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January 2013 |
Sat 1/5 |
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art - Dinosaur Day, Elmhurst, IL. 10 am to 4 pm. |
Fri 1/11 |
ESCONI General Meeting 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) Topic: Roy Plotnick, Phd, University of Illinois Chicago Geology Department, will speak on Experimental Paleontology - Paleontology is usually viewed as the antithesis of an experimental science. But in at least two areas, fossil preservation and functional morphology, there is a long history of experimental research. This talk will focus on experimental studies of the functional morphology of brachiopods, crinoids, and Ediacaran fronds. |
Sat 1/12 |
ESCONI Mineralogy Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) - Topic: Mineral Video |
Sat 1/19 |
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Rock and Mineral Identification, 10:30 a.m., ages 8 to adult, Reservations Required (630) 833-1616.
ESCONI Paleontology Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed Building (TEC), Room 1038B (Map) Topic: Presentations by Tom Williams and Kathy Catalani.
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Fri 1/25 |
ESCONI Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Tech Ed Build. TEC 1038B (Map) |
Sat 1/26 |
Archaeology Study Group Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed Building (TEC), Room 1038B (Map) Topic: Eric Schmidt will be leading a discussion of Illinois ARchaeology. |
Sun 1/27 |
Burpee Museum of Natural History, Lecture series in Memory of Steve Ellis: Dinosaurs “On the Rocks”, an Exploration of Antarctic Fossil Vertebrates and New Discoveries & Insights from the Frozen Continent – Joshua Matthews, Rockford, IL. |
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February 2013 |
Sun 2/3 |
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Rock and Mineral Identification, 2:00 p.m., ages 8 to adult, Reservations Required (630) 833-1616. |
Fri 2/8 |
ESCONI General Meeting 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) Topic: Scott Williams, Burpee Museum of Natural History will be speaking about the latest finds from the museum's fossil collecting expeditions. |
Sat 2/9 |
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Basic Bead Stringing, 1:00 p.m., ages 15 to adult, Reservations Required (630) 833-1616.
ESCONI Field Trip - (written by Joseph Kubal): There is a small archaeology museum housed at nearby Wheaton College. I have arranged for ESCONI members to tour the museum on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. We are to meet in the lobby of the Billy Graham Center Museum located at 500 E. College Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187-5593. Dr. Adam Miglio, Museum Curator, will explain the artifacts housed in this modest facility, discuss collecting in Palestine, explain how archaeology adds to Biblical scholarship, and answer questions that participants may have. There is no cost to visit the museum. If you need additional information, please contact Joseph D. Kubal at [email protected] or call me at 630-983-6159. There is no need to RSVP for this trip, just show up. Some information about the museum is located at http://www.wheaton.edu/Academics/Departments/Theology/Archaeology-Museum.
In addition, I probably am going to the nearby Wade Library, 351 East Lincoln, which is also on the Wheaton College campus. It opens at 9:00 a.m. It contains C.S. Lewis' wardrobe cabinet which may have instilled the idea for The Chronicles of Narnia's "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." Other displays include an original map of Narnia and J.R.R. Tolkien's (The Lord of the Rings) writing desk. See http://www.wheaton.edu/wadecenter/. Again, there is no cost to visit.
Finally, the Billy Graham Center Museum itself will be open to interested visitors after our visit to the archaeology museum. More information is available at http://www.wheaton.edu/bgcmuseum. There is no admission fee, but donations are welcome. Some come and make a day of it.
And, of course if you did not make the ESCONI Ancient Elephants Marathon Field Trip that was run in March, 2012, you could visit the Wheaton Science Center, (also on-campus), http://www.wheaton.edu/Buildings/Wheaton-Science-Center, which houses “an unique, interactive atrium museum featuring the [11,000 year old] Perry Mastodon [that was found in nearby Glen Ellyn], a geology exhibit, a natural history exhibit, a Foucault pendulum, and additional exhibits.” The Wheaton College Science Center is on the southwest corner of the intersection of Howard and University Avenues. Admission is free.
ESCONI Mineralogy Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) - Topic:
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Sat 2/16 |
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Rock and Mineral Identification, 10:30 a.m., ages 8 to adult, Reservations Required (630) 833-1616.
ESCONI Paleontology Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed Building (TEC), Room 1038B (Map) Topic:
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Fri 2/22 |
Dinosaurs: The Art and Science of Paleontology, from February 22 to May 3 with the Aurora Public Art Commission, 20 East Downer Place, Aurora, Illinois 60506, Phone: (630) 256-3340, Fax: (630) 256-3349, Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Friday, Noon - 4 p.m. The opening will be Friday February 22nd from 5:00 to 7:30 pm.
ESCONI Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Tech Ed Build. TEC 1038B (Map)
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Sat 2/23 |
Burpee Museum of Natural History, Engineering Day – Engineering a Triceratops, 1 - 4 pm, Rockford, IL.
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Sat 2/23 |
Archaeology Study Group Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed Building (TEC), Room 1038B (Map) Topic: |
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March 2013
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Sat. & Sun. 3/2 and 3/3 |
Burpee Museum Paleofest. Rockford, IL. Join us for our 15th Annual PaleoFest! For the first time we are partnering with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History to bring a first-of-its-kind scientific symposium to Burpee Museum. We will be hosting a symposium titled "The End of the Dinosaurs: Changes in the Late Cretaceous Biosphere" which will bring together some of the world's most renowned paleontologists for a weekend of lectures which will showcase their ongoing research. Talks will discuss paleobotany, invertebrate paleontology, pterosaurs, crocodiles and turtles, We are also excited to welcome back Dr. Scott Sampson, also known as Dr. Scott the Paleontologist, from PBS's popular kids show "Dinosaur Train!" Dr. Scott will be presenting TWO Children's Lectures and a Children's Workshop
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Sat 3/2 |
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Dinosaur Discoveries, 2:00 p.m., ages 4 to adult, Reservations Recommended (630) 833-1616.
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Sat 3/9 |
ESCONI Mineralogy Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) - Topic: Mexico minerals. |
Sat 3/9 |
Chicago Rocks & Minerals Society, 64th Annual Silent Auction of Rocks, Minerals, Fossils and Lapidary Treasures, 6 to 9 p.m.,St. Peter’s United Church of Christ gymnasium, 8013 Laramie Ave., Skokie (across the street from the public library on Oakton)
Bid on rocks, crystals, minerals, fossils, geodes, handmade jewelry, lapidary materials, books, magazines and much more! Special selection just for kids.
First table closes at 6:30 p.m. Free admission and parking. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments available. For more information, call Jeanine N. Mielecki at (773) 774-2054 or email [email protected]. Visit www.chicagorocks.org. |
Sat 3/9 |
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Echoes of Earth, 2:00 pm, Researvations Recommended . |
Sat & Sun 3/16 & 3/17 |
ESCONI Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show
*Note new location!
Dupage Country Fairgrounds, Home Economics Building, Wheaton,
Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm
Free Admission and Parking
Dealers Geode Splitter Mineral, Fossil and Jewelry Displays Books and Magazines Kiddie Korner Demonstrations Silent Auction Live Auction Displays from the Field Museum and the Lizzaro Museum
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Sat 3/16 |
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Rock and Mineral Identification, 10:30 a.m., ages 8 to adult, Reservations Required (630) 833-1616. |
Sat 3/22 |
ESCONI Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Tech Ed Build. TEC 1038B (Map) |
Sat 3/23 |
Archaeology Study Group Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed Building (TEC), Room 1038B (Map) Topic: Asiatic Echoes: The Identification of Chinese Pictograms in North American Rock Writing by ESCONI member, Dr John Ruskamp |
Sat 3/23 |
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Mazon Creek Fossil Collecting Field Trip. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., ages 8 to adult, Reservations Required (630) 833-1616. |
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April 2013
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Fri-Sun 4/5-4/7 |
Mid-American Paleontology's National Fossil Expo #35. Iowa City, IA at the Sharpless Auction facility just north of I-80 at Exit 249. The Pre-Show will occupy the Travelodge south of I-80 at Exit 246 on North Dodge Street about 3 mi from Sharpless Auctions. , Devonian will be the theme. |
Fr 4/12 |
ESCONI General Meeting 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) Topic: Jack Wittry will speak on The Death of a Coal Swamp, the Mazon Creek Story. It will be on the Middle-Late Pennsylvanian transition boundary as evidenced at Mazon Creek and other American Midcontinent localities. |
Sat 4/13 |
ESCONI Mineralogy Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) - Topic: |
Sat 4/20 |
ESCONI Paleontology Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed Building (TEC), Room 1038B (Map) Topic: |
Fri 4/26 |
ESCONI Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Tech Ed Build. TEC 1038B (Map) |
Sat 4/27 |
Archaeology Study Group Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed Building (TEC), Room 1038B (Map) Topic: Eric Schmidt will present, "Archaeology in Ancient Rome-What the coins tell us about the ancient civilization." Eric will bring several examples of ancient coinage as part of the meeting. They will span from 400 BC thru the fall of the Roman Empire. In addition, Eric will be giving away a couple of authentic Ancient Roman coins. You need to be at the meeting for your chance to get one of these nearly 2,000 year old pieces of history! Hope to see you there! |
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May 2013
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Fri 5/10 |
ESCONI General Meeting 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) Topic: Paul Mayer will speak on the geology of Ecuador and Galapagos Islands. |
Sat 5/11 |
Gallery Talk given by ESCONI Member, Andrew Young about his exhibition, Of Light and Air: mixed media works by Andrew Young, 1:00 pm at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Musuem.
ESCONI Mineralogy Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) - Topic:Mineral of Main
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Sat 5/18 |
ESCONI Paleontology Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed Building (TEC), Room 1038B (Map) Topic: Invertebrate Collecting and Preparation, by John Catalini and Koze |
Sat 5/18 & Sun 5/19 |
ESCONI Mazon Creek Field Trips
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.
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.
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Sun 5/19 |
Chicago Archaeological Society, Ms. Sarah Baires: Rattlesnake Causeway and the Experience of Death at Cahokia, Evanston Public Library, 3:00 pm |
Fri 5/24 |
ESCONI Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Tech Ed Build. TEC 1038B (Map) |
Sat & Sun 5/25 & 5/26 |
37th Chicagoland Gem and Mineral Show, Saturday, May 25, 2013 10am - 6pm Sunday, May 26, 2013 10am - 5pm, Adults - $5.00, Seniors- $3.00, Students (13-17) - $3.00, Children (Under 13) Free, FREE PARKING, INDOORS - AIR CONDITIONED - FOOD AVAILABLE, Camping Available - Call (630) 377-0197
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Sat 5/25 |
Archaeology Study Group Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed Building (TEC), Room 1038B (Map) Topic: |
Wed 5/29 |
Miner Safety Training on Wednesday May 29, 2013 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at College of Dupage Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map). The cost will be $10 for each ESCONI Member 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 and will be teaching the course.
Contact John Good at 630-483-2363 for reservations or e-mail at [email protected].
Miner safety training helps to ensure successful and safe collecting. Some quarries require this training before allowing us to collect on their propery.
So it is highly recommended that members get certified in Miner Safety training - this certificate is especially important if you want to collect fossils at quarries like Larson Quarry or the Indiana trip.
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June 2013
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6/6 - 6/9 |
Mining History Conference, Galena IL |
6/8 |
LET’S ROCK Chicago Rocks & Minerals Society Hosts 2nd Annual ROCK SWAP Saturday, June 8, 2013 1 to 5 p.m. Indoors St. Peter’s United Church of Christ gymnasium 8013 Laramie Ave., Skokie (across the street from the public library on Oakton) Come for an afternoon of rockhound fun including special activities for kids! Swap and buy rocks, minerals, fossils, geodes, cabochons, lapidary materials, and more. Free admission and parking. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments available. For more information, call Jeanine N. Mielecki at (773) 774-2054 or email [email protected]. Visit www.chicagorocks.org
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Fri 6/14 |
ESCONI General Meeting 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) Topic: Cary Easterday, Northeastern University Illinois, Summer 2013 Options and Activities for ESCONI members, including a scavenger hunt.
The Chicagoland area offers many museums, parks, special events, and activities for ESCONI members. I explore these places throughout the year searching for new materials or field trips for my students in Geology and Earth Sciences at Northeastern Illinois University.
I suspect that most ESCONI members THINK they know these places very well, but will be surprised by what they may have missed, new temporary exhibits for 2013 only, or else exhibits that have changed over the years.
I will discuss these special places and exhibits to the ESCONI members, including the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science and Industry, Brookfield Zoo, Magnificent Mile, Chicago History Museum, Art Institute, Magnificent Mile, Chicago Botanic Gardens, Garfield Park Conservatory, Oriental Institute, and Chicago Portage National Historical Site.
At the end of the talk I will then challenge the ESCONI membership to a scavenger hunt, for which I will provide answers in Fall 2013. |
Sat 6/17 |
ESCONI Paleontology Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed Building (TEC), Room 1038B (Map) Topic: |
Fri 6/22 |
ESCONI Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Tech Ed Build. TEC 1038B (Map) |
Sat 6/23 |
Archaeology Study Group Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed Building (TEC), Room 1038B (Map) Topic: |
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July & August 2013
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Sat, 8/3 |
Elgin Public Museum, 1st Annual Book Sale, 10 am to 3 pm. |
Sat, 8/3 |
10 am to 3 pm, Elmhurst Greenfest, Wilder Park, booth by Lizzadro Museum, August 3 “Dynamic Earth Activities at Green Fest” Museum geologist Sara Johnson offers activities for children K thru 4th grade. Designed to demonstrate earth’s unique treasures, experience sifting for fossils and minerals, creating fossil and crystal imprints and putting together a Pangaea puzzle. Held in Wilder Park and hosted by the Elmhurst Park District, Green Fest promotes environmentally safe practices, green companies and organizations with resources for the environmentally conscious. For more information see www.elmhurstgreenfest.org. |
8/9 - 8/11 |
48th Annual GEM MINERAL – FOSSIL SHOW – SWAP Lawrence County Fairgrounds, South of Bedford, IN - Directions: From IN 37, south of Bedford go to the junction of IN37 and US 50, turn west on US 50. Go about 0.6 miles, fairgrounds on right. Address: 11265 W US 50, Bedford, IN Miner Safety Training is currently scheduled. Check http://lawrencecountyrockclub.org/rockshow.html or call 812-295-3463 |
8/24 |
Lizzadro Museum, Elmhurst, IL “Stone Inspiration: The Lapidary Art of Derek Levin” Artist Derek Levin will present his process for choosing and cutting stones, his penchant for creating impermanent compositions with gemstones and his inspiration for creating lapidary art.
Lecture – Adult – 2 p.m. – 60 minutes Reservations Recommended. Regular M |
8/24 |
Earth Discovery Day at the Falls of the Ohio August 24 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. • Experience an earthquake in a “Quake Cottage” simulator • Bring in your unknown fossils, rocks and minerals for identification • Explore the fossil beds with a knowledgeable guide* • Presentations by geo-scientists* • Children’s Craft Activities with a geology theme • Geology clubs with rocks, minerals & fossils • Build your own rock, mineral and fossil egg carton collection • Collecting piles: Silurian and Devonian fossil and Cave in Rock minerals • Brochures about dozens of fossil/geology-themed parks and museums • Discover the world of fossils and minerals through the microscope * See our web site: www.fallsoftheohio.org for a schedule. Admission (good for the day): $5 age 19+, $2 age 2 – 18, under 2 free. Educational group rate $2 per student. |
8/24 - 8/25 |
Gold and Treasure Expo, Winnebago County Fairgrounds, Pecatonica IL Contact: Moss Holl 815-239-1641 |
8/24 - 26 |
The Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville, Indiana, is hosting a Life in the Silurian: A Fossil Symposium geared for serious amateurs on August 24 thru 26. It is an extension of the Earth Discovery Day on August 24. The cost is only $15 and includes a full day of presentations on Silurian fossils of the central U.S. The preliminary speaker list includes Chris Cozart, Carl Brett, Don Mikulic, Kenny Popp, Todd Hendricks and others. The field trip will be to a location where Silurian fossils can be collected. Reservations are necessary for symposium. Information about Earth Discovery Day is at: http://www.fallsoft heohio.org/ special_events. html. |
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September 2013
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Fri 9/13 |
ESCONI General Meeting 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) Topic: Karen Samond of Northern Illinois University will be speaking on"Waifs and Relics: The Origin and Evolution of Madagascar’s Modern Fauna and the Role of Transoceanic Dispersal" |
9/14 |
ESCONI Field Trip: Irene Quarry near Belvidere, 9AM to 2PM
This is the third visit by ESCONI to this site. The rock is Ordovician, Galena Group. This is a "hard-rock" quarry (limestone or dolostone), not shale like Vulcan. The site is owned by William Charles Construction. This is a good place to find Receptaculites and the gastropod Hormotoma, and last May a very nice Illaenus trilobite was found. The quarry has been busy this summer so there should be new rock exposed.
Rules (you knew there had to be some)
1. MUST be an ESCONI member as of Sept 1, 2013.
2. MUST be at least 18 years of age.
3. Sign up by sending me an email with the number of members attending and their names. My email is [email protected] No phone calls, please.
4. I will acknowledge by return email. If you don't get a reply in 24 hours, send it again.
5. Maximum attendance is 30. I will keep a signup list (up to 30) and a waiting list (about 10) in case of cancellations.
6. Have the appropriate clothing and equipment for being in a quarry. No sandals or tennis shoes, no claw hammers, etc. MSHA Part 46 training is not required.
The address of the quarry is 4525 Irene Road, Belvidere, Illinois. A picture of the quarry can be found at http://www.williamcharlesconstruction.com/Materials/Portfolio-Irene.aspx
I recommend you get a map and directions from the Internet. I can send a small map if you can't get one directly. There appears to be an exit from Interstate 90 at Irene Rd, but no entrance back onto the interstate. I will distribute the release form to those signed up by email just before the trip. Questions? Send me an email...
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Sat 9/14 |
Rock & Mineral Swap Meet : 9:30am to 4:00pm, 6219 Forest Hills Road, Odd Fellows Hall, Rockford IL. Bring it Swap it Buy it Sell it - Public Admission Free. Rain or Shine. $20 space donation for 10' by 10'. Sponsored by Rock River Valley Gem & Mineral Society. Contact Bill Horschke at 815 544 2073. or email [email protected] |
Sat 9/14 |
ESCONI Mineralogy Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) - Topic: Mineral video along with Show and Tell |
Sat 9/21 |
ESCONI Paleontology Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed Building (TEC), Room 1038B (Map) Topic: Show and Tell |
Fri 9/27 |
ESCONI Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Tech Ed Build. TEC 1038B (Map) |
Sat 9/28 |
Archaeology Study Group Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed Building (TEC), Room 1038B (Map) Topic: Show and Tell-Metal Detecting Finds" |
Sat & Sun, 9/28 and 9/29 |
ESCONI Field Trip: Braceville—Mazon Creek Fossils
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 ill get wet and muddy) are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils. Also bring insect repellant.
contact John Good at 1-630-483-2363 for reservations or e-mail at [email protected]. On day of field trip contact John Good at 630-303-2352
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October 2013
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Friday, 10/4 |
ESCONI Field Trip to St. Paul quarry. We will meet at the quarry office between 7:45 AM and 8:00 AM Eastern Time to sign waivers and receive instructions. To participate, you must be a paid member of ESCONI by September 23. As always, the trip is tentative based on quarry activity.
Trip rules: You must be 18 years of age (Indiana State law). A hard hat will be worn at all times. Sturdy construction-type shoes need to be worn. Long pants, no shorts, need to be worn. Limited to 20 participants. To sign up, contact John at [email protected].
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Fri 10/11 |
ESCONI General Meeting 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) Topic: "Discovery of a Major Ancient Maya Pilgrimage Shrine at Lake Mensabak, Chiapas, Mexico" by Joel Palka.
Mirador mountain rests on an island in picturesque Lake Mensabak in the jungles of Chiapas, Mexico. I recently discovered that the island-mountain was a major Maya pilgrimage shrine 2,000 years ago with plazas, temples, ceremonial caves, and thirteen terraces --a sacred number in Maya religion-- leading up to it's artificially-leveled summit. What is fascinating about the find is that colonial period indigenous peoples mentioned that their most important sacred place in their histories was a mountain filled with caves on a pristine lake. While I do not claim to have found 'Aztlan' of the Aztecs and historic Maya, I argue that Mirador mountain was an important symbol of Maya community origins and world balance in the Mensabak region. My presentation will cover the archaeological discoveries on Mirador Mountain and place them in the context of pilgrimage shrines in world cultures. |
Sat. 10/12 |
ESCONI Mineralogy Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) - Topic: |
10/11-13 |
Wausau Gem Mineral and Fossil Show. East Gate Hall at Marathon Park. Friday 12-5, Saturday 9-5, Sunday 10-4. Free. For more information: website - http://www.exclusiveinspirations.com/wausau-gemshow |
10/13 - 10/19 |
Earth Science Week |
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Burpee Museum, National Fossil Day Family Fossil Field Trip
They're back! Family Fossil Field Trips are back at Burpee Museum! Join us in celebration of National Fossil Day for our first Family Fossil Field Trip to a great site for collecting local fossils and minerals. http://www.burpee.org/
Pre-registration is required, 50 participants maximum. $20/person Non-members, $15/person Members Registration will begin on Monday, September 23.
To register call 815-965-3433. Contact Hillary Parks at [email protected] with questions. |
Sat 10/19 |
ESCONI Paleontology Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed Building (TEC), Room 1038B (Map) Topic: Show and Tell |
Fri 10/25 |
ESCONI Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Tech Ed Build. TEC 1038B (Map) |
Sat 10/26 |
Archaeology Study Group Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed Building (TEC), Room 1038B (Map) Topic: "Shipwrecks and Archaeology-What the finds tell us about history"
Over the last several hundred years, there have been thousands upon thousands of shipwrecks in both the Great Lakes and Oceans. With over 70% of the Earth's surface covered in water, we will probably never know how many really exist. If we did, it would take hundreds of years to locate each one.
Eric will be discussing some of his favorite shipwrecks. Over the years, Eric has acquired a few nice items from relatively famous shipwrecks-including the Titanic.
His collection also includes a few shipwreck Silver 8 Reales which were the Spanish coins used in the middle/late 1700's in the soon to be United States. One of them was on a ship used to fund the Spanish government-but sank in 1783. The coins never made it-but why? Why were these coins so historically significant? Be sure to attend and find out how this shipwreck altered the history of the United States.
If you have ever wanted to see an artifact from the Titanic or a famous shipwreck-be sure to attend and see them first hand. |
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November 2013 |
Fri 11/8 |
ESCONI General Meeting 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) Topic: Jack MacRae, the Naturalist at Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn. "The Return of Large Predators to Illinois." The talk will include the 100% verified photos of various large predators that have been found in Illinois over the past 15 years. These include 3 black bears, 4-6 mountain lions and 12-14 wolves. |
Sat 11/9 |
ESCONI Mineralogy Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) - Topic: |
Sat 11/16 |
ESCONI Paleontology Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed Building (TEC), Room 1038B (Map) Silurian Cephalopods by John Catalani |
Fri 11/22 |
ESCONI Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Tech Ed Build. TEC 1038B (Map) |
Sat 11/23 |
Archaeology Study Group Meeting. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed Building (TEC), Room 1038B (Map) Topic:
Alexander the Great: The man, the legend and the history that he left behind. Take a trip back to 300 BC when Alexander ruled and uncover some of the rare known facts of this "boy" king. Learn about his family, his rule and the archaeological artifacts that were left behind.
Scholars can spend a lifetime studying the artifacts and coinage minted during his life as well as those after death. The beauty of some of these coins are unmatched anywhere in history. See a few for yourself during this meeting in addition to those issued by his father and kings that ruled after he died. This meeting will explore why he was so important and what the future learned from him. |
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December 2013 |
Fri 12/6 |
ESCONI General Meeting, Board Meeting & Holiday Party 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) Topic: The Discovery of a Marine Apex Predator from the Triassic by Jim Holstein,Robert A. Pritzker Center for Meteoritics and Polar Studies, The Field Museum.
Come learn about the discovery and research of Thalattoarchon saurophagis with Jim Holstein from the Field Museum. He will discuss the 1998 Field Museum expedition to Nevada where this 'T-rex" of the sea was discovered as well as what scientists learned from this fossil.
ESCONI ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY
It is time to celebrate the holiday season with our annual ESCONI get together.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6th, 2013
5:30 to 7:30 pm
Cozymel’s Restaurant
311 East Loop Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
[email protected]
(630) 871-1030
PLEASE NOTE: The Holiday party will be at a new restaurant: Cozymel's in Wheaton on Butterfield just east of Naperville Rd. For $15.99 per person, they will provide us a buffet with 3 entree choices (fajitas, enchiladas and tamales) along with chips and salsa, hot flour or corn tortillas, rice and refritos or black beans.
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.
If you would like to attend the Holiday Party, please RSVP by December 5th to
Rob Sula (630) 236-9695 e-mail: [email protected].
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Sat 12/14 |
ESCONI Mineralogy Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) - Topic: Annual Holiday Rock Identification Contest |
Sat 12/21 |
ESCONI Paleontology Meeting No meeting |
Sat 12/28 |
Archaeology Study Group Meeting. No Meeting |
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2014... |
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3rd Sat in January |
From Eric Schmidt, Archaeology Study Group Leader:
The Archaeology Study Group will be hosting the first of what we hope will be several auctions designed to promote the interest of Archaeology within the club. The auction will be hosted at the January 2014 meeting and will be devoted exclusively to ESCONI related interests. While the auction will be hosted by the Archaeology club, the items that can be auctioned off can pertain to Archaeology, Paleontology, Geology, Mineralogy, or any related Earth Science.
This will be an excellent opportunity to add items to your collection or make some space by auctioning items you no longer need. With so many interests within the club, the amount of items available for auction could be endless.
Because the event is ESCONI related please note that all proceeds will benefit the club. The items that should be considered for auction would most likely be extra fossils, stones, minerals, artifacts, tools, magazines, DVD's etc. While this is simply a recommendation, you are free to bring whatever you prefer-as long as it is ESCONI related.
Also-being a member of ESCONI is not required so family and friends are welcome.
In order to compile a list of items that will be available prior to the auction, please e-mail me if you are interested in adding items for the auction. If so, please send me details of what it is so I can prepare a final list that will be posted to the website, newsletter and facebook.
The Guidelines are below which will be proved before the auction as well.
1) Item must pertain to ESCONI interests: Archaeology, Paleontology, Geology, Mineralogy, etc
2) Items include but are not limited to: Fossils, artifacts, minerals, gems, magazines, tools, DVDs, Videos, etc.
3) Each person bringing an item (s) for auction must advise the Archaeology Study Group lead by January 1, 2014. A detailed list of items up for bid will be provided to ESCONI before the auction to post to the ESCONI website and Facebook.
5) Those bringing items for auction are responsible for attesting to the authenticity of the items up for bid.
6) There will be no absentee bidding. All bidders must be present to win.
7) Acceptable forms of payment are cash only. No Checks, Money Orders or Credit Cards.
8) All bids are final
9) There is no buyer commission or seller fees.
10) No reserve bids
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02/ |
When it all changed: an excursion in the Ediacaran (and beyond) Before the familiar events of the Cambrian Explosion, there were the equally profound changes that occurred during the Ediacaran Period, the very last part of the Proterozoic Eon. Many of the classic Ediacaran localities, including the type locality of the Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary, can be seen in Newfoundland. I will discuss some of these sites, as well as the current state of our understanding of this momentous time in the history of life on Earth. |
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May 24-25 |
38th Annual Chicagoland Gem and Mineral Show, Dupage Fairgrounds. |
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