Science & Society:  “Science Day” is planned for March 28, 2009. More information to come.

Locus Focus: This interest group begins its new series on Monday, Dec. 1st at 4:00 pm and will continue on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month through to the end of April. The series starts with the Southworths talking about their village deep in the heart of France.

December Forum:  Wednesday, December 3rd at 4:00 pm, Atrium. “Getting a Grip on the 21st Century—A Panel Discussion.” We are poised in the transition period between the historic election of our 44th President, Barack Obama, and his State of the Union speech. Our world faces unprecedented economic, international, political and environmental challenges. The ASPEC Forum will present a panel of distinguished citizens to help us get a better grip on where we are and where we are going in this momentous century. The panel will consist of: Donna Oglesby, Diplomat in Residence, Eckerd College and retired senior Foreign Service officer (USIA), Dr. Bill Heller, re-elected to the Fla. House of Representatives, District 52; Prof. Special Education and former Regional Chancellor, USF-SP, Brian Southworth, Physicist, European Laboratory for Particle Physics, Physics Journal Editor, and Science Exhibition Organizer, and Janine Farver, Exec. Director, The Florida Humanities Council. The Panel will be chaired by Dr. Merle F. Allshouse, President Emeritus, Bloomfield College, Fellow, Florida Studies, USF-SP College and retired ASPEC director.

Visual Arts:  Wednesday, December 10 at 1:30,  Clark Lambert will take us on a trip photographically. On December 17, we will not meet, as it is an Assembly Day.

Talking Points: We will address the issues of alcohol abuse. Guest speakers are ASPEC member Patrick Dalsemer, licensed Psychotherapist and Board Certified Mental Health Therapist and Whitney Wall, Health
Promotion Director, Eckerd College.

ASPEC Fall 2008 Public Forum Series:
All Free, and Open to the Public

Wednesday, December 3, 4 PM — “Getting a Grip on the 21st Century: The Journey Ahead.”
Dr. Merle F. Allshouse, Former Director of ASPEC.

Wednesday, December 17, 4 PM:  “The Future of Museums in this Economy.” Dr. John Schloder, Director of the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg. Atrium.