Phi Beta Kappa Northern California Association, Inc.

November 2002 Newsletter

In this Issue...

President's letter - Mary Hanel

Upcoming Events - Steve Kaufhold

Asilomar - Jean James

Excellence in Teaching Award - Leon Fisher

Chapter Liaison - Call for Help - Julia Antoniades

From The President

Dear Fellow Members of Phi Beta Kappa:

The November newsletter is special for two reasons. First, it serves to remind our 2002 PBK Northern California Association members (over 1200 strong) that it is time to renew your membership for 2003. Second, we distribute it to the thousands of other Phi Beta Kappa alumni now living in Northern California, as an invitation to join the PBK Northern California Association. Following are a few good reasons to do so.

Membership in our Northern California Association is an opportunity to fund scholarships for gifted graduate students and teaching excellence honorariums for dedicated professors at the seven Northern California universities with Phi Beta Kappa chapters. This past year we awarded nine $3700 scholarships to graduate students who were involved in creative, cutting-edge research in the fields of Animal Behavior, Environmental Studies, Biogeochemistry, Linguistics, Psychology, Anthropology, Art History, and English. We also awarded $500 ‘Teaching Excellence Awards’ to four professors—in the fields of Music, History, Ecology and Political Science—whose passion for teaching inspired a love of learning in their students. Your membership dues and contributions are the primary source for these awards, and every membership matters. We have no paid employees so most of your $25 membership fee, plus any additional amount you may choose to donate, will contribute directly to our scholarship fund and teaching excellence awards.

Membership in our Northern California Association also offers the opportunity to meet new people and participate in a variety of enjoyable and educational activities. You will find that the ‘Phi Betes’ that participate in our special events and annual Asilomar Conference are a lot like you—lifelong learners who are intelligent, curious, and eager to ask questions! Read this newsletter for descriptions of our Asilomar Conference and our upcoming activities. If you are intrigued, join now so you can participate and continue to be on our newsletter mailing list. This year your membership will provide you with an additional benefit—our Association’s membership directory (which is only published once every three years) will be available soon and distributed to dues paying members in early 2003.

Please fill out the membership envelope enclosed with your hardcopy of the Newsletter, or send an email to us. Active participation in our social events and educational activities offers many rewards. You will be glad you joined!

Sincerely,

President

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Upcoming Events

Person making a reservation MUST BE a Phi Beta Kappa Member, but need not be a member of the Northern California Association.

Thank you to all the members who signed up for one or more of last year’s PBK NCA sponsored activities. I hope all those who participated found the events enjoyable and educational. Many thanks to Mary Hanel for the great job she did with activities for the past two years.

I hope you will find this year’s series of programs equally intriguing. The activities are being selected on one or more of these criteria: member suggestions; laudatory reviews in tour books or travel articles; repeat of oversubscribed, exceptionally popular events; and visits to museums or research facilities affiliated with the Northern California Universities with PBK Chapters. The graduate students at these universities are the very ones who benefit from our scholarship program.

Those of you who have participated in our outings are aware of our enrollment, refund and cancellation policies. However, I will summarize for "first-timers" and new members. Most events can accommodate you and any friends or family you would like to bring. Occasionally an event will have a limited enrollment, in which case we can only accommodate one member and one guest per enrollment. As for refunds, if you call in advance they are usually available unless PBK NCA will lose scholarship money,
i.e., if we are financially committed to an organization at which the event will be held, based on your enrollment, and we cannot find someone to fill your space. Anyone who is a "no-show" will not receive a refund and the PBK NCA Board is most grateful to those who prefer to donate the program fee to the scholarship program in lieu of a refund.

If you would like to attend any of the PBK NCA events, please contact me, . No confirmations or additional details will be sent; be sure to save your newsletter or reference to this web site.



First Vice President – Programs

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Chabot Space & Science Center

The Chabot Space & Science Center offers a wide variety of exhibits, shows and films exploring space and science at its state-of-the-art facility in the Oakland Hills. The Center offers a hands-on glimpse into the sights, sounds and sensations of space and science and its major attractions include the Center's Planetarium featuring laser technology and the MegaDome Theater which has the Bay Area's only 70 mm, 8-perf, projection system. Please join us on Saturday, December 7, 2002 at 1:00 p.m. for an afternoon of fun and learning at the Center. Our visit will begin with a brief welcome/orientation to the Center's exhibits and facilities and will include general admission to the Center. Also included in our visit will be admission to the Center's Planetarium and admission to a film at the MegaDome Theater. The Center has agreed to permit individual guests in our group to view the Center's exhibits, the Planetarium and MegaDome Theater in the sequence that they prefer and shows will be available throughout the afternoon. The Center's Celestial Cafe will be open and the Center also has a gift shop with fun and educational items.

Date:
Saturday, December 7, 2002

Time: 1 p.m.

Deadline: November 25, 2002

Price: $20.00 per person

Directions: Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd. in Joaquin Miller Park. From downtown Oakland, or San Francisco: Go east on I-580 to Highway 24 (towards Walnut Creek). From 24, go south on Highway 13 (Warren Freeway) towards Hayward. Take the Joaquin Miller/ Lincoln Avenue exit. Turn left and proceed up the hill on Joaquin Miller to the crest, then turn left at the signal onto the two-lane portion of Skyline Blvd. Chabot Space & Science Center is 1.3 miles up Skyline on the right. From eastern Berkeley, Orinda etc.: Go south on Highway 13 (Warren Freeway) towards Hayward. Take the Joaquin Miller/ Lincoln Avenue exit. Turn left and proceed up the hill on Joaquin Miller to the crest, then turn left at the signal onto the two-lane portion of Skyline Blvd. Chabot Space & Science Center is 1.3 miles up Skyline on the right. From Hayward, Castro Valley: Go west on I-580 and take the Highway 13 (Warren Freeway) turnoff. Take the Joaquin Miller/Lincoln Avenue exit. Turn right, and proceed up the hill on Joaquin Miller to the crest, then turn left at the signal onto the two lane portion of Skyline Blvd. Chabot Space & Science Center is 1.3 miles up Skyline on the right.

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San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art ("SFMOMA") is recognized around the world as a cutting-edge leader in modern and contemporary art collection and education. SFMOMA’s permanent collection encompasses a who’s who of 20th and 21st century art including renowned works from Picasso, Matisse, Mondrian, Magritte, Rothko and Warhol. SFMOMA itself is a stunning facility which also houses print and multimedia works. Please join your fellow Phi Betes (and friends) for an interesting and educational visit to SFMOMA on Saturday, March 1, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. We will enjoy a docent-led tour of the museum and will have time after the tour for a visit to the SFMOMA Museum Store gift shop or a snack at Caffe Museo, which is SFMOMA’s on-site café.

Date: March 1, 2003

Deadline: February 21, 2003

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Price: $14.00 per person

Directions:

SFMOMA is located at 151 Third Street (between Mission and Howard Streets).


Getting to the Museum by Car:

From the East Bay: Take Interstate 80 (over the Bay Bridge) and exit at Fremont Street in San Francisco. Take an immediate left from Fremont onto Howard Street and get in the right lane. Go two blocks and turn right onto Third Street. SFMOMA will be on your right.

From the Peninsula: Take Highway 101 until it connects to Interstate 80 and exit at Fourth Street. Fourth immediately leads onto Bryant Street. Take a left from Bryant onto Third Street and follow it until you reach SFMOMA, which will be on your right.

From the North Bay: Take Highway 101 (over the Golden Gate Bridge) to Lombard Street in San Francisco. Follow Lombard Street east to Van Ness and turn right onto Van Ness. Follow Van Ness until you reach Golden Gate Avenue and turn left. Follow Golden Gate as it crosses Market Street and becomes Sixth Street. Turn left from Sixth Street onto Folsom Street and follow Folsom up to Third Street. Turn left onto Third Street and proceed until you reach SFMOMA which will be on your right.

BART: You may take BART to either the Powell Street or Montgomery Stations. Either way you will exit onto Market Street and proceed along Market to Third Street. Follow Third Street two blocks south and SFMOMA will be on your left

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Filoli Historical House and Gardens

Located on a stunning 654-acre property in the picturesque Town of Woodside, Filoli features a grand Georgian mansion nestled in sixteen acres of formal gardens. The estate was designed by prominent San Francisco architect Willis Polk and built in 1915 for the Bourn family. It is now a property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Please join us Saturday, March 8, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. for a special Phi Beta Kappa visit to Filoli. We will begin with a guided tour of the property and will have time after the tour for a visit to The Garden Shop at Filoli or, if you prefer, a snack at the Quail’s Nest Café, which is located on the property.

Date: March 8, 2003

Deadline: March 1, 2003

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Price: $13.00 per person

Directions

The Filoli Center is located approximately 30 miles south of San Francisco in the Town of Woodside. Its address is 86 Cañada Road.You can also create customized directions from your home

From North of Filoli: Drive South on Highway 280 and exit at Edgewood Road. Go right onto Edgewood Road and proceed until it deadends at Cañada Road. Turn right onto Cañada Road and proceed until you see a small building with a guard on the left.

From South of Filoli: Drive North on Highway 280 and exit at Edgewood Road. Go left onto Edgewood Road and proceed until it dead ends at Cañada Road. Turn right onto Cañada Road and proceed until you see a small building with a guard on the left.

From the East Bay: Drive West on Highway 92 (over the San Mateo Bridge) and take Highway 280 South. Drive South on Highway 280 and exit at Edgewood Road. Go right onto Edgewood Road and proceed until it dead ends at Cañada Road. Turn right onto Cañada Road and proceed until you see a small building with a guard on the left.

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Angel Island Excursion

Angel Island is the jewel of the San Francisco Bay with lovely views of San Francisco, the East Bay and Marin County. On a clear day you can see . . . well, just about everything in the Bay Area. There is more to Angel Island, however, than meets the eye and we invite you to explore the scenic and historic island with us on Saturday, March 22, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. We will depart from Tiburon aboard the Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry for the quick trip to the island. Once there, we will hear a brief history of Angel Island and you will be free to explore at your leisure. While there is some walking involved, this trip will be suitable for children and grandchildren who wish to explore the jewel of the Bay.

Date: March 22, 2003

Deadline: March 15, 2003

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Price: $12.00 per person

Directions:

The Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry is a family-owned ferry and sightseeing service which departs from its dock located at 21 Main Street, Tiburon, California.

From North of Tiburon: Drive South on Highway 101 and exit at the Mill Valley/Tiburon Exit and turn left onto Tiburon Boulevard and proceed over the freeway overpass. Follow Tiburon Boulevard for approximately 4 miles into downtown Tiburon and make a right turn onto Main Street. The ferry dock will be on your right.

From San Francisco and points South of Tiburon: Drive North on Highway 101 and exit at the Mill Valley/Tiburon Exit. Turn right onto Tiburon Boulevard and proceed over the freeway overpass. Follow Tiburon Boulevard for approximately 4 miles into downtown Tiburon and make a right turn onto Main Street. The ferry dock will be on your right.

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Asilomar 2003

Administration building at Asilomar

About the Asilomar Conference Center

Asilomar was designed by Julia Morgan, who also designed Hearst Castle

Read more about Julia Morgan

Tax Information for 2002

*** We had a wonderful time. Read more about the event...

Procrastination is the Thief of Time, but don’t let it steal your Asilomar experience…

If you are tired of arriving at the airport two hours early and submitting to numerous security checks, but still long for a relaxing get-away in a lovely setting with intellectual company, mark your calendars now and plan to spend Presidents' Day Weekend with the Northern California Association of Phi Beta Kappa at Asilomar in Pacific Grove. It is especially easy to remember the dates of our retreat this year, as we start on Valentine's Day, February 14, and end on Monday, February 17. If you've never heard of Asilomar, or have never been there before, Asilomar is a state conference center in Pacific Grove, a small enclave between Monterey and Carmel. This year's Presidents' Day weekend will be PBKNCA's seventeenth consecutive Asilomar experience. Our retreat / conference always begins with dinner Friday evening and ends with lunch on Monday. During the long weekend, we provide a mix of interesting, thought-provoking speakers and activities, as well as ample free time to enjoy the lovely seaside atmosphere. People who work sometimes come late and leave early. It is even possible to "skip" some programs, as no one takes attendance or gives exams. And because some of you have asked: Dress is very casual.

The main goal of our conference is for us to enjoy ourselves in a beautiful setting, but our secondary goal is to raise money for scholarships. The $100 per person registration fee is used to cover conference costs (speakers' expenses, a. v. equipment rental, wine with Sunday dinner, postage, duplicating, office supplies, etc.). This past year's profits enabled us to fund almost three graduate scholarships.


Although there are still some refinements to make for the Asilomar 2003 program, we have a remarkably strong program lined up.
Leonard Shlain, author of The Alphabet Versus the Goddess: The Conflict between Word and Image, will speak to us about this very interesting topic. In addition, John Churchill, the National Secretary of Phi Beta Kappa, will lead us in a "Conversation on Relevance: The Social Value of Liberal Education," the results of which will be presented at the national Phi Beta Kappa's 2003 Triennial Council. Furthermore, Joe Wible from Stanford's Hopkins Marine Station will make a presentation. And as usual, we will draw on our very own talented membership. Harold Johnston will tell us about his upcoming book, A Bridge Not Attacked: A Mostly Untold Story of Secret Research in World War II. And Mollie Baier plans to talk about her book, The Fire Escape is Locked for Your Safety: On the Road in the Former Soviet Union.


Now that you know about Asilomar in general and this year in particular, we hope you will mark your calendars and join us for our conference, which will begin on Friday, February 14. (No excuses for forgetting that date!) If you attended Asilomar 2002 and enjoyed yourself, please let your fellow Phi Betes know and encourage them to join us in 2003. (Guests are also welcome.)


Don’t become a victim of procrastination! Fill out the coupon today – or at least by December 14 - and send it to me with your registration fee. I will then mail you the Asilomar housing form for you to make your room reservations directly with them. If you do not have a hard copy of the newsletter, contact me,

, Asilomar Chair

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[ Yahoo! Maps ]
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Additional directions To Asilomar from the California Parks

Excellence in Teaching Award

Call for Nominees - Click for the Nomination Form

Deadline: November 21, 2002
; Thank you for your help!

Scholarship and teaching go hand in hand. Nearly everyone who cares about the life of the mind can remember at least one teacher, and perhaps many more, who made a special contribution to his or her development. And experts are never quite sure of their expertise until they have tried teaching what they know to others. For these reasons, among others, PBK NCA vigorously encourages excellence in teaching. In pursuit of this principle PBK NCA has for many years made annual Excellence in Teaching Awards. Each award consists of a handsome certificate and a $500 honorarium. Any member of PBK may make nominations. Eligible nominees are faculty members of the seven universities and colleges in Northern California that harbor PBK Chapters.

Please make a nomination for the 2002-2003 academic year.

The
application form is available on this PBK Web page, and is printed on page 6 of your newsletter, or it may be obtained by contacting me (see address below). Applications are due November 21, 2002, so please hurry. To nominate a teacher, fill out the form including an account of why you think a nominee deserves recognition as an outstanding teacher. The forms should be mailed to me.


Chairman, Teaching Excellence Committee

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The winners for 2001-2002 were:

Michelle Fillion, Professor of Music, Mills College

H. Bradley Shaffer, Professor of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis

Alan Taylor, Professor of History, University of California, Davis

Steven Vogel, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of California, Davis

Oliver Johns, Professor of Physics, San Francisco State University, a 2001 Awardee, made his remarks in 2002 because he missed last year’s event.

The awards were conferred at the Annual Dinner on May 4, 2002.

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Chapter Liaison - Call for help

From April through June the Northern California Universities with F B K Chapters initiate new members. These chapters (Mills College, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, San Francisco State, Stanford, and Santa Clara) include PBK NCA information and membership forms in their welcome packets for the initiates. A variety of PBK NCA members are needed to participate as our representatives at the initiations next spring. If you are interested in being our representative at a Chapter Initiation Ceremony, please contact me.

In corresponding with the Chapters, I can assure you that our scholarship program is very much appreciated. The Chapters also aid us by facilitating our recruitment of new young members.

Chapter Liaison

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