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OWC Has “Shuttle Night” At Challenger Center

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011 | Author: OWC Chris S.

Last night, OWC paid a visit to the Challenger Learning Center in Woodstock, IL to celebrate what would have been the second-to-last Space Shuttle launch. Though the launch itself was delayed until the 29th, it didn’t ruin the mood of the evening, as OWC staffers and their families were given a tour of the facilities by Steve Otten, Executive Director of the Challenger Learning Center, and saw a pair of slide shows presented by Cathy Brinkworth of The Last Shuttle Project that illustrated the work her organization is doing.

After the slide show, there was a brief ceremony where OWC Founder and CEO Larry O’Connor contributed some much-needed storage equipment to The Last Shuttle project, and Brinkworth presented him with a photo print from the Project’s library. Otten, on behalf of the Woodstock Challenger Center, presented O’Connor with an autographed photo of astronaut William Readdy in thanks for all the contributions that OWC has made to the Center over the years. Article Continues…

Category: OWC Unplugged

Challenger Center Hosts a Family Science Night.

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011 | Author: OWC NewsFeed

While we seem to have been posting a bunch of space-related stories lately, this one hits a lot closer to home for us – quite literally. OWC has been a big sponsor of the Challenger Learning Center here in Woodstock, IL, over the years and we’ll occasionally give a shout-out here when they’re doing something neat.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHT!

CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER

WOODSTOCK, IL – Join the Challenger Learning Center crew in welcoming Museum of Science & Industry (MSI) for the fourth annual MSI night at the Challenger Center. Once the again the staff from the museum will travel to Woodstock with their hands-on activities. Past highlights included flames shot to the ceiling, explosions, dissected frogs, the making of foam and we even blew up pickles with electricity!! Who knows what the museum staff has in mind for this years event.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get a piece of downtown Chicago right here in McHenry County. It is sure to be another memorable night for adults and children alike. Bring your children and grandchildren! The date is April 15, 2011 from 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm at the center located at 222 Church Street in Woodstock. Cost is $5.00 for children 15 and under and $10.00 for adults. Reservations are recommended so call 815-338-7722 to save your spot. Raffle prizes include a scholarship to a Challenger Cosmic Camp and other fun items.

In related news, OWC will be celebrating the second-to-last shuttle launch with our friends from The Last Shuttle Project at a private event hosted by the Challenger Center on April 19th. Look here for a recap, photos, video and other tidbits.

OWC Supports “The Last Shuttle” Project

Friday, March 25th, 2011 | Author: OWC Chris S.

In case you haven’t been following up on these sorts of things: the date of the final Space Shuttle launch is rapidly approaching.

For the last 30 years, the Space Shuttle has served to carry numerous satellites and payloads into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), perform emergency repairs, perform scientific experiments in microgravity environments, and transport personnel to and from the International Space Station.

After June 28, there will be no further Shuttle missions. The Constellation program was scheduled to replace the Shuttle, with a focus not only on missions in LEO but also on a return to the Moon. Unfortunately, that program got scrapped early last year and there is little left to replace it. There are programs, such as the Shuttle-Derived Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle that propose to take up much of the slack of both the Shuttle and Constellation, but they are still many years off. In the meantime, the USA is going to have to depend on other countries and private corporations for its manned space needs.

While the Shuttle may be going away, there’s at least one group of people out there trying to preserve the Shuttle’s legacy for generations to come.

“The Last Shuttle” Projectis a group of professional photographers and cinematographers who have come together to chronicle the last mission of the Shuttle Program. They have unprecedented access “behind the scenes” to show exactly what’s involved in a Shuttle mission from beginning to end. Their focus is on telling the story of the Space Shuttle program, including behind the scenes activities and the people, from plumbers to astronauts, who were involved in making it happen. Article Continues…

Category: OWC Unplugged

OWC lends a “hand” to local Arts Center.

Monday, February 7th, 2011 | Author: OWC Erica

OWC recently went out on the town to drum up some awareness of one of our newest local business ventures — OWC Pro IT Services (OPIS) — and did it in quasi-Vegas style.

With The Raue Center for the Arts holding its 2nd annual Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament fundraiser; we and other local businesses wanted to show our support in sponsorship of the Raue and everything it strives for in our community. OWC Pro IT Services was among the sponsors, and OWC staffers showed up in support to help raise some money for the cause… and to enjoy some poker as well.

Our very own, OWC Michael played a great game (having lost everything but a chip and his chair at one point before a winning hand) and managed to make his way to the final table – taking 9th place!  Congratulations Mike!  He’s now assured a spot in next year’s tournament as well, as are all who made it through to the final table.

The Raue Center for the Arts has been a long time promoter for children and adults alike participating in and enjoying music, theater, and dance. Along with the award winning acts that make their way to the Raue stage, it also hosts educational programs that support local schools, having now reached out to thousands of children across Northern Illinois.  Encompassing everything from language arts, social studies, science, diversity and the arts, Raue is helping shape children across McHenry County and beyond.

For you history  buffs, there’s a good story here. In 1999, the Raue Center took over the grand (but then decomposing) building that once was the El Tovar Theater. A notable donation from Lucile Raue breathed life back into what is now an 800 seat theater and one that is listed among the League of Historic American Theaters.

A great big thanks to everyone who showed their support for The Raue Center for the Arts this year. Article Continues…

Category: OWC Unplugged

Blizzard of 2011 Photos From Woodstock IL

Friday, February 4th, 2011 | Author: OWC Grant

(click to enlarge)

The official count says approximately 20 inches of snow fell across the Chicagoland area from the “snowpocalypse” that raged with even lightning at times from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

However, out here in Woodstock, though, we set the record total for the greater Chicago area with 21.1 inches.

But, if you are familiar with our wide open farm fields and picturesque country roads, there were many locations that had snow drifts close to 10 feet tall.

All considered though, things could have been worse. While some of us are still attempting to dig out of driveways and homes, many other loyal OWC staffers managed to brave the elements and be there for our customers beginning late Wednesday night.

As we kept in touch with each other via email and iChat, pictures showing the situation started circulating. Here’s a small gallery from the OWC team of the storm’s aftermath:

Category: OWC Unplugged

Rare Lunar Eclipse Tonight

Monday, December 20th, 2010 | Author: OWC Chris S.

Full lunar eclipses are pretty darn cool; The moon turns dark along the edge, then becomes a deep rust colored red before reversing the process a couple hours later.

Admittedly, they’re not quite as spectacular as a total solar eclipse. No sudden darkening of the sky – it’s already dark out. The time to go from partial to totality and back is generally 4-5 hours, making progress hard to determine unless you have a camera.

However, it is still one of the only astronomical events you can observe, even in areas with a lot of light pollution, such as cities. They’re also much more common than solar eclipses – there’s usually one or two lunar eclipses each year, and they can be viewed from a much larger viewing area.

This particular eclipse can be viewed in its totality all through North and Central America. South America, West Africa, and most of Europe will be able to see part of the eclipse before it sets. Australia, and Eastern Asian countries can see the last part of the eclipse after the moon rises. For exact times, we suggest swinging by NASA Science’s page about the event. Article Continues…

Category: OWC Unplugged

A Quest For Healthy Focus

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 | Author: OWC Patrick

I have been on a quest for a better beverage. My thirst has not been quenched and my palate has not been satiated to my satisfaction and I won’t stand for it any longer.

Okay… enough drama.

I quit caffeine a couple years ago and don’t like sucking down sugar-filled soda-pop or sports drinks named after apparent attempts to aid gators. I definitely prefer carbonated beverages but can’t find any that don’t threaten me with the possibility of cursing my pancreas with diabetes.

So what do I do?

Enter Brain Toniq.

I was chatting with our founder, OWC Larry, last week and he brought up that my lack of sleep was showing on my face. I mentioned that I had been up all night with one of my kids and he offered me a Brain Toniq. I politely refused at first, because the can looked like an energy drink (which usually contain enough caffeine to assassinate a herd of buffalo) but Article Continues…

OWC remembers our Veterans

Thursday, November 11th, 2010 | Author: OWC Chris S.

We here at the OWC Blog (and, indeed, the entire company) would like to take the opportunity this Veterans Day to gratefully acknowledge our veterans for serving our country and helping to preserve the freedom we all too often take for granted.

Thank you.

Category: OWC Unplugged