The Sounding of Two Canons

We hope you all had a very Happy Holiday!!!  Thanks for reading!

Best wishes from the Canons.

Chris & Cory

Christmas in Downtown Midland

Schedule for the Festivities: Tomorrow, Saturday December 5^th, 2009

1:00 P.M.          Jingle Bell Run 5K

6:30 P.M.          2009 Evening Lighted Christmas Parade

8:15 P.M.          Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Downtown

8:30 P.M.          Movies in the Park: “Elf”

First evening lighted Christmas parade!  Lighting of the City’s new 30-foot tree!  First Christmas Movie in the Park!  Entertainment and hot chocolate provided.  Don’t forget to bundle up!  For more information see:

http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2009/11/19/news/top_stories/doc4b05a5a82138e601956959.txt

http://www.ci.midland.tx.us/

Photo courtesy of City of Midland

Don’t forget the Jingle Bell Run 5K tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon!  Benefitting Junior Achievement.

Jingle Bell Run 5K in Downtown Midland, Texas

Midland, Texas at Illinois and Loraine Streets (Downtown)

Starts: 1:15 pm (Kid’s Fun Run starts at 1:00 pm) - As always, Jingle Bells Provided

For more info contact Brian McDonald at (432) 682-4966

Entry Form: http://pbrunningclub.tripod.com/jbr2009form.pdf

The Preview Party for Christmas at the Mansion 2009 at the Museum of the Southwest was this last Saturday night, November 21.  Preview Party is the only night during the entire year during which ticketholders can enter through the formal entrance in the front of the old Turner Mansion.  We think the Museum is never more beautiful than when it is decorated for Christmas!

Christmas at the Mansion is an annual fundraiser for the Museum of the Southwest.  Completely run by volunteers, the event involves trees, rooms, and mantles which are decorated by volunteers from local non-profits, associations, and other local businesses.  Preview Party was last Saturday night, and the Public Open House was Monday night, with Santa in attendance and Christmas goodies served.  Hundreds of children and adults visit the Museum every year during the holidays to see the Christmas decorations.  CATM is a can’t-miss holiday activity for the kids!  Now through December 30^th.  Click below to see some of our favorites, we couldn’t include them all! 

P.S. Just for fun…. see our pics from 2008 here:

http://livemidlandtexas.com/the_sounding_of_two_canons/2008/11/24/walking-in-a-winter-wonderland/

Unfortunately, we had to miss SeptemberFest this year…..  We were in South Carolina for family vacation, and we celebrated our first anniversary yesterday!  But we are determined to make it out next year.  We’ve heard that this year’s event was another success, and we can’t wait for SeptemberFest 2010.  Congrats to the Museum staff and volunteers for making this happen!!!

SeptemberFest, cool weather doesn’t disappoint

http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2009/09/14/news/top_stories/septemberfest_for_sunday.txt

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!!!  If you’re craving some SPD festivities, or maybe even some green beer, head on over to The Bar this Friday night for the Young Professionals of Midland’s Membership Bash!  It’s a good chance to check out YPM, make some friends, network, or see if you’re interested in becoming a member. 

Hope you’re all wearing your green today….. 

Get your tickets now!!  Two weeks from today, Junior League of Midland kicks off its annual Spring Fling at the Midland Center, with over 30 local and non local merchants under one roof.  General Admission is only $5.00 if you just want to walk around and shop.  Other events require advanced tickets and reservations.  Tickets may be purchased online, and for more information call 682-4732.

http://www.jlweb.org/midland/npo.jsp?pg=fundraiser&article=507&tab=Schedule%20of%20Events

Shopping ~ $5 / person / day

Friday, February 27th - 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 28^th - 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 1st - Noon - 4:00 p.m.

Girls’ Night Out Preview Party ~ $45 / person

Thursday, February 26th - 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Wine, beer, hors d’oeuvres and shopping included

Limited Tickets Available

Ladies’ Luncheon ~ $50 / person

Friday, February 27th ~ 11:30 a.m. - Featuring Inspirational Humorist Suzie Humphreys;

Limited Seating; Lunch, Speaker, and Shopping included

The Princess Tea ~ $45 / person

Saturday, February 28th - 10:30 a.m. - Noon

Limited Seating; Tea, Desserts, and Shopping included

The Crowd  

The Flag

Chris waving in the crowd

Also, we found this link of great pictures.  Taken by Gold Dog Imaging/Eclectic Photography, link from mywesttexas.com.  Excellent Photos!

http://www.biggolddog.com/welcomehome.htm  

Get ready, this is going to be a long post…..One thing we can say about Tuesday, is it was a historic day for our nation, and a historic day for Midland!  The welcome back to Texas that Downtown Midland gave President Bush was an amazing, unforgettable event.  We were glad that President Bush was recognized for his 8 years of service to his country, and we think the office of the President deserves respect, and appreciation!  In addition, because of the downtown event, Midlanders and visiting attendees at the rally got to participate and be a real part of American history.  Congratulations to those who put on the event with such short notice!  Downtown Midland welcomed 30,000 people to the Bush rally, and it went off without a hitch.  That is a huge crowd!  Our community should be proud!

As for me (Cory), while visiting my sister who lives in D.C., I attended the Black Tie and Boots Ball, the Texas Inaugural Ball, which was held in Baltimore on Monday Night at the National Harbor, Maryland.  And yes, Texas still has an inaugural ball, even when we are not inaugurating a Texas president!  It was a fun party, mostly because of the musical talent that was there: Dale Watson, Charlie Robison, Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Jack Ingram, Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, Asleep at the Wheel….  When you walked in, they gave you a schedule of what band was in what room and when.  It was like a mini-music festival!  We attended for the sole purpose of attending an Inaugural Ball, and it did not disappoint.  11,000 people attended!  I would have more pictures, but my camera died!

On my end (Chris), the following day brought a citywide preparation for the homecoming event for President Bush.  Downtown was buzzing with activity all day.  It almost felt like a holiday, there was so much activity,  The lines began forming very early in the day, some arriving to Centennial Plaza as early as noon for the evening event.  I was fortunate enough to snag some great tickets and get really close to the stage.  Thank you to those who gave me such a great view!  The entertainers were great, especially the Gatlin Brothers, and the crowd was energetic. Though the crowd was packed in like sardines, everyone was excited to be a part of this moment.  The fly over by Air Force One (though it was not called that at the moment) was great, and I am sure very illegal.  But hey, I think it was ok to break the rules just this time.  President Bush was more giddy than I have ever seen him, obviously excited to be back home in Texas and looking forward to some relaxation.  All around, it was a great day.