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2012: The End of Time AG
Table of Contents
Foldout map of AG properties ................................................................................................Inside front cover
Welcome from the AG2012 Chair ............................................................................................................................. 2
AG2012 Committee .............................................................................................................................................................. 2
With thanks ................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Welcome from the Mayor ................................................................................................................................................ 4
Welcome from the Governor........................................................................................................................................... 5
Tours ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Meal events ................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Hospitality ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Volunteer!...................................................................................................................................................................................10
Debate Room ..........................................................................................................................................................................11
Gifted youth program ........................................................................................................................................................12
Registration / Logistics ..................................................................................................................................................14
AG hotel information ..........................................................................................................................................................16
Programs: Wednesday, July 4 ..................................................................................................................................18
Programs: Thursday, July 5..........................................................................................................................................23
Programs: Friday, July 6 .................................................................................................................................................35
Tear-out daily program summaries ........................................................................................................................37
Programs: Saturday, July 7 ..........................................................................................................................................51
Programs: Sunday, July 8 .............................................................................................................................................61
Speaker Biographies........................................................................................................................................................62
Walking map of Reno ................................................................................................................. Inside back cover
AG 2012 — 1
Welcome from the AG2012 Chair
I would like to welcome all of you to Reno and the 2012
Annual Gathering!
The Maya prophesied that 2012 would bring the End of
Time, and here we are! Many thought that the prediction
was for the end of life as we know it, but in reality it was
just a super-early party invitation.
Your AG2012 Committee has worked hard to bring you
the best party it could possibly arrange. No one will go
hungry, or thirsty, or suffer from boredom unless they
really want to. You will find excellent food in our Hospitality Suite and be able to play games, participate in tournaments, and shop to your heart’s content, all in the same
place.
Our program features tremendous diversity with something
for nearly everyone! If what we offer doesn’t satisfy your
craving, there will be Artown activities along the River-
walk every day, and we have arranged discounts at all of
the museums downtown. Our tours will offer unique experiences and tales to tell to those who didn’t go with you; I
can promise you that.
We have arranged entertainment for every night of the AG
to keep the fun times rolling and to give you all the most
return on your registration dollar imaginable.
The committee and I have dedicated our efforts to the
proposition that AGs are about having the most fun possible, and now it is up to you to make it so.
Thank you for coming to Reno; let the party begin!
Ken Wright
AG2012 Chairman
AG2012 Committee
Ken Wright, Chairman
Anna Wright, Very Special Assistant
and Keeper of the Chairman’s Leash
Cookie Bakke, Hotel Liaison
Registration
Carol Hilson, Registrar
Elinor Knechel, Assistant Registrar
Barbara Day, Goodie Bags
Entertainment
Chelsea Chen, Entertainment Director
Cara Hoepner, Rocky Horror Picture
Show leader
Michael Whalen, Mr. Mensa
Coordinator
Nancy Farrar, Security
Kevin Buchanan, Hospitality
AG Program Booklet and Special
Media
Claire Natola, AG Booklet and Social
Media
Anne Stewart, Media and Marketing
Marc Lederman, Logistics
Mark Pipes, Tours
Programs
Cookie Bakke, Programs
Lisa Van Gemert, Youth Programs
Debra Reiger, LDWs
Gerry Lockhart, Speaker Shepherds
Mary Prior, Assistant Speaker
Shepherd
Games
Joe Kisenwether, Games
Adam Joshua Smargon, Tournament
Director
Pat Merk, Treasurer
2 — AG 2012
Donna Jadis, Mensa Marketplace
Deborah Freeland, Volunteer Coordinator (AGs 2011/2012/2014)
Anne Stewart & Anna Wright, Testing
Coordinators
Todd A. Jacobs, Disability
Ombudsman
AV
Marc Lederman, Logistics
Nico Aguilera, On-site AV
MaDiana (Ma) Diaz, GenX
Coordinator
Administrative Liaisons
John Recht, Second Vice Chairman
(AMC)
Debra Reiger, RVC-8 (Region)
Bob McAllister, Northern Nevada
Mensa LocSec (Local Group)
With our Thanks
American Mensa and the AG2012 Committee extend their sincere thanks to the following:
www.slugfestgames.com
Silver Legacy staff
National Sales Manager: Meg Kennedy; Catering and Conventions:
Lisa Wasserman and Jennifer Powers; Reservations: Rose Rodriguez;
Security: David Bennet and all other
participating departments. A truly
outstanding crew!
Circus Circus staff
Sales Manager: Alix Martinez; Catering and Conventions: Maria Valencia; Reservations: Myrra Estrellado;
Security: Darrell Clifton and all other
participating departments and staff.
Reno Sparks Convention and
Visitors Authority
RGJ Media Publishing
Sierra Dining Guide
Coletta Bwire
www.apegames.com
Reno Chess Academy:
www.renochessacademy.com
National Office
(the crew who contributed to our
success daily!)
Pam Donahoo
Howard Prince
Paige Faulkner
Julie Boone
Rosa Foster
Bryan McKinley
David Peery
And our many volunteers,
speakers and performers who
have given so generously of
their time to make our great
event even better.
AG 2012 — 3
4 — AG 2012
AG 2012 — 5
Tours and special discounts
Wednesday, July 4
Thursday, July 5
Mustang Ranch
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $25
Take this guided tour of the world-famous Mustang Ranch
and, if the legal issues are resolved in time, the Wildhorse
Ranch. The grounds and buildings are fantastic and the
stories are both fascinating and hilarious. Find out what
goes on in this adult playground! Registration is open only
to adults over the age of 21.
M.S. Dixie Tahoe Cruise
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $50
Mountains, intensely blue water, cool air in July — enjoy
a paddlewheel cruise on beautiful Lake Tahoe on a summer day! The M.S. Dixie rivals the paddlewheelers of the
Mississippi in size, with a capacity of 520 passengers, and
you get a much prettier view. Food and drink is available
onboard but not included in the tour price.
Additional Tours and Attractions
Self-guided walking tours and tours with free transportation close at hand are planned for the following:
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The National Automobile Museum, where AG-goers
will receive a $2 discount by showing their Mensa AG
badges or Mensa membership cards. The regular admission price is $10, and the museum is both familyfriendly and photographer-friendly. You can easily
spend hours in there (your AG Chair does!).
The Nevada Museum of Art, where Mensa attendees
will get a $2 discount by showing their AG badges.
The Discovery (aka the Terry Lee Wells Nevada
Discovery Museum), a new hands-on, exploratoriumtype of museum that kids of all ages will love. Regular
admission is $10.
The Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center at
the University of Nevada, Reno are just a few minutes
north on Virginia Street; you can walk there or take the
free Spirit Bus. Our good friends there will be running
the program “Maya Skies” in cooperation with our
End of Time AG theme!
CommRow continues to grow and amaze! Not only do
they have the world’s tallest climbing wall (164 feet above
the starting point on the second floor), but inside they have
thousands of square feet of bouldering area to play on. Plus
food, drink and music! For more information, visit www.
commrow.com.
Artown began July 1 and will feature art, music and
entertainment along the Riverwalk and at Wingfield Park
amphitheater every day and evening.
Reno Fun Tours is now onboard the End of Time party
train! These Segway tours include an instruction period
6 — AG 2012
Please note the following:
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Buy your tour tickets at AG Registration.
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All tours will depart from and return to the Silver
Legacy valet parking area, through the doors nearest to the Adventure desk.
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Return times are approximate.
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Don’t forget your essentials such as drinking
water, medications, batteries for your camera,
sunscreen, etc.
and a guide. AG-goers get a $7 discount! Reno Fun Tours
is located by the Reno Arch; visit www.renofuntours.com
for details.
July 5
The Davidson Academy at UNR is a short distance to the
north on Virginia Street and is accessible on foot or via
the free bus. The academy will open its doors for tours by
Mensa AG attendees, giving us a look at one of the country’s finest educational facilities for gifted children; it is the
only public school of its kind for profoundly gifted middle
and high school students. Every student at this school
qualifies to be in Mensa. For more information, visit www.
davidsonacademy.unr.edu.
THE mEAL pLAN AT
The End of Time
The meal plan for AG 2012 features three events where each plate is well-balanced,
wonderfully presented and of excellent quality.
Purchase your meal plan for $93, or buy each meal individually, at AG Registration.
July 6: Friday Awards Luncheon
$25 if purchased individually
Your meal will begin with a salad of baby spinach, bacon
bits and sliced mushrooms with honey mustard dressing.
You will have your choice of the following entrees:
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Chicken Cordon Bleu: Roasted breast of chicken
stuffed with ham and Swiss cheese, served with porcini sauce
Roast loin of pork, served with apple sage dressing
and potato pancakes
Vegetarian lasagna, served with garlic bread
These entrees will be accompanied by rice pilaf, fresh
seasonal vegetables, freshly baked rolls with butter, and
coffee (regular or decaf) or tea (iced or assorted hot teas).
Dessert will be strawberry cheesecake.
July 7: Saturday Night Banquet and Show
Your meal will begin with a classic Caesar salad of crisp
Romaine, freshly grated Asiago cheese, garlic croutons and
Caesar dressing. You will have your choice of the following entrees:
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The show begins during dinner as skilled performers
dazzle from above. Savor a Cirque-like presentation of
belly dancing, rope climbing, old-time burlesque and
a multiplicity of purely magical acts! Please note this
particular show will be available only as part of the dinner
ticket purchase.
July 8: Sunday breakfast & prize drawing
The Silver Rush Buffet Breakfast includes scrambled eggs,
grilled raisin French toast with butter and maple syrup,
bacon and sausage, breakfast potatoes, a variety of freshly
baked pastries, butter, preserves and honey, seasonal freshcut fruit, freshly squeezed orange juice and assorted chilled
juices.
In celebration of the “End of Time!” AG, more than 20
door prizes with values ranging from $10 to $250 will be
given away! Must be present to claim prize.
Baked filet of salmon, featuring a parsley and tarragon
crust and served in lime butter sauce
Center rack of pork, marinated in Dos Equis beer and
served with chipotle chili
Roast prime rib of beef in rosemary juices and served
with creamed horseradish
Vegetarian Pasta Primavera, topped with the hotel’s
specialty creamy white sauce
These entrees will be accompanied by fresh seasonal vegetables, freshly baked rolls with butter, and coffee (regular
or decaf) or tea (iced or assorted hot teas). Dessert will be
Black Forest gateau.
AG 2012 — 7
Hospitality AT
The End of Time
Because we will be using all of the meeting space in both
the Silver Legacy and Circus Circus, as well as most of the
City of Reno Convention Services meeting space, there
will be three Hospitality areas:
1. The Reno Ballroom will be our main Hospitality. This
23,000-square-foot area will also be home to games,
tournaments, the Mensa Marketplace and the Mensa
Store.
2. The Stop and Go Lounge located in Silver Baron A is
a 5,165-square-foot room located close by our main
speakers area. Authors’ Row will be right outside of
the door and near Registration.
3. The Circus Circus Mandalay 3 will be used by teens,
tweens and the AG Youth Program in their secure
environment.
The Reno Ballroom (RB) is located straight across the
street from the Silver Legacy (SL) and Circus Circus (CC).
Once you exit the hotel, you’re looking at a walk of less
than 500 feet; it’s level, easy to navigate and not unpleasant even at mid-day (summer evenings are particularly delightful in Reno). The entire RB building is non-smoking
inside, although smoking is allowed outdoors.
Hospitality will officially open at 2 p.m. on Wednesday,
July 4, and will close at noon on Sunday (however, you
can still hang around until 2 p.m. on Sunday while any
remaining food is being cleared).
Main Hospitality
Here’s a list of what you can expect in the Reno Ballroom.
In short, tummies will be well provided for.
Meals
A Continental breakfast service on Thursday, Friday,
Saturday and Sunday will open at 7 a.m. You may expect
breakfast foods to include the following:
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Bagels (variety of flavors with knives/holders to cut
them) and cream cheese (plain and at least one other
flavor)
Breads to toast (wheat, whole grain, white), and butter,
peanut butter and jelly
Hard-boiled eggs
Cold cereal
Hot cereal packets
Yogurt (individual containers)
8 — AG 2012
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Doughnuts/muffins and cinnamon rolls
Coffee service (regular and decaf) and hot chocolate
Juice (apple, orange each day plus one other variety
each day)
Water (hot and cold)
Milk (at least two types — whole and 1-percent, for
example), as well as soy or rice milk
Sodas (full variety of both Coke and Pepsi products)
Unsweetened iced tea and a variety of tea bags
Serve-yourself lunches will be served 11:45 a.m. to 1:30
p.m. on Thursday and Saturday.
Serve-yourself dinners will be served 5:45 p.m. to 7:30
p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Menus
Daily lunch and dinner options will be of a standard measurable to the following suggestions:
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Assorted sausages and sauerkraut
Meat and cheese ravioli
Meat lasagna
Kentucky BBQ
Potato bar
Vegetarian chili and lasagna
Fried or BBQ chicken
Pasta bar (sauces to include tomato sauce, butter,
meatballs, cheese, veggies, Italian bread, etc.)
Taco bar (taco meat, vegetarian beans, toppings, taco
shells)
Make your own sandwich (sliced meats, cheeses, lettuce, tomato, breads)
Assorted cold salads, (tuna, chicken, egg, pasta, threebean)
Each choice will be made as reasonable fare/variety to
comprise a “meal.” As a reminder, lunches and dinners
will be “serve yourself.”
During non-meal times, we’ll be in “snack mode.” Beginning at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, you may expect to see the
following diversity of items:
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Beverages (sodas, coffee service, iced tea, lemonade,
water)
Crackers (Ritz or Townhouse or similar and a multigrain type)
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Sliced meat for crackers (pepperoni/salami slices, etc.)
Soup and salad bar
Goldfish crackers or similar
Cold veggie trays (carrots, celery, broccoli, standard
fare) and tomatoes
Fresh fruit (apples, oranges, bananas, grapes)
Granola bars
Cheese trays
Hard-boiled eggs
Hot dogs
Hot soft pretzels
Plain water packed tuna
Hummus
Whole-grain pita bread
Dips for crackers and veggies (ranch and onion, other
at hotel’s choice)
Various salty chips/snacks (potato, corn, pretzel, Cheetos, peanuts, etc.)
Dried fruit (raisins, pineapple, apricots, etc.)
Sweeteners
Condiments like brown mustard, relish, mayo, honey,
ketchup, yellow mustard, hot sauce, mild salsa
Salt/pepper on the tables
Nacho cheese and chips
Popcorn
Ice cream bars
Cookies and brownies
Various small candies and chocolate bars
Plain and peanut M&Ms
Please note
Beer and wine will be served from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the
Reno Ballroom.
Non-temperature-sensitive items will be available 24/7.
To sum it all up...
Meals will be prepared by hotel chefs. In all, four breakfasts are available, two lunches and three dinners. And,
yes, there will be vegetarian options.
The only meals that will not be covered in Hospitality are
Friday lunch and Saturday dinner. If you do not choose to
participate in the Meal Plan at the End of Time, you can
still hit the Hospitality hot dog machine, the nacho bar or
the snack items. You can also choose from among the 22
restaurants under the single roof of the hotel complex.
There will be plenty of snacks and food items. We ask that
you take what you want, but eat what you take. We also
ask that you bus your own tables whenever possible to cut
down on our volunteer needs.
The two additional Hospitality suites
With 15 minutes between programs, some people will not
want to walk back and forth, so the 2012 AG Committee
is taking special care to meet the needs of our physically
challenged attendees. Each of the two overflow rooms will
be serviced primarily by hotel staff. Attendees are expected
to bus their own tables.
Abbreviated Hospitality fare will be made available in
these two additional locations:
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The Stop and Go Lounge is primarily intended as a
convenient “pit stop” for snack and drink refills between presentations, with a secondary bonus of having
a music venue for small acts and member acoustical
jams. In the case of extreme disability where it is impossible for an attendee to get to Main Hospitality, we
will attempt to provide meal service primarily during
lunch. This will be on a need basis and there will be
delays as food will have to be brought from the Main
Hospitality kitchen by staff. Attendees are expected
to be responsible and respectful of those whose needs
are greater than their own. (Note: beer/wine may be
consumed in this room; however, it will not be served
in this room.)
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The second additional Hospitality area will be in the
Circus Circus Mandalay 3 space and will feature cold
beverages and an assortment of the snack/meal items
(in smaller quantities) being served in the Reno Ballroom. It will primarily serve our Young Ms, including
those in the youth program and TeenSIG, since their
programs will be held in the Circus Circus locale. The
goal is to limit their need to walk through the casino
and across the street to the Reno Ballroom as much
as possible. This room will have “kid food” including
items like nachos/cheese, PB&J, pretzels, hot dogs and
ice cream (bars, popsicles and soft-serve ice cream).
There will be no alcoholic beverages available in this
area.
The 2012 AG Committee wishes to extend a very
special thank-you to the person who did all the Hospitality suite menu grunt work (in preparation for the
Louisville AG 2015) and made our job so much easier
by allowing us to copy it! THANK YOU, MARY LEE
KEMPER!
AG 2012 — 9
volunteer AT
The End of Time
Sign up now for a volunteer shift! The AG is planned,
run, and staffed by volunteers just like you, and the more
people pitch in, the more fun it is for everyone! A few
hours of your time makes a difference, and it’s a great opportunity to meet other Mensans and share in the success
of this event.
registration team in getting everyone signed in and materials handed out; to make sure the games room is running
smoothly; and, last but definitely not least, to assist our
security team (does not require security background or any
special skills; anyone who can work a radio can handle this
assignment).
We need volunteers to escort speakers to their rooms,
introduce them, and make sure they have everything they
need; to help out in Hospitality (“seated” assignments
available for those with mobility restrictions); to aid our
If you, your Local Group, or your Special Interest Group
can donate a little time, please visit the Volunteer Desk.
When you sign up, you pick the assignments and times that
work for you. Any time you can contribute is appreciated!
Join
The End of Time HELL’s M’s!
HELL’s M’s is dedicated to the idea that Mensans like to
have a good time — the SIG’s credo is A HELL’s M’s party
is any party, large or small, where everyone participating in or affected by the party has good memories the day
after.
Here’s your chance to show that giving the party can
contribute to good memories as much as attending can.
Volunteering at least six hours at the AG earns the right
to buy the special “End of Time” chapter shirt. This is the
only time these shirts will be available.
To have your volunteer hours counted, use the online
volunteer registration program or sign up for volunteer
Notes
10 — AG 2012
shifts at the Volunteer Desk during the AG. After the AG,
the Volunteer Coordinator will send the list of those who
qualify for the shirt to Skinner. To purchase the shirt, send
a check or money order made payable to HELL’s M’s
along with the order form in your registration packet. Shirt
orders are due Aug. 1.
If you have any questions about the shirts, contact Skinner
at skinner@hellsms.com or Beth Weiss at mbeth@bweiss.
com.
Learn more about the HELL’s M’s SIG at www.hellsms.
com.
Debate the issues AT
Debate Room is 34 fast-paced discussions over four days
on every topic imaginable (well, almost every; see below).
They are organized to allow the maximum contributions
from the maximum number of AGers, all in a civil atmosphere. So here’s how we do it:
1. At the door, print your first name on a name tag and
place on your palm (trust us). Grab a seat. Under the
seat is an expanded version of these guidelines.
2. Start time! If no moderator and assistant moderator have been selected, the group votes to select an
impartial moderator and assistant. (If you have strong
opinions, you should be speaking, not moderating.
Duh.) Moderator gets the moderator clipboard with
moderator guidelines.
3. Select questions. Along with the questions listed in the
program for this topic, the group suggests additional
questions worthy of discussion on this topic (if any).
4. Discussion:
a. Raise hand to be added to “stack” of waiting
speakers. Get added. Lower hand.
b. Get called on by moderator. (May not be in order;
first-time speakers get priority.)
c. Stand and speak for up to a minute (maximum!).
Be original; be civil. Never criticize other speakers, only other ideas.
d. Yield floor to next speaker.
5. Choose a winning speaker! With five minutes to go,
Wednesday, July 4
The End of Time
discussion is cut off (regardless of “stack”). Group nominates speakers who were most interesting and articulate
(regardless of being “right”). Vote for your favorites
(you may vote more than once). Winner gets the Golden
Megaphone Award to be worn with great aplomb!
6. Closing: Participants may retire to another room
(TBD) to continue the discussion with fewer rules.
Hand signals allow the listeners to share information without verbally interrupting the speaker. Hand signals to be
used during discussion are:
1. Raise hand: I wish to speak.
2. Raise one finger: I have a one sentence question for
this speaker (answered with one sentence).
3. Waggle fingers skyward: I agree with this speaker.
4. Waggle fingers against palms: I disagree with this
speaker.
5. Basketball “traveling” signal: Speaker is rambling.
Let’s move on.
Hints about debate: Current science tells us you cannot
persuade an opponent you confront — the defense instinct is
too strong to let their reason overrule emotion. The best you
can do is to allow others to understand your point of view,
and the best way to do that is to understand theirs first.
Good luck and have fun!
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.:
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.: Genetic Engineering
Zero Population Growth
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.: Our Aging
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.: The Media
Society
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.: Taxation
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.: Separation of Church 6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.: Religion
and State
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.: Date Rape
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.:
9 p.m.–10:15 p.m.: Abortion
Drug Legalization
10:30 p.m.–11:45 p.m.: Bullying
9 p.m.–10:15 p.m.: Internet Dating
10:30 p.m.–11:45 p.m.: Freedom of
Friday, July 6
Speech Issues
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.: Healthcare
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m.:
Thursday, July 5
Affirmative Action
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.: The Future of
Noon–1:15 p.m.:
Energy
Parental Responsibility
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m.:
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.:
Capital Punishment
Financial Responsibility
Noon–1:15 p.m.:
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.: The Job Market
Political Empowerment
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.:
U.S. Infrastructure
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.:
Government Programs
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.: Legalization of
Prostitution
9 p.m.–10:15 p.m.: Gun Control
10:30 p.m.–11:45 p.m.: Evolution
Saturday, July 7
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.: Attorneys
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m.: Social Media
Noon–1:15 p.m.: The Armed Forces
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.: World of the
Paranormal
3:00 p.m.–4:15 p.m.: Gay Marriage
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.: Criminal
Sentencing Reform
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.: Valuation of Life
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.: Assisted Suicide
9 p.m.–10:15 p.m.: Education
(No Child Left Behind)
10:30 p.m.–11:45 p.m.: The Economy
AG 2012 — 11
gIFTED yOUTH PROGRAMMING
Program
The AG Youth Program includes two full days of structured programming for children ages 4-12. The divisions
are Mini Ms (ages 4-7) and the Junior Ms (ages 8-12), both
of which will be supervised by teachers. On Friday, July
6, and Saturday, July 7, the Mini Ms and Junior Ms will
enjoy a summer-camp-type mix of cerebral and kinesthetic
activities, providing variety, challenge and the opportunity
to develop peer relationships and build skills. A materials
fee of $10 per child per day is required for both the Mini
Ms and the Junior Ms.
This year, be prepared for an extra day of fun, as the AG
welcomes the Fleischmann Planetarium and Science
Center’s Mobile Planetarium for shows and activities on
Thursday, July 5. Registration is required for the planetarium shows, but no fee is charged. Families with registered
youth will be given registration priority.
In addition to the planetarium shows, the Exploration Station play place will be open Thursday afternoon. Stocked
with cool toys carefully selected by the Mensa Foundation’s Gifted Youth Specialist, Exploration Station allows
parents and kids to investigate what neat things are out
there for smart kids to play with! No registration is required, and no fee is charged. Adults without children may
join in as well.
Returning for this year’s AG is the TeenSIG room. However, there is no Tween room this year as there were no
parents or volunteers willing to handle the staffing and
coordination.
There are also four teachers who are leading the AG Youth
Programming on Friday and Saturday. They will be wearing very bright tie-dye T-shirts and will be easily recognizable. All five of these people are background-checked and
authorized to supervise events with young children.
Policies for youth programming
This year the AG is in a venue that is very spread out; we
are in a casino property (and city) that has strict youth
rules; and there are various programs and activities that are
adult in nature. Therefore, the Gifted Youth Committee has
initiated some important first steps in trying to avoid highrisk issues:
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Who is in charge of the kids?
The short answer is the parents. Ultimate responsibility for
child safety and behavior rests on the parents. Additionally,
at this AG, there are five people in charge of youth activities. First, Lisa Van Gemert, the Gifted Youth Specialist, is
the point person for all programming for children.
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This year we will require an additional form for all
youth — a “permission slip” with parent contact
information and a photo release. It must be signed by
a parent, even if not in attendance, so it will be sent
in advance. If you have registered for youth programming, look for the slip in your Gifted Youth Mommy
Letter.
All the adults in the youth programming are certified
professionals.
The TeenSIG coordinator is background-checked and
trained as a Gifted Youth Coordinator.
The AG is requiring wrist bands for all attendees
under 21, in addition to the name badges. Wrist bands
must be worn at all times for the entire AG. Parents of
younger attendees are encouraged to write their cell
phone numbers on the wrist bands. Replacements are
available at Registration at a cost of $5.
The GenY, GenX, HELL’s Ms and GaySIG have been
asked that no youth members be allowed in the suites
unless accompanied by a parent.
The TeenSIG room is limited to ages 13-18. Other
than the coordinator, parent adults are the only ones
allowed in the room other than security. The room will
have an open-door-at-all times policy.
Exploration Station game donors
The AG Youth Program thanks the following companies for donating their products: bigmazes.com ♦ Family Fun
Time Games ♦ Hex Bug ♦ Glitterins ♦ Creative Whack ♦ Bird Cage Press ♦ Thames and Kosmos ♦ Zanzoon Interactive Talking Maps ♦ Crazy Forts ♦ Cobble Hill Puzzles ♦ John N. Hansen Company ♦ Blutrack ♦ Fractiles ♦ Orb
Factory ♦ Folkmanis Puppets ♦ Winning Moves
AG gifted youth programming is sponsored by the Mensa Education & Research Foundation.
12 — AG 2012
Mini Ms & Junior Ms schedule of activities
Thursday, July 5
Mobile Planetarium
The Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center Mobile
Planetarium is coming to the AG! In addition to the hourly
planetarium shows (9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.,
12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.), there will be accompanying
hands-on activities. Free but registration is required; families with a youth registered in the Young Mensan program
will be given priority but the event is open to anyone.
Maximum 20 attendees per show.
Exploration Station, 1-4 p.m.
Adults and kids are welcome to come and play with some
of the brightest toys around. The toys and activities will
be available for unstructured play. Toys include Fractiles,
amazing puppets, Laser Pegs, Dado Bricks, puzzles, Rubiks products and much more! Open to adults and children;
children must be accompanied by an adult. This event is
free with no registration required and will take place in the
Youth Programming area.
Meet & Greet, 7 p.m.
Parents, children, and GCCs are invited to gather Thursday night in the Youth Programming area. A movie will
be available for the kids, and a conversational area will be
available for the adults.
Friday, July 6
Time
9 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
10 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
2 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
3 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
5 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Mini-Ms (age 4-7)
Welcome, Ice-breaker Games
Watercolor Wonders
Slime!
Animal Ark
Animal Ark
Raptor Visit
Lunch
Games Galore
Humane Society visit
A Day at the Races: Fun and games
Deserts & Dams: Nevada
Create Your Own Kaleidoscope
Parachute Play
Parachute Play and Music Madness
Exploration Station reprise
Sign Out
Story Time for Smarty Pants
(All ages; free, no registration required)
Junior Ms (age 8-12)
Science of Polymers
Science of Polymers
Raptor Visit
Animal Ark
Animal Ark
Lunch
Slime!
Slime!
Humane Society
Humane Society
The Art of Dale Chihuly
The Science of Crystals
Exploration Station reprise
Sign Out
Story Time for Smarty Pants
(All ages; free, no registration required)
Romper Room: Morning exercise
Color Me Amazing!
Planetary Society visit
Rubbings
Lunch
Watercolor & Beeswax
Kitchen Volcanoes
Bean Bag Bonanza
Weaving
Snack/Play/Restroom Break
We Be Giants: Big stuff
Bubble Science
Dot Marker Activities
Sign Out
The Math of Gambling
Kitchen Volcanoes
Kitchen Volcanoes
Circle Folding
Planetary Society visit
Lunch
Bean Bag Bonanza
Catch-As-Catch-Can
Rubbings
Tornado Alley
Tornado Alley
Zentangle
Bleeding Paper
Teachers’ Choice
Sign Out
Saturday, July 7
9 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
10 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
2 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
3 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
5 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
AG 2012 — 13
Registration / Logistics
Registration & Tickets
On-site Registration is where you may purchase or make
changes to your registration and reservations. (Payment may
be made by credit card, check or cash.) On-site registration
hours will be as follows on the Rumbullions Patio:
•
•
•
•
Wednesday, July 4: Noon – 9 p.m.
Thursday, July 5: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Friday, July 6: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Saturday, July 7: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Badges and Wrist Bands
Your name badge is required for entrance into
Hospitality, program rooms and all other AG-related
events. Please wear your name badge at all times while in
the hotel. If you are in an AG event and are not wearing
your badge, expect to be approached by a member of the
security team and asked to prove you paid your fee.
In addition to the name badges, the AG is requiring wrist
bands for all attendees under 21. Wrist bands must be worn
at all times for the entire AG. Replacements are available at
Registration for $5.
Bulletin Boards
Message boards will be located near the Registration desk
for general announcements, program changes, questions
and comments. General and personal announcements can
be posted on the bulletin board. Check this area often for
news of meal tickets wanted or for sale, roommates wanted,
proposed restaurant trips and the like. The AG Committee
reserves the right to remove items that may be considered
inappropriate.
Hug Dots
Along the way, you’ll notice small green, red, yellow or
blue dots on other attendees’ name badges. Many Mensans
like to hug in greeting at gatherings, but they also respect
personal space. So, avid huggers will sport green dots,
folks who like you to ask first will sport yellow dots, and
those who keep their personal space intact will wear red
dots. Blue dots are an extra dot that let you know that an
attendee is single.
Internet Access
The Silver Legacy has property-wide wireless Internet
access, as well as in-room dialup access. Circus Circus
offers free high-speed Internet access through one voucher
per room, good for the length of stay. Access for additional
laptops can be purchased at the Front Desk at the rate of $4
per laptop, per day.
14 — AG 2012
RTC Centennial Plaza, the RTC InterCity line and RTC
Sierra Spirit are all free Wi-Fi hot spots. Bandwidth is estimated to be similar to a DSL line.
Photo Disclaimer
Members of the working press have been invited to attend
this event. If you do not want to be photographed, please
see the Registrar. We will have stickers available for you to
add to your badges if you do not wish to be photographed.
Signs
Signs must be approved by the AG Chair or the Logistics
Chair. Nothing is allowed to be stapled, tacked or taped to
the walls. This is in our contract with the hotel. Please post
your notices on one of the provided bulletin boards.
Security
The Mensa security team will be all over the AG; this
year, they will sport white straw cowboy hats. Those folks
are there to help things run smoothly. If anyone of any
age feels uncomfortable about any situation, he or she is
heartily encouraged to find a Cowboy Hat. Further, in case
of a true emergency, the Cowboy Hats will know how to
quickly alert the professionals. Should you need to visit the
Security office, it’s in the Silver Legacy’s Platinum room.
All three hotels in the tri-property complex of Circus
Circus, Silver Legacy and Eldorado have a posted and
published “No weapons allowed” policy. As the hotels are
private property, this ban includes CCW permit holders.
Both AG hotels do offer free secure storage for your firearms upon check-in if needed.
Twenty-one is the legal age to drink alcohol in the U.S.
We will check IDs.
Business
American Mensa’s Annual Business Meeting (ABM) and
the American Mensa Committee (AMC) meeting are open
to anyone interested in the inner workings of our organization. AML’s business meetings are scheduled on Thursday,
July 5, as follows:
• AMC meeting: 9 a.m. –4 p.m.
• ABM: 4:30–6 p.m.
In addition, one program track will feature Leadership
Development Workshops 9 a.m.–7:15 p.m. on Friday, July
6, and from 9 a.m.–4:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 7. LDWs
are open to all AG attendees.
Smoking
In 2006, the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect. Smoking tobacco in any form is prohibited in spaces
including all indoor areas of restaurants, including those in
casinos; bars, taverns and saloons that serve food; retail establishments including malls and grocery, convenience and
drug stores; movie theaters; and video arcades. Smoking
is permitted in spaces including casino areas where minors
are prohibited; hotel and motel rooms, if allowed by the
operator; stand-alone bars, taverns and saloons that don’t
serve food; and tobacco stores.
Vendors
The Mensa Store (Fox Imaging), the official store of American Mensa products, will set up shop in Main Hospitality;
stop by and pick up your Mensa merchandise as well as AG
souvenirs.
The Mensa Marketplace is a forum for Mensans to display and sell hand-crafted items — anything from jewelry
and hand-painted wooden eggs to photographs and calligraphy. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, July
6, and Saturday, July 7, in Main Hospitality.
First Aid / Emergencies
For minor problems, basic first-aid kits are located in
Hospitality and at Registration. For an emergency inside
the hotel, dial “0” and report the location and nature of the
emergency to the hotel switchboard. Outside the hotel, 911
handles all emergency services within the Reno area. For
less critical problems, ask a security volunteer in a white
cowboy hat.
Mensa Admission Testing
Candidates must be at least 14 years of age, show photo
IDs and be permanent residents of the country whose test
they are taking. They must also pay the applicable test fee.
The doors will be closed promptly at the beginning of the
test sessions, and late-arriving candidates will not be admitted. After the testing, all candidates will be provided a pass
inviting them to spend the rest of the day at the AG.
The two-hour American Mensa Admission Test session
is scheduled at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 7, in Silver
Legacy Expo B. Proctors will register candidates beginning
30 minutes prior to the test.
AG Commemorative Cancellation
Get — or send — your once-in-a-lifetime AG2012 souvenir! From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 5, and
Friday, July 6, the U.S. Post Office will be in the Reno
Ballroom lobby, offering a commemorative pictorial cancellation. When you present a stamped postcard or letter,
they will accept your item for dispatch and use the special
AG philatelic postmark on it. Please note that this event is
hosted by the Philately Special Interest Group, and postcards, envelopes and other mailable items will not be sold
on-site.
Going out?
Reno offers an abundant array of transportation options.
The RTC Sierra Spirit is a free, convenient service that runs
every 15 minutes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; the bright yellow
buses will take you from the University to the Riverwalk
District and all through downtown, every day including
holidays. Taking a cab can be economical if you go with a
group and split the cost.
You can get more information about getting around Reno
at the AG information desk or at the hotel’s Adventure
Desk.
Heat, altitude and you
If you are coming from a lower elevation than Reno (approximately 4,500 feet), you need to be mindful of the altitude and its affects on the body. Our temperatures should
be in the 90s during the day and 50s at night, so do use
sunblock if spending time outside, and consider taking a
light jacket with you in the evening. It is recommended that
you drink water frequently if you do any outside activity
during the day to prevent dehydration, which can sneak up
on you in our high and dry climate.
If you experience an unexplained dizziness, nausea and/
or intestinal distress, it is very likely that you are dehydrated and need more water. Alcohol will cause an even faster
dehydration rate. For those going to Virginia City, you will
be at 6,200 feet elevation, so please pace yourselves.
Go mobile with My-AG social scheduling
Get your AG schedule rolling at My-AG, the Web and
mobile social networking phenomenon from the 2010 AG.
Build your own AG schedule, see who else plans on attending the same events, rate and comment on the programs,
and more! Visit www.my-ag.org and sign up by clicking
“Create an Account” or “Login.” Your profile should still
be available to you if you created a profile for the 2010 AG.
Help us help you
The AG Committee does understand that people not in
wheelchairs also have mobility issues like MS, Parkinsons,
diabetic issues with feet and legs, etc., so don’t be afraid
to say something if you need assistance. We cannot return
sight or hearing to our 20-year-old capabilities, but we may
be able to help with seating arrangements or assistance
navigating the AG property.
AG 2012 — 15
wELCOME TO THE sILVER lEGACY,
your home at
The End of Time!
Silver Legacy
Mezzanine Level
Silver Baron A
Silver Baron B
Silver Baron C
Silver Baron D
Silver Baron E
Silver Baron Boardroom
Silver Baron 1-2-3
Silver Baron 4-5-6
Mezzanine
SIG suites
GaySIG: Silver Legacy 3501
HELL’s M’s: Silver Legacy
3401
GenX: Circus Circus North
Tower, 23rd floor
Executive Suite
GenY: Circus Circus North
Tower, 23rd floor VIP
Suite
Registration
Silver Legacy Rumbullions
Patio
Silver Legacy
Grand Exposition Hall
Expo A
Expo B
Expo C
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Platinum
In the Expo Hall level (or
basement) there are no
connections to any other
property.
16 — AG 2012
The only continuous connection in the tri-property
is at the mezzanine level. At ground level (aka
casino level) you have to exit each property and
cross a street to enter the next.
Circus Circus
Mandalay
Mandalay Ballroom A
Mandalay Ballroom B
Mandalay 1
Mandalay 2
Mandalay 3
Mandalay 4
Mandalay 5
Mandalay 6
Circus Circus
Sky Tower
Nevada
Sierra
Tahoe-Truckee-Carson
Washoe
To get to the rooms in Sky Tower,
you must either walk down and up
stairs or take the tram. For those
people in scooters, allow at least 15
minutes for the journey.
Reno Ballroom
Ballroom 1-2-5-6
Ballroom 3
Ballroom 4
Ballroom Foyer
Exit the Silver Legacy on 4th
Street. The ballroom is about 200
feet from the Silver Legacy door.
AG 2012 — 17
Programs: Wednesday
AG Program Schedule: Wednesday, July 4
Foundation Board Meeting
9 a.m.–5 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
Mensa Administration
Join the Trustees of the Mensa Education & Research
Foundation for their quarterly meeting.
AG Registration
Noon–9 p.m.
SL: Rumbullions Patio
Registration is open today from noon until 9 p.m.
Traveling Tour of the AG Environment for Those with
Mobility Difficulties
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Legacy Lobby
by Anna Wright
Speaker
Walking tour of the Silver Legacy, Circus Circus, and
Reno Ballroom areas that will be in our use for the 2012
AG. We will look at the usual routes, the potential traffic
jam areas, and the special accommodations that have been
made specifically for those with mobility difficulties. Revup your scooters and let’s travel!
Finance Committee Meeting
3 p.m.–4 p.m.
SL: Silver
by Nick Sanford
The United States of Armageddon
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by Kel Munger
Speaker
While the idea of apocalypse dates to well before the Christian era, Americans have refined it to a gory, glorious epic
— and then exported it to the rest of the world, with implications for the environment and international relations, not
to mention the economy. What is it that leads Americans to
embrace the end of the world and why are we so fascinated
with apocalypse? I’ll offer some possibilities, as well as a
short tour of Armageddon, American-style.
Getting Started Geocaching
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Maia Misner
Speaker
Join me to discover the joys of using billion-dollar satellites to find hidden objects around the world! Geocaching
is an outdoor sport utilizing GPS to find containers of all
shapes and sizes hidden by other geocachers. Everyone
from highly athletic to incredibly out of shape can take
part in this outdoor treasure hunt. If weather permits we
will hunt some geocaches outside, so please bring your
18 — AG 2012
handheld GPS and know how to enter coordinates into it.
If you don’t have one, come anyway; it will still be fun.
Governance Discussion
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
CC: Mandalay 4
by Jared Levine
Meet in advance of the ABM to discuss any amendments
which are being brought before the membership for approval to be placed on the next referendum ballot. If there
are no such amendments on the agenda for the ABM, then
we will discuss various items on the agenda for the upcoming AMC meeting. Anyone interested in the governance of
AML is encouraged to attend and contribute.
Debate Room: Genetic Engineering
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Can science alter genes to rid us of diseases? While they
are at it, can they engineer super athletes or super brains?
Can they decode and destroy killer and bully and mean
people genes? Will genetic research make humans too
homogenous? Are we in danger of a population of Stepford
wives-type robots? (This session is a moderated debate
among attendees. Join the fun, meet other attendees, and
exchange opinions on this topic!)
GenY SIG
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
by Robert Allen
SL: Silver Baron 4-5-6
What It Takes to Run a Brothel in Storey County
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Madam Susan Austin
Speaker
The Mustang Ranch Brothel! As a Madam, Susan will share
her experiences on building and creating a lovely house
that allows the ladies to work legally and safely. Having
come from the working experience as a Legal Prostitute in
Nevada, Susan saw that there were things that needed to be
changed for everybody’s benefit. She’s here to share some of
the challenges she went through to get to where the Mustang
Ranch is today. This is an adults-only program.
LocSec Meet & Greet
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Gold
by Elissa Rudolph
This is an opportunity for Local Secretaries/Presidents of
Local Groups to meet one another and to share stories of
challenges and accomplishments. The forum of the Meet
& Greet forges a bond among those who deal with similar
issues, no matter what area of the country they call home.
Slight structure to get the conversation started, then the
attendees take over.
— with hopes of using them to feed misinformation to the
Allies.
Let’s Talk POKER!
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
by Lynne Bianco
Speaker
We’ll start with the fundamentals of hand values (for beginners), and then proceed to the basics of Texas Hold’em
as that’s the main game played these days. We’ll discuss
the table, positions, strategies, table rakes, poker jargon,
dealers and tips, bad beat jackpots, famous players, on-line
scandals, the USA on-line poker ban snuck in by some
holier-than-thou congressmen, touch on the WSOP (World
Series of Poker), and will also dedicate some time to video
poker and which poker games pay best. There’ll be give
away poker magazines available plus a drawing for one of
Howard Lederer’s DVDs!
Speed-Talking: The Ultimate AG Icebreaker
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
CC: Tahoe-Truckee-Carson
by Cookie Bakke
Etcetera
Speed-Talking entails an inside and an outside circle of
Mensans. Men, women, short, tall, old, young, ENFPs,
ISTJs (and everything in between). The moderator will ask
a question — usually one involving controversy or ethics
— and yell “Go.” You and your partner talk for one minute
until she yells “Stop.” The inside circle moves one to the
left. Next partner. Next topic. Get the picture? You’ll meet
and begin conversations with at least 50 people, probably
forming the basis for at least a few new friendships while
you do it. Fun, fun, fun. Do not miss this one!
Backgammon Tournament
3 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Adam Smargon
Tournaments
Backgammon is a two-person game where the object is to
move all your pieces off the board before your opponent
does, according to the roll of the dice. You can slow down
your opponent, but your opponent can slow you down
in the same fashion. Luck plays a large role, but there is
plenty of strategy needed. For purposes of simplicity, no
doubling cube will be used during this tournament, and
there will be no gammons or backgammons.
Region 2 Meet & Greet
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
CC: Mandalay 6
by Marc Lederman
Region 2 RVC Marc Lederman will host a Meet & Greet
for members and guests from the Middle Atlantic Region.
Spy vs. Spy: The Holland Problem in World War II
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by Peter Paul Block
Speaker
In World War II, Europe was a battleground not only of air
and ground forces, but also of opposing intelligence agencies. Special Operations Executive, a British agency that
gathered intelligence and coordinated resistance units in
Nazi-occupied countries, had a network of secret agents in
Holland. This is the story of how their handlers in London
tried to keep them alive and safe (and useful) and how
German Counterintelligence tried to find and capture them
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
CC: Mandalay 3
by Roger Durham
Region 6 RVC Roger Durham will host a Meet & Greet for
members and guests from the South West Region.
Debate Room: Our Aging Society
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
CC: Sierra
The youngest Baby Boomers hit full retirement age this
year. Generally healthy and active, they will still have aging
problems in larger numbers than past generations. One huge
issue is the decline of medical professionals. Will we need to
return to multi-generations under one roof, or will we have
an explosion of elder care facilities? What about increasing dementia? (This session is a moderated debate among
attendees. Join the fun, meet other attendees, and exchange
opinions on this topic!)
GenX SIG
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
by Ben
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
CC: Mandalay 5
by Clark Jones
Region 9 RVC Clark Jones will host a Meet & Greet for
members and guests from the Far West region.
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
CC: Mandalay 4
by Peggy Pannke-Smith
Welcome all Region 7 members! Come & meet all the
other cool members from our region–and get your Heartland Flashing Flag pin!
AG 2012 — 19
Programs:
Programs:Wednesday
Thursday
Programs: Wednesday
Charles Dodgson, The Man Behind Alice in Wonderland
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
by Fraser Sherman
Speaker
Charles Dodgson, aka Lewis Carroll, has long been
portrayed as a super-shy, awkward man terrified of adult
women and madly in love with a young girl named Alice
Liddell. More recent biographical research shows Dodgson
was charming, outgoing and slightly scandalous. A fresh
look at the man who gave us Wonderland.
Prostitution and Sex Trafficking in Nevada
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Melissa Holland MA MFT
Speaker
This presentation focuses on community awareness of the
sexually exploited and the local problems with legalizing
prostitution. Adults only, please.
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
CC: Mandalay 5
by Debra Reiger
Region 8 RVC Debra Reiger will host a Meet & Greet for
members and guests from the Pacific Intermountain Region.
Thinking and Writing Activities for the Brain
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
by Nathan Levy
Speaker
Join author Nathan Levy (Thinking and Writing for the
Brain volumes 1 & 2, Stories With Holes, Creativity Day
By Day, Test Booklet of Knowledge) and respond to quotes
that involve high level thinking and writing. You also have
a chance to test your basic knowledge in this humorous
interactive workshop.
Membership Officers Meet & Greet
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
SL: Gold
by Beth Ann Demeter, Paige Faulkner
The Membership Officer is one of the most important parts
of a Local Group’s board. You make the difference for
your group’s members! Join us and meet your fellow Local
Group Membership Officers, get some new ideas to take
back to your members, and find out what resources are
available to you.
Debate Room: Separation of Church and State
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Does religion ever improve world order, or is separation
of church and government best? Will individual religious
rights take precedence and be the downfall of all laws they
do not want to uphold? Is any country ruled by a religious
leader a role model for the rest of the world? Does religion
added to politics encourage intolerance toward all “nonbelievers”? (This session is a moderated debate among
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
CC: Mandalay 2
by Ken Silver
Region 4 RVC Ken Silver will host a Meet & Greet for
members and guests from the North Central Region.
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
CC: Mandalay 4
by Bob Cox
Region 5 RVC Bob Cox will host a Meet & Greet for
members and guests from the South East Region.
TeenSIG Meet & Greet
5 p.m.–6 p.m.
CC: Mandalay A
If you’re a teen (ages 13-19), stop by and start the AG off
right. Get to know the teens at the AG. This is where the
fun begins.
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
CC: Mandalay 6
by Andrew Heffernan
Region 1 RVC Andrew Heffernan will host a Meet &
Greet for members and guests from the North East Region.
Dinner in Hospitality
5:45 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 1-2-5-6
Italian night! Caesar salad, meat lasagna, fettuccini, (V)
mushroom ravioli, garlic bread and desserts. This dinner is
included in your AG registration. Alternatively, you may
enjoy dining at one of the 22 fine eating establishments in
our hotel complex (on your own dime).
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
CC: Mandalay 3
by Betsy Y. Mark
Region 3 RVC Betsy Y. Mark will host a Meet & Greet for
members and guests from the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley
Region.
20 — AG 2012
M-LDS SIG Meet & Greet
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
by Jessica Steinhice Mathews
Special Interest Group for the intersection of Mensa and
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If you are
LDS, you probably recognize D&C 93:36 — “The glory
of God is intelligence.” This does not mean that anyone is
better than anyone else, but rather that we should fully use
the talents and abilities that we have been given. Willing to
share your experiences of being LDS and Mensan? Want a
way to introduce your Mensa friends to the church? Come
talk with us.
Treasurer Meet & Greet
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
SL: Gold
by Nick Sanford, David Peery
All Local Group Treasurers are invited to come and meet
our AMC Treasurer, Nick Sanford, and National Office
Financial Officer, David Peery, and also to meet and talk
with other Mensa treasurers from around the country.
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
CC: Mandalay 2
by Mel Dahl
Region 10 RVC Mel Dahl will host a Meet & Greet for
members and guests from the Florida Region.
Group Speed Solitaire Tournament
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Adam Smargon
This sounds like an oxymoron — how do you do something solitary in a group? — but the object is to finish playing solitaire before others finish at your table. (Everyone
will have decks of cards with different flipside designs.)
When you have an ace, you place it in the middle of the
table, and anybody can play on top of it; your neighbor’s
two of spades can be placed atop your ace of spades. Play
stops at your table as soon as someone at your table yells
“Done!” (or until everyone gets stuck), and all cards in
the middle are counted; one point is awarded per card.
It’s easy to learn; more rules will be given. This game is
adapted from Pounce (aka Nerts).
The Real Nevada West in Story and Song
7 p.m.–8:15 p.m.
SL: Expo B
by CW, Mr. Spoons
Entertainment
A few early works of far Western lyric will be featured
during the program along with suitable discourse upon the
history of civilization. Recent hits include, “Someone Cut
The Shoe Tree Down,” “The Day Genoa Burned in The
Big Bed Bug Fire,” and “To Play the Banjo You’ve Got
To Pass a Test.” Appearing with CW will be the inimitable
Mr. Spoons on his Homemade Contraption. Original and
historical songs from Nevada with CW on western ragtime
guitar and Mr. Spoons on the inimitable Wonderbucket.
Songs about miners, cowboys and loose women bring the
Silver State to life with CW and Mr. Spoons.
Mensa Manners 110
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
by Eldon Romney
Speaker
A brief and humorous look at Manners and how simple
getting along with other Mensans can be.
Debate Room: Drug Legalization
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
CC: Sierra
How much of our legal woes are tied to — in one form or
another — drug trafficking? How do you think that drug
legalization would affect the future? Is there an easy answer? Well, what is it? (This session is a moderated debate
IQ SIG Greet & Meet
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
by Mary Abbey
Members of the Intelligent Quilters SIG and those with an
interest in quilting will meet for a friendly get-together.
Members are more than welcome to bring a sample of
their quilting art or photos of their work for show and tell.
Come check out this creative group and make some new
friends that share your passion for quilting!
Mensans Online Meet & Greet
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
SL: Gold
by Howard Prince, Brian Reeves
You’ve read posts on the online Community forums.
You’ve argued on Yahoo!. You’ve kept up with statuses on
Facebook and Twitter. You’ve danced in Second Life and
battled in World of Warcraft. Now put faces to the names.
Join us to meet other Ms from all the various Mensa online
communities.
Mexican Train Dominos
7:30 p.m.–9:15 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Stan Ward
Tournaments
Dominos is an ancient game, but the Mexican Train variant
has become quite popular recently. There are many variants, so we will be passing out rule sheets at the tournaAG 2012 — 21
Programs:
Programs:Wednesday
Thursday
Programs: Wednesday
ment. No prior experience necessary, but seating is limited
to 24 players.
Medical Charts and Histories — Take Control!
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Doctor Bob
Speaker
Why do smart/responsible adults pay strict attention to
their credit scores/records and can recite to the penny how
much they paid for electricity last November, however
rarely take control of their own (or their aging parents’,
children’s, etc.) medical records/test results and physician
chart notations? Chart mistakes and inadequacies define
you. If you do not control what goes in your chart... your
chart forever after controls you — your care, future insurability, and your life. Patient, save thyself! Doctor Bob is
here to teach you how to do just that!
Self-Driving Cars and You
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Matt Cooper
Speaker
Self-driving cars are cool. And they are coming, sooner
than most people think. And they may not be as benevolent
as you think (“Where were you last Friday? Never mind,
I’ll just ask our car.”). Matt Cooper explores the latest
progress in self-driving technology, as well as how it will
change society (a lot) and you (a lot, too). The second half
of the presentation is an open discussion to discover the
real Mensan vision of a driverless future.
Mark Twain’s Nevada
8:30 p.m.–9:15 p.m.
SL: Expo B
by McAvoy Layne
Entertainment
Relive Mark Twain’s Nevada experience as portrayed in
“Roughing It” by the Ghost of Twain, McAvoy Layne.
This is history and humor for the intellectual stomach that
will make a cast iron dog laugh.
Leadership Development Committee Meeting
8:30 p.m.–9 p.m.
SL: Silver
Debate Room: Internet Dating
9 p.m.–10:15 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Can this really work? Or is your true love from around the
world looking for a quick way into the U.S.? Or worse,
a criminal trolling online for victims? What would you
consider prudent precautions to take before agreeing to
meet in person someone you met online? Could you actu22 — AG 2012
ally fall in love with someone sight-unseen? (This session
is a moderated debate among attendees. Join the fun, meet
other attendees, and exchange opinions on this topic!)
Charades With a Twist — a Porno Twist!
9 p.m.–11:30 p.m.
by Professor Bob Kegel
Entertainment
Professor Bob presents a fun and interactive program
certain to leave you in stitches. Audience participation
mandatory, although voyeurs and exhibitionists are also
welcome. Charades with a twist entails you, the audience,
bringing answers that are modified titles of movies, plays
and books. Instead of Saving Private Ryan, it would be
Saving Ryan’s Privates. BYO written ideas and prepare
to be entertained. Prizes will be awarded to memorable
participants. Adults only, please.
M-Available SIG Meet & Greet
9 p.m.–10:15 p.m.
by Rob Salkin
Single or otherwise available? Looking for your M-tastic
match? Come see what M-Available has to offer! There
will be a brief introduction to the SIG followed by a semistructured mixer. If you’re already a member, you might
just happen upon some people you’ve seen on the website!
Rude and/or inappropriate people will be asked to leave
and will be banned from the SIG.
Wildcard Speaking Spot Number One
9 p.m.–10:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
Speaker
On Tuesday evening, the Northern Nevada Mensa Chapter kicked off its Scholarship Fund with an Early Arrivals
Dinner/Auction in the Silver Legacy. “You Get To Be The
Speaker at 9 p.m. Wednesday” was one of the auction
items. So come on down and be surprised — plus show
support for whomever was willing to pay for the privilege
of speaking at the Reno AG! (Take a chance! This feels
almost like a Come As You Are Party!)
HELL’s M’s Prequel
9:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. SL: Suite 3401
by Beth Weiss
HELL’s M’s Prequel will take place in the HELL’s M’s
Hospitality Suite (Silver Legacy, Room 3401). It is time
for the party to start — hang out, get a HELL’s M’s sticker,
greet friends, meet new ones, sign up for a volunteer shift,
or just hang out. (Oh! I already said that!)
Carnelli Tournament
9:30 p.m.–10:45 p.m. RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Dan Tobias
Play this title-association game, invented by Mensans
Jan Carnell and Jim Lange. See why this game has been
popular at Mensa gatherings for decades. No experience
necessary; rules will be taught. See http://is.gd/carnelli for
more information, or just show up.
AG Program Schedule: Thursday, July 5
Last Call for Beer & Wine
1:45 a.m.–2 a.m.
Hospitality
Beer and wine service in Hospitality ends; will resume at
2 p.m.
Breakfast in Hospitality
7:15 a.m.–9 a.m.
Get your day started with bagels/cream cheese, hard-boiled
eggs, hot/cold cereals, yogurt, donuts/muffins/sweet rolls,
breads to toast, juice (three), coffee. This breakfast is
Here’s Your 2004 Las Vegas Coffee!
7:30 a.m.–8:45 a.m.
SL: Silver Baron A
Hospitality
Eight years late (it was on back order?), the 2004 “EtravAGanza” AG folks invite you to enjoy a cup of “straight
from the coffee plantations of Costa Rica” joe. Freshly
brewed Volio, perhaps the best-kept secret of Central
America, will be served in the Silver Legacy Hospitality
Suite until it’s all gone. If you were one of those people
who said “where’s the coffee,” well, it’s here. Hot, aromatic, and makes Barstuck’s taste like %$@^#.
Spiritual Calisthenics–Light
8 a.m.–8:45 a.m.
CC: Sierra
by Diane Amison-Loring, Fr. Bill Loring
An interfaith Bible study based on selected Psalms. This
program is non-doctrinal but seeks rather to find personal
messages for the participants.
HamSIG
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
by Mark Pipes
American Mensa Committee Meeting
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
SL: Expo A
See your American Mensa Committee in action! Be the
first to know about policies that affect all American Mensans. All members are welcome to attend and observe.
Zumba Fitness
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Expo B
by Naomi Horovitz, Ph.D.
Zumba Fitness is a Latin-inspired dance-fitness program
that blends red-hot international music and contagious
steps to form a “fitness party” that is downright addictive.
People of all shapes, sizes, and ages are welcome to join
the party. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and
sneakers, and bring some drinking water and a towel. Absolutely no observers will be allowed. “If you didn’t come
here to dance, then what did you come for?” — Pitbull
Ask the Pharmacist
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
by Mindy Hsu
Speaker
Bring your medication- and pharmacy-related questions
to the pharmacist! Mindy Hsu, registered pharmacist, will
answer general questions about medications and the pharmacy profession.
AG 2012 — 23
Programs: Thursday
Debate Room: Freedom of Speech Issues
10:30 p.m.–11:45 p.m. CC: Sierra
May anyone opine on any topic, or are there some topics that are too awful to be protected? Almost any topic
will offend someone; but is there a point where we allow
someone to go too far? Who among us should make these
decisions? (This session is a moderated debate among attendees. Join the fun, meet other attendees, and exchange
Programs: Wednesday
Programs: Thursday
Oners: Notable Extended Movie Shots
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Peter Paul Block
Speaker
Sometimes only film-makers and film students notice or
appreciate them, but throughout film history there have
been amazing shots that seemed to go on and on without
a cut. This survey of some of the more noteworthy “oners” in classic and recent films explains the challenges, the
techniques, the equipment, and why we should care.
Challenging Depression: Differential Diagnosis &
Treatment of Tough Cases
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Mark Zetin, M.D., Cara T. Hoepner, NP
Speaker
Join the authors of the comprehensive book Challenging Depression for a lively and hopeful discussion on the
topic, from its diagnosis (unipolar, bipolar, and more) and
treatment with medications and psychotherapies — including approaches to treatment-resistant illness — to a wholeperson, lifestyle approach to overall wellness. With a
client-centered approach to recovery, Mark and Cara share
practical knowledge and tools you can start using today to
help lift the mood of yourself or a loved one.
Recent Significant and High Profile Legal Issues
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by Jerome J. Ghigliotti, Jr., Esq.
Speaker
How did they do that? Jury decisions that confound logic.
Is there any justice in America? National trends in law and
law enforcement. The significance of recent U.S. Supreme
Court appointments and decisions. The effects of an activist judiciary. Preemption, the broadening penumbra of nonexistent rights. Questions and answers at the conclusion.
Disclaimer: Not legal advice.
What’s the Fuss About Enzymes?
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
by Mary Carney
Speaker
Lots of info on vitamins, minerals, carbs, proteins and
fats — but how are these essential “raw” material nutrients
transformed into life energy and your body’s ability to
repair/replace its damaged or worn-out cells (i.e., “heal”)?
Dr. Edward Howell’s 1930s’ question and research into
“enzymes” was joined by Dr. Howard Loomis in the early
1980s. Howell’s/Loomis’ ongoing research underlies all
enzyme info and combination formulations “out there” in
24 — AG 2012
the world today. This presentation jump-starts your understanding of how enzymes work for your own personal
health support.
Debate Room: The Future of Energy
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
CC: Sierra
Americans pay about half what Europeans pay for gas,
while oil-rich countries highly subsidize oil products for
their people. What will it take for us to embrace non-oil
forms of energy? The U.S. uses far more oil per capita than
anywhere else in the world. What forms of energy will
take us into the next century and beyond? (This session is
a moderated debate among attendees. Join the fun, meet
GoalYoga–Simply Make Your Life Better
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
by Ken Heptig
Fitness
Yoga originated to serve as a spiritual path to the divine.
Ken created GoalYoga.com to unite the physical and
spiritual benefits of yoga with the challenging lifestyles we
live in the western world. Ken likes to teach yoga to simply
make our lives better. The class is an actual yoga workout so wear comfortable loose-fitting clothes. Everyone is
welcome including those who have never been to a yoga
class to the more advanced students. Ken is a certified yoga
instructor who teaches at three locations in Charlotte.
AG Registration
9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Registration is open today from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Friendly Duplicate Bridge
9 a.m.–11:45 a.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Ed Becker, Steve Burnham, Pat Coontz
Tournaments
Whether you’re an experienced tournament player or just
want to take your game to the next level, check out this
tournament. You should already know how to play bridge.
Bring your own partner, or we will try to match you up.
This is a non-sanctioned event, and the idea is to have fun.
Give duplicate bridge a try, where you don’t have to hold
all the good cards to win!
Friends of Bill W.
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
CC: Washoe
For Mensans and guests who are actively practicing any
12-step program. This is a non-hosted, informal program,
not for observers or the curious, please.
USPS Commemorative Postmark
10 a.m.–4 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom Salon
by U.S. Post Office
Get a pictorial cancellation commemorating Mensa’s 2012
AG. The post office will be on site to frank your postcards
and letters with the unique souvenir. Domestic and international postage will be available on a limited basis.
Twenty-Five Minute Stories
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. SL: Expo B
by Terry Black
Speaker
You can write a short story in 25 minutes! Award-winning
author, screenwriter and columnist Terry Black shows how
to awaken the natural storyteller inside each and every one
of us. Choose from a list of random words, themes and
pictures (not chosen in advance) to fashion a story no one
else could have imagined — your own. Learn the power of
dramatic focus, how conflict propels character, and how to
wrap the damn thing up before the timer goes off.
Mobile Planetarium
10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. CC: Mandalay A
Youth
planetarium shows, there will be accompanying hands-on
activities. Limited to 20 people per show. There is no fee,
but you must register. Families with a registered youth go
first, and then we will open them to anyone.
Science Fiction and Fantasy SIG Meeting
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. SL: Silver Baron 4-5-6
by Butch Colbert
The object of the meeting is to greet existing members
and give potential members an idea of how the SIG functions. There will be a general discussion of science fiction
and fantasy books, movies and shows plus whatever else
people wish to discuss.
Nuclear Propaganda in the American West
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. SL: Silver Baron C
by Michon Mackedon
Speaker
Drawing on research undertaken while writing Bombast:
Spinning Atoms in the Desert, Mackedon will explore
ways in which Orwellian imagery has been implemented
by nuclear agencies and industries to marginalize populations living in the shadow of nuclear projects and to
disguise the dangers of atomic testing and permanent highlevel nuclear waste disposal in the American West. The
talk will be accompanied by slides of atomic testing and
include descriptions of instances where specific propaganda tropes were and still are used to mollify or intimidate
affected populations.
Social Media, Online Anonymity and the Digital Divide
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. SL: Expo C
by Ben Holden
Speaker
Ben Holden will share a series of war stories, legal journal
articles and relevant, recent cases to demonstrate how the
people who are governed by the judicial branch of government (particularly the young) are moving too fast for the
courts, the judges and administrators to keep up. Violations
of court rules routinely occur these days by use of devices
that did not exist when the rules were written. So what
should we (the citizens) do about it?
Debate Room: Capital Punishment
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. CC: Sierra
Hang ‘em? Keep ‘em in jail ‘til they die? What about
particularly heinous crimes — can we agree to put those
criminals into the afterlife, or do you really believe rehabilitation can work? What’s in it for society to keep someone locked up for life? (This session is a moderated debate
Ways to Be a Better Thinker
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. SL: Silver Baron B
by Nathan Levy
Speaker
Join Nathan Levy, the author of Stories With Holes, Creativity Day by Day and Intriguing Questions in exploring
varied kinds of thinking. You will be challenged by Stories
With Holes and Intriguing Questions. Bring your thinking
caps and funny bones to this dynamic interactive lecture.
AG 2012 — 25
Programs: Thursday
Mobile Planetarium
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m. CC: Mandalay A
Youth
Programs: Thursday
Globalization and Our American Economy
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. SL: Silver Baron E
by Gregory Bunn
Speaker
High unemployment and soaring gold and commodity
prices. Wall Street profits and the continued off-shoring
of manufacturing jobs. Quantitative easing and inflation.
A rolling sovereign debt crisis amongst the EU countries
and Chinese growth. What does it mean for America and
your way of life? Will things get better or is this the “new
normal”? Exciting times are ahead for our nation and our
economy! Find out how global trade and monetary polices
are shaping your life right now. Learn how to be happier
and more confident by taking a proactive approach to these
trends and events.
The Buying and Selling of American Children
by Tiffany Short, Victim Specialist, FBI
Speaker
Commercial sexual exploitation of children is widespread.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
report that between 100,000 to 293,000 children have
become sexual commodities in the United States. This
presentation by FBI Agent Victim Specialist Tiffany Short
focuses on community awareness of children sexually
exploited in America and challenges traditional thoughts
and myths surrounding prostitution and exposes a lethal
world in which many of our children have become victims.
Adults only, please.
a surgical alternative and getting a second opinion from
another surgeon? Running back and forth to specialist after
specialist? Had more tests than you ever took in college?
Got bottles of pills lined up on your shelf? Stop! A now
retired orthopedic M.D./surgeon tells all... in language you
can easily understand. You will get needed answers and
learn from this program. Promise.
Mobile Planetarium
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. CC: Mandalay A
Youth
Lunch in Hospitality
11:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m. RB: Reno Ballroom 1-2-5-6
Join us for a soup, salad and sandwich bar and some great
desserts. This lunch is included in your AG registration.
Alternatively, you may enjoy dining at one of the 22 fine
eating establishments in our hotel complex (on your own
dime).
American Mensa Facebook Page Group Meet & Greet
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. SL: Gold
by Lessa Scherrer
You’ve argued politics, global warming and the economic
policies of Salma Hayek. You’ve “liked” funny pictures
and enumerated the skills of The Most Interesting Man in
the World. You’ve played word association ad nauseam.
Now come meet your fellow FB Mensans in real life
(maybe even some you’ve blocked or who have blocked
you). Larry and Lessa Scherrer will begin the meeting by
leading the group in a communal chorus of Kumbaya...
Solar Power: 100% Spill Proof
Noon–1:15 p.m.
by Marnee Benson
Speaker
Black Rock solar employs a unique business model, focusing on the social, rather than financial, bottom line. They
look at who needs help the most and the best ways to help,
finding ways to save money on installations and providing
their services at the lowest cost possible. They use highly
trained, licensed photovoltaic installers and a highly qualified team of managers and consultants. They use educational programs, offer job training, professional meetings,
and informational workshops (using the actual installations) to teach community members about the benefits of
renewable energy, how solar systems work, and how they
can address climate change.
Inside Medicine: What Your Doctor Won’t Tell You
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. SL: Silver Baron D
by Doctor Bob
Speaker
Bad back? Shoulder pain? Swollen feet? Carpal tunnel?
Sore neck? Knees giving out? Non-specific pain? Cholesterol, sugar, high blood pressure, depression, arthritis?
Is that what’s troubling you, Bunky? Are you considering
Compensatory Consumption: Why We Overspend and
Overeat
Noon–1:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
Speaker
When people feel that their self-esteem has been threatened, they find various ways to compensate. Some people
turn to “compensatory consumption,” such as buying
26 — AG 2012
luxury or high-status brands, or engaging in escapist
behaviors such as overeating or binge drinking. During
her presentation, Dr. Horovitz will review recent advances
in marketing and consumer psychology regarding such
compensatory consumption behaviors. She also will offer
suggestions for healthier coping strategies.
HIV: Separating Facts From Fiction
Noon–1:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by Pankaj Khemka, M.D.
Speaker
HIV — a fact-based presentation covering symptoms of
the disease, how it is transmitted, the available treatments,
the complications, what determines the difference between
living with the disease — or dying from it, how serious
are needle sticks, the known results of vaccine trials, why
some people are seemingly immune, what is going on in
Africa, the current trends and what may we expect in the
next year, five years, ten years. Q&A if time permits.
Storied Landscapes: Nevada’s Prehistoric Rock Art
Noon–1:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
by Angus R. Quinlan
Speaker
Rock art is one of the most visible monuments made by
Nevada’s prehistoric hunter foragers and served several
cultural functions. Rock art inscribes in the landscape the
praxis (i.e., the realization or implementation of theories of
being in daily social life) of its makers and users. Rock art
also has symptomatic meaning for contemporary observers, providing information that can characterize the social
worlds of the cultures that used it. We’ll explore the ways
that the ephemeral actions of social life survive in time/
space through rock art, and how symbolic culture shaped
the experience of daily life.
GenY SIG Meet & Greet
Noon–1:15 p.m.
by Robert Allen
GenY is for Mensans born between 1976 and 1995 (inclusive; 18+). This indicates not the exclusion of older,
more, uh, mature persons, but simply the coherence of us
youngins for discussion, amusement, and human relationships. GenY Ms is working to bring a new perception of
Mensa to would-be members, and merrymaking with the
current! Join Gen Y ~ Join the cool kids. (Interested parties
welcome!)
Speed Chess Tournament
Noon–1:15 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Adam Smargon
Chess, one of the world’s most popular games, teaches
strategy, critical thinking, and tactics. This tournament
uses chess clocks, which will allow a maximum of five
minutes per side, features the added dimension of a temporal pressure-cooker environment. Space is limited in this
tournament, due to the finite number of chess clocks we
have. Be sure to sign up early!
Mobile Planetarium
12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m. CC: Mandalay A
Youth
The Art of Healthy Snacking
1 p.m.–2:15 p.m.
by Kimberly Bakke
Speaker
Now armed with a culinary degree, Kimmi (who joined
Mensa prior to her 4th birthday) is attending her 21st AG.
(She’s 20 — figure it out!) For many years she’s watched
her M-friends survive for five days on nachos, hotdogs and
Mtn Dew. Today she’ll educate you on the art of snacking.
AG 2012 — 27
Programs: Thursday
Podcasting: What Is It and How Do I Do It?
Noon–1:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Eric Johnson
Speaker
Podcasts seem to be everywhere these days and the topics
they cover are as numerous as the shows themselves. If you
have an interest or expertise that you want to share with the
world, you can do so through podcasting. This program will
look at how anyone can build a great show and start sharing their knowledge. Whether you are a hobbyist and just
want to podcast for fun or you want to use podcasting as a
marketing tool for your business, we will look at everything
that you need to know to get yourself started.
Debate Room: Political Empowerment
Noon–1:15 p.m.
CC: Sierra
What is it about empowerment that turns many good
people bad? “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts
absolutely” — Lord Acton. What checks and balances can
be used intelligently to keep politicians on the righteous
path — or is that just a pipe dream? (This session is a moderated debate among attendees. Join the fun, meet other
attendees, and exchange opinions on this topic!)
Programs: Thursday
From the chemistry of food — to the caloric differentials
— to the appearance and texture — to the taste-bud tantalization. Who knew that “healthy” could taste so good?
Everyone is welcome; teens be prepared to sample!
Exploration Station
1 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
CC: Mandalay B
Youth
Adults and kids are welcome to come and play with some
of the brightest toys around. The toys and activities will
be available for unstructured play. Toys include Fractiles,
amazing puppets, Laser Pegs, Dado Bricks, puzzles, Rubiks products, and much more! This is open to adults and
children; children must be accompanied by an adult. There
is no fee, and no registration is required.
Gifted and GLBTQ: Challenges and Strategies
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Teresa Manzella
Speaker
Because a significant emphasis on fitting in is part of the
American experience, people who are gifted as well as
gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender can find themselves
isolated, feeling that the differences that make them unique
are burdensome. This session discusses some of the challenges of being gifted/GLBTQ and introduces the notion
of positive identity construction around a multi-faceted
model — one that allows youth and adults to celebrate
their differences as they build and integrate working identities. This session is appropriate for people 12 and up.
London SIG
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
by Jeff Fisher
Outside London and the Internet, this is the only meeting
of American Mensa’s London SIG. Whether you live in
London, have visited, or are just interested in the city with
the largest Mensa local group in the world, you’re welcome to join our discussion of Mensa events in and around
London and find out about the London SIG email lists.
Waltzing Matilda
1:30 p.m.–3 p.m.
SL: Expo B
by Don Jacobs
Arts, Music, Dance, and Drama
If Matilda can do it why can’t you? Now don’t let your
brain get into a tizzy. As Mensans you know how that can
get in the way of your feet. So do come join us and learn
how to look and feel so very elegant on the dance floor. As
always, partners not required. Just get your bods out on the
dance floor.
28 — AG 2012
EleMents of Style: Revealing Your Inner Fierceness
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Nguyen “Win” Pham
Speaker
While many of us share an interest in modern elegance
and flair, we tend to de-prioritize our fabulousness because
we’re too busy being intrinsically awesome. That’s fine,
but we can do better. Join Mr. Mensa 2011, aka Nguyen
Pham, as he takes us through the elements of personal style
and affirms how we can enhance our public and private
selves simply by observing some basic tenets of manners
and aesthetics. Learn the fun and value of looking strategically at how we present ourselves to the world and how to
optimize this personal presentation — without sacrificing
our precious individualities.
Maximizing Our Potential: What do we Owe the 98%?
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by Nancy Alvarado
Speaker
In these times of severely restricted school budgets, education of gifted children has been increasingly neglected. On
the other hand, society does recognize that without nurturing talent, our nation cannot remain competitive in the
world economy. Some educators suggest that the goal of
gifted education ought to be nurturing eminence because
gifted children are an important national resource. But do
we owe society this and is this a worthy goal for education
in general and our kids in particular? What is eminence,
what barriers exist to its attainment and do we even want it
for ourselves or our children?
Debate Room: Zero Population Growth
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Where do you stand on the size of families? Should two
birth-kids be enough for everyone, and let adoption be the
way to have all the kids you want? How about the fertility
docs? Should they be regulated to avoid the many multiple
births that we have seen in recent years? Can earth sustain
an ever-increasing population, or will we have some form
of epidemic disease, mass starvation, etc., as a natural correction? If we run out of topic before we run out of time,
how about that “Octomom?” (This session is a moderated
debate among attendees. Join the fun, meet other attendees,
and exchange opinions on this topic!)
Calculating the Probability of Human Survival
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Expo C
by Willard Wells
Speaker
Proliferating man-made hazards threaten humanity.
Why They Toss Your Screenwriting Masterpiece
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
by Stewart Farquhar
Speaker
Many scripts fail within the first half of the first page or
less. Others dig themselves a grave within the first ten
pages. Either scenario causes the first-level reader to lose
interest and either drop it in the reject pile or skim through
the rest of it. Both options spell disaster for your spec
script and in many cases any further writing efforts on the
writer’s part. In this interactive presentation you will learn
why spec scripts get rejected in the first ten pages and
ways to minimize the chance of that rejection.
Mobile Planetarium
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
CC: Mandalay A
Youth
Trash Bowl
1:30 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Charlie Steinhice
Tournaments
Lively pop culture team competition, game show-style,
only without commercials. Hosted by your genial quizmaster Charlie Steinhice. Challenging for competitors,
entertaining for spectators. Buzzer system format is like
academic quizbowl, but not the subject matter. Maximum
64 players, who’ll be arbitrarily grouped into teams. No
experience necessary; early signup recommended.
So, You Want To Be a Cruise Ship Speaker?
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
by Cookie Bakke
Speaker
Do you want to travel the world as an Enrichment Lecturer? I’ve been asked what it takes to get this part-time
“dream job” so many times and by so many Mensans,
that I thought it was time to answer you all at once. How
does the system work? Who pays what? How many hours/
days will you have to speak? What are the audiences like?
Which cruise lines are best? Not so best? How do you get
started in this profession that accepts less than 1 percent of
the applicants? Cultural challenges? Questions, questions,
questions... and answers.
Going Global in 2012
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
by Elissa Rudolph
Speaker
Three years ago the idea of exchanging ideas, experiences,
and resources across the globe through various selected
leaders visiting large Mensa gatherings was just a fantasy.
Now it is a permanent international program due to the
results of the two years of pilot programs. Here is a huge
opportunity for those of you in officer or want-to-be-officer
positions (or any Mensa member really) to see how it’s done
in other countries; to hear what works and what doesn’t; and
to meet these leaders from outside our borders. Please look
for their special badges and introduce yourself — they are as
curious about you as you are about them!
Waltzing Matilda Supervised Ballroom Dance Practice
3 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
SL: Expo B
by Don Jacobs
Practice what you’ve learned and if you have questions
you can get answers, even if you weren’t at the class or it’s
a question about any other dance.
Saluting New Readers (SNR) — Motivating Kids to
Read
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by Jerry Martin, M.A.
Speaker
This innovative, award-winning, Mensan created, volunteer program has been implemented for 14 years and
deserves to expand beyond its small town (Grass Valley,
Calif.). SNR violates established practices in education
and TV production. It puts elementary kids on low-budget
($15 for 45-minute show) TV reading their favorite books.
Based on simplicity and economy, one adult can excite
AG 2012 — 29
Programs: Thursday
Emerging threats include genetic engineering, artificial
intelligence, geoengineering, and more. Several renowned
scholars agree. One way to estimate survivability is the socalled bottom-up approach: run simulations based on a list
of hazards. However, this requires too many assumptions.
My top-down analysis leaves individual hazards unspecified. Instead, it uses past survival to infer probable fitness
for future survival. The current risk rate for civilization’s
collapse is about 10% per decade, extinction 3%. Civilization half-life is 5 to 8 billion people-centuries. With about
80% confidence, this collapse will destroy man-made
hazards in time to rescue our species.
Programs: Thursday
kids about reading by taping them, in their classroom, and
showing it on local public access TV and on YouTube.
Kids love and crave the recognition, and practice reading
aloud with expression and enthusiasm. SNR provides effective intrinsic motivation.
professional or taking snapshots, is it worth exposing your
gear and yourself to pervasive alkaline dust? What about
such legal aspects as model releases? SIG members are
contributing tips and tricks for successful photography at
the Festival.
Answering Art (No Matter How Unqualified You Think
You Are)
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Sarah Swenson
Speaker
A painting is another person’s attempt to communicate directly to you personally. This fundamental point often gets
lost, and many people feel they don’t know much about
art. But you know what you like and what you don’t like.
You know what touches you and what leaves you cold.
In this session, we will put thoughts of expertise aside
and enjoy the experience of authentic interaction with art.
Here’s your chance to let go of any barriers that inhibit
your response. Answer the artist! This presentation will be
interactive and inspiring, as you and your fellow Mensans
open up to art.
Ski SIG Meet & Greet
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
by Suzy Wills
Join skiers, boarders, bladers and wannabes for the Ski
SIG Meet & Greet. We’ll talk about the 2012 trip to Big
Sky Montana and plans for next season.
Debate Room: The Media
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Sensationalism sells more and gets higher ratings than the
gentle, feel-good, sing-songy stuff. So, at the end of each
day, what do we really know? Is the world in as much chaos as we are led to believe — or have the souls of mankind
been stained by what they see and hear from the media?
(This session is a moderated debate among attendees. Join
the fun, meet other attendees, and exchange opinions on
this topic!)
TeenSIG Scavenger Hunt
4 p.m.–7 p.m.
CC: Mandalay 2
Teens
Come participate in an outrageous team event. This has
been cited as the most hilarious teen event of the week;
you don’t want to miss it. The list of tasks and collectables
is teen-written and judging is based on completion and
creativity. Teams will be formed at the onset.
Annual Business Meeting
4:30 p.m.–6 p.m.
SL: Expo C
You’re an American Mensan and you want to know what’s
happening with your organization. Come to the ABM and
hear reports from the Chairman, Treasurer, and Executive Director of American Mensa and the President of the
Mensa Foundation. All members are urged to participate in
the Annual Business Meeting, where they have a voice and
a vote.
Songwriters’ Circle
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
by Penelope Salinger
Entertainment
Though there won’t be a campfire, there will be a circle of
songwriters performing their own original music. Songwriters of every genre are welcomed, as are folks who just
want to come and listen.
TOPGUN Today
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m
by CDR Steven “Sonic” Hejmanowski
Speaker
A discussion on the legacy of the United States Navy
Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). This brief will detail
TOPGUN’s organization, construct, and history from its
modest beginnings to its far-reaching Fleet-wide impact
and continued relevance in today’s dynamic environment.
Burning Man Festival: Photographer’s Dream or
Nightmare?
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Alice Norman, Bill Kositzky
Speaker
Possibly the most spectacular event in the USA, the annual
week-long festival presents photographers and videographers with boundless opportunities. Whether you are a
Debate Room: Taxation
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
CC: Sierra
What’s fair? What’s not? If there is a “better way,” what
is it? And we’re not just talking about income tax; we’ll
be considering all of those underlying taxes — gasoline,
cigarettes, inheritance, property, ad nauseam. (This session
30 — AG 2012
Witchcraft, Wicca, Magick & Divination
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Carole Preisach
Speaker
The talk will focus on what Witchcraft is, the differences
between Witchcraft & Wicca, what is meant by Magick,
and various forms of Divination utilized by Witches and/or
Psychics today.
Intertel Meet & Greet
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
by Linda Woodhead
Intertel is a high-IQ society for those who have scored at or
above the 99th percentile on a standardized IQ test. Intertel
nurtures a sense of camaraderie between members and provides opportunities for them to communicate and express
their unique views. Founded in 1966, Intertel currently has
about 1,100 members in thirty countries. Current members
are invited to meet their fellow members. Potential members are invited to meet us and learn about joining.
SCUBA SIG
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
by John Adams
Euchre Tournament
4:30 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Beth Weiss
Euchre is often played for the Championship of the
Kitchen, but who wouldn’t want to be the Champion of the
Reno AG? This euchre tournament uses the rules followed
at most Region 3 RGs: play is 3 rounds of 12 hands each
with rotating (assigned) partners. It’s Stick the Dealer, and
if your partner orders it up, you can choose to go alone.
Come play one of the Midwest’s favorite games! This tournament is for those who already know how to play euchre.
5:45 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Tonight it’s BBQ chicken, a Steamship Round carving
station, a vegetarian offering, salad, potatoes, vegetables,
How to Protect Yourself Against the Police
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by Andy Di Cyan
Speaker
Knowing your rights against police is good, but being able
to use that knowledge to protect yourself is what you really
need. Police usually go after whoever’s in front of them.
Even if they know their rights, innocent people usually fold
under interrogation and confess falsely to serious crimes.
And get convicted. Newspaper and TV exposés of this
phenomenon don’t tell you how to protect yourself. This
seminar will. We’ll level the playing field. Make a police
encounter a temporary annoyance instead of a life-changing
event. You can get to walk away. Join us and be safe.
Debate Room: Religion
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Why do some people require religious structure in their lives
while others can happily live as agnostics or atheists? Do
some (or all) religions do more harm than good for people
and the world — or is the general affect a positive one?
Does anyone like answering the door to two proselytizers
or being approached by them in a public place? And what
about the Pledge of Allegiance “under God” thing? (This
session is a moderated debate among attendees. Join the fun,
meet other attendees, and exchange opinions on this topic!)
mental_floss Magazine: Playing With Time
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Sandy Wood, Kara Kovalchik
Speaker
Join the research editors of mental_floss for trivia, puzzles,
and prizes as they talk about the tricks of their trade and
the evolution of the brand over the past 10 years. We’ll
have tons of flossy fun!
Club Med SIG
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
by Erica Byrne
Balderdash!
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
by Alexander N. Brittain
Speaker
A word game for both the erudite and the ignorant. Be
an active participant or just an interested observer. Both
AG 2012 — 31
Programs: Thursday
What Mensa Has to Offer to Single Mensans
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Rob Salkin
Speaker
Single? Into smart people? Well, come find out a few ways
to meet your M-tastic match in Mensa! Special Interest Groups (SIGs), online and print media, and in-person
events will be explored. You might even find your match
(or a match for a friend of yours) at this event!
rolls/butter and an assortment of desserts. This dinner is
Programs: Thursday
highly competitive and non-competitive participants (or
observers) will have fun! Create your own definitions for
(probably) unknown words (to you), or pick the definition
from a list. Entertaining and amusing for all. Rated PG-13.
discuss some noteworthy films not nominated for Best
Picture that year, including Gunga Din, Beau Geste, Destry Rides Again, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The
Women. Q&A will follow.
Gay Marriage: A Common Sense View and Solution
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
by Peggie Dearden
Speaker
What to do? Religious people object to the whole thing.
However the problem can be solved easily and Mensans
are the very ones who can make the program work. I have
a reasonable plan to reduce hysteria and give everyone the
opportunity to couple legally. You may think it good or
bad, but it really should be thought about seriously.
An Upbeat Guide to the End of the World
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by Jim Lee
Speaker
We all hear about “gloom and doom” on the news. This
is an overview of possible cultural and social responses
to these challenges over the course of the next decade. A
futurist discusses why our lives may be changing for the
better. Can the “end of the world” really become a “happily ever after?”
An Evening of Video Game Musical Culture
7 p.m.–7:45 p.m.
SL: Expo B
by Reno Video Game Symphony
Entertainment
Reno Video Game Symphony will bring you music from
Angry Birds to Zelda arranged by them to fit into symphonic format. Rock to the sounds that made your thumbs
move, and created great memories. This truly is geek
symphonic delight!
The Werewolves of the Reno AG
7:30 p.m.–11:45 p.m. CC: Mandalay 5
by Danila Oder
Games
A party game with card-assigned roles. By night, werewolves kill off villagers. By day, enraged villagers interrogate, then kill off suspected werewolves. Which team will
be left standing? “Werewolf” requires keen observation,
deduction, people-reading and a lot of bold-faced lying.
Each fun-filled game takes 20-50 minutes; newbies age
9+ and new moderators are always welcome. (Werewolf
is similar to, but better than, “Mafia.”) Or, run your own
impromptu sessions with provided cards and instructions
available in the Circus Circus game room.
Keeping Your Loved Ones Healthy with H.E.A.R.T.
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
by Sherrie Reimers, ND, CTN
Through a synergistic blend of several age-old healing
modalities, Holistic Energy Activation & Realignment
Therapy provides a new way to gain and maintain energetic balance in body, mind and spirit. Developed by
chiropractors and naturopaths, this simple yet powerful
technique is easy to learn and use with both human and
animal loved ones. It is being used in several countries by
veterinarians, horse trainers, massage therapists and other
body workers to enhance the services they provide and
make their jobs easier. Come hear how we are putting a
healer in every household!
That Wonderful Year for Movies: 1939
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
by Howard Gross
Speaker
If you’re a fan of the Big Screen, this is for you. Expect all
of the amazing Best Picture nominees of 1939, including
Gone With the Wind, of course, but also The Wizard of Oz,
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Of Mice and Men, Stagecoach, Ninotchka, Goodbye Mr. Chips, Wuthering Heights,
Dark Victory and Love Affair. Also, time permitting, we’ll
32 — AG 2012
Debate Room: Date Rape
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Is the whole concept of “date rape” almost a fad? Do you
think the enforcement/recognition of this crime is genderbiased? He sez, “She was begging for it.” She sez, “I was
drunk ...” (What if the two of ‘em shared a bottle of Jack
Daniels and were both drunk?) How fair and/or consistent
is our system? (This session is a moderated debate among
AG 2013 Committee Meeting
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
SL: Platinum
by Carol Hilson, Karen Brack
This is a meeting of the committee members who are responsible for organizing the 2013 Annual Gathering, to be
held in Fort Worth, Texas. Interested members who wish to
help, or just find out what is planned, are welcome to attend.
rule: all pieces of the same color must touch each other on
the playing board, but only at the corners; edges of pieces
of the same color cannot touch. Edge-to-edge contact is
allowed when two pieces of different color are involved.
The object is to place as many squares of your color on the
board. Go to www.blokus.com for more information and to
play online for free!
Parent, Children, GCC Meet & Greet
7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
CC: Mandalay A
Youth
Parents, children, and GCCs are invited to gather Thursday night in the Youth Programming area. A movie will
be available for the kids, and a conversational area will be
available for the adults.
Fixing American Democracy
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Matt Cooper
Speaker
What’s wrong with America? The daily politics and problems pointed to by politicians and TV pundits are often
merely symptoms of underlying flaws in the way democracy is practiced here in the United States. Searching for
causes behind the conditions, Matt Cooper looks at numerous solid proposals to change (or in some cases restore)
the way citizen government is done. This fast-paced look
at threats to the health of democracy here in America will
zip through gerrymandering, filibusters, special interests
and even voting itself (with fixes for each), followed by a
spirited discussion.
LED 2012—The End of Time Edition
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Arthur J. Corbin
Speaker
Light Emitting Diodes are a light source that is small,
energy-efficient, and long-lived. Topics include the importance of darkness; light creates and supports life and
health; improving visual acuity with light; why you can’t
buy a 100-watt incandescent; how LEDs & OLEDs work;
new LED fixtures with a hands-on demonstration; lighting
for older eyes — dos & don’ts; and how to light a kitchen
and a bathroom.
Air Pollution Effects on Clouds and Climate
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
by James G. Hudson
Speaker
Clouds are the most important, variable and uncertain
aspect of climate mainly because they provide the majority of planetary albedo — reflection of solar energy. Cloud
albedo is a function of microphysics — the concentration and sizes of droplets. Microphysics is determined by
the concentrations of submicrometer particles — cloud
condensation nuclei (CCN). CCN concentrations and thus
cloud droplet concentrations and sizes vary by orders of
magnitude throughout the atmosphere. To a great extent
this variability is due to anthropogenic CCN. This indirect
aerosol effect (IAE; the largest climate uncertainty) is
mostly a planetary cooling that is offsetting or countervailing the greenhouse effect.
Blokus Tournament
7:30 p.m.–9:15 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Adam Smargon
A Mind Games® winner in 2003, this abstract strategy
board game uses Tetris pieces. The game has one major
A Night of Taiko Drums
8 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
SL: Expo B
by Rieko Shimbo
Entertainment
Musical performance by Reno Taiko Tsurunokai, a Japanese
drum group formed in 1997 by Rieko Shimbo. The group
plays traditional Japanese folk music as well as original
songs and has performed in numerous multicultural festivals and charity events in the Reno/Sparks area. Tsurunokai
means “gathering of cranes” and the crane, which is the
symbol of the group, can be seen on their drums as well on
the festival clothing worn by the performers.
Meet Actor Leif Gantvoort, co-star in The Amazing
Spiderman
9 p.m.–10:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
Meet Mensan and actor Leif Gantvoort, who co-stars as
the villainous street thug “Glasses” in the new summer
movie The Amazing Spider-Man. He will discuss his career
as an actor and give us the behind-the-scenes story of what
it’s like to work on a major movie production.
Carmina Burana — Third Annual Sing-Along
9 p.m.–10:30 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Dave Cahn
Entertainment
Now an AG tradition. Re-tune your tonsils! Sing along
with (or just listen to) a recording of the bawdy, lustful
AG 2012 — 33
Programs: Thursday
M-Atheists SIG Meet & Greet
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
This is our chance to provide evidence that we exist in real
life, not just in invisible cyberspace. Put some names to
faces after all this time. Come out of the shadows of Lurkdom and let us know you exist. Free-form casual format
unless someone steps forward to play leader.
Programs: Thursday
songs of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. Lyrics (in Medieval
Latin and Middle High German) will be provided.
Rub a Dub Dub: Massage Time
9 p.m.–10:15 p.m.
by Shannan
Communication is the key to (1) giving a great massage
and to (2) getting a great massage. Come on in and grab
a partner — or grab a partner and come on in. You’ll hear
how an “ooh” or an “aaah” can get you more of exactly
what feels good — and how to tell the difference between
an “ouch” and an “OUCH#$%@&” as you learn the fine
art of making your massage partner feel good. Please leave
your oil at home. Hands-on only.
Parapsychology SIG Meet, Greet and Share
9 p.m.–11:45 p.m.
by Carole Preisach
Without fear of ridicule, discuss incidents in your life
which caused interest in the paranormal.
Debate Room: Abortion
9 p.m.–10:15 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Should abortion be available to every woman who wants
it in the first trimester? If you insist on abolishing abortion, are you willing to raise one of the unwanted kids of
women forced to give birth — or do you at least have a
plan for getting them placed in loving homes? Are you
willing to freely distribute birth control, leaving fewer
women in need of making the decision to keep or abort?
In short, what’s the answer? (This session is a moderated
Steampunk Undress: Costuming from the Outside In
9 p.m.–10:15 p.m.
by Mary Crawley
Speaker
Join Mary Crawley for a revealing look at creating a
steampunk costume. With the removal and discussion of
each article and accessory, both men and women will find
handy tips and tricks for creating a complete steampunk
ensemble. Rated PG for possible profanity and mild violence while dealing with corset laces.
Wildcard Speaking Spot Number Two
9 p.m.–10:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
Speaker
On Tuesday evening, the Northern Nevada Mensa Chapter kicked off its Scholarship Fund with an Early Arrivals Dinner/Auction in the Silver Legacy. “You Get To Be
34 — AG 2012
The Speaker at 9 p.m. Thursday” was one of the auction
items. So come on down and be surprised — plus show
support for whomever was willing to pay for the privilege
of speaking at the Reno AG! (Take a chance! This feels
almost like a Come As You Are Party!)
Double-Deck Cancellation Hearts Tournament
9:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m. RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Sylvia Holt Zadorozny
Double-deck cancellation hearts is the card game of hearts,
but with a few fun twists that can turn strategy diabolical.
No experience necessary to play — Sylvia will explain all
the rules at the beginning of the tournament — but some
familiarity with playing cards would help.
Apocalypse Dance
10 p.m.–2 a.m.
SL: Expo B
by DJ in Charge–D6
Entertainment
The End of Time is upon us and the zombies may be crawling, but we plan to do the proper thing and dance! Join us
in the Expo hall and dance to the music provided by disc
jockey, D6, who is a legend at Burning Man and famous at
local venues. D6 will begin to spin as soon as Reno Taiko
finishes their performance and clears their equipment.
Young people, non-pub crawlers, and those who just can’t
wait to shake their booty can start the motion, and as the
pub crawlers return, they will kick it up a notch!
Debate Room: Bullying
10:30 p.m.–11:45 p.m. CC: Sierra
A growing problem in elementary schools, in choices of
sexuality, in appearances and throughout many aspects of
daily living. At what age is a child accountable for acts of
bullying? Where does the school responsibility stop and
the parental responsibility begin? Are the penalties sufficient for the crimes? Is there an answer... or just more
questions? (This session is a moderated debate among
Charades
10:45 p.m.–12:15 a.m. SL: Silver Baron E
by Dave Cahn
Games
Act out titles, quotations, gag sayings, punch lines, and
other interesting genres. Reach out to your inner mime.
Guess what others are trying to convey. Instructions provided before we start. Sounds like: “Fun!”
AG Program Schedule: Friday, July 6
1:45 a.m.–2 a.m.
Hospitality
Beer and wine service in Hospitality ends — will resume
at 2 p.m.
7:15 a.m.–9 a.m.
8 a.m.–8:45 a.m.
CC: Sierra
Zumba Fitness
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Expo B
Zumba Fitness is a Latin-inspired dance-fitness program
that blends red-hot international music and contagious
steps to form a “fitness party” that is downright addictive.
People of all shapes, sizes, and ages are welcome to join
the party. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and
sneakers, and bring some drinking water and a towel. Absolutely no observers will be allowed. “If you didn’t come
here to dance, then what did you come for?” — Pitbull
Clergy SIG Meet & Greet
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
by Tony Belarmino
This is a time for members of the SIG to meet each other
and for people who might be interested in joining the SIG
to meet some of the members.
Some Interesting U.S. Demographic Changes from the
2010 Census
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Elna Tymes
Speaker
Many population changes surfaced in the 2010 census,
including marriage and household formation, percentages
of older folks to younger ones, influence of immigration,
biracial couples, the rise of single mothers having babies,
the influence of college on when (or if) people get married,
etc. Come hear some of the not-so-obvious findings about
how U.S. society is changing.
Debate Room: Healthcare
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
CC: Sierra
Can we have national healthcare in the U.S.? Will it allow
government to bring down the out-of-control upward-spiraling prices? Can we at least get a national drug plan a la
Canada to get drug costs reined in? Doctors are opting out
of Medicare at an alarming rate; will a national plan necessarily get buy-in from everyone? (And what about borderhopping illegal immigrants?) (This session is a moderated
AG 2012 — 35
Programs: Friday
Morning Medical Qi Gong with Dr. Howard Chen
7:30 a.m.–8:45 a.m.
by Howard Chen, M.D.
Fitness
Qi Gong (pronounced “chee gong”) is an ancient Chinese
movement art somewhat similar to Tai Chi, that is meant to
promote health and improve the practitioner’s own circulation of Qi (vital) energy within his/her body. The slow and
rhythmic movements of Qi Gong are both easily learned
and gentle on the body. Benefits include an overall tonification of the body’s organs, as well as improved energy,
balance, circulation, calmness, and focus. No experience
necessary, appropriate for any body type or athletic level,
ability to breathe in and out important. Please come to
class in comfortable shoes and unrestrictive clothing.
Spinoffs!
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
by Richard Manley
Speaker
This presentation will highlight things that were developed
for the space program that are now part of our lives. Spinoffs is a NASA buzzword. Safe water filtration systems,
remote-controlled tractors, a bacterial spore detection system, a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical
energy, “liquid metal” (twice as strong as titanium, but
flexible like plastic) and so much more. This is an amazing
presentation that will educate and enlighten the listener to
the modern wonders borne of NASA’s Space Program that
now protect and enhance our everyday lives.
Programs: Friday
Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Dolores “Dori” Ward, M.S.
Speaker
Memory loss that disrupts daily life is not a typical part of
aging. It may be a symptom of Alzheimer’s. Learn what the
warning signs are and the importance of early detection.
Belly Dance for Every Body
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
by Ronda Wood
Come enjoy a gentle introduction to the wonderful world
of belly dance. We will have warmup and stretches followed by a series of muscle isolations and dance moves.
You’ll find out the secret to graceful hands, head slides,
shimmies and “snake arms”! Learn how you can continue
this fun and sensual movement at home. Wear comfortable
clothes; sandals should have a back to avoid stepping out
of them. This is truly a class for all sizes and ages where
you are encouraged to listen to your body.
Critical Thinking — A Proposed Definition for
Practical Applications
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
by David D. Stein
Speaker
This presentation will develop a practical, straight-forward
and common-sense definition for critical thinking to help
individuals evaluate the quality of their reasoning skills.
The definition will be derived through the identification
of key elements missing from the cognitive process that
contributed to historical analytic failures. Thus, specific
examples of analytic failures will be presented, not as a
lessons-learned in the traditional sense, but only to help
identify the essential elements of critical thinking. Finally,
a working definition will be proposed and its utility and
advantages demonstrated.
Getting People Involved
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Gold
by Dave Remine
LDWs
Learn ways to get your local members involved in the
organization. Aids in retention and even recruitment of
Mensa members.
Certify as a Mensa Proctor!
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Silver
by Howard Prince
LDWs
Attention all Proctors in Training! Do you need to observe
a testing session in order to complete your Proctor training? If so, we’ll be conducting a training session just for
eligible Proctors in Training! This informational session
will count as both of your observations towards your qualifications and will guide you through some of the forms
and information you’ll need to conduct testing sessions
in your area. All attendees must already have a completed
Proctor application on file with the National Office and be
approved to attend this training. Send any questions and
register for this session by emailing Admissions Manager
Mary Spencer at marys@americanmensa.org.
Rollercoaster: Christian Transsexual Lesbian
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by Rev. Cathryn Paradise
Speaker
An autobiographical monologue about a fundamentalist
Christian transsexual lesbian. Come join me as I tell of the
ride that is my life.
Friends of Bill W.
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
CC: Washoe
CultureQuest™ Trivia Tournament
9 a.m.–10 a.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Adam Smargon
What is the newest Nobel Prize category? What is potassium nitrate better known as? Who was Pope at the start
of the First Crusade? If you know the answers to questions
like these, you’ve probably been called a repository of
useless information. (Your tournament director hears that
from his sister all the time.) In reality, T.J. Lundeen and
Becky O’Neal founded CultureQuest™ as a competition
among Region 6 Local Groups in 1990 to promote and test
cultural literacy. From film to politics, from literature to
geography, from music to history, it has mushroomed and
evolved to the major Mensa competition it is today.
AG Registration
9 a.m.–7 p.m.
36 — AG 2012
Tear-out program guide for
Foundation Board Meeting
9 a.m.–5 p.m., SL: Silver Baron C
AG Registration
Noon–9 p.m., SL: Rumbullions Patio
Traveling Tour of the AG Environment for Those with Mobility
Difficulties
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m., Silver Legacy
Lobby
Finance Committee Meeting
3 p.m.–4 p.m., SL: Silver
The United States of Armageddon
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m., SL: Silver Baron B
Getting Started Geocaching
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m., SL: Silver Baron D
Governance Discussion
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m., CC: Mandalay 4
Debate Room: Genetic Engineering
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m., CC: Sierra
GenY SIG
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m., SL: Silver Baron
4-5-6
What It Takes to Run a Brothel in
Storey County
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m., SL: Silver Baron E
LocSec Meet & Greet
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m., SL: Gold
Let’s Talk POKER!
1-2-3
Backgammon Tournament
3 p.m.–5:45 p.m., RB: Reno Ballroom 4
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m., CC: Mandalay 6
Spy vs. Spy: The Holland Problem in
World War II
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m., SL: Silver Baron
B
Speed-Talking: The Ultimate AG
Icebreaker
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m., CC: TahoeTruckee-Carson
Debate Room: Our Aging Society
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m., CC: Sierra
GenX SIG
4-5-6
The End of Time: Wednesday
Charles Dodgson, The Man Behind
Alice in Wonderland
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m. SL: Silver Baron
1-2-3
Prostitution and Sex Trafficking in
Nevada
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m. SL: Silver Baron E
Membership Officers Meet & Greet
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m., SL: Gold
TeenSIG Meet & Greet
5 p.m.–6 p.m., CC: Mandalay A
5:45 p.m.–7:30 p.m., RB: Reno Ballroom 1-2-5-6
Thinking and Writing Activities for
the Brain
1-2-3
Debate Room: Separation of Church
and State
M-LDS SIG Meet & Greet
4-5-6
Treasurer Meet & Greet
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m., SL: Gold
Group Speed Solitaire Tournament
The Real Nevada West in Story and
Song
7 p.m.–8:15 p.m., SL: Expo B
Mensa Manners 110
1-2-3
Debate Room: Drug Legalization
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m., CC: Sierra
IQ SIG Greet & Meet
4-5-6
Mensans Online Meet & Greet
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m., SL: Gold
Mexican Train Dominos
7:30 p.m.–9:15 p.m., RB: Reno Ballroom 4
Medical Charts and Histories —
Take Control!
E
Self-Driving Cars and You
D
Mark Twain’s Nevada
8:30 p.m.–9:15 p.m., SL: Expo B
Leadership Development Committee
Meeting
8:30 p.m.–9 p.m., SL: Silver
Debate Room: Internet Dating
Charades With a Twist — a Porno
Twist!
1-2-3
4-5-6
Wildcard Speaking Spot Number
One
HELL’s M’s Prequel
9:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m., SL: Suite 3401
Carnelli Tournament
9:30 p.m.–10:45 p.m., Reno Ballroom 4
Debate Room: Freedom of Speech
Issues
10:30 p.m.–11:45 p.m., CC: Sierra
AG 2012 — 37
1:45 a.m.–2 a.m., RB: Reno Ballroom 1-2-5-6
Here’s Your 2004 Las Vegas Coffee!
7:30 a.m.–8:45 a.m. , SL: Silver Baron A
8 a.m.–8:45 a.m., CC: Sierra
HamSIG
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m., SL: Silver Baron 4-5-6
American Mensa Committee Meeting
9 a.m.–4 p.m., SL: Expo A
Zumba Fitness
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m. , SL: Expo B
Ask the Pharmacist
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m. , SL: Silver Baron C
Oners: Notable Extended Movie Shots
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m., SL: Silver Baron E
Challenging Depression:...
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m., SL: Silver Baron D
Recent Significant and High Profile Legal Issues
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m., SL: Silver Baron B
What’s the Fuss About Enzymes?
Debate Room: The Future of Energy
GoalYoga–Simply Make Your Life Better
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m., CC: Tahoe-Truckee-Carson
AG Registration
9 a.m.–7 p.m., SL: Rumbullions Patio
Friendly Duplicate Bridge
9 a.m.–11:45 a.m., RB: Reno Ballroom 4
Friends of Bill W.
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m., CC: Washoe
Mobile Planetarium
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m., CC: Mandalay A
10 a.m.–4 p.m.,, RB: Reno Ballroom Salon
Twenty-Five Minute Stories
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m., SL: Expo B
Mobile Planetarium
10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m., CC: Mandalay A
Science Fiction and Fantasy SIG Meeting
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m., SL: Silver Baron 4-5-6
Nuclear Propaganda in the American West
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m., SL: Silver Baron C
Social Media, Online Anonymity and the Digital
Divide
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m., SL: Expo C
Debate Room: Capital Punishment
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m., CC: Sierra
Ways to Be a Better Thinker
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m., SL: Silver Baron B
Globalization and Our American Economy
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m., SL: Silver Baron E
The Buying and Selling of American Children
AML Facebook Page Group Meet & Greet
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m., SL: Gold
Inside Medicine:...
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m., SL: Silver Baron D
Mobile Planetarium
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., CC: Mandalay A
11:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m., RB: Reno Ballroom 1-2-5-6
Solar Power: 100% Spill Proof
Noon–1:15 p.m.,, SL: Silver Baron 1-2-3
Compensatory Consumption:...
Noon–1:15 p.m., SL: Silver Baron E
The End of Time: Thursday
Podcasting: What Is It and How Do I Do It?
Noon–1:15 p.m., SL: Silver Baron D
HIV: Separating Facts From Fiction
Noon–1:15 p.m., SL: Silver Baron B
Storied Landscapes:...
Noon–1:15 p.m., SL: Silver Baron C
Debate Room: Political Empowerment
Noon–1:15 p.m.,, CC: Sierra
GenY SIG Meet & Greet
Noon–1:15 p.m., SL: Silver Baron 4-5-6
Speed Chess Tournament
Noon–1:15 p.m., RB: Reno Ballroom 4
Mobile Planetarium
12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m., CC: Mandalay A
The Art of Healthy Snacking
1 p.m.–2:15 p.m., CC: Tahoe-Truckee-Carson
Exploration Station
1 p.m.–4:30 p.m., CC: Mandalay B
Gifted and GLBTQ: Challenges and Strategies
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m., SL: Silver Baron E
London SIG
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m., SL: Silver Baron 4-5-6
Waltzing Matilda
1:30 p.m.–3 p.m., SL: Expo B
EleMents of Style:...
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m., SL: Silver Baron D
Maximizing Our Potential:...
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m., SL: Silver Baron B
Debate Room: Zero Population Growth
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m., CC: Sierra
Calculating the Probability of Human Survival
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m., SL: Expo C
Why They Toss Your Screenwriting Masterpiece
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m., SL: Silver Baron C
Mobile Planetarium
Trash Bowl
So, You Want To Be a Cruise Ship Speaker?
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m., SL: Silver Baron 1-2-3
Going Global in 2012
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m., SL: Silver Baron C
Waltzing Matilda Supervised... Dance Practice
3 p.m.–3:30 p.m., SL: Expo B
Saluting New Readers (SNR)...
Answering Art...
Debate Room: The Media
Songwriters’ Circle
Burning Man Festival:...
Ski SIG Meet & Greet
TeenSIG Scavenger Hunt
4 p.m.–7 p.m., CC: Mandalay 2
Annual Business Meeting
4:30 p.m.–6 p.m., SL: Expo C
TOPGUN Today
Debate Room: Taxation
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m., CC: Sierra
Witchcraft, Wicca, Magick & Divination
What Mensa Has to Offer to Single Mensans
Intertel Meet & Greet
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m., CC: Tahoe-Truckee-Carson
SCUBA SIG
Euchre Tournament
How to Protect Yourself Against the Police
Debate Room: Religion
mental_floss Magazine: Playing With Time
Club Med SIG
Balderdash!
Gay Marriage:...
An Evening of Video Game Musical Culture
7 p.m.–7:45 p.m., SL: Expo B
Keeping Your Loved Ones Healthy with
H.E.A.R.T.
An Upbeat Guide to the End of the World
That Wonderful Year for Movies: 1939
7:30 p.m.–11:45 p.m., CC: Mandalay 5
Debate Room: Date Rape
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m., CC: Sierra
AG 2013 Committee Meeting
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m., SL: Platinum
Parent, Children, GCC Meet & Greet
LED 2012—The End of Time Edition
Air Pollution Effects on Clouds and Climate
Blokus Tournament
Fixing American Democracy
A Night of Taiko Drums
8 p.m.–9:30 p.m., SL: Expo B
Meet Actor Leif Gantvoort,...
Carmina Burana — Third Annual Sing-Along
Rub a Dub Dub: Massage Time
Parapsychology SIG Meet, Greet and Share
Debate Room: Abortion
Steampunk Undress:...
Wildcard Speaking Spot Number Two
Double-Deck Cancellation Hearts Tournament
9:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m., RB: Reno Ballroom 4
Apocalypse Dance
10 p.m.–2 a.m., SL: Expo B
Debate Room: Bullying
10:30 p.m.–11:45 p.m., CC: Sierra
Charades
10:45 p.m.–12:15 a.m., SL: Silver Baron E
7:30 a.m.–8:45 a.m., CC: Tahoe-Truckee-Carson
Zumba Fitness
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m., SL: Expo B
Spinoffs!
Clergy SIG Meet & Greet
Some Interesting U.S. Demographic Changes
from the 2010 Census
Debate Room: Healthcare
Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters
Belly Dance for Every Body
Critical Thinking — ...
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.. SL: Silver Baron C
Getting People Involved
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m., SL: Gold
Certify as a Mensa Proctor!
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m., SL: Silver
Rollercoaster: Christian Transsexual Lesbian
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m., SL: Silver Baron B
Friends of Bill W.
CultureQuest™ Trivia Tournament
9 a.m.–10 a.m., RB: Reno Ballroom 4
AG Registration
10 a.m.–4 p.m., RB: Reno Ballroom Salon
...Sudoku Tournament — Opening Round
Hoop Hoop Hooray! Hula Hoop Fitness
Accelerating the Shift To Electric Vehicles
A look at the War on Drugs
Debate Room: Affirmative Action
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m., CC: Sierra
Natural-M SIG
Strategic Planning for Local Groups
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m., SL: Gold
What Mensa Has to Offer Gifted Youth
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m., SL: Silver
“The ViN System:”...
Waging War on Pseudoscience...
Micro And Macro-Economics of the Casino
Industry
Duchre (Duplicate Euchre) Tournament
11:15 a.m.–2 p.m., RB: Reno Ballroom 4
HIV and AIDS: Past, Present & Future
Dothraki, Conlangers:...
Beyond the Electric Vehicle
The End of Time: Friday
Moonbuggies: Pedaling to the Moon
Debate Room: Parental Responsibility
Noon–1:15 p.m., CC: Sierra
GenX SIG
Awards Luncheon
Noon–1:30 p.m., SL: Expo B
Why They Speed Date Your Screenwriting
Masterpiece
TeenSIG Zumba Dance Party!
Art of Living
Control Your World With MS Excel
Schemes, Scams & Flimflams — Update 2012
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m., SL: Expo C
Culture in Cowtown AG (2013) Preview
Debate Room: Financial Responsibility
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m., CC: Sierra
Social Media Makes a Difference
There’s Help for That! (What the National Office
Can Do for You)
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m., SL: Gold
The Mensa Education & Research Foundation
Today and in the Future
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m., SL: Silver
Conservative Ms Meet & Greet
Travel Happy!...
HaChaCha
3 p.m.–4:30 p.m., SL: Expo B
Gender at the Extremes of the Bell Shaped Curve
The “Sandwich Generation”...
The Writing Life
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m., SL: Expo C
A Mensa Volunteer’s Timeline
Debate Room: The Job Market
WebHeads SIG Meet & Greet
The Art of the Bribe and Talking Cash!
Sushi — The Art, the Enjoyment and the Secrets
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m., CC: Smoking Gecko Restaurant
Ombudsman/ADR SIG LDW
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m., SL: Gold
Marketing Sparks
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m., SL: Silver
The Treasure Hunt
HaChaCha Supervised Ballroom Dance Practice
4:30 p.m.–5 p.m., SL: Expo B
Linguistic & Content Analysis for Deception
Criminal Court Screw Ups: OJ, Casey and More
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m., SL: Expo C
What Do You Do When the Seemingly
Impossible Occurs?
My Life Among the Obliviots
A Bora Bora Adventure
Debate Room: U.S. Infrastructure
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m., CC: Sierra
Serial And Concurrent Entrepreneurship...
Membership Officer Ideas & Resources
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m., SL: Gold
Meet the Communications Team!
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m., SL: Silver
Debate Room: Government Programs
When Poop is the Problem...
Astrophotography:...
Great Krypton: The Secret Origins of Superman
L’Chaim! SIG
The U.S. is a Free Country, Not a Christian
Nation
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m., SL: Expo C
Team Dynamics — Improving Team Effectiveness
Inventions in Medicine
ExComm Basics
Boggle Tournament
TeenSIG Improvapahloozah!
Stem Cells and Optimization of Function
HELL’s Ms SIG
7:30 p.m.–11:45 p.m., CC: Mandalay 5
Mensa’s Evolving New Social Approach
Debate Room: Legalization of Prostitution
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m., CC: Sierra
Storytime for Smartypants
Word Games
Set Tournament
Debate Room: Gun Control
Mr. Mensa 2012
9 p.m.–11 p.m., SL: Expo B
Sex and Secularism:...
Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament
9 p.m.–12 a.m., RB: Reno Ballroom 4
Debate Room: Evolution
10:30 p.m.–11:45 p.m., CC: Sierra
Ask the Sexologist — Q&A on Human Sexuality
Rocky Horror Picture Show
11:30 p.m.–1:30 a.m., SL: Expo B
The End of Time: Saturday/
Sunday
Augmenting Your Mental Toolbox
The Stars Above
Debate Room: Attorneys
Registration for the Mensa Admission Test
9 a.m.–9:30 a.m., SL: Expo B
Using Intelligence for the Benefit of Humanity
Around the Globe
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m., SL: Silver Baron C
Probing Alien Crevices on Mars and Other Worlds
AG Registration
Friends of Bill W.
Treasurer Ideas & Resources
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m., SL: Gold
Making the Most of Mensa’s Diversity to Recruit
and Engage Members & Leaders
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m., SL: Silver
Cryptograms Tournament
American Mensa Admission Test
9:30 a.m.–11 a.m., SL: Expo B
10 a.m.–4 p.m., RB: Reno Ballroom Salon
Monopoly Tournament
10:15 a.m.–1:15 p.m., RB: Reno Ballroom 4
SeniorSex: What You Didn’t Learn in School
Aesthetic Medicine...
How I Published My Book and How You Can, Too
When Lawyers Go BAD! How to Protect Yourself!
Debate Room: Social Media
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m., CC: Sierra
Heart Healthy Laughter Yoga
How to Work with Almost Anybody...!
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m., SL: Silver
Tools & Tips on American Mensa’s Web site
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m., SL: Gold
Sexy Evolution:...
11:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m., RB: Reno Ballroom 1-2-5-6
BurningMan SIG Meet & Greet
Domestic Violence — Current Research Updates
Game Theory Live Experiments
Why Conflicts Are Good and How We Can Get
Better at Them
Debate Room: The Armed Forces
Noon–1:15 p.m., CC: Sierra
Medical Improvisation During the End of Time
Hug Dots and Donuts:...
Newsletter Editor Ideas & Resources
Noon–1:15 p.m., SL: Silver
TeenSIG Hustle
What Is Satori?
A Tribute to Teachers
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m., SL: Expo C
Debate Room: World of the Paranormal
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m., CC: Sierra
Sonic Illusions:...
Cockpit of the Future — CrewSystem2035
Curating Content? Blending Communications in
the Digital Age
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m., SL: Silver
Court Room Horror Stories and Legal
Nightmares
A Spelling Bee That’ll Give You Hives
Round-Table Discussion on Using Social Media
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m., SL: Gold
Australia — Images from Down Under
Dumb Things Smart People Do
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m., SL: Expo C
Debate Room: Gay Marriage
My Vacation to North Korea
World Of Warcraft SIG
Economy of The Unincorporated Man
Down & Dirty Physics for Rescue:...
Bylaws Workshop
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m., SL: Gold
Succession Planning for the Local Group
Sex, Laws and Stereotypes
Debate Room: Criminal Sentencing Reform
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m., CC: Sierra
WTF, and Other Issues/...
How To Run With The Bulls In Pamplona
Apocalyptic Visions, Transformation Engines
and the Evolution of Burning Man
Understanding You:...
...Sudoku Tournament–Finals
Implications of Transcendence in Big Bang
Cosmology
Debate Room: Valuation of Life
Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament
Your Body Doesn’t Lie! Muscle Testing for Health
Saturday Night Gala Banquet & Show
7 p.m.–8:45 p.m., SL: Expo B
Power Pages:...
7:30 p.m.–11:45 p.m., CC: Mandalay 5
Debate Room: Assisted Suicide
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m., CC: Sierra
Gene SIG
Quiddler Tournament
Cheryl the Soccer Mom and Friends: Stand Up
Comedy
Debate Room: Education (No Child Left Behind)
History and Taste of Chocolate
The End of Time Burlesque Show (Strictly
Adults Only!)
9:15 p.m.–10 p.m., SL: Expo B
Magic: The Gathering Sealed Tournament
9:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m., RB: Reno Ballroom 4
Debate Room: The Economy
10:30 p.m.–11:45 p.m., CC: Sierra
Chocolate Dessert Buffet
11 p.m.–11:45 p.m., RB: Reno Ballroom 1-2-5-6
Sunday
Christian Communion Service
Friends of Bill W.
Farewell Brunch
10 a.m.–Noon, SL: Expo B
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Don’t You Know It’s the End of the World
Hospitality Farewell
Noon–2 p.m., RB: Reno Ballroom 4
10 a.m.–4 p.m.
by U.S. Post Office
Get a pictorial cancellation commemorating Mensa’s 2012
AG. The post office will be on site to frank your postcards
and letters with the unique souvenir. Domestic and international postage will be available on a limited basis.
Joel Huddleston Memorial Sudoku Tournament —
Opening Round
10 a.m.–11 a.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Adam Smargon
This speed-based tournament has two rounds. The opening
round consists of five standard (9x9) Sudoku puzzles. They
may be completed in any order, and players are permitted to go back and forth between puzzles. The five fastest
players to correctly finish these five puzzles move on to the
finals on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
natives and the countries that have begun their own drug
policy reforms. This will be presented by a former law
enforcement officer.
Debate Room: Affirmative Action
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. CC: Sierra
Is it time to stop affirmative action? Have we reached the
point where every human being has equal access to success? Are school openings and jobs being filled by lessthan-qualified people, who meet parity criteria — while
exceptionally qualified people are turned away because
they are not in a protected classification? Or is everything
fine status quo? (This session is a moderated debate among
Natural-M SIG
by Dave Remine
Strategic Planning for Local Groups
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. SL: Gold
by John Recht
LDWs
In this session I will present an overview of strategic planning methods that will help leaders make knowledge-based
decisions about issues of concern to their local groups. In
addition to helping the current leadership with problemsolving, the adoption of these methods will make it easier
for future local group leaders to know what has been done
and to build on the work of their predecessors.
Accelerating the Shift To Electric Vehicles
by Sherry Boschert
Speaker
The shift from fossil fuel-driven cars to electric vehicles
has begun, with many thousands of plug-in vehicles sold
so far in the United States by GM, Nissan, Tesla and others. This is only the beginning, with huge ramifications for
U.S. transportation, the economy, and national security.
What’s in it for consumers and commercial fleets? Come
hear the pros and cons of today’s plug-in vehicles, learn
what to consider when buying an electric car, and see
what’s ahead in the near future.
What Mensa Has to Offer Gifted Youth
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. SL: Silver
by Lisa Van Gemert
LDWs
Ever wonder exactly what a 3-year-old does with a Mensa
membership? Curious about how you can develop a strong
Gifted Youth program in your Local Group? Wanting to
make sure you’re getting the most out of Mensa for your
child? Join Mensa’s Gifted Youth Specialist to find out the
State of the Youth, what’s on the horizon, as well as some
tips for making sure you’re getting the most out of what
Mensa and the Mensa Foundation have to offer. Q&A will
follow the information portion of the session.
A Look at the War on Drugs
by Nate Bradley
Speaker
A look at our current “War on Drugs,” the possible alter-
“The ViN System:” Reward Mensa Volunteers and Win!
by Aleksandra Borovic, Mensa Serbia
LDWs
An introduction of Mensa Serbia — our development, our
AG 2012 — 41
Programs: Friday
Hoop Hoop Hooray! Hula Hoop Fitness
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. CC: Tahoe-Truckee-Carson
by Lacey Wieser
Hula hooping has evolved into a fun form of fitness! Come
enjoy a low-impact yet energizing hooping class. We will
use the hoops for warm-up and stretching exercises followed
by the basics of moving the hoop around your waist, moving
your feet and arms, and some off-body moves. People of all
shapes, sizes, and ages are welcome. Please wear comfortable clothing (cotton or non-slippery fabrics), sneakers or
plan to go barefoot, and bring drinking water. Hoops provided for up to 20 participants. No experience needed.
Programs: Friday
territorial organization, our main activities and projects —
will be followed by a discussion of some of the main problems Mensa Serbia is facing and the ways we are presently
dealing with them. We have a system for assessing and
rewarding our volunteers, and will describe and explain the
idea, its advantages and weak points. Then with the audience participating, we will search for solutions to strengthen the weak points of this system. If we come to some
creative solutions, this system could be easily adjusted and
applied to any smaller national Mensa.
Waging War on Pseudoscience — Skepticism in Action
by Brad Lutts, Benjamin Radford, Mark Edward, Susan
Gerbic
Speaker
We’re surrounded by extraordinary claims and beliefs.
Television programming abounds with alleged psychic
detectives, ghost hunters and victims of alien abduction.
Celebrity mediums speak to our deceased relatives while
actors in white lab coats sell us “clinically proven” miracle
cures and alternative medicines. Cryptids live and human
consciousness survives after death. A majority of Americans believe in paranormal phenomenon or pseudoscience
in one form or another. What do you believe and why?
Let’s take a closer look at a few common paranormal,
pseudoscientific and unsupported beliefs, and those who
promote them. And let’s answer one of the most important
questions...
Micro And Macro-Economics of the Casino Industry
by William R. Eadington
Speaker
Since 1980, the U.S. casino industry has spread from two
states to nearly 40, with revenues growing to $60 billion
per annum, compared to less than $5 billion in 1980. This
discussion looks at the history of casino gaming in the
U.S., political and economic factors affecting the industry,
and challenges faced since the onset of the Great Recession. Current trends and developments in the U.S. and
abroad, including Internet gaming, are also discussed.
Finally, methods of analyzing gambling games and wagers
are examined from an economic and mathematical perspective, including discussions on how players can exploit
such opportunities.
Duchre (Duplicate Euchre) Tournament
11:15 a.m.–2 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by John Massura
Teams (N/S, E/W) play predealt hands to determine whose
42 — AG 2012
skills are better at Euchre. Experience necessary. Those
needing partners will be paired up if possible.
HIV and AIDS: Past, Present & Future
Noon–1:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by Gregory Gadow
Speaker
At the end of 2010, there were an estimated 30.1 million
adults and 3.4 million children with HIV worldwide; that
year saw 2.7 million new infections and 1.8 million deaths
from AIDS-related causes. This presentation will cover the
history and present state of the AIDS pandemic, how HIV
affects the human immune system, and the advances being
made in treatment, prophylaxis and a possible cure.
Dothraki, Conlangers: A Look Inside Language
Creation
Noon–1:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
by David Peterson
Speaker
Dothraki is the language of the nomadic horse warriors
who populate the Dothraki Sea; it’s used in George R.R.
Martin’s series A Song of Ice and Fire. HBO has just
finished showing the second season of an ongoing series
called Game of Thrones. In language creation, a “conlanger” is someone who creates or constructs languages.
Conlangs come in a wide variety although these can be divided primarily into three general areas: auxlangs, or international auxiliary languages like Esperanto; engelangs, or
engineered languages like Ithkuil and Lojban; and artlangs,
or artistic languages like Sindarin or Klingon. “Asshlat ma
nesolat niyangoy.”
Beyond the Electric Vehicle
Noon–1:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Bob Tregilus
Speaker
The electric vehicle (EV): what could be better than never
again having to stop for gas? How about getting paid by
your electric utility to charge your EV? The democratization of energy is the next revolution. In the presentation
“Beyond the EV: the Smart-Garage, Vehicle-to-Grid, and
Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariffs,” learn how average
people around the world are getting paid to provide costsaving services to their electric providers. Since the dawn
of civilization, ownership of energy resources has been
responsible for class oppression and enumerable wars, but
the “natural monopoly” of energy is about to end.
Moonbuggies: Pedaling to the Moon
Noon–1:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Dan Ruby
Speaker
In the early 1970s, astronauts explored the moon on moonbuggies: designed as an afterthought to pack into small
compartments, these marvels of engineering drove many
kilometers across the lunar surface. To educate and excite
future generations of aerospace engineers, NASA sponsors
an annual Great Moonbuggy Race, a competition for high
school and college students to build and race pedalpowered moonbuggies across simulated moon terrain.
Working with Fleischmann Planetarium, a talented team
from the Academy of Arts, Careers, and Technology high
school in Reno has fabricated award-winning race vehicles
two years running, and are eager to show off their buggy!
GenX SIG
Noon–1:15 p.m.
Awards Luncheon
Noon–1:30 p.m.
SL: Expo B
Meal Plan
Celebrate the accomplishments of Mensa members and
Local Groups at our Awards Luncheon. Tickets are required for the lunch; however, seating will be available for
observers who are not participating in the lunch.
Why They Speed Date Your Screenwriting Masterpiece
Noon–1:15 p.m.
by Stewart Farquhar
Speaker
Mr. Farquhar will review the first page of each qualifying
attendee for free (normally $75) with on-page notes for all
those who commit to attending his course by Wednesday
prior to the AG. Further, during class he will draw for five
free on-site ten-page consultations (normally $375 each). All
attendees are encouraged to bring their first ten to class.
Art of Living
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
by Jeanne Greene
Speaker
This will be an Introduction to Vipassana Meditation.
Vipassana Meditation was first taught in India more than
2500 years ago. Vipassana means to see things as they really are. Vipassana Meditation is used as a remedy for ills
and addictions. As well as being used by individuals and
in groups, Vipassana Meditation is also offered in correctional facilities, both in India and the United States, for the
practice of personnel and inmates alike. There are over 120
international centers where the practice is taught.
Control Your World With MS Excel
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by Jim Thomas
Speaker
And you thought Excel was just a dumb spreadsheet
program that does some math. Wrong. “Controlling Your
World” is accomplished with Excel because you have a
full-featured programming language called Visual Basic
For Applications (VBA) as part of Excel. You can put
various gadgets on your spreadsheets including buttons,
combo boxes, check boxes, option buttons. You then write
VBA code to carry out any function you can conceive. The
code can read emails, extract data from them, put the data
in your database of choice. And, all of this can happen over
the Internet!
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
by Members of M-Atheists SIG
AG 2012 — 43
Programs: Friday
Debate Room: Parental Responsibility
Noon–1:15 p.m.
CC: Sierra
They say “it takes a village,” but it is parents who are
responsible for their kids — in public places, in schools,
and at home. In practice, many children are parental
puppet-masters. Parents need to stop being their kid’s best
buddy and start laying down the rules to live peacefully
and productively in society. Can you even say “respect for
all others” let alone instill it into your kids? (This session
TeenSIG Zumba Dance Party!
1 p.m.–2 p.m.
CC: Mandalay 2
by Tracy Vertucci
Teens
This is a fun energetic dancing workout that everyone will
love! This will be a fun, healthy alternative to the traditional party. Teens will have a blast, and get some exercise
doing it! Come dressed in clothes that you are comfortable
moving in.
Programs: Friday
Schemes, Scams & Flimflams — Update 2012
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Expo C
by Cookie Bakke
Speaker
What’s happening in the 2012 world of fraud? Identity
theft, romance scams, staged auto accidents, arson-forprofit schemes, counterfeiting, healthcare frauds, I-founda-finger-in-my-chili product frauds, investment scams
galore, Internet frauds, bogus life insurance claims (body
snatching, anyone?), proliferating Ponzis, travel frauds,
Nigerian 419’s (“I don’t know you but I’d like to send
you $34.7 million dollars!), bunco crimes, lottery frauds,
staged slip-and-falls, adoption frauds, crooked body shops,
and ohmygawd lots of cyber crimes. You name it; our economically challenged world is full of it.
Culture in Cowtown AG — A Preview of a Great AG!
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Carol Hilson, Karen Brack
Speaker
An introduction to the Culture in Cowtown AG, which will
be held in Fort Worth, Texas, July 3-7, 2013. There will be a
presentation of the highlights of Fort Worth and the Renaissance Worthington Hotel, as well as what to expect at this
AG. We’re combining a little of the “Old West,” a little of
the great culture in Fort Worth and a whole lot of fun!
Debate Room: Financial Responsibility
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Can you live to a budget? Are you able to postpone gratification, and save up the money first to buy that next greatest
thing you desire? Can you manage your income and your
outgo, and still manage to save for your future? Can you say
no to your children and teach them to be responsible first
with your money and later with their own? (This session is a
moderated debate among attendees. Join the fun, meet other
attendees, and exchange opinions on this topic!)
Social Media Makes a Difference
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Rob Salkin
Speaker
Do you YouTube? Found a friend on Facebook? Gone on
Google+? Read something on reddit? Regardless of your answers, come discover what’s out there in the world of Web
2.0, how social media has changed the world, and why it
should matter to Mensa(ns). Social media and Web 2.0 will
be defined and discussed; this is not a tutorial session.
44 — AG 2012
There’s Help for That! (What the National Office Can
Do for You)
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Gold
by Julie Clark
LDWs
Join Volunteer Programs Manager Julie Clark as she gives
local officers and volunteers a brief glimpse into the services offered to Local Groups as well as the staff members
who provide those services.
The Mensa Education & Research Foundation Today
and in the Future
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Silver
by Dave Remine
LDWs
Learn how your Foundation is impacting people around
the world and what you can do to help. Just what does the
Foundation do, and how?
Conservative Ms Meet & Greet
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
by Ryan Martin, Trebor Whearty
A casual, friendly get-together for political, fiscal and/or
social conservatives. We will not have a structured program or agenda other than to socialize with kindred spirits.
If you’re looking to debate, this is not your forum, but if
you’re conservative or think you might be, please join us!
Travel Happy! Top 10 Secrets of the Million Miler
Traveler
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Rusty Waters
Speaker
Do you dread travel? Are you missing the adventure and excitement you seek? Rusty Waters will show you how to put
fun and excitement back in all of your travels be they short
or long. It doesn’t matter if you’re going by plane, train, automobile or boat, Rusty’s secrets will make all your journeys
more pleasant, relaxing and downright happy!
HaChaCha
3 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
SL: Expo B
by Don Jacobs
Now that Cuba is no longer restricted, they’ve released
their hot Cha Cha dancing to the general public. I wrote
and asked if they could include Mensans as part of the
general public and they answered, “But of course!” So
now’s the time to catch the excitement. Wow, just imagine
all those Mensans doing some Cuban motion. No partners
needed. No excuses accepted.
Gender at the Extremes of the Bell Shaped Curve
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by Daniel Laury, M.D.
Speaker
Join Daniel Laury, M.D., in this fascinating talk about gender variation. As a practicing gynecologist, he will draw on
his experience to present another popular lecture. We will
look at the historical evidence for the “third sex,” discuss
those individuals with genital duplication and explore
those born of one genetic sex but live as the other. He will
address chromosomal abnormalities, anatomic variants,
hermaphrodites, GLBTs, chimeras... This will be a visual
exploration of the enormous breadth of human sexuality.
Make time for this lecture that goes beyond “Male and Female.” Due to the nature of the topic, consider this PG-13.
The Writing Life
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Expo C
by Richard Lederer Ph.D.
Speaker
Richard Lederer Ph.D., longtime Mensa Bulletin language
columnist, will talk about the life of the writer — how
writers work and how the business of writing works. You’ll
insight into how writers create their books and make a living from their craft. Dr. Lederer will feature material from
his newest books, American Trivia and Amazing Words.
A Mensa Volunteer’s Timeline
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
by Eszter Chrobacsinszky, Mensa Hungary
LDWs
This workshop will take you on a journey you might
have taken yourself: from a candidate attracted to Mensa,
through becoming a member, getting involved, and taking
a liking for official positions, to leadership and beyond,
towards international horizons. The reference to Facebook
is not a coincidence. Eszter will use a Facebook user’s
analogy to take you through these steps, providing an insight into issues of the Mensa image, exploiting members’
potential and leadership perspectives.
WebHeads SIG Meet & Greet
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
by Dan Tobias
If you’re involved in website development (whether for
Mensa or elsewhere), or are interested in doing so, WebHeads is the SIG for you! Come to exchange ideas, hints,
and tips, and to seek solutions to your problems.
The Art of the Bribe and Talking Cash!
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
by L. Burke Files
Speaker
An overview of the subtle and less-than-subtle ways in
which one can engineer and take a bribe. The information
comes from working financial frauds and corruption cases
for over 20 years in 40-plus countries. It is a tip of the hat, if
you will, to the darker arts. Time allowing, you’ll also hear
from Clyde, aka “Cash,” criminal alter-ego (in his dreams)
of our speaker. Cash walks, talks and quacks like a crook.
And he’ll share some secrets that will scare you silly!
Sushi — The Art, the Enjoyment and the Secrets
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
CC: Smoking Gecko Rest
by Carlos Cazares, Aureliano Raygoza
Speaker
Sushi chefs Cazares and Raygoza, with combined experience of 41 years, will be putting on a great show while
they teach the sushi tricks of the trade at the Circus Circus
Smoking Gecko Restaurant. Audience seating, a demonstration, Q&A session, taste-bud titillating samples, and for
those so inclined, you may follow the session with fresh
sushi rolls (pay for what you eat) surrounded by your fellow M sushi-lovers.
AG 2012 — 45
Programs: Friday
The “Sandwich Generation:” Intergenerational Families
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Elna Tymes
Speaker
The recession forced many families into shared accommodations. Assuming the economy doesn’t do a whiplashlike recovery, these patterns may continue throughout this
decade, along with some modifications that promote more
multi-generational family living situations. What are family configurations that seem to be working, and what are
some alternatives being considered?
Debate Room: The Job Market
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Unemployment is high and we need to create jobs that will
sustain a family, much more skilled than minimum-wage
jobs. Do most of our unemployed have high-level skills, or
will it take a massive job-training effort first? Where will
these new higher-paying jobs come from; how would you
decrease unemployment, and get America back to work?
(This session is a moderated debate among attendees. Join
the fun, meet other attendees, and exchange opinions on
this topic!)
Programs: Friday
Ombudsman/ADR SIG Leadership Development
Workshop
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Gold
by Dave Cahn
LDWs
In this interactive workshop, we will discuss techniques
that Local Group ombudsmen can use to handle different
types of cases, engage in problem-solving, resolve concerns about the position of ombudsman, and explore ways
in which ombudsmen and ADR practitioners can work together to resolve disputes within Mensa. So we can discuss
specific cases and other confidential matters, this will be
a closed session (for current and former ombudsmen and
ADR SIG members only).
Marketing Sparks
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Silver
by John McGill, Victoria Liguez
LDWs
Join the American Mensa Marketing team as they share
available tools for marketing your Local Group and provide suggestions on how to manage your Local Group’s
marketing and public relations initiatives.
The Treasure Hunt
3 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Penelope Salinger, Megan Edwards
Tournaments
In a combination of puzzle solving and scavenger hunt,
teams of four solve puzzles of various sorts that identify
the objects the Hunt Masters want. Participants must then
find the actual objects and deliver them to Hunt Central.
Time is of the essence, since teams are racing against each
other to be first to solve each problem. Points are awarded
for each correct response — more if you are first, then
fewer on a sliding scale. Are you up to the challenge?
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
by Rob Salkin
Single or otherwise available? Looking for your M-tastic
match? Come see what M-Available has to offer! There
will be a brief introduction to the SIG followed by a semistructured mixer. If you’re already a member, you might
just happen upon some people you’ve seen on the website!
Rude and/or inappropriate people will be asked to leave
and will be banned from the SIG.
46 — AG 2012
HaChaCha Supervised Ballroom Dance Practice
4:30 p.m.–5 p.m.
SL: Expo B
by Don Jacobs
Practice what you’ve learned and if you have questions
you can get answers, even if you weren’t at the class or it’s
a question about any other dance.
Linguistic & Content Analysis for Deception
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by Eric L. Nelson
Speaker
This program consists of three parts: 30-minute lecture
covering 21 different factors to assess when analyzing
statements for deception, 20-minute exercise — participants (alone or in teams) will assess a set of statements
from a suspect regarding his knowledge about a murder,
and 20 minutes for group discussion. Take the challenge!
Rated G; family-safe presentation and exercise materials.
Criminal Court Screw Ups: OJ, Casey and More
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
SL: Expo C
by Scott Zimmon, J.D.
Speaker
Why do so many of the major crimes committed in this
country go unpunished? Why did Casey Anthony get off?
Why did OJ Simpson hear the magic “not guilty” verdict?
What about the McMartin case? What about Zimmerman
(Travon Martin) — what will that legal result surely be?
Are these examples of how we have given the criminals
more rights than their victims? Where does it fall apart? Is
it simply the “system?” The media? Nancy Grace? Where is
jurisprudence headed? Where does the true blame lie? And,
most importantly, is it ever too late to change courses?
My Life Among the Obliviots
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
by Randy Cassingham
Speaker
Randy, a Mensa Life Member and the author of the weird
news/social commentary column This is True, will look
back on his 18 years of true stories and share examples
of some of the most mind-bogglingly stupid people (or,
maybe, smart people doing incredibly stupid things) —
and some of the often shocking (and hilarious) lessons
he has learned along the way. Randy bills his column as
“thought-provoking entertainment” (what a concept for
reading material!), and his talks follow the same principle.
What Do You Do When the Seemingly Impossible
Occurs?
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
by Stanley Korn
Speaker
An encounter with the seemingly impossible, aka, a
paranormal experience, can be highly disruptive to one’s
mental operating system. Many people react defensively
by ignoring or denying the experience. Some, like the
presenter, are motivated to investigate the paranormal in
general and psi phenomena in particular. Realizing that he
lacked the resources to conduct the experiments necessary
to devise a theory to account for psi phenomena, Stanley
shifted his efforts to the more general problem of devising
a systematic procedure to construct theories to account for
observed anomalies; he will describe the procedure that he
has developed during the presentation.
Debate Room: U.S. Infrastructure
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Minnesota bridge collapse, winter storms and floods
destroy roads and towns, and an aging interstate highway
system. What about aviation, bridges, dams, drinking
water, energy, hazardous waste, inland waterways, levees,
public parks and recreation, railroads, schools, solid waste,
transit, and wastewater? Are we in control — or in deep
doo-doo? (This session is a moderated debate among attendees. Join the fun, meet other attendees, and exchange
Serial And Concurrent Entrepreneurship: Why Would
You?
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Shaharris Beh, JJ Beh
Speaker
This is an insider look at leaving the 9-to-5, bucking the
trend, and looking for opportunities in saturated industries.
The speakers have bootstrapped (self-funded) a couple
of ventures and are knee-deep in tech startups. This is an
open forum and basic primer on running a startup, finding
your tech/business co-founders, and ultimately, a Q&A on
the missing balance in “work-life balance.”
Meet the Communications Team!
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
SL: Silver
by Brian Reeves, Robin Crawford, Roger Brooks, Howard
Prince
LDWs
If you’ve ever wanted to know more about American
Mensa’s communications efforts, check out this session.
Join Communications Officer Brian Reeves, Executive
Editor of the Mensa Research Journal Robin Crawford,
Managing Editor of the Mensa Bulletin Roger Brooks,
and AML Director of Operations Howard Prince as they
answer your questions about what happens behind the
scenes of our print and electronic publications. If you want
to know more about how they choose their material or are
just curious about what these people look like in person,
stop by and visit.
5:45 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Fast forward to 11/22/12 and enjoy a Thanksgiving in July
feast. We’re talking turkey, potatoes and gravy, stuffing,
Granny’s favorite old-time vegetables and more. Complete
your meal with pumpkin and apple pie! This dinner is
Debate Room: Government Programs
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Federal and state programs — too numerous to list — it all
comes out of taxpayer pockets. When is enough enough?
If it continues, we will all turn in our entire fortunes to the
government and all be issued a monthly check — same
as everyone else. What programs are worth keeping, and
which should be deep-sixed? (This session is a moderated
AG 2012 — 47
Programs: Friday
A Bora Bora Adventure
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Anton Anderssen
Speaker
This presentation takes you on an exotic tour of the most
beautiful place on the earth — French Polynesia. From
Bora Bora to Moorea to Tahiti, see why Paul Gauguin was
captivated by these lush islands.
Membership Officer Ideas & Resources
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
SL: Gold
by Beth Anne Demeter, Julie Clark, Paige Faulkner
LDWs
The Membership Officer plays a key role on a Local
Group’s board. You make the difference in ensuring the
growth of your group and the retention of its members!
Join us, get some new ideas to take back to your members,
and find out what resources are available to you.
Programs: Friday
When Poop is the Problem (Treating your Colon Right)
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by Andy Di Cyan
Speaker
Find it hard to talk about pooping? You’ve got company.
Instant conversation stopper. People with problems need
to know their options. Others should know what to do to
keep things running well. Either way, come learn things
you never knew about this forbidden subject. (Like: why
having a colon allowed us to leave the ocean and become
land-based animals.) Get the straight poop from a colon
hydrotherapist qualified to practice (and teach) for over 10
years who’s happy to answer questions most people are
too embarrassed to ask. And has a sense of humor about it.
You don’t need to put a paper bag over your head to show
up. No poop about it.
Astrophotography: Expanding the Human Mind Into
the Cosmos
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Tony Hallas
Speaker
We will take a look at state-of-the-art amateur astrophotography on a professional level. This avocation is available
to anyone with the curiosity to explore the universe.
Great Krypton: The Secret Origins of Superman
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
by Fraser Sherman
Speaker
In 1938, Action Comics #1 introduced the world to Superman, the work of teenaged creators Joe Siegel and Jerry
Shuster. How did they come up with the Man of Steel? How
did he change over the years? Which other writers and artists added to his legend? What makes him still a household
name 70 years later? A look at the Kryptonian Crimebuster
from Action Comics to TV’s Smallville and beyond.
L’Chaim! SIG
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
by Rick Magnus
The U.S. is a Free Country, Not a Christian Nation
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
SL: Expo C
by Ed Buckner
Speaker
A defense of secularism, of government and society-wide
decisions free of religious authority, as the only clear path
to individual liberty, for atheists, Christians, and everyone
else. The case includes a strong argument for atheists being
well informed regarding American history and religious
48 — AG 2012
freedom, so the logic and history that supports secularism
will be summarized. Time for questions or objections will
be included.
Team Dynamics — Improving Team Effectiveness
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
by Vicki Herd, Mensa Canada
LDWs
Have you ever noticed how Mensa groups experience a
disproportionate amount of in-fighting? Have you had
important Mensa team members quit in a huff? What about
those personal insults hurled at fellow Mensans in meetings, newsletters, or via email? Vicki does not have all the
answers, but believes that research in the field of team dynamics may help Mensans overcome such obstacles. She
will discuss the dysfunctional personality types that keep
recurring in Mensa who hold up progress and frustrate
those who want to accomplish something.
Inventions in Medicine
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by R. Thomas Grotz, M.D.
Speaker
A personal and professional overview by orthopedic microsurgeon and inventor Dr. Grotz, this didactic dialogue will
cover the contributions of the great physicians, surgeons, engineers and stalwarts who poignantly marked milestones in
the identification and treatment of injuries and diseases since
recorded time began. An analysis of medicine, this program
will focus on important growth points towards reducing pain
and improving the function of mankind. After the primary
presentation a discussion and Q&A will follow, spearheaded
by Dr. Grotz’s protégé, David Finkelstein, who will give his
perspective on how youth and older professionals can best
interact to “pass the baton.”
ExComm Basics
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
SL: Silver
by Debra Reiger
LDWs
Whether you call it an ExComm, a Board of Directors,
a SteerComm, or any other name, your Local Group’s
governing body has a variety of duties and responsibilities. Join us for a discussion of what ExComms do and
what they need to do. We will have some time to talk about
meeting procedures, agenda development, and some general leadership issues. Come and share your success stories
and concerns.
Boggle Tournament
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Charles Godfrey
Boggle is a three-minute word-search game. We will be
playing on a five-by-five grid with a minimum word length
of four letters, using the normal scoring rules. Please arrive
at least five minutes early for table assignments.
TeenSIG Improvapahloozah!
7 p.m.–8 p.m.
CC: Mandalay 2
by J Wise
Teens
Leap in and out of characters! Jump into scenes! Make
everyone groan with horrible puns! If you’re a teen and interested in laughing, learning, and all in all improving your
life (see what I did there?), then come check out Improvapahloozah! It’s guaranteed to be a blast!
HELL’s Ms SIG
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
by Beth Weiss
Have you ever wondered what all of those black T-shirts
were all about? HELL’s M’s is the party SIG of American
Mensa — we’re all about making it a good party with good
memories for everyone. If you’re interested in joining,
finding out more, or if you’re already a member, attend our
meeting and find out what we are, what we do, and how
we got started.
by Danila Oder
Games
Mensa’s Evolving New Social Approach
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
by Louise Steenekamp, Mensa South Africa
LDWs
In this session, Louise will present several sub-topics
which are possible and practical in our much more socially
interactive environment. One topic is communication, of
course, and how the members in South Africa interact with
each other in a continually improving online collaboration
environment. What do members want? is another topic addressed. Through surveys and other feedback mechanisms,
Mensa South Africa is always looking for ways to engage
their members.
Debate Room: Legalization of Prostitution
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Does Nevada have it right... or wrong? How wrong (or
right) would it be to allow any one individual to sell a
“service” to another individual? ‘Tis said that prostitution is
the world’s oldest profession — so who decided to legislate
it? Additionally, who saw fit to define how far was too far?
“The lappier the lap dance, the higher the tip...” (This session is a moderated debate among attendees. Join the fun,
Storytime for Smartypants
7:30 p.m.–8:15 p.m.
CC: Mandalay A
Youth
Come join Mensa’s Gifted Youth Specialist for a storytime
specifically designed to share books bright kids will enjoy.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Word Games
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
by Alexander N. Brittain
Speaker
If you like riddles and silly word play, you’ll like Hinky
Pinky. If you like jumbled words or crosswords (and bluffing), you’ll like Word Core. If you like phonetics, spelling
anomalies and creative spelling, you’ll like Gheaux Ghoti.
If you like trivia games that put everyone — literary snobs,
science geeks, sports nuts, history buffs, teenagers — on
the same footing, you’ll love Initialist.
AG 2012 — 49
Programs: Friday
Stem Cells and Optimization of Function
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Dr. Alan Kadish
Speaker
Stem cells are in the forefront of medical science offering
a host of options for real repair of the human system. You
might be surprised to learn that living to 100, with health,
is a possibility. Many common diseases may be held at bay
until the next generation of medicine offers cures.
Set Tournament
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Charles Godfrey
Set is the card game of visual attributes. Discover the three
cards that form a set from the 12 laid out on the table. Age
is no advantage and requires no specific language skills.
Please arrive at least five minutes early for table assignments. No experience necessary.
Programs: Friday
Mr. Mensa 2012
9 p.m.–11 p.m.
SL: Expo B
by Mike Whalen
Entertainment
An annual AG favorite, the Mr. Mensa pageant is equal
parts beefcake, parody, and blatant exhibitionism. Fivetime host Mike Whalen returns from semi-retirement
for one more show, but the real stars are the contestants.
Mensa’s finest show off their talents and physiques.
Ladies, bring those dollar bills (for raffle tickets, of course!
— if you want to be a judge).
Sex and Secularism: What Happens When You Leave
Religion
9 p.m.–10:15 p.m.
by Darrel Ray
Speaker
Dr. Darrel Ray discusses his groundbreaking research on
the sex lives of secular people. The results are funny and
surprising. Over 10,000 secularists answered 69 questions
about their sex lives. What they revealed tells us volumes
about the differences between religions with respect to
sex, and what happens when people leave religion behind.
Adults only, please.
Debate Room: Gun Control
9 p.m.–10:15 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Do these words mean restricting citizens’ access to weapons... or hitting your target with the bullet you shoot? Does
a U.S. citizen have the right to bear arms as guaranteed
by the Constitution... or... are limitations necessary? If so,
who gets to decide what those limitations will be? How
about concealed vs. non-concealed? Or pistols being regulated in places where rifles are not regulated? (This session
Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament
9 p.m.–12 a.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Stephen J. Burnham
Just like the world series main event in which Pius Heinz
won 8+ million dollars last year (except for the prize, of
course).
50 — AG 2012
Debate Room: Evolution
10:30 p.m.–11:45 p.m. CC: Sierra
Do you accept the scientific evidence supporting the theory
of evolution, or do you prefer to accept creationism, religion or intelligent design as the answer to “Where did man
come from?” Is each belief system contrary to all others
or are there rational crossovers? Is a specific belief system
mandatory or is “Frankly, Scarlet, I don’t give a damn...”
an acceptable alternative? (This session is a moderated
Ask the Sexologist — Q&A on Human Sexuality
10:30 p.m.–11:45 p.m. SL: Silver Baron 1-2-3
by Robert Berend, J.D., Ph.D.
Speaker
The audience directs the topics and direction of the program. Any and all aspects of human sexuality and behavior
are fine, including: Dating, relationships, (non) monogamy,
BDSMD/s, contraception, alternative sexualities, cultural
differences, lack of, how to get or what is an orgasm. Everything! Adults only, please.
Rocky Horror Picture Show
11:30 p.m.–1:30 a.m. SL: Expo B
Entertainment
Come do the Time Warp with us! Costumes, singing and
dancing all appreciated and welcome. Are you a Rocky
Horror Picture Show virgin? Here is a guide to help you
prepare: www.timewarp.org.uk/1virgins.htm. Adults only,
please.
AG Program Schedule: Saturday, July 7
1:45 a.m.–2 a.m.
Hospitality
Beer and wine service ends — will resume at 2 p.m.
7:15 a.m.–9 a.m.
7:30 a.m.–8:45 a.m.
Fitness
Augmenting Your Mental Toolbox
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by David Finkelstein
Speaker
From homeless high school dropout to inventor and CEO
of NeuraComm, fellow Mensan David Finkelstein tells
some of his story and gives you some tips and tricks on
how you can augment your mental toolbox. What can we
learn from the greatest minds in the history of our civilization? What makes them great and sets them apart from us,
or is there anything that really does? From mental toughness to creativity to the bystander effect, many mental
attributes will be covered. Come, bring your nuggets of
The Stars Above
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
by Richard Manley
Speaker
This presentation will highlight some of the discoveries in
deep space, using some of the Hubble telescope images.
Richard Manley worked for North American Aviation
for 10 years, five years on the inertial navigation system
(INS) for several missiles. The last five years, he was on
the Apollo spacecraft as an instrumentation and telecommunicate test engineer. Rich serves as a space and aviation
merit badge councilor and has been with the Solar Ambassador program through the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for
eight years.
Debate Room: Attorneys
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
CC: Sierra
How many attorneys are there in the U.S.? Five years ago,
there were 1,143,358 by the end of 2007. That’s one out
of every 300 people. How does this “infiltration” affect
the big picture of how we live together, work together, and
remain accountable to one another? (No slip/fall accidents
will be allowed during this hour-long debate!) (This session is a moderated debate among attendees. Join the fun,
Registration for the American Mensa Admission Test
9 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
SL: Expo B
Proctors will register candidates for the American Mensa
Admission Test during this time. The test fee is $40. Test
candidates must be at least 14 years of age, provide a
photo ID and be a permanent resident of the U.S.
Using Intelligence for the Benefit of Humanity Around
the Globe
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
by Cinthia Reyes
Speaker
Examples of projects and programs in different countries
that are perfect examples of Mensans working together to
help this world become a better one. Excellent PR information. An open invitation to start new paths within Mensa.
AG 2012 — 51
Programs: Saturday
8 a.m.–8:45 a.m.
CC: Sierra
Unknown
mental wisdom, and join in on this intriguing, interactive
intercourse!
Probing Alien Crevices on Mars and Other Worlds
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Dan Ruby
Speaker
Cold, dry Mars once harbored liquid water and the potential for life. Recent discoveries of caves on the red planet
provide promising targets for habitats: both of historical
alien life and future human exploration. This talk looks at
where we find caves on Mars and other worlds in our solar
system, how we might explore them, and what they could
tell us scientifically.
AG Registration
9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Programs: Saturday
Friends of Bill W.
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
Treasurer Ideas & Resources
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Gold
by Nick Sanford, David Peery
LDWs
All LocSecs and Treasurers are invited to participate in
this forum to discuss financial reporting, accounting issues, fiscal policies, banking and other matters related to
maintaining a healthy Local Group treasury. Topics include
responsibilities of a LG Treasurer; what’s important; why
we ask for the cash balance report at the end of April; and
how to develop a Local Group budget.
Making the Most of Mensa’s Diversity to Recruit and
Engage Members & Leaders
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Silver
by Pamela Donahoo
LDWs
Mensa is a global organization and Mensans have interests
and occupations across the spectrum. Demographic and
generational differences and expectations can impact how
we reach out to new members and engage the ones we
have. This program will look at some of Mensa’s demographics (nationwide and globally) and trends and examine
possible options that your group might consider to diversify and encourage greater participation.
52 — AG 2012
Cryptograms Tournament
9 a.m.–10 a.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Adam Smargon
Cryptograms are puzzles with a short piece of encrypted
text — usually a quote. To solve the puzzle, one must recover the original lettering. Beginners are welcome, but be
warned — this is a speed-based tournament.
American Mensa Admission Test
9:30 a.m.–11 a.m.
SL: Expo B
The American Mensa Admission Tests are given for the
purpose of admission into Mensa. A score at the 98th
percentile on either of two tests qualifies an applicant for
Mensa membership. All candidates who test will receive a
one-day pass to the AG for the day of testing.
10 a.m.–4 p.m.
by US Post Office
Get a pictorial cancellation commemorating Mensa’s AG
2012. The post office will be on site to frank your postcards and letters with the unique souvenir. Domestic and
International postage will be available on a limited basis.
Monopoly Tournament
10:15 a.m.–1:15 p.m. RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Jonathan Elliott
The classic American board game. All ages welcome! No
sign-up sheet, just please show up on time if you wish to
compete for the title. We have a double time slot this year
(!!), and we will have at least two sets available. We therefore have the option, depending on how many players we
have, to have either one long relaxed round with everybody, or else two rounds with shorter time limits. No “Free
Parking” jackpot, but we may possibly elect to employ the
variation of rolling the dice before deciding whether to pay
to get out of Jail.
Aesthetic Medicine, Do You Really Need to Live with
Wrinkles?
by Dr. Alan Kadish
Speaker
Has aesthetic medicine integrated with stem-cell technology? Does it offer new opportunities for looking younger
for most people in a non-toxic way with minimal downside? Can your appearance be maintained or enhanced?
SeniorSex: What You Didn’t Learn in School
by Daniel Laury, M.D.
Speaker
This lecture explores human sexuality as we age. This
often neglected topic is addressed in a humorous and
sensitive fashion. Daniel Laury, M.D., author of SeniorSex
and board certified in gynecology, discusses the myths and
realities. As people enjoy longer and healthier lives, they
are not willing to give up their sexuality. This lecture is
for those who seek accurate and unbiased information to
maintain optimal sexual functioning. Questions are encouraged. Adults only, please.
How I Published My Book and How You Can, Too
by Richard Arbib
Speaker
I recently published my novel, The Vampire Girl Next
Door. If you’re thinking about publishing a book, you’ll
want to save money and maximize royalties. Here’s what
you’ll learn in just one hour: Why you should consider
self-publishing over traditional publishing; why you need
your book available as both a softcover and an ebook;
who has had success with self-publishing; how to pick a
publisher and a cover artist; what services cost and what
royalties pay; how to publicize your book; where to sell
your book; and when to publish your book.
Debate Room: Social Media
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. CC: Sierra
Have your relationships changed with good friends since
starting Facebook, Twitter, etc.? Is everyone on your FB
list really a friend? Are your hundreds of Twitter followers
really friends? Is the media helping us become closer to
friends, or is it making relationships more superficial? And
while we’re at it, what’s a “friend,” anyway? (This session
How to Work with Almost Anybody — Effectively!
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. SL: Silver
by Bob Bevard
LDWs
Understand how to bring out the best in people. Find out
why people do what they do. Know how to get through
many difficulties caused by your “favorite” member. Learn
a couple simple tips and ideas that you can put to work immediately. Get a straightforward, five-step process to confront assertively and bypass the usual reaction(s) to criticism. Bevard is a Past President of South Texas Mensa, so
he understands some of the difficulties you face.
Tools & Tips on American Mensa’s Web site
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. SL: Gold
by Howard Prince, Kurt Radwanski
LDWs
Join us for an up-close look at our new Web site. We’ll
take a look at the new navigation and highlight our newest services for members and groups. Along the way, we’ll
take your thoughts about improving our Web Services, and
we’ll answer questions you may have about our Web sites
or Web hosting.
Sexy Evolution: What the Pope Does Not Know About
Sexuality
by Darrel Ray
Speaker
Each species has a unique reproductive strategy. Human
sexuality is different from other species but not so different that other species don’t share key strategies. Even
those strategies that are “most human” are shared by other
species. Unfortunately, the Pope’s view of sexuality is
AG 2012 — 53
Programs: Saturday
When Lawyers Go BAD! How to protect yourself!
by Rusty Waters
Speaker
You go to a lawyer to get a problem fixed. Usually they
do, but sometimes they make it much worse. Lawyers can
cause you to lose time, money and even your sanity! Find
out how to protect yourself before, during and after you’ve
been represented by a lawyer.
Heart Healthy Laughter Yoga
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. CC: Tahoe-Truckee-Carson
by Teena Miller
Fitness
Three minutes of Laughter Yoga equals 30 minutes of
aerobic exercise! This is just one of many facts from
an ongoing research study (Stanford University) being
conducted on laughter’s benefits on the human body.
Come learn how Laughter Yoga is a proven form of heart
healthy exercise providing stress relief for the entire body.
Laughter provides a cardiovascular workout which in
turn increases circulation and oxygenation of the human
body. During this workshop we will explore how Laughter
Yoga provides deep breathing exercises through the use of
intentional laughter and stretching movements. Boost your
heart health!
almost opposite of what we are really like. As a result the
Pope, James Dobson and others would have us acting like
animals rather than humans. Learn the difference between
human sexuality and religious sexuality. (Based on material from Chapter 10 of Sex and God: How Religion Distorts
Sexuality). Adults only, please.
11:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m. RB: Reno Ballroom 1-2-5-6
One more chance to enjoy a superb “Chef’s Choice” meal.
This lunch is included in your AG registration. Alternatively, you may enjoy dining at one of the 22 fine eating
establishments in our hotel complex (on your own dime).
Programs: Saturday
Domestic Violence — Current Research Updates
Noon–1:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by Eric L. Nelson
Speaker
Learn about the seven forms of domestic violence as well
as research findings from 32 nations showing DV to be
much wider in scope than older explanations allowed for.
Brief review of teenage DV, and of the relationship of age
to rates of occurrence. Brief presentation of the author’s
own research findings which will be presented in an upcoming textbook.
Game Theory Live Experiments
Noon–1:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Marcelo Guerra Hahn
Speaker
In this presentation we will run some experiments (aka
play some games) that illustrate the motivation for game
theory. After each round we will look at what the “best
strategy” (or lack thereof) is for them. We will also analyze
the theoretical equilibrium and maximum potential gains.
Come prepared to help your team make some strategic
decisions and have fun! Note: Games will be different from
last year’s presentation; previous knowledge/experience
may or may not help your team win this time. Prizes will
be adjusted by inflation.
Why Conflicts Are Good and How We Can Get Better
at Them
Noon–1:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
by Roeland van Zeijst, Mensa The Netherlands
LDWs
Roeland will introduce the typical “Dutch approach” to
conflict resolution as his Mensa group has developed it in
The Netherlands. As the national Mensa grows rapidly and
more members communicate through digital media, the
risk of conflicts escalates. The Dutch Resolution Commit54 — AG 2012
tee (DRC) holds a unique position enabling the group to
manage conflicts in an elegant, yet complicated way.
BurningMan SIG Meet & Greet
Noon–1:15 p.m.
by Ranger Boissee, Dragger
Mix-and-mingle for SIG members and anyone interested
in BurningMan.
Debate Room: The Armed Forces
Noon–1:15 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Are the armed forces sustainable without a draft? Are they
receiving enough and proper training? Do we have a solid
career military population or is it on the decline? Should
the U.S. maintain a military presence around the world,
or bring most of them back home? Are we really prepared
for the next act of terrorism on U.S. soil? (This session is
Medical Improvisation During the End of Time
Noon–1:15 p.m.
Speaker
In a world where access to quality and timely medical care
is becoming ever more uncertain, it has become increasingly important to understand how we can care for ourselves and our loved ones in a self-sufficient manner. This
lecture will cover practical steps that anyone can take to
prepare for a time where you may be the only “medical
provider” available to help yourself or someone you are
caring for. We will go through common sense diagnostic
algorithms and treatment regimens that utilize common or
easily obtainable household resources. No medical experience necessary, inventive and innovative mind a plus.
Hug Dots and Donuts: Lessons from The Hug Lady
Noon–1:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Michelle Nichols aka The Hug Lady
Speaker
Enjoy the humorous, heart-touching story of why Michelle
Nichols left a prestigious corporate career to start Global
Hug Your Kids Day, which is July 16! Of course, her message translates to hugging kids of all ages — and spouses,
partners, and parents too. Learn how various elements
from donuts to dancing, and billboards to Major League
Baseball, all tie into reaching her Big Hairy Goal of one
day having “every kid, in every country around the world,
to be hugged by a parent or guardian.” Hear how everyone
benefits from and can join in her hug holiday, regardless of
the color of your Hug Dot!
Newsletter Editor Ideas & Resources
Noon–1:15 p.m.
SL: Silver
by Julie Clark, Howard Prince
LDWs
Join this workshop and discuss what your Local Group
newsletter should contain and where you can find content for it. Included will be a review of the guidelines for
American Mensa’s Publications Recognition Program and
information on how to access newsletter-related online
resources.
TeenSIG Hustle
1 p.m.–2 p.m.
CC: Mandalay 2
by Don Jacobs
Teens
Although the ’70s have come and gone, disco music is
alive and well. So now is a good time to learn your ones,
twos, threes and fours for dancing the hustle. No, you
don’t need to wear a leisure suit or hot pants, just bring
your dancing shoes or socks and get ready to look just
like John Travolta (sort of). No partner required. This is a
TeenSIG event for ages 13-20 only.
A Tribute to Teachers
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Expo C
by Richard Lederer, Ph.D.
Speaker
Longtime Mensa Bulletin language columnist Richard
Lederer will offer an inspirational and humorous hymn
of praise to those who change our lives one day and one
lesson at a time. Dr. Lederer will include his famous “The
World According to Student Bloopers” as well as a gallery
of great teachers throughout history and compelling statistics that prove that education really matters.
Debate Room: World of the Paranormal
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
CC: Sierra
James Randi has a standing offer of $1 million. (Allegedly) unaltered video footage shows items flying through
the air for no apparent reason. Ghosts? Crystal balls? Past
lives? Real visionaries? There are stories from both sides
of the fence, each compelling. Which side do you stand
on? (This session is a moderated debate among attendees.
Join the fun, meet other attendees, and exchange opinions
on this topic!)
Sonic Illusions: Motives for Cave Art & Stonehenge
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Steven Waller
Speaker
His new acoustic theory about Stonehenge made world
headlines when he presented at the AAAS this February.
It also stirred much controversy, perhaps since it is difficult for the public to comprehend sound wave cancellation causing auditory illusions of acoustic shadows. In this
talk hear for yourself musical interference effects that give
blindfolded participants the impression of a Stonehengelike ring of massive objects blocking the sound. Learn
how myths of echo spirits and thunder gods relate to the
prehistoric rock art our ancestors left in echoing canyons
and reverberating caves. Experience new acoustic camera
technology that enables visualization of sounds.
Cockpit of the Future — CrewSystem2035
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Major Art Cartwright, Dr. John Pletcher
Speaker
Dr. John Pletcher and Major Art Cartwright will discuss
their parts in mentoring the USAF Academy cadets designing the cockpit of the future, using technology likely to
be available in 2035. This year’s multidisciplinary team is
perfecting last year’s winning crew-system design as part
of a year-long, industry-sponsored, inter-Academy, competition. Design challenges included the constraints that the
cockpit must simultaneously control up to five unmanned
air/ground systems and the pilot must be able to eject at
speeds of over 600 knots. This talk will focus on the sysAG 2012 — 55
Programs: Saturday
What Is Satori?
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
by John Scanlon
Speaker
Satori has been referred to as enlightenment, an awakening
of the true self, a piercing the veil of illusion, and a seeing
into the true nature of things. But none of this explains
what Satori really is. D.T. Suzuki has recorded a more
scientific description, and we’ll compare his formulation
with Albert Camus’ experience of the absurd and Edmund
Husserl’s eidos perception (Husserl was the founder of
phenomenology, considered by many the most important
philosophical movement of the 20th century. Albert Camus
won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957).
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
by Members of M-Atheists SIG
tems engineering approach used to refine the design elements required to properly exploit the 2035 technologies.
Curating Content? Blending Communications in the
Digital Age
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Silver
by Howard Prince
LDWs
In the online world of overabundant data, a content curator
adds value by selecting and sharing the best content for
others to consume, namely, the most relevant and useful
information for the intended audiences and communities
served. This sounds remarkably like the efforts of our local
newsletter editors until you factor in Web sites, email and
social media. Hear about content curation and how the National Office staff shares and pares their communications.
Programs: Saturday
Court Room Horror Stories and Legal Nightmares
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
by Scott Zimmon, J.D.
Speaker
You’ll hear some of the most egregious tales of true happenings in our courts. Some may cause laughter, others
may cause tears. Some will result in stunned amazement
and others will make you angry. All will make you think.
Why? Because any one of these cases could happen to any
one of us. Or your father, mother, grandparents, friends,
neighbors, sisters, brothers or children. Or the person sitting next to you... or... you. You like L.A. Law? Truth is
stranger than fiction... and often more compelling.
A Spelling Bee That’ll Give You Hives
1:30 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Alan Baltis, Colleen Baltis
Tournaments
Yes, we know there’s no strong correlation between IQ
and being a good speller, but many Mensans seem to have
quite a love affair with language and pride themselves on
knowing all kinds of difficult and obscure words. We’ll do
our best to assault attendees with an artfully accumulated
armada of awful argot. Words will be mostly English, but
with all kinds of foreign-but-oft-used and special-interest
terms to separate the regal from the rabble.
Round-Table Discussion on Using Social Media
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SL: Gold
by Robin Crawford
LDWs
Round-table discussion on using social media to enrich
and expand your group’s communications. Ask your questions, offer your experiences, pick up new ideas.
56 — AG 2012
Australia — Images from Down Under
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Tony Diaz
Speaker
The world’s smallest continent offers the biggest punch
when it comes to the most unusual travel experiences,
awesome landscapes, and unusual animals. This presentation takes you on a whirlwind tour of this most remarkable land and its exotic animals. From the rugged desert
outback of Uluru and aborigine dreamtime to the natural
wonders of the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier
Reef and on to the cosmopolitan oasis of Sydney and Melbourne, Australia has something for all visitors.
Dumb Things Smart People Do
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Expo C
by Abbie Salny
Speaker
Dr. Abbie Salny presents stories about very bright people
who have ignored the fact that to get from A to C, you
have to cross B, which is occasionally a deep hole. Most
Mensans will recognize things they themselves have done
in these humorous stories full of bloopers and mishaps.
Names are used only with permission, otherwise the stories
are anonymous.
Debate Room: Gay Marriage
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
CC: Sierra
What exactly is the concept of marriage and is there indeed
any basis for gender bias? What do the voters in some
states think that they “know” that the voters in other states
are not yet aware of? Is the basis of denial solely religious
in nature? What can/does the future hold? (This session is
My Vacation to North Korea
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Willem Bouwens
Speaker
When there was an opportunity to book a tour to North
Korea, there was no hesitation; Willem told his friends that
he would have the most relaxing vacation ever. No cell
phone, no Internet, no emails, never worrying about a hotel
or where to go to get the next meal. No traffic jams, no
dirt on the street, just get on the bus and enjoy the all-inpackage tour! This is a story about his travel experience
in North Korea in 2007 — a unique cultural experience.
He will also briefly touch on South Korea where he was
(many) years ago. Both countries still fascinate him.
World Of Warcraft SIG
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
by Randy Kamradt
group, through leadership continuity. Help your group plan
for the replacement of key officers by identifying potential
leaders and preparing them to take on those roles.
Economy of The Unincorporated Man
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
by Dani Kollin, Eytan Kollin
Speaker
In a world in which every individual is incorporated from
birth, and by virtue of that incorporation has every imaginable need met, is freedom as we understand it really
necessary? Should such a world be deemed Compassionate
Capitalism or rather a Dictatorship of the Content?
Sex, Laws and Stereotypes
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Lauren Scott
Speaker
This is an in-depth presentation on the complex relationship between sex, gender and society. Lauren Scott, the
executive director of Equality Nevada, details how variances in sexual development and gender identity affect
individuals and society. Recent legislation affecting the
gender-variant community and case studies will also be
reviewed. Nudity and graphic images of intersex persons
and genitals are included in this academic presentation.
Viewer discretion is advised.
Down & Dirty Physics for Rescue: Red Mtn Bus FTX
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by Norm Rooker, EMT-P/FF
Speaker
The portion of US Highway 550 that connects Ouray to
Silverton, Colo., is 27 twisty miles with few guardrails
and steep drop-offs of up to 410 feet. Emergency responders wondered what rescue strategies would be needed
to respond to a tour bus going over the side. Rescuers
obtained a school bus and pushed over the side of Red
Mountain. Come join Norm as he describes how this FTX
was put together, what strategy and tactics were selected,
how “thumb math and physics” were utilized to overcome
physical problems, few rescue personnel as well as the lessons learned.
Succession Planning for the Local Group
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Silver
by Debra Reiger
LDWs
What would happen to your group if one or more key leaders had to suddenly step down due to unforeseen reasons?
Are there members of your group prepared to take over
those roles? Succession planning is a great way to ensure
the continued success and effectiveness of your local
WTF, and Other Issues/Spoken Word Environmental
Poetry
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
by Kit Cassingham
Speaker
Environmental action needs to be inspired. Threats, fear
and bullying don’t work for engendering real change. Explore some pressing, or at least interesting, environmental
issues through Kit’s low-tech, high-feel Word Art Environmental Poetry. Issues like fragrance, water, and trash will
be explored. Learn new ways to share your environmental
message. Be challenged.
How To Run With The Bulls In Pamplona
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by L. Burke Files
Speaker
A quick look at how to run with the bulls in Pamplona
and live to come back to give a presentation on it. A look
behind the scenes at San Fermin. What really happens?
This is about living life closer to the edge; living it fully.
AG 2012 — 57
Programs: Saturday
Bylaws Workshop
3 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
SL: Gold
by Dan Burg
LDWs
The Minimum Standard Bylaws for Local Groups were
updated again last year, albeit minimally. Bylaws Committee chair Dan Burg will lead a discussion of what’s
new, what’s been relaxed, and how to update your Local
Group’s bylaws. We will also discuss how the new electronic publications default fits with the Minimum Standard
Bylaws. Come prepared with questions!
Debate Room: Criminal Sentencing Reform
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Is mandatory sentencing a good idea, or is it better to leave
a sentence range and trust that all judges will do the right
thing? Should some crimes be decriminalized — and, if so,
which ones? Is any type of sentence a better deterrent to
recidivism? What about flogging, eye-for-an-eye, life imprisonment, organ-banking of capital offenders (um, wow,
there’s a deterrent!), death penalty, or ??? (This session is
Pamplona draws the friendliest 250,000 people you’ll ever
see in one place at one time. Saints, sinners, priests, pickpockets, poets, perverts and the list goes on.
Programs: Saturday
Understanding You: Lessons from Chinese Metaphysics
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron C
Speaker
Many of us desire to understand a bit more about who we
are, what drives us, and what the future (and the past) hold
for us and our loved ones. Not well understood in Western
cultures, Chinese metaphysics, including Five Element
theory and the Ba Zi (eight characters), have been used
for millennia to help gain insight into these questions and
others. This lecture will discuss conclusions about the nature of life and fate gleaned from the study of the Chinese
medicine and Chinese metaphysics No experience necessary; an open mind and an interest in oneself a plus.
Apocalyptic Visions, Transformation Engines and the
Evolution of Burning Man
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Michael Michael
Speaker
Follow the history of Burning Man as told by one of its
founders. It’s a story of time and place, from its small beginnings on a beach in San Francisco, to a temporary city
of more than 50,000 people on a dry, barren desert. The
impact of the Burning Man experience has been so profound that a culture has formed around it. The creation of
that experience is a complex blend of social, psychological
and environmental factors, which have evolved over time.
Joel Huddleston Memorial Sudoku Tournament–Finals
4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Adam Smargon
Although only the five finalists from the opening round are
permitted to play, spectators and cheerleaders are encouraged! Feel free to cheer for (or against!) your (least) favorite player. There will be a few evil twists to the final round.
Implications of Transcendence in Big Bang Cosmology
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron D
by Fr. Robert Spitzer
Speaker
Though many contemporary physicists believe that the
Big Bang was the beginning of the universe, contemporary
quantum cosmology allows for the possibility of an era
prior to the Big Bang. Some physicists have speculated
that this era could have been a multiverse or a stringtheoretical oscillating universe which could avert the need
58 — AG 2012
for a beginning. But do they really? Fr. Spitzer will look at
two recent developments from space-time geometry proofs
and entropy which suggest that even these speculative
scenarios require a beginning.
Debate Room: Valuation of Life
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
CC: Sierra
What is the difference between the value of the life of
Joe Average, who is killed in a freak accident on his way
to work on a Tuesday morning in Anytown, USA (or a
military services person who comes home from the Middle
East in a box)... and the life of each of those killed in the
911 tragedy? Is there justification for the spouse of one to
be living on welfare and the spouse of the other to have
been compensated so heavily? (This session is a moderated
Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Adam Smargon
Yes, we’re serious! For some strange, twisted reason, this
simple child’s game has become a favorite in bars and other establishments over the past few years, so we figured:
why not continue with the strange and twisted reasoning... and bring it to Mensa? There are three hand gestures
involved: rock (closed fist), paper (open hand, either facing
up or facing down), and scissors (index and middle fingers
extended). The objective is to select a gesture which
defeats that of the opponent: rock smashes scissors, paper
covers rock, and scissors cut paper. Each round of this
tournament will run on the best-of-three system.
Your Body Doesn’t Lie! Muscle Testing for Health
6 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron B
by Sherrie Reimers, ND, CTN
Speaker
Muscle testing, dowsing, applied kinesiology... whatever
term you use for it, mastering the techniques can be lifechanging. Various forms of muscle testing have been used
throughout the ages for everything from searching for water to locating land mines. How do you know what would
be best for you to eat? Is that supplement you’re taking
actually good for you? What movie would you enjoy the
most? How can you know? Learn to muscle test! It can
save you time, trouble and money... just ask your body!
Join us to learn simple techniques to harness this energy!
Saturday Night Gala Banquet & Show
7 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
SL: Expo B
Meal Plan
In the traditional AG setting you would eat, attempt to
listen to someone talk, and maybe dance a little. Since this
is supposed to be the End of Time, we will try to bring you
parts of Burning Man and the circus with a musical accompaniment so that no Mensan has to check out without
experiencing those wonders. Here is an evening of incredible food and amazing entertainment, with a variety of acts
and talented performances by aerialists, dancers, musicians
and more! You will be well-fed, slightly amazed and thoroughly amused by the time this night’s show is concluded.
Power Pages: The Zen of Poetry, Paragraphs, Publishing
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
by Nancy Ava Miller, M.Ed., CHt
Speaker
Improve your writing and boost your talent by tapping
into that vast reservoir of creative intelligence, that infinite
well of insight and thought within all of us. Class includes
discussion of good versus not-so-good writing, plus group
enjoyment of various hypnotic/meditative/relaxation
techniques, after which students will pen lively poems and
prose to exchange and examine. Casting about for motivation, encouragement, and useful edification? This unique
seminar is for you — the writer, the seeker.
Debate Room: Assisted Suicide
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Was Dr. Jack Kevorkian a monster or a man born ahead of
his time? At what point in the cycle of life does an individual have the unalienable right to end his or her own
life? (This session is a moderated debate among attendees.
Join the fun, meet other attendees, and exchange opinions
on this topic!)
SL: Silver Baron C
Quiddler Tournament
7:30 p.m.–9:15 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Debbie Freeland
Quiddler is a card word game with naturally fast, smooth
gameplay. Players must combine their entire hand into
words trying to use letters with the highest point values.
You do this first with three cards (Round 1), then with
four, on up to ten cards in the last round. A bonus is given
for both the longest word and the most words made by
a player in each round. The key is knowing the “short
words” — it’s not always a matter of going out first or with
the longest word, and you’ll develop a strategy all your
own. Novices welcome!
Cheryl the Soccer Mom and Friends: Stand Up Comedy
9 p.m.–10:15 p.m.
by Cheryl (The Soccer Mom) Anderson
Entertainment
Cheryl gathers her comedian friends for a night of hilarious entertainment from smart comics with stupid jokes.
The comics are all performers at the area’s best comedy
clubs and theaters and are guaranteed to entertain. You
must be 18 or older to attend this program.
Debate Room: Education (No Child Left Behind)
9 p.m.–10:15 p.m.
CC: Sierra
Is the “no child left behind” approach destroying our
educational system or enlightening it? (This session is a
moderated debate among attendees. Join the fun, meet
History and Taste of Chocolate
9 p.m.–10:15 p.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Mike Eager
Speaker
Chocolate is the food of the gods. Montezuma’s warriors
ate it before battle, giving them energy and stamina. It
was a state secret for a century. It’s the traditional gift for
Valentine’s Day and Easter, eaten by lovers as well as the
lovelorn. It flavors drinks to warm you up, ice cream to
cool you down. It’s the center in a molten lava cake and in
desserts described as delightful or decadent. Eating chocolate is good for the heart, literally, and definitely good for
the soul. Mike Eager will talk about chocolate: where it
comes from, how it’s made and by whom, who consumes
it, and more. Tastes to follow.
AG 2012 — 59
Programs: Saturday
by Danila Oder
Games
Gene SIG
7:30 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
by Bil Munsil
The End of Time Burlesque Show (Strictly Adults Only!)
9:15 p.m.–10 p.m.
SL: Expo B
Entertainment
The 4th Street Apocalypse Burlesque Troupe promises
to titillate you and expose... their audience, to laughter
and thoughts that you didn’t know that you had, in public anyway. The ladies and gentlemen of this troupe are
burlesque ninjas, well versed in the arts of mental seduction and physical comedy. Do not fear; they will make sure
that your End of Time has a happy ending. After the show,
a special opportunity to “Dance with the Performers” with
D6 providing the tunes. This is a free but adults-only show.
Language inappropriate for children and partial nudity
are to be expected.
Magic: The Gathering Sealed Tournament
9:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m. RB: Reno Ballroom 4
by Debbie Freeland
Experienced MTG players only. Free entry. Sealed format.
Each player provided by us with 6 free packs from latest
core sets/expansions; players will construct 40-card decks
for a double-elimination tournament supervised by an L2
judge, run at Regular REL. Will run longer than most AG
Programs: Saturday
Notes
60 — AG 2012
tournaments, so it’s scheduled last. Knowledge of Regular
REL and fundamental knowledge of gameplay necessary
for participation. Basically, if any portion of the preceding
paragraph doesn’t make sense, this is not the tournament
for you! Limited to 16 players total. Players who participate fully may keep their opened cards, regardless of rarity
or shininess.
Debate Room: The Economy
10:30 p.m.–11:45 p.m. CC: Sierra
This topic is too wide for description; you’re just going
to have to show up and see where the discussion goes.
Taxes? Spending? Wall Street? Can it be fixed? And the
list goes on... (This session is a moderated debate between
opinions on this topic!.)
Chocolate Dessert Buffet
11 p.m.–11:45 p.m.
Hospitality
Chocolate dessert buffet time in the RB. Need we say
more?
AG Program Schedule: Sunday, July 3
1:45 a.m.–2 a.m.
Hospitality
Beer and wine service ends.
7:15 a.m.–9 a.m.
breads to toast, juice (three), coffee, This breakfast is
7:30 a.m.–8:45 a.m.
Fitness
Christian Communion Service
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
SL: Silver Baron E
by Fr Bill Loring
A celebration of the Holy Communion for Mensans and
their friends. An opportunity of Christian worship at the AG.
the dot we ask you to all participate in a heart-warming,
soul-soothing, terrific-feeling, photo-op group hug. Then
back to completing the prize awards and all the “Same
Time Next Year” farewells. Wow, what an amazing time
we’ve had!
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
by Jessica Steinhice Mathews
SIGs
Worship service conducted by members of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One Sunday each
month, in connection with optional fasting and prayer on
behalf of the needy, LDS members sing hymns, partake of
the sacrament (bread and water), and are invited to share
their testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as the Spirit
moves. All are welcome.
Don’t You Know It’s the End of the World
by Rev. Cathryn Paradise
Speaker
A detailed look at “end of the world” prophecies from a
Biblical viewpoint. Based on Rev. Paradise’s book Even So
Come.
Hospitality Farewell
Noon–2 p.m.
RB: Reno Ballroom 4
Feel free to hang around in the Reno Ballroom as we close
down Main Hospitality. Helpers are welcome; “sit-aroundenjoyers-while-others-help”... are also welcome. It’s all
good!
Friends of Bill W.
9 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
CC: Washoe
Programs: Sunday
Farewell Brunch
10 a.m.–Noon
SL: Expo B
Meal Plan
(This is a ticketed meal event — standing room in back at
11 a.m.) Come enjoy delicious brunch offerings with old
friends and new friends, acknowledge the hard work of the
AG Committee with the “Cleveland Clap,” and sit back
and hope that you win one of the excellent door prizes.
Must be present to win — seated or standing. At 11:30 on
AG 2012 — 61
Speaker Biographies
Dr. Nancy Alvarado (Nancy Alvarado Stone) is a Professor of Psychology at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona where she studies emotion and cognition.
As the parent of a gifted child, she was Mensa National
Gifted Children Program Coordinator in the mid-1980s,
has been involved in Orange County Mensa in a variety
of roles, and is the author of Gifted Is Not a Dirty Word, a
collection of essays written for the Mensa Bulletin.
Diane Amison-Loring is a retired school librarian who
also spent 31 years as an Episcopal nun and keeps up her
skills by assisting her husband (Fr. Bill Loring) as his
research librarian.
Cheryl the Soccer Mom’s comedy is based on her
experience as a suburban soccer mom, but her act is not
typical mom-humor. She was a regional finalist on Nickat-Nite’s Search for the Funniest Mom in America and is
also the author of two humor books. Her most recent book,
It’s a Jungle Out There and a Zoo in Here, was published
by Time-Warner and was an Amazon top 100 bestseller.
Contacts: CherylTheSoccerMom@gmail.com or
www.CherylTheSoccerMom.com.
Anton Anderssen has 25 years experience in the travel
industry and is a travel writer for eTurboNews.com. Contacts: anton@antoncruises.com or www.antoncruises.com.
Richard Arbib was born in New York City, earned
a master’s degree in English and creative writing at San
Francisco State University, and taught English in Vietnam and composition and literature to college students in
Nevada. He has had short fiction published in the Mensa
Bulletin and articles published in Integra, The Journal of
Intertel. Contacts: richardarbib@thevampiregirlnextdoor.
com or www.thevampiregirlnextdoor.com.
A Madam is defined in the brothel industry as a premier
manager of a house of prostitution. Combine a seasoned
vet of life with one who possesses a strong understanding
of management disciplines, then mix in a Renaissance type
woman — and the result will be Madam Susan Austin. The
key element of her success, however, is her working knowledge and background as an active prostitute. She is the
epitome of a Madam and she has earned the right. Contacts:
susan@lancegilman.com, or mustangranchbrothel.com.
Cookie Bakke is a writer/speaker/trainer for the insurance and financial fraud industries. She’s appeared on
Dateline and Maury, stood in for Al Gore as an opening
keynoter, investigated plenty of bad guys, sails the high
seas as an enrichment lecturer for multiple cruise lines, and
saved both lives and fortunes with her work with
www.fightfraudamerica.com. In her spare time she serves
62 — AG 2012
Mensa and in her other spare time she tries to breathe
deeply. Contacts: JCFR@aol.com or www.fightfraud
america.com.
Kimberly Bakke graduated from the Art Institute of
Las Vegas with a culinary degree. She is also a Certified Culinarian through the American Culinary Federation. Being
a bona fide chef is a dream come true. Her focuses are on
international cuisine and patisserie. She also makes amazing
chocolate truffles! Contact: KimberlyBakke@aol.com.
Alan and Colleen Baltis are both long-standing
members of American Mensa, Colleen in Cleveland, Alan
in Chicago, San Francisco, and now Cleveland. Both are
voracious readers and wordaholics, and will be happy to
inflict their curated collection of difficult words on their
verbivore friends at this year’s Spelling Bee That Will Give
You Hives.
Ed Becker is a life member of American Mensa,
learned bridge shortly after joining Mensa and has been
an amateur gambler for over 30 years. He is a licensed
professional engineer in Michigan and has worked in the
automobile industry for nearly 30 years.
Shaharris Beh has strong roots in private equity
finance, advertising, and software project management. He
runs the Toronto Hackernest (hackernest.ca), a technologycollective and coworking space alongside his latest startup,
contestninjas, an online contest and promotions business.
Alma mater: Cornell University (art) and Tufts University
(international relations and economics). How he wastes
time: Climbing and kung fu. Contact: shaharris@contestninjas.com.
JJ Beh had a stint in equity research for ABN-AMRO
that turned into a decade-long career at ING Direct in the
U.S., UK, and Europe. Jumped the corporate ship and
joined contestninjas in 2012 while concurrently working
with a private equity consortium to acquire a series of fastfood chains. Alma Mater: York University and New York
University. How he wastes time: Hockey and food. Contact: jj@contestninjas.com.
Tony Belarmino joined Mensa in 1985 and started the
Clergy SIG four years ago. He has been an Assemblies of
God minister since 1973. Contact: RevTonyAG@aol.com.
Marnee Benson joined Black Rock Solar in 2009 as an
environmental journalist and project manager who had
recently organized a worldwide sailing expedition and
global warming lecture series. Marnee recently graduated
from UNR with two master’s degrees in environmental
science and environmental policy. She organized the Tour
Speaker Biographies
de Nez bike race for three years and sailed with Greenpeace International before turning her attention full-time to
Black Rock Solar. Contacts: marnee@blackrocksolar.org
or www.blackrocksolar.org.
Dr. Robert Berend has a Ph.D. in human sexuality
and has presented to Mensa over 50 times. His dissertation
was on first blind dates and “chemistry.” “Bilateral eureka”
and “placeholding relationships” are expressions he created. Contact: tactile8888@yahoo.com.
Bob Bevard is The Speaker With Solutions. Bevard
has delivered 2000+++ keynotes, concurrent sessions, and
seminars in his illustrious career. His ideas make sense and
they work. Most people love to listen to him. If you have
someone in your world with whom you would like to have
a smoother outcome or relationship, his presentation “How
to Work with Anybody — Effectively!” is worth your 75
minutes. Oh yes, Bevard is the Development Officer for
American Mensa and on the AMC since 2009. Contacts:
BobBevard@aol.com or Bevard.Net.
Lynne Bianco is a California native who was introduced
to the world of poker by her family. She plays the game
online, in casinos all over the world (when the opportunity
presents itself), on cruise ships and often participates in
tournaments. Her poker hero is her nephew, Alec Torelli,
who won back-to-back bracelets (the equivalent of an
Oscar) at the World Poker Tour in Las Vegas.
Terry Black is the author of Dead Heat, a zombie
film with Treat Williams and Vincent Price, now available
on home video at an embarrassingly low price. He’s also
written for numerous TV shows you’ve never heard of, as
well as sexy westerns, mystery stories, cartoons and comic
books. He lives in California with two-and-a-half black cats,
who bring him much-deserved bad luck. Contact: McQuirk@aol.com.
University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in 1995, Aleksandra never worked in the field. A licensed tourist guide
since 1987, she worked as tour leader from 1987 to 1995.
Since 1995, Aleksandra has been employed as an Immigration Program Assistant with the Embassy of Canada in Belgrade. She has been a Mensa member since 1999, a National
SIG and SIGHT coordinator in 2005-2006.
Sherry Boschert is an award-winning news reporter and
author of the book Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars That Will
Recharge America. She has been driving an electric car for
10 years. Sherry co-founded the non-profit organization
Plug In America to steer consumers and the automotive
industry toward plug-in vehicles powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity in order to reduce our nation’s
dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment. Contacts: sherry@pluginamerica.org, www.pluginamerica.org or www.sherryboschert.com.
Willem Bouwens has travelled to more than 60 countries. He loves to travel and to meet people from different
cultures. In his daily life he manages an international project of a financial institution. In his non-professsional life
(well....) he chairs Mensa International and is an ex-officio
member of the Mensa Foundation. Contacts:
wbouwens@planet.nl or www.willembouwens.nl.
Nate Bradley is a former police officer and deputy sheriff.
He worked patrol, background investigations and the gang
task force. Most of his career was spent working with the
local community to reduce crime. He loved police work,
but being on the front lines of the war on drugs let him see
that it was hurting, not helping, society. When Nate was
laid off in 2009 he became a speaker for Law Enforcement
Against Prohibition. Contacts: nate@prop215cop.com or
www.lawmenpro.org.
Alexander Brittain is a teacher. Bon Vivant.
Peter Paul Block is an award-winning video maker
who worked for U.S. Navy intelligence during the Vietnam
War and then pursued his interest in entertainment media as
a motion picture extra, industrial video director, and radio
disc jockey. Along the way he also wrote a film criticism
column for a local magazine, crashed a Jim Carrey movie
set, and developed a new system of hidden cryptography.
Contacts: peterblock@member.mensa.org or www.peterpaulblock.com.
Roger Brooks is the Managing Editor of the Mensa Bulletin and works with a team of associate editors, columnists
and contributors (all Mensans) to produce the Bulletin 10
times a year. As a writer and editor with nine years of experience, he has worked almost exclusively for consumer
magazines, producing city and regional publications such
as D Magazine and Seattle Metropolitan. Roger joined the
National Office staff in 2009.
Aleksandra Borovic was born in 1968 in Belgrade,
Serbia, is single, raising a daughter, 4-year-old Andjela.
Aleksandra speaks Serbian, Croatian, English, and French
fluently, and also has some Spanish and Bulgarian. Although
she studied space planning (land use planning) at Belgrade
Ed Buckner, former president of American Atheists, is a
frequent speaker and debater on atheism and in defense of
secularism. He and his son, Michael, are co-authors of a
book on secularism to be published by Prometheus Books
in late 2012, In Freedom We Trust: An Atheist Guide to
AG 2012 — 63
Speaker Biographies
Religious Liberty. Buckner lives with his wife Diane in
the southeastern U.S. Ed, Diane, and Michael are all Life
Members of American Atheists. Contacts: ebuckner@atheists.org or atheists.org.
Force Flight Test Center, and Air Force Technical Applications Center. Arthur is a prior-service officer, a lifetime
member of Mensa, and a self-proclaimed gathering junkie.
Visit www.usafa.edu/df/sysEng/.
Gregory Bunn has over 18 years of procurement
and supply chain experience in leadership positions with
Sony, IBM, Ingersoll-Rand, ThyssenKrupp, and Convergys. He received his master’s degree in procurement and
acquisitions and designed the Logistics and Supply Chain
Management degree program for Vincennes University.
A recognized authority on procurement and supply logistics, he has contributed to articles in The Financial Times,
Purchasing Magazine and other publications and given
presentations at several national supply chain conferences.
Contact: gregorybunn@earthlink.net.
Kit Cassingham is a passionate environmentalist, with
a degree in environmental conservation from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1976. She feels environmental
messages, usually doom and gloom or lecturing, don’t
go over well. Using Word Art — Kit’s version of Spoken
Word poetry, a non-rhyming poetry — she aims to inspire
environmental awareness, sensitivity and action. Contacts:
kc@sageblossom.com or www.WeGetGreener.com.
Dan Burg has chaired the national Bylaws Committee
since 2005. He has served on the committee since 1999.
Dan likes bylaws workshops, as he met his wife at one.
Dan and Ember are the proud parents of 7-year-old David
and 4-year-old Aaron, both of whom will be greatly in
evidence at the AG.
Steve Burnham is a card game enthusiast (bridge life
master and winner of several local poker tournaments). If
you know a game that he doesn’t — teach him!
Dave Cahn, American Mensa’s National Ombudsman and a long-time member of Metropolitan Washington
Mensa, sang in the chorus of a staged, costumed performance of Carmina Burana with an international cast in
Kabul, Afghanistan, in 1970. He learned charades watching Mike Stokey’s Pantomime Quiz on television in the
1950s. Contact: DAVECAHN@aol.com.
Mary Carney, CNHP (Certified Natural Health
Professional) and DHS (Digestive Health Specialist),
integrates natural ways of strengthening the body’s ability
to heal itself. Her private referral-only practice includes
hands-on energy work (polarity therapy, Reiki, Joh-Rei),
Onnetsu Precision Far Infrared, Loomis Enzymes and
personal energy analysis through the Human Design System. She has introduced Mensans to both Onnetsu and the
Human Design System at earlier AGs. Her practice is in
Sierra Madre. Contact: FIR.Mary@onnetsu.us.
Major Arthur Cartwright is the Chief of Operations
for the Systems Engineering program at the United States
Air Force Academy. Art’s active duty Air Force career
has also included assignments with the Office of Defense
Representative-Pakistan, Air Force Operational Test and
Evaluation Center, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Battlelab, Air
64 — AG 2012
Randy Cassingham is one of the first online publishers (starting in 1994). His social commentary feature This
is True uses weird-but-true news stories as its vehicle. His
smart, insightful, and sometimes irreverent commentary
has led to him being condemned to hell (and his ardent
fans would follow him there!) “How did he get so popular
so fast? Well, for one thing, he writes funny stuff.” — New
York Times. Visit www.thisistrue.com.
Carlos Cazares has been a sushi chef at Sushi Teri in
Reno for 10 years, and he’s been preparing sushi at Circus
Circus Reno for 13 years.
Howard Chen, M.D., is a Fellow of the American
Academy of Medical Acupuncture and Adjunct Clinical
Faculty at the University of Nevada, Reno. He is the Director of Integrative Medicine at Renown Health and is the
supervising physician at Renown Advanced Wound Care.
He is a longtime Medical Supervisor/Duty Chief with the
annual Burning Man Festival’s Emergency Services Department and serves as the Medical Director for multiple
fire performance festivals across the U.S. Contact: hchen@
renown.org.
Eszter Chrobacsinszky was born in 1987 and has
been a Mensa member since 2005. Currently, she is the
youngest Hungarian interpreter for the European Union
in Brussels and has been the youngest member ever on
the Board of Mensa Hungary. So, yes, she is keen and
impatient. In Mensa HungarIQa, Eszter is responsible for
foreign relations and Facebook issues. Her passions outside Mensa include languages and travelling; social media;
dancing; Bikram yoga and other sports; and healthy delicacies of Indian and Mediterranean cuisine.
As Volunteer Programs Manager, Julie Clark is the
primary liaison for AML’s Local Groups and SIGs, providing support and solutions to groups’ requests, questions
and development issues, and managing the data relating to
Local Group officers and report distribution. She manages
Speaker Biographies
AML volunteer programs, including Leadership Development, and works with the Bylaws and Awards committees
and CultureQuest™. Julie has more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, managing and motivating
volunteers and providing leadership development progams.
Butch Colbert has been a member of Mensa for over
30 years and a fan of science fiction and fantasy for over
55 years. An avid reader of books and viewer of films and
TV shows, Butch tries to bring a bit of fun and variety to
the Science Fiction and Fantasy SIG. Contact: butchcolb@
aol.com.
Matt Cooper has been a lecturer on reproduction,
world trends, climate change and technology for colleges,
Mensa Gatherings and other groups. He worked to legalize
RU486 and lobbied congress for ZPG. As a political consultant, he worked professionally on dozens of political campaigns, and volunteered on Gore and Obama campaigns. At
Skeptic Magazine, he arranged lectures featuring Dawkins,
Daniel Dennett, and Jared Diamond. In addition to training
in engineering, he holds an MBA from UC Irvine.
Arthur Corbin has worked in the lighting field as a
salesperson,designer, and educator for nearly 30 years.
Arthur has experience with light sources and their use(s),
light for aging and for health, and the design of lighting for
residences, retail stores, restaurants, showrooms and trade
shows. Arthur has taught lighting and materials classes both
in the classroom and online at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco. Contact: arthurcorbin@gmail.com.
Robin Crawford is the Mensa Research Journal’s Executive Editor. She’s a past editor of Chicago Area Mensa’s award-winning ChiMe and several other non-Mensan
newsletters. She has been a Webmaster and a Local Secretary and served as AML’s Communications Officer, during
which time AML rapidly expanded its organizational use
of the Internet and social media venues.
Mary Crawley is a costuming junkie and founding member of High Desert Steam, a Northern Nevada Steampunk
collective. One of the major goals in her steampunk life is
to pass as far and wide as possible that people in the Victorian Era did not actually dress in sepia tones! Contacts:
highdesertsteam@gmail.com or www.highdesertsteam.org.
CW Bayer has been playing ragtime guitar for over
four decades, traveling the dusty desert from saloons to
churches and back again. His recent hit songs include “The
Queen of the Interstate,” “Twilight on the Sagebrush” and
“Talkin Thru Yer Hat.” CW has been composing music
in the Silver State for decades. CW arrived in the Silver
State long ago, having escaped from “the state that must
not be named,” traveling with a band of ex-convicts and
hoping to make a living by playing fiddle in remote road
houses. When the bass player ran off with the lead singer,
CW moved out into the desert to grow his own food in
the sand. Contacts: nevadamusic.com@me.com or web.
me.com/nevadamusic.com/CWBAYER/Welcome.html.
D6 is a local Reno musical performance artist, well known
to musicians and fire performers at Burning Man and the
Northern Nevada night scene. He has been interested in
and playing music since age 6, and yes, he has a day job.
Peggie Dearden is a Mensan with an opinion (imagine
that!) and she’d like to share it.
Beth Anne Demeter has been involved with Chicago
Area Mensa (CAM) since 2001. She has been the board’s
business manager and LocSec, and has served in various roles including chair for CAM’s Regional Gathering:
HalloweeM. Outside Chicago, she contributes nationally
in task forces and committees and stepped in to chair the
2007 Annual Gathering in Birmingham. Internationally,
she was a 2011 LEAP presenter and chaired MERF’s Intellectual Benefits Committee. Besides Mensa, she enjoys
cooking, snowboarding, traveling and trying new things.
Andy Di Cyan has a chemistry degree and does technical writing. Long ago he gave Interloc and Chicago’s
ChiMe a running start and is pleased to see them still going. He is a Mensa Proctor. A tall, athletic man, he likes to
be around good friends, squirrels, sports cars and bicycles.
Other favorites: reading, flute-playing, public speaking,
physical fitness, playing Paul Bunyan with firewood and
walking the woods with friends on his Wisconsin country
property. If not otherwise occupied, he’ll likely be in the
fitness center. Contact: squirrelbike1983@yahoo.com.
Tony Diaz is the son of a military serviceman. He
spent his early life traveling the world (often living among
foreign nationals), allowing him to see life from both sides
of the cultural fence. When he graduated high school he
had already spent most of his life on foreign soil, living
in Japan, France and Germany. A writer with travel agent
training, seeing the world remains his life’s goal and he
travels as often as possible. Contacts: sdiazwa@msn.com
or Adventurebegins.net.
Doctor Bob is a (now retired) orthopedic M.D./surgeon
who tries to talk patients out of surgical alternatives rather
than into them. When he speaks, he paints a visual picture
of what your body is doing, why it’s doing it, and how
you can help determine what it will do next. He packs a
AG 2012 — 65
Speaker Biographies
skeleton in his luggage for these talks and TSA always
searches his bags! Contact: Docb156@gmail.com.
Pamela Donahoo, CAE, FASAE, is the Executive Director of American Mensa, Ltd., of more than 15 years.
Roger Durham, an attorney and real estate broker, is
currently in his second term as Region 6 RVC and chairs
AML’s Name and Logo Committee. He has previously
served as LocSec of North Texas Mensa and co-chair of
the 2001 AG.
William R. Eadington is Professor of Economics and Director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming, and holds the Philip G. Satre Chair in
Gaming Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno. He is
an internationally recognized authority on the legalization
and regulation of commercial gambling, and has written
extensively on issues relating to the economic and social
impacts of commercial gaming. Contacts: eadington@
prodigy.net or www.unr.edu/gaming.
Chocolate maven Mike Eager has been conducting
tastings at Mensa gatherings for well over two decades.
When not sampling chocolate from dozens of countries,
touring chocolate factories, or making marvelous chocolate
dishes, he is an independent consultant in embedded systems and development tools and LocSec of San Francisco
Regional Mensa.
Mark Edward is a psychic entertainer, mentalist and
author of 14 books. He is a noted critic of pseudoscience,
a Steering Member of Center for Inquiry’s Independent
Investigations Group and serves on the editorial board of
Skeptic magazine. Mark has been a consultant and onair performer on A&E, NBC, Sci-Fi Channel, Discovery
Channel and The Learning Channel and continues to be a
media consultant for his knowledge of spiritualism, psychic fraud and ghost lore. Visit www.themarkedward.com.
Megan Edwards has been a member of Mensa since
the days before you could find answers to Hunt clues on
the Web, and she’s been on the Web since before you could
use it to find answers. The founder of RoadTripAmerica.
com, she’s also the author of Roads From the Ashes: An
Odyssey in Real Life on the Virtual Frontier and Caution:
Funny Signs Ahead. She’s currently at home in Las Vegas,
where she’s writing a novel about Julius Caesar.
Jonathan Elliott has been a member of Mensa since
1996. He served as CultureQuest™ Coordinator in 2007
and National SIGs Officer from 2007 to 2009, and has
chaired the national Answers to Everything SIG since
66 — AG 2012
2001. Within his local group of Greater Los Angeles Area
Mensa, Jonathan has been LocSec, Secretary, Treasurer,
Calendar Editor, and chair of the Awards, Bylaws, and
Finance Committees. He’s won the Cryptograms, Logic
Problem, and Palabra tournaments at past AGs.
Stewart Farquhar is a Mensan who holds screenwriting and advanced screenwriting certificates from the Professional Program at The UCLA School of Theatre Film
and Television. Stewart has analyzed over 3,300 scripts
for private clients. He is a produced playwright and active
screenwriter. His in-demand interactive lectures address
both the first page and the first ten pages of a script. He’s
an active member of The Table, over 1,000 award-winning
writers, directors, producers, novelists. Contacts: stewart@
thereaderscompany.com or thereaderscompany.com.
Paige Faulkner is the Membership Director for AML
and oversees American Mensa’s membership team, which
includes the Group Service Manager, the Admissions Manager, and Membership Assistant, ensuring that prospective
and current members receive timely service and accurate
information. Her responsibilities include the development
and maintenance of member services and benefit programs.
L. Burke Files, CDDP is a recognized international expert
in due diligence, financial investigations/asset recovery,
and intellectual property and critical information. Case
assignments have covered 50+ countries (plus bull running
in Pamplona!) and billions of dollars. He is member of the
Board of Advisors to the Association of Due Diligence
Professionals and President of International Association
Against Fraud and Corruption. He has written extensively;
his most recent book is Due Diligence For The Financial
Professional, 2nd Ed. Visit www.stjamesandthegang.com.
David Finkelstein is a scientist, inventor, entrepreneur, and recent, as of just last year, active member
of Mensa. His latest project is an invention called the
NeuraComm. He strives to learn, enjoy life, and make
a difference every day. It is his aspiration to utilize that
ever-increasing knowledge, along with his love of science,
innovation, and the world around him, to find new ways to
tackle problems and to advance society. Contact: dbfinkelstein@gmail.com.
Jeff Fisher has a Mensan for 20+ years, owner of several SIGs, and a member of London SIG for 12+ years.
Debbie Freeland (Central Florida Mensa) loves most
strategy, word, and party games, but her favorite word
game is Quiddler, since it’s the best of Scrabble and gin
rummy, two of her favorite games. She volunteers all over
Speaker Biographies
Mensa, on the ExComm, chairing RGs, on the AG Committee, as Membership Officer, etc. She lives on beautiful
Lake Conway in Belle Isle, Fla., with her husband; wonderful 1-year-old daughter, Marley; and three lazy, loutish,
large dogs.
Gregory Gadow has been involved in HIV education
and advocacy for more than 25 years, doing everything
from leading safer-sex workshops to volunteering in an
AIDS hospice to being a test subject in a vaccine study. He
currently sits on the Community Advisory Board for the
Seattle HIV Vaccine Trials Unit.
Susan Gerbic is co-founder of Monterey County Skeptics
and an active member of the Independent Investigations
Group. She is a self-professed “skeptical junkie” and well
known blogger in the skeptical community. Susan practices her own special brand of “guerrilla skepticism” by
injecting reputable truth into otherwise false or unsubstantiated claims on Wiki pages. She has appeared on prominent skeptical podcasts, was featured in Skeptical Inquirer
Magazine and presented at TAM9. Contacts: http://guerrillaskepticismonwikipedia.blogspot.com, www.iigwest.org
or www.meetup.com/Monterey-County-Skeptics/.
Jerome J. Ghigliotti, Jr., has been a Mensa member
for over 25 years. With an NYU background in engineering and after three years in the Army, he returned to
complete his BS in law and Juris Doctorate. His 18-year
practice in California has included insurance defense,
workers’ compensation, aviation law, and real estate law.
He has addressed three prior AGs and several RGs on the
issues of emerging and changing law. Contact:
ghigliottilaw@sbcglobal.net.
Charles Godfrey enjoys word games, reading science
fiction and fantasy and other genres, swimming, practicing
Tai Chi, teaching mathematics and computer programming, playing online computer games, and eating hot and
spicy foods.
Jeanne Greene is an Old Student of Vipassana Meditation. She resides within 30 miles of Dhamma Mahavana,
situated in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Jeanne has been a
member of Mensa since 1974 and Past LocSec of Southern
Nevada Mensa. A semi-retired accountant, she owns Auto
Dealer Temp Services. Writing her life story has become
her most recent passion. Vipassana Meditation has piqued
her ability to recall details of her life events and experiences. Contact: meanjean@sierratel.com.
Howard Gross: This year marks my 30th (!) anniversary as a Mensan. I’ve been a “Broken Wheel” survivor;
a host of a Trivial Pursuit tournament won by Joe Zanca
(who became a close friend); a judge at several successful
Carnelli tournaments; a winner of a Mensa slogan contest;
even a participant in a “Mr. Mensa” Beauty Pageant. And
now I’m giving a talk about bygone Hollywood. Yes, I’ve
enjoyed my Mensa membership!
R. Thomas Grotz, M.D. is an orthopedic microsurgeon, inventor, entrepreneur, missionary, and Mensan.
He has treated 25,000 patients through 100,000 injuries,
performing 10,000 surgeries, and has replaced every limb
joint in the body. Inventing became a passion of his in the
1990s, and he has invented a stabilizer for human joints,
expanding spine cages, and resilient arthoplasty devices.
His legacy continues to grow with his foray into mentoring
the promising, innovative leaders of the future. Contact:
rgrotzmd@aol.com.
Marcelo Guerra Hahn is a Senior Test Lead with the
System Center team at Microsoft. Marcelo was born in
Uruguay and holds a master’s degree in computer science
and engineering from the University of the Republic and a
master’s in business administration from the University of
Washington. Contact: Marcelo.Guerra@microsoft.com.
Tony Hallas is one of the premier astrophotographers in
the world. Originally trained in professional photography and the owner of a large custom photo lab, Tony has
dedicated himself for the last 25 years to this most difficult
form of imaging. His work is recognized worldwide, and
the galaxy picture on all the new Macs is his. Visit astrophoto.com.
CDR Steven “Sonic” Hejmanowski is a 1992 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 1995. He was attached
and deployed with carrier-based F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18
Super Hornet squadrons on both the east and west coasts.
More recently, he returned from an overseas tour in Japan,
having commanded a fighter squadron in the Forward
Deployed Naval Forces. A previous TOPGUN instructor
from 1999-2002, he returned to NAS Fallon, Nev., and is
now the TOPGUN Commanding Officer. Contact: Steven.
hejmanowski@navy.mil.
Ken Heptig has been practicing yoga since 2000. He
is a Yoga Alliance Certified Instructor. He currently teaches at three locations in Charlotte, N.C. Ken created GoalYoga in 2007 so he could practice and teach yoga with the
goal of simply making our lives better by practicing yoga.
He joined Mensa in 2003 and has been to every AG since
joining. Contacts: kheptig@yahoo.com or goalyoga.com.
AG 2012 — 67
Speaker Biographies
Vicki Herd is celebrating her 25th year as a Mensa
member, has been actively involved as a Mensa Calgary
board member for 20 of those years, and for the past two
years has been a member of Mensa Canada’s national
board. An organizer, Vicki chaired several annual gatherings for Canada and the 2011 Annual Gathering, Majesty
in the Mountains, won two Alberta tourism awards. A
professional accountant and financial manager, Vicki has
coached and participated on many teams.
Carol Hilson chaired AG1987 and AG2001 as well as
five NTM RGs. She is a past RVC for Region 6. She has
also been Registrar for AG2009, AG2011 and AG2012.
Contact: c_hilson@msn.com.
Cara T. Hoepner, RN, MS, CNS, NP: With clinical
emphasis on mood and anxiety disorders, as well as their
intersection with the areas of substance abuse and traumatology, she currently provides psychiatric urgent care to
a largely homeless population in San Francisco, medication management for clients in her private practice, and
both knowledge and hope to those she reaches as author,
speaker, and community advocate. Contact: info@bayarea
psychiatric.com.
Ben Holden is director of the National Center for Courts
& Media at the National Judicial College and Associate
Professor of Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno.
A former reporter for The Wall Street Journal and executive editor of the McClatchy newspaper in Columbus, Ga.,
Ben is a lawyer licensed in California and Georgia. He has
covered stories ranging from U.S. electric utility deregulation, to the double-murder trial of O.J. Simpson. Contacts:
beholden@unr.edu or courtsandmedia.org.
Naomi Horovitz is a Professor at the W.P. Carey
School of Business at Arizona State University. She holds
a doctorate in marketing from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research examines the social-cognitive factors that
influence consumers’ preferences. She is an associate editor of the Journal of Consumer Psychology and chaired the
Society for Consumer Psychology Conference in Atlanta
in 2011. She has also been licensed to teach Zumba since
September 2011. Contacts: naomi.mandel@asu.edu or wpcarey.asu.edu/directory/stafffaculty.cfm?cobid=1027934.
Mindy Hsu, Pharm.D., MBA is a registered pharmacist who practices in Reno and Sparks, Nev. She volunteers
with the Women and Children’s Cabinet of the Sierras, the
Medical Reserve Corps of Washoe County, and the Crisis
Call Center of Northern Nevada. She plays volleyball or
swims at least weekly and likes to keep a low web presence. Contact: mindyhsu2002@yahoo.com.
68 — AG 2012
James G. Hudson, Research Professor, Atmospheric Sciences Center, Desert Research Institute (DRI), since 1990,
at DRI since 1970. BA Western Michigan Univ., 1968; MS
University of Michigan, 1970; Ph.D. UNR, 1976. Developed airborne cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) spectrometers that he has operated in 33 aircraft field projects of more
than 1,500 research flight hours that have resulted in 83
peer-reviewed journal papers. Estimates of cloud supersaturations (S) include higher S of stratus clouds than conventional wisdom. Contacts: hudson@dri.edu or dri.edu.
Don Jacobs has been involved with dance for many
years now, both with teaching and performing. His credits
include performances on the A&E cable network along
with shows on PBS, QVC and AMC. He’s also performed
at Lincoln Center as well as in the grand ballrooms of the
Waldorf Astoria and Pierre Hotels. As an independent instructor, Don teaches private individual and group classes
locally as well as on cruise ships and at conventions, with
his favorite being, you guessed it, Mensa Gatherings. Contacts: dancingd@donjacobsballroomdance.com or
donjacobsballroomdance.com.
Eric Johnson is an IT consultant, writer and speaker.
His background in IT is diverse, ranging from operating
systems and hardware to specialized applications and development. Over the years he has put his skills to many uses,
including authoring several IT books and producing and
hosting several podcasts. The largest podcast, CS TechCast,
aired over 120 episodes and transitioned from audio only
to a full video podcast during its two-year run. Contacts:
ejohnson@consortioservices.com or www.consortioservices.com.
Clark Jones is the Regional Vice Chairman for Region
9, which includes Utah, Arizona, Southern Nevada, Southern California, and Hawaii. He has been a member of Mensa
for over 30 years and Greater Phoenix Mensa for 28 years.
Dr. Alan Kadish spent 26 years as a primary care
provider of integrated family medical services, prior to
becoming president of World Stem Cells, LLC, a patient
management firm, involved in medical education, research
and treatment utilizing stem cell technologies. Dr. Kadish
has been pivotal in designing unique protocols and integrating a divergent group of both laboratory services and
techniques. The lectures will include cutting-edge information in this fast moving field of scientific research. Contacts: drk@worldstemcells.com or Worldstemcells.com.
Professor Bob Kegel is a well known racoonteur (sic)
and head of the one-member Perv-SIG. His Southern California reputation preceded him to his current home in the
Phoenix area. He taught college business management and
Speaker Biographies
chemistry and was a technical and sales manager during
his professional career. Now retired, he frequents online
dating sites and is looking for a XX chromosome bride.
Contact: Kegs@cox.net.
Pankaj Khemka, M.D. is an infectious diseases specialist and an internist practicing in Orange County, Calif.
A graduate of UCI Medical School, “P.K.” is a former
LocSec of Orange County Mensa.
Dani Kollin and Eytan Kollin won the Prometheus
Award for Best Science Fiction Novel of the year. Their
second and third novels, The Unincorporated War and The
Unincorporated Woman were also nominated for the same
award. The final book of the series, The Unincorporated
Future, releases Aug. 21. Contacts: dani@theunincorporated.com or www.theunincorporated.com.
Stanley Korn has a B.S. in physics and did graduate
work in physics and mathematics. He was employed by
DoD as a physicist and operations research analyst (now
retired). He is the coordinator of the Metropolitan Washington Mensa Parapsychology SIG and an investigator of
the paranormal. Stanley has given presentations at Mensa
gatherings on a wide variety of subjects. Contact: sdkorn@
yahoo.com.
Bill Kositzky is a six-year veteran of the Burning Man
festival and an active member of the Reno Mensa group
and the Burning Man SIG. He has a special interest in
photography and will present a slide show of some of his
favorite Burning Man images.
Kara Kovalchik is research editor for mental_floss
magazine. Her work has appeared on various outlets, from
CNN-Headline News to the Wall Street Journal online.
Kara recently appeared as a guest on NPR’s Talk of the
Nation. She and husband Sandy have written four trivia
books and contributed to several others. They reside in
Birmingham, Mich. Contacts: kara@mentalfloss.com or
mentalfloss.com.
Dr. Daniel Laury, M.D. is a board-certified OB/
GYN in private practice in Medford, Ore. He hosts an
award winning TV show The Doctor is Listening and has
authored the book SeniorSex: Answers to Questions from
a Geriatric Gynecologist as well as many other articles.
Dr. Laury has also been a principal investigator in over 40
research protocols. As a popular and requested speaker,
he has returned this year to give us two lectures. Contacts:
drlaury@yahoo.com, www.drlaury.com or www.seniorsexmd.com.
McAvoy Layne has been preeminent in preserving the
wit and wisdom of Mark Twain for 24 years in over two
thousand performances. McAvoy is the ghost of Samuel
Clemens in A&E’s biography of Mark Twain and in the
Discovery Channel’s Cronkite Award-winning documentary Huckleberry Finn. He is a winner of the Nevada award
for excellence in school and library service, and author of
a soon-to-be-published memoir, Becoming Mark Twain.
Contacts: mcavoylayne@gmail.com or ghostoftwain.org.
Richard Lederer Ph.D. is the author of 40 books
about language, history, and humor, including his bestselling Anguished English series and his current books, A
Tribute to Teachers, American Trivia, and Amazing Words.
Dr. Lederer is the longtime language columnist for the
Mensa Bulletin, recipient of two Mensa National Chair’s
Service Awards, and past president of San Diego Mensa.
He has been named International Punster of the Year and
Toastmasters International’s Golden Gavel winner. Contacts: richard.lederer@pobox.com or www.verbivore.com.
Marc Lederman lives on an eight-acre farm with
his wife, two dogs, one cat, seven goats, 16 chickens, and
more than 500 games. He serves as the Regional Vice
Chairman for the Mid-Atlantic Region and is the Logistics
Chair for this AG.
Jim Lee is a writer and experienced investment advisor. He has published articles in the The Futurist, The
Journal of Futures Studies and Technological Forecasting
and Social Change. Lee is a member of the Association
of Professional Futurists and received his master’s degree
in Studies of the Future from the University of Houston–Clear Lake. Contacts: lee-advisor@operamail.com or
www.resilience-economics.com.
Jared Levine is a Life Member of Mensa, former
LocSec of Metropolitan Washington Mensa, Mind Games
2012 Co-Chair, and interested in the proper, effective
governance of Mensa. Jared encourages the membership
to take an active role creating the kind of Mensa it wants
to see, on both the local and national levels, whether it be
holding an event, running a SIG, writing for a newsletter, or holding office. Be involved to make an ever-better
Mensa. Contacts: boxmaster@alumni.williams.edu or
http://boxmasterscorner.blogspot.com.
Nathan Levy is a dynamic educator, author and speaker. He
has been a successful teacher, principal, gifted coordinator
and supervisor of instruction in urban, suburban and rural
school districts. Mr. Levy currently tours the world sharing
his expertise and knowledge. He has written more than 40
books that are used in thousands of classrooms and homes
on six continents. His books include the Not Just SchoolAG 2012 — 69
Speaker Biographies
work series, Write From the Beginning, the Intriguing
Questions series and the famous Stories With Holes series.
Contacts: nlevy103@comcast.net or www.storieswith
holes.com.
Victoria Liguez is the Marketing Manager for American
Mensa. Victoria has more than two decades of experience
working as a communications professional. She developed
her career working in radio, television and most recently
a nonprofit community blood center. She is an awardwinning audio producer and possesses an effective blend
of creative and administrative skills.
Fr. Bill Loring is an Episcopal priest who remains
active in retirement, serving as Scholar-in-Residence
(SiR) at his home parish, St. Paul’s in Brookfield, Conn.
His academic interests include the study of worship and
of Scripture. He is also an avid reader, an ailurophile, and
enjoys traveling. He lives with his wife, Diane, and their
cat, Ruah. Contact: frbill@jhu.edu.
Brad Lutts is president of the Reno Skeptical Society,
a local non-profit that promotes science education and
awareness of pseudoscience and other extraordinary claims
and beliefs, with the goal of protecting the public from
misinformation and fraud. Contacts: info@RenoSkeptics.
org or www.renoskeptics.org.
M-Atheists SIG is an active online discussion group
with 930 members. Once a year we get together in person
at the Annual Gathering. Check your program for M-Atheists SIG Meet & Greets on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
If you can’t make one, try another. Stop by to meet some
of your fellow critical thinkers face-to-face, brain-to-brain!
Contacts: M-Atheists-owner@yahoogroups.com or
groups.yahoo.com/group/M-Atheists/.
program through JPL for eight years. Contacts: richmanley@aol.com or jpl.nasa.gov/ambassador/.
Teresa Manzella is LocSec and Gifted Children’s
Coordinator for Minnesota Mensa, one of three founding
charter members of the NAGC GLBTQ Special Interest
Group, and a member of the AML Gifted Youth Committee. She is also a member of the Human Rights Commission in her hometown of Maplewood, Minn. She holds
a Master of Liberal Studies degree, the focus of which
addresses the challenges facing youth who are gifted and
GLBTQ. Contact: gsquaredyouthadvocate@gmail.com.
Jerry Martin, ex-teacher, holds a master’s degree in
TV production. He combines the two fields of education
and TV, with a profound interest in psychology, and by
disregarding established paradigms, created Saluting New
Readers. He has done SNR successfully in local schools and
is now training three seniors. Jerry wants to collaborate with
a non-profit organization to promulgate SNR elsewhere. Retirees wishing to still feel useful could do SNR in their local
elementary schools. Contacts: jerrymartin1942@sbcglobal.
net or www.saluting-new-readers.org.
Ryan Martin has been active in Mensa for 14 years,
volunteering on the Snowball RG committee and on two
AG committees. He is married to Kristine Cooper Martin,
also an active Mensa member. Ryan has been debating and
defending the politics of liberty and fiscal restraint with all
comers for most of his adult life, both in person and online.
John Massura is a life member of Mensa and created
Duchre over the past 11 years with help from many Ms. He
is also an RG junkie, attending more than a dozen Gs and
other out-of-town Mensa events per year. Dark chocolate
is the perfect food. Pizza and ribs are a close second.
Michon Mackedon is professor emerita, English and humanities, Western Nevada College. For 22 years, she served
as vice chairman of the Nevada Commission on Nuclear
Projects. Her recently published book, Bombast: Spinning
Atoms in the Desert (Reno: Black Rock Institute Press,
2010) has won multiple awards, including the Foreword Review Book of the Year in Regional Non-fiction. Mackedon
and her husband, Michael, live in Fallon, Nev., where they
raised their four children. Contacts: mackedon@phonewave.
net or www.spinningatoms.com.
Jessica Steinhice Mathews, M-LDS SIG coordinator, is a Mensan since 1996 and LDS since 1978. A music
librarian with an abiding interest in pinball, Jessica met her
(non-LDS) husband through Mensa. On one of their early
dates, they were busted by a National Park police officer
for “parking” — trying to observe comet Hale-Bopp far
away from city light pollution. She also once X-rayed a
Rubik’s Cube. Just because she could. Contact: steinhicemathews@yahoo.com.
Richard Manley worked for North American Aviation for
10 years, five years on the inertial navigation system (INS)
for several missiles. The last five years, he worked on the
Apollo spacecraft as an instrumentation and telecommunicate test engineer. Rich serves as a space and aviation merit
badge councilor and has been with the Solar Ambassador
John McGill is the National Marketing Director for American Mensa. For more than 30 years, John has provided
clients with effective public relations and strategic marketing programs and now brings that experience to American
Mensa. He has served a diverse range of industries including nonprofit, hospitality, media, resort and entertainment
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Speaker Biographies
to develop and implement the introduction of new products, programs and services to the marketplace.
Michael Michael is an avid futurist with an interest in
technology and community. He has been involved with
many San Francisco social, cultural and technology institutions. His Silicon Valley career began in the early days of
the personal computer and later helped develop Apple’s
first robotic assembly line. He was a founding member of
the Cacophony Society and also involved with Survival
Research Labs. As a Burning Man co-founder, he initialized much of its progress over the years. He drove the first
art car to Burning Man and also founded the Black Rock
Rangers. Within the community, he is best known by his
desert persona: Danger Ranger. Contacts: m2012@burningman.com or www.burningman.com.
Nancy Ava Miller, MEd, CHt (Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist) once taught public school and TM (Transcendental Meditation) in the Washington, D.C., area. Author
of the award-winning memoir/anthology/history/almanac/
album Pervert: Notes from the Sexual Underground, today
Nancy travels the land presenting sought-after hypnosis
seminars, writing workshops, and discussions on sexual
history. Nancy’s articles and poems have appeared in
numerous publications, including the acclaimed anthology Some Women (Ed. Laura Antoniou, 1997). Contacts:
nancyavamiller@gmail.com or www.nancyava.com.
Teena Miller is a native Californian, a Highly Qualified
Teacher, a Certified Life Coach, and a Certified Laughter
Yoga Teacher (trained and certified by Dr. Madan Kataria). Teena is the mother of a doctor in family practice
and a psychotherapist in private practice. Teena is a late
Stage 3 breast cancer survivor. Teena teaches 10 Laughter
Yoga classes in three counties to over 200 participants on a
weekly basis, ranging from public schools to mental health
hospitals and senior nursing facilities. Teena’s passion is to
bring smiles and laughter to those in need of JOY. Contacts:
Teenateach@comcast.net or www.LAUGH4Health.com.
Maia Misner has been geocaching for approximately
two years and is passionate about the sport. She has four
kids who join her on her geocaching adventures in Northern California. She is currently working on a personal goal
of finding at least one cache a day. Contact: fschick20@
yahoo.com.
Kel Munger is a writer and editor for the Sacramento
News & Review and an adjunct professor of journalism at
American River College. Her journalism has won awards
from the California Newspaper Publishers Association.
Her fascination with all things Armageddon is the result of
having been raised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses (she is
recovering) and a lifelong love of both science and science fiction. Contacts: munger.kel@gmail.com or www.
kelmunger.tumblr.com.
Eric Nelson holds five degrees including three at the
master’s level. Presently he is earning a Ph.D. at the University of California, Davis. He has published in psychology, forensics, and law. He is writing a textbook on the
best practices for domestic violence case investigation by
first responding police officers. Eric is a former counterintelligence agent, and also a former police officer. Contact:
elnelson@ucdavis.edu.
Michelle Nichols aka The Hug Lady is the founder of
Global Hug Your Kids Day. She’s also a professional
speaker, serial entrepreneur, long-time saleswoman,
award-winning author, and lover of a good, clean joke.
She’s lived in Texas, New Jersey, California, and now lives
in Reno, Nev. Contacts: hugs@HugYourKidsDay.com or
www.HugYourKidsDay.com.
Life Member Dr. Alice Norman, aka Ranger Boisee,
is a talented mixed media artist. Within two months of first
attending Burning Man in 2003, she established the Mensa
Burning Man SIG to aid and encourage Ms worldwide to
experience the annual event. Contact: BurnSIG@Burning
Mbers.com.
Danila Oder has led Werewolf games for adults and
children at several recent AGs and Los Angeles RGs. She
particularly enjoys moderating for children and teens, and
introducing new moderators to the game. Contact: doder@
usc.edu.
Peggy Pannke-Smith is a lifetime member of Mensa
who met her husband, Craig Smith, on a Mensa snorkeling
trip in the British Virgin Islands. As president and founder
of the National Consumer Oriented Agency, Inc., Peggy
is listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the
World. She has been Heartland Region 7 Regional Vice
Chair for Mensa for five years and this will be her last year
as RVC. She’s looking forward to meeting members from
Region 7 at their Meet & Greet!
Rev. Cathryn Mirielle Paradise is a Baptist evangelist,
Bible teacher, writer, fencer, and activist living in Denver.
Her conservative views make her a dynamic and controversial speaker. She is always willing to help others and has
assisted in a number of transgender support groups. Contacts: ladycatexcel@gmail.com or www.whatpartofmeow.
blogspot.com.
David Peery became American Mensa’s Director of
Finance in 1995. He oversees the financial operations of
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Speaker Biographies
the organization. David assists in preparation of the budget
and monitors the budget process throughout the year with
the goal of achieving compliance for not-for-profit accounting in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. He also coordinates the annual audit and
informational reporting to the IRS. David works with Local Groups on accounting, banking and IRS issues, reviews
funding and oversees electronic fund transfers.
David J. Peterson is the current president of the Language
Creation Society, affiliated with and originated from the
UC Berkeley student group, also named the Language Creation Society (UCB-LCS). He’s a vocal member of CONLANG, writer of Conlanger’s Manifesto, prolific conlanger
and the creator of Dothraki, the language of the nomadic
horse warriors in the HBO series Game of Thrones.
Nguyen “Win” Pham’s name is easier to pronounce
than it is to spell. Currently in his second year with American Mensa, Nguyen spends his free time performing with
his non-profit charitable cheerleading team (really) and
wearing dangerously high shoes —though not necessarily at the same time. Outside of this fantasy life, Nguyen
occupies himself as a communications consultant by day
and househusband by night. Additionally, Nguyen is an
avid patron of the arts. And liquor. Contacts: Facebook,
www.facebook.com/MisterMensa (log in to Facebook
first); Google+, http://gplus.is/MisterMensa; and Twitter @
HeyMrMensa.
Carole Preisach joined Mensa in 1979. Having an
interest in the paranormal, she felt it would be best served
by discussing it with the most intelligent people she could
find. She founded the Parapsychology SIG of Mensa in
1982. Carole encountered her first witch in 1983 at a SIG
meeting, which led to her studies of witchcraft, aka The
Craft. Carole has been a High Priestess in the Alexandrian
Tradition of Wicca since 1986 and lives in Nevada with
her husband and furry children. Contacts: vch.carole@
gmail.com or groups.yahoo.com/group/parapsychology_
sig_of_mensa/.
J. Howard Prince, CAE, is American Mensa’s Director
of Operations and a staff member of 15 years. His background includes more than 23 years of experience working in a variety of roles in information systems, including
networking, database administration and technical writing.
Dr. Angus R. Quinlan is the Executive Director of the
NRAF and has extensive experience in rock art recordation, analysis, and writing syntheses of archaeological and
anthropological data. He was born and raised in the United
Kingdom where his early interest in history developed into
72 — AG 2012
a lifelong passion for historic preservation and the archaeology of prehistoric social systems. His research interests
include Great Basin rock art, prehistoric religion and ritual,
and social archaeology. Contacts: arquinlan@nvrockart.
org or www.nvrockart.org.
Benjamin Radford is deputy editor of Skeptical Inquirer
magazine and Research Fellow with the non-profit educational organization Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.
He has written over a thousand articles and six books on
topics including urban legends, the paranormal, critical
thinking and science literacy. Radford is a columnist for
LiveScience.com, Discovery News and Skeptical Inquirer
magazine and has appeared on Discovery Channel, History
Channel, National Geographic Channel, Learning Channel,
CBC, CBS, BBC, CNN and other networks.
Kurt Radwanski is AML’s Systems Coordinator. He
keeps both our internal and Web servers and our phone
system up-to-date and running efficiently and handles
hosting for more than Local Group Web sites. Kurt joined
Mensa in 2011 with some 11 years experience in the information technology field, including work in Web hosting,
consulting and systems support and management.
Darrel Ray, Ed.D., psychologist and lifelong student of
religion has a bachelor’s degree in sociology/anthropology, a master’s degree in religion and an Ed.D. in counseling psychology from Vanderbilt University. His fourth
book, Sex and God: How Religion Distorts Sexuality, asks,
“What would happen if religion were subtracted out of
sex? What would human sexuality look like? How would
it change or inform us?” Darrel has been on dozens of TV
and radio programs including ABC News Nightline and
Playboy. Contacts: darrelray@thegodvirus.net or www.
IPCPress.com.
Aureliano Raygoza prepared sushi at a renowned Reno
dinner house Adel’s for 10 years and has now been working at Circus Circus Reno for eight years.
John Recht is in his second term as Second Vice
Chair of American Mensa. He is currently the Chair of
the AMC Planning Committee and the AMC Leadership
Development Committee. John has served as a member of
the AMC for seven years, including four years as Regional
Vice Chair for Region 8, and he has taken turns as CoChair of the 2011 Annual Gathering and the 2006 Mind
Games, both in Portland. John has also served his Local
Group, Oregon Mensa, in several capacities, including
LocSec, Treasurer, Mediator/Arbitrator and RG Chair.
John joined Mensa in 1977. A native of Chicago, John has
lived in the Pacific Northwest for many years. He is deeply
Speaker Biographies
in love with his wife, Linda Roach, and he is very proud of
his daughters: Carolyn, Josie and Marissa.
former surf rescue swimmer, SWAT medic and is a selfconfessed rope rescue “geek.”
Brian Reeves is AML’s Communications Officer. He
works as a mediator. In his spare time, he is involved in
photography and the theater (acting, writing and directing).
Dan Ruby is the director of Fleischmann Planetarium at
the University of Nevada, Reno; he spends the school year
speaking about space science to nearly 15,000 students on
field trips and building pedal-powered racing moonbuggies
with a high school team. He spends his summers assisting research projects in remote locations, developing new
ways to explore caves on other worlds. The rest of his time
involves his family, bicycles, or a combination of the two.
Visit www.planetarium.unr.edu.
Debra Reiger is in her second term as RVC-8, representing the Pacific Intermountain Region.
Sherrie Reimers, ND is a Board Certified Traditional
Naturopath, Founder and President of H.E.A.R.T. Mission,
Inc. She holds certifications in enzyme therapy, transdermal infusion therapy, pastoral counseling, bio-energetic
synchronization technique for humans and animals, and
equine Raindrop Therapy. The technique that she helped
to develop, H.E.A.R.T., is becoming recognized by natural
health professionals and healers worldwide, and classes
are approved for CEU credits from several organizations.
Contacts: DrSherrieND@gmail.com or www.OnAHEART
Mission.com.
Dave Remine is a 42-year member, former American
Mensa Chairman, former Mensa International Chairman,
and presently President of the Mensa Foundation. He has
been a LocSec, an RVC, national Treasurer, SIGs leader,
AG Chair, RG Chair, and a lot more. In short a “Has Been
there and done that” guy.
Created in August of 2011 by Kevin Fredericks, Bob
Schuler, and Elizabeth White, Reno Video Game Symphony has grown into a large performance-based classical
ensemble which specializes in playing self-arranged video
game music. We feel that video games play an increasingly
vital role in today’s culture. Our mission is to bring the
music of our childhood to light through performance. Visit
www.facebook.com/RVGOrchestra.
Cinthia Reyes started and formally consolidated Mensa
Mexico as ENM and PNM chapters as Chair. Current international proxy, member of the LEAP committee as well as
Media Creation Advisory Committee. Her main purpose is
permanently getting Mensans’ brains to help improve quality of life all around us! Contact: proxy@mensa.org.mx.
Eldon Romney has humorously presented on Mensans
and manners at several past AGs; this year’s presentation
will summarize the subject and provide handouts. Contact:
eldon@rrenviro.com.
Norm Rooker has been a paramedic, firefighter and rescue
specialist since 1973. He practiced and learned his crafts
in St. Louis and from the streets of San Francisco to the
mountains of Ouray, Colo. Norm is an author, instructor,
Elissa Rudolph is in her second term as Chair of
American Mensa.
Penelope Salinger, LCSW, is currently releasing her
third CD of original songs. Her music touches the heart,
tickles the funny bone, and inspires the soul. Her song
“Talk to Me Nerdy” was inspired by several products in
the Mensa boutique. Contacts: mn8joy@yahoo.com,or
www.pensongs.com.
Rob Salkin is a GenX/Y guy from Mensa of Northeastern New York (MoNNY) who teaches college students
how to do fun things with their computers during the week
and attends as many Mensa events as possible in his spare
time. He’s an M-Available SIG coordinator (mavailable.
org), a moderator on The Smart Life’s Single Ms group
(thesmartlife.com), the GenY coordinator for Regions 1
and 2, LocSec of MoNNY (nymensa.org/rg), and was recently AML’s Membership Officer. Contacts: NYMensa@
gmail.com or www.nymensa.org/rg.
Dr. Abbie Salny has been the Honorary President of
Mensa International since 2006 and a Mensa member since
1964. She has served as MERF Trustee, Scholarship Chair,
Director of Science & Education, and Supervisory Psychologist for American Mensa and Mensa International from
1979-2002. She is author or co-author of 12 books, including the Mensa Genius Quiz Book series, and 14 page-a-day
puzzle calendars. She lives in Wayne, N.J., and Paris.
Nick Sanford is American Mensa’s elected Treasurer
and past RVC5.
John Scanlon has just written a book, Meditation On
a Square: The I Ching, Yin and Yang, and Satori, which
discusses among other things Csikszentmihalyi’s flow state
and Satori. This arises out of a discussion of the I Ching
and the Chinese worldview of 2,500 years ago. John was
a creative writing major at Stanford, where he also studied eastern cultures, and a student of Camus and Husserl
AG 2012 — 73
Speaker Biographies
in University of Chicago evening programs. Contacts:
jscan256@hotmail.com or www.ichingsatori.com.
Lauren Scott is an activist for transgender issues and has
authored several articles on the subject. Lauren was an invited guest speaker at The Institute for Advanced Study of
Human Sexuality in San Francisco in 2009. She testified in
the 2009 and 2011 sessions of the Nevada state legislature
in support of LGBT civil rights. She founded and is the
Executive Director of Equality Nevada, an organization
that seeks to improve the lives of LGBT individuals in Nevada. Contacts: lauren.scott@eqnv.org or www.eqnv.org.
Shannan’s massages have been auctioned off at past
AGs and RGs. If you see the name badge Shannan, with two
A’s, sit down, look at her pleadingly, and she’ll probably fix
what ails you. If the person walks away, you probably have
the wrong Shannan. Contact: Shanjilly3@yahoo.com.
Fraser Sherman is a freelance writer living in Durham, N.C., with his wonderful wife LeAnn. His publishing
history includes three film reference books (Cyborgs, Santa Claus and Satan; The Wizard of Oz Catalog; and Screen
Enemies of the American Way), 20 published short stories
and 12 years of newspaper reporting. He’s been a fan of
Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass since
childhood. Visit http://frasersherman.wordpress.com/.
Rieko Shimbo was born in Tokyo, where she studied traditional Japanese music and folk dancing. She moved to Reno
in 1994 and three years later, she started Reno’s first Taiko
drum group. Her passion as well as the mission of this group
is to introduce people to the rich culture of Japan by sharing
this exciting art form as well as to create a feeling of community through the music. Contaacts: info@renotaiko.com
or www.renotaiko.com/RenoTaiko/index.php.
Tiffany Short, an FBI Victim Specialist since 2006, was
formerly a Forensic Medical Social Worker and a Child
Therapist. She’s evaluated over 2,000 suspected child abuse
cases to include child homicides and currently provides services to federal victims of child maltreatment, kidnapping,
homicides, and minor victims of sexual exploitation. VS
Short has provided training on human trafficking internationally to law enforcement agencies, NGOs, prosecutors
and judges. Contact: Tiffany.Short@ic.fbi.gov.
Ken Silver is in his third term as RVC-4. He is currently Chair of the Site Selection Committee and also
serves on the Finance, Planning, and Leadership Development Committees. As a former Name & Logo Chair
he has remained a member of the Marketing Committee.
A member of Mensa since 1979, he is part of a three74 — AG 2012
generation Mensa family, including his daughter Sunny,
who became a member at the age of 4. A true rollercoaster
fanatic, Ken’s goal in life is to live no more than a short
drive from an amusement park that operates year-round.
His first choice is Busch Gardens in Tampa even though he
is a life-long Minnesotan.
Adam Smargon is a graduate student in energy and
environmental policy at the University of Delaware. He
has run tournaments at RGs up and down the East Coast
(most notably for the RGs in New Hampshire and Boston,
and most recently in Washington, D.C.), and he was the
tournament director at the 2010 AG in Detroit.
Fr. Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D. is President of the
Magis Center of Reason and Faith. He was President of
Gonzaga University from 1998 to 2009 and is the author of
six books (including New Proofs for the Existence of God:
Contributions of Contemporary Physics and Philosophy)
and many scholarly articles. He has been featured on many
national television programs including Larry King Live,
where he contested Stephen Hawking and others on God
and physics. Contacts: spitzer@magis.us or www.magisreasonfaith.org.
Louise Steenekamp has a passion for IT systems and
bringing them together with people who can learn and grow
from the experience. She’s worked in IT environments for
most her career where the combination is required — communication, change management, resourcing, global process
and system design, and relationship management. In Mensa
South Africa, Louise is the national PR coordinator where
connections are vitally important such as matching resources with members, or members with tools.
David Stein is highly regarded as a critical thinking
expert owing to his unique insights acquired through years
of study and teaching in the field. In addition to his accomplishments in critical thinking, he has held a variety of
positions over his professional career including physicist,
senior-level technical analyst, and science & technology
instructor. He gained international attention in 1998 for
breaking out the series of messages encoded into the Kryptos puzzle sculpture located in Langley, Va. David holds a
master’s degree in physics and, in addition to Mensa, he is
also a member of the Triple Nine Society. Contact:
qastera@cox.net.
Charlie Steinhice, your genial quizmaster, is a grizzled veteran of the collegiate quizbowl circuit. As coach at
Tennessee-Chattanooga since 1997, he’s run more tournaments (both academic and pop culture) than any other
quizbowl organizer in the country. An inveterate punster,
rumor has it Charlie might also digress.
Speaker Biographies
Sarah Swenson is a psychotherapist in private practice in Seattle. She served as a Seattle Art Museum gallery
educator/docent for 11 years. Art plays an important role in
her work with her clients. Her presentation at the Portland
AG (“Help me, I’m Gifted!”) was enthusiastically received
by a standing-room-only audience. As a result of their encouragement, Sarah returns with more of the slides and insight that were so well received in 2011. Contacts: sarah@
swensoncounseling.com or swensoncounseling.com.
Jim Thomas has the computer programming genetic
defect. Can’t leave it alone. Thus, he did earn an advanced
degree in computer science from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and has been designing and programming
applications for 30+ years. He currently enjoys a consultancy in Boise, putting smiles on clients including the local
natgas company, a hospital clinic, three departments of the
state government, and does significant pro bono work for
favorite charities. Contact: james@thomas.net.
Dan Tobias has been a Mensan since the 1980s and
has served in several Local Group positions including
Newsletter Editor. He is currently the Webmaster of the
Palm Beach County group and of the Region 10 site, as
well as coordinator of the Webheads SIG. Contacts: dan@
tobias.name or www.m-webheads.org/.
Bob Tregilus of Reno, Nev., is a policy analyst, lobbyist,
and community organizer of both electric drive transportation and renewable energy technologies. Bob cofounded
the Electric Auto Association’s northern Nevada chapter
as well as Feed-in Tariffs for Nevada (FIT4NV) which
successfully passed a renewable energy FIT bill in the
2011 Nevada Legislature (vetoed by Governor Sandoval). He also cohosts, with Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield of
Bristol, U.K., the weekly international podcast This Week
in Energy (TWiE). For more information, contact Bob at
elaterite@yahoo.com, or visit http://ElectricNevada.org or
http://www.FIT4NV.org.
Elna Tymes has earned the right to be an “older
woman” by being former LocSec of San Francisco Regional
Mensa, chair of the 1980 AG, founder or chair (or both) of
several RGs, most recently chair of San Francisco Regional
Mensa’s 2009 RG, and a 40+ year member of Mensa. Her
research into gerontology was prompted by the stark, raving
fear that she was, indeed, now likely to be regarded as “mature.” Her thesis research led her to realize that older folks
have lots of fun, just don’t brag about it where the youngsters might hear. Contact: elna.tymes@gmail.com.
Lisa Van Gemert is the Gifted Youth Specialist for Mensa.
She is also a popular conference speaker and professional
development facilitator. In her non-working time, she reads,
walks, and writes checks to pay for the activities of the three
sons she shares with her Mensan husband, Steven.
Roeland van Zeijst graduated in computer science
and artificial intelligence, presented shows on Dutch
national radio (ranging from pop to news), and has been
working as an idea generator and innovation manager for
the Amsterdam Police since 2007. He joined Mensa in
2008, and was elected to the board of directors the following year. Roeland has some history in Italy and the Caribbean. He likes coffee, pea soup, fresh ideas, and orangutans; enjoys running and diving; and loves social media.
Tweet him @rovaz!
Tracy Vertucci is an AFAA certified group fitness instructor. She mainly enjoyed teaching hip hop, but after a little
prodding from the club, she became Zumba certified, and
is so glad she did!
Steven J. Waller, Ph.D. (Biochem/biophysics, UVA 1977),
published his rock art acoustics theory in the book Archaeoacoustics, and has been featured in Nature, New Scientist,
The Wall Street Journal, Archaeology, and Discover. He was
keynote speaker for the University of Durham’s Acoustics
and Music of British Prehistory 2009 research symposium,
where he first presented his ideas on Stonehenge. A member
of the American Rock Art Research Association since 1994,
Steve advocates preservation of archaeological soundscapes.
Contact: wallersj@yahoo.com.
Dolores “Dori” Ward studied at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and obtained her bachelor’s of science
in pre-med and also received her master’s in human development and family studies, emphasis in gerontology. Dori
has also completed the Gerontology Academic Program
through the Sanford Center for Aging. She currently works
for the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern Nevada as
Program & Rural-Outreach Coordinator and also works
part-time at UNR as an acting-Professor. She is also the
President for Senior Service Network, a non-profit organization. Contacts: Dori.Ward@alz.org or www.alz.org.
Stan Ward is a member of Dayton Area Mensa and
has been a Mensan for over 12 years. He’s been to about
eight AGs, over 50 RGs, and chaired the Dayton RG three
times so far. His hobbies are talking to Mensans (preferably over food and drink), gaming, books, computer
networking, genealogy, and the Model T Ford.
Rusty Waters was born, raised and still resides in Southern California. His educational background is in economics and history. Rusty is a frequent lecturer to lawyers on
matters of ethics, risk management and malpractice. Rusty
is a founding partner of a law and consulting firm in Moscow, Russian Federation, which assists foreign companies
AG 2012 — 75
Speaker Biographies
doing business in Russia and the CIS states. In his work
and for pleasure, Rusty has traveled literally millions of
miles by planes, trains, automobiles and various other
forms of transportation. Contacts: Rusty@AdventuresofRustyWaters.com or AdventuresofRustyWaters.com.
Beth Weiss has one collection of games in her home
office and another in the rec room. For some obscure reason,
she has more than 50 decks of cards. Since you only need
24/52 of a deck to play euchre, some of those decks are
only 46.15% complete (plus 4, of course). Beth has been a
member of HELL’s M’s for almost her entire time in Mensa.
She’s a prior editor of Party Smart and belongs to the Party
Animal Hall of Fame. If you’re looking for her, she’s probably in the HELL’s M’s suite or the Games Room.
Willard Wells holds a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from
Caltech, thesis advisor Richard Feynman. At Caltech’s
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Wells explained the tumbling
of Explorer I satellite. For most of his career he was chief
scientist at Tetra Tech, an engineering firm, which merged
with Honeywell, later L-3 Photonics. In retirement he
published Apocalypse When? Calculating How Long the
Human Race Will Survive (Springer, 2009), which is the
subject his presentation here. Contacts: will@ApocalypseWhen.com or www.ApocalypseWhen.com.
Dr. Mike Whalen returns to host the Mr. Mensa pageant for the sixth time. There is absolutely no need to use
the “Dr.” prefix in this context, but he insisted, as he feels
there should be some payoff for all those student loans.
Contact: whalen809@comcast.net.
Trebor Whearty has been an active Mensan for 10
years, volunteering on the local and national level, and
raising funds for the Mensa Foundation. She is married
with children, and been politically demonstrating since
childhood, even posting a photo of Ronald Reagan on the
inside of her high school locker.
Lacey Wieser rediscovered the childlike joy of hula
hooping two years ago and has been spreading the “hoop
love” ever since. In November 2011, she hula hooped the
entire 60-mile route of the Susan G. Komen Three-Day
event. Contact: smartlass@hotmail.com.
Sandy Wood is research editor for mental_floss Magazine. For 10 years, he and his wife Kara have contributed
daily to mentalfloss.com while also researching and compiling material for the popular magazine. They’ve written
four trivia books and contributed to several others, and
their work has appeared in board games, calendars, and
other mental_floss products. Contacts: sandy@mentalfloss.
com or mentalfloss.com.
76 — AG 2012
Ronda Wood has been learning belly dance since
1987 and teaching it since 1991. She is the founder and
director of the plus-size belly dance troupe The Fatimas,
performing at festivals and showcases in SoCal. The
troupe has also expanded on traditional belly dance moves
and has gone into pirate and steampunk (airship pirates!)
choreographies. Their latest accomplishment has been the
release of their DVD Belly Dance for Every Body. Contacts: mor2luv1@gmail.com or www.plussizequalitycostumes.com.
Linda Woodhead is a life member of Mensa and manages Intertel’s national office in Douglasville, Ga. She will
provide information on the requirements for and benefits
of membership in Intertel, an International Society of the
Intellectually Gifted. Contact: office@intertel-iq.org.
Anna Wright has been a Mensan for five years and is
the wife of the 2012 AG Chair Ken Wright. She has served
her Local Group as Bulletin Editor for four years and is the
2012 Early Birds’ Banquet Reservations and Scholarship
Committee Chair, the Owl award-winning Neva-Mind editor, former Webmaster, a current Proctor and life member.
She has now undertaken the task of creating and funding
the Northern Nevada Mensa Scholarship Fund, something
near and dear to the heart of this retired (after 31 years)
teacher. During the previous Regional Gatherings held at
the Silver Legacy, Anna has been able to acquire a working knowledge of the routes and passageways through our
2012 AG territory.
Sylvia Holt Zadorozny loves games. She hosts
monthly games nights for Tampa Bay Mensa, and has
since joining, 26 years ago. She’s chaired games and
tournaments at local RGs and at the 2006 World Gathering,
and she chaired the 2005 Mind Games. To find Sylvia at a
Mensa gathering, check the tournaments and games rooms
— she’ll be sitting next to a bowl of chocolate.
Dr. Mark Zetin was full-time then voluntary Clinical
Professor of Psychiatry at UC Irvine. He now teaches psychopharmacology for MFTs at Chapman University and
recently published Challenging Depression (Norton 2010).
He has an active psychiatric private practice in Garden
Grove, Calif. Contact: mzetinmd@pacbell.net.
Scott A. Zimmon, JD has over 30 years of experience
in and with the legal system. This includes both state and
federal courts. Well versed in civil litigation, transactional
litigation, employment law, real property, family law, criminal procedure and several constitutional issues, Scott also
has significant experience in bankruptcy, elder law, malpractice issues and many additional areas of the law. Scott
has participated in several published cases and has been
involved in a substantial number of successful appeals.
Reno
Walking
Map

Program book w sidebars.indd

Transcription

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