Convair
Rockhound Association
San
Diego, California
October
2003
Convair
Rockhound Association
San
Diego, California
October
2003
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
Nothing submitted this month.
Jerry Lohmann, President
MINUTES OF THE
GENERAL MEETING
September 02, 2003
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance at 6:35 p.m., our new starting time.
Minutes: There were no minutes of the last meeting as it was the picnic.
Hospitality Report: Emmeline Ellis announced that Jo Vogt will be moving soon, Ann Ludlam has been ill and that Peggy Duncan is doing "as well as can be expected".
Tektite Report: There was an error in the last Tektite. The Board meeting are held on the "odd" months ie: 9 = September 11 = November, etc.
Membership Report: Phyllis Mahoney reported that we had 27 members present and three guests.
County Council Report: Jim Suggs had nothing to report.
CFMS Report: Ann Ludlam had nothing new to report.
Field Trip Report: Ooops! We don't have a Field Trip Chairman to give us a Field Trip Report!
Old Business/New Business: Nothing to report.
Raffle/Door Prizes: were won by those in attendance.
Program: A video of Bodie, CA -- The Ghost Town. We saw the first half so the second half will be the program for October. It was provided by Jim Claypool and run by Bob C.
Respectfully submitted
Linda Clark, volunteer secretary for the day
Meeting was called to order by Acting President, Lynda Lohmann.
Officers and Board Members present: Lynda Lohmann, Gary Clark, Linda Clark, Bob C. and Lynne C.
Officers and Board Member Absent/Excused: Jim Claypool (Padre game) and Jerry Lohmann (putting on Geology Activity Badge with a den of 12 Cub Scouts).
As we did not have a quorum we just sat around in the chairs (no table) and discussed the following items.
Treasurer: Jim Claypool had reported that there was $11,000 "and some odd cents" in the group account.
Refreshments: Jerry had written down that Elaine Thompson has volunteered to do the refreshments, with Phyllis' help, starting in November.
Old Business: Lynne said that she had not checked with the libraries regarding subscriptions to "Rock and Gem" but she will do it immediately and get back to us.
Did not discuss any awards for the Fair, as figured a quorum would be needed to approve anything like that.
New
Business: The main thing discussed was the Christmas Party, which will
be held on December 2. We have paid for an extra hour at the Rec Center
(Jim was authorized to do that), so the hours will be: 6:00 p.m. to set
up tables, decorations etc., and 6:30 p.m. to begin eating. We will be
out by 8:50 p.m. (with the room cleaned again).
Linda Clark will arrange the entertainment. Kit, the harpist and his wife will again be asked to play for us and join with us in our holiday meal.
Linda Clark and Lynne C. are going to do the decorations again, and Linda Clark is also going to buy tablecloths and all the eating supplies (plates, plasticware, napkins, cups etc.).
This will be a potluck with everyone bringing something to share (you will be notified in the November Tektite as to what to bring) and the Club will furnish the ham (brought by Lynne C.). There will be door prizes and the raffle, and of course we can sing Christmas Carols along with the harp music.
"Meeting" was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. Next Board Meeting will be November 18th due to Veteran's Day holiday falling on the second Tuesday of November.
???????????? Chairperson
From the Editor --
The
LAST CRA THANKSGIVING (FIELD??) TRIP
Thanks to Mary Jane Dunn we will again be having a Thanksgiving outing. Not much rockhounding but we will have a marvelous old-fashioned Thanksgiving dinner with all of the trimmings. The dates are -- Nov 26 to Nov 29, 2003 at Sweetwater Summit Campground
http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/parks/camping/sweetwater/sweetwater_campgrnd.html
For reservations –
call the County at 877-565-3600 and ask for sites near 49, 50, 51.
CRA Thanksgiving 2003 at Sweetwater Summit Park -
So far we have four families that are definitely going. They will be in sites 49, 50, and 51.
Anyone
wishing to join us for the whole weekend will need to make a reservation
for those nights by calling the County Reservation line at (877) 565-3600.
Ask for sites near 49, 50, 51. They have a map and will know which
ones are closest. If you cannot make it for the weekend how about just
joining us for Thanksgiving Day. Call Betty Schneider who is coordinating
the food. So far, these people have volunteered to bring the following:
You can
contact Betty at 909 676-5588 or CRATektite@geocities.com.
Please call if you
plan to attend the whole weekend or even if you
would like to join us just for the day. We still need salads, vegetables,
fruits, (remember we should have three to five serving of fruits
and vegetables per day). rolls and butter, desserts, appetizers
or whatever else you would like to bring. And please bring your
own plates, cups and flatware.
Please consider joining us for Thanksgiving. You will not have to roast the turkey or clean your house for visitors. Just bring yourselves and a good sized dish to share. This may very well be the LAST CRA THANKSGIVING outing in history and do you want to miss it???
Hark!! Another Field Trip to offer. This one comes from the Internet and the LA-Rocks Mailing List.
To: LA-Rocks@yahoogroups.com
From: "mallarddesigncompany" <mallard47@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2003 20:03:28 -0000
Subject: [LA-Rocks] Crystal Ridge Field Trip Sept 28th Culver City CCRMC
Quartz points.-- Crystal Ridge
Sunday 9:00 am September 28th
This month the Culver City Rock and Mineral club will be leading a field trip to Inyo County in search of Quartz points...who can resist digging up your own quartz crystals, especially these ones. Some are included with hematite or have inclusions of chlorates making them phantom crystals. Nice smokeys are found as well as the occasional amethyst crystal.
This location is 8.5 miles north of the town of Independence, California. Independence is 224 miles from downtown Los Angeles. That's about 4 and a half hours away. So, it is one heck of a drive, but hopefully the spoils will warrant the travel and it certainly be an interesting drive anyway.
I will be staying in Lone Pine Saturday Night. If you would like to meet me on my way up to the location on Sunday you can do so. I will be at the Best Western in Lone Pine. We will be leaving at 8:00am from here.
If you miss us there you can just meet us at the location at 9:00am. If you get here after then, your on your own until you find us. I'll be putting up posts at the turns on Saturday.
I would
like to invite you to punch in the words "Crystal Ridge" in Google and
see what you find. You'll see some neat pictures of minerals from there
and maybe something else that piques your interest.
If you go to http://www.minwreck.com/crystalridge.html
you will find some maps and directions. I suggest bringing along a four pound hammer, gads and chisels, safety goggles, gloves, lots and lots of water and food and whatever other things you might think you need…always better to be over prepared then not.
This location needs high clearance vehicles or ones with 4-wheel drive. If you meet us at 9:00am on Sunday we will be carpooling into the location.
This is an open field trip for all people, so if you would like to come along we will see you there at 9:00am on Sunday. I really can't think of any questions you might have for this trip. It's either be there, or don't be there. I am not taking reservations for this trip. It is open to all.
If you want to call me about ride sharing…DON'T. Post here if you would be willing to ride-share with someone. Post here if you need a ride up. But don't talk to me about it…Time is not something I have a lot of.
All right…so, here is the information you all have been waiting for. You can e-mail me at MinWreck@hotmail.com .
Also, since I run so many good field trips for you people go visit my website and love me with your money. I have lots of neat mineral specimens for sale at nice low prices. Free shipping all this month and if you are a member of Culver City Rock and Mineral club or Mineralogical Society of Southern California you get 10% your purchase! Http://www.MinWreck.com
See you there!
TRIP LOCATION - Northeast side of the Cady Mountains (Afton Canyon area)
WHEN - October 17 - 19, 2003
SPONSOR - CFMS Field Trip South
ORGANIZATION - CFMS
MATERIAL TO COLLECT - Red and yellow agate, jasper, (plume & sagenite) opalite, calcite rhombs, chalcedony roses, amygdules, green fluorite, onyx and much more.
LEADER - Bob Fitzpatrick
PROPOSED SCHEDULE - Early Friday will be for setting up camp. Friday around 1 p.m. I will be leading a field trip. Each day around 8 a.m. we will be going to a different area to collect. There will be a potluck Saturday around 5 p.m.
DIRECTIONS TO CAMP SITE - I-15 Freeway east past Barstow for about 45 miles to Basin Road. Exit off ramp to the right and follow signs to camp site area. The road to the camping site should be okay for 2 wheel drive cars, trailers & motor homes. We will be camping just on the other side of railroad tracks.
VEHICLE - 4 wheel drive from camp to collecting areas. The desert road is sandy and in some areas has large rocks in it.
CAMP & FACILITIES - This will be dry camping, no water, no picnic tables, no toilets, no firewood to be gathered and no fees.
TOOLS - Collecting bags, rock hammer, eye gear, flashlights, spray water bottle, etc., camp chair (to sit in at night around the fire).
SAFETY CONCERNS - Do not lick the rocks, use sun screen, stay away from rattlesnakes, use bug spray, be aware of flash floods, be extra careful and don't get lost.
CLIMATE & WEATHER - It can be hot during the day and cold at night, it could rain.
CLOTHING - Appropriate for this time of the year.
OTHER REMARKS - All club members and there guests are welcome to join us. Come for the day or camp out with us. Bring food, lots of water, a camera and lots of firewood for the campfire at night. If you need a motel or supplies, they are available in Baker or Barstow. Don't forget we will have a potluck on Saturday night, so bring a dish to share and your own place setting.
Each night after dark we will have a campfire where we can all join together and have a good time roasting marshmallows, telling jokes or just talking about the good OLE times! should be arriving at campsite around 11 a.m. on Friday. Saturday and Sunday we will be leaving the camp at around 8 a.m. and drive to the collecting areas.
You must observe the AFMS code of ethics and sign a consent and assumption of risk waiver of liability form. Hope to see you there.
For additional information Email me at RUROCKY2@aol.com or call me at
(909) 845-3051.
Bob Fitzpatrick
CFMS Field Trip Chair - South, 2003
MEMBERSHIP
Gary Draper, Chairpersons
You have
only two more months to pay your dues. Thpy are considered late if not
paid by the end of the November meeting. If you have not paid your
dues by November then you will no longer be a member and no longer will
you receive the TEKTITE.
ALL MEMBERS PLEASE
COMPLETE THE CRA
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM. Your dues
DO NOT have to be accepted without
this form. It is needed so we know that you still want to
be a member. This really means ALL
MEMBERS. Even if you are an Honorary member over 80
who does not have to pay dues or even
if you have been a member for 40+ years. Please
complete the form and return it with
your dues and/or TEKTITE subscription money.
HOSPITALITY CORNER
Emmeline Ellis, Chairperson
Ann Ludlam has been ill but did make it to the September meeting. Ann it was good seeing you there. We missed you at the Fair.
Peggy and John Duncan were not at the last meeting and we hear that Peggy is doing as well as she can at this time. Peggy keep your chin up and we hope to see you and John at the next meeting.
Jo Vogt is planning to move away soon. Jo have a great trip and drop us a line with your new address and telephone number.
If you know of anyone else who could use a card or
a visit because they are under the weather or just plain having a spell
of bad health please let Emmeline Ellis the Hospitality Chairperson know.
She can be reached at (619) 463-0778.
A
Bit of Levity
A Trickle of Water
One afternoon a man came home from work to find total mayhem in his house. His three children were outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog.
Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing.
In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.
He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she may be ill, or that something serious had happened. He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside, he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn
over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.
As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?" She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world did I do today?" "Yes" was his incredulous reply. She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."
Contributed by Lynda Lohmann
Via e-mail
PROGRAM
Bob Cadman, Chairperson
The second
half of the Bodie, California, Ghost Town video.
It will fit right in with the out to "Crystal Ridge"
in the Owens Valley, Inyo-Kerns area.
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY TO OUR OCTOBER
CELEBRANTS
John Duncan 10/02 Lena Daily 10/03 Donald Wheeler 10/04
Jack Benedict 10/05 Ruth Treece 10/09 Joe Alameda 10/18
Mary Jane Dunn 10/26 Jerry Lohmann 10/28 Mary Otto 10/31
Remember if you want to be wished a "Happy Birthday"
be sure to include your month and day of birth on the "CRA
Membership Renewal" form.
From here and there
Rockhounding--Top 21 Things You'll Want While You're in the Field
Rockhounding experience (our own and tips and hints from colleagues, customers, and friends) has led us to compile the following list of things you won't want to be without.
1. FIRST AID KIT. We hope the reason for this one is obvious. A friend and fellow rockhound says "Rockhounding is like hockey, it's not fun until you see blood." We won't go that far, but we often get scrapes, bug bites, etc.
2. SPARE TIRE & TOOLS TO CHANGE A FLAT. Rocks reek havoc on soft rubber tires. We don't even want to go into the story of the day we were out in the desert with our flat, our spare and no lug wrench.
3. GAS. Make sure you have enough gas to make the trip into the desert and back out. It's a good idea to take an extra can full.
4. WATER. There is no potable (drinkable) water in the desert! Take lots.
5. TOILET PAPER. More uses than you think. The standard "paper work" use and it can also be used to wrap specimens. Make sure you take enough for both.
6. GARBAGE BAGS. Also dual purpose. The obvious choice for this item is hauling your trash out. They also make great wrap for specimens.
7. HAND-LENS. For those of you not familiar with this item, it's a small, high quality magnifier, that you can wear around your neck. You will want to look at ALL the crystals you find, large and small, and you won't see the small ones without a hand-lens.
8. IDENTIFICATION GUIDE. There are many guides on the Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals and Simon & Schuster's Guide to Rocks and Minerals.
9. MAPS & GUIDEBOOKS. Not only will you want to know how to get where you are going, you will want to know how to get home again. There are currently three guidebooks on Utah. They all have their pros and cons. We haven't found a guide book yet that didn't contain it's fair share of wrong directions. Most people end up with, use all three books, and use them to find great rocks & minerals. They are Rockhounding Utah, Gem Trails of Utah, and A Collectors Guide to Rock, Mineral and Fossil Localities of Utah.
10. NOTEBOOK & PENCIL. Your specimens are much more valuable if you know where they came from. And you may want to go back and get more from a specific location. If you do not keep track of this information you wont have a way to do that. Not only write down the location, draw a picture of the area or your own map.
11. ROCKHAMMMER & SHEATH. No, a nail hammer is not good enough. Rockhammers are a solid piece of steel. Therefore, the head cannot be broken off. Not only are they safer, but they will last you years of rockhounding. That is, they will last you for years if you carry them in a sheath. We consider Utah's deserts to be a large rockhammer exchange. We've left a few and collected a few. Now we carry them in a sheath so we don't set them down and loose them. We have found painting them construction orange helps to locate a misplaced tool.
12. CHISELS. In addition to your rockhammer, you'll want other tools. Chisels help remove rock or crystals with a little more precision. We recommend Estwing brand tools. They are also the best!
13. SAFETY GOGGLES. Eye protection is a serious concern when your are breaking rock. If you want to enjoy your specimens after you collect them, wear goggles or safety glasses.
14. GARDEN TROWEL. Very useful for small digging.
15. ROUND POINT SHOVEL & HOE. These tools are very handy when digging is required. Especially at the geode beds.
16. SPECIMEN CONTAINERS. We've used all the following; cardboard boxes, milk creates, wooden creates, 5 gallon buckets, canvas sacks, egg cartons, Tupperware dishes, cookie tins, film containers, etc.
17. A BUDDY. We do not recommend rockhounding alone. Use the buddy system.
18. FOOD & SNACKS & MEDICATION. Besides your meals, take along plenty of snacks. It's better to have to much than not enough. Never leave for a collecting trip without any medication you may need!
19. HAT & SUNSCREEN. You will get sunburn without these.
20. CAMPING GEAR. When rockhounding , nine times out of ten you will not be near any facilities. Be a good scout and go prepared with some basic camping supplies.
21. PATIENCE & COMMON SENSE. We've noticed that the most successful rockhounds are those that patiently keep looking around until they find something really great. Always use common sense when in the field. Never trespass. Respect others and their property.
via e-mail
FIELD TRIP HINTS
Remember, your Editor only writes these things up. She DOES NOT try them out!!
To remove saw oil from your slabs, immediately place the slab in kitty litter or any type of oil dry and completely cover the slab for at least one half hour, then wash with soapy cool/warm water (not hot or possible fracturing of your slab will occur) and scrub with a brush. If the oil is still noticeable, use a cleansing powder and brush again and rinse.
Removing sharp edges from obsidian.
For safety, when working with obsidian slabs use an obsidian slab and with the slab edge, scrape the edge of another obsidian slab to remove the sharp edges.
Try using a glass cutter.
Do you have a glass cutter for making your slabs into shapes or more manageable size pieces? The glass cutters can score your slab with a straight line which can then be broken with pressure. Make sure the score line goes completely across the slab and across both
edges. Place the slab on a bench with the score line just hanging over the edge slightly and press the over hanging edge down. Some types of material are harder to break with pressure. Try scoring first, then place in a vise, with the score line just above the vise jaws. Hold onto the slab piece exposed and with a hammer, lightly tap the protruding slab at the top of the slab, and the break should follow the score line.
The preceding three tips came from the Internet via http://www.stoneageindustries.com/lapidary_tips_and_suggestions1.html
If you have any
problems with this page or questions about the contents
please contact
me, Betty
Aron Schneider, webmaster and editor
for the Convair
Rockhound Association,
of San Diego,
California.