Local
THE DAVIS ENTERPRISE
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 A3
Hey, evergreens, take a bough By Sara Thompson Special to the Enterprise
A
ll plants and trees begin as seeds. Many use flowers and fruit to produce more seeds, but some trees use cones. Trees that reproduce using cones are called conifers. Conifers and their cones have a variety of other amazing adaptations that help them survive in nature. One of the most recognizable features of many conifers is their needles. Performing the same function as broad leaves, they are responsible for performing the gas exchange process of photosynthesis. The narrow shape, with the help of a waxy coating help the needles to not dry out in cooler and dryer climates. Needles also do not fall annually like with deciduous trees, and therefore can perform photosynthesis all year. This is one reason you find conifers at higher elevations and latitudes; they are well adapted to those environments. Conifers get their name from to the cones they produce. The cones are an integral part to the tree’s reproduction as they bear the pollen and the seeds. A conifer tree will produce both cones that contain pollen and cones that contain seeds. Cones that contain pollen are typically grown on the lower parts of the tree, so they do not pollinate the same tree, but instead are dispersed to other trees for pollinating. The pollen cones are smaller than the seeded ones and are usually only present during the spring and summer. Once they have released their pollen, those cones will fall off the
Sugar & Pepita
White spruce cones in Broomfield, Colo.
Explorit Science Center tree. The seed-bearing cones are much bigger and are found higher up in the trees. When pollinated the seed can take anywhere from one to three years to fully develop depending on the species. During this time the cone will close up when the weather is cold and dry, and open when warmer. Conifers rely on animals to help distribute their seeds. Squirrels and birds often eat the pinecones and their seeds, transporting and distributing them elsewhere to root and grow. You can see several species of trees in the Mace Ranch Park, including conifers. Come explore our exhibit Healthy Planet, Healthy You during our Public Hours: Friday 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Make and take crafts available for children before noon on
weekends, while supplies last. Father Christmas will be available for photos during Public Hours the weekend of Dec. 11 and 12. ———— Explorit’s coming events: n Want to keep your students engaged during the winter break? Sign up for “The Science of Winter” camp. Explore the fun frosty phenomena of the winter season! Explorit campers will learn about the winter sky, frozen chemicals reactions, and amazing animal adaptations to the cold. Join us for science activities, games, and take-home crafts. Dec. 20-22, 9 a.m. to noon for grades K-2; Dec. 27-29 9 a.m. to noon for grades 3-5. The cost is $100 for members and $120 for non-members. Camps will take place indoors with air purifiers. Masks required and daily temperature screening and healthy survey at drop-off. For more information and registration visit www.explorit.org. n Give the gift of science to a family this holiday
season. A gift Membership to Explorit not only supports us but grants the recipient free visits to Explorit’s regular public hours, discounts on events, summer camps and workshops, and gives you ASTC benefits to visit other museums throughout the world. Any level of Membership is eligible as a gift for someone. To purchase or for more information visit https://www.explorit.org/ membership or call Explorit at 530-756-0191. n Like many small businesses the closures have had a significant impact on our income and sustainability. Now is a great time to donate and help Explorit continue to educate and inspire the scientists of tomorrow: https://www. explorit.org/donate. — Explorit Science Center is at 3141 Fifth St. For information, call 530-756-0191 or visit http://www.explorit. org, or “like” the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ explorit.fb.
Mercer Clinic marks 27 years of giving holiday pet baskets By Eileen M. Samitz Special to The Enterprise This year, the Mercer Clinic Holiday Pet Baskets program celebrating its 27th year and the good news is that the program will be distributing gifts for the pets of the homeless despite recent challenges. The gift baskets are now more eco-friendly by the program using re-usable semi-fabric shopping bags for the clients which have the Mercer Clinic logo. The pet gift bags will be distributed at the Dec. 11 Mercer Clinic for the Pets of the Homeless. Fortunately, the Mercer Clinic has managed to endure throughout the pandemic by taking all the precautions necessary to continue helping the pets of the homeless. Mercer Clinic is proudly is one of the longest running clinics like it in the country, but needs your help since it relies primarily on monetary donations. Historically, the Mercer Clinic for the Pets of the Homeless was started in 1992 by a few UCD veterinary students supervised by veterinarians to create a clinic for the pets of the homeless, which was so needed. It made the most sense to locate it being near the “Loaves and Fishes” facility in Sacramento, which has been main “soup kitchen” to help the homeless for many years. Mercer Clinic for the Pets of the Homeless monthly clinic provides an important community service including vaccinations, flea and
Pets of the week
Wikimedia Commons photo
tick control, endo-parasite treatment and helping to provide spay and neuter services. These special animals are much more than pets to the homeless. For many, these pets are their owners only source of love and companionship since, sadly, many of the homeless have been abandoned by their families. These pets are their family and are helping to keep them from falling into depression and substance abuse. The Mercer Holiday Pet Basket Program started in 1995 by a group of UCD VMTH employees. Due to the growing need, our pet baskets distributed have grown from 25, to 50, to 70, and 130 for years now (100 dog and 30 cat baskets annually). In 2012, we added the Winter Pet Coat and Sweater program. We became aware of the critical need for coats and sweaters for these pets of the homeless because, unfortunately, often pets are not permitted inside homeless shelters. Providing these pets coats and sweaters helps them to get through the cold and wet winter elements, particularly the smaller and older more frail animals. UCD undergrad volunteers help with the distribution of the December pet baskets and over 250 pet coats and 250 pet sweaters annually. Our outreach now is for monetary donations to either, or both of our funds, the Mercer Clinic Holiday Pet Baskets and Winter Pet
Davis Scouts Christmas Tree Lot
NOW OPEN - Dec. 21 or until we sell out O P Mon-Fri 4-8pm E Sat & Sun 10am-8pm N Corner of Mace & Cowell in South Davis We will follow Yolo County Public Health COVID Safety protocols
Please bring your non-perishable food items for STEAC.
Courtesy photo
The Mercer Clinic now uses more eco-friendly reusable bags for the pet gifts for the pets of the homeless. Coat and Sweater program, or the Mercer Clinic Nonprofit organization in these difficult times. All are invited to see what Mercer Clinic is all about by visiting https://www.mercerclinic.com/ . It is especially helpful to view our three videos at https://www. mercerclinic.com/videosand-interviews. The videos show how much Mercer meant to the client and their pets and include “A Day at the Mercer Veterinary Clinic for the Pets of the Homeless,” “Happy Holidays at Mercer Clinic” and “More Happy Holidays at Mercer Clinic.” There is a photo gallery reflecting Mercer Clinic mission as well. To donate to the Mercer Clinic Holiday Pet Basket and the Winter Pet Coat and Sweater Program, checks can be mailed to Mercer Holiday Pet Baskets, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 1167, Davis, CA 956171167, or donations can be made directly on-line at
https://give.ucdavis.edu/ GO/MercerVet To donate to the Mercer Clinic non-profit organization to help with supplies and operational costs, you can donate on line via PayPal, or send your check to Mercer Veterinary Clinic for the Pets of the Homeless, P.O. Box, 297, Davis CA, 95617. To donate online, go to https://www.mercer clinic.com/donations Other ways to help the Mercer Clinic include donating at GoFundMe, purchasing a Nugget Market script card, or shopping on “Amazon Smile,” where pennies from a purchase help by going to the Mercer Clinic if it is selected as your charity of choice. For more information, contact Eileen Samitz at emsamitz@ucdavis.edu or call 530-756-5165. — Eileen M. Samitz is a co-coordinator with Becky Griffey for the Mercer Clinic Holiday Pet Baskets and Winter Pet Coat and Sweater program.
Interested in Public Service?
The Rotary Club of Davis has been living its motto, “Service Above Self” since 1926. We are currently meeting at the University Inn and Suites Conference Center (formerly Café Italia), 1121 Richards Blvd in Davis on Mondays from 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm. The first few meetings are free for prospective members.
See www.rotaryclubofdavis.com to attend a meeting.
Programs: December 6 • Nutrition - Fact vs Fiction Debbie Fetter, Asst Prof. UCD Dept of Nutrition December 13 • UCD Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Sandy Mansfield, Director December 20 • Club Holiday Party - Santa Claus December 27 • Holiday - No meeting
Special to The Enterprise Lots of animals are waiting for “forever homes” at the Yolo County Animal Shelter, 2640 E. Gibson Road in Woodland.
Cheetos Among them is Cheetos (A190624), a handsome 2-year-old brindle bully-breed mix who is calm and cuddly, playful and loving. Cheetos likes to fetch a ball or take long walks, too. Also hoping for a good home sisters Sugar (A190776) and Pepita (A190780) They are a lovely bonded pair that are a little timid at first but warm up quickly. They love to cuddle together or with you. There are more darling sisters — Taffy and Truffle — also looking for homes. For information on adopting, contact adopt ycas@gmail.com. All shelter animals are upto-date on vaccinations, microchipped, and spayed or neutered.
Tom The shelter is closed to the public for nonemergencies but the staff is available to assist at 530-668-5287 during new temporary hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. For information, visit
www.petfinder.com/ member/us/ca/ woodland/yolo-countyanimal-services-ca283. At Rotts of Friends Animal Rescue, you’ll find Tom, a super-sweet 6-year-old neutered male Chihuahua. He is snuggly and loves to play with other small dogs. Tom is a little shy so is looking for an adult-only home. Tom would make a great companion for a single person who wants a buddy. Eddie is a 3-year-old neutered male blue Dobie. He’s handsome, outgoing, and crate- and obedience-trained. He is very sweet — a complete love bug! Rotts has many Dobermans, so come check them out.
Eddie The next Rotts of Friends’ adoption event is from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at 34505 County Road 29 in Woodland. Come by 10 a.m., as it takes at least an hour to meet and adopt a dog; everyone who will be living with the dog should come out to meet it. Bring proof of homeownership, such as a mortgage statement or property tax bill. If you rent, please bring proof that you are allowed to have a dog in your home, such as a pet clause in your lease or a note from your landlord. All dogs adopted from Rotts of Friends are healthy, microchipped, up-to-date on their vaccines and come with free lifetime obediencetraining classes. For more information, visit facebook.com/rottsof friends.
Yolo Veterinary Clinic Serving Yolo County Since 1952 Complete Medical and Surgical Services for Small Animals 235 W. Main St. Woodland
Hours: M-F 7:30-6 • Sat 9-1
666-3366
DAVIS GLASS & SCREEN • Shower Doors • Tabletops • Mirrors • Beveled Glass • Wardrobe Doors • Beveled Mirrors
530.758.0910 • www.DavisGlass.com 920 3rd St., Suite D • Downtown Davis
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm (Wed until 6pm) • Sat 8am-12pm Contr. Lic# 990121
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