February 2018 Program Schedule

February 6 –“What’s in Our Air? A Look at Los Angeles Smog and How it Affects Climate Change”

We know that ozone and smog in Los Angeles come from cars and that these pollutants are bad to breathe. However, they also play an important role in Earth’s energy balance that doesn’t get much public attention. Dr. Hawkins will tell us how particulate air pollution is measured here in Claremont, and what the latest innovations in particle measurement tell us that previous methods could not. In addition, she will explain how air pollution impacts climate change and why we should actually be concerned about cleaning up our smog too completely! Dr. Hawkins is an atmospheric chemist and a newly tenured associate professor at Harvey Mudd College.  Her scholarship is centered at the intersection of air pollution and climate change. She received a double BS in Environmental Science and Chemistry at UC San Diego and a PhD in Oceanography at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. After one year as a postdoctoral researcher at UC San Diego, she began teaching at Harvey Mudd College, where she is very highly rated by her students.

Introduction: Bill Waggener
Fellowship: Bill Waggener
Greeters: Larry Wicksted, Tom Helliwell

February 13  – “A Day in the Life of the Pomona College Museum of Art”

Just what exactly is a “teaching museum?” What should you know about the Pomona College Museum of Art? Join Steve Comba as he sheds light on the mysterious world of the academic museum: exhibitions, collections, and programs. Steve will also share the details of how the new building will enhance the experience, and give an update on its design and construction.  Steve is the Associate Director/Registrar for the Pomona College Museum of Art. He received his MFA in painting at the Claremont Graduate University and his BA in Studio Art from the College of Creative Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His primary responsibility is looking after the care and access of the permanent collection. He has, however, curated/organized numerous exhibitions both for PCMA as well as the dA Center for the Arts in Pomona and the Claremont Museum of Art. He is also an artist himself, with a studio in Claremont.

Introduction: Anne Sonner
Fellowship: Ed Ansell
Greeters: Pat Kelly, Art Parker

February 20  – “Coming Soon: The Gold Line in Claremont”

Come learn about the latest plans for the third segment of the Metro Gold Line as it extends from Glendora to Claremont and beyond, and what to expect as it moves to construction. How will Claremont be affected?  Where will we be able to travel more easily? The project broke ground in early December, making it the first Measure M-funded rail line to move to construction. Mrs. Levy Buch, a resident of Claremont, has been with the Construction Authority for more than eight years and brings with her more than 25 years of experience in transportation, land use and environmental planning and policy. She has a MA in Transportation Planning from UCLA and a BA in Environmental Planning from UC Irvine.

Introduction: Bob Knell
Fellowship: Rich Phillips
Greeters: Milt Wilson, Peter Boniface

February 27 – “Are Space and Time Only Illusions?”

In recent years, a group of overworked and underpaid theoretical physicists has posited the possibility that our perception of space and time is just that, only a perception. The suggestion is that gravitation and spacetime are not fundamental, but are instead derived concepts arising from a combination of statistics or quantum “entanglement” — as if an intricate web of connections between objects essentially weaves the fabric of spacetime in-between. Professor Sahakian will give an overview of some of these new ideas that are forcing us to rethink physics at a very foundational level. He earned his PhD at the University of Chicago and carried out postdoctoral research at Cornell University.  He specializes in theoretical physics, especially string theory and cosmology.  He is known at the college for his ability to explain new and complex ideas in a manner that is accessible to everyone!

Introduction: Tom Helliwell
Fellowship: Steve Farrow
Greeters: Sam Mansour and Bob Knell
Birthdays: Dick Newton