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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
July 2002.

Table of Contents.

• PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE;
• WORDS TO LIVE BY;
• "KARTCHNER CAVERNS" Program for Wednesday, 24 July 2002;
• "DIAMONDS" Program Review - 26 June 2002;
• MARK YOUR CALENDARS;
• CHIPS & BOULDERS;
• AFMS and CFMS Web Sites;
• REMINDER - VENTURA COUNTY FAIR;
• A FUNNY;
• MEMORIAM -- Mabel Ralph - 11-17-17 to 7-4-02;
• A LITTLE SUNSHINE;
• Aim at the sun;
• PUBLIC OUTREACH;
• AUGUST BIRTHDAYS;
• MEMBERSHIP;
• HOSPITALITY;
• "PEBBLE PUP NUGGETS";
• YOUR HELP IS NEEDED;
• You only live once;
• FIELD TRIPS;
• TRI-CLUB FIELD TRIPS - 2002;
• TOURING AMERICA;
• VGMS SHOW 2003;
• VGMS MINUTES;
• JOHNSON FARM DINOSAUR TRACK SITE;
• HINTS & TIPS FOR ROCKHOUNDS (Use at your own risk);
• Senior Moment;
• 2002 CFMS CLUB SHOWS;
• AMERICAN FEDERATION / REGIONAL SHOW SCHEDULE - 2002;
• EDITOR'S NOTE;
• EDUCATIONAL CORNER;
• COLORBOOK;
• VGMS PHOTO ALBUM.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

The County Fair is here and I hope everyone who can will participate both with entries and assisting with the Gem and Mineral facility. It's a great opportunity to lend support to the Fair display and get recognition for your club at the same time.

It's certainly a busy month, starting with the CFMS show in Placerville and then our Fair starting the 31st. Our club work shop will still be open on Saturday the 20th although some will be attending the tri club field trip to the Greenhorn Mts., and we're all aware of the importance of the 26th, 27th and 28th for our Fair entries of gem, mineral and fossils.

Of course there are other vacations during this time of year and I hope those fortunate souls enjoy and include mineral and or fossil collecting with them.

See you all at our next regular meeting - July 24th.

     Greg Davis - President.

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WORDS TO LIVE BY.

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.

You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.

Smile--it increases your face value.

There is nothing like a little experience to upset a theory.

Collected by Wayne Ehlers.

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"KARTCHNER CAVERNS",
Program for Wednesday, 24 July 2002.

Wayne Ehlers will be sharing his and Marie's experience in visiting Kartchner Caverns, which are about 50 miles south of Tucson, AZ. This is a newly discovered cave that has been open to the public for only the last two years. There will be slides and pictures.

Kathryn Davis, Program Chairperson.

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HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

"DIAMONDS",
Program Review - 26 June 2002.

     Robert LaPrad presented an interesting program on cutting diamonds. Until the turn of the century the only way to cut diamonds was by cleaving them. Then methods were developed to saw the crystals. It takes about eight hours and several blades to saw through a one-carat crystal. The angles of the cuts must be checked constantly. The transformation from the raw stone to the finished stone is complex and amazing. Diamonds are difficult to polish. Each facet must be polished in the correct direction.
     Interestingly, the FIA has stated that there is no "ideal cut" for a diamond. Another interesting fact: diamonds come in a larger range of colors even than sapphire. A red diamond with an eye visible cleavage crack sold for $925,000 a carat, making it the most expensive stone ever. The yellow diamond is a beautiful yellow gem.
          Kathryn Davis, Program Chairperson.

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

7-19, 20, 21-02 - Entry Dates for Hobbies - Ventura County Fair.
7-20-02 - VGMS Work Shop - Open - 9-noon.
7-20, 21-02 - Tri-Club Field Trip - Greenhorn Mountains.
7-24-02 - VGMS Regular Meeting - Pebble Pups 6:30 to 7:30, meeting at 7:30 for all. - Wayne Ehlers presentation on the Kartchner Caverns in Arizona.
7-26, 27, 28-02 - Entry Dates for Gems & Minerals - Ventura County Fair.
7-31 to 8-11-02 - Ventura County Fair - Seaside Park.
8-1-02 - VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Museum. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
8-10-02 - DEADLINE FOR AUGUST - Articles to the Editor!
8-31 to 9-2-02 - Tri-Club Field Trip - (Labor Day Weekend) Monte Cristo Mountains, NV.

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CHIPS & BOULDERS.

Don't forget the Fair!! Get your entries in!

New Almaden Quicksilver Mine - featured in Illustrations further on in the bulletin has some websites associated with it which you can review for more information about the mine. They are:
1. New Almaden Mine Collection - description of the Stanford University collection:
     http://www.oac.cdlib.org/dynaweb/ead/stanford/mss/m0270/.
2. New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum:
     http://www.co.santa-clara.ca.us/parks/historical/history_almaden.html.
3. Great California Quicksilver Rush - paper discussing mercury, the New Almaden Mine, and their relation to the Gold Rush:
     http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/commstudies/woz/paper1.html.
4. Almaden Quicksilver County Park and the Mining Museum - information and photos:
     http://www.geocities.com/almadenqs/newalmmus.html.

Congratulations to Dave Mautz for his award from the Ventura County Fair Board for his outstanding service and contributions to the Fair over the years. Way to go Dave and glad to see you get recognition for it!

California Oil Museum - Check out the new display Dave Mautz, Steve and Susan Mulqueen are working on. It is some of Dave's collection of cephalopods. See "Public Outreach" for more details.

Susan Mulqueen has volunteered to put together a club case for the Ventura County Fair. Be sure and check out Susan's great work when at the fair (while you are volunteering - hint, hint!). Thanks Susan for always being there for this project!

E-Mailing of Bulletin - For those who received the bulletin by e-mail last month, how did it go? Please give us your input. I will bring extra copies of the bulletin to the meetings, so you can get an original there if you wish. Since printing and postage costs have gone out of sight, one of the ways we can help cut expenses is to e-mail the bulletin in place of mailing it. An advantage to this is that you would usually have it 3 to 4 days sooner. We would send the e-mails either Sunday or Monday and they normally aren't mailed until Tuesday night plus mailing time. If you have an e-mail address and would like to try it, please let us know at jns@west.net. If it doesn't work out we will mail you one. This would save 57 cents for each one, which adds up fast!

June host was Sharon Cunningham - We were blessed with some great refreshments provided by Sharon. They are one of the highlights of the meeting! Sharon will be providing them again in July, Ron & Jean Wise will do August and Gary & Sharon Markley have signed up for September. Sharon Cunningham is looking for volunteers to fill the months of October and November and that will take care of the year! Please pick a month and let Sharon know your choice at 805 649-3579. We really appreciate the volunteers, as many hands make it much easier and the variety is great!

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. 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!! jns@west.net - Thanks!

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 - We don't seem to have any ads! There must be a better sales person out there than me!

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AFMS website - www.amfed.org.
CFMS website - www.cfmsinc.org.

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REMINDER - VENTURA COUNTY FAIR.

The Fair is scheduled from July 31 to August 11 at Seaside Park. Entry dates for hobbies are July 19, 20 & 21. Entry dates for Gems & Minerals are July 26, 27 & 28. Ventura Gem & Mineral Society is well noted for supporting the fair. I hope all of you will consider at least one entry---a whole case or a single item for the "Bull Pen".

We need help in setting up the display room, and in tearing down when it is all over. We need much help during the show. Floorwalkers are needed from 11 am to 10 pm every day. It is a very important duty.

Demonstrators in all facets of our hobby are needed.

For any questions regarding reserving a case call Bob Stultz (805) 498-4220. For any other information call Ray Meisenheimer (805) 642-3155.

Ray Meisenheimer.

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A FUNNY!

One night a police officer was staking out a particularly rowdy bar for possible DUI violations. At closing time, he saw a fellow tumble out of the bar, trip on the curb, and try his keys in five different cars before he found his. Then he sat in the front seat fumbling around with his keys for several minutes. Everyone else left the bar and drove off. Finally he started his engine and began to pull away. The police officer was waiting for him. He stopped the driver, read him his rights and administered the Breathalyzer test. The results showed a reading of 0.0. The puzzled officer demanded to know how that could be. The driver simply replied, "Tonight sir, I am the designated decoy". Via the Gringo Gazette, April 2002.

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IN MEMORIAM,
Mabel Ralph,
11-17-17 to 7-4-02.

We were very sorry to learn of the death of Mabel Ralph on July 4th after a very sudden illness. She and her husband, Ira Ralph, were long time members of VGMS. Ira was the rockhounder, but Mabel was a great supporter. Unfortunately Ira passed away just as we became members of VGMS and we didn't get to know him, but we were fortunate to get to know Mabel. She wasn't able to come to meetings the past couple of years as she no longer drove in the evenings. Prior to that she helped with the show in the Country Store and in serving our Friday night dinner. Our thoughts and prayers go to her family.

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A LITTLE SUNSHINE.

Our thoughts and prayers are still with Opal Benson and we are directing the sunshine to her. Greg Davis just spent a little time with her and advised that she was in Great Spirits. Her address for visits, which she would welcome, and to mail those cards to is:
     Opal Benson,
     Ojai Community Hospital,
     Skilled Nursing, Room 222B,
     1306 Maricopa Highway,
     Ojai, CA 93023.

We received a report from Red, Nancy and Harry Jioras at their new location. They are settling in nicely and having fun along with a bit of work! They are thoroughly enjoying their grandson and Red is even scoping out new resources for fossils, rocks, earth science and fishing! They promise to come back to Southern CA once in awhile and extend an invitation to all to visit them whenever you can. I believe some have trips planned!

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aim at the sun. You may never reach it, but you will fly
higher than if you never aimed at all.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

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PUBLIC OUTREACH.

Historic article:
     On July 1, Steve Mulqueen completed the transfer of an article he wrote titled "Borax Smith and the Tonopah & Tidewater Railroad" to a website dedicated to railroad and mining history of the desert. The website is managed by John McCulloch of Las Vegas, NV at the following address:
          http://www.ttrr.org/.

California Oil Museum:
     Dave Mautz, Steve and Susan Mulqueen are currently working on a new exhibit for the "Rock of the Month" display at the California Oil Museum in Santa Paula. The new exhibit will feature cephalopod fossils from Dave's personal collection and will be completed by the end of the month.
     The cephalopods are a group of marine mollusks that include the ammonoids, the nautiloids and the belemnoids. They range in age from the Cambrian epoch to the present. The octopus, squid and the cuttlefish are common examples of cephalopods living today.
          Submitted by Steve Mulqueen.

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AUGUST BIRTHDAYS.

Happy Birthday to all those born in August. 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 or an e-mail will also do the trick, jns@west.net. Thanks!

August -Happy Birthday!!
     Floy Myers - 2nd,
     Marie Haake - 14th,
     Darwin Base - 15th,
     Sunny Cross - 19th,
     Shirley Bromser - 25th,
     Mel Hixson - 26th.


The August birthstone is the Peridot and the flower is the Gladiolus.

PERIDOT, the gemstone variety of olivine.

VARIETY OF: Olivine, (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄.
USES: gemstone.
BIRTHSTONE FOR: August.
COLOR: various shades of green.
INDEX OF REFRACTION: 1.630 - 1.695.
BIREFRINGENCE: 0.037.
HARDNESS: 6.5 - 7.
CLEAVAGE: none.
CRYSTAL SYSTEM: orthorhombic.

Peridot is the gem variety of olivine, a mineral series between two end minerals: forsterite, Mg₂SiO₄, and fayalite, Fe₂SiO₄. Peridot, although a mixture of magnesium and iron, is usually closer to forsterite than fayalite in composition. The green of peridot is of a different shade than emerald and is unfortunately considered a "poor man's emerald". There is a lot of confusion over the pronunciation of peridot. It is actually pronounced pear-a-doe instead of pear-a-dot. Gem quality peridot comes from islands in the Red Sea, Burma, Norway, Arizona, Hawaii and in some meteorites. It has been mined as a gemstone for thousands of years, and is mentioned in the Bible under the name of Chrysolite. Historical legend has it that peridot was the favorite gemstone of Cleopatra.
Copyright 1995 by Amethyst Galleries, Inc.

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MEMBERSHIP.

ADDITIONS AND CHANGES TO 2002 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORIES.

Changes to Directories:
     Red & Nancy Jioras (Adding e-mail),
     2135 "B" Street,
     Eureka, CA 95501,
     Telephone: (707) 443-8466 - Fax: (707) 443-7533,
     e-mail: rednan@sbcglobal.net.

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.

There were 25 members and 19 Pebble Pups at the June meeting. We didn't have any guests, even our speaker was one of our members which is always nice. We have a multitude of talent and talented people in our midst. Bob LaPrad's program on diamonds demonstrated that! Sharon Cunningham's delicious refreshments and learning about women's best friends (diamonds) made for a great evening. There were door prizes given and each Pebble Pup always goes away with a treasure. More of the club's talent and adventurer's report will be the highlight of July's meeting. Hope to see you all there to share Wayne and Marie Ehlers travels and their exploration of Kartchner Caverns in Arizona.

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"PEBBLE PUP NUGGETS."

Pebble Pup Corner:
Hi guys,
     We had the largest number of attendees at our June meeting-19 pebble pups! We watched the Eyewitness video on Rocks and Minerals and each pup went home with a snowflake obsidian. Many thanks to Laura and Logan Hamilton for bringing the delicious cupcakes.
     If you haven't already done so, plan on entering something in the youth rock and mineral division of the County Fair. Entries are due the weekend of July 26th; pamphlets are available at the fairgrounds daily from 8 to 5.
     Next time your child is interested in looking at or spending some of his allowance money on rocks, stop by "Journey Home" located on Johnson Drive by the movies. You may find something in this store for your own collection!
     One of the parents asked me for a suggestion in finding a good carrying case for rocks. The best selection I have found for clear plastic containers with lids in varying sizes is JoAnn's (yes, the sewing store). Those boxes for spools and sewing supplies work perfectly for rocks and they are relatively inexpensive (and sometimes go on sale).
     Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 24th at 6:30 pm. Kay Hara will lead a class in wire wrapping which will be great fun for the kids. Bring a friend if you like.
          Warm regards,
          Emma, Matthew and Anthony.


Pebble Pup Birthdays - August:
     Chloe Baer - 27th.


Pebble Pup Dates to Remember:
7-19, 20 & 21-02 - Entry dates for hobbies at Ventura County Fair.
7-20, 21-02 - Tri Club Field Trip - Greenhorn Mountains.
7-24-02 - Pup Meeting, The Lexington - 6:30 pm - "Wire Wrapping & Lapidary" with Kay Hara.
7-26, 27 & 28-02 - Entry dates for Gems & Minerals at Ventura County Fair.
7-31-02 to 8-11-02 - Ventura County Fair.
8-28-02 - Pup Meeting, The Lexington - 6:30 pm.
8-31 to 9-2-2002 - Tri Club Field Trip - Monte Cristo Mountains, NV (Labor Day Weekend).

Pups- Can you find the "G is for..." Coloring page in this bulletin? Color it and bring to share with the group on the 24th! Have Fun!! (You adults can color too!!)

Webmaster's Hint - It's near the end of this Bulletin.

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YOUR HELP IS NEEDED.

May 10, 2002 Senator Boxer introduced a Senate Bill as an addition to another Senate Bill which would include 2.5 million acres of new wilderness area and more than 400 new wild and scenic river miles. Included in the wilderness acres is the North Cady Mountains, which we had an MOU with the BLM to use for our educational recreation of collecting, studying and enhancing rocks. The Alvoris Mountains, the bowling alley, and several other sections are to be added to the Death Valley National Park. Now Representative Hilda Solis of East LA and Representative Mike Thompson will introduce companion Bills in the House of Representatives.

Today Senator Feinstein had one of her spokespersons give me a call to discuss this problem. I was not home and he has not returned my call. Sen. Boxer sent her spokesperson to see me May 10 and she introduced her Bill that day; so you can see how important my input was. There was a party in San Diego the night of the tenth and one of 200 people on the Golden Gate Bridge overlooking the San Francisco Bay on May 10. Obviously Senator Boxer was too busy to consider my suggestions. Her spokesperson did not know that you cannot collect rocks, plants, flowers, etc. from a National Park or preserve.

So guys and gals if we want to keep our collecting areas open, we must each and every one write to our senators and representatives. There is no authentic reason for more wilderness areas or an extension of our national parks. This is environmental greed not need.

Another disappointment! For the First time since the California Mojave Desert Advisory Council was formed as required by the Desert Protection Act of 1994, we, the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies did not have any one appointed to this Council. I will try to get that improved next year.

Izzie.

By Isabella (Izzie) Burns, CFMS Newsletter, July 2002.

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* * * * * * * * * * * * *
You only live once,
but if you live it right....
once is enough!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

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FIELD TRIPS.

TAJIGUAS BEACH,
June 22, 2002,
Leader: Lew Mayron, Conejo Club:
     The sun was shining. Dolphins were playing in the waves. Pelicans were flying in formation, breaking off now and then to skim the surface of the ocean and dive for fish. It was a picture perfect day for the 17 people and one dog on the Tri-club field trip to Tajiguas Beach.
     While Josie, the real rockhound, enjoyed chasing her toy in the surf, others took off scouring the beach rocks for petrified whalebone and concretions. Although pickings were a bit slim, almost everyone found something to take home. The find of the day was a concretion with a perfectly preserved fossil fish fin, found by VGMS member Jim Brace-Thompson.
     We hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as we did!

GREENHORN MOUNTAINS,
July 20 & 21, 2002,
Leader: Jerry Adolph, Conejo Club:
     Our next Tri-club field trip will be to the Greenhorn Mountains near Lake Isabella. Panorama Campground, located at an elevation of 7200 feet, will be our headquarters. Camping at Panorama is primitive, outhouses and no water. There are picnic tables, fire rings and a great view. Since we are high up it is likely to be cool at night.
     We'll meet there at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning to carpool to our site, located a ways beyond the campground at lower altitude. There you will find a wall (think BIG) of rose quartz. If you want a big piece, you'll be hammering and chiseling. Bring your hammers, chisels, gloves and safety glasses (the shards are very sharp). For those who don't want to hammer, there should be plenty of small pieces around to pick up for tumbling or individual cabs. When you tire of hard rock mining, there are also some quartz crystals to hunt for in the area.
     Maps were available at the last meeting. If you need a map, phone Ron Wise at 647-4393.

MONTE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEVADA,
August 31 - September 2, 2002 (Labor Day Weekend):
     You'll never lack for things to see or do, or for rocks to hunt in the Monte Cristo Mountains! The festivities begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning when we meet at the campsite approximately 6 miles north of Hwy. 6 roughly located between the CA border and Tonopah, NV. (For those who prefer motels to camping, there are some reasonably priced choices in Tonopah.) The site of long ago volcanic activity, the scenery is captivating.
     You can expect to find variegated agate, seam agate, banded rhyolite, pink rhyolite, white opalite, petrified wood, jasper, and possibly fossilized gastropods, brown moss agate, and onyx. Many of the roads to our hunting sites are poor and deeply rutted, so we can also expect to do a bit of walking. You can get closer if you have a 4-wheel drive high clearance vehicle.
     In addition to sites in the vicinity of our campsite, there are other interesting places to see and hunt in the area, including Gilbert ghost town, The Sump, Coaldale, Sodaville, and Tonopah.
     Maps and more information will be available at our next club meeting.
          Ron and Jean Wise.

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TRI-CLUB FIELDTRIPS - 2002.

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TOURING AMERICA.

Marie and I just finished a 6000 mile trip around the Western States and thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. The weather was great and we had no car trouble which helped a lot. We went as far south as Houston, Texas to visit a friend in a nursing home, to Monroe, LA to leave some items in a museum (I took my navigation training there in WWII and later returned as an Instructor), then to Branson, MO to see some shows, to Milwaukee, to Lincoln, NE to visit relatives, and back home through Kansas, Colorado, and Arizona. Of special interest to rockhounds was Kartchner Caverns, 50 miles South of Tucson, the Sternberg Museum (mostly fossils) in Hays, Kansas and the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum in Leadville, Colorado. All three of these are really great and well worth visiting whenever you are in the vicinity. Kartchner Caverns is a newly discovered cave that has been open to the public for only the last two years. Arizona State Parks is doing an excellent job of letting us see the cave but still protecting it from damage by the public. The Sternberg Museum is an excellent display of fossils both animals and plants and the story they tell of our prehistoric past. The Mining Museum has an excellent display of over 1000 minerals and the story of mining and the many people involved in mining history. A word of caution, Leadville is in central Colorado at an elevation of over 10,000 feet. I grew up in Nebraska during the drought and depression of the 1930's and the drought we are all experiencing now reminds me very much of conditions at that time. The drought was worse then but this one covers a wider area. Fire hazards are much worse now so that all of us should be careful.

Wayne Ehlers.

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

VGMS SHOW 2003.

     Ladies and Gentlemen: Start Your Tumblers!
     With 7 months to go before we open the gates, our 2003 Show may seem a long way off, but some things take time. Rock polishing, for example. Nancy and I have just dusted off our old rock tumblers and filled them with the first of what we hope will be several loads before it's showtime. It can take as much as a month to run a single load through the various grits, so now's the time to start! If you have a tumbler, we encourage you to pull it out, oil its bearings, and start it up. If you need grits or rocks, Nancy and I have plenty to provide (especially lots of agates and jaspers), or you can look through the ample offerings of the club rock pile. We need tumbled stones for grab bags and for prizes at the Kids' Activities booth.
     In addition to tumbling, set aside a corner of the garage or a closet to start stockpiling other items we'll need: donations to the Country Store, quality materials for the silent auction, Spinning Wheel and other prizes for the Kids' Activities tables, etc. If you're planning to attend any other rock shows this summer and fall, please pick up a supply of our Show flyers to leave on the hosting club's hospitality table (Ray and Florence took some to the CFMS Show, and we'll have some at the Ventura County Fair). And finally, start thinking how you'd like to contribute to this year's Show. Once summer fades away, we'll start holding Show meetings this fall, and the more hands involved the easier it all goes and the more creative and fun the Show. It's never too early to get involved! In the meantime, here's wishing everyone a great summer!
          Jim Brace-Thompson, Show Chair.

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VGMS MINUTES.

Minutes of the VGMS Regular Monthly Meeting,
Wednesday, June 26, 2002:
     The regular monthly meeting of the Ventura Gem and Mineral Society was called to order by President Greg Davis at 7:35 pm on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 in the Bijou Room of the Lexington, 5440 Ralston, Ventura, Ca. The group was led in the salute to the flag.
     The May regular meeting and board meeting minutes were corrected and then m/s/p as shown in the bulletin. Guests were introduced and welcomed to the meeting.
     It was announced that the July board meeting will be held on the 11th and all are welcomed.
     I'd like to thank Kathryn Davis for filling in for me at the last meeting and on such short notice.
     Kathryn next introduced our guest speaker, Robert LaPrad and a slide presentation on gem and diamond cutting. It was an outstanding program on the mining, identification and finished results of diamonds. The slide show along with an in depth question and answer session was very educational and enjoyed by all.
     Board member Shirley Layton reported that bulletin articles will be due by the 11th due to the Holiday and change in board meet date.
     Jim Brace-Thompson reported that 12 members attended the field trip to Tajiguas beach and collected interesting concretions with crystals.
     Emma Mayer had a last minute program change for the pebble pups this evening at 6:30 with a video presented instead of the scheduled demonstration. She also reported that the breakfast at her house went very well with plenty to eat for everyone.
     Ray Meisenheimer reminded us that the County Fair is just around the corner and final prep for case entries should be performed. He also announced that Dave Mautz was recognized by the Ventura County Fair Board and presented with a plaque for service and contributions over the years.
     Susan Mulqueen offered to coordinate a VGMS display case for the County Fair and Wayne Ehlers spoke about his and Marie's recent vacation which included 6000 miles and stops in Leadville, Co. and Ketchner Caverns in Arizona just to name a few sites. We may persuade Wayne to present a slide show on the trip.
     Richard Bromser gave the treasurers report.
     Door prizes were presented to a lucky few, tumbled rock was offered to pebble pups and refreshments were provided by Sharon Cuningham.
     There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.
          Respectfully submitted, Greg Davis.


Minutes of the VGMS Board Meeting,
Thursday, July 11, 2002:
     The regular board meeting of the VGMS was called to order by President Greg Davis at 7:36 pm on Thursday July 11, 2002, at the VGMS museum, 5019 Crooked Palm Rd., Ventura, Ca.
Present: Greg Davis, Jim Brace-Thompson, Richard Bromser, Shirley Layton, Bob Spjut, Inez Shakman and Steve Mulqueen.
Greg Davis: Our salute to the American flag during regular meetings will remain the same until further notice. There should also be a sign up sheet for volunteers at the County Fair at our next meeting. Purchase of a dumpster for clean up of the museum area will be put on hold and possibly a work crew can dispose of it if not Petrochem. I returned a phone call to a Don Stehsel and have arranged for the pick up of mineral specimens he intends to donate to the three county clubs. More info will be forthcoming.
Jim Brace-Thompson: Will start to motivate people to start planning for our next show, including tumbling rock and distributing flyers at the County Fair. Jim hopes to start show meetings in the fall.
Richard Bromser: Passed out copies of the treasurers report which included checks 937-940 used for utility expenses.
Shirley Layton: Deadline for the next bulletin will be July 12. Our bulletin has been nominated for CFMS Bulletin of the Year and if successful it's on to AFMS. Way to go everyone!
Inez Shakman: Really enjoyed a rock hunting trip to the Blue Forest with Red Jioras and others during the month of June. Maybe she'll share the adventure with all of us during a regular meeting.
Steve Mulqueen: Had the insight to respond to the estate liquidation of the late Mrs Meyers of Oxnard and provided the club with some really nice mineral specimens. Thanks Steve for your time and effort. Steve and Susan were also present for another estate liqidation in California City and provided our club with many Gem and Mineral magazines. A fossil display at the Santa Paula Oil Museum will begin the weekend of the 13th and was provided by our own Dave Mautz. Steve also visited a newly discovered dino track field in Utah and will provide club members with more information in the near future.
     There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.
          Respectfully submitted, Greg Davis.

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JOHNSON FARM DINOSAUR TRACK SITE.

The photos on the Photo Album page are of this most interesting find. Steve Mulqueen and members of the Pacific Desert Rats discovered and visited this site on a recent outing. It is located in St. George, Utah and appears to be something to add to your own agenda. The website is http://www.dinotrax.com/.

Geologic and Environmental Setting.

     At the Johnson Farm dinosaur track site you will see some extraordinary and very rare dinosaur tracks and other evidence of an age between 200-205 million years ago. This age is included within what scientists call the Early Jurassic Period. During this time, the land in this location was at or near sea level and much nearer the equator. Streams and lakes once covered portions of southern Utah and northwestern Arizona and deposited the rocks we see today. The specific rock formations represented here are within the Moenave Formation. The Moenave Formation contains sequences of sandstone, mudstone, and shale. The Moenave overlies the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation and underlies the Lower Jurassic Kayenta Formation that forms the red cliffs above St. George.
     While the Moenave formation was being laid down in Southern Utah, a vast desert similar to the modem Sahara covered Utah to the north and east of St. George forming what today are the massive cliffs of the Wingate Sandstone. The Wingate formation is characteristic of the San Rafael Swell, Moab, Capital Reef, and the Lake Powell regions.

Spectacular Track Casts--How were they formed?

     The Johnson Farm track site includes not only the common impression tracks found in other locations in this area but also a large number of spectacular track casts. As the water around the lakeshore area was receding, thick mud along the shore began to dry. When the animals came into the area to eat and drink, their footprints in the mud were preserved. The mud continued to harden forming mud cracks around the tracks. Salt crystals formed in the mud. Eventually rain flooded the area temporarily scouring away some of the dinosaur tracks and exposing and dissolving some of the salt crystals.
     Other dinosaurs walked on this new surface. Finally as the lake level rose, a thick bed of sand buried the surface. Over time, this sand hardened into stone and became the sandstone layer that we see today preserving the dinosaur tracks casts. They are literally natural casts of the dinosaur foot. The ripple-marked surfaces within and at the top of this sandstone bed reflect the waves on the shore of this lake and the tracks across these layers indicate that this lakeshore continued to provide a good habitat for meat-eating dinosaurs.

At this site there are at least five different types of footprints that are still waiting for proper identification by researchers. Three tracks have been identified and they are the Eubrontes, Grallator and Batrachopus.

          Contributed by Steve Mulqueen.

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HINTS & TIPS FOR ROCKHOUNDS
(Use at your own risk).

To clean pyritized fossils don't soak, but just dip a toothbrush in #2 Sparer solution and scrub very carefully. Muriatic acid sometimes ruins this type of fossil. - From Breccia 8/99 via Moroks Newsletter 3/02.

To clean fern fossils do not use wax, shellac, varnish, lacquer or spray plastic. These items cannot readily be removed and destroy forever the fine surface detail. Museums use yellow dextrin. Mix a tiny bit of the dextrin with water to the color of tea and paint it on the fern itself, not the matrix. Get yellow dextrin, not white. - From Petrograph 4/89 via Moroks Newsletter 3/02.

Mineral oil uses: It is an excellent cleaner for selenite crystals. Fine for preserving borax crystals from hydration changes, and makes varascite a deeper green. Improves the appearance of fluorites and calcites. - From Moroks Newsletter 3/02.

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* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Senior Moment: God, grant me the senility to forget the people
I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I
do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

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2002 CFMS CLUB SHOWS.

AUGUST 3-4; ARROYO GRANDE, CA - Central Coast Treasure Hunters Assoc., 15th Annual Treasure Hunt, Brush Poppers Arena. John (805) 489-1079 or Frank (805) 438-3125.
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.
AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 2; FORT BRAGG, CA - Mendocino Coast Gem & Mineral Society, Town Hall, Main & Laurel. Hours: Fri. - Sun. 10-6, Mon. 10-4. Don McDonell (707) 964-3116. 643 N. McPerson, Ft. Bragg, Ca 95437.
SEPTEMBER 20-21; REDWOOD CITY, CA - Sequoia Gem & Mineral Society, Community Activities Bldg., 1400 Roosevelt Ave. Hours: 10-5 both days. Carol Corden (650) 776-5990.
SEPTEMBER 21-22; FONTANA, CA - Kaiser Rock Club, California Speedway; 9300 Cherry Ave. Hours: 9-5 both days. JoAnn Watson (909) 355-7455.
SEPTEMBER 21-22; PASO ROBLES, CA -Santa Lucia Rockhounds, Pioneer Museum, 2010 Riverside Ave. Hours: 10-5 both days. Harry Kuffel (805) 467-3457. Harrykuffel@hotmail.com.
SEPTEMBER 28-29; DOWNEY, CA - Delvers Gem & Mineral Society, Inc., Woman's Club of Downey, 9813 Paramount Blvd. Hours: Sat 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Chuck Pierce (714 526-5614 caseychuck@att.net.
SEPTEMBER 28; LOS ALTOS, CA - Peninsula Gem & Mineral Society, Rancho Shopping Center, Foothill Expressway and Springer Rd. Hours: 9:30-4:45. Grank Dina (650) 967-3424.
SEPTEMBER 28-29; MONTEREY, CA - Carmel Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Monterey Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Road. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Sky Paxton (831) 663-6978. E-mail: sky@familystones.net OR Janis Rovetti (831) 657-1933. E-mail: fjrovetti@aol.com.
OCTOBER 2-13; FRESNO, CA - Fresno Gem & Mineral Society, Big Fresno Fair, 1121 S. Chance Avenue. Hours: 11 a.m to 10 p.m. Newman Gill (559) 841-7765.
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; Sun. 8-4. Bonnie Fairchild (760) 372-5356. Web page - http://www1.iwvisp.com/tronagemclub/.
OCTOBER 12-13; ANTIOCH, CA - Antioch Lapidary Club, Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, 10th & L Streets. Hours: 10-5 both days. Dave Zabaldano (925) 516-0651. davez@cctrap.com.
OCTOBER 19; CANOGA PARK, CA - Woodland Hills Rock Chippers, Canoga Park Community Center, 7248 Owensmouth Avenue. Hours: 10-5. Thalia Goldsworthy WWROCKShow@aol.com.
OCTOBER 19-20; WHITTIER, CA - Whittier Gem & Mineral Society "Rocks in Our Back Yard" the 53rd show, 7630 Washington Ave. (Corner of Mar Vista and Washington Ave.) Hours: 10-5 both days. Jay Valle (626) 934-9764.
OCTOBER 19-20; EL CAJON, CA - El Cajon Gem & Mineral Society. El Cajon Valley Masonic Hall Association, 695 Ballantyne. Hours 10-5 both days. Mikki Santens (619) 440-3201.
OCTOBER 20; FALLBROOK, CA - Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society "Fall Festival of Gems", Fallbrook Mineral Museum, 123 W. Alvarado Street. Hours: 10-4. Karen Dawes & Mary Fong/Walker (760) 728-1130 e-mail fgms@att.net.

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AMERICAN FEDERATION / REGIONAL
SHOW SCHEDULE - 2002.

COMBINED NWF/AFMS,
July 16-21; Port Townsend, WA.

MIDWEST FEDERATION,
October 4-6; Springfield, IL.

SOUTHEAST FEDERATION,
October 5-6; Jacksonville, FL.

AFMS/CFMS SHOW - 2003,
June 5-8; Ventura, CA,
Del Air Rockhounds,
Seaside Park (Ventura Fairgrounds),
10 W. Harbor Blvd.,
Brad Tanas (818) 886-7190 ohmarin@earthlink.net.

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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!!)

Trili - The Editor's Pet Trilobite.

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EDUCATIONAL CORNER.

Definition of the Month.

Cinnabar:
     The primary ore of mercury, consisting of mercury sulfide, HgS. A mineral of the rhombohedral crystal system which often exhibits a hexagonal crystal habit. Cinnabar occurs in brilliant red acicular crystals or in red, brown or gray masses in veins and in alluvial deposits. The mineral's occurrence in veins is often associated with serpentine. In some deposits, quicksilver, the liquid metal in its elemental form, occurs in fractures within the cinnabar ore body.

     Caution: Mercury ores and quicksilver, are hazardous because of the toxic nature of the compound, the element and its vapors. Use caution when handling cinnabar. Wash your hands after touching the mineral and the metal. Avoid cutting and polishing a rock which is known to contain even trace amounts of the mineral.

     Source: "A Glossary of the Mining & Mineral Industry" Bulletin 95, by Albert H. Fay, Dept. of Interior, U. S. Bureau of Mines, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1920.

     The "Definition of the Month" features key words which are related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. Anyone who wishes to submit a definition for next month's bulletin, please see me.

          Written by: Steve Mulqueen.

Illustration of the Month.



"Flasking Quicksilver in the 1860s",
An illustration by F. Ralph Rambo.

     The liquid mercury metal known as quicksilver was used extensively for gold extraction during the Gold Rush of California. After the discovery of gold in January 1848 at Sutter's Mill near Coloma, quicksilver demand increased dramatically. In the mid to late 1800s, the primary source for mercury was the cinnabar ores of the New Almaden mine located near the town of New Almaden in Santa Clara county, California.

     The deposit at New Almaden was discovered in November of 1845. The process applied in the extraction of mercury from cinnabar involved the roasting of ore in a type of oven known as a "retort", the venting of sulfur into the atmosphere (in the form of sulfur dioxide) and the condensation of mercury vapors into liquid.

     The liquid mercury metal, called "quicksilver", was then cooled and poured into flasks. A "flask" is a standard container for quicksilver which were iron bottles that held one unit or 76 1/2 pounds of the liquid metal.

     Mining and processing the ores were hazardous work. Many miners and mill workers suffered and died from excessive exposure to the mercury.

     In the gold extraction process, mercury was used in sluice boxes and amalgamation tables. Fine particles of crushed rock or sand and gravel that contained gold were washed over inclined copper plates which had a thin coating of mercury. Gold would adhere to the mercury and form an "amalgam", a gold / mercury mixture. This was then scraped from the copper plates. The metals were separated using a retort in a similar manner to the method the mercury ore was originally processed. The gold was sold for profit while the mercury was used again in the process.

     The illustration is from: "Almost Forgotten, Cartoon Pen & Inklings of the Old Santa Clara Valley", a book by F. Ralph Rambo, 1964.

     The "Illustration of the Month" will feature 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. Anyone who wishes to submit an illustration for next month's bulletin, please see me.

     Written by: Steve Mulqueen.

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COLORBOOK.

G is for . . .

. . . Galena. Galena is an ore of the metal lead. It is very heavy and is often very shiny. Minerals that look like shiny metal are said to have metallic luster. Galena is gray.	A single lead-gray galena cube on purple fluorite from Cave-in-Rock, Illinois.
. . . Gypsum. Only a few minerals - like talc and graphite - are softer than gypsum. Because it is so soft it is easy to crush into a powder. This powder is heated and turned into Plaster of Paris. Gypsum is also used to make wall-boards for homes. When it is clear, it is given the special name selenite. Gypsum crystals were found in Mexico which were over 6 feet long! Gypsum can be colorless, brown, tan, green and white.	A gypsum crystal group from Poland.
	This gypsum crystal is called a "Fish-Tail" crystal because it looks like the tail of a fish (hold it sideways for a better view!).

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VGMS PHOTO ALBUM,
Photos by Steve Mulqueen
From Johnson Farm Dinosaur Track Site.

1) Largest track at site - Eubrontes.

2) Tracks of Clawing.

3) Johnson Farm Dinosaur Track Site area.

4) Actual Track Site.

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