Why the Scopes Trial (1925) is Still Relevant Eugenie C. Scott Sunday, September 21, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME ******************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/SEP Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		Why the Scopes Trial (1925) is Still Relevant\| Trial of the Century”: Tennessee vs. John T. Scopes. The first major sally against the teaching of evolution in the US, and, mostly because of the fictional play and movie Inherit the Wind, Scopes is wrongly perceived as a victory for evolution over the forces of obscurantism. The full story is much more complex and interesting, involving science, religion, law, education, politics, celebrities, modern communications, and the politicization of science. Dr. Eugenie C. Scott is an expert on the creationism and evolution controversy and science denialism. The former director of the National Center for Science Education, she is the recipient of numerous awards from scientists and educators, and has been awarded ten honorary degrees. Asteroid 249540 Eugeniescott was named for her but she assures us it is not aimed at Earth.

Exploding Stars and Their Impact on Life on Earth Dr. Brian Thomas Sunday, January 19, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME ******************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/JAN Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		Exploding Stars and Their Impact on Life on Earth Scientists have long speculated that the history of life on Earth may have been influenced by cosmic explosions such as supernovae. In recent decades the combination of astrophysical data and computational models have allowed detailed study of the potential effects of nearby stellar explosions on Earth’s atmosphere and biosphere. Impacts range from destruction of stratospheric ozone, exposing life to extreme levels of solar UV, to direct damage to organisms by high-energy neutrons and muons. I will summarize what we know today and discuss connections to mass extinctions and the evolution of life over the last few hundred million years. Dr. Brian Thomas is a Professor in the Physics & Astronomy Department at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.. Since 2003 he has worked on various problems related to understanding how the history of life on Earth may have been affected by high-energy astrophysical events such as gamma-ray bursts and supernovae. He and his collaborators from multiple disciplines have together produced the most detailed and state-of-the-art studies of the effects on Earth by nearby stellar explosions. Dr. Thomas has a BS in physics from the University of the Pacific, 1999, and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Kansas, 2005.

The Einstein Effect: How the World’s Favorite Genius Got Into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms and Our Minds Benyamin Cohen Sunday, February 23, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME ******************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please Register https://livepresentation.link/FEB Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		The Einstein Effect How the World’s Favorite Genius Got Into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms and Our Minds Albert Einstein’s genius continues to impact our everyday lives – from science and technology to his status as a pop culture icon and his legacy as a humanitarian rescuing refugees and fighting in the civil rights movement. For his book, The Einstein Effect, journalist Benyamin Cohen spent years tracking down lesser-known stories about Einstein (did you know the pathologist performing Einstein’s autopsy stole his brain?) to reveal an intriguing – and often hilarious – look at how Einstein is more relevant today than ever. Journalist Benyamin Cohen is the author of The Einstein Effect, a book about the modern-day relevancy of the world’s favorite genius. He manages the official social media accounts of Albert Einstein, where he posts every day to the 20 million fans who follow Einstein across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. He is also the news director of Forward, America’s oldest Jewish newspaper. He is based in Morgantown, WV, where he lives with his wife, three dogs, a cat, and a flock of chickens known as the Co-Hens.

Beyond the Microscope Identifying Microorganisms Then and Now Brett McCutcheon-Vigil Sunday, March 16, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME *****************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/MAR Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to joi		Beyond the Microscope Identifying Microorganisms Then and No Identifying microbes, especially human pathogens, is a primary function of the science of microbiology. In this session, you will learn about morphological and metabolic methods of identification, as well as newly discovered genetic-based methods, that enable us to effectively identify microorganisms. Brett McCutcheon-Vigil joined Mensa in high school, then went on to study microbiology at Ohio State University. He worked in the healthcare documentation industry for 20+ years as a trainer, education director, and project manager. He also served on the board of the industry's professional association. He lives in North Dakota with his husband, Robert, and two cats. And this year, at 57 years old, he is returning to finish his bachelor's degree in microbiology at The Ohio State University.

Meet the Beatles You Thought You Knew Steve Lopes Sunday, April 13, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME ******************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/APR Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		Meet the Beatles You Thought You Knew The Beatles were a cultural tsunami that forever changed fashion, manners, humor, media, values, and style, while influencing musical genres and future musicians long after the group’s demise. Kansas University’s professor of rock and lifelong educator Steve Lopes will lead us in a review of their origin story and Beatlemania, and study how they became so fabulous. Steve Lopes was a technology educator for 15 years before becoming a union organizer. After 30 years with the Kansas National Education Association, he returned to teaching, this time leading history of rock classes for lifelong learners at the University of Kansas, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Washburn University. Steve enjoys researching rock ’n’ roll history and sharing it with his students. He also donates his organizing skills in support of progressive causes and candidates.

Escaping the Nazis The Untold Story of the Kindertransport From Someone Who Was on the Train Sunday, May 18, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME A conversation with Josef Eisinger Jason E. Camis Moderated by Benyamin Cohen ******************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/MAY Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		Escaping the Nazis The Untold Story of the Kindertransport From Someone Who Was on the Train Josef Eisinger Josef Eisinger was 15 years old when he left Vienna on a Kindertransport, only to arrive in London without a valid sponsor. With the threat of being returned to Vienna, he managed to escape the authorities and embarked on a challenging life, first as a farm 'lad' in the English country and then as a hotel dishwasher. He was later interned as an enemy alien and shipped to Canada where he was briefly confined with Nazi prisoners, learning new skills as a lumberjack and carpenter. He served in the Canadian Army and, after the war ended, he was able to visit his parents in Palestine, who had their own harrowing escape from the Nazis, by becoming a seaman on board a ship bound for the Mediterranean. His eventual career as a physicist and molecular biologist was impressive, resulting in the publication of some 200 scholarly articles and books ranging from nuclear physics and molecular biology to the history of medicine and music history and culminating in being a professor emeritus at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. He has also written two books on Albert Einstein, one of which is based on Einstein's candid travel diaries that Einstein kept of his voyages between 1922 and 1933, and he assisted his wife by contributing translations and transcriptions of several hundred letters of Johannes Brahms for her notable work on the composer. Jason E. Camis Jason E. Camis is the grandson of the late Ilse Camis (Gross), a Kindertransport survivor from Vienna, Austria. Jason shares Ilse's story as a Holocaust survivor in order to educate people on the positive impact of immigration. Jason is a non-traditional Jew, residing in Jural Kansas with his wife and two daughters. He serves on the board of the Kindertransport Association, a nonprofit dedicated to the support of Kindertransport survivors and education about the Holocaust. Professionally Jason is the Executive Director of Sertoma International, one of the oldest service organizations in the United States, based in Kansas City. He has a MS from Michigan State University and BS from Eastern Michigan University Benyamin Cohen Journalist Benyamin Cohen is the news director of Forward, America’s oldest Jewish newspaper. His first book was called “My Jesus Year: A Rabbi's Son Wanders the Bible Belt in Search of His Own Faith,” a memoir about Benyamin spending 52 weeks going to 52 different churches – and how the experience made him a better Jew.For writing it, he received the Georgia Author of the Year award, and it was named one of the best books of the year by Publishers Benyamin has a bizarre side job Managing the official social media accounts of Albert Einstein, where he posts every day to the 20 million fans who follow the world’s favorite genius across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. He is the author of “The Einstein Effect: How the World's Favorite Genius Got into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms, and Our Minds.” He is based in Morgantown, WV, where he lives with his wife, three dogs, a cat, and a flock of chickens known as the Co-

The Evolution of Audacity From Bach to Gershwin Maria Miller Sunday, June 15, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME Thisis a Zoom meeting Please register: https://livepresentation.link/JUN Look for a confirmation email from Zoom it will contain the link that you will need to joi		The Evolution of Audacity From Bach to Gershwin This lecture proposes an engaging exploration of the groundbreaking experiments in music composition from the Baroque period to the early 20th century. It aims to celebrate the centenary of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" by tracing the lineage of musical innovation that led to its creation. Through a lively narrative and live keyboard accompaniment, this presentation will offer a fresh perspective on the history of classical music, illustrating how yesterday's audacious experiments have become today's classical masterpieces. Maria Miller blends her career in actuarial consulting with a deep passion for music. A lifelong piano player, she also ventures into the realm of theremins, crafting them herself. Her artistic pursuits don't end there; she sings, composes, and arranges music. Maria's creativity flows into theater, design, and art, showcasing her as a multifaceted talent and an engaging speaker across disciplines.

Spy School Don Grayson Sunday, July 20, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME *****************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/JULY Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		Spy School Ever wondered what is lie to be a spy in real ife? Well, “James Bond. your job is to go someplace, complete your mission, fade into the woodwork and disappear as if you had never been there.”. Those were the first words Don heard from his Spy School instructor. During his 30 year career as an engineer for the Navy aDon was sent on about a dozen classified field missions. His missions ranged from a week to months maintaining a cover story, remaining invisible. No gun chases, poison pens or gimmicked cars and certainly no greeting hm and offering him his favorite cocktail. No, it ain’t James Bond! Don Grayson has a BS in Physics ‘54 and obtained an MS in engineering at Purdue in 1972. His 30 year career as a civilian engineer for U.S. Navy in engineering management at Naval Avionics Center Indianapolis. His assignments include U.S. NATO rep to Sweden, classified courier, project manager and technical analysis to various military radar & weapon guidance systems. Don is a sailboat hobbyist

Technology of Space Ron Baraze Sunday, August 17, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME *****************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/AUG Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		Technology of Space Lockheed Martin has developed many innovative projects for Space, most recently a Lightning Mapper which is used for forecasting of tornadoes and warnings of lightning-caused fires. We have 2 Guinness World records for detecting the longest lightning distance/duration. Other historic projects include Gravity Probe-B to confirm Einstein’s gravitational theories, Solar observing imagers, high-energy particle spectrometers, and other innovative projects in conjunction with world-wide universities. Ron Baraze began working at Lockheed during his sophomore-year at Gungh-school in Palo Alto, and was hired full-time after completing college at UCSC. I have worked on 23 space-flight projects for Lockheed Martin partnered with higher-learning institutions such as Stanford University, Oxford Physics Department, University of Huntsville, and the Enrico Fermi Institute.

Why the Scopes Trial (1925) is Still Relevant Eugenie C. Scott Sunday, September 21, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME ******************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/SEP Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		Why the Scopes Trial (1925) is Still Relevant\| Trial of the Century”: Tennessee vs. John T. Scopes. The first major sally against the teaching of evolution in the US, and, mostly because of the fictional play and movie Inherit the Wind, Scopes is wrongly perceived as a victory for evolution over the forces of obscurantism. The full story is much more complex and interesting, involving science, religion, law, education, politics, celebrities, modern communications, and the politicization of science. Dr. Eugenie C. Scott is an expert on the creationism and evolution controversy and science denialism. The former director of the National Center for Science Education, she is the recipient of numerous awards from scientists and educators, and has been awarded ten honorary degrees. Asteroid 249540 Eugeniescott was named for her but she assures us it is not aimed at Earth.

A trip to the Center of our Galaxy Anna Ciurlo Sunday, October 19, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME ******************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/OCT Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		A Trip to the Center of our Galaxy The heart of the Milky Way is home to Sagittarius A, a supermassive black hole approximately four million times the mass of the Sun. Although it remains largely quiet today, it is surrounded by a turbulent sea of gas, dust, and exotic objects that could one day trigger dramatic outbursts. This presentation delves into this extreme environment, exploring the large-scale gas clouds and the closer-in structures that fuel the black hole. It examines how molecular hydrogen manages to survive intense ultraviolet radiation and introduces a newly identified class of enigmatic objects orbiting perilously close to Sagittarius A. Observed over two decades with the Keck Observatory, these objects may represent the remnants of stellar collisions or merged binaries, offering valuable insights into how matter behaves under immense gravitational forces. Mapping this region helps to illuminate the intricate interplay of stars, gas, and gravity at the core of the galaxy. Anna Ciurlo's research focuses on stars and gas around the supermassive black hole in the center of our Galaxy. Her work leverages high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy from large ground and space-based observatories like Keck and the JWST. She earned her PhD in astrophysics from the Sorbonne Paris Cité and pursued postdoctoral research at UCLA. She was an inaugural year Keck Visiting Scholar at Keck Observatory. Anna continues at UCLA in the Galactic Center Group as an assistant researcher and adjunct assistant professor

Silent Service A Brief History of Submarines in the U.S. Navy Ms Robyn Weimer Sunday, November 16, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME ******************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/NOV Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		Silent Service A Brief History of Submarines in the U.S. Navy As the U.S. Navy Submarine Force celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2025, this presentation will provide a brief history of submarines in the Navy and their contributions to the nation. Ms. Weimer, a 24-year veteran of the Submarine Force, served on four nuclear-powered submarines, with tours as Navigator/Operations Officer, Chief Engineer, and Executive Officer. She will first provide an overview of the history of U.S. submarines, from the purchase of the Holland on April 11, 1900, to the newest Virginia-class fast attack and Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines currently under construction. A discussion of submarine construction and operation will follow, including a review of submarine missions and how they are built to accomplish them. Along the way, Ms. Weimer will touch on what it's like to live on a submarine, with some submarine force trivia, such as how it got the nickname "Silent Service."

Why the Scopes Trial (1925) is Still Relevant Eugenie C. Scott Sunday, September 21, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME ******************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/SEP Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		Why the Scopes Trial (1925) is Still Relevant\| Trial of the Century”: Tennessee vs. John T. Scopes. The first major sally against the teaching of evolution in the US, and, mostly because of the fictional play and movie Inherit the Wind, Scopes is wrongly perceived as a victory for evolution over the forces of obscurantism. The full story is much more complex and interesting, involving science, religion, law, education, politics, celebrities, modern communications, and the politicization of science. Dr. Eugenie C. Scott is an expert on the creationism and evolution controversy and science denialism. The former director of the National Center for Science Education, she is the recipient of numerous awards from scientists and educators, and has been awarded ten honorary degrees. Asteroid 249540 Eugeniescott was named for her but she assures us it is not aimed at Earth.

Exploding Stars and Their Impact on Life on Earth Dr. Brian Thomas Sunday, January 19, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME ******************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/JAN Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		Exploding Stars and Their Impact on Life on Earth Scientists have long speculated that the history of life on Earth may have been influenced by cosmic explosions such as supernovae. In recent decades the combination of astrophysical data and computational models have allowed detailed study of the potential effects of nearby stellar explosions on Earth’s atmosphere and biosphere. Impacts range from destruction of stratospheric ozone, exposing life to extreme levels of solar UV, to direct damage to organisms by high-energy neutrons and muons. I will summarize what we know today and discuss connections to mass extinctions and the evolution of life over the last few hundred million years. Dr. Brian Thomas is a Professor in the Physics & Astronomy Department at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.. Since 2003 he has worked on various problems related to understanding how the history of life on Earth may have been affected by high-energy astrophysical events such as gamma-ray bursts and supernovae. He and his collaborators from multiple disciplines have together produced the most detailed and state-of-the-art studies of the effects on Earth by nearby stellar explosions. Dr. Thomas has a BS in physics from the University of the Pacific, 1999, and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Kansas, 2005.

The Einstein Effect: How the World’s Favorite Genius Got Into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms and Our Minds Benyamin Cohen Sunday, February 23, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME ******************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please Register https://livepresentation.link/FEB Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		The Einstein Effect How the World’s Favorite Genius Got Into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms and Our Minds Albert Einstein’s genius continues to impact our everyday lives – from science and technology to his status as a pop culture icon and his legacy as a humanitarian rescuing refugees and fighting in the civil rights movement. For his book, The Einstein Effect, journalist Benyamin Cohen spent years tracking down lesser-known stories about Einstein (did you know the pathologist performing Einstein’s autopsy stole his brain?) to reveal an intriguing – and often hilarious – look at how Einstein is more relevant today than ever. Journalist Benyamin Cohen is the author of The Einstein Effect, a book about the modern-day relevancy of the world’s favorite genius. He manages the official social media accounts of Albert Einstein, where he posts every day to the 20 million fans who follow Einstein across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. He is also the news director of Forward, America’s oldest Jewish newspaper. He is based in Morgantown, WV, where he lives with his wife, three dogs, a cat, and a flock of chickens known as the Co-Hens.

Beyond the Microscope Identifying Microorganisms Then and Now Brett McCutcheon-Vigil Sunday, March 16, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME *****************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/MAR Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to joi		Beyond the Microscope Identifying Microorganisms Then and No Identifying microbes, especially human pathogens, is a primary function of the science of microbiology. In this session, you will learn about morphological and metabolic methods of identification, as well as newly discovered genetic-based methods, that enable us to effectively identify microorganisms. Brett McCutcheon-Vigil joined Mensa in high school, then went on to study microbiology at Ohio State University. He worked in the healthcare documentation industry for 20+ years as a trainer, education director, and project manager. He also served on the board of the industry's professional association. He lives in North Dakota with his husband, Robert, and two cats. And this year, at 57 years old, he is returning to finish his bachelor's degree in microbiology at The Ohio State University.

Meet the Beatles You Thought You Knew Steve Lopes Sunday, April 13, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME ******************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/APR Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		Meet the Beatles You Thought You Knew The Beatles were a cultural tsunami that forever changed fashion, manners, humor, media, values, and style, while influencing musical genres and future musicians long after the group’s demise. Kansas University’s professor of rock and lifelong educator Steve Lopes will lead us in a review of their origin story and Beatlemania, and study how they became so fabulous. Steve Lopes was a technology educator for 15 years before becoming a union organizer. After 30 years with the Kansas National Education Association, he returned to teaching, this time leading history of rock classes for lifelong learners at the University of Kansas, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Washburn University. Steve enjoys researching rock ’n’ roll history and sharing it with his students. He also donates his organizing skills in support of progressive causes and candidates.

Escaping the Nazis The Untold Story of the Kindertransport From Someone Who Was on the Train Sunday, May 18, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME A conversation with Josef Eisinger Jason E. Camis Moderated by Benyamin Cohen ******************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/MAY Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		Escaping the Nazis The Untold Story of the Kindertransport From Someone Who Was on the Train Josef Eisinger Josef Eisinger was 15 years old when he left Vienna on a Kindertransport, only to arrive in London without a valid sponsor. With the threat of being returned to Vienna, he managed to escape the authorities and embarked on a challenging life, first as a farm 'lad' in the English country and then as a hotel dishwasher. He was later interned as an enemy alien and shipped to Canada where he was briefly confined with Nazi prisoners, learning new skills as a lumberjack and carpenter. He served in the Canadian Army and, after the war ended, he was able to visit his parents in Palestine, who had their own harrowing escape from the Nazis, by becoming a seaman on board a ship bound for the Mediterranean. His eventual career as a physicist and molecular biologist was impressive, resulting in the publication of some 200 scholarly articles and books ranging from nuclear physics and molecular biology to the history of medicine and music history and culminating in being a professor emeritus at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. He has also written two books on Albert Einstein, one of which is based on Einstein's candid travel diaries that Einstein kept of his voyages between 1922 and 1933, and he assisted his wife by contributing translations and transcriptions of several hundred letters of Johannes Brahms for her notable work on the composer. Jason E. Camis Jason E. Camis is the grandson of the late Ilse Camis (Gross), a Kindertransport survivor from Vienna, Austria. Jason shares Ilse's story as a Holocaust survivor in order to educate people on the positive impact of immigration. Jason is a non-traditional Jew, residing in Jural Kansas with his wife and two daughters. He serves on the board of the Kindertransport Association, a nonprofit dedicated to the support of Kindertransport survivors and education about the Holocaust. Professionally Jason is the Executive Director of Sertoma International, one of the oldest service organizations in the United States, based in Kansas City. He has a MS from Michigan State University and BS from Eastern Michigan University Benyamin Cohen Journalist Benyamin Cohen is the news director of Forward, America’s oldest Jewish newspaper. His first book was called “My Jesus Year: A Rabbi's Son Wanders the Bible Belt in Search of His Own Faith,” a memoir about Benyamin spending 52 weeks going to 52 different churches – and how the experience made him a better Jew.For writing it, he received the Georgia Author of the Year award, and it was named one of the best books of the year by Publishers Benyamin has a bizarre side job Managing the official social media accounts of Albert Einstein, where he posts every day to the 20 million fans who follow the world’s favorite genius across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. He is the author of “The Einstein Effect: How the World's Favorite Genius Got into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms, and Our Minds.” He is based in Morgantown, WV, where he lives with his wife, three dogs, a cat, and a flock of chickens known as the Co-

The Evolution of Audacity From Bach to Gershwin Maria Miller Sunday, June 15, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME Thisis a Zoom meeting Please register: https://livepresentation.link/JUN Look for a confirmation email from Zoom it will contain the link that you will need to joi		The Evolution of Audacity From Bach to Gershwin This lecture proposes an engaging exploration of the groundbreaking experiments in music composition from the Baroque period to the early 20th century. It aims to celebrate the centenary of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" by tracing the lineage of musical innovation that led to its creation. Through a lively narrative and live keyboard accompaniment, this presentation will offer a fresh perspective on the history of classical music, illustrating how yesterday's audacious experiments have become today's classical masterpieces. Maria Miller blends her career in actuarial consulting with a deep passion for music. A lifelong piano player, she also ventures into the realm of theremins, crafting them herself. Her artistic pursuits don't end there; she sings, composes, and arranges music. Maria's creativity flows into theater, design, and art, showcasing her as a multifaceted talent and an engaging speaker across disciplines.

Spy School Don Grayson Sunday, July 20, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME *****************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/JULY Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		Spy School Ever wondered what is lie to be a spy in real ife? Well, “James Bond. your job is to go someplace, complete your mission, fade into the woodwork and disappear as if you had never been there.”. Those were the first words Don heard from his Spy School instructor. During his 30 year career as an engineer for the Navy aDon was sent on about a dozen classified field missions. His missions ranged from a week to months maintaining a cover story, remaining invisible. No gun chases, poison pens or gimmicked cars and certainly no greeting hm and offering him his favorite cocktail. No, it ain’t James Bond! Don Grayson has a BS in Physics ‘54 and obtained an MS in engineering at Purdue in 1972. His 30 year career as a civilian engineer for U.S. Navy in engineering management at Naval Avionics Center Indianapolis. His assignments include U.S. NATO rep to Sweden, classified courier, project manager and technical analysis to various military radar & weapon guidance systems. Don is a sailboat hobbyist

Technology of Space Ron Baraze Sunday, August 17, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME *****************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/AUG Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		Technology of Space Lockheed Martin has developed many innovative projects for Space, most recently a Lightning Mapper which is used for forecasting of tornadoes and warnings of lightning-caused fires. We have 2 Guinness World records for detecting the longest lightning distance/duration. Other historic projects include Gravity Probe-B to confirm Einstein’s gravitational theories, Solar observing imagers, high-energy particle spectrometers, and other innovative projects in conjunction with world-wide universities. Ron Baraze began working at Lockheed during his sophomore-year at Gungh-school in Palo Alto, and was hired full-time after completing college at UCSC. I have worked on 23 space-flight projects for Lockheed Martin partnered with higher-learning institutions such as Stanford University, Oxford Physics Department, University of Huntsville, and the Enrico Fermi Institute.

Why the Scopes Trial (1925) is Still Relevant Eugenie C. Scott Sunday, September 21, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME ******************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/SEP Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		Why the Scopes Trial (1925) is Still Relevant\| Trial of the Century”: Tennessee vs. John T. Scopes. The first major sally against the teaching of evolution in the US, and, mostly because of the fictional play and movie Inherit the Wind, Scopes is wrongly perceived as a victory for evolution over the forces of obscurantism. The full story is much more complex and interesting, involving science, religion, law, education, politics, celebrities, modern communications, and the politicization of science. Dr. Eugenie C. Scott is an expert on the creationism and evolution controversy and science denialism. The former director of the National Center for Science Education, she is the recipient of numerous awards from scientists and educators, and has been awarded ten honorary degrees. Asteroid 249540 Eugeniescott was named for her but she assures us it is not aimed at Earth.

A trip to the Center of our Galaxy Anna Ciurlo Sunday, October 19, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME ******************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/OCT Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		A Trip to the Center of our Galaxy The heart of the Milky Way is home to Sagittarius A, a supermassive black hole approximately four million times the mass of the Sun. Although it remains largely quiet today, it is surrounded by a turbulent sea of gas, dust, and exotic objects that could one day trigger dramatic outbursts. This presentation delves into this extreme environment, exploring the large-scale gas clouds and the closer-in structures that fuel the black hole. It examines how molecular hydrogen manages to survive intense ultraviolet radiation and introduces a newly identified class of enigmatic objects orbiting perilously close to Sagittarius A. Observed over two decades with the Keck Observatory, these objects may represent the remnants of stellar collisions or merged binaries, offering valuable insights into how matter behaves under immense gravitational forces. Mapping this region helps to illuminate the intricate interplay of stars, gas, and gravity at the core of the galaxy. Anna Ciurlo's research focuses on stars and gas around the supermassive black hole in the center of our Galaxy. Her work leverages high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy from large ground and space-based observatories like Keck and the JWST. She earned her PhD in astrophysics from the Sorbonne Paris Cité and pursued postdoctoral research at UCLA. She was an inaugural year Keck Visiting Scholar at Keck Observatory. Anna continues at UCLA in the Galactic Center Group as an assistant researcher and adjunct assistant professor

Silent Service A Brief History of Submarines in the U.S. Navy Ms Robyn Weimer Sunday, November 16, 2025 2:30 PM PACIFIC TIME ******************************************^^^^^^********** This is a Zoom meeting. Please register: https://livepresentation.link/NOV Look for a confirmation email from ZOOM it will contain the link that you will need to join		Silent Service A Brief History of Submarines in the U.S. Navy As the U.S. Navy Submarine Force celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2025, this presentation will provide a brief history of submarines in the Navy and their contributions to the nation. Ms. Weimer, a 24-year veteran of the Submarine Force, served on four nuclear-powered submarines, with tours as Navigator/Operations Officer, Chief Engineer, and Executive Officer. She will first provide an overview of the history of U.S. submarines, from the purchase of the Holland on April 11, 1900, to the newest Virginia-class fast attack and Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines currently under construction. A discussion of submarine construction and operation will follow, including a review of submarine missions and how they are built to accomplish them. Along the way, Ms. Weimer will touch on what it's like to live on a submarine, with some submarine force trivia, such as how it got the nickname "Silent Service."