Heat and light

Pier Oddone

Last Sunday I was fortunate to attend a symposium on The Nuclear Future in which the recipients of the Rumford Prize of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences discussed the nearly intractable issues associated with the control of nuclear weapons as we move towards an era in which nuclear energy and technology will be far more prevalent throughout the world. I say "fortunate" because it was an occasion to celebrate a distinguished scientist and four statesmen who have contributed greatly to arms control.

The Rumford Prize is one of the oldest scientific prizes in the United States. The prize recognizes contributions to the fields of "heat and light," broadly interpreted. In this case, it extended to the control of the greatest source of heat and light created by humans and capable of destroying them. The endowment was founded by a bequest to the Academy from Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford, in 1796. The prize is awarded only every few years.

This year's award recognized five remarkable Americans who have made contributions to arms control throughout the turbulent era from the cold war through the transition to a multi-polar world. Sid Drell, Henry Kissinger, Sam Nunn, William Perry and George P. Schultz, each in his own sphere, have worked and continue to work towards the control and elimination of nuclear weapons. They are now working together, making a sharp call to all of us to pay attention, get our heads out of the sand and contribute to the huge international effort necessary to control and someday eliminate nuclear weapons. The danger today of a rogue state or group acquiring and using a nuclear weapon, perhaps one that would be used on a world metropolis and that would not carry a return address, has a way of focusing the mind.

What is remarkable is that these leaders have come together with a joint call and a roadmap, first in January of 2007 and more recently in January of 2008 that has found support in a broad community of scientists, policymakers and the public. This is a very hopeful sign that progress in this area, now at a standstill, can be once again a central concern for all of us, and especially our elected representatives. We, the members of the science and technology community, should not be just bystanders in this endeavor. This distinguished group emphasized that those of us with technical skills are needed to help the government agencies in the vast international effort that will be necessary to progress toward a world secure from nuclear weapons.

Oct. 10-13
- Two stores provided 12.5 hours of luminosity
- Shutdown ends and startup begins
- Pelletron problems continue
- Lithium Lens trip

Read the Current Accelerator Update
Read the Early Bird Report
View the Tevatron Luminosity Charts

Have a safe day!

Diversity Fair Oct. 17
Fermilab's Diversity Council and the Planning Group for Multicultural Events subcommittee hosts the inaugural Diversity Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17. More than a dozen cultural exhibits and international foods will be on display and for sampling in the Wilson Hall atrium. Cultural performances, including traditional dance and song, will occur in the lunchroom and Ramsey Auditorium. To learn more about the Diversity Council, visit the Web site.

Photos wanted for labwide party
At the labwide party on Oct. 17, a slideshow on the video screen in the atrium will show images of people at Fermilab. We are looking for additional photos of you and your colleagues here at work--in your office or work area, at a department picnic, during lunch in the cafeteria, etc. Please e-mail your jpeg files to lwp08@fnal.gov by Friday, Oct. 10. Depending on the number of photos we will receive, we might not be able to include every photo in the slideshow.

"The Atom Smashers", panel discussion at Fermilab
Fermilab will show the 78-minute directors' cut of the PBS documentary "The Atom Smashers," which looks at the race for discovery between Fermilab and CERN. The event includes a panel discussion with scientists featured in the film, including Nobel Laureate Leon Lederman. Saturday, October 18, at 7 p.m., in Fermilab's Ramsey Auditorium. Tickets are $5. For tickets, call (630) 840-2787.

George Winston piano concert coming Oct. 19
The Fermilab Arts Series presents George Winston at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, in Ramsey Auditorium. Winston's solo piano concert features music from his melodic seasonal recordings, Vince Guaraldi's Peanuts pieces, New Orleans R & B piano, stride piano, and more, including pieces from his latest CD, "Gulf Coast Blues and Impressions: A Hurricane Relief Benefit." Tickets are $25 for adults and $13 for those 18 and younger. For reservations, call (630) 840-2787 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, see www.fnal.gov/culture.

NALWO Halloween playgroup Oct. 25
Fermilab's women's organization NALWO sponsors a children's playgroup Halloween event at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, in Kuhn Barn. The event is open to all Fermilab families. Wear a costume for the Halloween parade and join in face painting, a pumpkin relay, trick or treating and more. Rsvp by Oct. 19 to Maria at (630) 840-4246 or mariasungwon@yahoo.com Please bring a dish or desert to share.

Learn about disability workplace inclusion
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Although this October marks the 61st year that our country has celebrated employment opportunities for people with disabilities, it was not until Feb. 1, 2001, when President George W. Bush announced his disability agenda, the New Freedom Initiative, that a President focused on full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society, including the workplace. Click here to learn more about inclusive workplaces.

 
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