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SPEAKERS
The Biggest Health
Care Crisis You’ve Never Heard About
Jerry Yee, M.D.
The tsunami that is end-stage renal disease threatens the already eroding
shoreline of Medicare’s budget. How did this seemingly small undercurrent
become one of our nation's greatest health crises? Dr. Yee is Chief of
Nephrology for Henry Ford Health System and he will take you through this
wave by wave.
Great Lakes
Shipwrecks
Jene Quirin
Hear the facts and theories concerning the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
from one of the first people to dive on and photograph the most famous
wreck in the Great Lakes. Mr. Quirin is a trustee of the Great Lakes
Shipwreck Historical Society and Museum, as well as being an accomplished
photographer and diver whose work has been published in National
Geographic and numerous books.
Environmental
Bioremediation
Barry Rosen, Ph.D.
Arsenic contamination of water and soil is a naturally occurring,
widespread problem. Well water in the Detroit area is not exempt. Current
methods of rectifying contamination are difficult and expensive, yet
arsenic removal is critical for maintaining human health. Dr. Rosen is
creating genetically modified yeast and plants that absorb arsenic from
their surroundings and retain it for easy disposal, providing an elegant
solution that could prove simple enough to use in underdeveloped
countries.
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The Great Shakespeare
Debate
Mark McPherson
Did he or didn’t he? Determining the true authorship of works attributed
to Shakespeare has been called the greatest literary detective story in
the world.
Actor/historian Mark McPherson will help guide us through the pros and
cons of this thorny issue. In 1989, Mr. McPherson produced, directed and
performed in “The Great Shakespeare Duel,” which aired as a PBS
documentary. As a consequence of that event and its controversial verdict
(a majority of the 300 audience members voted “nay” to Shakespeare), Mr.
McPherson was invited to England. There he assisted the prosecutorial team
in the much-ballyhooed “Shakespeare Moot,” in which the reputations of
Shakespeare and the Earl of Oxford (a leading contender in the true
authorship debate) were pitted against each other.
The Heidelberg
Project
Jenenne Whitfield
Detroit artist Tyree Guyton has transformed a street in a run-down
neighborhood into internationally renowned artwork. Houses are covered in
polka dots, pennies, dolls, and cast-off shoes. The artwork has been the
focus of both admiration and controversy: without warning, former Detroit
Mayor Coleman Young razed the project in 1991, but it quickly sprung back
amidst public outcries.
Ms. Whitfield is the Executive Director of the
Heidelberg Project. She will share
their Emmy Award Winning Documentary entitled Come Unto Me, the Faces of
Tyree Guyton. She will also discuss the Project’s message of tolerance and
its role in fostering artists today.
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Dark Matter and Dark
Energy in the Weird Universe
Harry Ringermacher, Ph.D.
The universe is weirder than you can imagine. We (all the type of matter
we are familiar with - atoms, planets, stars) comprise about 4% of the
universe. The rest is Dark Matter and Dark Energy. What's that? "Doc"
Harry will do his best to bring it down to earth.
“Doc Harry” Ringermacher earned his Ph.D. in Physics in 1980 from
Washington University (St. Louis). He has been with the General Electric
Research Center in Schenectady, NY since 1997 working on infrared imaging
and laser techniques. He has numerous publications and patents in these
fields. His avocation is Einstein’s theory of General Relativity upon
which he publishes and has recently won a $100,000 NASA contract to
investigate his own work. Harry is also a Mensan.
Bat
Conservation featuring Live Bats!
Organization for Bat Conservation
Find out why bats are so wonderful! Learn about the diversity of bats,
their benefits, and why their numbers are decreasing. We’ll discuss
conservation and bat houses. We’ll also see live U.S. bats, South American
bats, and rare African bats with 4-foot wingspans, and by that time you’ll
know better than to be afraid of them ever again!
Stained Glass
Karen Carney
Think making stained glass is too difficult? Think it’s too expensive to
be your new hobby? Think again. Karen Carney, artist and owner of
Custom Stained Glass, will share
some of her work and answer questions relating to the hobby. Mrs. Carney’s
customers have included the White House, the Archdiocese of Detroit, and
DuMouchelle Art Gallery.
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Advantage Gambling:
Nibbling Away at the House
Scott Katz
If you would like to know how to win enough money in Las Vegas to help pay
for this year's AG, join us at this overview of “advantage” casino gaming.
Advantage gaming opportunities are those that allow skilled players to win
money over the long term. Learn what games to play and, more importantly,
what games not to play! Even if you're not a high roller, this
presentation can help you locally, and in Vegas!
Scott Katz has been involved in SEMM and Chicago Mensa for five years. He
has developed his long-term interest in probability both professionally as
an actuary and recreationally as a semi-professional gambler. His strategy
for the Pick’em Poker game has been published in "Strictly Slots" magazine
and as a standalone player aid. He has also earned five-figure incomes for
each of the last four years through playing strictly advantage gaming
opportunities.
The Seven Steps to Book
Publishing
Jenny Deason Tichenor
SEMM’s own Jenny Deason Tichenor will give a talk about the process of
book publishing. The discussion will be followed by a Q&A session and book
sales of her newly released first fictional novel, "New Shoes for
Elizabeth" at the back of the room. The author will sign all books upon
request.
Computers
Sandy Johnson & Beth Weiss
Next installment in an ongoing series of Internet and computer tutorials
for “the rest of us.”
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Sexuality & Sensuality
Skinner
This is part of an ongoing series of discussions on the issues surrounding
Sexuality and Sensuality. Hugs, back rubs, dancing, and playing cards are
all ways we connect at an RG. These activities fill a need that has been
with us since birth. Join us as we discuss ways to satisfy these “needs”
in our day-to-day lives.
HOSPITALITY
Saturday & Sunday Continental
Breakfast
A delicious variety of breakfast pastries, bagels, and cereal will be
available for those “morning people.” We will also have fruit, juice,
boiled eggs and a selection of other items.
Friday Pizza
Dinner
After your long (or not so long) trek to join us in Troy, we’ve got just
the thing to restore your energy. We will have a variety of regular &
vegetarian pizzas. Also soup & salad for those who don’t want pizza.
Saturday
Chinese Lunch
Our immensely popular Chinese buffet is back! We’ll have Steak Kow, Almond
Chicken, General Tso’s Chicken, Sweet & Sour Pork, Vegetarian Entrée,
Rice, Fortune Cookies & more.
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Saturday Pita
Dinner
A selection of delectable pita sandwiches will be served. We’ll also have
salad and soup. The hotel front desk has a restaurant list available for
those who choose to go out to one of Troy’s numerous eating
establishments.
Saturday Ice Cream
Social
When was the last time Mensans needed an excuse to be social? There will
be a variety of frozen treats to socialize over, including ice cream
sandwiches, cones & non-dairy ice pops.
Bloody Mary
Morning
Mari Senko
The traditional (adults only) Breakfast of Champions™.
Derby Day Party
Col. Peter Beauregard Brown & Miss Rebecca Sue Brown
Join us as the sport of kings presents the most exciting two minutes in
sports. Bring your flowery bonnets, sip on authentic mint juleps and sing
“My Old Kentucky Home” as we cheer on the Run for the Roses. You don’t
have to know Seattle Slew from the Seattle Pilots to enjoy this event (the
rules to thoroughbred racing are simple: make your horse run fast and turn
left at the corner).
Wine Tasting
Kathleen Giesting & Spencer Wolff
Unsure what options you have other than white or red? What do you choose
if you have a mix of entrees coming to the table and you are the host? Is
it OK to mix red and white wines (a) at the table, (b) within a meal, (c)
in your glass? Join us to taste some wine and learn some wine manners to
impress your friends.
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Chocoholic Delight
Petra Kowalis, Petra’s Patisserie
There will be truffles, brownies and petits fours. There will be
chocolate-covered strawberries. All share one important ingredient –
CHOCOLATE!! Lemon treats for a change of pace.
Mimosas
Lynne Draper
Join the ever-elegant Lynne Draper for a bit of refined morning
sunshine—Mensan style.
GAMES AND CONTESTS
Games Workshop
John Daniels
Now’s the time to experience the childhood you never had! Several of
SEMM’s dedicated gamers will be on hand to teach you a new game. Strategy
games and German imports are our specialties—this is not your parents’
Monopoly™.
Bridge Tournament
Ed Becker
Bring your own partner or we will try to match you up. This is a
non-sanctioned event, and the idea is to have fun. Come and try duplicate
bridge, where you don’t have to hold all the good cards to win!
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Carnelli
Jean Becker
Carnelli is a word-association game created by Mensan Jan Carnell. Players
link titles of copyrighted (or copyrightable) works (e.g., novels, songs,
films) by means of common words, creator, etc. The Carnelli Master
reserves the right to be capricious, subjective, arbitrary, impetuous,
whimsical, fickle, irregular, changeable even, but, in all cases, final.
Punsters welcome. Preliminary rounds allow “reinCarnelliation” so new
players can practice.
Euchre Tournament
Sandy Johnson
No partner is needed, but a working knowledge of euchre is. Here’s a great
chance for you card sharks to make some new friends or to say ‘hey’ to the
buds you met at last year’s tourney.
Armchair Treasure
Hunt
Jay Smith & Helen Kupper
This is a (sort of) sedentary game in which teams compete to discover real
and imaginary locations from obscure, really obscure and fiendishly
obscure pictorial clues. Join a team or bring your own.
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Mensa Bowl
Lynne & James Draper
Mensa Bowl is the annual showcase event where all of that trivia you have
effortlessly absorbed for years starting with Howdy Doody in the 50’s may
actually be useful. Here’s your chance to show us that you really do know
it all. For twenty straight years at SEMMantics, Mensa Bowl has been a
Saturday afternoon favorite. Loosely based on the old college bowl format,
each team is asked alternating questions. There’s Mensanesque strategy
involved. Should your team take the easy 10-point question, the moderately
difficult 20-pointer, or the much more difficult but
oh-so-satisfying-if-you-get-it-right 50-pointer that might enable you to
jump into a commanding lead? Watch strategies develop and ripostes fly as
teams jockey for position and points to win the bragging rights as 2004
Mensa Bowl Champs. The team with the best score at the end of each round
advances to the next until a final winner is determined.
ENTERTAINMENT
Infamous Lingerie
Show
Alan Baltis & Vikki Broida
Immodest fun for Adults Only. Show your encouragement for our models or
volunteer to strut your stuff. Talk to anyone wearing a nifty rainbow
ribbon if you’d like to model. Models of all types are welcome—lingerie
will be supplied, or bring your own!
Saturday Evening Dance
Dance the night away with our professional DJ, Tony Piazza. He’ll be
spinning the CDs while you spin your partner.
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MISCELLANEOUS STUFF
Meet the AMC/ProxyQuest
Jean Becker, Charlie Bruce, et al.
The next time little green men approach you and say, “Take me to your
Mensa leaders,” would you know whom to call? American Mensa Chair Jean
Becker, Region 3 Vice Chair Charlie Bruce, and members of the SEMM
Executive Committee will be available to answer questions about Mensa and
SEMM in general and ProxyQuest in particular. Here’s your chance to match
the names of the officers with their faces and have your voice heard.
If you haven’t yet submitted your proxy to amend American Mensa’s
Certificate of Incorporation, find out why it’s crucial that you do so. We
will attempt to have a computer available for you to enter your proxy
while you’re thinking about it.
RG 101
The RG Committee
If you’ve never been to an RG—or SEMMantics—before, you might not know
what to expect. Worried about making friends? Come get a warm welcome from
the RG committee and other movers and shakers. We’ll let you in on our
favorite tips and tricks and help you get acclimated.
Hell’s Ms
Skinner
Mensa’s Party SIG invites you to find out what the fuss is about. Want to
know how to get one of those black T-shirts? Attend the meeting for
current and potential Hell’s Ms and learn what is going on with the Party
SIG. Members: don’t forget to vote for Party Animal on Sunday morning!
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Mensa Proctor Training
and Test Session
Pauline Averbach
SEMM’s Proctor Coordinator will be administering the official Mensa
entrance exams. The testing fee is $30 for scoring purposes. Members who
are in need of timed testing experience to fulfill the proctor
certification requirements are encouraged to attend.
New Member Open House
The RG Committee et al.
If you missed RG 101 yesterday, here’s your chance for a make up session.
We’d also like to meet you if you’re a new (or newly active) member. We’ll
clue you in on everything SEMM does when we’re NOT partying at SEMMantics.
Brandy & Cigars
James Draper, Spencer Wolff & Peter M. Brown
Savor some politically incorrect “forbidden pleasures.” Formal wear is
optional but encouraged, so dig out your old prom dress or tux. Talking in
affected accents is expected.
Stretching
Exercises
Skinner & Yvonne
Skinner and Yvonne will lead a mid-morning exercise class to help you get
stretched out and ready to party (and to help you recover from last
night’s partying). The program consists of various non-aerobic stretching
exercises—or you can just veg out in hospitality and eat a pastry.
Friends of Bill W.
For Mensans and guests who are actively practicing a twelve-step program.
Not for observers or the curious, please.
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