The Del Air Rockhounds Club Welcomes You!!

www.Facebook.com/DelAirRockhounds

The Del-Air Rockhounds Club was founded in 1954 with members mostly residing in the San Fernando Valley area of California. Our club is a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing knowledge of the lapidary arts and techniques, geology, mineralogy and related fields. We own our own lapidary equipment with members available to teach and demonstrate lapidary techniques to other members. Our members enjoy lapidary related programs, demonstrations, exhibitions, displays and lectures. We also take monthly field trips to our local deserts & mountains for exploration and the study and collection of lapidary and mineral specimens.

Member of the California & American Federation of Mineralogical Societies

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7618, Van Nuys, CA 91409 

February 2025 Del-Air Rockhounds Club Calendar of Events

Thursday February 6: General Meeting-7:30 pm in our regular meeting room

Friday February 14: Valentine's Day

Monday February 17: President's Day

Thursday February 20: Board Meeting

Sunday February 23: UCLA Meteorite Museum Field Trip

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January 2025 Program:                                                                                                                   Presented by Kai Kalma

                                                                                                              

Marine Monsters in the Mesozoic

 

Come join us in February and learn about the different marine species that evolved during the Mesozoic period such as the pakicetus, mosasaurs, ichthyosaurs, early whales and other coastal environments during that time.

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February's Rock of the Month is Agate

Beginning in February and continuing throughout 2025, we will be showcasing a 'Rock of the Month'. We ask members and guests to bring in your specimens of the rock of the month to share with the group. Look to this page each month to learn what the featured rock will be. An enlightened club member will provide a brief, informative talk on the selected rock each month.

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February Field Trip - Paid Members Only

Sunday February 23, 2025 - Meet-up time 10:30 am in Parking Structure 2

                             February's field trip will bring us to the UCLA Meteorite Museum for a private tour led by the museum director exclusively for the Del-Air Rockhounds and their guests. The Meteorite Museum is located in room 3697 of the Geology Building on the UCLA campus. 595 Charles E. Young Dr. East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095. There is an $8.00 fee to park. This is a field trip not to be missed!

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March 2023 Field Trip Teaser- Paid Members Only

                                                                                  More details and meet-up time and place will be in our March bulletin. Our field trip will be on Saturday March 8 but, if you are so inclined, you are welcome to attend the entire event as there are dry camping spots and restrooms available.

VICTOR VALLEY GEM AND MINERAL CLUB invites you to their 49th Annual Stoddard Wells Rockhound Tailgate Victorville, California Friday through Sunday, March 7, 8, and 9th 2025 - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Come visit us for Handcrafted and Faceted Jewelry, Slabs and Cabs; Findings and Equipment; Minerals and Fossils; TONS of Rough Material and lots of surprises.

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Upcoming Gem Shows

Come support our sister clubs, the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society and the Conejo Gem & Mineral Club, by attending their annual shows on March 1 & 2, and April 12 & 13 2025 respectively. Always a fun time!

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January 2025 Del Air Rockhounds Calendar of Events

Thursday January 9: General Meeting - 1 Week Later Than Usual

Monday January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Thursday January 23: Board Meeting - 1 Week Later Than Usual

Saturday January 25: Annual Del-Air Whale Bone Trip - For Paid Members Only!

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January 2025 Program:

                                                                                                              Coprolite-What is it? Where Can You Find It? What Do You Do With It?

Presented by Maxine Dearborn & Bob Knox

Come join Maxine Dearborn and Bob Knox as they explore the wonderful world of poop! Fossilized poop, that is! Or, more accurately, Coprolite. See the many different specimens they have collected and learn about their origins, sizes, shapes and more. Also on display will be a very large specimen owned by club member Kai Kalma that he found in Green River, Utah which contains fossilized dinosaur bones that tells us this coprolite came from a meat eating predator. A fun presentation not to be missed.

*************************************************************************** January's Rock of the Month is Agate

Beginning in January and continuing throughout 2025, we will be showcasing a 'Rock of the Month'. We ask members and guests to bring in your specimens of the rock of the month to share with the group. Look to this page each month to learn what the featured rock will be. An enlightened club member will provide a brief, informative talk on the selected rock each month.

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Congratulations to our 2025 Board of Directors President: Jeff Dengrove

Vice President: Aileen Beckers

2nd Vice President: Dan Farber

Secretary: Bob Dearborn

Treasurer: Shellie Van Winkle

Federation Director: Bob Knox

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Upcoming Club Events:

February 28, 2025 - Chatsworth Park Elementary School - Starry Night Science Corner of Topanga Cyn. Blvd. and Devonshire Ave. setup 4:30 pm runs 5:30 to 8:00pm - Spin Wheel, pre Dino Animals, sellable stuff, touch & feel, edu game and more.                                                                                March 7, 2025 - Tulsa Street Elementary School - Starry Science Nite 10900 Hayvenhurst Ave., Granada Hills, CA - setup 4:30 pm -  runs 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm Spin a Wheel, pre Dino Animals, sellable stuff, touch & feel, edu game and more.

March 27, 2025 - Apperson Street Elementary School - 10233 Woodward Ave., Sunland, CA 91040 Classroom Talk - 3rd Grade 8:30 - 9:25 & 9:30 - 10:25

April 4, 2025 - Vintage Magnet School - NASA Steam Night 15848 Stare St, North Hills, CA 91343 setup 4:30 pm -  runs 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm - Spin a Wheel, pre Dino Animals, sellable stuff, touch & feel, edu. game and more.

April 10, 2025 - Apperson Street Elementary School - 10233 Woodward Ave., Sunland, CA 91040 Classroom Talk - 5th Grade. 9:30 - 10:30 & 10:55 - 12:00

May 9, 10, 11, 2025 - CFMS Show - Antelope Valley Fairgrounds - set up May 8; Runs May 9-11 Volcano & Sedimentary Displays, touch and feel rocks and edu. game.

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Del-Air Field Trip Information and Rules

The field trip leader is in charge of your safety. Please follow directions! To be safe, stay in view of the vehicles when possible. Do not wander off from the group without the leader knowing. Do not depart from the field trip without informing the leader. Be sure your gas tank is full prior to arriving at the meet-up location. Gas is not available in the desert. Sign liability release upon arrival at the meet-up location. Please include emergency contact info, name and phone number. Arrive on time, no one wants to wait for late arrivals. Call the leader if you are running late. What to bring: Water Food, if you want to eat, Collecting bag or bucket Gloves Rock hammer or similar tool Sunscreen. Dress in layers. Be aware, many collecting locations have NO cell service. Stay in caravan order while proceeding as a group to collecting sites. Generally, a time period for each location is decided by the leader. Listen for a car horn to know it is time to get back to your car. If you are not sure, ASK!

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2025 Quartzsite Info:

Desert Gardens - Jan 1 to Feb 28 Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show - Jan 3 to 12 Pow Wow Show - Jan 15 to 19 Tyson Wells Sell-A Rama - Jan 17 to 26 RV Show - Jan 18 to 26

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Come support our sister club, the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, by attending their annual show on March 1 & 2, 2025 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

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