The biggest snowstorm in the recorded history of the Washington, DC area brought the region to a standstill, and the regularly scheduled National Capital Chapter of ASHRAE meeting had to be cancelled as well. I hope you all made it through the last few weeks of snow, ice, and traffic jams without major problems. The Chapter will reschedule the February meeting for May 12th. Please mark your calendars and look for the meeting announcement.

Engineers Week was held on the week of February 14-20. The Discover Engineering Family Day was again a successful event on February 20, 2010, at the National Building Museum. NCC ASHRAE had a booth as every year and we went through over 1000 balloon and over 2000 snake experiments with the kids. Thank you all who volunteered to support this worthy event.

I would like to bring to your attention ASHRAE’s webcast “Right from the Start – Commissioning for High Performing Buildings.” The webcast will take place on Wednesday April 21st, 2010. Online registration starts March 2nd at www.ashrae.org/education/page/557. You can earn three (3) Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or (3) AIA Learning Units by attending the webcast.

As the end of the 2009-2010 year approaches for the National Capital Chapter’s monthly meetings, I would like to remind you that there are three more chances to receive PDH certificates through the PES programs held before the dinner program; March the 10th, April 14th and the newly added May 12th meeting. Please see the calendar on the Chapter’s website for more information (www.nccashrae.org).

Please remember that the ASHRAE Technology Awards program application deadline is in March. The program provides an opportunity to recognize ASHRAE members who design and/or conceive innovative technological concepts; communicate innovative systems designs to other ASHRAE members. Please contact Natalyia Olson (nvolson@gmail.com) with any questions.

March Meeting
Our next Chapter meeting will be on March 10th at the Arlington Hilton. The theme of the March meeting is Refrigeration.

The PES program will cover Duct Design/Testing and Balancing and the Dinner Program will be a presentation on ASHRAE Research Project 1292 (Series vs. Parallel boxes).

We will also announce the National Capital Chapter of ASHRAE Board of Governors nominations for the 2010-2011 years.

Please remember to pre-register online for these programs before March 5th.

Best regards,
Kinga Porst
NCC President – 2009-2010