January 2003

January 2003

Volume 2 Issue 3

SeaLab

The Newsletter For FOA Employees on the Sea and In the Lab

Important Links

Welcome to 2003. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and that 2003 will bring you much joy and happiness. The new year brings us new hope and challenges. As we go through this new year, we will be here to help you succeed in your employment with Frank Orth. Please feel free to contact us when you need our assistance.

One way that we have made things more accessible for our employees is to put our most common forms on line so that you can download and print them whenever you need them. Visit http://www.frank-orth.com/foa%20links.htm. By the way If there's a form you would like to see added to this list, please let u s know.

We finished the holiday season. However holidays come year round, and out of season. Outside of the big three holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day) what is your favorite holiday?

Easter Memorial Day Independence Day

Valentines Day Labor Day Halloween

Christmas Winners

In December we asked everyone what was their favorite Christmas movie and Christmas carol. "Christmas Vacation" was the favorite movie while "Silent Night" received the most votes for favorite Christmas carol.

New Mileage Rates

Remember new mileage rates went into effect on January 1. You are only allowed to claim 36 cents per mile when requesting expense reimbursement.

Please contact Gene Gordon if you have any questions.

	Upcoming Important Dates
January 1	Happy New Year! FOA Office and Federal Offices closed.
January 6	Payday
January 15	Timesheets due into FOA Office
January 20	Martin Luther King Day Federal Offices Closed-Martin Luther King Day was first celebrated in 1986. President Reagan signed the bill that established the third Monday in January as a day to celebrate the legacy and contributions that Dr. King made to society. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of only two Americans (George Washington is the other) to have their birthday declared a national holiday
January 21	Payday
February 2	Groundhog Day -Groundhog day originates from the German Tradition of Candlemas Day. First known celebration in the United States occurred in 1887 in Punxsutawney, PA. Every year thousands gather to see the groundhog, "Punxsutawney Phil" awake from hibernation. If Phil sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter is predicted. However, Phil hasn't been too accurate as a weatherman. Since 1887 he has been correct only 39% of the time.
February 3	Timesheets Due
February 6	Payday
	Happy Birthday! Allen Cramer
February 14	Valentines Day- Who St. Valentine really is and how Valentine's Day got started is not clear. There are several different theories to the origin of this holiday. Maybe its fitting that the holiday dedicated to love is much like love itself, mysterious and unexplainable.
February 17	President's Day- Every February the United States sets aside one day in February to honor its leaders. This day is called President’s Day. Originally this day was set aside to honor George Washington’s birthday, which is February 22. The first celebration of Washington’s birthday occurred in 1796, the last year of his presidency. Washington’s birthday was celebrated each subsequent year on February 22 until 1971. In that year President Nixon signed a bill making the third Monday of February “President’s Day”. There were two reasons for creating this federal holiday. One, was to have a holiday that honored all presidents. The other reason was to give federal employees a standard three day weekend.
February 17
	Timesheets Due
February 20	Payday
March 3	Timesheets Due