The Joint Genome Institute (JGI) and the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) have joined forces to create a more robust computational infrastructure for the world’s leading generator of DNA sequence information for bioenergy and environmental applications. “We evaluated wide a variety of options,” said Vito Mangiardi, JGI’s Deputy Director for Business Operations & Production. “After a thorough review, it made perfect sense to partner with NERSC.” NERSC will take on six JGI staff to consolidate and address the Institute’s ever-escalating high-performance and scientific computing needs as well as computer and network security and instrumentation computer systems, leaving desktop support services under local control at the JGI.
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"Rebuilding Together," a national volunteer organization that provides free improvements for the homes of low-income seniors and people with disabilities, is recruiting volunteers for its Saturday, April 24, project. Berkeley Lab employees are invited to join Energy Teams that will go house-to-house installing simple energy- and water-efficiency measures. Contact Allan Chen (x4210) for more information, or go here.
To help celebrate Earth Day, the Lab’s Zimride ride-sharing service is offering employees who sign up for the program before April 22 a chance to win a $50 Target gift card. Those who register will be automatically entered into the drawing. Zimride is an online service that enables commuters to find or provide rides to various destinations. Ridesharing not only lessens the negative impact on the environment but also helps ease the limited parking available at the Lab and saves commuter’s money.
As part of the Building 51 and Bevatron demolition project, exterior asbestos abatement activities will start Monday and continue for about two weeks. This work will restrict parking in Lot I, which is adjacent to Building 51. Clauss Construction has indicated that they will be diligent in minimizing the parking impact and will reopen the spaces as soon as safe and practicable after work begins.
Special Event: UC Berkeley Opens its Doors for Cal Day ExtravaganzaStudent performances, faculty lectures, campus tours, free museums, Pac-10 competitions in baseball and tennis, face painting and other kid-friendly activities — topped off by a 4 p.m. concert by the band Cold War Kids — await visitors to UC Berkeley’s annual Cal Day open house on Saturday. More>
[Discovery News] A new look at some of the greenest workplaces has found that they can be too quiet for comfort. Most buildings have mechanical noises that provide background sounds, which give people a sense of privacy when talking. But some of the most environmentally smart buildings are just too quiet for that. The U.S. General Services Administration looked at 20 federal buildings that had been certified as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) buildings. Overall their occupants are more satisfied, but the one place that the buildings don't look as good is in terms of acoustics, said the study’s author. More>
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