Return to the Rockhound Rambling Center.
You may also go to the VGMS Home Page.
The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
May 1999.
Table of Contents.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
We are now halfway through the Spring season and the warmer weather has finally arrived. Many people are busy planning their vacations for the summer months. Don't forget to include a mineral show or a field trip in your travels. These are great ways to see new things and to meet new faces.
Our monthly meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 26th. I will be giving a slide lecture entitled "Adventures on Santa Rosa Island". Details of this talk are written elsewhere in this bulletin. After the lecture, Kathryn Davis will be conducting a "Silent Auction". This will include the sale of rocks, minerals and fossils. If you have items to donate for the "Silent Auction", please give them to Kathryn with a label before the meeting. The label should include the name of the specimen, it's collecting locality and any other pertinent information.
On May 27-31, a field trip to the Monte Cristo Range near Tonopah, Nevada will be attended by several VGMS members. This trip is being conducted by individuals active in the CFMS. They plan to collect such things as petrified wood, wonder stone (banded rhyolite), apache tears, perlite, columnar basalt and many varieties of agate. Details of this trip will be available at our meeting.
The California Federation of Mineralogical Societies' 60th Annual Show will be held June 18, 19 & 20 in Turlock, CA. Many of our members will be attending. Perhaps you can plan your vacation around this event.
I look forward to our meeting on May 26th...and don't forget to bring a friend.
Steve Mulqueen,
VGMS President.
![[TOC]](../imagebtn/uarrow.gif)
Table of Contents.
MAY PROGRAM.
The program for May will be entitled "Adventures on Santa Rosa Island" presented by Steve Mulqueen. Steve and Susan attended a geological field trip to Santa Rosa Island in November of 1998 which was conducted by the Coast Geological Society. Steve will present details of the trip and will include such things as human history and natural history with emphasis on the geology of the island.
Santa Rosa Island is one of the four Northern Channel Islands which we can see off our coast (on a clear day). This chain of islands include Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel (extending east to west). Santa Rosa is approximately 50 miles southwest of Ventura and comprises 55,000 acres of mostly grass-covered hills.
The Northern Channel Islands are a structural extension of the Santa Monica Mountains. Together, the four islands represent the southernmost range of the Western Transverse Ranges. Geologic formations on Santa Rosa include volcanic and sedimentary rock units which have been deformed by movement along the Santa Rosa Island fault.
Kathryn Davis,
Program Chairman.
Table of Contents.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS.
05-26-99: VGMS General Meeting - American Legion Hall - 7:30 pm,
06-03-99: VGMS Board Meeting - VGMS Museum - 7:30 pm,
06-19-99: Workshop Open 9:00 am until Noon,
06-23-99: VGMS General Meeting - American Legion Hall - 7:30 pm,
06-27-99: VGMS Annual Pancake Breakfast @ Steve & Susan Mulqueen - 1462 Champlain, Ventura.
Table of Contents.
FIELD TRIP REPORTS.
I haven't planned a trip for the month of June with the annual breakfast and my daughter's high school graduation to plan for, but I'm always open to suggestions because they're so relaxing and rewarding.
The next planned trip will be to Jalama on Saturday July 10th. Some may plan on staying the night for this one. We'll again meet at the Vons parking lot (Ventura Ave. & Main St.) and head out from there at around 8:00 am. Along with a very scenic location, we can expect to find travertine, agate, jasper, chert, fossils and whale bone.
Most have been to Jalama but to get there go about 36 miles north of Santa Barbara on Hwy. 101, then turn onto Hwy. 1 toward Lompoc. Drive 14 miles to Jalama Road where you turn west and continue another 14 miles to the park entrance. There's a fee for day use - last reported at $3.50 per vehicle and $12.00 per night. Hope to see everyone there.
APRIL 10TH FIELD TRIP TO LAVIC.
Our April trip to Lavic Siding was a great success with perfect weather and lots of colorful jasper collected. The small turnout of members was attributed to the threat of wind and rain that weekend. The field trip was memorable and I got lots of pictures with everyone smiling.
MAY 8TH TRIP TO GAVIOTA.
A relaxing trip up the coast awarded seven club members with whale bone, lots of chert and interesting sea shells. Morning winds subsided and it turned out to be a real nice day. What amazed me was the series of vertically lifted layers of sediment known as the Monterey Formation. The aesthetically pleasing rows as straight as arrows and moving from shore out to sea were intriguing. I took lots of pictures and got samples of the chert.
Greg Davis,
Field Trip Chairman.
Table of Contents.
APRIL 28TH PROGRAM:
The First Red Hot Blooded Flappers
OR
The Mistaken Extinction.
Dr. Bob Gray presented a clear and persuasive program that not all dinosaurs are extinct in the sense of dying out. Rather, they have been defined out of existence. He began by talking about the distinguishing characteristics of birds such as: 1) they have feathers; 2) they have a furcula (wish bone); 3) they have hollow bones; 4) they have an alula, or tuft of feathers attached to their thumb which allows them to glide and to fly, and to land safely. He mentioned other distinguishing characteristics as well.
Dr. Gray then quickly explained how skeletal remains have helped scientists trace a relationship from one of the large groups of dinosaurs (Saurescha) which split into several later groups. Archaeopteryx is considered to be the first bird, even though it may not have been able to fly, because it had developed an alula. It was also interesting to learn that feathers developed/evolved from scales.
The conclusion is that today, dinosaurs are alive and well; the real extinction has not occurred.
Kathryn Davis,
Program Chairman.
Table of Contents.
MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING,
May 7, 1999.
President Steve Mulqueen called the meeting of the Board of the Ventura Gem and Mineral Society to order at 7:37 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 1999.
Mulqueen read a letter from new member, Peter Cosantina, who is City Manager for the City of Santa Paula. Mr. Cosantina invited VGMS to participate in Santa Paula's "Heritage Valley Festival" to be held September 25-26, 1999. The booth would be without charge unless the club decided to sell, in which case the fee would be $25 for the weekend. It was m/s/c to pay the $25 fee so that the club could sell grab bags and have games, as well as demonstrating some of the activities of the club.
Florence Meisenheimer announced that the carving instructor from Camp Paradise has moved to San Luis Obispo. He is willing to be a speaker for the club, and only charges for his travel expenses. Florence also announced that CFMS is working on the insurance problem. At that point Greg Davis presented for discussion a draft copy of a field trip release form. Several changes were suggested by the Board members, and a copy of the final draft will be sent to Ken Kruschke for the CFMS meeting. Finally, Florence said that she had show packets, sign up forms, and donation award tickets for the CFMS show in Turlock.
Richard Bromser gave the Treasurer's Report for the month of April, 1999. It was m/s/c to approve checks #573-577 for payment.
Richard Jioras said that he will set a date, to be announced at the May meeting, for a shop cleanup day. He investigated the possibility of securing the back building for storage of club equipment so that the museum/shop area could be put to better use. He felt that the cost of securing that building would be prohibitive. He then suggested that a box trailer could be used to store and haul the club equipment making it much easier, faster, and cheaper to move the equipment at show time. He also said that Bruno has offered his office for classes if his equipment can be more efficiently stored to clear that room. Mulqueen appointed a committee of three: Richard Jioras, Jay Baumler, and himself to research the possibility of obtaining a trailer for the club. They will report back in approximately three months.
Bonnie Demianiw set the bulletin for the 10th of the month, as it will be every month.
Sharon Cunnningham announced that Albert Rubo has applied to the club for membership. It was m/s/c to accept Albert Rubo for membership in VGMS. Sharon also suggested an insert in the membership roster for Pebble Pups. It was also proposed that games and quizzes for Pebble Pups could be added to the monthly bulletin. Finally, Mulqueen said he would attempt to find a leader for the Pebble Pups from the general membership.
Kathryn Davis announced that the May meeting will feature a talk on Santa Rosa Island given by Steve Mulqueen, and a silent auction.
Greg Davis stated that the May 8th field trip to Gaviota will meet at the Von's parking lot at Ventura Avenue and Main St. The next trip will be on July 10 at Jalama Beach.
The annual pancake breakfast will be held on Sunday, June 27. No location or coordinator yet.
Shirley Layton asked for assistance in answering a question received through e-mail regarding youth programs through VGMS. She also mentioned that one of the VGMS members has suggested using the club web page to sell items made by various club members. It was pointed out that such activity might throw the club out of its non-profit status. A person selling for profit should have a separate web site; however, the VGMS site could have links to the other sites.
Ray Meisenheimer told the Board that he hosted a field trip to the VGMS museum by the Weatherfield School in Thousand Oaks. Total visitors from the school were 77 students and 7 adult chaperones. Ray also requested that more rocks be put out back for the school tours. Mulqueen announced that he spoke to 5 different classes at the Redwood Middle School. Finally, Ray asked that a class be set up to train more docents for the museum.
Mulqueen distributed membership cards to the California State Mining and Mineral Museum.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Jioras,
Acting Secretary.
Table of Contents.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION.
April 8th: Ray Meisenheimer conducted a troop of Boy Scouts on a tour of the museum. There were 12 boys and 3 adults.
April 21st: Ray gave an earth science program to 25 young people and 4 adults for an after school YMCA group.
April 22nd: Ray gave another earth science program to the 4th and 5th grade classes at the First Baptist Church School in Ventura. There were between 20 and 30 students and adults.
April 28th: Bruno Benson, Ray and Florence Meisenheimer put away the fossils that had been returned from the Qjai Museum. The museum was then dusted and vacuumed in preparation for an upcoming tour.
April 29th: Ray gave a tour to 3rd and 4th graders from a school in Thousand Oaks. There were 77 students plus 7 adults.
Contributed by Florence Meisenheimer.
Table of Contents.
EARTH SCIENCE STUDIES AT ZZYZX.
89 staff members, instructors and attendees spent a very busy week at ZZYZX. A rare rain washed out the field trip for fossils on Monday. It was rescheduled for Friday, so all who wanted, got their microscopic fossils.
Field trips included a museum tour and tour of the Old Kelso Railroad Station, Afton Canyon (with many good finds) and the China Ranch Date Farm and Cactus Nursery.
One young lady discovered that she had an extremely rare microfossil when she examined her specimens under a microscope. There is only one other known to exist.
One of the evening programs was a film of "Crowns of Russia" and other Russian jewelry, including many exquisite Faberge pieces. The film was narrated by Bob Jones, an excellent presentation.
Another evening the group was entertained by cowboy poet, Rob Blair, who came in his cowboy togs and was so funny he kept us in stitches for an hour.
On show and tell night a very long table was loaded with finished and nearly finished items--carvings, jewelry, beads, wire wrap, lovely cabochons.
It was a very interesting week.
Contributed by Florence Meisenheimer.
NEWS FLASH -- Isabella and Bill Burns, Ray and Florence Meisenheimer, Dee and Cal Clason, Sue Hickman, and all of the instructors and cooks have been recommended for recognition for their hard work in providing attendees "a marvelous week at ZZYZX".
Table of Contents.
1999 AFMS / CFMS SHOWS
AND EVENTS.
MAY 29-31 WEAVERVILLE. CA - Thrifty Gem & Mineral Society, Lowden Park, Hours: Sat & Sun. 10-5, Mon. 10-4, Jack Jennewein (530)778-3786.
JUNE 5-6 GLENDORA, CA - Glendora Gems, Goddard Middle School, 859 E. Sierra Madre, Hours: Sat 10-7:30, Sun. 10-4, Mark Thompson, 411 W. Ghent, Glendora, CA 91740.
JUNE 5-6 WEST HILLS, CA - Rockatomics Rockhounders Roundup, Boeing Recreation Center, 8500 Fallbrook Ave., Hours: 10-5 both days, Lois Gerik (818)347-1234.
JUNE 5-6 SAN DIEGO, CA - San Diego Lapidary Society, Inc., AL Bahr Temple, 5440 Kearny Mesa Rd. (behind the Hampton Inn), Hours: 10-5 both days.
JULY 3-4 TAYLORSVILLE, CA - Mt. Jura Gem & Mineral Society, Rock Club and Museum Building, 4288 Cemetery St., Taylorsville, Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4, Francis Musser (916)284-7785.
JULY 9-10-11 ARROYO GRANDE, CA - Orcutt Mineral Society, Arroyo Grande High School, Fair Oaks & Valley Rd., Wes Lingerfelt (805)929-3788, P.O. Box 106, Santa Maria, CA 93456, E-mail: rocks4u@cwix.com.
JULY 10-11 CULVER CITY, CA - Culver City Rock & Mineral Club, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Culver Blvd. & Overland Ave., Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5, Bradford Smith (310)472-6490, E-mail: Brad@bigdiff.com.
JULY 31-AUGUST 1 SAN FRANCISCO, CA - San Francisco Gem & Mineral Society, San Francisco County Fair Building, Golden Gate Park, 9th & Lincoln Way, Hours: Sat 10-6, Sun. 10-5, Ellen Nott (415)564-4230.
Table of Contents.
AFMS SHOWS 1999.
JUNE 18-20 CALIFORNIA FEDERATION TURLOCK, CA - Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, Contact Al Troglin & Dennis Stuart at www.bell221 com/motherlode/, Mother Lode Mineral Society hosts.
JUNE 18-20 NORTHWEST FEDERATION HILLSBORO, OR - Washington County Fairgrounds, Contact Russell Snook, 73 South 26th Ave., Cornelius. OR 97113, Tulatin Valley Gem Club hosts.
JULY 9-11 SOUTHEAST FEDERATION NASHVILLE, TN - Tennessee State Fairgrounds, Contact William Buckner, 115 Carney Rd., Clarksville, TN 37040, Middle Tennessee Gem & Mineral hosts.
AUGUST 7-8 EASTERN FEDERATION NEW CARROLTON, MD - Ramada Hotel Ballroom, Contact Russ Shew (301)493-8936.
Table of Contents.
JUNE BIRTHDAYS.
Happy Birthday to all those born in June, we hope you have a Great Day!
- 06-01 - Steve Mulqueen,
- 06-03 - Wayne Ehlers,
- 06-18 - Alex Demianiw,
- 06-23 - Shirley Layton,
- 06-27 - Kathryn Davis.
The June Birthstone is the Pearl, and the flower is the Rose.
PEARL:
Few things are as beautiful as a lustrous, radiant pearl. Possession of a fine large pearl was once an indication of great power. Pearls are desired next to diamonds. Among ancient Hindu the gift of a pearl by a father to his daughter on her wedding day was an absolute must to ensure her happiness. In early days Oriental druggists crushed pearls to add to fluids as medicine for heart or stomach ailments.
Table of Contents.
MEMBERSHIP.
Do you have your club badge? If you are a new member or have lost yours call Sharon Cunningham at 649-3579. There are two choices in badge style, either a badge in the shape of Ventura County or a rectangle. Don't lose out if your name is chosen at our meetings.
Sharon Cunningham,
Membership Secretary.
Table of Contents.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CFMS INSURANCE,
From the CFMS Newsletter May 1999.
Here are some guidelines regarding the coverage from our insurance agency --- CAPAX-GIDDINGS, CORBY, HYNES on club sponsored field trips.
- There should be a statement concerning there will be no exposure to the following hazards: Caves, fissures, excavation/digging more than 3 feet into the ground or into hillsides/cliffs, rope climbing, or slidepits, etc.
- The pricing for a one day trip would be $15 for 1 to 20 people and $25 for 21 to 50 people. Refer parties larger than 50 people to the agency. Fill out application and send check.
- Price for two-day trips, subject to the above-mentioned exclusions, would be $23 for 1 to 20 people and $38 for 21 to 50 people. Refer parties larger than 50 people to the agency. Fill out application and send check.
- Any trips longer than 2 days of collecting must be referred to the agency. Travel time to and from the collection area does not count as collecting time. For example: Travel on Friday, collecting on Saturday and Sunday, traveling home Monday, is a still 2 day collecting trip.
- We would require you still send in the information you gather for the request. Confirmation that the above-mentioned exposures will not be allowed should be documented.
- Please list the State on the desert trip requests, as we do not know if the trip is to an area outside of California.
- The Underwriter may request a more detailed description of your trip at any time. They are trying to work with us on handling these requests and they are expecting that these guidelines will allow coverage for 80% to 90% of the field trip forms filed.
- Fill out your application, include your check, and send a copy of your ":Hold Harmless" form, if you use one, to G.C.H Insurance Agency, Attn: Shirley Poulter.
ATTENTION CLUB PRESIDENTS, EDITORS AND FEDERATION DIRECTORS:
Please pass this information on to your club members....don't keep it a secret.
Table of Contents.
AFMS EARTH SCIENCE STUDIES AT CAMP PARADISE,
From the CFMS NEWSLETTER May 1999.
It is time to start preparations for CFMS Earth Science Studies at Camp Paradise.
The date - September 12 to 19, 1999.
Location - Camp Paradise is located about 45 miles northeast of Marysville, California on highway E-21.
Facilities are somewhat rustic with rooms with double beds and/or cots, with bedrooms inside the building, and dorm rooms with cots.
Rooms are limited but there is considerable room among the pines for RVs. If you own one, you might prefer using your RV.
Workshops include wire wrap, faceting, casting, hard and soft stone carving, cabbing, petrified wood identification, bead stringing, and perhaps others.
Three meals a day are wholesome, home cooked meals with food and beverage sent out on field trips.
The fee for this very educational week is $190.00 per person. A small charge may be required for using material in the workshops.
If you plan on the wood identification workshop, you must have a hand-held 20 power microscope or a high powered minocular microscope.
This is a church camp and there are some rules we all adhere to. Along with your bedding, bring an extra sheet or plastic cover to place between your bedding and the mattress. This is a health regulation.
There is to be NO alcohol, no pets and no firearms.
The camp is in a beautiful setting, among the pines. Camp staff go out of their way to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable.
Only one hundred ninety dollars per person for this fun-filled opportunity to learn new techniques, make new friends, enjoy the sights, the great meals and great field trips.
If you have any questions, please call Ray Meisenheimer at (805)642-3155.
Earth Science Committee,
Isabella & Bill Burns,
Ray & Florence Meisenheimer.
Table of Contents.
A NEW ROCK ON THE BLOCK,
From the CFMS NEWSLETTER May 1999.
The "white bear", a new synthetic diamond, is so like the real thing that even experts have a hard time telling the difference. Manufactured in Russia, white bears may soon be coming to the U.S. At least one hopeful entrepreneur plans to market them here as gems.
"Like natural diamonds", writes Bill Gifford in The New Republic, "These are crystals of pure carbon, glinting with light, not that cubic zirconia junk sold on QVC. They equal natural diamonds in hardness and refractivity, the two qualities that mark the stone; you need a laboratory to tell the difference. They're just a few thousand years younger and about one-tenth as expensive as mined diamonds."
from Rock Rattler 7/97,
via Amador Nugget 3/99.
Table of Contents.
PRACTICE RV FIRE SAFETY,
By Richard Pankey, Safety Chairman,
From the CFMS NEWSLETTER May 1999.
Fires in recreational vehicles are rare but the danger is always there on the highway and in camp. By being aware and prepared you will be ready if fire does strike. There is great potential for fire in a RV and many from little known fire hazards: fuel accidents, electrical malfunction, cooking carelessness, hot tires and brakes, faulty and damaged fuel lines, faulty and damaged propane appliances, just to mention a few.
Modern technology and high-tech electronic sensors are a marvel for RVer's. Every RV should (must) have a smoke detector for the obvious reasons. In addition to the essential smoke detector consider adding: Carbon Monoxide Detector, Propane Leak Detector and Temperature Detector for engine and generator compartments.
I hope you all have a fire plan and fire drills at home. You also need one for your RV when traveling and in camp. Take into account your specific situation - your family members (age, handicaps, pets, size and design of your RV) and camping situation. Develop a plan and practice the plan.
- Make sure everyone knows what the smoke detector (and other detectors) sound like and what to do when they hear it. Test detectors regularly.
- Re-emphasize to everyone that objects can be replaced but people can't. Never re-enter a burning RV to retrieve anything.
- All family members need to know the Stop, Drop, and Roll rule if clothing is on fire.
- Make sure everyone knows the location of every exit and how to use the emergency window exits (practice this one).
- Chose a meeting point for everyone to meet at immediately after escaping, so everyone can be accounted for.
- Everyone needs to know the location of all fire extinguishers and how to use them (practice this one).
If fire should strike.
- The first rule of RV firefighting is to save lives and the RV second. Get yourself and your family (and pets) to safety.
- Get help. When in town or at a campgrounds call 911 or 0 to get emergency help. Know your location so you can tell the firefighters. If you are in the "boonies", sound the alarm to other campers in the area. Know how to use a CB or a cell phone to summon help.
- If you can do so without endangering yourself or others, use any firefighting aids on hand. You should have at least 2 fire extinguishers, one in the kitchen/living area of the motorhome/trailer, and one in the tow vehicle or near the driver. Every family member should practice using the fire extinguisher and know what fires it can and can't be used on.
- Keep a box of baking soda handy for minor galley fires. NEVER use flour, starch or sugar; they are all extremely flammable.
- Show all family members how to unhook the electricity and how to turn off the propane valves.
- Use a quick disconnect fitting on your water hook-up. The water can be instantly un-hooked to fight a fire on or near your RV.
PRACTICE RV fire SAFETY when traveling and when camped.
Table of Contents.
Return to the Rockhound Rambling Center.
You may also go to the VGMS Home Page.
Webmaster: James A. Layton,
URL of this Page: http://www.vgms.org/bt/vgms9905.htm.