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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
April 1999.
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
It seems as if Spring arrived but old Mother Nature is late in showing us the warmer weather. In another month or so, we will be complaining that it's too hot. So with that in mind, now is the time to go on at least one more field trip to the Desert to gather more rocks. The CFMS is organizing such a trip into Nevada Desert, to the Monte Cristo Mountains near Tonopah on Memorial Day Weekend. I'd like to see all of our members attend. Details about this trip were in last months bulletin and are included again in this bulletin.
The next VGMS sponsored field trip will be to the Gaviota area along the coast of Santa Barbara County on May 8th. Our objective will be to collect fossilized whale bone and other rocks from the beach. Details of this trip are written in this bulletin.
Please plan on bringing an item to show at our meeting on Wednesday, April 28th. Whether it is a mineral, rock, fossil, jewelry or even an interesting book, bring it in. We learn from what each member has to contribute to the club. You may also consider giving a lecture at one of our future meetings or perhaps conducting a field trip to a great collecting locality. You are what makes our club great.
Steve Mulqueen,
President.
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MAY FIELD TRIP TO GAVIOTA.
Join us on a whale bone hunt at Gaviota State Beach, Saturday May 8th. The one day trip will start at Vons parking lot (Near Main St.) at 9:00 am and is about an hour drive. I'm sure serpentine, chert and jasper will be found along with about as much whale bone as you've got plans for. The prime collecting area is about a mile or more hike south of the campground (just shy of the nude beach area). We should arrive at the park around 10:15 am and will meet at the day use parking area. There's a $3.00 fee per vehicle. Low tide is scheduled for 11:00 am and weather is scheduled to be perfect.
Hope to see you there!
Greg Davis,
Field Trip Chairman.
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PROGRAM FOR APRIL 28TH.
Bob Gray of Santa Barbara City College will speak on the "Mistaken Extinction of the First Red Hot Flappers", (winged dinosaurs). Bob is a well known, knowledgeable, and popular speaker. The evening promises to be interesting and he will be bring bones for us to look at.
Kathryn Davis,
Program Chairman.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS.
04-24-99: Exhibitors/Competition Workshop - Thousand Oaks,
04-28-99: VGMS General Meeting - 7:30pm - American Legion Hall,
05-06-99: VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30pm - Museum,
05-08-99: Field Trip to Gaviota Beach,
05-15-99: Workshop Open - 9:00am to Noon,
05-15 & 16-99: Conejo Gem & Mineral Club Show - 190 Reino Rd., Newbury Park,
05-28-99: VGMS General Meeting - 7:30pm - American Legion Hall.
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GOLDEN TOPAZ.
The beautiful Golden Topaz was loaned by the Smithsonian to the CFMS and displayed in the AFMS/CFMS Show in Ventura in 1990. Armed guards protected it all the while it was at the Fairgrounds. Word has been circulating around that the mineral is damaged: that there are deep gouges present. Jeffery E. Post, Curator, National Gem & Mineral Collection states emphatically that this is not true, and the Golden Topaz is currently on display in the newly opened Gem Gallery.
Mr. Post states "The American Golden Topaz is as magnificent as ever and survived the many journeys to shows around the country unscathed."
Submitted by: Florence Meisenheimer.
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MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING,
March 24, 1999.
The General Meeting was called to order at 7:43 pm by President, Steve Mulqueen.
Olga Hammer reported that under the auspices of the CFMS, the Oxnard, Conejo and Ventura Gem & Mineral Societies will host a one day workshop on exhibition/competition cases. Rules concerning the Divisions and materials displayed will be addressed. The workshop will be held in Thousand Oaks.
Introduction of Guests.
FIELD TRIP: Greg Davis reported that the field trip to Lavic is scheduled for Saturday, April 10th. Members may meet at the K-Mart Shopping Center on Victoria Blvd. at 7:00am. More detailed maps will be available at that time. We will be collecting jasper, agate and common opal.
Steve and Susan Mulqueen will be attending the Boron Show, March 27-28, 1999. They will be collecting Ulexite, Colemanite and more during their field trips.
Regarding CFMS insurance, President Mulqueen noted that forms must be filled out and filed before going on a field trip to have coverage. Two weeks notice is required.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Richard Bromser gave the treasurer's report and check book balance.
SHOW REPORT: Show Chair, Red Jioras, reported that VGMS' 1999 Annual Show was a great success. The dealers were pleased and wanted to be invited back for next year's show. The Show overwhelmingly exceeded the goals we had set. Red stated that he was proud of the show and all the VGMS club members.
Dealer Chairperson, Kathryn Davis, stated that she was impressed by our club members. Our members spent time with and talked with the dealers and helped make them feel welcome. The dealers worked well together during the show. We did a great job with our Show.
MEMBERSHIP: Membership Secretary, Sharon Cunningham, reported that there were no new members.
Red Jioras reported on a seminar he attended conducted by Dr. Robert T. Bakker on fossils with special emphasis on the "Thunder Lizard".
BULLETIN: Bonnie Demianiw related that the deadline for the April bulletin will be April 10th.
David Mautz conducted the drawings.
PROGRAM: David Feinberg (Earthquake Dave) gave a presentation on glaciers around the world, their stability, how and why they grow and recede, how they are formed, and their impact on the landscape.
There being no further business, President Mulqueen adjourned the meeting at 9:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Carlon Strobel,
Recording Secretary.
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING,
April 1, 1999.
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 pm at the VGMS Museum. There were 14 members present.
BULLETIN: Bonnie Demianiw noted that the deadline for the April bulletin will be April 10th.
FROM THE PRESIDENT: President Steve Mulqueen reported (1) The Bakersfield Show would like interested VGMS members to exhibit at their show. (2) Regarding insurance, if a field trip is a Federation sponsored field trip we do not have to pay additional insurance. The Club should develop its own "hold harmless" form. Field Trip Chairman, Greg Davis, will be responsible for developing the hold harmless agreement. (3) Shirley and Jim Layton have donated a telephone answering machine to the Club. The messages will need to be picked up and any calls returned.
FIELD TRIPS: Greg Davis reported that the upcoming field trip to Lavic is scheduled for Saturday, April 10th. Members may meet at the K-Mart Shopping Center on Victoria Blvd. at 7:00 am or members may meet at the rest stop in Lavic at 11:00 am. Greg distributed detailed maps for the trip.
Greg noted that the next field trip is to Gaviota and is scheduled for Saturday, May 8th.
Steve Mulqueen reported on his trip to the Boron Show and the associated field trips.
MEMBERSHIP: Secretary Sharon Cunningham reported that the new Membership Directory should be ready by the next General Meeting. Sharon reported that VGMS has 64 paid members.
It was /m/s/c to accept the new members.
FROM NANCY JIORAS: (1) Nancy provided information on the upcoming field trip to Gaviota. (2) Nancy proposed cleaning up, painting and turning the room where the Board Meetings are held into a class room.
It was m/s/c to accept that the Club authorize $20 - $40 to purchase paint for the "class room".
COMMUNITY EDUCATION: Ray Meisenheirner (1) Reported on his programs scheduled for April. (2) Asked when the cast of dinosaur bones would be painted and returned to the Museum.
FROM BRUNO BENSON: Bruno asked if there was interest in scheduling a class/workshop on micro-fossils. The class will be scheduled after the "class room" is completed.
FROM RED JIORAS: Red suggested the Club try to attract more Pebble Pups in VGMS and start holding separate meetings to focus on their interest.
FEDERATION REPORT: Florence Meisenheirner reported on the upcoming proposed list of officers.
It was m/s/c to approve the ballot for CFMS Officers.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Richard Bromser presented the treasurer's report for February and requested approval for payment of bills, check numbers 546-555.
It was m/s/c to pay the bills submitted.
Richard presented the treasurer's report for March and requested approval for payments of bills, check numbers 556-572.
It was m/s/c to pay the bills submitted.
Richard distributed copies of the VGMS 1999 Show report.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, President Mulqueen adjourned the meeting at 8:52 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Carlon Strobel,
Recording Secretary.
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COMMUNITY EDUCATION.
March 14th, Ray Meisenheimer helped a father and son put together a collection of volcanic rocks for a school project. Ray then loaned the VGMS education case on vulcanization to the student's classroom.
On March 20th, Steve Mulqueen gave a lecture entitled: "Borates from Searles Lake" for the Mineral Collectors Workshop at the San Bernardino County Museum. The talk included information on the geology/mineralogy of Searles Lake and the history of industrial mineral production from 1873 to the present day.
March 21st, Ray Meisenheimer gave a tour of the club museum to a Cub Scout Pack. There were 15 boys and 9 adults. This group of eager scouts came from Thousand Oaks.
On April 27th, Steve Mulqueen will be giving lectures on the subject of "Petroleum Seeps" for the 8th grade science classes at the Redwood Middle School in Thousand Oaks.
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LAST MONTH'S PROGRAM ON
GLACIATION by DAVID FEINBERG.
David Feinberg presented an interesting and informative program on glaciation at our March 24th meeting. We learned some basic facts. For example, the largest glacier in the world is in Antarctica, and the only continent with no glaciers is Australia. Another example is, of all the fresh water on earth 90% is trapped in the glaciers in Antarctica, 5% in the glaciers in Greenland, and all of the other fresh water on the planet (including other glaciers) makes up the remaining 5%. It is also interesting to think of the weight of the ice of a glacier and what that means about movement in the earth should that weight be removed. Both the movement with a glacier and the consequences following the meltdown of a glacier create profound changes in the landscape. His slides gave us good examples of the kinds of changes glaciers make in a landscape. Thank you again David, for a very informative program.
Submitted by: Kathryn Davis - Program Chairman.
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NOTE FROM THE EDITOR.
A BIG thank you to all of you who contribute your articles and information to our bulletin. Without you this bulletin would not happen. Keep up the great work!
Bonnie.
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1999 AFMS / CFMS SHOWS
AND EVENTS.
APRIL 24-25 LANCASTER, CA - Co-sponsored by Antelope Valley and Palmdale Gem & Mineral Clubs, Challenger Memorial Hall on the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, Hours: 9-5 both days, Fred Ebel (805)947-1306.
MAY 1-2 BAKERSFIELD, CA - Kern County Mineral Society, Kern County Fairgrounds, Ming & P Street, Hours: 10-5 both days, Bill Leslie (805)746-3167.
MAY 8-9 RENO, NV - Reno Gem & Mineral Society, Reno Livestock Events Center, Exhibit Hall, 1350 N. Wells Ave., Hours: Sat 10-5; Sun. 10-4.
MAY 15-16, NEWBURY PARK, CA - Conejo Gem & Mineral Club, Borchard Park Community Center, 190 Reino Rd., Hours: Sat 9-5: Sun. 10-5, Bob Stultz: (805)498-4220, Don Pomerenke (805)492-4276.
MAY 29-31, WEAVERVILLE, CA - Trinity Gem & Mineral Society, Lowden Park, Hours: Sat & Sun. 10-5, Mon. 10-4, Jack Jennewein (530)778-3786.
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AFMS SHOWS 1999.
CALIFORNIA FEDERATION JUNE 18-20 TURLOCK, CA - Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, Contact: Al Trogin & Dennis Stuart at www.bell221.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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MAY BIRTHDAYS.
Happy Birthday to all those born in May, we hope you have a Great Day!
- 05-06 - Eleanor Rising,
- 05-20 - David Mautz,
- 05-20 - Marian Vient,
- 05-26 - Kathleen Paulson,
- 05-28 - Jack Collings.
The May birthstone is the Emerald and the flower is the Lily of the Valley.
EMERALD: The birthstone for May holds some our oldest traditions. No other mineral has so many virtues and superstitions attributed to it. Very few large emerald stones or crystals have ever been found. The emerald was believed to foreshadow future events and to endow the wearer with supernatural power to prevent what was to come.
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WORDS TO LIVE BY.
It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you down so much, as the grain of sand in your shoe.
SENIOR TOAST--:
Here's to the ability---,
To have the agility---,
To take our virility---,
Into our senility.
Business sign in front of a funeral home---"Drive carefully, we'll wait."
I can please only one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow isn't looking good either.
Submitted by: Wayne Ehlers.
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ANNUAL SNYDER POW WOW,
May 7-9, 1999.
Travel to Valley Springs, then go north two miles to 1290 Paloma Rd. There are signs along the way so you will not get lost. There are more than 100 dealers; demonstrators; field trips; food; radio controlled airplanes; antique gas engines; camping on grass. There is a reasonable fee for camping. If you have never been to Snyder's Ranch, it is quite an adventure. For the last two years, we camped in 2 inches of rain water. This year the Snyders promise it will be dry.
Florence Meisenheimer.
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Many, Many Thanks!!!
Thanks to all of you, our show was a great success. Red & Nancy Jioras are so busy thanking everyone for their help that I think we need to give them the BIGGEST thanks of all!!! They just kind of move along doing what needed to be done and motivating everyone else to do the same! They opened their home for show meetings, feeding us well, and helped every where. They were at every pricing/packing meeting we had for the country store, just working away as well as donating a wonderful variety of goods for the store. At any rate I know everyone joins me in saying "THANKS RED & NANCY, WE LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOU!"
Everyone in the club did such a great job and thanks to all of you. I especially want to thank those that helped in the country store and plant booths. Richard and Shirley Bromser were also at every pricing session and Richard would whisk the boxed items off to storage. Many thanks to them for all the hours before, during and after the show and for all the donations! Marie Haake speared our plant booth to it's greatest ever success with great helpers, Marie and Wayne Ehlers, Susan Mulqueen and Myrle Kirk and probably others. I apologize if I missed you, but you were definitely appreciated! The plant donations were spectacular! Myrle was everywhere, skirting on Thursday, setting up plants and magazines on Friday and there before me every day working like a trooper. Thanks Myrle and thanks Bill for doing without her for a few days! Sharon Cunningham unpacked and unpacked and unpacked on Friday until she buried me! We had a lot of stuff to get out. Never saw such an unpacker - Thanks Sharon! Shirley Briggs gets our books all organized every year and keeps them stocked, Thanks Shirley. Liz and Clay Brashears are big supporters of the Country Store, Clay visits his garage and also allows his granddaughter, Rachel to help every year. Thanks Rachel for your great help and to your Mom for getting you there! Florence Meisenheimer was a big help in getting the rest of the stuff unpacked during Saturday and Sunday and everyone sold, sold, sold the great donations and help from everyone. (I didn't even have to scrub floors!) Again, if I missed anyone, forgive the "senior moment"! One more thanks to Barbara, Sharlyne Holloway's daughter, and Jennifer Baumler for helping to pack us up. It was a great show and we have a GREAT group that I am very proud to be a part of. See you next year!!
Shirley Layton - Country Store/Plants Chairperson.
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AFMS RULES BOOK.
The AFMS Rules Book has been updated to include 1998. The new price is $9.00. If anyone ever plans to enter a display in competition it is essential to have a copy of this book. Even if you never display competitively there are many helpful suggestions. Order from: Renata Bever, CFMS EST, P.O. Box 489, Patton, CA., 92369-0489.
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WILDFLOWER SEASON 1999.
It may be a disappointing desert wildflower season, but not all unexpected following the spectacular El Nino bloom of last year. This spring the Desert Southwest is under the influence of a La Nina event. In such years, when winter precipitation is only half the average, (and one-quarter of last year) there has not been enough autumn rain to trigger mass germination of annual wildflowers. Substantial rain before the end of February is also required for smaller shrubs and herbaceous perennials to bloom, so these too will be disappointing. And while trees and cactus will probably flower on schedule, they will not be as profuse as normal years.
From: DesertUSA-April,
www.desertusa.com.
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The Federation Show this June is a celebration of the 60th Annual Show and CONVENTION. What is a convention? It is a gathering of people with the same interests and concerns. Wouldn't it be fun and interesting to meet rockhounds from all over California other states? It would be a great chance to swap ideas, tips, and field trip experiences.
CFMS COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN PLEASE NOTE: ANY CFMS COMMITTEE THAT NEEDS A TABLE AT THE FEDERATION SHOW IN JUNE, SEND A LETTER TO RESERVE SPACE TO AL TROGLIN, C/O MOTHER LODE MINERAL SOCIETY, P.O. BOX 1263, MODESTO, CA 95353.
The Mother Lode Mineral Society is pulling out all stops to make this show and convention a memorable occasion. We have so many great ideas for your enjoyment and we are working hard on a show that you will not forget! So come to Turlock in June....we will be waiting to share our hospitality.
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THAT'S ALL FOLKS.
Well that is it for another edition of the Rockhound Rambling. Thanks again to all of you who have submitted an article, and or any information. And to those of you who are thinking about submitting an article...DO IT! Share your knowledge with us, your humor, a puzzle. what ever. I'll print it! Come on, I know some of you have some good stuff rattling around up there in your heads. Maybe one of you has a special talent, come on and share that too! Set up a class or a program. Okay, you think about it and let me know. I'll be here, waiting for you.
Bonnie Demainiw - Editor.
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CFMS NEWSLETTER - April 1999,
A SPECIAL INVITATION.
Over the years we have received numerous requests from members outside the Eastern Federation to attend one of the popular Eastern Federation sponsored workshops at Wildacres. After much consideration, the Federation has decided to extend a formal invitation to all members of clubs belonging to other Federations to join us.
Wildacres, as many of you know, is a non-profit retreat dedicated to furthering human relations. The Wildacres campus features two residence lodges with motel style private rooms, numerous craft shops, meeting rooms, an auditorium, library and dining room. It is a place of solitude and majestic views set in the mountains of North Carolina about 40 miles from Asheville. The Eastern Federation has been privileged to use the retreat facilities for the past 26 years.
| Proposed list of educational classes for the 1999 workshop: | S=Spring Session, F=Fall Session | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-day classes - 1 only: | Faceting | S | F |
| Certified Judging | S | F | |
| Micromounting/microphotography | S | F | |
| Gem ID | S | ||
| Channel Work | S | ||
| 2-day classes - 2 only: | Silversmithing | S | F |
| Cabochon making | None | None | |
| Wirecraft jewelry | S | F | |
| Soapstone carving | S | F | |
| Gem trees | S | F | |
| Intro to crystallography | S | F | |
| Basic jewelry repair - soldering experience | F | ||
| Basic fossil collecting | F | ||
| Beading | F | ||
In addition to the educational classes, each session will feature a guest speaker, an auction, a "fun night", tail gate session, and a free day set aside to explore the picturesque area surrounding the Wildacres Retreat.
Dates and guest speakers for the EFMLS Wildacres Workshops are as follows:
Session 1 - May 24-30. Speaker is Jay Lininger, publisher of Matrix Magazine.
Session 2 - September 7-13. Speaker is Nancy Koski, an expert on Herkimer "Diamonds".
The cost for each session is $250 per person which includes room and board for the week. There is an additional modest charge for materials for the classes you take.
For those interested in attending, major airlines serve Asheville, NC and Hickory, NC (both about 60 minutes driving distance) and Charlotte, NC (about 2 hours drive).
Want more information? Contact Jennie Smith, 4400 San Carlos Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030-5369. e-mail: JPmicros@aol.com or Carolyn Weinberger, P.O. Box 302, Glyndon, MD 21071-0302. e-mail: cweinber@bcpl.net.
For your convenience, an application form is printed in this Newsletter. Reservations, along with a deposit of $100 per person should be sent, using the application form to: Angie Teixeira, 24 Ford St.; Seekonk, MA 02771. Checks should be made payable to EFMLS.
Webmaster's Note: Please contact a club member (see our Contact Us Page) for an application. Use your browser's BACK button or equivalent to return here.
We hope to see you at one of the EFMLS Workshops at Wildacres. Come and see what others have been raving about for years!
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