Lamont Weekly Report, February 5, 2010

Too many meetings about the impossible problem of space this week - not that we do not have enough of it, just that what we have is never quite located in the right place... Our successes in tapping into the Federal Stimulus funds now mean we have to find growth space for a number of our research groups - it is indeed a good problem to have.

I have been very pleased by all the positive feedback on the new cafeteria operation - I really hope that we can build this back into the important central meeting place on Campus that it used to be.   The large number of separate buildings encourage isolationism, especially in these days of wintry weather. The cafeteria can be an important aid to communication and to intellectual stimulation across disciplines - try it out if you have not done so already, and let your
representative on the Campus Life Committee know what you think.

Sadly I reported last week on the passing of Sam Gerard - someone to whom the Observatory owes a great debt for decades of loyal service. Add to your diary: there will be a memorial party to celebrate Sam's life at the Palisades Community Center on Saturday, March 13th, from 5pm to 7pm.

There are many unique attributes and odd traditions associated with Super Bowl Sunday, but my favorite is the fact that it is by far the best day to visit Home Depot and pickup the years supplies of household repair paraphernalia - on Sunday afternoon you can be the only person in the store...

Have a  great weekend, maybe it won't snow after all!

Mike