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INTRODUCTION

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.

The month of July gets a quick jump start with Robin’s Best Shirt Award on the 2^nd, kicking of the beginning of the long July 4^th weekend, and there is a good chance to see the McNaught Comet on Friday as well.  Also falling on this weekend, we have the Henley Royal Regatta, the men’s and women’s finals at Wimbledon, and Festival of San Fermin begins on the 6^th.

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

MESSAGES FROM THE STAFF

The complete Photo Gallery with all of the winners of Robin's Best Shirt Award has been posted at Complete Best Shirt Award Gallery.  Got take a look at what has won in the past, and it might give you some inspiration for tomorrow's contest.  Mary Henderson is in Sacramento, California, so The Akumalian is taking on the judging responsibilities for July.
 

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
21        Priscilla Batting
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
15        Zoe Pargot
18        Stephanie Motley
21        Alex Motley
 

TD ALEX, JUNE 26

Tropical Depression Alex hit Belize on Saturday, June 26, bringing lots of wind, rain, and high surf to the entire stretch of the Riviera Maya.  In Akumal, the weather from Alex started on Friday and continued well into Monday, as the outer bands continued well after Alex went into the Gulf.

ROBIN’S BEST SHIRT AWARD, JULY 2^nd

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

This award is based on Robin’s penchant for good, classy Beach Bar shirts, and his sister, Mary, is ready to once again be the judge and jury as she selects the “Best Shirt” worn by a male for July.  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 Wendell Day, who reportedly – by some sore losers – got this as a consolation for not being a repeat winner at the Fishing Tournament.  See June Best Shirt for more photos.  And, look at all the previous winners at Best Shirt Award Photo Gallery.

COMET McNAUGHT, JULY 2^nd

A recently discovered comet is surprising sky watchers by becoming brighter than predictions had first suggested and can now be seen with the unaided eye during the next few weeks.  Comet McNaught, officially cataloged as C/2009 R1, was discovered by Australian astronomer Robert McNaught last September using the 0.5-meter Uppsala Schmidt telescope and a CCD camera.  It's the 51st comet that bears McNaught's name. 

Comet McNaught is expected to pass closest to the sun (perihelion) on July 2, at a distance of 37 million miles (60 million kilometers).  The comet is visible now for people with dark skies away from urban and suburban lighting.  By mid-June it was an easy sky watching target for most people.  Comets brighten when they get nearer to the sun, because solar radiation boils icy particles and dust off the comet's nucleus.  A cloud of material called a head, or coma, forms.  Sometimes there's a tail as well.  It's all illuminated by reflected sunlight.

After June 15, Comet McNaught rapidly slid lower toward the north-northeast horizon, passing very close to the brilliant star Capella in the constellation Auriga around June 22 and a few mornings later it was very near to the second magnitude star Menkalinan. 

Since then, McNaught has been visible – albeit with some difficulty – both in the evening sky for a short while just after sunset very low above the north-northwest horizon and in the morning sky just before sunrise very low above the north-northeast horizon.

Comets are very unpredictable, but some astronomers say Comet McNaught might reach magnitude +2 by the end of June.  If so, it won't rival the brightest stars in the sky, but it should be easy to spot and readily identifiable as a comet.
 

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

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.

WHAT’S NEW AROUND TOWN?

AKUMAL

Voting Day
Sunday, July 4 is voting day here in Q. Roo. 

Lol Ha Summer Hours
            The Lol Ha Restaurant is now closed on Saturday evenings, and there is a Saturday breakfast buffet (no A la’ Carte) from 7:30am to 11:00am.  And, the Blues & Jazz Band is moving back inside the restaurant on Fridays, so the live entertainment lineup is: Wednesday - Flamenco dancing; Thursday – Arpason; and on Friday - Blues & Jazz Band.

Lucy’s Too
Lucy’s Too restaurant in the pueblo is reportedly closed and For Sale.

Gym
Still waiting.

Dish Network
Dish Network seems to be gone from the Riviera Maya, unless you want to invest in a large 2.1 meter dish.  Options seem to include Sky, Dish Network Mexico, US Direct TV (??), and Shaw Direct (Canada), and then there are rumblings about Cablemas being in Akumal. 

 PLAYA DEL CARMEN

The BIG question is, “What are they going to do with all the space underneath the overpasses?”

• Parking lots?
• Taxi stands?
• Apartments?
• Condos?
• Gardens?
• Shops?
• Men’s Clubs?

 CANCUN

Walmart Parking
The Walmart parking lot now has covered parking, as they installed blue, canvas, sun protection over the parking spaces.
 

CENTRAL SECURITY NETWORK - AKUMAL

By Laura B Wolfe and Juan Antonio Huerta

   It has become apparent that without a proper security network and a professional visible security presence in Akumal, the break-ins and other potential criminal acts will continue and most probably increase.  Unfortunately, this is a reality.

Central Security Network (CSN AKUMAL)
Our best ‘crime deterrent’ is a highly visible security presence throughout all of Akumal.  As most of you are aware, Puerto Aventuras recently beefed up their security program to meet the challenge of the rise in crime in the area.  While we do not discourage the use of the various private security companies scattered throughout the Akumal area, we strongly suggest that a CSN and reporting system be established that would coordinate security for all areas represented by the Akumal Council.

The Security Committee has designed the CSN for Akumal and has hired a Central Security Coordinator to manage the CSN.  This Security Coordinator will report directly to the Chairman of the Security Committee who would, in turn, reports to the Akumal Development Council Board of Directors.  It is imperative that this tight line of communication be drawn when dealing with our security Issues.  Juan Antonio Huerta has been chosen to carry out these responsibilities.  He is the property Manager for CEA and has the required experience for this job.

 Your participation and support is needed to make this a reality and a viable deterrent against criminal activities in Akumal.

 To see more on this very important subject, please go to Central Security Network – Akumal.
 

HST FLY-OVER, JULY 9^th

The Hubble Space Telescope will be visible over Akumal on Friday, July 9^th at 8:53 pm.  Be sure to get on the beach or up on the roof to see this fly-over, which will be traveling in a WNW – ESE direction.

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 30 to July 4) and the chance to see our Olympic stars, while enjoying a day of lavish hospitality and elegance on the banks of the River Thames. 

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 3, Women
July 4, 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 July 3rd to Sunday July 25^th, 2010, the 97th Tour de France will be made up of 1 prologue and 20 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,600 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
On July 13th, the 2010 MLB All-Star Game will take place in Angel Stadium.

British Open
The Open Championship returns to St Andrews "The Home of Golf" on July 12th - 18^th, which will mark the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship.  Once again the worlds' greatest golfers will gather to do battle for the famous Claret Jug over the Old Course.

World Cup Final
The final match for the World Cup is scheduled for July 11^th at Soccer City (Afrikaans: Sokkerstad), formerly known as the FNB Stadium. It is a stadium located in the Soweto area of Johannesburg, South Africa.

All-American Soap Box Derby
The 73rd All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship is on July 24th 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.
 

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.

COMINGS AND GOINGS

            The pace continues unabated as we head into July.

 Comings:
Seen in and around Akumal in June:

• Gary Ness was at the Beach Bar
• Gayle & Paul Rasmussen were visited by their daughter and grandchildren
• Dave Zucker and Dan Freeman returned from their trip to PA
• Lucy James was back after a couple of weeks in her new home in California wine country
• Ron & Sherri Freeman were back at their condo at Playa Caribe
• Pat & Cheryl Reagan were at Casa Maleno for a short week
• Annette Bartsch returned from her trip to Germany and Turkey
• Michelle Bliss and the twins are back.
• Diana Harris and David Walter are back in town.
• David Richards and young David are back in South Akumal for a spell.
• Jim & Kathy Farrell have just arrived back in Akumal.

 Coming in July:

• Richard & Arlene Pargot return on July 4^th
• Dave Bliss will be here on the 2^nd, in time for Best Shirt night.
• Paula Humphreys and the girls will be here next Thursday, and Neil follows on Saturday.

For those of you who have been wondering, let it be acknowledged and confirmed that Jack & Ann Kennedy were actually in Akumal during the latter part of May and early June

Goings:

·         Steve & Ingrid Clouther went to MA for two weeks vacation in June.

·         Mary Henderson is off to Sacramento, California for a week or so.

FULL MOON, JULY 26^th

Full Buck Moon is on July 26th at 12:38am 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.
 

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 METEOR SHOWER. JULY 28-29th

The Delta Aquarids usually produce about 20 meteors per hour at their peak.  The shower will peak this year on July 28 & 29, but meteors can usually be seen from July 18 - August 18.  Unfortunately, the Moon is just past full this year and so badly placed that there is no way to really observe around the peak of the South Delta Aquarids in 2010.  Wait for the Perseids. 
 

EVENTS

The only Akumal “Event” was the Best Shirt Award, and that has been reported.

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