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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
August 1999.
Table of Contents.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
I was impressed by the quality and quantity of exhibits featured in the Gem & Mineral Building at the 1999 Ventura County Fair. A special word of thanks goes to all members who exhibited and competed in this event. Congratulations to all who were awarded ribbons for their efforts. I encourage all of our members to exhibit at the Fair in the year 2000.
Are you taking a class, attending a workshop or participating in a field trip which is related to our hobby? Please share your experiences with other club members by submitting an article for the monthly bulletin. This is a great way for others to learn from your experience.
The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society is actively seeking new members. If you know of someone who might show the slightest interest in our club, please invite them to one of our monthly meetings. We have had some new members join within the last few months. Please go out of your way to welcome our new members when you see them at our meeting on August 25th.
Steve Mulqueen,
President.
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SEPTEMBER FIELD TRIP.
Another trip to Ray and Jo Anna Ritchey's home in Monrovia was suggested by a club member. I contacted Ray who was very pleased with the idea and willing to have us visit on Saturday, September 11th. I'm told they have a vast assortment of rocks and minerals they're willing to part with for reasonable rates. Having missed the last opportunity, I'm looking forward to visiting them at their home and personally thanking Ray again for all the work he put into those quality grab bags for our club.
Ray's address is 224 Oak Avenue, Monrovia. I'll have detailed maps at our regular August 25th meeting, or call me if you're unable to be at the meeting.
We'll first meet at the K-Mart parking lot on Victoria and hope to head out around 8:00 am with an hour and a half drive time. Also, I'm trying to coordinate lunch with Ray and Jo Anna and provide it this time in return for their hospitality. I'll discuss details with those who plan on going.
Greg Davis,
Field Trip Chairman.
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AUGUST 25, 1999 PROGRAM -- SHOW AND TELL.
Your Program Chair was not able to find an available outside speaker for this meeting. I would like club members to participate in a Show & Tell Program. Bring one (or more) of your favorite minerals, rocks, fossils, crystals, or any other favorite item and be willing to share with us. A short demonstration of something you do would also be wonderful. You can tell us how you acquired it or made it and something about why it is special to you. Any item is acceptable. Please do respect what boundaries others may have regarding good/bad taste if it has special meaning for you.
For those of you who competed in the Fair or who volunteered time and talent - please share that also. This program will be as good as the VGMS members make it. Please be willing to participate and to share with other members.
Kathryn Davis,
Program Chairman.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS.
08-21-99: VGMS Workshop Open - 9:00 am till 12:00 pm.
08-25-99: VGMS General Meeting - 7:30 pm - American Legion Hall.
09-02-99: VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30 pm - VGMS Museum.
09-11-99: Field Trip to Ray & Jo Anna Ritchey's (details in bulletin & at Aug. 25th meeting).
09-18-99: VGMS Annual BBQ Picnic (details in bulletin & at Aug. 25th meeting).
09-22-99: VGMS General Meeting - 7:30 pm - American Legion Hall.
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CFMS INSURANCE UPDATE
By Bob Stultz, 2nd Vice President.
At the Executive Committee meeting held in Turlock the Executive Board appointed Bob Stultz, CFMS 2nd Vice President, to gather information from several interested insurance companies who wished to make a bid for the Federation's insurance business and present it to the Board. The Board will then examine these policies and present their decision to the Directors, when ready.
We are negotiating with several insurance companies at this time and two major companies have indicated that they are very interested in writing a policy for us. We have asked for coverage to include all activities, in the name of the Federation and all of it's clubs. These activities would include: Monthly Meetings, Workshops, Shows, Educational Trips to Museums and other such locations, Field Trips for collecting material, and Socials such as Picnics, Pot Lucks, Christmas Parties, etc.
One company has already notified Pat McDaniels, the agent who spoke briefly at the Directors' Meeting in Turlock, that they have a policy almost ready to be quoted. This policy would not involve any additional cost to the individual clubs of the Federation for all of their activities, including Field Trips.
The other type of insurance coverage that came up in Turlock was called Errors and Omissions for Officers and Directors. This would involve an additional cost, over and above the regular premium, and we are discussing the need for this with our lawyer.
We hope this answers the questions that have been submitted to President Ken Kruschke since Turlock. We will not rush into making quick decisions that will only give a "band aid" solution to this problem, and we will not quote any specific figures on policies in the Newsletter until the Executive Board and the CFMS lawyer can examine them. Therefore, there will not be another article on the insurance problem printed in the CFMS Newsletter until we have some definite information to give you.
Please be patient and give your officers a chance to do their job.
Printed from the August 1999 CFMS Newsletter.
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WHAT DOES GRIT SIZE MEAN?
Most of us who use tumblers, grinders, or polishers are familiar with labels giving grit sizes. We may also be familiar with the numbers to know that as the grit size number goes up it is for sanding and polishing. 80 to 220 grit are the common sizes used for grinding and shaping your stones. It is easy to assume that the grit size number means the number of particles per inch, but that is not the case.
| The following table gives the number of particles per linear inch for some commonly used sizes: |
||
| GRIT SIZE | = | PARTICLES PER INCH. |
| 80, 100, 120, 150, 180, 220, 240, 280, 320, 400, 500, 600, |
120. 147. 179. 208. 294. 385. 403. 571. 781. 1111. 1538. 3030. |
|
Grits above 600 are for polishing and 1200; 14,000; and 50,000 are readily available. The most commonly used abrasive is silicon carbide, although garnet, corundum, and diamond are available. Silicon carbide is a man-made abrasive and is efficient and economical. Grit sizes below 240 are separated by passing the material over screens. Finer grained particles above the 240 grit are graded by a sedimentation or centrifugal separation process.
The F grading system - 1F, 2F, 3F, and 4F - means the grit size is not fully graded. For example, 1F is 280 grit. This means that it contains some finer but none coarser than 280. 2F is 320 or finer, 3F is 400 or finer, and 4F is 500 or finer. These ungraded grits are usually less expensive.
Most of this information is from "Introduction to Lapidary" by Pansy D. Kraus.
Contributed by: Wayne Ehlers.
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR
MONTHLY MEETING, JULY 28, 1999.
The regular monthly meeting of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society was called to order by President Steve Mulqueen at 7:45 pm, on Wednesday, July 28, 1999, at the American Legion Hall, 83 S. Palm, Ventura, CA. The group was led in the salute to the flag.
Inez Shakman introduced the guests: Steve and Annette Campbell and Sarah and Michelle Glen.
Treasurer Richard Bromser could not attend the meeting but asked that bills be sent to him at his home.
Ray Meisenheimer reminded members that gem and mineral entries for the Ventura County Fair will be taken on July 30, 31 and August 1.
Steve Mulqueen made several announcements:
1) Ventura College is offering several Interesting classes in Geography and Geology. Class schedules were located at the back of the room.
2) Lodging reservations for Quartzsite and Tucson should be made as soon as possible because motels are already beginning to fill up for those winter months.
Florence Meisenheimer added that reservations for the October 2000 American Federation Show in Moab, Utah, should also be made now.
Bonnie Demianiw reminded members that articles for the monthly bulletin should be in her hands no later than the 10th of each month.
Greg Davis proposed a visit to Ray & Jo Anna Ritchey's home for the September field trip. Red Jioras reported on the vacation he and Nancy just took and suggested some possible multi-day trips for the club. He thought that a trip to southern Utah would be fun in the fall. He also proposed a club trip to Parson, WY, next July 4th for the rock swap and field trips offered.
The remainder of the meeting was moved to the back of the room where Red and Steve conducted an open forum to give club members the opportunity to express their views about topics relating to VGMS. Topics brought up included: Museum, workshop, field trips, youth programs, fund raisers, docent training, special exhibits at monthly meetings, and special discussion groups on topics related to geology. Due to time constraints not all topics could be covered in one evening; but members were assured there would be another such meeting where the other topics would be covered.
To summarize: Most members would like to see a new home for the museum/workshop - one that could be shared with the public. Numerous people volunteered to sit on a committee to explore these issues. Docent training for the museum was considered vital to the life of the museum, and a docent training workday will be scheduled. Requests for more multi-day field trips and more elderly/handicapped accessible field trips were discussed and suggestions made.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Jioras,
Secretary.
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MINUTES OF VGMS BOARD MEETING
AUGUST 5, 1999.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm by President Steve Mulqueen. 7 members were present.
PRESIDENT:
President Mulqueen received a proposal for the installation of a security system at the museum and workshop. It included 3 cameras and a 3-day video tape. The equipment was used and would cost over $1,700.00 installed.
We need someone to take over the Donation Awards for our March 2000 Show.
We are looking for a large enclosed trailer to store our show equipment in.
Steve said he would need help in September for our booth at the Heritage Valley Festival in Santa Paula. Those dates are September 25 & 26.
Do to personal reasons Carlon Strobel has resigned as Recording Secretary.
FEDERATION DIRECTOR:
Florence said the Federation was considering other company proposals for insurance.
Florence had a request from someone outside the club to buy obsidian. The club sells rocks at 20 cents per pound.
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY:
Sharon Cunningham said Bret Hilton had paid his dues and requested his membership be approved. It was M/S/C to approve the membership of Bret Hilton.
FIELD TRIP CHAIRMAN:
Greg Davis said on September 11th there was a trip planned to member Ray & Jo Anna Ritchey's home in Monrovia. Greg will need some help with future field trips.
EDITOR:
Bonnie said the deadline for the September Bulletin will be the 10th of the month. She also reported that Red & Nancy Jioras will host our annual picnic again this year.
TREASURER:
Richard Bromser submitted the financial report for the month of July and requested approval of checks #590 through 595. It was M/S/C to approve the bills as submitted.
Davis Mautz displayed some trilobite pins and belt buckle he had purchased for the drawings.
BOARD ACTION:
At the July 1, 1999 Board Meeting there was not a quorum. After reviewing the minutes of that meeting, no errors or emissions were found as printed. It was M/S/C to approve the action taken by the board at the July 1st meeting.
It was M/S/C/ to table action on the security system until our next regular board meeting.
Nancy Jioras has volunteered to fill the remainder of the term of office as Recording Secretary. It was M/S/C to approve Nancy to the office of Recording Secretary.
There being no further business, President Mulqueen adjourned the meeting at 8:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Bromser,
Secretary Pro-Tem.
Table of Contents.
NEW MEMBER.
Please add the following new member to your membership directory:
Bret Hilton,
209 Agnus Drive,
Ventura, CA 93003.
(805) 653-0856.
Make sure to introduce yourselves and make our newest member feel welcome.
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COMMUNITY EDUCATION.
Ray Meisenheimer gave an earth science program for Boy Scouts at Point Mugu. There were 179 boys and 49 adults -- too many for one person to handle.
The situation was not ideal. When he began to speak an airplane took off and all of the boys raced to the windows to watch it. By the time the adults got the boys seated again Ray's time was up. He did not feel that much education was accomplished, and there was no time for the young people to examine the specimens he took along.
Contributed by Florence Meisenheimer.
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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.
MEMBER RECOGNITION.
The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society presents Steve Mulqueen. Steve is currently club president. He is a CFMS Podium People speaker and has given programs to clubs and museums all over Southern California. He is a frequent visitor to the Union Oil Historical Museum in Santa Paula and enters a rotating display of rocks, minerals, and fossils every two months. Steve finds time for earth science programs for schools, boy- and girl-scout troops, and other youth groups. He received a letter from a young out-of-state boy asking for California rocks. Steve sent him a large box of identified specimens.
It is a joy to go on a field trip with Steve and learn about the geology of the area. Steve deserves to be recognized for sharing his knowledge.
Submitted by Ray Meisenheimer.
Printed In the CFMS August 1999 Newsletter.
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SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS.
Happy Birthday to all those born in September. We hope you have a Great Day!
09-01 - Ray Meisenheimer,
09-07 - Carlon Strobel,
09-13 - Liz Brashears,
09-20 - Pat McMahan,
09-23 - Clint Berkheiser,
09-27 - Myrle Kirk,
09-27 - Susan Mulqueen,
09-30 - Jennifer Baumler,
09-30 - Allie Buck.
The sapphire, birthstone for September, the gem of Indian Summer, the blue of the autumn sky, is a symbol of truth and constancy. It typifies calm and tried affection, not ardent passion.
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1999 CFMS CLUB SHOWS.
SEPTEMBER 3-6; FORT BRAGG, CA - Mendocino Coast Gem & Mineral Society, Town Hall - Main & Laurel. Hours: Fri, Sat. & Sun. 10-6; Mon. 10-4. Don & Karen McDonell (707)964-3116.
SEPTEMBER 4-6; SAN BERNARDINO, CA - Valley Prospectors, Los Rios Rancho, 39610 Oak Glen Rd.; Oak Glen, CA. Hours: Sat. & Sun. 10-6; Mon. 10-3. Tricia Beuler (909)797-4662. Call for Information Packet.
SEPTEMBER 18-19; PASO ROBLES, CA - Santa Lucia Rockhounds, Pioneer Park and Museum, 2010 Riverside Ave. Hours: Sat. 10-6; Sun. 10-5. Harry Kuflel (805)467-3457.
SEPTEMBER 25; LOS ALTOS, CA - Peninsula Gem & Geology Society, Los Altos Rancho Shopping Center, Foothill Expressway & So. Springer Rd. Hours: 9:30 am to 4:45 pm. Frank Dina (650)967-3424.
SEPTEMBER 25-26; DOWNEY, CA - The Delvers Gem & Mineral Society, Woman's Club of Downey, 9813 Paramount Blvd. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4. Manfred Dexling (562)425-0192.
SEPTEMBER 25-26; MONTEREY, CA - Carmel Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Monterey Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Rd. Hours: ?? Sky Paxton (831)633-6978, E-mail: skyler@lps.com.
SEPTEMBER 25-26; STOCKTON, CA - The Faceters Guild of Northern Calif. Inc., Scottish Rite Temple, 33 West Alpine. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4. Gemstone Auction Sunday 2:00 pm. Al Clee (650)991-9175. E-mail: TheClees@aol.com.
SEPTEMBER 29-OCT. 3; JOSHUA TREE, CA - Sportsman's Club of Joshua Tree, Sportsman's Hall; 6225 Sunburst St. Hours: Wed.-Sat. 9-5; Sun. 9-3. Gary Palmer (760)366-2990.
OCTOBER 2-3; NAPA, CA - Napa Valley Rock & Gem Club, Napa Valley Exposition, 575 Third Street. Hours: 10-5 both days. Gaylord Jerde (707)552-2324.
OCTOBER 9-10; LANCASTER, CA - Valley Gems, Valley Gems, 9050 1/2 West Ave. J. Hours: Sat. 9-5; Sun. 9-4. Connie Wilhelm (661)942-1570.
OCTOBER 9-10; PLACERVILLE, CA - El Dorado County Mineral & Gem Society, El Dorado Fairgrounds, 150 Placerville Drive. Hours: 10-5 both days. Merryan O'Neill (530)622-4229.
OCTOBER 9-10; TRONA, CA - Searles Lake Gem & Mineral, 13337 Main Street. Hours: Sat. 8-5; Sun. 8-4. Bonnie Fairchild (760)372-5356.
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AMERICAN FEDERATION/REGIONAL
1999 SHOW SCHEDULE.
SOUTH CENTRAL FEDERATION,
AUGUST 21-22; BOSSIER CITY, LA.
Bossier City Civic Center,
Contact: Gene Powell,
903 Lazywood,
Shreveport. LA. 71108.
Ark-La-Tex Gem & Mineral Society - Hosts.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN FEDERATION,
NOVEMBER 12-13-14; TUCSON, AZ.
Tucson Convention Center,
Contact: Jason Penn,
452 South Stratford.
Old Pueblo Lapidary Club - Hosts,
E-mail: Ekmtuc@azstamet.com.
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VGMS ANNUAL PICNIC!!
VGMS ANNUAL PICNIC!!
Saturday, Sept. 18, 1999.
Tri-Tip
& Chicken.
Come and
Join in the FUN!
PLACE: Red & Nancy's House,
613 S. La Luna, Ojai.
TIME: 11:00 am / eat at 12:00!
BRING: Side Dish or Desert,
Beverage & Chair.
Don't forget to bring a
White Elephant for our Auction!
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SEPTEMBER 1999 VGMS SCHEDULE.
2 - VGMS Board Meeting-7:30 pm.
11 - Field Trip to Ray & Anna Ritchey's.
18 - VGMS Annual Picnic.
22 - VGMS General Meeting-7:30 pm.
25-26 - Heritage Valley Festival in Santa Paula.
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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.
Webmaster: James A. Layton,
URL of this Page: http://www.vgms.org/bt/vgms9908.htm.