Some of this week's stories

Cafeteria renovation enters final phase

The main difference will be in the serving area, said Program Manager Karen Hellman. The new arrangement should better match the way Argonne employees use the cafeteria.

Silverware and napkins will be relocated to the cashier stations, to reduce traffic jams at the entrance. The serving area's new look will include improved signs and full menus at each station.

The serving area has been enlarged by pushing back what was previously the salad preparation area. The existing beverage island has been removed and replaced with a freestanding salad bar and dessert and beverage island.

Convenience foods and hot entrees will be found on opposite sides of the room, to reduce congestion.

Comprehensive changes will occur at the cashier stations. Although there will still be four cashiers, each will be able to check out two lines of customers. The exit area has been widened.

The southernmost cash register will be located at a snack bar, with salads, sandwiches and beverages. This snack bar will feature extended hours, catering to employees whose work doesn't allow them to visit the cafeteria during regular service hours, or just providing a tub of strawberry yogurt to quell the mid-afternoon munchies.

Microwave ovens and condiments will be found on an island just beyond the cashiers.

When the meal is over, employees will find a "tray accumulator" has taken the place of those six-foot tray carts. The device, built into a wall, features a revolving stacks of tray slots, like a dry-cleaner's clothing rack.

The coat rooms will return, Hellman promised, although they'll be in different positions.

`New Explorers' to feature Argonne

The hour-long program, "Atoms for Peace," airs on PBS stations nationwide (WTTW-Channel 11 in Chicago, KISU-Channel 10 in Idaho Falls) on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 8 p.m.

Kurtis will host the exploration of nuclear energy from its beginnings under the Stagg Field grandstands at the University of Chicago, through the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, President Eisenhower's "Atoms for Peace" program and the development of the Integral Fast Reactor (IFR).

"Argonne National Laboratory holds a very special place in the 50-year-long journey to turn nuclear power into unlimited energy for the world," according to Tom Olson of the "New Explorers" Chicago Production Center.

Several Argonne researchers will be featured as "new explorers," including Walter Zinn and Charles Till. Zinn was Argonne's first director and leader of the project responsible for producing the world's first nuclear electricity (from Experimental Breeder Reactor-I, in 1951). Charles Till, associate laboratory director for engineering research, will explain the concepts behind the IFR.

Payroll answers questions
about payday's new look

Argonne's payroll is now performed by Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP), which prints the paychecks and "advice" (a printout listing deductions and other information for those with direct deposit). Payroll Manager Debra Pounds said most employees' questions have answers like these:

* The new check stub reports absence for the prior pay cycle. For bi-weekly employees, it shows hours of absence during the prior two-week period based on the timecard submitted the week prior to the payday. For staff employees, it shows the days of absence from the prior month as reported on the staff salary authorization form. Absence information is recorded in the earning section on the pay stub.

* The new check stub shows the federal, state and local exemption allowances and the additional federal and state income tax deduction amount based on the information provided by your W-4. You may change your exemptions and additional tax withholding amount at any time during the year. Stop by or call the payroll office at ext. 2-6918 for the necessary forms.

* Employees whose addresses change are required to notify their HR division representatives (See page 6-4 of the telephone directory) of the change for W-2 and other laboratory mailing purposes. The Human Resources computer system updates the ADP system for this change of address. It does not update the state and local taxing bodies to which your withheld taxes are paid. Contact the payroll office for the forms needed to make these changes.

* Employees paid bi-weekly who have supplemental life coverage have their annual premiums spread over 26 pay periods rather than over 12 pay periods as in the old system. Payroll deductions for dependent life and long-term care are scheduled for the first pay period of each month and medical premiums are scheduled for the second pay period as under the former payroll system.

* Employees with direct deposit to savings and checking accounts receive a payroll advice which shows no net pay. The direct deposits are treated as payroll deductions and are identified as "savings" or "checking" on the advice.

* The envelope for the check or advice does not contain the blue border or wording that identifies the document. The words "Confidential -- Open Addressee Only" on the address section of the envelope lets mail openers distinguish this document from normal office correspondence.

Shorter processing time

Payroll processing time has been shortened, so to avoid delays in check processing, time cards must be delivered to the payroll office by 4 p.m. Monday following the period ending date.

For bi-weekly employees, all medical approvals for absence must be submitted to the Medical Department prior to each timecard processing period. The Payroll Department should be notified immediately by the employee's division office of any approved excused no-pay absence. For staff employees, divisional approval memos for absence must be submitted to the Medical Department after each 30 calendar days of consecutive absence.

For more information on the ADP paychecks, advice, or the payroll processing cycle, contact the Payroll Department at ext. 2-6918.

Lab, Sigma Xi honor
Chicago teacher

The award is presented annually to a pre-college science teacher who has shown excellence and innovation in teaching the fundamentals of science. The award consists of a plaque and $500. It is administered jointly by the laboratory and the Argonne Chapter of Sigma Xi.

Repkin was nominated for the award by 81 students, parents, teachers, administrators and members of the local community.

He has also contributed to many educational activities at the laboratory. He has worked on both the NSF/DOE Junior High Program and the TRAC Program and is a master Internet trainer for the Educational Networking Consortium.

Since 1991 Repkin has been active in the Argonne Community of Teachers (ACT). He is a writer for the ACT Newsletter and has edited several publications for Argonne's Divison of Educational Programs and his school.

50th anniversary T-shirts
now available in kids' sizes

Youth T-shirts are $6 and come in sizes extra-small (childrens' size 2-4), small (6-8), medium (10-12), and large (14-16).

T-shirts for adults are $8 and come in medium, large, extra-large, and XXL sizes.

Symposium to honor
PHY's John Schiffer

Topics will include nuclear structure; searches for exotic particles; pion absorption in nuclei; ion traps and crystalline beams; heavy-ion physics; and the Mossbauer effect. There will be a banquet on Monday evening.

To register of for more information, contact Barbara Fletcher (PHY) ext. 2-4004 or e-mail: Fletcher@anlphy.phy.anl.gov.

Herzenberg elected
to public affairs panel

The panel addresses science and public policy issues of concern to members of the society. Herzenberg will serve on the panel for one term, which began in January of this year and expires Dec. 31, 1998.

The American Physical Society is an organization of more than 41,000 physicists worldwide. Since its formation in 1899, it has worked to advance and disseminate knowledge about physics.

Karate Club plans
beginners' lessons

The $65 cost covers three months of classes and includes membership in Shotokan Karate of America, a student guide, a bi-monthly newsletter and kyu (rank) testing.

Classes will be held at Building 951 in Argonne Park Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. There is no charge for the first two beginner classes.

For more information, call Rich Lell at ext. 2-6373 or Paul Betten at ext. 2-4962.

Risk analysis society
plans meeting Feb. 26

Rebecca Raftery, a partner in the Chicago office of Jenner & Block, will speak on "Risk-Based Corrective Action: Illinois' New Approach to Brownfields."

Raftery's talk will focus on new legislation signed by Governor Jim Edgar regarding "brownfield" properties. Brownfields are contaminated properties being evaluated for cleanup and redevelopment. One of the features of the new legislation is the use of risk-based standards in developing cleanup efforts for these properties.

For more information, call ext. 2-3243 or 2-9958.

In Memoriam

Walter Fiedorczyk, an instrument machinist in the former Central Shops Division who retired in 1973 with 24 years of service, died Jan. 14. He is survived by his sons, Barry and George Fiedorczyk.

Robert B. James, a senior technician in the former Electronics Division who retired in 1986 with 22 years of service, died Nov. 13. He is survived by his wife, Genevieve.

Gerald R. Karcz, a senior property specialist in the former Support Services Division who retired in 1993 with 34 years of service, died Nov. 23. He is survived by his wife, Dolores.

John Werderitch, a planner in the Plant Facilities and Services Division who retired in 1991 with 43 years of service, died Nov. 22. He is survived by his wife, Betty.

Upward

Electronics and Computing Technologies: Charles H. Beck to Electrical/Electronic Engineering; Robert Keane to Technician III; Gerald A. Letizia to Technician III.

Environment Safety and Health: Eve A. Yates to Office Automation Specialist. Also promoted: Jacquelyn D. York.

Office of Chief Financial Officer: Eileen Adams to Payroll Assistant; Joseph A. Ingraffia to Purchasing/Systems Contractc Manager; Gloria M. King to Senior Secretary; Deana L. Kinzler to Budget Assistant. Also promoted: Deborah Robinson.

Physics: John P. Greene, Linda Young.

Plant Facilities and Services: Rogelio Camacho (BM) to Maintenance Mechanic II.

Reactor Analysis: Stephan Wegerich to Electrical/Electronic Engineering.

Technology Development: Reginald M. Alley to Designer; Lubomir Krajtl to Designer; Terran J. Lucitt to Designer; William S. Mosevich to Associate Designer.

Argonne West

Operations Division: John J. Whipple.

Reactor Program Services: Boyd Dale Christensen to Environmental Engineering; Laurie J. Christensen to Adminstrative Secretary.

Technology Development: Dale R. Wahlquist, Frederick L. Yapuncich.

Seminars

Energy Technology Division Seminar: "Ultrasonic Technique for Fabric-Defect Inspection Application" by Hual-Te Chien, (ET). 10:30 a.m., Bldg. 212, Conference Room A157.

Chemistry Division Monday Morning Seminar Series: "Multiple Electron Transfer Rates from Vibrational Populations" by Kenneth Spears, Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. 11 a.m., Bldg. 200 Auditorium.

Chemistry Division Seminar: "The Design of New Solid-State NMR Experiments for Use in Determining Oligonucleotide Structure" by David Gregory, University of Washington, Seattle. 1:30 p.m., Bldg. 200, Conference Room J183.

High Energy Physics Division Theoretical Physics Seminar: "Probing the Symmetry - Breaking Sector Through the Top Quark" by Ehab Malkawi. Michigan State University, East Lansing. 2 p.m., Bldg. 362, Conference Room E188.

Physics Division Seminar: "The Search for Small e⁺e^- Sum Energy Distributions in Heavy Ion Collisions with the EPOS-II Spectrometer" by Rudi Ganz, University of Illinois, Chicago. 4 p.m., Bldg. 203, Conference Room R150.

Tuesday, Feb. 27

Spring 1996 ACCA Biology Seminar Series: "Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment" by Fred Kirchner, (EAD). 7 p.m., Bldg. 223 Auditorium.

Wednesday, Feb. 28

Materials Science Division Special Colloquium: "X-Ray Resonant Scattering" by Eric Isaacs, AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, N.J. 11 a.m., Bldg. 212, Conference Room A157.

High Energy Physics Division Seminar: "Current Status of Exotic Mesons" by Suh-Urk Chung, Brookhaven National Laboratory. 11 a.m., Bldg. 362, Conference Room F108.

Friday, March 1

Joint Physics & Materials Science Colloquium: "Electron Phase Microscopy To Observe Superconducting Vortices" by Akira Tonomura, Hitachi Advanced Research Laboratory. 11 a.m., Bldg. 203 Auditorium.

First Friday Forum: "Tour of the Bldg. 221 CAVE." Noon, Bldg. 221, Conference Room A261.

Center for Mechanistic Biology & Biotechnology General Seminar: "Do We Need to Study a Fine DNA Structure?" by Lioudmila Malinina, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Moscow, Russia. 3:30 p.m., Bldg. 202, Conference Room B169.

Monday, March 4

Chemistry Division Monday Morning Seminar Series: "Femtosecond Laser Studies of Simple Chemical Reactions in Solution: Comparisons with Gas Phase Processes" by Robin Hochstrasser, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. 11 a.m., Bldg. 200 Auditorium.

Chemistry Seminar listed as March 4 in the ANL Calendar has been postponed to Monday, April 8. "Materials Chemistry at Argonne" by Dieter Gruen, Monday, April 8, 11 a.m., Bldg. 200 Auditorium.

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Story ideas, comments and suggestions are welcome. The Argonne News office is in Building 201, room 2Q-02 (OPA-201). The fax number is ext. 2-5274. Send E-mail to Argonne News editor Dave Jacque.

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