Upcoming Meetings and Topics
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Next Meeting Linda Wendler, The Art of Travel Event: Humanities Project Monthly Cultural Presentation & Meeting May 17th, 2013 7:00 pm - Friday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. 8th St., Mesa, AZ |
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The Art of Travel: Excerpts from and riffs upon the book of that name by Alain de Botton. Among the topics to be touched upon are how the artistic viewpoint enhances the world as we travel and the influence of place upon art. An idiosyncratic essayist, de Botton explores a variety of places and discusses numerous artists in his book. I'll explore my favorites among his selections and offer a couple of my own in the same vein. About us: The HSGP Humanities Project will hold Open Meetings on the 3rd Friday of each month at 7pm at HCC. All are invited to attend. The first part of the meeting is given over to one or more of our HSGP members or guests to share with us some aspect of arts & humanities that they are passionate about! The second part of the meeting is for general business, ie planning of future events. Total meeting time approximately 2 hours. The HSGP Humanities Project will present arts & humanities related talks at 1-3 Sunday Speaker meetings in 2013 (An Opera, Operetta, and Musical Theater Extravaganza - Sunday, March 24). We will plan and execute at least one fundraiser for HSGP. Throughout the year we will plan excursions to various arts & humanities events in and around the Valley for those who wish to participate. On occasion we may hold fun artsy events at the HCC. Top | |
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Nat'l Space Society Phx Monthly Meeting Event: Chuck Lesher May 18th, 2013 11:00 am - Saturday Location: Humanist Community Center 627 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa, AZ |
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On Saturday, March 30, 2013, at 7 PM Lawrence Krauss walked onto the stage at ASU Gammage Auditorium and began an evening focused on the science of storytelling and the storytelling of science with a panel of some of the world’s most well known scientists, writers, and broadcasters. Join us to view the video of this incredible event from start to finish as they discuss the stories that made them want to become scientists. These distinguished and accomplished individuals demonstrate how to convey the excitement of science and the importance of helping promote a public understanding of science. meetup.com/Humanist-Society-of-Greater-Phoenix/events/117607432/ Top | |
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Two Million Blossoms: Discovering the Medical Benefits of Honey Speaker: Kristen Traynor May 19th, 2013 10:00 am - Sunday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. 8th., Mesa, AZ |
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Note: The doors will open at 9:00am for breakfast and socializing. The meeting will officially start at 10:00am. Top | |
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Children's Program During Sunday Speaker Meeting Event: Children's Program May 19th, 2013 10:00 am - Sunday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa, AZ |
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Now that the Odyssey of the Mind program is on hiatus until the new school year starts, we need help in providing creative and fun activities for the children during the Sunday Speaker Meetings. Parents, and other volunteers, are taking turns supervising. There are lots of games, toys, and craft supplies available. If you can volunteer even occasionally to lead the kids in fun and games, it will be greatly appreciated. See you Sunday! Top | |
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Packing for Mars by, Mary Roach Event: Book Club May 25th, 2013 10:00 am - Saturday Location: Humanist Community Center (H.C.C.), 627 W. 8th Street, Mesa |
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Amazon.com Review Amazon Best Books of the Month, August 2010: With her wry humor and inextinguishable curiosity, Mary Roach has crafted her own quirky niche in the somewhat staid world of science writing, showing no fear (or shame) in the face of cadavers, ectoplasm, or sex. In Packing for Mars, Roach tackles the strange science of space travel, and the psychology, technology, and politics that go into sending a crew into orbit. Roach is unfailingly inquisitive (Why is it impolite for astronauts to float upside down during conversations? Just how smelly does a spacecraft get after a two week mission?), and she eagerly seeks out the stories that don't make it onto NASA's website--from SPCA-certified space suits for chimps, to the trial-and-error approach to crafting menus during the space program's early years (when the chefs are former livestock veterinarians, taste isn't high on the priority list). Packing for Mars is a book for grownups who still secretly dream of being astronauts, and Roach lives it up on their behalf--weightless in a C-9 aircraft, she just can't resist the opportunity to go "Supermanning" around the cabin. Her zeal for discovery, combined with her love of the absurd, amazing, and stranger-than-fiction, make Packing for Mars an uproarious trip into the world of space travel. --Lynette Mong Top | |
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Game Night - Get to know others, have fun, benefit HSGP. Event: HSGP Game Club Fundraiser June 08th, 2013 6:30 pm - Saturday Location: Humanist Community Center 627 W. 8th Street Mesa, AZ 85201 |
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Our game night club gives us a chance to get to know more people in our community as we have some fun and raise money to support the Humanist Community Center. Join our diverse group to play games such as Dominoes/Mexican Train, Bridge, Catchphrase, Taboo, Apples to Apples, Guesstures, or any other game you bring along. Please feel welcome to BYOB as well as any snacks you would like to enjoy or share. If you use MeetUp, please consider RSVPing so we can see who is coming. And please consider bringing a $5 donation to help us fund our wonderful community center! If you have questions or comments, send email to hsgpgameclub@hotmail.com. Top | |
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Humanism in Star Trek Speaker: Susan Sackett June 09th, 2013 10:00 am - Sunday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. 8th., Mesa, AZ |
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Susan Sackett grew up in Connecticut and Florida and received both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees from the University of Florida in Gainesville (1964;1965). After teaching elementary school in Miami for two years, she moved to Los Angeles, where she taught for a short time. But her lifelong dream of working in Hollywood persisted, and she quit her teaching job to work in the entertainment industry. In August 1974, she began an association with Gene Roddenberry, creator of the television legend Star Trek, serving as his personal executive assistant for over 17 years until his death in October 1991. She also served as his production assistant on the first Star Trek film and worked closely with him on the next five Star Trek movies. In addition, she served as Production Associate during the first five seasons of the television series, Star Trek: The Next Generation. Susan and her writing partner, Fred Bronson sold several stories and a teleplay to that series. She is the author of 10 books, including her recent Star Trek memoir, Inside Trek (now available as an eBook at Amazon.com). Paperback copies will also be available at the meeting. Humanism is of paramount interest in Susan's life. It was Gene Roddenberry who introduced Susan to Humanism. Realizing that she, too, was a Humanist, she joined the AHA in 1989. In 1994, Susan left California and relocated to Arizona, where she served as president of HSGP from 2000 to 2010. Thanks to her efforts, HSGP received "Chapter of the Year" from the American Humanist Association for 2001. Since 2005, Susan has been on the Board of Directors of the Washington D.C.-based American Humanist Association, where she serves on the Executive Committee as Secretary, chairs the Awards Committee and serves on several other committees. In August, 2011, she was elected a Vice President on the Executive Committee of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), which meets primarily in Europe six times a year. Susan has been a Certified Humanist Celebrant since 2001. Her celebrant website is www.secularweddings-az.com. Visit her personal website at www.insidetrek.com. Note: The doors will open at 9:00am for breakfast and socializing. The meeting will officially start at 10:00am. Top | |
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Mr. Penumbras 24-Hour Bookstore by, Robin Sloan Event: Book Club June 22nd, 2013 10:00 am - Saturday Location: Humanist Community Center (H.C.C.), 627 W. 8th Street, Mesa |
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Amazon.com Review Amazon Best Books of the Month, October 2012 (Debut Spotlight): Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore is an old school mystery set firmly in tech-loving, modern day San Francisco. Clay Jannon (former web designer) lands a job at a bookstore with very few patrons and even fewer purchases. His curiosity leads him to the discovery of a larger conspiracy at play, one exciting enough to rope in his best friend (CEO at a startup) and love interest (works at Google). As Clay and company unravel the puzzles of Mr. Penumbra's book shop, the story turns into a sort of nerdy heist, with real-life gadgets, secret societies, and a lot of things to say about the past, present, and future of reading. Sloan originally self-published Mr. Penumbra as a short story through Kindle Direct Publishing, before expanding it to its current form with a traditional print publisher--a fitting trajectory for a fast, fun story that has so wholly and enthusiastically embraced the tension between the digital and analog books. --Kevin Nguyen Top | |
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Asteroids, Ion Propulsion and NASA's Dawn Mission to Vesta and Ceres Speaker: Dr. David Williams June 23rd, 2013 10:00 am - Sunday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. 8th., Mesa, AZ |
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Note: The doors will open at 9:00am for breakfast and socializing. The meeting will officially start at 10:00am. Top | |
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Game Night - Get to know others, have fun, benefit HSGP. Event: HSGP Game Club Fundraiser July 13th, 2013 6:30 pm - Saturday Location: Humanist Community Center 627 W. 8th Street Mesa, AZ 85201 |
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Our game night club gives us a chance to get to know more people in our community as we have some fun and raise money to support the Humanist Community Center. Join our diverse group to play games such as Dominoes/Mexican Train, Bridge, Catchphrase, Taboo, Apples to Apples, Guesstures, or any other game you bring along. Please feel welcome to BYOB as well as any snacks you would like to enjoy or share. If you use MeetUp, please consider RSVPing so we can see who is coming. And please consider bringing a $5 donation to help us fund our wonderful community center! If you have questions or comments, send email to hsgpgameclub@hotmail.com. Top | |
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Domestic Violence against Women Speaker: Sojourner Center Dina Gerdon July 14th, 2013 10:00 am - Sunday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa, AZ |
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Since 1977 Sojourner Center has provided shelter and support services to tens of thousands of women and children affected by domestic violence. Through empowerment, families discover hope and have the opportunity to build new futures free from violence. As one of the nation's largest domestic violence shelters, Sojourner Center is a tireless advocate for domestic violence victims and survivors. Note: The doors will open at 9:00am for breakfast and socializing. The meeting will officially start at 10:00am. Top | |
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Going Clear by, Lawrence Wright Event: Book Club July 27th, 2013 10:00 am - Saturday Location: Humanist Community Center (H.C.C.), 627 W. 8th Street, Mesa |
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“Wright’s account of the church’s history and struggles is helpful, admirably fair-minded and, at times, absorbing . . . The book’s most intriguing aspect, though is not its treatment of Scientology, in particular, but its raising general questions about the nature of faith and reason and the role of religion in American life.” —Troy Jollimore, Chicago Tribune Top | |
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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study Speaker: Ph.D. Elena Quintana July 28th, 2013 10:00 am - Sunday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. 8th., Mesa, AZ |
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Elena Quintana, Ph.D. Executive Director, the Institute on Public Safety and Social Justice at the Adler School of Professional Psychology (and daughter of Zenaido Quintana & Jennifer White), will talk to us about the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. For more about the Institute on Public Safety and Social Justice at the Adler School of Professional Psychology, go to http://theadlerschool.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/ For Elena's blogs on Huffington Post, go to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elena-quintana/ Note: The doors will open at 9:00am for breakfast and socializing. The meeting will officially start at 10:00am. Top | |
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Speaker: to be announced August 11th, 2013 10:00 am - Sunday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. 8th., Mesa, AZ |
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Note: The doors will open at 9:00am for breakfast and socializing. The meeting will officially start at 10:00am. Top | |
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The Glass Castle by, Jeannette Walls Event: Book Club August 24th, 2013 10:00 am - Saturday Location: Humanist Community Center (H.C.C.), 627 W. 8th Street, Mesa |
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Amazon.com Review Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever. Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home. What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms. For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story. A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and Long Island and is married to the writer John Taylor. Top | |
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Speaker: to be announced August 25th, 2013 10:00 am - Sunday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. 8th., Mesa, AZ |
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Note: The doors will open at 9:00am for breakfast and socializing. The meeting will officially start at 10:00am. Top | |
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Speaker: to be announced September 08th, 2013 10:00 am - Sunday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. 8th., Mesa, AZ |
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Note: The doors will open at 9:00am for breakfast and socializing. The meeting will officially start at 10:00am. Top | |
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Speaker: to be announced September 22nd, 2013 10:00 am - Sunday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. 8th., Mesa, AZ |
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Note: The doors will open at 9:00am for breakfast and socializing. The meeting will officially start at 10:00am. Top | |
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Speaker: to be announced October 06th, 2013 10:00 am - Sunday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. 8th., Mesa, AZ |
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Note: The doors will open at 9:00am for breakfast and socializing. The meeting will officially start at 10:00am. Top | |
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International Humanist and Ethical Union Speaker: Executive Committee members of IHEU October 20th, 2013 10:00 am - Sunday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. 8th., Mesa, AZ |
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Members of the Executive Committee of the International Humanist and Ethical Union ( www.IHEU.org ) will be holding their annual planning meeting this weekend at HCC. On Sunday morning, they will present an informative program to HSGP, sharing some of the things this international organization is doing to spread Humanism and Humanist values around the world. Come and meet the IHEU EC members (including our own Susan Sackett)! Most of the EC are from Europe; countries represented include Belgium, U.K., Norway, France and the U.S. Let's give a warm HSGP welcome to our international Humanist friends! Top | |
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Grand Canyon Day Trip Event: Chartered Bus Trip to the Grand Canyon October 21st, 2013 7:00 am - Monday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. 8th., Mesa, AZ |
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Our friends from the IHEU and HSGP members and friends are invited to spend the day on a chartered private bus tour to the Grand Canyon! The bus will leave approximately 7:00 a.m. from HCC and return around 12 hours later. Reservations are necessary -- Please RSVP to SusanSackett@Earthlink.net no later than October 6th. Cost TBD, but it should be between $50 and $100 (lunch included) depending on how many sign up. Watch this space for announcements on the total cost and deposit amount required to reserve your space! Top | |
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Speaker: to be announced November 03rd, 2013 10:00 am - Sunday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. 8th., Mesa, AZ |
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Note: The doors will open at 9:00am for breakfast and socializing. The meeting will officially start at 10:00am. Top | |
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Speaker: to be announced November 17th, 2013 10:00 am - Sunday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. 8th., Mesa, AZ |
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Note: The doors will open at 9:00am for breakfast and socializing. The meeting will officially start at 10:00am. Top | |
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Speaker: to be announced December 01st, 2013 10:00 am - Sunday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. 8th., Mesa, AZ |
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Note: The doors will open at 9:00am for breakfast and socializing. The meeting will officially start at 10:00am. Top | |
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Annual Solstice Celebration Event: Annual Winter Solstice Celebration December 15th, 2013 5:00 pm - Sunday Location: Humanist Community Center, 627 W. 8th., Mesa, AZ |
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