LonestaRG-19 Programs
Laughter Yoga
with Simone Monique Barnes
During this hands-on, interactive presentation, participants will experience a few fun and relaxing group exercises, obtain a basic understanding of Laughter Yoga and its history, hear how Laughter Yoga is thriving in libraries, schools, universities, businesses, and senior centers worldwide, learn about current research from the field, have access to a bibliography of related videos, articles, and books, and receive tips on incorporating this body-mind practice into their daily lives.
Simone descends from a long line of artisans and know-it-alls, and has been a talker and storyteller all her life.
Although she is a vocal music graduate of the Fiorello H LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts (the “Fame” school) in New York City, she did not sing and dance on tabletops with her friends in the lunchroom like they did in the original movie. Well, maybe once. She thinks it’s funny that she earned a degree in Criticism (technically, a BA in English Literature and Criticism from UMass Dartmouth), and also has a not so funny EdM from Harvard Graduate School of Education. She was born and raised in New York City. She now lives in Austin, in the great state of Texas where she is told that pee cans are things one goes to the bathroom in, so instead she is reluctantly learning to eat pecans. Simone Monique Barnes is a certified laughter yoga teacher (CLYT), trained by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of Laughter Yoga.
with Simone Monique Barnes
During this hands-on, interactive presentation, participants will experience a few fun and relaxing group exercises, obtain a basic understanding of Laughter Yoga and its history, hear how Laughter Yoga is thriving in libraries, schools, universities, businesses, and senior centers worldwide, learn about current research from the field, have access to a bibliography of related videos, articles, and books, and receive tips on incorporating this body-mind practice into their daily lives.
Simone descends from a long line of artisans and know-it-alls, and has been a talker and storyteller all her life.
Although she is a vocal music graduate of the Fiorello H LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts (the “Fame” school) in New York City, she did not sing and dance on tabletops with her friends in the lunchroom like they did in the original movie. Well, maybe once. She thinks it’s funny that she earned a degree in Criticism (technically, a BA in English Literature and Criticism from UMass Dartmouth), and also has a not so funny EdM from Harvard Graduate School of Education. She was born and raised in New York City. She now lives in Austin, in the great state of Texas where she is told that pee cans are things one goes to the bathroom in, so instead she is reluctantly learning to eat pecans. Simone Monique Barnes is a certified laughter yoga teacher (CLYT), trained by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of Laughter Yoga.
Live Action Role Play
with Todd Place
Live Action Role Play. It’s a title that covers a large variety of interactive events all over the world. It can be as simple as a bunch of people getting together and hitting each other with foam weapons, or it can be elaborate productions that feels more like an improv theater stage play than a simple game. In the end though it’s about a group of like-minded people getting together to just have fun. It’s a way for people to step out of their comfort zones and be someone else for a few hours or a few days.
Todd Place is a QA tester for a game company, and also a member of Scare For A Cure. Scare For A Cure has its own LARP event that goes on in the Spring time called Quest Night. Quest Night is a non-contact fantasy LARP adventure. We don’t swing around foam weapons but instead use large foam twenty sided dice, and large foam six sided dice and large custom made tables. It’s like Lord of the Rings meets Las Vegas. If you can roll a set of dice you can play our game.
with Todd Place
Live Action Role Play. It’s a title that covers a large variety of interactive events all over the world. It can be as simple as a bunch of people getting together and hitting each other with foam weapons, or it can be elaborate productions that feels more like an improv theater stage play than a simple game. In the end though it’s about a group of like-minded people getting together to just have fun. It’s a way for people to step out of their comfort zones and be someone else for a few hours or a few days.
Todd Place is a QA tester for a game company, and also a member of Scare For A Cure. Scare For A Cure has its own LARP event that goes on in the Spring time called Quest Night. Quest Night is a non-contact fantasy LARP adventure. We don’t swing around foam weapons but instead use large foam twenty sided dice, and large foam six sided dice and large custom made tables. It’s like Lord of the Rings meets Las Vegas. If you can roll a set of dice you can play our game.
Marijuana Policy in Texas
with Heather Fazio
Heather Fazio is the Texas Political Director for the Marijuana Policy Project. An advocate of individual liberty and personal responsibility, Heather Fazio has worked to limit government intrusion into the lives of Texans since 2009. Serving as the executive director of Texans for Accountable Government (TAG) from 2011-2014, her priorities included privacy rights and civil liberties issues. Heather utilizes her passion for grassroots activism to positively effect public policy at the local and state level. As Texas Director of the Marijuana Policy Project, Heather is determined to enact sensible marijuana laws in Texas.
with Heather Fazio
Heather Fazio is the Texas Political Director for the Marijuana Policy Project. An advocate of individual liberty and personal responsibility, Heather Fazio has worked to limit government intrusion into the lives of Texans since 2009. Serving as the executive director of Texans for Accountable Government (TAG) from 2011-2014, her priorities included privacy rights and civil liberties issues. Heather utilizes her passion for grassroots activism to positively effect public policy at the local and state level. As Texas Director of the Marijuana Policy Project, Heather is determined to enact sensible marijuana laws in Texas.
Alternative History Literature
with Jeffrey Evan Brooks
Jeffrey Evan Brooks earned a double B.A. in History and Political Science and an M.A. in History from Texas State University. He also studied for two semesters at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. After working in politics for several years, he became an educator and now teaches United States history to 8th graders at Kelly Lane Middle School.
Jeff's first novel, Shattered Nation: An Alternate History Novel of the American Civil War, was published in September of 2013. A follow-up novella, Blessed are the Peacemakers, was released the following year. He has recently completed his second novel, House of the Proud.
with Jeffrey Evan Brooks
Jeffrey Evan Brooks earned a double B.A. in History and Political Science and an M.A. in History from Texas State University. He also studied for two semesters at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. After working in politics for several years, he became an educator and now teaches United States history to 8th graders at Kelly Lane Middle School.
Jeff's first novel, Shattered Nation: An Alternate History Novel of the American Civil War, was published in September of 2013. A follow-up novella, Blessed are the Peacemakers, was released the following year. He has recently completed his second novel, House of the Proud.
The Polygamist's Daughter
with Anna LeBaron
One of more than fifty children of infamous polygamist cult leader Ervil LeBaron, Anna LeBaron endured abandonment, horrific living conditions, child labor, and sexual grooming. At age thirteen, she escaped the violent cult, gave her life to Christ, and sought healing.
Having known for years that she needed to tell her story—getting the words out of her heart and onto the page, Anna is thrilled to finally get her book into the hands of her readers. In her powerful memoir, she tells of her experiences growing up in a cult and how she ultimately realized that she wanted something more for her life. The Polygamist’s Daughter brings readers along on young Anna’s harrowing journey through countless obstacles to the freedom she found as an adult.
with Anna LeBaron
One of more than fifty children of infamous polygamist cult leader Ervil LeBaron, Anna LeBaron endured abandonment, horrific living conditions, child labor, and sexual grooming. At age thirteen, she escaped the violent cult, gave her life to Christ, and sought healing.
Having known for years that she needed to tell her story—getting the words out of her heart and onto the page, Anna is thrilled to finally get her book into the hands of her readers. In her powerful memoir, she tells of her experiences growing up in a cult and how she ultimately realized that she wanted something more for her life. The Polygamist’s Daughter brings readers along on young Anna’s harrowing journey through countless obstacles to the freedom she found as an adult.
Cyclops or triceratops? Alternative explanations for fossils.
with Dinosaur George
LonestaRG favorite Dinosaur George is back this year to talk about myths and legends. Let's hear George's thoughts about how fossils were explained using mythology.
“Dinosaur George” Blasing is a self taught paleontologist and animal behaviorist with more than 35 years of study and research. Blasing is a public speaker, author, and television host and writer who has performed live to over 3 million people and has lectured in over 3000 museums, schools and public events. He is the writer, co-creator and host of JURASSIC FIGHT CLUB on the History Channel.
with Dinosaur George
LonestaRG favorite Dinosaur George is back this year to talk about myths and legends. Let's hear George's thoughts about how fossils were explained using mythology.
“Dinosaur George” Blasing is a self taught paleontologist and animal behaviorist with more than 35 years of study and research. Blasing is a public speaker, author, and television host and writer who has performed live to over 3 million people and has lectured in over 3000 museums, schools and public events. He is the writer, co-creator and host of JURASSIC FIGHT CLUB on the History Channel.
Tiny Houses
with Davis Richardson
Davis Richardson is an M.Arch I candidate at the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture, pursuing a career as an architect. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Harding University which taught him about the power of empathetic design and design thinking. At Harding, Richardson also excelled as an athlete, playing baseball for the Bisons. He was named a 1st-Team Capital One Academic All-American in 2015, the first baseball player to achieve that honor in 60+ years of Harding baseball history.
Richardson is most notable in the design community for building his innovative Tiny House on Wheels, known as "Kinetohaus," right out of college before moving to Austin for graduate studies. A hands-on experiment with design-build and affordable, alternative housing, the tiny house would be featured on HGTV's show, "Tiny House, Big Living," and as part of UT Live at SXSW Interactive 2017. Moving forward, he intends to explore the overlap of high design and affordable housing by offering alternatives to the status quo.
You can see more of Davis' work at davisrichardson.com. He is on Twitter and Instagram as @richard20n, and can be reached via email at daviswrichardson@gmail.com. He is always excited to collaborate on exciting projects.
with Davis Richardson
Davis Richardson is an M.Arch I candidate at the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture, pursuing a career as an architect. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Harding University which taught him about the power of empathetic design and design thinking. At Harding, Richardson also excelled as an athlete, playing baseball for the Bisons. He was named a 1st-Team Capital One Academic All-American in 2015, the first baseball player to achieve that honor in 60+ years of Harding baseball history.
Richardson is most notable in the design community for building his innovative Tiny House on Wheels, known as "Kinetohaus," right out of college before moving to Austin for graduate studies. A hands-on experiment with design-build and affordable, alternative housing, the tiny house would be featured on HGTV's show, "Tiny House, Big Living," and as part of UT Live at SXSW Interactive 2017. Moving forward, he intends to explore the overlap of high design and affordable housing by offering alternatives to the status quo.
You can see more of Davis' work at davisrichardson.com. He is on Twitter and Instagram as @richard20n, and can be reached via email at daviswrichardson@gmail.com. He is always excited to collaborate on exciting projects.
The Warrior Brain: How the Brain Looks at Political Alternatives
with Bruce Naylor
With politics in the U.S and Europe veering off in surprising directions, it has become critical to better understand the deeper roots that are driving these developments. Looking at the evolutionary forces that shaped our brains is the best place to begin. Both Science (includingTechnology) and Religion have been dominant forces in this evolutionary process over the last 13,000 years since the end of the Ice Age and the rise of Agriculture and Civilization. A major mechanism for our brain’s evolution during this time period has been Warfare, resulting in the genetically encoded “Warrior Brain” that we all share. We will explore the evolutionary development of the Warrior Brain and examine its strong manifestations in today’s political environment. The talk will give you a new Science-based perspective from which to analyze politics, and human nature in general.
Bruce Naylor, PhD., is an adjunct professor at Baylor Medical School and Research Fellow at U.T. Austin Center for Computation Biology and Bioinformatics. His talk at last year's LonestaRG on Augmented Reality was heartily praised.
with Bruce Naylor
With politics in the U.S and Europe veering off in surprising directions, it has become critical to better understand the deeper roots that are driving these developments. Looking at the evolutionary forces that shaped our brains is the best place to begin. Both Science (includingTechnology) and Religion have been dominant forces in this evolutionary process over the last 13,000 years since the end of the Ice Age and the rise of Agriculture and Civilization. A major mechanism for our brain’s evolution during this time period has been Warfare, resulting in the genetically encoded “Warrior Brain” that we all share. We will explore the evolutionary development of the Warrior Brain and examine its strong manifestations in today’s political environment. The talk will give you a new Science-based perspective from which to analyze politics, and human nature in general.
Bruce Naylor, PhD., is an adjunct professor at Baylor Medical School and Research Fellow at U.T. Austin Center for Computation Biology and Bioinformatics. His talk at last year's LonestaRG on Augmented Reality was heartily praised.
Speed Reading People
with Jeff Johannigman
Discover your Temperament and learn how it shapes your communication style, your values, and your workplace strengths. This fun, interactive workshop uses characters from "Star Wars", "Parenthood" and other movies to bring a centuries-old model of behavior to life. Learn the clues in speech, dress, and behavior to identify other people's temperaments, and then learn the most effective ways to communicate with each one.
Jeff Johannigman is founder of People Type Consulting, an Austin-based firm that works with companies who want to improve their teamwork and leadership, and with individuals who want to find more fulfilling careers. Jeff’s career spans a broad spectrum of industries, including software startups, non-profit agencies, universities, and Fortune 50 corporations. Along the way, Jeff has:
• Managed worldwide staffing for the Tivoli Systems division of IBM
• Established one of the country's first alumni career services for the University of Texas
• Personally coached hundreds of people to find greater career success and fulfillment
• Founded two successful software companies, and produced over twenty published computer games.
Jeff has earned a Master of Arts in Human Services from St. Edward's University, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Cornell University. He is an active member of the Association for Talent Development and the Austin Career Development Network.
with Jeff Johannigman
Discover your Temperament and learn how it shapes your communication style, your values, and your workplace strengths. This fun, interactive workshop uses characters from "Star Wars", "Parenthood" and other movies to bring a centuries-old model of behavior to life. Learn the clues in speech, dress, and behavior to identify other people's temperaments, and then learn the most effective ways to communicate with each one.
Jeff Johannigman is founder of People Type Consulting, an Austin-based firm that works with companies who want to improve their teamwork and leadership, and with individuals who want to find more fulfilling careers. Jeff’s career spans a broad spectrum of industries, including software startups, non-profit agencies, universities, and Fortune 50 corporations. Along the way, Jeff has:
• Managed worldwide staffing for the Tivoli Systems division of IBM
• Established one of the country's first alumni career services for the University of Texas
• Personally coached hundreds of people to find greater career success and fulfillment
• Founded two successful software companies, and produced over twenty published computer games.
Jeff has earned a Master of Arts in Human Services from St. Edward's University, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Cornell University. He is an active member of the Association for Talent Development and the Austin Career Development Network.
Meet The RVC
with Taz Criss Taz Criss is our regional vice chair representing Lone Star Mensa (and all of region six) on the American Mensa Committee. If you'd like to meet Taz or want to learn more about American Mensa at the regional and national levels this is your chance. |
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Trans Talk
with Alyks Waring
Female-to-male transgender teen, Alyks Waring, accompanied by his friends Erin Lewis-Freeman and Asher Etheredge, talk about their experiences throughout their transitions. Along with personal experiences, we will discuss some simple LGBT+ terms including the difference between gender identity and sexual identity, and some of the well known identities.
with Alyks Waring
Female-to-male transgender teen, Alyks Waring, accompanied by his friends Erin Lewis-Freeman and Asher Etheredge, talk about their experiences throughout their transitions. Along with personal experiences, we will discuss some simple LGBT+ terms including the difference between gender identity and sexual identity, and some of the well known identities.
Toastmasters Demo Meeting
with Ryan O'Connor
Many people are interested in improving their ability to communicate and to lead. Toastmaster's education program provides a means to do both. For beginners, most of that education takes place in a Toastmasters club meeting. This session will demonstrate how a Toastmasters club meeting helps to develop communication and leadership skills at a fundamental level. If you are interested in developing professionally and personally, this session is for you.
Ryan has been a member of Mensa since 2011. He's participated in the scholarship program as a judge. Ryan's been an officer in the Texas State Guard for the last 6 years in various staff and leadership positions, He's also been a Toastmaster off and on since 1996. Within Toastmasters, he's held several offices within clubs and within the District. When he's not doing those things, he's preparing for the GMAT, playing World of Warcraft, or working on data visualization projects with Tableau Public.
with Ryan O'Connor
Many people are interested in improving their ability to communicate and to lead. Toastmaster's education program provides a means to do both. For beginners, most of that education takes place in a Toastmasters club meeting. This session will demonstrate how a Toastmasters club meeting helps to develop communication and leadership skills at a fundamental level. If you are interested in developing professionally and personally, this session is for you.
Ryan has been a member of Mensa since 2011. He's participated in the scholarship program as a judge. Ryan's been an officer in the Texas State Guard for the last 6 years in various staff and leadership positions, He's also been a Toastmaster off and on since 1996. Within Toastmasters, he's held several offices within clubs and within the District. When he's not doing those things, he's preparing for the GMAT, playing World of Warcraft, or working on data visualization projects with Tableau Public.
Meet The Gifted Youth Coordinator
with Madison McWilliams
Lone Star Mensa has a new GYC. This is an opportunity for parents to chat with Madison about the youth program while youth take part in activities and get to know each other.
Madison McWilliams is the founder and principal of The Joule School, a progressive private school for gifted/talented students. She holds a dual M.Ed in Teaching and Gifted/Talented Educational Psychology, and has been working with gifted youth throughout her career. Madison trained in gifted screening for children using the Frasier Talent Assessment Portfolio under Geoffrey Moon, president of the New Mexico Association for the Gifted, and served as a Teacher of Gifted in the Navajo region of New Mexico. In college, she studied under Dr. Anne Rinn, author of more than 50 publications in the field of giftedness, and was later invited to join the Ph.D program in Gifted/Talented Studies at the University of North Texas. She has written comprehensive curricula for gifted children, including a mathematics program which allows students to be accelerated in-class without grade skipping, and an early childhood literacy program for precocious readers.
with Madison McWilliams
Lone Star Mensa has a new GYC. This is an opportunity for parents to chat with Madison about the youth program while youth take part in activities and get to know each other.
Madison McWilliams is the founder and principal of The Joule School, a progressive private school for gifted/talented students. She holds a dual M.Ed in Teaching and Gifted/Talented Educational Psychology, and has been working with gifted youth throughout her career. Madison trained in gifted screening for children using the Frasier Talent Assessment Portfolio under Geoffrey Moon, president of the New Mexico Association for the Gifted, and served as a Teacher of Gifted in the Navajo region of New Mexico. In college, she studied under Dr. Anne Rinn, author of more than 50 publications in the field of giftedness, and was later invited to join the Ph.D program in Gifted/Talented Studies at the University of North Texas. She has written comprehensive curricula for gifted children, including a mathematics program which allows students to be accelerated in-class without grade skipping, and an early childhood literacy program for precocious readers.
Beyond Hogwarts
with McCartney Taylor
It is possible to step into a wizarding world at Czocha, a 14th century castle in Poland. Come hear about attending the College of Wizardry and the bizarre, wonderful, and creative world built around the CoW LARP, people and traditions. Bring your own wand.
McCartney Taylor is an engineer, and an avid traveler, explorer, as well as beekeeper. His main hobby is finding new ways to annoy his wife.
with McCartney Taylor
It is possible to step into a wizarding world at Czocha, a 14th century castle in Poland. Come hear about attending the College of Wizardry and the bizarre, wonderful, and creative world built around the CoW LARP, people and traditions. Bring your own wand.
McCartney Taylor is an engineer, and an avid traveler, explorer, as well as beekeeper. His main hobby is finding new ways to annoy his wife.
Honey Tasting
with McCartney Taylor
Join host McCartney Taylor -- who counts beekeeping amongst his many talents -- for a tasting of many different varieties of honey, drawn from his personal collection. McCartney says "I spent too many years collecting the best in the world not to share it". By the end hopefully you'll have a much better idea of the types of honey out there and what varieties suit you the best.
with McCartney Taylor
Join host McCartney Taylor -- who counts beekeeping amongst his many talents -- for a tasting of many different varieties of honey, drawn from his personal collection. McCartney says "I spent too many years collecting the best in the world not to share it". By the end hopefully you'll have a much better idea of the types of honey out there and what varieties suit you the best.
Scholarship Benefit Wine Tastings
with Doug Williams
We will be sampling mostly Texas wines. We are planning three tasting sessions, whites, reds, and dessert wines. Each will feature 6-8 varieties of wine or so. Wine crackers, pretzel sticks, and bottled water will be provided. Doug Williams, your host, will give a stemless wine glass to each person who donates to the scholarship fund. Depending upon how many wines you plan to sample, a donation of $5-10 to the scholarship fund would be appreciated.
with Doug Williams
We will be sampling mostly Texas wines. We are planning three tasting sessions, whites, reds, and dessert wines. Each will feature 6-8 varieties of wine or so. Wine crackers, pretzel sticks, and bottled water will be provided. Doug Williams, your host, will give a stemless wine glass to each person who donates to the scholarship fund. Depending upon how many wines you plan to sample, a donation of $5-10 to the scholarship fund would be appreciated.
Battledecks!
Battledecks aka PowerPoint Karaoke is a game where players make a short speech using powerpoint slides which they have never seen before. It can be hilarious to do and hilarious to watch. We'll prepare some slide decks and speech topics beforehand but you won't know what they are until you begin!
Battledecks aka PowerPoint Karaoke is a game where players make a short speech using powerpoint slides which they have never seen before. It can be hilarious to do and hilarious to watch. We'll prepare some slide decks and speech topics beforehand but you won't know what they are until you begin!
Breakout Box
with Amber Gabriel
We all know what happened at Bilbo Baggin's 111th birthday, but what about the 100th? Join us for a Hobbit-themed game involving riddles, puzzles, code breaking and logic problems. Break-out games are similar to escape rooms except you are breaking into a box instead of out of the room. The game is fun for kids and families or kids at heart. No prior knowledge of LOTR is necessary to play.
with Amber Gabriel
We all know what happened at Bilbo Baggin's 111th birthday, but what about the 100th? Join us for a Hobbit-themed game involving riddles, puzzles, code breaking and logic problems. Break-out games are similar to escape rooms except you are breaking into a box instead of out of the room. The game is fun for kids and families or kids at heart. No prior knowledge of LOTR is necessary to play.
Werewolf
with Paige Neemidge
Can you figure out who the werewolves are before you get killed? Maybe you have a special power which will help you win the game. Fun for all ages.
Paige has honed her werewolf skills by playing at several Annual Gatherings - the game is a favorite among teen SIG members.
with Paige Neemidge
Can you figure out who the werewolves are before you get killed? Maybe you have a special power which will help you win the game. Fun for all ages.
Paige has honed her werewolf skills by playing at several Annual Gatherings - the game is a favorite among teen SIG members.
Spaceteam
Spaceteam is a cooperative party game for 2 to 8 players who shout technobabble at each other until their ship explodes. Each player needs a mobile device (Apple and Android can even play together over Wifi!). You'll be assigned a random control panel with buttons, switches, sliders, and dials. You need to follow time-sensitive instructions. However, the instructions are being sent to your teammates, so you have to coordinate before the time runs out. Also, the ship is falling apart. And you're trying to outrun an exploding star. Good luck. And remember to work together... as a Spaceteam!
Features: Teamwork, Shouting, Confusion, An untimely demise, Beveled Nanobuzzers, Auxillary Technoprobes, Four-stroke Pluckers.
We will have our own event code and leaderboard set up so we can compete against each other by playing a cooperative game!
Spaceteam is a cooperative party game for 2 to 8 players who shout technobabble at each other until their ship explodes. Each player needs a mobile device (Apple and Android can even play together over Wifi!). You'll be assigned a random control panel with buttons, switches, sliders, and dials. You need to follow time-sensitive instructions. However, the instructions are being sent to your teammates, so you have to coordinate before the time runs out. Also, the ship is falling apart. And you're trying to outrun an exploding star. Good luck. And remember to work together... as a Spaceteam!
Features: Teamwork, Shouting, Confusion, An untimely demise, Beveled Nanobuzzers, Auxillary Technoprobes, Four-stroke Pluckers.
We will have our own event code and leaderboard set up so we can compete against each other by playing a cooperative game!
Games, Games, Games!
We have several Mind Games winners and perennial favorites which will be available all weekend for your gaming pleasure.
We have several Mind Games winners and perennial favorites which will be available all weekend for your gaming pleasure.