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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
October / November 2003.
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
Our annual cook-out will be October 26th, a few days after the regular meeting. If you have not signed in with Ron Wise, please do so. I will be buying the food and need to know how many to provide for.
Tours of the museum have been slow this fall. Schools are on a tight budget. If you hear of any group, large or small who is interested in a tour, let me know.
Our nominating committee is busy filling the executive roster. If you are asked to be on the Board of Directors, please agree to it. It is a rewarding experience to be in on the workings of the club.
Ray Meisenheimer.
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WORDS TO LIVE BY.
A good home must be made not bought.
It's bad luck to be superstitious.
Accident: A condition in which presence of mind is good, but absence of body is better.
Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
Collected by Wayne Ehlers.
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OCTOBER & NOVEMBER PROGRAMS.
OCTOBER PROGRAM:
A Train Trip From Paris to Beijing (Peking),
By Wayne Ehlers.
Several years ago Marie and I made a trip by chartered train from Paris to Peking across Germany, Poland, Russia, Mongolia, and China. We also took an extension to several cities in China and ended the trip in Hong Kong. It was over 10,000 miles and we were gone for over six weeks. Some special highlights were the Versailles Palace in Paris, Warsaw in Poland including Chopin's home, Moscow including the Kremlin, a gem and mineral museum in Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Lake Biakil, Ulan Bator in Mongolia, visiting a horse farm with an overnight stay in a yurt, many sights in China including the great wall, the summer palace, the forbidden city, Shanghai, the buried army, a boat trip on the Li River, Guangzhou (Canton) and finally Hong Kong. I hope you will find my colored slides of interest and worth seeing. If you have family or friends that would like to see this show bring them to the meeting.
NOVEMBER PROGRAM.
Our November Program will be one of our two Annual Silent Auctions. I've heard some rumors that there will be some good and interesting material there, so mark your calendars to come and place your bids. We also need for you to bring some good material to donate to the silent auction. I also heard rumors that there is going to be pumpkin pie! See you there!!
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PROGRAM REVIEW - September;
Local Fossils: Collecting Sites in our Own Community,
By Jim Brace-Thompson.
Jim Brace-Thompson gave a very nice slide presentation on local fossil collecting sites in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. All sixteen sites in this "virtual fieldtrip" are within easy proximity for convenient day trips by the club or by individuals.
We also had a surprise presentation given by Ron Chegwidden on the Searles Lake, Trona, CA collecting that happens once a year in October. We saw a video of how the collecting was done and then Ron showed us some great specimens that he had collected last year. He's caught the collecting bug and will be going again this year.
Submitted by Nancy Brace-Thompson, Program Chair.
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2003 Meeting Programs.
Following is an outline of programs planned for our monthly meetings through the remainder of 2003.
| Month. | Program. | By Whom. |
|---|---|---|
| October 22: | A Train Trip through Europe and Russia, | Wayne Ehlers. |
| November 12: | Silent Auction, | Club Members. |
| December: | Holiday Dinner, | Club Members. |
Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who have helped us fill our slate of programs for this year. If anyone would like to volunteer to do a presentation in 2004, please let me know and I will pass it on to the new program chair.
Nancy Brace-Thompson, Program Chairperson.
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How about a BBQ? - Yes!!!
The suggestion was made to bring back the Not so annual VGMS BBQ.
The occasion is scheduled for Sunday, October 26.
The place is Arroyo Verde Park in Ventura at 12 Noon.
The club will provide Hotdogs, hamburgers and buns.
You will provide one side dish and the rest of your needs for a picnic.
Do not forget sunscreen, hat and your appetite.
Please RSVP to Ron Wise - 805 647-4393.
This way we will have enough food for more than Jean and myself!
At the present we only have 19 sign ups.
Ron Wise.
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Celery has negative calories. It takes more energy to eat it than the celerey has to begin with.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
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2004 VGMS ELECTIONS ARE UPON US.
Our nominating committee has been hard at work and will be presenting a slate of officers at the October meeting. Be thinking about whom you would like to see on the VGMS 2004 Board and what you would like to do. The more active you are the more fun you have. The Election Schedule is as follows:
October - Nominating Committee presents slate of Officers,
November - Election of Officers,
December - Installation of new Officers.
If you are approached to take an office, please accept or if you aren't approached and would like to be an officer please contact the nominating committee or Ray Meisenheimer. We have a great club that is fun to work with and very educational. It takes everyone's help to keep it that way.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
10-22-03 - VGMS Regular Meeting - 7:30 pm - A Train Trip through Europe & Russia - by Wayne Ehlers.
10-23-03 - Country Store Pricing - 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Museum. Organizing and pricing items for the 2004 Show Country Store. Everyone welcomed; please bring items to donate.
10-25-03 - Porterville Club Field Trip - See "Field Trips are Fun" section for an Invitation to VGMS to join them in looking for Jade.
10-26-03 - VGMS Annual Picnic - Arroyo Verde Park, Ventura. Keep the date open, more details in the next bulletin.
10-27-03 - Lapidary Class - VGMS Museum 7:00 to 9:00 pm. - See article further in Bulletin for details.
11-6-03 - VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Museum. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
11-10-03 - DEADLINE FOR DECEMBER Bulletin Articles to the Editor!
11-15-03 - VGMS Work Shop - Museum - Open - 9-noon.
**11-12-03 - VGMS Regular Meeting - 7:30 pm.
11-16-03 - 2004 VGMS Show Meeting - 2:00 pm - At the home of Jim & Nancy Brace-Thompson, 7319 Eisenhower Street, Ventura.
11-27 to 30-03 - Tri-club Field Trip North Cady Mountains - See "Field Trips are Fun" section for details.
12-4-03 - VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Museum. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
**12-10-03 - VGMS Christmas Party - 6:30 pm - Carrows Restaurant at Harbor Blvd & Seaward in Ventura. There will be more information at the October & November meetings.
**Note these are the 2nd Wednesday of the month.
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2004 SHOW PLANNING
By Jim Brace-Thompson.
By the time you read this, our 2004 Gem, Mineral, Lapidary, & Fossil Show is less than 5 months away! It's time to start pulling pieces together. The more we can accomplish in advance, the smoother set-up will go, leaving everyone more time to work on the individual displays you'll be entering into the exhibits!
Here are a few areas where we can use your help right away:
- Exhibitor Chair needed!!! We still lack an Exhibitor Chair, and this is our most urgent unfinished business for our 2004 Show. Our exhibits are our centerpiece - they're what make the show shine for guests. The Exhibitor Chair is responsible for inviting member and guest exhibitors, mailing and following up on exhibitor forms. (We have mailing lists of past exhibitors, and you can get additional names from our neighboring clubs.) He or she also helps plan the layout of cases, prepares a packet to give exhibitors when they arrive, and oversees exhibitor check-in and registration. I have a full write-up on the position and back-up materials to assist. Please call (659-3577) if interested.
- Stocking our Kids' Booth. Our Kids' Booth was extremely popular at the last Show. We ran through nearly our entire supply of grab bags and prizes! Jean Wise has organized a meeting at 9:00 am, Sat., 10/11, at the Museum to inventory and organize what we have, look through the rock pile for new prizes, and gather donations from club members. Everyone's invited, and refreshments will be provided. Please bring tumbled stones, polished rocks, fossils, limb casts and geodes, rings, necklaces, crystals, shark teeth, and more! If you can't make it to this meeting, please bring donations to our upcoming club meetings.
- Refurbishing our Raffle Prize Case. The case we use to display raffle prizes is starting to fray around the edges. Because we wish to show off raffle prizes to best advantage to tempt folks to purchase raffle tickets, it's time to give the case a facelift. While meeting at the Museum to organize Kids' Booth supplies at 9:00 am, Sat., 10/11, we'll also haul out the case to determine how best to fix it up. Anyone with experience in woodworking and such is asked to lend a hand - we'll need your help!
- Stocking our Country Store. We'll be holding our annual fall stocking and pricing party for the Country Store from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, Thur., 10/23, at the Museum. We encourage everyone to bring items to donate to the Country Store (both rockhounding equipment and general garage sale sorts of goods) and to lend your judgment on the best prices to move our inventory!
- Show planning. At 2:00 pm, Sun., 11/16, we'll hold a Show Planning Meeting at the home of Nancy and Jim Brace-Thompson (7319 Eisenhower St., Ventura; phone 659-3577 for directions). With the busy holiday season in December, this may be our last planning meeting of 2003, so everyone is invited to attend and share ideas and enthusiasm.
We held our most recent Show Planning Meeting on September 21, and I would like to thank all who attended. We accomplished a lot, especially in regards to getting everything lined up for inviting our dealers and for re-stocking our Kids' Booth supplies. Again, my thanks to all who attended, and here's a thank-you in advance to all who will help with our 2004 Show - we need one and all to make it a success!
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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.
CHIPS & BOULDERS.
Clouds Jamboree - are building a rock, gem and minerals show with jewelry, precious stones etc. in Laughlin, NV. Details are on their website http://www.cloudsjamboree.com/.
If members will call their favorite hotel in Laughlin they will be surprised at the reduced rate they will find at this time. You can find all phone numbers on the web page. Here are a couple of things that will help your members get the best hotel rates. When you call your favorite hotel/casino for reservations: tell them you are coming to the rock show. For group rates, tour buses, etc. call Meg McDaniel 702 298-3022, e-mail mmcdaniel@lvcva.com. For Dealer information call 866 558-7719. - Dick Cloud.
Plant your plants and Save your Country Store items - for our 2004 show. We will be having a pricing session at the Museum on October 23rd at 7:00 pm if you would like to come and help or it would be a good time to bring your donations (not plants!!!). Magazines we want to restrict to Gem & Mineral or other hobby magazines. Paper back books; any presents you received that you just can't find room for, boutique items and garage sale items other than clothes (unless they are like new). Give me a call with any questions or if you need pick-up at 805 642-2683 and leave a message if we aren't there. Many thanks - the old saying "your junk is someone else's treasurer" sort of holds true!
For the Kid's (young & old) benefit - California Oil Museum in Santa Paula has a new dinosaur exhibit in the Museum's Main Hall, featuring models of Tyrannosaurus rex and Velociraptor (these are the two dinosaurs made famous by the Jurassic Park movies). The models are carefully detailed life-like scale replicas constructed by designer Dana Huff, a Santa Paula resident. He has donated them to the Museum for permanent display. VGMS also has a Geodes and Nodules display case put in by Steve Mulqueen so you can take a look at it also.
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.
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:
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 $4.00 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!
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Classes For Members.
At our September meeting there was only limited interest in a lapidary class this Fall. It is possible that those interested just were not at the meeting. Last Spring Greg Davis gave us a quick introductory lesson into silversmithing and everyone in the class was very interested. Our workshop is not equipped for teaching silversmithing but Greg brings enough of his own equipment so that everyone can get some idea of what is involved. After that if anyone wants to go further they can enroll in the course offered by the Oxnard Gem and Mineral Club. In addition we will offer some instruction in operating tumblers. This will all be offered on Monday evening between 7 and 9 on October 27th at our workshop at 5019 Crooked Palm Road in Ventura. At the present time we are only scheduling this one meeting but will probably have more meetings if there is enough interest. We will decide that at this meeting. This is your chance to come out and learn about our slab and trim saws, grinding and polishing cabochons, silversmithing, and operating rock tumblers. For those members who haven't seen our museum please come a half hour early and we will have it open. If you want more information or directions please call Greg Davis (647-9214), Ron Wise (647-4393), or Wayne Elhers (482-6830). We hope to see you there.
Wayne Elhers.
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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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SOME THOUGHTS TO PONDER.
Ever Wonder?
Why the sun lightens our hair but darkens our skin?
Why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed?
Why we don't see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
Why "abbreviated" is such a long word?
Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"?
Why is it that to stop Windows 95/98 on your computer, you have to click on "Start"?
Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dish washing liquid is made with real lemons?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a "broker"?
Why is the time with the slowest traffic called "rush hour"?
Why isn't there a mouse flavored cat food?
When dog food is new and improved tasting, who tests it?
Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?
Why do they sterilize the needle for fatal injections?
You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?
If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?
If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport a terminal?
From Athertonian, by Howard Stewart via Del Air Bulletin 3-03.
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS.
Happy Birthday to all those born in November and December. 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!
November - Happy Birthday!!
Betty Stehsel - 5th,
Bob Clement - 9th,
Sharon Markley - 20th,
Susan Cowlishaw - 22nd,
Dorr Thayer - 23rd,
Don Minster - 25th,
Gary Markley - 26th,
Ron Wise - 30th.
The November birthstone is the Topaz and the flower is the Chrysanthemum.
THE MINERAL TOPAZ.
- Chemistry: Al2SiO4(F,OH)3, Aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide.
- Class: Silicates.
- Subclass: Nesosilicates.
- Uses: gemstones and optical properties are useful in industry.
Topaz is a common gemstone that has been used for centuries in jewelry. Its golden brown to yellow color is classic but is confused with the less valuable citrine, which is sold under the name topaz. The blue topaz that is often confused with aquamarine is rarely natural and is produced by irradiating and then heating clear crystals.
The structure of Topaz is controlled by a chain like structure of connected irregular octahedrons. These octahedrons have an aluminum in the middle surrounded by four oxygens. Above and below the aluminum are the hydroxide or fluoride ions. The chains of octahedrons are held together by individual silicate tetrahedrons but it is the octahedron chains that give topaz its crystalline shape. Topaz is the hardest silicate mineral and one of the hardest minerals in nature. However it has a perfect cleavage which is perpendicular to the chains and is caused by planes that break the weaker Al-O, Al-OH and Al-F bonds. None of the stronger Si-O bonds cross these planes. Topaz crystals can reach incredible size of several hundred pounds. Topaz can make very attractive mineral specimens due to their high luster, nice colors and well formed and multifaceted crystals.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
- Color is clear, yellow, orange, red, blue and green.
- Luster is adamantine to vitreous.
- Transparency crystals are transparent to translucent.
- Crystal System is orthorhombic; 2/m 2/m 2/m.
- Crystal Habits include a prismatic crystal with usually two different prisms that produce a rounded or sharp diamond-shaped cross-section. The termination is typically capped by a dome forming a roof like top. Another dome can modify the termination producing a point at the juncture of the two domes. A basal pinacoid can flatten the prisms termination or truncate the top of the domes. The pinacoid, multiple domes and occasionally orthorhombic pyramid faces can produce a complex, multifaceted and well formed termination. Topaz can be granular and massive.
- Cleavage is perfect in one direction, basal.
- Fracture is conchoidal.
- Hardness is 8.
- Specific Gravity is approximately 3.4 - 3.5+ (above average).
- Streak is white.
- Associated Minerals include quartz, tourmalines, micas, brookite, cassiterite and fluorite.
- Other Characteristics: index of refraction is 1.61 - 1.64. Prism faces maybe striated lengthwise.
- Notable Occurrences include Minas Gerias, Brazil; Pakistan; San Diego Co, California; Ural Mountains, Russia; Mexico and the Thomas Range, Utah.
- Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, color, density and hardness.
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.
December - Happy Birthday!!
Alex Brace-Thompson - 20th,
Sandra Butchko - 24th,
Sharlyne Holloway 27th.
The December birthstone is the Turquoise.
THE MINERAL TURQUOISE.
Chemistry: CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8*5(H2O), Hydrated Copper Aluminum Phosphate.
Class: Phosphates.
Uses: as an ornamental stone for carving and jewelry.
Turquoise is a valuable mineral and is possibly the most valuable, non-transparent mineral in the jewelry trade. It has been mined for eons since at least 6000 BC by early Egyptians. Its history also includes beautiful ornamental creations by Native Americans and Persians. Its popularity is still quite strong today. Although crystals of any size are rare, some small crystals have been found in Virginia and elsewhere. Most specimens are cryptocrystalline, meaning that the crystals could only be seen by a microscope. The finest turquoise comes from Iran but is challenged by some southwestern United States specimens. Turquoise is often imitated by "fakes", such as the mineral chrysocolla, and poorer turquoise specimens are often dyed or color stabilized with coatings of various resins. The name comes from a French word which means stone of Turkey, from where Persian material passed on its way to Europe.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
- Color is of course, turquoise, but this color actually varies from greenish blue to sky blue shades.
- Luster is dull to waxy, vitreous in macro-crystals.
- Transparency specimens are opaque.
- Crystal System is triclinic; bar 1.
- Crystal Habits include crystals rarely large enough to see, usually massive, cryptocrystalline forms as nodules and veinlets.
- Cleavage is perfect in two directions, but is not often seen.
- Fracture is conchoidal and smooth.
- Hardness is 5 - 6.
- Specific Gravity is approximately 2.6 - 2.8 (average).
- Streak is white with a greenish tint.
- Associated Minerals are pyrite, limonite, quartz and clays.
- Other Characteristics: color can change with exposure to skin oils.
- Notable Occurances include Arizona and New Mexico, USA; Australia; Iran; Afghanistan and other localities in the Middle East.
- Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, hardness, luster, color and associations.
Copyright 1995 by Amethyst Galleries, Inc. 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.
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HOSPITALITY.
Our September meeting had a great program with our own Jim Brace-Thompson and was blessed with twenty six members, five guests and one pebble pup. The guests included Dorothy Markley, Fred Killany, Steve Rubrecht, Sheri Kranther and Stuart Bloom. The pebble pup was Kevin Berman. We are certainly happy to welcome all our guests and we always enjoy having our pebble pups in attendance. Hope they will join us again. Sorry if we misspelled any names, they are kind of hard to read some times. I was having fun with cars (they seem to be my Achilles heal lately) and was too late for Ron Cheiwidden's film on Trona. I know it is one of his favorites and it is mine also. Hope everyone that was able to attend had a great time and will bring in some of your finds for the meeting and maybe some spares for the Silent Auction! Jim Brace-Thompson was not only our speaker, but he and Nancy brought some very tasty refreshments for everyone's enjoyment. Thank you to you both!
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PUBLIC OUTREACH.
On September 14, Steve and Susan Mulqueen met with John McCulloch who is the webmaster for the Tonopah & Tidewater Railroad (TTRR) website. John scanned Steve's collection of photos, old postcards and documents related to the history of borate mining in the deserts of California. John also imaged a 35mm slide from the Bruno Benson collection. The slide was of the ruins of Sperry Station, a railroad station along the old T & T Railroad route taken by Bruno in 1961. Sperry Station is near the Amargosa River in Sperry Wash between Dumont Dunes and Tecopa, CA. Bruno (now deceased) and Opal Benson traveled to that area many times in search of petrified wood. Thanks Bruno!
You can review the website at http://www.ttrr.org/.
Images digitized on Sept. 14 will not be posted immediately. Look for continuous additions to the website posted each month.
Steve Mulqueen.
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SAFETY,
by Chuck McKie,
CFMS Safety Chairman:
FIRES DURING FUELING OPERATIONS.
I've mentioned some of this before. It is such a serious subject that it bears repeating. In the first case, the (cell) phone was placed on the car's trunk lid during fueling; it rang and the ensuing fire destroyed the car and the gasoline pump.
In the second, an individual suffered severe burns to their face when fumes ignited as they answered a call while refueling their car.
And in the third, an individual suffered burns to the thigh and groin as fumes ignited when the phone, which was in their pocket, rang while they were fueling their car.
You should know that mobile phones can ignite fuel or fumes.
- Mobile phones that light up when switched on or when they ring release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition.
- Mobile phones should not be used at filling stations, or when fueling lawn mowers, boats, etc.
- Mobile phones should not be used, or should be turned off around other materials that generate flammable or explosive fumes or dust (i.e. solvents, chemicals, gases, grain dust, etc.).
To sum it up, here are the Four Rules for Safe Refueling:
- Turn off engine.
- Don't smoke.
- Don't use your cell phone - leave it inside the vehicle and turn it off.
- Don't re-enter your vehicle during fueling.
Bob Rankes of Petroleum Equipment Institute is working on a campaign to try and make people aware of fires as a result of "static electricity" at gas pumps. His company has researched 150 cases of these fires. The results were very surprising:
- Out of 150 cases, almost all of them were women.
- Almost all cases involved the person getting back in their vehicle when the nozzle was still pumping gas. When finished, they went back to pull the nozzle out and the fire started as a result of static.
- Most had on rubber-soled shoes.
- Most men never get back into their vehicles until completely finished. This is why they are seldom involved in these types of fires.
- Don't ever use cell phones when pumping gas.
- It is the vapors that come from the gas that cause the fire, when connected with static charges.
- There were 29 fires where the vehicle was re-entered and the nozzle was touched during refueling from a variety of makes and models. Some resulted in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station and to the customer.
- Seventeen of the fires occurred before, during or immediately after the gas cap was removed and before fueling began.
Mr. Renkes stresses to NEVER get back into your vehicle while filling it with gas. If you absolutely HAVE to get into your vehicle while the gas is pumping, make sure when you get out, to close the door TOUCHING THE METAL, before you ever pull the nozzle out. This way, the static from your body will be discharged before you remove the nozzle.
CFMS Newsletter - October 2003.
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EARTH SCIENCE STUDIES.
The Earth Sciences Committee is again engaged in our Annual Seminar; in April we had an extremely successful meeting at the Desert Studies Center on Zzyzx Rd. near Baker. As usual we had a maximum number of participants (60) and no major complaints so we must be doing something right; but it is my opinion that we serve an extremely agreeable, compatible group of people.
With much regret on both sides, Ray and Florence Meisenheimer felt that due to health concerns, they would no longer be able to continue their contributions to the smooth operation of the committee. They are sorely missed. I don't have anyone to pick on. On behalf of all those, to whose well being and enjoyment Ray and Florence have contributed; for myself as my Mentor, confidant, but more importantly, friend, I can only wish you both the best in whatever endeavors you attempt.
Some new committee members have volunteered to fill the positions of registering applicants. We would like to welcome Audrey Harvey, who will be handling the registrations for Zzyzx and Anna Christiansen for Camp Paradise. Both have done very well for the latest sessions and I'm anticipating contributions from both.
In regards to Camp Paradise - some changes were made for this year which we hope will enable us to continue to present them without or at minimum cost increase. We have not scheduled any field trips, but will have information available for anyone who requests it. There will be no guest speakers in the evenings, but we'll have other programs available if warranted. Each week there will be a featured craft not generally as part of the program. Bob Pevahouse will teach the Basics of Copper Enameling; and Dick Friesen, Stone Carving using mechanical means. During the first week Cheri George will be doing Glass Fusion; and Bural La Rue, Lost Wax Casting in the second period.
If evaluation deems these changes feasible, we will in the future publicize them with the applications, enabling registrants to choose a session which best coincides with their desires.
Elsewhere in the Newsletter applications for Zzyzx will be found. It is my hope that recipients of the Newsletter will pass these on to their Editors to be included in club Newsletters. The session at Zzyzx will be April 11 through 18, and will feature Silver Smithing, Lapidary, Wire Artistry, Soft Stone Sculpture, Bead Stringing and amazing Field Trips to many prime collecting areas in the Eastern Mojave Desert. I highly recommend early registration to ensure a reservation.
In our ongoing efforts to serve a greater group of people, I have reserved the Bascaroni Education Center, located in Big Pine, California (Eastern Sierra) to start another Seminar! As we plan the itinerary for this, our main purpose is to make it family oriented with emphasis on children - ages 8 to 18 - and will endeavor to have hobby related activities structured for their enjoyment and education. We'll also strive to keep the cost at a minimum to make it more accessible to a greater number of people.
A complete description and package will be available no later than the Fall Meeting of CFMS in Fresno. More later....
Cal Clason, ESS Chair.
Editor's Note: There is a Registration Form attached to the back of this bulletin. (Webmaster's Note: Since the application is obsolete it has been removed.)
CFMS Newsletter - October 2003.
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"FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN."
PORTERVILLE GEM CLUB INVITATION TO VGMS FOR JADE FIELDTRIP.
Letter to Ron Wise:
Howdy Ron,
Just heard from my buddy Kevin at the Porterville Gem Club. They've told me to invite the Ventura Club members to this year's jade fieldtrip. Didn't make the monthly meeting so here's the info:
Date: Oct. 25, 2003.
Time: 8:00 am.
Meeting place: Lemon 400 Ranch gate, 1/10 mile south of Reid Ave on Plano St, Porterville. Drive from Ventura is about three hours and they caravan in and lock the gate so you must be there on time.
Things to collect: Several types of jade, serpentine and soapstone for carving. Plans are to bulldoze a new vein for this trip but it all depends on if the ranch gets the work done. This is the site of the old Janoco Jade Mine so if the dozing gets done there should be some good jade found. If the dozing doesn't get done Kevin and I worked a huge cluster of boulders of blue green and white jade mixed with magnetite that polishes well and is available in huge quantities. Also, the old dozed area from last year may yield some good jade hunks if one scratches around. Several of us found some nice lime colored dendritic and dark green jade hunks weighing several pounds in the diggings last time. They may visit a second location nearby too that yields some different jade, often in huge pieces and a little fine soapstone and flowering jade. This second location is on a steep!!!!! hill. The first you can drive right to.
There is a required donation to the club of 10 cents per pound for anything you take home.
Things to bring: Water (this location can be real hot), lunch, TP (no bathrooms in area), tools (hammer, heavy sledges, wedges, bars, safety gear, shovels), spray bottle, knife or nail for jade scratch tests, etc. Don't forget a good hat and sunscreen! Note: This jade is tough. The big boulders broke off most of our wooden handled sledges like matchsticks. I replaced all mine with the new fiberglass reinforced handles and they worked way better.
I'll be up at my ranch at this time and may drive down if I've got the time. If not Ron, have fun.
Mel Hixson.
North Cady Mountains - Basin Road;
Triclub fieldtrip - November 27-30, 2003.
Fieldtrip: The November triclub fieldtrip will be to the Basin Road area of the North Cady Mountains to hunt for Agates, Jasper, Jaspagate, Saginite, Petrified Wood, Fluorite and much more. This should be an interesting and fun fieldtrip. Bob Wheeler from Ridgecrest, who is very knowledgeable about the Cady Mountains area, has offered to guide us for one day. There will also be folks from other clubs in the area at this time. Marion Roberts of the Mother Load Mineral Society said their club will be there. In addition, the Mojave Desert Gem & Mineral Society in Barstow has their show that weekend - a perfect opportunity to pick up materials you may have missed on the fieldtrip.
Directions: After Barstow continue east on interstate highway 15 towards Baker for approximately 43 miles to Basin Road. Basin Road is the next off ramp after Afton Canyon, if you see ZZYZX you missed the turn off. Turn right and continue for one mile to the campsite. Look for Triclub signs.
Camping: We will camp one mile off highway 15 on Basin Road. This will be dry camping in the desert, no water, no toilets, no tables, no firewood, and no fees. Be sure to bring food, water, sunscreen, firewood and camera. Bring a variety of clothing the weather can be warm in the daytime and cool at night.
Wednesday: We plan to be at the campsite on Wednesday the 26, so you will have company if you decide to come out earlier.
Meeting: On Thursday, November 27, we will leave the campgrounds for the collecting site at 9:00 am. The road to the campsite is adequate for cars, trailers and motorhomes. From the campsite to the collecting areas it is about 12 miles the trail is sandy and rutted, we recommend pickups or four wheel drive vehicles.
Tools: You may need:
Shovel;
Sledge hammer;
Gad and/or chisels;
Something to carry rock over rugged terrain back to your vehicle;
Do not forget goggles, mask, hat, sunscreen, water and lunch;
Be warned there is no shade in this area.
Extra time? On the way home you may want to stop in at the Mojave Desert Gem & Mineral Show in Barstow.
Ron Wise, Field Chair Person.
Triclub fieldtrip to Bishop for Garnets,
October 4-5, 2003.
The October fieldtrip to Bishop in the Eastern Sierras for garnets was pronounced a huge success by the leader Don Asher. Three reasons for this good fieldtrip. First, there were twenty-two club members who turned out to dig, hammer and chisel out the elusive garnets. Saturday at the meeting site there were so many vehicles we thought the road had been blocked for some reason. Second, the weatherman cooperated with us and gave us a beautiful warm clear day and made all the hard work bearable. Third, everyone found many nice garnet crystals to take home and put in their displays. Ed Clark told Don Asher he found, actually chiseled out, an excellent garnet crystal that made his trip worth while. Ed also mentioned that Oklahoma beat Iowa State. You will have to see Ed for more information on the game.
We camped one mile outside Big Pine at Baker Creek Campground. Nine happy campers made it to Baker Campground by Friday night and we sat around the campfire and listened to Norb Kinsler play the harmonica. The campground has a small creek running through it and a couple of rockhounds tried to fish but only got a bite or maybe it was a nibble. Saturday night there were several more rockhounds at the campsite socializing around the campfire. Sunday morning was a beehive of activity as we journeyed on to Lone Pine to hunt for Beryl. After a couple of hours everyone was ready to attack the drive home to the Ventura area. Several club members found a few beryl crystals but the crystals are hard to find and even harder to chisel out of the host rock.
Don Asher wants to express many thanks to everyone who turned out for this fieldtrip.
Members in attendance: Troy Robinson, Lee Leighton, Don Minster, Miriam Tetreault, Norbert Kinsler, Ed Clark, Ron & Jean Wise, Gary & Sharon Markley, Jerry, Tracy, Cassie & Jessica Adolf, Sol & Mitty Scarpato, David & Ryan Panaro, Manuel Valdez, Becky Williamson, Don Pomerenke and Don Asher.
Ron & Jean Wise.
Editor's Note: This proves Field Trips are Fun!!! - Thanks for sharing!
Table of Contents.
TRI-CLUB FIELDTRIPS,
2003 Schedule.
| 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.
SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.
MEMBERSHIP.
We are happy to welcome a new member to VGMS, Heidi Mauer. Heidi has been to meetings in the past and was first introduced to the club by Bruno Benson. Please introduce yourselves to Heidi at the next meeting and make her feel welcome. You can contact Heidi at:
Heidi Mauer,
950 Woodland #44,
Ojai, CA 93023,
Tele. 805 649-9012.
Attention New Members (or anyone needing a badge).
Need a Club Badge?
Blue Engravers is giving us a $.50 reduction per badge
for advertising space in the club bulletin!
Ventura County Shape badge $11.28 (includes. tax & ship).
ACCOUNT: Ventura Gem and Mineral Society, Inc.
Name (print clearly. It will be on your name badge):
_____________________________________________
Address:
_____________________________________________
_______________________________Zip:____________
Make check payable to and mail to (takes 5-7 business days):
Blue Engravers,
1375 Caspian Ave.,
Long Beach, CA 90813.
If ordering more than 2 badges call them for exact shipping
costs at (562) 983-5140, FAX (562) 983-5146,
E-mail BLUEGRAVR@aol.com.
Table of Contents.
VGMS MINUTES.
Minutes of the VGMS Regular Monthly Meeting,
Wednesday, September 24, 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, September 24, 2003 in the Bijou Room of the Lexington, 5440 Ralston, Ventura, Ca. The group was led in the salute to the flag.
The July regular meeting and board meeting minutes were corrected and then m/s/p as shown in the bulletin. Guests Dorothy Markley, Fred Kidllary, Steve Rubuecht, Sheri Kranther and Kevin Berman were welcomed.
Ray asked for but received no old business.
New business:
Richard Bromser gave the treasurer's report.
Nancy Brace-Thompson. - Next month's program will be a slide presentation to Bejing offered by Wayne Ehlers.
Jim Brace-Thompson. - Sunday's show meeting went well, but an exhibitor chairperson is still needed. The next show meet for our 2004 show will be November 16th at the Brace-Thompson's house at 2:00 and plenty of flyers have been printed and are available for distribution at other shows. There will be an inventory of goods at the museum and to refurbish the show awards case on October 11th.
Ron Wise. - The Club picnic has been scheduled for Sunday, October 26th, 12 noon, at Arroyo Verde Park in Ventura. Just look for the club flag about midway in the park. Bring a chair and the hot dogs will be provided by the club. You can pretty much figure on a very relaxing and enjoyable time with perfect weather during this time of year, so mark your calendars. See you there. The trip to Lone Pine is still on for October 3-6 and the Cady Mtn. trip (November 27-30) will coincide with the Barstow show on that weekend.
Florence Meienheimer reported that Lois Allmen will be installed as CFMS President in Visalia in November.
Shirley Layton - reminded everyone that the October and November bulletins will be combined and that the 10th of the month is again the deadline for articles to be submitted.
Wayne Ehlers asked for a show of hands of those interested in another Fall cab class. If you are interested, mention it at a meeting or call Wayne or Greg to let them know and a schedule will be worked out. Also, other classes can be arranged if anyone would like to head a demonstration in their favorite aspect of our hobby.
Steve Mulqueen mentioned the Trona show coming October 11th & 12th and flyers were made available to the club.
Jim Brace-Thompson next presented an in-depth slide presentation of 16 important fossil locations within close proximity to our club members. It included sites from Lompoc to Cuyama to Simi and was extremely well done. There was also a slide program provided by Ron Chegwidden introducing us to the Trona Show and it's field trips. Very informative for those of us who will be attending for the first time next month.
Ray Meisenheimer reminded us that the October meeting will involve presenting nominations for our board member positions (and nominations can still be offered at this time). The next Board meeting will be October 2nd, all are welcomed to attend and the next regular meeting will be October 22nd.
Door prizes were awarded and refreshments were provided by Jim and Nancy Brace-Thompson.
There being no further business, Ray adjourned the meeting at 9:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Greg Davis.
Minutes of the VGMS Board Meeting,
October 2, 2003:
The regular board meeting of the VGMS was called to order by President Ray Meisenheimer at 7:30 pm on Thursday, October 2, 2003, at the VGMS Museum, 5019 Crooked Palm Rd., Ventura, CA.
Present: Ray Meisenheimer, Richard Bromser, Shirley Layton, Sharon Markley, Wayne Ehlers, Steve Mulqueen, and Jim & Nancy Brace-Thompson.
Richard Bromser: Treasurer's report was m/s/c. Following a continued discussion from the last board meeting concerning moving club funds into a one-year U.S.Bond for better interest, it was m/s/c for Richard to transfer the funds.
Shirley Layton: The next bulletin will be a combined October/November one. Bulletin articles are requested by October 6th, 2003. Shirley received an e-mail from Clouds Jamboree in Laughlin, NV regarding discounts for hotels during the show. Shirley will have the information in the up-coming bulletin.
Sharon Markley: It was m/s/c to accept club member application from Heidi Mauer. The nominating committee had a meeting and they did have some luck but they are still looking for a President and a 1st Vice President (program chair) for 2004.
Wayne Ehlers: Brought in 200 empty grab bags that Marie had sown for filling. He also talked about having classes in not just cabochon making but silver smithing and rock tumbling. The classes will begin on Monday October 27th.
Steve Mulqueen: On Saturday October 18th, there will be a work party to put new plastic on the roof. Steve has sent in some of his and Bruno's pictures to the Tonopah and Tidewater website.
Jim Brace-Thompson: The planning for the show is going smoothly. Jim is waiting for the contract from the fairgrounds. He brought in extra show flyers for anyone going to a show or who would like to pass them out. There will be a Country Store pricing gathering on Thursday October 23rd at 7:00 pm at the museum.
Nancy Brace-Thompson: The rest of the year programs are set with Wayne Ehlers in October, Silent Auction in November and the Christmas dinner in December.
Ray Meisenheimer: He has had two calls from groups. One will be coming to the museum for a tour and Ray will go to the school to give a talk. A science teacher at Buena is needing some rocks identified. Ray and Steve will look into it. Ray has received two keys for the large case at the Ventura government center. Oxnard will use the case from now until the middle of November (after the show), then VGMS will have from mid-November and mid-March and then Conejo will have it until after their show in May. The other months still need to assigned.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Nancy Brace-Thompson for Greg Davis.
Table of Contents.
AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.
- I will respect both private and public property and will do no collecting on privately owned land without permission from the owner.
- I will keep informed on all laws, regulations and rules governing collecting on private lands and will observe them.
- I will, to the best of my ability, ascertain the boundary lines of property on which I plan to collect.
- I will use no firearms or blasting materials in collecting areas.
- I will cause no willful damage to property of any kind, such as fences, signs, buildings, etc.
- I will leave all gates as found.
- I will build fires only in designated or safe places and will be certain they are completely extinguished before leaving the area.
- I will discard no burning materials - matches, cigarettes, etc.
- I will fill all excavation holes which may be dangerous to livestock.
- I will not contaminate wells, creeks, or other water supplies.
- I will cause no damage to collecting material and will take home only what I can reasonably use.
- I will practice conservation and undertake to utilize fully and well the materials I have collected and will recycle my surplus for the pleasure and benefit of others.
- I will support the Rockhound Project H.E.L.P. (Help Eliminate Litter Please) and will leave all collecting areas devoid of litter, regardless of how found.
- I will cooperate with Field Trip Leaders and those in designated authority in all collecting areas.
- I will report to my Club or Federation Officers, Bureau of Land Management, or other proper authorities, any deposit of petrified wood or other material on public lands which should be protected for the enjoyment of future generations and for public educational and scientific purposes.
- I will appreciate and protect our heritage of Natural Resources. I will observe the "Golden Rule", will use Good Outdoor Manners and will at all times conduct myself in a manner which will add to the stature and Public Image of Rockhounds everywhere.
AFMS Newsletter - March 2001.
Table of Contents.
NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY
COLORADO RIVER CLEAN UP.
Dear Potential Volunteer,
The Bureau of Land Management Needles Field Office invites you to volunteer and participate in our National Public Lands Day project on the Colorado River on Saturday, October 25, 2003. In recognition of the 19th Annual National Public Lands Day, the event will begin Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. at Jack Smith Park in Needles, CA and end in the afternoon with a cook-out at the park and educational programs.
This year, the Bureau of Land management, Needles and Lake Havasu Field Offices, the City of Needles, Moabi Regional Park, Havasu Wildlife Refuge and other local agencies are cooperating on a National Public Lands Day Colorado River clean-up. Volunteers will be cleaning up beaches and river access points along the Colorado River between Topock and Needles. There will be several groups assigned to different clean-up areas such as: Jack Smith Park, BLM beaches south of the park, areas in Havasu Wildlife refuge, Park Moabi, and Fort Mojave tribal lands north of the Needles bridge.
National Public Lands Day is the largest hands-on volunteer effort in the United States. Last year, nearly 70,000 volunteers across the country participated in the event at 426 sites. Across the country, the effort will bring together thousands of volunteers to refurbish and restore the public sites they use for recreation, education, and just plain enjoyment. These lands are not just the majestic national parks, remote wilderness areas, and marine sanctuaries we see in postcards and movies. They also encompass places like the Colorado River corridor that are managed by governmental agencies -- but belong to and are enjoyed by all of us.
We hope this project is of sufficient interest to your organization to generate your support. Please contact us and let us know how you can help celebrate National Public Lands Day by donating money, food, recognition items for volunteers, or your time to provide "Helping Hands for America's Public Lands".
For additional information on the National Public Lands Day project call Alicia Rabas at (760) 326-7000 or e-mail Alicia_Rabas@ca.blm.gov. Please contact us to pre-register your volunteers or to make a donation. Thank you for your interest and consideration.
Sincerely, Nancy Golden, Acting Field Office Manager.
To learn more and download your Volunteer agreement form, go to the web site-http://www.ca.blm.gov/needles/npldo3.html. From the Webmaster: I was unable to access this link unless I left off the page "npldo3.html". Maybe you'll have better luck.
CFMS NEWSLETTER-OCTOBER 2003.
Table of Contents.
THE PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES ACT,
PROTEST H.R. 2416 and S.546 by phone - free.
Call toll free to let your Congressman know you want HR2416 and S.546, the Paleontological Resources Preservation Acts defeated!
These members should be lobbied again and again by your calls and letters (on these bills that are in House committees awaiting further action before they can be passed out of committee and on to the House floor for a vote).
1-800-839-5276.
When you call, ask for the Congressman office at which you wish to leave a message - they will connect you quite quickly - Leave your name, address and message that you wish the House members to work for the defeat of both these bills. Call often - not just once.
You may also call your Senators and let them know how displeased you are that S546 was allowed to pass the Senate and to please ensure that if a similar bill is re-introduced in the next session of Congress that he/she vote against its passage.
If we succeed in stopping HR2416 in the House this time, you can be assured that a similar bill will be introduced again early in the next session of Congress.
Robert Cranston - ALAA.
CFMS NEWSLETTER-OCTOBER 2003.
Table of Contents.
SKUNK DEODORANT RECIPE.
Occasionally, we, or one of our pets, have the unfortunate opportunity to meet up with the wrong end of a furbearer known as the striped skunk. As a result of this critter's chemical defense, we, or Tabby or Rover, the car, the basement, the garage, or anything in the area ends up with the worst smelling, clinging, objectionable odor known to man permeating our nostrils.
We all have probably tried Grandma's or someone else's favorite skunk essence remover, including good old tomato juice, which may cut into the outer layer of the problem, but we know, and anyone who comes within 20 feet of the sprayee knows, the smell lingers on.
Now, a chemist from the Midwest by the name of Paul Krebaum, has developed a safe, fast, and cheap recipe for removing skunk odor. Here it is:
1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide,
1/4 cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate),
1 teaspoon of liquid soap.
By mixing the above together in a plastic bucket and washing the infected object, including man or beast, but keeping the solution away from eyes, noses, and mouths - the skunk odor should immediately disappear!!!
P.S. I just had an incident where the peroxide recipe was put to the test - it does really work!
By Bill Gooch, Del Air Bulletin, March 2003.
Table of Contents.
HINTS & TIPS FOR ROCKHOUNDS
(Use at your own risk).
Petrified Wood should be cut lengthwise of the grain. This produces a more varied pattern.
Sometimes, cutting with the grain can give good patterns, but this is not likely nor usually the case.
Many lovely limb sections are ruined by slicing like bologna. If they are cut diagonally and polished to show more of the grain, it is much better. The limb itself is a novelty and just by polishing one end adds much to its beauty. - South Bay Agatizer via The Rock Slab News 10-03.
Hard Stones should be polished on a fast wheel, while softer ones should be on a slower wheel. If the speed of the wheel can't be varied, polish the softer ones close to the center, or hub of the wheel and the harder stones on the outside, where the speed of inches per second is greater. - South Bay Agatizer via The Rock Slab News 10-03.
When Pyrite specimens need to be clean, first wash it carefully in water. Then to make it look nice & brassy, put it in a plastic bowl deep enough to cover with vinegar. Turn the piece frequently until it looks clean & shiny. Rinse with water & dry on a paper towel. - Rock City News via The Rock Slab News 10-03.
Another Pyrite & Marcasite tip. - Freshen pyrite and marcasite by soaking them overnight in a solution of oxalic acid. Use two ounces of dry acid to a quart of water. - Petrograph 1-97 via Del Air Bulletin 3-03.
Table of Contents.
2003 CFMS CLUB SHOWS.
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. Hours: 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 Frwy. Hours: 10-5 both days. Admission is free with admission to the museum. Museum admission is: 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.
The Midwest, South Central, California, Northwest and Rocky Mountain Federations have already held their 2003 Conventions and shows.
Table of Contents.
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.
Many thanks to Wayne for spearheading the classes and to Ron & Greg for helping out. They are a great footstep into our hobby.
 |
| Trili - The Editor's Pet Trilobite. |
Table of Contents.
CFMS 2004 Show in Mariposa.
Table of Contents.
SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.
EDUCATIONAL CORNER.
Definition of the Month.
Mastodon:
One of a group of extinct mammals that resemble the elephant and are widely distributed in the fossil record in the Northern Hemisphere. Mastodons range in geologic age from Oligocene to the Pleistocene. They differ from the mammoths and other true elephants in the structural make-up of their teeth and in distinct differences in their bones. Fossil Mastodon teeth are low-crowned and have closed roots.
Mammoth:
Another extinct group of elephant-like mammals of the genus Mammuthus that lived during the Pleistocene epoch and are now preserved as fossils. Mammoths had ridged molars which were quite distinguishable from that of the Mastodon.
The "Definition of the Month" features words related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. Written by Steve Mulqueen for the VGMS, October 2003.
Illustration of the Month.
Mastodon americanus.
From the book "Lehrbuch der Geologischen Formationskunde", written by Dr. Emanuel Kayser, published by Verlag von Ferdinand Enke, Stuttgart, Germany, 1902, page 578.
The "Illustration of the Month" features a drawing, sketch, pen & ink rendering or an engraving print rediscovered in old books, maps or manuscripts related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. Written by Steve Mulqueen for the VGMS, October 2003.
Table of Contents.
COLORBOOK.
U is for . . .
. . . Ulexite.
When a cut and polished piece of ulexite is placed over writing, it appears that the writing is on the top of the specimen! This is why some people call it "Television Stone." Ulexite can be white, colorless, or gray.
. . . Uraninite.
Uraninite is a mineral which contains the radioactive element uranium. Uranium is very important as a source of energy in nuclear reactors. It is black and shiny.
Table of Contents.
VGMS PHOTO ALBUM.
1) Shawne Lardin at the Costa Mesa Gem & Mineral Show, May 2000, holding Mars Meteorite LA001 (452.6 grams) found by Robert Verish. - Photo furnished by Shawne.
2) AFMS/CFMS show - June 6, 2003, Santa Barbara Astronomer, Dale Loudermilk and JPL Geologish Robert Verish examining a possible "meteor-right". - Photo furnished by Shawne Lardin.
3) Ed Clark, Andrew and Matthew Beinar looking for fish fossils at Jalama Beach.
4) The Beinar "fossil hunters" with their stash!
Table of Contents.
Earth Science Studies Zzyzx Application.
The application has been removed since it's obsolete.
Table of Contents.
Return to the Rockhound Rambling Center.
You may also go to the VGMS Home Page.
Webmaster: James A. Layton,
URL of this Page: http://www.vgms.org/bt/vgms0310.htm.