Page 19 - 2006 DT 12 Issues

is to dry quicksand. In the experiment,
when a weighted ping-pong ball was Rock On . . . Red Rock Casino · Resort · Spa Rocks Red Spring
dropped from just above the surface of
the lab-created dry quicksand, it sank by Pat Williams
to a depth of about five times the ball’s
diameter. Lohse observed a “straight n a crisp (okay, it was brutally cold) Saturday morning, February
jet of sand [shooting] violently into the 18, new volunteers from Red Rock Casino · Resort · Spa gathered
air after about 100 [milleseconds].” This Oat Red Spring. This large and very enthusiastic group—94 team
type of jet has never been seen before. members strong—volunteered to sand, sweep and apply wood sealant to
Lohse concludes that “in nature, the new boardwalk at Red Spring, as well as eradicate braided trails and
dry quicksands may evolve from sedi- revitalize authorized
mentation of very fine sand after it has trails in the area.
been blown into the air and, if large Friends of Red
enough, might be a threat to humans. Rock Canyon, Red
Indeed, reports that travelers and Rock Canyon Interpre-
whole vehicles have been swallowed tive Association and
instantly may even turn out to be cred- the BLM developed an
ible in the light of our results.” ambitious work sched-
Walk softly and keep a sharp eye.  ule for team. We had
hoped that the majority
of the projects would be
General Membership completed before 3:00 © 2006, Fred Jorgensen
Meeting Notes p.m. We should have known better. The Team completed every task on
our lengthy list before 10:30 a.m.! Not too bad, considering that teams
 A quorum of 38 members was
present at the General Membership Meeting weren’t dispersed to the work sites until after 8:30 a.m.
on Saturday, February 11, 2006. Kudos to the event logistics personnel: Athena Sparks, Janis Kadlec,
 Former board secretary Laura Chuck Williams, Kim McLean, Blaine Benedict, Mark Beauchamp, Mark
White and former Dedication Walkway Rekshynskyj, and the dedicated Friends volunteers—Ken Osgood, Willie
Chair Brenda Martz-Alvarado were Stephenitch, Larry Dunn, Richard Lewnau, and Barb and Fred Jorgensen.
recognized for past service. These people are a great blend of Friends volunteers, RRCIA staff and
 Markarian Rekshynskyj, BLM personnel. That’s how it should be.
Red Rock Canyon NCA manager,
was honored for his consistent and Welcome and accolades to the new partner for Red Rock Canyon
continuing support of Friends with a National Conservation Area, the Red Rock Casino · Resort · Spa (Station’s
Shirley Winslow Red Rock Canyon Casino), the first in the gaming industry to commit to the environment.
limited edition watercolor. Welcome to the family.
 Treasurer Helen Barrett gave Rock on . . . .
a financial overview and reported total
assets of $268,394.56
 Director-at-Large Blaine
B e n e d i c t p r e s e n t e d m a j o r Red Rock Station Casino, Resort and is complete (RRCIA provided oversight
accomplishments of the first Spa, at Station’s request, to discuss for the Interpretive Signing); Red Rock
quarter, including the receipt of a a collaborative partnership to benefit Resort (Stations) will work with the
$5,000 grant from REI, Inc. for trail Red Rock Canyon and the community Interpretive Staff to develop programs
maintenance training expenses; a through volunteer involvement. and hikes for guests and/or employees
“Make a Difference” work day with  A motion was presented to of the Resort.
REI employees on October 22, at the approve the proposed revisions to the
Canyon; the Red Spring Dedication bylaws and standing rules. The motion The next General Member-ship
Ceremony, coordinated and funded was unanimously approved. Meeting will be held on Saturday, May
by Friends; an Adopt-a-Crag work day  Blaine Benedict, Associate 20. Time and location to be announced.
with Mountain Gear and the Las Vegas Executive Director, RRCIA, reported
Climbing Liaison Council on January 21. that Visitor Center museum upgrades
 President Williams announced have been completed; the Red Spring
that meetings have been held with the Restoration and Boardwalk project News & Notes, continued on p.6

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