July 2011

Death Valley

Wildflowers, Canyons and Controversy
Mon, March 12, 2012 - Fri, March 16, 2012

Explore this magnificent land of extremes with study leader Frank Ackerman, a former Death Valley National Park Ranger. Visit Badwater Salt Falt, which at 282 feet below sea level, is the lowest place in the Western Hemisphere and the eighth lowest place on Earth. Enjoy a stunning panoramic view of all 11,049 feet of Telescope Peak. Hike through the multi-hued walls of Golden Canyon, and experience sunrise at Zabriskie Point. Learn about the dramatic geology, the remarkably hardy flora and fauna, and the controversial issues surrounding the park. Read more »

Travel Cost: 

$1,995 per person, double occupancy

 

Moroccan Discovery

From the Imperial Cities to the Sahara
Sat, April 28, 2012 - Fri, May 11, 2012
Travel Cost: 

$5,295 per person, double occupancy, including air from SFO

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Professor Frank H. Shu: Nuclear Energy After Fukushima

Published in:
Tue, Sep 27 2011 - 6:00pm

Nuclear Energy After Fukushima
Frank H. Shu, University Professor Emeritus, UC Berkeley and UC San Diego
The media and public reaction to the nuclear accident at Fukushima involving light water reactors and their associated spent-fuel storage pools threaten to cripple the nuclear renaissance that is humanity’s best hope for mitigating climate disruption, Shu contends. He will review how light water reactors and the “once-through” fuel cycle came to dominate the landscape for generating nuclear power today and assess options for the future. Read more »

Dr. Alex Feng: The Tai Ji Way to Healthy Living

Published in:
Image - Dr. Alex Feng: The Tai Ji Way to Healthy Living
Wed, Oct 12 2011 - 6:00pm

The Tai Ji Way to Healthy Living

Dr. Alex Feng, LAc, Ph.D., OMD, Founder, Zhi Dao Guan, Taoist Center

Tai Ji Quan is a Chinese internal martial art that emphasizes working with your qi, or life energy, with precise body postures and natural movements to improve physical health and increase energy. Tai Ji is so versatile that people of all ages can find it useful. Feng will give a live demonstration of the form, and audience members will be able to participate. He is a grandmaster of this traditional Chinese internal martial art form. Read more »

Cloud Computing and Customers: Strategies for Success

Published in:
Tue, Sep 20 2011 - 6:00pm

Cloud Computing and Customers: Strategies for Success

Chris Jones, Principal, Engineering and Strategy, Hot Studio
Ian McFarland, Vice President of Technology, Principal, Pivotal Labs

Without massive customer adoption, any cloud strategy is prone to failure. Jones and McFarland posit that we need to shift our thinking from pushing computation to pulling demand. Learn from two industry insiders about this newly emerging field and how to make it work for you, your company and your customers. Read more »

Joshua Goldstein, Ph.D.: Winning the War on War - The Decline of Armed Conflict Worldwide

Published in:
Wed, Sep 21 2011 - 12:00pm

Winning the War on War: The Decline of Armed Conflict Worldwide
Joshua Goldstein, Ph.D., Author; Professor Emeritus of International Relations, American University
Despite the headlines, armed conflict is decreasing and peace is succeeding, Goldstein maintains. Fewer wars are starting, more are ending, and those that remain are smaller and more localized than in past years. Read more »