Small yet abundant, with complex and wildly diverse lifestyles, ants are everywhere, living lives mostly hidden from our view. What if we could see into their world . . . on their level? What would we learn? What parallels could we draw between them and us? Now, with the aid of a macro lens and the insights of ant expert and photographer Dr. Mark Moffett, the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History present the world of ants.
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On the lookout! An Australian weaver ant on patrol for food or enemies Photo by Mark W. Moffett ©National Geographic Magazine |
”Farmers, Warriors, Builders: The Hidden Life of Ants“ will open at the South Florida Museum in Downtown Bradenton, Fla. on Saturday, May 7, 2011. The traveling exhibition will remain on view in the Museum’s East Gallery through Oct. 9, 2011, before it continues on its 15-city national tour through 2015. Bradenton is the second stop on the exhibition’s schedule. Access to the exhibition is included with general admission to the South Florida Museum.
Moffett’s stunning macro photographs tell incredible stories about the lives of ants–hunting, communicating, dealing with disease and agriculture–and chronicle the work of entomologists, scientists who study insects, in the field. The exhibition features 39 large-scale color photographs, a three-dimensional aluminum cast of an ant nest and touchable oversized ant models. Visitors can explore the model of a leaf cutter worker ant that has been enlarged to 50 times its actual size, and learn how it uses its body to work and survive in the colony.
”Insects are the largest group of animals in the world. Some experts believe there may be millions of species that haven’t even been discovered yet,“ said Matt Woodside, Director of Exhibitions and Collections at the South Florida Museum. ”They’ve been around for 350 million years exploiting nearly every environment on the planet. They are everywhere all the time, yet we pretty much take them for granted. Sometimes they cause us discomfort, but without these little guys our world would be one big sticky, stinky place. This exhibition will open up our imaginations to the marvelous contributions ants give the world and inspire us to appreciate those small aspects of nature we sometimes take for granted.“
SITES has
been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research
programs with millions of people outside Washington, D.C., for nearly 60
years. SITES connects Americans to their shared cultural heritage
through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science and history,
which are shown wherever people live, work and play. Exhibition
descriptions and tour schedules are available at www.sites.si.edu.
This is the first time the South Florida Museum has hosted a SITES
exhibition. As a member of the Smithsonian’s Affiliate program, the
South Florida Museum has met elaborate collections and preservation
requirements and plans to deliver additional high-quality traveling
exhibits to Bradenton moving forward through SITES exhibitions.
Photo Attached: Mark W. Moffett ©National Geographic Magazine.
Guests and Members of the Senior Enrichment Center are invited to come on Tuesday or Thursday evenings for cards, games, billiards, and shopping at Generations Gift Shop. Meals to-go will be available for purchase from the 9th Street Bistro, and members can enjoy the fitness center, library, and various classes. ”I am always looking for ways to enhance the activities and events offered at Renaissance on 9th,“ said Wendy Houston, Activities Director for the Senior Enrichment Center, ”The extended hours will make it possible for the working crowd to enjoy our facility as well.“
Current evening offerings include Tai Chi, at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Arts and Crafts classes will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays, with a fee of $5 per class for members, and $7 per class for non-members. Additional activities and events are planned that will be open to the public and include exclusive offers, themed parties, and guest speakers.
About Renaissance on 9th
Renaissance on 9th is home to Generations Gift Shop, the Turner Ballroom, 9th Street Bistro, and Grandma’s Goodies. The Senior Enrichment Center is also located within Renaissance on 9th, as the premier gathering place for the ”fun and over 50“ crowd in Manatee County. Members and guests enjoy social events, day trips, classes, workshops, board and card games, crafts, hobbies, and fitness. Professional catering and room rental is available for special events or meetings. Owned and operated by Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, all proceeds from Renaissance on 9th go to benefit local services for seniors and the hungry. For more information, visit www.renaissanceon9th.org or call 941-749-0100.
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Mary Bumstead, Mark Manor resident at Village On The Isle, celebrated her 100th birthday party & dinner with her family, friends, and residents. Victoria Bumstead, daughter, planned this special honor for her mother, with music, dancing, dinner, and a slide show of Mary's accomplishments. Mary was a 1st grade teacher, and after retiring joined the Peace Corps teaching Africa students reading. After her assignment in Africa, Mary could not sit around, and took up sky-diving, scuba diving, jet- skiing and water skiing. Wow, Mary, you did it ALL! Happy Birthday!
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Bicycles for the Homeless Inc would like to thank The Lawrence E. Ruf Charitable Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation for a $1,000 grant. The monies will be used to repair donated bicycles, install lights so the bikes are street legal at night, a rack or basket so riders do not have to carry things in their hands while riding, and a secure lock to prevent theft. The approximately 30 bicycles so equipped will be donated to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Manatee County for distribution to their homeless and near-homeless clients, both adults and children.
Bicycles for the Homeless was established in June of 2010 by a group of avid bicyclists and friends of the cause. The 36 people currently involved are all volunteers. BFHI has received just over 600bicycle donations and nearly 200 of these bikes have been refurbished, upgraded and distributed. Their goal in 2011 is to distribute 30 upgraded bikes a month. BFHI is always looking for additional bicycle mechanics as well as others who can install lights etc., or clean bikes to donate an hour or two a week to help make that happen. If you are interested in donating or helping, please contact Charlie at 941-538-1734 or check them out at BicyclesForTheHomeless.org.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently recruiting enthusiastic, motivated students to be a part of the 2011-12 Buccaneers Student Ambassadors program.
Ambassadors serve as liaisons between the team and their schools by attending monthly meetings, participating in community service projects and supporting the Buccaneers at all home games.
The program, formerly the Student Advisory Board, is comprised of 40 students entering their sophomore, junior or senior year of high school in West Central Florida.
To apply, log on to the ”Community“ section of Buccaneers.com or click here. All applications must be submitted online by June 10.
For more information call 813-870-2700 ext. 2274.
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| USFSM Students show their Bulls Pride with members of the DeSoto Crewe |
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