MICROBITS BULLETIN OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MICRO-MINERALOGISTS

 

PRESIDENT Dan McHugh       VICE PRESIDENT Alan Wilkins       SECRETARY Susan Hansen       TREASURER Bob White       BOARD OF DIRECTORS Juanita Curtis Jack Nieburger Paul Adams Ann Seminaris (Alternate)   FEDERATION DIRECTOR Beverly Moreau       DUES $10 Single, $15 Membership Plus   MEETINGS Third Saturday in even numbered months, 10:00 a.m. till…? Jurupa Mountains Cultural Center 7621 Granite Hill Dr., Riverside   MICROBITS EDITOR Beverly Moreau (see Federation Director) bcmoreau@4dnet.com

President’s Message   A certain cooling trend is in the air, and Autumn is making its presence known here in Southern California, even if not as dramatically as in some other parts of our nation.   We continue to work at finalizing our plans for the Pacific Micromount Conference 2003.  The San Bernardino County Natural History Museum has been reserved for Friday, January 31 and Saturday February 1, and just in case no field trip materializes, for half a day on Sunday.  It seems that our field trip was canceled one year because of (are you ready for this?) snow!)   At our October 19 meeting we will hope to further define the Confer-ence activities.  As mentioned in the August issue, we are counting on for suggestions of individuals who might be willing to speak at the Conference.  So far, we have Dr. Bill Wise and Sugar White lined up as speakers.  In addition, start thinking about sharing your own slides and giving short, informal talks.    We want to thank Roger Barnett for the nice box of minerals that he donated to us recently.  They will be of particular help in our auctions at the Conference.    And speaking of which, see Sugar’s article on page 2 about donating minerals for the auctions and Sales Table.   For those of you who cannot attend the October 19 meeting, please let me have your suggestions or program input prior to that time so that we can include them in our discussion at the meeting. Dan (With a little help from my friend Casper)      “Boo-oo-oo-oo”   For the Meeting   For the October 19 meeting, pack up your lunch and scopes, and any new specimens you might have from recent field trips.   Directions:  From the 60 freeway (east or west), exit on Pyrite Avenue, go north under the freeway to the first signal (Granite Hill), turn right, and continue east on Granite Hill to the Jurupa Mountains Cultural Center.

Web Site for SCMM:

 

Sunshine Corner

  Horst Windisch says he is up and at ‘em these days, having recovered from his auto accident and fall at home earlier is year.  He’s been entertaining a couple from Germany whom he met through the internet, giving them the local rockhounding tour.  Not driving yet, though.  Our best wishes for continued good health go out to you, Horst.

  We’d like to have updates on the progress of some of our less ambulatory members.  Please let us hear from you so we can spread a little sunshine where it’s needed.

____

Just a thought:

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes.  Tht way, when you criticize them, you’re a mile away and you have their shoes.

From the Internet

 

Minerals Needed - From You!

The Pacific Micromount Conference is almost upon us.  One of the key efforts by members that makes the conference a success is your contribution of minerals. The contributions come in three categories.

First are minerals for the Give Away table.  Here is your opportunity to clear out some needed storage.  You must go through the material and discard the leaverites.  That goes to your local landfill.  Then you label the material to identify the mine or location and the species.  Provide enough labels for each specimen.  It would be nice if each container identified the collector/-donor and when the material was collected.  We have several folks who keep extensive and detailed records on specimens in their collection and "who" and "when" mean a lot to them. Susan Hansen manages the Give Away table so deliver you donations to her.

Second are the minerals for the Sales table.  These specimens tend to be a "step up" on the highgrade scale from the Give Away table.  They go into the paper boxes that were given to us by Bruce and Jo Runner and distributed by Sugar.  If you need more boxes, ask and you shall receive.  These specimens, with rare exception, go for $1.00.  It is a major source of income for the Club.  Garth Bricker manages the Sales table, so get your material to him.

Finally, there is the material for auction.  We have two auctions:  a Silent Auction and a Verbal Auction.  Please bring specimens for the Silent Auction to the museum.  Have them well labeled.  During the Conference, there will be a call for delivery of specimens to the auction tables. 

The specimens for the Verbal Auction require your IMMEDIATE attention.  These are your serious donations.  You must get them to Sugar in advance of the Conference, as they must be photographed prior to auction.  The winning bidder gets both the specimen and the slide.  Mailings should go to

Sugar White,

   

Both auctions are major sources of income for the club to pay the expenses of the Conference and need your support.

¾ Time is of the essence!  ¾

Halloween Safety Tips For Kids And Adults

By Chuck McKie, CFMS Safety Chairman 2002

Parents (and grandparents), here are some safety tips to help prepare your children for a safe and enjoyable Trick-or-Treat holiday.  Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment, and following some common sense practices can keep events safer and more fun.

But at all times, remember how much we have been hearing in the news about child abductions.  So be doubly careful and don't let your very young children out of your sight.  An adult or an older teenager should accompany them on the trips.

·         Let them walk, slither, and sneak on side-walks, not in the street. 

·         Teach them to look both ways before cross-ing the street to check for cars, trucks, and low flying brooms, and to cross the street only at corners. 

·         Don't hide or cross the street between parked cars.  Have them wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing so they are more visible. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards, and brooms, too!)

·         Plan their route and share it with your other family members also.

·         Have them carry a flashlight to light their way.

·         Caution them to keep away from open fires and candles.  (Costumes can be extremely flammable.)

·         They should only visit homes that have the porch light on.

·         Treats should only be accepted at the door, and never go into a stranger's house.

·         Use face paint rather than masks or things that will cover their eyes.

·         They must be cautious of animals and strangers.

·         Have a grown-up inspect the treats before eating. 

·         And no one should eat candy if the package is already opened. 

·         Small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children.

- October 2002 CFMS Newsletter

  

FIREPLACE SAFETY

By Chuck McKie, CFMS Safety Chairman 2002

Inspect Fireplaces. Have your chimney inspect-ed by a professional prior to the start of every heating season.  Creosote, a chemical sub-stance that forms when wood burns, builds up in chimneys and can cause a chimney fire if the chimney is not properly cleaned.

Always protect your family and home by using a sturdy screen when burning fires.  Remember to burn only wood—never burn paper or pine boughs, which can float out of the chimney and ignite a neighboring home.

Never use flammable liquids in a fireplace. If you are purchasing a factory-built fireplace, select one listed by a testing laboratory, and have it installed according to local codes

Watch your wood stoves.  Be sure your wood or coal stove bears the label of a recognized testing laboratory and meets local fire codes.

Follow manufacturers’ recommendations for proper use and maintenance.  Chimney connec-tions and chimney flues should be inspected at the beginning of each heating season and cleaned if necessary.  Follow the same safety rules for wood stoves as you would for space heaters.

Burn only wood, and be sure the wood stove is placed on an approved stove board to protect the floor from heat and hot coals.  Be sure to check with your local fire department and check local codes before having your wood stove installed.

Be cautious with portable and space heaters.  Place space heaters at least three feet away from anything combustible, including wallpaper, bedding, clothing, pets, and people.  Never leave space heat-ers operating when you are not in the room or when you go to bed.  Don’t leave children or pets unattended with space heaters, and be sure everyone knows that drying wet mittens or other clothing over space heaters is a fire hazard.

Cook with care.  When cooking, do not wear loose fitting clothing, which can be ignited by hot burners.  Always turn pot handles in.  Don’t store items on the stovetop—they could catch fire.  Keep kitchen appliances clean and in good condition, and turn them off after use. 

Don’t overload electrical outlets, and don’t use appliances with frayed or cracked wires.

Prepare a winter storm plan.  Have extra blankets on hand, and ensure that each member of your

(Continued next page)

 

  

FIREPLACE SAFETY (Continued)

household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water-resistant boots. 

Stay tuned for storm warnings by listening to NOAA Weather Radio and your local radio and television stations for updated storm information.

- October 2002 CFMS Newsletter

 

CFMS Fall Directors’ Meeting

November 2, 2003

  The Fall meeting will take place in Visalia, as is the custom, and is each club’s opportunity to be directly involved in the operation of the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies.

  Yes, your Director will be there to represent you.  At the moment, transportation is in question, but there are still three weeks left to solve the prob-lem.  (The local Budget-Rent-a-Car office is getting to know me by sight!)

 

Daylight Saving Time Ends

Set your clocks

Back one hour

Sunday,

October 27

 

 

Rockhound Stickers

  If you didn’t make it to the August meeting, we now have Rockhound stickers available for 50 cents each to put in the window of your vehicle.  This is a way of letting other rockhounds know that you are involved in the hobby.  A great public relations tool!

 

 

Southern California Friends of Mineralogy

Mineral Localities Workshop

Saturday 10/26/02 with Field Trip on Sunday

At Fallbrook Gem and Mineral Society HQ and future museum

123 W. Alvarado St., 3 doors west of Main St

Downtown Fallbrook

 

Saturday

9:00 AM    Registration ($5 donation), field trip sign-ups ($20 donation), deli sandwich orders for lunch ($6), and free coffee and donuts.

10:00 AM   Sapphires and Rubies of Sri Lanka, Richard Hughes

11:00 AM   Treasures of the White Queen Mine, Pala, Bob Dawson

12:00 Noon until 1:00 PM – Lunch.   Deli sandwiches will be brought in for those who ordered them. SCFM business meeting.

1:30 PM     The Rogerly Mine, or Mining Fluorite in the English Countryside, Jim Clanin

2:30 PM     How the Cryo Genie Mine Became Famous, Ken Gochenhour

3:30 PM     Field trip logistics, Ken Gochenhour

4:00 PM     Tour of the Fallbrook Mineral Museum

6:30 PM     Potluck dinner at campground in Warner Springs area near the Cryo Genie.  Directions will be given and maps will be passed out.

 

Sunday

9:00 AM    Meet at the parking area near the Cryo Genie Mine for the field trip.  Maps will be passed out on Saturday.  This is a fantastic opportunity to visit a famous mine while it is in operation. 

In the not unlikely event that more people want to sign up than can be accommodated, SCFM members will be given priority. 

We will need to carpool to the mine itself in four-wheel drive vehicles, so if you have one you are encouraged to bring it.

 

 

For registration, Contact:

Robert M. Housley

rhousley@its.caltech.edu

(626) 449-6454

(or register in person at the door)

 

 

Three Weeks in Namibia

By Horst Windisch

  On Easter Monday, (2002) our three-week tour through Namibia started.  The intention was to take along 24 gem and mineral collectors.  In the end, there were only 20, but we managed to "rope in" one Yankee in Springbok, just to come along for the ride and see something of Namibia, which the normal tourist does not see.  Just before lunch, we crossed the border into Namibia, our first overnight stop being Ai-Ais Hot Springs (here I even gave an half hour water aerobics class to seven of our members).  It was very hot and dusty at Ai-Ais, but the warm water in the pool was enjoyed by all.

  Next day, off to collect some blue lace agate on George Swanson's mine.  What an experience getting there, as a soft rain came down when we crossed a large flat pan and some cars started skidding out of control, like driving on soap!! (No damage done, the pan was so flat, you couldn't collide with anything). After viewing the mine (and collecting some blue lace agate), back to the Namibia/South Africa border, carried on along the banks of the Orange River, before turning inland to Rosh Pinah, a zinc mine.  Stayed overnight at their guest house, before undertaking an underground visit the next morning.  Found some massive pyrite, but it was very humid down in the mine (we drove into the mine on the back of two pick-up trucks) and a cold shower after the visit was a welcome relief.  After lunch at the Rosh Pinah Mess, drove over some bad corrugated roads to Luderitz (where Erika was born, but she was not allowed to accompany us on the trip, on doctor's orders). The campers stayed on Shark Island, the balance at a Guest House.  Late afternoon, we visited the mind-blowing mineral collection of Heini Soltau.

  Next morning, off early on a guided tour of Kolmanskop (a "ghost town", where diamonds were mined until 1956).  My late grandfather built quite a few of these buildings straight after World War I.  Later on, another visit to Heini Soltau, before we all joined the campers for an evening's barbeque on Shark Island.  (Also, every evening, I held a short briefing meeting, to discuss the day's happenings and the plans for the coming day.  Each driver was issued a file containing an eight-page program, day-by-day, nearly hour-by -hour), maps, copies of accommodation bookings, tips on how to drive on corrugated roads, mineralogical notes on some of the sites we were going to visit, emergency telephone numbers (at home and en route), table of distances traveled per day (tar and gravel roads) malaria warnings, blank export permit and prospector's license forms, etc).

  Friday, we drove to Agate Beach (beach sand consisting of agates, the size of half a matchstick head), to dig for gypsum ("desert roses").  When you dig these, leave the surrounding wet sand on them, as it acts as wrapping. My biggest one was 30 x 20 x 17 cm (plus plenty of "wrapping" sand for exchange, not too much Agate Beach sand. Then left for a guest house at Bethanie, stopping alongside the road to look at some interesting rock formations - total distance for day approx. 220 km.

  Next morning, up at 05:00, pack and leave in darkness, as we wanted to reach the extinct volcano, Brukkaros, before 08:00, as we wanted to climb this mountain, before it gets too hot.  Picked up quartz crystals and flint along the way - what a beautiful view looking over the desert from the break-out point of this volcano.  Lunch at the Fish River bridge. Two bridges on, some funny "balls" and petrified wood (?) or fossils(?).  Slept over at the Hardap Dam resort on the farm, where I spent the first few months of my life during the depression of the thirties!!

  (I had put in my notes for Sunday, 7th April - "02:00- your alarm clock will wake you (previous day instruction was to set alarm to go off at 02:00). Put on the light, then set your watch/clock back by ONE hour, go back to sleep.(Remember  you can stay in bed ONE hour LONGER)" (Nobody fell for this instruction - it was the change-over to "winter time" in Namibia).

  Next morning, we visited a disused quarry just outside Hardap to look for natrolite and analcime.  The "prize" specimen of natrolite was found by Erich Mayerl, with natrolite needles on a big piece of matrix, measuring about 60 x 40 cm!!  Carried on to Rehoboth, then down the steepest mountain pass in Namibia, the Spreetshoogte Pass (max gradient 1 in 4).  Got stuck in deep sand off a rivulet at the bottom of this Pass, waited 30 minutes till a Land Rover came towards us and pulled us out of the sand!!  Overnight stop at Sossusvlei Campsite.

  Up again before the crack of dawn, to enter the Sossusvlei Dunes (amongst the highest in the world).  As we had seven 4 x4's amongst our 12 vehicles, it was easy getting from the parking lot (60 km from Sesriem, our base), into the area of the highest dunes, 5 km, only allowed to be traveled by 4 x 4's).  Only four of our party ascended to the top of the highest dune (in 1999, 11 out of 24 accomplished this feat in one and a half hours to the top).    (Cont’d next page) 

Three Weeks In Namibia (Continued from previous page)

Very hot here in  the desert, in the afternoon, a brief visit to the Sesriem Canyon, but unable to walk in it, because of too much water.  That evening, we drove out to the Elim Dune for a sundowner in the desert!!

  A long haul through the  desert - 300 gravel, 63 tar roads to Swakopmund. (On this stretch, Paul's (our Yankee) Autovilla broke down, had to be towed for 160 km with a solid bar between the two vehicles).  That evening, Mike Thygessen opened his shop, Desert Gems, especially for the group.  Next morning, a visit to the local brewery, finishing off the tour with a pint or two of beer, then on to the Kristall Galerie (a private mineral museum and shop in Swakopmund), the show stopper being a group of quartz crystals about 3 metres high (were on display in Tucson some years ago), with exquisite Tsumeb specimens and some extra-ordinary tourmalines from the Karibib area.  During the afternoon, a visit to the local salt works, whereafter we also dug for some gypsum in one of the smaller ponds, as well as picking up some small "desert roses".  That evening, the Walvis Bay Gem and Mineral Club laid on a fantastic barbeque for our group - I only got to bed after 23:00 after a full and exhausting day!!

  Next morning, Mike took us into the desert for the day, visited eight collecting sites - rose quartz, chalcedony, aragonite, micros at the Namib Lead Mine, where some of us waited till after dark, to haul out our UV lamps to look for calcite, willemite and hydrozincite.  The dumps glowed like a Christmas tree!!

  Left Swakopmund for Klein Spitzkoppe next morning.  Did not find much, but the local miners sell topaz and quartz from Spitzkoppe and aquamarine and schorl from the Erongo alongside the road.  (Gerhard obtained a large schorl in exchange for one cigarette and two cigarette butts!!)  Overnight at Irmi's Lodge in Karibib.

  Next morning, off to the Rubikon Mine, now disused, but still good for lepidolite, amblygonite, quartz and petalite. Lunch-time at a local mineral dealer for some purchases and then off to Omaruru, to see some of Gawie Cloetes treasures.  On Sunday, we did a bit of a detour to have a look at the dinosaur tracks near Kalkfeld, before carrying on to Khorixas (via Outjo).

Next morning, a long trip, first to view the logs at the Petrified Forest, then on to Grootberg to collect heulandite and stilbite. This round trip of 320 km took us the whole day. Then on to Okaukuejo (via Outjo) in the Etosha Game Park.  The best spot at Okaukuejo is the floodlit waterhole, but as there were good rains in Namibia for three summers running, we were actually disappointed.  One elephant came down to the waterhole in the afternoon, a bit later (whilst we were having supper) another seven came, and at 21:00, there were four rhinos at the waterhole.  One could hear the lions roaring, but they did not come down to drink.  In 1999 (we were there a month later, which also has an influence, we saw three herds of elephant, the largest herd being about 80 and at night, we saw three of the big five drinking at the same time!! (2 lions, one elephant and one rhino).  At the briefing meeting that evening, we said goodbye to Paul, as he wanted to stay in Etosha for a couple of weeks. It was here, also, that the group presented me with a big piece of fluorite from Okorusu as a "THANK-YOU" for organizing this tour. 

  Leaving Okaukuejo, soon after sunrise the next morning, we did manage to see on elephant and three lionesses not far off the road.  At Klein Namutoni, we saw 12 giraffe at the waterhole; and on the pan itself we saw plenty of zebra, wildebeests, oryx, springbok, a few ostriches and secretary birds.  In Tsumeb, we visited their new mineral hall in the Museum, before leaving for "Zum Potjie" just outside Otavi.

  The following day, we paid a visit to the Okorusu Fluorspar Mine, where the mine geologist took us to two different mining sites, and we were allowed to pick up a few pieces of fluorite.  Then on to my cousin's farm near Hochfeld, where we had a real royal feast of a dinner, and breakfast next morning.

  Leaving Hochfeld, we drove to the Dept. of Mines office in Windhoek, to apply for our Prospector's License (we were supposed to apply for this six weeks prior to entering Namibia, but this was not feasible at the time) and Export Permits.  As this is all done by hand, it took two hours to process these documents, which we spent in the new geological/mineralogical museum on the ground floor, really worth a visit  Then we left for our overnight stop at Daan Viljoen Game Park, just outside Windhoek, where we had the official "closing" barbeque of the tour.

  Next morning, back to Windhoek, to purchase some more minerals at the home of Ralf Wartha and Andreas Palfi, before hitting the road to Buitepos, on the Namibia/Botswana border.

  Then on Sunday, came the longest stretch - home. (1050 km) through Botswana and South Africa.  (Four vehicles had gone back via the Vioolsdrif gate in southern Namibia).  The road between Sekoma and Kanye in Botswana was severely potholed (some potholes being a metre across) and in South Africa,         (Continued next page)

Three Weeks in Namibia (Continued from previous page)

road construction work was being carried out between Zeerust and Swartruggens (widening the road for the "Platinum Corridor"), which resulted in our taking 12 hours for this stretch.  (The road in Botswana is very FLAT, 8 metres being the difference in height between the highest and lowest point on this road, which for 600 km is not fenced off, so you have to be on the continuous lookout for wild game and domestic animals)

  All in all, another good trip, even if the group lost quite a few tires on these roads.  This was my 10th (and probably last) long trip that I have organized for the gem and mineral collectors in South Africa, the first one being to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in  July 1969.

  The whole tour from Springbok (starting on 1st April) till home in Pretoria (21st April) was about 6500 km. Without my son, Gerhard, who did most of the driving, I would not have been able to do this tour, and to him and to the rest of the group, goes a big THANK YOU for the success of another memorable trip.

Courtesy of Horst Windisch and the  South African Lapidary Magazine, Vol. 34, No. 2

 

 

 

 

 

Beverly Moreau, Editor

So. California Micro-Mineralogists

bcmoreau@4dnet.com

 

 

 

 

MICROBITS                                                               

 

October-November 2002

 

 

Meeting 10 a.m., Saturday, October 19

Jurupa Mountains Cultural Center, Riverside