Notes from June 19, 2019 Meeting
Dear Everybody,
First of all, before you do anything else, make a note in your calendar that we will NOT be meeting on July 3. It looks like many of us will be traveling, out of town, or otherwise not available for a meeting the day before July 4. So, we will just postpone additional magic until July 10.
If you weren’t able to be with us this morning, you missed Brooke Schiavone’s presentation about Z’s Fine Jewelry, the store’s history, and how she came to be part of a third generation in the jewelry business. She gave us a recap of her earlier life, and how she and Joe managed to become a team. She also brought samples of some of their most popular lines, including Frederic Duclas and Officina Bernardi, and she managed to get all of her samples back without using a headlock on anybody. Brooke says that pearls – which had developed a reputation for being “old” – are now trendy and that strands are worn with anything from jeans to formalwear. She also brought some Obaku watches for us to consider.
Brooke did issue a warning about wearing jewelry in the pool or at the beach. DON’T! Chlorine in the pool eats the solder and you can lose the stones out of your rings and pendants, salt water is abrasive, and sand will mar the surface of your pieces.
She also warned about leaving your jewelry where it can be stolen when you are on vacation, or away from home. Put it in a safe, or bring your good stuff to Z’s and they will put it in their safe until you get home. But whatever you do, lock it up.
The current campaign being seen across the country is “For me, from me.” In other words, a lot of self-purchasing – especially by women for themselves – is going on.
Another campaign is “Real is rare.” This campaign refutes the notion that mining for precious stones is damaging to the earth. The Diamond Producers Association has gone to great lengths to help educate children in isolated areas, and to assist with AIDS prevention. Brooke says that it is part of the job of jewelers to educate other people, and to give back.
Z’s Fine Jewelry will host an event to benefit Valley View Community Food Bank from June 24 through 29. The beach-themed “Diamond Dig” will go on all week at the store, and will give donors a chance to win a real diamond.
Robin McCord announced that the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce is launching a summer fundraiser “Operation Clean Drive.” You can buy a packet of six free carwashes for $25 (normally a $96 value) and help take care of our veterans and their families. The car washes can be redeemed at Jacksons Car Wash, which has 11 locations throughout the Valley. Robin also says that there is no expiration date on the packets.
Our speaker next week on June 26 is Susan Riedel of Modern Woodmen. We will also be honoring Judy Haenel, who was designated a Hometown Hero by Modern Woodmen. Congratulations to Judy, and we hope everybody is present next week to clap wildly for her. She truly is a hero to a lot of folks in the community.
On July 10, Lupe Encinas is scheduled to speak. However, Lupe is stepping aside for her son Ulysses, who is a young entrepreneur (age 11) and is just starting his own business called Lizards For Kids. You are encouraged to bring your own kids, grandkids, or favorite short people to hear his presentation. As a networking group, we try to encourage our own kids when they begin to make forays into the business world.
Thanks for all you do. Don’t forget to sleep every few days. It is amazing what it will do for your outlook on life.
Best wishes,
Jody Serey
SereyJones Publishers, Inc.
623-561-0240
623-451-0834 (cell)