Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Rounding off "Home" with Jane Goodall


We recently spent three Sundays viewing the environmental film, Home. The story is beautiful but dire and leaves us with a sense of disquiet. Jane Goodall sees the same problems projected in the movie, but her take on our future is more hopeful. Dr. Goodall appeared on Bill Moyers' Journal on November 27. Thanks to the miracle of the internet (and the foresight to the technology committee at church) we'll be able to watch Moyers interview of Goodall on Sunday, December 27th in the Adult Forum.

Here's an introductory blurb for the website at Bill Moyers' Journal:

Dr. Jane Goodall is a familiar face to several generations around the globe. The young woman patiently seated near wild chimps in Africa first appeared in the pages of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC in the early 1960s. Her work with the chimps of Gombe National Park has been profiled in magazines, books, films and television documentaries numerous times in subsequent years. She is an inspiration to those generations who take her warnings about the state of the earth to heart:
I mean, isn't it great that high school students in some inner city area will greet me as I walk in, as though I were a pop star. That is so amazing. Because all that they've got out of what I've done is a message of hope. And the fact that our main message is "You make a difference every day. You matter. Your life is important."
Dr. Goodall now travels the world raising awareness about the dire situation facing the natural world — and many of its species. Her mission includes programs for communities in Africa to protect forests, create sustainable livelihoods and support health and education. The Jane Goodall Institute runs a global program to create a new generation of conservationists called Roots & Shoots.


You can watch the interview ahead of time, here, but I bet it'll be more fun in our group. Please join us. You'll be glad you did. And as always, superb, free babysitting is provided.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

We're off on the 20th PLUS a Public Service Announcement

Many thanks to Dr. David Harker for his excellent presentation last Sunday.
We won't be holding the Adult Forum on December 20 due to the preparations with our Christmas Dinner at the Church.

So, I'll take this opportunity to make a public Service Announcement from one of our members, Elizabeth D. Leigh-Paffenroth, Ph.D.
Here it is:

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PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR
RESEARCH STUDY

We are seeking subjects (ages 18-80) who have normal hearing. Participants will receive a free hearing evaluation, inner ear tests, and $40 (2-2 hour sessions). All testing is done at the VA Medical Center. For more information and to determine eligibility call the VA Audiology Service at 926-1171 ext. 7138 and ask for Elizabeth or email her at Elizabeth.Leigh@va.gov.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The Philosopher's Gene

This coming Sunday, December 13, we will host Dr. David Harker, Asst. Professor of Philosophy at ETSU. Dr. Harker will speak on a comprehensible view of the gene, the fundamental functional unit of heredity.
Dr. Harker joined the ETSU faculty in 2006 following his doctorate at the University of Illinois in Chicago, and a tour as a Visiting Scholar at the Centre for the Philosophy of Natural and Social Sciences at the London School of Economics. He has recently published in the British Journal for the Philosophy of Science. Dr Harker's expertise is in the philosophy of science and biology and he teaches university courses on those topics.
Dr Harker spoke to our group last year and we are pleased that he agree to a return visit. Please join us for what promises to be a thoughtful presentation and discussion on a non-biologist's view of the gene. You'll be very welcome, and as always, excellent childcare is provided.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Mark Peacock's Calendars


Mark Peacock wrote to say his calendars for 2010 are available. You will remember his stunning photographs from an earlier forum. Here's a link to his gallery. And here's his letter:

Friends,
I thought you might be interested in my 2010 Appalachian Treks Calendar. It makes the perfect gift for those who love Appalachia! This twelve-month calendar features a different image each month of a beautiful scene from the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina (See attached image). The calendar is full-color, spiral bound, measures approximately 11"x17" when opened, and is printed on high-quality card stock.

Price $15 (plus tax and S&H), Quantities are limited!
(allow 7-10 days for shipping)

Click here to order yours today!

Best wishes for a very Merry Christmas,

Mark

Gallery: www.markwpeacock.com
Blog: http://appalachiantreks.blogspot.com/