Upcoming events of a completely different sort

Hi there.

Those of you who do not see me regularly might be unaware that I have established a DC-based company deeply rooted in my Burner values. It's called Profs and Pints, and it brings professors and other college faculty members into bars, cafes, and other venues to give talks and conduct workshops. It has a mission of expanding access to higher learning and providing extra income to college faculty members, many of whom are adjuncts who struggle to stay out of poverty. I have established my company as a for-profit, rather than a 501c3 nonprofit organization, out of a belief that it will grow and spread much quicker if it is market-funded rather than dependent on philanthropic support.

My company's slogan is "No tuition or tests. Just lectures you'll love." And my presenters have, indeed, been giving really fascinating talks. So far, they have discussed the use of social media for political shenanigans, the case for impeaching Donald Trump, the role gender plays in Bram Stoker's Dracula, the ways in which science fiction writers advise policymakers in Washington, and how gardeners can bolster the nutritional content of the vegetables they grow. My debut venue is the Bier Baron Tavern at 1523 22nd Street NW, near the intersection of 22nd and P and just a few blocks from the Dupont Circle metro.

If you know anyone on the faculties of local colleges, please let them know that I am actively recruiting presenters and that my contracts with presenters pay them a big chunk of revenue from the $10 entree fee for my events. I'm also interested in hearing from outside organizations, including advocacy groups, that might be interested in co-sponsoring events.

If you never went to college, did not enjoy college, or ended up studying not what you were passionate about but what would pay off your student loans most quickly, please know that I established my company largely with you in mind. I coach my speakers to give self-contained talks that are engaging and accessible to a wide audience. I have yet to see people leave an event without saying things along the lines of "Wow, that was cool."

To found out more about my company, please visit my Web site at www.profsandpints.com . There you will find links to join my Meetup page or get on my email list.

I'm working to build up audiences that will make this venture sustainable and help it spread to other venues and other cities. A few in the Burner community have already been very supportive of my efforts, but I would love to be able to look out and see my more familiar faces in the room. To make it easier for you, I have planned some great stuff for the coming weeks. Details on these events are below. At the last of the three events, a talk by a folklorist about the winter Russian folktale "The Snow Maiden," I'll give a prize to the person who arrives in the best "Snow Maiden" costume. Come on now, I know you all love to costume.

I'm reaching out to you folks in hopes that you see the value of applying principles such as radical self-expression, civic responsibility, communal effort, and participation to try to improve society beyond the confines of some field or patch of dust somewhere. That said, I don't want to be accused of abusing this email group for business purposes, so this will be my last message to it.

I hope you are having a great holiday weekend and that I'll see you at an upcoming event.

Regards,

Schmidtty

Here's what I have on tap for the coming weeks:

6pm Monday, November 27th

"What Hurricanes Are Telling Us," a look at the forces that generated this year's big storms and the risks that such weather trends pose to the Washington region. With Raghu Murtugudde, professor of atmospheric and oceanic science and earth-system science at the University of Maryland at College Park.

The 2017 hurricane season has been one of the most devastating in history, with Harvey, Irma, and Maria wreaking havoc on the U.S. mainland and throughout the Caribbean. Dr. Murtugudde, professor of atmospheric and oceanic science and earth-system science at the University of Maryland at College Park and a former executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Forecast Project, will discuss what we can learn from the latest round of storms and the odds of the Washington DC region being hit hard soon. (Tickets $10 at the door.)

6pm Wednesday, December 13th

"The Christmas Truce of 1914," with Mark Facknitz, professor emeritus of English at James Madison University and member of the World War I Centennial Commission's historical advisory board.

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Illustrated London News

By the winter of 1914 it had become clear that "the Great War," underway since that July, would not end quickly or easily for anyone involved. But on Christmas Eve, the ruthless guns of the Western Front fell silent, and the British troops heard a much more comforting sound: strains of "Stille Nacht," or Silent Night, rising from the trenches of their German enemies. Soon candles appeared in fir trees and the Brits replied with carols of their own. By morning both sides were crossing No Man's Land to pass bottles, exchange gifts of chocolate and cigarettes, and hold a soccer match.

In film and in television commercials, the event is represented of a moment of transcendent humanity and a bright respite in the midst of slaughter--the sort of occurrence that one of the war's preeminent poets, Wilfred Owen, had in mind when he wrote "I, too, saw God through mud." The truth is a lot more complicated. Professor Facknitz will explore memories and myths connected with the famous incident and the questions they raise about the use of history in our own perilous times. It's a talk that just might help bring peace on earth, goodwill to man. (Tickets $10 at the door.)

[https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd9f1a_fcce5258cc1149f5b6afc667ef6ad3...

6pm Monday, December 18th

"Meet 'The Snow Maiden'," a discussion of Russia's beloved winter folktale with folklorist Philippa Rappoport of George Washington University

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"The Snow Maiden," as painted by Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov

In winter Russians transfix their children with the folktale of Snegurochka--the Snow Maiden--a girl made out of snow. Revisit the joys of story time by hearing Prof. Philippa Rappoport, an expert on Slavic folklore and rituals, tell the tale of the Snow Maiden and of her emergence not just from snow, but traditional Russian culture. Her talk will draw connections between the beloved folktale and Christmas, Chanukah, and other winter solstice celebrations. She and Snegurochka will make you approach your holidays with a fresh new take on the season.

This will be a night of magic and merriment, with attendees encouraged to dress as snow people and stay in the cozy pub to celebrate the season after the talk ends. A prize will be awarded for the best Snow Maiden costume. (Tickets $10 at the door.)

[https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd9f1a_fb72acc8bcc044c1a99af338eaeabd...

[https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd9f1a_087bb1a70474482b824492458287af...

Talks | United States | Profs and Pints
www.profsandpints.com
Profs and Pints brings college faculty members into bars, cafes, workplaces, and other venues to give lectures and workshops.