Press Release from…

The Commonwealth Club of California

595 Market Street ¨   San Francisco, CA 94105

Contacts: 

Riki Rafner

415.597.6712

Rahel Crowley 

415.887.8681  

For Immediate Release

The Commonwealth Club Launches Programming in North Bay, “Marin Conversations”

Nation’s Premiere Public Affairs Forum Expands North with

Emmy Award Winning Actor Peter Coyote

SAN FRANCISCO  (September 30, 2013) --- The Commonwealth Club and the Marin Community Foundation present Marin Conversations, a monthly conversation between Marin personalities and subject matter experts on important social issues.  Bay Area writer, Emmy-award winning actor and film narrator Peter Coyote headlines the first of three programs slated through December of this year.  Coyote is passionate about sustainable habitats and how to live side by side with apex predators.  Apex predators are animals with few to no predators of their own such as tigers, wolves and certain crocodiles which reside at the top of their food chain.  He will discuss this issue with Project Coyote's Executive Director Camilla Fox and Yellowstone Ecological Research Center's Bob Crabtree.  This program will be held Wednesday, October 2, from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Outdoor Art Club, One W. Blithedale Avenue in Mill Valley.

Dr. Ruth Shapiro, the Club’s first “Social Entrepreneur in Residence” and author of The Real Problem Solvers, spearheads this Series.  Comments Dr. Shapiro, “Marin Conversations is a unique blend of high quality Commonwealth Club programming and social issues of importance to Marin residents.  The collaboration between the Commonwealth Club and the Marin Community Foundation offers an opportunity to meet others in Marin County who want to deepen their knowledge on important challenges and solutions taking place here, around the country and the globally.”

Tickets are limited to 100 people. TICKETS MUST ALWAYS BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE BY PHONE 415-597-6705 or online at www.commonwealthclub.org.  Marin Conversations will take place the first Wednesday of every month at The Outdoor Art Club, which is located at One W. Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley. Cash bar and hors d'oeuvres will be served from 7 to 8 p.m., followed by the program from 8 to 9 p.m.

The two other scheduled programs are:

Moving Forward on the Hill: A Conversation with Jared Huffman and Tom Peters
Wed, November 06, 7-9 p.m.

Congressman Jared Huffman has represented the 2nd District since January 2013. He sits on the Budget and Natural Resources committees. He will share his insights and experiences to date with Marin Community Foundation's CEO Dr. Tom Peters.
 

The News about the News: A Conversation with Michael Krasny
Wed, December 04, 7-9 p.m.

KQED's award-winning "Forum" host Michael Krasny cares deeply for the way media conveys information and news today. He will be in conversation with noted journalist Phil Bronstein on this important topic.

Dr. Shapiro is the Principal of Keyi, a consulting practice.  Prior to this, she created the Asia Business Council, Dr. Shapiro worked in the field of international development.  In this capacity, she held various management positions and established new program areas at the Academy for Educational Development, and the Harvard Institute of International Development and Global Outlook. 

Dr. Shapiro, a Mill Valley resident recently relocated back to the United States after living in Hong Kong and London for the last six years.  She holds a doctorate from Stanford University and Masters Degrees from Harvard University and George Washington University.  She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Michigan.  

Founded in 1903, The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation’s premier public affairs forum, with more than 18,000 members.  Based in San Francisco and San Jose, the Club also hosts events in Lafayette and now in Mill Valley.  The Club produces over 500 speeches, debates and discussions each year on issues of regional, national and international significance.  The Club sponsors public policy projects on issues including structural reform of state government and K-12 education reform.  At least half a million people hear The Commonwealth Club’s weekly radio broadcasts on more than 200 stations across the country.  The Club also broadcasts on XM Satellite Radio and podcasts its programs, as well.  The Club’s programs are now also televised on Comcast Premium Digital Cable and ABC7.  For the past century, The Club has fostered free speech and civic dialogue on wide-ranging topics, addressing key issues in society, culture, politics, the economy and more. For more information, visit www.commonwealthclub.org

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