All - Leep Calendar

Combining chocolate with almonds has existed for more than two centuries. In 1742, the first cookbook to be published, "The Complete Housewife," contained a chocolate almond recipe. Milk chocolate was first available as a drink, created by Jordan & Timaeus of Dresden, Germany, around 1845. Daniel Peter mixed powdered milk and dark chocolate in 1875 and created the first milk chocolate candy bar that year called "Gala Peter." Milk chocolate was further enhanced in the coming years by Henri Nestlé, who happened to be a friend of Peter. Based upon the success of Gala Peter, they went on to found Nestlé Foods. Conching, or the process of heating and grinding chocolate solids to make the consistency creamier and effortlessly blended, was developed by Rodolphe Lindt. Milton Hershey economized the whole process, resulting in mass-produced milk chocolate. And, of course, the men mentioned above became millionaires from their foray with cocoa. Lindt, Nestlé, and Hershey continue to be household chocolate names. International Milk Chocolate with Almonds Day is sponsored by organizations, including the National Confections Associations.

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Jul

Minority Mental Health Month: July

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Mental illness affects one in five adults and one in ten children in America, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It is a leading cause of disability, yet nearly two-thirds of people with a diagnosable mental illness do not seek treatment. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, racial and ethnic groups in the United States are even less likely to seek help. During National Minority Mental Health Month, encourage your family, friends, loved ones, and clients to learn more about improving mental health and its illnesses.

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Jul

Miri-Piri Day (S): July 21

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Miri-Piri Day day celebrates the Sikh commander and spiritual guide, Miri-Piri. It commemorates the fusion of warrior and spirit by wearing two swords, a symbol created by the sixth guru, Hargobind Sahib, following his ascent.

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Jul

Mirror Day, Compliment Your: July 3

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Compliment Your Mirror Day urges us to see the inner beauty of who we are in our reflection. It is an unofficial event with no sponsor.

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Jul

MLB All-Star Game (US-PA): July 14

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The Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Game is an annual professional baseball game on the second or third Tuesday in July. Also referred to as the Midsummer Classic, the game pits the American League against the National League with players chosen by fans, managers, and players. The game signals the midpoint in the MLB season.

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Jul

Mojito Day, Ntl.: July 7

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Rum, sugar, soda water, lime, and crushed mint, are the essential ingredients of the mojito, one of the summer's favorite cocktails. The drink originated in Havana, Cuba, though when is disputed. Was it in the 1500s as a cure for scurvy or later, when cocktails became commonplace in the early 20th century? Whatever the origin, the mojito has earned its place among the top cocktails of all time. Cheers!

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Jul

Moon Landing Day (1969): July 20

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Today is the anniversary of the Moon Landing. If you were alive on July 20, 1969, you were watching television. Personally, though alive, this writer does not recall it (I had just turned three, and my sister was only seven months old). However, like millions of parents, mine sat us in front of the black and white television at 1:OO PM California time. We watched as Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon 17 minutes later. It was a defining moment in history and science, capping a decade of tremendous upheaval. The event occurred six hours after landing at 4:17 PM EDT (with less than 30 seconds of fuel remaining). Neil A. Armstrong stepped off the Lunar Module onto the moon's surface, exclaiming: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Buzz Aldrin joined him, and the two astronauts spent 21 hours on the lunar surface, returning with 46 pounds of lunar rocks.

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Jul

Moon—First Quarter: July 21

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The first quarter moon occurs when the moon is one-half illuminated by the sun. Each day forward increases the amount of the moon you can see. The 1st quarter typically occurs seven days after the new moon.

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Jul

Moon—Full: July 29

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A full moon occurs when the moon is illuminated by the sun and on the opposite side of the earth. Its ecliptic longitude is 180 degrees. For centuries, people have applied names to full moons to track the seasons and as a point of reference. The names listed below come from Native American and Colonial American traditions passed down through generations. Here are the common names for full moons in each month in the Northern Hemisphere (the Southern Hemisphere doesn't do this tradition): January: Wolf Moon—Named after the howling of wolves during the cold winter nights. February: Snow Moon—Named for the typically heavy snowfall. March: Worm Moon—As the ground thaws, earthworms emerge, attracting birds. April: Seed Moon—Time to plant for the fall harvest. May: Flower Moon—Named for the abundance of flowers in May. June: Strawberry Moon— due to the short harvesting season for strawberries in the northeastern United States. July: Buck Moon—when new antlers grow on male deer (bucks). August: Sturgeon Moon—when sturgeon fish are abundant in North America's Great Lakes. September: Harvest Moon—time to harvest crops. October: Hunter's Moon—game is at its fattest, allowing hunters to stock up for the winter months. November: Beaver Moon—when beavers build their winter dams. December: Cold Moon—long, dark, and cold nights. Full moon names vary between cultures, regions, and traditions; several full moons have alternative names. The above are the most common. A blue moon occurs when two full moons are in a single month, and February is the only month in the year that occasionally does not have a full moon. A blood moon describes a total lunar eclipse.

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Jul

Moon—New: July 14

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The new moon occurs when the moon and the sun have parallel elliptical longitudes. The moon is at its closest point to the sun in its orbit, and we cannot see it from the earth. The new moon is considered the first phase.

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Jul

Moon—Third Quarter: July 7

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Today is the third quarter of the moon, meaning it is halfway between the full and new.

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Jul

Mormon Pioneer Day (1847): July 24

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Mormon Pioneer Day is an official holiday in the American state of Utah and is celebrated worldwide within Mormon communities. Mormonism is a derivative of Christianity, following some customs and teachings of the faith, including the Bible. However, Mormonism includes scriptures (Book of Mormon), traditions, and beliefs not found in Christianity. Pioneer Day commemorates the establishment of the first settlement of Mormons, self-described as Latter-Day Saints, in Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. Mormonism began on April 6, 1830. It currently counts nearly 17 million members worldwide, placing it as the sixth-largest global faith, just slightly ahead of Judaism at 15 million.

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Jul

Moth Week, Intl.: July 18-26

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National Moth Week is an annual awareness campaign and fundraiser. Moths don't get the credit they are due because people think they are not as pretty as butterflies and are known to devour wool sweaters as they roam through the night. The header image disputes this. Moths are fascinating to watch, and with over 11,000 species, each is unique. Moths in their caterpillar form are food for many animals. Winged, they are essential to pollination, nectar collection, and seed distribution. The Malay archipelago hosts the largest moth in the world, which can be up to 60 square inches in size (152.4 square centimeters) with a wing span over a foot. The primary differentiator between a moth and a butterfly is its antennae. In moths, these are fat and look like feathers or small saws, and butterflies have smooth and thin antennae. Another difference? Butterflies usually fold their wings above them when at rest, and a moth will rest with its wings open and on full display. The header image is from Belize City's Museum of Belize exhibit on native insects and wildlife. It shows a variety of Central American moths: Photographer LD Lewis, founder of LEEP Calendar.

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Jul

Motorcycle Day, Ntl.: July 10

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Created in 2016, National Motorcycle Day is an annual awareness campaign to promote safety and best practices in motorcycle riding, care, and maintenance. Enthusiasts are encouraged to show the positive impact riders, motorcycle clubs, and the motorcycle industry have on communities nationwide.

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Jul

Musikfest (US-PA): July 31 - August 9

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Musikfest in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is one of the largest annual non-gated music festivals in the United States. Non-gated means FREE. For ten days in late July or August, Bethlehem fills with music from over a dozen stages featuring rock, jazz, country, folk, and more. Music is just the first course. Food choices abound, including fare from the local Pennsylvania Dutch favorites to international cuisine; Pennsylvania microbrews, spirits, and wine are also available. Of course, Pennsylvania is also known for its homemade crafts, and dozens of booths make souvenir and early Christmas shopping a breeze. In addition to music, Musikfest features visual arts performances, comedy shows, and several interactive experiences. Local businesses offer special deals in town, and the locals support the event. Musikfest is one big family-friendly, affordable party thanks to generous support from banking giant Wells Fargo.

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