Announcements
EMERGENCY
PHONE NUMBER STICKERS CHANGE: CALL 911 FIRST
Do you have your
new, hot-pink emergency phone stickers? The old stickers have incorrect
information, so the ESRL Global Systems Division has kindly produced the new ones
for all site tenants. Make sure to replace any old stickers that may be on your
work phones! Contact Nancy Kincade if you need more
stickers: Nancy.Kinkade@noaa.gov
The new sticker reminds us to call 911 first for emergencies, then contact the DOC Police at ext. 7777.
THE MODERN SCIENCE OF ORIGAMI: FROM FLAPPING
BIRDS TO SPACE TELESCOPES, March 28
NIST Colloquium Series
Robert J. Lang, IEEE J. Quantum Electronics
8:30 a.m., 1-1107, DOC, Boulder, http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/colloquia/20080328.htm
The last decade of this past century has been witness to a revolution in
the development of mathematical techniques to origami, the centuries-old
Japanese art of paper-folding. Geometric concepts have led to the solution of a
broad class of origami folding problems specifically, the problem of
efficiently folding a shape with an arbitrary number and arrangement of
flaps. This has enabled origami designs of mind-blowing complexity and
realism, some of which youll see. As often happens,
theory developed for its own sake has led to some surprising practical
applications. The algorithms and theorems of origami design have shed light on
long-standing mathematical questions and have solved practical engineering
problems, e.g. safer airbags, Brobdingnagian space telescopes,
and more.
VOICE MAILBOX CLEAN-OUT, March 31
On March 31, 2008, the Telecom Office will be purging Voice mailboxes
that have not been accessed for more than 90 days. Purging of voice mailboxes
is done quarterly. If you do not wish to have a voice mailbox deleted, please
log into it right away. If you have forgotten your password send an e-mail to
telecom@boulder.nist.gov and we will reset it and respond to you by e-mail with
a temporary password. If you have any question please call Marge Hartman, ext.
5432.
NIST PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE BRIEFING, April 2
The NIST Leadership Board recently authorized
enhancements to the NIST pay-for-performance system (PPS) for the 2009 rating
year and beyond. You can obtain more information on the enhancements by attending
an all-staff briefing on Wednesday, April 2, at 10:30 in the Building One
Auditorium. You will have an opportunity to ask questions during the session
and submit comments afterward via e-mail.
The enhancements were developed in response to an Office of Personnel
Management (OPM) evaluation of the 2006 PPS modifications -- conducted last
fall at NISTs request through focus groups of a wide
cross-section of NIST staff. The OPM findings will be covered during the
briefings. The enhancements must be approved by the Department of Commerce and
OPM, then be published in the Federal Register before
being implemented. The target date for implementation is the 2009 rating year,
which begins October 1, 2008.
NIST STANDARDS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION FREE MEMBERSHIP
OFFER
The Standards Alumni Association is offering dues-free memberships
for the remainder of this calendar year. To take advantage of this opportunity
log onto the following web site: http://www.nist.gov/director/saa/invitation.html.
Copy the membership form into WORD, fill it out and return it to
alumni@nist.gov. NOTE: Membership is open to all NIST affiliates and one does
not have to be retired from NIST. Active employees are also welcome. For
further information contact: Gwenda Roberson,
301-975-4074, gwenda.roberson@nist.gov
The SAA was formed in 1985 to provide former staff members the opportunity to
keep abreast of the activities of NIST. In addition we provide information
regarding both current staff and former colleagues who worked at NBS/NIST over
the years. Our current membership of over 400 includes both past employees who
have moved on to other careers, those who are retired,
and some current employees as well.
NOAA GIFT SHOP MONTHLY SPECIAL
The NOAA Gift Shops monthly special for March: $2 off NOAA Polo
Shirts. Normal hours are 12-1 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday. The shop is located in
room 1C307 in the Skaggs building.
NIST GIFT SHOP
The NIST store is located under the lobby
stairs near the Building 1 cafeteria. If you would like to purchase any
NIST merchandise, please call ext. 5453, ext. 3832, ext. 3988, or ext. 3378.
See pictures of their NIST t-shirts, hats, post cards, and more at the BLEA web
site by clicking "sales" - http://blea.doc.gov/