Once again, our freeform discussion group will meet in Oakland. As usual, there is no set agenda of topics to discuss. So come on out, bring a topic or two that you would like to discuss, and have some stimulating conversation. All are invited and there is no charge, although donations are always accepted.

Lee is once again the gracious hostess for the eastern suburbs book group. This months topic is Barbara Oakley's book Evil Genes. You may recall that she was in town for a book signing at the Barnes & Noble at the Waterfront. Anyone needing directions can e-mail her at or BillK at .

Pittsburgh Secular Freethinkers monthly meetup is the second Wednesday of the month.

From their website: "For September, we will discuss Gnosticism, a belief system in which knowledge or "gnosis" leads to salvation. This isn't scientific knowledge or rational knowledge, nor is it philosophy. It is an awareness and understanding of reality that goes against much of what is found in mainstream Western religion.

Although Gnosticism, as an actual religious practice, technically started as an early form of Christianity, it bears much in common with Eastern religions............."

For more information, contact Andrew Sydlik at

This will be the first monthly meeting meeting to be held on our new rotating venue schedule. This month, the meeting will be held at the Carnegie Science Center on the North Shore. Our program for this month is tentatively set as previewing the IMAX movie entitled "Solar Max". The theme of this movie is the triumph of light over darkness with an underlying theme of the triumph of knowledge over ignorance.

There are several restaurants in the area for those who may want to meet for dinner and/or additional socializing prior to going to the CSC. Antone wanting to organize such a thing can use the CFI Forums or post something on http://www.steelcityskeptics.net/

Once again, The Coffee Den in Mt. Lebanon is the scene of the South Hills Book Discussion Group. This month's book is Moyers on Democracy by (you guessed it) Bill Moyers. Again, the time is 5:00.

cfi-shbdg.freeservers.com/

This is our ongoing discussion group on "The Historical Jesus". It is based on the Bart Ehrmann's course of the same name. The discussion is led by Victor Bernard.

Bill H is our very gracious host once again. We can have stimulating conversation or watch a video or find some other way of entertaining ourselves. Regardless of what we wind up doing, it is always a pleasant evening. Thanks again to Bill for being such a terrific host. Anyone needing directions or more information, please e-mail or BillK at

This is another non-CFI event, but it has strong appeal to our members. What follows is a synopsis of the last salon.

Anyone wishing more information should contact Charles at

Our monthly advisory board meeting is once again at Bill's apartment building in the downstairs party room.

This will be the 4th Drinking Skeptically meeting in Pittsburgh. So far, a good time has been had by all. Drink, talk, and/or eat a little (or a lot) and join the fun. More information can be had by contacting Laura at the DS web page or at the CFI Facebook page. You can also check out the Steel City Skeptics website at http://www.steelcityskeptics.com