Shadow of a Doubt

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: February, 1997
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Date: February, 1997

This document is the monthly calendar for the National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS), titled 'Shadow of a Doubt', for February 1997. It outlines upcoming events, calls for participation, and provides information relevant to the organization's members and activities.

Featured Event: Lecture on Breast Cancer Risk and Induced Abortion

The main featured event is a lecture titled "Difficult Conception: The Confusing Story of Breast Cancer Risk and Induced Abortion." The speaker is Dr. David Wyndham Murray, Director of Research for the Statistical Assessment Service (STATS), a non-profit organization focused on improving media coverage of scientific and statistical information. The lecture aims to address the public's difficulty in assessing conflicting reports on the relationship between breast cancer risk and induced abortion, suggesting the complexity lies at the intersection of science, statistics, and politics.

The lecture is scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 1997, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at the Bethesda Library, located at 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, Maryland. The event is open to both members and non-members with no admission charge. For further information, attendees are directed to call the NCAS Skeptic Line at 301-587-3827.

NCAS Movie Night

An NCAS Movie Night is announced for Friday, February 21, at 8:00 PM. Hosted by Chip and Grace Denman, the event invites NCAS members and their guests to enjoy movies that skeptics might find humorous. The hosts will provide popcorn and sodas, and attendees are encouraged to bring anything else they wish to share. Due to limited space, interested individuals must reserve a spot by calling the NCAS line by Wednesday, February 19th. Directions will be provided upon reservation.

NCAS Elections and Board of Directors

The calendar also serves as a call for nominations for the NCAS Board of Directors. Elections are held annually in April, with the new Board of 16 members (8 elected each year for a two-year term) taking over in June. Those interested in helping to shape the direction of NCAS are asked to send a short biography by March 1, 1997, to NCAS at 8006 Valley Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or via email to [email protected].

Meeting Space Needs

Under the heading "Space," the NCAS addresses its need for larger meeting facilities. The organization has been using Montgomery County Library facilities, which have a capacity of about 100 people. However, to accommodate speakers who attract larger audiences, NCAS is seeking access to a room that can hold 200 to 300 people. Ideally, this space would be free or available at a nominal cost and located within walking distance of a Metro station. Interested individuals with access to such facilities are encouraged to contact the NCAS Board via phone or email.

Last Change Notification

The document concludes with a "Last Change" note dated February 3, 1997, indicating the last update to the information presented.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the NCAS's commitment to promoting critical thinking and scientific skepticism, as evidenced by the lecture on evaluating scientific claims, the social movie night event, and the call for member participation in the organization's governance. The editorial stance is one of encouraging informed public discourse on complex scientific and social issues, fostering community among skeptics, and ensuring the organization's operational needs are met to facilitate its mission.