May 27, 2009 at 6:00 PM

Al’s Whiskey Bar
321 S Clinton St
Syracuse, NY 13202

Join us for drinks and rational conversation as we gather at Al’s in Armory Square on Wednesday, May 27th, at 6 PM.

Celebration of Technology Awards Banquet

CNY Skeptics took part in the TACNY Celebration of Technology Awards Banquet on May 11. David Harding (vice president) staffed the information table. Also in the photo above are Michael Kingston (treasurer) and Bryce Hand. Judy Hand (secretary) took the picture.

Summertime

It’s nearly summer, and the skeptics are taking it easy until the fall. Check here for any summer happenings. Or make it easier on yourself and subscribe to our feed.

Photo credits: “A glass of wine – Rauðvínstár” by Onzth and “One day last summer” by Lida Rose.

Image by freeparking on flickr

Monthly Meeting

Monday, April 27, 2009

Attorney Diane Darwish on Controversies in Family Law

Business meeting at 6:30
Program at 7:00

Betts Branch Library
Meeting Room
4862 S. Salina St.
Syracuse, NY 13205

At our 6:30 business meeting we will be holding elections. After the business meeting we will hear from local attorney Diane Darwish on recent controversies in family law decisions.

View Google Map and Get Directions to Betts

Skeptics in the Pub

April 15, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Al’s Whiskey Bar
321 S Clinton St
Syracuse, NY 13202

View Google map and get directions to Al’s

We’re back at Al’s with Jess and friends. Please join us for drinks and conversation.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Homeopathy: New Science or New Age

Speaker: Mahlon Wagner, Ph.D.

Business meeting at 6:30
Program at 7:00

Image by Hypergurl on flickr

Betts Branch Library
Meeting Room
4862 S. Salina St.
Syracuse, NY 13205

View Google Map and Get Directions to Betts

The Program

Homeopathy is a system of alternative medicine that was introduced in the early nineteenth century by a German physician,
Samuel Christian Hahnemann, who was dissatisfied with contemporary medical treatments.

Today homeopathy is found in almost every country. In Europe 40% of French physicians use homeopathy; 40% of Dutch;
37% of British and 20% of German physicians use homeopathy. It is also becoming more and more popular in the United States.

Supporters of homeopathy include the British royal family, Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Mark Twain, O. J. Simpson, Yehudi Menuhin, and Angela Lansbury.

However, serious questions exist as to whether homeopathy is effective in treating any diseases or ailments.

Dr. Mahlon Wagner has lectured and written extensively on various alternative health treatments including chiropractic, homeopathy and therapeutic touch. Dr. Wagner is a Professor Emeritus from the State University of New York at Oswego.

Skeptics in the Pub

March 11, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Al’s Whiskey Bar
321 S Clinton St
Syracuse, NY 13202

View Google map and get directions to Al’s

We’re back at Al’s with our super skeptic host, Jess. Please join us for drinks and conversation.

Skeptics on Ice – Cancelled!

We’re sorry, but we’ve had to cancel this event.

Photo by Patrick Q on flickr.

CNY Skeptics member Ethan Kocak has created some funny video mashups that combine creationist videos with original animation and commentary by Ethan. Check them out on YouTube.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

“Why America Is Shedding Puritan Values:
Social Nudity – Our Fastest Growing Recreation Sector”

Speaker: Mike Affleck

Business meeting at 6:30
Program at 7:00

Mike Affleck shedding Puritan values

Betts Branch Library
Meeting Room
4862 S. Salina St.
Syracuse, NY 13205

View Google Map and Get Directions to Betts

The Program

This presentation will tell us how we can shed Puritan values by shedding our clothes.

Mike Affleck is an art model and actor, theologian and social activist

Skeptics in the Pub Is Back!

February 11, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Al’s Whiskey Bar
321 S Clinton St
Syracuse, NY 13202

View Google map and get directions to Al’s

We’re back at Al’s with our super skeptic host, Jess. Please join us for drinks and conversation.

Skeptics in the Pub

October 14, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Al’s Whiskey Bar
321 S Clinton St
Syracuse, NY 13202

Map

Come hang out with us at the next Skeptics in the Pub. We can’t wait to see old friends and meet new ones. We’re changing the time because our Skeptics in the Pub super organizer, Jess, has a class and can’t make it any earlier than 7:30.

Speaker Meeting

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

“First Contact: Teaching Evolution to Middle Level Students”

Speaker: Vince Sperrazza

Close View, Shell Imprint Fossil by cobalt123 on Flickr

Business meeting at 6:30
Program at 7:00

Our October meeting will be at a new location. We are moving our meetings around this year to see if we can find a place with the right mix of accessibility, parking, and general ambiance for our needs.

DeWitt Community Library
Buckland Meeting Room
3649 Erie Blvd E
Shoppingtown Mall
DeWitt, NY 13214

Map

The middle school science classroom is often students’ first contact with a scientific presentation on evolution. Veteran middle school teacher Vince Sperrazza will share experiences, recommendations, and resources designed to help educators and prospective educators give students a stimulating, positive introduction to the science of evolution.

The presentation and discussion will include answers to these questions:
What are middle school students like?
What does the NY State Curriculum say about evolution?
How is evolution integrated as the unifying theory of biology in a middle level science classroom?
What successful strategies are useful in introducing the concept of evolution to 12 year olds?

Vince Sperrazza taught middle level science, including evolution, at the Mount Markham Central School District, located in Herkimer County, for 33 years before retiring in June 2006. During his years in the classroom, Vince mentored many student teachers. He authored the article “Evolution and Middle Level Education: Observations and Recommendations” which appeared in the January-April 2005 issue of the journal Reports of the National Center for Science Education. The National Center for Science Education is a “not-for-profit, membership organization providing information and resources for schools, parents and concerned citizens working to keep evolution in public school science education.”