kimblr.com

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg discussed the disconnect between science and society in the opening address on Wednesday morning at a novel event, the inaugural World Science Festival.
The four-day conclave — involving panels, dance performances, juggling acts and other presentations dealing with science — was conceived by a team led by Brian Greene, the physicist and science popularizer, as a way to celebrate science. But it is clearly also aimed at restoring science to a position of respect and prominence in society.*
After an opening quip about his scene in “Sex and the City” ending up on the cutting-room floor, Mr. Bloomberg framed his speech around “the tragic lag between what we know and what we do.”
He focused on smoking, reviewing how the tobacco industry spent decades sprinkling doubt into discussions of science showing links between smoking (and secondhand smoke) and cancer and other illness. While many wealthy countries have moved to constrain and tax smoking, the world, Mr. Bloomberg said, is still on a path toward a billion smoking-related deaths in this century.
He then shifted to climate and energy, describing how science has been distorted not only by industries and anti-regulatory groups, but also political operatives working within government agencies. The latest example, Mr. Bloomberg said, was the ongoing politics-driven push to subsidize ethanol from corn.
He said he learned a dictum in early jobs on Wall Street that can apply far beyond the realm of finance: “In God we trust. Everyone else, bring data.”
Then the first panel began, comfortably far from the realm of policy relevance, with a discussion among leading scientists of dark energy, the nature of consciousness, and the fate of the universe, led by Alan Alda.
[* Full disclosure: I’m running a panel (pro bono) on Saturday night about providing adequate energy to a growing human population on a finite planet.]

dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com

West Indian Girl at this weekend’s Lightning in a Bottle Festival. They play Thur. @ Temple Bar | iPhone Photo by Scott Kampmeyer/LAist
The stars must be aligned, this week is full of music goodness. Today may be a holiday, but that doesn’t mean there is a sonic dry spell out there. And while Lightning in a Bottle has ended, two festivals still go on today: Jazz Reggae Festival at UCLA and Topanga Days up in Topanga. And you can’t beat getting into the Viper Room for free by taking Metro, can you?
This week also marks many beginnings and celebrations. For one, Green Day side project, the Foxboro Hot Tubs, play two concerts locally as part of their first tour (from the band’s website: “Tickets for these shows will not be available until the day of the show at the venue box office ONLY. Tickets will be $20 cash. There is a two ticket maximum per person”). Also playing two concerts are the ingenues, The Like, who’ve had a long break since last Fall. Over at the Hollywood Bowl concerts start picking up with The Police, R.E.M., Modeest Mouse and others.
And on a more level, there’s a benefit concert for Griffith Park featuring Ludacris and Tommy Lee at the Greek Theatre, Afro Funke, Zanzibar’s Thursday night club, will celebrate its fifth anniversary and three very good new bands play Tuesday night at the Silverlake Lounge in a show presented by Rockinsider and Web In Front.
Listings are below after the jump…
Topanga Days @ Topanga, CA
Jazz Reggae Festival @ UCLA
Castledoor, Hecuba, Fire in Cairo @ Detroit Bar (Costa Mesa)
Anavan, Attractive & Popular, Voodoo Organist @ pehrspace
Le Switch, The Minor Canon, The World Record, Vanessa Micale @ The Echo
Mezzanine Owls, The Quarter After, Asteroid #4, Exitmusic @ Spaceland

laist.com

Seattle Maritime Festival
SAT Tugboat parade, 1:15 p.m. Saturday, tugboat races, 2 p.m. Saturday, from Pier 86 to Pier 57; chowder cook-off, Coast Guard sea-air rescue demonstrations, free admission to Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center at Pier 66, free Argosy harbor boat tours, kids’ activities, most events 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Seattle waterfront and Bell Street Pier, Alaskan Way, Seattle (206-728-3163 or www.seattlepropellerclub.org).
Friends of Seattle’s Olmsted Parks Walking Tour
SAT Walking tour of Olmsted-designed parks and boulevards; McGurdy Park, Foster Island and the Arboretum, 10 a.m. Saturday, from Museum of History & Industry, 2700 24th Ave. E., Seattle; no reservations required (425-885-3173).
West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day
SAT More than 100 sales, most 9 a.m.-3 p.m., maps available at West Seattle Library, 2306 42nd Ave. S.W., Seattle; Alki Community Center, 5817 S.W. Stevens St., Seattle, Delridge Library, Senior Center of West Seattle and online (206-293-6302 or westseattlegaragesale.com).
Madrona-Sally Goldmark Library Reopening celebration
SAT Dedication ceremony to reopen newly renovated library with Mayor Greg Nickels, City Councilman Nick Licata, Lulu the Library book fairy, Cajun band La Band Pastiche, noon; Gansango Dance Company, free coffee and snacks, 3 p.m., library open until 6 p.m., noon Saturday, Madrona-Sally Goldmark Library, 1134 33rd Ave., Seattle (206-684-4705 or www.spl.org).
Spirit of West Africa
SAT Traditions of Ghana, Senegal, Benin, Nigeria, Gambia and Guinea with exhibits, marketplace, drum and dance workshops, storytelling, dance and music showing the African roots of hip-hop, jazz and rock, 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Seattle Center House, Seattle (206-684-7200 or www.seattlecenter.com).
Tukwila Backyard Wildlife Festival
SAT Outdoor events and exhibits on “green” gardening and yard care with plant vendors, garden tour, arts and crafts and food vendors, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, kids “Procession of the Species” costume parade, bring a costume or mask or make one 9-11:45 a.m. for noon parade, Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd Ave. S., Tukwila (206-768-2822 or www.tukwila100.com).

seattletimes.nwsource.com

As we all know, the 2008 Spring Arts and Music Festival is coming up this weekend. And this year’s headline act is Mickey Dolenz, of The Monkees.
Since both Micky and I both have hectic schedules, it was a bit hard to get an extended interview with him. However I was able to quickly ask him a few short questions off the top of my head.
Read what he has to say below!
How did you get the Hoboken Gig?
I’ve been doing more and more shows each year … and, this event came into our view … and, we went for it. I love playing on the East Coast … so, here we are. Should be a terrific show … am really looking forward to it. I’m intrigued by the whole affair.
Have you been to Hoboken before? If so, where did you go?
I’m told I had a very good time … the last time. Truth is, it has been a while, but I know it will be terrific. Great audiences and fans there.
What songs do you plan on singing at the festival? Would you take a request from Hoboken residents?
When I play live, I believe I have a responsibility with the audience to play the old songs … and, play them the same way. No reggae version of “Last Train To Clarksville.” Actually, we have a few surprises in store too. As far as requests go … let’s see what happens.
I understand you are also a film director. What do you enjoy more? Performing or directing?
I enjoy them both equally. Directing is another thing entirely … I love directing and intend to do more. Its working another set of muscles, if you will. Just like Broadway, which I’m doing more and more of, AIDA, PIPPIN’ … it is a great exercise.

hoboken411.com

The World of Nations Celebration opens tonight and runs through Sunday at Metropolitan Park, on the river across from Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.
The city-sponsored festival celebrates the world. There will be food, music, dancing and information from 30 nations at the festival - South Africa, The Bahamas, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, India, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Spain, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Senegal, St. Lucia, Taiwan, the U.S., Turkey, Venezuela and Vietnam.
It kicks off tonight with a free International Party from 5 to 9. Ratatouille will be shown.
At 10:30 a.m. Saturday, more than 50 people will become U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony on the main stage. A Parade of Flags, in which children from each country carry their native flags while dressed in traditional clothing, is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday.
The festival runs from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5 for one day; $7, two days; free, kids 3 and under.

jacksonville.com

Current Interest:Elizabeth D. Samet, Soldier’s Heart: Reading Literature Through Peace and War at West Point
We didn’t get all of our picks and predictions right - but we correctly picked Dinaw Mengestu, Karin Fossum and Tim Weiner. We were woefully off the mark in other categories, but that’s what makes the LA Times Book Prizes so interesting…you never know who’ll walk away with the honors.
The Festival of Books is at UCLA today from 10am - 6pm and tomorrow from 10am - 5pm. With hundreds of authors and bookish booths from publishers and booklovers all over the world, there will be something for everyone. And as the emcee of last night’s awards pointed out, it’s the largest annual book event in the world. How can you pass that up?

laist.com

This story was published on Wednesday, April 09, 2008 and is seven or more days old. It is now available by direct access only to subscribers. If you send this link to a non-subscriber, they may not be able to access it.
Dale Springs and his wife plan to boycott the Dogwood Festival.
They’re telling their friends, too.
“A lot of the Fayetteville residents, as well as outside visitors, like to go to the festival every year,” Janet Springs writes in an e-mail, “but when I heard that they are not going to let churches have booths this year, well, as a Christian and a Fayetteville resident, I am very upset.”
Meet Carrie King.
She’s a wife.
She’s a mother.
She’s executive director of the Dogwood Festival that is scheduled for April 25-27 at Festival Park.
She’s got a date with the devil.
“I’ve gotten all kinds of e-mails that I’m going to hell,” says King, and she’s not even a voting board member.
The flap is over a decision by the Dogwood Festival’s board of directors not to allow churches or political organizations to rent informational booths.
“It’s not something new,” King says.
The policy dates back to the early 2000s, under some board members who have since resigned.
“There were complaints that some churches were too aggressive to their approach,” King says.
And frankly, King says, they didn’t abide by the rules and regulations that govern informational vendors.
Some were selling food.
Or giving it away.
Food vendors pay $750 for a booth.
Informational booths rent for $55.
Therein lies the heart of the issue.
That’s not equitable.
“It’s not like we are forcing people to attend our churches,” Springs says. “We just want to share our love for people, and share some good news, and I, for one, think that people need some good news nowadays.”

fayobserver.com

Today: Dense Fog Advisory this morning. Partly cloudy and breezy with a 30% chance of afternoon showers and storms. Highs in the low 80’s.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy with an isolated shower or thunderstorm possible. Lows in the middle and upper 60’s.
Bridge Run: Partly sunny skies, warm and breezy. An isolated chance of a shower. Run time temp’s will start out in the upper 60’s and warm into the 70’s.
Saturday: Increasing clouds with a slight chance of a shower or storm in the morning. Showers and storms likely during the afternoon and evening. Some storms may be strong to severe with damaging winds possible. Highs near 80.
Sunday: Partly sunny with a slight chance of a shower early. Highs in the low to mid 70’s.
Monday: Partly sunny with a few showers possible. Highs around 70.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the middle 70’s.
Wednesday: Lots of sunshine. Highs around 80.
Thursday: Partly cloudy with an isolated storm possible. Highs in the low 80’s.

wcbd.com

Elkins Lake Women’s Golf Association hosting ‘Paws For a Cause’ golf tourney
The Elkins Lake Women’s Golf Association is hosting a “Paws For a Cause” golf tournament on April 24. This year’s tournament will benefit the Rite B. Huff Animal Shelter. All proceeds over and above the cost of the tournament will go directly to the shelter. For tournament and sponsor information, call Wanda McGhee at (936) 291-1546.
Mended Heart Support Group
The Mended Heart Support Group will meet today at noon in the Huntsville Memorial Hospital Conference Rooms A and B. The program will be on identity theft awareness with Dan Barrett, Investigator for the Walker County Sheriff’s Department. A light lunch will be provided.
CASA Day at Lisa’s Gift Box on the Square
Lisa’s Gift Box will be donating 10 percent of its proceeds for the day to support CASA of Walker County and Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.
SHSU Art Department
SHSU Art Auditorium (room 108 in Art Building E) SHSU Department of Art presents “Creativity is Your Super Power” a talk by Kirk Demarais, author of “Life of the Party,” a pictorial history book of the world’s oldest prank and magic company, S.S. Adams (whom he also designs for). Kirk pays his mortgage by creating animated e-cards for Dayspring, a subsidiary of Hallmark. Kirk Demarais will also be the juror in the upcoming 9th annual Juried Student Exhibition. The Juried exhibit opens April 7 and runs through May 1 at the Gaddis Geeslin Gallery at SHSU. There will be a reception, award ceremony and open studios from 5-7 p.m. on April 24.
Upcoming Graduate Dance Concert ‘Fused’ at SHSU campus
The SHSU Dance Program is proud to present “Fused,” a graduate dance concert. The concert will run April 3 and 4 at 8 p.m. in the SHSU Dance Theatre (Room 101). Seating for the performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be limited. Admission is free.

itemonline.com

Students and Valley residents alike are expected to pack this year’s Circle K Tempe Music Festival at Tempe Beach Park, especially with headliners Fergie and My Chemical Romance.
“This event is getting bigger and bigger every year, and now it’s partnered with ASU for a huge Friday night part of the event,” said Alison Bailin, public relations manager for the Tempe Music Festival.
The sixth annual Tempe Music Festival, Arizona’s largest music festival, is Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29.
“[The Tempe Music Festival] over the past five years has been getting more and more regional and national attention as a respected music festival,” Bailin said. “It only takes five years for any event to really say, ‘All right, we’re here, we’re here to stay, this is our roots, and this is a culture we are creating.’ “
Friday night is student night, and My Chemical Romance and Puddle of Mudd will perform. Fergie will headline Saturday night.
Amy Folden, a business management sophomore, said the headliners are completely opposite.
My Chemical Romance has more of a punk style, while Fergie’s songs are playful and upbeat, Folden said.
Half of the 25,000 people who came to the Tempe Music Festival last year were students, Bailin said.
Last year, Bailin said that they went to ASU organizations and asked students which bands they wanted to see this year. The most popular requests among students were My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy.Then, after deciding what acts they could afford and who the people wanted, they looked at the bands’ schedules to see if they were available to come, Bailin said.
This year, “we’re going to blow it out of the water,” Bailin said. “We’re going to make this year bigger and better than any we’ve had in the past, and [we] did, [we] got Fergie,” she said.

asuwebdevil.com