Category Archives: Palapa Learning Center

Congratulations!

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The Palapa Society is pleased to announce the appointment of Jamie Sechrist to Director of Fund Development & Marketing

Jamie Sechrist, The Palapa Society, Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico

Jamie Sechrist

Jamie has been with The Palapa Society for several years, during which time she has been responsible for the success of numerous campaigns and events. Examples of her activities include on-going donor communication, bi-annual fundraising campaigns, and the Todos Santos Open Studio Tour.

Her passion for event planning has helped to create one-of-a-kind events such as: Baja Under the Stars in Denver 2017; An Evening of Music with John Paul Jones, Miguel Ochoa and Friends; as well as the current Todos Unidos Online Concert series.

Her commitment to The Palapa Society and to Todos Santos is evident in all that she does. With her new title as Director of Fund Development & Marketing, Jamie will continue to be a valuable asset to The Palapa Society as she plays an even more vital role in the future of the organization.

Jimena Garcia, The Palapa Society, Baja, Mexico

Jimena Garcia

In addition, The Palapa Society has hired Jimena Garcia to be the Marketing Assistant. Like Jamie, Jimena has also contributed to a number of Palapa events and brings her organizational skills and expertise in event planning to the team. The Palapa Society is excited to have fully bilingual publicity in an effort to be more inclusive.

As The Palapa Society organization and programs continue to grow, they are thrilled to promote and add such talented and committed individuals to the marketing staff.

Mission Statement

The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C. exists to make a positive difference in people’s lives through inspirational quality education and timely support through community service and programs.

Vision

It is the vision of The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C. to be a sustainable, accessible community focused organization in which quality educational programs empower choice filled lives and create positive transformational change.

For more information or to donate, visit: https://palapasociety.org/

La Sociedad de la Palapa se complace en anunciar el nombramiento de Jamie Sechrist como Directora de Desarrollo y Marketing de Fondos.

Jamie ha estado con La Sociedad de la Palapa durante varios años, en los cuales ha sido responsable del éxito de numerosas campañas y eventos. Ejemplos de sus actividades incluyen comunicación continua de donantes, campañas bianuales de recaudación de fondos, y el Tour de Estudio Abierto de Todos Santos.

Su pasión por la planificación de eventos ha ayudado a crear eventos únicos como: Baja Under the Stars en Denver 2017; Una noche de Música con John Paul Jones, Miguel Ochoa y sus amigos; así como la serie actual de Conciertos en línea, Todos Unidos.

Su compromiso con La Sociedad de la Palapa y con Todos Santos es evidente en todo lo que hace. Con su nuevo título de Directora de Desarrollo y Marketing de Fondos, Jamie continuará siendo un activo valioso para La Sociedad de la Palapa, ya que juega un papel aún más vital en el futuro de la organización.

Además, La Sociedad de la Palapa ha contratado a Jimena García para ser la asistente de marketing. Al igual que Jamie, Jimena también ha contribuido a varios eventos de Palapa y aporta sus habilidades organizativas y su experiencia en la planificación de eventos al equipo. La Sociedad de la Palapa se complace en tener publicidad totalmente bilingüe en un esfuerzo por ser más inclusivo.

A medida que nuestra organización y nuestros programas continúan creciendo, estamos encantados de promover y agregar personas tan talentosas y comprometidas al personal de marketing.

Declaración de la Misión

La Sociedad de la Palapa de Todos Santos, A.C. existe para marcar una diferencia positiva en la vida de las personas a través de una educación de calidad inspiradora y un apoyo oportuno con programas y servicios comunitarios.

Visión

La Visión de la Sociedad de la Palapa de Todos Santos, A.C. es ser una organización sostenible, accesible, y centrada en la comunidad en la que los programas educativos de calidad empoderen vidas que están llenas de opciones y creen un cambio transformador positivo.

Para mejor informes: https://palapasociety.org/?lang=es

Tuition Forgiveness for Palapa School Students

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The Palapa School class photo, Todos Santos, BCS, MexicoEspañol abajo

It would be an understatement to say that COVID-19 has created hardships for our local community. Many people from all over the world are rising to the occasion to help provide support to Todos Santos, this small town they love to visit year after year. The Palapa’s spirit of generosity has driven the Board of Directors to rise to this occasion by providing much needed support to the Palapa families.

The Palapa Society is pleased to share with you that they are forgiving all tuition payments for the Palapa School. The board came to this decision after grasping the reality that 1,500 families are receiving help with food, diapers, baby formula, and medical needs. Now parents of Palapa students do not have to make a choice between paying bills or paying for their child’s education. The Board of Directors has waived all student tuitions from August through December 2020. This means that The Palapa Society of Todos Santos A.C. will be paying 100% of tuition costs for every student in The Palapa School.

A Message from the Parents Group: Response to Tuition Forgiveness

“Through this channel, we want to express our deep appreciation for the unconditional and widespread support to all the parents of The Palapa School. Concerning the cancellation of tuition from August to December 2020. Once again, The Palapa Society is demonstrating the desire to support young people from Todos Santos to receive a quality education.”

“For our part, we want to express our gratitude for this generous gesture, while at the same time committing ourselves to support activities for the school. The Palapa Society, once again confirms that they desire future well-being for our sons and daughters, likewise, we commit ourselves in the same way to take advantage of all the benefits they provide us. In times like these, it is pleasant to receive encouraging news that we will soon emerge stronger from this contingency.”

“In these difficult times, you are one more support to get ahead of this contingency. This is also one more valuable lesson for our children, and one more motivation for everyone to participate and contribute our action in support of others. Many thanks!”

Mission Statement

The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C. exists to make a positive difference in people’s lives through inspirational quality education and timely support through community service and programs.

Vision

It is the vision of The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C. to be a sustainable, accessible community focused organization in which quality educational programs empower choice filled lives and create positive transformational change.

For more information or to donate, visit: https://palapasociety.org/

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Condonación de colegiaturas para estudiantes de La Escuela de La Palapa

Sería una atenuación decir que COVID-19 ha creado dificultades para nuestra comunidad local. Muchas personas de todo el mundo están aprovechando la ocasión para ayudar a brindar apoyo a Todos Santos, este pequeño pueblo que les encanta visitar año tras año. El espíritu de generosidad de La Palapa ha llevado a nuestra Junta Directiva a elevarse a la altura de la ocasión brindando el apoyo que tanto necesitan nuestras familias de La Palapa.

Nos complace compartir con ustedes que estamos condonando todos los pagos de colegiatura de La Escuela Palapa. Tomamos está decisión después de ver la realidad de que 1,500 familias están recibiendo ayuda con alimentos, pañales, fórmula para bebés y necesidades médicas. Ahora los padres de nuestros estudiantes no tienen que elegir entre pagar facturas o pagar por la educación de sus hijos. Nuestra Junta Directiva ha renunciado a todas las colegiaturas estudiantiles desde agosto hasta diciembre de 2020. Esto significa que nuestra organización pagará el 100% de los costos de las colegiaturas por cada estudiante en La Escuela Palapa.

Un mensaje de nuestro grupo de padres: respuesta al perdón de matrícula

“Por este conducto, queremos expresar nuestro profundo agradecimiento por el apoyo incondicional y generalizado a todos los padres de Familia de la Escueka de la Palapa. Referente a la condonación de colegiaturas a partir del mes de agosto y hasta diciembre del 2020, demostrando una vez más los deseos de apoyar a jóvenes Todosanteños para que reciban una educación de calidad.”

 “De nuestra parte, deseamos manifestar nuestra gratitud por este generoso gesto, al mismo tiempo que nos comprometemos, en la medida de nuestras posibilidades, con las actividades de apoyo para la escuela. La Sociedad de la Palapa, una vez más nos confirma que desean el bienestar a futuro para nuestros hijos e hijas, así mismo, nos comprometemos de la misma manera a aprovechar todos los beneficios que nos brindan En tiempos cómo los que vivimos es agradable recibir noticias alentadoras de que pronto saldremos fortalecidos de esta contingencia.”

“En estos tiempos difíciles, ustedes son un apoyo más para salir delante de esta contingencia. Esto también es una enseñanza más para nuestros hijos, y una motivación más para todos de participar y aportar nuestra acción en apoyo a los demás, ¡Muchas gracias!”

Declaración de la Misión

La Sociedad de la Palapa de Todos Santos, A.C. existe para marcar una diferencia positiva en la vida de las personas a través de una educación de calidad inspiradora y un apoyo oportuno con programas y servicios comunitarios.

Visión

La Visión de la Sociedad de la Palapa de Todos Santos, A.C. es ser una organización sostenible, accesible, y centrada en la comunidad en la que los programas educativos de calidad empoderen vidas que están llenas de opciones y creen un cambio transformador positivo.

Para mejor informes: https://palapasociety.org/?lang=es

This is What Community Looks Like

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Journal del Pacifico Spring 2020 cover by Kate TurningThe communities of Todos Santos and Pescadero have been working through these trying times, finding ways to adapt to the many changes, figuring out business options, and reaching out to help those in need. These individuals are neither heroes nor saints but are the backbone for real community that we love.

Many local restaurants have found creative ways to stay open by offering takeout and delivery options.

Chill N Grill has curbside pickup for their full menu and pizza, Monday – Friday, 4 – 8 pm, and Taco Tuesday again! Call to order, 6121450014.

Chez Laura and Poke Loco have teamed up to offer daily specials Wednesday – Saturday. You can also order Chez Laura’s delicious bread!

Gallo Azul has pizza and beer to go and offers home delivery, Tuesday – Sunday, 2:30 – 8 pm. Call to order, 6121588457.

Shut Up Frank’s has their full menu and beer available for takeout and delivery, Wednesday – Sunday, 12 – 8 pm. Call to order, 6121450707.

Todos Santos Brewing is providing people with that valuable substance – beer. You can refill your growlers Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12 – 2 pm. Checkout their Facebook page for brew master, Ted Mitchell, performing his original acoustic tunes for our listening pleasure.

Palmar in Pescadero has their full menu available for takeout, Monday – Saturday, 12 – 7 pm. Order in advance via Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp.

Area grocery and specialty stores have stepped up to the “new norm” by asking customers to wear masks and limiting the number of people in the store at one time.

Pura Vida Health Food and Deli is open Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm. You can shop at the store or place your order for pickup. They offer personal delivery to Pescadero on Thursdays and Las Tunas on Fridays. They are also taking orders for Costco purchases.

Que Rico has recently changed ownership but continues stock the same great local products. They are open Tuesday – Thursday, 11 am – 5 pm. They also have cloth face masks for sale made by Manos Magicas sewing team.

You can order from Mini Super Munchies online, by WhatsApp or Messenger, Monday – Friday, 12 – 4 pm and pickup at their location.

Todos Santos Private Transportation and Todos Santos Eco Adventures have been working with ACTS to distribute food to area families in need. And Mario Surf School has also been helping the group distributing pet food to families in need.

Todos Santos Private Transportation also is offering shopping service to La Paz or Cabo.

Farmacia San Benito and St. Jude’s pharmacy are open regular business hours and stocking hand sanitizer, alcohol, vitamins, and all your needs. Farmacia San Benito can special order medications as well.

St. Jude’s Medical Center is open and seeing patients.

Cuatro Vientos recently offered 5 Days of Fitness Zoom classes as a fundraiser for ACTS.

Cate Thomassen, shardArtist, donated an original mosaic table for a fundraiser raffle for the Biblioteca Elena Poniatowska. Tori Sepulveda was the proud winner.

You can still learn or improve your Spanish from home. Hablando Mexicano is offering online Spanish classes.

Mail Boxes Todos Santos continues to provide their full mail, shipping, and receiving services.

Todos Insurance would like you to know that COVID19 is covered for new and existing clients. Check out their international insurance. Contact Jack Schaub at jack@shoreline.com.mx

How you can help?

The Palapa Society of Todos Santos A.C.‘s students are finishing the school year at home and are receiving help online, via telephone, and WhatsApp.

It is also the time of year when parents and students are working on their applications for the 2020/2021 school year. Although all Palapa students receive tuition help, this is a hard time for parents to pay their portion. Your generous donation can help keep local/ students in school. To make a donation, visit: https://palapasociety.org/donate/

ACTS, Asociacíon de Colonos de Todos Santos A.C., is taking donations to help feed local families in need. You can visit their website to get the link to make a PayPal donation at: www.actsbaja.org  The Palapa Society of Todos Santos is helping with their donations. To donate via PayPal: use the email: tickets@palapasociety.org, Enter your donation amount. Be sure to note FOOD BANK in the memo.

The Pescadero Food Bank has increased their outreach to 200 bags on a biweekly basis. Their goal is to continue to feed more families, including helping those from Grupo Madre Teresa, Pescadero rancheros, and Padrino Children’s Foundation. You can make a
donation via Paypal: paypal.me/pescaderofoodbank

There is also a group distributing pet food to families in need. You can donate via PayPal: coast-paradise@shaw.ca, or through www.raincoastdogrescue.com and click on donate. Be sure to fill in the note section that it is for Todos Santos for this option! Donations via this method are tax deductible in the US.

We at Journal del Pacifico are posting updates on changes, and keeping you informed on when and how things will be reopening. Follow us right here, on Facebook, and remember, you can read all our issues online!

Stay safe!

Carrera de Todos Santos 2017

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Palapa Society Carrera de Todos Santos, Baja, Mexicoby Kathy Wernert

Crunch! Crunch! Inhale. Crunch! Crunch! Exhale. That’s the sound of this year’s Carrera de Todos Santos, the 5K Palapa Society benefit walk/run through the streets of this magical town scheduled for Saturday, December 30th.

The roots for this year’s Carrera de Todos Santos were planted in 2009, when a group of Todos Santos’ locals wanted to stage a 5K run to promote fitness while creating a fun event for the community. A course was selected using the streets of the pueblo and businesses got involved to provide vital sponsorship resources. A race for younger children was also staged as part of the event. The initial race was such a success that it became an annual community event. Each year, racers came from throughout Baja, the mainland, and as far away as the US and Canada to run in the event.

A past runner, Lisa Welsch had this to say. “The Palapa Society’s Todos Santos 5K was fun. The course was challenging with some hills. Running through our beautiful pueblo and seeing the well-wishers along the way made my run so special. With some dirt roads and some paved, it wasn’t hard on the knees. It was well managed with water stations and guides along the way. I’ll do it again. It’s a wonderful cause.”

The race took a break after Hurricane Odile and the major street improvement project in the historical centro. With the community recovered and streets improved, the event was enlarged to include a 10K along with the 5K last year. Once again, local businesses provided much of the financial resources needed to stage a quality event. With their help, an investment was made in sophisticated “chip” timing equipment allowing the Palapa Society to provide accurate timing for each runner. “This is how the major running events do it,” commented Dennis Naigle, chair of the race and Palapa board member.

This year’s race returns to its traditional schedule of December 30th. “December weather in Todos Santos is usually perfect and with the crowds of visitors who flock to the pueblo magico for the holidays, as well as motivated locals, we anticipate a large turnout,” adds Naigle.

The focus this year will be on only a 5K race, using a popular course last run in 2013. The chip timing will be used again to track the runners and have multiple racer categories with trophies and medals for runners of all ages and experience levels.

Staging the Carrera de Todos Santos is truly a community event and couldn’t take place without the support of the Delegado, police force, local business community, a lot of volunteers, and the people of Todos Santos.

Celia Devault, a frequent runner in the 60-something category, crossed the finish line first in her category last year. “This 5k is a great community event that gets people out on the street to walk or run and have some fun. I am looking forward to it again this year.”

All proceeds go to the Palapa Society of Todos Santos whose mission is to provide educational opportunities in the Todos Santos greater area. The recent opening of the new Palapa Learning Center includes the new Palapa School, offering a SEP-certified curriculum to middle students, the bilingual community library recently named Biblioteca Elena Poniatowska, and the Bridge to English program providing English to over 200 students ages five to adult.

Early signup takes place Thursday, December 28, at the La Esquina Farmer’s Market, 9 am – 3 pm and on Friday, December 29, from 10 am to 2 pm in front of Cafélix. Or, entrants can register for the race in the Plaza from 7 – 8:30 am. on Saturday, December 30 to receive a race bib and timing chip. Entry fee is 200 pesos for adults and 150 pesos for students. Race time begins promptly at 9 am.

To register online, or for more information on the Carrera and the Palapa Society, visit: www.palapasociety.org