Gold CountryRegional Gathering

March 11–13, 2011

Sacramento Regional Mensa presents…

3rd Floor

Building Map

1st Floor

LOBBY

Egg Drop Contest

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General Information

Map: See the Building Map on the outside back cover to help you find events. Most of our events take place on the third floor.

Banquet: If you signed up for the banquet, it will be indicated on your name badge, along with your menu choice.

Program changes: Last minute program changes may be necessary, although we hope not. We will try to alert you to these changes promptly by posting notices in Hospitality and also near the impacted rooms.

Welcome!

. . . to the 2011 Gold Country Regional Gathering. I really appreciate the support, enthusiasm, cooperation and wealth of experience our RG volunteers have brought to putting this RG together. I hope that you enjoy the results! — Joan Kodani, 2011 RG Chair

2011 RG Committee

Chair Joan Kodani Program Chair Bob Caldwell Registrar Rod Baker Hospitality Chair Debra Reiger Hotel Liaison David Scharlach Games Room Coordinator Hugh Everett Printed Materials Linda Holderness Publicity Pat Lord Prize Coordinator Debra Reiger AV Coordinator Jeff and Teresa Olson Program Committee Bob Caldwell and John Reiger

…and a special thank you to those of our attending members who have added to the richness of our program: Eric Nelson, Jan Carmikle, Tina Drake, David Scharlach, John Reiger, Steve and Deb Bickford, Sharrel Wyatt, Jerry Moore, and Andy Lampenfeld.

Disclaimer — Attendance at, or participation in, any and all events is entirely voluntary. In doing so, you have agreed, on behalf of yourself, relatives, heirs and assigns, to forever release and hold harmless, the officers and directors of American Mensa Ltd., Sacramento Regional mensa and the RG Committee members for any and all actions, claims and demands due to any act, or alleged act, of negligence, in any form.

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Name badge stickers: Use stickers (available from the registrar) to share information about yourself. Please put the stickers on the paper rather than on the plastic badge holder — we like to reuse the holders.

BLUE dot = single. If you consider yourself single and would like this to be • known to others, put the BLUE dot on your name tag to indicate you are unmarried, divorced, widowed, or separated.

GREEN dot = I welcome hugs. • YELLOW dot = Please ask me before hugging. RED dot = I prefer not to be hugged. Please respect the wishes of others regarding hugs.

STAR = I am willing to be asked to help out during the RG. (You retain • the right to decline when asked, of course.) Help may consist of carrying boxes, introducing a speaker, getting ice, making coffee, or who knows what else.

Chocolate Contest Entrants: Deliver your home-made chocolate treats (you can use mixes) to the special events room between 5:45 and 6:15 on Friday evening and fill out an entry form.

Chili Cook- Off Contest Entrants: Please bring your already heated chili to the Special Events room between 10:30 and 11:10 a.m. Saturday and fill out an entry form.

The Best Hugs contest is back! After a many-year absence, we are bringing back the hugs contest and we have a couple of nifty prizes for the two winners. So watch for who gives the best hugs, and be sure to vote for the best male and best female hugger. The ballot is in your registration packet. Please cast your vote in the appropriately marked ballot box, in Hospitality, by 9am on Sunday. (And please respect the wishes of those who don’t want to participate in hugging at all.)

Ballots: Please deposit your ballots for the hugging and chocolate contests and chili cook-off in the marked boxes in Hospitality by 9 a.m. Sunday.

Looking for help or additional information? RG committee members can be identified by their bright YELLOW name tags. If you need help or information, be sure to ask.

RG evaluation form: We really do want your comments and ideas. Please fill out the form and deposit it in the “Evaluation” box in Hospitality before you leave. By submitting your evaluation before 9 a.m. Sunday, you will be entered in a drawing to win one of our valuable raffle prizes.

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Friday

2:00 PM

Registration opens in Lobby

4:00 PM

Hospitality opens

6:30 PM

Huntington Room

Can’t Kindle Everything: Public Libraries in the 21st CenturyRivkah Sass

Mark Twain said “The report of my death was an exaggeration.” The same could be said about public libraries in the 21st Century. In fact, libraries are busier, more relevant and more critical to the survival of democracy than ever before. This session will discuss the future of libraries, what they need to be, where they need to go, and why they matter more than ever.

Rivkah Sass is the director of the 28-Branch Sacramento Public Library.

Hopkins Room

Speed TalkingJohn Reiger

This is a fun way to meet people and give your opinions at the same time. Heard of Speed Dating? Well, this is kind of like it, with one-on-one quick discussion, but without the dating part. Show up for a fast-paced rotation of topics and discussion partners. Even if you know most of the people in the room you are still likely to hear some new and surprising things!

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7:00 PM

Registration moves to the Game Room

7:30 PM

special events Room

Chocolate ContestSharrel Wyatt

Come vote on your favorites!

7:45 PM

Huntington Room

Pedaling into the 21st CenturyDave Werkley

Dave Werkley will discuss transportation needs and options in a post-petroleum economy with an emphasis on sustainable options, and why we can no longer afford a culture based on the internal combustion engine. He has ridden electric bicycles across the country with The Green Riders and is the owner of Very Cool Bikes, an electric bicycle fabricator in Auburn, CA.

Hopkins Room

Egg Drop Vessel CreationDavid Scharlach

Egg-drop containment vessel (CV) creation: Your mission is to create a container for a raw egg that will allow it to be dropped from a height of at least 8 feet without breaking. David Scharlach will provide materials and a brief description of the process to get you started. You do not need to attend this session in order to enter the contest, but attending will allow you to share ideas and team up with your fellow Mensans.

FRiDaY FRiDaY

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9:00 PM

Huntington Room

Reducing Flood Risk in SacramentoPete GhelfiIn 1989, the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) was created to address the area’s vulnerability to catastrophic flooding. What has SAFCA accomplished to date? What are it’s future plans to improve area flood protection?

Pete Ghelfi is the Director of Engineering for the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency and a Certified Flood Plain Manager.

Hopkins Room

Fishbowl (adults only)Kristina Bernette and David Scharlach

Join the Fishbowl! You have heard of the famous Mensa Fishbowl, right? It is a fast-paced, informational, and emotionally safe opportunity to find out what people think about life, sex, children, relationships, and more. This well-moderated event is set up to be able to speak and listen without everyone staring at you. You are likely to learn something new about others’ perceptions!

special events Room

RVC Rap and 2011 AG NewsDebra Reiger

Get the latest scoop on this year’s Annual Gathering (American Mensa’s national convention), which will be in Portland, OR. this summer. Visit with our Regional Vice Chair, Debra Reiger, and hear about what’s going on with the AG, around our region, and with the AMC. If you have questions about what goes on within Mensa, this is a good time to ask.

FRiDaY FRiDaY

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game Room

Cribbage TournamentJerry Moore

New this year, Jerry Moore will be holding a Cribbage Contest for all you cribbage fans. Winners will receive a prize!

Saturday

8:00 AM

Hospitality Opens

9:00 AM

Huntington Room

Alternatives to Fossil Fuel for TransportationProf Andy Frank

Or... Using Plug-In Hybrids, like the Chevy Volt, to improve the electric distribution and transportation while integrating Solar and Wind electric generation.

Professor Andy Frank will introduce us to a 20 year road map for eliminating the use of fossil fuels for transportation, using Solar, Wind, and PHEVs (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles) and current technology. Dr. Frank has 40 years experience teaching at the Universities of Wisconsin and California. His research has been in the development of Hybrid and PHEV cars and trucks.

Hopkins Room

Office YogaLiz Bananafish

Ongoing research shows that accumulation of sedentary time in large blocks has detrimental health effects. Office work is often stressful, and sitting in front of a computer all day can lead to repetitive stress injruies.Come learn simple body breaks that even the least athletically inclined can do, in an office, every day.

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10:15 AM

Huntington Room

Sustainable LandscapingVicky Bartish

“When you tug at a single thing in nature, you will find it attached to the rest of the world.” – John Muir

Whether you landscape or garden in grand fashion, grow lettuce in a pot on the patio, or just appreciate the wonders of Mother Nature when you’re outside, you are impacting large ecological issues—global in their influence. The River-Friendly Landscaping program seeks to educate and influence landscaping practices to make them more environmentally sustainable.

Vicky Bartish is the Interim Executive Director of Ecolandscape California (www.ecolandscape.org), an organization committed to educating professionals and the public about ecologically sound landscape and gardening methods.

Hopkins Room

Joaquin Murieta, Real or Myth?Alton Pryor

Alton Pryor has thoroughly studied Joaquin Murieta, trying to determine if this Hispanic Robin Hood was a real person or something made up by a newspaper writer. He has been a newspaper writer himself and author of more than 20 books.

11:30 AM

special events Room

Chili Cook-offSteve Bickford

Sample some great homemade chili and vote for your favorites. Then go across the hall to Hospitality for condiments and drinks to go with that delicious chili. Remember to cast your ballots by 9 a.m. Sunday! The labeled ballot box will be in Hospitality.

satuRDaY

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12:45 PM

Huntington Room

Armageddon: America and the End of the WorldKel Munger

Kel Munger is a writer and editor at the Sacramento News & Review. She will be presenting a brief history of apocalypse in Western thought (with special attention to the American additions), as well as a few hypotheses on why Americans are exceptionally fascinated with Armageddon. WARNING: The presentation includes many, many pictures of explosions and general carnage.

Hopkins Room

Ask a CopEric Nelson

Here is your opportunity to ask questions about police culture and procedure, or more generally about the Criminal Justice system. (It is not an opportunity to share stories about contact with the police, or personal opinions about police.) Eric has worked in Criminal Justice for years. His police and academic expertise is in the investigation of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.

2:00 PM

Huntington Room

Pirates of the Caribbean: Haiti TodayLeisa Barnes & Paul Burke

Paul and Leisa will present a sociohistoric overview of Haiti and give an update on the work the Children’s Hope does there. They will also give a report on the earthquake and cholera epidemic as well as a political update on the upcoming Presidential election in Haiti.

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Leisa Faulkner is founder of Children’s Hope and has been to Haiti 17 times. Paul Burke is currently a Professor at two local universitiesand co-chair of the Sacramento Progressive Alliance and Executive officer for Children’s Hope.

Hopkins Room

Disability Round TableEric Nelson

Our own Eric Nelson will conduct a guided discussion on all aspects of disability, including his own personal experiences, resource and ideas sharing, the hearing impaired culture, and laws, access, obstacles, solutions, etc. He will invite others to share their experience. The non-challenged are also encouraged to attend.

special events Room

Don’t Fear The Dark...Jeff Olson

Have you ever thought...”Help, someone gave me a beer I can’t see through and I don’t know what to do!”? We can help, trust us. Jeff Olson, MENSA member and beer enthusiast will guide you on a wonderful journey to embrace the Dark Side of beer. We will travel through the roasty and malty world of dark ales, porters and stouts, oh my! We will be tasting and sampling along the way. And yes, there will be some you can’t see through...YUM! So whether you’re already a lover of the Dark or just Dark curious, join Jeff for the adventure of the afternoon. Space will be limited to the first 20 hardy souls.

3:15 PM

Huntington Room

A Harry Potter QuizJan Carmikle

Come join us for a fun multi-media quiz on all things Harry Potter.

satuRDaY

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Hopkins Room

Lightning TalksAndy Lampenfeld

Come hear what your fellow Mensans have to say. Each speaker has five minutes to talk about the topic of his or her choice in one of the following categories: comedy, philosophy and politics, general rant, hobbies, general topics or your favorite vacation spot. Here’s the catch: When the allotted five minutes are up, a speaker must yield the floor immediately. No overtime allowed. Audience questions and comments at the end, if time permits. If you did not sign up in advance, there may still be a time slot for you. Check at the door to see if we can schedule you.

game Room

Hearts TournamentHugh Everett

We are carrying on the tradition instigated by Charlie Bruce. Those who have played know it is unpredictable but always fun! Those who haven’t have a great opportunity to discover what fun it is to capture both queens of spades with their deuce of clubs!

4:30 PM

Huntington Room

Virtualizing Our WorldEleanor Tesoro

Whether you’re a virtual reality veteran or a newbie, or even if you’ve never heard of virtual reality worlds, join us as we discuss how this emerging social platform is changing our real lives. Whether your interest is social, business, education, non-profit, technical or artistic, discover new ways to expand your world through virtual living.

satuRDaY

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Hopkins Room

Blood, Sweat, TearsShawn Ramos & Max Baker

Do you really know what happens after the First Responders and Coroner leave? See the aftermath of a personal, unfortunately, unexpected tradedy.

special events Room

All Wrapped Up: An Introduction to Wire Wrapped and Origami JewelryMaryellen Burns and Leo Dabaghian

Learn to twist, bend, weave, and wrap wire and fold paper to create wearable art. Discover the basic tools and techniques in this beginning workshop with Maryellen Burns and Leo Dabaghian — using everyday wire you can purchase at hardware stores, old magazines, and origami papers.

6:00 Pm

capital Room

Banquet7:30 PM

capital Room keYnote speakeR:

Egypt’s Revolution: Its Causes and ImplicationsProfessor Ayad Al Qazzaz

Ayad Al Qazzaz is a Professor of Sociology at CSUS. He has written three books and over 50 articles on Iraq and the middle east.

If you didn’t attend the banquet, please join us in the Capital Room anytime after 7:20 pm for the keynote speaker.

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8:45 pm

capital Room

The Amazing Cultural History the Big DipperDavid Scharlach

Throughout history this easily recognized asterism has enchanted people with numerous tales and even guided them to freedom. David will present an entertaining and fast-paced presentation that you will find both interesting and informative.

10:00 PM

Hopkins Room

Joke Off (adults only)Andy Lampenfeld

Come to the ever-popular RG staple: the Joke-Off! Bring your best jokes, double entendres and puns and share them with an appreciative crowd. Or just show up and listen – it’s good to have an audience.

midnight

Hospitality closes

Sunday

2:00 am

Set your clocks forward an hour. Daylight Savings strikes again!

satuRDaY

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8:00 AM

Hospitality opens

9:00 AM

Huntington Room

Roseville Train Yard ExplosionWalt Wilson

April 28, 1973. Seven thousand bombs destined for Viet Nam started exploding in the Antelope Rail Yard of Southern Pacific Rail Road.

Walt Wilson, a retired SP conductor, tells the tale of destruction.

10:15 AM

Huntington Room

Sikhs: Their Religious and Social InstitutionsDr. Amrik Singh

Even though Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world, it is rarely mentioned. As a result, Sikhs are frequently mistaken for Muslims and terrorists. Dr. Amrik Singh will educate us about this unfamiliar religion.

Dr. Singh has taught in India and is currently teaching Foreign Languages and Ethnic Studies at CSUS.

outsiDe FoYeR aDjacent to tHe elevatoR

Egg Drop ContestDavid Scharlach

Egg-drop contest: Going, going, SPLAT!! This is it! Put up or forever hold your piece! We’ll be mixing whites and yolks along with our metaphors. The egg-drop containment vessels (CVs) that you’ve slaving over to put together all weekend will meet their ultimate test. Can your CV protect it’s egg passenger from total oblivion? Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at the Sunday Wrap-up.

satuRDaY

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sunDaY

11:30 AM

Huntington Room

The Road to TahrirSarah Moussa

Sarah Moussa will be discussing the recent happenings in Egypt, why, and what she expected to happen next. She is an American born Egyptian who remains very closely tied to Egypt, as her whole family lives there. She works in the Capitol and seeks to help bring democratic reforms to Egypt utilizing the skills she has acquired here in Sacramento’s political scene. Engaged to be married to her Egyptian fiancé, Sarah looks forward to perhaps moving to Egypt after marriage to help rebuild a new Egypt.

12:45 PM–

Huntington Room

RG Wrap up and prizesAlas, the weekend is almost over. Before we go, we’ll hand out prizes, thank everyone who worked so hard and say our good-byes for this year’s RG. See you next year!

Immediately following...

HospitalitY

Last Dog Party and Cleanup Hasn’t this been great fun? Stick around for a bit – we will snack on leftover food and enjoy each other’s company while we clean up and pack up. We need to be out about 3 p.m., so lots of hands can get us checked out on time. This is a fun way to end the weekend. Then, after plenty of hugs, we can start looking forward to next year’s RG.

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Special Events Room Other

Friday

4:00–6:00 PM6:30–7:30 PM7:30–9:00 PM Chocolate Contest9:00–10:00 PM RVC Rap Game Room: Cribbage

Saturday

9:00–10:00 AM

10:15–11:15 AM11:30–12:30 AM Chili Cook-off12:45–1:45 PM2:00–3:00 PM Beer Tasting3:15–4:15 PM Game Room: Hearts4:30–5:30 PM Craft Project6:00–7:15 PM Capital Room: Banquet7:30–8:30 PM Capital Room: Middle East8:45–9:45 PM Capital Room: The Big Dipper10:00–11:30 PM

Sunday

9:00–10:00 AM10:15–11:15 AM Outside Foyer: Egg Drop11:30–12:30 PM12:45 PM–

Huntington Room Hopkins Room

Friday

4:00–6:00 PM6:30–7:30 PM Can’t Kindle Everything Speed Talking7:45–8:45 PM Pedaling into the 21st Century Egg Drop Vessel Creation9:00–10:00 PM Reducing Flood Risk Fish Bowl (Adults Only)

Saturday

9:00–10:00 AM Alternatives to Fossil Fuel for Transportation Office Yoga

10:15–11:15 AM Sustainable Landscaping Joaquin Murieta11:30–12:30 PM12:45–1:45 PM Armageddon Ask a Cop2:00–3:00 PM Haiti Disability Round Table3:15–4:15 PM Harry Potter Quiz Lightning Talks4:30–5:30 PM Virtualizing Our World Blood, Sweat, Tears6:00–7:15 PM7:30–8:30 PM8:45–9:45 PM10:00–11:30 PM Joke Off (Adults Only)

Sunday

9:00–10:00 AM Roseville Train Yard Explosion10:15–11:15 AM Sikhs11:30–12:30 PM The Road to Tahrir12:45 PM– RG Wrap-up/Last Dog

Program Grid

Gold CountryRegional Gathering

March 11–13, 2011

Sacramento Regional Mensa presents…

3rd Floor

Building Map

1st Floor

LOBBY

Egg Drop Contest