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In this issue of Cozumel News: One Family’s Gift to Cozumel, Mexico’s Predial Taxes to Increase, Traveling Tricks to take the Stress Off, Cozumel Worship Services in English, Cozumel Ladies Breakfast, Cozumel Event Schedule for March, April, and May, plus more!

One Family’s Gift to Cozumel

A United States’ based, one family organization, brought 100 children’s helmets to Cozumel. They donated the helmets to families that drive motorcycles with children on board without helmets. This worthy cause truly makes a difference on our island where children’s helmets are scares and totally out of the average families budget.

Please visit their website and make a donation. Saving the lives of Cozumel’s children… what a wonderful way to give back to this community!

From Irma Fernandez-Brand: “We directed people to the fire station this afternoon to hand out the rest of the donated helmets. We had to turn families away once we ran out  ? Please consider donating helmets or contributing to our PayPal online at http://www.guardacocosinc.com/.  We will return in June with more helmets.”

Spread the word in Cozumel! If you know a family in need of helmets for their children, have them sign up at the Firestation.

Cozumel Ladies Breakfast

It is time once again for a change of venue of The Cozumel Ladies Breakfast; it has been a long time since we visited our next location.  For the next three weeks, March 22, March 29 and April 5, we will be visiting Casa Mission.  The main entrance is on Ave 55 Sur which is a one way going south from Juarez.  There is also a back entrance around the corner on Calle 1.  There are no parking lots but street parking can be had on Av 55, Calle 1 and Av 50.  This is not to be confused with their downtown location called La Mission on Salas.

The Breakfast Menu has 15 choices and includes one glass of orange juice and unlimited coffee for just $75 pesos per person.

Our group meets every Wednesday. In addition to meeting wonderful Ladies from all over the world, the breakfast club is an excellent source of information gathering and networking. Breakfasts are informative and FUN! All Women are welcome to join us, even if you are just visiting our beautiful Island.   If you wish to be placed on the mailing list, contact: Betty Li at cozumel.ladies.breakfast@gmail.com.

Mexico Predial Taxes to Increase

The Mexico News Daily reported on Thursday, March 16, 2017 that Low property taxes might soon disappear.  Property owners in Mexico currently enjoy very low property taxes, but the tax rate is low compared to other jurisdictions.

Mexico’s Finance Secretary José Antonio Meade said on Tuesday during the 100th general assembly of the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico that the tax, known as Predial, represents “a great area of opportunity.”

Meade said property taxes achieve two important objectives: as a revenue source for municipal governments and as a tool for urban development.

He said the Predial tax generates the equivalent of just 0.2% of Mexico’s Gross Domestic Product while in Latin America as a whole it represents 1.7%.

For member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development the percentage rises to 2.2% and in the United States it is 3.2% of the Gross Domestic Product.

Given tight finances due to the economic situation it was time to take advantage of the municipal tax base, Meade said. Ideally, he said, local governments could finance their requirements with their own income.

Traveling Tips to Take the Stree Off

If you think that traveling is stressful, maybe it is because preparing for it is even more stressful than the actual thing. There are a lot of things which can happen even before you leave.

To enjoy your travel time the most, you have to relax before traveling. This would be especially useful when you are traveling on a vacation. When traveling for business, it is assumed that the rigors and stress of business travel is covered as company expenses. Technically, business travel is expected to be stressful since it is part of work. On the other hand, vacation travel is already part of the vacation time.

Either way, you should be more conscious of the stress levels. Preparing for travel requires a lot of time weighing options. There are things to pack, and other things to consider. You have to pack essentials. You also have to decide what you don’t need to bring. These and more require knowledge of certain travel hacks to help you along.

On the other hand, some people have ready-to-go bags. These people are always ready to go away on a trip somewhere at a moment’s notice. They already know what they need to bring, and they have everything in the bag. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of experience traveling before you realize what to put in the ready-to-go bag.

Traveling should be fun. It should not be stressful. If you know what you want to bring, it should be easy to pack your bags. Keeping things to a minimum also helps. Finally, after you have packed all that you need to bring, take a deep breath, and enjoy the moment.

For a better traveling experience, read the infographic about travel hacks you need to know before you go.

Aurita’s Cozumel Corner

It is half way through March and Charlie and I are still running amuck in the streets of Cozumel. Oh what fun! We started March on a long but worthwhile hike to Blue Angel, Turquoise Beach Club, and Blu Bristo Cafe. We timed it from our home, it took almost an hour and a half. Charlie and I rode in our electric chairs and Sharon walked. Eva Rasmussen has succesfully put her magic touch on all three places. We had our doubts about the acccessible ramps at Turquoise, but the staff came through enthusiatically assisting us as we entered and left the premises, as well as getting Charles to and from the restrooms on the lower level. The service was excellent and the French Onion Soup we enjoyed was to die for! The three hour round trip was well worth it, and we will be back for dinner at Blu Bristo Cafe.

We have stayed closer to home the last two excursions, Starbucks, Palmeras, Wet Wendy’s, and Costa Brava.  Luis Gusman Ruiz, longtime friend and owner of Costa Brava Restaurant has been sick for a number of months. His wife and children have been at the helm of this wonderful restaurant. Costa Brava was my first restaurant experience in Cozumel some 17 years ago. We made it a point to eat there daily on our diving trips. It is family orientated, family ran, with old fashioned work ethics. They serve traditional Mexican Dishes, excellent Soups, and Sea Foods at reasonable Prices. They offer a 15% local resident discount. They are open 364 days per year, only closing on Our Lady of Guadalupe Day, when they all participate in the Procession in her honor. I urge all my readers to patronize Costa Brava for a true Mexican down to earth meal.

I am still looking forward to my readers saying hello when they see me out and about! It finally happened a few days ago, a beautiful blond lady called out to me from a balcony at Hotel Barracuda. Unfortunately it was during the heighth  of traffic on Melgar, I could not hear what she was saying due to the passing cars and had to keep moving as not to block the sidewalk. Nevertheless, she made my day! Email me please, mystery lady!

The Sun Garage Sale

The Sun Garage Sale, formerly known as “The On-Going Garage Sale” was started as a means to collect gently used clothing and goods to be donated to the poor and/or sold at low cost to raise funds for our many projects in Las Fincas and our immediate neighborhood.

We have donated or sold the majority of the second hand clothing and articles we collected in 2016. Our garage sales will resume again next month, and need your donations. Please consider dropping off the items you no longer use or need at our home/store #1081 35 Avenida between Calles 17 & 15 Bis. You can also call at 987-118-4453 or 987-120-5902 to arrange a pick up at your home. All Clothing, Housewares, Furniture, Appliances, etc. will be greatly appreciated. Your donations or proceeds from your donations are guaranteed to go towards a family in need or to a good cause. A special Thank you to Ron & Tina Mannes, Kathy McGinn, and other contributors for their generosity. 

Non-denominational Christian Church
30th Avenue Between Calles 29 &  27 
next to the Jackpot Casino
Sundays at 10 am
Wednesdays at 7 pm the services
Depending on Pastor either in Spanish translated into English
or in English Translated into Spanish.
Erik Lucy - English
Pastor Castillo - Spanish
Pastor Traconis - Blends both Languages

Papeleria Mama Lilly

School and Office supplies, copies, printing, laminating,
scanning, and binding. Gifts and Novelty Items. Computer Access,
Calls to Mexico, U.S, and Canada. We provide Facturas, and
deliver to your home, business, or office.

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE!

We Speak English!
Telephone:   987-120-5903
EMAIL: mapapeleria@outlook.com
06:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
08:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Saturday
08:00 a.m. – 09:30 a.m. Sunday
11:00 a.m. – 09:00 p.m. Sunday
https://www.facebook.com/papeleriamamalilly/
35 Avenida Sur Entre Calles 17 y 15 Bis
Colonia Independencia (Near the Independencia Sports Center)

Circuit Ultra de La Selva Cozumel 2017 April 29th

Cozumel Annual Turtle Breeding Season

May 15th – October 28th

11th Annual Sacred Mayan Journey

May 2017

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