Hello All,


Here, below, is what I thought was an interesting fossil club website I ran
across.

Like London, seems they have rhino teeth and other exotic things. Rhinos,
mammoth and lions etc. were all once much much more common and widespread
than today. Currently the grass in my backyard has gotten very long with
all the rain but I don't think my little "jungle" has any of these.


Best Regards,





John Byrnes

(Sydney)






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http://www.tampabayfossilclub.com




TAMPA, FLORIDA, February 1, 2008 - Before everything we know, prehistoric
people hunted mammoths, built large pyramid mounds along our coast, and
lived in fear of the saber cat, lion, and bear. On March 8th and 9th, 2008
the Florida State Fairgrounds Special Events Center will go back in time to
a different land, when the Tampa Bay Fossil Club presents, Florida, 10,000
B.C.!

FossilFest is Florida’s largest prehistoric show where the public can view
countless fossils found right here in Florida, as well as artifacts from
Florida’s prehistoric people. FossilFest features educational activities
for both children and adults designed to teach the public about Florida’s
exciting prehistoric past when saber-toothed cats, giant wolves, sharks the
size of school buses, and cavemen ruled Florida’s peninsula. Gems, minerals
and fossil shells, will also be on display. Vendors will be on hand to sell
and trade fossils found both here in Florida, and from all over the world.

"Our goal is to teach Floridians about the animals and prehistoric people
that were here long before us," says club president Michael Searle. "These
mammoths and lions and camels and rhinos lived right here where we live
today. Their fossil remains are everywhere in Florida."

On both Saturday and Sunday there will be presentations on Florida’s Ice
Age fossils and prehistoric people. There will also be seminars where
FossilFest attendees can learn how to legally hunt for Florida fossils,
identify what they find, and learn preservation techniques for these
antiquities.


One of the highlights of FossilFest is the children’s "Fossil Mine." Kids
will have the opportunity to dig through a sand pit to recover authentic
fossils donated by Tampa Bay Fossil Club members. It doesn’t end there,
club members then accompany the children to the "learning table" where they
will have their fossils explained, identified and bagged for the ride home.
That’s right, the kids will get to keep everything they find!

"It’s a wonderful "hands-on" learning experience for the children," says
Tampa Bay Fossil Club Director and Hillsborough County school teacher,
Patrick McGirk. "You just can’t believe how excited these kids get over
fossils. They don’t even realize they’re learning!"

There will be free door prizes, silent auctions, and raffle prizes
throughout the weekend.

"So many people these days are hooked on the Discovery Channel and the
History Channel and the Learning Channel. Well, that’s what we’re all
about," says Dr. Bob Sinibaldi, a former president of the Tampa Bay Fossil
Club and Pinellas County school teacher. "FossilFest will appeal to anyone
who frequents the Discovery Channel, loves science and nature, or has an
interest in history and outdoor adventure."

The Tampa Bay Fossil Club is a family oriented organization focusing on
paleontology, archaeology, and the natural sciences. Meetings are held
monthly at the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus and features
prominent speakers from many areas of science. The Tampa Bay Fossil Club
awards two annual scholarships to University of South Florida students
working in the field of paleontology and geology. The 21 year old club
hosts numerous field trips, gatherings, and adventures throughout the year.

FossilFest hours are from 9AM until 6PM on Saturday, and 9AM until 4PM on
Sunday. Admission is $5.00 for adults, children 12 and under are free. The
Ice Age returns!

Where: Florida State Fairgrounds, Special Events Center
When: March 8th and 9th 2008
Time: Saturday 9AM-6PM, Sunday 9AM - 4PM

Please visit us at www.tampabayfossilclub.com

Members of the media can take a "sneak peak" of FossilFest on Friday
evening, March 7th.

Michael Searle
(813) 909-9358 - Home
(813) 300-6129 - Cell
fossilnerd@...