Last month I hoped that, with luck, June gloom was behind us and we’re heading into another great California summer. Given the gray and gloomy weather over the past month

They say that March comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb. Based on all the trembling in the early part of April, I’m rather inclined to believe that bit of conventional wisdom.

February is behind us and March is well underway. As a Section, we’ve successfully wrapped up 2009 by submitting our yearly Section report to National.

The month of January is past and what a wet month it has been. Despite theinclement weather, we had a very successful and entertaining seminar by Dr. Brent Gaylord of Sirigen this past month, highlighting the fascinating work he and his company are doing in high sensitivity fluorescence.

I’m very honored and privileged to serve as your Chair in 2010. Considering the success we had as a Section in 2009, I have quite an act to follow.

Happy holidays and a felicitous New Year!

We enter 2010 with renewed hope and aspiration, vowing solemnly to abide by our New Year resolutions. As we relax our belts from holiday feasting and consider the year past, as well as the year forward, perhaps we may consider how we can better our community and ourselves.

As we enter into Fall, one of the largest ACS outreach programs, National Chemistry Week, is just around the corner. National Chemistry Week is a program that brings chemists together with students, teachers and the public to improve public awareness for the role of chemistry in solving global challenges and improving the quality of our lives.

Seasons Greetings!

As 2009 draws to a close and the holiday season approaches for many, I want to extend my best wishes to each of you and your families, and express my appreciation for your involvement and support of the San Diego Section of the American Chemical Society in 2009.

Hope many of you enjoyed a very successful ACS National Meeting this August in Washington, DC, which attracted a record number of 14,000 professionals in chemistry-related fields around the world.

As the Romans would say, we’re in the caniculares dies, or the dog days of summer. The summer heat is upon us and many of you are taking family vacations to the mountains or beaches. Nevertheless, we here at the ACS San Diego Local Section have continued to work hard to bring you excellent programs and activities for the fall and winter.