Newest articles on The Sacramento Press written by Jeffrey Weidel

Mindstorm lends digital media expertise to Powerhouse Science Center

2012-04-23T23:18:17Z

The Powerhouse Science Center announced Wednesday that Mindstorm Creative, Inc. has joined the campaign to build the premier science learning center serving Northern California.

As a founding partner, Mindstorm joins other regional leaders and organizations in a cooperative effort to support the development of this vital new community asset and will lend their digital media production expertise to visually present the project.

Located on the scenic banks of the Sacramento River, the Powerhouse will function as a model for 21st century experiential STEM education (science, math, technology, engineering, space) and environmental stewardship. The design will be an exemplary “green” building that serves as an environmental teaching lab.

“We are very excited about the creative possibilities of visually presenting this worthwhile project to the Sacramento community,” Mindstorm owner and creative director Ron Kendall said.

Mindstorm joins the regional effort to create a home for a high-tech, hands-on science museum for the Sacramento region that will immerse children in science, technology, engineering and math. The Powerhouse will play a key role in inspiring young people to become the future engineers and scientists that California and our nation desperately need.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome aboard Mindstorm Creative, Inc. as one of our founding partners,” said Michele Wong, Powerhouse interim executive director. “Mindstorm shares our goal of transforming a historic Sacramento landmark into a cutting-edge educational center.”

Supporters of the Powerhouse include business and civic leaders, clubs and organizations, individuals and the city of Sacramento. Mayor Kevin Johnson recognizes this project as a top priority for Sacramento’s future.

The facility will serve as a public forum, showcasing the latest scientific discoveries in a venue accessible to the entire family. The center will highlight the scientific achievements of the Sacramento region, the latest developments in medical science and technology and the fundamentals of resource conservation. It will also be a field trip destination for pre-kindergarten to 12th grade students from throughout the region.

The center, which will cost an estimated $50 million, has nearly completed its pre-construction phase. The 60-year-old Discovery Museum Science & Space Center on Auburn Boulevard is scheduled to move from its current location and become the Powerhouse in 2014.

Disclosure: Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is a Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville.

Wildlands to partner with Powerhouse Science Center; Rocklin firm will lend environmental solutions expertise to project

2012-02-29T19:31:56Z

The Powerhouse Science Center in Sacramento announced recently that Wildlands has joined the campaign to build the premier science learning center serving Northern California.

As a founding partner, Wildlands joins other regional leaders and organizations in a cooperative effort to support the development of this vital new community asset.

Located on the scenic banks of the Sacramento River, Powerhouse will function as a model for 21st century experiential STEM education (science, math, technology, engineering, space) and environmental stewardship. The design will be an exemplary “green” building that serves as an environmental teaching lab.

“We are so pleased to partner with the Powerhouse Science Center to continue raising awareness of the importance of science, math and engineering,” project director Brian Monaghan said. “These are all disciplines we employ every day at Wildlands. The Powerhouse Science Center can help be a breeding ground for future conservationists, scientists and engineers who can contribute to the overall environmental health and well-being of our region.”

Based in Rocklin, Wildlands joins the regional effort to create a home for a high-tech, hands-on science museum for the Sacramento region that will immerse children in science, technology, engineering, and math. It will play a key role in inspiring young people to become the future engineers and scientists that California and our nation desperately need.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome aboard Wildlands as one of our founding partners,” Powerhouse Science Center interim executive director Michele Wong said. “Wildlands brings unique environmental expertise necessary to our goal of transforming a historic Sacramento landmark into a cutting-edge educational center, featuring a museum, planetarium, restaurant and conference center.”

Powerhouse supporters include business and civic leaders, clubs and organizations, individuals and the city of Sacramento. Mayor Kevin Johnson recognizes this project as a top priority for Sacramento’s future.

The center, which will cost an estimated $50 million, has nearly completed its pre-construction phase. The 61-year old Discovery Museum Science & Space Center on Auburn Boulevard is scheduled to move from its current location and become the Powerhouse Science Center in 2014.

For more information on the Powerhouse Science Center, including how to become a Founding Partner, visit www.powerhousesciencecenter.org, email info@PowerhouseScienceCenter.org, or contact Beth Callahan, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, at 916 853-0343.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is a Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville.

Keller Group signs on as Powerhouse Science Center partner

2012-02-03T17:25:11Z

The Powerhouse Science Center in Sacramento announced that Keller Group Office Environments has joined the campaign to build the premier science learning center serving Northern California.

As a founding partner, Keller Group Office Environments joins other regional leaders and organizations in a cooperative effort to support the development of this vital new community asset.

Located on the scenic banks of the Sacramento River, the Powerhouse Science Center will function as a model for 21st century experiential STEM education (science, math, technology, engineering, space) and environmental stewardship. The design will be an exemplary “green” building that serves as an environmental teaching lab.

“We are honored to be a partner on such an incredible project benefiting not only Sacramento but the greater state and national communities,” Keller Group president Dianne Keller said.

Keller Group joins the regional effort to create a home for a high-tech, hands-on science museum for the Sacramento region that will immerse children in science, technology, engineering and math. The center will play a key role in inspiring young people to become the future engineers and scientists that California and our nation desperately need.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome aboard Keller Group Office Environments as one of our founding partners,” Powerhouse interim executive director Michele Wong said. “The Keller Group shares our goal of transforming a historic Sacramento landmark into a cutting edge educational center, featuring a museum, planetarium, restaurant and conference center.”

Supporters of the center include business and civic leaders, clubs and organizations, individuals, and the city of Sacramento. Mayor Kevin Johnson recognizes this project as a top priority for Sacramento’s future.

For more information on the Powerhouse Science Center, including how to become a Founding Partner, visit www.powerhousesciencecenter.org, email info@PowerhouseScienceCenter.org, or contact Beth Callahan, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, at 916 853-0343.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is a Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville.

Drexel MBA student begins prestigious Valley Vision Fellowship; Will help craft “Next Economy” strategy

2012-02-01T20:20:30Z

Sally Phonthachack wants to some day run her own nonprofit organization and be a mentor to young people. The daughter of Laotian parents who immigrated to the United States when she was an infant, Phonthachack is currently working toward her master’s degree and helping a Sacramento nonprofit organization, believing these two endeavors will help provide a springboard toward her goal.

This month Phonthachack began working full time in a fellowship position with Valley Vision while she continues to pursue her master’s in business administration at Drexel University’s Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento. In her new position, Phonthachack will assist senior Valley Vision staff in crafting the Valley Vision’s “Next Economy,” a highly visible, strategic regional effort aimed at accelerating jobs and new investment in the Greater Sacramento area.

“We had an overwhelming number of highly qualified candidates apply for the Next Economy Fellow position,” said Bill Mueller, CEO of Valley Vision and a member of the Next Economy management team. “In a field of great candidates, Sally was the clear front runner. She has the work experience, skill set and the community connections to make this vital regional initiative a success. And being a Drexel MBA student made Sally stand out all the more.”

Phonthachack has overcome extraordinary life circumstances on her way to becoming an involved and accomplished community leader. Her family of six escaped from their war-torn homeland of Laos and eventually wound up in Sacramento. Despite numerous obstacles for her family and herself, Phonthachack graduated from Grant High School, earned a two-year degree at American River College, and later became the first in her family to obtain a bachelor’s degree by attending California State University, Sacramento. She earned her B.S. in Business Administration with a Marketing concentration in 2009.

Phonthachack has a long record of community involvement which includes serving as a board member for the North Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, participating in the Leadership and Advocacy training with the South East-Asian Action Resource Center, and acting Team Lead for the Sacramento Asian-Pacific Chamber of Commerce Catalyst Leadership Program. She was also a committee member for the International Lao New Year’s Festival and the annual Lao Education Conference, and also served as a community liaison while working at SMUD.

Currently, she is one of three co-chairs for the Hmong Mien Lao Community Action Network, representing the Lao community. Phonthachack was the winner of the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce Catalyst Scholarship at Drexel University, which provides $20,000 in tuition on any graduate degree at Drexel’s Center in Sacramento.

“I enjoy the collaborative work environment at Valley Vision. Working with a core group of very dedicated leaders in Sacramento’s nonprofit sector is a plus,” said Phonthachack. “I’m a huge believer in nonprofits and what they can do for the community. This is an exciting opportunity for me. I will be learning about what’s in store for Sacramento and discover how I can help strengthen our communities.”

The Drexel University scholarship reduced the financial obstacles in obtaining her graduate degree and will give Phonthachack the innovative management tools and knowledge to move forward as a community leader.

“Drexel is an institution that encourages and invests in experiential work for our students,” said Dr. Sandra Kirschenmann, Associate Vice Provost of Drexel University and Executive Director for the university’s Center for Graduate Studies. “Sally will have a whole team of educators behind her as she embarks on this great experience at Valley Vision. Drexel is committed to being very involved with our community as we build educational programs here in the Greater Sacramento region.”

Drexel’s Graduate Center opened in January of 2009 and offers programs focused on the heart of Greater Sacramento’s growth and economic development initiatives including business, human resource development, higher education and public health. Classes fit with the students’ working and are a blend of in class and online pedagogies. Drexel offers extensive financial aid programs for students, including special scholarship funds for Sacramento students.

For more information on Drexel's graduate programs in California, visit www.drexel.edu/sacramento or call (888) 389-3781 or (916) 325-4600.

Disclosure: Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is a Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville.

Aerojet announces sponsorship of simulated space program at Powerhouse Science Center

2011-12-12T19:22:17Z

The Powerhouse Science Center and Aerojet today announced a $1.5 million gift from Aerojet, that will launch the new science complex’s cutting-edge simulated NASA space mission program, to be named the Aerojet Challenger Learning Center.

The current heavily-used 17-year-old Challenger Learning Center is in full operation at the Discovery Museum Science & Space Center, which will relocate and become the Powerhouse Science Center when the new facility opens in 2014. Recently honored as one of the nation’s most successful Challenger Centers, Sacramento’s Challenger adventure inspires future astronauts with suspension-of-disbelief scenarios and problems, challenging students to apply the math, science and communication skills learned in the classroom to “real-life” situations.

Aerojet strives to influence and attract this nation’s next generation of rocket scientists, astronauts, doctors and teachers, and has partnered with Powerhouse to encourage students to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This major contribution highlights the company’s commitment to enriching the Sacramento region and championing STEM education for the future workforce.

“America’s many successes in space exploration have always benefited from the tremendous sources of technical talent graduating from our educational institutions,” Aerojet president Scott Seymour said. “Continued successes will require the same from future generations and our partnership with the Powerhouse Science Center and Challenger Learning Center will serve to inspire today’s youth toward that end.”

“Since 1997, Aerojet and the GenCorp Foundation have committed approximately $500,000 in support for our highly successful Challenger Learning Center at the Discovery Museum,” Powerhouse interim executive director Michele Wong said. “Now, as Discovery grows and expands into the Powerhouse Science Center, we are honored that Aerojet has stepped up to be our first title sponsor. The new Aerojet Challenger Learning Center at the Powerhouse will be the most advanced of the 54 Challenger Centers worldwide.”

The new Aerojet Challenger Center will be located on the Powerhouse Science Center campus in the Earth & Space Sciences Center, which will also include a 150-seat full-dome planetarium theater and interactive exhibits that focus on the relationship of the four spheres: air/atmosphere, water/hydrosphere, earth/lithosphere/ and life/biosphere. Exterior experiences will include water conservation, green energy and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

Located on the scenic banks of the Sacramento River, the Powerhouse Science Center is situated in the River District at 400 Jibboom Street. In addition to the Earth & Space Sciences Center, the Powerhouse campus will also include innovative, hands-on exhibit halls, science laboratories and classrooms, robotics programs, an artificial wetlands, outdoor stage and screen, a restaurant with riverfront views and more. The center has nearly completed its pre-construction phase and will begin breaking ground in 2012.

For more information on the Powerhouse Science Center, including how to become a Founding Partner, visitpowerhousesciencecenter.org, email info@PowerhouseScienceCenter.org, or call (916) 853-0343. Visit the center on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr.

A selection of Powerhouse Science Center images can be viewed at dreyfussblackford.com/powerhouse.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is a Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville.

Drexel Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento holding December Information Sessions

2011-12-07T17:20:01Z

Drexel University, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit university recognized as a national leader in academic innovation, will hold three more December information sessions for enrollment at the Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento.

The center, which opened at One Capitol Mall in January 2009, is already known as one of Northern California’s most high-tech conference and educational facilities. In its state-of-the-art classrooms, Drexel – a top-ranked national comprehensive research university – will offer six master’s and one doctoral degree program in 2012 that are designed for working professionals.

All seven programs are focused on the heart of Sacramento’s growth and economic development initiatives: business, human resource development, higher education, public health, knowledge management and information science.

At the information sessions (the first one was Dec. 3)Drexel representatives will discuss how the university’s award-winning classes fit with the students’ business responsibilities. The classes are a blend of in-class and online pedagogies and are held in the evenings or on occasional weekends.

Wednesday, Dec. 7
4 to 5 p.m. via Webinar or at the Graduate Center, One Capitol Mall, Suite 260
Program, fall 2012:
Interdepartmental Medical Science (pre-med, post-baccalaureate)

Friday, Dec. 9
4 to 5 p.m. via Webinar or at the Graduate Center, One Capitol Mall, Suite 260
Program, fall 2012:
M.S. Finance

Wednesday, Dec. 14
6 to 8 p.m. at the Graduate Center, One Capitol Mall, Suite 260
Programs, spring/fall 2012:
Business Administration MBA
Human Resource Development
Higher Education
Doctorate of Education
Executive Master of Public Health (fall start)
M.S. Finance (fall start)
Note: Complimentary food and parking provided

To attend an information session for Drexel’s graduate programs in California, register online atdrexel.edu/sacramento or call (888) 389-3781 or (916) 325-4600.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is a Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Rocklin.

Drexel Names Sandra Kirschenmann Executive Director of the Sacramento Center for Graduate Studies

2011-11-10T20:19:50Z

Drexel University has named Dr. Sandra G. Kirschenmann, vice chancellor of resource development for Los Rios Community College District, as executive director of the Sacramento Center for Graduate Studies, Drexel president John A. Fry announced today. She will begin her tenure on Dec. 12 and report to Provost Mark Greenberg.

“I am confident that we have found in Sandra Kirschenmann the right professional to help us position the Center for Graduate Studies as a unique academic presence in Sacramento offering excellent career-oriented programs with high student engagement and strong outcomes,” Fry said.

As executive director, Kirschenmann will oversee all Sacramento operations, building on three years of strong growth resulting in a total enrollment of more than 300 students in eight programs and an inaugural graduating class of approximately 100 this past June. She will work with the provost and deans to grow, assess and refine the center’s portfolio of academic programs.

Working with the center’s Advisory Board and community partners, Kirschenmann will ensure that Drexel’s commitment to civic engagement carries over to Sacramento. She will replace Dr. Frank Linnehan, associate dean of Drexel’s Lebow College of Business, who has served as interim executive director since June.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to build Drexel's excellent educational offerings for Sacramento,” Kirschenmann said. “Drexel’s unique combination of rigorous academics and real-world job experience are perfect for our region.”

Kirschenmann brings 30 years of experience as a higher education administrator and leader with Los Rios, which comprises four colleges serving more than 90,000 students in the Sacramento region. Since 2003 she has served as vice chancellor of resource development for the district, responsible for all efforts to secure resources through fundraising, grants and corporate partnerships. She previously held senior roles in academic oversight and program management.

Kirschenmann has extensive experience in economic development for the Los Rios District and served as director of the Economic Development Coordination Network of the California Community Colleges. Her expertise in this area will help Drexel remain committed to partnering with the people and businesses of Sacramento.

“As mayor, I’m delighted to see the appointment of Dr. Sandra Kirschenmann as the new executive director of the Drexel University Sacramento Center,” Mayor Kevin Johnson said. “Not only is Dr. Kirschenmann a proven leader in the field of higher education, she is a true home-grown talent, having been raised in Sacramento and having served on the leadership team at the Los Rios Community College District. I’m especially proud that she’s a fellow Dragon, a Sacramento High School graduate. Congratulations to Dr. Kirschenmann and Drexel University.”

The Center for Graduate Studies, which opened in January 2009, is already known as one of Northern California's most high-tech conference and educational facilities. In its state-of-the-art classrooms, Drexel – a top-tiered national comprehensive research university – is offering in Sacramento six master's, one doctorate, and one post-baccalaureate program that are designed for working professionals in the fields of business, higher education, knowledge management, health science and medical science.

Disclosure: Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is a Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Rocklin.

Drexel’s Graduate Student Association provides educational support to Mustard Seed School

2011-10-26T15:53:40Z

Drexel’s Graduate Student Association recently presented a $1,000 check to the Mustard Seed School, a program associated with Loaves & Fishes that helps to educate homeless children in Sacramento.

“The Sisters at Loaves & Fishes knew quite a bit of Drexel history because of the connection between Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament," said Christopher Levermore, President of the Graduate Student Association at Drexel’s Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento.

“Drexel’s campus in Philadelphia prides itself on continuing the legacy of providing help for those in need and our Sacramento students have established that same tradition as well,” Levermore added.

The Graduate Student Association organized a golf tournament in June and designated part of the proceeds to benefit the Mustard Seed School, which provides a positive learning experience for children 3 to 15 years old. From 15 to 35 children attend the Mustard Seed School each day, but often that stay lasts just three to four weeks because their families are in constant transit. The program has helped more than 4,500 individual children since its opening in 1989.

Despite their busy lives as working professionals, graduate students, and in many cases parents of young children, many Drexel students have also found time to volunteer.

“It’s amazing that students, especially in this economy, put on a fundraising event like this to support our school,” said Angela Hassell, Director of the Mustard Seed School. “We really appreciate Drexel’s generosity.”

More than a century ago, Katherine Drexel established the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and led the effort to provide educational opportunities for African and Native Americans.

Education was a high priority for her family, which included her uncle, Anthony Drexel, who founded Drexel University in Philadelphia in 1891.
Offering education to others was important to the Drexel family back then, and that same message continues to resonate today for students at Drexel’s Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento.

Offering help to the Sacramento region is nothing new for Drexel’s students. Last year, the Board of Supervisors of Sacramento County adopted a resolution commending seven Drexel student leaders for taking it upon themselves to make sure that public service is a constant part of their graduate education. The GSA leadership group is committed to performing one public service project each month.

Among the volunteer projects that Drexel’s graduate students have participated in are the Great American River Clean Up, working the telephones for a KVIE fundraiser, donating blood to BloodSource, collecting toys for the Department of Health and Human Services, collecting professional clothing for the Sacramento Food Bank, entering a team and collecting donations for the Run to Feed the Hungry and the Komen Race for the Cure, and cleaning a section of the Sacramento bike trail during Earth Week. In each of these projects, Drexel’s faculty and staff also participated.

The Graduate Center, which opened in January 2009, offers programs focused on the heart of Greater Sacramento’s growth and economic development initiatives including business, human resource development, higher education and public health. Classes fit with the students’ work schedules and are a blend of in-class and online pedagogies.

For more information on Drexel's graduate programs in California, visit www.drexel.edu/sacramento or call (888) 389-3781 or (916) 325-4600.

Disclosure: Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is a Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville

Drexel Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento Adds Five New Faculty

2011-10-20T16:23:17Z

Drexel University begins its fall semester welcoming five new faculty members at the Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento.

Of the five faculty members starting in the fall, four have been hired on a full-time basis by the LeBow College of Business to staff the master of science finance and MBA courses. They will join Dr. Ramya Ghosh, who has been teaching economics at the center this past year.

The four new MBA faculty have diverse educational backgrounds. Dr. Sally Hamilton will teach accounting and finance; Dr. Kenneth Scislaw has an expertise in finance; Dr. Leon Schjoedt will teach management; and Dr. Ed Arnheiter will focus on the decisions science area, a curriculum that includes the academic disciplines of production operations management and statistics.

A fifth new faculty member, Dr. Steven Winlock, will be a part-time professor in the School of Education, working closely with Dr. Ed Bureau in the Ed.D. program.

“We are honored to have such an innovative group of educators join our team in Sacramento,” interim executive director Frank Linnehan said. “As we increase our offerings, we are adding some great educators to ensure that the education we provide is not just among the top-ranked in the country, but closely calibrated to the practical, business needs of this region.”

Dr. Leon Schjoedt
Born in Denmark, Schjoedt comes to Drexel with considerable international teaching experience. He spent two years teaching at Copenhagen Business School and also taught four summers at Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand.

He served the last two years as a business professor at the University of Central Florida, where he taught entrepreneurship, strategic innovation management and strategic management. Before that, he was a faculty member at Illinois State University for six years. He is currently serving on four editorial review boards of prestigious international journals in entrepreneurship, management and education. His research focuses on entrepreneurial behavior and his work has appeared in many prominent journals.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics and languages at Southern Denmark Business School, Schjoedt received an MBA from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and in 2002 earned a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Dr. Sally Hamilton
Hamilton has local ties to the region, graduating from UC Davis with a B.A. in international relations. She later received her MBA at the University of San Diego and went on to earn her Ph.D. at UCLA’s Anderson Graduate School of Management.

She joins the Drexel staff after serving the last two and a half years as a full-time assistant professor of finance for South University College of Business, headquartered in Savannah, Ga. She was previously a part-time instructor at the University of Maryland University College Graduate School of Management and Technology. Her background also includes teaching at Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business, Ecole Superior de Commerce in Rouen, France, and business schools at both USC and California State Northridge.

A Davis resident, Hamilton also has more than 10 years experience in manufacturing finance, business systems and global project management for firms in Silicon Valley.

Dr. Kenneth Scislaw
Scislaw entered the academic profession after two decades of work in institutional investments, including Merrill Lynch trading in New York, Templeton Investment Counsel in Florida and the Bahamas, and his own institutional investment consulting firm. He has worked with retail, institutional, buy-side, sell-side and academic and investment research segments of the finance profession. His comprehensive background provides an understanding of securities trading, investment consulting, portfolio management and market applications of modern finance theory.

A native of Alabama, he has been a member of faculty at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, University College Dublin (Ireland), and the University of St. Andrews (United Kingdom). He recently completed a year as a visiting assistant professor of finance at Drury University, a small private liberal arts college in the Midwest.

Scislaw has a B.S. from the University of Alabama, an MBA from the University of Edinburgh and a Ph.D. from the University of St. Andrews (United Kingdom).

Dr. Ed Arnheiter
Formerly a New England resident, Arnheiter earned a Ph.D. in industrial engineering and operations research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he also earned a master’s degree in engineering management. Arnheiter received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y.

In addition to his 13 years of academic experience, he has also worked as a consultant in quality improvement, as well as a quality engineer with GE Defense Systems and senior quality engineer for Spalding Sports worldwide. He is also a member of the Decision Sciences Institute and has published and presented papers on lean production, process improvement and quality management. He comes to Drexel after serving on the faculty in the School of Business, Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn.

Arnheiter served as clinical professor for more than 12 years at the Lally School of Management and Technology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, based in Troy, N.Y. The institute is focused on developing aspiring business leaders who have a passion for technology and the ability to work across business functions.

Dr. Steven Winlock
Winlock has been involved in education for more than three decades as a teacher, vice principal, principal and most recently as an associate superintendent in the Elk Grove Unified School District. He has also been an adjunct professor in the area of school administration and teacher credentialing programs at both Sacramento State and San Francisco State.

A Sacramento native, Winlock has served as a director of development for the training and development of school site administrators for the state of California. He is the executive director of the Sacramento County Office of Education Leadership Institute that focuses on the development of school leaders for the Sacramento region. He has also served as the chairman of the African American Advisory to the California State Board of Education with the focus of addressing the achievement gap in the state. Winlock’s involvement has created a number of policies and educational practices that have assisted with the improvement of education in the state of California.

Winlock earned a doctoral degree in the Ed.D. program at USC. He received both a master’s in educational administration and a liberal arts degree from Sacramento State.

The Graduate Center, which opened in January 2009, offers programs focused on the heart of greater Sacramento’s growth and economic development initiatives, including business, human resource development, higher education and public health. Classes fit with the students’ working schedules and are a blend of in-class and online pedagogies.

For more information on Drexel's graduate programs in California, visit www.drexel.edu/sacramento or call (888) 389-3781 or (916) 325-4600.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is a Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville.

U.S. HealthWorks offers flu shots to Sacramento, Placer County Businesses

2011-09-23T14:57:43Z

For Placer County and Sacramento area businesses looking to fight the flu in the workplace this year, one national company has an old-fashioned offer: We’ll come to you.

U.S. HealthWorks Medical Group, a leading operator of occupational health care and urgent care centers in the nation, announced today it is offering to visit area businesses on-site and provide flu vaccination shots to their employees.

U.S. HealthWorks has 155 centers and work site locations in 14 states and employs 2,000 people. The centers offer urgent care services, as well as physical therapy and chiropractic and occupational health care services.

“Many employees intend to get flu shots but for whatever reason don’t end up getting vaccinated,” said Dr. Leonard Okun, national medical director for U.S. HealthWorks. “We are pleased to offer this opportunity to make it as easy as possible to be vaccinated and decrease the likelihood of the flu spreading in the workplace.”

Under the program, a U.S. HealthWorks professional visits businesses to administer flu vaccinations and provide educational information on flu prevention. The on-site program is available to businesses providing vaccinations for 25 or more employees.

Seasonal flu vaccines protect against the three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. The viruses in the vaccine can change each year based on international surveillance and scientists’ estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year. About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against the influenza viruses in the vaccine develop in the body.

There are four U.S. HealthWorks centers in Sacramento and one in Rocklin. To set up a date and time to administer flu shots at your business, or for more information regarding this program, call one of the numbers below or visit ushealthworks.com.
• East Sacramento: (916) 364-1733
• Sacramento Downtown: (916) 451-4580
• North Sacramento: (916) 929-6161
• West Sacramento: (916) 373-7575
• Rocklin: 916 632-9606

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is the Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville.

Latino community advocate receives graduate scholarship

2011-09-22T15:58:08Z

Serving as a missionary for almost two years, Diana Hernandez-Benton realized there was a great need for representation, education and assistance in the Latino communities.

It’s a role that Hernandez-Benton continues to excel at today in her professional career and also as a volunteer in the Latino community.

In recognition of her leadership qualities and community involvement, the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Drexel University, announced today that it has named Hernandez-Benton as the recipient of the Hispanic Leadership Master’s Grant. Hernandez-Benton will receive a $20,000 scholarship for her studies at Drexel’s Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento. This scholarship is given annually to an up-and-coming leader from the Hispanic community.

Drexel and the chamber established the Hispanic Leadership Master’s Grant in fall 2008. Two of the three award winners are currently pursuing graduate degrees at Drexel. The first, Wells Fargo manager Gloria Mirazo, graduated from Drexel with her MBA last December.

Hernandez-Benton is currently serving as a senior case manager at Kaiser Permanente. She received a bachelor’s of science degree in physiology from UC Davis.

“I am truly honored to be the recipient of this scholarship,” Hernandez-Benton said. “This scholarship will get me closer to obtaining my master’s in public health, which will allow me to better serve the Hispanic community in addressing important issues in the public health sector.”

Hernandez-Benton, who lives in Sacramento, is currently enrolled in Drexel’s Executive Master of Public Health (MPH) program.

“It is a great opportunity to partner and have the support of Drexel University in preparing our leaders of tomorrow,” chamber president Steve Gándola said. “We’re very proud to support this scholarship opportunity for young working professionals like Diana who will make a great impact in our Hispanic community.”

The Hispanic Leadership Master’s Grant is awarded through a competitive process to a student whom the Hispanic Chamber’s selection committee believes holds excellent promise for future leadership in Sacramento’s Hispanic community. It is expected, and a condition of the award, that the winners will continue to be active in the chamber and give back to their communities as they pursue their graduate degrees.

A panel of leading Hispanic business and community leaders reviewed grant applications, met with finalists and awarded the grant. This year’s selection committee was chaired by Norma Andrade of Wells Fargo. Other committee members included Lydia Ramirez of Union Bank, Victoria Rosario of Los Rios Community College and Gándola.

“Drexel is proud to partner once again with the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber to promote the development of the next generation of leaders in the Latino community,” graduate studies recruitment director Nancy Thompson said. “We share a passion to the community, diversity and excellence of the professionals in our region. Our innovative and dynamic programs meet the needs of working professionals, helping them achieve success in their careers, personal lives and communities.”

The Graduate Center, which opened in January 2009, offers programs focused on the heart of Sacramento’s growth and economic development initiatives, including business, human resource development, higher education and public health. Classes fit with the schedules of working professionals and are a blend of in-class and online pedagogies.

Disclosure: Sofia Gutierrez is a Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Jessup University announce scholarship winner

2011-09-09T16:28:58Z

The Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with William Jessup University in Rocklin, announced Thursday that Cristina Nuno of Sacramento is the recipient of an annual $5,000 scholarship to use toward her education at Jessup University.

As the eldest of three children, Nuno is the first in her family to graduate high school and pursue a higher education.

A Sacramento native, Nuno is an active member in her community, having volunteered for Toys for Troops. At Natomas High School, Nuno received the Top Hawk award for her outstanding grades and GPA.

In recognition of her educational excellence and icommunity involvement, Nuno will be awarded $5,000 per year for up to four years to pursue her bachelor’s degree in psychology.

“I thank the chamber and William Jessup for this scholarship opportunity that will help me get closer to my dreams of becoming a psychologist one day,” Nuno said. “William Jessup is a very welcoming and supportive community that I am enjoying.”

The scholarship comes at a particularly important time for students who are not only faced with keeping their grades up but also paying for their college tuition.

“The Sacramento Hispanic Chamber is proud to partner with William Jessup University to offer this scholarship opportunity to Cristina Nuno,” chamber president and CEO Steve Gándola said. “We hope that this scholarship brings Cristina closer to achieving her goal of obtaining her bachelor’s degree in psychology and one day fulfilling her dream of helping families.”

Nuno has a passion for helping people and making a difference in their lives. She hopes to one day become a psychologist to help those families in need—and she wishes to concentrate her work in the Hispanic community. Through this scholarship opportunity, Nuno will have the opportunity to get closer to one day helping those families.

“William Jessup University appreciates the support and partnership with community groups, helping to ensure that young people like Cristina have opportunities to pursue higher education and fulfill their dreams,” admissions director Vance Pascua said.

Disclosure: Sofia Gutierrez is a Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville.

Former Raley’s President and CEO Bill Coyne joins William Jessup University’s Board of Trustees

2011-08-17T15:59:00Z

William Jessup University today announced that Bill Coyne has been appointed to the Board of Trustees at the Sacramento area’s only residential four year private university.

Mr. Coyne has been a fixture in the Sacramento region for many years. He served for eight years as President and CEO of Raley’s Family of Fine Stores, overseeing the privately held chain of supermarkets operating in California and Nevada that employs approximately 13,000 workers and has revenues in excess of $3.2 billion.

Mr. Coyne joined Raley’s in 1997 and held positions as General Counsel/Corporate Secretary, Executive Vice President/Business Development and Chief Operating Officer before his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer of Raley’s in 2002.

He is currently the principal of WJ Coyne Consulting Group, providing strategic consulting services to businesses, private equity firms and service providers.

“I’m delighted to join the Board of Trustees at William Jessup University. Preparing young adults to lead meaningful and productive lives, where faith and marketplace skills are fully integrated, is indeed a high calling,” said Mr. Coyne. “But this is exactly what our world needs today! I’m privileged to partner with William Jessup in this exciting educational endeavor.”

Founded in 1939 and located on 128 acres in Rocklin, William Jessup University offers a number of traditional undergraduate degree programs as well as degree completion programs through its School of Professional Studies, which operates on its campuses in Rocklin and San Jose. The University moved to Rocklin in August 2004 and now has approximately 800 students.

“We are extremely honored to have Bill join our Board of Trustees,” said William Jessup President Dr. John Jackson. “This is an exciting period of growth for William Jessup. This semester we are welcoming six new full time faculty members and will have the largest number of incoming students in the university’s 72 year history. We look forward to utilizing Bill as a valuable resource as the University continues to grow and prosper in the upcoming years. He will be a tremendous asset to the University’s commitment of delivering a high quality, Christ-centered curriculum.”

Before joining Raley’s, Mr. Coyne was in the private practice of law in Los Angeles and Sacramento, where he specialized in business, financial and real property matters.

Born in Chicago, he received his BS degree in Finance and Economics from the University of Illinois and his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Southern California School of Law in Los Angeles.

Mr. Coyne currently serves on the Board of Directors of New Door Ventures (San Francisco), LifePoint Church (Incline Village, Nev.) and the Board of Advisors of the New Canaan Society (New Canaan, Conn.).

Bill and his wife, Maryann, reside in Incline Village and have three adult sons.

About William Jessup University

Founded in 1939 by William Jessup, the University moved to Rocklin, California, in August 2004. WJU is the first and only WASC-accredited private, four year university to have its main campus located in the greater Sacramento area, offering degrees in many different disciplines, including Business Administration, Family & Children’s Ministry, English, History, Intercultural Studies, Liberal Studies (Teacher Education), Music, Pastoral Ministry, Psychology, Public Policy and Youth Ministry.

Anticipated majors include fields in the humanities and science. WJU also offers a School of Professional Studies (SPS) at its campuses in Rocklin and San Jose. Program concentrations in Rocklin include Business Administration, Counseling Psychology and a Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Credential Program. In San Jose, concentrations are offered in Business Administration, Counseling Psychology and Christian Leadership. For more information, please visit www.jessup.edu or call (916) 577-2200.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is a Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville.

Dr. Dennis Jameson named William Jessup University vice president of academic affairs

2011-08-11T15:45:21Z

William Jessup University, Sacramento area’s only residential four-year private university, announced today that Dr. Dennis Jameson will become the university’s new vice president of academic affairs, effective Aug. 15.

Jameson comes to the university after serving in leadership positions at Trinity Western University in British Columbia since 1999, where he served as provost of the university and its chief academic, program and operating officer since 2007.

“Dr. Jameson was the unanimous selection of our search committee, and we could not be more excited about his decision to join William Jessup University,” university president John Jackson said. “When Dennis arrives, he will be just in time for our school year – as well as being here to welcome six new full-time faculty members and our largest number of incoming students in the university’s 72-year history.”

Jameson holds a Ph.D. from the UCLA Graduate School of Education and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. He holds three master’s degrees in counseling, New Testament, and theology and leadership and a bachelor’s degree from Bethany University.

“I am honored to be chosen for this position and to be able to join William Jessup University at this critical juncture for the university,” he said. “While I will be new to William Jessup, I have known the institution and people associated with it for many years and the university’s commitment to delivering high-quality, Christ-centered curriculum.”

William Jessup University offers a number of traditional undergraduate degree programs on its Rocklin campus as well as degree completion programs through its School of Professional Studies, which operates on its campuses in Rocklin and San Jose.

“Dr. Jameson’s experiences at Trinity Western University and Judson University have uniquely qualified him to lead our academic endeavors toward the God-size future we are already seeing and sensing,” Jackson said. “We will seize that future in order to become one of the premier Christ-centered higher education institutions in our country. I personally could not be more happy and expectant to welcome Dennis and Marlene Jameson to the WJU family.”

Disclosure: Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is a vice president of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville.

Catherine Moulton brings design, management skills to Powerhouse Science Center team

2011-08-03T19:19:49Z

SACRAMENTO, CA. – Catherine Moulton has spent much of her professional career managing and advising on a variety of intricate design and construction projects, working for high profile companies like Walt Disney, Apple and NASA.

Moulton’s latest endeavor will be to help shape one of the region’s most engaging projects – the Powerhouse Science Center. Moulton will volunteer her services, joining Michele Wong and Warren Smith as chair people for the Powerhouse Science Center, a premier science learning center that will serve Northern California.

“I am inspired by all the talented, dedicated people who are collaborating to make the Powerhouse Science Center an outstanding educational facility. The Center will certainly be a tremendous asset for the entire Sacramento region,” Moulton said. “I look forward to helping transform this historic Sacramento landmark (PG&E Power Station B) into a cutting-edge educational center.”

The Center will cost an estimated $50 million and will become the new home for the 60-year old Discovery Museum Science & Space Center, which is currently located at 3615 Auburn Blvd. Residing on the scenic banks of the Sacramento River, the Powerhouse Science Center will function as a model for 21st-century experiential STEM education and environmental stewardship.

The complex will feature exhibits, a digital theater, planetarium, restaurant, merchandise shop, labs, classrooms and open park space. It will be utilized as a field trip destination for pre-kindergarten to 12th grade students from throughout the region.

A Sacramento resident, Moulton joins the Powerhouse effort at an ideal time. The Center is in the design phase for the facility and exhibits, and is scheduled to begin breaking ground this fall. The new facility, targeting completion in 2013, will create more than 300 jobs and help invigorate Sacramento’s riverfront area and open the space for more public usage.

Moulton has built a track record of leading multi-disciplinary teams to successfully complete large, complex projects. She has managed over $500 million in capital projects for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and nonprofit clients.

During her nine years with Walt Disney Imagineering, Moulton led construction, show and ride installation, and testing for the first Tower of Terror attraction – constructed in a record-breaking 15 months. She also served as Senior Project Manager for Dinoland in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Dinoland is a 13-acre development containing a fossil preparation lab, themed exhibits, an outdoor theater, restaurants, a thrill ride, themed merchandise and an interactive playground.

Working as a consultant for NASA, Moulton led early concepts for a new visitor experience for NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. She also worked with a nonprofit community development group to create the initial concept for Naples Botanical Garden in Florida.

Moulton also played a major role in opening the first Apple store in the U.S. while working for the Apple Retail team.

“We are extremely excited to have Catherine chairing the design and construction efforts of the Powerhouse Science Center. Her involvement further solidifies that it will be a world-class facility,” Smith said. “Catherine brings an incredible background in turning ideas into high quality, functioning facilities and operations. We are at an exciting time with the building phase of the project about to begin. What makes it even more exciting is knowing that we have someone of Catherine’s caliber helping to lead our efforts.”

The Powerhouse Science Center has many key supporters, including Congresswoman Doris Matsui, Mayor Kevin Johnson, State Senator Darrell Steinberg, Assembly member Roger Dickinson, Sacramento City Council member Angelique Ashby, and numerous Sacramento-area businesses and organizations who have become Powerhouse Partners.

"Having someone with Catherine’s capabilities is very exciting news. Her contributions in both design and construction will allow Warren and me to focus on completing our fundraising efforts,” Wong said. “Catherine has an amazing background, and her experience with Disney, etc. will lend a great deal of credibility to the Powerhouse Science Center, and ensure that the project is high quality and will deliver great visitor experiences.”

Moulton has a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management from the University of Florida and has been certified as a general contractor with the State of Florida.

She is married to Richard Rich, the Development Director for Thomas Enterprises, Inc.

For more information on the Powerhouse Science Center, including how to become a Founding Partner, visit www.powerhousesciencecenter.org, email info@PowerhouseScienceCenter.org, or call 916 853-0343. Visit the Center on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr.

Editor's Note: Click here to view images of PG&E Power Station B, where the new Powerhouse Science Center will be constructed.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is a Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville.

Denio’s Market now offers CalFresh benefits

2011-07-11T20:32:19Z

Denio’s Roseville Farmers Market & Swap Meet announced that it is now authorized to participate in the federally funded food-assistance program for low-income families, known in California as the CalFresh Program.

The program, formerly known as Food Stamps and federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, helps to improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing them a means to meet their nutritional needs by using an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card.

The state-issued EBT cards will now be accepted to purchase items at Denio’s, which includes over 70 vendors and 130 spaces in the produce area, selling a wide array of affordable fruits and vegetables. On a seasonal basis, the number of vendors and farmers is even higher.

Denio’s will utilize a token, exclusive to their market, that will be provided to program participants. Customers can swipe their CalFresh EBT cards in the Denio’s token office in exchange for tokens, which can be spent just like cash with the participating vendors.

“I appreciate Denio’s persistence in wanting to have the CalFresh Program available to its customers,” said Edie Jessup, Central California Regional Health and Human Services program specialist. “Many cultural groups enjoy purchasing at open-air markets like Denio’s, where they can connect with neighbors and community. The program has had tremendous success at farmers markets throughout California’s Central Valley.”

Denio’s, which is located at 1551 Vineyard Road in Roseville, is among a select few farmers markets in the Sacramento region to become an authorized food-assistance retailer. The number of farmers markets licensed to utilize this program is increasing nationwide, allowing low-income families the opportunity to purchase local fruits and vegetables.

“Our customers have always been important to us,” owner Ken Denio said. “This program allows us to offer our customers the best possible quality and variety of fresh, nutritious produce and other food products by using their CalFresh EBT cards to purchase tokens. Now customers can shop nearly every produce vendor in our market.”

Denio’s has conducted intensive training for its vendors to ensure they are aware of product and change-making restrictions and other rules of participation.

“Because Denio’s has always been known for its great pricing, our customers have the opportunity to really stretch their buying power, which is so important in today’s economy,” Denio said. “Equally important is the stimulus this program provides small businesses, whether they are farmers, suppliers, producers, nurserymen or manufacturers.”

Denio’s is open every Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. The Friday outdoor market is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Denio’s encourages other farmers or market vendors to join their operation. For more information about this program, e-mail Denio’s at ebt@deniosmarket.com or visit deniosmarket.com or call 782-2704.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is vice president of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville.

Drexel University awards 108 diplomas at inaugural Sacramento commencement ceremony

2011-06-27T21:40:56Z

SACRAMENTO (June 27, 2011) – Drexel University awarded 108 master’s level diplomas on Saturday, June 25, at its first commencement for the university’s Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento.

Sacramento’s historic Crocker Art Museum played host for the this historic event – the first group of Drexel students in Sacramento to graduate and the first commencement ceremony outside of Philadelphia in the university’s 120-year history.

The commencement included students who enrolled in Drexel master’s degree programs in 2009. To date, Drexel has enrolled 424 students in its doctoral, master’s, and post-baccalaureate programs in Sacramento since opening its Center for Graduate Studies in January 2009.

More than 700 people, including graduating students, their families and friends, Drexel alumni, Sacramento faculty, and senior staff members, came together to celebrate the commencement and subsequent reception at the Crocker Art Museum.

“Two and a half years ago, Drexel University embarked on an innovative program to provide high-quality advanced degrees to working professionals in Northern California,” said Carl "Tobey" Oxholm III, Senior Vice President of Drexel and the inaugural Dean of its Center for Graduate Studies. “These first graduates joined us, willing to be a part of creating something new for Drexel University, new for this community, and at the cutting edge in higher education. They embraced that opportunity and distinguished themselves as entrepreneurs and future leaders of Northern California.”

Michael Kieschnick, co-founder, president and chief executive officer of CREDO/Working Assets, delivered the keynote address at the commencement. He also was presented with an honorary doctorate of humane letters for his lifetime commitment to civic engagement and social justice. Kieschnick praised Drexel for successfully offering both a high-tech teaching and research environment, and mentoring students on how to actively engage with the community.

Steven Pon was among those first students who began classes in January 2009. Pon, who earned his MBA while working as an IT Project Manager with PASCO, was elected President of the new Graduate Center Alumni Council. He said he achieved much more than he expected from his Drexel experience.

“A Drexel education is so much more than textbooks and exams. Regardless of what area of study, Drexel students gain a new perspective on leadership,” Pon said. “Drexel provides its students with the understanding, encouragement, and connections that we need to get involved in the community and to step into leadership roles. I have gained some valuable additions to my leadership experience. These tools are applicable today and they will be a tremendous help to me in the future.”

Drexel University is a nationally top-ranked, comprehensive, private, not-for profit university, which was founded in Philadelphia in 1891. Drexel’s Center for Graduate Studies is known as one of Northern California's most high-tech educational facilities. In its state-of-the-art classrooms, Drexel teaches six master's, one doctorate and one post-baccalaureate program, that are designed for working professionals, in the fields of entrepreneurial business, higher education, knowledge management and health science. It will award master’s degrees in business administration, human resource development, higher education, nurse education, nurse leadership, information systems and library and information science. It is starting two new master’s programs this fall: Masters in Finance and Master of Medical Science. More information on Drexel's graduate programs in California can be found at www.drexel.edu/sacramento or by calling 916-325-4600.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville

DREXEL UNIVERSITY TO HOLD FIRST SACRAMENTO COMMENCEMENT AT CROCKER ART MUSEUM ON SATURDAY

2011-06-24T16:22:25Z

The first commencement ceremony ever held outside of Philadelphia in Drexel University’s 120-year history will take place Saturday, June 25 when approximately 100 students become the first Sacramento graduates to experience commencement day.

Drexel’s Center for Graduate Studies commencement will be held at the Crocker Art Museum and include students who enrolled in Drexel master’s degree programs in January and September 2009. Drexel has enrolled 424 students in its doctoral and master’s programs since opening its Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento in January 2009.

Michael Kieschnick, co-founder, president and chief executive officer of CREDO/Working Assets, will deliver the keynote address at the ceremony. Kieschnick will be presented with an honorary doctorate of humane letters for his lifetime commitment to civic engagement and social justice.

“The Crocker is the perfect location for us,” said Carl "Tobey" Oxholm III, Senior Vice President of Drexel and Dean of its Center for Graduate Studies. “Not only has it set a standard for excellence in art in the Sacramento area for more than 125 years, as Drexel has in education for our 120 years, but our two organizations are cutting-edge in all that we are doing today. The Crocker is a symbol of the world-class city that Sacramento is on its way to becoming. Drexel is very proud to be part of that trajectory.”

Kieschnick teaches a course on microfinance at Stanford University, and previously taught a graduate seminar on financial innovation at the University of California, Berkeley. He holds a doctorate of philosophy degree in public policy from Harvard University, and earned bachelor’s degrees in biology and economics at Stanford University. He serves as a board member for several nonprofit organizations, including the League of Conservation Voters, the One PacificCoast Foundation and the Beatitudes Society. In his spare time, he helps run the Secretary of State Project, which works to elect reform candidates to the position of chief election officer at the state level around the country.

Drexel’s Center for Graduate Studies is known as one of Northern California's most high-tech conference and educational facilities. In its state-of-the-art classrooms, Drexel – a top-ranked, national comprehensive university – teaches six master's, one doctorate, and one post-baccalaureate program that are designed for working professionals, in the fields of entrepreneurial business, human resource development, higher education, and public health. It will also award master’s degrees in nurse education, nurse leadership, information systems, and library and information science. It is starting two new master’s programs this fall: Masters in Finance and Master of Medical Science.

“In little more than two years, Drexel University has made a great impact on our community,” said Lial A. Jones, Mort and Marcy Friedman Director of the Crocker Art Museum. “It has demonstrated an enormous commitment to community service and is an active supporter of the arts and other non-profit organizations. The Crocker is delighted to serve as the location for Drexel’s historic first Commencement outside Philadelphia.”

Drexel and the Crocker have partnered on a number of projects since Drexel opened in Sacramento, including the Crocker hosting a student from the university’s undergraduate program in Philadelphia as part of Drexel’s co-operative education program and a reunion of graduates of its Arts Therapy master’s program, who convened as part of a national conference in Sacramento.

The commencement will start at 6 p.m. at the Crocker Art Museum’s outdoor court. The graduates will be outfitted in Drexel’s distinctive blue and gold cap and gowns. Processional will be led by members of Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society.

More information on Drexel's graduate programs in California can be found at www.drexel.edu/sacramento or by calling 916.325.4600.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville

Rotary Club of Sacramento's "Bids for Kids" Raises Record-Setting $388,000 for Powerhouse Science Center

2011-06-13T17:41:36Z

The Rotary Club of Sacramento announced today that the 27th annual “Bids for Kids” charity event raised a record-setting $388,000 for this year’s recipient – the Powerhouse Science Center.

All proceeds from “Bids for Kids” go toward building the Powerhouse Science Center, which will be located on the scenic banks of the Sacramento River. The Center will cost an estimated $50 million and has nearly completed its pre-construction phase. The 60-year old Discovery Museum Science & Space Center at 3615 Auburn Blvd., is scheduled to move from its current location and become the Powerhouse Science Center in 2013.

Bids for Kids, an elegant evening of fine food and drink, was held at the Sacramento’s Discovery Museum Science & Space Center. The night included a live auction led by auctioneer David Sobon, with a variety of donations that ranged from exotic vacation getaways, premium wines, restaurant gift cards, theatre and sporting event tickets, and much more.

The Bids for Kids effort received a generous commitment from Social Venture Partners of Sacramento. Committed to philanthropy efforts among its partners, which includes the Powerhouse Science Center, Social Venture Partners matched the first $100,000 that was raised by the Bids for Kids event.

“We are thrilled with the tremendous news regarding the fund-raising efforts that resulted from Bids for Kids,” said Michele Wong, Interim Executive Director for the Powerhouse Science Center. “We can’t thank the Rotary Club of Sacramento enough, first of all for choosing us as this year’s recipient, then doing such a terrific job of making Bids for Kids a memorable evening. We also want to thank all the generous people that bid on items to make this a record-setting event. There was a ton of hard work by all the volunteers, who did a wonderful job of making this an extra-special occasion.”

Hosted by Marianne McClary, morning TV anchor on “Good Day Sacramento” for more than 16 years, Bids for Kids also showcased the many interactive ways that the Powerhouse Science Center plans to educate students about science.

Discovery Museum tours featured the interactive science center’s Space Quest! exhibit and the recently opened Robotics Lab, which will be part of the Powerhouse Science Center when it opens in 2013. The museum’s planetarium was turned into a high-tech bar for the evening, with glow-in-the-dark drinks and projected views of the cosmos.

“The Powerhouse Science Center will be a wonderful educational facility for the Greater Sacramento region, so it was very rewarding for the Rotary Club to have a record-setting Bids for Kids effort,” said Jon Snyder, Rotary Club of Sacramento co-chair for this year’s event. “There are just so many people to thank for such a wonderful evening. Our Rotary Club is really pleased by how well the event turned out.”

For more information on the Powerhouse Science Center, including how to become a Founding Partner, visit www.powerhousesciencecenter.org, email info@PowerhouseScienceCenter.org, or call 916 853-0343. Visit the Center on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville

Telecom Innovator Michael Kieschnick to receive honorary degree at Drexel’s first commencement in Sacramento

2011-06-01T17:15:15Z

SACRAMENTO– Drexel University has announced that Michael Kieschnick, co-founder, president and chief executive officer of CREDO/Working Assets, will deliver the keynote address at the commencement ceremony Drexel will hold at the Crocker Art Museum on Saturday, June 25.

Kieschnick will be presented with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for his lifetime commitment to civic engagement and social justice. The event marks the first commencement ceremony ever held outside of Philadelphia in Drexel’s 120 year history.

The commencement is being held in Sacramento because Drexel opened its Center for Graduate Studies there in January 2009. The June 25 commencement will include students who enrolled in Drexel University Master’s degree programs in Sacramento in January and September of 2009. More than 100 students are eligible to participate in the ceremony.

“I have known Michael for 35 years and am awed by his ingenuity, global perspective and commitment to community,” said Carl “Tobey” Oxholm III, senior vice president and dean of the Graduate Center. “If personal wealth had been his object, he would be among the nation’s most affluent; instead, he has not just been successful in business, but consistently has focused on social justice and been passionate about his family. That is why he is the perfect role model for our students, who are our society’s next generation of leaders.”

Kieschnick teaches a course on microfinance at Stanford University, and previously taught a graduate seminar on financial innovation at the University of California, Berkeley. He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in public policy from Harvard University, and earned Bachelor’s degrees in biology and economics at Stanford University. He serves as a board member for several nonprofit organizations, including the League of Conservation Voters, the One PacificCoast Foundation and the Beatitudes Society. In his spare time, he helps run the Secretary of State Project, which works to elect reform candidates to the position of chief election officer at the state level around the country.

“I am honored to receive this recognition from one of the nation’s preeminent private universities, and one that has managed successfully to offer both a high-tech teaching and research environment and active engagement with its community,” Kieschnick said. “Drexel has replicated both at its Graduate Center in Sacramento in just over two years of operation – a great innovation in higher education generally, at a time when California needs such creativity.”

Headquartered in San Francisco, CREDO/Working Assets is a telecommunications company that is dedicated to changing the world through progressive philanthropy and political activism. Since its founding, Working Assets has donated over $65 million to nonprofit organizations working for civil rights, economic and social justice, voting rights, peace, international freedom and the environment. Its members have contacted selected decision makers by phone, email and letters more than 32 million times, pressing for political change. During the last seven years, the company has helped more than four million Americans register to vote.

Drexel University is a nationally top ranked, comprehensive, private, not-for-profit university, which was founded in Philadelphia in 1891. Drexel’s Center for Graduate Studies is known as one of Northern California's most high-tech educational facilities. In its state-of-the-art classrooms, Drexel teaches six Master's, one Doctorate and one post-Baccalaureate program, all designed for working professionals in the fields of entrepreneurial business, higher education, knowledge management and health science. It will award Master’s degrees in business administration, human resource development, higher education, nurse education, nurse leadership, information systems and library and information science. It is starting two new Master’s programs this fall: Master’s in Finance and Master of Medical Science.

More information on Drexel's graduate programs in California can be found at www.drexel.edu/sacramento or by calling 916-325-4600.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is a Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville.

Well-Known Sacramento Broadcaster Eric Hogue to Join William Jessup University as Vice President of Advancement

2011-05-18T21:38:39Z

ROCKLIN, Calif. – William Jessup University announced today that Eric Hogue, a longtime Sacramento area talk show host and radio commentator, will join the university as its Vice President of Advancement. Hogue will begin his new role effective June 1.

Hogue has been a supporter of the university, the Greater Sacramento region’s only private residential university, since it relocated from San Jose in 2004.

“We look forward to Eric joining our executive administration team,” said Dr. John Jackson, William Jessup University’s president. “He will be instrumental as he continues to build our marketing and communications programs as well as foster existing and new relationships in the community that are vital to the continued growth of our institution.”

Hogue, who has worked for Salem Communications radio stations in the Sacramento region since 2000, was KTKZ-AM’s first Program Director and morning talk host.

Hogue, who resides in Roseville with his family, has hosted successful talk shows on Salem’s News/Talk 1380 KTKZ and Christian/Talk 710 KFIA.

He has been a frequent guest host for Salem Radio Network’s national commentators, including Bill Bennett, Michael Medved, Dennis Prager, Mike Gallagher and Hugh Hewitt. He is also a guest opinion columnist for the Sacramento Bee.

“Those that have listened to me over the past 11 years know that, as a marketplace Christian, I am committed to excellence in life, civic leadership and quality, higher education – for that end, there is none better than William Jessup University,” Hogue explained. “I am honored and excited as I begin this new and enriching chapter in my life.”

Hogue will oversee the University’s Advancement program; administering and managing all development and fundraising, alumni affairs and donor, media, church and community relations.

While he will be leaving his morning show on KTKZ, Hogue will continue to host his popular one-hour daily program – “The Capitol Hour” – that airs weekdays at noon.

“I am motivated by achievement….and relevant, creative growth; I also love building for the future. To stay on the air with 1380 KTKZ while joining WJU is a once in a life time opportunity,” said Hogue.

About William Jessup University
Founded in 1939 by William Jessup, the University moved to Rocklin, California, in August 2004. WJU is the first and only WASC accredited private, four-year university to have its main campus located in the greater Sacramento area, offering degrees in many different disciplines including Business Administration, Family & Children’s Ministry, English, History, Intercultural Studies, Liberal Studies (Teacher Education), Music, Pastoral Ministry, Psychology, Public Policy and Youth Ministry. Anticipated majors include fields in the humanities and science. WJU also offers a School of Professional Studies (SPS) at its campuses in Rocklin and San Jose. Program concentrations in Rocklin include Business Administration, Counseling Psychology and a Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Credential Program. In San Jose, concentrations are offered in Business Administration, Counseling Psychology and Christian Leadership. For more information, please visit www.jessup.edu or call (916) 577-2200.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is the Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville.

Rotary Club of Sacramento’s "Bids for Kids" Event on May 14; Will Benefit Powerhouse Science Center

2011-04-28T18:48:01Z

The Powerhouse Science Center has been selected as the recipient for the Rotary Club of Sacramento’s 27th annual “Bids for Kids” charity event on Saturday, May 14.

This elegant evening of fine food and drink will be held at Sacramento’s Discovery Museum Science & Space Center. The night will include silent and live auctions, with a variety of donations that range from exotic vacation getaways, premium wines, restaurant gift cards, theatre and sporting event tickets, and much more.

All proceeds from “Bids for Kids” will go toward building the Powerhouse Science Center, which will be located on the scenic banks of the Sacramento River. The Center will cost an estimated $50 million and has nearly completed its pre-construction phase. The 60-year old Discovery Museum Science & Space Center at 3615 Auburn Blvd., is scheduled to move from its current location and become the Powerhouse Science Center in 2013.

Marianne McClary, morning TV anchor on “Good Day Sacramento” for more than 16 years, will be the host of “Bids for Kids,” which includes a cocktail hour and dinner. The silent auction and cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m., and a live auction at 8 p.m. Complimentary valet parking will be provided.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Rotary Club of Sacramento, we’re really looking forward to hosting an elegant community event that will benefit a great cause,” said Michele Wong, Interim Executive Director for the Powerhouse Science Center. “It’s a fun evening with great food and wine, and will give our guests a wonderful opportunity to showcase the many interactive ways we plan to help educate students about science.”

An unprecedented event for guests, the Discovery Museum will showcase its new interactive science center’s Space Quest! Exhibit and the recently opened Robotics Lab, which will be part of the Powerhouse Science Center when it opens in 2013.

Guests can visit the Solar System, explore the lightning and plasma ball displays, or view the historic artifacts from past NASA missions that have changed they way we view the universe today.

In the robotics lab, attendees can learn about robot programming by constructing and racing against other team’s robots.

Tickets cost $125 each and are available along with sponsorship opportunities. To support the event through sponsorship, please email Peter Wilson at Peter.Willson@synergex.com.

For more information on the Powerhouse Science Center, including how to become a Founding Partner, visit www.powerhousesciencecenter.org, email info@PowerhouseScienceCenter.org, or call 916 853-0343. Visit the Center on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville

Drexel University to hold first Sacramento commencement at Crocker Art Museum on June 25

2011-04-25T16:38:57Z

Drexel University announced today that it will hold its first commencement ceremony outside of Philadelphia in its 120-year history at one of Sacramento’s oldest, newest and finest landmarks, the Crocker Art Museum.

The June 25 commencement will include students who enrolled in Drexel master’s degree programs in January and September 2009. More than 100 graduate students are expected to be eligible to participate in the ceremony. Drexel has enrolled 424 students in its doctoral and master’s programs since opening its Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento in January 2009.

“The Crocker is the perfect location for us,” said Carl "Tobey" Oxholm III, senior vice president of Drexel and dean of the Center for Graduate Studies. “Not only has it set a standard for excellence in art in the Sacramento area for more than 125 years, as Drexel has in education for our 120 years, but our two organizations are cutting-edge in all that we are doing today. The Crocker is a symbol of the world-class city that Sacramento is on its way to becoming. Drexel is very proud to be part of that trajectory.”

Drexel and the Crocker have partnered on a number of projects since Drexel opened in Sacramento, including the Crocker hosting a student from the university’s undergraduate program in Philadelphia as part of Drexel’s cooperative education program and a reunion of graduates of its Arts Therapy master’s program, who convened as part of a national conference in Sacramento.

More information on Drexel's graduate programs in California can be found at drexel.edu/sacramento or by calling (916) 325-4600.

The Crocker Art Museum was one of the first art museums in the United States and is now one of the leading art institutions in California. Established in 1885, the museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African and Oceanic art.

The Crocker is located at 216 O St. in downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Every Third Sunday of the month is "Pay What You Wish Sunday," sponsored by Bank of America. For more information, call 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is a Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville.

Gretchen Eischen Joins Community 1st Bank As Vice President/Business Development Officer

2011-04-12T20:47:39Z

Gretchen Eischen has been named Vice President/ Business Development Officer for Community 1st Bank. She will develop and manage consumer and business relationships.

Eischen has more than three decades of experience as a specialist in business banking and is highly respected in the industry throughout Placer County and the Sacramento region.

Community 1st Bank has branches in downtown Auburn, 649 Lincoln Way, and in Roseville at 2250 Douglas Boulevard.

“I’m extremely excited about joining the team at Community 1st Bank,”Eischen said. “Top to bottom, the Bank has a very high level of experienced people. Our management team is exceptional in all areas – lending, business development, and personal banking. We have a very strong culture and a real commitment to our clients and the communities we serve.”

As a Business Development Officer, Eischen will use her knowledge, experience and business acumen to find the appropriate products and solutions that are the “right fit” for a company’s needs. She says one of her biggest roles is being an “advocate for the client.”

Eischen has considerable experience as a Vice President/ Business Development Officer. She held the position for the previous five years with North Valley Bank in Roseville, and from 2001 to 2006 at Calnet Business Bank in Sacramento.

Mark A. Lund, Community 1st Bank’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Community 1st Bank takes great pride in developing and managing consumer and business relationships. We’re elated to have Gretchen, with her depth of experience and knowledge, on our team. She is the ideal person for this position.”

For much of her 31 years in the industry, Eischen has worked at community banks. She enjoys the deep commitment a community bank can provide its customers, the personal level of service that is offered, and being able to share in the success of the businesses she represents.

Eischen also has a deep commitment to community service. She has been a longtime volunteer for the St. John’s Shelter for Women in Sacramento and a member of the Rotary Club of Sacramento. Eischen is also a member of the Roseville Chamber of Commerce and is currently enrolled in the Chamber’s Leadership Roseville program.

For more information on Community 1st Bank, visit www.community1bank.com or call its Auburn downtown branch at 530-863-4800 or its Roseville location at 916-724-2424.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is a Vice President of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville

Powerhouse Science Center Raises More than $233,000 in Saturday Telethon

2011-03-09T00:49:24Z

The Powerhouse Science Center, a science and space learning center for Northern California that will be located on the banks of the Sacramento River, announced today that it raised more than $233,000 during its first telethon on Saturday.

The Center received major contributions from Social Venture Partners of Sacramento, Wells Fargo, Sierra Health Foundation, Intel and Aerojet, along with hundreds of contributions from other donors.

“The Powerhouse Science Center is a tremendous collaborative effort between many dedicated groups,” said Michelle Wong, interim executive director for the Powerhouse Science Center. “We were gratified at the community reaction as so many people participated and shared our vision for a premiere science education center in our community.”

In particular, Wong thanked KOVR CBS 12/CW-31 for promoting this telethon and making the Good Day Sacramento time available to her team on Saturday.

The Center, which will cost an estimated $50 million, has nearly completed its pre-construction phase. The 60-year-old Discovery Museum Science & Space Center on Auburn Boulevard is scheduled to become the Powerhouse Science Center (www.powerhousesciencecenter.org) in 2013.

The Powerhouse Science Center will include science laboratories and classrooms, a 150-seat full-dome planetarium, Challenger Learning Center, robotics exhibit and labs, outdoor stage and screen, restaurant with riverfront views and more.

The center will transform a historic Sacramento landmark into a cutting-edge educational center featuring a museum that will immerse children in science, technology, engineering and math.

“We are extremely pleased to help the Powerhouse Science Center become a reality,” said Kevin Walsh, general manager and president of CBS 13/CW 31. “Not only does this project revitalize the Sacramento riverfront district, the Powerhouse Science Center will also provide our region’s children with a firm foundation in STEM education (science, technology, engineering, math). We are excited to be part of such a wonderful opportunity to educate our viewers about the future home of Northern California’s premiere science education center.”

On Saturday, volunteers from many groups helped staff the phone banks, including people from Soroptimist, the Sacramento Downtown Rotary, Drexel University, Ducks Unlimited, Mountain Lions cheerleaders and the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

The Powerhouse Science Center is also being supported by many local government entities.

“The Powerhouse Science Center will allow us to educate the next generation of children. Our country is lacking right now in math and science education for young people,” Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said. “This facility will give us an opportunity to get a leg up in these very important areas of education. The Center will also create over 300 jobs and activate our riverfront. Sacramento has a beautiful river that we have not taken advantage of yet. Building the Powerhouse Science Center will allow us to do that.”

The Powerhouse Science Center will serve as a public forum, showcasing the latest scientific discoveries in a venue that is accessible to the entire family. The center will highlight the scientific achievements of the Sacramento region, the latest developments in medical science and technology, and the fundamentals of resource conservation. The center will be used as a field trip destination for pre-kindergarten to 12th-grade students from throughout the region.

For more information on the Powerhouse Science Center, including how to become a founding partner, visit www.powerhousesciencecenter.org, e-mail info@PowerhouseScienceCenter.org, or call 853-0343. Visit the center on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is V.P. of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville, Volunteer PR work for Powerhouse Science Center.

CBS-13/CW-31 will air telethon on March 5 to raise funds, awareness for new Powerhouse Science Center

2011-02-22T20:09:19Z

The greater Sacramento region will soon be home to a high-tech, hands-on science museum that will immerse our children – and our children’s children – in science, technology, engineering and math.

But the new Powerhouse Science Center needs your help to ensure the project remains on schedule for a proposed opening in two years.

One way to help the Powerhouse Science Center is by supporting the upcoming KOVR- CBS-13/CW-31 telethon that airs from 9-10 a.m. Saturday morning, March 5.

“Good Day Sacramento” (CW-31) will promote the event from 6-9 a.m. during its March 5 broadcast, and the telethon will air live on CW-31 between 9 and 10 a.m. Viewers will be able to call in and donate to the Powerhouse Science Center during the live telethon. The phones will also be open from 10-11 a.m. for donations.

Located on the scenic banks of the Sacramento River, the Powerhouse Science Center will be the premiere science and space learning center serving Northern California. It will serve as a model for 21st-century experiential education in science, math, technology, engineering and space – and an exemplary “green” building that functions as an environmental teaching lab.

CBS 13/CW 31 is actively supporting Northern California’s premiere science center.

“We are extremely pleased to help the Powerhouse Science Center become a reality,” said Kevin Walsh, General Manager and President of CBS 13/CW 31. “Not only does this project revitalize the Sacramento riverfront district, the Powerhouse Science Center will also provide our region’s children with a firm foundation in STEM education (science, technology, engineering, math). We are excited to be part of such a wonderful opportunity to educate our viewers about the future home of Northern California’s premier science education center.”

“Good Day Sacramento” will focus a majority of its March 5 broadcast on the effort to help fund the Powerhouse Science Center. Discovery Museum Spokes-robot Cosmos will bring his unique style of “reporting” to the “Good Day” television set from 6-9 a.m. on the March 5 telecast.

“The Powerhouse Science Center is a tremendous collaborative effort between many dedicated groups – like CBS-13/CW-31 – and individuals who are all playing a significant role in making this vision of a premiere science education center become a reality,” said Michelle Wong, interim executive director for the Powerhouse Science Center. “We’re going to transform a historic Sacramento landmark into a cutting-edge educational center, featuring a museum, planetarium, restaurant and conference center.

“STEM careers are crucial to the young people in our region. The Powerhouse Science Center can definitely play a key role to inspire future engineers and scientists,” Wong added.

The telethon will feature walk-on testimonials from several of the Powerhouse Science Center’s founding partners, including the City of Sacramento.

“The Powerhouse Science Center will allow us to educate the next generation of children. Our country is lacking right now in math and science education for young people,” Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said. “This facility will give us an opportunity to get a leg up in these very important areas of education. The Center will also create over 300 jobs and activate our riverfront. Sacramento has a beautiful river that we have not taken advantage of yet. Building the Powerhouse Science Center will allow us to do that.”

The Powerhouse Science Center will include science laboratories and classrooms: a 150-seat full-dome planetarium; the Challenger Learning Center; a robotics exhibit and labs; an outdoor stage and screen; a restaurant with riverfront views and more.

During the telethon, Wells Fargo Bank, the Morgan Family Foundation and other groups will be presenting generous checks to the Powerhouse Science Center.

The Powerhouse Science Center will serve as a public forum, showcasing the latest scientific discoveries in a venue that is accessible to the entire family. The Center will highlight the scientific achievements of the Sacramento region, the latest developments in medical science and technology, and the fundamentals of resource conservation. The Center will be utilized as a field trip destination for pre-kindergarten to 12th-grade students from throughout the region.

For more information on the Powerhouse Science Center, including how to become a Founding Partner, visit powerhousesciencecenter.org, e-mail info@PowerhouseScienceCenter.org, or call 853-0343. Visit the center on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr.

Sacramento’s Discovery Museum to Unveil New Robotics Lab to Promote Science

2011-02-15T00:50:43Z

SACRAMENTO, CA. – The Discovery Museum Science & Space Center announced today it has completed a much-anticipated robotics lab that will encourage education in science, technology, engineering and math in the Sacramento region.

The robotics lab, which opens Feb. 23, is the first program destined for the Powerhouse Science Center, which will become the new home of the Discovery Museum Science & Space Center in 2013. Located on the scenic banks of the Sacramento River, the Powerhouse Science Center (www.powerhousesciencecenter.org) will be the premiere science and space learning center serving Northern California.

Robotics education has become a successful method nationally to help teach STEM topics – science, technology, engineering and math – plus teamwork and even management skills. All levels of students are typically fascinated with robots. Educators have found that teaching with robots provides a new and stimulating way to interest and motivate students.

The Discovery Museum is holding a ribbon cutting for the robotics lab on Feb. 23 at its Sacramento location at 3615 Auburn Blvd.

“The opening of the Discovery Museum's robotics lab is a major step forward in creating the new Powerhouse Science and Space Center,” said Sacramento City Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy. “My thanks to all who pitched in and helped make this milestone possible."

The robotics lab will contain three-pronged programming:

• Full-class, hands-on robotics programming for up to 36 students
• After-school robotics club
• Competitive robotics teams for students 9-14, whose schools might not have their own teams

“Our new robotics program will help put the 'E' in the Museum’s STEM education programs. It’s very exciting to unveil the first new program that will become an integral part of the Powerhouse Science Center,” said Beth Callahan, Discovery Museum director of development and marketing. “Offering robotics programs will guarantee that more students develop a love of science and technology. The students who are motivated by robotics are more likely to become the scientists, innovators and inventors of tomorrow.”

The temporary robotics exhibit/facility is the culmination of a group effort by many organizations in the Sacramento region. Otto Construction in Sacramento donated a temporary doublewide facility that houses the robotics lab.

Sheedy was instrumental in finding the cash to pay for hard costs and fees; AT&T provided a grant to purchase LEGO Mindstorm Education robotics hardware; Hewlett-Packard in Roseville donated laptop computers; and Rotary of Sacramento painted the walls.

Other donors include: Duran and Venables, Inc., Atlas Disposal, Associated Construction & Maintenance, Eckhart’s Manufactured Housing Service, CAPCO, Armour Steel, All Bay Mill & Lumber, Sonotrol, the City of Sacramento, Nolte Associates, Inc., United Rentals, B.T. Mancini, White Cap, and Performance Contracting Inc. Intel engineers and software experts from Synergex are volunteering their time and expertise to assist Museum staff in developing curriculum and lesson plans and assisting with program delivery.

The Discovery Museum Science & Space Center is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2011 and will be marking the occasion with special observations and activities all year long. Much has occurred over the past 60 years in science, and the Discovery Museum has adapted both its facility and its way of delivering the scientific message to young children during that timeframe.

Not only does the Discovery Museum have a colorful past, it also has a bright future. The Powerhouse Science Center will serve as a model for 21st-century experiential education in science, math, technology, engineering, and space, and be utilized as a field trip destination for pre-kindergarten to 12th-grade students from throughout the region.

For more information on the Powerhouse Science Center, visit www.powerhousesciencecenter.org, e-mail info@PowerhouseScienceCenter.org, or call (916) 853-0343. Visit the center on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr.

To visit the Discovery Museum, go to www.thediscovery.org or call 916 808-3942.

Eighth annual Run Rocklin will once again benefit Matt Redding Foundation

2011-02-03T17:26:23Z

The eighth annual “Run Rocklin” will be held Sunday, April 3 at Johnson-Springview Park in Rocklin.

This signature city event begins with a 12K run at 8 a.m., followed by a 5K run/walk at 8:15 a.m. Children may participate free in the quarter-mile Kids Fun Run at 7:45 a.m. There is also a 1-mile run for kids, which is free and is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.

Run Rocklin has become a significant community event that last year attracted teams of runners from throughout the Sacramento region and had 2,600 total participants.

The festive event will once again feature music by JD Productions, Quality DJ Entertainment, complimentary food from Randy Peters Catering, and other goodies from local vendors.

Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each age group for the 5K and 12K events. Awards and prize money will also be given to the top three male and female overall finishers in the 5K and 12K events.

All registered and paid participants will receive a colorful commemorative T-shirt and a finisher’s ribbon. Bragging rights will be awarded to all of the team participants, and prize money will be awarded to the top three largest school teams.

The race, which helps raise money for the local nonprofit Matt Redding Scholarship Foundation, has now given a total of $34,000 in memory of the fallen Rocklin police officer.

Redding died tragically while on duty in October 2005 when he was struck and killed by a drunken driver.

"Matt loved this community and would be so honored that people are running year after year in a race that supports a scholarship foundation in his name,” said John Redding, Matt’s father. “Our family is extremely pleased that so many people continue to support Run Rocklin. It’s a great community event, and we’re happy the Redding family can be associated with it.”

Director Larry Osborne has a son who is a Rocklin police officer and has a personal connection with the Redding family, even though he didn’t know Matt personally.

“The people of Rocklin and other nearby communities have embraced our event for several years and have really made Run Rocklin something special,” said Osborne, who served as a city of Berkeley police officer in the early 1970s. “We’ve been fortunate to have tremendous community involvement that has enabled us to grow the event and be able to make a generous contribution each year in Matt Redding’s memory. Everyone connected with Run Rocklin is thrilled to have created something that has become a real tradition.”

Adults can pre-register for $29 prior to race day, and the cost increases to $34 on the day of the run. Kids 18 and under can pre-register for $15 or pay $20 on race day.

Teams of six or more people are welcome, and all participants will receive a special team T-shirt. Teams must register by the March 18 to be eligible for the special team T-shirt.

To register, visit runrocklin.com. For more information about the race or to become a sponsor or volunteer, e-mail Larry Osborne at elephant@eaward.com or call 415-9991.

Inaugural Students Graduate from Drexel’s Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento

2011-01-10T22:13:49Z

Two years after opening its high-tech Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento, Drexel University is celebrating the graduation of its first class of students.

Thirty-five students will be honored this weekend at a celebration event that will precede a formal graduation in June. They have earned an MBA, MS-library & information science, or MS-information systems.

“We are truly proud to have educated and mentored such an extraordinary group of working professionals,” said Carl “Tobey” Oxholm III, senior vice president of Drexel and dean of its Center for Graduate Studies. “These individuals showed how entrepreneurial they are when they enrolled with us. Now the region will see just how farsighted they were and experience the value that comes from a practical, nationally top-ranked graduate education.”

Kyle Glankler was among those first students who began classes in January 2009. Glankler, who earned his MBA while working as a business development manager for Roebbelen Contracting Inc., said he obtained much more than he expected from his Drexel experience.

“When I enrolled in Drexel’s MBA program, I was expecting to learn numbers, accounting and finance,” said Glankler, who served as Drexel’s first Graduate Student Association president. “I learned all that, but I also learned so much more. Drexel has a great program that gives all its students, regardless of their area of study, a new perspective on leadership. Drexel shined a light on an area that I didn’t fully understand before. I have a new outlook on what it means to be an authentic leader. That’s going to benefit me in the future.”

Alumni and graduating students joined faculty and senior staff members to celebrate the first class of Drexel graduates at a reception Saturday, Jan. 8, at the Firehouse Restaurant in Sacramento. They were welcomed into Drexel’s 130,000 alumni community by James Gravesande, (Drexel ’84), the president of Drexel’s Northern California Alumni Club.

With more students completing their coursework in the months ahead, almost 100 working professionals will be eligible to participate in the formal Commencement ceremonies being planned for June in Philadelphia and Sacramento.

Since opening in January 2009, Drexel has enrolled more than 350 students in its doctorate and master’s degree programs in Sacramento. The Center for Graduate Studies is known as one of Northern California’s most high-tech conference and educational facilities. In its state-of-the-art classrooms, Drexel – a top-ranked national comprehensive university – teaches six master’s, one doctorate, and one post-baccalaureate program that are designed for working professionals.

All eight programs are focused on the heart of Greater Sacramento’s growth and economic development initiatives – entrepreneurial business, human resource development, higher education, public health, knowledge management and information science. Classes “fit” with the students’ business responsibilities and are a blend of in-class and online pedagogies. All classes are held in the evenings or on occasional weekends.

Information for Drexel's graduate programs in California can be found at drexel.edu/sacramento or by calling (916) 325-4600. The next Information Session will be held from 6 - 8 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Graduate Center, One Capitol Mall, Suite 260.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is V.P. of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville

Sacramento Valley Chapter of REFORMA Offering Scholarships to Drexel’s Graduate School

2011-01-03T23:56:54Z

The Sacramento Valley Chapter of REFORMA has announced it will award up to three $10,000 scholarships for its members to attend Drexel University’s Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento.

The Drexel/California Gold REFORMA Leadership Scholarship can be applied toward tuition for the master’s degree program in library and information science offered at Drexel’s Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento.

REFORMA is a national organization that promotes library and information services to Latinos and Spanish speakers. It was established in 1971 and has 26 chapters around the United States. Drexel opened its state-of-the-art Graduate Center at One Capitol Mall in January 2009 and is now seeking candidates for the six graduate programs that will be starting in March.

“The librarians of the future should be on the front lines serving all parts of our community, especially our Latino community. It is critical that we have librarians who reflect that community and can serve as role models,” said Camila Alire, president of the American Librarian Association. “I congratulate Drexel University for partnering with REFORMA to make it easier for us to develop our next generation of Latino leaders in the field of library and information science.”

Drexel’s College of Information Science and Technology (the iSchool) is one of the most innovative IT schools in the country. Its master’s in library and information science is accredited by the American Library Association, and is ranked ninth in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The program offers specialties in information systems, medical librarianship and digital librarianship that are ranked third, fifth and sixth, respectively. Students can obtain a certificate in healthcare informatics through elective courses, as well as a joint master’s degree in information systems.

“Drexel is excited to create this partnership and to work closely with a dynamic organization like REFORMA, which has a long and impressive history of commitment to promoting the development of library and information services for the ever-growing population of Spanish-speakers and Latinos,” said Dr. Toni Carbo, Drexel’s iSchool program leader in Sacramento. “More and more organizations, government agencies and businesses are recognizing that they need skilled bilingual, multicultural library personnel to succeed. Our innovative, nationally ranked program prepares students to become the leaders in today's cutting-edge information field.”

Drexel’s Graduate Center in Sacramento opened in January 2009 and has grown rapidly from just 53 graduate students then to more than 350 this past fall. It has received accolades from the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for its commitment to diversity and civic engagement. In conjunction with the chamber, two years ago Drexel established the Hispanic Leadership Master’s Grant, by which the chamber awards one full scholarship to one of its members every year.

"Drexel continues to demonstrate its commitment to diversity through its broad range of scholarship programs,” said Steve Gándola, president and CEO of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “These are difficult financial times for many of our young people, and the generosity of Drexel is providing deserving students the opportunity to pursue their educational dreams by entering a master’s program.”

The deadline to apply for the Drexel/California Gold REFORMA Leadership Scholarship is Jan. 17. Deadline for completion of application to Drexel is Feb. 28.

Information for Drexel's graduate programs in California, including the MS-LIS program, can be found at drexel.edu/sacramento or by calling (916) 325-4600. Drexel holds information sessions at its graduate center every two weeks. The next one will be held Thursday, Jan. 13, from 6 - 8 p.m. Parking and refreshments are provided.

Visit http://www.reforma.org/ for more information about REFORMA.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is a Vice President at Halldin Public Relations in Roseville, and is a representative for Drexel University’s Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento.

Denio’s a Great Place to Buy Quality Holiday Gifts at Bargain Prices

2010-12-08T17:06:09Z

It’s that time of year when people are immersed in their holiday shopping, searching for bargains on that perfect gift.

Denio’s Roseville Farmers Market & Swap Meet is good year-round for wonderful gifts at bargain prices. This holiday season, the 63-year-old establishment will offer a treasure trove of gift ideas each weekend.

Not only is family-owned Denio’s a great location for shoppers, it also provides an outlet for anyone who wants to sell unneeded items and earn some extra money for Christmas.

Rod Smith of Bargain $mart has been selling holiday seasonal items since 1991 at Denio’s and said he always looks forward to this time of year when Denio’s gears up to accommodate the thousands of holiday shoppers each weekend.

“We have a lot of gift ideas this time of year, like tool sets, pocket knives, key chains, gloves, and a lot more that sell very well during the holidays,” Smith said. “You get all kinds of people out here, millionaires and people without a lot of money, and the common denominator is they are all looking for bargains. That’s what Denio’s is known for.”

The 70-acre location houses many items, including jewelry, toys, computers, cosmetics, books, games, hobby supplies, appliances, musical instruments, watches, car stereo equipment, leather goods, sun glasses, antiques and collectibles, back packs, novelty items, and more.

One more reason to shop at Denio’s is its famed produce market. The section is being expanded by 21 percent, making the produce area as large as two football fields. Denio’s currently has more than 130 produce spaces.

For the third consecutive year, Denio’s will lend support to the “Toys for the Troops’ Kids” program, which provides toys for children of U.S. military personnel who are deployed overseas and the families of soldiers killed in action since September 2001.

Radio personality Big Jim Hall of K-Hits did a live remote at Denio’s on Dec. 4 and will return on Saturday, Dec. 18. Hall is encouraging people to join in donating new and unwrapped gifts for the children of military personnel.

Santa Claus, along with Sacramento’s famed “Top Balloon Twisters Barry and Bob,” will also be on hand so children can receive a fun balloon and have a picture taken with Santa.

Denio’s is located at 1551 Vineyard Road in Roseville.

Denio’s is open every Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. The Friday outdoor market is also open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, visit www.deniosmarket.com or call (916) 782-2704.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is V.P. of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville, and is a Representative for Denio's Farmers Market & Swap Meet.

Generous Grant From First 5 Sacramento Will Allow Powerhouse Science Center To Devote Entire Area to Young Children

2010-11-29T17:58:58Z

The Powerhouse Science Center in Sacramento today announced it has accepted a $250,000 grant from First 5 Sacramento. The grant will help build a room that will support a school readiness program by featuring age and development-appropriate learning activities.

Located on the scenic banks of the Sacramento River, the Powerhouse Science Center will be the premier science and space learning center serving Northern California. It will serve as a model for 21st-century experiential education in science, math, technology, engineering, and space – and an exemplary “green” building that functions as an environmental teaching lab.

The Center, which will cost an estimated $50 million, has nearly completed its pre-construction phase. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2013.

The grant will fund the First Discovery Room, a 625 square-foot, semi-enclosed space located within the main Powerhouse building – the historic PG&E power station. The room will serve as an affordable, accessible, and culturally-sensitive space dedicated for children zero through five years of age, their families, and caregivers to experience an array of school readiness, parenting, and community building activities.

“The Powerhouse Science Center is an innovative educational center that will cater to many different age groups,” said Michele Wong, Interim Executive Director for the Powerhouse Science Center. “First 5 Sacramento focuses on the early growth experiences for children, so this generous grant means we will definitely have an area that can help provide the zero through five age children and their families with many wonderful experiences that will enable the children to be more successful in school and ultimately have a better opportunity to succeed in life.”

The First Discovery Room will provide a wide variety of school readiness and community building programming, including:

Community Meeting Area that will help build community by providing a safe, comfortable place where families can interact with their children in an instructional manner while socializing with other parents, children, and community members.
Stage, with Movable Puppet Theatre and Hidden Storage Area.
Play Diner featuring healthy food choices and pretend play, and school readiness activities.
Reading Cabin featuring a cozy space where youth and caregivers can interact and read.
Take-Away Kiosk, with free, helpful publications.
Tot Crawling Area where the youngest children can interact with age and developmentally appropriate manipulatives while learning to socialize with each other.

“We are very excited about partnering with the Powerhouse Science Center and what this will mean for the many families that we represent,” said Roger Dickinson, Chair to the First 5 Sacramento Commission. “First 5 Sacramento partners with high quality learning programs that are committed to providing children with the necessary tools to make them successful life-long learners. One of our primary goals is preparing children to enter kindergarten ‘ready to learn.’ The Powerhouse Science Center will be a great asset in helping First 5 Sacramento achieve that objective.”

Situated in the River District off Jibboom Street, the historic PG&E Power Station B was the first-choice location for the Powerhouse Science Center because the historic building’s position on the riverfront is highly visible, creating greater awareness for the imaginative science facility.

A premiere Northern California science and space learning facility, the Center project is a unique public, non-profit educational institution that involves a partnership between the Powerhouse Science Center, PG&E, The City of Sacramento, and 28 other Founding Partners who have declared a commitment to the project.

In restoring and reusing this property that is now owned by The City of Sacramento, the Center will serve as a model for 21st-century experiential education in science, math, technology, engineering, and space, and be utilized as a field trip destination for pre-kindergarten to 12th grade students from throughout the region.

The Powerhouse Science Center will include:

Generous exhibit space for current and traveling exhibits
Science laboratories and classrooms
150-seat full-dome planetarium
New Challenger Learning Center
Robotics exhibit and lab
Environmental exhibits
Outdoor stage and screen
Cafe with outdoor seating
Restaurant with riverfront views
Spacious entry, reception, event and meeting areas
Bookstore and gift shop
Auto and bus parking areas

For more information on the Powerhouse Science Center, visit www.powerhousesciencecenter.org, email info@PowerhouseScienceCenter.org, or call 916 853-0343

Disclosure: Jeffrey Weidel is V.P. of Halldin Public Relations in Roseville, Volunteer PR work for Powerhouse Science Center.