Chairman's Corner
I wanted to start out this month's letter with some of the great things that are happening with the Foundation, but I need to start with the situation at the State Legislature about the possibility of the closing of the Department of Mines and Mineral Resources. Please read the information in this newsletter by Steve Decker and Harvey Jong about
this problem and please write or call your representatives in the House and Senate. It is important to save the Museum for all the clubs that meet there, all the visitors from around the world who come to see the exhibits, and especially for all the teachers and children that are enriched by the Museum's educational programs. Steve Decker did a great job to get the postcard out in the mail about the Museum before Prospector's Day on Saturday February 22. I know Steve lost some sleep getting that done. Thanks Steve.

On a more positive note, we had the best Flagg Show ever!  There were over 100 dealers and clubs set up this year, a record for the Flagg Show. The MCC Geology club had great activities for kids, the
Leaverites sold more egg carton collections then ever before at a Flagg Show, the Mesa Southwest Museum had a good fossil exhibit and some activities for kids, and best of all the Foundation is able to have free parking and free admission so that everyone can attend. Thanks to the many members who helped make it a success. Without their help with advertising, setup, sales, and clean up, we could not have a show. See the great Show write up and pictures by Steve in this issue.

The symposium program is also in this issue. We are looking forward to seeing the collections at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum (Friday night) and the University of Arizona (Saturday night). The Symposium is a real bargain for members; for thirty dollars you get free admission to the Desert Museum, good speakers, Friday and Saturday night activities and lots of food. We do not pay speakers and we are very lucky that so many people love minerals and are willing to go to some expense to
share with others. We have two speakers from New Mexico this year. Send in your registration now!

The Foundation had a presence at the Tucson show this year. We were selling posters as per the past few years, but this year we had newsletters, membership applications, symposium flyers, and Flagg Show flyers out on the table. We were also selling copies of last year's Symposium volume. Thanks to Les Presmyk and Paul Harter for organizing the poster sales.

We are going to get the collection committee together again. All members are welcome, and our first meeting will be Monday, April 7. We must be in the Museum by 6:45 PM so we do not interrupt the Maricopa Lapidary Society meeting. It is important for us to be able to work at the Museum and not interfere with their meeting.

Finally, see the information about the Blanchard mine trip in this issue. This an opportunity to visit a famous locality and collect some good minerals.

Ray

Next Page