MICROSCOPY & MICROANALYSIS 2003 SOCIAL EVENTS

Opening Reception
Sunday, August 3, 2003
The Institute of Texan Culture
6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

This Pan American Microscopy & Microanalysis 2003, VII InterAmerican Congress on Electron Microscopy /VII Congreso InterAmericano de Microscop’a Electronica meeting will open with a "Reunion of Cultures" evening. The site will be the Institute of Texan Cultures - the premier place to learn about the peoples of Texas. Through fascinating displays and hands-on artifacts you will discover the 26 cultural groups (probably including yours) that have come together to make Texas home and give the state its unique flavor. The reception site will include the large exhibit floor plus the outdoor veranda and patios where strolling mariachis will entertain you while you enjoy truly Tex-Mex food and beverages. This is an ideal venue for learning about Texas, meeting old and new friends, and for both quiet and loud conversations. The Institute is a short (~12 minute) walk from both the Convention Center and the River Walk. In addition, busses will shuttle between the Convention Center and the ITC from 6:20 until 10:00. One admission is included with full registration. Additional tickets may be purchased for $50. Tickets for children 3-11 years old are $15. http://www.texancultures.utsa.edu



Golf Tournament
Sunday morning, August 3, 2003

This years golf tournament will give you the chance to play a piece of history. The Pecan Valley Golf Club is a majestic golf course, located only six miles from downtown San Antonio and the River Walk. Pecan Valley was the site of the 50th Anniversary PGA Championship in 1968 when Julius Boros edged Arnold Palmer on the 18th hole and has also hosted three Texas Opens. It has been rated in Golf Digest's Top 50 Public Courses and #1 Public Golf Course in the State of Texas for 2002. At Pecan Valley you can truly ÒPlay where Champions Have Left Their Footprints.Ó

Rating: 74.5 - Slope: 136 - Yards: 7,071

The cost will be $70.00 and will include greens fees, cart, transportation to and from the Convention Center, driving range, lunch buffet and awards banquet. We will leave the Convention Center at 6:45 - 7:00am (to beat the heat). Callaway club rental is available at $45.00 per set. Contact Mark Sanders with any questions (msanders@cbs.umn.edu).



Spouses Program

Cost is $150 and includes:

- Sunday Opening Reception (see previous description)

- Monday, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Breakfast at the Guenther House in the King William Historic District, tour of the Guenther House and Steves Homestead, visit the Mexican Market.

- Tuesday, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. Tour of Mission San Jose - the largest and best restored of the five missions in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, lunch at La Margarita, visits to two of the other missions

- Wednesday, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (provisional) - breakfast, and tour of the Alamo. 8 pm - 11 pm, the Latin Fiesta (see previous description) in historic La Villita.

35 person minimum for the Spouses Program. Monday and Tuesday tours depart from the Convention Center and include deluxe motor coach and English/ Spanish speaking host. [Note: this is a social program. It is NOT a registration fee for a spouse who will be attending technical symposia]



Additional things you can do on your own while in San Antonio:
(and be sure to check out the San Antonio Visitors and Convention Bureau - http://www.sanantoniovisit.com)

The River Walk / Paseo del Rio
Actually this is something that will be hard to avoid. Three of the meeting's designated hotels are on the River Walk, and you can get from the hotels to the Convention Center using the River Walk. After the San Antonio River produced 15 deadly floods in the downtown area between 1819 and 1921 (49 people died in 1921) that section of the river was almost filled in. Forwardthinking preservationists and the remarkable plan of architect Robert Hugman transformed the river into a gentle waterway with narrow, shady, winding walks, bridges, shops and restaurants.

Yanaguana Cruises
A great way to see the River Walk from the water. The narrated cruises are a "must do" to orient yourself and learn about the River Walk. Dinner and cocktail cruises are also available. http://www.sarivercruise.com/

Mission San Antonio de Valero, ( the Alamo )
About three blocks from the Convention Center. The mission was dedicated in 1718, secularized in 1793 (a common event when church officials decide that the conversion and education function of a mission was completed), and the site of a historical siege in 1836. Guided and self-guided tours are available as well as interpretive video and displays. Also see San Antonio Missions National Historical Park further along in these "things you can do on your own". http://thealamo.org/

The San Antonio Botanical Gardens and Conservatory
 Just four miles north of downtown. 33 acres of beautiful themed gardens, exotic plants and the Conservatory with its striking glass pyramids. Includes a gift shop and restaurant. http://www.sabot.org.

The Witte Museum
 In the summer of 2003, the Witte will host a critically acclaimed exhibit "American Originals: Treasures from the National Archives" which contains selections of the United States' most significant and compelling documents including the Emancipation Proclamation, Louisiana Purchase Treaty and President Kennedy's Inaugural Address. The Witte, located on the banks of the San Antonio River features history and science exhibits and a four-level Science Treehouse. http://www.wittemuseum.org/main.html

The U.S. Army Medical Department Museum
 Located at Fort Sam Houston, (http://www.hqda.army.mil/acsimweb/gcd/sam.htm), the "Home of Army Medicine". The Museum tells the story of the Army Medical Department from 1775 to the present with videos, exhibits, artwork and vehicles. http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/pao/pdf/nc_2002.pdf (under "Museums") and http://www.sanantoniocvb.com/visitors/things_militarybases.asp

The Tower of the Americas
 Adjacent to the Convention Center, it rises 750 feet into the air and has an observation deck and revolving restaurant. http://hotx.com/hot/hillcountry/sa/tours/hemisfair/toa.html

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
 In the 1700's Spain built a series of five missions along the San Antonio River stretching from Mission San Antonio de Valero/Óthe AlamoÓ to Mission Espada about nine miles to the south. Portions of the missions have been preserved, and along with an interpretive Visitor's Center provide insight into life at the missions. http://www.nps.gov/saan/

SeaWorld
 SeaWorld San Antonio, 16 miles from downtown San Antonio, is the world's largest marine life adventure park and family entertainment showplace. http://www.seaworld.com/seaworld/tx/index.html

A few additional resources to get you started:

San Antonio Visitors and Convention Bureau: http://www.sanantoniovisit.com
City Tours: http://www.sacitytours.net
Hill Country: http://www.hillcountryadventures.com/


Nestor J. Zaluzec / Zaluzec@MSA.Microscopy.Com