Archives | 2010 | Meeting Summary
December 2010
Our December Social Meeting Members, guests,
and spouses gathered for some Christmas cheer and games on
December 18th in the home of a MUFON member. Director John
Schwab provided prizes for the top 3 game winners!
November 2010
Director John Schwab opened the meeting with introductions and
welcome new guests. He reminded members of the upcoming Christmas Party, adding,
an email will be sent out with more details and directions for the December 18th
event.Jorge Santana, Head Field Investigator for Section 16, said he is working
on 6 reports at this time.
Speaker: Ken Gerhard Ken gave an overview for a new book he has written in
conjunction with Nick Redfern, Monsters
of Texas. He covered myths, and sightings for, Chupacabras, Bigfoot,
Thunderbirds, Werewolf and a Mothman, highlighting some reports coming from
right here in the San Antonio area.
Ken Gerhard is an accomplished cryptozoologist and field researcher for The
Centre for Fortean Zoology and The Gulf Coast Bigfoot Research Organization, as
well as a fellow of the Pangea Institute. He has investigated reports of
monsters and mysterious beasts all over the world including Bigfoot, the Loch
Ness Monster, the Chupacabra, winged creatures and even werewolves.
In addition to appearing in three episodes of the History
Channel television series Monster Quest, Ken is featured on the special The Real
Wolfman (History Channel) and in the series Legend Hunters (Travel
Channel/A&E) and also Paranatural (National Geographic), plus numerous,
radio and Internet broadcasts. His credits include appearances on Eyewitness
News, Coast to Coast Radio and Ireland’s Newstalk Radio, as well as being
featured in major books, DVDs and in articles by the Associated Press, Tampa
Tribune and Amarillo Edge.
Ken is author of the books Big Bird: Modern Sightings of Flying
Monsters and Monsters of Texas and has contributed to trade publications
including Animals and Men, The Journal of the British Columbia Scientific
Cryptozoology Club and Bigfoot Times. He has lectured and exhibited at
numerous paranormal conferences across the United States.
Born on Friday the 13th of October, Ken has traveled to
twenty-six different countries and has visited forty-three of the states. An
avid adventurer, he has camped along the Amazon, explored the Galapagos, hiked
the Australian Outback and has visited many ancient and mysterious sites, from
Machu Pichu to Stonehenge.
October 26, 2010
Director John Schwab opened the meeting at 7:00pm with a discussion on future
guest speakers before showing some interesting UFO video taken in Norway.
Walt Andrus then gave a detailed overview of the history of MUFON International
for which he was founder and Director for many of its 49 years. MUFON was
originally established as the Midwest UFO Network in Quincy, Il on May 30, 1969
by Walter H. Andrus, Allen Utke, John Schuessler, and others. Most of MUFON's
early members had earlier been associated with Aerial Phenomena Research
Organization (APRO).The organization now has more than 3,000 members worldwide,
with a majority of its membership base situated in the continental United
States.
MUFON operates a worldwide network of regional directors for field
investigation of reported UFO sightings, holds an annual international
symposium, and publishes the monthly MUFON UFO Journal. The stated mission of
MUFON is the scientific study of UFOs for the benefit of humanity through
investigations, research and education.
Along with the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) and the Fund for
UFO Research (FUFOR), MUFON is part of the UFO Research Coalition, a
collaborative effort by the three main UFO investigative organizations in the US
whose goal is to share personnel and other research resources, and to fund and
promote the scientific study of the UFO phenomenon. At this time MUFON is
currently headquartered in Greeley, Colorado under the direction of
Clifford Clift.
July 27, 2010
Thank you Jorge S. (STAR Team Member and Lead Section Investigator) for your
review of the 2010 Symposium. The scientific data presented on the abduction “conundrum”
was absolutely fascinating….and has renewed my interest in the subject.
The Symposium was an obvious success that provided a unique opportunity for
learning and networking. I would like to join Jorge in expressing our conclusion
that it is people like the participants of Mufon San Antonio that truly make up
the mission critical elements of Mufon. I would also like to thank our new
friend Greg M. for his willingness to come and speak for the first time about
his experience. Mufon San Antonio recognizes that this is often a difficult
effort and finding a receptive “ear” was obviously appreciated. Then again….that
is one of the reasons we are here!
A special recognition to our member Rene for his ongoing efforts in photography
and analysis. Rene shared with the group his recent digital captures that are
truly “something different”. We are very thankful to Rene for not only
bringing to our group his technical expertise but a reminder to keep our eyes on
the skies! Whatever it is…..it is more common than we recognize. We also had
two young people (under 40 ha ha!...actually teenagers!) that came to the
meeting. Thank you parents for allowing their participation. An interest in
science and an open mind will take them far. We continue to encourage their
attendance and are very thankful for their presence.
I wanted to pass along a very cool website
that was mentioned by Marc DC’Antonio at the 2010 Symposium
called Stellarium (www.stellarium.org). You really need to try
it. It easily, it identifies stars/satellites/planets etc in
an interactive format. (In other words…..it will tell you
exactly what lights in the sky are normal ….in our effort to
determine which are “special” - try it, you’ll like
it!
May 25, 2010
Guest Speaker- Eric M. Schlegel Dr. Eric Schlegel, Astro Physicist, UTSA …topic:
Another viewpoint and an accurate account of what scientists are doing regarding
the attempts to find other lifer forms in the universe.
Dr. Eric M. Schlegel, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of
Texas at San Antonio Author : the Restless Universe Presentation “Life
in the Universe” Carl Sagan once noted that there is only one generation
that gets to see things for the first time. We are in the midst of such a time
right now, standing on the threshold of discovery in the young and remarkable
field of X-ray astronomy. In The Restless Universe, astronomer Eric Schlegel
offers readers an informative survey of this cutting-edge science.
Two major space observatories launched in the last few years--NASA's Chandra and
the European Newton--are now orbiting the Earth, sending back a gold mine of
data on the X-ray universe. Schlegel, who has worked on the Chandra project for
seven years, describes the building and launching of this space-based X-ray
observatory. But the book goes far beyond the story of Chandra. What Schlegel
provides here is the background a nonscientist would need to grasp the present
and follow the future of X-ray astronomy.
He looks at the relatively brief history of the field, the hardware used to
detect X-rays, the satellites--past, present, and future--that have been or will
be flown to collect the data, the way astronomers interpret this data, and,
perhaps most important, the insights we have already learned as well as
speculations about what we may soon discover. And throughout the book, Schlegel
conveys the excitement of looking at the universe from the perspective brought
by these new observatories and the sharper view they deliver. Drawing on
observations obtained from Chandra, Newton, and previous X-ray observatories,
The Restless Universe gives a first look at an exciting field which
significantly enriches our understanding of the universe.
Goodie Grab Please bring any UFO related item (books/toys/souvenirs) that you
would like the next person to appreciate. (This is sort of a “Chinese Gift
Exchange”...so if you bring something you will not go home empty handed!)
DonationsIn order to assure continued success and help fund speaker costs Mufon
San Antonio asks for a small donation to help (hint $1-$2)Adjourn:
March 23rd, 2010
We had 29 participants for March! (2 visitors and 27 members
In all honesty I had no idea that the meeting would take on the theme of our “human
side”….but it all sort of seemed clear….we discussed recent investigations
and how our concern for the well being of the witness made a son feel better,
how (one of our speakers) expressed having a Mufon group to talk with was a
blessing, and how Officer Hill…a public servant….caries this theme to his
investigations.
A special thank you goes to the following folks:
-
1) Officer E. Hill, After Dark Paranormal
for his overview of his program and the new magazine After
Dark...The Official Journal of the After Dark Paranormal
Society. Remember Mufon is featured in the next edition
May 2010 with an interview of our own Jorge Santa!
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2) Jorge Santa for his ongoing
representation of Mufon in the public sector.
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3) Rita F. for her willingness to stand up
and discuss her experiences…she was visiting from El
Paso and found us on the web…
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4) Diane P. for keeping us on the web! So
folks like Rita can find us!!!!
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5) Cathy C….for helping secure a really
cool speaker for May 25th!!!!
A few requests:
-
As I mentioned (plus +++see below)
Mufon San Antonio has a really cool speaker for May…I
need a topic or speaker for April! If any of you have an
idea please let me know…we what to be responsive to your
interests.
-
I have spoken to Ken Cherry (State
Director) regarding our current Mufon International and
our Local group needs….the following is requested:
-
A) Big Picture: If you have not
considered membership to Mufon International…please
do! It is a small way to say that you are a member of a
respected group that is in pursuit of knowledge about a
topic we all know as “something”
-
B) BCC: You will notice I have started
using the BCC. This is an attempt, effort, and out of
respect to keep you emails private. I am sorry for not
using it in the past, and will use it from now on.
-
C) Local Picture: I have requested Mr.
Cherry’s support in the development of a Director of
Operations for our group. The responsibilities would
basically be…
-
Provides support and leadership to
meetings
-
Assists in networking speakers and
activities
-
Conducts group meetings with agendas
when current facilitator is unavailable
-
Assists in the maintenance of
records to include but not limited to data base,
attendance, scheduling, etc.
-
Promotes Mufon International and
Mufon San Antonio
If you have any ideas for our Dir. of Opps…please let me know!!! Coming
Events: Meeting May 25th….Dr. Eric Schlegel, Astro Physicist, UTSA …topic:
Another viewpoint and an accurate account of what scientists are doing regarding
the attempts to find other lifer forms in the universe.
A big thank you to Cathy C. for cashing in some of her “cool points” to
secure this speaker!!!!!!!!!!!
February 2010
Just a quick note of thanks to everyone that attended our meeting last night. We
had 27 participants, and a special thanks to the 5 visitors that came….your
presence enhances our group and we look forward to learning of your interests.
A special thanks to Mr. Nick Redfern for coming into San Antonio (in lousy
weather!) to discuss his new book Contactees. His historical perspective on
something we all know as “something” is a valuable contribution to our field
of study. Plus….he is such a cool guy and we are very fortunate to have him as
a friend!
(In addition I would like to say thank you to Ken Gerhard for keeping an eye on
Nick last night…congratulations on your recent TV shows...you add a little
class to our operation!)
Mufon San Antonio, in addition to its
claim-to-fame of having Mr. Walter Andrus Jr. as an active
member, is one of the oldest consistently meeting Mufon groups
in the Mufon International Network. Mufon San Antonio
recognizes that in order to be an active group it must not
only have a presence in the community, but provide a “service”
to that community.
To that end, Mufon San Antonio is making every effort to be a
Resource for San Antonio. This group understands the stigma
and confusion that often results from an unknown sighting, not
to mention the lack of awareness on the best practice
procedure of effectively reporting observations. Mufon San
Antonio is here to help navigate these challenges for their
community.
