Author: Alan Molineux

The Bulletin
Newsletter of Victor valley gem & mineral club
February 2007

Now—that’s what I call a hole!

Cyndy Mandell sent me an e-mail and photos from the last club outing to a mine owned by the Sierra Pelona Rock Club. It is located north of Edwards Air Force Base. I was amazed when I saw these photos. I know many members are serious about getting just the right rock sample—but this shows real dedication to the lapidary hobby! That hole must be about five feet deep and about as big as my kitchen! Jimmy Hoffa is probably buried in that hole somewhere! I can see the members using a truck and towrope to haul a sample out of there but I’m wondering, just how did they get out of the hole? There is another picture of the event inside this issue, together with a piece from Cyndy herself about the trip.

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Your officers for 2007
2007 Executive Committee
President……………………..Tom Laszlo……………………...247-5369
1st V.P (Membership)..Jim Fosse………………………..245-8644
2nd V.P (Education)…….Mary Lou Flecher………...949-9347
Recording Secretary….Patti Deer……………………...553-6550
Treasurer…………………….Janet Flecher………………..949-9347
Board Members
Don Buhr………………………….244-9512
Joe Kosik………………………...241-0894
Virgil Melton……………………948-2849
Past President……………..Nick Beall…………………..……246-7117
CFMS Representative..Bob Harper……………………..947-6383
Standing Committee Chairmen
Wagon Master…………..Janet Flecher…………………..949-9347
Historian…………………….Faith Harper…………………….947-6383
Maintenance……………...Chuck Forsyth………………….949-0204
Librarian…………………….Ralph Powers…………………….951-2937
Newsletter/Editor….Alan Molineux…….……………..951-7064
Sunshine Lady………….Carol Laszlo……………………….247-5369
Displays………….………….Nancy Flanders………………..868-2148
Raffles……………………...Francis Gramata……………...245-3775
Scholarships…………….Andrew Turner….……………..962-0095
Legislative Rep……….MaryLou Flecher……..………..949-9347
Photography…………...Bob Harper………………………...947-6383
Hospitality……………...JoAnn Beall………………………...246-7117
Parliamentarian……..Dennis Harbison………………….247-5559
Instructors
Nick Beall, Janet Flecher, Jim Fosse, Gil Gilbert, Dennis Harbison, Tom Laszlo, Virgil Melton, Oscar Delgado, Joe Kosik, and Chuck Forsyth.

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The victor valley gem and mineral club
was organized in 1947 and has been the focal point of High Desert rock hounds for the past 60 years. The club takes active roles in various civic activities. Membership is open to all persons interested in the gem and mineral hobby and lapidary arts. Meetings are held at the clubhouse located at 15056-B, 7th Street (behind Kaman Bearing) in the center of Victorville.
Visitors are always welcome.
For further information, call (760) 243-2330.
Meeting dates
The January general meeting was held on Tuesday, January 23rd at 6:30p.m. and the February meeting will be held on Tuesday the 27th.
Sunshine club
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new Sunshine Lady—Mrs. Carol Lazslo and also to thank Mrs. Marie Gramata our outgoing Sunshine Lady. Marie, you did a great job and all the members are very grateful.
If you know anyone who is in hospital, unwell or otherwise needs a card, please contact Carol on (760) 247-5369.

(Sunshine Club continued….)
I heard from Doug Arnold recently. Apparently he was in hospital for six days with a burst appendix but his troubles really started afterwards when he developed an allergic reaction to the antibiotics that he was prescribed. Bob, you been through a tough time—I hope you’re out of the woods now. We all want to see you on the mend and back at the club meetings.
Gil Gilbert would like to have folks call Virginia Harbison (760) 247-5559. She has recently come home from the convalescent hospital...Ed
Bits and pieces
Jon North is a hard worker who wears many hats for the Nevada County Gem and Mineral Society in Nevada City—in the northern California. Jon and I have talked on the phone and as editors, we regularly exchange newsletters. (I hope mine have been as interesting to him as his have been for me.) Jon is now the club president and Jeanne Boone is the new editor of the NCG&MS ‘ROCK WRITINGS” newsletter. Jeanne, I hope I enjoy the same communication with you as I did with Jon. I know this is the time of year when club positions are filled by new people. If you are a new editor and I am now sending this newsletter to the wrong person, introduce yourself and let me know so that I can amend my records and fix my mistake…..Ed

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The v.v.g.m.c Christmas dinner

Lloyd and Gloria Guilliam are Past president, Nick Beall and Pat enjoying their dinner together. Estes talking to friends.

Past president Gil Gilbert and Bob Connie Weinberg and Carol Menelly are enjoying a chat. McMichael both look festive in red.

That dapper gent on the left is our own Virgil Melton.
The club Christmas dinner was held at the Hometown Buffet this year. Members sat and chatted with each other. Many moved from table to table and socialized with others. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food and

there was certainly plenty of it. The different courses were continuously being topped up by an attentive waiting staff and everyone seemed to be enjoying their favorite food. I enjoyed the evening and to those who could not attend, we hope to see you next year.

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Field trip to the north Edwards onyx claim

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On Saturday, January 13th, we went to the mine north of Edwards Air Force Base off Clay Mine Rd. The mine is owned by the Sierra Pelona Rock Club, I believe. We had about six vehicles go on the trip. The day started off at a crisp 12 degrees as we all met at the Burger King at Four Corners. It did warm up later in the day to an almost balmy 42 with the wind chill it felt like it was in the teens. Some of our more hearty members got out their shovels and picks and worked the various digs around the site and were rewards with some very large specimens, as can be seen in the pictures. Janet and a few others worked several hours to recover the large (approx. 150 pounds) boulder that had to be taken out of the hole using a tow rope and a pickup. At noon we took a lunch break and decided to go back on 58 to Rocket Site Road and then north to a spot Janet new of where we could find Jasper and Chalcedony. After everyone filled their buckets with material we headed home around 3:00 p.m. Despite the extremely cold weather those that attended the trip were very happy with the material they took home. Nobody went home without enough to keep them busy for many months to come. ….Cyndy Mandell

February 2007

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
Black History Month / American Heart / Month				1 / Workshop / 1—9 p.m.	2	3
4 / Workshop / begins at / 12 noon.	5 / Instructor’s / Meeting / 7p.m.	6 / Board / Meeting / 7p.m.	7 / Workshop / 1—9 p.m.	8 / Workshop / 1—9 p.m. / Wagon Master’s / Meeting 7p.m.	9	10 / Field Trip / to Jasper Hill / 8:30a.m.
11 / Workshop / begins at / 12 noon. / Thomas / Edison’s birthday.	12 / Lincoln’s / birthday / 1809	13 / Workshop / 6-9p.m.	14 / Workshop / 1—9 p.m. / Valentine’s / Day	15 / Workshop / 1—9 p.m.	16	17
18 / Workshop / begins at / 12 noon. / Chinese / New Year (The Pig)	19	20 / Education / Meeting / 7p.m.	21 / Workshop / 1—9 p.m.	22 / Workshop / 1—9 p.m. / George / Washington’s / Birthday.	23 / Scientists / clone Dolly / the sheep / In 1997.	24
25 / Workshop / begins at / 12 noon.	26	27 / Pot luck / 6:30p.m. / General / Meeting / 7:30p.m.	28 / Workshop / 1—9 p.m.

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Agate

Victor Valley Gem and Mineral Club
Field Trip Quartzite Pow Wow
Date: January 27, 2007 Time: 5:00 AM Meeting Location: In the Lowe’s Parking Lot at Apple Valley Road and Bear Valley Road, close to Del Taco
Wagon Master: Janet Flecher For additional information Janet Flecher at 760-949-0796
This trip is buying trip. There will be no collecting opportunities for field collection on this trip. There will be what is perhaps the single best opportunity to purchase rough ranging from common Agate and Jasper to $30,000 pieces of Opal that exists ANWHERE. The trip will leave the Parking Lot at Lowe’s PROMPTLY at 5 AM. The distance from Lowe’s to the Pow Wow is approximately 240 miles each direction. In Quartzite we will visit 1) the Pow-Wow, 2) one outstanding rough dealer at the main event (Mike and Teresa), and 3) the remains of the Desert Garden show depending on weather, time, and the needs of the group. The Pow Wow is the premier annual event in Quartzite with over 400 different vendors. Mike and Teresa have what is definitely the largest selection of more common rough material, often the best selection, and usually the best prices in Quartzite. We will be stopping once on the way to Quartzite at a Loves Truck Stop in Indio either a Loves or a Pilot Truck Stop in Quartzite and finally at the Loves Truck Stop in Indio on the way home. Our planned route is Highway 18 to Lucerne, Highway 247 to Yucca Valley, Highway 62 to Palm Springs and Interstate 10 to Quartzite. Driving time (exclusive of stops) is about 4 hours. Plan on returning to Lowe’s in Apple Valley between 9 and 10 PM, perhaps later, depending on traffic, weather, etc. You need to plan on bringing layered clothing (it is about 10 degrees hotter than the High Desert), a hat, a carrying bag for your purchases, a lunch and fluids (food is available, but expensive at the Pow Wow) and your wallet WITH money. Dealers take cash; some take credit and a few take checks. Ride sharing IS available on a first come/first serve basis. Those seeking a ride should plan on contributing significantly for the gasoline. A purchase of a full tank of gas PER rider IS appropriate. Also for riders the VOLUME and WEIGHT of your intended purchases MUST BE NEGOTIATED BEFORE YOU PURCHASE SIGNIFICANT QUANTITIES OF MATERIALS You must sign up for this trip before the 27th either by signing the sheet at the club or calling Janet at 760-949-0706. Please let us know if you are 1) driving alone, 2) willing to take a rider, or 3) needing a ride. Janet and Mary Lou assume NO RESPONSIBILITY IF YOU COME BACK FROM THIS TRIP SO BROKE THAT YOU HAVE PROBLEMS BUYING FOOD FOR THE NEXT 3-4 MONTHS.

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Victor Valley Gem and Mineral Club
Field Trip to Jasper Hill

Date: February 10, 2007 Time: 8:30 AM
Meeting Location: At I-40 Rest Stop l located on the eastbound side of the Interstate between Newberry Springs and Hector Road. Wagon Masters: Janet Flecher
For additional information contact Janet at (760)949-0796

This trip is for Jasper and Agate. This trip is to a known and scouted location. The distance from the Club to the meeting site is approximately 65 miles. From the meeting site to the collecting site is about 10-12 miles. The material is very plentiful and easily collected from the surface. The quantity of the material is extreme. Your most difficult problem is to determine which pieces of jasper to collect. Access for this trip is difficult. For many years vehicular access to this section of the desert was closed by the railroad. Recent mining activity has forced the railroad to allow a private crossing at Hector Siding. We will be using this crossing. The road from the crossing to the collecting sites includes 3-4 sections of soft (4-6” deep) sand approximately 100 yards in length. Total off road travel is about 10-12 miles depending on exactly where we choose to collect. 4X4’s are strongly recommend. However, if you have a high clearance vehicle and experience in off road desert travel, the choice (and responsibility if you get stuck) are yours. Site conditions are for moderate hiking on the sides of hills. Distance from vehicles is less than 100 yards . Age limit for this trip is 8 years minimum. There are no known mine shafts of mining pits in this region requiring caution. Other desert hazards including snakes, etc are present.
The leaders recommend that you bring gloves, spray bottle (water), rock pick, lunch, safety glasses, and adequate drinking water.
No alcoholic beverages will be permitted on this trip.
This trip was scouted in the spring of 2006, if for conditions of access have changed, the Wagon Master will change the location to another nearby site.

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Support your sponsors

Some of our sponsors are club members and others are vendors that you might find useful. In any case, support these vendors if you can. The club benefits from the advertising.

For sale
This could be your ad. Buy, sell or trade any lapidary products, tools or novelties. Call me for attractive yearly rates in this monthly newsletter. Alan Molineux

Select Rocks & Slabs for Sale!
A huge selection of both local and “imported” rocks and slabs.
Call for details—
Janet Flecher
(760) 949-0796.

Rocks, Rocks, Rocks,
Buy slabs, cabs & rough from Joe!
Brazilian, Moss Agate, Wood, Jasper,
and Obsidian.
There is a sale on Bolo cords.
Club members (any club) 20% off at my house or 10% off at gem shows. I sell crushed Agate, Wood & Jasper for tumbling at $1.00
per pound. Call Joe Kosik (760) 241-0894.

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Desert River 21810 Hwy 18, #6
Apple Valley,
CA 92307.
(760) 961-2743
Cindy Hinojosa
Semi-precious gemstones, You can find us on the northern glass, metal, wood and side of Hwy 18.
bone beads. Freshwater East of Navajo Road, and a little pearls, seed beads, east of Rite-Aid. Come find usfindings, stringings, tools, we’re worth look. There’s plenty supplies, of parking in
classes the rear.
and more.

BEADS

Micky Coats
Assistant
Loan Officer
(760) 900-1846

Bob Coats
Loan Officer
(760) 912-9989

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CAPITAL MORTGAGE
Refinance and Reverse Mortgage Specialists

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Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Club
15056-B Seventh Street
Victorville, CA 92395-3811.
bulletin is the official monthly newsletter published by victor valley gem & mineral club and is distributed free of charge to both members and non
members.
Views expressed by authors in the articles which appear in the bulletin do not necessarily reflect those of victor valley gem & mineral club. Responsibility is taken by the editor alone.
Articles from this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in other lapidary news-letters if proper credit is given to the author and the bulletin.

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