EXPLORIT Science Center - Weekly Column

Did you know that Explorit members get a 15 percent discount on Birthday Parties and a 20 percent discount on Summer Science Classes? Did you know that as an Explorit member, you can get free admission to over 250 science centers around the world including 17 centers right here in California?

Whether you wish to take advantage of all the great benefits or just want to provide financial support for Explorit, now is the time to become a member.

Explorit's 2000 Membership Drive begins today. Each person, family or business that becomes an Explorit member will have the chance to win one of many great prizes.

Check out this year's grand prize, a weekend getaway exploring science and having fun in San Jose. The prize package includes an overnight stay and breakfast at the Quality Suites-Silicon Valley, free admission to The Tech Museum of Innovation, two tickets to the Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater, and lunch for two at The Faultline Brewing Company.

Other prizes include a half case of selected, award-winning wines from Guenoc Winery, passes for two families aboard the Yolo Shortline Railroad, and tickets to a Sacramento Kings game.

Sarah Hrdy, author of the acclaimed book, Mother Nature, has donated two autographed copies to the Membership Drive.

There are lots of prize passes offered as well. UC Davis Present tickets, Sacramento Theatre Company tickets and passes to Tower Theater are all going to be given away.

Gift certificates to The Naturalist, The Next Chapter, The Pottery Place, and Redwood Barn Nursery are also prizes as well as dinner at Morrison's Upstairs Restaurant, four-pack samplers from Brew It Up!, delicious goodies from Konditorei Austrian Pastry Cafe, a climbing package from Rocknasium, membership in TREE Davis, and a subscription to The Humor Times, a publication of The Comic Press News.

Don't forget that Explorit memberships make great holiday gifts. There are many families in Yolo county and the surrounding areas that would benefit greatly from having a membership.

Speaking of benefits, in addition to the discounts and the admission listed above, Explorit members also receive free admission to Explorit for one year, a discount in the Explorit Store and subscription to the quarterly newsletter, Science Centered.

Each tax-deductible membership in Explorit makes a difference in helping us provide the unique, hands-on science programs we've been offering since 1982.

Businesses can become members through Explorit's Business Alliance for Science. It's a great way for local businesses to show their support for science education in our area.

If you are interested in becoming a member, stop by Explorit or call to have Membership Drive materials mailed to you. You can even join from Explorit's Web site at "Membership". But hurry, the 2000 Membership Drive will end in December.

Special thanks to all the businesses and individuals who contributed prizes to this year's membership drive: Brew It Up!, The Comic Press News, The Faultline Brewing Company, Guenoc Winery, Sarah Hrdy, Konditorei Austrian Pastry Cafe, Morrison's Upstairs, The Naturalist, The Next Chapter, Pottery Place, Quality Suites-Silicon Valley, Redwood Barn Nursery, Rocknasium, The Tech Museum of Innovation, TREE Davis, UC Davis Presents, and Yolo Shortline Railroad Company.

Explorit Science Center is located at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is "Figure it Out! Puzzles and Challenges." Public hours are Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday through Friday from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

Explorit Science Center Weekly Column