Program:   A Short Videotape The History of a Quartz Crystal (courtesy of Sue Casler) that deals with quartz collecting in Arkansas. The video will be followed by the CMLMS Holiday Party, with rock-related gift exchange (bring a wrapped gift to get one - maximum valuation $5), rocky Carol singing, and consumption of holiday treats.
During the business meeting, we will be electing and installing officers for 2009.
Location & Time: The CMLMS November Meeting will be held at 7:30 pm at the North School, 333 E. Miller Rd, Lansing, MI. Please get there a little early to help set up.

CMLMS Calendar for January 2009
2nd week of January 2009        Board Meeting-7:00 pm at the Okemos Library
January 15, 2009            Membership Meeting at North School

Roster Secretary
 Message from Roster Secretary Ernie Aughenbaugh: Dues are now being collected for 2009.


Club News
Due to the increasing cost of meeting space, the Board has CANCELLED the January “Field Trip” (potluck lunch and games). If you would like to do this type of “field trip” at some other point in the year, please contact the Vice President for 2009. Also, if you know of cheap (less than $100/half day) please let the 2009 President know about it.
The Show Board (everyone who is interested in the next Annual Show) will meet in January 2009. Our October 2008 Show will be reviewed, and the budget for the 2009 Show will be developed for review by the Board in February 2009. Please contact Roger Laylin (Show Chair) if you are interested in participating in the Show Board.
Cara Miller, Jenny Martin, and Elaine Angstman conducted a day of Petosky Stone polishing for the third grade classes at the Atwood School in Lansing on November 21, 2008. They also talked about the CMLMS.
Please send any newsletter items to Elaine Beane at (gebeane@comcast.net). The deadline for each issue is five days after the monthly Board meeting.
Check the MWF News for more shows to attend this winter.
www.amfed.org/mwf.

Places to Go and Things to Do
Jan 1-31: Laughlin, Nevada. Annual Cloud’s Jamboree Show. Avi Convention Center outdoor and indoor vendors. Open 10-6 daily. Contact www.avicasino.com.
Jan 1-Feb 28: Quartzsite, Arizona. Desert Gardens 9th Annual International Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show.     I-10 at Exit 17. Free admission and parking.
Jan 10-11: Deland, Florida. Tomoka Gem & Mineral Society. Volusia County Fairgrounds. Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Contact www.tomokagms.com,
Jan 16-18: Largo, Florida. Pinellas Geological Society. Largo Cultural Center. Fri 10-6, Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5. Contact Hugh Sheffield, 727-894-6862.
Jan 21-25: Quartzsite, Arizona. 42nd QIA Gem & Mineral Show. Free admission and more than 400 vendors.    Open 7-7 daily. Contact www.qiaaz.org.
Jan 24-25: Venice, Florida. Gulf Coast Mineral, Fossil & Gem Club. Venice Community Center 300 S. Nokomis Ave. Sat 10-6, Sun 10-4. Contact Ralph Marble, 941-922-2135.
Feb 12-15: Tucson, Arizona. Tucson Gem & Mineral Society Annual Show. Tucson Convention Center, downtown. Thu through Sun 10-6. Contact www.tgms.org.

Time to Start Thinking About Field Trips
Where would you like to go for Field Trips in 2009?
Back to the LaFarge Quarry in Alpena, Michigan?
Up to the Upper Peninsula to the Ishpeming Show and Field Trips in August?
Up all the way to the Keweenaw Peninsula for the Copper Country Mineral Retreat in August?
Over to Hamilton, Ontario to the Dundas Quarry (also owned by LaFarge)?
Down to collecting sites in Indiana or Ohio?
If you have ideas, please talk to Dan Sine, Field Trip Chair. We may be able to join other clubs for some of these locations. Now is the time to plan for Spring and Summer!
Other clubs are also planning “Basement Field Trips”, where club members host other members so that collections may be seen and/or sorted. If you think hosting such a field trip would be an interesting thing to do, check with Dan and see if other club members are interested (make them bring the refreshments!).

Interesting Internet Websites with Collecting Information
One good way to imagine spring and summer fieldtrips is to get prepared for actually going on one! It really is not enough to just throw on your jacket and go. It is also a good idea to get home again -- with you and your specimens in good condition. Here are a few websites with useful information on rock-hounding and how to look like you have experience, even when you don’t.

From the Rockpick Legend Co in Utah: http://www.rocks4u.com/rockhounding.htm. This site has very practical information on what to take with you to make rockhounding a rewarding and survivable experience. Their list of what to take includes:
First Aid Kit, Spare Tire & Tools to Change a Flat, Gas, Water, Toilet Paper, Garbage Bags, Hand Lens, Identification Guide, Maps & Guide Books, Notebook & Pencil, Rock Hammer & Sheath, Chisels, Safety Goggles, Garden Trowel, Round Point Shovel & Hoe, Specimen Containers, A Buddy, Food, Medications, Hat & Sunscreen, Camping Gear, and Patience & Common Sense.
You can’t get much more practical than that.

Excerpts from Introduction to Fossil Collection © 1994, by Glen J. Kuban: http://paleo.cc/kpaleo/equip.htm. This site prepares you for rockhounding in temperate climates, and has some advice for serious collectors.

From Rockhounding Arkansas: http://www.rockhoundingar.com: This site has lots of information, including a List of links to other sites (add to the address above:  /linklist.html)
Collecting Tools and how to use them (add to the address above:  /pebblepups/tools.html)
Managing a Collection (add to the address above:  /collection.html)
o    Getting serious with your collection
o    Importance of labels
o    Sizes of collectable minerals
o    Trimming specimens
o    Cleaning minerals
o    Displaying your minerals
o    Since you can’t take it with you.
If you are beginning to feel that the rocks are taking over the house, the garage, the barn, and the yard, this last website could be very helpful. At least you’ll know you are not alone!