Shadow Of A Doubt

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow Of A Doubt
Issue: February 2004
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Document Type: Magazine Issue (Monthly Calendar)

Content Summary

This issue of "Shadow Of A Doubt," the monthly calendar for the National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS), details upcoming events and provides information about the organization. The cover highlights three special NCAS events: a "Friday the 13th" social gathering on February 13th, a "Art Becomes Reality" workshop in March, and an Ian Rowland show in April.

University of Maryland Honors Presentations

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to an upcoming lecture featuring presentations by two outstanding students from the University of Maryland Honors Program's "Science and Pseudoscience" seminar, which has been taught by NCAS board member Chip Denman since 1989. The seminar's emphasis is on understanding the distinction between scientifically supported theories and other reasons for belief. The students presenting are Heather Keels, a sophomore majoring in journalism, and John Mularski, a junior aerospace engineering student. Their presentations were developed as part of their course final project.

Upcoming Events and Details

FEBRUARY: Friday the 13th Social

On Friday, February 13th at 7:00 p.m., NCAS is hosting a "Superstitious Skeptics Social" at Mayorga Coffee House in Silver Spring, Maryland. Attendees are encouraged to share odd superstitions. Food and drinks will be available for individual purchase. The location is at the intersection of Blair Mill Road and East-West Highway, with limited free parking and metered street parking available.

MARCH: NCAS 2004 Weekend Workshop: "Art Becomes Reality" in Leesburg, Virginia

This workshop, held on Saturday, March 27th (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and Sunday, March 28th (9:00 a.m. to noon) at historic Carradoc Hall in Leesburg, Virginia, will feature presentations on topics such as "How the South won the Civil War," "The Miracle at Mons, or how medieval bowmen fought the Germans in WWI," "The Lost City of El Dorado," and "From reel to real: Popular beliefs from the movies," along with a "Myth Information Quiz." Preregistration is $45 per person ($50 at the door) and includes continental breakfast and breaks. Lunch and dinner are available for purchase. Registration details and mailing address are provided.

APRIL: Ian Rowland Show

On April 15th, Ian Rowland, described as an "entertainer, specialising in mind magic and psychic-flavoured illusions," will present a show for NCAS. Further details on ticket purchase and location will be provided in the next issue. His website, www.ianrowland.com, is recommended for those interested in his work.

Event Location Details

B-CC Services Center Lecture:
The lecture on Saturday, February 21st, from 2-4pm, will be held at the B-CC Services Center, located at 4805 Edgemoor Lane in downtown Bethesda, Maryland. It is situated across from the Bethesda Metro station in a two-story County office building on the plaza level of the Metropolitan complex. Free parking is available in the adjacent County parking garage on weekends.

Membership Renewal

An important section reminds members to check their mailing labels for renewal dates. A 1-year renewal costs $30 for an individual or $40 for a two-member household. Failure to renew may result in being dropped as a member.

Contact Information

Contact information for NCAS includes a telephone number (301-587-3827), an email address ([email protected]), a submission email for "Skeptical Eye" ([email protected]), and a website (www.ncas.org). The mailing address for NCAS is P.O. Box 8428, Silver Spring, Maryland 20907.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around promoting critical thinking, skepticism towards pseudoscience and unfounded beliefs, and providing educational and entertaining events for the public. The NCAS positions itself as an organization dedicated to scientific understanding and dispelling myths and superstitions. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and scientific inquiry, as evidenced by the course description and the nature of the events advertised.