ViNOMA

ViNOMA Love and Wine Festival, Todos Santos, Baja, Mexicoby Mac Sutton

Early February is here, when all human hearts begin to seek out, to align and to enjoy each other’s loving company. Valentine’s Day is for more than expressing your love and gratitude for your soulmate, it is to remind friends of their warm energy and to bask in the beautiful Baja Sur environment and all its treasures.

Just as all holidays bring varying sorts of cheer, this 12 to 14th of February, Todos Santos and La Paz are hosting the ViNAMO, Love and Wine Festival. This, gastronomy and music infused, celebration features the accomplished Mexican enologist, Don Alvaro Ptanick, voted winner three years in a row for Best Red Wine at the prestigious GastroVino, Baja Food and Wine Festival held in Todos Santos every spring.

ViNOMA Food and Wine Festival, Todos Santos, Baja, MexicoOne of Mexico’s best premium wine producers, Vinos Shimul, pride is based on its utilization of authentic Italian varietals such as Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto and hints of Petite Syrah. One of Don Alvaro’s most prestigious wines is the Kórima, which means “to share” in the native Baja tribal language of the Cochimíes, and is dominated by Mexico’s very own native varietal, Misión. Brought over by the missionaries in the beginning of the 17th century, along with the Misión olive, this is as Baja expressive as Baja California wine gets.

The weekend’s festivities kick off with the Concierto de Corazones in the romantically illuminated Huerta of Todos Santos on Friday evening, featuring rock guitar and violin virtuosos, Shimul’s Flying Guitars, in a Battle of Guitar wizardry. Two exquisite pairing dinners follow at Restaurante Sorstis in La Paz with Chef Alessandro on Saturday the 13th, and on Sunday the 14th with Chef Angelo, Madda and Costantino at Ristorante Tre Galline in downtown Todos Santos. Between the Italian-infused, Baja-based cuisine and the Italian-varietal, Baja California-grown wines this is sure to be a MexItalian adventure for your palette’s pleasure.

For more information, visit: www.vinamofest.com. Tickets are available at El Tecolote Bookstore and La Bodega de Todos Santos.

Festival 2015

Journal del Pacifico Festival 2015 cover by Kate Turning

Journal del Pacifico Festival 2015 cover by Kate Turning

Once again we’re receiving rave reviews on our stunning cover for the Festival 2015 issue of Journal del Pacifico, designed by the über talented Kate Turning. Kate has also designed this year’s Film Festival poster and t-shirts, featuring the same model.

The 12th Annual Festival de Cine Todos Santos takes place this March presenting the best in Latin films and shorts. Films will be shown in Todos Santos, La Paz and Pescadero.  This year’s exciting lineup is a tribute to Mexican women directors and actors and the Baja environment, see our articles on the festival, one of the stars and the current Youth in Video project, “No a la Mina.”

A healthy lifestyle and well-being are on everybody’s minds these days. Bryan Jáuregui of Todos Santos Eco Adventures has written about a small group of local women making big changes to their families’ diets and health in the Greenhouse Greats of Pescadero.

We’re also highlighting some other methods available locally for improving your well-being including the Joy of Floating, Deedee’s outstanding massage therapy, Yamuni body rolling with Emily Gable, and Baja Yoga & Ayurveda with Valma Brenton. After reading our article, we’re sure that you’ll want to try at least one, we sure did!

El Tecolote Bookstore is sponsoring “Words and Wine” at La Bodega de Todos Santos. Wednesday, February 18, at 5 pm, meet award-winning author Bruce Berger as he reads from his latest book ‘The End of the Sherry,’ a beautiful memoir chronicling the life and times of Bruce as he copes with the Franco dictatorship in Southern Spain as a young, 20-something American.

Pura Vida Health Foods has opened a second location in downtown Todos Santos behind the Ezra Katz gallery. They are also working hard on re-opening their original location behind the Pemex.

Guayabas Juice Bar is open across from the Guaycura Boutique Hotel in the Todos Santos historic district. Their delicious juices, smoothies and grilled paninis are all made from local and organic produce. The courtyard patio also has free wi-fi.

Leading up to this year’s Academy Awards, Gallo Azul Art & Pizza in Todos Santos is having movie night every Tuesday. Check out their Facebook page for this week’s movie and make your reservations.

March 17th, Shut Up Frank’s will be holding their 19th Annual St. Paty’s Day party. Frank has been making authentic corned beef and will be serving it up with all the fixings. They’ve also added sliced turkey, pastrami and beef sandwiches on homemade bread to their regular menu and have new pizza oven.

El Arco Eléctrica & Plomería’s friendly staff can help you with all your construction and repair needs at two convenient locations in Todos Santos and off Abasolo in La Paz.

La Paz Cruisers Supply provides necessary equipment for cruising boats. They are located at the Marina Palmira in La Paz. While you’re there, check out their Eagle Images Gallery.

Mi Pueblito the colorful traditional Mexican restaurant in the Todos Santos historic district has become a popular spot with locals. Keep you eye out, they will be moving across the street, next to La Bodega de Todos Santos, in the next couple of months.

Cantamar Restaurant, next door to Carnitas Uruapan, on calle Militar in Todos Santos serves up the delicious Mexican breakfasts and lunches and features different daily specials. Don’t worry, you can still order Carnitas Uruapan’s savory pozole next door.

Mini Super Munchies is located in Pescadero near the beach and Rancho Pescadero. You can find everything you need without having to go to town, including micro brews, wine and food to go.

Cafélix’s new Pescadero location is now open 7 am to 7 pm, and Wednesdays until 3 pm. Look for the brick building on the main highway south of the Pemex.

Brody’s Pizza on the road to Los Cerritos is open again and serving up Italian style pizza, fresh salads and spaghetti.

Need a ride from the airport or an area tour? The bilingual and knowledgeable, “Neto” of California Tours provides reliable transportation and area tours to Todos Santos, La Paz, El Triunfo and more!

You can see the entire issue online by clicking here.

Deadline for our Spring/Primavera 2015 issue of Journal del Pacifico is March 6th. Look for our feature stories on the GastroVino Festival and exciting changes at Rancho Pescadero. Contact us for more information or click here for our ad prices and sizes.

Saludos!

Spring!

Happy La Semana Santa (Holy) week!

Journal del Pacfiico Spring 2014 cover by Emanuela Gardner, Baja, Mexico

Journal del Pacfiico Spring 2014 cover by Emanuela Gardner

A recent visitor to the Todos Santos / Pescadero area was amazed at the quantity of “really good restaurants“ here and we are inclined to agree. In this issue, we interviewed several local chefs and restaurateurs and found it a lot of fun and tasty! We hope that you enjoy the chef and restaurant profiles in, this, our first annual Baja “Restaurant Issue.“ For the complete text of the interviews, visit: http://journaldelpacifico.com/blog/features
¡Buen Provecho!

There is no better way to sample the wines of Baja and the gastronomical delights of Todos Santos than at the GastroVino Festival. This year’s 3rd annual Festival includes wine pairing dinners, wine tasting and a bubbly brunch. Don’t miss the main festival that takes place in the plaza pública on May 24, featuring wineries, wine tasting, delicious morsels from area restaurants, live music and more!

There’s more than good wine in Southern Baja—you can learn about the great coffee and fresh baked goods at Baja Beans Roasting Company and the artisanal spirits being brewed at The Distillery in this issue’s profiles as well.

Porfirio Zuñiga displaying a hand-caught sand bass.  Photo: Carlos Aguilar, Baja, Mexico

Porfirio Zuñiga displaying a hand-caught sand bass. Photo: Carlos Aguilar

Fresh, quality fish and sustainable fisheries can go hand in hand. A report by Oceana uncovered the staggering amount of wasted seafood and marine life, known as bycatch, in several U.S. fisheries. This is a concern for communities and chefs in Baja as well. This issue, Bryan Jáuregui of Todos Santos Eco Adventures writes about two men’s quest to educate fishermen and restaurants and help make Baja’s fisheries sustainable with a program called SmartFish.

May 1, Restaurante Tre Galline is moving to share location with Caffé Todos Santos. Don’t worry! You can still get a great cup of coffee and a hearty Caffé Todos Santos breakfast or lunch, then come back for an elegant Italian dinner, pizza or scrumptious dessert in the evening.

Gallo Azul is now open in the stunning new blue building on Zaragoza, just a half a block up from the park in Todos Santos. Gallo Azul serves pizzas and salads, has a full bar and art too!

Artist Steve Thurston has opened his new Gallery 365 on calle Militar in Todos Santos. Pop in if you see the door open. This season it will be open “By Appointment or By Chance.”

You’ve probably noticed the colorful Dana’s Diner in Pescadero, next to the Pemex. Next time you’re passing through, stop in and enjoy old style hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, with French fries, onion rings, jalapeno poppers and more. Full bar with live music coming soon.

Baja isn’t all art, wine and great food. Many authors also make their home here. Karl Eysenbach’s book, The Story of the Century, set in in Baja and Los Angeles with romance, intrigue and suspense, is available at El Tecolote Bookstore in Todos Santos.

Do you have aches and pains in your body? Do you need relief from an injury or pain, new or old? Look into Yamuna Foot Fitness and Body Rolling taught by certified instructor Emily Gable at Estudio Baja located across from Shut Up Frank’s in Todos Santos. Roll out your knots, open your joints and elongate your spine!

Certified Ayurvedic practitioner, Valma Brenton can assist you with natural well-being through yoga, Ayurveda and sustainable living. Call or email for a consultation.

Hummingbirds, photo by Kaia Thomson, Baja, Mexico

photo by Kaia Thomson

May 11, take part in the first annual Hummingbird Festival, to be held at the Centro Cultural in Todos Santos. It’s sure to be fun with art, music, food and guest speakers. There is also a hummingbird photo contest. Check out our article, in the Spring 2014 issue for more details.

FANLAP, Fundación Ayuda Niños La Paz A.C., is an non-profit organization that helps keep children in school in La Paz. They operate a dining room and library in Colonia Laguna Azul, one of the poorest neighborhoods within the jurisdiction of La Paz and raise funds to keep children in school.

According to the latest NOAA/CPC report, there is a 50% chance that equatorial waters in the Pacific will warm sufficiently to meet the criteria for an El Niño (warmer than average sea-surface temperatures). As a result, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center has issued an El Niño Watch for summer 2014. Make sure to protect your windows, doors and home interior with Baja Hurricane Screens. See their ad for more information.

We will see you soon with our Summer/Verano issue—the deadline is May 1.

2014 Todos Santos Music Festival

Vaso Loco LLC logo for the Todos Santos Music FestivalVaso Loco LLC and the Hotel California will be presenting the 2014 Todos Santos Music Festival January 16 through January 25, 2014.

Shows will take place at the Hotel California in Todos Santos January 16, 17, 18, 23 and 24. Doors open at 7 pm, music starts at 8 pm.

The Todos Santos Music Festival Town Plaza Concert will be on Saturday, January 25. Seating starts at 7 pm, music starts at 8 pm.

This year’s bands include Peter Buck’s own band, The Minus 5, headed by Scott McCaughey and featuring Peter Buck and Steve Wynn’s Dream Syndicate known as the saviors of alternative rock.

Kevn Kinney, who played the 2012 festival, will return this year with Drivin’ n Cryin’ an American hard rock/Southern rock band from Atlanta, Georgia.

Other bands that played at the 2013 Festival will be playing this year:
Torre Blanca–This Mexican group play post-pop with symphonic touches, with intimate, deep, playful and thoughtful lyrics.

Twin Tones–This Mexico City band’s music is an explosive fusion of rock, surf and spaghetti western film music. They stole the show during their 2013 debut at the Todos Santos Music Festival! This year that are also featuring one of their side projects, Sonido Gallo Negro, that takes the sound of psychedelic Peruvian cumbia of the 70s and covers it with garage attitude.

New this year, there will also be a “local bands” night at the Hotel California on Wednesday, January 22.

When REM disbanded, after 32 years of creating music and fans around the globe, guitarist and founding member Peter Buck was in the process of making Todos Santos, in Baja California Sur, a south-of-the-border second home. The idea for the first Todos Santos Music Festival was born in September of 2011, and took place in January 2012.

The 2013 Todos Santos Music Festival featured ten nights of entertainment over the course of three weekends, including two free concerts in the town plaza. The lineup of artists was hand-selected by Peter Buck and featured an eclectic array of musicians ranging from industry legends to emerging local talent.

Both the 2012 and 2013 Todos Santos Music Festival raised money for the Palapa Society of Todos Santos A.C., which provides educational after-school programs for local children. Some merchandise, including t-shirts and tank tops are still available from the 2013 festival via the Palapa Society.

The proceeds from some of the shows for this year’s festival will again benefit The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C. Other shows will benefit the Hogar del Niños orphanage, ProPlayas A.C. (lifeguards), The Todos Santos Internado (boarding school for local ranch children), DIF, the Bomberos (fire department), Escuela Pacifica and local animal welfare groups.

Festival founder, Peter Buck of REM, has had a busy year making albums and touring with his band, Tired Pony, as well as with The Baseball Project, The Minus 5 and Kevn Kinney. He is currently planning a US tour of the Midwest and South with Alejandro Escovedo (Todos Santos Music Festival 2013) in late February and early March 2014. Peter and singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata both accompanied Ed Kowalczyk of Live on his second studio album, “The Flood and the Mercy,” available on October 29. http://audioinkradio.com/2013/10/ed-kowalczyk-new-album-r-e-m-peter-buck/

For more information on Peter’s busy year, read this great interview at Salon
http://www.salon.com/2013/10/09/peter_buck_i_think_we_were_all_really_ready_for_a_change/

Peter Buck’s first solo album was released on vinyl only in November 2012. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCEcfeTL5pU He also has a second, vinyl only, album coming out in 2014 on Mississippi Records. His 45 vinyl single, “Peter Buck! El Rei de los Monos Presente! You Must Fight to Live on the Planet of the Apes” available from Mississippi/Change Records. http://blurtonline.com/feature/the-singles-scene-vi-blurts-indie-45-roundup/

Tired Pony’s second album ‘The Ghost Of The Mountain’ was released in the UK/Intl. in August and in the US in October. You can order in the UK now at Fiction (CD) – http://trdpny.com/FictionCD / Fiction (Vinyl) – http://trdpny.com/FictionVinyl / iTunes – http://trdpny.com/iTunes

To watch a preview with Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpZPt3pFkvk  You can follow Tired Pony online at their Facebook page and on Vine and Twitter @TiredPony.

Erick Ochoa, president of the Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C. stated that they are grateful for everything that the Todos Santos Music Festival has done for the Palapa Society. The contributions and publicity generated from the Music Festival and the move into their new home in the San Vicente neighborhood of Todos Santos have enable them to include over 100 children in their programs. They have also received a US fellowship via the International Community Fund allowing them to hire both a full time teacher and part-time assistant for their Bridge to English program.

Todos Santos, near the tip of Mexico’s Baja peninsula on the Pacific Ocean, features colonial architecture, top-rated restaurants, fine art galleries, miles of pristine beaches and a colorful community of locals and expats. Todos Santos has a population of just under 8,000 people, but offers an abundance of creative events, annual arts and cinema festivals and other cultural activities that cater to an international tourist and expat crowd as well as locals. It was the first town in Baja designated as “Pueblo Magico” by the Mexican government, which signifies places in the country that have “a unique authentic historic and artistic charm.”

Check TodosSantosMusicFestival.com or Facebook: TodosSantosMusicFestival for more information and tickets soon!

Other upcoming Todos Santos events and festivals include:

Todos Santos PorQue 5k? Walk/Run. December 28, 2013. Sponsored by the Palapa Society of Todos Santos A.C.

The Festival de Arte Todos Santos takes place February 1-8, 2014.

The 5th Annual Open Studio Tour will be held immediately following the Todos Santos Art Festival on February 9, 2014. Last year there were 35 artist studios open for viewing, covering mediums from oils, pastels, watercolors, mixed media, en-caustic, ceramics, sculpture and photography. Sponsored by the Palapa Society of Todos Santos A.C. All proceeds go towards Children’s Art.

The 11th Festival de Cine de Todos Santos, February 20 – 28, 2014 with the Premiere of ‘Youth in Video’ films on February 20.

Todos Santos Historic Home Tour takes place Sunday, March 16 from 10 am to 2 pm. Sponsored by the Palapa Society of Todos Santos A.C.

The Todos Santos GastroVino Festival will be held in May 24 and 25, 2014.

For a complete listing of events visit:  http://journaldelpacifico.com/blog/events-2/

About Peter Buck
Peter Buck is a founding member and lead guitar player of REM.

About The Hotel California
At the hub of Todos Santos is the legendary and colorful Hotel California. Originally built in 1948 this unique hotel underwent a masterful renovation in 2001 that would go on to win numerous awards for design and décor. The original 16 rooms were transformed into the eclectic 11-suite hotel it is today.www.hotelcaliforniabaja.com/press

About The Palapa Society
The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C., founded in 2003, is a multicultural, non-profit Mexican Civil Association. The mission is the development and administration of scholarship, educational, medical and environmental programs for the benefit of local children and their families. http://palapasociety.org/