Buy One Eco-Art Kayak Adventure, Get One FREE Eco-Art Kayak Adventure for this Saturday’s paint & paddle at Christmas Bay, in Galveston, Oct.12, from 10am-2pm.
Christmas Bay is located on Follet’s Island just across from the San Luis Pass Bridge. Artist Boat’s American Canoe Association certified guides will teach you paddling skills, how to identify native species, and will interpret natural processes. We will teach you, you will have a blast, and you will learn some cool stuff about Christmas Bay. Spoiler alert! It’s a natural wonder and hosts the largest natural sea grass beds in Galveston Bay. Bring a sack lunch to enjoy while you learning to paint with a short watercolor lesson! Yes, you get to take your painting home!
Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive an email confirmation with all the specifics, what to wear, etc.
Perfect for families, groups, solo explorers, beginners and seasoned kayakers!
You must pre-register and book online.
Heads up: You’ll have to know the weight, age, and DOB for each paddler, so get your info ready and sign up at https://www.artistboat.org/public-kayak-registration/. Use code BOGO12 on the order page (as a COUPON from the drop down menu-see image below). Call us if there is any issues (409) 770-0722 – we’re here to help Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.
Hunt for coastal treasures with state park naturalists.
Beach Exploration hikes start at the park’s Day Use Beach boardwalk (adjacent to the restrooms and parking lot.)
Get a close-up look at the many critters and birds that inhabit the sand, surf and seaweed. This Saturday tour includes hands-on seining, searching for ghost crabs and beachcombing under the guidance of Friends of Galveston Island State Park (FoGISP) volunteers.
October 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, November 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th (10am): Prairie Walk – Learn about the coastal prairie on a guided walk. The new Prairie Adventure will meet in the Galveston Island State Park (Park) Nature Center. Visitors will be introduced to the Park, the exhibits in the Nature Center and the Coastal Prairie. Visitors will then follow a guide to the parking area at the Clapper Rail Trail and then learn about the wonders of the Bay and Coastal Prairie including a little about the bay and wetlands, the flora and fauna and prairie restoration efforts in the Park. The Prairie Adventure is free, but visitors will need to have paid the Park admission fee.
Galveston Island State Park is located on the west end of the island at 14901 FM 3005, Galveston. For more info call (409)737-1222 or go to tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/galveston-island. The beachside of Galveston State Park (everything south of FM 3005) is closed as renovations take place. The side facing the bay will remain open. This closing is expected to last for about three years.
Every Sunday (12:30-4:30pm): Schooner Sundays – These sailing lessons are for those interested in learning to sail, becoming members, or simply looking to enjoy a day out on the water. Guests are invited to work the sails if they like, or even steer, as the captains point out areas of interest along the route. Reservations are required. This is free for members and $50 for non-member adults, $40 non-member students.
Every Saturday (2-4pm): Adaptive Sailing Program, which was voted the best in the nation by U.S. Sailing in 2015, continues to thrive and grow. This program is for all people with disabilities or post-traumatic stress (PTSD). Sailing is one of the few sports in which an adaptive athlete can compete on the same playing field as a non-disabled sailor. Please call to schedule a time to try it out and see if this program is for you.
At its strategic perch overlooking Offatts Bayou, Sea Star Base Galveston (SSBG) resembles a five-star hotel beckoning guests to stop in. But looks can be deceiving. Sea Star Base Galveston is a youth based non-profit organization, and its mission is providing outstanding marine and aquatic programs where youth can learn teamwork and leadership skills, self-reliance and confidence, maritime career pathways, and independence of mind, body and spirit.
Please go to ssbgalveston.org/camps for information and registration, or call (409)572-2560. Sea Star Galveston is based at 7509 Broadway, Galveston.
Become a Galveston Bay warrior and uncover life on and in the bay waters.
Come join one of our weekly explorations of the connections between the mainland and our island paradise – Galveston Bay. Sandy beach access to the calm waters of this seafood nursery abound with life! Meet our naturalist guides at the Lake Como Fishing area at 10:00 am; explorations last approximately 75 minutes.
Discover the wetlands with a close-up look at the critters, grasses and birds that inhabit the marshland and bay. Tour activities include hands-on-seining, fiddler crab sightings and more under the guidance of FoGISP (Friends of Galveston Island State Park) volunteers.
Every Tuesday (6-8pm): Ceramic Studio – Learn hand-building techniques in pottery, figurative sculpture, and glazing with earthenware clay. Create sculptural relief tiles, full 3-D sculpture, functional pottery and tableware, figures, and more. This course uses ancient methods that don’t require a potter’s wheel, including coil construction and slab-construction. Students will learn how to securely join corners and handles, make lids fit properly, and various kinds of surface treatments, textures, and glazes. Fees are $50 for two sessions or $75 for four sessions. Join at any time!
Meet the authors, Chris O’Shea Roper and Tom Linton, of this month’s featured book: Legacy of the Early Gulf Coast Cowboys! From Spanish cattle drives to the important contributions of black cowboys, this book is sure to pique a Texas history buff’s interest.
Get your copy at the Museum Shop or bring yours along for the authors’ to sign. As a bonus, you will also enjoy exquisite pen-and-colored-penciled drawings of scenes of early Texas lore by Joseph A. Hoover, the illustrator.
Booth at Galveston’s Own Farmers Market
Every Thursday in December (5:30-7:30pm): Fiber Arts Studio – Explore the rich world of fiber art with local artist and fashion designer Rachael Montemayor. Make wearable art and décor from wool, silk, linen, driftwood, and repurposed materials using techniques like wet felting, weaving, crocheting, and knotting. Experimentation is encouraged; your work will be as unique and personal as your own ideas! As sessions go on, students will especially enjoy mixing techniques within a single item to add interest and texture, or incorporating unexpected elements that are recycled, found or deconstructed. A large supply of natural fibers and textiles are available during class. You may also purchase your own materials through the instructor or her recommended sources. This class is for ages 13 to adult. All levels welcome; no experience necessary. All Basic materials are provided; more advanced materials recommendations will be given in class. Cost is $25 per day and materials are provided. There are no classes in November.
Join the Galveston and Texas History Center for a Genealogy Lock-In at the Rosenberg Library! The Genealogy Network of Texas, the Central Texas Genealogical Society, and the Waco-McLennan County Library Genealogy Center will host a series of live-streamed programs featuring genealogy experts from across the U.S.
Come and go or stay all day. Light refreshments will be served. We recommend packing a lunch if you plan to stay all day.
How does it work? All day we will be watching genealogy presentations on live-streamed video. The presentations are live, taking place across Texas and the U.S. Attendees will be able to ask questions at the end of each presentation.
AGENDA OF LIVE STREAMED PROGRAMS
10:00 – 10:50 am – Technology Enabled Collaborations for Genealogists
Tony Hanson, Family Historian
This presentation will examine three relatively new capabilities that are enabling collaborative family research: The Family Search Family Tree, Ancestry.com’s ThruLines DNA tool, and self-publishing family history using a blog or a website. Attendees will learn the benefits provided by each and will learn how to effectively incorporate them into their own personal research methodology.
11:00 – 11:50 am – Finding Elusive Records on FamilySearch.org
John Huff, FamilySearch Experience Manager
Learn the search skills and features of FamilySearch.org to take you to a new level of access of this 2 billion image database. This tutorial will take you step-by-step through the process of how to utilize the FamilySearch catalog, unindexed image collections and more.
Noon – 1:30 pm – Genealogy Basics: Getting Started on Your Family Tree
Carl Smith, Genealogy Librarian, Montgomery County Memorial Library System
Budding researchers will learn the basics they need to get started researching their family tree. We’ll cover the first steps to take to begin your research, starting with home sources. We’ll also cover the types of records that are useful for genealogical research and where they can be found. We’ll also cover ways to stay organized by utilizing paper charts and forms or computer software.
1:40 – 2:40 pm – Probate: More Than a Will
Kelvin Meyers, Ancestry ProGenealogists, Researcher
Most persons in America, who lived to adulthood, left some type of an estate to be administered. Some left wills, some did not; either way if there was land or large amounts of personal property, their estate had to be disposed of. The records of probate can be some of the most fruitful for the genealogist.
2:50 – 3:50 pm – Roll Call: New Sites and Sources for Military Records and Research
Curt B. Witcher, MLS, FUGA, IGSF Manager, The Genealogy Center Senior Manager, Special Collections, Allen County Public Library
This presentation explores the growing number of consequential websites for the researcher interested in military history and military ancestors. From bibliographic databases to sites that provide copies of first-hand accounts and images of actual records, this talk provides one with key sites and strategies for locating increasing amounts of meaningful military data on the Internet.
4:00 – 5:15 pm – Introduction to GEDmatch
Sara Allen, Librarian, Genealogy Center, Allen County Public Library
Once you have taken a DNA test, you may be urged to upload your results to GEDmatch. What is GEDmatch and why should you use it? GEDmatch is a free third party website that you can use to compare your DNA results with people who have taken the autosomal DNA test from all the major testing companies. You can also use a variety of tools and utilities (some free, and some subscription only) that help analyze your DNA results. Learn more about GEDmatch at this session.
