May 2008

Eat, drink, and sync: the recipe for a classic Spring Fling

Staff converged at Center Green on May 2 for the annual Spring Fling celebration. Sponsored by the Employee Activities Committee (EAC), the party included a lip sync competition, live music, food, and other fun.  This year’s event, dubbed the Spring Fling Classic, marked a return to the traditional lip sync after last year’s “Center Green Idol” takeoff, although some non-sync acts were included as well.

Five groups entered the competition, hosted by CISL’s Brian Bevirt (below left). In keeping with past years, there was repeated and blatant bribing of judges, which paid off as every entry won an award.  The well-compensated judges were (below right) Reta Lorenz (ESSL/ACD), Emily Doremire (ESSL/CGD), and Tina Arthur (EO).

The first act, fittingly, was “Who’s on First?” a rendition of the classic Abbott and Costello routine by Peter Thornton (ESSL/CGD) and Craig Hartsough (ESSL/ACD).  The two had tried the same routine at the 2002 Spring Fling but were thwarted by sound-system problems.

A team of CGD staff entertained the crowd with a mild strip tease to the tune of Jill Sobule’s global-warming–themed “Manhattan in January.”  Pictured below are (left to right) Lesley Smith, Cecile Hannay on guitar, Andrea Sealy, and Masha Tsukernik, and (far right) Jerry Olson.  Afterward, ACD staff used a PowerPoint display to bring the Grateful Dead’s “Sugar Magnolia” to life.

The UCARolers, who typically serenade staff at the year-end holiday party, presented an original ode to outgoing NCAR director Tim Killeen.  The song, “Killeen Led Softly,” was based on the 1973 Roberta Flack hit “Killing Me Softly with His Song” (see lyrics in sidebar below).  UCARolers pictured below are Nancy Wade (HR), Mary Haley (CISL), Andrea Sealy (ESSL/CGD), Carl Drews (ESSL/ACD), Inger Gallo (RAL), Craig Hartsough (ESSL/ACD), Carol Park (DIR), Lesley Smith (ESSL/CGD), and Helen Moshak (ESSL/HAO).  Not pictured:  Anita Monk-Ryan (F&A).

The Spanish Language Club brought a bilingual flair to the party with a live performance of Rodolfo Sciamarella’s “Himno de las Américas.” the official anthem of the Day of the Americas holiday (April 14). The singers included (left to right) Marina LaGrave (EO), Donna Bonetti (DIR), and Carol Makowski (RAL).

To learn more about what kinds of events and activities staff would enjoy, the EAC conducted a survey at the party.  Those who completed the survey were eligible for three door prizes awarded at the party:  a glider flight for two, a one-hour massage, and a set of Rough Guides on weather and climate change autographed by Bob Henson (Communications).

After the performances, Event Services unveiled a spread of nachos, wings, and other finger foods. UCAR’s own Nasal Ridge Pickers provided bluegrass and Americana tunes, with help from a few external colleagues.  The group included (below, front row, left to right) John Hernandez (CISL), Nan Rosenbloom (CGD), and Bruce Green.  Other members included Jeff Alipit, Linda McGinley, and Ed Snyder (all CISL) and non-UCAR musicians Tim Eubank and Dave Hill.

Spring Fling Videos. (More coming soon.)

• Who's on first?
  
  
• Manhattan in January
  
  
• Killeen Led Softly
  
  
• Sugar Magnolia
  
  
• Hymns to the Americas
  
  
• Soul Man
  

In this issue...

A close look at one geoengineering scheme

Talks and treats for National Library Week

People, planet, and productivity: Sustainable UCAR

Multimedia Services helps staff collaborate across time and space

“The Stories Clouds Tell” gets a facelift

Delphi questions

Warren M. Washington Digital Collection

Just One Look