Speakers

Award-winning author and historian Colleen Adair Fliedner explores the history and legends of Griffith Park and Griffith J. Griffith as described in her book “Fascinating True Tales from Old California.” Griffith tried to murder his wife, went to prison, and afterward left property to the City of Los Angeles — envisioning a park for the “plain man,” an observatory on Mount Hollywood, and a Greek-style outdoor theater. Who was Griffith — philanthropist, visionary, or something else? Colleen unpacks the history and the name that still defines the park.

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Dave Lehman worked at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for 40 years as a Technical Manager for the Mars Pathfinder Attitude and Information Management Subsystem. He was also Project Manager for Deep Space One, the lunar explorer Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL), and the Mars Odyssey mission.

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Hands On Buzzers is an interactive entertainment act built around the spirited tagline "Where YOU'RE the next contestant!" Embracing a game-show-style format, the act invites audiences to step out of their seats and into the spotlight, transforming spectators into eager participants. Rather than passive viewing, attendees find themselves buzzing in, competing, and enjoying the thrill of a live quiz-style experience. Hands On Buzzers maintains a presence on Facebook, where curious fans and prospective bookers can connect. With its energetic, participation-driven approach, the act promises a fun, engaging atmosphere designed to bring people together and put everyday audience members center stage. For anyone seeking a lively, crowd-pleasing entertainment option, Hands On Buzzers offers an experience where the audience truly becomes the star of the show.

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Hollywood's Hidden Business: Madams, Cops and Fixers Behind the glamour of Hollywood's Golden Age was another world - one involving madams, police, studio executives, gossip columnists, gangsters, and the people whose job was to keep scandals from becoming headlines. What happened when a movie star's private life threatened the carefully manufactured image that Hollywood sold to the public? And who made the problems disappear? Through a series of fascinating and sometimes surprising true stories, this presentation examines the largely invisible system that helped Hollywood protect its stars, its studios, and its most valuable product: reputation.

Lilly Padilla, a 23 year cancer survivor, is a certified Integrative Nutrition Coach and Holistic Nutrition Chef specializing in Chinese Nutritional Therapy. Her latest studies are focused on Gut Health, specific methods and food strategies for supporting a healthy microbiome, nutrient absorption and immunity. She is the author of the Anti-cancer Habits & Anti-inflammatory Nutrition. Lily will conduct a nutrition workshop focusing on Gut Health, culinary herbs, understanding the power of the microbiome, supporting digestion and the immune system. She will explain the what, when and how of feeding and enhancing the microbiome, which is our best ally for good health, nutrient assimilation, digestion, immunity, brain function, moods and energy.

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Born in 1938, Richard Lederer is an American linguist, author, speaker, and teacher hailed as one of the nation's most prolific and popular commentators on the English language. The youngest of five children, he grew up in West Philadelphia, graduated from Haverford College, and earned an MA from Harvard and a PhD from the University of New Hampshire. A self-described "verbivore," he has written more than 60 books, including his best-selling Anguished English series, and co-founded NPR's "A Way With Words." Nicknamed "Attila the Pun" and "Conan the Grammarian," he was named International Punster of the Year in 1989. At StaRGazing 2027, in a program titled The Lighter Side of American History, he will share bloopers, puns, and presidential stinkers, illuminating the great American adventure.

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Sally Westlake is a Targeted Outreach Specialist with the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), the state regulator that protects consumers and oversees state-licensed financial institutions including banks, credit unions, debt collectors, nonbank mortgage lenders, student loan servicers, and money transmitters. As part of the DFPI's Targeted Outreach Team, she promotes financial literacy and helps students, older adults, veterans, and underserved communities understand their rights and avoid fraud. Her specialties include scam and fraud prevention, consumer financial education, investor education, financial elder abuse awareness, and Korean-language events. At StaRGazing 2027, she will present "Protect Yourself from Fraud," sharing how to spot the latest tricks scammers use—from phishing emails to fake investment opportunities—and offering key red flags and simple, practical steps to help attendees stay safe in today's digital world.

DFPI Financial Education Page →

” Birds do it... Bees do it…” It’s because plants do it that every other living organism on our planet is able to keep on doing it. Join author, educator, plant nerd, and garden voyeur, Sandy Masuo, for a peek into the world of plant reproduction in “Sex in the Garden: The Dirt on Plant Reproduction”. Learn about selfing, cloning, and threesomes with pollinators (exclusive and open relationships). You’ll never look at flowers the same way again!

Head Chef Valerie Spear designing meals.

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