The Love Lectures
We have so much collective knowledge.
Let's teach each other what we know.
W. Thomas Love, MD was our friend John's grandfather. He was one of the few black graduates from University of Michigan Medical school in 1930. He established regular meetings with a group of African American colleagues with a simple directive. At each “Love Lecture,” one member of the Seminar Society would research and teach a new topic to the others. Their fellowship reinforced their intellectual interests and shielded them from the often unwelcoming white academic establishment.
Reinvented with permission for the 21st century living room salon.
Creative implementation.
Concept design. Speaker recruitment. Catering/Bar. Audio-visual design and support. Invitation copy. Fundraising.
The Love Lectures:
#1: Indy rock & Neurosurgery
January 30, 2017
"Your Band Sucks!: A history of indie rock."
Our friend and former college rocker, JC Leveque,explains the DIY music industry.
"Stimulate Your Brain: Neurosurgery unlocked."
Our friend and colleague, neurosurgeon Farrokh Farrokhi, discusses the science of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s.
#2: Beermaking & Sports
April 17, 2017
"Science and Suds"
A beer brewing and beer tasting talk by our friend, Karl Pepple.
"Women in Sports"
Yewlin Chee and Carrie Scull share their personal experience with competitive elite-level gymnastics and rowing. Thellea Leveque discusses the history, game rules and black & blues of her beloved roller derby.
#3: Wine & Sax
November 6, 2017
"Why Washington Wine? A tour of terms and tasting…"
From our friend and certified specialist of wine and winery site manager, Craig Katz.
"Adolphe Sax and His Not So Quiet Revolution: The history of the saxophone"
Jazz musician, our kids music teacher and multi-intstrumentalist, Kevin Nortness.
Charity: Unicef USA to help a family in Puerto Rico.
#4: Bullets & Steel
April 2, 2018
"Magical Materials and Impenetrable Barriers."
From our beloved rocket scientist and Senior Boeing Aerospace Engineer, Mark Wilenski.
"Hammer and Forge: Contemporary Blacksmith Demonstration."
From our favorite artist-in-residence, Red Door Studio’s Patrick Maher.
Charity: American Red Cross to help a family in Puerto Rico.
#5: Chocolate & Airlines
May 21, 2018
"Single Origin Dark Chocolate: Use your five senses to become a tasting expert."
From our new friend and chief chocophile at Chocolopolis, Lauren Adler.
"Fly the Savvy Skies: Tips for travel from the science of airline revenue optimization."
From our friends and national experts, Patricia and David Pelter.
Charity: American Red Cross to help a family in Puerto Rico.
#6: Harp & Kombucha
October 22, 2018
"Kombucha Kraze!"
Fermentation is not just for alcohol anymore. Join teetotaller and tea aficionado, JC Leveque, for some sampling and science as he discusses home-brewed Kombucha tea.
"Harp to the max."
Executive by day, harpist for the Seattle Rock Orchestra by nights and weekends, Alexis Odell plays and discusses these beautiful singing strings.
Charity: Habitat for Humanity, helping recent victims of hurricanes Maria and Florence.
#7: Gliders & Heads
March 4th, 2019
"Flying Without an Engine: No problem, what could go wrong?!"
A talk by our friend and glider pilot, Ariel Szafir. The wind conditions, take-off protocols... the ins and outs, and ups and downs of glider planes.
"Cheating Death"
We accept kidney transplants and even heart transplants, so why not whole body transplants, or brain transplants. A talk that would make Frankenstein blush, by our friend and colleague, Michael Bohl.
Charity: The Federal Employee Education Fund, offering emergency hardship loans during furlough.
#8: Salmon & Ultrarunning
May 6, 2019
"Smoked Salmon Secrets"
Unlock the flavors of past present and future as we journey through the delicious world of smoked fish. Taste and talk with our friend, David Fain.
"Ultrarunning – Um, that sounds nuts?!"
Our friend, Brad Clark, had a wild idea: run a marathon, and then keep going. Discover the history, human physiology and current state of the sport that is more than just one man’s crazy passion.
Charity: Sri Lanka Red Cross, helping victims and families in the wake of the Easter bombings.
#9: TBI & MLB
January 12, 2020
"When the Pro Becomes the Patient: Recovering from traumatic brain injury"
Our friend, Laura Jantos, a former partner/shareholder at a health care technology consulting firm, discusses lessons learned navigating the health care system during her personal journey of recovery from a TBI.
"Major League Baseball Decisions: From trades to team management and beyond"
Our friend, Justin Hollander, Assistant General Manager for the Seattle Mariners, shows us the unseen side of baseball - making choices about recruitment, coaching, staff to support the team, and more.
Charity: Research to Prevent Blindness.