VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

With this year’s hurricane season coming to a close on November 30, The John C. Freeman Weather Museum in the Houston Museum District is encouraging Houstonians to clear out their hurricane supply kit and donate any unused food to the Museum in exchange for free admission from November 21 - 30.

“With the end of hurricane season, it is the perfect time to go through your supply kit and refresh your non-perishable foods,” said Jill Hasling, The Weather Museum Director and Meteorologist. “Those unused cans can be exchanged for complimentary admission to the nation’s only Weather Museum. Visitors can celebrate the end of hurricane season by exploring our many exciting weather exhibits.”

All donated food will be distributed by The Blessed Basket of Galveston County in San Leon, Texas. Food will be given to the residents of San Leon, which was one of the hardest hit areas on the mainland from Hurricane Ike. The Blessed Basket of Galveston County is a non profit social services food pantry that caters to the underprivileged citizens of San Leon, including the elderly,m mentally impaired and sick.

On Friday, November 20, Hasling will give a complete overview of her observations of why the 2009 Atlantic season was so quiet, how The Weather Research Center’s forecast faired, and what we can expect in 2010.

“The Weather Research Center’s 2009 forecast called for seven named storms in the Atlantic with four becoming hurricanes,” Hasling said. “To date, we have had eight named storms, two of which strengthened into hurricanes. Our predictions are certainly on target and have been for 25 years.”

The John C. Freeman Weather Museum opened in 2006 and is the first and only weather museum in the country. It provides hands-on meteorological science education to the Houston community and out-of-town visitors. The Museum boasts nine permanent exhibits, including the Weather Studio, where visitors can record their own forecast on camera; Hurricanes, Cyclones & Typhoons, where hurricane satellite images are on display; Weather Wizard Corner, where experiments are performed and the Tornado Chamber, where visitors can see a tornado form right before their eyes.

Admission for self-guided tours is $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors and children under three are free. Guided tours are $8 for adults and $5 for students/teachers/seniors. Admission to the Museum is free from noon- 4 p.m. every Thursday. The Museum is located at 5104 Caroline Street and is open Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Museum will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

About the Weather Museum
The Weather Research Center opened the John C. Freeman Weather Museum in 2006. As well as housing nine permanent exhibits, the museum also offers many exciting programs including weather camps, boy/girl scout badge classes, teacher workshops, birthday parties and weather labs. Memberships to the Weather Museum start at $25. Benefits and discounts vary depending on level of membership, but include free admission year-round, tickets to special events and exhibit openings, tours and discount on merchandise. For more information call 713-529-3076 or visit www.wxresearch.org.