Perlmutter, left, and Nye

Perlmutter, 'Science Guy'
Discuss the Universe

Bill Nye, popular on television for explaining complex scientific phenomena for general audiences, interviewed Berkeley Lab cosmologist Saul Perlmutter about the acceleration of the universe, dark energy, and SNAP (Supernova Acceleration Probe). A video of the interview appears on the Science Channel's website. Go here to view it.

Upgrades Planned
For Downtown BART

Berkeley City officials have issued a formal call for a consultant to help reshape the streetscape and traffic flow around the Berkeley BART Plaza. The plan calls for redesign of the BART rotunda, as well as the construction of a high-rise building and a UC Berkeley hotel, conference center and museum complex. Applications are due April 12. Designers will work with the city, BART, AC Transit, UC Berkeley and Berkeley Lab on the project. Full story.

Energy Deputy Secretary Jeff Sell is Sworn In

Jeffrey Sell was sworn in on Monday as Deputy Secretary of Energy at a small ceremony in Washington D.C. Sell was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on March 17. Before his current appointment, Sell served as special assistant to President Bush for economic policy, and staff director and Republican clerk for the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development . He earned his bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University and his J.D. from the University of Texas. Go here for more information on this event.

Draft EIR Meeting
On Bevatron Thursday

Berkeley Lab will prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed demolition of the Bevatron (Building 51). In order to gather public comment about the project that might be relevant to the initial study of environmental issues, a "scoping meeting" has been set for Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Avenue. Lab officials will present a brief project overview and then invite comment on the scope of the EIR analysis. Documents on the project can be read here.

Reminder: Kidney Health
Brown Bag on Thursday

The Lab's Health Care Facilitator is hosting a noon talk Thursday on maintaining healthy kidneys. The speaker is Robert Beallo, an internal medicine and nephrology specialist with the Alta Bates Medical Center. A Lab employee will also share personal experiences with diabetes and high blood pressure. The event takes place in Perseverance Hall. Attendees will receive a wellness gift and be entered for a door prize.

Compensation Class
For Managers is Tomorrow

The Human Resources Department has revised the date of its compensation training class for supervisors from Wednesday (as listed in Friday's Today at Berkeley Lab) to tomorrow, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, in Building 50A-5132.

Reminder on Conflicts
Of Interest, Ethics

Employees and guest researchers of the Lab are bound by many conflict-of-interest and ethics policies through the DOE contract, state law, or University regulations. Relevant employee activities include consulting and other outside employment or business ownership, and the use of Berkeley Lab facilities and resources. Failure to comply could result in disciplinary action and prosecution. Questions concerning potential conflicts of interest should be addressed to the employee's supervisor, division director, Laboratory Counsel or the Laboratory Conflict-of-Interest Coordinator. Go here to review policies on conflict of interest.