February 2007 Issue 50

INTRODUCTION

The first weekend of the month is going to be one absolutely spectacular event after another, as Friday, February 2nd, the regular Happy Hour is going to be host to four major events that kick-off February as Party Time in Akumal. On the 2nd we celebrate Groundhog Day, and Akumal's Groundhog Day Inner Circle is planning a MMMaaahh-vellllousss celebration. Then, there is Candlemas Day (a predecessor to Groundhog Day), the second monthly Robin's Best Shirt Award as overseen by Mary Henderson, and the evening is capped off by the Full Snow Moon.

And, if all that is not enough, Sunday, February 4th is Super Bowl Party time at the Beach Bar, and this year, for the first time, the game will be viewed on the large Lol Ha flat screen TVs.

And, if you want more, mid-month (Feb.15-20) brings Carnaval, and later in the month (Feb. 21-22) there is the CEA Annual Festival followed by the Big Beach Bar Bash - something like the 4B Club - as Akumal celebrates the Academy Awards on Feb. 25th.

Not be lost among all these festivities, we also have Day of the Constitution (5th), Valentine's Day (14th), and President's Day (19th).
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Important February Facts
February Birthdays
Dia de la Candelaria February 2
Robin's Best Shirt Award February 2
Ground Hog Day February 2
Full Moon February 2
Super Bowl February 4
Day of the Constitution February 5
Valentine's Day February 14
Valentine's Day Did You Know?
Comings and Goings
Carnaval February 14 – 20
President's Day February 19
Mayakoba Golf Classic February 19 – 25
CEA Second Annual Festival February 21 – 22
Mexican Flag Day February 24
Academy Awards Party February 25
Green Guide to Sustainable Recreation in the Mexican Caribbean
Tortuga Tequila
Bandikoro to Play the Lol Ha Beach Bar
EVENTS: Three Kings Deliver Toys to Needy Maya Children

IMPORTANT FEBRUARY FACTS

Astrological Signs
Aquarius: January 20 - February 18
Pisces: February 19 - March 20

February Birthstone: Amethyst
February Flower: Violet

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FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

Birthdays
7          Hugo (Miramar chef)
10        Gary Ness
23        Bob Anders
27        Shelley Cope
28        Judy Baxter

SPECIAL NOTE/PARTY: Sherwood & Bob Anders (La Iguana #4) invite everyone to Bob's Birthday celebration on Friday, February 23 at Lol Ha Snack Bar (no host bar! Buy your own drinks!) All are welcome to attend, and they hope to see lots of familiar faces! It will be the 39th anniversary of Bob's 21st birthday.

 
Belated January Birthdays
9          Annette Bartsch
16        Neri, Lucia Crespi's partner at Lamanai Gallery
25        El Moreland
25        Linda Tate
25        Kate Turner
26        Salvador Company
26        Maribelle
 

DIA DE LA CANDELARIA, FEBRUARY 2nd

Candlemas Day has numerous origins and meanings.

In Mexico, Candlemas (Spanish: Dia de La Candelaria) is celebrated with Tamales. Tradition indicates that on January 5, the night before Three Kings Day (the Epiphany), whoever gets one or more of the few plastic or metal dolls (originally coins) buried within the Rosca de Reyes must throw a party on Candlemas. In certain regions of Mexico, this is the day in which the baby Jesus of each household is taken up from the nativity scene and dressed up in various colorful, whimsical outfits.

In Catholism, Candlemas commemorates the ritual purification of Mary, 40 days after the birth of her son Jesus. This day also marks the ritual presentation of the baby Jesus to God in the Temple at Bethlehem. And, the festival is called Candlemas, because this was the day that all the Church's candles for the year were blessed.

In pre-Christian times, it was the festival of light. This ancient festival marked the mid point of winter, half way between the winter solstice (shortest day) and the spring equinox.

People believed that Candlemas predicted the weather for the rest of the winter.
     If Candlemas Day be fair and bright,
     Winter will have another fight.
     If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain,
     Winter won't come again.
 

ROBIN'S BEST SHIRT AWARD, FEBRUARY 2nd

Come one, come all, to the Beach Bar, where we'll have a ball.

It’s time for the second monthly "Best Shirt Award", which is held on the first Friday of each month during Happy Hour at the Lol Ha Beach Bar. This award is based on Robin's penchant for good, classy Beach Bar shirts, and his sister, Mary Henderson, is ready to once again be the judge and jury as she selects the "Best Shirt" worn by a male for February. And, as we go to print the criteria are still somewhat nebulous, but it looks like "coolest", "neatest", and "most colorful" might garner a lot of brownie points.

Last month, the first "Best Shirt Award" went to the Lol Ha Beach Bar waiters. Go to Best Shirt Award for more photos.
 

GROUNDHOG DAY, FEBRUARY 2nd

Groundhog Day is always on February 2, and it is a traditional festival celebrated in the United States and Canada on this date. It is a cross-quarter day, midway between the Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox.

Punxsutawney Phil is a groundhog and the most famous resident of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. On Groundhog Day of each year, the town of Punxsutawney celebrates the beloved groundhog with a festive atmosphere of music and food. During the ceremony, which begins well before the winter sunrise, Phil emerges from his temporary home on Gobbler's Knob, located in a rural area about 2 miles east of town. According to the tradition, if Phil sees his shadow and returns to his hole, the United States will suffer six more weeks of winter. If Phil does not see his shadow, spring will arrive early. During the rest of the year, Phil lives in the town library with his "wife" Phyllis.

A club of Phil enthusiasts, known as the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, take care of the famed rodent year-round. A select group called the Inner Circle plan the annual ceremony. Members of the Inner Circle are recognizable by their top hats and tuxedos.

Here in Akumal, we have our own Akumal Groundhog Club Inner Circle, comprised on Bud & Alice Blatner, and they too should be recognizable by their top hats and tuxedos, but due to the conflict with the Best Shirt Award on the same evening, there may be some variations. The Inner Circle is preparing the groundhog jerky appetizers, and in preparation for the big day, Bud conducted a taste-off at the Beach Bar on Friday, January 12th, using four variations of the groundhog from around the world. He had prepared groundhog jerky from Mexico, Italy, Thailand, and Korea, and the participants ranked them as such:
     3rd runner up Italy
     2nd runner up Mexico
     1st runner up Vietnam
     And the WINNER is Thailand!!!
 

FULL MOON, FEBRUARY 2nd

The Full Snow Moon will be on Friday, February 2nd at 05:47am. Since the heaviest snow usually falls during this month - don't tell this to our friends in and around the Denver area - native tribes of north and west (hilly area) Akumal most often called February's full Moon the Full Snow Moon. Some tribes also referred to this Moon as the Full Hunger Moon, since harsh weather conditions in their areas made hunting and fishing very difficult.

 

SUPER BOWL, FEBRUARY 4th

Super Bowl XLI, South Florida -- Feb. 4, 2007 (CBS). Game time is about 5:25pm AST. This will be the record-tying (New Orleans) ninth Super Bowl played in the Miami area. Super Bowl XLI will be the fourth Super Bowl played at Dolphins Stadium. The other five Miami Super Bowls were played at the Orange Bowl.

On Sunday, January 21st, the Indianapolis Colts managed a hard fought 38-34 victory over the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, and they are going to the Super Bowl. Earlier in the day, the Chicago Bears rolled over the New Orleans Saints 39-14 in the NFC Championship Game, and they are going to the Super Bowl.

Cost of the Super Bowl Trophy, a ka' the Vince Lombardi Trophy, is $25,000, and it is made by Tiffany & Co. of New York.

Last year's game was watched by 141.4 million viewers. The 10 most-watched programs in TV history are all Super Bowls.

Once again, there will be a huge Super Bowl party at the Lol Ha Beach Bar. Reserve your seats and get there early for a spot in the betting pool.
 

AKUMAL TELEPHONE BOOK

The Akumal Telephone Book is on line under The Akumalian web site, and from early indications it seems to be quite accurate, because on a half-dozen people have reported any changes or omissions. If you have not checked your entries, you really should do so.

The personal entries seem to be so accurate that the Business directory will be uploaded sometime this month, so you might want to periodically go back to the web site and check that out. And, more importantly, it would be extremely beneficial to the community as a whole if you submitted entries about some of your business contacts.

NEED A TELEPHONE NUMBER. GO TO THE ON-LINE AKUMAL TELEPHONE BOOK. Go to Akumal Telephone Book
 

DAY OF THE CONSTITUTION, FEBRUARY 5th

Dia de la Constitucion, February 5, is an official holiday that commemorates Mexico's Constitution.

The Political Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1917 is the present constitution of Mexico. It was drafted in Santiago de Queretaro by a Constitutional Convention during the Mexican Revolution. It was approved by the Constitutional Congress on February 5, 1917, with Venustiano Carranza serving as the first president under its terms.

The Constitution of 1917 came to be the crystallization of the revolutionary ideals that were elevated to the category of constitutional norms. On it, were included advanced principles of social reforms and rights in favor of peasants and workers, in addition, it was formulated to govern all the Mexicans without distinction of race, creed, social or political condition, since in it were elevated to the rank of constitutional norms the freedom of thought and of belief.

Nevertheless, many years were spent before consolidating a Constitution according to the times and circumstances of the Mexicans. Throughout history, different fundamental laws were emanated of a Constituent Congress.
 

VALENTINE'S DAY, FEBRUARY 14th

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint, and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
 

VALENTINE'S DAY, DID YOU KNOW?

192 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine's Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. (This total excludes packaged kids valentines for classroom exchanges.)

Nearly 60 percent of all Valentine's Day cards are purchased in the six days prior to the observance, making Valentine's Day a procrastinator’s delight.
 

There is a Special Valentine's Day Dinner at the Lol-Ha restaurant, which will be decorated for the occasion.  It is also Flamenco night.
 

COMINGS AND GOINGS

CARNAVAL FEBRUARY, 14-20th

February 14-20: Carnaval is an official Mexican holiday that kicks off a five-day celebration of the libido before the Catholic lent. Beginning the weekend before Lent, Carnaval is celebrated exuberantly with parades, floats and dancing in the streets. Port towns such as Ensenada, La Paz, Mazatlan, Veracruz Campeche, and Merida are excellent places to watch Carnaval festivities.

Hosting an array of parades, parties, concerts, culinary festivals, cultural programs and beauty pageants, Mexican coastal cities offer Mardi Gras celebrations comparable to New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro. Carnival in Mexico has a long tradition dating back to the nineteenth century. Coming from the Latin word Carnavale meaning "goodbye to the flesh", Carnival refers to the week before Lent (Cuaresma), where carefree abandonment and indulgence are encouraged.

Kick-off begins with the burning of El Mal Humor (Bad Mood), in which an effigy, usually modeled after an unpopular politician of the day, is hung and burned, followed by a flurry of confetti and fireworks.

Host cities celebrate all sorts of parades daily, depending on the local carnival’s theme, which differs from region to region. Parades display an array of floats, known as allegorical cars, decoratively inspired by Mexican scenery and normally featuring bright flowers and live entertainment. Some parades require an entrance fee, and visitors are advised to get tickets to the parade as soon as they arrive via the local tourist office or hotel.

No carnival is complete without pageantry. Included in the festivities are two major pageants: the crowning of the Reina del Carnaval (Carnival Queen); and the selection of the Rey del Carnaval (Carnival King), who may take on different names, including Rey Feo (Ugly King) and Rey de Alegria (King of Happiness), depending on the city. Hopefuls compete amongst a handful of contestants in a grand ceremony for the coveted titles, followed by a massive party, featuring performances by regional groups.

Winners are crowned by a local government official and earn the privilege of being part of the major parades, normally held on Sunday and Tuesday during Carnival week. To culminate the week of festivities, there is yet another symbolic burning. This time, it's of "Juan Carnaval", another doll symbolizing all that is impure. The burning and burial of this character gives a fresh and new beginning to the period of Lent and the spring.
 

PRESIDENT'S DAY, FEBRUARY 19th

President's Day is the 3rd Monday in February, and this year it is the 19th. This also is Washington's Birthday (observed).

The original version of the holiday was in commemoration of George Washington's birthday in 1796 (the last full year of his presidency). Washington, according to the calendar that has been used since at least the mid-18th century, was born on February 22, 1732. According to the old style calendar in use back then, however, he was born on February 11. At least in 1796, many Americans celebrated his birthday on the 22nd while others marked the occasion on the 11th instead.

By the early 19th century, Washington's Birthday had taken firm root in the American experience as a bona fide national holiday. Its traditions included Birthnight Balls in various regions, speeches and receptions given by prominent public figures, and a lot of revelry in taverns throughout the land. Then along came Abraham Lincoln, another revered president and fellow February baby (born on the 12th of the month). The first formal observance of his birthday took place in 1865, the year after his assassination, when both houses of Congress gathered for a memorial address. While Lincoln's Birthday did not become a federal holiday like George Washington's, it did become a legal holiday in several states.

In 1968, legislation was enacted that affected several federal holidays. One of these was Washington's Birthday, the observation of which was shifted to the third Monday in February each year, whether or not it fell on the 22nd. This act, which took effect in 1971, was designed to simplify the yearly calendar of holidays and give federal employees some standard three-day weekends in the process.

Apparently, while the holiday in February is still officially known as Washington's Birthday (at least according to the Office of Personnel Management), it has become popularly (and, perhaps in some cases at the state level, legally) known as "President's Day." This has made the third Monday in February a day for honoring both Washington and Lincoln, as well as all the other men who have served as president.
 

MAYAKOBA GOLF CLASSIC, FEBRUARY 19-25

Don’t forget, the PGA TOUR heads to Mexico for the inaugural Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun, the PGA TOUR's first-ever official event to be held outside of the United States and Canada. To be held February 19-25, 2007, the Mayakoba Golf Classic will be conducted in Playa del Carmen at Greg Norman designed El Camaleon Golf Club at Mayakoba, just 35 minutes south of Cancun.

Volunteers are needed for all tasks; most notably marshals, shuttle drivers, walking scorers, media services and much more. As you know, being a volunteer is the only way to get "inside the ropes" and have the best view of this historic event. For more information about volunteering at the inaugural Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun, go to the web site at www.mayakobagolfclassic.com for complete information, or to sign up, please email Tournament Manager Joe Mazzeo at joe.mazzeo@gwse.com.

 

CEA's SECOND ANNUAL FESTIVAL, FEB. 21^st - 22^nd 

Centro Ecologico Akumal (CEA) holds its second Annual Festival, Save the Sea, on February 21 and 22. This year, CEA is keeping the activities that everyone enjoyed during the first festival, and it is adding a lot more fun and information. They have also added a Photo Contest, and you may submit your images electronically to info@ceakumal.org  , or in person. The photos will be judged and the winning photos will be entered into the silent auction. All photos that are submitted for the contest become the property of Centro Ecologico Akumal and may be used in future newsletters, or on the CEA Web site. Please see the Photo Contest Rules below.

CEA is bringing back the ever-popular Silent Auction. This year, they have some wonderful items to auction off, including vacation rentals, tours, to exquisite pieces of art, dinners for two, and much, much more. There will be something for everyone—locals and vacationers, young and old. The silent auction will be open to the public at the CEA Center on both the 21 and 22. It will temporarily close at 4:30 p.m. on the 22, ONLY to be moved to Lol-Ha Beach Bar where the final hour will be held during Happy Hour. When the bell rings to end Happy Hour, so ends the bidding.

There will be a number of wonderful activities that will focus on the environment, saving the sea, and exploring where and how we fit in. These activities will include talks, walks, contests, workshops, question and answer sessions, snorkeling tours, face painting, sand sculpturing, and lots more. February 21 includes a cocktail gathering at the CEA Center, followed by drumming and stargazing. February 22 kicks off with an early morning bird walk, a beach clean-up and then the Festival will end with the Second Annual Gala Dinner at Lol-Ha restaurant. This year, CEA is adding a few surprises to the evening, as well as dancing! Last year this event sold out, so be sure to make your reservations early.
 

CEA's GALA DINNER AND DANCE AT LOL-HA

You Are Cordially Invited to the Second Annual CEA Festival
Save the Sea Gala Dinner and Dance
Cost $50 USD per person
Proceeds will benefit the 2007 programs of Centro Ecologico Akumal (CEA)

Thursday, February 22, 2007
GALA EVENT includes
Dinner (see menu options below) at Lol-Ha Dining Room 7:00 - 8:30
Dancing 8:30 - 10:30
Special Auction Items
Nature Slide Presentation
Dancing to Bandikoro

RSVP at CEA Center and $15 USD deposit requested prior to the evening's events.

GALA Dinner Menu Options:

First Course:
Mixed Field Salad or Aztec Tortilla Soup

Choice of Entree:
Chiles Rellenos - stuffed with cheese, topped with Roasted Tomato Sauce
Coconut Curried Chicken - served with aromatic Jasmine rice
Mahi Mahi - with Lime and Coconut Sauce or grilled with garlic butter on the side
Beef Tampiquena

Dessert:
Tres Leches Cake, Chocolate Truffle Mousse Cake,
Key Lime Pie or Caramel Flan

 

MEXICAN FLAG DAY, FEBRUARY 24th

February 24 is Mexican Flag Day, a national holiday that honors the Mexican flag

The national Dia de la Bandera (Flag Day) celebration occurs on February 24. On this day in 1821, all the factions fighting in the War of Independence joined together to form the Army of the Three Guarantees in response to the Plan de Iguala, which was signed by Vicente Guerrero and Agustin de Iturbide, officially declaring Mexico an independent country. General Vicente Guerrero was the first military official who swore allegiance to the national flag. Another flag tradition is that before every Olympics in which Mexico is a participant, the President hands a flag over to the flag bearer, chosen by their peers, to carry with them to the host city.

The Flag of Mexico is a vertical tricolor of green, white, and red with the national coat of arms charged in the center of the white stripe. While the meaning of the colors has changed over time, these three colors were adopted by Mexico following independence from Spain during the country's War of Independence. The current flag was adopted in 1968, but the overall design has been used since 1821 when the First National Flag was created. The current law of national symbols that governs the use of the national flag has been in place since 1984.

Throughout history, the flag has changed eight times, as the design of the coat of arms and the length-width ratios of the flag have been modified. However, the coat of arms has had the same features throughout: an eagle, holding a serpent in its talon, is perched on top of a prickly pear cactus; the cactus is situated on a rock that rises above a lake. The coat of arms is derived from an Aztec legend that their gods told them to build a city where they spot an eagle and a serpent, which is now Mexico City. The current national flag, the Fourth National Flag, is also used as the Mexican naval ensign by ships registered in Mexico.
 

ACADEMY AWARDS PARTY, FEBRUARY 25th

The 2007 Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 25, 2007 at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, where Ellen DeGeneres will be the hostess. The awards will be simultaneously held in Akumal, at the Lol Ha Beach Bar, where Laura Bush will once again be the hostess.

Presenters at the 2007 Academy Awards in Hollywood will include 2006 Academy Award winner George Clooney (Oscar for Best Supporting Actor), Rachel Weisz (Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress), Reese Witherspoon (Oscar winner for Best Actress) and Philip Seymour Hoffman (Best Actor Academy Award Winner).

None of those people will be in Akumal for the big event at the Lol Ha Beach Bar, but the scene will be star-studded in its own right, as Laura, once again, goes all out to make THIS the event of the month. All the local celebrities and “wanna-bees” will walk the traditional red carpet and then be interviewed by the hosts as they enter the palatial Beach Bar. While paparazzi security has been raised to RED, it is expected that they still will be out in full force.

Laura and her staff are offering prizes for The Best Dressed and Best Hollywood Look Alike, and there will be the usual Betting Pool for various Oscar categories. And, to keep everybody going with the frantic pace such an annual event brings, there will be a "beautiful spread of food buffet style".

Nominations
Best Picture: Babel, The Departed, Letters From Iwo Jima, Little Miss Sunshine, The Queen.
       

Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, Blood Diamond ; Ryan Gosling, Half Nelson ; Peter O'Toole, Venus ; Will Smith, The Pursuit of Happiness ; Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland.

Actress: Penelope Cruz, Volver ; Judi Dench, Notes on a Scandal ; Helen Mirren, The Queen ; Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada ; Kate Winslet, Little Children.

Supporting Actor: Alan Arkin, Little Miss Sunshine ; Jackie Earle Haley, Little Children ; Djimon Hounsou, Blood Diamond ; Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls ; Mark Wahlberg, The Departed.

Supporting Actress: Adriana Barraza, Babel ; Cate Blanchett, Notes on a Scandal ; Abigail Breslin, Little Miss Sunshine ; Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls ; Rinko Kikuchi, Babel.

Directing: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Babel ; Martin Scorsese, The Departed ; Clint Eastwood, Letters From Iwo Jima ; Stephen Frears, The Queen ; Paul Greengrass, United 93.

Laura also reports that she will be screenings some of the nominated pictures at the Lol Ha Beach Bar the week prior to the Oscar Awards, so we have an opportunity to decide on what to wear and contest to enter. Here is the current schedule of the Lol Ha screenings at the North Beach Bar palapa. All screenings start at 7:00pm, except on Tuesday the 20th, it will be right after the CEA presentation.
     Fri., 16th. . . . The Queen
     Sat., 17th. . . . The Departed
     Tue., 20th. . . .Pursuit of Happiness
     Fri., 23rd. . . . Dreamgirls
     Sat., 24th. . . . Blood Diamond

Laura is working on also screening Babel, so watch for the posters around the Beach Bar.

So, there is plenty of time to start thinking about what you will be wearing this year! The expectation is that this event will bring out everything from designer gala evening wear, to "off the rack" beach wear, and Hollywood look-alikes. Get into the safe deposit box and dust of the jewelry and polish the gold. It's Oscar Night, Akumal style at the Lol Ha Beach Bar.
 

GREEN GUIDE TO SUSTAINABLE RECREATION IN MEXICO

Are you aware of the small organization called Mexiconservacion? MEXICONSERVACION is an organization dedicated to promoting, supporting and executing environmental protection, conservation and restoration programs, integrated natural resource management and sustainable development in Mexico. To learn about it, go to http://www.mexiconservacion.org/

Their Green Guide to Sustainable Recreation in the Mexican Caribbean has finally gone to print and will be available soon. In the meantime you can read a version of it on-line at their web site under NEWS.

They are hoping to produce a minimum of 3,000 (max. 5,000) Green Guides in this first edition (for distribution in the Mexican Caribbean, starting with the Puerto Aventuras to Akumal area). This little bi-lingual environmental guide should become a permanent fixture in most villas/condos/hotels in the region. It is being produced in collaboration with the World Bank funded MBRS project and CONANP, and they have been asked to produce a further manual for the whole Mesoamerican Region.
 

TORTUGA TEQUILA

Here's an interesting way to support Sea Turtle Protection and Marine Conservation efforts. Buy some Tortuga Tequila  and help Mexiconservacion support Sea Turtle Protection and Marine Conservation efforts. Tequila Tortuga is an exceptional 100 percent Agave Tequila produced in the highlands of the Mexican State of Jalisco by a family-owned distillery that has been making some of the best tequila around for three generations. Tequila Tortuga is now available at La Buena Vida and Super Chomakl, and it is also available through Akumal Wines.
 

BANDIKORO TO PLAY THE LOL-HA BEACH BAR

Laura Bush announces that the multinational nine member Bandkoro will bringing their African Latin Fusion music to the Lol-Ha Beach Bar on a weekly basis, into early April. Come and hear the unique sound of the balafon, an ancient instrument, and drums beat out the best rhythms of the most remote places on earth, including Akumal, along with the sounds of Cumbia, Rumba, Regae, Funk, and Salsa.

Bandikoro will be playing at the Beach Bar on at 7:30pm on February 1, 8, 15, and on the 22 they are playing for the CEA Festival Gala Dinner inside the restaurant; March 4, 15, 22, and 29; and then finally on April 5. So, there are going to lots of opportunities to hear the music of Bandikoro.

By the way, there is per person cover charge of $5.00 USD.

Bandikoro played the Beach Bar on Thursday, January 11, and photos of that event are viewable at Bandikoro Event.
 

EVENTS

Three Kings Deliver Toys to Needy Maya Children, January 6
Gina Austin has started a program that collects new toys through out the year and distributes them to needy children in the Akumal area on Dia de los Reyes, or Three Kings Day, which is celebrated on January 6th, twelve days after Christmas. It is often viewed as the last day of the Christmas season (the end of the 12 days of Christmas).

Also known as The Epiphany, Three Kings Day is a Christian celebration that commemorates the Biblical story of the three kings who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ child. According to the Biblical story, the Three Kings - named Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar - presented the Baby Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Traditionally in Mexico, Three Kings Day was the gift-giving time, rather than Christmas day. Just as it is common for children to leave cookies for Santa in the U.S., in some regions of Mexico, it was customary for children to leave their shoes out on the night of January 5, often filling them with hay for the camels, in hopes that the Three Kings would be generous. Mexican children would awake on January 6 to find their shoes filled with toys and gifts.

In Mexico it is traditional for families to gather together and share the Rosca de Reyes. The Rosca de Reyes is a crown-shaped sweet bread decorated with pieces of orange and lime. It is filled with nuts, figs, and cherries. Hot chocolate is traditionally served with the Rosca de Reyes.

Through the generosity of some of Akumal's local business owners, smiles shone on the faces of many very underprivileged children in the small rural villages along the Tulum-Coba highway. Ingrid Datica, Jorge Palma and Gina Austin distributed a car full of new toys on January 6th. This great experience gave Gina the idea to ask all guests arriving to the area to bring one new, small toy with them (Barbie doll, small baby doll, small car etc) to keep this collection going all year long, so that next January 6th, joy can be spread even further, to as many villages as possible.

The Akumalian is responding to Gina's request and asking visitors to please bring a new toy when you come to Akumal. Toys can be dropped it off at the CEA Center next to the Akumal Dive Shop and TSA Travel Services. .

Go to Three Kings Bring Toys to see photos from this year's distribution.


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