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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
February 2008.

Rockhound Rambling Photo of the Month.

This month's photo is by Mel Hixson.

Note from Mel: Moss agate from the Mojave River gravels off Basin Road at the outlet of Afton Canyon approximately 45 miles NE of Barstow, CA. This has been one of my favorite areas to collect for over 35 years and still yields fine specimens every now and then. Many types of fine material from the north Cady Mountains have been deposited in the gravels of this gorge and every heavy rainstorm washes out new specimens.

The Rambling Picture of the Month is photographed by a VGMS Member. Subject may be a specimen in their own collection or a rock, mineral, gem or lapidary creation of others, accompanied with documentation of subject origin. Selection is at the discretion of the editor. Submit candidate photos to vgms_editor@roadrunner.com.

Permission is granted to quote any item, if proper credit is given. Exchange Editors: email to vgms_editor@roadrunner.com or mail to 3063 Bayshore Avenue, Ventura, CA 93001-4125.

For the record, any unsigned articles are by the Editor.

Table of Contents.

• PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE;
• WORDS TO LIVE BY;
• UPCOMING VGMS EVENTS;
• BIRTHDAYS;
• HOSPITALITY;
• PROGRAM REVIEW;
• PROGRAM SCHEDULE;
• LOCAL EVENTS;
• MEMBERSHIP;
• THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MEMBERSHIP;
• MEETING MINUTES;
• COUNT-DOWN TO SHOW TIME;
• CHIPS AND BOULDERS;
• FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN;
• GEMS FROM THE PAST;
• LET'S BE SAFE OUT THERE;
• HINTS AND TIPS;
• EDUCATIONAL CORNER;
• LET'S GO TO A SHOW - 2008;
• CHOICES.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

Final preparations are underway for our club's most important annual event, the 2008 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 this month on Thursday, Feb. 28th. Our general meeting on Wednesday, February 27, will focus on the mineral show. Please plan on attending.

I am honored to be your President for 2008. Please join us in making the 2008 Gem & Mineral Show our best ever. Success is measured by the sum total of all effort given by good people for a common cause.

Lowell Foster led an outstanding tri-club field trip to the Wiley's Well area last month. His familiarity with the area enabled everyone to go home with literally buckets of geodes (at least for the ones small enough to fit into a bucket). Let the cutting begin!

Ed Clark, President.

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WORDS TO LIVE BY.

If it's nothing more than a smile---give that away and keep on giving it.

It's what you learn after you know it all that counts.

The safest way to disagree is quietly.

If you want something done right, do it yourself---unless it's a haircut.

Collected by Wayne Ehlers.

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain.
     Bill Cosby.

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UPCOMING VGMS EVENTS.

Regular Meeting - Wednesday, February 27, 7:30 pm, The Lexington, Ventura.
Show Setup - Thursday, February 28, 9 am-6 pm, Fairgrounds.
VGMS Annual Show - Saturday, March 1, 10 am-5 pm; Sunday, March 2,
10 am-4 pm.
Board Meeting - Thursday, March 06, 7:30 pm, The Lexington, Ventura.
Bulletin Article Deadline - Sunday, March 9, vgms_editor@roadrunner.com.
Workshop - Saturday, March 15, 9 am To Noon, Museum.

If omitted, the time, location or address can be found on the VGMS Info Page. (Close the new window to return here.)

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BIRTHDAYS.

Paul Polacek - February 28.

Cyndie Day - March 2,
Miriam Tetreault - March 6,
Howard Balentine - March 16,
Greg Davis - March 18,
Callie Stephens - March 19,
Rebecca Foster - March 20,
Heidi Mauer - March 25,
Cyndy Treutelaar - March 27.

We wish all of you good health and hope you have a very, very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Metaphysical Properties of Amethyst.
Amethyst is a powerful crystal and has a wide range of metaphysical uses. It has often been called a stone of contentment because of its soothing and calming properties. It is a very good stone for meditation and is well known for its shielding ability. Amethyst can ward off negative energy while attracting and enhancing positive energy. Amethyst is also said to stimulate inspiration and to help you assimilate new ideas. It can help you to open your higher self and is thus an important stone for those seeking spiritual growth.

Source: http://www.psychic-revelation.com/crystals_amethyst.htm.

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HOSPITALITY.

Hospitality Committee Chair.
The club needs someone to head this committee. Hospitality duties are simply to greet members and guests at our regular meetings and ensure everyone has signed the meeting roster. The total members in attendance and the names of guests are given to the bulletin editor for publication in the following month's bulletin. If you are interested, please contact Ed Clark, or any other board member.

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PROGRAM REVIEW.

January 2008.
January's program was attended by 13 members. Our guests included Jason Overman and the Wharmby family - Carolina, Jim, and their daughter Samantha.

Lowell Foster gave a recount of the recent Wiley's Well field trip and brought in a table full of specimens, all neatly cut, and lots of photos as well.

The Davis' shared some of their finds from that field trip as well.

Abe and Esther Barshai brought in some excellent photos of the Wiley's Well trip, which I will publish in the coming months.

Our guest, Jason Overman, gave a recap of he and his son's recent trip to the Himalaya Mine. Jason had some pretty darn nice findings, including a facetable pink tourmaline.

Jim and Nancy Brace-Thompson showed off their lapidary skills with opal triplets galore. They learned how to make them at the Oxnard Gem and Mineral Society's opal class, which is highly recommended for anyone interested in working opals. Nancy also showed us some of her wire-wrapped items, a skill she learned at an OGMS class. Kay Hara is an excellent teacher and that class is also very, very good.

Abe had sign-up sheets for the March show. Most of the members present were show chairpersons. We hope our members step forward to help. The show chairs will really appreciate your assistance.

Refreshments were missing and no one volunteered to bring same to the February meeting. If that keeps up, we may be picking names from a hat!!

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PROGRAM SCHEDULE.

February 2008.
February's regular meeting will be the day before we begin setup for our annual show and will be devoted to outlining arrangements. All members are encouraged to attend. We are very short on volunteers.

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LOCAL EVENTS.

California Oil Museum (Santa Paula) - Contact Debbie Bereki at 805-933-0096 for more information:
1. THAR SHE BLOWS!!! A HOT SPOT MAKING VOLCANIC ISLANDS by Dr. Robert Gray, February 28, 2008. Enjoy this talk and dinner at the California Oil Museum.
2. Could you (as Jurassic Park would lead you to believe) successfully transplant terrestrial dinosaurs into the present day? MAMMALS and NON-FLYING DINOSAURS: A tale of ecosystem evolution in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic by Dr. Bruce Tiffney, April 10, 2008. Enjoy this talk and dinner at the California Oil Museum.

American Opal Society,
February 14, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm.
Location: Garden Grove Civic Women's Club, 9501 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92841. This month, David Kramer, a professional opal cutter and jewelry designer, will demonstrate his unique style of cutting opal.

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MEMBERSHIP.

Welcome New Members.
We are pleased to welcome the following new members:
     Carolina, Jim, Samantha and Melanie Wharmby,
     818 West Fifth Street,
     Oxnard, CA 93030,
     805-760-5857.
     Interests: Fossils, Field Trips.

     Chris Sabo and Anzhela Martynava,
     2225 El Jardin Avenue,
     Ventura, CA 93001.

     Jason Overman,
     1556 Bullpup Circle,
     Point Mugu, CA 93041,
     757-515-5301,
     ChillinJ20@yahoo.com.
     Interests: Fossils, Prospecting, Faceting, Mineral Collections, Field Trips, Jewelry Making, Gem and Mineral Shows.


2008 Dues Are Past Due!
This is the last (as in "final") call for 2008 dues. By March 1, I need to submit a roster of all paid VGMS members to the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies, and I also need to compile our own club directory for 2008 to distribute to one and all. But the only way to see your name in the 2008 VGMS Directory is to take a moment and send your check today! Dues are $20 for a single individual, $30 for couples, $17 for full-time college students (age 18+), and free for children and youth under 18 years old who join the club with a paid adult or couple. You can send a check (payable to VGMS) to me at my home address (Jim Brace-Thompson, VGMS Membership Secretary, 7319 Eisenhower St., Ventura, CA 93003), or you can give one to me at our February meeting.

Once again, it's especially important that all dues be paid at this time so that I can prepare our 2008 directory to distribute within the club and to send to the CFMS, which requires a full count of all local club members for insurance and other purposes. Regarding the directory, along with your dues please alert me to any address, phone, or email updates you may have and any updates for your entry in our Club Yellow Pages.

If you're unsure whether you've already paid your dues or not, please contact me via either email (jbraceth@roadrunner.com or phone (805-659-3577). My thanks to all who have renewed, and here's to a terrific year of rockhounding in 2008!

Jim Brace-Thompson, Membership Secretary.


VGMS Club Vests and Badges.
The Club vest colors are royal blue with gold lining. You can also buy or make a blue denim vest. A club patch is available to sew on the back of your vest for a cost of $5.00. You may purchase the patch from the Membership Secretary, Jim Brace-Thompson.

(Webmaster's Note: If you want a printed copy of the following so you can place an order move the mouse cursor to the left of the word 'Attention', push and hold down the left mouse button, and sweep down over the ad with the mouse cursor. This will highlight the contents of the ad. Release the mouse button and, without clicking anywhere else on the page, select EDIT on the browser menu and select COPY. You may then PASTE into any word processor and print in your normal manner. If you highlight too much you may delete the unneeded part with the word processor before printing. This works with any browser I know.)

Attention New Members (or anyone needing a badge).
Need a Club Badge?
Blue Engravers is giving us a $.50 reduction per badge
for advertising space in the club bulletin!
Ventura County Shape badge $11.28 (includes. tax & ship).
ACCOUNT: Ventura Gem and Mineral Society, Inc.
Name (print clearly. It will be on your name badge):

_____________________________________________

Address:

_____________________________________________

_______________________________Zip: __________

Make check payable to and mail to (takes 5-7 business days):
Blue Engravers,
1375 Caspian Ave.,
Long Beach, CA 90813.
If ordering more than 2 badges call them for exact shipping
costs at (562) 983-5140, FAX (562) 983-5146,
E-mail BLUEGRAVR@aol.com.

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THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MEMBERSHIP.

I apologize in advance if this article comes across as too alarmist, but I happen to care about the Ventura Gem and Mineral Society, and I feel it's time to take this club to the woodshed and to ask a basic question, "Do we wish to continue as an organization?"

I've just returned from our February board meeting, where 5 of our 10 elected officers were in attendance. A month ago, at our January board meeting, just 2 of us were in attendance. According to our By-Laws, any official business of VGMS can only be conducted by a quorum of the Board of Directors, a quorum being two-thirds of the directors. Thus, for the first 2 months of the year--critical months leading up to our major activity of each year, namely our annual show--we have failed to have a quorum at our Board of Directors meetings. Thus, no official business could be conducted on behalf of VGMS, including approval of new members, approval for any new events or ventures, appointment or replacement of committee members, payment of bills or receipt of income, reimbursement for expenses such as the many show expenses piling up or newsletter expenses that have been paid out of the personal pockets of individual club members, or any business pertinent to the conduct of our annual show that's just weeks away. When elected and sworn to office, all VGMS officers take an oath to take on "the responsibility for the proper functioning" of the club and to "faithfully execute the duties of my office". Unfortunately, as we begin 2008, this simply is not happening.

And this applies not just to officers but to the membership as a whole. Again, according to our By-Laws, "one-third members of the Society shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business" at our monthly club meetings. According to our 2007 club roster, there are nearly 65 members of the Ventura Gem and Mineral Society. But when was the last time we saw what would constitute a quorum of our membership attending a monthly membership meeting? If we go strictly by the numbers, frankly speaking, we no longer exist as a club because we have not constituted a functioning quorum to conduct the business of the society for the first two months of the year, or for a substantial period of the preceding year, either at our board meetings or at our membership meetings.

With membership comes many benefits...the benefit of a club workshop with lapidary equipment freely available for one and all...the benefit of knowledgeable fellow members to share expertise and tips...a club rock pile with lapidary material freely available for one and all...club- and federation-sponsored field trips...club-sponsored silent auctions offering terrific gems, minerals, fossils, and lapidary materials at a fraction of their commercial value...interesting talks and presentations on a monthly basis...the benefit of belonging to the wider California and American Federations where those who are so inclined can compete to win prizes and recognition with their displays and through which contacts with other rockhounds across California and America may be made...the benefit of learning about special deals for used equipment and estate sales...the benefit of taking part in educational outreach activities...or the simple pleasure of joining with like-minded folks in a hobby we all enjoy.

But with membership comes responsibility. I simply ask each and every member to look at your own involvement with VGMS in recent months, and to ask yourself the following questions. Have you been attending meetings? Have you jumped in to volunteer to help in all ways possible for our upcoming show and participated in show-planning meetings? Have you already notified your place of employment and taken the Thursday and Friday leading to our show as vacation days to help with show set-up? Have you recently volunteered to give a presentation at a club meeting or to lead a club field trip? Have you recently written an article for our club newsletter? When we hold a silent auction, do you bring material to donate to the cause, or do you simply reap what others have donated? If an elected officer or committee chair, have you been fulfilling the duties of the office you've willingly assumed? Do you even know what those duties are? What, in particular, have you yourself done to improve the club and to further its overall goals and ensure its long-term health and continuity?

The Ventura Gem and Mineral Society began in the 1940s and has been a strong and vital member of the Ventura County community for sixty-plus years thanks to the involvement of concerned members who were passionate about what they were doing. I conclude with one last question: Can we count on seeing you at our February meeting and in full force to set up and conduct our annual show? Please show me that my cause for alarm is unfounded by everyone pitching in with the responsibility we've all willingly assumed to see that VGMS is vital and viable long into this new millennium. I, for one, want to be here, however old and feeble I may be, when we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Ventura Gem and Mineral Society.

Jim Brace-Thompson, Membership Chair.

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

MEETING MINUTES.

Minutes of the VGMS Regular Monthly Meeting;
Wednesday January 23, 2008:
     The regular monthly meeting of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society was called to order by Lowell Foster at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at The Lexington, 5440 Ralston in Ventura.
     Club members were led in the pledge to the flag and visitors were welcomed.
Lowell mentioned that the next show planning meeting will be held in conjunction with the show materials preparation at Ron & Jean Wise's house, 705 Elko Street, Ventura, on February 10 at 1:00 pm. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Abe Barshai - Sign up sheets for club members, show tasks and times members can help will be available at all club functions. Country Store items are still needed and we desperately need someone to manage the raffle prize segment of our show.
Jim Brace-Thompson - Dues are past due but will still be accepted. Guests Jason Overman and the Wharmby family were introduced and welcomed.
Nancy Brace-Thompson - There's a Federation field trip scheduled for Texas Springs, Nevada in May and the Oxnard Club is planning another trip to Wiley's Well area in February. Federation Show exhibit forms are available. The Oxnard Club has agreed to assist with the Federation Show silent auction and also to donate proceeds to the Federation Endowment Fund in Ray Meisenheimer's name. Our club's hospitality position is still open if someone would please offer to assist with that.
Mary Polacek - Articles and contributions to the bulletin are needed by the weekend following each month's club board meeting.
     Lowell next gave the "Year in Review" presentation with members discussing highlights and showing "finds" from the past year.
     The next board meeting will be held on February 7th, 2008, at The Lexington and the next monthly membership meeting will be held on February 27, 2008.
     There being no further business, Lowell adjourned the meeting at 8:55 pm.
          Respectfully submitted,
          Greg Davis,
          Recording Secretary.


Minutes of the VGMS Board Meeting;
Thursday, February 7, 2008:
Present: Ed Clark, Jim & Nancy Brace-Thompson, Mary Polacek, and Greg Davis.
     The VGMS Board Meeting for February 7, 2008 was called to order by President Ed Clark at 7:30 pm, at The Lexington, 5440 Ralston in Ventura.
Old business:
Ed Clark - Our annual show will be here soon and all members will be needed to assist. Please plan on signing up for the needed positions.
Greg Davis - Still no word from Help of Ojai. As of my last contact with Kaylynn Twotrees (January 3rd), final site planning requirements with the County of Ventura had not been completed and until then no other considerations could be made. She stated that they would contact us.
New business:
Nancy Brace-Thompson - Exhibit forms for the upcoming Federation show are available and all are encouraged to enter and participate. It'll be a busy year for our club but everyone will be needed to help out any way they can.
Jim Brace-Thompson - Our latest club membership count for 2008 is at 45. The roster for Federation reporting and our own directory will need to be finalized within weeks and we still haven't gotten renewals from some members. It was m/s/c to accept Chris Sabo & Anzhela Martynava, Jason Overman, and the Wharmby family (Carolina & Jim and pebble pups Samantha & Melanie) as members pending finalizing their paperwork.
     Publicity is on track for our show with notices having gone out to all magazines, area clubs, geology professors at UCLA and UCSB, the local Visitor's Center, Chamber of Commerce and youth groups.
     Donna Knapton is requesting space at our hospitality table to distribute mineral samples to area school teachers who arrive at our show. She's also wondering if we can help supplement the supply of material.
     Long time VGMS show vendor, Jack McCullough passed away January 31. Condolences can be sent to Lynette at 1397 Corte de Primavera, Thousand Oaks, CA., 91360.
     It was also m/s/c to make a $50.00 donation to the CFMS Endowment Fund in the name of Sharlyne Holloway.
Mary Polacek - Articles and submissions to our bulletin are requested by the weekend following our monthly Board meeting.
     The next general meeting will be on February 27, 2008, at the Lexington.
     There being no further business, Ed adjourned the meeting at 8:22 pm.
          Respectfully submitted,
          Greg Davis,
          Recording Secretary.

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COUNT-DOWN TO SHOW TIME.

Late Breaking News.
     Paul Polacek has volunteered for the Raffle Donation chair. We are off to a good start, with quite a few member donations already in hand.

     Country Store is still seeking donations. Bring them to the next regular meeting, set-up or even on show days; none will be refused.


Lining Our Ducks in a Row
Submitted by Jim Brace-Thompson, Show Publicity Chair.
We're now counting the days to our Annual Show, and every hour counts in getting our ducks in a row. Here's what's left in our time-line:

     Getting the Word Out: Today through March 2 - Tell friends, family, co-workers, and (especially!) people you don't even know about the Show. Pick up Show flyers at our February meeting or call Jim B-T to get some now (659-3577), and post them on public bulletin boards, give them to acquaintances, and otherwise do all you can to get folks onto the Fairgrounds. In addition to our quarter-page flyers, we have color posters that can be taped to a car window to create movable billboards.


     Set-up: Thursday, February 28 (9 AM-6 PM) - Please, everyone who is able, take a day or half-day off work on Thursday to assist in set-up. We need to share the workload so it doesn't fall on just a few shoulders. Some jobs are physically demanding, but many are not, and we need all the hands we can get. This year, we've contracted for the fairgrounds to lay out the tables, so that heavy lifting will be done. Still, we need help moving supplies from our workshop building and storage unit, skirting tables and assembling display cases, arranging the Hospitality, Silent Auction, and Kids' Booths, setting up the Country Store and plant sale area, etc. Abe Barshai will have sign-up sheets at the February meeting, or you can call him now to volunteer (818-991-7735). We'll have lunch fixings for everyone helping.


     Move-in: Friday, February 29 (all day & evening, until 10 PM) - We'll open the doors to dealers, demonstrators, and exhibitors to begin set-up at noon. We need folks who can show up in the morning to help welcome and direct our dealers and guest exhibitors to their booths and campsites. This is also the day for us to set up our own displays. If you haven't yet signed up to enter a display, call Ed Clark, (983-0028) and/or give him a completed form at the February meeting. We need an accurate count of exhibitors to put together the layout, and we need this info in advance to print in the Show program. You don't need a huge collection to make an attractive display, so if you've never displayed before, don't be shy! We can help with ideas at the February meeting. (Some pointers on what to bring for setting up your case: liners or cloth, risers, masking tape, duct tape, your specimens, labels for identifying your specimens, a name label so that people will know whose display it is, and a lot of enthusiasm-it's contagious!)

Lunch fixings will be available in the afternoon. Then we'll have our annual Show dinner at the end of the day, between 6 PM and 7 PM, and if you would like to assist in preparing and serving, call Nancy B-T (659-3577) or Valli Davis (647-9214). The club will provide the main course (lasagna), bread, salad, and drinks, and we ask that club members donate desserts, so bring an appetite along with something sweet to share (besides yourself!)


     Show Time! Mar. 1-2 (10 AM-5 PM Sat.; 10 AM-4 PM Sun.) - Abe has sign-up sheets for the different Show jobs, and we're also depending on volunteers to help upon arrival during the Show. See what hours are open at each station, and fill in where needed. Or pick an activity that most interests you, then call the committee chair today to offer your help. We need help with:
Hospitality. Welcome people to the show, give them the Show Program and tell a bit about our club, invite them to purchase raffle tickets for our Donation Awards drawing, and tell them about our Country Store as well as other aspects of the show; call Valli Davis, 647-9214.
Game Booth. Help Jean Wise, 647-4393, and Lowell Foster, 648-1942, organize and run activities for kids; we need donations of small rock, mineral, fossil, and lapidary specimens as prizes, and we especially need help in the booth itself managing the spinning wheel, grab bag sales, sand sifting for prizes, coloring books, fossil painting, and other activities. This booth can become especially hectic, so we need at least 2 (and preferably 3) people running it at all times.
Silent Auction. Greg Davis, 647-9214, Ron Wise, 647-4393, and Mel Hixson, 646-6021, welcome help running our hourly silent auction. We'll need people to announce the auction each hour, hand out prizes, and set out new prizes.
Country Store. Help with our big flea market to raise funds for the club. This is a major source of revenue for us, so call Mary Polacek, 644-5090 or Esther Barshai, (818) 991-7735, to help ensure a successful store.
Plant Sale. Contact Susan Mulqueen to donate and help sell plants and cuttings. This is also a popular source of revenue for us.
Security. Throughout the show, we ask members to circulate among the crowd in orange security vests to present a visible security presence. We also need volunteers to spend one or both nights providing overnight security. It's the cheapest hotel room in town!

     We need everyone to bring donations. In particular, we'll need your help with:
Desserts for the Show dinner from 6 to 7 PM on Friday evening; bring them to the dinner.
Cookies to provide near the coffee area throughout the Show; bring to the kitchen during the Show.
Raffle prizes: Mineral and fossil specimens, lapidary work, and other "showy" stuff you would see in a store window. We want to entice people to enter our raffle, so please help by donating a truly nice prize. Bring it to the Hospitality Booth during set-up on Friday.
Silent auction: Rough material for lapidary work, large pieces of petrified wood, large mineral specimens, etc. The showier the material, the higher the bids will be. We'll get much of this from our club rock pile, but that's quickly dwindling so we could use donations. Bring them to the Silent Auction booth.
Kids' prizes: Small pieces of jewelry, tumbled stones, polished slabs, fossils, mineral specimens, etc., are needed as prizes, along with plastic and paper grocery bags. Bring them to the Kids Booth.
Country store: Garage sale sorts of items, as well as magazines and books related to rock hounding, and grocery bags for people to carry away their purchases.
Plant sales: Plants, cuttings, and related materials, as well as cardboard flats and plastic and paper grocery bags for people to pack their purchases in.


     Dismantling: Sunday, March 2, 4 PM until it's done! - It ain't over 'till it's over. Please don't pack up your own goodies and run out of Dodge at the end of the Show. We'll need a lot of strong arms and backs to help reverse what we did on Thursday in order to pack everything and return it to its place. To thank everyone, we'll have our annual pizza delivery once all is packed away and the final floor is swept clean.


     Receipts - If you've incurred expenses for jobs you've done on behalf of the show, all receipts are due to club treasurer Cyndie Day within 10 days of the Show so that she can balance the Show books.


     THANK YOU!! - Finally, a big thank-you to each and every Show committee member for work done to date, as well as to each club member, our dealers, demonstrators, and our guest exhibitors. It's shaping up to be a great show, and we'll see you at the Fairgrounds!

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CHIPS AND BOULDERS.

Wiley's Well Information
By Lowell Foster.

I promised a couple web sites that have come in handy for me. Here they are:
     www.blythegpaa.org.
          (Has a link to Hauser maps and GPS coordinates.)
     www.rockhoundnotes.com/archives.htm.
          (Has a series of articles written by Delmar Ross who has now put out a GPS guide to the Hauser Beds. Also has a guidebook to the area under Peterson's name -- Vughunter's Treasure Map #7.)


Write the Postal Commission for Gem Stamps!
By Jim Brace-Thompson.

The American Federation of Mineralogical Societies has been leading a campaign to get the U.S. Postal Service to issue a new set of stamps featuring either gemstones of America or birth stones. Two sets of mineral-related stamps have been issued in the past (1974 and 1992), and both proved very popular among the general public and among stamp collectors, as well as among rockhounds. However, to get such a proposal approved, folks at the Postal Service need to hear from you! The more letters they receive, the more likely we'll see a new set of gemstone stamps. Write to The Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee, Stamp Development, U.S. Postal Service, 1735 N. Lynn Street, Room 5013, Arlington, VA 22209-6432. You can find more info about this project on the AFMS web site at www.amfed.org/stamps.htm.


Notes from the Strewn Field
By Shawne Lardin.

Tucson meteorite dealer, Mike Farmer, reports that at a show in Japan recently, the Chinese were selling fake Moldavites (tektites). He says they had molded green glass which looked extremely real, but there were many identical copies of the same one. At the Tucson Show in 2000 there was a Chinese dealer selling 'Moon' Rocks for $8.00 per pound.


Tucson Electric Park Learning Center.
If you are traveling to Tucson for the show this year check out the schedule at the Tucson Electric Park Learning Center: http://electricparklearningcenter.com. This year the Learning Center has expanded it's offerings...beading, wire wrapping, even a seminar that will take you on a wild adventure to mine gems! But we haven't forgotten the favorites from last year...you can still learn to set a stone in a stone, drill a hole in gem material, faceting and cabbing demos, using a Foredom...and so much more!

Featured at the 2008 Learning Center:

• Noted gem author Fred Ward presents the latest addition in the "Fred Ward Gem Books". Get your autographed copy of Phenomenal Gems!
• Colin Winter, respected figure in British gemology, giving a presentation on spectroscopy.
• Roger Dery, past winner AGTA cutting award, talks about the real world of commercial, non-hobby, professional gem cutting.
• Brad Simon introduces a new internet-based jewelry television channel.
• Tyler Allen, award winning cutter, gives a spine-tingling account of his greenhorn's venture into the dangerous world of gem buying in Madagascar.

....and there is so much more.

All presentations are one hour or less in duration; all are open to the general public; all are free. Presentation times are at 11 am, 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm each day from February 2nd to 16th.
If you make it to the Learning Center introduce yourselves - I would love to meet you!
If you can't make it to Tucson this year - Be My Guest! Subscribe to my blog and check out the shows!

Robyn Hawk via Rock_Collecting_and_Field_Trips@yahoogroups.com, Posting Sunday January 27, 2008.
Tucson Gem Show - Live http://tucsongemshow.blogspot.com/.
Jewelry & Gem Artists http://jewelrygemartisans.blogspot.com/.
Fly On The Wall-Views/Reviews http://aflyonthewall.multiply.com/.

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FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN.

Ant Hill December Field Trip
By Anthony (Culver City Gem & Mineral Club).
Clubs and organization represented: Conejo, Culver City Rocks Mineral (CCRMC), Wood Chippers, Yucaipa Valley GMS, California State University, Bakersfield, Geology, CA Shark and Ray Count.
Outstanding Dad, Ray Rieman, made sure his 5-year-old son Rourke would discover the best finds. Rourke was really happy, jumping and running and showing his finds to our group.
Best children effort by Chris, an eleven year old from the Culver City group. He pounded the walls with a 10 LB hammer, until he got his shark's teeth. In fact, mysteriously, he found some of the famous Bill Robards mussels and clams! Go figure!
Best proud mom Joyce Watanabe, CCRMC.
Don, still needs his dad to show him where to dig!
First prize creativity and jewelry creations: Ron Clough.
Science question: Rourke (5 yr old) Are clams Gastropods or Bivalve? Answer by Chris (11 year old) Bivalve.
Frank, having some fun with screens and making sand piles?
Steve Dover, first prize, best shark tooth by any first time digger at Ant's Hill?
And of course, with a group so talented and enthusiastic, the weather just had to turn with a nice Spring smile.
Rockhounding CAN be fun.


By Robyn Hawk, Rock_Collecting_and_Field_Trips Digest 130, December 31, 2007.
     Bobby's (my BF) holiday present this year was a project truck - an old Chevy Blazer 4x4. What better way to christen it than a field trip!
     The sky was cloudy and threatening all the way out of the Los Angeles Basin but as we hit I-5N heading for the Bakersfield area the clouds got whiter and blue sky shown through!!!
     We met Shep, Ron, Ellen, her daughter and about a half dozen new friends (sorry - I am not that good with names) at the Chevron station on the road to Ant Hill.
     Following introductions and discussion of materials to be found (Shep brought great displays of teeth, whale vertebrae and a cast of the sea lion brain he has found on previous trips), we caravanned up the road to Ant Hill.
     Any of you who have met me know that I spend 60% of my life in a chair in front of a computer - so the 3/4 of a mile up-hill hike to the site almost did me in. But - let me tell you once you are up there, it's all sit down work!
     We found a hole we liked on the front side and the rest of the group went around to the other side and down into the basin a little. Following discussions with my energetic, construction worker boyfriend about the difference between digging fossils and digging rock - LOL - we went to work. Bobby knocked down the overhang (in some of the trenches you can almost crawl under the overhang it's so deep) and shoveled it and the loose dirt in the bottom of the trench over to my waiting screen (thanks Shep for bringing extra screens). Bobby went to work on the wall with his chisel and I sifted. It was a perfect bit of teamwork - when his legs got cramped from working the wall he would get up and shovel more loads to me.
     At one point we thought we had a jawbone - teeth were popping up everywhere! We found an assortment of hooked Mako, Straight Shark and whale (?) teeth. Lots of bone from rib bone sections to large chunks that we decided to break up at home.
     We took a lunch break around 1 pm - stretched our legs and enjoyed the view of the beautiful day, Shark Tooth Hill and the rural valley below. A few minutes later we hit the trench again. About 3 pm our side of the hill was in the shade and we were ready to go! We packed up everything, vacated our trench and took a walk to say Goodbye! The wisdom of digging on the other side became apparent when we saw how sunny the other side of the hill still was. There was a definite "concretion mission" going on (one woman found a great whale vertebrae) as well as a good portion of the group (especially the kids) exploring agate down the wash and along the old creek bed.
     We walked to the end of the trench on the sunny side and Bobby picked up the largest Shark Tooth of our collection lying in the loose dirt in the bottom of a trench!
     Well - just over two dozen teeth and half a coffee can of bone was enough for us so we said our Goodbyes and headed down the hill. On the ride home Bobby asked when the fossil trip to Santa Barbara was and could he bring his fishing pole? I think he is hooked!!!

Field Trip Schedule 2008.*

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

Saturday, February 16, 2 p.m. Palos Verdes Estates
By Brett Johnson, OGMS Field Trip Coordinator.

Rock Solid Truth.
It is that time again to visit the beautiful peninsula of Palos Verdes Estates. On February 16th, at 12 pm on Saturday afternoon, we will meet at the Malaga Cove Plaza. From here, we will head to the beach to hunt Glaucophane, Selenite, and Agate. Then we will visit Livingstone Quarry for very nice Dog-Tooth Dolomite. Finally, if there is time, we can check out the Famous Barite locations for well formed crystals. We have been on this Trip couple times before, and we all had a great time. Everyone went home with something nice, so I hope to see you there this time.
DIRECTIONS: Head SOUTH on the 405 Freeway, EXIT at the Hawthorne Blvd. Turn RIGHT on Hawthorne Blvd. and travel about 7 MILES to Palos Verdes Drive North. Turn RIGHT and continue 2 MILES to Palos Verdes Drive West. At Stop sign, make a SLIGHT LEFT onto Palos Verdes Drive West. The Malaga Cove plaza is on the LEFT.
WHAT TO BRING: Sunscreen, Hat, Drinking Water, Clothes and Shoes you don't mind getting a little wet, Warm clothes, Rock hammer, Small Pick or Garden claw, Gad, Pry Bar, Bucket or Box for findings, Newspaper for the Crystals, Gloves, Lunch / Snacks, camera, and a Smile.
     If you have any question or need to ride-share, email me: bj9709@yahoo.com or Call: 805-822-3836.


Sunday, February 24, 10 am-3 pm, Ant Hill-Bakersfield California.
Sponsor: Conejo Gem & Mineral Club.
Contact: Robert Sankovich 805-494-7734, rmsorca@adelphia.net or Mike Miller 805-498-9586, rockfmdr@aol.com.
     If you missed the November 2007 field trip to Ant Hill, here's your chance to come out for a fun day of digging for shark teeth fossils, the weather should be nice, cool. The dig site is a walk of 500 yards over semi flat ground, then up a hill 100 yards. After the hike, you'll be digging in small area. The clay is soft and the teeth are harder so you have a better chance of them not breaking when you remove them from the matrix. This time of the year there is always the chance of rain, bring the necessary clothing. If it is raining, we won't be digging.
Directions: I-5 North to the 99 Hwy North, off at 178 Hwy East, near Bakersfield, go 8.3 miles to the Harrell Hwy, turn Left/North 3.5 miles on the Harrell Hwy from the 178 Hwy. Site is on the Left/South side of Hwy, by the hills. My black Toyota truck will be there, with a CVGM sign in the window. We will be about 2.5 miles East of Hart Park. You should see an asphalt bike path going up the hill. Then you know you are at the right spot. Ant Hill is 136 miles from my house in Thousand Oaks, drive time 2 to 2.5 hours.
Tools: Rock pick/hammer, gad pry bar, hand sledge, sifter, large pry bar, shovel, pick, eye protection, newspaper to wrap your fossils in, collecting bags, wide brimmed hat, suntan lotion, lots of water, lunch. There is no shade morning, afternoon, and it can be hot, but it will probably be cool, so dress accordingly, layers. After 1 pm or so the dig site will be in the shade as the sun moves to the West, the holes are East facing. I would recommend a day pack, to put your tools in. It's a bit of a walk and it will be easier carrying your gear.
Material to Collect: Shark teeth fossils, many types, sizes, from the Miocene Epoch 10-15 million years ago. There are other fossils, bone fragments, teeth to be found. The fossils are found in a layer about 3', you will see the exposed holes from previous digs. They are in semi-soft clay that you will dig out the biggest pieces you can, then carefully break apart to find the fossils. I usually use a gad pry bar to dig out bigger pieces of the clay, about golf ball to baseball size or so, if I see any sign of a shark tooth or fossil, I'll wrap it into newspaper and later I will use dental tools or dremel motor tool to remove the clay to reveal the tooth. I keep some of the teeth still in the matrix, it makes a nice display. The main thing is patience when working with fossils.
     Please let us know if you are going to go on the field trip.


Which Date Should We Go To Oregon For A Field Trip?
Posted Friday, February 8 by Lew Helfrich, CFMS Field Trip South Coordinator.
Which date should we go to Oregon for a field trip? There are a lot of people interested in this trip which has been in the works for 2 years now and I just need to set a date and am asking for help to decide which is best for everybody. I just talked to Jessica, Chris Rose's girl friend, earlier today and set up a tentative C.F.M.S. Field Trip Date. Open dates are the 1st weekend or the 2nd weekend of June. These dates would not interfere with the C.F.M.S. Show in Ventura (June 27th-29th). This field trip we would leave Bakersfield and hit Davis Creek for Obsidian. We would leave there and head for the Spectrum mine for Red Labradorite, also known as Sunstone. On our way home via the long route, head to the Royal Peacock Mine for Black Opal. This is a week field trip. I would like people who are contemplating on going to voice their opinion. The last two years we went after Honey Quartz and both were successful trips even with the fires.
     Thanks, Lew.


March 7-8-9, Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Club 31st Annual Tailgate.
Questions: vvgemclub@gmail.com.
Contact: Thomas Laszlo, (760) 953-2897.
Tailgate Map: N34.670650 W117.108983, or in d, m, s: N34°40'14.34" W117°06'32.34".
     Members of the Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Club invite you and your friends to attend our annual free tailgate and field trip at the Stoddard Mt. collecting site. Here Verde Antique and Tri-Colored Marble are easily located. The small "black Jade" site at the top of the hill is a little more elusive. The Tri-Colored Marble field trip departs a 9:00 am on Saturday. 4 X 4's are required and jeep-pooling is appreciated. The tailgate is open to all Clubs and rock hounds. Everyone is allowed to sell or buy just about anything. Most items for sale or trade are related to gems, minerals, findings and equipment; but you'll never know what might turn up.
ALL SELLING SPACE IS ON A FIRST COME BASIS. WE DO NOT HOLD SPACE FOR ANYONE. NO EXCEPTIONS.
     The Club hosts a soft drink, coffee, and bake sale booth. The Club does request our vendors not to compete with products our Club offers for sale since our bake and drink Club booth is our only revenue source to pay for the public toilet facilities, operating supplies and promotional expenses.
     Remember, this is a dry camp area, so bring in your own water and other necessities. The Club will have four 'porta-potties', two of which will be handicapped accessible. Supplies are available at the Stoddard Wells I-15 exit just outside of Victorville.
     Stoddard Wells Road becomes a graded dirt road for seven miles to the TAILGATE from the Dale Evans Parkway intersection and can be easily handled by motor homes and trailers. You cannot miss the tailgate - it's as if a large RV park has sprung up in the middle of the desert.
     Green and Yellow Victor Valley Gem and Mineral Club signs will mark the route to the camping area.
     Hope you can attend! Rain or shine, we will be there! Pets must be on a leash or in an RV at all times.
Directions: Head SOUTH on US-101 South toward LOS ANGELES for 47 miles, then keep to the LEFT to take CA-134 East toward BURBANK / GLENDALE. Continue on CA-134 East until it becomes I-210 East in about 14 miles. Drive EAST for about 37 miles on I-210 East, then merge onto I-15 North toward BARSTOW and drive NORTH for 41 miles. Take the STODDARD WELLS RD exit (EXIT 157) toward BELL MOUNTAIN, then turn LEFT onto STODDARD WELLS RD. for about 7 miles (Portions of road will be unpaved).

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GEMS FROM THE PAST.

Photos from the Benson Collection. Photos digitally scanned from the original 35mm slides by Ed Clark. Text written by Steve Mulqueen, February 2008. Photos copyright 2008 Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc.

Coachella Valley Mineral Society, field trip to collect concretions along the shore of the Salton Sea, January, 1960. Photo by Bruno Benson.

Field trip to the Kramer Hills, Mojave Desert, February 1957. Bruno Benson wondering "I got the big rock out of the big pit, now how do I get it in the big truck?" Photo by Opal Benson.

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LET'S BE SAFE OUT THERE.

We have heard not to put water on a kitchen grease fire... if you ever wondered "why not"....read the following... Pretty scary stuff.

I had not heard the wet towel approach. This is very good information; please watch the video and you might consider emailing it to your kids too. That way you know they actually listen to it! This video is only 34 seconds long; but if you're ever in this situation, it will save your kitchen, house and most of all, you, if you follow the advice. Following are two URL's to a very short but very effective video about putting out a grease fire:
     http://bonushoe.multiply.com/video/item/11,
     http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?ei=UTF-8&gid=169090&vid=528961&b=0
     or "Google KitchenOilFire.wmv".

At Charleston Navy base at the Fire Fighting Training school they demonstrate this with a deep fat fryer set on the fire field. An instructor would don a fire suit and, using an 8 ounce cup at the end of a 10-foot pole, toss water onto the grease fire. The results got the attention of the students. The water, being heavier than the oil, sinks to the bottom where it instantly becomes superheated. The explosive force of the steam blows the burning oil up and out. On the open field, it became a thirty-foot high fireball that resembles a nuclear blast. Inside the confines of a kitchen, the fireball hits the ceiling and fills the entire room. Also do not throw sugar or flour on a grease fire. One cup creates the explosive force of two sticks of dynamite.

If you are unable to watch the video, to safety extinguish a kitchen grease fire, first turn off the flame, do NOT move the pot, run a towel under the faucet and wring it out. Then carefully cover the fire and wait for the fire to extinguish.

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HINTS AND TIPS.

Preserving Iron Meteorites.
A new way to preserve your iron meteorites, especially etched ones, is to submerge them in ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) in a small Tupperware container. This prevents rust better than older methods, such as gun oil and WD-40. For meteorites in glass display cases, you can enclose a VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor) with them. These Emitters contain special compounds which evaporate, forming a very thin layer only a few molecules thick, on the surface of all metals present. For more information go to CortecVCI.com.
     Submitted by Shawne Lardin, VGMS.


Polishing Jade.
For polishing jade, we find that heavy harness leather, at least 1/8" thick, is most suitable. Do not try to use light leather. A piece of felt floor covering makes a good cushion behind the leather. Chrome oxide is the most satisfactory polishing agent. Slow speed, not over 350 rpm, for a 10" disc works best. Quite heavy pressure is generally required, particularly for flat surfaces. And just enough water to keep the leather moist, applied with the chrome oxide in the form of a thin cream. Considerable pull will be felt as the leather dries out. It is only while this pull or drag is felt, that actual polishing takes place.
     From LaphoundNews, via MLMS Ghost Sheet February 2008.


Super Glue for Small Bezels.
When making a bezel for a smaller stone, it is often very difficult. Try using super glue to attach your stone to the metal block. This will hold the stone in place and it can be removed when you are ready by placing a solvent on the glue. Hot Stuff works well for this. (This method is not recommended for opals, especially doublets and triplets.)
     From Rockpile Legend Co. www.rocks4u.com/lapidaryhint.htm, date unknown.


Cutting Tips.
Turn your blade around (multi-directional blades only) and sharpen it after every 25 hours of use. This will extend the life of the blade and help prevent dishing and warping. You may find you need to sharpen your blade more often. To sharpen a blade, cut a sharpening stone. These are usually made of aluminum oxide. For blades 10" and smaller, use a 0.5"x 0.5" stone. For blades 12" and larger, use a 1"x 1" stone.
     From Rockpile Legend Co. www.rocks4u.com/lapidaryhint.htm, date unknown.


Lapis Test.
Hydrochloric acid is good for testing lapis lazuli. A drop of it on the blue stone (the backside) creates an odor of hydrogen sulphide (rotten eggs). On the white areas, it usually effervesces because the white is usually calcite. This test will distinguish lapis from sodalite or lazulite.
     From Mineral Matter via The Petrified Log 03/00.

Editor's Note: Although I have encouraged our members each month to submit hints or tips, Shawne is the first member contribution to this column. HOORAY!!! (And a BIG THANKS.)

     The club presents these hints and tips for informational purposes only and does not specifically endorse or profess first-hand use or experience with any or all. As always, be aware of your situation, knowledge level and comfort zone before attempting anything new. When in doubt, stop! Get help before you need it. Keep a log in your shop. Document your techniques and inspirations. You will come up with a journal full of useful tips, and maybe even an educational article or two!! Email hints and tips to vgms_editor@roadrunner.com.

Let us hear about your good ideas!

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EDUCATIONAL CORNER.

Definition of the Month.

"Tucson Gem & Mineral Show" - A four-day mineral show held at the Tucson Convention Center which is sponsored by the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, Inc. and managed by the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show Committee. An annual show that was first held in 1955 at an elementary school in Tucson, Arizona. This first event was so popular that the tradition continued the year after at a building at the Pima County Fair and Rodeo Grounds in Tucson (1956-1972). In 1973 the show was held at the Tucson Community Center (1973-1989) and finally at its present location at the Tucson Convention Center (1990-present). It all started in 1955 by the efforts of members of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society.

"The Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase" - Also referred to as "The Tucson Show" or "The Winter Shows". The terms used in reference to all the activities associated with the sale and exhibition of minerals, gems, rocks, fossils, jewelry, lapidary art, American Indian jewelry, precious metals, meteorites, historic publications, lapidary tools and mining artifacts that occurs during a two-month period within the City of Tucson in Arizona. Associated with these activities are lectures presented by museum curators, scientists, collectors and hobbyists on subjects related to collecting, photographing, crafting and the displaying of minerals and fossils. This event revolves around the first two months of each year. Within this two-month period, there are about three weeks of intense activity in late January and early February.

"The world meets in Tucson as it becomes a bustling, international marketplace of buyers and sellers at the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase" (Quoted from the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau website). During this time, mineral dealers can be found at 47 separate venues throughout the city including hotels, motels, resorts, exhibit halls, big-top tents, building lobbies, lawns, parking lots, vacant dirt lots, motor homes and at "tailgate" sales. The event attracts over 50,000 people from around the world. "The colossal Tucson Mineral Show is by far the largest gem and mineral show on Earth" (from Desert USA website).

Written by Steve Mulqueen for the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, February 2008. The "Definition of the Month" features words related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history.

Illustration of the Month.



The "Saber-Tooth Cat", Smilodon californicus.

This illustration is a graphical representation of the skull of the extinct cat known by its scientific name Smilodon californicus. This cat is one of several species of large carnivorous cats that have been assigned the general term of "saber-tooth cats", animals that possessed a large set of upper canine teeth used for hunting prey. These cats lived in North America during the Pleistocene epoch and went extinct about 10,000 years ago.

Several hundred thousand distinct fossil bones of the Smilodon californicus have been excavated at the La Brea Tar Pits, located at Hancock Park in Los Angeles. These fossils represent over 2000 complete or partially complete skeletons of this giant cat. Vertebrate fossils from La Brea range in age from 40,000 to approximately 10,000 years old. The bones from these tar deposits are the remains of animals that lived during the last great ice age. These and other fossils from La Brea are on exhibit or in permanent storage at the Page Museum of La Brea Discoveries and at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. A portion of the collection is on-loan to other museums and scientific institutions.

The Smilodon californicus is the official California State Fossil. It was designated the State fossil by an act of the California State Legislature in January 1974 with the enactment of Government Code Sections 420 through 429.5.

Source: An illustration by Irene B. Robinson from the book "Beasts of the Tar Pits, Tales of Ancient America", written by W. W. Robinson, a book about the animals that once lived around the La Brea Tar Pits, based on the vertebrate fossils discovered during excavations, published by The Macmillan Company, printed by Zeese-Wilkinson Co., Inc., New York, 1932, page 24.

Text written by Steve Mulqueen, February 2008. The "Illustration of the Month" features a drawing, sketch, pen & ink rendering, engraving print or any form of art rediscovered in old books, maps, manuscripts and many other sources related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. This illustration was chosen for its educational content by the author.

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LET'S GO TO A SHOW - 2008.

February 15-24; Indio, CA - San Gorgonio Mineral & Gem Society, Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival, 46-350 Arabia St. Hours: 10 am-10 pm. Bert Grisham (951) 849-1674, Email: bert67@verizon.net.
February 29-March 1-2; Hayward, CA - Mineral & Gem Soc. of Castro Valley, Centennial Hall, 22292 Foothill Blvd. Hours: Fri. and Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Larry Ham (510) 887-9007, Email: mdhavner@verizon.net, Website: www.MGSCV.org.
February 22-23; Northridge, CA - Delair Rockhounds, United Methodist Church, 9650 Reseda Blvd. (at Superior St.) Hours: Fri. 3:00-9:30, Sat. 10:00-5. Julia Marin (818) 886-7190, Email: jomarin@disextreme.com.
February 29-March 1-9; Imperial, CA - Imperial Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Imperial Valley Fairgrounds, 2nd St. & Hwy 86. Hours: Mon-Fri 4-1, Sat-Sun 12-11. (760) 791-9192, Email: ivgmsociety@yahoo.com.

March 1-2; Ventura, CA - Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Seaside Park, 10 W. Harbor Blvd. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Abe Barshai (818) 991-7735, Email: Barshai3@aol.com, Web Site: www.vgms.org.

March 1-2; Arcadia, CA - Monrovia Rockhounds, Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanical Garden, 301 N. Baldwin Ave. Hours: 9-4:30 both days. Jo Anna Ritchey, Email: j.ritchey@verizon.net, Website: www.moroks.com.
March 1-2; Escondido, CA - Palomar Gem & Mineral Club, Army National Guard Armory, 304 Park Avenue, Escondido, CA. Hours: Saturday 9-5, Sunday 9-4. Michelle & Van Lynch (760) 949-4164, Email: michelleandvan@hotmail.com, Show Website: www.palomargem.org.
March 8-9; San Marino, CA - Pasadena Lapidary Society, San Marino Masonic Temple, 3130 Huntington Dr. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Drew Wilson (626) 449-4910, Email: TODREW@sbcglobal.net.
March 8-9; Spreckles, CA - Salinas Valley Rock & Gem Club, Spreckles Veteran's Memorial Hall, 5th & Llano St. Hwy 68, Spreckels Exit. Hours: 10-5 both days, Jim Bassett (831) 758-5830, Karin Salomon (831) 375-5233, Email: jbmsc@sbcglobal.net, Email: kcbakes27@yahoo.com.
March 8-9; Turlock, CA - Mother Lode Mineral Society, Stanislaus County Fairgrounds. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun 10-5. Bud & Terry McMillin (209) 524-3494, Email: terry.mcmillin@yahoo.com, www.motherlodemineralsociety.com.
March 14-16; San Bernardino, CA - Orange Belt Mineralogical Society, Western Regional League Ball Park, 6707 Little League Drive. Hours: Fri, Sat. 9-dusk; Sun. 9-4. Emma Couveau (951) 288-6182.
March 15-16; Vallejo, CA - Vallejo Gem & Mineral Society, Solano County Fairgrounds (junction Interstate 80 & Hwy 37) in the County Bldg. Hours: 10-5 both days. Ed Austin (707) 373-5639, Email: edhen@ips.net.
March 22-23; Calaveras, CA - Calaveras Gem & Mineal Society, Calaveras "Frogtown" Fairgrounds, Hwy 49 Angles Camp. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Tom Reeves (209) 754-4863. $3.00 per adult, children free.
March 22-23; Roseville, CA - Roseville Rock Rollers, Roseville (Placer) County Fairgrounds, 800 All America City Blvd. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4. Jim Hutchings (530) 367-5108, Email: rockrollers@hotmail.com, www.rockrollers.com.
April 4, 5 & 6; Bakersfield, CA - San Joaquin Valley Lapidary Society, 6th Annual Rock & Gem Rendezvous, Indoor Show/Outdoor Tail Gate, Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 South P Street. Hours: Fri. 9-8; Sat. & Sun. 9-5. Lewis Helfrich (661) 872-8230 or 323-2663, Email: lewsrocks@bak.rr.com.
April 4, 5 & 6; San Jose, CA - Santa Clara Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 334 Tully Road. Hours: Fri. 9-5, Sat./Sun. 10-5 both days. Email: info@scvgms.org, www.scvgms.org.
April 12-13; Mariposa, CA - Mariposa Gem & Mineral Club, Mariposa County Fairgrounds. Hours: 10-5 both days. Peggy Ronning (209) 742-7625, Email: mineralmuseum@sti.net.
April 26-27; Lancaster, CA - The Antelope Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Lancaster High School, 44701 32nd St. W. Hours: 9-5 both days. Jules Ficke (661) 943-5157, Email: av_gem@yahoo.com, Website: www.geocities.com/av_gem/.
April 26-27; Santa Cruz, CA - Santa Cruz Mineral & Gem Society, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, at Corner of Center & Church Streets. Hours: 10-5 both days. Eleanor & Hubert Drake (831-8086), Email: hmdrake@pacbell.net.
May 3-4; Bakersfield, CA - Kern County Mineral Society, Ming Ave and P Street, Kern County Fairgrounds. Hours: 10-5 both days. Ismael Sanchez (661) 301-4609.
May 10-11; Reno, NV - Reno Gem & Mineral Society, Reno Livestock Events Center, 1350 N. Wells Ave. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4. John Peterson (775) 356-8820, Website: www.renorockclub.com.
May 31-June 1; Glendora, CA - Glendora Gem & Mineral Club. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Bonnie Bodwell (626) 963-4638, Email: Ybidwell2@aol.com.

AMERICAN FEDERATION / REGIONAL SHOW SCHEDULE - 2008.

Canadian Federation Convention.

Eastern Federation (EFMS),
February 23-24, Jackson, MS.

Midwest Federation (MWF),
June 20-22,
Lincoln, NE.

Northwest Federation (NFMS),
June 20-26,
Ontario, OR.

California Federation (CFMS),
June 27-29 2008,
California Federation of Mineralogical Societies,
Ventura County Fairgrounds, Ventura, CA.
Hours: 10-5 Daily.
Adults $5.00, seniors (60+) $4.00, students $3.00,
Kids under 12 free with paid adult.
Fairgrounds parking.

Rocky Mountain Federation (RMFMS),
October 31 - November 2,
Tulsa, OK.

South Central Federation (SCMS) / AFMS,
September 25-28,
Humble, TX.

Southeast Federation (SFMS).

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CHOICES.

I want to share this story of hope with you. If it brings someone to mind, or someone who needs to choose happiness, please share this with them!

It's all about choices...it does make you think...I know that I did and will next time I feel stressed or have a bad day........

John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"

He was a natural motivator.

If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" He replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or ... you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood."

Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.

Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or... I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.

"Yes, it is," he said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life."

I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.

I saw him about six months after the accident.

When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?"

I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.

"The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter," he replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live."

"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.

He continued, "..the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man.' I knew I needed to take action."

"What did you do?" I asked.

"Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said John. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity.'"

Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."

He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude... I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.

Attitude, after all, is everything.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. After all, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

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