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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
August 2003.
Table of Contents.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
I want to thank everyone for helping out at the Fair. It is a lot of hard work but also fun.
Save Sunday, October 26th for our Annual picnic. Ron Wise is coordinating this and there will be more information at the meeting and in the next bulletin. It will be at Arroyo Verde park in Ventura.
We will be having a Silent Auction at our November meeting (2nd Wednesday of the month). Florence and I are bringing some really nice material and need for others to bring some good stuff as well. We will also be having pumpkin pie at this meeting.
Hope to see you at the August meeting.
Ray Meisenheimer.
Editors Note: I have to apologize to Ray, as he gave me this synopsis of his message over the phone. It seems I had an altercation with the car in front of me on my way home from work one night last week and his message, which he gave me at the board meeting, is in my car which is locked up in the Auto Body Repair Shop! Of course I didn't think of it till Saturday morning and this has to be ready to print by Sunday night. Also my apologies to Shawne Lardin, who gave me a photo and an article about meteorite authenticity to include in the bulletin, which was also in the car along with my notes from the July meeting. You can look forward to that in the September bulletin!
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Table of Contents.
WORDS TO LIVE BY.
We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.
Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
Animals are such agreeable friends--they ask no questions, and they give no criticisms.
The difference between a "fine watchdog" and a "ferocious beast" depends entirely on which side of the fence you're on.
Collected by Wayne Ehlers.
Table of Contents.
AUGUST PROGRAM:
Nature's Images Under the Microscope
By Ed Gafford, Artist.
Mr. Gafford will show us a new way of looking at the world. He has taken everyday foods, minerals and vitamins and has found the colorful side of them. Please come and enjoy this unique show.
Submitted by Nancy Brace-Thompson, Program Chair.
Table of Contents.
PROGRAM REVIEW - July:
"Mr. Comet" By Jim Sumstine.
"Mr. Comet" gave a very informative and lively talk on comets. Where they come from, how they are formed, and who finds them. He then went on to make a comet, using dirt, soda pop, dry ice and a special ingredient. It turned out great! It was amazing to see it and watch it change before your eyes.
Submitted by Nancy Brace-Thompson, Program Chair.
You can find the recipe for a comet (as demonstrated at our July meeting) in the following website: www.perkins-observatory.org.
Once in the website click on "Educational Material" and then click on "comet in our kitchen".
Steve Mulqueen.
Table of Contents.
WHAT A BREAKFAST WE HAD!
On July 20th we had a wonderful breakfast at Emma Mayer's home. She does a wonderful job making you feel welcome and right at home! There were about 15 (didn't do a count) members, who also brought a dish, to enjoy Emma's wonderful quiche. We had a great abundance of wonderful fruit, muffins, bacon, sausages, and juice to go along with the quiche. We had some great "round-table" experiences to share. Fun and good food was had by all and those who weren't able to make it were missed. Thanks Emma for opening your home to us.
Table of Contents.
IN MEMORIUM:
Bertie Raines.
Long time member Bertie Raines passed away August 1, 2003. She had been in a care center for more than a year. She would have turned 89 in a short time.
Bertie and her husband Ches joined VGMS in 1957. Ches died from a heart attack in the fall of 1985.
Bertie was active in the club in many capacities, especially during the shows. Back in the days when we could serve dinners during our shows, Bertie baked dozens of rhubarb pies. Some patrons came, not to see the show, but for a few slices of her famous pies.
After her loss of Ches, she was not as active, but still was always there if needed.
She was gifted in many capacities, and sold numerous art and craft creations, as well as jams, jellies and fruit syrups at Quartzsite every year. She sewed numerous cute grab bags for the club from scraps of fabric and laces left over from her crafts.
Bertie will be missed by all of us. We send our thoughts and prayers to the family.
Florence Meisenheimer.
Ed. Note: Bertie was a very special & talented person. She would bring bottles of her rhubarb syrup to our pancake breakfasts. Makes my taste buds dance to think of it! Her services will be held at Ivy Lawn Cemetery, August 20th at 10 am. Her son lives in Ventura - David Raines, 5278 Aurora Dr., Ventura, CA 93003.
Table of Contents.
2003 Meeting Programs.
Following is an outline of programs planned for our monthly meetings through the remainder of 2003.
| Month. | Program. | By Whom. |
|---|---|---|
| August 27: | Nature's Images Under the Microscope, | Ed Gafford - Artist. |
| September 24: | Local Fossils: Collecting Sites in our own Community, | Jim Brace-Thompson. |
| October 22: | Travelogue, | Wayne Ehlers. |
| November 12: | Silent Auction, | Club Members. |
| December: | Holiday Dinner, | Club Members. |
Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who have helped fill our slate of programs!
Nancy Brace-Thompson, Program Chairperson
Table of Contents.
CONGRATULATIONS FAIR WINNERS - 2003.
Many of our talented members were winners at the recent Ventura County Fair. Not only did we have a lot of winners, but we had a lot of hard workers helping Richard Bromser set up for the Fair, monitor, dust and clean during the Fair and taking things down. It was rather difficult to get all the winners, so if we have missed any we apologize. Richard and Jim Brace-Thompson went through the exhibits and came up with the following: (These are for the Gem & Mineral/Hobby Building Exhibits only.)
Jim Brace-Thompson - 8 firsts, 2 seconds, 3 thirds & 1 fourth - Jim also won the award for "Best Single Item-Natural Specimen".
Greg Davis - 1 first, 1 fourth & 1 fifth.
Wayne Ehlers - 1 first, 1 third & 1 fifth.
Marie Haake - 1 first, 2 seconds, 2 thirds, 2 fourths & 1 fifth.
David Mautz - 4 firsts, 6 seconds & 2 thirds.
Susan Mulqueen: - 1 second.
Pebble Pups:
Chloe Baer - 2 firsts, 1 third. Chloe also won the "Best Single Item - Novice".
Anthony Beinar - 1 first, 1 third.
Matthew Beinar - 1 first, 1 second.
Congratulations to all of you and thank you for sharing your treasures with everyone. If we have left any one out or there are winners from other buildings, let me know and we will get them in the September bulletin.
We would also like to thank Susan & Steve Mulqueen who prepared the VGMS "Club Case" for the Fair. The exhibit featured "Geodes & Nodules" which are now on display at the California Oil Museum thanks to Susan and Steve.
Table of Contents.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
8-27-03 - VGMS Regular Meeting - 7:30 pm - "Nature's Images Under the Microscope" - Ed Gafford.
9-4-03 - VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Museum. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
9-10-03 - DEADLINE FOR JULY Bulletin Articles to the Editor!
9-20-03 - VGMS Work Shop - Museum - Open - 9-noon.
9-24-03 - VGMS Regular Meeting - 7:30 pm - "Local Fossil Collecting Sites in our own Community" - by Jim Brace-Thompson.
10-2-03 - VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Museum. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
10-26-03 - VGMS Annual Picnic - Arroyo Verde Park, Ventura. Keep the date open, more details in the next bulletin.
Table of Contents.
CHIPS & BOULDERS.
California Oil Museum - The new VGMS exhibit at the California Oil Museum will feature "Geodes & Nodules" which was a success at the Fair. As many of you recall, the previous exhibit featured "Amber", with specimens on loan from Susan Mulqueen, Dave Mautz and Jim Brace-Thompson. - Contributed by Steve Mulqueen.
Ed. Note. - Many thanks to Steve for spearheading the exhibits at the Oil Museum. They are thoroughly enjoyed by the public and good publicity for VGMS.
Note: CFMS Fall Business Meeting - Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003 at the Quality Inn, 4278 West Ashland Ave., Fresno, CA. Any CFMS member may attend the meeting, but only delegates may vote. Florence Meisenheimer is our delegate/director, but they are interesting to attend and see what happens at that level. Who knows, you may want to become involved at the officer level. They are in need of nominations for Secretary at this point. If you are interested in attending the meeting or being nominated for Secretary, please give Florence a call for more details or Shirley Layton for a copy of the agenda from the CFMS Sept. Newsletter.
Equipment & Material For Sale: We received the following e-mail from Jim Castle, a former OGMS member. "Last year my father passed away and he was an avid rock hound. He and I were members of the OGMS for many years, and I have many fond memories of my time rock hounding. My mother has some lapidary equipment and tons of rocks (that belonged to Dad) that our family would like to see go to people that will enjoy them.
The lapidary equipment includes a combination lapidary machine with a 10-12 inch saw, two grinding wheels and a polishing wheel. Another 7 inch saw separate from the machine, a faceting machine and lots of rocks and gems from various locations in California. There is also some jewelry making stuff.
For those interested they may contact my mother (Maxine Castle) at 805 483-0294 or me (Jim Castle) at 805 640-8596/805 479-9788. - Thanks for any assistance, Jim Castle."
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:
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!!
Table of Contents.
SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.
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/.
Table of Contents.
COMMUNITY & PUBLIC OUTREACH.
On July 28, Susan Mulqueen presented a slide lecture on the subject of petroleum seeps at UC Santa Barbara. Her lecture focused on the numerous life forms that live in and around oil seeps. This seminar was another series of lectures titled "SEASET" (Summer Experiences and Science Enrichment for Teachers, K-12th grades).
Contributed by Steve Mulqueen.
Les Goldberg - A former active member:
There's no place like Les Goldberg's home. Les, 84, owns two houses in Ventura, where he lives with 10 formerly homeless men.
In 1994, as a member of the Commission on Human Concerns, Les started a Breakfast Club on Sundays for homeless people (mostly men), offering them a hot meal and a chance to talk about finding work.
Wanting to do more, in 1998 he bought two houses so the men could move in with him. He's now trying to set up a similar shared-living arrangement for women.
A few of the men work and pay rent, the others help with household jobs, and go with Les to pick up donated food from Trader Joe's and deliver it to Food Share and other organizations.
Les said his role as a "father figure" isn't to nag his housemates or force them to stop drinking or get a job. "They're not here to reform, but to have a place to live and hopefully get rid of bad habits," Les said. "The only rules are, 'Don't steal, and treat everybody like you would want to be treated.'"
Les was also a former member of VGMS, where he gave a program about his experience in the Holy Land digs.
From The Rock Bag, Oxnard Gem & Mineral, June 2003.
Table of Contents.
EACH OF US MUST ACT NOW!
LOUD & CLEAR
From George Loud,
Conservation & Legislation Chair.
August 1, 2003:
H.R. 2416 - Paleontological Resources Preservation Act.
We all need to do some fast letter writing. Let me remind my mineral collecting friends who do not seem to be disposed to concerning themselves with rights to collect fossils, that the relevant agency rules lump minerals, rocks and invertebrate fossils together in their regulations.
The Senate companion bill to H.R. 2416 has already passed the Senate (S546). Here's what Washington Watch had to say about S546:
"Bad Bills S546 - Anti-rockhounding bill titled the 'Paleontological Resources Preservation Act' places severe penalties on recreational rockhounding, would permit only 'experts' to disturb public land surfaces. Allows for seizure of private vehicles, camping equipment and anything else the government wants to grab for even minor violations. This bill assumes that big brother government has all the answers, even though some of the greatest discoveries of dinosaurs in pre-recorded history has been done by private individuals."
Frankly, I was surprised that the forfeiture provision for seizure of vehicle and property of the malfeasor is also provided for in the House bill H.R. 2416 even if the violation is characterized as a "civil penalty", i.e., does not rise to the level of a crime (misdemeanor or felony). The forfeiture provision would put erring fossil collectors in the same peril as drug dealers.
What else is wrong with H.R. 2416? Answer: a lot.
In Section 15 of the bill entitled "Saving Provisions", Provision 3 specifies that the bill does not apply to amateur collecting of a rock, mineral or invertebrate or plant fossil that is not protected under this act. Yes, I know that this provision is no worse that the current BLM and Forest Service regulations which prohibit the collecting of vertebrate fossils. However, I would not like to see the vertebrate-invertebrate distinction codified by federal statute. As I have explained at length in previous columns, the little fossil collecting experience I have had has been mostly directed to vertebrate fossils, none of which were sufficiently unique or valuable to warrant special protection under the law.
I would like to challenge lawmakers to pick a vertebrate fossil I own (a rounded hunk of agatized bone) from among a group of rocks. At the minimum, they would have great difficulty. Yet this bill demands such skill of their constituents.
Section 9 "Prohibited Acts; Penalties -(B) False Labeling Offenses" provides "a person may not make or submit any false label or counter label for or any false identification of any paleontological resource excavated or removed from Federal lands." As I previously wrote, "pity the poor collector or curator, amateur or professional, who mistakes a psittacosaurus bone for a chasmosaurus bone." Such misidentification can make a criminal out of you. Thank god I only collect minerals which I all too often misidentify. On the bright side, this provision has the potential for placing all those pesky SVP members behind bars and thus out of our hair.
Another objection is that you would be prohibited from selling or exchanging fossils which you legally collect from Federal lands, e.g., a surface collected invertebrate or plant fossil. See Section 9(3). Why should fossils be different from minerals, gold nuggets, coins, etc., found on public lands?
Please immediately write your Congressman at:
Representative _______________________,
U.S. House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C. 20515.
AFMS Newsletter September 2003.
There is a sample letter near the end of this bulletin. Please copy it as many times as you can and have your friends and fellow rockhounds sign it and send it in. The Freedom of our hobby is at stake.
Table of Contents.
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS.
Happy Birthday to all those born in September. 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!
September - Happy Birthday!!
Ray Meisenheimer - 1st,
Liz Brashears - 13th,
Clint Berkheiser - 23rd,
Myrle Kirk - 27th,
Susan Mulqueen - 27th,
Allie Buck - 30th.
The September birthstone is the Sapphire and the flower is the Aster.
SAPPHIRE, the non-red variety of corundum.
VARIETY INFORMATION.
VARIETY OF: Corundum Al2O3.
USES: Gemstone.
BIRTHSTONE FOR: September.
COLOR: various colors, except for red.
INDEX OF REFRACTION: 1.76 - 1.78.
BIREFRINGENCE: 0.009.
HARDNESS: 9.
CLEAVAGE: none, although there is a rhombic parting.
CRYSTAL SYSTEM: trigonal.
PLEOCHROIC: strongly.
Sapphire is the non-red variety of corundum, the second hardest natural mineral known to mankind. The red variety of corundum is Ruby. Sapphires are well known among the general public as being blue, but it can be nearly any color. The blue color is by far the most popular color for sapphire but orange-pink, golden, white, and even black have generated much interest in the gem trade. Oriented rutile crystal inclusions cause a six-pointed-star light effect (called asterism) to form the popular Star Sapphire.
Copyright 1995 by Amethyst Galleries, Inc. Unless otherwise noted, all mineral descriptions and images, plus the related descriptions on the server are the property of Amethyst Galleries, Inc., and may not be copied for commercial purposes. Permission to copy descriptions and images is granted for personal and educational use only.
Table of Contents.
HOSPITALITY.
The July meeting had 23 members, 1 guest Dick Hiser, and 2 Pebble Pups Anthony and Matthew Beinar present to enjoy the making of a comet! It was a fun program and Sharon and Gary Markley brought some very tasty refreshments, which were also enjoyed by everyone. With a great program, good refreshments and several door prizes, what more could one ask for - how about good friends and fellowship! We had that too along with our friendly smiling hostess Sharlyne Holloway. Unfortunately, we will be on vacation (this part is fortunate!) for the August meeting, but hope you all have a great time.
Table of Contents.
Q) How Do You Get Holy water?
A) You Boil The Hell Out Of It.
Q) What Do Fish Say When They Hit A Wall?
A) Dam!
Table of Contents.
"FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN."
Triclub Fieldtrip to the Greenhorn Mountains
In Search of Rose Quartz,
The story as told by Norb Kinsler.
July 19-20, 2003.
As Murphy's Law predicts if anything can go wrong it will. On the way up to the Panoramic Campgrounds near Portuguese Pass with guests and towing a trailer the transmission began to slip. I turned around and managed to return as far as Glennville where his Ford Explorer gave up the ship. At this point I had to be towed to Bakersfield, only to be told by the Ford Garage that it would be a week before they could work on it. With guests and a trailer waiting for me I decided to purchase a new vehicle and continue on the trip. At about 5:00 pm on Friday I arrived at the campground.
The weather was beautiful on Saturday morning in the Greenhorn Mountains. Once at the digs we had to find a new trail down to the rose quartz outcropping. The old trail has been covered with logs, branches and natural vegetation to keep down the erosion. Everyone had good luck at obtaining an adequate amount of rose quartz.
In the afternoon Carolyn Howe led the group to another site for quartz crystals. There was evidence of digs in the area but no one had much luck in finding crystals. Because of high temperature and humidity several thunderstorms struck the area. During one of the storms several members got caught in a heavy downpour with sleet mixed in. Carolyn, Dave and Ryan left for home from the crystal site while the rest of us returned to camp. Since no campfires were permitted we hunkered down in camp and visited the evening away.
Members present:
Dave & Ryan Panaro - CGMS,
Bob & Linda Clement - VGMS,
Carolyn Howe - OGMS,
Ed & Jon Cardenas - Guests,
Norb Kinsler - OGMS.
Contributed by Ron Wise, Field Trip Chair Person.
TRI-CLUB FIELDTRIPS 2003,
Schedule 3-5-2003.
| September: | 7-13, | Camp Paradise-1. |
| 14-20, | Camp Paradise-2. | |
| October: | 4-5, | Lone Pine, Leader: Don Asher. |
| 11-12, | Trona Show *VGMS auxiliary group. | |
| November: | 1-2, | OGMS Show. |
| 27-30, | Cady Mts. area, Leader: Ron Wise. |
|
| December: | Holidays. | |
| Open, | Open. |
| Leaders: | ||||
| Don Asher, | 482-2510, | Conejo, | asherd@adelphia.com. | |
| Norbert Kinsler, | 485-8681, | Oxnard, | nmkin@aol.com. | |
| Ron Wise, | 647-4393, | Ventura, | clintwise@hotmail.com. |
***Please call to confirm that there is a fieldtrip scheduled in the event of changes.
Ron Wise, Field Trip Chairperson.
Table of Contents.
SAFETY:
Hiking and Camping Safety
By Chuck McKie, CFMS Safety Chairman, 2003;
via American Red Cross,
the North Bay Field Trips and the COOP.
September might be a favorite time to go camping and maybe rockhounding. The following are some tips for your good health and survival if you should plan to go out by yourself instead of with a guided trip. Even if you go with a group, these are good tips:
Hiking and camping provide exercise and interest for people of any age. Just getting out and walking around is a wonderful way to see nature. Since unexpected things happen, however, the best way to guarantee a good time for all is to plan ahead carefully and follow common sense safety precautions. If you have any medical conditions, discuss your plans with your health care provider and get approval before departing.
Review the equipment, supplies, and skills you'll need. Consider what emergencies could arise and how you would deal with those situations. What if you get lost or were confronted unexpectedly by an animal? What if someone became ill or injured? What kind of weather might you encounter? Add to your checklist the supplies you would need to deal with these situations. Make sure you have the skills you need for your camping or hiking adventure. You may need to know how to read a compass, erect a temporary shelter, or give first aid. Practice your skills in advance.
If your trip will be strenuous, get into good physical condition before setting out. If you plan to climb or travel to high altitudes, make plans for proper acclimatization to the altitude. It's safest to hike or camp with at least one companion. If you'll be entering a remote area, your group should have a minimum of four people; this way, if one is hurt, another can stay with the victim while two go for help. If you'll be going into an area that is unfamiliar to you, take along someone who knows the area, or at least, speak with those who do before you set out. Some areas will require you to have reservations or certain permits. If an area is closed, do not go there.
Find out in advance about any regulations - there may be rules about campfires or guidelines about wildlife.
Pack emergency signaling devices, and know ahead of time the location of the nearest telephone or ranger station in case of emergency. Leave a copy of your itinerary with a responsible person. Include such details as the make, year and license plate of your vehicle, the equipment you're bringing, the weather you've anticipated, and when you plan to return.
Contact your local Red Cross chapter http://www.redcross.org/where/where.html for a Community First Aid and Safety course or When Help is Delayed course.
What to bring:
A Hiking Checklist. What you take will depend on where you are going and how long you plan to be away, but any backpack should include the following:
Candle, clothing (always bring something warm, extra sox and rain gear), compass, First Aid kit, food (bring extra), flashlight, foil (to use as a cup or signaling device), hat, insect repellant, map, nylon filament, pocket knife, pocket mirror (signaling device), prescription glasses (extra pair), prescription medications for ongoing medical conditions, radio with batteries, space blanket or a piece of plastic (to use for warmth or shelter), sunglasses, sunscreen, trash bag (makes an adequate poncho), water, waterproof matches or matches in a waterproof tin, water purification tablets, whistle (to scare off animals or to use as a signaling device).
Always allow for bad weather and for the possibility that you might be forced to spend a night outdoors. It's a good idea to assemble a separate 'survival pack' for each hiker to have at all times. In a small waterproof container, place a pocket knife, compass, whistle, space blanket, nylon filament, water purification tablets, matches and candle. With these items, the chances of being able to survive in the wild are greatly improved.
CFMS Newsletter 9/03.
Table of Contents.
SPECIAL EXHIBIT HONORS PAT ANTONIO,
FOSSIL COLLECTOR EXTRAORDINAIRE,
By Jim Brace-Thompson.
Pat Antonio has been a long-time member of various CFMS-affiliated clubs, including the Carmel Valley Gem & Mineral Society and Fossils for Fun. Within the gables of her Victorian-era home in Pacific Grove is perhaps the largest, most impressive private fossil collection on the Central Coast. Always generous and hospitable, Pat has provided tours to scouting groups, organizations such as the Monterey Bay Paleontological Society and curious on-lookers who have spied ammonites in her windows. Once while on a collecting trip in the Kettleman Hills, I met a total stranger who shared a common bond - he and his wife had been vacationing on the Monterey Peninsula, and upon stopping at Pat's front yard to gaze upon fossils on the stoop, they were invited in and given a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable tour. Pat's collection includes specimens both purchased and self-collected, and she has personally toured classic localities throughout the world and has many exciting adventures to share of the American West, Morocco, Australia, Mongolia and elsewhere.
Many of the best of Pat's fossils and her interesting adventures are about to be on temporary display for all to enjoy! From September 26, 2003, until March 7, 2004, the Pack Grove Museum of Natural History is sponsoring a five-month special exhibit: "Pat Antonio - Celebration of a Fossil Collector." An entire hall of the museum will contain a series of cases introducing viewers to Pat's trilobites, ammonites, Green River Formation fish, leaves and petrified wood, mammoth and mastodon remains, crinoids, mosasaurs, fossil birds (including remarkable specimens of Confuciusomis from China), dinosaur remains and more.
More than an exhibit, a whole series of fossil-related special events are planned, such as a talk by a biographer of Roy Chapman Andrews, fieldtrips to nearby fossil sites including Capitola and Seacliff State Beach and a lecture by dinosaur paleontologist Paul Sereno of the University of Chicago. In a future issue of the CFMS Newsletter, I hope to provide the entire calendar of events. To get more information in the meantime, contact the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History: phone (831) 648-5716, web site: www.pgmuseum.org.
CFMS Newsletter 9/03.
Table of Contents.
YOU KNOW YOU'RE A ROCKHOUND.
You know you're a rockhound when you've been lost in the desert for three days, the only water you have left is in your spray bottle, your truck is so overloaded you're not sure if it'll make it through the wash ahead, and you've never been happier in your life!
The Agatizer via Moroks 6/03.
Table of Contents.
WORLD CLASS GEM EXHIBIT IN ORANGE COUNTY,
By Kent Kuran.
CFMS Members,
I am an intern here at Bowers Museum of Cultural Arts in Santa Ana. It is my responsibility to make sure people know about and come to see our exhibit "GEMS! The Art and Nature of Precious Stones." This magnificent exhibit features over three hundred gems, all from the famous Michael Scott (White Rose) Collection, the finest private collection outside of the British Royal Family. The exhibit, extended indefinitely due to popularity, has the world's largest faceted gemstone, the world's largest tanzanite (242 carats), the two largest known examples of benitoite, and a 400-carat golden sapphire. Along with these magnificent specimens, the exhibit displays nearly every major gem group in a wide range of colors and shapes.
Our gem exhibit would undoubtedly be of great interest to the numerous entities under the federation. Although it is a general gem exhibit, its scope and depth offers something for everyone and it could pique the interest of even the most specialized gemologist.
E-mail: PublicRelations@bowers.org.
Kent Kuran,
2002 N. Main St.,
Santa Ana, CA 92706.
CFMS Newsletter 9/03.
Table of Contents.
SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.
VGMS MINUTES.
Minutes of the VGMS Regular Monthly Meeting,
Wednesday, July 23, 2003:
The regular monthly meeting of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society was called to order by President Ray Meisenheimer at 7:35 pm on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 in the Bijou Room of the Lexington, 5440 Ralston, Ventura, Ca. The group was led in the salute to the flag.
The June regular meeting and board meeting minutes were corrected and then m/s/p as shown in the bulletin. Guest, Dick Heiser was 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. Richard also mentioned that our club had the most members assisting with the AFMS/CFMS show in June, aside from the hosting club - Del Air.
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 again was the perfect hostess at this year's summer breakfast, held at her house-July 20. Everything was excellent, with a nice turnout of club members.
Ron Wise mentioned that the County Fair and Camp Paradise would be in lieu of field trips for the months of August and September.
Shirley Layton mentioned that a lot of e-mail is received from people reading our web site and that she may have to call on people to answer some of the questions. The 10th of the month is again the deadline for articles submitted to the bulletin.
James Sumstine (Mr. Comet) next presented a fun filled demonstration, showing how a comet is formed and what it's made of. His lecture was full of facts mixed with humor and really kept everyone's attention. Thank you Mr. Comet for making us more aware of them.
Door prizes were awarded and refreshments were provided by Gary and Sharon Markley.
Ray mentioned that yet another thank you was received from Keri Dearborn and the Del Air Club for all of our help and support at the Federation Show. The next board meeting will be August 7th. Any and all members are welcomed. Ray also suggested another picnic in the park - possibly in October. Details will be discussed at the next meeting.
There being no further business, Ray adjourned the meeting at 8:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Greg Davis.
Minutes of the VGMS Board Meeting,
August 7, 2003:
The regular board meeting of the VGMS was called to order by President Ray Meisenheimer at 7:30 pm on Thursday, August 7, 2003, at the VGMS Museum, 5019 Crooked Palm Rd., Ventura, CA.
Present: Ray and Florence Meisenheimer, Richard Bromser, Shirley Layton, Steve Mulqueen, Dave Mautz, Ron Wise and Greg Davis.
Richard Bromser - Checks 1040-1044 were m/s/c to be used for club utilities and expenses for the month of July. A discussion followed concerning the possibility of relocating club funds to increase interest rates. Further discussion will be needed. Richard expressed concern that the Ventura County Fair could do better at maintaining the facilities for the Rock and Gem area. Long time club member, Bertie Rains, passed away. Services are scheduled for August 20th, 10 AM, at Ivy Lawn Cemetery.
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.
Ron Wise - There are no field trips planned for August or September as the County Fair and Camp Paradise will require our time. The next scheduled trip will be to Lone Pine, October 4th & 5th (details coming) and the Trona Show, Oct.11th & 12th. A possibility would be a trip in November to the Cady Mountains.
Steve Mulqueen - A workshop day will be scheduled in the fall to repair the museum roof. Steve requested and it was m/s/c to reimburse him for the purchase of four used slide carousels.
Ray Meisenheimer - The Oxnard Club will be putting a display in at the Foster Library and requested use of some of our fossil specimens. It was agreed to allow their use. October 26th has been set as a tentative date for a club picnic at Arroyo Verde Park in Ventura. Details will be forthcoming. The regular meeting for November (the second Wednesday) will include our club silent auction and home made pumkin pies from members.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Greg Davis.
Table of Contents.
Q) What Do Eskimos Get From Sitting On The Ice Too Long?
A) Polaroids.
Table of Contents.
HINTS & TIPS FOR ROCKHOUNDS
(Use at your own risk).
Brighten Your Ivory - Don't put ivory in the dark. It is one substance that needs light. If it has started to yellow, take a half lemon, rub it in some salt, then rub it over the ivory object. The lemon will work on the yellow discoloration. After it is dry, dampen a soft cloth with lukewarm water and rub the ivory piece to give it a bright finish. - From Nodule Nocker News 11/95 via Moroks 6/03.
Rouge for anyone: black, green, red, white, yellow Polishing compounds:
Black rouge is for gold, silver, and German Silver. Gives a high polish.
Green rouge is for platinum, chrome, stainless steel, and hard materials.
Red rouge is for gold, silver, and soft metals and materials.
White rouge is for the harder metals; platinum, chrome, stainless steel, and some of the harder material.
Yellow rouge is for roughing in, as it cuts faster. It usually has a base of beeswax to hold the polish in. It is for hard materials such as chrome and stainless steel.
Reference: Homer's Corner, bulletin and date unknown via Moroks 6/03.
Table of Contents.
THE 2003 SEASIDE GEMboree,
Del Air Rockhounds Club, Inc.,
PO. Box 7618, Van Nuys, CA 91409.
With a swish of the Mermaid's tail, the 2003 Seaside Gemboree has come and gone. The Del Air Rockhounds would like to thank all of the clubs and individuals who participated and visited the combined AFMS/CFMS show. Everyone's enthusiasm helped to make the event a success. We would also like to extend a "SPECIAL THANK YOU" to CFMS representatives Bob and Jeane Stultz, Cal Clason, and Ray Meisenheimer for their energy and commitment to the show.
We were very pleased to have 51 competitive exhibit cases, 143 noncompetitive guest exhibit cases, and 14 special large exhibits, for a total of 208. There were demonstrations on everything from flintknapping to silverwork, rock carving, faceting, sculpting and fossil cleaning to driving Mars Rovers. Volunteers helped children and adults dig for dinosaur bone and taught them to grind and polish cabs thanks to equipment provided by Diamond Pacific Tool Corp. We had many Boy and Girl Scouts attending and many earned their Geology Badge through our Youth Education Committee.
The Mermaid Contest brought 13 varied entries which were voted on by approximately 600 visitors. We congratulate Jennifer Rhodes of Reno, Nevada for winning the $75 gift certificate with her mermaid pendant made of a "lampwork bead and wire wrap". Second and Third place went to Eugene Haider's inlay fine-silver bola and Paul Patterson's gold mermaid with black pearl, respectively. All of the entries were individual works of art. The Display Committee thanks all of the entrants for their creativity and skill.
Our Silent Auction had a special drawing for a large piece of Australian Fire Opal for its participants and the lucky winner was Jack Rhodes of Reno, Nevada, yes the husband of the above Jennifer Rhodes of Mermaid fame and of the Reno Gem and Mineral Society. There were hundreds of pounds of rock and thousands of plants for sale at our Mermaid Grotto and we want to Thank you all for taking many of them home with you.
We hope everyone had an enjoyable time at the show and encourage you all to support the efforts of the club working on the 2004 show.
The Del Air Rockhound Club,
Van Nuys, CA,
(818)347-2056,
http://www.afms-cfmsgemshow.org/.
CFMS Newsletter 9/03.
Table of Contents.
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 throughout the day, Canoga Park Community Center, 7248 Owensmouth Avenue, Canoga Park. For info email show@rockchippers.org. Free admission!
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 "Treasure's 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.
Table of Contents.
AMERICAN FEDERATION / REGIONAL
SHOW SCHEDULE - 2003.
SOUTHEAST FEDERATION,
November 28-30, Roanoke, VA.
EASTERN FEDERATION,
October 17-19, Poughkeepsie, NY.
MIDWEST FEDERATION,
August 15-17, Cottage Grove, MN.
The South Central, California, Northwest and Rocky Mountain Federations have already held their 2003 Conventions and shows.
Table of Contents.
Q) What Do You Call A Boomerang That Doesn't Work?
A) A Stick.
Table of Contents.
SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Just for the record any unsigned articles are by the Editor. 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.
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| Trili - The Editor's Pet Trilobite. |
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| Bulletin Weekend, Vacation Preparation, Work, Etc, Etc, Etc. |
Table of Contents.
Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society Show.
Searles Lake Gem and Mineral Society, Inc.,
P.O. Box 966, Trona, CA 93592-0966.
Member of the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies.
On the Internet: http://www1.iwvisp.com/tronagemclub/tronagemclub.html.
E-mail to: fairchil@iwvisp.com.
Gem-0-Rama 2003 Show Announcement.
August 2003.
Dear Gem & Mineral Club Members;
Again this year, IMC Chemicals Inc. is allowing the collection of rare Searles Lake minerals from its private lands, but only during the October 11-12 show of the Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society. This is a once a year opportunity for mineral collectors to participate in field trips to a very large, recently deposited, saline mineral ore body. IMCC does ask that visitors remember that Searles Dry Lake not only has rare minerals, it is also a working mine producing over 1.7 million tons per year of inorganic chemical products.
FIELD TRIP TIMES - same as last year. During the 9 a.m. Saturday mud tour you will again be able to collect large barrel Hanksite, both singles and clusters weighing up to 100 pounds, from gooey, black mud. The mud minerals will be dug from the same place as last year so they should be good. These specimens can be washed at the site or bottles of brine are sold at the show. During the 2:30 p.m. Saturday blow hole tour to Searles Dry Lake, collectors can watch IMCC technicians jet a well to bring tons of specimen grade hanksite, borax, sulfohalite, trona, and cubic halite onto the dry salt surface for visitors to collect. This tour is believed to be the largest mineral collecting tour in the country. The 9 a.m. Sunday brine pool tour will be to brine pools containing the beautiful, naturally pink, Searles Lake halite. To collect pink halite collectors will need a heavy spud bar (rent at show) or a crowbar and heavy hammer, and they may get their feet wet with salt brine. Geologists, technicians or engineers knowledgeable in Searles Dry Lake guide each tour.
Registration for both morning tours begins 1 1/2 hour before departure, Saturday afternoon registration begins 1 hour before. The Saturday tours require a donation of $8 per vehicle, the Sunday tour a $10 donation. The Saturday tours will be 2 1/2 hours long, and provide 2 hours at the site. The Sunday will be 4 1/2 hours long with 4 hours at the site. Good collecting is possible without special equipment, but the best collecting requires sacrificial clothes, sturdy shoes (rubber boots are better), gloves, garden tools, a heavy spud bar and hammer, a pad to kneel on, and bags or trays for your "loot". If desired, all necessary tools can be purchased at the show.
The show will again provide bus tours of the chemical extraction plants of IMC Chemicals Inc. These tours have knowledgeable guides to explain the complex procedures needed to recover products. We will also provide information for self-guided tours of the Trona Pinnacles National Natural Area (site of the movies "Dinosaurs" and "Planet of the Apes" and many TV commercials).
In addition to mineral collecting tours, a free indoor mineral show is open from 8 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 8 am to 4 pm Sunday. This includes: 22 mineral dealers, self-serve sales of Searles Lake minerals, the club's General Store with field trip supplies, demonstrations (arrowhead chipping, wire wrapping, sphere making, and making silver chain), 50 hobby/mineral displays, catered cafeteria with large eating area (lunch 10-4 both days and dinner on Friday 5-8 and Saturday 5-7), free bus tours through IMCC's three large chemical plants, and geode sales (you buy, we cut). Also open will be the expanded Old Guest House Museum, the Trona History House, and the Trona Railway Museum with its historic caboose. The Trona Community Church will serve a pancake breakfast both mornings. And IMC Chemicals and the SLG&MS will allow supervised dry camping (RV and tent) at the Valley Wells Area five miles north of the show. Motel rooms are available at the Pinnacle Inn in Trona and several motels in Ridgecrest just 22 miles west.
If you are on the Internet and wish to get show complete information, you can do so by browsing our web page http://www1.iwvisp.com/tronagemclub/tronagemclub.html.
VGMS Editor's Note: There will be Trona Show flyers at the August and September meetings.
Table of Contents.
SAMPLE LETTER ON HR 2416.
Dear Representative ___________________________:
It is with great concern that I write you regarding HR 2416. The stated goal of these proposed items of legislation is to preserve fossil materials on federal lands by denying collection of fossils by all but "experts" in earth science. I want to explain to you why passage of these bills will have detrimental to disastrous future effects on the preservation of earth history.
The vast majority of fossil localities have been, and continue to be, discovered by amateur collectors. Indeed, many of the original 19th Century paleontologists were themselves self-taught amateurs. This is not meant to slight academic paleontologists. Rather, there are simply too few paleontologists with too little field funding to cover more than a small fraction of the land area visited by amateur and economic collectors. To limit the collection of fossils to "experts" only would doom the vast majority of fossils to destruction by the very forces of weathering and erosion which originally exposed them. Over time, this would lead to irretrievable loss of earth history, in the name of saving it.
Paleontological significance does not in itself always lead to the widespread preservation of fossil material. Paleontologists are most interested in very specialized segments of the fossil record, such as rare species or exceptionally-preserved specimens, as these fossils usually provide the most rewarding research topics. Academic paleontologists generally have little interest in very common fossils such as the shark's teeth of Florida or ancient scallop shells abundant in central Nevada. If left solely for paleontologists to collect, these and multitudes of similar common fossils would eventually disappear simply because they were of no academic interest. This would be truly tragic, as every fossil has a certain intrinsic value to earth history, even if it is not of great scientific significance.
A third reason for not restricting the collection of fossils to "experts" alone is the educational aspect of collecting fossils in the field. Most paleontologists practicing today collected their first specimens as amateurs, either on a family outing or a class trip. For urban Americans, the opportunity to collect fossils on federal lands provides a rare incentive to visit and learn from the natural environment. If federal lands are closed to the fossil collecting public, the few available private localities will quickly become expensive fee sites. Scientific research and educational goals are not necessarily the same, and the loss of federal lands to non-academic collectors would be devastating to earth science education.
Without question, there are some types of fossil materials whose collection should be restricted to academic experts because of their rarity and paleontological significance. But it is possible to do this without shutting out amateur fossil collectors, or even professional economic collectors. Agencies managing federal land units need to identify which fossils under their purview should be protected for academic collection, and which are acceptable for public collection. Non-academic collectors should be informed regarding what they may keep, how they may collect, and what they may not collect. This is not dissimilar to the way in which nearly every state handles game fishing. Indeed, at important fossil sites federal agencies could assess modest fees for collecting permits to fund the cost of fossil identification and associated educational displays. Such a program would not only ensure the preservation of scientifically-important fossil materials but would also preserve public access to and the overall preservation of earth history.
I realize that a vocal minority of academia and federal agencies feel strongly that the preservation of a small amount of academically significant material is more important than all other aspects of earth science education, earth history, and intrinsic value combined. As with other fields, there will always be some who are shortsighted and protective of their "turf". However, most earth scientists I know would, as I do, ask you to vote against HR2416, for the very same reasons I have stated above.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Table of Contents.
EDUCATIONAL CORNER.
Definition of the Month.
Single-jack:
An old mining term which refers to a method of drilling holes into solid rock for the purpose of placing explosives. "Single-jack" is a single-hand hammer used in drilling, especially in hard-rock mines. The miner holds the hammer in one hand while the hand steel (also called drill steel or bit) is held in the other. With each hammer blow, the miner turns the bit slightly in order to move the pulverized rock that accumulates in the bottom of the hole. A slightly different orientation of the bit with each hammer blow will maximize the bit's penetration. Rock chips and dust are removed from the hole with a specially designed spoon or with use of an auger.
Double-jack:
Another method of drilling blast holes. "Double-jack" refers to the use of a long-handled hammer in which the miner uses both hands. The hammer is similar in design to a sledge hammer. This method is more efficient than the "single-jack" method. It often involves a 3-man crew working as a team, in unison. One man will hold the hand steel while those with the hammers will take turns striking blows on the top of the hand steel. The miner holding the hand steel will rotate it slightly after each blow and will periodically clean out the hole. A three-man crew using double-jacks can make much more footage per hour than the combined efforts of three miners each using single-jacks. Much of the efficiency in the double-jack method is related to the force and momentum involved in the swing of a long-handle hammer held with two hands.
Note: Imagine doing this work all day. Before pneumatic drills were developed, these were the best and most efficient ways to drill holes for blasting. These methods were used extensively in early mines and construction sites.
The "Definition of the Month" features words related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. Written by Steve Mulqueen for the VGMS, August 2003.
Illustration of the Month.
Hercules.
The trademark of Hercules Powder, one of many explosives used extensively in the mining industry. Originally made by California Powder Works of Santa Cruz, California. The name "Hercules" was first applied to a powerful form of black powder first made by California Powder Works. This trademark is as it appears on the side of a wooden dynamite box manufactured in the 1920s. Wooden boxes of this type were constructed with good quality wood that was joined together with dovetail joints and nails. The illustration is from a portion of an original (empty) dynamite box.
Black powder was used exclusively in hard-rock mining up to the late 1860s. In 1866, Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, invented dynamite which he later patented. Within a few years, dynamite was well accepted in the mining industry as safer and more efficient than black powder. Dynamite is still widely used in mines today. However, with advances in chemistry since 1866, there are many alternatives to dynamite that are also available for use in the mining industry.
The "Illustration of the Month" features a drawing, sketch, pen & ink rendering or an engraving print rediscovered in books, maps, manuscripts and other sources related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. Written by Steve Mulqueen for the VGMS, August 2003.
Table of Contents.
SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.
COLORBOOK.
S is for . . .
. . . Silver.
Silver is used in photography, chemistry, and jewelry. It is sometimes found in long wires and bundles of wires. These wires are actually cubes that have been stretched out. Color this crystal bundle silver-gray.
. . . Smithsonite.
Smithsonite rarely forms crystals. It is most commonly found in rounded masses like this one. This form is called botryoidal by mineral collectors. Smithsonite can be purple, pink, yellow, and green.
Table of Contents.
VGMS PHOTO ALBUM.
1. Petrified Forest National Park - Steve Mulqueen sitting on tree trunk sections of agatized wood (approx. 4' in diameter). The petrified wood weathers out of the "Petrified Forest" member of the Chinle Formation (Triassic Period). These trees lived during the "Age of the Dinosaurs." Perhaps a dinosaur used this tree to scratch its nose! Photo by Susan Mulqueen.
2. Petrified Forest National Park - A 12' section of agatized wood...Sorry, no collecting! Besides, this one will not just "slip" into one's pocket. Photo by Susan.
3. Petrified Forest National Park - A fractured section of agatized wood. Does this resembles a giant roll of nickels? Photo by Susan.
4. Petrified Forest National Park - Steve Mulqueen standing next to a fractured section of agatized wood. Photo by Susan.
Table of Contents.
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URL of this Page: http://www.vgms.org/bt/vgms0308.htm.