Fermilab Today Announcements

Renewal of LTD, Life and Insurance Coverages
Fermilab has renegotiated a three-year contract with CIGNA Group Insurance from Jan. 1, 2010, through Dec. 31, 2012. All eligible employees will be receiving a memo with the details. You can review the memo at the following link: http://wdrs.fnal.gov/benefits/mailimgs.html

Benefits rates for weekly employees
Weekly employees will see the new medical, dental and LTD rates reflected on their pay of Friday, January 15, 2010. Monthly employees will see the new rates reflected on their January 29, 2010, pay. In addition, the Young Adult Dependent Coverage is now taxable so some employees will see an increase in their withholding taxes.

BLAST! The Movie: intro, film and Q&A - Feb. 19
Don't miss this ground-breaking documentary by Paul Devlin about his brother's experiment in Arctic Sweden. BLAST -Balloon-borne, Large Aperture, Sub-millimeter Telescope. BLAST is designed to gather information on how our universe evolved by collecting the very faint sub-milimeter light from thousands of the earliest galaxies ever detected. To see these celestial births, the telescope must go through a risky launch on a NASA high-altitude balloon and float above the atmosphere for several days before it lands in Arctic Canada. Pre-film talk w/Mark @ 7:30 p.m., film at 8 p.m., Q&A w/Paul & Mark Devlin.

Muntu African Dance Theatre - Feb. 6
Fermilab's Arts and Lecture Series will host Muntu African Dance Theatre at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Feb. 6. Muntu Dance Theatre researches and performs authentic and progressive interpretations of contemporary and ancient African and African-American dance, music, and folklore. A colorful and dynamic company, Muntu brings its audiences out of their seats and into the aisles with its unique synthesis of dance, rhythm and song. African drumming helps to make the Muntu experience unique. Tickets are $26 for adults and $13 for individuals 18 and under. For more information, visit the Fermilab Art Series Web site or contact the ticket office at (630) 840-2787.

"Evolution in the 21st Century" - Jan. 22
The Fermilab Arts and Lecture Series will host "Evolution in the 21st Century," a lecture on genomic change in evolution, at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22. Ideas about evolution were first formulated before biology and genetics developed into the sophisticated sciences they are today. Molecular biology has had a profound impact on our understanding of how organisms are related to each other and how they change over time. Genome sequencing reveals the evolutionary record as it remains in the DNA of living organisms and constitutes a test of theories about how evolution has occurred. Join Dr. James Shapiro of Univ. of Chicago. HIs view is that genomic change in evolution occurs by a complex but non-random process of "natural genetic engineering." For more information, visit the Fermilab Art Series Web site or contact the ticket office at (630) 840-2787.

CSO Musicians perform Sunday in Gallery Chamber Series
Join Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians Larry Combs, clarinet; Eugene Izotov, oboe; and Dennis Michel, bassoon; when they perform as part of the Chicago Chamber Musicians at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday in the Fermilab Art Gallery for the first Gallery Chamber Concert. Tickets are $17. Program includes music of Milhaud, Ibert, Beethoven and Cantaloube. For more information, visit the Fermilab Art Series Web site or contact the ticket office at (630) 840-2787.

Barn Dance Jan. 17
The Fermilab Folk Club presents a Barn Dance on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. in the Kuhn Village Barn with music by White Mule and calling by Dan Saathoff. Everyone is welcome. Admission is $6. Children under 12 are free. 12 to 18 year olds and people over 65 are $3. More info and directions: http://www.fnal.gov/orgs/folkclub/.

Tai Chi For Health begins Jan. 21
Tai Chi is a low impact form of exercise for those who want to improve balance, range of motion, flexibility, core strength, increase energy or lower blood pressure. It emphasizes core work and posture to ease lower back pain and relieve tension in shoulders. Highly beneficial for anyone, including those with Arthritis, Diabetes, Joint Pain, Weight Issues, stress or post Physical Therapy. Thurs., Jan. 21 - Apr. 1 (no class March 4), 4:45-5:30 p.m., Users Center Music Rm. Fee: $65. Try Tai Chi for free Jan. 14 same time & place. For more info call x5427. More information

Weekly time sheets due Friday
With the upcoming Martin Luther King Holiday on Monday, weekly time sheets are due in Payroll by 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 15.

International folk dancing, Thursdays at Kuhn Village Barn
International Folk Dancing meets every week on Thursday from 7:30 - 10 p.m. at Kuhn Village Barn. There are dances for children and teaching early in the evening and request dancing later on. Newcomers are always welcome. More info at 630-584-0825 or 630-840-8194 or e-mail folkdance@fnal.gov.

Scottish Country dancing Tuesdaysat Kuhn Village Barn
Silk and Thistle Scottish Country Dancing meets every week on Tuesday from 7:30 - 10 p.m. at Kuhn Village Barn. The group is taught by Doug Jensen. Most dances are walked through and newcomers are always welcome. More info at 630-840-8194 or 630-584-0825 or e-mail folkdance@fnal.gov.

English country dancing Feb. 7, with live music
English country dancing will meet on Sunday, February 7, at Kuhn Village Barn. The afternoon starts with dances for experienced dancers at 1 p.m., and dances for everyone from 2-5 p.m. There will be live music by Old Fezziwig's Band and a potluck supper afterwards. Newcomers are always welcome. To get on an e-mail reminder list, or for more information, contact folkdance@fnal.gov or 630-584-0825.

Romanian/Fusion Dance Workshop Jan. 28 at Kuhn Village Barn
Fermilab International Folk Dancing will host Daniel Sandu, an internationally known teacher of Romanian dance, and his special fusion of percussive dance and Balkan Roma (gypsy) styles, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 28, at Kuhn Village Barn. Suggested donations are $8 for adults and $4 for teens. For more information on Daniel Sandu check this Web site, and for workshop info, e-mail folkdance@fnal.gov or call 630-584-0825 or 630-840-8194.

Applications accepted for awards in URA Visiting Scholars Program
Universities Research Association, Inc. (URA) has announced a deadline of Feb. 19 for the submission of applications for the spring 2010 cycle of awards in the URA Visiting Scholars Program at Fermilab. Successful applicants will be notified at the end of March. These awards provide financial support for faculty and students from URA's 87 member universities to work at Fermilab for periods of up to one year. URA makes two rounds of awards each year, in the spring and fall. The application deadline for the fall 2010 cycle will be in August. Successful applicants will be notified in September. Visit the URA Visiting Scholars Web site for more information.

Argentine Tango at Fermilab through Jan. 25
Argentine Tango through Jan. 25. Our new tango series will consist of three classes, which will start Jan. 11. If you would like to sign up, please send an e-mail to Pamela Noyes at noyes@fnal.gov. Eduardo Villalba will teach the next series of classes. Classes run each Monday through Jan. 25 in Ramsey Auditorium. Class set costs $45 per person or $18 per class - Pay first day of class. Basic I & II: 7-8 p.m. - Practice prior to class - 6:30 p.m., Intermediate/Advanced: 8-9 p.m. For more information please visit http://bss.fnal.gov/tango.pdf

Atrium events - book through Office of Communication
Due to the overwhelming and often overlapping events in the Wilson Hall atrium, a new scheduling system has been implemented. A new conference room, DIR WH Atrium, has been added to the list of available spaces. You can view the space on Directorate Conference Rooms http://www-dir.fnal.gov/meetingmaker/DirConfRoomsEvents.htm for planning purposes, but only Barb Kronkow, x6633, in the Office of Communication can book events in this space. Facilities Request Forms will still be required.

Free Tai Chi For Health Open House - Jan. 14
Tai Chi is a low impact form of exercise that improves balance, range of motion, flexibility, core strength, energy level, and lowers blood pressure. It emphasizes core work and posture to help ease lower back pain and relieve tension in shoulders. Highly beneficial for anyone, including those with Arthritis, Diabetes, Joint Pain, Weight Issues, stress or post Physical Therapy. Level of exertion controlled by each individual and can also be done seated. Try it for free Thursday, January 14, 4:45 p.m to 5:30 p.m. at Users Center Music Room. For more info call x5427. Paid class begins January 21. For more information please visithttp://wdrs.fnal.gov/recreation/classes.html

2010 standard mileage reimbursement rate
The Internal Revenue Service and the General Services Administration have issued the 2010 standard mileage reimbursement rate for non Government owned vehicles. It is 50 cents per mile, effective January 01, 2010. For more information please visit http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?contentId=9646&contentType=GSA_BASIC

Fermilab Natural Areas Newsletter
Fermilab Natural Areas (FNA) will distribute an electronic newsletter beginning in January 2010. The inaugural edition will contain wrap-ups of important events from 2009 that took place in the natural areas on the site. There is also information about FNA, including how you can get involved, and links to natural area experts and the FNA Website and Blog. If you would like to be included on the mailing list, submit your name and email to fermilabnaturalareas@gmail.com.

Fermilab Management Practices Seminar beginning Feb. 11
The Professional Development Office has scheduled the winter session of "Fermilab Management Practices" beginning in February. To enroll, please visit http://wdrs.fnal.gov/train-dev/index.html

Yoga class begins Jan. 12
Restore and repair the body with relaxation poses and proper breathing and gain the benefits of de-stressing, lowering blood pressure, and improved circulation. Learn the use of Physical Poses or Asanas, Breathing Techniques or Pranayama, and Meditation, to bring the body in perfect health and for more subtle spiritual elements of the mind to emerge freely. Date: Tuesdays, January 12 – March 2. Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Location: Wilson Hall Auditorium. Fee: $85. For more information call the Recreation Dept. at x5427 or visit http://wdrs.fnal.gov/recreation/classes.html

Elder Care: Where do I begin? Interactive seminar
Wednesday, January 20, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., Room One West, speaker Ginny Stack, MS, LCPC. Final seminar in a 3-part series on Elder Care. Following up on "The Sandwich Generation: Caring for the Caregiver," presented during Fall 2009, we're now focused on evaluating whether your aging parents/loved ones are in need of assistance,and if so, how you can step in this is a interactive session. For information contact Kathy Johnson at kjohnson@fnal.gov.

Fermilab Family Open House Feb. 21
Fermilab's annual Family Open House will be held on Sunday, February 21 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, and to register or sign up for tours, please visit http://ed.fnal.gov/ffse_new/openhouse/

Python Programming class offered Feb. 24-26
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

FRA Scholarship 2010
The application period is now open for the 2010 FRA Scholarship for children of regular, full-time employees at Fermilab. View http://wdrs.fnal.gov/elr/FRA_scholarship.html for more details and application materials. Deadline to apply is March 1, 2010.

East gate began closing 1-5 a.m. Jan 5
On Tuesday, Jan. 5, Fermilab will start closing the east gate at night from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Personnel called in during those hours to work on emergency repairs will be provided access. All other employees and users who wish to enter the site between 1 and 5 a.m. will need to use the main entrance on Pine Street. As the laboratory gains experience with emergency repair access during the night, Fermilab management will modify the procedures as necessary. For more information about the new gate, please read the articles published in Fermilab Today on Sept. 24 and Sept. 29.