Author: Alan Molineux

The
bulletin
Newsletter of the
victor valley
Gem and
mineral club
Ph. (760) 243-2330
December 2013

Kenny Melie showing techniques to our President Corey Beck.

Your Officers for 2013
2013 Executive Committee
President Corey Beck 221-5738
1st V.P (Membership) Jim Fosse 245-8644
2nd V.P (Education) Linda Calloway 508-8107
Recording Secretary Lois Papner 244-7169
Treasurer Carole McMichael 961-7659
Corresponding Sec. Cyndy Mandell 244-7169
Board Members Don Pomerenke 868-5264
Steve Hendrix (714)323-0323 George Kawasaki 247-4121
John Hill 508-6726
Past President John Printz (951) 255-9158
CFMS Representative Janet Flecher 949-9347
All numbers are area code (760) unless otherwise indicated.
Standing Committee Chairpersons
Petrified Pups John Printz 951-215-9158 Wagon Master John Hill 508-6726
Historian Debbie Berresford 388-4229
Maintenance Terry Booth (909) 223-1386
Librarian Lois Papner 244-7169
Newsletter Cyndy Mandell 244-7169
Sunshine Don & Marilyn
Pomerenke 868-5264
Displays Don Pomerenke 868-5264
Raffles Cyndy Mandell 244-7169
Photography Terry Booth (909) 223-1386
Hospitality Ceci Kawasaki 247-4121
Webmaster Jim Fosse 245-8644
Tailgate Brett Ward 948-1232
Training Coordinator Vacant
Instructors
Terry Booth, Steve Hendrix, John Hill, Jessie La Bau, Tina La Bau, Cyndy Mandell, Morris O’Brien, Don Pomerenke, John Printz, Barbara Pedrow.
Club Website—www.vvgmc.org

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 65 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 general meeting will be held on Tuesday, 26th at 7:30pm The Christmas Party will take the place of our December general meeting.

Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Club
Christmas Party
December 14th
6:00 pm to 9:00 PM
Dinner • $10.00
Auction
Installation of new officers
Deadline to purchase tickets is November 3oth.
Hurry to purchase your ticket. You don’t want to miss out on all of the fun!

Free Shop Passes Available
Come to clean up day or any open workshop day and do some clean up work to earn a free shop day pass.

Wishing all of our
members this month a very
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
The birthstone for the month of
December is: Blue Topaz
Jacob Griego, Frank Harris, Steve Hendrix, Ewald Jaskolsky, Steve Kauffman, Dave Kill, Cyndy Mandell, Barbra Miropol, Clyde Moore, Kitty Owens, Candee Paredes, Dale Ryder

REMEMBER!! Please remember to bring an item to auction off at the Christmas Party. This is a fundraiser for the club and a fun event that the members really enjoy.

A thank you goes out to Morris O’Brien and John hill for repairing a sink drain that was clogged. Another thank you goes to Cyndy Mandell, John Hill, Carol Papner, and Lois Papner for cleaning the saw room thoroughly. Thank you to Lois Papner and Carol Papner for cleaning up the trash around the property and cutting down the pesky elm tree near the air condition unit.
Thanks to Kenny Melie and his mother Toni for teaching members how to fold and bend metal at Education night November 19th.

CFMS Directors’ Meeting
Report by Janet Flecher
On November 8, 9 and 10, I traveled to Visalia for the annual Directors’ Meeting of the CFMS (California Federation of Mineral Societies). This is one of two annual meetings that our club is required to send a representative to. The other meeting occurs on the Saturday of the CFMS annual Gem and Mineral Show.
Both CFMS and AFMS are in the forefront of the struggle to preserve rock hounding across the country. CFMS sponsors field trips open to all members of the CFMS; it puts on two world class educational programs every year. One week at ZZYZX in the desert out by Baker and the second a two week program in Northern California called Camp Paradise.
The real focus for being a member of the CFMS is something completely different. And that is insurance. The VVGMC has to carry two completely different types of liability insurance. The first type is insurance on our buildings and property. The second type of liability insurance that we, the VVGMC, must carry is insurance on our activities; the same insurance that allows us to host show events and, most importantly, our field trips.
Around the “turn of the century” (loved saying it that way) there was an accident on a field trip sponsored by one of the CFMS clubs. On this specific trip, a man was digging under a very large overhang. He was asked three or four times to stop digging at that specific site, and refused. The worst case followed, the overhang collapsed and the accident was fatal. This incident was sufficient that every insurance company in California who offered liability insurance for club sponsored field trips rescinded their coverage. That left all 120 odd clubs that make up the CFMS with no insurance for trips and shows of any kind. At this point, the CFMS came to the forefront and decided that they needed to take a lead position in finding replacement insurance for the clubs. After an exhausted search, the CFMS found one insurance company who would write a policy to cover what the insurance companies see as recreational mining. And since this accident this is the only company who sells insurance in California who will sell a policy to cover our club activities. And this company insists that the CFMS clubs band together and purchase just one policy, rather than writing policies to 120 odd clubs.
At present, this policy costs each club $6.50 per member as of January 1 of every year. The CFMS officials who handle this policy professionally (two insurance agents and a lawyer) do attempt every year to find a second company to bid against the insurance company that the CFMS have used since the accident, but none have come forth and offered to bid on the policy. And the cost of the insurance to the CFMS and onto to us, the VVGMC has been rising. In the last ten years the cost of this insurance has risen from $1.50 per club member to $6.50 per member.
Our (the VVGMC) commitment to the CFMS is twofold. First we, through our membership, in the CFMS commit to paying the yearly dues required by the CFMS ($8 per year per individual). Part of these funds is sent to the AFMS and the balance (after the insurance premium is paid) goes to the operation of the CFMS. The second part is that we (again the VVGMC) have to provide a representative called a Director by the CFMS to the two yearly meetings. The rules and regulations that the CFMS operate under require a quorum for both yearly meetings. If the quorum is not met, the CFMS simply cannot do business. In 2013 I have had the privilege of attending both annual meetings on the part of the VVGMC. And at both meetings, we met quorum, by only two directors. If two fewer CFMS Directors had not shown up, the CFMS could not have done business in 2013. And that may have led to the loss of the insurance we depend on to protect our club from liability.
The CFMS and our membership with this organization is vitally important to our being able to be the club that we currently our. And even though we all complain about the cost to our respective clubs, it is only through the efforts of the CFMS that our programs, field trips and shows have continued.

December 2013

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
1	2	3Instructor’s Mtg. @ 6pm / Board Mtg. @ 7pm	4 Workshop / 12 noon– 7pm	5 Workshop / 12 noon– 7pm	6	7 Workshop / 12 noon– 5pm
8 Workshop / 12 noon– 5pm	9	10	11 Workshop / 12 noon– 7pm	12 Workshop / 12 noon– 7pm	13	14Christmas / Party @6:00 pm at / The club house.
15 Workshop / 12 noon– 5pm	16	17 / Education Night @ 7pm	18 Workshop / 12 noon– 7pm	19 Workshop / 12 noon– 7pm	20	21 Workshop / 12 noon– 5pm / Petrified Pups 9-noon
22 Workshop / 12 noon– 5pm	23	24	25	26 Workshop / 12 noon– 7pm	27	28 Workshop / 12 noon– 5pm
29 Workshop / 12 noon– 5pm	30	31

Deadline for the January issue of the Bulletin is Friday, December 20th .Ph.(760) 508-1080 or email editor@vvgmc.org

December Field Trip
Opal Mountain
December 7, 2013
The spot we’re going to has opal and opal in rhyolite in abundance. No tools other than a rock hammer are necessary as the material is laying in float. Do bring buckets
We will meet in Lenwood at the Love’s gas station. Take the Lenwood Road exit from the I-15 freeway and cross over the bridge toward Lenwood. The Loves’s is just past the first light on the left. We will meet at 7 am. And leave promptly at 7:30 am.
It is suggested that only high clearance vehicles make this trip. Autos will not be allowed as the trail can be quite rough. Please make arrangements with each other for rides. As wagon master, I will not be responsible for creating ride shares.
There is a lot of good material here, and once we arrive, it is very easily accessible. It will be great fun. Don’t forget a lunch or snacks and also water.
John Hill’s cell is 760.508.6726
Membership Dues are Due
The first of the year is rapidly approaching and it will be time to pay your yearly dues again. Let’s get an early start and pay now so we can avoid the $5.00 penalty after January 1st. $5.00 Petrified Pups; $20.00 individual and $30.00 for couples.

ZZYZX CAMP
March 31-April 8, 2014
There is a waiting list for this year’s camp there are a few RV spaces left. A waiting list has been started, however all RVer’s can still get in at the $50.00 discount from the $390.00 fee. Contact Marion Roberts, chair for more information.

Fold Forming presented by Kenny and
Toni Melie on Novemeber 19, 2013

John Hill

Beautiful leaves finished

Diane, Bob, Ceci, George, and Frank

Diane Quinn

Ann O’Lear

John Quinn

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 for single or $8 for a couple.

Rocks & Equipment
Bought and Sold
Clean Ups & Clean Outs
Handyman Work Done.
See Charles Toles (760) 220-6748

HMC Co.
Victorville, CA 92392
(760) 245-2313
Jonathan P. Vanderloop
B.S Ch. E; M.S Met. E.
(25 years experience) Metallurgy & Mining Consultant

Minutes of the October 22nd General Meeting
Election of Officers: Election was held and the following Officers were voted in for the 2014 Board. The ballots were tallied by Toni Melie and Bob Paredes.
President Corey Beck
1st VP Jim Fosse
2nd VP Barbara Pedrow
Recording Sec. Lois Papner
Corr. Sec. Cyndy Mandell
CFMS Director Janet Flecher
Board Members Terry Booth
Frank Dunkin
Treasurer Vacant
Past President Vacant
The auction was held on the donated equipment and the club received $130 in donations Christmas Party – If you want to buy tickets for the party see one of the instructors during workshop hours or buy them at the general meeting. Last day to purchase a ticket will be November 30th.
Minutes of the November 3rd
Board Meeting
Lois Papner has cataloged the donated books in the library. They are under the genre of History and are on the gold mining days. Janet Flecher worked onSept and Oct Balance sheets and profit and loss papers were passed around the table. Janet Flecher had a few receipts in her box that she discussed. Janet was under the impression the books were on the cloud but they aren’t. It’s $260 per year to do so. Cyndy Mandell asked the board members to write articles about anything and give to her for the newsletter. The raffle now has an accounting sheet that someone will note the beginning and ending count of the money at each raffle. Tina LaBau will set up display on minerals and their uses. She needs materials to put this display together. Cleaning company – Corey Beck spoke to several companies. The quote was $120 a month. Cyndy Mandell motioned to get one for under $150. Don seconded. Motion carried. Phone Tree – Corey Beck will check with Ruben Martinez. Steve Hendrix stated that Ruben Martinez was moving to Colorado. Corey Beck will look for others to work the phone tree. Cyndy Mandell suggested we put auto light shut off switches on all the rooms because the lights are being left on in these rooms when no one is working in them. Budget committee – Committee was formed with Don Pomerenke, Steve Hendrix, Terry Booth, Cyndy Mandell, Lois Papner, Corey Beck, Barbara Pedrow, Carole Mc Michael. The committee will meet Nov 14th at 5 pm to formulate the 2014 budget.
Petrified Pups 2014 Schedule
Jan 11 chptr 1 Rocks & Minerals
Jan 18 Workshop
Feb 1 chptr 2 Earth Resources
Feb 15 Field Trip Black Smith Shop
Mar 1 chptr 13 Gemstones Lore & Legends
Mar 7,8,9 Stoddard Tailgate
Mar 15 Workshop
Apr 5 chptr 5 Collecting
Apr 19 Workshop
May 3 chptr 11 Earth in Space
May 17 Workshop
Jun 7 chptr 12 Gold Panning & Prospecting
Jun 21 Field Trip Gold Panning
Jul 12 chptr 14 Stone Age Tools & Art
Jul 19 Workshop
Aug 2 chptr 3 Fossils
Aug 16 Field Trip LA Tar Pitts
Sep 6 chptr 15 Rocking on the computer
Sep 20 Workshop
Oct 4 chptr 8 Field Trips
Oct 11,12 Trona Show, Searles Lake
Oct 18 Field Trip Luc Vly Garnets
Nov 1 Workshop
Nov 22 Workshop
Dec 13 Conglomerate

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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 newsletters if proper credit is given to the author and the bulletin.

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