This Friday, Stephanie Zvan will join Desiree Schell and two other guests on Skeptically Speaking to discuss Skepticism and Race.

On the next episode of Skeptically Speaking, a panel discussion on skepticism and race. Is the face of modern skepticism really as monochrome as it appears? How do we make our message appeal to a broader, more diverse audience? And how do racial demographics influence belief in pseudoscience and the paranormal?

Our panel includes LaVerne Knight-West, Stephanie Zvan, and Girl 6.

Friday, January 22nd, Live on line

Details here

In December, Stephanie, Greg and I sat down in the studios of Metro Cable Network to tape a segment of the Atheists Talk TV show. We talked about us, about you and about how we all find each other and promote each other and be social atheists from distances sometimes made near.

Today is the first day of the Blog Bonanza for the Foundation Beyond Belief. Please consider joining Dale McGowan and help to select worthy, humanist causes.

A couple of weeks ago, I was contacted by the producer of BBC Radio Five’s Pods & Blogs show. The producer, Jamillah Knowles, had been alerted to this blog by a friend of hers recently. Jamillah was doing a program on history blogs, and she wanted to feature mine on that program. As you might imagine, I was flabbergasted but highly honored. I said yes!

Café Scientifique: Human Evolution and the Cooking of Food
Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Bryan-Lake Bowl Theater
Tickets $5-$12
Call 612-825-8949 for reservations

The cooking of food had a major impact on human evolution, thanks in large part to innovations and activities by females of our species. The invention of cooking transformed most environments on this planet into habitable ones. Anthropologist and popular science blogger Greg Laden explores the role of food and cooking in shaping our species and its evolutionary success.

Bell Museum

Tuesday, December 15, 2009, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Bryan-Lake Bowl Theater
Tickets $5-$12
Nearly everyone has an opinion on agriculture’s new contributions to our energy needs. Hear what your neighbors think as we discuss the issues with one of the country’s leading scientists, Jason Hill, with the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment. He’ll reveal the myths and realities of producing food, fuel and fiber from our planet’s finite resources.

Saturday, December 5, 2009, 9 a.m.
Minnesota Ornithologists Union Annual Conference
The MOU’s annual conference features brief reports on current research projects conducted by academics and wildlife professionals.

More info

Café Scientifique: Feeding Africa With Paul Porter, University of Minnesota Professor in Agronomy and Plant Genetics November 17, 2009 

Doors at 6 p.m., Talk at 7 p.m. 
Bryant Lake Bowl, 810 W Lake St, Minneapolis
Tickets: $5 – $12 sliding scale

Paul is a professor in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics at the University of Minnesota. He researches cropping systems with a focus on rye as a cover crop, canola, crop rotations, alternative crops and organic production strategies. With his cross-continental bicycle trip Paul’s intent is to view agriculture, food and agro-ecosystems as he moves across these varying landscapes. http://agronomy.cfans.umn.edu/Porter_Paul_M_Ph_D.html

Café Scientifique is a monthly science series for adults sponsored by the Bell Museum of Natural History. Each month Café Scientifique brings scientific research and ideas out of the museum and into an informal space where visitors can learn and discuss with one another. The Bell Museum’s Café Scientifique explores science and natural history from distinct and surprising viewpoints, drawing connections between scientific research, culture, environment and everyday life.

Get Tickets to Café Scientifique Online

“Should Intelligent Design Be Taught In The Schools?”

November 16th, 7:30 PM, St. Paul Student Center

Dr. Jerry Bergman and Dr. PZ Myers will be debating the topic: “Should Intelligent Design Be Taught In The Schools?”

This event is sponsored by the Christian Student Fellowship and Campus Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists.

The event is held at the North Star Ballroom, St. Paul Student Center (Buford Ave. near Cleveland Ave.)

Details here

Bell Museum Exhibit
Through May 9, 2010
Grocery lists and dining tables of people around the globe captured in fascinating photos and hands-on displays that explore issues of food in the 21st century.