Summer 2023

Posted on May 30, 2023 by janicekinne

Happy Summer! Thank you for all the compliments on our Spring issue with its La Poza cover by photographer and musician Wendy Fitz. You can see her photography biography on our blog.

Kaia Thomson recently visited the Cactus Sanctuary in El Rosario and has shared her story and photographs in this issue, as well as the photo on our summer front cover.

Bryan Jáuregui, Todos Santos Eco Adventures, tells us a condensed history of Todos Santos with photos by photographers Kenny Viese and Keenan Shoal.

The Palapa Society of Todos Santos provided us with photos of Todos Santos’ historic sugar cane mills. You can see those in our “How You Can Help” feature listing how we can all give back to the community.

One way to give back is The Palapa Society’s Annual Scholarship Drive. Your contribution supports students in need of financial assistance to pursue their academic goals.

Even more “Hotels with a Heart” have teamed with Padrinos Children’s Foundation. Your stay with any of the hotels listed in their ad also helps the foundation provide important health services to local children.

Our feature story on Sharon Katz tells how she has brought her music and humanitarian work known as “The Peace Train” to Baja California Sur and Todos Santos.

White Rose by Doug West for Art Talk

This issue’s Art Talk tells a deeply personal story of Jill Logan’s recent “Wake Up Call” on the highway south of town and how it has affected her look on life and her art.

Congratulations to Pura Vida Health Food and Deli. They are celebrating 13 years of serving our community with delicious meals and healthy groceries and produce.

Chill n Grill will be serving up the best breakfast in Todos Santos on Sundays 10 am until 2 pm. Stop in for Eggs Benedict, biscuits and gravy, omelets, pancakes, burritos, hash browns, fresh orange juice, coffee, and 2×1 bloody marys and mimosas.

Doce Cuarenta Café / Bar is open every day from 7 am to 9 pm. The adjacent El Mercado, open every day except Mondays, is the perfect place to explore a variety of interesting shops and galleries. You can see more works by photographer Kenny Viese there as well.

Mini Super Munchies, on the road to Rancho Pescadero, is an artisan boutique, has craft beer, wine, ice cream, chocolate and more!

Protect Todos Santos shares information in this issue on proposed changes to the Todos Santos PDU.

We would like to welcome our newest advertisers: architect Gabriel Peri (Mar de Sol Villas), Los Torotes, Ronival Real Estate, Diamante Realtors, and Sarah Jean Mucha, el Pescadero and Todos Santos real estate advisor with The Agency.

If you’re going away this summer, Todos Los Perros Bed and Biscuit is a great choice for boarding your dog. I recently boarded my newest pup while away for the weekend. She had a great time, and I had the comfort of knowing that my pet was safe and received the best care.

Have a great summer! We’ll be back with our Fall 2023 issue in mid-October. The deadline is September 15.

Holiday / Navidad 2019

Posted on December 10, 2019 by janicekinne

Thank you for all the compliments on our Day of the Dead fall cover of Ophelia Manik by Kenny Viese. Emmanuel put on an unbelievable show in the plaza for the third annual Día de Muertos Todos Santos event. Kudos to Bésame Mucho Bazaar and the whole team of volunteers who made the event possible. La Paz photographer, Sandra Muñoz covered the concert for Journal del Pacifico.

Mark Gabriel, Galería Militar in Todos Santos and Pez Gordo in San José del Cabo, has shared “El Rey” the humpback whale for our holiday cover. Mark Gabriel is an award-winning multi-media artist who began his career in the underground comics and fanzine world. He is also one of the featured artists in The Palapa Society’s Artists of Todos Santos 2020/2021 calendar.

We have a variety of informative and fun stories for you in the issue. Bryan Jáuregui of Todos Santos Eco Adventures shares the success story of Cabo Pulmo and the Baja Coastal Institute. She also had the pleasure of interviewing a pig for our Life of Colette piece.

Trudi Angell of Saddling South tells the tale of Baja’s first mule pack-trains and their journey to “Alta” California.

Pamela Ambrose interviewed Cate Thomassen, shardArtist. You can see Cate’s mosaic work at her show at the Galería de Todos Santos on January 29.

This holiday season enjoy the abundant activities, specials, events, workshops, and seminars. There is a whole lot going on! Start the season off with The Palapa Society’s Carrera de Todos Santos 5k walk / run on December 28.

Then, live the red-carpet experience at Colette The Pig’s world premiere of her art film at Panteón 19, which benefits the Padrino Children’s Foundation.

Photographer Pablo Marquez, Galería Logan, will be leading a four-day master class in capturing the soul of landscape photography starting January 12.

Artist Anne Hebebrand is offering classes in abstract painting, painting with neutrals, and cold wax January through March.

The Writing Ranch’s 10th annual “Writing Down the Baja” retreat takes place January 26 through February 2, at Serendipity in Todos Santos.

The Todos Santos Writers’ Workshop, now in its seventh year, takes place February 1 through 8, and have added a second week for those enrolled in the first week, February 10 through 15, for writers who want to continue their work.

Baja Blooms, a five-day pottery, creative journaling, and yoga retreat takes place March 22 through 28 at the Hotelito this season.

And you won’t want to miss the Artists of Todos Santos Open Studio Tour, February 7 to 9, a benefit for The Palapa Society of Todos Santos.

The Pelican Theater Company of La Paz is also back this season with shows January 21 through 25. See our article for more details.

La Palapa del Sabor has monthly mariachi nights with delicious Mexican specialties for dinner. See our events listings for all of these and more!

Mailboxes Todos Santos has added a third location, in Cabo in the Walmart complex, location #69.

Pura Vida Health Food Store & Deli in Todos Santos is celebrating 10 years of serving the local community.

Tortugeros Las Playitas will have hatchling releases every day at 5 pm at the Tortugueros Las Playitas greenhouse in Las Tunas. Releases are open to the public and free of charge. Reservations requested for tour and school groups, info at: Whats App 612-177-8393.

Cross2box has moved to a new location at the entrance to Todos Santos. Cross2box doesn’t have individual classes, every hour there is new session based on their clients’ needs.

You’ve probably been hearing about the new dentist in Todos Santos, Dra. Ana Cortez at Smile Up. In addition to general dentistry, she is a specialist in crowns, implants, and cosmetic dentistry.

Panterra Eco Expeditions, at the Fonatur marina in La Paz, offers land-based and cruising expeditions to Magdalena Bay and the Sea of Cortez. And right now, they’re offering special Christmas discounts!

St. Jude’s Medical Center now has a walk-in clinic in Pescadero, next door to their pharmacy.

Shut Up Franks is back with new specials and some old favorites. They also have happy hour weekdays from 3 to 6 pm.

Happy holidays! We’ll see you in February with our winter issue. Deadline is January 10.

Spring 2019

Posted on April 5, 2019 by janicekinne

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.

Kate 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/.

Besamé 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

Posted on February 7, 2019 by janicekinne

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 Santos, 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.

Besides 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!

Growing 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 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.

Journal del Pacifico

La Revista de Baja California Sur

Category Archives: Kenny Viese

Summer 2023

Holiday / Navidad 2019

Spring 2019

Winter 2019