After philosophers argued for millennia about whether or not matter consisted of atoms, the arguments became focused in the 18th century on empirical observations. Thus began one of the greatest scientific detective stories ever. Who were the sleuths? What were the clues? Why were the observations that atoms exist so persuasive that the 1912 Nobel Prize in Physics announced an end to the debate -- long before atoms could be "seen" directly and manipulated individually? Colston Chandler studied mathematics and physics at Brown University, the University of California at Berkeley, and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. His research was published in leading mathematics and physics journals. He is a fellow of the American Physical Society and professor emeritus of physics at UNM. He is also an outdoor enthusiast who has led many Oasis walks (mostly in the bosque).

Among pollinators in peril worldwide, bees are both benevolent garden visitors and a misunderstood culture of intricate dynamics. Their "hive mentality" is a model for efficient sustainability, their work ethic is unparalleled, and their honey is sublime.  Discover the secrets of the types and jobs of honeybees, watch hundreds of live bees in an observation hive, learn about beekeepers' practices and equipment, hold a fresh honeycomb, and compare honey straight from Pamela Chavez's hives to store bought. Concerned with threatened pollinators and an avid gardener, Pamela Chavez became a beekeeper in 2015. She helped the New Mexico Beekeepers Association succeed in having Albuquerque designated a Bee City, completed Level One Beekeeping Certification, has three top bar hives, and loves to share (safely boxed) live bees and their culture. Owner of Collaboration$ Consulting, Chavez has 33 years experience in strategic planning, fundraising, event management, public relations, marketing, volunteer development, board training, and implementation tools.

Using the co-evolution of homo sapiens and diet as the organizing principle, this lecture spans seven millions years of food history. From the first use of fire, through the domestication of plants and animals, the rise of civilizations, through the era of colonialization to the industrial revolution, to the present. Population growth and migration, the quest for flavor and sweetness, and labor saving devices are recurring themes. Eating is at the heart of the human experience. Gregory Gould, MPA, LADAC, is a world traveler with twenty years of food research under his belt. Mr. Gould hosted a two year long series of television programs under the title Foodology, the interdisciplinary study of food. Mr. Gould has taught cooking classes for the pregnant women in the Milagros Program of UNMH. And conducted a multi-year organic garden project with men under the auspices of Albuquerque HealthCare for the Homeless.

This is the story of how Albuquerque overcame its cowtown reputation to become a national leader in preserving open space. Early efforts to control the Rio Grande sparked a pushback from the public and environmentalists. From proactive grassroots advocacy to a city program, the Open Space movement has saved over 30,000 acres of foothills, bosque, arroyos, volcanoes, and petroglyphs for nature preservation and recreation, making it a cornerstone of Albuquerque’s quality of life. While a high school science teacher, Rex Funk became an advocate of open space. He was a leader in the effort to save the Elena Gallegos lands and was hired as the City's first Open Space Planner where he worked to establish Rio Grande Valley State Park.  As the first Superintendent of the Open Space Division, he led the effort to acquire, manage, and protect City Open Space until he retired in 1994.

The KiMo Theatre opened as a Pueblo Deco picture palace on September 19, 1927, when Art Deco and picture palaces were all the rage. A leading example of the style, the KiMo remains the only theatre from this era conceived in honor of, and dedicated to, the native people of New Mexico. Through this talk we celebrate nearly 95 years of joy that the KiMo Theatre has brought to our lives. Deb Slaney is an independent curator and curator of history emerita from the Albuquerque Museum, a position she held for 18 years. She holds a BA in Southwestern anthropology from the University of Arizona and a Master of Liberal Studies/Museum emphasis from the University of Oklahoma. Her exhibition King of its Kind: The KiMo Theater was presented at the KiMo Gallery, Albuquerque International Sunport, and Albuquerque Museum for the KiMo's Diamond Jubilee (75th Anniversary) celebration in 2002.

Oman is a fascinating country of uncommon natural beauty. After a look at Oman's long and complex history, including its unique economic, religious, and political aspects, we  travel around the country. View the effects of the 50-year reign of its sultan as Oman moved from a largely 19th century to a 21st century way of life. Finally, we look at coming challenges for Oman in its tumultuous neighborhood. Dave Weaver received his doctorate in physical anthropology from UNM. After 25 years at Wake Forest University, he returned to New Mexico. He has worked in North and Central America, Europe, and Africa on human skeletal analysis, forensic anthropology, bone microstructure, human evolution, and osteoporosis. In retirement, he volunteers for the US Forest Service, the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, and Animal Humane New Mexico, and travels as much as possible.