After running a stunning photo by employee John Turner of a rainbow ending at the Molecular Foundry last month, the editor of Today at Berkeley Lab asked if others had taken shots of life on the Hill. Several staff stepped up, including Paul Schaffner of the Physics Division, who took the dramatic night shot of the Foundry above. “ I took the picture in December 2008 with a Canon 40D,” explains Schaffner. “I had just started to become more interested in photography and these were some of my first night shots.” Go here to watch a slide show of additional photos by Schaffner as well as other employees. Have you taken a unique photo of the Lab’s surroundings? If so, send them here to be considered for publication in TABL.
Lab employees who are members of the University of California Retirement Plan (UCRP) are reminded that, after a nearly 18-year “holiday,” employee and employer contributions to the pension plan will be restarted. This will take effect in the spring (the exact dates will be published in Today at Berkeley Lab when determined by UC). Initially, there will be no direct impact on take-home pay. The contributions will be redirected from each employee’s Defined Contribution Plan (DCP) account to UCRP. More information is available on UC’s “Future of the Retirement Plan” website.
EH&S: Employees ‘Graduate’ From Lab Emergency Response TrainingThe Lab’s Emergency Services Program recently honored the first graduating class of its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program. The students were trained in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. With this training, CERT graduates can assist others at the Lab or in their local communities following an event (until professional responders arrive on the scene), and support professional responders where needed. The next CERT training will take place in late fall; specific dates will be announced in Today at Berkeley Lab when confirmed. Go here to see a photo of the graduates.
All non-research employees are enrolled in upcoming online training that satisfies one of the University of California training requirements (research employees are enrolled in a similar course). The training, “UC Ethical Values and Conduct,” is designed to raise awareness of the University of California Statement of Ethical Values and Standards of Ethical Conduct, and convey University employment obligations with respect to ethical and compliant behavior. The training will launch tomorrow. Employees will receive a personalized e-mail link to the training, which takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. For more information, contact the Research and Institutional Integrity Office.
The Lab's Health Services will be offering free cholesterol screenings in Building 26 on Wednesday, by appointment only. This screening will follow the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Medicine Task Force and will include a total cholesterol level and a high-density cholesterol level (HDL). Fasting is not required. Call x6266 for appointments.
The Lab’s shuttle buses will pick up and drop off passengers at designated bus stops only. Once a bus has departed from the designated bus stop, no passengers will be allowed to board.
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