The HSGP Book Club meets at the Mesa Library, Main Branch, 64 East 1st Street (East of Country Club Way at the intersection of N. Centennial Way -- N.W. corner)

From Publisher's Weekly: Edwards's assured but schematic debut novel (after her collection, The Secrets of a Fire King) hinges on the birth of fraternal twins, a healthy boy and a girl with Down syndrome, resulting in the father's disavowal of his newborn daughter. A snowstorm immobilizes Lexington, Ky., in 1964, and when young Norah Henry goes into labor, her husband, orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Henry, must deliver their babies himself, aided only by a nurse. Seeing his daughter's handicap, he instructs the nurse, Caroline Gill, to take her to a home and later tells Norah, who was drugged during labor, that their son Paul's twin died at birth. Instead of institutionalizing Phoebe, Caroline absconds with her to Pittsburgh. David's deception becomes the defining moment of the main characters' lives, and Phoebe's absence corrodes her birth family's core over the course of the next 25 years. David's undetected lie warps his marriage; he grapples with guilt; Norah mourns her lost child; and Paul not only deals with his parents' icy relationship but with his own yearnings for his sister as well. Though the impact of Phoebe's loss makes sense, Edwards's redundant handling of the trope robs it of credibility. This neatly structured story is a little too moist with compassion.

Our HSGP member Chuck Lesher was born in Kansas, raised in Colorado, graduated high school in Southern California, and then moved to Phoenix, where he joined the Army. He spent the next four years in Maryland, Germany and Texas. Upon returning to civilian life, Chuck earned a BS in Engineering Mechanics-Aerospace from the University of Wisconsin and a MS in Materials Science from Arizona State University. After graduation, Chuck worked at Space Data/Orbital Sciences Corporation designing, building and launching small sounding rockets and high altitude weather balloons. Later, he served as Quality Assurance Manager for Hybrid Design Associates in Tempe, a small manufacturing company that specializes in harsh-environment electronic assemblies.

Chuck is married to HSGP member Peggy, has three grown children and three grandchildren (with another on the way). He writes Speculative Fiction under his full name, Charles Lee Lesher. His debut novel, Evolution’s Child, was selected as 2007’s Best of the Moon Fiction by the Lunar Library. Check out his website at: http://www.charleslesher.com

Robert J. McWhirter -- Bob -- returned to charm us again with the conclusion of his fascinating talk from October 21, 2007.

Bob is Assistant Federal Public Defender, District of Arizona. He received his Juris Doctorate from Arizona State University College of Law in 1988. Upon graduation, Mr. McWhirter clerked for then Vice Chief Justice Stanley G. Feldman of the Supreme Court of Arizona. He has been an Assistant Federal Public Defender since 1989, representing Native Americans and other clients in a broad range of Federal cases including homicide, sexual abuse, and bank robbery. In addition, Mr. McWhirter has developed a specialty in criminal immigration law, having published articles in the Georgetown Immigration Law Review and the Criminal Practice Law Report. The American Bar Association has published his book The Criminal Lawyer's Guide to Immigration Law: Questions and Answers. Mr. McWhirter also teaches criminal immigration law and immigration consequences of criminal convictions nationally for Criminal Justice Act Panel Attorneys (with the program sponsored by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts), as well as the history of the Fourth Amendment.

Note location for May: Mesa Library, Main Branch, 64 East 1st Street (East of Country Club Way at the intersection of N. Centennial Way -- N.W. corner)

From Amazon.com:

Carl Sagan’s prophetic vision of the tragic resurgence of fundamentalism and the hope-filled potential of the next great development in human spirituality The late great astronomer and astrophysicist describes his personal search to understand the nature of the sacred in the vastness of the cosmos. Exhibiting a breadth of intellect nothing short of astounding, Sagan presents his views on a wide range of topics, including the likelihood of intelligent life on other planets, creationism and so-called intelligent design, and a new concept of science as “informed worship.” Originally presented at the centennial celebration of the famous Gifford Lectures in Scotland in 1985 but never published, this book offers a unique encounter with one of the most remarkable minds of the twentieth century.

We held an open forum, where members spoke on whatever was on their minds.

Betty Blake was flying in Hawaii at age 14. By 1941 she flew “Island Hops” and had earned her instructor's rating. On Sunday, December 7, 1941, luck was with her when her passenger cancelled! She watched the attack from home on a hill overlooking Pearl Harbor.

Betty joined the first class of WAF’s (Woman's Air Force, later named W.A.S.P. -- Women's Airforce Service Pilots) and spent all four years of WWII as a transport pilot, ferrying 36 different type aircraft across the continent: L-5’s, L-19’s,BT-13 &15’s PT-19’s, 22’s, AT-6 &11’s,C-45’’s 47’s,B-17’s,24 &25’s P-38, 39, 40,47 and P-51’s and lots of Mustangs!

Betty charmed everyone as we enjoyed her humorous telling of unique adventures and anecdotes about the U.S. Military figuring out how to utilize a talented, dedicated, courageous crew of exceptional, beautiful "flygirls"— the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots.

Learn more on Betty's website: http://bettyblakewasp.org/Home.html

Note new location for April and May: Mesa Library, Main Branch, 64 East 1st Street (East of Country Club Way at the intersection of N. Centennial Way -- N.W. corner)

Persepolis is the story of Marjane Satrapi's unforgettable childhood and coming of age within a large and loving family in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution; of the contradictions between private life and public life in a country plagued by political upheaval; of her high school years in Vienna facing the trails of adolescence far from her family; of her homecoming--both sweet and terrible; and, finally, of her self-imposed exile from her beloved homeland. It is the chronicle of a girlhood and adolescence at once outrageous and familiar, a young life entwined with the history of her country yet filled with the universal trials and joys of growing up.

Edgy, searingly observant, and candid, often heartbreaking but threaded throughout with raw humor and hard-earned wisdom--Persepolis is a stunning work from one of the most highly regarded, singularly talented graphic artists at work today.

We will discuss both Volume One and Two.

Dr. Christopher Heward was President of Kronos Science Laboratory. His primary responsibility was providing scientific and technical leadership for all laboratory activities. He oversaw the development and implementation of the clinical laboratory testing program; assisted in designing and refining both internally and externally sponsored clinical studies; directs and coordinates diagnostic product research and development; administered laboratory and patient databases; was principal investigator for the Kronos Longitudinal Aging Study (KLAS); and communicates Kronos’ discoveries and advances to lay and scientific audiences via presentations and publications. Dr. Heward’s research interests included healthy aging, endocrinology, oxidative stress, Alzheimer’s disease, prion disease (TSE) and menopause.

Dr. Heward attended the University of Arizona and received Bachelor of Arts degrees from both the Department of Psychology and the Department of Chemistry, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree from the Department of Biology. He earned his PhD from the Department of Biology in 1981.

Dr. Heward discussed the research done at Kronos and provided an update on anti-aging medicine. Visit the Kronos website at: http://www.kronoslaboratory.com/

Sadly, he passed away early in 2009, after a brave battle with esophageal cancer.