Despite torrential rains on June 27, NIH's Division of Travel and Transportation Services brought together several area commuter service agencies for the NIH Transportation Fair in Bldg. 45.

Want to win an iPod? Coin the winning name for the new “Transportation Information Center” now operational in the Natcher hallway. In collaboration with the Montgomery County commuter services division, NIH is providing a permanent, free Internet kiosk with direct links to eight transportation options including the NIH shuttle, Metro and Montgomery County real-time traffic video updates. Shown are Laura Chin (l) and Linda Provost of Montgomery County commuter services at the new kiosk.

Choosing who had the coolest giveaways was a tough call. The Transhare Program offered coffee mugs urging a switch to mass transit: “Calculate your daily commuting costs — Number of miles (round trip) x 52 cents.” Marie Taboada holds Transhare freebies.

Stressbuster gadgets included the Child Care Program’s lava-lamp-like key chains. “We’re giving these out because we feel it improves the science at NIH,” quipped Mary Ellen Savarese. “Watch it, breathe deeply, feel yourself relaxing. That’s how we know it’s scientific.” Child Care group and visitors include (from l) Joy Gaines and Savarese (both with CCP); and Rashida Means, Dan Harsh, Kevin Ireland and Shannon Jackson, all of NIAID.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments recognized the NIH/NOAA Recreation and Welfare Association and the NIH Bicycle Commuter Club for having the highest Bike to Work Day participation in the D.C. area. "If every business had a club like NIH, the world would be a lot different," said Eric Gilliland of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. "The folks at EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] are coming after you next year," he quipped, issuing a friendly challenge. NIH beat out America Online, last year's winner, as well as the EPA. Accepting on behalf of NIH was NIMH's Dr. Samantha Smith (2nd from l), representing the Bicycle Commuter Club. Others on hand for the presentation include Nicholas Ramfos (l) of Metropolitan Washington COG Commuter Connections; Charles Butler (front, c) of the Clinical Center; Gilliland (back, c); Gary Freeman (3rd from r), DTTS program specialist; and Maggie Thompson (r) of WABA.