N E W S * R E L E A S E


Contact:
Mark Lacy
(713) 521-3686
houston@i45south.com

October 6, 2000



TRAVEL AND CULTURE IN THE
COLONIAL CITIES OF MEXICO

With the arrival of fall, many Texans begin thinking of festive holidays in Mexico. Would-be travelers wondering what all the fuss is about can find out November 7, 2000, when the Houston Alumni Organization hosts two presentations on central Mexico.

The event is part of a monthly series of travel presentations offered by the Houston Alumni Organization to give people from the UH campus and throughout the city the opportunity to meet and discuss their travel interests. Each month, Mark Lacy will present a regional topic and a guest presenter will cover an international destination. Audience members can get advice to help them in their own travels or discover public and commercial organizations that organize group travel in the city of Houston.

The travel series was organized by former UH Cougar, Mark Lacy, to expand the services and programs offered by the Houston Alumni Organization. Those interested can get information about the free events by calling 713-743-9550, or on the web at www.uh.edu/alumni/travel/.

In the upcoming presentation on Tuesday, November 7, Mark Lacy will present an overview of the Colonial Cities, including San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato, and will also discuss the pyramids at Tula. Lisa Hernandez will construct a public altar for El Dia de los Muertos and will show slides of Oaxaca. The 7:00pm election day presentation on the cultural and educational opportunities for tourists in Mexico will be a great way for Houstonians to unwind after a hectic day at the polls.

Mark Lacy is the founder of the Houston Institute for Culture and has ten years of experience organizing adventure travel and teaching photography workshops in the Southwestern United States and Mexico. He is the host of the World Music Show on KTRU, Rice University Radio. His email address is mark@i45south.com.

Lisa Hernandez is a Dia de los Muertos folkartist discovering her heritage through her art. She has traveled Mexico, particularly the states of Oaxaca and Jalisco, researching traditional celebrations of remembrance. She directs public relations at The Art Museum of the University of Houston, Blaffer Gallery, and serves as a cultural resource in the community. Her email address is lisah@uh.edu.

All of the events are scheduled at 7:00pm in the Alumni Center, University of Houston entrance 15. Photographs from any topic in the series are available by calling Mark Lacy at 713-521-3686.


# # #


C A L E N D A R * I N F O R M A T I O N
UH TRAVEL PRESENTATION SERIES

Future monthly travel presentations:

Tuesday, December 5
Santa Fe and the Southwest

Seasonal traditions, including luminarias for Christmas Eve, pilgrimages and Native American dances at the pueblos, are exciting and educational. Southwest culture can be experienced at any time of year, but it helps to know what to look for. We will cover many unique destinations in the "Land of Enchantment."

Tuesday, January 9
New Orleans and the Deltaland

It's the birthplace of jazz and blues, and a whole lot more. We will visit sites where Civil Rights made history and many significant cultural movements were introduced in the U.S. On your way to Mardi Gras, you'll want to tour the Natchez Trace, the "Freedom Highway," Route 61, or the Camino Real.

Tuesday, February 6
Copper Canyon/Chiricahua Mountains

Larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon, Mexico's Copper Canyon is only recently being discovered by Americans. It can be a fantastic journey if you're properly prepared. We will also learn about the most unknown cultural destination in the United States, where we will go on an adventure in the Chiricahua Mountains.

Tuesday, March 6
Canyonlands of the Colorado Plateau

The Colorado Plateau is a photographer's dream, with deep red slot canyons and surreal rock formations. From Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon to the natural bridges around Moab, Utah, there are opportunities for almost every kind of adventure. We will feature several possibilities in Zion, Bryce and Arches National Parks.

Tuesday, April 3
Pacific Coast/Yosemite/Crater Lake

The Sierra Nevada and the Cascades hold many of America's most scenic parks, from lakes inside volcanic craters to glacial valleys. In addition to the remote wilderness favored by John Muir and Ansel Adams, we will consider some urban adventures in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and some historic sites as well.

Presentations are held in the Alumni Center, University of Houston entrance 15, at 7:00pm.


# # #