Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003

Hazardous waste collection day is Saturday

Los Alamos County's household hazardous waste collection day is from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Sullivan Field at Los Alamos High School.

Los Alamos County residents can drop off paint, cleaners, electronic equipment, or other household chemicals that they no longer want at no charge. These items will be properly recycled or packaged for disposal.

Updated 9/23/03

Tech Expo Oct. 9 in Otowi Building

A technology expo is scheduled for Oct. 9 in the Otowi Building siderooms at Technical Area 3. The expo is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free and open to all Laboratory personnel.

More than 20 industry leading manufacturers, developers and system integrators will demonstrate the latest computer hardware, software and services each day. Some featured technologies are: Security Solutions, Automation Software Training, Comprehensive Technical Services, Technology Deployment, IT Services, Secure Material Management, Color Printers, Digital Cameras, Linear Motion Technology, Plasma, Control Systems, Projectors, and Screens, Deployable Workstations and Much More! There will be different exhibitors each day. Light refreshments will be served and there will be several free giveaways while supplies last.

The event is hosted by the Applied Engineering Technology (ESA-AET).

For more information, contact Jamie Capalbo 1-888-603-8899 ext.214 or Steve Brandenburg at 7-3525, or write to Brandenburg@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Updated 9/24/03

Vending machine prices to go up at Lab, DOE

Prices will be increasing 5 cents for items purchased from vending machines throughout the Lab and at Department of Energy offices. The increase applies to soft drink vending machines as well.

The increase in product prices is occurring because the vendor can no longer absorb cost increases associated with operating the vending machines. Additionally, there hasn't been an increase since Dec. 1999. The vendor will begin increasing the prices Sept. 23 and all vending machines should reflect new prices by Oct. 15.

Additional increase could take place later. Should an additional increase result, Lab and DOE workers will be notified.

For more information, contact Yolanda Alarid of the DOE/NNSA Los Alamos Site Office at 5-5034.

Updated 9/19/03

FSN news

• Toddler Group, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Sept. 24
• Infants Group with Joyce Richins, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Sept. 25
• SFCC Workshop - Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27
• Red Cross Babysitting, 1:30 to 5 p.m., Oct. 1, 8 and 15 (Wednesday's), Cost: $30

All events are held at the Family Resource Center, 1990 Diamond Drive. To register or for more information, call 662-4515.

Updated 9/18/03

YMCA activities

The Los Alamos Family YMCA is registering youths in grades one through six for its Wild Wednesday's program.The program is from 1 to 5 p.m. at the YMCA downtown and costs $13 a day or $44 a month for a YMCA member and $20 a day or $72 a month for a nonmember. The program includes instructor-led, sports oriented game in a supervised environment. Los Alamos Bus is providing transportation from Barranca, Aspen and Mountain elementary schools for $1 a ride or $15 for 20 rides.

The YMCA also is registering girls in grades seven and eight for its youth basketball league. Registration continues through Oct. 15 and league play begins in late October. The league is open to girls of all abilities and teams will practice from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Monday and Wednesday at Los Alamos Middle School. Volunteer coaches and assistants also are needed. The cost to register is $35 for members, $45 for nonmembers.

The YMCA is registering participants for its annual, three-on-three Red Ribbon basketball tournament. The tournament is Oct. 25 in Griffith Gym at Los Alamos High School, its auxiliary gym and the YMCA gym downtown. The cost to sign up for the tournament is $10 per player through Oct. 19 and $15 thereafter. Each team should consist of three to four players. There are divisions for men, women and coed and by age-group. The tournament emphasizes participation in healthy activities and reinforces the message of being drug-free.

The Los Alamos Family YMCA is a Laboratory sanctioned organization, located at 1450 Iris St. For more information, contact Kristi Hunt at 662-3100.

Updated 9/17/03

Seventh International Conference on Facility Operations - Safeguards Interface

Abstracts due Oct. 31

The Seventh International Conference on Facility Operations - Safeguards Interface  will  be held Feb. 29 - March 4, in Charleston, South Carolina, at the historic Francis Marion hotel. This conference is sponsored by the American Nuclear Society and cosponsored by the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management. It is being held to foster a better understanding of the relationships of operations in nuclear facilities and the application of safeguards under national and international regimes. Papers are solicited, and will be accepted based on a review of submitted abstracts by the technical program committee.  The deadline for a 200-word abstract is Oct. 31, and authors will be notified of acceptance by Dec. 10. Draft full papers for the proceedings are due at the beginning of the conference.

If you have questions regarding the abstracts, please contact Linda Rose at  roselj@ornl.gov by electronic mail. For information regarding preregistration, lodging or abstracts, go to http://ntr.ornl.gov/ANS2004 online.

Individuals with professional interest in safeguards technology and nuclear material facility operations are invited to participate. 

Updated 9/15/03

Wellness Center Express classes

STEP Express, #508: 12:30 to 1 p.m., Tuesday's and Thursays, Sept. 30 - Dec.18, Rm. 101, Cost: $24.75. Join Chris for a 30-minute step class. Perfect for beginners and experienced steppers alike.

Sumba Express, #509: 12:30 to 1 p.m., Tuesday's and Thursday's, Sept. 30 - Oct. 30, Rm. 121, Cost: $12.50. Get ready to party with Robin in this low impact class designed with a busy schedule in mind. Thirty minutes of Latin moves that will be more fun than work.

Updated 9/15/03

Wellness Center registering for fall classes

Registration for fall 2003 classes (Sept. 29 - Dec. 19) will be accepted beginning Sept. 17. The fall 2003 class schedule is available at http://www.wellness.lanl.gov/events.htm online or at the Wellness Center.

Exercise classes are available to authorized Wellness Center clients only. Wellness Center health promotion classes are open to the entire Laboratory work force.

For more information, call 7-7166.

Updated 9/15/03

First case of West Nile Virus confirmed in county

The first recorded case of West Nile Virus in Los Alamos County was confirmed last week. The State Department of Health confirmed that a horse in Los Alamos County is sick with the virus. County officials also have heard unofficial reports from the public indicating that other horses are ill with the virus.

West Nile Virus is spread by mosquitoes that have bitten infected birds. Humans are susceptible to the virus: 102 people in New Mexico have been diagnosed with the infection, 45 of them with encephalitis or meningitis. There also are more than 270 confirmed cases of equine West Nile Virus in New Mexico.

People living and working in Los Alamos should take these simple steps to protect themselves and their horses from the virus, and to prevent its spread:

• Stay indoors at dawn, dusk and in the early evening;
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks whenever outdoors;
• Use insect repellent products with no more than 35 percent DEET for adults and follow the directions on the label for children from ages 2-12. Products containing soybean oil and eucalyptus oil also have been shown to be effective but need to be applied more often. Note: These products aren't appropriate for pets or horses;
• Keep windows and doors closed. If house doors or windows are left open, make sure they have screens that fit tightly and have no holes;
• Don't allow water to stand more than four days in old tires, flowerpots, trash containers, swimming pools, birdbaths, pet bowls and troughs;
• Mitigate pools of standing water on property by using Bti briquets. Bti is an effective mosquito larvacide that is otherwise harmless. Bti briquets are available at hardware stores and plant nurseries. The county Parks Division will provide free Bti care packets to those who find standing water that cannot otherwise be drained. The Parks Division can be contacted at 662-8159;
• Horse owners should contact their veterinarian to have horses vaccinated against West Nile Virus. The vaccine has proven very effective, but it takes two weeks from the second of two initial doses before the horse is considered protected;
• Lab personnel should watch for and mitigate standing water on Lab property.

For more information on West Nile Virus prevention, go to http://www.health.state.nm.us/wnv/ online.

Updated 9/15/03

Trinity Site tour is Oct. 4

The National Atomic Museum is offering its semi-annual tour of the Trinity Site National Historic Landmark on Oct. 4. The tour includes docent talks, walking Ground Zero, viewing of Jumbo, and visiting the McDonald Ranch House, as well as a pre-trip Friday night (Oct. 3) talk by a Trinity test eyewitness.

Tour busses will leave the museum at 6 a.m. and return approximately at 4:30 p.m. Participants will be treated to lunch along with a conventional explosives demonstration at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

The cost is $50 per person and seating is limited. Call (505) 242-6083 to make a reservation.

Updated 9/12/03

Volunteer opportunities

1. Santa Clara Pueblo Community Library is sponsoring a tutoring program and needs volunteers to work with students in grades 1-12. Tutoring sessions are from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Monday and Wednesday, in the Santa Clara Community Library. An orientation session for tutors, parents and students is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 6, and Wednesday, Oct. 8. If you are interested in volunteering as a tutor provide your name, group, phone number and email address to Kay Coddens at kpc@lanl.gov by electronic mail. If you have any questions about the tutoring program, contact Barbara Grimes at 5-5121 or write to bgrimes@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

2. Volunteers are needed in each Los Alamos elementary school as instructors in a reading tutorial program for 4-6 graders. The program will run before and after school. Each session is 30 minutes long and can serve up to six students at a time. Training and materials are provided. For more information, contact Suzanne Lynne at 663-2676.

3. A 17-year-old senior at Española Valley High School, who currently has a 4.5 GPA, is in heavy competition for Valedictorian of the class. The student has been placed in Calculus II, never having taken Calculus I, and feels that a tutor is needed. If interested, contact Joyce Vigil Sandoval at 7-4090 or write to jvigil-sandoval@lanl.gov or sandovaljs@cybermesa.com by electronic mail.

4. Big Brothers Big Sisters Los Alamos Lunch Buddies is looking for volunteers to join their team. They have been in existence since 1996 and have helped hundreds of children in Española (since 1998) and Los Alamos. Lunch Buddies is a proven, effective way to provide adult mentoring and friendship for children (kindergarten through 6th grade) who need a little extra help to build self esteem, promote healthy lifestyles and relations, and to resist self-destructive behavior like dropping out of school, joining gangs, smoking, drinking, or doing drugs. Volunteers meet with their Lunch Buddies for an hour a week, on school grounds, for two semesters to eat breakfast (Española) or lunch (Española, Los Alamos, White Rock) together. The volunteer is an uncritical, supportive, listening friend to a student. For more information, contact Jennifer Bartram, Program Coordinator Big Brothers Big Sisters - LA Lunch Buddies, at 505-470-0452.

4. The Los Alamos First Response (LAFR) team is seeking volunteers. Volunteers needed to work shifts of days, evenings and weekends to serve as advocates for domestic violence, sexual assault, and attempted suicide for Los Alamos County. Extensive training is provided to qualified individuals. Additional training will be provided to those individuals interested in suicide prevention. Training is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 3 and 4. Training will be repeated for anyone unable to attend on these dates. If interested, contact Donna Martinez at 672-2208 or 5-7467 or write to donanez@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Updated 9/24/03

Vacuum Technology seminar on Oct. 8

Varian Vacuum Technologies is hosting a Vacuum Technology seminar at 8 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Oct. 8, in the Physics Building Auditorium. The seminar is free.

Anyone that uses vacuum as part of their job and those with an interest in vacuum science will benefit from this seminar. Those who are skilled practitioners can expect to gain valuable insights and pointers. Those with minimal vacuum experience will receive a comprehensive treatment of high and ultra high vacuum practice.

If interested in attending, send name and telephone number to tom.mathers@varianinc.com by electronic mail.

Updated 9/11/03

Project Management Toolbox scheduled for Oct. 7-9

Projects produce funding. Doing projects right (delivering results on time and within budget) is the most effective tool for obtaining future funding. This three-day workshop focuses upon individual skill building and addresses the essential elements of project management

• Building high performing teams
• Establishing project definitions that are clear and realistic
• Understanding the detailed steps in project planning
• Optimizing trade-offs
• Developing a baseline plan and monitoring procedures
• Tracking progress and fixing problems
• Closing out the project

The course is presented by Erika Jones and Associates, who have a history of successful project facilitations throughout the Laboratory.

For additional information and registration, go to http://www.hr.lanl.gov/TIOCourses/TIOSession.asp?CourseSession=196920017 online or call Harry Thomas of Training and Development (HR-T&D) at 7-4002.

Updated 9/9/03

LANL Energetic Materials Review on Sept. 29 - Oct. 2

The 2003 LANL Energetic Materials Review is scheduled for Sept. 29 - Oct. 2. The objective of the review will be to present a broad perspective of the Laboratory's energetic materials related R&D activities that support tactical and strategic nuclear and conventional weapons deliverables.

Eight topical sessions with associated poster sessions will be presented, each beginning with a short overview to highlight key progress in the past year and future plans.

Topical sessions: HE Synthesis, Formulations & Advanced Energetics; HE Engineering, Processing & Characterization; HE Characterization & Constituent Modeling; Non-shock Initiation (Thermal, Impact, Shear & Friction); Energetic Materials Aging; Initiation Systems & Shock Initiation; Shock Chemistry & Reactive Burn; and Detonation Physics, DSD & EOS

Unclassified sessions are scheduled at the J. Robert Oppenheimer Study Center. Only badged personnel will be allowed to attend the presentations. Some attendance restrictions may apply to UCNI and/or OUO presentations.

One classified session is scheduled for the Forum on Thursday afternoon. Attendance at classified sessions by DOE and non-DOE personnel will require clearance access to SRD, Sigmas 1-10. For all Lab DOE personnel, verification of your Sigma 1-10 status by your group management (via fax or email to Janet at 5-2828/neff@lanl.gov) will be required prior at the start of the review if you wish to attend any of the presentations in the classified session. 

For more information, contact Janet Neff-Shampine of Pulsed Power Hydrodynamics (P-22) at 7-8214.

Updated 7/16/03

Employees leaving Lab must attend termination presentation

Employees who are leaving the Laboratory or changing to casual status must attend a benefits termination presentation held by Benefits (HR-B).

The termination presentations are held every Laboratory pay day for University of California Lab employees. Employees who are retiring aren't required to attend a presentation, but rather, they should schedule a meeting with their designated benefits specialist.

The presentations begin at 8:30 a.m. in room P280 on the second floor of the Otowi Building at Technical Area 3. Pre-registration is required. Employees should register on line at http://hrcluster.lanl.gov/TIOCourses/TIOAha.asp?CourseNumber=21013 one to two weeks prior to their last scheduled work day to sign up for a benefits termination presentation.

Employees also must obtain a departure processing form from Staffing (HR-S) before the presentation. This form is available at http://www.hr.lanl.gov/hrstaffing/Terminations/index.stm online.

At the presentation, employees will receive a packet of information about their benefits and savings balances. They will learn about options to continue or convert insurance plans and distribution options for savings funds.

Employees who require a sign language interpreter should write to benefits@lanl.gov by e-mail three days in advance of the presentation they plan to attend. Or call the benefits office at 5-3842 (TDD).

Because of limited parking, employees should plan to arrive early and/or make alternative transportation arrangements, such as using Johnson Controls Northern New Mexico's ride service.

Updated 10/25/02

Lost and found

Lost: reading glasses in gold cigar-shaped case on Sept.18 at Technical Area 3. If found, contact brogers@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Lost: Motorola v120e cell phone (silver, non-folding) in a black plastic (fake leather) case. The service is Verizon, which is printed on the phone in two spots. Lost on Sept. 18 in or around the dirt lot by the new building north of the Physics Building and west of NISC (TA-3). If found, please contact Terry Wallace at wallacet@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Lost: prescription safety glasses, silver with rectangular lens, eye safety pieces on ear pieces. If found, contact Keith Brewer at 7-3091 or write to kkbrewer@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Found: CUAnytime bank card at TA-3 Otowi area. Identify to claim. Call Craig at 5-1437 or craigk@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Lost: cigarette case at Otowi Building or Ashley Pond. If found, contact Mabel Valencia at valmab@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Lost: gold diamond bracelet with baguette and round diamonds either at, or between, the Otowi Building and SM-30 on Sept. 11. If found, please call Julie at 4-0409. 

Lost: square-lens sunglasses, shaded darker at top, lighter at bottom of lens in the Administration Building or surrounding area. If found, call Cynthia at 5-7195.

Lost: cell phone in leather caring case on Aug. 25 in the south side men's restroom on the 1st floor. Please contact Leo Jaramillo at leoj@lanl.gov by electronic mail or call 7-0741.

Found: two set of keys on plain rings and one key with a white twist-tie on a dirt road between TA-46 and TA-52. The keys have Wal-mart, Hillman and Strattec on them. Contact Laura Ortega at 5-7407 or lco@lanl.gov by electronic mail to claim.

Lost: medium size purse, denim fabric. If found, contact Leanna Martinez at 5-2545 or 927-7275.

Found: key ring at the Pueblo Complex with a single key to a Jeep vehicle, a keyless entry remote and a medallion at the Pueblo Complex. Call 5-3814.

Lost: Palm Pilot m130 hand held computer lost in or around the Otowi Building on July 24. If found, please contact sstokes@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Lost: gold-tone pin with 3 parrot birds made from stones. Call Karen at 5-6592.

Found: watch at the Wellness Center. Call 5-8555 to claim.

Found: reading glasses and a watch were turned into the registration desk at the Family Festival event on July 19. Contact Debby Thompson at 5-6457 to claim.

Lost: Oakley prescription sunglasses at TA-53 on July 24. If found, contact Mike at 5-2297 or write to rjenkins@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Lost: prescription sunglasses on July 22. Blue frame in a soft leather eyeglass case. Please contact Ira Wasserman at ira@astro.cornell.edu by electronic mail or leave a message with Deb at 7-0920 or Richard at 7-9595.

Lost: silver bracelet with single turqoise stone either at Wellness Center, in TAXI service van or at TA-52, Buildings 44 and 45. If found, contact Andrea at 5-5250.

Commuter's Corner

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