The California Academy of Sciences Store stocks Nature Inspired Gifts for the Holidays

(San Francisco) November 21, 2002 -- Whether the science of buying holiday gifts finds shoppers novice or expert, the California Academy of Sciences store has nature inspired, educational and earth-friendly gifts for friends and family alike. From bonsai gardens to Peruvian pyrite from space chess to copper skulls, shoppers will find a large selection of fun educational gifts for all on their holiday shopping list.

Space Age kids? Try these:

Space Chess - In this game, the King is played by the Sun, the Queen by Earth, Rooks are Space Shuttles and Pawns are… you guessed it, US Astronauts. $37.50 each.

Planet Earth Art - These marble-like pieces are made from recycled glass or crystal with 22k gold or full color natural earth continents. They look like planets from the solar system; you may even recognize a few. Packaged in bags of four. $11.50 per bag.

Star Theatre 2 - a home planetarium with an interactive meteor maker. Turn any room into deep space. $40.00 each.

Solar System Puzzle - Made exclusively for the California Academy of Sciences, this 18" X 24", 515-piece solar system puzzle will bring the wonders of the universe into anyone's living room. Images designed by Lynette Cook. $9.95 each.

Space Age crystal growing kit - for ages 12 and up. $14.95 each.

Glow-in-the-dark - stars, moons, snowflakes, straw-art kits, constellations and even a star full of stars. Prices range from $4.50 to $11.75 each.

Nature Inspired gifts for naturalists

Inspired by the exhibit Skulls: copper skull lapel pins and pendants in the shapes of rhino, giraffe, warthog and piranha skulls. $37.95 each.

Rock Tumbler - polishes rough rocks to create semi-precious gemstone, includes components for making jewelry, key chains, charms and pins. $48.75 each.

Minerals - pyrite from Peru, actinolite from California, Gypsum from Mexico, copper from Michigan and myriads of multicolored quartz list. Prices range from $3.18 to $7.95 each.

Youth and Adult classes, lectures and field trips -Give the gift of knowledge to your children or that special someone. January classes for adults include: New Planets, New Worlds, Early Winter Birds of Point Reyes, Reptiles and Amphibians in Ink and Colored Pencil. Classes for families include: The Natural History of Mount Diablo, Beginning Birding: Winter Birds of Golden Gate Park. Children and Adult courses range from $20 - $100. Find more course listings online www.calacademy.org. Call (415) 750-7100 for more information.

Conversations at the Herbst Theatre - Guests include: Stephen Wolfram physicist, computer scientist as well as author of A New Kind of Science. Amory Lovins founder & CEO, Rocky Mountain Institute author of Natural Capitalism, and Small is Profitable, and Matt Ridley science writer pieces include Genome and Nature via Nuture. Lecture: $18 non-members, series: $108 non-members. This series is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund. To order tickets, please call City Box Office at (415) 392-4400.

Home and Garden

Great Impressions and Tessworks - California-made handcrafted ceramics inspired by nature's designs of fanciful fruits and savory vegetables made into artful serving dishes. Iceberg lettuce serves as a salad bowl, a pair of figs as salt and pepper shakers, a head of Napa cabbage unfolds into a vase. Handcrafted in Oakland. Tessworks more traditional serving platters, candle sticks, and olive oil bowls are decorated with olive branches and fruit. These are handmade in Huntington Beach. Prices range from $69.00 to $185.00.

Ceramic Skulls - This one of a kind, porcelain skull cookie jar is hand decorated in the tradition of Day of the Dead. Ornamented with skulls this cookie jar will make you think twice before you reach for those extra calories. Matching skull cups add to any festive occasion. Prices range from $15.80 to $800.00.

California Wild Flowers - In one gift set of California Wildflowers are: California Poppies, Wild Lupine, California Bouquet, Chinese Houses, and Red Columbine. Each variety is packaged in separate seed packets that double as postcards. $11.25 per gift set.

Bonsai Garden - Included with this kit is a ceramic stoneware planter, Japanese black pine seeds, organic soil, bonsai shears and a bonsai instruction booklet. $25.00 for garden kit. Mini Bonsai Kit $12.50.
Lavender Garden - Included in this kit is a ceramic stoneware planter, lavender seeds, soil, and growing instructions $15.00.

Urban Herbals Bee Real Honey - San Francisco League of Urban Gardner's (SLUG) processes honey from bees right here in San Francisco. Pick up a jar at the Academy and feel good about two great organizations. $7.95 per jar.

Minerals - pyrite from Peru, actinolite from California, Gypsum from Mexico, copper from Michigan and myriads of multicolored quartz create a beautiful array for any one on your gift list. Prices range from $3.18 to $7.95 each.

Planet Earth Art - These marble-like pieces are made from recycled glass or crystal with 22k gold or full color natural earth continents. They look like planets from the solar system; you may even recognize a few. They come in bags of four. $11.50 per bag.

[The California Academy of Sciences, Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium and the Academy's logo are registered trademarks of the California Academy of Sciences.]

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