September 2010 The Stone Chipper › ...2010_chipper_web.pdf · Selected Resources for Your Youth Group In May, I started a 3-part set of articles on forming youth groups within societies

The Austin Gem and Mineral Society, Inc.The AGMS is a member in good standing of the South Central Federation of Mineral Societies and the American Federation of Mineral Societies. The newsletter editor is also a member of SCRIBE. The clubhouse address is 6719 Burnet Lane, Austin, Texas 78757, and phone (512) 458-9546. The AGMS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Visit our web site at www.AustinGemAndMineral.org. Contact our webmaster for web site updates at [email protected].

PurposeThe purpose of the AGMS is to promote interest and education in the various Earth Sciences and other related subjects.

MeetingsThe Society meets on the fourth Thursday of every month except October, which is show set up day. There will be a meeting on the third Thursday in November. December is the Installation of Officers meeting held on a date and at a place determined by the officers. Board meetings are called as needed. All members are welcome to attend. Society Officers and Chairpersons are listed on the back page of this publication. Please feel free to contact any of them for more information.

Membership Dues$15.00 annually for an adult $20.00 annually for a couple $4.00 annually for juniors (under 18)

The Stone ChipperThe Stone Chipper is the official publication of the Austin Gem and Mineral Society. It is published monthly in Austin, Texas. Complete minutes of the Board Meetings are available upon request. Note, clip art images are under Copyright 2010 by the AGMS and its licensors. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise noted, text items in The Stone Chipper may be reproduced in other nonprofit publications as long as proper credit is given to the author and The Stone Chipper. All authors who make submis-sions to this newsletter are presumed to agree with this policy. Contact our Newsletter Editor if you have any questions at [email protected].

Volume 49.09 September 2010

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651st AGMS MeetingWhen: September 23rd

Time: 7:00 PM

Where: AGMS Clubhouse

September MeetingGeoFORCE Texas: Increasing Interest in the Geosciences and Changing the

Look of the Future Workforce

by Doug Ratcliff, Director of Outreach, University of Texas - Austin

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www.AustinGemAndMineral.org2 Volume 49.09

President’s MessageWell this month has really brought about a lot of changes that were started in previous months. The library has been expanded and is being secured. A new roof is being put on our building. So much has happened it is hard to list it all.

Since it has been so hot outside I need to stress that for people who are out in the heat you need to drink plenty of water. Another thing you can do is to carry a few Alcohol wipes with you. Then if you feel like you are getting overheated or feel faint, try placing one on the back of the neck

and rub it on all of your pressure points. You should also get in the shade and start sipping water. It might not hurt to eat an apple either.

We are working on our new Kids’ Website. Let’s get the kids interested and motivated.

The Annual Show is coming up and there are still a number of things that will need to be taken care of. Brian Wetzig can direct you in the right direction. I have already heard from some outsiders who want to know if we will have our fluorescent display again this year. So everyone keep doing all the good work you are doing and let’s hope that it is the best show ever.

On a more somber note, please keep Randy and his family in your prayers as Randy continues to recover from his automobile accident.

~Josie Middleton, AGMS President

Calendar of Upcoming EventsSeptember

16 AGMS Show Committee Meeting, 7:00 PM21 Paleontological Society of Austin Meeting, 7:00 PM23 AGMS General Meeting, 7:00 PM25 Cutoff date for article submissions to newsletter.

October

5 AGMS Board Meeting, 7:00 PM20 AGMS Show Move In, Volunteers need to arrive at 4:00 PM (AGMS Clubhouse)21 AGMS Show Setup, Volunteers need to arrive at 12 Noon (Palmer Event Center)22-24 AGMS Annual Gem Capers Show28 AGMS General Meeting, 7:00 PM (Gem Capers highlights, show and tell)

November

2 AGMS Board Meeting, 7:00 PM11 AGMS Show Committee Meeting, 7:00 PM18 AGMS General Meeting, 7:00 PM

Refreshments for September Meeting - Volunteers

Richard DorseySusan von Rosenberg

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www.AustinGemAndMineral.orgVolume 49.09 3

Selected Resources for Your Youth GroupIn May, I started a 3-part set of articles on forming youth groups within societies. Part 1 cov-ered how to find and attract kids with an interest in rocks. Part 2 covered how to form and maintain a youth group. We conclude with selected resources for ready-made activities to use with kids:

Future Rockhounds of America Badge Program

Sponsored by AFMS, this is free to clubs affiliated with our 7 regional federations. Kids can earn 15 badges (Rocks & Minerals, Earth Resources, Fossils, Lapidary Arts, Collecting, Showmanship, Communication, Field Trips, Leadership, Earth Processes, Earth in Space, Gold Panning, Gemstone Lore, Stone Age Tools, Rocking on the Computer). Kids earning 6 badges receive a “Rockhound” badge as a mark of accomplish-ment and their names get posted to an “Honor Roll” on the AFMS web site.

The manual, with 85 activities, may be accessed at www.amfed.org/fra/fra_badge.htm. For more info, con-tact: Jim Brace-Thompson, AFMS Jr. Program Chair, 7319 Eisenhower St, Ventura, CA 93003, (805) 659-3577, [email protected].

Diamond Dan Publications

Darryl Powell is creator of Diamond Dan Publications and author of fun, education-al materials for young mineralogists, from coloring and activity books to “Earth Dig-ger Clubs” activities and patches, mineral note cards and place mats, and more. Go to www.diamonddanpublications.net. Diamond Dan also publishes “Mini Miner Monthly,” the only periodical about minerals written for young collectors. It brings kids articles about minerals and mineral collecting, with crossword puzzles, word searches, cut-and-fold crystal models, and coloring pages. For more info, contact: Darryl Powell, Diamond Dan Publica-tions, P.O. Box 143, Manchester, NY 14504, (585) 288-4936, [email protected].

Regional Federation Resources

The Eastern Federation publishes Working With Young People, by Mabel Kingdon Gross, a guide to starting youth programs and activity tips. For pricing and to get a copy, contact: Suzie Milligan, EFMLS Supplies Chair, 931 Carmichael Rd, Owego, NY 13827, [email protected].

In the 1970’s, the Midwest Federation published MWF Basic Guide for Junior Activities. Michele Yamanaka has updated this manual. To check on pricing, contact: Dennis Westman, MWF Supplies, 15547 Bluebird Street NW, Andover, MN 55304, (763) 413-8767.

In the California Federation, June Harris (Santa Clara Valley Gem & Mineral Society) has assembled re-sources to create educational stations at their club show. Stations are tied to Girl and Boy Scout badges and to California earth science teaching standards. 2,000 children pass through those stations during a single show! June has assembled a CD clubs can get at the cost of a CD and postage. To check availability, contact: June Harris, 107 Dell Way, Scotts Valley, CA 95066, [email protected]. June requests clubs ordering the CD make a $25.00 donation to the CFMS Endowment Fund.

Mineral Information Institute (Mii)

Mii is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating youth about the science of natural resources and their importance in everyday life. They develop hands-on educational materials in earth science subjects at all

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(continued from previous page)grade levels. You can download teaching packets for free (see, for instance, all the minerals that make a light bulb), as well as posters, kits, and more. Much of it is free; some (such as a gold panning kit) are available at minimal cost. Check their web site, www.mii.org, or contact: Mineral Information Institute, 8307 Shaffer Pkwy, Littleton, CO 80127, (303) 277-9190, [email protected].

Mineral of the Month Club

Richard and Cheryl Sittinger started this club to offer choice minerals at low prices. Kids can build a col-lection in a fun way that gives them something to look forward to each month; or you can do this as a club project to build a reference collection for all the kids to enjoy. Along with each mineral comes a write-up and club newsletter. Each new member receives a free copy of a mineral guidebook. Three levels of membership are available, the difference being price and size of specimens. Pricing starts at $88.00 for a 1-year Silver Membership (half- to 2-inch, study-size minerals), or a Trial Membership is $48.00 for 6 months, and speci-mens may be returned for refunds. For further information, go to www.mineralofthemonthclub.org.

Rock & Gem Kids

Rock & Gem magazine features a 2-page “Rock & Gem Kids” spread. Each month it highlights a selected mineral along with other occasional features, including articles on state rocks, famous people in mineral collecting, activities, and a quiz open to kids 17 and younger for neat prizes. Articles are written by Jim Brace-Thompson of the AFMS Jr. Programs and Darryl Powell of Diamond Dan Publications. Subscriptions start at $27.95 for one year. Write or call: Miller Magazines, Inc., 290 Maple Ct, Suite 232, Ventura, CA 93003-3517, (805) 644-3824, www.rockngem.com.

U.S. Geological Survey

The USGS web site is a wonderful, if somewhat overwhelming, treasure trove of teaching resources that may be freely downloaded and used for educational purposes. So take ad-vantage of your tax dollars! They also have a page directing you to 200 other web sites on all things geological (gemstones, fossils, thunder eggs, minerals, meteorites, earthquakes, state rocks, et cetera). To start, go to http://education.usgs.gov.

Women in Mining (WIM)

Founded as a nonprofit business league, WIM is composed of individuals employed or interested in the mining industry: engineers, geologists, educators, concerned citizens. The goal is to educate members and the public about mining industries while preserving the history of mining. WIM participates in educating el-ementary–high school students about careers in mining and the importance of mining in everyday life. WIM sponsors scholarships and essay contests and provides materials at all grade levels. Many of these materi-als are available on their web site, www.womeninmining.org, ready-made and linked to national education standards.

There are many more resources out there, and I’d love to hear your recommendations for ones you’ve tried. Please e-mail them to [email protected] so we can share the fun!

~Jim Brace-Thompson, Junior Activities ChairArticle reprinted from the AFMS August–September 2010 Newsletter

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Re-reading the Future Rockhounds of America (FRA) Badge ManualWe were re-reading the FRA Badge Manual, looking for new opportunities and additional activities that the future rockhounds could use to relate mineral characteristics with everyday life. Starting with Activity 1 (Rocks and Minerals), we can readily see how students could get hands-on experi-ence with color, streak, luster and hardness. But, a couple of items stood out that are hard to relate.

The first is cleavage, the second is specific gravity. Cleavage is a common characteristic in the mineral world. Baby-boomers will likely remember the Lincoln TV commercial with the diamond-cutter in the backseat—a great demonstration of cleavage.

Demonstrating cleavage is typically a destructive process (unless you have use for all the pieces). If you are lucky enough to live near large outcroppings of Calcite, Mica, et cetera, you may have a simple solution. Otherwise, you could be asking members to donate speci-mens to destroy. However, common table salt is a great candidate for demonstrating cleavage. You will probably need magnification, or you could use rock-salt. Either way, the application of pressure on any of the sides of the typically cubic crystals will cause them to split into even smaller cubes or rhombs. David remembers (as a child) using the edge of a fork to destroy, or cleave, salt crystals on his dinner-plate.

Specific Gravity is a complicated subject, and we’re not sure that most adults (much less juniors) could handle the equipment or calculations. Density, however, is another characteristic of rocks and minerals that is documented for minerals, relatively easy to measure, and conveys that rocks don’t weigh the same. All that is needed is a graduated cylinder and an accurate scale. A small sample (able to fit in the graduated cylinder) is weighed. Then, the cylinder is partly filled with water, the level marked, and the sample dropped-in—the change in level provides the volume of the sample. Density is then measured as weight (alright, it’s technically the mass) divided by vol-ume. One needs to know what the markings on the graduated cylinder represent (frequently cubic centimeter). But, the calculations are easy.

~David and Carol Abbott, SCFMS Juniors Program Co-ChairsArticle reprinted from the SCFMS July–August 2010 Newsletter


August 26, 2010 Meeting MinutesAnnual Auction Night: Members were invited to preview the auction items from 5:00 to 6:00 PM.

President Josie Middleton called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

Committee Reports

Sunshine: Josie reported that Randy Gage is now doing well after his accident; he took his first steps.

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(continued from previous page)Junior Chair: Josie pointed out that there is a table with auc-tion items for Junior bidders. Jackie Fisher reported that she started her internet class for Juniors and that quartz was the first topic. The participants earn points that they can spend in her rock shop (where your donations are gratefully ac-cepted). She plans to hold one activity meeting per month which would provide an opportunity for the kids to come and spend their points. She is also making mineral specimen box-

es (again, donations welcomed). Jackie is paying for memberships—so encourage your “juniors” to join the fun.

Show: Josie Middleton said that it’s time to think about what Gem Capers job(s) you’re willing to do—Brian Wetzig has a sign-up sheet.

Building: Robert Morriss reported that the roofers start work tomorrow.

Membership: 56 members, 4 visitors and no juniors.

Announcements

Texas Metal Arts Festival: Sue Postlethwait told the members about a metal-working festival to be held in Gruene, Texas, on September 11th and 12th (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM). It’s free, has free parking and a variety of metal-working demonstrations each day.


~ Auction Night ~Robert Morriss starts the auction off as auctioneer with David Dow as spotter. Ron Carman is awaiting his turn as auctioneer. The following photos showcase some of the items that were placed up for auction.

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Cabbing Contest: Sue Postlethwait reminded those who plan to enter the Cabbing Contest to turn in their cabs to Wing Evans by the September meeting. The entries will be displayed in show cases at Gem Capers. The re-quired material: petrified wood. The four categories: Junior Traditional and Free-form and Adult Traditional and Free-form. The rules of the contest are posted on the AGMS website.

Annual Auction in Lieu of Program

Kathleen Howard, the officer in charge of the annual auction, said that approximately 275 individual and lot donations were received and organized for bidders. Many of the small mineral specimens/micro-mounts came from Linda Northcote’s estate. Multiple lapidary machines came from another estate. The bidding started with an amethyst cut stone which sold for $20.00 and continued enthusiastically for several hours. [Secretary’s note: I am now the proud owner of a beautiful desert rose, some sparkling petrified wood pieces and three slices of exotic lavender-colored Aztec Lace Agate].

Thank you to those who donated so generously and those witnessed at the meeting making it happen:

Organizers/donation receivers: Kathleen Howard, Andrea Miller, Josie Middleton and Gef Fisher.Auctioneers: Robert Morriss and Ron Carman. Spotters: David Dow and Brian Wetzig.Auctioneers’ Table Stager: Andrea Miller. Cashiers: Diann Hill and Jackie Fisher.

And most of all—to the Bidders.~Marilyn Gilbreath, Secretary

Photos courtesy of Newsletter Editor

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The AGMS Board met on August 3, 2010 to discuss club business. Below is a listing of the highlights of this meeting; a complete set of minutes is available upon request.

Minutes: The July Minutes were accepted as printed.

Treasurer’s Report: No report.

New Business

Junior Chair: Jackie Fisher presented a written proposal to:

• Create an online mineralogical school for juniors.• Hold a monthly Saturday meeting.• Collect donations of minerals from members for a store where juniors can spend points they earn.• Make mineral specimen collections for the store.• Promote the junior program through a tri-fold brochure proposed by Alan Cherepon.

The proposed activities are in addition to the Junior Cabbing Class that Robert Morriss agreed to teach and that Jackie Fisher and Stretch Young are willing to sponsor monetarily.

Old Business

Auction: Kathleen Howard said to “bring some nice stuff” for the auction. She won’t be able to deal with new items the night of the auction. Donations can be given to Gef Fisher on Wednesday evenings.

Tabled 6/1/2010 - Motion from the Transportation Chair: A motion passed to deny the motion from the Show Committee’s Transportation Chair. Clarification: It is the Show Committee’s responsibility to make the trailer-towing member(s) aware of liability issues.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP): Tom Bowers led the group through the not yet approved portions of Article I - Standing Committees and Chairs. Of the 22 Chair/Committee items in Section 4, all were finalized with these exceptions:

• c. Scholarship Chair – Stretch Young wants to consult with the philanthropy person at his workplace for advice before completing the revisions.• e. Show Chair – Per Tom Bowers, this section does not exist in Article I or II; it needs a thorough rewrite and detailing which will extend to many pages. He said that this would have to be dealt with by the next Board.• v. Web Master – Need text from Diann Hill.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.~Marilyn Gilbreath, Secretary

Board Meeting Minutes

The AGMS Show Committee met on August 19, 2010 to discuss the 2010 show. Below is a listing of the high-lights of this meeting; a complete set of minutes is available upon request.

Minutes: The July minutes were approved as corrected.

Show Committee Meeting Minutes


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Treasurer: Beginning balance as of July 1st was $-.00 with an ending balance of $-.00 as of July 30th.

Advertising: Still need an advertising chair for the show.

Dealers: Diann asked for a discussion of wording on the dealer contract, change the actual year in the contract to be “of the current year”. That way the contract does have to be changed as much in the future.

Display Cases: Brian will e-mail Les about who he has on his list for reservation of cases. Several people indi-cated they will need a case and will need one for a permanent display of Linda’s collection.

Floor plan: Robert advised that he is going to move the Food Table closer to the concession stand instead of by the back doors and he will advise Palmer Event Center on the amount of electricity needed.

Gem Mine: Andrea Miller said that we need to get the shelves up in the show shed so she can get the tumbled stones put up. Still need people to keep tumbling rough and any large stones will be used to make goggly-eyed pets for the Wheel of Fortune.

Postcards: Maybe need to change the postcards for the 2015 Federation Show, the theme is tourmaline. Have a contest & winner announced on Sunday at the 2014 show with entries submitted by the September 2014 general meeting.

Show Pins: Need to start working on the show pin design for next year’s show which is the 50th year and the theme is gold. Pin design will be voted on at the July 2011 Show Committee meeting.

Signs: Need to make new signs for the admission prices, two different sizes.

Silent Auction: Mac advised he needs more items for auction.

List of items to be completed:1. Contacting TV and newspaper for advertising.2. Contacting Froots about sponsoring the Food Table, Josie Middleton.3. Contact City about banners – as of this printing Diann has completed.4. Contact any mineral dealers past due on payment.5. Brian to e-mail Les about reserved display cases.6. Robert to provide Palmer with electrical usage.7. Need shelving in show shed to be done.8. Necklaces finished for jewelry assembly.9. Order postcards, print labels, buy stamps.10. Pictures of Saturday door prize.11. New signs for admission prices.12. Volunteer sign-up sheet.13. Wing to meet with Silicon Labs.14. Items for the Wheel of Fortune still in process at various homes.15. Robert to make a few changes to floor plan.16. Diann and Frederick need PDF of floor plan when completed.17. Show bulletin completed and printed.

~Dee Fly, 2010 Show Secretary

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Library AdditionsPlease come by and see the new additions to the club library. We have almost doubled our shelving space and secured our extensive collec-tion of books and electronic media.

Special thanks to Robert Morriss, Richard Dorsey, Diann Hill, Melinda and Frederick Falk for all of their contributions to this project.

Photos courtesy of Frederick and Melinda Falk

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September

4-5 Arlington Gem and Mineral Society 53rd annual show; Arlington Convention Center, Arlington, TX Theme: Texas Treasures Contact: Harold Hoskison at (817) 269-8563

17-19 Enid Gem and Mineral Society annual show; Oak Wood Mall, Enid, OK Contact: Billy E. Wood at (580) 234-5344

If you wish to be kept notified of “breaking news” and impromptu events within the club, you should join the AGMSList group located in YAHOO groups on the internet. Information on things such as field trip details and member rock sales may be dissemi-nated this way in real time. To get invited to the list, go to our web site and click on the join group link or contact the web master at [email protected].

You can also have the newsletter delivered to you via e-mail rather than through snail mail. It comes sooner and is in color that way. To receive the newsletter via e-mail or to report a change of postal mailing address or e-mail address, please contact the newsletter editor [email protected].

Upcoming Shows and Events

Communications with Club

October

22–24 Austin Gem and Mineral Society 49th annual show; Palmer Events Center, Austin, TX Theme: Petrified Wood; Web site: www.GemCapers.com Contact: Brian Wetzig; e-mail: [email protected]

Silent Auction Items NeededWe need items suitable for the Silent Auction during the upcoming AGMS Gem Capers Show in October. Please bring your donated items to the next club meeting. On a tag, put the name of the donor and, if possible, identify the item being donated. Also please mark the item indicating that it is for the Silent Auction.

Funds generated by this auction are divided between AGMS and SCFMS.

Your help is needed and greatly appreciated.~Mac Ellis, Silent Auction Chair

December

11-12 SCFMS 2010 Regional Show hosted by the DeRidder Gem & Mineral Society DeRidder Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show; Richard Borchard Regional Fairgrounds, DeRidder, LA Web site: http://www.scfms.net/ then click on the “SCFMS Show” tab. Contact: Adam Valin at (337) 585-3693; e-mail: [email protected] or Dan Venazi at (337) 463-9567

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The Stone Chipper6719 Burnet LaneAustin, TX 78757(512) 458-9546

Austin Gem and Mineral SocietyFor membership information write: AGMS, 6719 Burnet Lane, Austin, TX 78757

2010 OfficersPresident: Josie Middleton [email protected] First V. P.: Jackie Fisher [email protected] Second V. P.: Kathleen Howard [email protected] Secretary: Marilyn Gilbreath [email protected] Treasurer: Pauline Denson [email protected]

Board of Directors Term expires Dec. 2011Robert Morriss David Wenger Jeff “Stretch” Young

Term expires Dec. 2010Tom Bowers Joyce Hrapsky Louis Lee

Newsletter Awards2009 – 1st place AFMS, 1st place SCFMS

Committee ChairpersonsAnnual Show Brian Wetzig Building Chair Bob Greenway Display Cases Jackie Fisher Education/Classes Joyce Hrapsky Federation/Conservation Paul Good Field Trip Committee Ed Gage Historian Ed Gage Hospitality Susan Postlethwait Junior Advisor/Programs Jackie Fisher Library Co-chair Diann Hill Library Co-chair Andrea Miller Membership Eunice Young Newsletter Editor Frederick Falk Program Kathleen Howard Sergeant-at-Arms Jackie Fisher Scholarship Jeff “Stretch” Young School Programs Wing Evans Sunshine Ron Guzman Workshop Gef Fisher

September 2010Postage

Required

Time Value – Do Not Delay

Contact the Newsletter Editorif you would prefer to receive the newsletter by e-mail.

Documents

September 2010 The Stone Chipper › ...2010_chipper_web.pdf · Selected Resources for Your Youth Group In May, I started a 3-part set of articles on forming youth groups within societies