Speakers

Speaker	Date	Topic
Linda Shore	Jul 07, 2026	ARTEMIS - Return to the Moon In April 2026, four astronauts captured the world's imagination when they flew to the Moon and returned safely back to Earth. It's been over 50 years since Apollo 17 brought astronauts to the Moon. Learn about the NASA Artemis program, why we are heading back to the Moon now, and the aspirational goals for future Artemis missions.
Jeff Shankle	Jul 14, 2026	Waking Up! Listening to the Human Realities of Conflict Zones Having recently returned from another trip to Palestine and Israel Jeff will reflect on the human realities behind the headlines. Drawing from encounters with people like Israeli reservists, Palestinian pastors, peace activists, teenagers, and more he will explore the complexity of the conflict while also highlighting the underlying structures that shape daily life. Through stories and visuals, he helps audiences better understand what makes the situation so complicated and what, at a broader level, is not. Jeff invites listeners to “stay awake” to perspectives often overlooked and to consider how awareness and presence can contribute to peace.
Marion Fredman	Aug 04, 2026	Bay Area Holocaust Survivor Shares Her Family Story When Grete and Julius Seidmann fled Nazi Germany, they never imagined they’d be forced into hiding in a Dutch attic. While in hiding, their daughter Marion was born—a moment of light amid the darkest of times. Years later, Marion Seidemann Fredman shares her family’s courageous story of love, loss, and resilience in this visually rich, nonfiction picture book A Time to Hide. It is suitable for readers as young as 9 or 10 but appropriate for all ages to learn about World War II and the Holocaust. Through a blend of historical documents, family photos, a collage of paintings and illustrations, including newly commissioned illustrations by acclaimed artist Elisa Kleven, Fredman makes history accessible to young readers while preserving the emotional truth of the courage and humanity needed to survive.
Charlie Vogelheim	Sep 01, 2026	Transformation of Transportation (Silicon Valley Reinvents the Wheel) This presentation examines how transportation is changing and what that means for our everyday lives and local communities. While cars have made it easier for people to get around, they’ve also brought challenges such as traffic congestion, pollution, limited options for those who can’t drive, and ongoing safety concerns. New technologies—such as autonomous cars, electric vehicles, smarter traffic systems, and self-driving features—are beginning to address these issues. This talk will review the rollout of these technologies and explore how they could lead to safer roads, cleaner environments, and better access to transportation for everyone in our community.
Dr. Courtney Goode	Sep 15, 2026	The State of the District Tamalpais Union High School District Superintendent, Dr. Courtney Goode, will share with us "The State of the District" by providing a brief overview of the current and future goings-on in the District. Covering topics ranging from the current financial landscape, student achievement, Measure B construction, and other significant accolades, Dr. Goode's presentation will leave you both informed and inspired by our students and District.
Dick Spotswood	Oct 20, 2026	Likely Election Winners and Losers Including a Few Upsets Fellow Mill Valley Rotarian Dick Spotswood, Marin Independent Journal’s veteran politics and government columnist, will give his best guess on which party controls the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, is elected governor, wins seats in California’s state legislature from the North Bay/North Coast along with elections predictions for contests in Marin. He’ll also suggest a few upsets on the national scene which may have major impact on determining who’ll become serious candidates for the presidency in 2028.