Lab Holiday Party
Takes Place Dec. 16

ALS/NCEM Fete Will
Look Back, Ahead in Talks

Tomorrow's celebration of the anniversaries of the National Center for Electron Microscopy (20th) and the Advanced Light Source (10th) will include a noontime program in the Building 50 Auditorium, featuring talks that reflect upon the history and the future of both facilities. Two individuals who played major roles in the development of the centers — NCEM founding scientist Gareth Thomas and ALS Project Director Jay Marx — will wax nostalgic while current NCEM Director Uli Dahmen and ALS Deputy for Science Neville Smith will discuss current strategies and plans. South-enders can watch the show via video feed in the Building 66 Auditorium. Employees are invited to tour both facilities anytime between 1:30 and 3:30, during which a special shuttle will run from the cafeteria to both sites every 10 minutes.

A Reminder About
Equipment Movement

Berkeley Lab personnel may use Laboratory property, such as laptop and notebook computers, for official work performed at home or at off-site locations. However, except as noted in RPM §6.03(E) (Property Management), removal of all property from the Lab requires documentation on a Stock Form 7600-55567 (Shipping Document) or 7600-67344 (Material Pass) for record and control purposes. The complete text of the Laboratory's policy on equipment movement may be found here.

WS Version Deal
For Linux Users

Although Red Hat has announced plans to charge users of its Linux desktop software $179 per year, the Lab has negotiated a dramatically lower price for Red Hat’s Linux WS version – but only on packages purchased by 5 p.m. this Wednesday. All employees interested in the offer should contact their division’s Computing and Communications Services and Advisory Committee representative immediately. Read technical data about the Red Hat WS package here.

As previously announced in “Today at Berkeley Lab,” Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) personnel will conduct a site-wide audit of the Lab Jan. 12-23, during which they may interview staff. To prepare, EH&S is encouraging employees to read the Lab’s Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan (CHSP), which provides guidance for the safe handling, use, and storage of hazardous materials. The scope of the CHSP includes flammable and combustible liquids, corrosives, irritants, reactives, carcinogens, acutely toxic substances, and reproductive toxins. Go here to view the CHSP, and here to take a brief survey that tests your chemical safety knowledge.

The ASD Academy has room available for non-ASD employees in one of its upcoming training courses, “Science for Non-Scientists,” on Friday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. in the Building 66 Auditorium. During this lecture, Materials Sciences Division Director Paul Alivisatos will discuss “Nanoscience at the Molecular Foundry.” Employees who are interested in attending can go here to register.