www.Facebook.com/DelAirRockhounds
Member of the California & American Federation of Mineralogical Societies
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7618, Van Nuys, CA 91409
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
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
Del-Air Rockhounds Club T-Shirts & Tote Bags
Del-Air club t-shirts and tote bags are now live and ready to order on Amazon. They are only available to order through the following two links.
T-shirts: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GSDXH4NT
Tote Bags: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GSDBKDX5
They are not available by searching directly on amazon.com. Once you click on the links, it works just like any other Amazon order. If you are a Prime member, shipping is free. Returns are accepted. The shirts are available in mens, womens, and junior styles with 27 colors to choose from and a wide variety of sizes from small to XXXLT and beyond. The tote bags are a great size with our logo on both sides and are of high quality. They'll be great to carry your rocks in on club field trips. Pricing is very affordable so check them out and order your swag today!
Del-Air Rockhounds May 2026 Calendar of Events
Thursday May 7: General Meeting
Sunday May 10: Mother's Day
Sunday May 17: Wire Wrapping Class - Paid Members Only
Thursday May 21: Board Meeting
Monday May 25: Memorial Day
***********************************************************
May 2026 Program: "The Mines of Minas Gerais, Brazil"
Presented by: Paolo Sanchez
This month’s presentation, by Pasadena Lapidary Society member Paolo Sanchez, focuses on the famed mineral-rich districts of Minas Gerais, Brazil, following his June 2025 expedition to this region. Paolo spent two and a half weeks exploring gem and lithium-rich pegmatites of grand proportions as part of his research to understand how the melting ancient ocean floor could contribute to the creation of these deposits. This talk will touch upon historic gem mining in the area as well as an international rush for lithium and industrial minerals happening today, with a focus on the mining districts of Linopolis, Araçuai, and Diamantina.
*****************************************************
May 2026 Rock of the Month: Pyrite
Our May rock of the month is Pyrite. Bring in your samples of this beautiful iron sulfide mineral to our May meeting and share them with the group.
****************************************************
Del-Air Rockhounds 2nd Quarter Shop Class - Paid Members Only
Wire Wrapping with Debbie Schoenmann
Sunday May 17, 2026, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm at Bob & Maxine Dearborn's Home
SUPPLY FEE - $10.00
There will be spaces available for 10 people.
Contact Maxine Dearborn to hold your space.
Please PAY OUR TREASURER - Shellie Van Winkle at the May Meeting to hold your space. A light lunch will be served while you work on your project.
*****************************************************
Report on Rock Sale Saturday April 18, 2026:
WHAT A ROCK SALE! Our club had its advertised rock sale and it was a BIG ONE! 40% of our membership was involved in this project either by advertising, helping to set-up, running the sale, helping take down or just by being there talking to us and our customers. We had other club rockhounds ready to look at our rocks and slabs way before we were ready to open up. So, we just said “the rocks are on the ground, take a look.” And boy, did they! And they bought, too! The rocks got hot in the sun, so we hit them with water and the sale kept going. The purpose of this sale was to dispose of all the club rock stored at Bob Knox’s house and we probably moved 75% of them to other peoples houses. The balance will be taken care of very soon. WE DID GOOD! And we put a little into our coffers at the same time. THE DEL AIR CLUB WISHES TO THANK ALL OUR MEMBERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS CLUB EVENT AND TO THOSE WHO BROUGHT THE GOODIES FOR US TO SNACK ON THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
****************************************************
June 2026 Field Trip Teaser: - Paid Members Only
Natural History Museum - Unearthed: Raw Beauty Exhibit
10 am Saturday June 27, 2026
Come join us and experience Unearthed: Raw Beauty, a one-of-a-kind exhibition featuring some of the largest and rarest mineral specimens ever to be displayed in their natural, uncut form, with some on view for the first time. The specimens, including many from the museum's own collection, are truly magnificent in scale and create an otherworldly experience. Parking is $20 so the club recommends carpooling to help save money. Aileen Beckers will provide info on admission costs and full parking details at the May general meeting. Hope to see you all there.
***************************************************
March 28th - A Great Day For The Del-Air Rockhounds:
Our club participated in the annual DWP Spring Equinox again this year and we had a great time. The DWP provided us with the same booth location as in the past few years with a canopy, table, and 2 chairs. We brought our own extra canopies and tables to make a really nice booth. We displayed many dinosaur fossil items to talk about, had our free educational game, a touch and feel area and a good display of items for sale. There was a Native American Ceremony to open the event, then guests were able to walk around and visit the many non-profit booths in the area. The attendance may not have been as high as in the past, but we were very busy talking about rocks and fossils to many people. We had a good time for the three hours that the event was open. Club members who helped set up, talk to guests and take down the booth were: Jeff Dengrove, Bob Knox, Sandy Lee, Pam Abbott, Shellie VanWinkle, Bernadette Friedman, Dan Farber and his friend Alex, Maxine & Bob Dearborn. Club member Louise Ratliff was working in a booth for California Native Plants directly across from us and we could wave back and forth.
*****************************************************
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
April 2026 Del-Air Rockhounds Calendar of Events
Thursday April 2: General Meeting
Sunday April 5: Easter
Thursday April 16 - Board Meeting
Saturday April 18: Del-Air Rock Sale
Wednesday April 22: Earth Day
**********************************************************
Welcome New Members: Scott & Aimee McNatt
To The Del-Air Rockhounds Club!
**********************************************************
April 2026 Program: “Fluorites”
Presented by: Kai Kalma
This month’s program will be on “Fluorites” presented by club member, Kai Kalma. He will present specimens from his personal collection and talk about their formation and some of the more famous locations where they can be found. A presentation not to be missed.
**********************************************************
April 2026 Rocks of the Month: Any Blue Rocks, Gems or Minerals
Our April rocks of the month are anything blue. Bring in any samples you may have of these beautiful blue stones to our April meeting and share them with the group.
**********************************************************
June 2026 Field Trip Teaser: Natural History Museum - Unearthed: Raw Beauty Exhibit
10 am Saturday June 27, 2026 - Paid Members Only
Come join us and experience Unearthed: Raw Beauty, a one-of-a-kind exhibition featuring some of the largest and rarest mineral specimens ever to be displayed in their natural, uncut form, with some on view for the first time. The specimens, including many from the museum's own collection, are truly magnificent in scale and create an otherworldly experience. Parking is $20 so the club recommends carpooling to help save money. Aileen Beckers will provide info on admission costs and full parking details at the April general meeting. Hope to see you all there.
**********************************************************
Friday, February 20, 2026
March 2026 Del-Air Rockhounds Calendar of Events
Thursday March 5: General Meeting
Sunday March 8: Daylight Savings Time Begin
Friday March 13 to Sunday March 15: Stoddard Wells Tailgating
Tuesday March 17: St Patrick's Day
Thursday March 19: Board Meeting
*********************************************************
March 2026 Program: “Colorful Condor Agates Argentina"
Presented by: Dick & Mary Pat Weber
This month’s program will be “The Colorful Condor Agates of Argentina” presented by Mary Pat Weber, geologist and mineral collector. She will present the amazing story of how these agates were discovered, lost, and re-discovered in a remote, inhospitable region high in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. Specimens of these beautiful agates from her personal collection will be on display along with other agate specimens from Argentina.
*********************************************************
March 2026 Rocks of the Month: Bloodstone & Aquamarine
**********************************************************
50th Annual Stoddard Wells Rockhound Tailgating Event:
March 13 through March 15, 2026
Hours: 9:00 - 5:00 Daily - Open Parking Lot
Address: Dale Evans Parkway & Stoddard Wells Rd., Apple Valley, CA
Website: https://vvgmc.org/tailgate.html
From I-15 northbound towards Barstow: Hwy 15 north thru Victorville! Exit right at 2nd Stoddard Wells Rd at Bell Mtn. Exit #157. Turn left/east at the ramp stop sign. Stay on Stoddard Wells Road for 4 miles until the next stop sign at Dale Evans Pkwy. Tailgate signs will be high on the NW corner power pole. Check the odometer here! Continue straight on Stoddard Wells Rd for 7 miles to the Tailgate. The road becomes a graded dirt road about 4 tenths of a mile from the Dale Evans Pkwy intersection. Proceed east/NE past Grange fork to the Tailgate site. Cars & RVs can make it with ease & care. There will be Tailgate signs along the route. See you there! Rain or shine, we’ll be there!
Sponsored by the Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Club.
**********************************************************
Welcome new members Linda Makuta and Paige Cohen to the Del-Air Rockhounds Club!
**********************************************************
CONEJO GEM AND MINERAL CLUB's 49TH ANNUAL SHOW:
PAGEANT OF A THOUSAND GEMS
Sat Apr 18, 10am-5pm - Sun Apr 19, 10am-4pm. Borchard Community Center 190 N. Reino Road, Thousand Oaks 91320
THE SHOW INCLUDES: Exhibits of mineral and rock collections, gems, jewelry; Silent Auction of rocks and minerals in the rough and fossils; Demonstrators of lapidary work; Youth Room with games & prizes; Plant sale; Hourly Raffle. FREE ENTRY & FREE PARKING
For more information about our Club, go to www.CGAMC.org
*********************************************************
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
February 2026 Del-Air Rockhounds Calendar of Events
Thursday February 5: General Meeting Saturday February 14: Valentine's Day Monday February 16: President's Day Thursday February 19: Board Meeting
*********************************************************
February 2026 Program: “Fairburn Agates”
Presented by: Austin Lippincott
Austin Lippincott is a prominent figure in the rockhounding community known for his expertise in and collection of Fairburn Agates, the state gemstone of South Dakota. Fairburn agates are highly sought after by collectors for their unique visual characteristics and rarity. Fortification Banding: Their most defining feature is sharp, angular fortification banding that distinguishes them from other types of agates. Prices can range significantly based on size and quality, with rare specimens selling for over $5,000. The current record-holder is valued at approximately $13,000. They are primarily found in southwestern South Dakota, notably the Kern agate beds east of Fairburn, and northwestern Nebraska. In most collecting areas, you do not have to dig at all, as Fairburn agates are primarily found on the surface. However, in specialized mining sites, pay layers can be found at depths ranging from just below the surface to approximately 6 feet deep.
**********************************************************
February 2026 Rock of the Month: Serpentine
Our February rock is Serpentine. Serpentine is a group of hydrous magnesium-rich silicate minerals that often appear green, mottled, or scaly, resembling snake skin. It is the state rock of California. Bring in any samples of serpentine you may have to our February meeting and share it with the group.
**********************************************************
Remaining 2026 Quartzsite Dates:
Desert Gardens - Jan 1 thru Feb 28
**********************************************************
CONEJO GEM AND MINERAL CLUB’S 49TH ANNUAL SHOW
PAGEANT OF A THOUSAND GEMS
WHEN: April Sat 18, 2026 , 10 am-5 pm - Sun 19, 10am-4pm.
WHERE: Borchard Community Center, 190 N. Reino Road, Thousand Oaks 91320
THE SHOW INCLUDES: Exhibits of mineral and rock collections, gems, jewelry; Silent Auction of rocks and minerals in the rough and fossils; Demonstrators of lapidary work; Youth Room with games & prizes; Plant sale; Hourly Raffle. FREE ENTRY & FREE PARKING. For more info go to www.CGAMC.org
**********************************************************
January 2026 Del-Air Rockhounds Calendar of Events
Thursday January 1: New Years Day Thursday January 8: General Meeting Thursday January 15: Board Meeting Saturday January 17: Shop Day - Paid Members Only Monday January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Saturday January 31: Whale Bone Field Trip
**************************************************
January 2026 Program: “Iceland: Land of the Unexpected”
Presented by: Keri Dearborn & Michael Lawshe
Volcanoes shaped by ice. Landscapes in a constant state of change. Fumaroles and bubbling thermal pools created by tectonic plates on the move. In 2024, Keri Dearborn and Michael Lawshe ventured to Iceland and discovered that not only is it a volcanic wonderland, it’s a land of the unexpected. Here, the North American Plate and the Eurasian Plate continue to pull away from each other, expanding Iceland and creating new islands where geologic processes are reshaping scientific thought. The unique geology influences wildlife and has shaped human culture for millennia. Within this world of glacial-carved basalt there are also pockets of surprising treasure–geodes, agate, quartz, jasper, and more. “We’re excited to share the amazing geology of Iceland in our new program. Iceland is beautiful, fascinating, and we never expected to find a one-of-a-kind rock shop.” Keri Dearborn is an author and environmental educator. She and her husband Michael Lawshé were members of the Del Air Rockhounds for over 30 years and have given programs on the Geological Wonders of the Channel Islands, Fossils of Santa Rosa Island, and Saving the Island Fox on CA’s Channel Islands.
**********************************************************
January 2026 Rock of the Month: Fossilized Whale Bone
In honor of our January field trip, this month's rock is fossilized whale bone. Bring in any samples of the marvelous fossilized bone you may have and share it with the group. This is a great chance to show new members, or those who have never been on this annual field trip, exactly what it is that we are hunting for.
**********************************************************
2026 Elected Club Officers:
President: Jeff Dengrove
Vice President: Aileen Beckers
2nd Vice President: Bernadette Friedman
Secretary: Bob Dearborn
Treasurer: Shellie Van Winkle
Federation Director: Diana Durfee
**********************************************************
January Field Trip Saturday January 31, 2026: Paid Members Only
It's the annual Del-Air Club Whale Bone Hunt at Refugio Beach in Goleta, CA. We will have a 10:00 am meet-up in the parking lot at Refugio Beach. Jeff Dengrove will be there with samples of what you will be looking for. Dress in layers and bring a picnic lunch and drinks as there are no stores in the immediate vicinity. Bring a bag or bucket to carry your finds in. This is always a popular and well-attended event. We hope to see you all there. Take the 101 freeway about 100 miles north to the Refugio Beach exit. There is a $10 parking fee.
**********************************************************
1st Quarter Shop Day: Paid Members Only
Saturday January 17, 2026 - 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
The Del-Air Club will have their first quarter shop day of 2026 on Saturday, January 17 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Jeff Dengroves's home. Bring the Malawi Agate you received at the Holiday party and we'll show you how to polish it. Please plan on arriving a bit early and staying a bit late to help set up and take down the equipment. Jeff Dengrove will be taking down names of those who wish to attend during our January general meeting.
**********************************************************
Crystal Tabby Field Trip Report - December 6th. 2025
The Del Air’s received an invitation from the Crystal Tabby Rock Wholesale Co. for its annual sales event. And members Jeff Dengrove, Dan Farber, Dr. Oh, Olga Wolf, Dean & Alex Tran, Bob & Maxine Dearborn, Martina & Rudy Rodriguez, Dennis Miller and Joe Mastro took advantage of this 1 day event. We went looking through the goodies many times and it never failed to see something very cool that was missed before. Like a carved rattlesnake out of really pretty agate that showed many colors under a black light! If you didn’t venture out for this special 1 day event you really missed a great trip! And YES we did purchase a couple items at this special wholesale price.
**********************************************************
Chatsworth Holiday Parade & Festival Report
Sunday December 14, 2025
Our club had a final educational booth for the year at the Chatsworth Holiday Festival. Members: Bob Knox, Rudy & Martina Rodriguez, Shellie VanWinkle, Jeff Dengrove, Pam Abbott, Dan Farber, Bernadette Friedman and Bob & Maxine Dearborn helped to set the booth up, run the booth and take it down almost in the dark. We had a good booth with a large Dino display and a volcano touch and feel area. Our free educational game was there and the spin a wheel, plus the sellable items. But, not many people were doing more than looking at our pretty stuff. We did talk to many about our displays, educational items and our club which is always good. A big thank you to all our members who helped this day!
**********************************************************
Desert Gardens - Jan 1 thru Feb 28
**********************************************************
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)