Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois - ESCONI

Amino Acids Found in Meteorite

From UPI, cia Geology.com:

... U.S. scientists say they've found amino acids where they shouldn't be -- on a meteorite that formed from an asteroid so hot it should have destroyed the acids...

China Dinosaur Trove Found

From the Guardian:

... Fossil hunters have uncovered the remains of an ancient marine ecosystem that arose in the aftermath of the most devastating mass extinction in Earth's history.

The spectacular haul of 20,000 fossils from a hillside in southwestern China represents the first discovery of a complete ecosystem which bounced back after life was nearly wiped off the face of the planet 252m years ago.

The beautifully preserved remains include molluscs, sea urchins and arthropods, alongside much larger animals that occupied the top of the food chain, such as carnivorous fish and the first icthyosaurs, predatory marine reptiles that grew to four metres long...

Dinosaurs Who Become Vegetarians

Via Chicago Tribune:

... Velociraptors -- part of a group of two-legged dinosaurs known as theropods -- were, in fact, strict carnivores, as was the most ferocious theropod of them all, Tyrannosaurus rex -- one of which snacked on a lawyer in the film.

But, according to research from two paleontologists at the Field Museum, the diet of their direct ancestors took some surprising turns over the years....

The Bible, Rocks and Time: Reviews

The editor of CoalGeology posted on the book, The Bible, Rocks and Time.  According to the Amazon reviews, it looks like a good book for anyone who talks about earth sciences with evangelical Christians who believe in a young-earth.

2011 Membership Dues Are Due

Remember to send your check payable to ESCONI for $20 to Eileen Mizerk, Membership, 2094, Windward Lane, Hanover Park, IL 60133-6183

Looking for Detachment

Many people create their own blogs, which include discussions of their interest in the earth sciences. This blog, Looking for Detachment, discusses geology and displays informative photographs.

To create your own blog, look into the services of Typepad, Wordpress, Blogger or Squarespace. Some of these blog services are free too. This site uses Typepad, but all the blog services are good to use.

Calendar of Events for 2011

(Dates subject change) 

	January 2011
Sat. 1/8	Mineralogy and Micromount Study Group Meeting, 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 131. Mineral Agate video.
Fri. 1/14	General Meeting, 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage Building K, Room #131. John Ruskamp will speak on: Trans-Cultural Diffusion in North American Native Rock Writing This dual topic lecture presents images of a previously unidentified solar “sun dagger” shrine in Eastern Arizona, the native folklore associated with it, and explores the possibility that it was the natural precursor for the famously constructed Fajada Butte sun daggers of Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. In addition, several specific ancient glyph forms found across North American are evaluated and found to be substantially similar to equally ancient, Han Dynasty era, Chinese ideographs.
Sat. 1/15	First day of Special Exhibit: Bundenbach’s Golden Fossils,This exhibition runs through April 3, 2011. Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Elmhurst.
Sat. 1/15	Paleonotology Study Group Meeting, 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 131. Part I: Tom Williams and John Catalani will speak about The Lower Permian.
Sat. 1/22	Basic Beading Stringing, Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Elmhurst, 12 yrs to adult, 1 pm and 2:30 pm. Reservations required: (630) 833-1616.
Sat. 1/22	Archaeology Study Group Meeting, 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 131. Continuation of Discussion of 1421: When China Discovered Ameria.
Fri. 1/28	ESCONI Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 131.
	February 2011
Fri. 2/5	Glaciers in Your Backyard.   Morton Arboretum, Thornhill Education Center. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cost: $82 (discounts for Arboretum members). Ages 12 and older.
Fri. 2/11	ESCONI General Meeting. 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 131. Virginia Naples will speak on the La Brea Tar Pits.
Sat. 2/12	Our own Rob Sula will lead a tour and discussion  of the Dinosaur and Dinosaur Eggs exhibit at the Aurora SciTech Hands on Museum on Saturday, February 12 at 2:00 pm. All ages welcome. $8 admission per person. The museum's address is 18 W. Benton Street, Aurora, IL. Click here for a map. Validated parking is available by turning left just past the museum onto Stolp Avenue. Look on the right and you'll find the Stolp Avenue Parking Garage. Bring your ticket to SciTech's front desk and we'll validate you for 4 hours of free parking. Metered street parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The south side of Benton has three-hour limit meters and the north side has ten-hour limit meters. The Aurora Public Library has opened their parking lot to SciTech Hands-On Visitors. Turn right past the museum to find your spot. Please pay the meters and come on in! The exhibit features: Real dinosaur leg bone fossil for visitors to touch Over 130 real and cast dinosaur eggs and nests Dig pits Six different groups of dinosaurs are represented "Life-like" models of dinosaurs Original artist depictions of early dinosaur development and life Baby Louie as featured in National Geographic Magazine   Mineralogy and Micromount Study Group Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 131. Discussion of Psuedomorphs.
Sat. 2/19	Rock & Mineral Identification, Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Elmhurst, 8 yrs to adult, 10:30 am and 1:00 pm. Reservations required: (630) 833-1616.
Sat. 2/19	Paleontology Study Group Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College  of Dupage, Building K, Rm 131. Part II: Tom Williams and John Catalano will speak about The Lower Permian.
Fri. 2/25	Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 131.
Sat. 2/26	Archaeology Study Group Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 131.
	Date TBA - Field trip to Scitech museum in Aurora for their special dinosaur egg exhibit.
	March 2011
Sat. 3/1	First day of Special Exhibit: Fabulous Illinois Fluorite,This exhibition runs through June 5, 2011. Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Elmhurst.
Sat 3/5 - Sun. 3/6	Burpee Museum's Paleofest 2011. PaleoFest is GIANT! Special admission includes DinoBlast Activities for kids and the temporary exhibit, Giants: Dinosaurs of Africa. Dr Paul Sereno will speak at the Saturday night dinner lecture. Schedule information here.
Sat. 3/12         Sat. 3/12	Chicago Rocks & Mineral Society's 62nd Annual Silent Auction, Saturday, March 12, 6 to 9 p.m. St. Peter's United Church of Christ, 8013 Laramie Ave., Across from the Skokie Public Library at Oakton We will rock you!  Bid for rocks, minerals, crystals, fossils, handmade jewelry, lapidary treasures, books, magazines and more. You'll dig our selection of great buys, including a special table with specimens just for kids. Free admission and parking. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, contact Jeanine N. Mielecki, (773) 774-2054, e-mail: [email protected]. Visit our Web site: www.chicagorocks.org Mineralogy and Micromounting Study Group 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 131.
Sat. 3/13	Lecture: Budenbach's Golden Fossils, Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Elmhurst, youth to adult, 2 pm. Reservations recommended: (630) 833-1616.
Sat. 3/19 - Sun 3/20	ESCONI GEM, MINERAL AND FOSSIL SHOW. Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20; Saturday 10 am - 5 pm Sunday 10 am - 4 pm  WHERE:  College of Dupage, Building K, Commons Room ADMISSION:  Free :) You can download the flyer for the 2011 ESCONI Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show.
Fri.  3/25	Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 131.
Sat. 3/26	Mazon Creek Fossil Collecting Field Trip, Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Elmhurst, 8 yrs to adult, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Reservations required: (630) 833-1616.
Sat. 3/26	Archaeology Study Group. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 131.
Mon. 3/28	Safety Training6:30 - 9:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161. Cost: $10 for all, additional $7 for the book (if you don't have the book that you purchased last year) payable at the door to John McArdle. John McArdle of ZRS (Zoological Research Services) is approved to offer Miner Safety Certification Training and issue certificates. He will teach the course. This is the second year we are offering Miner Safety Certification Training. The certificate has to be recertified every year. The formal presentation follows a 50 page book. A formal (but rather easy) test must be passed to receive a certificate. The training takes three (3) hours with a break. Reservations recommended due to ordering certificates in advance. Contact John Good at 630-483-2363 for reservations or e-mail at [email protected]. Quarries in Minnesota require Miner Safety Certification training. We had miner safety training at our Larson Quarry field trip in 2009, which was a very informative. Miner safety training helps to ensure successful and safe collecting.
	April 2011
Friday, 4/1	Field trip to Jacobs Geodes in Hamilton, Illinois 9:00 A.M. Saturday, 3/27, Meet at 9:00 am at 823 E. County Rd. 1220 in Hamilton, Illinois at Jacob's Geodes. $16 for a full 5-gallon pail. Please call John Good at630 483-2363 for reservations or e-mail at [email protected]
Fri. 4/1 - Sun 4/3	Mid America Paleontology society National Fossil Expo 33, Macomb, IL. Theme - "The Cretaceous" Dr. Steven Nicklas of Atlanta will give the keynote talk entitled, "Application of Archaeological Field Methods in Paleontology."
Tues. 4/5	Field Museum Lecture - Extreme Cave Diving: Exploring the Blue Holes of the Bahamas, 7:30
Fri. 4/8	ESCONI General Meeting. 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161. Thomas Carr from the Dinosaur Discovery Museum will speak on "Tyrannosaur research and the bird evolution gallery at the Dinosaur Discovery Museum".
Sat. 4/9	Field Museum - Leakey Lecture: First Out of Africa. 1 pm Free with Basic admission. Pre-registration encouraged--reserve your seats online or call (312) 665-7400 Lizzardro Museum: Children become dinosaur detectives with “Paleontologist Illinois Bones” to learn about the world of dinosaurs. Fossils and props are used to create an awareness of dinosaur characteristics. Live animals show how dinosaurs are related to animals living today. Interactive Lecture - Ages 4 yrs. to Adult, 50 minutes - 2:00 p.m., Admission: $4 per person Museum Members $2, Reservations Recommended (630) 833-1616 Mineralogy and Micromount Study Group. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161.
Sat-Sun, 4/9-10	The Des Plaines Geological Society's annual show will be held on April 9-10 at the Des Plaines Park District Leisure Center at 2222 Birch St Des Plaines Il. Show hours are: Saturday 9:30-5:00 and Sunday 10:00-4:00. Admission Adults $3 Seniors $2 Students w/ID $1 Children under 12 free with adult. There will be fine gem and jewelry dealers, kid's room, live demonstrations, educational exhibits,food, door prizes, raffles and a silent auction. Lazzardo museum will have a display. Parking is free. Contact Lois Zima at 847 298-4653 for information or directions.
Sat. 4/16	Paleontology Study Group. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161.  Topic: The Paleontology of Pets (Dogs, Cats, Guinea Pigs) by David Carlson, ESCONI member. Also, will be photographing Mazon Creek specimens. Looking for the following: Didontaogaster; tummy tooth worms, Paucijaculum; arrow worms, Eurypterids, Amynilyspes; pill millipedes, Etacystis; H, Shark poop: spiral poop, Dasyleptus; silverfish insect; Fish scales, Esconicthys; fish, Rhabdoderma especially with yoke sacks; fish, Bandringa; shark, Strobeus on jellyfish; snails on blobs, Aornerpeton; legless amphibians, Amphibian teeth; single cusp teeth, Kottixerxes; euthycarcinoid, Elonichthys peltigerus, Elonichthys hypsilepus.
Sun 4/17	Black Hawk Gem and Mineral Society Annual Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show:  Featuring: Geodes: Iowa’s Rolling Stones. DATE:    April 17, 2011 PLACE:    Waterloo Center for The Arts, 225 Commercial St., Waterloo Iowa 50701 TIME:    12:00 Noon to 5:00 p.m. Sunday ADMISSION:  Free – Donations Accepted Download Mineral flyer 2011
Sun 4/17	Orland Park Jewelry, Gem, Fossil and Mineral Show PLACE:  Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 Ravinia, Orland Park, IL TIME: 9 am to 4 pm ADMISSION:  $2 - kids 14 and under are free Contact (815) 315-3719
Fri. 4/22	Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161.
Sat. 4/23	No Archeaology Study Group Meeting - see 4/30 field trip.
Saturday, 4/30	Archaeology Field Trip to Dave's Rock and Mineral Shop and the Michell Native American Museum. Bryan Nugent will lead the trip to the Mitchell Museum of the American Indians.  Meet at the museum entrance at 10:00 am.
	May 2011
Fri. 5/13 am           Fri. 5/13 pm	Fossil Field Trip, St. Paul, Indiana - meet at the quarry office by 7:45 am (6:45 am Chicago time). Normal safety equipment is needed - hard hat, protective boots, eye protection. To get to the office take I65 south around Indianapolis to 174. Exit and Exit 123 go south to Michigan Av. right to N. County Road 800 W left following signs to St. Paul. Go through the town over the railroad tracks past town, ending up on Mound Rd, to office on right. Indiana state law that no one under 18 is allowed in quarries. ESCONI General Meeting. 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161. Bob Martin, The Field Museum, Lecture: Fossil Record of Primate Evolution
Sat. 5/14	Mineralogy and Micromount Study Group. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161. Topic: California Geology and Gold Mining in California.
5/21-22   Sat.   5/21	ESCONI Mazon Creek fossil collecting trip in Braceville. Collecting Mazon Creek Fossils on private property Meet at 8:00 A.M. Saturday at the BP Amoco in Coal City. No Age Limit.  Hard Hats not required. Take I-55 to Exit 236 (Coal City).  Take a right onto Highway 113 (Division Street).  Go west to Broadway Street and Division in Coal City. We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from an old spoil pile on private property.  Hard hats are not required.  Boots are recommended.  An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool.  A small shovel or pick is helpful.  Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus.  Bring a bucket for the fossils. Also bring insect repellant. Check the web site for details or contact John Good at 1-630-483-2363 for reservations or e-mail at [email protected].  Or, on the day of the trip, contact John Good at 630-303-2352. Paleonotology Study Group Meeting, 7:30 pm College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161. Topic: Mososaurs of the Smokey Hill Chalk by Michael Payne, ESCONI Member.
5/28-29	Chicagoland Gems & Mineral Association 35th Annual Gem, Jewelry Fossil and Mineral Show, Dupage Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton, IL. Saturday, 5/28 - 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, 5/29 - 10 am to 5 pm. Adults: $5.00. Seniors & Students, $3.00. Under 13 Free. ESCONI members can help the show by volunteering. If you volunteer 2 or more hours a day, CGMA will let you in for free. Need help wit hthe silent auction, kiddie korner and admissions. ESCONI members can also help the show by donating silent auction material. Contact John Good at 630-483-2363 or email at esconi@hotmail. No Archeaology Study Group Meeting due to Memorial Day Weekend
	May ESCONI Board Meeting on June, 3
	June 2011
Fri. 6/3	ESCONI Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161.
Fri., 6/10	ESCONI General Meeting. 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161. James St. John, Geology Instructor, Ohio State University at Newark, will be giving a lecture titled, Introduction to Meteorites & Impact Events. This will give an overview of what rocks from space look like, what their mineral contents are, their ages, their origins, and their beauty. Various rocks resulting from impact events on Earth will also be shown, plus a couple rocks from beyond our solar system!
Sat. 6/11	Mineralogy and Micromount Study Group. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161. Topic: Geology of California.  Let’s Get Cracking at GEODEFEST 2011 Chicago Rocks and Minerals Society Presents a Celebration of Geodes Saturday, June 11, 1 to 5 PM New Location: St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 8013 Laramie Ave., Skokie Don’t miss Geodefest 2011, the Chicago Rocks & Minerals Society’s 3rd annual celebration of geodes – those plain ol’ lumpy, bumpy rocks on the outside, often with a beautiful cache of sparkling crystals inside. Be the first to see the treasure your geodes hold when scores of these unusual rocks are cracked for your enjoyment. Everyone – especially families with children – is welcome to attend. The fun takes place Saturday, June 11, 1 to 5 p.m., in the gymnasium at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 8013 Laramie Ave., Skokie, across the street from the Skokie Public Library. The members of the Chicago Rocks & Minerals Society are hard at work creating educational exhibits, gathering up the tools to crack your geodes, and preparing for purchase geodes unearthed from the 340 million-year-old layers of the Warsaw shale formation of Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Missouri. Plus, you can buy opened geodes from Mexico, Brazil, Morocco and more exotic locations from around the world, Bring your opened geodes and any other rocks in your collection about which you’re curious, and have these identified for free. Enjoy homemade refreshments you are here. The Chicago Rocks & Minerals Society meets monthly on the second Saturday of each month (except July and August) at 7:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 8013 Laramie Ave., Skokie. Visitors are always welcome. The objectives of the society are to study, disseminate, and promote interest in the earth sciences emphasizing the various aspects of geology, paleontology, paleobotany, mineralogy, and the lapidary arts, as well as to collect minerals, fossil specimens, and cutting material. For more information, call Jeanine N. Mielecki at (773) 774-2054 or e-mail [email protected].
Sat. 6/18	ESCONI Fossil Field Trip There will be an ESCONI Field Trip to the Larson (Vulcan) Quarry on Barber Greene Road in Sycamore, IL on June 18th 2011, from 9 to 11:30AM. Sign up by sending me an email with the number of people and their names. I will acknowledge by return email. Dave [email protected]   Rules: 1. Must be an ESCONI member. 2. Must be at least 18 years old. 3. Must wear a hard hat and boots.   Be there by 9AM. Park by the metal office on the south side of Barber Greene Rd. We will go through site-specific training before going into the quarry area. We'll need to car-pool into the collecting area since space is limited.   The rock exposed here is Late Ordovician (Maquoketa Group) to Early Silurian (Wilhelmi Fm.). Hammers are usually not needed. Bring a bucket, plastic bags to hold fossils, and something to wrap them in (like TP) if they are delicate.   The most common fossils are brachiopods and bryozoans, but there are also trilobites, crinoids, cystoids, cephalopods and conularids.   I can send directions or a map for anyone who is unfamiliar with the quarry. Lizzadro Museum event  Collect geodes near the Mississippi River. Hilltop quarry yields abundant and fascinating geodes along with other minerals and fossils. Trip includes tour guides, motor coach, collecting and onsite cracking fees. Field Trip - 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. $99 per person, Museum Member $95 Reservations Required (630) 833-1616 Blackwell Forest Preserve Event -Mammoth Hike Hike to the site where a woolly mammoth was unearthed decades ago, and hear the story of its discovery.  Ages 9 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free.  Registration begins June 4.  Call (630)942-6200.  The hike will be held at Blackwell Forest Preserve on Saturday, June 18, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.  For more information, please contact the number listed above.
	No Paleo or Archaeology or Board meetings in June.
	July & August 2011  List of Mineral/Fossil Shows
Sat. 7/23	Geodes and Gems, Elgin Public Museum, Noon-2 PM; Free Geodes are one of the coolest phenomena of geology; deceptively like a regular rock at first glance, when cracked open, geodes reveal beautiful quartz formations. Discover how they formed and even have a chance to crack open one for yourself. Museum representatives will be on hand during this drop-in event. No registration necessary.
Sat. 7/23	Fossil Collecting, Lizzadro Museum, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Travel by motor coach to a quarry near Rockford. Collectable fossils include: barchiopods, gastropods, corals, crinoids, trilobites and cephalodpods.  8 yrs - adult. $45 per person. Reservations: (630) 833-1616
Fri. 8/26	Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage,Student Resource Center, Room 1450A - (find in the back of the  cafeteria!)
Sat. 8/27	Fossil Collecting, Lizzadro Museum, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Travel by motor coach to a quarry near Rockford. Collectable fossils include: barchiopods, gastropods, corals, crinoids, trilobites and cephalodpods.  8 yrs - adult. $43 per person. Reservations: (630) 833-1616
	September 2011
Fri, 9/9	General Meeting: 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161. Scott Williams of Burpee Museum, will be presenting on tyrannosaurid forelimb allometry.
Sat, 9/10	Mineralogy and Micromount Study Group. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage,Building K, Rm 161. Topic: Flourescents, including a Show and Tell.
Sat. 9/17	Paleontology Study Group. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage,Building K, Rm 161.
Wed. 9/21 - 10/2	Celebrate Illinois Archaeology Awareness Month & Help with an Archaeological Excavation at Garfield Farm Museum Registrations are now being taken for individuals who wish to help with an archaeological excavation returning September 21 at Garfield Farm Museum. Both novice and experienced volunteers are needed to help excavate, screen, wash and catalogue artifacts in the vicinity of the original log house built in 1836 by the Culbertson family and later expanded in 1841 by the Garfield family. To help accurately interpret, restore and re-create the 1840s conditions of the Timothy and Harriet Garfield's farmstead and tavern, the museum started up a 5 year archaeology program last year The research will be headed by James R. Yingst, Director and Chief Archaeologist of Heartland Archaeology Research Program of Chicago, Illinois and is coordinated by Helen Bauer, an experienced amateur archaeologist and board member of Garfield Farm Museum's Campton Historic Agricultural Lands. Yingst has experience in Illinois and Wisconsin 19th century sites and ceramics of the period. Bauer has traveled and participated in excavations in Asia, Europe, Central America as well as President James Madison's home, Montpelier and Illinois‚ Cahokia Mounds and Kampsville sites. Volunteers must commit to a set schedule to participate. September's two week session will begin September 21aand continue through October 2. They will be working alongside college and graduate school archaeology students. Volunteers 14 - 17 years of age may participate with parent permission. Younger students accompanied by a parent or guardian may also participate. Ultimately, a replica of the original log house that the Garfield family enlarged and made into an inn or tavern will be built. The research will help in this effort and will provide better clues as to how the Culbertson and Garfield families lived. The historic integrity of the site and its documentation call for a thorough archaeological study to confirm and add to understanding the first settlement and development of farms in northern Illinois. To register, see the dig, or to financially contribute to the effort, contact the museum at 630 584-8485, e-mail [email protected] or write to Box 403 LaFox, IL 60147.
Fri. 9/23	Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161.
Sat. 9/24	Winfield Mounds Hike  10:00 am - 11:30 am Join a naturalist-led hike to the only known prehistoric American Indian mounds in DuPage County. Ages 12 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Registration begins Sept. 10. Call (630) 942-6200.   ESCONI Mazon Creek fossil collecting trip in Braceville. Collecting Mazon Creek Fossils on private property. You need to be a member of ESCONI to attend. Meet at 8:00 A.M. Saturday at the BP Amoco in Coal City. No Age Limit.  Hard Hats not required. Take I-55 to Exit 236 (Coal City).  Take a right onto Highway 113 (Division Street).  Go west to Broadway Street and Division in Coal City. Boots are recommended.  An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool.  A small shovel or pick is helpful.  Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus.  Bring a bucket for the fossils. Also bring insect repellant. Check the web site for details or contact John Good at 1-630-483-2363 for reservations or e-mail at [email protected].  Or, on the day of the trip, contact John Good at 630-303-2352.    Archaeology Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161.
Sun. 9/25	ESCONI Mazon Creek fossil collecting trip in Braceville. Collecting Mazon Creek Fossils on private property. You need to be a member of ESCONI to attend. Meet at 8:00 A.M. Saturday at the BP Amoco in Coal City. No Age Limit.  Hard Hats not required. Take I-55 to Exit 236 (Coal City).  Take a right onto Highway 113 (Division Street).  Go west to Broadway Street and Division in Coal City. Boots are recommended.  An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool.  A small shovel or pick is helpful.  Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus.  Bring a bucket for the fossils. Also bring insect repellant. Check the web site for details or contact John Good at 1-630-483-2363 for reservations or e-mail at [email protected].  Or, on the day of the trip, contact John Good at 630-303-2352.
	October 2011
Sat. 10/8	Mineralogy and Micromount Study Group. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161.
Fri 10/14	General Meeting: 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161. Paul Mayer, The Field Museum, will be presenting on the Geology of the Grand Canyon.
Sat. 10/15	Paleontology Study Group. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161.  Celebrate National Fossil Day with us! Bring your fossils for identification and learn about Mazon Creek fossils. The South Suburban Earth Science Club and Prairie State College presents its 42nd Annual Fossil, Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show Location: Prairie State College, 202 Halsted, Chicago Height, IL. Held in the Prairie Room ~ large gym in the back of the school. Show Hours: Saturday, Oct. 15th – 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16th   – 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Celebrating our 42nd Annual Fossil, Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show! The South Suburban Earth Science is eager to share our experience and knowledge with of our earth’s treasures with you!  There will be displays of minerals, fossils, artifacts, and jewelry making to name just a few.  Come and enjoy the demonstrations on various aspects of the hobby.  Purchase items from our dealers and tour the science labs. Proceeds from the raffle will be donated to Prairie State Student  Science Scholarship Program. The show is on one floor and is accessible to the handicapped. Admission is Free. For additional information e-mail [email protected] , Peggy Keating-Bolm at [email protected] or call our college contact: Lee Ann Burrough, Assistant Professor of Earth Science at 708-709-3674.
Sat. 10/22	Archaeology Study Group. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161. Floyd Rogers will present on Flintnapping. Attend this session to learn how to make arrowheads.
Fri. 10/28	Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161.
	November 2011
Sat. 11/5	Work Day  Come out one and all - we need your help! We have to organize our club collection. So please stop by to help for one or more hours on Saturday, November 5, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm in 900 Knell Road, Montgomery Illinois. On that day if you have problems finding this storage facility, please call one of a couple people, Jim at 630-400-0750 or John at 630-483-2363.
Fri. 11/11	General Meeting: 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161. CaryR. Easterday, Instructor, Curator of Mazon Creek Project, Northeastern Illinois University, will be speaking on Planetary Geology. "Most of what you think you know about the solar system is probably out-of-date or just plain wrong.  Twenty 'plus' years of advances in the study of our solar system, including some surprises in the search for extraterrestrial life." St. Paul Indiana Fossil Field Trip. Meet at the quarry office by 7:45 am (6:45 am Chicago time). Normal safety equipment is needed - hard hat, protective boots, eye protection. To get to the office take I65 south around Indianapolis to 174. Exit and Exit 123 go south to Michigan Av. right to N. County Road 800 W left following signs to St. Paul. Go through the town over the railroad tracks past town, ending up on Mound Rd, to office on right. Indiana state law that no one under 18 is allowed in quarries. Also, need to be a member of ESCONI.
Sat. 11/12	Mineralogy and Micromount Study Group. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161. Dan Behnke presents microphotography of specimens collected from Clark Mines.
Sat. 11/19	Paleontology Study Group. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161. Michael Paine presents on Niagra fossils.
	NO ARCHAEOLOGY MEETING in NOVEMBER
	BOARD MEETING - 12/2
	December 2011
Fri. 12/2	ESCONI ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY It is time to celebrate the holiday season with our annual ESCONI get together. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2nd, 2011 5:30 to 7:30 pm Greek Islands Restaurant 300 E. 22nd St. Lombard IL 60148 www.greekislands.net (630) 932-4545 If you would like to attend the Holiday Party, please RSVP by December 1st to Rob Sula (630) 236-9695  e-mail: [email protected]. PLEASE NOTE: The Holiday party will be a Dutch Treat . . . that is, we will be ordering off the menu and you will pay your own check. Be prepared to pay with CASH! We will continue our tradition of a Secret Santa gift exchange. This grab bag is optional. If you do want to participate, please make sure that your gift is earth science related, has a value of $15.00 and is labeled “male” or “female” if it is a gender specific gift. After the party, ESCONI is honored to have guest speaker Jack MacRae from the Willowbrook Wildlife Center speak to us about “Local Discoveries of Mammoths and Mastodons.” The lecture will be held at The College of DuPage in Room K-161 at 8:00 pm. So even if you can’t attend the Holiday Party, please join us for our General Meeting and an exciting presentation. Happy holidays! General and Board Meeting. 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161. Jim Holstein, Field Museum of Natural History, will speak on, "THE END OF THE WORLD IS COMING! OR NOT" Geologist Jim Holstein from the Field Museum will discuss the science of meteorite impact craters.  There are about 170 know impact craters on Earth which is contrasted to the thousands found on other planetary bodies.  He will discuss the mechanics, distribution and dating of terrestrial craters as well as PHAs (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) that pose a potential risk to life on Earth.
Sat. 12/10	Mineralogy and Micromount Study Group. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161. Wild and wacky holiday mineral identification contest!
	NO ARCHAEOLOGY  or PALEO STUDY GROUP MEETING in DECEMBER
	2012...
Fri. 1/14	General Meeting: 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161.
Fri. 2/10	General Meeting: 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161. Dave Dolak, Columbia College, will speak on "Geology as Destiny:  Across the Mid-Continental Divide and the Chicago Portage” which will outline  the physio98graphy of  NE Illinois as influenced by the  retreat of the Wisconsin Ice Sheet 12,000 years ago and the subsequent geomorphological development of the region  including  features such as the Chicago Outlet, Valparaiso Moraine, Chicago Lake Plain, Des Plaines River, and the Mid-continental Divide, and why the Chicago Portage was the logical place for the early Voyageurs to traverse the area to establish what would later become Chicago.. David Dolak is a long-time ESCONI member. He is the Senior Lecturer in Geology/Earth Science in the  Science and Mathematics Department at Columbia College Chicago. he has taught at the University of Chicago, Field Museum, Morton Arboretum, and was an environmental scientist at Argonne National Laboratory.  His graduate degree is from Indiana University and his thesis work was done at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
3/17 & 18	ESCONI GEM, MINERAL AND FOSSIL SHOW. Saturday and Sunday, March 17 & 18; Saturday 10 am - 5 pm Sunday 10 am - 4 pm  WHERE:  College of Dupage, Building K, Commons Room ADMISSION:  Free :)
4/13	General Meeting: 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 161. Pete Makovicky, Field Museum of Natural History.

Interesting Interview of a Geophysicist

Via the Oklahoman:

...Geophysicists like Miller use seismic data to create a three-dimensional map of a large area.

Such a job usually requires a master’s degree in geophysics, after earning an undergraduate degree in a related field like geology or mathematics.

Tipton said geophysicists often are perceived almost like artists, since their discipline sometimes requires more art than science. They must be able to visualize underground rock formations in three dimensions to make the maps their jobs require.

He said those skills also can be used in other fields, like research or predicting earthquakes...

Fossil Art Winners

National Fossil Day Art Contest winners....

3 Billion Year Old Genomic Fossils Discovered

Via Science Daily:

"What is really remarkable about these findings is that they prove that the histories of very ancient events are recorded in the shared DNA of living organisms," says Alm. "And now that we are beginning to understand how to decode that history, I have hope that we can reconstruct some of the earliest events in the evolution of life in great detail."

3,000 Yr. Chinese Fruit Cellar

Via XinHua:

Chinese archeologists have found an ancient fruit cellar containing well-preserved apricot and melon seeds from more than 3,000 years ago in today's Shaanxi Province.

The cellar was a rectangular pit about 105 cm long, 80 cm wide and 205 cm deep, said Dr. Sun Zhouyong, a researcher with the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archeology.

Sun and his colleagues found the pit in 2002, about 70 cm underground the Zhouyuan site, ruins of Western Zhou dynasty (1046-771 BC) 100 km from Xi'an. After eight years of research, they concluded it was a cellar used to preserve fruits for aristocrats.

New Crocodile Announced

Two weeks ago via RawStory:

A new species of crocodile that lived 100 million years ago has been identified from a fossil found in Thailand, researchers said...ortheastern Thailand has become an important site for paleontologists in recent decades. Numerous prehistoric fossils have been found in Thailand's so-called dinosaur belt, where fossil-rich Mesozoic-era sedimentary rock has been thrust to the surface.

Thai and French scientists began conducting joint research in the area in 1980 after a geologist seeking uranium found a dinosaur thigh bone in the late 1970s.

Leaking Levees in Illinois

From NPR via Geology.com:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency plans to reclassify land in Illinois protected by 75 miles levees. FEMA has determined that the levees can’t be trusted and says that the land behind them is now a flood hazard area. Now residents and businesses in areas like Granite City must rethink their flood insurance and many with mortgages will be required to buy the insurance.... more

Rival Find to La Brea Tar Pits

Three weeks ago via FoxNews:

An accidental discovery by a bulldozer driver has led to what may be the find of the century: an ice-age burial ground that could rival the famed La Brea tar pits. 

After two weeks of excavating ancient fossils at the Ziegler Reservoir near Snowmass Village, Colorado, scientists from the Denver Museum of Natural Science returned home Wednesday with their unearthed treasures in tow -- a wide array of fossils, insects and plant life that they say give a stunningly realistic view of what life was like when ancient, giant beasts lumbered across the Earth...

Neanderthals R Us

Via Earth Magazine:

Calling someone a “Neanderthal” in the heat of an argument may not be such an insult after all. Last May, scientists announced they had completed a draft sequence of the Neanderthal genome, and found evidence that Neanderthals and modern humans interbred, likely sometime 80,000 to 50,000 years ago when modern humans left Africa and ventured into Eurasia — Neanderthal territory. Those encounters left a mark in the modern gene pool: As much as 4 percent of the DNA in people with European or Asian ancestry may be Neanderthal DNA, the researchers reported in Science...

NY Moratorium on Fracking

From CNN via Geology.com:

The New York State Assembly voted 93 to 43 in favor of placing a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in the drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale....

The moratorium -- which would only be in effect until May -- seeks to halt new drilling permits for horizontal hydraulic fracturing, dubbed "fracking," a controversial method of extracting natural gas.

The drilling process has come under scrutiny because of the potential effects on drinking water, public health and the environment.

Desert Once Like Lake Michigan

Via IO9:

For years, fish fossils have turned up in the deserts of western Egypt, and nobody could explain why. Now we know: Long ago, the Egyptian desert was home to a body of water the size of Lake Michigan.

Organic Matter in Fossils

From Scientific American:

Mounting evidence from dinosaur bones shows that, contrary to common belief, organic materials can sometimes survive in fossils for millions of years...

Events for Weekend and Week Ahead

Sat. 12/11  Mineralogy Holiday Meeting and Famous Mineral Identification Contest (with fabulous prizes). 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 131.

Pat Leiggi Wins Gregory Award

Via NBC:

Pat Leiggi has received an international award for outstanding service to the field of paleontology. Leiggi is the first person at MSU, the first Montanan and the 22nd paleontologist to receive the Gregory Award for outstanding service to the filed of paleontology. Leiggi is the administrative director of paleontology and the director of exhibits at MSU's Museum Of The Rockies.