5:30 p.m.     Executive Committee Meeting

6:30 p.m.     Dinner

7:30 p.m.     Meeting

Reservations: Reservations should be sent to Dr. Vicki Audia (markvicki1@bellsouth.net) with "WCACS February Meeting" in subject headline or by calling (828-699-3271 or 828-891-9671) NO LATER than Tuesday February 5th at noon.

If you require a vegetarian entrée or special dietary consideration, please note this at the time of the reservation.

If you would like to attend the lecture but not attend the dinner, PLEASE let De. Vicki Audia know so that we will have the appropriate amount of seating.

Chocolate has been part of the world culture for thousands of years. This talk will present: (1) the high points of the history of chocolate from the Mayan and Aztec cultures to the present; (2) some chemistry and biochemistry of theobroma cocoa (the food of the gods); (3) some health results that indicate this exotic vegetable (obviously since wine is a fruit) is actually good for you; (4) some circulating urban legends (little known facts, trivia) about chocolate; (5) discussions about the recent book "The Emperors of Chocolate"; and (6) samples sufficient to make some attendees sick. Some of us are not ashamed to admit to being card-carrying chocoholics and on a 12-step plan.

Santa Clara Valley Section
(Retired partner) Peters Verny LLP, Palo Alto, Calif.

30 year member of the ACS Council, was elected by petition as ACS Director-at-Large from 2005-7 and was the unsuccessful candidate for ACS President in 2007.

Retired from his patent law firm Peters Verny, LLP in Palo Alto CA in August 2007.

Received the ACS Division of Professional Relations Henry A. Hill Award in 2007 in recognition of his efforts to advance chemistry as a profession.

Born: 1940

Academic record: Geneva College, B.S., 1962 (magna cum laude); Stanford University, Ph.D., 1967; Santa Clara University, (at night) J.D., 1978 (law)

Honors: Henry Hill Award, Division of Professional Relations, ACS, 2007; ACS Council recognition for 25-year membership (2003); Shirley B. Radding Award, Santa Clara Valley Section, ACS, 1997; Middlekauff Distinguished Service Award, Division of Chemistry & the Law, ACS, 1992; Ottenberg Award, Santa Clara Valley Section, ACS, 1984; elected fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2006; Healing Institute Commitment Award (Diversity Affairs in Silicon Valley), 2000; Bennett Lecturer on Alternative Careers for Chemists, West Virginia University, 2000; Geneva College Alumni Award, 1997; Sigma Xi; American Men & Women in Science, 1998; Syntex Corporation Achievement Award, 1982; ACS, Chemical & Engineering News, scholar (honorable mention), 1962

Professional positions (for past 10 years): Retired, 2007; Peters Verny LLP, founding partner, patent attorney, 1996-07; Phillips, Moore, Lempio & Finley, partner, patent attorney, 1985-96

Service in ACS national offices: Director-at-large, 2005-07; councilor, ex officio, 2005-07; Council Policy Committee (voting), 2004-06, 2000-02; Committee on Nominations & Elections, 1996-98; Committee on Grants & Awards, 2005-07; Committee on Professional & Member Relations, 2006; Committee on Committees, 1991-96; Committee on Patents & Related Matters, 1998-2004, 1981-89, committee associate, 1980, consultant, 1990-92; Committee on Minority Affairs, consultant, 1998-2004; Committee on Constitution & Bylaws, 1993, committee associate, 1990; Committee on Economic Status, 1987; Committee on Meetings & Expositions, 1979-82, committee associate, 1978; advisory board, Journal of Chemical Information & Computer Science, 1980-84

Service in ACS offices: Member of ACS since 1963. Division of Chemistry & the Law: councilor, 1985-2004; chair, 1993; chair-elect, 1992; cofounder, 1979; Committee on Minority Affairs, 1997-2004. Division of Chemical Information: Chemistry & the Law Subdivision, chair, 1980-85. Santa Clara Valley Section: councilor, 1977-82; alternate councilor, 1983-85, 1976; chair, 1996, 1986; chair-elect and program chair, 1995, 1985; ombudsman, 1989; Shirley B. Radding Service Award, committee chair, 1998-99, 1993-95; Harry & Carol Mosher Award, committee chair, 2003-04, 1982-85; Awards Committee, chair, 1980-81; Minority Affairs Committee, chair, 1997-2004

Member: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS); Society for the Advancement of Chicanos & Native Americans in Science (Sacnas, ambassador from ACS Board); National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists & Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE); California Academy of Sciences; Intellectual Property Owners Association; Canadian Society of Chemistry. ACS Divisions: Chemical Education, Chemical Technicians, Chemistry & the Law, History of Chemistry, and Professional Relations

Related activities: Santa Clara University, Law School Board of Visitors, 2007; Syntex Corp., patent attorney, 1980-84; Hexcel Corp., staff attorney, 1978-80; SRI International, Menlo Park, Calif., research chemist/project leader, 1969-78; Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., research chemist, 1966-69; technical and legal presentations at national and local meetings; Sci-Mix symposia; Geneva College, Adams Chemistry Center, fund-raising cochair ($5 million), 1997-2003; editor, ACS monograph, "Understanding Chemical Patents," 2nd Edition, 1991; Intel International Science & Engineering Fair, board of directors, San Jose, 2005-10; invited judge, Intel International Science & Engineering Fair, 2001-07; coinventor with seven patents; more than 10 journal and monograph publications, many technical and legal lectures, hundreds of U.S. and foreign patent applications written, filed, or prosecuted

CHAIR
VICKI AUDIA
markvicki@bellsouth.net

CHAIR-ELECT
LAURA WRIGHT
laura.wright@furman.edu

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
MELANIE COOPER
cmelani@clemson.edu

SECRETARY
SEAN O'CONNOR
oconns@clemson.edu

TREASURER
JULIA BRUMAGHIM
brumagh@clemson.edu

COUNCILOR
LUCY EUBANKS
elucy@clemson.edu

COUNCILOR
ROYCE WOOSLEY
rwoosley@email.wcu.edu

ALTERNATE COUNCILOR
GEORGE HEARD
gheard@unca.edu

ALTERNATE COUNCILOR
JOHN KAUP
jgkaup@clemson.edu

After several years of negotiating with the ACS Committee on Constitution and Bylaws, our Local Section has finally won their approval for new bylaws. On February 19, 2004, during our regular meeting, the revisions as proposed were approved by the members present. The revised bylaws were certified on 4 March, 2004.

Kameron Williams, who was a student in Mrs. Margaret Dacko's 8th grade class at Sever Middle School, Greenville, SC won second prize in the ACS Earth Day Illustrated Haiku contest in the 5th to 8th grade category. Kameron received a prize from Amazon.com, and a certificate. His teacher Mrs. Dacko received a periodic table of the elephants! As the ACS letter to Mrs. Dacko states "Science literacy is very important to our student's and our country's future. The contributions and support of teachers like (Mrs. Dacko) make a significant difference."

Here's the announcement from ACS Headquarters:

The Committee on Community Activities (CCA) and the Office of Community Activities (OCA) are pleased to announce that the list of Chemists Celebrate Earth Day (CCED) illustrated haiku winners found at:

http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/acsdisplay.html?DOC=oca%5cearthday%5ccced_past_celebrations.html

now links to a page with photos of the entries and the haiku text:

http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/acsdisplay.html?DOC=oca%5cearthday%5chaikus06.html .

Congratulations again to our 2006 winners!

We would also like you to know that there will again be an illustrated haiku contest for CCED 2007, and the information is attached. Please note that the decision was made to shift the contest deadlines and to change selection of the winners so that they may be announced on or before April 22, 2007.

We all think that this will be a major plus for publicity and for the participants. They will now know if they received an award within a month or so of their area-contest deadline.

Thank you for your participation in and interest for OCA programs!

We hope to hear from you again in 2007!

Regards,

Michael Mautino, Chair CCA
Judith Jankowski, Marisa Burgener and Tiffany Williams, OCA


American Chemical Society
1155 Sixteenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
earthday@acs.org
Toll Free 1-800-227-5558
http://chemistry.org/oca

Click for Acrobat file for information on the 2007 Haiku contest.

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LSAC will work with local sections to enhance their success, to promote the well-being of their members, to foster the spirit of volunteerism, and to carry out the mission of the American Chemical Society at the professional and community level.

The Local Section Activities Committee will continue to focus on ACS members at the local section level so that local sections will

* Access tailored ACS services delivered by various means that include transitioning toward electronic delivery via the Internet
* Effectively partner with Divisions and other units
* Increase member participation in local section events and programs
* Be infused with leaders having acquired leadership skills for developing sustainable activities and programs that foster member volunteerism and ensure value and satisfaction
* Receive customized feedback and recognition that focuses on the development of each local section to realize its full unique potential
* Clearly identify and value the Local Section Activities Committee as a key peer resource

* ACS's strength lies in its local sections and divisions
* Local Sections are our customers
* LSAC will be a peer resource to local sections
* LSAC will emphasize direct input and dialog with sections
* LSAC is responsible to be the point of contact with other ACS entities on behalf of local sections

For more information, see the ACS Office of Local Section Activities home page on the ACS Web or address correspondence to:

American Chemical Society, Office of Local Section Activities, 1155 16th St, NW, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 872-4610; (202) 872-435; E-mail: olsa@acs.org

¡Ahora en español! Spanish Edition of "Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories"

The ACS Committee on Chemical Safety (CCS) is pleased to announce the publication (online) of the translation of the top seller of all ACS safety publications, (http://membership.acs.org/c/ccs/pubs/SACL_Spanish.htm).

CCS has as its prime responsibility the encouragement of safe practices in chemical activities. The committee serves as a resource to the chemical professional in providing advice and counsel on the handling of chemicals, and seeks to ensure safe facilities, designs, and operations by calling attention to potential hazards and stimulating education in safe chemical practices. CCS also provides advice to other ACS units on matters related to chemical safety and health.

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The ACS Committee on Professional Training (CPT) has revised its printed brochure, Planning for Graduate Work in Chemistry. Now in its 8th edition, this publication has been transformed into an interactive website with updated content and format that allow rapid navigation through suggestions on how to plan for graduate school. This online resource is designed to guide both domestic and international undergraduate students who are considering graduate work in chemical sciences in selecting a program that best meets their needs and aspirations. It provides advice on how to prepare for successful work in graduate school, how and when to apply for admission, and to some extent, what to expect once enrolled in graduate school. The online format provides an opportunity for more regular revisions, so CPT would like to hear comments from both students and their advisers on the content, functionality, and ease of use of this new resource.

To submit comments or to get more information about this online publication, please contact Marta Gmurczyk at m_gmurczyk@acs.org or 202-872-4599.

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Since 1992 Dr. Kathleen A. Carrado, a member of the Chicago Local Section and a chemist at Argonne National Laboratory, has submitted a regular column titled "ChemShorts" for the section's newsletter, The Chemical Bulletin. Each ChemShort describes a simple and interesting chemistry experiment that a young student (grades K-6) can do at home with adult supervision and common household items. A selected ChemShorts for Kids will be featured in future Cut & Paste publications.

Kids, did you ever wonder about the chemistry of autumn leaf colors? Most plants contain several pigment molecules. If you experiment with different leaves in this activity you will see the wide range of pigments.

You will need leaves, baby food jars with lids, rubbing alcohol, coffee filters (preferably the Melitta type), hot water, and a shallow pan. Take 2-3 large leaves (or the equivalent with smaller leaves), tear them into tiny pieces, and place them into small jars with lids. Add enough alcohol to just cover the leaves. Loosely cover the jars and set them into a shallow pan containing an inch or so of hot tap water. Let the jars sit in the hot water for at least a half hour. Replace the hot water as it cools and swirl the jars from time to time. The jars are 'done' when the alcohol has picked up color from the leaves. The darker the color, the brighter the chromatogram will be. Cut a long, thin (1/2?) strip of coffee filter paper for each jar. Place one strip of paper into each jar, with one end in the alcohol and the other outside of the jar. As the alcohol evaporates, it will pull the pigment up the paper, separating pigments according to their molecular size. Pigments with the largest size will move the shortest distance. After 30-90 minutes, remove the strips of paper and allow them to dry. From the information below, can you identify which pigments are present?

The color of a leaf results from the different pigments produced by the plant. The main pigment classes responsible for leaf color are porphyrins, carotenoids, and flavonoids. The color depends mostly on the amount and types of these pigments. The pigment porphyrin has a compound called chlorophyll that is green. The pigment carotenoid has compounds carotene and lycopene that are yellow, orange , and red, as well as xanthophyll which is yellow. The pigment flavonoid has compounds flavone and flavonol ( yellow ) and anthocyanin that can be red, blue , purple , or magenta.

When leaves are green, it is because they contain a lot of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll masks all other pigment colors. The anthocyanins will mask carotenoids. As summer turns to autumn, decreasing light levels cause chlorophyll production to slow and the green color will fade. At the same time, anthocyanin production in leaves increases in response to increasing sugar concentrations. Leaves with a lot of anthocyanins will turn red. Leaves with good amounts of both anthocyanins and carotenoids will be orange, and leaves with carotenoids but little or no anthocyanins will turn yellow. In the absence of these pigments, other plant chemicals can affect leaf color. An example is tannins, which cause the brownish color of some oak leaves.

Options: Does the season in which the leaves are picked affect their colors? Also try using frozen chopped spinach leaves. If your chromatogram is pale, the next time use more leaves and/or smaller pieces.
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Reference:

Dr. Anne Marie Helmenstine at
http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howtos/ht/paperchroma.htm
and
http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa082602a.htm

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The Western Carolinas Section is looking for community outreach coordinators to lead community activities such as Chemists Celebrate Earth Day (CCED) and National Chemistry Week (NCW). If you are interested in heading up one of these outreach programs, contact the local section chair [insert contact information] and sign up with the ACS Office of Community Activities at:

For additional information on these or other community activity programs available through ACS, visit the Office of Community Activities' website at chemistry.org/oca, or email oca@acs.org.

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The highly popular ACS Video Course, Starting with Safety, has been adapted for delivery via the Internet. The Internet version includes all of the materials from the original Video Course including the video scenes and the Teacher's Guide. As an added bonus, the complete ACS Video Course, Seeing the Light, Eye and Face Protection, is also included in this ACS Internet Course.

Now you and your students can access this valuable training program from any computer connected to the Internet at any time, day or night. (We do recommend a relatively high-speed connection, such as a DSL, cable modem or higher. And you will need to install the Flash 6 player to view the videos).

This program is designed to be used as part of a standard high school or introductory college chemistry curriculum that is taught by an experienced chemistry teacher. The program is NOT meant to be a stand-alone training course. Students should only use this program under the supervision of a qualified teacher.

For complete details about this program, visit the American Chemical Society website at http://chemistry.org/elearning and click on the link to Starting with Safety.

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In October, the Technology, Tools and Operations Subcommittee of the Local Section Activities Committee and the Office of Local Section Activities launched a new HTML newsletter for local section leaders! The quarterly newsletter is sent via email to all current local section officers. The goal of the newsletter is to provide officers with timely information, tools and tips for success, and innovative ideas and activities that local sections may find of interest. The newsletter is available online at http://membership.acs.org/l/localsections/leading_together. If you wish to subscribe to future issues of this newsletter please send an email to olsa@acs.org and indicate your subscription request.