The traveling vacation for Edgar (Chemistry Test, 1993) and Janet Peck in 2007 was going on a two-week river boat and bus tour through the Netherlands and Belgium in Mid-April. Luckily they were there at the very height of the tulip and other spring flower season. They had worried about being too early, but that part of the world was having an early and warm spring with record-setting high temperatures. The weather continued to be clear and warm. They had been to the Netherlands in 1982, but this guided trip took them to many places they missed on the previous trip.

In other extended time away from home, they attended the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Fort Worth in late July. They understand that conventions can get reduced rates for scheduling events there in the hottest time of the year. However, although it was quite warm there, it was a few degrees cooler each day than at home in Rocklin, CA. They were also treated to a Texas-sized rain, thunder and lightening storm. Many of their church friends from around the country were there. They spent several days in Dallas with Kenneth, Edgar’s brother, and the three of them went to San Angelo for some time with Joel and Ann Howerton for some sightseeing.

Janet is in her seventh year as a volunteer tutor at a local school for first graders who need special help in learning how to read. Currently she is tutoring an additional child at home. Twice this year Janet helped prepare fifty dinners for homeless persons who rely on a number of area churches for meals and overnight accommodations. For relaxation she enjoys many laps in their swimming pool. Janet and Edgar continue to sing in the church choir.

Edgar continues to serve as chief financial officer at their church and was recently elected as an elder. He continues to do substitute preaching (seventeen times last year); most of it was at a local church that currently does not have a pastor. He continues to serve as pastor-counselor for the Disciples Men group and as one of nine regional elders in Northern California.

There is no Retirees’ luncheon in February because of the annual Dinner/Dance being held on Saturday, February 9th at the Elk's Lodge in Livermore, 940 Larkspur Drive, across from the Springtown Golf Club.

The next Retirees’ luncheon will be held at noon on Wednesday, March 19th at the Elk's Lodge in Livermore. There will be two presentations: First, supporting our goal to keep retirees informed on topics they care about, Judy Ackerhalt, Deputy to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources and Benefits at UC will informally discuss the agreement on the transfer of assets and liabilities from UCRP to the LLNS defined benefits pension plan and the agreement regarding ongoing obligations of the DOE to reimburse UC for contributions to UCRP. Judy will take a few general questions and has agreed to stay after the meeting to answer more specific questions that our retirees may have.

The second presentation is a 30 minute film provided by Maxine Trost titled "Magnificent Obsession, The Life of Edward Teller." In commemoration of Edward Teller's 100th birthday, this film was shown at LLNL, but retirees were unable to see it as they no longer have access. We urge our retirees to take this opportunity to stay informed and to recall the proud history we were all part of at LLNL.

TOURS OF LLNL AND SITE 300

Two free tours are available for LLNL Retirees and also for the general public.  Both tours last about 2 hours and 30 minutes.  All attendees must be at least 18 years old.  US Citizens must sign up at least two weeks in advance, non-US citizens must sign up at least one month in advance.  Contact the LLNL Public Affairs Office at (925)  422-4599.

Tour 1: Community Tour of LLNL on Tuesdays starting at 9 AM.

1. Visit the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center (NARAC) where LLNL has the capability to track chemical and other toxic materials as they disperse throughout the world from natural events like volcanic eruptions, chemical plants and nuclear releases.

2. Visit the Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry CAMS) that can accurately carbon date materials with exciting applications in archeological, environmental and biomedical science.

3. Visit the National Ignition Facility (NIF) which is a football stadium sized laser used to produce fusion for a variety of applications.

Tour 2: Site 300 Tour on the first and third Fridays of each month starting at 10 AM.

Guides will describe buildings and equipment during a bus tour of the entire site with time to view of the surrounding terrain from the West observation post (the highest location at Site 300).

  LLNL Retirees Travel Group will meet Tuesday, February 26th at 2:00 p.m. in the Livermore Police Department Community Room, 1110 South Livermore Avenue. Miles and Jackie Loyd with present "Driving to Colorado."

Please send any news or input (please include the date and department from which you retired) to Jane or Gus Olson. E-Mail: Jane@LLNLRetirees.org or Gus@LLNLRetirees.org.