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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
October 2001.
Table of Contents.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
The VGMS picnic really went well. Weather was perfect and good attendance, great food (with an abundance of desserts) and even fossil hunting in the surrounding hills. We appropriately and proudly displayed the new American flag along with the club banner for an eye appealing and colorful display.
Scheduled to coincide with field trips and providing an opportunity to cut or enhance material collected, the monthly workshops can also be used by members to browse our extensive library on geology and minerals. Stop in and take advantage of this resource or just to talk shop. I personally love the smell of cutting oil in the morning.
It's board member nomination time again and we need your input (that's a nice way of saying volunteers). Do get a nominee's permission first but feel free to call any board member with your nominations if you are unable to attend the next meeting at which time I'll be collecting them. I'll also form a committee to oversee this process. Our club is only as strong as its members are willing to offer their time and efforts toward it.
Don't forget the Oxnard show coming up the first weekend in November. We can't expect other clubs to participate by displaying their cases in our show if we don't do the same for them. So think about entering if possible and I'll see you there.
Greg Davis- President.
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WORDS TO LIVE BY.
Age is not measured by years, but by the amount of enthusiasm for life one has maintained.
The leadership instinct you are born with is your backbone. You develop the funny bone and wishbone that go with it.
No cowboy was ever faster on the draw than a grandmother pulling baby pictures out of her purse.
Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching.
Contributed by Wayne Ehlers.
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Remember these?
DON'T LOSE YOUR HEAD
TO GAIN A MINUTE.
YOU NEED YOUR HEAD
YOUR BRAINS ARE IN IT.
**Burma-Shave.**
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"DEATH VALLEY MEMORIES" PROGRAM
FOR OCTOBER 24TH MEETING.
"Death Valley Memories" is a video by Ted Faye which depicts everyday life in Death Valley and Amargosa Valley of eastern California and western Nevada. This video is a history of the Death Valley region from the early 1900s to the early 1950s. Steve Mulqueen will give a brief talk on the subject before the video.
Kathryn Davis, Program Chairperson.
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VGMS PICNIC,
Sunday - September 23, 2001.
The picnic was a fun and relaxed affair and was enjoyed by all in attendance. The weather was perfect, good friends and you could talk about rocks and fossils all you wanted! We had some good food and fellowship and I should say more desserts than we knew what to do with, but you all know that would be less than truthful! We got it figured out! Our pebble pups escorted by Ron Wise went on an excursion and came back with some pretty nice fossil shells. This prompted Dave Mautz and Jim Brace-Thompson to go in search. I don't know how well they did, as they were still gone when I left!
Greg Davis had a display of cabs and stones he is working on which we enjoyed.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
10-19 to 21-01 - Petrified Wood Seminar by Walt Wright.
10-20-01 - VGMS Workshop - Museum from 9:00 to Noon [CANCELLED].
10-24-01 - VGMS Regular Meeting - 7-30 pm - The Lexington, Bijou Room. "Death Valley Memories" by Steve Mulqueen.
11-1-01 - VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Museum. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
11-3-01 - VGMS Work Day - To Work on the roof and the "rock pile".
11-3 & 4-01 - Oxnard Club Show - Get your cases ready to enter!
11-7-01 - DEADLINE FOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER (They are combined.) - Articles to the Editor!
11-28-01 - VGMS Regular Meeting - PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE BACK TO 4th WEDNESDAY INSTEAD OF THE 2nd WEDNESDAY FOR NOVEMBER (this year only).
12-12-01 - VGMS Christmas Party - Mark your calendars!
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DROVE TOO LONG.
DROVE TOO LONG,
DRIVER SNOOZING.
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT
IS NOT AMUSING.
**Burma-Shave**.
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CHIPS & BOULDERS.
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN DATE OF NOVEMBER MEETING - Normally due to Thanksgiving we hold it on the 2nd Wednesday, however we are unable to use the Lexington that night. With Thanksgiving being early this year, we will be able to have it on our usual 4th Wednesday of the month (November 28, 2001) at the Lexington.
October hosts will be The Base family. Shirley Bromser and Chloe Baer will do November and then it is the "Christmas Party"!! Thanks to everyone who has helped out through the year. Sharon Cunningham brought many tasty items to the October Meeting, which everyone enjoyed. Thanks Sharon!
CORRECTION - September VGMS Photo Album Error! I tried to re-name some of our "old" fossils after all these years and a few of our members were very quick to correct me! (Actually I was just seeing if you were awake!) The one with the "Dwarf Mammoth" title should have been "Smilodon" - Smilodon's canine teeth were serrated and seven inches long. The toothy cat grabbed its prey with jaws that opened to an angle of about 120 degrees. In comparison, modern lions can open their jaws only 65 degrees. Often mistakenly called the saber-tooth tiger, Smilodons are not tigers, but members of the cat family. Scientists call them saber-tooth cats.
The one titled "Mosasaurs Head" is really an "Allosaurus" which lived as many years before Tyrannosaurs as Tyrannosaurs lived before humans. It was the most dominant predator of the Jurassic. At 30 to 40 feet long and two tons, Allosurus terrorized its plant-eating neighbors.
Sorry about that and thanks for letting me know.
Nominating Committee - will be working on the slate of officers that they will be presenting at the October meeting. If you are interested in a position contact Greg Davis. If you would like to nominate some one from the floor, be sure to get their permission. If you are asked to fill a position, please think positively toward it. We have a great club and it is fun to work with the members, plus you will learn a lot. The slate will be presented at the October meeting, we vote at the November meeting and the new officers will be installed at our December Christmas Party.
Museum and Workshop Work Day - Steve Mulqueen has requested a club work day on November 3rd to go through the rocks in back of the museum. He would like to get them organized in milk crates and up on shelves of a sort. They will also leave the "leave-r-rites" somewhere else! They will also put some protective covering on the roof. More hands make shorter work so please come and have some fun as well as work!
VGMS Workshops - The October 20th workshop has been CANCELLED due to the Petrified wood workshop and also a field trip. With the Holidays coming up, I'm not sure what the schedule will be. It would be best to check with one of the Shop Supervisors who are: Ron Wise (805) 647-4393, Greg Davis (805) 647-9214 & Red Jioras (805) 646-7184. Stop and say thanks to these volunteers for the opportunity they give the rest of us. It is there for your use, take advantage of it.
Bulletin e-mail - It would be helpful when you e-mail information or articles for the bulletin if you could start the subject with "VGMS (space)". This will help Jim to sort them and hopefully not miss any! E-mails work great as we can just roll the information over and don't have to re-type it, so keep them coming!!
Check Your 2001 Show Donation Award Ticket - In the donation award drawing, the ticket for the number 2 ($50.00) prize did not have a name or phone number on. Please check your tickets for number 0670 and notify Inez Shakman at (805) 642-4957 if you have this number. We will hold it and try to find the winner until the 2002 show and then it will be turned back for the 2002 donation award drawings.
Country Store Pricing Session will be announced at the October meeting as to date and time. - Keep collecting and give Shirley Layton 642-2683 a call for pick up or bring it to a meeting or the museum. Don't forget the plant starts! Everyone loves the plants for sale at our show, so let's not disappoint them and get some lovely ones in the works - Many thanks!
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EARTH SCIENCE STUDIES
AT CAMP PARADISE.
One hundred ten people enjoyed a nearly perfect week at Camp Paradise, marred only by the world tragic events.
At show and tell on Friday afternoon almost every table in the large dining hall was filled with beautiful jewelry, beads, chains, sparkling faceted stones, and much more.
On field trips a new area for gold was fairly productive, and nearly every one found a few flakes to show. Also found were a few quartz pieces containing bits of gold. The fossil area had an abundance of material and some nice pieces of petrified wood were also found.
Now we are making plans for ZZYZX, our 17th year.
Contributed by Florence Meisenheimer.
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BROTHER SPEEDERS.
BROTHER SPEEDERS
LET'S REHEARSE.
ALL TOGETHER
GOOD MORNING NURSE.
**Burma-Shave**.
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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
Thursday, September 20, Ray Meisenheimer helped tour sixty third-graders through the "Fearsome Fossils" display at the museum in Santa Paula. The group was broken into four groups and the tour took nearly two hours.
September 24 Ray gave a program to senior citizens at the Lexington Care Center. There were twelve in the group. Two of them, now wheel chair bound were members of rock clubs in Southern California at one time, and really enjoyed the program. Ray took along a number of mineral and fossil specimens to show and discuss.
Contributed by Florence Meisenheimer.
Editor's Note: Many thanks to you Ray, we all appreciate it!
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APPRECIATION.
Thank you Emma Mayer, Greg Davis, Shirley Layton, and all who were in the planning for a great summer picnic. Greg even ordered perfect weather. It was nice to be able to chatter and laugh after so much tragedy in the U.S.
Florence Meisenheimer.
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FLAG ETIQUETTE.
U. S. Code offers proper
etiquette to display flags.
Like people around the United States, many Ventura County residents are showing their support for the nation following the terrorist attacks in New York and the Pentagon by flying the American flag.
There is a proper etiquette for displaying the American flag. The United States Code has established rules that govern it. They include:
- Display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
- The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
- The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.
- The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle. When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
- No other flag or pennant should be placed above, or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America, except during church services conducted by Naval chaplains at sea.
- When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union, or blue field, should be to the observer's left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union to the left of the observer in the street.
- The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
Via Ventura County Star - 9-19-01,
Contributed by Susan Mulqueen.
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NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS.
Happy Birthday to all those born in November. We all wish you good health and hope you have a Great Day! Please let me know if I have missed your birthday. Please call Shirley Layton at 642-2683 and leave a message if I'm not there. Thanks!
November -Happy Birthday!!
Darrel Crowder - 19th,
Sharon Markley - 20th,
Susan Cowlishaw - 22nd,
Jo Anna Ritchey - 23rd,
Dorr Thayer - 23rd,
Gary Markley - 26th,
Steve Campbell - 30th,
Ron Wise - 30th.
The November birthstone is the Topaz and the flower is the Chrysanthemum.
THE MINERAL TOPAZ.
- Chemistry: Al2SiO4(F,OH)3, Aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide.
- Class: Silicates.
- Subclass: Nesosilicates.
- Uses: gemstones and optical properties are useful in industry.
Topaz is a common gemstone that has been used for centuries in jewelry. Its golden brown to yellow color is classic but is confused with the less valuable citrine, which is sold under the name topaz. The blue topaz that is often confused with aquamarine is rarely natural and is produced by irradiating and then heating clear crystals.
The structure of Topaz is controlled by a chain like structure of connected irregular octahedrons. These octahedrons have an aluminum in the middle surrounded by four oxygens. Above and below the aluminum are the hydroxide or fluoride ions. The chains of octahedrons are held together by individual silicate tetrahedrons but it is the octahedron chains that give topaz its crystalline shape. Topaz is the hardest silicate mineral and one of the hardest minerals in nature. However it has a perfect cleavage which is perpendicular to the chains and is caused by planes that break the weaker Al-O, Al-OH and Al-F bonds. None of the stronger Si-O bonds cross these planes. Topaz crystals can reach incredible size of several hundred pounds. Topaz can make very attractive mineral specimens due to their high luster, nice colors and well formed and multifaceted crystals.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
- Color is clear, yellow, orange, red, blue and green.
- Luster is adamantine to vitreous.
- Transparency crystals are transparent to translucent.
- Crystal System is orthorhombic; 2/m 2/m 2/m.
- Crystal Habits include a prismatic crystal with usually two different prisms that produce a rounded or sharp diamond-shaped cross-section. The termination is typically capped by a dome forming a roof like top. Another dome can modify the termination producing a point at the juncture of the two domes. A basal pinacoid can flatten the prisms termination or truncate the top of the domes. The pinacoid, multiple domes and occasionally orthorhombic pyramid faces can produce a complex, multifaceted and well formed termination. Topaz can be granular and massive.
- Cleavage is perfect in one direction, basal.
- Fracture is conchoidal.
- Hardness is 8.
- Specific Gravity is approximately 3.4 - 3.5+ (above average).
- Streak is white.
- Associated Minerals include quartz, tourmalines, micas, brookite, cassiterite and fluorite.
- Other Characteristics: index of refraction is 1.61 - 1.64. Prism faces maybe striated lengthwise.
- Notable Occurrences include Minas Gerias, Brazil; Pakistan; San Diego Co, California; Ural Mountains, Russia; Mexico and the Thomas Range, Utah.
- Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, color, density and hardness.
Copyright (c) 1995 by Amethyst Galleries, Inc.
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CAUTIOUS RIDER.
CAUTIOUS RIDER
TO HER RECKLESS DEAR;
LET'S HAVE LESS BULL
AND LOTS MORE STEER.
**Burma-Shave**.
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BENEFITS OF GROWING OLDER.
The Benefits of Growing Older
(and you thought there weren't any). ;-)
In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.
No one expects you to run into a burning building.
Kidnappers are not very interested in you.
People call at 9 p.m. and ask, "Did I wake you?"
People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.
There's nothing left to learn the hard way.
Things you buy now won't wear out.
You buy a compass for the dash of your car.
You can eat dinner at 4:00.
You can't remember the last time you laid on the floor to watch television.
You can live without sex, but not without your glasses.
You consider coffee one of the most important things in life.
You constantly talk about the price of gasoline.
You enjoy hearing about other people's operations.
You get into a heated argument about pension plans.
You got cable for the weather channel.
You have a party and the neighbors don't even realize it.
You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.
You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.
You send money to PBS.
You sing along with the elevator music.
You talk about "good grass" and you're referring to someone's lawn.
Your arms are almost too short to read the newspaper.
Your back goes out more than you do.
Your ears are hairier than your head.
Your eyes won't get much worse.
Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.
Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.
You have great friends who think of you often and send you lists like this.
Later, CLAY.
Contributed by Clay Brashears.
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THE MIDNIGHT RIDE.
THE MIDNIGHT RIDE
OF PAUL FOR BEER
LED TO A
WARMER HEMISPHERE.
**Burma-Shave**.
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SPEED WAS HIGH.
SPEED WAS HIGH,
WEATHER WAS NOT,
TIRES WERE THIS
X MARKS THE SPOT.
**Burma-Shave**.
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LUNCH BREAK.
From FOSSIL NEWS,
Journal of Amateur Paleontology,
March, 2000.
Contributed by David Mautz.
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HOSPITALITY.
Many were on vacation for our September meeting, but we had a good crowd and David Mautz had his usual good drawings for the pebble pups, guests, general door prizes and the member with the name tag on. James Dwyer was drawn for the name tag and missed out on $45. Next month will be $50 so better be there with name tag in place!! We want to welcome all guests and pebble pups and hope you all will come again. Many thanks to Sharlyne Holloway, our hospitality person who does such a great job welcoming everyone and getting them headed in the right direction.
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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.
VGMS MINUTES.
Minutes of the VGMS Regular Meeting - September 26, 2001;
The regular monthly meeting of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society was called to order by President Greg Davis at 7:40 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26, 2001 in the Bijou Room of the Lexington, 5440 Ralston, Ventura, CA. The group was led in the salute to the flag.
The August regular meeting and board meeting minutes were m/s/p as shown in the Bulletin.
Guests were introduced and welcomed to the meeting.
Steve Mulqueen spoke on what you might find when you go to Trona.
Club Business:
A sign-up sheet for the wood seminar on October 19-21 is on the back table.
Speakers are needed for up-coming monthly meetings. If anyone has suggestions, please contact Kathryn Davis or Greg Davis.
Coast Geology Society held a tribute for our member Helmut Ehrenspeck.
We have a new club telephone with answering machine. We will also be in the upcoming Pacific Bell yellow pages.
Greg is putting together the nominating committee for the 2002 VGMS elected officers. Greg also asked if anyone was interested in a position or would like to nominate someone for a position, please contact Greg.
Edison still has not sent the check for the refrigerator.
Ron Wise, Vice President for Field Trips: October 13-14 is a trip to the Trona show (it might be their last show). A trip to the McKittrick tar seeps will be held on October 20th, call Susan Mulqueen for more information. A field trip to Jalama Beach was suggested.
The club's workshop Saturday has been cancelled for the month of October due to the wood seminar and the McKittrick trip.
Wayne Ehlers will start a five-week cab class beginning on October 1 at 7pm at the club's workshop. There is a sign-up sheet on the back table for anyone interested. Pebble Pups are welcomed with an adult.
Richard Bromser, Treasurer, gave the treasurer's report.
Jim Brace-Thompson, Show Chairperson: We still need an exhibitor chairperson. There will be a show-planning meeting on Sunday 10/7 at 2:00pm at the Brace-Thompson's house. If you need directions, please call 659-3577.
Shirley Layton, Bulletin Editor: Deadline for articles in the next bulletin is October 2nd. This is an earlier deadline because Shirley and Jim will be out of town.
Sharon Cunningham, Refreshment Chairperson: Sharon did refreshments at the September meeting. Aaron & Janice Base will do refreshments for the October.
The next board meeting will be on October 4, 2001 at 7:30pm at the museum. Everyone is welcome to attend. The 2nd Saturday of every month is generally for field trips and the 3rd Saturday of every month the workshop at the clubhouse is open from 9am to 12pm.
That was the end of the business part of the meeting. David Mautz discussed the changes in the raffle on January 1, 2002; he then conducted the drawings.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm.
The next general meeting will be on October 31, 2001, at 7:30p.m., at the Lexington.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Brace-Thompson, Secretary.
Minutes of the VGMS Board Meeting - October 4, 2001;
The regular board meeting of the VGMS was called to order by President Greg Davis at 7:35 p.m. on Thursday October 4, 2001, at the VGMS museum, 5019 Crooked Palm Rd., Ventura, CA.
Present: Greg Davis, Richard Bromser, Nancy & Jim Brace-Thompson, Steve Mulqueen and Kathryn Davis.
President: No-one showed for the Cab class on Monday. Wayne would like to cancel the class. Greg will be at the museum this coming Monday October 8 to make sure no-one shows. On Monday Richard will go through the filing cabinets looking for the articles of incorporation and the IRS 501C-3 non-profit form.
Greg discussed with sitting officers if they would serve again. At the October general meeting the slate of officers will be announced. At the November general meeting we will vote.
There was a Tri-club meeting. Only five people showed.
There is a new telephone and answering machine at the Museum. The phone number is: 648-4051.
Steve will show a film on Death Valley for the October presentation.
Richard will pick-up rolls of roofing material. We will need boards and cinder blocks for new shelves for the club's rock pile.
There will be a club workday on November 3 to work on the roof and rock pile.
Treasurer's Report: Richard Bromser passed around the treasurer's report. The report was M/S/P.
Show: There will be a show planning meeting at the Brace-Thompson's house on Sunday October 7th at 2:00pm. Please call 659-3577 if you need directions to the house. All are welcomed. Nancy Brace-Thompson will be exhibitor chair.
The board meeting was adjourned at 8:35pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Brace-Thompson, Secretary.
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AROUND THE CURVE.
AROUND THE CURVE,
LICKETY--SPLIT.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL CAR
WASN'T IT?
**Burma-Shave**.
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TRI-CLUB FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE - 2001.
This is the Tentative schedule for the remainder of 2001. Any changes that are made will be announced in the bulletin.
November 3-4 - Oxnard Club Show.
November 22-25 - Wiley Wells Area - Geodes, etc., Leader: Miriam Tetreault, Oxnard Club.
December - Open.
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A.F.M.S. CODE OF ETHICS.
- I will respect both private and public property and will do no collecting on privately owned land without permission from the owner.
- I will keep informed on all laws, regulations and rules governing collecting on private lands and will observe them.
- I will, to the best of my ability, ascertain the boundary lines of property on which I plan to collect.
- I will use no firearms or blasting materials in collecting areas.
- I will cause no willful damage to property of any kind, such as fences, signs, buildings, etc.
- I will leave all gates as found.
- I will build fires only in designated or safe places and will be certain they are completely extinguished before leaving the area.
- I will discard no burning materials - matches, cigarettes, etc.
- I will fill all excavation holes which may be dangerous to livestock.
- I will not contaminate wells, creeks, or other water supplies.
- I will cause no damage to collecting material and will take home only what I can reasonably use.
- I will practice conservation and undertake to utilize fully and well the materials I have collected and will recycle my surplus for the pleasure and benefit of others.
- I will support the Rockhound Project H.E.L.P. (Help Eliminate Litter Please) and will leave all collecting areas devoid of litter, regardless of how found.
- I will cooperate with Field Trip Leaders and those in designated authority in all collecting areas.
- I will report to my Club or Federation Officers, Bureau of Land Management, or other proper authorities, any deposit of petrified wood or other material on public lands which should be protected for the enjoyment of future generations and for public educational and scientific purposes.
- I will appreciate and protect our heritage of Natural Resources. I will observe the "Golden Rule", will use Good Outdoor Manners and will at all times conduct myself in a manner which will add to the stature and Public Image of Rockhounds everywhere.
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VACATION CORNER.
SPECIAL TRIPS SHARED BY MEMBERS.
Let us hear about yours! Thanks for sharing!
We don't have any vacations this month except for Jim's and mine. We didn't collect any rocks, just hugs from our family! It was kind of interesting as we were supposed to be flying until Jim came down with a sinus infection. Being an "old" pilot he has had sinus blocks before and wasn't about to get another. We scrambled at the last minute and I flew and he went by Amtrak! It was most interesting getting us both to a meeting point at my Aunt's in Iowa. Since my Aunt doesn't drive any more than she absolutely has to we spent a good part of the following day turning in our "fleet" of rental cars one at a time at a neighboring town. But we made it safe and sound and had a great time!
Let us share your vacation experiences!
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HINTS & TIPS FOR ROCKHOUNDS
(Use at your own risk).
Polishing Soft Material: Gypsum makes a great display item, but is just too soft for making jewelry. While I've never actually cut a cab from gypsum, I have made a number of spheres. I had some trouble getting a good polish until I tried using an old pair of nylon pantyhose doubled up and stretched over the sphere cutter heads (held in place with rubber bands) for polishing with cerium oxide. I learned the nylon trick from a friend who carves sculptures from gypsum and hand polishes them with nylons after hand sanding with 1000 grit sandpaper. She told me it also works for talc (soapstone) sculptures. - From Gem Time 9-00 via Moroks July 2001.
Coffee Filters: You are always warned never to pour the sludge resulting from grinding cabochons and gemstones into your household plumbing as it will plug it up. My cabochon machine uses a water-filled tray under the grinding wheels and a fish tank style air pump placed on the bottom of the tray to spurt water on the wheel in use. By the time I am ready to replace the water with fresh, there is usually quite a bit of sludge at the bottom of the tray from rough-shaping the cabochon.
I use my cabochon machine in the kitchen and trying to carry that water-filled, low-sided tray out the back door into the back yard is out of the question. The water would slosh over the sides before I ever got there. The water must go down the sink.
My solution to the problem is to use coffee pot filters (the biggest I can find) to line a bowl-shaped strainer which has a flat bottom. The filters must extend several inches up on all sides so the water can't overflow and drain into the sink without being filtered. I usually put two filters in, but that is probably not necessary. I never find any residue on the bottom filter. The water usually takes overnight before it finally drains through the filters, and I find very little residue in my sink the next morning - maybe a small amount of fine powder. So far, this solution has worked well for me. - Backbender's Gazette, no date given, via Moroks - July 2001.
Don't throw your old silicon carbide grinding wheels away. When your diamond saw is not cutting well, cut into the old wheel an inch or two to expose some new cutting surfaces. If you do any tumbling, break the old wheel into manageable size chunks, and toss them in with the stones you are tumbling. Match the grits, of course. If it is a 100 grit wheel, use the chunks with 100 grit powder. Save and reuse the chunks until they are used up in the tumbling process. - via Moroks July 2001.
If you have some favorite tips or secrets and are willing to share, please send them to me. - Editor
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PASSING CARS.
PASSING CARS
WHEN YOU CAN'T SEE
MAY GET YOU A GLIMPSE
OF ETERNITY.
**Burma-Shave**.
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2001 CFMS CLUB SHOWS.
OCTOBER 20-21; PLACERVILLE, CA - El Dorado County Mineral & Gem, El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive. Hours: 10-5 both days. Jackie Ceratto (530) 677-2975.
OCTOBER 20-21; ANDERSON, CA - Shasta Gem & Mineral Society of Redding, Shasta District Fairgrounds. Hours: 10-5 both days. Alex or Kelly Stoltz (530) 474-4400.
OCTOBER 20-21; SANTA ROSA, CA - Santa Rosa Mineral & Gem Society, Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, 1351 Maple Avenue. Hours: Sat 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Bonnie Wood (707)869-9385. E-mail: steekue@ap.net.
OCTOBER 20-21; WHITTIER, CA - Whittier Gem & Mineral Society, Whittier Masonic Temple, 7604 Greenleaf Ave. Hours: 10 to 5 both days. Jay Valle (626) 934-9764.
NOVEMBER 2-4; EUREKA, CA - Humbolt Gem & Mineral Society, Redwood Acres Fairgrounds, 3750 Harris Street. Hours: Fri.(kids day) 9-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Mike Martin (707) 839-5422.
NOVEMBER 3-4; CONCORD, CA -Contra Mineral & Gem Society, Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road. Hours: 10-5 daily. Sam Woolsey (925) 837-3287.
NOVEMBER 3-4; FONTANA, CA - Kaiser Rock & Gem Club, California Steel Ind., 9400 Cherry Ave. Hours 9-5 both days. JoAnn Watson (909) 355-7455. Interstate 10 to Cherry exit then North about one mile on left.
NOVEMBER 3-4; OXNARD, CA - Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society, 800 Hobson Way. Hours: Sat. 9-5, Sun 9-4. "Gems for the Holidays" (Jingle Bell Rocks). Laura Grayson (805) 482-3052. Website: http://www.ogms.net; e-mail: webmaster@ogms.net.
NOVEMBER 3-4, RIDGECREST, CA - Indian Wells Gem & Mineral Society, Desert Empire Fairgrounds, Mesquite Hall, 520 S. Richmond Rd. Hours: 9-5 both days. John De Rosa (760)375-7905.
NOVEMBER 17-18; LIVERMORE, CA - Livermore Valley Lithophiles, "The Barn", Pacific Ave. at So. Livermore Avenue. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Bill Veiriger (925) 443-5769 zyzzx@zyzzx.com.
NOVEMBER 17-18; VICTORVILLE, CA - Victorville Gem & Mineral Club, 14800 7th Street. Hours: Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4. Gil Gilbert (760) 868-6900.
NOVEMBER 16-18; ROSEVILLE, CA - Sacramento Mineral Society, Placer County Fairgrounds, 800 All American Blvd. Hours: Fri.-Children's Day - 9-5, Sat & Sun 10-5. Nancy Kennedy (916) 424-5771.
NOVEMBER 24-25; BARSTOW, CA - Mojave Desert Gem & Mineral Society, Barstow Community Center, 841 S. Barstow Road. Hours: 10-5 both days. Bob Depue (760) 255-1030.
DECEMBER 1-2; SAN BERNARDINO, CA - Orange Belt Mineralogical Society, Corner of "E" Street & "31st" Street. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Tony Gilham (909) 820-2122.
Table of Contents.
AMERICAN FEDERATION / REGIONAL
2001 SHOW SCHEDULE.
SOUTHEAST FEDERATION,
November 3-4 - Pascagoula, MS.
Table of Contents.
2002 AFMS SHOWS.
SOUTH CENTRAL FEDERATION,
February 8-9 - Tyler, TX.
CANADIAN FEDERATION CONVENTION,
May 4-5; 25th Anniversary,
Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Table of Contents.
SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Just for the record any unsigned articles are by the Editor. Thanks to everyone for their contributions and we look forward to a lot more from other members!! (That is a broad hint!!)
We'll continue the Burma Shave signs from Clay Brashers next time and include a little history of the company.
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Table of Contents.
Kids' Corner, |
Okay, kids, who would you say is your favorite fossil? Most of you may say T. rex, but in fact Archaeopteryx, a prehistoric bird, was recently named the most important fossil of the millennium by an international panel of paleontologists. What exactly was this Archaeopteryx creature? Paleontologists have identified it as the first true bird, and a vital piece of proof for the dinosaur-bird evolutionary link.
The first Archaeopteryx fossil was discovered in 1860, a mere year after Charles Darwin published his book On the Origin of Species, describing the process of evolution. The half- dinosaur, half-bird characteristics of Archaeopteryx proved evolution to many early non-believers, and today the fossil is still viewed as a "transitional life form," a species retaining traits of the group from which it evolved, while showing direct evidence that it is evolving into a different form.
Today only eight Archaeopteryx specimens are known, making it one of the rarest and most scientifically valuable fossils. Each specimen has been discovered in the Schwabian Alps of Germany, in a Jurassic Period rock unit known as the Solnhofen limestone. This yellowish limestone, which is commercially valuable as roofing material, was deposited some 150 million years ago when present-day Germany was covered by a shallow sea. In addition to the Archaeopteryx fossils, this shallow sea also became the final resting place of marine reptiles, fish, and even pterosaurs, who, like Archaeopteryx, would occasionally fall into the sea and become buried. After burial, these animals would slowly become fossilized, turning into the treasures that paleontologists seek today. If you are ever lucky enough to visit Germany, you too can be one of these fossil hunters, as some German museums offer tours of the limestone. Who knows, you could find the next Archaeopteryx!
From Fossil News,
Journal of Amateur Paleontology,
March 2000.
Contributed by David Mautz.
Table of Contents.
EDUCATIONAL CORNER.
Definition of the Month - Edited by Steve Mulqueen.
"Dry Lake" Nomenclature:
Dry lake - A basin that formerly contained a lake and which is occasionally covered by an intermittent lake.
Evaporite - A nonclastic sedimentary rock composed primarily of minerals which crystallized from a saline (salt) solution as a result of the evaporation of water.
Mud flat - A relatively level area of fine silt and clay along a shore or within a basin containing a dry lake.
Playa lake - A shallow, intermittent lake in an arid or semiarid region which upon evaporation forms a mud flat.
Salt flat - The level, salt-encrusted bottom of a lake or pond that is temporarily or permanently dried up.
Source: Glossary of Geology, American Geological Institute, Falls Church, Virginia, 1980.
The "Definition of the Month" will feature key words which are related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. Anyone who wishes to submit words and definitions for the bulletin, please see me.
Steve Mulqueen.
Illustration of the Month - Edited by Steve Mulqueen.
"Vishnu's Temple" in the Grand Canyon, Arizona.
Source: Powell, John W., "The Exploration of the Colorado River and its Canyons", (originally titled: "Canyons of the Colorado"), original printing by Flood & Vincent, 1895, reprinted by Dover Publications, Inc., 1961.
John Wesley Powell was directed by the secretary of the Smithsonian Institute to explore the Colorado River and its tributaries. Between the years 1869 and 1872, Powell explored this vast area with a group of men. Their trip included a voyage down the Colorado River on wooden boats through the Grand Canyon. Years after his successful adventure, Powell wrote this book which brought together all his notes and memories into one written document.
The "Illustration of the Month" will feature a drawing, sketch, pen & ink rendering or engraving print found in old books, maps and manuscripts related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. Anyone who wishes to submit an illustration for the bulletin, please see me.
Steve Mulqueen.
Table of Contents.
VGMS PHOTO ALBUM.
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VGMS Picnic -
September 2001.
Great Day, Great
People and Great
Weather!
VGMS Museum Displays along with Dave Mautz!
VGMS Material Storage (Rock Pile). As you can see the Club work day is much needed!
Table of Contents.
Return to the Rockhound Rambling Center.
You may also go to the VGMS Home Page.
Webmaster: James A. Layton,
URL of this Page: http://www.vgms.org/bt/vgms0110.htm.