March 2006 Issue 36

Academy Award Night Supplement

INTRODUCTION

Akumal is the place to be.  And, on March 5^th, it definitely was THE place to be, as the Lol Ha beach bar theatre hosted the 78^th Annual Academy Awards.  Laura Bush went out of her way to bring this spectacular event to Akumal for the second straight year.  It, in turn, brought out a parade of stars and celebrities, the famous and infamous.

This story did not make the regular March issue of The Akumalian, because the editorial staff had to pour over thousands of photographs to select just the right ones, and then there was the issue of file size.  Hence, this Supplement issue.

OSCAR NIGHT - AKUMAL STYLE

Sunday, March 5, was Oscar Night, and the Lol Ha Beach Bar was the site of this year's festivities in Akumal.  Supported by Marcy Essy and a huge staff, Laura Bush pulled out all the stops in an effort to surpass last year’s gala event, and by all accounts, it was a smashing success.  The only things missing were the SkyTracker spotlights illuminating the sky overhead.

The red carpet was stretched out through a roped-off area, from the entrance under the ship's bell to inside the decorated Beach Bar palapa theatre, where Laura and Marcy conducted interviews with the numerous celebrities who came to Akumal, versus Los Angeles, for this annual awards ceremony.

One of the first celebrities to walk the red carpet was Rita Hayworth's daughter, Roxy Rita,  (Nan Armstrong), who was absolutely smashingly marvelous in her ankle-length gown designed especially for Nan and Oscar night by Ralph Lauren.  The classic cluster wreath bracelet with round, marquise and pear-shaped diamonds and straight-line earrings of oval diamonds, by Harry Winston, completed the outfit.

Roxy is being interviewed by Marcy Essy of Hollywood Tonight, while Laura Bush looks on.

In the background, Jack Twist (Thierry Vander Elst) of Brokeback Mountain, and a nominee for Best Supporting Actor, awaits with his escort, the fabulous Jisou, who flew in from Belgium for this event in Akumal.

 As the parade of celebrities walked the red carpet, The Akumalian caught Carmen Miranda (Mary Henderson) throwing back shots of tequila with that famous Argentinean director, Hector Olivera (Paul Sanchez-Navarro).  Neither was nominated for any awards this year, but that did not deter Carmen and Hector from having a smashing good time.  The had just flown in from Rio de Janiero, where they participated in the samba parade at the Sambodrome with the world famous Samba School, Caprichosos de Pilares, as part of Carnival Rio.  Carmen was so partied out from Carnival that she utilized Ixchel Boutique in Akumal for designing her fantastic outfit and jewelry.  While not nominated for an Oscar, there were many lining the red carpet who thought Carmen should have been rewarded for Best Outfit.

Senor Olivera commented, "I love this place.  It's almost as active as Rio, and this is great tequila."

While the celebrities were being interviewed on the red carpet, Akumal's own Charlene was busy at work with the microphone, drumming up business for the wagering on the Oscar winners.  Charlene is quite famous around Akumal, especially the Lol Ha beach bar, where she is responsible for such activities on a regular basis.  Most recently she has been seen performing similar tasks for St Valentine's Day and the Super Bowl Party.

All the proceeds of the wagering went to supporting the local Akumal Library, and that is a good cause to support.  Because of this, the wagering was fast and furious, and a good time was had by all.

 During the red carpet interviews, Laura came across a young woman who actually is a Hollywood actress, who just happened to be in Akumal on Oscar Night.  She was staying in Tulum with her family, and they ventured to Akumal and Lol Ha for the evening.  Unfortunately, she desired to remain anonymous, so we do not have her name.  She was most recently in North Country, which was released in October 2005.  It became available on DVD in February 2006.  Watch for it.

North Country, based on a true story, stars Charlize Theron and also includes Frances McDormand, Sissy Spacek, Sean Bean, Richard Jenkins, Jeremy Renner, Michelle Monaghan, and Woody Harrelson.

It was "A Really Big Show", with numerous big name celebrities, but there were none bigger than Elizabeth "Cleopatra" Taylor (Diane Mahan) and Nefertiti (Isabel Schober) who dazzled the attendees with their dueling jewelry and head pieces.  There is no way to describe the jewelry, so we won't, but Cleopatra took advantage of the Silent Auction to buy (the only word for it) another incredible ring.

Cleopatra's gown is an original from the King of Jordan, no less.

Nefertiti wore an original headpiece that was very utilitarian.

Needless to say, Cleopatra and Nefertiti walked away with the awards for best dressed and/or most original, or whatever.

 After the ceremonies, the stars, celebrities, and the wanna-bees gathered in the lobby of the Lol Ha beach bar theater to discuss the winners, losers, gowns, jewelry, and escorts, as they plotted their roles for the 79^th Annual Academy Awards, which will be once again be hosted at the Lol Ha beach bar theatre.  

That's Annie Hall in the fedora with her back to the camera.  Annie was accompanied to the Academy Awards by Ennis Del Mar, a ka' Heath Ledger (SteveC), who refused all photographs and interviews after he lost the Best Actor Award to Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman Capote.

THANKS

Valentine's Day

SPAY, Society for the Protection of Animals, Yucatan want to thank Laura Bush and everyone who helped make the Valentine's Day fundraiser a success.  Their next veterinarian clinic is scheduled to be held in Chemuyil on March 18-19th.

CEA Festival, Gala and Silent Auction

CEA would like to thank everyone who participated in their First Annual CEA Festival, Gala and Silent Auction.  It was a huge success, we sold out the Gala dinner, and the Silent Auction raised much needed money for CEA.  Special thanks to the Lol-Ha Restaurant for hosting the Silent Auction and Gala Dinner, and additional thanks goes to all the businesses and people who contributed with donations and volunteered their time.

APRIL FOOLS DAY

"The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.”"
Shakespeare - As You Like It (Act V, Scene I)

 What is April Fools Day and how did it begin?

Well, that is a very good question.  The origin of this holiday is rather uncertain.  However, the common belief holds that during the reformation of the calendar the date for the New Year was moved from April 1st to January 1st.  During that time in history there was no television or radio so word spread slowly.  There were also those who chose to simply ignore the change and those who merely forgot.  These people were considered "fools" and invitations to non-existent parties and other practical jokes were played on them.  "All Fools' Day" is practiced in many parts of the world with practical jokes and sending people on a fool's errand.  Others believe that the origin began with celebrations at the Spring Equinox.

 Mexico's (and Spain's) counterpart to April Fool's Day is actually observed on December 28, the Dia de los Santos Inocentes .  Originally the day was a sad remembrance of the alleged slaughter of the innocent children by King Herod.  It eventually evolved into a lighter commemoration involving pranks and trickery.  Traditionally Mexican children would borrow, but not repay, small loans from unsuspecting friends and relatives they consider a soft touch.  Once they've received the loan, they say the following verse, or something similar:

Inocente Palomita
Que te dejaste enganar
Sabiendo que en este dia
Nada se debe prestar.

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