Six Berkeley Lab scientists will be meeting with South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds today in Pierre to discuss the prospects of the closed Homestake Gold Mine becoming a deep underground science and engineering laboratory. They will be joined at a press conference by faculty and administrators from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and by Syd DeVries, project engineer from Dynatec Mining Company in Canada, who is preparing a design feasibility study. The Berkeley team includes Division Director James Symons and Kevin Lesko from Nuclear Sciences, Ernest Majer and Joe Wang from Earth Sciences, Kem Robinson and Ken Chow from Engineering, and Willi Chinowsky from Physics.

Air Pollution Alters
World Rainfall Patterns
By Don Thompson

Miller

The latest fallout from an exploding human population over the past half-century has pushed untold tons of smog, soot and ash into the atmosphere which is altering rainfall patterns in the Sierra and around the world, says scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan. An even more pessimistic model by Norm Miller of Berkeley Lab predicts that Los Angeles heat waves could increase three- to six-fold, and double in Sacramento. His modeling shows an even greater loss in crucial Sierra snow. Full story.

Lab Kicks Off Summer
With Barbecue, Music

For the third straight year, Berkeley Lab will celebrate the solstice with fancy cars, tasty food and rock 'n' roll music on Friday, June 25, outside the cafeteria. It's the "First Days of Summer Classic Car Show and Barbecue," from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There's still time to reserve a spot for your classic car or hot rod in the cafeteria parking lot by calling Kevin Bradley at x4319. The auto exhibit will be supported by a special meal deal — barbecue entree, side salad and drink for $2.95. The Music Club's Rhythm and Blues Band will supply the tunes.

Learn How To Relax
At ASD Workshop

The Administrative Services Department is presenting another Work-Life Balance workshop on “Relaxation Techniques,” on Thursday, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, in Building 2-100B. Laurie Yamamoto from UC Berkeley’s Tang Center will demonstrate a variety of useful and immediately helpful deep breathing exercises, visualizations and simple office stretches that will leave employees feeling more relaxed and energized. Participants should come prepared to stand, stretch and move. Go here to register (ASD 9038).