Cozumel News May 28th, 2016: Two New Bird Species Discovered in Cozumel, Cozumel to be DRY on June 5th for Election Day, Preparing for Hurricane Season in Cozumel (Part Two), New Cozumel Emergency Numbers, and Aurita’s Corner.
Two New Bird Species Discovered in Cozumel!
Two new bird species were sighted in Cozumel’s Punta Sur, just two weeks ago! They are the Charrán Patas Rosadas (Pink legged Tern), a summer migratory bird and the Rascón Cuello Canela, (Cinnamon Necked Rascón). The discoveries were reported by Paulina Sabido Villanueva the Project Coordinator of the “Fundación de Parques y Museos de Cozumel” (Cozumel Foundation of Parks and Museums), in the bird festival that took place in the Complejo Cultural, Científico, y Tecnológico Ka’Yok (Cultural, Scientific, and Technological Complex Ka’Yok this weekend. The Pink Legged Tern is Pictured above; I could not find an image of the Cinnamon Necked Rascón.
The nest of the Pink Legged Tern was discovered thanks to the work of graduate students of the Colegio de la Frontera Sur performing research in the area, the Cinnamon Necked Rascón was discovered by one of the members of the foundation.
The important discoveries were recorded in the “eBird” and “aVerAves” platform, a project developed by the Laboratory of Ornithology at Cornell and the National Audubon Society of the United States. This tool tracks birds observed anywhere in Mexico, USA and Canada.
Cozumel has the record of 304 bird species, of which 113 are located in Punta Sur. There are three endemic species, including the Colibrí Esmeralda de Cozumel and El Cuitacloche de Cozumel. (Cozumel Emerald Hummingbird and Cozumel Cuitacloche).
Among the species that inhabit the lagoons of the island are mangrove birds like the Chipi Dorado, Águila Pescadora, Garza Rojiza, Espátula Rosada, Ibis, y Fragatas. (Golden Chipi, Osprey, Reddish Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, Ibis, and Frigates).
Today, many tourists are interested in bird watching, especially the endemic species. This makes the birds of Cozumel through Bird Watching, a very important part of the tourism business.
Cozumel to be DRY on June 5th for Election Day
Sometime this week, we should be getting the directive specifying the details of the prohibition of the sale of alcohol during election day on June 5th. In every electoral process, establishments are notified days before where alcoholic beverages can be served, before, during or after each election.
Normally, the sale of alcoholic beverages to guests of restaurants located within the accommodation centers or tourist areas would not be suspended. It will affect all the local businesses, restaurants, cantinas, grocery, and convenience stores that sell or serve alcohol. Until the actual directive is handed down from the State, we cannot elaborate further. In the past, penalties of up to 35 thousand pesos have been imposed for failure to respect the Prohibition.
Preparing for Hurricane Season in Cozumel
It is very important to have a checklist of things to prepare for in the event of a hurricane in Cozumel. The Hurricane Season lasts six months from June 1 through November 30. Cozumel has not had a severe hurricane since Hurricane Wilma in 2005. Below are detail instructions on what to do to prepare for hurricane season as well as what to do during and after a hurricane.
How to prepare for a hurricane:
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 plywood or hurricane shutters to protect your windows from high winds.
Bring in all outdoor furniture, potted plants, decorations, and garbage cans, anything that is not a permanent fixture.
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, arrange to store it 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 that you have 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 new 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 that is water and fireproof, safe from all damage.
You should have a supply of non- perishable food on hand (canned, bottled, and/or boxed) and bottled water that can last you for 3 to 4 days. In case of flooding, food should be stored on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water. 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.
What to do during a hurricane:
Authorities will transmit information on the weather conditions 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 away 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.
Once 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 is important that each item be cooked thoroughly 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. Concentrated or powdered formulas should be prepared with bottled water if the local water source is potentially contaminated.
What to do after a hurricane:
Be careful with fences, walls, houses, and buildings that might be in danger of collapse. Do not touch downed cables.
Do not move anyone that is seriously injured, instead, call the authorities.
Continue listening for information transmitted by authorities, and if you can join to help in the reconstruction and clean up.
You will need to determine the safety of your food. Here is how:
If an appliance thermometer was kept in the freezer, check the temperature when the power comes back on and If the thermometer reads 40°F or below, the food is safe for consumption and may be refrozen.
If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine its safety. You cannot 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.
Aurita’s Corner
Paradise is finally in the horizon! We will update everyone on our return adventure on the Facebook page. If anyone needs us to courier something back to the island. Contact me right away, before I finish the packing! Given how much we are already carting; we can only bring back small light items.
We are counting the days until we leave for Cozumel, and I expect the days to fly by with the many things we have to do during the next three weeks. We have therapy sessions, the last of the Doctor appointments, and some last minute shopping. Life has been much easier with Charlie’s new chair, we no longer have to wait for outside assistance to help push his chair. His new found mobility has given him independence, raised his self esteem and improved his quality of life all around.
Next week we order our second EZ Cruiser Chair, combined with seven suitcases, three back packs, walking canes, walkers, and tote bags, we will look more like we are moving to Cozumel. (As opposed to returning home from a trip!). The return trip will be long; we leave on Saturday the 18th at 7 something at night. This will have us in Texas around midnight. The connecting flight is not until Sunday morning at 10 something. The wait will be well worth it, and the price was right, Three hundred something a piece for first class seats. This enables us to cart two suitcases a piece up to 70 pounds each, two carry on bags each, and all the handicap accessible equipment fly free of charge. (The charges for the extra luggage and weight, would have made flying coach more expensive).
Sharon has to return next year for a reverse shoulder replacement surgery. Charlie has to return every six months to check his functioning carotid artery for blockages (ultrasound). I had both knees injected this week, I have to return for more knee injections as needed and to follow up on my lower back. Next time we will be better coordinated so we are not away so long!
COZUMEL EMERGENCY NUMBERS
NEW LOCATION FOR COZUMEL AA MEETINGS
The A.A. 12 step recovery meeting room has moved from Avenida 10 and Calle 5. We are now located on Avenida 15 on the corner of Calle 2. There is a meeting everyday including holidays at 6:00 p.m.
Reminder: The Saturday Mass in English held at San Miguel Church have been suspended until January 2017. See the Cozumel Sun’s section on worship services in English for other alternatives.
STOP BY OUR STORE AND SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY!
Our New Neighborhood store Papelería & Novedades Mama Lilly is up and running. The word is getting out that our prices the lowest in town and the immediate neighborhood is thrilled to have a nearby store. We owe a fortune in merchandise and are purchasing additional supplies weekly as we discover the needs of the community.
I addition to school, Office, and art supplies we do copies, lamination and binding. We have gifts, gift bags and wrapping paper. We also have decorations, clothing, handbags, wallets, reading glasses, games, picture frames, and lots more. Spend your money where it will help a local family, shop with us!
The store is locally owned and ran! Please stop by and give us a try!
PAPELERÍA & NOVEDADES MAMA LILLY
Come Shop with Us!
35 Avenida Entre Calles 17 y 15 Bis
Colonia Independencia
Email: Mapapeleria@outlook.com www.facebook.com/papeleriamamalilly/notifications/
987-120-5903 – 987-118-4453 U.S. – From U.S. 386-445-8702
