Origin of Life Is Subject of Series
The origin of matter, plants, multicellular animals, mammals and Homo sapiens is the subject of an eight-week series offered by the UCLA Center for the Study of Evolution and the Origin of Life through UCLA Extension beginning Thursday. “Major Events in the History of Life” will include talks by experts on astronomy, Earth and space sciences, biology and other disciplines.
The program meets in Room 1240, Knudsen Hall at UCLA from 7-9:30 p.m. Call (310) 825-7093.
ASTRONOMY / SPACE SCIENCES
Roger D. Blandford, Richard Chace Tolman Professor of Theoretical Astrophysics at Caltech, will discuss “Gravitational Lensing and Cosmology” in an astronomy research conference colloquium at 201 E. Bridge St. at Caltech on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
On Thursday, UCLA astronomy professor Edward Wright will discuss “Observing the Early Universe with the Cosmic Background Explorer” in a research conference, 201 E. Bridge St. at 4 p.m. Call (818) 356-4652.
MARINE SCIENCE
Joanne Smalley, research associate at the Marine Mammal Laboratory of the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum, will discuss her work with Orcinus orca, better known as killer whales, at the Los Angeles chapter meeting of the American Cetacean Society tonight at 7:30 at the Cabrillo Marine Museum. Call (310) 458-8500.
SCIENCE FOR KIDS
Aspiring volcanologists, ages 6 and older, can learn about volcanoes with a model of one in “Blow Your Top,” a workshop at the Kidspace Museum on Wednesday at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Call (818) 449-9144.
A new program for preschoolers at the Cabrillo Marine Museum, “Getting to Know Tidepool Critters,” offers children ages 3 through 6 an introduction to marine life through exploration of tide pools and other activities Saturday at 10 a.m. Reservations are required, call (310) 548-7563.
HEALTH / MEDICINE
UCLA Medical Center will sponsor the second annual conference on “Wholeness and Healing: Spiritual Perspectives in Health Care,” at the UCLA Conference Center in Sunset Village on campus on Oct. 16. Issues on the importance of spiritual needs in health care settings will be discussed. Registration deadline is Friday. Call (310) 825-7484.
Burbank residents can learn about health, nutrition and fitness issues at a health and fitness fair on Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Valley Street and Riverside Drive. Representatives from the Red Cross, West Olive Medical Center and others will be on hand to answer questions. Attendees are encouraged to bring a can of food to be donated to the Burbank Temporary Aid Center. Call (818) 559-2675.
