Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005

Wellness Center classes

Healthy Start: Before and During Pregnancy -- This two-session class is geared toward women and couples planning a pregnancy, or women in the early months of pregnancy. Topics include physical and emotional adjustments, nutrition, safe and fun exercise, etc. Taught by HSR-2 staff: Wellness Center, Employee Assistance and Occupational Medicine. Noon to 1 p.m., Part 1: March 2 and Part 2: March 9

Pre-Diabetes -- This class is geared toward people with pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, or glucose intolerance. Learn about the definitions and lifestyle approaches to reduce risk for diabetes. Noon to 1 p.m., Part 1: March 3 and Part 2: March 10

Both classes held in the Wellness Center, Room 106. No fee. Health promotion classes are open to the entire Laboratory work force. Register (required) at http://www.wellness.lanl.gov/svc/classes/hp/hp_sch.htm online or call 7-7166.

Updated 2/23/05

Dahl Plumbing closed Thursday afternoon, Friday

Dahl Plumbing of Santa Fe will be closing at noon on Thursday to begin their annual inventory. They will remain closed on Friday and will re-open for business on Monday, Feb. 28. The only impact that this will have to the JIT contract is that the Dahl JIT staff will not be readily available as far as being at their desks for immediate assistance. The Dahl staff will be checking their voice and e-mails periodically throughout the day. Dahl has a designated phone number for emergencies if a situation would arise that requires immediate assistance. That phone number is 470-6227. Our staff will continue to process MR's throughout the day on Thursday and will deliver at their scheduled time on Friday morning.

For more information, contact Feliz Vigil of Streamlined Purchasing (SUP-7) at 5-0316.

Updated 2/23/05

FEMA guide offers emergency preparedness tips

A new guide from the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides the public with tips on emergency preparedness. Called "Are You Ready?" the guide is available to individuals, families and community preparedness groups who are looking for a comprehensive source of what to do when disaster strikes.

The guide provides a step-by-step approach to disaster preparedness by teaching individuals how to become informed about local emergency plans, identify hazards that affect their area, develop and maintain an emergency communications plan for family members, and build a disaster supplies kit.

Other guide topics include evacuation, emergency public shelters, animals in disaster and information specific to people with disabilities. The preparedness facts are based on the most reliable hazard awareness and emergency education information including advances in scientific knowledge, the most accurate technical language and the latest physical research on what happens in disasters.

The guide is available from the FEMA Web site in both English and Spanish. Go to www.fema.gov online to obtain a free copy or call FEMA's Publications Warehouse at 1-800-480-2520.

Updated 2/22/05

SM-31 in-plant store closure/Fisher Scientific relocation

The SM-31 In Plant Store has closed and Fisher Scientific has vacated the building. The move is prompted by the scheduled decommission and decontamination of Building SM-31 at Technical Area 3. Fisher Scientific's Customer Service Center has relocated to the Los Alamos Research Park at 4200 West Jemez Road across from the Otowi Building at TA-3.

Existing telephone numbers will remain; Fisher Scientific will be providing warehouse and cross-docking activities from its Albuquerque facility and will be delivering products to the Laboratory on a daily basis. At this time, products and existing services provided by Fisher Scientific will not change.

For more information, contact Florence Serna of or Joann Sandoval of Streamlined Purchasing (SUP-7) at 5-7008 or 5-4024 respectively.

Updated 2/18/05

Records Management Certification program offered in April

Information, Records and Media Services (IM-9) is sponsoring a Records Management Certification program presented by the National Archives and Records Administration. This certification will involve six sessions and all six sessions must be completed in order to get certified. The first session, Knowledge Area 2, Creating and Maintaining Business Information, will be offered on April 4 and 5, at Canyon School, Room 160. There is a limit of 30 participants. The cost for this session is $300. Checks need to be made payable to NARA. Registrations/checks will be received by Dolores Salazar, MS C322, Fax No. 5-5543. Checks must be received by March 21 or registration will be cancelled. Once checks are received, there will be no cancellations and no refunds. Substitutes will be allowed.

For more information, write to dolores@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Updated 2/17/05

Volunteer opportunities

1. Request for Handmade Bowls - Self Help Inc. will sponsor the 12th Annual Empty Bowl Project from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 5, at Fuller Lodge. For the price of admission ($10.00) attendees are served a soup and bread lunch and also choose a hand-crafted bowl to take home. All of the money raised in this annual event goes directly to support the work done by Self Help, Inc. as they help families and individuals throughout Northern New Mexico. In addition to the Soup and Bowl lunch, a much diversified silent auction will take place. Self Help needs volunteers for all aspects of the event. If interested, contact Ellen Morris at 662-4666 or Jane Clements at 661-6570.
2. Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation - Los Alamos Ambassador: Volunteer as part of a team to promote the community of Los Alamos at trade shows, receptions, community events, ribbon cuttings and other functions. Must be personable, presentable, exhibit a positive attitude toward the community and be willing to travel to assigned events in Northern New Mexico. If you have any questions, contact Cindy of the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation at 661-4815.
3. Cimarron High School's Career Exploration class is having a career week and needs individuals to come in and educate students on their careers. They are focusing on a career cluster that is working with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and are requesting that interested volunteers visit the school and give students a presentation on their careers. Included in the presentation: what training or education it required to obtain your degree; how much people in the same field make money wise; actually what all your jobs consist of everyday; and a demonstration or hands on activity for students. This career cluster will be presenting from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 24. If interested, contact Kayleigh Braunlich at (505) 376-2241 or write to kbraunlich9@cimarronschools.org by electronic mail.
4. The 2005 New Mexico Regional Science Bowl is scheduled for March 5 at the Albuquerque Academy. This year they expect 50-60 teams from 20-25 schools. Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided. For more information, contact Ted Wolff of Sandia National Laboratories at (505) 284-5204 or write to tawolff@sandia.gov by electronic mail.
5. Daffodils for Hospice 2005 - supporting the hospice programs of Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service and Los Rios Home Health Care (Española). LAVNS needs volunteers to help deliver fresh cut daffodils from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., March 11 (all shifts available). If interested in volunteering, contact Debbie Weber at 662-2525.
6. The Board of Directors of the YDI Foundation voted to hold a Northern New Mexico Business Community Fundraising lunch or dinner to raise funds to support YDI's Northern New Mexico Programs. This fundraiser is to be held in Española, in late May or early June. In addition to being a fundraiser, this event is intended to educate Northern New Mexico Businesses about the tremendous services YDI provides within their community. Volunteers interested in helping with the coordination and planning of this event should contact Michelle Luna of the YDI Foundation at 242-7306 ext. 18 or write to mluna@ydinm.org by electronic mail.

Employees participating in science and/or math outreach activities may be eligible for Community Service time (paid leave, up to 32 hours per calendar year). For more details and procedures for application (before volunteering), go to http://www-stb-internal.lanl.gov:8080/wosaserver/form?app=comServ online.

The Laboratory Volunteer Program is a Laboratory-approved community relations and support activity. For more information, contact Debbi Wersonick at 7-7870.

Updated 2/15/05

Weather delays Trinity Drive drainage project

The recent rain and snow has brought much-needed moisture to Los Alamos, but it has caused some delays in completing a drainage improvement project on Trinity Drive.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation is now looking at completing the project later this month. The state agency is replacing three drainage drop inlets on Trinity Drive in front of the Mountain Village complex. The drop inlets have been installed on the westbound lanes of Trinity Drive; work has now moved to the eastbound lanes.

Dry conditions are needed to complete some of the final portions of the project, according to Miguel Gabaldon of the Department of Transportation.

Motorists may wish to seek alternate routes, especially during the noon hour and evening commute. Signs and other traffic control devices will be in place alerting motorists to the work. Signs and other traffic control devices are in place alerting motorists to the work.

For more information, contact Gabaldon at 827-9527 or see the Jan. 13 Daily Newsbulletin.

Updated 2/4/05

Cookie sales

Many Laboratory personnel have children or friends in schools or organizations that sell cookies, candy or other low-cost items as fund-raisers. Low-key, local participation (within a co-located team or group) in charitable events or school fund-raisers is permissible at the Laboratory during work hours as part of the social fabric of our workplace. However, selling commercial products (such as cosmetics or candles) is not allowed (see AM 701.03, Government Resources).

Here are some common-sense guidelines to assist employees:

• Informally taking orders from co-workers for Girl Scout cookies or school candy is permissible.
• Setting up a table at the Otowi Building Cafeteria to sell Cub Scout popcorn is not permissible.
• Setting up a tray or booth at an employee's desk to sell candy in support of a sports team is not permissible.
• Soliciting donations or selling club candy in a reception area or an area typically frequented by employees or guests from outside the co-located group is not permissible.
• Systematically "working" an office building or organization by asking every resident to purchase school or club items is not considered "low-key," and thus is not permissible.
• Spending substantial amounts of office time on informally soliciting cookie sales is not "incidental," thus is not permissible.
• Selling raffle tickets is not permitted under AM 705, Gambling.
• Managers or others in a position of authority must refrain from any fund-raising activity that might present the appearance of coercion.

Lab employees who have concerns about the propriety of any internal solicitation should contact either their manager or Staff Relations (HR-SR) at 7-8730.

Updated 2/3/05

Lab has new telephone exchange

The Laboratory now has 606 telephone exchanges to go with its 664, 665 and 667 numbers.

Like its other numbers, Laboratory employees only have to dial the last five digits when calling a 606 number from inside the Lab. For example, when responding to a page from 606-0055, dial 6-0055.

Updated 2/1/05

Skolnik training classes

Skolnik Technical Training Institute will host the following classes:

• “Special Four-Day Advanced Electronics” training class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 1 - 4, at the Howard Johnson Conference Center in Albuquerque. This training class is designed for engineers, technicians, managers and anyone who would like to learn about the realistic, practical, real-world industrial applications of electronic components and circuits that were not taught in school. They will discuss and study in depth the different electronic components and their complete, detailed operations and applications. The tuition is $1,999. 
• "Enhanced IPC-A-610 CERTIFICATION, Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies": a four-day "IPC-A-610 Certification" training class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 1 - 4, at Skolnik’s soldering training facility in Albuquerque. This IPC-A-610 class is designed to provide soldering certification to assemblers, technicians and/or engineers, for end-product acceptance criteria of high reliability electronic assemblies. The tuition is $945.
• IPC/EIA J-STD-001 CERTIFICATION, Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies": a five-day "IPC/EIA J-STD-001 Certification" training class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 7 - 11, at Skolnik’s soldering training facility in Albuquerque. This IPC/EIA J-STD-001 class is designed to provide soldering certification to assemblers, technicians and/or engineers, for end-product acceptance criteria of high reliability electronic assemblies. The tuition is $1,149.
• “Introduction to RF” and “Advanced General RF & µWave Measurement, Theory and Practice” training classes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 7 - 11, at the Howard Johnson Conference Center in Albuquerque. The “RF, Introduction” class (March 7 and 8) will cover the theory and practical aspects of RF components, design, test and measurement, whereas the “Advanced RF” class (March 9 - 11) is designed to provide the practical RF design and troubleshooting skills for engineers and technicians. The fee for the “RF, Introduction” class is $1,150 and is $1,599 for the “RF, Advanced” class.
• “IPC-A-610 Re-Certification” training class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 21 - 22, at Skolnik’s soldering training facility in Albuquerque. This IPC-A-610 re-certification class is to enable the operators who are currently certified to IPC-A-610 to renew their IPC-A-610 Operator Proficiency Certification (valid for two years), prior to the expiration of their certifications. The tuition fee is $599.
• “IPC/EIA J-STD-001 Re-Certification” training class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 23 - 24, at Skolnik’s soldering training facility in Albuquerque. This IPC/EIA J-STD-001 re-certification class is to enable the operators who are currently certified to IPC/EIA J-STD-001 to renew their IPC/EIA J-STD-001 Operator Proficiency Certification (valid for two years), prior to the expiration of their certifications. The tuition fee is $799.

Skolnik Technical offers competitively-priced, first-class calibration services for instruments from numerous manufacturers. Their calibration and supply certification for industry applications are in compliance with MIL-STD-45662A, ANSI / NCSL-Z540-1, and traceable to NIST, with or without data points. Different levels of certification are offered to meet specific quality standards and individual conformance needs and requirements. 

For more information on any of the classes or equipment calibration and repair services, go to http://www.skolnik-tech.com/ online or call the registration department at (505) 299-1157.

Updated 2/22/05

CDS training classes in Albuquerque

Commercial Data Systems is providing Sun, Oracle, Veritas and Linux training classes in Albuquerque. The classes are held at the CDS office, located at 4828 Hardware Drive NE.

For a list of classes, click here (Adobe Acrobat Reader required). For more information, contact Renato Taralli at (505) 314-4017 or write to renato@cdsinc.com by electronic mail.

Updated 1/25/05

Support for tsunami victims

Laboratory Director G. Peter Nanos asked employees to consider how they might assist the victims of the Dec. 26, 2004 earthquake and tsunami in southeast Asia.

To read a all-employee memo, click here (Adobe Acrobat Reader required).

Updated 1/13/05

National Instruments LabVIEW classes

The following LabVIEW classes are being offered by National Instruments

The LabVIEW Basics I course shows attendees how to develop test and measurement, data acquisition, instrument control, datalogging and measurement analysis applications using LabVIEW. The LabVIEW Basics II course is a logical extension of Basics I and shows how to design complete, stand-alone applications in LabVIEW.

The LabVIEW Intermediate I course teaches structured practices to design, develop, test and deploy LabVIEW applications. The Intermediate II course builds on skills developed in LabVIEW Intermediate I by doing in-depth examination of memory management/performance techniques to extend your ability to develop LabVIEW code to maximizes application efficiency. This training is suggested for LabVIEW users pursuing Certified LabVIEW Developer certification.

LabVIEW users who have not yet attended this LabVIEW training can register for these classes at www.ni.com/training online or by calling toll-free (888) 484-4436. For more information or for a quote, write to Hank.Buterbaugh@ni.com by electronic mail or call (800) 433-3488 ext. 30218.

Updated 2/22/05

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: Toyota keyless remote in TA-53 area. Black with gray button. If found, please contact Sara at 665-7854.

Found: two pairs of prescription glasses (1) sunglasses, (2) reading glasses. Possibly left in the Director's Conference Room. Please call 7-5101 to claim.

Found: earring with four stones tri-colored in back lot of Otowi Building. Call Gary at 5-9465 to claim.

Found: ladies silver bracelet at TA-3, Bldg. 200, 2nd floor. Call Dawnetta at 5-0424 to claim.

Found: a onyx necklace with a bear pendant in the HOV parking lot between the Ad Building and CMR. To claim the necklace, call 7-9774.

Found: one key on green holder marked BWXT #5. Found outside Motorola building on Jan. 24. Please contact Lou at 663-5555 to claim.

Lost: rhinestone pendant, inch wide with chains/rhinestones attached around the Otowi Building at Technical Area 3 on Jan. 19. If found, please contact Belinda Valdez at 5-1364.

Lost: pair of ladies black leather gloves. Hole in the right thumb liner. Perhaps at Canyon Complex, Research Park or in parking lot off Truck route and Pajarito. Contact Veronica at vencinas@lanl.gov if found. They were a gift from my husband.

Lost: Nissan thermal travel mug, stainless steel, on Jan. 13 near entrance to commuter bus lot off of Truck Route. If found, call Chris at 5-6228.

Found: pair of black ear warmers for headphones outside Administration Building (TA-3, SM-43) southwest door. Call Bill at 5-3398 to claim.

Found: four keys at Occupational Medicine, Bldg. 1411. To claim, call Di at 7-7890.

Found: cell phone on Pajarito Road, near intersection of Pajarito Road and Diamond Drive. Call 5-2977 to claim.

Found: gold colored french wire earring near Physics Building. To claim, call Wendee at 7-5724.

Lost: three keys in vicinity of S Compound and CMR parking lot. If found, contact Judy Bell at 7-5886.

Commuter's Corner

To run an ad, contact the Newsbulletin at newsbulletin@lanl.gov or 7-6103.

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Commercial Transportation Options

LA Bus Schedules and Fares

Park-and-ride Commuter Bus Service Schedule (pdf)