David Heil

What does a 7-foot-1, 315-pound man wear to the White House? It is a question Shaq faces every day. David Heil has the answer. Heil, 39, is the well-dressed and well-tanned David of David Rickey and Co., clothier to many of Los Angeles' highest-profile athletes. He flew in Friday for Game 5 of the NBA finals, he, too, considering duds for D.C. "They'll all have new suits on," Heil said. "It's probably going to be more of a classic suit, done to the nines. Solid crepes. Blacks and navies.

What does a 7-foot-1, 315-pound man wear to the White House? It is a question Shaq faces every day. David Heil has the answer. Heil, 39, is the well-dressed and well-tanned David of David Rickey and Co., clothier to many of Los Angeles' highest-profile athletes. He flew in Friday for Game 5 of the NBA finals, he, too, considering duds for D.C. "They'll all have new suits on," Heil said. "It's probably going to be more of a classic suit, done to the nines. Solid crepes. Blacks and navies.

Pat Kelly received a pair of cuff links from her father when she was 14 that started her on a lifelong crusade to snap up every one she could find. Forty-four years later, Kelly has amassed at least 25,000 pairs of the shirt-cuff closers. The Orange resident has cuff links adorned with virtually every letter of the alphabet, every animal, every sport, every automobile and every profession.

Here's the word on ecological matters for families from TV's "Newton" scientist, Bill Nye the Science Guy and a mad scientist: "My biggest concern is the destruction of our natural habitat. Families need to share in their understanding of concern. Adults and young people need to work together, for example, on how to use water more wisely and protect that natural habitat, and make sure they purchase environmentally safe products."

David Heil, host of PBS' "Newton's Apple," can afford to be generous when discussing his new competition. His show, acclaimed for its approach to exploring science, is entering its 11th season. "I think it's an interesting opportunity," he says. "The more we experiment with science ideas, the more we all learn. TV is a resource. I know I'm actually happier when I see there are science shows. I'm pleased as punch."

Laker Coach Mike Dunleavy faces a tall order this week. As the NBA playoffs continue, he must compete with former Laker coach Pat Riley's success, not only on the court but also in the fashion arena. "It just so happens I'm following the fashion king of the NBA," Dunleavy groused good-naturedly earlier this season. His first year on the job, Dunleavy chose David Rickey & Co. of Costa Mesa to supply most of his court-side wardrobe.

With his groomed beard and two-piece suit, David Heil doesn't look like the comic stereotype of the lab-coat-clad mad scientist--maybe because he is a scientist as well as host of the long-running PBS show "Newton's Apple." Please, he says, no lab coats, no mad science.

David Heil, the host of KCET's science-oriented "Newton's Apple," is looking intently at his left index finger. He's talking about a beekeeper. "He let the bee just land on his finger, sting him, and then plucked the bee off and left the stinger in there!" Heil says enthusiastically. "And the stinger just makes this incredible plunging kind of action, really getting the poison deep into his flesh. We got the camera in for this super close-up, which fills the screen.

What does it feel like to step into quicksand? If you drop a piece of bread and jelly, why does it invariably land jelly side down? Why is the sky blue? Why do houses creak? "Newton's Apple," the slick, magazine-format, family science show that begins its new season Jan. 28 on KCET Channel 28, answers the questions we all ponder every now and then but may be shy about asking, particularly if we're adults. In the process, it offers basic lessons in science and technology.