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Snakes: The Good, The Bad, and the Beautiful-Special Presentation at the Houston Zoo Thursday, April 15 6:30pm – 7:30pm. Brown Education Center Auditorium

intofun — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:51:02 +0000

As spring turns to summer, dozens of species of snakes native to East Texas are becoming more active. Whether it’s in your own back yard or hiking in your favorite nature area, the opportunities for human-snake interaction will increase as the temperature rises. “As with almost any other wild animal, it’s easy to live with our native snake population in a non-confrontational atmosphere,” said Houston Zoo Reptile Curator Stan Mays.
Learn all about peaceful coexistence with Houston’s native snake species when you join the Houston Zoo’s herpetology staff on Thursday, April 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Brown Education Center auditorium for SNAKES: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful. Tickets are $8 for Houston Zoo members and $10 for non-members. Purchase tickets on-line when you visit the Houston Zoo on the Web at http://www.houstonzoo.org/adult-and-family-programs/.
This unique presentation, including some special guests (yes, live snakes will be a part of the evening) will explore the world of snakes with a special emphasis on the native species of the greater Houston area. With the assistance of Houston Zoo herpetology experts you’ll learn about snake behavior, how to distinguish venomous and non-venomous species, and you’ll find out about some of the commonly kept exotic species.
The greater Houston area, and all of East Texas for that matter, is home to approximately 35 species of snakes. “However, only six species are venomous,” said Mays. “The venomous species are Coral snakes, Copperheads, Water Moccasins, and three types of rattlesnakes; Canebrake, Western diamondback and Pygmy rattlers.”
Rattlesnakes can be found in East Texas; however in Houston proper they are extremely rare. “In the more than 20 years that I’ve been with the Houston Zoo, no one has brought in or reported finding a rattlesnake in Houston,” said Mays. “However, rattlesnakes have been reported in the surrounding counties of Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, and Galveston, but rarely in Harris,” added Mays.
Even with the presence of venomous snakes in the environment, the chances of a fatal encounter are rare. “Nationwide, more people die from fire ant or bee stings and lightening every year than from snake bite,” said Mays.
Snakes are an essential part of the Houston-area ecosystem. “And there is an easy way to live peacefully with snakes – avoidance. Just be aware of your surroundings and cautious when hiking, climbing, camping or doing yard work,” said Mays.
Recognized by Parents magazine as one of the Ten Best Zoos for Kids, the Houston Zoo is an exciting live animal adventure that provides a unique educational and conservation resource serving 1.7 million guests annually. Set in a 55-acre lush tropical landscape, the Zoo is home to more than 4,500 exotic animals representing more than 800 species. Operated by the not-for-profit Houston Zoo, Inc., the Houston Zoo is dedicated to the conservation of endangered species, the provision of engaging educational opportunities and the creation of stimulating exhibits that broaden the experiences of our guests and encourage their curiosity.
The Houston Zoo is located at 6200 Golf Course Drive in beautiful Hermann Park. The Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during Central Standard Time (last admission at 5 p.m.) and from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. during Central Daylight Time (last admission at 6 p.m.). The Zoo is closed Christmas Day. Regular admission is $11 for adults, $6 for seniors, $7 for children ages 2-11 and FREE for children under 2. Visit the courtesy booth at your neighborhood Fiesta Mart and purchase an adult Zoo admission for $9 and a child Zoo admission for $6. Zoo memberships start at only $55. For information on all the great benefits of becoming a Zoo member call (713) 533-6713 or visit our Web site at www.houstonzoo.org.
Ride METRORail to the Houston Zoo from the Fannin South Park and Ride lot. With frequent service, METRORail is a convenient answer to traffic congestion in the Texas Medical Center/Hermann Park/Museum District corridor. For METRORail information, visit www.ridemetro.org.

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Calendar of Events

intofun — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 23:59:17 +0000

The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, a lush 155-acre nature preserve, is one of the city’s greatest natural treasures. Located in Memorial Park, at 4501 Woodway Drive, the Arboretum is home to more than 75 varieties of native trees, 160 species of birds, 16 species of turtles, 10 species of frogs and 33 kinds of butterflies. Visitors can explore and enjoy five miles of walking trails to experience nature at its most dramatic and in exquisite detail. The Arboretum grounds are open to the public daily, except major holidays, from dawn to dusk.

The Nature Center building is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Discovery Room is open every day except Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and provides fun, hands-on activities and exhibits to explore nature up close. Admission is free, but donations to support this nonprofit organization are appreciated.

A bustling schedule of year round activities and courses are available for adults, children and families to create a sense of wonder and appreciation for nature. For more information, call 713-681-8433 or visit www.houstonarboretum.org.

Nature Trekkers Summer Camps gets kids fishing, hiking this summer.
There won’t be any tribal votes in the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center’s Amazing Survivor Camp this summer, but there will be lots of up-close encounters with all types of plants and animals during the Arboretum’s Nature Trekkers Summer Camps offered June 7 through August 13. The week-long classes provide fun, hands-on learning experiences for children ages 5 to 12 under the guidance of staff naturalists, and include both indoor and outdoor activities at the 155-acre nature sanctuary. Camp topics include: “Amazing Survivor Camp” June 7-11 and July 12-16; “Water Wizards”, June 14-18 and July 19-23; “Ickyology”, June 21-25 and July 26-30, “Hooked on Fish”, June 28-July 2 or August 2 -6 and “Goosebumps & Mysteries” July 5-9 or August 9-13. Full day camp (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.) is $230 for members; $270 for non-members. Limited morning-only camp option (9 a.m. – noon) are also available: $120 for members; $150 for non-members. After Camp classes from 3 to 5 p.m. are available for an extended day.

Pre-registration is required for the activities/events listed below.
Call 713-366-0421 or visit www.houstonarboretum.org for more information.

Theater Under The Stars Presents “Miss Saigon” – February 9-21, 2010

intofun — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:37:08 +0000

Theater Under The Stars’ Miss Saigon, at the Hobby Center for Performing Arts from February 9 – 21, 2010, announces a tenured cast of actors and actresses, many of whom have played their roles on Broadway and to international audiences around the world.

Set in the days before Saigon’s fall to Communist forces at the end of the Vietnam War, Miss Saigon is the dramatic love-story of an American GI, Chris, played by Eric Kunze who performed the role on Broadway and was seen at TUTS in Whistle Down The Wind and Jesus Christ Super Star, and a young Vietnamese woman, Kim, played by Melinda Chua who starred in the Broadway, German and both national touring companies of Miss Saigon. Philip Michael Baskerville plays American G.I, John, and Jessica Rush, a native of Orange, TX, appears as Chris’s new American wife, Ellen.

Backyard Monsters take over the Health Museum – January 23

intofun — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:19:18 +0000

Larger than life bugs take over The Health Museum! See what you’ve been
DESCRIPTION: stepping on. Backyard Monsters is an exploration into the creepy, crawly world of insects. Featuring six giant animatronic insects up to 9 feet tall, visitors will encounter a tarantula, fighting beetles, a wasp, caterpillar and a beautiful monarch butterfly. It’s an exhibit where you are the size of the bug and the bugs are enormous! Visitors will also experience insect specimens and education stations. Appropriate for all ages.

The Children’s Museum of Houston welcomes Dan Phillips, a renowned reclaimed materials homebuilder, February 6th

intofun — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 01:52:33 +0000

Make houses out of trash! Dan Phillips has been doing just that for about 12 years now.
Recently featured in the New York Times, Phillips is the owner of Phoenix Commotion, a construction company which uses reclaimed materials to build low-income homes.
The 64-year-old has built 14 houses in his hometown of Huntsville, of which 80 percent of the materials used were salvaged from construction projects, hauled out of trash heaps or picked up from the side of the road.
Phillips uses recycled and salvaged materials to build low income houses and he’s going to show us just how he does it. He will be coming to the Children’s Museum of Houston (CMH) to demonstrate how to make flooring using the technique of papier mache!

Dan Phillips

Nutcracker Market, November 12 – 15

intofun — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:14:41 +0000

Houston Ballet is excited to announce the 29th annual Nutcracker Market will usher in the holidays November 12-15 at Reliant Center, One Reliant Park. The market will be open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Featured at this year’s market are 323 national and international merchants carefully selected for their unique offerings — including 50 new merchants — selling gifts for the entire family, including: home décor, gourmet food, garden, clothing, sporting gifts, novelties, accessories and more. All proceeds from the market benefit Houston Ballet Foundation, Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy and its scholarship fund.

Organized and executed by the Houston Ballet Guild, The Nutcracker Market is Houston’s third-largest fundraising event, following the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Shell Houston Open. Last year’s market welcomed over 74,000 shoppers and raised over $2.3 million for Houston Ballet. Over the four days of the 2008 Nutcracker Market, merchant sales totaled $12.4 million. In 2008, 500 volunteers from Houston Ballet Guild and dedicated corporate supporters staffed key positions throughout the market.

“The Nutcracker Market is our largest source of contributed and special event income for Houston Ballet’s $18 million budget,” said Houston Ballet Managing Director Cecil C. Conner. “Over the last few years, the market has contributed between 11 and 12 percent of Houston Ballet’s annual budget. The growth of the Nutcracker Market has been vitally important to Houston Ballet’s overall growth. Just fifteen years ago, the Market contributed 6 percent of our annual budget, so it has only grown in importance in recent years. We are very fortunate that Houston Ballet Guild and our corporate volunteers are so passionately committed to this event, and contribute so freely of their time and talents.”

This year’s market theme, conceived of by market chairman Gaylon Gullquist, is “Puttin’ on the Dog”. A passionate dog-lover, Ms. Gullquist discovered the humorous canine artistry of Louisiana- based artist Jim Tweedy, including his “Muttcracker” and “Sugar Plum Larry”. Mr. Tweedy’s playful images dance through the invitation, the market’s collateral materials, and on murals created by Kirksey Gregg and The Events Company that will be featured at the event. Ms. Gullquist is a dedicated volunteer for Houston Ballet. In addition to her duties as chair of the Nutcracker Market, she served as president of Houston Ballet Guild from 2007-2008.

“From the inception of the Market, the (Houston Ballet) Guild has played a prominent role in making it a Houston tradition. Every year, Guild members volunteer long hours to raise money for Houston Ballet, its Academy and scholarship program. At the same time, they are able to delight in the sights, sounds, and shopping that are the Nutcracker Market,” said Guild President Cynthia Brown.

Houston-area Randalls stores will sell $10 tickets beginning October 26. Seniors may request $1 off at the Reliant Center ticket window, with a maximum $1 discount. Children under 6 are free, and half-price admission will be offered for the final three hours each day. Admission at the door is $11. For $35, a Priority Shopping Pass grants access to the market all four days, with entry beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday. The priority shopping pass will also be available in conjunction with a ticket to any special event.

Market-goers will find a check-in near the ticket windows for strollers, carts, rolling bags and wagons, as they’re not permitted inside for the safety of others, nor are pets. Free shuttles run throughout the parking areas, and pedi-cabs will carry shoppers to their cars.

All Nutcracker Market special events tickets include repeat admission all four days:
Wells Fargo Preview Party (tickets start at $150) – Wednesday, November 11 (7-10:30 p.m.) Chairmen: Laura Eastman – Kathy Galt – Kris McGee
Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show and Luncheon (tickets start at $133) – Thursday, November 12 (9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) Chairmen: Wendy Burks – Patti Murphy – Rachel Regan
Macy’s Fashion Show and Holiday Brunch (tickets start at $83) – Friday, November 13 (9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) Chairmen: Cynthia Christ – Karan Robinson
Priority Shopping (tickets are $35) – Thursday and Friday, November 12-13 (9 a.m.-8 p.m.)
In 1981, visions of sugar plums inspired long-time Houston Ballet supporter Preston Frazier to approach the board members of Houston Ballet with a new way to raise needed funds for the Houston Ballet Foundation, its academy and scholarship programs. His dream of a holiday market in the tradition of European or Latin American street markets has grown steadily and spectacularly from humble beginnings in a church-bazaar setting to a four-day shopping extravaganza at Reliant Center.

Since then, the Nutcracker Market has contributed over $26 million to Houston Ballet Foundation to support its academy and scholarship programs, which nurture and develop young, promising dancers who have and will become the backbone of Houston Ballet. Currently more than 50 percent of the dancers in the company have received at least part of their training at Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy.

Early Bird Day at the Houston Zoo – Oct. 24th at 7:30 am

intofun — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:37:55 +0000

Normally the early bird gets the worm. Not a bad deal – if you like worms. But during Early Bird Day at the Houston Zoo at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, our early rising guests will get a continental breakfast (we’re saving the worms for the birds) and an insider’s view of the Zoo’s feathered friends.
Join Houston Zoo Bird Curator Hannah Bailey and her “Bird Team” for a guided tour of the Zoo’s renowned bird exhibits featuring 800 birds, from South American Guira cuckoos to St. Vincent parrots and the Zoo’s newest arrivals – shoebill storks and New Guinea’s own cassowary, one of the most dangerous birds on the planet.
The Early Bird Day tour at the Houston Zoo will take guests through the outdoor exhibits of Duck Lake, Fischer Bird Gardens and Birds of the World. Time permitting, Hannah and her Bird Team will take guests through off-exhibit areas rarely open to Zoo guests for a peek at some of the world’s most endangered species.
The Early Bird Day tour winds up at the Tropical Bird House with breakfast for guests and our birds (This is where the worms come in – for the birds. It’s continental breakfast fare for our guests.) Guests will have a unique opportunity to see some of our fine feathered friends up close and personal while keepers do hand feedings in the Tropical Bird House rainforest aviary. Guests are encouraged to bring their cameras and engage our top-notch bird experts in an informative Q & A.
Order Early Bird Day tickets on-line at http://www.houstonzoo.org/earlybirdday/. Tickets are $25 for members (adult), $30 for non-members (adult), $15 for children, students and seniors (members) and $20 for non-member children, students, and seniors. A continental breakfast (No worms. Really. We promise.) and all-day access to the Zoo is included.

McDonald’s Halloween Mansion at the Children’s Museum of Houston

intofun — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:51:04 +0000

Magic and mystery take over the Children’s Museum of Houston as it morphs into the McDonald’s® Halloween Mansion for two spine-tingling weeks, Oct. 20 through 31! Families will have a ghastly good time trick-or-treating, experimenting with Martin goo, or making monster mosaics, among other thrilling activities. The all-new, twice as BIG Mansion will take kids on a spooky journey as they wander through the Museum’s howlific hallways in search of goodies and trinkets. The exhibits will be converted into their own Halloween theme complete with ooey gooey experiments and hair raising activities.

Discover what lurks in the dark during our Halloween Creepy Creatures WonderWeek, Oct. 20 through 28. Play Dr. Frankenstein and bring to life mystical monsters in the Monster Mix-n-Match. Explore the venomous nature of spiders when you make frightening eight-legged Spider Hats and Spider Prints and find out why this menacing creature is simply misunderstood. Come across the uncanny creatures that play at night at EcoStation and find out whether it’s superstition or truth of bad luck when a black cat walks in front of you when making tantalizing Black Cat Halloween Cards. Create Wiggly Worms and watch as the “worms” wiggle and squirm in a solution and then take them home! Investigate what happens when you mix raisins with Mountain Dew. We call them Sewer Creatures!

Plus, explore the chemistry and energy behind some hair-raising Halloween science experiments. Play with ooey gooey Slime as you experiment with polymers and learn about its science. Discover the reaction that takes place when mixing an acid with a base by observing an explosion of “Martian Goo.” Watch as our Oozing Pumpkin oozes a strange substance out of his eyes, nose and mouth. Explore how electricity flows in a Plasma screen to your fingertips. Watch the mad scientists at the Science Station create fog filled bubbles. Can you feel the chill?

DO THE MONSTER MASH
Howl at the moon while you bask in the McDonald’s® Monster Mash Bash—Houston’s ultimate Halloween party for kids taking place inside the all-new, twice as BIG McDonald’s® Halloween Mansion on Oct. 31. Come dressed in costume and groove to the beat of the fang-tastic sounds of DJ Lurch. Be shocked when you get taunted as you try to decipher “just how did he do that?” in enchanting Ronald McDonald Magic Show performance.

The McDonald’s® Halloween Mansion will be open late until 8 p.m. for safe trick-or-treating on Oct. 29, 30 and during Houston’s ultimate Halloween party for kids, the Monster Mash Bash, on Oct. 31!

Cool Moves at the Children’s Museum

intofun — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:25:05 +0000

Change the twist of a tornado, swirl water into amazing patterns, spin the colors of a rainbow at Cool Moves: the Artistry of Motion. Debuting Sept. 19, 2009 through Jan. 24, 2010 at the Children’s Museum of Houston, this new exhibit will have you moving in ways you never thought you would.

Cool Moves: the Artistry of Motion features over a dozen fun, interactive activities which allow you to discover the beauty in motion all around us. Through hands-on experimentation, each interactive exhibit explores how motion in many things can be characterized by simple types: translation vs. rotation, continuous vs. vibrating, and predictable vs. unpredictable.
Included in Cool Moves: the Artistry of Motion are activities like, moving in front of a light censured Dancing Wall and creating a dazzling show of colors and music with the motion of your body. You can also experiment with wave patterns in activities like the Ripple Tank and Wind over Water.

Learn how the environment and movement work hand-in-hand. See animals swim, fly, jump, and crawl in the most bizarre and breathtaking ways at Animals in Motion. A computer kiosk will let you control the speed of videos for different animal motions, including frogs, owls, otters, cheetahs, kangaroos, hummingbirds, snakes, and dolphins. Witness how movement is present in animals too!

You can also move along by moving magnets into different patterns or letting a giant pendulum swing to investigate the unpredictability of chaotic motion. Demonstrate movement by crafting a piece of art to take home, using two side-by-side pendulums to create Swinging Art. Or, experiment with speed by using rolling cars and interchangeable rear wheels and race them down a long ramp with an adjustable incline.

Noticing the effects of movement in the environment is a key factor in Cool Moves: the Artistry of Motion. Experience what happens when you place your hand into the middle of a mini-tornado made of swirling misty water, and notice the changes in wind speed and the motion of the tornado.

EXHIBIT COMPONENTS
Crazy Pendulums: Explore motion with two different types of pendulums. Start these pendulums gently, and rock back and forth. Give them a bigger twist, and you’ll see all kinds of unpredictable motion.

Dancing Wall: Dance around a giant kiosk to create your own light and sound show. Your movements trigger numerous motion detectors which activate multiple lights and sounds.

Giant Pendulum: Set the pendulum swinging, and watch it move around in a crazy, bouncy path. Start it again, and you’ll get another unpredictable path.
Three-wheeled Racers: Zoom! Roll cars with interchangeable rear wheels down a long ramp with an adjustable incline. Which is wackiest? Fastest? Slowest? You’ll see some surprising motion as you observe how different oddly-shaped wheels affect the overall motion of the car.

Touchable Tornado: Put your hand into the middle of a mini-tornado made of swirling, misty water. Then, change the wind speed and see what happens to the motion of the tornado.

Turbulent Orbs: Watch the four globes as pearly fluids swirl. Light them up by stepping on the floor panels.

Wind Over Water: Make waves and fluid patterns by using air blowers over a tub full of shimmery fluid. The pearly liquid lets you see currents which arise from blowing on the water or moving different objects, like toy boats through it. Change the angle of the blower and see what happens.

Houston Zoo – An Evening with Elephants (August 20th)

intofun — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:47:38 +0000

On August 20, the Houston Zoo will host a special reception and lecture featuring the elephants who call the Houston Zoo home and the dedicated Zoo keepers who care for them. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with beverages and delicious light appetizers at the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat. From there, guests move to the Brown Education Center auditorium for a special presentation by the Houston Zoo’s Curator of Large Mammals Daryl Hoffman and his staff.
An Evening with Elephants offers a rare opportunity to hear the insider scoop about the Houston Zoo’s elephant herd including the history of each elephant and their personality quirks. Daryl and his team know our five elephants better than anyone, as they feed, train, and care for them every day. Find out which elephant is the most gentle, which is the most vocal and – surprise – which one of the herd is a television star? Learn the answers to these questions and more!
Purchase your tickets for An Evening with Elephants when you visit the Houston Zoo on-line at http://www.houstonzoo.org/evening-with-elephants/. Tickets are $25 per person; $20 per person for Zoo Members. Guests must be 12 years of age or older to attend.
Recognized by Parents magazine as one of the Ten Best Zoos for Kids, the Houston Zoo is an exciting live animal adventure that provides a unique educational and conservation resource serving 1.6 million guests annually. Set in a 55-acre lush tropical landscape, the Zoo is home to more than 4,500 exotic animals representing more than 800 species. Operated by the not-for-profit Houston Zoo, Inc., the Houston Zoo is dedicated to the conservation of endangered species, the provision of engaging educational opportunities and the creation of stimulating exhibits that broaden the experiences of our guests and encourage their curiosity.
The Houston Zoo is located at 6200 Golf Course Drive in beautiful Hermann Park. The Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during Central Standard Time (last admission at 5 p.m.) and from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. during Central Daylight Time (last admission at 6 p.m.). The Zoo is closed Christmas Day. Regular admission is $10 for adults, $6 for seniors, $6 for children ages 2-11 and FREE for children under 2. Visit the courtesy booth at your neighborhood Fiesta Mart and purchase an adult Zoo admission for $8 and a child Zoo admission for $5. Zoo memberships start at only $55. For information on all the great benefits of becoming a Zoo member call (713) 533-6713 or visit our Web site at www.houstonzoo.org.