A HIP ‘WHO DONE IT?’
It was a fine time for crime at the California Science Center, when it hosted its annual Discovery Ball. Most super-sluthes don’t flaunt red carpet wear when cracking a murder case, but locals Bill and Cheryl Chadwick made the forensic fling a formal affair. Bill wore his preferred black-on-black tux while Cheryl turned heads in a dramatic gown with an Oscar-worthy train.
The theme was tied into the center’s latest “CSI” exhibit, which explores the fascinating world of crime scene investigations. Our caper involved the murder of a glamorous Vegas showgirl. To learn more, we ventured up to the second floor, which was transformed into a dazzling casino complete with slots, neon lights and (bubblegum) cigarette girls.
It looked like a scene from “Folies Bergére,” with leggy lovelies in show-stopping feathered headdresses and canary yellow body stockings strutting their stuff. The band played Vegas standards like “Ain’t That a Kick,” while servers made the rounds with lamb belinis and guests sipped classic Highballs and Manhattans.
But the real intrigue was on the third floor where we got down to the business of crime solving. Entering the Center’s CSI exhibit, we were told to use our power of observation and keep an open mind because the “dead can’t speak for themselves.” There were three crime scenes to be explored. All had clues; some hidden, some obvious, some curious. The first featured a car that had crashed into a one-story home. Yellow police tape roped off the crime scene. A clock was stopped at 5:13. There was a bloody handprint, a picture of two cute kids and a box of pepperoni pizza (minus four slices).
Other setups included a creepy motel in a dark alley, and a stretch of desert where a partial skeleton poked out of the sand. In between sips of champagne, gala guests got a chance to learn all about latent prints, trace evidence and toxicology. Now when was the last time you got to do that at a cocktail party?
One thing that’s no mystery is the Science Center’s ability to put together one of the year’s most enjoyable events. Even industry bigwigs and jaded politicians turn into curious kids in this engaging evening of fun, education and fundraising. The CSI ‘do raised $1.1 million-no small feat given these tough economic times.
“The eleventh annual Discovery Ball is especially meaningful with the downturn,” Chair and Trustee Margo O’Connell said. “It celebrates our accomplishments.”
Margo said the center continues to grow and provides a valuable resource to the community, adding that it is visited annually by 1.4 million people who “leave excited about science and about learning.” Longtime supporter and NBC weather guy Fritz Coleman agreed, describing the center as “a place that changes lives and creates a life-long interest in science.” As guests tucked into a gourmet dinner of quail eggs, caviar, truffled potato salad, smoked salmon and chateaubriand au poivre, Fritz presided over the live auction.
For CSI fans, there were set visits and walk-on roles as well as a 12-day cruise anywhere in the world. Dinner was followed by a private screening of the IMAX film, “Under the Sea 3-D.” Then, it was on to the racy after-party where…let’s just say, what happens in Vegas…
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