There's a lot of genuine science built into the kinetic creations of "Almost Scientific" artist Alan Rorie. That doesn't necessarily mean that his mechanisms comply with the natural laws that govern our world—although they might.

From an early age, Alan Rorie knew that he wanted to study science. So he did. But as he neared completion of his Ph.D., his interest in making art eclipsed his passion for research. But he's found that there's really no separating of the two interests.

The dramatic photo above is a device Rorie called a Neuron Chamber. See it in action in this video:

While his post-graduate training in neurobiology has informed his art, Rorie says he also has found his education as good training for learning the new skills he's needed to develop to create his art.

 Alan Rorie will offer alive demonstration of his  Uira Engine Tuesday evening, Nov. 16 at 6:30 pm as part of the current Mad Science exhibit at the Sonoma County Museum. Here's a preview:

The Icarus Project has become an outspoken advocacy organization for the idea of "radical mental health. Co-founder Jacks McNamara explains how they define that concept.

Radical mental health asks if being "different" is something that requires treatment, or can sometimes be recognized as just a different way of being. need not be seen or treated as a mental illness, argues Artist and poet Jacks McNamara argues that her bi-polar disorder should be seen as a "dangerous gift," something to cherish and to be wary of.

The art and poetry of Jacks McNamara, as well as her personal history as told in her own words, forms the subject matter for the short film, Crooked Beauty, by  Ken Rosenthal. Here is a trailer for the film.

Now that the Icarus Project is eight years old, and well established across the country and beyond, McNamara says she is now turning more of her energies toward nurturing a new class of leaders and advocates to take the organization on to its next level.

Chocolate is at least 3000 years old, and we have the ancient Mayans to thank for it. By way of the conquistadors, that is.

There is tantalizing historical evidence showing that the Mayans were quite creative in their use of chocolate, and the flavor combinations they developed, but archeo-ethno-botany researcher Kirsten Tripplett (left) , says few details of their actual recipes have survived.

Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes was probably the first European to taste chocolate, and it was he who first exported some back to his homeland.

Dark or milk chocolate? Many people have a distinct personal preference, but Tripplett says it’s clear which type is better for us.

Small black balls of glassy rock found in the Dry Creek Valley may be remnants from a prehistoric meteor strike. Or maybe not.

Geology professor Rolfe Erickson with tektites collected from strewn fields all over the world. (Photo by Jean Wasp)