So. See you Friday? Starts at 7:30. You can RSVP here or on our Facebook invite, if you’re a Facebooker, or on Meetup by clicking on the badge in the sidebar.

Oh! And check out these photos David sent in from the CFI picnic last Saturday:

CFI Pittsburgh Canoe Trip 2009

This year, we are doing something a little different – for those who prefer a little extra challenge, we are offering three different options for participants to choose. All of the excursions end at the outfitters location in West Newton – the differences are in the put-in locations. You have the choice of 1.a fairly short run (2 hrs or so) from Cedar Creek Park, or 2. a medium length run (4 hrs or so) from Smithton, or 3. for those desiring something a little more lengthy, putting in at Whitsett (6 hrs or so). Every one can arrive at the outfitter at the time appropriate for their run and be transported to the put-in location. Then, as the group works its way downstream, those who have opted for the shorter runs can join the group as they get to the other put-in locations. By the time we get to West Newton, we should have a veritable armada – well, flotilla, anyway.

Rate schedule is as follows: $30 from Cedar Creek Park, $35 from Smithton, and $40 from Whitsett. This price is per canoe, two people per canoe. A third person can ride in the canoe for an additional $3. This is great if you have a child or a friend who wants to participate. And for those of you who have your own canoe, the outfitter will transport your canoe to the put-in for a nominal fee ($3 or $4 I think).

So if you are looking for some summer fun, come on along for the ride. Maybe YOU can enjoy the rope swing – or not. To reserve your canoe, e-mail BillK at unkabeard@verizon.net and send a check for the correct amount to:

CFI-Pittsburgh
PO Box 19003
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Reservations need to be in and paid by July 31st.

You remember Mr. Sherman — Illinois Representative Monique Davis interrupted him while he testified before the Springfield House State Government Administration Committee to spectacularly flip her shit:

I don’t know what you have against God, but some of us don’t have much against him. We look forward to him and his blessings… I’m trying to understand the philosophy that you want to spread in the state of Illinois… This is the land of Lincoln where people believe in God… What you have to spew and spread is extremely dangerous… It’s dangerous for our children to even know that your philosophy exists… Get out of that seat! You have no right to be here! We believe in something. You believe in destroying! You believe in destroying what this state was built upon.

This is just a sample of Mr. Sherman’s experiences. Come out and join the discussion this Tuesday!

When: Tuesday, May 5th 2009, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Quaker Meeting House, 4836 Ellsworth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (Oakland/Shadyside)

The recent high winds snapped a pole along Route 51 near Francesco’s Restaurant. This not only killed power to the restaurant, but created a hazard that forced the blockage and a detour of Rte. 51. Ten tough old birds managed to challenge the blockade or wait out the detour, but in the intervening hour delay, many prospective attendees turned back, including our speaker for the evening, Darwin impersonator David Campbell.

You can still catch Dr. Campbell’s wonderful show for the next three Saturdays at 2pm, at the Carnegie Science Center. Some might scoff at the notion of this as a Valentine’s date, but really what is more romantic than natural selection? (Just ask the Skepchicks!)

And without further ado, let me show you the awesome birthday cake, CFI’s Victor Bernard made that we missed:

I don't need to dig for a photo of Dr. Campbell because I can just Google for photos of Darwin. He's that good.

Dr. David Campbell of The Darwin Center For Science & Reason brings Darwin to life in Darwin Remembers, a theatrical experience from the voyage of The Beagle to his death with actors recreating the voices from the past. I’ve seen this performance on dvd and Dr. Campbell is absolutely wonderful. I cannot think of a better way to mark the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth than stepping into history with Dr. Campbell’s Darwin live on stage, and I’m delighted to say that we can!

Where: Carnegie Science Center
When: 2pm Saturday January 31st and every Saturday in February!
More info: call (412) 237-3400

If you’d like to meet Dr. Campbell and discuss The Darwin Center for Science & Reason, he will be the special guest speaker at the Center for Inquiry’s February dinner meeting.

When: February 12th, 6pm [edited! I originally posted the 2nd]
Where: 2238 Route 51 Clairton, PA 15025 [Jefferson Hills]
More details: CFI calendar

Quoted from a message from CFIC-Pittsburgh’s Steering Committee Treasurer Chuck Bobich:

CFI Community of Pittsburgh will hold tonight’s general meeting at the Carnegie Science Center, starting at 7:00 PM and lasting to about 9:00. We’ll meet in the Digital Dome, where dome operator Frank Mancuso has outlined a program that promises to be even more spectacular than last year’s, including:

• A brief review/overview of the Digital Sky System – a how and why explanation
• A few updates in the world of Astronomy.
• The Digital Universe fly through with some modifications to make it different from last year, but still “flying out to the edge.”
• “Hubble Views” – a 4 minute tribute utilizing some Hubble Telescope images.

This program goes far beyond what is normally shown to the public. There is no charge to our members for this event. However, we’ll make our normal voluntary collection to cover expenses, plus a twist…in the best secular humanistic tradition, one-half of tonight’s proceeds will be donated to the Pittsburgh Food Bank.

You can track tonight’s event at this link plus get other news from our Community’s website.

CFIC-Pittsburgh is lucky to number a facility like the Carnegie Science Center among its resources. I hope a sizable number of you decide to join us for tonight’s special show.

——

You are also invited to join us at Bettis Grill 36 for a pre-meeting dinner at 5:30!

(Non-burger options available.)

Pre-meeting dinner:
When – Thursday December 11th 5:30-6:30ish
Where – Jerome Bettis’ Grill 36 (ground floor Del Monte Bldg.)
393 North Shore Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Meeting:
When – 7pm-9pm
Where – Buhl Digital Dome, Carnegie Science Center (North Shore Drive)

More Upcoming December CFI Pgh Events:

CFI Pittsburgh’s Structured Discussion will be continuing their look at the historical Jesus, Tuesday December 16th at the Quaker Meeting House in Shadyside. This lecture series by Bart Ehrmann, with discussion led by Victor Bernard has been going on for a bit but you are welcome to jump in.

Movie night will be at our gracious host Bill H’s place the evening of Wednesday December 17th. For information on either and contacts please see the CFI Pittsburgh site.

Here is a write-up from the Trib: Workshop, show reveal how ‘mentalists’ work their magic

Join Us for an Evening with

Toni Van Pelt
Director of CFI’s Office of Public Policy in Washington, D.C.

“Promoting Science & Reason in Law and Policy”

Scientific thinking is being challenged culturally in the United States today as never before. Despite the success of science and technology in providing us with unparalleled benefits, religious fundamentalists and some postmodernists seek to inhibit free inquiry. This is a highly charged political issue, because both science and secularism are under attack. While a number of organizations lobby and work to defend science politically, so far no organization has worked to defend science and inquiry in all important areas of human endeavor more than the Center for Inquiry.

In it’s first two years, CFI’s Office of Public Policy – with the indispensable help of our members – has established the necessary credentials for action in our government’s halls. Please come to learn the ways the Center is standing up, speaking out, and demonstrating the responsibility and privilege necessary to maintain a civil society – and learn how you can help!

We’re very pleased to welcome Toni to Pittsburgh to give us a first hand look at what the OPP is doing to represent secular humanists to the Federal Government. This is an excellent opportunity for all of us to get a better handle on the issues that affect us and learn what is being done to resolve them. It will also give a greater appreciation of the scope of the Center’s activities and their importance to our world today.

See you Monday!

For more information about this and other CFI Pittsburgh events, please call (412) 384-5893 or visit www.centerforinquiry.net/pgh.

Swiss will be hosting two events: A magic show titled Heavy Mental at 7:00 p.m. and a workshop from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. called Science, Magic, and Skepticism: A Natural Relationship.  The workshop also features Point of Inquiry host D.J. Grothe and Pittsburgh magician and founder of Deceptions Unlimited Rick Maue.

Swiss has appeared on tons of shows including Penn & Teller’s Sin City Spectacular. Check him out:

More details and CFI’s full press release after the jump.

WHO: Jamy Ian Swiss, world-renowned magician and mentalist

D.J. Grothe, magician, skeptic, and host of Point of Inquiry

Rick Maue, Pittsburgh magician and founder of Deceptions Unlimited

WHAT: “HEAVY MENTAL,” a baffling show of “mind-reading” phenomena, and

“Science, Magic, and Skepticism: A Natural Relationship,” an afternoon workshop.

WHEN: Saturday, November 1, 2008, Workshop 1:00-5:00 p.m., Show: 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Science Stage, Carnegie Science Center, One Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh

COST: Workshop: General Admission: $30, Students/CFI Friends: $20, Carnegie Members: FREE

Show: General Admission: $15, Students/CFI Friends/Carnegie Members: $10

PITTSBURGH, PA.—On Saturday, November 1, the Center for Inquiry Community of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Science Center will welcome magician and mentalist Jamy Ian Swiss to Pittsburgh. Mr. Swiss will be here to host a workshop on “Science, Magic and Skepticism: A Natural Relationship” and to present his new magic show, “HEAVY MENTAL,” a performance of baffling, unnerving, “mind reading” phenomena accomplished with pure psychology, deft illusion, and a healthy dose of deception.

Mr. Swiss has performed magic throughout the United States and in 13 countries. He has appeared on CBS 48 Hours, PBS Nova, the PBS documentary The Art of Magic, and Comedy Central. 

An expert in sensory deception, Jamy Ian Swiss is also a long-time skeptic who often lectures to scientific, academic, and university audiences about deception and the paranormal. Why is a professional magician concerned about the misuses of deception? 

“I want to highlight the line between illusion and reality,” Mr. Swiss explains. “The fantasy world I create as a magician is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.”

Mr. Swiss will be joined by D.J. Grothe, an amateur magician and the host of the Center for Inquiry radio show and podcast Point of Inquiry, and Rick Maue, Pittsburgh magician and founder of Deceptions Unlimited, for the afternoon workshop that will examine the paralllels between magic and skepticism, and explain how the conjuring arts can inform the skeptical movement. 

In this remarkable lecture/demonstration Mr. Swiss defines the four kinds of paranormal events — telepathy, precognition, clairvoyance and psychokinesis — declares them to be non-existent, and then proceeds to demonstrate all of them and more, proving that even the most intelligent and wary of audiences can be fooled by a determined charlatan. A stunning, informative and entertaining lesson in critical thinking.

The workshop will also include segments about the history of magic in skepticism, the illusion of psychic powers, and a question and answer session about the relationship between magic, skepticism, science and reason.

“Whether or not you believe in psychics or the paranormal, you should attend this program,” said Bill Kaszycki, president of CFIC-Pittsburgh. “Even if you believe in the paranormal, you cannot deny that there are crooks and con-men out there trying to take advantage of the honest beliefs of a sincere and trusting public. We hope that seeing Mr. Swiss in action will inoculate you against these criminals and their fraudulent use of magic to deceive.”

In the evening, Mr. Swiss, an acclaimed master of the art of sleight of hand, will present, HEAVY MENTAL, a program of baffling and unnerving “mind reading” phenomena — accomplished with pure psychology, subtle influence, deft illusion, uncanny intuition, and a healthy dose of downright deception — what he calls “sleight of mind.”

Both events are open to the public. The workshop, “Science, Magic, and Skepticism: A Natural Relationship,” runs from 1:00 to 5:00 PM on Saturday, November 1. “HEAVY MENTAL” will start at 7:00 PM. Both workshop and show will be held on the Science Stage at the Carnegie Science Center, One Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh. Admission for the workshop is $30.00 for the general public, $20.00 for students and CFI Friends, and free for Carnegie Members. Admission for HEAVY MENTAL is $15.00 for the general public and $10.00 for students, CFI Friends and Carnegie Members.

For more information, please visit www.centerforinquiry.net/pgh, www.carnegiesciencecenter.org, and www.jamyianswiss.com.

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The Center for Inquiry Community of Pittsburgh (CFIC-Pittsburgh) was founded in 2004 to provide a social support network for freethinkers of western Pennsylvania. For more information, check out CFIC-Pittsburgh’s web site at www.centerforinquiry.net/pgh#.

CFIC-Pittsburgh is associated with the Center for Inquiry/Transnational – a nonprofit, educational, advocacy, and scientific-research think tank based in Amherst, New York. The Center for Inquiry/Transnational’s web site is www.centerforinquiry.net.