A new exhibit is opening this week at the Chabot Space & Science Center — just in time for the dark days of winter. “Astrolight” explores the mysteries of light, not just in the cosmos but in everyday life.

There’s no doubt that light’s something we take for granted. It’s so common, we hardly give it a thought — which is why it’s a brilliant concept for the newest attraction at the Oakland hills’ Chabot center. Light is easy to interact with, and it’s also magical. Visitors get to play with prisms, light-bending lenses and shimmering waves in this exhibition that was developed at ‘lightning speed’ by the observatory’s new design team. In fact, it took just three months from the first brainstorming session to the debut of “Astrolight” at the center’s Oct. 22 Starlight Gala.

Speaking of the Starlight Gala, last month’s major fundraiser raised more than $325,000 for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education at Chabot. Some came in costumes, and others came in gowns to the glitzy event that also brought out Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and several of the city’s candidates for the upcoming election.

Around town: The news is starting to percolate about Ain’t Normal Cafe in Rockridge. It’s a coffee shop, yes, but owner Faunus Lucas has made it so much more.

“It’s a culmination of things that I like, honestly,” says Lucas, a self-proclaimed foodie who got his first barbecue grill at 14 and used to manage a Berkeley coffee shop.

Not only does the College Avenue cafe have coffee, beer and wine for takeout and in-house enjoyment, they have a curated selection of coffees from around the world.

“Up to 15 differently roasted with a variety of different origins and roast profiles,” says Lucas, who opened the cafe during the pandemic and also serves food pairings for his beverages. Ain’t Normal Cafe lives up to its name and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 5701 College Ave., next to Trader Joe’s.

Urgent need: With inflation driving the price of groceries painfully high, the Scouts’ annual food drive is more important than ever. This Saturday, small teams of Scouts will walk our neighborhoods distributing door hangers that list the nonperishable items needed by local food banks and pantries (no doorbells will be rung).

The next day, they’ll come back and collect what you put out in bags/boxes by 9 a.m. in a street-visible location. Look for donation barrels in your local grocery stores too, or make your donation directly to the Alameda County Community Food Bank at donate.accfb.org/vfd/BSATroop305.

Ginny Prior can be followed on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and at ginnyprior.com. Email her at ginnyprior@hotmail.com.