More from Yolo Basin

Here are some pictures from a recent trip to Yolo Basin

Fun at the #UCDavis Raptor Center

Some pics from a family visit to the UC Davis Raptor Center open house

Good last minute place to donate $$ - Explorit Science Center in Davis

Just got an email saying that the Explorit Children's Science Center in Davis is hurting for funding.  See below - please consider donating to this worthy cause ...

Cash-strapped Explorit appeals to community for support

For 28 years, Explorit Science Center has been a gem of the Davis community and an educational boon to the Sacramento region, providing hands-on science opportunities for thousands of families and schools.

Now, the center is confronting a challenge that science can't address. Financial struggles are threatening the existence of Explorit's main site at 2801 Second St., which was purchased in 2006.
In response, the center is appealing to the community for support.

 "We know this is a philanthropic community, and one that strongly believes in furthering the education of our children," says Lou Ziskind, executive director. "We need help to keep the Explorit mission alive."

Ziskind attributed the financial difficulties to the down-turned economy and unfortunate timing in the center's purchase of the Second Street site.

"Government funding for education is down, corporate donations and grants are scarce, and understandably, individuals just cannot contribute like they could a couple years back," he said. "Income from program fees, also a key revenue source, have shrunk as well."

"The bigger concern, however, is that in 2006, when the economy seemed sound and real estate values were rising, we obtained bridge financing to complete the purchase of our building," Ziskind said. "With a drop-off in income, we are struggling with the repayment terms of our $1.6 million loan. Without additional financial support, our ability to run our Second Street facility will be in jeopardy."

Ironically, the museum is thriving in many ways. It is breaking attendance records -- 2,391 visitors in November was a 40 percent increase over November 2008  -- and visitor evaluations have been very positive.

"We've finished our phased-in opening of the museum so there is more fun stuff to do than ever," Ziskind said. "We've also been getting great media attention with new attractions like our streambed table and new promotions like "Toddler Tuesday."

Explorit's Board of Directors and staff believe that the need for the center's informal science education programs is greater than ever.

"In Davis, we're fortunate to have a school budget that allows for science education in elementary classrooms," said Betsy Elzufon, an Explorit trustee and mother of two. "Sadly, in many other towns, the students' only hands-on science experiences are those provided by Explorit's traveling programs. For those schools, it is truly a blessing to have us help fill the void and educate these students about the importance science lends to our daily lives."

To keep the Explorit vans rolling and the museum open, Explorit offers a package of ways to lend support, says Peter Willson, the development director. The organization is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization; donations are tax-deductible.

"We have a 'Donate' button on our website, of course," he said, referring towww.explorit.org. "That's the easiest and fastest. We also gladly take cash or check donations at the museum during visiting hours or through the mail (to Explorit at P.O. Box 1288, Davis CA 95617). Then our website has lots of other information about ways to help, including a new car-donation program."

He and board members are hopeful that the center will weather the recession.

"This place has been a great part of the community for over a quarter-century and has meant so much to the families in Davis and the greater Sacramento region," Elzufon said. "It would be a sad day if we were not able to continue offering our many valuable programs to the many families, schools, and educators who depend on us."

For more information about Explorit, please contact Peter Willson at (530) 757-4530 ext. 112 or e-mail him at PeterW@explorit.org. 

  

Lake Solano Trip - Creepers, Lizards, Woodpeckers and More

Had a lab outing to Lake Solano last week. Saw some nice creatures there - pictures below.

What a waste in #Davis - a whole election & associated material for one vote

Well, however you feel about the Wildhorse Ranch vote in Davis, this whole election just seems absurd. A whole election just to vote on this one thing? And do they really need a multi-page color sample ballot? So if I could, I would vote to require these "special" elections about rezoning to only happen if there already was another important election going on. Even if the pro-Ranch crown pays for the election, it just seems like a waste ...

Walkscore - software for walkability of communities goes open source

Just got this email (see below) from WalkScore that I thought might be of interest to Davisites. Walk Score is one of several types of "software for civic life" from Frontseat. This systems allows one to evaluate the walkability of a community or address. And now they are looking to release the software for WalkScore at Walkscore.Org as an open source development. And they are trying to get more people involved in this - including asking for what new developments they should make. I have suggested previously that they should incorporate bikability. And if you agree, you should vote for it here.

Dear Jonathan,

You deserve a break. Take a sec to:

• Cast your vote on how to improve the Walk Score algorithm.
• Friend us on Facebook so we can claim the Walk Score URL.

Also, we're thrilled to announce our Rockefeller Foundation grant (see below).

— The Front Seat Team

Vote on Walk Score improvements

We just launched WalkScore.org — a new website where you can vote on Walk Score improvements. We're also releasing open source code for Walk Score on this site.

Friends with benefits

Can you help us get to 100 fans on Facebook so we can claim a URL for our Facebook page?

Let's create a Facebook group of people who support walkable neighborhoods.

Rockefeller Foundation grant

We're using our new grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to improve Walk Score and make it open source. Sign up on WalkScore.org to get notified when the code is available.

East Quad Farmers Market

Another nice thing for the fall and spring on Campus at UC Davis - Wednesday from 10-2 or so there is a Farmer's Market in the quad. It is not huge, but if you want some fresh/local produce - this is a good place to get something. See here for more detail: East Quad Farmers Market

Some #UCDavis students running 'Operation DeGeneres' trying to bring @TheEllenShow to town

Strange, funny, and true. Some UC Davis students are working to bring Ellen Degeneres to town.

From their site:

Operation DeGeneres was founded by UC Davis students and is an effort to have Ellen DeGeneres grace us with her presence at UC Davis--in either a speech to the campus or as keynote speaker at the 2010 graduation ceremony. She's funny, she's inspirational, and she probably has many words of wisdom.

For more information see:
Operation DeGeneres - Home

I note- my kids (4.5 and 2.5 yrs old) would like this - as Ellen is one of the voices in Finding Nemo ...

More on #UCDavis Prof. Emeritus Bernie Alder's National Medal of Science

More information on UC Davis professor emeritus Bernie Alder's National Medal of Science Award can be found here: UC Davis News & Information :: Prestigious National Medal of Science goes to physicist

Among his many achievements was pioneering work in the field of Molecular Dynamics. He also was one of the founders of the UC Davis Department of Applied Science. Oh, and my wife is good friends with his daughter Janet --- and Alder and his whole family are simply amazing.

#UCDavis expands programs to support alternative modes of commuting

UC Davis has started an enhanced program to encourage people to not drive to work. It is called "goClub" and includes programs for walkers, bikers, carpoolers, etc. For bikers, like me, see goBike
for more information.