Join Morro Bay Museum of Natural History for “Mind Walks”

Morro Bay, CA – The Morro Bay Museum of Natural History in Morro Bay State Park will offer “Mind Walks” for the public in the month of February 2007. All programs take place in the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History auditorium, from 10:15 AM to 12:00 noon.
Mind Walk Topics for Mondays in February 2007

Voyage to Antarctica
Feb. 5, 2007 10:15AM - Noon
Join the crew as we sail through the Chilean fiords and cross the Drake passage to Antarctica. Discover how Antarctica formed, why it is so cold, and how birds and animals, including the ubiquitous penguin, have adapted to the harshest climate on the planet.
Biography: Anne Klinger has a BS degree cum laude from Central Michigan University, MA from Berkeley, and PhD from Washington State University; Taught at Univ. of Illinois, Chicago branch, and Clatsop Community College in Astoria, Oregon, where she taught anatomy and physiology. Fulbright exchange teacher to England in 1986-87 academic year, and retired in 1993. Avocation: Sport of fencing. Member of two U.S. championship teams, and participant in two World Cup in France and England, placing 9th in the latter.

Our World: Poetic Visions
Feb. 12, 2007 10:15AM - Noon
Like the ancient shaman, storyteller or tribal elder, the poet and natural history docent of today interpret the phenomena of our world for their audience. The poet's vision, expressed through the artistry of language, helps the listener understand and connect with the subject of the vision. Local poets Ken Solomon and Beverly Boyd will present their own poetry as well as that of other poets to interpret interesting places and people, cultures and creatures, times and themes of our world.
Biographies: Ken Solomon is an agricultural engineer specializing in irrigation and water management. He started writing poetry to record experiences from his agricultural travels. He has had poems published in Art/Life and Zyzzyva. Active in local writing workshops, Ken lives in Morro Bay. Beverly Boyd has over 30 years' experience teaching English literature and composition. Her poetry has been published in such journals as Thema, California Quarterly, English Journal, and Lynx Eye. Beverly lives in Los Osos.

Shake Rattle and Roll
Feb. 19, 2007 10:15AM - Noon
We live in earthquake country. The talk will explore the causes, mechanics and hazards associated with earthquakes. We will look at the techniques of measuring the magnitude and intensity of earthquakes. Finally, we will examine some historical events that remind us of the severity of earthquakes and present some ways we can minimize damage during earthquakes.
Biography: John McCabe is past President of the Santa Lucia Rockhounds, a gem and mineral society. He is an instructor in Community Programs and a tutor of geology at Cuesta College. He is a regular speaker at the Museum of Natural History and has given numerous talks throughout the community. John holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering from the University of Arizona.

Survey the Wreck of the USS Macon
Feb. 26, 2007 10:15AM - Noon
The naval airship USS Macon went down in a storm over Big Sur in 1935. The remains of the wreck were discovered in 1990. In September, 2006, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) conducted an expedition to explore the wreck and document its remains. Learn more about this remarkable part of naval history, and see what the researchers discovered.
Biography: Michele Roest is Southern Region Program Coordinator, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.