Date: February 9, 2004

For release: IMMEDIATELY

Event date: Sunday February 15 & Monday February 16

Event place: REDLANDS

Museum Plans Busy Holiday Weekend

Presidents Day weekend will be busy at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands.

On Saturday, February 14, Curator of History Ann Deegan will give a presentation about Guatemalan textile techniques based on the museum's Mary Meigs Atwater textile collection. Dr. Deegan will also lead a tour of the new museum exhibit, "Beauty for the Hand and Eye." The presentation starts at 1:00 p.m. and is free with museum admission.

Sunday, February 15, is another in the series of "Third Sundays at the Museum." Free admission is sponsored by a group of local dentists in recognition of Children's Dental Health Month. Robert McKernan, museum director, will give a special presentation at 2:00 p.m. on birds and habitats of the Lower Colorado River. He will discuss the dynamics of this important southwest river ecosystem and explore historic and current river environments and how changes from flood control systems and dams have significantly altered the river.

The museum's education division will host family activities on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The museum will also be open on the holiday Monday, February 16. Visitors will enjoy the museum's permanent galleries and see several special exhibits: "Beauty for the Hand and Eye" in the Hall of History, "Paintings by Boris Deutsch" in the Fisk Gallery, and "Outdoor Adventures in San Bernardino County" in the Schuiling Gallery.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $6 (adult), $5 (senior or student) and $4 (child aged 5-12). Children under 5 and members of the Museum Association are admitted free. Parking is free, and the facility is handicapped-accessible. The museum's Garden Café will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch, snacks, and beverages. Third Sunday free admission is sponsored by C. Dennis Zingler, D.D.S., Beaumont Dental Center; Christopher Wacker, D.D.S, Loma Linda Children's Dental Group; Patrick Garcia, D.D.S., East Highlands Dentistry; Ronald Roy A. Simus, D.D.S., Simus Orthodontics; and David Westerberg, D.D.S.  For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org or call (909) 307-2669 / TDD/TTY: (909) 792-1462.

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