Community Programs Office  
December 2006, Issue No. 21


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Spectacular December!

It is the time of year when the spirit of the season and the gorgeous New Mexico weather combine for a truly spectacular feeling of appreciation for our well- being and the well-being of others. Through December, we will each be presented with many occasions to demonstrate both appreciation and consideration for our family and community. Whether breaking bread with family, throwing snowballs with the kids, or helping out in the community, we'll all begin 2007 as better human beings.

Make it a wonderful December!

Lillian Montoya-Rael


From the desk of Michael Anastasio, LANL Director  
These past six months have gone by quickly, and a lot has occurred in this short time. We've faced some challenges at the Laboratory, but we will continue to work on these issues and press forward.

Despite the uncertainty of the past several months, I want to say how proud I am of the Laboratory's employees in how they have placed so much trust in a new management team that they didn't even know. They are committed, talented professionals.

As an example of their personal commitment, you'll read in the next few articles about how our employees contribute to the regional community throughout the year. In many ways they serve as Laboratory ambassadors within the community, in a quest to enhance the quality of life where we all live and work.

Best wishes to you and your families for a safe and joyous Holiday Season!

Regional Community Leaders Meeting  
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Several topics were discussed in November at the first quarterly meeting with regional community leaders. LANL Deputy Director John Mitchell presented two symbolic checks for $700,000 each to United Way of Northern New Mexico and United Way of Santa Fe County. The $1.4 million will provide significant financial resources to address community needs throughout the region for the upcoming year.

Jan Chavez-Wilcynski, Deputy Manager of NNSA's Los Alamos Site Office also spoke before the group and shared her opinion that LANS is performing very well. She particularly noted the Lab's efforts to break down barriers and better integrate efforts, especially in research and business operations.

Lillian Montoya-Rael, Community Programs Office Director provided an update about the Laboratory's community programs efforts in the areas of education, economic development and community giving.
   

Entrepreneurial Learning  
A new online program dedicated to training and empowering students to create and build successful businesses has been launched by Santa Fe Community College . The Entrepreneurship Institute will offer students the ability to complete an entirely online and accelerated certificate program within six months.

Anyone interested in business entrepreneurship can participate in this program. It is anticipated that many students will continue their education and transfer these credits toward a four-year degree.

For additional information, contact Drew Clausen, at 505-428-1659 or dclausen@sfccnm.edu.

Calling all Volunteers and Non-Profits!  
For 60 years, the Laboratory and its employees have helped support northern New Mexico's long and proud tradition of helping its neighbors and serving its communities. We're happy to say this tradition of giving has continued under the new management of Los Alamos National Security, LLC. As such, the Laboratory continues to develop new ways to partner with its neighbors and invest in its communities.

Now, another component of LANL's Volunteer Program is being implemented. VolunteerMatch--a new, free, web-based initiative is available to the region's non-profit organizations.

VolunteerMatch is a national organization whose purpose is to join nonprofits with volunteers. The site has a searchable database that allows non-profits to post volunteer opportunities and potential volunteers to find activities that interest them most. The Laboratory would like to partner with local non-profits to promote their organizations' mission, recruit volunteers, and highlight their accomplishments. If you represent a non-profit, or know someone who does, please encourage them to explore the website or to register their organization and post opportunities.

If you have any questions, contact the Community Programs Office at 505-665-4400 or community@lanl.gov.

Avian Influenza: The LANL Response  

Although "bird flu" has been the subject of recent media attention, the public can often be left with more questions than answers. How serious is the problem? How can I protect myself and my family? What is the government doing to address the situation?

As part of the continuing Frontiers in Science lecture series, several LANL scientists will share their insights and understanding of avian influenza. Topic areas will include: a historical perspective of infectious disease, the current global situation, the biology of the influenza virus itself, and how government policy could influence the spread of the flu should it come to pass.

Join us for an interesting evening. All talks begin at 7:00 p.m.

  • December 6 -Taos Convention Center, El Taoseno Room
  • December 11 -Dwayne Smith Auditorium (Los Alamos)
  • December 13 -Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (Albuquerque)
  • December 15 -Santa Fe Community College

If you have any questions, contact the Community Programs Office at 505-665-4400 or community@lanl.gov.

Holiday Drive: Full Speed Ahead  
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Toys and gift cards are being contributed by Laboratory employees for northern New Mexico children and senior citizens identified by the Children, Youth and Families Department and the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department.

It has been a tradition for the Community Programs Office at the Laboratory to organize, decorate, and place boxes at several Laboratory sites for the annual Holiday Drive and then distribute what is collected through the partnering organizations. The Holiday Drive is also an opportunity for the Laboratory, KSL and PTLA to share in the spirit of the season by providing a little more joy for some of our less fortunate neighbors. So far, employees will be providing holiday packages to 980 individuals and over 200 families in the community.

Job Fair at NNMC  
Job seekers from Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Taos, and surrounding communities will have an opportunity to meet with prospective employers on December 7, 2006 at Northern New Mexico College in Espanola.

The New Mexico Department of Labor, in partnership with the Governor's Office of Workforce Training and Development, Northern Local Area Workforce Connection, and Northern New Mexico College are hosting the "Northern New Mexico Job Fair" in the college Administration Building.

For additional information, contact Olivia Hayes at the New Mexico Department of Labor field office at (505)821-7410.

Equity Capital Deadline  
Each year, Technology Ventures Corporation hosts an Equity Capital Symposium where New Mexico technology companies present their business plans to investors. Next year's symposium is scheduled for May in Albuquerque. Symposium members select participants based on the strength of the plans that they submit. Since 1993, over one-third of these companies have been funded by investors.

If you have a technology you want to present, this is your opportunity to tell your story. The deadline for applications is January 4, 2007.

NM 502 Adopted  
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Volunteers from KSL worked to pick up trash from NM 502 as part of the company's environmental stewardship program.

Four years ago, KSL petitioned the State of New Mexico to adopt a two-mile stretch of road along NM 502 (the main hill road). At that time, the request was denied. The State thought that this particular stretch of road was too dangerous. KSL appealed that decision and explained that the company is experienced in the road construction/repair business and would therefore conduct the program safely. KSL committed to scheduling trash pick-ups early on a Sunday morning, when traffic flow is generally light. Consequently, KSL was granted their request to "Adopt-A-Highway."

In November, KSL performed their Fall road cleaning with approximately twenty volunteers, which included employees and their families. Prior to the start of their event, all participants were given a safety briefing and were provided with safety equipment. Trucks with safety lights were also used along the roadway in the process.

Following the safe, successful collection of trash, all participants were treated to breakfast by KSL.

Commemorative Book Benefits Scholarships  
If you haven't had an opportunity to take a look at the University of California's commemorative book, you can still purchase one from the LANL Foundation.

This coffee table book has 225 pages filled with images and captions about historical events (organized by decade) at the Laboratory.

To purchase one, visit the foundation at 1302 Calle de la Merced, Suite A, in Espanola. Or, you can call Sally Gallegos at 505-753-8890, extension 18, to place an order. Books can be shipped for a nominal cost. They are $25 each and all proceeds will go toward the LANL Employees' Scholarship Fund which provides college scholarships to northern New Mexico students.


Kudos!  
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Business Kudos:
  • Kudos to John C. Woosley who was appointed as the New Mexico Small Business Administration Director.
  • Kudos also to Marcon Construction for receiving a $1.7 million dollar contract at LANL for paving and asphalt services of the ski hill road.
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