There are a number of interesting lectures taking place around the Bay area this week, including a good run at the Commonwealth Club. On Saturday, it's Space Games! with Bill Nye The Science Guy - an all day free family event at the Chabot Space & Science Center in East Oakland.

A short list of titles, dates, and times is presented first, followed by the details.

Note: I will be posting a calendar of science events weekly on Mondays. If you are running (or know about) an upcoming science event in the Bay area that you think I should list here, let me know via: science.examiner (at) gmail.com.

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Monday, June 16th,  7-9 PM
A Solution to the Omnivore’s Dilemma: The Perspective of a Nutrition Scientist
Dr. Christopher Gardner, Stanford University
Science Cafe SF
Atlas Cafe - 3049 20th St at Alabama St in the Mission District.

Tuesday, June 17th,  5:15 PM
The Islands of San Francisco Bay
James Martin, Photojournalist; Author, The Islands of San Francisco Bay
Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., 2nd Floor, San Francisco

Wednesday,  June 18th,  5:30 PM
The End of Food
Paul Roberts: Author, The End of Food
Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., 2nd Floor, San Francisco

Friday, June 20th, 11:30AM
The Political Mind
George Lakoff, Co-founder/Sr. Fellow, Rockridge Institute; Author, The Political Mind
Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., 2nd Floor, San Francisco

Saturday, June 21st, 10am - 6pm
Space Games - Free Family Fun
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd Oakland

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The details:
(Text from sources)

Monday, June 16th,  7-9 PM
A Solution to the Omnivore’s Dilemma: The Perspective of a Nutrition Scientist
Dr. Christopher Gardner, Stanford University
Science Cafe SF
Atlas Cafe - 3049 20th St @ Alabama St in the Mission District.
Links: Sciencecafesf  atlascafe

Blueberries. Fish. Soy. Broccoli. Whole Wheat Bread. The Mediterranean Diet. Vegetarian Diets. The Paleolithic Diet. The Atkins Diet. Big Macs. Whoppers. Supersized fries. Krispy Kreme Donuts. Organic. Local. Sustainable.

People have been eating food for as long as….well, for as long as there have been people. Scientists have been studying foods and their impact on health for a long time too, although not as long as there have been people. The variety of foods and food-like substances available for consumption has increased more in the last 50 years than in the last 50 million years. It is frustrating that nutrition scientists and related health professionals aren’t more helpful with clear advice and guidance as to how to navigate among all these choices.

It can’t be all that hard to study it, can it? After all, it’s just food. Christopher Gardner, an associate professor of medicine at Stanford University, with a PhD in Nutrition Science from UC Berkeley, has been studying foods and their relationships to human health by conducting NIH-funded nutrition trials for the past decade. He doesn’t have all the answers. In fact, he doesn’t even have all the questions. But he is prepared to share the insights of his last 10 years studying nutrition and health.


Tuesday, June 17th,  5:15 PM
The Islands of San Francisco Bay
James Martin, Photojournalist; Author, The Islands of San Francisco Bay
Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., 2nd Floor, San Francisco
Link: CommonwealthClub

Do you know that there are 48 ecologically diverse and historically fascinating islands in San Francisco Bay? Martin is a longtime rock climber, hiker and photographer who has photographed all 48 of these islands. Come see his stunning photographs and hear about the natural setting we often take for granted.

Phone: (415) 597-6700
Fax: (415) 597-6729
Time: 5:15 p.m. reception, 5:45 p.m. program
Cost: $8 members, $15 non-members


Wednesday,  June 18th,  5:30 PM
The End of Food
Paul Roberts: Author, The End of Food
Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., 2nd Floor, San Francisco
Link: CommonwealthClub

Roberts serves up a fascinating exploration of global food production, transport and consumption and the health issues plaguing people globally.

A salmonella outbreak is causing people to think twice about eating tomatoes. Meanwhile, a global food shortage has led to the hording of rice and fears about the availability of corn. What's happening to our food supply? Roberts takes a close look at food production, transport and consumption on a global scale, uncovering disturbing trends about the system we all entrust to handle our food.

Location: Club Office
Time: 5:30 p.m. wine and cheese reception, 6 p.m. program, 7 p.m. book signing
Cost: $12 members, $18 non-members


Friday, June 20th, 11:30AM
The Political Mind
George Lakoff, Co-founder/Sr. Fellow, Rockridge Institute; Author, The Political Mind
Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., 2nd Floor, San Francisco
Link: CommonwealthClub

Progressives have been fighting a losing battle in America for the last 30 years, says Lakoff, largely because he says that the majority of citizens vote against their own self interests. Lakoff explains how our brains really work, why language is so important, and how Democrats can use this to their advantage to win the November elections.  

Location: Club Office
Time: 11:30 a.m. check-in, noon program, 1 p.m. book signing
Cost: MEMBERS FREE, $15 non-members


Saturday, June 21st, 10am - 6pm
Space Games - Free Family Fun
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd Oakland
Link: SpaceGames

2008 marks the 125th year that we've been putting our Universe in focus!
We're celebrating all year and you can participate!

What do Mars Drop, Space Bingo and Solar Ball have in common? Find out at the Chabot Space Games, June 21st!

Special guests, including science educator and television personality Bill Nye The Science Guy, will add to the lively atmosphere. Enjoy FREE Admission, music, costumed characters, refreshments & interactive fun!
 
Mars Drop Challenge
12pm, 1pm, 4pm
Do you have the right stuff to land your probe safely on Mars? Your challenge is to design & deploy a landing probe safely from our decks.

MoonQuest
11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm
A hands-on, simulated spaceflight, in which participants take on the role of astronauts & work in teams to overcome adversities & land a spacecraft safely on the surface of the Moon.

Rocket Rally
12pm, 2pm, 4pm
Are you ready to design a rocket and send it to Jupiter or beyond? In the Rocket Rally, teams will design small air powered rockets and compete to see whose flies the farthest in our simulated Solar System.

Space Bingo
11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
The ultimate challenge, test your knowledge with space bingo. This isn't your grandma's bingo.

Solar Ball
11am, 12pm, 1pm, 3pm
Bowl the planets into place, their proper spots in space. Within the Solar System's border, put the planets in their order.

Solar Lego™ Car Challenge
12pm, 2pm, 4pm
Design, build and race Lego™ solar cars! Come and see how fast, tall & creative you can make your car.

Universal Space Hunt
Throughout the Day
The Great Space Hunt, experience the full throttle excitement of exploring the universe by participating in our interactive scavenger hunt & explore our exhibits in a whole new way!