If you live in the west, you might think that Louisiana is immune to winter but the folks of Shreveport beg to differ. Starting November 30, 2019, the first floor of Sci-Port Discovery Center will transform into a winter oasis.
A new exhibit called Sno-Port: The Science and Wonders of Snowflakes blankets the first floor of the 92,000-square-foot Discovery Center, and will include interactive exhibitions and activities. The installation includes a blizzard tunnel, “Make-a-Flake,” ice fishing, and a chair lift ride, to bring winter to visitors of the Pelican State. The interactive displays will run for 10 weeks.
Why Winter in Lousiana?
“Sno-Port is a perfect example of how Sci-Port serves as an anchor to bring the resources of our community together to provide unique educational opportunities,” said Dianne Clark, executive director of Sci-Port Discovery Center. “We’re so excited to be included in this year’s holiday activities in Shreveport-Bossier.”
Throughout the month of December, Sci-Port Discovery Center will collaborate with local organizations and businesses to host pop-up shops and restaurants. Learning Express Toys will set up a gift shop near Sno-Port that will feature a variety of snow-related toys and games. Shreveport’s Milam Street Kitchen Incubator and Community Kitchen will curate a series of pop-up restaurants during the month of December. A different pop-up being featured each week during Sci-Port’s regular hours of operation on Thursdays through Sundays.
Each immersive, interactive exhibit incorporates different fields of science, including geoscience, biology, physics, mathematics, architecture, engineering, computer science, and chemistry. Educational aspects of this exhibit directly relate to the emphasis on S.T.E.M. learning in American education.
What Does Winter in Louisiana Look Like?
Morph into a snowflake in the Blizzard Tunnel. Make a snowflake as individual as you are to hang in the sky with hundreds of other snowflakes. Grab a pole and go ice fishing in the digital ice pond. Toss a “snowball” into the snow castle windows to make the bells ring. Hang out in an over-sized igloo where you can “chill” and use your imagination to create your own objects made from foam ice blocks.
End your snowflake journey in the Sci-Port Planetarium on the Red River Rocket. Feel the excitement of take-off with the sensation of cool wind on your face as you trek your way through a virtual reality snow blizzard in downtown Shreveport and Bossier City.
The Details
Winter continues through Jan. 30, 2020, but throughout the month of December, Sci-Port Discovery Center will collaborate with local organizations and businesses to host pop-up shops and restaurants.
Tickets and times to Sno-Port: The Science and Wonders of Snowflakes are here. For more information on Sci-Port Discovery Center or Sno-Port: The Science and Wonders of Snowflakes, visit http://www.sci-port.org.
It may feel like September in the west but the east is already under the white siege and thinking, “If only we had a few more weeks to prepare.” We’re never ready for winter; and we’re not just talking about physically. It’s a mechanical issue too. Is your car winterized? Your roof reinforced? Your snowblower armed for action? Here’s your Snowthrower Prep 101.
I got this message from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) that reminded me to double check the Honda snowblower I picked up at a yard sale this summer. I unloaded my Ariens at the same time. My boyfriend chastised me for making the switch because he planned to “drive it into the ground” and I was “wasting my money.” I got the Honda for $800 and sold the Ariens for $450.
But here’s the thing. You don’t want to be left out in the cold when you realize your trusty blower crapped out in the middle of January. My Ariens rocked for us but bolts and cables were now disintegrating. I had a Honda trackdrive (my Ariens had wheels) first and loved it but Honda came and took it away from me after two seasons of testing.
When I saw this same beast in the neighborhood, I pounced. Luckily I guess, we still have another week of 50-degree sun in Park City. Snow is forecast for late next week.
“If you’re anticipating bad weather or snow, start the machine and make sure it operates before you need it and before repair shops are busy,” says OPEI President and CEO Kris Kiser. “Gas stations also can close and roads can be treacherous during a winter storm. You want to protect your power by having the right and fresh fuel on hand for your equipment. And, remember, gasoline-powered snow throwers should use E10 or less.” Huh? 🙂
Lessons from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute
GETTING READY Have you read your owner’s manual? Read up on safe handling procedures. Review how to operate the controls. You should be able to shut off your equipment quickly. If you lost your manual, you can look it up online, and store a copy on your computer so you have the manual available to reference in the future.
Have you checked your equipment since storing it? Make sure all equipment is completely powered off when checking it over. If you forgot to drain the fuel last winter before storing your snow thrower, drain the gas tank now. Adjust any cables and check the auger when the equipment is powered off.
Is your equipment where you can get to it easily? Move your equipment to a convenient and accessible location, so you can get to it quickly when you need it.
Have you purchased the right fuel? Be sure to use the correct fuel, as recommended by your equipment’s manufacturer. Place gasoline in a fuel container and label it with the date purchased and the ethanol content of the fuel. Use fresh fuel in your snow thrower as fuel that is more than 30 days old can phase separate and cause operating problems. Make sure fuel is stored safely and out of the reach of children. For more information on fueling properly see www.LookBeforeYouPump.com.
Are you fueling safely? Before you start the engine, fill up the fuel tank on your snow thrower while the engine is cold and outside your home or garage. Never add fuel to a running or hot engine.
Are batteries charged? If using a battery/electric-powered snow-thrower, make sure batteries are fully charged, in case electricity goes out during a winter storm.
Is the area you intend to clear free of obstructions or hidden obstacles? Snow can hide objects. Doormats, hoses, balls, toys, boards, wires, and other debris should be removed from the areas you intend to clear. When run over by a snow thrower, these objects may harm the machine or people.
Are you dressed properly for winter weather? Locate your safety gear now, and place it in an accessible closet or location in your home. Plan to wear safety glasses, gloves and footwear that can handle cold and slippery surfaces.
OPERATING SNOW THROWERS SAFELY
Do you have a clean out tool or stick? NEVER put your hands inside the auger or chute. Use a clean out tool (or stick) to unclog snow or debris from your snow thrower.
Do you turn off your snow thrower if you need to clear a clog? Always turn off your snow thrower and wait for all moving parts to come to a complete stop before clearing any clogs or debris.
Do you use your snow thrower in visible conditions? Never operate the snow thrower without good visibility or light.
Do you know where your cord is? Use an extension cord that is weather-resistant and designed for outdoor use. If you have an electric-powered snow thrower, be aware of where the power cord is at all times. Avoid tripping. Do not run over the power cord.
Can you aim your snow thrower with care? Not only could you piss off your neighbors by piling snow onto their driveway but that dogs jumping at your fans of snow could get run over. Never throw snow toward people or cars. Do not allow anyone to stand in front of your snow thrower. Keep children or pets away from your snow thrower when it is operating.
Speaking of which-
Are pets and children inside while the snow thrower is operating? Kids and pets may love to play in the white stuff, but it’s best to keep them inside your home and supervised (by someone else) while you are using your snow thrower to clear a path or driveway. Do not allow them to play in the snow as it is tossed out of the snow thrower’s chute. I fail at this one but I have a smart dog. He gets his exercise this way and I don’t have to take him for a walk after 30 minutes of blowing.
Good luck this winter! I seriously hope you don’t have a driveway like mine but if you do, a trackdrive on your thrower and Blizzak snowtires on your car are the only way to go.
It doesn’t take long for an inquisitive visitor to Park City to hear tell of the little resort town’s storied past. The remnants surround you; of the silver mine boom and bust, the historic structures that pepper Park City Mountain and multi-colored “shacks” built into the hillsides. Eventually, history buffs find their way to the unique museums like Park City’s for a nostalgic immersion of all things turn of the century.
Museums are often overlooked in small towns but some of the
most fascinating artifacts are curated by locals with a passion for everything
from bullets to bugs and they can’t wait to show you around. Here are some of
the more unusual collections found in Utah.
Tom Whitaker’s Cowboy Museum- Ol’ Tom Whitaker, the
founder of the Heber Valley Cowboy Poetry Gathering, opens his Cowboy Museum in
Midway to the public only twice a year- during the Gathering and on the Fourth
of July. But if you just can’t wait to walk through time into the railroad
room, Indian and cowboy room, western brothel housed in a restored pioneer
cabin, then send him an email. Tom and wife Linda are happy to show you around.
Even the exterior with cactuses and windmill from Iowa reflects the wild west.
Free Admission 510 N. River Rd Midway next to Midway Memorial Hill. whitakers777@gmail.com.
Heber
Valley CAF (Commemorative Air Force ) Wing Air Museum The Utah wing of the national non-profit aviation association exists solely to
immortalize the big birds of WWII and share the past with plane buffs. The
focus of this museum is on aircraft like the Boeing
PT-17/N2S Stearman but volunteers will graciously tour you
through displays on women in aviation and commercial aircraft as well. You can
also book a ride in a bi-plane if you plan ahead.
CAF Hangar on the Russ McDonald Field, Heber Valley Airport. Open Thurs.-Sun. May 1- Oct. 31. 435-709-7269
Price
Museum of speed (SLC)
– For those with a thing for wheels over wings, there’s this ode to vintage
race cars. The more than 30 international speedsters housed in this downtown
Salt Lake City space either won or placed well in renowned events like the
Grand Prix and Le Mans and date back to 1904. Ogle the 1929 Bugatti 35B Racer
and 1938 Mormon Meteor III by appointment only. 165
E 600 S; Salt Lake City, (801) 906-0157.
Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage – The west was won by John Ford and John Wayne if you ask the curators of this museum inside the Red Cliffs Lodge in southern Utah. The area served as a backdrop to cowboy classics like Wagon Master, Rio Grande, and Son of Cochise and hosted golden era stars like Rock Hudson, Henry Fonda, Maureen O’Hara and more. The self-guided, free unique museum displays memorabilia like movie posters and costumes from the early films to the present, all shot in the Moab area. When you’re done looking around, cozy up to the Castle Creek wine bar, also inside Red Cliffs, for free wine tasting from noon- 7 p.m. The museum is open 8 a.m.- 10 p.m. (866) 812-2002.
Photo by Tricia Simpson
Western Mining and Railroad Museum– The Denver and Rio Grande railroads established Helper, Utah, as a hub for coal miners and their families in the late 1800s and their story continues to be told through the exhibits housed in the Old Helper Hotel building, built in 1913. You get three stories plus the basement of railroad and mining memorabilia, as well as exhibits on the company store life and the war years. The third floor is said to be haunted. Free tours upon request, Mon.- Sat. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Utah
State Railroad Museum
– This one is for the kiddos, fantasy conductors and general train buffs.
Outside Union Station is a free exhibit of full-sized
rare locomotives and autos including a gas-turbine train. Inside are more
displays and stories of the development and construction of the
transcontinental railroad. Union Station, 2501 Wall Avenue,
Ogden, Utah. (Inside) $5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon. – Sat.
Utah
Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum– Yes, this is Utah so there must be an
authentic Utah Cowboy Hall of Fame. It’s tucked inside the heritage museum amid
the exhibits that honor artists, entertainers,
musicians, ranchers, and writers that celebrated those true western values.
Union Station, 2501 Wall Avenue,
Ogden, Utah. $5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon. – Sat.
John
M. Browning Firearms Museum– Also inside Ogden’s Union Station is a tribute to Mr.
Browning and his original firearms from mini
pistols to sporting rifles. Winchester, Colt, Remington have all based their
guns on Browning’s designs. Give yourself time to wander among the tremendous array
of guns and family history. Union Station, 2501 Wall Avenue,
Ogden, Utah. $5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon. – Sat.
Art
Robinson Transport Museum – When you love trucks as much as Art does, you set
up five barns’ worth of all makes, models and years. This truck fancier’s
paradise is a must see and houses such lovelies as a ’72 Brockway and a ’44
Mack. 875 W Main St., across US50 from the Robinson Transport Yard,
Salina, Utah. 435-529-4354.
Goulding’s
Trading Post Museum–
This small museum in Monument Valley tells the story of trading post days, the
corralling of famous western films of the time, as well as Navajo tribal art
history. For anyone visiting the area, old west film buffs and John Wayne fans
(they show classic John Ford films in the Movie Room), take an hour from your
day for a free self-guided tour. Inside Goulding’s Lodge, 1000 Main Street
Monument Valley, Utah. (435) 727-3231.
John Wesley Powell River History Museum– Ever heard of Lake Powell? Well, this compact but unique museum in Green River celebrates the explorers who first discovered and mapped the Colorado and Green rivers and canyons in Utah, and all things related- geology, navigation, environmental impacts. There are photos and interactive displays, as well as dinosaur replicas and fossil records in the basement. Admission is $6. 765 East Main Street, Green River, Utah. 435-564-3427. Open daily in the summer.
Monte L. Bean Life
Science Museum–
The irony for this free educational “life science” museum is that the large
collection of animals aren’t alive. The taxidermied zoo impresses with
full-sized giraffes and a bull elephant. There’s also a touch and feel area for kids and free weekly shows with live animals at
7:30 p.m. Open Mon.-Sat. 645 E 1430 N, Provo, Utah, Brigham Young University.
(801) 422-5050
Ever wonder what the heck those ski bums are talking about when they say things like, “Yeah, I was expecting bulletproof but rode out the wave on 2″ of blower on top of cream”? You’re not alone. Like lawyers, doctors, and IT technical support, the industry has a lingo all its own. Ski words are another language.
Here is a glossary of most common idioms in a skier’s vocab used to describe snow conditions:
Powder a.k.a Blower Cold, new, loose, fluffy, dry snow that has not been compacted.
Chunder/Crud
Tracked up powder. Can still be fluffy but nowhere near untracked powder.
Packed Powder Powder snow that has been packed down by skier traffic or grooming machines. The snow is no longer fluffy, but it is still quite soft. Setting an edge in packed powder is easy, and skiing the surface does not make noise.New Snow Fresh snowfall that is too dense to be called powder, but isn’t quite Cascade Concrete.Hardpack This is an often-misunderstood snow term. When fresh snow becomes densely packed, it is hardpack. The snow has never melted and recrystallized, but has been tightly compressed through grooming, skier traffic, or wind exposure. You can plant a pole or set an edge in hardpack, and it is a relatively quiet skiing surface. Hardpack retains a white color, unlike frozen granular snow.Frozen Granular Snowsports folks often call this surface “icy”, but it is different from ice in many ways. Frozen granular is a hard surface formed when melted and refrozen snow forms granules that freeze together after rain or warm temperatures. Frozen granular is noisy to ski, but will support a pole plant or allow you to hold an edge. Frozen granular snow will often return to an easier-to-ski loose granular state after grooming. Frozen granular snow has a gray tint.Ice a.k.a Bulletproof Snow a.k. East-coast Powder Not to be confused with frozen granular, ice is a hard, glazed surface created by freezing rain or large quantities of rain followed by sub-freezing temperatures. Ice will not support a pole plant, will not support an edge for most riders, and will chip when hit. Ice is generally translucent and may have a blue color.
Sastrugi New powder snow that has been blown into dense ridges by strong winds.
Windblown snow A windy day can compact and drift surface snow, leaving an inconsistent skiing surface that can be either densely packed, keeping a rider on the surface, or leaving deep, soft drifts of heavy snow formed when snowflakes are damaged by strong wind. These are usually creamy conditions.
Windscoured Strong winds can remove all surface snow, leaving an ice-like surface in wind-affected areas. It is hard to set an edge in windscoured snow.
Loose Granular / Sugar Snow This surface results after new snow thaws, refreezes, then recrystallizes. This is also created by grooming of frozen or icy snow.
Wet Granular Loose or frozen granular snow that has become wet and soft after exposure to warm temperatures or rain. This is a fast, soft, easy-to-ski surface.
Corn snow Corn is similar to wet granular in that it is composed of large, loose granules of snow that freeze together at night and loosen up during the day. It is a soft, fast and consistent surface to ski.
Breakable (or unbreakable) Crust When rain falls on top of new snow, followed by freezing temperatures, a crust forms on top of the snow. The crust makes for inconsistent skiing conditions, as it may be breakable or not breakable.
Mark your calendar for March 7-8, 2020, because MotorTrend Group has announced the first-ever Four Wheeler Adventure Expo. It’s going to happen in Costa Mesa, Calif., at the OC Fair & Event Center. The consumer event will bring together outdoor lifestyle, off-road and adventure-travel enthusiasts, exhibitors, and experts.
The Four Wheeler Adventure Expo is Four Wheeler Magazine’s new flagship event. This unique event caters to a wide range of adventure-travel enthusiasts who enjoy the backcountry. There’s something for adventurers of all kinds, including off-roaders, hikers, mountain bikers, and rockclimbers. The Expo will host classes and seminars to prepare attendees for their next adventures with travel workshops hosted by the Four Wheeler team and top adventure experts. Fans will be inspired by films at the Travel Theater and by watching expedition driving experts as they host seminars to showcase the skills needed for extreme off-road driving conditions. Attendees can gear up with the latest camping and travel equipment, mountain bikes, and off-road vehicles in the exhibitor midway.
“With the explosion of the adventure-travel market, we’ve aligned Four Wheeler’s new flagship event with this market growth,” said Sean Holman, Content Director, MotorTrend Truck & Off-Road Group. “Off-road and adventure-travel enthusiasts share a common passion for the outdoor lifestyle. Four Wheeler Adventure Expo brings together these communities to explore, learn, and find the gear they need for their upcoming journeys.”
Who’s Producing Adventure Expo
MotorTrend Group will produce this new event in partnership with Lodestone Events, the producers of Overland Expo.
“The Lodestone Events team has produced some of the country’s largest consumer events in the automotive aftermarket industry,” said Michael Deer, Senior Director Automotive Events, MotorTrend Group. “As the producers of the Overland Expo series, Lodestone Events is uniquely positioned in the adventure-travel community to assist in making the Four Wheeler Adventure Expo a huge success.”
Adventure Expo At a Glance
What: Four Wheeler Adventure Expo When: March 7-8, 2020 Where: OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, California 92626 Ticket info: Spectator tickets are also available online for $15 in advance and $20 the day of the show at fourwheeler.com. Free admission for kids 12 and under.
Exhibitor space and sponsorship packages are available online now.
