Thursday, April 20, 2017

Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events Thursday, April 20




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  Both issues of The Isla Mujeres Magazine are here
featuring  a variety of talented writers and photographers! 
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  From  Noticias de Diario de Quintana Roo ....

link to their Isla articles & photos






Repairs of potholes continues

Continuará el bacheo

Juan Carrillo pugna por calles dignas

Cecilia SOLIS

ISLA MUJERES, 19 de abril.-
Leer más..Full article at this link.

       The pothole patching and street repair work in colonia La Gloria is expected to be completed in the next 48 hours, and will then continue in colonia Amplifcacion La Gloria. In total they will place 4852 square meters of concreto asfaltico with a thickness of between three and five centimeters, for a total 600 linear meters. The work is being done by the departments of Planning and of Public Works.
   The Mayor said that as a resident of the island, he understands the importance of having quality public services, especially on the unpopulated roads, so that residents can travel without problems. He said it is a priority to repair the older streets that have not been maintained in a long time, and he asked for the understanding and support of any residents who are inconvenienced by this process, which will benefit more than 7000 residents of the island.


FIDENA staff assists in preventing accidents  

Garantiza seguridad de paseantes

 Personal de Fidena previene accidentes

Lanrry PARRA

ISLA MUJERES, 19 de abril.-
Leer más...Full article at this link

  Staff with the Training division of the National Merchant Navy (FIDENA) have been assisting the Harbor Master since April 8, by offering additional surveillance at the beaches and piers. They have a ground patrol and two boat patrols, and are focused on monitoring the boats to ensure they meet all the the Mexican regulations. The staff is monitoring all points of embaration and disembaration including private and public docks.


Mayor is committed to improving public spaces  

Espacios públicos dignos

 Juan Carrillo refrenda compromiso de trabajo

Lanrry parra

ISLA MUJERES, 18 de abril.-
Leer más..Full article at this link.
The City Council of Isla Mujeres, headed by the municipal president, Juan Carrillo Soberanis, continues the work of recovery and rehabilitation of public spaces, parks and sports grounds, in a coordinated manner with public and private institutions for the benefit of the families and athletes of the municipality. 
       There are 1.4 million pesos being invested in the renovation of the basketball court by the Town Square. The Mayor spoke about the benefits of recreational areas for the community, because they promote good health, social cohesion, and offer areas for people to meet, relax, enjoy sports, entertainment, and recreation. He said this is why is government is committed to improving these areas and he thanked the state and federal government for their assistance with this goal.


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From the Municipal Facebook site.....  (  FB page link)


  ZOFEMAT personnel were cleaning about a kilometer of Caribbean beaches between colonia La Gloria and the Trash Transfer Facility. Fifteen employees of the agency removed 500 kilos of sea grass and trash from the coastline. The community is encouraged to take responsibility for their trash and to carry a plastic bag with them to dispose of their trash rather than leaving it behind in the sand.

 
Tax Training for Public Officials
In order to have government officials who are well trained in tax matters and therefore can provide better service to taxpayers, the Tax Administration Service (SAT) of the Ministry of Finance provided refresher courses to various City departments. Throughout the year the personnel of these various department will receive training, and in this way the municipality of Isla Mujeres will have improved and more dynamic management.
      This helps the various governmental agencies to work in a coordinated and synergistic manner, and to achieve better effectiveness, especially in activities that are not specific to their agency. Training is being given to personnel in departments which include Legal, Control and Enforcement (Fiscalization), and ZOFEMAT (Federal Zone) to learn about ways to carry out the various legal and administrative procedures so that taxpayers are aware of their obligations and rights, and that the authorities are following the legal procedures. ·


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From Tvisla Mujeres ( link to photos & articles)


Municipal police report the first week of the Easter holiday season ended with a "Saldo Blanco" (no serious incidents).
http://www.tvislamujeres.com.mx/primera-semana-vacacional-…/


Inauguration of an outdoor gym at the eastern Malecon of Isla Mujeres
http://www.tvislamujeres.com.mx/inauguran-gimnasio-al-aire…/
The Mayor thanked the company Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma del Grupo Heineken for the three exercise stations. He said they expect to complete the rehabilitation of the basketball court on the Town Square this month, as well as the second stage of the renovation of the Rapid Soccer field in colonia Salina Chica. He said Isla Mujeres is a municipality where the three levels of government and private organizations work together for the benefit of the inhabitants.

Licensing renewals continue
http://www.tvislamujeres.com.mx/continua-la-entrega-de-val…/
   Tax collector Jesus Contreras Gomez said the Tax agency for the municipality of Isla Mujeres began delivering the  láminas o valores for public service vehicles such as taxis and rental vehicles on Tuesday. The rental vehicles have been waiting because their plates had not arrived, but the discounts for their registration renewals are continuing.
   He said the lines will grow again like they did at the end of March, when the deadline for other registrations expired.
   Statistically, it appears the number of rental golf carts has increased and is expected to reach 950 vehicles. The taxis have maintained about the same number of vehicles, but the number of private motorcycles continues to increase, and is likely to exceed 4500 motorcycles. He said the number of private vehicles continues to increase, however this statistic is affected because many people forget to cancel the vehicle and many that are in the registry may actually be out of order.
   

Ongoing efforts to keep the beaches along the Caribbean Sea clean    
- http://www.tvislamujeres.com.mx/continuan-los-esfuerzos-po…/



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From  por esto Link to their Isla Mujeres articles & photos




Downturn at the start of the last week of vacation 
“Bajón” al inicio de la ultima semana vacacional [+] Ver masFull article at this link
  Some hotels report a drop in occupancy this to 20 percent after it was 80 percent last week during Easter week, although some have better occupancy rates than others. Some small hotels report they are at 30 percent, while the medium and large hotels on the mainland at Punta Sam have more than 80 percent occupancy. The beaches are less crowded, but APIQRoo reports that passenger movement remains high, with a majority of tourists visiting for the day, rather than overnight. There were many available lounge chairs on North Beach, and the waiters that attend them acknowledged that their business had dropped off, but said they expect it to pick up this weekend.  They say this will be the last opportunity because they don't expect much business from whale shark season, which begins in about a month or from the regatta that will be held in late April and early May.
   There have been no major incidents during Easter vacation at the areas of swimming and recreation, but there have been some golf cart accidents, which occur because of reckless drivers operating them, who do not take the recommendations of the rental agencies seriously.


Electrical work unfinished  
Cables de la CFE siguen en la vía pública+] Ver maasFull article at this link
  The installation work on the new underground cables connecting submarine wires to the downtown substation was not completed before the Easter holidays. This is causing some inconvenience where there are two areas that tourist walk through at Rueda Medina and at Adolfo Lopez Mateos and north Hidalgo. This work is being done to replace the cables following a failure that interrupted the electrical supply to the island for 14 hours in mid January.
   It is also noted that the CFE (Federal Electrical Commission) has changed the tariff designation for domestic household use in Isla Mujeres and two other municipalities, which will mean a reduction in the electrical costs of up to 40 percent on average. This is due to having average temperature of 31C in recent years, and regulations made by the legislature.
   Regarding the underwater cables, the current wiring is not expected to be replaced during the next two years, since it is still within its useful lifetime and received preventative maintenance some years ago.


City Council approves legal changes  
Nuevo reglamento. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
  At the 13th regular session of the Isla Mujeres City Council, they approved changes proposed by the state legislature, which will go into effect after the legislature approves them. The first regulation had already been approved under the previous administration but needed to go through the process again because it was not published in the Official Gazette, and concerns new regulations for Civil Protection. They also approved the addition to Article 73 of the state Constitution and reform of Article 69. This "broadly seeks to discard those initiatives which, because of the workload of Congress, will not be discussed, analyzed and approved during this calendar year." This amendment also addresses the removal of the Daily Minimum Wage as a unit of measure for the establishment of fines, taxes, benefits and other amounts approved by state law. 
     It is also noted that there are complaints being expressed by those involved in the tourist industry regarding the use of the DAP (Right to Public Lighting fund), which collects millions of pesos yearly from electrical customers. They want some so these funds to be used to improve the lighting on the road in Sac Bajo, where there are stretches that are unlit or poorly lit because at least a dozen streetlights are out of order.


Resident arrested for DUI intends to file complaint against police 
Nueva denuncia en contra de la policía [+] Ver masFull article at this link

 April 19    Daniel Sosa Moreno, 33, said he intends to file a complaint accusing a police officer and his companion for abuse of authority and robbery. He was taken to jail in the early hours of this morning and accused of reckless driving in a golf cart without lights and with alcohol intoxication. He said, "I was put in the patrol car like a pig, and at the station they hit me with the intention of intimidating me so that I wouldn't file a complaint." He was interviewed prior to filing his complaint with the Ministerio Publico for these offenses, which he will also file with the Human Rights Commission of Quintana Roo.
       He explained that he was arrested at 2am on Rueda Medina near the restaurant El Comejen, when he was traveling from north to south in his golf cart. He admitted his headlights didn't work and that he was using his cell phone, which he claims was providing good light to see his way. He also admitted he had a "plancha" of beer in the vehicle as he was headed home to colonia Lol-be, and that he had already drank some beers. He asked that they give him a ticket and let him take the cart home, because the switch is 'live' and anyone could start it.  He was worried about it being stolen or vandalized.
        He said that the officer was named Mendoza and alleges that he had an arrogant attitude, as did the other police officer who was called to assist. He said, "I never put up resistance. I am aware of the situation I put myself in. I had the documents of circulation (registration) and my driver's license, but when I saw in the ticket, it was incorrect and listed violations of various traffic laws, which totaled up to a fine of 7204 pesos." He was handcuffed and put in the patrol car.
   He said the officer Mendoza was mostly responsible for the incident, and struck him in the ribs, and with his companion  "les “ablandó” a base de puntapiés en sus piernas a fin de “olvidarse” de todo" (? literally..."softly" kicked his legs at the end so as to "forget" about it all. ?). 
     He also alleges that at the police station, $100 dollars was taken from his wallet and his sunglasses disappeared, which are worth 3000 pesos, and these losses will be included in his complaints to the MP and Human Rights Commission. 
     His father is ex alderman Emilio Sosa Medina, and through his efforts, the young man recovered his freedom two hours later, following a hearing with the Judge calificador, Manuel Garcia Delgado. The complainant explained that judge said he was not in the the second grade state of intoxication as the agents had said, according to the breathalyzer that he was given, because the medical examination he was given indicated he was only in the first grade of intoxication. 
    Regarding the official's citation of immoderate speed, he said, "My cart can only go 20 kilometers an hour generally, and not any faster; they wrote down this incorrect information in order to try and intimidate and affect me. But I won't stay silent, because this type of behavior is not good. There are many abuses to the citizenry." 

YESTERDAY>>>>>>>>

High levels of port activity   
Actividad portuaria en niveles altos[+] Ver masFull article at this link
 April 18   Hotels occupancy has been about 80 percent and some hotels have no vacancies The Ultramar ferries have been arriving one after the other, full of passengers. Many of the passengers are national tourists and families from Cancun enjoying the last days of the school holidays. Many of them bring everything they need to enjoy their day on the island's beaches.
   Hotels near the beach report good occupancy rates, with few free rooms for guests without reservations, because most are reserved, sometimes months in advance. They said the average stay is two or three nights, but some stay up to two weeks, while others only stay one night.
    The reporter toured the beaches and saw a good presence of people enjoying the white sands and calm waters, and relaxing in the lounge chairs. The piers were full of boats, especially catamarans, loaded with delighted tourists who would soon be buying souvenirs.
    The boatmen who are members of the Isla Mujeres cooperatives offering snorkeling tours were complaining that increased ferry prices have given an advantage to those who sell the tours in Puerto Juarez, since now the ferry tickets cost nearly as much as the tours.


Concerns about home burglaries  
Preocupante robos a casas-habitación [+] Ver masFull article at this link
    Foreign residents in Isla Mujeres are concerned about several burglaries and attempted burglaries in recent months, particularly in homes which are accessible from the beaches behind them. Some who have been affected say they know who the person is, and that he has been detained on more than one occasion by the police, but released the next day. On more than one occasion, people have arrived to surprise and interrupt a burglar or burglars trying to sneak into their property.
      An middle level person with the Police department said the officers have limited ability to put criminals behind bars because of the new Sistema Penal Acusatorio (Accusatory Criminal System) which he said, "seems to have been modified to favor the criminals and leave the victims defenseless".
     The problem of burglaries no only affects foreigners, but also local families, and although it is true that there has been in decrease in this type of crime, it is still occurring with some frequency, which is causing annoyance and indignation among the islanders who have been victims, as well as among the community in general. 
   Beach Cleaning
    ZOFEMAT personnel were cleaning about a kilometer of Caribbean beaches between colonia La Gloria and the Trash Transfer Facility. Fifteen employees of the agency removed 500 kilos of sea grass and trash from the coastline. The community is encouraged to take responsibility for their trash and to carry a plastic bag with them to dispose of their trash rather than leaving it behind in the sand.
   SAT courses
   Municipal governmental officials of various agencies received training in tax matters so they can provide better service to taxpayers, including legal personnel, those with Fiscalization and Control, as well as those with ZOFEMAT (Federal Maritime Zone).


Cloudy seas cause bad luck for fishermen  
Sigue la mala racha en la pesca [+] Ver masFull article at this link

April 18  Although the port is open to navigation by all vessels, and fishermen are trying to recover from the days when the strong winds caused big waves, they are having poor catches because the waters are turbid. Those who fish with longlines are busy before the shark fishing ban begins May first, which will continue until June 30.
    When the fishermen of the various cooperatives returned from the sea, they hurried to clean the fish, which were nearly grabbed from their hands by the customers who had been patiently standing in the sand, waiting their turn.
    The fishermen of the state are waiting to see who will be appointed as the new subdelegate of the department of Fishing, and hoping it is someone with experience and who is close to the fishermen, rather than a 'typical official'. The position is being filled following the death of Manuel Cardena Magana.


Deficiencies at Playa Centro  
Deficiencias en playa Centros.. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
   Councilman for the MORENO party, Roberto Martinez Aragon, says that all of the 33 criteria for a Blue Flag beach are not being met by Playa Centro, although it has been given that designation. He says these include a lack of special access for disabled people, use of glass containers, and mobile vendors. It is noted that the requirement for amphibious chairs for the disabled has been met, there are difficulties due to the lack of adequate access. He said there is also a lack of free beach furniture, and users bring their own umbrellas, chairs, tables, and hammocks. He said there is a lack of free showers and free bathrooms. He said in his opinion the Blue Flag  certification is a political issue that exists in the minds of the officials in charge, rather than in reality. He acknowledged that some requirements have been met including life guard monitoring, standards of water quality and cleanliness of the sand, and providing trash cans for separation of trash.

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 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. A queen & single bed.

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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. Within ten minutes walk are the restaurants Mango Cafe, Bahama Mama, Brisas, Manolitos,  Green Verde, Kash Kechen Chuc, and the large department store-grocery Chedraui. Visit marinas, bars, & beach clubs that are minutes away by bike or on foot. Attend 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. It takes 20-30  minutes to walk downtown.

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

Saturday, April 1 at the Casa de la Cultura 5pm: Festokin with musical guests: Elefangs, Los Afectados, Ultra P, @Kiritz, Isla Sounds Mexico, Mindblowing Sound Corp, and spirulahelix. Creative talent includes muralists, graffiti artists, body painters & more.

Sunday, April 2 Noches Magicas 8p Town Square

Tuesday, April 4 Jazz Dance Classes 6p Casa de la Cultura


Thursday, April 6 Artist Fair 3:30-8:30 Casa de la Cultura Art, Food, Music, Beer
Isla Brewing Company says: Where can all your dreams come true? The Artist Fair at the Casa de Cultura has it all. Awesome Art, Delicious Food, Cold Beer, and Great Music. This week’s musical guest is Kiritz Reggae, 6 – 8, everything is IRIE
Thursday, April 6   6pm
     You are invited to an event about the workshops available at the Casa de la Cultura on Thursday at 6pm. Learn pinata making, hammock making, Yoga, dance & more!



Friday, April 7 Easter Vacation begins
On Good Friday, April 14, about 75 actors are expected to participate in the reenactment of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, which is part of the celebrations of the 500 years since Catholicism came to these lands. This will be the 25th anniversary of this celebration of the Passion of Christ in Isla Mujeres, and will include all the actors who have played Christ over those 25 years.
   Holy Week begins April 9th with Palm Sunday, with the blessing of the palms and more emphasis will be given to the entrance of Christ (played for the sixth time by Wenceslao Trejo Martinez) into Jerusalem, riding on a small burro, as it says in the Scriptures.
   A press conference was held about the event by parish priest Raul Sanchez, who explained that more than 30,000 pesos are being invested in the event, since it celebrates the 25 years of this event as well as 500 years since Isla Mujeres was encountered by Europeans, bringing Catholicism. They are getting new armor from Guadalajara for the Roman soldiers, and a renovation to the wardrobes of the main characters, so they will look more professional and realistic, as well as the costs of the burro.

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Friday April 7 6:30-8:30p Cocktail reception for Batik Artist Sergio
 Amar Cocina Peruana Restaurant is on the back street Guerrero, just north of Abasolo & the Cultural Center, on the west side of the street. Sergio's impressive batik art can be seen, and purchased, at the Thursday Artist Fairs. He also does murals & sign painting. We love the mural he painted for us! His are will be featured and for sale at the restaurant all month.


Sunday, April 9  Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday at 9:30am, a procession will reenact the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, by walking from Playa Centro to the Town Square, where a mass will be celebrated in front of an audience which is expected to be ~1000 Catholics.  Fifty people will participate as actors and 20 will be in charge of logistics.
   Another reenactment of the entrance of Christ into Jerusalem is scheduled for 7:30pm from the tourist center at Mundaca Hacienda to the Sacred Heart Church in La Gloria, where Mass will take place.

 Noches Magicas on the Town Square 8p

Sunset ~7:05p
Moon rise over the Caribbean
April 11  7:39 Full Moon
April 12   8:30  
April 13   9:20
April 14  10:10
April 15  10:59
  April 16  11:48   
 Painting by Pam Haase Link to website

Thursday, April 13 Artist Fair 3:30-8:30 Casa de la Cultura Art, Food, Music, Beer

Holy Thursday, April 13 Foot Washing Ceremony and reenactment of the Last Supper Town Square Immaculate Concepcion Church
  There will be two Last Suppers and Washing of the Feet reenactments, with the first at the downtown church Immaculate Conception at 8:30pm and the second is an hour later at the Sacred Heart Church

Good Friday, April 14 10:30am Sacred Heart Church (in la Gloria), Passion of Christ reenactment with the Stations of the Cross . On Friday,  reenactment of the ViaCrusis (passion play/stations of the cross) will start at 10:30 (at Sacred Heart) and join the other group at the Guadalupe Chapel (overlooking the Caribbean in Salina Chica) and they all will go together for traditional walk to downtown, which is four kilometers finishing on the Town Square at 3p with recreation of the crucifixion of Christ.   

Easter Sunday, April 16

Thursday, April 20 Artist Fair 3:30-8:30 Casa de la Cultura, Art, Food, Music, Beer
Don’t get LOST! The Isla Mujeres Artist Fair is Thursday 3:30 – 8:30 at the Casa de Cultura.
Music starts at 6 and features the local Salsa band “Tokeson”.
DRINK LOCAL BEER….BUY LOCAL ART…..EAT LOCAL FOOD…..DANCE…..HAVE LOCO FUN

Saturday, April 22, Earth Day 

Sunday, April 30 Children's Day

Sunday, April 30 on the Town Square stage at 8p. A Celebration of the International Day of Dance

Monday, May 1 Labor Day


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