Our speaker for April 8 will be Dr. Doug Woodward, Director of the Division of Research and Professor of Economics at the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. He will be speaking on the coming recession. We have promised him plenty of questions and interaction from the group.

Dr. Woodward earned his Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Texas in 1986. His primary research interests are industry location, economic development, and foreign direct investment.

He has published articles on these and other topics, and he is co-author of a book on foreign direct investment in the United States, The New Competitors, ranked as one of the “top ten business and economics books” by Business Week and listed by Fortune as one of the books “CEO's are reading.”

Dr. Woodward is currently engaged in extensive research on economic and business development in sub-Saharan Africa. Over his career, Dr. Woodward has received numerous grants and awards. He has testified before local, state, and national government committees and has presented his research at many conferences around the world, including the prestigious World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Dr. Woodward has been quoted frequently in the national press and has often appeared on television and radio programs discussing economic development and related topics.

I'm looking forward to hearing Dr. Doug Woodward, and hope you can join us. For the May meeting, we tentatively have Dr. Patricia Moore, one of the leaders in the development of the new South Carolina science standards for the public schools. We're still meeting at Carolina Wings at 600 Gervais, one of the few places in the Vista with semi-adequate parking.

Culture Quest is coming up April 27th. Our chapter has done exceptionally well the last couple of years -- last year we were one of only two chapters to put two teams in the top 20 nationally, and the other such chapter was much larger. This year we expect to have at least two -- possibly three -- teams of currently active members

Speaking of which -- don't forget to pay your dues. I haven't gotten to Trivia at the Flying Saucer yet, but reports have been good

Hilary Wiek's excusion to the Congaree National Park should get there just as spring is in full swing -- I work nearby, and have been watching.

Come join us!
Joe Long

The Excom met on March 11, prior to the regular monthly meeting. The group decided to meet at Carolina Wings and Ribs again in April. There was no new business.

Respectfully submitted,
Jim Scott, Secretary

Trivia Night: Put Tuesday, April 22nd on your calendar for Mensa Trivia Night. The game starts at 7:30 at our new location at the Flying Saucer, 931 Senate St. in the Vista.

All Culture Quest participants are invited out for a warmup game before the big event on the 27th. All others are invited out for a fun evening food, fellowship, and trivia.

As always, drop Reece O'Dell a note at reece.smgh@yahoo.com if you know you will be there, but do not let a last minute decision keep you from showing up.