You live near a major university and a community college. There are smart people that come here every week to talk to the general public about interesting topics. Perhaps you were not aware of this fact, or were overwhelmed by the sheer number of opportunities for possible enlightenment. If that’s the case, Smile Politely understands and is here to help. Here are several events going on in town this week. Check out one or more of them if you have time. Get your learn on, as they say, and join the cognoscenti. It’s free, you know. Plus, sometimes there’s free food, too!
If you have a community event, speaker, or film event that you’d like to see featured on Listen Up!, send the event information to joelgillespie [at] smilepolitely [dot] com by Friday the week prior to the event. Listen Up! runs on Mondays.
WHAT: “Creating a Sustainable Biofuels Infrastructure,” Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, Vice President & General Manager Renewable Energy and Chemicals, UOP
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 24 @ 4 p.m.
WHERE: 112 Chemistry Annex, 601 S. Wright St., Urbana
Big oil is funding a lot of the biofuels research happening in the world, so you might as well familiarize yourself with where they’re coming from. UOP is a supplier and consultant to the petroleum industry.
WHAT: “The Role of Carbon Markets and Conservation Incentives in Agriculture,” Ryan Anderson, Delta Institute
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 25 @ 12 noon
WHERE: Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, One E. Hazelwood Dr., Champaign (in South Research Park)
From the event description: “This presentation will focus on the experiences learned from the Delta Carbon Program, a carbon credit aggregation venture created to pay farmers, foresters and other landowners for the sequestration benefits of qualifying conservation practices. The revenue returned to individuals in the program has allowed them to continue to implement their stewardship activities, encouraging more widespread adoption of the appropriate tools and technologies.”
WHAT: “Melting Ice: Climate Change and the Humanities,” Carolyn Merchant, Professor of Environmental History, UC-Berkeley
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 22 @ 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Levis Faculty Center, Third Floor, 919 W. Illinois St., Urbana
A little something for those who think they can hide from global warming in the cool, cool buildings of liberal arts colleges.
WHAT: “‘Opt-Out’ Rates at Motherhood Across High-Education Career Paths: Selection Versus Work Environment,” Jane Leber Herr, University of Chicago
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 26 @ 12 noon
WHERE: 35/43 School of Labor and Employment Relations, 504 E. Armory Ave., Champaign
Career vs. child-rearing: how to choose?
WHAT: “Black History Wednesday: The History of Negro League Baseball,” Ernest Westfield, Sr.
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 24 @ 4 p.m.
WHERE: Douglass Branch Library, 504 E. Grove St., Champaign
From the calendar entry: “Ernest Westfield Sr. will give a brief history of Negro League baseball and talk about his experience playing for the Birmingham Barons from 1959 to 1965. All are invited to come listen and learn.”
WHAT: “UFL Reads Memoirs — This Life Ain’t Gravy,” Dylan Hall
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 28 @ 2 p.m.
WHERE: Urbana Free Library, MacFarlane-Hood Reading Room, 210 W. Green St., Urbana
From the calendar entry: “Former U of Illinois student Dylan Hall takes us along with him as he mentors a young Champaign African-American middle-schooler. Dylan’s initial task to work with Justin on his illiteracy. Their lifestyles are so different. Is there a way the two can reach out to each other and connect?”