Phoenix Phiesta XXXVIII: “From the Ashes”
Speaker Profiles
You can review the speakers and their presentations here. Click on a name in the list to view their profile and program description. This schedule is subject to change. The official times and room locations are the ones found in the Agenda to the right. Those in the Speaker Profiles may not have caught up to any last minute changes.
Hotel meeting room map is HERE.
Speaker Presentation System Information is HERE.
Hotel meeting room map is HERE.
Speaker Presentation System Information is HERE.
Download a copy of the RG Program HERE.
Information below and in the sidebar agenda is subject to change.
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Tom Argiro
- Tom Argiro (ARE-ji-row) learned how to juggle the hard way, before the internet. He was too cheap to buy a VHS tape. Rather, Tom searched the library for books on the subject. Tony Buzan's book "Lessons From The Art Of Juggling" provided the correct training method for Tom to learn the skill. Once he learned how to juggle, Tom made a life-long commitment to teach others. Far too many benefits come from learning how to juggle, the benefits cannot be ignored. We owe it to our brain health to learn how to juggle. Join Tom for this exciting and entertaining presentation. Your brain will thank you.
Learn to Juggle (The Easy Way)
10:00 AM to 10:50 AM Saturday, November 26th in Prescott RmI've heard that 95% of the population has the physical ability to juggle, yet 95% of the population does not believe they are capable of learning the skill. Tom will dispel the myths that keep you from overcoming the gravitational pull on your old beliefs, and probably some old habits. Assuming participants have not yet acquired the skill to juggle, this presentation will be hands-on and interactive. In 45 short minutes, you'll have the basic building blocks needed to become a juggler. You'll walk away with a road map to continue the journey on your own. Prepare to have fun and stretch the boundaries of what you think you're capable of achieving. -
William Babin
- Chief Master William Babin - 8th degree black belt
Can you become an 8th degree Chief Master Instructor when you took your first class at age 24 in the dance room of the Women’s PE building at the University of Arizona?
Yes, you can because that is what Bill Babin did. CM Babin began Taekwondo in 1976 under Mr. Rex Veeder in Tucson, Arizona. Those part-time club classes brought him all the way to 1st degree in 1980.
He and his wife, 4th degree instructor Jocelyn Babin, opened a full-time school (1982). That small program has grown over thirty -five years to include 22 ATA BLACK BELT ACADEMIES in the Phoenix metro area.
Over the years, Chief Master Babin competed regularly, earning world top ten honors four times (1992, 93, 94, 95). In addition to many regional awards, he took a bronze medal in the Tournament of Champions in 2010. And a 1st place in forms at the 2021 World Championships. He also took a silver medal in the tournament of champions 2022. He was among the group of instructors to climb the mountain in 1983 as Eternal Grandmaster H.U. Lee presented the Songahm forms for the first time. He and Mrs. Babin traveled to Korea on the first instructor tour in 1987. They went again in 2011. He broke 99 boards in 25 seconds in 1995, earned 6th degree, Master Instructor in 1998; earned 7th degree Senior Master Instructor in 2004, and became an 8th degree Chief Master in 2011.In addition to teaching 1000’s of classes, Master Babin has given keynote addresses at 100’s of tournaments. He also spent years volunteering for local schools teaching children the principles of success, goal setting, and leadership skills.
Chief Master Babin holds a B.A in English from University of New Orleans and an M.A. in English from the University of Arizona. He and his wife of 50 years have two grown sons, Jacob (3rd degree and world champion) and Nicholas (4nd degree and state champion).
Life moves on and in 2016, Bill and Jocelyn sold their Taekwondo academy and retired from daily Taekwondo teaching so he can spend more time water skiing, drumming, and being a grandfather.Failure is the Foundation of Success
10:00 AM to 10:50 AM Friday, November 25th in Prescott RmWhat happens when you test for black belt rank and do not pass the test? Yes, you get up and try again, but sometimes that's really difficult. Let's explore the ups and downs of success in the art of Taekwondo and see how those lessons apply to life in general. -
Ron Benninghoff
- Ron Benninghoff has been practicing hypnosis for over 10 years. He has had many accomplishments including 18 shows at the San Diego Fair. Ron uses a wide range of hypnotic techniques, such as Hypnobirthing which helps women have a pain free birth, and Virtual Gastric Band Hypnosis to help people who are over 50 pounds overweight. Ron works with people who have roadblocks in their life such as smoking, fear issues and more. His favorite is to help people explore past lives.
Using the Power of the Mind to Lose Weight
2:00 PM to 2:50 AM Saturday, November 26th in Pinetop RmHow many times have you tried to lose weight and lost all the weight you want, only to regain in back again? How many times have you been told that losing weigh it easy all you must do is exercise and eat right?I will guide you through an exercise where you will discover you have the answers to your weight lose dilemma. Hypnosis will allow you to make changes in your life that are required to meet you goal automatically without think about it. -
Gilat Ben-Dor
- Gilat Ben-Dor is a contemporary artist, author, and Renaissance Woman based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her colorful work reflects her life philosophy of celebrating multiple passions, creative freedom, and joyful living.
Artistically, Ben-Dor’s focus is on rich color, luxe embellishments, and themes including women, music, global cultures, and symbols of nature. She works primarily in watercolor and ink, metallic, textured mixed media, and unconventional materials used as paint.
Gilat obtained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Fine Art at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, and studied fresco painting at L'Istituto Lorenzo de Medici in Florence, Italy, and later, obtained an MBA in Global Management. She has lived and studied art in Japan, Italy, and Israel. Her works have been exhibited and collected internationally. She is active in the Greater Phoenix art scene, and recently had a solo exhibition of her works in the lobby of the ASU Gammage theater.
Gilat has authored three books, and in addition to her studio practice, has been a curator, a university faculty member, a life coach, speaker, and a professional sommelier and founder of a wine academy. Find Gilat Ben-Dor at gilatbendor.com or Instagram (@gilatbendor), Facebook (Gilat Ben-Dor Fine Art), and Etsy (Shop name: GilatSilkArt).Living In a Fantasy: The Benefits of Imagination, Inspiration, and Creativity in Daily Life
3:00 PM to 3:50 PM Saturday, November 26th in Pinetop RmFor many adults, daydreaming and coloring are regarded as child’s play. But what if we learned (or re-learned) the power of our own minds to reawaken a vibrant, creative way of life that has practical applications for productivity and success? In this lively overview, artist and multi-passionate Renaissance Woman Gilat Ben-Dor will take you on a journey into the colorful side of daily habits and perspectives that will bring fresh inspiration into your life. -
Bonnie Bossert
- Bonnie Bossert, MBA/MHA, is a Genetic Genealogy researcher who teaches DNA Kindergarten for genealogy enthusiasts and lectures on a variety of genealogy topics based on more than 20 years of genealogy research. She is a member of the Board of Certification for Investigative Genealogy developing a certification program and standards for the field. In 2018, she collaborated with Arizona Republic reporter, John D’Anna and others, to solve the mystery of the Hatbox Baby found Christmas Eve 1931 using DNA and Genealogical evidence. She continues to offer Genetic Genealogy research and DNA analysis.
What Can I Do with my DNA?
2:00 PM to 2:50 PM Friday, November 25th in Pinetop RmIf you are curious about testing or have tested at any of the DNA testing companies and are wondering what you can do with your DNA results, this presentation by an experienced Genetic Genealogist will introduce you to the power of DNA analysis to explore your ancestry. Warning - be sure you want to know what you don't know! -
Dr. Carolyn Waters Broe
- Dr. Carolyn Waters Broe is an American conductor, violist and author. She is the Conductor of the Four Seasons Orchestra of Scottsdale, Arizona. Carolyn is the Principal Violist with the Scottsdale Philharmonic. She earned her master's degree in Fine Arts in Music History from California State University Long Beach. Carolyn Broe earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance degree at Arizona State University. She is the author of Fifty Famous Composers For Kids Of All Ages which was awarded the Mom's Choice Gold Award for 2021 and was awarded Finalist in the International Book Awards for 2022 in "History - General" and in "Performing Arts". Carolyn Broe was awarded the "Artist Award" 2005 by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture. Broe has been nominated for the Governor's Arts Awards in 2003 and 2004. She has been a speaker at national conferences on music and published numerous journal articles. Carolyn Broe has performed with major celebrities and soloed with various orchestras. She has toured as a conductor and violist in Austria and China. She is currently teaching violin, viola, cello and piano in her private music studio.
Fifty Famous Composers For Kids Of All Ages
2:00 PM to 2:50 PM Friday, November 25th in Payson RmFifty Famous Composers for Kids of All Ages is a book of biographies about the lives of famous classical composers. You will discover how each of these composers grew up and what motivated them to become composers. This book explores the stories of these musicians and how they came to be famous. It was awarded the Mom's Choice Gold Award for 2021 and was awarded Finalist in the International Book Awards for 2022 in "History - General" and in "Performing Arts".
You will learn about composers who were child prodigies, won competitions, got into duels, got arrested, died young, and composed great master works of music. Fifty Famous Composers includes twenty-five famous male composers and twenty-five famous female composers. Many of these composers will be familiar such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, Wolfgang Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven. You will also meet brilliant composers who are not as well know such as Élisabeth-Claude Jacquet de La Guerre, Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint Georges, Francesca Caccini, Florence Price, and Alma Deutscher.
This book was written to help both young and adult readers to enjoy classical music. It is perfect for music teachers, parents, grandparents, and music lovers. https://classicsunlimitedmusic.com/product/fifty-famous-composers-for-kids-of-all-ages -
Bridge Improv Theater - Banquet Entertainment
- The Bridge Improv Theater was founded in March 2020 and is co-owned by long-time improvisers Travis Johnson and David Raftery. The theater soft-opened in September and operated at half-capacity for only three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We slowly re-opened our doors in April 2021 and celebrated our Grand Re-Opening in May and are extremely grateful for the support we've received throughout our journey.
The theater aims to bring "Clean and Clever Comedy" to Tempe, Arizona and the valley beyond. The Bridge offers comedy classes ranging from improv to stand-up to sketch.
More information at https://www.bridgeimprovtheater.comBanquet Entertainment
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Saturday, November 26th in Phoenix BallroomImprovisational comedy, also known as improv, takes the shape of acted-out scenes by usually 2 or more players on stage. Scenes are created on-the-spot, frequently with a format, prompt or even suggestion from the audience. Most improv is performed without the use of props and instead relies on pantomime.
Some improv games require a little more help from the audience, for example, we may ask a volunteer to provide sound effects for the players on stage, or offer a story as inspiration. -
Kebba Buckley Button
- Kebba Buckley Button - MS, OM, was an engineering manager when a painful health crash catapulted her into energy medicine and stress management. Now she has a passion for helping other people find the vitality, inner peace, and successful strategies they have been seeking. She has a holistic healing/coaching practice, speaks, and writes award-winning books. She has over 600 free articles online and hundreds of inspirational posters on Pinterest. Kebba's books teach people how to trade in their stress for energy (Discover The Secret Energized You, 2008), find their personal peace (Inspirations for Peace Within, 2017), and, if they are interested, get into a closer relationship with the Divine (Sacred Meditation: Embracing the Divine, 2018). The two more recent books are in full color.
How Anyone Can Let Go
10:00 AM to 10:50 AM Saturday, November 26th in Payson RmOne of the biggest issues in modern life is that of letting go. People who can't let go of papers, mail, and files end up with stacks of irretrievable material. People who can't let go of Stuff end up with chaotic piles of materials and invitations to be on hoarding shows. People who can't let go of the past or of past relationships end up living in frustration and depression. There are more categories, but you get the pattern. And now, if you want to, you can come to a session to learn specific ways to let go of whatever—or whomever. Don't think simply understanding a thing is the same as solving it! You can understand a thing to death, and you are only moving into paralysis by analysis. Want to actually start letting go? Come learn how. -
Dr John Doyle
- Dr. John Doyle is a retired Staff Anesthesiologist in the Department of General Anesthesiology at Cleveland Clinic, as well as a retired Professor of Anesthesiology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University.
Dr. Doyle received his MD degree in 1982 and his PhD degree in Biomedical Engineering in 1986, both from the University of Toronto. In 2017 he received his DPhil from the University of Pretoria in the field of Moral Philosophy. He has had a lifelong interest in the neuroscience behind consciousness and has published on this topic. His most recent book on Transhumanism was published by Springer (ISBN-13: 978-3319949499).
Dr. Doyle has received teaching awards on four occasions.
More information is available at danieljohndoyle.comThe Science Lurking Behind Brain Consciousness: a 2022 Update
3:00 to 3:50 PM Friday, November 25th in Payson RmScientifically explaining the origins of consciousness is perhaps the greatest challenge humanity has ever undertaken. In the past, the exploration of consciousness was primarily of interest to philosophers and other thinkers. In recent decades, however, the scientific study of consciousness has significantly increased, with a number of approaches now outlined in detail in scientific journals. This talk aims to outline these approaches in a not-too-technical manner. The presentation begins with identifying some relevant philosophical matters such as the "mind-body problem", followed by an overview of several theories that are the subject of ongoing scientific investigation and debate. Special emphasis is placed on a theory based on the work of 2020 Nobel laureate Roger Penrose. I conclude that despite important and enlightening developments in our understanding of the biological side of consciousness, we still lack a fundamental understanding pertaining to its phenomenal aspect, a problem sometimes referred to as the “hard problem” of consciousness. -
David Eagle
- David Eagle started collecting coins when they were still real money. He is currently the Vice President of the Prescott Coin Club. Other interests include Physics (BS), Math (MS), Nanotechnology (MS), karaoke and disc golf. He lives with his wife and 2 beloved dogs in Prescott, Arizona.
Numismatics for Fun and Enlightenment
9:00 PM to 9:50 PM Friday, November 25th in Payson RmA general introduction to the hobby of coin collecting. We will touch on what numismatics teaches about economics and history, as well as the fun of acquisition and completion. -
Ann Marie Eisentraut & Bruce Stiles
- Ann Marie Eisentraut and Bruce Stiles (who first met at Greater Phoenix Mensa event) had been members of Greater Phoenix Mensa for many years before emigrating to Canada in June 2017. They still reside in Canada.
Experiences of former Phoenicians living in Canada
10:00 AM to 10:50 PM Saturday, November 25th in Pinetop RmThis presentation will be about their experience of Phoenician transplants who moved straight north approximately 2000 miles from the Phoenix desert at around 34° North latitude and lived just outside Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, at just south of 57° North latitude. (Hint: It gets cold in the winter.) -
Brad Graber
- Brad Graber writes novels because he grew up in a family where no one listened to him - so he made up stories about them. He is the award-winning author of the novels The Intersect, After the Fall, and Boca by Moonlight, as well as a collection of over seventy essays on modern life in What’s That Growing in My Sour Cream? Brad also writes a monthly humor blog: There, I Said It! For more information on Brad, check out his website at: https://www.bradgraber.com/
Establishing a Second Career as an Author: The Ins and Outs of the Publishing Industry
11:00 AM to 11:50 AM Saturday, November 26th in Pinetop RmEverybody these days wants to be an author. Facebook is loaded with advertisements about how you too can become published. But is it really that easy? What does it take to write a book? And is writing even the hardest part? Join Brad Graber as he discusses the challenges and opportunities in bringing a book to publication in 2022. This is a presentation you won’t want to miss! -
Joe Gruberman
- Joe Gruberman - Every year (that I'm in town) I offer a brand new custom presentation that combines that year's Phiesta theme, behind-the-scenes movie topics and interesting trivia especially for my fellow Mensans. I have nothing to sell and (sadly) nothing to give away. My past presentations:
—Phiesta XXXVII: "Who's Your Superhero?"
---Phiesta XXXV: "Hey, You Stole My Idea!! (Writing for Hollywood)"
---Phiesta XXXII: "Everything I Know About Mental Health I Learned in Dark Movie Theaters"
---Phiesta XXXI: "Pulling a Phast One: How Hollywood Special FX Phool Us"
---Phiesta XXIX: "Movies and How to Make Them"
I'm a retired corporate director turned retired movie producer, with two feature films, ELEVEN ELEVEN and RAISING BUCHANAN, currently streaming on all major platforms. (RAISING BUCHANAN stars the late, great René Auberjonois (Odo) as President James Buchanan.)Working Class Science and the Making of "Tracing Cowboys"
4:00 PM to 4:50 PM Saturday, November 26th in Pinetop RmSeveral years ago, while shooting my first serious feature film, I observed various techniques that the locals of Baja California used to overcome their lack of formal education in the fields of physics, chemistry and other disciplines. You might call their techniques "common sense"...or simply "that's just the way it's always been done". Along the way, I lost two of my nine lives but gained some practical knowledge. In this session, I'll share my filmmaking and cultural immersion experiences with you. -
Ruth Haldeman
- Ruth Haldeman has had a varied career, from molecular biologist to chemist to process engineer, with her last stop as Laboratory Supervisor for the City of Phoenix at the 91st Ave Wastewater Treatment Plant in Tolleson. This end-of-the-line facility provides service to metro Phoenix and its partners. The lab specializes in troubleshooting and utilizing a multidisciplinary approach to optimize the treatment process.
Journey to the Dark Side, or, Where Did It Go When I Flushed the Toilet?
9:00 AM to 9:50 AM Friday, November 25th in Prescott RmThe first segment of the presentation is an overview of the 91st Ave Wastewater Treatment Plant and its processes at this end-of-the-line facility, the largest in the American Southwest. The second segment is an abbreviated examination of the science, and presentation of some of the more intriguing aspects of the treatment process. -
Clark Jones
- Clark Jones has been involved in computers since high school--starting a few weeks after Neil Armstrong took "one small step." Clark has been known to say that his first programming experience was unplugging the wires from a wiring board so that he could re-use it. After finally earning a BS in Computing and Information Science, Clark worked for 23 years in the semiconductor industry.
Besides computers, Clark has been interested in electronics since the mid 1960s. During his college years, he worked as an electronics technician and did a stint as a broadcast engineer at a TV station.
Clark is an active Life Member of Mensa, joining in 1981. Amongst other things, he has served two 2-year terms as RVC9, as well as 12 years on the National Bylaws Committee.Apollo Guidance System
4:00 PM to 4:50 PM Saturday, November 26th in Payson RmIn this age when even kitchen appliances have computers built into them, we rely on GPS to get us to where we're going, and we have amazing computers in our pockets and even more powerful ones that are smaller than a paper based notebook, it is easy to forget how truly amazing the guidance system was that allowed the accomplishment of “putting a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth”. The design for the Apollo Guidance System was begun more than 60 years ago, at a time when most people thought of women with calculators and slide rules when they heard the term “computer”. The few electronic computers that existed at the time were room-sized, power hungry, slow behemoths. Some of the high points of the AGS project will be covered, and a few thoughts on doing it with today's technology. -
Rachel Kibler - RVC9
- Rachel Kibler is the Regional Vice Chair for Region 9 of American Mensa. She is a member of Utah Mensa and lives in Salt Lake City. She works as a software tester and loves to sing and knit in her free time.
Meet the RVC
4:00 PM to 4:50 PM Friday, November 25th in Prescott RmCome meet your representation on the AMC! Rachel Kibler is the Regional Vice Chair for Region 9 (which includes Greater Phoenix Mensa), and she's here to listen to your thoughts and concerns and answer your questions. -
Alan Korwin
- Alan Korwin is an American writer, author, musician and consultant whose three-decade career includes work in business, legal, news and entertainment industries. Mr. Korwin wrote the business plan that raised $5 million in venture capital and launched the in-flight catalog SkyMall. He did the publicity campaign for Pulitzer Prize cartoonist Steve Benson’s 4th book Where Do You Draw The Line. His clients have included IBM, AT&T, ITT, NYNEX, Amex and others, many with real names.
Alan has been freelancing successfully since 1986, has published 14 books so far, and has made more than 1,000 TV and radio appearances. All 10 Maricopa Community Colleges have presented his Get Writing! programs, and coming soon is Get Freelancing! for The Society of Professional Journalists, where he served on the Phoenix Board and has been a member for decades. He delivered Enforcing News Media Ethics to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, waking people up to what goes on behind the camera lens, on the editor’s desk and in programming (perfect word) that makes so-called “news” a violation of America’s trust.
He’s now working on his 15th book, Why Science May Be Worng, examining widely known but hushed problems in the scientific community.Why Science May Be Worng
11:00 AM to 11:50 AM Saturday, November 26th in Payson RmExamining widely known but hushed problems in the scientific community. -
David Lastinger
- David Lastinger is a practical thinker who likes to learn from other peoples mistakes. He graduated from NAU with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and spent 20 years in the business. He has been a business owner and currently works as a Mortgage Loan Officer. David lives in Phoenix with his wife, Anne, and his two dogs and a cat. He loves the outdoor and good food. In his spare time, he writes books and is currently working on his first novel.
How to Do Things Your Phone Won't
10:00 AM to 11:50 AM Friday, November 25th in Pinetop RmThis is a light hearted look into solving those life problems that your dead phone won't. How to change a flat tire, what do to about Stranger Danger, and the 5 people that everyone needs in their life. -
Karen Loomis
- Karen Loomis, oracle and founder of No Moss Brands a marketing, advertising & branding company , is no stranger to the impact of racism; not only in her personal life, but professional life as well. In 2000, Karen moved from Spokane, WA to Phoenix, AZ to find better opportunities as promised by the fifth largest city in the U.S. With only 1% AA, Spokane proved to be a challenging environment, as is Phoenix, with only 6% AA.
Nobody Told Me I'm Black
11:00 AM to 11:50 AM Friday, November 25th in Payson RmAn autobiographical dance though my life provides a unique view of what it's like to grow up black in the U.S. Unless you have a very close black friend, I guarantee you very few of you have had the front seat to what it's really like to be the only "one" in the room, class, work, church, restaurant, park and… You’ll learn how to be an advocate for Blacks in your circle. -
Jordan Christopher Marsteller
- Jordan Christopher Marsteller is 26 years old and has been passionate about animals his entire life. He started working with dogs when he was 12 years old. Very early on he knew that he had discovered his lifelong passion and career goals. So, he joined the Army as a Military Working Dog Handler and spent seven years on Active Duty. After receiving his medical retirement, he started working with Phoenix Dog Training as the Head Canine Behavior Specialist. Additionally, he is currently working towards his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. He specializes in all types of training, but has a passion for training, service dogs, and rehabilitating dogs with severe anxiety, aggression, fears, and phobias.
Is Your Dog a Good Fit For Service Dog Training?
4:00 PM to 4:50 PM Saturday, November 26th in Prescott RmAre you looking to get your dog trained as a service dog? Are you unsure or if your dog would be a good service dog? Do you think maybe your dog has underlying anxiety problems? Get your opportunity to have all these questions, answered and more by canine behavior specialist and ex-military police dog trainer, Jordan Marsteller. He will go over and what makes a good service dog, and how to determine if your dog may have anxiety. -
Ellen Milner
- Mensa member Ellen Milner graduated from Music and Art High School in New York with art honors. She then earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Science which led to a five year career in corporate management. After moving to Phoenix in 1976, Ellen earned her degree in Interior Design and worked for more than thirty years
Color Psychology
3:00 PM to 3:50 AM Friday, November 25th in Pinetop RmColor is everywhere, even in our everyday language. You feel "blue" or "green with envy" or look "white as a sheet." Color influences our choices whether we are consciously aware or not. Our first impression of a person or product is determined largely by color. The color schemes used in homes, businesses and clothing make a statement. Are you using color to your advantage? Are you sending the message you intended? Color psychology is the science of how we react to color in our everyday lives. -
Jaena Moynihan
- Jaena Moynihan is a classically-trained vegan chef and holistic wellness coach who specializes in creating plant-based versions of classic comfort food dishes. Chef Jaena was recently featured as a contestant on the first all-vegan cooking competition show, “Peeled”. She loves sharing the benefits of a plant-based diet and lifestyle to help others transition from “plant-curious” to plant-based so they can live in greater alignment with their own values of compassion and sustainability. Her specialty.
From Plant-Curious to Plant-Based
11:00 AM to 11:50 AM Saturday, November 26th in Prescott RmVegan Chef Jaena Moynihan presents the benefits (and drawbacks) of a plant-based diet and lifestyle in addition to sharing tips and tricks for replacing your favorite animal-based ingredients and meals, followed by open Q&A. -
Richard Morris
- Richard Morris grew up in Missouri, did a hitch in the Navy, worked for a time in St. Louis, then moved to Phoenix in 1987. Thrice LocSec and a variety of other GPM gigs for my sins.
Visual Trivia
9:00 AM to 9:50 PM Friday, November 26th in Payson RmThirty photos, ten each of people, places and things will flash on the screen for one minute each. People participating will WRITE DOWN the identity of each one they know or want to guess at. Correct answers at the end of the slide show. Winning person or team must submit score sheet to prevent claims of unearned score. The person or group with the most correct answers will earn bragging rights for the duration of the RG. -
Dave Pivin
- Dave Pivin was born in Rhode Island 1946, the same year as Mensa was founded. Early on, he had an interest in electronics which guided his career path throughout his life.
After service in the US Navy during the Vietnam era, he obtained a BS in Engineering from UC Irvine, followed a few years later by a Master's Degree in Engineering Management from Northeastern University, Boston.
All along the way, he became interested in personal computing, getting his first computer in 1980. He jumped at the chance to get on the internet with his own web site in 1996 and continues to maintain a presence HERE today, where he exposes his primary interests: family, genealogy and photography.
Dave took the Mensa test here in Phoenix in 1989 and became more active after he retired, stepping up to become Webmaster for the GPM site. A Life Member of Mensa, he has served on the ExCom as Member at Large, LocSec, and currently serves as Editor, Recording Secretary, and Webmaster. He has participated in Communication, RG and Marketing Committees and currently serves on the National Communications Committee. He also joined Triple Nine Society, using the results of his Mensa qualifying test as prior evidence.
Dave has been accompanied on his journey by his wife, Lovina for the past 54 years. She has been a Registered Nurse, but more recently worked in her second career as a behavioral health counselor after receiving a Master of Counseling degree from ASU. She has recently joined him in retirement. They have two sons, 43 and 52 and four grandchildren close-by here in Phoenix.Zooming in on the History of Panoramic Photography
4:00 PM to 4:50 PM Friday, November 25th in Pinetop RmFrom film to scan to the robotic age, how taking and viewing wide format photos has evolved. Early photographers explored the ways to capture large crowds in a single photo on large glass plates. This evolved into scaning on long strips of film with specialized lenses and mechanisms. This continued for many decades until technology was developed to stitch multiple photos into one large photo with lots more detail like we have seen with views from robotic cameras on Mars. With the advent of digital photography available to the consumer, with resolution comparable to film, it is now possible to capture a scene with incredible detail that can be viewed by anyone with access to the internet. -
Richard Poole
- Richard Poole has been a certified sommelier for six years and a wine enthusiast since he could start drinking legally. He has also visited every major wine region in the US, and many minor ones, because the only way to really know a wine is to visit where it was grown and made.
Wine 101 - Drinking Like a Sommelier
3:00 PM to 3:50 PM Friday, November 25th in HospitalityEver wanted to learn how to use all your senses to judge a wine? Come enjoy six various wines as Richard guides you through how to analyze wine like a sommelier and then how to pair it successfully with food. -
Silver Rose
- Silver Rose has always been funny. From school days when her “mouth” made teachers angry and kids laugh, to her 20s when she became known as the bartender with the most jokes, to a decades-long corporate speaking career that flourished because of her humor, she has always loved to make people laugh.
Her first foray into the world of stand-up comedy was in her mid-30s but, with two teenage daughters at home, becoming a starving road comic was not in the cards. Instead, she began her speaking career and found she could make people laugh AND get paid a living wage for it!
She is the author of three books of comedy: Women Who Joke Too Much, The Comedians’ Quote Book, and You’re the Reason Our Kids are Ugly (country-western humor). She has appeared at the Tempe Improv, House of Comedy, and was a regular at the Scottsdale Comedy Spot. She emcees events and is a popular entertainer at retirement communities across the country. And, to her everlasting surprise, her kids and grandkids actually think she’s funny!Laughter's Impact on Creativity & Productivity
3:00 PM to 3:50 PM Friday, November 25th in Prescott RmLaughter has many benefits to recommend it. In this fun and interactive presentation, we are going to focus on laughter's impact on creativity and productivity. If you've ever tried to obsess your way to a solution, this is a presentation for you. If antacids are part of your major food groups, this is a "must attend." ,Come to learn what scientists have discovered about laughter's impact on your brain and your work. -
Frank Sasso & Barbara Hoffman
- Master Frank Sasso is an 8th degree Black Belt, is the originator of the Western Tai Chi style. He has been an active karate sensei for 50 years. Master Sensei Sasso has been inducted into 3 Martial Arts Halls of Fame and teaches not only the forms but also the history of Martial Arts.
Sensei Barbara Hofmann 3rd degree, has worked along-side Master Sasso for over 10 years. Their style of tai chi, based on traditional Eastern versions, has been formed to be practiced by even those who may not have lived active lives in the past.Western Tai Chi
2:00 PM to 2:50 PM Saturday, November 26th in Prescott RmMaster Sasso will explain the origin of Tai Chi and the health-related advantages of this exercise. He will answer questions. Sensei Hofmann will demonstrate what some of the simpler patterns look like. Then, workshop participates will be invited to join the senseis in a pattern done to music. -
Nancy A Shenker
- Nancy A Shenker is, at 66, a marketing innovator, brand builder, writer, speaker, and self-proclaimed rule breaker. She has “dual citizenship in the analog and digital worlds."
A brand growth consultant and content strategist/writer, she established her own business -- theONswitch -- in 2003.
She is a champion of cross-generational collaboration and published "The Silver Hair Playbook™: How to Be a Bad-Ass >50" for Thrive Global as well as an irreverent guide to dating >50.
Nancy is a former C-level executive at major brands (Citibank, MasterCard, Reed Exhibitions).
She has written eight books, and publishes a tech site EmbraceTheMachine and travel site BleisureLiving. She also is a member of the Forbes Agency Council and Rolling Stone Culture Council and authors a newsletter called Route 66.
Nancy is on her 6th professional and personal "re-boot." She has two grown daughters and two grandchildren.Let's Get Digital. How to Use Social Media for Good and Not Evil
11:00 AM to 11:50 AM Friday, November 25th in Prescott RmTikTok, BeReal, Insta, Meta, dating apps, Slack, influencer marketing, wearable tech...what do you REALLY need? How much time should you spend in the real world versus the digital planet? I'll share my philosophy of "Bots and Bodies" and help you navigate this wild and weird world of technology. If I can do it (at 66), so can you (at any age)! -
Richard Smiley
- Richard Smiley is a Vietnam veteran and retired Educational Psychologist currently living in Anacortes, Washington. Graduating from the University of Southern California in 1987 with a Ph.D., Richard worked as an educational consultant in rural and urban Alaska for 28 years. He finished his career conducting program evaluations and applied research for the U.S. Dept of Education at a Regional Educational Laboratory in Portland Oregon. He is the father of four adult children spread out from Juneau Alaska to Cabo San Lucas Mexico. Since 1998 Richard has been involved in the Shakespeare authorship controversy being at one time the webmaster, and later, member of the board of trustees of the Shakespeare Oxford Society.
The Shakespeare Authorship Controversy: A Perspective
10:00 AM to 11:50 AM Friday, November 25th in Payson RmMany members of Mensa are surprised to learn that a significant number of notable people don’t or didn’t believe the works of our Bard were written by a man from Stratford-on-Avon. Among these are statesmen Charles De Gaulle and Otto von Bismarck; writers James Joyce and Henry James; actors Jeremy Irons and Sir Derek Jacobi; Supreme Court Justices Harry Blackmun and John Paul Stevens; and playwrights Claire Booth Luce and John Galsworthy. Did these people sleep through English 101? Don’t or didn’t they know that 95% of college English professors support the traditional view that William Shakespeare was a man from Stratford-on-Avon? What accounts for the fact that the above-named intellectuals, all certainly of Mensa-level intelligence, could adopt such a heretical point of view? Join me for a thought-provoking talk on the Shakespeare Authorship Controversy. Then, make up your own mind! -
Bruce Stiles
- Bruce Stiles holds the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) designation, and has long had an interest in helping people who want to give money to non-profit organizations to do so as efficiently as possible.
Planned Giving Basics
9:00 AM to 9:50 AM Saturday, November 26th in Pinetop RmThis presentation is a very basic introduction to planned giving techniques and instruments, so that you can support your favorite non-profit organizations as efficiently as possible. -
Karen Thurber
- With over 40 years of professional experience in volunteer management, Karen Thurber has overseen projects involving up to 300 volunteers for over 20 nonprofit organizations. Now retired, Karen worked in the nonprofit and local government sectors in Utah for over 25 years, as well as in Alaska and Costa Rica. In retirement she has dedicated her time to coordinating nonpartisan voter registration and education efforts, involving hundreds of volunteers. She holds a bachelor's degree in Management Science from Alaska Pacific University and a master's degree from Utah State University in Public Administration and Human Resources Management.
Recruiting and Retaining Committed Volunteers
2:00 PM to 2:50 PM Friday, November 25th in Prescott RmRecruiting and Retaining Committed Volunteers (and how to be a great volunteer yourself!): Too often, recruiting volunteers is a frustrating endeavor. People don’t show up or don’t follow directions when they do. Many organizations find that volunteer coordination is akin to a “revolving door”, with volunteers leaving as fast (or faster) than new volunteers can be recruited and trained. Volunteers also “vote with their feet”, leaving service without telling anyone why they failed to return and don't respond to repeated outreach efforts.. This presentation will help Mensans learn how to effectively recruit, train, retain, and reward volunteers in a way that they’ll be asking for more opportunities to serve and, perhaps, rise into leadership positions. Furthermore, we’ll talk about how YOU can be an effective, appreciated, and joyful volunteer! -
Donna Tucker
- Donna Tucker, a certified professional resume writer (CPRW) and nationally certified online profile expert (NCOPE), is the owner of CareerPRO Resume Center in Phoenix and has been writing résumés since 1988 after earning her bachelor’s degree in journalism. She is a founding member and past president of the Resume Writers Council of Arizona and current executive board officer of the National Resume Writers Association, always striving to improve the quality of résumé-writing within the industry.
Because a proper grammar and punctuation is so important on a good resume—well, actually, it is important for all written documents—Donna shares the often-dry subject of grammar in quiz format to make it a little more fun. Do YOU qualify to be a member of the Grammar Police?Grammar Police Qualifying Test
9:00 AM to 9:50 AM Friday, November 25th in Pinetop RmGrammar Police Qualifying Test - As the world becomes more digitally connected, good grammar and punctuation is more important than ever, yet some people believe both punctuation and grammar exist only to complicate matters. To the contrary, good grammar and punctuation is critical to the quality of written English, even though it is often taken lightly.You’ve read the old joke about the importance of commas: “I love to eat my parents and Elton John.” Without the commas, well … Let’s have some fun refreshing our memories of high school English and see if we can remember how to punctuate it right―using commas, colons, semicolons and periods―whether in business communications or everyday social media posts. In this fun, interactive session, Donna will steer participants toward finding the right answers to these questions and more:
• Does the period go inside or outside of the quotation marks?
• Why should we be using the Oxford comma?
• How do we know when to hyphenate a compound adjective?
• What about the semicolon? Do we really need it at all?
• Will we ever get possessives right?
• Is there an easy way to avoid a run-on sentence?
• When is a noun proper?
• May I split an infinitive, please? -
Sharon Winters
- Sharon Winters, a retired teacher of English and mathematics, is the author of the award-winning memoir Cutted Chicken in Shanghai, an exploration of her time living in China, and Runtie the Desert Rat, a touching story about the wonders of nature and the spirit of family.
Sharon’s stories have appeared in MENSA BULLETIN: The Magazine of American MENSA, The New Mexican, and The Rodent Reader Quarterly. She holds a BS in psychology from Illinois State University and an MA in humanities from the University of Texas. Find her online at www.SharonWinters.com.
The author lives with Charley and her husband in the Phoenix area where she continues to quilt and play the piano. Her next book will be another children’s book. This book will be about Charley and his love of quilts. She always remembers to tell Karl good night because real love never diesKarl’s Diary: It’s a Dog’s Life by Sharon Winters
11:00 AM to 11:50 AM Saturday, November 26th in Pinetop RmKarl, an endearing Boykin Spaniel, is a dog who became famous for his stories on Facebook. His posted adventures and many photos have become Karl’s Diary, published this year. You’ll laugh and you might cry as you hear about his rags-to-riches life. And meet in person the dog Karl chose to take his place—Charley—an 80 pound bundle of love adopted from the Maricopa county shelter. He is training as a service dog. Also, meet his trainer, Jordan, with Phoenix Dog Trainers. Now is a good time for your questions about service dogs and what it takes to train a dog. -
Joseph Zodl
- Joseph Zodl has a political science B.A. from Fordham University and M.A. from The New School for Social Research. He has written several books on political topics and is on the faculty of the University of Phoenix.
Hidden Gems of the US Constitution
11:00 AM to 11:50 AM Friday, November 25th in Pinetop RmThe U.S. Constitution, including its 27 amendments (one being repealed by another), is a relatively short document, worth exploring in detail. Where do the powers originate for Congressional committees to investigate so many things? What are the basis and limitations for executive privilege? If only the Army and Navy are authorized, is the Air Force unconstitutional? What is the federal "power grab" in the 13th Amendment, and why was it seen as essential? Can a state legislature really overrule the popular vote and appoint the electors of its choice? Some advocate that the electoral vote be replaced by a national popular vote. What in the Constitution makes this almost impossible? Is the "right of the people to keep and bear arms" unlimited? Is this debatable? What is the word that isn’t in the Bill of Rights but many Americans believe "must be" there? Free copies of the Constitution will be made available for all. (Presented this program on July 6 at the Sparks of Genius AG)
Like minds who like minds