Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events Wednesday, Feb. 21






This is the live webcam at North Beach / Playa Norte.  HERE is a timelapse version, that you can set to slow or fast (fps-frames per second). It takes a few seconds to load.
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CHECK OUT THE FEBRUARY EVENTS SCHEDULE!  (scroll down)
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From the Municipal Facebook site.....  (  FB page link)

Municipal government inaugurates Centro de Atención al Isleño at Town Hall LINK 
The new offices of the Isleño Service Center (Centro de Atención al Isleño) were inaugurated, which will function as a direct link between citizens and their authorities.Valeria Aragón Cahuich, director of the Islander Service Center, explained that this project began with the current administration with the firm objective of maintaining a government that is close to island families, which provides solutions and immediate attention to the needs of the community.
       "This is the first time that the municipality has created a governmental agency with the purpose of directly and effectively resolving the concerns of citizens, without having to wait for hours or days to be served," explained the official.
     She said that since the creation of this agency more than a year ago, hundreds of people from all over the municipality have been effectively attended to, providing support for single mothers, and educational, sports and food assistance, as well as medicines and wheelchairs; among other services that are provided, including social assistance in general and employment.
    Valeria Aragón Cahuich invited the residents to visit the new offices of the Islander Service Center, located on the ground floor of the Town Hall, next to the offices of the Fiscalizacion, where attention will be provided from 9am to 7pm. Names of officials at the inauguration are given.


On Wednesday, February 21 we will make a floral offering in memory of Ramón Bravo. Join us at the monument in his memory at 9:00am (at the entrance to Sac Bajo).

NOTE: Ramón Bravo was a diver, author, photographer, and underwater filmmaker, as well as an exceptional swimmer who represented Mexico in the 1948 & 1952 Olympics. He was also a scientist, ecologist, and journalist, winning the 1979 National Journalism Award.
He became famous in America and Europe as an oceanographer, and devoted a large portion of his life to filming and studying sharks. He is well known for his study and photography in the 1970's of "sleeping sharks" near Isla Mujeres, after making the world aware of them, following their discovery by "Valvula", Carlos Garcia. Bravo served as Jacques Cousteau's dive guide in the Cave of Sleeping Sharks and reefs surrounding Isla Mujeres.
He wrote more than a dozen books, and one of his novels later became the movie "Tintorera" (1977), filmed at Isla Mujeres, with Bravo shooting underwater photography. He participated in the more than 20 films, including filming and directing underwater scenes of the James Bond movie "Licence to Kill" (1989).
He died on Feb. 21, 1998 at the age of 72 from a heart attack caused by at accidental electric shock at this home in Isla Mujeres.

Information from this article & Wikipedia: https://sipse.com/novedades/recuerdan-aniversario-luctuoso-de-ramon-bravo-video-isla-mujeres-maria-vallejo-documentales-peliculas-libros-243629.html


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From Tvisla Mujeres ( link to photos & articles)



Fishermen of Quintana Roo expect the season to close with a total production of 330 tonnes of lobster and about 40 tonnes of tails. LINK  
     The leader of the fishing cooperative federation in Quintana Roo, Baltazar Gómez Catzín, said in the case of Isla Mujeres, it is expected that the season will close with a production of 100 tonnes of whole lobster, and eight tons of tail, between the five cooperatives of the island. Poor weather has repeatedly kept the fishermen from working, but they hope that things will improve before the end of this season, which concludes on February 28.
   The fishermen are affected by the fishing bans, including the Grouper ban (which began Feb 1st and is over April 1st), and of Abadejo, as well as the upcoming four month lobster ban, which concludes at the end of June.

Tourism tour boats lacking documents will pay fines  LINK  
      The Harbor Master of Isla Mujeres confirmed that the two vessels that were impounded yesterday by the Mexican Navy, are being held for lack of documentation, however they could be released next week, after paying a penalty of up to 20,000 pesos. 
       Ismael González Gil, Harbor Master of the Puerto de Isla Mujeres, explained that during a routine review,  navigation by the two smaller vessels was detected, even though the port was closed for both of them.   
      In both cases, there was no crew, and only the captain or skipper of the vessel was on board, but there was no documentation on board. 
       The owner of both boats is Rene Gonzalo Ku Montoya (aka "Babas"), and both the boat "Jimena" and the "Renata" could be released in a few days, after payment of their respective fines.


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From  por esto Link to their Isla Mujeres articles & photos


Many people with three ferry companies  
Mucha gente con las tres navieras [+] Ver masFull article at this link
     The overall hotel occupancy rate is 76%, on the island and the Continental Zone, with many American and Canadians as overnight visitors. An abundant number of visitors were arriving with suitcases, on the boats of the three ferry companies from Puerto Juarez, as well as on the ferry from Punta Sam, which is used by the occasional overnight visitor, usually the 'backpackers', because of its cheaper cost.
       Demand for nautical tours was low, but they were allowed to work in the area of El Farito, La Cuevita, and the lagoon.
     Many tourists were observed shopping, dining, renting carts, and enjoying the beaches and attractions of the island. It is noted that the restaurants are busiest between 6pm and 11pm when the American go out to dinner.

Applying a firm hand  
Aplican mano dura. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
     Feb. 20 Two small boats were impounded for lack of documents during a Naval document verification operation in the Isla Mujeres Bay. They are the boats "Jimena" and "Renata", whose owner is known as "Babas". The vessels and crew were escorted by the Navy to the Naval pier, because they lacked documents, and it was unclear whether they were engaging in nautical tourism at that time.They had no tourists on board at the time of the inspection. The owner will have five days to present their documents and permits.
      On the other hand, the port authorities restricted operations to the vehicle/cargo ferry "Isla Blanca", because the ferry a problem with its winch, which helps raise and lower the ramp, so the decision was made to suspend their crossings until the problem was resolved, which could happen in the next few hours.

Small boats restricted
Embarcaciones menores sin poder navegar. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
  Feb. 20  The port remains closed for boats under 40 feet, except nautical activities are allowed to el Farito and in the lagoon. Trips to Isla Contoy were also suspended, due to easterly winds with gusts up to 40 kkm/hr and waves up to two meters. The Habor Master said the port was closed since Monday at 10:30am for small boats, including the boats that cross from the tourist cooperative in Puerto Juarez and the catamarans under 40 feet in length. Later when the winds increased, trips to el Farito were also restricted. On Tuesday morning, at 9am, nautical activity to el Farito and the lagoon area was again allowed. Sailing by small boats in the open seas was restricted due to easterly winds of 30 km/hr gusting to 40 km/hr and swells of 1.8 to 2 meters in the Caribbean. Boats over 40 feet were allowed to go to Isla Contoy.
     In the Isla Mujeres Bay, waves of 1.2 meters were recorded, which are not recommended for small boats, especially for tourists who are not used to nautical activities. The Harbor Master said that due to the anticipated increases in swells in upcoming hours, all trips to Isla Contoy would be suspended on Wednesday, even the boats over 40 feet.
      The fishermen were unable to work, for the third consecutive day, since Sunday having been the last day they were able to go out and earn money. They are not able to use longlines and nets, due to the ban on grouper, and they are impatient to catch more lobster and to remove the traps they have in the water before February 28th.
     The fishermen of the Justicia Social cooperative report they had a good weekend and achieved a production of nearly a tonne of lobster in three days, before the port was closed on Monday. They are hoping the forecasts are correct for good weather between Feb. 25 and 28 so they can collect their traps before the lobster ban begins, otherwise they must release all the lobsters that have been trapped, regardless of whether they were caught before or after the ban began.

Isla Mujeres news briefs 
Breves de Isla Mujeresq.. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
About 85% of the islanders took advantage of the program of discounts on the property tax implemented by the municipality,and residents can take advantage of a 10% discount until the end of February. The municipal treasurer reported that approximately 96 percent of taxpayers complied with their property tax obligation in the previous year, and the goal is to reach 100 percent in 2018. In response to a question, the official explained that the amount of property tax depends on the size, location, and whether it is a private home or a business. He said it varies from a minimum of 800 pesos on simple house in the colonias to up to 200,000 to 500,000 pesos for large hotels and tourist developments in the Continental Zone. 
    There is information about removing brush along roads in the Continental Zone by officers with Public Safety and Municipal Traffic, to improve visibility and provide more safety.

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There are videos on the IM N&E FB page of an explosion today in Playa del Carmen at the dock in a Barcos Caribe ferry, with initial reports indicating about 12 or 13 people injured, four of them gravely. Later reports said 18 people were injured, including 15 Mexicans and 3 Canadians. LINK to article w video (non FB).

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 Kitchen in a large studio. (Sur & Norte are identical)
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Large studio (Norte), I'm standing in the kitchen. A queen & single bed.

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February Events
Provided by MaraVilla Caribe & Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events

On Mondays & Thursdays there are poker tournaments at 6p at El Patio.

Feb. 1 Thursday: Artist Fair 3-8p Casa de la Cultura (on Guerrero at Abasolo)

Feb. 1 Start of two month ban on grouper fishing

Feb. 2 Friday Candlemas (If you got the baby in your piece King's cake, today you're providing tamales).

Feb. 2 Friday: World Wetlands Day (Usually there is a clean up in the mangroves).

Feb. 4 Noches Magicas performances 8p Town Square

Feb. 5 Constitution Day (National Holiday)

Full moon rising over the Caribbean 
                                                                    Sunset ~6:30p
Jan. 31 7:01
Feb. 1 8:05 
Feb. 2  9:06
Feb. 3 10:04
Feb. 4 11:00
Feb. 5  11:54 
Painting by Pamela Haase
Feb. 8 Thursday Artist Fair 3-8p Casa de la Cultura (on Guerrero at Abasolo)

Feb. 8 Thursday Convention Center 7p Dance Troupes performing & competing at the Baile de Carnaval for women - Tribute to Michael Jackson Each troupe will dance for 15-20 minutes and judging criteria includes: Choreography, projection, performance, technique, group execution, and audience response, as well as originality, creativity, and total effect. Prizes are 15,000 pesos, 10,000, and 5000.

Feb. 9-13 Friday thru Tuesday:  Carnaval  

February. 9 Gala Night
Coronation of the Kings & Queens of Carnaval in all the categories and guests.
Presentation of dance troupes (performances)
Dance to the music of the band "MegaBoom"
Town Square 8p

February 10
Music by DJ's starting at 3p on Rueda Medina (Usually at Playa Centro)

Cuban Night
Presentation of the King & Queen of Carnaval
Presentation of Carnaval dance troupes (performances)
Band: "El Fresa y la Sentencia"
Town Square 8p

February 11
Music by DJ's starting at 3p on Rueda Medina (Usually at Playa Centro)

Carnaval  Parade
Starting by the Naval base and going up Rueda Medina 4p

Children's Afternoon of Fantasy
Presentation of the King & Queen of Carnaval, Show of costumed characters, bouncy houses, Carnaval dance troupes, Children's costume contest.
Town Square 5p

Diversity Fantasy Night
Presentation of the Kings and Queens of Carnaval
Carnaval Dance Troupes (performances)
Show of Transformismo
Town Square 8p

February 12
Music by DJ's starting at 3p on Rueda Medina (Usually at Playa Centro)

Carnaval Parade
Starting by the Naval base and going up Rueda Medina 4p

Carnaval Monday
Presentation of the Kings and Queens of Carnaval
Costume Contest for Adults
Comedy Show by international imitator Pierre David
Musical performance by "Michael Stuart & Jemanuel & los Panas de Venezuela"
Town Square 8p

 February 13
 Music by DJ's starting at 3p on Rueda Medina (Usually at Playa Centro)

Carnaval Tuesday
Presentation of the Kings & Queens of Carnaval
Presentation of Carnaval dance troupes (performances)
Burning of Juan Carnaval & the reading of his last Will & Testament
Dance to the music of the band "Super Lamas"
Town Square 8p




Feb. 13-18 Tuesday thru Sunday Isla Time Music & Fishing Festivals Link to FB page
   Feb. 14 Wed. 6:30 Free performances on Town Square by Jorge Blanco, Love and Theft, LOCASH and Amara Givelove, Kim Paige, and Kristy Osmunson and food available "Taste of Isla".


Feb. 14 Wednesday  It's also Dia del Amor y la Amistad "Valentine's Day" & Ash Wednesday

Feb. 15 Thursday Artist Fair 3-8p Casa de la Cultura (on Guerrero at Abasolo)

Feb 15- 19 The Artisan's Pavilion is on the Town Square, opening daily at 9am, with artisans, both local and from other regions, offering their products, including at least ten from Isla Mujeres. This is their third year, and they offer interesting handmade items at reasonable prices.

Feb. 18 Sunday Noches Magicas performances 8p Town Square

 Feb. 22 Thursday: Artist Fair 3-8p Casa de la Cultura (on Guerrero at Abasolo)

Feb. 24 Flag Day

 Feb. 25 Sunday Noches Magicas performances 8p Town Square

Feb. 28 Wednesday Last day of lobster season until four month ban ends July 1. 
 
  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 (Yucatan peninsula is under Satellite GOES Este, I recommend "Animacion" (it used to be in my blog margin, until Blogger became incompatible with it).
LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres   

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