Welcome to Central Valley Prospectors Club

Directions to meeting CVP's Next Meeting: September 21, 2010

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NEW MEMBERS
Processing of membership applications takes time,
so please be patient.
Some applications are not complete, so those will be held for correction at the meeting. Please check with Membership Director Allen Volpa Jr
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NEW - CVP Rental Equipment
See Listing in members section under "Scheduled Outings"

IS YOUR BAD BACK
HURTING AT MEETINGS?

Don't forget to bring along a comfortable chair to the meetings. We would hate for you to leave early due to your back hurting from sitting on those hard school benches.

CAN'T LOGIN?

Maybe you missed signing-in at the last 3 meetings. Please sign-in at the next meeting so we know you are still active, Thank You :)

About CVP

Central Valley Prospectors is an Official Chapter of GPAA. You do not need to be a member of GPAA to join CVP and we charge no dues. We are a non-profit (501-c-3) small mining and prospecting club. CVP is dedicated to providing education and increased public awareness of prospecting and mining, as well as lots of fun. We own our own claims and provide outside programs for various groups. We welcome all ages, including families with children.

Interesting CVP Website Stats
Here are some recent statistics reported by Webmaster Rob Ruth.

From July 27 - Aug 27:
Visitors - 2,357 Hits - 36,287
Most popular page: Photo album
Most downloaded file: The animation of the gold pan on the front page.
Most active day of the week: Sunday

CVP Mini-Miners

Kids are welcome at the meetings. We have a table in the back with activities and coloring.
All kids that participate in the activities are included in a free raffle that includes gold dirt bags, small prospecting equipment, and other neat treasures. Bring the kids or the grandkids, as they are sure to have a great time. See you there!
Remember, donations to the kid's area are always welcome. Thank you all that have donated already!

Club RULES

there will be NO WHINING!

May your pan be heavy! I got GOLD! Eureka!

COMMONS Groups Available

To help get everyone involved, we are going to offer "common" groups at the outings. This will allow those that have voiced that they can't prospect any more due to physical limitations to join in the fun. This also puts newbies with an experienced miner at hand to help them learn. All that participate will have a great time prospecting, as it should be. CVP has a place for everyone! (or at least we are trying) Groups will be formed from experienced and new members with different abilities to run a sluice box at the outings. Together, with each offering different abilities, they will form a team to run the sluice for the day. At the end they can split their gold any way they would like. They will have all brought something to the group. Let Nancy know if you are interested.

MEETING LOCATION:
River Bluff Elementary School
6150 W. Palo Alto Ave. Fresno, CA
TIME:
6:30 PM Every THIRD Tuesday

CLICK HERE for
Meeting Directions and Map

POSTAL ADDRESS:
Central Valley Prospectors
PO Box 25851
Fresno, CA 93729

SOME IMPORTANT RULES -
-No whining please
-Sign-in at back table
-Wear your name badges
-Turn off your cell phones
-No smoking on the school property
-Lock your cars
-Help set-up and clean-up
-And always have fun!

CURRENT GOLD PRICES
[Most Recent Quotes from www.kitco.com]

California Senate passes SB 889!

The California Senate has just passed legislation that will grant a full refund to any and all suction dredgers who bought permits during 2009.
Here is the response I recieved from DFG:

You are correct in that the bill has passed the Senate, however, the bill is only half way through the process. Next, it needs to clear the Assembly. If it passes the Assembly, the bill must then be signed by the Governor.

- - - - - - -
June 15 - hearing in Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife. FAILED. The Assembly Committee amended the bill to refund two-thirds the permit cost, rather than the full amount. Now both Senate and Assembly need to agree. It was noted that the courts have already ruled for a refund.

Visit these links for news updates

LINK Public Lands for the People

LINK to New 49ers

Amendments to Mining Regulations to greatly affect mining in National Forests.
Equal Access-USDAFS Proposed Changes

Mining Safety

Prospecting can be a fun and rewarding hobby, but safe practices must still be considered. We all want to forget there can be dangers involved, but the tragic deaths of three young men near Fresno reminded us that it can happen. Some things might seem like common sense, but we should never take shortcuts when possible danger is involved. Below are just a few "common sense" items to remember when prospecting.
- Always take a buddy along
- Tell someone at home EXACTLY where you
   are going and when you plan to return
- Stay out of old mines and caves
- Don't venture into remote areas without
  another vehicle along
- Practice good water safety
- Avoid disturbing wildlife and know
  what to do if bit
- Bring basic supplies: water, snacks, first aid
- Keep a tool kit in car and cell phone/charger
- Chains in winter, fire extinguisher in summer
- Safety check vehicle before trip, air up spare
- Check the weather before departing,
  and prepare accordingly
Basic safety involves planning ahead and not taking chances. With a little forethought you can enjoy your trip prospecting, and if you run into problems you will be prepared to deal with them safely and with less frustration. The following link is geared toward industrial mining but has a lot of great safety information. There is even a kid's area with safety and interesting history. Mining Safety at www.msha.gov

www.truthnews.us/p=2034

Important government links

Support is still needed to avoid future problems for our freedom to use our public lands.

Office of the Governor

California Mineral and Mining Museum Website

Contact Senator Dave Cogdill

Contact Assemblyman Tom Berryhill

Gold Pan Animation

Take a look at this interesting animation of the dynamics of how a gold pan works.
Gold Pan Animation

Gold Weights

Here is an explanation of how gold is weighed.

Rules of Conduct

For all CVP members that are interested in using CVP mining claims or partaking in outings, please read our "Rules of Conduct".

Board Meeting Rules

For all CVP members that are interested in attending a CVP board meeting:
"Meeting Rules".

NEXT MEETING TUES September 21st
Come join us at our next meeting for more fun and education. Come see what we have in store for you!

EDUCATION EVENTS.

- Taking a break right now. We will give more info on schools at a later time.

UPCOMING OUTINGS

The next outing will be at Friant (Broken Bridge), Aug. 21,2010. We will meet at the Broken Bridge at 9:00 am. (Friant and Road 206).

We will be teaching prospecting 101. Panning, sluicing, and classifiying.

This is a day outing. Bring your lunch and have a great time.

Take Highway 41 North and exit on Friant Road (just after River Park) and go toward Millerton Lake through the little town of Friant. Just a couple of stores and that is it. At the Shell Station take the N Fork Road to the left. Park in the dirt lot on the south side of the road. Map to Broken Bridge

Any questions or concerns you can call Gloria @ 559-288-9949

Monthly Outings
Due to some problems with insurance, some outings have been changed to "Adventures." These are non-CVP places to go and explore/prospect on your own or with other members. Don't forget to log in to the Members Area to find directions under "Scheduled Outings".

Nugget News Flash

Last year, CVP won a blue ribbon at the 2009 Fresno Fair. Our display was in the Gem and Mineral Building. Thank you to our President Nancy for lending us the gold to display and to Don Taylor for being there to set it up. Congrats to you both for making it happen!!

Check Out Our LINKS Page

CURRENT FRESNO WEATHER

Prospecting Reports

Club members are asked to take note of the new feature in the "Members Only" section of the Home Page entited, "Prospecting Reports." This is a great area for members to share some interesting spots where they have found gold or just good fun. Just sign into the "Members Only" section and click on the "Prospecting Reports" button. This will bring up a dialogue box that will ask you some pertinent information such as the date, location, and personal comments. This is a nice way of sharing information with other prospecting buddies who will do the same in return. It is a "win win" situation.

Need Someone to Prospect With?

CVP is all about friendship and sharing as well as finding gold. We have many new members as well as long time members who occasionally would like to go prospecting but want some company. Prospecting is not as much fun if you go by yourself and it is not always good from a safety point of view to not have a buddy with you. CVP has initiated a "Prospecting Buddy" Program where you will be matched with another experienced prospector who you can go prospecting with or maybe learn a few tips on new prospecting techniques or equipment.

If you are interested in either a "Prospecting Buddy" or carpooling, then contact our president, Nancy Roberts, her number is in the Officers Directory located in the members section of the web site.
So, now you don't have a car excuse to stay home!