Monthly meetings are a time to plan field trips together, share talents in
various aspects of the Lapidary and Earth Sciences, enjoy educational programs,
and conduct business. Refreshments are always provided, door prizes awarded,
and a raffle is usually held with rock-related gifts. Occasionally the meeting
will also include a potluck dinner.
Field Trips
Educational Field trips are arranged most months. Some of these are to local rock shows, museums, or nearby collecting locations. Others are weekend excursions to a geological site. Several times a year major field trips are planned for one or two week explorations. For example, in recent years the club has traveled to Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, Idaho, and Montana.
Our longer field trips usually include potluck dinners and many occasions for
socializing, and discussing the geology of the area or other items around a
campfire. While not everyone can take advantage of such trips, all the members
can enjoy the reports from those who do travel.
Community Services
The club operates a fully equipped rock cutting and polishing shop at the Barn
on Pacific Avenue in Livermore. A nominal fee is charged for access and instruction
is provided. Beginning cutters are provided free materials.
Each November the club sponsors "Lithorama", a gem and mineral show
at the Barn. The show attracts a thousand visitors. Dozens of the best displays
from all over California are assembled, and professional rock dealers offer
many types of their goods for sale at very reasonable prices. Rock collecting
equipment, books, finished jewelry, jewelry supplies, minerals, fossils rocks
and gems are all typically available.
The Lithophiles have a booth at the Livermore Wine Festival each year. We specialize in inexpensive, but good quality jewelry and mineral specimens, many of which we have collected on field trips. Children especially love to purchase our rock stuffed grab-bags and spin the Wheel of Fortune, where every spin is a winner.
Other annual events are our picnic, Christmas party, and a booth at the Livermore Children's Fair. We usually have a display case at the Alameda County Fair each June in Pleasanton.
In an attempt to serve all of the members' rock-related needs, at times special classes have been set up to teach crafts such as slate and soapstone carving, lost wax casting and more.
Each month the Club publishes the Lithogram, our newsletter of coming events and news.
Member Services
The club is always eager for new members with like interests in rocks, gems,
lapidary work, and camping. Annual dues are $25 for a family, $20 for a single
member and $10 for a junior member. Further information is available by calling
443-5769 or 447-0501, or see bottom of page for more options.
NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED
The club's general meetings are at 7:30 pm on the second Thursday of each month
at the Carnegie Building, on Fourth Street between J and K streets. Guests are
always welcome. Board meetings are on the fourth Thursday of each month, and
are open to the entire membership.
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For more information call (925) 443-5769 or (925) 447-0501
See Our Web Site at www.lithophiles.com or email info@lithophiles.com
Write to The Livermore Valley Lithophiles, P.O. Box 626, Livermore, California
94551.