Small Things that Count
“One of the Advancement Office’s first priorities was to begin building an identity for Keck that was visually appealing and representative of the uniqueness of the twin 10-meter telescopes. We retained Creative Communications, a local design firm in Waikoloa, to design our Keck Observatory logo in mid-2005. The hexagons represent the number of segments on the primary mirrors as well as its design.”
-Debbie Goodwin, Director of Advancement, W. M. Keck Observatory
Photo: A Keck Star Globe, the newest item in the Keck Boutique, took close to a year to create and produce. Inside the water globe is a replica of the Keck Observatory on top of Mauna Kea. Turn the globe upside down, set it back on its base, and watch the stars. Even Howard Dicus of KGMB9 displayed his during his morning business report..
Most non-profits depend on diverse sources of revenue to support their mission. The Keck Boutique is a way for the Observatory to bring attention to its prominence in world astronomy - and simultaneously contribute to the organization’s purpose. The Boutique offers a distinctive line of gifts and apparel, including logo-wear caps, beanies, golf gadgets, wine glasses, coffee mugs, canvas bags, postcards, Frisbee discs, letter openers, polo shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, women’s shirts, and youth t-shirts. Non-logo items include the “What’s Up in the Universe?” DVD, a Keck Telescope model kit (be forewarned that this is a very challenging activity for even the most technical or engineering minded), and the Keck Star Globe.
“Most everyone who gets an insider’s glimpse of the Observatory ends up purchasing a KeckWear souvenir,” Goodwin explains.“We hope our merchandise inspires people to get more involved in this amazing era of discoveries about our universe,” she says.
Larry Bryan, a regular attendee at Keck Observatory public lectures, graciously volunteered his time and expertise to create an online store of Keck merchandise. Preview items in the Observatory’s virtual store and purchase items by calling 808.881.3854. The Headquarters Store is located in the Advancement Office, and it is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.
KeckWear will be taking its first cosmic journey this March, when astronauts Rick Linnehan and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Takao Doi will be wearing KeckWear short sleeve polo shirts during Space Shuttle Mission STS-123, scheduled to launch on March 13, 2008. Be on the lookout for photos of KeckWear in space in an upcoming issue of Cosmic Matters.