Monday, June 29, 2015

Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events Monday, June 29

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
 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






City prepares to pay scholarships for the final two bimonthly periods

 De los dos últimos bimestres


         At the end of July or in early August, the academic and transport scholarships will be paid by the City for the last two bimonthly periods, March-April and May-June, for the benefit of 568 students at primary, middle school, and high school levels.
      The municipal Director of Social Development, Edgar Gasca Arceo, said the payments total 460,000 pesos for each two month period. He said they are working toward making the payments before the end of the school year, or a few days later.
     He said in this way the City supports the students and promotes education, which is a priority of the mayor, Agapito Magana Sanchez. He said students who are eligible should submit a copy of their  boleta de estudios and a copy of their constancia de estudios, between the hours of 9am and 4pm,  before the deadline of July 15th.

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








"La Fortuna II" was the winning boat of the Second Edition of the Women's International Fishing Tournament "La Dorada del Caribe", organized by the City of Isla Mujeres as a way of promoting healthy living.
“La Fortuna II” fue la embarcación ganadora de la segunda edición del Torneo Internacional de Pesca Femenil “La Dorada del Caribe”, organizado por el Ayuntamiento de Isla Mujeres como una forma de propiciar la sana convivencia
Winners of the 2nd edition of the International Fishing Tournament "La Dorada del Caribe":
1st place: La Fortuna II of Isla Mujeres with a total of 10, 990 points.
2nd place.Matias of Isla Mujeres with a total of 6, 606 points.
3rd place Quinto Sol of Isla Mujeres with a total of 6,251  points.
The boat Fortuna II caught the heaviest dorado at 21.98 lbs.
Ganadores de la 2da edición del Torneo Internacional de Pesca "La Dorada del Caribe".
1er lugar. Embarcación: La Fortuna II de Isla Mujeres con un total de 10, 990.00 puntos.
2do lugar .Embarcación: Matías de Isla Mujeres con un total de 6, 606 .00 puntos.
3er lugar. Embarcación: Quinto Sol de Isla Mujeres con un total de 6,251.00 puntos.
La Dorada con más peso fue para la embarcación La Fortuna II - 21.98 ( peso en libras).

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link to Quequi;s Isla Mujeres articles  




Women's Fishing Tournament ends

     Of the first ten places in yesterday's International Women's Fishing Tournaments "La Dorada 2015", nine went to vessels from Isla Mujeres, and one went to a boat from Puerto Morales.
     “La Fortuna II” won first place, second place went to  “Matías”, third place was “Quinto Sol”, fourth place was “Bofitos”; fifth place was “Bicho”, sixth place was “Sea Fox” (Puerto Morelos), seventh place was “Condorito”, eighth place was “Huachisan III”, ninth place was “Mega Byte” and tenth place was won by the boat “Lina”.
    The Mayor, Agapito Magana Sanchez, led the awards ceremony, accompanied by his wife, and with various city officials in attendance. The members of the organizing committee confirmed there were no incidents reported and said they plan to improve the prize package for next year to increase participation.

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









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From  por esto Link to their Isla Mujeres articles



Fishermen are closer
Pescadores la ven más cerca. [+] Ver mas
      The fishermen are prepared for the upcoming start of the lobster season (July 1st), and have been able to go out fishing, since it did not rain as was forecast by the National Water Commission (CONAGUA), until after sunset. The inventories of the five fishing cooperatives are at a good level.
      The island police reported zero incidents and said they are ready for the summer season. The Director of Tourism, Gustavo Rodriguez Orozco, reports the tourism infrastructure is ready to receive the thousands of tourists who visit daily during the summer season.
    The lancheros, (who have small boats offering tours & snorkeling), say they receive less than 15 percent of this activity, which some attribute to lack of promotion, while others say the dive shops gain the business because they sell their services directly online. The lancheros are not yet familiar with this useful tool (online marketing) and the  five cooperative of this sector (? The nautical tour cooperatives include "Isla Bonita", "Isla Mujeres", and "Aldolfo López Mateos", and I don't recall that there are two others. There are five fishing cooperatives.) are not organized to face this competition, although they have become organized at the Marine Terminal, which was instituted by the decisions of the Port Authority of Quintana Roo,  to put an end to the disorder which had previously existed.
     The boating fleet from Cancun includes over 50 vessels who bring visitors daily, "monopolizing everything",  and the passenger ferry companies such as Ultramar sell their packages from Puerto Juarez, leaving few people who 'escape' to give their business to the lancheros. The boaters who offer nautical services are starting the summer season under these conditions.


Interconnecting the lakes with the sea is viable
Viable interconectar cuerpos de agua con el mar[+] Ver mas
By Olvidio Lopez
      A half a century ago,  the massive growth of local tourism and the increasing number of workers who arrived for the opportunities it offered, caused the introduction of road infrastructure to the southern part of the island. This filling in of areas interrupted the ebb and flow with the bay, and  created the three bodies of water as they exist today, which are contaminated.
   For centuries, salt was produced and used to preserve seafood, according to historian Fidel Villanueva Madrid, who says the salinas need better care and  that reconnection as a viable proposal, according to a project that was developed in the early 1980's by the state government.
    How much would it cost for reconnection with the sea? This question was put to the engineer Cuauhtémoc Zurita Landero, who is familiar with the work that was done filling in these areas. This fill created the "El Pescador" ballpark and its surroundings, as well as  Independence Street in colonia Electristas, which blocked the communication of the ebb and flow of the sea at the entrance of Makax lagoon.
      He said it would cost less than 100 million pesos and would require an environmental impact study by SEMARNAT (Department of the Environment and Natural Resources) to authorize the construction of two types of connections, with a tube of 1.5 meters in diameter or an open canal in the form of a V, with grids to support heavy vehicles, covering an estimated distance of about 500 meters to Makax lagoon, down Independence Street. He said an analysis would also have to be done of the 'barimetria' (tidal flow patterns, I think), as well as considering the similarity in levels, so there is adequate ebb and flow, as there was in previous times.

People haven't listened

       "We need a government with vision to solve this problem definitively," said Sr Zurita, who was responsible for the maritime work in the early 70's, when the filling in was done. He spoke by phone from Chetumal, acknowledging that although there has been public protest since that time, the government has not paid attention to the risks, and a federal project should address this. He said this could include reconnecting Makax lagoon to the sea at Playa Lancheros, as it was before, where the road to Sac Bajo also has obstructed the passage of water.
    He said an interconnection could be constructed at Independence street, from Salina Aeropuerto, and from there, a connection to the andador del Kiosco, to Othon P Blanco Street, in order to link with Salina Chica, crossing Jesus Martinez Ross Avenue and interconnecting as well with the aforementioned baseball park, skirting the Circuito Colonias, up to the Police station, where it could be connected to Salina Grande.
   It is also considered feasible to connect Salina Grande to the sea by colonia Caridad del Cobre, which was considered in the late 90's, but a analysis of costs and and other research will reveal the options that are most appropriate.

The History
     According to historian Fidel Villanueva Madrid, between 1850 and 1960, when this body of water was still united (with the sea), there was a great deal of activity in the salina during the dry season, by men and women whose skin became tanned like leather from working in the wee hours of the night to extract salt, because once the sun was out, the work became very difficult. The extraction of salt assisted the founding of the town of Dolores on Isla Mujeres in 1850. The first mestizo settlers found this natural resource offered a compelling reason to stay at this location.
     A well know person from this time, Fermin Mundaca, took advantage of the abundance of this mineral for tanning of leather, not only for his cattle and sheep, but also for the skins of hunted animals including deer, tigres (lit. means tigers, maybe refers to jaguars, puma &/or margays), and lizards, which he bought in bulk. They were tanned and sold, mostly in Havana, Cuba.
    Sr. Villanueva explained that in the late nineteenth century, Manuel Sierra Mendez, “colonizador de Isla Mujeres y Cozumel” had a good business marketing salt that was extracted, under a contract with the federal government. There were complaints from islanders who did not want to stand by while Sr. Sierra Mendez grabbed all the salt that was produced. This conflict ended when the federal government cancelled the contract, saying that Sr. Sierra Mendez had not completed the obligations required when the concession was granted.
    After the creation of the Federal Territory of Quintana Roo in 1902, the islanders repeatedly tried to organize themselves to take advantage of this resource. The last attempt took place in 1939 whem more than 30 heads of families formed the cooperative “Salineros del Caribe, S. C. L.”, which found no market for the product because they had to face the powerful regional monopoly in the salt industry that was established by the Roche family of the state of Yucatan.
     The historian explained that for the development of tourism, by 1962 there was a need for an efficient route to the south of the island, in order to link the tourist attractions such as Playa Lancheros, Playa Indios, and Garrafon Park, in addition to give access for development, and for the areas that became known as Lagunamar and Sac Bajo.
       Currently, in the hot time of year, residents near Salina Chica and Salina Aeropuerto complain about the bad smells, with the dropping of the water levels which is a cyclic occurrence, and they complain about flooding during the rainy season and with hurricanes. In recent decades, the government has tried temporary palliative measures such as the network of storm drains, but these do not work during large amounts of rainfall.

Here is a description of the salt harvest by Alice le Plongeon in 1876:

Our next expedition was to the salt pits in the 
middle of the island. By an underground passage 
these large pools communicate with the sea on 
the east side. At the beginning of the fishing 
season, men and women go to collect the salt 
that is deposited by evaporation on the shore of 
the pools. They seem to regard it as a kind of 
picnic, though the work is laborious, especially for 
the women, who stand up to their waists in muddy 
water all day long, putting the salt into large turtle 
shells that serve instead of vats. It would be 
almost impossible to transport the salt by land to 
village Dolores; the only roads are narrow pathways 
through the thicket, and the soil is so rocky and 
uneven that it is tiresome to walk, much more so to 
carry a load. A great extent of the interior of 
the island is taken up by a most picturesque lake 
that opens on the south side of the bay by a narrow 
channel through which the water of the ocean 
enters. The lake is consequently subject to tides, 
and it is navigable for the majority of the canoes 
used by the fishermen. 
    The channel is crooked and scarcely more than 
nine feet wide, having dense thickets of mangroves 
on each side. It takes about half an hour to go 
through it, then the lake suddenly opens to our 
view, truly a charming scene ! It is surrounded by 
banks twenty feet high, covered with verdure ; sea- 
gulls soar overhead, filling the air with discordant 
screams, while pelicans, herons and storks, are 
perched here and there, half hidden among the foli- 
age, motionless, wistfully watching the water, to 
catch the unsuspicious fish that venture within 
their reach. 
    The lake is nearly three miles long; its southern 
end reaches to within a hundred yards of the salt 
pit ; thus the labor of transporting the salt is made 
comparatively easy. 
   

Permits for the whale tour areas: For a few
Permisos de avistamiento, para unos cuantos.. [+] Ver mas
     There are some whale shark licensees, including dive shop executives, who say there should be a massive cancellation of permits, and these permits should be redistributed among those dedicated to fishing and recreation. Most do not want to speak on the record, but Antonio Gonzales spoke frankly on the matter saying that hoarding should not be allowed, and the maximum should be two permits.
       Others expressed objections to the policies of SEMARNAT,  agreeing that the maximum should be two permits, and not an amount close to a dozen as has allegedly happened with  Javier Ayala Rejón, Marcelo Cupul and Jorge Lara. They want permits cancelled for companies in Cancun, such as "Agua World",  and for those permits to be reassigned to service providers in Isla Mujeres and Holbox.
     There are also complaints and accusations expressed against CONANP (the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas) and against DGVS (the Wildlife Department) officials, questioning the criteria under which permits are granted and saying it is unclear. The DGVS governs Aguas Azules and granted 160 permits for that area, and CONANP oversees the Whale Shark Biosphere (Aguas Verdes) and granted 160 permits, which is a total of 320  permits between the two institutions.
       According to information gathered, foreign specialists have posed as tourists while surreptitiously observing what is happening with the whale sharks, after complaints have been made on social networks about the mistreatment of the animals, and they have expressed complaints on international forums for environmental causes.

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  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.
June Events

Sunrise ~6:05a
Sunset  ~7:25p

Moonrise over the Caribbean
June 1  6:40
June 2  7:35
June 3  8:30
June 4  9:25
June 5  10:17
June 6  11:06
June 7  11:54

In the US, June is Caribbean-American Heritage month. Link.
In the US, June is also National Oceans Month  Link

June has the longest daylight hours of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest daylight hours of the year in the Southern Hemisphere,

June 1, Monday  Dia de la Marina..Navy Day
10am Ceremonies at Naval base plaza.10:40 Boats depart for ceremonial placing of wreath on the waters of the Bay commemorating those who died in service.

June 4 Thursday  Corpus Christi...a religious holiday

June 5, Friday  World Environmental Day
 Town Square 9a-noon First Isla Mujeres Environmental Fair 2015 

June 7, Sunday  Election Day (for Federal legislators)  Restriction of sale of alcohol to go and in some local bars. Alcohol can be sold with food to tourists.

June 8, Monday World Ocean's Day  Link   

You are invited to a Dance Workshop of Caribbean Rhythms, starting June 8th at the Mundaca Hacienda Palapa. 20 pesos. For more information contact the Cultural department 877 0767 culturaislamujeres@gmail.com

June 13, Saturday 10am or 11am 1st Gran Cabalgata (Mounted Parade) The procession will include riders from  Tizimín, Kantunilkín, Valladolid, Cancún and Isla Mujeres. 

June 13, Saturday   API pier or Magana (wooden) pier   Submarine tours begin in Isla Mujeres 300 pesos  "Discover the sea without even getting wet while enjoying a drink & appreciating the seabed of our beloved island. For all ages. 9841762052 Gabriel."  (From Merca Isla on FB)




 



June 17-21 Brazos Abiertos (Open Arms) Seventh Annual Isla Mujeres HIV Testing, Sexual Education, and Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Campaign
LINK to information & opportunity to donate


June 21, Sunday  Summer solstice
                             Father's Day

June 23, Tuesday 6p Jean Piaget School
 Presentation of a book of short stories by Miguel Manjarrez Torres "Nothing to Pretend"

June 24, Wednesday 7p  Salina Chica Green Dome "Certamen Abuelita y Abuelito Isla Mujeres 2015” (Grandma & Grandpa contest Isla Mujeres 2015)

June 25, Thursday  First Isla Mujeres Rap Competition, sponsored by the DIF. Salina Chica at the green dome. "Yo me uno" to put an end to violence against women. Register at the DIF Mon-Fri 9-4

  
June 26 & 27, Friday & Saturday  Women's Fishing Tournament.   La Dorada,   Organized by DIF. More than 500,000 pesos in prizes. Entry fee 3000 pesos


June 27, Saturday  Noche de Estrellas

Thursdays at 8:30p Magic show at Poc Na  see poster


Texas Hold 'Em Poker Mondays & Thurdays at El Patio 6p on Hidalgo..more info HERE.
Discontinued for low season

No Artists Fairs since April, scheduled to resume in November  





JULY: 
Sunset ~7:30

Moonrise over the Caribbean
July 1  6:40
July 2  7:35
July 3  8:30
July 4  9:25
July 5 10:17
July 6 11:06
July 7 11:54

July 1 (In Canada) Canada Day
July 2  Blue Flag raising event at Posada del Mar beach

July 2 at 7:45pm on the Town Square. Danzarte Isla Mujeres 2015.
.

July 4 US Independence Day
July 5 Poc Na Reggae concert

July 11 Isla to Isla Open Water Swimming Event to arrive at Posada del Mar beach. Followed by samples of seafood from local restaurants

July 18, Saturday to July 24,  Friday- Whale Shark Festival 
July 18 Anniversary of the death of President Benito Juárez (March 21, 1806 to July 18, 1872)

July 30 Anniversary of the death of Miguel Hidalgo (May 8, 1753 to July 31, 1811)

 Charity Info
See tab at top of page!

Donation Drop offs:
Red Cross:  Social Justicia Restaurant (south of ferry terminal, north of car ferry)
Isla Animals: Vet clinic at Mundaca Hacienda

 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:

Miguel's schedule (may need updating):
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  (Updated June 1)
Sunday & Wednesday 7:30pm - 9:30pm   El Patio Sol Rockers 
Thursday Bahia Tortuga 6:45-8:45 
Saturday. El Patio solo  630-830 


 El Patio House of Music (Updated June 1)

Sunday Jazz from Toronto 5-7, Sol Rockers 7:30-9:30, Isla Cali 9:30-11:30
Monday Jazz from Toronto 5-7, Miguel 7:30-9:30, Isla Cali 9:30-11:30 
Tuesday Jazz from Toronto 5-7,  Ryan Rickman 7-9:30, Banda sin Nombre 9:30-11:30
Wednesday  Sol Rockers 7:30-9:30, Radio Band 9:30-11:30
Thursday Closed for the month of June
Friday Ryan Rickman 7-9:30, Radio Band 9:30-11:30
Saturday John Cain 7:30-9:30, Isla Cali 9:30-11:30

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
 

Fenix  ~2p~5p   Live music at the beach in the afternoons on Sundays. Salsa, Cumbia, Cuban music. Update June 13: Music some weekdays, Fri, Sat, Sun. ~2p.


Bahia Tortuga  John Cain on Thursdays and Lara  on Mondays...~7p (Updated June 1)

You may find live music at night on Hidalgo 
Fayne's: 10:30-12 (see above)
La Terraza: ~10-12 
Morgan's:  Between 7 & 11 (see above)
El Patio (see above)
Poc Na Hostel: Starting ~10p to late
Veradara's Cuban restaurant  Saturdays ~3p Cuban music

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 Artist Fairs on the Town Square, usually first Thursday, 4p-9p ~Nov-April. 







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