By KAREN DAILY
Today is the first day of summer. Here are 10 helpful tidbits to keep in mind for the warmest season of the year.
It's finally here
The first day of summer begins today at 7:09 p.m.
The summer solstice depends on when the sun reaches its farthest point north of the equator. This occurs annually on June 20 or June 21 in North America, depending on the time zone.
From here on out, the days start to get shorter. The last day of summer is Sept. 21. Fall starts on Sept. 22 at 10:49 a.m.
Temps in Aiken
The highest shade temperature recorded in Aiken County was documented on Aug. 21, 1983, at 109 degrees, according to the S.C. State Climatology Office.
The average number of summer days in Aiken County reaching 90 degrees or over between June and August is 64 days.
The average number of summer days in Aiken County reaching 100 degrees or over between June and August is eight days.
The record number of 100-degree days for a summer in Aiken County is 25 days in 1986.
Sunscreen
Seek the shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside.
Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
Beach Blast
Aiken's Downtown Beach Blast returns to the city Thursday.
The Beach Blast features a transformation of the Newberry Street Festival Center into a beach, complete with sand, virtual beach scenes, a dance floor and beach music.
In addition, Aiken Horsepower will host a cruise-in that will kick off the Newberry Street activities at 5:30 p.m.
Dancing starts around 8:30 and lasts until 10 p.m.
Other businesses will be holding special activities to entice visitors to their location. The Aiken Center for the Arts will have a Gallery Opening that evening from 6 to 8 p.m.
Beat the heat
Heat exhaustion is one of the heat-related syndromes, ranging in severity from mild heat cramps to heat exhaustion to potentially life-threatening heatstroke, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion often begin suddenly, sometimes after excessive exercise, heavy perspiration and inadequate fluid or salt intake.
Signs and symptoms resemble those of shock and may include feeling faint or dizzy, nausea, heavy sweating, rapid and weak heartbeat, low blood pressure, cool, moist, pale skin, low-grade fever, heat cramps, headache, fatigue and dark-colored urine.
Call 911 or emergency medical help if the person's condition deteriorates, especially if fainting, confusion or seizures occur or if fever of 104 degrees or greater occurs with other symptoms.
Aiken County Farmers Market
Summertime at the Aiken Farmers Market offers some of the best produce around, just ask Colleen Reed, a known face at the market.
"Aiken County has the best corn in the state," she said.
Right now, the cantaloupe, blueberries, corn, watermelon, green beans, zucchini, yellow squash and peaches are in season.
"We got rain at the right time, and things are looking really good," she said.
Best market days are Tuesday mornings from 8 a.m. until noon and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. until after noon, but there are farmers there most Mondays through Saturdays.
The market is located at the corner of Williamsburg Street and Richland Avenue East.
Bugs
According to the Department of Health and Environmental Control, mosquito repellents that contain one of the following active ingredients typically provides reasonably long-lasting protection: DEET, picaridin oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535
Safety
Boating crashes often occur after dark when boaters fail to pay proper attention to the working condition of their lights. In the event that navigational lights fail, red, green and white glow sticks can help a boater return home.
For the second year, the Lake Murray Boat Club and West Marine are hosting the Light up the Lake safety program and providing the public with a free kit, which contains glow sticks, a whistle, a Department of Natural Resources safety handbook and a discount coupon for safety gear.
The kits will be available June 23 through July 4 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Lake Murray Boat Club, 1600 Marina Road in Irmo.
Offices will be closed June 25.
For more information, call (803) 407-2828.
Don't drink and drive or drink and boat, and use cation with fireworks.
Olympic Games
36 days to go until the London 2012 Olympics. The opening date is July 27, and the closing date is Aug. 12. For more information, visit www.london2012.com.
Key summer dates
July 4- Independence Day
Aug. 20- First day of school for Aiken County students
Sept. 3- Labor Day
Karen Daily, a graduate of USC, has been the crime reporter at the Aiken Standard for seven years. She has reported here since 2001.![]()
Today is the first day of summer. Here are 10 helpful tidbits to keep in mind for the warmest season of the year.
It's finally here
The first day of summer begins today at 7:09 p.m.
The summer solstice depends on when the sun reaches its farthest point north of the equator. This occurs annually on June 20 or June 21 in North America, depending on the time zone.
From here on out, the days start to get shorter. The last day of summer is Sept. 21. Fall starts on Sept. 22 at 10:49 a.m.
Temps in Aiken
The highest shade temperature recorded in Aiken County was documented on Aug. 21, 1983, at 109 degrees, according to the S.C. State Climatology Office.
The average number of summer days in Aiken County reaching 90 degrees or over between June and August is 64 days.
The average number of summer days in Aiken County reaching 100 degrees or over between June and August is eight days.
The record number of 100-degree days for a summer in Aiken County is 25 days in 1986.
Sunscreen
Seek the shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside.
Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
Beach Blast
Aiken's Downtown Beach Blast returns to the city Thursday.
The Beach Blast features a transformation of the Newberry Street Festival Center into a beach, complete with sand, virtual beach scenes, a dance floor and beach music.
In addition, Aiken Horsepower will host a cruise-in that will kick off the Newberry Street activities at 5:30 p.m.
Dancing starts around 8:30 and lasts until 10 p.m.
Other businesses will be holding special activities to entice visitors to their location. The Aiken Center for the Arts will have a Gallery Opening that evening from 6 to 8 p.m.
Beat the heat
Heat exhaustion is one of the heat-related syndromes, ranging in severity from mild heat cramps to heat exhaustion to potentially life-threatening heatstroke, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion often begin suddenly, sometimes after excessive exercise, heavy perspiration and inadequate fluid or salt intake.
Signs and symptoms resemble those of shock and may include feeling faint or dizzy, nausea, heavy sweating, rapid and weak heartbeat, low blood pressure, cool, moist, pale skin, low-grade fever, heat cramps, headache, fatigue and dark-colored urine.
Call 911 or emergency medical help if the person's condition deteriorates, especially if fainting, confusion or seizures occur or if fever of 104 degrees or greater occurs with other symptoms.
Aiken County Farmers Market
Summertime at the Aiken Farmers Market offers some of the best produce around, just ask Colleen Reed, a known face at the market.
"Aiken County has the best corn in the state," she said.
Right now, the cantaloupe, blueberries, corn, watermelon, green beans, zucchini, yellow squash and peaches are in season.
"We got rain at the right time, and things are looking really good," she said.
Best market days are Tuesday mornings from 8 a.m. until noon and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. until after noon, but there are farmers there most Mondays through Saturdays.
The market is located at the corner of Williamsburg Street and Richland Avenue East.
Bugs
According to the Department of Health and Environmental Control, mosquito repellents that contain one of the following active ingredients typically provides reasonably long-lasting protection: DEET, picaridin oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535
Safety
Boating crashes often occur after dark when boaters fail to pay proper attention to the working condition of their lights. In the event that navigational lights fail, red, green and white glow sticks can help a boater return home.
For the second year, the Lake Murray Boat Club and West Marine are hosting the Light up the Lake safety program and providing the public with a free kit, which contains glow sticks, a whistle, a Department of Natural Resources safety handbook and a discount coupon for safety gear.
The kits will be available June 23 through July 4 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Lake Murray Boat Club, 1600 Marina Road in Irmo.
Offices will be closed June 25.
For more information, call (803) 407-2828.
Don't drink and drive or drink and boat, and use cation with fireworks.
Olympic Games
36 days to go until the London 2012 Olympics. The opening date is July 27, and the closing date is Aug. 12. For more information, visit www.london2012.com.
Key summer dates
July 4- Independence Day
Aug. 20- First day of school for Aiken County students
Sept. 3- Labor Day
Karen Daily, a graduate of USC, has been the crime reporter at the Aiken Standard for seven years. She has reported here since 2001.