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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
October 2000.
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
The slate of officers for VGMS 2001 will be announced at our next regular meeting on October 25th. Richard Bromser (Nominating Committee Chairman) and Red Jioras have worked hard gathering input from many of our members. As a reminder, elections will be held at our November meeting and installation of officers will be conducted at our December meeting/Christmas Party.
The lapidary class at the VGMS Museum got off to a good start on Monday, October 2nd. The class is being taught by Wayne Ehlers and Greg Davis and is well attended. It is being held on Monday nights during the entire month of October. The class is full this time around, however, other classes could be scheduled early next year. Please let me know if you are interested in attending a VGMS lapidary class.
A "Show Meeting" will be held at the home of Steve and Susan Mulqueen on Wednesday, November 15th at 7:30pm. We will be discussing details of our Gem & Mineral Show scheduled for March 3 & 4, 2001. Please plan on attending.
The bulletin for November and December will be combined into one bulletin, printed in mid November. The regular meeting for November will be held on the 8th at the Lexington. Our Christmas party is also early, scheduled for December 13th at Millie's Restaurant located at 981 S. Victoria Ave. in Ventura. The deadline for the Nov/Dec bulletin is November 10th.
Steve Mulqueen,
President.
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PROGRAM FOR OCTOBER 25, 2000.
Helmut Ehrenspeck from the Dibble Foundation will present a program on the "Geology of the Western Santa Monica Mountains". Come and learn about the geological history of our own area.
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PROGRAM FOR NOVEMBER 8, 2000.
Stuart Chalfaul, President of Conejo Gem & Mineral Club, will present a program on "The Gem Corundum: Sapphires and Rubies".
Kathryn Davis,
Program Chairman.
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NOVEMBER FIELD TRIP.
November's field trip will be to Wileys Well, November 10th, 11th, & 12th. For more information please contact Greg Davis 647-9214.
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VGMS CHRISTMAS PARTY.
Sharon Cunningham is taking reservations for those planning on attending our annual Christmas Party, scheduled for Wednesday December 13th. Give Sharon a call at 649-3579 and let her know how many in your group will be attending.
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OPEN HOUSE FOR KIDS.
The VGMS will be opening its doors to the Museum on Saturday, December 9th for a special open house just for kids. So if you haven't had the opportunity to share our club museum with your grandchildren, nieces and nephews, this would be a wonderful day to do just that. Museum doors will open at 9:30am until 1:30pm. Come and enjoy the museum with a child, and enjoy some refreshments too!
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PUBLIC OUTREACH.
On September 22nd, Steve Mulqueen presented a lecture on the subject of "Petroleum Seeps" for Dr. Robert Gray's Geoseminar curriculum at Santa Barbara City College.
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WORK PARTY AT THE VGMS MUSEUM.
On September 30th, a work party consisting of several VGMS members helped clean up the interior and exterior of our museum. This was needed before beginning the lapidary class. Those who assisted in this event included: Richard Bromser, Shirley Bromser, Sharon Cunningham, Greg Davis, Kathryn Davis, Wayne Ehlers, Dave Mautz, Steve Mulqueen and Ron Wise. Thank you for all your hard work!
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VGMS WEB SITE.
The VGMS has their very own web site managed by Jim and Shirley Layton. Recently, Shirley submitted a printout of all the "hits" for the month on our web site. The list includes several hundred links to our web site from over 20 different countries. Congratulations to Jim and Shirley for their "international" effort. Please send them photos and your own written articles to go on the web site.
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HOSPITALITY.
The "Hospitality" at our meetings this year has been managed by Susan Mulqueen with help from many of our members. Susan will not be able to look after it next year and will need a volunteer to step forward to take over this task, starting in January. If you are interested, please call Susan or talk with her at our next meeting. Also, if you wish to bring some dessert items to our next meeting, please let Susan know.
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DUES ARE DUE!
Dues are due at the end of the year. However, we will gladly renew your membership in the VGMS starting in October.
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SENATE BILL 639 - RAFFLES.
The bill was amended and now includes organizations exempt from tax under California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 23701f (social welfare). It also includes social clubs exempt under section 23701g.
The bill still requires that 90% of gross receipts be set aside for charitable purposes. My analysis of the bill in its present form would allow the 90% to be spent in regular activities as they all further education in the earth sciences and lapidary arts.
The bill does require an accounting of gross receipts and expenses. It also requires annual registration with the Department of Justice. The bill authorizes an annual registration fee at the discretion of the Department.
Once the governor signs the bill, efforts will be made to have any registration fee to be based on gross receipts. It does not seem reasonable to charge a group grossing $1,000 from a raffle to pay the same fee as one grossing $10,000.
There are some restrictions that I will address when the bill is signed. One of the restrictions prohibits the sale of raffle tickets over the Internet.
Mike Kokinos, Tax Advisor,
CFMS Newsletter/October 2000.
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CAMP PARADISE.
Camp Paradise is a CFMS sponsored seminar for learning lapidary arts, going on field trips and good fellowship and fun.
Sunny Cross, Inez Shakman, Bob Spjut and Ron & Jean Wise along with twelve members from Oxnard Gem and Mineral Society and several from Conejo Gem & Mineral Club enjoyed a very busy week at Camp Paradise.
Each year we, the committee say it can't get better, yet each year seems to be busier and more enjoyable than the year before. With 95 in attendance, including staff the place was humming with activity. There were fourteen eager faceters, and so many in the beginner and advanced gold wire wrap workshop that extra tables had to be found. The casting class was a beehive of activity. Cherie George was very busy showing how to make glass beads, many of which were fashioned into lovely jewelry with gold wire. Along with cabbing machines, there was a flat wet polisher, sphere making machine, and highspeed sander humming away all day long. Exquisite necklaces and earrings were fashioned in the bead stringing room, and some really professional carvings were done. At "Show and Tell" on Saturday afternoon the table was loaded with beautiful creations.
Then there was the food---three delicious meals served everyday by the most friendly kitchen crew.
With warm sunny days and a full moon shining through the trees at night, what more could you ask for.
Florence Meisenheimer.
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MINUTES OF THE VGMS MONTHLY MEETING,
September 27, 2000.
The monthly meeting of the VGMS was called to order by Steve Mulqueen at 7:35PM. The meeting began with the "Pledge of Allegiance".
Our only guest was our speaker, Dr. Robert Gray of Santa Barbara City College. Dr. Gray spoke on "The Island Mammoths of the Northern Channel Islands".
A short discussion of club business preceded the program. An announcement by Steve Mulqueen of a lecture at the Santa Barbara Museum on October 11 at 7:00pm by Robert Crippen (astronaut) entitled "Visualizing Earth's Crust from Space".
Greg Davis spoke about the October field trip to Trona and Searles Lake on October 13, 14 & 15. The November field trip will be to Wiley's Well in eastern San Bernardino County to collect geodes and nodules.
Steve Mulqueen announced that our first meeting regarding our Show will follow the Board meeting on October 5th. All Board members and Show Committee members were asked to attend. In the absence of a Show Chairman, Steve will be coordinating efforts of the Show Committee as President for the remainder of the year.
A work party has been formed to clean-up the VGMS museum on September 30 at 9:00am. This is needed before the workshop starts next month.
Steve announced that the Tri Club Council, consisting of members of VGMS, CGMS and OGMS Societies met on September 16. The meeting was successful. The minutes of the meeting will be printed in the October bulletin.
Steve had information on a "Mineral Collector's Workshop" to be held on October 21 in Barstow sponsored by The Friends of Mineralogy. Also, information on the mineral shows in Quartzsite, Arizona for next year were distributed.
Richard Bromser presented a financial report.
Wayne Ehlers reminded members about the VGMS workshop which will start on Monday evening, October 2 and run weekly through October 30. Wayne and Greg Davis will be teaching the Workshop. A sign-up list was distributed.
Shirley Layton will be coordinating a "pricing" work party at the museum to mark Country Store items for our show. This will be held on October 17 at 7:00pm at the VGMS museum.
A Docent Training class will be held in late October or early November by Ray Meisenheimer and Steve Mulqueen. The date of this will be announced at our next regular meeting.
Steve reminded Board Members and Show Committee members of our meeting on October 5.
Richard Bromser will head the Nominating Committee for the new slate of officers for next year.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30pm.
Susan Mulqueen.
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MINUTES OF VGMS BOARD MEETING,
October 5, 2000.
The regular board meeting of the VGMS was called to order by President Steve Mulqueen at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, October 5, 2000, at the VGMS Museum, 5019 Crooked Palm Road, Ventura, CA.
Steve Mulqueen distributed questionnaires from the Tri-Board meeting to be completed by VGMS board members. The forms are to be given to Red Jioras who will return them to Stu Chalfant of the Conejo Club.
Steve then distributed information on mineral collection workshops and the Quartzite schedule. He also passed around a history of the considerable number of "hits" on the VGMS web site. Finally, he announced that the Coast Geological Society will host a lecture on the geology of the Conejo Valley on November 17 at the American Legion Hall.
Steve said that he would not manage the annual show as Show Chairman, but would coordinate the show as club president for the remainder of his term. The first show meeting will be held on November 15, at 7:30 p.m., at the Mulqueen's house.
The annual Christmas party will be held at Millie's Restaurant, on Victoria Avenue, on December 13, at 6:30 p.m. Members should RSVP to Sharon Cunningham.
The board agreed that in the year 2001 the annual breakfast will be held in May and the annual BBQ will be held in September or October. The goal is to spread the social events more evenly throughout the year.
It was m/s/c to approve payment of checks nos. 719-722 for the month of August, and checks nos. 723-726 for the month of September.
It was decided that more club members would probably wear club vests if there was a uniform fabric and pattern available to make them. Nancy Jioras volunteered to obtain a list of names of those wishing to have vests and she will see to it that the appropriate amount of material is purchased along with a pattern that can be shared by club members. The fabric will be purchased from the club as it is needed.
The first pricing session for the country store will be held on October 17 at the club house. Shirley Layton asked for packing boxes and newspapers for that event.
Those members going to the Trona show on October 14 will have an opportunity to hunt for blue chalcedony on Saturday morning. The group will meet in front of the Trona clubhouse at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday. At that time plans for other field trips in the area will be discussed.
Red Jioras reported that a writer for Discover Ventura magazine has offered to do an article for the annual club show. Red then asked for board permission to explore the possibility of joining forces with the Ventura Recreation Department for a community shop building. Sharon Cunningham suggested that Red contact Lanie Springer in Oak View about using one of the buildings at the Oak View school.
Sharon Cunningham reported that she had two large sacks of material which had been donated to the club to use for grab bags. Steve Mulqueen said he would take it to Marie Ehlers. Sharon then suggested a Holiday Open House for pebble pups to introduce club members' families to the club museum and facilities. It was agreed that the club would host an open house on Saturday, December 9, at 9:30 a.m. for club members and pebble pups. Each child will be given a grab bag. Refreshments will be served.
It was reported that one of Bruno Benson's students, who now lives in Pennsylvania, will be preparing the largest sauropod yet found for exhibit. In honor of his teacher the paleontologist has given the fossil the working name of "Bruno".
Red Jioras volunteered to take over the Scholarship Chairman position for the year 2001.
Greg Davis reported that the November field trip will be November 10, 11, 12 to Wileys Well.
In conclusion Steve Mulqueen reported that about 10 people turned out on September 30th to clean up the shop and museum. The lapidary class had its first session on Monday with at least 10 students.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:50pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Jioras,
Secretary.
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PROGRAM FOR SEPTEMBER 27, 2000,
Island Mammoths of the Northern Channel Islands.
Dr. Gray presented an interesting and informative program on the island mammoths, a species unique to the Northern Channel Islands.
They lived on what is called Santa Rosa Island during the last Ice Age. During an Ice Age, water from the oceans becomes trapped in glaciers; that is, the sea level goes down. During the last Ice Age the sea level was 300 feet lower. San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz and Anacapa Islands were joined into one large island and only three to four miles of water separated Santa Rosa from the mainland.
The current hypotheses is that the larger Columbian Mammoth swam to the island. Over time. natural selection fostered the evolution/development of a smaller animal, more suited for survival on the island.
In the 1950's Phil Orr did a lot of work on the islands and found two major locations of island mammoths in the Santa Rosa Formation. There is evidence of many mammoths, including some (older) larger mammoths. No remains of cats, horses, or camels have been found on the island, probably because they could not swim to the island. In 1994 the most complete island mammoth find ever was made. Carbon dating places the mammoth alive 12,700, almost overlapping the recent find of "Early Man". Dr. Gray pointed out that 20,000 years ago the ocean reached inland almost to Magic Mountain/Castaic. There has been a significant process of uplift since that time. It looks like the fastest mountain building in the world, one to four millimeters a year. In geology this is an explosion!
Kathryn Davis,
Program Chairman.
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2000 CFMS CLUB SHOWS.
OCTOBER 28-29; ANTIOCH, CA - Antioch Lapidary Club, Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, 10th and L Street, Hours: 10-5 both days, Charles Taylor (925) 229-3215.
NOVEMBER 3-5; EUREKA, CA - Humboldt Gem & Mineral Society, Redwood Acres Fairgrounds, 3750 Harris St., Hours: Fri. 9-6; Sat. 10-6; Sun. 10-5, Mike Martin (707) 839-5422.
NOVEMBER 4-5; ANAHEIM, CA - American Opal Society, Quality Inn Hotel, 616 Convention Way, Hours: Sat. 10-7; Sun. 10-5, Stan McCall (714) 827-5680.
NOVEMBER 4-5; CONCORD, CA - Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society, Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Rd., Hours: 10-5 both days, Sam Woolsey (925) 837-3287.
NOVEMBER 4-5; FONTANA, CA - Kaiser Rock & Gem Club, California Steel Industry, 9400 Cherry Ave., Hours: 9-5 both days, Jean White (909) 822-7506.
NOVEMBER 4-5; ARROYO GRANDE, CA - Orcutt Mineral Society, South County Regional Center, 800 W. Branch, Hours: 10-5 both days, Marshall Reeves (805) 733-2775.
NOVEMBER 4-5; RIDGECREST, CA - Indian Wells Gem & Mineral Society, Desert Empire Fairgrounds, 520 S. Richmond Rd., Hours: 9-5 both days, John DeRosa (760) 375-7905.
NOVEMBER 9; BOULDER CITY, NV - Boulder Gem Club Mini-Show, Multi-Use Building, 1204 Sixth St., Hours: 9-5:30, Sue McCullough (702) 293-7853.
NOVEMBER 17-19; ROSEVILLE, CA - Sacramento Mineral Society, Roseville Fairgrounds; All American Building, (Off Old Hwy 65), Hours: 10-5 all days, Paul Wood (916) 368-1573.
NOVEMBER 18-19; PASADENA, CA - Mineralogical Society of Southern California, Inc., Pasadena Center, 300 East Green St., Hours: Sat. 10-6; Sun. 10-5, (626) 449-9197.
NOVEMBER 18-19; LIVERMORE, CA - Livermore Valley Lithophiles, "The Barn" Pacific Ave. at S. Livermore Ave., Hours: Sat. 10-5: Sun. 10-4, Bill Beiriger (925) 443-5769.
NOVEMBER 18-19; OXNARD, CA - Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society, Oxnard Community Center, 800 Hobson Way, Hours: Sat. 9-5; Sun. 9-4, Laura Grayson (805)482-3052.
NOVEMBER 25-26; BARSTOW, CA - Mojave Desert Gem & Mineral Society, Barstow Community Center, 841 5. Barstow Rd., Hours: 10-5 both days, Bob Depue (760) 255-1030.
DECEMBER 4-5; SAN BERNARDINO, CA - Orange Belt Mineralogical Society, Inc., San Bernardino Women's Club, 503 W. 31st St., Hours: Sat. 10-6; Sun. 10-5, Jim McDaniels (909) 792-0668.
DECEMBER 4-5; ORANGEVALE, CA - American River Gem & Mineral Society, "Winter Wonderland of Gems", Orangevale Grange Hall, 5807 Walnut Ave., Hours: 10-5 both days, Joy Hutchins (916) 992-1762.
DECEMBER 9-10: YUBA CITY, CA - Sutter Buttes Gem & Mineral Society, Franklin Hall; Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds, 442 Franklin Ave., Hours: Sat. 9-5; Sun. 9-4, Jose Guiterrez (530) 742-0785.
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