One wanders how long they going to hold onto Arizona (about owners of
tarantulas)


The 12th Annual Conference of
the American Tarantula Society
July 22-25 2010
Tucson, Arizona


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The ATS conference is a fun and educational event with activities and
lectures geared for both amateur enthusiasts as well as professional
researchers. Families are welcome, and even non-enthusiasts will find
something to enjoy at our resort hotel as well as the many nearby
attractions.

This year we've moved a few miles to the north to The Hilton Tucson El
Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort, a spectacular resort hotel right
in the middle of prime desert habitat, yet still close to the many
stores, restaurants and attractions Tucson has to offer! Call 1-800-
HILTONS and ask for the American Tarantula Society's group rate of
just $75 a night.

Schedule of Events:

Thursday, July 22

3:00 PM-4:00 PM: Check-in and Registration: Advance registrants can
pick up their name badges and welcome packets; or you can register in
person. For those who miss the check-in, you can register at the ATS
table anytime during the conference.

5:00-6:00 PM: Keynote Speaker: Dr Art Evans

SKY ISLANDS, DESERT SEA-The Arthropods of Southeastern Arizona
The Sky Islands of southeastern Arizona consist of the Santa Rita,
Rincon, Huachuca, Santa Catalina, Whetstone, Bobaquivari, Pinaleńo,
and Chiricahua Mountains. Climbing thousands of feet into the sky,
these relatively lush mountains stand in stark contrast to the
surrounding drier lowlands. These mountains form part of an
archipelago of more than 40 isolated mountain ranges that span the
Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Madre Occidentale of Mexico. The
diversity of flora and fauna, especially the arthropods, of the Sky
Islands is unmatched in temperate North America. Join entomologist,
author, and photographer Dr. Art Evans for a colorful and engaging
overview of the spineless wonders that inhabit this region.

Dr. Art Evans has traveled extensively in southern Arizona for more
than 30 years.

 He studied at the California State University at Long Beach, earning
his bachelor’s degree (1981) in entomology and master’s degree (1984)
in biology.

Evans attended the University of Pretoria, South Africa and earned his
doctoral degree (1988) in entomology. He is a Research Associate at
the Smithsonian Institution, Virginia Natural History Museum, and
Virginia Commonwealth University. He has published more than 30
scientific papers on the systematics, biology and identification of
scarab beetles and other insects, as well as over 100 popular articles
and books on insects and spiders. He is co-author of An Inordinate
Fondness for Beetles (2000), Introduction to California Beetles
(2004), and Field Guide to Beetles of California (2006), all published
by University of California Press. He was a contributing writer for A
Natural History of the Sonoran Desert (Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum &
University of California, 1999) and American Beetles (CRC Press,
2002). Evans is coeditor and contributing writer for the volume on
insects for Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia (Thomson-Gale, 2004)
and authored the three invertebrate volumes for the companion series,
Grzimek’s Student Animal Life Resource (2005). His latest books are
National Wildlife Foundation Field Guide to Insects and Spider of
North America (Barnes & Noble, 2007) and What’s Bugging You? A fond
look at animals we love to hate (University of Virginia Press, 2008).
He is currently working on two more books, Introduction to Insects of
Virginia and the Carolinas (University of Virginia Press), and Field
Guide to Beetles of Eastern North America (Princeton University
Press).


6:00 PM: ATS Mixer The traditional Conference kick-off! Featuring food
provided by the ATS.

7:30 PM: The World Famous ATS Cockroach Races!
There will be medals and trophies awarded, and you can buy or rent
your own cockroach to enter. Shasta Michaels is once again organizing
the races, and she’s already cooking up ways to make them bigger and
better! Do you think you’re above shouting at a bunch of bugs running
on the floor? Think again! All cockroach rentals and purchases benefit
the ATS.

Friday, July 23

9 AM to 4 PM The Spider Mall: Our popular vendor area will be open for
business! Come browse an awesome selection of live arthropods, art,
crafts, books and supplies!

Arthropod Art and Photography Show: Once again, we’ll have a selection
of artwork from attendees and members on display whenever the Spider
Mall is open! Come see the talent the ATS membership has to offer.
This year, you can vote for your favorites and prizes will be awarded.
...
LAST YEAR THEY REPORTED TO THE EAST,  NEVERTHELESS, AFTER CONFERENCE.

THE GREATER TARANTULA SOCIETY HAS A GREETING SIGN THAT
IS RECOGNIZED WORLDWIDE NOW, THUS WE WILL NOT MISS
ANYONE ON THE HILLS OF THE 'RIVER LINE'

TODAY CLIMATE IS ALREADY AMIABLE TO TARANTUALAS HERE TOO.
IT IS CLEAN DRY WARM AIR

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR, CONFERENCE.