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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
February 1999.
Table of Contents.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
Final preparations are underway for our club's most important annual event, the 1999 Gem & Mineral Show "Artistry from Nature". The VGMS needs help from you, your family and friends. Club members started working on this show in March of last year. Set-up will begin next month on Thursday, March 4th.
There will be a "Show" meeting on Saturday morning, February 20th at the home of Red & Nancy Jioras. Please plan on attending. Details of this meeting will be discussed in a separate message from Red, our Show Chairman.
Our next general meeting will be on Wednesday. February 24th. Details of this event have been prepared by Kathryn Davis and are included in this bulletin.
Again, I am honored to be your President for 1999. Please join us in making the 1999 Gem & Mineral Show our best ever. Success is measured by the sum total of all effort given by good people for a common cause.
Steve Mulqueen,
President.
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PROGRAM FOR FEBRUARY.
A large number of our members have been lured to the desert in January and early February. What siren sang her song to get so many to go - to Quartzsite or Tucson or both? Giant Gem, Mineral, and Fossil shows! Quartzsite - largely outdoors and with a home spun quality. Tucson - mostly indoors and more formal. Both are journeys and events are a unique field trip experience. It would be wonderful if everyone could go at the same time. It would be wonderful if all our members could go but not everyone can.
So your program chair is asking each one of you who went to Quartzsite and/or Tucson to bring some of your goodies and to be willing to share your stories and your experiences with all of us. Please be willing to show us what you got and to talk about what you got and any stories you are willing to share.
Kathryn Davis,
Program Chairman.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS.
02-20-99: Show Meeting - 9:00am - Red & Nancy's, 613 S. La Luna Ave., Ojai.
02-24-99: VGMS General Meeting - American Legion Hall - 7:30pm.
03-04-99: VGMS Board Meeting - Fairgrounds - 6:00pm.
03-05-99: Show Set Up at the Fairgrounds.
03-06 & 07-99: VGMS Show Artistry from Nature.
03-10-99: DEADLINE for March Bulletin.
03-13-99: After Show Dinner @ The Barefoot Bistro, 545 E. Thompson Blvd. 6:00pm I $12.95 per person.
03-20-99: VGMS Workshop Open - 9:00am till 12:00pm.
03-24-99: VGMS General Meeting - American Legion Hall - 7:30pm.
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WORDS TO LIVE BY.
Wrinkles: Something other people have. You have character lines.
Mosquito: An insect that makes you like flies better.
Bumpersnicker: Lead me not into temptation (I can find the way myself).
The happily married couple doesn't worry about who is the better half.
Submitted by Wayne Ehlers.
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MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING,
Januuary 27, 1999.
The General Meeting was called to order at 7:35pm by President. Steve Mulqueen.
Rock & Gem Magazine:
Red Jioras has sign up sheets for two year subscriptions to Rock & Gem Magazine for $25. We need to submit five names to be eligible for the discount.
VGMS Annual Show:
Red Jioras reminded the members that the VGMS Annual Show is only five weeks away. We have between fifty to sixty exhibitors. It is up to our club members to get out and sell tickets. We would like to finish with at least $1,000 profit from the Show this year. Donation awards will be appreciated. Enter a case in the Show. There will be a special drawing Saturday and Sunday. Volunteers are needed for setting up, during and taking down after the Show.
Field Trips:
Greg Davis reported that there would not be a field trip until after the VGMS Show. Greg stated that he would like comments from the members regarding field trips which would be of interest.
Program:
Gary Baugh gave a presentation and demonstration on the art of making primitive arrowheads and spear tips using shale gathered from Grimes Canyon.
Conejo Gem & Mineral Club:
President Steve Mulqueen reminded members about a Community Education Workshop being sponsored by the Conejo Club, Saturday 30, 1999, 10:00am - 4:00pm.
Dues:
Sharon Cunningham reminded the members that dues were due January 1, 1999.
Bulletin:
Bonnie Demianiw related that the deadline for the February bulletin will be February 10th.
Drawings:
David Mautz conducted the drawings.
Board Meeting:
President Mulqueen stated that the next Board Meeting would be held on Tuesday, February 2, 1999 because of several of the board members would be attending the Quartzsite/Tucson Shows.
Jennifer Baumler needs help with the kids games. The Boy Scouts have offered to help and we could use two at a time with supervision.
Jay Baumler reported that the Oxnard Club gave us their mailing list and he mailed out more invitations. He has had excellent response from exhibitors regarding the Show.
Inez Shakman stated that there would be a special drawing for two Beanie Babies on Saturday and two more Beanie Babies on Sunday.
Shirley Layton stated that we still need items and plants for the Country Store. She also needs volunteers to help out with the Country Store during the Show.
Red Jioras announced there would be a Show Meeting held Saturday, February 20, 1999, beginning at 9:00am at Red & Nancy's home. This will be the last meeting before the Show.
There being no further business, President Mulqueen adjourned the meeting at 9:35pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Carlon Strobel,
Recording Secretary.
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MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING,
February 2, 1999.
The Board Meeting was called to order at 7:35pm at the VGMS Museum. There were 14 members present.
VGMS Annual Show:
Red Jioras stated that there would be a show meeting held on February 20, 1999, at 9:00am at Red & Nancy's home. Red and Wayne Ehlers will be getting together to discuss the layout for the show. The other shows scheduled for the fairgrounds that weekend are the Indian Art Show, the Folk Art Show and the Motorcycle Show. KADY (local TV station) may be interested in helping to promote the shows. The February 20th meeting will be the final meeting before the show.
President Steve Mulqueen commented that information for the brochures should be in by February 12th.
California State Mining and Minerals Museum Association:
President Mulqueen related that CSMMMA would like VGMS to sponsor them again this year. It was m/s/c to sponsor CSMMMA and send $80 to reflect our membership number.
CFMS and AFMS Newsletters:
Florence Meisenheimer commented that for anyone wishing to subscribe to the CFMS and/or AFMS she would provide the information to do so in the next bulletin.
Bulletin:
Bonnie Demianiw stated that the deadline for the February bulletin will be February 10th.
Web site:
Shirley Layton is accepting articles and/or information for our web site.
Proceeds from Drawings:
Dave Mautz reported that we have made a small profit from the drawings held at our monthly General Meetings.
Display:
Bruno Benson reported that many of our "dinosaurs" are on display at the Ojai Valley Museum until April.
Field Trips:
President Mulqueen commented on a field trip which will be held over the Memorial Day weekend to the Monte Cristo Mountains in Nevada. The field trip is being sponsored by CFMS. More information will be provided in the February bulletin.
Education Through Sharing:
Ray Meisenheimer presented a program today in Oxnard. He will do a program in Saticoy on February 3rd and has several other programs he will be presenting in February. Ray stated that programs are a way to get new members by sparking the interest of children and adults through educational programs.
Museum Work Party:
Thanks were expressed to everyone who helped with all the work done on the grounds and in the Museum.
Treasurer's Report:
Richard Bromser distributed copies of the Treasurer's Report for the month of January 1999 and requested approval for payment of bills check numbers 532-545.
It was m/s/c to pay the bills submitted.
Next Board Meeting:
President Mulqueen stated that the next Board Meeting will be held on March 4, 1999, 6:00pm at the Fairgrounds.
There being no further business President Mulqueen adjourned the meeting at 9:00pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Carlon Strobel,
Recording Secretary.
Table of Contents.
SHOP TIPS.
Our club has quite a good supply of opalized wood at the museum and I recently read this "Shop Help" in the Lapidary Journal (Feb. 98) that should be useful to any of our members wanting to use some of it in any project you have in mind.
"Opalized wood is extremely brittle. Clamp it and slab it with care, exerting as little pressure as possible. This is a heat sensitive material and should be kept wet and cool at all times while working. A drum sander or horizontal lap works better for removing saw marks than grinding wheels. Cerium oxide, tin oxide, or Linde A on a moist felt buff will bring a mirror polish. It is not usually precious opal but do remember that opalized wood is opal."
Wayne Ehlers.
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SUNSHINE.
Bertie Rains had a bad fall, but is recuperating nicely, we wish her well and a quick recovery.
Eleanor Rising.
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MARCH BIRTHDAYS.
Happy Birthday to all those born in March, we hope you have a Great Day!
- Inez Shakman - 12th,
- Greg Davis - 18th,
- Brad Meiners - 19th,
- Faith George - 19th.
The March birthstone is the Bloodstone and the flower is the Daffodil.
BLOODSTONE:
A chalcedony green stone with red jasper drops throughout. It is generally considered of minor importance as a mineral.
In early times it was believed to be a sacred stone by the Christian church. It was used extensively for seals and engraved and carved religious objects.
For many centuries various races and religions had their own set of birthstones. In 1939 the American Jewelers Association decided to do away with all the confusion and have one list for the United States. For March bloodstone was retained, with aquamarine as an alternate.
Table of Contents.
CALLING ALL BAKERS.
We are needing donations of pies, cakes, cookies, brownies or any other goodies for Friday, Saturday and Sunday at our show.
Friday is our show dinner, and we will need dessert for 150 people. If you can donate baked goods it will be very much appreciated.
Saturday and Sunday, it's always nice to have a sweet with your coffee on your break or after lunch.
So if you could please bring in your treats for Friday before 3:00pm, I'll give you a GREAT BIG HUG!
Thank You!
Bonnie.
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IT'S SHOWTIME!!!!!!!!!!
Well, it's time again for the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society's "Artistry from Nature" rock and gem show. Your Show Committee members have working long and hard to put together the best show possible, and this years show is shaping up to be spectacular. Although a great deal of work has been done in organizing the show, most of the hard work is still before us. This is where ALL THE CLUB MEMBERS get to help.
We will be setting up tables and cases, as well as transporting all the materials to the fairgrounds on Thursday, March 4, 1999. Richard Bromser is our Physical Facilities Chairperson who is in charge of this task. This day (and Sunday night after the show) are very important days in that they are the most labor intensive period for the club. We really need all the help we can get during these periods. The more people we have the quicker and easier the task. If you can help during set up and take down, either contact Richard or Red or just show up at the fairground at 9:00am and we'll help you find a task.
Friday will be involved with finalizing setting up and preparing for all the exhibitors arrival. Don't forget that a free dinner will be served on Friday starting at 3:00pm. We understand that many of you have jobs that won't allow you to just take off, but any time you can help, even in the evening. will be greatly appreciated.
We also need help during the show with all the activities such as the children's games, country store, donation awards, hospitality table, etc... These activities will be an on-going tasks that require frequent changing of staff. These are wonderful opportunities to meet people and to share our enthusiasm for our hobby. Many of these activities are money makers for the club so we should all share in the efforts to make this show the best show possible.
As a final note, two of the best ways to thank your Show Committee members for all their work is to pitch-in and help with the work before, during and after the show, AND to get out and sell Donation Award and Special Donation (Beanie Babies) tickets. If all members sold 20 tickets, the club would be able to offer more services to it's members, as well as further educational programs.
The dates again are:
Thursday, March 4 - Set-up;
Friday, March 5 - finish set-up and welcoming dealers and exhibitors;
Saturday & Sunday, March 6 & 7 - VGMS Show "Artistry from Nature";
Sunday, March 7 (after 5:00pm) - takedown;
I've Included a list of Committee Chairpersons so you can call and arrange to help. Let's all have a good show and a wonderful weekend together. SEE YOU AT THE SHOW!
Red Jioras,
Show Chairman.
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COMING TO BAKERSFIELD ONE DAY ONLY,
THE REAL JURASSIC PARK!
"Hot and Cold Running Dinosaurs - The Real Jurassic Park" is a presentation geared towards adults to be held at 7 PM. Dr. Bakker leads the audience on a Mesozoic safari. Learn how the traditional view of dinosaurs - as lumbering, cold-blooded, dim-witted behemoths - has been overthrown by new fossil finds. He gives a firsthand account of how paleontologists have penetrated the mysteries surrounding dinosaurs including the migratory patterns, care of their young and predatory habits. Most fascinating of all...find out why Dr. Bakker contends dinosaurs are not extinct!
Tickets are available through ValliTix and may be charged by telephone starting February 1,1999. Both shows are very reasonable: matinee prices range from $5.50 to $12.50 and evening prices range from $7.50 to $15.50.
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LAST CALL FOR DUES.
Dues were due January 1, 1999! Don't be left out of the Membership Directory for 1999. Call Sharon Cunningham our Membership Chairman right away! (805)649-3579.
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SHOW COMMITTEE
FOR THE 1999 ANNUAL SHOW
of the
VENTURA GEM AND MINERAL SOCIETY, INC.
SHOW CHAIRPERSON - Richard (Red) Jioras (805) 646-7184,
DEALER CHAIRPERSON - Kathryn Davis (805) 647-3096,
EXHIBITOR CHAIRPERSON - Jay Baumler (805) 644-3962,
PHYSICAL FACILITIES - Richard Bromser (805) 649-9065,
PUBLICITY - Nancy Jioras (805)646-7184,
HOSPITALITY - Carlon Stroble (805)646-6527,
SECURITY - Wayne Ehlers (805) 482-6830,
TREASURER - Richard Bromser (805) 649-9065,
PROGRAMS - Steve & Susan Mulqueen,
FOOD - Bonnie Demianiw (805) 658-7648,
COUNTRY STORE - Shirley Layton (805) 642-2683,
DONATION AWARDS - Inez Shakman (805) 642-4957,
GAMES - Jennifer Baumler (805) 644-3962,
PRESENTATIONS - Greg Davis (805)647-9214,
SILENT AUCTION - John McCabe (805)464-0528.
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1999 AFMS / CFMS SHOWS
AND EVENTS.
FEBRUARY 27-28 NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - Del Air Rockhounds, Sierra Pelona Rock Club, VIP Gem & Mineral, Woodland Hills Rockchippers, San Fernando Valley Fair, Valley Plaza Recreation Center. 12240 Archwood St. Hours 10-5 both days. Gary Stanford (805)259-9440.
MARCH 5-7 PHOENIX, AZ - Maricopa Lapidary Society, Mt. Preserve Reception & Conference Center, 1431 E. Dunlap. Hours: Fri & Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Elmer Miller (602)977-2719.
MARCH 5-7 HAYWARD, CA - Mineral & Gem Society of Castro Valley, Centennial Hall, 22292 Foothill Blvd. Hours: Fri & Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Judi Karis (510)581-7123.
MARCH 6-7 VENTURA, CA - Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Seaside Park (Ventura Co. Fairgrounds). Hours: Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Richard Jioras (805)646-7184.
MARCH 6-7 MONROVIA, CA - Monrovia Rockhounds, Masonic Temple, 204 W. Foothill Blvd. Hours: Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5 Kris McFarland (626)337-8596.
MARCH 13-14 TURLOCK, CA - Mother Lode Mineral Society, Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, 600 N. Broadway. Hours: 10-5 both days. Marion Sampson (209)848-2709.
MARCH 13-14 SAN MARINO, CA - Pasadena Lapidary Society, San Marino Masonic Temple, 3130 Huntington Dr. Hours: Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Gail Poulson (213)258-8705.
MARCH 20-21 SAN JOSE, CA - Santa Clara Valley Gem & Mineral, Santa Clara Co. Fairgrounds, 334 Tully Rd. Hours: Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Chuck Blblenz (408)734-2473.
MARCH 20-21 VALLEJO, CA - Vallejo Gem & Mineral Society. Solano County Building, Solano County Fairgrounds. Hours: 10-5 both days. Dolores Mack (707)644-3035.
MARCH 27-28 TORRANCE, CA - South Bay Lapidary & Mineral Society, Torrance Recreation Center, 3341 Torrance Blvd. Hours: Sat 10-6. Sun 10-5. Roger Mills (310)377-6226.
MARCH 27-28 BORON, CA - Mojave Mineralogical Society, Boron High School, Multi-Purpose Room. Hours: Sat 9-6, Sun 9-4. Tailgating, camping, field trips. P.O. Box 511, Boron. CA. 93596-0511.
MARCH 27-28 ROSEVILLE, CA - Roseville Rock Rollers, Placer County Fairgrounds, Hours: Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Terry Rutherford (916)987-1244.
MARCH 27-28 LA HABRA, CA - North Orange County Gem & Mineral. La Habra Club House, 200 W. Greenwood. Hours: Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Loretta Ogden (909)598-2456.
AFMS SHOWS 1999.
MIDWEST FEDERATION APRIL 10-11 COLUMBUS, OH,
Veterans Memorial. 300 W. Borad St. Contact: Don Hall, 56 S. Columbia Ave., Columbus, OH 43209 (614)252-0781, ext 192 E-mail: Hall-dd@csg.capital.eedu.
CALIFORNIA FEDERATION JUNE 18-20 TURLOCK, CA,
Stanislaus County Fairgrounds. Contact: AL Troglin & Dennis Stuart at E-mail: www.be11221.com/motherlode/, Mother Lode Mineral Society, hosts.
NORTHWEST FEDERATION JUNE 18-20 HILLSBORO, OR,
Washington County Fairgrounds. Contact: Russell Snook, 73 South 26th Ave., Cornelius, Or. 97113, Tulatin Valley Gem Club, hosts.
SOUTHEAST FEDERATION JULY 9-11 NASHVILLE, TN,
Tennessee State Fairgrounds. Contact: William Buckner, 115 Carney Rd., Clarksville, TN. 37040, Middle Tennessee Gem & Mineral, hosts.
EASTERN FEDERATION AUGUST 7-8 NEW CARROLTON, MD,
Ramada Hotel Ballroom, Contact: Russ Shew (301)493-8936.
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COUNTRY STORE.
The show is almost here, and I know that Shirley is still accepting donations for the Country Store. Come on, clean out those closets, donate that funky fish tie Uncle George gave you two Christmas's ago, how about that lovely hat with the fruit on it, get rid of it. Don't worry, it will sell! Our lovely Country Store Volunteers are ready to sell just about anything and everything. They've done time on the front at the annual 50% off sale at the local Pic & Save. So now that you know your donations will be in good hands, bring them in, or even better, call Shirley at 642-2683 and she will come and pick them up. How's that for service?
And while she's at it, if you talk nice, maybe she'll wash your kitchen floor! WOW!
Now seriously, the Country Store is one of the show favorites, and we can always use more donations, and don't forget the plant table either.
See you at the show!
Bonnie.
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DIAMOND JUBILEE OF GEMS.
If any member plans to visit CFMS show in Turlock June 18, 19 & 20 I have forms for exhibits, camping, banquet and Editors' Breakfast. If you exhibit there is no admission charge, otherwise admission is $4.00 per day or $8.00 for the three days.
Motels and hotels are available and could be expensive. RV camping at the Fairgrounds is $15.00 per day or $20.00 for electricity if it is available. If you are tenting. you will be established near the rest rooms.
A number of outstanding exhibits are named--Lois Schumann's faceted replicas of famous gems; Jim Wade's stage coach with six horses; a Conastoga wagon with spiked oxen and an old time hearse; also Art and Rosamond Riggle's famous collection of spheres and hand crafted material.
It will be a great show.
Florence Meisenheimer.
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AMERICAN LANDS ACCESS ASSOCIATION.
ALAA is sponsoring two bills to keep our collecting areas open. These bills deal with your rights to collect.
- The Fossil Preservation Act of 1999,
- Minerals and Mineral Material Collecting Act of 1999.
These bills need your support. Write to your congressmen. It is important for your future. ALAA also needs you as a member and financial support.
Florence Meisenheimer.
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ARTICLES FROM PEOPLE FOR THE USA.
"Threatened Species":
In the past months the pygmy owl in Tucson, Arizona and salmon on the Pacific Coast have been listed as endangered and areas closed for their protection.
Now Babbitt has visited Colorado and selected the Preble jumping mouse as endangered. If a mouse is found in riparian habitat, a 600 foot by two mile strip becomes a "mouse protection area". That is 145 acres. This goes back to every where a mouse has been found since 1992.
Babbitt is also working on a 400,000 acre "buffer" that may be annexed to Grand Canyon National Park in the future. There are good collecting areas in that 400,000 acres.
There is a lot more important information in "PEOPLE FOR THE USA". You need to keep yourself informed of what is happening to your civil rights.
Florence Meisenheimer.
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COMMUNITY EDUCATION.
January 21, Ray Meisenheimer gave a tour of the museum to a group of Head Start children. There were 10 youngsters and 4 adults.
January 23, he loaned from the museum a collection of bones to Vicki Johnson for her school to use for a few weeks.
January 25, he gave a program to 3rd graders at a school in Ojai. There were 12 children and 2 adults.
January 26, 28 & 29, he worked at Gull Wings Museum, setting up a fluorescent display. Ray donated the fluorescent minerals and case, and Don Pomerenke from Conejo loaned the fluorescent lighting. The display will be in place for 5 or 6 weeks.
February 2, Ray gave a program on rocks and minerals to a Girl Scout Troop in Oxnard.
February 3, he gave a program for another group of Girl Scouts in Ventura.
At this time he has three more programs scheduled for February.
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OUR QUARTZSITE EXPERIENCE.
Valli and I had the time of our lives in Quartzsite. Those are our kind of people and we enjoyed every minute. We had plans to attend in 2000 but when things just fell into place with the 3 day weekend for Martin Luther King, the kids having plans of their own and us being able to get a room in Blythe at the last minute, we decided to go for it. This was our first time to the BIG SHOW. We took off in the early morning hours, had no traffic and arrived before dawn.
We opened and closed the events with hot air balloons during the day and fireworks display at night. Dealers had material from around the world and we talked with people from practically every state. I walked in waist high mounds of crazy lace agate rough at Tyson Wells and never would have realized so many amethyst vugs or so much coprolite existed. Of course we took lots of pictures which we'll share at an upcoming meeting. The food was great, the weather was great but what impressed us most was how friendly everyone was, it was terrific being greeted by dealers and snowbirds alike as though we were long lost friends. We can't wait to go back and for the BIG ONE in 2000 we're making our reservations early and plan on staying longer, maybe even take in a field trip. Hope to see you there.
Greg & Valli Davis.
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PETRIFIED WOOD SEMINAR.
Kern County Mineral Society will again hold a Wood Seminar.
DATES:
April 16, 17 and 18, 1999.
April 16 - 5pm to 9pm,
April 17 - 9am to 5pm,
April 18 - 9am to 12 noon.
WHERE:
Kern County Fairgrounds,
1142 South P Street,
Bakersfield, California.
PRICE: $40.00 per person.
TEACHER: Walt Wright.
RV full hook up available at $10.00 per night.
Info and Registration:
Ed or Martie Isch,
11800 Brockridge Ct.,
Bakersfield, CA. 93312,
(805) 589-4954.
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR.
I would like to thank everyone who made a contribution to this month's bulletin. Your articles and event information is vital to the success to our bulletin, and it keeps our members well informed. Just for the record, any unsigned articles are by the Editor.
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LAPIDARY WORKSHOP.
Our workshop will be closed this month due to a Show Meeting scheduled for the same morning. The workshop will be open again next month on the third Saturday, March 20, 1999, from 9:00am until Noon. For further information, you may contact anyone on the shop committee.
- Jay Baumler: 644-3962,
- Greg Davis: 647-9241,
- Red Jioras: 646-7184,
- Wayne Ehlers: 482-6830,
- Ray Meisenheimer: 642-3155,
- Bruno Benson: 646-5976.
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FIELD TRIPS - NORTH,
By Chuck McKie, Chairman,
1012 Mockingbird Lane,
Fairfield, CA 94533-2426,
707-425-9030,
e-mail Chuckmckie@aol.com.
Combined CFMS & NBFT field trip to Monte Cristo Mountains Memorial weekend May 28-31, 1999:
The planning for our CFMS field trip on the Memorial day weekend to the Monte Cristo Mountains is progressing.
I plan to be there on 27 May 1999, which is a Thursday, to set up a camp site.
We will be camping on an alluvial fan area which will accommodate a great many campers. So come one - come all.
A number of people have told me that they plan to join us and that they know the area and can lead us to some good collecting sites.
Therefore, I figure we can divide up and have several trips to different places at the same time, so everybody will be able to participate and collect good material.
Tonopha, Nevada is about 36 miles on highway 95 toward Las Vegas. There are some motels in Tonopha in case you want to join us on the field trips but do not have a camping unit.
The "Station Casino" in Tonopha has rooms, a restaurant, and trailer/motor home spaces behind. Check in the casino for camping, very reasonable. 775-482-3859.
Names and phone numbers for other motels in Tonopha:
Best Western Motel, 775-482-3511 - 2 people/1 bed $49 (from AAA);
Jim Butler Motel, 775-482-3577 - 2 people/1 bed $36 (from AAA).
Tonopha Chamber of Commerce 775-482-3859.
To get to the field trip camp area, go north on Hwy 95 for 34 miles from Tonopha or from Reno area, go 6 mile south on 95 from Coaldale. Either way when you get to paved Nevada State highway 265 - which goes south to Silver Peak, turn NORTH on a DIRT ROAD. Go about two miles. It is open country so you should be able to see our camping rigs. The road is good enough that all vehicles and trailers should have no difficulty.
As near as I can determine from my maps, the altitude at the camp site may be about 6000 feet. And the collecting areas could be slightly higher. The temperature could get very cold at night and may get quite warm during the days, so bring coats and also light clothing.
There is a lot to collect in that area, Petrified wood, multi colored Jasper, Moss Agate, and several varieties of Rhyolite. Digging and hard rock mining is involved. Bring the necessary tools.
The price of gas in Coaldale is high. From Reno it might be a good idea to fill up in Hawthorne or (from Las Vegas), in Tonopha. It is dry camping so bring your supplies of water and food.
A rock shop in Tonopha has some reasonably priced turquoise - at least in 1996. If you stop in tell them Chuck McKie sent you. Maybe they won't charge you double.
We will probably have a pot-luck on Saturday night about 5:30 PM.
Sign in when you arrive at camp. Also SIGN out before you leave the field trip.
Table of Contents.
DISPLAY TIPS
By Pat LaRue,
Rules Committee Chair.
Visitors to gem and mineral shows always seem to "zero in" on the really outstanding displays and hardly look at some of the others. How have some exhibitors managed to catch your attention and "made" you stop and look at what they chose to display? If you look closely at the overall picture a case tries to convey, you may pick up some hints.
Look at the background colors used-are they subtle and do they enhance the case contents? What about pattern and texture-does it distract in any way? Examine the arrangement of the case contents-is there a focal point and a sense of direction for the eye or does it appear cluttered? Does the exhibitor clearly identify the contents of the case or does he/she make the viewer guess? What about neatness-is the case clean or are there smudges all over the place?
Based on years of experience exhibiting and judging other displays, I have developed some do's and don'ts for exhibitors regarding showmanship. Although these ideas were originally aimed at the non-competitive exhibitor, they apply equally to the competitive exhibitor whether you choose to display at the CFMS show or the fairgrounds.
- When selecting fabric for lining your case, subtle tones work best. You should avoid bright colors such as red or green. Suggested tones include grays, whites, beige, light blue (very effective with jewelry), pale yellow. It is best to select fabric with little or no texture; the nature of the display items dictate how much texture you can use. A display of large fossils or petrified wood allows use of textured fabrics whereas a display of faceted stones or other small items would not. No shiny fabrics please!
- Do line the case! Cardboard panels from large packing boxes work well and are generally available from moving companies. Panels can also be cut from fiberboard or thin plywood and then covered with fabric. Although seen at some club shows, a "draped" case has no place in any type of competition.
- Risers can be as simple or as elaborate as you care to make them. They can be made from wood or Styrofoam and painted, if wood, or covered with fabric. The covering can be glued or pinned in place. Hint: curved corners are easier to work with than perfectly square ones. Covering risers is not easy-don't be afraid to ask someone who has mastered the art to help you!
- Don't overcrowd your display. A common mistake among beginners is to overfill their cases. How much is too much often depends upon what is being displayed. Some very attractive cases feature a few items. In a non-competitive situation, a large mineral specimen or lapidary item can BE the display. If in competition, make sure you read the section that tells you the maximum and minimum number of pieces your display must have.
- Don't leave the viewing public guessing. Make sure your display has labels. These must be neat and of a uniform size that complements the display. What you make them from is up to you. I've seen everything ranging from simple card stock to engraved plastic. Spelling and correct identification do count! In competition don't lose valuable points because you forgot to proofread or put the wrong label in front of the wrong item.
Showing off your prized specimens, lapidary and/or jewelry skills is one of the things you can do to promote our activities to others. If you plan to enter CFMS competition this year, it is not too early to begin planning your display. If the current Rules book and supplements are not available through your club, they can be obtained by contacting CFMS Executive Sec/Treas Renata Bever at (909) 885-3918 or you can e-mail her at calfedmin@msn.com. To quote President Ken Kruschke, you should "go for the gold". He wants to help present lots of trophies to lots of folks at Turlock. See you there!
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