The SYRCL's (South Yuba River Citizens League) will be bringing its Wild & Scenic® Film Festival to Redlands. The third annual event returns with another incredible selection of films. The festival combines stellar filmmaking, beautiful cinematography, and first-rate storytelling to inform, inspire and encourage solutions and possibilities to restore the earth and human communities. The audience can expect to see Award winning films about nature, community activism, adventure, conservation, water, energy and climate change, wildlife, environmental justice, agriculture, Native American and indigenous cultures.

This year's selections will take you to some of the most remote and beautiful places on the planet. It will introduce you to the magnificent animals that inhabit these places and the courageous individuals who are working to protect and preserve both for future generations. The films instill a deep appreciation and a sense of wonder for the natural world that surrounds and supports us.

Click here to view film descriptions.

In May of 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt, planning a tour of the western forests, invited the naturalist John Muir to a four-day camping trip in the Yosemite wilderness. The Tramp and the Roughrider illuminates this extraordinary encounter, with the action unfolding at sunset on Glacier Point, overlooking the magnificent Yosemite Valley. You'll experience how these very different men slowly discover that they both have been shaped by the wilderness they love, opening up the rich possibilities of "doing some forest good."

Enjoy the wonderful performances Lee Stetson as John Muir and Alan Sutterfield as President Teddy Roosevelt. Sutterfield has been an actor and playwright for many years, both in Hawaii and on the mainland.  On stage he has been General George Custer, Captain James Cook, and John Merrick, and The Elephant Man.  Stetson's acting career has included more than fifty major roles in theater and television. He has performed from Shakespeare to Simon, and his television credits include a dozen episodes of Hawaii 5-0.

Registration Full for Thursday, April 5th

Registration for 'The Tramp and the Roughrider' is now full for Thursday, April 5th. Auditorium seating will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Waitlist and Walk-Ins will be admitted to an overflow room with limited seating available five minutes prior to the beginning of the program to view a live video feed.

Max Holmes will suggest that rivers provide powerful insights into our changing planet. He will discuss how in the same way human health can be evaluated by analyzing blood chemistry, so too can watershed health be assessed by monitoring the characteristics of river water. Using photographs, video, and maps, Mr. Holmes will draw on examples from the tropics to the Arctic, including his work on the world's greatest rivers such as the Amazon, Congo, and Kolyma. Much of this work is motivated by a desire to understand the causes and consequences of global climate change. In particular, Holmes will emphasize the implications of permafrost thaw in the Arctic and deforestation in the tropics.

http://www.whrc.org/

The year 2012 marks the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, one of the seminal events in US history, forever changing the nation. Dr. Larry Burgess, Director of A.K. Smiley Public Library, which includes the renowned Lincoln Memorial Shrine, will provide a compelling Civil War narrative focused on the year 1862 and the consequences of the carnage of war. The title of the talk, "1862: The Book of Murder," is taken from a phrase in the 1866 book, "The Fighting Quakers," which is a record of two Quaker brothers who fought in the Union Army; one was killed in battle and the other died in prison. Their lives mirror that of tens of thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers—young men in their prime—who bravely fought and served their country during this tumultuous time. It also parallels what Lincoln confronted in the same timeframe: a low point in the war when the fate of the nation stood hanging in the balance.

The loss of cultural heritage is often viewed as a necessary consequence of economic and social development. Most countries try to balance economic development with cultural heritage preservation. Yet the pace of modernization in developing countries puts this balance in favor of economic interests.

In this lecture, Dr. Jeffrey H. Altschul will explore these issues through the lens of one country: Mongolia. The country is relying on the development of its rich mineral resources to fuel economic growth. It is also committed to preserving its cultural heritage. In 2010, the Mongolian International Heritage Team was awarded a contract by Oyu Tolgoi LLC, a large Mongolian mining venture, to design a cultural heritage plan (CHP) for the South Gobi. In addition to tangible resources, the CHP is about people and empowering local communities to identify those aspects of culture that are important to them and finding ways to preserve them. In this forum, you'll see a real-world example of how both economic and cultural interests can find a mutually beneficial balance.

Raven, a leading botanist and conservationist, will discuss the state of the environment today including biodiversity loss and what we can do about it.

In the 1960s, Raven realized that the rapid growth of the human population, increasing consumption, and the spread of polluting technologies were threatening biological diversity to an unprecedented degree. He soon became an outspoken advocate for conservation throughout the world, working to attain sustainability and social justice everywhere. TIME magazine described him as a "Hero for the Planet."

In 2001, Raven received the National Medal of Science, the highest award for scientific accomplishment in the United States. He has been president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and he served for 12 years as Home Secretary of the National Academy of Sciences.

Raven has written numerous books and is coeditor of the Flora of China, a joint Chinese-American international project that is leading to a contemporary, 50-volume account on all the plants of China. It is scheduled for completion in 2012.

Back by popular demand, December's Redlands Forum once again feature a special production: Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory performed by Chris Beach and Sally Norton. The evening is a special holiday event for the whole family with live music, live sound effects, and heartfelt storytelling. This is the second year A Christmas Memorywill be performed as part of the Redlands Forum Speaker Series.

Truman Capote wrote short stories, novels, plays, and nonfiction. Many of his works are recognized literary classics, including the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's (1958) and In Cold Blood (1965), which he labeled a "nonfiction novel."

A Christmas Memory is Capote's masterful short memoir. Set in rural Alabama during the Depression, it recalls Capote's unique childhood friendship with his elder cousin Miss Sook Faulk. The unlikely pair would scrape together pennies and bake fruitcakes to create presents they could mail to acquaintances around the world. The memory of that friendship—depicted in this live reader's performance—celebrates the power of love between generations and the spirit of giving.

The Performers

Theatre Arts professor Chris Beach holds an MFA in Directing for the Stage from the UCLA School of Theatre, Television and Film, and a BFA in Acting from Virginia Commonwealth University. Chris is the recipient of both the American College Theatre Festival Award for Excellence in Theatre Education and the University of Redlands Alumni Relations Award. In addition, he is founding artistic director of the Performance Loft, an alternative not-for profit arts organization based in Redlands, CA. Chris's adaptation of A Christmas Memory was first produced at the Performance Loft in 2002.

Sally Norton earned degrees from Grinnell College and Northwestern University. She directed, designed, acted, and taught theatre at Occidental College in California, Cal State Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College, and USC, where she eventually earned her PhD. Sally currently resides in Redlands, California and has worked at the Performance Loft and at Footlighters.

Twenty-five years ago, Redlands locals wanted to preserve the City's remaining natural and agricultural open spaces. This led to the creation of the 1987 Open Space Plan, also known as the Emerald Necklace Plan. Through the years, the City and organizations have worked to protect land specifically designated for the Emerald Necklace.

Where does the plan stand now?
How does the City benefit today from protected areas?
Can the Necklace ever be completed?

The next Redlands Forum examines the Emerald Necklace now and into the future. It premiers a new Peter Coonradt film short about one of the Emerald Necklace jewels, the San Timoteo Canyon Nature Sanctuary. In addition to the film viewing, Pete Dangermond, author of the original Redlands Open Space Plan, Peter Coonradt, and Executive Director Sherli Leonard of the Redlands Conservancy will answer questions and speak in person about these precious resources.

The next Redlands Forum features Redlands' very own Jane Roberts, co-founder of 34 Million Friends of the United Nations Population Fund. Jane will talk about the world's population and women's access to education, equality, and human rights. She will share how her experiences in Redlands helped shape and motivate her lifetime of activism.

Jane Roberts has been recognized by Ms. Magazine, Women's eNews, the American Public Health Association, and by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. She was also recently featured in the international best-seller Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof and his journalist wife Sheryl Wudunn.

This event is also co-sponsored by the Inland Empire chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA.

Milford Wayne Donaldson FAIA, Chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, California State Historic Preservation Officer, and long-time preservation architect, will draw on his multiple perspectives to highlight what he believes are both challenges and opportunities, with particular attention to sustainability and the Redlands regional area. He will also look ahead at the role of the Advisory Council in coordinating its responsibilities, including minimizing federal construction effects on historic properties, with State Historic Preservation Offices, consulting parties, and the Council. Topics will include:

• Livable Communities and Youth
• Sustainability and Resiliency
• Renewable Energy and Stewardship
• Aging Infrastructure and Rightsizing

Former presidential candidate and consumer advocate Ralph Nader has spent much of his life crusading against the wrong-doings he witnessed in American society. He has fostered positive change through decades of writing, public speaking, and activism. Now he has focused his passion on building the strength of local communities.

In this interactive program, Mr. Nader, along with his sister and social scientist Claire Nader, will look what defines “community” and why it is important. Starting at the global level, both will discuss the pace of change and the issue of apathy in the world, in the United States, and in our local communities. They will offer concrete examples of how to build better community, including those they have implemented in their hometown of Winsted, Connecticut. They will also discuss the most important concept to developing community: civic motivation.

We invite you to learn, share, and be inspired to get involved in the cornerstone of democracy: community.

Mr. Rajendra S. Pawar, Chairman and Co-founder of the NIIT Group

The Redlands Forum returns with a new lineup of terrific events. This year promises to be the best yet, with the series covering a wide spectrum of interests and activities.  

Our next Forum features Mr. Rajendra S. Pawar, Chairman and Co-founder of the NIIT Group.

Mr. Pawar is a pioneer in the IT revolution that has transformed the country of India. He built a massive computer training and educational network that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of people acquiring new job skills. This has impacted almost every village town in the country. Mr. Pawar's vision to create a way for people to invest in their own future has changed aspirations and capabilities of an entire nation.  His success offers a true lesson in how technology learning can transform an entire economy and society.

The healthcare reform bill of 2010 was landmark legislation that will impact us as individuals and organizations.

Join us as C. Duane Dauner discusses healthcare reform and what it means to you. Mr. Dauner was appointed President and CEO of the California Hospital Association (CHA) in 1985. CHA is one of the nation's largest state health care associations, representing more than 400 hospitals and health systems.

Mr. Dauner has been active in national hospital and health care issues, serving on numerous American Hospital Association (AHA) and American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) boards and committees. He has authored numerous articles and a book; is a nationally known leader on health issues; and has lectured at several California university graduate programs.

In 2002, Mr. Dauner received ACHE's highest honor, the Gold Medal Award, and he has been honored by the Partners in Care Foundation, National Health Foundation, UCLA and Health Care Executives of Southern California.

Don't miss this engaging, informative presentation about the major health policy changes that will affect all of us.

The Saturday morning show, suitable for all audiences, features 11 short films illustrated by various film animation techniques.

All children must have a parent or guardian with them at all times.

Download the Film Festival Program [PDF].

For more information visit www.esri.com/wild.

Wild & Scenic Film Festival is on the road and coming to Redlands! This tour includes a selection of short films to change your world. The actual festival meets in Nevada City, California, drawing 4,500 people. Fortunately the tour enables our community to also enjoy this stellar line-up of films at the Esri auditorium.

From hard-hitting documentaries to comical shorts, these visually inspiring films will educate and activate viewers of all ages for creating a better world. The Friday evening session, best suited for a mature audience, features 9 engaging and inspiring short documentaries.

Download the Film Festival Program [PDF].

For more information visit www.esri.com/wild.

Note: Due to the popularity of this event, we will offer an overflow room with a live feed of the program. Please plan on arriving early for a guaranteed seat in the auditorium.

Dayton Duncan, an award-winning author and filmmaker, has been collaborating with Ken Burns on documentaries for PBS for more than 20 years.  Their most recent film, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, was seen by more than 34 million viewers and brought Duncan two Emmy awards for writing and producing.  

Join us as Duncan traces the history of the United States National Park system.  He will describe the development of national parks, such as Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, their champions and their challengers, and the way the park system has influenced the American consciousness.

Duncan will explain the national parks, "an idea," he says, "as uniquely American as the Declaration of Independence and just as radical: that a nation’s most magnificent and sacred places should be set aside, not for royalty or the rich but for everyone, and for all time."  He will also share a few scenes from the documentary film and discuss how it was made over the course of ten years, during which he visited all 58 of America’s national parks.

Dan Murphy explores the genre through discussion and performance.

University of Redlands School of Music Professor Dan Murphy will present a music-filled guided tour of the key elements of the jazz style. With the assistance of an outstanding six-piece jazz band comprised of advanced jazz students, Murphy will illustrate how and why jazz musicians interpret music in the manner they do.

Murphy and his ensemble will address common questions about jazz:

• How and why was jazz born?
• What key elements are in the DNA of all jazz styles?
• What skills do the most successful performers and listeners bring to jazz?
• Why do I like traditional jazz but find modern styles so hard to listen to?
• Why are some styles of music considered "Pop Music" and others "Art Music"?
• With so much music in the world why is jazz important?

Could it be true that jazz is the "Indigenous Art Form" of the United States?

Darrel Rhea, CEO of Cheskin Added Value, has worked for more than 30 years at the front lines of innovation with the world's top corporations. He has helped drive growth strategies through the development of critical insights on customers, markets, and businesses.

Come hear Rhea share his success in driving innovation for contemporary design consulting practices. He has built a successful organization renowned for delivering proprietary insights and go-to-market strategies for category leaders. By integrating the disciplines of social science, business analytics and design methods at Cheskin, Rhea contributes significantly to the reinvention of business consulting.

A recognized thought leader, Rhea co-authored the book Making Meaning: How Successful Businesses Deliver Meaningful Customer Experiences. He is frequently interviewed and quoted on radio, television, newspapers, magazines, books and blogs (featured on CNN, and in Inc. Magazine, Fortune, Business Week, and Malcolm Gladwell's Blink). He has also authored articles in numerous business and professional publications. Rhea was awarded the Design Management Institute's "Jay Doblin Award" for design theory.

Dr. Jane Goodall, world-renowned primatologist, conservationist, and UN Messenger of Peace, will discuss her work with chimpanzees in what is now Tanzania's Gombe National Park; and the future of the people, animals, and environment in that region and beyond.

John Muir was a renowned naturalist, author, and early advocate of wilderness preservation. He was instrumental in setting aside Yosemite and other national parks, and founded the Sierra Club in 1892.

Capture the spirit of John Muir as actor Lee Stetson performs his one-person show based on Muir's true-life adventures. Stetson's acting career has included more than fifty major roles in theater and television.

Experience Stetson's artful performance as he showcases one of our nation's great explorers and defender of nature.

Brown spoke on the future of your grocery-buying experience and the history of Stater Bros., which is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2011. Stater Bros. is Southern California's largest privately-owned supermarket chain as well as its only locally-owned supermarket chain.

Brown has served the supermarket industry for almost 60 years. He has been chief executive officer at Stater Bros. for more than 28 years and chairman of the board for more than 23 years. A native of San Bernardino, California, he began his supermarket career as a box boy at Berk's Market Spot in San Bernardino, California, at the age of 13.

December's Redlands Forum featured a special production: Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory performed by Chris Beach and Sally Norton. The evening was a special holiday event for the whole family with live music, live sound effects, and heartfelt storytelling.

Truman Capote wrote short stories, novels, plays, and nonfiction. Many of his works are recognized literary classics, including the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's (1958) and In Cold Blood (1965), which he labeled a "nonfiction novel."

A Christmas Memory is Capote's masterful short memoir. Set in rural Alabama during the Depression, it recalls Capote's unique childhood friendship with his elder cousin Miss Sook Faulk. The unlikely pair would scrape together pennies and bake fruitcakes to create presents they could mail to acquaintances around the world. The memory of that friendship—depicted in this live reader's performance—celebrates the power of love between generations and the spirit of giving.

The Performers

Theatre Arts professor Chris Beach holds an MFA in Directing for the Stage from the UCLA School of Theatre, Television and Film, and a BFA in Acting from Virginia Commonwealth University. Chris is the recipient of both the American College Theatre Festival Award for Excellence in Theatre Education and the University of Redlands Alumni Relations Award. In addition, he is founding artistic director of the Performance Loft, an alternative not-for profit arts organization based in Redlands, CA. Chris's adaptation of A Christmas Memory was first produced at the Performance Loft in 2002.

Sally Norton earned degrees from Grinnell College and Northwestern University. She directed, designed, acted, and taught theatre at Occidental College in California, Cal State Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College, and USC, where she eventually earned her PhD. Sally currently resides in Redlands, California. She worked last year at the Performance Loft and at Footlighters, where she is currently in rehearsal for Alone Together Again to play in January.

Esri President Jack Dangermond and several leaders from the City of Redlands, California, formed a panel discussion seeking to forge a vision for making the city an even better place to live.

University and K–12 school leaders, city government staff, police, and conservationists participated in the forum moderated by Mr. Dangermond. Topics included current issues, the many different facets that make Redlands special, what needs to be preserved, and
the vision for the city. Panelists brought both strategic and practical ideas from their respective fields.

The ultimate goal was to take the ideas generated from the forum and apply them to the GeoDesign process for improving the city. Based on concepts found in Ian McHarg's seminal Design With Nature, GeoDesign integrates geographic science with design, resulting in a systematic methodology for geographic planning and decision making.

Panel participants:

• Jim Appleton, President, University of Redlands
• Jim Bueermann, Chief of Police, City of Redlands
• Larry Burgess, Director, A.K. Smiley Public Library
• Jim Holmes, President, Redlands Community Hospital
• Sherli Leonard, Executive Director, Redlands Conservancy
• Enrique Martinez, City Manager, City of Redlands
• Lori Rhodes, Superintendent, Redlands Unified School District

How Online and Mobile Technologies Are Upending the Media—Again

If you get your news from the Internet or a mobile phone and read books using a Kindle, you're part of the growing digital media revolution. But while digital delivery gives you greater access to more information faster than ever before, does it bring you better information?

For an insider's look into how the digital revolution is changing and, in some cases, upending the journalism and book publishing worlds, Bloomberg News columnist Rich Jaroslovsky presented a lively discussion of the shifting tides and fates in media.

Jaroslovsky covers technology and digital media for Bloomberg News and Bloomberg Businessweek. Before that, he served as executive editor in charge of Bloomberg's worldwide coverage of government, political, and economic news. He also had a lengthy career at Dow Jones & Co. where he helped launch the first The Wall Street Journal Online edition, becoming the publication's first managing editor.

A California native, Jaroslovsky graduated from Stanford University where he was the editor-in-chief of the Stanford Daily. He and his wife recently moved from New York City to Emerald Hills, California. Their two children attend the University of Redlands.

Peter Seligmann has a vision and a mission. The vision is an environmentally healthy world that will provide economic opportunities and security for all people. The mission is to bring together industry, government, religious leaders, professors, scientists, and local and indigenous people to make that a reality.

Since cofounding Conservation International in 1987, Seligmann has overseen its growth from a few zealous individuals to one of the foremost forces for conservation today. He is widely recognized as one of the world's most inspiring and dynamic environmental entrepreneur. Constantly bringing new ideas and innovation to the table, his spirit has changed the scale of conservation.

Seligmann holds a master's degree from Yale University's School of Forestry and Environmental Science and an honorary Doctorate in Science from Michigan State University. He has been on the forefront of biodiversity protection for more than 25 years and has received many accolades in recognition of his environmental leadership.

York's passion for great food, resource conservation, and scientific integrity fuels nation-wide sustainability initiatives for food service company Bon Appétit. The company's foundation works to educate chefs and consumers about how their food choices affect the global environment and to catalyze supply chain changes.

In 2007, York launched the company's Low Carbon Diet program to raise awareness of the connection between the food system and climate change. The goal of the initiative is to reduce emissions associated with Bon Appétit's food service operations by 25% over five years.

York regularly contributes to The Atlantic Monthly's Food Channel and frequently lecturers at universities. She earned an undergraduate degree at Harvard and a master's degree at Yale.

Cook started his micro brewery just two years ago in the midst of a recession and is enjoying incredible success. Hanger 24, which began with Cook working alone, now employs a staff of 31.

In November 2009, he received the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year accolade at the Cal State San Bernardino Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards. He credits his accomplishments to

• Making great beer
• Having a great staff
• A strong community that supports local business

Redlands Emerald Necklace, Save the Redwoods League, and The Save State Parks Initiative

Mr. Dangermond spoke on the Redlands Emerald Necklace Project and proposed San Timoteo Canyon State Park and how these land preservation projects connect with other Inland Empire open spaces.

He explained what individuals can do to support a statewide initiative to help California's urban rivers and state parks, wildlife areas, and conservancies, which are all struggling to survive extreme state budget cuts.

Dr. Brown spoke on the Massachusetts-based Woods Hole Research Center and its contributions to understanding global environmental issues.

Dr. Kellndorfer described research projects that use satellite imagery technology to map global forests. His talk was intriguingly titled, Shooting with the Radar Gun: Another Radiological Tool to Diagnose and Monitor Patient Earth.

Ed Stein's editorial cartoons have appeared in the Denver Rocky Mountain News for more than 25 years. His presentation described how he uses cartooning and politics to take on larger human issues, ever mindful of the "better angels" keeping watch over his shoulder.

We celebrated Earth Day with the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival. These exquisite short films explored environmental issues from Canadian rivers to Kenyan forests and Caribbean shores, and then on a tour of sustainable farms.

Peruvian economist Hernando de Soto is an expert on informal economies and a champion of bringing property rights to the poor as a means of helping them lift themselves out of poverty.

De Soto has based his work, in Peru and around the world, on the premise that free markets, individual freedom, and especially the right to property can transform the poor into the most powerful resource in the world.

His ideas were recently documented in the film, The Power of the Poor with Hernando de Soto, which was broadcast by the PBS television system in 2009.

Two talented artists took us behind the scenes on a tour of the creative and interpretive forces at work in opera and theater.

Redlands native James Fallows is a well-known analyst of American politics, technology, and culture and has authored eight books.

His cover article in the January/February issue of
The Atlantic magazine, "How America Can Rise Again," points out America's strengths as well as flaws and identifies issues that may be key to avoiding further economic decline.

The South American country of Guyana is implementing a unique approach to conservation that seeks to combat deforestation while building new economic opportunities for its citizens. The program aligns with United Nations support for countries that put the brakes on deforestation.

Introductory remarks were made by D. James Baker, director, Global Carbon Measurement Program, William J. Clinton Foundation, and former administrator, U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Guyana will use environmental monitoring technology from Esri to develop its carbon accounting methodology.

Tyler Nordgren discussed astronomy at our national parks.