RMDRC News
 

Live ELVIS Tribute

    It's back to school time at the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center.  What a great time for all the seniors and social clubs to visit RMDRC while the kids are busy getting acclimated back to class.  Contact Carla at 686-1820 X111 to schedule a tour for your group or organization this month.

     The Cruise Above the Clouds is happening here in Woodland Park Saturday September 15 and Sunday September 16.  RMDRC is celebrating with a Live ELVIS Tribute on Saturday starting at noon.  Join us in the RMDRC front plaza for FREE and see ELVIS perform with the dinos!

       You've probably noticed our two new friends in the front plaza.  We've decided to have a Name the Dinosaur Contest to see what we should call the new additions to the RMDRC family.  Contest rules are listed later in this newsletter.

      RMDRC and TPI will also be at the Denver Fossil Show September 14-16 at the Denver Merchandise Mart on 56th Street and I-25 in Denver.  If you're in town that weekend, stop by and say "Hi" to our crew at the booth just inside the entry door to the Fossil Show.

     We're looking forward to a great fall here at RMDRC.  Keep checking the web site as we set up our fun fall activities.  See you soon!

Sincerely,
JJ Triebold

President RMDRC

Name Our Dinosaurs Contest
 

The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center

invites you to help us name our new Dinosaurs...

Daspletosaurus and Styracosaurus

Contest Rules:

Only one entry per person for each dinosaur.

All entries must be dated.

Please print legibly.  If we are not able to read the completed entry form

your entry will be disqualified.

Contest is open to all ages/No phone calls please.

Entry deadline is September 30, 2007 and winners

will be announced by October 10, 2007.

All entries may be mailed or dropped off at RMDRC.

A $100 Gift Certificate from our Prehistoric Paradise Gift Shop

will be given to each of the winning dinosaur names!

Click on the link on the home page for your entry form!

RMDRC Upcoming Events

September 2007

September 15 and 16

 Cruise Above the Clouds
Join RMDRC in their annual support of "Cruise Above the Clouds".  This event is sponsored by "The Above The Clouds" Cruisers" Car Club, a nonprofit organization. The annual 2 day event draws hundreds of spectators and participants to the Cities of Woodland Park & Cripple Creek and it hosts over 200 vintage, custom and classic cars & motorcycles. Proceeds are donated to local charities such as Help The Needy, Prospect Home Care & Hospice, The Aspen Mine Center and The Community Cupboard.

Dino Art 2007 - Prehistoric Poster Contest

Dino Art posters will be on exhibit at the

Colorado Springs Airport

October thru December!

Prehistoric Paradise Store - NEW Arrivals

Visit the web site to send great  gifts to all your family and friends.

Click here to start your shopping experience!
 

Lab & Field News

     It looks like our longer than usual field season has finally come to an end for this year, and it looks like our lab staff will be able to work on some of the exciting discoveries from earlier in the season. Our last trip was to a site near Snowmass, Colorado. Here, a college student discovered a dinosaur literally in his own back yard. The site appears to be located high in the upper Jurassic Morrison formation, the same age as the famous Garden Park quarry near Canon City CO. Unfortunately, the beds are plunging at a 45 degree angle, making digging difficult.

     To date, we have uncovered a dorsal vertebra, many rib fragments, and a sacrum (pelvic vertebrae) that is nearly two feet long. The sacrum tells us that the dinosaur is of the saurischian type, probably belonging to a small to medium sized sauropod such as Camarasaurus or Haplocanthosaurus. With winter arriving in the high country soon, we have decided to button up the quarry and return first thing in spring 2008 to complete the dig. It appears that there is much more of the animal in the ground waiting to be discovered.

     In assembly, we are finishing the first copy of our giant sea turtle. The Protostega has a flipper span of nearly 16 feet, and is 13 1/2 feet long from beak to tail. Stop by soon to see the progress we have made! And as always, if you have any questions about our upcoming displays or projects, feel free to email me.

Anthony Maltese

Curator

anthony@rmdrc.com

From the Education Desk 

     Earth Science Week is Oct. 14-20 this year.  The American Geological Institute has organized this annual international event since 1998 to help people better understand and appreciate the Earth Sciences and to encourage responsible stewardship of the planet.  This is a way to show people how important the earth sciences are in our daily life. Visit the Earth Science Week website at www.earthsciweek.org or www.earthscienceworld.org to learn more about how you can become involved.

     Each of us holds an obligation to preserve and protect our environment.  Through our everyday choices and actions we collectively have a huge impact on our world.  It is really a simple concept, but one with far reaching effects. One person can make a difference.

     Americans generate over 245 million tons of garbage per year.  What is your impact? Are you recycling or picking up litter when you see it?  Litter attracts more litter.  A clean community discourages littering and raises living standards and quality of life for all who live there.  The National Park System preserves and protects some of Earth’s most pristine natural wonders and offers an amazing opportunity to engage the public and raise awareness about the natural world.  Visit a National Park, take a guided field trip and listen to the speakers.  If you have an interest in rocks or fossils offer to help out in your child’s classroom and bring some interesting items to share.  A great website to visit is: www.nature.nps.gov/grd/esu

     Instead of a week, make it a responsibility we have everyday to make the earth a better place to live!  Think ahead---April 22, 2008 is Earth Day ---What will you do?

     Starting in Sept. we will be joining the Community and Students Together program on the thirteen Wednesdays when R2 releases students early from school to accommodate teacher work sessions.  We will have a variety of programs for the students to join in which will be both fun and educational and will  include T-rex Day, Marine Reptile Day and Earth Science Programs.  Cost is $3.50 for each program.  Please call for reservations at 686-1820 ext. 111 and ask for Carla. We are looking forward to this being an asset for both parents and students.

Regards,

Geri LeBold

Education Director

geri@rmdrc.com

From the Business Development Department: 

Student Tours – Tailored to any grade level or subject

The 2007-2008 school year is underway.  Students & teachers enjoy our interactive, guided tour that takes them into the world of the dinosaurs.  Learn what a Paleontologist does, how fossils are formed, what defines a dinosaur, and more!  Younger groups also enjoy story time and the interactive kids area.  All students receive an age specific take home activity.  Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to bring your classroom  to life!  Contact me at  719-686-1820 x 111 to book your Student Tour today!

See You Soon,

Carla Deemer

Business Development

carla@rmdrc.com

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