visit www.ionwaterbaja.com

Check Bleu Mediterranean restaurant’s Facebook page for their dinner schedule and special events like paella nights.

Shut Up Frank’s, where the locals hang out, is open six days a week with happy hour 4 to 6 pm on weekdays. We’ve heard that their blue cheese burger is to die for. Stop in and find out!

We’ll see you again with our last issue of the season, Summer 2019. Deadline is May 10.

Winter 2019

Journal del Pacifico winter 2019 cover by Kenny Viese, El Triunfo. Baja, Mexico

Winter 2019 cover by Kenny Viese

This Winter 2019 issue of Journal del Pacifico covers a wealth of regional history—silver mining in Baja California Sur and El Triunfo; Mark Spahr’s move to Todos Santos and El Triunfo and his recovery; long-term Todos Santos resident Ezio Colombo, and he and his wife Paula Rafelson’s restaurant Café Santa Fé; and one woman’s mission to share the history of local ranches and their unique products.

Like many visitors, I have fond memories of my first trip to Todos Santos in 1993 and the delicious meals and welcoming hospitality of Paula and Ezio at Café Santa Fé.

Mark Spahr´s first restaurant, Caffé Todos Caffe El Truinfo, El Triunfo, Baja, MexicoSantos, and current restaurant, Caffé El Triunfo, have been popular breakfast and lunch destinations for decades. Mark was one of nine people featured in the documentary, film called The Age of Disconnection, which will be shown at this year’s Festival de Cine de Todos Santos y La Paz. You can read more about it in this issue’s story by local artist Nanette Hayles.

Photographer Kenny Viese provided our cover shot and many beautiful photos of El Triunfo for Bryan Jáuregui of Todos Santos Eco-Adventures’ fascinating tale of the Ruta de Plata.

Ángela “Yera” Cota’s “El Mercado Ranchero” celebrates the handmade products and produce of Baja California ranches. Lisa Jackson’s story shares Yera’s dream of providing a unique market for ranchero wares like traditional pottery, handmade knives, furniture, and furnishing. Mercado Ranchero also has fresh chickens every Saturday, organic eggs, and ranch cheeses.

Shut Up Frank’s, a different local institution, is open again, Wednesday through Monday, with seven TVs showing all sports including UFC and boxing. Frank’s 22nd annual St. Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage feast is March 17, starting at 3 pm.

Amor D'Vino, Todos Santos, Baja, MexicoBesides selling the best in Baja wines, Amor d’vino has gourmet olive oil, chutneys, salsas and more. Their restaurant is also open Monday through Friday, 5 to 7 pm. Enjoy a glass, or bottle of Baja wine with your dinner!

Comfort Care, Todos Santos, Baja, MexicoGrowing old in Baja is becoming a reality for many ex-pats. Now Comfort Care & Assistance is providing options for assisted living, hospice care, and information about death and dying in Mexico.

St. Jude’s Pharmacy, next door to their clinic, has prescription medications and orthopedics. They speak English and are open late until 11 pm.

Last issue, we placed Taller de Terreno a bit too close to town on our otro lado map. They are located farther out on the road to Las Playitas and are having their grand opening event as part of the Todos Santos Artists Open Studio Tour.

Also participating in the Todos Santos Artists Open Studio Tour, Cate Thomassen, shardArtist, creates beautiful mosaics—hangings, tables, water features, lamps, and commissions—inspired by nature. She uses stained and vitreous glass, and polished and unpolished minerals.

Casa Las Tunas has comfortable units complete with kitchens on the otro lado of Todos Santos. They are available daily, weekly, or monthly.

Bleu, in the garden at Galería Ezra Katz, serves amazing Mediterranean breakfasts and lunch. They are also available for catering and special events.

Pacifica Fish Market seafood restaurant now has a full bar and is open until 9 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

Mail Boxes Todos Santos is now open! They provide mail boxes with a US address (up to four people) plus shipping of packages, vehicles, boats, and trailers—even entire households!

Why worry about thieves? Get peace of mind with Pacifico Storage with enclosed units, automotive, boat, ATV, camper, and household storage. They are located at KM 45 on highway 19.

Casa Kootenay, La Paz, Baja, MexicoCasa Kootenay bed and breakfast is a romantic getaway on the beach on the Sea of Cortez in La Paz. Relax by the pool, or launch your kayak or stand up paddle board right from the beach out front!

Dana’s Office is now open in La Paz. Dana and her husband Alastair build custom homes, as well as offer full real estate services.

Looking to start a new adventure in Mexico? Allende Books in La Paz is for sale.

You’ll see us next issue, Spring 2019 with information on the GastroVino Baja Food & Wine Festival and more! The deadline for ads and articles is March 10.