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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
September 2007.

Rockhound Rambling Photo of the Month.
This month's photo is by Mary Polacek.

Description: Mystery Rock. If you have a clue what this is, please contact me. The specimen is a section approximately 5.5" H x 6.5" diameter and may be South American.

Rambling Picture of the Month is photographed by a VGMS Member. Subject may be a specimen in their own collection or a rock, mineral, gem or lapidary creation of others, accompanied with documentation of subject origin. Selection is at the discretion of the editor. Submit candidate photos to vgms_editor@roadrunner.com.

Permission is granted to quote any item, if proper credit is given. Exchange Editors: email to vgms_editor@roadrunner.com or mail to 3063 Bayshore Avenue, Ventura, CA 93001-4125.

For the record, any unsigned articles are by the Editor.

Table of Contents.

• PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE;
• WORDS TO LIVE BY;
• UPCOMING VGMS EVENTS;
• BIRTHDAYS;
• HOSPITALITY;
• MEMBERSHIP;
• PROGRAM REVIEW;
• PROGRAM SCHEDULE;
• Rock of Ages;
• MEETING MINUTES;
• CHIPS AND BOULDERS;
• TREES FOR RAY;
• 2008 VGMS SHOW;
• COMMUNITY OUTREACH;
• FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN;
• HINTS AND TIPS;
• EDUCATIONAL CORNER;
• FEDERATION NEWS;
• GEMS FROM THE PAST;
• LET'S BE SAFE OUT THERE;
• LET'S GO TO A SHOW - 2007;
• EARTH CORE ROTATION;
• JADE IS A MAGIC GEM;
• Lowell's Kids.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

I just returned from the East Coast. When I got there both the temperature and the humidity were in the 90's. After a few days the temperature dropped into the low 70's presaging the first days of Fall. Fall is the most ideal season for exploring the California Desert. The days are often warm, nights are usually cool. It is the perfect condition for that special field trip you've been delaying for all those years.

Many of our VGMS members will take advantage of these great conditions in our desert while attending "Gem-O-Rama '07" on October 13th & 14th. This is the 66th annual mineral show sponsored by the Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society of Trona, California. For those who have never attended this show, it is a great opportunity to collect rare minerals such as Hanksite, Trona, Halite, Sulfohalite, Thenardite, Borax and Northupite, to name a few. It's also a great opportunity to get all muddy. Don't pass it up!
     Ed Clark, President.

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WORDS TO LIVE BY.

The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history.

A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it.

You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old.

Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but doesn't get you anywhere

Collected by Wayne Ehlers.

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UPCOMING VGMS EVENTS.

Regular Meeting - Wednesday, September 26, 7:30 pm, The Lexington, Ventura.
Board Meeting - Thursday, October 4, 7:30 pm, The Lexington, Ventura.
Bulletin Article Deadline - Sunday, October 7, email to: vgms_editor@roadrunner.com.
Show Planning - Sunday, October 14, 2 pm, 5636 Slicers Circle, Agoura Hills.
Workshop - Saturday, October 20, 9 am To Noon, Museum.

If omitted, the time, location or address can be found on the VGMS Information Page. (Close the new window to return here.)

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BIRTHDAYS.

Carl Stephens - September 08,
Clint Berkheiser - September 23,
Ron Ostlund - September 24,
Myrle Kirk - September 27,
Susan Mulqueen - September 27,
Stuart Bloom - September 28.

Avraham Barshai - October 09,
Dallas Stephens - October 16,
Zachary Bryant - October 17,
Valli Davis - October 23,
Erik Bryant - October 25,
Hermelinda Areo - October 28.

September Birthstones:
     Modern: sapphire.
     Ancient traditional:
          Hebrew: peridot,
          Roman: peridot,
          Arabic: peridot,
          Hindu: zircon,
          Polish: peridot,
          Russian: peridot,
          Guardian angel: hamatiel,
          His talismanic stone: zircon.

     Zodiac gemstones:
          Virgo: carnelian,
          Libra: peridot.

September Flower:
     Common Name: Aster,
     Botanical Name: Callistephus chiensis,
     Color: Purple,
     Meaning: Symbol of Love, Daintiness.

http://www.copyright-free-pictures.org.uk/flowers/41-aster.htm.


Copyright-free-pictures.org.uk are the sole copyright holders of this Aster flower picture, unless otherwise stated. We only authorise non-commercial picture use and particularly encourage their use for educational purposes. This Aster flower picture is not in the Public Domain.

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HOSPITALITY.

Fifteen members and four guests attended the August meeting. Our guests were Rebecca Swift, Elena Wintersong, Debbie Sander and son Ryan. Debbie and Ryan entertained our members with a suitcase full of rocks for identification. Most of the rocks were identified but they did leave with a few mystery rocks. It was a pleasure to see Karen and Rebecca Foster.

Thank you to Karen (and Rebecca) for the refreshments.

Following are the refreshment volunteers for the remainder of 2007:
     September - Jim and Nancy Brace-Thompson,
     October - Stephenson family,
     November - Pumpkin potluck,
     December - Holiday potluck.

Thank you to those who have already contributed. Contact Sharon Cunningham, 649-3579, if you are willing to supply refreshments for a month in the future.

Another Howdy to Sharon Cunningham. We hope to see you soon.

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MEMBERSHIP.

We are pleased to introduce a new member, Rebecca Swift.
     Rebecca Swift,
     11598 Ventura Avenue,
     Ojai, CA 93023,
     805.646.6121,
     becks.004@gmail.com.

She is interested in minerals, fossils, field trips, lapidary/jewelry arts, meteorites, and mining history.
          Jim Brace-Thompson, Membership Chair.

(Webmaster's Note: If you want a printed copy of the following so you can place an order move the mouse cursor to the left of the word 'Attention', push and hold down the left mouse button, and sweep down over the ad with the mouse cursor. This will highlight the contents of the ad. Release the mouse button and, without clicking anywhere else on the page, select EDIT on the browser menu and select COPY. You may then PASTE into any word processor and print in your normal manner. If you highlight too much you may delete the unneeded part with the word processor before printing. This works with any browser I know.)

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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PROGRAM REVIEW.

August Program: History of the VGMS, Part I.
     Lowell did a great job of presenting the early history of our club. He summarized three decades of VGMS history, from inception in 1944 through 1966. Source documents were board and meeting minutes, bulletins, and a history written by an early member. A recap was not submitted, so I cannot share from memory the highlights, but it was a good program, enjoyed by all.

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PROGRAM SCHEDULE.

September Program.
     Well, it's that time again - the Silent Auction is back and ready for September. Please rummage around your stacks of rough material and find pieces that you've been sitting on for over a year thinking you'd get to them and never do. Chances are in the upcoming year you'll put other needs in front of those pending projects. If that's the case, that rock may never see the light of day, let alone the grind of diamond. I'm sure other people will love to take what you've got and make something pretty out of it. Remember, a rolling stone gathers no moss or was that saying a tumbled stone gathers a gloss? These things are so confusing. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you've got something good that has more than 12 months worth of dust (or moss) on it, sell it and let someone else get a shot at it.

October Program - History of the VGMS, Part II.
November Program - Open.
December Program - Christmas Potluck at Ed Clark's.

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Rock of Ages.

By Dr. Gladys Schwesinger (Former Member of the VGMS).

At times I'd like to be a Rock,
A rough and rugged hunk of rock,
A rock that's spanned the mighty ages,
And seen Old Earth through many stages.
An elevated, towering boulder,
Remaining here as Earth grows older,
And Man remakes his continent,
Smearing its face with hard cement,
Draining its streams, filling ravines,
Felling its trees, cutting its greens,
Filling its fields with cities and tracts,
Polluting the skies with industrial stacks,
Projecting satellites out into space,
Encircling the world in a mad, fast pace,
Stopping our kids from ever knowing
The feel of a world in its first full glowing.
And in the midst of man-made changes,
With future folks denied the ranges,
Which Man once roamed and then forgot,
I'd stay right here and keep my spot
To just show folks what God once wrought!
     From August 1958 Issue - Rockhound Rambling.

Image source (modified):
Scribe 2002-2007 DVD
wildhorse.jpg.

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MEETING MINUTES.

Minutes of the VGMS Regular Monthly Meeting;
Wednesday, August 22, 2007:
     The regular monthly meeting of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society was called to order by Lowell Foster at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at Lexington, Ventura, California.
     The July membership meeting and the August board meeting minutes were corrected and then m/s/c as shown in the bulletin.
Lowell Foster, presiding over the meeting, directed the pledge to the flag and welcomed guests.
Abe Barshai - It has been decided that we will have a Country Store at our annual show due to the fact that Mary, Esther and Shirley Layton have offered to over-see it. The next show meeting will be held on Sunday, September 9th, 2:00 at the Brace-Thompson's house. All are welcome.
Cyndie Day - The rental storage facility is being arranged and donations with help paying the fee will gladly be accepted.
Mary Polacek - Articles to the bulletin will be required by the first Sunday after each board meeting. Any and all articles and photos will be greatly appreciated.
Greg Davis - We've not received a reply back from my inquiry to the Help of Ojai. Saturday's workshop was productive with more museum material being boxed, Steve Mulqueen donating magazines for the Country Store, and show materials being set aside for transport to the storage facility.
Jim Brace-Thompson - The final yellow pages form was finalized and distributed. New membership forms have been printed and are ready for distribution.
Nancy Brace-Thompson - The 2008 Federation Show will be held here in Ventura next June. All are encouraged to schedule accordingly and try to allot time to assist.
Lowell Foster - Next month Lowell will present another silent auction. If you'd like to contribute items, just bring them to the meeting. Wayne's agate program will be scheduled for this fall.
     Lowell next presented a program on the first half of our club's history. With its inception on December 27, 1944, through 1966, Lowell had painstakingly pulled together the highlights along with slides to help us go back to a time before we were members. From Ruth Parker's contributions, to the first by-laws and the first club show held at West Park, it was all very informative and interesting. We'll be awaiting the second half. Thank you Lowell.
     Refreshments were provided by Karen and Rebecca Foster.
     The next board meeting will be held on September 6th at the Lexington, the next monthly membership meeting will be on September 26.
     There being no further business, Lowell adjourned the meeting at 9:05 pm.
          Respectfully submitted,
          Greg Davis,
          Recording Secretary.


Minutes of the VGMS Board Meeting;
Thursday, September 6, 2007:
     The regular board meeting of the VGMS was called to order by Ed Clark at 7:30 pm on Thursday, September 6th, 2007, at the Lexington in Ventura.
Present: Ed Clark, Lowell Foster, Jim & Nancy Brace-Thompson, Cyndie Day, Dave Mautz and Greg Davis.
Old business:
Lowell Foster - This month's program will be a silent auction. October will tentatively be the second half of our club history. The year in review program will be planned for February of next year. Efforts are being made to revive the traditions of a club breakfast and BBQ. Several people have also offered donations for the monthly meeting raffle/door prize if that feature can be brought back. We'll need someone to step forward and offer to manage it though.
Greg Davis - Members still need to contact myself or Ron prior to going to the museum/workshop to confirm its availability. A work shop is scheduled for September 15. A storage facility has been rented by the club. It is located in Santa Paula and a time will be scheduled to transport show materials into storage.
New business:
Jim Brace-Thompson - The yellow pages showing members' lapidary specialties were completed and distributed to club members. Jim also revised and printed new club flyers. It was m/s/c to accept the membership application for Becky Swift. A show meeting will be held this Sunday at 2:00. Publicity for our 2008 show has already begun with notices being sent to magazines.
Nancy Brace-Thompson - The 2008 Federation show will be held in Ventura on June 27-29. All are encouraged to plan ahead in order to participate and offer to assist with setup and the many other jobs that will need to be done. This will be a great opportunity for us to show our stuff and attract new members. Nancy also mentioned that she and Jim will provide refreshments for the September membership meeting.
Cyndie Day - The treasurer's report was distributed to Board members and it was m/s/c to accept as printed. Printed copies of previous monthly reports from Richard Bromser were reviewed. Two boxes of club financial records have been transferred to Cyndie and she suggests they be stored at the new facility in Santa Paula.
Greg Davis - There are various kinds of display cases to be disposed of, from both the Fair Grounds and our club, and are stored at the work shop. All are welcome to stop by, take a look and take them home for free!
Ed Clark - Support the Federation show effort in June of next year by being involved. Just a reminder that this year's Christmas get together will be held at Ed's house and will be a potluck dinner.
     The next general meeting will be on September 26, 2007, at the Lexington in Ventura and the next board meeting will be held at the Lexington on October 4th.
     There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:37 pm.
          Respectfully submitted,
          Greg Davis,
          Recording Secretary.

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

CHIPS AND BOULDERS.

Thank You Ron and Jean.
     Many thanks to Ron for his efforts to find storage. Ron and Jean also generously donated the first month's rent for the storage locker.

Smooth Treasurer Hand Down.
     Cyndie thanked Richard Bromser for the smooth treasurer transition. Cyndie said it went very smoothly as Richard was a very organized record keeper. I am sure I speak for the Club in thanking Cyndie for stepping into that position. We are in good hands.

Country Store Rescued.
     Esther Barshai volunteered to help with pricing and setup. During the show, Esther prefers to man the Kids' Booth. Shirley Layton generously volunteered to help man the store. So, we WILL have a Country Store at our annual show. Although it is too early to round up donations, we ask members to keep the Country Store in mind before you toss or donate usable items in good condition.

Note from Richard and Shirley.
     Richard Bromser was pleased to receive the Club's thank you card. He and Shirley really appreciated it.

Rock Equipment Sale. (This notice was received September 16.)
     Due to the passing of one of our members [Del Air Rockhound Club], the family needs to sell their rock equipment before moving out of the area. Please pass this on to your members. Thank you.
FOR SALE Equipment located in Northridge, CA (must be taken on Oct. 13th):
     24 in. covered Frantom Saw. New motor and near new segmented blade - $500.00.
     26 in. Highland Park Vibralap - $350.00.
     20 in. Rose (Bakersfield) Vibralap - $300.00.
     6 in. Trim Saw - $50.00.
     Small Burn Out Oven - $25.00.
     6 in. hard diamond grinding wheel on a 2-wheel motor/arbor - $25.00.
CONTACT BOB DEARBORN - (818) - 883-7851 Del Air Rockhound Club.

OGMS October Presentation.
     For anybody who is interested, I will be giving the program for Oxnard on October 3. The topic is the history of the Hauser Geode Beds along with current status on various collecting locations. The talk will be illustrated with photos of each site discussed and material will be shown from these locations. If you have specimens from this region that you'd like to show off, please bring them and be ready to briefly state how they were acquired.
          Lowell Foster.

Exhibiting at and Visiting the Oxnard Show.
     Our neighbors in the Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society will host their annual show November 17 and 18 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. We encourage VGMS members to enter exhibits at this show. Set-up will be on Friday, November 16 between 1:00 PM and 9:30 PM and on Saturday before 10:00 AM. If you'd like to exhibit, please contact Lois Allman, 407 Magnolia Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93030, phone number (805) 483-6871. She'll need to know what you'll be exhibiting, how many cases you'll use and whether you'll be bringing your own case or borrowing a club case, the dimensions of your case if you're bringing your own, and finally, whether you'll be joining the Friday evening dinner for exhibiters and dealers. Contact her as early as possible and not later than November 1.
     Whether exhibiting or not, we encourage all members to attend the show to take in the displays, shop among their dealers, and add a few items to your collection at the silent auction (they had some really great material last year - nice large petrified wood, interesting massive agate from Mexico, jade, etc.). Many Oxnard members display at our show and help out (for instance, Don Minster has helped with set up, Donna and Larry Knapton passed out rocks to area school teachers, etc.), so let's reciprocate and show our support for OGMS.
     See you at the show!
          Jim Brace-Thompson.

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TREES FOR RAY.

A View of Jerusalem.

Dear Florence,
     There are no words we can say to lessen the pain of your loss. We were in Israel and found out of Ray's passing almost a month later. You have our sympathies.
     It is custom in Israel to plant trees as a living memory to family and departed friends.
     Again, we feel your pain.
          Esther and Abe Barshai.

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2008 VGMS SHOW.

     Abe Barshai convened our latest show-planning meeting on September 9 at the Brace-Thompson's home in Ventura. All seems to be progressing well toward yet another great show in March 2008! We still need volunteers for a couple of show committees, such as Security and the Raffle/Donations Awards. Here's our current list of chairs for the various show committees:

     If you notice any errors in this listing, please alert Abe. Each committee chair needs volunteers to help both in planning and at the show itself, so please pick an area of interest to you and touch base with the committee chair/s to join in the fun! Also, start setting aside white elephant sorts of items for our Country Store sale, set aside rocks and fossils to donate to our Silent Auction and Donation Awards Raffle, and start rooting some plant cuttings for our Plant Sale. We're talking about rearranging our Hospitality Booth and Welcome area to move it closer to the doors, and the revised floor plan may result in a bit more space for an additional dealer. We're also creating new show posters with a colorful design this year the better to catch the public's eye.
     And speaking of catching the public's eye, we're looking for ideas for a show theme or some special attraction that would help in our publicity efforts. For instance, this year the Oxnard club will be hosting a special display of the Moorpark Mammoth to help publicize their show. What neat ideas can we come up with that will attract attention and bring in the local public? One idea floated at the meeting was to invite a local stone sculptor to do demos in the outside area by the entrance to the show hall. If you have ideas, please contact Publicity Chair, Jim Brace-Thompson (805/659-3577).
     We'll hold our next show-planning meeting on October 14, at Abe and Esther's home in Agoura Hills.
          Jim Brace-Thompson.

Next Show Planning Meeting:
     Date: Sunday, October 14.
     Time: 2:00 PM.
     Place: The Barshai's home, 5636 Slicers Circle, Agoura Hills, CA. For directions, call Abe or Esther at (818) 991-7735.

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

Minutes of the Tri-Society Educational Co-operative Meeting, August 21, 2007.
Chairperson Donna Knapton called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm. Present were: Jim Brace-Thompson, Mitty Scarpato, Miriam Tetreault, Stephanie Hagiwara, Donna and Larry Knapton.
Box delivery completed on Briggs, Fillmore, Mesa Union, Santa Clara, County Library & Ventura, except for Mound.
Progress of next set is slow. Knaptons were busy with family, and not much help came from members; Don Asher, Stephanie & Miriam the mainstays. Work stopped now for Larry's operation. When that is completed we will need much help.
Jim has completed an intensive teacher's guide. Cover for guide will be in color and have title Tri-Club & Sage Publications on it. The Tonya Atwater animation CD will also be included. These latest items will be delivered to schools that already have boxes.
API report will be made to Steve.
Rock supply: San Luis Obispo (Central Coast Treasure Hunters Assoc.) donated 259 # of Serpentine. Need more of: Quartzsite, Conglomerate, Garnet, Obsidian, Rhyolite, white sand from NM. Some need to be sized and #s painted on.
Earth Week Kits for October, will need a sponsor for these, AGI? Have 2 CDs from Government Publications. Donna will try to contact Debbie Bereki of the Oil Museum to obtain help.
Virtual Box is now on the Oxnard website.
August trip was a GPS run for: Green/Black Slate, Pumice, Garnet, Breccia, Shiest, Greenstone, & Obsidian.
T-Shirts Oxnard Club.
Need identifying by qualified person of Rhyolite-Andesite Porphyry. In the future Donna has her eye on specialty kits for fossil & crystal!
     Miriam Tetreault, Acting Secretary.


Education Station August 2007.
     Just to let everyone know that we will be having another workday on Saturday, Sept 15 to try to get all this rock that has been collected, in the containers before the rains start this winter. We gathered several kinds on our August field trip as well as got many of the places GPSed so that anyone can find them that wants to find them.
     We have about 180 rocks ready to paint and number, 30+ buckets that need to be broken to size then processed - washed, painted and numbered. Get your sledge hammers and come help us! We have lots of jobs for all levels, so come give us a hand on the 15th anytime between 9:00 and 4:00.
     We need some more of the red and white sands, so if you are heading to southern New Mexico or Utah, give me a call. We also need some good solid shale and some AA from Pisgah Crater, if you are in the area.
     We owe a big 'Thank You' to the San Luis Obispo Club. They sent us three big boxes of Serpentine last week. There was also interest expressed by some of the Orange County Clubs in making a set of boxes for their schools.
     Things are progressing on the rock boxes after getting little done over the summer. Miriam Tetreault and Don Asher are here today helping.
     We received the final proof of the Handbooks yesterday, so they should be ready to hand them out to the schools that already have boxes shortly and to give teachers with the next set of boxes. (Thanks again to SAGE Publishing and Jim Brace-Thompson.)
          Donna Knapton, Chairman Tri-Club Education Chairman.

Editor's Note: Sorry our bulletin did not get published in time for the work date. Perhaps we'll get enough advance notice to be of help the next work day.

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FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN!

Mulqueen Alaskan Vacation.

1. Iditarod Mile Zero, the starting point for the famous race, which lasts 10 to 17 days depending on weather conditions and is 1150 miles long.

2. Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park, Kenai Peninsula.

3. Glacier east of Palmer.

4. 4. Alyeska Pipeline, 800 miles of 48-inch pipe (inside diameter) with insulation on the exterior.

5. Gold panning north of Valdez.

6. Mt. Wrangell, a live volcano, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the U.S.

Steve and Susan Mulqueen submitted these photos of their July 2007 Alaskan adventure.

FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE.
TRI-CLUB FIELD TRIPS 2007:
Tentative Schedule 9/15/2007. *

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

Saturday, September 22, C.F.M.S. Field Trip To Boron, CA.
CONTACT: Lew Helfrich, CFMS Field Trip Coordinator South, lewsrocks@bak.rr.com, (661)323-2663.
WHERE: Kramer Junction (Highways 395 and 58), Gephart Road Hwy 58.
WHAT CAN WE FIND:
     KRAMER JUNCTION - Agate ,dendritic opal palm root.
     BORON, GEPHART ROAD - Jasper agate, chalcedony (pink, blue and the famous purple if you are lucky).
WHAT ARE THE ROADS LIKE: Regular vehicles will make it to all sites. Some places are a bit sandy and we will cross one or two washes. This field trip is designed for elderly as well as those with special needs, and young kids. We will be right on the jasper and agate fields where hounding is easy.
WHAT TO BRING: PLENTY of water, snacks, food, a bucket or tote, a camera for pictures. A hat and good hiking boots or shoes. A rock hammer; a gad for the big ones. Proper clothing for desert hounding. Coat or jacket; weather changes drastically and quickly in the desert.
WHERE WE MEET: We will meet up at Gephart Road off of Hwy 58/395 to Kramer Junction. Take 58 towards Boron/Mojave to Gephart Road. Turn left towards town. We will congregate in the parking lot at the store on the left between 8:30 and 9:00 am. We will be looking for chalcedony first on Gephart Road. Those that want to stay please let us know. We will then travel into the desert looking for jasper. We will be right on the jasper beds. We will then pack up and head for Kramer Junction for wood, agate, dendritic opal, and palm root.
RULES AND REGULATIONS:
1) EVERYONE MUST sign a LETTER OF RELEASE OF LIABILITY prior to going to the collecting sites.
2) We will be on a tortoise preserve. We might see some as well as horned toads, lizards and maybe a rattler or two. DO NOT TOUCH OR GO WITHIN 10 FEET of these creatures. The tortoise and horned toads are protected. If you get too close to the tortoise, it will pee causing it to dehydrate and possibly die.
3) NO ALCOHOL. NO FIREARMS.
4) A good time is mandatory. This is one of the fun trips we do once a year where everyone brings home lots of goodies. If you have any questions, please email me at lewsrocks@bak.rr.com or call (661)323-2663.
HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE.
          Lew Helfrich.


Sunday, October 7, 2007, Clear Creek Field Trip.
Host: Santa Clara Valley Gem and Mineral Society, San Jose, CA.
Contact: RSVP to Randy Harris (831) 438-5150 or John Eichhorn (408) 749-0523 by October 5, 2007.
Meeting Time: 7:30 AM SHARP.
Meeting Place: D Mart on the corner of E. Tenth & Chestnut St. (6900 Chestnut St., Gilroy, CA 95020).
Meeting Place Directions: From San Jose, take Highway 101 south to Gilroy. Take the Highway 152 east exit. At the exit, turn right. Immediately get into the inside lane and turn left at the first signal onto Chestnut St.
What We Hope to Find: Plasma agate, jadeite, chromite, yellow garnet.
Tools Needed: Sledge hammer, chisels, collecting bags and buckets, safety goggles or glasses, heavy gloves.
Other Suggested Items: Sturdy shoes, long pants, lots of water, sunscreen, lunch, and a full tank of gas. Everyone who is attending the field trip will be required to sign in and out and also fill out and turn in a waiver form to the field trip leaders. Sign in/out sheet and waiver forms will available at the meeting place.


Sunday, October 7, 2007, Co-Op Member Trip To San Andreas & Stories In Stone Emporium.
LEADER: CONTACT INFO Ronald Clawson (916) 543-0065, Cell (916) 384-7266, cearon1@yahoo.com.
SPONSOR CLUB: Sun City Lincoln Hills Gem and Mineral Society.
TRIP LOCATION: Highway 49 one mile north of Highway 12 at San Andreas, CA, and Stories in Stones Emporium, Angels Camp, CA.
     All non-CFMS members must have proof of personal liability insurance (homeowners or renters). This trip is open to all rockhounds who agree to abide by the AFMS Code of Ethics, the directions of the field trip leader and practice safe rockhounding. Waiver of Liability form must be signed upon arrival at meeting site. CO-OP Website Has Information - www.coop.5u.com.
MEMBER'S GUESTS: Allowed.
COLLECTION MATERIAL: Serpentine rock ranging in color from black to dark green to yellow-green is found along the side of the road in piles. It makes beautiful cabochons.
PROPOSED SCHEDULE: 10:00 am on Sunday. Meet one mile north of the intersection of Highway 49 and Highway 12 at the North Fork of the Calaveras River. At 1:00 pm meet in Angels Camp for an educational earth science presentation at Stories in Stones Emporium, 1249 South Main Street.
MEET: Highway 49 at the North Fork of the Calaveras River at 10:00 am. This location is just outside of the town of San Andreas.
DIRECTIONS TO SITE: East side of Highway 49 about one mile North of Highway 12.
VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS: Any vehicle.
CAMP/FACILITIES: Angels Camp and Murphys has motels. Good camping at Calaveras Big Trees State Park above Arnold on Highway 4.
TOOLS: Bring a bucket, hammers, chisels, have eye and hand protection. The rock is easily accessible.
SAFETY CONCERNS: Traffic on Highway 49.
CLIMATE/WEATHER: It may be hot.
CLOTHING: Nothing special. Bring a hat.
OTHER REMARKS: The presentation at Stories in Stones Emporium is limited to fifty (50) people. Please call Ronald Clawson if you plan to attend.
FEES: None.

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HINTS AND TIPS.

Polishing a stone all over and on the edges acts as a sealer. It seals and keeps water in opal, it prevents natural corrosion in rhodonite (that corrodes to a black ore called wad), and it helps stop the absorption of harmful substances such as perspiration.
     From Rock Rollers 12/04 via Salinas Valley Rock and Gem Club Newsletter 07/07.

When working with a soft stone, such as marble or fossil corrals, soak in water for a couple of days before cutting. This will keep oil from soaking in to discolor the stone, and will result in a higher polish.
     From Gem-N-I 09/1988 via The Petrified Log 05/1997.

You can candle your thundereggs just as you can regular eggs. Punch a small hole in the bottom of a 2-pound coffee can. Turn it upside down and place a light inside it. It is surprising how the light coming through the hole will show the dendrites and saves cutting time.
     From Fred Greef, Washington Agate via Rocky Review 1997.

ROSE EBONY BEADS.
     Rose Ebony is an old-fashioned type of scented jewelry that was popular in Victorian times. It is easily made at home. The principal ingredient is fragrant rose petals which are ground up in a food grinder.
     The pulp and juice are thoroughly stirred in an iron skillet, which turns the mixture black. It is left in the skillet for a day, turned occasionally to make sure it is entirely black.
     Then the mixture is ground again, dried, and ground again. This process is repeated daily for nine days.
     On the final day a little water is added, after which the ebony mixture is rolled into a little round or oval balls. A pin is inserted through each one and they are left to dry. After a few days the pins are removed, and the small balls become beads.
     They are hard and durable and smell like roses. They have been known to retain their fragrance for over 50 years.
          From Mann Mineral Society Tumbler via Gems of the Foothills 08/1995.

Want to try something different and beautiful? First, pick out a good grade of White Plume Agate and slice it thinner than usual, but thick enough to bevel. Then cut slabs of black jasper as thin as possible. Boil the slices to remove oil. Epoxy the jasper to the underside of the White Plume. Press together and rub slightly to get the bubbles out and then weight it down or clamp it together until it dries. Mark and cut the same way you would regular cabochons. These are stunning and you will surely want to cut more.
     From GEMS of the Foothills 11/1997 via Shasta Gem and Mineral Society Rollin Rock 10/1996.

By using small pieces of Styrofoam plastic instead of the hard round, plastic beads, your polishing agent will do a better and quicker job. Those hundreds of polish impregnated, little Styrofoam pieces will really put a shine on everything in the tumbler and will disappear from sight by the end of the polishing cycle.
     From Breccia 09/2007 via The Rock Collector, 04/2001.

Have you ever spent a lot of time on a fine dark cab and, after polishing, find white specks of oxide embedded? Dark materials, such as black agate, petrified wood and dark jasper can be cleaned by using black jeweler's rouge and muslin buff. The buff will remove most of the white compound and the rouge will render it almost invisible.
     From the Rollin' Rock, 12/06 via T-Town Rockhound 12/05.

     The club presents these hints and tips for informational purposes only and does not specifically endorse or profess first-hand use or experience with any or all. As always, be aware of your situation, knowledge level and comfort zone before attempting anything new. When in doubt, stop! Get help before you need it.
     Keep a log in your shop. Document your techniques and inspirations. You will come up with a journal full of useful tips, and maybe even an educational article or two!! Email hints and tips to vgms_editor@roadrunner.com.

Let us hear about your good ideas!

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EDUCATIONAL CORNER.

Definition of the Month.

The Colorado River - The primary natural drainage system of the American Southwest. Estimates of the area of land that sheds water to the Colorado River are on the order of 242,000 square miles, covering portions of Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California as well as portions of northern Baja and Sonora Mexico. The headwaters of this great river are located within the Rocky Mountain National Park in the State of Colorado. The Colorado River varies in depth from 6 to 90 feet depending on topographic relief. The river begins its journey from an elevation of 9010 feet and empties into the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of Baja) in Mexico.

The Colorado River was named Rio Colorado or "Red River" by early Spanish settlers. Depending on rates of flow and the time of the year, the river water flowing through the Grand Canyon can be slightly red or reddish-brown in color. Before Glen Canyon Dam was built, some early estimates of the amount of sediment carried by the river within the Grand Canyon had been approximated at 500,000 tons per day. This sediment consisted of clay, silt and sand held in suspension as well as course sand, rocks and boulders in a traction load on the bed of the river. Peak flow rates of the river prior to the construction of Glen Canyon Dam was estimated to be 85,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), measured in the month of June. In the last 4000 years, based on erosional and depositional features within the walls of the Grand Canyon, peak flow rates may have at times exceeded 250,000 cfs. The term "The Mighty Colorado River" got its name from the great forces involved in its journey from the Rocky Mountains to the sea.

Data Source: "The Grand Canyon Explorer", an article by Bob Ribokas.

Written by Steve Mulqueen for the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, September, 2007. The "Definition of the Month" features words related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history.

Illustration of the Month.

Exploring the Walls, the Cañon of the Grand River (1891).

An engraving print showing hikers on a cliff face in the Cañon of the "Grand River" in the State of Colorado. This portion of the "Grand River", upstream from its confluence with the Green River, was renamed the Colorado River. Early maps of the Colorado River show it beginning at the point where the Grand River and Green River join. However, it was determined that the Green River was a tributary while the Grand River was the main drainage and part of the major Colorado River system.

Illustration Source: An engraving print from the book "Over the Range to the Golden Gate, A Complete Tourist Guide through Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, Puget Sound and the Great Northwest", written by Stanley Wood, published by R. R. Donnelley & Sons, 1891, illustration from page 116, engraver's name unknown.

This manuscript was prepared as a guidebook describing beautiful scenery, geographical features and places of interest encountered on railroad journeys through the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast. During the early 1890s, a rail trip over the Rockies was quite an adventure. This book details the adventure in order to entice tourists into buying rail passes. At this period in the history of the United States, the Transcontinental Railroad was slightly over 20 years old. In the early 1890s, the railroad was still something new to the general public and represented a great way to see the country.

Data Source: Text for this illustration was written by Steve Mulqueen for the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, September, 2007. 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.

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FEDERATION NEWS.

2008 California Federation Show.
     In addition to our own show on March 1-2, 2008, VGMS members are invited to participate in planning and implementation of the annual statewide show of the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CFMS) taking place June 27-29, 2008, at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Usually, one local club sponsors the statewide CFMS show, but no club stepped forward for 2008. So instead, the Federation will be relying on volunteers from all local clubs within the immediate vicinity of Ventura, along with other volunteers from far and wide. I'll be handling publicity and also will be helping to run kids' activities. In a future issue of the newsletter, I'll include a list of the chairs for other committees and activities so that you'll know who to contact should you be interested in helping with any particular aspect of the show (from helping with set-up to helping with kids' activities, hospitality, demos, etc., etc.). In the meantime, if you are interested in helping in any way, please contact me right away at (805) 659-3577.
          Jim Brace-Thompson.

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GEMS FROM THE PAST.

Ruth Parker was a member of the VGMS from 1944 to 1990. She wrote a series of articles for the Rockhound Rambling that focused on the natural world rather than just its geology. This is one example.

The Barn Owl
By Ruth Parker.

In early childhood most of us heard stories of Hooty, the Owl. We still associate the familiar night call, "Who Who", with owls. Yet the owl we see most often does not vocalize in this manner.

The beautiful buff and white hornless barn owl is usually very quiet. Occasionally he utters a soft Schrr-r as he takes flight. His song in mating season is a rapid click-click-click, uttered in flight only, and repeated many times. Children sometimes closely imitate the sound by holding a stick against the spokes of a rotating bicycle wheel.

Some people call this owl monkey face, probably due to his quizzical facial expression, dark little eyes, and round head without ear tufts.

In my mother's tall pine tree a barn owl has chosen a limb for his daytime slumber. I discovered him after finding regurgitated pellets on the ground. In breaking these walnut-sized spit-balls, one can determine just what the barn owl has dined upon. Most of the pellets I found to be composed of mouse hair, tiny teeth, and bones. Only once did I find larger hair and teeth of a gopher.

With our increased rodent control, the owls' food supply is decreasing so we find a diminishing owl population. The highways, too, take a toll of owl life (as well as human life). I counted seven little piles of fluffy tan and white feathers in about 60 miles of Highway 101 recently.

So it goes, man against wildlife! There seems no end or remedy.

          Submitted by Lowell Foster.

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LET'S BE SAFE OUT THERE.

Editor's Note:
     Do you remember the safety tip published in the June bulletin regarding taping a penny over a bee sting to alleviate its effects? Were you skeptical? My good friend, a long-time Forestry Service employee, was too. My friend was stung on two separate occasions shortly after reading this information. Skeptical but not foolhardy, he put the advice to test. On both occasions, he did get relief from the pain and swelling. I can only imagine his surprise! So, next time you go for a hike, put a penny in your pocket. You may be glad you did!

Sun Exposure - Changes Through Time
By Dan Monroe, AFMS Safety Chair,
via AFMS Newsletter October 2007.

     A few things that we consider as safety issues have actually changed but not very many. Most hazards remain constant and are still bad for you, but our attitude and our knowledge about sun exposure has really changed over time.
     When I was young (no snide comments please), I remember the social implications of having a sun tan. Men were regarded as "red necks" if they had a tan face and hands but were whiter over the rest of their body. Women who had a tanned complexion were thought of as farm women or farm workers and were thought to be of a lower socio-economic class. Many of the girls from the "city" were extremely careful about exposure to sunlight.
     All of these attitudes changed in the mid-1900's when it became stylish to have a "tan". The health effects of sun exposure and the positive aspects of Vitamin D created emphasis on the tanned appearance. Everyone wanted a "tan" and we all got one and tried to keep one.
     Well, now we are paying for those tans as the pendulum swings back toward sun protection. I won't say that skin cancer is rampant but it is a major concern particularly for the fair skinned. It was not very long ago when a popular money-making scheme was to own a tanning studio or sell tanning beds for home use. Now I see many more advertisements for sun creams, sprays and other forms of protection from the sun.
     Until recently, I did not know what SPF meant and how sun protection was rated. A very tiny little black speck which turned out to be a melanoma absolutely changed my life, and now I am seeing many of my friends learn the same hard lessons.
     I am not in the medical profession but I will share with you some thoughts that I share with my children and grandchildren.
          1. Visit a dermatologist on a regular basis, more often if you have a fair complexion.
          2. Minimize your sun exposure. I simply am afraid to stay out in the sun, because it is not worth the risk. Dress sensibly wearing hats, sun glasses, long sleeved shirts and light colored clothing outside.
          3. Use an appropriate sun screen following your physician's advice.
          4. Try to convince the younger generations that it is not "macho" to fry in the sun.
     Don't forget the little children or grandchildren. I have been told that sun damage is a cumulative thing and we do not want the kids to start too young.

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

LET'S GO TO A SHOW - 2007.

SEPTEMBER 22; LOS ALTOS, CA - Peninsula Gem & Mineral Society, Rancho Shopping Center, Springer & Magdalena Roads. Hours: Sat. 9-4:30. David Muster (408) 245-2180, colleen.mcgann@hds.com.
SEPTEMBER 22-23; DOWNEY CA - Delvers Gem & Geology Society, Women's Club of Downey, 9813 Paramount Blvd. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Steve Miller (562) 633-0614, Guynellallen@sbc.global.net.
OCTOBER 7; FALLBROOK, CA - Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society, Fall Festival of Gems, FGMS Museum, 123 W. Alvarado. Hours: 10-4. Mary Fong-Walker (760) 723-3484, Email: mrwizard@tfb.com, www.fgms.org.
OCTOBER 13-14; GRASS VALLEY, CA - Nevada County Gem & Mineral Society, Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11228 McCourtney Road. Hours: 10-5 both days. Cliff Swenson (530) 272-3752.
OCTOBER 13-14; LAKESIDE, CA - Cajon Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, 12584 Mapleview. Hours: 10-5 daily. David Newton (619) 390-5054, jontom@nethere.com.
OCTOBER 13-14; TRONA, CA - Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society, 13337 Main Street. Hours: Sat. 7:30-5, Sun. 7:30-4. Jim & Bonnie Fairchild (760)372-5356, Sigms@iwvisp.com, www1.iwvisp.com/tronagemclub/FLYER.htm.
OCTOBER 20-21; ANDERSON, CA - Shasta Gem & Mineral Society, Shasta District Fairgrounds. Hours: Sat. 9-5; Sun. 10-4. Bill Seward (530) 365-8641.
OCTOBER 20-21; PLACERVILLE, CA - El Dorado County Mineral & Gem Society, El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive. Hours: 10-5 both days. Jackie Cerrato (530) 677-2975, Email: jacbobcer@directcon.net, eldoradomineralandgem.org.
NOVEMBER 3-4, ANAHEIM, CA - American Opal Society, Clarion Hotel Anaheim Resort, 616 Convention Way (off Harbor Blvd.). Hours: Sat. 10-6; Sun. 10-5. Jim Lambert (714) 891-7171, Jlamb@yahoo.com, www.opalsociety.org.
NOVEMBER 3-4; CONCORD, CA - Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society, Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Rd. Hours: 10-5 both days. Sam Woolsey (925) 837-3287.
NOVEMBER 3-4, LANCASTER, CA - Palmdale Gem & Mineral Society, 2551 W. Ave H & Hwy 14. Hours: 9-5 daily. Susan Chaisson-Walblom (661) 943-1861, SLChaissonA@yahoo.com, pgmc@anteleom.net, www.palmdalegems.org.
NOVEMBER 10-11; YUBA CITY, CA - Sutter Buttes Gem & Mineral Society, Festival of Gems, Grace Franklin Hall, 442 Franklin Avenue. Hours: Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4. Cliff Swenson (530) 272-3752.
NOVEMBER 17-18; OXNARD, CA - Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society, Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way. Hours: Sat. 9-6; Sun. 10-4. MiriamTetrault (805) 642-5779, www.ogms.net.

AMERICAN FEDERATION / REGIONAL SHOW SCHEDULE - 2007

Eastern Federation (EFMS);
October 6-7;
Newark, NY.

Southeast Federation (SFMS);
November 9-11;
Gulf Coast of MS.

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EARTH CORE ROTATION.

Earth's Core Rotates Faster than Surface, Study Confirms
By Ker Than, LiveScience Staff Writer posted: 25 August 2005 02:02 pm ET,
http://www.livescience.com/environment/050825_earthcore.html.
     The giant orb of iron and nickel that anchors Earth's center is spinning faster than the planet's surface, according to a new study that confirms scientists' expectations.
     The finding is based on analyses of earthquake pairs that occur at roughly the same spot on Earth but at different times. On seismic recording instruments, the earthquake signatures from waveform doublets, as they are called, look nearly identical.
     When earthquakes strike, their seismic waves can travel through the planet and surface all over the globe. The researchers analyzed 18 sets of waveform doublets -- some separated in time by up to 35 years -- from earthquakes occurring off the coast of South America but which were recorded at seismic stations near Alaska.
     Earth's core is made of a solid inner part and a fluid outer part, all of it mostly iron. The solid inner core has an uneven consistency, with some parts denser than others, and this can either speed up or slow down shock waves from earthquakes as they pass through.
     So the researchers speculated that if the Earth's inner core is rotating faster than the rest of the planet, then shock waves from waveform doublets would enter and exit through different parts of the core despite originating from roughly the same spot on the planet's surface.
     By analyzing the minute changes in travel times and wave shapes for each doublet, the researchers concluded that the Earth's inner core is rotating faster than its surface by about 0.3-0.5 degrees per year.
     That may not seem like much, but it's very fast compared to the movement of the Earth's crust, which generally slips around only a few centimeters per year compared to the mantle below, said Xiaodong Song, a geologist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an author on the study.
     The surface movement is called plate tectonics. It involves the shifting of about a dozen major plates and is what causes most earthquakes. "We're talking about 50,000 times that of plate tectonic motion," Song told LifeScience.
     The Earth can be divided into separate parts: an outer crust, a highly viscous mantle, a less viscous outer core, and a solid inner core made up of mostly iron and nickel.
     Circulating magma in the molten outer core generates a weak magnetic field, which the researchers suspect may be leaking into the inner core and generating an electric current. The twisting force generated by this electromagnetic interaction may be what drives the inner core's rotation.
     Song said the difference in rotation of the inner core could in turn affect the Earth's rotation and have implications for satellites, rockets and spaceships.
     The study is detailed in the August 26 issue of the journal.

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JADE IS A MAGIC GEM.

     Jade is a Happy stone. It loves to be handled. It does not sparkle, but it glows. Jade loves water. Almost all good pieces of Jewel Jade come from pebbles which have been in water for many years. Jade pieces will definitely improve with wearing as pearls do, and although naturally cold, will take on warmth from the body.
     Jade absorbs oil from the skin and constant contact with the body will enhance the luster and bring out latent color. The people of the Far East value jade more than any other stone because they believe it brings them good luck. That is why an individual chooses a stone by appeal rather than price tag.
     It is believed that a traveler wearing a piece of jade will come to no harm in an accident, but the jade will crack. All jade varies in hue according to the impurities present. Pure jade is white. Almost all colors of the spectrum are shown in different shades. White streaked with brilliant green; grey speckled with black; misty blue 'nettled' gold; reds; browns; lavenders, etc.
     In ancient China, jade was a ritual insignia symbol of authority. Jade represents benevolence. Its translucency, revealing the inner markings, is like the honesty of righteous. Its penetrating, resonant tone is like the clarity of wisdom. Like a man of courage it can be broken, but cannot be scratched. Like justice, it has sharp edges but will not cut.
          Strata Gem 09/2007 via Beehive Buzzer 06/2007.

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Lowell's Kids.

Thank you Mel & Sharon.
     Mel and Sharon Hixson have donated numerous tumbled rocks to Lowell Foster to dispense to his class. They have shared some of the thank you letters with us. I'll publish them from time to time as space permits.






The back.

  Table of Contents.

SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

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