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CFMS NEWS AND UPCOMING SHOWS:

Ventura CFMS Show Report

by Ed Ferner

The annual CFMS Gem & Mineral Show was held over the June 27-29 weekend. This show is held each year in conjunction with a sponsoring member club which in this case was the Ventura Gem and Mineral Society. The show is billed as the “Super Bowl of Gem Shows” because all 110 clubs that belong to the CFMS are asked to participate in the show!

As in all gem shows, there were a number of display cases to illustrate to the public the kind of work that we do in our hobby. At Ventura there were 128 cases on exhibit with our Salinas Club having a case featuring “Rocks within 100 miles of Salinas.” The display pieces were provided by Ernie DeFever, Ed & Eileen Ferner, Janet Friedman, Ken & Karen Jones, Gail Lack, Ken Orndorff, Roscoe Russell and Karin Salomon.

Ed & Eileen Ferner had one of the 31 competitive cases in the show consisting of a chain maille display under the educational division and received first place along with the Barranca Educational Trophy.

The show was held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds and was housed in two large buildings. One building contained the display cases and silent auction while the second building provided housing for the many retail vendors that were a part of the show.

CFMS has stated that the show was a great success. In 2009 the show will be held in San Jose at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds on April 17 through 19. Mark your calendar now for this great rock event right in our back yard.

To add my 2 cents: the Show had a wonderful display of exhibits. There were cases on display from individual members and clubs. Was very inspiring. Walt Wright had tables and tables filled with his outstanding petrified wood collection from all over the world. The silent auction was brisk, several old collections were donated for sale. Many interesting talks given - Bob Jones of Rock & Gem talked about calcite mines in Mexico, huge crystals and Walt Wright on his extensive wood collection.

The following three articles I lifted from the September 2008 CFMS newsletter, please read them, there’s important information for all. Karin

EARTH SCIENCE

STUDIES

By: Marion Roberts

As of this writing, I am in the middle of some major changes for the future scheduling of the Earth Science Studies programs. This is

all due to the increasing popularity and use of the Zzyzx facility by more colleges from all over the U.S as well as Europe. As the scheduling is

done by the Universities, they have priority. We no longer can get a time slot in the spring months. I was offered only 2 weeks to choose

from and decided the only feasible date would be November 15th to 21st, 2009. There will be no March or April program at Zzyzx in the

future. This will mean the Camp Paradise program will possibly be moved to the Spring as I am working on a May date. I need serious

input from probable participants of Camp Paradise if I am to attempt a May Camp Paradise for 2009 or I may have to lose one year and plan for 2010.

This is one time I need you, as contacts for your club, to get the word to everyone as soon as possible so they can contact me. I need the

help of everyone right now. Anyone who knows of a camp that we might be able to explore, be it a church camp, scout camp, or private facility

please send as much information as you can in regards to contact source and I will follow up. If this does not work, we will be forced to

work with the Camp Paradise program as it now exists with no program in the south. What ever happens I will not let the whole project collapse. More information to come after the Camp Paradise session.

As of this time, we have a few more participants than last year for the 2 week sessions and I welcome more.

‘Addendum’

As of this writing, some major changes have been made for future scheduling of the two Science Studies programs. This is all due to increasing popularity of the Desert Studies Center on Zzyzx Road by more colleges and Universities from all over the U.S. and Europe. The scheduling is done by the University at Fullerton and “they” take priority.

Next year in 2009, the program at Camp Paradise will take place from May 17th to May 23rd, 2009 and Camp Zzyzx will be moved to November 15th to 22nd, 2009. With major changes such as this, it is imperative that everyone who receives this newsletter be sure to get this information to each and every member of your club or society. Please remember, there are only three copies sent to each club or society. We will have Camp Paradise applications in the November newsletter and Camp Zzyzx applications will be out by February newsletter.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

PLEASE RESPOND IMMEDIATELY!

You have a five week window to contact your Congressman about this VERY important matter. Please take advantage of it! On July 29, 2008 I received information from Wendell Mohr (AFMS Commemorative Stamp Project) that U.S. Congressman JOHN CULBERSON, R, from the 7th District (West Houston, Texas) regarding the Paleo Bill H.R. 554. He is trying to either stop the bill or change it. He asked for our help. I immediately contacted everyone on our email list both in San Diego and Idaho. I forwarded the information Wendell has supplied me. I also talked directly to Assistant to the Congressman, Brittany Hooten. They asked us to do a “grass roots” movement to help him stop this bill. Helping me was John

Martin, CFMS Public Lands Advisory Committeeman from Southern California. We contacted everyone we could think of. The response was abysmal. Only a few responded. SO NOW WE HAVE A FIVE WEEK WINDOW WHILE CONGRESS IS CAVORTING ON THEIR VACATION ONCE AGAIN…..

Here are a few things you can mention when you contact your congressman:

1. Tell them you are a rockhound/amateur collector.

2. Tell them that as the bill stands, we can be put in jail for picking up a rock that might look like a fossil to the “untrained eye” of a BLM or Forestry person. Which will result in the confiscation of your vehicle and all equipment and the burden of proof will be on you IN COURT.

3. Amateur collectors have been responsible for many of the finds of important fossils over the years. All this will now stop.

4. Fossils are not renewable. Once fossils are exposed by wind and rain they will disintegrate. Professional paleontologists usually don’t have the time, the money or the staff to check out paleo sites found by amateurs but they don’t want us to collect them either.

5. This bill is a disaster for rockhounds, and I urge you to stop it.

One last thing: please contact me with your name, city and state and the name of the congressman you contacted. I’d like to know who responded to this emergency.

- Shirley Leeson, AFMS President

LONG RANGE PLANNING

By Dick Pankey, Chairman

The Long Range Planning Committee is composed of all living Past Presidents of CFMS and the current Executive Committee. The immediate Past President serves as the Chairman; that is me. One of the general responsibilities of this committee is to select the CFMS Representative to the AFMS Executive Board. The current CFMS president and all past presidents who live within the boundaries of CFMS are eligible. Because the AFMS fiscal year begins on November 1, 2008 and runs until October 31, 2009, the officers for that time period are elected and installed at the AFMS meeting in September, 2008. The CFMS representative selected this year will join the AFMS Board for 2009 as the 5th vice-president. In April I sent a letter to all eligible candidates to see if any were interested. Several of our past presidents have already “gone through the chairs” of AFMS and have “served” their time. Of the rest I received one acceptance to serve. Therefore, I am pleased to announce that Colleen McGann will be the CFMS representative to the AFMS and the next 5th Vice President. Congratulations, Colleen! And a BIG THANK YOU to all of the CFMS past presidents that have served and are still serving the AFMS.

Another project that I have undertaken is to improve the perception and understanding of the Federation by our member societies. In the January Newsletter I asked for feedback from our member societies. I wanted to find out what you, the clubs, the people of the Federation, know about and how you perceive the CFMS. I asked for feedback from every club and any member. I asked: please respond to the following questions:

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FERNERS FOR THEIR AWARD WINNING DISPLAY AT THE VENTURA CFMS SHOW

AUG. 29 – SEPT. 1: FORT BRAGG, CA

Mendocino Coast Gem & Mineral So.

Town Hall

Main & Laurel, Fort Bragg

Hours: Fri., Sat. & Sun.10–6; Mon.10-4

Don McDonell (707) 964-3116

ejwebb@mcn.org

SEPTEMBER 13 & 14: DOWNEY, CA

Delvers Gem & Mineral Society

Downey Women’s Club

9813 Paramount Blvd., Downey

Hours: Sat. 10-6; Sun. 10-4

Guynell Miller (562) 633-0614

E-mail: guynellallen@sbcglobal.net

SEPT. 20 & 21: PASO ROBLES, CA

Santa Lucia Rockhounds

Pioneer Park & Museum

2010 Riverside Ave.

Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily

Mike Doherty (805) 466-4061

mdoherty@tcsn.net

www.santaluciarockhounds.com

SEPT. 20 & 21: REDWOOD CITY, CA

Sequoia Gem & Mineral Society

Community Activities Building

1400 Roosevelt Avenue

Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Daily

Carol Corden (650) 248-7155

ccorden@earthlink.net

HTTP://sqms.driftwood.com

SEPT. 25-28: SAN BERNARDINO, CA

Orange Belt Mineralogical Society

The Western Regional Ball Park

6707 Little League Drive

Hours: 9 am to Dusk all 4 Days

Emma Rose Couveau (951) 288-6182

SEPTEMBER 27 & 28: MONTEREY, CA

Carmel Valley Gem & Mineral Society

Monterey Peninsula Fairgrounds

2004 Fairgrounds Road

Hours: Sat 10-6 & Sun 10-5

Sky Paxton (831) 262-2492

Webpage: www.cvgms.org

SEPTEMBER 27 & 28: STOCKTON, CA

Stockton Lapidary & Mineral Club

Scottish Rite Masonic Center

33 West Alpine

Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4

Nettie Meissner (209) 858-2263

E-mail: footsey1@yahoo.com

Webpage:

Stockton Lapidary & Mineral Club

OCTOBER 5: FALLBROOK,CA

Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society

Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Soc. Museum

123 W. Alvarado, Fallbrook

Hours: 10 am – 4 pm

Mary Fong-Walker (760) 728-1130

Diane Tjepkes (760) 468-8028

OCTOBER 11 & 12: TRONA, CA

Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society

Searles Gem & Mineral Show Building

13337 Main St.

Hours:Sat.7:30am-5pm;Sun 7:30am-4pm

Jim & Bonnie Fairchild (760) 372-5356

Email: slgms@iwvisp.com

Webpage:

http://www1.iwvisp.com/tronagemclub/

OCTOBER 11 & 12:Grass Valley,CA

The Nevada Co. Gem & Mineral Society

Nevada Co. Fairgrounds-Main Ex. Hall

11228 McCourtney Road

Hours: 10 am – 5 pm (daily)

Kim Moore (530) 470-0388

Email: Kmoore160@comcast.net

OCTOBER 11 & 12: LAKESIDE, CA

El Cajon Valley Gem & Mineral Club

Lakeside Rodeo Grounds

12584 Mapleview

Hours: 10am– 5pm (daily)

David Newton (619) 390-5054

E-mail: JONTOM@nethere.com

Webpage: ecvgms.com

OCTOBER 11 & 12: VISTA, CA

Vista Gem & Mineral Society

Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum

2040 North Sante Fe Avenue

Hours: Sat. 10-5: Sun. 10-4

Cherie Wilson (760) 941-7073

Lois M. Harr (760) 724-0395

OCTOBER 18: WEST HILLS, CA

Woodland Hills Rock Chippers

First United Methodist Church

22700 Sherman Way

Hours: 10 am – 5 pm

Virginia Rotramel (951) 403-2634

show@rockchippers.org