July Newsletter

TERMITE NEWS

FALL REGISTRATION
The fall semester is approaching. Classes are scheduled to start the week of August 17 and registration appointments begin as early as July 16. Early registration is strongly recommended as classes are expected to fill quickly.

You can access information about your appointment to register on MyCerritos. New and returning students will need to apply for admission and await an appointment time and date. Click here for further details on how you can get the process started.

FALL CLASSES
Cerritos College is offering forty woodworking courses this coming fall, one of which is entirely new to the program. The new course is WMT 185, CNC Woodworking. Several other courses of special interest are described below. Spike your interest and be one of the first to enroll in one of these exciting courses.

Please note that additional cuts to the fall schedule are expected; the most current schedule is available here.

COURSES OF SPECIAL INTEREST
WMT 123 Decorative Boxes (previously offered as WMT 148): In WMT 123 Decorative Boxes you can learn advanced skills to create heirloom quality treasure chests and jewelry boxes just in time for the holidays. Make a box for yourself or share it with someone you love all the while learning new techniques and perfecting your woodworking skills. Prerequisite WMT 102 or 103.

WMT 185 CNC Woodworking (new): If you want to operate the new CNC router, learning Alphacam is your ticket. Alphacam is a comprehensive CAD/CAM system for all types of manufacturing and is our choice for programming our new 3-axis router. Topics include software operations, preparing G-code instructions for the machine, and use of the router. Jeff O’Dell, CNC professional and newly hired part-time instructor, will be teaching the course. No prerequisite.

WMT 212 Routers and Router Tables (hasn’t been offered in over five years): Carl Stammerjohn will take you through the ins and outs of constructing the ultimate router table, including discussions of router lifts, storage, dust collection, top layouts, and jigs & fixtures. Taking this course will teach you everything you need to know about routers and provide an opportunity to add an essential piece of equipment to your shop. Prerequisite WMT 101 or 151 (please note that while these are the current official prerequisites, we strongly recommended that you not take the course if you have only completed WMT 101).

MATH AND ENGLISH COURSES DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS IN TECHNICAL CAREER PROGRAMS
Do you need a Math or English class to complete your Associates degree in Woodworking? If so, you may want to consider taking one of the Math or English courses designed specifically for students enrolled in technical programs. Classes will fill up quickly. To qualify for early Fall 2009 registration see a counselor or visit the LCP Center in the Admissions Building.

Math & Technical Careers
21873 Math 60 (1^st 9 weeks), 4 units, Mariani, MW, 9:00-12:00 p.m. (Hybrid)

English & Technical Careers
22278 English 52 (2^nd 9 weeks), 3 units, Alvarez, TTH, 7:00-11:00 a.m., LA26

NEW SECURITY SYSTEM
Smile. You’re on camera! A 50/50 investment in a security system was acquired by the department and student club over the summer. The system was installed to discourage theft in the storage areas. Rest assured that the 24 hour 7 days per week surveillance will help eliminate future theft in our building and surrounding areas!

Note: Future claims of stolen property should be reported to your instructor or Jennifer Williamson (562) 860-2451 x2986. Violations of the law will be taken seriously and criminal activity will be reported to the police.

WOODWORKING CELEBRATION
Cerritos College hosted its Woodworking Celebration on May 23, 2009 where attendees came to view over 100 projects on display and honor recent graduates for obtaining certificates and degrees in various areas of woodworking. Projects in the gallery were judged by attendees for the People’s Choice Award and by industry professionals for First and Second Place Awards in eight different categories. Nicholas Kleha received the People’s Choice Award for his exquisite Federal Period Game Table—a second win for him in this category. First place winners included Luis Cervantes, Marl Earl, Chris Frost, Jeff Hasbrouck, Richard Hodgin, Ron Jordan and Josh Salsbury. For a complete list of contest winners, click here.

Five graduates were acknowledged for completing a certificate or degree in woodworking. Carl Stammerjohn, Department Chair and Master of Ceremonies, presented them with certificates and congratulated them on their accomplishments. Receipts included Bryan Cummings (Associates Degree in Cabinetmaking), Raymond Guzman (Associate Degree in Woodworking), John Millard (Associate Degree in Woodworking), Johnna Stanzione (Associate Degree in Furniture Making) and Lew Soloway (Certificate in Furniture Making).

Golden Snowman Awards were given to five students for their stellar attitudes and quirky personalities. Honored recipients of the special awards included Don Opper, Marci Crestani, Roy Hajiahamadi, Gene Tiezzi, Susan Birney and Will Birney—a group that makes our community vibrant.

A special thanks to all the volunteers who contributed to making the Woodworking Celebration possible. We could not have done it without you. In addition, thank you to all of those who brought a dessert dish and to CSAW for providing lunch to our guests.

SAN DIEGO COMPETITION
The annual Design in Wood exhibition, co-sponsored by the San Diego County Fair and the San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association, has been described as “the biggest and best woodworking exhibition in the country.” Four Cerritos students and one instructor had entries in the juried exhibition. Students Steve Ankenbauer, Dick Foreman, Nick Kleha, and Bruce Lewellyn all had pieces accepted. Dick won two Honorable Mentions for his turnings; Bruce received an Honorable Mention, a 4^th Place and a 2^nd Place for his turnings; and Nick was awarded 2^nd place for his Period Game Table in Veneering/Marquetry Furniture category. Carl Stammerjohn received an Honorable Mention in Contemporary Furniture and the Master Woodworker’s Trophy for his Hall Table.

Congratulations to all!

NOTE FROM THE DEPARTMENT CHAIR
As everyone is aware, we are in the midst of a financially difficult time. The state of California is in dire straights, and a budget is yet to be worked out as of this writing. We do know, however, that the budget that is approved will have a significant effect on the college and the woodworking program.

We have already made deep cuts to the upcoming fall and spring semester offerings and more cuts are on the way. Our adult hourly budget (instructional aides & maintenance technicians) has been cut in half for the July-December period and is currently slated to be totally eliminated for the Spring 2010 semester. Our operating budget, already relatively small, may also be cut.

Some students have suggested that lab fees be used to help offset some of these cuts. Unfortunately, that is not possible. The state restricts where this money can be spent, and personnel and maintenance is not an option.

Why am I telling you all this?

We could use some help! If you are in the fortunate position of being able to help out financially, the program would benefit greatly from your generosity. Contributions are tax-deductible, because they go through the Cerritos College Foundation, a non-profit organization. WMT has our own account set up with the foundation and we can use the money as needed. You can write a check, payable to Cerritos College Foundation, and give it to me or Jennifer Williamson. Contributions can also be made online (make sure you select Woodworking Manufacturing Technologies in the pull-down box at the top of the page; it’s the last one on the list).

For the long term, please consider a donation to the program in your estate planning.

Best regards,

Carl Stammerjohn

FUTURE EVENTS

ORANGE COUNTY FAIR
Get a kick start this summer at the Orange County Fair which opens July 10. At the fair you will find events and activities for all ages including rides, games, food, concerts and a special woodworking exhibit! The woodworking exhibit will display a variety of pieces from both master and apprentice woodworkers. Projects will be displayed on the fairgrounds in building 15. For more details about this event visit the Orange County Fair website.

When: Friday, July 10 – Sunday, August 9

Where: Orange Country Fair Grounds
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, California 92626

Fair hours: Wednesday through Friday 12:00 noon until 12:00 midnight
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 midnight
Closed Monday & Tuesday

Admission: General (ages 13-59) $10
Seniors (ages 60+) $7
Children (ages 6-12) $5
Kids (ages 5 & under) FREE every day

AWFS
Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS) is hosting their annual fair July 15-18, 2009, in Las Vegas. At the fair, students from all over the country will compete in the 2009 Fresh Wood Student Competition. The competition highlights outstanding construction and design achievements by students from the best high school and post-secondary woodworking programs in America. Finalists’ entries will be prominently displayed at the show and winners will be honored at the AWFS®FAIR Awards Ceremony on Friday, July 17, 2009. Unfortunately, Cerritos is not represented in the competition this year.

When: Wednesday, July 15 - Saturday, July 18

Where: Las Vegas Convention Center
North (N1-N4), Central (C1-C5)
Las Vegas, Nevada

Show hours: Wednesday 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Exhibit opens: Thursday 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Awards Dinner: Friday 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.