Fernbank Museum Announces 75-Acre Expansion to Visitor Experience

Today, Fernbank Museum of Natural History is announcing significant expansion plans, which include 75 acres of outdoor experiences. The announcement largely focuses on 10 acres of all-new outdoor experiences, environments and activities, set to open in summer 2016 along with expanded access to Fernbank Forest.

The new outdoor adventure experience will occupy the 10 acres of mature woodlands behind the Museum’s terrace overlook. Fernbank’s expansion will allow visitors to experience the same level of immersive, fun and engaging programming Fernbank is already known for in a new, outdoor setting.

The outdoor expansion will offer incredible new experiences for all ages as visitors explore extraordinary landscapes along with a five-story change in elevation—from dramatic vantage points high in the trees to footpaths winding through rugged, ever-changing terrain. Experiences will include dramatic tree pods, imaginative play areas, immersive ground trails, unique sensory stations, elevated adventure nets, hands-on water cycle activities, a restored wetland, and “floating” walkways.

“We are thrilled to expand our offerings with this new outdoor attraction. This is a rare opportunity to connect our visitors with a truly authentic nature experience, right here inside the city," said Susan Neugent, Fernbank president and CEO. "This is the most significant development at Fernbank since the Museum opened, and we can’t wait for our visitors to experience this fun and invigorating encounter with nature."

The new permanent feature highlights Fernbank’s extraordinary environmental legacy, which began 75 years ago when Trustees organized to preserve Fernbank Forest, one of America’s largest old-growth urban forests.

The outdoor adventure area will open in conjunction with increased access to the 65-acre forest. Construction for the outdoor adventure will not impact Fernbank Forest, where the Museum is currently leading a research-based restoration that includes removal of more than 45 harmful invasive species and restoration of many native species that have largely disappeared.

Fernbank’s outdoor expansion will be included with museum admission at no extra charge and will be free for Museum Members. To learn more about the Fernbank Forest restoration and the upcoming experience, visit www.fernbankmuseum.org.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History is located at 767 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta. Directions and other visitor information can be found at fernbankmuseum.org.

FORMER DC MAYOR MARION BARRY DIES AT 78...

DC's very own "Mayor for Life" passed away this morning at age 78.

LaToya Foster, a family spokeswoman, said Barry was discharged from Howard University Hospital at around 6:30 p.m. but said she believed Barry had stayed at the hospital watching television for a time after his discharge. His driver, she said, took him to get something to eat before taking him to his home.

Barry collapsed while walking into his home, Foster said. The driver called for paramedics, who took him to United Medical Center. Cora Barry came to the scene and accompanied him in the ambulance, Foster said.

Barry arrived in cardiac arrest and could not be revived before expiring.

Barry started out as a good politician, but overtime he became increasingly arrogant and corrupt.

Barry started out as a good politician, and over time he became increasingly arrogant and corrupt, climaxing with the outrageous video of him using cocaine while cheating on his wife. He fell into every single stereotype possible.  

The Emperor's Amnesty Speech

My synopsis of the Emperor's speech last night

I have my pen and my cell phone and I've heard what the voters have to say and I'm going to do what I want anyway.  Thus it is written..... Thus it shall be done.

Our response should be:

WHEN, President Obama, do you mean to cease abusing our patience? How long is that madness of yours still to mock us? When is there to be an end of that unbridled audacity of yours, swaggering about as it does now? Do not the nightly guards placed on the Palatine Hill—do not the watches posted throughout the city—does not the alarm of the people, and the union of all good men—does not the precaution taken of assembling the senate in this most defensible place—do not the looks and countenances of this venerable body here present, have any effect upon you? Do you not feel that your plans are detected? Do you not see that your conspiracy is already arrested and rendered powerless by the knowledge which every one here possesses of it? What is there that you did last night, what the night before—where is it that you were—who was there that you summoned to meet you—what design was there which was adopted by you, with which you think that any one of us is unacquainted?

(from the first oration against Catiline by Cicero)

Winter Wonderland at Fernbank Museum

This holiday season, Fernbank Museum of Natural History features several ways to celebrate with fun and unique events. Fernbank’s holiday programming includes the Winter Wonderland: Celebrations & Traditions Around the World exhibition, a Winter Wonderland Celebration Day, Winter Wonderland evening viewing hours during Martinis & IMAX®, Holly Jolly Activities and holiday shopping in the Museum Store.

Winter Wonderland

On view from November 21, 2014 through January 11, 2015, the fifth annual Winter Wonderland exhibition includes two floors of festive trees and displays decorated by cultural partners to reflect traditions and holidays celebrated by cultures everywhere. Twinkling with lights, glimmering with color and shining with a variety of cultural objects, more than 30 trees and other displays recognize the diversity of celebrations, holidays, traditions and events from around the world. The exhibition highlights cultural celebrations from North America, South America, Africa, Europe, The Caribbean, Mediterranean and Middle East.

Winter Wonderland Celebration Day

Special festivities kick off with a Winter Wonderland Celebration Day on Saturday, November 22 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., where families can enjoy a special day of cultural and holiday-themed performances from The Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker Ensemble, the Chien Hong School of Kung Fu and Peruvian group Apu Inka.

Holly Jolly Activities

The fun continues on weekends from November 29 through December 21 with Holly Jolly Activities, featuring a Puppet Factory hosted by The Center for Puppetry Arts on Saturdays from noon until 2 p.m., winter-themed Tadpole Tales on December 27 and 28 at 1:30 p.m. and classic holiday cartoons every weekend. Films include:

A Charlie Brown Christmas on November 29-30,

‘Tis the Season to be Smurfy on December 6-7,

A Flintstone  Family Christmas on December 13-14,

How the Grinch Stole Christmas  on December 20-21, and

Disney's Sing Along Songs: Very Merry Christmas every weekend from November 29 – December 14 and daily from December 19–24.

Martinis & IMAX® Evening Viewing Hours

Adults can enjoy music, films, small plates, a nip from a yuletide toddy and more as they enjoy evening viewing hours of Winter Wonderland during Martinis & IMAX® on November 21, December 5, December 12 and December 19 from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Holiday Shopping

For those searching for a perfect gift, Fernbank’s Museum Store offers a variety of gift ideas, including dinosaur merchandise, jewelry, activity books, science kits, games, toys, ornaments and more. Fernbank also offers gift memberships and gift certificates. The Museum Store’s annual holiday sale offers an additional 10% off store purchases for Museum members on December 6 and 7, 2014.

Tickets and Other Information

All Winter Wonderland activities are included with Museum admission and are free for members. Evening viewing hours during Martinis & IMAX® are included with cover charge tickets as well as with IMAX® film tickets. The Museum Store is available for shoppers without the need for a ticket.

Museum admission is $18 for adults, $17 for students/seniors, $16 for children ages 3 to 12, free for children ages 2 and younger and free for Museum Members. Martinis & IMAX® prices are $8 for cover charge or $13 for an IMAX® film ticket, which includes a free cover charge.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History is located at 767 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta. Tickets and visitor information are available at www.fernbankmuseum.org and 404.929.6300. Fernbank Museum will be closed on Nov. 27 and Dec. 5 but will enjoy regular, daily operating hours throughout the remaining holiday season.

Winter Wonderland is made possible in part by the Nissan Foundation to support cultural learning.

The Winter Wonderland Celebration Day is sponsored by Publix Super Markets Charities Inc.

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The President Who Would Be King

A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, “We do not want this man to be our king.” But when he returned after obtaining the kingship … [He said] “Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me” (Luke 19:12,14, 27-28).

Despite the fact that the Democrats were lost on a large scale in the last election, President Obama has decided to take his "pen" and RULE by Executive Order.  

Once upon a time his highness said:  I can just suspend deportations through executive order, that’s just not the case, because there are laws on the books that Congress has passed. we’ve got three branches of government. Congress passes the law. The executive branch’s job is to enforce and implement those laws. And then the judiciary has to interpret the laws.

There are enough laws on the books by Congress that are very clear in terms of how we have to enforce our immigration system that for me to simply through executive order ignore those congressional mandates would not conform with my appropriate role as President.  I’m not a king. I am the head of the executive branch of government. I’m required to follow the law.

It appears that all that gobble-de-gook about following the law is now out the window.

Obama has invited senior lawmakers to the White House for dinner Wednesday night so that he can explain his plans to use executive authority to change the nation’s immigration laws.

His Majesty invited Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the leaders of the congressional Asian, Black and Hispanic caucuses, but did not invite Republican leaders to  the meeting.

The Emperor's immigration order would provide illegal immigrants with the exact benefits Congress has repeatedly rejected:  Social Security numbers, photo IDs and work permits--which will allow them to legally compete for the scarce number of jobs in this failing economy with Americans allowing him to fiddle while the US economy burns.

Then again King Obama sees all of us peasants as STUPID AMERICANS.  Just ask Gruber he'll tell you.  

Swept Up In Blog Sweeps

Here are some of the blog sweepstakes I've entered today:

*  The folks at The Best of Disney are giving">http://is.gd/DxM6Zi">giving away
a 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival – Disney Trading Pin Set
* The Folks at WDW Hints are giving away a $25 Disney Gift Card AND a choice of either a Frozen Calendar or Mickey Mouse Calendar

*  Win a Disney Themed Halloween Wreath.   This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 and older. The theme of the wreath may vary but it will be Disney and it will be Halloween.

*  Win one for your family! Spend two nights at Nickelodeon Suites Resort, a wild, wacky, and family-focused hotel with 24 acres dedicated to imagination, play and exploration. Make the weekend even more special and experience the magic of Walt Disney World with a $500 Disney gift card!

A Timeless Affair at Fernbank Museum

ATLANTA, September 16, 2014 – Fernbank Museum of Natural History ­­­­­­­will host its annual black-tie fundraising gala, A Timeless Affair 2014: The Witching Hour on Saturday, October 4, 2014 from 7 p.m. to midnight. The evening will honor the dedicated support of Maria and Ralph de la Vega.

Event Chairs, Burch and Mark Hanson and Amanda and Jody Tucker, along with a stellar Planning Committee, are organizing a night of enchantment that includes live music from The Rupert’s Orchestra, a sunset cocktail hour, seated dinner with wine service and open bars, silent and live auctions, dancing and a private viewing of the fall exhibition Goose Bumps! The Science of Fear.

A Timeless Affair 2014: The Witching Hour draws inspiration from this incredible new special exhibition, which examines how the body and brain work together to respond to the universal emotion of fear. The Goose Bumps exhibit features a variety of exciting, scientific and risk-free activities, including falling backwards, mysterious boxes, sudden noises and other interactive ways to safely test why we have fears.

“It is truly a joy to be a part of such an influential organization that contributes so much to our community,” said event chair Burch Hanson. “We are so proud of this event, and we know that the guests at Timeless this year will have a fantastic time supporting their community.”

As always, this gala will provide Atlantans with the opportunity to have an amazing time, while also furthering Fernbank Museum’s mission to educate and inspire all ages through world-class cultural and scientific programming.

“We are so grateful to serve the community through Fernbank Museum,” said event chair Amanda Tucker. “It is our hope that you will come experience this special cornerstone of the Atlanta community during this special event.”

Patron levels begin at $1,600 and tables of 10 begin at $12,000. Individual tickets are $500. Learn more about this enchanted evening by visiting the website. For tickets, please contact Catherine Stolarski at 404.929.6376 or development@fernbankmuseum.orghttp://www.development@fernbankmuseum.org">development@fernbankmuseum.org
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