A man was sentenced to six months in prison for illegally rockhounding on public land.  The BLM, Bureau of Land Management, has guidelines for collecting rock, gemstones, fossils, meteorites, arrowheads, etc. Collecting for hobby use “reasonable amounts” is allowed.  In this case, the man collected crystals with the express purpose of selling them for profit.  The difference between hobby use and commercial use is  the profit motive.

Know the regulations for collecting on public lands, readily available with a simple internet search.  If you want to sell, for profit, what you collect, you can file a mining claim and collect legally.  Filing a mining claim and meeting the annual requirements is not all that difficult.

Here is the link to the full article online at the Daily Sentinel, Grand Junction, Colorado:  http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/man-gets-6-months-for-illegal-mining

Collecting arrowheads – sorry – not allowed.  They are considered artifacts and protected by law.

Start at the round-a-bout and meet the San Bernardino Sheriffs and emergency services people. You can learn about life saving CPR.  Pass commercial vendors with a plethora of merchandise.  See the artists and what a mixed media of delight for the eyes.  Come to the Gem and mineral show and see nature’s treasures (and Sherry’s beautiful glass).  Finish at the kids zone, but not before more community service booths and some cute dogs for adoption.

Now, add lots of music, a flower show off to the side and much, much more.  All this for free.  There is still time to come out alone, with family or friends.  Today from 12 to 7.  Stop by and say hello.

Yucaipa has done well with its old fashioned street fair.  Thank you to the City of Yucaipa and the Yucaipa Gem & Mineral Club for a job well done.

The Yucaipa Music and Art Festival continues today, 12 to 10 and Sunday 12 to 7.  Plenty of things to see and do for the entire family.   We are near Adams St, as part of the Gem and Mineral Show.  It was good to see some old friends yesterday.  This is a family oriented event and the turn out yesterday was filled with a lot of people, young and old.  Join us today and see that I did get away from the giant lizard.