Clothing to Catering,
Cafeteria Has It All

In an effort to help Lab employees with their holiday needs, the cafeteria is currently offering several promotions. A new line of clothing is now available, including pull-over windbreakers, golf shirts, mock turtlenecks, kids t-shirts, visors, hats and more. If you’re headed to a party after work and need to take a dessert, order a pie through the cafeteria. Orders placed by noon will be ready by 3 p.m. that day. Flavors include pumpkin, pecan, and apple. And speaking of parties, those hosting parties at the Lab can have them catered by the cafeteria. With two days notice, they can provide appetizers, side dishes, and main courses. To place an order, call x5357.

Software Development
and IT Expo at the Lab

Interested employees are invited to attend a Software Development and IT Expo to be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, in Perseverance Hall. Participating vendors include Analytical Graphics, California CAD Solutions, CDW-G, FileMaker Inc., Integrated Archives Systems and Veritas Software. A detailed list of vendors can be found here.

Complimentary refreshments will be served throughout the day. For more information e-mail [email protected] or call 1-(800) 247-6353. The expo is hosted by the UNIX Systems Group in the Computing Infrastructure Support Department.

Congress OKs
Nanotech Bill

The Senate and House of Representatives last week passed a bill institutionalizing federal nanotechnology research and development and authorizing nearly $3.7 billion in spending over 4 years. The "21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (S 189)" establishes a White House National Nanotechnology Program office. The bill, which President Bush is expected to sign, also establishes a network of university-based advanced technology centers, including at least one focusing on medical ethics, legal, and environmental issues. Full story.

Berkeley Chancellor Berdahl and Marqusee

Construction of Stanley
Hall Officially Begins

With excavation of the site now complete, the construction of UC Berkeley’s Stanley Biosciences and Bioengineering Facility has officially begun. The building will house researchers from QB3 — a joint effort among three UC campuses — as well as the new department of bioengineering and the Bio-Nanotechnology Center, which will be shared by bioengineering faculty, QB3 participants, and researchers with the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS). Lab researcher Susan Marqusee, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and associate director of QB3 at Berkeley, looks forward to sharing space and interacting with scientists from different backgrounds and areas of expertise. Full story.