Continuity Update - Feb 8, 2016

This is the temporary set of Vermont Edition in the Performance Studio. (Franny not included.)

Thank you, Frank!
For planning, procuring materials and spending the weekend setting up Vermont Edition's new digs in the Performance Studio. We tried the show live from there today, learned a lot from the snags we encountered, and should be in good shape for next week.

Reminder about next week:
Master Control goes offline, Talk Studio goes offline. Studio A and Performance will be in high demand during the next several weeks. Please book your time in Studio A diligently and try to be as efficient as possible with the time you have there. Beginning Monday, Performance will be unbookable but may be available for drop-in space in the mornings and afternoons. Performance is off limits daily 11:30-1:15.

Bring On The Ides Of March!
Have you been wondering, "So when are we getting this show on the road, anyway? WHEN ARE WE MOVING IN?!"

This is what we are aiming for: March 15-29 move in!

However, Moving Day is a moving target. As with all things construction-related, this may shift a bit. But to bring order and predictability to your own planning, keep March 15 in your mind as Day 1 of a multi-day move. More details will be decided in the coming weeks about how we'll stagger the move-in. The idea is that small groups of people will move on given days, in order to make sure that our incredibly awesome and maxed out engineering team is able to provide computer and tech support as each person migrates in (and thus allowing us to keep operating as normally as possible while the move is underway).

This is a good time for us to remember the mantra that we've embraced throughout the last many months:

Flexibility and humor will get us through! 

As we approach big milestones (like Moving Day) there is a higher likelihood of tension and imperfect communication. We're doing our best to smooth the road as much as possible, and we are grateful that everyone is embracing this with a spirit of cooperation and helping out.

Free, To A Good Home
Great job cleaning out and organizing your personal desks and shared spaces! You've probably been accumulating things aren't trash but that you don't personally need anymore. Later this month, we will have a donation zone set up in the Performance Studio so that unbroken, clean, gently used items can continue their useful lives in someone's home. Here are the ground rules:

• Bring your donatable goods to the Performance Studio on Monday, Feb. 22 
• Display them attractively on the tables we'll have set up for this purpose
• Have at it! All items left here are free to whomever wants it first - staff, volunteers, guests
• NO furniture; no items from home; no dirty, dusty, crud-encoated items; no broken items

The donation tables will stay set up all week Feb 22-29, so stop by frequently to peruse what's on offer. On Friday afternoon, Jonathan and Patti will pack up whatever is unclaimed and take it to Goodwill.

Another reminder about packing up personal spaces
Just making sure everyone noticed last week's update: each of us will get one filing cabinet at our new desks. If you require more filing space than that, please check in with your manager or Laurie. Aside from files, all of your desk items should fit into one box. 

Are you finding cool archival items from VPR history? There is a box in the lobby where Michelle is collecting mementos - please drop them there.

Another reminder about packing up shared spaces
Several folks have volunteered to clean out and pack up shared spaces like bathrooms, studios, closets, etc. There is a special place in our hearts for you kind souls. Help a fellow out by noting these dates:

• Feb 15: deadline for removing all personal items from public and shared spaces. After Feb 15, your items could be thrown out.
• March 10: All shared and public spaces will be packed up and cleaned out

Want to join the fun? Are you already part of this tribe of organizing, decluttering adherents? More volunteers are welcome! Post a note in the Comments section that you are ready and willing to help.

What's New Around the Building?
Today, the new floors are getting polished and sealed. This is purported to be a messy process, but we wouldn't know because we are forbidden from walking on the floors while they are being treated. As Brian says, "No tours for floors" (this vaguely rhymes if you say it with a Massachusetts accent). They are treating the floors in sections and this will go on for the next week or so.

Elsewhere...
The steel stairs and rails are in, and the steel cleaning is commencing. This is purported to be an "odorful" process, and the guys are using ventilation masks as they wipe down the surfaces with alcohol and then varnish them.

A few things from last week that will probably happen this week instead:

• breaking through the brick in hallway
• baseboard work in the hallway
• delivery of the new meeting trailer (fingers crossed!)

Zimbra calendar trick!
You know how we're going to have a bunch of new shared spaces in the new building? Here's a trick to easily find a space for your meeting or project:

• open a new appointment in Zimbra calendar
• add time/date details
• click on "Location"
• click on "Search"

Voila! You'll see a list of all locations, and each will be marked "Free" or "Busy." Take your pick! (h/t Todd)

Comments - you know what to do!
Your beloved colleagues on the Continuity team are really, really appreciative of your ideas, feedback, and questions. Please use the comments section below (anonymously if you wish!) to let us know what's on your mind.