Post on 25-Sep-2020
Rockonteur
NAME THAT ROCK
The banner photo (above)
changes each month -
can you identify what type of
rock it is? Answer is on last
page but don’t peek until
you’ve tried to guess!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Birthstones 2
Words from the
President 3
Meeting, Events,
Announcements 4
Features 7
Board Meeting
Minutes 7
General Meeting
Minutes 9
Volume 29, Issue 1 January 2019
Member Richard is the proud new owner of a LARGE geode given to him by the Paso Robles CDF Fire Station in November 2018. This large geode, along with several smaller ones, were donated to the station some 35 years ago and needed a new home since the station is being replaced with a new station. Richard enlisted the help of Cliff, another member, to help get the geodes. “When we got to the BIG one, Cliff said no. It's too big. Meaning that his lift was too small to lift it in his pickup,” said Richard. The Fire Station Battalion Chief and the construction company working on the new station came to the rescue and Richard was able to retrieve the monster rock pictured on the left to his home. Cliff was there to help unload it with an automobile cherry picker. “Now it sits on three 8X8 posts directly in front of the garage for all to see. I charge 25 cents for any one to drop by and see. Please bring cameras as it is a Kodak moment. Call before you come to see if I am home. “OK, Galen, bring your largest saw!!!” says Richard.
National Geological Surveys: The past, present and future
By Lionel E. Jackson
The world’s oldest national geolog-ical survey is 183 years old; the youngest is 19. These two, and every other one out there, repre-sent countries with vastly different needs — while some surveys are focused on overarching goals like natural resource sustainability, others are still working to map the fundamental geology of their lands. (Continued on page 9)
Rockonteur ❖ January 2019 ❖ Page 2
GARNET TRIVIA
Garnets are most commonly
thought of as a red stone. They
actually come in a variety of
shades. What color is NOT found
in a garnet?
green
yellow
orange
all of the above
Garnets date back to many sepa-
rate ancient civilizations and has
in some places been found with
pre-historic man. Due to ancient
folk lore and myth it was believed
that garnets held magical abili-
ties, to do what?
to activate an inactive volcano
to ease birth
to light the way at night
to mesmerize animals and call
them to you
Where did the name for this
gemstone originate from?
a Spanish merchant who dealt
in gemstones
a pomegranate
an apple
Mythology claims that the god-
dess of sunshine, Peresphone,
named it.
Take the full quiz here to find the
correct answers:
www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/
quiz2681901eb4718.html
Santa Lucia Rockhounds (SLR)
is a non-profit public benefit corporation with the
specific purpose to promote the study of mineralogy,
including (but not limited to) the fields of lapidary,
metal working, jewelry design and fabrication, geology
and conducts field trips for collecting and education.
We encourage learning and good citizenship in a
congenial atmosphere. We respect both private and
public property, and we strive to protect natural
resources. Meetings are held during the third Monday of
each month, except December, at the Templeton
Community Center.
We are a member of the California Federation of
Mineralogical Societies (CFMS) and affiliated with the
American Federation on Mineralogical Societies (AFMS).
Santa Lucia Rockhounds, Inc. is also a member of the
American Lands Access Association (ALAA).
Annual dues are $20 for the first adult and $8
each for every additional member of the same
household. Annual dues are payable between August 1
and the third Monday of December, in person at club
meetings or by mail to P.O. Box 1672, Paso Robles, CA
93447.
The Rockonteur
This is the official monthly newsletter of the SLR and an
independent publication containing news and
information consistent with the mission of SLR and of
interests to its members. Circulation is approximately
100 copies per issue.
Member submissions are encouraged and may be
sent to the editor. We reserve the right to accept or
refuse submissions inconsistent with the objectives and
purpose of the SLR. Submissions may be edited as
needed without consent. Deadline are due by midnight
of the last day of the month but early submissions are
highly appreciated and strongly encouraged.
Newsletter Editor/Publisher:
Amy Phillips | amyphillips18@hotmail.com
Website: www.slrockhounds.org
Rockonteur ❖ January 2019 ❖ Page 3
Words from the President
Happy New Year fellow Rockhounds!
Last year was a new experience for me as I needed someone to
guide me thru the year. Fortunately, everyone came to my
rescue and our Show, meetings, field trips, picnic & holiday
dinner were successful and well attended.
Thank you all for your participation, it helps.
Our membership has grown and we have a nice
group of Junior Rockhounds.
Our 28th Annual Rock & Gem Show theme is “Crystals”
and is on April 13 - 14. Your ideas and suggestions
is needed to make this Show shine!
Many volunteers are needed to help this Show run smoothly.
It doesn’t have to be an all-day thing. The Show is our largest
fundraiser so in order to stay ahead, we need to be creative.
Our Board and Chair members are arranging some special
field trips and great guest speakers to keep you interested
and ready to get involved. Think of ways you
can share your talents, gifts and knowledge.
It is rewarding and people like to see your work.
The January 21 program is all about YOU. It is our Show and
Tell Program in which you bring in your favorite Rock or a Rock
with an interesting story behind it and tell us all about it.
I look forward to seeing you at the meeting and you are always
welcome to attend our Board Meetings held on the first Monday
of the month @ 7pm. at the Robobank in Templeton.
Let the good times Rock and Roll.
- Mary
Rockonteur ❖ January 2019 ❖ Page 4
January 7 @ 7pm
Board Meeting
Rabobank Meeting Room, Templeton
January 21 @ 7pm
General Meeting
Show & Tell - bring your favorite treasure and tell
us the story of how you got it.
Templeton Community Center
February 2, 10am - 4pm
Bakersfield Field Trip to Buena Vista Museum
Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science
is hosting a fossil and mineral fundraiser for their
museum. The museum is primarily built around
the amazing fossils collected from nearby Shark
Tooth Hill. This is not an organized field trip, but
you can carpool with other members. There’s a $8
admission fee. Museum info available at:
www.sharktoothhill.org/
February 4 @ 7pm
Board Meeting
Rabobank Meeting Room, Templeton
February 16, 10am - 1pm
Wayne Mills is inviting our club to visit Ralph Bishop's Museum at his residence in Santa Maria. Interested members can call him for directions at
(805) 805-481-3495.
February 18 @ 7pm
General Meeting
Guest speaker Tim Elam
National Park volunteer ranger and
retired petroleum geologist
Topic: Shark Tooth Hill, a well-known fossil site
outside of Bakersfield.
Templeton Community Center
CLUB MEETINGS & EVENTS
Message from John McCabe:
I am doing well, after receiving a new valve and
two bypasses. I will be on restricted movement for
at least a month so appreciate everyone’s help in
keeping the Juniors program running.
Thank you all for thinking of me.
CFMS President’s message:
“This fall, California was ravaged by wildfires and
several societies were particularly hit hard. The
Paradise Gem and Mineral Society lost everything,
their meeting place, their workshop, their equip-
ment not to mention their homes. The Federation
is collecting for the Paradise Society any lapidary
equipment that you may have laying around un-
used so they can get started all over again. If you
have anything that you can spare, please contact
me, Tony Fender, and somehow we will arrange
to get it up to Paradise.” Mr. Fender can be
reached at 636-807-5279 or arhfender@gmail.com.
OTHER EVENTS
February 15-24, 10am - 10pm
San Gorgonio Gem & Mineral Society
Riverside County Fair & Date Festival
Banning, CA
For more info, contact Bert Grisham,
951-849-1674 or bert67@verizon.net
February 16-17, 10am - 5pm
Antioch Lapidary Club
Contra Costa County Fairgrounds
For more info: www.antiochlapidaryclub.com
February 23-24, 10am - 5pm
Vallejo Gem & Mineral Society
McCormack Hall, Solano County Fairgrounds
For more info: www.vigems.org
SAVE THE DATE! Santa Lucia Rockhounds
28th Annual Rock &
Gem Show
April 13 - 14
Theme - “Crystals”
Contact Show Coordinator
Kim Noyes if you have ques-
tions or want to volunteer:
805-610-0603
kimnoyes@gmail.com
Rockonteur ❖ January 2019 ❖ Page 5
Rockonteur ❖ January 2019 ❖ Page 6
President Mary Caparone 805-610-5281
mary@caparone.com
Senior Director Mary Beatty
805-466-4917 runrungranny @gmail.com
VPs Membership
Kathy Clarke ladykatephotos @sbcglobal.net Karen Hilchey 805-296-4183
VP Education John McCabe
805-464-0528 mccabewest@aol.com
VP Communications
Amy Phillips 805-269-4194 amyphillips18 @hotmail.com
Assisted by
Auctioneer Pete Duckworth 805-467-3413
jasperjunkie1@yahoo.com
CFMS Director Wayne Mills
805-481-3495 wwmills50@hotmail.com
Drawings
Roberta Hall 805-226-8965
Field Trips
Richard Smitten (805) 440-1496
Historian
Mike Doherty 805-466-4061
mdoherty@tcsn.net
Hospitality Julie Cannon
juliasantique@gmail.com 805-610-7644 Brenda Obert
brendaobert88@gmail.com
805-423-0737
Ron Rusconi
805-549-7961
Secretary Rachael Denny 805-472-9036 stormdragon71 @netscape.net
Treasurer
Laurie Wylie 805-466-7864 drtom@fix.net
Junior Director
Lisa King 805-467-0062 anoldcowhand @gmail.com
Past President
Tina Clark 805-305-0246
tdkclark @sbcglobal.net
Library/Museum Barbara Bilyeu 805-434-2708
bbilyeu2001@yahoo.com
Merchandise David Nelson 805-423-0188
nelsonda24@gmail.com
Museum Barbara Bilyeu
Newsletter Editor/
Publisher Amy Phillips
Program
Coordinator Gene Bilyeu
805-434-2708 grbilyeu@yahoo.com
Rock & Gem Show
Chair Kim Noyes
805-610-0603 kimnoyes@gmail.com
2019 CLUB OFFICERS COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Thank you for your service!
The 2019 Board of Directors were inducted into office during the December Holiday Dinner on December 17, 2018.
From L-R: Secretary Rachael Denny, Past President Tina Clark, VPs of Membership Karen Hilchey and Kathy Clarke,
Treasurer Lori Wylie, VP of Communications and Newsletter Editor/Publisher Amy Phillips, CFMS Liaison Wayne Mills,
and Junior Director Lisa King. Not pictured are President Mary Caparone, Senior Director Mary Beatty, VP Education
John McCabe, and Communications assistant Ron Rusconi. (Photo by Amber Jeter)
I H O L D A Y
D I N N E R
The 2018 Holiday Dinner was well attended and
there was good food and cheer. Past board and
committee members were thanked and the 2019
board and committee members were inducted.
The highlight of the night was the white elephant
gift game with many people getting cool gifts and
new additions to their rock collection. (All photos
by Amy Phillips, except for the 2018 Board photo
by Amber Jeter)
2018 Board Members
THANKS MARY
for taking on the helm
for another year!
Rockonteur ❖ January 2019 ❖ Page 8
Serpentinite outcrop on the coastal bluffs of the Presidio, with the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. (Photo courtesy National Park Service)
Story by Antoinette Rahn found at:
www.rockngem.com/fun-facts-saturday-geology-
and-the-golden-gate-bridge/
Eighty-six years ago today (Jan. 5, 1933) one
of the most extensive construction projects in U.S.
history got underway and a variety of marine sedi-
ments and metamorphic and igneous rocks gained
increased attention as a result.
The project was a 4,200-foot long suspension
bridge, becoming at the time the longest bridge of
its kind in the world. Named for the Golden Gate
Strait, the gap of water the bridge spans, it took
just shy of four years for the Golden Gate
Bridge to be completed. During the build, the area
under and surrounding the location of the bridge
revealed much of its geologic composition.
In a report titled “Foundations of The Golden
Gate Bridge of The Golden Gate Bridge and High-
way District,” dated February of 1931 and penned
by consulting geologist A.E. Sedgwick, the scope
of the geology of the area is discussed. As stated
in the report, “The purpose of this study is to de-
termine the competency of the foundation rock
under the north and south piers to carry an aver-
age load of 13 tons and a maximum load of 18
tons per square foot.” This is interesting to note,
since the average American car weighs two tons
and in the current century an average of 270,000
vehicles cross the bridge daily, according to the
California Department of Transportation.
In terms of the geologic formation, the prima-
ry sediments in the area surrounding the bridge —
located in the Marin Headlands Terrane — are
Franciscan Complex type rock including sandstone,
shale, chert, basalt, and serpentine, according to
the National Park Service website.
I find the presence of serpentine in the area
interesting, largely because while it is rated at 3-
1/2 on the Mohs hardness scale it is durable in
terms of holding up in various conditions. As Sedg-
wick writes in the study, “The resistance of the
serpentine to weathering is an indication of its
strength under compression.”
So, serpentine is good under pressure and is
resistant to weathering. Not to get too philosophi-
cal, but it seems like these traits of serpentine are
also representative of the people and businesses
of the region served by the Golden Gate Bridge.
They carry on the sense of ingenuity demonstrated
in the bridge build by developing a variety of
sources to drive economy, including technological
innovation, celebrate a variety of ethnicities
among its residents, and has faced and gone one
to thrive in the face of various natural disasters.
Perhaps its a mixture of strength and grace under
pressure.
There's no question the construction of a
bridge in this space surrounded by this geologic
makeup helped set the foundation of the region in
many ways. Fascinating and fun.
A specimen of serpentine (Photo courtesy National Park Service)
Rockonteur ❖ January 2019 ❖ Page 9
(continued from cover)
Creating national geological surveys was one
of the premier scientific endeavors of the 19th
century. Systematic geological mapping and inves-
tigations of the geologic record under the auspices
of such surveys were underpinnings of the emerg-
ing science of geology. These activities were also
instrumental to the industrial revolution and eco-
nomic expansion in Europe and North America.
Since the creation of the first national survey,
the British Geological Survey (BGS), in 1835, most
countries have created their own. The basic roles
of most surveys are to understand the solid earth
and surficial deposits, and to inventory mineral
and energy resources beneath land and the sea-
bed of territorial waters. Some have also expand-
ed their scope to encompass surface, groundwater
and ecological resources.
But what is the future for these agencies? This
was a topic of discussion at a symposium held as a
part of the Resources for Future Generations
2018 meeting last June in Vancouver, British Co-
lumbia. Speakers at this symposium — called “The
Changing Role of Geological Surveys” — primarily
represented geological surveys from G-20 coun-
tries. The presentations underscored that the roles
of geological surveys are largely dictated by politi-
cal and geographic context.
The youngest national survey, the China Geo-
logical Survey (CGS), was re-founded in 1999 and
serves the country with the world’s fourth-largest
land area and the largest population. China is
faced with the dichotomy of being simultaneously
a developing country and a manufacturing super-
power. CGS Chief Engineer Yan Guangsheng out-
lined the survey’s mission as nothing less than a
fundamental and pioneering role in China’s social
and economic development, including securing re-
sources and energy supplies, preventing and miti-
gating disasters and alleviating poverty.
CGS must deal with urban geology in the con-
text of explosive development of dozens of meg-
acities and economic zones and their requirements
for materials, water, energy and below- and
aboveground transportation, as well as evaluate
and mitigate natural hazards endemic to such cit-
ies. Each of these megacities have or will have
populations exceeding most of the world’s coun-
tries. Meanwhile, the survey is still systematically
mapping China’s geology. Collecting geological in-
formation — especially in these megacities — on a
scale and at a pace unfamiliar to geological sur-
veys in the West is a necessity in China. This sur-
vey, perhaps more than any other, has its work
cut out for it.
Several other countries’ surveys are likewise
facing hazards and energy issues as their chief
challenges. In Japan, the priorities are developing
resilience to the many natural hazards the country
confronts and exploring fossil fuel resources.
Masahiko Makino, assistant director general of
the Geological Survey of Japan (GSJ), who spoke
at the symposium, reviewed extreme threats from
geological hazards — particularly seismic and vol-
canic hazards posed in the Japanese archipelago.
GSJ is pursuing detailed information about geolog-
ical structures of active faults and volcanoes, as
well as more accurate forecasting of these fea-
tures’ future activity, as crucial components in dis-
aster mitigation.
Finish reading the story here: https://
www.earthmagazine.org/article/comment-national
-geological-surveys-past-present-and-future
The most basic goal of national geological surveys is to map the geology of the country. This map, the first complete geological map of Britain, was published by William Smith in 1815, 20 years before the British Geological Survey — the world’s first — was formed. Credit: William Smith, scan by the Library Foundation, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library.
Rockonteur ❖ January 2019 ❖ Page 10
Attending: Mary Caparone, Roberta Hall, Galen
Moyer, Tina Clark, Lisa King, Kristie Terry, Barbara
Bilyeu, Kathy Clarke, Mary Beatty, Kim Noyes,
Gene Bilyeu, and Karen Hilchey.
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 PM, fol-
lowed by the flag salute. Minutes for the Board
meeting on November 11 and the General meeting
on Nov. 19 were approved with corrections. Lisa
King made the motion to approve the Board meet-
ing minutes, Barbara Bilyeu seconded, and Tina
Clark made the motion to approve the General
meeting minutes, Lisa King seconded.
Correspondence: Mail was distributed. Mary
Caparone reported that she responded to a re-
quest by the SoCal Paleontological Society to sign
a document on behalf of the Club in support of a
document to keep public lands open. We have also
agreed to participate in the Best of the West event
put on by the Pioneer Day Committee at Santa
Margarita Ranch in May. Mary referred Cheri Roe
from the Santa Margarita Historical Society to
Ralph Lawless regarding identification of a collec-
tion of arrowheads.
December meeting and dinner: Over 51 people
have signed up and most have paid. Julie Cannon
and Brenda Obert are collecting the money and
will decorate the tables. Mary Caparone asked for
help with the gift exchange, and Lisa King volun-
teered to do this. Wayne Mills will bring the CFMS
officer pins to award to outgoing officers.
CFMS: Wayne Mills has submitted a reimburse-
ment request for the officer pins, which was budg-
eted for and which Tina Clark took care of, and al-
so a reimbursement request for his expenses for
attending the CFMS annual meeting in Visalia and
the CFMS Directors meeting and conference. His
request was for $339.99 and only $150 was budg-
eted for this. After discussion, it was motioned by
Lisa King to pay the additional cost, with a second
by Roberta Hall. The motion was passed with a
recommendation to the incoming Board to look at
this budget line item for the future.
Additional discussion of the $35 spending limit for
expenses above which requests need to come be-
fore the Board resulted in a motion by Galen Mo-
yer, seconded by Lisa King, to raise the spending
limit to $100.
Inventory: Tina Clark brought a copy of the Club
inventory, which needs to be completed and up-
dated. That should be finished in 2019, and the
new tables added. We also discussed the pur-
chase of speakers for the digital projector, which
would cost around $60 at Best Buy. We will defer
that to 2019.
Education: Eleven Junior Rockhounds attended
the fluorescent mineral program with David Nel-
son, assisted by Mark Nelson. Mary Beatty
brought information on the backpacks she and
John McCabe want to purchase for the Juniors,
which would cost $149 for 24 of them, plus ship-
ping, etc. Tina Clark made the motion to go ahead
with the purchase and Barbara Bilyeu added the
second. The motion passed.
Treasurer: Tina Clark reported the checking ac-
count balance, income and expenses for Novem-
ber. She said the report Form 109 for 2016 was
submitted to the State and income was adjusted.
Our CD has renewed at 2% and will mature in 13
months on January 19, 2020. Once the December
newsletter is published with the list of new officers,
we should be able to take the minutes to Pacific
Premier Bank to get the signature cards completed
for 2019. Roberta Hall asked about how much we
pay for tax preparation, and Tina explained that
we usually don't have to worry about this, and on-
ly file a postcard form. The year we did have to
hire a tax preparer was when we sold the proper-
ty.
2019 Board Officer Transition
The slate of officers was voted in at the November
general meeting. Doren Strane and Tina Clark will
need to be removed from the bank account, and
Laurie Wylie added. Tina and Laurie will meet in
December to transition Treasurer duties.
Post Office Box: It was discovered that the Post
Office needs to have the name and physical ad-
dress on file of a club contact, and our file is out of
date. It was agreed that the club president should
be this contact person, and we will need to update
(Continued on page 11)
DECEMBER 3, 2018
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Rockonteur ❖ January 2019 ❖ Page 11
NO DECEMBER 2018
GENERAL MEETING
MINUTES
Holiday Dinner held on
Dec. 17, 2018
it with the Post Office whenever we get a new
president.
Templeton Community Center: The problem
with the vacuum cleaner was reported again to
Templeton CSD staff, and they said the mainte-
nance man would check it out.
Field Trips: Mary Caparone is looking for a field
trip coordinator.
Programs: Mary Caparone will work with Gene
Bilyeu to plan programs for 2019. Gene brought
up the subject of giving an honorarium to our
speakers and asked for input from the Board on
developing a policy. After discussion, it was decid-
ed to forward this subject to the incoming Board
for consideration.
Membership: Galen Moyer presented new mem-
ber applications from Megan Olivera and child,
and Mike and Jean Rollins. He said most mem-
bers have renewed for 2019 and his membership
list is current.
Show: Kim Noyes reported that dealer contracts
are ready and will be mailed this week. There was
discussion of the dealers' need to report their in-
come to the Department of Equalization and how
it is different if they are selling at a fairgrounds.
Kim has created a Twitter and Gmail account for
the Club and will give login and password infor-
mation to the Board so we can help publicize the
show. We also discussed finding a speaker for our
show this year, since Richard Wade may not be
available. Purchasing specimens at Quartzsite for
the show, including sharks' teeth and geodes, was
discussed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.
Submitted by Barbara Bilyeu, filling in for Rachael
Denny.
Check out some great photos like the
ones above here: http://
geologylearn.blogspot.com/2016/12/
10-of-best-learning-geology-photos-
of.html (Submitted by Wayne Mills)
Basalt outcrop in Wadi Jizzi, Oman (Photo by Christopher Spencer)
Folds from Basque, France (Photo by Yaqub Shah)
Horst and Graben Structure in Zanjan, Iran (Photo by Amazhda)
AUSTRALIAN BOULDER OPAL This Australian Boulder Opal specimen is from member Kathy Clarke’s collection.
This opal was first discovered in a small town called BLACKALL in central
Queensland, Australia in 1869. Many discoveries were made during the 1870’s but
it wasn’t until the 1890’s when boulder opal was introduced in Europe, and has
gradually gained its name and its value in the gem industry. Learn more about this
rare rock: www.gemstory.com.au/boulder-opal-history.html
P.O. Box 1672
Paso Robles, CA 93447