One month of 2007 is now behind us. Have you kept up with the resolutions that you set forth at the beginning of the year? I recently read that only 63 percent of people keep their resolutions after two months.

One of my resolutions was to listen to more of my kid's music...in an effort to learn more about my growing kids. Not surprisingly, there is some real variety between a 15 year old boy and a 12 year old girl! My iPod contains perhaps the most eclectic mix of music. As a result of the experience, I have some new favorite music genres. I can now have a half- way decent conversation with my kids about music artists. Plus, my kids now think I'm a little more "with it".

Make it a great February!

I'm honored to serve as the Laboratory's Acting Deputy Director, and excited about the opportunity this job presents to work with regional leaders and to help address the interests and needs that we all share.

As Deputy Director, I'm responsible for a wide range of Laboratory activities, many of which I know very directly affect you. In the twelve months I've been a resident of northern New Mexico, I've become acutely aware of the economic, environmental, and social impact of this Laboratory.

There is no way to separate the Laboratory from the diverse and beautiful communities that surround it. Many northern New Mexico residents are our employees and have been for generations. We share the region's natural resources; transportation, power, and communication systems; and dreams of a bright future for our children. For over sixty years, this Laboratory has pursued research and development objectives that have shaped world events, but we fully understand that decisions and actions taken by the institution also impact local governments, businesses, and individual citizens.

I understand that we need to earn our neighbors' understanding and trust in order to accomplish our natural security mission, and I'm committed to developing the open and honest partnership that will make that possible.

I'm looking forward to meeting and working with you over the months and years to come, and I thank you in advance for your support of our Laboratory.

In the spirit of keeping you informed, we are including a link to Director Mike Anastasio's comments that were prepared for the Congressional subcommittee hearing, which took place on January 30.

In response, Lisa Henne, of LANL's former Water Research Technical Assistance Office, arranged a presentation to the Jemez y Sangre Regional Planning Council. This resulted in a resolution passed in support of the project. Lisa also served as a technical liaison with the Army Corps of Engineers, and was instrumental in getting the Corps to become a partner in the project, despite their rules of working only on projects that are ready to be built. Lisa continues her involvement as part of the SCID working group (formed with representatives from the Bureau of Land Management, Senator Bingaman's office, and the counties of Santa Fe and Rio Arriba).

Three solutions have been proposed for the project: 1) raising the spillway by 5-17 feet, 2) dredging the sediment, 3) and a combination of both. All strategies incorporate measures to prevent future silt accumulation.

The SCID has been awarded a LANL Foundation grant which will be matched three to one by the Army Corps of Engineers, thus providing $60 thousand to begin preliminary engineering design works. The project should begin early this year.

Anyone who makes less than $39,000 per year; or who is a senior citizen, Santa Fe Community College employee, or a school and city government employee, can receive the assistance from Tax Help New Mexico. This help is available at Santa Fe Community College and at the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department on South St. Francis Drive. If assistance is not available in your area, you are welcome to visit either of the Santa Fe offices.

If you don't need the assistance, but you are interested in volunteering your services as a tax preparer, greeter or interpreter, you are encouraged to visit the website for additional information.

The publication is the brainchild of Terry Wallace, LANL's Principal Associate Director for Science, Technology and Engineering at LANL. 1663 is meant to showcase LANL's scientific and technological accomplishments by allowing readers to understand and appreciate the value and impact that these accomplishments have not only individually, but to the nation and and the world.

If you would like to receive a hard copy of the magazine, please contact the Community Programs Office at 505-665-4329 or community@lanl.gov. You can also view the online version at the link below.

The Laboratory's security condition level (SECON 3+) allows for anyone to proceed through the portals providing they stop momentarily and wait for a verbal or hand signal from a Protection Technology Los Alamos officer to proceed. If the security levels at the Laboratory are upgraded, then LANL may restrict access beyond security perimeter vehicle access portals to LANL security badge holders only or require vehicle drivers and passengers to present valid identification such as a driver's license.

A vehicle inspection pass is required for all large delivery vehicles requiring access through the vehicle access portals.

For years now, Museum science educators have provided students a presentation on the brain. The students are actually able to hold a real human brain and learn about its functions. The University of New Mexico has loaned two brains from cadavers to the Museum, making the experience one that they'll likely never forget.

The educators are pleased to have the opportunity to provide this experience to students who often don't appear half as enthusiastic when they entered as they did when they left.

This "brain" presentation is available to any group of students in 5th grade or above. For scheduling information, please contact the museum educators at 505-606-1492.

In addition, a panel of graduates who attended northern New Mexico high schools will discuss their experiences at college. They'll focus on differences between secondary and post- secondary education and how they felt they could have been better prepared for the transition.

Also included will be information on scholarships, financial aid, pre-application activities, and the admission process. Kim Thomas, LAESF Advisory Committee member will also provide a discourse on writing effective letters of recommendation.

Ron Martinez, founder of the Center for the Education and Study of Diverse Populations will present his speech "Why College?" A college fair will follow, then Dr. Rae Lee Siporin of the LAESF Advisory Committee will wrap up. For additional information, contact the LANL Foundation at 505-753-8890.

The Laboratory's procurement staff will also provide information about forecasted procurement opportunities. And, unlike other procurement events, businesses will not be provided booth space. Instead, LANL staff will be behind the tables to provide further information on forecasted procurement opportunities and to answer technical questions that the supplier community may have.

The forum will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2007, at the Cities of Gold Casino Hotel beginning at 8:00 a.m.. For additional information, businesses may contact Mary Marquez at 505-667-4484.

Corporate success became possible for Santa Fe Ingredients with assistance from New Mexico Community Capital (NMCC). NMCC provides equity capital and management resources to qualifying businesses throughout New Mexico, especially in areas that are underinvested.

NMCC saw significant potential in the company to lead a resurgence of the state's chile industry and increase jobs in the southwest region of New Mexico. With key customer relationships and five patents to its name, including a revolutionary mechanized harvester, Santa Fe Ingredients is poised to become New Mexico's leading chile processor.