Science on Tap

By david

Events, Science on Tap

Ron Allen— Monarchs and Milkweeds

12 May

The Local Grape presents, Science on Tap. Featuring, Ron Allen Monarchs and Milkweeds The monarch is the only butterfly that migrates like a bird-over thousands of miles. The first part of the talk, on the butterfly, will explain the monarch's life cycle and its migration patterns. Some answers are known, but there remain several scientific mysteries about how this little insect can make such long flights and then survive the overwintering stints. The second part of the talk focuses on Asclepias genus milkweeds. These are toxic plants, and they are the only ones upon which monarch caterpillars feed. How does this relationship between insect and plant work? Here the answers are better understood, but the details of the dependency are still surprising. May 12th, 2025 5:30 pm Free Admission The Local Grape 5021 CA-140 Mariposa, CA 95338 Concessions: Cheese boards and paninis will be available for purchase during the event from The Local Grape! Mission: Science on Tap brings regional scientists together with Mariposa community members to share the joy and urgency of recent discoveries— from the outermost reaches of space and time to the everyday laboratory in our backyards.

By david

Events, Science on Tap

Dr. Sara Rosenberg, Soil Health & Ecology

28 Apr

The Local Grape presents, Science on Tap. In partnership with the UC Cooperative Extension, University of California, Agriculture & Natural Resources Featuring, Dr. Sara Rosenberg UC Cooperative Extension Regenerative Agriculture Advisor SOIL HEALTH & ECOLOGY Soil conservation and restoration is crucial from an agricultural and climate perspective. Did you know that a teaspoon of soil contains billions of microorganisms? Did you know that there is an entire ecosystem bellow our feet that is crucial for storing and cycling carbon from our atmosphere? We will discuss the intricacies of the soil ecosystem and dive into what soil health means from a chemical, physical, and biological perspective. We will then explore how healthy soil functions to provide services supporting all life on Earth. Finally, we will touch on how land management practices positively and negatively affect these ecosystem services. April 28th, 2025 5:30 pm Free Admission The Local Grape 5021 CA-140 Mariposa, CA 95338 Concessions: Cheese boards will be available for purchase during the event from The Local Grape! Mission: Science on Tap brings regional scientists together with Mariposa community members to share the joy and urgency of recent discoveries— from the outermost reaches of space and time to the everyday laboratory in our backyards.

By david

Events, Science on Tap

Dr. Hanna Gunn, The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

10 Mar

The Local Grape presents, Science on Tap. Featuring, Dr. Hanna Gunn Assistant Professor, Philosophy Department, UC Merced The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence Whatever your opinion on the question, "Can a computer think?", in 2025 some teens are spending more time with their artificially intelligent (Al) companions than with their human-peers. Some wedding planners are recommending soon-to-be-weds use Al to write their vows for them. Decisions about everything from parole, credit cards, mortgages, and insurance payments increasingly use Al. The Age of Artificial Intelligence is certainly here, but what exactly is Al? What are its benefits? What are its risks? Join me for a philosophical discussion of the technology. I begin with a brief history before digging into a tour of the ethical and philosophical problems that the tools raise for ourselves and our communities. March 10th, 2025 5:30 pm Free Admission The Local Grape 5021 CA-140 Mariposa, CA 95338 Concessions: Cheese boards and paninis will be available for purchase during the event from The Local Grape! Mission: Science on Tap brings regional scientists together with Mariposa community members to share the joy and urgency of recent discoveries— from the outermost reaches of space and time to the everyday laboratory in our backyards.

By david

Events, Science on Tap

Ryan Keeley, Investigating the Nature of the Universe

24 Feb

The Local Grape presents, Science on Tap. In partnership with the UC Cooperative Extension, University of California, Agriculture & Natural Resources Featuring, Ryan Keeley Investigating the nature of the Universe 95% of the Universe is made up of unknown material. These components are dark matter and dark energy, though we don't know their nature. I'll explain the observations that lead to the conclusions that these unknown, exotic materials must exist, and the current tests that scientists like me are performing to gain clues and eventually answer what are the natures of dark matter and dark energy. Such observations include the accelerating expansion of the Universe, the pattern of how galaxies are distributed on the largest scales of the Universe, as well as light that was emitted at the very birth of the Universe. I'll also briefly review parts of my previous Science on Tap to set the stage for this one. February 24th, 2025 5:30 pm Free Admission The Local Grape 5021 CA-140 Mariposa, CA 95338 Concessions: Cheese boards will be available for purchase during the event from The Local Grape! Mission: Science on Tap brings regional scientists together with Mariposa community members to share the joy and urgency of recent discoveries— from the outermost reaches of space and time to the everyday laboratory in our backyards.

By david

Events, Science on Tap

Ken Yager— An Unorthodox Life: A History of Rock Climbing in Yosemite

13 Jan

The Local Grape presents, Yosemite on Tap. Featuring, Ken Yager An Unorthodox Life: A History of Rock Climbing in Yosemite An Unorthodox Life: A History of Rock Climbing in Yosemite Ken started climbing at the age of 12 as an equal with the UC Davis professors in the Physics and Engineering Departments in 1971. He saw El Capitan during his first climbing trip to Yosemite at 13 years old and immediately knew he had to climb it. Fresh out high school, his father dropped him off in Camp 4 to pursue that goal in December of 1976. Join Ken for many colorful stories about his unorthodox Yosemite life which is somewhat Forrest Gump-like. Join us to hear about the infamous Airplane Crash, or what it was like to switch eggs out of a Peregrine nest on El Capitan, or perhaps you want to learn some Yosemite climbing history. Ken loves hecklers. Ken has 54 years of rock climbing experience and is the founder of the Yosemite Climbing Association, Yosemite Facelift, and the Ask a Climber program. Against all odds he was able to realize a 30+ year dream of a permanent climbing history museum/exhibit in Yosemite Valley. He currently lives in town and is working on the Yosemite Climbing Museum. January 13th, 2025 5:30 pm Free Admission The Local Grape 5021 CA-140 Mariposa, CA 95338 Concessions: Cheese boards will be available for purchase during the event from The Local Grape! Mission: Science on Tap brings regional scientists together with Mariposa community members to share the joy and urgency of recent discoveries— from the outermost reaches of space and time to the everyday laboratory in our backyards.

By david

Events, Science on Tap

Beth Pratt, Cougars and Crossings

09 Dec

The Local Grape presents, Science on Tap. In partnership with the UC Cooperative Extension, University of California, Agriculture & Natural Resources. Featuring, Beth Pratt Conservation leader, author, wildlife advocate Cougars and Crossings or What I Learned About Connectivity from Building the World's Largest Wildlife Crossing "Nature doesn't work without connection" wrote author Mary Ellen Hannibal. Although for the United States (and the world), connectivity is a relatively new concept in the history of wildlife conservation and landscape planning, today, the science is leading a new global era of attention and implementation of wildlife crossings and connectivity efforts. Join longtime Midpines resident and conservation leader Beth Pratt to learn more about the science of connectivity and her work in this field, most notably helping to make the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing a reality to help save a population of mountain lions. You'll also learn about other wildlife crossings for critters large and small, and some other barriers to connectivity like light and sound pollution, and some of the Yosemite area wildlife that are impacted by this fragmentation. December 9th, 2024 5:30 pm Free Admission The Local Grape 5021 CA-140 Mariposa, CA 95338 Concessions: Cheese boards will be available for purchase during the event from The Local Grape! Mission: Science on Tap brings regional scientists together with Mariposa community members to share the joy and urgency of recent discoveries— from the outermost reaches of space and time to the everyday laboratory in our backyards.

By david

Events, Science on Tap

Sam Fellows, Genes to Geography in Snakes and Lizards

04 Nov

The Local Grape presents, Science on Tap. In partnership with the UC Cooperative Extension, University of California, Agriculture & Natural Resources. Featuring, Sam Fellows Genes to Geography in Snakes and Lizards Snakes and lizards form the most diverse group of terrestrial animals and are often the subjects of wildlife encounters, usually negative. However, snakes and lizards are important controls on insects, disease-carrying rodents, and are food for large charismatic birds like hawks and owls. In addition to playing important roles in their ecosystem, snakes and lizards are heavily tied to the landscape and provide insight into the ways biodiversity is formed and lost. We will explore the 21 species of snakes and lizards that call Mariposa County home then discuss some of Sam's projects that try to understand the links between genetics, the landscape, color and pattern, and how these diverse animals invest in the next generation. November 4th, 2024 5:30 pm Free Admission The Local Grape 5021 CA-140 Mariposa, CA 95338 Concessions Cheese boards will be available for purchase during the event from The Local Grape! Mission: Science on Tap brings regional scientists together with Mariposa community members to share the joy and urgency of recent discoveries— from the outermost reaches of space and time to the everyday laboratory in our backyards.

By david

Events, Science on Tap

Dr. Beth Scaffidi, Mummies Unwrapped: Science Behind the Stories Mummies Tell

14 Oct

The Local Grape presents, Science on Tap. Featuring, Dr. Beth Scaffidi Mummies Unwrapped: Science Behind the Stories Mummies Tell From ancient Egypt to the many frozen mountaineers now being exposed by glacial retreat, mummified human remains have captured the human imagination. I introduce some of the most interesting natural mummies from prehistory: Ötzi the Iceman of the Swiss Alps, the oldest mummies in the world from the Chinchorro desert in north-coastal Chile, the 'beautiful children' or capacochas sacrificed by the Inca on Andean mountain peaks, human trophy heads from the Peruvian coast, and even the Yosemite mummies of local lore. I'll share how modern scientific techniques like ancient DNA, isotopic analyses, and even drug analysis from mummy hair is showing us who these individuals were, how they lived and died, and yielding warnings far more important than any mummy's curse. October 14th, 2024 5:30 pm Free Admission The Local Grape 5021 CA-140 Mariposa, CA 95338 Concessions Cheese boards and pizza will be available for purchase during the event from The Local Grape and Yosemite Pizza! Mission: Science on Tap brings regional scientists together with Mariposa community members to share the joy and urgency of recent discoveries— from the outermost reaches of space and time to the everyday laboratory in our backyards.

By david

Events, Science on Tap

Rose Fluharty, Feed Your Brain Through Nutrition

23 Sep

The Local Grape presents, Science on Tap. Featuring, Rose Fluharty Certified Nutrition Specialist® Feed Your Brain Through Nutrition The human microbiome is a vast landscape made up of trillions of bacteria and other living organisms within the body. Humans experience impacts to their microbiome that may influence their health outcomes for years, or even generations to come. This presentation will discuss how food, lifestyles, lived environments, and stress shape each person's unique microbiome. We will also discover how the microbiome in the human gut creates a bidirectional communication loop to the brain. Please join us to learn how to work with foods that are known to improve brain health, in order to better understand the relationship between mental health and nutrition. September 23rd, 2024 5:30 pm Free Admission The Local Grape 5021 CA-140 Mariposa, CA 95338 Concessions: Cheese boards and pizza will be available for purchase during the event from The Local Grape and Yosemite Pizza! Mission: Science on Tap brings regional scientists together with Mariposa community members to share the joy and urgency of recent discoveries— from the outermost reaches of space and time to the everyday laboratory in our backyards.

By david

Events, Science on Tap

Dr. Sara Rosenberg, What is Regenerative Agriculture?

19 Aug

The Local Grape presents, Science on Tap. Featuring, Dr. Sara Rosenberg Regenerative Agriculture Farm Advisor University of California Cooperative Extension What is Regenerative Agriculture? Join us for an engaging presentation about what Regenerative Agriculture its ability to support soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Currently a hot topic and major buzz word in the agricultural landscape, regenerative agriculture remains a debated topic as it still lacks a concrete definition. We will attempt to unpack what regenerative agriculture means and explore the science behind how these integrative approaches to land management can provide benefits for both agriculture productivity and our broader environments and community. We will start with a brief discussion on Sara's new role in Mariposa and then dive into an engaging conversation about how managing the landscape using ecological principles and practices can support multifunctional agriculture. August 19th, 2024 5:30 pm Free Admission The Local Grape 5021 CA-140 Mariposa, CA 95338 Concessions: Cheese boards and pizza will be available for purchase during the event from The Local Grape and Yosemite Pizza! Mission: Science on Tap brings regional scientists together with Mariposa community members to share the joy and urgency of recent discoveries— from the outermost reaches of space and time to the everyday laboratory in our backyards.

1
2
3