Thanks to all for the compliments and comments we received on our first issue of “Journal del Pacifico—La Revista de Baja California Sur” and helping to make us the favorite magazine in Baja. Look for our new issue, Holiday 2011 / 2012 on the streets now!

Thomas A. Ireton provided our beautiful cover photo. You can still catch his exhibit with Gary Batha, “The Image Makers” through January 3, 2012 at the Bagel Shop y galería on calle Belasario Dominguez between 5 de Mayo and Constitución, in La Paz. In February 2012, Tom will be participating in a photography exhibition at the Central de Artes on 5 de Mayo and Madero in La Paz.

Congratulations to the Hotel California. December 20th is their 9 year anniversary! The Hotel California Tequila was also named one of the top 10 tequilas of the year! The Tequila Spectator (www.tequilaspectator.com) awarded 90 Points to the Blanco and 93 Points to the Reposado.

The Todos Santos Music Festival with Peter Buck of REM starts January 5 at the Hotel California and will end with a free concert in the plaza in Todos Santos. Check out our feature story on how this event came to be. Click on “Music Festival” on the menu for all the latest information about this event including band bios. Look for the posters around town. ¡Bienvendidos to all our visitors who will come to listen to some great music!

Looking for a boutique hotel or bed and breakfast in the Todos Santos/Pescadero area? The Hotelito on La Cachora Road is close to the beach and town. Surfers and beach lovers enjoy staying at the San Pedrito Surf Hotel near the San Pedrito surf break and Villas de Cerritos Beach at Los Cerritos beach in Pescadero. On the “otro lado” of Todos Santos, you can lounge by the pool or take a short walk to the beach at Serendipity or Flora del Mar. Casa Rancho offers economical rooms and a sparkling pool and Villa Santa Cruz is a boutique hotel near the La Pastora surf break. Closer to town, Casablanca B&B and Los Colibris on the La Poza hill have stunning ocean views.

Looking for a gift for that special woman in your life? Nomad Chic will be at Casa Dracula through Christmas Eve. Along with Joella Corado, they will be presenting a fashion show at Casa Dracula. The after party will be across the street at La Esquina. Contact Linda Hamilton for more information.

Zatar Gallery has opened in two locations in Todos Santos—on calle Centenario next to Caffé Todos Santos and on Calle Obregón next to Hotel Casa Tota.

You may have noticed a new Ricardo Amigo sign on the Milagro Real Real Estate building at Juarez & Topete in downtown Todos Santos. Dale Townsend and Milagro (and all listings) have joined Ricardo Amigo. Drop in and say Hello!

Fonda “El Zaguan” is now open for breakfast Monday through Saturday until noon. They also accept all major credit cards.

Need new facturas, business cards, banners, or magnetic signs to advertise your business? Expresión Gráficas in La Paz, provides high quality design and printing services with fast turnaround time.

Petros on calle Obregón between Rangel and Cuauhtemoc has crystals, a large selection of stones like amethysts and quartz and everything that you need to make jewelry.

Due to popular demand, dentist Dr. Ángel Hernández has increased his office hours in Todos Santos. He is now open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Plaza Antigua.

We are sorry to report that The Gemini Deli in downtown Todos Santos has closed. We always enjoyed Vicky’s great food.

You can always follow us on Facebook at: www.Facebook.com/JournaldelPacifico

Marlina and Flor at Escuela Pacifica

by Jennifer Power

Marlina Manuel Ambrosio is 10 years old and has an 11 years old sister, Flor. Marlina and Flor attend Escuela Pacífica, a non-profit, bilingual elementary school in Todos Santos. Marlina is in third grade. She loves school, reading, art and yoga.

Marlina needs scholarship sponsors to help her continue in the 2011-2012 school year. Patricia Baum and I made a video about Marlina’s family’s desire to educate their daughters so that they can be self-sufficient in a society that requires both Spanish and English. Manuel and his wife Virginia escaped from the tomato fields, a life of poverty and insecurity. Manuel now enjoys a more independent life as a gardener here in Todos Santos. You can view the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXVUopy1ZIY

Escuela Pacífica (EP) is a non-profit school that was started three years ago by a group of parents who believed strongly in a bilingual, multi-cultural education. The school provides first through sixth grade education for 20 students—50% are Mexican, 40% are multi-cultural and 10% are American. The cost for EP is $2,600 pesos per student, per month. Parents that pay the full tuition absorb the costs of scholarship and work for trade students. A little less than half of the enrolled children receive partial, full or work for trade scholarships. The students’ parents are teachers, gardeners, contractors, environmentalists, care takers, shop keepers, dentists, architects and grandparents raising their grandchildren.

The morning program at Escuela Pacífica follows the Mexican government format mandated by SEP (The Secretary of Public Education). Math, science, history and culture are taught in Spanish by Maestra Jackie (Jaquelin Pavia Espinoza). Graduates of Escuela Pacífica receive an official SEP degree–required for entrance into Mexican Junior High school. The afternoon English class is taught by Serena Saltzman who also teaches English at the Palapa Society of Todos Santos A.C. There are also extra classes taught in English–art, music and physical education. Students are exposed to books in both languages and during their recess time you hear them laughing and talking easily in both Spanish and English.

The growth in reading, writing and overall confidence for both Marlina and Flor is so uplifting. They speak English now with an assurance that wasn’t there a year ago. They show and explain the books they are reading with light in their eyes. That light in their eyes, which also reflects their future, is what motivates me to help keep them attending Escuela Pacífica. If you would like to help with Marlina’s scholarship for this school year, please contact me at powerful3@roadrunner.com

Contributions can also be made directly to the school via their website: http://www.escuelapacifica.org. Click on contact and you will be directed to the school’s PayPal account. All contributions are welcomed, no matter the size. Suggestions from people familiar with grants specific to helping a child’s education are also appreciated. Sponsors will receive email progress reports with pictures of Marlina, unless you would like to remain anonymous.

Escuela Paciica students, teachers and mural.

We welcome you to visit Escuela Pacífica and see the beautiful mural created by the children and architect Alfonso “Pancho” Hernandez Segovia. The school is located across from the baseball stadium on calle Villarino in Todos Santos.