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.

Holiday 2013 issue

Journal del Pacifico Holiday 2013 cover by Kate Turning, Baja, MexicoWe’ve been busy delivering the new issue of Journal del Pacfico in Todos Santos and La Paz. People are raving over our rocking cover by Kate Turning with model Yannick Rondero and makeup by Martin Juan Carlos of W. Salon in La Paz.

The third Todos Santos Music Festival will take place at the Hotel California in mid-January with one concert in the town plaza. For more on the festival, check out our feature story by Doug Newcomb with photos from last year by Vivian Johnson.

Creative energy is flowing in Southern Baja! You can find many local authors in print now. This month we have an interview with Elizabeth Day about her book, Living with Gusto. Out now is Pamela Cobb’s Tales of Tiny Town which features her popular essays that have appeared over the years in the Journal del Pacifico. And the beautiful new photo collection Birding in Baja by Journal del Pacifico contributor Kaia Thomson, will be out for Christmas—see her hummingbird photos in this issue. All are available at El Tecolote Bookstore in Todos Santos and Allende Books in La Paz.

The array of visual arts is stunning. Galería El Triunfo is open, again, for the season with the works by Gabo and Karin Schubert. Swing over to San Antonio on your way and visit Liz’s art studio at Rancho La Venta. Multi-media photographer Emanuela Gardner has an opening January 9, at Hotel Casa Tota.

Galeria Logan will host an art opening with new works by Jill Logan and Doug West on January 18. And you can find Jill Casty’s sculptures in glass at Art House in La Paz, Galería de Todos Santos or Pez Gordo in San José del Cabo. Gloria Ruenitz’s new works can be seen at Galería de Todos Santos and Pez Gordo in San José del Cabo.

Nomad Chic has opened in their new location just down from El Tecolote Bookstore and Juice Bar. Nomad Chic is proud to be the exclusive location in Todos Santos and USA online for Acuarela Swimwear. Look at our events listing for their upcoming informal and “pop-up” modeling dates.

We received a lot of positive feedback on our featured restaurant reviews in our previous issue, Fall 2013. You can find another selection this issue, including Rumi Garden. Speaking of food… Wind and “C” will be open December 13, at the same location as last year—Los Cardones B&B at Cerritos Beach in Pescadero.

We can’t wait for the new restaurant at La Copa in the Todos Santos Inn to open in mid-December. Chef Patricio is planning a delicious menu using fresh, local ingredients. And Landi’s Restaurant has opened in its new location next to the Teatro Márquez de León in the historic district of Todos Santos.

If you’re looking for antojitos (literally “little cravings”) Carnitas Uruapan is the place to go. They serve authentic Mexican favorites such as sopes, huaraches, chiles rellenos and more.

Estudio Baja is located downtown between Miguel’s Restaurant and La Cabaña in Todos Santos. Studio rentals are available for your movement classes or workshops, and a treatment room for massage/energy work is also available for rent. It’s a tranquil atmosphere with wall of mirrors, bathroom, fans, and beautiful wood floors in a convenient downtown location. Stop in and check out their Yamuna Body Rolling and Foot Fitness. This practice uses gravity from your body weight to move over specialized balls that roll out tension in your muscles. It’s like giving yourself a deep tissue massage!

Chocolates La Laguna is the place to find handmade Christmas goodies. Lots of stocking stuffers along with a line of liqueur chocolates including damiana truffles and large chocolate bars. They have something affordable for everyone!

La Bodega de Todos Santos has a wide selection of Baja wines for the holiday season as well as t-shirts, olive oil and other gift items.

The Gardening Guru will be holding a demonstration and seminar/workshop on Thursday, January 31, at Baja Beans in Pescadero. You can find out more information by clicking on the link or stop by her stand at the Baja Beans, La Esquina or Los Cabos Pedregal Farmer’s markets.

Tiny Tienda, on the otro lado, in Todos Santos is now open. You can find items ranging from organic shampoo and deodorant to organic fertilizer to local artwork and cards. Photographer Laurie Pearce Bauer’s art prints are available for sale. Look for the sign on the tree in Las Tunas.

Dr. David Martinez at MartVet in Todos Santos, can help you with all your pet needs—consultations, vaccinations, surgeries, grooming, health certificates and pet supplies. See his new ad this issue for more information.

One of the charities sponsored by the Todos Santos Music Festival this year is the Hogar del Niño A.C.—a non-profit, safe home for children who are abandoned, mistreated, or orphaned. It is a registered charity, recognized by the Mexican government as a sanctuary for at-risk children. The loving care these children receive is funded entirely by donations. The average number of children at the Hogar is usually 25, and they range in age from 3 to 16 years. A special wine pairing benefit dinner will be held at Rancho Pescadero on December 18. Look for details in our events section. To make a tax-deductible holiday donation, click on “Donate” on the website http://hogardelnino-baja.org/ or go to http://padrinoproject.com/ and click on “Become A Padrino.”

Have you made a New Year’s resolution to stay fit or get fit? Gimnasio Powerzone offers individuals and families monthly, three-month and annual memberships.

¡Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año Nuevo!

Fall / Otoño 2013

We’ve received a lot of great feedback on the Summer issue White Sand Massage and Day Spa feature story. I’m glad that our readers enjoyed learning about facials as much as I enjoyed getting one. This issue I sat down over a couple of beers with local artist “Indian” Dennis to talk about his popular painted cow skulls.

Reading Rainbow producer Kyle Rohrbach filming biologist Stephanie Rousso, Baja, Mexico, Sea Turtles

Reading Rainbow producer Kyle Rohrbach filming biologist Stephanie Rousso

This fall I also had the opportunity to spend a night at “sea turtle camp” with Todos Santos Eco Adventures and their wildlife biologist Stephanie Rousso, who wrote “Moon Dance of a Sea Turtle” (JDP Summer 2013 issue). Reading Rainbow producer Kyle Rohrbach was along filming the night patrol for an upcoming episode. We had a lot of fun, learned a lot and saved four Olive Ridley turtle nests.
I hope to share more of my adventures with our readers in upcoming issues.
In this edition, look for our feature story on water—an important issue for all of us living in Baja California Sur. Local artist Nanette Hayles’ “Sea un Avatar” posters benefit the groups working against mining in the Sierra de la Laguna mountains (the source of our water) and are available at Galería NE Hayles and La Esquina in Todos Santos.

We’ve also included a sampling of fun restaurants in Todos Santos. For the complete series of reviews, visit Todos Santos Eco Adventures’ blog.

H2O Water Professionals sell and install state of the art water purification and conditioning systems for homes and businesses. Visit their showroom on Calle Madero in La Paz, or contact their Todos Santos / Pescadero representative.

Rancho la Venta is one of the oldest ranch sites in Southern Baja, located in a greenbelt between San Bartolo and San Antonio. You can enjoy horseback riding, hiking and bird watching on hundreds of acres of mountain trails, swim in their spring-fed granite pool, and lunch on authentic ranch fare including organic veggies from the garden. Touring the wine cellar, vineyard and art studio makes a great day trip, or stay overnight in one of their cozy casitas if you’d like to experience it all.

Many of Journal del Pacifico’s contributors have books coming out soon. Photographer Claude Vogel’s new collection of stunning photographs from the Hotel California is due out in November. Also in November look for Pamela Cobb’s Tales from Tiny Town, a compilation of her experiences since retiring to Todos Santos and illustrated by local artists.

Birding in Baja book by Kaia Thomson, Baja, MexicoPhotographer Kaia Thomson has shared some photos from her 12 years of birding in Baja California Sur on this issue’s cover and in our feature “Birding in Baja.” Her book Birding in Baja California Sur, published by Todos Santos Eco Adventures and produced by Journal del Pacifico, will be out soon!

You’ll be able to find all the above books at El Tecolote Bookstore in Todos Santos and Allende Books in La Paz. El Tecolote also serves up the best espresso in town at their Juice/Espresso Bar. Enjoy a latte, mocha, or Americano coffee or have a delicious juice or smoothie made to order from their large selection of local fruits and veggies! Mmm…

Just behind El Tecolote Bookstore you can find the best handmade chocolates in Todos Santos at Chocolates La Laguna. This year they will also have full-size chocolate bars, including dark chocolate/peppermint, dark chocolate/orange and 66% Mexico Origin dark chocolate.

Jackie Scherer and Keith Van Cleve have published the 4th edition of Some Birds of Baja / Algunas Aves de Baja California (see article in JDP Spring 2012 #4 issue). This book is for sale at the San José Organic Farmer’s Market and at Liga MAC bookstore in San Jose del Cabo.

The improvement project in the “pueblo nuevo” part of Todos Santos has been completed and all the newly paved streets are one way streets now. We’ve highlighted all the one ways in yellow on our Todos Santos map with arrows showing the correct driving direction.

Rancho Pescadero is open again after their summer remodeling. November 14 through 17, they are hosting “The Best of Baja Culinary Weekend.” A “mix + mingle” with Baja’s top chefs and renowned winemaker, Phil Gregory of Vena Cava. Activities include cocktails and cooking classes, demonstrations, wine and tequila tastings and, of course, gourmet dinners.

Hotel Guaycura was also busy remodeling this fall. Their beautiful boutique hotel, restaurant, pool and sky bar are open again in the historic district of Todos Santos. All that is missing is you!

Insurance agent Gaby Trujillo Coronado has opened a new office on the “otro lado” of Todos Santos, called Coronado & Fernandez. They can help you with your auto, home, health and life insurance needs. AF Design & Construction will be sharing the new office space.

Baja Zen yoga studio is now open near Los Cerritos beach. They have morning and evening yoga classes and many interesting workshops scheduled for the upcoming season. Visit their facebook page for details and a map to their location.

Brody’s Pizza, on the road to Cerritos beach, will be serving breakfast in addition to their tasty pizzas this season. Look for them to re-open in November.

Baja Retreats is a new retreat center in Pescadero. Yoga, art, surf, meditation, skim board, nature… Vacation with Inspiration! Call or visit their website for information.

The third Todos Santos Music Festival will take place at the Hotel California January 16 through 25, 2014. For more information, see our blog post and be sure to check out our great feature in the next issue of the JDP about the bands and festival.

If you’ve missed any of the articles or issues mentioned above, you can find them all online, read our blog and find our publishing schedule at: journaldelpacifico.com