Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Open House

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (part of Columbia U.)

is having its annual Open House 

on Oct. 1st, from 10 AM to 4 PM

at their campus on Route 9W in Palisades, NY.

Talks on the bill are:

11:30 AM - "The World's Mega Quakes"

12:45 PM - "A Role for Siesmology in Nuclear Arms Control

1:45 PM - Climate Change and Extreme Weather

3 PM - A discussion of careers for students w/science degrees.

For more info:

http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/

or call 845-365-8998

September Shaver Lake Field Trip Unlikely...

If you are one of the "happy band of collectors" that added the Shaver Lake Field Trip to your schedule...bad news...most likely canceled.

Diligent, generous and die-hard Rock Hound Kris Rowe is still trying to negotiate this trip and one planned for October.  So keep an eye on his Ning Community - Rock Hound Field Trip Fanatics and he will keep us up-to-date on the talks.
This is Kris's Release on the topic:

September 1, 2011

From:    Kris Rowe, President 2011

              Fresno Gem & Mineral Society, Fresno, CA
              Website - www.fgms.us

Re:       SCE Restricting Public Access to Shaver Lake, Fall/Winter 2011

For over a quarter century, the amethyst deposits of Shaver Lake in eastern Fresno County, California were accessible resources for the mineral enthusiasts (aka "rockhounds") of Central California and beyond. Then, at the end of the 1990's, the lake level was "regularized" and the deposits of lovely lavender quartz were rendered inaccessible to mineral collection.

During the partial draining of Shaver Lake during late 2010 for repairs and improvements to the dam, a safe and successful rockhounding field trip was conducted to Amethyst Cove, Shaver Lake. Organized and sponsored by the Fresno Gem & Mineral Society (FGMS), the trip was attended by more than 40 mineral enthusiasts. Though muddy conditions made prospecting difficult, a safe & pleasurable trip was successfully conducted.

This August, an FGMS Field Trip to Amethyst Cove at Shaver Lake was announced, scheduled for September 17th, 2011.

Unfortunately, any Shaver Lake mineral collecting during this years draw down is seriously in doubt. The manager for the Shaver Lake Forestry area has informed us that the entire lake bed will be closed to mineral enthusiasts during draw down, for the stated purpose of assessing/"protecting" archeologically & environmentally sensitive sites.

We were contacted this morning by Micheal Esposito from the Shaver Lake Forrestry Resources office, and spoke with the Area Forest Resources Manager, Richard Bagley. We discussed the heretofore unpublicized closure of the lake bed, which he stated would apply to public access in general and rockhounding activities in particular during the draw down period. Though circumspect in his wording, it was clear that the main concern of local managers and So Cal Edison was to minimize liability & safety threats, which are certainly legitimate concerns.

Mr. Bagley emphasized his support of our recreation activities and his ongoing efforts to keep the lake shore and surrounding Edison administered lands open for rock & mineral collectors.  He explained that the access denial order had come from the Southern California Edison Big Creek Hydro (aka Northern Hydro) archeological & environmental studies staff, partially in conjunction with agreements with local indigenous tribes, and promised to forward copies of the applicable orders and agreements.

FGMS regularly offers its members, members of CFMS associated Societies and land owners/managers the assurance of experienced, organized and well equipped field trip leadership, in addition to field trip liability insurance through the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies. Our field trips occur at public sites, and when permitted, private lands. We welcome inquiries from individuals who are interested in allowing organized hobby mineral prospecting and collection upon their properties, through the auspices of FGMS.

The Fresno Gem & Mineral Society is hopeful that controlled, Society sponsored access to the historical mineral collection areas at Shaver Lake in general, and Amethyst Cove in particular, may be achieved during the current draw down.  As earlier noted, Amethyst Cove, and indeed, numerous mineral deposits in the area have been accessed by collectors for many decades. It is our hope to conduct safe, controlled and successful field trips to these areas this year. When the waters again rise, the amethyst pockets of Shaver Lake will again become inaccessible, perhaps for the remainder of our lifetimes.
-------------------
Helpful links & email addresses:

The Fresno Gem & Mineral Society - www.fgms.us
Kris Rowe, FGMS Publicity - fgms.publicity@gmail.com
Richard Bagley (Manager, Forest Resources) - richard.bagley@sce.com
SCE Media Desk - mediadesk@sce.com

California Federation of Mineralogical Societies - www.cfmsinc.org
American Lands Access Association - http://www.amlands.org
-------------------

The Fresno Gem & Mineral Society welcomes inquiries about our ongoing activities in promotion of the study and practice of mineralogy, geology and the associated arts & sciences. We welcome interested individuals to visit our website at www.fgms.us for more information on our ongoing activities and offerings. We also welcome attendees of the Big Fresno Fair to visit our annual Rock & Gem exhibit, located in the first building south of the Grandstands.

              

You Know You're A Rockhound If...

You Might Be A Rockhound if…..
-The severe sunburn acquired on your last vacation was a one inch wide strip of skin at the gap between the tail of your shirt and the top of your pants.
-When you lick a dirty rock to show off the wonderful colors, without stopping to realize that you are the only Rockhound in the group.
-You are convinced that buried deep in some secret government archive is a document that will conclusively prove that the entire US Apollo space program was conceived and developed for the sole purpose of getting a moon rock for a certain Presidential rock collection... The truth is out there!
-Your son hits his hand with your rock hammer, your wife screams it broken, and you reply it's a fracture,
it has good cleavage, and has produced some unusual streaks in your son's underwear.
-The USGS calls to tell you they've discovered a gravitational anomaly centered on your house and to ask
if you might know the reason why.
-Considering the purchase of a spectacular specimen at a mineral show, you wonder if all three of your
kids really need to attend college.
-You begin fussing because the light strips you installed on your bookshelves aren't full spectrum.
-Your idea of a "quiet, romantic evening at home" involves blue mineral tack and thumbnail boxes.
-You've fabricated a backpack for your dog.
-you offer to buy a drink for the woman at the end of the bar only after you find out she drives a 4 wheel
drive truck.
-you have more than one story about a great find in a driveway.
-you have ever uncovered a great specimen, rolled over on your back and lit a cigarette.
-You know you're a rock hound if the only other pair of shoes you have besides high heels are your rock
boots.
-your first thought when making a decision about purchasing a new vehicle is "Is this 4wheel drive?" ...immediately followed by, "How many rocks will this thing carry, still leaving room for essentials
like my suitcases, make-up and rollers?"
-There is a pile of leaverite rocks behind the plant you work at that does not match the other rocks in the gravel used to control erosion.



And last but not least you are definitely a Rockhound if...
 most people recognize you from this angle rather than when you are face to face.








Reprinted from the July 2011 "RockChipper" - newsletter from the Woodland Hills Gem & Mineral Society.

Gem Shows This Weekend...WI, MT, WA

23-24—FREDERIC, WISCONSIN: 44th annual show; Indianhead Rock & Mineral Society; Frederic High School; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; free admission; contact Roy Wickman, (715) 357-3223, or Dick Huset, (715) 648-5620

23-24—KALISPELL, MONTANA: Annual show; Northwest Montana Rock Chucks; Flathead County Fair Grounds, Grandstand Bldg., 265 N. Meridian Rd.; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-4; adults $1; demonstrations, silent auction, door prizes, minerals, jewelry, kids’ activities; contact Milah Gano, P.O. Box 433, Lakeside, MT 59922, (406) 844-3560; e-mail: mallards_g@hotmail.com

23-24—TENINO, WASHINGTON: 17th annual show, “Rock & Gem Rendez-Vous”; Washington Agate & Mineral Society, Tenino Rock Cruisers; Parkside Elementary School, Stage St. South (I-5 exit 88); Sat. 9-6, Sun. 9-5; free admission; dealers, demonstrations, door prizes, spinning wheel, displays, during the Oregon Trail Days Celebration; contact Daniel De Boer, 5107 Brenner Rd. NW, Olympia, WA 98502; e-mail: keylock1@live.com

West Coast Gem & Mineral Show May 20 - 22nd

Just a quick reminder about the return of one of the most popular Gem & Mineral Show in Southern California.


The West Gem & Mineral Show has something for everyone...Mineral Enthusiasts and Serious Collectors alike will find something to talk about!  ....and the Retail area will keep hobby jewelers and professional Artisans busy with one jaw dropping gorgeous gem after the other...

See you there!  

Show Website for more info: http://www.mzexpos.com/westcoast_spring.htm

Thanks to The-Vug for the Graphic.

If you like this graphic - it is just one of the services available to advertisers on The-Vug!

The Searchers - Anaheim, CA!

We are one of the largest, most progressive rockhound clubs in Southern California and perhaps the whole country. We typically have 150-200 members join/rejoin every year to share in the rockhound experience. We are a 501(c)(3) organization which means we are tax exempt due to our educational status. Our members volunteer at the Long Beach VA Hospital and teach veterans new and marketable lapidary and jewelrymaking skills, teach classes at local schools, and host demonstrations available for the public to see every week of the year. 

We have monthly meetings, silent auctions, door prizes, field trips, workshops, rockswaps and educational programs from guest speakers from within and outside of the club. Some of the past programs have included presentations on petrified wood, coining, cutting fire agate, casting, silversmithing, wirewrapping, gold panning, Topaz Mtn, The Oceanview Mine, pegmatite minerals, Owens Valley minerals, field trips, videos related to the hobby, geology, and much more. 

http://www.searchersrocks.org/

PHOTOS FROM THE SEARCHERS ANNUAL SHOW APRIL 2011

Vendors:

Nevada Mineral & Books  

The Agate Hunter - Adam Dean

Lapidary Originals

John E. Garsow Gems & Minerals

Demos:

Jonas Ruzgys - Faceting

Gem Carving Demonstration

Displays:

Meteorites: Rocks From Space

Ammonite Display

Is there a Gem & Mineral near you this weekend?  what are you waiting for?

Rockhound State Park to CLOSE TO ROCKHOUNDING!!!

This note comes from a Yahoo Rock Collecting Group:


Folks, a management plan is in the works in NM to close Rockhound State Park to rockhounding. Please read the following and respond appropriately.

The proposed plan may be read at the following web site:
http://www.emnrd. state.nm. us/PRD/documents /RockhoundPMPPub licReviewDraftMa rch2011.pdf

But, to save you time, the following is the important part from the proposal about rockhounding:

Rockhound State Park was originally established as a destination for rock collectors. At the time, in 1966, rock collecting was a popular pastime. Visitors were encouraged to visit the Park in order to collect rocks, and were allowed to take home up to 15 pounds of rocks.

Today the Division promotes a respect for the natural environment through interpretive and educational programs. Not only does rock collecting in a public park contradict the principle of natural resource protection.

There is only one state park in the United States that permits rock collecting: Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, which has a 38-acre plowed field set aside for collecting. Nearly all municipal, state, and national parks prohibit the removal of natural artifacts from parks. The practice of rock collecting at the Park would need to comply with NMSA 1978, Section 16-2-32: 

"A person who commits any of the following acts is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and shall be sentenced in accordance with the provisions of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978: 

A. cut, break, injure, destroy, take or remove a tree, shrub, timber, plant or natural object in any state park and recreation area, except in areas designated by the secretary and permitted by regulations adopted by the secretary, such regulations shall only permit the removal of a tree, shrub, timber, plant or natural object for scientific study or for non-commercial use by an individual as a souvenir, the quantity of material authorized for removal from any area shall be strictly regulated by park personnel in order to minimize resource damage."

If the Division were to continue to allow the public to collect rocks at the Park, the EMNRD Cabinet Secretary would designate a specific area and adopt rules pertaining to the collecting of rocks on Park property (such as the amount and location).

The once popular hobby of rock collecting has declined significantly since the 1960s. There are local businesses that cater to rock collectors and can guide or direct them to similar opportunities outside of the Park. Safety is also a concern with the public collecting rocks in the Park, as there are steep and unstable slopes that are becoming more hazardous as the collecting alters the stability of the hillside. There is also a concern that some visitors may go beyond the Park boundaries in their quest for rocks.

Park staff has already begun the transition away from rock collecting and will need to educate the public about the need to respect the natural resources. One crucial step is to modify all Park information (signage, brochures, website), so that this activity is no longer encouraged. All materials need to state that it is a prohibited activity. The namesake theme can continue through educational programs and interpretive information about the rocks that occur in the Park and the geology of the region.
Revise written materials by removing all mention of rock collecting and add a reference to the state statute which prohibits rock collecting on Park property.

Written and oral comments on the plan will be accepted. Comment letters can be dropped off at the park; mailed to P.O. Box 1147, Santa Fe, NM 87505; e-mailed to nmparks@state. nm.us or faxed to (505) 476-3361.

PLEASE, everyone reading this message, email, snail mail or fax a written comment in opposition to the proposed plan to discontinue rockhounding in Rockhound State Park. You have until April 18, 2011 to make comment, so please get on it today. Let's show the NMSPD personnel that rockhounding has not declined since the 1960s and the park should remain true to its namesake. Also, all you club members out there, please let everyone in your club know about this by mass email so we can get all rockhounds throughout this country engaged in the battle to save yet another of our fleeting freedoms. This may be in far away New Mexico now, but in your backyard tomorrow. 

PLEASE HELP NOW BECAUSE THERE IS NO TIME TO WAIT!

Below is a link to a drafted response from Mike Streeter, NC Geologist and Rockhound. Feel free to use this draft as a response letter, Following will be a list of contact information to send responses to.

http://mcrocks. com/images- 5/RockhoundState ParkPlanOppositi on.pdf

Contact Information:

The Rockhound State Park Manager:
robertv.apodaca@ state.nm. us
and the Regioanl PArk Manager:
rolf.hechler@ state.nm. us

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez:
http://www.governor .state.nm. us/Contact_ the_Governor. aspx

US Congressman Steve Pearce:
https://pearce. house.gov/ contact-me/ email-me

Deming Mayor: Andres Z. Silva
Phone: 575-546-8848
Email: asilva@cityofdeming .org

Deming City Council Member David Sanchez
Phone: 575-546-3155
Email: dsanchez505@ msn.com

Deming City Council Member Linda Enis
Phone: 575-546-0333
Email: relex3@gmail. com

Deming City Council Member Joe Milo
Phone: 575-546-7385
Email: deming@cityofdeming .org

Deming City Council Member Bill Shattuck
Phone: 575-544-0455
Email: billshattuck@ 1stvalley. com

Luna County Commissioner Javier Diaz 
Phone: 575-936-6446
Email: rjavier_diaz@ lunacountynm. us

Luna County Commissioner Joe "Oleo" Milo
Phone: 575-546-0494
Email: joe_milo@lunacounty nm.us

Luna County Commissioner Jay Spivey
Phone: 575-546-0494
Email: jay_spivey@lunacoun tynm.us

You have to go to the web site addresses to contact the Governor and US Congressman, but to make it easy for you to email all Deming City Government officials and Luna County Commissioners in one fell swoop, all you need to do is cut and paste the following list of email addresses into the address line of your message:
asilva@cityofdeming .org; dsanchez505@ msn.com;relex3@gmail. com; deming@cityofdeming .org; billshattuck@ 1stvalley. com; rjavier_diaz@ lunacountynm. us;joe_milo@lunacounty nm.us; jay_spivey@lunacoun tynm.us