One Month to Canadian Light Source Opening at the University of Saskatchewan

Posted September 22, 2004


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Wednesday, September 22, 2004 2004-09-11-OTHER


One Month to Canadian Light Source Opening

October is Synchrotron Month in Saskatoon as the countdown begins for the
launch of the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan.

A series of public and invitation-only events are planned throughout the
month of October, all leading to the October 22 opening ceremony and gala
dinner. To officially mark the opening, October has been declared
Synchrotron Month by both the City of Saskatoon and the Province of
Saskatchewan.

"The launch of the CLS marks an historic occasion for the University of
Saskatchewan," says U of S President Peter MacKinnon.

"This is a chance for us to both celebrate the opening of Canada's
synchrotron and look forward to the tremendous research and economic
opportunities that will follow."

Federal and provincial dignitaries, university presidents and leading
scientists from across Canada have been invited to attend the October 22nd
celebration. The ceremony will also pay tribute to the unprecedented
partnership among universities, government and industry that has led to this
$173.5-million, U of S-owned national facility.

Dignitaries attending the October 22 opening ceremony will include federal
Finance Minister and Saskatchewan MP Ralph Goodale, Saskatchewan Premier
Lorne Calvert and Canada Foundation for Innovation President and CEO Eliot
Phillipson. U of S President Peter MacKinnon and CLS Executive-Director Bill
Thomlinson will also address the gathering.

Later, up to 600 people are expected to attend a special gala dinner
featuring National Science Advisor Arthur Carty. Ken Coates, former dean of
the College of Arts and Science, will be master of ceremonies.

Two public lecture series and a public open house on October 30th are among
the activities planned to engage both the university community and the
general public in the celebration. Other CLS-related events will include
high school tours and a reception for the business community sponsored by
the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority and the Saskatoon
Chamber of Commerce.

The CLS will be a major boost to the country's research capacity and an
important addition to the university and city, says Thomlinson.

"The fact it's located here means that Saskatoon will benefit tremendously.
We're obviously very excited and would like to engage people in celebrating
this national milestone," he says.

The general public is especially encouraged to attend the Canadian Light
Source Public Lectures, which will take place at the Frances Morrison
Library downtown on the first three Tuesdays of October. The series will
feature scientists from the U of S, CLS and industry speaking about
synchrotron science and its uses in materials science, industry, agriculture
and human health.

Another set of events, the University of Saskatchewan Light Lectures, will
celebrate the CLS launch with a series of five campus lectures by U of S
faculty on the topic of light. The first public lecture is scheduled for
September 23 and will feature Robert Sider, an adjunct professor in the
department of history, speaking about light in ancient writings and rituals.


There will also be many opportunities to see and hear information about the
CLS through local and national media coverage.

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Note to editors: See Synchrotron Month Public Events (attached) for
additional details. Photos are available.

For more information, contact:

Matthew Dalzell
Communications Coordinator
Canadian Light Source Inc.
Ph: (306) 657-3739
Fax:(306) 657-3535
matthew.dalzell@lightsource.ca
www.lightsource.ca

Dale Worobec
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1474
dale.worobec@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research

___________________________________________

Synchrotron Month Public Events

Canadian Light Source Public Lectures
(All lectures are at 7:00 p.m., Frances Morrison Library, 311 - 23rd Street
East)

X-Ray Vision: Imaging using Synchrotron Light
Tuesday, October 5
Speakers: Ingrid Pickering (Geological Sciences), Helen Nichol (Anatomy and
Cell Biology), Gregg Adams (Veterinary Biomedical Sciences), Dean Chapman
(Anatomy and Cell Biology)

Poisons, Plants and Paints: Applications in Industry and Agriculture
Tuesday, October 12
Brett Moldovan (Cameco), Colleen Christensen (CLS), Jeff Cutler (CLS)

Molecules, Life and Death: Synchrotron Applications in Life Sciences
Tuesday, October 19
Graham George (Geological Sciences), Louis Delbaere (Biochemistry), Bill
Thomlinson (CLS)

University of Saskatchewan Light Lectures
(All lectures are at 7:30 p.m. at St. Thomas More College Auditorium)

Brighter than the Sun: Images of Light in Ancient Times
Thursday, September 23
Robert Sider, (History)

The Northern Lights: Fear, Fascination and Fact
Monday, October 4
Jean-Pierre St.-Maurice (Physics and Engineering Physics)

Unweaving a Rainbow: Some Reflections on Light in Literature
Thursday, October 14
Peter Stoicheff (English)

Lighting up Saskatchewan: An Electrifying History
Monday, October 18
Bill Waiser (History)

SAD in Saskatoon: Shedding Light on Seasonal Affective Disorder
Monday, October 25
Lana Shaw (Psychiatry)

High School Open House - Thursday, October 28
The CLS opens its doors to high school students from Saskatoon and
throughout the province. Arranged as reservation-only tours by CLS Education
and Outreach.

Public Open House - Saturday, October 30, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Come see what the synchrotron is all about as the CLS opens its doors to the
general public. Self-guided tours will let visitors explore Canada's new
synchrotron laboratory. At the open house, see informational posters on
applications of synchrotron light, informational displays, an Internet
corner and video presentations. CLS staff will be available to answer any
questions.

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