THE AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS AWARDS MUSEUM FOR INNOVATIVE APOLLO EXPLORATION EXPERIENCE

Fort Worth, TX (July 14, 2020) — The Apollo Landing Site Panorama VR Experience at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History earned the Bronze 2020 MUSE Award in the AR/VR/Mixed Reality category by the American Alliance of Museums. MUSE awards recognize outstanding achievement in Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) media. These annual awards are presented to institutions that enhance guest engagement with useful and innovative digital programs and services. They also celebrate scholarship, community, innovation, creativity, education, accessibility, and inclusiveness.

The Museum transformed its largest gallery into an eight-month celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo Moon landings. The large exhibition, Launchpad: Promises Kept, connected guests to space exploration through beautiful, interactive environments, which combined artifacts, hands-on interactives, and personal informational stations. The Apollo Landing Site Panorama VR consisted of a platform immersed in a Moon-like environment that provided a social learning experience where groups could walk together in the steps of some of America’s greatest heroes. Each VR headset presented real panoramic photography from a different Apollo mission.

Museum President, Van A. Romans observed “It was wonderful seeing families having such fun putting on the VR headsets and exploring the Moon together.” Chief Scientist, Dr. Morgan Rehnberg who curated the exhibition described the views of the various landing sites, “Missions were sent to different areas of the surface of the Moon, with later missions landing near larger craters and hills as the Apollo team gained experience with precision landings.” Guests talked among themselves and with museum staff who helped them to understand what they were seeing in the 360 photographs.

Guest exploring the Apollo 11 landing site in virtual reality at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History as a part of its Launchpad exhibition, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings. The experience earned the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History a bronze award in the category of VR/AR/Mixed Reality by the American Alliance of Museums. Credit, image courtesy of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.

More information about the project is available here.

About the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

The Museum was established in 1941 and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Anchored by its rich collections, the Museum is dedicated to lifelong learning. It engages guests through creative, vibrant programs and exhibits interpreting science and the history of Texas and the Southwest. For more information, visit www.fortworthmuseum.org.

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Today's election is a the Joint City and Primary Runoff Elections for both parties.

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Join fellow North Texans for a regional blood drive presented by the North Texas Mayors Council from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 14.

Make an appointment to donate at one of three locations:

• Fort Worth City Hall, 200 Texas St.
• Irving City Hall, 825 W. Irving Blvd.
• Richardson City Hall, 411 W. Arapaho Road.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and a reduction in donations, blood supply levels are at a critical low. As a thank-you from Carter Blood Care, donors will receive a Texas Rangers baseball cap.

The event is sponsored by the North Central Texas Council of Governments, the North Texas Commission and Carter Blood Care.

To learn more, contact Ashley Mergele.

AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott today issued an Executive Order requiring all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions. The governor also issued a proclamation giving mayors and county judges the ability to impose restrictions on some outdoor gatherings of over 10 people, and making it mandatory that, with certain exceptions, people cannot be in groups larger than ten and must maintain six feet of social distancing from others.

“Wearing a face covering in public is proven to be one of the most effective ways we have to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Abbott. “We have the ability to keep businesses open and move our economy forward so that Texans can continue to earn a paycheck, but it requires each of us to do our part to protect one another — and that means wearing a face covering in public spaces. Likewise, large gatherings are a clear contributor to the rise in COVID-19 cases. Restricting the size of groups gatherings will strengthen Texas’ ability to corral this virus and keep Texans safe. We all have a responsibility to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep our communities safe. If Texans commit to wearing face coverings in public spaces and follow the best health and safety practices, we can both slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep Texas open for business. I urge all Texans to wear a face covering in public, not just for their own health, but for the health of their families, friends and for all our fellow Texans.”

Additionally, the governor released a new video message to coincide with his Executive Order, encouraging Texans to do their part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and keep their communities safe. The video can be downloaded at this link and can also be viewed on YouTube.

View the Governor’s Executive Order.

View the Governor’s Proclamation.

For questions about the Fort Worth response to COVID-19 and the current guidelines: call 817-392-8478 or email COVID19@fortworthtexas.gov.

Nestled in the West 7th district, just off of Interstate 30, the Home2 Suites by Hilton Fort Worth Cultural District (1145 University Drive) celebrated its opening Wednesday, June 24. The newest hotel to open in Fort Worth, this 162-room property is owned by Southeastern Development and managed by LBA Hospitality.

“We’re thrilled to add another exceptional property to our growing Texas portfolio,” said Farrah Adams, Chief Operating Officer of LBA Hospitality. “The Home2 Suites Fort Worth Cultural District is situated in the heart of the Cultural district centrally located for our guests to enjoy dining, shopping, and world-class museums.”

The new Home2 Suites Fort Worth Cultural District offers all-suite accommodations with sleek, modern design and pops of cowboy flair. With a custom lobby layout, 60% larger than the prototype Home2 Suites, guests can enjoy the communal space at a safe social distance. The lobby features a double-sided breakfast bar and an open and modern Oasis, Home2’s expanded community multi-functional space for social gatherings, individual work, and meeting zones.

Accommodations consist of spacious studio and one-bedroom suites with a streamlined approach to storage and function, including fully-accessorized kitchens and modular furniture. The hip and stylish innovations include a “working wall,” which incorporates the kitchen and a flexible working/media space.

For outdoor space, there’s a cozy outdoor patio, complete with saline swimming pool and gas grills. Additional amenities include free WiFi, complimentary breakfast, and Spin2Cycle, the 24-hour fitness center, and laundry room combo where guests can do laundry while they work out. For business meetings and celebrations, the hotel offers 650 square feet of meeting space, accommodating up to 24 guests. Home2 Suites by Hilton Fort Worth Cultural District is pet-friendly.

With recent events top of mind, the hotel is taking all of the necessary precautions to protect the safety and wellbeing of guests and associates. Hilton has developed a global program introducing a new standard of hotel cleanliness and disinfection: Hilton CleanStay with Lysol protection. Hilton CleanStay program builds upon Hilton’s already high standards of housekeeping and hygiene, where hospital-grade cleaning products and upgraded protocols are currently in use, to ensure Hilton guests enjoy an even cleaner and safer stay from check-in to check-out.

Ft. Worth, aka. “The City of Cowboys & Culture” was named “Best of Travel” by Money Online, and earned a spot on the “Top 10 city for Young Professionals” list by Forbes Magazine. The Home2 Suites Fort Worth Cultural District is a short walk to West 7th Street, where guests can enjoy a stroll in Trinity Park, shop and dine in one of the dozens of restaurants and shops, and visit one of five world-class museums of the Cultural District.

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Get back to your wild side! The Fort Worth Zoo is now open at limited capacity and with new safety measures. Make your reservation in advance. Don't forget to vote them "Best Zoo in North America" on USA Today's 10 Best list.

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With COVID-19 keeping folks at home over the past few months, people may be seeking opportunities to volunteer outdoors. At the same time, Fort Worth’s parks are suffering from too much litter and too few volunteers.

Keep Fort Worth Beautiful and the Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department are joining on a series of park cleanups. Between June 27 and Aug. 1, nine city parks are scheduled to be beautified.

Both organizations are seeking volunteers. Helpers can break up the monotony of being indoors while maintaining required social and spatial distancing.

City staff members will greet volunteers at each park on the day of the cleanup with gloves and trash bags. Just bring energy – and a facemask – along with your can-do spirit. Registration is required so enough supplies are available.

Saturday, June 27. Hallmark Park, 502 Sycamore School Road. Meeting location: north parking lot; eeds cleanup around the creek. Register to help.

Saturday, June 27. Oakland Lake Park, 1645 Lake Shore Drive. Meeting location: east parking lot. Register to help.

Saturday, July 11. Eugene McCray Park at Lake Arlington, 3440 Quail Road. Meeting location: north parking lot. 

Saturday, July 11. Carter Park, 1414 E. Seminary Drive. Meeting location: south side of Carter Park Drive, first parking lot on the left. 

Saturday, July 18. Cobb Park, 2600 Cobb Park Drive. Meeting location: north U-shaped parking lot by the pavilions. 

Saturday, July 18. South Z Boaz Park, 5250 Old Benbrook Road. Meeting location: Winscott Road entrance, first parking lot on the right. 

Saturday, July 25. Candleridge Park, 7427 S. Hulen St. Meeting location: near 4400 French Lake Drive, on-street parking. 

Saturday, July 25. Sycamore Park, 2525 E. Rosedale St. Meeting location: parking lot off of Rosedale Street next to youth ball fields. .

Saturday, Aug. 1. Gateway Park, 750 Beach St. Meeting location: west parking lot next to dog park. 

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Museums in Fort Worth’s Cultural District are starting to reopen after closing in mid-March due to COVID-19 concerns. Here is opening information:

Amon Carter Museum. The Carter is set to reopen June 19, continuing with the mixed medium exhibition The Perilous Texas Adventures of Mark Dion and the internationally-celebrated photography exhibit Eliot Porter’s Birds. 

Kimbell Art Museum. On June 20, experience the reopening of the Kimbell Art Museum featuring an extension of Flesh and Blood: Italian Masterpieces from the Capodimonte Museum. During the reopening, visitors can view more than 30 masterpieces from the Kimbell’s African, Ancient American and Asian collections that have been installed in the Louis I. Kahn Building, alongside the museum’s European paintings and sculpture. 

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. The Modern will reopen July 1 with an extension of the esteemed exhibition Mark Bradford: End Papers. In addition, Red Groom’s Ruckus Rodeo will be on view through Aug. 16. The Modern has temporarily put a hold on in-person education programs and docent-led tours. Numbers of people per group on self-guided tours will also be limited. Magnolia at the Modern film series is aiming to return this summer, but will be determined at a later date. 

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. The museum hasn’t announced a reopening date but is aiming for mid-July. In the meantime, check out the online interactive Discovery Lab for an exciting digital experience.

National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. The museum, the Alice Walton Cowgirl Park and The Shop at The Cowgirl are reopening June 24 with a special opening and gift for supporting members on June 23. The exhibition Laura Wilson: Looking West will remain open until August. 

In lieu of the traditional Juneteenth parade this year, Fort Worth residents have an opportunity to participate in a historic event: a 2.5-mile caravan through downtown Fort Worth to commemorate freedom from slavery.

Community activist Opal Lee will lead the event at 9 a.m. June 19. At 93 years old, Lee will continue her walking campaign to make Juneteenth a national day of observance. With 47 states officially recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday, Lee believes now is the time for national recognition to occur.

Residents can follow behind Lee from the Fort Worth Convention Center, 1201 Houston St., to Will Rogers Coliseum. Participants are encouraged to decorate their vehicles to show support.

“I believe Juneteenth can be a unifier because it recognizes that slaves didn’t free themselves and that they had help, from Quakers along the Underground Railroad, abolitionists both black and white like Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison, soldiers and many others who gave their lives for the freedom of the enslaved,” Lee said.

Walking to raise awareness is not new to Lee. She started a campaign to walk to Washington, D.C., in 2016 and relaunched it in 2019 to bring awareness to the fact that there is support for the Juneteenth holiday all across this nation.

Fort Worth City Councilmember Ann Zadeh was named secretary of the Regional Transportation Council (RTC). Zadeh was appointed to the RTC in 2017.

Johnson County Judge Roger Harmon was elected chair and will lead the 44-member transportation policymaking body for the next year.

Harmon replaces Denton County Judge Andy Eads, who has chaired the RTC through the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which will continue to be an important issue as officials at all levels of government determine how to respond. Harmon, who was appointed to the RTC in 2001, will also lead the RTC during the 87th Texas Legislative Session, which begins in January.

Transportation funding is likely to be a focus of the next session as governments grapple with the changes in travel patterns and economic challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and determine how to continue to meet the needs of residents no matter how they choose to travel.

Dallas County Commissioner Theresa Daniel is the new vice chair after serving as secretary for the past year. Daniel has been a member of the RTC since 2018.

The new officers will serve in their positions through June 2021.

As the transportation policymaking body for the 12-county Dallas-Fort Worth area, the RTC oversees transportation planning for the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country. The region has a population of more than 7.5 million people and is expected to grow to more than 11 million by 2045. The RTC guides the development of roadway, rail and bicycle-pedestrian plans and programs; allocates transportation funds; and recommends projects to the Texas Transportation Commission.

The RTC also ensures transportation services are coordinated throughout the region and the metropolitan area complies with air quality regulations. Dallas-Fort Worth is currently in nonattainment for ozone and is working toward meeting the federal standards.

The policymaking body’s collaborative approach has helped the region develop a world-class, multimodal transportation system that provides residents choices of how to travel to work, school and recreational activities.

The RTC has also embraced technology as it seeks to pursue innovative ways to move people, such as high-speed transportation. It is currently examining high-speed options between Dallas and Fort Worth, including Arlington. High-speed rail, hyperloop technology and magnetic levitation are among the options that could be considered.

Additionally, the RTC is collaborating with metropolitan planning organizations between North Texas and South Texas to determine how cities along the bustling I-35 corridor could be connected by high-speed transportation.