Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003

Amateur Radio Licensing exams on Oct. 14

The Los Alamos Amateur Radio Club is sponsoring Amateur Radio Licensing exams for all classes of licenses. Exams will be given at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the White Rock Training Center. Pre-registration is not required. All applicants should bring a photo ID, a simple calculator and $12 for the ARRL exam fee. License upgrades will require the original and a copy of your current amateur license and any CSCEs for credit. All other required forms will be provided at the exam session.

For questions, contact Kyle Carr at 7-3641 or 661-8967 or write to km5p@arrl.org by electronic mail.

Updated 9/30/03

Alcatel Vacuum Technology Expo on Oct. 22

Alcatel Vacuum products and Netmercury are hosting a Vacuum product expo from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Los Alamos Inn. Stop by to see what's new for 2004 in helium leak detection, ACP dry roughing pumps and turbomolecular pumping.

Refreshments will be served throughout the day and lunch will be served for those stopping by during the lunch hour (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.).

For more information, contact John Barnes or Cindy Milam at (505)344-6441.

Updated 9/26/03

Wellness Center class

The Breast Health and Self Care class will review the current recommendations and techniques for breast self-examination and self care, along with dietary and exercise tips for cancer prevention. The class is taught by Occupational Medicine and the Wellness Center staff. Noon to 1 p.m., Wednesday (Oct. 1), Wellness Center Room 106.

Health promotion classes are open to the entire Laboratory work force. No fee, but pre-registration is required and can be completed at http://www.wellness.lanl.gov/svc/classes/hp/hp_sch.htm online.

For more information, contact the Wellness Center at 7-7166.

Updated 9/26/03

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 evenings, 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. For questions about the tutoring program, contact Barbara Grimes at 5-5121 or write to bgrimes@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

2. One in three people in northern New Mexico benefits from the services provided by United Way-supported agencies. Many individuals in our workforce have either benefited from and contributed to the work of the agencies that are the recipients of our United Way donations.

During the Lab's 2004 United Way campaign, we want to share real-life stories about our United Way agencies and your experiences as either the recipient or provider of these much appreciated services. Weekly, a testimonial or story will appear in the Daily Newsbulletin reflecting experiences of members of the Lab community. If you can offer personal stories about a United Way agency, contact Kay Roybal of Community Releations (CRO) at 5-3908 or write to k_roybal@lanl.gov by electronic mail or Vanessa De La Cruz at 5-8089 or vanessa@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Updated 9/26/03

FSN news

• Red Cross Babysitting, 1:30 to 5 p.m., Oct. 1, 8 and 15 (Wednesday's), Cost: $30
• Toddler Support Group, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Oct. 1
• Infant Support Group, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Oct. 2
• ProTeens Support Group - A parent-based support, resource and advocacy group that promotes healthy teens through parental involvement. 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7

All events are held at the Family Resource Center, 1990 Diamond Drive. For more information, go to http://www.losalamos.com/familystrengths online or call 662-4515.

Updated 9/29/03

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 9/25/03

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

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) are now being accepted. 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 9/26/03

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 Saturday

The National Atomic Museum is offering its semi-annual tour of the Trinity Site National Historic Landmark on Saturday (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

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

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: mens black jacket at the Otowi Cafeteria on Sept. 26. Large key ring in pocket, plastic monkey figure on ring. Contact jchansen@lanl.gov by electronic mail or call 7-5043.

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.

Commuter's Corner

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