Alternately cast as the ”lost love child of Leonard Cohen and Nancy Sinatra” and “PJ Harvey at her mostirate, teeth-bared,” Vera Sola makes timeless, time-bending sound. With an ethereal voice and a haunting body of song, Vera Sola is back with ‘Peacemaker’, her sophomore album set for release on 2nd February,2024. Stream the latest singles ‘Desire Path’ and ‘The Line’ now.
Peacemaker follows Vera Sola’s critically acclaimed 2018 debut Shades. The record is at times bold and orchestral while retaining some of the dirt and grit that was present under the fingernails of Shades, realizing a whole world while managing to also find remarkable detail in snapshot vignettes.” If one were to unroll the mind, and watch as the moments that coalesce into memories rise from the map into relief. It’s a collection of stories stitched together with that particular dreamlike quality which allows for disparate spaces to converge into a single scarcely knowable vastness”.
Peacemaker is out on City Slang and Spectraphonic Records.
Sabrina A. Falquier, MD, CCMS, DipABLM (pronounced Fall-Key-Ay), is triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Culinary Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine. Born and raised in Mexico City to Swiss and American parents, she is bilingual in Spanish and English and brings a rich multicultural perspective to her work at the intersection of food, culture, and vibrant health. After more than 15 years in primary care, Dr. Falquier founded Sensations Salud® to help individuals reconnect with food as a powerful tool for prevention, longevity, and joy. Through Culinary Medicine, she translates the science of nutrition into practical, flavorful strategies grounded in evidence and cultural tradition. She teaches at both the university and community levels and consults with leading integrative health organizations. At Rancho La Puerta, she invites you to explore how thoughtful shifts in ingredients, food choices, and cooking approaches—whether in your own kitchen or when dining out—can meaningfully support vitality and long-term well-being. Dr. Falquier also hosts two podcasts—Culinary Medicine Recipe and Medicina Culinaria. An award-winning contributor to Edible San Diego, she has been interviewed by multiple media outlets on the role of food in prevention and wellness and is featured in the documentary The Kitchenistas. Her work reflects a deep commitment to connection, nourishment, and whole-person health.
Brent Hedstrom, from the bright lights of Broadway to the vibrant chaos of the art studio, Brent’s journey is nothing short of eclectic. His resume spans theatrical stage makeup for iconic productions like The Lion King, Romeo and Juliet, Terracotta Warriors and Medea, to owning a salon where his mastery of color and form took on new dimensions. A self-proclaimed “art junkie,” Brent Hedstrom channels his creativity into a wide range of visual art. In his studio he works with acrylics and oils on wood panels, resin finishes, metal and paper weaving, and a special passion: marbling all kinds of paper into mesmerizing patterns.
Phoebe Hunt and Dominick Leslie bring charm and virtuosity to the stage as their original music touches on the roots of American music winding from jazz to country, from swing to bluegrass and even touching on world music with eastern influences with ease and grace. Independently the two have traveled with a number of bands, touring through the States as well as internationally. Best known for her TEDx talks around the healing power of music and as front woman of her band, Phoebe Hunt & The Gatherers, Hunt is a top-shelf fiddler and songwriter who spends her time between performances holding space for others to grow through the power of music. Drawing from 30 years spent studying the violin/fiddle, Hunt’s latest release interweaves her classical upbringing with Appalachian Old Time, Texas Swing, and a maturity of songwriting that creates an unfiltered, raw expression dripping with palpable vulnerability. “Hunt certainly doesn’t neglect her roots, but she doesn’t wallow in the dirt of her influences, either.” – Rolling Stone| Colorado native Dominick Leslie has been around live music all his life, having attended his first bluegrass festival when he was just five months old. Best known as a touring member of GRAMMY award winning bluegrass band, Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway, Dominick Leslie has been involved with many outstanding projects over the years including The Deadly Gentlemen, The Grant Gordy Quartet, Missy Raines and the New Hip, The Bee Eaters, Noam Pikelny & Friends, Hawktail, Sam Reider and the Human Hands, Phoebe Hunt and the Gatherers and several other spontaneous groups.
Mark Hixon
Madre Restaurante
Chef Vivian Mercado is a young culinary talent with roots deeply intertwined with the vibrant flavors of her homeland, Baja California. Graduating from the Culinary School at the University of Baja California UABC in Ensenada, Vivian embarked on a culinary journey that began by honing her skills at a wholesome meal prep kitchen. Eager to explore the diverse tapestry of local Baja flavors, she took the role of a young manager at a culinary venture, where she delved into the realms of local wines, specialty coffee and artisanal bread. After three enriching years, Vivian returned to Tecate, where she found her culinary sanctuary at Rancho La Puerta. Starting at Tierra Alegre Juice Bar, Vivian delighted our guests with delicious and nutritious smoothies and cold pressed juice creations; a year later she had the opportunity to join the main Rancho La Puerta kitchen as Sous Chef for three years. Now, at La Cocina que Canta, Head Chef Vivian brings her expertise, creativity, and unwavering passion for culinary excellence to every dish she crafts, to every class she teaches. 
Manuel Velázquez is an international health and wellness continuing education provider and presenter on fitness educational conferences around the world. His versatility and multifaceted approach leading land-strength and land-dance, aquatic and mind/body training programs have won him recognition as a Presenter of the Year and All-Around International Presenter of the Year presenting at fitness conferences worldwide for almost three decades. He is a proud Faculty Member for SCW Fitness Education and Creator Designer & National Trainer for their WATERinMOTION®Platinum Instructor program for the “Active Agers”. Manuel is a continuing education faculty member for SCW, ACE, AFAA, ACSM, AEA, and stars in over 70 Fitness Instructor Training Videos, including AFAA’s online yoga certification program “Sunrise Yoga”. Former Lead Instructor at Puerto Rico’s exclusive Golden Door Spa now is a head instructor at Rancho La Puerta Wellness Resort & Spa.