We began to present Astronomy lectures last month and a quick thanks to all who came out for some excellent viewing. I began the lecture “Our Amazing Universe” to give a quick overview to new astronomers hoping to expand their knowledge of the heavens. Due to popular demand, the lecture series is back again for February (19^th & 20^th). It’s an affordable way to get the family out of the house and enjoy a brief talk (1 hour) and a view through a telescope (1 hour – weather permitting, otherwise 2 hour lecture). The demise of the dinosaurs from an asteroid is just one of the topics presented.

      In the dinosaur hall, we have added the fossil bones of our Pachycephalosaurus, another Dromaeosaur, and will have the adult T. rex up for public viewing on Sat, Feb. 12^th. We have heard your comments on how we can improve what we do and have acted. You will see a new “step” along the fossil prep lab so the smallest future paleontologists can now see into the lab windows. We also are revamping the children’s area by adding educational activities that are fun too! Look for a dig site, hands on “Guess What’s Inside” boxes, fossil tracing, and a giant magnetic board for children to create their very own new species or assemble one of their favorites. We also added a new position to the museum: Visitor Experience Guide to help answer any visitor questions that come up and to present fun through education using our mobile dino cart.

      Here in Colorado, the winter has been generally mild. We did, however, receive 1 ½ feet of new snow just this last weekend and most of us spent a good deal of time cleaning up the sidewalks and parking lot yesterday morning.

      I hope 2005 is treating you all well and I hope to see you in February for an exciting event-filled month!

Sincerely,
Dave Ehlert
RMDRC Director
dave@rmdrc.com
 

     Keep up to date with the latest news from the RMDRC and beyond......

     The discovery of what could be a Cretaceous duck fires controversy.  Follow this link to read the article.

      Mesozoic mammal's last meal was a ... dinosaur!  Follow this link to read the article.

     An amateur paleontologist discovers the first footprints of Zephyrosaurus schaffi (a species of Hypsilophodon) in the most unlikely of places.  Follow this link to read the article.

News from the RMDRC Lab:

      Our lab area has seen a great deal of activity over the last month. We have recently received many cast skeleton orders from other museums. As a result we have hired two additional paleo tech’s to help us build skeletons. Due to the amount of welding that is required (we don’t want to blind you as you look through our prep lab windows), much of the work is being done behind a flash shield and cannot be seen entirely by the public. We have set up another TV monitor so visitors can see some of this exciting activity. We have also finished setting up our mold making and casting area so that much of this activity can be done right here at the RMDRC.

     Due to the changes to the kids area, the museum orders for cast skeletons, and much of the re-organization, we haven’t had a great deal of time to do much fossil preparation. However, preparation continues on our Texas Tylosaurus ( this may be one of the largest ever discovered), our large duckbill “Big ED” and our juvenile T-rex “Sir William.” This work will continue all Spring.

Dino-Art 2005 prehistoric poster contest underway!

     We love paleo art and are excited to invite paleo artists of all ages to enter our Dino Art 2005 poster contest for a chance to win awesome prizes! The contest is open now and will run  through Apr. 30, 2005. The theme for this year's contest is "Day of the Dinosaur." Artwork should be at least 81/2 x 11 inches and no larger than 40 x 48 inches. The poster must be made on paper, poster board, or canvas and may be designed with any of the following: pen, crayon, pencil, ink, charcoal, acrylic, pastel, oil, marker, or water colors.  Winners will be notified May 15 and prizes will be awarded May 28 at the RMDRC. Prize-winning artwork will be on display at the RMDRC. 

     Visit www.rmdrc.com for details. The Dino Art 2005 poster contest is part of the Kennedy Center's Imagination Celebration.

ANNOUNCEMENT
Kids' area to be reopened after major renovation!

     As many of you may have noticed, our popular kids' area (also known as Woody's Paleo Playground) was recently closed so that we could completely redesign the space.   Curator Walter Stein has designed fun and interactive activities for children that include a children's' dig site/prep-table where kids can practice their paleontological digging skills, a magnetic "create-a-dinosaur" activity where kids can invent their own dinosaur and give it a name, mystery boxes where kids get to touch real fossils and guess what they are, and a light up specimen push button activity. All these great activities are currently in the finishing stages of construction. We expect Woody's Paleo Playground to reopen in early February. Plus there will be a television  showing educational dinosaur movies nonstop.

ANNOUNCEMENT
Paleo tech Valerie Nakamura becomes RMDRC's new Visitor Experience Guide

:  One of our valuable paleo technicians, Valerie Nakamura, has been promoted to the newly created position of visitor experience guide. Val will be on the exhibit floor 5 days per week answering questions for guests, showing guests real fossil specimens, and conducting a variety of activities at the kids area. These activities will include demonstrations on paleontological techniques, geology, memory games, story time, and other activities. All of these changes are sure to make your next visit to the RMDRC a very special one.

     Seating for the event is limited. Reserve your seat by calling the RMDRC at (719) 686-1820 x 112. Prices are $8 for adults, $4 for adult members, $6 for children 6-12, $3 for children members, and all children under 5 are admitted free.

UPCOMING EVENT
RMDRC Members: Be the first to see T. rex at our members only night out

     RMDRC members are invited to join us Fri., Feb. 11 from 7-9 p.m. to be the first to see the T. rex exhibit. Refreshments will be served. If you are not a member this is a great time to become a member. You will receive free admission to the museum for a full year with a calendar full of special events, discounted admission to lectures, discounts at the Prehistoric Paradise gift shop, and members-only events such as the unveiling premier of T. rex.

ANNOUNCEMENT
T. rex on exhibit for a limited time beginning Feb. 12

      “T. rex was one of the most impressive creatures ever to walk our planet standing 14 feet tall, stretching up to 45 feet long and weighing seven tons,” wrote paleontologist Brent Breithaupt, director and curator of The Geological Museum at the University of Wyoming.

     In honor of the 100^th anniversary of the naming of T. rex the RMDRC is pleased to announce that Breithaupt will present a lecture on the history of T. rex on Saturday, February 12 at 2 p.m. within the RMDRC exhibit hall. We also plan to have many of our juvenile T. rex bones on display to the public. Attendance to the lecture is free with paid admission to the museum. Call (719) 686-1820 x 112 to reserve your seat today.

ANNOUNCEMENT
RMDRC Curator to lecture at Garden to the Gods Visitor Center

      At 2 p.m. on Sun., Feb. 13, RMDRC curator Walter Stein will be giving a lecture on dinosaur exploration at the Garden of the Gods Visitor center in Colorado Springs.