Flatirons Facets
Published by The Flatirons Mineral Club
Volume 46, No. 2 February
2004
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.
Flatirons Facets
P. O. Box 3331
Boulder CO 80307-3331
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 March Facets is February 20.
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President's Corner
The Silent Auction in March is one of the club's highlights of the
year. Now is the time to look through your collection to see if there are
surplus items that you would like to sell - specimens, books, equipment, and
jewelry. Also, you will be able to purchase items to enhance your collection.
Be sure to check out the details of the auction in this newsletter.
Even though it's cold and snowy out, the 2004 field trip season
has started.See the article in the newsletter about a trip to the new Colorado
School of Mines Geology Museum on Saturday, February 9th.
And speaking of field trips, all of us need to keep in mind the
Rockhound's Code of Ethics. As Flatirons Mineral Club members, we have pledged
to uphold this code when we are collecting in the field, both on club trips and
on our personal trips. As a reminder, it is printed immediately below.
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Rockhound's Code of Ethics
· I will respect both private and public property and will do no collecting on privately owned land without permission from the owner.
· I will keep informed on all laws, regulations or rules governing collecting on public lands and will observe them.
· I will, to the best of my ability, ascertain the boundary lines of property on which I plan to collect.
· I will use no firearms or blasting material in collecting areas.
· I will cause no willful damage to property of any kind such as fences, signs, buildings, etc.
· I will leave all gates as found.
· I will build fires only in designated or safe places and will be certain they are completely extinguished before leaving the area.
· I will discard no burning material - matches, cigarettes, etc.
· I will fill all excavation holes that may be dangerous to livestock.
· I will not contaminate wells, creeks, or other water supplies.
· I will cause no willful damage to collecting material and will take home only what I can reasonably use.
· I will practice conservation and undertake to utilize fully and well the materials I have collected and will recycle my surplus for the pleasure and benefit of others.
· 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.
· I will cooperate with field-trip leaders and those in designated authority in all collecting areas.
· I will report to my club or federation officers, Bureau of Land Management or other authorities, any deposit of petrified wood or other materials on public lands which should be protected for the enjoyment of future generations for public educational and scientific purposes.
· I will appreciate and protect our heritage of natural resources.
· I will observe the "Golden Rule", will use Good Outdoor Manners and will at all times conduct myself in a manner which will add to the stature and Public Image of Rockhounds everywhere.
****************
February Club Meeting - There's Valentines In The Air
On Thursday, February 12th, 2004, at the West Boulder Senior
Center, the Flatirons Mineral
Club will be giving awards to the ones who won placings in the
"towel show" last fall. The doors will open at seven p.m.
Everyone who worked two hours or more at the annual show last
November will receive a genuine Indian artifact. These artifacts are from the collection
of a former member of this club.
Dr. Maurice Dametz disappeared while hunting rocks in Douglas
County about twenty years ago. Ray Horton, a friend of Maurice, is giving these
artifacts in the Doctor's memory.
During the evening we will be blessed with some special music.
Edna Green, a long-time member of FMC and an accomplished ventriloquist will
honor us with a visit from "Granny". Mary Ellsworth, a guest singer
from Longmont has volunteered her time and talent to lead us in some singing
and do a solo or two. Stefan Codrescu from the club will do a couple of numbers
on the piano and Carol will play her flute. Gilbert and Paul Lemieux will
compliment us with the piano and saxophone. There may be others to show us some
talent as well. Come to see if your favorite "love tune" might be
sung. This, I'm sure, will be a "romantic evening"! See ya
there!
****************
February Field Trip
Field Trip to New CSM Geology Museum
Kicking off the 2004 field trip season is a trip to the new Colorado
School of Mines Geology Museum. In September, the museum moved to a new home on
the CSM campus at 13th and Maple in Golden. On Saturday, February 7, we will
have a special one-hour tour at 10 a.m.
Afterwards, everyone can spend time looking at the exhibits.
The CSM Geology Museum has one of the best collections of Colorado
minerals in the state. There are also
exhibits of gold and silver specimens, fossils, meteorites, gemstones, and
radioactive minerals that everyone will enjoy. The tour will cover Colorado
geology, plus some of the mineral and fossils specimens in the museum. If the
weather is pleasant, part of the tour will be outdoors, so dress accordingly.
Plan to meet in the parking lot on the southwest corner of
Broadway and South Boulder Road at 9:00 a.m. to carpool to the museum. Or, you
can drive to the museum on your own, which is located across the street from
the Steinhauer Fieldhouse. Parking is along the street or in the parking lot
north of the museum. To sign up for the tour, please contact Dennis Gertenbach.
****************
Yule Marble Proposed as State Rock
Junior Girl Scout Troop 357 of Lakewood has proposed to the state
legislature that the Yule Marble be designated as Colorado's state rock. This
would join aquamarine as the state gemstone and rhodochrosite as the state
mineral. Hence, red, white, and blue minerals would represent the Centennial
State.
Yule marble is prized for its white color. Named for Yule Creek
outside the town of Marble, it is composed of 99.5% pure calcite. The calcite
grains are all the same size and cleave to produce bright sparkles in the
unpolished stone. Quarried south of Carbondale, it has been used in many famous
buildings and monuments, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier, the Colorado State Capital building, the Colorado State
Museum, and the Denver Courthouse. In the Washington Monument, Yule marble is
the rock used to represent Colorado along the inner wall of memorial stones.
The Girl Scouts, grades 4, 5, and 6, testified before the State
House in support of House bill 1023. They are asking those interested in
supporting their efforts to write to their state representatives.
A great slide show about the history of the quarry, buildings that
have used Yule marble, and the geology responsible for making this deposit can
be found at the Colorado
Geological Survey website.
****************
Membership Note
Trick Runions is our 2004 Membership Chairperson. If you have
questions about your
membership-if you're not receiving your newsletter, or need to
change your address
or phone number, contact him.
****************
New in the Library
Our club has received many books on a wide range of rockhounding
subjects this past month, thanks to the generosity of Richard Smith. These
books include jewelry making, Colorado geology, and rockhounding locations.
Below is a list of the newly donated books, which will be available to check
out at February's meeting.
Rocks and Minerals, a Golden Guide
N.W. Gem Fields and Ghost Town Atlas
Western Gem Hunters Atlas
Desert Gem Trails
Gem Trails of Arizona
Advanced Cabochon Cutting
New Mexico Gem Trails
Prairie, Peak and Plateau, a Guide to the Geology of Colorado
Utah Gem Trails
Gem Trails in California
The Road to Rockhounding, Humboldt County, Nevada
The Rockhound's Manual
Midwest Gem Trails
The Handbook of Jade
Indian Jewelry of the Prehistoric Southwest
Fossil Animal Remains, Their Preparation and Conservation
Colorado Gem Trails
Roadside Geology of Colorado
Precious Stones
The Rockhound's Guide to Washington
The Bone Hunters
Creative Gold- and Silversmithing
Colorado Amazonite, the Treasure of Crystal Peak
Pages of Stone, Geology of Western National Parks and Monuments
Handcrafting Jewelry, Designs and Techniques
You Can Make Fashion Jewelry
Continents Adrift and Continents Aground
Scrimshaw, a Traditional Folk Art, a Contemporary Craft
Centrifugal or Lost Wax Jewelry Casting
****************
From the Field
I was speaking with a couple of rock hound buddies last July on the
subject of "the decline of our hobby" across America. We were eating
lunch and taking a break from some very serious opal digging. They were
lamenting the loss of favorite collecting sites and the lack of children,
"new blood", participating in the hobby. Though it is true that some
collecting sites are no longer available to the public, new discoveries are
being made. I can certainly understand, however, that they would mourn the loss
of favorite localities. I would have loved to have had the opportunity to
collect at some of those sites that are now played out or closed. On the other
hand, I am excited by new prospects and the opportunity to explore.
It does seem that the number of rock hounds has dwindled somewhat
(nation wide) since the "old days" of the '60s and '70s. My friends
pointed out that our numbers are not being replaced as attrition takes its
toll. When I look around at our own meetings (Flatirons Mineral Club) I see
eager young folks who are itching to find something nifty and to learn something
new. This is so very cool! We also have a fair number of young and middle aged
adults among us. As adults we often introduce our own children and friends to
our hobby. And we have our dear and respected elders, some of whom are founding
members of our club. Our own club is strong and diverse.
My two rock hounding pals are not members of our club, but live in
Washington. As we talked something occurred to me. I asked my friends if they
belonged to a club in their hometowns. Both answered no. Well there it is then.
Do we have a lack of new enthusiasts, or a lack of experienced and willing
teachers? It's not that my friends are selfish or hermits. They are both eager
to speak with anyone willing to listen, about their joy and interests in rock
hounding, and they have taught me a lot. It just hadn't occurred to them that
their lack of involvement with newbies might have an effect.
But where do new rock hounds go to learn? The mineral clubs for
one. That's us! There will always be
more to learn, even for the "experienced" among us. Half the fun is
learning from each other and comparing notes at the monthly meetings and on
field trips. I certainly don't know everything, and there is so much that I
want to learn, even though I would count myself among the
"experienced". We can certainly turn our attentions to our own
interests and pursuits. But if we want our hobby to thrive, we must bring
others along. I have come to know four families in recent months that have
joined because the children have an interest in minerals, rocks, fossils,
lapidary, and/or geology. Our Gem and Mineral Show in November brought in
several new members, many of whom joined because their children experienced
something that caught their interest. Adults of varying ages also joined our
club. We were reaching out to the public and the public responded.
Reach out to a child, they respond every time. One of the most
rewarding things that I have done in recent times was to teach some basic
lapidary skills to a few youngsters. Four boys even managed to cut opal
triplets! Some of those triplets were at the towel show. They had found the
opal themselves during our field trip to Idaho this past summer. Is that cool,
or what?! I recently gave my old barrel tumbler to my nephew. Then I took him
and two nieces to the Platte River, for petrified wood and agates, which we
tossed into the tumbler. My nephew also cut a cabochon
at our show in November and he's excited to do more. My own
children used to love traipsing about with me as we searched for buried
treasure. They don't have the interest or time anymore that they once did for
rock hounding, but they have memories of good times spent with Dad. My own path
to "experience" has been blessed with a few kind mentors, generous
advice, and wonderful friends. When I reach out to another, I am passing on
some of that which was given to me.
Our new members joined with us, in large part, because they want
to learn. Some of these new members have skills and knowledge that they wish to
share. To our new members, I say "keep at it." It won't be long and
you'll be the ones teaching. Whether we have come to learn, to teach, compare
notes, or make new friends, our little club moves on. Participation is
essential. Experience is not required. If you're new to the club and hobby,
this is a chance to accelerate your learning curve and cultivate deeper
relationships with fellow rock hounds. If you are experienced, this is an
opportunity to pass your knowledge on to a new generation. Come to Charlotte's
and stuff grab bags. Lead or sign up for a field trip. Help out with the club
show.
Put a program together. Teach a skill. Volunteer in some way. The
greater one participates,
the more one learns, and shares knowledge.
Well, such are the mental wanderings that
resulted from three rock hounds complaining.
****************
Field Trips
Paul Boni
It's time to start thinking about our summer field trip schedule.
This year we have a small committee working on trips. I'm excited about this
idea. Fresh ideas will lead to new collecting sites and more field trip leaders
will translate into more field trips. If there is a location that you'd like to
visit, please let me know and we'll try to include your request. Better yet,
how about leading a trip? We are intending to produce a printed schedule of
trips in advance of the collecting season. Don't hesitate to get those requests
in. There's absolutely no reason that
we can't include out of state destinations. Next month I hope to
publish a preliminary list of field trip suggestions.
****************
Upcoming Events, Nearby & Elsewhere
Feb 12-15 (Thu-Sun), The 50th Annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show,
Tucson Convention Center, Downtown. 50th Anniversary Gold Show. This year GOLD
will be the featured species; the exhibits will be spectacular. If there is any
chance that you can arrange a trip to see the world-famous Tucson Show, this
will be the year not to miss!
Feb. 16-20, Colorado
School of Mines Annual Book Sale, Colorado School of
Mines, Arthur Lakes Library, 1400 Illinois St., Golden, CO. Please use the SW
entrance for book sale access. Mon. 9-6, Tues.-Fri. 9-4. Silent auction of
expensive, rare, and collectible books Mon. 10-noon. Bob Sorgenfrei,
303-384-2075.
Feb. 18 (Wed.), "Places Of Power: Saving America's Rock Art
Legacy", 7 p.m., Dinosaur Hall, CU Museum, Boulder, CO.
Lecture by archaeologist Mark Mitchell. Rock art has a unique power to evoke
the past. At the same time, the presence of rock art images at some
archaeological sites has increased visitation, resulting in both vandalism and
inadvertent destruction. In this talk, Mr. Mitchell describes recent efforts to
protect rock art in Colorado and explores the ways in which the power of rock
art can be used to protect archaeological sites for the future. CU
Museum, 303-492-6892.
Feb 19-Mar 18 - DMNS
Course, Introduction to Paleontology, Brian Small,
preparator, Earth Sciences Dept.
Thursdays 6:30-8:30 PM with field trip, Sat, Mar 20. $115 member, $130 non-member. Denver Museum
of Nature and Science, 303-322-7009.
March 5-7 - International Gem & Jewelry Show.
Denver Merchandise Mart, 451 E 58th Ave, Denver, CO. 301-294-1640, fax
301-294-0034, mailto:info@intergem.net.
March 11 (Thurs) 7:30 p.m. "1877 Princeton Expedition to
Colorado".
Steven Veatch will give a talk and slide show about this scientific
expedition that made an interesting journey through Colorado in 1877, studying
fossils, rock formations, mining camps, etc.
Bimonthly meeting of the Colorado Chapter of the Friends of Mineralogy,
held at V.I.P. room, Denver Museum of Nature and Science; no charge, all
visitors are welcome; contact Pete Modreski, 303-202-4766.
March 11-14 (Thu-Sun) - Deming NM Gem
& Mineralogical Society's 39th Annual
Rockhound Roundup. S.W. New Mexico Fairgrounds. Free admission,
free parking. Door prizes, buyers market, lapidary equipment, displays and
demonstrations, silent auction, live auction, guided field trips, jewelry and
rock-related items. Show chair Vicky Lindsley 505-544-0839.
March 26-28 - 43rd Annual Fort Collins Gem & Mineral Show,
Lincoln Center, 419 West Magnolia, Fort Collins, CO. Fri. 4-8, Sat. 10-6, Sun.
10-5. Sponsored by Fort Collins Rockhounds, Inc., 970-484-6752.
Apr. 9 (Fri.) - North Jeffco Gem &
Mineral Club Silent Auction, 7-10 p.m. Arvada
Senior Center, 6842 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, CO.
April 23-25 (Fri-Sun) - Colorado
Mineral & Fossil Show-Spring. Holiday Inn-Denver
Central, 4849 Bannock & across the street, Best Western-Central Denver, 200
W 48th Ave. FREE ADMISSION, FREE PARKING.
Minerals, Fossils, Meteorites, Gems, Beads. National and International dealers.
Fri & Sat 10am - 7pm, Sun 10am - 5pm.
Apr. 24-25 - Rocky
Mountain Bead Society Bead Bazaar. Denver Merchandise
Mart Expo Building (58th Ave. & I-25), Denver, CO.
May 1-2 - Gold
Prospectors of America Gold & Treasure Show.
National Western Complex Hall of Education 2 South, 4655 Humbolt Way, Denver,
CO. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $4, kids under 12 free.
May 8-9 - Grand Junction Gem &
Mineral Club's 57th Annual Show.Two Rivers Convention
Center (1st & Main), Grand Junction,
CO. Info.: Harold & Marge Haskins, 970-434-3215.
June 18-20 - International Gem & Jewelry Show.
Denver Merchandise Mart, 451 E 58th Ave, Denver, CO. 301-294-1640, fax
301-294-0034, mailto:info@intergem.net.
June 19-20 - Pikes Peak Gem &
Mineral Show. Phil Long Expo Center (1515 Auto Mall
Loop, I-25 & N. Academy exit), Colorado Springs, CO. Info: Ruth Cook, 719-632-9686.
June 19-20 - 2004 Wyoming State Gem & Mineral Society Show,
hosted by Rex Young Rock Club. Rendezvous Center, Hwy 26, Goshen Co. Fairgrounds,
Torrington, WY. Theme: "Platte River Treasures", Displays, Silent
Auction, Door Prizes, Raffles, Dealers, Grab Bags. Western History Artifact
Exhibit: The Influence of Rocks on Early Native Americans. Black light exhibit,
wire wrapping, faceting, flint knapping. Sat. 9-8, Sun. 9-4. Programs: Sat.:
Slide show on the Grand Canyon, 10 a.m., WSMGS Delegates Meeting 2 p.m. Sun.:
Field Trip: 8 a.m. $2 per day, kids under 12 free.
Aug. 12-15 - 21st Annual Contin-tail,
sponsored by Colorado Federation of Gem
& Mineral Societies. Rodeo Grounds, Buena Vista, CO. Colorado's largest
outdoor gem & mineral show. 200,000 square feet of Rocks, Minerals, Beads,
and Jewelry. Free to the public. Fluorescent display demonstrations. Food
concession sponsored by the Buena Vista American Legion. Info: 303-709-4212 or e-mail the Federation.
Check our own web site for additional events, and further details:
http://bcn.boulder.co.us/community/fmc/fmctk.htm
****************
Upcoming Geology Lectures and Classes
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science has several upcoming
lectures about the geology of the world. These include:
Washington State - February 19
Death Valley - March 31
Wyoming's Bighorn Basin - April 8
Finland - May 14
Cretaceous-Tertiary Extinction Event - May 19
In addition, the museum's spring paleontology classes for adults cover
a wide range of topics. Many include
field trips. There are also classes for children, including
Mighty Mammoths - ages 4 and 5
Cave Explorers - grades K and 1
Terrific Pterosaurs - grades K and 1
Fossil Dig - grades 2 and 3 (taught by our own Jordan Sawdo)
For more information about the museum's programs, check their
website at http://www.dmns.org/,
clicking "Programs" or call 303-322-7009.
****************
2004
Fmc Mineral Show
Alex Cook, Show Chairman
Our first Mineral Show at the Elks Club was such a huge success,
thanks to all those who participated, that there was no question but that we try
it again in 2004. It's not too early to start thinking about the show,
especially since the Elks have already given us a firm date: November 19 to 21.
Our dealer chairman, John Hurst, is
even as we speak preparing letters to send out to prospective dealers, inviting
them to participate in the show on a first come, first served basis, with
preference of course being giving to those who signed up last year. We were not
sure we would be able to fill the hall
last year, but a late flood of participants provided more than we were
able to accomodate, and given the popularity of last year's show we are
confidant that we will have a good turnout.
At the club meeting in February we will have a sign-up sheet for
those willing to work on the 2004 show and we would like every able-bodied
person in the club to sign up for something. We are looking for people to head
up the various activities involved as well as to support those who will be in
charge. There should be something for everybody to do.
An initial mineral show committee meeting will be held at the home
of John Hurst in Boulder on Tuesday, February 17. Anyone interested in
participating in the show is welcome to attend. Contact John to let him know you are
coming.
****************
Minutes of the Board Meeting, January 12, 2004
Emily Epstein, Secretary
Present: Paul Boni, Alex Cook,
Evan Elliott, Emily Epstein, Dennis Gertenbach, Ray Gilbert, Ray Horton,
Charlotte Morrison, Gerry Naugle, Paul Ralston, Trick Runions, Melinda
Thompson, Lew Yoder.
Dennis Gertenbach announced that Melinda Thompson and Shirley
Mehta have agreed to fill the two vacancies on the Board for 1-year terms. The
Board unanimously voted to accept them. Trick Runions will be taking over the
duties of Membership Chair as of February 1.
Paul Ralston announced that the scholarship check has been sent to
the School of Mines for 2004-2005. We need to choose the winner before May.
Gerry Naugle said that the scholarship fund is still sound, even growing a
little. Charlotte announced that Elaine McSherry died recently. The Board voted
to make a donation to the scholarship fund in her honor.
Alex Cook reported that plans for our 2004 show are under way. The
Elks were very pleased with our show, and have given us the third week in
November. We do not yet have a contract, but they put us on the calendar in
ink-- this time last year, we were in pencil. Unfortunately, the Elks meet on
the 2nd and 3rd weeks of November because of the Thanksgiving Holiday, so the
change in schedule doesn't resolve that conflict as we hoped it would.
Discussion ensued on various related topics.
Ray Horton asked if new members Jeff and Laura Yates have been
sent membership cards, newsletters, and the club directory. They are receiving
the newsletter and Gerry sent the directory and a receipt for their dues.
Melinda will provide cards for them. Apparently in their state of residence,
club membership cards facilitate access to collecting sites.
Ray reminded the Board that the CSU Science and Engineering Fair
is coming up and asked for guidance in selecting the prizes. The Board voted
funds for them last month-- 2 first prizes at $25 each and two second prizes at
$20 each. Discussion ensued. Selection of the actual specimens and which dealer
to purchase them from is up to the committee.
Ray asked about this year's silent auction. He had planned for
April, but that put it the same week as North Jeffco's auction. Discussion
ensued. The auction will be in March, unless the Senior Center's larger space
is unavailable, in which case it will be in April. Gerry will contact the
senior center, make the arrangements and inform those who need to know. Gerry
will print up a flyer to include in the February Facets. Charlotte will send
flyers to other club newsletters. Emily Epstein will send press releases to the
local media. There was some concern about the quality of the club material in
the shed. Ray said that some very good material, which had been overlooked in
past years, was found when the shed was moved last summer. It has been packed,
labeled, and placed for easy retrieval for this year's auction.
Ray and Terry O'Donnell have already come up with programs for
most of the coming year. Since the Board voted to hold the July meeting
somewhere other than the Senior Center for financial reasons, we need to change
the program. Emily knows someone who might be suitable. She'll look into it.
Dennis will be out of town in February. Ray will preside at the
Board and Club meetings in his place.
Emily raised the perennial question of filing a club claim,
suggesting that Peridot Mesa might be a likely location. Discussion ensued.
Filing a claim at this point would merely red-flag the area for other
collectors, and generate more expense and work, both physical and paper, than
the club is prepared to deal with at this time.
Paul Boni reported that there are now seven other people assisting
with field trip planning. Ray Horton gave him a newly drafted sample waiver.
The weather will not be reliable enough to plan outdoor trips for a few months.
Dennis has set up a field trip to the School of Mines Museum on February 7.
The February Board meeting will be at
Charlotte's home
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Updated 2/3/04