SEPTEMBER 2011 INSIDE: * Houston exhibit uses Star Wars props, costumes and models to explore possible technologies * Morning Glories sculpture gone as Aquarena Center continues a restoration to its natural state * Kemah's boardwalk attraction noted among the nation's best TRAVEL NEWS STATE OF A FAIR ELLINGTON Airport in south- N THE MIDST of the State Fair east Houston will soon be of Texas' 125th known as Ellington Interna- anniversary, the State of Texas' 175th mile- tional Airport. A bevy of improve- stone also will be given the spotlight ments are underway to make the via a new attraction-TEXAS! The airfield ready for domestic and in- Exhbition-featured at the Hall ternational traffic, including a $10 of State building at Fair Park from million-plus project for a new ter- Sept. 30-Dec. 4. minal, tower and inspection station The Hall of State building at Fair for this extension of the Houston Park remains closed for the exhibit Airport System. Galveston's Lone installation until opening day, when Star Flight Museum also is plan- State Fair visitors can get a glimpse ning a move to the campus. of the cultural heritage that built the It is expected to take up to 18 months state. Each room will highlight spe- to complete the airport's new terminal, cial events in Texas history. which will serve domestic and inter- "Texas is known national air traffic, and the inspection for a lot of things, and this grand exhibition boasts station for U.S. Customs and Border what's great about the Lone Star Protection agents. State and highlights some of its out- An aircraft museum, including standing attributes," two new hangars, could serve as new says J.P. Bryan, guest curator for TEXAS! The Exhibi- home to museums already consider- tion and a direct descendant of Mo- ing the move. The Lone Star Flight Along with the special TEXAS! exhibit, State Fair visitors can expect fried ses Austin, Stephen F. Austin's father. Museum in Galveston-inspired by concoctions, the Midway and the annual Cotton Bowl game portrayed "From notorious warriors responsible here in last year's annual butter sculpture. the desire to protect its collection for the birth of a one-of-a-kind repub- from hurricanes-is set to move its lic and state, to famous events and a Stephen F. Austin's pocket tele- the Heritage Society of Houston, collection to the Ellington campus. vast collection of artifacts, these col- scope, the only original Juneteenth San Jacinto Museum of History and Also on the horizon is a $50 mil- lected works provide a vivid glimpse document declaring emancipation the Torch Collection in Houston. lion-$57 million new regional facili- into the rich heritage of Texas." for all Texas slaves, and a life-sized TEXAS! The Exhibition is open ty for the U.S. Coast Guard; ex- Exhibit artifacts include Davy replica of the Alamo. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and is free during panded facilities for the U.S. mili- Crockett's pipe and pistol, Santa An- The exhibit is a collaborative ef- the State Fair of Texas, which runs tary, including training, logistics and na's spurs and vest, the sword used fort presented by the Dallas Histori- through Oct. 23. a battle command centers; and a $70 to capture Santa Anna, Sam Hous- cal Society with assistance from the For more information on the State million-$80 million mixed-use busi- ton's battle of San Houston Museum of Natural Fair, visit www.bigtex.com. ness development on the airport's Jacinto report, Science, north side, which will include a car- go facility, warehouses, a tarmac and $300 million to a half-billion dollars sports marketing; and Beaumont for Cooperative Marketing: Killeen, parking for aircraft. and create as many as 600 jobs," he says. tourism promotion and best website. McKinney and Waco New hangars to be leased to indi- The Judges Choice Best Overall Convention Promotion: Killeen, viduals or corporations for storing, AT THE RECENT Texas Associa- Entry went to The Colony CVB for San Marcos and Plano building and/or maintaining aircraft tion of Convention and Visi- sports marketing. Local Awareness: Temple, San also will be constructed at $60 million tors Bureau's Annual Confer- The Idea Fair also netted Peoples' Marcos and Beaumont -$70 million. ence in San Marcos, various CVBs Choice winners based on budgets of National Tourism Week: No Brian Rinehart, general manager were noted for their efforts in ad- less than $350,000, from $350,000 to entries for less than $350,000, at Ellington International Airport, vertising, tourism promotion and $999,999, and $1 million-plus. Plano McKinney, and (tied) Abilene told the Houston Business Journal more. Judges Choice Awards went CVB won Best Overall Entry for its and El Paso that six areas of the Ellington air- to San Marcos CVB for advertising convention promotion. Sports Marketing: The Colony, field campus are slated for construc- as well as convention promotion; In ascending order (based on bud- no mid-level entries and El Paso tion and expansion, with projects Waco CVB for cooperative market- gets), the People's Choice first place Tourism Promotion: Seguin, San completed in phases during the next ing; Bryan-College Station for local winners were: Marcos and, (tied) Abilene and five years. awareness; Abilene for National Advertising: Conroe, San Marcos Beaumont "These projects will total about Tourism Week; The Colony for and El Paso * Website: Kyle Chamber of TEXAS TRAVELOG Commerce, Denton and Beaumont. TSU student newspaper The Universi- For a complete list of Idea Fair ty Star, "I was fascinated by the sculp- F, Peoples' Choice winners, visit www. tures and began looking into them tacvb.com. when I found out the university want- ed to remove them. We learned the N 1963, Wimberley sculptor Winn family wanted them returned ~ Buck Winn was commissioned and thought that was a fine idea. These to create a sculpture that would sculptures are family heirlooms and offer shade to Aquarena Center have found the best place they can be." ~~YIi visitors. He created "Morning Andrew Winn, the sculptor's Glories." In August, the sculpture grandson, says the sculptures on the was removed from Aquarena Cen- private ranch (where he also runs ter in preparation for a $4 mil- Wimberley Zipline Adventures) lion restoration project to restore will be available to view for free, Spring Lake to its natural state. by appointment only. Texas State University bought the Aquarena Center continues to offer site in 1994 and has since been work- the glass bottom boat and kayak tours ing to restore the land-home to the an aquarium, tours, diving and more. second-largest artesian spring in the For more information about Aqua- country and to eight endangered spe- rena Center, call (512) 245-7570 or cies including the Texas blind sala- visit www.aquarena.txstate.edu. Stormtroopers purchase tickets for the Star Wars-: Where Science Meets mander and the San Marcos gambu- Imagination exhibit at Houston's Health Museum. sia, which has not been seen in the THAN KS TO several inches of wild for nearly 30 years. recent rains, the temporary clo- Park Superintendent Bill Wellman the robots in Star Wars. The exhibi- With that came the removal of the sure of all High Chisos back- says, "We are relieved to see rain tion also features the creation of real giant morning glories sculpture. packing campsites in Big Bend Na- throughout many areas of the park, world robots that navigate, sense and Piece by piece, the sculpture was tional Park has been lifted, includ- and especially in the High Chisos Moun- understand the world around them airlifted from Aquarena Springs to ing dispersed (zone) camping in the tains and Basin area. The rain will while communicating in increasingly their new home-back to the Winn Blue Creek and Lower Juniper Zones. reduce the fire danger and be partic- sophisticated ways. family and their ranch in Wimberley. Full use, both daytime and over- ularly helpful to wildlife and park re- Other film artifacts include mod- Texas River Systems Institute Di- night, of the Chisos high country is sources after a prolonged dry period." els for items like the Sebulba Podra- rector Andrew Sansom says he thinks now re-opened and available. The cer or Queen Amidala's Nubian Starship, as well as costumes for the Spring Lake endeavor is the "most Window Trail has also re-opened. N significant environmental restoration The closures were the result of ex- Darth Vader, Anakin Jedi, Obi-Wan TM project in the nation right now." treme fire danger in the park. HE STAR WARS : Where Sci- Kenobi, Princess Leia, Snowtrooper, "We're trying as best as possible Caution is still recommended ence Meets Imagination exhibit Stormtroopers and others. to restore it to its natural condition throughout the park with any type of at The Health Museum in Hous- Admission is by timed ticket only, so when visitors come here in the fu- ignition source such as camping stoves ton uses more than 100 props, which includes general admission to ture it will be a preserve rather than or barbecue/charcoal grills. Smoking models, costumes and Star Wars The Health Museum's other exhibits. an amusement park," Sansom told is prohibited on the High Chisos trails artifacts to look at the fantasy tech- Tickets are $20/$18 for adults or the Austin American-Statesman. throughout the year. The charcoal nologies in the films, the science seniors/children. Special pricing is Kevin Huffaker, vice chairman of ban, which was in effect for the Basin behind them, and current research available for members and groups.