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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
April 2005.

Table of Contents.

• PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE;
• WORDS TO LIVE BY;
• PROGRAM - APRIL 27, 2005;
• REVIEW - March 23, 2005;
• When you're finally;
• MARK YOUR CALENDARS;
• What's In A Word;
• SHOW ITEMS;
• THE MUSEUM CORNER;
• CHIPS & BOULDERS;
• Here We Go Again: A New Paleo Preservation Bill;
• Surfing the Web, Part Three: Lapidary Arts;
• Web Sites;
• Program Schedule for Monthly Meetings;
• MAY BIRTHDAYS;
• THE POSITIVE SIDE OF LIFE;
• HOSPITALITY;
• PUBLIC OUTREACH;
• How our world is changing;
• DAFFYNITIONS;
• "FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN";
• TRI-CLUB FIELD TRIPS 2005;
• EARTH SCIENCE;
• NASA TO SEND CELESTIAL HAMMER TO BREAK OPEN COMET;
• MINING BY OCEAN WAVE;
• QUARTZ INCLUSIONS;
• HINTS & TIPS FOR ROCKHOUNDS - (Use at your own risk);
• MEMBERSHIP;
• VGMS MINUTES;
• SHOW DATES;
• EDITOR'S NOTE;
• CFMS SHOW IN ROSEVILLE;
• EDUCATIONAL CORNER;
• VGMS PHOTO ALBUM.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

I am pleased to announce that our club has gained many new members within the past few months. This increase in membership is due in large part to people, like yourself, getting the good word out about our club. Our most recent mineral show attracted many people into becoming members. Please go out of your way to welcome our new members to the VGMS.

With this warm weather the thought of field trips comes to mind. We are always looking for newer and better places to explore. Please consider leading a field trip or providing information about a collecting locality for our club members. I'm sure that all of you have some great ideas on a field trip for our members.

I'd like to welcome all of our new members and remind and encourage everyone that now is the time to become involved, whether it's on a committee or a nominated/elected position. We need everyone's ideas and input in order to contribute to our community and sustain our organization.

Ed Clark, President.

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WORDS TO LIVE BY.

You are never too old to grow up.

Wrinkles are the dimples of old age.

You have to face the music before you can lead the band.

Cheer up. Tomorrow will be different-not better just different.

Collected by Wayne Ehlers.

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PROGRAM - APRIL 27, 2005:
Mineral Identification by Ed Clark.

Ed will be enlightening us in the ways to identify gems and minerals. This is a topic that is never ending and will be most helpful.

If you have any certain specimens you would like him to help you with, bring them along and we will all learn!

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REVIEW - March 23, 2005:
My Favorite Desert Collecting Localities.

Our March program was fun and informative. The room set up was a bit different which was conducive to "round table" discussions. Jim Brace-Thompson started the program off with a slide show of his favorite collecting sites. "There is Nothing in the desert - Nothing." However, he proved differently. Steve Mulqueen shared some of his favorite places in the Montecristo Mountains and in Tonopah, NV with 10 different collecting sites in a relatively small radius. Ed Clark talked about Cadese (sp?), a marble quarry and trilobites. He advised to take the Gem Trails directions as suggestions! It got him in the general vicinity and he stumbled into them from there! Seems there are many more roads than are shown on the maps! Ron Wise shared some of their most recent experiences. It was a good meeting with a lot of in-put from members, which always makes it most interesting. Hopefully you went away with some ideas as to where to go and what to do when you got there!

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When you're finally holding all the cards, why does everyone decide to play chess? - Del Air Bulletin 5/04.

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

4-27-05 - VGMS Regular Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Lexington. "Mineral Identification" by Ed Clark.
5-5-05 - VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the I.B.E.W. Hall, 3994 E. Main St., Ventura CA. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
5-10-05 - DEADLINE FOR MAY Bulletin Articles to the Editor!
5-21-05 - VGMS Work Shop - Museum - Open - 9 to noon.
5-25-05 - VGMS Regular Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Lexington. - Silent Auction with Ray & Florence Meisenheimer.
6-2-05 - VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the I.B.E.W. Hall, 3994 E. Main St., Ventura CA. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
6-18-05 - VGMS Work Shop - Museum - Open - 9 to noon.

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What's In A Word?

Colemanite: After William T. Coleman, owner of the mine where it was found.

Hanksite: After Henry G. Hanks, state mineralogist of California, where it was found.

From "Gems Minerals Crystals and Ores" by Richard M. Pearl.

Contributed by Ed Clark.

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SHOW ITEMS.

VGMS SHOW:
Kids' Booth Successful!

     A big "Thank You" to all of the members who helped the Kids' Booth to be such a success at the 2005 show! The booth made more money than it has since I've been working there. Because there were so many volunteers for the booth this year, our young customers received the attention they deserved. In Lowell Foster we discovered a super-star! He was the Pied Piper of the Spinning Wheel! The kids were having a lot of fun and so was everyone else.
     Many of the prizes donated by our club members were of high quality. Most of the kids appeared to be excited about their winnings and their rock bags. I don't know who all of the donors were, but Jim and Nancy Brace-Thompson and Mel and Sharon Hixon contributed a lot of beautiful prizes.
     Members who generously spent their time in the Kids' Booth are: Sharon Hixon, Emma Mayer, Jim Brace-Thompson, Stuart Bloom, Lowell Foster, Karen Foster, Mary Polacek, Miriam Tetreault. Some other members volunteered, but went back to other jobs when the booth was already fully staffed.
     See the VGMS Photo Page for some pictures of the Kids' Booth and some of our fine volunteers!
          Jean Wise.

Editor's Note: This arrived a day late for last month's bulletin, so wanted to get those thank you's in this month!

GEM SHOW:
2005 Show Recap &
a Call for 2006 Show Volunteers.

My thanks to all who participated in our 2005 Show Recap meeting on April 3. We had a good discussion that resulted in great ideas to make our 2006 show even better! We covered a lot of ground, but two things in particular stood out. First, we're going to explore potential for using the Ag Building next year. This would allow us to have all aspects of the show contained within a single building rather than spread out as we've been the past several years. It would also provide more space so that we might be able to invite 2 or 3 additional dealers. I've already written to the fairgrounds to ask about this possibility, and Ray will be following up by talking in person with our fairgrounds contact person.

The second big item was the suggestion to build or buy 10 new club cases. This will save the time and effort it takes to borrow cases from neighboring clubs and will also allow for more uniformity among our cases - while also helping us avoid splinters during set-up and take down....If there's anyone out there with good carpentry skills and woodworking equipment, please call or email (659-3577; jbraceth@adelphia.net).

Other items of discussion included creating a large "Welcome" banner we can use at the Hospitality table and for other club functions; changes to the annual Friday dinner and to food service throughout the show; moving a hospitality table closer to the entrance to catch people when they arrive; expanding the fluorescent exhibit; printing more programs; and coming up with either a show theme or some new special exhibit that will help in drawing attention when we begin publicizing our 2006 show. I'm wide open to suggestions regarding this last point, so please contact me with your ideas.

Finally, we need YOUR help! Our annual show is a group affair, and it requires the creative and enthusiastic efforts of as many people as possible. Following are the show committee chairs. Please call me (and/or see me at the April meeting) to volunteer to help with one of the following show jobs:

Where did you most enjoy helping at our 2005 Show? Consider becoming chair for that activity in 2006. Let's aim to fill all our positions by June so that everyone can get an early start in planning for Show 2006!

Submitted by Jim Brace-Thompson, Show Chair.

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THE MUSEUM CORNER,
By Debbie Bunn, Chair, Museum Committee.

     Nevada has some fine museums too. One of my favorites is the Northeastern Nevada museum in Elko, Nevada. Located along the main drag, this is one museum that's easy to find and has plenty of parking. When you enter the front door, you are at the fossil exhibits. This spectacular display features local crinoids, brachiopods, bones, and leaves. Many of them were collected and identified by Fossils For Fun member, Don Johns. There is also a mastodon on display that was dug up locally.
     There are fine displays about local geology, ghost towns and mining camps and a really great mineral collection. You can learn about the local Basque culture, the old Chinese, and Native Americans, plus cowboy poetry. What makes this museum something out of the ordinary is the Wanamaker Wildlife Wing. Here you can see Nevada's largest collection of stuffed wild animals from around the world. I know that stuffed animals are not politically correct these days, but I found the collection fascinating. And it's the only way I'm likely to ever see a wooly nosed wombat.
     The museum is located at 1515 Idaho Street, phone 775-738-3418. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 seniors, and $1 children. Open Monday thru Saturday 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm. Website: www.museum-elko.us. Be sure to bring extra money for the great gift shop. There are books, paintings, jewelry, and all sorts of neat stuff. So the next time you are driving thru Nevada on I-80; stop off in Elko for a couple of hours and visit the Northeastern Nevada Museum. You'll be glad you did.
          CFMS Newsletter 4/05.

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CHIPS & BOULDERS.

California Oil Museum - This is an excerpt from the California Oil Museum Weekly Report: "The Ventura Gem and Mineral Society (VGMS) installed the new display, 'Quartz Crystals,' in their display case in Keck Hall of the Museum. This is a large cluster specimen from a private collection. These quartz crystals are exceptional for their size, form, and clarity. VGMS has been presenting exhibits at the Museum since 1997. Thanks go to Steve Mulqueen for making these exhibits possible." See a copy of the label on the display below and many thanks to Steve and Susan from VGMS as well!

Name: quartz, a mineral.
Variety: Water Clear Quartz.
Comp.: silicon dioxide.
Loc.: Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Quartz, also known as crystalline silica is a common rock-forming mineral that belongs to a family of minerals known as the silicates. Quartz occurs in all of the three rock-forming environments including igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. It rates second in abundance in the Earth's crust after the more common minerals of the feldspar group.

Quartz crystals are not uncommon. This specimen is unique because of the size of the crystals, their sharp hexagonal habit and exceptional clarity, all formed naturally into a beautiful cluster.

This mineral specimen is on loan from
Kathryn Davis,
Ventura Gem & Mineral Society.

The Museum has what they call Discovery Series Presentations each month. In May the program will be "The St. Francis Dam Disaster Revisited" by Professor Howard Level, Geology, Ventura College (Retired). This will be at 2 PM, Sunday, May 15, 2005.

Bulletin e-mail - When sending emails with Bulletin information, please 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!

Hosts and Hostesses Schedule for 2005 Meetings - We are still in need of volunteers for September and October. If you are able to serve either of those months, give Sharon Cunningham a call at 805 649-3579. Thank you to all who have volunteered, many hands make tasks much more enjoyable!
     April: Jean & Ron Wise,
     May: Susan & Steve Mulqueen,
     June: Nancy & Jim Brace-Thompson,
     July: Shirley & Richard Bromser,
     August: Florence & Ray Meisenheimer,
     September: Open,
     October: Open,
     November: Pumpkin Pies - Everyone,
     December: Christmas Party.

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.

CFMS & AFMS Newsletters - Anyone interested in their own subscriptions to these, please contact Shirley Layton (805 717-9226). The cost for one year is $5.50 for the CFMS and $4.50 for the AFMS. I do share some information from these with you, but there is much more in each issue that you may be interested in.

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

Here We Go Again:
A New Paleo Preservation Bill
by Marion Zenker.

Once again a Paleontological Resources Preservation Act has been introduced into the U. S. Senate (we are watching for reintroduction in the U. S. House as well). The number of the Senate bill is S 263 and was sponsored by the same senators as the bill introduced in the 108th Session of Congress with Prime Sponsor being Daniel Akaka of Hawaii.

The new bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and has already passed out of committee without amendment for action on the floor. Plans appear to have the bill passed by the Senate by a simple voice vote. We have already alerted our entire Congressional delegation in South Dakota about this introduction and urged them to vote against such a strategy.

The best defense at this time is to immediately (today) alert the Senators from your state to watch for this strategy and request their help in blocking any passage by voice vote on the floor of the Senate. If enough Senators are alerted this move can be averted and then we have an opportunity to provide some testimony in committee and possible block Senate passage. It is certainly worth a concerted effort. So ask as many people as possible to contact your Senators at once with this request.
     As of this writing (in early March), I have not yet read through the entire bill, but it looks to be nearly identical if not completely so to the bill introduced into the 108th Congress in 2003. We need to rally the troops to try to stop this in the Senate if possible.
     AFMS Newsletter 4/05.

Editor's Note: It is URGENT that we contact our Senators and ask them for the opportunity of testimony in committee and not a voice vote on the floor.

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Surfing the Web, Part Three: Lapidary Arts
By Jim Brace-Thompson, Juniors Activities Chair.

In my February and March columns, I noted how today's kids are "wired-to-learn" via computers, the Internet, and the Google search engine. To help youth leaders capitalize on this now-natural proclivity of today's kids, I present Part Three in a 4-part series to provide annotated listings of Web sites organized around various aspects of the rock-hounding hobby. So far, we've covered fossils and minerals. This month: lapidary arts. Here are a few helpful sites to check out:

www.cfmsinc.org:

Check under "Manuals," then "CFMS Slide & Video Program," and finally "Video Program Listing" for several how-to video programs available through the CFMS on everything from wire-wrapping to intarsia, soapstone carving, beading for beginners, lost wax casting, opal cutting, cabochon cutting, electroplating, enameling, faceting, and more.

www.rockhounds.com:

First brought on-line in 1995, "Bob's Rock Shop" is the Internet's first 'Zine (or on-line magazine) for rockhounds. This non-commercial site has teamed with Rock & Gem magazine to provide a first-class resource on topical information and connectivity for hobbyists. It includes excellent reference lists of books on all aspects of lapidary arts.

www.gia.edu:

This is the official website of the Gemological Institute of America, perhaps the world's foremost authority in gemology. You can learn about GIA courses, browse and shop for gemology instruments and books, and stay up-to-date on diamond and gemstone news and research.

www.theimage.com:

This site includes an "Introduction to Faceting" guide with over 20 pages on the craft of faceting: its history, equipment, terminology, materials, and an abbreviated step-by-step guide.

socrates.berkeley.edu/~eps2/:

Together with Hanna Cook-Wallace (a professional gemologist with a jewelry studio in Madison, Wisconsin), Jill Banfield of the UC-Berkeley Department of Earth & Planetary Science provides lessons on Gems & Gem Materials from an on-line course she offers. This is a terrific web site, packed with useful lapidary info.

www.tradeshop.com/gems/:

These web pages provide a comprehensive introduction to gemology and the lapidary arts for the general public and a handy resource for the jewelry trade.

As with the sites I shared last month, these sites scratch just the surface of what's out there. You can make this into a fun activity for your juniors by encouraging them to surf the Web themselves for interesting sites related to the lapidary arts and having them share and report on what they find with their fellow members at your next meeting. Let's capitalize on the tools today's kids use for learning while - as always - having fun!
     CFMS Newsletter 4/05.

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Web Sites.

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

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Program Schedule for Monthly Meetings,
Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, 2005.

We are working on the Schedule for 2005. Think about what you would like and volunteer for that month! It's a good way to get a program of your interest! The quicker we fill up the schedule, the more advance notice everyone will have of the program.

In the absence of a Program Chairman for the year 2005, 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.

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 AKA "Podium People". For this and slide programs or CFMS Club rosters, please contact Florence Meisenheimer - CFMS website would also be of help.

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MAY BIRTHDAYS.

Happy Birthday to all those born in May. 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!

May - Happy Birthday!!
     Lowell Foster - 5th,
     Leilani Polacek - 19th,
     David Mautz - 20th,
     Colin Taylor - 26th.

The May birthstone is the Emerald and the flower is the Lily of the valley.

EMERALD, the green variety of beryl.

VARIETY INFORMATION:
Variety of: Beryl, Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈;
Uses: Gemstone;
Birthstone for: May;
Color: Various shades of green;
Index of refraction: 1.57 - 1.60;
Birefringence: 0.004 - 0.008;
Hardness: 7.5 - 8;
Cleavage: One direction, poor;
Crystal system: Hexagonal;
Pleochroic: Weak.

     Emerald is the green variety of the mineral beryl. Other gemstone color varieties that belong to beryl include aquamarine, morganite, and heliodor. Other colors of beryl are simply refered to by their color, such as red beryl.
     The wonderful green color of emerald is unparalleled in the gem kingdom. Emerald's precious green color is caused by small amounts of chromium and enhanced by traces of iron. Unlike other beryls, emeralds often contain inclusions and other flaws. These flaws are not looked on as negative aspects for emerald like they would be for other gemstones. Indeed, these flaws are considered part of the character of the stone and are used to assure the purchaser of a natural stone.

Unless otherwise noted, all mineral descriptions and images, plus the related descriptions on this server are the property of Amethyst Galleries, Inc., (http://mineral.galleries.com/), 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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THE POSITIVE SIDE OF LIFE.

Living ON Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.
Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.
Happiness comes through a door you didn't even know you left open.
Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us.
You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.
We could learn a lot from crayons: some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors...but they all exist very nicely in the same box.
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Have an awesome day and know that someone who thinks you're great has thought about you today!
     Author Unknown - via The Petrified Log, 4-05.

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HOSPITALITY.

The March meeting was a fun one with 26 members, seven guests and one pebble pup. The guests were Hanna Brace-Thompson (previous pebble pup on spring break from college), Fred Killauer, Linda Reeves-Dumont, Kathleen Neprud, Sandra Oster (who became a member, welcome!), Peg Eldredge & Jayne Willson. What an honor to have all of them with us and hope they come again. Our lone pebble pup was Callie Stephens and we are very happy to have her and her mom, Donna, back with us again. Greg & Valli Davis furnished some great refreshments, which were enjoyed by all. Door prizes were won by several, which is always fun. Hope you all can make it to the April meeting on the 27th.

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PUBLIC OUTREACH.

February 22, Ray Meisenheimer visited Township School in Simi Valley. He gave a six hour long program to 120 second graders along with six adults.

March 8th he visited Madera School in Simi Valley and spoke to 80 second grade students and 4 adults.

March 28 he visited Will Rogers School in Ventura, to a class of English language learners. They were very enthusiastic and thrilled to see and handle the specimens he passed around.

April 6th Ray gave a four hour long program to third graders at La Mariposa School in Camarillo. There were 140 children and 7 adults.


A FEW THANK YOU LETTERS.

Ray receives bundles of thank you letters from students of various schools. I thought you might like to share a few of them.

Dear Ray,

I like your presentation. The rock that came from a volcano was cool. And thank you for coming to Madera. I like the way you made the ball (sphere) with the rock from the volcano.

Thank you Ray for telling us about shark teeth and smokey quartz. You were the best at carving rocks. Next time can I have your autograph.

Dear Ray,

I learned that they make powder out of rocks. I also learned that you make soap out of rocks too. I learned that fluoride is in my toothpaste. Thank you for coming to Madera School.

Dear Ray,

Thank you for coming to Madera School and teaching us about all those rocks and minerals, like smokey quartz pumice obsidian and talc. I think the smokey quartz was the best. I hope you can come back soon.

Dear Ray,

I really liked your crystal, because I have never seen a crystal before. Once my dad found a gold and purple rock. Do you like being a scientist?

Dear Ray,

Thank you for coming to our school. I liked the rocks you showed us. The best was the one made from a tree. I liked the one you make soap out of too. I hope you can come back soon.

Dear Ray,

I wish I had a thunder egg. Thank you for the show.

Dear Ray,

Thank you for coming to Township School. My favorite rock was the geode. You are just like my daddy. You two are smart.

     Florence Meisenheimer

On March 11, Steve Mulqueen presented a lecture titled "Solution Mining at Searles Dry Lake" at the monthly meeting of the Mineralogical Society of Southern California. The meeting was held at Pasadena City College (PCC), in the same building where Steve took his first course in geology in 1973. Steve said that it was great to return to PCC for this event.

On April 10, Steve and Susan Mulqueen prepared a new exhibit at the California Oil Museum in Santa Paula. The exhibit features a large cluster of Water Clear Quartz on loan from the Kathryn Davis collection.

     Steve Mulqueen.

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How our world is changing:
What did these tech terms mean 100 years ago?

LOG ON: Making a wood stove hot.
LOG OFF: Don't add any more wood.
MONITOR: Keeping an eye on the wood stove.
DOWNLOAD: Getting the firewood off the truck.
MEGA HERTZ: When you're not careful getting the firewood.
FLOPPY DISC: What you get from trying to tote too much firewood.
RAM: That thing what splits the firewood.
HARD DRIVE: Coming home in the winter time.
WINDOWS: What to shut when it's cold outside.
SCREEN: What to shut when it's black-fly season.
BYTE: What them dam flies do.
CHIP: What you step in if you aren't careful in the pasture.
MODEM: What you do to the hay fields.
DOT MATRIX: Ole Dan Matrix's wife.
LAPTOP: Where the kitty sleeps.
KEYBOARD: Where you hang the keys.
SOFTWARE: Forks and knives.
MOUSE: What eats the grain in the barn.
MOUSE PAD: The hole where the mouse lives.
MAINFRAME: Holds up the barn roof.
PORT: Fancy flatlander wine.
ENTER: Northerner talk for "CMon in y'all".
CLICK: What you hear when you cock your gun.
DOUBLE CLICK: When the gun won't fire when you pull the trigger.
REBOOT: What you have to do right before bedtime when you forgot that kitty is still outside.
     Courtesy of Dottie Jacobs.
     From The Rockhounder 9/04 via Rocky Review 3/05.

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DAFFYNITIONS.

Field Trip: An impossible trek to an inaccessible place for non-existent specimens.

Field Polish: Spit.

Tumbler: Piece of equipment costing at least $25, which makes $250 worth of stones salable at $250.

Rock Show: Bunch of people displaying their best specimens and another bunch selling their worst.

Lapidary: Someone who grinds their fingernails, sands their knuckles and polishes their vocabulary while trying to do the same thing to a piece of agate.
     From Rocky Tales-Lake Havasu Gem & Mineral Society 1/05 via Gneiss Times 2/05.

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

"FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN."

CFMS Field Trip to Cady Mountains,
April 29 - May 1, 2005,
By Bob Fitzpatrick,
CFMS Field Trip Chair South.

TRIP LOCATION - Northeast side of the Cady Mountains (Afton Canyon area).
WHEN - April 29-May 1, 2005.
SPONSOR - CFMS Field Trip South.
ORGANIZATION - CFMS.

MATERIAL TO COLLECT - Red and yellow agate, jasper (plume & sagenite), opalite, calcite rhombs, chalcedony roses, amygdules, green fluorite, onyx and much more.
LEADER - Bob Fitzpatrick.
PROPOSED SCHEDULE - Early Friday will be for setting up camp. Friday around 1 p.m. I will be leading a field trip. Each day around 8 a.m. we will be going to a different area to collect. There will be a potluck Saturday around 5 p.m.
DIRECTIONS TO CAMP SITE - I-15 Freeway east past Barstow for about 45 miles to Basin Road. Exit off ramp to the right and follow signs to camp site area. The road to the camping site should be okay for 2-wheel drive cars, trailers & motor homes. We will be camping just on the other side of railroad tracks.
VEHICLE - 4-wheel drive from camp to collecting areas. The desert road is sandy and in some areas has large rocks in it.
CAMP & FACILITIES - This will be dry camping, no water, no picnic tables, no toilets, no firewood to be gathered and no fees.
TOOLS - Collecting bags, rock hammer, eye gear, flashlights, spray water bottle, etc., camp chair (to sit in at night around the fire).
SAFETY CONCERNS - Do not lick the rocks, use sun screen, stay away from rattlesnakes, use bug spray, be aware of flash floods, be extra careful and don't get lost.
CLIMATE & WEATHER - It can be hot during the day and cold at night, it could rain.
CLOTHING - Appropriate for this time of the year.
OTHER REMARKS - All club members and their guests are welcome to join us. Come for the day or camp out with us. Bring food, lots of water, a camera and lots of firewood for the campfire at night. If you need a motel or supplies they are available in Baker or Barstow. Don't forget we will have a potluck on Saturday night, so bring a dish to share and your own place setting. Each night after dark we will have a campfire where we can all join together and have a good time roasting marshmallows, telling jokes or just talking about the good OLE times.

I should be arriving at campsite around 11 a.m. on Friday. Saturday and Sunday we will be leaving the camp at around 8 a.m. and drive to the collecting areas. You must observe the AFMS code of ethics and sign a consent and assumption of risk waiver of liability form. Hope to see you there.

For additional information:
     mail me at RUROCKY2@aol.com,
     or call me at (951) 845-3051,
     Bob Fitzpatrick,
     CFMS Field Trip Chair - South, 2005.

From the CFMS Website.

JADE COVE FIELDTRIP,
May 20, 21, 22.

Fieldtrip: The May field trip will be to Plaskett Creek campground. I will be camping in the campground, look for the Orange and Blue colored stake. I will arrive Thursday afternoon. The campground is on the right side of the highway. The sign is small and hard to see, you may have to look hard for the sign. Our collecting efforts will be for Jade, but we will probably find a lot of serpentine.
     Take highway 101 north through Ventura and Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo, TURN on Highway 1. Travel on Hwy 1 north through Morro Bay and past San Simeon to Plaskett Creek National Forest Campground. We will meet at my campsite. The campground is about 220 miles from Camarillo. North of San Luis Obispo the highway road is curvy along the coast, about 60/65 miles to the campgrounds. Allow extra traveling time on the two-lane road.
Time: We'll meet at my camp site Saturday about 11:30 AM There will be an Orange & Blue stake at my site.
     We will focus our efforts on two locations:
The first one is across the highway near the campground. The trail starts at the day parking area where a good path leads down to the beach. We will meet again and drive and park near the second area on the beach. We will be looking for the low tide at both sites. REMEMBER bring clothing appropriate for the weather, it could be windy and overcast. Boots are recommended.
Camping Facilities: Plaskett Creek Campground is a National Forest campground, there is a camping fee. You can double-up on the sites. Tables, water, fire pits and toilet facilities are available. However, there are NO HOOK UPS.
Motels/Supplies: There are motels at Morro Bay and San Simeon. You might want to buy your gasoline at San Luis Obispo.
Tools: Bring a small hand garden rake (three tine claw type) and a bucket.

Any questions? Telephone Don Asher, (805) 482-2510.

What a Trip!
April Field Trip to Palos Verdes Peninsula
By Ron and Jean Wise.

     What a beautiful day to walk the Hills and Beaches of Palos Verdes in search of the many treasures it has to offer. With the sun out and a light breeze, it was to be wonderful day.

     We gathered at the Malaga Cove Plaza in front of the Fountain. Just a small group of nine Hounders. After some coffee and Danish at a nearby shop, we set off down the road to the first collecting site.

Left to Right: Brett, Don, Greg, Lowell, Jean, Ester, Abe, & Ron.

     At a small parking spot along Pasea Del Mar and a short hike down to the beach, we began poking at the crevices and cracking the many stones. Most of the Group found the Selenite sheets right away. The liberated veins of a variety of gypsum proved to be thick and clear.

     The guys made their way down a cliff to a cobblestone covered shoreline. The Brett's were searching the Electric Green Glaucophane. They didn't find any on this side of the beach. Big Brett found an engine block, possibly from one of the many cargo shipwrecks along this coastline.

Lit' Brett found a shark egg case, wow.

     A few cobbles made their way back to the trail and eventually to the Lapidary Workshop. The Brett's found a nice Diatomaceous/Calcite conglomerate to cut and polish. We will be eager to see how this one turns out.

     The ladies, Jean and Ester had good fortune with the other side of the cliff where they discovered a secluded cove. Lit' Brett joined them and helped to expose some Barite Roses with enough for everyone to take home. After about an hour, Greg, The Brett's and Lowell made their way to the far side of the beach, where they found the Glaucophane. Some were the size of pebbles and many were cobbles and larger. They have a beautiful banded swirl of Jade Green color. Very exciting stuff.

     At about noon, the group stopped for lunch at a little sandwich shop on the way to the next collecting sites. After a brief discussion of where to hit next, we headed south on Palos Verdes Drive to Fishermen's Access. No one ventured down to the beach as the Group wanted to head out to the final stop. Lit' Brett pointed out the best places to collect to the Left and Right of the trail. We will have to hit this spot next time.

     The drive to the final stop was an adventure in itself, as Palos Verdes Drive passes right through the heart of the famous landside of 1999. The last collecting site of the day was Livingston Quarry. We were looking for the famous Dog Toothed Dolomite.

     After a brief hike up to the Quarry, Lit' Brett gave a history and geology lesson. Then with another hike around the bend, everyone came to the cliff face with the most spectacular Dolomite and Selenite formation around. All of us "Dug" in to the many stone and boulders that have fallen from the cliff face. Many went home very satisfied with their finds.

     Many thanks to the folks, who participated in this trip, and we will be seeing You on the next trip.

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TRI-CLUB FIELD TRIPS 2005:
Tentative Schedule 3/23/2005.
Before going on a field trip PLEASE
contact field trip leader to confirm
that there is a field trip scheduled.

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

  Table of Contents.

EARTH SCIENCE
By Cal Clason, Chair, Earth Science Studies.

What is Earth Science Studies? A question I am frequently asked, and almost impossible to answer. The basic premise is to make available a time and place to expose participants to many facets of our avocation. They began 20 years ago as a weeklong adventure in the Mojave Desert. The Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx was the venue. Izzy and Bill Burns had attended a session at Wildacres in North Carolina and thought CFMS could, and should, do something in that fashion. Through a lot of hard work and perseverance our Earth Science Studies program was launched. In an effort to better serve all of CFMS a second Session was started in Northern California, at camp White Meadows. A series of changes brought it to Camp Paradise, an Apostolic Church Camp near Clipper Mills. Both programs became quite popular so a second session was held at Camp Paradise with overtures made to initiate a second session at Zzyzx. Unfortunately, the popularity of the Desert Studies Center, administered by a Consortium of Seven State Colleges and Universities, for research at springtime precluded this happening. Unpredictable weather further limits our using the site at other times.

The foregoing is just a brief history of how we came into being. Some other people who deserve a lot of credit: Virginia Hansen/Grafton, who has taught bead stringing since the beginning. Ray and Florence Meisenheimer who for many years have influenced the success of the program, and were my predecessors as chairman, and last but not least, the many instructors who have given their time and expertise to enhance the Program.

Our commitment to CFMS is to provide an arena to enable the participants to experience different techniques in the many facets of lapidary, jewelry, and rockhounding in general with the hope they will pass it on and contribute to keeping our hobby a viable one.

So much for that line of thought. Our spring fling at Zzyzx has or is about to happen and again we have a full house for the week.

Camp Paradise is on the horizon and Jack Williams is planning a good one. Applications should be available in the next CFMS Newsletter and on the Internet at: www.cfmsinc.org. The dates are: September 11-17 and 18-24. Make your plans early. More later.
     CFMS Newsletter 4/05.

  Table of Contents.

NASA TO SEND CELESTIAL HAMMER TO
BREAK OPEN COMET.

Scientific curiosity is going to cause a minor collision in space. On January 12, 2005, NASA launched a spacecraft named Deep Impact. This spacecraft will fire an 800-pound impactor right into the path of the 4-mile wide comet Tempel 1. The collision is scheduled to take place on July 4, 2005. The mission is stated to cost approximately $330 million. Scientists at NASA are very eager to know what happens after the impact. According to a senior official associated with the project, the impact, they hope, will put an end to all the speculation about the interiors of comets. How comets are formed and what is their mineral composition.

The scientific community has long been interested in knowing what lies beneath the surface of any comet. They say it will help prove or disprove theories about how our planet was formed. Some scientists believe that comets are leftovers that remain after the solar system was formed. There are some who say that comets are made up of agglomerating dirty chunks of water ice.

At the time of the collision, the comet Tempel 1 will be close enough for astronomers to monitor what happens. The debris that will be kicked up will reveal, for the very first time, just what a comet is made of. A member of the mission management team at Jet Propulsion Laboratory says that this collision is the astronomical equivalent of "tapping something with a hammer to find out what lies beneath its surface," a practice common among geologists. He said "The difference is we're going to tap it with an 800-pound hammer." He said that this collision will provide a better understanding of comets than the previous opportunity they had when NASA's craft Stardust photographed the Comet Wild 2 at very close range. Those photographs only whetted the scientific curiosity of wanting to know what lies underneath a comet's surface.

The mission management team is not sure what they hope or expect to find. Within the team there is already much speculation and even friendly betting. Most are in favor of finding chunks of water ice. One team member said that if that is the case, then they expect a large crater caused by the impact, roughly the size of a football stadium. Another team member speculated that the comet is more porous and fragile than is believed. The collision between the projectile and the comet, at a speed of 22,000 mph, will take place 83 million miles away from Earth.
     Internet article via the Petrified Log 2/05.

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MINING BY OCEAN WAVE.

Anna Casselman reported in Discover, April 2005, that the December 26 tsunami lifted tons of titanium ore worth millions of dollars from the tidal shores and deposited them on the beaches of southern India. The deposits, some as high as 10 feet, stretch along more than 300 miles of shoreline. A geologist for the Central Mining Research Institute, V. Loveson, found the ore left about a mile inshore. Most of the world's high grade titanium is mined from coastal deposits, called beach placers, in a modern version of gold panning. Titanium occurs in numerous minerals, mainly illmenite and rutile, and has only been refined in the past half century. It is a silvery white metal that burns in oxygen at 610 degrees C, and curiously, also burns in nitrogen. Titanium alloys are a favorite of the aerospace industry, as well as being used in cars, computers, and sports equipment. The alloys are 45 percent lighter than steel and just as strong. They are also resistant to heat and corrosion. Klaproth, the German scientist who discovered the metal named it after the Titans of Greek mythology, the incarnation of natural strength.
     From The Petrograph, 4-05 via Napa Gems 4-05.

  Table of Contents.

QUARTZ INCLUSIONS.

Almost every time nature grows a crystal, she encases in it a variety of objects called Inclusions. They are scientifically important because they are evidence of the temperatures, pressures, composition and other characteristics of the environment in which the mineral is found.

Not only solids but liquids and gasses are often trapped during crystal growth. The difference between the white, opaque variety of quartz called milky quartz and the clear glassy variety called rock crystal is caused by multitudes of tiny bubbles of liquid trapped in milky quartz.

Frequently, the inclusions will be more than one kind, each called a phase. One of the most amazing sights to see under a microscope is the two-phase inclusion of a tiny bit of carbon in one of the liquid filled cavities found in quartz in Herkimer County, New York. The carbon can be seen jittering around in an erratic dance, bombarded by the ever-moving liquid molecules. This is called the Brownian Motion after Robert Brown, the botanist, who first reported it in 1827.
     By Paul E. Desautels via Agatizer 8-89 via Napa Gems 4-05.

  Table of Contents.

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

Workshop Tip:
   Here's a quick, safe way to remove a cabochon that gets stuck in the bezel of a finding when grinding for a perfect fit. Don't start picking and prying -- take it to the kitchen, and have a towel or washcloth handy. Put a cup or two of water into a small pan and bring to a boil. Take a pair of needle nose pliers or tweezers and dip the offender in the hot water (one or two minutes is usually enough). Remove and tap it gently with a pencil over the towel. It should drop out free and unharmed. The trick is very simple. The metal of the finding will expand more quickly than the stone, so the stone drops out. - From Nevada County Gem & Mineral Society via Del-Air Bulletin, 3-05.

Cutting Palm Wood:
   There are three ways to cut palm root and each will give a different effect. All palm roots seem to have a ring of agate around the eye and a colored center.
1) Cutting down the center gives a striking wood stained effect but does not show the eye.
2) Cutting across the center brings out the round eye.
3) Cutting diagonally across the roots produces an elliptical eye effect. - Original source unknown , from Strata Gem 7-04 via Rock Writings 2-05.

  Table of Contents.

MEMBERSHIP.

Our 2005 directories will be at the April meeting. Be sure to pick up your copy. Those who aren't able to make the meeting will be mailed. We are fortunate to have several new members included, be sure to welcome all of them. If you find any corrections or additions that are needed, please advise Shirley Layton and they will be published in the next Bulletin.

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, March 23rd, 2005:
     The regular monthly meeting of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society was called to order by Ed Clark at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, March 23rd, 2005 at the Lexington, Ventura, CA.
     The February meeting and board meeting minutes were corrected and then m/s/c as shown in the bulletin.
Ed Clark welcomed everyone, introduced guests and began with our salute to the flag. The April general meeting program will consist of mineral identification and be presented by Ed Clark. May's program will be an auction.
Ron Wise - There'll be a field trip on April 10th to the Palos Verde area, led by Bret Johnson of the Oxnard club.
Shirley Layton - The 10th of April will be the deadline for articles and photographs to be submitted for the bulletin. The new directories will be issued at the April meeting.
Shirley Bromser - Club dues are due by the end of March and we have 39 paid members as of this time.
Ray Meisenheimer - Ray awarded raffle prizes to a few lucky people.
Wayne Ehlers - The spring cab class will begin March 28, located at the museum and last for 5 consecutive Monday evenings from 6-8 pm.
Jim Brace-Thompson - A recap meeting of our March show will be held at Jim's house on April 3rd, at 2:00 and all are welcomed. Jim next presented a slide show of family field trips to various locations and after that, members spoke of their favorite sites and material that can be found.
     Refreshments were provided by Greg & Valli Davis.
     The next Board meeting will be Thursday, April 7th at the Meisenheimer's house. All are welcomed to attend and the next regular meeting will be held May 25th at the Lexington.
     There being no further business, President Ed Clark adjourned the meeting at 8:45 pm.
          Respectfully submitted, Greg Davis.


Minutes of the VGMS Monthly Board Meeting,
Sunday, April 3rd, 2005:
     The regular board meeting of the VGMS was called to order by Ray Meisenheimer at 3:30 pm on Sunday, April 3rd, 2005, at Jim & Nancy Brace-Thompson's house Ventura, CA (most board members were scheduled to be out of town on Thursday, April 7th).
Present: Ray and Florence Meisenheimer, Jim & Nancy Brace-Thompson, Shirley Layton, Richard and Shirley Bromser and Greg Davis.
Richard Bromser - There is no treasurer's report due to the short notice of this meeting.
Shirley Layton - Articles for the bulletin need to be received by the 10th of the month. Guests are being sent club bulletins for 2 months and the new directories will be issued at the next regular meeting.
Ray Meisenheimer will be giving a presentation at a Camarillo school this month.
Florence Meisenheimer - Donna Knapton of the Oxnard club would like to initiate a tri-club effort to assemble mineral ID kits for county schools. Further study is pending.
Shirley Bromser - We have 52 paid members so far and dues were due by the end of March.
     The next general meeting will be on May 25th, 2005 at the Lexington in Ventura and Ed Clark will be discussing mineral identification.
     There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:45 pm.
          Respectfully submitted, Greg Davis.

  Table of Contents.

SHOW DATES.

Reno Gem & Mineral Society presents "Jackpot of Gems 2005" on May 7 & 8, 2005 at the Reno Livestock Events Center Exhibit Hall, 1350 N. Wells Ave., Reno, NV. Hours: Sat. 10-5. Sun. 10-4. Hourly prizes (Grand Prize - 250 Sacagawea Dollars), Dealers, Demonstrators, Exhibits, Field Trip and Youth activities.


Virgin Valley Gem, Mineral, Fossil and Jewelry Show -
An invitation is extended to your club to attend the 1st annual Virgin Valley gem, mineral, fossil and jewelry show over the Labor Day week end to be held at the Opal Negra Mine millsite.
     There is no fee to buyers or sellers.
     There is plenty of space to set up a booth or to tailgate.
     Free camping is available at the nearby CCC campground. Or, if needed, there are full hookups at the Royal Peacock's RV Park at http://www.royalpeacock.com/mining01.htm. Reservations are recommended.
     If you have ever wanted to dig at one of the world famous opal fee digs here's another reason to go!
     More information is available on the Opal Negra Mine website, including maps, driving directions and links; at this address:
     http://thegemdealer.com/gemshow/virginvalleygemshow.htm.
     For questions not answered at the web site contact Scott Ryals at gemshow@thegemdealer.com or call 1-800-803-7601.
     Hope to see you there!
          Scott Ryals,
          Opal Negra Mining.

2005 CFMS SHOWS.

APRIL 23-24; BAKERSFIELD, CA - Kern County Mineral Society, Kern County Fairgrounds. Hours 10-5 both days. Nichelle Sebresos (661) 809-4705.
APRIL 23-24; LANCASTER, CA - Antelope Valley Gem & Mineral Club, Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 2551 West Avenue Valley Fairgrounds. Hours: 9-5 both days. Armin Nimmer (661) 945-5769.
APRIL 23-24; SANTA CRUZ, CA - Santa Cruz Mineral & Gem Society, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, on corner of Center & Church Streets. Hours: 10-5 both days. Contact: Hubert Drake (831) 688-8086. Email: hmdrake@pacbell.net.
MAY 7-8; ANAHEIM, CA - Searchers Gem & Mineral Society, Brookhurst Community Center. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4:30. W. Mroch; PMB 373, 4141 Ball Road, Cypress, CA 90630. Email: hwmroch@gemandmineral.com.
MAY 7-8; BISHOP, CA - Lone Pine Gem & Mineral Society, Tri County Fairgrounds, Sierra Street & Fair Drive. Hours: Sat. 9-5; Sun. 10-4. Jeff Lines (760) 872-6597.
MAY 7-8; RENO, NV - Reno Gem & Mineral Society, Reno Livestock Events Center Exhibit Hall, 1350 N. Wells Avenue. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Jennifer Rhodes (775) 356-8820.
MAY 14-15; NEWBURY PARK, CA - Conejo Gem & Mineral Club "California Gems & Minerals", Borchard Park Community Center, 190 Reino Rd. Hours: Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-5. Bob Stultz (805) 498-4220.
MAY 14-15; YUCAIPA, CA - Yucaipa Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Yucaipa Community Center, 349 Oak Glen Road. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4. Lee Peterson (909) 794-0731. Email: res09ayd@verizon.net.
MAY 20-22; ANDERSON, CA - Superior CA Gem & Mineral Association, Shasta County Fairgrounds, Five Miles South of Reading. Hours: Fri. & Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4. Steve Puderbaugh (530) 365-4000.
MAY 28-30; WEAVERVILLE, CA - Trinity Gem & Mineral Society, Lowden Park. Hours: Sat. & Sun. 10-5, Mon. 10-4.
JUNE 4-5; GLENDORA, CA - Glendora Gems, Goddard Middle School, 859 E. Sierra Madre. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4. Bonnie Bidwell (626) 963-4638. Email: Ybidwell2@aol.com.
JUNE 4-5; LA HABRA, CA - North Orange Community Center, 101 W. La Habra Blvd. Hours: 10-5 both days. Don Warthon (626) 330-8974. Email: warthen@earthlink.net.
JUNE 10-12; ROSEVILLE, CA - CFMS & Roseville Gem & Mineral Blast, Roseville (Placer County) Fairgrounds, 800 All American City Blvd. (916) 630-1000. Web Site: www.rockrollers.com. Show: www.rockrollers.com/show.html.
AUGUST 5, 6, 7; NIPOMA, CA - Orcutt Mineral Society, St. Joseph's Church, 298 S. Thompson Avenue. Hours: 9-5 Daily. Lucky Virgin (805) 929-4525. Email: lvirgin@impulse.net.
SEPTEMBER 17-18; REDWOOD CITY, CA - Sequoia Gem & Mineral Society, Community Activity Building, 1400 Rosevelt Ave. Hours: 10-5 both days. Carol Corden (650) 776-5990. Email: ccorden@earthlink.net. Preston Bingham (650) 368-6351.
SEPTEMBER 24, LOS ALTOS, CA - Peninsula Gem & Geology Society, Rancho Shopping Center, Corner of Foothill Expressway & Springer Road. Hours: 9:30-4:45. Dave Smith (650) 967-7392. Email: rdsmeks@sbcglobal.net.
OCTOBER 8-9, TRONA, CA - Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society, 13337 Main Street. Hours: Sat. 7:30-5, Sun. 7:30-4. Bonnie Fairchild (760) 372-5356. Email: jbfairchild@verizon.net.
OCTOBER 15-16, ANDERSON, CA - Shasta Gem & Mineral Society, Shasta District Fairgrounds. Five Miles South of Redding. Hours: 10-5 both days. Alex Stoltz (530) 474-4400.
OCTOBER 22-23, SANTA ROSA, CA - Santa Rosa Mineral & Gem Society, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 1351 Maple Avenue. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Shirley Mottson (707) 795-1730.
NOVEMBER 11-13, SACRAMENTO, CA - Sacramento Mineral Society, Scottish Rite Temple, 615 H Street. Hours: Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4. George Sterpka (916) 984-9730. Email: sterpka@comcast.net.

AMERICAN FEDERATION / REGIONAL
SHOW SCHEDULE - 2005.

CALIFORNIA FEDERATION,
June 10-12, Roseville, CA.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN,
June 17-19, Colorado Springs, CO.

NORTHWEST,
August 5-7, Albany, OR.

MIDWEST / AFMS,
August 16-21, St. Louis, MO.

SOUTH CENTRAL FEDERATION,
December 2-4, Austin, TX.

  Table of Contents.

SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

     Just for the record any unsigned articles are by the Editor. We all enjoy articles from you members. Why not make a New Year's resolution to write up your thoughts about the show, vacation experiences, rock-collecting trips, Great Finds or anything of interest to share. Contributions from you members keep the Bulletin interesting and I thank you for them.

Trili - The Editor's Pet Trilobite.

  Table of Contents.

CFMS SHOW IN ROSEVILLE
By Florence Meisenheimer.

     The CFMS Show in Roseville will be held June 10-11-12 at the Fairgrounds. Admission is $4.00 per day or $10.00 for a 3 day pass. Seniors are $3.00 a day or $8.00 for a 3 day pass.
     Camping is $20.00 a day with few hook-ups. Campers must be gone by noon Monday.
     The deadline for registering is May 10th and no refunds after May 11th.
     I have forms for competitive and non-competitive exhibiting as well as camping, banquet, editor's breakfast and admissions. Let me know if you need any of these.
     The host hotel is Best Western, at $74.90 group rates. Be sure to tell them at the desk you are with CFMS. Make reservations early. I also have a listing of other hotels and inns, which run about $100.00 or more a day.

  Table of Contents.

EDUCATIONAL CORNER.

Definition of the Month.

Dorsey - The canine mail carrier of the Calico Hills: On a cold winter day in 1885, an adult male dog appeared at the doorstep of Mr. Stacey who lived in the mining camp of Bismarck in the Calico Hills near Barstow. The dog was of a Shepherd breed with a black and white coat. Mr. Stacey was the brother of the postmaster of Bismarck. The dog was taken-in by Mr. Stacey who named it "Dorsey". Mr. Stacey trained Dorsey to deliver mail between the mining camps of Bismarck and Calico. Dorsey was outfitted with two small mail pouches resembling the saddlebags used on pack animals. On a daily basis, Dorsey delivered mail, leaving Bismarck in the morning around 9:00 and walking 3 miles to Calico. After arriving in Calico, the mail pouches were taken off by the postmaster who sorted the letters contained within. Dorsey would wander around Calico and play with the local kids in town until it was time to return to work. At exactly 4:30 every afternoon, Dorsey would appear at the door of the Calico post office. He would then be equipped with the full mail pouch for the return trip to Bismarck. Dorsey did his work faithfully without pay for over ten years until the day he died.
     On May 10, 1885, a feature article appeared in the local paper The Calico Print, "...of all the servants Uncle Sam employs to carry his mail, none perhaps makes less fuss about it than Dorsey the mail dog who attends to Uncle Sam's business between town (Calico) and East Calico (Bismarck)."
     (This is a true story based on historical data documented in the book "Bill Mann's Guide to the Calicos: Ghost Town Mining Camps and Scenic Areas", Volume 3, written by Bill Mann, Shortfuse Publishing Co., Barstow, California.)
     The "Definition of the Month" features words related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. Written by Steve Mulqueen for the VGMS, April 2005.

Illustration of the Month.



"The Old Cabin, on the Columbia (River)."

From the book "Over the Range to The Golden Gate" by Stanley Wood, R. R. Donnelley & Sons, Publishers, Chicago, 1891.

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, April 2005.

  Table of Contents.

VGMS PHOTO ALBUM:
2005 Show - Kid's Booth - All photos by Jean Wise;
Meet our Dealers In May!

Jim Brace-Thompson.




Sharon Hixson.




Lowell Foster and Stuart Bloom.

  Table of Contents.

SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

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