<html><head><style type='text/css'>p { margin: 0; }</style></head><body><div style='font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000'><br>To access the full version of the JLab Weekly Briefs, visit: https://www.jlab.org/news/briefs/latest<br><br>December 3 Briefs Excerpts:<br><br><b>Tornado Warning Siren Test Set for Friday, Dec. 5</b><br>Jefferson Lab's tornado warning siren will undergo its monthly operational test at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 5. Don't respond to the siren; this is a test of the siren system and not a personnel response exercise. Individuals planning to be in the Central Materials Storage Area (where the siren is located) while the test is taking place must have with them and wear two layers of hearing protection.<br><br><b>Colloquium: Energy Critical Elements: More Precious than Gold</b><br>Elements that were once laboratory curiosities, like neodymium, tellurium, and terbium, now figure centrally when novel energy systems are discussed. Many of these elements are not at present mined, refined, or traded in large quantities. New technologies can only impact our energy needs, however, if they can be scaled from laboratory, to demonstration, to massive implementation. As a result, some previously unfamiliar elements will be needed in great quantities. Although every element has its unique story, these Energy Critical Elements have many features in common. Robert Jaffe, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will describe the shared characteristics of these elements, their roles in emerging technologies, potential constraints on their availability, and government actions that can help avoid disruptive shortages. As an example, he will focus especially on elements that are required for photovoltaic technologies. The talk will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. in the CEBAF Center auditorium.<br><br><b>Hotel Cancellation Policy Changes</b><br>The Hilton and Marriott Hotel chains are revising their cancellation policy. Starting Jan. 1, 2015, these chains will charge a penalty, equivalent to one nights’ lodging, for reservations that are not canceled the day before the scheduled arrival. This policy is stiffer than previous policy, which generally required cancellation by 4 p.m. on the day of scheduled arrival. Contact Jefferson Lab’s subcontract travel agency, CI Travel, 757-461-0022, or your travel administrator whenever travel plans change. When a hotel has been reserved through CI Travel, the agency may have leverage to get the penalty waived.<br><br><b>TIAA-CREF 401(k) GSRA Open Enrollment is Underway</b><br>The 401(k) Group Supplemental Retirement Annuity open enrollment for 2015 is offered through Dec. 12. All elections will be reflected in the Jan. 15, 2015, paycheck. If you wish to contribute more or less than the 5 percent default contribution, or opt out of this program, you must enter the on-line system no later than close of business (5 p.m.) on Dec.12. If you do not enter the on-line system prior to this time, you will automatically be enrolled in the default employee 5 percent contribution plan that is based on your current salary. Human Resources is providing web-based enrollment for your convenience. To access the 401(k) GSRA enrollment link, go to the lab's Insight page, under Announcements. You can change your contribution amount any time during the year by submitting a new Salary Reduction Agreement form. These forms are located in the Human Resources Office in the SSC building. If you have questions, contact Treva Ferguson, x7291, or Doug Roeder, x7576. GSRA open enrollment on-line system link: https://mis.jlab.org/mis/apps/hr/gsra_enrollment/<br><br><b>2015 General Access RWP Ready for Review</b><br>The 2015 General Access Radiological Work Permit is now available for signature. If you are a radiation worker at Jefferson Lab, you must read and electronically sign the new RWP before Dec. 31 to retain your accelerator site access. This year’s RWP contains new restrictions/policies. Be sure to read this document in its entirety. You may access this document from off-site. The document can be found here. If you have trouble with the links or with signing the document, contact Becky Mosbrucker at becky@jlab.org or 757-269-7236. If you have any other questions regarding this permit, contact the Radiation Control Department at 876-1743. 2015 General Access RWP: https://misportal.jlab.org/railsForms/rad_work_permits/45081/briefing<br><br><b>Mobile Mammography Comes to Jefferson Lab</b><br>The Sentara Mobile Mammography Unit will be here at Jefferson Lab on Dec. 11, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Mammography detects breast cancer and The American Cancer Society recommends scheduling your first or baseline mammogram at age 40. It only takes 15 minutes! This service is open to all employees as well as their family members or friends as personal health insurances will be billed. To make an appointment, visit www.sentara.com and find Mobile Mammography Screenings under Screenings and Events or call 1-800-SENTARA (736-8272).<br><br><b>Holiday Party for Jefferson Lab Children and the Young at Heart</b><br>The JAG Holiday Party is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the CEBAF Center lobby. All employees, contractors, users and their children are invited. Families are encouraged to bring a new, unopened toy for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program. Get your picture taken with Santa Claus, who plans to drop by with the snow dogs, Nikko and Tally. (Owners Dan and Kim Young are members of the JAG Dog Training Club, and Nikko and Tally are trained service dogs). Come and enjoy holiday-themed games, crafts and light snacks. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information about this and other upcoming JAG activities, visit: http://www.jlab.org/intralab/committees/jag/ <br><br><b>Toys for Tots Toy Drive Ends Friday</b><br>Jefferson Lab will again participate in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's annual Toys for Tots toy drive. Bring your new, unwrapped toy donations for children 1-12 years old. Collection boxes are available near the main entrances of CEBAF Center, MCC, SSC, ARC and TED Buildings. The toy donations will be delivered to the Marines on Dec. 6 at the JAG Children’s Holiday Party. <br><br>To access the full version of the JLab Weekly Briefs, visit: https://www.jlab.org/news/briefs/latest</div></body></html>