Some Worms Like it Really Hot. Harvard Biologist
Explores Deep Ocean Life at the Extremes
Imagine what kinds of organisms not only tolerate, but thrive living under extreme pressures, next to a vent spewing hot noxious chemicals.
Find out about this strange reality as deep ocean explorer and biologist Peter Girguis presents a free public lecture about "Life on the Edge: Three Decades of Discovery at Hydrothermal Vents" at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29 in the Evert B. Person Theatre.
The density of animals at hydrothermal vents rivals every known terrestrial ecosystem, and the organisms there may be the fastest growing on Earth, all without a single ray of sunshine. No other ecosystem is comparable. Scientists hypothesize that deep-ocean hydrothermal vents will help unlock the mysteries of life on our planet, and may help us consider where life may flourish in other parts of the universe. From mantle to microbe...exploring the links between planetary renewal and life in the deep ocean.
"We know so very little about the deep ocean. It's one of the least explored habitats on our own planet," says marine biology professor Karina Nielsen, one of the organizers of the event. "We only discovered these unique life forms in the mid-1970's so there is a lot to learn and see in this presentation." For more information, visit http://www.sonoma.edu/pubs/newsrelease/archives/000890.html.
"Songs of Lorca" Brings Ensemble
Arte Flamenco to Person Stage
SSU emeritus professor Francisco Gaona brings his poetry with Ensemble Arte Flamenco's
"Songs of Lorca: Cantares" to the Evert. B. Person Theatre stage at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30. Tickets are on sale
at all Copperfield’s Books and at the door.
"Songs of Lorca" is named in honor of the poet Federico Garcia Lorca, who was the first to collect these Spanish folk melodies and arrange them for piano. He later also performed them with his friend, Argentinita, in Madrid and Buenos Aires. This production features the elegant choreography and dancing of Phoebe Vernier, 'La Fibi', and the extraordinary voice of mezzo-soprano Zoila Munoz, who has six roles of Bizet's Carmen to her credit. It also offers instrumental arrangements by Spanish composer and flautist Chus Alonzo, with Rami Ziadeh's Arabic versions for voice and percussion. Mark Taylor's flamenco guitar interpretations will be seconded by David Carroll. Roberto Zamora and Azriel, 'El Moreno' provide the Cante Flamenco for the dance. For more information e-mail lorcaflamenco@yahoo.com or phone (707) 478-1348.
Mathematical Models for Musical Sound, Nov. 29
“Mathematical Models For Musical Sound” is the topic of a talk by Rick Kavinoky of Santa Rosa Junior College from 4-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29 in Darwin 103. Coffee, tea, and cookies will be served at 3:45 p.m. The wave equation (a differential equation) in one and two dimensions determines the modes of vibration of musical instruments, for example strings (one dimension) and drumheads (two dimensions). Fourier series help to analyze, compress, and reconstruct the sound. For more information contact Sharon Cabaniss, cabaniss@sonoma.edu.