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Chancellor Emeritus Larry Vanderhoef is making good progress in his recovery from a Dec. 1 stroke, according to his ������Ƶ Medical Center physicians.

Vanderhoef

“He is doing quite well,” said attending physician Cassie Spalding-Dias, an assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation and director of inpatient therapy. “There is no sign of cognitive impairment. His right side has weakness, but we’re seeing encouraging signs of improvement. And his speech is good — strongest in the morning and a little softer and slower at night. We anticipate that he will make a strong recovery."

The chancellor emeritus is expected to continue acute rehabilitation for the next two to three weeks, followed by outpatient therapies when discharged.

“I’m on my way back,” Vanderhoef said. “I’d never anticipated such a firsthand tour of our rehab center. But I’m mightily impressed — and awfully grateful. I’m thankful, too, for the many good wishes I’ve received these last few days. They mean lots.”

Holiday memo: Heat, lights, buses, coffee, food and more

Students are preparing for finals and Facilities Management is preparing for the annual winter turn-down — when the campus lowers the heat where appropriate to save on energy costs during the holiday break.

Which means, if you are working, remember to dress appropriately for what may be a chilly office.

And, if you’re not here, or your department is closed completely, remember to turn off the lights and office equipment, so the campus can save even more energy.

First come final exams, all next week, Dec. 10-14; and the midyear commencement, Saturday, Dec. 15. Then there’s a full week, Dec. 17-21, before the break.

The thermostat setback begins Friday evening, Dec. 21, and continues until Wednesday morning, Jan. 2. The period in between includes four administrative holidays: Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 24-25, and Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 31-Jan. 1.

In addition, many departments and units will be closed Wednesday-Friday, Dec. 26-28. Employees can have an extra long break, by using vacation or compensatory time, or they can take alternative assignments. Many other employees will take off extra time, too, even though their units are not closing.

, including complete schedules for coffee, food, Unitrans, ARC, bookstore, Repro Graphics and more.

Seminar on ag and horticultural water issues

A number of ������Ƶ and other UC-affiliated experts are on the program for “More Cash Per Splash” — a daylong seminar on the topic of water quality and water efficiency in California agriculture and horticulture.

The seminar for people in academia, government and industry is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday (Dec. 10) at the Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center. In presenting the seminar, ������Ƶ is partnering with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the Netherlands Embassy in Washington, D.C., and Wageningen University in the Netherlands.

Scientists and policy makers in the Netherlands have vast experience dealing with water issues and — with 20 percent of their nation’s acreage lying below sea level — have developed creative approaches to managing water.

The seminar program features sessions on California water use issues, how future water limitations are likely to impact the state’s agricultural and horticultural industries, and technological advances that can be used to solve water problems.

UC speakers include Thomas Harter, a Cooperative Extension hydrologist at ������Ƶ; Dan Sumner, an agricultural economics professor and director of the UC Agricultural Issues Center at ������Ƶ; Khaled Bali, Cooperative Extension county director and irrigation- and water-management adviser for Imperial County; and Doug Parker, director of the California Institute for Water Resources.

Other speakers represent Wageningen University, the California Farm Bureau Federation, state and regional agencies, and the private sector.

The seminar is a product of 2011’s ������Ƶ-Wageningen University agreement to collaborate on water issues as well as renewable energy, human nutrition and global food security.

Pets can sit with Santa Paws for photos

������Ƶ veterinary students have arranged for a visit by Santa Paws, who will sit with your dog or cat for a photo and listen to what they want for Christmas!

It’s a benefit for the School of Veterinary Medicine's for the pets of homeless people. The monthly clinic, run by ������Ƶ students next to Loaves & Fishes in Sacramento, offers basic veterinary care and access to emergency care, as well as food, all free of charge.

Santa Paws hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at the , 1823 Fulton Ave., Sacramento. You can arrange an appointment by calling (916) 485-5412; walk-ins also are welcome.

Suggested donations: $25 for a photo and $5 for a CD of your pet’s photo with Santa.

Customer rewards now offered at ������Ƶ Stores

has launched the Customer Rewards Program.

The bookstore awards a point for every dollar you spend (after discount and before sales tax), on most everything except gift cards and postage stamps and other nonmerchandise expenditures. Double rewards will be offered during special promotional periods.

Collect 500 points and you’ll get a $10 voucher — and, as the program evolves, other rewards will be offered, say, a $5 coupon for an off-campus restaurant (50 points) or 30 percent off a ������Ƶ clothing item (100 points). Seasonal rewards might include $10 off a "������Ƶ Mom" clothing item around Mothers Day (100 points).