The American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS) will feature Berkeley Lab Director Steve Chu at its meeting in the UC Berkeley Faculty Club on Tuesday, Nov. 20. Normally open just to academy fellows, the session will also be accessible to Lab employees who RSVP by Wednesday, Nov. 14. Chu will speak in the Great Hall on “The World’s Energy Problem and What We Can Do About It” at 5 p.m. He will be introduced by UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau. A reception will follow. To reserve a spot, call the AAAS Events Office at 617-576-5032, or e-mail to [email protected].

General Parking Pass Exchanges Scheduled

As of Jan. 1, 2008, the Lab's red General Parking Passes will no longer be accepted at the Blackberry or Strawberry gates.  To make this transition as smooth as possible, the Site Access Office will be conducting an exchange of the red passes for new passes next week in the Cafeteria lobby.  Employees should bring their current red pass and their Lab ID. Exchanges will be scheduled by first letter of last name. Contact the Site Access Office (x4855) with questions.

A-E: Nov. 12 (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.)

G-K: Nov. 13 (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.)

L-Q: Nov. 14 (11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.)

R-T: Nov. 15 (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.)

U-Z: Nov. 16 (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.)

Open Enrollment: New Medical Plan Option

The Cigna Choice Fund is a new medical plan that combines a health reimbursement account plus a preferred provider organization plan (HRA/PPO). The plan allows covered individuals to manage their own health care and expenses by choosing the type of care needed and the provider. However, a nationwide network of providers is available and using them can result in lower costs. UC contributes to a health reimbursement account (HRA) to help pay the deductible and higher out-of-pocket costs. Go here to find out more (username: UofCA, password: choice), or attend an open enrollment presentation (today at 10 a.m. in Bldg. 66 Auditorium) or the Benefits Fairs on Friday (1 to 3 p.m. in Perseverance Hall) to meet directly with a Cigna representative. Go here to see a complete list of open enrollment events.

Bringing Light to Those
With No Electricity

African children with the BoGo light

A Newsweek article on a Houston-born former Marine who developed a solar-powered flashlight for use by villages in Africa also features Evan Mills, with Berkeley Lab’s Environmental Energy Technologies Division. Mills provided technical advice to the inventor of the flashlight, which helps limit the use of traditional kerosene lamps. Kerosene is bad for the environment, worsens air quality and increases the chance of accidental fires. Full story.

Large-Scale Production
Of Biofuels is Close
By Julia Scott

Help make the Lab a safer place by filling out an online survey on the Lab’s safety culture and the services provided through the Lab’s Environment, Health & Safety programs. The questionnaire has about 30 questions and should take 10 minutes or less to complete. All input is anonymous. The survey will help identify which EH&S systems are working well and which need more attention. The latest survey has added new questions on ergonomics to help officials better understand this challenging issue. The survey will close on Wednesday, Nov. 21. Go here to take the survey.

Be Sure to Report
All Electric Shocks

All Lab employees are reminded to inform their supervisors and report to Health Services whenever an electric shock is received. Staff should be aware that even minor shocks can have medical consequences. Sometimes these effects are delayed for hours, days, or even months, so a medical evaluation should be completed as soon as possible. This rule does not apply to nuisance static electricity shocks. For more information, contact Keith Gershon (x4694) with Environment, Health and Safety.