2007 Sep 24 to Sep 30

Sep 24, 2007 - 4:30 PM
CMU - Adamson Wing, Baker Hall 136A
The ULS presents another "Journeys" lecture featuring Psychology Professor Roberta Klatzky. In the Journeys lectures, faculty members share their reflections on their journeys — the everyday actions, decisions, challenges and joys that make a life. Klatzky's talk is titled "Waiting for Life To Happen." Klatzky says: "If you ask someone to describe her life, likely she'll tell you about the inevitable transitions (high school to college); the major decisions (get married? me?); and the big surprises, good (winning the lottery) or calamitous (cancer). But life's definition more often lies in seemingly idle meandering, aided by gentle nudges or currents along the way. It's how your parents met, the frost on the window in winter, the games with your siblings, the trout that jumped off the line. It's the glint of light you catch in the corner of your eye that vanishes when you turn to look directly. Only after you've meandered a way can you look back and see a pattern. In my talk I will look for it."


Monday, September 24, 2007, 4:30 PM,
Univ of Pitt: 103 Allen Hall,
Colloquium, Edward F. Redish, University of Maryland,
"Problem Solving and the Use of Math in Physics Courses,"
Refreshments available at 4:15 PM, PITT
Abstract: Mathematics is an essential element of physics problem solving, but as professionals, we often fail to appreciate exactly what we are doing with it. Math may be the language of science, but math-in-physics is a distinct dialect of that language that requires both more subtlety and more skills than are typically taught in math courses. Research with students in classes ranging from algebra-based physics to graduate quantum mechanics indicates that (1) we sometimes don't appreciate the skills students need to solve the problems we assign, and (2) students problems are sometimes with their expectations about what they are supposed to be doing rather than with their math skills. Implications for instruction will be discussed.
http://www2.physics.umd.edu/~redish/redish.htm
The lecturer collects money bills portraying scientists:
http://www2.physics.umd.edu/~redish/Money/

Tue Sep 25 - 7 pm
Univ of Pitt: 4130 Posvar
International Week Film“Rx for Survival”

Tue Sep 25 - 6:30-9 pm
Univ of Pitt: WPU Assembly Rm.
International Week Film“Blood Diamond”

MICHAEL SIMSdiscusses & signs Apollo’s Fire Tuesday, September 25 at 7:00 PM
Critically acclaimed author Michael Sims brings a scientists curiosity and a poets soul to a delightful tour of a single day on Earth. Most of us do not give a second thought to the elemental rhythms of daily life, but in Apollo’s Fire, Michael Sims sets out to open readers’ eyes to the miraculous events that lie underneath the oldest story on Earth: the passing of a single day.
--Jessie Gruman, Ph.D. Author of AfterShock: What to Do When the Doctor Gives You - or Someone You Love - a Devastating Diagnosis
Dr. Gruman will discuss her book and share personal insight, sound scientific knowledge and practical advice in this free lecture.
“AfterShock is a comprehensive and invaluable guide through the fear and confusion that comes with the news that you or someone close to you has a devastating illness. The plain language and easy to follow instructions make this a ‘must have’ for every family, healthy or otherwise.” - Tom Brokaw, NBC News
September 26, 20076:00 PMCarnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main4400 Forbes Avenue (Oakland)
This event is free and open to the public.

Wed September 26, 2007 - 8:00 pm
The University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Roger Zahab director
Edvard Grieg: Holberg SuiteJohn
Cage: Twenty-three
Bellefield Hall Auditorium, free

Web sep 26 - 6 PM
Full moon run with the hash house harriers
http://www.pgh-h3.com/

Sep 27, 2007 - 4:30 PM
CMU - Adamson Wing, Baker Hall 136A
Jonathan Sawday, professor of English Studies at Strathclyde University. Sawday's talk, co-sponsored by the Humanities Center, is titled "Calculating Engines: Minds, Bodies, Sex and Machines on the Eve of the Enlightenment." The lecture explores the fascination with the idea of creating artificial life and ‘thinking machines’ in the pre-enlightenment period. It concentrates on the pertinent ideas of Descartes, Hobbes, Pascal, and Leibniz, but ends by exploring the ‘anti-machine’ of the late 17th Century, i.e., the malfunctioning sex machines of the notorious John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester.

Thu 9/27/2007 - 8:30 PM
Univ of Pitt, Frick Auditorium
60 minute documentary- free show
Film director Robert Young sits for his first formal portrait with theSpanish painter Félix de la Concha. The film unfolds in an artist's studioin the Pittsburgh Hill District. As we watch de la Concha at work, Youngdiscusses his career filming subjects ranging from nomadic Eskimo tribes toSicilian slum-dwellers. In the process, the two artists discuss theircalling. What drives them to do independent work? How do creative peoplefind their subjects? How are they supported, thwarted and inspired by whatgoes on around them?

Fri 9/28/2007 - 7pm
CMU School Of Art Lecture Series: Mona Hatoum
Carnegie Mellon University
Mona Hatoum was born into a Palestinian family in Beirut, Lebanon in 1952 and now lives and works in London and Berlin. Her poetic and political oeuvre is realized in a diverse and often unconventional range of media, including installations, sculpture, video, photography and works on paper. She'll discuss her work tonight in the McConomy Auditorium.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_Hatoum


Fri Sep 28, 2007
Univ of Pitt International Fair 11-3,
Fashion Show: WPU Assembly 7-8:30pm

Sat-Sun 9/28/2007 - 9/30/2007
Little Italy Days
Bloomfield Business District
The 6th annual "Little Italy Days" features free activities and entertainment for young and old. Expect lots of music, food, games, more food and other fun activities amidst Bloomfield's unique shops and dozen or so fine restaurants.Produced by the Bloomfield Business Association, this event helps tonurture Bloomfield's Little Italy identity, to promote family values andthe community to the region, and to encourage people to live, work, shopand play here in the future.

Sat Sep 29, 2007 - 1-4pm
Univ of Pitt, WPU lawn
free asian food samples
http://www.pitt.edu/~asians/

Sun Sep 30 2007 - 10:30 AM
Oakland Gospel Church
corner of Morewood and Ellsworth, Shadyside
basement cafecteria of Winston school

Sat & Sun Sep 29 and Sep 30
McConnell's Mill Festival
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/mcconnellsmill.aspx