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Tues., Sept. 15 for educators, 5:30-8:30 p.m., free Educators Night at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. "Preview our new permanent exhibition, Expedition Health. See an IMAX film and a Planetarium show. Learn more about the school programs. Visit with other cultural and educational institutions from the metro area." If you are not already registered please contact Beth Bavolek, beth.bavolek@dmns.org , 303.370.8354.

Wed., Sept. 16 CU-Boulder Geological Science Colloquium, 4 pm in Benson Earth Sciences Building, Room 180, Whitey Hagadorn, Amherst College, will present "First Animals on Land: Who, What, Where, Why, When and How?" Refreshments will be served at 3:30 pm on the third floor just outside Room 380. All are welcome! [for more info please contact Barbara Amaral, Administrative Assistant, Department of Geological Sciences, Barbara.Amaral@Colorado.EDU, (303) 492-8141.

Wed., Sept. 16 CSM Geology Museum Open House "In connection with the Denver Gem and Mineral Show (see below), the Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum, at 13th and Maple Streets, Golden, will hold its annual open house and silent auction from 6 P.M. to 9 P.M. Of special interest this year, are new displays featuring Climax - the world’s first molybdenum mine; Pyromorphites from the John Marshall collection, Trilobites from the Dan Unruh collection, a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Colorado Gold Rush; a vastly improved ultraviolet display; an in-depth look at the Cripple Creek mining district; and delicate speleothems from the Clear Creek Cave in Jefferson County, Colorado. We are extremely proud to announce that we have recently placed on display a phenomenal specimen of pyrargyrite, from Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico, donated by the Oreck family. It is one of the top specimens of its kind in existence due to its crystal size, perfection, luster, and pedigree. Furthermore, in response to your comments, we are proud to have our newly designed labels displayed near each of our specimens throughout the Museum. And, no bash is complete without free hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and a silent auction. Some Colorado School of Mines students will perform live music. Stop by and join us. The museum gift shop will be open and features surplus mineral specimens, lapidary materials and equipment, fossils, books, fluorescent minerals, starter kits, and related materials. Specimens will range from "starter" pieces for under a dollar, to fine specimens for the advanced collector." For more info please call Bruce Geller, Museum Director, 303-273-3823.

Thurs., Sept. 17 Heritage Lecture Series at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, Colorado Springs, 7:00 p.m. To continue the 150th anniversary of the Colorado Gold Rush celebration, guest speaker Dr. Laurence Jankowski will discuss and show his film "Gold in Colorado". Heritage lectures are free to the public, reservations are suggested; RSVP@wmmi.org or call 719-488-0880. Museum located at 225 North Gate Blvd. (I-25 Exit 156 A) in Colorado Springs; www.wmmi.org

Sept. 18-20 Denver Gem and Mineral Show, see http://www.denvermineralshow.com/ ; and at the same time, Colorado Mineral and Fossil Show at the Holiday Inn-Denver Central, 4849 Bannock St., Denver CO, Sep. 16-20 (see http://www.mzexpos.com/colorado_fall.htm ). This annual event is the largest gem and mineral show in Colorado, and the second-largest in the entire U.S.; it features exhibits from museums and other institutions around the country and outside it, as well as dealers selling minerals, fossils, gems, jewelry, books, and equipment, and displays by individuals and local mineral clubs. The USGS will have a public information booth and kids' activity booth here, as well as booths from the Colorado Geological Survey, Friends of Dinosaur Ridge, and more. The theme of this year's show is "Fossils - Windows to the Past". The show's website gives a list of special lectures that will take place during the several days of the show, including Saturday evening's "Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway" by Dr. Kirk Johnson. Show admission is $6 (less for seniors, teens, and children under 12 free); hours, 9-6 Friday, 10-6 Saturday, 10-5 Sunday; at Denver Merchandise Mart - Expo Hall (southeast end of the Mart complex), 451 East 58th Ave. (I-25 exit 215). The Holiday Inn show (free admission) is open Sept. 16-20, 10-6 Wed. through Sat., 10-5 Sunday.
Also during this same week, I'll mention Dave Bunk Wholesale, "2009 Keystone and Double Keystone Sale"; Dave Bunk Minerals warehouse, 1441 W. 46th Avenue, #8, Denver, Colorado; Sat., Sept. 12 through Sat., Sept. 19, 10 AM to 5 PM daily. "As usual we find ourselves with more minerals than we can handle so we’re trying to make some space by offering better deals and more minerals than ever. We have thousands of minerals at double keystone. That’s 75% off the marked price. We have also added thousands of specimens to the keystone (half off the marked price) stock since the Tucson show." Plan to spend plenty of time so you can make it through all the flats." For more info, 303-477-6897, www.davebunkminerals.com

Mon., Sept. 21 at the Denver Mining Club's weekly luncheon meeting, you may be interested in hearing Harley J. Armstrong, Paleontologist, Colorado State Office, Bureau of Land Management, give a presentation on Colorado Fossils. Visitors are always welcome to all their meetings; held at the Country Buffet , 8100 West Crestline Ave, SE corner at Wadsworth (across from Southwest Plaza), Littleton (Purchase of buffet lunch required); 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (+/-)

Opening Thurs., Sept. 24 at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, William Henry Jackson – Full Steam Ahead! Please join the museum for an exhibit of William Henry Jackson's photographic images as reproduced in "Steam and Steel across the Great Divide." These magnificent prints are from the original old glass plates kept by the Western History Section of the Denver Public Library. Each will explore photography's multiple roles as art; promotion; and documentation of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Exhibit runs through December 31, 2009. WMMI is located just off the Interstate at I-25 Gleneagle Exit 156A; open Monday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Visit www.wmmi.org for more information.

Thurs., Oct. 8 Flatirons Mineral Club, Silent Auction; West Boulder Senior Center, 909 Arapahoe Ave. (9th and Arapahoe, northeast corner), Boulder, CO. 7 p.m. "Rocks, food, conversation, and shopping–what’s not to love? All are welcome!"

Oct. 10 Dinosaur Discovery Day at Dinosaur Ridge. "The Friends of Dinosaur Ridge will celebrate Earth Science Week on October, 10 at the Visitor Center at 16831 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison, CO from 10am to 3pm. Expert guides stationed along the world-famous Dinosaur Ridge trail, will point out dinosaur fossils and answer questions. Visitors can hike at their own pace or ride a shuttle bus for $2 (5 & under ride free). "Over 60 geologists and paleontologists from academia, industry and the ranks of the retired will tend the ridge stations and also special booths where they will present rock, mineral, and fossil identification, map reading, water testing, caving, geologic time, volcanoes, earthquakes, and earth science careers. Ladies in period costume will commemorate women pioneers in earth science. Much of the material presented will be appropriate for the Girl Scouts and Brownies who will be completing activities in order to earn patches such as Careers Try-it, Being My Best, and It’s Important to Me. Scouts must register with the Girl Scouts of Colorado at Leslie.Howard@gscolorado.org "The research team at Dinosaur Ridge will be showing preliminary findings from two new discoveries on Dinosaur Ridge – a significant new dinosaur track site and a large crocodile track site. In keeping with this year’s Earth Science Week theme a dendrochronologist (tree ring expert) will show how tree rings can provide clues to past local climate change. Hands-on activities for younger kids will include a dinosaur dig, Stegosaurus branding and sieving for microfossils. Questions: 303-697-3466x13."

Fri., Oct. 30 Rocks above the Clouds, 7 p.m. Lookout Mountain Nature Center. "Join Jack Reed, Emeritus Scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey for a non-technical discussion of how the Colorado Mountains came to be, and how understanding the geology of the various peaks and ranges can enhance your appreciation of the diverse mountain scenery, as well as helping you appreciate the difficulties and hazards that they present to the hiker, peak-bagger, and technical climber. Ages 13 – adult. This program is free but registration is required. Please register at http://lmnc.jeffco.us or call Lookout Mountain Nature Center at 720-497-7600. From I-70 West take Lookout Mountain Road (exit 256), turn right then follow the signs to 910 Colorow Rd." [ Note, this program is keyed to Jack's new book by the same title, "Rocks above the Clouds", published by the Colorado Mountain Club.]

Earth Science Week is Oct. 11-17 see http://www.earthsciweek.org/ ; the 2009 Earth Science Week theme is "Understanding Climate". Teachers can order a 2009 Earth Science Week Toolkit (educators packet) as well as access more information about science activities and information sources.

Fri.-Sat., Oct. 16-17, is STEMAPALOOZA "An exploration of science, technology, engineering, and math in Colorado". At the Colorado Convention Center, Denver; for students, parents, educators, and all interested persons; free admission; for more information see http://thunder1.cudenver.edu/casmic/stemapalooza/

Nov. 19-20 is the 2009 Colorado Science Conference (formerly Colorado Science Teachers Convention), held at the Denver Merchandise Mart; Thursday evening + 8-4 Friday. See http://coloradocast.org/professionaldevelopment.php?page=overview for more information and online registration. Great workshops, special lectures, exhibits, and person-to-person networking; the 2009 theme is "Science: Explore It!".

ONGOING EVENTS: .

USGS Free GPS, Map, & Compass Classes, on the second Friday of each month, beginning January 9, 2009.   The sessions are held in Building 810 on the Denver Federal Center, Lakewood; Map & Compass sessions are in the morning, 9-11 a.m., and "Using GPS with Topo Maps" in the afternoon, 12-4 p.m.; you may sign up for either or both classes.  Call for reservations 303-202-4689 or write to gpsworkshops@usgs.gov

Denver Mining Club, Ltd. (Local [and only] Chapter* of the INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF RAGGED ASS MINERS; Establ. 1891; Country Buffet, 8100 West Crestline Ave, SE corner at Wadsworth (across from Southwest Plaza), Littleton (purchase of buffet lunch is required). Meetings are every Monday, except when noted, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (+/-)   VISITORS ALWAYS WELCOME! [*There are no dues or membership list; just come!]

Thanks to Peter J. Modreski for keeping us up to date!
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