New Museums in 2016 – National Blues Museum

National Blues Museum (St. Louis, Missouri)
Open April 2, 2016

Celebrate the origin of nearly every modern form of popular music with a visit to the new National Blues Museum. The finished museum will have 15,000 square feet of exhibit, theater, and classroom space devoted to all things blues and will develop and show traveling exhibits, too. Want a preview? The museum’s radio station is already live, sharing updates and songs from a roster of well known and under-the-radar blues musicians.

Even with all that exhibit space, artifacts aren’t the focus of the new museum. Instead, technology-driven interactive features are designed to tell the story of the genre, following it from its Delta roots and tracing its many influences on modern music.

courtesy of:  http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/

Major Warsaw Museum Exhibit Completely Curated By Kids

The term “museum curator” brings to mind a professional with multiple degrees and thousands of hours of experience in cultural institutions. But a new museum at the National Museum in Warsaw could change that—it was curated by 69 kids between the ages of six and 14. The exhibit, themed “Anything Goes,” shows what happens when children are let loose within a huge museum.

The lucky 69 children involved were selected based on a first-come, first-serve application process after the museum put out an open call. They spent four hours every week on the exhibition, coming up with a theme and doing everything from designing the exhibit to working on the audio guides and promotional materials.

In a release, the museum, known for its large collection of ancient and modern art, writes that many of the works chosen by kids from its extensive vaults had never been displayed before. “The children said that they found and liberated [the pieces] from the museum’s storeroom,” they write. Since the kids had total freedom over what they chose to display, the exhibitions they designed pair objects in intriguing and sometimes strange ways.

That sense of freedom—fostered by the entire museum staff, which was at the kids’ disposal—shows up in the exhibitions themselves. “Anything Goes” has six segments: A forest entirely devoted to animals that features mummies and 20th-century art; “Dance of the Minotaur,” a labyrinth-like segment that includes a kid-produced interpretation of the myth; the “ghost room,” which features some of the museum’s most disturbing and creepy pieces; “Playing the Hero,” which looks at 32 kid-selected heroes and features a huge multimedia crossword puzzle designed by the kid curators; “Treasure Trove,” which puts together a dizzying ensemble of fancy jewels and rare objects; and “Changes,” which pairs fashion with art and even encourages other kids to try on vintage garments for themselves ……. read more, see video:  http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/

New Museums in 2016 – Grammy Museum

GRAMMY Museum Mississippi (Cleveland, Mississippi)
Opens March 5, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There’s already a GRAMMY museum in Los Angeles, but now it’s spinning off into the deep South. The museum’s Mississippi branch will echo the same dedication to music’s past, present, and future as its California-based sister museum—with a much stronger emphasis on the unique music of the Mississippi Delta.

Part of the museum’s mission is to fill in the missing pieces left by Mississippi’s removal of arts programs in many public schools. A group of about 30 teachers are helping put together a curriculum for children that includes blues and dance history mixed with overall American history like the Great Depression and the Civil Rights Movement.

courtesy of:  http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/

New Museums in 2016 – African American History & Culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture (Washington, D.C.)
Opens Fall 2016

Devoted to the diversity, culture and richness of African American history, NMAAHC evolved from an exhibit space at the National Museum of American History. Though it won’t open until the fall, the museum is already hosting a spate of events to start the conversation the museum itself will continue in depth.

Pieces in the museum’s collection of 33,000 artifacts include objects from a sunken slave ship, a segregated rail car, Harriet Tubman’s hymn book, Chuck Berry’s Cadillac convertible, a guard tower from Angola Prison in Louisiana and items from #BlackLivesMatter protests.

courtesy of:  http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/

SAN DIEGO FEB, 2016 FUN EVENTS

February 1 – 28, Museum Month: Half-Off Admission

Leap into 45 museums in San Diego this February. Presented by Macy’s, this popular event allows participants to enjoy half-off entry fees at 45 San Diego Museum Council membership museums.

Time: refer to website

Price: Museum admission prices vary

Location: refer to website

For more info:  www.sandiegomuseumcouncil.org

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February 1 – 29, Romantic Valentines Winery Chauffeured Tour

Spoil your sweetheart with a Romantic Valentines tour of San Diego’s beautiful wineries. Enjoy romantic, panoramic vineyard views as you and your loved one taste superb local wines (about 18 pours!), paired with gourmet food, and lots of FUN!

Time: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Price: $149 per person

Location: call for more information

For more info:  858.551.5115 or www.sdbeerwine.com

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February 1 – 29, Beer My Valentine Beer & Food Walking Tour

SHOW THE LOVE! Take your Valentine out for some local and international craft beers and brew up some love on this ROMANTIC Valentine’s Beer and Food Walking Tour.On this exciting 3-hr guided walking tour you’ll enjoy three tour stops for award-winning beer tastings, including local craft beers, along with VIP food pairings.

Time: 2:15 PM to 5:15 PM

Price: $89 per person

Location: call for more information

For more info:  858.551.5115 or www.sdbeerwine.com

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February 3, First Wednesdays: Euphoria Brass Band

Euphoria Brass Band is a San Diego-based musical collective that serves up a contemporary mix of old school New Orleans brass band jazz, funky street beats, and new school edginess with a West Coast feeling! Their incendiary, high energy shows are guaranteed to get a crowd smiling, dancing, and having a good time. Euphoria Brass Band always leaves ‘em wanting more!

Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Price: General Admission – Free

Location: 340 N Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025

For more info:  800.988.4253 or artcenter.org

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February 4 – 14, San Diego Jewish Film Festival

This year the festival will showcase a total of 60 films of the best contemporary Jewish-themed films from around the world celebrating life, human rights, and freedom of expression. The mission of the Film Festival is to offer outstanding world cinema that promotes awareness, appreciation and pride in the diversity of the Jewish people to attendees of the community at large.

Time: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Price: $13.75

Location:  4126 Executive Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037

For more info: 858.362.1347 or www.sdcjc.org/sdjff

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February 5 – 7, Chocolate Lover’s Weekend

Whether you are a couple looking for a romantic get-away or a family of chocolate fanatics looking for a memorable weekend, join us for an indulgent stay filled with chocolate!

Time: call for more information

Price: call for more information

Location: 111 N Second Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910

For more info: 619.427.3601 or koa.com

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February 5 – 14, SDJT Presents: Pinocchio

Carlo Collodi’s classic tale is told through a clever new interpretation — a story within a story. While refurbishing an unfinished stage, a group of Italian construction workers happen upon an audience patiently awaiting the next performance of “Pinocchio.”

Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Price: $13-$15

Location: 3366 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92103

For more info: 619.239.8355 or visit juniortheatre.com

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February 5, San Diego Brazil Carnival Mardi Gras

This spectacular brazilian mardi gras ball will feature pulsating samba beats, beautiful & sexy samba dancers, electrifying capoeira performances, and nonstop brazilian music. There will be fun, feathers, fantasy and much, much more… So come have the time of your life at one of the best brazilian carnivals on the west coast!

Time: 9:00 PM to 11:45 PM

Price: $22-$99

Location: 360 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101

For more info: 619.224.4684 or www.brazilcarnival.com

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February 11, International Guitar Night

International Guitar Night (IGN) is a fiery acoustic extravaganza featuring master performer Brian Gore along with a celebrated cast of guitar luminaries including German guitar virtuoso Andre Krengel, world-renowned fingerstyle innovator Mike Dawes, and Gypsy guitar prodigy Lulo Reinhardt.

Time: 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM

Price: $30-$40

Location: 340 N Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025

For more info: 800.988.4253 or artcenter.org

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February 12 – 14, Valentine’s Day Weekend Cruises

Find romance between the sea and sky with San Diego Valentine’s dinner and brunch cruises from Hornblower. You’ll enjoy spectacular Bay views with famous San Diego landmarks, wonderful food to choose from with our special Valentine’s Day menus and music for dancing.

Time: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Price: $67.95 per adult

Location: 1800 North Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101

For more info:  619.686.8715 or  www.hornblower.com

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February 13, Monster Energy AMA Supercross

Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, is the world’s premier stadium motorcycle circuit, comprised of 17 races of heart-stopping racing action in some of the largest venues in North America.

Time: 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM

Price:  $20-$70

Location: 100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101

For more info: 619.795.5555 or  sandiego.padres.mlb.com

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February 14, Jump Start Your Heart 5K

Join us for the 5th Annual Jump Start Your Heart 5K where you can walk, run and celebrate as you support the Children’s Heart Foundation.

Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Price: $40-$45

Location: 2688 E Mission Bay Dr., San Diego, CA 92109

For more info:  631.875.9895 or  www.jumpstartyourheartsd.com

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February 14, Valentine’s Day Sweetheart’s Dinner Cruise

Snuggle on deck under the stars as you float by San Diego’s sparkling nighttime skyline on this 2 1/2-hour bay cruise, and see your Valentine’s eyes sparkle back.

Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Price: Adult – $99.50 Children – $59.70

Location: 1990 N Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101

For more info: 800.442.7847 or www.flagshipsd.com

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February 19, Atomic Groove Happy Hour

Come get your dance on with Atomic Groove Happy Hour and the Atomic Groove Fly Girlz! One of North County’s best happy hour, featuring fun dance hits from the 60s to today!

Time: 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Price: $7

Location: 143 S Cedros, Suite T, Solana Beach, CA 92075

For more info:  858.481.8140 or bellyup.com

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February 22 – 28, San Diego Theatre Week

Over 30 San Diego performing arts organizations have come together to collaborate on and promote the first annual San Diego Theatre Week, a week-long celebration of performing arts that will serve to promote the vast array of performing arts in the city.

Time: call for more information

Price: Prices and discounts vary by theatre

Location: 1317 Horton Plaza (7th Floor), San Diego, CA 92101

For more info: 858.381.5595 or  www.sandiegotheatreweek.com

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February 24 – March 20, Now You See It

The United States premiere of an outrageously funny farce by the French master of the form, Georges Feydeau, in a brilliant translation by British playwright Kenneth McLeish. Now You See It takes audiences on a dizzying escapade fueled by jealousy bordering on paranoia, a philandering husband, hypnotism, a spurned lover and a scandalous discovery. Furiously fast and clever, this visual and verbal treat is guaranteed to tickle your funny bone.

Time: call for more information

Price: $34

Location: 987 Lomas Santa Fe Dr., Solana Beach, CA 92075

For more info:  858.481.1055 or northcoastrep.org

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February 26, Rihanna

It’s hard to believe that Rihanna is only 27 years old. Yet within the 9 years since the start of her musical career, she’s become the youngest solo artist to score 13 no. 1 singles on the Billboard hot 100 – the fastest to do so – she’s sold more than 54 million albums and 210 million tracks worldwide.

Time: 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM

Price: $35-$165

Location: 5500 Canyon Crest Dr., San Diego, CA 92182-4210

For more info: as.sdsu.edu

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courtesy of:  

IVAN SOLIS, JR.  / Sr. Sales Executive / Ivan.Solis@Title365.com  / (619) 804-9000

KRISTINE COSTA / Sales Executive / Kristine.Costa@Title365.com

Title 365 / 8880 Rio San Diego Drive / Suite 1100 / San Diego, CA 92108 / (619) 857-6347

Rare Sculpture of Martin Luther King Comes to the Smithsonian

Less than two years after Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated, the African-American artist Charles Alston received a commission from Rev. Donald Harrington for the Community Church of New York to create a bust of the Civil Rights leader for $5,000.

Alston, who was active in the Harlem Renaissance, was better known as both an abstract and representational painter. He had been the first African-American supervisor for the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project. But his 1970 bust of MLK, of which he made five casts, became one of his most prominent pieces.

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery commissioned one of the 1970 castings and lent the work to the White House, where it has stood in the library since 1990, the first image of an African American on display at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

When Barack Obama became the first black President in 2009, he brought the work into the Oval Office, replacing a bust of Winston Churchill that had been returned to the British Embassy. There it became a prominent work, seen in official portraits with visiting dignitaries and heads of state.

Now a second copy of the famous King bust comes to Washington for all the public to see close up.

On the eve of Martin Luther King Day weekend, officials from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture are announcing the recent gift of one of the rare copies of the 1970 Alston sculpture of Martin Luther King, which will be on display when the new museum opens this September.

“We’re very excited to have it,” says curator Tuliza Fleming. “It really fits quite nicely into our mission.”

The sculpture is a gift from Eric and Cheryl McKissack of Chicago, who had purchased it from the N’Namdi Contemporary art gallery in Miami five years ago.

“We have a couple of other works by Charles Alston,” McKissack said from Chicago, where he is a principal in an institutional investment and management firm. “We are obviously fans of his work. We don’t have a very long history with this particular piece, but we felt it was such a significant subject as well as an important artist of color.”

It won’t be the first Alston for the new museum, either … read more —> http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/

New Museums in 2016 – Pompeii

Pompeii (Naples, Italy)
Now Open

Just in advance of the 2016 season, six restored sites at the famous Pompeii ruins are newly open to the public. The reopened remnants of the city were preserved after Mt. Vesuvius erupted in the year 79, killing up to 20,000 inhabitants and burying the city in volcanic ash. They include a fabric business, a thermal bathing area, a laundry house and a middle-class dwelling. The restored villas are part of the Grand Pompeii Project, a preservation effort at the site that’s tackling wear and tear from weather and time.

These six sites were closed to visitors for several years. Labor disputes, monetary problems and management issues had the area in a holding pattern, causing a lack of maintenance funds, the collapse of some buildings and restricted tourist access. Now they’re open again—and should make it onto any ancient history buff’s must-see list.

courtesy of:  http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/

SAN DIEGO JAN, 2016 FUN EVENTS

January 1, New Year’s Day Brunch Cruise

Toast to the New Year with a delicious Champagne brunch, free-flowing champagne, and amazing San Diego Bay views.

Time: 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM

Price: Starting at $62.95 per person (Price Subject to Change)

Location: 1800 North Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101

For more info:  888.467.6256 or visit www.hornblower.com

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January 2, Pajama Jam: New Year’s Family Night Out

Celebrate the New Year at an after-hours party at The New Children’s Museum! Jump into your jammies and join us for delicious dinner, New Year’s theme art activities, games, music, entertainment and our famous countdown balloon drop! Adults will enjoy one drink token with ticket and the chance to win amazing prizes in an opportunity drawing.

Time: 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Price: $15-$35

Location: 200 W Island Ave., San Diego, CA 92101

For more info:  619.233.8792 or visit www.thinkplaycreate.org/fundraising-events

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 January 6, First Wednesdays: Besos de Coco

Besos de Coco is stirring up a great deal of excitement with their fresh and intense sound that maintains its roots in the romantic music of the old-world Mediterranean, Latin American, and Jazz traditions. Tap-dancer Claudia Gomez Vorce, double-bassist Evona Wascinski, and classical guitarist / vocalist Lorraine Castellanos make up this musically magnetic trio.

Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Price: General Admission – Free

Location: 340 N Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025

For more info:  800.988.4253 or visit artcenter.org/event/besos-de-coco

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January 9 – 24, SDJT Presents: Ivy+Bean the Musical

Pancake Court is no ordinary cul-de-sac! Start with two completely opposite 8-year olds: Ivy, the quiet reader who loves magic and wants to be a witch, and Bean, the outgoing, rambunctious and often devious counterpart who has never been shy.

Time: 11:00 AM

Price: $11-$15

Location: 1650 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

For more info:  619.239.8355 or visit juniortheatre.com

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January 10, 2014 – January 29, 2016 Gaslamp Ghosts Walking Tour

Take a stroll through the Gaslamp’s haunted history with Davis House historian, Sandee Wilhoit, who will recount ghostly happenings of the past…and of the present. Visit hotels, saloons, brothels and a long-ago funeral parlor, and end your tour inside the Gaslamp’s most haunted edifice – the William Heath Davis House.

Time: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM

Price: Adults – $20

Location: 410 Island Ave., San Diego, CA 92101

For more info:  619.233.4692 or visit www.gaslampquarter.org

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January 14 – 16, Cristela Alonzo

Cristela Alonzo made TV history in 2014, by being the first Latina to create, produce and star in a network TV sitcom, “Cristela,” an achievement which caps a whirlwind year. She released “Some of the Hits,” her first stand-up CD through Comedy Central and will be making her feature film debut in the upcoming Angry Birds movie.

Time: 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Price: $18

Location: 818 B 6th Ave., San Diego, CA 92101

For more info:  619.795.3858 or visit  americancomedyco.com

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January 15, Quicksilver

“Fantasticus: Extravagant and Virtuosic Music from 17th-century Germany” Led by violinists Robert Mealy and Julie Andrijeski, Quicksilver brings together some of the leading historically informed performers in America today.

Time: 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Price: General – $30-$35

Location: 743 Prospect street, La Jolla, CA 92037

For more info:  619.291.8246 or visit www.sdems.org

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January 15, Jerry Seinfeld

America’s premier comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, will be performing his signature stand-up routine. Seinfeld has been hailed for his uncanny ability to joke about the little things in life that relate to audiences everywhere.

Time: 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM

Price: Starting at $46.50

Location: 3666 Fourth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103

For more info:  www.broadwaysd.com/jerry-seinfeld.htm

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January 16, Kids Marathon Mile at LEGOLAND California

LEGOLAND® California is host to a special, 1-mile fun run for kids of all ages and abilities.  Before the doors open to the public, they’re opened for us to enjoy the sights and sounds of LEGOLAND®! Participants can run, walk, skip or stroll, or even be pushed in a stroller or carried on a back as they wind through the park, making their way to an exciting, spectator-filled finish line. Each finisher is presented with a shiny finisher’s medal and treated to a fun post-event party with a DJ, activities, light refreshments and booths. The event concludes at 10 a.m. with the opening of LEGOLAND® and SEA LIFE™ Aquarium where registered participants age 12 & under can enter the park for free and moms and dads can enter for 50% off admission.

Timeline:

• 6:30 AM: LEGOLAND parking lot opens (parking is free at this time with no reentry)
• 7:00 AM: Event day registration
• 8:00 AM: Mile races start

Time: 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM

Price: $10-$30

Location: One LEGOLAND Dr., Carlsbad, CA 92008

For more info:  619.291.8246 or visit www.carlsbadmarathon.com

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January 16 – March 6, The History and the Hair Story

The History and the Hair Story: 400 Years Without a Comb is a journey through the history of the African American hair industry and its role in our present culture. From its origins in the seat of civilization to the epicenter of the civil rights movement, the comb’s untold story takes the spotlight in this exhibition by way of 400 years’ worth of artifacts, photography, historical accounts, propaganda, and much more.

Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Price: General Admission – $8, Kids 12 & Under – Free

Location: 340 N Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025

For more info:  800.988.4253 or visit artcenter.org

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January 24, Nordic Landscapes | Mingle @ the Mingei

Music of Scandinavia: Edvard Grieg, Jean Sibelius, Carl Nielsen, Christian Sinding & Kaveli Aho woodwind quintet, violin, cello, piano.

Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Price: General – $30

Location: 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

For more info:  619.231.3702 or visit www.classicalmusicsandiego.com

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January 29, The Opening Night: Ed Ruscha Then & Now

Celebrate MCASD’s latest exhibition at The Opening Night with cocktails, live music, food trucks, guided tours, and more! The iconic artist Ed Ruscha first gained attention in the 1960s for work that combines text and image with deadpan takes on American vernacular culture. An innovator of West-Coast Pop and Conceptual Art, Ruscha’s work defies and exceeds both categories, drawing upon popular media, commercial culture, and the landscape of Los Angeles.

Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Price: Included with admission

Location: 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, CA 92037

For more info:  858.454.3541 or visit www.mcasd.org

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January 31, 2015- June 17, 2016 San Diego Invites the World: The 1915 Expo

The definitive commemorative exhibition of the 1915 Exposition is set in a framework of innovation as an event and as a showcase of innovations in commerce, industry, agriculture and arts/culture during that era.

Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Price: Included with admission

Location: 1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

For more info:  619.232.6203 or visit www.sandiegohistory.org/The1915Expo

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courtesy of:  

IVAN SOLIS, JR.  / Sr. Sales Executive / Ivan.Solis@Title365.com  / (619) 804-9000

KRISTINE COSTA / Sales Executive / Kristine.Costa@Title365.com

Title 365 / 8880 Rio San Diego Drive / Suite 1100 / San Diego, CA 92108 / (619) 857-6347

World Famous FREE Museums Around The Globe! (London, England )

Victoria and Albert Museum

from Foursquare

London, England – always free!

courtesy of:  http://www.pinterest.com/ottsworld/free-museums-around-the-globe/

World Famous FREE Museums Around The Globe! (Montreal, Canada)

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Pavillon Jean-Noël Desmarais (MBAM) – Free admission for all the last Sunday of each month 

courtesy of:  http://www.pinterest.com/ottsworld/free-museums-around-the-globe/

World Famous FREE Museums Around The Globe! (St. Petersburg, Russia)

Hermitage Museum

from Foursquare

St. Petersburg, Russia – Free on the first Thursday of every month

courtesy of:  http://www.pinterest.com/ottsworld/free-museums-around-the-globe/

World Famous FREE Museums Around The Globe! (Denmark)

 from Foursquare

Nationalmuseet – National Museum of Denmark – ALWAYS FREE

courtesy of:  http://www.pinterest.com/ottsworld/free-museums-around-the-globe/

World Famous FREE Museums Around The Globe! (Vatican City)

Vatican City Museums

from Foursquare

Rome, Italy – on the last Sunday of every month, free entrance from 9 am to 12.30 pm

courtesy of:  http://www.pinterest.com/ottsworld/free-museums-around-the-globe/

World Famous FREE Museums Around The Globe! (Lisbon, Spain)

Museu da Eletricidade

from Foursquare

[Lisbon, Spain] Overlooking the Tagus River in Lisbon, the Museu da Electricidade is housed in an old power plant that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of its contents.

courtesy of:  http://www.pinterest.com/ottsworld/free-museums-around-the-globe/

World Famous FREE Museums Around The Globe! (Ottawa, Canada )

National Gallery of Canada

from Foursquare

Art Gallery of Ottawa, Canada – Free General Admission Every Thursday 5-8 pm

courtesy of:  http://www.pinterest.com/ottsworld/free-museums-around-the-globe/

SAN DIEGO FEB, 2015 FUN EVENTS

February 1 – 28, Museum Month:  Half-Off Admission 

Macy’s Museum Month is back this February!  San Diego residents and visitors are invited to enjoy half-price admission at 45 museums during February. To take advantage of this great cost savings you must pick up a Museum Month Pass at any Macy’s store in San Diego, Temecula or Imperial Valley.

• Time:  San Diego Museum Month Info
• Location:  San Diego Museum Month Info
• For more info.:  www.sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/museum-month

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February 1, Red Trolley Classic Criterium

Around and around they go! Amateur and professional cyclists as well as wheelchair athletes will race upon a circular course to see who is the fastest.

• Time: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Location: Sorrento Mesa (Waple & Hunnekens St.)
• For more info.: contact Sean B. @ 619.865.3389 or visit www.crankcycling.com

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February 5, Culture & Cocktails: Havana Nights

Open-air bazaars, ocean-front walkways, bright colors, crumbling colonial architecture, and salsa music booming through the streets.

• Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Price: Members – Free, Presale – $20, At Door – $25
• Location: 1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
• For more info.:  call 619.232.7931 or visit www.sdmart.org/calendar/culture-cocktails-havana-nights

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February 5 – 8, Farmers Insurance Open 2015

Mark your calendars now, because one of golf’s biggest events of the year, the Farmers Insurance Open, returns to San Diego in 2015. Torrey Pines Golf Course, 11480 North Torrey Pines Rd.

• Time:  refer to website
• Location: Torrey Pines Golf Course
• For more info.:  www.farmersinsuranceopen.com

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February 6 – 15, SDJT Presents: Flight of the Lawnchair Man

Jerry Gorman is a regular guy from Passaic, New Jersey who just wants to fly. The neighbors think he’s nutty, but his girlfriend Gracie believes in him.

• Time: 7:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Price: $11 – $15
• Location: 3366 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92103
• For more info.: call 619.239.8355 or visit juniortheatre.com

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February 07, Mermaid San Diego Run 5K, 10K and Half Marathon 

This running and walking event is designed specifically for women who are looking for a supportive exercise experience.

• Time:  7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Price:  $35 (5K) ~ $45 (10K) ~ $55 (Half Marathon)
• Location: East & West Mission Bay
• For more info.:  call Carlo Facchino @ 408.314.1718 or visit www.mermaidseries.com

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February 11, Cooking Class and Dinner: Romance on the Beach

Join Executive Chef Bernard Guillas and Chef de Cuisine Ron Oliver for an exciting cooking demonstration where you’ll learn to tips and tricks to a three-course menu featuring Local Organic Mushroom Gateau, Brittany Lobster en Cocotte and Valrhona Lava Cake.

• Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Price: $75 per person
• Location: 2000 Spindrift Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037
• For more info.:  call 858.459.7222 or visit marineroom.com

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February 12, Circus Vargas 11-Day Event

Come to the circus! Enter the big tent where there is lively music and thrilling exploits of human stars rendering unparalleled artistry and comical acts. See silly clowns, trampoline acrobatics, balancing acts, and aerial ballet.

• Time:  7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
• Price: $20 – $65
• Location: East & West Mission Bay
• For more info.: call 877.468.3861 or visit www.circusvargas.com

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February 13 – 15, Valentine’s Day Weekend Cruises

Find romance between the sea and sky with San Diego Valentine’s dinner and brunch cruises from Hornblower. You’ll enjoy spectacular Bay views with famous San Diego landmarks, wonderful food to choose from with our special Valentine’s Day menus and music for dancing.

• Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Price: Starting at $105 per adult
• Location: 1800 North Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101
• For more info.:  call 619.686.8715 or visit  www.hornblower.com/hce/port/category/sd+valentines

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February 17, Gaslamp Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is a celebration of Fat Tuesday as held in New Orleans. This Mardi Gras is open to adults (age 21+) mingling in masked revelry. Be sure to catch handfuls of shiny beads as they’re tossed from a float parade!

• Time: 5:00 PM – 11:59 PM
• Price: $35 – $45
• Location: East & West Mission Bay
• For more info.:  contact Laurel McFarlane @ 619.233.5008 or visit www.sdmardigras.com

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February 18 – 19, Chinese New Year Celebration – Year of the Sheep

It’s the Year of the Sheep! A celebration of the Chinese New Year will take place in the late evening to early morning in the Mid-City area of San Diego. The celebration presents traditional Chinese music, good cheer, and the flash and crackle of fireworks and a performance of the Dragon Dance.

• Time: 11:00 PM – 2:00 AM
• Location: Indo-Chinese Association of San Diego
• For more info.:  contact Stanley Ting @ 619.717.7062

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February 20, Rock in the Park – Venice

Venice’s trademarks are incredible harmonies, personal lyrics and high-energy shows. Their sound is at once familiar and fresh, their classic rock and folk influences apparent in their pop sensibilities.

• Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Price: In Advance – $24 – $27 At the Door – $32
• Location: 1875 El Prado Balboa Park
• For more info.:  call 619.238.1233 or visit www.rhfleet.org/events/rock-park

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February 20, San Diego Lunar New Year Tet Festival 3-Day Event 

In celebration of the Lunar New Year, a Vietnamese cultural festival will take place to showcase homeland traditions. Come and experience ancestral rituals and Vietnamese dance and music performances. You can also shop for merchandise, stop for lunch, and watch a firecracker show.

• Time: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Location: Mira Mesa Community Park (8575 New Salem St.)
• For more info.:  contact Jake Pham @ 858.231.7508 or visit www.sdtet.com

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February 21, The 12th Annual Guacamole Bowl 

Who Makes The Best Guacamole? The Guacamole Bowl is open to the Public who are invited to come out and sample all the great Guacamole. A $5 admission fee will get you a bag of Mission Tortilla Chips and all the Guacamole you can eat. You will also have the opportunity to vote for your favorite recipe and select the finalists in each division.

• Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Price: $5 admission
• Location: Balboa Park Club – 2150 Pan American Rd. West
• For more info.:  visit www.guacamolebowl.com

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February 22, Mardi Gras Race

With a Mardi Gras theme, this athletic event offers a family friendly 15K, 5K, and a Kids Dash. All finishers who complete the course will get a medal! Participants are sure to enjoy the ocean views along the flat paved course.

• Time: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Price: $60 (15K & 5K) ~ $15 (Kids Dash)
• Location: refer to website
• For more info.:  contact Rosemarie Gibson @ 619.491.0677 or visit www.active.com/san-diego-ca/running/distance-running-races/mardi-gras-15k-10k-and-5k-2015

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February 27, ScholarShare’s Toddler Time: Finger Paint Friday

Leave your mark on the heart of a loved-one! Get messy designing a Valentine’s-themed artwork.

• Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Price: $5 admission
• Location: 200 W Island Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
• For more info.:  call 619.233.8792 or visit thinkplaycreate.org

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February 27 – March 15, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

When the four Pevensie children stumble upon an old wardrobe, little do they know, that they will discover the magical world of Narnia. Full of mystical creatures, talking animals, and great escapes, this action-packed story by C.S Lewis depicts the triumph of Aslan, the great lion and ruler of Narnia, over the White Witch. Join the adventure as four brave kids, one great lion, and an entire kingdom fight for what is right.

• Time: 7:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Price: $11 – $15
• Location: 1650 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
• For more info.:  call 619.239.8355 or visit juniortheatre.com

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courtesy of:  IVAN SOLIS, JR. / Title 365 / Sr. Sales Executive / eMail: Ivan.Solis@Title365.com / 8880 Rio San Diego Drive, Suite 102, San Diego, CA 92108 /  Phone:  619.804.9000

World Famous FREE Museums Around The Globe! (Sao Paulo, Brazil)

Museu Afrobrasil

from Foursquare

[Sao Paulo, Brazil]   With a collection of more than six thousand works and a library of about 12,000 titles, Afro Brasil Museum presents the contributions of African descendants to the formation of national identity. – Free on Thursdays and Saturdays.

 courtesy of:  http://www.pinterest.com/ottsworld/free-museums-around-the-globe/

World Famous FREE Museums Around The Globe! (Chicago, Illinois)

McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum

from Foursquare

Chicago, Illinois – Free on Sundays from May 10-Oct 31

courtesy of:  http://www.pinterest.com/ottsworld/free-museums-around-the-globe/

Hidden San Diego – Free Tuesdays in Balboa Park

Believe it or not, there are still things in life that feed the mind and soul and are free. And no, I’m not talking about the beach. I’m talking about Balboa Park, and if you’ve never stepped foot in any of the Park’s wonderful museums and art galleries, well, you ave no excuse not to.

Because I’m gonna let you in on a little secret: you can get in for free. Yes, I said FREE. As a public service to San Diego, most of the Park’s museums and galleries offer free admission on Tuesdays every month. Now, as a disclaimer, not every venue is free each Tuesday: the Park rotates them on each Tuesday, so certain museums are free on certain Tuesdays of the month. Also, be forewarned, the free admission typically applies only to the venue’s permanent collections, not any special event, attraction or exhibit which may be in process at the time of your visit.

Nevertheless, it’s a great opportunity to acquaint yourself with some culture in the city’s jewel of a park all for the right price. Here is the schedule of free admissions for each month, subject to change:

First Tuesday

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
Centro Cultural de la Raza
Model Railroad Museum***
Natural History Museum***

*** Free to San Diego County Residents and Active Military only

Second Tuesday

Museum of Photographic Arts
Museum of San Diego History
Veteran’s Museum and Memorial Center

Third Tuesday

San Diego Art Institute
San Diego Museum of Art
San Diego Museum of Man
Japanese Friendship Garden ***

*** Free to San Diego County Residents and Active Military only Mingei International Museum

Fourth Tuesday

San Diego Air & Space Museum***
San Diego Automotive Museum (last admission 3:45pm) ***
San Diego Hall of Champions***
House of Pacific Relations International Cottages

*** Free to San Diego County Residents and Active Military only

Fifth Tuesday

Normal museum prices in effect.
The Timken Museum of Art is always free.

Note:  Some museums may offer complimentary admission to their permanent collections only and charge admission to special exhibitions or films. Strollers are NOT allowed in the San Diego Natural History Museum during Residents’ Free Tuesdays.

courtesy of:  http://sandiego.about.com/

World Famous FREE Museums Around The Globe! (Reykjavík, Iceland)

Reykjavik Museum of Photography

from Foursquare

Reykjavík, Iceland – free admission every day

courtesy of:  http://www.pinterest.com/ottsworld/free-museums-around-the-globe/

Top 10 Places to Discover in Balboa Park

No one will dispute the fact that Balboa Park is San Diego’s unmistakable jewel – 1,200 acres of greenbelt, culture, recreation, and attraction. It is San Diego’s community gathering place, enjoyed by all citizens, of all walks of life and economic backgrounds. Sure we all know about the great museums and the Old Globe Theatre, but Balboa Park is much more than that. I know, everyone has their favorite Balboa Park spot, but here are a few known, and less known, places to discover in Balboa Park.

1. El Prado

The main thoroughfare of Balboa Park, El Prado is the “downtown” of the park, where the public gathers and strolls to enjoy the magnificence of Balboa Park’s beauty and architecture. Accented by the Spanish Moor-influenced buildings, remnants of the 1915 and 1935 World’s Fairs, El Prado is the picture postcard spot of San Diego where you’ll find most of the park’s cultural venues: the Old Globe Theater, San Diego Museum of Art, Museum of Man, Natural History Museum, Museum of Photographic Arts, Mingei Art Museum. When you stroll down El Prado, seeing how everyone is enjoying the park, you realize how much Balboa Park means to both residents and visitors alike. El Prado is a must for anyone needing to feel invigorated about living in San Diego.

2. The San Diego Zoo

I know, it’s a pretty obvious selection – when you’re in San Diego, you visit the San Diego Zoo. But the Zoo is as much a part of Balboa Park, even though it’s separated by an admission gate. At the same time, Balboa Park is home to one of the world’s greatest zoos, with one of the most extensive and unique collections of animals and plants found anywhere. The exhibits and animal enclosures are innovative, especially Elephant Odyssey, Lost Forest and Polar Rim. And, of course, there are Giant Pandas. That alone gives you reason to check out the San Diego Zoo. More »

3. Balboa Park Carousel and Railroad

If you’ve been to the San Diego Zoo, then you have likely noticed the nifty carousel and miniature railroad outside of the Zoo entrance plaza. The 1910 Balboa Park Carousel is a menagerie of animals and all but two pairs are original with hand-carved European craftsmanship. Also original are the hand-painted murals surrounding the upper portion of the carousel and the military band music. This carousel is one of the few in the world still offering the brass ring game for everyone taking the 5-minute ride. The Balboa Park Miniature Railroad takes a 3-minute, ½-mile trip through four acres of Balboa Park. The train, operated by the San Diego Zoo Department of Transportation, is a model G16 – now a rare antique with as few as fifty currently remaining.

4. Botanical Building

As you walk along the El Prado section of Balboa Park, you’ll notice the Lily Pond first, and then the curious lattice structure of the Botanical Building. In fact, the view of the Botanical Building with the Lily Pond in the foreground is one of the most photographed scenes in Balboa Park. Built for the 1915-16 Exposition, along with the adjacent Lily Pond, the historic building is one of the largest lath structures in the world. Inside you’ll find more than 2,100 permanent plants, featuring fascinating collections of cycads, ferns, orchids, other tropical plants, and palms. And don’t forget to check out the Carnivorous Plant Bog.

5. Balboa Park Activity Center

Some sports might not initially seem like they are popular participation sports. But if you were to wander over off the beaten path of Balboa Park near the site of the old Naval Hospital, you can check out some fierce competitors in badminton, table tennis, and also volleyball. The Balboa Park Activity Center is a 38,000 square-foot multi-purpose gymnasium built to accommodate those gymnasium sports that the basketball-centric Municipal Gym across Park Blvd. can’t accommodate. Located at 2145 Park Blvd. and set amid beautiful landscaping, public art and spacious outdoor plazas, the Balboa Park Activity Center is a first-class sports facility.

6. Model Railroad Museum

This list purposely doesn’t include Balboa Park’s museums because they are such known attractions. Except maybe this one: the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. Tucked away in the Casa Del Prado, the museum isn’t always noticed by visitors heading to the Natural History Museum or the Fleet Science Center. But if you want to see something cool, you’ll want to make a detour here. At 28,000 square feet, the museum is the world’s largest operating model railroad museum. This unique museum contains four enormous scale and model layouts, built by separate clubs, which depict railroads of the Southwest in O, HO, and N scales. In addition, the San Diego Model Railroad Museum features a Toy Train Gallery with an interactive Lionel layout for children and state-of-the-art theater lighting.

7. Lawn Bowling Greens

If you’ve ever been on the west 6th Avenue side of Balboa Park, near the Cabrillo Bridge, you might have noticed a congregation of people dessed in all white rolling things on a smooth, flat lawn. That, my friends, is the San Diego Lawn Bowling Club conducting matches. Organized in 1932 with five founding members, the San Diego Lawn Bowling Club is still going strong with active members. Club membership is open to anyone with an interest in the game. And level of club involvement can range from playing in the occasional club social game, to participating in club tournaments, to competing in high-level regional and national competition. Sitting and watching the games is very calming, but at the same time you realize there is a level of skill involved. And if your curiosity is such that you want to give lawn bowling a try, club members gladly give the public lessons.

8. House of Pacific Relations International Cottages

I always wondered why Balboa Park’s House of Pacific Relations Internal Cottages included representative countries like Denmark, England, Sweden, France and Germany – pretty far from the Pacific Ocean. Then I found out that “pacific” means “peaceful.” Duh. Now it all makes sense – these cottages represent and promote peaceful education and cultural exchanges to the public. Housed in historic 1935 Exposition cottages, 32 groups promote multicultural goodwill and understanding through educational and cultural programs. Every Sunday, throughout the year, if you wander through the cottage complex between the Organ Pavilion and the Air and Space Museum, you might learn a thing or two of a foreign country during an event or presentation.

9. Morley Field Sports Complex

A lot of people don’t realize or just forget that Balboa Park extends beyond Park Blvd. east across Florida Canyon. You won’t find museums or theaters here, but you will find a whole lot of recreational opportunities at the Morley Field Sports Complex. Frisbee golf? Track cycling? Tennis? All found here. Located at Texas and Upas Streets in the northeast corner of the Park, this complex offers a vast array of sporting activities from tennis, swimming and archery to disc golf, bocci ball and velodrome cycling. Four athletic fields (one lighted), a two-mile jogging trail plus an 18-station fitness course are part of the complex as well.

10. Spanish Village Art Center

Tucked between the San Diego Zoo and the Natural History Museum is one of my favorite places to just sit and enjoy the arts and crafts taking place. It’s a unique courtyard of art shops called the Spanish Village Art Center. Thirty-seven working artist studios/galleries host over two hundred independently juried local painters, sculptors, metalsmiths, jewelry designers, clay artists, gourd artists, photographers, printmakers, fiber artists, basket weavers, mixed-media artists, glass artists, and more. The historic Spanish-tiled buildings, the colorful patio tiles and the working artist studios all make for a very creative setting.

courtesy of:  http://sandiego.about.com/

World Famous FREE Museums Around The Globe! (Hawaii)

The Hale Pa’ahao Prison  (Stuck-in-Irons House)

from Foursquare

 in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii  –  free!

courtesy of:  http://www.pinterest.com/ottsworld/free-museums-around-the-globe/

Fleet Science Center Nov, 2014 Events

 

Your Guide to the Fleet NOVEMBER 2014

Science Sleepover Fun Would you like to spend the night in the museum with us? You can stay up late to watch IMAX films, go on a scavenger hunt throughout the science center and explore all of the Fleet’s exhibitions until the sun comes up! Join us for our upcoming Science Sleepover to experience all this and more. Sign up by Wednesday, November 12! More>>Saturday, November 22, 6:30 p.m. to Sunday, November 23, 8:30 a.m. Membership Means Value Did you know that for most families a Fleet membership pays for itself after only two visits? Sign up to become a member today and visit us as often as you’d like during the holidays and all year long. This is the best way to make sure you see all the great exhibitions we have planned for 2015, such as Circus! Science Under the Big Top and Imaginate.Not yet a member? Become one now! An Inspirational Story of Modern Medicine The Fleet is excited to welcome Noah and Alexis Beery. The twins are featured in the exhibition Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code, and you can meet them in person on November 15! Diagnosed early in life with cerebral palsy, the twin’s conditions seemed to get worse as they got older and seemed to resemble cerebral palsy less and less every year. In 2009, the technology for genome sequencing became available for the twins and changed their lives. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear their story. More>>Saturday, November 15, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Senior Monday Examines Energy The first Monday of every month is Senior Monday. This month Dr. Philip Pryde, a specialist on environmental policy, will give a lecture about the strong and weak points of different renewable energy sources. The lecture will be followed by a special screening of the IMAX film Forces of Nature. Both the lecture and film are open for anyone, with reduced rates for seniors. More>>Monday, November 3, 10:30 a.m. lecture; noon theater show; seniors $8, adults $17.95. Start Early With Science Does your child, ages 3-5, love to explore and experiment? Young Scientists is for him or her! This month budding scientists will explore projects and experiments around snow, ice and other winter wonders. Sessions run monthly, four weeks each. Limited to eight students per class.Thursday, Saturday or Sunday morning, 9-10:30 a.m. Sign up or get more information. Suds & Science: Attack of the Viruses The topic for our next Suds & Science event will be Attack of the Viruses: From Flu to Ebola. Enjoy a pint and listen as UCSD physician and researcher Dr. Farhad Bryan Imam talks about the biology of viruses and how to distinguish between science and media hype. More>>Monday, November 10, 6:30-8 p.m. at Ortega’s, 141 University Ave., San Diego CA 92103 Winter Camps for Kids Keep the learning going during the winter break! The Fleet offers full-day camps this winter for kids in Grades 1-3. Each day is filled with fun, educational, hands-on science activities.Register online or by calling (619) 238-1233 ext. 806. Dates are December 22, 23, 26, 29, 30, 31 & January 2. The Fleet Remembers Pat Carter Long-time Fleet champion Pat Carter passed away in early October. Pat’s primary community interest was the development and promotion of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. She served many years of thoughtful stewardship on the board of trustees and was instrumental in shaping the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center through her leadership and commitment. One long-tenured staffer remembers, “She was one class act.” Pat was beloved by many and will certainly be missed.Full obituary Military Family Day On Saturday, November 9, the Fleet partners with the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and the San Diego Military Family Collaborative to invite military families to enjoy the Fleet for free in celebration of our new traveling exhibition, Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code. Military families who have registered for the event will receive free admission to the Fleet, and all visitors to the science center that day can enjoy complimentary hands-on activities and a military resources information fair amongst the interactive exhibits. More>> Our Mission The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is a nonprofit organization that seeks to inspire lifelong learning by furthering the public understanding and enjoyment of science and technology. Quick Links Monthly ScheduleHours & AdmissionBuy Tickets Online Membership Info Purchase a Gift CardDeals & DiscountsVolunteer Opportunities November Events > 1 Family Science Saturday 3 Senior Monday 4 FREE First Tuesday 5 The Sky Tonight 6 Young Scientists 8 Tinkerers’ Club 8 Family Science Saturday 8 Saturday Science Club for Girls 9 Military Family Day 10 Suds & Science 13 Noah and Alexis Beery 15 Tinkerers’ Club 15 Family Science Saturday 15 Beery Twins 22 Tinkerers’ Club 22 Family Science Saturday 22 Science Sleepover 29 Tinkerers’ Club 29 Family Science Saturday Now Playing Enter to Win Congratulations to Shannon Tamayo, last month’s winner of four tickets to the New Children’s Museum!This month, it could be YOUR turn to win!Enter to win a $25 Gift Certificate to the North Star Science Store. Just in time for holiday shopping! To enter, please complete this form by November 15, 2014. Store Spotlight Dive Into the World of DNA! The award winning Science Wiz DNA Kit contains 18 fun and educational experiments you can do at home, including extracting DNA from fruit, solving chromosome puzzles and more! The DNA Kit makes a great holiday gift for the budding scientist in your life!Available in the North Star Science Store for: $24.95 nonmembers $22.46 members.

STAY CONNECTED Copyright 2014 Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. All rights reserved.

World Famous FREE Museums Around The Globe! (China)

National Museum of China

from Foursquare

National Museum of China – free admission every day

courtesy of:  http://www.pinterest.com/ottsworld/free-museums-around-the-globe/

World Famous FREE Museums Around The Globe! (Normandy, France)

Musée Airborne

from Foursquare

Normandy, France – Free to the Disabled, Veterans of the Second World War, Military in uniform, whatever their nationality

courtesy of:  http://www.pinterest.com/ottsworld/free-museums-around-the-globe/