Shadow of a Doubt

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: September 1998
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the NCAS monthly calendar, 'Shadow of a Doubt', for September 1998, focuses on skepticism and critical thinking, featuring upcoming events and relevant articles.

Ghostly Legends Talk

Stephanie Hall, a Folklorist from the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, is scheduled to give a slide talk titled "Ghostly Legends." The talk, which is part of her master's thesis research from American University, will explore the legends of ghosts, monsters, witchcraft, and buried treasure found on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Hall's presentation will re-create a "legend-trip," a traditional adolescent journey for thrills and truth, aiming to help attendees appreciate the folklore of their own home towns. The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 1998, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at the Montgomery County Library, Bethesda Branch, located at 7400 Arlington Road in Bethesda, Maryland. The event is open to both members and non-members with no admission charge. Further information can be obtained by calling the NCAS Skeptic Line at 301-587-3827.

NCAS Movie Night

On Friday, September 25, at 8:00 PM, Chip and Grace Denman will host an NCAS movie night. They invite members and their guests to watch movies that skeptics can find amusing, providing popcorn and sodas. Attendees are encouraged to bring anything else they wish to share. The selection is expected to include "suitable flicks of aliens or other beings from the '50s or '60s." Due to limited space, interested individuals must call the NCAS line by Wednesday, September 23, to reserve a spot and get directions.

NCAS Board 1998-1999

The newly elected NCAS Board for the 1998-1999 term is listed as follows:

• President: Paul Jaffe
• Vice President: Gary Stone
• Treasurer: Grace Denman
• Secretary: Marv Zelkowitz
• Spokesman: Chip Denman
• Skeptical Eye Editor: Helen Hester-Ossa

Additional Board members include Jonathan Boswell, Michael Epstein, Herb Federhen, Jim Giglio, Zoann Lapinsky, Rita Malone, Sean O'Neill, Eugene Ossa, Walter Rowe, Scott Snell, and Jamy Ian Swiss.

NCAS 1998-99 Schedule

The NCAS 1998-99 programs will be held at the Bethesda Branch of the Montgomery County Library, 7400 Arlington Road, near the Bethesda Metro station. Meetings are scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM and last approximately one and a half hours. The scheduled dates are:

• September 19
• October 17
• November 14
• December 19
• January 16, 1999
• February 20
• March 13
• April 17
• May 15
• June 19

Some Aliens on TV

A television program titled "Ancient Aliens" is scheduled to air on the History Channel on Thursday, September 17, from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. The program reportedly explores the plausibility of extraterrestrial visitation throughout history by examining ancient ruins, artifacts, and texts worldwide.

Alternative Medicine Online

The issue highlights a 5-part series on alternative medicine published in the LA Times, which is available online. Interested readers are directed to the following URL for access: http://www.latimes.com/HOME/NEWS/REPORTS/MEDICINE/

Is Public TV Always in the Public Interest?

Readers are directed to a web address, http://www.current.org/prog/prog804g.html, for a story examining how non-commercial media, such as PBS, have reportedly embraced New Age and self-help trends for commercial gain.

More Junk Science

Another online resource is provided for readers interested in "junk science." The article is located at http://www.phillynews.com/inquirer/98/Aug/31/entertainment/PSYC31.htm and concerns Temple University's Center for Frontier Science.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of 'Shadow of a Doubt' consistently promotes a skeptical viewpoint, encouraging critical examination of claims related to folklore, paranormal phenomena, and alternative medicine. The NCAS actively organizes events like talks and movie nights to foster discussion and critical thinking among its members and the public. The inclusion of articles on alternative medicine and "junk science" further underscores the organization's commitment to debunking pseudoscience and promoting evidence-based reasoning. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rational inquiry and skepticism towards extraordinary claims.