The Department of Energy has chosen Dust Networks to participate in an initiative aimed at making America's commercial and residential buildings more energy efficient. The company will work with Berkeley Lab and SVA Lighting to create an advanced lighting system that will enable organizations to implement wireless lighting control strategies without incurring hefty wiring costs. Go here for more information.

Give Gift of Music
To Your Valentine

Want to give your valentine something different than the traditional box of chocolates? How about the gift of live music? UC Berkeley's Choral Ensembles is offering singing valentines. Members of the group can be hired to visit that special someone's office to sing two love songs in four-part harmony. Recipients will also receive a long-stemmed rose and a card. To reserve a group for your valentine on Monday, Feb. 14, call Carol Suveda at 643-2662. Cost is $40, which helps fund the Choral Ensemble. Remember to make security gate arrangements for the singers.

Lab Earth Scientist
Speaks at BioForum

Miller

Norman Miller, a geochemist in the Lab's Earth Sciences Division, is among the panel of experts scheduled to speak at "Evidence for Global Warming: A Scientific Perspective," a daylong forum sponsored by the Oakland Museum tomorrow. Miller joins four other scientists from UC Santa Barbara, Stanford, UC San Diego and the University of Alberta to present proof of global warming based on their research. Cost is $30 for non-members. Call 415-321-8000 to register. Go here for more information.

Bodman: 'Complacency
Is Safety's Enemy'

Recently appointed Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman greeted his new employees in a televideo meeting on Thursday with a strong plea for safety in the workplace. "To every manager and supervisor, I ask you to pay special attention to the safety and security of your colleagues. I ask everyone here — and those watching throughout the country — to join me in making this a top priority," he said. Bodman also praised the work of the laboratory network's scientists, saying, "This department is the primary federal agency conducting basic research in the physical sciences." Read his prepared remarks here.

Transgenic Plants Better
At Cleaning Toxic Soil

In the first field trial of plants genetically tweaked to absorb more contaminants, researchers found that the transgenic plants handily beat out their wild-type counterparts. The results raised hopes that the plants might become a viable alternative for cleaning up polluted soil. Full story.