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Replacement Postponed of Isla Mujeres Underwater Electrical Cable
      In November, the CFE (Federal Electrical Commission) submitted an Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) for the 235 million peso project to replace the underwater cable which supplies electricity to the island. However, on January 13th, during the evaluation by SEMARNAT (Ministry of Environmental and Natural Resources), the CFE filed a formal withdrawal of their request for authorization.
       The thirty year-old cable was installed in 1989. Previously, the CFE said, “Due to the deterioration of the current cable and its useful life being exceeded, as well as the blows caused by vessels, anchors and vandalism in areas near the coast, its capacity to transmit electric power has decreased, and interruptions of the electrical supply have occurred due to failures of the cable.”
        The underwater cable to be installed consists of 5822 meters (3.6 miles), with underground sections in Punta Sam of 196 meters and in Isla Mujeres of 451 meters. In addition to electricity, fiber optic service to the island is also planned to improve the internet connection. Source-- SIPSE/Novedades

From the City....

Mayor Juan Carrillo Soberanis accompanied Governor Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez at the Public Forum #29 at the dome in colonia La Gloria on Isla Mujeres. The Governor noted that among the audience were personnel from 31 state agencies with enough staff to attend directly to the islander citizens. The most common requests concerned issues of education, public works, social assistance, health and rural development. The Governor has made 28 prior visits to the various municipalities of the stat, in addition to Isla Mujeres, which are Othon P. Blanco, Cozumel, Benito Juárez, Solidaridad, José María Morelos, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Lázaro Cárdenas, Bacalar, Puerto Morelos (and the 11th municipality is Tulum).

TVisla Mujeres

Press Conference by the State Secretary of Public Security LINK
During his visit to Isla Mujeres, the State Secretary of Public Security, Alberto Capella, told the press that although high-impact crimes have declined somewhat, the numbers are expected to improve once the C-5 begins operation, which will offer important technological advances that don't exist anywhere else in the country.
He said, "We concluded last year with some positive numbers in terms of containment of criminal incidence, specifically in the northern part of the State with high-impact crimes, however we know that this is not enough and that is why we must work on a more sophisticated controls."He said the statistics in January were lower than last year, and there have been significant arrests during February, while noting that the criminal gangs have the ability to quickly reorganize themselves and return to the streets within a few weeks.
He said that progress is being made day by day in terms of security and restructuring into the operation of a single command, with significant agreements within eight of the eleven municipalities. He explained that while some municipalities have no major problems in terms of insecurity, there are others where "major surgery" is required. VIDEO

Eighty security cameras are being installed in Isla Mujeres LINK
The Mayor explained that more than 80 security cameras will be installed at 22 locations in Isla Mujeres and each will include a camera that rotates 360 degrees in addition to three fixed cameras. He explained that this is the first stage and the second stage will involve the same number of security cameras, with participation by the business community.
All of these cameras will be interconnected with the C-5, as well as to a C-2 for an immediate response. The C-5 with be monitored by the Single Command. The installation work is expected to be completed by next month, although no dates were given. VIDEO

Photo with caption saying families of the neighborhood "La Curva" held posters in front of the Blue Dome asking the Governor to intervene and provide them with basic services.

Tomorrow (Saturday), at 8pm, the Isla Mujeres Cahuameros will play the Agharta Sports Academy at the Convention Center

VIDEO of the start of the Forum with the Governor

From Por Esto :

Power outages occurred earlier than scheduled

CFE tuvo cortes de energía antes de lo programado

The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) had issued announcements of a planned suspension of electricity on Wednesday from 3p to 4p for maintenance work, but the first interruption occurred around noon, lasting about half an hour, and the second one was about two hours later, lasting for eleven minutes.

Owner of burned sailboat appeared

Ya apareció el dueño del velero siniestrado

The name of the owner of the burned sailbot "Kiva" was not released, who was given a deadline to remove the boat to the mainland to be scrapped. Although the fuel storage tanks are intact and not presenting any immediate risk of contamination, there are protocols and regulations to be followed, as well as concerns about the boat presenting a navigational hazard, particularly after dark because it lacks lights. The fire caused a total loss but the hull is intact so the vessel remains afloat, thanks to intervention by the Navy and Civil Protection. It is expected that it should be removed by the end of the month. There were no injuries, just material damages, which are estimated to be equal to thousands of dollars. The boat burned on Sunday around noon, and is moored across from the airfield (near the monument to the whale sharks).

Boat "cemeteries"

Cementerios de barcas

There are various small boats abandoned at various coastal areas and within the Makax lagoon, which are full of water or have sunk, causing a bad image and concerns among boat owners who earn their livelihoods from tourism or fishing. There are three abandoned boats in the area in front of the airfield, of which two have water on board. There are about a dozen old boats inside the Makax lagoon, which has become a "boat cemetery" although the Navigation law requires they be dismantled.

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"Reverse Sunset" (looking east from MVC)

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Fine dining a few steps away at Da Luisa or try the neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. We provide a list of links & direction to over 20 eateries within ten minutes walk, including Mango Cafe, Mike's Pizza, Brisas, Rosa Sirena, Coco Jaguar, Manolitos, La Chatita, Green Verde, Kash Kechen Chuc, and the large department store-grocery Chedraui & the local craft brewery. Visit marinas, bars, & beach clubs that are minutes away by bike or on foot. Attend Yoga classes a couple villas away at Casa Ixchel. Fresh juice, produce & tortillas a few blocks away in the village, as well as a variety of other stores.

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Full moon rising over the Caribbean

February 9 7:21 (sets 7:45a)
February 10 8:26
February 11 9:30
February 12 10:32
February 13 11:31
This is the first of four supermoons for 2020. The Moon will be at its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual.

Sunset ~6:38-6:51p (beginning vs end of month)
Sunrise ~7:24-7:08am
Painting by Pamela Haase at MVC

February Events

Provided by MaraVilla Caribe & Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events

Thursday afternoons ~3p-8p Artist Fair on the Paseo de la Triguena off the Town Square at the malecon by the food trucks.

Sunday's at 1p there may be baseball games at the stadium in front of Chedraui. There are two teams, the Pescadores & the Cockteleros.

Some Sunday evenings 8p on the Town Square "Noches Magicas" performances

Fishermen in this region are banned from catching grouper and octopus during February LINK

The Thor Heyerdahl traveling school-sailboat visits in late January-early February with about three dozen high school students on board. Under the tutelage of the experienced crew, the students learn to work together, sailing and navigating, as well as receiving their normal lessons. They sail from Germany to the Caribbean, departing in October and returning home in May.
The ship is named for the man who sailed a hand made raft "Kon Tiki" from South America 5000 miles across the Pacific to the Tuamotu Islands in 1947, to demonstrate that ancient people could have made long sea voyages, creating contacts between apparently separate cultures. LINK

Sunday, Feb. 2 Baseball at the el Pescador field at 1p. The playoffs begin and the Cockteleros will play the Astros of Tulum.

Monday, Feb. 3 is the day off for Constitution Day and an official holiday.

Monday, Feb. 3 On the first Monday of each month, there is usually a civic ceremony in the morning, often on the Town Square around 8am.

Feb. 4-8 The Island Time Music Festival benefits the Little Yellow School House and has two free events for the general public--on Tuesday and Friday at 7:30. LINK LYSH provides education and therapy for special needs kids on the island.

Wednesday, Feb. 5 Constitution Day

Feb. 14 Dia de Amor y Amistad (Day of Love and Friendship) The City provides a free Collective wedding event including the ceremony, cake, and paperwork for residents.

CARNAVAL Feb. 21-25

All events are free, and it's a good idea to have change & small bills to tip the dance troupes when they dance in the streets and at businesses. They spend a couple months preparing their costumes and choreography & show incredible stamina dancing for hours day after day.

FRIDAY--8p Town Square--Coronation of the Kings & Queens, Dance Troupes, Dance to the music of Master Kumbia

SATURDAY CUBAN NIGHT--8p Town Square--Dance Troupes, Dance to the music of MegaBoom

SUNDAY--BEACH CARNAVAL--3p Playa Centro--DJ's
**1st PARADE--3p--Rueda Medina
AFTERNOON OF FANTASY--5p Town Square--Children's show & Inflatables, Dance Troupes, Kid's Costume Contest
NIGHT OF FANTASY & DIVERSITY--8p Town Square--Dance Troupes, Comedy w Silvanna Show

MONDAY--BEACH CARNAVAL--3p Playa Centro--DJ's
**2nd PARADE--3p Rueda Medina
REGIONAL & COMEDY NIGHT--9p Town Square--Dance Troupes, Costume Contest, Tila Maria Sesto Comedy Show

TUESDAY--BEACH CARNAVAL--3p Playa Centro--DJ's
NIGHT OF JUAN CARNAVAL--9p Town Square--Burning & Will of Juan Carnaval, Dance to the music of Alberto Barros & su Orquesta

Lobster season ends Feb. 29th (Lobsters kept in captivity continue to be available).

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
LINK to GOES East Band 16 GIF (animation)
LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres

BUS INFORMATION
The ten 31-passenger buses travel on four routes, from 6a to 10p, turning around near the Convention Center, behind the downtown Mercado, and going south thru El Centro on Rueda Medina. #1 & 2 are the "Colonia" routes and #3 & 4 are the "Tourism" routes. The overhead digital display & cardboard sign in the windshield provide the route information. The bus numbers don't indicate the route, they are numbered consecutively, 1 thru 10.
At the edge of town....

Route 1 goes southward down the western side of the isle on Rueda Medina and returns northward on Jesus Martinez Ross to town. Its west-east transit is Paseo de los Peces in colonia La Gloria.
Route 2 goes southward down the eastern side of the isle on Jesus Martinez Ross** and returns northward on Medina to town. Its east-west transit is also Paseo Peces.
Route 3 goes southward down the western side of the isle on Medina, then in & out of the Sac Bajo peninsula. If there are passengers for Punta Sur, it goes there & returns northward to town on the Caribbean Coastal road. If not, it returns east on Peces and returns northward on the Caribbean Coastal road to town.
Route 4 goes southward down the Caribbean Coastal road directly to Punta Sur & Garrafon, then northward in & out of Sac Bajo, then returns northward on Medina to town.
**Routes #1 & #2 aren't exact opposites--#2 takes J.M. Ross northward all the way from Peces thru Salina Chica, but #1 going southward turns left/east off JM Ross before entering Salinas, taking the Caribe Coastal road thru Meteorologica, and I've heard it turns right/west back into the colonias by Madera Food & Art. All four routes go thru Bachilleres, past Maravilla Caribe Bed & Beach and all four routes go past Chedraui.
The map isn't a bus route map, it's a street map, showing how Jesus Martinez Ross follows the Caribbean coast until becoming the main street of Salina Chica and going on to La Gloria, while the Caribe Coastal road (aka Payo Obispo) follows the coast. The east-west transit, Paseo de los Peces, is shown, but not labeled, at the edge between colonia La Gloria and the Mundaca Hacienda. Its east end intersects the Caribbean Coastal Road by the Cemetery & its west end intersects Rueda Medina by the Mundaca Hacienda.
Downtown the main bus stop is at the parking lot just south of the passenger ferry terminal, and across the street. You can flag them down anywhere you see them outside of town. Chedraui is on the west side/Medina. Tortugranja & DD are in Sac Bajo. Garrafon is at Punta Sur. Bachilleres is on the eastern Caribbean coast, north of the colonias.
The 10p rate is for state residents & the senior citizen rate is for INAPAM card holders.Tourists pay 38p/$2usd per person per ride and can purchase an all-day pass for $9usd/175p. You pay as you board and exit thru the back door. The front seats are for seniors, disabled & pregnant women. The buses are air conditioned.