Gapers Block Book Club Meeting

This month's meeting of the Gapers Block Book Club takes place tonight at The Book Cellar at 4736-8 N. Lincoln Ave., where we will be discussing Fire Sale by Sara Paretsky. The meeting begins at 7:30pm, and new members are always welcome! Hope to see you there. Visit the official book club blog for more information.

Susan Jacoby @ Chicago Public Library

The renowned author of Freethinkers discusses and signs her latest book, The Age of American Unreason. Combining historical analysis with contemporary observation, Jacoby dissects a new American cultural phenomenon -- one that is at odds with our heritage of reason, secular knowledge and science. According to Jacoby, the public's contempt for logic and evidence defines a malaise perpetuated by the mass media, infotainment, religious fundamentalism, mediocre public education, and a shortage of fair-minded public intellectuals on the right and the left. Free. 6 p.m. Cindy Pritzker Auditorium, Lower Level, at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St. For more info, visit the Website or call the Chicago Public Library Press Office at 312-747-4050.

MusicNOW @ Harris Theater

Tonight's program of contemporary music is hosted by CSO composer-in-residence Mark-Anthony Turnage. CSO musicians--along with the Maria Schneider Orchestra--will perform works by David Lang, Turnage, Oliver Knussen, and Schneider. Tickets are $20. The concert begins at 8 PM and is followed by a reception. 205 E Randolph. For more information, call 312-294-3000 or visit the website.

Cafe Scientifique: Bombs & Brains Explaining Traumatic Brain Injury from the War in Iraq @ the Map Room

Cafe Scientifique returns to the Map Room (1949 North Hoyne Ave) on Monday March 10th from 7 to 9PM, as Melina Hale leads a discussion entitled "Bombs and Brains: Examining Traumatic Brain Injury from the War in Iraq". Space is limited to the first 50 attendees!

More information:

Closed brain injury -- damage to the brain without skull penetration -- is a characteristic injury of the war in Iraq. It is much more prevalent then in previous wars due in part to increased survivability of major injuries to the body and to increased exposure to blasts from improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Providing care and treatment for returning service men and women who have sustained such injuries is a major ongoing concern facing the United States.

Come for a discussion of issues surrounding traumatic brain injuries such as those sustained in the Iraq war, research examining the diverse effects of blasts on the brain, and current and potential future directions for prevention and treatment of head injury.

Other resources:

Research at Chicago video on Dr. Hale – “Circuit-Breaking: The Startle Response and Neuromotor Function”: http://research.uchicago.edu/highlights/item.php?id=22

March 10-16 is Brain awareness week! http://www.sfn.org/baw/

Your Brain on Cubs Book Launch

Come to the Cubby Bear to celebrate the release of the latest Cubs fan book Your Brain on Cubs: Inside the Heads of Players and Fans. There will be a panel discussion of notable fans, including Jeremy Mainer of the Chicago Tribune as moderator, contributor Steven Small of the University of Chicago, editor Dan Gordon and Aryeh Routtenberg of Northwestern. Free, but reservations are required and can be made by email info[at]illinoisscience[dot]org (be sure to include your name and the number of people who will be attending). 6:30pm-8:30pm at 1059 W. Addison St.

Easter Cooking Lesson and Lunch @ Vie

This is worth a trip to Western Springs: award-winning Vie chef Paul Virant will walk you through cooking for Easter, followed by a full three-course meal (with him!) and wine pairings today from 9:45am-1:30pm. Cost is $115 per person.

Chicago Peace Party @ Danny's

Benefit for Tamms Year Ten Campaign. Half of bar proceeds go to the Tamms Year Ten campaign. 10 p.m. 1951 W Dickens Ave.