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The "Morning Edition" has translated headlines & newspaper photos. This Afternoon Edition has translations of the articles, Daily Events & Live Music Schedules & 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 ....

Widespread worries over VAT tax: Expected to be a blow to island economy

Cunde temor por IVA

Domingo, 20 de Octubre de 2013 21:04

Su homologación le pegará duro a economía del municipio

Lanrry PARRA

ISLA MUJERES, 20 de octubre.-.The increase of the VAT tax(Impuesto al Valor Agregado / IVA) to 16% is expected to have a negative impact on destinations in the Mexican Caribbean, according to the president of the Isla Mujeres Chamber of Commerce, (CANIRAC) Juan Carrillo Figueroa. He also mentioned the increased garbage fees that are displeasing the merchants.

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Tvisla Mujeres

Noticias de Quequi......

Low hotel occupancy

Turismo

Por los suelos los centros de hospedaje

0 20 de octubre de 2013

Por Carlos Gasca-quequi.- Hotel occupancy is reportedly low, at less than 10 percent, despite various promotions and discounts. The manager of the Carmelina Hotel, Juan Martinez said last week they had 29 rooms occupied and now there are not even five rooms rented. He said they are looking forward to the year-end holidays, and Easter holidays, when occupancy goes up to 80 percent. Some hotels are offering discounts of 15-20%, but are still disappointed by the lack of overnight tourism. El Caracol, a one star hotel with 18 rooms, has only two rooms occupied, and there are days when all their rentals are vacant, while in the summer occupancy was at 60 percent. The period from Christmas through February is good. Francis Arlene, with three stars, was at 20% in the summer, and has had nights when they were completely vacant. The problem seems to be widespread and is also affecting hotels like Las Palmas and San Jorge. The Poc Na hostel is reporting 40% occupancy, and the Department of Tourism reported overall occupancy was at 40%, but the small hotels disagree with this figure, and are asking the new administration to coordinate a plan for the Tourism Promotional agency in Isla Mujeres.

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Noticias de Diario Respuesta...

Decreased operations in low season

Disminuye operación por temporada baja

Lunes 21 de Octubre de 2013 11:36 Jesús Molina DIARIO RESPUESTA The president of the nautical tourism cooperative "Adolfo Lopez Mateos", Mari Trejo Delgado, said the five sightseeing cooperatives of Isla Mujeres are operating at less than 30% of capacity. They are operating in the red, with only 2-3 boats going out daily. She said their cooperative has 26 boats, but at this time they apply a policy of reducing the number of occupants per boat. The five cooperatives offer services that include activities such as snorkeling, fishing, tours of the bay, or tours of the shores of the island. They offer food to passengers and tours that include visits to the local Tortugranja and aquarium, and to the Dolphinarium, at the southern parts of the isle.

Colocan moño rosa en "La Trigueña"

Lunes 21 de Octubre de 2013 11:35 Jesús Molina DIARIO RESPUESTA The DIF agency and its president, Marthy Vargas de Magaña, are active this month in the fight against breast cancer. She said there are still some appointments available for the 50 mammograms being offered to poor women.

Frenan rehabilitación de vía

Lunes 21 de Octubre de 2013 11:35 Jesús Molina DIARIO RESPUESTA

SIPSE

Diario La Verdad
Lack of functioning trash collection trucks in Isla Mujeres

Carecen de unidades recolectoras en Isla Mujeres
20 de octubre a las 10:40 pm Lorena Cruz The work of garbage collection is being done adequately and there have not been complaints from residents, despite the fact that at least four of the vehicles are in need of repairs. The problems include a lack of tires or parts that are not that expensive, and they are expected to be put into operation this month.
Hot weather will prevail in Quintana Roo

Prevalecerá clima caluroso en Quintana Roo
20 de octubre a las 12:34 pm

por esto

Day of praise and prayer
Jornada de alabanza y oración[+] Ver mas

On October 25th, the parish of the Catholic church downtown, Immaculate Conception, will have a day of praise and prayer for youth called "“Estallido de alabanzas y oración”, with 30 servants of God including audio technicians, and talented & charismatic performers. The event will being at 6:30pm at the church for an entry fee of 50 pesos, and about a thousand people are expected to attend. When the event was held two years ago, there were about 900 people in attendance.

CANACO & CANIRAC predict many businesses will close when VAT increases
Canaco y Canirac auguran cierre masivo de negocios por homologación del IVA[+] Ver mas

Low demand for nautical tourism in Isla Mujeres
Escasa demanda de servicios registran los lancheros turísticos de Isla Mujeres Ver mas

Trash transfer facility to be cleaned out in two weeks
En 15 días concluirá el saneamiento de la planta de transferencia de basura [+] Ver mas

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View from rooms

Small room

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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

October Events

.In October there are occasional releases of baby turtles that were incubated at the Tortugranja, at dusk on the eastern beaches of Media Luna or Guadalupana. (Last year the last public release was Oct. 7). The Blue Crabs migrate with the full moons, and there are usually organized groups to help them safely across the roads. Watch out for them in Sac Bajo and along the southeastern part of the island. The American holiday of Halloween is observed by the expats & a few candy loving kids, while the whole community observes Day of the Dead on November 1st & 2nd. Special foods are available in the weeks before, and Hanal Pixan altars appear in mid or late October. The Orianid meteor shower due on the 18th & 19th will be affected by light from the full moon.

October is Breast Cancer Month. There are benefits and events by Siempre por Vida.
Oct 1- Día de Arquitectos Architects Day
Oct 2- International Day of Beach & Coastal Clean Up
Oct 4- World Animal Day
Oct 8- 39th Anniversary of Quintana Roo of becoming a Free and Sovereign State
Cancelled due to weatherTuesday, Oct 8 ~~Dusk Media Luna Beach Turtle Release~~
Oct. 8- World Octopus Day
Oct 9- Dia de Pescadors Fishermens Day
Oct. 10 International Mental Health Day
Oct 11 ~5:00p / dusk Rescheduled Turtle Release at Media Luna Beach
Oct 12- Día de la Raza
Oct. 12 11:30pm My Space Disco Benefit for Breast Cancer: Pink Divas Night
Oct 13 Canadian Thanksgiving
Oct 15 Turtle Release
Oct. 17 Naval Wives Breakfast at Naval Club, benefits Naval Hospital
Thursday, Oct. 17 4p-7p Artist Fair at Town Square

poster by Sally Margolis

Oct 18 6:13p Full Moon Rise over Caribbean / Sunset ~6:20p
Oct 18 & 19 Orianid Meteor shower (probably not very visible due to the bright moon light)

Oct 19- World Food Day Dia Mundial de la Alimentacion
Oct 19- Pink Breakfast Benefit for Breast Cancer Due Torri Restaurante

Oct 19- 5p March Against Breast Cancer starts at Posada Beach/Monument to the Fisherman & ends at the Truguena monument at the east Malecon. Participants are asked to wear something pink and carry signs supporting the cause & in support of the people with this disease.
Oct 19 Full moon rise 6:57
The Blue crabs are out migrating at night this month, due to the full moon...Don't Smash Them!! Slow down in Sac Bajo and at the south-east end. (The graphic I found is from when they were on the streets due to rain)

Oct 20-29 Hanal Pixan Altar Contest
Oct 20 Moon Rise 7:42p

TURTLE RELEASE TODAY Probably at Media Luna beach behind Poc Na hostel (look for tapes..if not, at Guadalupana). Some have started at 5p and released at 5:30, while others started at 6 and released at 6:30. BYOBowl, bucket, or other container.
Oct 21 Moon Rise 8:28p
Oct 21 Ramon Bravo's Birthday
Oct 21 Dia del Medico,
Oct 21-22 Anniversary of Hurricane Wilma when Isla Mujeres broke the Northern Hemisphere's and Western Hemisphere's 24-hour rainfall record with 64 inches in 2005.

October 23 Dia del Medico

October 24 United Nations Day (last year children marched, wearing white)
October 25 Day of Praise & Prayer for youth at downtown Catholic Church
October 27 Time Change
Oct 31 Noche de Brujas/Halloween
Here is a list of events in the Maya Riviera area LINK.
Here is a LINK to an article I wrote about Hanal Pixan
HERE is the article I wrote about Day of the Dead in Isla Mujeres.

Last year in October....
The 5th annual Environmental Culture week had workshops Oct 8-10 (Semana de la cultura Ambiental)
The 7th annual Caribbean Mayan Cultural Festival was Oct 20-24 (There was also a 2nd annual statewide Caribbean Mayan Cultural Fest last year in early November)
The Ramon Bravo Underwater Photography Contest was cancelled. Oct 20-22

The Artist's fair will be the third Thursday in October due to the change of government & will resume being the first Thursday in November. Oct. 17th, Town Square 4-7p.

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Come out and join us for our annual Day of the dead party on November 1st. We will have live music, beer and drink specials, an all you can eat Mexican buffet for $150 pesos, costume contests and games. Make your reservations today to ensure the best seats! - www.casasuenos.com

Come out and join us for our annual Day of the dead party on November 1st. We will have live music, beer and drink specials, an all you can eat Mexican buffet for $150 pesos, costume contests and games. Make your reservations today to ensure the best seats! - www.casasuenos.com

See Live Music schedule at top of page for Live music during low season. Fayne's is closed in early October. Some gigs are more intermittent during October & can be prone to weather cancellations.

John Cain's schedule
Tuesday solo from 8 to 10 pm at Cafe Del Mar, lovely spot on the beach across from Jax,
Wednesday with The Sol Rockers at Bally Hoo Restaurant from 7 to 930, come support this great venue, relaxing vibe and good food!
Friday solo at Iguana Bar Marina Paraiso Isla Mujeres from 7 to 9 and
Saturday at The Sunset Grill, solo from 7 to 9 pm. They offer 2x1 special from 6 to 10 pm on all wine by glass or bottle.

A TODOS NUESTROS CLIENTES Y AMIGOS, LES INVITAMOS SABADO Y DOMINGO A DISFRUTAR LBS!! MUSICA VIVA!!!!

A TODOS NUESTROS CLIENTES Y AMIGOS, LES INVITAMOS SABADO Y DOMINGO A DISFRUTAR LBS!! MUSICA VIVA!!!!

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

Iguana's has been having Caribbean-Tropical music on Saturdays & Sundays starting around 6, and Fenix has salsa on Sundays. The Sol Rockers play at Bahia Tortuga on Sunday evenings.

At Poc Na Nov 24 8p..Fidel Nada Full Band