Jojo Capece, Author

San Francisco author Capece’s latest novel, set in Capri, focuses on Esmeralda Pembrook’s life, which erupts, revealing prejudices of class, religion, age, gender, race and nationality. Tolerance and the capacity to endure bring a surprising finale to Capece’s novel of love, greed and intrigue. Capece will describe her fascination with all things Italian, including Berlusconi, the recently retired Pope, Verdi’s music in the 200th year of his birth, the Italian Year of Culture in San Francisco and Caravaggio’s masterpiece making an appearance in our city.

MLF: Humanities
Location: SF Club Office
Time: 5:30 p.m. networking reception, 6 p.m. program, 7 p.m. book signing
Cost: $20 non-members, $8 members, $7 students (with valid ID)
Program Organizer: George Hammond
Also know: Photo courtesy the London Evening Standard

Mahesh Kale, Vocal performer

Monday Night Philosophy takes another look at the connections between ideas and music, this time by analyzing the classical music traditions of India. Kale is not only a classical vocalist but also sings the semi-classical forms like Thumri, Dadra, Tappa, Bhajans, Bhavgeet and Natyasangeet. He will take us through the journey of Indian classical music, elucidating the nuances and peculiarities of the forms of classical music from the Vedic period to the current classical, semi-classical and collaborative forms, providing a basis for better appreciation.

MLF: Humanities
Location: SF Club Office
Time: 5:30 p.m. networking reception, 6 p.m. program
Cost: $20 non-members, MEMBERS FREE, $7 students (with valid ID)
Program Organizer: George Hammond
Also know: In association with Humanities West

Steve Bhaerman, Author; Performer (as Swami Beyondanda)

Monday Night Philosophy laughs along with the enlightening philosophy of humor elucidated by Bhaerman (the man behind Swami Beyondananda). His hilarious and insightful talk will inspire you to use the magic of humor to gain wisdom, perspective and of course, joy. You'll laugh while you learn and learn while you laugh!

MLF: Humanities
Location: SF Club Office
Time: 5:30 p.m. networking reception, 6 p.m. program
Cost: $20 non-members, MEMBERS FREE, $7 students (with valid ID)
Program Organizer: George Hammond

Mary Ruckelshaus, Ph.D., Managing Director, The Natural Capital Project
Heather Tallis, Ph.D., Lead Scientist, The Nature Conservancy
Rich Sharp, Ph.D., Lead Software Developer, The Natural Capital Project

The appeal of seeing nature as a vital asset – as natural capital – has spread like fire over the last decade. This concept appears in thinking about agriculture, water, energy, health, fisheries, forestry, protection from hazards, mining, cities and the infrastructure supporting these and other vast sectors – and it increasingly appears in the ways communities, corporations, governments and other institutions frame decisions. Despite this awareness and energy, however, our state and planet remain besieged by degradation and growing threats of catastrophic change.

Leaders of The Natural Capital Project and The Nature Conservancy will talk about how they are using the power of open-source software tools to transform how communities and institutional leaders around the world include the value of natural capital in decisions improving outcomes for biodiversity and human wellbeing.

MLF: Science & Technology/Humanities/International Relations
Location: SF Club Office
Time: 5:30 p.m. networking reception, 6 p.m. program
Cost: $20 non-members, $8 members, $7 students (with valid ID)
Program Organizer: Chisako Ress

Anthony D. Barnosky, Professor, Department of Integrative Biology, UC Berkeley; Cox Visiting Professor, Department of Environmental Earth System Science, Stanford University

Monday Night Philosophy highlights Professor Barnosky's research into how global change influences extinction dynamics and biodiversity maintenance. The most recent generation has witnessed humanity changing the planet in both positive and negative ways. Barnosky explains that the key challenge for the 21st century is to ensure that the negative changes, now accelerating, do not limit our capacity to make our children's world at least as good as our own.

MLF: Humanities/Science & Technology
Location: SF Club Office
Time: 5:30 p.m. networking reception, 6 p.m. program
Cost: $20 non-members, MEMBERS FREE, $7 students (with valid ID)
Program Organizer: George Hammond