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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
October/November 2009.

Rockhound Rambling Photo of the Month.
This month's photo is by Mary Polacek.

Description: Terminated quartz crystals from Mt. Ida, Arkansas.

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;
• PROGRAM REVIEW & SCHEDULE;
• UPCOMING VGMS EVENTS;
• BIRTHDAYS;
• HOSPITALITY;
• MEMBERSHIP;
• MERCURY;
• MEETING MINUTES;
• CHIPS AND BOULDERS;
• COMMUNITY OUTREACH;
• HINTS AND TIPS;
• FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN;
• LET'S BE SAFE OUT THERE;
• ROCKHOUNDER MUST HAVE'S;
• FEDERATION NEWS;
• LET'S GO TO A SHOW.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

We had a small but productive turnout for our workdays at our Ojai Clubhouse, September 12-13. I think everyone will be impressed by the results. We've been able to empty the Santa Paula storage unit and greatly organize the new club facilities. I'm especially impressed by how Ron, Andy, Frank, and Roy have transformed the garage space. Thanks go to everyone who turned out for the workday weekend: Ron and Jean, Andy, Greg, John and Diane, Martha and Fred, David, Luther, Nancy and me. Still more folks helped during our club workshop day on September 19. In addition, a friend of Sharon Cunningham has located carpeting for the Library/Meeting Room, so we hope to have that room in shape and ready to rumble soon. Our clubhouse is really coming together, and we're all the beneficiaries of these and other efforts.

Was that a great Silent Auction or what at our last club meeting! Thank you, Lowell, for overseeing that. Our club coffers have taken a hit this year due to ongoing maintenance work at our clubhouse, so we definitely needed an infusion of income to allow us to continue the work, and the $205 earned definitely helps. Thank you to everyone who donated material and who opened wallets and checkbooks. The Wheeler Gorge open house event on October 3 also went well (details follow). My thanks to Miriam, Abe, and Esther who joined me on behalf of VGMS.

Remember: Andy, Lowell, and Krishna are seeking 2010 officer candidates. A big remaining gap is First Vice President to oversee lining up our monthly presentations. We'll also be seeking some new unelected committee chairs. Please be generous with your time and talents and consider serving VGMS in an office or on a committee. I also encourage everyone to support our neighboring club by participating in the Oxnard show November 21-22. And it's never too early to be thinking of our own show in March. Everyone with a rock tumbler, please start your engines! We need a supply of tumble-polished stones for kids' booth prizes and grab bags. (If you lack a tumbler, go to the Oxnard show and buy one; it's one of the least expensive ways to create neat lapidary results.).

Finally, as I write this month's President's Message, my taste buds are already tingling in anticipation of our Annual Fall Picnic on October 17. Here's looking forward to seeing you there and at our October meeting!

Jim Brace-Thompson,
President.

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PROGRAM REVIEW & SCHEDULE.

September Program - Silent Auction.
We brought the rocks. You bought the rocks. We got the money. It was nice.

We grabbed the cash. You nabbed the stash. It was quite a flash. Gained not once hundred dollars but twice.

One change coming down. It might cause a frown. But it's going around.
Next time - Raising bids must be a dollar.

You might not like. But the bids need a hike. (It's not for my bike).
So Please do not holler...

October Program - Channel Island Wood Turners.
It is with great pleasure that I announce we will be having a member of the Channel Island Wood Turners, Mr. Jim Rinde, as our speaker this month. He will be providing an overview of the wood turning hobby and showing some of the material that can be produced. I have always been fascinated with the wood turners. Each year at the fair I drop by their corner and watch them work and marvel at the beautiful material they create from all sorts of wood. I feel, though this craft is not directly related to our hobby, that their skill and workmanship can be appreciated by us.

Due to the length of the program (and the mess it can make), an actual demonstration will not be available.

For more information regarding this club, please see the following link: http://www.channelislandswoodturners.org/index.html. (Close the new window to return here.)

Lowell Foster.

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UPCOMING VGMS EVENTS.

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

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BIRTHDAYS.

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

Colors of Topaz.
     While you may think blue is the more common color for topaz, natural blue stones are actually quite rare. The only place to find natural blue topaz is in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Much topaz is created by exposing clear stones with radiation and this process physically changes the color. The blue color that is achieved depends on the type of treatment, either neutron or electron blasts of radiation. Once the color changes, the stone is heated to hold the color. As radiation is used, it is necessary to allow the stones to cool for about a year before they are released to the market, to reduce the possibility of radiation exposure from the gemstones. Safety precautions are taken to protect you.

Common topaz is a sort of orange-yellow color, like amber. Champagne topaz, found in Mexico, is a yellow-brown color. Imperial topaz is one of the few topazes not color-engineered. It is a perfect topaz for its pure golden color. Brazil is the main source for this color stone.

It is rare to find a natural pink topaz, but if you do, you will pay a pretty penny for it. A reddish-pink tint is the most valuable of the colors, though blue is the most popular. Because it is so rare, most pink topaz found in stores is heat-treated yellow topaz.

More recently, designer gemstones have been created from white topaz. Mystic fire topaz is the result of adding a thin layer of titanium to the bottom of the stone. This creates a prism of color as light passes through it.

Excerpt from http://www.gemaffair.com/content/Topaz_Jewelry.htm. (Close the new window to return here.)

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HOSPITALITY.

We had 24 members (including one guest and one pebble pup) attend the September VGMS meeting. Others missed a great silent auction.
     Valli Davis.





Please remember to bring a pumpkin goodie along to the November general meeting.

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MEMBERSHIP.

Welcome New Members.

Let's extend a warm welcome to our newest members:
     John Malinky and Donali Peter,
     2400 West Valley Parkway, #43,
     Escondido, CA 92029.
     (760) 480-8559,
     jmalinky@sbcglobal.net,
     donali.peter@sbcglobal.net.

Please add these names and information to your VGMS directory. This gives us 106 members including pebble pups and juniors.


Reminders:

• Shirley Layton's phone number is incorrect in the 2009 directory. Her phone number is (805) 717-9226.
• VGMS patches are available for $7.00 each. Name badges may be ordered for $9.00. Place your order with me with specific spelling of name as you want it to appear on the badge.

Again, welcome to our new members. Thank you for becoming a part of our club. We hope to see and/or meet our newer members at one of our upcoming events. Participation is what makes our club so great! We look forward to spending time together and getting to know each other.

Valli Davis,
Membership Secretary.

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MERCURY.

How did a mineral, Mercury, tell where the Lewis and Clark party "pooped" 200 years later?

In his journal, Lewis wrote that they camped near Pompey's Pillars in Wyoming. A guidebook of the area says a latrine is 1,300 feet from a campfire site. By using vapor analysis, Mercury was found where no presence of Mercury should be. Collectively, the explorers took 1,300 "Dr. Rushes Little Cure All Pills" which were principally composed of Mercury.

Mercury is found in cinnabar beds. It is used to catch gold in milling processes, and in thermometers. As a liquid, it is so heavy it can float a sheet of iron. It will freeze at room temperature.

Mercury is dangerous! Know the safety rules before you handle it! Surface specimens have been found at Stonewall Pass north of Gold Field.
     From Shasta Gem & Mineral Society date unknown via MOROKS, October 2009.

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MEETING MINUTES.

The following Meeting Minutes were respectfully submitted by Greg Davis, VGMS Recording Secretary.

VGMS Regular Monthly Meeting;
Wednesday, September 23, 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, September 23, 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.
     A big thanks to all who helped recently with numerous tasks and projects at our workshop site. Work is going well. A special thanks to Frank and Roy Boulch, who constructed all of the storage shelving in the garage, allowing us to move out of the Santa Paula facility.
     Our next big push at the new workshop/museum will be flooring in the library and clearing the main entry room. We have now moved out completely from the storage facility in Santa Paula and discontinued that expense.
     Mark your calendars, our annual club picnic will be held on October 17, at the Ojai Clubhouse.
Valli Davis: Please welcome new members Tim and Maria McLaughlin. Membership patches and name badges are available to be ordered. Contact Valli.
Andy Anderson: Insurance forms have been submitted for our 2010 show and publicity will begin with magazine submissions.
Ron Wise: Future field trips include...Pine Mountain, September 26 for sand dollars; Trona in October and Wiley's Well in November. Also, the Oxnard show is set for November 21 & 22. All clubs are encouraged to assist and participate. Mark your calendars.
Nancy Brace-Thompson: The treasurer's report was read and noted that our club is solvent.
Jean Wise: Zzyzx happens in November and still has space available for someone with an RV. The next CFMS meeting is coming up and those with questions or concerns should contact Jean to have the issues noted and brought up.
Lowell Foster: The nominating committee is still trying to fill a couple of positions and may be calling you.
     We're still hoping for a presentation next month by Tricia, the archeologist. The November meeting will have a signup sheet for the December Holiday potluck dinner, which has been scheduled for December 9, 6:30 PM at the Ventura Senior Center, 420 E. Santa Clara, Ventura.
     Lowell Foster rang the bell sounding the beginning of our silent auction. A great deal of material was donated, covering four tables. It turned out to be fun and profitable for the club and members.
     Refreshments were provided by Greg & Valli Davis.
     The next board meeting will be held on October 1, 2009, at The Lexington. The next monthly membership meeting will be held October 28, at the Ventura Senior Recreation Center, 420 E. Santa Clara.
     There being no further business, Jim adjourned the meeting at 9:05 PM.

VGMS Board Meeting;
Thursday, October 1, 2009:
Present: Nancy & Jim Brace-Thompson, Lowell Foster, Greg and Valli Davis.
     The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society Board Meeting for October 1, 2009, was called to order by President Jim Brace-Thompson at 7:00 pm, at The Lexington, 5440 Ralston in Ventura.
Old Business: The Wheeler Gorge open house will take place Saturday, October 3rd and VGMS will be a guest exhibitor. Our club picnic is still scheduled for October 17 following the monthly workshop.
New business:
Lowell Foster: The nominating committee still needs a First Vice President Programs for 2010. The slate will need to be presented at our October meeting.
     Lowell requested VGMS sponsor the Marina West Geology Club at his school. It would allow Lowell to offer the CFMS merit badges to the students and is not a request for funding. It was m/s/c to do so.
Nancy Brace-Thompson: The treasurer's report was given. It was m/s/c to accept as written and to pay the ongoing bills.
Greg Davis: We'd like to thank Frank and Roy Boulch for all their time and effort put toward building the storage shelves in the garage which allowed us to be able to move out of the Santa Paula facility. We did terminate the storage unit agreement this month which will save us that monthly fee.
Valli Davis: We'd like to thank whoever cleaned the yard at our Ojai clubhouse. It was badly needed and greatly appreciated. Without even being asked, this person or persons cleared the entire back yard of weeds and we owe them a great deal of thanks!
     It was m/s/c to accept the membership application for John Malinkey and Donali Peter.
Jim Brace-Thompson: Rob Sankovich has been nominated for the CFMS Awards for Sharing thru Education by our club. Congratulations Rob!
     The Oxnard Club's annual show will take place November 21 & 22. All are encouraged to help and participate. Jim will be spearheading the VGMS club case to be entered.
     Sandra Hansen's fourth grade class will be touring our new museum on October 8th with docents Jim Brace-Thompson and Valli Davis leading the way.
     The next general meeting will be on October 28, 2009, at 420 E. Santa Clara in Ventura. The next Board meeting will be November 5, 2009, at The Lexington.
     There being no further business, Jim adjourned the meeting at 8:55 PM.

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CHIPS AND BOULDERS.

Congratulations and Welcome Alexa.
After a very long day of labor, Michele and Chad Quistad have been blessed with a beautiful daughter, Alexa Rene. She arrived at Community Memorial on 10/13/09 at 16:59. She has a healthy set of lungs, a full head of dark hair and she took to nursing quite easily. She looks a lot like Michele did as a baby but resembles Chad too. She was 22 inches and weighed in at 8 pounds 1 ounce.
     Valli and Greg Davis (proud grandparents).

End of an Era.
     This month the property owner is demolishing all the buildings along Crooked Palm Road, including our old museum/workshop.
     It's been a problem area, especially for law enforcement, and we did get out just in time. We had been allowed to use the facility for roughly 35 years which represents a good part of our club history and provided a lot of fond memories for many of our members.
     For me personally, it all started with Wayne Ehler's cab class which consisted of a few gathered around Kathryn Davis's Pixie machine, which she so graciously brought to each class and allowed the students to use. It actually goes back farther than that. Having been raised in the area and as a youngster, I remember walking past the store front (which is what it was) and seeing the large barn type windows on the front of the building, raised and exposing jars of candy and goods for sale on the window sill.
          Greg Davis.

"Off" Dates for Our November & December Meetings.
A reminder: November and December are "off" months from our normal monthly meeting schedule. Usually, we meet the fourth Wednesday of the month. Because of Thanksgiving and the Holidays, we always meet the second Wednesday in both November and December. Please mark your calendars for 7:30 PM, Wednesday, November 11, and 6:30 PM, Wednesday, December 9, at the Ventura Senior Center. In December, remember to pack a dish and a place setting for our Annual Holiday Potluck Dinner--good times, good food!
     Jim Brace-Thompson, VGMS President.

Volunteers Needed to Serve as Our 2010 Officers!
Thank you Andy, Lowell, and Krishna for stepping forward and volunteering at our August meeting to serve as our Nominating Committee, charged with soliciting officer candidates for 2010. Now it's up to each and every one of us to help them by stepping forward and volunteering just as promptly when asked to consider taking a club office in 2010. Please be generous with your time and talents. Our Nominating Committee needs to have volunteers in place to present at our October meeting. Then, at the November meeting, we'll accept any further candidates from the floor and will hold our vote and will install new officers at our annual Holiday Dinner in December. Please contact Andy, Lowell, and Krishna to see how you can help.
     Jim Brace-Thompson, VGMS President.

Fun Times at Wheeler Gorge.
On Saturday, October 3, the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center held its second annual open house fundraiser. The center, located on Route 33 at the gateway to the Los Padres National Forest, had invited outdoors groups to participate, including the three Ventura County rock clubs. They had an outdoor space for us to highlight what we do. Miriam, Abe, Esther, and I represented VGMS. I brought my Genie and demonstrated rock grinding and polishing, along with Wayne Ehler's framed display of steps in making a cab. I also displayed cabs made from a variety of gemstones and had a display case showing off our state rock, fossil, mineral, and gemstone. Ahead of the event, Ron Wise helped Mike Havstad (the event organizer) cut a half dozen geodes and slabbed banded blue agate, which they gave out as hourly raffle prizes. We also had our Treasure Chest of tumble-polished stones to let each child go home with a free treasure. On behalf of the Oxnard club, Stephanie Hagiwara brought Larry and Donna Knapton's hands-on display of "Ugly Rocks" (ugly on the outside; a beauty on the inside). During the event, a couple of scouting groups asked about the museum, so we may have generated some future kids' visits. A number of folks also took away club and show flyers. In sum, it was a fun event that attracted a number of visitors--and, thereby, we hope may have attracted some new VGMS members!
     Jim Brace-Thompson, VGMS President.

Support Our Neighboring Clubs: Participate in the Oxnard Club Show!
A reminder that the Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society will be sponsoring their Annual Show November 21-22 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard. I encourage VGMS members to enter displays. Set-up for exhibitors is Friday, November 20, and the show is Saturday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM and Sunday 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. For details, check the society website (www.oxnardgem.com) (Close the new window to return here.), call Show Chair Norb Kinsler (805-644-6450), or email queries to Show_info@oxnardgem.com. Even if you don't enter an exhibit, take time to attend, shop among the dealers, participate in the silent auctions and kids' events, and enjoy the displays. The better our neighboring club shows do, the better the prospects for our own show in March. Here's to seeing you in Oxnard!
     Jim Brace-Thompson, OGMS Federation Directoer.

Club Museum is Back in Business!
I'm pleased to announce that our re-established VGMS museum - the Ray Meisenheimer Memorial Museum, featuring the Bruno and Opal Benson Fossil Collection - is back in the business of educating community youth! We've scheduled our first classroom field trip for Sandra Hanson and her 30 fourth graders from Ojai for Friday, October 23. Sandra is the daughter of VGMS member Sharon Cunningham and has offered her class to provide a test-run. If all goes well, we hope she'll help get the word out to other area teachers. We'll be splitting the class into two groups, and Valli Davis and I will be giving them a tour along with a quiz for kids to fill in along the way to focus their attention and to cover subject matter tied to the school curriculum. Stay tuned for the results in next month's issue of Rockhound Rambling!
     Jim Brace-Thompson, VGMS President.

Have You Done Community Service?
     Greetings, fellow VGMS'ers! As Greg noted at September's meeting, we're attempting to record members' various community services over the course of the past two years to help with ensuring and certifying the nonprofit status of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society with the tax man.
     In addition, in January, our club will be entering the CFMS "All American" club competition, which sort of designates a "club of the year" within CFMS, as well as the broader American Federation. One section of that asks about what sorts of community service club members have provided both within the club (directly related to the hobby) and within the broader community (community service of any sort).
     So for both of these purposes, could you please contact me with any types of community service work you've done the past couple years, both within the purview of the club and within the broader community? Please get in touch with me via email, phone, or mail within the next two weeks (my contact info is at the bottom of this email).
     Here are some examples to give you ideas of the sorts of things we're talking about:

• presentations to school classes;
• membership in a PTA;
• work with the school district's science fair;
• mentoring or helping with any after-school programs;
• working with kids sports groups (AYSO soccer, baseball/softball, a swim team, etc.);
• volunteering at the County Fair;
• any work with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.;
• any work with organizations like Big Brothers/Big Sisters;
• work with a synagogue or church group;
• work with organizations like the Food Pantry, homeless shelters, etc.;
• presentations or programs you may have made to other clubs, or participation in their shows with displays, demoing, etc.;
• any work with city or county government agencies;
• helping with displays or other aspects of museums, like the Santa Paula Oil Museum;
• helping with any handicapped service programs;
• helping with senior services, assisted living facilities, etc.;
• volunteer work with a hospital or other health service organization;
• Neighborhood Watch patrol;
• Beach clean-up, "Adopt-a-Highway" highway litter removal, etc.;
• volunteer work with a library;
• working with a nonprofits arts council or organization;
• etc., etc., etc.

Any type of community services at all! Please get back to me within the next two weeks, and I'll compile a list for Greg and for the All American application.
     Thank you in advance - both for your help with this request, and for your service to the club and community!
     Jim Brace-Thompson, VGMS President, 805-659-3577, jbraceth@roadrunner.com.

Lithophyllosis?
     Do you have LITHOPHYLLOSIS? There is NO Cure! The word comes from Latin: lithos meaning rock: phyl, attraction to: and osis, condition. Put them all together and you get a condition where the victim has an uncontrollable attraction to rocks. The disease can strike anyone, at any time, at any age, and . . . IS EXTREMELY CONTAGIOUS!
     Sounds like common old ROCK POX to me. We have had that for years anyway. It is often caught at, and symptoms may become aggravated by, but may for some relieved by, attending rock shows, club meetings, and field trips. Although be sure to use caution as all these things are HIGHLY addictive, and are usually passed on to your children, who will then be lifelong sufferers.
          From the Beehive Buzzer 9/09, via The Rock Bag 10/09.

Here's a photo from the Wheeler Gorge event, showing just how rockhounds are born!

Here's a photo of Rob Sankovich hoisting a 1,000-pound log of Arizona petrified wood, attempting to move it from Earl Harris's yard in Santa Paula to Rob's yard in Thousand Oaks. For a piece of wood that's been dead these last 200 million years, this one sure is getting around!

Photos submitted by Jim Brace-Thompson.

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

Hello, fellow club members! I wanted to update you on what your Tri-Club Education Committee is up to.
     We are in the process of delivering our last 13 boxes in this bunch to schools in Simi Valley and Camarillo. Larry is to the point of putting the newest set of boxes together with the help of Kevin and Don from the Conejo Club. We will be having a work day, probably after the first of the year, to fill the new boxes. These will finish up Simi Valley, take care of Mupu and Ocean View Districts and start on Conejo Valley. We are making slow progress but progress all the same!
     We have a book program starting soon. The "Books for Schools" program is being paid for, again, by API, American Petroleum Institute-Coast Chapter. We couldn't have a better sponsor. These are the same people who pay for the materials for the Earth Science Kits (Rock Boxes) and the Fossil Kits that are in the libraries. One science book will be given to each county school--heavy on rock and fossil books. Hopefully this will become a yearly project.
     There is a new kit on the way to the libraries also. Jim Brace-Thompson and Rob Sankovich have been working on three "Ventura County Fossil Kits" that will also be available at the libraries. These are kits that have fossils only from Ventura County. We need some help here folks, Jim has come up with several from his own collection and all the documentation, Rob has added petrified wood, now it is your turn. What fossils do you have three of that you are willing to part with for the education of Ventura County kids? Does anyone have three each of plant fossils, some brittle stars, or some interesting fossil shells that come from the county? Do you have some whale bone (maybe polished on one side to show the cells)? Get in touch with Jim and see if they can find a home in this collection! Remember, as Brett says with a quivery voice, "It's for the Children"!
     Does everyone notice how much work Jim does on this kind of project? We are so lucky to have him. Can you imagine how much he would get done if he didn't have to go to work every day?
     As the time grows near for the Oxnard Show, I would like to tell you a story about how we can touch lives with our hobby that we never even realize. I was at a private school in Camarillo that had inquired about our Earth Science Kit program. Private schools are on our list also, but won't receive boxes until after all county public schools have theirs, so it will be years before they get boxes. I told them if they could get someone to build a box that I would give them the rocks and literature to fill it, and was there delivering the plans. As Larry and I were being shown their teaching program (they specialized in kids with ADD) the director of the school came out to meet us. We were wearing our Oxnard badges and she asked how the club was connected to the boxes. After we explained, she told us this story about her daughter.
     Her daughter had ADD and did no good in school at all. Mom didn't want to put her on medications, so she had taken her out of school for homeschooling. It was very difficult to keep her interested in anything for more than a few minutes at a time. She brought her daughter to Oxnard's show hoping to keep her occupied for a while. To her surprise, her daughter looked at all the cases (asking a million questions), all the demonstrators, played all the games and got some of the rocks at the silent auction and bought a grab bag. One of the members sat down with her when they saw her at a table with all the rocks out in front of her and told her what the rocks were, where they came from and something about how they were formed. Her daughter stayed at that table for 25 minutes talking to the lady, (which her mom said was a miracle) wiggling and hopping all the time, but listening! But that is not the end of the story. She made her mom take her home to get her whole savings, about $28. She came back and bought grab bags. Her mom said every birthday party she went to thereafter, the present had a little bag of rock tied on the ribbon, all the Christmas presents had rocks with them (better rocks to her favorite people) and her best friend was given rocks often and joined her in her interest. Her mom bought science books and she would wander all over the house hopping and twisting, but with an open book in her hands. She had a never ending thirst for what volcanoes did and where they were, why glaciers moved and how a rock changed from one to another. As she grew up, her ADD got much better. She went to college, majoring in Geology, did grad work specializing in planetary geology and went to work for JPL. Her mom told us that she is now working on the Mars project looking for salt on the red planet.
     All of that was from a grab bag and one person who took the time to sit down and talk to a wiggly kid for a few minutes. That, ladies and gentlemen, is why Jim, Mitty and I do education for the clubs and the schools. That club member never knew what happened to the wiggly kid and I want to have one or two of those to my credit someday. Look around at your show and your meetings. There may be a wiggly kid or a scout you can help!
          Donna Knapton (via 9/21/09 email).

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HINTS AND TIPS.

How To Get That Super Glossy Polish On Jade.
     I have made a discovery that I want to share with you. I have tried it on 15 different pieces of jade including Polar Jade from Canada and from Alaska, and the results were the same every time - a shine so smooth and reflective that you'd swear that it did not look real. It even worked with Burma Jadeite (6.5-7 Mohs hardness scale). So, if it works with jadeite, it may solve many of your other polishing needs as it did mine.
     If you want that ultra glassy polished surface that will make you the envy of all gem and mineral societies, pre-polish your jade with a 3-micron diamond disk, with water. For polishing, on a leather lap, use Linde A polish (a 0.3 micron alumina powder that is a 99.98% pure aluminum oxide with a 0 Mohs hardness). Get one of your old master laps or put an 80, 180, or 360 diamond lap upside down on the machine with the leather pad on top of that. Wet down the leather just a little and put some Linde A on it. You do not need a high speed for this. You will have a mirror finish in just 30 seconds.
     You can buy one ounce of Linda A from Arrowhead Lapidary and Supply, 1-866-929-8575 (ask for Lou) for $8.00 + s/h. It is a little pricey compared to tin oxide (4 oz. for $4.74), but it will give you a mirror finish in 30 seconds. It will also give you that same polish on labradorite, which has the same hardness as nephrite (6-6 1/2 Mohs).
     I would venture to say that once you use Linde A, you will say that you have been on top of the mountain and have seen the light. You may never again return to those other oxides. I cannot attest to other versions of Linde A sold by other companies, but the one I purchased from Arrowhead was the one that gave me success.
          By Lloyd Parma, SRGMS Mineralog, 04/2009, via Salinas Rock and Gem Newsletter, 09/2009.

Pearl Care.
     The following care advice pertains to all types of pearls, coral, and mother-of-pearl (shell) material. A good rule of thumb is that pearls are the last thing you put on when dressing and the first thing you take off when you get home.
     Never apply perfume or hairspray when wearing pearl jewelry, especially a strand of pearls.
     Never pile your pearls into your jewelry drawers. Pearl strands should be stored separately from other jewelry because the surface of a pearl is soft and easily scratched by other gems. A silk bag, velvet-lined box or pearl holder (a satin lined leatherette envelope with snaps to hold a strand of pearls) are all good places to store pearls. Your local jeweler is a good source for these items.
     Never store pearls in a plastic bag. Some types of plastic emit a chemical that will cause the surface of your pearls to deteriorate.
     Never store pearls in a safe or safety deposit box for long periods. The same ultra-dry atmospheric conditions that extend the life of paper documents may dry out your pearls and cause them to craze.
     Never hang pearls in storage. Store them flat to avoid stretching the thread on which they are strung.
          From The Tumble Rumble, date unknown, via MOROKS, 07/2008.

Keep Ivory in the Light.
Do not put ivory in the dark. It is one substance that needs light. If it has started to yellow, take half a lemon, rub it in some salt. Then rub it over the ivory object. The lemon will work on the yellow discoloration. After it is dry, dampen a soft cloth with lukewarm water and rub the ivory piece to give it a bright finish.
     From The Petrified Log, date unknown, via MOROKS, 10/2009.

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!

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FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN.

Ojai Sand dollar fossils, Saturday, 9-26-09.
     The weather was hotter this time of year. We started at 9 AM, which gave us some cool air on the hike up. We dug for sand dollar fossils on an outcropping next to the road. They were the size of a dime to quarter. There were oyster, clam, scallop, and some small gastropod fossils found. We had fun, and as the day got warmer, we headed down. Everyone went home with a sand dollar fossil.
     Eighteen tri-club rockhounds attended: Conejo-Mike Miller, Jeff Miller, Steve, Terry & Emily; Oxnard-Stephanie Hagiwara, Carol Drescher; Ventura-David Mautz, Andy Anderson, Matt Boeck, Kim, Mark, Sara Keewan, Tristan Smith and guest Richard Grast.
          Robert Sankovich.

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-Sunday, December 12-13 - Cady Mountains, Afton Canyon Area.
Sponsor: CFMS. Participants: Open to CFMS members/guests.
     In December (just in time for holiday collecting!), we're hosting an overnighter field trip to the Cady Mountains with dry camping near the railroad side tracks off Basin Road.
Material: Adam's favorite spots for agate, jasper, calcite, green and purple fluorite, sagenite, opalite, and much more.
Directions: Take the Basin Road exit off I-15 about 45 miles east of Barstow and turn right (south) for 1.3 miles to fork in road. Take the left road for 3.8 miles to the railroad tracks and cross the tracks to the campsite. Use caution.
     The campsite can accommodate RVs and tents. This is dry camping with no facilities whatsoever. Bring water, firewood, clothing for any type of weather (hot/cold, wet/dry), food, and a full tank of gas. High clearance and 4WD recommended for all sites. 2WD OK to the camping area if driven with care, as many spots may have windblown sand. Roads to some sites may have deep sand. Potluck dinner Saturday night - bring a contribution. You must observe CFMS/AFMS Code of Ethics and sign a consent and assumption of risk waiver of liability form. Be aware that this is a remote and undeveloped area, and collect responsibly.
     We both hope everyone has enjoyed the varied trips this past year. We will strive to organize many more. As before, many trips will be to areas threatened by impending closures or restrictions due to Wilderness or National Park designations. The movement to close off these public lands has not stopped.

Trips in discussion include Opal Mountain, Calico Mountains, Marble Mountains, Ant Hill fossils, Wiley's Well District, Pala District tourmalines, and Owens Valley. Hopefully, we can do all of these, but time and weather will tell. Any clubs willing to host a field trip or open their claims to a field trip will be appreciated. While no trip is chiseled in stone at the moment, suggestions will be considered.
     As always, we will try to accommodate all types of vehicles, but terrain makes the final determination. Comments and critiques are always welcome, especially about the trips themselves.
     Happy Hunting, and fight to keep public lands public. Collect Responsibly, Shep Koss & Adam Dean, via CFMS Newsletter, 09/2009.

Upcoming Field Trips 2010.
Upcoming without dates.
January:
     Quartzsite - Petrified iron wood, geodes, malachite (we will go the same week as the Pow Wow);
     Ant Hill - shark teeth;
     Acton - agate, small nodules, geodes;
     Independence/Bishop - Ammonites fossil, garnets, other minerals;
     Trilobites in the Mojave Desert area, I'm researching this site;
     Jade Cove - Nephrite Jade;
     Jalama Beach - Fish fossils, plant fossils, agate, petrified whale bone;
     Road Trip-2010 will probably be around June and heading to Arizona, New Mexico, going to Petrified National Forest, Crater and collecting at several sites. Turquoise is one, I'm still researching this.

     The Field Trip Email List is working. Members have current, new information as I finish it. I get field trip information from other clubs at different times during the month, some with too short of notice for me to put in our bulletin. I will send direct monthly information, maps on club field trips, and updates on weather, other last minute factors that can effect field trips.
     If you want to sign up, no email addresses will be printed, posted anywhere. To join the List, send your email address to me (rmsorca@adelphia.net). I also update the field trip information on the Conejo web site (www.cgamc.org). The information is current and I update it as I add field trips.
     I am open to any places members are interested in. I'm always researching sites. Most of the time, I check out the sites, so it can take time before it finally becomes a field trip. This time of year the weather can change quickly, so make sure I know you will be going. This applies to all field trips. Check out the website for updates.
     We've been getting good turnouts of rockhounds for our field trips. The upcoming field trips offer a diversity of collecting. As the weather cools down we will be heading out to the desert for collecting. Field trips are fun and you will find some nice specimens and make new friends. I find most people on field trips are friendly and willing to share in their knowledge and experiences. See you there.
          Robert Sankovich, VP Field Trips Conejo/Ventura Clubs.

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LET'S BE SAFE OUT THERE.

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 wrote an article, had it published and incorporated into ACLS and CPR classes. It is very true and has and does work. It is called cough CPR. A cardiologist says it's the truth. It could save your life!
     Let's say it's 6:15 PM, and you're driving home (alone of course), after an unusually hard day on the job. You're really tired, upset and frustrated. Suddenly you start 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 you. 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. However, 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.
     Tell as many other people as possible about this, it could save their lives!
          Submitted by Abe and Esther Barshai, excerpted from Health Cares, Rochester General Hospital via Chapter 240's 'AND THE BEAT GOES ON' newsletter.

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ROCKHOUNDER MUST HAVE'S.

Click this image for a larger one.

  Table of Contents.

FEDERATION NEWS.

Recognition Of Education Through Sharing.
     Rob Sankovich has been a member of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society for just a couple of years, but it doesn't seem that brief! Rob quickly established himself as a fixture at shows and field trips. Although fossils are his passion, he does wonderful free-form angle-grinding sculpture of gemstone boulders, resulting in award-winning pieces at the county fair and drawing crowds at our show with his demos. He installs great displays of personally collected fossils and jade at our shows and for neighboring clubs and the county fair and entered competition at the 2008 CFMS show. He took up elective office as our co-2nd VP/Field Trips this year and-with our neighboring clubs-has been an active field trip organizer as part of the "Tri-Club Field Trips" program that has treated us to a trip every month this year. One run by Rob and his wife Deb involved 17 days and 7 collecting sites from California to Montana! He's a valued link between our club and the Conejo club, where he's also involved in field trips, their show, and more! On behalf of VGMS, it's our pleasure to honor Rob with 2009 CFMS Member Recognition.
          By Loretta Ogden via CFMS Newsletter, November 2009,
          Submitted by Jim Brace-Thompson, VGMS President.

America's Red Rock Wilderness Act - S. 799 & H.R. 1925.
     What are the chances of passing America's Red Rock Wilderness Act in the 111th Congress? Very Good if we take no action!
     The American's Red Rock Wilderness Act of 2009 will designate as wilderness certain Federal portions of the red rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin Deserts in the State of Utah. This bill, if enacted, would designate 9.4 million acres of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Utah as Wilderness.
     According to a Congressional Research Service report, 5.7 million BLM acres is nearly 3 times the BLM wilderness recommendations and 75% more than the BLM's Wilderness study acreage. The 5.7 million acres amounted to 26% of all BLM lands in Utah, and 11% of the entire state.
     October 1, 2009, the massive Utah Wilderness bill, known as the America's Red Rock Wilderness Act of 2009, HR 1925, will be heard in the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee. The core of America's Red Rock Wilderness Act remains the same. It still proposes to designate roadless wilderness for BLM public lands in Utah. The areas considered for closure are:

• Great Basin Areas - 2,240,827 acres;
• Zion/Mojave Desert Areas - 160,000 acres;
• Grand Staircase-Escalante Areas - 1,771,717 acres;
• Moab-LaSal Canyons Areas - 256,815 acres;
• Henry Mountains Areas - 444,204 acres;
• Glen Canyon Areas - 906,446 acres;
• San Juan-Anasazi Areas - 520,606 acres;
• Canyonlands Basin Areas - 689,884 acres (Moab Jeep Trails);
• San Rafael Swell Areas - 1,098,773 acres;
• Book Cliffs/Uinta Basin Areas - 1,015,821 acres.

     There is no question that our access to Rockhounding sites would be severely curtailed, if not totally destroyed, by these bills. Sec. 209 withdraws entry and disposition of minerals, so we can't pick up anything anyway. In Sec. 204, the Dept. of the Interior will grab all the water rights in the wilderness areas, regardless of existing downstream prior rights. This is a crucial issue in a desert state with ranching, farming, industry and homesteads dependent on seasonal water.
     With the expanded Democratic majority in Congress, the chances are the best they've been in over a decade. Returning and new pro-wilderness members of Congress are in position to move legislation that closes Utah's public lands. At the very least for the 111th Congress, the Utah wilderness champions have been discussing the possibility of Congressional hearings on this legislation in their Levant committees, and more Congressional support makes that important first step to a bill's movement even more likely.
     Co-sponsors (see below) are important if Utah wilderness faces attack in Congress and with your help we can foster that attack. Should legislation be introduced that proposed a different Utah wilderness or would otherwise threaten these lands, America's Red Rock Wilderness Act stands as the benchmark for Utah public lands closure legislation that other proposals must help to cancel. Co-sponsors (see below) reaffirm the national importance of America's Red Rock Wilderness, they are providing support for actions by the Obama administration to develop stronger management policy. By gaining support from members of Congress from throughout the country, they demonstrate that closing public lands in wild Utah is indeed a national issue that is getting national attention. If we do not take action soon the supporters will work to urge the Obama administration's Interior Department to change the policies, regulations, and guidelines that prevented our public lands from closing under President Bush. We need to proactively pursue a unified effort that keeps Public Lands open for all public use. This is an important compliment to our legislative goals.
     Senator Bennett is a new Member of the Public Lands Subcommittee in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and a contact website : http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=300007. (Close the new window to return here.)
     We need you to write to Senator Bennett asking him not to support S 799 and that we are in support of his effort in keeping Utah's Public Lands open to all Public Users and not the Special Interest Groups who want to close 9 million Acres for their own usage. Utah's political representatives need to know that the majority of Utahans and concerned people from all across the United States oppose this bill, and they need to hear it from you. Today please:
          Rep. Rob Bishop: 202-225-0453;
          Rep. Jim Matheson: 202-225-3011;
          Rep. Jason Chaffetz: 202-225-7751.
     Be polite. None of Utah's Representatives or Senators support this madness. If you call now, you can make this bill look like toxic waste, so that none of Utah's representatives will ever come near it. Ever. Contact your own state's House Representative and ask them NOT to support S 799, the American's Red Rock Wilderness Act of 2009.
     The Senate is much more willing than the House to abide by the wishes of home state representatives, so Bennett's new appointment may have a negative impact in Durbin's ability to hold a hearing on the Red Rock bill this Congress. This can work in our favor and give us some time to act.
     These are the sponsors of the bill at this time; writing to them is not advised as they are going to be pushing this legislation through the senate. Feel free to contact any of the 80 senators not listed and offer your comments and opinions:
          Senate Sponsor: Richard Durbin [D-IL];
          House Sponsor: Rep. Maurice Hinchey [D-NY22].
          Senate Co-Sponsors (House Co Sponsors (132), too many to list here.):

• Barbara Boxer [D-CA];
• Roland Burris [D-IL];
• Maria Cantwell [D-WA];
• Benjamin Cardin [D-MD];
• Russell Feingold [D-WI];
• Kirsten Gillibrand [D-NY];
• Thomas Harkin [D-IA];
• Edward Kaufman [D-DE];
• John Kerry [D-MA];
• Frank Lautenberg [D-NJ];
• Patrick Leahy [D-VT];
• Joseph Lieberman [I-CT];
• Robert Menéndez [D-NJ];
• Jeff Merkley [D-OR];
• John Reed [D-RI];
• Bernard Sanders [I-VT];
• Charles Schumer [D-NY];
• Debbie Ann Stabenow [D-MI];
• Mark Udall [D-CO];
• Sheldon Whitehouse [D-RI].

     Thank you for your time and effort in this urgent matter.
          John Martin, ALAA Internet Committee, AFMS Conservation &
          Legislation Committee, CFMS PLAC South 2005-2008;
          Palmdale Gem and Mineral Club.

Rockhounding In California State Parks-California Code Of Regulations.
     5) Panning for Gold. Panning for gold is considered to be "rockhounding" as the term is applied in the Department. The gold pan is the only exception permitted to the exclusion of tools from rockhounding in a unit as provided in Section 4610.5. Muddy water from panning operations must not be visible more than 20 feet from the panning operation. California State Beach Regulations General Regulations (14 Cal. Code of Regs.).
     6) Geological Features. No person shall destroy, disturb, mutilate, or remove earth, sand, gravel, oil, minerals, rocks, paleontological features, or features of caves except rockhounding may be permitted as defined and delineated in Sections 4611 (a) through (i) (14 Cal. Code of Regs. 4307).
     7) Archaeological Features. No person shall remove, injure, disfigure, deface, or destroy any object of archaeological or historical interest or value (14 Cal. Code of Regs. 4308).
     In June, the Bureau of Land Management published in the Federal Register a notice that it is adjusting for inflation its fees for the location (or "staking") and maintenance of unpatented mining claims, mill sites, and tunnel sites. The location fee will increase from $30 to $34 and the maintenance fee will rise from $125 to $140 for such unpatented claims, in which no federal land has been transferred to the individual or company staking the claim.
     The adjusted fees were due on or before September 1, 2009. Mining claimants must pay the new location fee for any mining claim or site located after the effective date of this final rule, which was June 29, 2009. Those who have already submitted maintenance fees for the 2010 maintenance year will be given an opportunity to pay the additional amount without penalty upon notice from the BLM.
     Since Fiscal Year 1993, mining claimants staking new claims or sites have been required to pay a onetime location fee. Claimants must also pay an annual "maintenance" fee in lieu of performing annual assessment work and making annual filings.
     In accordance with the Mining Law of 1872, as amended, and in light of recent related regulatory actions, the BLM is announcing today a new final rule that establishes a regular schedule for adjusting mining related location and annual maintenance fees. Specifically, the new rule authorizes adjustments to these fees to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index every five years after August 10, 1993, or more frequently if the Secretary of the Interior determines an adjustment to be reasonable.
     The BLM has not adjusted location and maintenance fees since 2004. The adjustments made in this final rule are based on the change in the Consumer Price Index from December 31, 2003, through December 31, 2008, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The link to the final rule in the Federal Register is: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-15248.pdf. (Close the new window to return here.)
          John Martin, AFMS Conservation & Legislation Committee via Breccia 10/2009.

Another Round of Wilderness Proposals is in the Wind.
     You know the old saying "Keep your friends close and keep your enemies closer". Well, I have just received the latest copy of the California Wilderness Coalition newsletter and they are at it again. They are requesting donations to support their lobbying efforts to sway our senators to create and pass legislation to create new wilderness areas throughout the deserts of California. They are requesting over 400,000 acres of new or added wilderness areas or worse, to include new national parks or monuments, be created through this proposed legislation.
     Some of the new wilderness areas that are being discussed encompass over 260,000 acres, and include the Avawats Mountains north of Baker and the Soda Mountains north of I-15 between Barstow and Baker. Both ranges contain some prime collecting areas. They are proposing another 80,000 acres to be added to the Death Valley National Park which is between the park and Fort Irwin and is known as the "Bowling Alley". The creation of several new National Monuments and National Parks, in the California Deserts, are also on their agenda which would eliminate all collecting in these new areas. Also under consideration are the Deep Creek area of the San Bernardino Mountains and Surprise Canyon of the Panamint Mountains for inclusion in the Wild and Scenic River Designations. The Castle Mountains are located along the California-Nevada border and are surrounded on three sides by the Mojave National Preserve and over 30,000 acres are being considered for induction into the Mojave National Preserve.
     All of these new proposed areas will put a real damper on our ability to drive, collect, camp and enjoy our public desert lands if enacted. Please consider contacting your elected officials before it is too late or the only displays at rock shows in the future will be photographs we have bought, from the Lobby Groups like the Sierra Club or California Wilderness Coalition, to display in our cases.
     We have our own Lobby group and I encourage you to help support our effort to counter these other groups by supporting, joining or donating to the American Lands Access Association (ALAA) and help save our collecting areas and keep our Public Lands open to all public users.
          John Martin, ALAA Internet Committee, AFMS Conservation & Legislation Committee Email 8/27/09.

Win a Trip to Paradise - and Help the CFMS Endowment Fund!
This is it! Your last chance to win a week of Paradise! Camp Paradise is sponsored by the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CFMS) near Marysville, CA. CFMS offers classes like faceting, carving, lapidary, silversmithing, wire wrapping, bead making, etc. In 2010, sessions will be offered May 16-21 and May 23-28. A $350 fee covers one week of classes, meals, and room, but here's your chance to attend for only $5! Simply follow instructions on the ticket below. Mail it with your check of $5 for one entry or $20 for five chances to win. Deadline is October 31. Proceeds from this raffle support the CFMS Endowment Fund, formed to provide a stable source of income for programs and services (like Camp Paradise) that CFMS provides member societies.

AFMS/CFMS News: Display and Compete for National Recognition.
     VGMS is one of about 135 local societies that make up the regional California Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CFMS). Six other regional federations are scattered across the U.S. (the Eastern, Southeastern, Midwestern, South-Central, Rocky Mountain, and Northwestern federations). All are united under the national banner of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS) that encompasses something like 700 to 750 clubs in all.
     A combined AFMS/CFMS Show is currently scheduled to take place June 18-20, 2010, in Whittier very close to our own home base down here in SoCal. I encourage everyone to display. This is a rare opportunity. The national show revolves throughout all seven regional federations, so it only shows up here in California once every seven years. This is an opportunity to enter competitive exhibiting and potentially come away with national recognition! Use the OGMS show in November, our own show in March, and the Conejo show in May to "practice" and "try out" a competitive exhibit.
     I've competed both regionally and in the last AFMS show that was here in Ventura 6 years ago (when I won an AFMS trophy for self-collected fossils), and I'm happy to provide pointers and assistance to anyone interested in participating this way in the 2010 show.
          Jim Brace-Thompson, CFMS 2nd Vice President.

AFMS/ALAA News: How To Contact Your Elected Officials.
Many of the best rockhounding sites enjoyed by generations of rockhounds are on BLM-administered lands, where the doctrine of "multiple use" has allowed all sorts of recreational opportunities, including the chance to collect a rock, mineral, or fossil. But a lot of legislation has been passed recently and more is pending that is removing these public lands from open public access by converting more and more to national preserve, national monument, or park status. When such bills come up, how do you contact your elected officials to make your thoughts known, either for or against?

One way is to bring up the American Lands Access Association web site on your internet browser (http://www.amlands.org Close the new window to return here.). On the ALAA Home Page, click on the hyperlink labeled "Links." Under the heading "Contact Information for Congress" are two subtitles listed: House of Representatives and Senate. Decide which branch of the Federal Government you want to contact and click on one of the links.

To contact your Senator: On the U.S. Senate: Senators Home page, find "Choose a State," and click on the down arrow to bring up the State menu. Click on the state of interest and the two senators' names and addresses will appear. Click on a senator's name, and his/her web site will appear. Somewhere on the senator's web site is a menu item that says "Contact Us" and that should bring up another small window with more options. Select and click on the "E-mail Me," which will bring up the senator's contact page. Just fill in the blanks and type your comments in the space provided. (You can usually cut-and-paste from other sources into the "Message Block.") There may be a limit on the amount of characters that can be entered, so you may have to be careful about how much you write, so be concise! When finished, just click on "Submit Information" and wait for your answer, which may take several days to arrive.

To contact your Representative: On the "Write Your Representative Home Page," again, 1) select your state, 2) enter your Zip Code, then 3) click the "Contact My Representative" button. Your Representative's Home Page will appear. Select "Send a Message" or "Contact Me," if required. Fill in the blanks, make your selections, and enter your message in the box provided. When finished filling in the required blanks click the "Send Message" or "Submit" button and wait for your answer, which usually takes several days. There are several other options on the Representative Home Page that may be of interest on other topics.

Email may be the most efficient way to weigh in, but of course, there are also phone calls and good old-fashioned letters, and phone numbers and mailing addresses will also be found on your senators' and representatives' home pages. Either way, whether using phone, email or snail-mail, when commenting on pending legislation, it helps if you refer to the title and legislative number of the specific bill or measure.
          John Martin, adapted from the July 2009 CFMS Newsletter, submitted by Jim Brace-Thompson.

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LET'S GO TO A SHOW.

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

CFMS Club Shows 2009.
November 6-8, Eureka, CA - Humboldt Gem & Mineral Society, Redwood Acres Fairgrounds, 3750 Harris Street. Hours: Fri. 9-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Toni Tyson, (707) 502-9574, Email: bluiis911@msn.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 Society, Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 2551 W. Ave. H, Hwy 14. Hours: 9-5 both days. Susan Chaissin-Walblom (661) 943-1861, Email SLChaisson@yahoo.com, Website palmdalegemandmineral.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, Victorville, CA - Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Society, San Bernardino Co. Fairgrounds, 17800 7th Street. Hours: 9-5 daily. Vigil Melton, (760) 900-0507, Website: www.vvgmc.org.
November 14-15, Yuba City, CA - Sutter Buttes Gem & Mineral Society, Franklin Hall, Yuba/Sutter Fairgrounds, 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.

CFMS Club Shows 2010.
January 16-17, Exeter, CA - Tule Gem & Mineral Society, Exeter Memorial Bldg., 420 N Kaweah (Hwy 65), Exeter. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Pepper Okada, (559) 733-5842, Don Vieira, (559 733-7739, Webpage: tulegem.org.
February 12-21, Indio, CA - San Gorgonio Mineral & Gem Society, Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival, Gem & Mineral Building Bldg #1, 46-350 Arabia Street. Hours: 10 am-10 pm. Bert Grisham, (915) 849-1674, Email: bert67@verizon.net.
March 5-7, Newark, CA - Mineral and Gem Society of Castro Valley, Newark Pavilion, 6430 Thornton Avenue, Newark, CA 94560. Hours: Fri & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Larry Ham, (510) 887-9007, Email: showchair@mgscv.org, Website: www.mgscv.org.
March 6-7, Arcadia, CA - Monrovia Rockhounds, Inc., Los Angles Co. Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, 301 Baldwin Ave. Hours: Sat. & Sun. 9-4:30. Jo Anna Ritchey, (626) 359-1624, Email: joannaritchey@gmail.com, Website: www.Moroks.com.
March 6-7, Ventura, CA - Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Seaside Park, Ventura Co. Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Andy Anderson, (805) 987-0043, Email: vgms_editor@roadrunner.com, Website: vgms.org.
March 13-14, Spreckels, CA - Salinas Valley Rock & Gem Club, Veteran's Memorial Hall, 5th & Llano Streets. Hours: 10-5 daily. Ernie DeFever, (831) 422-3422, Email: minimad64@comcast.net, Website: salinasrockandgem.com.
March 13-14, Turlock, CA - Mother Load Mineral Society, Stanislaus Co. Fairgrounds, 900 N. Broadway. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Bud & Terry McMillin, (209) 524-3494, Email: terry.mcmillin@yahoo.com, Website: www.turlockgemshow.com.
March 20-21, Escondido, CA - Palomar Gem & Mineral Club, Army National Guard Armory, 304 Park Avenue, Escondido, CA 92025. Hours: Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4. Van Lynch, (760) 749-4164, Email: michellandvan@hotmail.com, Website: www.palomargem.org.
March 27-28, Roseville, CA - Roseville Rock Rollers, Roseville (Placer Co.) Fairgrounds, 800 All American City Blvd. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Glori Marie, (916) 216-1114, Email: gloriarosevillerockrollers@gmail.com, Website: www.rockrollers.com.
April 16-18, San Jose, CA - Santa Clara Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 334 Tully Road. Hours: Fri 9-5, Sat & Sun 10-5. Frank Mullaney, 408) 265-1422, Email: info@scvgms.org, Website: www.scvgms.org.
May 8-9, 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. Ann Johnson, (775)544-4937, Email: ann.johnson@gmail.com, Website: renorockhounds.com.
June 18-20, Whittier, CA - AFMS/CFMS Show and Convention Hosted by North Orange County Gem and Mineral Society, So. CA University of Health Sciences Campus, 16200 E. Amber Valley Rd., Whittier CA. Hours: 1-5 daily. Mike Beaumont, (714) 510-6037, Website: networkingWave.com - Scroll down a little and click on AFMS 2010 on the left, Website: www.nocgms.com, Website: www.amfed.org.

Source: http://cfmsinc.org/.

AFMS REGIONAL SHOWS 2010.
California Federation (CFMS) /AFMS;
June 18, 19, & 20, 2010, Whittier, CA.
Combined AFMS/CFMS Show, Hidden Treasures,
Hosted by the North Orange Co. Gem & Mineral Society.
Hours: 10-5 Daily.
Show Chairman: Mike Beaumont,
Phone: (714) 510-6037,
Email: diamond.crest@yahoo.com,
Website: networkingwave.com Scroll down a little and click on AFMS 2010 on the left.

Source: http://cfmsinc.org/.

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

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