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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
March 2002.
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
What a terrific show! In spite of the good weather, we had good attendance. Hats off to Jim and Nancy Brace-Thompson, for their incalculable hours and effort paid off in a big way and may have set an all time record-only after the judges are tallied and all things are counted (I'm going off-obviously watched too much Olympics).
Never the less, this family deserves all our appreciation for this job was well done.
Thanks must also go to the many who gave their time. This large number of volunteers made it easier on everyone.
I personally had numerous families approach me concerning interest in our hobby and club (especially fieldtrips!). The pendulum is swinging!
Greg Davis - President.
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WORDS TO LIVE BY.
What you don't see with your eyes, don't invent with your mouth.
Having politeness and consideration for others is like investing pennies and getting dollars back.
To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.
It's easier to put on slippers than to carpet the whole world.
Collected by Wayne Ehlers.
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2002 DUES ARE DUE!!!!
If you haven't taken care of your 2002 dues, please send to Inez Shakman, 4657 Dean Drive, Ventura, CA 93003. See the VGMS Info Page for amounts. Anyone needing a badge please see the order form later in this bulletin. Dues need to be paid by March 31st in order to be listed in the Membership Directory. (Use your browswer's BACK button or equivalent to return here.)
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PROGRAM FOR MARCH 27, 2002.
The March Program is still in the making. There will be one, you will just have to come and find out the "Mystery"! There will be discussions regarding the Pro's and Con's of our show, which was a Great Success. All are to be congratulated for their hard work and congenial spirit! We will be having a very interesting program in May called "The Blast From the Past", Evidence from the K-T Boundary Ejecta Blanket in Belize & Mexico presented by Susan Bartz, Bartz Technology Corp., and A. Eugene Fritsche, Prof. Emeritus, CSUN. About 65 million years ago, a huge asteroid or comet slammed into the earth near the edge of the present-day Yucatan Peninsula and half of the life on earth died out. The date is May 22nd, so be sure to keep it open.
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REVIEW - PROGRAM,
February 27, 2002.
Our February meeting had some very interesting material on display from various members' treks to Quartzsite and Tucson. Along with the interesting material we had some very interesting tails of their adventures! If you haven't been there, you should start making your plans to visit it next year, especially your motel reservations! There is a lot of RV room also however. The bargains are just waiting to be snapped up!
In addition to the Quartzsite adventures we made last minute plans and schedules for our show. It was heartwarming to see all the willingness to help, including new and old members! Working at the show is a great way to become acquainted with each other and the workings of VGMS.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
3-25-02 - Cabochon Class at Museum - 5:00 for youth, 7:00 for adults.
3-27-02 - VGMS Regular Meeting - Pebble Pups 6:30 to 7:30, Meeting at 7:30 for all.
4-4-02 - VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Museum. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
4-10-02 - DEADLINE FOR APRIL - Articles to the Editor!
4-13-02 - Tri-Club Field Trip - to Rainbow Ridge/Sheep Springs. Leader - Mitty Scarpato, (818) 707-9972.
4-20-02 - VGMS Workshop - Museum from 9:00 to Noon.
4-24-02 - VGMS Regular Meeting - Pebble Pups 6:30 to 7:30, meeting at 7:30 for all.
5-18 & 19-02 - Conejo Show.
5-22-02 - VGMS Regular Meeting - Pebble Pups 6:30 to 7:30, meeting at 7:30 for all. "The Blast From The Past."
5-25 & 26-02 - Tri-Club Field Trip - to Kramer Junction (four corners area), Leader - Lew Mayron (805) 492-2458.
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LAPIDARY CLASS.
Would you like to learn how to cut and polish cabochons? Our class we scheduled last October was almost a complete failure when no one showed up. Since then several people have expressed interest so we will try again. We also have a number of new members and, since this is primarily intended for them, we want to give them the opportunity. Older members are still welcome. The class will be held on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 PM starting March 25. We usually meet once a week for about 5 or 6 weeks. This is your chance to learn how to use the slab and trim saws and the grinder-polishers in our Museum-Workshop. The shop is located at 5019 Crooked Palm Road in Ventura. If you have some rocks you want to cut and polish bring them along but there will be rocks and slabs available for your use. This is a "hands on" working class so that you should wear working clothes and be prepared to get your hands dirty. There are plans to have an additional class for our "Pebble Pups" ahead of the regular class starting at 5 PM. They will be using the grinder-polishers, as the saws are just a little more dangerous. We plan to have plenty of instructors there to help. If you want more information you can call Wayne Ehlers at 482-6830 or Greg Davis at 647-9214.
Wayne Ehlers.
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ADVERTISING.
The cost of printing our bulletin has doubled this past year. We are looking for ways to help defray some of this cost, as we do not want to cut down on the bulletin size or distribution. We would like to offer advertising in the form of $60 a year for a business card size ad. It would run in 11 issues. Please consider placing an ad and approach your business associates about placing one as well. We could negotiate for larger sizes if anyone is interested.
Please contact Shirley Layton 805 642-2683 - ANY LUCK WITH THIS, ANYONE?
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CHIPS & BOULDERS.
*****SOLD.*****For Sale - The club has a 14 inch slab saw for sale! It's used and in need of a blade, but runs smooth and quiet, and is an ideal size for the garage. At $75.00 it's a bargain and the club has contacts for inexpensive blades. Don't hesitate, call Greg at 647-9214.*****SOLD.*****
For Sale - A non-club member has 2 tumblers for sale. The first is a Star Diamond brand, model TU-6, barrel measures about 10" x 5" (sounds like about a 6 pounder). The second is a Thumblers Tumbler brand, barrel measures about 9"x 8" (sounds like an 8-10 pounder), some grit and rock come with them ...$25.00 each...call Bill Kimberling for details at 984-0158.
CFMS Newsletter - Any one wishing to subscribe to the CFMS Newsletter may do so by sending a check made out to California Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. for $5.50 to Pat La Rue, P.O. Box 1657, Rialto, CA 92377-1657. Send a note requesting a subscription. There are 11 issues, very informative and well worth it.
February host was Greg Davis - Thank You Greg-everyone always enjoys this part of the meeting!! Sharon has lined up the following: Shirley Bromser & Chloe Baer - March, Sharlyne Holloway & Shirley Layton - April and Nancy & Jim Brace-Thompson - May. There are 6 months left!!! Hurry and pick your month and let Sharon know your choice at 805 649-3579. Thank you all for coming to the table (so to speak) on this as many hands make the task much easier!
VGMS Workshops - They are held on the third Saturday of each month from 9:00 until noon unless otherwise notified. The Shop Supervisors 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.
Coast Geological Society - We have some members who are members of the Coast Geological Society. They have some really interesting programs which are open to all. They meet at the American Legion Hall, 83 S. Palm Street, Ventura, CA. Social Happy Hour 6:00 pm, Dinner - 7:00 pm and Speaker at 8:00 pm. Cost is $12 with reservations, $17 without reservations, $7 for Students and K-12 Teachers. Steve Mulqueen or Dave Mautz can give you more details. The bulletin comes out a bit too late to catch the current month program so their upcoming schedule is as follows:
April 16, 2002 - Mike Nelson, California Oil Museum, "Bard, Stanford, and the 1860s Hunt for California Crude".
Visit the World of the Etruscans - Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA - Extended through April 21st. Tuesday-Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. Also while there don't miss GEMS! The Art and Nature of Precious Stones. For Pricing and tickets call (877) 250-8999.
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!! jns@west.net - Thanks!
Call for exhibitors - A call for exhibitors; Gem & Mineral Building, Seaside Park; Ventura County Fair, Summer, 2002.
Do you wish to exhibit at the Gem & Mineral Building at this year's Ventura County Fair? Now is the time to plan for that event. Bob Stultz is asking all prospective exhibitors to call him so that he can reserve enough space for your minerals, rocks and fossils. The earlier you call him, the better chance you have of obtaining the space that you will require for your cases and specimens. Each year, a greater portion of the floor-space in the Gem & Mineral Building goes to hobbies and other related exhibits. If we don't express our own interests at this early stage of planning, we could loose a great opportunity to show thousands of fair participants the wonders of our physical world. Please call Bob today. Give him your support. Plan on exhibiting at your County Fair. Bob's phone number is (805) 498-4220.
Steve Mulqueen.
Donation Award Winner Not Claimed - Ticket number 0369 was not claimed at our March 2002 show. It appears that the wrong stub got put into the pot! If you have this number please contact Richard Bromser.
Rock & Gem Magazine starts Club for reduced rates and a contribution to VGMS for every subscription. - There will be information about this savings of $3.00 on a subscription and $6.00 contribution to VGMS at the next meeting. Watch for it on the back table. It applies to New & Renewal subscriptions. If you miss it or are not at the meeting, give Shirley Layton a call at 805 717-9226 and I will mail you the information.
Club receives additional material - Dave Mautz and Steve Mulqueen have carried in 25 crates of rocks and minerals with 10 more to go. These were donated by Rik Vonk in Tujunga, CA. Thank you Rik and many thanks to Steve and Dave for their hard work. This will be good silent auction material as well as the cabochon class.
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THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL!
A beautiful sun that shone for two straight days on our 40th Annual Show has now set, with David's photos entering the official archives of club history. From the amounts of donations raised in a great silent auction, plant sale, and raffle to the smiling faces of kids having fun in a wide variety of children's activities...from the good food and fellowship of our opening dinner to the beautiful displays set up by our members and guests...from satisfied dealers and demonstrators to compliments tendered by the visiting public...by pretty much all measures, we can pat ourselves on the back for a job well done.
The one thing that was especially obvious to me were the number of hands pitching in at every moment throughout the show. From 8:30 on Thursday morning as folks arrived for set-up until 9:10 PM on Sunday night when the last item was packed away at the club shop, we never lacked for willing hands and smiling faces to help share the load. As a result there never seemed to be a real load to bear. Everything moved smoothly, and for that everyone in the VGMS has our thanks and gratitude. These shows are only as good as each of us individually makes them, and by that measure, this year's show ranked as truly great. Thank you, one and all!
Submitted by Jim & Nancy Brace-Thompson.
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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.
SHOW ASSESSMENT MEETING & SURVEY.
While it's still fresh in our minds, I welcome everyone's opinions about this year's annual VGMS show with a focus on making next year's show even better. Please mark your calendars for a meeting to evaluate our 2002 show and to start the ball rolling on 2003: 2:00 PM, Sunday, April 21st, at Jim and Nancy Brace-Thompson's home (7319 Eisenhower Street; phone 659-3577 for directions). Let's give praise where praise is due, and let's all keep to the following rule. If you have a complaint, please don't voice it without a suggested solution--or better still, volunteer to be a committee chair for next year's show! Remember: everyone's a volunteer and did their best. Please keep that in mind when offering criticism. Let's emphasize the positive and build toward 2003 in the most constructive way possible.
Because I realize not everyone is able to attend these meetings and because I really want to hear from everyone, I'm including a survey in this month's bulletin. Please take a few moments to think about our 2002 show and respond to the following three questions. Then bring your completed survey to the March membership meeting or mail it to me (Jim Brace-Thompson, 7319 Eisenhower Street, Ventura, CA 93003). I'll also pass around copies that you can fill out at the meeting. Thank you in advance for your assessment and suggestions. Here goes...
1) What worked especially well? What should we definitely continue doing just the way we are?
2) What could be improved, and how so?
3) Any suggestions for new activities/features at our annual show?
Editor: Please use your own paper. Printing costs you know!!
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED,
Gem Show 2003.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, it's already time to start thinking about our 41st Annual Gem, Mineral, Lapidary, & Fossil Show! Mark those calendars for March 1st and 2nd, 2003, with set-up on February 27th and 28th. Then think about what you enjoyed most about this year's show. Wasn't it great to see those kids' smiling faces at the Spinning Wheel? Wasn't it fun to run your own shop at the Country Store? Have fun bidding on great prizes at the Silent Auction? Did you get intrigued talking to our varied dealers and seeing all the goodies each had to offer? If you answered "Yes!" to any of these questions, then do I have a committee chair for you...It's never too early to get involved in our 2003 show, and as Show Chair once again for the coming year, I need your help to get the ball rolling. Here are the committees in search of a chair:
Dealer/Demo-Dealer,
Exhibits,
Physical Facilities/Transport of Equipment,
Layout & Set-up,
Printed Program,
Publicity,
Hospitality,
Raffle,
Silent Auction,
Security,
Dinner/Refreshments,
Country Store,
Plant Sale,
Kids' Activities,
Video Presentations.
What did you most enjoy doing at Show 2002? Consider taking charge and making that activity even better in 2003! I have printed job descriptions and lists of duties for each committee chair, so you won't be starting from scratch, plus you'll find plenty of friendly club members to help along the way. I'm waiting by my phone (659-3577) for the first volunteer...
Submitted by Jim Brace-Thompson.
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Rules of Life-1 - Work is good but it's not that important.
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IN MEMORIUM,
Charles Leach.
Former club member Charles Leach passed away January 20, 2002. Charles was active in CFMS and AFMS for many years. He was CFMS president in 1984, and held many chairman positions.
Charles was noted for his fine collection of minerals, especially an outstanding copper collection.
Charles was in the Marine Corps in WWII and saw active duty. As his wife Betty says, he is now on the parade ground in Heaven with the Corps. He was a really great guy.
We extend our most sincere sympathy to his wife Betty.
Contributed by Florence Meisenheimer.
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COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
Thursday, March 7 Ray Meisenheimer gave a tour of the museum and a program to 46 - 4th and 5th graders along with two teachers. The group was from Briggs School in Santa Paula. Ron Wise assisted him. Thanks, Ron. Ray has several other programs scheduled in the next few weeks.
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APRIL BIRTHDAYS.
Happy Birthday to all those born in April. 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!
April -Happy Birthday!!
Everard Ashworth - 1st,
Sharon Hixson - 2nd,
Bennett Collings - 5th,
Edgar Isch - 8th,
Richard Bromser - 10th,
Lorraine Edmonson - 11th,
Martie Isch - 16th,
Jerry Pugh - 22nd,
Julia Heath - 26th,
Hannah Brace-Thompson - 29th.
The April birthstone is the Diamond and the flower is the Sweet Pea.
THE MINERAL DIAMOND.
- Chemistry: C, Elemental Carbon.
- Class: Native Elements.
- Subclass: Non-metallics.
- Group: Carbon.
- Uses: as a gemstone and abrasive.
Diamond is the ultimate gemstone, having few weaknesses and many strengths. It is well known that Diamond is the hardest substance found in nature, but few people realize that Diamond is four times harder than the next hardest natural mineral, corundum (sapphire and ruby). But even as hard as it is, it is not impervious. Diamond has four directions of cleavage, meaning that if it receives a sharp blow in one of these directions it will cleave, or split. A skilled diamond setter and/or jeweler will prevent any of these directions from being in a position to be struck while mounted in a jewelry piece.
As a gemstone, Diamond's single flaw (perfect cleavage) is far outdistanced by the sum of its positive qualities. It has a broad color range, high refraction, high dispersion or fire, very low reactivity to chemicals, rarity, and of course, extreme hardness and durability.
In terms of it's physical properties, diamond is the ultimate mineral in several ways:
- Hardness: Diamond is a perfect "10", defining the top of the hardness scale.
- Clarity: Diamond is transparent over a larger range of wavelengths (from the ultraviolet into the far infrared) than is any other substance.
- Thermal Conductivity: Diamond conducts heat better than anything - five times better than the second best element, Silver!
- Melting Point: Diamond has the highest melting point (3820 degrees Kelvin)!
- Lattice Density: The atoms of Diamond are packed closer together than are the atoms of any other substance!
Diamond is a polymorph of the element carbon. Graphite is another polymorph. The two share the same chemistry, carbon, but have very different structures and properties. Diamond is hard, Graphite is soft (the "lead" of a pencil). Diamond is an excellent electrical insulator, Graphite is a good conductor of electricity. Diamond is the ultimate abrasive, Graphite is a very good lubricant. Diamond is transparent, Graphite is opaque. Diamond crystallizes in the Isometric system and graphite crystallizes in the hexagonal system. Somewhat of a surprise is that at surface temperatures and pressures, Graphite is the stable form of carbon. In fact, all diamonds at or near the surface of the Earth are currently undergoing a transformation into Graphite. This reaction, fortunately, is extremely slow.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
- Color is variable and tends toward pale yellows, browns, grays, and also white, blue, black, reddish, greenish and colorless.
- Luster is adamantine to waxy.
- Transparency crystals are transparent to translucent in rough crystals.
- Crystal System is isometric; 4/m bar 3 2/m.
- Crystal Habits include isometric forms such as cubes and octahedrons, twinning is also seen.
- Hardness is 10.
- Specific Gravity is 3.5 (above average).
- Cleavage is perfect in 4 directions forming octahedrons.
- Fracture is conchoidal.
- Streak is white.
- Associated Minerals are limited to those found in kimberlite rock, an ultramafic igneous rock composed mostly of olivine.
- Other Characteristics: refractive index is 2.4 ( very high), dispersion is 0.044, fluorescent.
- Notable Occurrences include South Africa and other localities throughout Africa, India, Brazil, Russia, Australia, and Arkansas.
- Best Field Indicator is extreme hardness.
Copyright (c) 1995 by Amethyst Galleries, Inc.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR MEMBERS.
It has come to my attention that we need to provide membership cards to all members who might attend a field trip on private land. Mel Hixon kindly informed me that private landholders do not want uninsured people on their land. The blue membership card is the only proof you have that you are covered under the CFMS insurance. I will have these cards available at the next two or three meetings.
Inez Shakman, Membership.
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MEMBERSHIP.
New members: What is the saying "There are a million stories in the city"? Ted and Marie Fowler are Ventura residents (formerly from Fresno) who wanted to find activities that involved rock hunting in this area. They went on the Internet and found an organized field trip site and emailed one member with questions. They received a friendly answer and an invitation to meet this person at his home in the Santa Maria area. They were excited and feeling adventurous but suddenly began to worry that they really didn't know this person and he just might turn out to be a Jeffrey Dahmer type. So with trepidation the parents knocked on the door. They didn't find a monster. In fact they found one of our favorite dealers Wes Lingerfeld. They spent several hours taking a tour of his rocks and learned about our show and our club. They joined VGMS during the show weekend. Ted and Marie have two children, Christina age 23 and Justin age 12. Marie said she has always loved the mystical properties of rocks and Ted, at first, couldn't understand this. However he got more and more excited as he realized all the wonderful rocks that could be found and all the things that can be done with them. Daughter Christina loves jewelry and Justin loves digging for rocks. Under categories of interest the family listed all of them.
Inez Shakman, Membership.
An interesting note regarding our badges: As the new membership person I have called around to see if we couldn't get our club name badges made locally to save on the shipping costs. I discovered that our name badges are very expensive and difficult to create today by most engravers. The beveled edges can't be done by any engraver in this area (they would have to be sent out) and none of them "hand paint" badges anymore. Our poinsettias on our badges are hand painted. New badges today are created by scanning and using a computer and laser. There's a set up fee of $35.00. An ordinary rectangle costs the same as our County Shape currently costs. So hang on to those badges, or order your replacements if yours is lost, because they are probably going to be collectibles one day.
Inez Shakman, Membership Chairperson.
Update your Membership Directories (New ones won't be out until April.) & Welcome these new members:
Guy Story Brown,
909 E. Matilija,
Ojai, CA 93023,
805 640-6479.
Ted & Marie Fowler - Pebble Pups Christina & Justin,
7595 Lemur St.,
Ventura, CA 93003,
805 672-1643.
Everard Ashworth - Pebble Pup Henry,
161 Eugenia Dr.,
Ventura, CA 93003,
(805) 643-7446.
Laura Hamilton - Pebble Pup Logan,
108 La Crescenta St.,
Oxnard, CA 93035,
(805) 985-9802.
Change of Address and Phone Number:
Clint Berkheiser,
7798 Wheeler Canyon Rd.,
Santa Paula, CA 93060,
(805) 525-0207.
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MEMBER NAME TAGS.
Webmaster's Note: If you want a printed copy of the following ad place the mouse cursor to the left of the word 'Attention', push and hold down the left mouse button, and sweep down over the ad with the mouse cursor. This will highlight the contents of the ad. Release the mouse button and, without clicking anywhere else on the page, select EDIT on the browser menu and select COPY. You may then PASTE into any word processor and print in your normal manner. If you highlight too much you may delete the unneeded part with the word processor before printing. This works with any browser I know.
Attention New Members.
Need a Club Badge?
Blue Engravers is giving us a $.50 reduction per badge
for advertising space in the club bulletin!
Ventura County Shape badge $11.28 (includes tax & ship).
ACCOUNT: Ventura Gem and Mineral Society, Inc.
Name (print clearly. It will be on your name badge):
_____________________________________________
Address:
_____________________________________________
_______________________________Zip:____________
Make check payable to and mail to (takes 5-7 business days):
Blue Engravers,
1375 Caspian Ave.,
Long Beach, CA 90813.
If ordering more than 2 badges call them for exact shipping
costs at (562) 983-5140, FAX (562) 983-5146,
E-mail BLUEGRAVR@aol.com.
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HOSPITALITY.
We were honored with 28 members, 13 Pebble Pups and 2 guests, Don Minstre and Karen Kaming (sorry if we re-named you!). We are always happy to have guests and hope they will be back. We had our prize drawing with three items given out. I can't remember the lucky people (I just know I wasn't one of them!), but congratulations. All the Pebble Pups are given a prize also. Greg Davis supplied us with refreshments, which are always enjoyed by everyone.
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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.
"PEBBLE PUP NUGGETS."
Pebble Pup Corner:
We had 13 pups at our February meeting that learned how to put a show case together. Lorraine Edmonson brought refreshments that were enjoyed by all.
My sincere thanks to everyone who helped with the show. Our children's booth raised more than last year and also led to some new recruits. Seven families participated in the first annual Pebble Pups display case; they were each awarded a participant's trophy sand dollar. The case was exceptional and I know each child is now better prepared to enter competitive environments like the upcoming County Fair.
If you'll notice on our calendar March has a notation "Pups Workshops TBA". It has been decided the workshops will be held for six Mondays beginning March 25th at 5:30 pm ending at 7 pm. The children should wear old clothing and need not bring material. The workshops provide a safe place for hands-on creations. Wayne and his crew are wonderful with the children. The workshops will be held at the museum/clubhouse; let me know if you need directions. You can go to all or any number of workshops, come at any point in the one and half hour timeframe, and they are free.
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 27th at 6:30. We will learn about crystals from Beth Ainsworth, Geologist, and will have an opportunity to grow them as well.
Be sure to include some rocks in preparing your Easter Egg Hunt. Best Wishes to your families for a very Happy Easter!
Thanks, Emma.
Pebble Pup Birthdays - April:
- Aaron Base - 3rd,
- Ashley Base - 3rd,
- Bennett Collings - 5th,
- Cody Stephens - 6th,
- Jonathan Edmonson - 8th,
- Jeff McNeilan - 12th,
- Logan Van Der Meer - 20th,
- Kevin Berman - 22nd,
- Justin Fowler - 24th.
We all wish you a Happy Birthday and a Great Day with your pockets filled with fossils, rocks & minerals. If we have missed your birthday, please let Emma know and we will catch it next month.
Pebble Pup Dates to Remember:
- 3-25-02 - Cabochon Class at VGMS Museum - 5:00 pm.
- 3-27-02 - Pup Meeting, The Lexington - 6:30pm - "Crystals".
- 4-13/14-02 - Club Field Trip - Rainbow Ridge/Sheep Springs.
- 4-24-02 - Pup Meeting, The Lexington - 6:30 pm - Trilobites & Fossil Cleaning - Dave Mautz.
- 4-26-02 - Pup Field Trip - Jalama Beach - Camping & fossils.
Pups- Can you find the "C is for..." Coloring page in this bulletin? Color it and bring to share with the group on the 27th! Have Fun!! (You adults can color too!!)
Webmaster's Hint: It's near the end.
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PASSION FOR PALEONTOLOGY,
Santa Barbara Museum of National History.
What was life like-on Earth millions of years ago? What kinds of animals roamed the planet? How long did they inhabit Earth and what happened to them? These are but a few of the questions to be discussed by Paul Sereno and Michael Novacek. These leading paleontologists have dedicated their lives to scientific research, education, and unraveling prehistoric mysteries. In two exciting presentations in April, Sereno and Novacek will share their passion for paleontology and the world revealed through discoveries, made across the globe. These lectures are a prelude to what promises to be an amazing summer at the Museum with the exhibit "Dinosaurs: The Next Generation," opening May 25.
In "Time Traveler: In Search of Dinosaurs and Ancient Mammals from Montana to Mongolia," Michael Novacek looks back on life as a paleontologist. He tells of the unlikely cultivation of interest as a boy in the urban sprawl of Los Angeles that led him to explore the deserts of the southwest. Novacek relates the trials and events, some humorous and others risky, in his career of searching for evidence of what life was like on Earth millions of years ago. Novacek has discovered important fossils on virtually every continent and is an authority on the relationships between extinct and extant organisms. He will discuss dinosaur evolution, continental drift, mass extinctions, new methods for understanding ancient environments and the evolutionary secrets of DNA in fossil organisms. Novacek is Curator of Paleontology and Provost of Science at the American Museum of Natural History.
Thursday, April 18, 7:30 p.m., Fleischmann Auditorium. Limited seating. Admission is $6 members, $8 non-members. Book sale and signing of "Time Traveler: In Search of Dinosaurs and Ancient Mammals from Montana to Mongolia" follows the presentation.
Paul Sereno's lecture, "Africa's Lost World of Dinosaurs and Giant Crocs," will introduce you to a recently uncovered animal from 110 million years ago. This extraordinary creature was more than 40 feet long, weighed 10 tons, swam wide rivers, and ate dinosaurs. Among the largest crocodilians to ever walk on Earth, Sarcosuchus imperator has been dubbed SuperCroc by Sereno and his fossil hunting team. Hear about the adventure and science of Sereno's latest fossil discoveries from the Sahara Desert--giant crocodiles, dwarf crocs, new raptors, and huge long-necked plant-eaters. National Geographic Society Explorer-in-Residence and Professor at the University of Chicago, Sereno has published dozens of scientific and popular articles, several books and has appeared in 10 television documentaries, including a National Geographic Society film, "SuperCroc".
Friday, April 26, 7p.m., Fleischmann Auditorium. Limited seating. Admission is $10/$6 for adult/child members and $15/$9 for adult/child non-members. Program begins at 7 p.m. when Zoo to You presents Spike the Alligator, followed by Sereno at 7:30.
"Dinosaurs the Next Generation" is a large Museum Exhibit at the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum which will Run through the Summer and begins at the Santa Barbara Museum on May 25th.
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EARTH SCIENCE STUDIES,
CAMP PARADISE.
The Earth Science Studies at Camp Paradise in September will be two separate weeklong seminars, consecutive weeks, with identical workshops and the same instructors.
Each seminar will be restricted to 60 or so attendees, so that instructors will have more time with each participant. Dates and more information will be published in the April Bulletin.
Ray & Florence Meisenheimer,
Co-Chairs for CFMS Earth Science Studies.
Table of Contents.
BARSTOW AREA FIELDTRIP,
February 16-17.
Geology in the raw and on the surface--that's what we saw in the Barstow Formation which surrounds the Barstow area. Many minerals, fossils of ancient animals and palm wood, and, under it all, the very visible geology competed for our attention.
The Barstow fieldtrip began on a sunny Saturday morning in the Rainbow Basin National Landmark. We met BLM geologist, Larry Monroe, at Owl Canyon campground for a geological tour of the area. Larry talked to us about the geological history of the Barstow Formation and about the present day evidence presented by rocks, precious minerals, and commercially valuable mining. Then we drove around the Rainbow Basin loop and actually saw some of the minerals as they appear in nature. The highlight of the tour was the famous Barstow syncline; you can actually see the fulcrum of the syncline because the soft materials have eroded away.
Since there were just six of us on the trip, we were able to take off to places of special interest to members of the group. After lunch at Owl Canyon campground, we headed for our campsite for Saturday night, near the Early Man Site. On the way we stopped off at a dumpsite, where Lew Mayron managed to break up a huge piece of antique verde marble. We combed the float for petrified palm wood, but instead found some interesting agatized material. On we went to our campsite, where we poked around for petrified palm, but found only a few small scraps of not the best material. The campfire, however, was great!
Sunday morning, another beautiful day, we headed for the hills off of Fort Irwin Road near Jackhandle Gap. There we found some veins of banded onyx. The rock buckets were getting full, but we still had Sunday afternoon for more hunting. Off we went to a site just off Coyote Lake Rd. The hills were full of interesting materials. Even after high grading the rock buckets overflowed into cardboard boxes. Time to go home and cut a few rocks!
Ron Wise, Fieldtrip Chairperson.
Table of Contents.
TRI-CLUB FIELDTRIPS - 2002.
| April: | |
| 6-7, | Boron Show. |
| 13-14, | Rainbow Ridge / Sheep Springs, |
| Leader: Mitty Scarpato. | |
| May: | |
| 18-19, | Conejo Show. |
| 25-26, | Kramer Junction (four corners) area,* |
| Leader: Lew Mayron. | |
| June: | |
| 22-23, | To be determined,* |
| Leader: Miriam Tetreault. | |
| July: | |
| 12-14, | CFMS Show - Placerville, CA. |
| 13-14, | Greenhorn Mountains, |
| Leader: Jerry Adlof. | |
| August: | |
| 7-31 to 8-11, | County Fair. |
| September: | |
| 8/31-9/2, | Monte Cristo Mountains (NV) area, |
| Leader: Ron Wise. | |
| 8-14, | Camp Paradise-1. |
| 15-21, | Camp Paradise-2. |
| October: | |
| 12-14, | Cady Mountains area,* |
| Leader: Miriam Tetreault. | |
| November: | |
| 2-3, | OGMS Show. |
| 28-12/1, | Wiley's Well area, |
| Leader: Mitty Scarpato. | |
| December: | |
| Holidays. |
| Leaders: | ||
| Jerry Adlof, | 579-7343 or 583-5242, | Conejo. |
| Lew Mayron, | 492-2458, | Conejo. |
| Mitty Scarpato, | (818) 707-9972, | Conejo. |
| Miriam Tetreault, | 642-5779, | Oxnard. |
| Ron Wise, | 647-4393, | Ventura. |
* Notes a change from last bulletin.
Table of Contents.
VGMS MINUTES.
Minutes of the VGMS Regular Monthly Meeting,
Wednesday, February 27, 2002;
President Greg Davis called the meeting of the Ventura Gem and Mineral Society to order at 7:31 p.m., Wednesday, February 27th, 2002 in the Bijou room of the Lexington, 5440 Ralston, Ventura, Ca. The group was led in the salute to the flag.
There being no changes to the minutes of the previous Board and Regular meetings, they were approved as written. It was reported that Emma's Pebble Pup program has been recognized by the AFMS and mentioned in its news letter. This evening prior to the regular program, the pebble pups learned how to prepare a display case and readied one with their finds, under the direction of Greg Davis, for the upcoming annual VGMS show.
The evening's program consisted of members displaying and talking about finds, specimens and stories collected at Quartzsite and Tucson this year.
Field Trips: Ron Wise reported that the March trip has been changed to Bakersfield, incorporating their annual show instead of a trip to Faria beach.
Treasurers Report: Richard gave the treasurers report and requested that show receipts be promptly submitted.
Federation Report: Florence reported that the latest CFMS bulletin had not arrived but we can count on more lands being closed to us.
Show report: Jim Brace-Thompson reported everything is in place for one of the best shows ever!
Dues are due and the deadline is the last of March.
Greg Davis held the door prize drawing and semi-precious tumbled stones were handed out to all pebble pups.
Wayne Ehlers reminded members that the next cab class will commence Monday, March 25th, 5 p.m., at the workshop and all are welcome.
Refreshments were provided by Greg Davis.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 and the next meeting will be held March 27th.
Respectfully submitted,
Greg Davis.
Minutes of the VGMS Board Meeting,
Thursday, March 7, 2002;
The VGMS board meeting for the month of March was called to order by President Greg Davis at 7:30 p.m., at the VGMS Museum, 5019 Crooked Palm Rd., Ventura, Ca.
Present: Greg Davis, Steve Mulqueen, Florence and Ray Meisenheimer, Richard Bromser, Shirley Layton, Nancy and Jim Brace-Thompson, Ron and Jean Wise, Dave Mautz, Bob Spjut and Inez Shakman.
Greg Davis: informed the Board that the club was not listed in the new phone directory as we cannot have a business name and be registered as residential user with Pacbell. We have another year to consider the increased cost of changing to a business classification. We'll need to schedule a workshop cleanup day prior to a cab class starting. Although members from all the clubs praise the idea of the Tri-Club meetings, very few have been attending. February's meeting had only a few representing the Ventura and Oxnard club, and the previous meeting had only a few from Ventura and Conejo clubs. We'll try to improve on publicity rather than abandon the idea of the three clubs communicating in this way.
Florence Meisenheimer: People commented to Florence during our annual show that they appreciated our friendly attitude and size and variety of the show. She also has raffle tickets and display case forms for the Federation Show in Placerville.
Richard Bromser: The monthly treasurer's report was presented and it was m/s/c to approve it with checks 887-906 used for expenses. Copies of papers for incorporation were sent to the IRS for verification of non-profit status of our club. Richard will arrange for country store items to be returned to storage and will take an inventory of grab bags while at it. Richard will also look into the cost of new show case hardware. Thank God for Richard.
Shirley Layton: Articles for the bulletin are due March 10th.
Jim Brace-Thompson: 2003 show will be held the 1st and 2nd of March. Mineral gifts were given to the Fairground employees. Post show meeting will be held Sunday, April 21st, 2:00 p.m. at the Brace-Thompson's. AFMS show for 2003, hosted by the Del Air Club is set for June 5th-8th with setup on the 3rd & 4th. Any help from our club will be appreciated. An Earth Science Fair is scheduled for September 28th at Oxnard College. Representatives from our club are being sought for educational talks and in return the show will allow us a table for club publicity. Jim suggests those who know Cal Keeter, that he could use cheering up (due to a recent illness) with a note or card sent to 241 Chestnut St., Pacfic Grove, Ca. 93950-3130.
Steve Mulqueen: Any unsold plants will be donated to the Conejo show. Estate sale in Calif. City - call Steve for more info.
Ron Wise: Field trip for March has been changed to the 9th with a trip to Ant Hill in Bakersfield for shark teeth - meet at 10:00 at the Rio Bravo store in Bakersfield. April 15-17th at Stoddard Wells (near Victorville) for the annual tailgate party. I hear it's always a fun weekend. April 23rd and 24th is the annual Boron show.
Ray Meisenheimer: Briggs School brought 46 students to the Museum and Ron Wise assisted Ray with the class.
Inez Shakman: 6 new members joined - 4 adults and 2 children, Ted, Marie, Christina and Justin Fowler, Karen Kuminski and Guy Story Brown. It was m/s/c to approve their memberships. The cost of name badges has increased to 11.28 each and it was voted on to eliminate the smaller rectangle option as it's almost the same in cost now, defeating it's purpose.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Greg Davis.
Table of Contents.
WHO'S THE DUMMY?
from Carl Phillips.
Police in Oakland, California spent two hours attempting to subdue a gunman who had barricaded himself inside his home. After firing ten tear gas canisters, officers discovered that the man was standing beside them in the police line, shouting, "Please come out and give yourself up!"
An Illinois man, pretending to have a gun, kidnapped a motorist and forced him to drive to two different automated teller machines, wherein the kidnapper proceeded to withdraw money from his own bank accounts.
A man walked into a Topeka, Kansas Kwik Stop and asked for all the money in the cash drawer. Apparently, the take was too small, so he tied up the store clerk and worked the counter himself for three hours until police showed up and grabbed him.
Police in Los Angeles had good luck with a robbery suspect who just couldn't control himself during a lineup. When detectives asked each man in the lineup to repeat the words, "Give me all your money or I'll shoot," the man shouted, "That's not what I said!"
Last summer, down on Lake Isabella, located in the high desert, an hour east of Bakersfield, California, some folks new to boating were having a problem. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't get their brand new 22 ft boat going at a speed they thought proper. It was very sluggish in almost every maneuver, no matter how much power was applied. After about an hour of trying to make it go, they chugged to a nearby marina, thinking someone there could tell them what was wrong. A thorough topside check revealed everything in perfect working condition. The engine ran fine, the outdrive went up and down, the prop was the correct size and pitch. So, one of the marina guys jumped in the water to check underneath. He came up choking on water, he was laughing so hard. Under the boat, still strapped securely in place, was the trailer.
AFMS Newsletter, March 2002.
Table of Contents.
ARE YOU READY TO GO?
by Mel Albright, Safety Chair.
Are you ready to go? Go where? Where we all must sooner or later. In particular, is your rock collection ready to go on in the world?
There was an earlier article about storing radioactive samples. But, when you go (or give up the hobby), those too will stay behind.
What's my point? In our collections and in our shops we have a great variety of rocks and agates and minerals and solvents and more. Each of us knows what everything is and has long since learned to treat them properly. But, is there someone around who knows all about everything you have and what to do with it safely? If you're giving stuff to a museum, there's no problem. If you're not, there could be. Someone may just take everything and throw it in the dumper or out on the back forty. That could both waste money and cause safety problems.
There are some collectable items that can be dangerous, in the wrong hands or places. Each of these you have should be marked when that is the case. On the other hand, agate and quartz crystals can be put anywhere without harm.
May I make a suggestion? First, label or otherwise permanently mark everything you have. Yes - everything. You may know it is quartz or whatever, but whoever cleans it up may not. Then make sublists of what may be done with them safely. Such lists may be - Put anywhere - Radioactive - Insoluble Minerals - Soluble minerals - and so on. Then at the bottom of the list, write out a full explanation of what may be done with them when you are no longer around to say so. Then you'll help everyone - yourself and whoever follows your collection.
One last point. You should also mark values on things. What looks like an ordinary useless rock to an outsider may be a special $50 fluorescent rock. Agates are often ugly on the outside. The value of your collection may not be realized unless you let your heirs know.
AFMS Newsletter, March 2002.
Table of Contents.
HINTS & TIPS FOR ROCKHOUNDS
(Use at your own risk).
Need somewhere to store your 6" sanding and polishing discs? Use an inexpensive music CD case. They fit in the pockets perfectly, and you can label each pocket with a different grit number.
Flat Lapping tips: For best results, use graded abrasives for lapping. We recommend 220 grit for rough grind and 600 grit for fine grind. Final Polish with Tin Oxide.
Tumbling Hints for Apache Tears: When attempting to polish "Apache tears" we have heard of lots of personal "recipes". Here are some methods you may want to try.
1) In steps 3 & 4, add corn syrup to the load to slow down the action. This thickens the slurry and will keep the Apache tears from scratching themselves.
2) Use cerium oxide as a polish, and use it with oatmeal. Let it go for several weeks. Do NOT add water in this method. Polish dry.
3) Use a vibrating polisher. These type polishers do not have the harsh action a rotary polisher has.
Jewelers Hint: This is a great way to keep your sterling silver jewelry from tarnishing. Tarnish is caused by sulfur gases in the air. Chalk is a natural absorber of sulfur. So place sticks of chalk (blackboard chalk) in your cases, jewelry boxes, jewelry drawer, or just around your jewelry.
From http://www.rocks4u.com/lapidaryhint.htm via The Bulletin, Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Club, March 2002.
Table of Contents.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Rules of Life-2
The only really good advice that your mother ever gave you
was, "Go! You might meet somebody!".
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Table of Contents.
WHY ENTER COMPETITION,
Jeane Stultz, Rules Committee Member.
Most of us enjoy displaying our creative abilities or our collections at various gem and mineral shows. But when a suggestion is made that your case should be entered into competition, many people reject the idea for a number of reasons.
Some are just afraid of the idea of competition because they have never tried it. There are those who have no confidence in themselves and feel their work or material isn't good enough to compete with others in the same field. Some don't like the idea of competing against their friends who do the same kind of work or have a similar collection. Others consider it too much work to prepare their case for competition because they have to make labels and be so careful about the way they set up their case. And the most common heard complaint is that the judges are too hard and critical of the material and the way it is presented.
These are all legitimate reasons to hesitate before entering competition. But let's look at the other side of the coin. It is always difficult to try doing something new, something you have never done before. But everything we do with confidence now had to be done for the first time at some point in our lives. It is called "The Learning Process".
How can you know if your work or material isn't good enough for competition unless you try? And if it is marked down, don't be discouraged but try to work on the problem so you can do better next time. Most friends won't mind a little friendly competition with someone who shares the same interest and will be happy for you, even if you should outscore them.
It is a lot of work to prepare a case for competition but the satisfaction of seeing your case looking its very best means a lot and if you should win a trophy, you know that the extra work and time spent on your exhibit was worth it. And last but not least, you need to understand that the judges are human too and they are truly trying their best to do an honest, careful, and unbiased job of judging your case. They really don't take off points just for the fun of it, and they don't enjoy picking on you or your display! You may not agree with their opinion but you always have the opportunity to talk with at least one of the persons who judged your case after the judging is over. If you are willing to listen to their comments, you just might win that trophy on your next attempt at competition.
Whatever your motives, you can improve the general appearance of your display and gain a great feeling of pride in your work if you will accept the judges' comments as suggestions to help you do better next time. Why not take the plunge and start planning now to enter a case in competition at the CFMS Show in Placerville this July? You might be surprised at the results. Your Federation Director should have the Competition Entry Forms on hand, and when it is filled out, send it to Jeane Stultz, Rules Committee Member. Her address is on the form. If you need help deciding which Division and Class you should enter, you can contact any member of the Rules Committee and we will be glad to help you. Why enter competition? Because it's fun and can improve the appearance of your exhibit when you learn and follow the rules.
Rules Committee Members:
Jeanne Stultz - 805-498-4220,
Bural La Rue - 909-874-5664,
Jack Williams - 530-622-3038,
Lois Allmen - 805-483-6871.
CFMS Newsletter, March 2002.
Table of Contents.
SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.
CFMS SHOW IN PLACERVILLE.
The 2002 CFMS show is July 12, 13 & 14 at the Fairgrounds in Placerville. If any one wishes to display, competitive, or non-competitive, I have the forms. I also have forms for registering for the banquet, Editor's Breakfast, and RV camping. I have a list of the local hotels. Preregistration for the show is $4.00 per person per day, or $10.00 for a three-day pass. Senior Citizens and youngsters are $3.00 per day. Children under 12 are free. There are a lot of interesting tours available as this is wine country and gold country. It should be very interesting.
Florence Meisenheimer, Federation Director.
Table of Contents.
2002 CFMS CLUB SHOWS.
MARCH 23-24; BORON, CA - Mojave Mineralogical Society, Inc., Boron High School Multipurpose Room, Prospect Street. Hours: Sat. 9-5; Sun. 9-4. David Eyre (760) 762-6575.
MARCH 23-24; LA HABRA, CA - North Orange County Gem & Mineral Soc., La Habra Clubhouse; 200 W. Greenwood. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun 10-4. Don & Jane Livezey (714) 524-6280. e-mail JDLive27@aol.com.
MARCH 23-24; TORRANCE, CA - South Bay Lapidary & Mineral Society, Ken Miller Recreation Center, 3341 Torrance Blvd. Hours: Sat. 10-6; Sun. 10-5. Doris Turney (310) 322-2556.
MARCH 30-31; ROSEVILLE, CA - Roseville Rock Rollers Gem & Min. Soc. "Nature's Wonders", Placer County Fairgrounds, 800 All American Blvd. Hours: 10-5 both days. Elton Dean (916) 969-6733 or Betty Soper (916) 969-6733.
APRIL 6-7; HACIENDA HEIGHTS, CA - Puente Hills Gem & Mineral Club "Magic in Rocks"; Steinmetz Park, 1545 Stimson Avenue. Hours: 10-5 both days. Bob Hess (562) 696-2270. Rpsthess@earthlink.net.
APRIL 6-7; ANGELS CAMP, CA - Calaveras Gem & Mineral Society, Exhibits of Natures Wonders, Calaveras County Fairground. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4. Earl Klein, (510) 632-9373.
APRIL 6-7; SAN DIEGO, CA - San Diego Mineral & Gem Society, Al Bahr Shine Center, 5440 Kearny Mesa Rd. Hours: Sat. 9:30-5; Sun. 10-4, Anne Schafer (858) 586-1637. annes@san.rr.com; Website: www.sdmg.org.
APRIL 13-14; PARADISE, CA - Paradise Gem Mineral Club 48th Annual Show, Veteran's Memoral Hall @ Elliot & Skyway. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4. John Hees (530)533-5756 or Robert Lynk (530) 876-8807.
APRIL 20-21; MARIPOSA, CA - Mariposa Gem & Mineral Club, Mariposa County Fairgrounds, Hwy 140 South. Hours: 10-5 both days. Dianne Mueller (209) 742-7625.
APRIL 27-28; LANCASTER, CA - Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 155 East Avenue "I". Hours: 9-5 both days. Olan Flick (661) 943-3882. (Greg Davis has Exhibit entry forms for this show - deadline is 3-28-02.)
APRIL 27-28; SANTA CRUZ, CA - Santa Cruz Mineral & Gem Society "50th Annual Show". Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium @ Corner of Center & Church Streets. Hours:10-5 both days. Sallee & Bob Brumbaugh (831) 336-5662.
MAY 4-5; ANAHEIM, CA - Searchers Gem & Mineral Society, "America's Treasures", Brookhurst Community Center, 2271 West Crescent Ave. Hours: Sat. 10-6; Sun. 11-4:30. Betty Nelson (714) 530-1365. bethar@msn.com or Nancy Norlund (714) 960-6957 njnorlund@netzero.net.
MAY 4-5; BAKERSFIELD, CA - Kern County Mineral Society, Kern County Fairgrounds. Hours: ?, Herm Rogers (661) 589-3348.
MAY 11-12; RENO, NV - Reno Gem & Mineral Society, Reno Livestock-Events Center Exhibit Hall, 1350 N. Wells Avenue. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4.
MAY 17, 18 & 19; ANDERSON, CA - Superior California Gem & Mineral Assoc., Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Faire 2002, Shasta District fairgrounds, Hwy. 273. Hours: Fri. & Sat. 9-5; Sun. 10-4. Steve Puderbaugh (530) 221-6542.
MAY 18-19; NEWBURY PARK, CA - Conejo Gem & Mineral Club, Borchard Park Community Center, 190 Reino Road. Hours: Sat. 9-5; Sun. 10-5. Bob Stultz (805) 498-4220.
JUNE 29-30; CULVER CITY, CA - Culver City Rock & Mineral Club, Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, Culver Blvd. & Overland Avenue. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Rosalie Peschel (310) 397-4336 Linda Taibi www.gembiz.com/ccrmc/fiesta.htm.
AUGUST 9-11; NIPOMO, CA - Orcutt Mineral Society, St. Joseph's Church, 298 S. Thompson Avenue. Hours: 10-5 daily. Dick Shields (805) 937-0357. e-mail: Shieldsb@ix.netcom.com.
AUGUST 17-18; SAN FRANCISCO, CA - San Francisco Gem & Mineral Society, Fort Mason Center's Herbst Pavilion, Marina Blvd. & Buchanan Street. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Ellen Nott e-mail: ellennnt@yahoo.com.
OCTOBER 5-6; VISTA, CA - Vista Gem & Mineral Society, Brengle Terrace Community Recreation Center, 1200 Vale Terrace. Hours: 10-5 both days. Mary Anne Mital (760) 758-4599.
OCTOBER 12-13; TRONA, CA - Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society Gem & Mineral Show Building, 13337 Main Street. Hours: Sat. 8-5; Sat. 8-4. Bonnie Fairchild (760) 372-5356. Web page - http://www1.iwvisp.com/tronagemclub/.
NOVEMBER 2-3; OXNARD, CA - Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society, Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way. Hours: Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4. Anne Lewis (805) 485-6356.
Table of Contents.
Rules of Life-3 - Never pass up an opportunity to pee.
Table of Contents.
AMERICAN FEDERATION / REGIONAL
SHOW SCHEDULE - 2002.
EASTERN FEDERATION,
April 7-28; Franklin, NJ.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN,
April 19-21; Enid, Oklahoma.
CANADIAN FEDERATION CONVENTION,
May 4-5; 25th Anniversary,
Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
CALIFORNIA FEDERATION,
July 12-14; Placerville, CA,
Hosted by: El Dorado Mineral & Gem Society,
El Dorado County Fairgrounds.
COMBINED NWF/AFMS,
July 16-21; Port Townsend, WA.
MIDWEST FEDERATION,
October 5-6; Springfield, IL.
SOUTHEAST FEDERATION,
October 5-6; Jacksonville, FL.
Table of Contents.
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!!)
 |
| Trili - The Editor's Pet Trilobite. |
Table of Contents.
EDUCATIONAL CORNER.
Definition of the Month.
Oolite:
Oolite - A sedimentary rock, usually a limestone or dolomite, consisting of ovoid shaped particles (commonly composed of calcite or dolomite) which are cemented together. These particles, often called ooliths, vary in size from 0.25 mm to 5 mm in diameter. Ooliths are formed in shallow, wave-agitated water environments from the precipitation of carbonate minerals around a nucleus such as a shell fragment, an algal pellet or a sand grain.
Source: Glossary of Geology, American Geological Institute, Falls Church, Virginia, 1980.
The "Definition of the Month" features words which are related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history.
Steve Mulqueen.
Illustration of the Month.
The Willys' Jeep - The original Willys' Jeep is the most famous 4-wheel drive vehicle ever manufactured. It was first produced in 1941 during World War II. Jeeps were used extensively throughout the world since 1941. Many of those vehicles produced during the 1940s are still in use today.
The manufacturer name "Willys" originated from John N. Willys, the founder of the Willys-Overland Corporation which designed and built the first "Jeep". The name "Jeep" is the literal pronunciation of the term "G.P." which was the U.S. Army's abbreviation for the military standard known as "vehicle, general purpose".
In 1941, the U.S. Army solicited manufacturers to produce prototypes based on strict requirements. The vehicle had to be rugged, equipped with an efficient but powerful engine and, most of all, could not exceed 2160 pounds in weight. In October 1941, the Willys' vehicle was chosen as the most versatile design. Willys and Edsel Ford won contracts to begin manufacturing the Jeep at two separate assembly plants.
Jeeps proved their usefulness during World War II. After the war, millions of Jeeps were available as surplus war materiel. These vehicles were purchased by thousands of Americans in the mid to late 1940s and early 1950s. The Jeep's overall condition varied from "badly damaged junk" to "new, still in the crate". Some Jeeps were pieced together from several junk vehicles in order to make one that was functional.
These vehicles found their way into peacetime service for use by ranchers, farmers, hunters and rockhounds, to name a few. The golden age of "rockhounding" began sometime in the mid to late 1940s. The availability of surplus Jeeps on the market during this period provided reliable transportation to many rock collectors. Imagine a time when you could point your surplus Army Jeep in any direction in the desert, in search of those elusive rocks, minerals and fossils!
(The illustration is from the book "Patton", Ballantine's Illustrated History of World War II, page 53, written by Charles Whiting, Ballantine Books Inc., New York, NY, 1970).
The "Illustration of the Month" features a drawing, sketch, pen & ink rendering or an engraving print found in old books, maps and manuscripts related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history.
Steve Mulqueen.
Table of Contents.
COLORBOOK.
C is for . . .
| . . . Calcite. Calcite can be found in many shapes and colors. These calcite crystals are tan, but calcite can also be green, blue, red, yellow, black, white, and colorless. Calcite is used to make cement, fertilizers and some special chemicals. |
 "Dogtooth" calcite crystals from Oklahoma. They are called "dogtooth" because they look like a little dog's fangs. |
Tan calcite from Ohio.
Golden yellow calcite from Illinois.
| . . . Celestite. Celestite has an element in it called strontium that is used in fireworks to make a pretty, bright red color. However, celestite itself is light blue, yellow, white or colorless. |
 From Maybee, Michigan. This crystal has lines inside it which mark its growth through time. |
Table of Contents.
VGMS PHOTO ALBUM.
1 - Sharlyne Holloway enjoying her work at the Kids' Game Booth!
2 - Wayne Ehlers happily demonstrating lapidary work. Thanks Wayne for filling in for Dee & Cal Clason who had car problems and couldn't make it.
3 - Steve Mulqueen and helper preparing for his continuously running videos.
4 - Jim and Nancy Brace-Thompson with some very attentive kids at the Kids' Booth.
Table of Contents
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