Greeneroo

Much of the federal stimulus money dedicated to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is devoted to general construction, but a significant portion will benefit alternative energy initiatives. So far, here is how it breaks down:

$4 million to the Joint BioEnergy Institute (a partnership that includes the Berkeley Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and several universities) for biofuels research

$6 million to purchase molecular foundry equipment that will be used in nanoscale research for photovoltaic energy production and carbon sequestration

$3 million to fund additional laboratory space used for battery research

$13 million for the U.S. DOE Joint Genome Institute in Walnut Creek (which includes Berkeley Lab as a partner) to conduct gene sequencing research to develop better biofuel feedstock plants

Additionally, the White House announced in spring 2009 that the Department of Energy’s Office of Science will devote $777 million during the next five years to the creation of 46 new Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs), including one at Berkeley. In October 2009, the Lab received $7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for the development of advanced geothermal energy technologies.
“Green Energy” By Glen Martin, Winter 2009 California Magazine

Thursday, January 21, 2010
Reception 6:30 p.m. | Program 7:00 p.m.
The Landmark, Autodesk Gallery, One Market, San Francisco
Join food and wine experts for a lively discussion on the promise and limits of localism, sustainability, and growing a drier California wine grape.

The panel is made up of these notables:

 Moderator Bonnie Azab Powell of Ethicurean.com, and includes San Francisco Chronicle Wine Editor Jon Bonné; Domaine Chandon’s Sparkling Winemaker Tom Tiburzi; environmental and agricultural reporter Glen Martin; and Vice President of Bon Appétit Management Company, Maisie Greenawalt.

To buy tickets to this event, view the guest list, or make a donation to the CAL ALUMNI Assn, click here.

Exhibition Opening  this FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 evening 6 to 8pm:

Artist, Writer Gail Wight  is exhibiting her magnificent and inspiring book project, Restless Dust: A Ghost Walk with Darwin.

This exhibit runs from January 15 – April 17, 2010 at the SAN FRANCISCO CENTER FOR THE BOOK.  This is a great opportunity to explore the evocative intersection of science, art, multi media and how we learn.  Amazing!!

The Center for the Book is located in SF:

300 DE HARO STREET (entrance on 16th Street)
   SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA 94103   
   415.565.0545 | WWW.SFCB.ORG

Additional Resource: Foothill College in Los Altos, CA  has a series of  Book Arts classes, (class numbers are GID 90 and GID 91 to search) and they also maintain an extensive  page  of Book Arts links.

Greenpeace has championed many environmental causes, but ridding manufacturing of toxics is high on the list. Apple has been awarded GOLD STARS  for its success in reducing / eliminating toxics such as products of brominated flame retardants (BFR) and polyvinyl chloride (PVCs). It was rated the best in manufacturing portable devices by Greenpeace. Their rating system is included in the Guide to Greener Electronics.