This critter was trying to outfox the traffic on McMillan Road

How Did This Lab Fox
Cross the Road?

As Berkeley Lab occupational health nurse Wendy Corr was walking from Building 26 to 75 last Thursday, Facilities employee Robert Tackitt pointed out to her a small fox. After retrieving a digital camera from her office (Corr often takes photos for the Lab to document safety issues), she found the fox on a pathway near Building 69. "It was pausing to cross the road, waiting for all the cars to pass by," says Corr. "Staff should be aware of the wildlife here on the Hill, and use caution when driving so one of these beautiful creatures isn't accidentally hit."

New Electrician Uniforms
Increase Wearer Safety

Berkeley Lab electrical workers will begin wearing new uniforms, starting in October. This change is part of of new rules instituted by the National Fire Protection Association, which require electrical workers to wear flame-retardant uniforms and have them cleaned using methods that will maintain this characteristic. Facilities will provide the uniforms and have them cleaned.

DOE Hotline to Report
Fraud, Waste, Abuse

The Department of Energy's Office of the Inspector General is responsible for detecting and preventing fraud, waste and abuse in DOE programs. Go here to learn more about the types of issues they investigate and how employees can report suspected activities.

Earth Scientist Manga
Gets MacArthur Award

Manga

Berkeley Lab earth scientist Michael Manga is among the 25 recipients of this year’s MacArthur Fellowships, known as “genius” awards. Manga was recognized for his combination of “theoretical geophysics with innovative laboratory experiments.” He intends to use the $500,000 prize to visit and study volcanoes around the world, the kind of research federal agencies often find too risky to fund, he says. Go here to read a UC Berkeley press release on the MacArthur Awards, and here to read a 2003 View story on Manga.

Chu to Discuss Physics,
Biology Interface

Lab Director Steve Chu will give the Biosciences Distinguished Lecture today at 4 p.m. in the Building 66 Auditorium. In his talk, "A Physicist's Journey into Biology," Chu will describe the development and application of new physically based techniques in the growing toolbox of single molecule techniques. These techniques include advances in measuring molecular motion and structure changes at nanometer-scale resolution in vitro and in vivo, and the combination of atomic force microscope and optical tweezers with single molecule fluorescence methods.

Wine Reception for Staff
At San Francisco Opera

Berkeley Lab's Employee Arts Council would like to invite all staff to a complimentary wine reception that will take place during the intermission of the San Francisco Opera's presentation of Doctor Atomic on Oct. 20. There is an "Opera Talk" about an hour prior to the performance, which employees can also attend. Go here for more information on the opera and purchasing tickets. Mary Clary can answer questions on the wine reception.