Aug 24, 2010 Next Meeting - Join Us!
Time: 7pm Meeting (6 pm come have dinner with us...)
Location: Denny’s Restaurant, Wurzbach/ I-10
July 27, 2010 Meeting Minutes
Thank you Jorge S. (STAR Team Member and Lead Section Investigator) for your review of the 2010 Symposium. The scientific data presented on the abduction “conundrum” was absolutely fascinating….and has renewed my interest in the subject. The Symposium was an obvious success that provided a unique opportunity for learning and networking. I would like to join Jorge in expressing our conclusion that it is people like the participants of Mufon San Antonio that truly make up the mission critical elements of Mufon.
I would also like to thank our new friend Greg M. for his willingness to come and speak for the first time about his experience. Mufon San Antonio recognizes that this is often a difficult effort and finding a receptive “ear” was obviously appreciated. Then again….that is one of the reasons we are here!
A special recognition to our member Rene for his ongoing efforts in photography and analysis. Rene shared with the group his recent digital captures that are truly “something different”. We are very thankful to Rene for not only bringing to our group his technical expertise but a reminder to keep our eyes on the skies! Whatever it is…..it is more common than we recognize.
We also had two young people (under 40 ha ha!...actually teenagers!) that came to the meeting. Thank you parents for allowing their participation. An interest in science and an open mind will take them far. We continue to encourage their attendance and are very thankful for their presence.
I wanted to pass along a very cool website that was mentioned by Marc DC’Antonio at the 2010 Symposium called Stellarium (www.stellarium.org). You really need to try it. It easily, it identifies stars/satellites/planets etc in an interactive format. (In other words…..it will tell you exactly what lights in the sky are normal ….in our effort to determine which are “special”.)…try it you’ll like it!
May 25th Guest Speaker- Eric M. Schlegel Resume
Dr. Eric Schlegel, Astro Physicist, UTSA …topic: Another viewpoint and an accurate account of what scientists are doing regarding the attempts to find other lifer forms in the universe.
Purchase his new book "Restless Universe" here
Thanks to May' 25th's Presenter: Dr. Eric M. Schlegel, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio
Author : the Restless Universe
Presentation “Life in the Universe”
http://www.amazon.com/Restless-Universe-Eric-M-Schlegel/dp/0195148479/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269876855&sr=1-3
Carl Sagan once noted that there is only one generation that gets to see things for the first time. We are in the midst of such a time right now, standing on the threshold of discovery in the young and remarkable field of X-ray astronomy. In The Restless Universe, astronomer Eric Schlegel offers readers an informative survey of this cutting-edge science. Two major space observatories launched in the last few years--NASA's Chandra and the European Newton--are now orbiting the Earth, sending back a gold mine of data on the X-ray universe. Schlegel, who has worked on the Chandra project for seven years, describes the building and launching of this space-based X-ray observatory. But the book goes far beyond the story of Chandra. What Schlegel provides here is the background a nonscientist would need to grasp the present and follow the future of X-ray astronomy. He looks at the relatively brief history of the field, the hardware used to detect X-rays, the satellites--past, present, and future--that have been or will be flown to collect the data, the way astronomers interpret this data, and, perhaps most important, the insights we have already learned as well as speculations about what we may soon discover. And throughout the book, Schlegel conveys the excitement of looking at the universe from the perspective brought by these new observatories and the sharper view they deliver. Drawing on observations obtained from Chandra, Newton, and previous X-ray observatories, The Restless Universe gives a first look at an exciting field which significantly enriches our understanding of the universe.
Goodie Grab
Please bring any UFO related item (books/toys/souvenirs) that you would like the next person to appreciate. (This is sort of a “Chinese Gift Exchange”...so if you bring something you will not go home empty handed!)
Donations
In order to assure continued success and help fund speaker costs Mufon San Antonio asks for a small donation to help (hint $1-$2)
Adjourn:
Minutes - March 23rd, 2010
We had 29 participants for March! (2 visitors and 27 members)
In all honesty I had no idea that the meeting would take on the theme of our “human side”….but it all sort of seemed clear….we discussed recent investigations and how our concern for the wellbeing of the witness made a son feel better, how (one of our speakers) expressed having a Mufon group to talk with was a blessing, and how Officer Hill…a public servant….caries this theme to his investigations.
A special thank you goes to the following folks:
1) Officer E. Hill, After Dark Paranormal for his overview of his program and the new magazine After Dark...The Official Journal of the After Dark Paranormal Society. Remember Mufon is featured in the next edition May 2010 with an interview of our own Jorge Santa!
2) Jorge Santa for his ongoing representation of Mufon in the public sector.
3) Rita F. for her willingness to stand up and discuss her experiences…she was visiting from El Paso and found us on the web…
4) Diane P. for keeping us on the web! So folks like Rita can find us!!!!
5) Cathy C….for helping secure a really cool speaker for May 25th!!!!
A few requests:
1) As I mentioned (plus +++see below) Mufon San Antonio has a really cool speaker for May…I need a topic or speaker for April! If any of you have an idea please let me know…we what to be responsive to your interests.
2) I have spoken to Ken Cherry (State Director) regarding our current Mufon International and our Local group needs….the following is requested:
a) Big Picture: If you have not considered membership to Mufon International…please do! It is a small way to say that you are a member of a respected group that is in pursuit of knowledge about a topic we all know as “something”
b) BCC: You will notice I have started using the BCC. This is an attempt, effort, and out of respect to keep you emails private. I am sorry for not using it in the past, and will use it from now on.
c) Local Picture: I have requested Mr. Cherry’s support in the development of a Director of Operations for our group. The responsibilities would basically be…
1) Provides support and leadership to meetings
2) Assists in networking speakers and activities
3) Conducts group meetings with agendas when current facilitator is unavailable
4) Assists in the maintenance of records to include but not limited to data base, attendance, scheduling, etc.
5) Promotes Mufon International and Mufon San Antonio
If you have any ideas for our Dir. of Opps…please let me know!!!
Coming Events:
Meeting May 25th….Dr. Eric Schlegel, Astro Physicist, UTSA …topic: Another viewpoint and an accurate account of what scientists are doing regarding the attempts to find other lifer forms in the universe. A big thank you to Cathy C. for cashing in some of her “cool points” to secure this speaker!!!!!!!!!!!
Minutes - March 23, 2010
Call to order: The meeting was called to order by Director John Schwab at 7 PM.
Welcome: Members and guests were introduced and welcomed.
Interesting Happenings in the News: John reviewed video clips and recent sightings.
Speakers:
Rita Freeman, an Experiencer spoke about her many encounters. Click here for a 10 minute interview during the 2004 Roswell Conference. Rita related some of here many experiences which began at a very early age, and have continued throughout her 63 years. Through these encounters she has come to understand and accept her role and purpose in this lifetime and perhaps a small glimpse of what the visitations are about.
Edward Hill, a San Antonio Police officer by day and a Paranormal Investigator by night related how he became fascinated by the UFO subject while writing an article for After Dark Paranormal Magazine. He was astonished to learn the true history of sightings goes back to cave paintings and the ancient Sumerians. He was joined by San Antonio member, Jorge Santana, a MUFON Investigator and member of MUFON's Star Team who was interviewed for the same article.
Swap: Members drew numbers and swapped UFO material.
Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.
Next Meeting April 27th
February Minutes:
Just a quick note of thanks to everyone that attended our meeting last night.
We had 27 participants, and a special thanks to the 5 visitors that came….your presence enhances our group and we look forward to learning of your interests.
A special thanks to Mr. Nick Redfern for coming into San Antonio (in lousy weather!) to discuss his new book Contactees. His historical perspective on something we all know as “something” is a valuable contribution to our field of study. Plus….he is such a cool guy and we are very fortunate to have him as a friend!
(In addition I would like to say thank you to Ken Gerhard for keeping an eye on Nick last night…congratulations on your recent TV shows...you add a little class to our operation!)
Mufon San Antonio, in addition to its claim-to-fame of having Mr. Walter Andrus Jr. as an active member, is one of the oldest consistently meeting Mufon groups in the Mufon International Network.
Mufon San Antonio recognizes that in order to be an active group it must not only have a presence in the community, but provide a “service” to that community. To that end, Mufon San Antonio is making every effort to be a Resource for San Antonio. This group understands the stigma and confusion that often results from an unknown sighting, not to mention the lack of awareness on the best practice procedure of effectively reporting observations. Mufon San Antonio is here to help navigate these challenges for their community.
