WOW Update  - August 10, 2008

The World of Wonders Science Museum is about to complete Phase One of the tenant improvements!  Thank you to Chris Madill, our Project Manager, and Rick Thompson, our Superintendent.  The construction began in early May and by August 15th we will have a building ready for furnishings and exhibits.  It is hard to believe how close we are to opening the doors of the World of Wonders Science Museum.

Don't forget that you can help underwrite a portion of the construction and be recognized as a donor to the World of Wonders Science Museum.  Visit the WOW Website for this and other ways to help.

Construction update by Chris Madill

Bill Manley of Sakman Company (Lodi) helped orchestrate the engaging color scheme and has been very helpful coordinating many final touches.  McPherson Crane & Rigging (Rio Vista), formerly BNC Crane Service, LLC (Lodi), came in on August 1st to lift the air handlers on to the Exhibit Area roof. 

Over the next two weeks, Dal-Tile (Stockton) will provide the ceramic tile base to compliment the tile floors in both restrooms, the remaining screws will secure ducting and registers, final connections will be made to lighting fixtures, electrical switches and receptacles, and tactile signs provided by JD Specialties (Stockton) will be hung directing the public through the renovated space. 

A-Cal Trim (Lodi) is anxiously awaiting the honey-maple, veneer doors and is currently installing the hollow-metal frames, doors and hardware to meet building code.  Volunteers will be called upon to help with the floor sealing provided by White-Cap Construction Supply (Stockton) and the final clean-up.  Clear View Window Cleaning (Lodi) has been maintaining the storefront windows from the beginning when only a lonely floor plan occupied the corner display tower.  We hope they will continue their revolving contribution and help with an interior cleaning as well. 

Utility Telephone (Stockton) has installed the low voltage wiring and will supply the WOW with telephone and internet service.  Cal-Atlantic Security (W. Sacramento) is wrapping up the fire alarm monitoring design and will mobilize to provide the WOW with a state-of-the-art burglar alarm to protect all of our hard work and, of course, the hands-on exhibits. 

As we approach the final weeks on construction, we would like to thank Mike Smith of MSE, Inc. (Lodi) who has designed a wonderful space along with his consulting engineers HCS Engineering, Inc. (Stockton) and GDMD Engineering, Inc. (Lodi) that should serve the WOW for many, many years. 

Chatfield Construction, Inc. (Lodi) would like to thank their subcontractors for their generosity over the last four months and their high standard of quality during construction.  It was our pleasure taking a conceptual idea of a science museum and bringing it to life.  We are proud of our accomplishments and we would like to thank the Board of Directors for their vote of confidence.

Preparation for placing the hands-on, science exhibits furnished by the San Francisco Exploratorium will occur during the last week of August.  Although Phase One construction is rapidly coming to a close, fundraising efforts to payoff construction ($120,000) and offset start-up costs ($350,000) are still in full swing.   

Upcoming Events

Listed in this month’s newsletter are several opportunities to help fundraise by attending WOW events.  We encourage you to get involved and help us stimulate discovery for all ages.

First Annual Smokin’ Stogies Poker Run (August 16)

This is a benefit motorcycle run to raise money for Lodi’s new World of Wonders Science Museum.  Saturday August 16th at 10am at Stogies.  $20 run fee will include your lunch and ride pin(first 150 registered get pins), $25 for dual riders. 

Raffle and Auction prizes as well as best/worst poker hand.  Live music by The Lucky Devils, custom cycles on display from Nickell’s Custom Bike Designs.  Come ride with your friends and make this an event to remember

Register early at Stogies Cigar Lounge at 230 W. Pine St. Downtown Lodi. 209-334-5764.

Science on the Farm (August 23)

Join us for a wonderful evening of food, wine and fun at the farm! All proceeds from the event will help open the doors to the World of Wonders Science Museum coming soon to Downtown Lodi. The mission of the World of Wonders Science Museum is to offer hands-on science-based exhibits and programs to stimulate discovery for all ages.

Advance tickets are just $50 and available for purchase at the website, at Danz Jewelers, and Phillips Farms.  This event is for ages 21 and up only.  Click the flyer on the right to find out more about the event, including sponsor opportunities.

Celebrate Mama (August 23)

Be a part of the first annual Celebrate Mama celebration coming to Downtown Lodi on August 23.  Over 300 give-away bags filled with samples, child IDs, and local information for moms will be handed out, provided by the Order of the Easter Star (Lodi Chapter).

Find out more about this new, unique event just for moms!

Exhibit Committee

Jay Bell, WOW Board member and Science Curriculum Specialist for Lodi Unified School District, will now be heading up the new WOW Exhibit Committee.  His first meeting will be Thursday, August 14th, 5:30-7pm in the meeting room of the Lodi Chamber of Commerce.  Please e-mail Jay if you will be attending.

Thanks for Your Donations!

The WOW Board of Directors would like to thank David Lucas from the Lucas Winery and Tom Hoffman from Heritage Oak Winery for their very successful events in July benefiting the Museum! The Lodi Sunrise Rotary Club presented the WOW with $1,021.26 at their Rotary Rocks event on August 9th.  Successful benefits as these are the key to our future.

Thanks to the following generous sponsors for helping build discovery in Lodi:

And don't forget, there's still an opportunity to become a Charter Member!  Find out more.

Help us Open Those Doors!

In 2005, we started as a small group of visionaries with only one dream.  We believed in an Exploratorium type of museum for the whole Central Valley and Foothills to compliment the education of our children today and for all future generations.

Because of your belief and your generosity, the World of Wonders Science Museum has grown from just a dream into a building we can now see and touch.  Yet, in order to open the doors of the Museum we still must raise a very large sum of money and it is your continuing generosity that will make this dream a reality.  If you have not made your WOW 2008 donation, this is a perfect time to send in your checks.  Help us open those doors in order to open up those minds willing and wanting to explore the world around them through science.

Best Wishes,

Sally Snyde
President of the World of Wonders Science Museum