www.Facebook.com/DelAirRockhounds
Member of the California & American Federation of Mineralogical Societies
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7618, Van Nuys, CA 91409
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
The Del Air Rockhounds Club Welcomes You!!
www.Facebook.com/DelAirRockhounds
Member of the California & American Federation of Mineralogical Societies
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7618, Van Nuys, CA 91409
July 2025 Del-Air Calendar of Events
Thursday July 3: NO GENERAL MEETING - OUR DARK MONTH
Friday July 4: Independence Day
Saturday July 12: Wrightwood Potluck Field Trip - Paid Members Only
Thursday July 17: Board Meeting - 7:00 pm at Shellie Van Winkle's home. NOTE: 30 minutes earlier
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Beginning in August 2025, our general meeting start time will be changed from 7:30 pm to 7:00 pm. 30 minutes earlier! Please make note of this change so as to not arrive late. Our monthly board meeting will also start 30 minutes earlier, at 7:00 pm, beginning with the July board meeting on Thursday July 17, 2025 at Shellie Van Winkle's home.
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August 2025 Program:
Annual Ice Cream, Bingo & Summer Show & Tell
It's that time of year to once again celebrate the return from our summer break with our annual Ice Cream Bingo Social & Summer Finds Show and Tell. Come join us for some delicious ice cream and a few rousing games of bingo for fabulous prizes. Don't forget to bring in those special rockhound items you found or purchased during your travels and share with the group.
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August's Rocks of the Month are Peridot, Sardonyx and Spinel
Peridot, Spinel and Sardonyx are all birthstones for the month of August. It will be fun to see what our membership can come up with this month to share with the group.
SHOP DAY REPORT
June 7th and it was Shop Day at Jeff’s… New and not so new members worked with some different tools for the first time and finished some very nice cabs, slabs, jewelry items and more. We all had a good time talking to each other and working on rock. Thanks to Jeff for letting us gather at his home for this event. Members who took advantage of this shop day were: Debbie Schoenmann, Dan & Diana Durfee, Joe Mastro, Dr. Oh, Dean Tran, Olga Wolf and Alexander Tran. Jeff Dengrove and Maxine & Bob Dearborn helped with the projects. A Fun Day With Rock!!!
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July 2025 Field Trip - For Paid Members Only
Our Annual Wrightwood, CA Pot-Luck & Field Trip Saturday, July 12 - 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
It's once again, that time of year, for our annual pot-luck/field trip to Wrightwood, CA for actinolite, schist, marble and possibly even lepidolite and rhodonite. Shellie has again volunteered her vacation home as our staging grounds and potluck site for this not to be missed event. Not only is it our annual event, it is also the annual Wrightwood Mountaineering Days Festival held in downtown Wrightwood less than a mile down the street from Shellie's home. A second fun event to partake in on this Saturday afternoon. So, bring your potluck main dish, side dish or dessert with enough to feed 6-8 people along with your rock hammer and a bag or box to tote your finds home in. Coffee and tea will be provided along with pastries for breakfast but please bring your own soft drinks or bottled water. Please take pictures while at this event and submit them to Chris Ward for inclusion in the club bulletin. Remember, we have no general meeting in July but there will be a July bulletin further reminding you of this event. It is about a 90 minute drive from the Valley. Please use your Google Maps or other GPS to get you there. It is a very easy drive. Hope to see you all there.
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Tuesday, May 27, 2025
June 2025 Del-Air Calendar of Events
Thursday June 5: General Meeting
Saturday June 7: Shop Day - This Event For Paid Members Only
Friday June 13: Burbank Nature Center Talk
Sunday June 15: Father's Day
Thursday June 19: Board Meeting
Friday June 20: First Day of Summer
Saturday June 21: DWP Summer Solstice Festival
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June 2025 Program: Turquoise & Southwestern Pueblo Jewelry
Presented by: Maxine & Bob Dearborn
Members, Maxine & Bob Dearborn, will give a little history on Turquoise used in the Southwest Pueblo’s and what to look for in Fake and Treated Turquoise. They will also look at the different styles of jewelry made in some of the different pueblos. A program that will include a number of jewelry specimens to look at.
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June's Rocks of the Month: Pearl, Alexandrite & Moonstone
Pearl, alexandrite and moonstone are all birthstones for the month of June. It will be fun to see what our membership can come up with this month to share with the group.
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Education Team Report:
Our club Youth Education Outreach Program was very busy this month. At one point, our members talked at a 4th grade event, and went to our club general meeting that same evening. Then the very next morning we talked at a 5th grade event and then, that same evening, ran a school booth. A very busy time for sure! We also had an educational booth at the CFMS show on Saturday and Sunday. Then finishing up the month, we had another school booth to run. WOW! WE DID GOOD! Members who helped with all of this club activity were Bob Knox, Shellie VanWinkle, Bernadette Friedman, Pam Abbott, Diana Durfee, Dan Farber, Jeff Dengrove and Maxine & Bob Dearborn! We were tired when it was all over, but we talked to many people about our club and rockhounding. And, we still have 2 more events scheduled in June!
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July 2025 Field Trip Teaser: - This Event For Paid Members Only
Our Annual Wrightwood, CA Pot-Luck & Field Trip Saturday, July 12 - 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
It's once again, that time of year, for our annual pot-luck/field trip to Wrightwood, CA for actinolite, schist, marble and possibly even lepidolite and rhodonite. Shellie has again volunteered her vacation home as our staging grounds and pot-luck site for this not to be missed event. Not only is it our annual event, it is also the annual Wrightwood Mountaineering Days Festival held in downtown Wrightwood. A second fun event to partake in on this Saturday afternoon. So, bring your pot-luck main dish, side dish or dessert with enough to feed 6-8 people along with your rock hammer and a bag or box to tote your finds home in. Coffee and tea will be provided along with pastries for breakfast but please bring your own soft drinks or bottled water. Please take pictures while at this event and submit them to Chris Ward for inclusion in the club bulletin. Remember, we have no general meeting in July but there will be a July bulletin further reminding you of this event. It is about a 90 minute drive from the Valley. Please use your Google Maps or other GPS to get you there. It is a very easy drive. Hope to see you all there.
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News of Upcoming Shows:
June 7-8, 2025 – Escondido, CA
Palomar Gem and Mineral Club
The California Center for the Arts, The Museum, 340 N, Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92035
Hours: Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM, Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM
The Cal Arts Museum is a beautiful place with great lighting, clean bathrooms and generous galleries. There are many great restaurants in Old Town Escondido directly across the street. Also 5 banks with ATMs are a 1-2 block walk from the Cal Arts Center. Admission for adults is $5.00, children under 12 free. Enjoy a large free parking lot. So, if you do not have time to go to Quartzsite or Tucson, come and visit Escondido and shop locally at the show that is rapidly becoming the premier gem and mineral show in Southern California. Contact: (425) 281-6218, tonifloyd41615@gmail.com
Website: http://palomargem.org
June 14, 2025 – Bellflower, CA
Delvers Gem & Mineral Society
Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church, 14515 Blaine Ave., Bellflower, CA 90706
Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM
Rock and Lapidary Extravaganza – Parking Lot Sale
Website: https://delversgemclub.wordpress.com/
June 28-29, 2025 – Culver City, CA
Culver City Rock & Mineral Club
Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA 90230
Hours: Saturday 10 AM-6 PM, Sunday 10 AM-5 PM
Festival of Gems Show – Featured Gem – Fluorite
Club Exhibits, Dealers, Demonstrations, Classes, Jewelry, Rocks, Minerals, Fossils, Games for kids, Books, and Tools. Our club aims to introduce to the public the joys of collecting rocks and minerals, the art of lapidary, silversmithing, and jewelry making.
Contact: culvercityrocks35@gmail.com - Website: https://culvercityrocks.org/fiesta/
August 1-3, 2025 – Nipomo, CA
Orcutt Mineral Society
Nipomo High School, 525 N. Thompson Ave., Nipomo, CA 93444
Hours: Friday 10 AM – 5 PM, Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM, Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM
57th Rock and Gem Show. Over 60 dealers and 13 inside dealers
Contact: (805) 929-2783, nipomocowgirl55@yahoo.com
Website: www.oms-inc.org
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June 7-8, 2025 - Save the Date! The Autry Museum in Griffith Park 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Immerse yourself in a vibrant showcase of Native American art, performances, and cultural experiences. Connect with Native artists from across North America and shop for unique art, jewelry, pottery, and more. Discover the rich heritage of the Tongva peoples and California's Indigenous history through engaging displays and activities. Stay tuned for more details and get ready to experience a weekend filled with unforgettable moments. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Tuesday, April 22, 2025
May 2025 Del-Air Rockhounds Calendar of Events
Thursday May 1: General Meeting 7:30 pm in our meeting room at Northridge United Methodist Church.
Sat & Sun May 10 & 11: CFMS Show & Convention
Sunday May 11: Mother's Day
Thursday May 15: Board Meeting
Monday May 26: Memorial Day
Saturday May 31: Soft Stone Carving Class (Paid Members Only)
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May 2025 Program: Fluorescent Minerals
Presented by: Austin Lippincott
Austin Lippincott began teaching physics and engineering at Oak Park High School during the 2020-21 school year, after earning a physics degree from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and a teaching credential through Western Governors University. Come join Austin this month at our general meeting for a fascinating look at the wonders and oddities of fluorescent minerals.
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May's Rock of the Month is: Any Fluorescent Rock
Fluorite, calcite, and adamite are common minerals that fluoresce, but it's not uncommon for ruby, kunzite, diamond, opal, zektzerite, sodalite, selenite, topaz and more to often react beautifully with UV light. So, in honor of our guest speaker this month, bring in your fluorescent minerals and your UV lights to share your glowing specimens with the group.
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May 2025 Field Trip: CFMS Show & Convention
Friday, May 9 – Show Set-up - noon to 6 pm Saturday, May 10 - Show Open: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM Sunday, May 11 - Show Open: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM Antelope Valley Fairgrounds - 2551 W Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536
Join us for the 2025 CFMS Show in conjunction with the AV Gem & Mineral Club's annual show to be held at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds Saturday May 9 and Sunday May 11, 2025. The CFMS portion of this event features exhibits, Cracker Barrel with a Silent Auction and a banquet for CFMS member attendees. The Antelope Valley Gem & Mineral Club's portion of this event will include vendors, exhibits, kids activities, demonstrations and more. The Del-Air Rockhounds will be displaying our Volcano and Sedimentary rock displays and we sure could use your help in setting up and working the booth during this show. Please see Bob Knox or the Dearborns to let them know you are willing to volunteer your time to work our show booth. It will be most appreciated and you'll have a great time.
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Upcoming Local Shows & Events:
Support our sister club, the Delvers Gem & Mineral Society. Attend their annual show in June.
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Tuesday, March 25, 2025
April 2025 Del-Air Rockhounds Calendar of Events
Thursday April 3: General Meeting
7:30 pm in our regular meeting room at Northridge United Methodist Church.
Saturday April 12: Passover Begins at Sunset
Thursday April 17: Board Meeting
Sunday April 20: Easter
Tuesday April 22: Earth Day
Saturday & Sunday April 26 & 27: Lavic Siding Field Trip - Paid Members Only
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April 2025 Program:
Here and There in the Solar System: Driving and Flying on Mars
Presented by Neil A. MottingerNeil grew up in the 50’s on a small family farm southwest of Chicago, near Joliet, Illinois. During his junior year of high school his mother arranged for him to look through a neighboring farm lad’s home-built telescope. Unknowingly, that set the course for an interest in space that ultimately found him at JPL in deep space navigation in 1967. He worked in a group dedicated to improving the accuracy of deep space navigation. He supported many of the missions to Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune as well as Lunar unmanned and manned missions, starting with NASA’s Apollo 8. He’s also supported international navigation teams in Europe, Japan, and India, including the 2023 Indian south pole lunar lander. Also supported at JPL were the first US Mars Orbiter, Mariner IX November 1971, and the first successful landings on Mars by the Viking the more recently Mars Rovers Curiosity (2012), Perseverance (2021) and InSIght lander (2018) navigation teams. Neil and his wife, Debbie, live in La Crescenta. He is active in the La Canada Presbyterian Church as a 42-year (charter) member of the hand bell choir and a practicing Stephen Minister for 28 years. He was an astronomy major with a math and physics minor at the University of Illinois, Urbana, 1966, with a master’s degree in systems Analysis from West Coast University, 1971.
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April's Rock of the Month is Jasper
Courtesy Geologyln.com Jasper is a form of micro-granular quartz (Silicon Dioxide - SiO2) and/or cryptocrystalline chalcedony and other mineral phases. It's typically opaque and comes in various colors like red, yellow, brown, or green, with red color often due to iron inclusions.
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Welcome to our Newest Member
The Del-Air Rockhounds wish to welcome our newest member, Phylis Wheeler, who was voted in unanimously at our March 2025 general meeting. Welcome Phylis to the Del-Air Family!
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April Field Trip - Lavic Siding - Paid Members Only
Saturday & Sunday April 26 & 27, 2025 Sign up Sheet at the April Meeting
Courtesy Google ImagesLavic Siding is an old railroad siding and associated hamlet in San Bernardino County, California, known for its alluvial deposits of volcanic rocks, including jasper and agate, that are sought after by rockhounds. If you ask any rockhound where the Mojave's most colorful jasper can be found, Lavic Siding will be on the short list. For decades, rockhounds have driven across the tracks and down the Lavic Lake road to access this remarkable location. Red, yellow and orange jasper with blue and white quartz stringers is still found in profusion as float in this spot. Have your rock hammers and spray bottles at the ready. More details as well as a sign up sheet at the April general meeting.
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May 2025 Field Trip Teaser -CFMS Show & Convention
Friday, May 9 – Exhibit Set-up & Judging (not open to the general public) Saturday, May 10 - Show Open: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM Sunday, May 11 - Show Open: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Antelope Valley Fairgrounds - 2551 W Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536
Join us for the 2025 CFMS Convention, held at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds from May 9-11, 2025. We are holding this alongside the Antelope Valley Gem & Mineral Club’s annual show. The CFMS portion of this event features exhibits, Cracker Barrel with a Silent Auction and a banquet for CFMS member attendees. The Antelope Valley Gem & Mineral Club's portion of this event will include vendors, exhibits, kids activities, demonstrations and more. Don’t miss this chance to connect with fellow rockhounds and mineral enthusiasts!
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EMERY BOARDS
I feel the key to getting a lustrous polish on your jewelry work is having a good selection of sandpaper handy for pre-polishing before going to the buffer. I generally start around 400 grit and then go to 800 and 1200. While some projects do require sheets of sandpaper, my favorite way of sanding small jewelry items is to use emery boards, the ones you use for doing your nails. I like the ones with a thin foam
core. They have enough resistance to sand the high points off a flat surface and yet give a little when you're trying to smooth off a curved surface. These nail boards are inexpensive and come in a variety of grits. Some grits are so fine they give an almost finished surface. Pick up a few at a beauty supply company, at your local drug store, or from Amazon.
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