By: Tom Wickersham

NEW EXHIBITION OPENS TOMORROW AT EXPLORIT

You've waited all week... gnashing your teeth, wringing your hands. Could they do it?

Would Explorit manage to take down an entire exhibition and set up a new one in just 5 days? Would they again, fill the exhibition hall with all kinds of hands-on, minds-on activities?

They sure did! And now's your chance to reap the rewards. Stop by Explorit Science Center and visit the brand new exhibition "From Redbud to Redwood: Native Plant Science" opening tomorrow.

Are you curious about native California plants? Do you wonder in what ways native Californians or today's scientists use plants?

Visit Explorit and explore your curiosities about plants, plant use and plant science. Don't forget to bring the kids. You might have a budding scientist at home.

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What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you read the word "conservation?" Water? Fuel? Forests? Whatever your response, it probably wasn't "gorillas." For Dr. Kelly Stewart, UCD research associate and editor of the Gorilla Conservation Newsletter, gorilla and conservation are inseparable.

Learn more about this subject at "Gorilla Conservation in the 21st Century," a free cutting edge science lecture by Dr. Stewart on Tuesday, October 20 at 7:30 at the Davis Senior Center. For more information, contact Explorit at (530) 756-0191.

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Have you ever watched a TV game show and thought to yourself "I could do that"? If so, there's a competitor somewhere inside you. Someone who loves to take on a challenge.

Why not try one of the most exciting, fun-filled challenges in Northern California? Grab a bunch of your office mates and sign up for the Corporate Science Challenge benefiting Explorit Science Center.

Each table of eight, after a delightful dinner with wine provided by Clos Du Val, competes against all the other tables for the bragging rights of "Science Champion" and the perpetual trophy designed by Sacramento's renowned artist, David Rible.

The Science Challenge takes place at the DoubleTree Hotel in Sacramento on Thursday, October 22. But the deadline for signing up is fast approaching. A table sponsorship is $600 and must be registered by Thursday, October 15. For more information, call Mary Sater, the event coordinator at (916) 631-7992.

Explorit would like to thank the Corporate Sponsors for this year's event: Apple Computers, Calgene, Jones & Stokes, Luhdorff & Scalmanini, St. Anton Partners and the Nehemiah Housing Corp. and the University of California, Davis.

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Check out the Astronomy Club bulletin, now online at www.dcn.davis.ca.us/GO/EXPLORIT/astronomy.html.

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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.