Gem Crafters & Explorer's Club Bulletin, Las Cruces, NM

Affiliated with the AFMS and a member of the RMFMS

EL GAMBRISINO
April 2009 - Volume 51, Issue 4

Notes from the Previous Meeting:

Vice President Kathy Fuller opened the meeting promptly at 7 pm. Guests were introduced. Margaret & Jim Stack from Virginia were visiting the Frantz's. Several guests joined the club also; Lee Ann Brickson of Las Cruces, Chris & Jon Stewart from Michigan and Rick Schwardt from Florida. Kathy informed us that the meeting would be held after the Program this month. She then introduced Dr. David Richman, Curator of the Arthropod Museum at NMSU who along with Dr. Carol Sutherland gave talks titled "Not About Snakes! Arthropods that Bite or Sting". The talks ran well over our allotted time for the meeting room so there was no business conducted and the meeting was adjourned. The refreshments were hosted by Nancy Galloway and Clint Gill (and guests Jon and Chris Stewart who brought cookies), many thanks for all the goodies folks. Lee Attaway supplied me with Her Treasurers Report. We have $1,765 in checking and petty cash and she collected $42 in dues at the meeting. Rick Schwardt brought along a beautiful Agatized Coral Geode that he had recovered while diving in Florida. Mother Nature sure is something else, what wonders she produces. The program was so informative that I am using my notes and the handout as an article this month.

Mineral Meeting News:

The Mineral Meeting was cancelled this month.

Reminders & General Info:

There will be a regular meeting on the third Friday of the Month, April 17th, 6:30 for visiting, 7 PM meeting. It will be, as usual, at Breland Hall on the NMSU campus. We are privileged to have as our speaker Dr. Virgil Leuth who, I'm sure most of you know, is Senor Mineralogist/Economic Geologist and Curator of the Mineral Collection at NM Tech. Try not to miss this one as he not only is an expert on Minerals but is a most entertaining speaker. Refreshments to be hosted by Brenda Gadberry and Nancy and Doug McDonald.

Trips & Such:

There were no scheduled Field Trips this past month, I will give a short report on the Deming Rockhound Roundup which was held in March. The weather was normal for that time of year; some cool, some warm, some wind, some rain, some sun, some clouds. What can I say except that this is March in New Mexico. There were over 100 dealers this year three of which were members of our club. Tom Stramiello was selling his wonderful slabs (and yes, I bought another one); Jimmy Enos and wife Charlie (who we haven't seen at a meeting in some time) were set up selling the beautiful cabs that Jim cuts and polishes, some specimens and then the jewelry that Charlie makes using the rocks that Jim cuts; and new member Rick Schwardt with several tables of his Agatized Coral from Florida. The coral turned out to be one of the highlights of the Show as he sold out. If I left out any other members I apologize for my oversight. It was fun visiting with old friends that I seldom get to see. As usual my intended short visit turned out to be an all day affair. I had loads of fun, saw many beautiful minerals and rocks and hope that you all had a chance to attend and enjoy. Here are a couple of photos taken at the show.

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Rick Schwartz & his Fossilized Coral

Jack Shaver & Tom Stramiello

Valerie Peebles while out looking for arrowheads, etc. found a most interesting piece, one that every arrowhead hunter only dreams of finding. It was on the 24th of March, a beautiful sunny and breezy day (somewhere in New Mexico) and she picked up the bottom half of a Folsom point, very finely worked and fluted on both sides. It was grey in color, absolutely beautiful and, of course, extremely old. Way to go Val.

DID YOU KNOW? PEARLS IN TREES

Pearl formed by oysters or other calcite (calcium carbonate.) These are are those that grow on trees - Cocoa nut when the three holes, including the unable to escape, forms a valuable and carbonate of calcium.
VIA Indian Mounds Rock Club, Arrowhead News Apr. 07

mollusks are made of aragonite, a form of well known, but the most surprising pearls palms. A coconut pearl occurs inside the one that opens, are lacking. The embryo, highly esteemed pearl of the same COCONUT PEARL

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Mystery Location?
This month's Mystery Location was sent in by Joe Mork. It is well known locally and Club members have spent many happy hours there. This plate of fossils is typical of what is found at this site. Let's hear from you on this one. Email me your guesses. max4680@fastwave.biz

Last month's Mystery Location is the well known "Monticello Box". At the head of the canyon is the Hot Springs (towel) which warms the water that one must drive thru in the Box. The well know archeological site "Canada Alamosa" (history) is located in the canyon. While it is safe to drive thru most times of the year it is best to be avoided during Monsoon season or anytime there is a lot of rain in the Black Range. Apparently the vehicle in the photo was caught up in one of those infamous floods. Correct answers in order of receipt: Jannette Hale, & Cookie Saathoff. Lee Attaway, Eric Filler,

-When you see Apache sign, be keerful; n when you don see nary sign be more keerful. Joe Felmer; US Army Officer/ Scout
For Lexophiles (Lovers of words), via E-mail Forwards, Rockin Around Aug. 2007
1. A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired. 2. A will is a dead giveaway. 3. Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana. 4. A backward poet writes inverse. 5. In a democracy it's your vote that counts; in feudalism, it's your Count that votes. 6. A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion. 7. If you don't pay your exorcist you can get repossessed. 8. With her marriage she got a new name and a dress. 9. Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft and I'll show you A-flat miner.

10. When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds. 11. The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered. 12. A grenade fell on to a kitchen floor in France resulted in Linoleum Blownapart. 13. You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it. 14. Local Area Network in Australia: The LAN down under. 15. He broke into song because he couldn't find the key. 16. A calendar's days are numbered. 17. A lot of money is tainted: 'Taint yours, and 'taint mine. 18. A boiled egg is hard to beat.

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Articles of Interest:
"Following are excerpts from the March program":

"ARTHROPODS THAT BITE OR STING"

Dr. Richman pointing out one of his "pets". Dr. Richman started the program by describing Arthropods as joint legged creatures which includes Arachnids, insects, crustaceans, centipedes and millipedes. The Arachnids include the Spiders and Scorpions along with the Harvester ants, mites and ticks, etc. He went into some detail describing the differences between classes and such. We learned that while all spider bites are to be avoided there are only a small handful found in the United States that could be really considered dangerous and they belong to the genera Latrodectus (the Widow Spiders) and Loxosceles (the Violin Spiders). Of the five known species of the Widow Spiders only one is know in the western US and that is the Western Black Widow. However the Black Widow can be various colors; black, brown, burgundy, plum, etc. and may retain parts of immature color patternwhite markings, red dots or even canary-yellow spots with white edges. The common Hour-glass mark varies from complete to nearly absent. So much for a common ID. There have been NO deaths reported in the past 20 years. Complete recovery within two days to a week is the usual result of a bite. There are eleven know species of the six-eyed Violins. The native species occurring in New Mexico include the Brown Recluse, Apache Violin Spider and the Bland Violin. The effects of the Violin bites are: Often little or no pain from the bite itself. Pain and local swelling at site of bite within a few hours. Necrosis (tissue destruction). This may be extensive if bacteria are involved. Scab drops off in two to five weeks leaving a slow-healing lesion which sometimes requires plastic surgery. However, there

are many other conditions that mimic this spider bite. These include: Bacterial infections, fungal infections, Lyme disease, and the primary sore of syphilis. Please heed this warning: See a doctor if a violin spider bite is suspected. It is wise to make sure the other possibilities are checked out if you lack the spider (a common problem). Dr. Richman also warned of "coming attractions". The Hobo Spider and the Brown Widows are slowing making their way toward the Southwest and may show up at any time. These are large brownish spiders with chevron markings on the abdomen and are very fast-moving. Mentioned were some others mistakenly thought to be dangerous: the Squint-eyed Spider, The Southern House Spider, the Wolf Spider, Tarantula and the Cat-Faced Spiders. Scorpions were discussed at length. They sting with their tails. painful but not dangerous. At least the ones in the US. There are some Arachnids confused with Scorpions. These are the Giant Whipscorpions or Vinegaroons which can spray you with a mix of acids smelling like vinegar. The Pseudoscorpions lack a tail and are generally tiny. The Solpudids also called Sun Spiders, Wind Scorpions or Camel spiders (larger ones can bite but have no venom). Desert Centipedes are predatory arthropods with elongated, flattened bodes, venomous claws near the mouth and one pair of legs per segment. The "bite" is very painful, but seldom results in serious symptoms. The Millipedes lack venomous claws, are plant-feeders and are cylindrical with two pairs of legs per segment. At this point Dr. Richman turned the program over to Dr. Carol Sutherland who spoke on the Biting and Stinging Insects. She is a very entertaining speaker and knows her subject well also. She informed us that Insects are Arthropods with three body parts and six legs and adults are often winged. Ants, Bees and Wasps are venomous, as are some bugs and the caterpillars of some moths. Some bites and stings, even if not venomous, can produce allergic reactions. . True bugs (order Hemiptera) include several families that contain biting species. Some are venomous, but the bite, while painful, is seldom serious. Venomous bugs include the Giant Water Bugs, Backswimmers, the Assassin Bugs, as well as the parasitic Bed Bugs which are blood suckers, are tiny, smell bad and are hard to eradicate. (After listening to the Drs. description of how one can pick them up so easily I will probably never want to stay in another Motel). ugh! Kissing Bugs can transmit Chagas Disease which is passed on through the bug's feces being scratched into the bite. Their bite can also cause severe allergic reaction. Then we have more blood suckers; the lice and fleas. In the Southwest some fleas, in addition to

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irritation and allergic responses, can transmit Plague, an often fatal disease. Some spiny caterpillars, namely the Saddleback and the Io Moth Caterpillars (Order Lepidoptera) have venomous spines. The effects are startling and can cause allergic reactions as well as the pain of the sting. They are generally not serious. The biting flies are two-winged as adults. These are among the most dangerous of insects, especially Mosquitoes, as they transmit numerous diseases of man and other animals, including malaria, dengue, West Nile virus, equine encephalitis (several forms), etc. The ants are truly social usually with one queen to a colony, although some can have multiple queens. Fire Ants and Harvester Ants sting. Harvester Ant venom is one of the most toxic known. Carpenter ants and their relatives lack stings and bite instead, then spray formic acid into the wound. None are known to produce diseases but allergic reactions are common. Honey Bees, Bumble Bees, and Carpenter Bees can all sting. Africanized honey bees are a danger because of their aggressive tendencies and the large sizes of established colonies. Interesting fact is that Honey Bee workers die when they sting, but you can have up to 20,000 workers attack. Queen bees do not die when they sting. It is best to avoid Honey Bee colonies, domestic or wild. It is almost impossible to tell the native and the Africanized bees apart. The Wasps vary quite a bit in biology but they all sting readily and can cause sever reactions, especially if multiple stings are involved. The Paper Wasps, Hornets, and Yellow Jackets are social insects. The Velvet Ants and Tarantula Hawks have very potent venoms.

They were fascinating talks, both excellent speakers and informative and entertaining. (I learned more than I ever wanted to know about Bed Bugs however)

Summer Safety Tips

Just reminders as we are about to kick off the hot summer season here. Take heed and enjoy our sunny clime! Studies show that more than a million cases of the most common forms of skin cancer are diagnosed each year, and that even a few serious sunburns can increase your risk of getting skin cancer. You can protect yourself during the time of day when the sun's UV (ultraviolet) rays are strongest - between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. - by wearing long sleeves and pants, and by applying sunscreen and a protective lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher. Be sure to reapply frequently especially after swimming. Heat exposure caused 8,015 deaths in the United States from 1979-1999. Most heatrelated deaths occur in the hot summer months, and the elderly, the very young and people with chronic health problems are most at risk. Because even healthy people can fall victim to summer heat, take the following precautions to reduce your risk: Drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic beverages. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that is light in color. Reduce strenuous activities or do them during the cooler parts of the day. Wear a wide brim hat.
From the CDC website via Beehive-Buzzer July 2007

Dr. David Richman & Dr. Carol Sutherland

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Upcoming Show Dates:

Apr. 3-5 Apr. 11-12 Apr. 17-19 Apr. 24-26 Apr. 25-26 St. Petersburg, FL: 31st Show; Frank Cox Productions: The Coliseum, Gems, jewelry, beads. Contact www.frankcoxproductions.com (941) 954-0202 Abilene, TX: Central Texas Gem & Mineral Society, Abilene Civic Center. Admission $3. Contact Sallie Lightfoot (325)692-4642. www.txol.net/rockclub Roseville, MI: "Crystal Reflections", Mt. Clemens Gem & Lapidary Society. Roseville Recreation Center. Adults $3. Contact Ron Rofle (586) 726-1578. www.orgsites.com/mi/michigan-club/index Denver, CO: Colorado Mineral & Fossil Show-Spring. Martin Zinn Expositions at Holiday Inn Central. 80 dealers, free admission. www.mzexpos.com Franklin, NJ: 37th Annual Show & Swap. NJ Earth Sciences Assoc. Adult's $5. Contact Sterling Hill Mineral Museum (973)209-7212

Buena Vista, CO: Continental Tailgate at the Rodeo Grounds, outdoor show. Free admission. (303)833-2939 or (720)938-4194. www.coloradorocks.org Aug. 29-Sept. 7 Apache Creek, NM: "Agate Rendezvous 2009", an Inter-federation Campout & Field trip Event. Please RSVP by Aug. 24th. Contact Yonis Lone Eagle, RMFMS Vice Pres. at 505-860-2455 or rockymountainrockhounds@yahoo.com
For further information or shows please www.rockngem.com

Aug. 6-9

Thought for the Day: There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won't anymore, and who always will. So, don't worry about people from your past, there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.

The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin'. Mark Twain

MEETING NOTICE Submitted by LeRoy Unglaub The Doa Ana Archaeological Society will meet at 7 PM Tuesday, 14 April 2009, at the Good Samaritan Auditorium, 3011 Buena Vida Circle, Las Cruces. Marglyph Berrier, an avocational rock art researcher, will give a PowerPoint program titled Dont Call Me Tlaloc. She will examine the distribution and theory related to the goggle-eyed images found in JornadaMogollon rock art often called Tlaloc. The meeting is free and open to the public. Info: 575-524-9497.

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Info for the Newsletter:

If you have information, articles, pictures or a website related to gem crafting, rock collecting or exploring and would like to share please give a call or email me at max4680@fastwave.biz. If you have a good idea or story to tell I will be more than happy to help you write it up. Also if you have minerals, outdoor or camping equipment, etc. that you would like to sell please let me know for the "Classifieds."

Gemcrafters & Explorers Club, P.O. Box 3091, Las Cruces, NM 88003
Member of: American Federation of Mineralogical Societies: www.amfed.org Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies: www.rmfms.org Blue Ribbon Coalition: www.sharetrails.org

2009 OFFICERS:
President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Refreshments Historian Programs Newsletter Dave Smith Kathy Fuller Lee Attaway Susan Banning Pat Mauer Don Saathoff Eric Fuller Maxine Wyman 521-3103 524-0204 523-4017 532-9612 526-4939 382-3464 524-0204 649-4900 joandaves@msn.com kathyf@nmsu.edu leeretired@comcast.net skstauffer@aol.com mpmauer@comcast.net auagte2@comcast.net ghosthiker@gmail.com max4680@fastwave.biz

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"EL Gambrisino"

Volume 51, Issue 3

March 2009

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