Intellectual Nourishment

The nice part about living in a small town is that when you don't know what you are doing, someone else does.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Intellectual Nourishment

Courage is not the absence of fear--it is the determination to push past the fear to do what is right._R. Campbell

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Rare meteorite, found in Utah, now on display at UGS

Quoted from Utah Geological Survey
Geologist Don Adair found the Gunlock Meteorite, so named because it was found near the town of Gunlock in southern Utah, on June 22, 1982. "The black meteorite stood out like a big bandage on a sore thumb." He found the rock on a slope of contrasting light-gray-colored limestone. He also found a smaller piece about 50 yards away that fit together with the first, indicating that the space rock broke probably on impact.
Mr. Adair, a semi-retired consulting geologist from Boise, Idaho, sawed the large meteorite in half. One half has been residing at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the other half with Mr. Adair. Recently, Mr. Adair decided that his half should be displayed in Utah and he donated the 18-pound specimen to the Utah Geological Survey.
The Gunlock Meteorite is only one of 18 known meteorite finds in Utah and one of 1,512 officially named meteorites in the U.S., making it an extremely rare and valuable find. Meteorites are valuable because they are among the only specimens we have on Earth from asteroids, comets, and other planets in the solar system.
The Gunlock Meteorite, which originated from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, is a chondrite - a particular group of stony meteorites that derives its name from the Greek word for "seeds."
To see the complete article, go to http://geology.com/news/2008/utahs-gunlock-meteorite.shtml

Lost in Definition

By Rachel Campbell
Water operator, Judy Leavitt, reported in May's meeting of the GSSD that two valves on the lines needed attention. The board voted to have Jay Leavitt fix the problem. After Leavitt left, the meeting was delayed when a disagreement over the definition of conflict of interest was brought to light.
On a brighter note, Director Heaton reported that the town might be able to stop chlorinating the water because recent water tests have passed inspection. She also reported on the progress of the park renovation and was optimistic about playground equipment.

Fuel Prices Escalating

By Sara Laub
I am sure I am not the only one noticing and being effected by the fuel prices. As the fuel increases, it is creating a domino effect, increasing food and other product prices as well. To think, fuel was only $1.00/gal seven years ago. Some people guess it will top out around $5.00/gal. It would seem more equitable if our wages went up with the inflation of fuel, but there have been no hints of that happening yet.
So we come to the question of how will we survive? What do we sacrifice to pay for the increase in fuel? Many people were sacrificing before fuel went up and others see it only as a nuisance. Our society is dependant on getting around town to meet our needs, so restaurants, movie theaters, and other sources of entertainment may take a cut in our budget as one method to cope. In honesty, where there is a will, there is a way to carry on paying for fuel.
Is there a way to decrease fuel prices? There are options, like using our country’s oil wells and drilling more, and petitioning our voice. There have been claims that our country is saving their natural resources for times of crisis, and now could be that time. Whatever happens, something has to give to make our economy function where it needs to be, or we will all learn to cope with our individual pocketbooks.
If you have comments or suggestions about this issue or any other issue, feel free to write in and we will put it in next month’s newsletter.

Get Up and Go

By Judy Leavitt
Southwest Circle Day Trip. Itinerary/Directions: (St. George), I-15, 9, 59/389, Pipe Springs N.M.,(Fredonia), 89, (Kanab), 89, Moqui Caves, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, 89, (Mount Carmel Junction), 9, Zion N.P., 9, I-15, (home)

Pack a picnic in the cooler and get an early start. First stop is Pipe Springs which, like Gunlock, was named after Bill Hamblin. Fortunately, it was National Junior Ranger Day, so the ranger had a special hour long tour just for kids of all ages.
As he began, he took a leaf from a yucca plant and gently pounded it with a round stone. It turned dark green and the fibers separated into strings. He pulled them apart, giving everyone a handful. He demonstrated how to twist two sections of the strings, then twist them against each other, making a very strong rope. As we worked our way around the grounds, we would periodically dip our rope into water, keeping it supple. When we finished, and it dried, it became very tight.
After touring through Winsor Castle and the other buildings, we watched a film presentation, and checked out the museum. There are hands on items for the kids, and we enjoyed visiting with the animals that lived there.
We headed out through Fredonia and Kanab. Although touring the movie sets and seeing Hollywood memorabilia in Kanab is fun, we were anxious to get to Moqui Caves, which is about five more miles down the road. Hours are 10am-5pm. Admission is $4.50 for adults, $3 for teens, and $2.50 for ages 2-12. This is a neat place to visit.
The drive through Angels Canyon to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is beautiful, and you can take an hour long tour through the grounds. They close at 5 pm.
The dunes can be accessed in about 15 minutes from two points off Hwy 89. Day use fee is $6 per carload. We had fun running up and down the dunes, and burying each other in the sand. There are nice picnic and camping spots, with showers and restrooms, and a shaded observation deck overlooking the biggest dunes. Pets are o.k. if kept on a leash.
Zion National Park is a favorite destination. We watched the sun set as we drove through the tunnels and down the switchbacks.
We had a great day. This trip is highly recommended!

A Woman's Guide to Father's Day

By Rachel Campbell
As promised, the column this month has been dedicated to helping women find that perfect gift for the special men in their life as they honor them on Father's Day. At Sears, the aisles are packed with women wanting to know exactly what a breaker bar is. Ladies, lets face it; unless you have worked in the industry or as a mechanic of some sort, most of us couldn't tell an end wrench from a crescent wrench. Well, here are a few ideas to get for that special man... and not be embarrassed on the hardware aisle.
1. Give him an experience. Find a past time that he enjoys or might like to try and get him a lesson, i.e. at the Las Vegas Raceway, they have the Richard Petty experience where your man can go and learn how to race a Stock car.
2. Gift Certificates. A cop out, really, but what better to have when he leaves with his buddies on that shooting trip and forgot the ammo... again...
3. Give him something that makes him glad that he's a Father. A sentimental shirt, mug, tie, socks, a poem the kids wrote... use your imagination.
There you have it, ladies, three ideas for you to mull around in your heads. Hopefully this will spark your creative energies so that you will be able to find that perfect gift.

State Capitals: Nebraska-Whyoming


Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Gunlock July Town Events

June 5: Water Board Meeting at 7:00pm
June 12: Fire Meeting at the Fire House at 7:00pm
June 15: Father's Day
Keep your eyes open for community cleanup for the rodeo grounds.
The Jacob Mica Truman Reunion will be held in Salt Lake City-1250 E Murrary Road (4800 so) Aug 2, 2008. (Submitted by Mary Ellen Strong)