It is amazing just how big “Drinking Skeptically” is becoming with CVAAS.  Tonight we might have hit 30 people! (Did anyone get a count?)

CVAAS hosts Drinking Skeptically on the first Sunday of every month at 7pm at the Starline Bar and Grill located at 833 E Fern Ave, Fresno, CA 93728 (see map). 

Depending on how the business meeting goes, we might start a little earlier.  If you’re new to Drinking Skeptically with CVAAS, go to the Starline Bar and Grill (next door to the Starline theater).  Go inside, past the outdoor patio, and then turn right to place your order at the bar.  There are drinks, or soda if you would rather do that.  They also have some pretty good food there.  (Try the sweet potato french fries!) 

Drinks are served quickly, food…. well, it may take a bit longer.  So take your drink and head toward the back of the room – we will be the loud group around the huge table set up in the back.  Find a seat, introduce yourself and join in the conversation.  Your food will find you back with the group.

Tonight was great, with many different conversations going on at the same time around the table.  Everyone really seemed to be enjoying themselves, with everything from jokes to serious philosophy being discussed.  We met some wonderful new people, and a lot of ‘regulars’ to Drinking Skeptically. 

If you want to get a flavor of what skeptical, secular people are like, come and laugh with us at the next Drinking Skeptically!

9th annual Rally in the Valley

Peace Fresno is an educational organization dedicated to peaceful resolution to conflict. As part of their mission, they are once again hosting the “Rally in the Valley” where like-minded organizations can promote social justice and advocate the restoration and protection of our civil liberties.

The Central Valley Alliance of Atheists and Skeptics also encourages the rational use of conflict resolution, and supports Peace Fresno in it’s goals to, “further the cause of peace and justice.”

CVAAS is a co-sponsor of the Peace & Justice Festival, and will be hosting a table at this event. If you would like to volunteer to help answer questions and pass out literature at this event, please send an email to info@cvaas.org. You are also welcome to stop by and give us a hand, or just to say “hello”.

This event will be held at the Jr. Exhibits Hall at the Fresno Fairgrounds. (see map) You can park at the lot on the corner of S. Chance Ave and E. Butler Ave. Admission and parking is free.

Don’t forget to check the CVAAS Events page for more information on this and other events hosted by CVAAS and our sister secular & skeptical organizations throughout the Central Valley.

Just a reminder that preacher-turned-atheist and comedic storyteller Tommy Nugent will be at Skeptically Drinking this weekend on March 7th.

Tommy is playing in the Rogue Performance Festival that is being held the first and second weekends in March.  He will be performing at the Starline at 831 E. Fern at these showtimes:

Friday, 3/5 10:00 pm
Starurday, 3/6 5:30 pm
Sunday, 3/7 1:00 pm / 5:30 pm
Friday, 3/12 8:30 pm
Saturday, 3/13 2:30 pm
Sunday, 3/14 5:30 pm

Join us at Skeptically Drinking as we get to know Tommy!

Trilobite hunt 2010!

March 26 – 29

It’s a 515 Million Year Roadtrip!

Join CVAAS on what is becoming an annual tradition as we hunt for trilobite fossils near the town of Amboy California.

The Trilobite Hunt webpage has all the information you’ll need to know about how to get to the dig site, what to bring with you, and it will even help you share a ride if you need one!

CVAAS goes on these trips to celebrate Darwin’s explanation of fossils as being consistent with his theory of evolution. There were comparatively few discovered fossils in Darwin’s time, and he acknowledged that the fossil record was incomplete. It is fortunate that fossils are only one of many, many lines of evidence that point toward evolution!

CVAAS members will be camping over the weekend of March 27 & 28. Several CVAAS members will be staying from Friday to Monday, from March 26 to 29.

Please visit the Trilobite Hunt webpage to learn more about this trip, and to sign up!

Camp Quest West is coming back to Fresno on March 25th! And they need volunteers!

Once again, Central California Parents Magazine is sponsoring a “Camp Fair” in Fresno. This fair will be held in the gymnasium of People’s Church, located at 7172 North Cedar, Fresno. (See map)

Camp Quest West Camp Director Chris Lindstrom will be back in Fresno with the “Big Wheel of Science”. Last year several CVAAS members volunteered to help Chris get the word out to potential campers, and we were very successful in getting people interested in Camp Quest! Chris later told us she was surprised at the number of people who signed up for more information!

Chris would love to have us help out again this year. Volunteers will use the “Big Wheel of Science” and hand out information to those people who are interested in CVAAS. 

If you would like to help out Camp Quest in Fresno, send an email to info@cvaas.org!  You can also learn more by becoming a fan of Camp Quest West on Facebook.

The Central Valley Alliance of Atheists and Skeptics broke the news of the letter sent by the Freedom from Religion Foundation to Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin.  Some news organizations have asked for and received a copy of this letter.

Now you can read the FFRF statement, and see the letter in PDF format for yourself.

This letter quotes some of many relevant court and Supreme Court decisions that clearly indicate that the Fresno City Council’s actions are unlawful.

The law here seems to be clear.  What is unclear to CVAAS is in what way the City Council feels it is complying with the law, and we await their explanation.