Rummage sales, and similar endeavors, are very popular in Fallbrook. If you're wondering about "similar endeavors," think of garage sales, yard sales, neighborhood block sales —— the difference between them all is evidently a matter of scale, locale, or both. Of the group, rummage sales may be the biggest, since they involve the leftovers of many households, or in some local cases, of the entire community.

Rummage sales are a way of life for many Fallbrook organizations, especially those that own or rent their own building, conduct educational programs, support research and/or award scholarships. The Fallbrook Gem and Mineral Society qualifies under all those criteria. Its second rummage sale for 2005 has been scheduled Nov. 12 at the society's downtown museum, 123 W. Alvarado St.

The first sale this year, held in March, brought in more than $700. Members have been urged (in the November issue of the organization's newsletter, Lithosphere) to drop off their donations after noon on Nov. 8 at Alvarado Street.

Note to those who'd like to contribute (either items or help): Sale chairwoman Janice Bricker can be contacted at (760) 728-1130 or (760) 728-1333. She'll be happy to hear from you.

Also announced in the November Lithosphere were the names of the winners of the raffle prizes awarded at the Fall Festival of Gems on Oct. 2. Among them are Don Hoida, who now owns the barite on quartz donated by Irv Brown; Aria Miles, the blue topaz and setting certificate donated by Thomas M. Schneider and Dave Lowrie; Erich and Laurie Kern, the Benitoite earrings donated by Paul Cory of Iteco Inc; Liz Yamaguchi, the fossil ammonite donated by Cal Graeber; and Anne Schafer, the sunstone pendant and chain donated by Karla Proud of Exotic Gemstones.

Also, John Watson won a subscription to Gems & Gemology; Michael Berns, an onyx vase donated by Jim and Mary Walker of Ikon; Erik Rose, an opal and gold bracelet donated by Sam Nasser. The mineral collection Cal Graeber donated now belongs to Erich and Laurie Kern, and the mine tour donated by Oceanview Mining Group will be enjoyed by Richard Busch.

Contact staff writer Betty Johnston at (760) 731-6720 or (760) 451-5009, or by e-mail at bjohnston@nctimes.com or bettyj@tfb.com.

Correction: An incorrect phone number for Sarah Bates, co-author of "Out of Our Minds —— Wild Stories by Wild Women," was published last week in this column. It is truly possible to reach Bates by phone at (760) 723-0233.