The Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club meets on the 4^th Monday of the month. All meetings are held at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, 1801 Mountain Road NW in Old Town, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The entrance is on 18^th Street. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Sandia Room on the 2^nd floor. There is a short business meeting prior to the evening’s presentation, which begins at approximately 8:00 p.m. The Junior Club meets at 6:30.

Dr. Axel Hungerbuehler is the curator of the Mesalands Community College Dinosaur Museum in Tucumcari, and is also a member of the Natural Sciences faculty at Mesalands CC. He is a specialist in the evolution of phytosaurs, extinct reptilians from the late Triassic that resembled modern crocodilians. He also recently led a field trip in Quay County that located and excavated a fossil ilium (hip bone) of an unidentified Triassic dinosaur.

The Dinosaur Museum has been open to the public since 2000 and is visited by approximately 14,000 people per year. One of the highlights of the displays in 10,000 square feet of exhibit space is a 40-foot-long skeleton of a Torvosaurus, an uncommon predatory dinosaur from the Jurassic resembling the later Cretaceous-era Tyrannosaurus. The Dinosaur Museum was the first facility in to world to put a Torvosaurus skeleton on display.

The exhibits also include the world’s largest collection of bronze replicas, skeletons and fossils of prehistoric creatures, created in the Mesalands Community College foundry and assembled by staff and community volunteers. A 1,300 square foot Museum Shop sells scientific and educational books, rocks, minerals, fossils, souvenirs, clothing and more. (Editor’s note: Sounds like a good place to visit…)

1) The Board of Directors has reviewed the budget and voted to keep membership dues at $20 per household for 2011. This is possible in large part because club members donate their time to do the things that need to get done at no cost to the club. Please keep this in mind as you read the rest of this article.

2) Barbara McDonough & Karen Moats have stepped up and are running the door prize/raffle at the September meeting but they are only available to do it this one month. We need someone to do next month (October) and beyond. The job is to show up a little early at the meetings to sell tickets, run the drawing at the end of the meeting, and turn in the money to the treasurer. If you can help with this for a month (or longer) contact me (contact info below and on last page).

3) Reminder, if you send club event photos to our historian Dave Moats with all of the who, what, when, where information he will enter it into the archives so that it is available to all, for all time.

4) A while back a club member suggested that we give scholarships to deserving members of the AGMC Junior Club. Initial checking with a CPA indicated that this wouldn't be a problem from a legal standpoint. The person that made the suggestion is unable to see this through so we need a committee (of one?) to come up with a proposal as how the details of this might be handled, e.g. what constitutes "deserving", how much money, how many recipients per year, when to present the scholarships, how do we handle the money until the recipients attend college, etc., etc., etc. If you have an interest in this, contact me.

5) The nominations committee has determined that we need 4 people to fill vacancies on the 2011 Board of Directors. These are: Vice President-Programs, Treasurer, Secretary, and Membership Chairperson. In a nutshell the VP-Programs secures speakers (or some other type of program) for the monthly general meetings and chairs meetings when the president cannot attend. The Treasurer keeps the financial records up to date, creates budgets, etc. The Secretary records the minutes of meetings, maintains files of minutes and other club records, etc. The Membership Chair creates new member packets, maintains records of current membership, obtains name badges, tries to make new members feel welcome, etc.

The nominating committee needs to come up with a slate of officers to present at the October 4th board meeting so if you can help out the club by filling a position please contact Grant Kuck, Hank Miller, Brian Anderson, or Alice Webb (see last page for contact info).

After the slate of officers has been approved by the Board, it will be presented to the membership at the October general meeting, where nominations from the floor for all elected positions will be accepted. The elections will be held at the November general meeting.

883-4195

el.chivo.viejo@earthlink.net

The August Jr. Club meeting was attended by at least 15 Rock Retrievers, with two new members joining.† Our meeting topic centered on preparations for the upcoming 2010 Expo New Mexico State Fair in September.† We had two very special guest speakers:† Jay Penn, our club President, who spoke about different qualities that make a nice mineral specimen; and Ray DeMark, AGMC member extraordinaire, who showed the kids how to label and display their collections.

For those Jr. members who have not earned their Rocks and Minerals merit badge, the meeting brought them one step closer to earning the badge by completing activity #1.3 – Building a Mineral Collection.†

We concluded the meeting with a discussion of what we might find on our upcoming Jr. Club field trip in September to the Rio Puerco – and also about the cool geology of the area.

The August AGMC field trip was to the Zuni Mountains southwest of Grants and to the Section 21 Mine. We had 29 members collect†at the rendezvous spot and made a short 4WD carpool to the site. Though the area has been recently reclaimed, everyone quickly found veins of fluorite by digging along the roadside or by the following the rock piles on the ridgeline. The fluorite ranged in color†from deep emerald green to dark blue to yellow to clear. Some members concentrated on finding octahedral crystals, others†lots of color, while others grabbed a yard rock or two. All and all it was a pleasant day without too much heat until mid-afternoon. Thanks to Suzanne Seymour and other Section 21 returnees for pointing everyone and their buckets in the right direction.

When Grant Kuck and I arrived at the Iron Creek Campground on Saturday, it was packed!

I probably should have expected that since it was Labor Day weekend, but I’ve never seen more than a couple of campers there in the past. Consequently, we went looking for another place to hole up for the night. (Apologies to anyone who expected to camp alongside us at Iron Creek.) But first, we wanted to make sure we could find the pull-off to the trailhead.

I thought I remembered the pull-off being just a couple of miles from Iron Creek so we drove slowly along looking for it. We passed the Upper Gallinas Campground and pulled in to look for a campsite, but it was also full. When we reached the Lower Gallinas Campground, I was sure we had missed the pull-off to the trailhead so we drove back to Iron Creek Campground and back again to Lower Gallinas. No trailhead.

Grant was pretty sure he remembered the pull-off was west of Lower Gallinas and he turned out to be right. We found the pull-off a few miles west of the camp ground. When we found the spot, we were a little confused since there were travel trailers and tents all over the area – it look like another campground. We parked among the vehicles and a short walk convinced us that we were really at the right place.

The people camping at the pull-off turned out to be the Las Cruces Mineral Club also on a field trip to Rabb Canyon. They were very friendly and helpful and invited Grant and me to their happy hour. Who could resist an invitation like that? We ended up camping near them and never went to look for a camp site at Lower Gallinas – our final option.

We met at the Iron Creek Campground on Sunday morning and left there as planned at 7:30 a.m. to caravan to the pull-off area. We parked most of the vehicles in a clearing and piled into three high-clearance trucks for the 0.8 mile trip over a very rough road to the trailhead. At the trailhead we took a count and had twenty club members attending. We ended up with twenty-two after another couple caught up with us along the way.

Thanks to Brian Anderson’s GPS we solved the question of distance – it’s about four miles each way. And I think most of the group would agree that we experienced a geological phenomenon – it is uphill in both directions! The hike was rugged, but worth it. Once we arrived at Rabb Canyon, I announced to the group that we were halfway and was rewarded with moans and groans until I let them know the other half of the hike was the return to the trail head.

We experienced some great collecting. I think everyone found some of the more rare and highly desirable blue moonstones and we were able to pick up some large (about two inches on a side) white moonstones. They are not gem quality suitable for cutting or cabochons, but they are very pretty and will enhance any collection.

All in all, it was a very good day. We got some heavy duty exercise, saw some beautiful country, collected some very nice specimens and enjoyed some great company.

Sat. 10/23 Small Fry Prospect near Abiquiu; fluorite, calcite, barite

Sat. 11/20 Blanchard Mine near Bingham, NM; fluorite, barite, galena, quartz, linarite, etc.

The October AGMC member field trip will be to the Small Fry fluorite prospect near Abiquiu in southern Rio Arriba County. Collecting will include botryoidal fluorite, angel-wing calcite, barite and facet-grade analcime. Fluorite at this location is found as purple reniform masses in altered Tertiary volcanics. Approximately 1,000 tons of fluorite was shipped from the deposit to a mill in Los Lunas during WWII.

The driving time from Albuquerque to the meeting spot is a minimum of two hours. To reach the meeting spot, take US-285/84 North from Santa Fe through Espanola and US-84 en route to Abiquiu.†We will meet just west of the intersection of US-84 and the El Rito turnoff at NM-554 (about three miles east of Abiquiu) in the parking lot of the small store there. We will leave promptly at 9:00am. Jesse Kline will give a brief talk about the geology of the area to get us off to a good start.

Much fluorite and calcite can be found on the surface, but rock hammers, picks and shovels would be useful to those wishing to dig for specimens. Remember also to bring wrapping material so fragile specimens will not be damaged on their trip home. There are no facilities or water in the area of the prospect.

Club members Brian & Carol Bondy have invited attendees over to their nearby home for a casual, post-collecting BBQ†of burgers and sausages.†"There will be chips, and soda.† Hopefully it will be nice weather and we can hang out on the patio.  If anyone wants to bring something, they would be most welcome to do so, but the we can definitely provide the basics. - the Bondys”

Howdy Folks. I sent out the first round of contracts to all of the dealers from last year who said they wanted to be back and some former dealers to fill in a couple of known holes. I already have gotten responses back from many of them. I’ve been moving folks around because

I created a new floor plan to resolve some of the problems of the old. And I have already gotten calls from new dealers wanting space in our show.

One of the touchstones of a good show is how well our dealers did last year. And as I mentioned before, ours did from FANTASTIC to dismal. Most of dealers did well or better. I guess the word is getting around that the Treasures of the Earth show is a good one because I’ve had new dealers asking for space from coast to coast. Of course we still have our returning dealers from ABQ and the rest of the state plus CO, AR, TX & NY. (Everyone who helped at the show this year should now pat yourselves on the back for putting on such a fine show.)

Publicity for the show is underway. We are getting thousands of GARISH (on purpose) yellow flyers for everyone to hand out and I’m hoping to take some to the Denver Show. The postcard will be designed soon. Radio, TV, and newspaper ads will be done right before the show.

Once again I will plead for more people to get involved with the show committee. Apropos of that, I plan to have signup sheets at the January meeting for a number of jobs to be handled. These include set-up, tear-down, and overnight security. I’m sure that Kimberley Richie, John Rienert, and Hank Miller will be passing sheets around also. Folks who help at the show get free admission and a parking pass! (If you don’t work at the show you have to pay admissions even though you are club members.) A few hours of easy work is a small price to pay for unlimited access to the show and the dealers!

Contact me if you want to help more. 255-5478, paulhlava@q.com.

Show Chairman of the Treasures of the Earth – 2011

100910

Field trip plans are under way for 2011 and any suggestions and input are certainly welcome. One suggested member field trip next year could be to the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. The primary focus of Salt Plains is to provide quality habitat for migratory waterfowl, but it is also home to an abundance of "hourglass" selenite crystals that form in†the†wet soil. There's more info at: http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/oklahoma/saltplains/.

This would be a full day's drive from Albuquerque (approximately 560 miles one way). There are small towns with accommodations nearby, ora couple of campsites are available too. Given the distance involved the AGMC Board would like members to respond to a survey. Please drop me an e-mail or give me a call if you might be interested. Collecting is April-October annually.
Let us know what you think... Brian Anderson 573-8872 or osodad@comcast.net. Thanks!

ICELAND SPAR IN NEW MEXICO

By Mark C. Blazek

Earth Science, Nov.-Dec. 1976

The transparent crystal variety of calcite is called Iceland spar. This variety of calcite is commonly referred to as optical calcite because of its wide use in optical instruments such as polarizing microscopes, polariscopes, colori-meters, saccarimeters, special gun sights and other similar devices that use polarized light. Although the synthetic material Polaroid has been substituted in many optical instruments that previously required calcite, optical calcite is still widely used today.

Commercial crystals of Iceland spar must be colorless and flawless (without cracks, twinning or inclusions). Because of these necessarily stringent requirements for optical calcite, most individual Iceland-spar deposits are too small to support a mining operation for more than a few years.

Since the late l930s most of the nation’s optical calcite requirements have come from Sonora and Chihuahua in northern Mexico. Optical calcite has been mined sporadically in Montana, California and New Mexico.

Perhaps the most spectacular deposit of optical calcite in the United States is near Dixon, Taos County, New Mexico. This deposited officially known as the Iceberg Lode Mining Claim. It is located in the Copper Mountain mining district (Sec. 31. T.23., R ll E.), about 7,500 feet above sea level. The claim is about 30 miles south-southwest of Taos by road and 55 miles north-northeast of Santa Fe. This deposit is directly adjacent to (about 300 feet southwest of) the Harding pegmatite mine, a well-known deposit of numerous minerals.

The Iceberg mine was discovered in l931 by Jan A. Brown of Dixon, New Mexico. Mining first began at this mine in l939. In that year about 850 pounds of optical calcite was mined, trimmed and shipped (mainly to the Bausch and Lomb Optical Company). Because of the tendency of calcite to fracture easily, the deposit had to be worked by hand with bars, light hammers and chisels. Only very small amounts could be handled at a time. The percentage of waste was very large. The largest single piece of optical-grade Iceland spar obtained by the end of l939 weighted 5 pounds 8 ounces. Perfect cleavage rhombs of 3 to 4 inches on a side were found.

The calcite occurs in a lenticular pipelike body in Precambrian amphibolite schist and quartzite of the Vadito Formation. The ore body is about 30 feet long, 9 feet wide (maximum) and has a northeast-southwest direction at the surface. It dips 70 degrees southeast with a steep

pitch to the northeast. The walls of the calcite body are brecciated and altered to depths of l to 3 feet. The calcite is believed to have been deposited by hydrothermal solutions that filled openings and partly replaced breccia fragments in a previously formed breccia pipe.

Three types of calcite are present: (l) white calcite; (2) clear, colorless calcite with Iceland spar; and (3) banded pink calcite. The white variety is most abundant and the pink calcite least common. Much of the clear material is useless because it is twinned. No euhedral calcite is present. The main body consists of anhedral material.

Perhaps the Iceberg claim will be best known for producing the world’s second and third largest known crystals of Iceland spar. One measured 8 by 9 by l0 feet and the other 7 by 8 by ll feet. The former had an estimated weight of at least 30 and possibly 40 tons, and the latter was estimated at over 25 tons. Both rank second in size to the world’s largest crystal of Iceland-spar calcite found in Iceland. The Iceland crystal was a rhombohedron 20 by 6 1/2 feet. Many claim that the mine at Helgustadir, Iceland, is the only single deposit in the world larger than the New Mexico locality. This might well be true.

The Iceberg claim is currently held by Arthur Montgomery as the relocated Iceberg Spar claim, included as part of the Harding mine property. Cleavage pieces of suboptical calcite can be found on the waste dumps and around the small abandoned pit. Permission to explore the property on which the Iceberg claim and the Harding mine are located can usually be obtained – inquire at the geology department at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

The deposit of optical calcite near Dixon is the only known significant deposit in New Mexico. However, considering the extent of late Tertiary and Quaternary volcanic activity in New Mexico and the large regions covered by these Upper Cenozoic volcanic rocks, it seems likely that future geologic exploration will

reveal other deposits of optical calcite in the state.

Compiled, selected and annotated by Dave Moats, AGMC Historian

24" slab saw, very good condition, nearly new blade, located in Deming, NM, $2950 OBO, Maurice and Judy Crawford (575) 546-0056 or (760) 417-1249.

Brand new-never used-Wizard 6" trim saw. Retails for $905.00. I am asking $500.00 OBO. Please contact John 948-3311.

For Sale, magazine back issues: Lapidary Journals from the mid 60's to present about 335 issues, 170 issues of Gems & Minerals, 120+ New Mexico Faceter, 123 American Gem Cutter. Many of these are in the original mailing wrap unopened. $150 for all. Jay Penn 883-4195

Note: Advertisers, please contact editor if item sells.

Here are events located in NM, TX, OK, CO, UT and AZ for the near future.

You can see a more comprehensive list at: www.rockngem.com/showdates.asp.

28-3--IDABEL, OK: Show and sale; McCurtain Gem & Mineral Club; Museum of the Red River, 812 SE Lincoln Rd., Hwy. 70 S. bypass; Tue. 9-5, Wed. 9-5, Thu. 9-5, Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 11-4; free admission; contact Doris Perkins, 405 SE Ave. G, Idabel, OK 74745, (580) 286-3133; e-mail: rperkins8236@sbcglobal.net

2-3--GREELEY, CO: Show; Rock & Mineral Society of Weld County; Greeley Senior Center, 1010 6th St.; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-3; free admission; jewelry, door prizes, gems, minerals, fossils, raffle, demonstrations, rough and polished rocks; contact Melanie DeHart, (970) 352-8149; e-mail: hamlethouse@yahoo.com

8-10--MOAB, UT: 51st annual show; Moab Points & Pebbles Rock Club; Old Spanish Trail Arena, 5 miles south of Moab on Hwy. 191; Fri. 10-7, Sat. 10-7, Sun. 10-4; free admission; vendors, demonstrations, spin wheel, displays, door prizes, field trips; contact Jerry Hansen, P.O. Box 1459, Moab, UT 84532; e-mail: moabrockclub@live.com

9-10--FORT WORTH, TX: Show and sale, "LMRA Rockfest Fort Worth"; Lockheed Martin Recreation Assn.; LMRA Trinity River Park, 3400 Bryant Irvin Rd.; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-5; free admission; rocks, flint, gems, minerals; contact Steve Shearin, 860 Stafford Station Dr., Saginaw, TX 76131, (817) 777-1997; e-mail: steve.l.shearin@lmco.com; Web site: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001244652268&v=app_2309869772#!/group.php?gid=132202050142082

9-10--PAYSON, AZ: 13th annual show; Payson Rimstones Rock Club; Mazatzal Hotel & Casino Event Center, Tonto Apache Reservation; adults $3, children under 12 free; gems, minerals, fossils, lapidary equipment, children's (and adults') education center, spinning wheel, silent auction; contact Barry or Margaret Jones, (928) 476-3513 or (928) 970-0857

9-10--SIERRA VISTA, AZ: 36th annual show; Huachuca Mineral & Gem Club; Elks Lodge, Wilcox Ave.; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 9-4; free admission; live demonstrations, educational displays,

dealers, jewelry, gems, fossils, equipment, lapidary supplies; contact Maudie Bailey, P.O. Box 1596, Sierra Vista, AZ 85636, (520) 378-6291; e-mail: gmbailey@msn.com

15-17--VICTORIA, TX: Show; Victoria Gem & Mineral Society; Victoria Community Center, 2905 E. North St.; Fri. 9-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $4; contact Patty Shay, 306 W. Houston, Refugio, TX 78377, (361) 526-2936; e-mail: pshay4@yahoo.com; Web site: www.victoriagemandmineral.com

16-17--SEDONA, AZ: Show; Sedona Gem & Mineral Club; Sedona Red Rock High School Cafeteria, 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Rd.; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; free admission; guest speakers, slide shows, Kids' Corner, displays, demonstrations, raffle, gemstones, minerals, crystals, fossils, beads, jewelry; contact Gayle Macklin, P.O. Box 3932, Sedona, AZ 86340, (928) 399-9588; e-mail: gayleis@gmail.com

22-24--AUSTIN, TX: Show, "Gem Capers 2010"; Austin Gem & Mineral Society; Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd.; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $5 (all three days), seniors $4, children 13-18 $1, 6-12 50 cents, 5 and under free; more than 30 vendors, displays, Rock Food Table, touch table of rocks and fossils, demonstrations of cabbing, wire wrapping, faceting, polymer clay, fossil cleaning, kids' day Fri., Wheel of Fortune, Gem Mine, jewelry making, rocks that glow in the dark, grand prize; contact Brian Wetzig, 6719 Burnet Ln., Austin, TX 78757, (512) 458-9546; e-mail: ShowChairman@AustinGemAndMineral.org; Web site: www.GemCapers.com

5-7--BLACK CANYON CITY, AZ: Annual show, "Rock-A-Rama"; Braggin' Rock Club; High Desert Park, Jacie St.; free admission;

minerals, lapidary supplies, displays, fossils, rough slabs, crystals, beads, tailgaters welcome; contact Phyllis, (623) 374-5451

5-7--GOLDEN, CO: Annual show; Denver Area Mineral Dealers; Exhibition Hall, Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 15200 W. 6th Ave.; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-4; free admission; minerals, fossils, gemstones, jewelry, beads, carvings; Pat Tucci, GEOdyssey LLC, P.O. Box 16339, Golden, CO 80402, (303) 279-5504; e-mail: ptucci@sprintmail.com; Web site: www.geodyssey-rocks.com


6--TUCSON, AZ: 9th annual silent auction; Old Pueblo Lapidary Club; 3118 N. Dale; Sat. 9-2; free admission; contact Danny V. Harmsen, (520) 323-9154

6-7--AMARILLO, TX: Annual show; Golden Spread Gem & Mineral Society; Amarillo Civic Center, 401 S. Buchanan; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; admission $2; jewelry, gems, minerals, fossils, metal detectors, working demonstrations; contact Roy or Wanda Finley, 9170 FM 1151, Claude, TX 79019, (806) 944-5464; e-mail: finfran@midplains.coop

6-7--MIDLAND, TX: 48th annual show; Midland Gem & Mineral Society; Midland Center, 105 N. Main St., corner of Wall and Main; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $4, students (6-18) $1, children 5 and under free; dealers, demonstrations, exhibits, silent auction, kids' corner, geode cutting, fluorescent mineral room; contact Craig Tellinghuisen, (432) 697-7668; e-mail: mgmstx@gmail.com

A few folks emailed me that they read the Mystery Mineral and try to decipher the mineral names. Email me at paulhlava@q.com and let me know your guesses by copying the Questions below and answering them. This includes AGMC members and everyone else who reads ”News Nuggets”. I have gotten very few responses, folks. EMAIL me at paulhlava@q.com! I have been gratified by folks responding that they WORK at these minerals. Good, that IS the idea. This way you learn about them.

The Game Plan – I will describe a mineral and you have to guess/decipher/research the name of the mineral and the answers to the other questions asked about uses, history, notable facts, etc. I expect the Top Guns in the club to be able to guess the name off the top of their heads. The learners will need a reference book or two. You will benefit most if you do not ask others for the answers but work it out for yourselves. When you have decided on the name you can compare notes with others or wait for the answers to be announced at the meetings or published in the News Nuggets. Good luck and have fun.

Last year I discussed minerals with metallic and sub-metallic lusters. This year I’ll work on minerals found in the Hansonburg District of NM. I’ll start off easy.

This month’s MM is a simple halide. It is a very common mineral in veins from low temperature to high temperature, also greisens, granites, pegmatites and even some metamorphic rocks. The cubic crystals have perfect octahedral cleavage. It is transparent or translucent with a vitreous luster. It can be almost any color. Sp. Gr. = 3.18, H = 4.

What is the name of the mineral?

What is the origin of the name?

What metals does it contain?

What non-metals does it contain?

What other minerals might occur with it?

Who discovered it?

What is it mined and used for?

Do you have some in your collection?

In NM –

In the USA –

In the World –

What is the name of the mineral? Scrutinyite

What is the origin of the name? The name alludes

to the close scrutiny necessary to distinguish the

mineral from its dimorph, plattnerite. Both are PbO₂

What metals does it contain? Lead (Pb)

What non-metals does it contain? Oxygen

What other minerals might occur with it? Plattnerite, cerussite, anglesite, caledonite, other secondary minerals of Pb, Cu, etc. and primary minerals like galena, quartz, fluorite, barite

Who discovered it? Ray DeMark

What is it mined and used for? Much too rare to be mined except by accident.

Do you have some in your collection? No.

In NM – The Hansonburg District – several places

In the USA – Nevada – Grand Deposit Mine

In the World – Greece (3 mines), Mexico – Ojuela Mine

Paul Hlava, September 10, 2010

The Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club was organized on January 22, 1944. The club is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and enjoyment of the Earth Sciences and associated subjects. Its primary purpose is the exchange of information and the furtherance of knowledge of Mineralogy, Fossils, Geology, Rock Cutting and Gem Faceting and to stimulate interest in the development of these studies.

All meetings are held at the NM Museum of Natural History, Albuquerque, NM. The general meeting is held on the 4^th Monday of the month (unless otherwise announced) at 7:30 p.m. The Junior Club meets at 6:30 p.m. prior to the general meeting. The public is welcome at both meetings.

Board of Directors meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month. All club members are welcome.

All memberships are family memberships and include all members of the household. Dues are $20. Send checks to the AGMC, P.O. Box 13718, Albuquerque, NM 87192-3718 or pay the Membership Chair at the monthly meeting. All memberships expire Dec 31.

The Club Newsletter: News Nuggets exists to assist the membership in communications and to provide information on club activities. Contributions from all members are welcome for any information that will promote club activities or that would be of interest to club members. News Nuggets is scheduled to be mailed approximately one week prior to the monthly meeting. You are cordially invited to send news, articles or comments to: Bill Barr, wbarr@umich.edu.

Please begin the subject line with AGMC.

Instructions for entering the Members' Page are provided in the new member packet.

Treasurer: el.chivo.viejo@earthlink.net

robair1952@yahoo.com

Abqfoxbutt@aol.com

klawicki@gmail.com