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!

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

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.

###

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.

A deep fried cheeseburger. Or proof there could not be a loving god?

At our pre-meeting dinner gathering at Bettis Grille, Brandon was the only one who braved the deep fried cheeseburger. Although, rumor has it BillH has successfully taken on one of their deep fried meatloaf sandwiches in the past. We, as skeptics of course, require proof. Research grants may or may not be available for proposals delving into the subject of which deep fried monstrosity is more extreme*.

After our table of nine completely failed to finish the Tower of Carrot Cake (for two) we headed over to the Carnegie Science Center to meet up with the rest of the crew for a private showing of their IMAX film “Wild Ocean”. I am not sure if I can recommend allowing your entire field of vision to be filled with an undersea mass of undulating sardines being attacked from all directions by dolphins and dive-bombing birds on a full stomach. If the action scenes don’t make your tum flop, gorgeous swooping aerial shots of waves crashing over rocky shores just might.  You should see it, and you should see it before dinner, but probably not if you’re planning to go out for seafood.

Questions I have after watching this documentary on the importance of maintaining the oceans’ biodiversity that have absolutely nothing to do with the actual subject:

1. When did sharks become prettier than dolphins or is thinking dolphins are adorable something you grow out of? Does this mean I’m old?
2. Is it totally badass to surf in the part of the world where the greatest number of shark species are waiting for the cold front to refill their favorite all-you-can-eat buffet or just nuts?
3. Aren’t you glad there isn’t a deep fried sardines appetizer on the Bettis Grille menu?

Following the movie we discussed some upcoming events that will be composed in a more serious post once details are finalized. There was also some discussion about science education, and those who weren’t off marveling at the most inaccessible accessible restroom I’ve ever seen while this part of the conversation happened are invited to write about it. (Hint.) 

* And by “may or may not” I mean “aren’t but should be”.

I just got word that folks can meet up early for dinner at Bettis Grille on the northshore at 5:30pm.  Even if you can’t make it to dinner, we will meet in the inside lobby of the Rangos Theater at 7:00 and then view the movie at 7:15. This will be followed by discussion and socializing afterward until 9:00.

I’ll be there – it’s been a long time since I’ve been to the Science Center and I’m looking forward to a great discussion.  Hope you can make it!

When: Thursday, September 11th
Dinner: 5:30pm Bettis Grille, 375 N Shore Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Carnegie Science Center: One Allegheny Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15212