Locals to polish green thumbs at azalea symposium
NACOGDOCHES, TX, Feb. 19, 2009 -- Whether your prized and pampered azaleas are the talk of the town or you have the blackest thumb in the neighborhood, the upcoming Azalea Trail Symposium is the place to be March 21.
Titled “Azaleas and More – Companion Planting,” the symposium will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, in the Agriculture Building at Stephen F. Austin State University. Registration is $50 per person or $20 for students and includes the workshop, lunch, a grafting knife, a plant and a guided tour of SFA’s Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden, the largest of its kind in Texas. Barbara Stump, the Mize garden’s primary designer, said the symposium will provide information on colorful garden companions for azaleas such as Japanese maples and perennials. The program should be helpful to master gardeners and novices alike. The only prerequisite for attendance is being an admirer of these beautiful flowering shrubs.
“We are so lucky to have so many experienced and renowned speakers in Nacogdoches for the symposium this year,” said Ashleigh Endicott, meeting and event coordinator for the Nacogdoches Convention & Visitors Bureau. Elizabeth Mundy, owner of Acer Acres in Beaverdam, Va., will speak on “Japanese Maples in the Landscape.” Her firm grafts 400 different varieties of the tree. SFA Research Associate Dawn Stover will present “Perennials for Shade” based on her years of experience with plant evaluations at the SFA Mast Arboretum. The guided tour will let guests in on design secrets of the Mize Azalea Garden.
The Azalea Symposium is part of the annual Nacogdoches Azalea Trail, which will be held March 14-31. The event also will feature a floral-design exhibit, plant sale, Little Princess Garden Party and more than 22 miles of self-guided driving tours.
For more information or to register for the Azalea Symposium, contact the Nacogdoches Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-888-OLDEST-TOWN or visit www.nacogdochesazaleas.com.
Source: SFA Release
Read More...
Summary only...
Free one hour seminars focus on science
LONGVIEW, TX, Feb. 19, 2009 -- LeTourneau University is hosting free science seminars on a variety of topics as part of its Spring 2009 Science Seminar schedule.
All of the one-hour seminars are on Thursdays at 11 a.m. in Berry Auditorium in the Paul E. Glaske Engineering and Science Building on the LETU campus, 2100 S. Mobberly Ave.
Upcoming seminar topics include:
Feb. 26—“The Gospel Reconciliation and the Neurological Sciences: Science and Ephesians on What it Means to be a Human Being” by Jeph Holloway, professor of theology and ethics at East Texas Baptist University.
March 12—“What Is So Amazing About Advanced Engineering Materials?” by Yoni Adonyi, professor of engineering at LETU.
March 26—“Reflecting on 40 Years of Teaching Chemistry at LETU” by Richard Johnson, LETU professor of chemistry.
April 2—“Statistics of Disease: What are Your Chances?” by Jeannie Thompson, Oklahoma State Health Department.
April 16—“Thyroid Function and Metabolic Rate in Rats” by LETU biology instructor Karen Rispin and students from LETU.
April 23—“Probability and Providence: Free Will and Predestination in the Physical World” by Gary DeBoer, LETU chemistry professor.
Source: LETU Press Release
Read More...
Summary only...
TPWD Fly Fishing seminar to be held at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center Mar. 7th
ATHENS, TX, Feb. 3, 2009 -- If you’ve ever thought about taking up fly-fishing, Fly Fish Texas is for you.
The annual event takes place this year March 7 at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All Fly Fish Texas activities are free with regular paid admission to the center.
"Fly Fish Texas is a great show and the only event of its kind," said Walter McLendon of Lufkin, who has organized the show since its beginning. "Other shows cater to people who are already fly-fishers, but we try to introduce fly-fishing to the public, and that is better."
A special feature of Fly Fish Texas this year will be classes designed specifically for youth ages six to 18. The classes will be taught by Bill Sargeant, other members of the Dallas Fly-Fishers and TFFC staff. At the conclusion of the class students will receive basic fly-fisher certification. An adult should accompany students to the class. Both morning and afternoon sessions will be offered, and attendance will be limited. Interested persons should meet at the TFFC admissions booth at least 15 minutes prior to class times of 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Fly Fish Texas focuses on helping people master the set of skills required for fly-fishing. Instructors hold classes throughout the day on everything from fly-casting to fly-tying to knot tying. Seminars give information on subjects ranging from how to fish specific bodies of water to tips and techniques for fishing for different species. Skilled fly-tiers make flies all day long. Anyone wanting to learn how can give it a try themselves or simply watch.
Casting is arguably the thing that attracts most people to fly-fishing, and Fly Fish Texas will offer casting instruction for everyone from the rank beginner to the advanced angler seeking the coveted Certified Casting Instructor (CCI) designation from the Federation of Fly Fishers. Master Fly-Casting Instructor Al Crise will head a team of volunteer instructors that will include the father-daughter team of Rex and Taylor Walker, both CCI candidates; Bill Hoot, CCI; Jim Bass, CCI candidate; and Ryan Watters and Sheila Anderson.
Fly Fish Texas differs from most outdoor shows in that the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center has several ponds and streams stocked with rainbow trout, largemouth bass, sunfish and channel catfish, and you can tie a fly, walk 50 steps and catch a fish with it.
Fly Fish Texas is sponsored by the Sabine River Authority, Holiday Inn Express-Athens and the Dallas Fly-Fishers.
For more information, visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/visitorcenters/tffc/.
By-line/Copyright/Photo Credit: © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Read More...
Summary only...
Locals to polish green thumbs at azalea symposium 
