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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
January 2010.

Rockhound Rambling Photo of the Month.
This month's photo is by Lowell Foster.

Description: Mendip Hills Agate, England.
See "Website of the Month" for where
more information on these stones can be found.

This image is photographed by a VGMS member and provided to the Rockhound Rambling. Images should be accompanied by subject documentation. Selection is at the discretion of the editor. Submit images to lowellfos@yahoo.com.

VGMS Museum Struck by Tree!
Storm Uproots Trunk!
Power Lost!
Roof Damaged!
See MUSEUM AND CLUBHOUSE NOTES for details.
Use your BACK button to return here.

Table of Contents.

• PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE;
• ATTENDING QUARTZSITE;
• UPCOMING VGMS EVENTS;
• MEMBERSHIP;
• WEBSITE OF THE MONTH;
• EDITOR'S CORNER;
• THE OBSIDIAN PROJECT - 2010;
• MEETING MINUTES;
• DID YOU CATCH THESE;
• HOSPITALITY HOST NEEDED FOR SHOW;
• FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN;
• 48th ANNUAL GEM, MINERAL, LAPIDARY & FOSSIL SHOW;
• PROGRAM REVIEW AND SCHEDULE;
• UPCOMING EVENTS - DON'T MISS;
• HINTS AND TIPS;
• OXNARD GEM AND MINERAL SOCIETY MEETING PROGRAM - FEBRUARY;
• EDUCATIONAL CORNER;
• AN OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE VENTURA GEM AND MINERAL SOCIETY;
• MUSEUM AND CLUBHOUSE NOTES;
• FEDERATION NEWS;
• CHIPS AND BOULDERS;
• LET'S GO TO A SHOW.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

Happy New Year to one and all! We had a fun Holiday Dinner in December, and I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful holiday season and got every rock you requested from Santa. If not, well, we have a silent auction coming up at our annual March show....

I look forward to seeing everyone at our January meeting as we kick off not only a new year but a new decade for VGMS. Speaking of which, 2010 dues are now past due.... Send yours to Membership Chair, Krishna Juarez, or bring them to our January meeting. In addition, let's all give full commitment to Andy Anderson as he makes final preparations for our 2010 Show, now less than two months away. Andy held a very productive show-planning meeting on January 9, and things are shaping up, but we still have lots of preparation to do, we'll need lots of hands pitching in for set-up on March 4-5, and we'll have lots of stations to man during the show on March 6-7. To see how you can help, call Andy or see him at our upcoming meetings.

Meanwhile, got questions, got a gripe, or got an idea for improving VGMS? If so, I'm all ears. See me at our meetings, call me (659-3577), or email (jbraceth@roadrunner.com). Let's keep our lines of communication open and work together to make our new decade the best yet. As our new year starts, I challenge each club member to do something for the club. It begins by attending our meetings, but getting involved in a long-term, on-going activity is the next step. All organizations function and survive with dedicated members who gladly give of their time to keep things running smoothly. Statistically, it's often said that 20% in any particular organization do 80% of the work. According to the old saying, many hands make light work, so in 2010, let's seek to reverse that proportion!

Jim Brace-Thompson,
VGMS President.

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ATTENDING QUARTZSITE.

For anyone who hasn't been, you're not a SoCal rockhound till you've been to Quartzsite! It's the largest tailgate, rock show, flea market, RV sale, and all-round desert spectacle in the world. Past events have included hot-air balloon rides and camel races. (And keep an eye out for the naked book man!) Snowbirds start arriving in huge RV encampments in December and stick around into February before many head on to Tucson. Events to catch include:

1. January 1-31 - Desert Gardens: South of I-10 at Exit 17. Scores of dealers in rocks, gems, tools, and equipment.
2. January 9-24 - The Main Event: North of I-10 at Exit 17. A swap meet, plus some rocks, tools, etc., sprinkled in.
3. January 15-24 - Tyson Wells Sell-a-Rama: Southwest corner of I-10 and Hwy 95. A huge swap meet.
4. January 20-24 - Quartzsite Pow Wow: QIA Building and grounds, 235 E. Ironwood Drive. Lots of rock dealers and great exhibits.

For more info, check http://www.quartzsitebusinesschamber.com/calendar.html. (Close the new window to return here.)

Submitted by Jim Brace-Thompson.

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UPCOMING VGMS EVENTS.

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MEMBERSHIP.

Call for 2010 Dues.
     This is a reminder that 2010 VGMS membership dues are past due. To avoid being dropped from our roster, please take a moment and send your dues today. Dues are $20 for a single individual, $30 for couples, $17 for full-time college students (age 18+). Children and youth under 18 years old are free with current paid adult or couple memberships.
     Please mail your dues to my attention at the club P.O. address or directly to my home. Or bring it to the next meeting. Along with your dues, please alert me to any address, phone, or email changes needed for your entry in our Club Directory and any updates for your entry in our Club Yellow Pages, where we list members' areas of interest and expertise.
          Krishna Juarez,
          697 Topeka Avenue,
          Ventura, CA 93004.

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WEBSITE OF THE MONTH.

Dwarves' Earth Treasures - http://www.sailorenergy.net/Minerals/MineralMain.html. (Close the new window to return here.)
     A combination of online museum and rock shop, this website is an excellent resource to help identify agates and thundereggs and their locations. It is run by Jeffrey Anderson, one of the collectors listed by Johann Zenz in his monstrous book Agates II.
     The home page for this site provides a link to a museum of images that provides dozens of images of agates and information about the sites where they were collected. It includes both domestic and international locations. One of the attributes of this site that makes it more valuable than others is that photos of the exteriors of the agates highlighted are also included.
     Other links lead to pages on datolites, variscite, and a description of the processes of agate formation.
     The online agate shop provides an opportunity to acquire specimens from some of the locations spotlighted in the museum.
     Information on the Mendip Stone at the top of this page can be found in his section on Sedimentary Agates.

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EDITOR'S CORNER.

Ventura, 2004.

Your editor upon returning from four productive days rockhounding in the desert is caught thinking about his next meal...
Photo - Joe Monica.

Hey, look who's wearing a new hat!
For good or bad, somehow I've been made editor of Rockhound Rambling (okay, I volunteered), and I look forward to bringing to you our official club bulletin each month. Our outgoing editor, Mary Polacek, has done an excellent job over the last few years, and I don't plan on changing many things. As you can already observe, the look and format is fundamentally the same.

Some of the sections I plan on adding include a monthly note on websites of interest, a "Rambling" column that I hope you fill with brief notes of your travels, and a history section that will provide photos and stories from our long history.

I also hope to include more photos of our activities in the bulletin. Steve Mulqueen has already provided me a disk of images from our last year. If you take photos during your travels, please be kind to us and submit one or two for publications.

Finally, as this is my first issue, please forgive any format problems within its covers. As this is your newsletter, I will gratefully accept any comments or suggestions for future issues.

Your editor,
Lowell Foster.

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THE OBSIDIAN PROJECT - 2010.

     This year, the Ventura Gem and Mineral Society is putting together a club case focused on obsidian, and we need your help to fill the display.
     Our club has put together cases centered on different topics in the past. Recent subjects included "Agates" and "Collecting Areas of Southern California".
     This year we are asking for you to produce items made from obsidian. Rob Sankovich is working on contour-polishing a rainbow obsidian piece. Ron Wise is working on knapping another of his prize-winning blades. I'm doing my best to tumble-polish a pile of Apache Tears (wish me luck...). Jim Brace-Thompson is shaping a cabochon and fighting with his final polish. (Got any hints for him?)
     We are hoping you take the time to play with this material and show us what you've done. We are not looking for perfection but for participation.
     If you don't have any obsidian, there will be a supply at our January meeting, free for the industrious.
     Please bring your completed pieces to the general meeting in February.

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MEETING MINUTES.

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

VGMS Board Meeting;
December 3, 2009:
Present: Nancy & Jim Brace-Thompson, Ron & Jean Wise, Andy Anderson, Steve Mulqueen, Kathryn Davis, Lowell Foster, and Greg Davis.
     The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society Board Meeting for December 3, 2009, was called to order by President Jim Brace-Thompson at 7:00 pm, at the Lexington, 5440 Ralston in Ventura.
Old business: 1st VP position is still vacant and we'll be having our vote next week. December we'll have our installation of officers during our holiday event starting at 6:30-9:30.
     The Oxnard Show went well.
     Jim will also be entering our club scrapbook in the CFMS "All American" competition. It's a good barometer of how our club is doing and what we've been doing. It also exposes potential members to what we do.
     The motion of charging a fee for the use of the large saws was tabled until further options are considered. There were no new suggestions for fund raising other than additional silent auctions during club events.
New business: Be thinking of possible names for the Camp Comfort site. We'll have a naming competition soon. Also, the club library carpet should be our next priority for completion.
     Museum docents are needed, if anyone would like to be trained and reap the rewards of this very satisfying role.
Nancy Brace-Thompson: The treasurer's report was given. It was m/s/c to accept as written and to pay the ongoing bills.
Steve Mulqueen: Steve suggests we secure the clubhouse doors from the inside with deadbolt locks if possible. Steve will be arranging another exhibit at the California Oil Museum in Santa Paula and Susan is also requesting members to gather plants for our upcoming show.
Ron Wise: Upcoming field trips include one on December 12 & 13 to the Cady Mountains, Quartzsite Pow Wow January 27-30 and February, the Marble Mountains for trilobites. Then the club show in March.
Andy Anderson: Kathryn Davis is contacting vendors for next year's show and the next show meeting is scheduled for January 9th, 1:00 at the Camp Comfort site.
Jean Wise: Lots of grab bags will be needed for the show. Be thinking of material to fill them with.
Greg Davis: The clubhouse plumbing has been repaired, thanks to the help of Steve Mulqueen and the rental of a power snake. The flow of things has been greatly improved. Two cracked window panes were also replaced during this work day.
     It was m/s/c to accept the membership of James Cencer, Jr.
     Saturday, February 6 has been designated for our club breakfast at Camp Comfort. A show planning meeting will be combined.
Lowell Foster: The January program will be the year in review and then it will be up to members (or until we have someone come forward and offer to take the position of Program Chair) to provide the programs as Lowell will be taking on duties of Bulletin Editor.
Jim Brace-Thompson: Program assignments and volunteers will be our focus at the January meeting. Ways & Means committee chair is needed. Jim has offered to take on the library and museum duties.
     The next general meeting will be on December 9, 2009, and will include our holiday celebration/board member installation ceremonies, at 420 E. Santa Clara in Ventura and the next board meeting will be on January 7, 2010, at the Lexington.

VGMS Regular Meeting;
December 9, 2009:
     The regular monthly meeting of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society was called to order by President Jim Brace-Thompson at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, December 9, 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 welcomed everyone to our annual holiday dinner meeting and a feast to match no other was laid out before us by all the members.
     Members were acknowledged for all the hard work that has been put into the new clubhouse this year and individual awards were given to:

1. Mary Polacek for "Excellence in Communication/Bulletin";
2. Abe & Esther Barshai, Sharon Cunningham and Lowell Foster for "Educator";
3. Andy Anderson, Roy & Frank Boulch, Luther & Angela Brown, John & Diane Cook, Greg & Valli Davis and Ron & Jean Wise were awarded the "Iron Bar Brigade".
4. The final award, "Rockhound of the Year", was given to Rob Sankovich.

     Steve Mulqueen & Greg Davis the "Plumbers" award and Mary Polacek came out as winner of the single gift awarded for the evening by Jim.
     Kathryn Davis was next introduced as director of ceremonies and swore in the new Board of Officers for 2010.
     After announcements that several positions were still vacant, Esther Barshai offered to step in as Ways & Means coordinator, Donna Stephens offered to manage Hospitality and Mary Polacek & Deb Sankovich offered to co-handle and schedule monthly programs. It was m/s/c to accept these offers to the named posts.
     A great thanks rose from the audience to these members offering their time and energy to help the club manage these positions.
     Refreshments were provided by club members.
     Just a reminder that club dues are now due for the new year.
     Have a happy and safe new year and may it find you with a full tote bag of rock & fossil!
     The next board meeting will be held on January 7, 2010, at the Lexington and the next monthly membership meeting will be held January 27, at the Ventura Senior Recreation Center, 420 E. Santa Clara.
     There being no further business, Jim adjourned the meeting at 9:00 pm.

VGMS Board Meeting;
January 7, 2010:
Present: Nancy & Jim Brace-Thompson, Andy Anderson, Steve Mulqueen, Lowell Foster, Diane Cook, Rob & Deb Sankovich, Mary Polacek, Krishna Juarez and Greg & Valli Davis.
     The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society Board Meeting for December 7, 2010, was called to order by President Jim Brace-Thompson at 7:00 pm, at the Lexington, 5440 Ralston in Ventura.
Old business: The museum is looking better all the time and the carpet has been replaced in the library/office. Cement will be spread at the entrance to the garage to provide easy access.
     We'll need prospective docents to come forward to be trained for future student tours and to reap the rewards of this very satisfying role. See Jim if interested.
New business: As of our last meeting we have Esther Barshai offering to manage Ways & Means, Lowell the duties of Historian and Jim Brace-Thompson has offered to oversee the Library and Museum. Thank you everyone for coming forward and offering to do their share.
     Our dues to the Federation are due at this time of year along with the names of newly elected officers. The Diamond Dam kids' bulletin will now be forwarded to our editor for use in our bulletin.
Nancy Brace-Thompson/Diane Cook: The treasurer's report was given. It was m/s/c to accept as written and to pay the ongoing bills.
     Suggestions were made that this would be the time of year to update our web site, mainly to publicize our upcoming show as much as possible. Another suggestion was to make it an officer position and provide a backup contact. There'll be further discussion.
Krishna Juarez: Dues are due!
Steve Mulqueen: Steve and Lowell will work to scan and digitize old 35-mm slides from our club's past. 75 display case awards will be designed and assembled for our show.
Deb Sankovich: Clarification was made that reimbursement can be made to meeting presenters who travel to us from out of town and suggestions were voiced on possible programs for the coming year.
Rob Sankovich: Upcoming field trips include Quartzsite during January, Ant Hill in February along with the Marble Mountains for trilobites and Jade Cove in July.
Andy Anderson: Our first show meeting is scheduled for January 9th, 1:00 at the Camp Comfort site. Plans are going as scheduled, publicity is going out and the deposit at the fairgrounds will be paid at this time.
Lowell Foster: As many will be at Quartzsite that weekend, Lowell and Andy have agreed to see to it that the workshop is open and operational on Saturday, Jan. 16th.
     All entries to the monthly club bulletin should now be directed to lowellfos@yahoo.com and be postmarked by the weekend following each Board meeting as has been done in the past. Short stories from member's memorable moments in 2009 are being sought now for the upcoming January bulletin and our next meeting.
Jim Brace-Thompson: Saturday, February 6 has been designated for our club breakfast at Camp Comfort. A show planning meeting will be combined.

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DID YOU CATCH THESE?

"Fatal Mistakes."
Our hobby is one where we take calculated risks every time we go to the desert to collect rocks, fossils, and minerals. Though we live in a time of great technological marvels, tragedy is but one bad decision away. Witness these two news items from last November. (If you go to either link close the new window to return here.)

The first story is set in Death Valley where four German tourists disappeared in 1996 during the height of summer and temperatures of 120 degrees. At the time, their rented minivan was found with shredded tires away from paved roads. Now it appears that some of their bones have recently been found near that location. The tragedy is compounded by the ages of two of the victims: 4 and 10. More information can be found here: http://www.inform.com/article/740939.

The second story takes place in Utah where a young man is being entombed in an unmapped cavern where he became stuck and (after a long struggle to free him) died. He leaves behind a 13-month old daughter. His story is found here: http://connect2utah.com/content/fulltext/?cid=64512.

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HOSPITALITY HOST NEEDED FOR SHOW.

Our show is coming up quickly and many people have volunteered to do many things, but there is one person still missing, and that person might be YOU!

At press time, we were still missing a person to take the Hospitality Chair and oversee the Welcome Table. This is a vital position as it is often the first place people go in order to find out more about our show.

I urge you to consider raising a hand and taking on this responsibility. If interested, please contact Andy Anderson at 987-0043.

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN!

Field Tripping Notes.

Hi all,
     Here is the upcoming field trip information for rockhounds, bulletins, websites.
     We've been getting good turnouts. I'm going to work on adding sites that we haven't been to for some time or some new sites. I'd appreciate any input on places you'd like to collect at, see you there.

Field Trips Upcoming: Please let us know if you're going to attend, e-mail or call us. The weather can change, if we don't know you're going we won't be able to contact you if the field trip is cancelled. There will be maps and flyers at the club meetings.

There are still people who show up for the field trip without notifying Mike or I. You can still be part of the field trip, but it is important that you let us know you're going to attend. I have new truck, it's a white Ford F250 four wheel drive, crew cab, if you're looking for me, look for my truck.

Contacts:
     Robert Sankovich, Conejo/Ventura Clubs, 805-494-7734, rmsorca@adelphia.net;
     Mike Miller, Conejo Club, 805-498-9586, rockfmdr@att.net;
     Ron Wise, Ventura/Oxnard Clubs, 805-794-0737, clintwise@hotmail.com.
Robert Sankovich.

Tri-Club Field Trips 2010. *
     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.

Field trips done:
     December field trip to Ant Hill, and the CFMS at the Cady Mtns were canceled due to weather.

These future dates are fixed and are the days we will be going:
     July 31st Sat-Jade Cove - Nephrite Jade, Deb and I will be there July 28th Wed - Aug 1st Sunday.

The field trips listed below are tentative, they might change:
     All are Tri Club field trips with either Conejo, Oxnard or Ventura leading. Each month there will be information in the bulletin, and a flyer/map at the club meeting.

• March - Somis Fossils, Sand dollar, Clams, Gastropod fossils.
• March - Marble & Cady Mtns / Basin road-Trilobites in the Mojave Desert area, agate.
• April - Jalama Beach-Fish fossils, plant fossils, agate, petrified whale bone.
• May - Road Trip-2010 will probably be around early May and heading to Arizona, New Mexico, going to Petrified National Forest, Meteor Crater and collecting at several sites. Turquoise, Crinoids fossils, Petrified wood. I'm still researching this.
• June - Independence / Bishop-Ammonites fossil, garnets, other minerals.
• August - To be determined.
• September - Acton-agate, small nodules, geodes.

Robert Sankovich,
rmsorca@adelphia.net,
805-494-7734.

January 29-31 - 45th annual Pacific Micromount Conference.
The Mineralogical Society of Southern California and the San Bernardino County Museum will be jointly hosting this annual Conference at the Museum, 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands CA. Principal speakers on Saturday will be Joe Marty on "Recent mineral collecting adventures in the Southwest", Paul Adams on "Micro-minerals of La Paz County AZ", and Sugar White on "What's new in minerals". There will be microscope time, a verbal auction, a silent auction, a well stocked sales table, and an over flowing give away table. The Sunday field trip will be to a new location where 7 new tellurate minerals have recently been discovered. Delicious meals will be provided, and are included in the advance registration fee of $15. Parking is free. For complete program information and advance registration forms contact rhousley@its.caltech.edu or 626-449-6454, or go to the PMC website: http://www.mineralsocal.org/micro/pmc.htm. (Close the new window to return here.)

February 27th Sat Ant Hill Area, Bakersfield, CA, Tri club field trip.
February 27th, 2010, Saturday 10 am-3 pm; CGMC/VGMS, Robert Sankovich, 805-494-7734, rmsorca@adelphia.net; CGMC, Mike Miller, 805-498-9586, rockfmdr@att.net; VGMS/OGMS, Ron Wise, 805-647-4393, clintwise@hotmail.com.
Field trip: Our February field trip will be to the Ant Hill area, near Bakersfield, California. Come out for a fun day of digging for shark teeth fossils, the weather should be nice, cool. The dig site is a walk of 500 yards over semi flat ground, then up a hill 100 yards. Once there most of the time you'll be digging in small area. This time of the year there is always the chance of rain, bring the necessary clothing. If it is raining, we won't be digging.
When: February 27th., Sat. 10 am-3 pm.
Directions: 5 Freeway North, to the 99 Hwy North, off at 178 Hwy East, near Bakersfield, go 8.3 miles to the Harrell Hwy, turn Left/North. 3.5 miles on the Harrell Hwy from the 178 Hwy. Site is on the Left/South side of Hwy, by the hills. My white Ford F-250 truck will be there, with a CGMC sign in the window. We will be about 2.5 miles East of Hart Park. You should see an asphalt bike path going up the hill. Then you know you're at the right spot. Ant Hill is 136 miles from my house in Thousand Oaks, drive time 2 to 2.5 hours.
Tools: Rock pick/hammer, gad pry bar, hand sledge, sifter, large pry bar, shovel, pick, eye protection, newspaper to wrap your fossils in, collecting bags, wide brimmed hat, suntan lotion, lots of water, lunch. There is no shade morning, afternoon, and it can be hot, but it will probably be cool, so dress accordingly, layers. After 1 pm or so the dig site will be in the shade as the sun moves to the West, the holes are East facing. I would recommend a day pack, to put your tools in. It's a bit of a walk and it will be easier carrying your gear.
Material to Collect: Shark teeth fossils, many types, sizes, from the Miocene Epoch 10-15 millions years ago. There are other fossils, bone fragments, teeth to be found. The fossils are found in a layer about 3', you will see the exposed holes from previous digs. They are in a semi soft clay that you will dig out the biggest pieces you can, then carefully break apart to find the fossils. I usually use a gad pry bar to dig out bigger pieces of the clay, about golf ball to baseball size or so, If I see any sign of a shark tooth or fossil, I'll wrap it into newspaper and later I will use dental tools or Dremel motor tool to remove the clay to reveal the tooth. I keep some of the teeth still in the matrix, it makes a nice display. The main thing is patience when working with fossils.
Contact: CGMC/VGMS, Robert Sankovich, 805-494-7734, rmsorca@adelphia.net; CGMC, Mike Miller, 805-498-9586, rockfmdr@att.net; VGMS/OGMS, Ron Wise, 805-647-4393, clintwise@hotmail.com. Please let us know if you are going to go on the field trip, the weather can change, if we don't know you're going we won't be able to contact you if the field trip is cancelled.

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48th ANNUAL GEM, MINERAL,
LAPIDARY & FOSSIL SHOW,
MARCH 6 & 7, 2010.

Plant Sale.
Get your plant donations ready. Plant cuttings must be planted in pots and should have roots that have begun to develop. Please use pots for cuttings, not other less suitable containers. Volunteer help is needed at the plant booth, especially on Saturday morning of the Show. A volunteer is needed to take charge of plants for the 2011 Show.
     Susan Mulqueen.

Country Store Needs Donations.
     It's that time again. We donated most of the leftovers from last year's show, so the pantry needs re-stocking. We are looking for good quality, working order household goods, tools, electronics, books, educational magazines, collectibles, etc. We will gladly accept donations at our regular monthly January and February meetings, as well as at the VGMS Potluck Breakfast on February 6. Alternatively, contact either Shirley or Mary to discuss a pick-up.
     Following our February 6 potluck, consider lingering to help price Country Store donations! We appreciate your help.
     Thank you.
          Mary Polacek and Shirley Layton.

Children's Booth and Silent Auction Need Donations, Too!
     Last year we sold every last one of our grab bags! It was great, but it means that we need to restock this supply. The bags are done. All that we need now is the stuff to fill them. If you have a pile of extra jasper, agate, fossils, or mineral specimens that aren't of high enough quality to display, please consider donating them to our grab bags. We need help providing the children who come to our show the best grab bags $1.00 can buy! While you're at it, we could use small gemstones and fossils for the sifting sand activity, tumbled stones for several uses, and good material for the spinning wheel gifts.
     The silent auction is also in need. They could use material that brings a WOW! factor to the table. This includes anything that draws people closer so they want to browse the collection of material we are selling. Remember, one reason we are doing this is to fill our coffers for the upcoming year.

Show Case Evaluation by the Experts!
I hope everyone is planning to enter a display (or two or three) in our Show this March! Like last year, Dee Holland, Shirley Leeson, and Marion Roberts from the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies will come to our show to offer pointers on exhibiting competitively and will then move into the display area to provide gentle critiques of display cases for anyone seeking helpful suggestions. This will take place 1:00 PM, March 7, and everyone interested should gather in the back of the Country Store building. This is especially apropos this year because we'll have a combined American Federation/California Federation show in southern California June 18-20 in LaHabra/Whittier, California. The national show only makes its way to California every seven years, so this is a rare opportunity to enter a national show and compete for national recognition with your collections and lapidary work. We'll have packets about the AFMS/CFMS combined show at our meetings this spring, and you can also check the CFMS web site for show info at http://www.cfmsinc.org. Click on "Shows" at the top of the opening screen. (Close the new window to return here.) I encourage all club members with an interest in exhibiting to take the step into competitive exhibiting and enter the national show in June! Deadlines are May 15 for noncompetitive entries and June 1 for competitive.
     Jim Brace-Thompson.

Please give a big thank you to Stuart Bloom when you see him. He donated 10 pounds of Apache Tears to our club for use at the children's table.

If you are interested in exhibiting at our Show you can find forms you can print at 2010 Exhibitor Application in Adobe PDF or 2010 Exhibitor Application in Word document or contact Jim Brace-Thompson at jbraceth@roadrunner.com or 805-659-3577.

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PROGRAM REVIEW AND SCHEDULE.

Holiday Potluck - December Meeting Review.
     The December Meeting was a great success. After Frank Boulch blessed our meal by saying grace, we all found the food was good, the desserts plentiful, and conversation impossible to avoid. Jim Brace-Thompson did an admirable job of hosting the event and as usual passed out the year's selection of awards. Ron Sankovich took home the VGMS "Rockhound of the Year" award for his great work running field trips across the Western United States. In addition, several other awards went to 'Educators' and 'Communicators' and 'Iron Bar Brigade'. The most unusual award went to Steve Mulqueen and Greg Davis for their epic and ultimately victorious struggle to loosen up the facilities at our Museum in Ojai. For their strenuous efforts, they each received a 'Golden Plunger' Award.
     Kathryn Davis once again elegantly bestowed her wisdom and words of advice upon the incoming board members, two of whom were unexpected - Mary Polacek and Deb Sankovich decided to give in to peer pressure and took on the responsibilities of 1st Vice President(s).
     Photo opportunities were plentiful, and I am hoping to include some images of the night in later issues.
          Review submitted by Lowell Foster.

JANUARY 2010 - YEAR IN REVIEW / QUARTZSITE.
We invite our members to bring in their field trip 2009 treasures and share tales about their adventures. Many of you traveled to Quartzsite this January. We would love to see and hear about what you saw and bought. Bring it in. It'll be a good show and tell time.

February 2010 - Annual Show Planning Finalization.
This meeting's program usually is reserved for the final planning of our annual Gem and Mineral Show in March. It is hoped all can attend so volunteers can be found for all unassigned jobs. All aspects of the show need helping hands, and this year is no different.

March 2010 - Ron Wise Presents Knapping for Beginners.

     Mary Polacek, Deb Sankovich Co-1st VP Programs.

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UPCOMING EVENTS - DON'T MISS!

Club Brunch February 6 at VGMS Clubhouse.
One and all are invited to our annual club potluck brunch, being held this year on Sat., Feb. 6, at our VGMS Clubhouse at Camp Comfort. Brunch will start at 9:00 AM, and then we encourage folks to stick around for a show planning meeting and to help price items for the country store, which is a major source of revenue for us at our annual show. (If you have anything to contribute to the country store, please bring it with you; this includes flea market and garage sale sorts of items.) At the January meeting, we'll route a sign-up sheet for folks to indicate what you'll bring for the brunch. If you won't be at the January meeting, think about what goodies you might bring. The club will supply coffee, hot water for tea, and juices, but the really good stuff is up to you. See you there!

Submitted by Jim Brace-Thompson.

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HINTS AND TIPS.

Stabilizing Porous Rock.
If you would like to try your luck at stabilizing a porous stone such as turquoise, so it can be cut and polished, the Silvery Colorado River Rock Club offers these instructions:
     Take a jar with a lid; add one pint of acetone. To this, add the complete contents of both the resin and hardening tubes of epoxy glue. Mix well. Add well dried stones, cover the jar and leave for at least four days. Remove stones and allow a week to dry. They should now be stabilized and ready to work.
          From Lake County Rock & Gem Club, 2008, via Napa Gems, 10/08.

Cheap Tumbling Pre-Polish.
The use of pre-polish in tumbling is almost a must. At the very least, use a soap run prior to going into polish. This is a flushing action and will loosen up any grit that you were not able to wash out after your grinding runs.
     From Rock Buster News, 5/92, via The Pegmatite, 12/08.

Is it cubic zirconium or diamond?
If the stone is loose, turn it upside down on its table and slide it over a thin black line on a piece of paper. Looking straight down through a cubic zirconium, you will see a circle in the center of the stone. A diamond won't do this.
     From Don Ashbwy, Gemrock, 04/99, via MLMS Ghost Sheet, 12/08.

Carving Practice.
Mix one part Plaster of Paris, one and a half parts vermiculite and one part water. Pour into a half-gallon milk carton. Allow to harden for five days. Remove carton. Carve with kitchen or workshop tools. If you want some color, add a little liquid fabric dye to the water before mixing with other ingredients.
     From Rock Chip Reporter, 08/91, via The Nugget, 11/98; submitted by Mary Polacek.

The club presents these hints and tips for informational purposes only and does not specifically endorse or profess to endorse 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 lowellfos@yahoo.com. Please include in the subject line the letters 'VGMS'.

Let us hear your good ideas!

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OXNARD GEM AND MINERAL SOCIETY;
Meeting Program - February.

We would like to see all of you come down to the Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society's February 3rd meeting to give a big welcome to our guest presenter, Sandra Butchko of Cottontail Creations. Sandra will be showing us how she creates her beautiful jewelry with the use of Precious Metal Clay (PMC).

PMC is a clay-like medium used to make jewelry, beads, and small sculpture. It has very small particles of metals (such as silver, gold, or platinum) mixed into the clay. By shaping the PMC as she wishes, Sandra can fire the pieces (as one would in ceramics) which burns the clay away and leaves the precious metal behind. Some of you may remember, Sandra displayed at our 40th annual Gem Expo in November. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about her art.

So, come join us for an interesting and inspiring tale of beauty and imagination at the Thousand Oaks room of the Oxnard Performing Arts Convention Center on February 3rd. The presentation will start at 7:40 pm; after some brief announcements and guest greetings. Afterwards, Sandra will be available to talk one on one about her craft and the classes she offers.

Looking forward to seeing you,
Brett,
VP-OGMS.

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EDUCATIONAL CORNER.

DEFINITION OF THE MONTH.

The Petrified Forest, California.
The Petrified Forest of California is located on private land near Calistoga in Sonoma County. Its address is 4100 Petrified Forest Road, Calistoga, CA 94515. The park is managed by a private company. Tours are available on a daily basis for a nominal admission charge.

The Petrified Forest consists primarily of fossilized redwood trees that once lived approximately 3 million years ago. One of the fossilized trees is of the pit pine species. All of the petrified trees became silicified after being buried by ash from a volcanic eruption during the Pliocene Epoch.

The Petrified Forest was discovered in 1871. Most of the petrified trees were buried in several feet of volcanic tuff when they were first discovered. Some erosional exposures of tree trunks indicated that a large deposit of the fossilized trees was present. Excavations of the naturally buried trees have been conducted since its discovery and continues to the present day.

Source of Information: The official website of "The Petrified Forest" at www.petrifiedforest.org. (Close the new window to return here.)

Note: Some references to the term "The Petrified Forest" of California may be for another large occurrence of petrified wood that once existed in Last Chance Canyon in the El Paso Mountains of Kern County. This area is located northeast of Red Rock Canyon State Park. Fossil wood is found in the Ricardo Formation of the Pliocene Epoch. Historic accounts of this petrified forest were written in Desert Magazine in the 1950s and 1960s. Much of the exposed petrified wood of the Petrified Forest of the Last Chance Canyon area has been removed by collectors.

Written by Steve Mulqueen for the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, January 2010. The Definition of the Month features words related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history.

Illustration of the Month.

The Petrified Forest, Sonoma County, California, 1899.

An illustration from the book "Over the Range to the Golden Gate, A Complete Tourist Guide", written by Stanley Wood, Published by R. R. Donnelley & Sons Co., Chicago, printed in 1899, from page 181.

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AN OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE
VENTURA GEM AND MINERAL SOCIETY
By Carlton M. Carson.

There has been for some time a desire on the part of a few of the members and officers of the Society to have available for themselves and for new members a concise history of the organization telling how it happened to be formed, its aims and objects, and a few of the steps in its development.

The present outline is the result of several false starts followed by a more persistent effort by Mr. Carson under the urging and direction of President Russell Hanscom.

There were available three main sources of information concerning our organization, namely:

1. The memories of Mrs. P. M. Woodside, Mr. Francis W. Hertel, Jr. and Mr. Carlton M. Carson, all of whom attended the first, second and succeeding meetings.
2. The minutes of the regular meetings and, after 1955, the minutes of the board meetings also.
3. The Bulletin of the Society called, "Rockhound Rambling" from its beginning in 1956 to the present, and the "Noose Paper" which was published during 1951 only.

Founding of the Club.
Mrs. P. M. Woodside and others tried to get a group of people together to start a mineral club sometime shortly before 1944, but there were not enough collectors nor interest to get the organization underway so this early effort failed.

On December 24, 1944, a group of Junior High School students who were mineral collectors or were interested in minerals and rocks, under the urging of Francis T. Hertel, Jr. called on Mrs. P. M. Woodside in the afternoon after school, examined her collection and talked about starting a mineral or rock club. It was agreed to have a meeting the following Saturday evening, Dec. 27, 1944, at the Hertel rumpus room for the purpose of organizing such a group. A notice of this meeting was run in the High School Paper. The writer being a next door neighbor of the Hertels and a mineral collector was invited by Mr. Hertel to attend.

On Saturday, Dec. 27, 1944, was held the founding meeting of the Ventura Gem and Mineral Club. The meeting was in the Hertel's rumpus room at 60 Lincoln Drive. Mrs. Woodside was chosen temporary president and Francis W. Hertel, Jr. secretary pro term.

The minutes of this meeting list the following as being present: Mrs. Woodside, Mr. Elliot G. Kempton, Mr. J. H. Imhoff, and Francis W. Hertel, Jr. Mr. Kempton and Mr. Imhoff somehow had the notice in the High School paper called to their attention.

Mr. Hertel remembers in addition the following: C. M. Carson, David Cruickshank, Robert Davenport, and Robinette Woodside.

C. M. Carson remembers the following: Mrs. Woodside, Robinette Woodside, Francis "Westy" Hertel, Mr. Imhoff, Mr. Kempton, and two or three young gentlemen whose names he cannot remember.

Mrs. Woodside remembers things somewhat differently. She mentions (Feb. 4, 1962) Dorr Thayer, Westy Hertel, Bobby Davenport, and Billy Ruggles as having called and asked her to start a rock club. She writes concerning the Dec. 27, 1944, meeting: "So we met Saturday night at Westy's and Robin and Marylin Appling joined, too. There were just the seven of us at the first meeting. The next meeting Mr. Imhoff, Mr. Houchin, Mr. Kempton, and I think Ruth Parker joined but not Bill Loughman. Mr. Smith the jeweler was also at that second meeting. There were twenty at the second meeting."

The second meeting was held Jan. 13, 1945, at the Hertel rumpus room as before. Mrs. Woodside was elected President, Mr. Kempton Vice-President, and Francis W. Hertel, Jr. Secretary-Treasurer. Mentioned in the minutes as being in attendance were Mr. Imhoff and Robert Davenport as well as those elected to office.

It seems probable that we will never be exactly certain who was in attendance at the first two meetings. Marylin Appling is nowhere mentioned in the minutes or lists of members. David Cruickshank and Robert Davenport probably only attended the first few meetings.

The Club met every two weeks on the second and fourth Saturdays until June 9, 1945, when it was decided to meet the second Saturday of each month. The Club, now Society, has met regularly ever since Dec. 27, 1944.

The aims and objects of the club as stated in the Constitution are: "To promote popular interest and education, and to sponsor and provide means and activities which will result in the dissemination of information and knowledge in geology, mineralogy, paleontology, lapidary, and similar sciences; to conduct lectures, classes or study groups to further education and interest in the aforesaid sciences; to make and exhibit mineral collections."

Interests of the Society.
When the Society was first organized the membership was about equally divided between adults and members of High School age. During the first year the adults came to outnumber the youngsters about three to one.

During the year 1945 a majority of the members were mineral collectors with little or no interest in the lapidary arts. A minority of the members were more interested in cutting and polishing than in simply collecting specimens. There were three lapidaries in the Club the first year of whom Mr. Imhoff was the first.

During the years 1945 through 1947 there was much interest on the part of the members in short and long wave lights and in fluorescent minerals.

In 1948 uranium minerals and Geiger counters perhaps occupied the center of the stage.

Since about 1950 the interest of the members has been largely centered on rock and gem cutting and polishing and jewelry making. At present those interested in lapidary work and closely related hobbies outnumber those interested in mineral and crystal collecting by slightly more than two to one.

Gold, jade, fossils and Indian artifacts interest a number of the Society members. A few are interested in Geology and Geomorphology and some apparently just in getting out in the open country and getting fresh air. Food and the eating of same are a major preoccupation of a majority of the group, both young and old, male and female.

Acknowledgements.
Credit is due to the following persons for help in gathering the facts for this outline: Mr. Francis W. Hertel, Jr., Mrs. P. M. Woodside, Mrs. Catalina Sattler, Miss Virginia Van Delinder, and Mrs. Violet Patelzick.

The following members have been of great assistance in the typing and proof reading: Mrs. Virginia Hanscom, Mrs. Violet Patelzick, and Mrs. Bea La Brum.

Without the generous assistance and advice of these kind persons, the compiling of this outline would not have been possible. It is a great pleasure to extend to them and to the many others who have kindly assisted in the writing of this history my most heartfelt thanks.

Respectfully submitted,
Carlton M. Carson.
(From An Outline History of the Ventura Gem and Mineral Society, 1962)

Editor's Note: The Ventura Gem and Mineral Society has a wonderful history that dates back over a half-century. It is with great forethought and probably some luck that much of the original documentation of our club has been saved and has survived until now. It is my goal to provide a monthly forum where some of these items can be shared with the club as a whole.
     On a related note, I have been editing a definitive club history for almost a year now. Within a year I hope to finish it and provide electronic copies to any member who desires one. I also will be including copies of the most important photographic slides that Bruno Benson made during his time with the club. Included in these historical images are shots taken during field trips during the 1950's when he led our club to many iconic collecting locations across the West.
     The above article originally appeared in our first history that was written back in 1962. This compendium was more a yearly index of members and events than a written version of our club's history.

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MUSEUM AND CLUBHOUSE NOTES.

STORM DAMAGES CLUBHOUSE.
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but those are the cards we've been dealt. We received an early-morning phone call today from the rangers at Camp Comfort that with the storms that have been sweeping through our area, a massive tree to the side of the clubhouse uprooted and is currently resting on the side of the building where our club museum room and the laundry room/workshop room is located. Greg and Valli Davis have been to the clubhouse to assess the situation. Fortunately, it looks like the house itself hasn't been breeched, so there's no rainwater coming in, although there is damage to the roof on that side/back corner of the house.

At the moment, we're in a holding pattern. The county will be sending a crew to assess the situation, but they can't do anything until this current wave of storms passes through - the ground is saturated and quite muddy in the area. So we really don't know when they may take action. In the meantime, all power to the house is gone because the tree also took out power lines. Stay tuned for more details as they emerge. Greg and Valli say we're actually quite fortunate in that it could have been much, much worse. Considering other things happening in the world, such as the earthquake in Haiti, we actually have many blessings to count.

Time to call up the Iron Bar Brigade?

From an email by Jim Brace-Thompson: January 19, 2010.

Update on the VGMS Clubhouse.
Our clubhouse is shaping up. The toilet now works and carpet has been laid and shelving set up in the library room. With the garage and workshop spaces and the museum room set up, we're really looking good! So at this point, we're in the fine-tuning mode. One request: please bring no more chairs, shelves, boards, etc. I thank everyone for generous donations made to help us get the clubhouse in shape, but we now have more than we need, and, in fact, need to figure out how to dispose of stuff that has piled up in the backyard. From now on we'll be making strategic decisions on any new things we might need for the facilities. So don't bring anything new to drop off unless you check with the Board first on whether it's something we really need and can use. Meanwhile, we welcome suggestions on the fine-tuning aspects as to what we might put on the walls, good educational posters that are out there, etc. Bring your suggestions to our meetings, or give Jim B-T a call or email (805-659-3577, jbraceth@roadrunner.com).

Seeking Docents for Club Museum.
     Our first school visit last fall was a great success, but if we want to offer more visits for schools, home-schoolers, and scouts, we'll need more volunteers who can each take a couple days off work during the year to serve as museum docents. Now that we've had our first trial run, I have a better idea about what to focus on in a school visit. For instance, I think I tried to squeeze in too much info, and we might benefit by cutting back on what we talk about at the museum and instead offer more hand-outs and specimens as take-aways while just focusing on the basics during the actual visit.
     I'd like to offer training based on what I learned in that initial session while also seeking suggestions from other club members. Thus, I plan to schedule a meeting of interested parties, most likely after our show concludes in March. I'll bring this up at our January meeting to get a gauge on how many folks may be interested in serving as docents (many thanks to John Cook for already stepping forward!), and I'll announce a date or two in our next newsletter for training sessions at the club museum in late March.
          Submitted by Jim Brace-Thompson.

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FEDERATION NEWS.

Keeping Rockhounding Opportunities Open in Clear Creek.
     The Clear Creek mining district in San Benito County (central California) has been a magnet for generations of California rockhounds seeking green garnets, plasma agate, cinnabar, neptunite, jadeite, and many other rare and interesting minerals, as well as serpentine (the California state rock), and benitoite (Clear Creek is the only source of the California state gem). It has served as a recreational and camping area for even longer.
     For nearly a year now, the entire Clear Creek district has been closed due to perceived health hazards from old asbestos mining operations in the area. But such hazard is minimal for folks coming for just a short field trip. Please help keep Clear Creek open for all users. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is currently hosting public meetings and seeking public input to a Draft Resource Management Plan that could determine the future of accessibility for Clear Creek. Two websites (If you go to either site close the new window to return here.) for those interested in keeping Clear Creek open are http://www.foccma.org (this site for "Friends of Clear Creek" has suggestions on how to send comments regarding the new draft plan) and http://salinasramblersmc.org (a motorcycle club with good info on the history of Clear Creek use). Also, you can call the BLM Hollister Field Office at (831) 630-5000 to find out who to send letters to.
          Jim Brace-Thompson.

See following website for update on first meeting regarding this issue: http://www.kionrightnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11827197. (Close the new window to return here.)

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

CHIPS AND BOULDERS.

Thank You, Mary!
December was Mary's last issue of Rockhound Rambling, the official newsletter of our organization. From her very first issue, Mary was off-and-running, with no looking back, consistently producing one of the finest newsletters within the entire California Federation. I know because, having spent the past year serving as the editor of the BLM Newsletter, I was sent dozens of other clubs' newsletters throughout the year. Without question, Mary's efforts are in the top tier--and those efforts were recognized as such when Mary won the award for best newsletter at the 2008 CFMS Show & Convention. At our Holiday Potluck, I was pleased to award Mary once again with a certificate for Communication Excellence on behalf of our club. I'm sure I speak for the entire club in saying, Thank you, Mary! Your work has been sincerely appreciated!
     Jim Brace-Thompson,
     VGMS President.

Missing San Luis Obispo Rockhound.
     Coming back from Cambria on New Year's Day, my family stopped to eat in San Luis Obispo. In the restaurant were notices regarding the disappearance of George Carpenter, a retired police officer and avid rockhound who was last seen December 23rd heading to a local park with his black labrador retriever. He has not been seen since. He suffers from dementia and a bipolar disorder and does not have his medicine. The local authorities have searched the park's lake, and he is officially listed as missing. Four years ago he disappeared for two days. He was discovered dehydrated and disoriented near California City. Places as diverse as the Black Rock Desert, Needles, and Flagstaff have been listed as possible locations he may be headed. Our own club had a similar event occur close to 35 years ago when one of our members, Charlie Bunch, wandered away from his son's home and was never seen again.
     There has been quite a bit of local media attention placed on Mr. Carpenter's disappearance, and a Facebook page has been set up to spread the word regarding his situation. This link, along with a couple of others from various sources printed below, outline the search for Mr. Carpenter and relate the hope his family has that he will return.
     I print this in the slim hope that someone might come across Mr. Carpenter in their travels, but I also see this as another way the desert, which is a passion for many of us, can lure us away from safety. Age catches us all, and our ability to travel safely in the wilderness is tied to our ability to reason and problem solve. Mr. Carpenter's condition has taken these attributes from him yet the siren's call of the desert still beckons. His family, according to one report, had tried putting a GPS device on his car, but failed. I cannot imagine what they are feeling right now, and I hope they find him soon.

(If you go to any of these links close the new window to return here.)
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=235379797759&ref=search;
http://z10.invisionfree.com/usedtobedoe/index.php?showtopic=54924&view=getnewpost;
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/183/story/980060.html?storylink=omni_popular.

          Lowell Foster.

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LET'S GO TO A SHOW.

Editor's Request: Please let me know if you attend any of these shows this year. I'd like to add notes regarding your opinion of these shows in later issues.
     Lowell Foster.

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

2010 CFMS SHOWS.

January 16-17, Exeter, CA - Tule Gem & Mineral Society, Exter Memorial Bldg., 420 N. Kaweah (Hwy 65), Exter. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Pepper Okada, (559) 733-5842; Don Vieira, (55(0 733-7739; 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.
February 26-27, Northridge, CA - Del Air Rockhounds Club, United Methodist Church, 9650 Reseda Blvd. (at Superior St.). Hours: Fri. 3 pm-9:30 pm, Sat. 10-5. Julie Marin (818) 886-7190, Website: http://delairrockhounds.blogspot.com.
February 26-March 7, Imperial, CA - Imperial Valley Gem & Mineral Society, California Midwinter Fair & Fiesta, G&M Bldg. Hours: 2/26-2/28 & 3/6-3/7 noon-10 pm, 3/1-3/5 4 pm-10 pm. Joe Rodrigues, (760) 353-1965.
March 5-6-7, Newark, CA - Mineral and Gem Society of Castro Valley, Newark Pavilion, 6430 Thorton Avenue, Newark, CA 94560. Hours: Fri & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Lary 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 12-14, Victorville, CA - Victorville Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Stoddard Well Tailgate (Stoddard Wells), Bell Mountain/Stoddard Well exit from I-15. Hours: 8-5 daily. Brett Ward, (760) 954-4323, Club (760) 243-2330, Website: www.vvgmc.org.
March 13-14, San Marino, CA - Pasadena Lapidary Society, San Marino Masonic Center, 3130 Huntington Drive. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. (626) 355-6964 or (626) 298-1534, Marcia Goetz, joenmar1@verizon.net.
March 13-14, Spreckels, CA - Salinas Valley Rock & Gem Club, Veteran's Memorial Hall, 5th & Liano 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, Bakersfield, CA - San Joaquin Valley Lapidary Society, Kern County Shrine Club, 700 South P. Street (P & Bell Terrace). Hours: 9-5 daily. Lewis Helfrich, Home (661) 323-2663, Cell: (661) 378-4450, Email: lewsrocks@netzero.net.
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 20-21, Vallejo, CA - Vallejo Gem & Mineral Society, Vallejo Elks Lodge, 2850 Redwood Parkway. Hours: 10-5 daily. Phylis Malacki, (707) 745-3255, Email: Vgms01@yahoo.com, Website: www.iwired.org.
March 27-28, Lemoore, CA - Lemoore Gem & Mineral Club, Lemoore Trinity Hall, 470 Champion Street, Lemoore, CA. Hours: 10:00 am-6:00 pm. Judy Pereira, (559) 924-4052, Email: lemooregemshow@yahoo.com, Website: www.lemooregems.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.
March 27-28, Torrance, CA - South Bay Lapidary & Mineral Society, Torrance Recreational Center, 3341 Torrance Blvd. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Larry Hoskinson & Leslie Neff, (310) 318-2170; Roger L. Mills, Email: roger_mills@acm.org; Website: palosverdes.com/sblap/.
April 10-11, Paradise, CA - Paradise Gem & Mineral Society, Elks Lodge, 6309 Clark Road. Hours: Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4. Manuel Garcia, (530) 877-7324, Email: mmpg@earthlink.net.
April 10-11, Mariposa, CA - Mariposa Gem & Mineral Society, Mariposa Co. Fairgrounds, Hwy #49, 1.8 miles South of Mariposa. Hours: 10-4 daily. Mineral Museum, (209) 742-7625, Email: mineralmuseum@sti.net, Website: www.thematrixmariposagemmineralclub.info/.
April 16, 17, 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.
April 24-25, Santa Cruz, CA - Santa Cruz Gem & Mineral Society, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Church St. & Center St. (corner). Hours: 10-5 daily. Dean Welder, (408) 353-2675, Website: www.scmgs.org.
April 30-May 1-2, Bishop, CA - Lone Pine Gem & Mineral Society, Tri-County Fairgrounds (Robinson Bldg.), Corner of Sierra St. & Fair Drive. Hours: Fri. 6-9, Sat. 9:40-4, Sun. 10-3. Francee Gaham, (760) 876-4319, Email: franceem@quet.com.
May 1-2, Anaheim, CA - Searchers Gem and Mineral Society, Brookhurst Community Center, 2271 West Crescent Ave. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4:30. Marty Swiderski, Email: Martin.Swidersky@jacobs.com, Website: www.searchersrocks.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.
May 14-16, Anderson, CA - Superior-Cal Gem and Mineral Society, Shasta Fairgrounds, 1890 Briggs St. Hours: Fri. 10-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4. Bob Davis, (530) 824-6214, Email: mcdavis@hughes.net.
May 15-16, 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, Email: bjm2285@aol.com, Website: www.yvgms.org.
June 4-6, Woodland Hills, CA - Rockatomics Gem and Mineral Society, Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills. Hours: 9-5. Gary Levitt, (818) 993-3802, Email: Show@Rockatomics.org, Website: Rockatomics.org.
June 5-6, Glendora, CA - Glendora Gems, Goddard Middle School, 859 East Sierra Madre. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Bonnie Bidwell, (626) 963-4638, Email: Ybidwell2@aol.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: 10-5 daily. Don Warthen, (626) 330-8974. Email: odwarthen@verizon.net, Website: www.nocgms.com.
August 6, 7 & 8, Nipomo, CA - Orcutt Mineral Society, St. Joseph's Church, 298 S. Thompson Ave. Hours: 9-5 daily. Wes Lingerfelt, (805) 929-3788, Email: Rocks4u@prodigy.net, Website: www.omsinc.org.
October 9-10, 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, Email: slgms@iwvisp.com, Website: www1.iwvisp.com/tronagemclub.
October 23-24, Los Altos, CA -Peninsula Gem & Geology Society, Los Altos Youth Center, 1 North San Antonio Road. Hours: 10-5 both days. Email: pggs50@yahoo.com, Website: http://pggs.org/.
November 6-7, Concord, CA - Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society, Centre Concord (in Clayton Fair Shopping Center), 5298 Clayton Rd. (near Ygnacio Valley Rd.). Hours: 10-5 both days. Harry Nichandos, (925) 289-0454, Email: show9@ccmgs.org, Website: www.ccmgs.org.
November 6-7, Lancaster, CA - Palmdale Gem & Mineral Society, Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 2551 West Ave. H & Hwy 14. Hours: 9-5 daily. Susan Chaisson-Walblom, (661) 943-1861, Email: sichaisson@yahoo.com, Website: palmdalegemandmineral.com.
November 20-21, Oxnard, CA - Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society, Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way. Hours: Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-5. Frank Bouich, (805) 271-0538, Email: show_info@oxnardgem.com. Website: www.oxnardgem.com.

Source: http://cfmsinc.org/.

2010 AFMS/CFMS SHOWS.

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: 10-5 daily.
Don Warthen (626) 330-8974,
Email: odwarthen@verizon.net,
Website: www.nocgms.com.

Source: http://cfmsinc.org/.

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