We will see you at the Barrie Public Library in the Georgian International Room room, across the foyer from our old meeting location in the library. We will be meeting on Thursday, May 16th at 7 PM, as usual. As is our tradition, we happily invite you out at 5pm to McReiley’s Pub on Dunlop St. for good conversation over dinner before hand.

I will see you on the 16th,

As per the schedules I’ve sent out, our meeting in May will by the third Thursday in May, later than usual. I thought I should explicitly point this out, right at the top of today’s email.

We are fast moving into summer and as always we have are deep in planning for our summer BBQ, a time for COHA members, their family and possible future guests and members can come together and enjoy good food and good company.

If you have any suggestions as to where we should host the BBQ this year we are currently taking suggestions. Just respond back with any ideas you have. Last year I was hoping to book at Springwater Park again, but I believe that is no longer an option, as the park and it’s facilities are no longer in operation. All ideas are welcome.

Upcoming meeting dates are:

• Thursday, May 16th (3rd Thursday):
  How Girls Evolved to Shop – and other ways to insult women with “science”
• Thursday, June 6th:
  Conspiracy Ideation

On Thursday, May 16th we will be watching a video presentation of Rebecca Watson discussing popular media’s acceptance of evolutionary psychology, and the methodological problems with attempting to explain everything about modern life as though it all has roots in the pleistocene era.

We will see you at the Barrie Public Library in the Georgian International Room room, across the foyer from our old meeting location in the library. We will be meeting on Thursday, May 16th at 7 PM, as usual. As is our tradition, we happily invite you out at 5pm to McReiley’s Pub on Dunlop St. for good conversation over dinner before hand.

I will see you on the 16th,

The government’s refusal to deal with nonbelievers being attacked worldwide while setting up the Office of Religious Freedoms, which in theory should do just that, is quite concerning. In this context Doug’s gauging of the climate toward atheists, agnostics, skeptics, freethinkers and Humanists will be very interesting.

Doug Thomas writes for Canadian Freethinker and the Huffington Post. He has spent much time studying constitutional issues in Canada and has a history of working with Humanist groups (especially SOFREE).

We will see you at the Barrie Public Library on Worsely St. We will be meeting on Thursday, April 4th at 7 PM, as usual. As is our tradition, I happily invite you out at 5pm to McReiley’s Pub on Dunlop St. for good conversation over dinner.

It was delightful to see everyone out last month for our discussions of creativity. For those interested in re-watching the videos or for those who were unable to attend, the videos can be found at our website.

The upcoming meeting is about activism in Canada — making sure there is a level playing field for all. Doug Thomas is the president of Secular Connexion. He will explains the goals of his group and what he has been accomplishing and the work he has to do with respect to our government and connecting local Humanist and secular groups across Canada.

• The 4 10-20 minute videos we watched can be viewed at Everything Is A Remix. (Bonus content after credits.)
• There is a short 17 minute TED video summarizing the content with new and different example as well.

• “Symposium | Why The Debate Matters” video was referenced about creationism being exported around the world, including to Canada. Watch Ronald Numbers from Wisconsin starting at the 2 minute mark.
• “Where’s Darwin?” article referenced, from the United Church Observer in 2008.
• “Evolution In Ontario Schools” blog post summarizes the curriculum in 2008.
• “Ontario Cirriculum Grades 1-8, Science and Technology“
• “Ontario Cirriculum Grades 9-10, Science“
• “Ontario Cirriculum Grades 11-12, Science“
• Project Steve site.
• “Project Steve” article at Wikipedia

It is the start of another year. And we are getting ready all the final touches for the first meeting of 2013. On Thursday, February 7^th we have a compelling, interesting, and relevant presentation for all of you!

A few years ago we watched a documentary on the modern Scopes Monkey Trail, as Paul called it. In the Library we saw Judgment Day: Intelligent Design On Trail. In that presentation we learned how creationism evolved since it’s teaching was declared illegal: it adapted by changing it’s outward appearance as part of the wedge strategy to get itself taught in schools. In that video Eugenie Scott was one of many experts interviewed, and even testified in the trial covered by the documentary.

Now, we have an update by Eugenie Scott from the US-based National Centre for Science Education. This video presentation will discuss how the effort to teach creationism including the effort to give the appearance of evolution being discredited has again adapted in an attempt to worm it’s way in to science classes. Most alarming, is that the modern creationist movement is exporting itself across the world, like a virus searching for new hosts. (Including here in Canada—but that aspect is not dealt with in the video presentation.)

She will also discuss how the same tactics are being used in regard to the science of climate change. Afterward we will have discussion.

So we will see you at the Barrie Public Library in the Georgian International Room room, across the foyer from our old meeting location in the library. We will be meeting on Thursday, February 7^th at 7 PM, as usual. As is our tradition, I happily invite you out at 5pm to McReiley’s Pub on Dunlop St. for good conversation over dinner.

I will see you all on Thursday, February 7^th.

Our meeting dates have moved to the first Thursday of the month at the Georgian International Room in the Barrie Public Library on Collier Street. Not only do we have delicious-for-your-ears presentations on interesting thoughts and ideas, but we meet before each presentation for delicious-for-your-mouth food and good company. Here is our 2013 meeting schedule:

Thurs, Feb 7
Thurs, March 7
Thurs, April 4
Thurs, May 16 (3rd Thursday)
Thurs, June 6
Thurs, July 4 (Tentative)
Thurs, August 1 (Tentative)
Thurs, Sept 19 (3rd Thursday)
Thurs, Oct 3
Thurs, Nov 7

I know what I’m doing for 2013. How about you?

All members and visitors of COHA are welcome. And your guests are welcome as well! We would ask that you limit guests to a date, family and prospective COHA members or someone who would otherwise like to know more about Humanist.

After eating, we will be electing members to the board. As always, all positions are up for election, include the positions of president and vice-president. However, we would additionally love to have people running for secretary, treasurer, and membership secretary.

Reply for more information, but some positions require only one evening out of the month.

But most of the potluck afternoon is set aside for social time: to meet with and eat with your fellow Humanists and relax.

I will see you there,

-Shawn