HALVASON

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The Humanist Association of Las Vegas and Southern Nevada

A Chapter of the American Humanist Association

American Humanist AssociationHALVASON, the Humanist Association of Las Vegas and Southern Nevada, is a nonprofit, educational organization whose main purpose is to promote humanism as a viable alternative to supernatural and theistic belief systems.  We serve as a forum for humanists, atheists, agnostics, freethinkers and other like-minded individuals in the Las Vegas area.  We promote the Jeffersonian principle of separation of religion and government, the rights of nonreligious people in our society, free inquiry and thought, a naturalistic view of the universe and a reason-based, secular ethical system.  Our membership is open to all like-minded people without regard to race, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, or political or other affiliations.

Regular Meetings and Events
(All HALVASON events are open to the public)


HALVASON Membership Meetings feature a speaker or moderator addressing a topic of interest to Humanists.  These are held the third Sunday of each month at 2:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room at 833 N. Las Vegas Blvd., between Washington and Bonanza opposite Cashman Field.  For a map, click here.   Many members make this their primary humanist-related event.  Often people gather for a social hour or two afterwards in the brew pub in Main Street Station.  These meetings are held jointly with the Las Vegas Freethought Society (LVFS).

HALVASON Forums will be held the fourth Sunday of each month, currently at 1:00 in the Las Vegas Library Program Room at 833 N. Las Vegas Blvd.  The forum will be an informal gathering to exchange thoughts about different aspects of humanism and our relationships to our communities. There is some sentiment that this be a more social affair that encourages more identity and participation.

Joint HALVASON/ UUCLV Forums are held the first Sunday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at the Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Las Vegas (UUCLV) facilities at 3616 E. Lake Mead Blvd., a block east of Pecos.

HALVASON does First Friday with our friends in the Las Vegas Freethought Society (LVFS).  First Friday is a monthly arts festival in downtown Las Vegas, occurring on the evening of the first Friday of each month.  Participants meet at The Grill at around 6:00 p.m. for a snack or dinner, and visit the events subsequently.  The Grill is located in Holsum Lofts, at 241 W. Charleston Blvd, across from Grand Central ParkwayHolsum Lofts is one of the stops on the trolley (free). 

The Las Vegas Atheists Meetup is held the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Jason's Deli, 3910 S. Maryland Parkway, just north of Flamingo.  Although not sponsored by HALVASON, the Atheist Meetups are fun, social events.

Scheduled events of interest to members

 

Forum: Sunday May 4, at 11:30 a.m. in the UUCLV facilities (a joint event with UUCLV) 
Raul Martinez: "Coming out as an atheist in America" Raul will look at the pros and the cons; the danger and the fun; the pleasure and the pain that comes from offering NOTHING to the world. He is an ordained minister and proud Mexican Atheist and describes himself as a magnificently humble computer geek, defender of human rights.

Special event: Monday April 7 at 7:00 p.m. in  the LGBT Center at 953 E. Sahara Avenue,  in the Commercial Center
Lori Lipman-Brown, Director of the Secular Coalition for America, will talk to the Stonewall Democratic  Club about finding issue allies and building successful coalitions.
Note: A social hour will start at 6:00 p.m.  The public is welcome.

Meeting:  Sunday April 20, at 1:00 p.m. (note time change) at Wayne Bunker Memorial Park, 7351 W. Alexander Road (SW corner of Alexander and Tenaya)
Picnic: We will be serving a variety of barbecued and grilled meats.  This is a potluck affair.  Please call Loretta at 258-1587 to coordinate your participation. Further details are available here.

Note: This will be the last opportunity to say goodbye to Mel Lipman before he retires to Florida.


Please visit the events archives to see previously scheduled events.

What's Happening in Humanism


(01/17/2007) The AHA announced that it will honor Cassini Project scientist Carolyn Porco with the Isaac Asimov Science Award in Washington D.C. in June. 

(01/15/2007) Humanist Michael McOmber is leading a convoy of biodiesel-fueled vehicles traveling to the Sundance Film Festival, as described in this AHA announcement.  The convoy launches the Fields of Fuel National Edutainment Action Tour (NEAT).  The AHA is a partner and fiscal sponsor of Josh Tickell's Fields of Fuel documentary, which will be shown at the Festival, as an earlier announcement (12/03/2007) describes.


(01/08/2007)  The group FreeThoughtAction has placed a billboard on the New Jersey Turnpike stating "Don't Believe in God?  You are not alone."  FreeThoughtAction is an independent adjunct of the AHA.

(01/07/2007)  The AHA has ten pointed questions for the Presidential Candidates, questions that they encourage all humanists to ask of their politicians.

(12/22/2007)  HALVASON held its annual Winter Solstice Party at host Leslie Tighe's home.  By most accounts, people enjoyed the food and the company greatly.  HALVASON thanks the Tighes for their gracious hospitality.
       Members present at the party affirmed the slate for the Board of Directors.  The 2008 Board will consist of former 2007 Board members Mel Lipman, Carl Kaun, Loretta C., Bill Jacobs and John Powers; together with new board members Leslie Tighe, Fred Knapp, Robert Hannah and Jim Dreitzler.  Mike Plaisted withdrew from the slate because of work commitments.

(12/20/2007)  The AHA now provides an online-only membership to the AHA that is free.  Go here for details.

(12/18/2007) The AHA comments on Islam and the "Girl from Qatif" (this was the Saudi girl raped and then sentenced harshly for being alone with a man not a relative).

(12/10/2007) HumanLightthis AHA announcement explains how Humanists celebrate the Solstice Season.

(12/05/2007) The first of Philip Pullman's trilogy has been made into a movie, The Golden Compass (released on December 27).  This movie has been the subject of some controversy.    In an announcement, the AHA has refuted the Catholic League's claims concerning Golden Compass.  Earlier (11/27/2007) it was announced that Philip Pullman will be honored with the International Humanist Award at the conference in Washington D.C. in June.

Look in the news archives for previously listed news items of interest to Humanists.  Other items of interest may be found in the HALVASON Forum.



HALVASON's recent newsletters (in pdf) are: October 2006, November 2006, (no December 2006 newsletter), January 2007, February 2007, March 2007, April 2007, May 2007, June 2007July 2007, (No August 2007 newsletter) and September 2007.   Older newsletters are available on request. 

The content of newsletters starting June 2007 may also be accessed in HTML format, which is more convenient for many.


Join HALVASON

Become a member of HALVASON (and the American Humanist Association) by going to the AHA website.  Be sure to list HALVASON as your local chapter. 


Subscribe to our announcements list or our newsletter distribution list, both hosted by Yahoo! Groups.  The announcements list is a low-volume list used only for announcements of meetings and national press releases.  The newsletter distribution list is used for our monthly newsletter.  For either list, clicking the link will create an empty email message window.  Simply hit the "Send" button for this message.  You will receive a response from Yahoo! Groups requesting verification of your request.  Simply hit "Reply" to this message.

Yahoo! Groups provides a number of services for registered members, including access to archives and search capabilities.  Register at Yahoo! Groups here.  Nothing more than a user name, a password, and an email address are required.

Yahoo! Groups provides an effective mechanism for managing things like announcements lists, and most people find that with a little use, they are quite comfortable with it.  Still, a few of our members have indicated they find Yahoo! Groups intimidating to use.  Your webmaster invites you to share any thoughts you have about Yahoo! Groups by emailing carl@halvason.org.

Other


Humanist weddings and other ceremonies may be performed by Mel Lipman, Humanist Minister, licensed in the state of Nevada.  Call 433-5210 or email mel@halvason.org.

Humanist weddings and other ceremonies may be performed by Paul LaCombe, Humanist Minister, licensed in the state of Nevada.  Call 437-9862 or email paul@halvason.org.

Contact Information
    * HALVASON, P.O. Box 363897, N. Las Vegas, NV 89030-9998
    * President:  Carl Kaun, 702-897-0337
    * Email webmaster@halvason.org to report any problems with this website.

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