Come for the Programs . . .
* Since the Covid shutdown ended, we have been running in-person meetings with "hybrid" access by Zoom. To join by Zoom send a request to [email protected]
Meetings start at 9:30 AM with coffee and socializing. At 10:00 we sit down, sing a song or two, and hear a few jokes & announcements. The day's invited speaker starts at around 10:30. Visitors are asked to arrive by 10:00 AM to sign in.
Programs consist of stimulating talks by people such as past governors, mayors, politicians, physicians, Nobel Prize winners, judges, professors, historians, scientists, authors, economists, journalists, financial advisors, medical specialists, conservationists, etc. The follow-up Q&A is lively. Put on your business casual attire or jacket & tie (or something more casual from May to September) and attend a meeting with us. All visitors are welcome. Admission is free.
Stay for the Friends*
After the meetings, many members join together to have lunch at various local restaurants.
In addition to the weekly meetings, there are activity groups for golf, bridge, hiking, trips, computer help, tennis and more.
* Or, as one member put it recently, "Come for the Jokes, Stay for the Talks", since we start each meeting by singing a few songs and enjoying a few jokes :-)
Policy on Weather Cancellations
During very bad weather or when the NPPC is unavailable to us, our meetings simply move online with Zoom. We will post a notice at this website and send an email to members.
For more information:
On Retiring – A Stimulating Road Ahead
Where will you find a sense of purpose and satisfaction? How will you find mental stimulus and a sense of community? Click on this PDF file to consider an answer to these questions.
Donations to Old Guard are welcome and greatly appreciated (although they are not tax deductible).
Dues are $55 a year with a $10 early-payment discount, and can be paid using this dues link.
February Program Chair - Alberto Paredes-Diaz
- Feb 3 - How to Make a Better Hip Implant – Prof. Matthew Libera Biomedical implants such as hip and knee prostheses have had a huge impact on human health and have improved the quality of life for millions of patients. However, in addition to their wonderful healing properties, these and other tissue-contacting biomedical devices can also catalyze infection. Infection rates vary from about 1- 5% but can be as high as 50%, which can be a life-changing complication. Matthew Libera, professor of materials science at Stevens Institute of Technology, will give an overview using hips as a prime example, and will focus on soft matter, including hydrogels and microgels, with a particular interest in infection-resisting biomaterials, i.e., how to create surfaces that resist infection while promoting healing. Prof. Libera has a doctorate in materials science from MIT. He has held visiting scientist and research positions and has received several awards and recognition for exemplary research and outstanding teaching. [in-person and on Zoom]
- Feb 10 - Nature as Inspiration for Art – Nancy J. Ori has been respected internationally for over 35 years as a photographer and video producer for Ciba-Geigy and Novartis Pharmaceuticals in East Hanover, NJ and is owner of New Jersey Media Center, LLC in Berkeley Heights, NJ. She enjoys teaching photography and mixed media workshops each year internationally. Nancy studied with Ansel Adams and was a teaching assistant for many years with the Ansel Adams Workshop in California. Since then, she has taught at numerous art centers and museums throughout New Jersey. In 1994 she established the NJ Photography Forum, a group of professional and serious amateur photographers that meet regularly to discuss their work as well as exhibit within the state. Under Nancy’s direction, the Forum has grown to be the largest group of exhibiting fine art photographers in the state. A spin-off group has now evolved called the Digital Arts Group at the Visual Art Center of NJ in Summit. [in-person and on Zoom]
- Feb 17 - The Environmental Defense Fund and Its People – Steve Nisberg is associate vice president, Environmental Defense Fund. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from the University at Buffalo School of Management. He also completed the Executive Business Finance Program at Harvard Business School. Steve will pull back the curtain of this global non-governmental organization (NGO) and share its history, the work that it does around the world to stabilize the climate, strengthen the ability of people and nature to thrive, and support people's health through eight key areas of focus. He’ll also share how it gets results, and the people that make it all happen. [in-person and on Zoom]
- Feb 24 - Embracing Artificial Intelligence: Today and Tomorrow – Ken Cavanagh has a 30-plus year career as a global executive in Fortune 500 IT leadership, working for many companies, including Cisco, Dell, Verizon, and the NBA, and 20 years in cybersecurity. He earned his MS in information technology from Stevens Institute of Technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now a part of everyone’s lives. Ken will review the various elements of AI and how they affect our daily experiences, including debunking common misconceptions and highlighting ways AI is used today, such as virtual assistants, healthcare, recommendation, systems, safety and security, transportation, communication, and daily assistance. [in-person and on Zoom -- for access: [email protected]]
February Birthday emcee: Steve Waddell
For speaker photos, visit us on facebook
For an archive of videos of past meetings,
