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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
June 2000.
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
Summer finally arrived. For those who are planning a vacation, don't forget to include a side trip for collecting rocks, minerals or fossils. This always adds excitement to your travels.
On June 3rd, Greg Davis led the club on a fossil collecting field trip to Topanga Canyon in the southwestern edge of the San Fernando Valley. At several roadcuts along Old Topanga Road, we found marine fossils from the Miocene epoch (15-16 million years old), which were exposed in the Topanga formation. Fossils found by our members included pelecypods (clams), gastropods (snails) and one fossil crab. The trip was well attended and everyone found fossils.
On June 11th the annual VGMS Breakfast was held at the home of Steve and Susan Mulqueen. A word of thanks goes to all members who helped out for this event. Some brought food, chairs, tables, while others helped out in the kitchen before, during and after the breakfast.
Our next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 28th. Please plan on attending...and don't forget to bring a friend.
Steve Mulqueen,
President.
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PROGRAM FOR JUNE 28TH.
Lecture for June 28th: Steve Mulqueen will be presenting a program on "Mud Volcanoes of Imperial Valley, California". These are active mud eruptions, which are caused by geothermal activity near the Salton Sea.
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STONE CANYON FIELD TRIP,
By Wes Lingerfelt.
Excerpts from his report:
When I saw 163 vehicles waiting to get into Stone Canyon I was swept with panic. I just knew the ranch manager would cancel, with so many driving across his land.
He didn't cancel, and the day went extremely well. The people were courteous, pleasant, friendly, and personally all thanked the ranch manager for allowing them access. No major problems were encountered, the people made a good impression on a previously concerned and worried landowner. I want to thank every rockhound who attended for that.
One thing that could ruin it for everyone is if some nut decides to trespass and sneak in without permission.
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SAFETY JULY?
Why do you run red lights? Today I saw the results of just an action. The whole front end of one car was messed up as was the passenger side of the other one.
I see it every time I go downtown and almost every time the traffic lights changes. The light turns yellow and the approaching vehicle immediately speeds up. You can see it. If you happen to be standing there, you can hear the engine rev up. The car may not enter on the red but so long after the yellow came on that for all practical purposes, the red light is on. And the impatient cross traffic steps on the gas and zooms out into the intersection.
In the case I saw today, I don't know who was in the wrong. It doesn't really matter except maybe to the insurance company or to the police if they should care to issue a traffic ticket.
The MAIN result was that neither car would drive away under its own power. Both parties will probably be without transportation for days, maybe weeks. How about injuries? If the car had stopped for the light, at most, 60 seconds would have been the delay; normal lights run from 15 to 45 seconds. Is that worth your life? If not your life, how about 100% disabled? Or perhaps, only a badly bruised side of face, which was smashed against the windshield.
How many times have you seen a car careen through an intersection racing the red light while you obediently stop, to come up to the next light and the other car is sitting there waiting? You didn't risk your life. HE DID! Think about that the next time you are tempted to push the yellow.
Chuck McKie,
CFMS Safety Chairman.
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GOLD & GEM SHOW,
Riverside, CA,
August 4, 5, 6 - 2000.
The committee members of the Gold & Gem 2000 Show are counting the months until show time at the Riverside Convention Center August 4, 5 and 6 in Riverside, CA.
Interesting programs in the air-conditioned center have been chosen to accommodate your various interests in the field of geology.
Saturday 10:30am: Don Brown of the Valley Prospectors will speak and give a demonstration using a metal detector.
Saturday 12 Noon: Bob Jones, author and collector, has chosen to speak on The History of Gold Mining in America.
Saturday 1:30pm: Bob Reynolds, well known for his wide variety of programs, has not advised me as to the one he has selected.
Saturday 3:00pm: Tim Thomas, one of our dealers, will be speaking on the nomenclature of opal, the cutting of opal, and the purchasing of this beautiful gem.
Sunday 10:30am: Kathleen Springer, a paleontologist with the San Bernardino County Museum, has chosen as her program, "Valley of the Mastodons, Fossils from the Diamond Lake Project".
Sunday 12 Noon: Sugar White from Redlands will talk on the Copper Deposits of San Bernardino County.
Sunday 1:30pm: Francis Lau, who spoke at our 1996 show, will repeat the interesting and educational program on understanding the gemologist's grading system in the quality of diamonds.
Debbie Bunn, who at one time was our CFMS Junior Advisor, is planning junior programs. The times and days will be announced later.
These various programs should pretty well take care of your Saturday and Sunday at the show.
Come early on Friday, so that you may enjoy the numerous displays. the various demonstrations, and our innumerable dealers. Hopefully, you will find some enchanting bauble to take home as a delightful momento of our fantastic show, Gold & Gem 2000.
Beverly Berg,
Program Chairman.
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2000 CFMS CLUB SHOWS.
JULY 8-9; CULVER CITY, CA - Culver City Rock & Mineral Club, Culver City Veterans Memorial Complex, 4117 Overland Ave., Hours: Sat. 10-6: Sun. 10-5, Brad Smith (310) 472-6490.
JULY 14-15; ARROYO GRANDE, CA - Orcutt Mineral Society, Inc., Arroyo Grande High School Parking Lot, Fair Oaks & Valley Road, Hours: 8-5 both days, Wes Lingerfelt (805) 929-3788.
JULY 21, 22, 23; SAN RAFAEL, CA - Marin Mineral Society, Exhibition Hall, Marin Civic Center, Avenue of the Flags (part of Gem Faire), Hours: Fri. 12-7; Sat. 10-7; Sun. 10-5, Maryann Maning (415) 883-8020.
AUGUST 5-6; SAN FRANCISCO, CA - San Francisco Gem & Mineral Society, Golden Gate Park, 9th Ave. & Lincoln Way, Hours: Sat. 10-6; Sun. 10-5, Ellen Nott (415) 564-4230.
SEPTEMBER 1-4; FORT BRAGG, CA - Mendocino Coast Gem & Mineral Society, Town Hall, Main & Laurel, Hours: Fri. - Sun. 10-6; Mon. 10-4, Dutch Sprock (707)937-4245, PO Box 68, Albion, CA 95410.
SEPTEMBER 16-17; PASO ROBLES, CA - Santa Lucia Rockhounds, Pioneer Park and Museum, 2010 Riverside Ave., Hours: Sat. 10-6; Sun. 10-5, Harry Kuffel (805) 467-3457.
SEPTEMBER 16-17; REDWOOD, CA - Sequoia Gem & Mineral Society, Community Activities Building, 1400 Roosevelt Ave., Hours: 10-5 both days, Mary Kelly (650) 366-3285.
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BRUNO.
I met a man in the twilight of his years and in his frail body were eyes that sparkled when he talked. His eyes always glowed with the brightness of the man inside. They had a childlike playfulness when he was teasing and absolutely twinkled with glee when he talked of his ancient animals with which he lived most of his life. His eyes were the focal point that would draw you to him. It was impossible to look into his eyes and not see the kind, loving and caring man within.
I met a man in the twilight of his years and in his frail body was a mind as crisp as ever. Within his mind was a store a lifetime of knowledge and sights and experiences. These he would share freely to all that he talked with and although the years had taken much of his ability to talk, if you were patient and listened carefully, he would tell tales of animals that were around a long time ago and he would even claimed to have seen them.
I met a man in the twilight of his years and in his failing body beat a heart so full of joy and love that it enveloped all who came near. Even though the physical side of life had taken its toll on his heart, it could not lessen his heart's capacity to accept and respect everyone he met; to love not only family, but; all those around him. His heart had been weakened, but it could not dampen his love of life.
I met a man in the twilight of his years and I came to love him. Through his eyes I saw things that I never would have seen and learned things that would have passed unnoticed. His mind revealed to me wonders that existed not only in this time, but millions of years past. We would sit and talk and joke and he would share his tales of treasure hunts and countless adventures. In his heart I found unconditional love. Our time together was short, but the warmth of his love will live throughout my life. My only regret was that I did not know him longer.
Lovingly Written and Contributed by:
Red Jioras.
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MINUTES OF VGMS REGULAR MEETING,
May 24, 2000.
The regular monthly meeting of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society was called to order by President Steve Mulqueen at 7:40 p.m., on Wednesday, May 24, 2000, at the Bijou room of the Lexington, 5440 Ralston, Ventura, CA. The group was led in the salute to the flag.
For those members who were not aware Steve Mulqueen announced that Bruno Benson passed away on May 6, 2000. Bruno and Opal have been very active members of VGMS since 1952. Steve asked for a few minutes of silence in order to pray for and send love to Bruno and Opal.
Steve then passed out maps to the Mulqueen home for the annual breakfast to held June 11, 2000. Those planning on attending were asked to sign up and contact Susan Mulqueen about bringing food for the breakfast.
Greg Davis reported that the CFMS field trip to Stone Canyon was a huge success with more than 150 rock hounds attending. The June 3 field trip will be to Topanga Canyon for fossils. Participants should meet at the K-Mart parking lot on Victoria at 9:00 a.m. on June 3. The Jade Cove field trip has been postponed because of the crowds likely to be out on the July 4th holiday. Greg hoped that the tri-club meeting on Saturday will produce possibilities for a field trip with all three clubs.
Guests at the meeting included Jim Ducusin, Judy Wheeler, Greg Briggs, and Mark Solomon. New members present were: Kari Solomon and Belinda Smithson.
Steve Mulqueen announced that a good number of VGMS members supported the Conejo club's show last weekend with their exhibits.
The next Board meeting will be held on Thursday, June 1, at 7:30 p.m.
Members wishing to donate to the VGMS Museum Fund in Bruno Benson's name should contact either Richard Bromser or Steve Mulqueen.
Since Richard Bromser was not present there was no Treasurer's Report.
Wayne Ehlers gave a slide presentation of a trip that he and Marie took to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings in 1987. The second part of the program was a silent auction.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Jioras, Secretary.
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CFMS EARTH SCIENCE STUDIES AT CAMP PARADISE,
September 10 - 17, 2000.
The CFMS Earth Science Seminar will be held at Camp Paradise September 10 to 17. It is a week long learning opportunity to learn or improve on your lapidary skills. The instructors are all professionals in their field.
Workshops include--wire wrap, faceting, casting, stone carving, cabbing, petrified wood identification, bead stringing and perhaps others. If you plan to take wood identification, you must have a hand held 20 power microscope or a high powered monocular microscope.
Camp Paradise is a rustic church owned camp situated among stately pines at about 3500 feet elevation. It is located about 42 miles north east of Marysville, California on state highway E21, about one mile beyond Clipper Mills. It is well marked. (It is NOT at the city of Paradise.)
Rooms have double beds and/or cots with bathrooms and showers inside the building. There is ample room for RVs and vans with bathroom facilities nearby.
Three home cooked meals a day are provided and food and beverage is sent out on field trips. You may bring snacks or sodas if you wish.
Field trips include trips for collecting and for sight seeing (museums, etc.) and gold panning.
During the evenings there are programs and speakers and "Fun Night" when we all entertain each other.
The fee for this week-long learning experience is $200.00 per person. A small charge may be required for using material in the workshops.
Anyone wishing to arrive in camp a day or two early will be responsible for their own lodging fee for those days.
This is a church owned camp and there are a few rules and restrictions. For health reasons, you must provide a sheet or cover to place between the mattress and your bedding. There is to be no alcohol and no pets unless you have specific permission from the camp manager.
If you have any questions, please call Cal Clason - 661-589-4169 or Ray Meisenheimer - 805-642-3155.
Table of Contents.
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