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

Table of Contents.

• PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE;
• IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR;
• WORDS TO LIVE BY;
• VGMS CHRISTMAS DINNER - December 11, 2002;
• PROGRAM REVIEWS;
• MARK YOUR CALENDARS;
• 2003 OFFICERS TO BE INSTALLED;
• CHIPS & BOULDERS;
• WEB SITES;
• GEM SHOW 2003: PUBLICITY, PUBLICITY, AND...MORE PUBLICITY;
• COMMUNITY OUTREACH;
• The only fair way;
• DECEMBER & JANUARY BIRTHDAYS;
• MEMBERSHIP;
• HOSPITALITY;
• Doing nothing is;
• "PEBBLE PUP NUGGETS";
• HAPPY THANKSGIVING - MERRY CHRISTMAS - HAPPY NEW YEAR;
• "FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN";
• THE CONGLOMERATE - HOW TO IDENTIFY A METEORITE;
• VGMS MINUTES;
• Some folks;
• BREWSTER'S BELL;
• CFMS BUSINESS;
• HINTS & TIPS FOR ROCKHOUNDS-(Use at your own risk);
• 2002 CFMS CLUB SHOWS;
• 2003 CFMS CLUB SHOWS;
• AMERICAN FEDERATION / REGIONAL SHOW SCHEDULE - 2003;
• EDITOR'S NOTE;
• You can break . . . Etc.;
• EDUCATIONAL CORNER;
• COLORBOOK;
• VGMS PHOTO ALBUM;
• Open house invitation for VGMS and their guests at Jewel Tunnel Imports;
• The VGMS Presents "ARTISTRY FROM NATURE" Exhibitor Entry.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

This'll be my last President's message, at least for a while. I want to thank all board members who served this past year and those who have agreed to hold positions in the coming year.

I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year. May we all have the wisdom, courage and strength to carry on in the true tradition of rockhounding and may we have the patience and understanding with each other to remain friends.

Let us pause and give thanks for the good life we have and let us be generous toward our neighbor.

Partake in a field trip and above all, stay safe.

Greg Davis, President.

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WORDS TO LIVE BY.

Experience shows that success is due less to ability than to zeal.

Keep your words soft and sweet--you never know when you'll have to eat them.

Speech is conveniently located midway between thought and action where it often substitutes for both.

It is possible to store the mind with a million facts and still be entirely uneducated.

Collected by Wayne Ehlers.

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VGMS CHRISTMAS DINNER,
December 11, 2002.
(Note This is Not the 4th Wednesday!)

Our 2002 Christmas Dinner will be on Wednesday, December 11th at 6:30 pm. We will be at the same place as last year, Carrows Restaurant at Seaward/Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA. We will have a complete Turkey Dinner:

The price per person, tax & tip included is $13.00. Make checks payable to VGMS and give or send to Richard Bromser, P.O. Box 723, Oak View, CA 93022 by Sunday, December 8th.

There will be the installation of the new officers as well as a lot of fun, fellowship and good food! Hope to see everyone there!

Richard Bromser.
- Editor's Note: Richard needs to give the restaurant the count by this date. If time is getting short, you can call Richard and then put your check in the mail. We want Richard and his family to enjoy the evening as well, so he won't be collecting any money that night.

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PROGRAM REVIEWS.

THE HAWAIIAN HOTSPOT,
October 23, 2002:
     Dr. Robert Gray presented an interesting program on the Hawaiian Hotspot, a volcanic hotspot that is over ninety million years old and four hundred kilometers or more below the ocean floor. Think of plate tectonics and dribbling volcanoes. Originally the hotspot was near the Aleutian Islands. Over forty million years ago there was a massive rearrangement of the tectonic plates, resulting in a change in the bend or angle of the plates. Thus began the first of the three or four island systems of the Hawaiian Islands.
     The Big Island (Hawaii) could contain all of the other islands at this time. However, this is because nature (enormous sea and land sliding) has diminished the other islands. The Hawaiian volcanoes are the largest volcanoes on earth. They are shield volcanoes. At approximately 33,000 feet Mona Kea is the largest volcano on earth. There are volcanoes on Mars that are 80,000 feet high. Mona Loa takes up the largest area. It last erupted in the 1950's.
     In 1790 a mammoth explosion formed the Kilauea caldera. It is interesting to note that this natural disaster resulted in immediate deaths which determined the outcome of a war. Missionaries found the mummified bodies about thirty years later. A blast of surge gas, reaching temperatures of four hundred to six hundred degrees Fahrenheit, resulted in the immediate deaths of an army. Mount Kilauea is the home of Pele today although most of the activity is in the East Rift Zone now.
     Dr. Gray brought samples of different types of lava and explained the differences in how they were formed. He was lucky enough to get close to the eruption that began on Mother's Day of this year (from the Pu`u `O`o crater vent). The pictures were great.
          Kathryn Davis, Program Chairperson.


SEARCHING FOR METEORITES,
November 13, 2002:
     Our own Shawne Lardin shared a videotape regarding her special interest, meteorites. The meteorite told the story of Dr. Robert Verish, an engineer at JPL who also has a degree in geology and a fascination with meteorites. His wife asked him to clean the rat's nests out of his rock collection in the yard. He noticed two rocks and immediately became suspicious. He had noticed maskelynite and Ca-pyroxen, often associated with Mars rocks (he had seen some at JPL). He had his rocks formally identified by Dr. A. Ruben et al at UCLA. They are the fourteenth find of rocks from Mars on Earth and the only ones ever found in the United States. He has, of course, started to retrace his steps of rock collecting over many years in a quest to find more.
     The theory regarding rocks from Mars is that a meteorite/asteroid crashed into the top of one of Mars' very high mountains. Because of the weak gravity some of the pieces flew out of the atmosphere of Mars and were captured by the gravitational field of Earth.
     Shawne started collecting meteorites in 1977. She brought some great examples and explained differences in her samples. It was interesting that the carbonaceous chondrite type of meteorite may be some of the oldest matter ever known, possibly predating the formation of our solar system.
     Help! It would be easy to become addicted to looking for meteorites.
          Kathryn Davis, Program Chairperson.

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

11-28-02 - Thanksgiving Day - We hope you all have a Great one - we have many things to give thanks for!
11-30 & 12-1-02 - Tri-Club Field Trip to Wiley Wells.
12-5-02 - VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Museum. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
12-11-02 - VGMS Christmas Party - 6:30 pm Carrows Restaurant, Harbor Blvd., Ventura - See inside for more details. - Reservations and checks to Richard by December 8th.
1-1-03 - Dues are DUE! - You can start paying them now and we urge you to do so! Saves on the Holiday rush!
1-10-03 - DEADLINE FOR JANUARY Bulletin Articles to the Editor! - First one of the New Year - Let's make it a Great One - Year that is!!

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2003 OFFICERS TO BE INSTALLED.

The following are our 2003 officers to be installed at our Christmas Party, December 11th. Many thanks for all the hard work of the outgoing officers and we urge everyone to help support the new board.

     President - Ray Meisenheimer,
     1st Vice President (Programs) - Nancy Brace-Thompson,
     2nd Vice President (Field Trips) - Ron Wise,
     3rd Vice President (Show Chair) - Jim Brace-Thompson,
     Treasurer - Richard Bromser,
     Recording Secretary - Greg Davis,
     Membership Secretary - Sharon & Gary Markley,
     Federation Director - Florence Meisenheimer,
     Bulletin Editor - Shirley Layton,
     Parliamentarian - Greg Davis.

There are many additional opportunities to serve your club beyond these elected positions. For instance, we also have committees that need chairpersons and members. These include:

     Hostess (Refreshments) - Sharon Cunningham,
     Ways & Means (Door Prize) - OPEN,
     Hospitality - Sharlyne Holloway,
     Museum Committee - OPEN,
     VGMS Scholarship - OPEN,
     Historian - OPEN,
     Librarian - Valli Davis,
     Pebble Pups - OPEN.

Check out the OPEN positions and volunteer, you really do get a lot more out of the organization, if you become a working part of it. Besides it's fun!! Volunteer today and let's make it a GREAT YEAR!

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CHIPS & BOULDERS.

2003 VGMS Show - Time is going by fast - See Jim's publicity plea and hop to!!

Plastic flower pots needed - Marie Ehlers needs any plastic flower pots you are no longer using for her cuttings for the Plant Booth at our March show. Anyone with spares give Marie a call at 805 482-6830 and make arrangements to get them to her.

Thank you to - Richard & Shirley Bromser and Greg Davis for helping out at the Country Store pricing evening in October. We got things pretty well caught up and ready for MORE!! Clean those closets, garages or whatever!

October hosts were Greg & Valli Davis - Unfortunately, the flu bug had me and I missed the October meeting and Greg and Valli's good refreshments. Many Thanks to you both. Shirley Bromser & Chloe Baer brought great refreshments for the November meeting and "fortunately" I was there to enjoy them. That takes care of 2002, Sharon can rest for a month and then will have to get work again for January. It's never too early to volunteer! As we can all attest to, we have some good cooks in VGMS. Thanks to everyone who has participated during the year.

A Rockhounder's Dream: Red Beryl, Sherry-Colored Topaz, Wonderstone - Elderhostel Adventures in Lifelong Learning has a program/trip to Utah, Utah Valley State College/Great Basin/Delta for 7 days starting 4-20-03 to 4-26-03. Cost is $634 per person. Call 877 426-8056 for more information on registering. There will be instruction in mineralogy, geology and rockhounding - past and present. Study specimens unique to the Great Basin area such as the unique Dugway geode and agate. Explore and collect trilobites in the world's largest deposits of mid-Cambrian fossils. Learn how the Great Basin was formed and why it is a rich area for fossils and minerals. Includes 2 days in the field searching private mining claims and the popular Great Basin rockhounding area for trilobites, geodes, wonderstone, topaz and sunstone. Spend half a day at a lapidary shop for demonstrations and the cutting of your geode. Salt Lake City Airport shuttle available. - Travel 65 miles (one way) by bus on a dirt road to remote claims. Moderate walking from bus to site (about 1/2 mile) over uneven/dirt terrain, as well as scrambling on steep hills of loose rock at fossil quarries.

California Oil Museum - The California Oil Museum's new exhibit, "The Grand Canyon of South Mountain, Ventura County's Unknown Scenic Wonder" presents dramatic color photographs by wilderness photographer Terry Collins, historic photos, and fascinating geological maps of this little-seen area of our county.
The California Oil Museum is located at 1001 E. Main St. in historic downtown Santa Paula, two blocks north of the 126 Freeway on Highway 150. It is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children. Admission to the Museum is free for Museum members. The exhibit continues through February 16.

Last Will and Testament - My overdraft at the bank will go to my wife. She will explain it.
     My equity in my automobile to my son. He will then have to go to work to keep up payments and buy gas and oil.
     Give my good will to the supply house...they took some awful chances on me and are entitled to something.
     My equipment goes to the junk man. He's had his eye on it for several years.
     I want six of my creditors for pallbearers. They have carried me for so long they might as well finish the job.
          From Valli Davis.

VGMS Museum Workshop - On Saturday, November 16, 2002 numerous members helped out with projects at the museum including painting the interior of exhibit cases and sorting rocks and minerals for grab bags and kids' games for our Show next year. A special thanks goes out to Jim, Nancy & Alex Brace-Thompson, Richard & Shirley Bromser, Ed Clark, Kathryn Davis, Dave Mautz, Ray Meisenheimer, Steve & Susan Mulqueen, Cyndy Treutelaar and Ron & Jean Wise.

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.

Donations Wanted - from the mailbag - AFMS Newsletter Nov. 2002.
Two teachers have contacted AFMS looking for donations so they can teach children about rocks and minerals. Can you help? The future of our hobby depends on our youth.
Looking for mineral specimens - preferably thumbnail size. Send donations to:
     Jean Longstreth,
     c/o Glenelg High School,
     14025 Burnt Woods Rd.,
     Glenelg, MD 21737-9799.
Looking for rocks (polished or not) and minerals - any size. Send donations to:
     Mike Ferski,
     5236 N. Verde Ln.,
     Prescott Valley, AZ 86314.
You need not send your most expensive or precious specimens, but please do not send "leaverites" either.

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 - Any One want to put an Ad in Rockhound Rambling?? - Call Shirley Layton 805 642-2683. - Sell some to a friend!

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AFMS website - www.Amfed.org,
CFMS website - www.cfmsinc.org,
CA BLM website - www.ca.blm.gov,
American Lands Access Association - www.amerlands.org.

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GEM SHOW 2003:
PUBLICITY, PUBLICITY, AND...MORE PUBLICITY!

     By the time you read this, we'll be into December, with just January and February to go before we open the doors to Gem Show 2003 on March 1st and 2nd. Your Show Committee held its latest planning meeting on November 10th, and all committee chairs report they're well along in moving things forward toward a successful show: Dealer contracts are in the mail; invitations are being prepped to mail to guest exhibitors; the Fairgrounds contract has arrived; our club exhibit cases are being repaired and painted; publicity notices have been sent to the calendar sections of national magazines and we've lined up a display case to promote the show in the Ventura library for the month of February; we're already thinking of new things to include in the show program; ideas for the Friday night dinner are being firmed up; Country Store items have been inventoried, cleaned, and priced; plant cuttings are taking root; prizes for the kids' booth and the silent auction are being stockpiled; and we're sorting through videos for our video presentations. A lot is already in the works, and I offer my thanks to one and all for your superb efforts!
     The message for this month is: Publicity! And publicity, publicity, and...more publicity! I was once show chair for another club in northern California, and we performed a survey of our guests to find out how they learned about our show. The number one response was simply word-of-mouth. A friend told a friend, who told a friend, and the circle expanded. Thus, let's all start getting the word out! I'll have both large- and small-format show flyers at all our club meetings between now and our show date, and I encourage everyone to pick up a few and start distributing them to friends, family, and acquaintances. Put one on the bulletin board at work and on any community bulletin boards you see around town. Put one in your car window. The month before the show, we'll also want everyone to pick up a whole supply to leave at spots around town (hotel lobbies, the library, downtown museums, etc.). The wider the circle, the more visitors to enjoy the fruits of our efforts come March 1st, and the greater the likelihood we'll attract even more club members! Thus, again, the theme for this month is: Publicity! And publicity, publicity, and...more publicity! If you know of good channels for publicizing the show (local publications, youth and other community groups, radio stations, etc.), please call me (659-3577) and pass the idea along. We want to cover as many bases as possible.
     And while getting the word out, don't forget to stockpile donations for the kids' booth, silent auction, raffle, Country Store, and plant sale-not to mention getting a head start in planning the great display you'll be installing as an exhibitor in our freshly painted cases! (See the Exhibitor Application form in this month's Rockhound Rambling to fill in and return to Nancy.) Meanwhile, remember: publicity, publicity, and...more publicity! Expand that circle!
          Jim Brace-Thompson, Show Chair.

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

     On October 13, Steve Mulqueen donated a bucket full of large hanksite crystals to Dr. Robert Gray of Santa Barbara City College. The crystals will be used as specimens in their mineralogy lab as part of the Geology curriculum. They were collected during the annual Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Soc. field trips on Searles Dry Lake near Trona.
     On October 30, Steve Mulqueen presented a slide program on the subject of petroleum seeps to Miriam Polne-Fuller and several graduate students at the Marine Science Institute at UC Santa Barbara. They are developing lesson plans and activities related to oil seeps to be applied to the science curriculum for middle school students.
     On November 1, Steve and Susan Mulqueen prepared the VGMS club exhibit at the annual show of the Oxnard Mineral & Gem Society. The displays included the dinosaur fossil replicas from the VGMS museum.
     On November 7, Steve Mulqueen was interviewed by Brenda Rees, a freelance writer for the Los Angeles Times. Brenda is preparing an article on the VGMS and other clubs in Southern California. She will also be interviewing several other members of our club.


     The December, 2002 issue of Rock & Gem Magazine (pages 52 - 53) features an article titled "Scattering Seeds - The Tumbleweed Theory of Rockhounding". In the article there is a photo of our VGMS club case that was on exhibit at the Ventura County Fair during the summer. At times, our efforts as a club reach great distances. Keep up the good work!

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The only fair way to talk about somebody is to speak as though you knew he was listening in.

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DECEMBER & JANUARY BIRTHDAYS.

Happy Birthday to all those born in December & January. 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!

December -Happy Birthday!!
     Opal Benson - 15th,
     Bob Spjut - 18th,
     Sandra Butchko - 24th,
     Sharlyne Holloway - 27th,
     Bonnie Demianiw - 31st.

The December birthstone is the Turquoise and the flower is the Narcissus.

THE MINERAL TURQUOISE.

Chemistry: CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈*5(H₂O), Hydrated Copper Aluminum Phosphate.
Class: Phosphates.
Uses: as an ornamental stone for carving and jewelry.
     Turquoise is a valuable mineral and is possibly the most valuable, non-transparent mineral in the jewelry trade. It has been mined for eons since at least 6000 BC by early Egyptians. Its history also includes beautiful ornamental creations by Native Americans and Persians. Its popularity is still quite strong today. Although crystals of any size are rare, some small crystals have been found in Virginia and elsewhere. Most specimens are cryptocrystalline, meaning that the crystals could only be seen by a microscope. The finest turquoise comes from Iran but is challenged by some southwestern United States specimens. Turquoise is often imitated by "fakes", such as the mineral chrysocolla, and poorer turquoise specimens are often dyed or color stabilized with coatings of various resins. The name comes from a French word which means stone of Turkey, from where Persian material passed on its way to Europe.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Color is of course, turquoise, but this color actually varies from greenish blue to sky blue shades.
• Luster is dull to waxy, vitreous in macro-crystals.
• Transparency specimens are opaque.
• Crystal System is triclinic; bar 1.
• Crystal Habits include crystals rarely large enough to see, usually massive, cryptocrystalline forms as nodules and veinlets.
• Cleavage is perfect in two directions, but is not often seen.
• Fracture is conchoidal and smooth.
• Hardness is 5 - 6.
• Specific Gravity is approximately 2.6 - 2.8 (average).
• Streak is white with a greenish tint.
• Associated Minerals are pyrite, limonite, quartz and clays.
• Other Characteristics: color can change with exposure to skin oils.
• Notable Occurences include Arizona and New Mexico, USA; Australia; Iran; Afghanistan and other localities in the Middle East.
• Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, hardness, luster, color and associations.

Copyright © 1995 by Amethyst Galleries, Inc.


January - Happy Birthday!!
     Donna Stephens - 3rd,
     Jason Badgley - 6th,
     Janice Base - 8th,
     Ted Fowler - 9th,
     Shawne Lardin - 9th,
     Marie Ehlers - 13th,
     Florence Meisenheimer - 23rd.

The January birthstone is the Garnet and the flower is the Carnation.

THE GARNET GROUP.

     Garnets as a group are relatively common in highly metamorphosed rocks and in some igneous formations. They form under the high temperatures and/or pressures that those types of rocks must endure. Garnets can be used by geologists as a gauge of how much temperature and pressure the rock has endured. As a gemstone, garnets have had a mixed reputation. Garnets do possess high indices of refraction, are hard enough, have pretty colors, are sometimes transparent, lack cleavage and are durable; thus making good candidates for gemstones. However, many people consider garnets to be inferior to other colored gems. This may be due to garnet's relative abundance and widespread use, and therefore a (typically) low price. Garnets are greatly variable in colors and varieties, though, and many of these are both rare and beautiful, producing genuinely precious gemstones. Some garnets are truly unique in the mineral kingdom and have much to offer as both gemstones and mineral specimens.
     Garnets are isostructural, meaning that they share the same crystal structure. This leads to similar crystal shapes and properties. The general formula for garnets is A₃B₂(SiO₄)₃. The A represents divalent metals such as calcium, iron, magnesium and manganese. The B represents a trivalent metal such as aluminum, chromium, iron, and other elements found in rarer members of the group. The main differences in physical properties among the members of the garnet group are slight variations in density and index of refraction. Garnets belong to the isometric crystal class, which produces very symmetrical, cube-based crystals. The most common crystal shape for garnets is the rhombic dodecahedron, a twelve sided crystal with diamond-shaped (rhombic) faces. This basic shape is the trademark of garnets, for no other crystal shape is so closely associated with a single mineral group like the rhombic dodecahedron is with garnets. Most garnets are red in color, leading to the erroneous belief that all garnets are red. In fact a few varieties, such as grossular, can have a wide range of colors, and uvarovite is always a bright green. As a mineral specimen, garnets usually have well shaped and complex crystals and their color and luster can make for a very beautiful addition to a collection. At times, garnets are accessory minerals to other valuable and pretty gem minerals such as topaz, beryl and tourmaline, making these specimens extra special.
     The garnet is actually quite a large group, but these are the more common members with their chemistries and their significant divergent properties: density (SG), index of refraction (IR), and the typical color as well as their general environment of formation. Under environment of formation: metamorphic will be indicated with an M and igneous with an I. All garnets may contribute to detrital sedimentary rocks but they are not of original sedimentary origin.

Copyright © 1995 by Amethyst Galleries, Inc.

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MEMBERSHIP.

We are most happy to welcome two new members. Please add their names, addresses and phone numbers to your directories (new ones don't come out till April 2003). More important please introduce yourselves and make them feel welcome at our meetings and help them get to know everyone. Thanks to our new members for joining us. We look forward to meeting and working with you.

NEW MEMBERS:
     Jewelyn Pennington,
     Sandra Butchko,
     8113 Loma Vista Rd.,
     Ventura, CA 93004,
     Tele. (805) 857-2021.

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 23 members, six guests - John Mularz, Sandra Butchko, Jewelyn Pennington (Sandra and Jewelyn are now new members, welcome to you both), Brett Bednorz, Brett Johnson and Bob Gurny (sp?) and five Pebble Pups at the October meeting. We hope our guests enjoyed themselves and will come again. Greg & Valli Davis furnished some delicious refreshments. The November meeting 18 members, no guests and three pebble pups. It was a "low voter turn out", we think the change in meeting night caught some unawares! Hope they don't show up on the 27th!! At any rate I missed the October meeting, but Dr. Gray always gives a good program. It sounded very interesting. I did make the November meeting and our own Shawne Lardin gave a great program on meteorites. It made you want to go search your back yard rock piles! Besides the great programs and refreshments there is always the visiting and sharing of rockhound information, which is GREAT! Many thanks to Sharlyne for making everyone feel welcome and introducing our guests.

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

Doing nothing is the most tiresome job in the world, because it's impossible to quit to take a rest.

Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.

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

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"PEBBLE PUP NUGGETS."

Pebble Pup Corner:
Dear Pebble Pups,
     Be sure to note the details of our upcoming Christmas Party scheduled for Wednesday, December 11th at Carrow's. It is always a fun event and a chance to socialize with club members. Our family has a conflict that evening but we hope to stop by for dessert.
     Inez Shakman presented a program on "My Favorite Rocks" in October. The pups brought their favorites and Inez of course had a wonderful collection of her own to share. I want to take this opportunity to thank Inez for encouraging me to create the pebble pups program; her enthusiasm and love for children extend far beyond rockhounding. Thanks too to Logan and Laura Hamilton for providing snacks in October.
     Ray Meisenheimer shared Fossils and techniques for cleaning them with our pups at the November meeting. Many thanks to Ray and to Chloe Baer for providing snack that evening! We only had three pups in attendance because there may have been some confusion with the date change.
     We have not had an adult come forward to chair the pebble pups division for next year. As you know, I committed to one year and my family will now return to participating in the main club's events. I encourage all the pup families to do the same. The field trips, workshops, and shows are conducive to all age groups. I look forward to a great year rockhounding together. Also, I'll be counting on you to help man the family booth at the March show.
     Many thanks to all the club members who hosted a pup meeting this year and thank you to Greg and the entire club for your support!
          Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season,
          Emma.

Pebble Pup Birthdays - December & January:
     Henry Ashworth - Dec. 15th,
     Christina Fowler - Dec. 15th,
     Alex Brace-Thompson - Dec 20th,
     Laura Benard - Dec. 21st,
     Anthony Beinar - Jan. 2nd,
     Allyson DesBaillets - Jan. 6th,
     Ashley Edmonson - Jan. 14th,
     Josh Glenn - Jan. 23rd.

Pebble Pup Dates to Remember:
11-28-02 - Thanksgiving Day - Don't eat too much turkey!!
11-30 & 12-1 - Wiley Wells Field Trip - See Field Trips in this bulletin for more details.
12-11-02 - Christmas Party - 6:30 Carrows Restaurant, Seaward/Harbor Blvd, Ventura. Bring your moms & dads and come on out for lots of fun and good food.

Pups - Can you find the "K is for..." Coloring page in this bulletin? Color it and bring to share at the Christmas Party - they will add a little "rocky" decoration! Have Fun!! (You adults can color too!! Be honest have any of you done them? I don't have any colors or I would!)

Webmaster's Hint: It's near the end.

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Jim and I would like to wish all of you the above! I ran across this recipe (which I haven't tried) and thought it might be of good use during these holidays. We are always looking for a way to use those turkey leftovers. It was in AARP and we all know they have good cooks for readers! Enjoy!

REVISIONIST SHEPHERD'S PIE.
(Makes 6 servings.)

2 Cups leftover turkey stuffing,
2 Cups leftover cooked turkey (cut into 1/2-inch cubes),
1/2 Cup defrosted frozen peas,
1/2 Cup defrosted frozen cubed carrots,
1 1/4 Cups leftover turkey gravy,
1 Cup leftover mashed potatoes,
1/4 Cup milk or sour cream.

In 9x9-inch baking dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, spread a layer of stuffing. Top with turkey, peas, carrots, and gravy. In bowl combine leftover mashed potatoes and milk or sour cream. Spread over gravy. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes until gravy is bubbling. Cool for 5 minutes and serve.

Hint: Dish can be made ahead of time, covered, and refrigerated or frozen. Add 10 to 15 minutes to cooking time if refrigerated; defrost before heating if frozen.

  Table of Contents.

"FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN."

WILEY'S WELL AREA, CALIFORNIA;
Triclub fieldtrip;
(Note Change in Date) November 30-December 1, 2002.

Directions: To camping area: Exit interstate 10 at Wiley's Well Rd. which is approximately 10 miles west of Blythe and 31 miles east of Desert Center. Follow Wiley's Well Road south for 12.5 miles to the campsite on the west side of the road at the Riverside and Imperial County line. Look for a sign on the right side of the road.

Camping: Dry camping, no water, no picnic tables, no latrines, no firewood to be gathered, and no fees. There may not be fire rings available. This is desert country and it can be quite cool in the evenings. Supplies are available in Blythe.

Note: The road to the camping area is good. Some of the roads to the gathering sites, however, are poor and require a 4-wheel drive and/or high clearance vehicle.

Motels: Motels are available in Blythe.

Thursday: The actual field trip starts Saturday, but some of us (Jean and I at least) will be at the campsite by dinner time, so you will have company if you decide to come on Thursday. It sounds like there will be about 12 other clubs out there as well, so it sounds like a lot of fun. Friday we will be on our own, but think there will be plenty of people to join up with.

Meeting: Saturday morning we will meet at the camping area and leave for our first site at 9:00 a.m. We will return to the camping area for lunch. If you arrive late, you can plan on us leaving for our afternoon site at 1:30 p.m.

Rockhounding: This area is rich in a number of minerals and rocks, geological marvels, and old mines.

Information: For additional information contact the fieldtrip leader Mitty Scarpato 818-707-9972 or Ron Wise 647-4393.

Ron Wise, Field Trip Chairperson.

TRI-CLUB FIELDTRIPS - 2002.

Editors Note: Many thanks to all of the above leaders on these field trips for 2002. Your hard work is much appreciated!

TRI-FEDERATION ROCKHOUND RENDEZVOUS
AND FIELD TRIP,
May 22 - 25, 2003,         Texas Springs, Nevada.

The Northwest, Rocky Mountain, and California Federations of Mineralogical Societies are hosting a Tri-Federation Rockhound Rendezvous and Field Trip to Texas Springs, NV, over Memorial Day Weekend 2003. The Texas Springs area is well known for spectacular pink agate limb casts, as well as, other agate and petrified wood. Texas Springs Canyon is located approximately 25 miles southeast of the town of Jackpot in the northeast corner of Nevada. Dean Richardson from the Rocky Mountain Federation will guide us to several of the major collecting sites. In addition to the collecting trips we will have potluck dinners, happy hours, evening campfires, tailgate displays and a great rockhound get-together.

Directions: The Texas Springs area is located about half way between Wells, NV, and Twin Falls, ID, south of Jackpot, NV, and east of Hwy 93. From the south, take I-80 to Wells and go north on Hwy 93. From the north take Hwy 93 south out of Twin Falls. About 2.5 miles south of Jackpot turn east on to the California National Historic Trail and follow the orange plates to camp.

Camp: Our camp will be located about 6 miles from Hwy 93 on Trout Creek. Roads to campgrounds and collecting sites are typical desert roads. OK for motorhomes and trailers to campgrounds. This is a dry camping area: no services, no hook-ups. We will set up camp until Tuesday afternoon, May 20th. Please try not to arrive before Wednesday, May 21st; this is due to our BLM camp permit.

Plan on several potluck dinners, and daily happy hours. Bring firewood for evening campfires. We plan on having a good time and collecting some good material.

Please notify your respective Federation leader early, but no later than May 16, if you plan to attend; e-mail (or call) if you have questions or need more information. This will be a great opportunity for rockhounds from all over the west to meet one another, to share stories, and information about collecting in their home areas. Be sure to bring material from your favorite collecting sites to show and share.

Come join us for a great Tri-Federation Rendezvous of collecting, fun and fellowship.

Dee Holland,
Northwest Federation,
hollandd@salmoninternet.com,
208-756-2394.

Dean Richardson,
Rocky Mt. Federation,
agatelicker@aol.com,
801-595-6750.

Richard Pankey,
California Federation,
dickpankey@iuno.com,
925-439-7509.

General Information - To be printed in January.

  Table of Contents.

SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

THE CONGLOMERATE:
HOW TO IDENTIFY A METEORITE.

     There are two major types of meteorites:

1. Iron meteorites, of which the Canyon Diablo meteorites are an example, are comprised of nearly 100 percent metals, generally about three times the weight of ordinary earth rocks of the same size. For this reason, meteorites are strikingly different from earth rocks.
2. Stony meteorites are about 75 to 90 percent silicate minerals, with 10 to 25 percent nickel-iron and iron sulfide. They usually weight 1 1/2 times as much as an earth rock of the same size. A few meteorites, called stony-irons, are about 50 percent iron and 50 percent silicates.

     While meteorites vary in size from microscopic to several feet or more, most of those found are 2 inches to 2 feet across. Contrary to what might seem logical, they are seldom round in shape, but are generally very irregular or flattened cone shapes.
     New arrivals generally have a black crust that weathers to brown; very old finds may have lost this crust. The surface is usually smooth, with some having flow lines, depressions and smooth pits, also called "thumbprints". Iron meteorites will usually show these thumbprints.
     According to the Center for Meteorite Studies at Arizona State University, Tempe, the best single test for a suspected meteorite is to grind off a small corner on a carborundum wheel. The ground surface of an iron meteorite will look like freshly cut iron and a strong magnet will attract it; stony meteorites usually show silvery flecks scattered in a compact stony mass, and will be attracted only slightly, if at all, by a strong magnet.
     The Center advises against breaking, hammering or cutting open a possible meteorite; the rough treatment will destroy some of the material and decrease its scientific value. Extreme heat, such as that of an acetylene torch, will destroy the meteorite's interior.
     The American Meteor Society adds that you should avoid handling the suspected meteorite as much as possible due to the possibility of contaminating the sample with salts and oils from your hands. (You will not be harmed by touching a meteorite.) Put the rock in a clean, dry plastic bag.
     If you think you have found a meteorite, the Center suggests you take the following steps:

1. Carefully note the location in which you found it.
2. Take photographs (or sketches) of the meteorite and its location.
3. Answer the following questions about your find: Is the specimen heavy for its size? Is it solid and compact? Is it attracted by a magnet? Is it black or brown and rather smooth on the outside? Does it show metallic iron specks on a cut surface? If your answer to all these questions is yes, it's likely you have a space traveler. If all the answers are no, it's probably not a meteorite.
4. Contact the Center immediately if you believe you have found a meteorite. Send the suspected meteorite, the location description, photographs and answers to the above questions to Center for Meteorite Studies, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-2504. The scientists there will determine whether or not it is a meteorite, free of charge. If it is a meteorite, they will contact you. If it isn't, they will return it to you.

     Most public lands are off limits to the collection or removal of any kind of rocks, whether of terrestrial or extraterrestrial origin. The area around Meteor Crater is, contrary to some rock collecting books, definitely off limits, and is aggressively patrolled for trespassers. It's always a good idea to ask before hunting for any kind of rock anywhere; it will prevent problems for you and give landowners a responsible impression of rockhounds.

Visiting Meteor Crater.

Where: Meteor Crater is located 6 miles south of Interstate 40 at Arizona Exit 233, about 35 miles east of Flagstaff and 20 miles west of Winslow, AZ.
What: The first-proven and best-preserved meteorite impact crater on earth. Videos and lectures are given periodically during the day.
     Weather permitting, guided rim tours leave the museum several times a day. The rim trail is a primitive trail; visitors must wear rugged shoes, no open-toed shoes, sandals or thongs permitted. A paved walkway and viewing platform are also available, weather permitting.
     A cautionary note: If you need to take the elevator to get to the museum, you probably shouldn't take the guided rim tour, especially if you are not used to mile-high elevation. Temperatures in the summer frequently exceed 100 degrees.
     Even when the weather is at its worst (high wind is the most frequent reason outside access is closed), the crater can be viewed from inside the museum.
     The museum displays include the history of the space program, interactive computers, and many meteorite specimens, including the largest piece (just over 1400 pounds) known to have come from the Barringer Crater.
     The rock and gift shops carry a wide variety of gifts and souvenirs from refrigerator magnets to fossilized dinosaur eggs.
When: The Visitor Center is open year round. From May 15 to Sept. 15, hours are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; from Sept. 16 to May 14, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lodging and Food: An RV park with full hook-ups is located just off I-40 at the Meteor Crater exit. There is a snack bar at the Visitor Center and a Country Store/Mobil gas station at the RV park. Lodging and restaurants are available in Winslow or Flagstaff.
     For more information, call (928) 289-2362 or (800) 289-5898, or visit the Meteor Crater website at: www.meteorcrater.com.
               Article from Rock & Gem Magazine, via MOROKS Newsletter AUGUST 2002.

Editors Note: Thought this was timely with Shawne's Great Program!

  Table of Contents.

VGMS MINUTES.

Minutes of the VGMS Regular Monthly Meeting,
Wednesday, October 23, 2002:
     The regular monthly meeting of the Ventura Gem and Mineral Society was called to order by President Greg Davis at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 in the Bijou Room of the Lexington, 5440 Ralston, Ventura, Ca. The group was led in the salute to the flag.
     The September regular meeting and board minutes were corrected and then m/s/p as shown in the bulletin.
     Guests were introduced and welcomed to the meeting.
     Dr. Robert Gray of Santa Barbara was introduced by Kathryn Davis and presented a terrific program on the history of volcanic activity of the Hawaiian Islands.
     The regular meeting was reconvened. Nancy Brace-Thompson mentioned that board member nominations were still being accepted and that elections would take place at the next regular meeting which is Wednesday, November 13th. Dues are due this time of year, so get those to Richard as soon as you can - also, the Christmas dinner is a bargain at $13.00 per person so be sure to sign up with Richard as it's not possible to pay at the door.
     Jim Brace-Thompson has our 2003 show schedule well organized. A show display will appear in the Foster Library window in February and items for all aspects of the show are being sought - Country store items, tumbled rock and small prize items for the kids booth and larger mineral and lapidary items for the silent auction and donation award case. Next show meet is scheduled for November 10th at 2:00 - BT's house.
     Zzyzx is scheduled for April 6-13, 2003 and can only accommodate 60 people. Get your reservation in early so as not to be left out.
     Ron Wise reminded us of the Tri-Club fieldtrip to the Wiley Wells area Nov. 30th-Dec. 1st. Steve Mulqueen displayed fossils collected on a recent trip to Utah and Greg & Valli Davis provided refreshments.
     Door prizes were awarded and tumbled stones were offered to pebble pups.
     There being no further business nor discussion from the floor, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm.
          Respectfully submitted, Greg Davis.


Minutes of the VGMS Board Meeting,
Thursday, November 7, 2002:
     The regular board meeting of the VGMS was called to order by President Greg Davis at 7:30 pm on Thursday November 7, 2002, at the VGMS museum, 5019 Crooked Palm Rd., Ventura, Ca.
     Present: Greg Davis, Ray & Florence Meisenheimer, Richard Bromser, Jim & Nancy Brace-Thompson, Steve Mulqueen, Dave Mautz, Ron Wise and Shirley Layton.
Florence Meisenheimer: Presented CFMS emblem to Shirley Layton for the VGMS bulletin award, AFMS asked Jim Brace-Thompson to lead the youth program and scholarship program, AFMS needs head count ASAP for field trip to Texas locations, CFMS show in Ventura, 2003 will include field trips, possibly to Nipomo for marcasite, Horse Canyon for agate and a family field trip to a beach for whale bone. Jim Strain will be stepping down from his post with the BLM.
Richard Bromser: Submitted the treasurer's report and it was m/s/c to accept it with checks 958-961 used for VGMS utilities. It was also m/s/c to allow for $280.00 for federation director reimbursement. Small club pins will cost $4.35 each with a minimum order of 100. This item will be held pending further study. It was m/s/c to again support the Boy Scouts of America, pack 3136 and 3179 with $20.00 donations to each and a donation to the Lexington Christmas fund in the amount of $50.00. Richard proposed we repair and paint our display cases during our November workshop day in preparation for both our show in March and the Federation show in June, 2003.
Jim Brace-Thompson: Our 2003 club show is now advertised in all of the major magazines and a case display is scheduled for the Foster Library in Ventura during February. The rental agreement with the Fair has been received with minor increases from last year and our next show meeting is scheduled for Sunday, November 10. Jim is proposing a merit badge system within the AFMS for Future Rockhounds of America.
Steve Mulqueen: Brenda Reese from the L.A. Times is requesting info about rockhound clubs and may contact board members for an interview. Rock and Gem magazine displayed our club case along with an article about the Gem and Mineral portion of the Ventura County Fair and Steve will be doing a slide presentation for the CFMS show in June.
Dave Mautz will report back with info on a possible estate sale in the near future.
Ron Wise: The Wiley Wells field trip has been changed to Nov. 30th - Dec. 1st with possibly 12 clubs being represented. The big club saw is in need of repair and Ron will perform tests and report back. It was m/s/c to purchase new wheels for the Genie cab machine at approximately $392.00.
Ray Meisenheimer will hold a class in upper Ojai this Friday and a Boy Scout class the following week.
Shirley Layton requests bulletin articles no later than the 10th of November. This will be the last bulletin of the year.
     New members Jewelyn Pennington and Sandra Butchko were voted into the club. Their memberships along with those as of October 1st will be good through 2003.
     The next regular meeting will be held on November 13, 2002.
     There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00.
          Respectfully submitted, Greg Davis.


Minutes of the VGMS Regular Monthly Meeting,
Wednesday, November 13, 2002:
     The regular monthly meeting of the Ventura Gem and Mineral Society was called to order by President Greg Davis at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, November 13, 2002 in the Bijou Room of the Lexington, 5440 Ralston, Ventura, Ca. The group was led in the salute to the flag.
     The October regular meeting and board meeting minutes were corrected and m/s/p as shown in the bulletin.
     Guests were introduced and welcomed to the meeting.
     Club member Shawne Lardin was introduced by Kathryn Davis and presented an excellent program and video on meteorites.
     The regular meeting was reconvened and Nancy Brace-Thompson held the election of club officers. Installation of the officers will be held during the club's Christmas dinner on December 11th. See this bulletin for listing of elected officers.
     Ron Wise reminded us of the coming field trip to Wiley Wells Nov. 28-Dec. 1 and that a work crew will be repairing club cases this Saturday-Nov. 16th.
     Jim Brace-Thompson stated the show planning meeting was very productive and raffle tickets are available for purchase.
     Richard Bromser read the treasurers report.
     Ray Meisenheimer held a class for 68 students in upper Ojai and will direct another class next week at our museum. He mentioned that no more reservations can be taken for Zzyzx.
     Steve Mulqueen is coordinating a trip to Jewel Tunnel on December 7th for those club members interested. See details in this bulletin.
     Refreshments were provided by Shirley Bromser and Chloe Baer. Door prizes were awarded and tumbled rocks were offered to pebble pups.
     There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm.
          Respectfully submitted, Greg Davis.

  Table of Contents.

SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

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

Some folks spend time - others invest it.

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

  Table of Contents.

BREWSTER'S BELL.

Old Zebediah was in the fertilized egg business. He had several hundred young layers, called pullets, and eight or ten roosters, whose jobs were to fertilize the eggs.

Zeb kept records, and any rooster or pullet that didn't perform well went into the pot, and was replaced. That took an awful lot of time, so Zeb got a set of tiny bells and attached them to his roosters.

Now he could sit on the porch and fill out an efficiency report simply by listening to the bells.

Zeb's favorite rooster was old Brewster. A very fine specimen he was too, only his bell had not rung all morning! Zeb went to investigate.

Several roosters were chasing pullets, bells a-ringing! BUT, Brewster had his bell in his beak so it couldn't ring. He'd sneak up on a pullet, do his job and walk on to the next one. Zeb was so proud of Brewster that he entered him in the county fair.

Brewster was an overnight sensation!!

The judges not only awarded him the No Bell Piece Prize; he was also given the--Pulletsurprise!

Shirley Leeson, AFMS Newsletter, October 2002.

  Table of Contents.

CFMS BUSINESS.

CFMS Fall Business Meeting:
     The Fall Business meeting was held November 2, 2002 at the Holiday Inn in Visalia. All officers and most committee persons were present, as well as 77 delegates.
     It was announced that in the future the meetings will be held at the Ramada Inn in Fresno.
     Two more clubs have disbanded, Chino Valley Prospectors and Hi Desert Rockhounds of Morongo Valley. A club from Yuma, Arizona joined for insurance purposes only.
     In spite of the deadly heat in Placerville, the CFMS show was productive and a very good show. The proceeds for CFMS were $10,798.95.
     The 2003 show will be at Seaside Park in Ventura the first week end in June. It is a combined AFMS-CFMS four-day show. The committees are really working hard and it promises to be a very good show. One item of interest is a planned field trip - either to Nipomo for marcasite or to a new, untapped area of Horse Canyon. This trip requires 4-wheel drive, and leaving time is 6 am. There is a fee of $25.00 per person, and there is no limit to the number of persons. Also, there probably will be a short family trip for whale bone to an area where the bone is plentiful and they are not saying how it got there.
     Mariposa Gem and Mineral Society has entered a bid for the show in 2004.
     The Earth Science Committee held three week-long seminars - one week at ZZYZX and two at Camp Paradise. Each group was filled to overflowing. CFMS Executive Board gave permission to the committee to look into the possibility of opening a 4th seminar, primarily aimed at families and young people in August 2003. The committee had previously investigated this camp near Big Pine.
     Insurance to CFMS has increased $1.00 per person, to $4.00. Along with our dues of $1.50 per person to CFMS, we will be paying $5.50 per person. This is primarily due to the fact that every insurance company in the country is helping pay the terrible cost of the September 11 terrorist attack.
     Our Jim Brace-Thompson has been asked by the American Federation to handle the youth program. He has done an excellent job as CFMS youth coordinator. Jim has also been selected as CFMS Scholarship honoree. Jim selects the college he wishes to receive the scholarship, and a deserving student is honored.
     All you people who plan on going to the Tri-Federation trip to Texas Springs over the memorial Holiday, get in touch with Dick Pankey early. He is handling all the people from California. His E mail is dickpankey@juno.com and his telephone is 925-439-7509. It is important to get to him early on how many might be attending.
          Florence Meisenheimer, Federation Director.

IRS and Insurance Reports Next Month.

P L A C REPORT;
November 2, 2002:
     The Final Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for the Northern and Eastern Colorado Desert (NECO) and the Northern and Eastern Mojave Desert (NEMO) were completed and released. Both included a Coordinated Management Plan.
     We were finally able to get the BLM to acknowledge the impact the Desert Protection Act had on our access for educational and recreational collection of rocks and minerals. We lost approximately 25% of our areas when the National Parks & Preserve were enlarged or created. Approximately 25% of the areas are included in the Wilderness areas where access is very difficult (by foot or horseback only). We also mentioned the 6 to 8 percent lost by enlargement of military areas, enlargement of the state parks, and special areas created for various types of protection.
     Several Congressmen and Congresswomen have joined to protest the closure of a portion of the Imperial Sand Dunes to off road use, and to try to force intervention by the Secretary of the Interior, based on the survey recently completed which proves that the Milkvetch is not endangered as the Sierra Club contends. This battle will probably go on for some time.
     The same Congressional Representatives also voiced opposition and concern related to the NECO and NEMO Plans, stating the plans were biased and did not reflect the will of the public and local governmental agencies.
     We were successful in keeping several roads open (called non-routes in the original draft plan). PLAC wishes to acknowledge the hard work of San Diego Mineral & Gem, Shadow Mountain Gem & Mineral, Needles Gem & Mineral, Lake Havasu Gem & Mineral, and unknown others, in calling the "errors" to the attention of BLM representatives.
     We (PLAC) had stated that there appeared to be an effort to prohibit educational and recreational use of the California Desert to further earth science education at all levels, grammar school through college classes. BLM did react to this statement and specifically acknowledged that they left the "Non-Routes" open due to our combined efforts. If you were involved--THANK YOU! If you weren't involved in assisting to keep our remaining areas open--you should have been. PLEASE GET INVOLVED.
     This will be my final report as Chairman of PLAC. Both my wife and I find traveling any distance to be increasingly difficult, so it is time to step aside and let others lead the charge. We will not just sit back and watch--you can be assured that the contacts we have made over the years will still receive comments and input from us.
     The new PLAC Chairman will be announced at this meeting. Please--PLEASE--step forward and assist them in representing CFMS and leading the continuing battle.
     It has been a genuine honor to have had the opportunity to assist CFMS in trying to keep the various levels of governmental officials informed of our needs and goals.
     Thank you and God Bless All of You.
          Jim & Beth Strain.

NOTE: The new PLAC Chairman is Norvie Enns from Reno. Norvie has been working with Jim for a number of years. - Florence Meisenheimer.

  Table of Contents.

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

This isn't exactly our usual hint/tip but interesting and a need for caution!

THEY MAY NOT BE ROCKS BUT WE USE THEM.

Since gel candles seem to be the "IN" thing. I thought it was important to forward this around.

Several people have reported fires resulting from gel candles. Here's just one example:
     A friend had a gel candle burning in her bathroom...it exploded and caught her house on fire. The house burned down and they lost everything. The Fire Marshall told her that this is not the first incident where a gel candle has exploded and caused a fire. He said that the gel builds up a gas and often times it explodes and sets fire to the room it is in, which is what happened to her. The fire was so hot it melted the smoke alarm, and they didn't discover the fire until there was an explosion, which was her toilet blowing up, and then it was too late...the entire upstairs was engulfed in flames. Smoke damage and water damage have destroyed what wasn't destroyed by fire.

If you must use these candles, never, never leave them unattended even for a minute. The heat buildup occurs rapidly, and a fire can occur within a few seconds.

From Mel Albright, Izzie Burns and others, June 2002 AFMS Newsletter via The Bulletin, Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Club, August 2002.

  Table of Contents.

2002 CFMS CLUB SHOWS.

NOVEMBER 23-24; LIVERMORE, CA - Livermore Valley Lithophiles, The Barn, 3131 Pacific Avenue. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4. Bill Beiriger (925) 443-5769.
NOVEMBER 23-24; YUBA CITY, CA - Sutter Buttes Gem & Mineral Society, Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds, 442 Frankling Avenue. Hours: Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4. Co chairs: Ed Eden (530) 674-8605, Gene Kauffman 674-9579 & Joe Love 673-8007.
NOVEMBER 23-24; VICTORVILLE, CA - Victorville Gem & Mineral Club's 27th Annual Show, San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, 14800 7th Street. Hours: Sat. 9-5; Sun 9-4. Gil Gilbert (760) 868-6900.
NOVEMBER 30 - Dec. 1; BARSTOW, CA - Mojave Desert Gem & Mineral Society, Barstow Community Center, 841 South Barstow Road. Hours: 10-5 both days. Bob Depue (760) 255-1030.
NOVEMBER 30 - Dec. 1; ORANGEVALE, CA - American River & Mineral Society, "Winter Wonderland of Gems", Orangevale Grange Hall, 5807 Walnut Avenue. Hours: 10-5 both days. Hugh Brady (916) 961-6868.
DECEMBER 6-8; SACRAMENTO, CA - Sacramento Mineral Society, Scottish Rite Temple, 6151 H Street. Hours: Fri. 9-5, Sat. & Sun. 10-5. Stan Henneman (916) 363-5011.
DECEMBER 7-8; SAN BERNARDINO, CA - Orange Belt Mineralogical Society, 503 W. 31st Street. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Emma Couveau (Workshop #) (909) 381-0089.

  Table of Contents.

SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

2003 CFMS CLUB SHOWS.

JANUARY 11-12; EXETER, CA - Tule Gem & Mineral Society, Exeter Memorial Building, 324 North Kaweah. Hours: 10-5 both days. Don Vieira (509) 732-7739.
FEBRUARY 14-23; INDIO, CA - San Gorgonio Mineral & Gem Society, Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival, Gem & Mineral Bldg. (on the Fairgrounds), 46-350 Arabia Street. Hours: 10am - 10pm. Don Grisham (909) 795-7289.
FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 2; HAYWARD, CA - Mineral & Gem Society of Castro Valley, Centennial Hall, 22292 Foothill Blvd. Hours: Fri. & Sat. 10-6; Sun. 10-5. Cheryl Archer clsagitta@msn.com.
MARCH 15-16; SAN JOSE, CA - Santa Clara Valley Gem & Mineral Soc., Earth's Treasures, Santa Clara Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Rd. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Chuck Boblenz (408) 734-2473. Email cboblenz@aol.com.
APRIL 5-6; MARIPOSA, CA - Mariposa Gem & Mineral Club, Mariposa Fairgrounds, 5007 Fairgrounds Rd. Hours: 10-5 both days. Information as to the show and Phone # when available.
April 26-27; SANTA CRUZ, CA - Santa Cruz Mineral & Gem Society, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Corner of Center & Church Streets. Hours: 10-5 both days. Hubert & Eleanor Drake (831) 688-8086. Email hmdrake@pacbell.net.

  Table of Contents.

AMERICAN FEDERATION / REGIONAL
SHOW SCHEDULE - 2003.

SOUTH CENTRAL FEDERATION,
February 22-23; Pasadena, TX.

SOUTHEAST FEDERATION,
To Be Announced.

Combined AFMS/CFMS SHOW,
June 5-8; Ventura, CA.
Del Air Rockhounds presents:
"Seaside Gemboree 2003",
Seaside Park (Formerly Ventura Fairgrounds),
10 W. Harbor Blvd.,
Bob Backus (818) 347-2056 GemboreeBiz@aol.com,
(818) 883-7851 www.afms-cfmsgemshow.org.

EASTERN FEDERATION,
To Be Announced.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN FEDERATION,
July 11-13; Casper, WY.

NORTHWEST FEDERATION,
August 1-3; Kennewick, WA.

MIDWEST FEDERATION,
August 15-17; Cottage Grove, MN.

  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 and special request!!)

Trili - The Editor's Pet Trilobite.

  Table of Contents.

You can break the chain of GOSSIP by refusing to be a link.


One thing wrong with the younger generation is that many of
us don't belong to it anymore.


Leftovers are a kind of food that are here today -
and here tomorrow.


Happiness is like potato salad -
when you share it with others, it's a picnic.

  Table of Contents.

EDUCATIONAL CORNER.

Definition of the Month.

GIS:
     Geographic Information System, also referred to as Geographic Information Science: a computer-based system to aid in the collection, maintenance, storage, analysis, output and distribution of spatial data and information. It is essentially "digital geography" based on data from satellites, aerial photographs, digitized maps, GPS instruments and many other sources of spatial data.
GPS:
     Global Positioning System is a satellite-based technology that gives precise positional information. GPS technologies are used to track and navigate boats, planes, trucks and automobiles. Small hand-held and backpack style GPS units are used by scientists in the field for determining their location. Rockhounds are using GPS instruments for finding and recording collecting sites.

The "Definition of the Month" will feature key words which are related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. Anyone who wishes to submit words and definitions for the bulletin, please see me.

Written by Steve Mulqueen.

Illustration of the Month.



A pen & ink drawing depicting the joy of "striking it rich" in the California goldfields, 1849.

Source: From the book "Christmas in the Gold Fields, 1849", written by Joseph J. McCloskey & Hermann J. Sharmann, The California Historical Society, San Francisco, 1959.
     This book is a collection of letters written during the Christmas season of 1849 describing the hardships encountered by two individuals struggling to survive the Winter season in the Gold Fields of California.

The "Illustration of the Month" will feature a drawing, sketch, pen & ink rendering or engraving print found in old books, maps and manuscripts related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. Anyone who wishes to submit an illustration for the bulletin, please see me.
     Steve Mulqueen.

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COLORBOOK.

K is for . . .






. . . Kunzite.
Kunzite is a gem variety of
the mineral spodumene. It
is light purple. Kunzite is
cut as a gemstone. It was
named after George F. Kunz,
the man who identified it.











. . . Kyanite.
All minerals have a property
called hardness. Some, like talc,
are very soft and can be scratched
with your fingernail. Others, like
diamond, are so hard that nothing
will scratch them. Kyanite is unique
because it has two different
hardnesses in one crystal! Kyanite is
light blue and light green.

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VGMS PHOTO ALBUM.

	#1) Desert Tortoise - In the Cady Mountains. So this little guy is causing all the controversy?
	#2) Dinosaur Track - Johnson Farm Dinosaur Trackway, St. George, Utah, October, 2002 (photo by Susan Mulqueen).
	#3) Trilobite collecting - Steve Mulqueen at the Wheeler Amphitheatre, House Range near Delta, Utah, October, 2002 (photo by Susan Mulqueen).
	# 4) Trilobite Fossils - Middle Cambrian trilobites from the Wheeler Formation, House Range, Utah (photo by Susan Mulqueen).

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Open house invitation for
Ventura Gem & Mineral Society and their guests
at Jewel Tunnel Imports.

Saturday, December 7, 2002 at 10 AM to 5:30 PM.

13100 Spring St., Baldwin Park, CA 91706, 626-814-2257.
Check out our web site at jeweltunnel.com.
Refreshments will be served.

     Jewel Tunnel Imports is a leading wholesale distributor of minerals, crystals, fossils, tumbled stones and many different kinds of lapidary items like balls, eggs, jewelry, etc. made from different minerals. They have a warehouse in excess of 10,000 sq. feet full of mineral related natural history items perhaps the largest of its kind in the United States.

     Historically Jewel Tunnel Imports has had limited open house parties for mineralogically and geologically oriented groups like the Gem & Mineral Council of the Los Angeles County Museum or the geology department of the California State University at Los Angeles. These open houses, never more than three or four a year offer a chance for groups to buy minerals and crystals at wholesale prices and to learn something about the wholesale gem and mineral business. Also at the open house will be members of the Searchers Gem & Mineral Society.

     The owner of Jewel Tunnel (Rock Currier) is also interested in learning about new sources of mineral specimens and has been known to buy and trade such items. He is a micromounter and always interesting in trading for good micromount material not represented in his collection. You will be sharing an open house with the Glendora Gem Club.

Directions to Jewel Tunnel Import's warehouse.

If you have questions or would like to coordinate the trip, call Steve Mulqueen.

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The Ventura Gem and Mineral Society, Inc.

Presents

"ARTISTRY FROM NATURE",

Seaside Park (Ventura County Fairgrounds),
March 1-2, 2003.

The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society would be honored to have you display your case(s) at our 41st annual Gem, Mineral, Lapidary, and Fossil Show to be held March 1 and 2 at Seaside Park (the Ventura County Fairgrounds). We thank you for your support of our show and encourage you to invite friends and neighbors to attend. Admission is FREE.

As an exhibitor, you will receive a free parking pass and free camping. Camping is WITHOUT hook-ups and is on a first-come/first-serve basis. There are many local hotels available to accommodate persons not wishing to camp. VGMS will provide security within the Fairgrounds building, but VGMS cannot be responsible for any loss or damage. On Friday evening, February 28, VGMS will host a dinner for exhibitors and dealers. For persons without cases, a limited number of cases are available for loan. (You must supply your own lock.)

******************Please keep the above portion for your records.******************

Exhibitor name: _________________________________________ Phone: __________________

Address: ____________________________ City: ___________________ State: ___ Zip: _______

___ I will bring my own case/s. Number of cases you'll bring: ______. Front dimensions of cases (in inches):

_____________________. Is your case/s: Upright ___ Flat ___ (Total of 150 Watt lighting max per case).

(Please provide details for each case you will bring; provide additional info on
  the back of this form, if necessary.)

___ I will need to borrow a case/s. How many? ____ I would prefer an Upright___ Flat___ case.

What will you be exhibiting? _____________________________________________________________

Do you plan to camp or need camping information for the show? Yes ___ No ___

Will you join us for Fri. night dinner? Yes ___ No ___ If yes, number of people ____

What name would you like on your badge(s)? Exhibitor ________________________________

                                                                                        Guest ________________________________

Webmaster's Hint: If you want to print this form the best way, in my opinion, is to place your mouse cursor at the beginning of the part you want to print. In this case that's either just before the first "The Ventura Gem and Mineral Society" (if you want this entire part) or just before the "E" in "Exhibitor name" (if you want just the application). If you miss something you can type it in later. Hold down the left mouse button and sweep the mouse over the part you want to copy. The part you have just SELECTED should now be highlighted. Release the mouse button and then use the mouse or keyboard to select EDIT|COPY from your browser's menu. This causes the selected part to be copied. Load your favorite word processor and place the cursor in a blank document. Then select the PASTE command in the word processor's EDIT menu. Print using your normal method. The other method to print this form is to print the entire web page (the whole bulletin) and cut out the part you need.

Having said all that, a much better way is to just call or e-mail Nancy Brace-Thompson as given above.

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

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You may also go to the VGMS Home Page.