Flatirons
Facets
Published by The Flatirons Mineral Club
Volume 45, No. 3 March
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 p.m.
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 April
Facets is March 20.
****************
President's Corner
Evan D. Elliott
Thanks are warmly extended by all to Mike Trafton, for his very
interesting presentation of his video work-in-progress about the Denver Gem and
Mineral Show and the Sweet Home Mine.
For March we will have our "Silent Auction". I encourage
all attendees to bring material (gems, jewelry, mineral specimens, etc.) to
sell so we will be sure to have a plethora of items to peruse at the auction
tables. We need material for the kids' table too.
Evan D. Elliott
****************
March
Meeting (Mar. 13)
Alex Cook
The time has come, folks, for our annual silent auction, so gather
ye round for another exciting time. The date is March 13th, the time 7:00 p.m.
Bring your items for sale to the West Side Senior center prior to 7 o'clock. In
this bulletin you will find copies of the slips that you need to fill out, or
you can obtain same when you sign in. Each seller will be assigned a number
that must be entered on the sale slip. The club keeps 25% of the final bid, or
more if the seller so indicates on the slip. A minimum bid price may be entered
on the slip if the seller desires. If no percentage is entered, it will be
assumed that the item is being donated to the club. Each buyer will also be
assigned a number that will be entered beside the buyer's bid. Minimum bids are
25 cents over the previous price or whatever the seller designates. There will
also be a kids table where it is assumed that the material is donated and at
which there will be no minimum bids or minimum increments.
The auction will start as soon after 7:00 as we are ready. The
tables will be numbered, and after about an hour of bidding one of the tables
will be closed and the others later at various intervals. The bidding should be
over by 9 p.m. at which time the money for the successful bids will be
collected. Sellers will receive their money through the mail at a later date.
All club members are requested to bring something in the way of
snacks or nibble foods. The club will provide drinks, plates, cups and serving
utensils. For questions or information contact Evan Elliott or Alex Cook.
Bid sheets
are now available.
****************
Change to
the policy by the City of Boulder on the "FIRST ADMISSION TIME" for
our FMC monthly meetings at the West Boulder Senior Center facility, effective
March 1st
Gerry Naugle, FMC
Treasurer (and liaison with the City)
As part of the new "security planning measures for city
facilities" including the Boulder Senior centers that have been recently
adopted by the city council in response to national directives along these
lines...our room rent time for our monthly meetings starts at 7 p.m. on the
Thursday evenings of our monthly meetings. The front-desk lady has been
instructed by her supervisors to allow us a 15-minute grace period, only, [new
policy] prior to 7 p.m. to be admitted to the building and 15 minutes after 10
p.m. to exit. No Exceptions.
So, please arrive no earlier than 6:45 p.m. on any meeting night.
Also, please don't debate or argue the merits of this new policy with her, as
she is just following the general direction and instructions of the Boulder
City Council, in their response to national issues. If you have any problem
with the new policy, please bring it up with a city council representative or
just show up at one of their regular city council meetings.
I explained that some rock hounds are by their very nature
"early birds" but to no avail. The reasoning behind this new policy
is that: "they don't want people wandering around the buildings before or
after any scheduled meetings" [the facilities security aspect]. FYI: this
applies to all meetings of any non-profit groups at any of the major facilities
within Boulder, except the recreation centers, which just have fixed building
opening and closing times for the public.
If it applies, thank you for adjusting your arrival time to be on
or after 6:45 p.m. for our March meeting and subsequent, in order to
accommodate their new policy.
****************
March Field
Trip (Mar. 9)
Paul Boni
Lew Yoder has arranged for a special tour of the Colorado School
of Mines Geology Museum on Sunday, March 9th at l p.m.
The museum is located on the corner of 16th and Maple Streets in
Golden on the CSM campus. The phone number at the museum is: 303-273-3815. The
museum will be closed from March 16th onward and will be moving to a new
location after April 1st. It will not reopen for business for quite a period of
time. Our tour group size is limited to 30 persons.
For further information and to RSVP, please call Lew Yoder.
****************
Membership
News
The membership list (as of February 6) was available at the February
meeting. Don't forget, the list will be mailed on request. Let me know of any
corrections and I will have them in the updated list for the summer.
New member: Judith Johnson
Bill Hutchinson paid his dues! Thanks Bill. Thought we had lost
you. Bill has been out digging all
winter enjoying his usual "good luck". If you are a new member, look
for Bill at the meetings and ask about his finds. He always has something
special.
We all signed a card at the February meeting for Martha Ralston
wishing her a speedy recovery. Who sends "sunshine" to the Sunshine
Chairperson?
One of "our own", Mike Trafton presented the program for
the February meeting. If you weren't there, you missed Mike's hurried exit from
the blasting area at the Sweet Home mine. He has it all on tape. Enjoyed the
show Mike!
Paul Boni will have a display case at our meetings of membership
"finds", and/or artistic creations. Sometimes he will have a theme,
sometimes not. Call Paul and arrange to share your special treasures with the club.
Don't forget, Charlotte Morrison has open house on Wednesday
evenings at 7. You can use the tools in her basement and maybe spare some time
to prepare minerals for our grab bags.
Please call Charlotte if you are planning to visit.
****************
Upcoming Events, Nearby & Elsewhere
March 6 (Thurs.) Denver Museum of Nature and Science Lecture, "Geology
of the World: Gombe, Tanzania".
Dr. Bob Raynolds, DMNS, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ricketson Auditorium ($6
member, $9 non-member)
March 9 (Sun.) FMC field trip, tour of Colorado School of Mines
Museum, 1 p.m.
March 6-9: 38th Annual Rockhound Roundup, SW New Mexico
Fairgrounds, Deming, NM. Deming Gem & Mineral Society, PO Box 1459, Deming NM 88031.
Barbara Hamilton, 505-544-8643.
March 11 (Tues.) Friends of Dinosaur Ridge talk on
"Paleo-environments of the Morrison Formation". 7 p.m. at the
Red Rocks Elementary School in Morrison. Contact: Matt Carey, Program Director
with the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge at (303) 697-3466.
March 19 - Apr. 16, Denver Museum of Nature and Science Course,
"Reading Planet Earth: An Introduction to Geology", Dr. Bob
Raynolds, DMNS. Class: Wednesdays Mar 19-16, 6:30-8:30 p.m., classroom
303. Field trips, Saturdays Mar 29 and
Apr 12, 8 a.m. -5 p.m., $145 member, $160 non-member.
March 21 - 23, 42nd Annual Fort Collins Gem & Mineral Show, Lincoln Center,
417 West Magnolia, Fort Collins, CO.
Fort Collins Rockhounds, Inc., 970-484-6752. (If you go, introduce
yourself as a Flatirons Mineral Club member, or better yet, wear your FMC name
badge!)
March 29 - 30, WIPS
Founders Symposium 2003, Colorado School of Mines, "Volcanoes, Camels &
Carnivores: The Eocene/Oligocene Story". Western Interior Paleontological
Society, http://www.wipsppc.com (or call Beth Simmons, 303-986-9693)
May 22 - 25, Tri-Federation Rockhound Rendezvous and Field Trip, Texas Springs,
NV. Contact Dean Richardson, Rocky Mtn.
Federation, agatelicker@aol.com, or 801-595-6750.
****************
From the
Field
Paul Boni
I received an email in February from a slightly frustrated member
of our little club. The message concerns a common theme that crops up from time
to time. In fact, her message is so beautifully articulated that I thought it
worth sharing, along with my response.
"I am a bit
disappointed in my experience in the club and attribute that mostly to my own
decisions, but think perhaps other newbies would have a similar feeling in that
I'd hoped to really learn how to go out into the field and find treasures and
to do it. My experience so far is that most people on the trips are
understandably eager to find their own treasures. On occasion, I've attached
myself to members such as you who seem willing to talk about what we are seeing
and how to look, but perhaps it would be worthwhile to set up some trips
especially for that purpose. What are the signs? What are the basic tools?
Where should one go on one's own? What are the necessary
precautions/arrangements? For example when I heard Evan talk about going to
Utah, I had no idea how he set that up or, if I wanted to do the same, how to
go about it. It's probably like anything else--once one has the experience, one
forgets how little others know and how intimidating it can be. I consider
myself an adventurous person, but I hate wasting my time due to lack of
knowledge. I have read some books, but don't find that the best way for me to
learn (although it may work well for others). I've been frustrated by my lack
of knowledge, realizing I probably walk by signs that would indicate the presence
of delightful specimens to a more experienced collector. It takes a while
before one knows the right questions to ask. I've appreciated getting to know
people in the club and would like to thank those who are so helpful and
friendly."
Your insights regarding disappointment with the mineral club are
worth paying attention to and I think, not uncommon. I felt very much outside
of things when I first joined myself. Although I had some prior experience
collecting (my thanks to two terrific friends) and a geology degree, it took a
couple of years before I felt "integrated" in the club. Much of the
problem in my case is that I am something of a loner.
Conversely, we, the active "core" of the club, wonder
why there is not more participation by our members. We really do try to offer
interesting opportunities and activities. But when few, if any, take advantage
and participate we can't help but question the interest level. It is
frustrating to put something together and then have minimal participation. My answer
and advice is to become more involved. There is more going on in the club than
monthly meetings.
On Wednesday evenings (when there is not a club meeting that week)
a few of us can be found at Charlotte Morrison's house. I have been teaching
lapidary when there is interest, Terry has the slab saw running full tilt, and
we have been stuffing and labeling samples for the grab bags. It is an informal
but regular gathering and all club members are welcome to participate. It's a
great way to get to know other members better, pick their brains, and get
something done. The sale of grab bags at mineral shows is the vehicle that the
club uses to support our scholarship grants. It is edifying work. Andrea Elliot
could use more help with the club's mineral show that will be coming up in
November. This kind of event doesn't happen without a great deal of
preparation.
Your questions regarding "how to find ones own
treasures" are valid and difficult to answer in simple terms. The game
changes with each new location and geologic terrain. There are no all-inclusive
answers that cover all. Attention to
detail and a little research before hand are a big help. But there is an
element of subjective experience and luck involved. My best advice is to keep
at it. Go with friends, the club, or by yourself, it all helps. There are
several good books in print that describe collecting locations for every state
in the union. Mineral hunting is one of those things that grows on you and in
you. With time and experience your prowess will grow.
There are a lot of ideas and a few budding plans in the making.
When the weather is more predictable, regular field trips will begin again.
Even now there are rugged individuals who have been collecting throughout the
winter. One of these is an undaunted and enthusiastic "newbie." Their
plans and activities are too spontaneous ("looks good today... I'm
gone!") to include a group. I attempted to leave things open ended this
winter, for people to call me, to see if there are any spontaneous trips happening
as the weekend approaches. Throughout the entire winter so far, I have received
only one such call. My take is that there is little interest among the general
membership. Lew Yoder is leading a couple trips (February and March) to local
museums of common interest (Yea Lew!). Weather is not a factor with such plans
and the museums he has chosen are very good.
I am researching some ideas and will report as workable plans take
shape. It is my intention that May will
see us in dirty holes scratching away for buried treasure. I wish we could have
a field trip every weekend! I plan to
lead a few (3 or 4) trips this season, but cannot give every weekend to the
club. I am also approaching other experienced rock hounds to lead trips also. I
certainly don't know all the sites, but am happy to share what I do know. By
the way, this is the time to put in your requests for specific field trips and
I'll see what I can put together.
In summary, we are a club, brought together by a common interest
in minerals, fossils, lapidary, associated crafts, and geology. My experience
has been that the more involved one becomes, the more one will benefit from the
effort, both in terms of increased knowledge and social connection. Greater participation
by all our members will enhance every experience that we share together, for
the newbies and ol' hounds alike.
****************
Renz Sale
For Sale: 40 years of collecting the Western U.S.
Address: 8021 Stewart Pl., Westminster
Phone: (303) 429-2689
When: Every Saturday in March 2003, 8 am until 4 pm.
Betty Renz has decided to liquidate her rocks. This is an
impressive collection of lapidary rough. Featured are a few hundred pounds of
Wyoming and Alaskan Jade, fire agate, star garnet, carnelian, agates and
jaspers, faceting rough, crystal and mineral specimens, impressive fluorescent
specimens and case, and a huge pile of Spencer Opal. There is too much to list
it all.
Directions: I-36 east, then south on Sheridan. Follow Sheridan to
80th, then east on 80th. 80th to Stewart Pl., then north on Stewart Pl. 3rd
house on the left.
****************
New in the
Library
Dennis Gertenbach
The club library has recently received several new books about
geology in Colorado. Be sure to check
out these titles at the next meeting.
* Hiking Colorado's Geology by Ralph Lee and Lindy Birkel Hopkins.
This book features 50 hikes in our state with outstanding geological sites. It
is a great way to begin planning your vacations this summer.
* The Handbook of Colorado Meteorites by Matthew L. Morgan
describes the various types of meteorites and how to recognize them. The book
also goes into details about the 79 meteorites that have been found in
Colorado, the fourth largest number from any state.
* Colorado Caves, Hidden Worlds Beneath the Peaks by Richard J.
Rhinehart and David Harris highlights the diversity and beauty of the numerous
caves found in our state. How caves are formed, how the various cave formations
are created, and the history of Colorado caves are discussed.
* Colorado Gems and Minerals, A Guide to Native Gemstones by Lee
and Tag McKinney is a pamphlet describing 29 sites in Colorado where Gemstones
are found. The book provides details on the geology of each area, plus
directions for locating these sites.
For just about any subject relating to hobbies in the earth
science, check out the books available in our library. Dennis
Gertenbach can let you know what we have.
****************
What To Do
If You See A Fireball
From The Gates Rockhound Bulletin, June-July-August, 2002
A "fireball" meteor is a rare and significant event, and
if you are a witness to one, concentrate on the whole phenomena for as long as
it takes. Some things will occur simultaneously (over a short amount of time:
light, sound, and changes in direction). Try to take it all in, and use the
following ten steps to help you recall the fireball so it can be located by
researchers looking for meteorites on the ground.
1. Keep your eye
on the ball of light and associated phenomena, and count slowly (1, 2, 3,
etc.) until it disappears.
2. Note time of day.
3. Listen
carefully for any sounds at the same time as the light and up to two or three
minutes later.
4. Notice landmarks,
buildings, poles, fences, trees, etc., below where you first saw the fireball
and where you last saw the fireball.
5. Notice the
height above the horizon where you first see it and last see it. (You can use
landmarks for this too.)
6. Pay attention
to the end: Did it fade out, blink out, fragment, explode - and - what about
pieces falling off? Try to keep a mental/visual image of the event (was it
shadowed, color, light intensity, flickering and end).
7. Watch for a
smoke or dust trail after the fireball: Was there a smoke trail after falling
pieces ... after the fireball?
8. If you are
under the fireball listen for falling objects, even small marble or hail like
pieces, or where larger pieces may have hit and could be buried in the ground.
After the event ends:
9. Memorize your
exact location so you can return with a field researcher. (Write down notes and
a sketch of what you saw with landmarks noted.)
10. If you have a
compass, take a bearing and plot your location on a map. If you have a GPS receiver, take a latitude
and longitude reading. Directions of
first and last sightings and the first and last angles above the horizon are
very important. For field researchers, this is the best way to locate the
flight path and end position of the fireball; therefore any compass bearings
you take become very important information.
If you think it is a significant event, you may want to report it on the Internet.This will allow
researchers to use your position and observations to triangulate and locate the
longitude and latitude of where the fireball breaks up in the sky and
ultimately, to describe a potential impact area on the ground where meteorites
might be found.
To report a "Fireball" sighting: Write down as much information
as possible, based on the above questions, and mail to: Denver Museum of Nature
& Science, Department of Geology, 2001 Colorado Blvd Denver CO 80205
Or call and leave your name and telephone number: (303) 370-6445
or (303) 370-6473.
****************
February 2003 Quarry
Quips (Wichita Gem and Mineral Society)
1. Name a likeable rock
2. What mineral is always hungry?
3. How do geologists measure water?
4. What should all geologists know?
5. What mineral catches thieves?
6. What is an opening in a fence?
7. How do you keep a goat from drifting?
8. What vegetable is used for weighing gemstones?
9. Where does a skeleton sleep?
10. Name a citrus rock?
11. What is a teenage snake?
12. A through F paid. What about G?
****************
Minutes of
the Board Meeting, February 10, 2003
Emily Epstein, Secretary
Present: Paul Boni, Alex Cook, Evan Elliott, Emily Epstein, Ray
Horton, Charlotte Morrison, Gerry Naugle, Paul Ralston, Melinda Thompson, Brad
Wilkomm, Lew Yoder
The meeting came to order at 7:30.
Since Brian Welty is no longer a member of the club, we need a
replacement Board member. Evan will seek volunteers at the club meeting on
Thursday.
Gerry Naugle gave the treasurer's report.
Gerry reported on show arrangements. He and John Hurst have
contacted 27 dealers, and probably will be contacting more. We have a verbal
contract for the building, and the paper contract will be signed in March or
April. Gerry and John are working to get things formalized as soon as possible.
We have 68 tables available from the Elks, and can get more from other sources.
We will borrow skirting for the tables from the Denver show. The club will have
to arrange for members to assist with teardown so we can collect the skirting.
The Elks have a meeting on Thursday night, during which outsiders are not
allowed in the building. After some discussion, it was decided to move the
opening of the show to noon on Friday, beginning setup at 8 a.m. Security
concerns were discussed. Discussion of whether or not to charge admission to
the show was tabled until the March Board meeting.
Charlotte Morrison has a number of passes to the Intergem Show
February 28-March 1. They will be available at the meeting on Thursday.
Alex Cook announced that the Denver Council meetings conflict with
other commitments. We need to replace him as Council Representative. Gerry
Naugle volunteered to attend the March meeting. Alex said he could probably
attend the June meeting.
The Board discussed the Silent Auction. Alex has some material
that was donated to the club, which will be auctioned. Someone will have to go
to the shed to get some more material. Auction slips for sellers will be
included in the next issue of Facets.
Alex announced that Mike Trafton would be the speaker at this
month's program, and said anyone who cared to come was welcome to join them for
dinner before the meeting.
Charlotte announced that people are still working on grab bags on
Wednesday nights. We need more minerals, especially from field trips, and urged
everyone to bring flats of material for grab bags to her house.
Charlotte urged the board to resume having a showcase at club
meetings, to encourage people to put together showcases of their own material
for the Club Show. Melinda Thompson agreed that this is a good idea. Some newer
members are not familiar with what a show is and what's involved in putting a
case together.
Evan Elliott announced that John Rose has contacted him. He wants
to sell a flat lap.
Coming events were discussed. The Fort Collins show will be March
21-23. It might be possible to arrange a carpool.
Possible venues for the club picnic in August were discussed. The
most promising and affordable that Gerry had found was Boulder Parks and
Recreation. The weekends of August 9 and 16 are both available. After checking
the dates of the Contintail, it was decided that the picnic would be on August
16, in a park shelter. We have our choice of 11-3 and 4-8 time slots. The Board
was evenly divided. Gerry will ask the membership at the club meeting which
time slot is preferred.
The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
****************
1. Gneiss, 2.
Apatite, 3. With quartz, 4. Their faults, 5. Copper, 6. Agate,
7. Ankerite,
8. Carat, 9. In a
bonebed, 10. Limestone, 11. Serpentine, 12. Geode
****************
Addendum
Every year the club honors an active member or husband-and-wife team
as AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year. We are now seeking nominations. Please use
the form included
in this month's Facets.
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Updated 1/12/04