Hi Listers, I think we are all very enriched by the generosity of Gene Autry...and his career, style and class. The museum he endowed and visited frequently until just before his death, is a magnificant building with many wonderful exhibits of the many aspects of Western life. In previous posts I have discussed the current exhibit of GOLD FEVER! The museum's newsletter arrived today with even MORE activities relating to the Gold Rush. I'm listing them in case some of you would enjoy participating: TOMORROW, Saturday, October 3: Demonstrations Strike It Rich! Life in the Goldfields Enjoy living history presentations of prospectors, performers and other interesting folks from the California Gold Fields of 1849 on Saturday, October 3, from 11 am to 4 pm in the Wells Fargo Theater, the Museum Plaza and on the lawn. Films Two films relating to GOLD FEVER will be screened in the Wells Fargo Theater. The musical comedy "Paint Your Wagon" (1965), starring Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin, will be shown of Saturday, October 17 at 2 pm. The film chronicles the colorful life of prospectors in "No Name City." Before the film a talk will focus on Hollywood's portrayal of the California Gold Rush. On Sunday, November 15, at 2 pm the 1936 film "Robin Hood of El Dorado" will be screened for the first time in 30 years! Directed by William Wellman and starring Warner Baxter, this film tells the story of the mythic Gold Rush bandit known as Joaquin Murrieta. Before the movie, William Wellman, Jr., will share stories about the film's making and show a short home movie shot on location. Admission: members $4; non-members: $5. Theater "Memories of the California Trail", presented by an actress on Sunday, October 18, chronicles a woman's journey to California during the Gold Rush. Sarah Royce's diary chronicling her overland crossing was one of the very few tales told from a woman's perspective. [As stated in the Museum's newsletter.] Take a step back in time with "Letters from the Mines" on Saturday, December 12, and listen to an actress portray Louise Smith Clappe, author of the "Dame Shirley" letters, considered by many to the finest firsthand account of the Gold Rush. Both presentations begin at 2pm in the Wells Fargo Theater, admission: Members:|$2; non-members: $3. Activities Gold Panning Was it hard to pan for gold? You and your family can experience gold panning first hand, Tuesday through Friday, from 2pm to 5pm, and all day weekends, starting September 19, in Trails West. Learn about different tools and mining methods, the challenges facing miners, the impact on the environment, and the diversity of people who traveled west in search of gold. Admission: $1 per pan. I'll post several more listings tomorrow...it's getting late and I plan to be there for the demonstrations tomorrow. Best wishes, Nancy Howard _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com