VOLUME 26, ISSUE 5 MAY 2016

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1 VOLUME 26, ISSUE 5 MAY 2016 Words from the President: T he Rock & Gem Show was a great success. Did you see how many children there were? Did you see how many families were doing the Treasure Hunt? Did you see how many people were looking at the Exhibits and voting? The answer to those questions is: a lot! How about one thousand or more for each question. WOW! Does everyone want to do it again in a few months? The NUMBER ONE goal of the Rock & Gem Show is EDUCATION. To educate and teach the study of rocks and different fields related to geology. This is a time to show the North County community the beauty of the Earth and its natural wonders. With all the help of volunteers from the Santa Lucia Rockhounds, I can gladly say WE ACCOMPLISHED IT. A very common quote from many of the guests was The Show was great, I enjoyed. (Fill in the blank...everyone had a different wonderful experience) The Club volunteers are very nice, very helpful, and happy. I enjoy talking to them and seeing them smile. Everything is so organized." This was a common quote from most of the vendors. To all the VOLUNTEERS, AWESOME JOB! Next year, we need to focus a lot more on demonstrators. The building is large enough to have a large area for Lapidary equipment and other rock related demonstrations. The Show Committee will be on the lookout for Club members to take this task on for next year's Show. Demonstration examples include: Trim Saw, Rock Polisher, Rock Tumbler, Jewelry Making, Hand Polisher, Sphere Machine, Gem Cutter, Bead Making, Flat Lap, etc. Rock related demonstration is endless. Next year, consider being a demonstrator! This was the second year the Rock & Gem Show was at the Event Center. We learned a lot from last year s Show and improved many things. There was only a few hiccups this year compared to last year. This Show is now 90% hiccup FREE! There are still more things we haven t done yet and that we are thinking about doing. If you have a suggestion for next year s Show, please come forward with it. The only thing I ask: if you have a new idea for the Show, have information about it. If you have a problem with how something was handled at the show, please have an idea for a solution. I would like to take this time to mention one of the heroes of this year's Rock & Gem Show: Kim Noyes. Some may ask, who is Kim Noyes? Though he doesn t come to most meetings, he has been the Show Vendor Chairperson for years. This year's Show had 36 vendors and Kim made contact with most of them and booked them for our Show. An empty, vendor less building does not look good, and this year was particularly challenging. The Show date changed, and there were two other large Rock Shows going on in the state at the same time. Only 1/3 of the vendors we had this year were at the show last year. But somehow he did it, and filled the building. Kim, the Santa Lucia Rockhounds appreciates everything you do for the Club. Thank You.~~Mike Haludy~~ 2016 OFFICERS CHAIR PRESIDENT Michael Judy (805) mrhaludy@gmail.com VP PROGRAMS Joyce Baird (805) liljoysee@charter.net VP EDUCATION John McCabe (805) mccabewest@aol.com VP COMMUNICATIONS Brett Weathersbee (805) brettweathersbee@gmail.com SECRETARY Alice Rodriguez (805) alvarorodz@hotmail.com TREASURER Doren Strane (805) doren.strane@yahoo.com SR. DIRECTOR David Nelson (805) nelsonda24@gmail.com JR. DIRECTOR Ralph Lawless (805) ravenstone5@yahoo.com PAST PRESIDENT Open Position

2 General Meeting: 7pm Board Meeting: 6pm Junior RockHounds: A t the April meeting, Junior Rockhounds were busy getting their treasures ready for their display case at the Rocks & Gems show. They did a fantastic job and it was great to see pictures of their smiling faces as they held a favorite specimen. In May, the group will be joining the general membership to hear John McCabe's talk on San Luis Obispo County. In June, they will turn their attention to fossils.~~tc~~ Opals Flash the April Meeting O MAY 16, 2016 Templeton Community Center 601 Main St. Everyone is invited Want to see past Newsletters? Visit Click Members Only Username: rockgems Password: jade pals may be the birthstone for October, but thanks to the informative talk given by club member Aaron Miller, they sure lit up the April meeting. Aaron's talk focused on opals from Spencer, Idaho, an area known predominantly for garnets. We learned how 20,000 to two million years ago, ancient hollow thundereggs from the late Miocene epoch, filled with opal creating the treasures we find today. Aaron highlighted the various colors of Opals and where they are commonly found, and how in Spencer once can find them in indigo, magenta, and hot pink. He also explained the triplicate process used to prepare gemstones. This includes a thin slice of opal, a black backing, and a clear capping..~~tc~~ 2016 COMMITTEE CHAIR CFMS Director Open Position Field Trips Open Position Membership Brett Weathersbee (805) brettweathersbee@gmail.com Merchandise David Nelson (805) nelsonda24@gmail.com Museum & Library Barbara Bilyeu (805) bbilyeu2001@yahoo.com Hospitality Cathy McIntosh (805) History Mike Doherty (805) mdoherty@tcsn.net Drawings Michael Judy (805) mrhaludy@gmail.com Silent Auction Pete Duckworth (805) jasperjunkie@yahoo.com Newsletter Editor Tina Clark (805) tdkclark@sbcglobal.net Interim Newsletter Publisher Michael Judy (805) SLRockhounds@gmail.com Did you hear about the new Rockhound that took a spoon in his gear bag? He heard he d be traveling on Rocky Road.

3 Interview with a Rockstar N ame: Wayne Werner Mills (OK, I am a Junior, but I am told you don t have to use the Jr. part unless your Dad was famous. Mine wasn t. Besides it is kind of ridiculous for a 70-year old to be called Junior ). How long have you been a club member? I think I have been a member of the Santa Lucia Rockhounds (SLR) for three years but have been a member of the Orcutt Mineral Society for 23. Before and since I joined the club, I have given several presentations on earth science related topics to the SLR. What rocks you about rockhounding? One problem with being a little hyper, is that it is hard to focus. There are so many fascinating facets of the rockhounding hobby that for me, it is hard to settle on just one part. I began being interested in minerals many years ago (maybe 55) when my Uncle Tom, who for many years was Chief Geologist for Kaiser Aluminum, gave me a shoebox full of neatly labeled mineral specimens from around the world. I wanted to learn what all those chemical formulas meant, and I did! My Dad would bring me back rocks (like petrified wood) from his travels in the Southwest, and then I was given a box of my Grandmother s polished stones also when I was young. So, that sparked an interest in lapidary. After my experience in Alaska (see "my favorite rock" below), I began collecting fossils in earnest when I was in the service in Ohio in When I got out, I joined the Southern California Paleontological Society and enjoyed many fun collecting adventures with them. I was even their Bulletin Editor for two years! Another part of the hobby that moves me is the wonderful people whom I have met in the different rock-related clubs that I have belonged to or associated with. What has been your greatest or most memorable find? Probably my 2.5 carat Emerald with gold and diamonds (see "my favorite mineral" below). After that my Desmostylus sp. tooth from Orange County. Desmostylus sp. Tooth From Orange County 2.5 carat Emerald With Gold and Diamonds

4 Tell us about a current project you are working on. I started carving the Little Mermaid (from Copenhagen Harbor) about 8 years ago. Haven t gotten very far though. Metal Detecting got in the way What is your favorite rock? How can I pick just one? I have long appreciated fossils since I collected my first one (an ammonite) at age 17 while commercial fishing in Alaska. However, I have long admired Montana Agate (my mother was born there), and more recently, Flowering Tube Agate from Utah. The one pictured goes along with my passion for natural pictures in stone. I call it Galaxies on End. Montana Agate Flowering Tube Agate What is your favorite mineral? My favorite mineral (besides gold) is Dioptase, probably because my favorite color is green, and Dioptase (a basic copper silicate found notably in South Africa and Russia) is one of the most beautiful shades of green that I can imagine. Yes, Emerald is right up there too! While metal detecting a few months ago, I found a 2.5 carat natural Emerald set in gold that is close competition with my Dioptase specimen. Is there anything else you would like the club to know about you? I retired from Caltrans after 25 years as an Environmental Engineer. Part of my job was being the District Paleontological Coordinator. Another part was being an "occasional" Archaeological Technician. Those fun jobs arose from my past interests in Earth Science. One of my honors I am proudest of is a Lifetime Membership in the Dana Adobe. This came from archaeological work that I helped with, and for writing the application for State Landmark Status for them (with the help of Dan Krieger, local historian). Dioptase

5 CFMS: Please visit the CFMS web site CFMS Camp Paradise Week 1 August 28 September 3 Applications (mail after August 1) CFMS Camp Paradise Week 2 September 4 September 10 Applications (mail after August 1) CFMS 2016 Show & Convention September Placerville, CA AFMS / NFMS 2016 Federation Show July Albany, OR May Program: The Natural Wonders of San Luis Obispo County J oin us, as John McCabe takes the club on a geological tour of our very own backyard. We will finally get our chance to find out why the meeting room empties every month when John calls on the Junior Rockhounds to join him in the kitchen! Speaking of which, Junior Rockhounds will be joining the adults for the May program, for what is sure to be a learning adventure..~~tc~~ Von Achen s Tailgate May 14, am to 3pm 636 Cherokee Place Nipomo, CA (Rough Rocks, Polished Rocks, and More!)

6 25th Anniversary Rocks and Gems Show "Hats off" to the entire club for the 2016 show! The event had record breaking attendance, impressive club member exhibits, numerous vendors (both new and repeats), and very busy club booths. It was heart-warming to hear the positive feedback from event attendees. Richard Wade's presentation on both Saturday and Sunday drew quite a crowd, along with the popular as ever geode cracking booth. The club "Treasure Hunt" intrigued both kids and adults alike and the club drawing experienced its best ticket sales ever. A special congratulations must be given to club member exhibit winners! Don Huntington and Don Pierce took first place for the People's Choice award, Junior Rockhound Eva Rodriguez placed second (look out Don & Don, you have some tough competition), and Chris Driesbach won third. The President's Choice went to Galen Moyer. Here's a special shout out to the Gravel Pit and the club members who staffed it. Once again, these lapidary experts piqued the interest of rockhounds young and old. Over a half a dozen new members joined the Club at the show and many more promised to come check out our meetings. A special thanks is also needed to the Central Coast Gold Prospectors for the hands-on gold panning experience they provided to the kids. Lots of members, both long-term and new, devoted many volunteer hours to make the show such a success. Thanks to every single person who pitched in - from those who performed the smallest of tasks to those that undertook the largest! To hear what others had to say about our event, here is the link to an article that appeared in the Paso Robles Daily news - Pictures from the show can be found at the Club website at slorockhound.org..~~tc~~ Rock & Gem Show Drawing The Drawing at our Rock and Gem Show was HUGE success! We had 70 drawing prizes, including our three Grand Prizes...WOW! The enthusiasm all the show guests had when they saw our plethora of prizes was exciting. The response to having separate boxes to put tickets in for the three grand prizes was positive, and ensured that the winner really wanted that particular prize. The grand prize drawing was the only drawing that was "live", and we still had quite the crowd! I would like to thank Barbara & Gene Bilyeu for their donation of Dugway Geode Bookends, and Galen Moyer for his donation of a Desolation Canyon Thunderegg. Both were beautiful, and will be a great addition to any rockhounds collection. And a big thank you to all the club members and vendors who donated prizes. You helped make this happen in a big way. And finally, thank you to our biggest little ticket salesperson, Amanda, who appears to have a stellar future selling oceanfront property in Arizona! ~~~Denise Haludy~~~

7 SHOW EXHIBITS Wow, what a great collection of exhibits at our show this year! And what a lot of gorgeous biconoids and thundereggs from our area! It really was a fine celebration of our club symbol and our 25th show. Thanks to all of our exhibitors, who were: o Mary Caparone - Agates, jewelry and more, with the help of Susan Lewis; o The Santa Lucia Junior Rockhounds, with the help of Frank Imhoof; o Eva Rodriguez - Marine fossils; o Don Huntington and Don Pierce - "Don & Don's Rainbow Canyon"; o Cindy Chambers - "My Favorite Things"; o Don & Sylvia Nasholm - Silver jewelry; o Nick Sherwin - Chalcedony Desert Roses; o Dale Harwood - Minerals from the Anna Beaver Mine; Oklahoma o Dianne Brooke - "Mermaid Treasures and Heart Rocks"; o Wes Lingerfelt - Material from Top Notch Digs, North Cady Mountains; o Jeanne Lingerfelt - Wire Jewelry; o Wayne Mills - Chumash Soapstone Artifact reproductions; o Chris Driesbach - "Thundereggs Collected from Hwy 46", with the help of Al Driesbach; o Galen Moyer - "Thundereggs of Northern Ankara, Turkey"; o Tom McGanty - Thundereggs from the Blue Moon Bed, Oregon; and Petrified Wood; o Doug Moore - Jurassic and Triassic petrified wood; o David Nelson - Fluorescent minerals, and Templeton biconoids; o Aaron Miller - "Opal Thundereggs from Spencer, Idaho"; o Jim Mills - "The Winner's Circle" featuring circular patterns in rocks, with the help of Beth Myers; o Gene Bilyeu - "Agates of Northern Mexico"; o Barbara Bilyeu - Dinosaur Bone; Thundereggs of California; and Biconoids; o Brett Weathersbee - Local rocks, including some pretty amazing biconoids. Special floor exhibits were presented by: o Galen Moyer, with jumbo thundereggs from around the world; o Jason Martines, with beautiful thundereggs from Hwy 46; o Barbara Bilyeu, with both cut and uncut thundereggs from Hwy 46. The People's Choice awards were handled this year by Bill and Gayle Bingamen, who did a fabulous job, including the creation and donation of the awards. Thanks to both of you!! Award winners were: o 1st Place - Don Huntington and Don Pierce; o 2nd Place - Eva Rodriguez; o 3rd Place - Chris Driesbach; o President's Award - Galen Moyer. Congratulations to all of our People's Choice winners, and thanks again to everyone who entered an exhibit! ~~BB~~ Galen Moyer Holding President s Award Galen Moyer, Mike Judy, Barbara Bilyue, Bill Bingamen (from left to right)

8 1 st Place People s Choice Winners Don Huntington & Don Pierce THE DON S 2nd Place People s Choice Winners Eva Rodriguez Jr. Rockhound 3rd Place People s Choice Winners Chris Driesbach Al Driesbach holding Award

9 T he Rockonteur is the official monthly newsletter of the Santa Lucia Rockhounds. It is an independent publication containing news and information consistent with the mission of SLR and of interest to its members. Circulation is approximately 90 copies per issue. Editor Tina Clark Interim Publisher Michael Judy (805) Member submissions are encouraged and may be made by or snail mail. We reserve the right to accept or refuse submissions and advertising that, in our opinion, do not reflect the standards of this newsletter, or are inconsistent with the objectives and purpose of the Santa Lucia Rockhounds. Submissions may be edited for content, grammar, spelling, punctuation and length without consent. Rockonteur is not a creative writing outlet. However, all submissions that may be of interest to its readers and reflect the standards of the newsletter, will be considered for publication at the discretion of the editor or publisher. Deadline: All submissions are due by midnight of the last day of the month but early submissions are highly appreciated and strongly encouraged. The publisher reserves the right to accept, reject or hold-over late submissions. Santa Lucia Rockhounds Website: Webmaster - Vince Pellerin (831) webmaster@slrockhounds.org Santa Lucia Rockhounds, Inc. is a charitable group organized as a California non-profit public benefit corporation. The specific purpose of the group is to promote the study of mineralogy, including (but not limited to) the fields of lapidary, metal working, jewelry design & fabrication, geology and field trips for collecting and related history. We encourage learning and good citizenship in a congenial atmosphere. We respect both private and public property and we strive to protect natural resources. Annual Dues are $20 for the first adult and $8 each for every additional member in the same household. Dues are payable between 1 September and 31 December, in person at the meetings or by mail. Members in good standing receive the Rockonteur by mail or . We are a member of the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CFMS) and affiliated with the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS). Santa Lucia Rockhounds, Inc. is also a member of the American Lands Access Association (ALAA). Board Meeting: 6pm, April 18 th, 2016 Meeting was called to order by President, Mike Judy, and followed by flag salute. Members present were: Mike Judy, Joyce Baird, Brett Weathersbee, John McCabe, Alice Rodriguez, Doren Strane, David Nelson, Mike Doherty and Denise Halopoff. A quorum was present. Mike moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting; Joyce seconded. There was not any correspondence to review. Reports: VP Programs: Joyce reported that Aaron Miller would be doing a presentation at the General Meeting on opals, and John McCabe will be presenting Natural Wonders of the Central Coast at the next General Meeting. VP Communications: Brett reported that the radio ads for the Rock & Gem Show were running. VP Education: John reported that there were 2 new Jr. Rockhound members, and that he was working on a list of potential scholarship recipients. Sr. Director: David reported that rocks have been gathered and put together for the Gravel Pit at the show. Committees: CFMS Director/Insurance: It was reported that insurance for the show would be through the fair grounds. Membership: There are 4 new members: Nikki Clark, Jeff Cooper, Laura Cordoza and TJ Nelson. There are a total of 109 paid members. No other information was reported for committees. Rock & Gem show information was discussed. A great job has been done on advertising. 21 shirts were ordered for club members to wear at the show, so they would stand out to the public in the event people had questions or wanted information, they would know who to ask. Set up for the show would be Fri 8am-7pm.~~AR~~

10 JUNE 2016 June 3-5: LA HABRA, CA North Orange County Gem & Mineral Society June 4-5: GLENDORA, CA Glendora Gems & Mineral Society June 25-26: CULVER CITY, CA Culver City Rock & Mineral Club Rock & Gem Shows JULY 2016 NO SHOWS AUGUST 2016 August 13-14: SAN FRANCISCO, CA San Francisco Gem & Mineral Society

11 Santa Lucia RockHounds P.O. Box 1672 Paso Robles, CA Address Correction Requested