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It is March!!!
March here! Is it my imagination or does time fly faster the older we get? We are still in Florida, missing all of you in Cozumel with a passion!
The Lord works in mysterious ways, and I continue to find examples of it in my life. When we arrived at the family beach home we discovered my mother's health had quickly deteriorated. She has full blown dementia and had been living alone for a month before our arrival. I thank the Lord we arrived when we did, heavens knows what could have happened.
My three brothers other family members and I had called her weekly, she seemed totally fine during the telephone conversations. Her condition has come as a shock to us all; the thought of what could have happened in our absence is terrifying.
Until now, I thought dementia, associated with the beginning of Alzheimer's, meant the start of forgetting things, people, and events. This is something totally different.
Hallucinations, not knowing the difference between dreams and reality, imaginary conversations, and drastic mood swings. The mood swings ranged from a happy little old lady singing and pleasant one day, to moody irritable, mean spirited the next day.
I could have handled the daily changes. After the first month I noticed the mood swings changing from minute to minute. Then the mean spirited days included refusing to take her medication and finally a few weeks ago escalated to violent behavior where she could hurt herself or others. I am certain the escalation came as a result of missing medications, but how does one wrestle and eighty year old woman to swallow her pills?
Anyway, I had to call emergency and have her admitted to the hospital for 3 days. Currently she is in a rehabilitation facility until March 12. We are seeking long term care, but are playing it by ear to see what develops over the next couple of months. Ideally, we would like to bring her back to Cozumel with us.
Any readers out there that have experienced this with a loved one PLEASE contact me at atreasuryoftrade@msn.com. I have researched on the internet; I need to hear from someone with firsthand experience.
Getting By with a lot of Help from My Friends!
I am adamant in keeping our two pages of News Cozumel going. As you can see Ken Larsen has generously contributed this month again. His wife Joyce spent a week down here helping us in a variety of ways. Please keep me informed of any important issues and events taking place in Cozumel.
I am compiling medical supplies and clothing to bring back with me for the poor. Any of you involved with charitable organizations on the island that I have not yet written about, please let me know.
We are still looking for a centralized location that we can drop off gently used clothing for the poor on the Island. If someone has that information, please forward it to me.
My deadline for the April newspaper will be March 27th. Please keep that in mind for any articles you wish to submit and any April events we can inform everyone about. Is anyone interested in putting in a crossword puzzle monthly? Keep your emails coming!!!!
Recycling in
Cozumel
By Kenith Larsen
After a visit to both the “Eco” office and the Oficina de Servicos Publicos, I learned the following.
What's recyclable in Cozumel?
Styrofoam is not. Glass is recyclable, no matter the color. Any plastic that is stamped with a triangle with a number in it is recyclable. It doesn't matter the number or the color. I pulled out an empty bottle of “1-2-3” cooking oil that had no triangle on it. They said it counted as a hard plastic and I could recycle it too. I pulled out a brown bottle of Microdyne: recyclable. I pulled out a green plastic vitamin bottle: recyclable. Both those bottles had triangles on the bottom. You have to use a magnifying glass to see the one on the Microdyne, but it's there.
How should recyclables be separated and bagged?
Put glass in one clear plastic bag (so the trash collectors can see that it's recyclable and leave it for the recycling truck to pick up) and the plastic in another. They have people to separate the plastic into the various categories. The do ask that all recyclables be clean.
What about used batteries?
The collection receptacle for used batteries is located in Chedraui, between the cashiers and the entrance nearest the waterfront, as you are exiting. It is shaped like a battery. There's a slot for “button” batteries, like the ones used in watches, and another for other batteries. I verified this in person.
What days are recyclables picked up?
Recyclables are picked up the same day as what I call “Big Garbage Day”, the day of the week that you can put out your old Christmas trees, large appliances that no longer work, etc. Apparently, under the new administration the frequency of Big Garbage and recyclables pickups has increased. Here is the schedule, copied from the printout they gave me at the Oficina de Servicios Publicos:
Zone 1: Daily
Centro, Supermarkets, All along Melgar from El Cid to Sedena
Zone 2: Monday and Thursday
10 de Abril, Adolfo López Mateos, Independencia, San Miguel I & II, Flores Magon 3,
Sector Naval
Zone 3: Tuesday and Friday
Emiliano Zapata, Juan Bautista Vega, San Gervasio, Chentuk, Repobladores, Flores Magon,
Cuzamil, Urba, Maravilla, Flamingos, Magisterio, Fovissste, Golondrinas, Cozumel Turistico,
Taxistas, C.T.M. y Ampliación C.T.M.
Zone 4: Wednesday and Saturday
Andres Quintana Roo, Southern Hotel Zone, Along Melgar from the International Pier to the Hotel Iberostar,
Huertos Familiares and Industrial Zone, Northern Hotel Zone, Along Melgar from Sedena to the Country Club
I live in the Centro so I should get daily pick up. Last Friday night my neighbors and I put out our usual garbage, plus a ton of Big Garbage including two broken down washing machines and one bag of recycling in a clear plastic bag. I even put a recycling sticker on it. Saturday morning the regular garbage was gone and all the metallic Big Garbage was gone. The wood Big Garbage remained as well as the recycling. I was glad to see that the regular garbage guys left it for the recycling truck. I suspect the metal was scavenged by the guys on triciclos who collect metal, which works for me.
Sunday morning the regular garbage was gone, the recycling was gone and I saw the Big Garbage guys pick up the remaining Big Garbage. Whether the recycling ended up in the regular garbage I don't know, but I hopefully assume since the regular garbage guys left it one night, they would leave it again the next.
So there you have it. If you have any questions, call the Palacio Municipal at 872-9800 and ask for the Oficina of Servicios Publicos. If you wish to go to the office in person, it's between the Police Station next to the Palacio, and Chedraui. Go to the Police Station and ask for help finding it. You'll never find it otherwise, trust me.
Push Button Starting©
By Ken Larsen
I have been seeing a lot of ads for cars with push button starting on the dash. The ads all tell me how wonderful and state of the art a push button starter on the dash is.
I beg a difference! Push button starting is very retro.
I remember when all cars had a starter button on the floor and were accessed by your left foot. For some short people it was a little hard to reach, but hey you don't need to see out the windshield just to start the car. The key was an anti-theft device and some cars even had a locking steering column.
For a while Nash put the starter button under the clutch pedal. To activate it you just pushed the clutch all the way to the floor. It didn't last too long because when you were shifting if you pushed the clutch in just a little too far, you ground the starter and it made a LOT of racket. I bet it startled more than a few people and cause them to push the clutch down harder and make more noise.
Cars got more modern and they moved the starter button to the dash. It was a nice chrome button that looked attractive and was more accessible for short people.
Cars got even more modern and they incorporated the starter in with the key ON-OFF switch. Because some people got a little violent with the key when trying to start the car and would break it off in the lock they added little “ears” for you to turn and they protected the key.
General Motors took this a step further and added an extra position to the ON-OFF-START switch; it was LOCK. Now you did not need the key to start the car, you just turned the switch from OFF to ON and then just a little further to START. When the car started you released the switch and drove off. When you were done driving you just turned the switch to OFF and walked away no key was ever needed. If you wanted to lock the switch, so the kids couldn't drive off with the car, you inserted the key and turned it to LOCK and took the key with you. The car then required a key to turn on and start. GM dropped that idea because people had no idea where the keys were when they went to sell the car and too many people drove off in someone else's car. (All blue Chevrolets look alike in the parking lot.)
I remember one time I had a small magnetic thermometer in the car and my son stuck it over the ignition switch. I got in the car with the key in my hand and could not find the hole to stick it in. He and my daughter were laughing so hard at the dumb look on my face they almost wet their pants. It only took a second or two for me to figure it out, but I have never forgotten it and I bet they haven't either. (The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?)
The next big idea was to move the starter switch to the steering column so when the car was turned off it also locked the steering column. Now you not only had to turn the key, but you also had to push a button or move a lever at the same time to start the car. Half the time the tires put too much pressure on the steering wheel lock and you had to move the steering wheel a little to be able to turn the key. Due to much complaining the button and the lever were done away with and you only had to turn the key.
Moving the switch to the steering column did stop kids from hot wiring the car with a gum wrapper. Now they need a dent puller and screwdriver to start the car. It also cost a lot of money to fix when the car was recovered.
The next bright idea was to put a computer chip in the key so only your key could start the car. Now a duplicate key cost $75.00 at the dealer instead of 75 cents at the hardware store.
Now we are back again to a push button starter on the dash, no key required. I bet the next great idea will be a hole in the dash where you can put your key so you don't lose track of it.
Who knows what the future will bring. Perhaps someone will come up with the idea of taking that big ugly button off the dash and putting the starter button on the floor.
Beginners Yoga Class
The new gym on Calle 11 called “Ego” will start a beginners yoga classes designed for mature women on Tuesday, the 17th. It will be basic, a different course than the other yoga classes she teaches, and it will be designed to help stretch, and she will base it on our needs and abilities.
Classes will be from 9:30am to 10:30am Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and you can come 2 days per week for 350 pesos a month (you can pick the days you come each week) or if you prefer, you can come all 3 days a week for 450 pesos a month.
Wear comfortable clothes you can stretch in, and she said we won't need shoes as we will do everything barefoot. The floor is cushioned. They supply the towels, they have water to drink and we don't need to bring a mat.
The girl who is teaching the class is Krystal, but the other girls at the front desk know that the class is being set up. If you are interested, I'd suggest going by the gym and signing up for the classes before the Tuesday morning classes.
Ego is on Ave. 11 in the big building at the corner of Ave. 5. The gym is a beautiful facility, they do have air conditioning and they use it.
Compucentro is downstairs in the right part of the building, and so is the store Stanza. The door to the gym is at the left end of the building.
Please pass the word along to friends who you think might be interested in a basic, beginner's yoga class.
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Work Wanted
Gardener
Everyone's favorite for all your gardening needs! He is reliable and very reasonable. Orlando 987-105-3000
Housekeeping Plus
I am looking for a position that I can use my skills and experience in housekeeping, Assisting in care of a casa and/or providing care and companionship in an English-speaking household. I am mature, have good English skills and have had adequate training. Contact Ana at 872-7923
Plummer/Electrician/Painter
I am experienced and qualified to work on plumbing, electrical work, and house painting. I can build, repair and maintain swimming pools. Roberto Cedillos Mata, 110 Ave. between A.R.S and 3 South. Casa 869-3506 or Cell. 987-113-2690.
Official Translator
Monica Sauza Garrido
75 Ave. Sur #613 between Hidalgo and 7th
telephone: 987-872-5394
email: mosag@prodigy.net.mx
Quality Educational Software
Quality educational software for every age group and level shipped from the United States directly to your loved ones! Check it out at www.bestchildlearn.com
La Casa de Marlin Fishing Charters
Deep Sea Fishing
31' Bertram Sport Fisherman
40' Viking Convertible
10% discount if you mention this column in Tiempo de Cozumel!
Call for reservations today at 987-872-4573 or email fishingbandidacozumel@prodigy.net.mx
Costa Brava Restaurant
Enjoy an excellent meal at my favorite family restaurant and get 15% off!
Offer good for everything but the breakfast specials that are already at bargain prices.
Calle 7 Sur #57 between Melgar & 5a South
Cozumel Health Chiropractic
Cozumel Health offers a variety of Massage and Treatments to help you enjoy your vacation. Chiropractic care is available Monday through Saturday. 872-1122
Plaza Barracuda # 5 on Melgar (across from Mega) Entre 7 y 11 Sur
AXA Health Insurance
Contact Irma Cantarell at 987-872-6647 or office on 11th with 30th, next to the Ford co. Insurance for as little as $50. - Usd per month.
The CARIBBEAN BOL
Go bowling at Cozumel's only bowling lanes that provide another alternative for those unable to enjoy the Island's water sports as well as provide in-door fun on those rainy days. They offer free bowling lessons and dollar specials on Sundays. Winter Leagues will start the first week in January, so stop in and sign up. For more information contact Stacey at 878-4321 or at staceydianne@yahoo.com.
Bancomer English Division
Contact Mauricio Sanchez at mauricio.sanchez@bbva.bancomer.com or call toll-free 01800-2282-728. Website: www.bancomer.com/pcu.
English Language Church Services
Eben-Ezer Presbyterian Church
30th Ave. At 10th Street North
Sundays at 9 a.m.
Jesus Es Rey Church
65th Ave. & Morelos Street
Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
Iglesia de San Miguel
Guadalupe Rosary Prayer
10th Street Corner of El Centro Plaza
Sundays at 5 p.m.
Contact Information
At atreasuryoftrade@msn.com for suggestions, comments, assistance, submit editorials or for information on:
- Book Club
- Book Exchange
- Game night
- Garden Club
- Ladies Breakfast Club
- Applying for local discounts
- Mexican Health Insurance
- Recreational activities
For your convenience, here is a list of emergency numbers that may come in handy.
Emergency 066
24 Hour Doctor 872-0103
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 044-987-876-0624
The Federal Consumer Interest Bureau (PROFECO) is responsible for enforcing the Consumer Protection Federal Law. Their office is located on the second floor of the Municipal Market at Calle A. Rosado Salas between 25th and 20th Avenues.
You may also file a complaint by e-mail to extranjeros@profeco.gob.mex and at any Mexican embassy or consulate in the world.
For more information on Cozumel, you can visit the Department of Tourism located on the corner of 20th and Xel-Ha Avenues, Colonia Gonzalo Guerrero.
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