By: Tom Wickersham

Explorit Science Center Membership Drive Sets Sail

Picture this: You and 15 of your friends have just been given a personalized tour of Lake Berryessa and the Quail Ridge Wilderness Reserve, much of it aboard a 24-foot boat. Now, you and your group are being treated to wine and a gourmet buffet dinner.

This customized party is the grand prize offered in Explorit Science Center's Membership Drive & Science Adventure Drawing. When you join or renew your membership in Explorit, you'll be eligible to win one of many prizes including the grand prize.

This half-day adventure, guided by a zoologist and ecologist who is an expert on the early Mexican and Patwin Indian cultures in the area, combined with the gourmet dinner is valued at over $500.

In addition to the grand prize, you could win a "Parks Sampler" membership in the California State Parks Association, a virtual Olympic bobsled ride in the UC Davis Sports Biomechanics Lab, a sailing party for two in the San Francisco Bay, a 3-month membership at 24 Hour Fitness, or a full-color scanner.

Other prizes include a half-case of unusual foreign and domestic wines, a gift certificate from The Next Chapter bookstore, free hair stylings at David's Hair Cutting, a gift certificate at Little Prague Bohemian Restaurant and free laser tag games at Laserforce.

Of course, everyone who joins Explorit is a winner. As members you'll get free admission for a year, a 10% discount on all gift shop merchandise and discounts on Explorit classes, special events and Birthday Parties.

One benefit that Explorit members really enjoy is the ability to take an Explorit membership to over 225 science centers worldwide and get free admission. That's right. Just show up, flash your Explorit membership card and get in free.

But perhaps it's the knowledge that you are helping promote hands-on science education for inquiring minds of all ages right here in Davis that is the benefit you enjoy most.

Whatever reasons you may have for joining--the prizes, free admission, discounts, or an interest in promoting science literacy--the time for joining is now.

So join now; perhaps you'll be one of the lucky winners, and maybe you'll be able to take your family or friends on a customized eco-tour and celebrate over dinner.

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Attention all astronomers and fans of science fiction! The October meeting of Explorit's Astronomy Club will start off with a slide show and discussion about "Dreaming of Space Ships." Find out what earlier imaginings of space travel were like, and which ones were pretty accurate. Then, if the weather cooperates, the group will head outside to view stars and planets from Explorit's front yard.

The Astronomy Club will meet tomorrow at 8 p.m. at Explorit. All are welcome to attend, and are encouraged to bring binoculars or even a telescope if they have them.

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Explorit Science Center is located at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is "Leave it to Levers...and Other Simple Machines." 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.