If you’re lucky enough to be in love this Valentine’s Day, express it in the Hawaiian way, by spreading a bit of “aloha” through our “aloha spirit”. What does that mean?

“Aloha” is the Hawaiian word for love (and hello & goodbye), but we use it to express actons “me ke aloha” (with love, caring).

So “aloha spirit” is our local Hawaiian way of extending kindness & caring — without expecting anything back. Lots of people practice it back home on all of the 8 main islands…Oahu (where the Capital city of Honolulu is located), Hawaii Island where I am from, Kauai & Maui (islands I worked on), Molokai, Lanai, and the 2 smallest isles Niihau & Kahoolawe (both off limits to tourism).

Once I rented a car back home in Hawaii & was worried on the last day that the car was a bit too dirty to return without washing off some of the mud that had accumulated on it. (Rains a lot on the Big Island of Hawaii). So I asked a woman operating a lunch wagon for some water. She didn’t have any to give me in a cup, but handed me a bottle of water, free of charge. I thanked her and used the bottled water to wash off the car with my hands. Then I ran back to her wagon & left her a $1 tip in the jar and said “mahalo” (thanks) for her “aloha spirit.”

And I’ve written this before (which many of you may not believe) but on Hawaii Island, if you get in a traffic jam, it’s bad form to honk your horn — it’s not polite, just not the “aloha way” of doing things.

Last week here in Tucson, while riding the Sun Tran bus, I observed several riders assist a blind rider who needed to be informed when his stop was imminent. And later I overheard another rider giving his $3.50 day pass to someone else to use again, since he was done riding for the day and it was only about 12 noon. Now that’s spreading “aloha”.

So today, Valentine’s Day, how about practicing a little bit of “aloha” by spreading some of your caring to others in Southern Arizona?

The Hawaiian group Mana’o Company sang this popular “Spread a Little Aloha” song:

Let me know if anything interesting happens — in the comment section below. Random acts of kindness definitely qualify.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

And Happy Birthday to the State of Arizona, turning 100 today.

I hear this event on March 17 is not for wimps, so only the hardy need sign up/apply. Don’t forget the early deadline is coming up on Feb. 19. Thereafter fees go up $10 for individuals ($30 to $40), or even more for the squad of five ($135 to $180). So sign up now to save money, & start training. Prizes will be awarded to the top 5 male, top 5 female, and top squad.

Register online at www.beatcancerbootcamp.com.
More info: 520-546-1601, or contact info@beatcancerbootcamp.com.

“Beat Cancer Boot Camp is a unique exercise program designed to empower and inspire cancer survivors to take charge of their lives!”

I recently attended their 8th Annual Birthday Celebration (click here), and was very inspired by the toughness/resiliency of the women survivors of cancer. My sister-in-law in Hawaii survived breast cancer in her early 60′s, and thereafter bought a motorcycle & learned to ride it.

Here’s their list (and see if you agree with the results):

71% of gas pump handles

68% of sidewalk mailbox handles

43% of escalator rails

41% of ATM buttons

40% of parking meters

35% of crosswalk buttons

35% of vending machine buttons

The article says this research was done by Kimnberly-Clark Professional. Six major cites were studied in which testers checked for ATP (adenosine triphosphate, which exists in all bacteria.)

Noticed that the study did not include faucets of public bathrooms, which are reportedly quite dirty.

Now I know why we probably should be carrying those hand sanitizers, towelettes, or using gloves when we touch anything that other people touch. Public libraries in Pima County have those sanitizer stands to use after you touch the keys of the library computers, utilized by many patrons over the course of one 10 hour day.

Tucson doesn’t have a lot of sidewalk mailboxes left, nor a lot of escalators since we don’t have that many high-rises, but we do have elevators (whose buttons are probably just as germ covered).

Readers — do you agree with the results? Will this knowledge change your behavior in public places such as washing your hands more frequently? Yesterday I touched a pedestrian button to cross a street, and recoiled afterwards thinking of the germs on that button.

Sunday February 12, 2012 – 9:00 am
Mercado San Agustin (100 South Avenida del Convento, Tucson, AZ 85754) The rides start & finish there.

From website: www.tourdecookie.com. It’s in the 4th year, so I must have missed the other three. Register online now for either 13 or 30 mile rides.

Welcome to the 4th Annual Tour de Cookie! Participants will race/ride between 10 cookie-stands (hosted by local clubs and organizations) and purchase/eat as many pastries as possible. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Wheelchair Athletes Worldwide and pay for the Tucson Kids’ Try-athlon, a free triathlon designed for children with special needs and/or disabilities.

Participants will receive a collectible long sleeve t-shirt and a custom medal. Awards to the top 3 finishers (male and female), best cookie-stand and most money-raiser. You’ll have to visit every cookie-stand to be eligible for awards.

Congratulations to all cyclists and the dozens of cookie stand volunteers! The 2011 Tour de Cookie was a huge success and we really appreciate your help and support.

2011 Winners: 1st Place: Betsy Woodhouse and Phil Roper (also winner of the 2010 ride); 2nd Place: Dori Fisher and John Peterson; 3rd Place: Kim Sooter and Howard Grahn; Last Bite Award: John Henneberger Jr; Best Cookie Stand: Tucson Roller Derby (winner of the 2010 ride).

Sounds like great exercise and I hope those are healthy cookies at the 10 stands.

Dr. Peter Likins

Dr. Peter Likins, who served for 9 years as President of the University of AZ wrote an autobiography about himself and his family last year, entitled “A New American Family: a love story” (2011, University of AZ Press).

My husband (a University Distinguished Professor at the UA) and I listened last Spring to Dr. Likins at the UA Bookstore when he read excerpts from his book. And I finally got around to reading it just recently.

The book chronicles Dr. Likins’ rise from his childhood in a small 2-room cabin near Santa Cruz, CA (raised by a single mother) to President of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, and to the University of AZ. Along the way he studied engineering at Stanford and MIT, and worked at Caltech, UCLA, and Columbia.

But this story is more about his family life. He had met his wife Pat while they were in middle school. They married as teenagers, but then faced 7 years of infertility and miscarriages before they decided to adopt children. The couple had wanted 4 children, having both grown up with the same number of siblings. So they eventually adopted six.

Their adopted children:

Lora: White, a nurse, has adopted her nephew (son of adoptive sister Teresa), is in a 2nd marriage with 2 step children

Paul: Hispanic/White, gay, career in management/communications

Krista: Black/White, a nursing assistant, had two children out of wedlock who were adopted by a cousin & her husband

John: Black/White, wrestled like his adoptive father, had a daughter out of wedlock at age 17 (adopted out by friends), schizophrenic with drug problems, fatally overdosed at age 33

Teresa: Native American (Morongo Tribe), studied to be a nurse, biological sister to Linda, had a son out of wedlock with a White man (adopted by sister Lora)

Linda: Native American (Morongo Tribe), a nurse, biological sister to Teresa, had two children also out of wedlock

If you’re counting, this means that Pete & Pat Likins also have 8 grandchildren (counting the two step-grandchildren of Lora’s).

With such a multi-cultural, racially diverse family, Dr. Likins and his wife were obviously advocates of racial tolerance and acceptance, creating this “new American family”. He states on page 52: “Learning to be prejudiced is easy, but overcoming denial to learn about prejudice is very hard.” He observed first hand the racism that was directed mostly against his Black and Native American children.

And as for the adversity he and his wife endured by raising all these children, and losing one to mental illness & a drug overdose, Dr Likins states on page 109: “Few qualities better predict success in life than resilience, the ability to bounce back quickly from a bad experience. Everyone takes a hit now and then, and a certain mental toughness is necessary for quick recovery and agile response.”

Most of us have adopted people in our families. My half-Turkish nephew in Germany is adopted, as was my sister-in-law’s half-brother who was adopted out (product of an affair by their same mother with a married man), and several of my cousins (of different Asian ethnicities). And some colleagues here in town are adopted. Growing up in the State of Hawaii I was exposed to numerous multi-cultural, multi-racial families, which just seemed “normal” to me.

I congratulate Pete and Pat Likins for the tremendous love they have in their hearts for each other, and for adopting so many children of mixed ethnicities and needs (three of the six developed drug problems). He writes on page 169 “We see our family as a model of inclusivity that might be embraced as an American ideal.” They may be representative of new American families with biracial/multi-racial children, from different cultures & religions, but all alike in nationality and dreams.

Read this fascinating & inspiring story of education, adoption, diverse families, and the American way. It’s a good read for upcoming Valentine’s Day.

Note: I chatted with Dr. Likins at the summer dedication of Likins Hall (that new dorm named after him, just west of the UA stadium, NE corner of Highland Ave. and E. 6th Street).

Left to right on book cover: top row – Lora, Dr. Peter Likins, wife Pat, Teresa; bottom row – the late John, Linda, Krista, Paul, with their Norwegian elkhound Smokey.

(Go to MyTowerTheatres.com for directions: Cortaro Exit/IH-10 Tower Theatres,
5755 W. Arizona Pavilions Drive, Marana, AZ.)

And here’s a great photo of the last roundup in Tucson on January 29, taken of Roy Chamberlain (courtesy of artist Mel Dominguez who participated in the event):

For more information on this Food Truck “Revolution”, go to www.foodtrucks.com., or contact David Aguirre at Dinnerware Artspace at dinnerwareartspace@gmail.com.

My blog on the last wildly successful/popular roundup which I attended on January 29 — pictured above (click here). I also went to the very first one on November 10, 2010, and now there are 5 or 6 times are many truck/wagons participating. Lots and lots of people seem to enjoy standing in line chatting with others, while waiting for food service, prepared fresh in those trucks.

Trucks scheduled to attend on Feb 6 – updated list from comment below (descriptions from David Aguirre):

`D’s Island Grill Jamaican Food
`Jamie’s Bitchen Kitchen (cuban sandwich and more)
`MaFooCo (Korean Tacos, Kimchi Tacos)
`Jane’s Rolling Wok (chinese gourmet)
`Pin-UP Pastries (whoopie pies and more tasty treats)
`Seis Curbside Kitchen (Mexican gourmet)
`Street Kitchen
`Animal Farm
`Espresso to the Rescue!
`Vero Amore Neapolitan Pizza
`Isabella’s Ice Cream (5:30pm arrival)
`Guero Loco’s Bubba-Que
`Trucking Good Cupcakes (now you’re talkin’)
`The Patty Wagon (tasty burgers)
`Red Pepper Mexican Gourmet (tacos and more)
`Robdogs (hotdogs, soy dogs, all the trimmings)
`Street Delights (pie, pie, pie)
`Ni Hao Amigos
`Baja Tacos (seafood from the Sea of Cortez)
`Stolen Recipe BBQ (omg, delicious)
`Jerid’s Roasted Corn (corn on the cob, on a stick, with hot sauce)
`Jones Street Bistro
`Jake’s Donuts and Funnell Cakes
`German Food Station (Brats! The way you like them.)

80 chairs will be provided but you can bring your own as well. Food (but not drinks) will be allowed into the theatre for movie viewing. Yappy Hour: Dogs on leash welcome.

This movie is opening at the Loft Theatre (3233 E. Speedway) on Friday Feb. 3rd. Meet writer/producer AUSTIN VICKERS in person at the post-film Q&A’s on opening weekend — Friday at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 4th at 7:00 p.m. Regular admission prices will apply: Adult $9.00, Senior (65+) $6.00, Child(12 & Under) $6.00, Matinee $6.50, Student, Military, Teacher $7.00, Member $5.00.

Good documentaries are based on the attempt, in one fashion or another, to document reality. Great documentaries take you further. PEOPLE V. THE STATE OF ILLUSION questions the very nature of reality and reveals how our perceptions can actually create that reality. If you enjoyed The Secret, The Shadow Effect, or What The Bleep Do We Know!?, then you’re sure to be intrigued by this compelling and thought-provoking new docudrama.

This must-see psychological film includes some of the nation’s leading thinkers in the fields of neuroscience, biochemistry, psychology, quantum physics, sociology, and consciousness theory, including Dr. Thomas Moore, Dr. Candace Pert, Debbie Ford, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Robert Jahn, Dr. Peter Senge, Brenda Dunne, and Dr. Michael Vandermark. Set in the notorious “Old Main Prison” of the New Mexico State Penitentiary, the film tells the story of Aaron Roberts, and is an inspiring and compelling movie that will enlighten your mind and elevate your spirit. PEOPLE VS. THE STATE OF ILLUSION is directed by Scott Cervine and written and produced by Austin Vickers.

For more information go to the Loft Cinema website (click here) to view the trailer. This film “opened in Phoenix on September 9, 2011, where it played to sold out audiences and was the #1 Independent Film in Arizona for over 6 weeks”, per Curtis Cook of Human Process Mastery, which is promoting this film. It is supposed to open nationwide in March, so this is a sneak preview showing in Tucson.

I just viewed the movie trailer which talks about stress, perceptions, habits of thought, being afraid of living — this is definitely my kind of existential movie, since I enjoyed “What the Bleep Do We Know!? (click here for my blog when Dr. Masaru Emoto came to Tucson to discuss that film).

See you at the movies.

Other Tucsoncitizen.com bloggers Karyn Zoldan “From Market to Tucson Market“, and Molly Thrasher “Tucson Bites” have blogged about these popular food truck events, first started up on November 14, 2010.

I attended that very first one, and stood in the MaFooCo long line for kimchi quesadillas with fellow blogger “Telling Stories” (Penelope Starr) wondering how a self-respecting Asian-American like me (who grew up in multi-cultural Hawaii eating from similar lunch wagons) could combine Korean kim chi with Mexican food…

So I stopped by tonight for a 2nd visit of the “delightful and inexpensive night of tasteful exploration” of the Tucson Food Truck Roundup, advertised as “Tucson’s Best Kept Secret” on Sunday, January 29th on the corner of Sixth Street/Seventh Avenue.

Wow — it was around sunset and there were thousands of people there at the once empty lot at the SW corner of 7th Avenue and E. 6th St, just west of Benjamin Supply. People were patiently waiting & chatting in the long lines of about 30 plus trucks/wagons, which may continue until 9 p.m. tonight.

The number of food trucks have multiplied at least five times since that first event in November where I only remember about 6 trucks/wagons in the Dinnerware parking lot. And I hear that brave & hardy customers have been willing to even stand in lines with almost freezing temperatures in December.

Participating Food Trucks and brief description:

Mafooco (Korean Tacos)
Jane’s Rolling Wok (chinese food)
Guero Loco Bubba Q (smoked meats)
Jamie’s Bitchen Kitchen (cuban sandwich)
Robdogs(variety of toppings. Soy dogs, too.)
Red Pepper Mexican Gourmet
Jones St. Bistro (Premier Appearance! modern urban cuisine)
Cyclopsicle (frozen dessert on a stick)
Luncha Libre (mexican gourmet)
Stolen Recipe BBQ (delicious smoked BBQ)
Baja Tacos (seafood oriented tacos)
Isabella’s Ice Cream (dairy and nondairy)
Street Delights (one word: pie)
Shinobu Diego’s Tacos y Burritos
Pinup Pastries (whoopie pies with a smile)
Street Kitchen (sesame chicken with zucchini tempura, edamame)
Vero Amore Neopolitan Pizza
Jake’s Donuts and Funnel Cakes
Seis Curbside (mexican nouveau cuisine)
Planet of the Crepes (sweet or savory crepes)
Animal Farm (big burgers, sandwiches)
Roasted Corn (on the cob)
Q UP! Barbeque(BBQ nachos, chicken wings)

That list above are which trucks/wagons were expected and most were there, plus these additional ones I jotted down:

German Food Station
Taqueria El Tiburyn
Hawaiian Shave Ice
Island Grill JA (click here for earlier blog on this Jamaican food lunch wagon)
Ni Hao Amigos (Mexican food)
Original Cupcake Truck
Peddler on the Path Mobile Cafe (espresso coffee & smoothies)
Hot Fudge Mini Donuts
Nathan’s Hot Dogs Expresso to the Rescue

Music on stage scheduled today were:
4:30 – 6:00 The Shawn Kebler Trio (Jazz Fusion)

6:15 – 7:45 Those Beatles Guys (Beatles Tribute)

Also on the schedule today/tonight:

`See Artists in Action: Mel Dominguez and David Tineo.
`The Art Library will be set up. Look through arts related books.
`Balloon twisting entertainment in food lines, and other buskers.
`Lots of onsite parking, and on street parking.

(Plus I noticed some crafts & jewelry being sold at tables.)

Thanks to Benjamin Plumbing Supply, the Southern Arizona Arts and Culture Alliance, Yelp.com, juliegraphics.com, and Tucson Food Trucks.

The next Tucson Food Truck Roundup will gather February 6th, at the parking lot of the Tower Theatres in Marana, 5-9pm.
(Go to MyTowerTheatres.com for directions: Cortaro Exit/IH-10 Tower Theatres,
5755 W. Arizona Pavilions Drive, Marana, AZ.)

Contact info:
David Aguirre
Director
Dinnerware Artspace, dinnerwareartspace@gmail.com (A portion of the proceeds from these Food Truck Roundups supports Dinnerware Artspace),

Kudos to artist David for his organization of this event, bringing this growing number of food trucks together for a roundup each month. David used to write for us at Tucsoncitizen.com as “Artistic Tucson” (along with Charlie Spillar). What a large & wildly popular community event this has become!

Stand in a future food truck line (or two or three), enjoy the delicious food, art & music, and have fun in this festival like atmosphere.

Planet of the Crepes wagon

Saturday, January 28
10am – 5pm
at Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone (south of Alameda) in downtown Tucson

Special guests will offer presentations and demonstrations about planting, cultivating, and harvesting your own food. Find out about resources for experienced gardeners, as well as ideas about getting started with your own patch. Get a look at the Bookbike and hobnob with bicycling enthusiasts.
The Seed Library

In the case of Pima County Public Library’s seed lending library, it’s a collection of edible, decorative, and herb seed varieties that community members will borrow, use to grow plants at home, and then return a portion of the seeds they harvest at the end of the season. Over time, the seed library’s collection will become self-sustaining and most importantly, the seeds will become super seeds–strong, resilient, and well adapted to Arizona’s harsh climate.

And, a Bookbike?

The Bookbike, and Bookbike volunteers, will represent Pima County Public Library at events in Tucson. Bookbike volunteers will stock the shelves of the Bookbike then accompany and assist the Pima County Bike Ambassador, who will ride the Bookbike to the event. The books will be given away free of charge to readers.

Grand Opening Activities

Talk with folks from local seed and garden organizations
Native Seeds/SEARCH, Sustainable Tucson, Marana Heritage Farm, Community Gardens of Tucson, Tucson Organic Gardeners, Arizona Native Plant Society, and others.
Photographic Wheat Murals
The Youth Photo Farm Project, with photographer Josh Shacter and Marana Heritage Farm, will create photographic wheat paste murals on the library’s exterior.
Demonstrations and Workshops
Autonomous Community Sustainability Project will bring a hand-cranked acorn mill and have an indoor milling demonstration.
A thirty minute workshop by Tucson Village Farm.
Seed Ball drop-in workshop by Josh Banno of Dry River Radical Resource Center.
“What is food mapping?”, you ask. Katie Martinez will explain.
Planting in soil? Marana Heritage Farm will demonstrate best practices.

Schedule of Events
Seed Library Grand Opening (and Bookbike Introduction)

Saturday, January 28, 2012
11:00am – 12:30pm
Joel D. Valdez Main Library
Why Organic and Seasonal is Best
Why eating seasonal organic food makes sense. How to meal plan using seasonal produce and how to store your farmer’s market bounties.
Presented by Certified Health Coach, Nutritional Educator and Culinary Playshop Artist, Tiffany Rose Wood

1:00pm – 2:30pm
Joel D. Valdez Main Library
Plan Your Garden Space
Use Legos to plan out your garden space. Plant a seed to take home.
Presented by the Community Food Bank

3:00pm – 5:00pm
Joel D. Valdez Main Library
Forks Over Knives Film Screening
In the film “Forks Over Knives” the idea of food as medicine is put to the test. Throughout the film, cameras follow “reality patients” who have chronic conditions from heart disease to diabetes. Doctors teach these patients how to adopt a whole foods plant-based diet as the primary approach to treat their ailments – while the challenges and triumphs of their journeys are revealed.

So if you’re interested in this seed lending library and about planting, or the Bookbike, show up on Saturday at the Main Library to learn more.

UPDATE: 5 libraries will have these seeds to lend out: Main, Ajo, Himmel, Flowing Wells and Quincie-Douglas.

“Living Beyond 100″ lecture series at University of Arizona, sponsored by the College of Science:

Emerging science and medical technologies provide many clues regarding the future of aging, but changing demographics and economics have also begun to influence society’s views. Beyond doubt, each of us will face new levels of scientific complexity in this new world. This spring, the College of Science will present six free lectures on the effects of long life, addressing the opportunities and costs of the new longevity, the biology of aging, the effects of aging on the brain, regenerative medicine, the impact on global populations, and the increasing intimacy between informatics and the aged.

These 6 lectures start on Jan. 24, and will all be at Centennial Hall on the campus of the University of Arizona, east of Park Ave at 1020 E. University Blvd. Parking is available on the street, or on a pay per use basis in the Tyndall Avenue Garage. All lectures begin at 7:00 PM and are free to the public. Call 520-621-4090 for more information or go online at:www.cos.arizona.edu/beyond.

Tuesday, January 24
Can We, and What If We Do?
Shane C. Burgess, Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona
For most of human history, what we today consider a “reasonable life span” was a significant achievement for the average human. This remains the case in many parts of the world, but for westerners in particular, the magic age “100″ is becoming a milestone to which many now realistically aspire. Our science has allowed us to immortalize cells and is giving us pointers to achieving much longer life spans. Medicine and nutrition are also making rapid progress, and in many cases what were terminal diseases are becoming treatable inconveniences. But if being alive well beyond 100 years is possible, is it really “living”? What if we haven’t planned to live that long; can we afford it? How will so many older citizens change our society? So, can we live beyond 100? The increasing numbers of centenarians affirm that the answer is “yes,” but what are these special people made of and how can we learn from them?

Tuesday, January 31
The Biology of Aging: Why Our Bodies Grow Old
Janko Nikolich-Zugich, Professor and Department Head of Immunobiology; Co-Director, Arizona Center on Aging, University of Arizona
All organisms age, but we really do not have a clear explanation how and why. Do we have to grow old? Can we identify processes that can impact aging of particular parts of our bodies or, even better, of our entire bodies? Where do we stand with anti-aging interventions? This lecture will address theories of aging, emphasizing those that show most potential promise. The incredible promise of research on aging to extend healthspan and lifespan will be contrasted with the vast and unregulated world of anti-aging supplements and with the incredibly small investment we are making in developing credible anti-aging interventions.

Tuesday, February 7
The Aging of the Brain
Carol A. Barnes, Regents’ Professor of Psychology and Neurology; Director of the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona
One of the great frontiers of contemporary science is exploration of the mind. The brain embodies our individual identities as well as our ability to cooperate with others to understand the remaining mysteries of our universe. It is composed of billions of cells, the connections amongst which capture and preserve unique experiences. Over the past half-century, ideas about the aging brain have evolved away from it being an organ of passive deterioration towards the realization that it is capable of dynamic adaptation and high levels of function well past 100 years. One question remains — can we all achieve this?

Tuesday, February 14
Repair, Regeneration and Replacement Revisited
David G. Armstrong, Professor of Surgery and Director, Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA), University of Arizona
More than 250 years ago, the philosopher Auguste Comte suggested that “Demography is Destiny”. It is this change in demography that is leading toward that destiny: nothing less than a transformation of medicine and our collective relationship with it. From advances in composite tissue transplantation to stem cells to bionic human-machine interfaces, we are experiencing a present-day revolution in replacement parts. As these advances merge with similar progress in consumer and medical devices, the aging individual will be forced to ask the question: What of us will remain innately “us”?

Tuesday, February 21
Society, Geographic Change and the New Longevity
Vincent J. Del Casino, Jr., Associate Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences; Professor of Geography and Development, University of Arizona
Data demonstrate that the world’s human population is getting older as life expectancy continues to increase globally. Much of this increase is taking place in the so-called developing world. Despite these trends, there remains tremendous variability in the geography of life expectancy. There are in fact points in time and place where life expectancies have dropped or will drop in the future. We are just beginning to understand, what the “new longevity” means for society as we adapt our social welfare systems to the changing demographics of our aging populations. Where will our aging populations live? Who will care for them? How are the roles of older populations changing? Aging will continue to present new challenges as our global population reaches toward 9 billion over the next 40 years. To better respond to the needs of our world’s changing demographic distributions, it is critical that we understand the nature of aging at both global and local scales today.

Tuesday, February 28
Information and Immortality
Paul R. Cohen, Director of the School of Information: Science, Technology and Arts, University of Arizona
Information and immortality have always been related by the idea that we are survived by the stories told about us. The Information Age provides increasingly sophisticated tools to create and tell these stories, but of course the relationship between information and immortality encompasses more: robotic elder care, uploading oneself to the Web, and the likelihood that in future, one will have biological and computational parts and entirely computational friends. All of which raises the question, what do we want informatics to do for us as we age? Where is the line between assisting and supplanting? This is not a new question: Anyone who sits for a portrait knows that the likeness might survive, and eventually become, the sitter. Informatics will eventually merge one’s self and one’s likeness into bio-robotic complexes of parts and information, maintained by corporations and governments. Then the relationship between information and immortality will be more complicated than ever.

One of my aunts in Hawaii lived to 101, and by that time had survived her 94 year old husband, her youngest son, and an older stepdaughter. Another woman I know here in town is 103 (almost 104), and she has already seen her daughter and husband predecease her. Not sure many of us have the goal of living to 100 years, but attend this lecture series to find out more.