IT’S NO SECRET! THE MUSEUM IS 
THE PLACE TO BE IN NOVEMBER!

The fun returns this month! The Museum of Science and History’s exhibits return November 8 to their temporary home at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. And a big holiday favorite is back at the Omni Theater beginning November 21. Spread the word!

CALLING ALL TOY EXPERTS!
Top Secret: Mission Toy Opens November 8

Nobody knows toys better than kids. That’s why we’re calling in the experts for an intriguing new children's exhibit called Top Secret: Mission Toy, opening November 8 on the first floor of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, our temporary home during construction. Young guests will don a lab coat and embark on an important mission: to inspect toys from around the world. They’ll use their investigative and playtime skills to check out dolls and balls and secret codes, find out why tops are tops, and how string can be a fascinating thing. Admission is included with regular exhibit admission ($8 adults; $7 children/seniors). Museum members are free. Come investigate!

ALL ABOARD FOR THE POLAR EXPRESS!
Returning Exclusively to the Omni Theater November 21

All Aboard! The Polar Express: The IMAX Experience returns to the Omni Theater on Friday, November 21.The Omni Theater will offer the only domed IMAX presentation in the Southwest! Based on the classic Caldecott medal-winning children's book written by Chris Van Allsburg, the film tells the story of a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole and embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. The Polar Express first premiered at the Omni Theater in 2005. Digitally re-mastered with proprietary IMAX DMR technology, you’ll become totally immersed in the IMAX presentation…watching snowflakes

float down the giant IMAX screen and feeling the train rumble via state-of-the-art digital sound. Tickets are $9 for adults, $8 for children (3-12) and seniors (60+). Museum members receive a $2 discount. Advance tickets are available now online, by phone at 817-255-9540 and in person. (There is a small transaction fee for online and phone orders. Members do not pay a fee for phone orders.)

HAVE SOME OMNI-SIZED POLAR FUN! Make your holiday outing even more festive with these special Polar activities: Wintry Science Fun –  11 am - 3 pm every Saturday, Nov. 22 - Dec. 20 - Explore hands-on polar investigations with the staff from CommunITy Studios, an NSF-funded project. Starbucks Saturdays –  9 am - 2 pm every Saturday, Nov. 22 - Dec. 20 - Enjoy free hot chocolate, courtesy of Starbucks Coffee Company. OmniAmerican Bank Polar Pajama Parties –  9-9:45 a.m. every Saturday, Nov. 22 - Dec. 20 - It's festive fun in your jammies! Enjoy hot chocolate, wintry science activities and other surprises, plus meet OmniAmerican’s Rocky Raccoon. Free with paid admission to the 10 a.m. Saturday presentation of The Polar Express.  Santa Comes to Town – 11 am - 1 pm, Saturday, Dec. 13 –  Bring your camera and the kids to meet the jolly ol' man himself. Free.

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY EVENT IN THE OMNI THEATER
Wow your employees or clients with a holiday event to remember! Book an evening in our Omni Theater and treat your guests to an exclusive showing of The Polar Express. Limited dates are available. See our Web site for details. 

ALSO SHOWING IN THE OMNI THEATER THIS MONTH:

• Dinosaurs Alive!
  Spectacular computer-generated animation combines with historical footage while following paleontologists as they uncover remarkable new fossils.

• Deep Sea
  'Sea' life in a whole new way! Dive below the ocean surface to swim with some of the planet’s most unique, dangerous and colorful creatures. 

• Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs
  Journey back thousands of years to the age of the great pharaohs and unravel some of the mysteries enshrouding the ancient royal mummies.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Museum construction continues to move along at an exciting pace. Here’s the latest update:

• To date, all of the steel except for the Museum's grand staircase and planetarium dome has been erected. Within a few weeks, steel supporting the grand staircase to the second level will be completed.

• In mid-November, installation of the steel frame that will support the glass atop the "Urban Lantern" will begin. This process will take a few weeks. You should begin to see the first of the Urban Lantern’s glass top by early December.

• All concrete slab pours should be completed within the next three weeks. The planetarium floor, at the south end of the complex, will be the last of the pours.

• The brick exterior of the facility will begin appearing in December, moving south from Museum School. 

Remember, you can watch all the action through our live webcam!

YOU LIGHT THE LANTERN!

Will you help us "Light the Lantern" by giving to the Museum today? Every gift counts and there are so many ways to participate. Children can join the Firefly Club: forgo birthday presents this year and ask your friends to give to the Museum in honor of your birthday. Host a lemonade stand at your house.  Pick up a "Light the Lantern" bank at the Omni Theater and return it filled with your loose change. Honor a loved one by having their name engraved on a brick paver in the Museum's new courtyard. (Please note: January is the final month to order engraved pavers!) Make gifts to the Museum in honor of your favorite teachers, friends and family for the holidays and we'll send your honorees a special card.

Go to LightTheLantern.org, call our campaign office at 817-255-9315, or e-mail our Development Department for more information about ways to give. We need your help to reach our goal of $75 million. Be a part of it. Light the Lantern today!

BUILD YOUR OWN TELESCOPE
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, December 6
Build a holiday gift that will put stars in their eyes! Join the Noble Planetarium staff and build your own telescope…for yourself, your family, or as a great holiday gift. Join us on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, and build your very own Newtonian reflector telescope on a Dobsonian mount! Noble Planetarium staff will provide all the tools and personally guide you through construction from beginning to completion! Class cost depends on the size of telescope you build: a 4-1/2" telescope is $185; a 6" telescope is $275; an 8" telescope is $415. Price includes all parts and mirrors to construct the telescope, a complete instruction manual (in case you want to build an even bigger telescope later!), a Telrad finder scope, one eyepiece and a free star chart. Download a registration form or call 817-255-9409. Sign up today!

CALLING ALL EDUCATORS!
2008-2009 School Field Trip Planner Now Available.

Educators, our 2008-2009 School Program Planner is now available! We continue to offer two exhibit experiences under one roof at the National Cowgirl Museum, plus field trips to the Omni Theater. Or let us come to you through our Discovery Lab on Wheels programs and Distance Learning opportunities. Access the Planner online or e-mail School Services to have one mailed to you.

FREE FAMILY FRIDAYS RETURN
Friday, November 28
Free Family Fridays are back with free exhibit admission from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 28. Bring the entire family to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and enjoy the Cowgirl experience plus the Museum of Science and History’s Hands On Studio, KIDSPACE, and the new Top Secret: Mission Toy, all for free. (Free Family Friday does not include free admission to the Omni Theater.)

We appreciate your comments. Please e-mail us at: enews@fwmsh.org or simply hit "Reply."

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