Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Happy New Year!

“Happiness”

Happiness - a quality obscure,
Associated with good and pure.

Presumed the culmination of success,
Part of living when devoid of stress.

“Yesterday” plays court to future gain.

“Now” is in our grasp - we can detain
Each fragile moment at its best - no fee!

We overlook the happiness that’s free:

Yellow daffodils in morning sun,
Even webs an untaught spider’s spun,

A chrysalis that magically will change -
Rewards of Nature in our daily range.




Poem by Joan Abramson
Author of:

Friday, December 25, 2009

Call To Action: ALAA ALERT - Clear Creak Public Meetings


The Clear Creek area has been a collecting area for Serpentine, (California State Rock), Benitoite, (California State Gem) and a multitude of other agates, rocks and minerals for over 50 years. It has been a recreational and camping area for a lot longer. Please help keep the Clear Creek Area open for all users. If you live in the area please try to attend the public meetings and show your support. If you can not attend the meetings please mail or fax your comments to the responsible parties by the deadline date.

Clear Creak Public Meetings: BLM to Host Public Meetings for Clear Creek Draft Plan
  • The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Hollister Field Office will host three public meetings to gather comments on the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA) DraftResource Management Plan (RMP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in January 2010.
"We encourage the public to attend these meetings to find out more about Clear Creek and help us plan for its future management," said Rick Cooper, BLM Hollister Field Office manager. The draft RMP/EIS covers about 75,000 acres of public lands administered by BLM in southern San Benito and western Fresno counties. The draft RMP/EIS does not include public lands outside of the CCMA.

The draft RMP/EIS was developed through a public planning process and considers seven alternatives. The primary issues addressed are public health risk from asbestos exposure in CCMA, recreation, protection of sensitive natural and cultural resources, energy and mineral development, land tenure adjustments, and other planning issues identified during the public scoping process.

Each public meeting will begin with an open house where the public can gather information, talk with BLM specialists, and provide written comments on the draft RMP/EIS. Following the open house, the BLM will give a brief introduction followed by an opportunity for the public to provide oral comments on the draft RMP/EIS. Although oral comments will be noted on flip charts, BLM will only respond to written public comments in the proposed RMP and final EIS.

Comments must be postmarked or received by BLM no later than March 5, 2010.

The public is encouraged to attend the public meetings to gather information and provide comments on the draft RMP/EIS. All public meetings will take place from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at:
  • January 13, 2010: Harris Ranch Garden Ballroom, 24505 W. Dorris Ave., Coalinga
  • January 14, 2010: Veterans Memorial Hall, 649 San Benito St. Hollister
  • January 20, 2010: Santa Clara Convention Center, Great America Meeting Rooms, 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara
The draft RMP/EIS is available on-line for public review at the Hollister Field Office webpage:

Compact disks of the document are available by request from the Hollister Field Office at the address above.

For additional information contact the Hollister Field Office at (831) 630-5000.


Two websites for those interested in keeping Clear Creek Management Area open:
http://www.foccma.org is friends of Clear Creek.
http://salinasramblersmc.org motorcycle club site - for history of Clear Creek use

Photo - Webmineral http://webmineral.com

Friday, December 4, 2009

Go To a Gem and Mineral Show This Weekend!


4-6--EL PASO, TEXAS: Show; El Maida Auditorium, 6331 Alabama; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; gems, minerals, fossils, beads, silver jewelry, geode cutting, silent auction, demonstrations, door prizes; contact Gem Center USA, (877) 533-7153 or (915) 533 7153

4-6--MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA: Show; Montgomery Gem & Mineral Society; Garrett Coliseum, 1555 Federal Dr.; Fri. 9-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5; free admission; door prizes, demonstrations; contact Jane Barkley, 740 N. Georgetown Dr., Montgomery, AL 36109, (334) 277-2733; e-mail: GoldenNugget@hotmail.com; Web site: http://montgomerygemandmineralsociety.org/show.aspx

4-6--SPRING HILL, FLORIDA: 35th annual show; Withlacoochee Rockhounds; Slovene American Club, 13383 County Line Rd.; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-5; adults $3, students $1, children 12 and under free; minerals, gemstones, fossils, handcrafted jewelry, lapidary equipment, gem and mineral auction, replicas of Aaron's Breastplate and famous diamonds of the world; contact James Raffone, (727) 862-4560; e-mail: Info@withlacoocheerockhounds.com; Web site: WithlacoocheeRockhounds.com

5-6--BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA: 34th annual show; Mojave Desert Gem & Mineral Society; Cora Harper Community Center, 841 S. Barstow Rd.; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-5; free admission; classes, dealers, demonstrations, displays, grab bags, silent auction, wheel-of-fortune; contact Gene Haines, (760) 256-0595; e-mail: email@mdgms.org; Web site: www.mdgms.org

5-6--COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO: 46th annual show; Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society; Phil Long Expo Center, 1515 Auto Mall Loop; adults $5, seniors and kids 6-15 $3, children under 6, uniformed Scouts and leaders, active military with ID free; dealers, rocks, gems, fossils, jewelry, silent auction, exhibitors, gold panning demonstrations, door prizes, kids' area; contact Ronald Yamiolkoski, (719) 488-5526; e-mail: info@csms.us; Web site: www.csms.us

5-6--ROUND ROCK, TEXAS: Show, "Fossil Fest"; Paleontological Society of Austin; Old Settler's Heritage Association, 3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd.; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4; adults $2, children $1; grand door prize, fossil dealers, specimens from around the world, fossil exhibits, demonstrations, special youth group presentation, "Wheel of Fossils", fossil identification; contact Linda McCall, 29617 Evans Ln., Highland, CA 92346, (512) 422-2322; e-mail: lndmccall02@yahoo.com; Web site: www.texaspaleo.com/psa/fest.html

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Find a Local Gem & Mineral Show!


Find a
Rock, Gem and Mineral Show - great family event!!!

27-29--COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA: 42nd annual show; The Columbia Gem & Mineral Society; South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St.; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 12-5; adults $7, military $6, seniors (62 and older) $5, children 12 and under free; 24 retail vendors, jewelry, beads, loose stones, fossils, minerals, gold, silver, tools, geodes sold and cut, club member rock collections on exhibit, lapidary demonstrations, admission to SC State Museum included, special exhibits extra; contact Sue Shrader, P.O. Box 6333, Columbia, SC 29260, (803) 736-9317; e-mail: ashrader@mindspring.com; or Web site: www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org

27-29--MOBILE, ALABAMA: 15th annual show; Mobile Rock & Gem Society; Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds, Cody Rd. and Zeigler Blvd.; Fri. 2-7, Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; contact Jerry Shirey, 2911 Pretty Branch Dr. W, Mobile, AL 36618, (251) 786-4777; e-mail: rockhoundjs@aol.com

27-29--ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI: 52nd annual show; St Louis Mineral & Gem Society; Viking Conference Center - Holiday Inn, 10709 Watson Rd. (I-44 and Lindbergh Blvd.); Fri. 4-8, Sat. 10-7, Sun. 10-5; adults $2, students $1, children 12 and under and Scouts in uniform free; dealers, minerals, gems, fossils, jewelry, free rockhound starter kit for children 12 and younger, map on Web site; contact Melissa Perucca, 1307 Mystic Seaport, Fenton, MO 63026; e-mail: PeruccaM@aol.com; Web site: www.stlmgs.stlearthsci.org

27-29--TERLINGUA, TEXAS: Show; "Rock & Gem Fest"; Chihuahuan Desert Gem & Mineral Club; Big Bend Motor Inn Conference Room, Rte. 118 and Rte. 170; Fri. 12-6, Sat. 9-6, Sun. 9-5; free admission; dealers, rocks, gems, jewelry, Kids' Corner; contact Mary Brogan, P.O. Box 1111, Alpine, TX 79831, (432) 837-3824; e-mail: marybrogan@rocketmail.com; Web site: www.agates123.com/cdgmc/

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Join your local Gem & Mineral Society...


Looking for FUN for the whole family?

Join your local Gem & Mineral Society...
  • Develop a new craft
  • Start a new collection
  • Get out in nature
  • Support Earth Sciences
  • Field Trips
  • Learn about your local eco-systems
  • Grassroots activism - save public lands
Find your local club at http://amfed.org/club.htm

The New Crystal Hunters: takes kids on the adventure of a lifetime as we travel across the country digging for real mineral treasures. It's all the excitement of collecting with a whole lot less dirt.


Annual Shows This Weekend!


20-22--MARIETTA, GEORGIA: 24th annual show; Cobb County Gem & Mineral Society; Cobb County Civic Center, 548 S. Marietta Pkwy.; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; free admission; door prizes; displays, live lapidary demonstrations; contact Mary Ingram, (770) 427-1108; e-mail: mandmingram@comcast.net; Web site: www.cobbcountymineral.org

21-22--BREMERTON, WASHINGTON: Show, "Fall Festival of Gems"; Kitsap Mineral & Gem Society; Kitsap County Fairgrounds, President's Hall, 1200 NW Fairgrounds Rd.; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-5; contact Gerry Alexander, (360) 876-4543

21-22--FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA: 18th annual show; Northern Virginia Mineral Club; George Mason University, Student Union II Bldg., Braddock Rd. and Rte. 123; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-4; adults $4, seniors and students (13-17) $3, children 12 and under and Scouts in uniform free; more than 20 dealers, minerals, crystals, fossils, gems, jewelry, meteorites, silent auction Sun., demonstrations, exhibits, door prizes, kids' activity area, mini-mines, fossil dig; contact Tom Taaffe, (703) 281-3767; e-mail: rockcllctr@aol.com

21-22--HOPKINS, MINNESOTA: Eisenhower Gem & Mineral Show; Anoka County Gem & Mineral Club; Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Hwy. 7 (1/2 mile west of Hwy. 169); Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5; free admission; gems, minerals, jewelry, fossils, agates, collectibles; contact Martha Miss, 8445 Grange Blvd., Cottage Grove, MN 55016, e-mail: rockbiz8@cs.com

21-22--LEBANON, PENNSYLVANIA: 2nd annual show and sale, "Gem Miner's Holiday Festival"; Mid-Atlantic Gem & Mineral Association; Lebanon Expo Center, Rte. 72 and Rocherty Rd.; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 11-4; adults $5, children under 12 free; gems, jewelry, minerals, fossils, beads; contact MAGMA, (301) 565-0487; Web site: www.gem-show.com

21-22--MADISON, WISCONSIN: Show; Madison Gem & Mineral Club; Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-5; adults $3; contact Nevin Franke, (608) 251-2601; e-mail: madisonrockclub@gmail.com; Web site: www.madison.com/communities/madisonrockclub

21-22--OXNARD, CALIFORNIA: 40th annual show, "Galaxy of Gems Expo"; Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society; Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4; free admission; 70 display cases, kids' games, "Pebble Pup" quiz, lapidary demonstrations, silent auction, gems, minerals, American opals, fossils, stone beads, silver craft, finished jewelry, tools, lapidary supplies, books; contact Norb Kinsler, (805) 644-6450; e-mail: show_info@oxnardgem.com; Web site: www.oxnardgem.com

21-22--WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: 43rd annual show; Gem & Mineral Society of the Palm Beaches; Americraft Expo Center, South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd.; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $7, children under 12 free; gem mining, fossil dig, exhibits, demonstrations, door prizes, Chinese auction; contact Barbara Ringhiser, (561) 588-5458; e-mail: bar5678@aol.com; or Ellen Jean, (931) 372-8236; e-mail: ellenjean24@charter.net; Web site: www.gemandmineral.cc

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

This Weekend - Oxnard Gem and Mineral Show



Come see us at the OGMS 40th Annual Gem Expo.

Games and Activities for the Kids, Silent Auction...a variety of vendors, door prizes, raffle, many wonderful exhibits and displays.

Fun for the whole family and free samples for school teachers (with id).

Come see us on Nov. 21st and 22nd at the:

Oxnard Performing Art Center
800 Hobson Way
Oxnard, 93030