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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
July 2003.

Table of Contents.

• PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE;
• WORDS TO LIVE BY;
• IT'S BREAKFAST TIME! - Sunday - July 20th - 9:00 am;
• JULY PROGRAM;
• PROGRAM REVIEW - June;
• 2003 Meeting Programs;
• NEED GEM & MINERAL BUILDING HELP WITH FAIR;
• MARK YOUR CALENDARS;
• Prepping for the 2004 VGMS Show;
• 2004 VGMS Gem, Mineral, Lapidary, & Fossil Show Chairs;
• CHIPS & BOULDERS;
• WEB SITES;
• MANY THANKS FROM DEL AIR ROCKHOUNDS;
• COMMUNITY & PUBLIC OUTREACH;
• AUGUST BIRTHDAYS;
• HOSPITALITY;
• JUNIOR ACTIVITIES REPORT;
• CAMP PARADISE - 2003;
• LOOKING AHEAD;
• COLLECTING VACATION TO COLORADO;
• "FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN";
• VGMS MINUTES;
• Some mistakes are;
• NOMINATIONS;
• AFMS NEWS;
• HINTS & TIPS FOR ROCKHOUNDS - (Use at your own risk);
• 2003 CFMS CLUB SHOWS;
• AMERICAN FEDERATION / REGIONAL SHOW SCHEDULE - 2003;
• EDITOR'S NOTE;
• EDUCATIONAL CORNER;
• COLORBOOK;
• VGMS PHOTO ALBUM.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

The annual club breakfast is scheduled for July 20th, nine AM at Emma Mayer's home on Sandpiper Court. I hope you can all be there. The more people, the more fun. Be sure to let Emma know you are coming, and what you can bring.

July 30 the Fair Opens. Rock and Gem entries will be taken in on July 26 and 27. If you need a case, be sure to let Richard Bromser know. I hope all of you can make one or more entries in competition.

Ray Meisenheimer.

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WORDS TO LIVE BY.

Women don't get older, they get better. Better than what?

Slow down and enjoy life, it's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast--you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.

The best mirror is an old friend.

Strive to be like a well-regulated watch--of pure gold, with open face, busy hands, and full of good works.

Collected by Wayne Ehlers.

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IT'S BREAKFAST TIME!
Sunday - July 20th - 9:00 am.

URGENT - Time is short! We won't have a meeting before the breakfast, so here are the details!

PLACE: Emma Mayer's home - 947 Sandpiper Court (upstairs), Ventura Keys.
TIME:    9:00 AM.
DATE:    Sunday, July 20, 2003.

WHAT TO BRING: Emma is making Quiche (I can vouch that it is delicious!) and coffee. There will be bacon and sausages - suggestions for other items that she would like furnished are: Orange juice, muffins or fresh fruit. Emma will have dishes and utensils, so just bring food and yourselves!

Important - Please call Emma Mayer at 805 644-0799 ASAP, to let her know you are coming and what you would like to bring. She is going to make some canvassing calls on Sat. from those she doesn't hear from, so save her a call and let her know.

Directions to Emma's: Seaward to Harbor Blvd, turn left to Peninsula, turn right to the first left which is Seahorse. Go to the 4th street, Sandpiper and turn left. It is the third house on the left (upstairs).

Emma loves big crowds, so let's make her happy! Hope to see you there.

Shirley Layton.

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JULY PROGRAM:
"Mr. Comet" from the Ventura County Astronomical
Society
By Jim Sumstine.

Jim Sumstine has been a member of the Ventura County Astronomical Society for 26 years, the society's historian for 12 years and volunteering at the Ventura County fair for 11 years. He will be presenting a comet-making, audience participation program at our July meeting. Please come and enjoy the show. If you miss him at our meeting, he will be presenting the show during this year's county fair as well.
     Submitted by Nancy Brace-Thompson, Program Chair.

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ROGRAM REVIEW - June:
Opal Artistry
By Kay Hara.

Kay Hara, of the Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society, presented a wonderful talk about opals, what to look for when buying opals, how to cut and set them. He brought some great specimens and jewelry. Kay also teaches opal cutting for the Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society, the next class will be in the fall, if the workshop is ready.
     Submitted by Nancy Brace-Thompson, Program Chair.

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2003 Meeting Programs.

Here's an updated outline of programs planned for our monthly meetings through the remainder of 2003.

     Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who have helped fill our slate of programs so early in the year!
     Nancy Brace-Thompson, Program Chairperson.

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NEED GEM & MINERAL BUILDING HELP
WITH FAIR.

Volunteers are needed to work at the Gem & Mineral building during the Fair - July 30, 2003 to August 10, 2003 from the hours of 10 am to 10 pm. They would like at least a 4 hour shift, duties would be cleaning the glass on the cases for fingerprints etc. and walking the floor to deter any vandalism and to answer questions. Call the Fairgrounds at 805 648-3376 and ask for the Gem & Mineral Building (now known as Santa Rosa Hall) and then ask for Bob Stultz, scheduling. He will work with you to accommodate any special needs. Volunteers will receive a free parking pass and free Fair access for your working days.

Volunteers are also needed from now (excluding Sundays) until the start of the Fair and for Aug. 11, 12 & 13 (Mon., Tues. & Weds.) after the Fair closes for set up and take down. Call Richard Bromser to confirm they are working the day you wish to go, and then just meet at the Gem & Mineral building whenever you can between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm. Richard needs all the help they can get, so please give whatever hours you can. Volunteers for the set up and take down days will be provided with drinks, coffee and lunches/snacks.

Please call Richard and Bob, you will have fun and learn a lot besides getting in to the Fair for free! Just volunteer for the day you want to see a special show and enjoy! Many thanks in advance.

Request of Richard Bromser & Bob Stultz, Fair Committee.

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

7-19-03 - VGMS Work Shop - Museum - Open - 9-noon.
7-19 & 20-03 - Greenhorn Mountain Field Trip - Tri Club Field Trip.
7-20-03 - VGMS Breakfast - 9:00 am - Home of Emma Mayer - See Notice in this bulletin for What to Bring and How to get there!
7-23-03 - VGMS Regular Meeting - 7:30 pm - "Mr. Comet" from Ventura County Astronomical Society - Jim Sumstine.
7-30-03 to 8-10-03 - Ventura County Fair - Ventura County Fairgrounds - Start your exhibits!!!
8-7-03 - VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Museum. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
8-10-03 - DEADLINE FOR AUGUST Bulletin Articles to the Editor!
8-16-03 - VGMS Work Shop - Museum - Open - 9-noon.
8-27-03 - VGMS Regular Meeting - 7:30 pm - "Nature's Images Under the Microscope" by Ed Gafford, Artist.
9-4-03 - VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Museum. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

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Prepping for the 2004 VGMS Show:
It's Never Too Early!

As I've been known to say, it's never too early! Mark your calendars: the next VGMS Gem, Mineral, Lapidary, & Fossil Show takes place March 6-7, 2004, less than 8 months from today. For anyone on a show committee (as a reminder, I'm including a listing of show chairs in this month's bulletin), start jotting down your creative ideas and think about getting your ducks in a row. Once summer is over, we'll hold the first of several show planning meetings. One vital committee position remains unfilled: exhibitor chair. It's important that this be filled as early as possible because the exhibitor chair will need to start contacting potential guest exhibitors from other nearby clubs starting in the fall. I have a full description of the job, and both Nancy (our exhibitor chair last year) and I stand ready to help. Please call me (659-3577) to see if the job might be just right for you.

Meanwhile, we're moving along. We've reserved the display case in the downtown library for the month of February to install a display advertising our show, and I've printed a huge supply of show flyers. We've already been leaving flyers at various shows, including the Conejo Show and the recent AFMS/CFMS Show, and we'll have them in the Gem & Mineral Building at the Ventura County Fair and at the Oxnard Show in November. If you'll be traveling to shows, please take them with you to leave at the show hospitality booth. Also, if you're going on any organized Tri-Club or CFMS field trips, take some along to distribute to fellow field-trippers. I'll bring supplies of show flyers to our meetings from here on out.

In my evenings, while watching TV, I've been sorting and assembling rock-related prizes for our Kids' Booth and we have quite a stockpile already, but we can definitely use more. My thanks to Ray and Florence Meisenheimer for donations of quite a few nice kids' prizes this summer and to Marie Ehlers for a donation of beautifully sewn grab bags. But now we could use some things to fill those bags! If you have small gemstones or fossils, please set aside some; if you have a tumbler, please start polishing agate, jasper, and other colorful material just the right size for a grab bag. Remember: it's never too early!

Jim Brace-Thompson.

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2004 VGMS Gem, Mineral, Lapidary,
& Fossil Show Chairs.

Following are the folks who have come forth and volunteered to date to assist with our 2004 Show. If you aren't yet on a committee, please pick an activity that interests you, and call the committee chair to volunteer your ideas and assistance. Remember: it's never too early!

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

CHIPS & BOULDERS.

For Sale - Ray Meisenheimer has the following for sale:
     One Star Diamond cabbing machine,
     One Richardson high-speed polisher,
     One large buffing wheel.
Give Ray a call at 805 642-3155 if interested.

Milk Crates are available for members at $5.00 each. See Richard Bromser. They are great for storing our treasures!

Hosts and Hostesses Schedule for 2003 Meetings:
     July 23, 2003 - Sharon & Gary Markley;
     Aug. 27, 2003 - Greg & Valli Davis;
     Sept. 24, 2003 - Nancy & Jim Brace-Thompson;
     Oct. 22, 2003 - Emma Mayer;
     Nov. 12, 2003 - Shirley & Richard Bromser.
Many thanks from Sharon Cunningham for the volunteers. If any questions or changes, please give Sharon a call at 805 649-3579.

VGMS Business Cards Available - You can get them printed with your name and address or whatever you wish on them. They are $2.00 for 50 or $3.75 for 100. See Shirley Layton with the number you want and how you want them printed.

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 - Any One want to put an Ad in Rockhound Rambling?? - Call Shirley Layton 805 642-2683 - Sell some to a friend! The Bulletin goes to several other Gem & Mineral clubs, so it is good spread for little money!!

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WEB SITES.

AFMS Web Site - http://www.Amfed.org/,
CFMS Web Site - http://www.cfmsinc.org/,
California BLM Web Site - http://www.ca.blm.gov/,
American Lands Access Association Web Site - http://www.amerlands.org/.

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MANY THANKS FROM
DEL AIR ROCKHOUNDS.

Our President, Ray Meisenheimer, received the following letter from the Del Air Club:

Ray & Florence and the Ventura Club,
Thank you so much for your wonderful display of dinosaur casts and the variety of displays put in by the Ventura Gem & Mineral club members.
Thank you also for making your club's cases and electrical cabling available to us. We could not have set up the Exhibit Hall without your able assistance. We truly appreciate the work your members put in during set-up, take down, and during the show.
With heartfelt thanks,
Keri Dearborn, Del Air Rockhounds/Display Chair.

We also received:

Dear Club Editor:
The Del Air Rockhound Club wants to THANK YOU and your club for all of your support for the Federation Show in June 2003. We do appreciate your putting the information for the Federation Show in your bulletin and giving your members the highlights of the show. We had a very good show and only because of Club Editors like you and our friends in the many federations Clubs.
Thank You, The Del Air Board of Directors.

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COMMUNITY & PUBLIC OUTREACH.

On July 1, Susan Mulqueen presented a slide lecture on the subject of petroleum seeps at a seminar for school teachers at UC Santa Barbara. Her lecture focused on the many life forms found in and around oil seeps. The seminar was titled "SEASET" (Summer Experiences and Science Enrichment for Teachers, for K - 12 grades).

Contributed 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,
     Jewelyn Pennington - 15th,
     Shirley Bromser - 25th,
     Mel Hixson - 26th,
     Chloe Baer - 27th.

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". The pronunciation of Peridot is actually pronounced pear-a-doe instead of pear-a-dot, which seems to be a source of confusion. 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.
Reference: Amethyst Galleries, Inc.

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HOSPITALITY.

According to our diligent hostess, Sharlyne Holloway, we had 23 members and two guests, Kay Hara and Dick Hiser, at our June meeting. It's always great to have Kay with us and appreciate his sharing of his opal knowledge with us. It was a great program. We welcome Dick as well and hope to see him again. Ron and Jean Wise brought some wonderful home made goodies and veggies for those who can't or don't eat the sweets. They were thoroughly enjoyed by everyone, thank you Jean and Ron. As always the door prizes were greatly enjoyed by the winners who were envied by the non-winners! Hopefully we will see you all at Emma's house for breakfast on Sunday, the 20th, and at the next meeting to enjoy the program with "Mr. Comet".

Shirley Layton.

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JUNIOR ACTIVITIES REPORT,
By Jim Brace-Thompson - Jr. Activities Chair.

Engaging Kids at Our Shows:
The Del Air Rockhounds Show Us How.

Part one: Dino Hall.

     This month, I offer thanks to members of Del Air Rockhounds and provide an overview of the kids' activities at the 2003 AFMS/CFMS Show as an example to future Show committees. Anyone who visited the Seaside Gemboree would agree: Maxine and Ken Dearborn, Path Tostenson and other dedicated Del Air members did a superb job! Such a good job, in fact, that it will require a 2- or 3-part column to cover it all, so be sure to tune in again next month. Meanwhile, here's the first page of the story....
     During the show, I spoke with Maxine, Keri and Patti to see how they pulled it together so well. They began by forming a kids' activities committee that faced a decision early on: How to engage the maximum number of kids in the face of a limited number of volunteers. Rather than try to run a large number of individual activities, they decided to focus on interactive educational displays that could still engage kids while requiring minimal supervision. From that decision evolved the idea of "Dino Hall". This involved setting aside an entire room dedicated to one aspect of earth sciences that represents a sure-fire way to capture a kid's attention: Dinosaurs!
     As you entered the exhibit area of the Ventura County Fairgrounds, a large banner announced "Dino Hall", and a mural of a huge dinosaur eye peering through the foliage sucked kids into the building. There, kids found one display after another of dinosaur footprints, bones, eggs, and other fossils, the centerpiece being the huge metal frame of a triceratops skeleton with actual bones from a triceratops attached. This dinosaur was from an excavation by paleontologist Marcus Erickson, who gave a talk entitled "Dimming for Dinosaurs" several times throughout the course of the show. This proved to be a shrewd marketing decision in that a photo of Erickson's triceratops appeared in a two-page article in the local newspaper's weekender guide leading up to the show.
     At other spots in Dino Hall, kids encountered a table with replicas of dinosaur skulls and enormous bones from the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society Earth Science Museum, as well as other displays of local fossils including Ralph Bishop's spectacular bat ray from the Santa Ynez Valley. One corner was dedicated to fossils from the famed beds of Shark Tooth Hill near Bakersfield. Volunteers from the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History exhibited techniques of fossil cleaning with chunks of matrix containing shark teeth and bones from ancient marine mammals.
     While most Dino Hall displays were behind glass or roped off, the Del Air Rockhounds still managed to build in interactivity. Kids could stroke a real dino bone, and a crossword puzzle entitled "A Stroll Through Dinosaur Hair" could be completed either while in the hall or as a review after leaving. Outside, a "Dinosaur Discovery Pit" tied directly into Erickson's triceratops skeleton. For $2.00, kids had a choice of two activities.
     In four large "excavation boxes", kids armed with brushes could sift through sand to find and keep a real fragment of triceratops bone. In addition, the bottom of the boxes held casts of a variety of different sorts of fossils - a mammoth tooth, dinosaur eggs, dino teeth, etc. - that came into view as kids brushed their way through the sand. Kids would guess at what they were uncovering.
     A nearby table offered a second activity with four sets of screens and buckets of lag deposit material collected from Erickson's triceratops dig site. Kids could screen through the lag to build their own collection of tiny fossils, bits of bone, teeth and other wonders. At yet another table, kids could paint plaster casts of dinosaur claws to keep and take home.
     Dino Hall was just the beginning of some really exciting educational displays and activities that the Del Air Rockhounds offered kids at Seaside Gemboree. For "the rest of the story", tune in next month when you'll learn how they extended the hand of educational outreach to organized kids groups from throughout the greater Ventura area. Till then, always remember: have fun!

CFMS Newsletter - August 2003.

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CAMP PARADISE - 2003:
September 6-13,          September 14-20.

EARTH SCIENCES,
By Cal & Dee Clason, ESS Chairs.

     As this is being composed, the heat of summer is upon us and contributes greatly to the lack of desire to do most anything; but I will attempt to put something on paper to update the Earth Science happenings.
     Before I get into that I would like to say that the Del Air Rockhounds put on a fantastic show early this month (June). If you were not there you missed a good one!! Most everyone I talked to was well pleased with the offering, results and attendance. So I would personally like to congratulate them for their dedication, perseverance, team work and personal sacrifices to make an enjoyable presentation for all of us who attended.
     At Camp Paradise some changes are in store for the Seminars in September. Again, it will be two weekly sessions (7-13 and 14-20), featuring some different working mediums each week. The 7-13 will highlight glass enameling on copper or other metals, and many of its uses in jewelry and other art objects. Bob Pevahouse will be the Instructor. Jo Burchard will show you all you need to know about making wire trees. The second week (14-20), Bural LaRue will again be sharing his knowledge of lost wax, metal casting from wax design to the completed project. Cheri George will again be instructing classes on Glass Fusion. Beverly Moreau will do bead stringing.
     We will endeavor to have our regular classes during both sessions: Lapidary, soft stone carving, faceting, and silver fabrication. Anna Christiansen will again be teaching wire wrap and although not totally confirmed at this writing, Dale Nichols will probably do an advance class the second week. As an added feature Dick Friesen will hold forth in the use of machinery to do intricate carvings on all types of stone during both weeks.
     The ever popular Sell A-Rama and the Silent Auctions will be held each week with the proceeds going to the CFMS Endowment fund. Donations for the silent auction will be gladly accepted at any time.
     The Committee, in reviewing past participation, decided not to have scheduled field trips and evening programs; they may be reinstated on a feasibility basis when deemed appropriate. At the last report we were fast approaching our maximum capacity and will begin a standby list.
     Your application will be acknowledged when received and around August 1st you will receive a letter with rules, regulations and things to bring.

CFMS Newsletter - August 2003.
Editor's Note: There was an application at the back of the June bulletin. Give me a call if you need a copy. (Webmaster's Note: The application has been removed since it's obsolete. The information about Camp Paradise is still there.)

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LOOKING AHEAD,
By Cal & Dee Clason, ESS Chairs.

     Our annual Spring Seminar will again be held at ZZYZX on April 1-18, 2004. Although it is still early in the process, plans are proceeding and applications should be available in the October issue of the CFMS Newsletter.
     With the concurrence of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors we have scheduled a third Seminar for the summer of 2004!! As has been my wish, this one will be Family Oriented - mainly our younger generation - ages 8 to 18. Lots of work to do on this one; but it will be at the Bernasconi Education Center in Big Pine (Eastern Sierra), California, on August 1 through 7, 2004.
     We have found the facilities to be quite adequate and affordable so we hope to keep the fees very reasonable to make it affordable for a family group. We should have the basic outline ready for presentation at the fall CFMS meeting in Fresno.

CFMS Newsletter - August 2003.

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COLLECTING VACATION TO COLORADO.

     Steve and Susan Mulqueen just returned from a nine-day trip to Colorado where they visited many collecting sites with their friend Gail Moulton, from the Trona Club. They sent a wonderful post card from the Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona. We will try to get a copy in the next bulletin along with some information he sent on "Dinosaur Diamond" and some interesting websites.
     They went to the Four Corner States (UT, CO, NM & AZ). From Beaver, UT they headed east on I-70 and collected fern & other plant fossils from coal/ash beds of Dakota Sandstone at or near mile post 220. They saw the massive oil shale deposits near (Green River formation) Rifle, CO and were able to collect insect & plant fossils from this same formation near Meeker. They had a tour of Solution Mining Operations by Natural Soda (formerly White River Nahcolite) baking soda mine. They collected insect & plant fossils in Douglass Pass, CO and went through Grand Junction to Black Canyon of the Gunnison River. They also went through Ouray & Silverton mining towns, Durango, Charo Canyon Pueblo Ruins, Ambrosia Lake Uranium Mining District, Petrified Forest National Park, on to Meteor Crater, AZ and home!
     We hope to see some samples of their collecting and some verbal sharing of their trip. It sounds like a jam packed, fun time. I got weary reading about all the places! Thanks Steve & Susan for sharing with us and we are expecting samples!
     Anyone else have a good collecting trip or interesting vacation they would like to share?

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"FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN."

GREENHORN MOUNTAINS,
TRICLUB FIELDTRIP,
July 19 & 20, 2003.

     For those of you who like to go some place cool in July, our next fieldtrip is scheduled for the Greenhorn Mountains on the 19th and 20th of July. We'll hunt rose quartz in the Greenhorn Mountains near Lake Isabella. The meeting place will be the Panorama Campground (maps will be available at your next club meeting). We'll caravan to the dig site at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. Bring a sack lunch and stay the day. If you think it will be too hot, not likely and if the wind is blowing it can be very cool. Bring an extra windbreaker just in case. We'll be cooling off in the campground at 7,200 feet altitude!
     The road is narrow and windy, especially from Glennville on. It is a good 4 hours by car, take Rancheria Road. Rancheria Road is dirt and gravel road but scenic and much quicker than Jack Ranch Road the alternative for trailers and motor homes.
     Bring safety glasses which you should wear all the time. Also bring a pry bar.
     Norbert Kinsler of the Oxnard Club is leading this trip, call him at 644-6450 if you are planning to attend this fieldtrip.

Ron Wise.

TRI-CLUB FIELDTRIPS 2003,
Schedule 3-5-2003.

***Please call to confirm that there is a fieldtrip scheduled in the event of changes.

Ron Wise, Field Trip Chairperson.

JADE COVE AREA (PLASKETT CREEK
CAMPGROUND),
June 13 & 14, 2003.

     Even if we had not found a single piece of jade, the field trip to Jade Cove would have been a roaring success! Twelve Tri Club members, including our leader, Norb Kinsler, met at Plaskett Creek Campground, a beautiful campground overlooking eye-popping scenery. Norb managed to work magic on the weather. After leaving June Gloom in Ventura, we woke up Friday morning to a beautiful, sunny day. The great weather lasted for the entire field trip. Every evening all twelve participants got together around the campfire to talk about the day's activities. Almost everyone brought firewood, so, despite our best intentions, we couldn't burn it all up.
     Our collecting efforts focused on two main sites: Sand Dollar Beach and the beach at the terminus of Willow Creek. At both sites serpentine was plentiful but jade was scarce. There were just a few pretty good finds. Some people who know said that the place to find jade was up the creeks and on the cliffs. That's the good news. The bad news is that they are all covered with poison oak. We just couldn't talk anyone into checking it out. Some of us are scheming to return to the area after a big storm next winter, as that is supposed to be the best time to find specimens on the beach. Any takers?
     Rockhounds who enjoyed the weekend at Plaskett Creek Campgrounds are:
          Norbert Kinsler - Oxnard,
          Miriam Tetreault - Oxnard,
          Troy Robinson - Oxnard,
          Ron Wise - Ven/Ox,
          Jean Wise - Ven/Ox,
          Bob Monnier - Ventura,
          Chad Monnier - Ventura,
          Mike Miller - Conejo,
          Brian Miller - Conejo,
          Greg Miller - Conejo,
          Don Pomerenke - Conejo,
          Don Asher - Conejo.
     Ron Wise.

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

VGMS MINUTES.

Minutes of the VGMS Board Meeting,
Thursday, July 3, 2003:
     The regular board meeting of the VGMS was called to order by President Ray Meisenheimer at 7:30 pm on Thursday, July 3, 2003, at the VGMS Museum, 5019 Crooked Palm Rd., Ventura, Ca.
Present: Ray Meisenheimer, Richard Bromser, Gary and Sharon Markley, Shirley Layton, Jim and Nancy Brace-Thompson and Greg Davis.
Richard Bromser: Checks 1028-1039 were m/s/c to be used for club utilities and expenses for the months of May and June. A discussion followed concerning the creation of flyers for Gem, Mineral and Fossil clubs of Ventura. The topic was shelved pending further study.
Shirley Layton: 10th of the month is deadline for articles to the bulletin. Numerous e-mails have been received from those visiting our web site.
Nancy Brace-Thompson: Exhibitor chair is still open for our 2004 show. We need one more person to step forward and join this award winning team! We hope everyone will plan to attend a relaxing club breakfast at Emma's house, June 20th, starting at 9:00 am. Jim Sumstine (Mr. Comet) will be giving a presentation at our next monthly meeting - July 23rd.
Jim Brace-Thompson: Our 2004 show plans are progressing on schedule. Flyers have been printed and are available and ads will be going to magazines soon.
     There's a field trip planned for June 22nd to Sierra Gordo, sponsored by the Lone Pine Gem & Mineral Society. The Greenhorn Mountains trip, July 19 & 20 is on.
Ray Meisenheimer still has a lot of material for sale from his personal collection, including cabbing and lap equipment. Call to arrange a time to view.
     There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm.
          Respectfully submitted, Greg Davis.


Minutes of the VGMS Regular Monthly Meeting,
Wednesday, June 25, 2003:
     The regular monthly meeting of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society was called to order by President Ray Meisenheimer at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 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. Guest, Dick Heiser was introduced and welcomed.
     Ray asked for but received no old business.
New business:
Richard Bromser gave the treasurer's report and reminded members that set up for this year's County Fair starts July 7. He'll also need a case count as soon as possible for those entering display cases. The more people who enter cases, the better, as the number of cases has been declining and we really need to turn that trend around.
Jim Brace-Thompson - The next show meet for our 2004 show will be sometime in August and plenty of flyers have been printed and are available for distribution at other shows.
Emma Mayer has again offered to host this year's summer breakfast at her house-July 20, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Ron Wise has flyers and directions for the field trip to the Green Horn Mts. on July 19 & 20 (safety glasses are required for this hard rock mining). The trip to Jade Cove with camping at Plasket Campground was nice with sunny weather conditions.
Shirley Layton mentioned that a lot of e-mail is received from people reading our web site. One of those was Rachel from Mariposa, who would like us to mention the Gold Prospector's Camp Out on July 19 & 20. For more info, call (559) 338-3150.
Kay Hara, from the Oxnard Gem and Mineral Club next presented an excellent program on opal and its care, characteristics and potential for jewelry. Opal is formed by little spheres of mineral arranged in an orderly pattern to produce the color flashes. The quality varies from site to site, with Nevada opal having a high content of water and resulting in crazing and solid fire opal from Mexico. Kay presented a lot of information that everyone enjoyed and will surely incorporate in their zest to cut the opal they purchased so long ago.
     Door prizes were awarded and refreshments were provided by Ron and Jean Wise.
     Ray mentioned that Keri Dearborn sent a written thank you from the Del Air Club to our club for all the help and support at the Federation Show.
     There being no further business, Ray adjourned the meeting at 8:30 pm.
          Respectfully submitted, Greg Davis.

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Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

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NOMINATIONS,
By Beverly Moreau, Chair.

     Earlier this year, we requested nominations for any and all positions on the CFMS Executive Committee. None were received.
     At our Committee meeting in Ventura, we agreed upon a slate for presentation to the membership later this year. That slate was complete except for one position that of Secretary.
     Thus, I am making an urgent appeal at this time for a nomination for the position of CFMS Secretary. The person should have the following qualifications:

• Proficient in proper use of English, including grammar, punctuation and phraseology;
• Computer capability;
• Prior involvement as an officer or committee person in Club or civic activities;
• Prior service on CFMS committees (desirable, but not a necessity).

     The position of Secretary would be for a period of two years. Following that, the person would be free to progress through the chairs.
     So, we are seeking someone with leadership qualities who has demonstrated performance capabilities and dedication to the work at hand.
     The nomination should come from an officer in your club. (CFMS Past Presidents can nominate directly.) The letter of nomination should come to the Nominating Committee Chair and specify the qualifications, past experience, and club affiliation of the nominee.
     The nominee should have been approached prior to submitting the letter, and should have agreed to serve if elected.
     Thanks for your help!

Beverly Moreau, Chair,
2003 Nominating Committee,
3113 Topaz Lane, #A,
Fullerton, CA 92831-2374,
bcmoreau@sbcglobal.net (note: new e-mail address).

CFMS Newsletter - August 2003.

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AFMS NEWS,
By Arlene Burkhalter, Treasurer,
from AFMS Newsletter, June, 2003.

SCHOLARSHIP INVESTIGATION NEWS.

     We're a step closer to a resolution of the theft of funds from the AFMS Scholarship Foundation.
     Dan McLennan, former Treasurer of the AFMS Scholarship Foundation, pleaded guilty in a hearing in Federal District Court on April 9 to one count mail fraud - frauds and swindles. Shortly after Dan resigned as treasurer of the Foundation in 2000, several AFMS Past Presidents and current Scholarship Foundation officers began to suspect that some of the Scholarship funds were unaccounted for and questioned the amount in the investment fund. After much pressure from both the Foundation officers and AFMS President Steve Weinberger, Dan finally relinquished the book the following year. Cancelled checks and investment statements were obtained from banks and the investment firm and these confirmed that there was a large sum of unaccounted funds.
     Investigation by Jon Spunaugle, Arlene Burkhalter and Lewis Elrod, a Past President and retired fraud investigator, found that donated funds were correctly attributed to the Federations and clubs but income from invested money did not balance with statements. Through full cooperation the AFMS Board of Directors, Scholarship Board members and the present and past Foundation officers Lewis was able to build a case against Dan McLennan, and present it to the FBI, who started their own investigation of the mail fraud and swindles. They soon agreed that the Foundation members had a good case to present for prosecution.
     Those members directly involved in the investigation have prepared Victims Statements on behalf of the Foundation in an attempt to recover funds for the Foundation.
     Sentencing will occur sometime this summer following a study of the Victims Statements by the Judge handling the case. We'll let you know when this occurs.

CFMS Newsletter - August 2003.

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

STAR GARNET: TIPS FROM BOB JOHNSON.

     Condensed from a talk given by Bob Johnson 5/16/03 from The Pegmatite, June, July, Aug 2003.
     Garnet is harder than agate. To find the star, consider that every crystal face can be the base of a star garnet cab. To get the star, cut the garnet in half parallel to a crystal face, and make the center of the garnet the top of the cab. To examine star garnet rough, use a drop of high-viscosity STP oil treatment on the garnet, and a flashlight.
     For cabs, start with 220 diamond. Don't use 100 grit, it is too aggressive. The best shape for a star garnet cab is a half sphere. If the cab is too flat, the star won't reach to the edge. If the cab is too steep, the legs of the star will go around the edges. Use 8,000 diamond to polish your star garnet cab.
     When tumbling star garnet, skip the 60-90 grit stage entirely. Start with 220 grit SiC for 10 hours. Clean. Reload and repeat for a second 10 hours. Then proceed as usual.
     There's no point in faceting star garnet, since the material is usually too dark and additionally won't yield a star. At shows, you may find that many star garnet cabs have a high-domed top and curved back. The curved back doesn't improve the star, it merely increases the weight of the stone, so that the dealer will receive more $$ per carat.

CFMS Newsletter - August 2003.

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2003 CFMS CLUB SHOWS.

As part of our publicity campaign for our show, Jim Brace-Thompson had a great idea to share more complete show information with other clubs as an insert into their bulletins. The response we had to that was great. The Editors were happy to publish our information as an exchange for their show information. We are happy to reciprocate with the following show information.

October 18, 2003 Gem & Mineral Show. Woodland Hills Rock Chippers 5th annual show, 10 am to 5 pm, gems, minerals, rocks, fossils, jewelry, demonstrations thruout the day, Canoga Park Community Center, 7248 Owensmouth Avenue, Canoga Park. For info email show@rockchippers.org. Free admission!

AUGUST 2-3; SAN FRANCISCO, CA - San Francisco Gem & Mineral Society, S.F. County Fair Building, Golden Gate Park, 9th Avenue at Lincoln Way. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Ellen Nott E-mail: ellen_mptt@yahoo.com.
AUGUST 8-9; NIPOMO, CA - Orcutt Mineral Society, St. Joseph's Church, 298 S. Thompson Ave. Hours: 10-5 both days. Wayne Mills (805) 481-3495. E-mail: Rocks4u@prodigy.net.
AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 1; FORT BRAGG, CA -Mendocino Coast Gem & Mineral Society, Town Hall, Main and Laurel. Hours: Fri. - Sun. 10-6, Mon. 10-4. Don McDonell (707) 964-3116.
SEPTEMBER 3-7; SAN BERNARDINO, CA - The Orange Belt Mineralogical Society of San Bernardo, 2nd Annual Tail Gate Event. You are invited to come & sell your rock-related merchandise. KOA Campgrounds in San Bernardino, CA. For reservations & information - Lyle Strayer (909) 887-3394 or Tony Gilham (909) 820-2122. E-mail with TAIL GATE in subject line: echobyrd@aol.com or gilhamgh@sce.com.
SEPTEMBER 20-21; PASO ROBLES, CA - Santa Lucia Rockhounds, 12th Annual "Rockhound Roundup". Pioneer Park & Museum, 2010 Riverside Avenue. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. John McCabe (805) 464-0528. E-mail: mccabewest@aol.com.
SEPTEMBER 20-21; REDWOOD CITY, CA - Sequoia Gem & Mineral Society, Community Activity Bldg, 1400 Roosevelt Street. Hours: 10-5 both days. Carol Corden cell ph (650)368-6351.
SEPTEMBER 27-28; DOWNEY, CA - Delvers Gem & Mineral Society, Women's Club of Downey, 9813 Paramount Blvd. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-4. Earl Liston (562) 865-1348.
SEPTEMBER 27-28; FONTANA, CA - Kaiser Rock & Gem Club, California Speedway, 9300 Cherry Ave. Hours: 10-5 both days. JoAnn Watson (909) 355-7455.
SEPTEMBER 27-28; MONTEREY, CA - Carmel Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Monterey Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Road. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun 10-5.
SEPTEMBER 27; LOS ALTOS, CA - Peninsula Gem & Geology Society, Ranch Shopping Center, Foothill Expressway & So. Springer Road. Hours: 9:30 am to 4:45 pm. Jo Burchard (650) 493-9301.
OCTOBER 1-13; FRESNO, CA - Fresno Gem & Mineral Society "The Tradition is Back Celebrating 120 years of the Big Fresno Fair". Big Fresno Fair, 1121 S. Chance Avenue. Hours: 11 am-10 pm. Violet Wells (559) 673-3908. E-mail: fgms1@excite.com.
OCTOBER 11-12; TRONA, CA - Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society, Searles Lake Show Building, 13337 Main St. Hours: Sat. 8-5, Sun. 8-4. Bonnie Fairchild (760) 372-5356.
OCTOBER 18; CANOGA PARK, CA - Woodland Hills Rock Chippers, Canoga Park Community Center, 7248 Owensmouth Ave. Hours: 10-5. Email: show@rockchippers.org.
OCTOBER 18-19; EL CAJON, CA - El Cajon Gem & Mineral Society "Treasures of the Earth", El Cajon Valley Masonic Hall, 695 Ballantyne. Hours: 10-5 both days. Mikki Santens (619) 440-3201.
OCTOBER 18-19; ANDERSON, CA - Shasta Gem & Mineral Society, 50th Anniversary Show "Gold", Shasta District Fairgrounds. Hours 10-5 both days.
OCTOBER 18-19; PLACERVILLE, CA - El Dorado County Mineral & Gem Society, El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive. Hours: 10-5 both days. Jackie Cerrato (530) 677-2975 E-mail: Jacbobcer@directcon.net.
OCTOBER 18-19; SANTA ROSA, CA - Santa Rosa Mineral & Gem Society, Santa Rosa Veteran's Memorial Bldg., 1351 Maple Avenue. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Pete Peterson (707) 833-2683. E-mail: Robert-Peterson@webtv.net.
OCTOBER 18-19; WHITTIER, CA - Whittier Gem & Mineral Society, Whittier Community Center, 7630 Washington Ave. Hours: 10-5 both days. Jay Valle (626) 934-9764. E-mail: jvalle@agmd.gov.
NOVEMBER 1-2; CONCORD, CA - Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society, Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road. Hours: 10-5 both days. Sam Woolsey (925) 837-3287. E-mail: sdwools@earthlink.net.
NOVEMBER 1-2; OXNARD, CA - Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society, "California Gems" @ Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center, 800 Hobson Way. Hours: Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4. Lois Allmen (805) 483-6871. E-mail: allmenl@vcss.k12.ca.us.
NOVEMBER 1-2; RIDGECREST, CA - Indian Wells Gem & Mineral Society, 520 S. Richmond Road. Hours: 9-5 both days. John DeRosa (760) 375-7905.
NOVEMBER 8-9; YUBA CITY, CA - Sutter Buttes Gem & Mineral Society. "Festival of Gem & Minerals", Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds, 442 Franklin Avenue. Hour: Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4. Barbara & Charles Brown (916) 652-4240.
NOVEMBER 15-16; PALMDALE, CA - Palmdale Gem & Mineral Club, Palmdale Elks Lodge @ 2705 E. Ave. Q. Hours; 9-5 both days. Gail Becker (661) 256-4689. E-mail: Gail1010becker@aol.com.
NOVEMBER 21-23; SACRAMENTO, CA - Sacramento Mineral Society (61st Show) "Golden Harvest of Gems". Scottish Rite Temple @ 6151 H. Street. Hours: Fri. 9-5, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-4. Tom (916) 729-1829 or Jim 685-4111.
NOVEMBER 22-23; LIVERMORE, CA - Livermore Valley Lithophiles, Lithorama 2003, The Barn, Pacific Ave. & S. Livermore. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Bill Beiriger E-mail: xyzzx@xyzzx.com.
NOVEMBER 22-23; VICTORVILLE, CA - Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Club, San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, 14800 7th Street. Hours: Sat 9-5, Sun 9-4. Bob Harper (760) 947-6383.
NOVEMBER 29-30; BARSTOW, CA - Mojave Desert Gem & Mineral Society, Barstow Community Center, 841 S. Barstow Road. Hours: 10-5 both days. Bob Depue (760) 255-1030.
DECEMBER 6-7; ORANGEVALE, CA - American River Gem & Mineral Society, Orangevale Grange Hall, 5807 Walnut Avenue. Hours: 10-5 both days. Paul D. Daly (916) 725-6578, Cell phone (916) 849-5114.
DECEMBER 6-7; SAN BERNARDINO, CA - Orange Belt Mineralogical Society, "World of Gems 2003", San Bernardino Women's Club, 503 31st Street. Hours: Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Lyle Stayer (909) 887-3393. E-mail: ecobyrd@aol.com.
DECEMBER 13-14; LOS ANGELES, CA - Society of Southern California & The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles Co., "Gem Fest", 900 Exposition Blvd, Across from U of So Cal - Just off the 110 Fry. Hours: 10-5 both days. Admission: Adult $8, Students & Seniors $5.50, Ages 5-12 $2. Bob Rhein (213) 763-3538.

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AMERICAN FEDERATION / REGIONAL
SHOW SCHEDULE - 2003.

SOUTHEAST FEDERATION,
To Be Announced.

EASTERN FEDERATION,
October 17-19, Poughkeepsie, NY.

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

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

CANADIAN FEDERATION CONVENTION,
To be Announced.

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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. Anyone wanting to write up their thoughts about the show, vacations, rock collecting trips, Great Find or anything of interest, please do so as we are all interested. Contributions from you members keep the Bulletin interesting and I thank you for them.

Trili - The Editor's Pet Trilobite.

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EDUCATIONAL CORNER.

Definition of the Month.

Arrastre:
     An arrastre is an apparatus for grinding and mixing ores by means of a heavy stone dragged around a hard circular rock surface. Often times, the motive power for turning the grinding stone is with use of a draft animal, water power or human laborer.
     The arrastre is chiefly used for ores containing free gold. The ore is first crushed to a consistency of coarse sand. The arrastre is then used to pulverize the ore into a fine powder with a consistency of flour. The amalgamation process, with use of mercury, is then applied in order to extract the fine gold from the pulverized rock. Most arrastres are similar in design and purpose to a grain mill in which wheat or other grains are crushed into flour.
     The "Definition of the Month" features words related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. Written by Steve Mulqueen for the VGMS, July 2003.

Illustration of the Month.


El Rastra (the Spanish word for arrastre).

     An engraving print from the article titled "HOW WE GET GOLD IN CALIFORNIA", by William V. Wells, a Miner of the Year '49'. Printed in Harper's Magazine, 1860. This article was reprinted by several different publishers since 1860 including: "Tales of California" a reprint of selected articles from Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Castle books, 1989, page 140.
     The "Illustration of the Month" features a drawing, sketch, pen & ink rendering or an engraving print rediscovered in books, maps and manuscripts related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. Written by Steve Mulqueen for the VGMS, July 2003.

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COLORBOOK.

R is for . . .



. . . Rhodochrosite.
Rhodochrosite forms pink to deep red crystals. It also forms banded masses. The masses are cut, sculpted and polished. You will notice its crystals are the same shape as dolomite crystals.
























. . . Ruby.
Ruby is the red gem variety
of the mineral corundum. The
only mineral harder than ruby
is diamond.

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

VGMS PHOTO ALBUM.

1 - Dino Hall - Petting the Dino nose!










2 - Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, Ed Isch demonstrating fossil cleaning techniques.









3 - Excavation boxes - Future Rockhounds looking for fragments of triceratops bone.








4 - Interesting Exhibit! - Coprolites (Petrified Excrement) - Some things never change!

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