Meeting place may change

At the HAT meeting last Sunday, president Randy Bradley said we might be moving our meeting place back to our former location, the building which now house the TCCL Genealogy Center.

I believe this location would be more centrally located for most of our membership.

August calendar

August 2009
Activities of Interest to Freethinkers

Sat.., Aug. 1, 7:00 PM
Movie Night at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th

Sat., Aug. 8, 2:00 PM
Secular Singers, Storey House, 4630 S. Victor

Sun., Aug. 9, 1:00 PM
Humanist Study Group, Bradley House, 6705 E. 54th St.

Tues., Aug. 11, 7:00 PM
Liberal Action Network, Zarrow Library, 2224 W. 51st St.

Wed., Aug. 12, 12:45 PM
ALGAE Luncheon, White River Fish Mkt., 1708 N. Sheridan

Sun., Aug. 16, 1:15 PM
Humanist August Meeting, Hardesty Library, on 93rd east of Memorial. Brian Hill will review When I’m Sixty-Four.

Wed., Aug. 19 , 7:00 PM
TAM Mid-Month Social, The Local Table, 4329 S. Peoria

Sat., Aug 22, 11:30 AM
Food & Fellowship, Monterrey’s, east side of Fontana Center

Sun., Aug. 23, 1:00 PM
Tulsa Atheists Meetup, Agora Coffee House, Fontana Center



To print out this schedule on a calendar page, click here:
http://humanism.meetup.com/201/calendar/

--------------------------------
Questions? Contact Randy at 622-6975 or Dan at 798-3629.

Photos from HAT meeting 7-19-09

(left to right) Keith McCartney, Bea McCartney, Jackie Martin, Bill Dusenberry, Dave Tinney, Dawn Bradley
(

Here are some photos taken at the HAT meeting on July 19. The top photo shows speaker Fred Edwords addressing our group. We had a record crowd at this meeting: 26.
Fred spoke to us about the Tulsa United Coalition of Reason. Following the meeting Fred held a seminar on getting publicity for our group. Later representatives of TUCAR met at The Local Table for further discussion.

Calendar for July 2009

July 2009
Activities of Interest to Freethinkers

Sat., July 4, 7:00 PM
Movie Night at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th

Tues., July 7, 7:00 PM
Liberal Action Network, Zarrow Library, 2224 W. 51st St.

Sat., July 11, 2:00 PM
Secular Singers, Storey House, 4630 S. Victor

Sun., July 12, 1:00 PM
Humanist Study Group, Bradley House, 6705 E. 54th St.

Wed., July 15, 12:45 PM
ALGAE Luncheon, White River Fish Mkt., 1708 N. Sheridan

Sat., July 18 9:00 AM
Riverside Loop Walk, Pedestrian Bridge, 31st and Riverside Dr.

Sat., July 18, 7:00 PM
TAM Mid-Month Social, La Hacienda, 4518 S. Peoria

Sun., July 19, 1:15 PM
Humanist July Meeting, Hardesty Library, 8316 E. 93rd

Sat., July 25, 11:30 AM
Food & Fellowship, Rib Crib, 5025 S. Sheridan

Sun., July 26, 1:00 PM
Tulsa Atheists Meetup, Agora Coffee House, Fontana Center

To print out this schedule on a calendar page, click here:
http://humanism.meetup.com/201/calendar/

--------------------------------
Questions? Contact Randy at 622-6975 or Dan at 798-3629.

June 21 meeting canceled

The June 21st meeting of the Humanist Assn. of Tulsa has been canceled. There will be a gathering to celebrate the summer solstice on June 20 at Randy's house. Randy lives at 6705 E. 54th St. All humanists, atheists, and freethinkers are invited to attend the celebration. Randy's phone number is 622-6975.

Results of HAT board meeting

The HAT board met on May 25 (Memorial Day) at the home of Randy Bradley. All members of the board were present, namely, Randy Bradley, president; Marilyn Clarke, vice-president; Dan Nerren, secretary and treasurer; Brian Hill, program director. We discussed a number of issues including the following:

(a) Purchase of a canopy tent

Randy will be selecting a canopy tent to be purchased so that we might have shelter from the sun while engaging in tabling at events in the future. When he has chosen an item to be purchased, he will email the other board members with information concerning the tent.

(b) Advertising

Randy will also seek to get notices placed in the Tulsa World newspaper announcing meeting times and venues.

Dan will check on the cost of ads in the Oklahoma Observer.

Marilyn will do the same for Urban Tulsa.

(c) Activities for our chapter

We talked about possible activities for our members to take part in. Randy suggested we go on a volkswalk sometime. I will check on the next volkswalk in the Tulsa area.
***********************

I checked on the cost of ads in the Observer, and was told they cost $20 each (business card size on back page).

The next volkswalk in the area will be the "Riverside Loop" walk set for Saturday, July 18. The walk will start in the morning. I should be getting more details about the walk, which I will pass along later. You should have two options, though. There will be both a 5K (3.1 miles) and a 10K (6.2 miles) walk.

May 2009 Calendar

May 2009
Activities of Interest to Freethinkers

Sat., May 2, 7:00 pm
Movie Night at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th

Sun., May 10, 1:00 pm
Humanist Study Group at Randy’s, 6705 E. 54th.

Sun., May 17, 1:15 pm
Humanist Meeting at Hardesty Library. Brian Hill will speak on the topic “Humanism: Its Past, Present, and Future.”

Sat., May 23, 11:30 am
Food & Fellowship, location TBA.

Sun., May 24, 1:00 pm
Tulsa Atheists Meetup at Agora Coffee House, Fontana Center.

There will be no meeting of Secular Singers, Liberal Action Network, or ALGAE this month. If there are additional meetings that need to be added to the calendar, please call me at 798-3629.

Calendar for March 2009

March 2009
Activities of Interest to Freethinkers

Fri., Mar. 6, 1:00pm
Dawkins Expedition to OU. Leave from the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th St.

Sun., Mar. 8, 1:00 pm
Humanist Study Group at Randy’s, 6705 E. 54th.

Tues., Mar. 10, 7:00 pm
Liberal Action Network at Zarrow Library.

Sat., Mar. 14, 2:00 pm
Secular Singers at Gail’s house, 4630 S. Victor.

Sun., Mar. 15, 1:00 pm
Humanist Meeting at Hardesty Library. Brian Hill will show a 45-minute DVD of the actual Frost/Nixon dialogue.

Wed., Mar. 18, 12:30 pm
ALGAE at White River Fish Market, 1708 N. Sheridan.

Wed., Mar. 18, 7:00 pm
Atheists Meetup Mid-Month Social Gathering. Venue: The Local Table, 4329 S. Peoria.

Sun., Mar. 22, 1:00 pm
Tulsa Atheists Meetup at Agora Coffee House, Fontana Center.

Sat., Mar. 28, 11:30 am
Food & Fellowship at Te Kei’s, 1616 S. Utica.

Sat., Mar. 28, 2:00 pm
FFRF Tulsa, Brookside Library


Questions? Call Randy at 622-6975 or Dan at 798-3629.

February Freethought Calendar

February 2009
Activities of Interest to Freethinkers

Sat., Feb. 7, 7:00pm
Movie Night at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th St. Movie selection: TBA

Sun., Feb. 8, 1:00 pm
Humanist Study Group at Randy’s, 6705 E. 54th

Tues., Feb. 10, 7:00 pm
Liberal Action Network at Zarrow Library.ª

Sat., Feb. 14, 2:00 pm
Secular Singers at Gail’s house, 4630 S. Victor. I now have the music for “Life Every Voice and Sing.” Join us as we sing this and many other songs.

Sun., Feb. 15, 1:00 pm
Humanist Meeting at Hardesty Library. See note below.*

Wed., Feb. 18, 7:00 pm
Atheists Meetup Mid-Month Social Gathering. Venue: Rib Crib, 5025 S. Sheridan. For menu go to www.ribcrib.com.

Sun., Feb. 22, 1:00 pm
Tulsa Atheists Meetup at Agora Coffee House, Fontana Center.

Sat., Feb. 28, 11:30 am
Food & Fellowship at The Rice Bowl, 4307B S. Sheridan. Menu with prices can be found at www.thericebowlcafe.com.

ªFor the first time in Oklahoma history both houses of the state legislature are controlled by the Republicans. Those of us with liberal values must write to our legislators and let them know where we stand on the issues. If the laws which the legislature enact have any importance to you, please show up and add your voice to ours.

*Program by Brian Hill: A half hour DVD lecture on the immediate fallout of Darwin's theory on British and American scientific communities in the 19th century.

Questions? Call Randy at 622-6975 or Dan at 798-3629.

January 2009 Calendar

January 2009
Activities of Interest to Freethinkers

Sat., Jan. 3, 7:00pm
Movie Night at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th St. Movie selection: TBA

Sat., Jan. 10, 2:00 pm
Secular Singers at Gail’s house, 4630 S. Victor

Sun., Jan 11, 1:00 pm
Humanist Study Group at Randy’s, 6705 E. 54th

Tues., Jan. 13, 7:00 pm
Liberal Action Network at Zarrow Library.

Wed., Jan. 14, 7:00 pm
Atheists Meetup Mid-Month Social Gathering. Venue: La Hacienda, 4518 S. Peoria

Sun., Jan 18, 1:00 pm
Humanist Meeting at Hardesty Library. Program by Marilyn Clarke.

Sat., Jan. 24, 11:30 am
Food & Fellowship. at La Hacienda, 4518 S. Peoria

Sun., Jan. 25, 1:00 pm
Tulsa Atheists Meetup at Agora Coffee House, Fontana Center.


Questions? Call Randy at 622-6975 or Dan at 798-3629.

HAT meeting 11-16-08

There were 14 people at the November 2008 HAT meeting.

Randy announced that the annual Human Light (see www.HumanLight.org) celebration will be on December 21, 2008 at his house. Randy and Dawn will serve a meal, followed by the Secular Singers leading the group in song. Next, Marilyn Clarke will have a play for us to read.

Randy read a few poems including “Who Are My People” by Rosa Zagnoni Marinoni, “I Am” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, and “Every Child” by Hafiz. Next, Barbara Frey read a poem she had written many years ago, “Credo Contempore.” Lastly, Bob Hooper read a poem by Robert Browning, “My Last Duchess.”

I took a photo of the group. It can be seen at our meetup site.

I passed around a sheet of paper so that everyone present could list what information they wanted included in our new directory.

Nominations were received for offices for next year. The present officers were willing to serve another term. No one volunteered to run against the present officers.

Bill Dusenberry spoke about affiliating with a national organization and recommended the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Affiliation with FFRF would benefit us by making available to us various assets that affiliates receive.

Brian Hill gave a review of the book Camelot and the Cultural Revolution: How the Assassination of John F. Kennedy Shattered American Liberalism by James Piereson. The discussion of the book went off on a tangent when the subject of the number of gunmen involved in the incident came up.

November Freethought Schedule

November 2008 Activities of Interest to Freethinkers

November 2008
Activities of Interest to Freethinkers

Sat., Nov. 1, 7:00pm Movie Night at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th St.
Movie selection: TBA

Sat., Nov. 8, 2:00 pm Secular Singers, meet at Gail’s house, 4630 S. Victor Ave.

Sun., Nov. 9, 1:00pm Humanist Study Group at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th. We will listen to and discuss a Point of Inquiry podcast.

Tues., Nov. 11, 7:00 pm Liberal Action Network at Agora Coffee House, Fontana Center.

Sat., Nov. 15, 7:00 pm Atheists Meetup Mid-Month Social Gathering. Venue TBA

Sun., Nov. 16, 1:00pm HAT Monthly Membership Meeting at Hardesty Library, 93rd and Memorial. Brain Hill will review the book Camelot and the Cultural Revolution: How the Assassination of John F. Kennedy Shattered American Liberalism by James Piereson.

Sat., Nov. 22, 11:30am Food & Fellowship at The Rib Crib, 6902 S. Lewis.

Sun., Nov. 23, 1:00pm Atheists Meetup at Agora Coffee House, Fontana Center.


Questions? Call Randy at 622-6975 or Dan at 798-3629.

HAT Meeting, 10-19-08

Eight people were present for today’s HAT meeting. Randy phoned me this morning and said he had twisted a knee and would not be coming. I gave the financial report and the membership report. Then I read a selection from Atheist Universe by David Mills. John and Bob also read selections.

Brian gave a review of Just How Stupid Are We?: Facing the Truth About the American Voter. Everytime Brian addresses our group I am reminded of how fortunate we are to have him as a member.

General discussion followed the talk until a little past 3 pm.

October 2008 Activities of Interest to Freethinkers

Fri., Oct 3, 7:00 am
The Breakfast Club with Kimberly Burdick will hold its inaugural meeting on this date. The primary purpose for this Atheists Meetup is to provide an opportunity for those whose work schedule keeps them from meeting with us at other times to be a part of our group.

Fri., Oct. 3, 7:30 pm
Group viewing of “Religulous” at Circle Cinema. Will go out for food following the movie.

Sat., Oct. 4, 7:00pm
Movie Night at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th St. Movie selection: Uncounted: The New Math of American Elections. This documentary shows how election fraud changed the outcome of the 2004 election and led to even greater fraud in 2006. The documentary reveals how easy it is to change election outcomes and undermine election integrity across the U.S. Running time: 80 minutes.

Sun., Oct. 5, 2:30 pm
OCCJ March. Join the 2-mile march which starts at 322 N. Greenwood. Enjoy barbecue afterwards.

Sat., Oct. 11, 2:00 pm
Secular Singers, meet at Dan’s house, 4925 Spruce, Sand Springs

Sun., Oct. 12, 1:00pm
Humanist Study Group at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th. We will listen to and discuss a Point of Inquiry podcast.

Tues., Oct. 14, 7:00 pm
Liberal Action Network at Agora Coffee House, Fontana Center.

Wed., Oct. 15, 12:30 am
ALGAE luncheon at White River Fish Market, 1708 N. Sheridan. This is the final weekday luncheon of the year. Note the new time.

Wed., Oct. 15, 7:00 pm
Atheists Meetup Mid-Month Social Gathering. Venue TBA

Sun., Oct. 19, 1:00pm
HAT Monthly Membership Meeting at Hardesty Library, 93rd and Memorial. Brain Hill will review the book Just How Stupid Are We?: Facing the Truth About the American Voter.

Sat., Oct. 25, 11:30am
Food & Fellowship at Lanna Thai, 7227 S. Memorial.

Sun., Oct. 26, 1:00pm
Atheists Meetup at Agora Coffee House, Fontana Center.


Questions? Call Randy at 622-6975 or Dan at 798-3629.

September 2008 Calendar

Sat., Sept. 6, 7:00pm
Movie Night at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th St.
Gail and Dan will perform a duet at the piano by Eugenie Rocherolle. Feature presentation to be selected that evening.

Wed., Sept. 10, 7:00pm
Atheists Meetup Mid-month Social Gathering at The Royal Dragon in the Fontana Center.

Sun., Sept. 14, 1:00pm
Humanist Study Group at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th. We will listen to and discuss a Point of Inquiry podcast.

Wed., Sept. 17, 11:15 am
ALGAE luncheon at White River Fish Market, 1708 N. Sheridan. This month and next we revive our luncheon at White River. Come have a bowl of gumbo or red beans and rice with us.

Sun., Sept. 21, 1:00pm
HAT Monthly Membership Meeting at Hardesty Library, 93rd and Memorial. Brain Hill will review the book The Gross National Happiness: Why Happiness Matters for America and How We Can Get More of It by Arthur C. Brooks.

Sat., Sept. 27, 11:30am
Food & Fellowship at The Royal Dragon in the Fontana Center.

Sun., Sept. 28, 1:00pm
Atheists Meetup at Agora Coffee House, Fontana Center.

Secular Singers will not meet this month. Same goes for the Liberal Action Network.
Both of these events should be back on the October calendar.

Questions? Call Randy at 622-6975 or Dan at 798-3629.

HAT happenings

Our humanist chapter met twice this week. On Sunday, August 17, we met at Hardesty Library for our third Sunday membership meeting. There were 14 people in attendance at this meeting. Randy spoke about purchasing a tent for tabling purposes, but no action was taken on the matter.

Randy next read a poem by William Blake: "Auguries of Innocence." We don’t hear the word “auguries” used much anymore. It means “omens” or “portents.”

For my part as Secretary and Treasurer, I reported that we have $1588.61 in the treasury, and the membership total is now 27.

I read two selections for my contribution to our literary reflections time. The first was written by Kenneth C. Davis and was from his recent book American’s Hidden History. The second was written by comedian Lewis Black and is found in his book Me of Little Faith. It seemed that many of the fourteen present had much they wished to talk about this day. We were engaged in lively conversation until someone made the observation that Brian had a program to present. Brian showed a portion of a 4-hour PBS special on Sigmund Freud and C. S. Lewis.

On Saturday, August 23, once again 14 people showed up for Food & Fellowship at Helen of Troy on South Lewis. (It was the same gang of 14, with the exception of four.) We had Greek/Mediterranean food. Some of us were surprised to learn that Bob N, had a new tattoo on his upper left arm. I say some of us, because with 14 people lined up at one long table, those on the north end of the table might have missed out on what was going on down on the south end.

Library dedication, fitness center, drumming

Yesterday was a busy day for me. I did three things: attended the dedication of the new Kaiser Library; joined the fitness center at Tulsa Community College (West campus), and attended the drum circle at the Price house.



The library dedication lasted 45 minutes – not quite the two hours Jan had predicted. The event was larger than I had expected. It was held in the gymnasium of the new community center. The library/community center is all under on roof. One strange aspect of the dedication was the tree watering. A small tree (maybe six feet high in a planter) which is normally at the entrance of the library was moved into the gym. Inasmuch as it is associated with a library, the tree was referred to as “the tree of knowledge.” In the story of Adam and Eve, there is also a “tree of knowledge” (of good and evil), from which grows the forbidden fruit. The symbolic watering of the tree was a way of indicating a hope for the nourishment of the tree. Someone remarked that the complex was to serve the whole person: the library will serve the mind; the community center the body. Did anyone else, I wonder, think of the connection to the Garden of Eden story?



There were many people at the dedication, maybe two to three hundred. I recognized many people at the gathering. Tulsa mayor Kathy Taylor was there, along with former Tulsa mayor Bill LaFortune. (The library was built on the grounds of LaFortune Park.) Speaking at the event were Richard Bales (park director), Fred Perry (chairman of the county commission), Bob Dick (a former county commissioner), LaVerne Ford Wimberly (chairman of the library commission), Bonnie Henke (president-elect of the Tulsa Library Trust Board), Bill LaFortune, and Linda Saferite (head of the Tulsa City-County Library).



Funds for building the Community Center came from the Vision 2025 tax; funds for building the Kaiser Library came from private donations. Among the donors contributing to the building of the library is the Humanist Association of Tulsa. The words “Humanist Association of Tulsa” appear on a plaque near the entrance to the library.



Entertainment at the dedication was provided by a band featuring a steel drum. Steel Around is the name of the band. They played several songs including “Yellow Bird,” and “Brown-Eyed Girl.” Refreshments were served, also.



In the afternoon, we went to the TCC campus and joined the fitness center there. We had to have a picture ID made and then pay the fee to use the facility. We then returned home and I took a nap. We returned to the fitness center later in the afternoon and walked for thirty minutes. The walking track is above the basketball court and circles the court. Several exercise machines are available to use. Down on the basketball court were several people attending a lecture of some kind with a powerpoint presentation.



In the evening I attended my drumming group at the Price house. Craig (former drum circle member) called while we were there, saying he may be back with more stories of his adventures.

Movie Night report

There were just seven members who showed up for Movie Night last night. Present were Randy and Dawn, Jan and myself, and Marilyn, Gail, and Steven. After Gail and I played our duets, we viewed the movie The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Gail brought some lemon bars, and we had the usual popcorn and soft drinks.

August 2008 Activities of Interest to Freethinkers

Sat., August 2, 7:00pm
Movie Night at the Bradleys, 6705 E. 54th St.
Gail and Dan will perform duets at the piano by Wohlfarht and Mozart. Feature presentation to be decided that evening.

Sat., August 9, 2:00pm
Secular Singers at home of Gail Storey, 4630 S. Victor Ave. There will be a whole lot of hootin’ and hollarin’ going on. All welcome.

Sun., August 10, 1:00pm
Humanist Study Group at Randy’s, 6705 E. 54th St. Topic: TBA

Sun., August 17, 1:00pm
HAT Monthly Membership Meeting at Hardesty Library, 93rd and Memorial. Yes, we are still meeting at Hardesty. Brian Hill will be showing selections from the PBS special “The Question of God.”

Sat., August 23, 11:30am
Food & Fellowship at Helen of Troy, 6700 S. Lewis.

Sun., August 24, 1:00pm
Atheists Meetup at Agora Coffee House, Fontana Center.



Questions? Call Randy at 622-6975 or Dan at 798-3629.

Food & Fellowship

We had our monthly Food & Fellowship gathering today at Billy Sims’s Barbecue at The Farm shopping center near 51st and Sheridan. There were a dozen of us there enjoying barbecue sandwiches and “fixins” (potato salad, baked beans, chips, etc.). The group included Marilyn C., Marilyn G., Brian, Bob H., Richard, Larry R., Dawn, Randy, Kim, Ron, and Jan and myself.

Down at my end of the table, the conversation was mostly about energy (the high price of, new sources of, wind as, effect of China and India’s growing demand for, etc.). I usually learn something new at these gatherings, and today was no exception. I learned from Richard that there are a series of short (usually 2 to 5 minutes in length) skits that go by the name of “Mr. Deity” which you can find on YouTube, or you can just Google “Mr. Deity” at your computer. I don’t know how many episodes there are of Mr. Deity, but I just finished watching the first five. The link to Episode 1 is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzf8q9QHfhI&NR=1

It’s funny, but at the same time it’s not funny.

After we had finished eating, we all got in our respective vehicles and drove over to the new Kaiser Library in LaFortune Park. We saw the name of our chapter, “Humanist Association of Tulsa,” on a wall which recognized groups or individuals who had made donations toward the building of the library.

We spoke with a librarian who seemed to indicate there would be no problem with reserving the meeting room in the library. The person in charge of meeting room reservations was not there at the time of our visit, but Randy got his phone number to contact him later. As it turns out, the meeting room had already been reserved for the times we wished to reserve it. So our meetings will continue to be held at Hardesty Library at the usual time on the usual day.

The community center portion of the building is not yet open, but should be open by September. There is a possibility we might move there this fall, if we are able to reserve a meeting room in that part of the building.