Three years. That’s how long it takes light to travel 28.4 trillion kilometers (17.6 trillion miles). It’s the time you’d need to bake, sequentially, 26,280 trays of muffins (note: oven temperatures vary). And, three years ago, The Big Asheville Science Salon burst into being, an odd-smelling flower to ignite your mind garden (note: the metaphor tank is low).

So … what should we do about it?

The December salon will be all the things! Things like what, you ask?

Community and curiosity? YES!

        Come consort with curious people, bask in awesomeness, and eat, drink, and holler.

Serious science? YES!

        An astute assemblage of researchers will hold forth (in orderly fashion) on the current state and future directions of scientific pursuits.

Science-Trivia-Bingo? YES-YES-YES!

        For only the second time in the history of keeping track of such things, the chimeric marvel that is Science-Trivia-Bingo will be unleashed! Whether you read science journals for fun or can’t tell a neutron from a noodle, you’ll be grand. Bring your genius crew or fly solo, play every round or sit at the bar and nod knowingly – however you roll, the times are good.

Surprises? (….)!

        There will be prizes (some might be surprising). There will be launches of surprising new endeavors (we won’t say what, yet).

Most of all, there will be gratitude (and general amazement) for three years of doing whatever this is. Gratitude for everyone who makes the Big Asheville Science Salon a place to dive into discovery and indulge in collective wondering.

The researchers who share their work each month offer new questions, discoveries, and ways to see the world. The incomparable crew at The Mule has made us a home and keeps bringing the love. And YOU – the ever-curious, exceptionally clever folks who come to ponder the perplexities of science – you build this community, one weird question at a time.

See you at the Salon-iversary!!!