The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is not only a feast for the eyes, it is also a smorgasbord for attendees with the variety and abundance of classes offered during the two week period. The theme of this year's show at the Tucson Convention Center is "Minerals of California" .
Experts will speak about California minerals and these lectures are for the true professional mineralogists and gemologists. This show begins Thursday, February 10 and runs through February 13. Doors open at 10 am. It is at this show that specimens from private collections and museums are exhibited, including minerals from the National Park Services, the Mineralogical Association of Canada, Flandreau Science Center from the University of Arizona in addition to hundreds of worldwide exhibitors.
American Gem Trade Associations hold their annual meetings at the Gem and Mineral Show and there are numerous by invitation only cocktail parties and dinners. This is a place where business is transacted for many of the associations.
The huge show book details classes available, when and where at each of the shows. Most of the classes carry a fee, but generally that is for the price of the kit being used.
Beginner instruction as well as ultra advanced instruction is available. The topics are diverse from beginner stringing for beads to "Off loom weaving and circular peyote stitch, intermediate level" for a crystal beads and buttons bracelet.
Technical sessions such such as forensic gemology and how to identify gemstones using gemological tools you can carry in your pocket are well attended.
Classes for gem and lapidary enthusiasts are available throughout the show. Lampwork Beads and Donuts, Macrame, Flameworking, as well as classes in cabochon pendants, and wire crochet necklaces are available for the novice and expert alike. All day workshops on beading which cover a myriad of methods are a favorite.
I think it would be grand to take three or four days and a bucket load of money and not be concerned about working or money; then take a week's worth of classes starting from the baby beginner class in some aspect of jewelry making, practicing throughout the week until I could create a piece of jewelry which is more than passable. I would then take another bucket load of money and run unbridled throughout the shows, pondering the selections, picking and choosing my colors, facets, and designs for my grand masterpiece which would culminates the week's "education".
Resources:
http://www.tgms.org/2011show.htm
The sun is glinting off of the huge mesquite and eucalyptus trees providing little lacy patterns against the azure sky. It's a perfect day for combing the Gem and Mineral Show, temps about 72 degrees, warm enough to wander about without a cumbersome jacket, and comfortable enough to want to stay for hours.
The frontage road which parallels I-10 is awash in all types of vendors from throughout the world. They arrive with huge trunks and crates of goods and spend days setting up their displays. After all, this is the largest Gem and Mineral Show in the world, emulated by many.
It's history is fascinating, a dream of a small group of mineral and rock enthusiasts. They got together for an exhibition which was free to the public, and the rest is history!
Arizona is a state famous for its minerals, most particularly, copper. But the mountains of the Grand Canyon State have yielded silver and gold, and turquoise-the minerals most often depicted in the Old Wild West movies because of their assumed value. Those of us from Arizona know of the Bisbee mines and the Morenci mines because of the employment they provide for miners, and we hear of other mines because of the controversy environmentally by groups which oppose them.
But the lands of Tucson have yielded blue azurite from Ajo, a blue copper mineral which fades in the sunlight, and related to the verdent malachite. The red-yellow-orange colors Wulfenite from the Red Cloud Mine in La Paz County are a favorite of collectors because of the deep red color. Turquoise from Kingman has the greatest value and the Sleeping Beauty Mine in Globe is one of the world's most important producers of turquoise. Stunning quartz from New River and from Pima County, Vanadinite, with red hexagonal crystals is considered a secondary mineral. Used in jewelry and industry, these minerals not only radiate their own beauty, but have found usefulness in products we use daily.
This is an opportunity to see the minerals "up close and personal". The variety, colors, and shapes are astounding. There are minerals from all over the world, enjoy Tucson weather, wander and marvel!
Resources:
University of Arizona Mineral Museum
http://www.uamineralmuseum.org/
History of the Gem and Mineral Show Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau
http://www.visittucson.org/visitor/events/gemshow/history/
Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
http://www.tgms.org/2011show.htm
Minerals of the Sonora Desert Sonora Desert Museum
[gallery] Life is full of things we promise ourselves we are going to do, or promise others, and so is the case with George Zoritch to whom I promised a roast lamb dinner...and never delivered.
I first met the acclaimed ballet dancer after I had ordered "Ballet Russes" from Netflix. I watched it with fascination; the graceful movements of the participants of the Ballet Russes, and the difficulties they endured with long hours, low pay, but profound love for their craft. These were the days when people performed for the love of performing, not for exhorbitant salaries.
George was interviewed on the documentary and from the locale and his dialogue, I thought I knew where he lived. So checking sources, I found I was correct, less than a mile from my home.
With a friend, I excitedly went to purchase a huge bouquet of flowers ... as a thank you to this gentleman who had brought me pleasure just watching "Ballet Russes". And I realized what a magnificient career he had and the pleasure he has brought to thousands of others.
We approached the wrought iron gate and rang the bell, and some time later, a wiry gentleman appeared and I knew instinctively he was George Zoritch. Bewildered, he wondered why this woman and friend were standing at his gate with flowers and he graciously invited us in where we sat and chatted for a long period of time.
Regaling us with stories of his career, telling us he still did his exercises every morning in bed before he rises, talking about his days at the Unversity of Arizona, and his impressions of people with whom he danced, George enthralled us.
We looked at awards and memorabilia, and fixed the flowers in a vase for him. And he brought out his recording, "Ballet Mystique Behind the Glamour of the Ballet Russe" A Memoir by George Zoritch. It is "the piano music performed during the barre and centre exercises by Vladimir Kudryavtsev, the Concertmaster" of the Bolshoi Ballet, according to the accompanying insert. It also includes thirty one compositions by Semeon Gravilovitch Zoritch who "founded Classical Ballet at the Place in St. Petersburg Russia" according to another insert. This gentleman was George's Great Grandfather who founded Classical Ballet at the Palce in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The Premier Danseur was a protege of Mr. Leonide Massine, "who created 11 leading roles for him". As George told us stories, his eyes danced obviously in delightful memory. He talked about his relationship with George Balanchine, the leading ballerinas with whom he partnered, his life in Europe, and his coming to America and dancing here.
I saw George at the post office one day mailing his letters and we all remarked upon his photo stamp, a replica of the famous photo "Le Spectre de la Rose". Truly I am grateful the little Russian boy, born in Moscow in 1917, graced this world with the beauty of his movements and dance interpretations. We are all richer for this creatively unique life.
Resources: http://www.GeorgeZoritch.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballets_Russes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Zoritch
Videos of George Zoritch: http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=Geroge+Zoritch&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=xmf0SpmqFZSusgOi-s0R&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CBwQqwQwAw#
New York Times Obituary http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/subjects/d/deaths_obituaries/index.html
The new Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act (MDIA) promulgated by the federal government is not much of a change for lenders who were ethical and disclosed costs initially; but for those unscrupulous lenders who performed "bait and switch" during the home buying heyday, lamentations are rampant.
"The purpose of the new Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act is to insure buyers are fully aware of closing costs and interest rates which they will be charged on their mortgage loan," said Courtney Walker, Vice President of Nova Home Loans. "They don't get to the closing table and are surprised by the numbers", Walker continued.
Within three days of applying for a loan, a full cost disclosure must be given to the applicant. The cost disclosure must be given before any fees are collected, with the exception of any fee charged for pulling the consumer's credit report, according to the amendment to Regulation Z, Truth in Lending. Closing cannot take place for seven days unless specifically requested for an emergency.
In the heyday, reputable lenders provided cost estimate sheets for their clients with the closing costs and loan costs spelled out, including the interest rate. Good Realtors helped clients by providing clients with names of honest lenders and kept an eye on closing costs, making sure there were no pre payment penalties or other charges unless the client understood the terms of the loan.
This legislation comes as a result of the numbers of people who said they did not understand the terms of their loan and the loan costs, such as the option arm loans or the first 80% fixed rate loan with an adjustable rate for the second loan.
"The point of the MDIA is that whenever closing costs or interest rates change, the APR reflects these changes in the closing costs and interest rate." Walker gave the following example: A person is offered a fixed rate and the APR is stated, and then offered a 2% rate with a $10,000 up front charge. How does that person know which loan to choose? "How are they going to compare an apple with an orange? The APR will help do that", Walker said.
Under the new legislation, if the APR moves 1/8 of a point either up or down, the lender must redisclose to the client "to insure that the buyer is fully aware". The borrower must be given a reasonable amount of time to review the new numbers. "The buyer must receive, review and acknowledge in writing the new disclosure" and if the new numbers are not approved, then the buyer must change courses.
Escrow fees are included in the APR so it is important that the Title Company named in the buyer contract documents is not changed. Title companies in the Phoenix area charge different rates than the title companies here in Tucson. For people purchasing foreclosure or short sale properties, any costs the buyer pays, such as allowable seller closing costs, must be included in the APR.
If the market moves tremendously, and interest rates go down, redisclosure is mandated, even if to the borrower's advantage. Lenders cannot collect upfront fees from borrowers at the time of application. These include appraisal fees and lock in fees.
Lock in fees are relatively new and are similar to earnest money, Walker said. The purpose of up front lock in fees is because investors (of the loans which the borrower is applying) are beginning to penalize lenders for not delivering on loans for which borrowers apply. This is often due to borrowers shopping rates. "Time, money, and effort is put into getting a loan approved" Walker said, and the lock in fee shows good faith on the part of the borrower. The fee is remitted at the close of escrow as a credit on the closing statement.
The new requirements do not add time to the loan process, Walker said. "Nova underwrites locally, draws the docs locally, and funds from its own money," she added. "Even with FHA and VA loans, we have basically a 30 day turn around time".
Some lenders are recommending a 45 day closing time, so that if a contract is written August 1, closing should be stated September 15. A Realtor who works closely with the lender is your best advisor, knowing the turn around times of lenders is even more imporant, and it underscores the need to use local lenders.
Resources:
Nova Home Loans http://www.lancedickson.com
Federal Reserve Board Press Release
http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/press/bcreg/20090508a.htm
Federal Register: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11567.pdf
I posted this to my blog this morning: http://www.terrybishop.com/blog
Having been in the Tucson real estate market since 1993, I have counseled hundreds of buyers and sellers and welcome referrals. I earned my Certfied Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation.
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