12 GeV Upgrade

Metal wall panels for Hall D have been installed, and the construction contractor is installing flashing. Overhead doors for the Hall D truck ramp are being installed, and the electrical finish work is near completion. The photon beam dump is complete. The design team conducted substantial completion inspections Tuesday. The ready-for-equipment inspection is scheduled for Nov. 30, with representatives from 12 GeV management, the Hall D Group and the ESH&Q Division. The Hall D Group has drafted a conduct of operations document for the initial equipment installation work. This document includes the interface requirements, since the construction site will be dual occupied by JLab staff and the civil construction contractor following the RFE.

Physics

PAC 37 Proposals Due Dec. 1
The Program Advisory Committee (PAC 37) will meet the week of Jan. 10. The PAC will review new proposals for the 12 GeV physics program, which are due no later than Dec. 1. The PAC will also assign scientific priorities and beamtime to already approved proposals and review and assign priority and time to some conditionally approved proposals. The details of the process for PAC 37 are available online.

JSA Postdoctoral Research Prize Nominations Due Dec. 1
JSA Postdoctoral Research Prize winners have a record of accomplishment in physics, promise of further accomplishments in the JLab research fields and an excellent proposal for use of the prize's research grant. All nominees must be within five years of graduation and in a postdoc or equivalent position at the time of nomination. For more information, see the announcement. The prize is funded through the JSA Initiatives Fund.

Accelerator

The accelerator is running well, delivering high-current (150 microamps) beam to Hall C for Q-weak. Thursday beam studies saw some investigation into the 10 kilohertz noise seen in the vertical position of the beam at the halls. While no smoking gun was found, the components of the newly installed Wein filter were eliminated, leaving the prebuncher as highly suspect and subject to possibly more testing at a later date. Sunday Swing shift had some excitement as an uninterruptible power supply for a network switch failed dramatically, releasing smoke and flames. On-call personnel were on scene at the time troubleshooting the initial loss of power and were able to quickly remove power to the failed unit. After some resetting of input/output controllers, beam was back to the halls within a few hours.

Free-Electron Laser

The laser ran well this week, and FEL staffers were able to continue characterization studies. The FEL hosted Peter Abbamonte from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, who provided key insights into new science enabled by new light sources and participated in active discussions with FEL staff about desired parameters. At week's end, The FEL team began preparations for the installation of vacuum ultraviolet characterization equipment.

Facilities Management and Logistics

Planning is underway for a power outage affecting all JLab campus buildings outside the accelerator site, excluding the VARC and ARC, for work on the campus electrical distribution system. The outage is currently scheduled to last for nearly the entire holiday shutdown period, beginning at 5 p.m. on Dec. 23 and ending at 6 p.m. on Jan. 2. There will be no power in these buildings during this period. More details will be announced as plans for the outage are finalized. If you have any immediate questions, contact Rusty Sprouse in FM&L, x7589.

JLab Calendar of Events

Nov. 25-26 Thanksgiving Holiday - JLab closed
Dec. 6: Safety Shoe Vendor onsite
Dec. 10: Toys for Tots Toy Drive concludes
Dec. 11: JAG Children's Winter Wonderland Party
Dec. 20: Safety Shoe Vendor onsite
Dec. 22: Personal Dosimeter Change Out
Dec. 24-Dec. 31: Winter holidays/Shutdown days - JLab closed

Announcements

Time to Update Your W-4
If you have had a change in circumstances, such as marriage or divorce, birth of a child, loss of a dependent or change in exempt status, since you last filed a Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, you may want to file a new Form W-4 or change your tax exemptions through Employee Self Service. If you have any questions, call Sharon Hay at x7620 or Janet Smith at x7503.

Personal Dosimeter Change Out Will Be Dec. 22
JLab's semi-annual personal dosimeter change out will take place during the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 22. This includes the dosimeters of all JLab staff, users and subcontractors. Unless you will be wearing your dosimeter that afternoon to conduct work in JLab radiologically controlled areas, make sure that your personal dosimeter is in its assigned rack for the change out. When not in use, always return your dosimeter to its assigned place in the rack. If you will need to use your dosimeter during the change out period on Dec. 22, you may exchange it that morning in the Radiation Control Dosimetry Office in Bldg. 52B, Room 4, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.  If you have questions, contact Becky Mosbrucker, x7236.

JAG Offers JLab Merchandise Through Online Store
The Jefferson Activities Group provides the lab community with the opportunity to purchase a variety of merchandise with the JLab logo on it – directly from the JAG webpage. There is a two-week turnaround on most orders. Credit cards may be used to place orders on the webpage and over the phone. Checks may also be used for payment, but must be mailed and received or delivered to the vendor prior to shipping.

Holiday Hideaway at the SURA Residence Facility
If you have friends or family coming for the holidays and need somewhere for them to stay, look no further than the SURA Residence Facility. Rooms are available to JLab users, staff and family members every day even during the Holiday Shutdown. For reservations, visit the website or call 757-223-1167.

JLab Children Invited to Winter Wonderland Party
The Jefferson Activities Group is hosting a children's Winter Wonderland Holiday Party on Saturday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. -1 p.m., in the CEBAF Center lobby. All children of JLab employees, contractors and users are invited. Kids may share their Christmas lists and be photographed with Santa, play games and make crafts. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Each family is asked to bring a new, unopened toy donation for the Toys For Tots toy drive.
 
Volunteers Needed to Help With Children’s Party
A number of volunteers are needed to help with the children's holiday party, mostly as crafts-table and game helpers. All crafts and supplies will be provided. Volunteers are needed to assist younger children with basic cutting, gluing or tying. Volunteers are also needed for the snack area and as Santa's Helpers. Sign up will soon be available online.
 
Toys For Tots Toy Drive Dec. 1-10
JLab is participating in the U.S. Marine Corps' annual Toys For Tots toy drive. Bring in your donation of new, unopened toys for children ages 1-12 and deposit them in the collection boxes. Marked drop boxes will be located near the main entrances of CEBAF Center, VARC, ARC, Test Lab and the MCC from Wednesday, Dec. 1 through Friday Dec. 10.
 
Holiday Decoration Contest
Unleash your inner decorator in the Holiday Office Door/Cubicle Decorating Contest. Prizes will be awarded for the Best Decorated, Most Original Decoration, and the Silliest. All employees, users and contractors with an office or cubicle at JLab may enter the contest (individuals and groups). To enter, e-mail Bridget Paul by COB, Dec. 15. Include your name(s), building number and office/cube location. Judging will take place Dec. 17. Decorations may go up as early as Dec. 1. Decorating materials should be fire resistant, and only UL-approved lighting/electronics may be used. No opened food items allowed.

JLab Jackets Available for Purchase
JLab 25th Anniversary Jackets may be purchased for $38.12 per jacket at the CEBAF Center reception desk. Sizes available for purchase include small, large, extra large, XXL and XXXL. Payment can be made by cash or personal check addressed to Jefferson Science Associates, LLC. Exact change is appreciated.