Return to the Rockhound Rambling Center.
You may also go to the VGMS Home Page.

The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
April 2009.

Rockhound Rambling Photo of the Month.
This month's photo is by Jean Wise.

Description: Hells Canyon, Oregon, Sequoia Herringbone Petrified Wood.

It is believed that the holes, Pecky Pocket Rot, formed in the dead trees while they were still standing, long before they were petrified. During the petrification process the holes accumulated minerals. Each hole is a little geode, either filled or outlined with quartz crystals or opal. Herringbone is a pattern of zigzag lines giving the rock surface a 3-D wavy appearance. It is extremely rare and sought after in petrified wood. If you wet the wood it changes color to what it would look like polished.

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

If proper credit is given permission is granted to quote any item.

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;
• PROGRAM REVIEW & SCHEDULE;
• HOSPITALITY / MEMBERSHIP;
• MEETING MINUTES;
• COMMUNITY OUTREACH;
• EDUCATION STATION;
• CHIPS AND BOULDERS;
• FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN;
• HINTS AND TIPS;
• EDUCATIONAL CORNER;
• LET'S BE SAFE OUT THERE;
• FEDERATION NEWS;
• LET'S GO TO A SHOW - 2009;
• VGMS PHOTO ALBUM - 2009 ANNUAL SHOW.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

Happy spring, one and all! I just noticed on the calendar that our April meeting takes place on Earth Day. How appropriate! We have a busy spring ahead of us. As noted last month, we need to return attention to continuing infrastructure improvements at our Camp Comfort facilities. Watch for workdays that will be scheduled and announced in the bulletin, and our monthly meetings, and through phone calls seeking work crews.

And, as you will read in an article in this month's Rockhound Rambling, I'd like to arrange organized activities for our VGMS kids and junior members. For this, I'd like to enlist the help of two or more club parents to get together to discuss ideas and possibilities. If you have kids, please call or see me at the April meeting to volunteer your help.

Finally, with spring upon us, it's time for our annual Spring Potluck Breakfast, which will take place Saturday, June 6, at our clubhouse across from Camp Comfort, Ojai. Watch for details in the May bulletin. Anyone with a camp stove is encouraged to bring it along so we can cook up some hot breakfast foods. We'll likely follow it up with a clubhouse workday afternoon for anyone sticking around. Hope to see you there!

Jim Brace-Thompson,
President.

  Table of Contents.

WORDS TO LIVE BY.

You lie the loudest when you lie to yourself.

If you lack the courage to start, you have already finished.

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.

The best vitamin for making friends..... B1.

  Table of Contents.

UPCOMING VGMS EVENTS.

Workshop - Saturday, April 18, Clubhouse, Camp Comfort, 9 am-Noon.
April Regular Meeting - Wednesday, April 22, 7:30 pm, Senior Recreation Center.
Show Recap & 1st 2010 Planning Meeting - Sunday, April 26, Clubhouse, Camp Comfort, 1:00 pm.
May Board Meeting - Thursday, May 7, 7:00 pm, The Lexington.
Workshop - Saturday, May 16, Clubhouse, Camp Comfort, 9 am-Noon.
May Regular Meeting - Wednesday, May 27, 7:30 pm, Senior Recreation Center.

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

  Table of Contents.

BIRTHDAYS.

Tom Lagier - April 3,
Eric Satterlee - April 6,
Richard Bromser - April 10,
Karris Timko - April 11,
Matthew Sanford - April 19,
Jonathan Lopez - April 21,
Frank Boulch - April 22,
Roy Boulch - April 22.

Jerry Revard - May 3,
Lowell Foster - May 5,
Nancy Bogart - May 17,
David Mautz - May 20,
Terri Bryant - May 25.

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

Is your birthday missing? Call Mary Polacek at (805) 644-5090 and leave a message, or email me at vgms_editor@roadrunner.com.
Thanks!

Diamond Lore.
     Diamond is said to be an amplifier. If the wearer is good, it amplifies their goodness. If the wearer is selfish, egotistical or evil, it will amplify those qualities as well.
     To Westerners, Diamond engagement rings symbolize eternal love. (Remember those DeBeer commercials proclaiming diamonds are forever?) However, in India, the Vedic experts strongly believe that diamonds should never be given to a woman! They insist that diamond is cold and hard. Wearing the diamond will cause that cold hardness to be absorbed into the woman, making her cold and hard toward her husband and children. They also suggest that since diamond is an amplifier, no woman should wear more than 1 carat total weight of diamonds, and then, only in accent to other stones. The diamond's power (like in the case of other gemstones) is directly proportional to its size. Vedic's also say that any diamond showing hints or tinges of red will bring ruin upon the wearer and her/his household.
     When I read this I remembered the stories surrounding Hope diamond, one of the largest diamonds in the world. It was believed to have been stolen from an Indian idol. It became part of the French crown jewels of Louis XIV. He gave it to his mistress, who died soon afterward. Later, it was given to Marie Antoinette (guillotined). In 1830, the Hope Diamond was purchased by Hope, a wealthy Englishman, who quickly fell upon hard times. Next it was owned by Colet who committed suicide. Later owners were Prince Ivan Kanitovitsky (murdered), Sultan Abdul Hamed (dethroned), and Simon Montharides, whose entire family was killed in an accident. In 1907 an American woman purchased the gem. Soon after, her husband, son and daughter all died. The unlucky gem now resides in the Smithsonian.
     If you want to hear more about large diamonds and bad luck, Mary, Queen of Scots had a large diamond she thought protected her from poisoning (she was beheaded).
     On the positive side, Diamond increases personal clarity. It aligns the person with his/her higher purpose. Diamond also offers many healing properties. It is very useful for gem therapy.

Source: http://specialgifts.com/geminfo/gemstoneinfo-diamond.htm. (Close the new window to return here.)

  Table of Contents.

PROGRAM REVIEW & SCHEDULE.

Program -- March 2009--Mel's Texas Ramblings.
Mel's new abode and local material was projected on screen. Mr. Foster's knowledge of how to pronounce fossilized dead tree monikers wowed the collection of members who braved the horrible weather outside to attend. (Just how many 70 degree days can one stomach a year?) Mr. Foster heard that this was one of the best featured presentations to be given in many years ... because the duration of this lecture lasted a total of about 15 minutes. It is rumored that because such a short program generated such a positive response that Mr. Foster's next talk will last a total of 3 minutes and consist solely of the giving away of candy to the crowd. Thank you for listening.

Program -- April 2009--The Sparkling Silent Auction.
It's tax time again, so it's our club's turn to inflict a 15% possession tax on your rock collection! Please bring your shiniest pieces to the table for selling this month. We all know that the rough rock we've been bringing to these auctions tends to sit there, collect dust, and then get bought for a minimal sum. We need to shake up our coffers! We need to fill our war chest! We need to buy additional equipment for the workshop! Oh, did I mention that the proceeds of this auction will go towards buying new equipment for my shop. ... uh ... I mean our - I meant to say our workshop. Yeah! So, try to bring one shiny object along with all the rough you're trying to dump on the club and let's raise some decent money for a new cabbing machine, saw blades, and a helium tank for balloons. (Heck, we all know the only reason we have pebble pups is because of the free balloons.) So please, give the good stuff to the club before the government takes it instead...

Program -- May 2009--Route 66 Collecting.
A Brief History of Route 66 and an Overview of Adjacent Collecting Sites by a new speaker, Lowell Foster (like I said, give me ideas or hear me speak, and speak, and speak).

Lowell Foster.

  Table of Contents.

HOSPITALITY / MEMBERSHIP.

     Thirty-three members, including five pebble pups/juniors and three guests (Melissa DePew, Joseph Lopez and Ev Foster) attended the March meeting where we learned about rocks and minerals around Mel & Sharon's Texas home followed by many choices of yummy treats.
     The 2009 VGMS Membership Directory is now available. If you didn't get a copy at the March meeting you can pick up a copy at a future meeting or let me know you'd like one mailed to you and I'll be glad to do that.
     Club patches are available for $7 each. I generally have a supply with me at club meetings and activities. For those who don't have a VGMS name badge I'll be glad to place additional orders (also $7 each) as I receive requests. I also have a limited supply of VGMS 30-year white California-shaped mini-pins and black/red Ventura-county shaped VGMS mini-pins for $4 each and one pair of VGMS cuff links (collectible?) for $5. These come from an old supply and will most likely not be re-ordered after these are gone.
     There are some fun, family activities coming up including workshop days (third Saturday, 9-noon), a club breakfast (Saturday, June 6) and a summer picnic, as well as additional club work days so please plan to join us as we continue working on improving and enjoying our new clubhouse and facilities. Your participation is what makes VGMS the great club it is!
          Valli Davis,
          Membership Secretary.

Refreshment Schedule.
     Thank you Abe, Valli and Michele for March's refreshments.
     Below is the schedule for 2009 refreshments. If you can fill in one of the blank months, please contact Sharon Cunningham.
     Thank you.

April 22 - Lisa Lopez,
May 27 - Angela Ulin,
June 24 - OPEN,
July 22 - OPEN,
August 26 - OPEN,
September 23 - OPEN,
October 28 - Stephens Family,
November 11 - Pumpkin pot luck,
December 9 - Holiday pot luck.

  Table of Contents.

MEETING MINUTES.

Minutes of the VGMS Regular Monthly Meeting;
Wednesday, March 25, 2009:
     The regular monthly meeting of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society was called to order by President Jim Brace-Thompson at 7:30 pm, on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at the Ventura Senior Recreation Center.
     Jim introduced visitors and then asked for corrections, if any, to the previously printed board and regular meeting minutes. It was m/s/c to accept the minutes.
     Members were led in the pledge to the flag.
Jim Brace-Thompson: Museum report - the weeds at Camp Comfort are growing like weeds. We'll need to eradicate them again. We'll also be moving out of one of the storage units soon. We hope to be able to schedule a club breakfast in May or June.
Valli Davis: Membership patches will be arriving any day now and name badges have been received and distributed. Our contact with the County of Ventura, Theresa Lubin, wasn't able to attend the open house on Saturday, but Valli made arrangements with her and gave Theresa a tour of the facility on the following Tuesday. She was extremely impressed with what we have accomplished.
Andy Anderson: A big thank you to all of our club members for all the effort and a very successful show! All members are encouraged to attend the post-show and first planning meeting for our March 6-7, 2010 show.
Ron Wise: Future field trips include...Jalama beach April 25; Gaviota beach, April 21; Federation show, April 16-20; Malibu in May; the Conejo show, May 16 & 17; North Edwards in June; and South Dakota in June also. Details will follow in the bulletins.
Nancy Brace-Thompson: The treasurer's report was read and noted that our club is solvent.
Jean Wise: Camp Paradise will be offered again May 17-23 in 2009 and forms are available. The CFMS show will take place in April. The Federation show in San Jose is looking for additional displays to be entered and, of course, volunteers.
Mary Polacek: Deadline for the next bulletin will be April 5. Any and all photos and comments for the bulletin are welcomed. The new club library is now open for business. A sign out sheet will be used for members to check out books and magazines.
Michele Quistad next presented the Ways & Means raffle prizes to the lucky names drawn.
Lowell Foster next presented a slide program and narrative, with sample mineral specimens from Mel & Sharon Hixson's new home and property near Kerrville, Texas. Lowell states that next month will feature a "shiny silent auction."
     The next board meeting will be held on April 2, 2009, at The Lexington and the next monthly membership meeting will be held April 22, at the Ventura Senior Recreation Center, 420 E. Santa Clara.
     Refreshments were provided by Abe Barshai, Valli Davis and Michele Quistad.
     There being no further business, Jim adjourned the meeting at 8:50 pm.
          Respectfully submitted,
          Greg Davis,
          Recording Secretary.

Minutes of the VGMS Board Meeting;
Thursday, April 2, 2009:
Present: Nancy Brace-Thompson, Mary Polacek, Valli Davis, Andy Anderson, Lowell Foster, Ron & Jean Wise, Dave Mautz.
     The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society Board Meeting for April 2, 2009, was called to order by Nancy Brace-Thompson at 7:00 pm, at The Lexington in Ventura.
Correspondence: Mary read two complimentary thank you notes from people who won donation awards.
Old business:
Nancy announced that the second storage unit was emptied and we'll need to figure out where to store stuff currently in storage by the end of August. Ron said the storage unit is housing show-cases, wall dividers, light fixtures, lights, skirting, kitchen supplies, etc. The crates of rock, boards and bricks have been relocated at the side of the clubhouse. Lowell suggested that the rafters in the garage could be used for storage as we did in the old clubhouse. Ron pointed out that there's good shelving material at the old clubhouse that could be used along one wall of the garage. Lowell plans to bring up the bookcase he will be donating to the clubhouse on April 18 when he comes for the workshop.
     Nancy distributed copies of Jim's proposed revisions of bylaws regarding the ages for pebble pups and juniors. It was m/s/c that the proposed revision be printed in the bulletin in preparation for vote by membership at the April meeting.
     Nancy indicated that the club's operating regulations require: 1) inventory of equipment, museum, etc.; 2) the club should have an education case representative to set up club case at shows and exhibits; 3) the club will hold annual picnic and breakfast. A club breakfast was scheduled for Saturday, June 6, at the VGMS clubhouse. It was suggested members bring camp stoves.
     Nancy distributed proposed revision to regulation regarding annual scholarship. She suggested people review the revision and call Jim with questions.
     Nancy confirmed orders for triangle and bar pins.
New business:
Andy suggested scheduling a show recap meeting on Sunday, April 26, at 1 PM.
Mary expressed a need for good news and colorful rock/gem/mineral pictures for upcoming bulletins. She also suggested an article be written regarding what went great with the show, report of expenses/profits, etc.
     It was m/s/c that bills be paid for club-related expenditures by Jim, Valli and Frank Boulch.
     The next steps for the Clubhouse were briefly discussed. Priorities continue to be installation of motion lights, cementing floor in garage, shelving/storage in garage and clubhouse. Lowell suggested a fan (or two) be purchased for the garage to improve air circulation during workshops. Ron circulated a copy of a proposed layout for the garage. The board discussed various ways to accomplish the cementing of the garage floor. It was suggested that the asphalt be removed and the whole garage floor cemented. Storage and security of machines during preparation and cement drying time were discussed.
     Nancy suggested scheduling a work day be tabled until Ron and Andy (perhaps with input from Greg) work out a plan for cementing the garage floor.
     A date needs to be scheduled so club members can polish rocks for use in the show kids' booth.
     It was m/s/c that Mary be authorized to spend $100 on books for the club library (local gem trails suggested) from a catalog she circulated. Nancy suggested books/resources we currently have be evaluated so only useful items will be kept in the library.
     Steve Mulqueen sent along a note saying that the Santa Paula Oil Museum wants to know if VGMS is interested in preparing an exhibit in the fall. Jim will contact Jean at the Oil Museum to get more details. Lowell indicated he'd be interested in assisting with the exhibit. Ron mentioned that the focus of our last exhibit a few years ago was fossils.
     Shana Juarez has asked if the club would make a contribution toward the Black Belt Academy fundraising for child KD kits. Minimum contribution is $50 for business card size advertisement. Since VGMS funds are lean Jean suggested we ask club members for donations and she'd pledge the first $5.
     Jean & Ron and Nancy & Jim will be working at the CFMS show in Santa Clara.
     Ron reviewed upcoming field trips.
     Lowell announced that April's program will be a silent auction and asked members to bring some polished items for the auction. The May program will focus on Route 66 collecting sites.
     Although Nancy did not have figures with her she announced that the treasury is in good shape, the show made about $100 less than last year (which is good for this economy) and we actually made money if we take into consideration that the expense for donation award ticket printing (~ $700) should be prorated over seven years.
     It was m/s/c that the proceeds from the April meeting silent auction go toward the clubhouse machine fund. Mary noted that one of the pieces of equipment advertised in the bulletin for sale is a Titan and the club should buy it for the workshop.
     The next general meeting will be on April 22, 2009, at 7:30 pm at the Senior Center, 420 E. Santa Clara in Ventura, and the next board meeting will be on May 7, 2009, 7:00 pm at The Lexington in Ventura.
     There being no further business, Nancy adjourned the meeting at 8:53 pm.
          Respectfully submitted,
          Greg Davis,
          Recording Secretary (with thanks to Valli for taking notes for me).

  Table of Contents.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

Dear Steve,

My students are ninth graders. Our ninth grades students represent over 100 different zip codes from all over LA!

I am so thankful that VGMS was willing to assist ALL students - even those outside of their county. I am appreciative because I live in Ventura county and had heard great things about VGMS from others - it is all true. THANKS so much!

Sharon.

Submitted by Steve Mulqueen.

I gave a lecture/presentation to my grand-daughter's second grade class the week of March 23. I used some of our museum exhibits to great success, including a collection of dinosaur claw casts, a duckbilled dinosaur skull cast, and an actual dinosaur bone. There were two classes. The kids knew a lot about dinosaurs and participated with great excitement.
     Abe Barshai.


The national Cub Scout theme for the month of April 2009 is "Jurassic Park." Bill McReynolds of Pack 3192 has asked if someone from VGMS might give a talk associated with that theme to a group of 20 boys at their April Pack Meeting, taking place April 25 at the Rancho Arnaz Mercantile & Trading Company in Ojai. Thus, I'll be giving a talk entitled "How We Know What We (Think) We Know About Dinosaurs," which will give the boys insight into how paleontologists tease out evidence of dinosaur life and behavior from evidence preserved in the rocks, using such remains as dinosaur footprints, coprolites, eggs, bone and teeth, skin impressions, etc. I'll be illustrating the talk with fossil casts and real dinosaur fossils from both our VGMS museum collection and my personal collection. Following the talk, they'll have a "bridging ceremony," with their Webelos Cub Scouts transitioning to Boy Scouts.
     Jim Brace-Thompson.

  Table of Contents.

EDUCATION STATION.

By Donna Knapton (OGMS).

We are back in business delivering our Earth Science Kits to the schools. We have delivered 6 rock boxes to schools this month! We also got a grant from API, courtesy of Steve Grayson, for 100 books to be bought for school libraries in the county. Hurrah for Steve. He works hard to keep us in financing. We are now scheduling some of the Camarillo and Simi schools. Larry, Don Asher and Mitty Scarpato are all working on the next set of boxes.

Diamond Dan wants you!
     We have a special offer from one of my favorite education sources for you this month! "Diamond Dan" is going to give us his newsletter for only $2 for a one year's subscription. This is only for the newsletters delivered to your email address. As you have heard from our newsletter editors, printing and postage alone are making the expense of printed newsletters prohibitive so "Diamond Dan" is giving this special promotion to the clubs that subscribe already and to teachers, if sponsored by a club, for this great introductory price. You are welcome to print out the whole newsletter or any part from the email if you like.
     I have been getting and enjoying the Mini Miner Monthly for a couple of years now at the regular subscription rate of $19.95 and renewed recently. It is promoted as a junior publication but there is plenty to keep any of us interested. The "Mineral of the Month" article alone is well worth the price and his drawings are excellent. If you have any interest at all in minerals, this offer is for you! It is great for kids (I am ordering it for my grandkids) and excellent for adults. I recommend it highly to you.
     You may remember last year when we had Skyler, the scout from one of my Simi classes come to Oxnard's meeting to accept the nice big Peruvian Pyrite. That was a Diamond Dan contest out of his newsletter.
     The Oxnard board was so impressed with this promotion that we voted to sponsor 50 county teachers for free subscriptions and eight of our board members subscribed for the $2 price! Join in to get your subscription now, while it is available at this special price! Bring your $2 along with your email address to the next Oxnard meeting and I will send it in or send it yourself to Diamond Dan Publications, P.O. 143, Manchester, New York 14504. Be sure to mention membership in the club in the order. It would be tough to find a $2 investment to match this even in today's economy!

  Table of Contents.

CHIPS AND BOULDERS.

2009 VGMS Show Profit.
Thank you to everyone who helped with our show beginning with anyone who came to a show planning meeting, to all who helped set-up, worked, and then helped take-down the show in March. All this hard work culminated in a net profit of $2,747.23. In this slowing economy, it was nice to see so many people at our show and that they were still willing to spend a little money. Once again thank you.
     Nancy Brace-Thompson,
     Treasurer.


Show Recap Meeting.
All members are encouraged to attend the Show Recap and First 2010 Planning meeting: 1:00 PM, Sunday, April 26, at our clubhouse across from Camp Comfort. If you have input or questions, please call Andy Anderson, 987-0043.


Revising Club By-Laws to Specify a Juniors' Membership Category.
     We have a gap in our Membership categories as defined in our By-Laws (page 7, Article XI, Membership). We have Regular Membership (defined as "one adult"), Couple Membership (defined as "married couples"), Student Membership ("18 years of age or older, who are enrolled in college"), and Pebble-Pups ("those under 12 years of age"). But what about kids age 12 to 17? Are they to be considered "adults"? At what age do we define "adult"? The By-Laws are silent on that. The only place where kids under 18 are specifically mentioned is page 8, Article XII, Section 2, Annual Dues: "Couples with children under the age of 18 do not pay any additional fees." Thus, we don't consider the 12-17 age range to be adults, and we aren't charging them dues.
     I propose a By-Laws amendment to fill in this little gap by adding a "Junior Members" category alongside our Pebble Pup category. This would require the following changes:

• First line of Section 1 (p. 7): "Kinds of membership: Membership shall be of four (4) kinds, i.e., Regular, Couple, Student, and Pebble-Pup/Junior Member."
• Section 1, part d: "d. Pebble-Pups/Junior Members: Pebble-Pups are under 12 years of age, and Junior Members are 12-17 years of age. Neither group pays dues and neither are entitled to vote. Members of either group must be accompanied by a paid adult (parent, grandparent, or other relative or sponsor)."
• This also would require making a change on page 8, under Article XII, Dues, Section 5: Pebble-Pups and Junior Members (under the age of 18 years) shall not be required to pay any initiation fee.

     Finally, while we're at it, we may want to consider redefining "Couple Membership" on page 7, Article XI, Section 1. As it stands, "Couple members are married couples," and I propose we expand this to "married or cohabitating couples."

     Any change to our By-Laws requires alerting members in advance of the text of the change, and that's what this article is intended to provide. This now needs to be followed by a two-thirds vote of members present at our next club meeting, so please come prepared to discuss and to vote at our April meeting.
          Jim Brace-Thompson,
          President.


Lost and Found.
If you once owned a nice, fairly new, dark blue denim jacket and have been wondering just where it is, wonder no more! That jacket was left behind at the Fairgrounds after our show, and it's now residing in my house. If it's yours, give me a call, (805) 659-3577. Otherwise, look for it in next year's Country Store!
     Jim Brace-Thompson.


Have Kids? Earn Badges!
     To all VGMS members with pebble pups and junior members under age 18! How would you like to help your kids learn more about our hobby while rewarding them with colorful badges? I'm the Juniors Program Chair for the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS), which sponsors what's called the Future Rockhounds of America (FRA). Starting in 2004, I put together a free badge program for the AFMS. It consists of an FRA Membership patch and 15 badges: Rocks & Minerals, Earth Resources, Fossils, Lapidary Arts, Collecting, Showmanship, Communication, Field Trips, Leadership, Earth Processes, Earth in Space, Gemstone Lore & Legend, Stone Age Tools & Art, Gold Panning & Prospecting, and Rocking on the Computer. Finally, there's a Rockhound Badge for kids who earn 6 of the 15 badges. The Rockhound Badge is a mark of significant achievement, and kids who earn it symbolically graduate from "future" rockhound status to "full" rockhound. To further recognize and reward them for this accomplishment, names of kids who earn the Rockhound Badge are posted to an "Honor Roll" on the Kids' Corner section of the AFMS web site.
     A 155-page guidebook describes and outlines requirements for each of the 15 badges. There are 85 activities to choose from, or about a half dozen activities per badge, with kids required to complete only three activities to earn any particular badge. Checklists in the guidebook make it easy to sign off on activities as junior members complete them. In addition, brief back-up pages and suggestions help parents guide their kids through each activity. The guidebook is available electronically on the AFMS web site (http://www.amfed.org/fra/AFMS_FRA_Badge_Manual_Revised_2009_03.pdf) (Close the new window to return here.), and I can also provide a printed version to any VGMS parents who may be interested.
     I'm happy to help VGMS parents who would like to encourage their kids via this program. Just see me at one of our meetings or call or email (805-659-3577, jbraceth@roadrunner.com), and we'll get your kids going. I also hope to start arranging times during weekends at our club museum and workshop to help kids with some of these badges. For instance, some of our museum displays and collections are set up so as to help earn the Rocks & Minerals, Earth Resources, Fossils, and Earth Processes badges, and I'd love to schedule a special "Lapidary Day" just for kids in our club workshop. To help in this endeavor, I welcome parents who would like to join me on a VGMS "Juniors Committee." Again, see me at a club meeting, or contact me via the phone number and email address above. Here's to educating our VGMS kids while having fun!
          Jim Brace-Thompson,
          AFMS Juniors Program Chair.


Building Our Club Museum Collection: Seeking Mineral Donations.
     With our new facilities at Camp Comfort, we've been working the past few months to re-establish our VGMS museum. Although it's still a work-in-progress, we have some basic displays in place, and I've built a cabinet of shelves to house a club collection of regional and California rocks, fossils, and minerals. My hope is that this might serve as a reference collection for people seeking field trip spots, or for people returning from field trips who want to identify what they've found. I'm in the process of cataloguing and building this collection based on specimens that came from our old museum location.
     In this process, one thing has become especially noticeable: our existing collections are tilted significantly toward fossils. To help build up our reference collection of regional rocks and minerals (regional defined as California and nearby areas of Arizona and Nevada), I hereby solicit donations from VGMS members. Lowell Foster has already provided great help, giving me specimens of kyanite from the Cargo Muchacho Mountains, actinolite from Wrightwood, CA, Cady Mountains fluorite, Figueroa Mountain serpentine, schorl from Riverside County, and more. And I purchased some materials, like N. Edwards travertine onyx from the silent auction at our recent club show and have some specimens of my own that I'm contributing to the cause. If you have spare mineral specimens from California and neighboring states, or if you go on any field trips for rocks and minerals, please consider donating some of your extra specimens for our reference collection. And if you have any especially splashy, show specimens, we'll put those out on display! In addition to the specimens, please provide any maps or other info you may have because in addition to the specimens, we want to compile a binder with locality info. Here's thanking you in advance for your help!
          Jim Brace-Thompson,
          Museum Chair.


Seeking Donations to Workshop Fund.
With our new club workshop now up-and-running, we've had standing-room-only crowds at our lapidary workshops that take place the third Saturday morning of each month. To provide sufficient equipment to help cut down the lines and the waiting time to get to one of our Genie or Pixie grinding and polishing units, we're establishing a "Workshop Fund" to raise money to purchase still more units. When Nancy's father passed away, her coworkers within the Ventura Unified School District generously gave her a check to use however she wished with our new clubhouse. We're using this as the first installment in the Club Workshop fund. If you'd like to donate any amount (we'll accept 1 cent to 1 dollar to 1 million dollars, for those feeling especially generous), write a check to VGMS with "workshop fund" in the subject line and pass it along to Nancy, as our club treasurer. We're also seeking suggestions about additional fundraising opportunities, such as holding yard sales, silent auctions specifically geared toward the Workshop Fund, etc. Please pass along your suggestions at one of our monthly meetings, or contact me at 805-659-3577, jbraceth@roadrunner.com.

Here's thanking you in advance!
Jim Brace-Thompson,
VGMS President.

An original puzzle by Diane Dare via The Rockhounder, 06/08.

  Table of Contents.

SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN.

Saturday, March 21: Ant Hill-Bakersfield CA.
Over 90+ rockhounds turned up. We had sun; it was a great day for digging. There were rockhounds from so many different clubs. We spread out and dug for most of the day, finding some nice shark teeth. I'll bring mine into the April Meeting. We had a lot of fun, I saw a Big Tooth Mako about 3 inches long found on this field trip!
     Rob Sankovich.

Sunday, March 22: There's Whale Bone At Tajiguas Beach!
     When we looked outside this Sunday morning rain clouds were blowing in. It was cold out there. Looked like a good time to stay inside and read the Sunday paper. Kind of thought no one else would brave the weather.
     Were we ever wrong! Within a few minutes there were three cars parked at Tajiguas. The clouds blew in and we were doused with a heavy rain. We sat in our cars waiting for the rain to stop. Fortunately it didn't rain for long. Within the next 30 minutes there were eleven rockhounds, most with rain coats on ready for the constantly changing weather. There was rain, the wind, but most of the time beautiful sunshine! A total of sixteen members (including six pebble pups) from the Conejo, Oxnard, and Ventura clubs braved the weather.
     There were more surprises. Since there wasn't a big ocean storm this winter there were few piles of rocks on the beach. We didn't expect to find much. It was a surprise that many nice specimens of whale bone were collected. Ron found two specimens that polished up beautifully. Stuart Bloom collected some fossils in split stone. Other finds included ocean tumbled stromatolite, ocean polished agates and jaspers, sea shells, and crystals. No one went home empty handed!
     At about 12:30 the north wind was blowing like crazy. Those of us on the south end of the area struggled to get back to our cars. Time to go home with our booty!
          Jean Wise.

Joseph Padula and Dominic.
Photo submitted by Jean Wise.

Stuart Bloom and Lee Anderson.
Photo submitted by Jean Wise.

Tri-Club Field Trips 2009. *
     The field trips listed below are tentative, they might change. All are Tri-Club field trips (exceptions noted) with either Conejo, Oxnard or Ventura leading.

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

Saturday, April 25: Jalama Beach, Lompoc, CA.
This is a tri club Field Trip-Conejo, Oxnard, Ventura. We will be looking for Agate, Jasper, Petrified Whale Bone, Travertine Onyx, and Fossils. They can be found along the shoreline. You can come up for the day or camp overnight. Day use $6.00, camping $18.00, with electric hookup $25.00. Campsites are assigned on a first come, first served basis, one site to one vehicle; 98 campsites, all overlooking the ocean or beach front. Each site has a picnic table and BBQ, with hot showers, restrooms and water nearby. 29 sites offer electrical hookups, and dump stations are available. I will not be camping.
Directions: From Ventura head north on 101, past Santa Barbara, just past Gaviota as the 101 goes inland take the State Hwy 1 turn off, marked Lompoc/Vandenberg. Go north approximately 13.5 miles to Jalama Beach County Park turn off. Turn left, west, drive approximately 15 miles to Jalama Beach County Park. Approximately 122 miles from Thousand Oaks; 2.5-3 hour drive time.
Meeting: Saturday, April 25, 10 AM-4 PM. We will meet in the parking lot. Look for my black Toyota Truck with a CGMC sign in the window. There will be a short briefing of the site. Please remember to sign a release form to participate in the field trip. We will then walk along the beach south of the parking lot, approximately 2.5 miles, to an area that has cement on the side of the hill. The Shale in the area is a good place to look for fossils. Along the beach you can find agate, jasper in shades of brown, honey, gold, and clear. Travertine Onyx can be found north of the parking lot approximately 1.5 miles.
Tools: Collecting bags, buckets, day pack, digging tools, rock pick, pry bar, eye protection, trowels, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, newspaper for wrapping fossils, layered clothing, towels, change of clothes/shoes in case you get wet. Drinking water, lunch or snacks, camping gear if you plan on spending the night.
Contact: Robert Sankovich 805-494-7734, rmsorca@adelphia.net or Mike Miller 805-498-9586, rockfmdr@aol.com.
Jalama Beach County Park Star Route, Jalama Road,Lompoc, CA 93436 Recorded Information (805) 736-6316, Park Office (805) 736-3504. Links: http://www.sbparks.org/docs/jalama.html, http://www.santabarbara.com/activities/
camping/jalama_beach/movies/MOV00362.MPG. (If you go to either link close the new window to return here.)

Saturday, April 25: Lavic Siding.
SPONSORS: CFMS Field Trip South Co-Chairs.
LEADERS: Adam Dean and Shep Koss.
This trip is open to all rockhounds that agree to abide by the AFMS Code of Ethics, the directions of the field trip leader, and practice safe rockhounding. A Consent and Assumption of Risk Waiver of Liability form must be signed upon arriving at the campsite.
MEET: By 10:00 AM at the hotel/restaurant parking lot in Ludlow south of I-40 for orientation and sign in. From the meeting spot we will caravan west to a safe crossing over the tracks then make a number of stops.
WHAT TO BRING: Collecting bags/buckets, rock hammer, and spray bottles. This is the heart of the Mojave, but weather can be unpredictable this time of year so dress accordingly.
MATERIAL TO COLLECT: We will be collecting the world famous Lavic jasper which can come in a multitude of colors and can be brecciate, layered or solid with veins of white, black or blue agate. The jasper has been found in reds, blacks, yellows, gold's, greens, purples, or any combination and range from tumble sized to football sized. Most found as float.
This site covers a vast area between the Pisgah Crater lava fields, the railroad tracks and the dry lake. We will explore various spots here. Other materials at this site may include agates and jaspers with sections of multi-shaded pink opal. Nearby is Pisgah Crater, a young volcano with an extensive lava field.
BRING LUNCH: This widespread field offers no shade. Gas and food available in Ludlow.
ROADS: While the roads are basically traversable in most high clearance sedans, high clearance trucks and SUVs are highly recommended.
FOR STAYOVERS: This general area also offers the southern Cady's for a wide variety of material, a nearby obsidian field, Dish Hill for peridot, trilobites and the Hector Hills for chalcedony, opal & agate. Bring your rock collecting guides. For these other sites 4WD is recommended, but high clearance is mandatory. Stay-overs may camp at a number of undeveloped sites or at the hotel in Ludlow.
TREAT THE DESERT WITH RESPECT: Please help protect our deserts, tread lightly, and pack-out what you packed-in!
For further information, please contact: Adam Dean @ (909) 489-4899 or e-mail him: theagatehunter@verizon.net, Shep Koss @ (661) 248-0411 (land line) or e-mail: freudonetoo@yahoo.com.
You should contact us if you are interested in participating. The weather can change and, without knowing if you are going or not, we won't be able to give you updates or notify you if the field trip gets cancelled.

Saturday May 9: Piuma Road, Malibu.
Leader: Robert Sankovich, rmsorca@adelphia.net, 805-494-7734.
We will be looking for large and small scallop fossils. They can be found along the base of the hill. The best specimens are up on the hill. It is a steep hike up the hill, where you will find the scallop fossils in the rocks and on the ground. This is a new site to collect fossils. There will be sticker weeds. I recommend long pants, long sleeves and gloves.
Directions: From Thousand Oaks: EAST on HWY 101. Exit Las Virgenes Road turn right (South) towards the ocean. Drive 0.2 miles to the intersection of Agoura Road. Keep on Las Virgenes Road/Malibu Road 4.5 miles. Turn LEFT on Piumas Road. Go East for 6.1 miles, up a winding road to the top, along the crest, then go down on the other (ocean) side. Park on left side of road in the large pullout. There are many vista views on the drive, so don't forget to bring your camera.
Meeting: Saturday, May 9, 10 am. We will meet at the site. There will be a short briefing of the site. You must sign the release form to participate in the field trip. This is an easy access, but steep climb. You might find fragments along the base of the hill, but the best specimens are found up on the hill. I will be driving a white Ford truck with a CGMC sign in the window.
Tools: Collecting bags, buckets, day pack, digging tools, rock pick, pry bar, eye protection, gloves, trowels, wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, newspaper for wrapping fossils, drinking water, lunch or snacks.

  Table of Contents.

HINTS AND TIPS.

Cleaning Fern Fossils.
Do not use wax, shellac, varnish, lacquer or spray plastic on fern fossils. These products cannot be readily removed and destroy forever the fine surface detail. Museums use yellow dextrin which brings out contrast and helps preserve the specimen. Mix a tiny bit of the dextrin with water to the color of tea and paint it on the fern itself, not on the matrix. It will stand out, to be preserved, and the dextrin washes right off if you wish, with no harm to the fossil. Be sure to get YELLOW dextrin, not white. It is obtainable in chunks from drug stores.
     From The Geode date unknown.

Drill Press Duty.
You will be amazed at the number of lapidary jobs you can do on an ordinary drill press. With various sized copper or aluminum tubing and using #220 Norbide grit, holes can be quickly drilled in the hardest agate. Using metal rotary files, ash trays can be hollowed out and various carvings and scallops done on the softer stones such as onyx, travertine, howlite, alabaster, serpentine, etc. Strips of sanding cloth, leather and canvas glued around maple dowels, or tied over round head bolts, can be used to sand and polish curves, hollows and large carvings.
     From Arrowpoints date unknown via Rockhound Rambling 1958.

Firebrick Cleaning.
To clean a dirty firebrick (old solder, etc.), or resize it to fit your soldering tray, rub it on a rough surface like concrete and your firebrick will be like new.
     By Anna Christiansen via MLMS Ghost Sheet 11/08.

Moleskin Table Saver.
Moleskin is very handy for making protective bases for bookends and other rock and mineral displays. It can be obtained in sheets which have a gummed surface ready for application. This is much easier than gluing felt to the bottom of display pieces to protect furniture.
     From Lapidary Journal date unknown.

Cleaning Druzy Specimens.
To clean and shine most druzy specimens, use Easy Off oven cleaner (fume free is OK). Spray the specimen and then leave it on overnight in a closed container or bag before rinsing. This even works on iron stained crystals.
     By Steve Solovieff of Freefrom Creations date unknown via Moroks 01/01.

Rock Washing.
I thought this was a good idea because sometimes I collect enough rocks on trips that, when I get home I look at it and dread cleaning them. So maybe you might feel the same. Anyway, manual car washes are good places to clean your large and small rocks that are not too fragile. The hard spray cleans all the nooks and crannies
     From The Rock Collector 05/08 via Rocky Review 09/08.

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 your good ideas!

  Table of Contents.

EDUCATIONAL CORNER.

Definition of the Month.

Timbering - The operation of setting timber supports (pre-cut lumber) in an underground mine for the purpose of adding strength to the mine excavation in order to prevent collapse and cave-ins. Modern mining techniques may include the use of prefabricated supports made out of wood, steel, concrete or masonry. Often times, supports are placed inside a mine tunnel, drift, shaft, incline or stope as the excavation advances during mining operations. Timber support is designed to displace the force of gravity bearing down on the excavated mine opening in such a manner as to add strength to the existing structural properties of the rock remaining in-place.

Cribbing - The construction of cribs or wood timbers placed in an underground mine for the purpose of supporting the excavation to prevent collapse. Cribbing is often placed horizontally at right angles to each other in such a manner as to form a large wooden box. Cribbing is often applied as a method to correct a condition of incompetent rock, fractured rock, faults, or to support a large underground excavation from which large volumes of coal or high-grade ore was removed. Cribbing can be applied to correct a mistake made when the mining engineer fails to correctly predict the strength of the rock being mined at a certain heading within the mine.

Square-Sets - A set of wood timbers held together at each end to form a box-like structure. Each timber is pre-cut and assembled in such a manner as to form a 90 degree angle between each connecting member of the set. The vertical posts are commonly 6 to 7 feet high while the horizontal members, known as caps and girts are usually 4 to 6 feet long. This method of mine support provides a complex structural lattice from which the weight of the overlying rock is distributed evenly. In some extensive mine excavations, square-sets may extend vertically and horizontally, one square set attached to the other, extending in all directions. (See the "Illustration of the Month".)

Source of Information: "A Dictionary of Mining, Mineral and Related Terms", compiled and edited by Paul W. Thrush and Staff, Bureau of Mines, U. S. Department of Interior, published by the U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1968.

Written by Steve Mulqueen for the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, April 2009. The "Definition of the Month" features words related to geology, paleontology, mining or desert history.

Illustration of the Month.

Square-Set Timbering.

Square-Set Timbering - A method of supporting an underground mine with use of pre-cut lumber or raw tree trunks. The timbers are fashioned in such a manner so that they interlock to form a box-like structure. Note the mine rail placed for the purpose of conveying ore cars.

Source of illustration - "A Manual of Mining", written by M. C. Ihlseng and Eugene B. Wilson, published by John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1905, fourth edition, page 559.

Text written by Steve Mulqueen, April 2009. The "Illustration of the Month" features a drawing, sketch, pen & ink rendering, engraving print or any form of graphic art related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. This illustration was chosen for its educational content by the author.

  Table of Contents.

LET'S BE SAFE OUT THERE.

Surviving a Heart Attack When You Are Alone.

What are you to do if you have a heart attack while you are alone?

The Johnson City Medical Center staff actually discovered this and did an in-depth study on it in their ICU. The two individuals that discovered this then did an article on it, had it published, and have had it incorporated into ACLS and CPR classes. It is true and has and does work. It is called cough CPR.

Let's say it's 6:15 pm. And you're driving home (alone of course) after an usually hard day on the job. Suddenly you start to experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to radiate out into your arm and up into your jaw. You are only about five miles from the hospital nearest your home. Unfortunately you don't know if you'll be able to make it that far. What can you do?

You've been trained in CPR, but the guy that taught the course didn't tell you what to do if it happened to yourself.

Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, this article seemed to be in order. Without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint has only about 10 seconds before losing consciousness.

These victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again.

Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital.

From Health Cares, Rochester General Hospital via Chapter 240's newsletter 'AND THE BEAT GOES ON' (reprint from The Mended Hearts, Inc. Publication, Heart Response).


Clothes Dryers.
The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things around the house told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load of clothes.) He told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material ... I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like. Well ... the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn't go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh and that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free ... that nice fragrance too. You know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box ... well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also what causes dryer units to potentially burn your house down. He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months. That preserves the life of the dryer at least twice as long! How about that!?! Learn something new every day! I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that. So, I thought I'd share!

Note: I went to my dryer and tested my screen by running water on it. The water ran through a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen. I washed it with warm soapy water and a nylon brush and I had it done in 30 seconds. Then when I rinsed it ... the water ran right through the screen! There wasn't any puddling at all! That repairman knew what he was talking about!
          Original source unknown via email.

  Table of Contents.

FEDERATION NEWS.

CFMS Show 2009: AFMS/FRA Badges for Kids,
By June Harris via CFMS April 2009 Newsletter.
     To CFMS-affiliated clubs, as a CFMS Junior Activities Committee Member and SCGMS Kids Area Coordinator, I am pleased to announce that the Santa Clara Gem & Mineral Society will offer the AFMS Future Rockhound Badge Program at our upcoming CFMS show April 17-19, at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose. It's our hope that each sister club will encourage their Junior members to attend the CFMS show and complete up to five badges there. Your club does not have to have a Junior Program that has adopted the AFMS Future Rockhound Badge Program for your Junior members to enjoy this opportunity. Every CFMS Junior club member already is able to earn these achievements.
     Make the 2009 CFMS show a club field trip, a bus trip, or energy-conserving carpool. Better yet, make it a camping field trip. All are a possibility! Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your Junior members' rock experiences. To obtain a program flyer, email juneconeyharris@yahoo.com. . . . We hope that this added attraction to the CFMS show will help support all the CFMS club Junior members and their activities.
     Via this unique opportunity, we will be offering the following badges at the show: Rocks and Minerals; Earth Resources; Fossils; Earth Processes; and Gemstone Lore and Legend.


Earth Science Studies.
     Registration opened March 1 for Camp Zzyzx to be held November 15-22, 2009. If you are planning to attend, be sure to get your application in. It is anticipated to fill rather quickly. Here is a link to the registration form: http://www.cfmsinc.org/forms09/zzyzx09/zzyzxform09.pdf. (Close the new window to return here.)
     Camp Paradise, May 17-23, is just about full, but if you hurry you can probably still get in. Here is the Camp Paradise registration link: http://www.cfmsinc.org/forms09/paradise/paradiseform.htm. (Close the new window to return here.)


OMNIBUS Lands Bill Defeated - For Now;
By Carolyn Weinberger AFMS Newsletter Editor via CFMS Newsletter, April 2009.
Our voice does count!!! I'm delighted to report that all of our letters and calls appear to have paid off. At 12:38 PM, the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 was defeated by TWO VOTES! The bill, containing over 1,200 pages encompassed 160 different bills, including the Paleo Protection Act, which many objected to. I'm not certain if this marks the end of the bill for this session or if it can be reintroduced ... stay tuned.

[Editor's Note: Although defeated, the bill is certain to be reintroduced at some point. To see how your representatives voted, check out the noncommercial, nonpartisan government tracking web site recommended by John Martin at www.govtrack.us. (Close the new window to return here.) This involved House Vote #117 on S.22: The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. - Jim B-T.]

[Editor's Note: Here's a quick link to the voting results: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2009-117. (Close the new window to return here.) Local representative, Lois Capps, voted to pass this bill. Members may wish to let Ms. Capps know their opinion regarding her vote and this bill. Her web site is at: http://www.house.gov/capps/. (Close the new window to return here.) Her Ventura County Office address is 2675 N. Ventura Road, Suite # 105, Port Hueneme, CA 93041, Phone: 805-985-6807, Fax: 805-985-6875. Our other local representative, Elton Gallegly, opposed the bill. - Mary.]

  Table of Contents.

LET'S GO TO A SHOW - 2009.
(If you go to a web site close the new window to return here.)

April 17-19; San Jose, CA - 54th Annual CFMS Show, Nature's Showcase, Hosted by The Santa Clara Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 334 Tully Road. Hours: 10-5 Daily. Detailed Show Page: http://cfmsinc.org/shows/cfmsshow09.htm, Frank Mullaney (408) 265-1422 info@scvgms.org, www.scvgms.org.
April 18-19; Lancaster, CA - Antelope Valley Gem & Mineral Club, Lancaster High School, 44701 32nd Street West. Hours: 9-5 daily. Vivian Watts (760) 373-1309 vivea22@yahoo.com, www.geocities.com/av_gem.
April 25-26; Santa Cruz, CA - Santa Cruz Mineral & Gem Society, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Corner of Center St. & Church. Hours: 10-5 daily. Don Welder (408) 353-2675 wdeanweder@yahoo.com, scmgs.org/newsite/shows/index.html.
May 1-3; Bishop, CA - Lone Pine Gem & Mineral Society, Tri County Fairgrounds, Bishop, Corner of Sierra St. & Fair Drive. Hours: Fri. 6-10 PM; Sat. 9:30-4; Sun. 10-3. Jeff Lines (760) 872-6597 franceem@qnet.com.
May 2-3; Anaheim, CA - Searchers Gem & Mineral Society, Brookhurst Community Center, 2271 West Crescent Ave. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4:30. James Williamson (714) 995-9080 showchair@searchersrocks.org, http://www.searchersrocks.org.
May 9-10; Reno, NV - Reno Gem and Mineral Society, Reno Livestock Events Center Exhibit Hall, 1350 N. Wells Ave., Reno, NV. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Canyon/9989/JofG.htm.
May 15-17; Anderson, CA - Superior California Gem & Mineral Society, Shasta District Fairgrounds, Near Redding off Hwy 273. Hours: Fri. & Sat. 9-5; Sun. 10-5. Manuel Garcia (530) 877-7324 mmpg@earthlink.net, www.superiorcal.com.
May 16-17; Newbury Park, CA - Conejo Gem & Mineral Club's 35th Annual Show "Pageant of a Thousand Gems", Borchard Park, 190 Reno Road, Newbury Park, California. Hours: Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4:30. Free admission/parking. Mineral/Rocks/Fossils exhibits, demonstrations, gem and jewelry sales, youth activities, door prizes, silent auctions, and plant sales. Robert Sankovich (805) 494-7734, rmsorca@adelphia.net, www.cgamc.org.
May 16-17; Yucaipa, CA - Yucaipa Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Yucaipa Community Center, 34900 Oak Glen Road. Hours: Sat. 9-5; Sun. 10-4. Bill Jochimsen (909) 790-1475, webmaster@yvgms.org, www.yvgms.org.
May 30-31; Glendora, CA - Glendora Gems, 859 E. Sierra Madre Ave., Glendora. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4. Bonnie Bidwell (626) 963-4638 Ybidwell2@aol.com.
June 5-7; Woodland Hills, CA - Rockatomics Gem & Mineral Society, Pierce College - Victory & Mason. Hours: 10-5 Daily. Gary Levitt, Show Chair (818) 993-3802 Show@Rockatomics.org, www.Rockatomics.org.
June 6-7; La Habra, CA - North Orange County Gem & Mineral Society, La Habra Community Center, 101 W. La Habra Blvd. Hours: 9-5 both days. Don Warthen (626) 330-8974 warthen@earthlink.net, nocgms.com.
June 13-14; Cayucos, CA - San Luis Obispo Gem & Mineral Club, Cayucos Vets Hall, 10 Cayucos Drive. Hours: 10-5 both days. Kim Patrick Noyes (805) 610-0603 kimnoyes@gmail.com, slogem.org.
July 11-12; Culver City, CA - Culver City Rock and Mineral Club, Veterans Memorial Auditorium and Rotunda, 4117 Culver Blvd. Hours: Sat. 10-6; Sun. 10-5. Robert Thirlaway (310) 213-7677 thirlawr@gmail.com, CulverCityRocks.org/fiesta.htm.
August 7-9; Nipomo, CA - Orcutt Mineral Society. Hours: 9-5 daily. Wes Lingerfelt (805) 710-1983 info@omsinc.org, www.omsinc.org.
September 4-7; Fort Bragg, CA - Mendocino Coast Gem & Mineral Society, Town Hall, Corner of Main & Laurel. Hours: Fri. to Sun. 10-6; Mon. 10-4. Don McDonell (707) 964-3116.
September 12-13; Vista, CA - Vista Gem & Mineral Society, Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, 2040 N. Santa Fe Ave. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4. Fred Wilson (760) 433-8464, Cherie Wilson (760) 941-7073, Lois Harr (560) 724-0395.
September 19-20; Redwood City, CA - Sequoia Gem & Mineral Society, Redwood City Community Activities Bldg., 1400 Roosevelt Ave. Hours: 10-5 daily. Carol Corden (650) 248-7155 coorden@comcast.net, sgms.driftmine.com/home.htm.
September 19-20; Stockton, CA - Stockton Lapidary and Mineral Club, Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 33 West Alpine Ave. Hours: 10-5 both days. (209) 946-0113 footsey1@yahoo.com, www.stocktonlapidary.com.
September 26-27; Downey, CA - Delvers Gem & Mineral Society, Womens Club of Downey, 9813 Paramount Blvd. Hours: Sat. 10-6; Sun. 10-4. Nancy Bird (562) 697-0636 nancyjbird@verizon.net.
October 3-4; Fallbrook, CA - Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society, Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Museum, 123 W. Alvarado Street. Hours: 10-4 both days. Mary Fong-Walker (760) 728-1130 ikonmiming@gmail.com.

Source: http://cfmsinc.org/.

AFMS REGIONAL SHOWS 2009.
(If you go to a web site close the new window to return here.)

Canadian Federation Convention.


Midwest Federation (MWF),
May 16-17, 2009, Berea, OH.
Midwest Federation of Mineralogical & Geological Societies,
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds,
Bagley Road, Berea, OH.
Website: www.amfed.org/mwf/,
Show Website: www.amfed.org/mwf/show2009.htm.


Northwest Federation (NFMS) / AFMS,
July 30-Aug 2.
Combined Show hosted by Billings Gem & Mineral Club,
Holiday Inn Grand Montana,
5500 Midland Rd.,
Billings, MT.
Hours: 10-5 Daily.
Contact Person: Doug True (406) 670-0506, Email: dtruefossils@yahoo.com, Website: www.amfed.org/nfms,
NFMS/AFMS Show Website: www.amfed.org/nfms/nfmsshow.htm.


Rocky Mountain Federation (RMFMS),
October 2-3, Roswell, NM.
Website: www.rmfms.org.


South Central Federation (SCMS),
October 10-11, Temple, TX.
Website: www.scfms.net.


Eastern Federation (EFMS),
October 16-18.
Beals Communittee Center, Bristal, CT.
Website: www.amfed.org/efmls.


Southeast Federation (SFMS).
Website: www.amfed.org/sfms.

Source: http://cfmsinc.org/.

  Table of Contents.

VGMS PHOTO ALBUM - 2009 ANNUAL SHOW.

All photos submitted by Steve Mulqueen.

  Table of Contents.

SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

Return to the Rockhound Rambling Center.
You may also go to the VGMS Home Page.