| Palm-Mensa | Newsletter | |
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(Link to PDF version for printing)
August 2007
Newsletter
![[Image: pelicans]](images/200708/image004.jpg) |
Pelican Paradise |
Contents
LocSec Column
The Seven wonders of the world.
You may have read that recently that the New7Wonders Foundation in Portugal conducted a world wide election, that anyone could vote in, to selected the New Seven Wonders of the world. The announcement of the new (most popular?) Seven Wonders of the World was made in Lisbon Portugal on 7/7/07. The wonders which are equal, and unranked, are:-
| # | Wonder | Location | # | Wonder | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The great Wall | China | 2 | The Petra | Jordan |
| 3 | Christ the Redeemer | Brazil | 4 | Machu Pichu | Peru |
| 5 | Chichen itza | Mexico | 6 | The Roman Collosium | Italy |
| 7 | The Taj mahal | India |
This is of course a travel gimmick, which has generally been the reason for changing the seven wonders from time to time. The previous Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are:
| # | Wonder | Location | # | Wonder | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The great Pyramid | Giza | 2 | Hanging Gardens | Babylon |
| 3 | Temple of Artemis | Ephesus | 4 | Statue of Zeus | Olympia |
| 5 | Mausoleum | Maussollos | 6 | Colossus | Rhodes |
| 7 | Lighthouse | Alexandria |
The Seven Wonders of the middle ages representative list of Seven Wonders is said to include:-
| # | Wonder | Location | # | Wonder | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stonehenge | England | 2 | Colosseum | Italy |
| 3 | Catacombs of Kom | Shoqafa | 4 | Great Wall | China |
| 5 | Porcelain Tower | Nanjing | 6 | Hagia Sophia | Turkey |
| 7 | Leaning Tower | Pisa, Italy |
The American Society of Civil Engineers compiled another list of wonders of the modern world:-
| # | Wonder | Location | # | Wonder | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Channel Tunnel | England/France | 2 | CN Tower | Canada |
| 3 | Empire State Building | New York, USA | 4 | Golden Gate Bridge | USA |
| 5 | Itaipu Dam | Brazil / Paraguay | 6 | Delta Works | Netherlands |
| 7 | Panama Canal | Central America |
There are many more lists created by different people and groups, such as Travel author Howard Hillman, who created Man Made Travel Wonders, Natural Travel Wonders, and Natural Wonders.
There is also a list of underwater wonders of unknown origin. If you want to learn more there is a plethora of information in Wikipedia. There is even a list of the top 100 wonders on the URL:- http://www.hillmanwonders.com/ This last www site lets you click to learn a little about each of the wonders.
So why do I bring this up? The answer is to propose that we live in a truly amazing world at a truly exiting time. We have the resources and time to pore through history and digest the myriad of wonders, listed or not that have been created, achieved, destroyed through the eons of history. The most interesting aspect of these wonders is not just their existence, nor their engineering marvel, or one time existence for those that like the two colossal images of the Buddha in Bamiyan Province, 230 kilometers (150 miles) from the capital of Kabul. The more interesting aspect is the reasons they were built, and even more telling in some cases, the reasons they were destroyed.
The Buddha statues carved into the rock in Bamiyan Province have been destroyed by the Taliban acting on the orders of their supreme leader Mullah Mohammed Omar who issued and edict against un-Islamic graven images. That includes all idolatrous images. As a result the military using tanks and explosives destroyed the Buddhas. One has to wonder what psycho-theology is behind the issuance of such an edict. Does it perhaps help Islam to be a more potent force in the world, and gain the respect of most of us who are probably infidels according to the Koran?
The study of the motives behind the creation and destruction of the World's Great Wonders would be a fascinating study. If anyone who reads this knows of a speaker who could give a presentation on this topic to a Mensa gathering some time this year please contact me so we can explore further, an possibly set up a meeting.
For more on the possible motives of the Talleban, go to URL:- http://www.usatoday.com/news/science/archaeology/2001-03-22-afghan-buddhas.htm
Brian Johnson
LocSec.
Payathai news (First Friday July Dining Group)
We had a very good get-together on July 6. The food was very good and the conversations even better. Attending were: Sherry Brown, Harold Brown, Fay Harrington, Mike Burkhardt, Karen Haney, Rich Haney, Amy Shaughnessy, David Hume, irk Orlovsky, Ellen, Kay Skoog, Barry Karas.
10-334 Treasurer's Report
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Profit & Loss 1/1 to 6/30/2007
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Insolvent by April 2021! One might project that we are headed to that end based on our spending YTD projected with no changes. Our expenses of course are largely about the newsletter. What the numbers don't show is that Our assets increased $9.75 over May/June. We are still at a comfortable bank acct. balance and it is higher than it was in Jan, 2005.
Our monthly Funding has increased for testing by 20% and for members by almost 14%. Printing fees have not been consistent. Our LocSec mentioned in July's newsletter ways to cut printing fees and boost testing and membership. Our membership typically grows all year from a low point in April.
We changed banks (or they changed us) as Fidelity Federal is now NCB. The interest on the new money market account is about 7 times what we used to get. We are limited to 2 checks per month, so we now have a second FREE business account at NCB to avoid any fees. It pays no interest, but we transfer only when it's needed. We should not have to go back to the one page newsletter.
Tom Winchester, treasurer 10-334
Summer Solstice Party (July 23)
About two dozen friends gathered for the Summer Solstice Party in June. The day was the only day in June when it did not rain -- a special request was honored. Mensans in attendance were Ed Gordon, Darcie Schiller (it was her birthday!), Maggie Rubin, Maxwell Mowbry, Paul Bzanker, Joetta, Carole Vitale, John and Jeanie Dassau, Brian Johnson, and Dan Tobias. Nine of Elissa's non-Mensa friends also attended including 10-month-old Isabella and 8-year-olds Caitlin and Claire, two inseparable girlfriends. The mix of children and adults always adds to the ambiance. Two barbecue units kept the burgers, chicken, hot dogs, and other scrumptious items hot and tasty. Everyone brought something to share and everyone seemed to have a good time. Some even went for a dip in the pool -- it was a perfect evening for a cool swim while watching the sun set on one of the longest days of the year.
Proctors Needed!
Results of the call for volunteers have yielded several enthusiastic neophytes and one experienced past proctor. Elissa Rudolph has taken on the Proctor Coordination task. She will receive the prospect list each month and advise the prospects when and where they can take the test. She has also recertified as a proctor, so we have yet another qualified tester in south county.
We have also started two Proctors in Training--Sharron Ronco and Prudy Taylor Board. We thank you both for your time and commitment to Mensa testing in Palm Beach County. We all hope they will be ready for National Testing Day, Saturday October 13, 2007.
Remember to tell your friends that in July testing is discounted.
(Brian, I am now certified as a proctor. Since I was a proctor until a few years ago, my certification didn't require observations, but I will serve as an observer for the two new proctors to get them certified.)
DAG (Dining Adventure Group) Review and next Adventure
July's DAG hasn't taken place as we go to print. Watch for a review in September. In August DAG is on hiatus. If you have a suggestion for a restaurant that we should visit, please email me (elissa12@@bellsouth.net) and we'll try it!
AG2007 -- Birmingham, Alabama
About 1,300 Mensans enjoyed five days of programming, conversation, tours, and games at Birmingham's Sheraton hotel. A huge hospitality area was filled 24/7 with groups of Ms, sometimes eating and sometimes just relaxing with long-time and new friends. Crafters of all kinds displayed art, jewelry, and other handmade items in the Mensa Marketplace.
There's nothing like a Mensa Annual Gathering -- it's big, it's over-the-top stimulating, and at the same time, it's as cozy as your favorite blanket. Try it next year in Denver for the Rocky Mountain High-IQ Annual Gathering 2008!
PS--if you've heard about the Yankee takeover of Southern hospitality and would like to know what the facts really are, email Elissa (elissa12@bellsouth.net ).
Webmaster's note: Some more information is here.
Happy Birthday to our members with birthdays in August
If your name is not shown in your birth month it is because Mensa Ltd does not publish your birthday. (Approximately 30% of members request their birthday to be unlisted.)
| Judge C Pfeiffer Trowbridge | |
| Gina Gross | Roberta Marie Kadlecz |
| Rudyard P Severs | Thomas C Clapp |
| Steven H Meyer | Brian William Jones |
| Michele Stanek | Rich Clay |
| P Geoffrey Hammond | Rick Burns |
| Richard G Doggett | John E Hotchkiss |
| Kevin John Mitchell | James G Pressly Jr |
© 2000-2007 Palm Beach County Mensa. The Mensa logo is a registered trademark of Mensa International Limited and American Mensa Limited, all rights reserved. Mensa does not hold any opinion or have, or express, any political or religious views.