By: Tom Wickersham

EXPLORIT MEMBERSHIP DRIVE NOW UNDERWAY

Picture this: It's a Saturday morning in February. You look outside and discover that it's another rainy, dreary day here in the central valley. And the kids, showing signs of cabin fever, are just as gloomy and sullen as the weather outside.

Now picture this: It's the same day in February. This time, however, the kids are up early, excited and ready to face the day.

What's the difference? Did you wake up in the wrong house? Are you still dreaming? No. The difference is that you and your family are preparing to take a trip. You are the winners of the grand prize of this year's Explorit Membership Drive and Science Adventure Drawing.

When you join or renew during Explorit's Membership Drive, you are automatically entered in the Science Adventure Drawing with a chance to win one of many prizes.

Featured among the prizes this year is the grand prize of a seven-night rental of a 29-ft motor home, courtesy of Travel Time RV Center in Vacaville. This class C motor home is fully self-contained, sleeps six comfortably and includes all taxes and insurance plus 700 miles of free travel.

Imagine traveling to the San Diego coast, visiting Death Valley, winding through Las Vegas en route to the Grand Canyon or spending a couple of nights in Yosemite National Park. Whatever you want.

In addition to the grand prize, you have the chance to win a gift certificate at The Mustard Seed, a copy of Art & Physics by Leonard Shlain, two tickets to see UC Davis Presents Beakman's World, an original pastry creation from Konditorei Austrian Pastry Cafe, a free haircut at David's Hair Cutting or a set of 4 astronomy-themed coffee mugs.

Call Explorit Science Center at (530) 756-0191 to receive a membership form and sign up today. It's your chance to support science education, receive lots of benefits and have a chance to win one of many prizes.

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Explorit Science Center is pleased to announce the addition of five new members to the board of trustees: Betsy Elzufon of Larry Walker Associates, Jeanne Jones of PG & E Properties, Tom LaBrie of Longs Drugs East, Bob McCormick of Downey, Brand, Seymour & Rohwer, and Carl Schwedler of Calgene, LLC. These new trustees will be joining 13 other returning trustees who represent a variety of organizations throughout the region.

Just as Explorit is pleased in welcoming these new faces and talents, the Science Center is equally sorrowful in saying good-bye to three retiring trustees: Denise Manker of Agraquest, Sharon McLin of Midnight Star Breeders and Ethel Sassenrath, retired professor of UC Davis.

Although she has promised to continue her involvement with Explorit, Ethel Sassenrath is stepping down from the board after 14 years of dedicated service. To honor and thank Ethel for her outstanding service, Explorit is establishing a permanent Ethel Sassenrath Scholarship/Fee Assistance Fund.

Donations to this fund will be used to provide scholarships for children from low income families to participate in vacation science classes, to subsidize school groups that could not otherwise afford to visit Explorit or to subsidize the costs of Explorit traveling programs that will reach special groups throughout the region.

If you would like to donate to the Sassenrath Scholarship Fund, please make checks payable to Explorit Science Center, specify that you would like your contribution added to the Sassenrath Fund and mail them to PO Box 1288, Davis, CA 95617.

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Explorit Science Center is located at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is From Redbud to Redwood: Native Plant Science. Public hours are Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday through Friday from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. Regular admission is $3; members, teachers (with school ID) and children under 4 are free.