It's Art Step First Friday in Downtown Bryan

2012-05-30T13:03:37Z

Follow the footsteps all around downtown to find original work by artists and artisans, live music from jazz to medieval to country, theater, artist demonstrations, and information about arts organizations.

And of course, explore historic downtown, dine, shop, ride in the horse drawn carriage…

Art Step, an art walk in historic downtown Bryan, began in June 2005, with two locations participating. We now have three Art Step events per year, each with a little different emphasis. For the June Art Step, we’ve invited the Arts Council, and the wonderfully varied arts organizations affiliated with them, to participate by performing, demonstrating, exhibiting or providing information.

Head Downtown Friday, June 1, for fun and to celebrate and support the arts! Be sure to visit these downtown businesses that will be featuring special art and entertainment

Art By Murder a Creative Good Time in Downtown Bryan

2012-05-23T03:11:26Z

The Art By Murder event includes a hands-on painting project that is designed for art newcomers but is equally enjoyable for those who have actual artistic talents.

You don't have to be an artist to create a masterpiece of fun with Art By Murder, the new event in Downtown Bryan that is equal parts tour, murder mystery, scavenger hunt and actual hands-on art creation that leaves everyone feeling a tiny bit like da Vinci.

Art By Murder is the brainchild of Barbara German and Cynthie Hanks, who invited Insite to join a recent event and sleuth along with a group of 10 art adventurers. After meeting at Square One, we wandered through Downtown Bryan searching out clues to a murder mystery outlined in a series of mysterious phone calls, recordings and letters in manila envelopes. Hint #1 to future scavengers: rugs and shrubs are your friends when on the hunt for clues. Hint #2: the StageCenter actors want you to know the clue is OUTSIDE, not inside where they are rehearsing for a play. Oops.

Juried Art Exhibition at MSC Forsyth Center Galleries

2012-05-21T18:37:00Z

The MSC Forsyth Center Galleries presents the 4^th Annual Regional Juried Art Exhibition through August 19. The exhibit features contemporary works of art in different mediums from local and regional artists. Visitors can stop by the MSC from 10am to 8pm Monday through Saturday to view the displays.

Two-dimensional and three-dimensional works will be featured, including ceramics, blown glass, photography watercolor and oil paintings.

The MSC is open later for special events. Visit http://forsyth.tamu.edu for upcoming events and programs.

Helping Hands Make A Difference

2012-05-21T17:09:00Z

An organic farmer stands in his field next to a pesticide-laden field.Local Doctor's Mission Changes Hearts and Lives

Lani Douglas Ackerman, M.D., associate professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Center and practicing family physician at Scott &White Clinic, is more than just a doctor. She literally HELPS others, having founded the nonprofit organization Health Environmental Learning Program with her husband Tim, an ecologist. This grassroots, faith-based nonprofit helps the people of Nepal learn to develop their communities through education about using their natural resources to promote health and economic freedom.

Dr. Ackerman grew up knowing that she wanted to help people and share her faith in Christ. The child of university professors (her father has a PhD from A&M), she went to medical school with the intention of obtaining a medical degree so she could use it to help people around the world.

Texas A&M’s College of Medicine Class of ’85, Ackerman went on to complete family medicine residency and attended seminary to learn about different cultures and how to spread the love of Christ among them. With this experience, she and her husband departed in 1990 on initially a short-term mission trip, soon returning for two years of service as volunteers in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. They spent their time there providing medical care to the locals, and teaching and training doctors and young leaders.

After returning to the U.S. and working for five years in their respective fields with a focus on international work and development, in 1997 the couple had the opportunity again to return to the Himalayas as volunteers, but to the country of Nepal.

Fun For Everyone This Summer

2012-05-21T17:00:00Z

Bring the whole family to enjoy these local attractions this summer.Vacation time is approaching fast, but you don’t have to break the family budget to have fun all summer long. With a wealth of activities and “staycations” right here in Bryan/College Station, you can relax now knowing there is something to please everyone in your family and out-of-town guests for the long, hot weeks ahead.

50 HOT STOPS

Make a Splash

With temperatures reaching above 100° during the Texas summer, it’s important to stay cool. To beat the heat this summer, make a splash! Spending the day at Lake Bryan is an easy, inexpensive way to make summer memories. Just go for the day or bring a tent and camp all weekend. You and your family can go swimming, play sand volleyball, enjoy some of the nature trails around the lake, or go jet skiing. There are even several events to enjoy throughout the summer.

But that’s not the only way to keep cool this summer! There are several pools in the area offering the right kind of excitement for any family. If you have teenagers, you might want to try out one of the pools with waterslides such as Adamson Lagoon, Bryan Aquatic Center, or Henderson Harbor. Splash pads at Tanglewood Park and Tiffany Sale Park also offer a fun, cool alternative to a traditional pool and are great for younger kids.

Lake Bryan
8200 Sandy Point Road, Bryan
979-361-0861
www.lakebryan.com

Adamson Lagoon
1900 Anderson, College Station
979-764-3735
www.cstx.gov

Bryan Aquatic Center
3100 Oak Ridge Drive, Bryan
979-209-5222
www.bryantx.gov

Henderson Harbor
1200 Ridgedale Street, Bryan
979-209-5221
www.bryantx.gov

Brazos County Master Gardeners Summer Schedule

2012-05-20T17:20:00Z

The Brazos Valley Master Gardener's offer free gardening classes and programs each month.The Brazos County Master Gardeners have announced their class schedule for the months of May and June. All classes are free are held at the Brazos Center.

Gardening 101- “Backyard Habitat Gardening” on May 15 from 6:30-8:30pm
Master Gardener Molly Harris will describe Earth-Kind gardening practices and Texas native plants that produce year-round color.

Gardening 101- “Irrigation and Rainwater Harvesting” on June 19 from 6:30-8:30pm

Master Gardener Jennifer Nations will show the correct way to use irrigation systems and capture rainwater.

Monthly Program- “Fruits and Vegetables in Prevention of Cancer: Scientific Oddity or Clinical Reality” on June 26 from 7-8pm
Dr. Bhimu Patil will lecture on preventing cancer by consuming fruits and vegetables.

Pre-registration for all programs is preferred at http://www.brazosmg.com/event-registration.

Activities For All Ages At The Bryan+College Station Library

2012-05-20T17:00:00Z

There are numerous activities at the Bryan and College Station Libraries this summer for all ages.You don’t need to spend a fortune visiting exotic locales this summer … just read a book! The Bryan+College Station Library has activities for kids, teens, tweens and adults.

For kids, the Youth Services Department hosts the “Ready to Read” program, which is held every Thursday through August 2. The Ready to Read program encourages children age 3 and up to enjoy a fun-filled story-time at the Clara B. Mounce Public Library.

The Youth Services Department also has a Children’s Summer Reading Club as well as “Babies and Books” that allows infants through the age of 2 to enjoy story-time as well.

Saturday, June 16, beginning at 10 a.m., the library will host Motorcycle Mania. The public is encouraged to visit the bike display outside of the Bryan library courtesy of the Jericho Riders. The goal of The Youth Services Department is to instill a love of reading in all children.

MSC OPAS Annouces 40th Anniversary Season

2012-05-20T16:00:00Z

The Midtown Men will be September 20-21 at 7:30pm.This year, Texas A&M MSC OPAS will celebrate its 40th anniversary season. Founded in 1972, OPAS at Texas A&M is an organization of the Memorial Student Center. OPAS presents professional productions of theatre, music, and dance programs that entertainMartha Graham Dance Company: October 23 at 7:30pm and inspire the audiences of the the Brazos Valley. This year's variety-filled lineup will include Carol Burnett, The Midtown Men, Celtic Woman Christmas, Martha Graham Dance, a rare acoustic concert by Ray Benson, the World Premiere of "The Phantoms of the Opera" and Broadway's 2012 Tony Nominee for Best Musical "Catch Me If You Can."

Catch Me If You Can: October 29-30 at 7:30pmThese performances will be presented from September 2012 through April 2013 and will be divided into three different series.

The Main Stage series will consist of eight explosive concerts and Broadway performances. These performances include The Midtown Men; Martha Graham Dance Company; Catch Me If You Can; LaughterCarol Burnett will be November 13 at 7:30pm. and Reflection with Carol Burnett: A Conversation with Carol Where the Audience Asks the Questions; Woman of Ireland; The Knights with Wu Man; Hooray for Hollywood; and Neil Berg's The Phantoms of the Opera. Season ticket packages for all eight events start at $225. All Main Stage events will be performed in Rudder Auditorium at Texas A&M.

The Intimate Gathering series also shines with a rare solo acoustic performance by nine-time Grammy award-winner Ray Benson, a return appearance from guitar virtuosos The Romeros and Concerto Malago, and a cabaret celebrating the music of one of America's most enduring artists, Ann HamptonWomen of Ireland will be February 12 at 7:30pm. Callaway Sings the Seisand Songbook. Also featured will be performances of Pride and Prejudice and Sweet Honey In The Rock. Season tickets to all five events start at $187. All Intimate Gathering events will be performed in Rudder Theatre at Texas A&M.

OPAS JR shines brightly too with three, family friendly performances: Freckleface Strawberry The Musical; Ramona Quimby; and Popovich Comey Pet Theater. Season tickets to OPAS JR are only $36. All OPAS JR events will be performed in Rudder Theatre at Texas A&M.

Hooray for Hollywood will be March 1-2 at 7:30pm. Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration will be added to the roster for the 40th anniversary season as a special event. Celebrate this very special festive season with single tickets to this sensational concert starting at only $40.

Season or single tickets may be ordered through the MSC Box Office at (979) 845-1234 or online at MSCOPAS.org. All events will be performed in the Rudder Complex at Texas A&M in College Station.

Phantom of the Opera will be April 4-5 at 7:30pm. For more information about all of the events coming to the Brazos Valley as part of the 40th anniversary season, visit MSCOPAS.org.

Integrated Social Marketing

2012-05-19T16:42:00Z

You Know You Should. You Just Don't Know How.

Business owners should keep up with the digital age or risk extinction.

It’s a familiar pattern: over a couple of decades something completely changes business in America. Transportation moved goods and money outside a central area first by horse and wagon, then by rail, highway and air. Communication, first by telegraph, moved both information and money over vast distances in a short time. The telephone shifted business inside the home allowing consumers direct communication with businesses and to receive goods. At each juncture, businesses that didn’t adapt became extinct.

The Internet age is different. Sometimes referred to as “the great equalizer,” the Internet makes marketing tools and information previously available only to well-capitalized businesses available to small businesses and startups.

Inbound marketing has done the same thing, allowing small businesses with vision the ability to compete on many fields with the big guys. Also referred to as permission marketing or relationship marketing, inbound marketing attracts customers by offering useful information or content.

Just Down The Road: Destinations, Festivals & Fun

2012-05-15T04:20:00Z

A Colorful Garden

Spend a day in the garden at Barrington Living History Farm during their “Colorful Garden” weekend. See how they grow heirloom varieties of vegetables as they did in the 1850’s according to Thomas Affleck from Gay Hill at Glenblythe Plantation. Try your hand at making old-fashioned crafts to take with you. Create your own botanical journal as many women of the time did. Help them harvest their rye the old fashioned way, then take a break on the dog run porch and learn about the Anson Jones family and life 160 years ago.

May 26-27: Colorful Garden from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

June 16-17: They Were Here First – Native American and Tree Rings – Silent Witness to History

July 21-22: Riding the Range and Stories of the Runaway Scrape

August 18-19: Crew, chew chew and Water Everywhere and not a drop to drink

Barrington Living History Farm

Located in Washington-on-the-Brazos

State Historical Park off Highway 105 between Navasota and Brenham on FM 1155

(979) 878-2214

www.birthplaceoftexas.com

100 Days of Summer Festival

St. Mary Parish in Brenham will host its fifth annual “100 Days of Summer” Festival May 27 beginning at 9 a.m. on the parish grounds. Activities include a live auction, silent auction, games for kids, live music, cakewalk, talent show and food booths from many different ethnic groups.

May 27 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 701 Church St., Brenham

(979) 836-4441

www.BrenhamCatholic.org

Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site Presents On Time and Cradled Like a Baby

In “On Time and Cradled Like a Baby,” a Nineteenth century writer Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) referred to his ride on a Concord Stagecoach across the midwest as being gentle as a baby carriage gently swaying back and forth. Arriving on time was the goal of all early mail coaches and as the mail carriers combined mail delivery with public transportation the challenge soon became that of moving mail and people aboard a large, heavy stagecoach in a timely manner.

Stepping onto the Fanthorp front porch is a passage into yesteryear as guides take visitors back to Texas in the 1850’s. It’s a unique event the whole family will remember and enjoy.

In addition to special events, Fanthorp Inn is open Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no admission fee, but a donation of $4 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under is appreciated.

May 12: Cradled Like a Baby

11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

June 9: Music Makes a Celebration

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

June 14: Going Postal in 1800’s Texas