|
Mexican Caribbean |
September 2011 |
|
|||||||
|
|
 |
|
|||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
Hello Cozumel! Mexican President Calderon and his family vacationed here
in August, and from the sounds of it enjoyed all the island has to
offer. Did you get a glimpse of him?
I hope everyone is enjoying our beautiful beaches and water sports
during these past hot and humid weeks. Word of warning! There have been
many cases of dengue fever reported. PLEASE use plenty of mosquito
protection.
The Municipal Government of President Aurelio Joaquín González has been
up and running. I receive weekly bulletins on what the local government
is working on. I am not certain what is of interest to the readers. Here
are the ones I felt are relevant and interesting:
In August Cozumel was one of 48 Municipalities (out of 220 that applied)
granted federal funding for added security on the island.
President Joaquin Gonzales has also attended a series of meetings with
the Pan American Health Association to plan steps to make Cozumel a
smoke free Island. There is a major concern that Tobacco has been
identified as the number two addiction in the youth population, the
first being alcohol.
Last but not least, the annual inauguration of the schools opening took
place. Our island youth are all back in school, and looking adorable in
their uniforms.
September Events:
The American Movie Network is shutting down as of August 30th.
Reminder, free U.S. television online: USTVNOW.com.
September 15th is the Mexican Independence day. El dia “Del
Grito De Dolores” (the cry of pain) for independence will again be
celebrated with all the traditional dressings.
Fall bowling leagues are starting this month. Sign up at Caribbean bowl
as soon as possible.
Casino 21 Update:
The new slot machines are in and they now have LIVE BLACKJACK. The
Casino is fast becoming a meeting place for locals and tourists alike.
Good atmosphere and a fun time guaranteed!
October and November are Cozumel’s most likely months to be hit with a
hurricane. Above is a picture of devastation brought on by hurricane
Wilma in October of 2005.This is mind, I have always wanted to write a
guide in English that can inform inexperienced residents what to do to
prepare for a hurricane. Experienced readers, if I have left anything
out, please submit your ideas. I plan on making a brochure to distribute
next year.
Have a safe and Happy September, until next time!
Hurricane Season
WHAT TO DO
BEFORE DURING and AFTER
BEFORE
Stay on top of information provided by the authorities. Listen to the
radio or TV for information
Cover all of your home's windows with pre-cut ply wood or hurricane
shutters to protect your windows from high winds.
Bring in all outdoor furniture, potted plants, decorations, garbage cans
and anything else that is not tied down.
Turn off all power breakers, turn off and disconnect all gas tanks, and
check for gas leaks.
Install a generator for emergencies. If you do not have a generator and
must keep Insulin or other medication refrigerated, make arrangements
with someone that has one well in advance.
Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage, it can cause
dangerous and expensive structural damage. Reinforce your gates.
Keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.
Secure your home by closing shutters, and securing outdoor objects or
again, bringing them inside.
Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and
flushing toilets. Fill large containers with water, and the bathtub if
you have one.
You should have a first aid kit. Do not forget a battery operated radio
with batteries, lanterns or flashlights, cellular telephone, blankets,
bedspreads, candles, and matches.
Protect your documents, money, and personal belongings. You should have
a place that these items can be kept safe from damage.
You should have a supply of non- perishable food on hand (canned,
bottled, and/or boxed) have in store bottled water that can last you for
3 to 4 days. Store food on shelves that will be safely out of the
way of contaminated water in case of flooding. Make sure to have
bottled water stored where it will be as safe as possible from
flooding.
Turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its
doors closed. Check to ensure that the freezer temperature is at or
below 0 °F and the refrigerator is at or below 40 °F.
Make sure you have appliance thermometers in your refrigerator
and freezer.
In case of a power outage, the appliance thermometers will
indicate the temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer to help you
determine if the food is safe.
Freeze containers of water
for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator, or coolers
in case the power goes out. If your normal water supply is contaminated
or unavailable, the melting ice will also supply drinking water.
Freeze refrigerated items
such as leftovers, milk, and fresh meat and poultry that you may not
need immediately. This helps keep them at a safe temperature longer.
Group food together
in the freezer. This helps the food stay cold longer.
Have coolers on hand
to keep refrigerated food cold if the power will be out for more than 4
hours.
Purchase or make ice cubes in advance and store in the freezer
for use in the refrigerator or in a cooler. Freeze gel packs
ahead of time for use in coolers.
Anticipate and prepare in advance for transportation, nutritional and
medical needs.
If the authorities from Civil Protection tell you to evacuate your home,
do so. Do not hesitate, leave immediately, and find a shelter.
If you have pets contact Animal Control Centro at 872-5795. They will
provide a safe haven for your pets.
DURING
Information on the weather conditions will be transmitted by
authorities every three hours as the storm approaches and during the
storm.
Stay away from the sea. Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from
windows and glass doors and take measures to protect you from heavy
winds.
Close all interior doors—secure and brace external doors.
Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it
could be the eye of the storm - winds will pick up again.
Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest
level.
Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.
DO NOT leave your home or shelter until the authorities have announced
it is safe to do so.
BEWARE OF THE EYE OF THE HURRICANE!
If the eye of the hurricane passes over the island, it will be calm.
During this time, DO NOT go outside of your home or shelter. The winds
will regain new strength and without warning start blowing in the
opposite direction.
When the Power Goes Out . . .
Here are basic tips for keeping food safe:
Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as
possible to maintain the cold temperature.
The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if
it is unopened.
A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48
hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
If you plan to eat refrigerated or frozen meat, poultry, fish, or eggs
while it is still at safe temperatures, it's important that each item is
thoroughly cooked to the proper temperature to assure that any
food borne bacteria that may be present is destroyed. However, if at any
point the foods were above 40 °F for 2 hours or more — discard it.
Wash fruits and vegetables
with water from a safe source before eating.
For infants, try to use prepared, canned baby formula that requires no
added water. When using concentrated or powdered formulas, prepare with
bottled water if the local water source is potentially contaminated.
AFTER
Be careful with fences, walls, houses, and buildings that might be in
danger of collapse. Do not touch fallen cables.
Do not move anyone seriously injured, call the authorities.
Continue listening for information transmitted by authorities, and if
you can join to help in the reconstruction and clean up.
You'll need to determine the safety of your food. Here's how:
If an appliance thermometer was kept in the freezer, check the
temperature when the power comes back on. If the freezer thermometer
reads 40°F or below, the food is safe and may be refrozen.
If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package
of food to determine its safety. You can't rely on appearance or odor.
If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40 °F or below, it
is safe to refreeze or cook.
Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no
more than 4 hours and the refrigerator door was kept shut. Discard
any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or leftovers)
that has been above 40°F for two hours or more.
Keep in mind that perishable food such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk,
and eggs that are not kept adequately refrigerated or frozen may
cause illness if consumed, even when they are thoroughly cooked.
The Alerts
ALERTA AZUL:
Minimum Danger.
Advisory that a tropical storm is nearby with winds of at least
63 KM/hr and might affect us within 72 hours. Updates are given every 24
hours.
ALERTA VERDE
Low Danger.
Advisory that a tropical storm is nearby with winds of at least 63 KM/hr
and might affect us within 24 to 72 hours. Updates are given every 12
hours.
ALERTA AMARARILLA
MODERATE DANGER.
Advisory that a tropical storm is nearby with winds of at least 63 KM/hr
and might affect us within 12-60 hours. Updates are given every 6 hours.
ALERTA NARANJA
HIGH DANGER.
Advisory that a tropical storm is nearby with winds of at least 63 KM/hr
and might affect us within 6 - 36 hours. Updates are given every 3
hours.
ALERTA ROJA
MAXIMUM DANGER.
Advisory that a tropical storm is nearby with winds of at least 63 KM/hr
and might affect us within 0 - 18 hours. Updates are given every 3
hours.
Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on their
wind speed, central pressure, and damage potential. Category Three and
higher hurricanes are considered major hurricanes, though Categories One
and Two are still extremely dangerous and warrant your full attention.
Category One: Winds 74 – 95 MPH
Very dangerous winds will produce some damage
·
Minor damage to exterior of homes
·
Toppled tree branches, uprooting of smaller trees
Extensive damage to power lines, power outages.
Category Two: Winds 96 – 110 MPH
Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage
·
Major damage to exterior of homes
·
Uprooting of small trees and many roads blocked
Guaranteed power outages for long periods of time – days to weeks
Category Three: Winds 111 – 130 MPR
Devastating damage will occur
·
Extensive damage to exterior of homes
·
Many trees uprooted and many roads blocked
Extremely limited availability of water and electricity
Category Four: Winds 131-155 MPH
Catastrophic damage will occur
·
Loss of roof structure and/or some exterior walls
·
Most trees uprooted and most power lines down
·
Isolated residential due to debris pile up
Power outages lasting for weeks to months
Category Five: Winds Over 155MPH
Catastrophic damage will occur
·
A high percentage of homes will be destroyed
·
Fallen trees and power lines isolate residential areas
·
Power outages lasting for weeks to months
Most areas will be uninhabitable
New Habit Group
By: Susie Anstey
Exciting news… I’m starting a new HABIT group in Cozumel and I’d love
you to come along. It will be a chilled out hour or so of: drinking
tea/coffee, slowing down, inspiring conversations, and nurturing
creative thoughts. Or more specifically it is a chance to explore and
reflect on ways to integrate positive habits into our lives and thereby
increase peace and happiness for ourselves and others. Each meeting has
the same format of: "hellos,” "space" (meditation to relax), "teatime
for the soul" (discussions/reflections on positive emotions and mental
states), and "action" (personal plan for you, decided by you).
HABITs are happening all over the world and were started by an
international peace organization for young people (www.lkpy.org).
When Venerable Namgyel was here in Cozumel he suggested that I set one
up for English speakers. HABITs are free and everyone is welcome.
So pencil into your diaries: SATURDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER, 2011; 1030am -
1145am, at the COFFEE BEAN aka Coffee Cozumel.
From then on the HABIT will be on the first Saturday of every month,
same time, and same location.
Bring anyone you want along and forward this on to everyone you think
might be interested (please post on face book).
Can’t wait to see you there!
Susie Anstey
Got any dents or rust spots that needs work?
By Lynn Horowitz
“El Colega” comes highly recommended.
He does an absolutely beautiful job, is fast and on time, and the
price is really reasonable.
With this recommendation from Lynn Horowitz, (872 3071) what more could
you ask for. He does not speak
English but with a few words of Spanish you can get him to tell you an
estimate and a time to pick it back up.
He is located back behind the Boxito on the Transversal.
It is probably easiest to just drive there and show him what you
want done. Finding it for the first time was easy just followed Calle 4
which is parallel with the Transversal (Juarez’ extension).
“El Colega”
Miguel Euán Cano
Tel: 987 116 7263
Calle 4 North between 100 Bis and 105
English Language Church Services
Cozumel Community Church
Avenue Andres Quintana Roo (11th Ave.)
Between Calle 15 and Calle 20
Services in English every Sunday at 10 a.m.
Pastor Brent at: brentjlowry@hotmail.com
Services in English every Sundays at 9 a.m.
Jesus es Rey
Bible Church
Corner of Ave. 95 y Calle 39.
Services in English will be at 10a.m.
Jewish Services Friday Evenings & Saturday Mornings
Chabad of Cozumel
Calle 12 No. Entre R. Melgar & 5th Ave.
chabadcozumel@gmail.com
Rabbi David Caplin
044-987-111-9715
Emergency Numbers
Dentist 872-0808
Hyperbaric Chamber 872-0103
Police 872-0092
Red Cross 872-1058
Taxi Cab 872-0236
Taxi Cab 872-0041
U.S. Consulate 872-4574
U.S Consulate 872-6152
U.S. Consulate 044-987-121-0323
Aura Holguin-Resch (Aurita)
May
be reached at
atreasuryoftrade@msn.com for suggestions, comments, assistance,
submit editorials or for information on:
-Bible Classes
- Book Club
- Book Exchange
- Game night
- Garden Club
- Ladies Breakfast Club
- Local discounts
- Health Insurance
- Recreational activities
Home:
987-869-1757
Cellular:
987-105-7669
From US:
386-445-8702 |
 |
|
|||||||
| News Cozumel |
|
||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
 |
|
||||||||
 |
|
||||||||
 |
|
||||||||
 |
|
||||||||
| Cozumel Today Magazine |
|
||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
| Hurricane Wilma |
|
||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
 |
|
||||||||
| Tiempo de Cozumel |
|
||||||||
 |
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
