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