Isla Mujeres News & Events Sunday, February 26

 

TODAY'S NEWS UPDATE & WATER ADVISORY....

LOW PRESSURE OR NO TAP WATER TOMORROW, Mon., Feb 27, affecting the entire island, due to construction of the Mayan Train causing electrical work in Capacitation Zone #3, on the mainland. This work by the ICA company was originally scheduled last week and cancelled. Most island residences and businesses have tanks as part of their water system, which help carry them through outages like this. However, parts of the island have recently been experiencing ongoing problems with pressure and outages.

MAYOR ADDRESSES WATER SUPPLY PROBLEMS by requesting an audit by CAPA (Tap Water and Sewage Commission) regarding water shortages and Aguakan's failure to comply with its responsibilities to keep the island community supplied with water. She said if Aguakan is not complying with its contract, legal procedures will be taken to request rescinding its concession to provide water service to the island. She said prompt attention needs to be given to the lack of tap water, as well as to discharges of wastewater, otherwise these problems may generate serious environmental impacts to the island.

DISCOUNTED DRIVER'S LICENSES FOR WOMEN during the month of March, as part of the commemoration of International Women's Day, which is on March 8th. A 50% discount will be available for the processing of women's driving licenses throughout the month. The Mayor announced a wide program of activities aimed at women will be scheduled in March.

NEW FEMALE FIRE CHIEF, Josefa Castellanos Granda is now the Directora of Civil Protection & the Firefighters. There's also a new Director of Catastro (Deeds), a new Director of Asuntos Consultivos (Advisory Matters) and a new Directora of Communiciation (not pictured).

FIRE AT CEMETERY EXTINGUISHED yesterday by personnel with the municipal Department of Civil Protection & Firefighters, in a timely manner. The trash fire occurred at the cemetery in colonia La Gloria, and residents are reminded to avoid burning rubbish, which can get out of control and cause damage.

FIFTY COUPLES WED AT BEAUTIFUL PUNTA SUR as part of the statewide program of "Collective Weddings". The most senior islander couple participating had been together for 26 years and the youngest were marrying after a three-year relationship. The "Bodas Colectivas" usually occur around Valentine's Day, and the municipality generally offers free or discounted processing of the paperwork. Mayor Atenea Gomez Ricalde congratulated the couples, wishing them the best and reminding them that love and respect must prevail in the new life they are starting together.

TWELVE DRILL TEAMS COMPETED to commemorate Flag Day on Friday, Feb. 24th at the Bicentennial Dome in La Gloria, in three categories. The primary school category had six teams competing and was won by Julio Sauri Espinosa's evening shift. The middle school competition included three teams, with the winning team from Benito Juarez Technical School. The high school/preparatory category also had three teams and was won by Jean Piaget Liceo del Caribe.

OUTSTANDING PARTICIPATION AT TOURISM CONVENTION in Bogota, Colombia at the 2023 ANATO (National Association of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators) event, which brought together more than 120 travel agents and wholesalers. Colombia represents the second most important market for tourism in Quintana Roo, after the North American market. "Last year, 772,000 Columbian tourists arrived in the state, of whom 420,000 stayed in Quintana Roo," said Jose Castillo Magana, municipal Director of Economic Development & Tourism. He noted that excellent connectivity by air exists between our state and Columbia, and the Mexican Caribbean Pavilion at the tourism showcase promoted a range of the natural attractions and tourist infrastructure found in Isla Mujeres.

SCARCITY OF SARGASSO arriving to the island's beaches according to yesterday's graphic, where "encaso" means scarce, "muy bajo" means very low, "moderado" is moderate, and "muy alto" is very high.

SUCCESSFUL CARNAVAL CELEBRATION, whose theme was "Soy Carbbean / I'm Caribbean". The Mayor announced that occupancy was 94% and a little over $4 million dollars were generated, which is a major economic success achieved thanks to efforts and participation by island families and municipal departments.

LOBSTER CATCHING SEASON ENDS TUESDAY for four months, resuming on July 1st. The two month ban on catching grouper continues until April 1st. Catching octopus has been illegal since mid-December, which ends August 1st.

 

 

 

 

 

 Photos from Monday's Children's Carnaval event on the Town Square.

 

 

Sunday's Carnaval parade photos by Bruce Roberts, below.

 

Photos below from the City's Facebook page, of Sunday evening...

 Saturday's "Night of Fantasy" was full of memories for the islanders, because it featured former Carnaval Kings & Queens. There were also performances by comparsas (dance troupes), a comedy show and dancing to live music by Junior Klan.

 At Saturday's "Night of Fantasy", the Carnaval Kings & Queens and their comparsas (dance troupes) delighted the audience of islanders and visitors with their talents.

 

 As Saturday's parade began, a small shower dampened downtown, but not the spirits of the participants, who included the many Kings & Queens, as well as the Mayor. Photos below by Bruce Roberts.

 

 The first couple, in orange, are the 'overall' King & Queen of Carnaval, Gabriel I & Margarita I. The photo below them is Mariana I, the Queen of Diversity, who was crowned last evening. At upper right, are celebrities Carlos Arenas & Lorena Herrera.

 

Tuesday was the Negrada, celebrating the Afro-Caribbean roots of Carnaval. That evening on the Town Square, there was a contest between the Comparsas (dance troupes) in the Open Category, and the Comparsa of the Carnaval King & Queen performed. There was a comedy show by Chino Fernandez. The evening's theme was "The Burning of Juan Carnaval", with the traditional reading of his Will & Testament. Events are scheduled to begin at 8:30 and that was the last night of Carnaval. Photos by Bruce Roberts.

 

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 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 

LINK to US National Hurricane Center