COMING EVENTS…
CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be observed for Doe Stowell at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Cultural Center on Bahia Akumal. All of her friends and acquaintances are invited. (Please see letter at end of page)… VALENTINE’S DAY IS Saturday, Feb. 14. Have a chocolate without feeling guilty… CENTRO COMERCIAL MARINA assembly is at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, in the Colonos Room… CONDOMINIO PUNTA ROCA assembly is at 9 a.m. Saturday Feb. 28 in the Colonos Room… COOKING CLASS - Latitude 20 cooking class is held at 10 a.m. Fridays. All are welcome to join in … ART SHOWS are held each Thursday evening at the Information and Art Center…SPANISH CLASSES at Latitude 20 are continuing. (See “sling the slang” story below for more information)… ARMY DAY, Feb. 19, celebrates the Mexican Army loyalty… Flag day Feb. 24, celebrates the current Mexican flag. This civic holiday was implemented by President Lazaro Cardenos in 1937… Free lecture: “Super Foods That Fight Cancer “– Foods that contain minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals possess anti-cancer benefits. Eating combinations of certain foods offers the strongest cancer protection. Join Professor Emeritus Jim White at 10 a.m., Feb. 20 in the Colonos Room and learn exactly which foods give you maximum protection… Paamul’s annual charity auction will be held Saturday, Feb.21, beginning at the Paamul Restaurant. It will feature quality jewelry, original paintings, signed first edition books, collectibles, Mayan Riviera Souvenirs, a silent auction of smaller items and other unique treasures. There will be afternoon bidding on silent auction items until 6:45 p.m. with the live collectibles auction starting at 7 p.m. More information at 984-134-2324 or 984-130-9670.
Editorial…
Colonos may be best conduit
for sustaining local Red Cross
If Puerto Aventuras really wants a Red Cross clinic and ambulance, it will really have to help pay for it.
After a month of being closed for lack of operating funds, according to the district Red Cross headquarters in Playa del Carmen, its reincarnation depends most heavily on supplemental funding of an operating budget. But what precisely is the budget figure and would PA’s contributions be deposited in a dedicated account?
The Red Cross district office has come under suspicion that it overspent on its recently opened Playa del Carmen facility to the detriment of outlying stations, a situation that has irked some generous donors in Puerto Aventuras who have been supplying equipment and repairs to the local clinic in the belief it would remain open. In addition, the Colonos has also furnished the local ambulance – which is no longer here – with a credit card to purchase petrol.
It seems logical that before Puerto Aventurans consider funding options, they be made privy to precise supplementary budget requirements for the local station. Otherwise, how are donors to know how much is needed, where the money goes and when enough is enough?
Last week’s Puerto Aventuras boat fire resulting in the painful burn injury to a crewman and the reportedly slow ambulance response time have demonstrated the life and death importance of having an ambulance service and clinic close at hand. In its wake, the incident has prompted the Red Cross volunteer group in Playa del Carmen to suggest formation of a fund-raising committee in Puerto Aventuras to help sustain the local PA Red Cross operation all year.
Since every man, woman, child, visitor and hotel guest may need an ambulance at any unfortunate moment, all should help defray the cost of having this important public service nearby. From the Pelican’s perspective, there is no need to re-invent the funding machine with volunteers that come and go when the community already has the fine-tuned fiscal administration, the Colonos, that is supported by and represents all stakeholders.
In general, the Colonos operating budget is a little over $1 million a year USD. Once a supplementary budget figure to the Red Cross clinic can be established, for example, 1 percent of the Colonos budget or $10,000 USD, could be added to the Colonos fee for the year, placed in a dedicated account and used to supplement the ambulance and clinic funding as needed all year. In this way, all stakeholders, not just a generous few, would be contributing to this moral imperative.
In the wake of the Pelican Free Press accounts of the boat fire tragedy last week and the Red Cross station closure, the following letter from Peter and Cecilia Moulton was received: “Couldn’t we have a fund-raiser in Puerto Aventuras to bring back the Red Cross ambulance and station to the Poblado and present it to the Mexican Red Cross on that condition? We have donated to the Red Cross but it seems to end up in Playa. To get it started we will personally give $100 USD towards a Red Cross station and ambulance in the poblado. I am sure there are at least 100 other PA residents that would do the same if not more. Let’s do it!”
The generosity of Puerto Aventuras resort residents and businesses is not at question here. Where the funds go and a transparent operating budget are. Producing a handful of people to form a liaison committee with the Playa Red Cross to create a sensible local operating budget and sustaining it year after year is more difficult and cumbersome than entrusting it to the existing and exemplary Colonos administration.
Another ambulance proposal
suggested by Hard Rock Hotel
The specifics aren’t in, but the Hard Rock Hotel next door has contacted the Colonos to suggest that a gate be installed on the border between the hotel and Colonos property on Bahia Kantenha to expedite ambulance service between the two communities.
Colonos GM Armando Rincon said he was contacted by a Hard Rock Hotel administrator in the wake of last Friday’s boat explosion in which a young crewman was badly burned. Rincon said the administrator explained that a security camera on hotel property picked up the smoke from the boat fire and that the hotel’s private ambulance service – which is paid by the hotel to remain on site 24/7 – was sent to respond because two Red Cross ambulances were already on other calls.
Civilian responders who rendered first aid to the burn victim complained that it took nearly 30 minutes for an ambulance to respond. It would have taken less than five minutes had there been a gate on Bahia Kantenha, near Bay Blue Condominiums. As it was, the ambulance, by the time it was called, had to travel to a “retorno” then double back and make its way through the underpass, main gate and main road to the fire scene.
Recently formed water company
merger is apparently dissolved
A notice released by the Colonos last week informed the community that the highly-touted merger of the local water company and Fusion H20 of Puerto Aventuras has been dissolved and that company business is back in the hands of the PA developer and Fideicomiso. No other information regarding the future of the company – such as a possible switch to desalination – or its future plans was provided. The notice from the Colonos:
“Recently we were informed that Fideicomiso Puerto Aventuras has taken back the administration of the water and sewage operation since Jan. 1, 2015. For that reason, you must consider the following:
1.- The office which Fusión H2O used to have will remain open for clarifications with a schedule from 9 to 11 am from Monday to Friday.
2.- Ms. Maricela Reyes will attend you as before, tel. (984) 873 5000 ext. 23 from 11 am to 2 pm and from 4 to 7 pm from Monday to Friday.
3.- Bills and payments will be received in the same window where they used to be received, at the Fideicomiso downstairs with Ms. Karla Marín.”
Military says Yucatan area
one of safest in the nation
A military commander said during the observance of the Mexican Air Force’s centennial, that the Yucatan Peninsula is one of the nation’s safest places.
Air Force Cmdr. Raymundo Luis Larios Saiz said that two helicopters that daily perform overflights of the Yucatan have not detected a single clandestine air strip in seven years or any major marijuana growing operations on the peninsula, both red flags of a drug cartel presence. He said that makes the Yucatan one of the safest places in the nation.
He said the last suspicious air field was discovered in the Yucatec territory seven years ago and destroyed in an operation by the Air Force and other government agencies. The helicopters, a Bell 212 and a Bell 206 are seen intermittently passing by the Riviera Maya shoreline. The image of a secure territory has helped promote the Yucatan as a distinctly safe place to vacation and live.
Annual International Food
Fest scheduled for March 15
Colonos asks participants to register early
Here’s an early notice for the chefs and cooks who like pleasing PA palates to prepare for the 5th edition of the International Food Festival of Puerto Aventuras to be held Sunday, March 15, in the expansive setting of the Colegio of Puerto Aventuras.
This has been one of the community’s premier events in past years and a delicious way of getting to know people from around the world and the country as local chefs share their gastronomical cultures and neighbors renew acquaintances.
Those who want to participate – restaurants, hotels and individuals – are asked by the Colonos to confirm their intent as soon as possible to facilitate planning.
“The idea is ery simple: One country,” says the Colonos, “one dish. It’s a way of getting to know each other and the traditions of each country through their food. It’s not high level cuisine, but the traditional foods eaten daily by the Greeks, Chinese Turkish and other countries.
We’re not looking for lobster or caviar, but something simple and characteristic of each country. México will participate by states, that is, Puebla, Yucatán, Nuevo León, etc.
“Each dish must be enough for 250/300 samples, small portions, a taste of flavor, 30 grams of meat or 30 grams of pasta. Nothing big. We would like for everyone to be able to taste 10 countries before being full.”
There are two ways to participate:
1) A private citizen cooks his recipe just to introduce his country, with no commercial intent. In this case, the Association of Colonos will refund the food cost (but we need the receipts) up to a max of $2,000.00 pesos. Obviously the Association of Colonos provides also the installation: tables, chairs, cups, main course or soup dishes, napkins, etc.
2) As commercial business (restaurant, hotel, foods dealer). The company makes its own publicity, in any way they want, but we need it to identify with one country: Chinese restaurant, Argentinean parrilla, French cheese import, etc. The Association of Colonos provides the installation: tables, chairs, cups, main course or soup dishes, napkins, etc., but not the food. This is the cost of publicity.
We need to know ASAP who wants to participate, name of the country and the dish that will be prepared. Invite your neighbors and friends from other countries to participate. We expect around 600 people at the event. Drinks are sold separately. Call or contact Carlos Quiñones at coordinacion@colonos.org or tel. 8735116.
Tickets are $150.00 adults, $100.00 pesos children
PA’s People…
House-call doctor helped
pioneer Puerto health care
By Staff
In the early days of Puerto Aventuras’ visionary development some 25 years ago, 2,000 workers were employed to do the required heavy lifting of transforming a shoreline jungle into a modern community with running water, electricity, sewerage, roadways, canals, telephony and landscaping. But who took care of their and their families’ cuts and bruises, general ailments, injuries and health needs…and is still here today making house calls?
That’s Dra. Carolina Guzman, M.D., M.P.H, a native of Monterrey in Nuevo Leon, who then had visited the Caribbean coast on holidays and “fell in love” with the ongoing adventure and promise of a raw tourist mecca that would come to be known world-wide as the Riviera Maya. Subsequently, she requested a transfer from the federal secretariat of health hospital (SSA) where she had been employed for five years as a general practitioner near Monterrey, and made her way to Cancun, which was also in its developmental infancy.
What helped her get the transfer she wanted was her childhood education that had included English-language studies at a private Catholic school. She is the eldest of six children, and her father, who was comptroller of a large beer company in Monterrey, was able to send all his children to early private schools then on to college. Dra. Guzman received her doctorate in medicine from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, completed her internship and then remained on the staff of the SSA hospital there while also earning a master’s degree in public health.
Because of her bi-lingual skills, Dra. Guzman saw the opportunity to service both the domestic labor force and the growing number of early tourists staying at the few Cancun Hotels. She remained on the staff of the Cancun hospital for five years. Then, “I visited Puerto Aventuras where they were just breaking ground and accepted a position helping the workforce doctor.” As the labor numbers dwindled over the years, the flow of new residents and tourists began to take over, many speaking only English, she said. Fortunately, it was something she was prepared for linguistically and medically.
During that transition, Dra. Guzman, married and joined her husband part-time in the sale of real estate for the fledgling Puerto Aventuras “to supplement income,” she said while continuing her medical practice and also enjoying cooking, snorkeling, diving, “and lots of exercise” that presented a social outlet.
“As a general practitioner trained in public health, I take a holistic view of health care,” she said. “We start with preventive medicine and see things more holistically.” This includes nutrition, exercise, epidemiology – treatment that deals with the incidence, distribution, and control of disease in a population – and accidents at work or play. That is what public health is, viewing and diagnosing the patient as a whole and referring to specialists when appropriate.”
General practitioners (GP), also known as family doctors or primary care physicians, prescribe and/or administer treatment, therapy, medication, vaccination and other care including sutures and diagnostic care to treat or prevent illnesses, injury or disease. , and refer patients to specialists or a hospital when appropriate.
In the early days of Puerto Aventuras, Dra. Guzman worked from an office near the Omni Hotel and now confines her services to house calls in deference to residents and visitors who do not have means of transportation or feel too ill to leave the house. Dra. Guzman holds professional and medical certification from the national Secretary of Health office. Learn more by clicking on Dra. Guzman’s logo on the left of this page.
Briefly noted…
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton appeared at a “Youth and Productivity” summit in Mexico City where he reportedly apologized to Mexico for any policies he might have implemented that worsened the drug trade and its deleterious effects on Mexico… Domestic violence is the main reason the Center of Attention to Women in Playa del Carmen noted an increase of 20 percent in the number of women seeking services in 2014… A drive-in theater with a two-wheel twist is a unique plan by the Cine Club in Playa to attract bicyclists to the outdoor showing of movies on Wednesday evenings in Playa… Seeing is believing – The Lions International Club held free eye exams and issued eye-glasses during a free 4-day clinic ending today (Thursday, Feb. 12) that aimed at helping preserve the eye health of some 7000 area residents… The police filter at the Highway 307 Punta Venado location captured several thieves there after receiving 066 calls by alert neighbors who witnessed a possible theft in Playa and described the car… A census of cenotes and underground rivers will begin after Easter in preparation for a new municipal goal of maintaining the sites in good and safe order… More than half the population of Tulum suffer from dental disease, according to local health officials, particularly in the rural communities where dentists are in dire need… The new road from Playa del Carmen to Tintal and Merida will be getting a police filtro in the wake of evidence criminals are using it as an option to flee from Playa del Carmen crimes… Teachers in Mexico City are demonstrating for back pay while their counterparts in Acapulco have blocked the airport to demand their back pay… Cuts in public spending nationally are expected to cause a contraction of between 0.2 and 0.5 percent in GDP this year…
The Mail Bag…
Remembering Doe Stowell
Dear Editor:
Many of my late mother’s friends have asked how they can help with the “Celebration of Life” service at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 at the Cultural Center. I appreciate it and am not good at asking or relating what I need, but here goes!
The “Celebration of Life” needs are: Tables and coverings for food, photos and flowers, food (appetizers) and beverages, coolers and ice and paper products for that. I figure an hour to set up. Set-up helpers are needed starting at least by 2pm. I also need someone willing to be a translator for the event.
Since it will be at the Centro Cultural, bear in mind that the “seats” are concrete, meaning hard, so bring a pad to sit on for added comfort.This is not a formal affair, so please dress any way you wish. The format will be simple. Three of Doe’s friends will speak, as will I, a little music, then food and refreshments to follow. I think that’s it for now. I appreciate all the love and support. Thank you.
Signed/ Cate Hauser Cell: 984-807-5031
Some positive feedback
Dear Editor:
We love your paper. You all do such great reporting. We look forward to it, as we stay in the area and Cancun for six months of the year.
Hoping for your continued success!
Signed/ Aileen and Pat
Words for the birds
Dear Editor:
(Addressed to birdman Gayle Sandholm) Gayle, I really enjoy your articles and will keep my eyes peeled for the Mot Mot. There is a Summer Tanager resident outside Acentos Café. It takes bread crumbs from your hand. (Not sure if that is a good thing, but it is cute.) I am surprised how many jungle birds there are in Puerto considering the amount of cats!
Signed/ John Barton
To be part of the gang,
just sling some slang
By Gloria Contreras
Maybe you took Spanish classes for a long time, and you even have a nice certificate to prove it. But although you can communicate in Spanish, you can’t understand two Mexicans chatting at a party. That’s because they are using slang. So you feel like an outsider while everybody is having a great time. You wonder if you really will fit into this crazy Mexican culture.
Schools won’t teach you slang because it is not “proper Spanish.” Also, there are some quite vulgar slang words that you don’t really want to know. So get ready to learn some inelegant Spanish. Perhaps you will begin to add some of these in your daily chatting with friends and join the conversation with confidence, or maybe you just want to understand what people are really saying and fit in.
Here are some slang phrases that will make your day!
Qué onda? – Literally means: “What a wave?” The slang meaning is “What’s up?”
Aguas! – Literally means: “Waters!” The slang meaning is, “Be careful”
Estoy crudo – Literally means: “I’m raw.” The slang meaning is “I’m hung over.”
Te crees la muy muy – Literally means “You think you are very, very,” but it slang it means “You think you’re the best.”
Está canon – Literally means: “It’s cannon” but in slang “it’s rough.”
Eso que ni que – Literally means: “That than not what” which in slag in “No doubt about it.”
Tienes Feria? – Literally means “Do you have country fair?”, but in slag it’s “Do you have money?
Qué estás haciendo guey?
Literally means: What’s going on castrated bull?
What it really means: “What’s going on bro?
No manches. It literally means: “Don’t stain”
What it actually means: “Unbelievable”
(Gloria Contreras is an authorized translator and Spanish Teacher. She teaches basic Spanish at 11:30 a.m. and intermediate Spanish at 12:30 Mondays and Wednesdays at Latitude 20 Restaurant. New class ready to begin. Contact her soonest at 984 108 3517.)
Nature Watch…
Playa using ‘endotherapy’
to protect its palm trees
By Staff,
Jorge Alberto Fuentes, an environmentalist with Solidaridad for 40 years, reported an interesting finding recently on using a form of endotherapy to treat coconut palm trees to protect them from mites and other pests. The therapy consists of injecting nutrients into the base of the trees rather than relying on treatment with pesticides.
Fuentes said that since October, 290 adult Malay hybrid trees located on local beaches were injected. All of them have survived the pestilence that had begun to turn their fronds a yellowish color, which is a symptom of pest infestation, Fuentes said.
Endoscopic management then seems to play a successful scientific role as a primary interventional procedure in plant life, pre-empting the use of pesticides. It is also a primary human treatment is some cases of, for example, chronic pancreatitis as a bridge to surgery or as an assessment of potential response to surgery.
Armed with a documented success rate, Fuentes said the city will apply the treatment to other trees on municipal property as needed, suggesting in the process that plantation owners and private properties may want to adopt the process for their trees. He said the coconut palm is not an indigenous plant, but that it is difficult to imagine a Riviera Beach without it.