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

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

A Dinosaur just hangin' around keepin' track of things.

This is a very abbreviated bulletin since the editor is on vacation.

UPCOMING VGMS EVENTS.

Workshop	Saturday, June 20, Clubhouse, Camp Comfort, 9 am-Noon.
June Regular Meeting	Wednesday, June 24, 7:30 pm, Senior Recreation Center.
June Program - The program for the evening is "Southern California Flora & Fauna" - or animals that might bite you and plants that will prick you on your field trips (along with some cute, fuzzy critters and pretty flowers).
July Board Meeting	Thursday, July 2, 7:00 pm, The Lexington.
Workshop	Saturday, July 18, Clubhouse, Camp Comfort, 9 am-Noon.
Includes Lapidary Equipment Demo & Rockhound Rendezvous (see full article, below).
July Regular Meeting	Wednesday, July 22, 7:30 pm, Senior Recreation Center.
August Board Meeting	Thursday, August 6, 7:00 pm, The Lexington.

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.

Angela Ulin	July 2,
Diane Cook	July 3,
Sharon Cunningham	July 7,
Joseph Padula	July 8,
Allie Boes	July 13,
Alexandria Pearson	July 13,
Brian Timko	July 20,
Nancy Brace-Thompson	July 27.

Kylie Timko	August 9,
Marie Haake	August 14,
Dominic Padula	August 18,
M.A. Sunny Cross	August 19.

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

Table of Contents.

CHIPS AND BOULDERS.

ROCKHOUND SALE.
Henrik Vonk has been a rockhound for over 40 years. He is selling all of his equipment and tons of rock.
     Equipment includes: custom-made drag saw with 6-foot blade ($1,900), 10" Highlander rock saw with 19"X25" extended aluminum base ($750), 24" Highlander saw ($2,500), leather 12" polishing wheel ($125), RBI Industries Haw wood lathe model 226VS, 14" table scroll saw ($450), Delta 12" variable speed wood lathe on stand plus 20 wood turning chisels ($650), and more.
     Rock includes: petrified wood, Indian blanket rock, jasper, howlite, obsidian, black Belgium marble, Rosa Portogalo marble, and more. Rock to be sold from $1 to $5 per pound. Photos available if interested; contact Sylvia at sylvia8484@comcast.net or 209-888-5191.

The sale takes place 8 am to 5 pm on June 26, 27, 28 and July 3, 4 and 5 at 11419 Caern Avenue, Tujunga, CA 91042. (If you can't make these dates, call Henrik at 818-352-4576 to make a separate appointment.) Directions from the 210 Freeway: I-210 Pasadena/I-210 Fwy. Take exit Sunland Blvd. toward Tujunga/Sunland. Turn east at Sunland Blvd. (signs for Tujunga/Sunland). Continue straight onto Foothill Blvd. - 0.4 mi. Turn left at Oro Vista Ave. - 0.9 mi (Jack-in-the-Box on left hand side). Oro Vista Ave. turns slightly right & becomes Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. - 1.0 mi. Turn right at Mount Gleason Ave. - 413 ft. Turn left at Alpine Way - 0.2 mi (into Alpine Village). Turn right at Dellmont Dr. - 413 ft, turn right at Caern Ave. - 354 ft (2nd house from dead end on right side with long driveway: 11419 Caern). Limited parking.

LAPIDARY EQUIPMENT DEMO & ROCKHOUND RENDEVOUS.
     Saturday, July 18, at 9 am, you are invited to join us at the "New" VGMS facilities at Camp Comfort near Ojai. Don Depue will be demonstrating some of Diamond Pacific's excellent equipment. You will be able to have a hands-on examination of equipment you might be considering purchasing for yourself or your club. Bring your checkbook if you are considering a purchase.
The following are the machines he will be demonstrating: Titan, Genie, flat laps for Titan or Genie with polishing pads, Wizard 6" trim saw, 12" flat lap, Gryphon band saw, Torres 3 ring saw, Foredom, Multiplex (cabbing, trim saw, carving, flat lap), Tumblers (to show only).
     In addition we will offer a chance to share some of your great field trip finds and lapidary work. There will be plenty of space for you to set up a table to display your wares for viewing and trading. Who knows, someone may want to buy something you display?!
     Jim Brace-Thompson is considering offering activities for pebble pups. If you are interested in bringing your kids, let us know by the end of June (ages, how many, and activities they are interested in). Possible activities (depending on demand) are AFMS badges on mineral identification, fossils & how they formed (including making a fossil cast), earth processes (how rocks formed & the 3 rock types), earth resources (mineral sources of everyday items), and lapidary arts (learn shop safety & make 1 project).
     With the Camp Comfort just across the road from our shop, this is a great place for a picnic. We will provide coffee and hot water for tea and cocoa. To find the VGMS facilities across from Camp Comfort take the 101 Freeway to Highway 33 then turn right on Creek Road at the sign for "Camp Comfort." Continue until you see Camp Comfort and the VGMS facilities are on the left. Be careful with the left turn and if you get to Ojai you missed us. If you need more information contact me (Ron Wise) at 805-647-4393 or clintwise@hotmail.com.

Table of Contents.

VENTURA COUNTY FAIR.

ENTER & ALSO VOLUNTEER!
     Richard Bromser reports the 2009 Ventura County Fair runs Wed., Aug. 5 - Sun., Aug. 16, with a theme of  "Purebred & Home Grown." Entry dates for gems and minerals are Fri. through Sun., July 24-26 (10 AM to 5 PM) with judging done on Tues., July 28. (For anyone also interested in entering hobbies, models and collections, entry dates for those are Fri. through Sun., July 31 - Aug. 2, 10 am - 5 pm, with judging on Aug. 4.) To retrieve your entries at the conclusion of the Fair, pick-up day is Mon., Aug. 17, from 9 am until 7 pm.
     Richard will start setting up the Gem & Mineral Building at the Fairgrounds on Wed., July 1, at 10 am. Volunteers are needed and welcomed to help! Volunteers are also needed to take exhibitor entries during the entry dates and to help clerk for the judges. If you can commit to 4 hours or more, it would be greatly appreciated! Lunches will be provided for volunteers. During the Fair itself, we'll also need volunteers for "floor walking," and Richard will have sign-up sheets with dates and times.
     All VGMS members are encouraged to enter either whole collections or just single, individual specimens (or both!). If each and every club member entered just 1 mineral or fossil or lapidary project, we would quickly fill up over 75 spots in the fair from our club alone! And it can pay to enter. In addition to ribbons and trophies, the Fair pays cash awards. You should let Richard know ahead of time if you will be bringing in a display case or if you need to borrow a case (the supply of cases available to borrow is limited and is first-come / first-served) so that he can plan and prepare the table layout. Please call Richard Bromser (805-649-9065) to offer your help!

Schedules from Jim Brace-Thompson:
     Fri., July 24 - Sun., July 26 (10 am - 5 pm), enter collections or individual gems, minerals, fossils, lapidary projects into the Ventura County Fair at the Gem & Mineral Building at the Fairgrounds to win prizes and show off what ya got! See more details below, as well as page 5 of the May newsletter (There's two articles.) (Close the new window to return here.) for info on entering and check the following web site for entry categories, rules, and an entry form: http://www.venturacountyfair.org/pages/3455/. (Close the new window to return here.)
     Wed., August 5, Ventura County Fair opens! Come see how many blue ribbons you won! Also, volunteer to be a "floor walker" to help in the Gem & Mineral Building. Contact Richard Bromser to volunteer your help: (805) 649-9065.

Table of Contents.

REFRESHMENT SCHEDULE.

REFRESHMENT SCHEDULE.
Date:	Volunteer.
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.

FEDERATION NEWS.

The annual Zzyzx Earth Science Seminars, scheduled for November 15-22, still has openings for anyone wishing to attend weeklong classes that include Lapidary, Silver Fabrication, Soft Stone Carving, Wire Wrapping, Enameling, and Field Trips. Cost for the full week is $300, which includes quarters or RV space, 3 meals a day, and classes. Some classes may have extra materials fees. If interested, call Marion Roberts for details: (209) 538-0197.

Table of Contents.

FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN.

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.

Month:
	Date(s),	Event/Location,	Sponsor/Leader,	Other Information.

June:
	27,	Cerro Gordo Mine field trip near Lone Pine. If interested in attending, email or call Ray Ramirez for details right away: raymon50@gmail.com or 760-872-0624. High-clearance vehicle a must. Meeting 8 am at Lone Pine Chevron station south of town. A $10 fee goes toward the mine owners' restoration of Cerro Gordo ghost town. The mine is open to collecting only 1 day each year, so this is a special opportunity. Cerro Gordo was a an 1870s silver mine and a zinc mine in 1911. It's at an elevation of 8,000 feet, so plan accordingly. The site has a small museum to explore. The ghost town has many other buildings and a mill site to look at, though they won't be open. Collecting will be in tailings for smithsonite and copper and lead minerals. Cerro Gordo is noted for over 49 minerals. There are a few campgrounds around Lone Pine as well as many hotels and motels.
July:
	11,	Oak Park,	Robert Sankovich, 805-494-7734, rmsorca@adelphia.net, Mike Miller, 805-498-9586, rockfmdr@aol.com.	See Article Below.
August:
	1,	Jade Cove, Big Sur Area,	Robert Sankovich, 805-494-7734, rmsorca@adelphia.net, Mike Miller, 805-498-9586, rockfmdr@aol.com,	See Article Below.

CLUB LEADERS:
	Bret Johnson,	805-984-8872, bj9709@yahoo.com,	Oxnard G&M (OGMS).
	Mike Miller,	805-498-9586, rockfmdr@aol.com,	Conejo G&M (CGMS).
	Robert Sankovich,	805-494-7734, rmsorca@adelphia.net,	Conejo G&M (CGMS).
	Ron Wise,	805-647-4393, clintwise@hotmail.com,	Ventura G&M (VGMS).

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

Saturday, July 11: Oak Park.
Field trip: Our July field trip will be to Oak Park. We will be looking for petrified wood, float and buried. Some of it is on the surface and all you have to do is pick it up. Most of it is golf ball size and smaller, but I have seen larger pieces found there. We will be walking up a hill. Light brush on the hill. The hill is not very high or big, so this is a good field trip for all ages.
Directions: From Ventura head South on 101, past Thousand Oaks, to Kanan Road (6.2 miles East of 23 Freeway in Thousand Oaks). Exit at Kanan Road, turn left/North on Kanan Road. Drive 2.5 miles to Deerhill Road. Turn right/North. Drive 0.5 miles to Deerbrook Road. We will meet there at 9:00 AM. You will see my white Ford truck. We will walk about 50 yards on Deerbrook Road, then go up a hill to collect. There will be a short briefing before the field trip. There will be a map at the meeting, or e-mail me.
Meeting: Saturday July 11, 9 AM-2 PM. We will meet site at 9:00 am. There will be a short briefing of the site. Please remember to sign a release form to participate in the field trip.
Tools: Collecting bags, buckets, day pack, digging tools, rock pick, pry bar, eye protection, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, pants recommended, drinking water, lunch or snacks.

Saturday, August 1: Jade Cove, Big Sur area.
Meeting: 10 AM.
What to collect: nephrite jade, serpentine, actinolite, soapstone, abalone shells.
Details and map will be provided at the July regular meeting.

NOTE: Tri-club field trip information can be found on the Conejo Gem and Mineral club web site: www.cgamc.org. (Close the new window to return here.)

Table of Contents.

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

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 1-2; San Francisco, CA - San Francisco Gem & Mineral Society, San Francisco County Fair Building, Ninth Ave. at Lincoln Way. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. www.sfgms.org.
August 7-9; Nipomo, CA - Orcutt Mineral Society, St Joseph's Church, 298 S. Thompson Avenue. Hours: 9-5 daily. Wes Lingerfelt (805) 929-388, Rocks4u@prodigy.net, www.omsinc.org.
August 14-16; Tehachapi, CA - Techachapi Gem & Mineral Society, St Malachy Catholic Church, 407 West E. Street. Hours: Fri.-Sat. 8-7:30, Sun. 8-5:30. Chuck Overall (661) 821-4650, Luckydog5433@aol.com.
August 22-23; Orangevale, CA - Orangevale Community Center, 6826 Hazel Ave. Hours: Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. John Moulder Email: gbcorp@surewest.net, Website: www.treasuretroveofgems.com.
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, Website: sgms.driftmine.com/home.htm.
September 19-20; Paso Robles, CA - Santa Lucia Rockhounds, Pioneer Park & Museum, 2010 Riverside Ave. Hours: 10-5 both days. Richard Smith (805) 467-2966, jonme2@wildblue.net.
September 19-20; Stockton, CA - Stockton Lapidary and Mineral Club, Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 33 West Alpine Avenue. Hours: 10-5 both days. (209) 946-0113, footsey1@yahoo.com, www.stocktonlapidary.com.
September 26-27; Carmel, CA - Carmel Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Monterey Fairgounds. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Website: www.cvgms.org.
September 26-27; Downey, CA - Delvers Gem & Mineral Society, Women's Club of Downey, 9813 Paramount Blvd. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-4. Nancy Bird (562) 697-0636, E-mail: nancyjbird@verizon.net.
September 26-27; Monterey, CA - Carmel Valley Gem and Mineral Society, Monterey Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Road. Hours: Sat.10-6, Sun. 10-5. Sky Paxton (831) 262-2492, sky@familystones.net, Janis Rovetti (831) 657-1933, Janis12@sbcglobal.net, www.cvgms.org.
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.
October 3-4; Oroville, CA - Feather River Lapidary & Mineral Club, Oroville Municipal Auditorium, 1200 Myers Street. Hours: 10-5 both days. Connie Rossetto (530) 59-1840, crossetto@aol.com, www.orovillerocks.com. (Webmaster's Note: Another incomplete telephone number. Try the email or web site.)
October 10-11; Grass Valley, CA - Nevada County Gem & Mineral Society "Earth's Treasures", Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11228 McCourtney Road. Hours: 10-5 both days. Kim Moore (530) 470-0388, kmoore160@comcast.net, www.ncgms.org.
October 10-11; Trona, CA - Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society, Searles Gem & Mineral Show Building, 13337 Main Street. Hours: Sat. 7:30-5, Sun. 7:30-4. Jim & Bonnie Fairchild (760) 372-5356, slgms@iwvisp.com, www1.iwvisp.com/tronagemclub.
October 17; Woodland Hills, CA - Woodland Hills Rockchippers, First United Methodist Church, 22700 Sherman Way, West Hills. Hours: Sat. 10-5. show@rockchippers.org.
October 17-18; Anderson, CA - Shasta Gem & Mineral Society, Shasta District Fairgrounds, Near Redding off Hwy 273. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Steve Puderbaugh (530) 365-4000.
October 17-18; Lakeside, CA - El Cajon Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, 12684 Mapleview Ave. Hours: 10-5 daily. Carolyn Boland (619) 561-7498, Email: bobpeggy99@aol.com, Website: www.ECVGMS.com.
October 17-18; Placerville, CA - El Dorado County Mineral & Gem Society, El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive. Hours: 10-5 daily. Jackie Cerrato (530) 676-2472, Email: info@rockandgemshow.org, Website: http://www.eldoradomineralandgem.org, Show Website: http://www.rockandgemshow.org.
October 17-18; Santa Rosa, CA - Santa Rosa Gem & Mineral Society, Santa Rosa Veterans' Building, 1351 Maple Ave. (Opposite Fairgrounds). Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Kendra, Email: Summer_skys_27@yahoo.com, Website: www.gem-n-i.org.
October 24-25; Los Altos, CA - Peninsula Gem & Mineral Society, Los Altos Civic Center Youth Center, One San Antonio Road. Hours: 10-5 daily. Dave Muster (408) 245-2180, Email: mustersgems@yahoo.com.
November 7-8; Concord, CA - Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society, Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road (Corner of Ygnacio & Clayton Rd). Hours: 10-5 both days. Harry Nichandros, Email: show2009@ccmgs.org, Website: http://ccmgs.org.
November 7-8; Lancaster, CA - Palmdale Gem & Mineral Club, Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 2551 W. Ave. H, Hwy 14. Hours: 9-5 both days. Susan Chaissin-Walblom (661) 943-1861, Email: SLChaisson@yahoo.com.
November 7-8; Ridgecrest, CA - Indian Wells Gem & Mineral Society, Desert Empire Fairgrounds, 520 S. Richmond Rd. Hours: 9-5 both days. John DeRosa (760) 375-7905, Email: schiller@ridgecrest.ca.us.
November 14-15; Yuba City, CA - Sutter Buttes Gem & Mineral Society, Franklin Hall, Yuba/SutterFairgrounds, 442 Franklin Ave. Hours: Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4. Bruce Roberts (530) 675-2864.
November 21-22; Livermore CA - Livermore Valley Lithophiles, At the "Barn", Pacific Ave. at So. Livermore Ave. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Email: info@lithophiles.com, Website: www.lithophiles.com.
November 21-22; Oxnard, CA - Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society, Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way. Hours: Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4. Norb Kinsler (805) 644-6450, Email: info@oxnardgem.com, Website: www.oxnardgem.com.
December 5-6; Barstow, CA - Mojave Gem & Mineral Society, Community Center, 841 Barstow Road. Hours: 10-5 daily. Gene Haines (760) 256-0595, Email: janetwentz@earthlink.net, Website: www.mdgms.org.

Source: http://cfmsinc.org/.

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

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/.