We meet the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM in the basement of the United Methodist Church of Monrovia. The church is located at 140 East Palm Avenue in Monrovia. Our entrance is nearest the corner of Ivy and Palm Avenues at the west end of the building and has handicapped access. Please, do not try to enter from the front of the building. Guests are always welcome at our general meetings. Please come and share our love of rocks.
May 15, 2008: Fred Elsnow on Microminerals. A very informative talk that includes lots of wonderful pictures. Did you know that often the best crystals are micros? Come and see if this is true
June 19, 2008: Dr. George Rossman We have asked Dr. Rossman to talk on the following: As opposed to hardness, streak, density, color, etc what decision tree and tools do you (at CalTech) commonly use today. What analysis equipment (Raman and other devices), tables of comparison for absorption or other, sample sizes and what preparation do you use. What are the costs (initial capital, recurring/preparation) to do the analyses and how long does it take. In other words, what has changed in the past 50 years in mineral identification? Take us through the history of what was the "best/greatest" at that time. What can amateurs do to improve their analysis and minimize their mis-identification? Side subjects could be: what makes color occur in otherwise colorless crystals and microcrystaline minerals-both physical and chemical causes? What has happened in the discoveries of Painite since updating your website? New techniques in mineral analysis/sensing? Others?
Dr. Rossman is a Professor of Mineralogy; Divisional Academic Officer for Geological and Planetary Sciences. His areas of expertise are mineralogy, spectroscopy, color, trace hydrogen in solids. He is an excellent speaker and teacher (having been awarded the Feynman Prize for teaching excellence (3/12/2004).
July 17, 2008:
August 21, 2008:
September 18, 2008: is the Silent Auction. You NEVER want to miss this one! Things usually available are rocks, geodes, minerals, jewelry, books, white elephant items, pies, cakes, plants. What is available depends upon what is brought. An excellent opportunity all around.
October 16, 2008
November 20, 2008
December 18, 2008: is the Christmas Party. This party will be held at our normal meeting place at the Methodist Church. This is a pot luck with the club furnishing the drinks, paper plates, cups, plastic eating utensils. Members are to bring a main course plus a side dish (salad, vegetable, desert), Don't forget the serving utensils. A special program is being scheduled. Santa (or a helper or two) will give out any gifts placed under the Christmas Tree.