The first issue of The Isla Mujeres Magazine to benefit Isla charities has been published, featuring a variety of talented writers and photographers! Thank-you to everyone who has visited & shared it!
Check out the Charity document, patronize the supportive businesses & visit the blogs of the talented contributors! Contact me at westofcuba@gmail.com if you'd like to donate $15 to your fav charity, for an ad. Good causes, good exposure. Ad for a year is a $45 donation. 100% is contributed.

Feel free to copy & share the Charity document! Telling your friends about the Magazine & sharing links helps Isla Charities, too. Your support is appreciated & small efforts add up to big differences. Thanks!

This is the live webcam at North Beach / Playa Norte

LINK to 24 hour time lapse of the webcam

The "Morning Edition" has translated headlines & newspaper photos. This Afternoon Edition has translations of the news articles, Daily Events, the Live Music Schedule & the "Around the Internet in the Past 24 Hours" section including photos & info from individuals & local businesses .... Daily In Isla Mujeres. There are always links to the original articles in Spanish.

Noticias de Diario de Quintana Roo ....

Arrival of German ship-school whose students visit Old Havana, Cuba

Arriba buque-escuela alemán

Jueves, 06 de Febrero de 2014 22:18

Tras dejar a estudiantes en La Habana Vieja, Cuba

Lanrry PARRA

ISLA MUJERES, 6 de febrero.-

Leer más...
The boat "Classroom Under Sail" with a German flag arrived yesterday afternoon, with about 35 students, who will visit Cuba, accompanied by their families. The reporter interviewed a crew member who said the ship will remain in Isla Mujeres for two weeks, and then it will sail to pick up the students in Cuba. Meantime there will be maintenance to the ship such as painting, cleaning, and work on the motor and sails. The boat visits annually, after having traversed the North Sea, coming from Germany, going to Tenefife, and after that to the Caribbean, Panama, Cuba, and Isla Mujeres.
   It was unclear to the reporter, because of the language difficulties, but he thought the crew member said the ship has come to Isla Mujeres for 50 consecutive years, which would mean it had been coming since 1964. (I think that was a misunderstanding). A translator said the students on board are 14 and 15 years old and they learn the basic skills of sailors. This program receives assistance from a group of Germans for these trips lasting several months. Every year the ship is anchored and docked at the concrete pier of the Isla Mujeres Port Authority, next to the ferry terminal. (by the cargo/car ferry)

That ship is the Thor Heyerdahl.
     Remember the movie "Kon Tiki?" It was Norwegian anthropologist, zoologist, ethnologist and adventurer Thor Heyerdahl who sailed the hand made raft Kon Tiki ~8,000 km (5,000 mi) across the Pacific from South America to the Tuamotu Islands in 1947, to demonstrate that ancient people could have made long sea voyages, creating contacts between apparently separate cultures.
This ship was built in 1930 (or 1931 according to another source) and used as a freighter. It was refurbished in 1979 by two sailing enthusiasts, who turned the run-down ship into a topsail schooner to use for sail training of teenagers and young adults. The ownership of the ship was subsequently turned over to an association One of the two original owners, Detlef Soitzek, had sailed on Heyerdahl's Tigris expedition in 1977-78, and he suggested that the ship be named after the famous researcher and adventurer. .        From spring to fall, Thor Heyerdahl sails mainly in the Baltic Sea and participates in international sail training events. In winter, the ship has repeatedly crossed the Atlantic Ocean and sailed in the Caribbean, as classroom under sails with teenage crews. source: Wiki

Pruning palm trees on the beaches

To avoid incidents

Podan palmeras de coco en playas

Jueves, 06 de Febrero de 2014 21:37

Para evitar incidentes

Lanrry PARRA

ISLA MUJERES, 6 de febrero.-

Staff of the Department of Ecology are pruning palm trees in the beach area and removing the coconuts to keep visitors and residents safe from incidents. The work began two days ago, according to workers, and they have pruned over 30 trees. They intend to take care of 100 palms, which means this work will take at least a week.

Listening to those in the tourism industry

During the Community Forum organized by Agapito

Escucha a turisteros

Jueves, 06 de Febrero de 2014 21:36

Durante “Foro con la Comunidad”, organizado por Agapito

Lanrry PARRA

ISLA MUJERES, 6 de febrero.- .

Leer más...
Before starting with the part of the forum with participation of citizens, the Directors of the agencies of Economic Development, Parks and Museums, Tortugranja , Fishing, and Tourism, unveiled some of the projects to be developed in different areas. This included tourism promotion, help to the fishing industry, and improving the image of the municipality. These issues are included in the programs of the Municipal Development Plan (PDM). The forum with the Subcommittee on Public Works & Services was conducted and the forum of the Subcommittee of Urban Development and the Environment were rescheduled for this Monday at 2pm in the City Council meeting room. These Forums With The Community are one of the programs to maintain an open dialogue with each of the sectors of society and to involved all the citizens to reach a consensus via a dialogue to find the best solutions to meet the challenges facing the municipality.

Tvisla Mujeres

This morning the Secretary General of the City of Isla Mujeres Cesar Poot Perez confirmed the resignation of the Director of Tourism, Carmelina Martínez Hamed.

http://bit.ly/TVISLA-Renuncia

Tv Isla Mujeres | Confirman la renuncia de la directora de Turismo de #IslaMujeres

www.tvislamujeres.com.mx

Isla Mujeres. – El Secretario General del Ayuntamiento de Isla Mujeres Cesar Poot Pérez confirmó esta mañana la renuncia de la directora de Turismo Carmelina Martínez Hamed,

Noticias de Quequi......

Resignation of Director of Tourism is confirmed

Comuna

Confirman renuncia de titular de Turismo

0 06 de febrero de 2014

Por Carlos Gasca-Quequi.- She presented a formal request to leave office in recent days, due to personal issues. The Secretary General of the City said the Mayor is asking the leaders of the business community to suggest candidates to fill this position immediately. The announcement could occur in the next few days. The Tourism Promotion agency disappeared (it merged with the agency in Cancun), and now the Department of Tourism is having difficulty, and the official (promotional web) pages have been suspended.

0 comentarios Leer toda la noticia

Dredging of navigational channel for the ferries is urged

Denuncia

Urge dragar canal de navegación para ferrys

0 06 de febrero de 2014

Por Carlos Gasca-Quequi.-

0 comentarios Leer toda la noticia

José Zunsa Chi, administrator for the cargo ferry in Isla Mujeres, said it is necessary for the Port Authority (APIQRoo) to allocate resources to dredge the navigation channel used by the ferries because it is causing damage to the hull. He explained they have made this request previously, and admits there have been difficulties getting the issue adressed, since it will cost around a million pesos and require special permits. Both of the ferries, "Isla Blanca" & "Sergio Gracia Aguilar" are having difficulties at the dock in Isla Mujeres when the water is low and the ferry has a lot of cargo. He said the problem is not new and in recent months sand has accumulated in the area, causing problems for both ferries.

He said the situation is causing serious damage to the hull of the ferry, which could result in costly repairs. There are plans to relocate the ferry Gracia Sergio Aguilar to Campeche at the end of February, for preventative and corrective maintenance.

Noticias de Diario Respuesta...

German ship docks with 35 students

Atraca buque alemán con 35 estudiantes

Viernes 07 de Febrero de 2014 13:56 Jesús Molina DIARIO RESPUESTA

Open door for citizen participation

Abren puerta a participación ciudadana

Viernes 07 de Febrero de 2014 13:53 Jesús Molina DIARIO RESPUESTA

The Community forum was well attended, and involves issues relating to the Municipal Development Plan (PDM), whose programs should respond to the needs expressed by the islanders themselves.

Vulnerable families receive help from the federal government

Reciben familias vulnerables el apoyo del gobierno federal

Viernes 07 de Febrero de 2014 13:53 Jesús Molina DIARIO RESPUESTA

On the day before yesterday at the Senior Citizen facility, located in colonia Amplification la Gloria, there were 420 people who received payments from the federal program "Opportunities". These payments were for the months of November and December. Beneficiaries include people with disabilities, including auditory, visual, and mobility, as well as senior citizens.

por esto

Another deception of Agapito Magana
Un engaño más de Agapito Magaña[+] Ver mas

Por Esto is critical of the Mayor's first four months in office, and his organizing of "public" forums behind closed doors, without a prior call to integrate the Municipal Development Plan (PDM) of the previous three years. PE says the theme of paralysis in projects for the infrastructure in the Continental Zone is not being addressed, and there are those who question the expected reorientation of development plans from the plans made by the former PAN government.
There is controversy concerning the development plan of the peninsula Punta Sam-Isla Blanca, on the mainland. PE says obviously there are problems on the island concerning population density and zoning (uso de suelos). Por Esto accuses the mayor on not keeping his promises about transparency in government.
   In the continental area of Isla Blanca-Punta Sam, there are plans for 25,000 hotel rooms when it reaches its maximum development in upcoming decades, with a revision needed of the zoning (uso de suelo) to protect the mangroves of the wetlands network of the Chacmuchuch Lagoon, which would affect this statistic.
Concerning Ciudad Mujeres on the mainland, with about 5000 hectares, there are concerns about the high land density usage at various points, because of the negative impact caused by supersaturation of buildings. A revision is sought with participation by social and academic authorities. There is a projection that Ciudad Mujeres will accommodate ~500,000 inhabitants. (The 2010 Census reported over 16,000 residents in the entire municipality, of whom ~14,000 lived on the island.)
   At the opening of the first of the five public forums, the Mayor gave the address of the development plan website (www.islamujeres.gob.mx/PDM/) for citizen input, and said another means of direct communication with the citizens is the installation of suggestion boxes.


Denying outbreak of lethal yellowing disease
Niegan brote de amarillamiento letal[+] Ver mas

In response to the persistent rumor that the waterfront coconut palms are could be decimated by the lethal yellowing disease that has previously decimated palm of Isla Mujeres, The director of the Department of Ecology says the claim is unfounded and untrue. There was an outbreak that decimated the palms in Isla Mujeres and Cancun in 1982. The threat was contained before it spread across the Peninsula, avoiding major economic impact because Mexico is the seventh largest producer in the world, according to FAO.
The Director of Ecology, Christina Medina, said these palms have resistance to that disease, caused by the insect Myndus Crudus, called La Chicharrita Palida (Pale sharpshooter,literally) which is 3-4 mm long. She said they are pruning the plants as part of cleaning and maintaining the beaches. This maintenance is the responsibility of concession holders, and they will pass out leaflets to advise the concession holders to take over this responsibility.
In recent years there has been an attack on the palms and some other plants by red mites (Raoiella indica), which is an issue that has been addressed by the government, with monitoring and treatments without major consequences.
On the SAGARPA website it describes several enemies to the coconut palms which include “El picudo negro”/ black weevil (Rhynchophorus palmarum), “picudo rojo”/ red weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) and bud rot (Phytophtora palmivora). It seems that due to ocean currents and winds, Isla Mujeres becomes the first 'receiver' of infective diseases such as this from the Caribbean. This judgement is made based on the outbreak of lethal yellowing in 1982, and then in the last decade, the emergence of the cactus moth, which has been eradicated, as well as the sequel of the red mites, which has had little effect.

German school-ship arrived
Arriba buque escolar alemán+] Ver mas

There was an official welcome for the German sailing vessel Thor Heyerdahl, whose 35 students will tour the sights of Isla Mujeres, after visiting Cuba. The ship will remain at the island until February 17th, when the students will return to Germany. It has three masts,is 50 meters long and 6.5 wide, and has 3 meters of depth. A German environmental foundation participates in the care and protection of the National Park of Isla Contoy; a site included in the itinerary of the visiting 14 and 15 year old students. Names of some of the official participating in the welcoming ceremony are listed, and the invitees were given the opportunity to be aboard the sailing vessel.

Official has resigned
Desde hace días renunció funcionaria [+] Ver mas

The leader of the Chamber of Commerce, Juan Carrillo Figueroa spoke in favor of Jacinto Rios Najera for the position. Concerns are also expressed about the promotional video that was produced three years ago, but was retained when the costs of editing were not paid. It is noted that it would need updating. An unnamed hotel manager questions the fate of the 10 million pesos in annual revenues for the 3 percent hotel tax.

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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

FOR FEBRUARY EVENTS>>>>

February begins with a long holiday weekend that features the competition for the Carnaval Kings & Queens on Saturday (Feb. 1st), then on Sunday are tamale parties for Epiphany. Monday is a day off for Constitution Day & the (fun!)benefits begin on Monday, that accompany Island Time Fishing Tournament. ITFT lasts all week until the following Sunday night. (See schedule of events below.)
The next weekend is Valentine's Day & the Lion Fish Tournament. On the 15th the Carnaval King & Queen will be presented & Carnaval begins as the month ends. Read more here at the Isla Mujeres Magazine February Events Page!

The tentative, partial Carnaval schedule...

(There are usually parades in the afternoon, down Rueda Medina to the whale shark festival, and events at night on the Town Square. The troupes also perform at parties, hotels, restaurants, & in the streets. There are usually activities on Friday night also.)

Saturday night, March 1, will be Cuban night, with the traditional Negrada.

On Sunday, March 2, they will hold the traditional Carnaval Playero at the Posada del Mar Beach. (Along Main Street/Rueda Medina. Playero means of the beach.).

On Monday March 3 will be the traditional regional evening with Yucatecan outfits, and the dance of the pig's head & the bull petate (el baile de la cabeza de cochino y el toro petate), among other activities. In addition, with the regional night on Monday, will be held a celebration of the discovery of Isla Mujeres, which occurred on the 3rd of March.

On Tuesday March 4th the competitions between the troupes will take place, as well as the traditional reading of the will of Juan Carnaval, and then the burning event.

This week....

Feb 1 Competition for Adult King & Queen of Carnaval

Feb 2 Candlemas / Fiesta de la Candelaria Join your friend for a tamale party! On King's Day (January 6th), those who got the baby Jesus in their piece of Rosca/ King's cake, are hosting the party today.
   The second of February occurs forty days after Christmas, and is celebrated by Catholics as the "Feast of Purification" or as the "Presentation of Christ at the Temple." According to Jewish law it was customary to bring a baby to the temple after that period of time had passed. Jesus would have been taken to the temple on February second, if he was born on Dec. 25th.
   The second day of February corresponds to the first day of the first month on the Aztec calendar, called Atlcahualo o Quauitleoa. There is an ancient tradition in many parts of Mexico to take corn cobs to the church to be blessed on this day, in anticipation of the onset of planting season.
   Atole is also traditional for this party, which like tamales, is a corn based food.Chocolate is usually included on both celebrations, King's Day and Candlemas, and like corn, is also an important substance in indigenous traditions.
      In many Catholic churches (and homes) in Mexico, on February second the baby Jesus icon is taken from the Nativity scene, dressed in finery, and moved to a niche, where it remains for the rest of the year before being 'lifted' to its niche.
      The baby was placed in the Nativity during the first of the Posadas, on December 16th, and remained there until Candlemas. During the Posadas there is a children's Posada play on the town square and neighborhood reenactments of Mary & Joseph being denied shelter, with a party at the house that admits them. On King's Day, January 6th, the figurine (and Mexican children) was given presents, "from the 3 Magi/ wise men". The pieces of King's cake that are shared by families, parishes, and coworkers are also said to represent gifts from the Magi, with their three colors representing the three Kings, and there are three baby figurines inside.
    The tamales vary by region. In Isla Mujeres they may be accompanied by with sophisticated guajillo chile sauce with achiote , tomato , garlic , onion and spices, while in addition to masa and pork, the filling may include olives, capers , raisins and almonds. If it is prepared by people from Chiapas, they may have added carrot, potato, peas, peppers and boiled egg.

Feb. 2 is the midpoint between winter solstice and spring equinox, and some believe it can indicate upcoming weather.

Feb 2 is Dia de Marmota, or Groundhog's Day in the US

Feb 2 is World Wetlands Day (Usually there is a clean up of the lagoon areas)

Feb 3 Day off for Constitution Day: Long weekend with closures

Island Time Fishing Tournament Benefits help the Little Yellow School House

Feb 3 Monday 6pm Los Fuegitos Benefit w live music

Feb 4 Tuesday Registration for Isla Time Fishing Tournament, Captain's Meeting, Party at Buhos

Feb 5 Wednesday 2p-5p Soggy Peso Benefit "Margarita Madness" w live music

Feb 5 Día de la Constitución / Constitution Day

Feb 6 Thursday 3p-6p BBQ & Open House at LYSH

Feb 6 Artist Fair on Square 4-7

Feb 7 Friday 4p-10p Iguanas at Marina Paraiso Fiesta ITFT Benefit w music, comedy, auction, food, flamenco & fire dancers, and prizes.
Help LYSH & have fun!

Feb 8 Saturday 7:30-10:30 Buhos Awards dinner w live music for ITFT

Feb 9 Sunday 4p-7p Brisa's Grill Dance Party for ITFT

Free pet sterilization campaign Feb 9th at the Taxi lodge 9a-4p. Register by February 5th at the Ecology agency at Hacienda Mundaca between 9a - 4p.

Charity Info
See tab at top of page!

Donation Drop offs:
Red Cross: Social Justicia Restaurant (south of ferry terminal, north of car ferry)

Books for Grade School Reading Program, Items for Isla Animals, Diabetes Supplies, Shoes for the Kids, Items for Little Yellow School House...Barlitos: On Hidalgo, the pedestrian street, at Abasolo

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Music

Thursdays....SeBlues
Photo: THE TALENTED
SEBLUES
LIVE 6 PM

Iguana's: Live Music Thurs, Fri, Sat, & Sun! ~6p
Thursday is Blues, with beer & pizza specials, usual menu also

Friday evenings Caribbean, Blues.
Saturdays Reggae- Caribbean-Tropical music & Carlos is on the BBQ making ribs, burgers, arranchera, & steaks. Usual menu also
Sundays Vera Cruz, Carribean music & the special is paella. Usual menu also.

Miguel's playing schedule

Fayne's BarandGrill Wednesday through Saturday 10:30pm - 12:00am.

Saturday Tequileria La Adelita's 12:00am - 2:00am for salsa night.

Sunday Bahia Tortuga with the Sol Rockers 7:00pm - 9:00pm

John Cain's schedule

Tuesday, Cafe Del Mar, solo, 8 to 10 pm

Saturday, The Sunset Grill, solo, 530 to 730 pm

Sunday, Bahia Tortuga, The Sol Rockers, 630 to 900 pm

Banda Sin Nombre at Chuuk Kay 3:30p Sat & Sun

Domingo Salsa en Vivo con ¡¡Puro Sabor - Salsa Cubana !! :: Sunday Live Salsa with ¡¡Puro Sabor - Salsa Cubana !! + Gratis/FREE Chilpachole Pa' la Cruda! + Tragos/Drinks + SUP & Kayak :: See You There!! / No Falten!!

Fenix Sat ~1 or 2p Reggae/Cuban

Sun ~1 or 2p Salsa
(Start times have been variable. Posted on menu board by entrance)

Fenix Lounge Domingo Salsa en Vivo con ¡¡Puro Sabor - Salsa Cubana !! :: Sunday Live Salsa with ¡¡Puro Sabor - Salsa Cubana !! + Gratis/FREE Chilpachole Pa' la Cruda! + Tragos/Drinks + SUP & Kayak :: See You There!! / No Falten!!

You may find live music after 9 or 10 on Hidalgo at Fayne's, La Terraza, or Comono, and at Poc Na Hostel.

ComoNo, Isla Mujeres, Mexico RYAN RYCKMAN......back at ComoNo......every night 8:30

Texas Holdem Every Monday and Thursday

at 6:00pm El Patio Caribbean Grill

My photo from yesterday's Artist Fair on the Square of SpideyMan Capt Tony Garcia, "Isla's Photographer" taking photos from atop the Catholic Church. Between shots he sat on the pedestal, by the toes of the Virgin, next to the angel. He & Betsy are getting married next weekend...she was below selling her arts & crafts, and occasionally glancing up at her adventurous novio. Ya suppose he'll be up in a palm tree next weekend taking wedding photos?