Author: Alan Molineux

The
bulletin
Newsletter of the
victor valley
Gem and
mineral club
Ph. (760) 243-2330
September 2011

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Your officers for 2011
2011 Executive Committee
President……………………...Cyndy Mandell….…………..244-7169
1st V.P (Membership)..Sheryl Grenell….…………..242-7602
2nd V.P (Education)…….Lois Papner…………………...244-7169
3rd V.P (Gem & Mineral Show chairman)
Jonathan Van DerLoop..245-2313
Recording Secretary….Alan Molineux……………….951-7064
Treasurer…………………….Carole Mc Michael.……….961-7659
Corresponding Secretary..Lynn Hallock…………...951-1736
All ‘Phone Numbers Board Members
have an area code Don Pomerenke………….….868-5264
of (760) unless Jim Fosse……...………….…..245-8644
shown otherwise. John Printz…..…….(951) 255-9158
Gayland Graves……...…….902-3249
Past President……………..Gil Gilbert………………….….868-6900
CFMS Representative...Pat Estes ………….…..…….948-7324
Standing Committee Chairpersons
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…………..Bobbie Kaufman.………….….868-5120
Displays………….………….Andrew Turner………………..962-0095
Raffles……………………...Ed Deren……..…...……………..252-7009
Scholarships……………..Andrew Turner….…………...962-0095
Photography………….....Alan Molineux…………………..951-7064
Hospitality………………..Mike Stafford………………..248-7404
Webmaster……………….Jim Fosse…………………………245-8644
Tailgate……….…………….Brett Ward………………………948-1232
Jonathan VanderLoop…….245-2313
Training Coordinator..Lloyd Guilliam…………………962-6844
Instructors
Ed Deren, Jim Fosse, Gil Gilbert, Virgil Melton, Ed Skidmore, Pat Estes, Gayland Graves, Don Pomerenke,
Charles Toles, Cyndy Mandell, and Lloyd Guilliam, Terry Booth and John Hill. 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 64 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 August General Meeting was held on Tuesday, 23rd at 7:30p.m. and the September General Meeting will be on Tuesday the 27th.
Knock, knock….
The instructors in the club are listed on page (2). They are all volunteers!
If flow of members into the club slows and the instructor/s on duty find they are the only ones there, they will close the club. My advice to you is to phone the club before you come down. The number is on the front cover—so, give it a call and avoid disappointment….Ed.
I’m holding this section over for another month as I consider it to be very important...Ed

Upcoming Elections
The club board and it’s officers are up for election in November. I know it seems a ways off at the moment—but, time has a way of creeping up on us! Anyway, if you think you might like to serve the club and it’s members in a more official capacity, see one of the board members or officers and we’ll be glad to point you in the right direction.
I wrote this spot last month and although I’ll add to it, I want to keep it in for another month. On our nominating committee, we have Pat Estes, Jonathan Vanderloop and Gayland Graves. If you are approached by someone on this committee, it is because they think you have the “stuff” to lead the club in a particular direction.
Petrified Pups
This month the Petrified Pups are meeting on August 6th where Jonathan Vanderloop will lecture on Gold History and again on 13th when John Printz will go over Gold Panning. It looks to be an exciting month and so parents try and get there with your Pup so that you can all enjoy the proceedings.
For more information, call the club at (760) 243-2330 or go to the club website at vvgm.org.
On the Front Cover
I took this photograph of Kerry, (my sweet petunia) as she was demonstrating wire wrapping at a booth a Gem and Mineral Show at the 2011 Oregon Trail Days at Tenino, Washington State.

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Around the club

I came by the Club on a Sunday and Cyndy Mandell is teaching how to photographed Kerry Molineux use fused glass in their projects
teaching wire wrapping. to interested members.

Darla Johnston is showing off her Terry Booth is working on a Genie fused glass projects. - grinding and polishing.

I took this photo of one of our on duty instructors—Don Pomerenke. Don has been a member of the club for many years and is currently volunteering his ser vices on many fronts—in particular, he is an instructor. He has much expertise to pass on to others—I can truly say, he’s been there and done that!
A list of our instructors is on page 2. of the Bulletin...Ed

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A Recent field trip - With our wagon Master—Blaine Witte.
We had a small group of 8 people that showed up to go to the Palos Verde barite trip on August 13. Unfortunately 2 of our members had to turn back at the start and didn't make the trip. Traffic was decent on the way out. When we got there we made a brief stop at the San Vincente County park and Visitor Center next to our collecting area. The Visitor Center was a fun surprise. It was fairly new and didn't exist when I lived in this area almost 30 years ago. It was a like a small museum and tourist shop rolled up in one. When we finished our little tour of the Visitor Center one of the staff was outside of the center pointing out a couple of blue whales just off the coast that were feeding. It was worth the trip just to see that.
We got back to our cars and re-parked closer to the trail down to the rock beach below the cliffs. The trail was wide and well traveled but fairly steep. At the beach we began our search . We found gypsum crystals in abundance right off the bat. Terry Booth collected a fair amount of it. Then we started to find signs of barite but it was worn by the surf. We found some interesting metamorphic material. I was the only one to save a piece but there was a lot of it there. Then Judy and I scrambled up the slope below the cliff to a pile of rubble we noticed. There we found some exceptionally nice delicate barite crystals on the surface of sand stone that made up much of the rubble. We collected enough to share with everybody in our party. We also found some interesting sedimentary rocks there as well. We didn't have so much luck with the whale bone or black coral that can also be found there. All and all not that much material was collected but that was probably a good thing. The hike back up the trail was quite a challenge for some of us as it was really steep. One the way up Debbie Socool found a nice piece of barite about the size of a golf ball that resembled a rose.
After this we went on a scouting expedition to find the old barite quarry. It turned out that we were quite close to it but that it seems to be turned in to a Nature Reserve and the roads into it have been blocked. Its possible that we might be able hike into the area but I'm not sure what the rules are for collecting and it was getting later than I wanted to be there so we left that behind.
After this we all went back to Ports of Call in nearby San Pedro to get lunch at one of my old hang outs. It had changed ownership and wasn't the same cafe I had known but it was still fun. Then we all took off and found our different ways home. I don't think any one was disappointed even though we didn't find all we were hoping to. Everyone got some nice specimens of barite and gypsum for their mineral collections. We saw blue whales. We beat the heat (kind of). And had good fellowship.
The metamorphic rock I collected I cut open the next day at the club. It wasn't exactly what I expected but it was nice. A very interesting gemmy brown, brachia like material. Still haven't figured out what to call it though. Those at the club that had been on the trip regretted that didn't snag a piece. Oh well, Next time. If we do this again we'll have
experience and knowledge on our side.

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September 2011

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

Deadline for the October issue of the Bulletin is Monday, Sept.,19th. Ph.(760) 951-7064 or email amolineux@gmail.com

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Wanted—Rocks, Lapidary,
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

Up to 25% off retail—
See the Sports Memorabilia Man
Jonathan Vanderloop at (760) 245-2313
We specialize in hard to find teams!
NBA, NASCAR, NFL, UFC
NHRA, COLLEGE, & NHL
sportsmemman@yahoo.com

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Club do’s and don’ts
The club is a meeting place for like minded individuals interested in the lapidary arts.
Do—Learn about lapidary at the club.
Do—Become proficient on the machinery the club works with.
Do—Work on your lapidary projects at the club.
Do—Return the machinery to it’s original state when you have finished with it—this particularly applies to the saws.
Do—report any problems with club equipment to an instructor. He will assess the situation and take steps to remedy it. Remember, nothing gets fixed immediately—it takes time but it will be done!
Do—Stop by the club any time—but call first—the number is on the front of the newsletter.
Do—Form friendships with other club members (we all share the same interests).
Do—Volunteer your time and talents when asked. Pass on what you have learned. That’s what ensures the continuance of the club.
Do—Help others. Remember, you were new once too! Our new people are big on enthusiasm but not so much on knowledge. They are the life blood of our club and we and they want them to come back.
Do—Keep the club haw you found it. That might mean clearing a table or sweeping up—remember it helps us all.

Don’t—Sit around and complain. Remember, the club is manned by other members who are all volunteers. Through experience, they usually get things right—occasionally not—but they do their best.
Don’t—Take the club for granted. We work with a certain budget and we try and cater to our member’s needs. When that money’s gone—its gone!
Don’t—Be a habitual complainer. Other members—especially the new ones take our lead. Keep the club happy!
Don’t—Abuse the club equipment. The club is a learning environment. When you’ve finished with the equipment, someone else will use it. Remember, they have the same rights as you!
Don’t—Sell the items that you made at the club. This is a big one and it bears some explanation.
You come to the club to learn a procedure or technique. Don’t just use the club! Many members have their own equipment at home and use that to make lapidary items.
Others really frown on the idea of you coming into the club and churning out lots of lapidary products and then selling them. If you want to do that—fine, but get your own equipment and after you have mastered a particular technique, you can sell what you have made from home!

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Upcoming Club Equipment Auctions
Black Chairs in open auction at the club on August 23rd—the August monthly meeting. The minimum bid is $10 per chair.
A rock tumbler will be auctioned off on the same date—the same way. The minimum bid is $30
We will auction off (2) saws—a (12”) saw and a (16”) saw. They will both be sold at open auction on September 27th. The minimum bid for the (12”) saw is $225 and the minimum bid for the (16”) saw is $500.
Some repair to each of them is recommended.
The (12”) saw needs the rock carriage rebuilt.
The motor and the blade need to be put back on.
All else is minor repair.
The (16”) saw needs the rock carriage rebuilt.
There needs a cover over the saw arbor.
The motor needs to put back on. (This is a Reminder)

Upcoming club Gem Shows
Sept. 2nd—5th: Fort Bragg, CA
Mendocino Coast Gem and Mineral Society.
Town Hall—363 Nth Main Street (Cnr. Of Main and Laurel)
Hours: Fri, Sat, & Sun. 10—6p.m. and Mon, 10—4p.m.
Jerry Sommer (707) 917-1833
Sept. 10th & 11th: Downey, CA
Delvers Gem and Mineral Society
Woman’s Club of Downey
9813 Paramount Boulevard
Hours: Sat. 10—6p.m.
And Sun. 10—4p.m.
Guynell Miller (562) 633-0614
Sept. 17th and 18th Paso Robles, CA.
Santa Lucia Rockhounds
Pioneer Park and Museum
2010 Riverside Avenue

Hours: 10—5p.m.
Dale Conrad (805) 226-0719
Conrad@att.net
slrockhounds.org.
Sept. 17th & 18th:Stockton, CA
Stockton Lapidary & Mineral Club
Scottish Rite Masonic Center
33W. Alpine Avenue
Hours: 10-5p.m. Daily
Jan Bradley or Dorothy Tonnacliff
(209) 629-3837/(209) 603-4539 slmcshow@juno.com www.stocktonlapidary.com/show
Sept. 24th & 25th:Monterey, CA Carmel Valley Gem & Mineral Society
Monterey County Fairgrounds
2004 Fairgrounds Road
Hours: Sat, 10-6p.m. & Sun, 10-5p.m.
Matt Biewer (831) 659-4156
mattbiewer@aol.com
www.cvgms.org

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August Board
Minutes
Carole Mc Michael is taking the job of treasurer—temporarily. Meanwhile, John Printz is taking her place of the board.
Carole Mc Michael said she would pay Pat Estes the remainder of her yearly CFMS budget for her recent CFMS trip.
Speakers have been secured for the next two Education Nights according to our club president.
Cyndy Mandell went on the recent CFMS field trip to Greenhorn Mtn.
She also took the CFMS job as newsletter contest person.
The clubhouse has been reroofed and is guaranteed for 10 years.
Security cameras and an outdoor safety light have been installed.
There will be a live auction on August 26th to auction off chairs and a tumbler.
The saws will be auctioned off on September 27th.
A nominating committee was put together to encourage members to become officers.
Virgil Melton was nominated for Lifetime membership.
Term limits were discussed for board officers.
Jonathan Vanderloop is still looking at venues in Apple Valley to hold another tailgate each year.

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July General Meeting
Minutes
The minutes of general meeting were taken by the corresponding secretary—Lynne Hallock (and are available for viewing in the minutes folder) while Alan Molineux (the recording secretary) was on vacation in Washington State.

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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.