WELCOME TO PAMS 2K2
Hello once again and happy New Year to all Palmetto AMS members, both
old and new...
Please allow me to apologize for the latent infrequency of this publication.
I hesitate to do so, for the sake of universal redundancy, in blaming the
tardiness of the current issue of this fine journal on the aftermath of
the Sept. 11th tragedy, however true it may be. Lets just suffice it to
say (especially to us gov't types) that our hearts and minds, like those
across the nation, have understandably been focused elsewhere the last
few months. I am, therefore, happy to report to you that both the AMS,
as well as our venerable local chapter, are still alive, well, and ready
for a prosperous and exciting 2K2. Your current Executive Board is back
at work planning our winter and spring activities, so please keep checking
e-mails for updates and new information.
PAMS TRIP TO DELTA AIRLINES
On Aug. 16th of last year, a contingent of PAMS members took Delta
Airlines up on their offer to tour their Operations Center at Hartsfield
Airport in Atlanta. In a presentation rarely seen by outsiders, the members
received a fascinating inside look at one of the most complex and technologically
advanced private meteorological operations in existence. Following the
tour, our hosts even allowed the group to experience one of the twice-daily
briefings coordinating operations personnel from all over the country.
Our most gracious thanks goes out to Joe Luisi and Delta for providing
PAMS members a most enjoyable afternoon.
PAMS FALL MEETING IN COLUMBIA
On Nov.30th, 2001, the PAMS got together at the SC Department of Natural
Resources' (DNR) offices high over downtown Columbia for a pair of most
informative and entertaining presentations from two members of our own
Palmetto State meteorological community. To open the evening, Dr. Timothy
Reinhold of the Clemson University School of Engineering gave a fascinating
presentation on research being done to help protect the structural integrity
of houses in the face of hurricanes and other high-wind weather events.
Afterward, Lieutenant Colonel Tom Frooninckx (who recently took over for
Colonel Billy Davis as commander of the 28th OWS, Shaw AFB) took us to
the theater of war in Afghanistan through the eyes of Air Force meteorologists
and the high-tech tools they use to protect the troops in battle through
accurate weather forecasting. Following the talks, the members and guests
retired to the Millennium Buffet for oriental cuisine and light conversation.
The Board and membership would like to thank each of our esteemed guests
for their participation in this event and invite them back again sometime
in the near future.
2002 SCIENCE FAIR JUDGING
Each spring for the past few years, PAMS members have participated
in judging activities at the Central South Carolina Region II Science and
Engineering fair. With this year's event rapidly approaching, our chapter
once again needs a few good men and women to seek out the best atmospheric
science projects in the Midlands. It takes so little time, but the experience
so rewarding when you see the time and effort these bright young minds
put into their research and how eager they are to share it with you, the
atmospheric science professional. If you think you'd like to participate
in this wonderful project, please contact Bob Buckley as soon as possible
at: <bob.buckley@srs.gov>. Judging will take place the evening of April
1st, 2002.
MINI-TECH CONFERENCE
The Chapter is once again proud to announce that it will host the 8th
Annual Palmetto AMS Mini-Technical Conference, to be held at the Russell
House @ USC on March 15th, 2002. For those of you new to the PAMS, the
Mini-tech is a way for members, as well as other professionals from the
community, to come together and present their research in the comfort of
a small, relatively intimate informal forum. It is an excellent symposium
for the delivery of nearly any pertinent information related to meteorology
and the atmospheric sciences, with the audience providing the insightful
feedback often necessary to really polish the presentation. For those of
you who'd like to participate this year, the call for abstracts is open
until March 6th, 2002, with an absolute no-later-than deadline of Monday,
March 11th, 2002. An e-mail including time, date, directions, and tentative
agenda will be sent to all members as soon as all arrangements have been
made.
2002 BOARD MEETING & ELECTIONS
An informal 2002 PAMS Board meeting will be held on March 15th, 2002
at California Dreaming [restaurant] following the 8th Annual Mini-tech
Conference. The meeting will focus solely on the election of a new Secretary/Treasurer,
their installation, and the transfer of duties to our new President and
Vice President. The meeting is open to all current members and their guests.
THANKS FOR A GREAT YEAR, ROB!
As you know, per our current by-laws, officers advance upward year-by-year
from secretary to VP to President. The time has come all too suddenly for
our next ''Rotation of the Guard''. Please join us in congratulating our
2001 President, Rob Addis for a job well done! He has provided the Chapter
with the excellent leadership it deserves and we are sad to see him return
to the general membership. Good luck to his successor, current VP Andy
Million, Senior Master Sgt, US Air Force, who will become the 2002 Palmetto
AMS Chapter President following the Spring Board Meeting on March 15th.
WE NEED YOU.TO HELP DESIGN OUR NEW LOGO
We here at the Palmetto AMS are quite proud of our Chapter and the
unique region it represents. As such, after much talk over the past year
or so, the Board has decided to propose the adoption of a standard logo
to represent our chapter both at the local and national levels. This logo
could be used in a variety of ways, from highlighting our website and Chapter
letterhead, to emblazing apparel and other trinkets for members and guests
alike. Unfortunately, as non-artistes, we wonder who will design it and
what will it look like? Well.you, the membership, can help out greatly
in this endeavor by trying your hand at graphic design! Just sketch something
out that you think would best represent the uniqueness of our Chapter,
and then submit it to one of the Officers at your earliest convenience.
The membership will then have a time set aside at a future meeting to vote
on which one they like best. There may also be a prize for the winning
design, so stay tuned for the results.
DUES, DUES, DUES!
There are still a few folks who still owe dues for the 2001-2002 year.
An e-mail will be forthcoming notifying those members who need to bring
their dues up-to-date. Dues remain at $10 and are the Chapter's only available
funding resource. Please see Paul Martin at any upcoming PAMS function
to pay.
2001-2002 PAMS Board Officers
Rob Addis, President, <robert.addis@srs.gov>
Andy Million, Vice President, <million.marvin@shaw.af.mil>
Paul C. Martin, Secretary/Treasurer, <martinpc@columb31.dhec.state.sc.us>
Edited by Paul C. Martin (27-JAN-2002)