Fermilab Today Announcements

Science Chicago hosts Mythbusters
Through August 2009, Science Chicago offers tours, hands-on activities and other science-related events for adults and children, many free of charge. Events include the Fermilab Open House on Jan. 17 and a visit by the Mythbusters of the Discovery Channel, Adam Savage & Jamie Hyneman, on March 1 at the Harris Theater. Check out the Science Chicago calendar for details and many other events http://www.sciencechicago.com/calendar/2008/12

IRS Final 403(b) Regulations
The Internal Revenue Service has finalized regulations covering the 403(b) plans. The memo explaining in detail the changes to the eligibility requirements for obtaining hardship withdrawal distributions will be sent to all employees. You can have access to the memo on the Benefits Web site at: http://wdrs.fnal.gov/benefits/mailings.html

NALWO - A Russian Style New Year
This is a traditional Russian Style New Year celebration for children, Saturday, Dec. 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kuhn Barn. The event will begin with a non-professional children’s performance, in the Russian language, based on the Russian folk tale “Twelve Months”, English translation will be provided. “Grandfather Frost” will visit the children following the performance, and traditional Russian songs will be sung by all. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided, following the activities. Please note that this is a ticketed event. Adult admission is free, but children admission is $10. The fee covers the cost of a gift, pizza, and juice, for your child. To make your reservation call Madina Sukhanova at (630)846-6501 by Dec. 9 or e-mail Madina.Sukhanova@gmail.com.

Barn Dance Dec. 14
Fermilab barn dance Sunday, Dec. 14 in the Kuhn Village Barn at 6:30 p.m. with music by Sam Strong and calling by Tony Scarimbolo. For more information visit http://www.fnal.gov/orgs/folkclub/

Fermilab Blood Drive Dec. 16, 17
Mark your calendars. Heartland Blood Centers will be here for the Fermilab Blood Drive on Dec. 16 and 17 from 8 a.m to 2 p.m. in the Wilson Hall Ground Floor NE Training Room. Appointments can be scheduled on the Web or by calling Diana at x3771 or Margie at x5680. More information can be found here (pdf).

The University of Chicago Tuition Remission Program deadline Dec. 17
The deadline to apply for the tuition remission program at The University of Chicago for the Winter 2009 quarter is Dec. 17th. For more information and enrollment forms, contact Nicole Gee at x3697 or visit the Web site http://wdrs.fnal.gov/train-dev/uchicago.html

Weekly Time Sheets are due Dec. 18
Week ending 12/21/08 time sheets are due in payroll by 10 a.m. on Dec. 18. The pay date will be Dec. 23.

International Folk Dancing Holiday Party Dec. 18
International Folk Dancing will hold its Holiday Party Thursday, Dec. 18, at Kuhn Village Barn. Dancing begins at 7:30 p.m., upon request teaching as needed. Newcomers are welcome and you do not need to come with a partner. Contributions of treats are welcome. There will be no international folk dancing on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. Info at 630-584-0825 or 630-840-8194 or e-mail folkdance@fnal.gov

Monthly Leave Sheets due Dec. 19
Monthly leave sheets for Dec. are due in payroll by 10 a.m. on Dec. 19. The pay date will be Dec. 30. This cutoff time does not apply to employees who are on the FTL system. Their normal schedule applies.

Shop early - Lederman Science Center store open until Dec. 20
The Lederman Science Center and gift shop will be closed for the holidays beginning Dec. 22 through Jan 2. Please place online orders by Dec. 18 to ensure mailing. Deliveries before Christmas are not guaranteed. The LSC will be open on Saturday, Dec. 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Regular hours resume Saturday, Jan. 3. Contact Andrea Varry at x8258 for more information.

Barn Dance Dec. 21
Barn Dance Sunday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. in the Kuhn Village Barn with music by Just Us Chickens and calling by Dan Saathoff. For more information visit http://www.fnal.gov/orgs/folkclub/

Weekly Time Sheets are due Dec. 22
Week ending 12/28/08 time sheets are due in payroll by 10 a.m. on Dec. 22. The pay date will be Jan. 2, 2009. Revisions for week ending Dec. 21 are due by 9 a.m. on Dec. 22.

SciTech winter camps, Dec. 22-23 and 29-30
SciTech offers two 2-day winter camps for kids ages 6-14: Dec. 22-23, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Dec. 29-30, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Parents can drop off their children anytime between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. and pick them up between 3:15 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. SciTech staff will supervise all campers at all times. Cost: first child: $90 per camp, additional children: $80 per camp, members: $75 per child. For more information call Esther Allen at (630)859-3434, ext. 228. For registration, call Joyce Stallworth at (630)859-3434, ext. 214. For more information visit http://www.scitechmuseum.org/

Find carpool partners with PACE
PACE offers a free program to look for carpool partners. Register at http://www.pacerideshare.com and enter the start point of your daily commute. Then choose Fermilab from the list of employers and select Fermilab again for the street address. To find carpool partners for the West Chicago and Route 59 Metra train stations, enter the address of the train station as the start of your commute. You can look up the train station addresses here:http://www.fnal.gov/faw/vanpool/pace.html For groups of five or more, PACE offers vanpool programs: http://www.fnal.gov/faw/vanpool/

Python Programming - Jan. 6 - 8
Learn the basics of Python programming and become proficient enough to apply the language for day to day tasks. For more information or to enroll please visit http://www-esh.fnal.gov/pls/default/schedule.show_course_details?cid=3647

Intermediate / Advanced Python Programming - Jan. 27 - 29
Learn the Intermediate and Advanced features of Python programming. For more information or to enroll visit http://www-esh.fnal.gov/pls/default/schedule.show_course_details?cid=3691

Annual enrollment carrier meetings Dec. 9
Representatives from Blue Cross/Blue Shield and CIGNA will be available to answer questions and assist with Annual Enrollment at meetings this month and next. View the meeting schedule here (pdf).

Annual Enrollment through Dec. 10
Annual Enrollment through Dec. 10, 2008. Materials are being sent to your mail station and are also available on the benefits Web site at http://wdrs.fnal.gov/benefits/index.html

FileMaker Pro 8.0 - Dec. 10
Learn the more advanced features of FileMaker Pro and techniques of integrated database system design. For more information or to enroll, please visit http://www-esh.fnal.gov/pls/default/schedule.show_course_details?cid=4640

"Atom Smashers" DVD discount
137 Films is selling copies of their documentary "The Atom Smashers" at a discounted price of $14.99 (+ $5 shipping) for Fermilab staff. This is the extended version of the film, which is longer than the version that aired on PBS. To activate the discount, select "DVD: Private/Home Use: (Fermilab Staff Discount)" from the menu below the picture of the DVD on the item selection screen. To order visit https://co.clickandpledge.com/advanced/default.aspx?wid=24269

NALWO - Christkindlmarket Chicago, Dec. 13
NALWO, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory women's organization, invites you to join us as we visit Daley Plaza, in downtown Chicago, for this charming German American holiday festival. A chartered school bus will leave from the Lederman Education Center at 10 a.m., and will return at approximately 4 p.m. Tour costs $3/person, and kids under age 2 are free. For more information, and to make your reservation call Margie Nagaitsev at (630)232-7308 or e-mail mnagaitsev@hotmail.com.