The Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences has announced the performers and dates in the 2006-2007 season of its Chamber Music Series. This is the series' 39th year. The concerts are held at Congregation Beth El at 8215 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, and all performances will be Sundays at 4 p.m.

Tickets for individual concerts may be purchased 2 weeks before the performance, or on the day of the concert. Cost is $28 for adults; $12 for students, fellows and postdocs. A 10-performance subscription costs $250 ($100 for students, fellows, postdocs). For more information call (301) 496-7976 or visit www.faes.org.

A seminar titled "The Science and Tradition of Meditation," will be held Tuesday, Apr. 4 from 1-2 p.m. in the Clinical Research Center, Rm. 1580-North, 7th floor. Presenters will be Dr. Ramesh Manocha of the Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, Australia, and Dr. George Patrick, chief of the recreation therapy department. Topics for discussion include: Does meditation have unique effects? Is there scientific evidence for meditation as a unique state of consciousness?

To celebrate the opening of "Visible Proofs," an exhibition on the history and science of forensic medicine, the National Library of Medicine is hosting a free film series, "Screen Forensics." Don't miss the two remaining films in the series: Citizen X (R) on Mar. 30 and Sleepy Hollow (R) on Apr. 6. Screenings begin at 6 p.m. in Lister Hill Auditorium, Bldg. 38A, and are free and open to the public. Sign language interpreters are provided. Those needing other reasonable accommodation should contact Erika Mills, (301) 496-5963 or the Federal Relay, 1-800-877-8339.

The staff training in extramural programs (STEP) committee will present two Science for All fora on the topic, "Defining Race and Ethnicity in Biomedical and Behavioral Research: A Mini-Course on Biological, Social, Political and Legal Issues." The meetings will be held on consecutive Tuesdays, Apr. 11 and 18, from 8 a.m. to noon in Lister Hill Auditorium, Bldg. 38A. The first session focuses on "How did we get here?" and the second examines "Where are we headed?"

More than 99 percent genetically identical — that's what geneticists say humans are. If we're so much alike, why are we so different? One of NIH's major goals is to reduce disparities in health status experienced by racial and ethnic minority populations. But what is race? What is ethnicity? The definition of these classifications becomes a crucial element in responding to these goals.

Genomic data raises disturbing questions about the scientific value of our current mode of classifying and categorizing individuals and populations. What data are obtained and lost in using the current system of classification? Does our approach really allow us to address the basis for health disparities? Diverse perspectives on racial and ethnic classification in the U.S. will be discussed along with their implications on policies of inclusion and representation in science. These presentations will help us understand the questions that we really should be asking to reduce health disparities.

The Work and Family Life Center will hold a seminar titled, "Supporting Your Older Relative: Awareness & Communication," on Wednesday, Apr. 5 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Bldg. 50, Rm. 1227/1233. Have you been thinking about the needs of an older relative or what your own needs might be in the future? Are you uncomfortable initiating conversations about this? Did you know that it's possible to support an aging parent's independence, avoid taking too much control, yet ensure their well-being? This is a complex issue, even more so when it involves communicating across state lines, but it doesn't have to consume you. There are strategies that can help you help an older relative make important decisions about the future.

NIH celebrates its 12th annual Take Your Child to Work Day, on Thursday, Apr. 27. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., a variety of institutes and centers will host educational and fun activities designed to let your child (ages 8-15) experience the world of biomedical research.

More than 1,500 children are expected to participate in NIH's Take Your Child to Work Day. The planning committee is seeking volunteers to sponsor a variety of activities for the children. You can help by identifying activities that will introduce children to the vital roles their parents play in the NIH workforce and expose them to careers they might not have envisioned. The event needs many activities scheduled throughout the day. No matter where you work — in a lab or office setting — consider sponsoring an activity or an exhibit that will introduce children to careers in science, medicine or civil service. To sponsor an activity or exhibit, contact the planning committee.

Not up to sponsoring your own activity, but still want to see children engaged in opportunities to learn about careers? How about helping in the planning and conducting of the event? The committee can use your help in all aspects of the event; you can volunteer anytime between now and the event day itself.

Visit the Take Your Child to Work Day web site for more information: http://takeyourchildtowork.nih.gov. Registration for the event begins in mid-April. Contact Gary Morin, (301) 496-4628 voice, (301) 480-3122 TTY; MorinG@od.nih.gov.

Individuals who need sign language interpreters and/or reasonable accommodation to participate should contact Carlton Coleman at (301) 496-2906, voice or (301) 451-2290 (TTY), (800) 877-8339 Federal Relay, or by email, ColemanC@od.nih.gov.

Tickets to Baltimore Orioles games went on sale Thursday, Mar. 23 at the R&W gift shop in Bldg. 31, Rm. B1W30. Orioles tickets include two regular season tickets (2 seats behind first base — Section 14 Row BBB seat 7-8) and, in addition, tickets are available for 13 Sunday games (4 seats behind third base — Section 58 Row MM) and 13 Sunday and additional weekday games (2 seats behind first base — Section 14 Row UU and 5 seats in right field — Section 8 Row AA).

Tickets for Washington Nationals games will go on sale Thursday, Mar. 30 at 8 a.m. outside the Bldg. 31 R&W gift shop. Available are 4 regular season tickets (4 seats behind first base — Section 104 Row 7); more tickets for various games will be available in Section 106 Row 5.

Edie Fraser

Edie Fraser, president and CEO of the Public Affairs Group, Inc., gave the keynote address for "Builders of Communities and Dreams," part one of NIH's 2006 Women's History Month observance, sponsored by the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management on Mar. 3 in Lipsett Amphitheater. "What are you doing to be a trailblazer and what is the group that you're working with doing to drive change?" she asked. Although seven of every 10 jobs are now held by women and minorities, she noted, women represent only about 18 percent of corporate board membership, with women of color at about 3 percent. "We have to make sure that our representation in your [Senior Executive Service] system at NIH [honors] America," she said. Fraser acknowledged that women make up 57 percent of the NIH workforce, but advised the audience to consider the ranks of management. "What grades are we and what are we doing on representation to push career advancement?" she asked. "Those are the questions that will be so important to our future success." Fraser also recognized the gains by women in health, medical research and related fields. The majority of medical school students in the U.S. are women, she said, and there has been tremendous growth in every aspect of the health industry. Capitalize on that growth, she concluded, to find "a mentor or a champion to build your career path."

NIH 9-Hole Golf League

The NIH Golf Association (9-hole coed league) is seeking new members for the 2006 season. The 9-hole league meets Tuesdays and/or Thursdays after work and plays at Needwood Golf Course in Rockville or Sligo Creek Golf Course in Silver Spring. The league features two flights of competitive handicapped- match play and one non-competitive flight. The season starts with an optional Spring Outing (members and guests) in late April, then regular play through the end of August, and a members and guests Fall Outing in early September. The league has a block of reserved tee times and serves as a great social/networking opportunity to meet fellow NIH'ers and to improve your golfing skills. For more information, email John Hamill at jh148m@nih.gov or visit http://www.recgov.org/golf/.

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