Author: Alan Molineux

The
bulletin
Newsletter of the
victor valley
Gem and
mineral club
Ph. (760) 243-2330
December 2008

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Your officers for 2008
2008 Executive Committee
President……………………..Tom Laszlo……………………...247-5369
1st V.P (Membership)..Jim Fosse………………………..245-8644
2nd V.P (Education)…….Patti Deer……………………...553-6550
3rd V.P (Gem & Mineral Show chairman
Gil Gilbert……………………..868-6900
Recording Secretary….Alan Molineux………………..951-7064
Treasurer…………………….Janet Flecher………………..949-9347
Board Members
Joe Kosik……...………………...241-0894
Lloyd Guilliam..………………..962-6844
Pat Estes………………………...948-7324
Charles Toles……………………951-0372
Past President……………..Nick Beall…………………..……220-1215
CFMS Representative..Carole Mc Michael.………..961-7659
Standing Committee Chairmen
Wagon Master…………..(Vacant)
Historian…………………….(Vacant)
Maintenance……………...Charles Toles.…………………..951-0372
Librarian…………………….Mary Lou Flecher………..….949-9347
Newsletter…………...…..Alan Molineux…….…………...951-7064
Sunshine Lady………….Carol Laszlo……………………….247-5369
Displays………….………….Kate Waterman………………..946-5881
Raffles……………………...Charles Toles…...……………...951-0372
Scholarships……………..Andrew Turner….…………....962-0095
Legislative Rep…….…..(Vacant)
Photography………….....Bob Harper………………………...947-6383
Hospitality……………..…John Prinz…………………………..957-7414
Parliamentarian..……..Dennis Harbison………….…….247-5559
Gem Show Chairman...Gil Gilbert….……………………..868-6900
Tailgate……….…………..Committee
Training Coordinator..Lloyd Guilliam……………………962-6844
Instructors
Nick Beall, Joann Beall, Janet Flecher, Jim Fosse, Gil Gilbert, Tom Laszlo, Virgil Melton, Joe Kosik, Pat Estes, Charles Toles
Club Website—www.vvgmc.org

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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 61 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
Our November meeting was held on Tuesday, 28th at 6:30p.m. and the Club Christmas Party will be held on Tuesday, December 16th (See p.4)
Club Elections
While you are reading this newsletter, the 2008 club officers will be preparing for the election of officers for the coming year.
This club—like all others relies on volunteers to support it and carry it through the coming year. Those who are current officers are there because they love lapidary and believe they can give something to the club. If you feel this way too, we’d love you to come on board in 2009.

A CALL FOR TOOLS!!!
Dear Members, many of you may have tools laying around in your shop or toolbox that are neglected, because like any hobby, we fall prey to the siren call of the newer, brighter, shinier and dare I say, more expensive higher quality tools. Maybe you have won spare tools in raffles or been given extra sets as presents by well-meaning family members? If you would like to lighten the load in your tool box and do a nice thing for the new members of the club would you please consider donating some of your old, unused tools to the club for the wire wrap tutorial? I will make sure each is engraved with VVGMC on them so they won't "walk away" accidentally and can be a wonderful resource for the future members of the club. I need virtually all types of small pliers. Flat nose, needle nose, round chain and step pliers, nylon coated jaw, bent nose etc. I also need wire cutters, extra polishing cloths and seamstress measuring tapes (flexible plastic or cloth) If anyone can think of anything else I am sure we could use it. Thanks so much for your generosity!--Kerry Molineux

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VVGMC invites you to
Tuesday, December 16th 2008 – 6:30 P.M.
This year we will be having our party at the
in Hesperia (corner of “I” Ave. & Main Street in the Von’s shopping center – plenty of parking
A complete Festive menu of all you can eat
including:
Sea food (crab, shrimp, salmon etc.)
Veggies, salads, hot dishes &
Excellent American and Oriental Cuisine
This year, we will dine in the open restaurant individually then meet in the banquet room for fun and activities 6:30 to 8:30
Cost: Can you believe?.....only $8.39 per person
Again please bring…. Only one item to be auctioned off to the highest bidder in a fun and zany auction. (items such as findings, magazines, books, rocks, buffing wheels, tools, cabs, jewelry or anything lapidary or rock-hound related) Proceeds to go to next year’s Christmas Party fund for a free or nearly free party in 09!
Many Door Prizes – Grand Prize – Zany Auction Installation of New Officers and MORE FUN SURPRISES
Sign up now on signup sheet at the club or call Carole at 961-7659 for reservations – See you there!

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Upcoming CFMS outing
WHERE: Wiley Wells
WHEN: November 24th - 30th. There will be folks camping all week.
Collecting trips: November 27th, 28th, and 29th Open to all CFMS affiliated clubs members and their guests. Each day we will leave camp at 8:00 am and return in the late afternoon except on Thanksgiving Day when we will be back in time for our feast at 2:00 pm. 27th - Pebble Terrace/Fire Agate. 28th - Paisley Agates, Black Agate and Nodules. 29th - Geode Beds.
4WD is not a "must" for this trip, but is highly recommended. No low clearance vehicles advised. 4WD "IS" necessary to get to the fire agate and Pebble Terrace. We will make arrangements for those without 4WD to ride with those who do. These sites are remote, so bring food, water, and all required supplies. The nearest stores are in Blythe, California.
DIRECTIONS: From the I-10 freeway, exit on Wiley Wells Road and turn
south from the freeway, 14 miles to the camp. Around a mile or so down the road, the pavement will turn towards the right. Don't follow that road. Stay straight in the dirt road. Stay on this dirt road past the Fire Agate mine and Coon Hollow. You will see a sign for the Imperial County Line. The camp will be just past this sign on the right hand side. We will have O.B.M.S. (Orange Belt Mineralogical Society) field trip signs along the way to the campground. If you get lost call Adam Dean at (909) 489- 4899.
MATERIAL: Fire agate, geodes and a large variety of miscellaneous
fissils, limestone, jasper, petrified wood, agates amd very old stromatolites. Also, we will search for paisley agate, black agate and nodules.
TOOLS: Sturdy bags, hard rock mining tools, safety glasses and gloves.
It may be wise to carry a first aid kit. I also recommend a dust mask as the ash may irritate lungs.
CLOTHING: Wear clothing in layers as it can be very warm during the day
and very cold at night. Bring extra blankets and jackets.
DINNER: Thanksgiving - 3:00 pm; O.B.M.S and C.F.M.S. will host a potluck
dinner for all those willing to contribute. Please bring your own plates, utensils, drinks and chair. We welcome everyone. If you plan to join us for dinner, here are the guidelines to follow: If your last name begins with A, E, I, M, or Q - please bring a main dish. If it begins with B, F, J, N, R or V - please bring a startchy food. If it begins with C, G, K, O, S, W, or X - please bring a vegetable or salad. If it begins with D, H, L, P, T, Y or Z - please bring a desert
REMINDER: please help preserve our deserts and pack out what you pack
in. Let's leave it clean for future Rock hounds. Please bring firewood if planning on campfires.
All those attending the collecting trips will be required to sign a Liability Waiver form.
For further information please contact Adam Dean@ 909-489-4899 or email at theagatehunter@verizon.net or Shep Koss @ 661-248-0411 or email at
freudonetoo@yahoo.com

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December 2008

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
National / calendar / Awareness month	1 / Instructor’s / Meeting—7p.m.	2 / Board / Meeting—7p.m.	3 / Workshop 1-9p.m.	4 / Workshop 1-9p.m.	5	6
7 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.	8 John / Lennon / Murdered / In 1980.	9	10 / Workshop 1-9p.m.	11 / Workshop 1-9p.m.	12	13 / Geminids / Meteor Shower
14 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.	15 / Bill of Rights / Day	16 / Club Christmas Party—6:30p.m.	17 / Workshop 1-9p.m.	18 / Workshop 1-9p.m.	19	20 / France transfers Louisiana to U.S in 1803
21 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.	22	23	24 / Christmas / Eve	25 / Christmas / Day	26 / Indian Ocean / Tsunami in 2004.	27
28 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.	29	30	31 / New Year’s / Eve	Universal / Human rights / Month

Deadline for the January issue of the Bulletin is Monday, December 8th. Ph. (760) 951-7064 or email amolineux@gmail.com

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We sell what we make
Trudi Roser sent me this photo she took of Joe Kosik selling his wares at the Harvest Fair in San Bernardino.
Sunshine club
I phoned Carol Laszlo (our Sunshine Lady) today and she tells me that Faith Harper’s health has been up and down lately. I’m sure that she would appreciate a phone call or a card if possible.
If you know of anyone who is ailing or could use a card, then give Carol a call and she’ll be sure to take care of it.
Her number is (760) 247-5369.
Guests & new members
Welcome to our recent guests and new members—Ronald and Barbara Midlikoski, Eugene Thoms, Adelina Phizalde, Elisa Buchary, Steve and Bobby Kauffman, Tamara Cole, Dwayna Barron, Denise Warden, Denise Millar, Ruben Martinez and Ed Fry.

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Wire Wrapping?
Interested in learning how to wire wrap? Wire wrapping is one of the oldest documented forms of jewelry making. Archaeologists have found examples of it in some of the earliest tombs they excavated, so don't think it is just a fad. Kerry Molineux has volunteered to be at the club on Sundays from 12:00-3:00pm to be available to teach the basics of wire wrapping in a one to one setting. The nice thing about this is that with the help of the club, Kerry has purchased a quantity of sterling silver wire that you may purchase by the inch for your tutorial so in that way you can try it a few times, ( up to three,) and see if it is your "cup of tea" before investing money in wire and tools. Kerry will also provide you with a step by step print out of how she does a basic wrap so that you can have it for future reference. So, if you have a nice cabochon you have made and would love to do something with, bring it and just show up Sunday with about $5 if you need to purchase wire. Students will be accepted on a first come, first served basis--no sign ups necessary!
See you on Sunday!
There will be no Wire Wrapping class on December 21st or the 28th.

ATTENTION ALL ROCK HOUNDS!!
From John Martin, our Federation watch dog, protecting our Public Lands. John writes,
“NEW ENDANGERED SPECIES…The Rockhound”
“The habitat of the rockhound is diminishing at an astounding rate. More and more of its free roaming areas are being gobbled up each every day by the changing environment. Soon the range of the Rockhound and its offspring the Pebble Pup will become so diminished that extinction will be imminent. As the environment changes, the ecosystem of the reockhound is slowly being replaced by the ecosystem known as “Wilderness”, which is a poisonous dead zone for the Rockhound and Pebble Pup.”
John encourages us to write, professional, concerned letters (Not irate comments) to our Congressmen and Senators. Below are Bills and their authors with links to the websites where full information on the legislation and their status can be obtained.
S.493: California Will Heritage Act of 2007
Introduced by Hilda Solis (D-CA)
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.spd?bill=s110-493
H.R. 860: California Wild Heritage Act of 2007
Introduced by Hilda Solis (D-CA)
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.epd?bill=h11--860
S. 3069: Easter Sierra and Northern San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act
Introduced by B. Boxer (D-CA)
http://www.govtrack.us./congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-3069
H.R. 6156: Eastern Sierra and Nthn San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act
Introduced by Howard McKeon (R-CA)
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-6156
H.R. 554: Paleontological Resources Preservation Act
Introduced by James McGovern (D-MA)
http://www.govtrack.us.congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-554
Also see the attempt by the Marine Corps to close the Johnson Valley area – check out the website and a sample of letters that may be written to the representatives http://www.pirate4x4.com/letters
Take just an hour of your time to research these websites, view the proposed legislation and then write your representatives about your desire to see areas open to rockhounds.
Write: Congressman, Jerry Lewis P.O. Box 247, Redlands, CA 92373 or check out his email on the web http://www.jerrylewisforcongress.com

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From the October
General Meeting
We’re looking forward to a speaker from the Barstow Museum for November’s Education Night.
Gil Gilbert said although elections were supposed to be held in October—he sought to have them in November.
Nominations for club officers were—Gil Gilbert (President), Gaylan Greaves (1st V.P), Virgil Melton (3rd V.P), Alan Molineux (Secretary), Carol Mc Michael (Treasurer), Lloyd Guilliam, John Printz and Don Pomerenke as Board candidates, and Pat Estes was nominated as CFMS Rep.
Carole Mc Michael reported on CFMS trips to Afton Canyon, Wylie Wells over Thanksgiving and Calico on December 13th.
Ed Skidmore will do a club display for November.
There will be more advertising for this year’s scholarships.
See P.4 for this year’s Christmas Party.
Gil Gilbert is looking into a new kiln for the club.
Attendance at club clean up was very light.
Kerry Molineux volunteered to run a Sunday afternoon wire wrap class.
Carole Mc Michael is have a slab sale at her house.

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From the November Board Meeting
Carole Mc Michael said the CFMS meeting was on November 7th & 8th at Visalia. The board allocated funding for she and her husband to attend.
It was considered that the floor cleaner was doing an unsatisfactory job. We are investigating other contractors.
Club officers will be given a key to the storeroom door.
Alan Molineux said he didn’t need one. Instructors will be given a key to the front office door.
The board is looking into internal security cameras.
Gil Gilbert is looking into the cost of acquiring a vibrating tumbler for the club. The purchase was tabled for the present.
The board would contact Ed Deren before they hung the projector unit screen.
Kerry Molineux spoke about her upcoming wire wrapping class and asked if members could donate old tools.
The board allocated funding for silver wire for Kerry Molineux’s wire class.

Wanted—Rocks, Lapidary, Materials & Equipment.
Call Charles Toles.
Home (760) 951-0372 Cell (760) 220-6748.

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.

Place your ad here.
If you are interested in advertising in the Bulletin.
The communications and
advertising vehicle for
Victor Valley Gem and Mineral Club.
Call me—Alan Molineux (Editor)
On (760) 951-7064 or e-mail me at amolineux@gmail.com

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Another
bulletin
Expressly for

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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