Category Archives: La Paz

Winter 2021

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Journal del Pacifico winter 2021 cover by Kaia ThomsonWelcome to our first Journal del Pacifico of 2021. We are excited about this issue and the great stories and photos and hope that you enjoy them!

Area businesses are working hard to stay open and keep both locals and visitors safe. Be aware that government mandated Covid-19 regulations change and posted business hours and availability as well.

Kaia Thomson of Todos Caballos provided our stunning Kestrel cover and her story and photos of the importance of getting out in nature and birding.

Bryan Jáuregui of Todos Santos Eco Adventures shares the story behind the headlines of a possible new whale species discovered here by Baja California Sur native, researcher Dr. Gustavo Cárdenas Hinojosa, with photos courtesy of the Sea Shepherd and CONANP.

Zocalo by LoveLeigh, Todos Santos, Baja, MexicoThe Todos Santos/Pescadero area has long been known for outdoor activities and art, but it is increasing being known for fashion. In this issue, we introduce you to Zócalo, a clothing store/collective that most importantly is a social enterprise, which focuses on local Mexican artisans and makers.

You can find more rare gems with a stroll through the historic district of Todos Santos: soft colored cottons from Oaxaca and Chiapas, and hand tooled leather at Étnica; carefully curated items from around the world at Nomad Chic (see our story in the Holiday/Navidad 2020/2021 issue); locally designed and made swimsuits, clothing, and jewelry at Ella Bella Boutique; and one-of-a-kind treasures at Bésame Mucho Bazaar.

Brian McGuffey Art is now open in Plaza Amigos with a carefully selected array of custom jewelry and clothing, and of course, Brian’s colorful and whimsical art.

ULULA is a mystical gypsy heart boutique, specializing in magic and selling a curated offering of creations, clothing, and supplies. Everything is specifically and specially selected by Stephanie Penilla and Jessica Chappell for either its amazing story, native roots, magical power, or local beauty. Once you’ve visited, you will be called back for more magic.

Casa de Todos is a beautiful, open space furniture gallery on the otro lado of Todos Santos representing creative Mexican artists and sustainable vegetarian food to go.

Ernesto Vinatier, of Los Torotes in the Las Tunas area, is a Mexican architect specialized in urban planning and is passionate about sustainable architecture—energy efficiency, and high-performance buildings. His current focus is touristic urban planning and minimizing its pressures on the communities and natural environment.

Todos Santos Surf Shop / Explora Baja offers “Personalized Adventures by the Sea” including sport fishing, surf lessons, cliff hikes, whale watching, snorkeling with whale sharks and sea lions, Espíritu Santo island day trips, and La Paz city and beach tours. All activities are at a maximum of 30% capacity.

West Side Surf School, located at Cerritos beach, is a family owned and locally run business, founded by Heli “Tacho” Campos. They offer individual or group lessons for beginners, and surf coaches for surfers looking to improve their technique. Surf guides are also available for those looking to discover local breaks.

The 2021 Todos Santos Writers Workshop is virtual this year. They have commissioned a series of short videos, called “Video Salsa,” produced by Sarah Teale and shot and edited by Ricardo Madrazo. These videos will be posted daily and are intended to give workshop attendees a connection to Todos Santos. The videos are magnificent portrayals of life and culture in Todos Santos from an insider’s point of view, created for no commercial purpose and with no social agenda. Ricardo’s videography is gorgeous and the characters we see are authentic Todos Santos people who add something creative to life in the Pueblo Mágico. Click here to see these videos.

The dates have changed on Galeria Militar’s show Quien Calla, Otorga / Silence is Consent. You can still see it through February 23.

We’ll be back with our Spring/Primavera 2021 issue. Deadline is March 10.

Platos con Amor

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Platos con Amor logoHappiness is a Hot Meal
Online art auction to support local Community Kitchen

Join us Saturday December 5, 2020 from 9am to 5pm, MDT for an online auction of specially selected oil paintings by Robert E. Wood, that capture the breathtaking beauty of southern Baja. All proceeds will go to Platos con Amor, Comedor Comunitario, a volunteer organization serving free hot meals to those in need in Todos Santos, BCS.
To learn more, and to participate in the auction, visit www.platosconamor.org

Platos con Amor, Comedor Comunitario is a new, volunteer-run organization whose mission is to serve nutritious and tasteful meals, at no cost, to the most vulnerable people in the Todos Santos community.

“We strive to promote public awareness of the impact that hunger and isolation have in our society. We believe in the power of joined efforts to improve the quality of life of our neighbors.” Elisabeth Chavez Friend, Founder

Like many local businesses during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic, Elisabeth Chavez’ Catering Company closed temporarily. Wanting to help those in need, Elisabeth re-focused her team to cook and deliver an average of 35 meals a day, 6 days a week for those who didn’t have access to a kitchen or had disabilities that prevented them from cooking for themselves. Many are elderly, and do not have family nearby. Some are single mothers with children, who have struggled to find work at this difficult time. Knowing that this population will need longer-term support, Elisabeth’s team including Denisse González created Platos con Amor, Comedor Comunitario, the first organization of this kind in Todos Santos.

"Baja Sunset," 24” x 18” by Robert E. Wood

“Baja Sunset,” 24” x 18” by Robert E. Wood

Moved by the importance of their mission, award-winning artist Robert E. Wood, whose artwork is shown in galleries in La Paz and in Todos Santos, BCS as well as around the world, has donated 14 of his finest oil on canvas paintings. Inspired by the beauty and light of the mountains and desert landscapes of southern Baja, his dramatic works sing with color.

You can support Platos con Amor by participating in this online art auction on December 5. Simply visit www.platosconamor.org to view the available works, and to make a bid. You can also visit Jardín Alquimia in Todos Santos to view and purchase other paintings created by Robert E. Wood.   

All proceeds will go to Platos con Amor for hot meals served to those in our community who are unable to cook for themselves.

New 20/21 Season!

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Journal del Pacifico Spring 2020 cover by Kate TurningAfter your long wait, we’re back!

Mexico is slowly reopening. New safety measures are in place as we create a thoughtful path to reopening our tourism economy.

Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are looking to attract tourists with an advertising campaign that blended the area’s natural beauty with coronavirus recommendations. “Wear a mask,” one ad says, flashing to video of a woman snorkeling. “Practice social distancing,” it says before displaying an image of a lone surfer.

It’s a challenge at tourist spots across Mexico. There have been many changes in Todos Santos, el Pescadero, La Paz, Los Cabos, and all of BCS.

We at Journal del Pacifico, now in our tenth season, continue in our mission to support local businesses and promote our beautiful peninsula.

Following are the closing dates, ad prices and sizes for the 2020/2021 season.

Fall / Otoño mid-October through early December 2019
Issue closing date: September 20, 2019
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Holiday / Navidad mid-December 2019 / January 2020
Issue closing date: November 9, 2019
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Winter / Invierno February / March 2020
Issue closing date: January 10, 2020
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Spring / Primavera April / May 2020
Issue closing date: March 10, 2020
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Summer / Verano June through September 2020
Issue closing date: May 9, 2020

Don’t wait! Contact us today to participate in the upcoming Fall/Otoño 2020 issue that covers mid-October through early December. We’ll have more beautiful artwork, stunning photography, exclusive stories, profiles, and, as always, the features that make each issue a valuable resource to guide visitors and residents to the special qualities that make Baja California Sur a great place to live and a magical place to visit.

Tras una larga espera, ¡estamos de vuelta!

México gradualmente está reabriendo. Se han implementado medidas de seguridad mientras forjamos un camino seguro hacia la reapertura del sector turístico.

Cabo San Lucas y San José del Cabo buscan atraer turismo con una campaña que combina la belleza natural de la región con recomendaciones de salud: “Usa tu máscara,” dice un anuncio, en que vemos a una mujer practicando snorkel. Leemos “Mantén tu sana distancia,” mientras vemos una imagen de un surfista solitario.

Es todo un reto en los destinos turísticos mexicanos. Hemos visto muchos cambios en Todos Santos, El Pescadero, La Paz, Los Cabos y en toda Baja California Sur.

En Journal del Pacífico, ahora en nuestro décimo año de publicación, continuamos nuestra misión de apoyar a los negocios locales y promover nuestra bella península.

A continuación, las fechas límite, precios y dimensiones para publicidad de la temporada 2020/21.

Fall / Otoño Octubre / Noviembre 2020
Fecha de cierre: 19 de Septiembre 2020
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Holiday / Navidad Diciembre 2020 / Enero 2021
Fecha de cierre: 10 de Noviembre 2020
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Winter / Invierno Febrero / Marzo 2021
Fecha de cierre: 9 de Enero 2021
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Spring / Primavera Abril / Mayo 2021
Fecha de cierre: 10 de Marzo 2021
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Summer / Verano Junio hasta Octubre 2021
Fecha de cierre: 10 de Mayo 2021

¡No esperes más! Contáctanos hoy mismo para participar en la edición Otoño 2020, que cubre de mediados de octubre hasta principios de diciembre. Tendremos hermosas piezas de arte, fotografía espectacular, artículos exclusivos, perfiles locales y como siempre, las secciones que hacen de cada ejemplar un valioso recurso para guiar a los visitantes y residentes a través del mundo de cualidades que hace de Baja California Sur un lugar tan singular para vivir y tan mágico para visitar.

Pro Paramedicos

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On March 31, the same day BCS registered its first COVID-19 deaths, a group of volunteers comprised of marine biologists and medical personnel began a project they call “Pro Paramedicos.”

The handwriting was on the wall, the crisis was coming and our First Responders were nowhere near being ready. “These Paramedics, young people with big hearts and excellent training, many of whom are volunteers, have little or no equipment,” said Dr. Xchel Palafox, one of the founders of the project.

That same day in March they began to distribute Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Paramedics in the La Paz Fire Department and Proteccion Civil La Paz. The effort expanded to cover more than 120 Paramedics in 9 different teams.

“The farthest to the north is Las Pocitas,” explained Pablo Ahuja, cofounder of Pro Paramedicos, “They cover 100 kilometers of highway, from marker 50 to marker 150, from Puerto Chale on the Pacific to San Evaristo on the Sea of Cortez. Small towns like Conquista Agraria, El Cien, and Dolores are part of their range. “

Before being supplied by “Pro Paramedicos” this team had no protection against the virus but now they are equipped with Faceshields, Full Body Suits, N95 masks and surgical gloves as well as surgical masks to put on every patient they treat, anyone of whom could be CV19 positive.

“To the south we supply the Bomberos and Paramedicos of Pescadero. This team is led by Comandante Griselda Sotelo, the first female Comandante Firefighter in Mexico. Her adult son Fernando is also in the unit. We stay in constant contact and visit them every few weeks to resupply their PPE,” said Ahuja.

The rest of the teams that are supplied with donations used to purchase PPE include Proteccion Civil in Los Barriles, Grupo Sierra in La Ventana/El Sargento, Los Planes, Todos Santos Bomberos and Grupo Calafia based in Camino Real.

“Calafia is the largest and most active unit and they have transported more Covid-19 cases than the other units. They have 27 Paramedics and five rigs that seem to be constantly on the move,” said Ahuja, “What´s even more amazing is that they are an all-volunteer team.”

While Covid-19 cases increase every day and the death toll mounts in the state we have seen more than 100 hospital personnel become infected and some have even died from the virus. The most recent being a Doctor from the ER at the ISSTE Hospital who died earlier this week.

A testament to the effectiveness of “Pro Paramedicos” and their PPE campaign is that not a single paramedic in the Municipality of La Paz has become infected by the virus despite their ever-increasing caseload in the last three months.

“We know Covid-19 is not going away, that the numbers keep growing and that the virus forced the Government to reverse the reopening as far as access to beaches and the Malecon. We pledge to keep seeking donations and keep buying PPE even though every day the prices go up and the PPE becomes harder to find,” said Ahuja. “On behalf of the Paramedics and their families I would like to thank all the donors.”

You can participate in this lifesaving project by calling Pablo at 612 154 9859 or by making a donation through PayPal to an account set up by Dr. Xchel Palafox https://www.paypal.me/xchelapp.