Mitch Hedberg reference? No? Anyway, thanks so much to everyone that came out to our June show, and to our speakers for slaying their talks as always. We are indeed going on break for the summer, so here’s some follow up info for you:
Find your zen with our feathered friends- check out Amanda’s book suggestion “Ornitherapy” by Holly Merker, Richard Crosby and Sophie Crossley. Follow Audubon Great Plains on Facebook for birding events, and Amanda on Instagram.
Attenborough yourself and make Boss Tracy happy; reduce your plastic waste and check out Red River Refillery in Brewhalla.
With that, we are taking the summer off to enjoy the sunshine while we have it, and you should too! Nerd Nite will return on Thursday, September 19th, 7PM at the Cellar as usual. Tickets and details will be posted closer to the event.
Until then, stay classy, my friends. And here is that Mitch Hedberg joke if you want it.
“Geez, I’d love to get into birding, but I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of those ornithology snobs with the $2500 binoculars who can replicate bird calls so well the birds answer them back.”
“Gosh, I would love to compost these food scraps but I’m worried about smells and vermin and pissing off the neighbors.”
“Good gravy, planet minded products and packaging are so expensive- there must be cheaper ways to reduce my plastic waste.”
…HONEY have I got news for you! 😀 If you’re looking for ways to increase your mental wellness through nature and reduce your impact on the planet, this is the Nite to be at. Speaker + Talk details:
Observation Birds – A Glimpse Into Mindful Birding
A self-described overachieving Millennial and one who identifies her success through achievements, slowing down was never part Amanda Booher’s lifestyle. But she was pretty stressed out, and through connection and purpose, Amanda Booher, Audubon Great Plains Communications Manager, has become a certified Mindfulness Coach and Mindful Bird Guide in attempt to take a chill and learn from our feathered friends. Mindful Birding combines observing birds with mindfulness techniques where labeling or identifying birds is not the primary focus.
Amanda Booher is a community builder and Communications professional with over 15 years of experience. In her current role at Audubon Great Plains she is the Communications Manager and works hard to promote the importance of protecting habitats for birds in the Great Plains region. Amanda is the Vice Chair for the Chamber’s Women Connect Committee and also served seven years on the Fargo Theatre Board of Directors.
Unlocking the Potential: Transforming Food Waste in the FM-Area into a Valuable Resource
Hayden Thompson and Bridger Scraper tried to give me their details on Monday and I screwed up, so I’m currently missing their full talk info, but you can get an idea of what they’ll be discussing by visiting their website https://www.prairiecompostservices.com/. Will post their teaser and bios ASAP!
Plastic Assassin! Finding Creative Ways to Reduce your Plastic Waste
Single use plastic sucks! It takes thousands of years to degrade, is difficult to recycle, and it’s killing our wildlife. We’ve been over-enjoying this decadent, disposable convenience for too long, and our planet is paying the price. Join me to retrain your brain in how you think about plastic packaging, and learn some painless ways to reduce your plastic waste.
Tracy Kurtz is a has-been chemist living in a microbiologist’s world, a nine year Nerd Boss, and a prime example of the Attenborough effect. Interests include birds, composting, and exactly four other things.(Yes, you may remember this talk from 2023; our third speaker had to drop out for health reasons, so we’re filling time with an appropriately themed legacy talk. Deal with it. 🙂 )
See your beautiful faces on Thursday June 20th, 7PM (doors at 6:30) at The Cellar below Front Street Taproom for some learning, some door prizes, and some laughs. Bring $10 to the door or get your tickets in advance on Eventbrite (same price either way- we eat the EB fees bc the compost worms won’t do it).
Woowwwww what a super fun time this week- we got the storied history of the VW Bug, we extracted DNA from strawberries, we learned how to get out of our own way and just CREATE ART. <3 Things to do while you wait for the next show:
Remember the 19th Annual VWs in the Valley show is coming up on July 27th right here in town- check out https://rrvwc.com/ for details.
Keep up with Zack’s work at the National Agricultural Genotyping Center here: https://genotypingcenter.com/
Need some creative inspiration? Will’s website is here- https://www.willrosenberg.com/
Our next show is THURSDAY JUNE 20TH, 7PM, at the Cellar as usual (get your tickets in advance on Eventbrite). BONUS- you can find us May 23 – 26 at Fargo CoreCon, celebrating our love for all things nerdy with all the rest of the nerds in the Valley.
Until then, stay curious my friends. See you soon.
Happy Tuesday, Nerds! Even if it’s rainy and cool outside, our next edition of Fargo Nerd Nite is coming in hot! This one is going to get a bit hands-on, so bring some gloves or some wet wipes or something. 😀 Full deets:
25 Years of VW Lovin’: An Ode to the Bug
Let’s go for a ride through the history and quirks of the iconic VW Beetle and the challenges of owning these quirky little cars. I’ll share insights and advice I’ve collected over a quarter-century of VW ownership and discuss the vibrant community that makes this hobby so special and accessible. Get ready to rev your engines and dive into the world of vintage Volkswagens!
Adrienne Salentiny is the president of the Red River VW Club. A life-long lover of 1960s-70s culture in general, she got her first VW bug at age 15 (shocking no one). She lives in Grand Forks, ND with her family, a lot of pets, and her 1963 bug, “Darrel.”
Extracting the Genetic Cookbook: Unveiling Strawberry DNA and Mutations that make Superweeds
DNA is like a cookbook, containing recipes for life. Most errors that mutate life’s recipes are lethal, but sometimes small tweaks can have profound effects in the right environment. Let’s pulverize strawberries to see the DNA cookbook and explore how a perfectly placed mutation can bring agriculture to its knees. But fear not! We have genetic tools that can help combat superweeds.
Zack Bateson’s enthusiasm for biology spawned in the woodlands of northern Minnesota. He leveled up his nerdvana with a Ph.D. in evolutionary genetics. He helps manage a private lab that creates genetic tests for pest control and improving crops. When he’s not begging for research money or playing with DNA, he hikes the prairie to find bugs and flowers with his wife and two young boys. Zack’s side hustle includes breeding snakes and developing activities for science teachers.
No One Told Me I’m An Artist
Growing up, no one told me I was an artist. It is honestly something that is typically trained out of us through the magical world of “school.” Yet somewhere along the journey I simply kept creating. Finding myself painting live at events and in front of people sharpening creative thoughts. But no one told me I was an artist… even my own father, who was an artist himself!!! Maybe because the world kept telling him there’s no space for him to be an artist.
Will Rosenberg is an artist, speaker, creative consultant and human BEing. The BEing part comes first and the doings follow. He has travelled around the world a few times attempting to discover who he is and somehow he landed here in Fargo, North Dakota…. well, actually Moorhead, MN. Will spends his time creating with paint or words and is working on releasing his first book soon. He also travels as a show producer for another artist/speaker.
So get your beautiful selves to the Cellar at Front Street Taproom on Thursday May 16th, 7PM (doors at 6:30) for some laughs, some learning, and some special giveaways. Bring $10 to the door, or get your tickets in advance on Eventbrite (same price to you either way).
Full speaker and talk details will be posted soon- sign up for our email list (text NERDNITE to 33777) to be notified when they are, or stay with us on the socials, or just get your tickets at Eventbrite now.
Happy Saturday nerds! Winter has at last passed into memory and broken to spring- the first plants are popping, the days are getting longer, and the Sorels are making way for the flip flops. What better way to welcome the new season than with another edition of Nerd Nite! Speaker and talk details:
What the Average Person Should Know About Mortgages
Let’s take some of the mystery and complexity out of home Mortgages. We’ll discuss details on what is required to qualify for a mortgage and why those qualifications are required.
Gwen Organa is a Senior Mortgage advisor for Rocket Mortgage and a bad bitch who, after her divorce, changed her last name to Organa in honor of Princess Leia.
Life Cycle of a Honey Bee
We will cover how the honey bee arrives in the mail, the spectacular in flight mating of the queen, how many bees it takes to make a single ounce of honey, and more! It’s the buzz of the town.
Kenny LeNoue is a local business owner and entrepeneur who tends to have more hobbies than time. He is an avid bow and upland game hunter, enjoys riding bike and motorcycles, has dabbled in aviation and enjoys landscaping, gardening, and of course bees.
Our last speaker had to bow out because she got too busy with work stuff, but don’t worry- we’ll make it up to you with cupcakes because IT’S OUR FRICKIN BIRTHDAY, BABY!! That’s right- Fargo Nerd Nite was born on April 20th, 2015- a birthday we share with George Takei, Carmen Electra, and Andy Serkis, and has absolutely nothing to do with the reason you’re giggling like a child right now. 😉
See your beautiful faces this Thursday, April 18th, 7PM (doors at 6:30) at The Cellar below Front Street Taproom. Bring $10 to the door, or get your tickets in advance on Eventbrite. Same price either way. We eat the fees because they pair nicely with the cupcakes.
Thanks everyone who came to last Thursday’s show, and to our speakers for sharing their time and expertise! Don’t forget to make Ashley proud by voting in our local elections (June for Fargo, November for Moorhead- get all ya info at https://www.vote411.org/), and visit Chris and Fargo Fungi at the Red River Market for some delicious mushrooms to myc up your life.
Our next show will be Thursday April 18th, 7PM, at the Cellar at Front Street Taproom. Mark your calendars and we’ll see your beautiful faces there.
Happy pre-Friday, nerds! Are you ready for your next dose of nerdery? I know I am. This month’s talk + speaker details:
Vote Local
At some point in our lives most Americans have been told how important it is to vote in elections. For about 2/3 of people, they “make their voice heard” every four years by voting in Presidential elections. However, as citizens our real power is in voting in state and local elections. These elections are more closely contested and often have a deeper impact on our lives.
Ashley Ladbury Hrichena is a Past President and current board member of the League of Women Voters of the Red River Valley. Ashley is passionate about voting, especially in local elections. Ashley joined the League of Women Voters in 2012 to be more involved in local government and election education.
You’ve Met with a Terrible Fate: Empathy in Majora’s Mask
The land of Termina is in turmoil: a princess is missing, a blizzard threatens the mountain village, the sea has become murky with no fish, blood-thirsty spirits haunt the desert valley, and oh yeah, the moon is falling. In The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, your goal as the hero Link is not only to save Termina from annihilation. Through compassion and kindness, you can help the citizens of this land and in doing so, perhaps discover true happiness.
Taylor Flakker has been playing video games since she was seven. After watching her older sister play games such as “Enter the Matrix” and “The Lord of the Rings” on the GameCube, Taylor wanted to try too, and they continue to be a part of her life. Taylor enjoys playing video games with her friends such as “Valorant” and “Power Wash Simulator” as well as solo adventures. Some of her favorites include “The Legend of Zelda Majora’s Mask”, “Bioshock”, and “Inscyrption”.
What the Hell is a Mushroom?
It’s just a guy. A fun guy. The portobello of the ball, even. Our own Fargo Fungi will go through the mushroom basics: what they are and are not, different types, cultivation, and dietary benefits. Morel of the story: you’ll be in truffle if you miss this sporetacular talk.
Christopher Wilkes likes Pina coladas and getting caught way down yonder on the Chattahoochee. He got into growing gourmet mushrooms not only for the culinary aspects, but also for the nutritional value both for myself, and my family. If he’s not farming mushies, catch him playing with his daughter, playing the accordion, or reading up on ancient history. There’s always a new wormhole to go down!
We’ll have some drinks, some laughs, and some civics and science facts. See your beautiful faces on Thursday March 21st, 7PM (doors at 6:30) at The Cellar at Front Street Taproom. Get your tickets in advance on Eventbrite, or bring a hammy to the door (hammy as in Hamilton as in $10. Please don’t bring actual ham. Not again. You know who you are.)
Heh…see what I did there? Anyway, Idk about you but I definitely feel like I have some spring projects now:
Add SOOOOO many native plants to my yard. Adios, turf grass. Mowing is for suckers.
Start planning for my super sweet solar power setup so I can become energy independent. (Eat it, grid dependents.)
Check out Kellam’s recommended TedTalks:
“What makes a word ‘real’?” by Ann Curzan
“No such thing as correct English” by Kellam Barta
Read “American Serengeti: The Last Big Animals of the Great Plains” as recommended by Dr. Ross.
Our next Nerd Nite will be on Thursday, March 21st, 7PM (doors at 6:30) at the Cellar at Front Street Taproom– mark your calendars for now, full details on speakers and topics are inbound. You can also get your tickets in advance on Eventbrite, if that’s your jam.
Thanks again to our most glorious speakers Jess, Kellam, and Darrel for sharing their knowledge with us, and to y’all nerds for being such an excellent community. See you soon.
Happy Hump Day my nerds! Are you ready for more Nerding? Do you have questions about solar tech, linguistic oddities, and the difference between a weed patch and an urban prairie? Would you like to gorge yourself on beer and discount Valentine’s candy? Lucky for you, the next Nerd Nite is coming up fast, and we’ve got you covered! This month’s talk details:
Photon Fantasia in the FM: Solar Energy for Nerds
Solar energy is increasingly becoming more available and affordable in our region. This presentation covers the scientific innovations in solar energy, as well as its viability for practical use by residents in the greater Fargo-Moorhead area.
Jess Grondahl is the Chief Operating Officer at Holsen Solar and a Fargo native who enjoys fitness, sewing projects, and playing piano. She lives in South Fargo with her partner Ross, son Sterling, and German Shorthair puppies Snoopy and Chase.
Fun with Linguistic Variation
I’m not sure if you know what linguistics is, but everyone ought to. This talk is an overview of linguistics – the scientific study of language – and the strange and fun aspects of different kinds of speech and writing in English. This talk will explore the major sub-disciplines of linguistics – phonetics, phonology, morphology, semantics, and syntax – and it will hopefully make you think differently about language and the world around you. Plus it’s fun.
Kellam Barta has an MA in Sociolinguistics from NC State University and teaches writing and linguistics at NDSU. He also enjoys talking to groups of folks in 20-minute chunks with 3-5 minutes for questions. Seriously.
Urban Green Spaces and Restored Prairies: A Fargo Case Study
Midwestern prairies are among the most imperiled ecosystems in the world. There is an urgent need to conserve and restore them. Simultaneously, there is an ongoing reconsideration of what is the most appropriate use of urban greenspaces to create livable, sustainable, and resilient communities throughout the world. In this presentation, I will present a recent example from Fargo that demonstrates the complex ecological, social, cultural, and economic considerations that enter into reassessing urban greenspaces.
Darrell grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia. He has a BS in Forest Science from The Pennsylvania State University, an MS in Forest Ecology from Oregon State University, and a PhD in Entomology from the University of Georgia. He was a professor at Oregon State University for 30 years before coming to NDSU in February of 2020. At NDSU, he conducts research and teaches Insects, Humans, and the Environment; Ecological Restoration; Urban Ecology; and Insect-Plant Interactions.
Plus door prizes, laughs, and the fabulous ambience of our fresh new venue. Be at the Cellar at Front Street Taproom at 7PM (doors at 6:30), Thursday February 15th. Get your tickets in advance at Eventbrite, or bring a Hamilton to the door. Same price either way- we eat the fees bc we’re tired of day old chocolate.
See your gorgeous faces there.
🙂 T
PS- for anyone who’s embarked on an obsession with the rare form of precipitation known as GRAUPEL, Dr. Ritchison gave us permission to dupe his super sweet shirt (see below). Check out our store at Bonfire.com to get your very own.
