As the days shorten and people younger than we are returning to the classroom, members of our Association can look back on a very successful year. Once again Mel Shattuck has graciously sponsored our May Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner at the Berkeley Faculty Club, a perfect venue for honoring our Teaching Excellence awardees and our Scholarship winners. This year we distributed $500 honoraria to four outstanding professors, while nine deserving graduate students received $5,000 scholarships. You can read more about these awardees at www.pbknca.org, or in the November 2008 Newsletter. Thank you for your ongoing support, which allows us to continue to make these significant awards.

   The May meeting also affords us the opportunity to honor retiring Board members and welcome their replacements. This year we were especially fortunate, as we were able to retain almost all of our outstanding Board members. The single exception was the resignation of Stanley Kahn, First Vice President, Programs. After serving admirably for an extra year until Judy Hardardt could assume the position, Stanley Kahn is now officially “retired.” Both Stanley and his lovely wife Adeline, who has been of inestimable help in this post, are due a special thank-you from all of us for the hard work they have done for our Association. Judy has now assumed the job with enthusiasm, as you can see from the many activities below.

   Looking back, we can be proud of this past year’s successes. Looking forward, I am confident that the coming year will also be successful because of our wonderful members and hard-working Board.

Jean Ellen James, President
, President

NOMINATIONS FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE DUE NOVEMBER 30

   As of today we have only six nominees for the coming year’s Teaching Excellence Award. One is from Mills College and one from San Francisco State University. Four (two-thirds) of the nominees are from UC Davis! We are confident that other campuses with FBK chapters also have great teachers, so please let us know about them. For your convenience, a nomination form is available on page 2 of this newsletter.
Narcinda Lerner, Teaching Excellence Chair

Thanks to our NCA College Chapter Volunteers!

   Do you remember your initiation into Phi Beta Kappa? Nine of our Association volunteers relived that special time this spring because each of them participated in one or more of the initiation ceremonies at eight of our affiliated college chapters: Mills College, San Francisco State University, Santa Clara University, Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz and University of the Pacific. If it sounds like fun - it was!
   Our participation in these ceremonies is important. It increases awareness that our FBK alumni associations are nationwide, as well as increasing both nominations for our Teaching Excellence awards and applications for our scholarships. It is also an opportunity for volunteers to become more involved on the college campuses.
   Thanks to our 2008 volunteers: Marci Coglianese, Jean James, Hershey Julian, Patricia Kenber, Narcinda Lerner, Masako Miura, Janiece Nolan, Letitia Sanders, and Joanne Sandstrom. Special thanks to Georgia Maslowski for organizing the first-time-ever reception at UC Berkeley; and to Tedi Crawford (at the FBK UCB Office) and Joanne Sandstrom for Professor Welcomes New Initiate their help in making it happen. Thanks to the Association alumni of UC Berkeley who contributed to funding this event.
   Please contact me at Jn1137@aol.com if you are interested in becoming a volunteer next spring, and/or watch for the 2009 dates as we publish them in this newsletter and on the web next year.
Janiece Nolan, Chapter Liaison Chair

 

Tour of Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory – Thursday September 11, 2008, 10 AM; Deadline August 28

Since our first tour of the famed Laboratory overlooking the UC Berkeley campus was oversubscribed last year, we were obliged to turn some prospective attendees down.

  The reason for limiting registration to twenty persons is that the Lab bus, which transports us from downtown Berkeley to the Lab, seats that number and no more.

  You will recall that the Laboratory was founded many years ago by late Berkeley professor Earnest Lawrence, the inventor of the cyclotron. Dr. Lawrence was the first member of the UC Berkeley Faculty to win a Nobel prize. Since then, this same research facility has received at least ten more Nobel awards. Owned by the United States Department of Energy but operated by the University of California, its research facilities are available to any qualified scientist in this country, and possibly from other countries as well. We have been promised guides who will discuss topics of research at the Lab different from those that were discussed on the prior tour. For more information prior to attending the tour, consult www.lbl.gov/

A map of the site, as well as directions, may be found at http://www.lbl.gov/Workplace/Transportation.html

Please note that the Lab requires that the citizenship of each person attending be provided, so kindly list your citizenship status on the coupon.

Date: Thursday, September 11, 2008.
Time: 10:00 am-Please be prompt. Don’t miss the bus!
Fee: $ 10.00
Meeting Site: Corner of Center Street and Shattuck, downtown Berkeley, adjacent to the Wells Fargo Bank building at 2144 Shattuck. There is a downtown BART station at that location as well.
Deadline: August 28, 2008
Remember to include citizenship status on coupon as well.
Minimum number 15
Maximum number 20

Directions and Parking. If convenient, take Bart to Downtown Berkeley station. The Wells Fargo Bank is a very short walk from the station. It’s a high rise building, which one cannot miss.

If arriving by car, either bring lots of quarters for parking meters, or preferably park in the Public Parking Deck on Center street, a short distance from Shattuck. From the north, take US 101 South to the Richmond Bridge via-580 East. Exit at University Avenue. Take University Avenue to Shattuck, and turn right. Wells Fargo Bank Building is at 2144 Shattuck, at the corner of Center Street. From the Peninsula, cross Bay Bridge and take the Berkeley exit, enter I-80 North and take the University Avenue exit, and proceed as mentioned above. From the South, take I-880 N and merge into I-580 W/I-80 E. Take University Avenue exit. Continue as above.

---

Jack London State Historic Park – Friday, September 19, 2008

I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze
than it should be stifled by dry rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor,
every atom of me in magnificent glow,
than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time
Jack London (1876 - 1916)

   Once known as Jack London's "Beauty Ranch," the park's 1400 acres include the Beauty Ranch, Museum, Wolf House ruins and more than 10 miles of trails. Our visit to the park will include a docent-guided tour that will include the House of Happy Walls, the Londons' gravesites and the ruins of the Wolf House. A service is available for members needing assistance getting to the Museum and the Wolf House. We will enjoy a picnic at the park after the tour so bring a brown-bag lunch. After lunch, you are free to explore other areas of this fascinating facility. For those with ambulation probleMs., a cane may be useful, since some of the paths are a little narrow. For additional information, including a video of the park, see http://www.jacklondons.net/museum.html
Date and Time: Friday, September 19, 2008 at 11:00 AM. Please be prompt as docent-guided tour starts promptly at 11:30 AM.
Deadline: August 22, 2008.
Meeting Place: Follow the asphalt path from the lower parking lot (to the left of the entrance station) to the Museum.
Costs: $10 per person plus park entrance fee of $6.00 (or $5.00 for Seniors). Free parking in lot to the left of the park entrance. Note: If you can carpool, you can share the cost of the entrance fee.
Minimum: 10; Maximum: 20 (additional registration with a second guide may be an option)
Access is by car only.
Directions: From Santa Rosa: take highway 12 towards Sonoma, turn right on Arnold Drive to Glen Ellen; in Glen Ellen take London Ranch Road to the park.
From Sonoma: take Highway 12 towards Santa Rosa, turn left on Madrone Road, then right on Arnold Drive to Glen Ellen, then left on London Ranch Road to the park.
From Highway 101: take 37 to 121. Turn left at 121 and go to 116 (Arnold drive). Stay on Arnold Drive until you get to Glen Ellen. From Glen Ellen, turn left onto London Ranch Road.
From Walnut Creek: Take I-80 E toward Sacramento. Exit onto CA-37 W toward Napa, take a sharp right at Arnold Dr/CA-121 N (signs for CA-121 N/Sonoma). Continue to follow Arnold Dr. as above.

---

History Cruise on the USS Potomac: Thursday, October 2, 2008

The USS Potomac was first commissioned "The Coast Guard Cutter Electra" on June 30, 1934. She was subsequently re-commissioned "The USS Potomac" in 1936, after being chosen to become the Presidential Yacht, enjoyed by then-president Franklin Delano Roosevelt. As Roosevelt's "Floating White House" the Potomac is docked in Jack London Square. The history tour will include the story of the ups and downs (literally) of the ship, how she was adapted to serve the needs of a physically handicapped President, and all the while we will be enjoying the very special views one can only get from the waters of the San Francisco Bay.
Be sure to bring sunglasses, a jacket and a cap or hat that will not blow off and land in the water. Binoculars and cameras are also a good idea. We will meet at the dock at Jack London Square no later than 10:30 AM as the ship leaves the dock at 11 AM. We will complete the tour at approximately 1 PM. Lunch will be available at area restaurants of your choice.
Website: www.usspotomac.org
Access: The Presidential Yacht Potomac does not fully comply with the facility access standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The facility allows limited access for the mobility impaired. Potomac docents or staff are available to provide access assistance to mobility-impaired.
Date: Thursday, October 2, 2008
Deadline: September 4
Time: 10:30 AM
Minimum: 20; Maximum: 40
Cost: $40
Directions: From the North: I 80 West to I 580 West, 980 Downtown, exit 12th Street, becomes Brush Street, left on 3rd Street, right on Washington St, enter Jack London Square
From the East: 24 West to 980 Downtown, exit 12th Street, becomes Brush Street, left on 3rd Street, right on Washington St, enter Jack London Square
From the West: I 80 East over the Oakland Bay Bridge, Merge onto I 880 toward Alameda/Airport/San Jose, exit Washington St/Alameda, right on 5th Street, right on Washington St, enter Jack London Square
From the South: I 880 North, exit Washington St, left on Washington St, right on Water Street
Parking: Washington Street Garage between 2nd and Embarcadero Streets, one block from the Potomac. Sorry, they do not validate.

---

Tour of John Muir Home and Historic Site: Saturday, November 15, 2008

   My life these days is like the life of a glacier…one eternal grind…soon I'll throw down my pen and take up my heels and go mountaineering once more. So said John Muir on one of those days we all have now and then. But for Muir, this was not a fanciful dream but a definite reality, for Muir was to many of us the original mountain man. Famous as a preservationist and as a naturalist - if it hadn't been for John Muir, Yosemite National Park might never have been created. Muir was also personally involved in the creation of the Grand Canyon, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Mt. Rainier National Parks. Muir is also credited with the creation of the Sierra Club (with William Colby) in 1892 and served as the Club's president until his death in 1914.
   The John Muir National Historic Site is located in Martinez. Our tour will include a docent-led tour of Muir's home and the property that surrounds it.
Website: www.nps.gov/jomu/
Accessibility: For the grounds, a golf cart is available for rides up the hill to the house. There is also an "easy access" path for those of you who would like an easy saunter up to the house. Paved pathways also make it easy to navigate your way around the park. A wheelchair lift makes the first floor of the Muir home accessible to everyone. The first floor of the Martinez adobe is also accessible from the south side. ADA approved picnic tables are in the park for your convenience as well.
Be sure to bring a picnic lunch as we will be able to enjoy lunch together following the tour.
Date and Time: Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 9:30 AM (tour starts promptly at 10 AM)
Deadline: October 17
Minimum: 12; Maximum: 15
 Cost: $8.00 per person
Directions: Eastbound I-80 to eastbound Highway 4. Exit at Alhambra Avenue, turning left at bottom of the ramp. Cross beneath highway. Site is immediately on your left.
I-680 northbound or southbound to Highway 4 westbound. Exit at Alhambra Ave. Turn right at bottom of ramp. Site is located immediately on your left.

---

Blackhawk Automotive Museum - Saturday, January 17, 2009. Deadline December 17, 2008.

   The Blackhawk Museum, opened in 1988, showcases about 90 cars, many of which are on loan from Museum friends worldwide. These automotive treasures are a carlover's dream, blending art, technology, culture and history, including a treasure of coach-built cars.
   Cars frequently arrive at the Museum after they have been exhibited at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance each August. Thus, at Blackhawk, these same cars can then be seen all year long. This concept keeps Blackhawk's exhibition diverse and ever-changing; in recent years Museum visitors have seen such spectacular Pebble Beach entrants as a 1903 Mors J. Rothschild & Fils limousine, a 1909 Winton Touring Model 17, a 1911 Mercedes Labourdette Skiff, a 1936 M.G. PB Airline Coupe, a 1968 Bizzarrini 5300 S.I. Spyder, and the 1937 Figoni et Falaschi Delahaye 135 that received Best of Show during the Pebble Beach Concours' 50th anniversary in 2000.
   We will enjoy a docent-led tour of the museum which will take approximately one hour; you will be free to enjoy the museum following the tour. The museum is located at the end of the Blackhawk shopping plaza, which includes an assortment of boutiques, restaurants, galleries and many other shops. With a stream running through its manicured landscaping, from the fountain atop the Museum's plaza to the outdoor terrace of the Blackhawk Grille, the Plaza provides a unique shopping experience as well as lunch. For more information on the plaza visit www.shopblackhawkplaza.com/

Website: www.blackhawkmuseum.org
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2009
Time: 11:00 AM
Maximum: 16
Fee: $12.00 per person
Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible; wheelchairs available for use.
Location: 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville, CA 94506
Directions: From San Jose area: I-880 North toward Oakland; merge onto Mission Blvd./CA-262 toward I-680/Sacramento; I-680 N to Bollinger Cyn Rd. exit, turn right at end of exit onto Bollinger Cyn Rd.; left on Dougherty Rd., right onto Crow Canyon Rd., go straight onto Blackhawk Plaza Circle.
From San Francisco: I-80 East over Bay Bridge; merge onto I-580 East toward CA-24; merge onto CA-24 East toward Walnut Creek; merge onto I-680 East toward San Jose/Dublin; take exit 38 – Sycamore Valley Rd. East which becomes Camino Tassajara; turn left onto Blackhawk Rd.; turn right onto Blackhawk Plaza Circle.
From North Bay: Take either CA-37 East to I-80 West to I-780 East to I-680 South and follow directions as above from the Exit 30 point; or, take Richmond Bridge to I-80 West and merge onto I-580 East, following directions for San Francisco as above.
From Sacramento area: Take I-80 West to I-680 South; follow directions as for San Francisco, above.

---

   If you subsequently can’t make an event, others may be waiting - kindly notify the appropriate Program VP:

Stanley Kahn (Berkeley Lab) - home (510) 665-5987, cell day of event (510) 926-9326;

Judy Hardardt (all others) - home (530) 297-7150, cell day of event (707) 696-9498.

, First Vice-President, Programs

 

Annual PBKNCA Asilomar Conference, February 13-16, 2009
“Changes in American Life”

   Now is the time to register for our 23rd Annual Conference over President’s Day Weekend, February 13-16, 2009.  It promises to be an outstanding event with stimulating speakers and a delightful location on Monterey Bay.  We especially want newcomers to join us and encourage regular attendees to bring guests.

   Just make your check to PBKNCA for $100 per person registration and send it, with the coupon on page 8, to Jae Emenhiser, 2898 Sand Pointe Dr., McKinleyville, CA 95519. Most of this fee goes to support our graduate student scholarships. As soon as I receive your registration, I shall send you the Asilomar Conference Center housing form. You will need to return this form with your payment directly to Asilomar. This year the rates for rooms for three nights and nine meals are as follows: Double $385.28 per person, Single $617.78, and Youth (ages 3-17) $250.58. The deadline for me to receive your registration is December 1. The earlier you register the more likely you are to obtain the room location of your choice.

   This year’s theme is “Changes in American Life.”  Our speakers include:
Senior Fellow Sharon Burke, Center for a New American Security, “National Security”
Professor LeAnn Snow Flesher, Graduate Theological Union and American Baptist Seminary of the West,
“Left Behind: Fact and Fiction”
Dr. Sara Gilliland, “Neuroscience in Physical Therapy”
Peter Hannaford, “The Reagan Legacy”
Miss Julia Morgan (aka Betty Martin), “California’s First Woman Architect”
Ernest Ray, “Industrial Ergonomics: the Intel Experience”

   Further, we plan to continue Tai Chi before Breakfast, the Monarch butterfly walk, a wine seminar, and a common reading. For details on the reading check the Association website (www.asilomar.pbknca.org) in a few weeks or see the November newsletter.

   Come spend the weekend with fellow Phi Beta Kappa members.  You will enjoy renewing friendships and making new ones.

Jae Emenhiser
Asilomar Conference Chair

Interesting Speakers		After-Meeting discussions with a Speaker		Butterfly walks		Wine Seminar