President to Announce
New Director Thursday

The University of California has scheduled a special meeting for Thursday afternoon, at which the UC Regents (via conference call) and the President will select the Laboratory's sixth Director. The successor to retiring Lab Director Charles Shank and President Robert Dynes are expected to participate in the call from Berkeley Lab, beginning at 2 p.m., and will meet with laboratory senior management and address the press following the closed-session discussions. 

Parking Lot Closure
On Wednesday

The "Z" parking lot, located just south of the cafeteria and below the ALS, will be closed due to a special event tomorrow. This will remove approximately 40 parking spaces, so the Site Access Office recommends that employees who normally park in this area use carpooling or public transportation that day.

Outdoors Club Takes
A Hike On June 27

The Lab's Outdoors Club will take a hike around Mount Diablo's Grand Loop on Sunday, June 27. The hike will also include a trip to the summit.   Employees interested in participating should contact Dinah Levy.

Karats Jewelry Team
Is Back in Town Today

Employees can purchase bracelets, rings, necklaces and other quality jewelry items from Karats today in the cafeteria from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted for payment. The event is sponsored by the Lab's Employee Activity Association.

Correction: Meal Costs For 'Summer' Barbecue

In yesterday's story announcing the June 25 "First Days of Summer Classic Car Show and Barbecue," the cost of the special barbecue meal was incorrect. A hot dog or hamburger, side selection, and drink will cost $4.95; a chicken or veggie burger entree, side and drink will be $5.95.

Norman

It would be the ultimate Trojan Horse: a nuclear weapon smuggled into the United States inside an innocent-looking cargo container, like those stacked atop freighters that routinely slip under the Golden Gate Bridge. To prevent terrorists from smuggling atomic bombs into U.S. harbors, Bay Area scientists are developing a unique kind of bomb detector that uses neutrons to detect highly enriched uranium or plutonium. "If you wanted to do the one thing that would damage the whole fabric of our society, this is probably the one," said Eric Norman with Berkeley Lab's nuclear astrophysics division. Full story.

Strawbale Center
Opens Saturday

A new visitors' center, outdoor classroom and office for the Shorebird Nature Center's ecologically sustainable Strawbale Building celebrates its grand opening Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. A speakers' program is scheduled for 1 to 1:45 p.m. at the center's location, 160 University Avenue (Berkeley Marina). The Center is constructed with grants from Berkeley Lab and the Department of Energy, among other organizations. The building has exterior walls made of straw bales, passive solar design and photovoltaics, and features throughout made of recycled products. Go here for more on the center.

Perlmutter Addresses
'Non-Scientists' Friday

Perlmutter

At the next ASD Academy "Science for Non-Scientists" lecture, Lab physicist Saul Perlmutter will talk about a space telescope project, called SNAP, and how it will help make discoveries about dark energy. The project currently is one of the Lab's biggest initiatives. The presentation begins at 11 a.m. on Friday in the Building 50 Auditorium. Go here to register (ASD 9047).