Flatirons Facets

Flatirons Facets

Published by The Flatirons Mineral Club

Volume 45, No. 1 January 2003

Flatirons Facets

P. O. Box 3331

Boulder CO 80307-3331

Flatirons Facets is published monthly by The Flatirons Mineral Club. The deadline for submission of articles to Flatirons Facets is the 20th of each month. Permission is granted for reprint if credit is given to the publication and author unless specifically restricted.

The Flatirons Mineral Club is a non-profit organization, established March 9, 1957, and dedicated to developing and maintaining interest in all aspects of earth science and associated hobbies. The club meets the second Thursday of each month at 7:15 PM. We meet at The Senior Center, 9th and Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, CO. Guests and visitors are welcome. Membership dues are $15.00 per year (beginning October of each calendar year). People interested in membership can contact the club either by writing to the above address or by attending one of the meetings.

Deadline for the February Facets is January 20.

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President's Corner

Evan D. Elliott

Our Christmas party was a resounding success. I do hope you all have had a wonderful holiday season.

For some of us due to forest closures because of fires, this past year was tough on collecting trips. Hopefully the drought conditions will improve and fires won't be a factor for our field trips this coming season. Regardless of the conditions I know we can count on some great field trips.

With winter upon us, now is the time to get busy with those indoor activities. We have club craft/jewelry/lapidary night on Wednesdays. Feel free to contact me with questions. We also have a club "flat-lap" that may be borrowed for a month at a time. And of course there are always grab bags to fill for the scholarship fund. I hope to see you soon.

Wishing you peace and prosperity,

Evan D. Elliott

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January Board Meeting (Jan. 6)

The Board meeting will be on January 6, at 7:30 p.m. at Melinda Thompson's.

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January Meeting (Jan. 9)

Alex Cook

Fossils from Around the World

Our speaker for the meeting of January 9 will be the noted lecturer and world traveler, who just also happens to be a member of our club, the one and only, the well-known Jordan Sawdo. He has very kindly consented to speak to us about his many and varied trips around the world in search of elusive fossils. His subject will be "Fossils From Around the World." Please come and join us for a very interesting and instructive evening. You will not be disappointed.

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Field Trips

Paul Boni

Winter field trips are not scheduled far enough in advance for the newsletter, so please see the web page or call Paul Boni if the weather looks good, to see if there are any field trips coming up.

Also, Paul requests that if you would like to lead a field trip, to please call him and set it up. Why not try to make one of your own outings into an FMC field trip?!

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Membership News

Melinda Thompson

Annual membership dues were due on October 1. Our club year runs October-October. The dues are $15.00 per family.

We have new membership cards this year. They will be available at meetings. If you have paid your dues, make sure you get a membership card. It might help if anyone questions your right to collect in the field. Because of postage costs, I will not mail cards except under special circumstances. Contact me if you need your membership card mailed.

I have heard that some members are not receiving their newsletter. If you know of someone who is not getting their letter, tell them to contact me. Use any of the addresses listed below. If you receive the e-mail letter and would like a hard copy, please let me know.

We have new members joining our club all the time. Please make them welcome. Personally invite them on one of our field trips or offer help with mineral identification. We need the help of all our members to have an effective club.

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Club Officers for 2003

At the October meeting, the following people were elected by unanimous acclamation to serve as officers of the Flatirons Mineral Club for the next year.

President - Evan Elliott

Vice President (Trips) - Paul Boni

Vice President (Show) - Andrea Elliott

Vice President (Program) - Alex Cook

Secretary - Emily Epstein

Treasurer - Gerald Naugle

Directors - Ray Horton, Lew Yoder, Dennis Gertenbach

We thank these people for providing leadership to the club for the next year.

Our club could not exist without the efforts of a core group of people who dedicate their time in serving our club. The outstanding meetings, great field trips, and wonderful educational programs are the result of these volunteers.

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Enjoying Colorado

Dennis Gertenbach

Many rockhounds combine their rock hunting trips with visits to other sites of geologic and historical interest. The Internet has many sites that can help plan for an interesting trip. Here are some sites that will help you enjoy our wonderful state.

Purcell, Columbia City, Keota, Boston, and Hancock were once thriving towns in Colorado. Now, there are only a few remains to mark where these towns once stood. What better way to learn more about Colorado's history than visiting old ghost towns? Some were old mining areas. Others flourished as railroad towns or ranching centers. Some are in the mountains and others on the plains. These sites will help you learn more.

http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/co/co.html

http://www.vtinet.com/14ernet/history/ghostown.htm

http://www.coloradoghosttowns.com/

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Ithaca/9506/gallery.html

The Colorado Historical Society offers several lists to help plan a trip. These lists include location, what is available, and contact information. Dinosaur Remains (#1555) and Historic Mines Open to the Public (#1556) can be downloaded from

http://www.coloradohistory-oahp.org/publications/partners2.htm. Public Archeology (#1554) is available at http://www.coloradohistory-oahp.org/publications/archaeo.htm.

Start planning a trip or two now to take advantage of the many pleasant days we have each winter and spring.

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From the Library

Dennis Gertenbach

The library has many books and materials that will help you enjoy your rockhounding hobby even more. Club members can check out any library items. If you are looking for a book on any rockhounding subject, contact Librarian Dennis Gertenbach and find out what you can check out from our library.

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Coming Attractions

Jewelry, Gem & Mineral Show

The 37th annual Jewelry, Gem, and Mineral Show sponsored by the Denver Gem and Mineral Guild will be held January 10-12, 2003 at the Lakeside Center Mall, Interstate 70 at Harlan St. Hours: Friday, January 10th - 10 am to 9 pm; Saturday January 11th - 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday, January 12th - 11 am to 5 pm. The show will consist of gem, fossil, and jewelry dealers, and gem-cutting demonstrations by local artists. Our featured exhibit will consist of minerals from the four corner states. For further information call 303-783-0221.

Fourth Annual Cripple Creek School of Prospecting

Cripple Creek's mining heritage inspired this school, whose aim is to introduce geology, mineral deposits, and instruction in basic prospecting techniques. The class is designed to provide enjoyment to individuals and families as they explore Colorado's great outdoors. You will learn how to find rocks, minerals, gems, and fossils in the Pikes Peak region. Join Rich Fretterd, Loren Lowe, and Steve Veatch as they discuss the powerful geological phenomena that shaped the CrippleCreek Mining District. Rich Fretterd will share the results of his field investigations and discovery of new gemstone deposits in Teller County. Loren Lowe will focus on the nature of gold and placer recovery methods. Steve Veatch will share personal stories of his family's history in the mining district. Highlights include detailed instructions on how to file a claim, how to prepare specimens after you get them home, and a field trip to the Cripple Creek District Museum. A certificate of completion is awarded to all participants. This class fills quickly every year, so register early!

Date: Saturday, Feb 8, 2003, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Place: June Hack Community Center in downtown Cripple Creek.

Fee: $35 includes trip to the Cripple Creek District Museum and all materials. Take a walk to the many casinos for a gold camp lunch.

Tucson Gem & Mineral Show

49th Annual Tucson Gem & Mineral Show

Tucson Community Center, Feb 13-16, 2003

Presented by Tucson Gem & Mineral Society

520-322-5773, http://www.tgms.org

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Bulletin Board

Magazines - If you have hobby-related magazines, we can sell them at our next silent auction. Please save them next year also.

Lapidary Journal subscriptions, new and renew, will add to the club treasury if you pay Gerald Naugle. Your check will be your receipt.

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science has many interesting courses connected with their Paleontology Certification Program. For information about their spring program, call 303-322-7009.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has three free days in December for Colorado residents: Wed Dec 4, Wed Dec 11, and Sat Dec 15.

Club Directories are available. Pick yours up at the next meeting.

Mineral Identification - Bring your unknown mineral specimens to any monthly meeting. You will find several experts with years of experience to help with identification.

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Updated 1/12/04