NOC GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY NEWS

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1 NOC GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY NEWS Vol. 29 No, 9 October 2010 President s Message By Don Warthen Presidents Message If you receive your newsletter a little late this month, it s my fault. I was out of town and did not write the Presidents Message until very late. Don Ogden has been patiently waiting for it. The year is almost over and we have accomplished a lot. We have three more months to finish wrapping up the activities of this year and get on with the new committees and new adventures. This month we will hold the election of our new officers and the new committees will then be able to start planning their programs for next year. Next month, November, will be our annual auction, this is a very festive occasion for everyone and I hope to see everyone there. Remember to bring all your beautiful items to be auctioned off. This event has become our second largest fundraiser of the year and we need your help to make this a great success. So invite all your friends, neighbors, and relatives. December will be the Installation of our new officers and our annual Christmas Party. Be sure to Let Randi know that you are planning to attend, she has been working on a great program with some great food and entertainment. The services to celebrate the life of Clarence Pool will be held on Saturday, October 23 rd at 1:30. Clarence was a great contributor to our Club and anyone that knew Clarence should try to attend. NOC Society Activities Board Meeting - to be announced Field Trip - -November 6-7 WGMS Honey Onyx Claim ** Changed from October because of C Pools Memorial Service Deadline for NOC News - October 17 Classes - October 19 - Egyptian Style Wire Pendant.6 to 9 p.m. at the Community Center Day Trip to Bowers Museum - Oct. 9, 11 a.m. October 12 Program By Nancy Bird What s Hot in Tucson 2009 will be our program for October. This DVD is the mineral club edition and has been donated to our library by Robyn Hawk. Refreshments By Kathy Valle Thanks to Nancy Bird, and Kim-Frank Winn for bringing the goodies to the September meeting. Kim and Frank Winn will bring the goodies to the October meeting. Members in the News HAPPY BIRTHDAY and have a wonderful day all of you who were born in October. John Elliott MishaFarinech Bob Cordero Susan Hansen Nancy O Conner Yolanda Schirer Ofelia Warthen Frank Winn Kim Winn Ted Heidke Thomas Szceszinski Your gemstone is Opal or Tourmaline Your flower is Calendula or Cosmos NOC NEWS - October

2 Shows and Events October , Trona, CA Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society Searles Gem & Mineral Show Building Main Street Hours: Sat; 7:30-5; Sun. 7:30-4 Jim &am; bonnie Fairchild (760) iwvisp.com Website: www1.iwvisp.com/tronagemclub October , Whittier, CA Whittier Gem & Mineral Society Whittier Community Center 7630 Washington Hours: 10-5 both days Jay Valle (626) November 6-7, 2010 Lancaster, CA Palmdale Gem & Mineral Club Antelope Valley Fairgrounds 2551 West Ave. H & Hwy 14 Hours: 9-5 daily Susan Chaisson-Walblom (661) sichaisson@yahoo.com Website: palmdalegemandmineral.com SCGMA is a combination of clubs, the Shasta Gem & Mineral Society ( of Redding, CA, and the Paradise Gem & Mineral Club, Inc. of Paradise, CA (website being revised). The show, convention and awards will all be held one location, the Shasta District Fairgrounds, 1890 Briggs Street, Anderson, CA (just 8 miles south of Redding, CA). Field trips and self guided field trips are being planned. We are very fortunate to have Walt Wright and Bob Jones on board as our first class speakers! Forms for non-competitive and competitive displays are located on our website at Please help support us by putting in your first class displays. This website will be updated monthly. Check on regional attractions surrounding the first ever CFMS show in Shasta County by going to Shasta Cascade Wonderland ( November , Victorville, CA Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Club San Bernardino Co. Fairgrounds th Street Hours: Sat. 9-5 Sun. 9-4 Cyndy Mandell (760) cynmandell@yahoo.com 2011 CFMS Show and Convention By Kelly O Leary May 13-15, 2011, is the date for thenext CFMS Show and Convention.The show is being hosted by Superior California Gem and MineralAssociation, Inc. (SCGMA) ( 2 NOC News - October 2010

3 Earth Science Seminars Date Change for 2011 By CJ Quitoriano CFMS 2009 Past President via CFMS Newsletter 9/2010 Hi Everyone! Marion Roberts called me today and wanted me to get the word out regarding the ZZYZX and Camp Paradise Seminars. ZZYZX is being held in November this year and there are still 6 single person openings! So, if you want to have a great time in the desert and learn something cool, then go to cfmsinc.org and fill out an application, send in your money, and go! It s a great time! Now for the REAL news... ZZYZX will be held again in March next year! Marion begged, cried, pleaded, and cussed, his words, not mine...and the powers that be gave us back our spot in March! Yay! Now for the kinda bad news... This means that Camp Paradise will be pushed back to September...now that s not too bad news unless you were looking forward to the May date. But if you were at the last one, you will know that May is not the best time to be in the mountains...it snowed, it rained, it sleeted, and it was hot enough to get the mosquitos going, all in just two weeks time. The weird thing was that the mosquito weather fell BETWEEN the snowy days! Go figure! Now you can look forward to the fresh ripe berries instead! Yay! Also the classes, the people, and the great food!! This also means that the raffle winner will be going in September instead of May, so if you were putting off buying tickets because you couldn t go in May, then...what s stopping you now!! Let Ray or I know if you want tickets to sell to your club. We will be extending the drawing date until the next show up North! So let us know if you want some tickets!! Thanks for reading! CJ September Education Report By Ofelia Warthen, Chairman After a summer break, our first September class took place with 15 very enthusiastic students. Our illustrious Fran did a wonderful job demonstrating at our gem show, which brought many sign-ups for beginning wire wrap-class. Our next class is October 19, also on wire-wrap. Our lapidary classes have started with two students. please sign up. We have great responses from the students, how pleased they are with our classes sponsored by our society. I want to thank our volunteer teachers, Don Eschbach and Fran Swanston for doing a wonderful job of teaching with great precision and patience. Also our helpers, Jay Valle, David Swanston, Don Warthen, Aida Heidke, and Kathy Eschbach, all volunteers. Our volunteers are always willing to give of their time and share their knowledge. They are the diamonds of our club! Thank you, with much appreciation.! NOC NEWS - October

4 Calico Field Trip Report September By Jay Valle It was a hot time in the old Calico Mountains this last weekend. Yes, the weather was definitely on the warm side out there in the Barstow area (though not as warm as back home). The collecting, camping and potluck were pretty hot too. Robert Burson and the Searchers had already set up camp near the Paul Bunyan Agate Mine when I arrived on site early Friday afternoon. A small group of us set out to explore a possible back way into a remote collecting site (we found it too). The weather was clear and sunny but not uncomfortable due to a nice breeze. Dinner that evening was courtesy of Peggy Sue s 50s Diner. The next morning we set off in search of rockhound treasure in the Calico Mountains. 14 vehicles caravanned to various locations in and around Mule Canyon. It was warmer than the day before and later in the afternoon we had to curtail collecting due to heat related problems. Returning to camp, a spectacular potluck was enjoyed by 30 hounders around the campfire. Yes, we had a campfire even though it was a little warm. Allow me to verbalize a bit of rockhound Zen, I believe that a campout is not complete without a campfire. I not saying we were cozying up to the fire or anything. In fact the circle was pretty wide. However, there is just something about a campfire that really makes the moment, if you know what I mean. The potluck dinner was great (thanks all) and conversations went on into the evening. I also love a full or mostly full moon when I camp. Doesn t always work out that way so this was an additional treat. Sunday morning: many of our field trippers left early but we took a smaller group of 7 cars back into Mule Canyon to explore some areas not adequately checked out on Saturday. It was much warmer and the nice breeze wasn t there to moderate the sun. About noon, most of the remaining rock heads, I mean hounds, left and returned to camp to either leave for home or camp for one more night. Four campers stayed over until Monday. We enjoyed a meal at Peggy Sue s (again) and had a small campfire with our remaining firewood. On Monday, our last day of the field trip, we worked an agate seam at a nearby location and explored more of the area around the Paul Bunyan Agate location, which by the way, someone has placed a claim on. Yes, this collecting location which has provided a rare and beautiful, quality agate to ordinary rockhounds for more than 40 years has been placed under claim. It seems that some greedy person or persons have decided that this material is only for them. How sad! I could express my contempt for these persons as yet unidentified but I want to remain the gentleman in this. You of course are free to vent your anger and rage if you wish. So, though the weather was a little on the (uncomfortably) warm side, the turnout was great. We had fun collecting at several locations, enjoyed a much, much better than good potluck and clear night camping with a full moon (don t forget the campfire!!!). Who could ask for more. I want to thank Robert Burson and Steve Duncan of the Searchers for setting this up and being the consummate hosts, rockhound style. I had a great time and believe that our companion hounders did too. Answers to Quiz on page #7: 1. Rose quartz 7. Gypsum; 2. Moss agate 8. Sodalite 3. Feldspar 9. Limestone 4. Sunstone 10. Opal 5. Tigereye 11. Faceting; 6. Potash 12. Lapidary 4 NOC News - October 2010

5 WGMS Field Trip Date Change By Jay Valle The annual field trip to the Whittier Gem Club Claim which was scheduled for October 23 & 24 has been moved to the weekend of November 6 & 7 due to the Celebration of Life for our late member Clarence Pool. His service/celebration/wake(?) is going to happen on October 23 in the afternoon (the exact details are in the mail from his family). Since many of our members and field trip participants wanted to attend this event, including the field trip leaders, it was deemed necessary to make this change. Anyway, sorry about that. Hopefully, those of you who have already made your reservations will have time to make the changes. See Page 9 for field trip info. If you have any questions, give me a call: Jay Valle (626) Service for Clarence Pool by Nancy Bird According to Clarence Pool s grandaughter Karen Leatham, the service will be held October 23 at 1:30 at his house in Pico Rivera. The address is 8321 Passons Blvd. Anyone who knew Clarence is invited. CFMS Fall Business Meeting via CFMS Newsletter 9/2010 The CFMS Fall Business meeting and election of CFMS 2011 Officers will be held November 12-14, 2010 at the Holiday Inn Plaza Park, off Hwy 198 in Visalia, CA. Room reservations at the Holiday Inn can be made by phone at (559) To receive the special CFMS rate of $89 per night, tell them you are with CFMS. Cut-off date for this price is November 11, An informal Cracker Barrel will be held Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. As in the past, the Holiday Inn policy forbids our bringing snack foods to any of the meetings. The Business Meeting will be called to order on Saturday, November 13, at 9 a.m. The Banquet will be on Saturday Night, November 13, at 6 p.m. Price, $36 (includes tax & gratuity). President-elect Jim Brace-Thompson will have a brief meeting of his 2011 committee chairpersons on Sunday at 8:30a.m. Mule Canyon Natural Arch Karen would like you to bring any stories, impression and pictures. If you only have 1 copy of a picture with Clarence in it, she said to write your name on the back and it will be returned. For more information call or Nancy Bird (562) nancyjbird@verizon.net NOC NEWS - October

6 NOC General Meeting Minutes La Habra Community Center September 14, 2010 By Jay Valle NOC Secretary Call to Order: President Don Warthen called the meeting to order. Don Eschbach led the Pledge of Allegiance. Speaker: Joe Girtner presented a program on silver soldering techniques and tools. Minutes of Last Meeting: Secretary Jay Valle read the minutes of the June General Meeting and July Special Meeting. There were no corrections so the Minutes will stand as read. Treasurers Report: John Erskine presented the Treasurer s Report. There were no additional comments on the Treasurer s Report so Misha Farinech MOVED that the Treasurer s Report be accepted as presented, SECONDED by Dave Swanston. The MOTION was accepted, none opposed so the Treasurer s Report will stand as read. Education Report: Ofelia Warthen reported that classes will begin next week on Tuesday, September 21. This will be a basic wire-wrapping class for beginners. October 19 will be another basic wire wrap project featuring an Egyptian-style pendant. Ofelia also asked for ideas for classes members would like to see. Field Trips: Don Ogden informed us that the field trip for September would be to The Calico Mountain/ Paul Bunyan Agate areas on September 25 & 26. Federation Report: Loretta Ogden reminded us that ZZYZX is coming up in November this year but will return to its usual springtime date next year. Nominating Committee: President Don Warthen read the nominations compiled by the Nominating Committee. The Board s Nominee for Secretary withdrew his nomination due to health reasons and so Nancy Bird was nominated by a floor vote. President: Dave Swanston 1st Vice President: Don Eschbach 2nd Vice President: Mary Ellen Ruiz Secretary: Nancy Bird Treasurer: John Erskine Federation Director (3-yr term): Loretta Ogden Directors (5 elected): Kathy Eschbach, Jay Valle, Fran Swanston, Don Warthen & Susan Hanson The final vote on the nominees will be at the October General Meeting. Social Secretary: Nancy Bird informed us that Clarence Pool had died at the age of 101 1/2 years old. $25 will be sent to the CFMS endowment fund in his name. Don Warthen told us that former member Muriel Berg had also passed away. Refreshments: Kathy Valle thanked Nancy Bird and Kim Winn for the delicious snack time treats. Next month we will be refreshed by Kim and Frank Winn. October Meeting Program: Nancy Bird said that the program for next month will be a 20 minute video about the famous Tucson Gem Show, held every February at Tucson, Arizona. November Live & Silent Auction: Don Eschbach reminded us that the annual live and silent auction is coming up in November and asked everyone to prepare their donations for the live auction, and to bring extra slabs, etc. for the silent auction. He also asked that we invite our friends Meeting adjourned. Show Report (2011): Dave Swanston is taking charge of the 2011 NOC Gem Show scheduled for the 1st weekend in June. 6 NOC News - October 2010

7 ** QUIZ ** via CFMS Newsletter 9/2010 Add em up. Put together the words to form the names of gems, minerals and other words associated with rockhounding: 1. A flower + a liquid measure = 2. What a rolling stone won t gather + an exit= 3. A chopped own tree + a ship s mast = 4. The source of all energy + another name for a rock= 5. A jungle beast + ego = 6. A cooking utensil + residue for fire = 7. A cheat + the total = 8. A fountain drink + illumination = 9. A small citrus fruit + sculptor s material = th letter of the alphabet + a buddy = 11. Front of the head + a small sharp sound 12. Race length + myself + milk depo = Buffalo Bill Dam on the Shoshoni River at Cody, Wyoming For those who aren t familiar with the view - it s the downstream face of the dam and those dots are bighorns WALKING ACROSS IT. They re licking the surface - salt, maybe? I m just sitting here with my mouth hanging open...john Martin From the Breccia April 1987 and Chris Whittier - Ghost Sheet 9/10 Answers on page #4 NOC NEWS - October

8 La Habra Day Camp 8 NOC News - October 2010

9 WGMS Field Trip Whittier Club Honey Onyx Claim November 6-7, 2010 By Jay Valle After the WGMS Show, our field trip is typically an outing to the Whittier Gem & Mineral Society s Honey Onyx Claim, located just east of Barstow. The honey onyx is still there but it is hard rock mining. If you have any or have seen it, you know that it is well worth the effort involved. Usually we use our Claim as a base of operations for daily field trips to the surrounding collecting areas. The access to the camp area requires unlocking a combination lock and opening a locked gate. You will find a combination lock on the gate. The combination is After you pass through the gate, you must lock it behind you. Follow the W or PLS signs to camp (see map on facing page). There will be guided field trips on both Saturday and Sunday and we will leave camp each day at 8:00-8:30 AM. Saturday evening will feature a traditional potluck dinner, followed by a warm campfire, if the weather permits. Materials which may be collected: Honey onyx, red moss agate, petrified wood & palm root, algae agate, and other unnamed agates, jasp-agates, jaspers, fossils, etc. Tools: Rock pick & bag for general collecting; Sledges, wedges, chisels, pry bars, etc. for those rockhounds who really want to get serious with the honey onyx. Supplies: Barstow is very close. For beginning rockhounds (without campers, trailers, etc.) you may wish to stay in a motel in town and drive to the Club Claim each morning. This is also an easy way to get to know the workings of a rock club field trip. Contact: Jay Valle at (626) for questions or further information. Information on the Oaktree Inn for those who would like to stay in a room for the two nights: Oaktree Inn Yermo Dr. Phone: (760) Take the Ghost Town Road Turnoff AARP or AAA Discount $79.75 per night Dinner is open 24 hours a day NOC NEWS - October

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