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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
June 2010.

Rockhound Rambling Photo of the Month.

Calcite and fluorite from Geronimo, Arizona.

The Rambling Picture of the Month is photographed by a VGMS member and provided to the Rockhound Rambling. Images should be accompanied by subject documentation. Selection is at the discretion of the editor. Submit images to lowellfos@yahoo.com.

Table of Contents.

• PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE;
• UPCOMING VGMS EVENTS;
• DID YOU CATCH THIS;
• MEMBERSHIP;
• EDITOR'S CORNER;
• THE AMERICAN AGATE - JASPER INDEX;
• MEETING MINUTES;
• VGMS BIRTHDAYS;
• WEBSITE OF THE MONTH;
• FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN;
• FAIR NEWS;
• PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD;
• COMMUNITY OUTREACH;
• AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR;
• PROGRAM REVIEW AND SCHEDULE;
• CHIPS AND BOULDERS;
• EDUCATIONAL CORNER;
• VGMS HISTORY;
• ROCKHOUND RAMBLING - 2010;
• NOODLING FOR NODULES IN THE CALIFORNIA DESERT PT V;
• LET'S GO TO A SHOW.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

Nancy and I are back from our East Asia trip, where we saw galleries of Japanese minerals and fossils during a museum visit in Tokyo and got to see gemstone settings being crafted in a factory workshop in Hong Kong. The big disappointment was having to scuttle a planned excursion to the sapphire mining district of Thailand when bullets began flying over Bangkok. Our thanks to John and Diane for hosting the May Board meeting at their home in our absence. We're still sorting through photos and hope we might be able to craft a presentation for one of our club meetings. If you've been on a rockhound-related trip recently or have been working on a new lapidary project, consider putting together a presentation to share with the entire club -- or even just a brief write-up to share with Lowell for including in the newsletter.

Another disappointment was having to miss our Second Annual Rockhound Rendezvous. I heard it was a great success, and we all owe a thank-you to Ron for once again putting this affair together. Thanks, also, to Ron for continuing his knapping class and initiating cabbing classes. I've now made a total of 7 arrowheads at the knapping class, and I saw some terrific cabs being crafted at the May 22 cabbing class. I urge everyone to take advantage of our workshop resources and equipment and fun opportunities like these.

Finally, the County Fair is peaking around the corner (see details below). Thought about what you're entering yet or days when you might volunteer? See you there!

Jim Brace-Thompson.

Hong Kong Jewelry Fabrication Workshop - Notice the tray below the Hong Kong artisan crafting a jewelry setting. It's there to catch every particle of gold that falls from sawing, sanding, and polishing. All trays are turned in at the end of the day.
     Jim and Nancy Brace-Thompson.

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UPCOMING VGMS EVENTS.

.

July 1, Thursday, 7:00 pm;
Board Meeting, Brace-Thompson Home.

July 17, Saturday, 9:00 am-2:00 pm;
Workshop, Camp Comfort.

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DID YOU CATCH THIS?

Recent Bigfoot Sighting.

     I don't know about you, but when I think of Bigfoot, I think of a grainy 1970 film of a hulking beast roaming through Northern California. Well, recently he's been sighted again, allegedly in North Carolina. This time, though, he apparently has beautiful long blond hair and a beard and stands 10 feet tall. Oh, and six fingers on each hand. It was sighted by Tim Peeler, a backwoods mountain man who was practicing calling coyotes and attracted something else.
     The news report was picked up by Jimmy Fallon's late night show and can be seen here: http://www.wcnc.com/news/Jimmy-Fallon-talks-about-Bigfoot-sighting--96645404.html. (Close the new window to return here.)
     This creature, locally known as Knobby, was sighted several times in the 1970's before fading into obscurity. Though ferocious 35 years ago, supposedly killing chickens and other livestock, Mr. Peter was able to scare it away by poking at it with a large staff and yelling "Get! Get!"
     The sighting was interesting enough that at least one team of Bigfoot hunters arrived to search for the beast - apparently without success: http://www.wsoctv.com/news/23937399/detail.html. (Close the new window to return here.)
     Keep your eyes out for updates.

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MEMBERSHIP.

Membership total as of May 15th, 2010: 89!

2010 Membership Directories were distributed at the April meeting. The remaining copies have been sent out via U.S. Mail. If you have not received your copy please contact me and I will make arrangements to get you another copy.
     Krishna Juarez,
     Membership Secretary,
     vgmsmembership@gmail.com,
     697 Topeka Ave.,
     Ventura, CA 93004.
          Krishna Juarez.

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EDITOR'S CORNER.

Social Networking - Rockhound Style.

     One of the most limiting factors to rockhounding is how far you can drive. You can't collect material from a site you can't get to. The limitations may be time or gas cost or the vehicle you're driving. So what do you do?
     Well, with the internet you can browse sites that offer rough at less than stellar prices. Retail is called retail for a reason. You gotta have $$$$. A better option, though one you can't rely on, is rock sales when some long time collector purges his/her collection. At these events bargains can sometimes be found. The well-known Harris house is the best and most recent one of these. Of course, you're not guaranteed anything specific except for rocks, and if you somehow miss the notice, you may come late to the show and wind up with the dregs of what may have been an incredible haul.
     There is another option.
     The internet has multiple locations where message boards cater to the rockhound crowd. I highlighted one of these a couple months ago, RockTumbling.com. (Close the new window to return here.) There are others. If you join these groups and actively participate with honesty, integrity, and positive responses, you can find yourself trading with people from all over the country. I've been privileged to have initiated one trade with a collector in South Dakota and received an invitation for a trade with another in Washington, which I've accepted.
     These sites also provide times and locations for meeting with one another for collecting opportunities, and often material is offered for sale at great prices from both dealers and fellow collectors.
     Check it out.

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THE AMERICAN AGATE - JASPER INDEX.

When you click on the link below, it should take you to a screen that shows the image of the specific Index's front. Above it is a blue box that says Download Now. Next to it is a green button that says DOWNLOAD 4SHARED DESKTOP. This you DON'T click on or download; evidently it has some other function. I haven't touched it, so I'm not sure. You click on the BLUE button that says "Download Now. No Virus Detected". This gets you to a screen that says "Thank you for downloading {Index Name}.pdf." There is short countdown (10 seconds) and then a link comes up that says "Click here to download this file". Hit that and the file uploads.

Current files of the Index.
(If you go to any of the following links close the new window to return here.)

Volume 1: Utah and Colorado (warning-16 MB) - http://www.4shared.com/document/mNXTQALM/Agate_Index_Vol_1__2nd_ed_.html.

Volume 2: Wyoming and Montana - http://www.4shared.com/file/224404408/51585e57/Agate_Index_Vol_2.html.

Volume 3: Idaho and Washington - http://www.4shared.com/file/229956030/cc07189f/Agate_Index_Vol_3.html.

Volume 4: South Dakota, Nebraska, and Oklahoma - http://www.4shared.com/file/242786005/91b2476f/Agate_Index_Vol_4.html.

Volume 5: Texas - http://www.4shared.com/document/oCLei3tU/Agate_Index_Vol_5.html.

Volume 6: The South-Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Missouri - http://www.4shared.com/document/nXCjumab/Agate_Index_Vol_6.html.

Volume 7: Arizona (warning-16 MB) - http://www.4shared.com/document/XplaNpW1/Agate_Index_Vol_7.html.

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MEETING MINUTES.

The following Meeting Minutes were respectfully submitted by Greg Davis, VGMS Recording Secretary.

VGMS Regular Meeting;
May 26, 2010:
     The regular monthly meeting of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society was called to order by President Jim Brace-Thompson at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at the Ventura Senior Recreation Center.
     Jim introduced visitors and then asked for corrections, if any, to the previously printed board and regular meeting minutes. It was m/s/c to accept the minutes. Members were led in the pledge to the flag.
Old Business:
Jim Brace-Thompson: Jim thanked Rob & Deb and Angela & Luther for representing our club at the Wheeler Gorge event, May 22. Also, Jim thanked Diane & John for hosting the Board meeting at their house and Ron Wise for organizing the Rock Hound
Rendezvous.
     Jim, Ron, Jean and Sharon Cunningham assisted with the 49er event at Camp Comfort and 125 children.
     Deb Sankovich next introduced David Lynch who was only able to provide a discussion on the San Andreas Fault as a component of the visual equipment wasn't available. He'll return and give the complete presentation at a later date. It was still an excellent program in spite of not having the visual portion. David is extremely knowledgeable and so much of what is known is a result of his study of this important feature.
Jim continued the membership meeting with committee reports:
Ron Wise: 52 people showed up at the Somis field trip. Upcoming field trips include June 5th - Topanga, June 23 - Jalama, Blue Forest wood in Wyoming in June and Jade Cove, July 31.
Stewart Bloom donated a printer to our club office.
Diane & Nancy: Treasurer's report was presented and the club is solvent. Diane also wanted to let people know that a link can be found on our web site for ordering items with our club logo.
Jean Wise: All are gearing up for this year's AFMS/CFMS Show in June. The CFMS bulletin is available to all on line.
Lowell Foster: Bulletin will keep same basic format, photos are always welcomed. Deadline for bulletin submissions will continue to be the weekend following each Board meeting.
Deb Sankovich: Upcoming programs include: Cynthia Baumgartner with a program on dichroic glass. Steve Mulqueen has contacted Dr. Gray and he may be available for a presentation.
Wayne Ehlers spoke about the Kartchner Caverns and may do a presentation in the future.
     Refreshments were provided by Ron & Jean Wise.
     The next board meeting will be held on June 3, 2010 at the Brace-Thompson's house and the next monthly membership meeting will be held June 23, at the Ventura Senior Recreation Center, 420 E. Santa Clara.
     There being no further business, Jim adjourned the meeting at 9:11 pm.
          Respectfully submitted,
          Greg Davis,
          Recording Secretary.

VGMS Board Meeting;
June 3, 2010:
Present: Jim & Nancy Brace-Thompson, Ron & Jean Wise, Diane Cook, Krishna Juarez, Rob & Deb Sankovich, Dave Mautz, Andy Anderson, Lowell Foster and Greg Davis.
     The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society Board Meeting for June 3, 2010 was called to order by President Jim Brace-Thompson 7:00 pm.
Old business:
Jim stated the Diamond Dan Mineral Bingo sets have arrived and will be used at the next picnic or breakfast. Memorial donations for Shawne Lardin may be made to either CFMS or the Ojai Raptor Center. Carl Stephens's offer to install a security system at Camp Comfort has been shelved pending further study. The cost could be more than we can do in spite of Carl's offer of free labor. Phone service would have to be provided to the building.
New business:
Jim Brace-Thompson: Thank-you's go to Stuart Bloom, who donated a printer for our office use and Wayne Ehlers who donated rockhounding & lapidary books and a number of VGMS documents related to club history.
     Mary Meeker has asked about the possibility of a mineral presentation at Marie Haake's healthcare center. Jim will get more information and ask for volunteers.
Diane Cook: The Treasurer's report was given. It was m/s/c to accept as written and to pay the ongoing bills.
Nancy Brace-Thompson: The Ventura Senior Center contract renewal is near. A meeting is scheduled for June 17, 3:30 at the center and Andy & Greg have offered to attend to get information on any changes.
     There's not much information yet on the upcoming County Fair, other than dates of August 4-15 and entries will be taken July 23-25. We'll keep everyone posted.
Krishna: We have 89 members at this time and no new members to announce. The last of the directories were mailed out.
     The Oxnard College geology lab has offered a tour of their facility. A date, preferably a Saturday, will be arranged and scheduled and Krishna will report back.
Deb Sankovich: Upcoming programs include: Cynthia Baumgartner in June, Silent Auction in July, and Todd Scholwaters in August.
     Lowell mentioned that entries to the monthly club bulletin should now be directed to lowellfos@yahoo.com and be postmarked by the weekend following each Board meeting and photos are always sought.
Jean Wise: The Federation show will be held in Whittier, June 18-20, with setup on the 17th.
Ron Wise: There will be no workshop at Camp Comfort, June 19, as everyone will be at the CFMS show that weekend.
     It was m/s/m to purchase another course grind wheel for one of the Genies.
Rob Sankovich: Upcoming field trips include a trip coming up in June for Blue Forest wood in Wyoming. The CFMS show in Whittier will include field trips to the Himalayan tourmaline mine, Ant Hill and Lavic Siding. Rob Sankovich will lead a trip to Topanga on June 5th for fossils, Jade Cove in July and the Greenhorn Mountains in August.
     The next general meeting will be on June 23, 2010 at 420 E. Santa Clara in Ventura and the next board meeting will be on July 1 at the Brace-Thompson home in Ventura.
     There being no further business, Jim adjourned the meeting at 8:20.
          Respectfully submitted,
          Greg Davis,
          Recording Secretary.

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VGMS BIRTHDAYS!!!

June 01 - Steve Mulqueen,
June 03 - Wayne Ehlers,
June 09 - Skip Robinson,
June 11 - Shawn Harvey,
June 21 - Michael Pearson,
June 22 - John Cook,
June 23 - Shirley Layton,
June 27 - Kathryn Davis,
June 28 - Esther Barshai,
June 29 - Gay Alexander.

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WEBSITE OF THE MONTH.

Compass Mentus - a taste of the North: http://www.gametrails.com/wordpress/.
(Close the new window to return here.)

     This is a top notch website put together by a collector up in Washington State. The web designer, Charley Price, has collected images from dozens of field trips throughout Washington and Oregon and Wyoming, showing the material as it is found and capturing some of the majesty of the wilderness up there with his photos.
     His website is easy to navigate through, and is constantly updated. He provides a welcome page, a contact page, a photo gallery, maps of hunting locations, and an online store. At present he is selling some of his Tahoma jasper/agate that he digs from a claim he co-owns.
     Of his most recent posts, take a peak at his three-day trip to the Maury Mountains. He includes their find of the famous moss, but also the retrieval of a petrified log, plume agate, and fossil leaves.
     My favorite trips are those after carnelian. It's amazing the muck and mire these people dig through to acquire this red agate. Unfortunately, it comes at a cost, and the website has posted the probable closure of some famous hunting grounds due to rockhound abuse.
     When you have a chance, take a quick trip up north and take a peak at this website. It's worth the time.

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FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN.

Tri-Club Field Trips 2010. *

     The field trips listed below are tentative, they might change. All are Tri-Club field trips (exceptions noted) with either Conejo, Oxnard or Ventura leading.

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

Field trips done.

May 8th, Somis Fossils. We had good turnout for this field trip, over 50 rock hounds of all ages, from the tri clubs and other clubs. The weather was great for digging. We went to the hill and dug our sand dollar, scallops, clams, gastropods fossils. I think everyone went home with a sand dollar. I had a lot of fun. See you at Old Topanga Fossils.

Upcoming Field Trips 2010: These dates are fixed and are the days we will be going.

July 31, Sat-Jade Cove - Nephrite Jade. Deb and I will be there July 28th Wed to Aug 1st Sunday.

The field trips listed below are tentative, they might change.

All are Tri Club field trip with either Conejo, Oxnard or Ventura leading. Each month there will be information in the bulletin, and a flyer/map at the club meeting.
     August - Greenhorn Mtns.-rose quartz, garnets, epidote, tungsten.
     September - Acton-agate, small nodules, geodes.
     October - Independence/Bishop-Ammonites fossil, garnets, other minerals.
     November - Ant Hill, shark teeth fossils.
     November - Wiley's Well, nodules, geodes, agate, petrified wood.

Field Trips Upcoming.

Please let us know if you are going to go on the field trip. The weather can change. If we don't know you're going we won't be able to contact you if the field trip is cancelled. There will be maps and flyers at the club meetings. There are still people who show up for the field trip without notifying Mike or me. You can still be part of the field trip, but it is important that you let us know you're going to attend, e-mail or call us. I have new truck, it's a white Ford F250 four wheel drive, crew cab. If you're looking for me, look for my truck.
Contacts: Robert Sankovich, Conejo/Ventura Clubs, 805-494-7734, rmsorca@adelphia.net; Mike Miller, Conejo Club, 805-498-9586, rockfmdr@att.net; Ron Wise, Ventura/Oxnard Clubs, 805-794-0737, clintwise@hotmail.com.

July 31, Sat - Jade Cove-Nephrite Jade.

Our July field trip will be to Jade Cove, south of Big Sur. We will be looking for Nephrite Jade. It can be found along the shoreline. You can come up for the day or join us camping over night. Deb and I will be there Wednesday, July 28th to Sunday August 1st. (If you're going to go on this trip let me know so you will have a place to camp.) Day use free by side of road, camping $22.00. No electric hookups. 45 campsites, half are assigned on a first come, first served basis. You now can reserve your campsite. See contact information below, 8 persons per site. Each site has a picnic table, grill and fire pit. Flush toilet restrooms and water nearby. Saturday night there will be a potluck dinner with our club and the Channel Islands Divers club which Robert and Debra are members.
Directions: From Ventura head north on Freeway 101, at San Luis Obispo, take Highway 1 north, towards the coast, to Morro Bay, continue on Hwy 1 north approximately 60 miles from Morro Bay to Plaskett Creek campground. Campground is on right side (east). Once at campground, look for a Conejo Valley Gem & Mineral sign next to the sign by entrance or by Robert's campsite #033. Approximately 235 miles from Thousand Oaks, 3.5 - 4 hour drive time.
Meeting: Saturday afternoon, July 31st, 2010, 10 am-4 pm. We will meet at Robert's campsite #033. There will be a short briefing of the site. Please remember to sign a release form to participate in the field trip. We will then drive south on Hwy 1 half a mile to a long pull out on right side (west) with an entrance to Jade cove. Use the stairs to climb over the fence and walk approximately 150 yards across a grass area to a switch back down to the cove, approximately 100 yards, use sturdy shoes. The bottom of the trail can be washed out so take your time. Walk over the bigger rocks at the basin to the center of the cove where there is a small beach. In the surf and along shore Jade can be found amongst the other rocks. Be careful and aware when collecting close to the surf zone.
Mineral to collect: Nephrite Jade, Serpentine, Actinolite, Soap Stone, Abalone shells.
Tools: Collecting bags, buckets, day pack, digging tools, rock pick, pry bar, eye protection, trowels, hand rake, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, rubber boots or old tennis shoes, layered clothing, towels, change of clothes/shoes in case you get wet. Drinking water, lunch or snacks. camping gear if you plan on spending the night. (The main tools to use are simple garden tools, a hand trowel and hand rake.)
Contact: Robert Sankovich, 805-494-7734, rmsorca@adelphia.net; Mike Miller, 805-498-9586, rockfmdr@aol.com. Please let us know if you are going to go on the field trip, weather changes. If we don't know you're going on the field trip, we won't be able to contact you if the field trip is canceled
     Color aerial photo of Sand dollar beach to Jade cove if you are interested, e-mail me and I'll send it to you/
Reservations: (If you go to any of these links close the new window to return here.) Recreation Gov. 877-444-6777, http://www.recreation.gov.
Links: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres/recreation/camping/mrd/, http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres/html/rec/recmap_mrd_5.htm (Map).
Following two are Scuba Diving links, but have Jade Cove info: http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/USA_West/CalM/Jade_Cove/,
http://www.cadivingnews.com/divespots.html?article_id=342.

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

FAIR NEWS.

The 2010 Ventura County Fair Quickly Approaches.

     It's that time of year again! Time to dust off your collection and think about entering the Gem & Mineral competition at the annual Ventura County Fair. Details are up on the Ventura County Fairgrounds web site: www.venturacountyfair.org. (Close the new window to return here.) About half way down on the left side of the page you will find a box labelled "Visit the Departments." Click on the down arrow at the right side of the box and select "Gems and Minerals." Click on "Entry Guide" near the top of the page and you'll find all the categories, rules, and dates.
     It's easy to enter individual items, and a lot of fun to put together a whole display case, too. If entering a case, you should contact the Gems & Minerals Superintendent, Laura Grayson, as early as possible (email gemandmineral@venturacountyfair.org, phone 805-483-0673). If borrowing a fairground case, the supply is limited, and it's first-come, first-served. If bringing your own case, they still need to be alerted well in advance with how many cases and the sizes so they can incorporate it into their layout.
     Entry times and dates are 10 am - 5 pm Friday through Sunday, July 23-25. Judging is on July 27, and the Fair itself runs August 4-15. You can then pick up your cases or individual items between 9 am and 7 pm, Monday, August 16.
     In addition to entering cases and/or individual items, consider volunteering your time as a floor-walker and/or as a demonstrator. Usually, volunteers are provided with free parking passes and entry tickets for the days they volunteer. Floor-walkers man the "bullpen" to help keep an eye on the displays, to clean fingerprints off display case glass fronts, and to answer questions by visitors and pass out flyers about the Ventura County rock clubs. In the past, club members have demonstrated such skills as fossil cleaning, cabochon crafting, knapping, or wirewrapping. The annual County Fair is one more wonderful opportunity to highlight to our community what we do. As an added bonus, cash prizes are offered for entries getting 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place ribbons, so you can do good for the club and the hobby, while also doing good for your pocketbook. See you there!
          Jim Brace-Thompson.

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PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD.

CFMS Field Trip to the Cady Mountains.

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

Wheeler Gorge, May 15th, Saturday.

     This was a day educating and sharing in many different hobbies and sciences. We were at the visitor center, which had a lot of information on the Wheeler Gorge area and exhibit cases with many interesting things. I'd recommend taking a day and check it out. It's up by Ojai Hwy 33 a scenic drive. Those who participated: CGMC/VGMS-Deb and I, VGMS-Sharon Cunningham, Lu & Angie Brown. OGMS-Kay Hara, Louisa Carey. We had great weather, we had Dino replicas, and we had the Treasure chest for handing out tumbled stones. Louisa brought 20+ of Larry Knapton's touch rocks. Deb and I brought large contoured rocks. Lu & Angie brought large pieces of petrified whale bone. We talked to many people promoting the tri clubs. Mike Havstad, Director Visitor Center, took the photo which was taken before Lu and Angie had shown up.
     There was a silent auction, reptile program, large snakes, lizards, crafts, free oak seedlings, Richard Wade with his Dinosaurs and Volcanoes displays and program: he had a T Rex replica head, a California Condor booth, a program of Water Falls, Pools, and Hot Springs of Santa Barbara & Ojai, and Topographical Maps of the area.
     Next year let me know if you're interested in participating or going.
          Robert Sankovich.

Gold Rush Day for Ojai Schools.

On May 21, Jim Brace-Thompson, Ron and Jean Wise, and Sharon Cunningham participated in "Gold Rush Day" at Camp Comfort for 120 fourth-grade students from the public schools of Ojai. The day, which was organized by Sharon's daughter, Sandra Hansen (a teacher at San Antonio Elementary School), was designed to give kids hands-on history lessons about California's gold rush period with six different stations. In groups of 20, kids visited each station throughout the day. At our station, we talked about California rocks and minerals, including the state mineral (gold), state gemstone (benitoite), state rock (serpentine), and state fossil (saber-tooth cat). Given the theme of the day, we gave special attention to the state mineral and showed some mining artifacts along with gold nuggets. Each child went home with tumble-polished stones from the VGMS Treasure Chest, and Sharon received several offers from kids interested in trading their tumbled stone for the half-ounce gold nugget she was wearing around her neck!

Webelos Scouts Earn Badges at Our Club Museum.

On May 22, Jim Brace-Thompson gave interactive presentations on rock and mineral identification, earth processes, fossils, and practical uses of rocks and minerals to assist eight Webelos Scouts of Donald Kress's Cub Scout Pack 3143 of Ventura earn the geology belt loop and badge in the VGMS Ray Meisenheimer Memorial Museum. In addition to learning about rocks, minerals, and fossils, each scout went home with the beginnings of a collection, including samples of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, a basic Mohs Scale kit, fossil shark teeth, and posters on uses of minerals.

Homeschoolers Visit Our Club Museum.

As of this writing, on June 6, we're planning to host a group of homeschoolers organized by Liza Hennigan at our club museum, where we'll run through earth processes and the three rock types, the differences between a rock and a mineral, the basics of mineral identification, and local rocks and fossils of southern California.
     Jim Brace-Thompson.

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AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR.

VGMS continues to have Club T-Shirts for sale. Priced to all VGMS members at $12.00 and any club member associated with CFMS $13.00. Sizes S-M-L-XL-2X-3X. All profits go directly to the VGMS. See last month's Bulletin for design.

Contact Diane Cook at johndianedaisy@yahoo.com to order.

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PROGRAM REVIEW AND SCHEDULE.

May Program Review.

May's program speaker was David Lynch, PhD, who is an expert on the San Andreas Fault. He provided a narration of many things you would want to know on where to see the fault up close and how to identify landscape features created by the fault

Here are a few of the facts:

• The San Andreas Fault splits California in two and is well exposed and highly accessible.
• The fault is a sliding boundary between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates.
• The fault runs more or less diagonally from the Mexican border to Cape Mendocino and is entirely within California.
• The name of the Fault has a history due to Lake San Andreas. In 1894 due to a survey of the area by Professor Lawson who referred to the area including the dam, valley, creek and lake as San Andreas. Due to the 1906 earthquake and Lawson's report to the Earthquake Investigative committee in 1908, the association with the quake became known as San Andreas.

David also provided copies of his book and CD for sale at the meeting (Field Guide to the San Andreas Fault). We may have David back as a guest speaker later this year or early next year due to a glitch on his Power Point slide presentation.

June Program Preview.

Our June guest speaker will be Cynthia Baumgartner from the Oxnard Gem and Mineral Society and she will be presenting "Creating Dichroic Glass Jewelry". Cynthia is well known throughout the area for her beautiful award winning jewelry and received a blue ribbon for her case at the Ventura County Fair last year. Cynthia will take us through the process of how dichroic glass is created. She will show what supplies are needed and will bring her kiln. Cynthia will also demonstrate how she fashions the glass into her exquisite jewelry. An assortment of dichroic glass pieces created by Cynthia will be available for sale. Some of the pieces will be grooved for those wishing to wire wrap themselves.
     Deb and Mary.

Future Programs.

     July is going to be the Silent Auction - Rob and I won't be able to attend as we are driving to the Jade cove field trip on that day.
     August is going to be Todd Schowalter from Fossils Plus and the topic will be "Carving".
     September is going to be Dr. Gray and he will be presenting a lecture titled "The Last Great Extinction". The last great extinction occurred about 11,900 years ago and caused many of the Ice Age mammals to go extinct. Scientific theories on the cause of the extinction revolve around an extraterrestrial impact such as a comet.
     Thanks and let me know if questions.
          Deb Sankovich.

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CHIPS AND BOULDERS.

Thank You, Stuart & Wayne, for Donations!

A sincere thanks to Stuart Bloom, who donated a used printer to the club. I have a used laptop I inherited from my father, so I'm hoping the two will be able to connect to give us a full, working word processing unit at the clubhouse. And a big thank-you to Wayne Ehlers, who has donated a number of rockhounding and lapidary books for our club library, as well as various VGMS documents for our club history.
     Jim Brace-Thompson.

Memorial Donations in Memory of Shawne Lardin.

When Shawne Lardin passed away earlier this year, the club made a traditional donation to the CFMS Endowment Fund in her name. Her daughter, Michele Bigelow, has sent her appreciation. Should anyone wish to make any individual memorial donations, Michele asks that they be directed to the Ojai Raptor Center, P.O. Box 182, Oak View, CA 93022.

BLM Sets Restrictions for Campfires and Barbeques in California Desert Due to Rising Fire Danger.

U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management News Release,
California Desert District, Release Date: 05/17/10,
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsroom/2010/may/cdd_fire_restrictions.htm. (Close the new window to return here.)
     Due to the danger of wildfires, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is requiring permits for campfires and barbeques on public lands in the California Desert. On other BLM public lands in Southern California, all campfires and barbeques are prohibited outside of developed recreation areas.
     Teri Raml, BLM Desert District Manager, said the restrictions are necessary due to rising seasonal temperatures combined with dry vegetation. "Above normal rainfall this spring treated us all to a spectacular bloom of wildflowers in the California Desert," she said. "Unfortunately that moisture and vegetative growth has dried out and increased our fire danger, requiring us to limit the use of campfires, barbeques, or portable stoves, or to require a permit. With everyone's cooperation, we can prevent the large wildfires that we have experienced over the years in this region. Reducing the threat to private property and the fragile desert ecosystem is of the utmost importance." Raml said the restrictions are officially referred to as Stage I covering BLM managed areas, and Stage II, covering "State Responsibility Areas" (SRA).
     While Stage I Fire Restrictions apply to BLM lands in the California Desert, Stage II Fire Restrictions apply to SRA in Kern, Inyo, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties. (Please refer to Fire Restriction Map on the CDD website: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/cdd.html. Close the new window to return here.)
     Stage I restrictions allow campfires and barbecues with a permit that can be obtained at all BLM field offices and fire/ranger stations, or from patrol personnel. Stage II prohibits campfires and barbecues outside developed recreation sites. Controlled flame devices such as portable stoves are allowed by permit.
     Raml warned that while the BLM appreciates the public's cooperation, non-compliance results in serious penalties by law. Any person convicted of knowingly/willfully violating these fire restrictions can be fined up to $1,000, receive up to 12 months imprisonment, or both. That person also is liable for the damages and suppression cost of the wildfire.
     For more information or to obtain a permit contact the BLM's California Desert District Office at (951) 697-5200 or local field offices in Barstow (760) 252-6000, El Centro (760) 337-4400, Needles (760) 326-7000, Palm Springs-South Coast (760) 833-7100 or Ridgecrest (760) 384-5400.
     --BLM--California Desert District, 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553.

  Table of Contents.

EDUCATIONAL CORNER.

Definition of the Month.

The Four C's of Diamonds.
Diamonds are classified by four physical features. A diamond's value is dependent upon its cut, color, clarity and carat-weight.
Cut - The brilliance and sparkle of a diamond is enhanced from its natural beauty by faceting the stone to allow for the greatest reflection of light.
Color - Diamonds may possess slight color variations. The most desirable diamonds are colorless or near colorless. Some diamonds may have a slight yellow color or other hue making them less desirable.
Clarity - The clarity of a diamond is determined by the location and amount of flaws in the stone when viewed under 10 power magnification. Some flaws consist of black carbon inclusions or minor cracks in the gemstone.
Carat-Weight - The weight of a diamond measured in the standard "carat units".

Written by Steve Mulqueen for the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, May 2010. The Definition of the Month features words related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history.

Illustration of the Month.

Main Street, Santa Paula, 1910.
A mural completed in 1998 by Art Mortimer located on the wall of the Morales Building located at the corner of Main St. and Mill St.
in Santa Paula, CA.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Santa Paula was the citrus and oil capitol of California. In the 1890s, Union Oil Company discovered productive oil fields by drilling at locations near natural petroleum seeps. By 1910, these two industries, citrus and petroleum, were important in the early development of the City of Santa Paula. This mural depicts life on Main Street during this era of Santa Paula's history.

Art Mortimer has created over 60 murals throughout the United States. To read more about Art Mortimer and about the Santa Paula Murals Project, please review the following websites (Close the new window to return here if you go to either link.):
     www.artmortimer.com,
     www.santapaulamurals.org.

Photo and text by Steve Mulqueen, Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, June 2010. The Illustration of the Month features images related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. This illustration was featured by the author for its educational content.

  Table of Contents.

VGMS HISTORY.

From Rockhound Rambling - January 1970.

Tumbled Bits on Field Trips.

Our coming year's Field Trip schedule has been tentatively set up within a 250 mile radius with most trips within 200 miles. The January field trip will be to "Lonely Butte" which is around 110 miles away. The primary reason for choosing "Lonely Butte" for our first trip of the year is to familiarize everyone with that area as I plan to use this site as a rendezvous point for all future field trips. In this manner those members that desire to camp out Friday evening can do so and would be in the good fellowship position for having coffee hot, ready and waiting for the other members who leave Saturday morning for rendezvous at "Lonely Butte" and the field trip.

There is a tremendous amount of brown agate in this area, some of which can be cut for picture or cabochons with exciting results. Most of this material though, I'm afraid, was put there to make our hunt for the petrified palm root, wood and reed which is in good abundance, more of a challenge and thusly more exciting and fun. Jasper and Indian artifacts as well are to be found in this area also. Then too, if my old U.S. Geological Survey Map of 1870s can be believed, the Southern Pacific Railway once curved to the southwest after leaving Kramer, hence to Jucca through Edwards Dry Lake, and then to the Northwest to Mojave Station, which led the steamers chugging away just south of "Lonely Butte". So, if any of our members have Detector Units and care to do so, they could look to the South and Southwest for historical remnants of this old railroad and or other associated objects. There have been those evenings in the past that I have been awakened by those old steamers still chugging by on non-existent tracks. I would have dismissed the thought as a dream or figment of my imagination if it were not for the fact that the dogs were also awake and looking in the same direction as I. All in all, this area abounds with surprises and is indeed most appropriately named as "Lonely Butte."

Ed Rogers.

  Table of Contents.

ROCKHOUND RAMBLING - 2010.

From Jim Brace-Thompson, on his and Nancy's Trip to the Far East.

Nancy and I spent a whole day crossing the Pacific and, once on the other side, rushed to an exhibit of Japanese rocks and minerals in the Japan Gallery of the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo. And what did we find there? Serpentine, blue schist, jade, rhodonite, and a collection of ammonites. In other words, rocks and fossils we see right here in California! Turns out, Japan, at the edge of plate boundaries, shares a lot in common with California in terms of how it formed. So if you ever get a hankering to see some Japanese minerals, save yourself some time, and check out your own backyard! We were at least hoping to bring home some bona fide Japanese minerals to add to our collection, but in the museum gift shop, all we found were fossil fish from Wyoming, quartz crystals from Arkansas, and copper minerals from Arizona...

An example of what can be seen in a Japanese natural history museum: A Smilodon saber-toothed cat from California....
     Jim Brace-Thompson.

  Table of Contents.

NOODLING FOR NODULES IN THE CALIFORNIA DESERT PT V.

Noodling for Nodules in the California Desert
by Lowell Foster.

noodling: v. Australian term for amateur gemstone hunting; i.e. rockhounding Down Under-style. Often used for opal searching. See fossicking.

Part 1 of this article appeared in the May 2009 issue of Rockhound Rambling.
It began the story of a rockhunting trip to the California Desert
taken by Lowell Foster, Ron Wise, and Ev Foster.
Part II detailed the drive into the desert to begin the hunt.
Part III described our hunt at Chuckwalla Springs.
Part IV provided an overview of our drive from Blythe to the Turtles.

Part V - Acquisitions.

"Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen."
Benjamin Disraeli.

     My dad parked the car at the edge of the Turtle Mountain Wilderness Area, and Ron, my dad, and I packed our gear (including more water for today's jaunt), and checked our resource maps - especially Mrs. Strong's, as hers would lead us to the nodule field of Agate Hill.
     The hike to Agate Hill was over slightly rolling landscape, with hills bracketing the trail on either side. Black rocks protruded out of their tops like broken crowns. Between the hills gullies cut back and forth making the hike slightly arduous. We would get a good speed going then have to wind our way down and out of the low spots, navigating around bushes.
     All the time we kept our sights on Agate Peak in the distance. I recalled how McShan and More described this site in their 1971 book, Ten Rock Trips near Needles: "One may still come upon patches of agate and jasper in such a brilliant profusion of color that we call the area the Flower Garden." We were definitely in a garden now. The wildflowers were everywhere, and as our gaze brushed the ground for agate, we began seeing the caterpillars: green bodies with red stripes, yellow bodies with horns of red and tails of orange. Their colors bettered the agate we were hunting, and were just as colorful as the butterflies that constantly swirled about us. Ron, being the succulent lover, kept marveling at the pink blooms of the small barrel and beavertail cacti we came across.
     Now I'm in no way a botanist, so I can't tell you what we saw out in the desert exactly, but this passage from the July 1948 article "On Turtle Mountain Trails" in Desert Magazine might provide a clue: "And as we went on, higher in the mountains, we found rose-magenta pentstemon, white tackstem, lupine, purple phacelia, poppy, suncups, chia, apricot mallow, lilac mariposa, white four-o'clock cream flowered nicotiana, fiddleneck, ephedra, tiny orchid-lavender gilia, little rock daisies, crimson chuparosa, and Mojave aster. There were no mass displays, but flowers bloomed on every slope, in every wash we searched."
     And we went on.
     As we passed the edge of where I had searched two years before, we began finding scattered collections of agate nodules. These were uncovered on the higher flatter areas where the elements had blown or washed away the loose soil. Many of the nodules were blue in the bright sunshine and one early find boasted sagenite. We were also stepping over a lot of jasper chips. Their reds and yellows stood out brightly from the dark stained volcanic rocks. We never found any large pieces, and I wondered how much of this material had been brought here from elsewhere by the Native Americans that used to roam the area.
     By the time we reached the base of Agate Hill, we had been waylaid several times by large accumulations of nodules that spread out across the valley floor. I had already filled two large sandwich bags with the blue pieces. Several of the broken nodules showed a nice sharp blue and white banding - though most showed the sugary quartz crystal innards that are common in nodules everywhere.
     I reached the slope of Agate Mountain first and hiked up. It was steep and the rocks were different from those littering the ground around the agate below. Also discouraging, there was not one piece of agate on the hill I climbed. I crested the hill and looked down the other side. It looked no better, but Mary Strong's article promised a hillside filled with agate, and though she has been off on occasion, I wasn't going to give up on her yet.
     I looked back and noted where both Ron and my Dad were, then continued down the hill, and found nothing but a few fragments of chalcedony.
     I, waiting for the others halfway down the slope, drank, high-graded, and ate a few handfuls of trail mix. The others rambled down and joined me. Once rested we lumbered down the backside of the mountain, weaving back and forth searching for any sign, any hint, that Mary Strong wasn't playing some sort of April Fool's joke through the ages.
     It paid off. Near the base I came across a few large pieces of blue chalcedony eroding from the slope. I called the others over then headed up the incline. We looked at each other in agreement. We had found Strong's mother load. Now don't think we found a treasure chest of quality. Far from it. And these weren't nodules but roses, though they still were formed from the blue material that colored the agate on the far side. Many were fragmented, broken by nature or man, we didn't know, and it took diligent hunting to find roses with good organic shapes, but they were there. I even found a few crystal rosettes I knew my wife would like. And the looting began.
     We hunted here for quite a while. Each of us chose a different style. Ron roamed about picking over the pieces of this large field. My dad sat down, collected everything within reach, then moved about ten to fifteen feet and repeated his action. I searched the lower portions of the slope where I had found the largest chunks of blue agate, and finding little, began hunting pieces that were either unbroken or showed red blotches formed by iron oxide. All of us enjoyed the weather and the joy of working a gem field blessed with a large selection of material.
     We high graded again, then headed back up the hill towards the car. On the other side, back at the nodule beds, I found a large chunk of material unlike anything we had seen before. Basically, agate had formed throughout a porous host rock, then had been washed down a gully. A quick check found a couple smaller pieces of this new material. We decided, even though we were practically overloaded, to follow this new float trail up the gully to a hill on the other side of the valley. It led to another bonanza.
     Ron and my dad wound up picking over a slope dotted with fist-sized chunks of blue seam agate. Ron, having forgotten to bring a pack or sack, gave up much of his finds to my dad. I walked up a different slope to their left. This was paved with blue agate nodules. Most were thumb-sized or smaller but they were everywhere, along with those odd jasper fragments. I filled half a Von's tote-sack with the larger whole nodules before turning around.
     Now we were overloaded.
     It was a long way back to the car.
     I was glad it wasn't summer.
     We adjusted our backpacks and bags. I had two bags of material in addition to what was carried on my back. We drank our water. We ate another snack. We then had a discussion about which direction the car lay. Using the rocky crowns as landmarks we began that long trek back to transportation.
     The return took much longer than the trip out. We were tired. We were burdened, and the car - each of us swears - kept on moving farther away from us when we weren't looking. I have to thank the others for shouldering some of my burden, as each took the two extra bags I had filled for different sections of the walk back.
     Once at the car, we repacked everything, loading up five-gallon buckets with our treasures. Ron mentioned something about needing to organize his material better then proceeded to dump everything from the weekend into one container. (I may remember this wrong, but it is what I remember. He can correct me if needed.)
     We ate P and J sandwiches, guzzled drinks, plopped on folding chairs. We smiled. I moved a lost caterpillar to a nearby bush. We rested. We smiled. We were quite happy.
     We also checked the time. It was about four o'clock, and we had to meet Jean at Chiriaco Summit between 6:30 and 7:00. With the Summit about 120 miles away, we had maybe a half-hour of time to play with.
     There was one other possible site to visit, and it was 6 miles west of Vidal Junction on Route 62. Western Gem Hunters Atlas, by Cy Johnson, 1971 edition, listed a location that had rose quartz and chalcedony in a wash there. My research turned up nothing else that validated or substantiated this claim, but it was on the way, and we had that half-hour.
     The trip to Vidal was uneventful, few cars, more trucks, and lots of open space. Turning right, towards 29 Palms, we headed towards the sun. The supposed field of rose quartz lay ahead of us, but it did not look promising. The only map we possessed showed a dotted line heading north away from the road. When we looked that direction, we only saw train tracks and the Colorado River Aquaduct paralleling us. We had no idea if we needed to cross those barriers or if the material was located by the road. We reached the indicated mileage but saw nothing that gave us a clue as to where to start, so we drove on, not wanted to be side-tracked too long and leave Jean waiting. Besides, we all were tired.
     (Since then, I have uncovered the Desert Magazine article, "Those Pink Rocks Along the Parker Road" by John Hilton, February 1941, that details this site. It turns out the material had been found on both sides of the road for some distance. Interesting, only one gully seems to possess this material.)
     At the Rice Road cutoff (Route 177), we turned south. Ron called Jean and we discovered both of our vehicles would be arriving at Chiriaco Summit about the same time. Twenty minutes later we were on the I-10, dodging the crazy drivers returning to L.A. after a weekend on the river. Jean beat us to the Summit. We greeted each other and transferred Ron's junk, er - stuff, to his truck. Neither of our groups wanted to eat at the overcrowded, unkept restaurant, so we said our farewells and headed in opposite directions.
     The trip was just about over.

The better agate nodules from the Turtle Mountains show fortification and/or sagenite.

  Table of Contents.

SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

LET'S GO TO A SHOW.

Editor's Request: Please let me know if you attend any of these shows this year. I'd like to add notes regarding your opinion of these shows in later issues - Lowell Foster.

2010 CFMS CLUB SHOWS.
(If you go to a web site close the new window to return here.)

July 10-11, 19-20, Culver City, CA - Culver City Rock & Mineral Club, Veterians' Memorial Auditorium, 4117 Overland Ave (Overland & Culver). Hours: Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Robert Thirlaway, (310) 213-7677, Email: thirlawr@earthlink.net, Website: http://www.CulverCityRocks.org.
August 6, 7 & 8, Nipomo, CA - Orcutt Mineral Society, St. Joseph's Church, 298 S. Thompson Ave. Hours: 9-5 daily. Wes Lingerfelt, (805) 929-3788, Email: Rocks4u@prodigy.net, Website: www.omsinc.org.
August 7 & 8, San Francisco, CA - San Francisco Gem & Mineral Society, San Francisco Co. Fair Bldg. (Hall of Flowers), 9th Ave. & Lincoln Way, Golden Gate Park. Hours: Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Carleen Mont-Eton, (415)564-4230, Email: publicity@show.sfgms.org, Website: www.sfgms.org.
August 21-22, Orangevale, CA - Treasure Trove of Gems, Orangevale Community Center, 6826 Hazel Ave. Hours: Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Admission: $4 per day or $6 for weekend, Children under 12 yrs. Free with adult. John Moulder, (916) 290-3193, Email: info@treasuretroveofgems.com, Website: www.treasuretroveofgems.com.
September 3-6, Fort Bragg, CA - Mendocino Coast Gem & Mineral Society, Town Hall, Corner of Main & Laurel. Hours: Fri-Sun 10-6, Mon 10-4. Don McDonell, (707) 964-3116, Email: ejwebb@mcn.org.
September 11-12, Downey, CA - Delvers Gem & Mineral Society, Woman's Club of Downey, 9813 Paramount Blvd. Hours: Sat 10-6, Sun 10-4. Nancy Bird, (562) 697-0636, Email: nancyjbird@verizon.net.
September 18-19, Redwood City, CA - Sequoia Gem & Mineral Society, Community Activities Building, 1400 Roosevelt Ave. Carol Corden, (650) 248-7155, Email: ccorden@comcast.net, Website: http://sgms.driftmine.com.
September 18-19, Paso Robles, CA - Santa Lucia Rockhounds, Pioneer Park, 2010 Riverside Drive. Hours: 10-5 Daily. Kim Patrick Noyes, (805) 610-0603, Email: kimnoyes@gmail.com, Website: http://slrockounds.org. Webmaster's Note: This web address doesn't seem to work. I found an address that actually got a web site but it's trying to sell the domain name that I used.
September 18-19, Stockton, CA - Stockton Lapidary & Mineral Club, Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 33 W. Alpine Ave. Hours: 10-5 Daily. (209) 946-0113, Email: footsey1@yahoo.com, Website: http://www.stocktonlapidary.com.
September 25-26, Monterey, CA - Carmel Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Monterey Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Road. Hours: Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Susie Harlow, Email: Susie@tghcpa.com, Website: http://www.cvgms.org.
October 2-3, Oroville, CA - Feather River Lapidary & Mineral Society, Oroville Municipal Auditorium, 1200 Meyers Street. Hours: 10-5 Daily. Connie Rossetto, (530) 589-1840, Email: crossetto@aol.com, Website: http://www.Orovillerocks.com.
October 3, Fallbrook, CA - Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society, Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Facility, 123 West Alvarado Street. Hours: 10-4 Daily. Mary Fong-Walker, (760) 728-1130, Email: ikonmiming@gmail.com.
October 9-10, Trona, CA - Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society, Searles Gem & Mineral Show Building, 13337 Main Street. Hours: Sat. 7:30-5, Sun. 7:30-4. Jim & Bonnie Fairchild, (760) 372-5356, Email: slgms@iwvisp.com, Website: www1.iwvisp.com/tronagemclub.
October 9-10, Vista, CA - Vista Gem & Mineral Society, Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, 2040 N. Santa Fe Avenue. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Fred Wilson, (760) 433-8446; Lois Harr, (760) 724-0395.
October 16-17, Cayucos, CA - San Luis Obispo Gem & Mineral Club, Cayucos Vets' Hall (next to Cayucos Pier), 100 Placerville Drive. Hours: 9-5 daily. Mike Lyons, (805)610-0757, Email: jadestar@charter.net, Website: http://www.slogem.org.
October 16-17, Placerville, CA - El Dorado County Gem & Mineral Society, El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive. Hours: 10-5 daily. Karen Newlin, (530) 676-1643, Website: http://www.rockandgemshow.org.
October 16-17, Santa Rosa, CA - Santa Rosa Gem & Mineral Society, Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, 1351 Maple Ave. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Debbie Granat, (707) 542-1651, Cell (707) 887-7028, Email: Erica Tanner, santarosarockshow@hotmail.com.
October 23-24, Los Altos, CA - Peninsula Gem & Geology Society, Los Altos Youth Center, 1 North San Antonio Road. Hours: 10-5 both days. Website: http://pggs.org/.
October 30-31, Lakeside, CA - El Cajon Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, 12584 Mapleview Street. Hours: 10-4 both days. Carolyn Boland, (619) 561-7498, Email: carolynboland@juno.com, Website: ecvgms.com.
November 6-7, Concord, CA - Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society, Centre Concord (in Clayton Fair Shopping Center), 5298 Clayton Rd. (near Ygnacio Valley Rd.). Hours: 10-5 both days. Harry Nichandos, (925) 289-0454, Email: show9@ccmgs.org, Website: www.ccmgs.org.
November 6-7, Lancaster, CA - Palmdale Gem & Mineral Club, Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 2551 West Ave. H & Hwy 14. Hours: 9-5 both days. Susan Chaisson-Walblom, (661) 406-0143, Email: sichaisson@yahoo.com, Website: www.palmdalegemandmineral.com.
November 6-7, Ridgecrest, CA - Indian Wells Gem & Mineral Society, Desert Empire Fairgrounds, 520 South Richmond Road. Hours: 9-5 both days. John DeRosa, (760) 375-7905.
November 12, 13 & 14, Sacramento, CA - Sacramento Mineral Society, Scottish Rite Center, 6151 H Street. Hours: Fri & Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Bob Johnson, (916) 339-7007, Website: http://www.Sacramentomineralsociety.org.
November 13-14, Yuba City, CA - Sutter Buttes Gem & Mineral Society, Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds (Franklin Hall), 442 Franklin Ave. Hours: Sat 9-5, Sun 9-4. Erik Anspaugh, (916)567-9750, Email: inez_brg@yahoo.com.
November 20-21, Oxnard, CA - Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society, Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way. Hours: Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-5. Frank Bouich (805) 271-0538, Email: show_info@oxnardgem.com, Website: www.oxnardgem.com.

2011 CFMS SHOWS.
(If you go to a web site close the new window to return here.)

May 13-15 2011, Anderson CA - Northern California Treasures;
Sponsored by: Superior California Gem & Mineral Society, Shasta Gem & Mineral Society, Paradise Gem & Mineral Club;
Shasta District Fairgrounds, Anderson, CA, Near Redding, CA - Off Highway 273;
Hours: Fri. & Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4;
Show Chairman: Steve Puderbough, steve@applyaline.com, Website: www.superiorcal.com (Forms are on this site.), Website: www.shastagemandmineral.com.

2010 AFMS SHOWS.

MWF;
Midwest Federation;
August 27-29, 2010;
Peoria, IL.

NFMS,
Northwest Federation;
September 17-20, 2010;
Hillsboro, OR.

SFMS;
Southeast Federation;
October 16-18, 2010;
Knoxville, TN.

SCFMS;
South Central Federation;
December 11-12, 2010;
DeRidder, LA.

  Table of Contents.

SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

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