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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
August 2004.

Table of Contents.

• PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE;
• WORDS TO LIVE BY;
• EDITORS NOTE 1;
• When you feel dog tired;
• THIS IS THE WINNING VGMS FAIR CASE;
• PROGRAM - AUGUST 25, 2004: "Fair Experiences";
• Review - July Program: "Fluorescent Minerals";
• 2004 VGMS ANNUAL PICNIC, August 22, 2004;
• MARK YOUR CALENDARS;
• Congratulations to Jim Brace-Thompson;
• CHIPS & BOULDERS;
• WEB SITES;
• The club;
• Program Schedule for Monthly Meetings;
• SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS;
• HOSPITALITY;
• COMMUNITY OUTREACH;
• Mornin' On the Desert;
• EARTH SCIENCE STUDIES;
• "FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN";
• Rockhounding by Geology by C. E. Johnson;
• Tomorrow is not promised;
• APACHE TEARS By Shirley Greenberg;
• You may live without;
• MEMBERSHIP;
• VGMS MINUTES;
• HOW ABOUT A 182-Carat Diamond;
• HINTS & TIPS FOR ROCKHOUNDS-(Use at your own risk);
• Lawsuit To Challenge New Forest Service Regulations;
• List of Web Site Addresses for Important Mineral Shows;
• SHOW DATES;
• EDITOR'S NOTE 2;
• It's been one of those summers;
• EDUCATIONAL CORNER July 2004, Corrected;
• EDUCATIONAL CORNER;
• FIRE & ICE WORD GAME;
• VGMS PHOTO ALBUM.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

I am proud of the efforts of our members towards the success of the exhibits in the Gem & Mineral Building at the 2004 Ventura County Fair. We had 18 VGMS members who entered exhibits related to rocks, minerals and fossils. This has to be a new record for participation. Many of those who entered exhibits were rewarded with ribbons and trophies. Congratulations!

We also had several members who volunteered their time in the Gem & Mineral Building before, during and after the Fair. As members of the VGMS, this effort is one of our best forms of Public Outreach. Thank you to all those who gave their time and made the 2004 Ventura County Fair another great success.

Our next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 25th. We will have a discussion of the Ventura County Fair. Please plan on bringing a few of the prized specimens that were exhibited and don't forget to show your ribbons and trophies.

Steve Mulqueen,
President, VGMS.

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WORDS TO LIVE BY.

Enthusiasm is nothing more or less than faith in action.

Whatever you are, be a good one.

Resolve to be a master of change rather than a victim of change.

Middle age is when your broad mind and narrow waist begin to change places.

Collected by Wayne Ehlers.

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EDITORS NOTE 1.

I have to confess to two mistakes from last month! The first being on Steve Mulqueen's Educational Corner - you may have noticed the definition looked familiar (it was from June). Sorry to you readers and to Steve. The correct one is in this edition along with a new one for August, so you will have the privilege of two this month. (Good Volunteers are hard to find!)

The other mistake was my failure to acknowledge that the July photos were furnished by Wayne Ehlers, taken on his and Marie's "multi-thousand-mile" trip this spring. Thanks for sharing those Wayne, what a trip that was and hope to hear more about it.

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When you feel dog tired at night,
It may be because you growled all day.
Sacred Heart Cookbook.

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THIS IS THE WINNING VGMS FAIR CASE.

Congratulations are in order for the outstanding duo of Florence and Ray Meisenheimer who assembled the VGMS award winning "Best Society Case". They got a 1st place and a trophy for the Best Society Case. As you can see (better in color, check out the website!) it was beautiful. Thanks for your hard work, as always, in getting the case in and the good PR for VGMS. Thanks also to Ron Wise for the photo.

In addition to the Best Society Case we have MANY members to be proud of! Richard Bromser was kind enough to compile a list of members who were Ribbon (1st, 2nd & 3rd) winners in the Gem & Mineral / Hobbies Building.

Winning Pebble Pups are:
     Chloe Baer - Four 1st's, two 2nd's and Trophy for "Youth Best Single Item".
     Anthony Beinar - Two 1st's.
     Matthew Beinar - One 1st.

Winning Members are:
     Jim Brace-Thompson - Six 1st's, three 2nd's and Trophy for "Best Specimen".
     Ed Clark - One 1st, two 3rd's.
     Greg Davis - Three 2nd's.
     Valli Davis - One 1st.
     Wayne Ehlers - Two 1st's, two 2nd's.
     Marie Ehlers - One 1st, one 2nd.
     Marie Haake - Three 2nd's, two 3rd's.
     David Mautz - Eleven 1st's, nine 2nd's, seven 3rd's.
     Emma Mayer - One 2nd.
     Ray Meisenheimer - Two 1st's, one 2nd.
     Florence Meisenheimer - One 1st.
     Don Minster - Two 1st's, three 2nd's, two 3rd's.
     Steve Mulqueen - One 2nd.
     Ron Wise - Two 1st's, one 2nd, one 3rd.
     Jean Wise - Two 2nd's, one 3rd.

Richard also wanted to thank our members who were Demonstrators during the Fair - Wayne Ehlers, Ed Clark and David Mautz. He also wanted to thank all our members for supporting the Fair with entries and doing volunteer work: setting up - taking entries - clerking - floor walking and tear down. (Please contact Shirley Layton if there are any errors or omissions and we will make it up next month.)

In addition to the Gem & Mineral / Hobbies we had a winner in the Floricultural Exhibits as well. Susan Mulqueen won two 1st's and two 2nd place ribbons. One of the ribbons was for a cutting Marie Ehlers gave Susan a few years ago. Thanks Steve for sharing this information also.

VGMS is, and should be, very proud of their hard working and talented members. We have a wonderful group and I for one am proud to be a member! - Editor.

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PROGRAM - AUGUST 25, 2004:
"Fair Experiences".

Bring your trophies, ribbons and exhibits to the meeting and share with everyone. It was a Great Fair to Share! There was so much to see, that one surely missed something. Let us know your favorite and most fun exhibits. As you can see with all the winners and workers (observers too!) we had at the Fair this should be lively meeting!

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Review - July Program:
"Fluorescent Minerals".

Ed Clark presented a great Program on July 28th on "Fluorescent Minerals". He had a beautiful collection with him that he has gathered over several years. He had Ultra Violet short wave and long wave lights set up and demonstrated how some fluoresced under both, but in different colors. One tidbit of important information was that bees can see UV light, but we can't! The uses for the UV lighting were most interesting as well as the beautiful display of rocks (in the dark)! Public activities use fluorescent pens for re-entry into their area. They don't leave the black mark on your skin, but show up under the UV lighting. The postal service uses them to sort mail, long wave for the bar codes and short wave for the stamps. One of my favorite ones was the Septarian Nodule, which I had no idea would fluoresce, and was beautiful. Most fluoresce with short wave, but you must be careful not to look into the light, as it will burn your eyes. Ed advised that around the Franklin, New Jersey area was one of the best places for fluorescing material. For those that weren't able to attend, you missed a good one. Maybe we can talk Ed into doing it again one day! Thanks, Ed.

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2004 VGMS ANNUAL PICNIC,
August 22, 2004.

Are you ready for the Picnic on August 22nd. We won't have another meeting before it, so if you have questions give Ray Meisenheimer or any Board Member a call. It will be held at Arroyo Verde Park (at the end of Day Road on Telegraph). The time is 11:00 am. The club will furnish the hotdogs, hamburgers and buns. You will need to bring a side dish (enough for your family plus 4) along with your table settings, drinks, etc. Last year we had to cancel due to the fires, so we are going to try again! I heard a rumor about a white elephant auction! Hope to see you there! If you bring an Elephant we will auction it off!

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

8-22-04 - VGMS Annual Picnic - 11:00 am - Arroyo Verde Park, Ventura. More details above.
8-25-04 - VGMS Regular Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Lexington. "Sharing of Fair Exhibits, experiences & trophies."
9-2-04 - VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Museum. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
9-10-04 - DEADLINE FOR SEPTEMBER Bulletin Articles to the Editor!
9-16-04 - Museum Relocation Meeting - 7:30 pm - Home of Steve and Susan Mulqueen. Your help is needed!
9-18-04 - VGMS Work Shop - Museum - Open - 9-noon.
9-22-04 - VGMS Regular Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Lexington. Silent Auction headed by Greg Davis.

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Congratulations to Jim Brace-Thompson!

Congratulations to our own Jim Brace-Thompson, who was honored at the American Federation Show in New York for his work with young people, and for the new program he has put together. It is the merit program for youth.

Florence Meisenheimer. (Editor's Note: We will have an outline of Jim's Program in next month's bulletin. It would be great to put it in place in our own club!).

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

CHIPS & BOULDERS.

Museum Relocation - As you are aware, we need to find a new home for our Museum and Workshop. Steve Mulqueen is having meetings at his home the third Thursday of every month at 7:30 pm to work on this. Everyone's efforts and input is needed and appreciated. They have come up with a very nice packet that you can present to anyone who you think may be a viable source for a new home. It speaks of the purpose of VGMS and the contribution it makes to the community along with some good pictures of the Museum. Please keep your eyes and ears open and if you have any ideas please contact Steve Mulqueen. He will be happy to get a packet to you for your use.

Grit price list for club members available during monthly workshops or by arranging a meet time with any board member.

Call for Silent Auction Materials for the September meeting. Donate those duplicate mineral specimens from your collection. All is greatly appreciated. Call Greg Davis at 805 647-9214 or just bring them to the meeting on September 22nd. Thanks.

Hosts and Hostesses Schedule for 2004 Meetings - Sharon Cunningham has kindly agreed to coordinate the Hosting schedule again for 2004. The schedule is as follows:
     August: Emma Mayer,
     September: Valli Davis,
     October: Sharon Cunningham,
     November: Pumpkin Pies - by all great volunteers!
Many thanks to all the volunteers.

VGMS Business Cards Available - You can get them printed with the VGMS logo, 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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WEB SITES.

AFMS website - http://www.amfed.org/,
CFMS website - http://www.cfmsinc.org/,
CA BLM website - http://www.ca.blm.gov/.

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The club.

Have you ever asked, "What can I do to make my club better or more fun?" I asked myself that very question over two years ago when I retired. I wrote this little poem about my experiences at the club in these last two years. I hope it encourages some new rockhounds to hang in there and keep having fun, learning and finding a job you can do to better in the club.

THE CLUB.
I joined this club to have lots of fun;
To learn new things from everyone.
There are folks here who know so much.
With those folks, I try to stay in touch.
They're kind, generous and willing to teach.
Out to them, I wholeheartedly reach.
They laugh and tease with their faces aglow.
They're the kind of folks, I'm glad to know.
I try to learn from them and attempt things new.
I find they're the workers, the ones who "do".

A few others though are nothing but talk;
At every new thing, they just gripe and balk.
They complain and murmur without a cause.
It's "their" club so they break all the laws.
When it's time for work they're seldom around.
But when the club isn't cleaned their complaints abound.
They're always happy to give a piece of their mind.
(I wonder if they can spare it.) You know the kind?

I've chosen to be a doer and just plain have fun.
Help when I can and greet everyone.
If some aren't friendly or growl at me,
I pay no attention and from them flee.
You can enjoy the club and give it your best;
Join in the classes and work with the rest.
I don't know 'bout you, but I'm having a ball.
How nice a club it becomes is really YOUR CALL!

Carole McMichael,
Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Bulletin - August 2004.

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Program Schedule for Monthly Meetings,
Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, 2004.

In the absence of a Program Chairman for the year 2004, the President is asking for volunteers to take responsibility for planning a program for at least one of the monthly meetings. Any vacancies remaining after this request will be filled by appointment.

*The designated "Speaker" is responsible for one of the following options during the assigned meeting:
     Present a lecture;
     Invite a guest speaker, introduce him/her at the meeting;
     Present a video related to our hobby.
          Steve Mulqueen, President.


Please Note: A good source for programs if you have signed up for a month and need material is the CFMS Slide and Video Library. Florence Meisenheimer should have the full list available or the CFMS website would also be of help.

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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 805-717-9226 and leave a message if I'm not there or an email will also do the trick, jns@west.net. Thanks!

September - Happy Birthday!!
     Ray Meisenheimer - 1st,
     G. Allen Hodges - 5th,
     Liz Brashears - 13th,
     Myrle Kirk -27th,
     Susan Mulqueen - 27th,
     Allie Buck - 30th.

The September birthstone is the Sapphire and the flower is the Aster.

GEMS OF SEPTEMBER
     were traditionally sapphire or chrysolite (olivine/peridot). The modern assignation is still sapphire, although mystical assignments have been made to agate and aventurine. If you check the astrological stones, Virgo (August 23-September 22) has jasper, carnelian, jade and sapphire for birthstones and citrine as a planetary stone. Libra (September 23-October 22) has opal and lapis lazuli for birthstones and sapphire as a planetary stone.

Sapphire has more mystery and legend surrounding it than most stones. The ancient Persians believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire whose reflection gave the sky its color. You needed a sapphire to consult oracles or spiritual guides. It is supposed to provide calm, strengthen positive beliefs and bring good luck. Sapphires were worn by kings as a powerful defense against harm.

The six-sided crystals of corundum form in pegmatitic and metamorphic rocks and can be any color as well as the cornflower blue we love, all vivid or gentle shades of pink, gold, violet, orange, dark green, lemon yellow, and the brilliant pink-orange called Padparadshah.

     A maiden born when autumn leaves
     Are rustling in September's breeze,
     A sapphire on her brow should bind,
     'Twill cure diseases of the mind.

Lapis Lazuli/Lazurite, the only gem rock, is considered by some to be formed of at least a half a dozen feldspathoids that form in alkaline rocks with low silica instead of feldspars. This deep blue variety of lazurite (which is translucent with dull luster) has a hardness of 5-5 1/2, is a sodium aluminum silicate with chlorine and some sulphur (Na,Ca)₈[SO₄,S,Cl)₂(AlSiO₄)₆]. It is similar to Sodalite, another sodium aluminum silicate with chlorine, no sulphur, Na₈Al₆Si₆O₂₄Cl₂. They are distinguished by the presence of pyrite inclusions in lapis lazuli. Lapis may be any shade of blue from sky-blue, greenish blue, to even royal or dark blue. It has a blue streak. Sodalite may have yellow, green and red veins and has a colorless streak.

Lapis was found in the crystallized limestones of Afghanistan, according to legend, 5,000 years ago. The earliest material was not uniformly gem quality, but it has always been considered an excellent ornamental jewel. It was the official stone of the dynasties of the Nile 2,000 years ago, highly valued by the ancient Pharaohs and used for royal seals, rings and jewelry. It was also powdered for medicines, makeup and paint. The older traditions attributed good luck, love, power and wealth to those who wore it next to their skin. It is the face mask of the young King Tut. Lapis is found on Greek figures dating to 1,200 BC on Chilean ornaments of 2,000 years ago.

Chips, 9/99 via Petrified Log, 9/03.

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HOSPITALITY.

The July meeting was blessed with 18 members and two guests. Being summer, people are going all directions so pickings are sort of slim which is too bad as we had a wonderful, fun program. We were happy to have guests Patrick Neunuebel and Marian Tetreault with us. We hope to see them again soon. Marian is the Bulletin Editor of the Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society and we were very happy to have her join us. There were several door prizes won by the lucky ones! Sharlyne Holloway and Shirley Layton furnished the refreshments for the evening, which were enjoyed by all! Hope all who are traveling do it safely and have lots of fun and good finds!

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

August 1st Ray Meisenheimer gave a tour of the museum to the Pebble Pup group from Conejo Gem & Mineral Club. He then helped them identify fossils and minerals they planned to exhibit in the County Fair. Three adults accompanied the children.

Contributed by Florence Meisenheimer.

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Mornin' On the Desert.

(Found written on the door of an old cabin on the desert.)

Contributed by Steve Mulqueen.

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EARTH SCIENCE STUDIES.

The Earth Science Studies at Big Pine were cancelled due to lack of interest.

Camp Paradise first week is filled, but as of last report the second week needs a lot more participants. (Registration form was in our July Bulletin.)

The 2005 Earth Science Studies at ZZYZX will be the 20th year. On Saturday there will be a barbeque and tour of the facilities by a park ranger. It should be an interesting time. The dates are April 3-10, 2005 - Florence Meisenheimer.

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"FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN."

TRI-CLUB FIELD TRIP:
COAL OIL POINT,
July 10, 2004.

After months of June Gloom, ten Tri-Club fossil collectors (and five visitors from the Woodland Hills Rock Chippers) were ecstatic to be at the beach on the first sunny day of the summer. Joining us at the beautiful beach were beach walkers, cyclists, surfers and sunbathers from the Isla Vista area.

The good news is that there are millions of fossilized shells in the cliffs above the beach. The bad news is that it takes only about fifteen minutes to get a stiff neck looking up at them as you wield your long stick to coax the shells out of the dirt and clay. After walking further up the beach, though, we found plenty of shells within easy reach without the stick.

With little effort, most people had a bag-full of the shells. VGMS fossil man, David Mautz, has thus far identified 15 subspecies of gastropods, 9 of pelecypods and 2 miscellaneous. So, if you want to go looking for fossils, take David along!
     Jean Wise.

TRI-CLUB FIELDTRIPS 2004:
Tentative Schedule.
Contact fieldtrip leader to confirm that there is a fieldtrip scheduled.

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

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

Rockhounding by Geology
by C. E. Johnson.

This article is to introduce rockhounds to a new dimension to their usual practices and hopefully enhance their discoveries and enjoyment by making their own discoveries.

This can be accomplished simply by understanding how to choose the most favorable areas to explore by using geologic maps, and learning some simple basic facts about the nature of minerals occurrences. These articles will tell you how to do that.

The maps are easily available to anyone, as shown below; and this article explains the basic premise on which all minerals ORIGINATE (many things happen to them once they are "born", creating new and different minerals under different circumstances).

Minerals actually occur everywhere simply because minerals come from rocks and rocks are everywhere; but of course, not every rock formation contains valuable minerals, but the kinds of minerals that occur and where they occur, depends very much on the kinds of rock formations, and Geologic maps show rock formations.

My best advice to rockhounds, in a few words, is to explore the areas shown on the maps as "intrusive igneous rocks", or more specifically shown as Granite, Granodiorite, Monzonite, Diorite, Syenite, or Pegmatite. This group of "intrusive" formations is loosely referred to as the "granite-family". Any collectible minerals there will be in the rocks that have been intruded into, around the edges of the intrusive igneous rock exposures and sometimes also actually in those "intrusive igneous" rock formations themselves.

All those types of rock formations were formed directly from a molten condition ("magmas") underground, accompanied by hot solutions and gasses, as they intruded into pre-existing overlying formations, where they slowly cooled off & solidified underground, where they remained until exposed by erosion or earth disturbances.

These magmas produce mineral deposits by expelling their mineralizing solutions & gasses into the overlying rock formations; and by their heat and great pressure on the intruded formations, and by segregating one or more masses of certain characteristic minerals with themselves in deeper levels; etc.

These are the main "first choice" rock formations to locate on the geologic maps, unless you are more interested in some minerals associated more specifically with Sedimentary or Metamorphic rocks class (to be presented at another time).

The maps are the devoted rockhound's greatest asset, just as they are for exploration Geologists, so use those geologic maps to choose the areas that are most appealing.

The maps can be ordered from U.S. Geological Survey Offices, Canadian Geological Survey, or departments of Geology & Mineral Resources of States or Provinces, and you can even get some very helpful information from places like Bureaus of Land Management, and Bureaus of Mines, etc. Many of the latest maps include additional details and reports which are very pertinent to even beginner rockhounds. They cover any part of the U.S.

Any rockhounds interested in follow-up articles, let your club leaders know and maybe I can keep them coming each month. In the meantime, Happy Hunting.

SCRIBE Newsletter - July/September 2004.

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Tomorrow is not promised us,
So make the very most of today.
Sacred Heart Cookbook.

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APACHE TEARS
By Shirley Greenberg,
From The Garnet Gazette, March 1994.
(9th Place AFMS 1995 Adult Article.)

If you have a specimen in your collection labeled "Apache tear" and want information about it you could have a problem. Not all rock and mineral books have a listing for "Apache tears". This is because "Apache tear" is not a valid mineral name but is a well known nickname for some obsidian nodules. Obsidian is a rock, not a mineral. As you probably have guessed, these nodules are found in locations where Apache Indians lived in the U.S. Southwest. "Apache tears" have been found primarily in Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico.

All "Apache tears" are obsidian, but not all obsidians are "Apache tears". Obsidian is natural volcanic glass. Don't look for crystals of obsidian because you won't find any. The hot lava forming obsidian cooled much too quickly to allow crystals to form. "Apache tears" are found in grayish white volcanic material called "perlite". Perlite is obsidian that has weathered and altered until it has become porous and lightweight.

Each "Apache tear" lump will have an uneven coating of perlite clinging to it after being pried or dug from a mass of perlite. Tumbling and polishing will reveal a shiny glass pebble that may be black or smoky in color. Hold the "tear" to the light to see how translucent or transparent it is. It is interesting to note that the "Apache tear" and perlite surrounding it have been formed from the same volcanic material and yet the "tears" are dark in color and its coating of perlite is light in color.

Perlite is used in making lightweight concrete and is also used in the manufacture of insulation. Obsidian, with a hardness of 5 to 5.5, is brittle and chips easily. Nevertheless it has long attracted gem cutters and gem carvers. Obsidian was used for bowls and cups as early as 3200 B.C. in Mesopotamia. Jewelry set with obsidian made about 1352 B.C. was found in the tomb of King Tuthankhamen. "Apache tears" are cut by faceters today because they are plentiful and inexpensive.

References:
     Color Encyclopedia of Gemstones by Joel Arem.
     Earth Treasures, Vol. 4, by W. Eckert.
     Gems & Crystals from American Museum by A. Sofianides and G. Harlow.
     Gemstones of North America by John Sinkankas.
     Precious Stones by R. Metz.
     Prospecting for Gemstones and Minerals by John Sinkankas.

From Rock Writings 07/04.

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You may live without knowledge,
You may live without books,
But civilized man cannot
Live without cooks.
Sacred Heart Cookbook.

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MEMBERSHIP.

No changes in the Membership area! Hope you are all having a Great Summer.

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.

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VGMS MINUTES.

Minutes of the VGMS Regular Monthly Meeting,
Wednesday, July 28, 2004:
     The regular monthly meeting of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society was called to order by Steve Mulqueen at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 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/c as shown in the bulletin.
     Steve asked for but received no old business.
New business:
Steve Mulqueen - Steve passed out the newly completed journals of information regarding our club museum and its need for a new location. Copies are available to anyone who would like to show it to prospective philanthropists. Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at Steve's house, at 7:30. Any and all input is appreciated, as time is getting short. The first show meeting will be scheduled for sometime in September.
Ron Wise - The next field trip will be to Trona in October. Our County Fair will require all of our time during the month of August and November will see a trip to Wiley Wells.
Ray Meisenheimer - Fair set up has begun and we can use all the help we can get. A sign up sheet is floating around. Please offer, even if it's only a few hours. A sign up sheet is also available for our club picnic, scheduled for August 22nd, mainly so we have a head count for food and such.
Shirley Layton - The 10th of the month will again be the deadline for articles and photographs to be submitted for the bulletin.
Greg and Valli represented our club at a first annual festival of hobbies put on by Project Understanding and held at Anacapa Middle School. They demonstrated lapidary and beading, handed out tumbled rock to kids and membership forms to adults. It was their first attempt at anything like this and it was quite an education for them too. Greg is also requesting donations of mineral, fossil or anything related for the upcoming silent auction scheduled for our September club meeting. You can let him know at 647-9214 or just bring it to that meeting. All is appreciated.

Ed Clark next presented an exciting demonstration using short wave and long wave light and causing various minerals to fluoresce. It was an excellent program that educated the above average attendance about the properties in these minerals, most of which were self collected by Ed. Thanks to Ed for all the time and preparation put into this evening's presentation.
     The next Board meeting will be Thursday, August 5th, all are welcomed to attend and the next regular meeting will be held August 25th.
     Refreshments were provided by Shirley Layton and Sharlyne Holloway.
     There being no further business, Steve adjourned the meeting at 8:45 pm.
          Respectfully submitted, Greg Davis.


Minutes of the VGMS Monthly Board Meeting,
August 5th, 2004:
     A quorum was not present so no business was conducted at this time.
     Respectfully submitted, Greg Davis.

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HOW ABOUT A 182-Carat Diamond?
By Paul Fournier,
The Associated Press.

Paul Fournier of The Associated Press reported that in Conakry, Guinea a 25-year-old miner found a diamond while sweating it out in the West African forests of Guinea. It was only a 182-carat stone, that everyone - starting with the government of Guinea - wants a piece of!

The stone is four times the size of the famous Hope diamond and was tucked away deep in the vaults of Guinea's Central Bank. The Guinea gem is four inches by 1.2 inches high, roughly the size and shape of a computer mouse. The Hope diamond, by contrast, is 45.52 carats.

Guinea mining industry officials confirmed Monday that the newly dug-up stone, though not flawless, was a fortune in the rough.

"It's a quite brilliant diamond, of good enough quality despite having numerous veins. One thing is certain - it's worth millions of dollars," a top official with the Aredor mining company, Guinea's biggest diamond operation, told The Associated Press.

Freelance discoveries of big diamonds in west and central Africa typically touch off fierce, fast-buck feeding frenzies, pitting the finders and first-round buyers against would-be moneymakers higher up the food chain.

Finders, terrified, have been known to flee into the bush rather than bring their find to market.

In Congo in 2000, the government confiscated a 265-carat stone and jailed its local buyer for a month, freeing both only after massive public protests. That stone eventually went at auction in Israel for an industry-estimated, unconfirmed $13 million to $20 million.

Maybe it wouldn't be so much fun to find!

Contributed by Steve Mulqueen, taken from The Star 7-20-04.

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

TIPS ON TUMBLING by Jack L. Hill.

I once heard a fellow say, "You can't turn a zircon into a diamond no matter how hard you try." This is a perfect slogan for tumbling: a batch of poor quality stones will certainly guarantee you a collection of worthless stones in the end. Perhaps one of the greatest hindrances to quality-finished stones is the use of poor material. A few rules regarding the material to use, if followed, will save you time, money, and disappointment.

First: Never put a conglomeration of stones of different hardness in the tumbler. One thing will become apparent almost immediately, the soft ones will grind away. If you don't know the hardness, just use the scratch test. The harder stone will always scratch the softer one.

I have had my best results when I keep agates, jasper, and chert together in my tumbling mix. If possible, I try to use only one kind of material at a time.

Second: Badly fractured or deeply pitted stones will usually still be pitted or fractured after days of tumbling. Cull out the ones which obviously will not make a decent finished product. Sometimes, if I have a stone that looks like it might have potential, I will go to my rough grinding wheel and grind out the pits or fractures. I have saved a lot of good Lake Superior agates using this technique.

Third: Slabbed material makes excellent finished stones. You can break it up or cut to certain shapes on your saw. Sometimes I grind down the edges on pre-formed pieces I plan to tumble.

Fourth: Be safety conscious. Breaking hard material can be extremely dangerous. Always use heavy leather gloves and goggles. I have a small sliver of agate embedded in a bone in my thumb as proof of carelessness. Also be sure that no person is close by when crushing rocks. Some of the slivers can travel a long way.

Dry Washer's Gazette 1-01 via Crystal Ball 2-01.

  Table of Contents.

LEGISLATION UPDATE FROM
SHIRLEY AND DEE:
Lawsuit To Challenge New Forest Service Regulations.

The Forest Service has been busy lately, promulgating rules and regulations that will negatively impact small miners and prospectors. Public Lands for the People (PLP) is taking action to put a stop to it.

In "Forest Occupancy Decision Stands-US Forest Service Withdraws Appeal," (January 2004), we reported on the Lex-Waggener decision (US v. Ronald O. Lex and Ken Waggener; CR S-01-559 LKK; May 14, 2003).

In this case, Judge Lawrence K. Karlton, US District Court in Sacramento, reversed a lower court decision which wrongfully concluded that the miners were required to file a Notice of Intent for occupying their mining claim for more than 14 days in California's Klamath National Forest.

Judge Karlton said that section 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), subsection 261, does not apply to miners who are camping on their claims while engaged in activities related to mining, rather it was meant to cover recreational activities. He stated, "As the regulations are currently structured, so long as no earth moving equipment or tree-cutting is involved, a miner can camp on his claim indefinitely..."

The Forest Service, fearing a loss of control that they never legally possessed, published an interim rule to address the above issue, under 36 CFR 228, in the Federal Register on July 9, 2004. The Federal Register Notice is entitled, "Clarification as to When a Notice of Intent and/or Plan of Operation Is Needed for Locatable Mineral Operations on National Forest System Lands".

According to the Federal Register notice, the emergency rule will be effective August 9, 2004, though comments will be accepted until September 7, 2004.

The Forest Service states they will soon require a Notice of Intent "in any situation in which a mining operation causes a surface disturbance, regardless of whether that disturbance is caused by mechanized earth moving equipment or the removal of timber."

"After a Notice of Intent is submitted, the District Ranger determines whether the proposed operations will likely cause a significant disturbance of surface resources. If the determination is that the proposal will likely cause a significant disturbance of surface resources, the operator is notified that a plan of operations is required."

It is our opinion that the emergency rule would place severe restrictions on small operators if it were allowed to stand. Small miners, at the very least, would be subjected to the time and expense involved with the filing of a Notice of Intent for a minimal disturbance. The Forest Service cannot currently respond to applications in a timely manner, and delays would be inevitable if they receive hundreds or even thousands of Notices. Worse yet, some miners could be subjected to the long delays and excessive costs involved with a Plan of Operation and financial guarantees (bonding) for minimal disturbances, all at the discretion of a District Ranger who may or may not be favorable to mining. Merely bringing camping equipment onto a mining claim could be considered a significant disturbance in the mind of a District Ranger.

We have reviewed the emergency interim rule with Public Lands for the People (PLP). Jerry Hobbs, president of PLP, stated there are numerous avenues open to challenge the interim rule. These include non-compliance with the Administrative Procedures Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Regulatory Flexibility Act, Paperwork Reduction Act, and others.

After much discussion, it appears the best course of action is to file suit against the Forest Service to stop the interim rule, and a mining attorney has already been retained.

This should be a concerted effort on behalf of miners and prospectors, rather than a disjointed effort involving lawsuits filed by small entities with limited funds. Several mining and prospecting companies have already started the fundraising effort, including ICMJ's Prospecting and Mining Journal, donating thousands of dollars to PLP to pay for the legal fees that will be incurred in this case.

Special thanks goes to Keene Engineering for starting the ball rolling with a $5,000 donation.

Much more will be needed. I encourage you to support this effort personally, and by bringing it to the attention of any clubs or associations to which you belong.

I have personally met with the PLP board on several occasions. I have been very impressed with their knowledge of rules and regulations, and the ability of their members to apply this knowledge to successfully litigate government agencies. I encourage all miners and prospectors to support their efforts on behalf of all of us.

Contributions can be sent to: Public Lands for the People, 3700 Santa Carlotta St., La Crescenta, CA 91214.

A direct link to the Federal Register notice can be found on our website (www.icmj.com) under the Pending Rules, Regulations, Projects section. The Federal Register notice can also be located online at www.regulations.gov/freddocs/04-15483.htm.

Concerned readers in need of further information can contact Sam Hotchkiss, Minerals and Geology Management Staff, at (703) 605-4852.

Comments can be emailed to:
     35cfr228a@fs.fed.us.

Comments can be faxed to:
     (703) 605-1575.

Comments can be mailed to:
     Forest Service, USDA,
     Attn: Director, Minerals & Geology,
     Management Staff, (2810),
     Mail Stop 1126,
     Washington, DC 20250-1125.

CFMS Newsletter - August 2004.

  Table of Contents.

List of Web Site Addresses
for Important Mineral Shows.

Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Soc., mineral show in Trona, October 2004:
     http://www1.iwvisp.com/tronagemclub/flyer.htm.
Quartzsite Mineral shows:
     http://www.quartzsitechamber.com/show.schedule.shtml.
Tucson Mineral showcase:
     http://www.visittucson.org/Features/index.cfm?action=Display&featureID=13.
          Steve Mulqueen.

  Table of Contents.

SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

SHOW DATES.

OCTOBER 30-31; TULSA, OK - Tulsa Rock & Mineral Society (TRMS).
     Our club would like to let everyone in your club know about our large upcoming gem & mineral show. Please include it in your show calendar - we'd love to have some visitors from California! (I was born & grew up in LA and the Valley.)
     If you have any questions, please e-mail me. Thanks very much.
          Peggy Stewart,
          Publicity Chairman,
          peggy22@cox.net.

WHO: Tulsa Rock & Mineral Society (TRMS).
WHAT: Gem & Mineral Show.
WHEN: October 30 and 31, 2004.
WHERE: Tulsa Event Center,
2625 South Memorial Drive,
Tulsa, Oklahoma.

* Select national dealers.
* Continuous silent auction.
* Hourly door prizes.
* Adult & children's programs.
* Competitive and exceptional special exhibits.
* Children's games and scientific experiments.

2004 CFMS CLUB SHOWS.

SEPTEMBER 3-6; FORT BRAGG, CA - Mendocino Coast Gem & Mineral Society. Town Hall, Main at Laurel. Hours: Fri. 12-9, Sat. & Sun. 10-6, Mon. 10-4. Don McDonell (707) 964-3116.
SEPTEMBER 17-19; DEVORE, CA - Orange Belt Mineralogical Society 3rd Annual Gem & Mineral Tailgate. Western Regional Little League Park, 6707 Little League Drive. Bob Woodcox (909) 874-3697.
SEPTEMBER 18-19; JACKSON, CA - Fossils For Fun Society, Kennedy Mine in Jackson. 4th Annual Tailgate Gamboree. Hours: 9-5 both days. Dan Brown (209) 296-6466. danbrown@volcano.net.
SEPTEMBER 18-19; REDWOOD CITY, CA - Sequoia Gem & Mineral Society, Community Activities Building, 1400 Roosevelt Avenue. Hours: 10-5 both days. Carol Corden (650) 776-5990. Email: ccorden@earthlink.net.
SEPTEMBER 18-19; PASO ROBLES, CA - Santa Lucia Rockhounds, Pioneer Park & Museum, 2010 Riverside Ave. Hours: 10-5 both days. Mike Doherty - mdoherty@tcsn.net or Paul Savage - egavasp@starband.net.
SEPTEMBER 25; LOS ALTOS, CA - Peninsula Gem & Geology Society, Foothill Expressway & So. Springer Rd. Hours: Sat. 9:30-4:45. Dave Schmidt (408) 263-5870.
SEPTEMBER 25-26; VISTA, CA - Vista Gem & Mineral Society, Brengle Terrace Community Recreation Center, 1200 Vale Terrace. Hours: 10-5 both days. Mary Anne Mital (760) 724-0395.
SEPTEMBER 25-26; MONTEREY, CA - Carmel Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Monterey Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Road. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Sky Paxton (831) 755-7741. sky@familystones.net.
SEPTEMBER 25-26; DOWNEY, CA - Delvers Gem & Mineral Society, Downey Women's Club, 9813 Paramount Blvd. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-4. Earl Liston (562) 865-1348. ejliston5@juno.com.
OCTOBER 6-17; FRESNO, CA - Fresno Gem & Mineral Society, Big Fresno Fairgrounds, 1121 S. Chance. Hours: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm. Newman Gill (559) 841-7765, fgms1@excite.com.
OCTOBER 9-10; ANTIOCH, CA - Antioch Lapidary Club, Contra Costa Fairgrounds, 10th and L Streets - in the Flower Bldg. Hours: 10-5 both days.
OCTOBER 9-10; GRASS VALLEY, CA - Nevada County Gem & Mineral Society, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Main Exhibit Hall, 11228 McCourtney Rd. Hours: 10-5 both days. Cliff Swenson (530) 272-3752.
OCTOBER 9-10; LAKESIDE, CA - El Cajon Valley Gem & Minerals, Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, 12584 Mapleview Road. Hours: 10-5 both days. Peggy Bowery (619) 561-7684. Docsgirl9@aol.com.
OCTOBER 9-10; TRONA, CA - Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society, Searles Lake Gem & Min. Show Building, 13337 Main Street. Hours; Sat. 7:30-5, Sun. 7:30-4. Bonnie Fairchild (760) 372-5256.
OCTOBER 16; CANOGA PARK, CA - Woodland Hills Rock Chippers, Canoga Park Community Center, 7248 Owensmouth Ave. Hours: 10-5. Show@rockchippers.org.
OCTOBER 16-17; ANDERSON, CA - Shasta Gem & Mineral Society, Shasta District Fairgrounds, 5 miles south of Redding. Hours: 10-5 both days. Robert G. Hurless (805) 772-7160.
OCTOBER 16-17; CAYUCOS, CA - San Luis Obispo Gem & Mineral Club, Cayucos Veteran's Hall, 10 Cayucos Drive. Hours: 10-5 both days. Robert G. Hurless (805) 772-7160.
OCTOBER 16-17; LONG BEACH, CA - The Mineralogical Society of Southern California, Long Beach Convention & Expo Ctr., 300 E. Ocean Blvd. Hours: 10-6 both days. Justin Butt (626) 683-1770. MSSCShow@hotmail.com.
OCTOBER 16-17; PLACERVILLE, CA - El Dorado County Mineral & Gem Soc., El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive. Hours: 10-5 both days. Jackie Derrato (530) 677-2975.
OCTOBER 22-24; RIVERSIDE, CA - Valley Prospectors of San Bernardino, Rancho Jurupa Park, 4800 Crestmore. Hours: Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4. Alice Corey (909) 864-8320. Email - alpennymae@aol.com.
NOVEMBER 6-7; ANAHEIM, CA - American Opal Society, Anaheim Clarion Hotel, 616 W. Convention Way. Hours: 10-5 both days. Fran Todd (310) 721-5614. Email - toddle@aol.com.
NOVEMBER 6-7; CONCORD, CA - Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society, Centre Concord; 5298 Clayton Road. Hours: 10-5 both days. Sam Woolsey (925) 837-3287. Email - sdwools@earthlink.net.
NOVEMBER 6-7; OXNARD, CA - Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society, Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way. Hours: Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4. Norb Kinsler (805) 644-6450.
NOVEMBER 6-7; RIDGECREST, CA - Indian Wells Gem & Mineral Society, Desert Empire Fairgrounds, Mesquite Hall, 520 S. Richmond Road. Hours: 9-5 both days. John De Rosa (760) 375-7905.
NOVEMBER 12-14; SACRAMENTO, CA - Sacramento Mineral Society, Scottish Rite Center, 6151 H Street. Hours: Fri. 9-5, Sat. 10-8, Sun. 10-4. Boyd Lasater (916) 455-7075. Email - jfosback@aol.com.
NOVEMBER 13-14; MARYSVILLE, CA - The Sutter Buttes Gem & Mineral Soc., Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds, Franklin Hall, 442 Franklin Road. Hours: 9-5 both days. Charlie & Barbara Brown (916) 652-4240. Email - cbbrown@wizwire.com.
NOVEMBER 13-14; PALMDALE, CA - Palmdale Gem & Mineral Club, Palmdale Elks Lodge, 2705 East Ave. Q. Hours: Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4. Gail Becker (661) 285-3958.
NOVEMBER 20-21; LIVERMORE, CA - Livermore Valley Lithophiles, THE BARN (next to Civic Center), Pacific Ave. at So. Livermore Ave. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Joyce Friesen (925) 447-8223.

AMERICAN FEDERATION / REGIONAL
SHOW SCHEDULE - 2004.

SOUTHERN CENTRAL FEDERATION,
September 24-26, Houston, TX.

SOUTHEAST FEDERATION,
To be announced.

  Table of Contents.

EDITOR'S NOTE 2:

     I am putting the questions out to all members - What do you want to see in your bulletin? Are their things you would like to see added? Deleted? What is your favorite part? Least favorite? I would appreciate everyone's input. You can send me a note, signed or unsigned or let me know at the meetings or board meetings. Thanks for your help.
     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 Finds or anything of interest, please do so as we are all interested. Contributions from you members keep the Bulletin interesting and I thank you for them.

Trili - The Editor's Pet Trilobite.

  Table of Contents.

It's been one of those summers so far.

  Table of Contents.

EDUCATIONAL CORNER July 2004,
Corrected.

Definition of the Month.

The Uranium Rush - Also called the "The Uranium Boom" and "The Uranium Frenzy". The Uranium Rush started in the early-1950s and ended during the early-1960s. These terms refer to a period of time during the Cold War when the United States government was in desperate need of domestic sources of uranium ore. Stockpiles of uranium were needed for defense purposes, for research and for electric power generation. In 1952, the U.S. government offered a bonus of $10,000 to anyone who discovered a large high-grade uranium deposit. This was $10,000 in the 1950s, a sizable reward. News of the discovery of large high-grade deposits by a geologist named Charlie Steen at the Mi Vida Mine near Moab, Utah, drew thousands of prospectors to the Colorado Plateau. Of special interest were sedimentary rock units of the Mesozoic Era (Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods), deposited during the Age of the Dinosaur, 250 - 65 million years ago. Some of the highest-grade ore was in the form of petrified wood and petrified dinosaur bone replaced by uranium minerals.

One petrified log found during the rush measured 100 feet long and 4 feet in diameter, yielding more than 100 tons of uranium ore valued at $230,000. Some of the more common uranium ores contain radioactive minerals including pitchblende, uraninite, carnotite, tyuyamunite and autunite. With time, most of the states within the southwestern U.S. were invaded by geologists and prospectors equipped with Geiger counters, some arriving from other countries. A "rush" of this type had not been seen in the United States since the California Gold Rush of 1849. Some observers called it "The biggest rush-for-riches since the Klondike Stampede" (a gold rush of the 1890s, Yukon Territory, Canada). The Atomic Energy Commission established an ore buying station at Thompson, Utah to purchase uranium ore from local mine operators. By the late 1950s, the U.S. government was well supplied with uranium stockpiles and with proven mineral reserves from newly discovered high-grade deposits. Only a small percentage of the prospectors, mine operators and stockholders were fortunate enough to make significant profits during The Uranium Rush.

The "Definition of the Month" features words related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. Written by Steve Mulqueen for the VGMS, July 2004.

Illustration of the Month.

The Uranium Prospector - With Geiger counter in hand, ore sack full of a black uranium ore (probably the mineral pitchblende) and miner's pick.

These illustrations are by John Robb of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Denver, Colorado. From the book "Prospecting with a Counter", written by Robert J. Wright, USGS Grand Junction Operations Office, Colorado. Published by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, printed by the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., July 1954.

This book was prepared as a field guide for prospectors searching for uranium ore during the rush of the 1950s. The word "counter" in the title refers to instruments known as the Geiger counter (Geiger-Muller counter) and scintillation counter (scintillometer), used by the prospector to detect gamma ray emissions from radioactive mineral deposits.

The "Illustration of the Month" features a drawing, sketch, pen & ink rendering or an engraving print rediscovered in old books, maps, manuscripts and many other sources related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. This illustration was chosen for its educational content by Steve Mulqueen for the VGMS, July 2004.

  Table of Contents.

EDUCATIONAL CORNER.

Definition of the Month.

Frasher Fotos - The trademark of the company started by the photographer Burton Frasher of Pomona, California. Frasher Fotos became famous for their postcards that depicted landscapes, animals and people in the Southwestern United States. Originally the postcards were all black & white. After shopkeepers requested that they provide postcards in color, those original photos were color-enhanced and transformed into color postcards.

Frasher was born in Colorado in 1888. In the early 1900s, he opened a photo studio in Wapato, Washington. By 1914, he moved his studio to Lordsburg, California (now called La Verne) and after 1921, operated a studio in Pomona. Hundreds of thousands of his postcards originated from his studio once located on East Second Street in Pomona. By the 1920s, Frasher was the West's leading producer of postcards.

Frasher postcards were mailed to family members and friends throughout the United States. They made their way into the homes of Americans and of people throughout the world. It was the tourist's way of saying "Having a good time, the scenery is beautiful, wish you were here." ...and boasting about having "been there".

Today, Frasher's postcards and photos are of historical value because they have captured landforms, wild animals and especially the way-of-life for many Americans living in the Great Southwest. The postcards are now collector's items and can be found at many antique stores around the country.

The Frasher collection, which includes original photos, negatives, artwork, photo equipment and a huge postcard collection, remains in possession of the Pomona Public Library. "The collection is a historical record of the pre-freeway West, from the heights of the Sierra to below sea level in Death Valley." (Quoted from Joe Blackstock, Inland Valley Bulletin, June 22, 2003.) Much of the popularity in Frasher's postcards stems from the beauty of the great outdoors, its geologic wonders and the people who call it "home".

The "Definition of the Month" features words related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. Written by Steve Mulqueen for the VGMS, August 2004.

Illustration of the Month.

View from "Zabriskie Point", Death Valley National Monument, California.

An original color-enhanced Frasher's Postcard (D.V. 12) of a series on Death Valley. This postcard was sent January 4, 1954, postage, 2 cents. On the front it is written "We camped here, 1934". The card was addressed to a woman in Tryon, Oklahoma and it reads, "Dear Friend, Have been thinking of you so will write. We have no snow & not freezing. Only 2 months & we will have March springtime. We sure had a nice winter...Love to you, J. Johnson."

The "Illustration of the Month" features a drawing, sketch, pen & ink rendering, engraving print or any form of art rediscovered in books, maps, manuscripts and many other sources related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. This illustration was chosen for its educational content by Steve Mulqueen for the VGMS, August 2004.

  Table of Contents.

FIRE & ICE WORD GAME.

This link will take you to the word game. You can have your browser print the game from the new window. (NOTE: It will print better than it looks but your browser MUST use the image sizes given in the HTML code rather than the actual image size.) Close the new window to return here.

  Table of Contents.

VGMS PHOTO ALBUM.

(Please Note that the Pictures in the July Bulletin were furnished by Wayne Ehlers. - Sorry Wayne & thanks!)

1) Valli Davis demonstrating beading at Festival of Hobbies, July 17th, at Anacapa Middle School. - Photo by Greg Davis.

2) Greg Davis demonstrated lapidary and this was his work table and display. - Photo by Greg Davis.

3) This is a "dug-out" stone building in Ione, Nevada. Ione is a living ghost town near the Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park. - Photo by Steve Mulqueen.

4) Ghost town of Berlin, Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, Nevada. - Photo by Steve Mulqueen.

  Table of Contents.

SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

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