Happy Friday my nerds. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and that 2026 is being kind to you.
But now that all that is over with, we can get back to the really important stuff, like NERD NITE!! 🤓 Our next show is coming up fast- peep the speaker and talk deets here:
Thaw and Order: Life of a Chef in Antarctica
[No description needed here- we’re learning about life in the cold, and there will be puns. What more do you need? 😀]
Steven Schalau is a Sous Chef of Nova Eatery, but also an Antarctic explorer (of a sort). From flipping burgers at -90F, to being the Southernmost human being in the world (for a couple minutes, he’s done some fun stuff.
Speaking The Douglas-Fir Beetles Language: Ecological Pest Management Using Pheromones
The Douglas-fir beetle is a native insect throughout the range of Douglas-fir in western North America. In the 1990’s, a highly effective treatment using the anti-aggregation pheromone, MCH, was developed to protect-high value trees during periodic beetle outbreaks. This treatment has been used operationally to protect high-value, mature trees for the past 25 years collectively on hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest throughout western North America. This is unequivocally the most effective pheromone-based treatment for any bark beetle species in the world. The pheromone is naturally produced by the Douglas-fir beetle to regulate the density of immature insects in host trees. Consequently, it is very safe to use.
Darrell Ross has degrees in forest ecology from Penn State and Oregon State, and a PhD in forest entomology from the University of Georgia. He was a professor at Oregon State for 30 years before coming to the School of Natural Resource Sciences at NDSU in 2020. He has conducted research on pheromone-based management strategies of bark beetles for over 30 years.
The Surprisingly Boring Secrets of Losing 370 lbs
The unglamorous, surprisingly practical story behind losing 370 lbs after a high of 652 lbs. From the lowest moments that forced a change, to the slow two-year grind without medication, to adding a GLP-1 (Zepbound) at 600 lbs, this talk breaks down what actually worked, walking, lifting, and four mindset rules that kept him going. Expect humor, honesty, and take-home ideas you can use.
Jamie Selzler is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, certified nutritionist, and wellness coach. He began his journey in July 2021, later adding a GLP-1 (Zepbound) in 2023 as one tool alongside consistent habit change. In 2025, he shared his story on the Mind Pump podcast and now creates content across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, focused on practical, sustainable health change.
…plus all our usual hijinks, doorprizes, and laughs. Get yourselves to The Cellar at Front Street Taproom on Thursday, January 15th, 7PM (doors at 6:30). Tickets are available now on Eventbrite, or you can bring $10 to the door. Same price to you either way- we eat the fees bc they’re high in fiber.
See your beautiful faces there.
🙂 T