In Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events Sunday, April 12

The second issue of 
The Isla Mujeres Magazine
 to benefit Isla charities 
 is online, 
featuring  a variety of talented writers and photographers!

  Here's a link to the Magazine 
Please share the charity document, patronize the supportive businesses, & enjoy the articles, photos, & videos! If you'd like to donate $15 to your favorite charity to have an ad in this 2015 issue, contact me at westofcuba@gmail.com

This is the live webcam at North Beach / Playa Norte 

 

  From  Noticias de Diario de Quintana Roo ....

link to their Isla articles

Better service to foreigners
 Renovation and expansion of the Harbor Master's pier

Mejor atención a extranjeros

Prevén remodelación y ampliación del muelle de la Capitanía de Puerto

Lanrry PARRA

ISLA MUJERES, 11 de abril.-

Leer más... 

The Harbor Master of Isla Mujeres, Ismael Gonzalez Gil said the project of expansion and remodeling of the pier has been approved, which will provide better care for the crews of the domestic and foreign vessels that arrive at this port, as well as providing the necessary facilities for emergencies.  The financing of between 100,000 and 150,000 pesos has been provided, and all that remains is to award the contract to an appropriate company. They will add another 13 meters to the current 12 meters, making the pier 25 meters long. The pier was rebuilt after it was damaged by Hurricane Wilma, but the dimensions do not meet the needs for services. After the expansion there will be enough space for arriving vessels to dock or "tie up" while they make the appropriate arrangements with the Port Authorities. And it will give access for the Red Cross ambulance as well as the police to address any emergencies that may arise

Customers complain about poor cable TV service 

Pésimo servicio de TV por cable

Se acentúan quejas de clientes

Lanrry PARRA

ISLA MUJERES, 11 de abril.-

Leer más... 

 Cable customers are complaining about frequent failures of TV and internet service, and note that the company continues to expect prompt payment. In social networks, a Cable company employee explained that people who are interested or feel they are affected, should visit the office where it will be confirmed that they are working to restore service. The employee said that if the related works are completed, service will be restored at 100% to all of the antennas.

 

Wednesday....

Whale shark licensees in uncertainty: Wondering if authorities will renew their permits

Permisionarios en incertidumbre

No saben si autoridades les renovarán licencia para avistamiento de tiburón ballena

Lanrry PARRA

ISLA MUJERES, 7 de abril.-

Leer más... 

The 135 people in Isla Mujeres who hold concessions for swimming with the whale sharks are waiting in complete uncertainty, because they do not know if the environmental authorities will renew all the permits to continue this activity, or if they will only renew a few permits. Until last year, officials have been giving authorizations to all the permit holders, but this season the authorities are trying to establish new policies, with the intention of reducing potential stress.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the Municipal Facebook site.....  (you can join this FB page at this link)









~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


From Tvisla Mujeres (You can join this fb page at this link)










~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Noti Isla Mujeres (you can join this page on FB at this link & view the photos)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



 
From  por esto Link to their Isla Mujeres articles




Judgment in favor of cooperative is confirmed
Confirman sentencia a favor de cooperativa[+] Ver mas

José Armando Yam Dzul, secretary of the board of directors of the Isla Blanca fishermen's cooperative, showed a document by a judge to occupy the 652 square meters of the federal zone and lands reclaimed from the sea. Their next step will be to apply for a new 15 year concession form SEMARNAT.
    He said that on Sept. 8, 2014, the court gave their first judgement nullifying the decisions made by the SCT (Dept. of Communication and Transport), which were irregular (not legal) in their favoring of businessman Jose Luis Ballesteros, who had acquired an adjoining property and wanted to have access to the bay.  He said there was a resolution to clarify the resolution, and on April 7th the court approved the decision and ordered that there is no overlap of properties.
     The next step is to prepare the application for renewal of the concession for 15 years, which expired on December 1, according to a document (DGZF-201/99) at SEMARNAT (Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources). They will seek another 15 year concession, and there are six months allowed for the paperwork, starting March 15th.
      He thanked the judges for their work in this four year legal battle, after they were expelled with support from the military. They formerly had plans to use this space, but the project to raise cobia fish, which cost more than 10 million pesos, fell through with this matter.
      "....Even if there was an overlap between the areas granted to the plantiff and the diverse concession granted by the Quintana Roo Port Authority, (without conceding this is so), the court finds that there is an obligation to respect the concession granted by SEMARNAT, since it is not possible for one authority to invalidate with 'posteridad' a legal act issued by another Department within the same hierarchy", said the judgement by the Sala Regional del Caribe del Tribunal Federal de Justicia Fiscal y Administrativa.
    The validity of the concession grant dates back to 1999 with an expiration after fifteen years, and there is every right to continue with a renewal, upon request from the cooperative.

Yesterday.....

New mayan ruins found at Mundaca Hacienda
Nuevos hallazgos mayas en Mundaca [+] Ver mas

It was announced in May, 2014 that the INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History detected more Mayan evidence, with excavations now beginning at five old buildings on the estate of the pirate Fermin Mundaca de Marecheaga, which is a cultural site. It has been 15 months since the INAH began excavations at the hacienda. The estate was constructed a century and a half ago, and it is presumed that stones from ancient buildings were used. Since excavation work was begun by the INAH in March 2014, "In this place, five Mayan buildings have been found, one of which may be the true temple to the goddess Ixchel, as well as over 100 pieces of obsidian, jade,  human skeletons and skulls, which are currently in the possession of the INAH", according to the version given. Historian Fidel Villanueva Madrid, who has been aware of the investigation, reported that it has been known that there were ruins on this site since 1990, which is why the Quintana Roo government decreed it as a cultural heritage site.
   There could be as many as seven old buildings, but they are only working on one at this time. When asked by a reporter, Sr. Villanueva said, "The site could have been a sanctuary, some buildings have boxes for offerings, combined with the finding of articles of obsidian and of jade, and of many materials which are not native to this region that were introduced; this also indicates commercial trade existed between Panama and the island."
    It was reported by Por Esto on May 10, 2014 that during the process of excavations at the aea developed by Mundaca, they had encountered foundations, 'chultunes', and possibly remains of tombs, which indicates Mayan buildings were on the site. So far, the representative of the INAH of Quintana Roo, has not made a public statement about the issue.
    According to data obtained, at least five "chultunes" were found, which were chambers constructed underground to store food and water. These are widespread throughout the Yucatan peninsula; according to findings by archeologists and campesinos, they are "everywhere" in these three states. Each chultun has an average depth of about 2.5 meters, with a narrowed opening, about 60-70 centimeters in diameter, with a bottle shaped underground chamber. Nowadays, farmers use them to cool their water while they are slashing and burning in Campeche, which was reported by farm workers to the south, in Candelaria.
    The foundations are a few meters from the west side of the house of Macario Diaz, located 200 meters from the entrance to the Mundaca estate. In all of that mound where the spider monkey cage is located, there is a Mayan structure, buried some two meters. There is an area of some 2000 square meters to be excavated, according to the initial calculations. There are about 16 hectares of land comprising the entire property of Mundaca, which is considered the "lungs" of Isla Mujeres.



New regulations proposed for Isla Contoy
Nueva propuesta de regulación para Contoy[+] Ver mas

At the 42nd meeting of the Advisory Board for the Tourism SubCouncil, María del Carmen García Rivas, Director of the Isla Contoy National Park, announced a regulatory plan to reduce pressure on the reserve, due to the continual breaking of the regulations concerning the maximum number of tourists who enter daily.
     In this regard, she added that the providers, in coordination with Amigos de Isla Contoy, are creating a plan for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the Center for Culture for Conservation, and proposed to have alternating days and schedules, to additionally lower the burden of visitors, by having them schedule an exclusive encounter with nature.
    The meeting began at 10am in the City Council room with the objective of the advisory council being "to improve the tourism visitations to this impressive Natural Protected Area (NPA), a sanctuary for turtles and birds," said the official.
     Four students from the University of the Caribbean presented a thesis with the goal of improving logistics for tourist trips. Then the Director present the progress on improving the underwater trail of "Ixmapoi", and reported on visitation during Easter holidays, and finally, she spoke about the regulations to decrease the pressure of usage. The maximum number of visitors per day is 200, but in recent years that limit has been surpassed. They will seek to return to that parameter without exceeding it.

Friday.....

Navy rescues undocumented Cubans
Armada rescata a indocumentados cubanos[+] Ver mas

The Navy conducted a rescue at sea, near El Cuyo, Yucatan, of 14 undocumented Cubans who were taken to Puerto Juarez and turned over to the National Immigration Institute (INM). Their small, handmade wooden boat "La Flor" was spotted by a plane of the Mexican Navy conducting surveillance, at 7.4 kilometers north of El Cuyo on Tuesday afternoon. The names of the 8 men,, 5 women, and one child were not provided. A boat from the search and rescue unit was dispatched to their location, and they were provided with medical care, food, and water aboard the military vessel and were transported ~150 km to Puerto Juarez where they were turned over to authorities with the INM.
   A statement was issued that said:  In compliance with the laws which are conferred upon the Mexican Navy, to safeguard human lives at sea, as a result of surveillance operations carried within the jurisdiction of the Fifth Naval Region, based in Isla Mujeres, this rescue operation was carried out on Tuesday afternoon. The refugees were treated with respect for their human rights and were transferred to the Naval Station in Puerto Juarez in good health, where they were turned over to INM authorities for the corresponding legal formalities.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

  This blog is brought to you by....

View from the rooms.

MaraVilla Caribe   Bed & Beach    Three rentals with large glass doors overlooking our white sand beach and the beautiful Caribbean sea, with  kitchenettes & free WIFI. In the coastal neighborhood of  Bachilleres, among upscale villas & boutique hotelitos, convenient to downtown or the colonias, yet separate.  Quiet & Private.   

 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

Free amenities such as hammocks, bikes, outdoor shower, portable beach chairs & beach towels, washer, loungers & BBQ. Breathtaking panoramic views from the rooftop terrace. Upstairs room also available.   Downtown is  ~ a mile away; if you don't feel like walking or biking, flag a $2 taxi or hop on the bus. We also have room for parking,You can enjoy the music & crowds downtown, then come home our quiet neighborhood of Bachilleres where you'll  sleep to the sounds of the sea..  $275/$325/$425 wk   $40/50/$65nt  Monthly Discounts

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. Stroll five minutes down the coastal sidewalk to Mango Cafe, Bufalo, Bahama Mama, Compadres Barbacoa or Manolitos. Walk less than 10 minutes to shop at Chedraui or to dine at Green Verde, Kash Kechen Chuc, or Seso Loco. Visit marinas, bars, & beach clubs that are 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 variety of other stores and small local restaurants.

April Events

Sunset  ~7p
Sunrise ~6:30a

Moonrise over the Caribbean
April 4   6:42
April 5   7:20
April 6   9:07
April 7   9:59
April 8  10:53
April 9  11:46

Fri March 27 - Sun April 12: Easter Break w lotsa daytrippers/busy ferries.  



April 1, Wednesday: Last Artist Fair until next high season
 On the Town Square. Food samples are 10 pesos.
Thursday, April 2 Town Square 7p  Reenactment of Last Supper
Friday, April 3  Passion of Christ reenactments "Via Crucis" in the streets

Friday, April 3, Noon-2p: >3000 people are to expected to join in the Viacrucis event walking from Guadalupe chapel (Meteorologico) to the Immaculate Conception church on the Square, with (parishioner) actors in costumes playing the parts.
  The other representation of the martyrdom of Christ is at 10a in La Gloria..departing & returning to the Catholic church there..down the main streets, with parishioners carrying the cross.

Sunday April 5: Easter  (Mexico changes to DST, except not QRoo)

Tuesday, April 7: UN World Health Day

Friday, April 10: Arte en Todas Partes event TBA

Friday, April 17: Arte en Todas Partes event TBA

Tuesday, April 21: Commemoration of Defense of Veracruz

Wednesday, April 22: Earth Day 

Friday, April 24: Arte en Todas Partes event TBA

 Friday, April 24 Start of Regata del Sol al Sol Yachts depart from St Petersburg, Florida on the ~500 mile journey

          LINK to history of the Regata del Sol al Sol  (The Regata al Sol, the other regatta, occurs every other year, on even years)

Wednesday, April 29 Regata del Sol al Sol  Golf Cart Poker Run (10a) & Cocktail party at Rock House (1p) & Crew Party at Buhos (1p) Basketball game by Town Square 7p

Thursday, April 30 Regata del Sol al Sol Cocktail Party at Ballyho's (1:30)  , Poker Run (3:30p), Mayor's Reception (7p)

Thursday, April 30 Dia del Nino...Children's Day

Friday, May 1  Regata del Sol al Sol Amigo's Regatta: Children board (10:30a), Departure (~11:30a) Awards ceremony at Buhos (7p)

Texas Hold 'Em Poker Mon & Thurs at El Patio 6p on Hidalgo..more info HERE.

There may be a Children's Fishing Tournament in April,  Date TBA
DIF Hat Breakfast, Desayuno de Sombrero is usually in April,  Date TBA
No Artists Fair in May, scheduled to resume in November 

Fishing Tournament May 22, 23, & 24

 Charity Info
See tab at top of page!

Donation Drop offs:
Red Cross:  Social Justicia Restaurant (south of ferry terminal, north of car ferry)

 Books for Grade School Reading Program, Items for Isla Animals, Diabetes Supplies, Items for Little Yellow School House, Moto Helmets for kids...Barlitos @ Marina Paraiso

For donations to Zapatos Para Los Ninos.. please contact Greg at bullridersnider@yahoo.com, or find them on Facebook at "Shoes For The Children."

Music: Schedule likely to change for low season (By band & location)

Miguel's high season schedule:
Sunday: The Sol Rockers @ El Patio 9p - 11p
Monday: Miguel solo @ El Patio 6:30p - 8:30p
Tuesday: La Banda Sin Nombre @ El Patio 9:15p - 11:15p
Wednesday: The Sol Rockers@ El Patio 7p - 9p, Faynes 10:30p - 12:00a
Thursday: Miguel Solo @ el Patio 6p - 8p, Faynes 10:30p - 12:00a
Friday: Marina Paraiso 7p - 9p, Faynes 10:30p - 12:00a, Adelita's 12a - 2a
Saturday: Marina Paraiso 7p - 9p, Faynes 10:30p - 12:00a, Adelita's 12a - 2a

 John Cain's schedule  
Wednesday 7pm - 9pm   ElPatio Sol Rockers 
Thurs 9-11 El Patio 
Sats. El Patio 630-830 
Sunday at El Patio w Sol Rockers from 7 to 9 pm

 El Patio House of Music...(formerly Comono)

Sundays 7-9 - Sol Rockers
Mondays 630 to 830 Miguel / 830 to 1130 Ryan Rickman -
 Tuesdays  9-11 Banda Sin Nombre
Wednesdays 7 to 9 Sol Rockers /  DJ 9-12
Thursdays 6 to 8 Miguel / John Cain from 8 to 11
 Fridays 630 to 815 Fabio & Ryan / band 830 to 1130 
Saturdays 630-830 John Cain solo Country music / 830 to 1130 Ryan and Band..

Morgan's Restaurant & Bar - on Hidalgo 
Mon - Tues 7pm - 9pm - Jazz with Norman and Darin 
Wed- Sat 8pm - 11pm - Tips or Sex aka Alfedo & Jorge


Javier Martinez Cen La Banda Sin Nombre has played for 12 years at Faynes, we needed some days off, so less than a year a go, we let the band Radios play for us (at the same stage same time), they are great! LBSN play Weds/Saturday from 10:30 till 12, Fridays and Saturdays we also play next door, at Adelitas, just salsa music, from 12:39 till 2:00  (I'm not sure if this is still current) 
  

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


Fenix  ~1p~4p   Live music at the beach in the afternoons including  Chucho (Jesus Campuzano) on Mondays & Wednesdays, the Cuban musicians Tuesdays & Thursdays, Pao & others on Fridays, someone on Saturday, Cuban musicians w Barbie playing Salsa on Sundays. 


Marina Paraiso has live music Thursday, Friday, & Saturday 7-9

Bahia Tortuga has live music at times...announced on their streetside signboard.

You may find live music at night on Hidalgo 
Fayne's: 10:30-12 (see above)
La Terraza: 9 or 10-12 
Morgan's:  7 or 8 - 9 or 11 (see above)
El Patio (see above)

And at Poc Na Hostel: 9:30-11

Saturday afternoon ~3-5 Cuban music at Veradara's Cuban restaurant


Here's Music by day of the week...with a thanks to Jean Lemke for rearranging it!

Monday - Miguel solo @ El patio 6:30 - 8:30
Ryan Rickman @ El patio 8:30 - 11:30
Jazz with Norman and Darin 7-9p Morgan's Restaurant & Bar - on Hidalgo

Tuesday -  Fenix live music 1-4
Banda Sin Nombre @ El Patio house of music 9:15-11:15

Jazz with Norman and Darin 7-9p Morgan's Restaurant & Bar - on Hidalgo

Wednesday - Fenix live music (Chucho?) 1-4
Sol Rockers @El patio house of music 7-9
La Banda Sin Nombre @ Faynes - 10:30 - 12:00
Tips or Sex aka Alfedo & Jorge 8-11p  Morgan's Restaurant & Bar - on Hidalgo

Thursday -Fenix  live music 1-4
Miguel @El Patio house of music 6-8/ Faynes 10:30 - 12
John Cain @ el Patio 9-11
La Banda Sin Nombre @ Fayne's 10:30 - 12
Tips or Sex aka Alfedo & Jorge 8-11p  Morgan's Restaurant & Bar - on Hidalgo

Friday - Fenix- 1-4 La Guera & band
Miguel @ Marina Paraiso solo 7-9
Miguel @ Fayne's 10:30 - 12
La Banda Sin Nombre @ Adelitas for Salsa 12:30 - 2
Fabio @ El Patio house of music 6:30 - 8:15
Ryan and Band @ El Patio house of music 8:30 - 11:30
Tips or Sex aka Alfedo & Jorge 8-11p  Morgan's Restaurant & Bar - on Hidalgo

Saturday - Cuban Music at El Veradaro's 3-5
Banda Sin Nombre - Chuuk Kay 3:30
Miguel @ Marina Paraiso solo 7-9
La Banda Sin Nombre - Faynes 10:30 - 12:00
Banda Sin Nombre - Adelitas for Salsa 12:30 - 2
 John Cain 6:30-8:30 @ El Patio house of music Ryan and Band 8:30 - 11:30
Tips or Sex aka Alfedo & Jorge 8-11p  Morgan's Restaurant & Bar - on Hidalgo

Sunday - Fenix for Salsa 1-3
Banda Sin Nombre @Chuuk kay 3:30
Sol Rockers El Patio 7-9

Monday - Miguel solo @ El patio 6:30 - 8:30
Ryan Rickman @ El patio 8:30 - 11:30


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Artist Fairs on the Town Square, usually first Thursday, 4p-9p ~Nov-April. 
Now the City is having Arte en Todas Partes events on Fridays.