Released November 14, 2003

For the week of November 14, 2003

SCOTT AQUARIUM OPEN HOUSE SET FOR DEC. 6

BILOXI - A full schedule of live entertainment and Christmas crafts with a marine theme are on the agenda at the holiday open house at The University of Southern Mississippi's Scott Aquarium from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Admission is free. The annual event is the Scott Aquarium's gift to the community. Refreshments and visits with Santa and live coastal animals are also scheduled. Members of the Great Scott! Membership program are invited to call (228) 374-5550 by Dec. 2 to make reservations for a free members-only brunch from 10 a.m.-noon during the open house. The J.L. Scott Marine Education Center and Aquarium is the public education and outreach operation of the Southern Miss Gulf Coast Research Laboratory.

-30-

COASTAL BIRDS, LIGHTHOUSES FEATURED
IN NEW ART EXHIBIT AT SCOTT AQUARIUM

BILOXI - Coastal birds and lighthouses are the focus of a new show by coast artist Geri Dendis at The University of Southern Mississippi Scott Aquarium now through January. Dendis, a Pass Christian resident, works mainly in oils, acrylics and watercolors. Her style, termed "representational expressionism," can be seen in her recent "Ghosts of the Coast" series on historical lighthouses. She exhibits in group and individual shows and is a member of the Gulf Coast, Ocean Springs, Pass Christian and Biloxi art associations. The J.L. Scott Marine Education Center and Aquarium is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is charged.

-30-

SOUTHERN MISS BOTANIST CO-AUTHORS
GULF CHAPTER IN SEAGRASS ATLAS

OCEAN SPRINGS - Dr. Cynthia Moncreiff, The University of Southern Mississippi assistant professor of coastal sciences, is one of four co-authors on a chapter about Gulf of Mexico seagrasses in the newly released World Atlas of Seagrasses, published by the University of California Press for the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre. The 324-page atlas summarizes the opinion and science of the world's leading seagrass experts on the global status of the ecosystem. First author on the chapter is Dr. C.P. Onuf of the U.S. Geological Survey.

-30-