Summer 2023

Journal del Pacifico Spring 2023 cover by Wendy FitzHappy 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

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.

On the Cover Spring / Primavera 2023

Journal del Pacfico Spring 2023 cover by Wendy Fitz

Journal del Pacfico Spring 2023 cover by Wendy Fitz

Wendy Bethia Fitz

Español abajo

My infatuation with images started in my childhood watching old films my father had taken while living in China before I was born. It’s of some note that my great, great grandfather Henry Fitz Jr. studied with Daguerre and took one of the first, if not the first, daguerreotypes in America, making him a pioneer in the era of photography in America. Also, a telescope maker, he helped develop what would become the first patented camera in America. We always had cameras around while I was growing up.

Wendy Fitz, self portrait, Baja 1979

Wendy Fitz, self portrait, Baja 1979

I didn’t really have a camera of my own until my 20s. My boyfriend at that time, John Kiewit, gave me an old Minolta that he had lying around amongst his many cameras. We rode around in a VW bus and shot any and everything. I grew up chasing beautiful light and images that were, and still are, everywhere I look.

I studied photography with Art Rogers. His continued work chronicling the history and beauty of West Marin County in California is stunning. Through my classes with Art, I was introduced to the Dark Room, a wonderful haven for photographers in San Rafael, California. I first dug into Baja California on trips led by Orrin Moon the owner of the Dark Room.

I’m inspired every day by what’s in front of my eyes–a gift I never take for granted. I’ve been wandering the pathways and beaches of Todos Santos for over 30 years collecting images given up to me by the extraordinary light.

——————————————————————–

Wendy Bethia Fitz

Traducido por Francesca Magallon

Mi infatuación por las imágenes comenzó en mi infancia, viendo filmes viejos que mi padre había tomado mientras vivía en China antes de que yo naciera. Es de notarse que mi tatarabuelo Henry Fitz Jr. estudió con Daguerre y tomó uno de los primeros, sino es que el primer daguerrotipo en América, haciéndolo un pionero en la era de la fotografía en EUA. También un fabricante de telescopios, el ayudó a desarrollar lo que se convertiría en la primera cámara patentada en América. Siempre había cámaras a nuestro alrededor cuando yo crecí.

En realidad, yo no tuve una cámara propia hasta que entré a mis veintes. Mi novio de esa época, John Kiewit, me regaló una Minolta vieja que tenía arrumbada entre sus varias cámaras. Nos movíamos en una combi VW y tomábamos fotos “de todo y nada.” Crecí persiguiendo la hermosa luz e imágenes que estaban, y siguen estando, en todos lados hacia donde dirijo mi mirada.

Estudié fotografía con Art Rogers. Su continuo trabajo documentando cronológicamente la historia y la belleza del oeste del Condado Marin en California, es impresionante. Por medio de mis clases con Art, llegué a conocer el laboratorio fotográfico llamado el “Cuarto Oscuro,” un refugio maravilloso para los fotógrafos en San Rafael, California. Por primera vez empecé a mostrar interés e investigar acerca de Baja California, debido a los viajes guiados por el dueño del Cuarto Oscuro, Orrin Moon.

Diariamente me inspira lo que tengo frente a mis ojos, un regalo que nunca doy por sentado. He deambulado por los caminos y playas de Todos Santos por más de 30 años, recolectando imágenes, que la extraordinaria luz me ha otorgado.