July 2012  Issue 115

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MESSAGE FROM THE STAFF

Summer and the hurricane season are here, and the tourists are still here too.  And, there is a fair amount of “Came & Went” as well.

‎There is a lot going on in July, but one of the more important things is for the Extended Global Akumal Community to pull together to help one of its own special people, Charlene Powell. 

Laura Wolfe wrote on her FaceBook page earlier this month about Charlene: “For all those that are just coming in to this page, Charlene is in a rehabilitation facility in Las Vegas after having had successful surgery to remove the large tumor she had on her shoulder.  The treatment she is receiving requires her to wear a machine that keeps the wound in a vacuum, as I understand it.  Her insurance covered 20 days of this treatment, but she will require an additional time period to make sure healing is complete before she has her second surgery to place a skin graft.  She will be in Las Vegas until at least the end of July with no income!  She cannot afford this treatment, and she is having other financial troubles to add to this!  I set up this page in order to help her through donations.  I have started it with $200.  I am using www.chipin.com  and it will go to a special paypal account I have set up just for this.  Any donation is very much appreciated!  Charlene is a wonderful friend to all, and has helped so many people!  It is our turn to help her!” 

On June 25^th Laura wrote, “I spoke with Charlene earlier and did not have this update (The account is over $8,000) so she will be thrilled to know tomorrow when I call her!  She is feeling better today.  The pain in her kidney might just be muscle spasms, but she won't know until tomorrow.  She is on pins and needles because she has to wait until Tuesday to know when she can get the second surgery and what schedule of radiation treatment she is going to need.  Thank you everyone! What a blessing for Charlene, all of you are!”

 How Can I Help, I Hear You Ask?

The donation process is being handled via Chipin and an account Laura set up for your donations.  Chipin accepts payments via PayPal and Credit cards.  Go to this link http://www.chipin.com/mywidgets/id/77f904d4ba3d47f3   and click the “ChipIn!” Button in the widget/icon under “Charlene Powell”.  This will take you to another page where you can enter the amount of your donation and the method of payment (PayPal, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express).  Ends on July 14^th.

When and where are the July 4^th  fireworks?

Interestingly enough, there are no Mexico holidays in July to report.

Just FYI – the June issue of The Akumalian was published from Massachusetts.
 

IMPORTANT JULY FACTS

It was the month in which Julius Caesar was born,  The month Julius replaced Quintilis (quintus = five)—the fifth month in the early Roman calendar, which began with March before the Julian calendar instituted January as the start of the year.  Unfortunately, Caesar himself was only able to enjoy one July during his life—the very first July, in 45 B.C.  The following year he was murdered on the Ides of March.

 Cancer   June 22 – July 22
 Leo - July 23 -August 21

 July Birthstone:  Ruby
    July's birthstone is among the most highly prized of gems throughout history.  The word Ruby comes from the Latin "ruber," meaning red.  It is a variety of the mineral Corundum, and is found as crystals within metamorphic rock.  Corundum is the second hardest mineral, after Diamond.  It comes in a variety of colors, and is considered a Sapphire in any color except red, which is designated as a Ruby.  Rubies range in hue from an orangey red to a purplish red, but the most prized gems are a true red in color.  Large sized Rubies are very rare and valuable. 

 July Flower:  Larkspur
    July's flower, the larkspur, is associated with lightheartedness and levity.  Larkspurs can evoke the care-free days of summer we remember from our youth.  The larkspur, or Delphinium, is named for the shape of their flowers.  The flower resembles the bottle - like nose of a dolphin. 
 

JULY BIRTHDAYS

Birthdays and Anniversaries
2          Gerardo Dominguez
2          Isabel Schober
4          Amy Blatner
9          John Chiosso
13        Ellie Humphrey
17        Joan Gonzalez
18        Gary & Oveta Vardell Anniversary
20        Hurley Hackler
22        Bud Blatner
26        RC Castro
26        Paula Humphreys
28        Gustavo Guerra
31        Gonzalo Arcila

 There must be more than this.  Let’s hear about YOUR birthday.

 Missed June Birthdays
3          Benjamin Miles Schlichter, who arrived at 3:16 p.m.,     weighing seven pounds and nine ounces.  Pam and Benjamin are both great.
16        Barbara Company
16        Gynna
16        Three other people who were at La Lunita on June 16th

EARTH ADDED LEAP SECOND ON SATURDAY NIGHT 

Saturday night was stretched longer by a second.  A leap second.

International timekeepers added a second to the clock at midnight universal time Saturday, June 30, going into July 1.  That's 8 p.m. EDT Saturday. Universal time will be 11:59:59 and then the unusual reading of 11:59:60 before it hits midnight.

A combination of factors, including Earth slowing down a bit from the tidal pull of the moon, and an atomic clock that's a hair too fast, means that periodically timekeepers have to synchronize the official atomic clocks.  

The time it takes the Earth to rotate on its axis — the definition of a day — is now about two milliseconds longer than it was 100 years ago.  That's each day, so it adds up to nearly three-quarters of a second a year.

Timekeepers add that leap second every now and then to keep the sun at its highest at noon, at least during standard time.  This is the first leap second since January 2009 and the 25th overall. The next one probably won't be needed until 2015 or 2016.

There should be no noticeable affect or inconvenience on computers or any other technology that requires precise timekeeping, because they adjust for these leap seconds.

Earlier this year, official timekeepers from across the world discussed whether to eliminate the practice of adding leap seconds.  They decided they needed more time to think about the issue and will next debate the issue in 2015.
 

MEXICO ELECTS PRESIDENT, JULY 1^ST

On Sunday, July 1^st, Mexicans go to the polls to elect a new president.  The political party that governed Mexico for most of the 20th century is expected to reclaim the presidency in Sunday's election.

Enrique Pena Nieto, candidate of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI in Spanish), has consistently led his next closest challenger in the polls by double digits.  His part held the presidency from 1929 until 2000, when its candidate lost to Vicente Fox of the National Action Party.  That party, or PAN, has held the presidency since then, though its candidate this year, Josefina Vazquez Mota, is trailing in the polls in third place.

La Ley Seca, or the dry law, will be in force from midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday for the Mexican elections.  Nearly 80 million people are eligible to vote for the country's president, mayors, governors and lawmakers, and the government wants them to be sober and compos mentis when they do it.
 

FULL MOON, JULY 3^rd

Full Buck Moon is on July 3^rd  at 1:52pm AST.

July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur.  

It was also often called the Full Thunder Moon, thunderstorms being now most frequent.  Sometimes this is also called the Full Hay Moon. 
 

FULL MOON DETAILS

What is a full moon, I hear you ask?

The full moon is a lunar phase that occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun.  More precisely, a full moon occurs when the geocentric apparent (ecliptic) longitudes of the Sun and Moon differ by 180 degrees; the Moon is then in opposition with the Sun.  As seen from Earth, the hemisphere of the Moon that is facing the earth (the near side) is almost fully illuminated by the Sun and appears round.  Only during a full moon is the opposite hemisphere of the Moon, which is not visible from Earth (the far side), completely un-illuminated.

The time interval between similar lunar phases—the synodic month—is on average about 29.53 days.  Therefore, in those lunar calendars in which each month begins on the new moon, the full moon falls on either the 14th or 15th of the lunar month.  Because lunar months have a whole number of days, lunar months may be either 29 or 30 days long.
 

INDEPENDENCE DAY (U.S.) JULY 4^th

Independence Day is the national holiday of the United States of America, commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  For more information, go to July 4^th.
 

4^th OF JULY PICNIC – LOL HA BEACH BAR 

The Lol Ha Beach Bar will be the scene of Akumal’s July 4^th Picnic, from 3:00pm to 9:00pm, and reservations are recommended at (984)-206-3500 ext. 604 and/or lolha@hotelakumalcaribe.com

 Straight from the BBQ to your plate:
Hamburgers $120  and  Hot Dogs $90
With Full Condiment Bar

 BBQ Rib Platter $150  and  Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwiches $90
With choice of two sides: Fries, Onion Rings, Corn on the Cob, Potato Salad, Baked Beans

 Happy Hour: 3:00pm to 9:00pm!!!

Clear the floor for dancing: 7:00pm to 9:00pm 
 

ROBIN’S BEST SHIRT AWARD, JULY 6^th  

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

It’s time for another “Best Shirt Award”, which is held on the first Friday of each month during Happy Hour at the Lol Ha Beach Bar.  This is one to celebrate, because it’s on Friday, July 6th, two days after July 4^th.

This award is based on Robin’s penchant for good, classy Beach Bar shirts, and his sister, Mary, is the judge and jury this month. 

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.

The June award for “Best Shirt” went to Russ Motley.  See June Best Shirt for more photos.
 

WHAT’S NEW AROUND TOWN?

AKUMAL

PEMEX Is Coming
    Here is the sign just at the intersection of the Akumal Pueblo exit road and MX307, so it has to be true.

Dive Shop On Akumal Central Beach
Here it is, so it must be true.  How did they get away with that?  Who allowed and authorized it?

 Gerardo Dominguez Has Left Akumal Real Estate
   After 5 fantastic years in the good and professional company of Akumal Real Estate, on May 1st Gerardo started working with Rob Kinnon in BuyPlaya (www.buyplaya.com and www.playarealtyexecutives.com ), the number one real estate company in Playa del Carmen.  Gerardo has joined Rob’s team as an expert in the south of Playa del Carmen area, so we can cover Pueblo Aventuras, Akumal, Soliman, Tankah, and Tulum.

ONDARTE Has Another Reception and Exhibition
On June 30^th, ONDARTE hosted a reception and exhibition for the current artists in residence.  The artists are Myriam Lambert – Canada, Kenda North – USA, Chinmoyi Patel – India, and Lyndsey Wardrop – Scotland.  A good time was had by all.
 

SPORTING EVENTS IN JULY 

Henley Royal Regatta
    Each summer, Henley-on-Thames is brought to life with the Henley Royal Regatta.  The Regatta, first held in 1839, is a unique rowing event offering 100 world-class races over 5 days (June 27 to July 1).

The picturesque surroundings and glorious summer sunshine provide a welcome haven of relaxation and tranquility from the stresses of city life.  The ambience is one of a large, Edwardian garden party and this prestigious event offers an idyllic opportunity for corporate or social entertaining.  Enjoy a day of indulgence and relaxation.  

Wimbledon Finals:
July 7, Women
July 8, Men

 Trophies:

• Men's singles: Gentleman's singles trophy inscribed "The All England Lawn Tennis Club Single Handed Champion of the World", a cup standing 18.5-inches tall with a diameter of 7.5-inches.
• Ladies' singles: Venus Rosewater Dish, an 18.75-inch silver salver made by Messrs. Elkington and Co Ltd in 1864.

Tour de France
   Running from Saturday June 30^th to Sunday July 22^nd, 2012, the 99th Tour de France will be made up of 1 prologue and 20 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,497 kilometers.

Festival of San Fermin
  The festival of San Fermin, or the Pamplona bull running as it's more commonly known outside Spain, officially begins at midday on July 6th every year.

MLB All-Star Game
    The 82nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be held Tuesday, July 8 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

British Open
   From the 15th – 22nd July the 141^st British Open 2012 will be played at Royal Lytham & St Annes, Lytham St. Annes, England.  The Open Championship is the greatest golf tournament of all with the first championship being held at Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland in 1860.  The following eleven championships were also staged at Prestwick until 1873 when St Andrews played host.  Over the years a number of the other great links courses in the UK have been added to the Open circuit such as Muirfield, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, Royal Birkdale and Turnberry to name but a few.

Up until 1870, golfers used to play for "The Belt" until it was won by Tom Morris Jnr in three consecutive years from 1868 - 1870 and therefore The Belt became his property.  Now it is the famous Claret Jug that golfers from all over the world strive to get their hands on and achieve their lifetime dream of becoming The Open Champion.

All-American Soap Box Derby
    The 75th All-American Soap Box Derby is on Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Akron, Ohio.  The Soap Box Derby is actually three races, one in each of three divisions.  The races are held at the 954-foot long Derby Downs track, a three-lane, straight downhill track.  Divisions include the Stock Division, Super-stock Division, and Master Division, each with their own restrictions.

Summer Olympic Games
    The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad, and also known as London 2012 as per the official logo, are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012.  Athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are expected to participate.

COMINGS AND GOINGS

            The pace continues unabated as we head into July.

Comings:
Seen in and around Akumal in June:

• Jack & Ann Kennedy were here for the Best Shirt Award.
• Michelle Bliss and the boys are back. Dave’s mother and her husband Steve were here too.
• Ron & Sherry Stern are back in town.
• Dave & Nancy Poor have returned to Casa Romero.
• Richard & Arlene Pargot are back at Las Vigas after a short respite in NJ.
• Gary & Oveta Vardell were in South Akumal for a brief visit.
• Russ & Stephanie Motley returned from a brief trip to Seattle and Denver.
• Neil & Paula Humphries – with Katie and Ellie – will be returning on July 22^nd.

 Goings:

·       Laura Bush went off to Africa.

     ·       Steve & Ingrid Clouther went to MA for Ryan Fredette's graduation on June 2nd.

BASTILLE DAY, JULY 14^th

Bastille Day is the French national holiday, celebrated on 14 July each year.  In France, it is called Fête Nationale ("National Celebration") in official parlance, or more commonly le quatorze juillet ("14 July"). 

To see “the rest of the story” go to Bastille Day.

METEOR SHOWERS

Did you know Meteor Showers recur each year, in some cases for hundreds or even thousands of years?  Technically speaking, Meteor Showers are bursts of cosmic debris entering Earth's atmosphere at extremely high speed and thus vaporizing, leaving a streak of light that quickly disappears.  Normally named after the constellation from which they originate these bursts are the result of interactions between a planet and a comet in which a number of meteors are observed.  As they all travel in parallel paths and at the same velocity, to their viewer Meteor showers appear to radiate away from a single point in the sky.  This is called the "radiant" of the shower.

So, as we know, you don't like spending your early mornings outside at the beach or up the roof, but you still love fantastic meteor showers.  Watch for the Delta Aquarids towards the end of the month.
 

DELTA AQUARIDS,  JULY 28 & 29^th

The Delta Aquarids usually produce about 20 meteors per hour at their peak.  The shower will peak this year on July 28, but meteors can usually be seen from July 18 - August 18.

 

Like the Eta Aquarids, this shower favors the Southern Hemisphere, and the tropical latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere.  Although the waxing gibbous moon won’t set till after midnight, the hours between moonset and dawn will probably offer the most Delta Aquarid meteors.  The meteors appear to radiate from the southern part of the sky.  From northern temperate latitudes, the maximum hourly rate may reach 15-20 meteors in a dark sky.  Unlike many meteor showers, this one doesn’t have a very definite peak, despite the dates given above.  Instead, these medium-speed meteors ramble along fairly steadily throughout late July and early August. An hour or two before dawn usually presents the most favorable view of the Delta Aquarids.  Try watching in late July, in the hours between moonset and dawn.

EVENTS

The only Akumal “Event” was the Best Shirt Award, and that has been reported above.   The ONDARTE Reception and Exhibition came on the last day of June, and there was no time to get it into this issue, but any photos will be in the Photo Gallery in a day or two.