The Diveblog

Haigh Quarry Fatality

FYI for Chicago divers: Last Saturday, Robert Kusler of Chicago Heights died while diving at Haigh Quarry.  There is a short article here about the accident.  I have no additional information.  My condolences go out to his family and friends.

I won't be commenting further on this, as I don't feel that idle speculation and rumor mongering adds any value.

Thanks for the heads up, Kevin.

High School Scuba

The Chicago Tribune carried an article today [free registration required] on New Trier High School's marine biology course, which includes scuba certification classes (with additional fees):

Students Get Wild and Wet in Class

Picture

The diving lessons are part of the Winnetka school's marine biology course, where students also learn about the characteristics of various ecosystems, animal anatomy and the feeding patterns of fish and marine mammals.

The class combines biology, physics and chemistry with scuba diving, an activity associated more with sun than school.

Students have dissected a two-foot spiny dogfish shark, a sand dollar and a jellyfish. Six aquariums in the classroom, filled with coral, algae and dozens of sea creatures, attempt to mimic ecosystems such as those in the Caribbean Sea and Indian Ocean.

Unfortunately, these type of programs are generally limited to wealthy school districts and private schools.  New Trier is probably in the wealthiest school district in the state of Illinois.  Still, its nice to see.

Where's My Camera?

I have read with interest the articles in the Chicago Reader (not officially posted, but discussed here, here, here and here) about the City of Chicago's attempt to monopolize the Millenium Park postcard business.  Now there seems to to be an effort by Chicago bloggers to post as many pictures of "The Bean" as possible.  You can even buy a T-shirt here, to commemorate the effort.

Now where's my camera?  This might be just the excuse I need to buy this one.

UPDATE: Looks like we're not alone.