Spring Break Students Lend A Hand, Trash For Food Recycling Program Returns, Reenacting The Passion Next Week, Osteroporosis Screening, Police Checkpoints In Colonias, Successful Benefit For Animals In Isla Mujeres Monday, March 18

..This is the live webcam at North Beach / Playa Norte








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"Springbreakers" do community work

For eleven years, students on spring break from the University of Southern California have participated in an Alternative Spring Break program that includes doing good works in Isla Mujeres such as cleaning beaches and painting schools. The program combines fun with social work, and the students will be conducting clean up activities on Contoy Island for three days. This weekend they were cleaning and painting at primary schools in Isla Mujeres. They received a welcome in the City Council room, where municipal historian Fidel Villanueva Madrid spent two hours telling them about the Maya, the founding of the town, the Caste War, pirates, fishing and other history of the island.Then they went to the walking path around Salina Grande and gathered ~40 jumbo trash bags of garbage. Next they went to the Trash Transfer station with the trash, assisted by the municipal Ecology agency, and they donated ornamental plants for the public educational facilities. The Mayor plans to receive them in his offices and thank them. Source: Diario Q Roo/Manuel Valdez 


 Recycling program returns to La Gloria
On Sunday, in colonia La Gloria,  over 600 families participated in the recycling program, "Trash for Food". There have been eleven successful events with residents exchanging recyclables for food, with seven of them taking place on the island, and the other four were on the mainland in continental Isla Mujeres, where more than 8000 families have benefited from this program. At each event they gathered about 30 tons of recyclable trash, which makes over 300 tonnes of trash that was removed from the streets of Isla Mujeres and recycled, in recent months. The donations included plastic, cardboard, cans, glass bottles, and useless appliances. This state program also promotes environmental education to adults and children, teaching them the value of recyclable waste. The state committed to offering this program every 15 days, and it has been successful.  Source: Quequi/Carlos Gasca  


Reenactment of Passion Of Christ In Streets & Square
Members and officials of the Catholic Church are preparing for the living "Viacrusis", a dramatization of the Passion of Christ  that will take place in the streets of Isla Mujeres on Friday, March 29. The ordeal is scheduled to begin at the Guadalupe Chapel at one pm, and will conclude with a reenactment of the crucifixion at the town square. The foot washing and confessing scenes have been organized, and the cast of 86 actors has been determined. Source: Diario Respuesta/Jesus Molina 

Osteoporosis Screening
 The municipal Women's agency conducted more that 60 consults to screen for osteoporosis, in celebration of International Women's Day. The program was nearly free since there was only a 50 pesos charge. An official with the Women's agency, Miriam Trejo, thanked Diaro Respuesta for making it known, noting there was a good response from the people of Isla Mujeres. Source: Diario Respuesta/Jesus Molina  

Police Checkpoints Downtown & In Colonias
During the police security operations on the island and mainland, 18 people were detained and three motorcycles were impounded during 24 hours. Fifteen of the 18 were brought before the judge for disturbing public order. Three men were arrested on the mainland for drug charges: two were possessing marijuana and the other had a baggie of cocaine. The three motorcycles were impounded because their drivers were drunk, so they were required to dismount, and the vehicles will be returned to their owners when they present the registration and title documents.The purpose of these actions is to reduce accidents in Isla Mujeres and avoid tragedies that endanger the lives of the inhabitants. The people who were arrested for disturbing the peace were causing 'scandals' in the streets, and prompting complaints. There were police checkpoints  in various colonias including  “Cañotal”, “Miraflores” and “La Gloria”, as well as downtown. Operations will intensify next weekend during the Easter holidays. Source: Por Esto  


Vacilao's Bar For Rent
The bar "Vacilao's" has been displaying a "For Rent" sign for the past five days. It was closed  three months ago following the deaths of 19 year old Eddy Aníbal Mendo Chávez and sixteen year old Angel Orlando Leal Ríos, which were determined to be a double homicide. The bar was closed and fined, and did not reopen. An investigation determined they had served alcohol to the sixteen year old. The investigation also determined that the young people were drunk when they were killed. Authorities have not reported any progress in determining the whereabouts of the purchasing manager of "JAX Bar & Grill", Eduardo Padilla Reyes, who was driving the green Chevy Blazer that hit the rear of the motorcycle. The deaths were originally thought to be the result of an accident, but "it was apparently the result of a fight that originated in Vacilao's bar."  There has also been criticism of this bar because it is located a few meters from the Immaculate Conception Church. Source: Por Esto  

It is a long weekend celebrating the birthday of Benito Juarez, so many banks & offices are closed including Cablemas, Aguakan, and CFE.

This blog is brought to you by....
MaraVilla Caribe   Bed & Beach    Three rentals with large glass doors overlooking our white sand beach and the beautiful Caribbean sea, with  kitchenettes & free WIFI. In the coastal neighborhood of  Bachilleres, among upscale villas & boutique hotelitos, convenient to downtown or the colonias, yet separate.  Quiet & Private.   
Free amenities such as hammocks, bikes, outdoor shower, portable beach chairs & beach towels, washer, loungers & BBQ. Breathtaking panoramic views from the rooftop terrace. Upstairs room also available.   Downtown is  ~ a mile away; if you don't feel like walking or biking, flag a $2 taxi or hop on the bus. We also have room for parking,You can enjoy the music & crowds downtown, then come home our quiet neighborhood of Bachilleres where you'll  sleep to the sounds of the sea..  $275/$325/$425 wk   $40/50/$65nt  Monthly Discounts

View from rooms

Small room

Large room

Fine dining a few steps away at Da Luisa or try the traditional neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. Stroll five minutes down the coastal sidewalk to Mango Cafe or Monchi's,shop at Chedraui or visit restaurants, bars, & beach clubs; minutes away by bike or on foot. Our guests recommend the Yoga classes a couple villas away at hotelito Casa Ixchel. Fresh juice, produce & tortillas a few blocks away in the village, as well as a pharmacy and variety of other stores and small local restaurants

Sunrise this morning from MVC B&B

Bruce's St Pat's Day Photos.....
  We participated in the Isla Animal's benefit yesterday, which was a pub crawl that started at Seso Loco's and ended at Soggy Peso. After we arrived, organizers asked Bruce to take photos at each bar.  Below is a sampling of them.

    Fifty-two people got advance tickets for donating 250p, and received a tee shirt upon arrival. At each of five bars, you drew a card & had a number circled your shirt, and received a free drink. The best five card poker hand won Rosetta Stone software. Brad of Barlito's won, and donated it back, to be raffled off. I didn't catch the winner's name...it probably is or will be on the event FB page, with more photos. 
  
      These establishments are all listed in the business directory at the top of the blog, with links to their websites &/or Facebook pages. They are also all within walking distance of MaraVilla Caribe Bed & Beach!

Bar #1  SesoLocos....There were a couple tables of diners among the dozens of Poker Run participants and the waiters did a great job of winding thru the crowd & giving excellent service. One waiter dropped off a menu, encouraging us to return, and we passed it around. Participants received a pink fruity drink made with a generous pour of tequila. I have enjoyed their soups & salads, friends love their chiles rellenos, and they are well known for the parmesan encrusted fish, which is usually grouper. They also deliver, and their number is always at the top of this blog with the delivery numbers. HERE is a link to one of their sites.  

 Next we went to Chuuk Kay, where we received a similar pink fruity drink, made with vodka. More people joined the group, socializing increased, and the waiters served tasty snacks of seasoned avocado chunks & a bean dip, with chips. My poker hand became a Jack and a Nine. A lovely setting, a beautiful day, and the party began to get livelier and louder, with more costumes. Chuuk Kay's menu is in the Food Blog & they are in the live music listings, as well as the business directory. Their weekend happy hours with Banda Sin Nombre are popular. HERE is a link to their menu.

 Next we headed north to Marina Paraiso's Iguanas Restaurant & Bar, where green beer was the free beverage. Carlos impressed the crowd by offering them (for free) a freshly made, HUGE, pan of the restaurant's wonderful paella. Folks went back for seconds & many made plans to return for this Sunday special (which Bruce & I usually enjoy a couple times a month). It's 250 pesos for paella for two, including a bucket of five beers. You can mix & match the types of beers or substitute soft drinks. The paella has generous amounts of shrimp, mussels, chicken, pork, and octopus, and is made to order. Carlos tops it off by offering drinks of red wine from a boda. Participants in the poker run also enjoyed the pool, and spread out around the bar, the poolside and  the dining area. A special tent was set up for the registration area and paella service. It was another beautiful setting, with friendly & attentive staff. They were featuring live music later, with grilled steaks & ribs, which is their usual Saturday night special. I need to update the Iguana's menu in the Food blog, their links are in the Business Directory, and they feature live music Thurs-Sunday. Our favorites are John Cain's acoustic show on Friday's and the duo from Vera Cruz (I think) on Sunday's. HERE is a link to their menu.

 Next the group headed to Bahia Torutga's where a live band was playing, and I'm not sure what the free beverage was. Their Philly Cheese steak and fresh cut fries are one of their most popular menu items, and I have enjoyed their nachos. The Sol Rockers, with John Cain, play a popular Sunday evening show there, and other evenings they sometimes have a band or karaoke. Isla Animals had puppies available for petting & cuddling.

 
 The final stop was the Soggy Peso, who were hosting their annual St Pat's Day party. Freddy made a special green beverage with fresh coco water & tequila for the participants, and Mal passed  green tequila jello shots among the crowd. They were serving their usual wonderful Texas style smoked BBQ to diners and the staff did an impressive job of circulating through the crowd keeping everyone stocked with cold drinks, and delivering plates of hot, tasty food. Sharing a plate of Mal's BBQ is our other favorite Sunday dinner. That's Sally at the registration desk on the beach with Freddy. At one point, green balloons cascaded down from the balcony to the pool, and the photo below that one shows the Rosetta Stone raffle, and that's me grinning away in the photo below that one. I was turning in my cards...I had an excellent hand at this point...seven Jacks and five Queens with a coupla Pairs & and an Ace as back up....with a little help from my friends.

 


 Here's a pic of the photographer, waiting in line to register at Chuuk Kay's (at left) ....

 On the internet in the past 24 hours...

Kathryn Finn-Blume    Lolo lorena

Shrimp with excellent sauce & veggies

Hair Of The Dog Island Poker Run's photo.

Hey..! It's for the animals, man..

Ignacio Acosta Casanova updated his cover photo.

Hotel Posada Del Mar added a new photo.

Tiffany Yenawine Wareing changed her profile picture.

Soggy Peso Bar Grill shared Freddy Medina's photo.

Mi amigo "El burrrro" y fredd'y, St. Patrick's day 2013 at Soggy peso !

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Soggy Peso Bar Grill shared Patty Magrini's photo.

Tiffany Yenawine Wareing was tagged in Hair Of The Dog Island Poker Run's photo.

The winner! Brad Wareing!!

Freddy Medina  Happy St. Patrick's day !

Rosa Sirenas  Happy St. Patrick's Day to you & yours wherever you are celebrating today!!! —  at Casa De Las Sirenas.

Devitt Rogers Zuzil-ha, Isla Mujeres

Devitt Rogers   demasiado caliente

Fenix Lounge updated their cover photo.

Hair Of The Dog Island Poker Run Poker Run in full swing!!

Options

Isla Animals shared Hector the Miracle Pup's photo.

Best news, Guapo arrived here last night at 10:30 pm. His surgery went really well. Arturo's brother, the orthodontist, came from Merida to assist. Guapo is a...ll wired up and drinking water, no feeding tube, but we will be feeding him with a big syringe. He's on anti - biotics and pain meds. If we can keep it clean and uninfected he will be in great shape. Lots of time in "the cone of shame," with wires sticking out of his jaw, but on the way to recovery.

Isla Mujeres  Take a leap into the blue!    ¡Aviéntate al azul turquesa!

 "Time Lapse" of Playa Norte Webcam:  LINK  

  Playa Norte now in real time in Isla Mujeres   

  The Early Edition with the newspaper photographs and headlines is usually published around sunrise.
This Final Edition with the translated articles, plus original photos including the sunrise and the "Around the Internet in the Past 24 Hours" section usually publishes around noon.
Both blogs always have links to the original articles.
 Usually if an article is "missing",  it may have been published in another paper recently, and translated.in a previous post.
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