Richard Alan

harborgoldsmith@comcast.net

I mentioned in my last article that going back to basics just wasn’t working in this economy. But here on Marco Island or Southwest Florida, for that matter, the love of basic sea life jewelry hasn’t wavered. (No pun intended.)

Silver and Gold crab nestled in coral.

The love of the ocean is why people flock here. Those who visit for the first time are amazed by the beauty of the beaches and the joy of living life by the shore. Personally, I was astounded by the abundant fish and wildlife that the Ten Thousand Islands offer.

My first years here were spent on the beach sketching ocean scenes and the critters that dwell there, and I kept coming up with ideas and designs that could be created into unique but wearable jewelry.

That was 18 years ago, and many of the hundreds of sketches and designs became reality, The most popular is my now famous ‘Marco Bracelet’ consisting of kissing dolphins in two tone precious metal.

Dolphins have always fascinated me and when recreated in gold or silver or combinations of both, sales were huge for these most loved sea creatures.

I don’t leave out the other wondrous and seemingly endless sea life. Some years, manatee jewelry is number one, other years, it’s the pelican. One constant seller, year in and out, is the sand dollar.

I create pieces in gold or silver and the ladies enjoy them as rings, earrings, pendants, charms, bracelets, anklets and even belly button rings!

The simplest designs are created by Mother Nature. The lines are clean and easy on the eyes.

Beside my own designs, I am privileged to carry sea life jewelry lines from other designers such as Denny Wong from Hawaii and Steven Douglas, a California artisan.

My most prolific line is Kabana Jewelry. They are an American Company that has been making animal and sea life jewelry for decades in gold and sterling silver.

There is also jewelry for the nautical enthusiasts on the island, that please both sailors and “stink potters” (engine propelled boaters) alike. The pieces they like involve propellers, anchors, sailors’ knot rings and bracelets.

I don’t want to leave out the indigenous birds, such as eagles, blue herons, even burrowing owls. Fishermen enjoy sterling and gold pendants portraying snook, redfish and sea bass. One piece displays all three, known as a “Gulf Grand Slam” when they catch all three in one day.

I have created pendants and bracelets with rope or fish hook designs. The demand for turtle jewelry is by far my overall most requested sea life creature. A favorite item is a mother and baby turtle pendant, but in reality once a turtle hatchling leaves the nest and makes it to the Gulf, they are sadly on their own.

The overall pleasure customers experience once they find and adorn that special sea life piece speaks for itself. Take home a piece of paradise…..Sea life jewelry!

Richard Alan is a designer/master goldsmith with over forty years of experience creating fine jewelry and is the owner of The Harbor Goldsmith at his new location in Island Plaza on Marco Island.

He welcomes your questions about “All That Glitters” at 239-394-9275.

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Vickie Kelber 

From some of our travels I have learned what it can be like to experience illness on a trip, how to negotiate various needs, and what to do to try to stay healthy while preparing for unforeseen events.

In Germany, a pharmacy is called an apotheke. PHOTOS BY VICKIE KELBER/COASTAL BREEZE NEWS

Back in the 90s, just after the “Iron Curtain” came down, we visited Prague and my husband became very ill. All afternoon, I urged him to go to a doctor, but you know men! Finally, at 2:00AM he broke down and wanted to see one. We were staying in an apartment and our contact person was not available so we were on our own in finding assistance. In a guide book, I had read about a hospital once used by Soviet dignitaries; supposedly English was spoken there. I called but knew we were in trouble when I asked the person who answered the phone if she spoke English and she replied, “go ahead and speak your French”. After much discourse with a physician who spoke only a few words of English, he arrived at our apartment and I learned my first lesson; always carry a local language book. Fortunately, I had my Berlitz Czech phrasebook and was able to point at the symptoms. He gave my husband two shots, using a razor blade to open the glass vials of medicine and a prescription for what looked like charcoal tablets that I had to fill at a Soviet style pharmacy. He apologized that for the emergency visit he had to charge us $45 which included the car service he hired for transportation.

My husband has occasional sinus problems and doesn’t typically pack medication so I have learned how to deal with obtaining it in various countries. In Venice, there are English speaking physicians in every farmacía. In Spain, he had over the counter medicine with him but it ran out. I brought the packaging to a farmacia, where the pharmacist read the active ingredients and gave me the equivalent. In Russia, where it seems that bribery is greater than the GNP, he “tipped” a ship’s doctor for enough pills to get him through the land portion of our trip. In Mexico many medications are available without a prescription; when a throat infection struck, I asked the pharmacist for pastillas para la garganta (pills for the throat) and was given the appropriate antibiotic.

When we were younger, I never thought about illness and travel. I’d like to say that my concerns about it now are because I am older, wiser, and have more experience, but, the fact is, as we mature we are increasingly faced with the prospect of ailments. I hate to admit it, but now when traveling, I have become somewhat of a germaphobe and take precautions to help stay healthy, particularly when on a plane.

It has been reported that the water used on planes to make coffee or tea has been found to contain harmful bacteria and the temperatures used in brewing are not high enough to kill them. I always choose juice without ice.

I have one word for the seatback pocket on a plane – yuck! There can be all sorts of debris in there that I don’t even want to think about. I try to avoid storing anything there. I have a lightweight bag that I use to keep everything I think I might want on the plane and stash it under the seat. I also carry an extra plastic bag; if I do store something in the seatback pocket, I put it in the plastic bag first and then dispose of the bag when we land.

Tray tables and entertainment center buttons are another concern. I bring individually wrapped antibacterial wipes and wipe them down as soon as I am seated. When I first started using them, I thought it would bring strange looks from seat mates. I can’t tell you how many people have said to me, “what a good idea….I wish I had thought of that.”

Purell has become my new best friend. I use it frequently when traveling, not only on the plane but also when I am out and about, especially after I have touched anything like a handrail. I’ve been told by a flight attendant that many of them put it in their nostrils to help ward off germs. I know doctors recommend keeping one’s nose moist, not with antibacterial gel, but with a nose spray or gel. In the bathrooms, I try not to touch anything, using a paper towel to do things like lock the door and turn on the water.

It’s important to be prepared for minor medical problems and bring a small pharmacy with you. Fortunately, we’ve never needed it, but I always pack Immodium. Our pharmacy kit also contains aspirin, band aids,and Neosporin. I never forget travel tissue packs: they serve many purposes, from napkins, to toilet paper, to makeshift band-aids. Flip flops for the shower and walking about the hotel room are a must for this germaphobe. And I try to remember to turn down the spread before sitting on a bed.

Don’t assume the concierge at your hotel can always help. Research English speaking doctors before you leave on your trip or check with your credit card company; many have a phone number for travelers’ assistance which includes physician referrals.

Update your tetanus shots and if you are going any place exotic check with the CDC to see if there is an advisory for any additional vaccines. Their website http:// wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list. htm lists health advisories for various countries.

Farmacia.

Make sure to pack your medications in your carry on. It’s a good idea to keep them in the original containers. Not only will that avoid questions during security searches, it will also provide information if you have to refill. It’s helpful to pack a copy of your prescription and if traveling outside of the country, include the information sheet that accompanies your medication. This will assist a physician who may have to refill lost medication or who may have to prescribe something additional.

If you have special dietary restrictions, learn how to indicate your needs. If you can’t tolerate caffeine, learn to say decaf in the language of the country you are visiting. Cafe Hag is a worldwide brand like Sanka; I’ve always found most waiters know what I mean when I order it. For people with celiac disease, there is a website where you can print a card in the language(s) of the country(ies) you are visiting that will explain your dietary needs: http://www.celiactravel.com/cards/

The website http://www.selectwisely. com/ has cards for various food allergies, and medical conditions such as diabetes, penicillin allergy, lactose intolerance, asthma.

Finally, don’t forget medical insurance as Medicare and many other US insurances will not cover you if you travel outside of the country. I’ve written about this in a previous column. Check it out at http:// coastalbreezenews.com/2011/05/06/ odds-and-bobs/ for further information.

Vickie is a former member of the Marco Island City Council and Artistic Director of the Marco Island Film Festival, and has been a volunteer for many island organizations. She is presently on the board of the Naples Mac Users Group. Prior to relocating to Marco, Vickie served as a school psychologist, Director of Special Services, and college instructor and also was a consultant to the New Jersey Department of Education. 

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Looking South, 9:00PM, February 3. SUBMITTED PHOTO

SOUTHERN SKIES

By Mike P. Usher

eas-newsletter@earthlink.net

Canopus is the second brightest star in the entire night sky after Sirius, located in the constellation Carina, the keel. It is visible throughout the southern United States but only in Florida does it rise high enough out of the horizon murk to show how bright it truly is. Tonight it will grow still brighter as it rises and crosses the meridian just before 10:00PM.

Canopus is also the star with the greatest intrinsic brightness in our corner of the Galaxy; from 312 light years away it still reaches -0.65 magnitude and is around 13,600 times brighter than the Sun and 65 times its volume. There are no other stars of greater luminosity within 700 light years. The brilliance of Canopus has been put to good use by NASA for interplanetary space probes. Such a bright star located far from the ecliptic is very useful for navigational purposes. Many probes carry equipment designed to “lock” onto the star.

Carina was once part of a much larger constellation called Argo Navis, after the mythical ship Argo. Astronomers found a large constellation in the Milky Way too unwieldy to be useful and broke it apart into several different constellations about two centuries ago. The Milky Way in this region is full of open clusters and nebulas, most notably the Eta Carinae Nebula – rival to Orion’s; but it won’t rise for a few more hours.

Also in view tonight is the more obscure constellation of Columba, created in the late sixteenth century by Petrus Plancius, primarily as a space filler. The constellation is supposed to represent Noah’s dove. There are a couple of modestly interesting things to say about this constellation. It is the solar ant-apex – a location in space the Sun is moving directly away from in its long orbit about the center of the galaxy. Also, the star Mu Columbae appears to be a runaway star from the Orion Nebula – ejected long ago in some sort of violent interaction. This blue star is located just above and a bit to the left of Phact; the small arrow indicates its position. If you are in suburban Marco, you will need binoculars to see it.

See you next time!

Mr. Usher is President of the Everglades Astronomical Society which meets every second Tuesday at 7:00PM at the Norris Center, Cambier Park, Naples.

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Tara O’Neill 

Floral interpretation of painting by Calusa Garden Club at 2011 ‘’Art in Bloom’’

Oh, let’s get nuts. There are so many artistic goings-on in this peculiar area all the time that I’ve decided to pluck the next few days (randomly) out of the calendar to inspire you to get out there and see how many you can experience before you become over-stimulated. Not that that’s a bad thing. Remember to nap.

January 28, Saturday, Chalk Art 2012 Festival: a good half-mile of 5th Ave. South, Naples, 8:00AM-5:00PM. A street painting extravaganza sponsored by the Naples Pelican Bay Rotary Club to help provide scholarships to area students. According to festival chairperson, Jim Richardson “We had 5-6 thousand attendees last year and we just had a ball.” Free.

More on January 28, BK Koetting Memorial Music Festival and Blood Drive: 1:00-4:00PM, St. Mark’s Church, 1101 N Collier Blvd Marco. Six exceptional bands – Frank Corso‘s Spoonful, JRobert & Martin, The Wildflowers, The Bean Pickers, Frontline, and the Bugtussle Ramblers, will play a tribute and celebrate the life of musician, comedian, and humanitarian, Bill ‘’BK’’ Koetting, while raising contributions for the Community Blood Center. Free. Go.

Clay artist Gabrielle Nappo will be one of 35 juried artists exhibiting at the Bayshore Festival of the Arts. SUBMITTED PHOTOS

January 28 and 29, Saturday and Sunday: 2nd Annual Bayshore Festival of the Arts: Sugden Park in Naples. 250 local musicians and juried fine-artists, are ready to beguile you in this picturesque setting along Lake Avalon. www.bayshorecapa.com. Donations accepted.

February 4 and 5, Saturday and Sunday, Art in Bloom: The Calusa Garden Club will be botanically interpreting the works of Maine Fiber Artists at the Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island. Bonus: Art Center members will be demonstrating their talents in the courtyard both days. Still free. www.marcoislandart.org, 239- 394-4221.

February 7, Tuesday, 5:30-7:00PM, opening reception for the Rookery Bay Photography Annual: co-sponsored by United Arts Council and Friends of Rookery Bay, juried by renowned Everglades photographer, Clyde Butcher. Exhibit runs through February 29 and provides unique imagery from our backyards and beyond. The perfect venue. $3 admission to public, free to members of UAC and Friends of Rookery Bay.

February 9, Thursday, Wet Paint Live!: a scholarship fundraiser sponsored by Leadership Marco with the Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce, Marco Island Center for the Arts, and Marco Island Foundation for the Arts. Twenty artists paint at locations around Marco Island and Goodland – visit them on site and attend the live-auction gala at Marco Island’s Center for the Arts, starting at 6:00PM. Artist tour is free, auction-gala $35 per person. For artist map and more info call 239-394-7549.

Ten days, six events, let’s get nuts.

Tara O’Neill, a lifelong artist, has been an area resident since 1967. She holds Bachelors’ Degrees in Fine Arts and English from the University of South Florida, and currently has a studio-gallery at the Artist Colony at the Esplanade on Marco Island. Contact her through www.taraogallery.com 

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Fakahatchee Strand in the Ten Thousand Islands. PHOTOS BY MARYA REPKO

Join us for a really unique “Olde Florida” treat. The Friends of Fakahatchee are hosting Coastal Cruises through the mysterious mangroves of the Ten Thousands Island. On the way, you will probably see dolphins cavorting with the tour boat. When you arrive at Fakahatchee Island, a naturalist will point out unusual plants on the path up the ancient shell mound to the old cemetery. On the return journey, the boat passes by a famous rookery where the birds will be settling down for the evening.

We might think of “Fakahatchee” as a swamp with Ghost Orchids and Florida Panthers but to many local Gulf Coast families, it was the Fakahatchee Island that was important. In fact, it even had a school!

Ready for passengers.

That was back in the early 1900s when farmers and fishermen had settled around Fakahatchee Bay, west of Chokoloskee, and scratched out a living. They grew fruits and veggies to sail to market in Key West.

And, they fished. Salted mullet by the barrel brought in much-need funds. What remains today is memories – and a cemetery, cisterns, a cow dip, and some wonderful unspoilt landscape with rare plants.

You will see local wildlife.

The Friends of Fakahatchee are repeating their successful Fakahatchee Coastal Cruise on January 21, February 25, March 10, and March 25. The event begins with a talk about the history of the area at the Everglades National Park Ranger Station in Everglades City at 3:00 p.m. Participants will then be ferried to the island by Everglades National Park Boat Tours. The event ends around 6:00 p.m. back in Everglades City where there are interesting restaurants in which to enjoy the area’s signature stone crabs and other delicacies.

This is a unique opportunity to learn about our outer islands and the communities that existed in olden times. It is also a chance to see a Ten Thousand Islands ecology that has not changed for over fifty years!

For information about the Fakahatchee Coastal Cruise, phone Marya at (239) 695-2905 or see www.orchidswamp.org and click on Events Schedule. Places (at $75 per person) are limited.

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By Mike P. Usher

eas-newsletter@earthlink.net

Looking East, 11:00 PM, January 20. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Tonight at 11:00 PM Mars is well clear of the horizon and appears in the constellation Leo, the Lion. Every night Mars is just a little brighter than the previous one as we draw closer to opposition on March 3; opposition happens when Mars and the Sun are 180 degrees apart.

Opposition is a great time to observe planets. Earth is as close as it will get on this orbit around the Sun. The planet appears both larger, brighter and is visible all night long. In the case of Mars, the change in brightness is the most dramatic of the outer planets; at modestly rare intervals it will even outshine Jupiter. The last time that occurred was in 2003 when a fortuitous set of circumstances brought our two planets closer than they have been in 60,000 years, although only very slightly less favorable oppositions happen every 15 to 17 years. This time, however, Earth and Mars will be much farther apart and Mars will only become about as bright as Sirius, but very red in color.

The time between oppositions of Mars is 780 days, or about 26 months – longer than any other planet. Although Earth has the inner, faster orbit around the Sun, Mars is actually not much slower and Earth takes over two years to “lap” Mars again. This compares to 13 months between oppositions for Jupiter and only 54 weeks for Saturn.

All planets move west to east across the sky, or to put it another way all planets revolve around the Sun counterclockwise. However, when Earth catches up to an outer planet and passes it, the planet temporarily moves (as seen from Earth) east to west. It’s exactly the same phenomenon as when you pass a slow car on the interstate – from the driver’s seat you see the passed car moving backwards even though you know in reality you both are roaring down the highway in the same direction. As you observe Mars over the next few months you can see this for yourself. By mid-April, Mars has moved backwards almost to Regulus before it turns around and moves forward again. Such backward motion is called by astronomers “retrograde”, normal forward motion is called “prograde”.

For your information, observing Mars with binoculars is not very useful, the planet is just too small! Even with powerful telescopes, Mars is something of a disappointment for beginners.

See you next time!

Mr. Usher is President of the Everglades Astronomical Society which meets every second Tuesday at 7:00PM at the Norris Center, Cambier Park, Naples.

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Tarik Ayasun 

turk1949@comcast.net

Simit and Turkish tea.

Everyone must know by now that I was born and lived the first 20 years of my life in Istanbul; a mysterious, photogenic and historic city on the shores of the Bosporus Straits, that divides the continents of Europe and Asia. As a young boy growing up in Istanbul, the only way we could get across the Bosporus to see our family members who lived on the “other side” or to go to any city which was located in Anatolia (Asia Minor) which comprises 85 percent of the land mass of the country; we had to take a ferryboat across to start our trip. If we were traveling by car, we would have to get up very early in the morning, pack our car and drive down to the ferry-boat station in my father’s most reliable green 1956 Chevy in order to get in line to make it to the earliest available ferry. Large trucks carrying goods from Istanbul to points all over the country would be lined up in neat formations on the waiting area for many hours, their diesel engines running harmoniously. The trucks had priority to get on board before passenger cars and the wait could be very long and uncomfortable. However on most such days, my father would calmly walk up to the station chief and tip him handsomely to have our car moved to the front of the line. The same procedure would be followed on our return trip the same day or some days later depending on where we were headed.

Bosphorus bridge. SUBMITTED PHOTOS

It was a few years after I came to the USA that the first bridge across the Bosporus was completed. As usual there were many delays due to the naysayers who predicted unbelievable natural disasters, devaluation of historic values, European invasions, Crusaders attacking the City, etc. if the bridge was built.

The idea of a bridge crossing the Bosporus dates back to antiquity. Greek writer Herodotus in his “Histories” recorded that Mandrocles of Samos once engineered a pontoon bridge for Emperor Darius Great I of Persia (522 BC – 485 BC) that stretched across the Bosporus, linking Asia to Europe, so that Darius could pursue the fleeing Scythians as well as move his army into position in the Balkans to overwhelm Macedon.

The first project for a permanent bridge across the Bosporus was proposed to Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II by the Bosporus Railroad Company in 1900, which included a rail link between the continents.

The modern day decision to build a bridge across the Bosporus was taken in 1957, by the then Prime Minister of Turkey Mr. Adnan Menderes, who was thrown out of office and hanged as a result of a military coup in 1960. The contract to build the First Bridge was signed in 1968, with construction starting in 1970, and the project was complete in record time in 1973.

Finally, the “Bosporus Bridge” which is locally referred to as the “First Bridge” was completed on October 30, 1973, and today it is the 17th longest suspension bridge in the world. On December 29, 1999, one billionth vehicle crossed the bridge. The naysayers were wrong as usual; the bridge proved inadequate for the traffic it carried and a second bridge was planned and opened on July 3, 1988, and it was named after the 15th century Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, who took Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453 and ended the Byzantine Empire. Today, it is the 13th longest suspension bridge in the world. The bridge is referred to as the “Second Bridge” by the locals. Once again the naysayers were proven wrong as an average of 150,000 vehicles a day cross the bridge.

The City of Istanbul grew and spread out exponentially over the years, perhaps as a result of the two bridges or perhaps her beauty which attracts people like flies to light. Traffic in Istanbul became unbearable and another project to connect Europe and Asia via a tunnel under the Bosporus which Turks had dreamed of since 1860, was brought back to life. Plans were drawn to construct an “Immersed Tube Tunnel” for trains to achieve this goal. Soon, that dream will come true in the form of an 8.25-mile-long Marmaray Tunnel (name combines the Sea of Marmara and Ray meaning “rail” in Turkish), which will provide a rail link for a rapid transit system as well as connecting Europe to Asia via an uninterrupted rail system.

Marmaray tunnel.

Most of the area around Istanbul is in an earthquake zone. According to seismic experts, the nearby North Anatolian Fault has a 62 percent chance of generating a strong earthquake in the next 30 years. Although tunnels on such a scale have been built before, this created a major hurdle for the engineers. However, they did come up with a very practical and workable solution. While most of the tunnel will be bored through solid rock, the central mile-long section under the Bosporus will consist of an “immersed tube” fabricated in sections on the surface and then sunk and joined together on the seabed. Unlike a tunnel bored through rigid rock, the submersed sections will be connected by flexible joints made of thick, rubber-reinforced steel plates, which can absorb quake movement without breaking. The tunnel was scheduled to open in 2010, but the engineers ran into another problem; as they dug the entrances of the tunnel on either side of the Bosporus they found ancient artifacts. Archeologists had to be brought in to continue the dig which slowed down progress but some of the finds changed forever some historical facts about the City of Istanbul along the way. When it finally opens in 2013, the Marmaray will be the deepest such tunnel ever constructed, with a maximum depth of 180 ft. And, East and West will meet without getting their feet wet. An idea that has existed for 150 years will finally become a reality.

Marmaray tunnel.

I like progress and I have nothing against having two magnificent bridges and an engineering wonder immersed tube tunnel connecting two continents and two parts of a magical city. However, I will always fondly remember our family’s early morning ferry-boat crossings, the long lines, noises and smells of diesel trucks waiting in line, fighting words of the drivers trying to get on the ferry for an early start to their long journeys, feeling the cool, fresh summer morning air on my face, drinking a glass cup of aromatic Turkish tea with two lumps of sugar while feasting on a simit (a circular bread covered with sesame seeds) on the ferry.

Some memories never seem to get old.

Currently a member of Marco Island’s Code Enforcement Board, Tarik Ayasun has given many years of community service to various organizations. 

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Tara O’Neill

Some say New Year’s Day is an arbitrary date, requiring no special observance (big fibbers). Yet, so many of us use it as an opportunity for both reflection and forward thinking. Wishing to set out on the right foot, we take stock, we aim to detour bad habits and cultivate better ones.

Today I am thinking about the Emerging Artist – I meet so many – young ones courageous enough to aim directly for a life pursuing their passion; elders who, after decades devoted to raising families, building businesses, and answering untold obligations, are at last rekindling a passion that never died. It’s a jump off the high-dive, a time for wings, and time for some very good, hard-core, professional input.

Elaine Hamilton, UAC.

So for you, dear Emerging Artist, I have called upon the wisdom of Stars in the Arts to share their very best advice/warning/encouragement to help you reach the potential you harbor.

Elaine Hamilton, Executive Director of the United Arts Council of Collier County. “My advice to an emerging artist would be to follow your passion. It’s difficult to sustain a career in this business if you’re not doing something that you love. Also, if you’re planning to support yourself as an artist, take as many business classes as you can. The more you can learn about the business side of the arts, the better.”

JoAnn Sanborn, internationally-collected Everglades artist, member of City of Marco Island’s Arts Advisory Board, Instructor. “Do the hard work. Learn to see. Never stop learning. But in those magical moments when the art spirit takes you, follow it to the place ideas are born.”

Christie Marcoplos, owner Blue Mangrove Gallery.

Christie Marcoplos, owner Blue Mangrove Gallery. “When contacting a Gallery, be organized. Have a bio & jpegs of your work (with size, pricing, etc.). I’ll seldom handle art work without jpegs. This is becoming increasingly important in the world of retail sales; website inclusion, email blasts, and advertisements, always require high to low resolution jpegs. Having them readily available gives a positive edge.

“Be sure your art is finished, titled & hand signed. If sleeved, be sure sleeves fit perfectly. Presentation is a huge part of selling your work.

“Visit the Gallery you wish to represent you to be sure you understand their objective. Then e-mail them for a convenient time to give a presentation.

“Lastly, when dropping off accepted artwork, have a typed sheet with titles, sizes & prices with you; consider offering display-aids. After installation, if checking on your work, always be discreet.”

Theodore Morris, artist, author. SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Theodore Morris, artist, author of “Florida’s Lost Tribes.” “The first thing is to find the subject matter you’re passionate about. My passion is Florida Indians and that’s what I painted without worrying about sales. Eventually it worked out very well for my lifestyle and for sales.

“Starting out, the main focus (after you are satisfied with what you’ve done) is marketing your work as well as yourself. Collectors sometimes buy just images, but mostly they buy the artist and the image together.”

J. Robert Houghtaling, musician, producer, owner of Mangrove Music Studio. “The one thing I’ve learned from observing commonalities among the most successful restaurant waitresses, bartenders, general managers, sales personnel, ministers, and medical professionals as well as a great musical artist, they always ask. ‘How may I serve you?’”

“I trust their talent, creative genius, and their many years of hits and misses. I am confident they share with me the best service experience they have to offer. Accordingly, with every audience, I try to extend the same enthusiasm and respect.

JRobert, musician, producer.

So when I say, ‘Well, folks, what would you like to hear tonight?’ …I’m humbly asking, ‘How may I serve you?’… and that’s when the magic begins!

I respectfully thank all my responders with taking time from their busy schedules to answer my query so thoughtfully, so helpfully, and so honestly.”

And now for my two-bits: 1) It is important to learn the rules in order to break them properly. 2) Please keep the faith. Please.

Happy New Year to All. 

Tara O’Neill, a lifelong artist, has been an area resident since 1967. She holds Bachelors’ Degrees in Fine Arts and English from the University of South Florida, and currently has a studio-gallery at the Artist Colony at the Esplanade on Marco Island. Contact her through www.tarao gallery.com 

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Vickie Kelber 

vickieonmarco@gmail.com

Rainbow arcing across Narada Falls, Mt. Ranier National Park.

One could easily remain occupied for an entire week in Seattle, but there are some excursions from the core of the city that provide great opportunities as well.

The outlying neighborhoods of Fremont and Ballard, easily reachable by bus or car, are fun to explore.

An eclectic neighborhood whose residents refer to it as “the center of the universe”, Fremont is known for its unorthodox sculptures, funky shops, restaurants, and the Theo Chocolate Factory that offers tours. Two of the more amusing sculptures are the giant troll crushing a VW under the Aurora bridge and the statue of a group of people waiting for a train that never comes; locals often dress the people in various costumes.

Ballard is also known for its shops and restaurants, and worth a visit are the Hiram M. Chittendon Locks, botanical garden, and the Ballard Fish Ladder. People of all ages are fascinated as they watch pleasure and commercial boats negotiate the lock system. The locks help maintain the water level of Lakes Union and Washington and aid boats in moving from the lakes to Puget Sound while preventing the mixing of fresh and salt water. The fish ladder helps salmon make their way from the salty Puget Sound to inland freshwater. There is an underwater viewing gallery where the various types of salmon are visible. When we visited, Chinook salmon were prevalent. We also learned how to tell the difference between hatchery and wild salmon. In hatchery salmon, the adipose fin is clipped. This is a second smaller fin behind the predominant dorsal one. Wild salmon have the two fins; those from a hatchery have only one. Good to know if you ever go salmon fishing in Washington!

The Boeing Assembly plant is, by volume, the largest building in the world.

About a half hour car or tour bus ride from Seattle is the Boeing Assembly building which offers 90 minute tours from its Future of Flight Aviation Center. By volume, the plant is the largest building in the world. When we were there, the 787 had just been certified and we were able to see this innovative “Dreamliner” being assembled. Be advised that no cameras, cellphones, or pocket books are allowed on the tour and if handicap accessibility is required, notification should be made in advance.

Ferries are a way of life for many in the Seattle area. To experience a bit of that life, regular ferries operate to Bainbridge and Blake Islands. Without a car, one can visit downtown Winslow on Bainbridge Island with its shops, restaurants and three local winery outlets that offer tastings. During select weekends, with a car, the wineries throughout the island are open for tours. Tillicum Village, the Northwest Coast Indian Cultural Center and restaurant offering traditional salmon bakes, is located on Blake Island.

For a longer ferry experience, the larger of the San Juan Islands can be visited. These ferries leave from Anacortes, 85 miles north of Seattle. The Victoria Clipper also offers passage from Seattle waterfront to the San Juans, as well as whale watching cruises in that area.

Mirror image of Mt. Ranier in Reflection Lake, Mt. Ranier National Park. PHOTOS BY VICKIE KELBER/COASTAL BREEZE NEWS

On clear days, Mt. Rainier, the highest peak in the Cascade mountain range, is visible from downtown Seattle. The most heavily glaciated peak in the lower 48 states and actually a stratovolcano, Mt. Rainier about 90 miles from Seattle makes a good day or overnight trip. There are five entrances into Mt. Rainier National Park, although the Nisqually is the only one open all year round. Sunrise is the highest point in the park, offering incredible vistas on clear days. There is a visitor center at Sunrise with displays, naturalist led walks and programs, as well as telescopes. Paradise, so named because when its alpine meadows below the peak were first viewed by the daughter in law of early settler James Longmire, she exclaimed “this must be what Paradise is like”, is THE place to visit. The park’s main visitor center with an interpretive film and helpful rangers is located here, as is the National Park Inn and restaurant. Some excellent short and longer hikes including one to a waterfall and one to a glacier originate here.

We chose a crystal clear day to visit the park and the views were spectacular, somewhat reminiscent of our alpine adventures in Switzerland. The only downside was that the area had received record breaking snowfall the previous winter. Spring had been long in coming and the wildflowers, usually at their peak at the time we visited, were only starting to bloom. The fear was that they were so delayed many would not bloom at all as winter comes quickly to the Cascades.

Bainbridge Island is just a 35 minute ferry boat ride from downtown Seattle.

A somewhat shorter trip option with impressive views of the peak is a visit to Crystal Mountain ski resort where a gondola travels up 2500 feet; not only Mt. Rainier, but Mts. Adams, Hood, and St. Helens are visible on clear days. There is a restaurant at the summit. And, speaking of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. St. Helens National Park, two and a half hours south of Seattle, has viewing areas, hiking trails, and a visitor center.

Without a car? Gray Line and other tour companies offer day trips to Mt. Rainier National Park with time at Paradise to take a short hike or just enjoy the visitor center and restaurant. Gray Line also runs trips to Crystal Mountain and Mt. St. Helens.

Want to travel further afield? Explore the Olympic Peninsula. Olympic National Park has mountains, forests, and coastline with unspoiled beaches and distances between areas can be long. Nearby native American reservations offer scheduled visits and events. The main visitor center is located in Port Angeles, 77 miles from Seattle.

The Olympic Peninsula gets about 140 inches of rain a year, so no visit would be complete without seeing the Hoh Rain Forest. A temperate rain forest, it’s huge trees, mosses, ferns, and thick air create a magical fairytale like environment. Summer has less rain but more bugs! Recently, interest in this area has increased as the Twilight book series is set in Forks, the starting point for access to Hoh. For fans of the series, the Chamber of Commerce offers setting information and there are organized Twilight tours.

Vickie is a former member of the Marco Island City Council and Artistic Director of the Marco Island Film Festival, and has been a volunteer for many island organizations. She is presently on the board of the Naples Mac Users Group. Prior to relocating to Marco, Vickie served as a school psychologist, Director of Special Services, and college instructor. 

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Richard Alan

harborgoldsmith@comcast.net

The faint ray of light at the end of the dark tunnel, to my amazement, was actually a splinter of sunshine, instead of an oncoming train. Are things actually getting better? My conversations with customers who happen to be realtors, also tell me there has been more favorable activity in their field recently.

There was a general census taken randomly in a U.S. jewelry trade website last week, asking individual store owners how business was this past holiday shopping season. We shop owners need some signs of reassurance in order to plan for the future. Are we to continue hunkering down in the trenches, keeping our heads and our expenses down, or climb out slowly and strategically restock to satisfy demand? It’s expensive decision that could lead any retail store to success or failure. The nationwide survey was bitter-sweet, and to me, the message was whatever the individual reader made of it.

Many stores claimed it was their best season in years. Others claimed their worst ever. Still others saw some improvement and some found no change at all. Talk about mixed signals! I’d be better off flipping a coin. I committed myself to some major paradigm moves over the summer to induce change and hopefully improve what to me had become the same old, same old.

A new location, a new look, new merchandise and a new perspective on how to do business in Paradise, U.S.A. As I expected, holiday shopping on the island was off to a slow start just like the three years past. My wife and I made plans months ago to spend Christmas and New Year’s with family in Europe. So I worked the bench like a mad man from Black Friday until I completed all my custom holiday orders, in order to depart on the 22nd of December.

Reports from the new store during the last few days of shopping were favorable. Besides enjoying the holiday festivities that can only be found in Europe, it’s impossible not to get in the Christmas spirit. We also found time to visit shopping malls in both Germany and France.

Europe is experiencing the mildest winter in decades which I’m sure is a favorable factor for shopping. The malls were packed. Jewelry stores were full of buyers, not shoppers. I thought the EU’s economy was supposed to be in worse shape than the U.S.? You would never know it from what I have seen there. In Paris, we witnessed a crowd (tourists?) waiting in line while the cold rain poured down on them, just to gain entrance to Louis Vuitton.

Watches and silver jewelry appeared to be the choice gifts in Europe. I found the shopping frenzy astounding between Christmas and New Year’s. There must be something in the drinking water over there! It so reminded me of how it was in my line of work in Boston many years ago. When business was good, it was very good, gold was cheap, around $250.00 an ounce compared to nearly $2000.00 today. Even diamonds were affordable to nearly everyone.

Back then, the holiday shopping season began for me even before Thanksgiving and lasted until darn near midnight, Christmas Eve. The incoming orders were overwhelming. (I would compare it to drinking water from a fire hose!) It required working late nights and weekends. I hardly remember a Christmas morning that I didn’t feel like I had the stuffing kicked out of me rendering me almost comatose, not much time to be infused with the holiday spirit. I can’t say I enjoyed working like that but in that decade and environment it was required because the following months could be a bit lean. In those days Valentine’s Day didn’t require a gift of jewelry. Candy and flowers did the trick.

So what does the future hold for jewelers in 2012? As a whole I can’t answer, but I know what I’m doing! When I returned to the island last week, to my surprise I had more sales of gold jewelry than expected, not the heavy stuff but lighter weight pieces such as earrings and rings sold extremely well. We sold diamond pieces such as earring studs and pendants which was a tough sell these past years. I talked to friends in the business around the Boston area and their diamond sales were slim to next to non-existent.

A bizarre worldwide thing in December, the spot price of gold actually went down more than $200.00 during the so called shopping peak. I have been in this business for decades and never have I seen the price drop during the holiday season. It always spiked upward…why not this year? To further add to the mystery, the spot price of platinum is less than gold right now. Another oddity to ponder.

It is a fact that platinum is harder to mine, is far more scarce than gold and it has always been the more expensive precious metal. Why it costs less defies logic. Another little known fact is that last year the price of diamonds steadily increased despite a crummy economy. Things are so topsy-turvy, that normal business barometers you could rely on for fifty years are useless. I have more faith in a Calusa Indian rain dance or tea leaf reading.

When gold got too expensive most of us, some reluctantly, moved to alternative metals and materials such as silver, stainless steel, titanium, bronze, pewter, even leather, wood, rubber and ceramic. My stores are no exception. You’ve got to sell something to stay in the game.

2012 will be no less challenging and the strategy I implemented late last summer for “keeping it real” so to say, has worked well so far, though it required a 360 degree radical change from what I was accustomed to. Three old business rules prevailed… location, location, location.

Change is good but sometimes it also requires a kick in the proverbial derrière to implement. So, I made the leap of faith and when the dust settled and the paint dried, change happened. A wonderful thing happened when we re-opened, just days after Labor Day. In our brand new store, in a new location, a flood of new customers appeared along with clientele we hadn’t seen for a while. It was for me like a Renaissance (and I will admit a bit overwhelming for a couple of months!) Where there was the darkness of uncertainty there is now light.

I’m optimistic this will be a great season all through this year….my fortune teller told me so!

“The balance (scale) distinguisheth not between gold and lead.” George Herbert (1593-1633)

Richard Alan is a designer/master goldsmith and owner of The Harbor Goldsmith @ Island Plaza and welcomes your questions about “All That Glitters” at 239.394.9275 or harborgoldsmith@comcast.net

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We are coming to the end of another year in our lives. In a few days, it is going to be a new year; it will take at least a month before we get used to writing 2012 on our documents; we will all be a year older and hopefully a little wiser. I am a believer in the importance of how our knowledge of history determines our future. So, at the end of each year, I sit down and make a list of the important international events of the past year and save them in my computer diary. Most of the events of 2011, were extremely important and may actually shape the coming events of 2012. I will now take this time and space at the end of 2011 to share these events with the readers and let them decide how these events may shape world events and their lives in 2012 and beyond.

Saudi Arabia, Arab Spring.

The year started with the Arab Spring; on January 14th the Tunisian government fell after a month of protests in the streets and President Zine Al Abidine Bin Ali escaped to Saudi Arabia, that repository of fallen dictators, after 23 years in power. The month of February saw the continuation of the Arab Spring as President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt resigned after protesters called for his departure in the now famous Tahir Square protests. Egyptian Government was effectively left in the hands of the Egyptian Military until general elections may be held in a year or so, opening the possibility of a future Egyptian Government run by the Muslim Brotherhood. March started with one of the biggest natural disasters in many, many years when a 9.1 magnitude earthquake followed by a tsunami hit Japan killing over 15,000 people and leaving another 4,000 missing. Four nuclear plants in Japan declared emergencies and there were worries about nuclear leaks. We witnessed the proud and cultured citizens of a friendly nation deal with their problems silently and proudly. Arab Spring continued when the King of Bahrain (a very important and friendly island nation in the Persian Gulf) declared a three month state of emergency and troops for the Gulf Cooperation Council (mostly Saudi) soldiers were sent in to quell the most unusual civil unrest in this small kingdom. Unrest jumped to Libya where a civil war started and the United Nations declared a no-fly zone over Libya in order to protect civilians in the country from being slaughtered by the forces of Muammar Gaddafi, dictator of Libya for over 40 years.

Kim Jong II looking at lunch.

Month of May brought the best news of the year, in my opinion, when President Obama announced that Osama Bin Laden, the founder and leader of the terrorist group Al-Qaida and the murderer of thousands of our fellow citizens on 9/11 was killed during a most daring raid into his hideout in Pakistan by an elite group of US Seals. The world was a better place now and I, along with millions around the world, offered a silent prayer and said “one down and more to go!” In June the Arab Spring continued; protesters injured the President of Yemen Ali Abdullah Saleh forcing him to travel to where else but Saudi Arabia to get special treatment for his wounds. Protesters rejoiced at the transfer of power to his Vice President Mansur Al-Hadi. Later in the month, Arab Spring jumped over to Syria and thousands of Syrians fled to southern Turkey to avoid being killed by the military forces of the Syrian strongman Basher al-Assad.

In July, the world saw a rare domestic terror attack in Norway, an otherwise peaceful country in Northern Europe where a deranged supremacist attacked a youth camp and killed 76 young men and women. And in the USA, we sadly witnessed the end of NASA’s space shuttle program when Atlantis landed for the last time at Kennedy Space Center. In August, Libyan rebels took control of the capital city of Tripoli after battling Gaddafi’s forces.

In September we witnessed India and Bangladesh sign a pact, ending their 40- year border dispute; read about the deaths of around 100 Kenyans when a pipeline exploded and watched on TV the deathly results of Sindh floods in Pakistan which left around 500 people dead.

Territory in turmoil.

In October, the world witnessed the violent death of Muammar Gaddafi in the hands of the rebels in his hometown of Sirte and we all felt a little safer and offered a silent prayer and said “two down and more to go.” National Transitional Council forces took over control of Libya. In Turkey, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in the town of Van killed nearly 500 people and left thousands homeless. October 31 was selected by the United Nations as the symbolic date when global population reached seven billion and we all began to feel the pressure of sharing this small planet we call Earth with six billion, nine hundred and ninety nine million, nine hundred and ninety nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety nine fellow human beings. In November, Mars Science Laboratory named Curiosity, the most elaborate Martian exploration vehicle to date was launched. It is planned to land on Mars on August 5, 2012 when we all may feel relieved to see a less populated planet where future life may be possible!

On December 15, The United Sates formally declared the end of the Iraq war which cost us the precious lives of nearly 4,500 of our very best young men and women and over 30,000 seriously injured heroes.

And Kim Jong Il , the ruthless, clueless and unpredictable “Dear Leader” of the world’s most impoverished and most secretive country North Korea died of a massive heart attack while traveling on a train causing us to offer a silent prayer of thanks and say “three down and some more to go”…

Happy New Year to all… 

Currently a member of Marco Island’s Code Enforcement Board, Tarik Ayasun has given many years of community service to various organizations. 

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Calder’s “Eagle” in Olympic Sculpture Park makes an interesting photo frame for the Space Needle.

When people think of Seattle, they tend to think of gray skies and rain. In reality, the average rainfall is only about 37 inches a year, less than places like New York City or Atlanta and most of the rain comes in the winter months. In winter, there are at times endless days of clouds and drizzle. The secret of Seattle is that the summer months can be quite pleasant, with a string of sunny, warm days.

As Rome was built on a series of hills, so was Seattle and, as in many other cities, Seattle is neighborhood centric. Most guidebooks divide the city into its various neighborhoods.

Pike Place Market and the Waterfront are popular tourist areas. The oldest continuing market in the United States, Pike Place Market extends for 8 blocks on both sides of Pike Place. The multileveled buildings house produce, seafood, bakeries, unique shops, artisans and many dining opportunities from casual snack bars to sit down restaurants. In this preserved historic area, no chain stores are allowed except for the original Starbucks founded in 1971 on the corner of Pike St. and Pike Pl. Rachel the Pig, a large bronze piggy bank greets visitors; the money donated to Rachel is used for the Market Foundation’s various projects including a pre school and senior center. Behind Rachel is a visitor favorite; the Pike Place Fish Market, home of the singing fish throwers. When someone purchases a fish, the workers sing out as they throw it from one to another. There is usually a crowd of tourists surrounding the stall waiting for the show. The artisan stalls in the North Arcade are well worth visiting for unique gifts.

Chinatown in Seattle has been renamed the International District to reflect the diverse Asian cultures of this neighborhood.

From the market, one can descend on an elevator (or take the stairs), cross Western Ave. and Alaska Way to the waterfront. Immediately behind the market, on Pier 59 is the Seattle Aquarium. Walking south from the Aquarium eventually brings one to Pier 52 and the Bainbridge Island Ferry. Along the way are shops and restaurants, while Pier 57 extends out a short way into Puget sound. North from the aquarium are other restaurants, the Victoria Clipper embarkation point at Pier 69 and, eventually, the Olympic Sculpture Park. Run by the Seattle Art Museum, the park has more than 20 sculptures, including Calder’s “Eagle” which makes an interesting photo frame for the Space Needle.

From the sculpture park, it is a short walk up to Seattle Center and the Space Needle. The site of the 1961 World’s Fair (Remember Elvis Presley’s “It Happened at the World’s Fair”?), it is now home to a variety of museums and cultural opportunities. The Children’s Museum, Science Fiction Museum, and Pacific Science Center are here, as are Key Arena, McCaw Hall for ballet and opera, SIFF cinema, and Seattle Repertory Theatre. The music festival Bumbershoot is held here in early September. A fairly new attraction is the Experience Music Project (EMP). Seattle was the home of Jimi Hendrix and grunge music. Inspired by Microsoft’s Paul Allen’s interest in Hendrix and designed by Frank Gehry, EMP holds tens of thousands of pieces of music memorabilia. The International Fountain puts on its own sound and water show during the day, with sound and light shows in the evening. Finally, a visit to Seattle Center wouldn’t be complete without ascending the Space Needle for its panoramic views of downtown Seattle, Puget Sound, and Lakes Union and Washington. It is expensive ($18; $16 for seniors), but purchase of Go Seattle or Seattle City Pass cards provides discounted admission to Seattle’s top attractions including the Space Needle.

Some of the bountiful fresh seafood found at Pike Place Market.

From Seattle Center, it is easy to explore the neighborhoods of Queen Anne with its lovely homes and views of the Sound from Kerry Park or Belltown known for its restaurants and nightspots. Beware a walk up Highland Drive in Queen Anne is quite steep, but you do pass a restaurant that claims to have the “most visited breakfast in Seattle”!

An alternative from Seattle Center is to take the Monorail to Westlake Center. Also built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the monorail whisks its passengers down to the central retail section of the city. Here are major brand name stores and two malls, Westlake and Pacific Place. Pacific Place houses brand stores and a few restaurants while Westlake has more diverse shops including the Made in Washington store featuring Washington state products, a restaurant, and extensive food court.

From Westlake, the tunnel buses go to Pioneer Square and the International District.

Points of interest in the Pioneer Square area, so named because it was the site of the original city, include Occidental Park with its totem poles and Firefighter’s Memorial, Smith Tower, Seattle’s first skyscraper, historic Pioneer Square Park, and the Klondike Gold Rush Museum. Actually an indoor national park and free to the public, this museum features the role Seattle played in the Klondike gold rushes. I particularly enjoyed the story of John Nordstrom who sold his claim for $13,000 and started a local shoe store which evolved into the popular Nordstrom department stores of today. Adjacent to this area are Safeco and CenturyLink (formerly Qwest) Fields, home to the Mariners and Seahawks respectively.

Whimsical sculptures such as this giant flower pot are found throughout Seattle.

Pioneer Square evolves into the International District, a name changed from the original Chinatown to reflect the various Asian cultures here. In addition to the welcoming gate, Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Experience, and Hing Hay Park, this area is home to a variety of Asian restaurants and two interesting markets, Hau Hau, and the not to be missed Uwajimaya.

Art lovers have much to see in Seattle. There is an extensive public art program, much of it whimsical; my favorite was a giant bright red popsicle in Belltown! The Seattle Art Museum is a short walk from Pike’s Market, while the Seattle Asian Art Museum is further afield in beautiful Volunteer Park overlooking the city in the Capital Hill neighborhood.

Restaurant choices are plentiful in Seattle and fresh seafood abounds, especially wild salmon, halibut, and Dungeness crab. “Crab pots” are popular in some of the waterfront restaurants; they are like crab bakes in a pot. Even ethnic restaurants feature fresh seafood. We had an amazing seafood paella at Tango, near the Convention Center and a wonderful cioppino at the Pink Door Italian restaurant at Pike’s Market.

Deciphering the public bus transportation system in Seattle isn’t the easiest, but with the King County website trip planner, we were able to negotiate the city. There is a ride free area that encompasses most of the tourist spots from 6:00AM to 7:00PM. The tunnel buses (in the ride free area) are the best way to get from downtown to Pioneer Square or the International District. Taxis are plentiful, although it may be best to call for one rather than try to hail one; we found Yellow Taxi reliable.

Vickie is a former member of the Marco Island City Council and Artistic Director of the Marco Island Film Festival, and has been a volunteer for many island organizations. She is presently on the board of the Naples Mac Users Group. Prior to relocating to Marco, Vickie served as a school psychologist, Director of Special Services, and college instructor and also was a consultant to the New Jersey Department of Education.

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Sirius has been known as the “Dog Star” for many centuries, presumably because it is the brightest star in Canis Major, the big dog – indeed Sirius is by far the brightest star in the night sky. Long ago it was thought (wrongly) that in the summertime when the Sun and Sirius were in the sky simultaneously, the extra heat Sirius provided caused the season to be hot. Thus the old phrase the “dog days of summer” was born!

Looking Southeast, 9:00PM, January 6.

Sirius is a good example of a star that is bright because it is close to us, only 8.6 light years away. If three other stars in the hind end of Canis Major, Aludra, Adhara or Wezen modestly bright stars on their own, were the same distance away from us as Sirius they would be bright enough to cast shadows. Indeed, Aludra would challenge the Moon as ruler of the night for most of the month.

Also in Canis Major is the cluster M41, probably the faintest object visible to the naked eye that was described in ancient times. You can see it, also, if you are in the dark skies near Copeland on state road 29; otherwise it is an easy binocular object that shines like a tiny tag hanging from the dog’s neck.

Near Canis Major is the rather nondescript constellation of Monoceros, the unicorn. Although the constellation has no bright stars in it, the Milky Way does run through it and so there are a fair number of binocular targets available. The brightest are M47 and M46, the former being rather brighter. They are rather difficult to locate as there are no bright stars nearby to use as a guide, but if you find one it’s easy to find the other as they are so close to one another – possibly even in the same field of view. Scan the whole area slowly with your binoculars and your patience will be rewarded with the discovery of several other clusters.

The area of rich clusters continues in the far southern constellation of Puppis, but you need to wait a couple of hours for the clusters to rise a little higher in the sky; alternatively you can wait a few weeks. Don’t neglect the area to the left of Wezen, there are two modestly bright clusters waiting there, one brighter than M47.

See you next time!

Mr. Usher is President of the Everglades Astronomical Society which meets every second Tuesday at 7:00PM at the Norris Center, Cambier Park, Naples.

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Buying gold from the public has become big business for many retail jewelry stores. I have to admit, it is a big part of mine. In the past three years I have easily bought tenfold the amount of gold that I have sold.

It is true, with the exorbitant prices of precious metals, folks selling their gold are getting more money that ever before and in some cases, more than they paid for it originally. I get all kinds of reactions when quoting prices for what is presented to me. “You’re kidding me!” or “That much?” and the occasional “That’s all it’s worth?”

Obviously most people have a preconceived idea of what they feel their gold jewelry is worth. The reality of it all is…. most are disappointed. Selling gold at the scrap price means just that. The fact that it was made by Cartier or K-Mart means nothing, you get paid for the weight of the gold.

Most shops advertising that they buy gold, purchase it this way and do not pay for the sentimental value it may have to you. The fact that Aunt Grezelda gave you that hideous ring when you graduated high school in ‘68 doesn’t factor here. What karat and what it weighs does.

Don’t expect to receive top market price you see on the TV screen every morning, unless it is pure 24 karat bullion, because you won’t.

Most jewelry manufactured in the U.S.A. is 14 karat and that is only 58.5 % pure making the other 41.5 % of the scrap piece base metals or alloys. These metals can include copper, brass, nickel and silver to name a few, nowhere near the cost of gold. The higher the karat gold your scrap is the more money you should receive for it. Obviously, dealing with reputable buyers is advised, because how you are paid can be confusing.

Gold can be weighed two ways, by the gram or by the pennyweight, two different forms of measure. 31.1 grams = one ounce and 20 dwts. ( pennyweights) also = one ounce.

Here’s a simple example. Let’s say the dealer offers you $20.00 a pennyweight for your gold, sounds like a lot of money but when converted to grams it’s only $12.86 because the weight of measure is different. $20.00 x 20 dwt = $400.00 $12.86 x 31.1= $399.946 The same money just sounds like more.

So how much should you get? Good question, and hard to answer. The market changes are so volatile now that we count by minutes not days or months as before. I have quoted prices to folks, who reply they will think about it and come in the next morning to find their gold is worth less than the day before. It’s within my right to pay the exact market price at the time you sell it, so when you leave with your gold after a price is given, all bets are off when the door closes behind you. We both take a gamble. The next morning gold can open up or it can be down and the gold we talked about yesterday is worth less.

Personally, I pay higher for “clean gold” than I do for 10 karat or small broken chains and gold teeth. They are full of impurities requiring the use of a refinery to remove the alloys and solder to make the scrap valuable, thus reducing the weight. It is also costly which is why I have to pay less.

I will pay more for solid pieces such as wedding bands, bracelets, earrings because I can utilize the gold in shop to make new jewelry avoiding refining costs. I dread when someone comes in with pure gold bullion or ingots, especially when they expect to get exact market price. It simply leaves me no room to make even a dollar. If the market is $1800.00 an ounce, they want $1800.00 as they should. You’re just not gonna get it from me. When I refuse to buy it they look at me as if my cheese slipped off the cracker. “But your sign says you buy gold!” I’m not crazy, I’m smart.

To lay down 1800 smackers and not make a dime in profit is nonsense to me. I would offer $1700, a fair deal. Even the gold brokers you see on TV charge commission fees both when you buy and when you sell. It’s never exact money for gold. Some pawn shops may pay more for high dollar pieces. They clean and polish them and reprice them and hope they sell in the showcase.

I don’t sell second hand jewelry. One of the problems with estate jewelry (a fancy term for second hand jewelry) is you can buy someone else’s headaches, such as worn prongs or fractures, worn or chipped stones, etc.

Buying gold daily from the public means there is never a dull moment. It always seems the uglier the piece the more the customer wants for it. I then say, “if it’s so wonderful why are you selling it?” As I have said before, if the jewelry is sentimental don’t sell it, it can never be replaced.

Richard Alan is a Designer/Goldsmith and the owner of  The Harbor Goldsmith of Marco Island and welcomes your questions about “All That Glitters” at 239-394- 9275 and harborgoldsmith@comcast.net 

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turk1949@comcast.net

A new and strange battle for domination of the Islamic world is being fought in the Middle East. On one side is Shiite Iran, on the other side is Sunni Turkey and the battlefield is Syria. Why is this an important battle and what will it mean for the geopolitics of the area?

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, two Middle Eastern dictators, want to form a united front against their neighbor Turkey, a NATO ally, which on this issue seems to have the silent backing of the US Government. Both Iran and Turkey would like to establish their supremacy in the area and they are using a troubled Syria as their battlefield to establish their goals.

As Israel watches intently on the sidelines, the situation becomes even more volatile and dangerous when you throw Hamas and Hezbollah, two avowed enemies of Israel and USA into the mix. Hamas recently moved their offices from Damascus to Qatar, after Al-Assad was furious with their leadership for refusing to support the Assad regime against the popular uprising that began earlier this year. Hamas leaders had refrained from taking sides in the conflict, claiming that the movement’s policy was to avoid interfering with the internal affairs of Arab countries, despite the fact that they outwardly supported the downfall of Ben Ali in Tunisia, Mubarak in Egypt and Ghaddafi in Libya.

On the other hand, Al-Assad has the full support of the leadership of Hezbollah, another avowed enemy of Israel and the USA. Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, made it very clear in a speech in Beirut, Lebanon that they “stand by the Syrian regime, a regime of resistance against Israel.” Based on the demands and the goals of the anti-government forces in Syria, it is now certain that in a post- Assad Syria, there will be no room for Hamas, Hezbollah or Islamic Jihad. This makes the matter even more complicated and serious.

How does Turkey view the events in Syria, their neighbor in the South? There are two scenarios the government in Turkey is trying to avoid. One would be for the events in Syria to get completely out of hand and cause the country to fall into total chaos. The other would be for the internal situation in Syria to prepare the ground for outside intervention by others. Despite all this, the Government of Turkey has allowed anti-Assad forces to operate from bases in Turkish territories and allowed the formation of a de-facto government-in-exile in Istanbul (Syrian National Council) led by a long time Syrian dissident.

Under either scenario, the political and economic relationships between Turkey and Syria may catastrophically fail and may cause a religious war in the area among various sects of Islam, particularly between the Sunnis and the Shiites. In order to avoid either scenario, the Ankara government advised Syria in two main areas. One was for the Assad regime to immediately bring about democratic reforms in Syria, stop the heavy handed response to the demonstrations, give voice to all sectors of Syrian society and hold fair and honest elections immediately. The other was the declaration of the Turkish Government against further killings of the Syrian population by Assad’s military forces led by his brother, Maher. Beyond political and economic ties between the two countries, there are deep historical and humanitarian ties which force the Turkish Government not to remain silent.

Iran Press News reported that Khamenei of Iran, in response to the Turkish declaration, sent a personal letter to Assad of Syria stating that “the response to Turkey’s bullying must be the strengthening of ties and strong unity between Iran and Syria”. According to Khamenei, Shiite dominated Iran has beaten back Saudi Arabia’s domination of the Muslims world-wide, and it will not allow Turkey to fill the leadership void with Sunnis within the Islamic world. He further stressed that Iran and Syria should strengthen relations within the Shiite realm, which includes Iraq and Lebanon. With the complete withdrawal of US troops from Iraq by the end of this year, matters in the area may get even more complicated.

How does Iran view the events in Syria? Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 in Iran, Syria has been Iran’s strongest ally in the area. During the long Iran-Iraq war, Syria supported Iran and went as far as letting Iranian forces use Syrian territory for their military operations. Iran influences day to day events in Lebanon using Hezbollah to do their work. Geographically, Syria which now stands between the Mediterranean and Iran is Iran’s gateway to Lebanon. Iran would like to control both Syria and Lebanon and have direct and free access to port facilities in the Eastern Mediterranean. Therefore, it is no surprise that the Iranian regime calls the demonstrators in Syria “armed terrorists supported by CIA, Mossad and Saudi Arabia”.

The situation gets even more complicated when one considers the long term goals of Iran and Turkey. Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iran has followed a path to dominate the area. They support Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula; the Taliban in Afghanistan and Islamic Jihad and other Islamic groups who fight the Americans in Pakistan. The Mullahs who rule Iran would like to see a Middle East dominated by Islamic rule, heavily influenced by the extremely conservative Shiite beliefs of the Iranian rulers. On the other hand, the Islamic leaning and popularly elected government of Turkey led by Tayyip Erdogan, which is presently enjoying an unprecedented economic boom would like to see the previously Ottoman dominated areas of the Middle East and North Africa come under Sunni leaning Islamic regimes under the influence of Turkey.

The battle ground to prove either domination will be Syria. The swords have been drawn, territories are marked and the battlefield is now being prepared. When the situation will explode and what the final results will be is the big question and so far no one seems to have concrete answers. A lot may depend on when Iran finally gets its hands on a nuclear weapon and threatens to use it for Iran’s advantage. Israel will not remain silent for long and other countries in the area may join in the fray with their own nuclear weapons. It is the Middle East after all. Unpredictable! Explosive! Enigmatic!

Currently a member of Marco Island’s Code Enforcement Board, Tarik Ayasun has given many years of community service to various organizations. 

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