Monkeying Around

I probably wouldn't plug this on the description alone, but I've been to these events before, and they are actually pretty cool. Here's the 411:

CAFÉ SCIENTIFIQUE ARLINGTON

WHAT: Biological interaction of African Apes, Monkeys, and Plants in Rainforest

WHEN: May 6, 6:30-8:00 PM

WHERE: The Front Page Restaurant, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA, located near Ballston Metro on the ground floor of the NSF building. Parking is available under the NSF Building or at Ballston Common Mall.

WHO: Dr. Joanna Lambert, Program Director, Physical Anthropology
National Science Foundation

HOW: 6:30-8:00 Short presentation, followed by Q&A (Come early to purchase a drink or a meal if you so desire.)No science background required!Free and open to the public

ABOUT THE TOPIC: The monkeys and apes of the Old World are our closest living relatives and also play ecological roles that are critical for forest maintenance and health. Scientists are only now beginning to appreciate the significance of primates as members of ecological communities; tragically, this understanding cannot keep pace with the rate of their decline. The monkey and ape species of Africa, in particular, are undergoing precipitous declines as a consequence of the voracious commercial bushmeat trade. In this discussion, you will learn just how important monkeys and apes are to the plants upon which they rely, and the implications of their decline and loss upon the humans that live in and around these same forests.

Cafe Scientifique Takes on Global Warming

I went to one of these last year on electric cars and I have to say it was very cool. Cafe Scientifique is simply a discussion about something interesting in the science world. I'm not a science person at all, but I thought it was interesting and fun.

Here are the details about the upcoming event:

Cafe Scientifique Arlington
WHAT: "Where Energy and Global Warming Meet"

WHEN: November 6, 6:30-8:00 PM

WHERE: The Front Page Restaurant, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA

WHO: Dennis Dimick, Executive Editor, National Geographic Magazine

HOW: 6:30-8:00 Short presentation, followed by Q&A (Come early to purchase
a drink or a meal if you so desire)

No science background required!
Free and open to the public

ABOUT THE TOPIC: A slide show and discussion on the reasons why we are
seeing warming (our use of coal, oil, and gas), an extensive range of
on-ground examples of change we are seeing as temperatures rise and a
range of potential solutions we need to begin implementing to reduce our
carbon pollution, and hence the damage from human-induced climate warming.
ABOUT THE CONCEPT: Cafe Scientifque flourished first in the U.K. (see
http://www.cafescientifique.org/) as a way for the public and scientists to
mingle and discuss science issues in an informal setting. At least 35 café
now exist in the U.S.

ABOUT THIS CAFE: The National Science Foundation initiated Café
Scientifique (Arlington) and its occasional cousin in Washington D.C. in
April 2006 to make science more accessible and accountable by featuring
speakers whose expertise spans the sciences and who can talk in plain
English. Generally held on first Tuesdays at the Front Page in Arlington.
This month's event is co-sponsored with the Smithsonian Institution.

Review: Cafe Scientifque & Electric Cars

I embraced my inner geek and it was so much fun!

Sometimes events greatly exceed your expectations. And, although I confess to being a little nervous about this event, it was fantastic.

Some background: Cafe Scientifique is a monthly event sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The events generally take place at Front Page, so you can eat/drink, listen to quick chat and then ask some questions. This month's topic was electric cars. It's supposed to be low key and not super scientific.

So, last night had several highlights

1) They had several electric cars on display including a solar powered one - kind of cool

2) The two main presenters were hilarious, they were like Penn and Teller, OK, maybe not that funny, but really for two guys giving a science lecture they were a riot. They were interesting and made the subject interesting.

3) There was a ton of people there, which was just kind of fun.

4) You can order drinks and food from Front Page during the presentation.

5) There's some basic free appetizers.

The one drawback was that the sound was absolutely horrific in that space. There was a huge echo that made it difficult to hear everything the speakers said. I'm hoping that's something they can fix next time and not something totally part of the space.

I haven't said this in a while, but really, sometimes you've just got to get out and do things you're not so sure about. You may get a lemon once in a while, but more often than not I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

As for Cafe Scientifique, if there's another topic that I find remotely interesting, I will definitely go again.

FYI - Sorry about the lousy picture. I didn't think to take a camera and this one is from my phone.

Green Science Drafting from DVDs after Mardis Gras

No, that title doesn't make sense, but here's what it's about:

*Green - not for Kermit the Frog, but for the Arlington Green Living Challenge -- win prizes (hey who says we're only motivated by the cause!) and be certified as a "green household" by earning points through any combination of 16 simple actions.

* Science - Sticking with the green theme, the next Cafe Scientifique sounds very interesting - the subject, "The 'Shocking' Science Behind Electric Cars" -- with actual cars to touch! Now, how are they getting those in the Front Page - Tuesday, March 6, 6- 8 PM (presentation starts at 6:30). FREE! No science background required.

* Drafting - as in Arlington Cinema Drafthouse and as in the "We Like the Pike" Event on Tuesday, February 27, 5- 7 PM. FREE admission includes live music, complimentary buffet, cash bar, plus get 2 FREE passes for movies or entertainment at any 2007 DraftHouse event - that alone makes the trip worth it.

* DVDs- I've bragged before about how great Arlington libraries are. I just got my e-mail about new DVDs at the library and I thought I would share some (but not the ones I really want ;-) ) -- Babel, The Departed, Fast Food Nation, Man of the Year, Rocky Balboa ... and more. - You too can stay in the loop by signing up to receive this e-newsletter on the libraries website (I can't find exactly where right now, but I did it, so I'm sure you can find it too).

*After Mardis Gras -I couldn't go to the Clarenendon parade this year. I had a board meeting for an organization I'm involved with. Grrr! Did anyone make it? It was great last year.

Note: Photo credit to "The Eggplant"

Cafe Scientique at Front Page

I just found out about this regular event and thought it sounded potentially interesting for the science geek in all of us.

Cafe Scientifque flourished first in the U.K. (see http://www.cafescientifique.org/) as a way for the public and scientists to mingle and discuss science issues in an informal setting. At least 35 cafés now exist in the U.S. The National Science Foundation initiated Café Scientifique (Arlington) and its occasional cousin in Washington D.C. in April 2006 to make science more accessible and accountable by featuring speakers whose expertise spans the sciences - and who can talk in plain English. Generally held on first Tuesdays at the Front Page.

Previous topics include A Brief History of the Earth and Moon, Are We All Martians?, Before the Big Bang, and the Science Behind Climate Change.

Cafe's seem to generally begin at 6:00 with light hors d'oeuvres and then a short presentation and dicussion at 6:30. Free and open to the public. No science background required.

Unfortunately, I just missed this month's presentation, but you can sign-up to be on their listserve at the National Science Foundation website, and get information about future events.

I'm interested to see what future topics are and to try to check one out. I'm not a huge science geek, but I like learning new things.