|
News
from the FMC Board of Directors
Gerry Naugle
The FMC Board would like to welcome Evan Elliott as our new club President
for 2010-2011. And, Kristi Traynor as the new Secretary for next year along
with Gabi Accatino and Anita Colin as the new co-VPs for Programs and
co-VPs for Field Trips. Mathias Thurmer is joining the FMC Board as a
general board member.
We would urge everyone to bring
a towel and their findings or lapidary/jewelry makings from this past year
to our annual towel show on Thurs, Nov 11th at the West Boulder Senior
Center, start at 7:10pm.
Our annual combined FMC and
Boulder Train Club show is coming up on Dec 10th - 12th at the Boulder
County fairgrounds in Longmont in the main exhibits building. At the club
towel show in November, we would like to urge you and spouse to sign up for
some volunteer time slots for our club show in December.
Thanks.
****************
2010 Towel Show at November Club Meeting
The
next monthly FMC meeting will be on Thursday November 11th at the West
Boulder Senior Center at 909 Arapahoe Ave.
The
meeting will start at 7:00pm and will be the 2010 annual Towel Show night
for senior and junior divisions of findings from (1) club-sponsored field
trips, (2) personal field trips, along with (3) jewelry and lapidary arts.
Additional categories include (5) ugliest rock and (6) best towel. Bring
your best 2010 finds or creations, and show them off! Please bring some
snacks or finger-food with you to the meeting.
****************
Upcoming Club
Programs
Dec
10-12—Annual Flatirons Mineral Club Gem and Mineral Show at the Longmont
Fairgrounds. Exhibitors and volunteers are solicited. Contact Ray Gilbert
(see pp. 5-6)
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!
****************
Jr. Geologists
The
Jr. Geologists are continuing to study fossils to earn their Fossil Badge.
Last month we studied dinosaurs, with each Jr. Geologists talking about
their favorite dinosaur. Next month, we will learn more about
invertebrates; those animals without bones.
New
for This Year: For all Jr. Geologists 10 years and older, we kicked off the
advanced juniors program this fall. We go deeper into each subject, earn
additional badges, plus go on special trips just for the advanced juniors.
Last month, we talked about the different dinosaur families and how they
were related to each other.
The
Jr. Geologists program is open to all Flatirons Mineral Club families. We
meet on the third Thursday of each month, beginning at 6:30. 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 (gertenbach@comcast.net, 303-709-8218).
The
advanced Jr. Geologists learning about fossil formation by
permineralization.
Each
Jr. Geologist talked about their favorite dinosaur.
The
Jr. Geologists working on putting together displays for the Club Show in
December.
****************
Fossils in the News
Dennis Gertenbach
Two New Fossil
Finds in Colorado
Several
rare fossil finds from Colorado National Monument outside of Grand Junction
were announced last month by the monument staff. Tracks rare turtle tracks,
lizard tracks and a 7-inch, intact three-toed, dinosaur track all came from
the Morrison formation and are 146 million to 157 million years old. The
turtle trackway was discovered in 2005, but was not collected until
September. A monument maintenance worker found the dinosaur track in
September, which was collected at the same time. While they were collecting
the dinosaur fossil, they also found the lizard tracks in the same area.
Paleontologists
have not determined whether the dinosaur track is from a carnivorous or
plant-eating animal, which probably stood about 10-feet tall. The lizard
tracks are a type of track that has not been found in the Morrison
formation. Only one other set of turtle tracks have only been found in one
other Morrison formation location in North America.
NPS Photo
This three-toed
dinosaur track recently discovered at Colorado National Monument.
NPS photo
Lizard tracks
found near the dinosaur track in Colorado National Monument.
Also
found last month were the remains of a mammoth at Snowmass Village, thought
to be at least 10,000 years old. A worker uncovered the bones during the
excavation of the Ziegler Reservoir just outside of the town. The bones are
not fossilized, but contain original material that was preserved in an
oxygen-free environment in a peat bog.
Kit
Hamby of the Snowmass Water and Sanitation District shows the fossils of
the recently discovered mammoth. Photo by Heather Rousseau/Aspen Daily News
Staff
from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science have examined these bones and
determined that they were from a juvenile mammoth. So far, they have not
been able to determine whether they were from a relatively rare woolly
mammoth or a larger and more common Colombian mammoth. It is the most
intact mammoth found in Colorado at this high altitude. Although mammoths
are known to have lived at elevations over 8,000 feet, the topography and
climate usually do not favor the preservation of fossils.
Skull from
Horniest Dinosaur Found
Scientists
have unearthed two skulls of a dinosaur in Utah that now holds the record
for bearing the most horns on its head. Kosmoceratops richardsoni, stood 16
feet tall with a 6-foot skull complete with 15 horns. Kosmoceratops had one
horn over its nose, one over each eye, one protruding from each cheekbone
and a row of ten across the frill at the back of its head. The animal lived
76 million years ago in the warm, wet swamps of what is now southern Utah
and probably weighed over 2½ tons.
An
artist’s rendition of Kosmoceratops, discovered in Grand
Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. Credit: Lukas
Panzarin
Prehistoric Bird
Sets Wingspan Record
And
another record has been broken; this time for the longest bird wingspan. At
17 feet, the wingspan of Pelagornis chilensis may exceed that of any other
flying animal ever to exist. The fossils were found in Chile and date from
5-10 million years ago. The birds probably weighed about 64 pounds and
belong to a family of birds characterized by long, slender beaks bearing
many spiny, tooth-like projections. Scientists speculate that this wingspan
may be the limit of what is possible for birds, due to the weight of the
feathers. (The term “light as a feather’ breaks down when a bird becomes
too big.)
The
researchers think the birds soared over the ocean looking for food, such as
fish and squid. Once prey was spotted, the birds would cruise across the
surface with their lower jaws immersed in the water, grabbing their prey
with their beaks.
A
reconstruction of Pelagornis chilensis in flight. Artwork by Carlos Anzures
Was T. Rex a
Cannibal?
A
recent study of fossil T. Rex bones indicates that this may have been true,
with larger T. Rexs hunting down and killing their smaller kin. Or,
perhaps, these mighty predators may have scavenged corpses. While studying
the bones of a recently found T. Rex from Montana, paleontologist Nick
Longrich of Yale University noticed large gouges in bones that had been
made by a large carnivore. These fossils were deposited 65 million years
ago, a time when T. Rex was the only North American carnivore with large enough
teeth to make such marks. Further examination of T. Rex fossils in other
museum collections found similar marks in three other fossils, indicating
that T. Rex predation was relatively common. There is some indication that
the bite marks appear to have been made some time after death, although
Longrich cannot rule out that one T. Rex had been killed by another.
Tooth gouges on a
T. Rex toe bone could have been made only by another T. Rex. Diagram
courtesy Nicholas Longrich, Yale University
****************
An
Elephant Never Forgets!
A
friendly reminder that the annual dues to the FMC are due on October 1st,
2010. The dues are still only $18 per individual (and) their immediate
family. You can pay in two ways:
SEND
A CHECK MADE TO “Flatirons Mineral Club” (or) “ FMC “ P.O. Box 3331
Boulder, CO 80307 (or) pay Gerry Naugle, Treasurer (or) Alex Cook,
Membership Chair at any FMC monthly meeting. One of them is at or near the
sign-in table upon entering the room for the monthly meetings. Your receipt
is your new annual 2010-11 FMC membership card.
You can pay by
CASH at these FMC meetings. Please do not send cash to the Club P.O. Box
3331 by USPS mail. Remember you can receive electronic (or) paper club
newsletters containing the general meetings information, guided club field
trips information, annual show opportunities, silent auction opportunities
and an annual club summer picnic when you are a current member of the FMC.
The 2010-11 dues must be received by the club by Jan. 25th, 2011 in order
to stay current with the member benefits.
****************
Wanted: Food Czar for Monthly Meetings
Do
you think there should be good refreshments at club meetings? Would you
like to be the one who ensures that we have good munchies at meetings? The Board
is looking for that special someone who wants to take over this very
important task. Might it be you?
Any
degree of commitment will work! There are 2 different ways to make sure the
food is delightful at meetings: Method 1: You take over the entire task.
You shop for every meeting and bring the refreshments and the big black box
full of plates, cups, and utensils. You will be reimbursed for up to $25
per month for purchases with receipts. Method 2: You take over organizing
the group of people who sign-up to provide food for the meetings. You
create a sign-up sheet for the meetings that need refreshments. You will be
responsible for reminding the volunteers and figuring out who will bring in
the big black refreshment box. The volunteers will be reimbursed for up to
$25 per month for purchases with receipts. Of course, anyone is still
invited to bring additional treats! And the December meeting is always a
potluck. We just want to make sure there are refreshments at every meeting.
Is there another
way to make sure we have great refreshments? Please volunteer, or bring
suggestions to the next meeting, or email Gabi Accatino.
****************
Club
Member Betsy Lehndorff has Articles Published in National Magazine
Gabi Accatino
Board
member Betsy Lehndorff has written two articles about Cripple Creek
turquoise in the November issue of Lapidary Journal/Jewelry Artist
magazine.
The
first story is about two families and their claims: David Graham of the Bad
Boys Mine and the Burtis family who own the Florence Mine. Betsy visited
the Bad Boys claim in June and watched Graham unearth a 3-inch slab of
turquoise from a small pit. A few weeks later, she visited Joanne and Wally
Burtis at their home south of Colorado Springs. There she photographed two
six pound nuggets they mined from the Florence claim in the 1986. The gems
are considered the largest documented finds in Colorado.
The
second article in the magazine contains step-by-step instructions for
making a sterling silver and Florence Mine turquoise pendant inspired by
Wally Burtis's dog tags from the Korean War. The magazine also featured a
Colorado-inspired sterling silver scalloped necklace Betsy made. This piece
contains Cripple Creek turquoise, Colorado smoky quartz, and peridot and
blue topaz from overseas sources.
The
magazine is available at Ead’s and at major bookstores. Magazine website: http://www.jewelryartistmagazine.com
Wally
Burtis and a grandson show off two six-pound nuggets he collected from the
Florence claim in 1986.
****************
Call for 2010 Show Volunteers
The annual club Mineral show and combined with show the BMRC train club
last year went very successfully.
The attendance on the Sat. last year was an all-time record.
All of the FMC volunteers and participants had a good time in the
many activities held there. The success of this year's show to be held at
the same venue as last year's show (please see the 2010 show flyer attached
to this newsletter) on Dec. 10th-12th will depend on club members' much
appreciated help and participation.
We especially need help on the set-up activities on Wed and Thurs Dec
8th and 9th, and, the show take-down activities on Sunday evening Dec 12th.
Please see the show volunteers’ sign-up sheets at the entrance table
at our club meeting on Nov. 11th and/or contact Gerry Naugle, 303-591-2830,
who is coordinating volunteer sign-ups for this year.
****************
Notification of Officer Nominations From Greater
Denver Area Gem & Mineral Council
Janie Bennett,
Council Secretary
The
by-laws of the Greater Denver Area Gem & Mineral Council require the
Council to notify all member organizations of the nominating committee’s
nominations for Council officers. The nominating committee submitted their
slate of nominations for officers in 2011 at the September 29, 2010 Council
meeting. The Council by-laws require this information be communicated to all
clubs no less that 30 days prior to the election. The election will be held
November 16, 2010.
Nominating
Committee Report:
President:
Jim Hooten
Vice-President:
Cynthia Mahnken
Secretary:
Janie Bennett
Treasurer:
Maxine Sheel
There
were no nominations from the floor at the September 29, 2010 meeting.
Nominations will be accepted from club members, provided the nominee has
accepted the nomination. Club members can give nominations to their
organization’s Council Trustee no later than November 1, 2010.
Council
Trustees:
CMS:
Gary Rowe
Flatirons:
Alex Cook
FM:
Pete Modreski
Guild:
Roger Bennett
Littleton:
Keith Sheel
North
Jeffco: Judy Knoshaug
RAMS:
Ron Knoshaug
WIPS:
Jordan Sawdo
Respectfully
submitted:
****************
Greater Denver Area Gem & Mineral Council
Report to Denver Gem & Mineral Clubs
2010 Approved Grant Requests
Janie Bennett,
Council Secretary
The
Council receives, evaluates and approves grants twice each year in March
and September. This report is sent to all eight clubs that are members of
the Greater Denver Area Gem & Mineral Council.
1.
Friends of Dinosaur Ridge received a grant for $4,500.00 for three separate
projects: 1) They received $500 for Dinosaur Discover Day in August, 2010.
The grant helps partially fund the expenses for their monthly educational
open house and tour. The Council and Show Committee members staff a table
to promote the upcoming Greater Denver Gem and Mineral Show in September.
2) They received $2000 for the production of tri-fold brochures on the
following subjects: Volcanic activity, creation of land forms and mining in
the Morrison/Golden Area. 3) They Received $2000 for an interpretive kiosk
at Triceratops Trail. It will be a 3-sided kiosk with Interpretive signs on
each side. It will be placed in the parking lot of Triceratops Trail.
2.
Denver Museum of Nature and Science received $850 to purchase a 40” LCD/TV
monitor/receiver. The monitor will be used to present Power Point programs
of mineral specimens in the museum collections. 3. Colorado Mining Exhibit
Foundation- received $500 toward a program to educate teachers and the
general public about earth sciences. They provide a mining exhibit at the
Labor Day “Taste of Colorado” event. Members of the show committee
participate in this event to promote the September Show.
4.
Big Horn Basin Foundation -Wyoming – received $1,660.00 for three projects.
1) $450 to repair the quarry shelter used to protect personnel and
equipment2) $760 to purchase a “Mighty Jack” pneumatic air scribe toll for
removing hard rock from around dinosaur bones and 3) $450 for a Swambast
ECO-blaster- an abrasive machine to do final prep work to get bones ready
for mounting.
5.
Blevins Middle School (Ft Collins) received $1607.00 to purchase minerals
rocks and fossils for study materials to prepare for the Science Olympiad.
6.
Western Interior Paleontological Society received $3000 for expenses such
as printing publicity materials, posters and flyers for the February 2011
symposium.
7.
Newsletter Grants to 8 clubs – All eight clubs received the $250.00
newsletter grant in 2010. The total for the club grants is $2000.00
The
total amount of grant money paid to the above organizations in 2010 was
$14,117.00
Newsletter
Grant to 8 clubs – Each of the eight area clubs can receive a $250 grant
from the Council to help defray their newsletter expenses. The prerequisite
to receive this grant is for each club to have a representative attend all
four Council meetings each year. Eight clubs met this requirement in 2009.
They received their grant money after the March 2010 Council meeting. The
Grant money comes from the proceeds of the 2009 Greater Denver Area Gem and
Mineral Show. Grant information and the application form is available at: denvermineralshow.com
****************
Upcoming Events,
Nearby & Elsewhere
Thurs., Nov. 4, Minerals and Mining History of Franklin and Sterling Hill,
New Jersey; by Richard C. Bostwick, at the bimonthly meeting of the Friends
of Mineralogy, Colorado Chapter; Denver Museum of Nature and Science, VIP
Room, 7:30 p.m. All are welcome.
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.
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)9863647.
Sun.,
Nov. 7, Secrets of Colorado's Past Climate Change, 1:30 p.m., at Lookout
Mountain Nature Center, 910 Colorow Rd., Golden, CO. "Discover the
climate changes in Colorado over the last 15,000 years and how these
changes have affected ecosystems in the Colorado Mountains. Find out how
tree rings, pollen records and even the garbage pile left from packrats
help scientists to unravel the history of Colorado's climate. Join Robert
Thompson and Laura Strickland from the U.S. Geological Survey for a
discussion on these methods. Ages 13-adult. Registration is required for
this FREE program. Please call Lookout Mountain Nature Center at 720-497-7600
or go online to register.
Tues.,
Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m., Café Scientifique at the Wynkoop Brewery, Long Hot
Nights in the Eocene Arctic: What they tell us about global temperature
change, by Jaelyn J. Eberle, Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, University
of Colorado Boulder Museum of Natural History. For more info see http://cafescicolorado.org/
Sat.,
Nov. 20, Little Gem and Mineral Club Silent Auction. Columbine Hills
Church, 9700 Old Coal Mine Ave, Littleton (SE of intersection of S. Kipling
and Old Coal Mine Ave.) Seller set-up 11:30 a.m., auction begins 12:00
noon. Light refreshments, special verbal auction!
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.
****************
Calendar of Events
Nov.
11 FMC Club Meeting, 7:00 PM, West Boulder Senior Ctr, 9th & Arap. Annual
Towel Show
Nov
18? Junior Geologists Meeting. Date uncertain; location to be announced. Contact Dennis Gertenbach
Nov
29 FMC Board Meeting Alex Cook’s
house, 7:15 p.m.
Nov
30 FMC Show Committee Meeting, Boulder Co. Fairgrounds. Contact Ray Gilbert.
Dec
10-12 FMC Annual Show, Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont. Volunteers
needed!
Dec
16 FMC Club Meeting, 7:00 PM, West Boulder Senior Ctr, 9th & Arap.
Annual holiday gift exchange
****************
Return to Facets Index
Return
to Flatirons Mineral Club
Home Page
Return to Boulder Community Network home page
Updated 1/13/11
|
