<html><div style='background-color:'><P>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2006</P>
<P align=center><U><FONT face="Garamond, Times, Serif"><FONT size=6><FONT color=#3333cc>Children's Museum hosts Japanese doll festival; Open during Spring Break</FONT><BR></FONT></FONT></U><BR></P>
<P align=left><A name=OLE_LINK1><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>The Northeast Texas Children’s Museum in Commerce will host a Japanese doll festival on Saturday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with special guest, <SPAN style="COLOR: black">Yoshiko Ando</SPAN> from the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth (JASDFW). </FONT></SPAN></A></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3></FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Yoshiko will present <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Japan-in-a-Suitcase</I>, a traveling educational program that introduces school children to Japanese people, cultural traditions, and contemporary life.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Her presentations will include authentic Japanese objects such as clothing, toys and photographs. Children who attend the event will create Japanese origami, write Japanese calligraphy on rice paper, and learn Japanese words and phrases. A special treat for children will be paper-folding a Samurai helmet, also known as <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Kabuto</I>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Traditional Hina dolls and carp kites, also
known as <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Koinobori</I>, Japanese alphabets’ charts, and a summer Kimono will also be featured at the museum. Yoshiko will have two performances; the first begins at 1 p.m. followed by a second at 3 p.m. </FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><BR>According to the JASDFW website,</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"> the “program encourages students to learn simple words and phrases in Japanese; learn the geographic location and features of Japan and its relation to the United States; compare and contrast Japanese and American lifestyles and traditions; and develop an awareness and appreciation of a different culture and inter-cultural relations.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">The Northeast Texas Children’s Museum will be open each day during Spring Break, March 13­–17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Activities are as follows:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
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<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Mon. 03/13<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Whose Mummy is that?</I><BR>Wrap a mummy, write your name in hieroglyphics and make an Egyptian necklace. </FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Tue. 03/14<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Glop, Goo, Foam & Sludge!<BR></I>Gross everyone out with weird and wacky science!<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Wed. 03/15<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Musical Mania<BR></I>Make your own rhythm with musical instruments and dance on the stage.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Thurs. 03/16<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Games of the 1800s<BR></I>Make a twig doll and play the game of Graces.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Fri. 03/17<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day!<BR></I>Make a shamrock necklace and a leprechaun’s hat. Wear your green too!<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">The children’s museum will continue its celebration of St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Children can create green artwork and eat green food.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">“Western Roundup” will be held on Saturday, March 25 at the museum. Quinlan-native, David Hartwig, and his canine companion, Skidboot, will perform their tricks and skits at 2 p.m.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The duo has performed on nationally syndicated shows such as <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The Tonight Show with Jay Leno</I>, <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The Late Show with David Letterman</I>, and <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Oprah</I>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In 2004, Skidboot won a gold medal and $25,000 on Animal Planet’s <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Pet Star.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </SPAN></I></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Other activities planned include lasso lessons, cowboy crafts, relay races, and western games.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A best-dressed cowboy and cowgirl contest will begin at noon.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Admission to the museum is $5 for children ages 3­–17, $2 for adults, and children under the age of three are free.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Contact marypaz at 903.886.6055 for more information about museum events and volunteer opportunities.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Visit </FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><A href="http://www.netxcm.org/"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2">www.netxcm.org</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></A><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN
style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"> for a complete listing of museum exhibits and a monthly events calendar.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
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