Cozumel News October 14th, 2014

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The Cozumel Sun News October The 14th, 2014:  PROFECO continues Cozumel Inspections, Columbus Day Celebration, and Aurita’s Corner featuring bits of news and Getting Ready for The Holidays in Cozumel!

PROFECO Continues inspections

PROFECO, the Federal Office of Consumer Protection, continues the operation to end Jewelry store fraud against consumers by suspending another 15 Silver Jewelry stores in a Cruise Terminal of Cozumel. In the past three weeks the federal agency has frozen more than 12, 500 pieces of silver and alpaca. Earrings, chains, bracelets, and other silver accessories were deemed out of compliance by not displaying the price, lacking the  required guarantee, or sold falsely at the price of silver.

Agency State Delegate, Sara Ruiz Chavez said that more than 11 thousand jewels were  immobilized in the  shopping plaza of SSA Marine Terminal Mexico, the second most  important  cruise ship  terminal in Cozumel. She reported that 15 jewelers were inspected in the International Maritime Terminal Cozumel SSA, resulting in all of them being out of compliance with standards. All 15 jewelers were suspended from marketing  silver or alpaca merchandise. Meaning some of these institutions need not open their doors until in compliance, stated the official.

The PROFECO representative emphasized that the operation consisted of reviewing compliance with the Federal Consumer Protection Law and the Mexican Official Standard NOM-033-SCFI-1994, in order to ensure that clear information on terms and conditions of services provided, and compliance with promotions. These operations are very important to our community as they will help eradicate illegal practices and help strengthen consumer confidence.

Columbus Day Celebrated

A Statement from City Hall reported that Mayor, Fredy Martin Marrufo, led a ceremony to commemorate the 522^nd Anniversary of the Discovery of America and the Encounter of Two Cultures.

The ceremony took place at the monument called “The Two Cultures” with students from the (school) “Escuela Cristóbal Colón” in attendance.  Adrián de Jesús Pomol Tah was in charge of the “Pledge of Allegiance” while Danna Paola Calderón Santiago recited the poem  “Cristóbal Colón” (Christopher Columbus). Both students, along with the Director of the Institution Jesús Ordaz Mijango, received recognition from the Mayor.

The official address was delivered by the Director of the Municipal Port Authority of Cozumel (APIMCOZ), Roberto Marin Flores, who gave an overview of the feat of the Genoese sailor Cristoforo Colombo, better known as Christopher Columbus and the discovery of America on October 12, 1492. He noted that this event changed the course of history and marked the birth of a new identity, a product of the meeting and fusion of the native peoples of the Americas and the Spanish colonizers. He said that this day has been celebrated in Mexico since 1917 as the “Dia de la Raza,”  initiative was taken up by President Venustiano Carranza.  Emilio Portes Gil subsequently formalized this civic celebration and on October 10, 1929 Congress approved that every October 12th  is officially  “Dia de la Raza” and “The Anniversary of the Discovery of America.”

Aurita’s Corner

There has been very little on the news to report this week. The new convention center held a four-day event, The 21^st National Congress on Science and Technology of the Sea. A large quantity of drugs drifted to shore on the eastern side of the island this past Wednesday. The almost 40 kilos was promptly collected for disposal by the military.

Tourism is reported to be doing well with the sporting events and the National Congress, but I do not like to pass those numbers on to my readers. For the life of me, I do not see where they get the figures from, as most merchants and restaurant owners are struggling to stay afloat. A few good days of sales can not possibly make up for months of inactivity. There are 17 flights and 14 cruise ships scheduled to arrive this week, although I heard last night that five additional cruise ships are being rerouted to Cozumel due to Hurricane Gonzalo.

Construction on the Benito Juarez Park started on schedule; they seemed to demolish the place almost immediately. The poor merchants in and around the park are suffering from lack of customers and visibility. I know some have set up tables elsewhere in the City to sell their wares; it is a true struggle to survive.

The Christmas Holiday decorations are out already! Therefore, I decided I would remind everyone of what holidays are right around the corner and what the traditions are in Mexico. I refuse to do Christmas, at least until next week!

November 1            Día de Todos los Santos(All Saints’ Day /Day of the Dead) Honors dead relatives and/or friends (who were less than 18 years of age and unmarried) with candles, food and flower offerings, altars, and pre-Columbian and Christian rituals. It is not a state holiday.

November 2            Día de los Fieles Difuntos            (All Souls’ Day / Day of the Dead) Honors dead relatives and/or friends (who were more than 18 years of age or married) with candles, food and flower offerings, altars, and pre-Columbian and Christian rituals. It is not a state holiday.

December 12           Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe   (Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe) Celebrates the day that Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared on Tepeyac hill to the native Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin. It is not a state holiday.

Remember to give back to our wonderful Island! The  Volunteer & Donate Section of The Cozumel Sun has information on Volunteer opportunities for you:  Juan Pablo II Senior Home, Friends of Cozumel, Cozumel CAM School for Disabled Children, The Cozumel Sea Turtle Rescue Program, The Humane Society of Cozumel, Rancho Universo Horse Sanctuary and Horse Therapy Centre, The Cozumel Blood Drive, and the Three Kings Day Toy Drive.

Note:  If you are headed to Cozumel on vacation, or are returning to Cozumel from vacationing in the United States, check out the wish lists of the various non-profit organizations. Many of the items are not available in Cozumel and usually, the items that are available are extremely expensive here due to the high cost of transporting goods to the island.

If you are already part of one of these wonderful organizations, please proof the information that I have taken from your website and Facebook page. Please contact me with any changes and updates. I am a one-woman operation and really need your help in order to provide my readers with the most current information available. Thank you for your assistance!

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