July 2010 Newsletter

Midland Convention & Visitors Bureau

3rd Quarter, 2010

Greetings!

Summer is upon us! What does that mean? Time for a vacation, time for extended weekends, time for festivals, and time to eat some delicious West Texas barbecue! This summer in Midland is jam-packed with fun festivities including Summer Sunday Lawn Concerts at Museum of the Southwest, Summer Mummers (the oldest continuous melodrama in the United States), and Midland RockHounds baseball!

To plan your get-away, visit www.VisitMidlandTexas.com for information on events, accommodations, attractions, and much more!

Calendar of Events

July

6- Aviation Cadet Academy (CAF Airpower Museum) - through summer

6-15 - Midland Festival Ballet Summer Programs (Midland Festival Ballet)

9 - Josh Turner in concert, presented by Midland RockHounds (Citibank Ballpark)

9 - Summer Mummers (Yucca Theatre)

11 - "Manfrio" Latin Rock Band at Sunday Summer Lawn Concerts (Museum of the Southwest)

12 - Texas Tiki Bar & Grill (Courtyard by Marriott)

16&17 - Summer Mummers (Yucca Theatre)

18 - "Weatherstone" - classic rock 'n' roll & blues acoustic at Sunday Summer Lawn Concerts (Museum of the Southwest)

19 - Texas Tiki Bar & Grill (Courtyard by Marriott)

23&24 - Summer Mummers (Yucca Theatre)

25 - "JazzBird" - smooth Jazz at its finest! Sunday Summer Lawn Concerts (Museum of the Southwest)

26 - Texas Tiki Bar & Grill (Courtyard by Marriott)

30&31 - Tall City Blues Fest (Centennial Plaza)

30&31- Summer Mummers (Yucca Theatre)

August

1 - Kori Jean Olsen & Band, country/country pop, at Sunday Summer Lawn Concerts (Museum of the Southwest)

2 - Texas Tiki Bar & Grill (Courtyard by Marriott)

5-7 - Rock the Desert (Museum of the Southwest)

6&7 - Summer Mummers (Yucca Theatre)

8 - "Midnight Stampede," country & old time rock 'n' roll, at Sunday Summer Lawn Concerts (Museum of the Southwest)

9 - Texas Tiki Bar & Grill (Courtyard by Marriott)

13 - "An Evening with Sean & Leigh Anne Tuohy" presented by Centers for Children & Families (family that inspired award-winning movie The Blind Side) (Midland County Horseshoe)

13&14 - Summer Mummers (Yucca Theatre)

15 - "The Shades" - Midland's party rock band, at Sunday Summer Lawn Concerts (Museum of the Southwest)

16 - Texas Tiki Bar & Grill (Courtyard by Marriott)

19-22 - 1st Annual Midland County Fair (Midland County Horseshoe)

20 - Book Recovery Conservation Workshop (CAF Airpower Museum)

20 - Night Star Party at Blakemore Planetarium

20&21 - Summer Mummers (Yucca Theatre)

23 - Texas Tiki Bar & Grill (Courtyard by Marriott)

27-29 - 3rd Annual TUFF TEAM XTREME RANCH RODEO (Horseshoe Arena)

27&28 - Summer Mummers (Yucca Theatre)

30 - Texas Tiki Bar & Grill (Courtyard by Marriott)

September

2 - The Lone Star BBQ (The Willows)

3&4 - Summer Mummers (Yucca Theatre)

6 - Texas Tiki Bar & Grill (Courtyard by Marriott)

10-12 - SeptemberFest (Museum of the Southwest)

10-12 - The Peddler Show (The Midland Center)

10&11 - Summer Mummers (Yucca Theatre)

11 - 16th of September Parade (La Misa & Front streets)

11 - Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale Master Works I (Mid Cities Community Church)

11 - Sabor Diez y Seis (Christensen Stadium)

13 - Texas Tiki Bar & Grill (Courtyard by Marriott)

17 - Night Star Party at Blakemore Planetarium

17&18 - Summer Mummers (Yucca Theatre)

20 - Texas Tiki Bar & Grill (Courtyard by Marriott)

24&25 - 25 -

25 -

27 -

Visit www.VisitMidlandTexas.com/coe for an up-to-date, detailed calendar.

Click here for specific events at Scharbauer Sports Complex

If you think we are missing an event that the public needs to know about then please let us know. Anyone can visit our website and simply click on "Submit Event" and fill out the entry form. It's that simple!

11 - Pachanga at Hogan Park

7 - Fall Vegetables (CAF Airpower Museum)

23 - Night Star Party at Blakemore Planetarium

16&17 - Bike MS Cactus & Crude Tour

Featured Attraction: Fredda Turner Durham Children's Museum

1705 W. Missouri, Midland, Texas 79701
(432) 683-2882

Go to Children's Museum's website

Click here for a list of more attractions in Midland.

The Fredda Turner Durham Children's Museum located on the Museum of the Southwest campus features interactive learning opportunities for children PK to 12 years old. Our current exhibit titled "A to Z: Exploring the Canopy" is sponsored locally by the Permian Basin Area Foundation, the Texas Commission on the Arts, the J. Robert Charitable Trust, and Dr. Thomas and Anne Hyde. Children take a trip through the rainforest learning about the world's truly incredible types of environments which exist along our equator. Stop by the Light and Sound Board for a musical experience. Dig in the Dino Dig looking for dinosaurs and bones. Children may visit Our Town which features stores, a home, television channel, Burger King, Grandma's Attic, construction area, and a bank. Children three and younger may play in the Beach Babies area. Come experience the learning and fun at the Children's Museum.

New EATS!

Gerardo's BISTRO, is the new Hot Spot and is located inside the ClayDesta Atrium. The Bistro, serves breakfast, comfort meals, burgers, salads, deli sandwiches and a few favorites from its sister restaurant, Gerardo's Casita. Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

The King & I, a local favorite for Thai cuisine, has expanded to its new location in the Cornerstone Shopping Center at Loop 250 and Midland Drive.

Osaka Japanese Steakhouse is newly open at 1207 Tradewinds Blvd.

The Velvet Room, an ultra lounge located in the Midtown Hotel & Conference Center, has quickly become a popular retreat. The Lounge hosts happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. with fresh sushi and drink specials - perfect for that after work meeting or office get together. And don't miss comedy night, every Thursday. Reserved group seating is available.

Now you can "travel" to Chicago without leaving Midland! A Taste of Chicago's Italian Beef, serves a Chicago-style menu daily at their new location, 1100 E Illinois Ave.

Texas Steak Express is now delivering fresh, warm, complete meals straight to businesses and homes from its new location at 3316 W. Illinois.

Brianna's Pizza, at 4309 W. Illinois, is now serving hot pizza, wings, sub sandwiches and desserts.

Jack in the Box is now open in two locations, 5205 W Wadley Ave. and 5205 W Wadley Ave.

Recent Happenings

April, May, and June have been exciting months for city of Midland. As we have welcomed back Executive Oil Conference, Celebration of the Arts, Carver Reunion and many more. These events are vital to our community as they translate into economic impact and jobs. Furthermore, the Midland CVB always loves the opportunity to share our wonderful city with all our guests.

We thank the National Association of Royalty Owners, Children of the Republic of Texas, and the Wine Society of Texas for hosting their Annual Meetings in Midland. These events help add to the educational and cultural landscape of West Texas, which enrich all our lives.

In addition, Midland was selected to Host the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Association of Legal Professionals next May.

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TTIA Travel Fair

The Midland CVB co-sponsored a booth with the Odessa CVB at the Texas Travel Industry Association's Travel Fair where they met with the TXDOT Travel Information Centers' travel counselors, AAA employees, Texas visitor center employees, Texas Parks & Wildlife and Texas Highways magazine employees. The purpose is to educate these travel counselors on what all there is to see and do and what's new in Midland so that they can in turn educate the four million visitors they counsel each year.

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In May, the CVB celebration National Tourism Week in Midland with a Travel & Tourism Meeting at the Blakemore Planetarium. Mayor Perry kicked the meeting off with a proclamation declaring tourism week in Midland, followed by a panel discussion.

Panel Discussion, Gaylia Olivas, Justine Ruff, Jerry Morales, Alice Church, Jean Hoelscher, Alex Singh

"Travel and tourism is a vital part of our community's economic stability and growth," said Gaylia Olivas, director of the CVB. "By bringing together all components of Midland's hospitality industry, we are able to provide education and partnership opportunities now and in the future."

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Midland is a prime destination for sports, and May was a big month for playoffs here! Midland was host to 7 baseball playoff games at Christensen Stadium, 2 baseball playoff games at Citibank Ballpark, and 8 softball playoff series at Freddie Ezell Softball Complex at Ulmer park.

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John DeMers Interview at Johnny's Barbecue

In May, the CVB hosted John DeMers, journalist, author, playwright, as well as host and executive producer of the weekly Delicious Mischief food and wine radio show and the weekly Houston ArtsWeek. While in Midland, DeMers had a book signing of his latest book Marfa Shadows, as well as Follow the Smoke, 14,783 Miles of Great Texas Barbecue, (featuring several Midland barbecue restaurants). He also conducted several interviews with Midland restaurants to be featured on his Delicious Mischief radio show. The next airing can be heard on

Austin's Talk 1370, www.talk1370.com on July 7 at 10 a.m.

Old Rankin Highway Visitors Center

The Visitors Center is place where travelers can stop to take a break. Visitors are greeted when they come into the Visitors Center by people that really care about their community and want to share all the things you can see and do in Midland. It is the first place that many people stop and get their first impression of the city of Midland and the people who live here. The volunteers are some of the best people you could find anywhere. Most of them have been with the Visitors Center since it opened. We also take the time at the Visitors Center to learn all we can about our visitors and their communities as well as what their interests are so we can be of a greater service to them. The volunteers share information about Midland accommodations, attractions, restaurants, and shopping. Some people come by to get information because they are looking for a place to move. We also have local people that come to get information to send to friends and families that are coming to visit Midland. We are open Monday thru Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Midland, Your Window to the West

- Daisy Bowers, Visitor Center Manager

1406 W. I20, Midland, TX 79701
(432) 687-8285

Thank you for taking the time to view and read our eNewsletter. If we can assist you with any group event bringing in visitors to Midland please let us know. Share this email with co-workers, friends, family, whomever so that everyone can know what Midland has going on!

Sincerely,

The Staff
Midland Convention & Visitors Bureau

109 N. Main

Midland, TX 79701

Phone: 432-683-3381

Toll free: 800-624-6435

Fax: 432-686-3556

www.VisitMidlandTexas.com

info@visitmidlandtexas.com

Table of Contents

Calendar of Events

Featured Attraction