November was a busy month for the club. The club show was the biggest and best in years. As alwasy, the Towel Show was great fun. And we had a very 
nice, and prominently placed, display case at the Boulder Public Library for the entire month of November. In December, we celebrate our year with its 
great field trips, programs and activities with our annual holiday party. Bring a gift and some goodies to share at the meeting on December 9. More 
information can be found in this newsletter.

Also this month, our junior members began working on a new badge program sponsored by the AFMS. This program needs interested adults to help teach
our kids about our favorite hobby. Consider sharing your knowledge and help teach one of these badges. See me for more details.

Happy rockhounding.

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Club Meeting
Alex Cook, program chair

Thursday, December 9, 7:00 PM
West Boulder Senior Center, 9th & Arapahoe

It's that time of year again– time for our annual Holiday Party. Everyone needs to bring two things. The first is a wrapped gift, related to our hobby. This 
could be a special specimen, equipment for rockhounding, something you have made, or anything that will help someone enjoy rocks and minerals. The 
gift cost should be under $10. The second thing that we would like each family to bring is some refreshment to share with others. This could be cookies, 
punch, or some other munchies– even something healthy, if you choose.

Our gift exchange is quite special. All of the wrapped gifts are placed on a center table. Every person is given a number. The person with number one 
selects any gift from the table, unwraps it, and shows off their gift. The person with number two may either take the gift from the first person, or select 
an unwrapped gift. If person number one has been releived of their gift, he or she may select a new one, or relieve a gift from another person. And so it 
goes until everyone has a gift. Two additional rules: You cannot steal your gift directly back from the person who took it from you. Also, if you have been 
relieved of a gift three times and get it back again, it's yours to keep and cannot be taken away again.

Guests are welcome, but please be sure there is a gift for each person who comes. Join us for a fun evening of sharing gifts and great holiday food.

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Flatirons Mineral Show

Alex Cook, Show Chairman

"This was absolutely the best show the Flatirons Mineral Club has put on in my thirty years with the club." These were the words of John Hurst, long 
time member of Flatirons and major participant in the operation of the show. I have to agree with John, and must say that it was because of the major 
effort on hist part and that of all the members of the club who gave unstintingly of their time and energy to put the show over. Not to mention all the 
other groups that provided entertainment and education that contributed to the success of the show.

It would be impossible to give credit individually to all those who participated, but we would like to mention a few who were major participants. These 
include Gerry Naugle, who seemed to be everywhere at the same time, directing the setting up and breakdown of cases and tables, seeing that the signs
were set out properly, bringing materials from the shed and taking them back, seeing that the Elks Lodge was properly restored to pristine condition, and 
taking care of financial matters in general. Then there was Charlotte Morrison who managed the fluorescent room, giving talks on the half hour and making 
sure that the door prizes were taken care of, and teaching a class on the construction of gem trees. We especially want to thank Emily Epstein for a terrific
job of promotion which helped double the attendance from last year and her efforts in arranging classes and speakers, Paul Ralston and Ray Gilbert, who 
co-coordinated the display cases, Paul Boni, who organized demonstrations, Trick Runions, in charge of manpower, Richard Smith and Shirley Mehta, who 
handled admissions, Carol Codrescu who was in charge of the children's tables, Mike Trafton who not only showed us his outstanding film on the Sweet 
Home Mine, but donated copies for our drawing, and of course John Hurst, who arranged for all the dealers and set up the floor plan together with Hallie
Cook, who was his assistant. We can't mention everyone by name, but a big "thank you" is in order for all those who helped out at the show.

There were so many outstanding attractions at the show that it would be impossible to describe them all, but we especially want to express our appreciation 
to two outstanding speakers, Dr. Bob Bakker, who told us all about dinosaurs, and Pete Modreski, who gave us a run-down on Colorado gem-stones. We 
also want to thank Jeff Mosteller of the Gold Prospectors of the Rockies, who brought his crew to demonstrate gold panning for us– "it's all in the twist of 
the wrist, you see."

The winner of the grand prize, the amethyst cathedral, was Michael McEvoy of Longmont, and the second prize, the citrine cathedral, went to Sharon Cown 
of Commerce City. The winner of the best showcase display was Ray Gilbert who provided a selection of cabochons that he had personally fabricated from
slabs of agate, rhodochrosite, jasper, etc., which were placed side by side with the finished product. In the junior division, Robert Hutchinson was the winner
for his exhibit of minerals that he had personally collected in 2004, including some rare doubly terminated quartz crystals that he found on Berthoud Pass.

The date for the next show has been set for November 18-20, 2005.

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FMC Show Post-Mortem Meeting

 by John Hurst

We thank you all for one of the best Rock Shows in the history of our club. So many things went extremely well, the admissions gate virtually doubled, 
club members helped fill up eight more displays than last year, we had information on our library, field trips, and the scholarship funds, which the kid's 
table almost doubled. Step back and give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back.

Now we have the opportunity to critique the show and tweak a few things to make next year's show even better. We will hold our Feedback Meeting 
Thursday, December 2nd, at the Hursts' house, 2863 Nebrina Place. Call Jeanne or John for directions. Bring your ideas on how we can make a good 
show even better. It may be difficult to improve on signs and advertising, but I'll wager we can find a way. Help us evaluate what is working and what is
not. The only rule is that we all leave the meeting as friends.

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An Elephant Never Forgets!
Gerry Naugle

A friendly reminder that the annual dues to the FMC become due on October 1st, 2004. They are still only $15 per individual/or/family.  You can pay in
two ways:

          SEND A CHECK TO:
               "Flatirons Mineral Club" (or)  "FMC"
               P.O. Box 3331
               Boulder, CO    80307

(Or) pay only Gerry Naugle, Treasurer (or) Patrick Runions, the Membership Chair at any FMC monthly meeting.  One of them is at the sign-in table upon
entering the meeting room.

If you pay by CASH at a meeting, your receipt will be your 2004-05 FMC membership card issued to you by Gerry Naugle. Please do not send cash to
the Club P.O. Box by the USPS mail. Remember you receive monthly newsletters, monthly meetings, guided field trip information, annual show
opportunities and an annual club summer picnic when you are a member of the Flatirons Mineral Club.Dues must be paid by Jan. 25th, 2005 to stay current in membership, and keep receiving the monthly FMC club newsletters. Thanks and Happy Holidays!

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FMC November Board Meeting

The November Board Meeting (moved from Nov. 29 due to weather) will be held Monday, Dec. 6 at Charlotte Morrison's house. Agenda items:

Club Show update - Alex and others

Meeting program update- Terry and Ray

Treasurer's report - Gerry

Holiday Party

2005 Officers

Other items

- Library Display Case - Gerry

- Cloud Dome - Emily

- Extra saw horses - Gerry

- Jr. Geologist Program - Dennis

- State mineral map

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Jr. Geologists Start Badge Program

Last month, the Jr. Geologists started working on the AFMS's new Future Rockhounds of America badge program. This program teaches our younger
members about different facets of geology, allowing them to earn badges in nine different areas. We have decided to work on the minerals badge first. In 
November, we learned about identifying minerals by color, hardness, streak, luster, and other properties.

Even if your child did not attend November's meeting, it is not too late to begin working on these badges.Every interested child is eligible for the Future 
Rockhounds of America badge, just for signing up. To sign up, please send your child's name to Dennis Gertenbach.

December's meeting will be Thursday the 16th at 7:00 p.m. Stefan and Carol Codrescu will be hosting the meeting at their house, 3090 Regis Drive, 
in Boulder. At this meeting, we will continue working on the mineral badge. Those who came last time should bring their hardness kit and their favorite 
mineral identification book.

****************

New FMC Photography-Related Equipment

The club recently purchased a used professional white plastic "Cloud Dome" for the taking of close up photos of micro-mount mineral specimens. (Works
well on small models and stamps also). It allows the photographer to take photos with a uniform lighting level (adjusted from the outside lighting) and 
without any shadows. Check out of the dome is available, and if you are interested, see Charlotte Morrison.

****************

Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Center Group Tours

The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center is now offering hands-on group tours to clubs and organizations. Call Deborah Carder, 719-686-1820 x112
to make your group's reservations. The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center is located at 201 S. Fairview St., Woodland Park, CO 80863. On guided 
tours, you will see fossils of Albertosaurus, Edmontosaurus, Elasmosaurus, Triceratops, Pachycephalosaurus, Pteronodon, and many more. Also you will
see fossils being prepared in their lab.

RMDRC also has a full gift shop for unique gifts, beautiful jewelry, clothes, books, videos, games, etc.

****************

Geological Maps: The Rockhounder's Guide

 by Dennis Gertenbach 

Ever wonder what information those colorful geological maps provide? To many of us, they are pretty, but do not provide much information. To the 
experienced rockhound, a geologic map can help locate choice collecting spots, whether you are searching for that great mineral pocket or looking for 
a beautiful crinoid to add to your collection. 

The first geological map of Colorado was published in 1877, based on the data collected by the Hayden Expedition. Several updates have been published
that show the major geological formations that cover our state. However, more detailed geological maps of specific areas are very limited and many times 
are out of print. 

The latest Rock Talk, the publication of the Colorado Geological Society, provides an update on the state's program to map all of Colorado. A copy of 
this publication is free at http://geosurvey.state.co.us/pubs/rocktalk/rocktalk.asp. The goal of the CGS is to map all of the quadrangles in the state– 
nearly 1,800. This year, they have finished the 50th map. Each map represents many, many hours of fieldwork to completely survey the area with the 
use of aerial photographs, then even more hours in the office placing the geological features on an existing USGS topographical map. The areas to be 
mapped are selected based on several criteria. Early maps covered mining areas, because of their importance to the state's economy. Later, the 
emphasis shifted to oil, gas, and coal exploration. The focus of the current program is based on the need for land use planning, development design
and construction, water resource development, and geologic hazard assessments.

For the rockhounder, these maps can help locatepotential areas for finding specimens. The fossil hunter can learn where a certain formation is found and
the age of fossils found in that formation. This knowledge is critical in identifying the species of that unique fossil. Likewise, these maps can guide the 
mineral collector to other locations within the same formation that known specimens are found. In addition, these maps help us better understand the
rocks that we are visiting, increasing our knowledge of geology.

****************

Sweet Home Mine Closes

 by Dennis Gertenbach 

Bryan and Kathryn Lees of the Collector's Edge in Golden announced that they have closed Colorado's famous Sweet Home Mine. The mine is famous for
its ruby-colored rhodochrosite crystals, among the best in the world. The mine was shut down because production had dropped off and new pockets of
rhodochrosite were difficult to locate with current technology. The mine entrance has been back-filled and blended with the mountainside, and the tailings dumps have been completely removed.

The Sweet Home began in 1871 as a silver mine near tmberline west of Alma in Park County. But the Buckskin Gulch mine never quite delivered riches
to its owners during its 90-year, on-and-off production. That is, until exquisite specimens of ruby-colored rhodochrosite were produced. The Lees operated
the Sweet Home for these specimens for the past 13 years.

While rhodochrosite is fairly common, very few locations produce specimens of such deep red color. In addition to their color, they are sought for their
clarity and large crystal size. The largest specimen found, the 6-inch-long, 5 1/2-pound Alma King, is on display at the Denver Museum of Nature and
Science. It was donated to the museum by the Adolph Coors Foundation, who paid a reported $1 million. In Colorado, specimens are also displayed
at the School of Mines' geology museum in Golden and the National Mining Museum in Leadville.

****************

The Red Emeralds of Utah

 by Dennis Gertenbach 

Never heard of red emeralds? Fifty years ago, a uranium prospector named Lamar Hodges located a source of these rare gemstones in the Wah Wah
Mountains, outside the small town of Milford, Utah. Also known as red beryl, they are found nowhere else in the world. They are so rare, that in the 50
years since their discovery, fewer than 60,000 carats have been faceted into jewels.

Unique geological conditions existed to form these six-sided beryl crystals. As the molten lava that makes up the Wah Wah Mountains cooled, vertical
fissures formed in the rocks. These fissures provided a pathway for hot fluids to rise and deposit the crystals. Temperatures were just right for
crystallization to occur. Trace elements, including iron and manganese, give these gems their red color, as opposed to the more common green emeralds.

Red emeralds fetch prices similar to diamonds, with a top-quality one-carat stone wholesaling for approximately $8,000. However, there are few red
emeralds larger than one carat, and the largest cut gem weighed slightly more than 4 carats. Contrast this to the largest cut diamond in the world, the
530-carat Star of Africa. Also contributing to the rarity of cut gems is the internal stress within individual red beryl crystals that make faceting difficult.
Shattering during cutting is not uncommon.

Rex Harris and his family have mined red emeralds from the Ruby Violet Mine since 1976, using mostly hand tools and backhoes. On average each ton of
soft volcanic host rock contains about a quarter carat of red crystals. At times, two or three months go by without finding anything. Thn, a pocket
containing several hundred thousand dollars of crystals is found. Kennecott Exploration and Gemstone Mining Inc. have also invested in the mine, hoping
to find a way to dissolve the host rock away from the crystals to increase production. However, both companies have ceased these efforts.

Tiny red beryl crystals are also found in the Thomas Range near Delta, Utah and in the Black Range of New Mexico. However, the Ruby Violet Mine is the
only known location for gem-quality stones.

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Denver Gem & Mineral Show Mini Report November 2004

 by Judy Knoshaug

The 2004 Denver Gem and Mineral Show was a super fantastic show as usual. Thank you to all of the volunteers and club members who supported the
show. The magnificent exhibits of zeolites from all over the world displayed their unique and fabulous beauty. Several educational exhibits proved their
usefulness in industry and other fields. Thanks to the efforts of all who worked on the show, The show made a "profit" of $14,456. This money will be
turned over to the Greater Denver Area Gem and Mineral Council for the making of grants to promote the earth sciences and lapidary arts as set forth in
the by-laws.

The Show Committee is already making plans for the 2005 show. The show is a big production and the committee works on it all year long. The Show Chair
for the 2005 show is Martin Hannu, a member of WIPS and North Jeffco Gem & Mineral Club. Put the dates on your calendar – September  16-18, 2005.
The theme for the show is Quartz and Cryptocrystalline Quartz. If you enjoyed the show this year, perhaps you would like to be a little more involved next
year. New members are always welcome on the committee. And there are plenty of responsibilities to go around. Right now assistants are needed for many
positions, including Volunteer Check-In, which is Martin and Sharon Hannu's job. Sharon will need help for next year, when Martin is the Show Chair. So if
you want to put something new and exciting into your life, join the Show Committee. The committee meets the first Tuesday of each month, except
December, February, and July. If interested, contact Martin Hannu, 303-429-2519 or your club representative. Thank you for your consideration.

****************

Upcoming Events, Nearby & Elsewhere

December (all month): Colorado Meteorites Exhibit. The Fort Morgan Museum will be hosting a collection of Colorado meteorites until January of 2005.
This is the largest display of Colorado meteorites in the west!  Call for hours and directions: The Fort Morgan Museum, 414 Main Street, Fort Morgan,
Colorado 80701, (970) 867-6331.

Saturday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-noon, Classroom 302, Denver Museum of Nature and Science-Children's Workshop: Mighty Mammoths (ages 4 and 5).  Travel back to the age of prehistoric mammals as you touch a real mammoth tooth and learn about cave bears and saber-toothed cats. $18 member, $23 non-member.

Wed, January 12, 12:15 p.m. Sea Turtle or Sea Lion: How Plesiosaurs Swim.  Join Dr. Ken Carpenter, chief preparatory and curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for a lunchtime lecture. Location: Ricketson Auditorium, DMNS. Cost: free with museum admission.

Thur, January 13, 7 p.m. The Puzzling Story of Flowering Plants. A lecture at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science by Dr. William (Ned) Friedman, Professor of Biology, University of Colorado-Boulder. Description: To Darwin, the origin of flowering plants was an "abominable mystery' - and more than 100 years later it's still mysterious. Why is this particular evolution so puzzling? In this lecture, Friedman explains the dilemma and discusses recent advances in solving the mystery, including his own contributions to the discipline. Location: Ricketson Auditorium, DMNS. Cost: $12 member/student, $15 nonmember. Info: 303-322-7009.

January 14-16. Denver Gem & Mineral Guild - Jewelry, Gem & Mineral Show: gem mineral and fossil exhibits, swap area, and lots for sale including crystals and fossils, jewelry and lapidary supplies. Location: Lakeside Center, I-70 at Harlan. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday, January 23, Noon. A Mammoth Find in Florissant: During the last Ice Age the mighty mammoth roamed the hills and valleys of Florissant, Colorado. Eleven thousand years ago they vanished from the face of the earth. Join a park ranger and Steven Veatch, a local geologist as they reveal the exciting discovery of a mammoth that has been buried in the ground near the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center for at least 49,000 years. This discovery represents a relatively high elevation for mammoths and is the first documented mammoth in Teller County. 

Come and learn about this exciting find, and after the slide presentation, celebrate the discovery with freshly baked "mammoth" cupcakes. An optional walk in the monument follows, where we will explore Florissant's winter. Dress for winter conditions. The program and hike will end by 3 p.m. Regular park admission applies ($3.00 per adult, anyone 16 or under is free). Location: Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center. Info and reservations: 719-748-3253.

Sat-Sun, February 26 & 27. Cripple Creek School of Prospecting: Learn about the basic principles of geology and prospecting using Cripple Creek and the Pikes Peak region as a backdrop for discussion. This popular two-day course covers where minerals and gems can be found in Colorado, the basics of geologic and topo maps field collection techniques and photography, and more. Participants receive a database to record their collection. Discounted lodging rates are available. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Cost: $119, including all fees and materials, and lunch. (Lodging not included.) Info: 719-689-3514. Early reservations encouraged - this class fills quickly! A free service to the public and the scientific community.

 Check our own web site for additional events, and further details: http://bcn.boulder.co.us/community/fmc/fmctk.htm

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Earth Science Places to Visit

by Pete Modreski

"Triceratops Trail", Golden, CO: the interpretive signs are now fully in place at this fossil site located just south of 19th Street and east of 6th Avenue in 
Golden, and it can be visited at any time. The site is adjacent to the northwest corner of Golden's Fossil Trace golf course, but access is via the paved bike
path leading south from 19th Street, just off 6th Ave. (before the Ford dealership). It's about a 1/2-mile walking trail. For more information and a descriptive
brochure stop at the Dinosaur Ridge Visitors Center, 16831 W. Alameda Parkway, open 8-5 daily, 303-697-3466 or http://www.dinoridge.org. Some
additional exhibits, including a replica of a triceratops skull, are on public display at the Fossil Trace Clubhouse (reached via Jefferson County Parkway,
past the County Courthouse and office buildings).

A Walk Through Time at Broomfield Heights Middle School is the outdoor geologic rock park, with interpretive signs, constructed by students at the 
school. It can be visited at any time, during or outside of school hours. For more information and directions see their website:

http://student.bvsd.k12.co.us/~bmeier/walk/dev/index.html.

Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum, which relocated to a new building just over a year ago, is free to the public and very much worth seeing.
The museum is on the corner of 13th and Maple Streets on the CSM campus, Golden. The museum's website is 
http://www.mines.edu/academic/geology/museum. Hours are 9-4 Monday-Saturday, 1-4 Sundays. The museum has excellent education kits of rocks,
minerals, and fossils available for teachers to borrow at no charge (refundable $50 deposit required).

A new Geologic Walking Tour on the Colorado School of Mines Campus has been constructed thanks to Dr. Bob Weimer, and an excellent interpretive
brochure is available. Brochures can be obtained at the CSM Geology Museum, or online at 
http://www.mines.edu/academic/geology/newstuff/walkingtour.shtml. The tour begins at the Geology Museum at 13th and Maple Streets. One feature of the
tour is the newly constructed "Rock Garden" outdoor rock exhibit area, along the border of a parking lot (which also has an excellent northward across
Golden toward Boulder) where large rocks representing all the local geologic formations have been placed, with signs, in chronologic order.

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Updated 4/14/08