Entertainment » Speakers
Schedule
| Time TBA | Karen Davis |
| Time TBA | Adam Shprintzen |
| Time TBA | Meatless Gourmet |
Mike Goldberg
Master of Ceremonies
Mike Goldberg currently serves on the Broadcast Meteorology Committee and the Subcommittee on Standards and Ethics for the National Weather Association. His daily forecasts can be heard during Kat's Cafe, middays on Lite 98 and his "Weekend Getaway" forecasts can be heard Thursday and Friday afternoons during the "Afternoons with Tony Booth" show on Big Oldies 107.3 in Richmond. Mike is a freelance meteorologist for WSET-TV, the ABC affiliate in Lynchburg, VA and writes about the weather in central Virginia for examiner.com. He is also the Meteorological Consultant/Forecaster for the Gwinnett Braves, Triple-A baseball affiliate for the Atlanta Braves, and Staff Meteorologist for MyWeatherLive.com. He is a member of both the NWA and American Meteorological Society, and holds both organization's Television Seal of Approval. He has served as Chief Meteorologist for television stations in Richmond, VA, Rochester, NY and Binghamton, NY, and has appeared as a Guest Meteorologist on The Weather Channel for the show "Abrams & Bettes: Beyond the Forecast."
Mike received a 2001 Emmy nomination for Best Weathercasting in the Capital/Chesapeake Bay Region. Holding a Certificate in Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University, he has completed additional studies in meteorology and climatology at Rutgers University and Portland State University.
Mike is always out in the community, promoting science education in the schools and presenting talks to various groups of all ages. He has served as a judge for the Virginia Science and Engineering Fair and the Metro Richmond Science Fair, and has been the Master of Ceremonies for various events held by the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Arthritis Foundation, American Diabetes Association, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Richmond Vegetarian Society, Richmond SPCA, Richmond Animal League and Cat Adoption and Rescue Efforts.
Aside from weather, Mike holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Clarinet Performance from the world-renowned Eastman School of Music in Rochester, and remains active as a professional musician and teacher. Highlights of his musical career include performing with the original Broadway production of "Into the Woods" and touring the major concert halls of the Northeastern U.S. and Canada with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Eastman Wind Ensemble. He has also recorded for CBS Masterworks. Here in Richmond, Mike is the Music Director of the Central Virginia Wind Symphony, a group of the most talented high school musicians in the region. He serves as Music Specialist with the Deep Run High School Band and Woodwind Instructor for the Lee Davis High School Band. He is also the founder and Artistic Director for Crescendo, a professional chamber music ensemble, and has performed with the Richmond Symphony, Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Richmond Orchestra, Richmond Symphonic Winds, Commonwealth Winds, and the Richmond Chamber Players.
An avid animal lover, Mike is dedicated to helping local animal adoption and welfare groups. He is on the Board of Directors for the Henrico Humane Society and has received a Guardian Angel Award from Save Our Shelters for outstanding contribution to animal welfare in Virginia.
You can find his daily forecasts on the web at: www.richmondforecast.com
Website: www.mike-goldberg.com
Karen Davis
PhD; President, United Poultry Concerns
"Is It Hard - or Easy - To Be Vegan?"
Karen Davis will address five questions that people most frequently ask about giving up meat, dairy and eggs. She will answer your questions about a vegan diet and lifestyle starting with "What Does It Mean To Be Vegan?" and "What Would I Have to Do To Change My Diet?"
Karen Davis, PhD is the founder and president of United Poultry Concerns, a nonprofit organization that promotes the compassionate and respectful treatment of domestic fowl. She is the author of Prisoned Chickens, Poisoned Eggs: An Inside Look at the Modern Poultry Industry and a bestselling vegetarian cookbook called Instead of Chicken, Instead of Turkey: A Poultryless "Poultry" Potpourri. Karen runs a sanctuary for chickens on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
Website: www.upc-online.org/karenbio.htm
Adam Shprintzen
PhD; Author, www.vegetarianhistory.com
"Plenty to Eat, Without any Meat: The Early Years of Vegetarian Reform in the United States"
The history of vegetarianism in the United States has long been ignored by both adherents and critics alike. Vegetarianism as an ideological and political movement has often been presented as a product of twentieth century modernism, reflecting a rise in ethical consumer awareness. However, the history of the nineteenth century tells a very different story. The notion that a meat free diet could be connected with larger social and political goals was formulated during, and changed dramatically, in the nineteenth century.
During this presentation, Dr. Shprintzen will explore the early years of the vegetarian movement in the United States, explaining its motivations, goals and methods. Through compelling anecdotes, colorful stories and intriguing historical figures, Dr. Shprintzen will paint a picture of what it meant to live as a vegetarian in the United States in the middle of the nineteenth century, an identity that attracted equal amounts of amusement, anger, and mockery from the culture at large.
Adam Shprintzen received his PhD in History from Loyola University Chicago in May 2011, where his studies focused on nineteenth century America and the development of American vegetarianism. The dissertation won Loyola's prize for the best dissertation in the Humanities in 2011, and was also nominated for consideration for the Society of American Historians' Alan Nevins prize for the best-written dissertation on American history. Adam has presented his research findings on vegetarian history to a variety of academic conferences throughout the United States and Canada, has two articles published on the subject and has spoken to various vegetarian groups and societies. Currently, Adam serves as the Editor of the George Washington Online Encyclopedia at the Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. Most importantly, Adam lives in Alexandria, VA with his wife and two cats, all of whom put up with his long descriptions of long gone vegetarians and their cookbooks.
Website: www.vegetarianhistory.com
Twitter: @VegHistory