Jan. 11 is local kickoff of 'Year of Science 2009'

San Francisco - Berkeley - Psychologist Jack Block, 85, has died Positive prospects for California's green businesses, study finds Chancelllor Birgeneau announces senior-management transition plans, as Brostrom accepts UCOP position UC to cut fewer freshmen from fall 2010 enrollment NSF grant to launch world's first open-source genetic parts production facility - The national celebration of the "Year of Science 2009" has its Bay Area kickoff on Sunday, Jan. 11, with a day of hands-on science activities in San Francisco and the debut of regional and institutional Web sites highlighting science news and a year-long series of science events. Among the many sponsors of the Year of Science 2009 is the University of California, Berkeley, which has launched its Science@Cal Web site to draw attention to UC Berkeley scientists, the depth and breadth of their research, and the relevance of that research to society. At the regional level, numerous organizations within the San Francisco Bay Area have coalesced to form a group called Bay Area Science to coordinate efforts in sharing science with the public. These efforts are reflected in the regional Web site, http://www.bayareascience.org/ , which highlights events and activities throughout 2009 in which the public can engage, ranging from science cafés and lectures to hikes and tours. The Jan. 11 kickoff takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crissy Field Center in San Francisco's Presidio, at the corner of Mason and Halleck streets, in conjunction with "Family Appreciation Day," an annual citywide San Francisco event.