Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events Thursday, February 6

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From the City....
   Personnel with the municipal Department of Public Security and Traffic painted crosswalks on Rueda Medina Avenue, which is done periodically on different streets to increase awareness among the general public about being cautious to avoid accidents. This is part of the commitment of the current administration to ensure the well-being of island residents and visitors.

Cleaning the mangroves for World Wetlands Day LINK  
     About 100 volunteers from various City departments and local companies worked in eight groups to clean up mangroves for World Wetlands Day, February 2nd. They removed a ton of garbage from around the Makax lagoon, which is one of the more important bodies of water in the municipality.
       The municipal Director of Urban Development and Environment, José Nivardo Fernández Martínez, said about 40 percent of the world's species live in wetlands, so it is very important to take care of them and preserve them within the municipality. 
       The municipal director of Environment and Ecology, Carlos Barranco García, said the island government will continue to reinforce good habits, noting that the ecosystem has given us a great deal. He said, "The fundamental thing is that we all collaborate to conserve the flora and fauna, without littering, by taking care of our plants, and by recycling, among others."
        Participants included volunteers from the following agencies and organizations:
 National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), the Navy, Tortugranja, Municipal Department of Parks and Gardens, the Federal Zone agency (ZOFEMAT), the DIF social service agency, Municipal Department of Fishing, Municipal Department of Citizen Participation, Municipal Department of Public Services, Municipal Department of Pueblo Magico, Zoetry Villa Rolandi Hotel, Ceviche Tours, Club Albatros, Aroma Isla, Isla Bonita, Acción Isla, Hotel Isla Ixchel, the Nautical Associations and the Tourism Cooperatives.

TVisla Mujeres    

Business owners want deteriorated manhole covers repaired  LINK  
           Business owners say there are two broken manhole covers on Morelos Avenue which need repairs, of which one belongs to Cablemas and the other to the CFE (Federal Electrical Commission). It has been more than a week since the problem was reported, and they have put obstacles over the manholes to that no tourists (or residents) have an accident or injury. The entrepreneurs commented that many officials walk along this street, which is one block from the Town Hall, but they haven't addressed the problem because they expect the companies to take care of it. 

Small boats restricted to port by southern "surada" winds LINK
  Due to the strong southern "surada" winds on Wednesday, boats under 40 feet were restricted to port, except for crossings between the island and Puerto Juarez, Cancun, and Punta Sam. The ferries continued to run, both passenger and cargo.  In addition to boats under 40 feet, all the trips to Isla Contoy and sports fishing trips were prohibited.

   La Tertulia  

Dates for scalpel-free vasectomies at the Community Hospital in 2020, a free service.

VIDEO interview with Carnaval organizers

From  Por Esto :

Increased occupancy expected with Carnaval, Feb. 21-25 

Carnaval, un contribuidor

  Hoteliers report a high level of reservations for the long weekend of Carnaval, Feb. 21-25, with good economic benefits expected by all providers in the tourism industry. It is noted that in addition to promotion via official channels, visitors recommend this destination via word of mouth and social networks. During the season from December thru March many tourists escape the cold in the United States and Canada to vacation on the island, with its warmer temperatures which this segment perceives to be almost summer-like.
    On Tuesday morning, tourists were continually arriving on the ferries, and spreading thru the mains streets in search of a golf cart rental, a boat tour, or shopping for souvenirs and visiting the beach.

Coronavirus affects lobster market for fishermen  

El coronavirus golpea al sector pesquero 

    One of the main markets for the sale of live lobsters is China, but export to that country has been halted for nearly a month due to closure of its borders to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Therefore, the president of the State Fishing Federation, Baltazar Gomez Catzin, has recommended that the fishermen refrain from selling whole lobsters and sell the tails exclusively, in order to prevent falling into the 'games' of the buyers, who want to purchase at prices below those set by the Federation of Fishing Cooperatives.

     The official said that 25 days ago there was an abundance of lobster and a lack of market, because the Chinese border was closed due to the coronavirus. China and Japan are the main importers of whole lobster from this region. When the buyers saw 5-10 tons of live lobster in captivity, which the fishermen had been unable to export, the buyers wanted to take advantage of the situation and slash the prices. Therefore, cooperatives in the state have been advised that it is better to remove the tails rather than to accept lower prices for the whole lobster, alive or dead.

       Mr. Gomez Catzin said that when they collect 60-70 kilos of whole lobster from their traps, they can extract 20-30 kilos of tails. He said until ten days ago, production was very good, but now the crustaceans have been more scarce, which is an unusual situation in February. The season began on July 1st and ends on February 29th.

  
Average progress in license plate renewal   

Regular avance en el emplacamiento

  Of the nearly 8000 private and public vehicles registered in the municipality, about 2500 have completed their renewal procedures, which is about 30-35 percent, according to the head of the
Tax Administration Service of Quintana Roo (SATQ) in Isla Mujeres, Jesús Contreras Gómez. The renewal period continues thru the March, when the old plates will no longer be valid. 
    The official noted that the cost is based on the Unit of Measurement (UMA) since 2016, when this replaced the Daily Minimum Wage at the standard. On February 1st, the UMA increased from 84.49 to 86.88 pesos. The cost for automobile plates is 1173 pesos, for motorcycles is 391 pesos, and for trailers it's 543 pesos, plus each pays 109 pesos for the circulation card. License plates are replaced every three years.

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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.