ANNUAL PICNIC

MSSC will hold its annual picnic, mineral swap and field collector’s forum on Saturday, August 14, 1999. We are fortunate to have Casey & Jane Jones as the featured speakers, relating stories of their collecting opportunities at the now closed Flambeau Mine in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. They have many beautiful Chalcocite specimens to show and available for purchase as seen in The Mineralogical Record recently. They have also recovered many fine Barite and Calcite specimens from the Barrick Meikle Mine in Elko, Nevada. You won’t want to miss this great program.

All members are encouraged to show up with mineral specimens to swap (yes, even for those collectors who prefer to use the ‘silver pick’ collecting method, the folding green will work).

We will have an extensive field collector’s forum, so be prepared to bring your show and tell minerals for the round table discussion and your great stories. Maps and driving directions to collecting localities are appreciated as well.

The day’s picnic will only be a success if you participate. MSSC will provide all of the paper goods and soft drinks. You can provide a main dish, salad, fruit or dessert. Please let Bill Besse know what you are planning to bring so we can do a good job of coordinating and so we make sure we have plenty of everything – it always works out somehow! Bill Besse can be reached by e-mail at wbesse@mminternet.com, or by telephone at 626.359.4488. Please bring your own folding chairs for the picnic and tables if you have them.

Socializing will begin at 10:00 a.m. on the second floor of the Geology Building, also known as Building “E”. The program will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the lecture hall. The Mineral Swap will take place all day in classroom space across from the lecture hall and the picnic will probably take place outside. The Field Collector’s Forum will take place in air-conditioned comfort in the afternoon after lunch.

We will have access to the great collection of minerals on display at PCC as well, so make plans to join us for the day.

PRESIDENT'S COLUMN

by Bob Housley

Make your plans to participate now. The highlight of our summer season, the annual potluck picnic and swap meet is almost upon us. In addition to good food and interesting rocks to swap we also plan on an exciting program. The field collectors forum will be especially important to those of you who feel as I do that one of the most important benefits of belonging to a group such as MSSC is the opportunity to participate in organized field trips. We need to identify new localities and more people to lead some of the trips.

At last meeting Steve Shailer reported that he has been continuing to find interesting material at the Felix Mine. That rekindled my interest so I went over after the MSSC Board meeting and indeed did find some interesting crystals in the hour or so of daylight remaining. Several contained inclusions of chalcopyrite, which fills in a little more of the mineralogy there. Now primary inclusions of galena, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite are known to be present as well as inclusions of a variety of secondary minerals.

On the subject of the Felix today (July 20) is the day the citizens of Asuza are voting to decide between alternative plans for the development of the land now occupied by the Monrovia Nursery. What will happen concerning access to the Felix during and after development is anybody's guess. To be on the safe side everybody interested should probably plan on going soon while we know we can get in. On the positive side there is always the possibility that they will expose exciting material during development so it will be worth keeping an eye open for that.

While I think about it I probably should lay a couple of things from past columns to rest.. Steve Shailer showed me that the variscite that I found near Morris Reservoir looks just like the material from Lucin Utah. That plus the fact that I have not been able to find any more of it convinces me. On the other hand I have found quite a bit of micro azurite on quartz near Morris Reservoir that I am convinced really comes from there.

I have also found about a dozen more pieces of the Santa Monica Mountains datolite I mentioned last month, but no really fresh pieces or large crystals.

MINUTES OF THE 736th MEETING OF THE MSSC

The 736th meeting of the Mineralogical Society of Southern California was held on May 14, 1999. Bob Housley called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Bill Rader then introduced Doug Mitchell who spoke on the subject of “Luminescence in Minerals.”

Bob then made some announcements for shows and other activities summarized in the calendar section of the Bulletin. These included the June 5 Case Repair and Potluck at Rock Currier’s , an open house at Jane and Casey Jones on June 6 and the CFMS Show and Convention on June 18 thru 20 in Turlock.

For the Field Trip Committee, Jim Schlegel spoke about the Memorial Day Peterson Mountain trip. He said there were still a few slots open, contact him ASAP.

For the Show Committee, Jim Schlegel announced that all space in the Main Hall was sold out. There are two dealers in the annex, demonstrators and food service. He reiterated the case repair day on June 6 and announced that Marty Zinn had given us the signs for the show that were used in Pomona. Also Marty will lend us the vinyl cart for the show.

Bob announced that we need a Publicity Chairman and Membership Committee Chair. This is an excellent opportunity for interested members to become more involved with their Society.

Jim Schlegel moved we approve the minutes as published in the Bulletin. Carolyn Seitz seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Ron Thacker won the Door Prize and chose a sample of Calcite from Hardin Cty., Illinois.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
David Smith, Secretary

MINUTES OF THE 737th MEETING OF THE MSSC

The 737th meeting of the Mineralogical Society of Southern California was on June 11, 1999. Bob Housley called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Bill Rader then introduced Janet Gordon who spoke on the subject of “Professor Mohs and the Hard and Soft Minerals.”

Bob then made some announcements for shows and other activities summarized in the calendar section of the Bulletin. These included a report on the June 5 Case Repair and Potluck at Rock Currier’s , and the open house at Jane and Casey Jones on June 6, the Peterson Mountain field trip, the Micromineralogy and the CFMS Show and Convention on June 18 thru 20 in Turlock.

For the Show Committee, Jim Schlegel announced that there would be a committee meeting at the Board of Directors meeting in July. He said that about one third of the dealers have returned contracts. He said that we would need volunteers – more than before – to run the show. He had second generation fliers, he requested that anyone attending any rock shows please take some to put out at the show. He indicated he is considering some kind of incentive program for volunteers.

Hedy Kotowsky won the Door Prize and chose a sample of Boleite from Santa Rosalia, Baja Ca. Mexico. The Guest Door Prize was won by Virginia Grafton who chose a Garnet from Nambia.

The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
David Smith, Secretary

MINUTES OF THE 738th MEETING OF THE MSSC

The 738th meeting of the Mineralogical Society of Southern California was on July 9, 1999. Bob Housley called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Paul Thaler then spoke on the subject of “California Island Mammoths.”

Bob then made some announcements for shows and other activities summarized in the calendar section of the Bulletin. These included the Board of Directors meeting at Bill Besse’s home on Sunday, July 11, the Norman Wells rock festival, the annual MSSC Picnic on August 14 at PCC. 

For the Show Committee, Jim Schlegel announced that there would be a committee meeting at the Board of Directors meeting on Sunday. He said that we are waiting on about 15 dealer contracts. He said that we would need volunteers – more than before – to run the show. He had second generation fliers, he requested that anyone attending any rock shows please take some to put out at the show.

Paul and Karen Thaler won the Door Prize and chose the Photo-Atlas of Minerals CD. Paul and Karen Thaler who chose a Quartz sample from Peterson Mountain also won the Guest Door Prize.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
David Smith, Secretary

MINUTES OF THE JULY 11, 1999 MSSC BOARD MEETING

A meeting of the MSSC Board of Directors was held on July 11, 1999, at the home of Bill Besse at 2:30 p.m. Board members in attendance were: Ron Pellar, Jim Schlegel, Carolyn Seitz, Bob Housley, John Schwarze, Ed Smith, Charlie Freed, and Dave Smith. 

The Board reviewed the progress of the Donnie Rice case. Two motions were approved unanimously confirming actions taken by Bob Housley at the CFMS meeting in Turlock. Ron Pellar gave the Federation Directors report on the Turlock CFMS meeting. The primary issue under consideration was insurance coverage. The insurance agent and attorney were present to answer questions and explain the nature of the policy. The federation formed a committee to investigate liability issues as they apply to the various entities that make up the federation. They further moved to authorize the insurance company and their attorney to seek a settlement in the Donnie Rice case.

Ron Pellar then gave a Treasurer's Report. He informed us that we have 110 paid memberships. Carolyn Seitz moved that we approve the report and Dave Smith seconded. The motion was passed unanimously. Ron recommended we move a portion of our funds to a higher yield fund. Carolyn Seitz moved we move approximately half the funds to low risk, higher yield fund. The motion was approved unanimously. 

The final item of discussion was the annual picnic. This year it will be held at Pasadena City College on August 14. The activities at the picnic will be a Field Collectors Forum, Mineral Swap, Speakers and a Potluck Lunch. Ron Pellar was prevailed upon to present a talk on exhibit preparation. The Board of Directors meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted
David Smith, Secretary

Federation Director Report
CFMS Directors Meeting - Turlock CA, Saturday, June 19, 1999

Called to order - 9:00 a.m.

Highlights of the meeting:

By Laws

Several By Law changes were approved to clarify the duties of the President, nomenclature, and to include new "Internet Committee" along with its "purpose", "composition!", "responsibilities", and duties of the "members."

Membership

There are 149 Clubs or Societies and a paid membership consisting of 11,402 members.

Financial

Total Assets as of May 31, 1999 of $80, 995.63 and net Revenue over Expenses of $11,590.60.

Insurance

There was a lot of discussion of insurance issues. The major discussion was concerned with the change in policy concerning field trips and having to obtain and pay for liability coverage on the field trips. Several field trip chairmen have concerns with the paperwork and cost. In addition, much discussion was held with the insurance agent that handles the CFMS policy. The possibility of pending litigation due to an accidental death by one society member stimulated further discussion including statements from the lawyer representing the CFMS. A cursory overview of the accident was given and the MSSC was mentioned as the hosting society for the field trip for which the incident occurred. The insurance company was said to be representing the CFMS and MSSC in any pending negotiations or litigation without admitting liability for coverage of damages. A motion was presented and passed to empower the CFMS attorney and the insurance company to investigate a negotiated settlement without waiving the right to trial if necessary.

A short presentation was given by another insurance agent who is preparing a proposal for insurance coverage that would not require extra fees and documentation for member society field trips. It appears that there may be more than one insurance carrier that would be willing to provide coverage for CFMS and its member societies at a reasonable fee. More information will be forthcoming.

I did raise the issue of Errors and Omissions Insurance (E & 0) for coverage of the CFMS directors. It was pointed out to me by my insurance agent that directors of an incorporated entity are not, in general, protected under the laws of incorporation from civil liability like the officers of the entity are. In general, companies (including non-profits) supply their directors with and E & 0 policy for their protection. The CFMS executive committee will be looking into these matters under the direction of Bob Stultz. In a private conversation with Mike Kokinos, I was informed that for 501(c3) non- profit organizations in California, the directors as well as the officers are excluded from civil liability regarding the operation of the organization. The MSSC is a 50l(c3) organization registered in California and our officers and directors should be protected from civil liabilities. However, there is a question concerning many of the other member clubs and societies that may not be registered as 501(c3) organizations.

Future CFMS Shows:

2000:
Riverside Convention Center, August 11-13, 2000, hosted by Valley Prospectors, Bural LaRue Show Chairman

2001:
Paso Robles, Calif.  Mid-State Fairgrounds, June 22-24, 2001, hosted by Santa Lucia Rockhounds, Bea & Sherm Friselle, Co-Show Chairmen

2002:
Las Vegas Riveria Hotel, September 6-8, 2002, hosted by Clark Co. Gem Collectors, ?   Show Chairman

2003:
Future combined AFMS and CFMS Show - Las Vegas Riveria Hotel, dates not set, , Clark Co. Gem Collectors.

Next CFMS Board Meeting: Visalia, November 13, 1999.

Meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ronald J. Pellar
Federation Director
August 1, 1999

THE MSSC NEEDS YOUR HELP!

 The Show is just around the corner and the MSSC needs volunteers for the following:

·       Available jobs during the show are: MSSC Booth (2), Kid Rock Booth (2), Ticket Taker (1), Distribute Program and Door Prize Sign-up Form (1).

Sign up early to get the time and job you want!

Jim can be reached at 626-449-9197, or Fax at 626-449-5484, or by e-mail at: jeschlegel@earthlink.net.

In the August CFMS Newsletter, all Editors were asked to reprint the following: 

CFMS INSURANCE UPDATE

By Bob Stultz, 2nd Vice President

At the Executive Committee meeting held in Turlock, the Executive Board appointed Bob Stultz, CFMS 2nd Vice President, to gather information from several interested insurance companies who wished to make a bid for the Federation's insurance business and present it to the Board. The Board will then examine these policies and present their decision to the Directors, when ready.

We are negotiating with several insurance companies at this time and two major companies have indicated that they are very much interested in writing a policy for us. We have asked for coverage to include all activities, in the name of the Federation and all of its clubs. These activities would include: Monthly Meetings, Workshops, Shows, Educational Trips to Museums and other such locations, Field Trips for collecting material and Socials such as Picnics, Pot Lucks, Christmas Parties, etc.

One company has already notified Pat McDaniels, the agent who spoke briefly at the Directors' Meeting in Turlock, that they have a policy almost ready to be quoted. This policy would not involve any additional cost to the individual clubs of the Federation for all of their activities, including Field Trips.

The other type of insurance coverage that came up in Turlock was called Errors and Omissions for Officers and Directors. This would involve an additional cost, over and above the regular premium, and we are discussing the need for this with our lawyer.

We hope this answers the questions that have been submitted to President Ken Kruschke since Turlock. We will not rush into making quick decisions that will only give a "band aid" solution to this problem, and we will not quote any specific figures on policies in the Newsletter until the Executive Board and the CFMS lawyer can examine them. Therefore, there will not be another article on the insurance problem printed in the CFMS Newsletter until we have some definite information to give you.

Please be patient and give your officers a chance to do their job.

SLIP SLIDING ALONG BY THE DRIFTERS

by John Schwarze

A recent issue of Time magazine (3/29/99) gave biographies of the century’s greatest minds as seen by the magazine’s editors. Receiving “honorable mention” was a gentleman named Alfred Wegener. Why should you care? Read on.

Wegener, a professor at Marburg University in Germany, was certainly not the first person to notice that the continents of Africa and South America “seemed to fit together” and that fossils found on the two continents seemed to be similar, especially on their matching coasts. He was, however, the first with the prestige and perseverance to put the idea in writing and formulate the theory of continental drift. He did this in 1912 and stuck to his guns until his death while exploring the Greenland icecap in 1930.

Believe me, when I say “stuck to his guns”, I’m not kidding. When I was a geology major at L.A. State in the early 1960s, the only professor on staff who thought that there was substance to the theory was Martin Stout. He was the object of derision and rudeness from his fellow faculty when the subject arose. Those of you who knew Marty also know that he never missed a chance to bring up the subject. The thing was, that although his peers refused to even consider the theory, it seemed so incredibly logical that it formed one of the basis for Marty’s following among the geology students. Unfortunately, both Wegener and Stout passed away without the knowledge that the theory had been verified.

It was not until the late 1960s that scientists began to accumulate evidence that the world’s sea bottoms hid a vast interconnected ridge of mountains. As time went by, additional evidence accumulated that this endless ridge marked fissures that were constantly erupting lava and widening the ocean basins. As the basins widen, they encounter the edges of the continents and, while a certain portion plunges under the continent, the continent itself is pushed along as part of a vast convection current. Now having gained the modern title of Plate Tectonics, it is the great unifying theory of geology; explaining faulting, earthquakes, mountain building, similarities in fossils, and some mineral deposits. Did I say mineral deposits?

One of the phenomenons of the volcanic activity along the deep sea fissures are the existence of what are called “black smokers.” These are chimneys of superheated water, bacteria, and chemicals that are released as part of the volcanic process along these ridges. It is now becoming apparent that a certain number of mineral deposits that we now access on dry land were formed far at sea and deep underwater. For example, last year when I visited the old silver camp of Cerro Gordo, it was explained that the ore bodies were in the form of chimneys vertically intruded up through limestone. That doesn’t take too much of a stretch, does it? So take heart, fellow collectors, in a just a few tens of millions of years there will be new and exciting mineral deposits within reach.

In the meantime, let’s hoist a beaker of nutrient rich water to the memory of Alfred Wegener, a good choice for consideration as one of Time magazines “Century’s Greatest Minds.”

Forgotten Localities - Mining for Gunsights

Ron Thacker

Even as we enjoy technological and social progress, there occasionally are victims of change, and one I really miss is Desert Magazine. Fortunately, I saved some field trip articles from issues in the early 1950's and they make great reading today. One such is the October, 1950 article by John Hilton describing the calcite locality west of the Salton Sea and north of Truckhaven in Imperial County where he and some friends mined optical calcite. 

"During World War II one of the most important mining operations in the western hemisphere was in California's Borrego Badlands, where a special type of calcite crystals were found for the making of Polaroid gunsights." John tells of receiving a call from Dr. Harry Berman of the department of mineralogy of Harvard and a subsequent visit, all very top secret. Dr. Land, inventor of the Polaroid process had discovered that using the calcite in his polarizing microscope with the calcite prisms crossed produced the simplest and most accurate sight devised to that time. So digging in Palm Wash began in earnest, and eventually there was the equivalent of a small town. Until the laboratory technicians figured out a synthetic crystal.

"In the meantime the price of calcite shot up to ten dollars per pound. As if this were not irony enough, Ralph and I were sitting in the shade of a big rock eating our lunch one day when I noticed a bush on a nearby hill that seemed to be too green for the spot where it grew. We had learned that this was sometimes an indication of a pocket which could catch and hold a little more water than a n ordinary crack in the rock. After lunch I went over and dug up the bush with my prospector's pick. Calcite crystals came out with the roots. By evening Ralph was down neck deep in a hole handing out single optical plates that weighed as much as ten pounds each. That pocket produced more than 1,200 pounds of optical calcite."

Some research needs to be done, and this forgotten locality is on my "to do" list. It is likely that the mine is just inside the park boundary which means no collecting and probably hiking only. Even so, it would be interesting to visit what is left of the diggings. And maybe, just maybe, deposits exist just outside the boundary?

CALENDAR

August 14: MSSC Annual Picnic.

September 10: MSSC monthly meeting, 7:30 p.m., Geology Building, Pasadena City College.

September 25, 26: Delvers Gem & Mineral Society Show at Woman's Club of Downer, 9813 Paramount Blvd. Sat. 10 - 5, Sun. 10 - 4. Manifred Dexling (562) 425-0192

October 8: MSSC monthly meeting, 7:30 p.m., Geology Building, Pasadena City College.

October 9, 10: Valley Gems Show, 9050 1/2 West Ave. J, Lancaster. Sat. 9 - 5, Sun. 9 - 4. Connie Wilhelm (661) 942-1570

October 9, 10: Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Show, Trona, 13337 Main Street, Sat. 8 - 5, Sun. 8 - 4. Bonnie Fairchild (760) 372-5356.

October 16, 17: Whittier Gem & Mineral Society "Golden Anniversary Show," 7604 Greenleaf Ave. Sat. 10 - 6, Sun. 10 - 5. Jay Valle (626) 336-3714, jvalle@aqmd.gov.

October 17: MSSC Board of Directors' meeting, 2 p.m. at Ron Pellar's home.

October 17: Woodland Hills Rock Chippers Show, Canoga Park Community Center, 7248 Owensmouth Ave. Sun. 10 - 5. Mary Backus (805) 578-9886, mbackus@pacbell.net.

NOTES FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

We welcome new members Mark and Alisa Peters of La Crescenta.

Bob Reynolds, has joined L. S. A. Environmental where he can be reached at:  bob.reynolds@lsa-assoc.com.

“Know the true value of time; snatch, seize and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination; never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” Chesterfield – Letters to his Son. Dec 26, 1749.

What he is trying to tell you is: CALL JIM SCHLEGEL TODAY !!!

Ed.