SALINAS VALLEY ROCK AND GEM CLUB

P O BOX 12

SALINAS, CALIFORNIA 93901-0012

website: salinasrockandgem.com

Next General Meeting January 16th and February 20th. Club will meet at Spreckels Vet’s Hall, 5th and Llano Streets, Spreckels, at 7pm.   Everyone is also invited to our board meetings held the lst Monday of the month. Board meets January 9th 2012 and February 6th at 6 pm at Bob Braun’s, 814 West Alisal Street, Salinas.

President  Bob Braun 771-2089 VP Jeff Shaw       449-7869

Treasurer  Teri Beck 679-2896

Secretary  Karin Salomon  375-5233

Federation Bob Braun 771-2089

Director     Gail Lack  449-0322

Director     Jeannie Nelson 663-1646

Director     Ernie deFever    422-3422

Advisor     Gary Beck 679-2896

Our Club is a nonprofit organization and our purpose is to promote the study of mineralogy and geology. To encourage he collection of minerals, fossils, and gems. To provide field trips and to encourage the study of lapidary arts through workshops.

Our Club colors are pink for Rhodonite and green for Jade

Our Club is a member of the California Federation and the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies

We try to hold a workshop every month with different facets of our hobby

We have a club library of books and videos. We also have three pieces of equipment available to members to check out and use for a small fee. Tumbler fee is $10.00 a month. Rock grinder and polisher $20.00 a month. We also have a small trim saw, but we ask each person who borrows it to furnish their own blade. We hold a rock raffle at each meeting so as to provide some new material for those that do not have that type of rock.

We hold an annual show on the 2nd week in March for the education and enjoyment of the public. We also offer hands on material for schools to study  the materials we collect and use. Teachers can check out these trays for two weeks and a member can help explain and inform the students. Contact  Susie Harlow (831) 637-0735

Club dues are $ 15 for singles and $25 for families. Dues are payable in December for the following year.

November 21, 2011

Vets Hall, Spreckels

Meeting called to order 7:03. Officers present: Bob, Gail, Gary, Karin, Jeff, Jeannie, Ernie

SHOW: Ernie said Bill will demo enamel beads. Raffle tickets ordered. Gail will put in a case. Will contact Carmel M&G and Mike Humenik, Santa  Cruz.

TREASURER’S RPT: dealers money deposited, pay out $50 hall expense. M/S/P

no guests

DUES: 2012 dues will be $15 and $25  M/S/P

Geozeum: San Juan Bautista new geology museum - 209 3rd Street. Saturday and Sunday 1:30 fault walk. Informal meeting

the 3rd Thursday.

No volunteers for the secretary or newsletter positions. Karin will call Pat for possible secretary.

Thank you card from CFMS for canceled stamps that are sent on to  the Easter Seals program. Submitted, Karin S.

DUES  ARE DUE  $15 single  $25 family

CHRISTMAS PARTY -December 10th at the Landing Zone Restaurant, Salinas Airport, was an evening to remember. The food was great and good conversation was enjoyed by those attending.

ALAA News

By Dick Pankey, President – ALAA

via Contra Costa Mineral and Gem newsletter

When talking about the use and protection of our public lands, the environment, and the protection of our natural resources we often refer to certain groups and people as “Environmentalists”, as “Conservationists.” It is like we are putting them in a special group that is different than ourselves. The words “Environmentalists” and

“Conservationists” have come to have a variety of connotations. One is “protector” of plants, animals, land and resources. Another meaning is “preservationist” meaning to preserve by denying use. Yet another meaning is one who advocates restricting (or eliminating) land use. In recent years we often use these last 2 meanings. In

general terms rockhounds as a group tend to refer to ourselves as different from the “Environmentalists” and “Conservationists.” But I am not sure that distinction is true and accurate if we use the terms as meaning “protector.” To the general public “Environmentalists” and “Conservationists” are positive terms. To many of

us they are negative or almost derogatory terms meaning “restrictors” and “preservationist”. Also, it is often assumed that if you are not an “Environmentalists” or “Conservationists” you must be the opposite or oppose conservation and the environment. I am here today to advocate that we take back these terms and show the world – the public and the land managers that we are protectors of the environment and the land If you haven’t read the AFMS Code of Ethics lately do so soon. It is basically an environmental and conservation document. We care about the land and the environment. And believe that “Use is not abuse.” Responsible use of our public and private land is compatible with our concern and care for the land. We need to show the public, land use managers and ourselves that rockhounds care by word and by action. The AFMS Code of Ethics is an action document. It states “I will…” (active) not “I believe…” which is passive.

I would now like to focus on Item 13 of the Code of Ethics: “I will support the Rockhound Project H.E.L.P. (Help Eliminate Litter Please) and will leave all collecting areas devoid of litter, regardless of how found.” At the American Lands Access Assoc. meeting during the CFMS Directors’ meeting last November collecting area,

camp and road cleanups were discussed. It was reported that several Off Highway Vehicle groups regularly conduct trash and litter removal which they coordinate and involve the BLM and other land managers. We thought that this is a great idea and something that ALAA should do and promote. As part of CFMS field trips and AFMS Rendezvous’ and other trips that I have led since 2000 have always involved a clean-up and emphasized the Leave No Trace philosophy. I would like ALAA to reactivate/to re-establish the Rockhound Project H.E.L.P. To accomplish this I am

looking for 1 or 2 or more members to lead this project. Their task is to:

· Explain, advertize and promote participation of all AFMS societies.

· Develop procedures, recommendations on conducting clean-ups.

· Establish and coordinate procedures with BLM, FS, private land owner, etc on how to conduct a clean-up.

· Establish/recommend how to report and publicize clean-ups and results

· And what ever else we come up with.

ALAA continues to have good growth of individual and societies members. The Contra Costa M&GS is and has been a member and supporter of ALAA for many years. If you would like to be a member I encourage you to become an individual member to financially support our purpose and goals and to get active in support of our Projects.

Please contact me with questions and for more information.

Be an involved member!

Editors note: Our club is a member of ALAA

By John Martin, Chair

via CFMS January 2012 newsletter plac-south@antelecom.net

Welcome to 2012 and a new year of challenges for California Rockhounds. Last year we saw the change of national leadership of the Sierra Club and the Wilderness Society, two of the country’s most powerful environmental lobbying organizations. With this being an election year both Congress and the state’s legislative bodies will be busy trying to preserve their jobs for another term. This may have slowing effect on negative impact legislation involving the Rockhound Community. This is the perfect time for Rockhounds to get involved in helping to preserve the hobby of the amateur collecting of Rocks, Minerals and fossils on our ublic lands. As concerns over access issues become public please take the time to contact the responsible agency or your elected official to

voice your opinion on the issue. This will show that the Rockhounds are educated on the issues and are willing to communicate with the responsible body or agency to voice their views and opinions. Now is the time to become a Rockhound Activist and speak up to protect the Rockhounding Hobby on America’s Public Lands. The stewardship and management responsibilities of these public lands have been given to the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to hold in trust for the American People. These agencies are to manage these public lands in the best interest for all users for the betterment of recreation, commerce and reasonable amounts of conservation.

As planning progresses for this year’s fieldtrips keep in mind the AFMS Code of Ethics and the AFMS Land Use Policy as guides for the Rockhound’s Stewardship responsibilities while enjoying the great outdoors and the public lands on which most collecting sites are found. It is a good idea to communicate with the agency responsible for the management of the area where the fieldtrip will be to learn of any new rules or regulations that will help avoid any negative impact to the access of the collecting site or material collection. This will educate the agencies that rockhounds are in fact an active part of the public and deserve recreational opportunities on America’s Public Lands.

Please keep the club/society Federation Representative informed to the outcome of any successful outing so the information can be passed on to the CFMS. Please contact either of the PLAC Committees with any concerns that may be needed on Public Land Advice.

Enjoy the coming year and have safe and eventful fieldtrips.

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