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President’s Corner
Paul Boni
I can hardly believe that two years have flown by already. I have enjoyed
my time as club president immensely. I want to thank you, one and all, for
all you do and for who we are as a club and as friends. You’re such a great
bunch to know and hang out with.
I want to thank everyone for the
incredible honor bestowed upon me with the lifetime achievement award. It
was a humbling surprise. Who would have thought that one could receive such
a tribute by showing up and having fun? That’s the truth; I just show up
and have fun with some of my friends. I’ve been doing it for years,
contributing a bit here and there, but mostly having fun.
On a more somber note, we lost
our beloved Charlotte in August. For all the years I’ve been a member of
the Flatirons Mineral Club, Charlotte has always been there. She is one of
the sweetest and kindest people that I have ever known. I’m sure that I speak
for all of us when I say that she will be missed. She gave us so much.
Thank you Charlotte, for everything.
I’ll sign off now. But don’t
worry, I’ll be around to have some more fun and make more memories with my
friends.
Rock on!
****************
Another Great Annual Picnic
Gerry Naugle
The
annual club picnic held on Sat, Aug 21st was a success this year. Approx. 40 members attended, enjoyed the
potluck lunch and bagged cloth 810 grab bags for the Denver Show and the
FMC Scholarship Endowment Fund. Thanks to all who brought side dishes
and/or desserts for the luncheon.
And, all club members who supplied mineral specimens, bagged those
specimens in the plastic baggies and who sewed cloth bags for the
activities. Special thanks to Gabi Accatino's mother for sewing 1500 cloth
grab bags over the past year!
Awards:
The AFMS/FMC Rock
Hounds of the year for 2010 (as voted by club members) are co-winning
voting recipients Gabi Accatino and Anita Colin. They were presented with honorary 'Doctor
of Rockology' certificates and their names engraved onto the FMC Hall of
Fame Plaque. Paul Boni was inducted
into the FMC-Hall of Fame for Club Leadership.
Anita
and Gabi, Rockhounds of the Year, showing off their ‘Doctor of Rockology’
diplomas.
Paul
Boni, inducted into the FMC Rockhound Hall of Fame
The
Grab Bag Production Line at the Picnic
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Upcoming Club
Programs
October
14: Our speaker is Peter Maciulaitis and his talk is entitled "We always preferred lucky
geologists to good ones". It's largely 'set' in Nevada and the modern
gold rush once again. It's the story of Franco-Nevada, a Canadian penny
stock that grew, in a period of 20 years, to the 5th largest gold mining
company in the world and the dynamics of that growth.
November
11: This will be our annual Towel Show— bring specimens you have collected
or jewelry you have made during 2010 and compete in one of many different
categories, including “ugliest rock”.
Categories for kids, too! (Your items must all fit on one towel.)
Dec
10-12—Annual Flatirons Mineral Club Gem and Mineral Show at the Longmont
Fairgrounds. Exhibitors and
volunteers are solicited
Dec
16—Our annual holiday party and anonymous gift exchange—bring a mineral,
fossil, or lapidary-related gift in the $5-$10 range, and some holiday
munchies. Beverages will be provided by the Club. This is always a lot of
fun, especially for the kids!
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Thank You To All
The Denver Show Volunteers
Barb Melby, 2010
Show Chair
The
Show Committee wishes to send a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers
at the Denver Gem & Mineral Show.
The show would not happen without all of you. It takes 400 plus volunteers to put on
the show. The Show Committee
consists of about 35 people so you see it takes many more people than just
Show Committee folks to operate the show.
It is truly a club show. The
loyal club members showed up and helped where they were needed. At Wednesday’s set up, there was an
ample number of persons to do the work, which made it so much easier on
all. Likewise, on Sunday’s tear
down, there were enough people to complete the job in a timely manner. Having enough people makes all the
difference. Thanks to all who helped
with admissions, security, exhibits, hospitality room, schools, gemstone
give away, grab bag and poster sales, volunteer check in, and anyone else I
might have missed. So we hope you
enjoyed the show and will be back next year. The show is the most exciting event in
Denver all year for our hobby. It is
a GRAND EVENT and we hope you participated in it fully!
Here are the
winners of the various case categories:
Richard M. Pearl
Trophy: Larry Havens (barite,
Frizington, England)
Best of Species Trophies:
Thumbnail – Nick North (wire silver, Creede)
Miniature – Larry Havens (silver on quartz, Creede)
Cabinet – Kent Havens (barite, Wagon Wheel Gap,
Colorado)
Oversize Cabinet – Larry Havens (barite, Bulldog Mine,
Creede)
Best Fossil: Jordan Sawdo (turtle shell)
Prospector’s
Trophy: Eric and Sarah Mitchell
(precious opal, Nevada)
Junior Prospector’s
Trophy – Trevor Smith (barite, Hartsel, Colorado)
C. E. “Shorty”
Withers Trophy: Ed Raines (Minerals of the Creede Mining District)
Winners of
Competitive Exhibits:
Best Museum
Trophy: Colorado School of Mines
Individual Competitive
Case Trophies:
Thumbnail Minerals, Any Type – Nick
North (Advanced )
Minerals, Open Class – Richard Tripp
(Master)
Unlimited Minerals, One Species – Lou
Conti (Master – Fluorites)
Miniature Pseudomorphs – Barbara Sky
(Master)
Thumbnail Minerals, Any Type – Alexander
Schauss (Master)
Educational, General Concept – Richard
Tripp (agates)
Club Prospector
Trophy: Littleton Gem and Mineral
Club
Ray
and Dorothy Horton at the FMC table at the Denver Show
****************
News from the FMC Board of Directors
The FMC Board
wishes to greatly thank Paul Boni for two years at the helm of the
club. The proposed slate of officers
for 2010-2011 is Evan Elliott for President, Ray Gilbert as VP for Show,
Gabi Accatino and Anita Colin as co-VPs for Field Trips, Kristi Traynor as
Secretary and Gerry Naugle as Treasurer. At this writing we still need a VP
for Programs. That position is easy
and fun, try it out
****************
Denver
Council & Denver Show Update
Gerry
Naugle
The proposed
slate of officers for next year for the Denver Council are exactly the same
folks as this past year, as they have all volunteered in those positions
for a 2nd year. The 2010 Denver show had approximately the same paid
attendance and revenues as the 2009 show, not too bad given economic
factors. And there was an increase in school kids attending on Friday of
the show.
Our
club’s special case at the Denver Show, in remembrance of Charlotte
Morrison
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Jr. Geologists Activities
The
Jr. Geologists meet on the third Thursday of each month, beginning at
6:30. This fall we are learning
more about fossils as we earn the Fossil Badge. For the meeting on October 21st, each Jr.
Geologist needs to pick their favorite dinosaur. Find out when it lived, what it ate, and
where you can find fossils of your dinosaur. Also, bring a picture of your dinosaur to
the October meeting.
New
for This Year: For all Jr.
Geologists 10 years and older, we will kick off the advanced juniors
program in October. We will go
deeper into each subject, earn additional badges, plus go on special trips
just for the advanced juniors. Stay
tuned for more details.
The
Jr. Geologists program is open to all Flatirons Mineral Club families. Each month we learn more about geology,
plus earn badges for different earth science activities. For information about the Jr. Geologists
program, please contact Dennis
Gertenbach.
Wesley
and Natalie studying how this fossil formed.
Malakai
and Andrew making fossils.
Jr. Geologists at
McCoy
In
August, the Jr. Geologists headed to McCoy to collect Pennsylvanian-aged
fossils. McCoy is well known for its
abundant Paleozoic fossils, including brachiopods, crinoids, horn corals,
sea urchin spines, and even an occasional shark tooth. One particularly interesting spot is a
place named Crinoid City, because the ground is littered with crinoid stems
of all shapes and sizes. Everyone
found lots and lots of fossils to add to their collections. We want to thank the landowners for
allowing us to collect at Crinoid City.
Jr.
Geologists collecting fossils at Crinoid City in the McCoy area.
Preston
Daley with several crinoid stems he found.
A nice Composita
brachiopod found on the trip.
****************
In The
Dark (UV Topics)
English
Fluorite
John Hurst
Fluorite,
Weardale Mining District, Durham, England
Fluorite-Green, (also:
Golden, & Purple)
Fluorescence: Bluish White under LW, MW, and SW
Activator:
europium, Eu 2+
The
Weardale District Fluorites are best known as the fluorite specimen that
fluoresces in broad daylight. While
we need a dark room and a U-V lamp to detect fluorescence in most minerals,
you can take your piece of green Rogerly Mine Fluorite out into direct
sunlight and it fluoresces so strongly that you see the crystal tips turn
bluish purple without even using a U-V lamp. Certainly, the fact that it fluoresces
under all three wave lengths plays a huge role in its visibility in
daylight. It shows up moderately
under shortwave, brighter under mid-wave and stronger yet under longwave
U-V. Hit that specimen with all
three wave lengths at once and the wattage hits the top of the chart. For the serious U-V collector, Rogerly
Mine Fluorites are a must for your LW, MW and SW displays.
The
Weardale Mining District has a noteworthy history. Originally the area was mined for the
lead ores in the 1600’S and 1700’s and eventually was abandoned when the
lead ore was mostly mined out. The mines sat inactive until the Swiss
bought up the claims and started mining the fluorites for use as a flux in
the Swiss steel industry. Either the
Swiss found a better flux or economic reasons lead them to eventually
abandon their claims. Today, the
Rogerly mine is one of the few mines that is mined for collector
specimens. Their Green Fluorite
makes the best U-V specimens, however there is a Golden Fluorite and a
Purple Fluorite from there that are reputed to fluoresce as well.
Safety
note: “Never look directly at a U-V lamp.”
Instead, use a small piece of Rogerly Fluorite to check your lamp to
see if it is on, it works on all three wave lengths.
****************
Fossils in the News
Dennis Gertenbach
Triceratops no Longer a Dinosaur?
For
children and adults, Triceratops is one of everybody’s favorite
dinosaurs. However, a new study by
John Scannella and Jack Horner of the Museum of the Rockies published in
the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology indicates that Triceratops may not
be a distinct dinosaur. Rather,
their 10-year study indicates that Triceratops are actually juveniles of
another dinosaur, the Torosaurus. As
they age, their skulls change shape.
Both Triceratops and torosaurs are found in the same region and age,
but torosaurs were always larger than Triceratops and had different horns
and frills. By studying nearly 50
skulls, the researchers show a clear transition from Triceratops to
Torsaurus.
So
which name will be dismissed?
Usually, the name given to the first published description is kept,
so the name Triceratops will probably remain.
A
1904 drawing of Triceratops by Charles R. Knight. Will their name change to
Torosaurus?
Gigantic Prehistoric Whale Hunted Other
Whales
A
giant whale, equipped with 14-inch teeth, would have feasted on other
smaller whales 12-13 million years ago, researchers say. Fossils found in
Peru suggest that this killer was longer than a school bus, between 43 and
59 feet long. Its skull alone
measured almost 10 feet. Olivier Lambert of the National Museum of Natural
History in Paris, France based this conclusion about what Leviathan
melvillei ate on the size of the teeth and the strength of the jaws. Most likely, this whale was able to tear
pieces of meat from its prey much like a modern killer whale. Only the
giant shark, Megalodon, would have equaled L. melvillei in size.
An
artist’s rendition of Leviathan melvillei attacking a smaller whale.
Fossils of the Oldest Multicellular Life?
Scientists
have reported in the journal Nature small ½-inch structures in shale
deposits from Gabon that may be fossils of the oldest known multicellular
life. The specimens are 2.1 billion years old, 200 million years older than
the previously identified multicellular species. Lead scientist, Abderrazak El Albani, and
colleagues describe the fossils as resembling irregularly shaped
"wrinkly cookies". The
question remains if these truly represent larger organisms or are merely
the remains of mats of unicellular bacteria.
These
structures may be fossils of the oldest known multicellular life.
Back When T. Rex Was a Wimp
Ancestors
of the greatest land predator of all time were not so big. A recently published study indicated that
they spent most of their evolutionary history skulking in the shadows of
other giant predators. And, they may
have even been covered with hair-like feathers reported Stephen Brusatte of
the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
Brusatte
and colleagues have published the first detailed family tree for
tyrannosaurs in the journal Science. Tyranosaurs first originated about 165
million years ago during the middle Jurassic. They remained mostly small,
fast-footed dinosaurs just one hundredth the size of T. rex. Even as late
as 80 million years ago, tyranosaurs were still only about the size of
humans. After that time until the
extinction of the dinosaurs about 65 million years ago, tyranosaur species
grew much larger. T. rex added more than 4 pounds per day as they approached
maturity, reaching 11,000 to 17,600 pounds.
Reconstructed
body silhouettes of three tyrannosaurs. Dilong on the left is 125 million
years old and the smallest known tyrannosaur. Xiongguanlong, shown in grey, is much
larger, but is still dwarfed by T. rex, shown on the right. From M.
Donnelly/The Field Museum
Carnivorous Terror Bird Pecked Its Prey
to Death
Anyone
who has seen a reconstruction of a terror bird, such as the one
accompanying this article, instantly knows that this species was a fearsome
predator. This family of birds
sported thick bills used to attack and kill their prey. A recent study of fossils of
Andalgalornis steulleti, which roamed South America 6 million years ago
years ago, indicate that this bird pecked its prey to death, landing swift
jabs, retreating, and attacking again and again. Once its victim was dead, it was
swallowed whole, or the bird ripped pieces of flesh from the carcass.
The
researchers from the La Plata Museum in Argentina and Ohio State University
used x-ray images of the bird’s skull, examining the stresses that would
develop when the bird struck or shook its prey. The results indicate that
the bird would suffer catastrophic skull fractures if it tried to shake its
prey from side to side, eliminating this as a possible mode of attack.
Instead, the creature's large, rigid skull and strong neck muscles were
designed for swift, front-on attacks.
An
artist’s rendition of a terror bird.
****************
Special GSA Dinosaur Ridge Field Trips
Clare Marshall, 303.697.3466 x
105
The
Geological Society of America Meeting is in Denver this year, and field
trips are planned for the Dinosaur Ridge area. You don't have to be a
member of GSA or registered for the meeting to join the field trips! But
you do have to register for the field trips themselves. Here is the web site: http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2010/ft-pre.htm
(you need to scroll down to the field trip number to register)
Saturday,
October 30 Field Trips:
#408.
Red Rocks and Dinosaur Ridge Hike.
#411.
Mountain Bike adventure, Red Rocks, Dinosaur Ridge and Matthew Winters
Parks.
#413.
Dinosaur Quarries. New interpretation of paleoecology and history of
quarries.
Monday,
November 1 Field Trip:
#415.
Geology of Dinosaur Ridge Family Trip.
Thursday,
November 4 Field Trip:
#419.
Old and new geologic studies of the Front Range.
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Upcoming Events,
Nearby & Elsewhere
Wed., Oct. 13, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Field Trip, a public field trip for Earth
Science Week will be led by USGS geologist Dr. Pete Modreski. This will be a short (1/2 mile) hike to
see an old copper mine located at the base of Lookout Mountain, on the outskirts
of Golden, CO. We will meet at 4:30
p.m. at the cul-de-sac at the end of Bonvue Drive, one block off Lookout Mountain
Rd. and 0.85 mile west of the traffic light at 6th Ave. and 19th St.,
Golden. Be prepared for a rough
trail with cactus, rocks, brush, and poison ivy; elevation climb is about
200 feet. We'll see and discuss
local geology, rocks, minerals, and natural history. For questions or more info contact Pete Modreski, 303-202-4766.
Mon.,
Oct. 11, 6:00 p.m., "Crystal Mining in the Crystal Peak Area" by
Joseph Dorris; the public is invited to this presentation sponsored by the
Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners; at Colorado Springs Masonic Hall, 1150 Panorama
Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80904; "Author Joseph Dorris, a lifelong
miner, mineral collector and dealer as well as owner of Glacier Peak Mining
LLC, will share with you an insight into the depths of mining and producing
Colorado mineral specimens and gemstones including amazonite, smoky quartz,
and topaz."
Sat.,
Oct. 16, Dinosaur Discovery Day at Dinosaur Ridge, Morrison, CO, featuring
Girl Scout Day as well as National Fossil Day, International Astronomy Day,
World Space Week, and Earth Science Week at Dinosaur Ridge! 10 a.m. to 3
p.m.; please use off-site parking at Thunder Valley, north of the Dino Ridge
Visitors Center on Rooney Road; a shuttle bus will take you to the Visitors
Center. All are welcome, with
special activities planned for Girl Scouts. "Guides will be stationed
along the trail to explain the geology and fossils. Hiking the trail is free; our shuttle
will be available for $3.00 per person, five and under ride free. Dinosaur
Ridge is located just west of the C-470 exit at Alameda Parkway. For more
information email Tom_Moklestad@dinoridge.org or call 303-697-3466."
Sat.-Sun.,
Oct. 23-34, Mineral Sale at the home ("in our barn", actually) of
Ray and Eloise Berry, 7513 Tudor Rd., Colorado Springs (I-25 exit 149), 9
a.m. - 4 p.m.; please call 719-598-7877 or email rayber@q.com for
directions or more info.
Tues., Oct. 26,
The Friends of Dinosaur Ridge Fireside Chat Series presents "The
Chinese National Museum", by Dr. Bruce Geller, Director, Colorado
School of Mines Geology Museum. 7:00
p.m., at the Lutheran Church of the Master, NE corner of Bear Creek
Parkway, W. Alameda, and W. Jewell Ave., Lakewood, CO. "In the spring of 2010 Dr. Geller
had the rare opportunity to take a backroom tour of the Chinese National
Museum. Come and see his pictures
and hear the story of his "trek" through this famed storehouse of
fossils!" For more info please
call Tom Moklestad, 303-697-3466.
November
5-7, Denver Area Mineral Dealers Annual Gem & Mineral Show, Jefferson
County Fairgrounds Exhibit Halls, 15200 W. 6th Ave, Golden, CO. Hours: Fri.
& Sat. 10 am-6 pm. Sun. 11 am-4 pm. 18 Dealers with Minerals, Fossils,
Lapidary, Jewelry, & Carvings. Public Welcome. Free Admission! Information:
call (303)279-5504 or (303)986-3647.
Sun. Oct. 31- Wed. Nov. 3, The Geological
Society of America Annual Meeting, a national geological conference, takes
place in Denver at the Convention Center.
Geologists must register to attend the meeting, but we at the USGS
(Pete Modreski) have a limited number of complimentary passes for admission
to the exhibit hall only (many exhibits by geoscience companies, book
publishers, professional societies, universities, state geological
surveys). The exhibit hall is open
Sunday 6-8 p.m. (welcoming session), Monday and Tuesday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.,
Wednesday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. If you are
interested in coming to see the exhibits please contact Pete Modreski, 303-202-4766.
Fri.,
Nov. 5, "Rock Out for the Ridge" is a fund-raising evening
(dinner, silent auction, and lecture) for the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge,
held at the Red Rocks Park Visitors Center.
The lecture presentation will be by Mr. Mike Green, "The Rooney
Ranch Story". Tickets for the event are $75; for more information
please contact Clare Marshall at 303-697-3466 x 105 or
dinodiscovery@dinoridge.org.
Sat.
& Sun., Nov. 20 - 21, Hands of Spirit Gallery 13th Annual Holiday
Mineral and Jewelry Open House from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. You're sure to find an incredible
selection of the finest crystal and mineral specimens and a lovely
selection of jewelry. Refreshments will be served. Call 303-541-9727 for directions and
further information. http://www.handsofspirit.com. Sat. & Sun., Nov. 20
- 21, Hands of Spirit Gallery 13th Annual Holiday Mineral and Jewelry Open
House from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. You're sure to find an incredible selection
of the finest crystal and mineral specimens and a lovely selection of
jewelry. Refreshments will be served. Call 303-541-9727 for directions and
further information.
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Calendar of Events
Oct
14 FMC Club Meeting, 7:00 PM, West Boulder Senior Ctr, 9th & Arap. Peter
Maciulaitis will have a talk from the modern Nevada gold rush era
Oct
21 Junior Geologists Meeting At Charlotte’s house, as usual. Contact Dennis Gertenbach
Oct
25 FMC Board Meeting Charlotte Morrison’s house, 7:15 p.m.
Nov
1 FMC Show Committee Meeting, Boulder Co. Fairgrounds. Contact Ray Gilbert.
Nov
11 FMC Club Meeting, 7:00 PM, West Boulder Senior Ctr, 9th & Arap. Annual
Towel Show.
Nov
29 FMC Board Meeting Location to be announced.
Dec
10-12 FMC Annual Show, Longmont Fairgrounds. Details in next newsletter.
Dec
16 FMC Club Meeting, 7:00 PM, West Boulder Senior Ctr, 9th & Arap. Annual
holiday gift exchange
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Updated 10/14/10
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