A Condensed History of the San Diego Shell Club
1961: San Diego Shell Club founded.
1962: Club is awarded Don Diego Trophy at Del Mar Fair for the outstanding first place Blue Ribbon in club division.
1963 – 1968: Club supports Dr. Rudolph Stohler at the University of California at Berkeley by participating in field study to determine growth of Olivella biplicata (now Callianax biplicata) at the mouth of the Flood Control Channel in San Diego’s Mission Bay.
1964: Club is awarded Special Gold Ribbon Award and Blue Ribbon for first prize at Del Mar Fair for shell displays.
1965: Club hosts American Malacological Union (AMU) – Pacific Division convention in San Diego.
1969: Club prepares a special exhibit in honor of San Diego’s 200th anniversary. Exhibit consists of cases of shells aquaria and many drawings and is displayed for several months at the San Diego Museum of Natural History.
1970: Club initiates The Festivus continuously publishing 11 issues a year plus occasional supplements. Distribution is world-wide to institutions and individuals; articles are peer reviewed and referenced in the Zoological Record.
1971: A group of Club members participates in the Ameripagos Expedition to the Islas Galápagos.
1972: Club begins participation as judges and awards prizes at Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair.
1973: Club prepares a large exhibit of marine mollusks featuring over 17 displays for the main lobby of the San Diego Central Public Library. The exhibit is so successful that it is then transferred to the San Diego Natural History Museum.
1975: Club hosts combined meeting of the Western Society of Malacologists (WSM) and the American Malacological Union (AMU) in San Diego.
1981: Club hosts annual meeting of WSM at San Diego State University.
1987: Club hosts annual meeting of WSM at San Diego State University.
1988: A group of Club members arrange and participate in Grupo Victorian Expedition to the Islas Galápagos.
1989: Club hosts annual meeting of the Conchologists of America (COA) in San Diego.
1990: Club coordinates Anthony D’Attilio Student Research Grant Award ($1000) donated by member Annita Levine."
1991: Club Publishes Supplement "Additions to the Panamic Province Bivalve Literature 1971-1990" 169 pages by C. Skoglund.
1992: Club donates funds for student grants in coordination with WSM and other shell clubs. Club publishes supplement on "Additions to the Panamic Province Gastropod Literature 1971 to 1992" by C. Skoglund.
1993: Club hosts the WSM at the Radisson Hotel in La Jolla California.
1995: Club hosts annual meeting of the Conchologists of America (COA) in San Diego.
1996: Club hosts the WSM at the Handlery Hotel & Resort in San Diego.
1997: Club publishes "The Recent Molluscan Marine Fauna of the Islas Galapagos" 67 pages by K. Kaiser.
1998: Club publishes Anthony D'attilio Memorial issue.
2001: Club publishes "The Recent Molluscan Marine Fauna of Isla de Malpelo Colombia" 149 pages by K. Kaiser and C. Bryce.
2002: Club publishes supplement on"Panamic Province Molluscan Literature 1971- 2001". 286 pages by C. Skoglund. Club supports WSM student grant program.
2003: Club supports WSM meeting in San Diego.
2006: Joint WSM and AMS meeting in San Diego.
2007: Club members participate in Western Society of Malacologists in La Paz Mexico. The late David Mulliner SDSC member and twice past president of WSM is honored. Club publishes supplement on "The Recent Molluscan Fauna of Ile Clipperton" 162 pages by K. Kaiser.
2008: Club embarks upon Mission Bay mollusk study.
2009: Club publishes a special issue "Chitons known from the benthic monitoring program in the Southern California Bight" by T. Stebbins and D. Eernisse.
2010: Joint meeting of Western Society of Malacologists and American Society of Malacology is held in San Diego. Presidents of both WSM Dr. G. Kennedy and ASM Dr. D. Eernisse are SDSC members.
2012: Dr. James McLean is presented the Festivus Life Time Achievement Award for his contributions to malacology and information.
2014: The Festivus publication becomes quarterly. The format is updated and becomes available world-wide as either an electronic or hard copy. Eugene Coan and Paul Valentich – Scott are presented. The Festivus Lifetime Achievement Award for their contributions to malacology and conchology. Club publishes a special supplement "Iconography of the Haliotis Species and Subspecies of Australia and New Zealand" by Buzz Owen & Robert Kershaw. The SDSC website is completely revitalized.
2015: The San Diego Shell Club offers a $1,000 award for the best student presentation given at a SDSC meeting. The Club publishes "The Living and Fossil Busycon Whelks Iconic Mollusks of the Eastern North America" by E. Petuch R. Myers and D. Berschauer. The San Diego Shell Club establishes an annual exhibition at the San Diego County Fair.
2016: The San Diego Shell Club holds the first West Coast Shell Show in May. The Festivus Lifetime Achievement award was awarded to two individuals: Buzz Own in Northern California for his contribution on the biogeography of Abalone and Dr. Edward Petuch of Florida for his contribution of the study of western Atlantic gastropods. Dr. William Emerson and Dr. James McLean, both long-time members of the club and world known malacologists, passed away this year. Jim had previously received The Festivus award for his life-time achievements in malacology.
2017: The second annual West Coast Shell Show is held in Balboa Park San Diego in August. The Festivus reaches 348 pages in 2017.
2018: The San Diego Shell Club hosts the National Conchologist of America Conference with week-long activities. The convention raises the second highest income reported to date for the COA. The third annual West Coast Shell Show is held just prior to the COA convention and was well attended. The Club published three new books to coincide with the COA convention; “Sea Shells of Southern California” by D. Berschauer and R. Clark, "Treasures of the Sea; The Unique Seashells of California" by M. Kaufman and P. Kanner, and "Jewels of the Everglades" by E. Petuch and D. Berschauer.
2019: After hosting the COA convention in 2018, the club has a quiet year as officers and those on the convention committee now have time for other activities and normal Club duties. The Club offers the April and November auction venues to host legacy collection sales of its members with a portion of the proceeds going to the Club.
2020: The COVID 19 pandemic has a significant impact on Club activities. The publication of The Festivus continues on track, but all other club activities such as the West Coast Shell Show, both the spring and fall club auctions, as well as the club meetings and social activities are cancelled. The annual meeting and election of the 2021 Club officers could not be held in accordance with the bylaws. Consequently, the 2021 proposed slate of officers begin their duties in January 2021 but were officially installed at the Club’s April auction.
2021: The West Coast Shell Show is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as most in-person events. The General and Board of Directors Meetings are held via Zoom. General meetings included Zoom programs that were recorded and placed on the club website for future access.
2022: The third annual West Coast Shell Show is held in Room 101, San Diego Botanical Garden Foundation, Balboa Park in August. In-person General Meetings, the Shell Bazaar as well as the September and December Parties are also cancelled due to the pandemic. However, the April and November Auctions are held in-person. The Festivus honors the passing of long-time member Tom Rice. In addition, the Club’s journal describes thirty-eight new taxa, including one new genus, 32 new species, and five new subspecies. The Club registers The Festivus for an “Impact Factor” rating that establishes a numerical value representing the popularity of the journal as compared to other journals.
2023: The fourth annual West Coast Shell Show is again held in Room 101 of the San Diego Botanical Garden Foundation, Balboa Park, in August. For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, in-person General Meetings are held with a new Mini-Auction at each, and members bring shells to show and/or sell. In addition, the Shell Bazaar makes a comeback after being cancelled for many years. The Festivus honors the passing Paul Kanner, and Joyce Gemmell. In addition, the Club's journal describes thirty-five new taxa, including one genus, 31 new species, and 3 new subspecies.
1962: Club is awarded Don Diego Trophy at Del Mar Fair for the outstanding first place Blue Ribbon in club division.
1963 – 1968: Club supports Dr. Rudolph Stohler at the University of California at Berkeley by participating in field study to determine growth of Olivella biplicata (now Callianax biplicata) at the mouth of the Flood Control Channel in San Diego’s Mission Bay.
1964: Club is awarded Special Gold Ribbon Award and Blue Ribbon for first prize at Del Mar Fair for shell displays.
1965: Club hosts American Malacological Union (AMU) – Pacific Division convention in San Diego.
1969: Club prepares a special exhibit in honor of San Diego’s 200th anniversary. Exhibit consists of cases of shells aquaria and many drawings and is displayed for several months at the San Diego Museum of Natural History.
1970: Club initiates The Festivus continuously publishing 11 issues a year plus occasional supplements. Distribution is world-wide to institutions and individuals; articles are peer reviewed and referenced in the Zoological Record.
1971: A group of Club members participates in the Ameripagos Expedition to the Islas Galápagos.
1972: Club begins participation as judges and awards prizes at Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair.
1973: Club prepares a large exhibit of marine mollusks featuring over 17 displays for the main lobby of the San Diego Central Public Library. The exhibit is so successful that it is then transferred to the San Diego Natural History Museum.
1975: Club hosts combined meeting of the Western Society of Malacologists (WSM) and the American Malacological Union (AMU) in San Diego.
1981: Club hosts annual meeting of WSM at San Diego State University.
1987: Club hosts annual meeting of WSM at San Diego State University.
1988: A group of Club members arrange and participate in Grupo Victorian Expedition to the Islas Galápagos.
1989: Club hosts annual meeting of the Conchologists of America (COA) in San Diego.
1990: Club coordinates Anthony D’Attilio Student Research Grant Award ($1000) donated by member Annita Levine."
1991: Club Publishes Supplement "Additions to the Panamic Province Bivalve Literature 1971-1990" 169 pages by C. Skoglund.
1992: Club donates funds for student grants in coordination with WSM and other shell clubs. Club publishes supplement on "Additions to the Panamic Province Gastropod Literature 1971 to 1992" by C. Skoglund.
1993: Club hosts the WSM at the Radisson Hotel in La Jolla California.
1995: Club hosts annual meeting of the Conchologists of America (COA) in San Diego.
1996: Club hosts the WSM at the Handlery Hotel & Resort in San Diego.
1997: Club publishes "The Recent Molluscan Marine Fauna of the Islas Galapagos" 67 pages by K. Kaiser.
1998: Club publishes Anthony D'attilio Memorial issue.
2001: Club publishes "The Recent Molluscan Marine Fauna of Isla de Malpelo Colombia" 149 pages by K. Kaiser and C. Bryce.
2002: Club publishes supplement on"Panamic Province Molluscan Literature 1971- 2001". 286 pages by C. Skoglund. Club supports WSM student grant program.
2003: Club supports WSM meeting in San Diego.
2006: Joint WSM and AMS meeting in San Diego.
2007: Club members participate in Western Society of Malacologists in La Paz Mexico. The late David Mulliner SDSC member and twice past president of WSM is honored. Club publishes supplement on "The Recent Molluscan Fauna of Ile Clipperton" 162 pages by K. Kaiser.
2008: Club embarks upon Mission Bay mollusk study.
2009: Club publishes a special issue "Chitons known from the benthic monitoring program in the Southern California Bight" by T. Stebbins and D. Eernisse.
2010: Joint meeting of Western Society of Malacologists and American Society of Malacology is held in San Diego. Presidents of both WSM Dr. G. Kennedy and ASM Dr. D. Eernisse are SDSC members.
2012: Dr. James McLean is presented the Festivus Life Time Achievement Award for his contributions to malacology and information.
2014: The Festivus publication becomes quarterly. The format is updated and becomes available world-wide as either an electronic or hard copy. Eugene Coan and Paul Valentich – Scott are presented. The Festivus Lifetime Achievement Award for their contributions to malacology and conchology. Club publishes a special supplement "Iconography of the Haliotis Species and Subspecies of Australia and New Zealand" by Buzz Owen & Robert Kershaw. The SDSC website is completely revitalized.
2015: The San Diego Shell Club offers a $1,000 award for the best student presentation given at a SDSC meeting. The Club publishes "The Living and Fossil Busycon Whelks Iconic Mollusks of the Eastern North America" by E. Petuch R. Myers and D. Berschauer. The San Diego Shell Club establishes an annual exhibition at the San Diego County Fair.
2016: The San Diego Shell Club holds the first West Coast Shell Show in May. The Festivus Lifetime Achievement award was awarded to two individuals: Buzz Own in Northern California for his contribution on the biogeography of Abalone and Dr. Edward Petuch of Florida for his contribution of the study of western Atlantic gastropods. Dr. William Emerson and Dr. James McLean, both long-time members of the club and world known malacologists, passed away this year. Jim had previously received The Festivus award for his life-time achievements in malacology.
2017: The second annual West Coast Shell Show is held in Balboa Park San Diego in August. The Festivus reaches 348 pages in 2017.
2018: The San Diego Shell Club hosts the National Conchologist of America Conference with week-long activities. The convention raises the second highest income reported to date for the COA. The third annual West Coast Shell Show is held just prior to the COA convention and was well attended. The Club published three new books to coincide with the COA convention; “Sea Shells of Southern California” by D. Berschauer and R. Clark, "Treasures of the Sea; The Unique Seashells of California" by M. Kaufman and P. Kanner, and "Jewels of the Everglades" by E. Petuch and D. Berschauer.
2019: After hosting the COA convention in 2018, the club has a quiet year as officers and those on the convention committee now have time for other activities and normal Club duties. The Club offers the April and November auction venues to host legacy collection sales of its members with a portion of the proceeds going to the Club.
2020: The COVID 19 pandemic has a significant impact on Club activities. The publication of The Festivus continues on track, but all other club activities such as the West Coast Shell Show, both the spring and fall club auctions, as well as the club meetings and social activities are cancelled. The annual meeting and election of the 2021 Club officers could not be held in accordance with the bylaws. Consequently, the 2021 proposed slate of officers begin their duties in January 2021 but were officially installed at the Club’s April auction.
2021: The West Coast Shell Show is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as most in-person events. The General and Board of Directors Meetings are held via Zoom. General meetings included Zoom programs that were recorded and placed on the club website for future access.
2022: The third annual West Coast Shell Show is held in Room 101, San Diego Botanical Garden Foundation, Balboa Park in August. In-person General Meetings, the Shell Bazaar as well as the September and December Parties are also cancelled due to the pandemic. However, the April and November Auctions are held in-person. The Festivus honors the passing of long-time member Tom Rice. In addition, the Club’s journal describes thirty-eight new taxa, including one new genus, 32 new species, and five new subspecies. The Club registers The Festivus for an “Impact Factor” rating that establishes a numerical value representing the popularity of the journal as compared to other journals.
2023: The fourth annual West Coast Shell Show is again held in Room 101 of the San Diego Botanical Garden Foundation, Balboa Park, in August. For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, in-person General Meetings are held with a new Mini-Auction at each, and members bring shells to show and/or sell. In addition, the Shell Bazaar makes a comeback after being cancelled for many years. The Festivus honors the passing Paul Kanner, and Joyce Gemmell. In addition, the Club's journal describes thirty-five new taxa, including one genus, 31 new species, and 3 new subspecies.