Author: Alan Molineux

The
bulletin
Newsletter of the
victor valley
Gem and
mineral club
Ph. (760) 243-2330
October 2010

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Your officers for 2010
2010 Executive Committee
President……………………...Cyndy Mandell……………..244-7169
1st V.P (Membership)..Gayland Graves……………..902-3249
2nd V.P (Education)…….Val Costello…………………..963-3974
3rd V.P (Gem & Mineral Show chairman)
Lois Papner……...…………………………………………………… 244-7169
Recording Secretary….Alan Molineux……………….951-7064
Treasurer…………………….Kerry Molineux .…………...951-7064
Corresponding Secretary..Lynn Hallock…………...951-1736
Board Members
Don Pomerenke………….…868-5264
Lloyd Guilliam..………….….962-6844
John Printz….………(951) 255-9158
Carole Mc Michael..……..961-7659
Past President……………..Gil Gilbert………………….…868-6900
CFMS Representative...Pat Estes ………….…..……948-7324
Standing Committee Chairmen
Wagon Master…………..Blaine Witte…………………….244-8211
Historian…………………….Jonathan Vanderloop…….245-2313
Maintenance……………...Ed Deren .………………….252-7009
Librarian………………….…Lois Papner…….………………..244-7169
Newsletter…………...…..Alan Molineux…….…………...951-7064
Sunshine Lady…………..Pat Coleman……………………..985-2388
Displays………….………….Andrew Turner………………..962-0095
Raffles……………………...Ellen Gilbert..…...……………..868-6900
Scholarships……………..Andrew Turner….…………...962-0095
Photography………….....Alan Molineux…………………..951-7064
Hospitality……………..…Mike Stafford…….…………..248-7404
Purchasing Officer…..Don Pomerenke……………...868-5264
Tailgate……….…………….Brett Ward………………………948-1232
Virgil Melton…………………….948-2849
Training Coordinator..Lloyd Guilliam…………………962-6844
Instructors
Ed Deren, Jim Fosse, Gil Gilbert, Joe Kosik, Pat Estes, Virgil Melton, Gayland Graves, Don Pomerenke, Charles Toles, Cyndy Mandell and Lloyd Guilliam, John Printz, and Ed Skidmore.

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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 an active role 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 September meeting will be on Tuesday the 28th and the October meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 26th at 7:30p.m.
Club Website—www.vvgmc.org
Stone carving class
There is a free Stone Carving class in Whittier from noon till 4p.m. this Sunday 9/26.
Jonathan Vanderloop is setting up a carpool which will leave the VVGMC clubhouse at 10am on Sunday 9/26/10. Please call him if you wish to go on (760)245-2313 and leave a message.
Bring a small object to copy e.g. lizard, road runner, bunny, tree, car, and some material to carve.

On the front cover
Chris Koch features on our front cover this month. I stopped by the club on Wednesday, September 22nd to take some photographs for the Bulletin and Chris was grinding a cab. Congratulations Chris—you made it to the cover of this month’s Bulletin….Ed
How fights start…
(Sometimes the road of married life has little bliss—here are a few instances of that!)
My wife sat down on the couch next to me as I was flipping
the channels.
She asked, 'What's on TV?'
I said, 'Dust.'
And then the fight started...
One year, a husband decided to buy his mother-in-law a cemetery plot
as a Christmas gift..
The next year, he didn't buy her a gift.
When she asked him why, he replied, "Well, you still haven't used the gift I bought you last year!"
And that's how the fight started.....
(Above are excerpts from an e-mail my son, Damian in Australia sent to me….Ed)
In memoriam
We will miss our dear members, Wayne Flanders and Claude Williams. Both passed away recently and our thoughts and prayers go out to their families….Ed

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Silent
Auction
We are holding a silent auction at the club to sell off our used rock saws.
We are auctioning off a 12” Lortone saw with a minimum bid of $30. We have a 16” Lortone saw with a minimum bid of $40 and a 16” Highland Park saw with a minimum bid of $40. We also have a 24” Highland Park saw with a minimum bid of $100. The last day for bids is Wednesday, November 24th and a bid form is located on the Bulletin board at the shop.
Changing the guard
We already have our election committee in place and we are approaching the end of the year. Remember, anyone who has been a member for a year can run for a committee or board position. Contact a committee or a board member and we’ll be only too happy to point you in the right direction. You may have ideas how a job could be done better or maybe you feel you would like to serve the club in a guiding capacity. We’d love to hear from you. Remember, all of us position holders are members - like you who love the hobby and feel they would like to help. You can too! All you have to do is step forward and volunteer….Ed

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Club Christmas Party
We will be having our Christmas Party on Tuesday, December 21st from 5—9p.m. at the Taste Buffet on Bear Valley Road on the corner of Bear Valley Road and 7th Street—in the Food For Less Center.
The price is $11 per person (including drinks and tax). The club will be paying the tip for the group. Also if you sign up on the sheet in the clubhouse by December 1st you will be getting a discount. (We are unsure of the size of the discount but it will probably be around $3—$4 per person.)
Children under 10 years get a reduced price from the buffet.
No Checks please—cash or debit cards only. You must be a member (or a junior member) and signed by December 1st to get our discount.
The buffet offers Asian food with fresh sushi (made throughout the day), seafood, pizza, ribs and much more.
Don’t forget to bring something for our auction—it can be rocks, slabs, cabs, a finished piece or maybe something else.

Demonstrations for
Victor Valley Gem and Mineral Club Non-Members
Starting October 12, 2010 our instructors will be demonstrating the various lapidary activities and classes prospective new members will be able to participate in when they become members. New members are also invited to attend these workshops.
We will be holding these workshops on the second Tuesday of the month at the gem and mineral clubhouse from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Instructors will demonstrate how to make a sterling silver pendant, a cabochon, sawing of rocks, chain mail, fused glass, intarsia, beading, wire wrapping, cold connections, casting, etching, and a variety of other skills that are taught at the club. This is a chance for non-members to see the variety of activities we have to offer and get an idea as to their interest levels in joining the club to peruse these activities. The classes will demonstrate the steps involved in completing a project, the tools and supplies needed, and the approximate cost involved. There is no fee for attending the demonstrations.
To become a member of the Victorville Gem and Mineral Club a prospective member is required to attend three events sponsored by the club. These can include a field trip, our potluck/general meeting, or a demonstration. Dues are $20.00 for an individual and $30.00 for a couple for the year. The demonstrations being presented will depend on the number of instructions available on the second Tuesday and will continually change according to instructor’s interest. Many instructors teach more than one activity. Come and see live demonstrations, ask questions, and experience the fun of making something creative.
For more information ask an instructor or call the clubhouse at (760)245.2330.

Attention all Newsletter Editors
and Prospective Editors
There is a society devoted to helping you with your monthly newsletter—both content and grammatical construction.
S.C.R.I.B.E is the Special Congress Representing Involved Bulletin Editors.
Members have years of editorial experience and are only too willing to help you.
Dues are just $6 a single or $8 for a couple. See Doug Arnold (760) 885-7409.

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October 2010

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
					1	2 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.
3 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.	4	5 Instructor’s / Meeting at 6p.m. / Board Meeting at / 7p.m.	6 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	7 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	8	9 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.
10 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.	11	12	13 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	14 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	15	16 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.
17 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.	18	19 / Education Night / 7p.m.	20 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	21 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	22	23 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.
24 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.	25	26 Pot Luck / 6:30p.m. / Monthly club general mtg. 7:30p.m.	27 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	28 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	29	30 Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m. / Club Clean up at 9:00a.m.
31 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.

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Deadline for the October issue of the Bulletin is Monday,Oct.18th.Ph.(760) 951-7064 or email me at amolineux@gmail.com

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V.v.g & M.c Board meeting - September
Val Costello mentioned that the speaker for the September Education Night would be Britt Leathan, a paleontologist from CSUSB.
Lois Papner is sending out letters to vendors for the 2010 Gem and Mineral Show letting them know the show has been cancelled.
In the suggestion box, it was mentioned that many of the chairs could be stacked and put away in the bathrooms after each general meeting. It was also mentioned that instructors don’t need to pick up chair cushions off the floor.
The electrical panel by Kaman Bearings was damaged recently by a trash truck. It will cost about $800 to repair. More bids are being sought.
The Christmas Party is coming up soon—see the Bulletin for details. Details about the club annual picnic are ongoing.
The club will offer classes to new members and prospective members. See the Bulletin for details.
The board talked about access to the air conditioner thermostat. Ed Deren is looking into repairing Kaman’s air-conditioning system.
Gayland Graves is looking into getting our reverse cycle air conditioner changed out for a swamp cooler.
Alan Molineux together with his wife will attend a SCRIBE convention in January 2011 at Quartzite, AZ.

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V.v.g & M.c General meeting - August
The membership was notified that a special board meeting was convened just before the August General meeting. There it was decided not to proceed with the yearly Gem and Mineral Show which is usually held at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds.
There were many new members and first time guests.
The board members and the instructors were introduced.
Blaine Witte spoke about a recent field trip to the Omnia mine in Lucerne Valley for fluorescent minerals.
He mentioned an upcoming field trip to Gephardt Road by Edwards AFB on October 23rd and was hoping to lead a field trip sometime in the near future to Cajon Pass to find some Serpentine. He was also hoping to get out to the Cadee Mountains by Ludlow before access was restricted by the government.
The telephone committee was recognized.
After our two buildings were appraised, it was decided to hold onto them as the economic downturn had lowered their prices too much.
We are having some problems with the new saws but it is hoped that with ongoing talks with the manufacturer and keeping them in the loop will work towards resolving any issues.
Ed Deren mentioned that blocks cannot be reused once they have already been used in the saws.
Johnathan VaderLoop has bought containers to help drain the saws.
.

Upcoming field trips.
Christmas Tree Agate Field Trip—October 9th 2010 @ 7:30 sign in depart at 8:00 a.m. Cady Mountains. We will meet at the Dairy Queen in Ludlow. This is sponsored by the California Federation and will be led by Agate Hunter Adam Dean we will be looking for Christmas Tree Agate, jaspers with multi-shaded pink opal and some very nice agate that looks like pink Mexican Lace Agate. 4 X 4 is recommended.
Sign up at club house for field trip on October 30th.
Field trip on Nov. 20th—Mt Alvord area. We are looking for palm wood, palm root, jasper, fossilized reed and opalite. It is near the Field Road exit.
We will meet at Peggy Sue’s at 7:30a.m. on November 20th.

The following items are being suggested for donations to our club. If just a few of us donate one item from this list it will help us in saving money. Kitty Litter, Paper Towels, Paper Plates, bowls, plastic wear, Toilet Paper, Sodas and Bottled Water, Dopping Wax, Rags, Copy Paper,
Stamps, and 5 gallon buckets….Thank you, Cyndy Mandell, Club president.

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Upcoming lapidary Events.
September 24th, 25th & 26th.
San Bernardino, CA
Orange belt Mineralogical Society
Little League Baseball Park.
6707 Little League Drive.
Hours: 9a.m.—Dusk.
Chris Phillips (909) 570-5817.
likearoq@msn.com
obmsrocks@yolasite.com
October 9th & 10th
Trona, CA
Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Soc. Searles Gem & Mineral Show Building.
13337 Main Street,
Hours: Sat—7:30—5p.m.
Sun—7:30—4p.m.
Jim & Bonnie Fairchild
(760)372 - 5356.
sigms@iwvisp.com
http://www1.iwvisp.com/tronagemclub
October 16th & 17th.
Whittier, CA
Whittier Community Center.
7630 Washington Avenue.
Hours: 10—5p.m. daily.
Jay Valle (626) 934-9764.
Res19pnb@verizon.net

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

White Buffalo & other turquoise—from various states. Priced per piece
Contact Virgil Melton (760) 900-0507

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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September’s education night.

The paleontologist from CSUSB was very popular with the members.

Britt Leathan from California State University at San Bernardino department of geology spoke at our September 19, 2010 education night. Britt was enjoyed by several dozen members as he showed a Power Point presentation on fossils. Britt is also a member of our community and lives in Hesperia. He is very knowledgeable and entertaining and this was his second visit as a speaker. We hope to have him return many times and join us on our field trips to point out possible fossils in our excursions.

Our “Green Bulletin”.
Many of our members enjoy looking at our newsletter in color on our club website - created and maintained by Jim Fosse. Some people, however simply cannot view the Bulletin online and so they have requested to receive a hard copy mailed to them. If you find this fits your needs then please don’t hesitate to call me—Alan Molineux the editor of the Bulletin on (760) 951-7064 or e-mail me at amolineux@gmail.com.

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Snail
Mail
Stamp

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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