Spring 2006, Vol. 2, No. 1 | Index

MBL Employee News

New Employees: Jonathan Neff, Senior Research Assistant Josephine Bay Paul Center Dilrukshi Ekanayake, Research Assistant Josephine Bay Paul Center Laura Wittman, Research Assistant, The Ecosystems Center John Furfey, Digital Systems and Services Coordinator, MBLWHOI Library Angela Allen, Research Assistant, The Ecosystems Center Sedrick Anderson, Postdoctoral Scientist Josephine Bay Paul Center

Benefits Extras! It is the New Year. How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions? Have you looked at Blue Cross Blue Shield to help you out with those resolutions? As mentioned in the Open Enrollment letter, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers lots of extra benefits that might help you lead a healthier life in 2006. The most common New Year’s resolution must be to lose weight. BCBS offers a $150 savings on membership in a Health Club and a $150 reimbursement toward program fees at Weight Watchers or a hospital-based weight loss program. In addition, as an MBL employee you are also eligible for a discounted membership at Falmouth Sports Center Health Club. Want to quit smoking? BCBS offers telephone counseling to provide advice and support as well as an online smoking cessation program. Our plan also covers prescription nicotine replacement products (like patches or gum). For those who resolved to be a better parent in 2006 check out the options for parents. There is a 24 hour hotline for moms-to-be to call nurses with any questions. After the baby is born look for books, discounts and advice galore. As your family grows and becomes more active, set an example by putting on a helmet for your bicycle, rollerblade and skateboarding adventures. Download an order form and buy one from BCBS for $14-$15.75. When your adventures lead to mishaps, take advantage of the Nurse Line to get help deciding if a trip to the doctor or the emergency room is needed. Or, you can request a copy of the Decision Care Guide. This guide asks questions and uses charts to help you figure out how to handle common conditions like earaches, sore throat and upset stomach. There is a lot more that Blue Cross Blue Shield has to offer, too much to list here. To find out more visit their website, <www.bluecrossma.com> or call Human Resources, x7422. Survivor Series Hits Home MBL’s own Dan Barry takes the challenge Be sure to tune in to this season’s Survivor TV series to watch former NASA astronaut and MBL corporation member Dan Barry embark on an amazing Panama adventure. As of the printing of this issue, Dan, one of 16 original contestants (8 women, 8 men), had survived his first Tribal Council (i.e., hadn’t been voted off the island). Will he outlast his fellow contestants and win the 1 million prize? Watch CBS Thursdays at 8 PM to find out. Milestones Katherine Hashizume (Bay Paul Center) married Kris Newhall (WHOI), on December 10, 2005 at the Chatham Wayside Inn. Despite the crazy weather on the 9th that led to falling branches, power outages, horrible driving conditions, and a candlelit (not by choice) rehearsal dinner, the next day was absolutely perfect. Friends and family gathered from around the world for the beautiful ceremony, led by Cathy Norton, who moonlights as a Justice of the Peace when not directing the MBLWHOI Library. She married the couple under a Japanese tori gate. The bride was dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono. The reception that followed was a great party, and the surprise honeymoon to St. Lucia was unforgettable.

The New Collecting Net is an employee newsletter published by the Communications Office. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Call (508) 289-7423 or e-mail us at