Villa Santa Cruz January 2011 Newsletter by Jessica Canepa

January 2011 Newsletter from Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico www.villasantacruzbaja.com ________________________________________________________________________ Feliz Año Nuevo! And, a happy new year it is at Villa Santa Cruz. The days are warm with beautiful starry nights, the whales are playing in the Pacific just in front of the Villa, and the town is abuzz in preparation for upcoming festivals. This newsletter edition is dedicated to the natural wonders and exciting events not to be missed in Todos Santos this season. From whale watching and turtle releases to the Art and Film Festivals, Todos Santos is the place to be in 2011.

Villa Santa Cruz News – Summer Rates! Check the website to see our Summer Rates (July 15 to Nov 1): Hotel Option: * Deluxe Suites: $215 * Junior Suites: $165 Vacation Rental Option: * Entire Villa: $700 – Thank You! Thank you to our wonderful guests who have posted amazing reviews for us on TripAdvisor. We’re up to 10 reviews – wow! – Newly Engaged? The Villa is an incredible spot for a wedding celebration! Contact us for information. – Huge Swell! The surf at the La Pastora surf break has picked up and is firing! Don’t miss the ride of your life.

The Roof Terrace – whale watching at its most luxurious!

Front Row Seat!

Whale Watching

From November to April, we here at Villa Santa Cruz are lucky enough to witness the migration of grey and humpback whales. These magnificent creatures travel 6,000 miles from their summer homes in Alaska to the warm winter waters of Baja. Whether you are eating breakfast in the outdoor dining room, having coffee on the balcony of your Guest Suite, or watching the sunset from the Roof Terrace, you will undoubtedly glimpse their flukes (tails) as well as see them breach, spout and play. 14th Annual

Nature puts on quite a show!

Todos Santos Art Festival February 12 to February 19

Celebrate Valentine’s weekend by indulging your sweetheart in the arts! A lively celebration of Mexican culture, the Todos Santos Art Festival is filled with folk dancing, music, theater, flowers and art/sculpture displays. Here are a few of the interesting events featured in this year’s festival program: Saturday, February 12 at 2pm: – Gastronomy. Gastronomic showcase of traditional Todos Santos cuisine Sunday, February 13 at 7pm: – Classic Music. Group of Classical Guitars of the University of Baja California Sur Then, at 8pm: – Dance. Fusion of Arabic, gypsy and Spanish dances Tuesday, February 15 at 8pm: – Music Concert. “Psappha” Percussion ensemble of the Symphonic Orchestra of the state of Sinaloa

For more information and a complete Schedule of Events, visit: http://www.todossantos-baja.com/todossantos/art/art-festival.htm

Slow and Steadyâ&#x20AC;Ś

Turtle Releases Help Save the Leatherback Turtles

The critically endangered Leatherback Turtles need your help! Due to environmental and human population factors, these turtles now lay their eggs on the beaches of Todos Santos where the sand temperatures are too low for the eggs to hatch naturally. The wonderful people involved with the conservation group, Tortugueros Las Playitas, dedicate themselves to incubating the eggs, running nightly patrols to gather and protect the eggs, and educating all on sea turtle restoration. You can participate in the effort by helping release baby turtles into the ocean. Amazingly, although these turtles can grow to over six feet long, when they first hatch, they are barely the size of your palm. Watch them take the long walk from the shore into the waves. Great for kids! You can even have a turtle of your very own! For a small donation, you can adopt a hatchling through their Adoption Program. You will receive a Sea Turtle Birth Certificate and a photo of your hatchling. All proceeds go straight to the rescue and care of the eggs and turtles. Adoptions begin at $25 USD. For more information, or to make an adoption or donation, visit: www.todostortugueros.org. Releases from December â&#x20AC;&#x201C; April. All turtle releases happen at sunrise/sunset on the beach at Las Playitas just a few miles north of Villa Santa Cruz.

Luz, Camára, Acción!

Todos Santos Film Festival March 4 to March 7

The 8th annual Film Festival dates are now confirmed and the schedule has been posted. Films will be shown in Todos Santos from March 4 to March 7, with continued showings in La Paz from March 12 to March 14. In total, 8 films will be screened in Todos Santos. Come support these amazing independent film makers. View the Schedule of Films at www.todossantoscinefest.com. Alternatively, visit the Todos Santos Blog at www.todosantos.net and click on the Film Festival Schedule link on the right. ________________________________________________________________________ The films will be shown at the newly renovated Manuel Márquez de León Theater, located on the main plaza in the heart of the historic district of Todos Santos.

We hope to see you all soon! Sending our best for a wonderful 2011. Saludos,

Matt & Jessica Canepa John Brown Proprietors Villa Santa Cruz – On the Beach

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