Education Through Sharing
By Loretta Ogden, Chair
Loretta Ogden thanks all the clubs for their nominees.
Stockton Lapidary & Mineral Club recognizes Joyce Whitney, a club member for 30 Years!
The way for clubs to prosper is to have members like Joyce Whitney. She has served our club well for 30 years, holding every office at least twice with the exception that of Treasurer. For 12 years she was the club's bulletin editor winning both CFMS and AFMS awards. There is not a committee that she has not chaired or served on, many times over. At this time, she is on the Board of Directors and is still very active.
With all her accomplishments in every phase of the lapidary arts, silversmithing, etc, there is one aspect she did not attempt, and that is faceting. That was her late husband, Al's, forte. Their basement served as the weekly meeting place for the faceting classes with as many as 12 to 15 members at a time. Besides a huge amount of her time, she has generously donated equipment, tools, slabs, rocks, faceting rough and much too much more to mention.
High energy keeps her going with the many organizations that she belongs to besides the Stockton Lapidary & Mineral Club, Northern California Faceter's Guild (both of which she is a life member) and Ye Old Timers. All clubs would benefit by having someone like Joyce as a member. Our club sure has and we appreciate and thank her for all she has done.
Submitted by: Laurie Haines
The Pasadena Lapidary Society voted unanimously at their October general meeting to honor Ivan and Dot Grieve as the society's choice of Rockhound Couple of the year 2004.
In the forty plus years of membership they have served diligently in chairing numerous committees, projecting the tradition and essence of the lapidary arts.
Ivan, with his specialty of machinist, not only produced metal objects to keep club equipment running also served as back-up support to other club members solving mechanical breakdowns on field trips. Ivan set up the assembly line to produce 1500 grab bags each year for the club show. The procedure started with the breaking of large rocks to small pieces, filling boxes on long tables with various rock samples so grab bags could be filled efficiently.
Dot and Ivan both demonstrated lapidary techniques at the club shows over the years. In addition they supported the club's participation as the primary organizer of the Gem and Mineral part of the annual Los Angeles County Fair.
Dot served as club kitchen chair for a number of years, has been responsible for assembling the ingredients of the famous chili for members to prepare for the show and been club historian since the early seventies.
Ivan and Dot have been "there" for the club throughout the decades by their dedication and devotion to club activities and club members. It is with great pleasure that the club members honor them as the Rockbound Couple of 2004.
From: Vern Cliffe, Federation Director
Carmichael Gem & Mineral Society would like to honor Corrine Byers as our "Rockhound of the year". Corrine has been very active in our club almost since her first meeting. She served as our editor for several years. Now she is our Vice President. She has arranged for several very good speakers and special programs. Our attendance has grown with these great programs.
Corrine is a very talented artist and has generously shared her creative talents with our club. She has presented programs on bead stringing and other jewelry techniques. She also has arranged and displayed a club case for us at several local shows.
We are very proud to have Corrine in our club and which to acknowledge and thank her for all her hard work.
Debbie Bunn; President CGMS
Fossils For Fun would like to honor Don Tadlock as our "Rockhound of the year". Almost since his first meeting, Don has been actively involved in all our activities. He brings refreshments to every meeting and is known as the `cookie man".
As our Vice President, Don has been responsible for arranging some really good speakers and other types of programs. He's always there when we need him. He hosts our Board meetings, and twice--when we could not hold our educational meetings at our regular site--Don had the entire club meet at his house.
Don displays his wonderful fossils at several of our local shows, and is usually seen at any local rockhound event supporting other local clubs.
We are very lucky to have such an active member as Don,
and want to acknowledge and thank him for all his hard work.
Debbie Bunn, President, Fossils For Fun
PLAC Needs Your Help
By Frank Monez, PLAC-North
We need your help on the Public Lands Advisory Committees (PLAC - North and PLAC - South). The need is for additional Committee members to review various government (Federal, State, and local) actions affecting public lands. Ideally, we can have committee members coming from CFMS societies located in close proximity to BLM, and other federal and state offices, publishing a variety of documents that pertain to environmental impact statements, related scoping documents, access to wilderness areas, access to areas that may become wilderness, and other plans and programs relating to roads and public lands.
Ideally, each of these published documents should be reviewed, by one or more members of PLAC, with the results of the review reported to the CFMS membership. The Government agencies often have local meetings to review the plans and documents with the public, and receive comments and suggestions from the users that have an interest in the areas under discussion. It is these areas that the concerns of our members require consideration by those that generate the documents.
The PLAC Committee members are urged to attend the government sponsored meetings, held in their local area, as a member of CFMS, and can identify their membership in other clubs and societies having an interest in the meeting's agenda. They will be urged to actively participate in discussions of the documents, take notes, and provide comments (if appropriate). After each meeting, the PLAC members will keep the respective PLAC chair informed as to status, potential affects on our hobby, and possible action that can be taken by CFMS members. The PLAC Chairs, and/or the reviewing members, will consolidate the individual reports for inclusion in upcoming CFMS Newsletters.
Appointment to the PLAC is based on a recommendation by the president of the member's society. The recommendations are to be sent to the incoming CFMS President, Marion Roberts mvroberts@bigvalley.net, for review and approval. The CFMS President will then make the appointments to the PLAC Committee. (It is desirable the recommended committee members have access to the Internet for rapid communications).
The following is a description of the "Public Lands Advisory Committee", what it does, what it is, and its general responsibilities.
What PLAC Does - Provide information to the Bureau of Land Management and other government agencies and attend meetings in an effort to keep public lands and forestry lands open for educational and recreational use.
The Committee - The committees (North and South) are composed of a chairman appointed by CFMS President and Executive Committee, and committee members located around the state, close to centers of BLM activity to assure attendance at meetings and minimize travel expenses.
General Responsibilities
- Become familiar with the BLM and other agency programs in the administration of public lands.
- Become familiar with the aims and desires of other usage groups.
- Assist in the development of public policy so that educational and recreational rock and mineral areas may be open to the public.
- Collect data necessary to show CFMS usage of particular collecting areas and keep agencies advised.
- Attend meetings scheduled by BLM and other Government agencies. Give information as needed and follow actions taken by the agencies..
- Keep informed of pending legislation which may affect status of public lands.
Safety Report
By Chuck McKee, CFMS Safety Chair
From the Fairfield, CA, Northbay Wellspring Newsletter Spring 2000
They say you are what you eat. But it goes without saying you may also be what you don't eat. So please take a few moments to read this, it may help you to improve your life assuming you also consult your doctor and heed his advice.
Yes, You Really Can Have "Iron Poor Blood"
If you frequently feel fatigued and have trouble concentrating, you may not have enough iron in your diet, and you could be anemic.
Anemia is a condition in which circulating red blood cells, hemoglobin or the volume of packed red blood cells are reduced. Symptoms of anemia include pale skin and fingernail beds, weakness, vertigo and headaches.
Fairfield California's North Bay Healthcare Clinical Dietitian Kathleen Shafer says, "Iron deficient anemia seems to be the most common type and is often a result of chronic blood loss." Shafer says women are at greater risk for iron deficiency than men are. "They need almost twice as much iron each day. Iron deficiency can also lead to suppressed immunity, which increases susceptibility to infections and disease."
"Premenopausal women should eat several servings each day of foods rich in iron, including dark green, leafy vegetables, legumes, and prunes. Extra-lean meat is a good source of iron since it contains a type of iron called 'heme' iron that is well-absorbed."
Shafer also suggests the following high-iron diet guidelines:
- Include at least four iron rich foods per day in your meal plan. Good sources of iron are spinach, peas, and legumes, liver, beef, instant breakfast mix, shrimp, clams, oysters and tofu.
- Include a food or beverage high in Vitamin C at every meal to increase iron absorption like citrus fruits and juices, strawberries, cantaloupe, mango, kiwi fruit, cabbage, tomatoes, green pepper, broccoli, brussel sprouts.
- Select cereals, breads and pasta products with labels that read "whole grain, enriched, fortified or essential vitamins and minerals added."
- If your doctor advises you to take an iron supplement, take it with food or beverage high in Vitamin C.
- Avoid drinking tea or coffee with meals. They can decrease iron absorption. ·
Bad Nutrition Can Open The Door To Cancer.
Eat To Protect Your Eyes - Adding anti-oxidants to your diet may help prevent cataracts. Eat plenty of citrus fruits, tomatoes, orange and yellow-green vegetables, potatoes, cabbage and onions.
At least 35 percent of all cancers are nutritionally linked, according to the National Cancer Institute. Your diet is second only to smoking as the most important risk factor you can control.
Kathleen Shafer suggests a varied diet to reduce your cancer risk. "The recommendation is to eat five servings of fruit or vegetables daily and to lean toward foods that are high in fiber such as whole grains. Vitamins should be considered a supplement to a healthy diet and not a substitution. A pill can't give you all the nutrients that a well-balanced diet can." Shafer also suggests people limit their intake of cured meats, hot dogs, bacon, and high-fat and fried foods. "You don't need to stay away from red meat, just choose leaner cuts."
The American Cancer Society offers these nutritional guidelines.
- Limit intake of high-fat foods, particularly from animal sources. Studies show people who eat a high-fat diet have increased rates of cancers of the colon and rectum, prostate, and endometrium. People who eat a high-fat diet are often heavier and tend to eat fewer fruits and vegetables, which also increases the risk of cancer.
- Eat your fruits and vegetables. Many studies show that increased consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains reduces the risk for cancers of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Plant foods contain beneficial vitamins, minerals, fibers and other cancer protective substances such as carotenoids, flavonoids, terpenes, sterols, indoles and phenols.
- Be physically active and maintain a healthy weight. By controlling your weight, you can reduce the risk of cancers of the colon, rectum, prostate, endometrium, and kidney. Through its effects on hormone levels, physical activity may reduce risk of prostate and breast cancers. Physical activity also stimulates bowel movement, reducing the time that the bowel may be exposed to harmful substances thereby lowering the risk of colon cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends being physically active for 30 minutes or more on most days of the week.
- Limit consumption of alcohol. Cancer risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. Your risk may start to rise with as few as two drinks a day. Studies indicate that even a few drinks per week increase the risk for breast cancer. A drink is defined as 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces of 80 proof spirits.
Seniors Need Fewer Calories But More Nutrients
While nutrition is important at any age, following a healthy diet when you are in your 60s or older is an even more important factor in maintaining or improving your health.
"Your metabolic rate slows down as you age and your caloric needs decrease by 25 percent," according to Sheila DiGasper, a North bay Health care registered dietitian who counsels geriatric patients. "However, even though seniors' needs are lower, surveys show that a fourth of those over age 65 still become malnourished."
While the quantity of food needed by seniors is less, nutritional needs may actually increase according to a recent study. Nutrition can play a pivotal role in helping older Americans maintain strong immune systems and control chronic diseases.
"Eating daily from the five food groups is the best way to stay healthy," DiGasper says. "Seniors need to eat fewer high calorie foods and more foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber. While seniors need a multi-vitamin pill and calcium supplement, it's a mistake to think taking a vitamin pill can make up for a poor diet."
Many older people have difficulty eating well for reasons that have little to do with their knowledge of nutrition. For example, losing teeth may prevent a senior from eating a lot of fiber and fruits because he or she can't chew well. If vision is impaired, a senior may not eat what he or she can't see. Strokes can affect a person's ability to swallow and arthritis can make it hard to cook. Some medications can affect a senior's appetite or alter foods' taste or smell.
Living on a fixed income can also influence diet, according to DiGasper, because less nutritious food is cheaper.
"I have seniors tell me they live on McDonald's 29-cent hamburgers, and I advise them that this is not good nutrition," she says.
Altered mental health can also impair nutrition. A person suffering from depression is less likely to have a good
appetite, and those with dementia often can't remember to eat regularly. Those who live alone may not eat enough simply because they tire of eating alone.
Dehydration is another condition that can affect senior's nutrition and health. As people age they lose their sense of thirst. A loss of liquid can lead to constipation and an extra strain on kidneys.
"Fluids are at the very bottom of the food guide pyramid for older adults," DiGasper adds. "Drink eight glasses of fluid a day, counting water, soups, decaf coffee and tea, and other decaffeinated drinks."
There are several warning signs to indicate a senior is malnourished. The most obvious one is a decrease in weight. The person may seem weak and feel tired. Vitamin deficiencies can show up as dry, scaly skin, mouth and skin sores, and a swollen, red tongue.
Unfortunately, many of these symptoms can be attributed to other diseases and it is hard to associate these symptoms with an actual deficiency without running medical tests.
"It's never too late to turn your diet around," DiGasper says. "If you think your diet, or the diet of a senior you know, could be improved, talk to your doctor or consult a dietitian."
History of Future Rockhounds of America
By Jim Brace-Thompson, AFMS Juniors Activities Chair:
Join Future Rockhounds of America
Rockhound clubs throughout the regional Federations have supported youth groups for many years. Most clubs have always had young members but often didn't know what sorts of activities to provide for them. Consequently many youth fell through the cracks.
We're sure no one would argue the fact that we need to ensure the future of our hobby by encouraging our youth. Knowing this, under the direction of AFMS President Bill Cox in 1984, a committee was added to the AFMS called "Junior Clubs." Bill coined the name "Future Rockhounds of America" and designed a certificate to be given to junior clubs becoming members of FRA. It gives pebble pups and juniors the distinction of belonging to something worthwhile.
The only requirement for obtaining FRA membership is to be organized and sponsored by a regional Federation club (although exceptions can be made). There are no dues to pay to the AFMS for being a member.
Starting in Fall 2004, Juniors Activities Chair Jim Brace-Thompson developed a free "merit badge" program of guided activities to provide youth leaders with over 50 individual activities in 9 areas: rocks and minerals, earth resources, fossils, lapidary arts, collecting, showmanship, communication, field trips, and leadership. Kids can earn badges in each area. Those earning a minimum of 6 of the 9 badges earn a "Rockhound" badge as a mark of accomplishment and distinction. Details of the program may be found on the "Kids Corner" section of the AFMS web site: www.amfed.org.
HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE AFMS YOUTH PROGRAM, FUTURE ROCKHOUNDS OF AMERICA? All you need is a group of kids, a sponsor, a name, and an application to FRA!
REQUIREMENTS:
- Your group must be a member of your regional Federation, either through a sponsoring club or through an independent application into your local Federation.
- The number of youth is not important: you can have as few as 2 and as many as you can handle.
- Age: Any kids up to the age of 18.
Just fill out the application Click Here , or contact your local Federation Juniors Chair or check out the "Kids Corner" of the AFMS web site (www.amfed.org).
Earth Science Seminars
By Cal Clason, Chair
Another year of successful Seminars has passed. Several things I had hoped to institute didn't pan out; but it won't keep us from revisiting them at a future date. Unfortunately it was necessary to cancel the proposed seminar at Big Pine from a lack of applications; but with the support of the Bishop and Lone Pine Clubs we are going to approach it from a different viewpoint so it may yet happen in the near future. A big thanks to Francis and Francee Pedneau for doing the negotiations and leg work to accomplish it. Another area we addressed was extending the spring seminar at Zzyzx to two weeks; but when the request was made to the Desert Studies Consortium it was denied. Apparently the Universities are attracting more students, who use the Center and Spring is the most popular time. We were offered other dates; but felt that the weather would be very questionable so declined to go that route. So for the present it will remain as it is.
Over the past year both Zzyzx and Camp Paradise were adequate and successful. Although our attendance for the second week at Camp Paradise was quite low, thanks to the generosity of staff members and instructors we were able to meet all the expenses.
According to the evaluation sheets, E-mail and letters received, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and learn some new things to hopefully share with their club affliates. I guess if you can equate success with satisfaction, we were successful.
The year of 2005 will be the twentieth anniversary of seminars being held at Zzyzx. Strangely many of the folks who were there in 1986 still show an interest in the seminars. We are planning something of a celebration to commemorate the 20th year. On Saturday April 9th we will hold an Open House. If you have wondered about Zzyzx, this is a good opportunity to satisfy your curiosity. There will be a guided tour of the facility delving into the Past, Present and Future of the Desert Studies Center. The students and instructors will be displaying their accomplishments and explaining their area of interest. We will serve a Barbecued Dinner about 3:00 p.m. featuring steak or chicken with all the trimmings. Elsewhere in this Newsletter is a registration form that must be completed prior to March 15, 2005 in order to have sufficient food in the proper amounts prior to the event. Transportation and storage contributing to this. The nearest markets handling food in quantities are about 80 miles away, so we can't run down to the corner market.
Another change being made is to revamp the Application Forms. I hear rumors that registration for the seminars is for a selected or privileged group of people and trying to register for the first time is almost impossible. This is not the case. Registration is done as the applications are received in so long as there is space available. In view of the fact that we have a limited number of rooms and dorms a selective process must be used to fill them to capacity. R.V spaces are ordinarily available. I have consistently urged early registration to ensure a reservation. We release the applications to the Newsletter and the web page at the same time; but have no control of whether or not the applications are brought to the attention of the individual club members. The new application forms should be available in April 2005.
