Friday, January 19, 2018

Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events Friday, Jan. 19






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CHECK OUT THE JANUARY EVENTS SCHEDULE!  (scroll down)
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From the Municipal Facebook site.....  (  FB page link)


Today we conducted the course "Seguiridad de Oro" (Gold Security) where we provided local workers and entrepreneurs with tools to avoid being victims of extortion. We work so that the families of Isla Mujeres live more calmly and securely.  LINK    
     In order to join efforts in matters of security, the municipal Department of Public Safety and Municipal Transit, and the private sector, are working hand in hand in the prevention of crime, through the "Gold Security" course. 
       What is sought with this collaboration is to train the personnel of the companies with tools so that they can prevent situations of risk, within and without, and to be able to act in a fast way in the face of criminal acts that may arise. 
        Tania Galera Gomez, coordinator of Crime Prevention in Isla Mujeres, the agency in charge of this course, explained that this initiative seeks to achieve the "preventive control" necessary for employers and workers to conduct their activities in a safe environment. 
          "The prevention of crime is an important link in the relationships between companies with their workers and between companies and their customers, that is why in Isla Mujeres around 20 companies are in the process of certification, without a doubt this is an achievement more of our municipal government," said Ms. Galera Gomez. 
         As part of this program, she presented the official recognition of "Golden Security" to "El Pescador Caribbean Funday", an island business that successfully completed each of the included courses.
     In addition to offering these courses, the Crime Prevention Department carries out actions aimed at society in general, which include are talks, courses, as well as didactic and recreational activities in educational establishments.  
       In this sense, Galera Gómez called on society and the private initiative to participate in these workshops and activities that are carried out periodically throughout the municipality, both in the island and in the Continental Zone, as a measure of prevention to strengthen and maintain their well-being and safety.

We have hired 20 more people for the Public Services Department who will be in charge of sweeping and cleaning streets.We continue to meet the needs of families by keeping Isla Mujeres in the best condition. LINK    
       With the hiring of 20 more people who will be in charge of  sweeping services, the Municipality of Isla Mujeres fulfills its commitment to guarantee a good image for this municipality, and now the streets will be kept cleaner and free of trash. 
        One of the promises of this government is that its inhabitants will have better living conditions, and for this, one of the requirements is that they have a clean and healthy environment. 
        José Guadalupe Ríos Chalé, general director of Public Services, said that with the hiring of more personnel for the Sweeping Department this now brings the total to  34 sweepers, who will take charge of the cleaning of the downtown streets and avenues that form the first impressions of the island. 
    He said, "We have had a clear commitment from the first day of this administration:  to keep our streets clean and that residents will have an efficient and periodic garbage collection service. And it is something that we are fully complying with." 
      Mr. Ríos Chalé gave assurances that gradually the sweeping staff will be covering each of the colonias, which will be much cleaner than they are now. He said, "The staff, will remove the garbage and dust accumulated on the edge of streets and avenues. The change in the image of our city will be important." 
        Once again, he asked for the valuable support of the community, to avoid littering in the public streets and areas and to clean the front of their houses, as this helps to keep Isla Mujeres clean.

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From Tvisla Mujeres ( link to photos & articles)


Cold front causing economic losses for fishermen LINK  

Former official Roosevelt Ercé Barrón Barrera, is being released on bond and allegedly due to an error by the Attorney General's Office.
  ( Roosevelt Barron Barrera was the former Director of the Port Authority (APIQRoo) in Isla Mujeres and he made deals that the current APIQRoo Director, Alicia Magana Ricalde, is trying to reverse. These include a lease for the wooden pier, known as the Magana Pier, and a 30 year lease for the concrete pier south of the car ferry and its adjoining Federal Zone, where a marina has been proposed with a capacity of 300 boats. )
  Mr Barron Barrera recent imprisonment is related to accusations of irregular performance of public functions and there are accusations that he caused financial damage to the state of Quintana Roo in the amount of 534 million pesos. The explanations in this article are complicated & I don't fully understand them, concerning various legal issues, an amparo (order), state and federal judges rulings and jurisdictions, opinions of the Attorney General's office, and issues about notification criteria. 
      Roosevelt Ercé Barrón Barrera was arrested on November 25, 2017 at the international bridge of the Tijuana-San Diego International Airport, via an arrest warrant #151/2017, issued by a judge of the judicial district of Chetumal, for his alleged responsibility in the commission of the offense of irregular performance of the public function, an offense classified as non-serious, for which he could obtain bail. 
       He spent 52 days in prison, and there are questions at to whether this arrest and imprisonment was legal, because he had an "amparo" at the time. The Office of the Attorney General said the arrest was legal, and there is an explanation and they plan to fight this legally and want the suspension revoked. The AG also said they had not yet been officially notified by the Control Judge concerning Mr. Erce Barron's release (who is referred to as "Roosevelt N" in the documents, for legal/privacy purposes), but if this is the case, they will fight against this. They say they do not agree with the criterion of the federal judge who is granting  a provisional suspension in the Second District Court of Amparo in criminal matters of the First Circuit, in the City of Mexico, Licenciado JDLC, for the amount of 10,000 pesos when the financial damage caused to the State of Quintana Roo amounts to 534 million pesos. 


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From  por esto Link to their Isla Mujeres articles & photos


Tourists return to  Playa Centro 
Retornó el turismo a Playa Centro+] Ver masFull article at this link 
  Since it was sunny for most of the day, despite cold front #23, tourists enjoyed Playa Centro and other activities. More visitors preferred Playa Centro over North Beach on Thursday.
   The lifeguards of Civil Protection reported that only two people have needed help since before Christmas until this date, including one who entered the dangerous Media Luna (Half Moon) beach a few days ago. S/he was rescued without any problem.
  The port remained closed for small boats, and could be reopened for activities within the Bay on Friday, if the strength of the front continues to decrease, according to official estimates.
     There was full commercial activity on the island and circulation of almost all golf carts, taxis, scooters for service to tourism. People were observed at  Punta Sur, Garrafón, Sac-bajo, Tortugranja, Mundaca and the Caribbean malecons. 
  The ferries were operating at nearly full capacity and long lines were noted at the terminals in the Cancun Hotel Zone, Puerto Juarez and Punta Sam after 9am and the island terminal was full of people when they were returning to the mainland at 4pm.

Street sweeping resumes
Se reanuda el barrido de calles] Ver masFull article at this link
  This article has the same information as the one in the City section, and also says...

The dogs
 Also, the presence of dogs in the public roads are generating concern s because, in addition to the fact that they scatter garbage, they also defecate in the open air. It is urgent to that the current regulations be applied to  address this unresolved problem. 

      By the way, two days ago a stray dog bit a tourist, at the height of the abandoned packing house "Romeo",  when he crossed the walkway on foot, and it is noted that there have been several attacks on local people. (Note: there have been at least two tourists recently bitten in that area of prolongacion Rueda Medina, which have been reported to the City.)


US company interested in providing passenger ferry service  
Naviera extranjera en la isla   Ver mas Full article at this link
     
     There is another ferry company interested in competing on the Isla Mujeres-Puerto Juarez route, although the company "Navegantu" is planning to operate two ferries during the first quarter of 2018, according to sources consulted. The company "Marinsa" has completed a month of operating on this route, from the APIQRoo terminal in Puerto Juarez. 

     The latest company showing interest in the Isla Mujeres-Puerto Juarez route is an firm from the Unitied States, "Lumene Cosmetic", who have initiated efforts with the federal agencies, seeking to comply with the procedures for obtaining authorization during this year. The US firm requested information at the end of last year from APIQRoo (State Port Authority) officials at the end of last year, and will initiate procedures with the Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT).
   It has been nearly two decades since all of the the maritime transport service routes in Mexico were opened up to competition. Ultramar provided competition to the Magana family ferry company, which had provided service between the isle and Puerto Juarez for nearly half a century, until Magana discontinued operations on this route two years ago. Two years ago, Barcos Caribe announced that they planned to compete with Ultramar, but then they postponed plans due to legal and administrative problems. Their interest has not been ruled out, but concerns have also been expressed about ties between this company and former governor Roberto Borge, who is currently imprisoned in Morelos for alleged corruption while in office. 
    Last summer, the then deputy director of APIQRoo in Punta Sam and Puerto Juarez, Manuel Garcia Garcia, confirmed the interest of Navegantu to operate two ferries between Isla Mujeres and Puerto Juarez, and then an executive said recently that the management resumed efforts in January to execute this plan.
     Officials from the APIQRoo unofficially confirmed that the US firm "Lumene Cosmetic" had already expressed its interest in writing and sent it to the Gerencia de Comercialización, but the SCT is the agency responsible for this authorization, and procedures must be completed with them, including authorizations from the General Director of Ports and the Merchant Marine (Navy).
    PE claims there are 'various millions' of tourists that visit Isla Mujeres annually (APIQRoo reported it 2.2 million passengers arrived on the island in 2016 and hasn't released the figures for 2017) and some 10,000 visit daily (at times), while there are only three ferry companies operating (that includes Maritima on the Punta Sam route). PE says Ultramar dominates with 90 percent of the lines of connection to the Hotel Zone in Cancun and to Puerto Juarez, and soon they will provide service to Punta Sam.

Basketball team seeks to qualify for semi-finals
Cahuameros por la calificación [+] Ver masFull article at this link

 See standings previously published in TVIM section.


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View from the rooms.

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 Kitchen in a large studio. (Sur & Norte are identical)
Kitchenette in small room, Medio. There's a table & chairs across from it & a double bed.
A large slider opens from each of the 3 rooms onto the patio where each has a table & chairs, hammock & clotheslines. The BBQ is behind the pole, and the outdoor shower is outa the pic at left.
Large studio (Norte), I'm standing in the kitchen. A queen & single bed.

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Large studio (Sur) with Queen & Single bed. Slider door & view are behind me.

Fine dining a few steps away at Da Luisa or try the traditional neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. Within ten minutes walk are the restaurants Mango Cafe, Brisas, Manolitos,  Green Verde, Kash Kechen Chuc, and the large department store-grocery Chedraui. Visit marinas, bars, & beach clubs that are minutes away by bike or on foot. Attend 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 variety of other stores and small local restaurants. It takes 20-30  minutes to walk downtown.

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January Events
Provided by MaraVilla Caribe & Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events



Wed. Jan. 3 Special performance by Folklorico dancers Fuego Nuevo (New Fire) with live music by Mariachis on the Town Square at 8p

Thurs. Jan. 4 Artist Fair at the Casa de la Cultura 3-8p. On the back street Guerrero at the cross street Abasolo.

Full moon rising over the Caribbean 
                                                                    Sunset ~6p
Jan 1  6:10
Jan. 2  7:15
Jan. 3   8:20
Jan. 4    9:24
Jan. 5  10:25
Jan. 6  11:22

Saturday, Jan. 6 Día de Reyes/ King's Day   This day commemorates when the three kings or Magi visited Jesus & is the culmination of the twelve days of Christmas. Traditionally this is the day when Mexican children receive gifts (which are brought by the three kings as opposed to Santa). It is customary to eat Rosca de reyes, a sweet bread that represents King Herod's crown with figurines of baby Jesus hidden inside. Whoever finds the token in their piece is obligated to host a party on Candlemas Day (Dia de la Candelaria), Feb. 2, which usually includes tamales.

 Festival for King's Day (Jan. 6) at the el Pescador baseball field in front of Chedruai on Saturday starting at 5p. More than 6000 people are expected to attend to enjoy the entertainment, surprises, and presents.
  There's also a toy giveaway at Ruben's restaurant on Guerrero, but as of 8am on Jan. 5, they're unsure what time....probably ~11am. 


 Jan. 6 is Día de la Enfermera. This special day was established in 1931, when Dr. Jose Villagrana said nurses were like a "regalo de reyes"...a gift from the Magi.  (International Nurse's Day is celebrated on May 12th, the birthday of Florence Nightingale).

Sun. Jan. 7 Noches Magicas entertainment on the Town Square at 8p. 

Jan 7-17 Art Festival & Exhibition “Festival de Arte Mutuo” / "Mutual Art Festival". 17 artists creating six murals at various locations around the isle, children's workshops, and an exhibition at the Casa de la Cultura with art on sale.

Thurs. Jan. 11  Artist Fair at the Casa de la Cultura 3-8p. On the back street Guerrero at the cross street Abasolo.

 Sun. Jan. 14 Noches Magicas entertainment on the Town Square at 8p

Thurs. Jan. 18  Artist Fair at the Casa de la Cultura 3-8p. On the back street Guerrero at the cross street Abasolo.

Sun. Jan. 21   Noches Magicas entertainment on the Town Square at 8p

Thurs. Jan. 25 Artist Fair at the Casa de la Cultura 3-8p. On the back street Guerrero at the cross street Abasolo.

Sun. Jan. 28   Noches Magicas entertainment on the Town Square at 8p
 
  Sources for Weather Information:
LINK to Civil Protection Q Roo weather bulletin  (Spanish)
LINK to Mexico National Weather Service (Spanish)
 LINK to satellite images for the Mexico National Weather Service (Yucatan peninsula is under Satellite GOES Este, I recommend "Animacion" (it used to be in my blog margin, until Blogger became incompatible with it).
LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres   

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