Event

Roger Ebert wrote of this terrific little film:

“Few descriptions of ‘Safety Not Guaranteed’ will do it justice. It’s a more ambitious and touching movie than seems possible.”

Time travel is a wonderful idea.  Come explore that wonder while watching what Mr. Ebert called “a more ambitious and touching movie than seems possible.”

Your evening begins at 6:30 in the lounge of San Francisco’s luxurious Variety Preview Theater with great conversation and a cash bar.  SF in SF will be serving a special Deadline cocktail, as a nod to to the time travel novels of author Connie Willis.

Then, at 7:30, take limitless free popcorn to plush theater seating for a special screening of 2012’s “Safety Not Guaranteed” (rated 91% FRESH by Rotten Tomatoes).

Physicist/Sci-Fi Author Ken Wharton

Finally, at about 9 o’clock, physicist and sci-fi author Ken Wharton will help us examine the logic — and illogic — of time travel.  Dr. Wharton is Professor of Physics and Astronomy at San Jose State University.  He is also author of “Divine Intervention,” earning the Special Citation for the Philip K. Dick Award in 2001.

All proceeds benefit Variety Children’s Charity of Northern California and Wonderfest, the Bay Area Beacon of Science.

Are you excited about the potential of stem cell research to provide cures for debilitating conditions like diabetes, spinal cord injury, macular degeneration, heart disease, and neurologic disorders? Perhaps you’ve noticed the enthusiasm, the caveats, and the controversy — and you want to understand what it all means, where the research stands today, where it’s heading, and how people suffering from problems like those mentioned might be helped. Uta Grieshammer and Kevin Whittlesey of the state’s stem cell agency, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, will talk to us about why this area of medical research is so exciting to scientists and what we may see in terms of therapies in the future. This event is presented in partnership with Ask A Scientist.

The scientific understanding of our origins began in earnest with Copernicus, Galileo, Darwin, and others, and has since evolved into a rich, detailed, and well-tested model. Direct observations of the infant universe now show that it was remarkably smooth compared to what we see around us today, with only tiny differences in its properties from one part to another. By contrast, in the present universe there are enormous differences in the properties of matter from one part to another: some regions host planets, stars, and galaxies (and even humans!) while others do not. In this talk, Prof. Quataert will describe how the universe evolved from its smooth beginnings to its current state, emphasizing how gravity reigns supreme and builds up the planets, stars, and galaxies required for biological evolution to proceed.

2012’s “Robot and Frank” charmed and challenged moviegoers with the story of a robot that befriends an aging cat burglar, played by Frank Langella. Wonderfest and Variety Children’s Charity are teaming-up to present a special screening of “Robot and Frank” along with affectionate commentary by UC Berkeley EECS professor Ken Goldberg.

The beautiful little “Variety Preview Theater” will open its doors at 6:30pm, and the movie will begin at 7:30.  Free popcorn will abound; drinks and candy will be available.  Following the movie, Prof. Goldberg will describe the current state of robotics and artificial intelligence.

Will a robot — someday soon — be your friend?  Come explore with us!

*** Only 49 seats are available. Don’t be disappointed: purchase tickets early. ***

WITH PARTNERS:

BENEFITTING: Wonderfest & Variety Children’s Charity of Northern California

Burton Richter, Ph.D., Nobel Prize-winning Physicist; Director Emeritus, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Norbert Holtkamp, Ph.D., SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
 
For five decades, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory has pioneered groundbreaking discoveries from astrophysics to energy science. The home of cutting-edge facilities and technologies, scientists uncover mysteries on the smallest and largest scales – from the workings of the atom to the enigmas of the cosmos. Research conducted at SLAC has led to Nobel Prizes for discovering two fundamental particles, proving protons are made of quarks and showing how DNA directs protein manufacturing in cells. Richter explains how SLAC helped define the science of the past, and Holtkamp shares his vision of how SLAC will enable the science of the future.

Join Richter as he explains how SLAC helped define the science of today, and Holtkamp as he shares his vision of how SLAC will enable the science of the future.

Location:  Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto
Time: 6:30 p.m. check-in, 7 p.m. program
Cost: $15 standard, $10 members,  $5 students (with valid ID)

Reserve Ticket NOW:

Use the code SLAC50 to receive our member rate of $10. Two tickets are allowed per transaction and the code is entered at checkout.

For tickets call [masked] or register online at https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2012-11-28/slac-50-years-scientific-discovery

The circus is coming to town!  

Wonderfest presents The Physics Circus, an exhibition in the Bay Area Science Festival, Discovery Days at AT&T Park. With equipment generously donated by PASCO Scientific, physics teachers Zeke Kossover and Tucker Hiatt will guide you in the use of over a dozen wondrous devices: bicycle gyroscope, marshmallow blowgun, compression igniter, inertia wand, ultrasonic motion detector, etc. Come learn some deep principles of physics while having a blast!

This is a fantastic event for inquisitive minds of all ages.  Don’t miss this!

Discovery Days at AT&T Park

AT&T Park will become a science wonderland when the Bay Area Science Festival concludes again with this FREE science extravaganza on Saturday November 3rd 11AM-4PM. Last year, more than 21,000 people enjoyed a non-stop program chock-full of interactive exhibits, experiments, games, and shows, all meant to entertain and inspire. With more than 150 exhibits, there is something for everyone to unleash their inner scientist.  (see more…) 

Physics Circus performances throughout the day

Since at least the beginning of the written record, epidemics of infectious disease have swept through plant and animal populations, including humans, and altered the course of history. The unexpected, diverse, and seemingly sophisticated composition and behavior of these naturally-occurring epidemic agents has prompted many to proclaim Mother Nature to be a far more effective bioterrorist than Man could ever be. Yet, recent developments in the ongoing biology and biotechnology “revolution” may force us to reconsider this conclusion. New insights and capabilities in the life sciences, as illustrated by the recent creation of novel transmissible and virulent bird flu viruses in the laboratory, suggest that humans might rival Mother Nature for this dubious distinction.

Join world-renowned astronomers for an end-of-summer picnic on Mt. Hamilton! Event begins with outdoor catered BBQ (with vegetarian options) and live 1970s music from Silicon Valley’s Dr. West. Mingle, chat, and ask your cosmic questions of UC astronomy professors Alex Filippenko, Geoff Marcy, and Sandra Faber.

UC professor emeritus Timothy Ferris, author of a dozen books and producer of three PBS documentary films will also be joining us to chat and answer questions. Come and hobnob with the “best popular science writer in the English language!”

Later we’ll move indoors to enjoy the classical guitar duo Equilibrium (watch video here), followed by talks by Ferris, Filippenko, Marcy, and Faber about the universe. Finally, view the night sky through the Great Lick Refractor and Nickel reflecting telescope.