Museum Spotlight:
Gateway Science Museum to Open Feb. 27th in Chico

The Gateway Science Museum will celebrate its Grand Opening on Saturday, Feb. 27, with the  opening ceremony at 10 a.m., followed by the opening of the museum at 10:30 a.m.

Activities include:

Opening ceremony
Live animal demonstrations
Face painting
Coloring contest
Science activities in the Discovery Room and Education Station
Opportunity to interact with scientists in the Demonstration Lab
ABOVE PHOTOGRAPH: Short-faced bear -- The giant short-faced bear, Arctodus simus, was one of the largest land carnivores in North America during the last two million years, according to the National Speleological Society.
The common name for the bear originated from its lack of a well-defined forehead, as well as a short, broad muzzle.

Discovered by American paleontologist Edward Cope in the 1890s, the giant short-faced bear was nearly five-feet tall when walking and more than 11-feet tall when standing on its hind legs. The bear's autumn weight has been estimated to be about 1,500 pounds, which includes its collection of fat for the winter.

Don't let its size fool you. The giant short-faced bear is known to have run about 40 mph despite its enormous size!

Additional to Cope's initial findings were the remains of eight female short-faced bears, which have been found in Potter Creek Cave, located in Shasta County, Calif.