BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Merlin CCC - ECPv6.15.15//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Merlin CCC
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://merlinccc.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Merlin CCC
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Denver
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:MDT
DTSTART:20250309T090000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:MST
DTSTART:20251102T080000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:MDT
DTSTART:20260308T090000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:MST
DTSTART:20261101T080000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:MDT
DTSTART:20270314T090000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:MST
DTSTART:20271107T080000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260514T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260514T210000
DTSTAMP:20260405T070117
CREATED:20251217T012231Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251217T012232Z
UID:10000217-1778785200-1778792400@merlinccc.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Think & Drink
DESCRIPTION:Fun Gatherings that Stimulate the Mind!\nOur Philosophy Think & Drinks are casual\, community-oriented gatherings that are intellectually stimulating and fun.  You don’t need a background in philosophy to enjoy & participate.  An open mind & desire to engage in thoughtful dialogue (whether from a listening or contribution standpoint) is all that’s needed!  For those who love philosophy but prefer not to partake in the libations side of things\, don’t let that stop you from participating in the fun.  We emphasize the think over the drink! \nWhen\n2nd Thursday of every month from 7pm-9pm \nWhere\nReeder’s Alley — In the colder months\, we’ll meet indoors in the Conference Center. In the warmer\, we’ll meet outdoors in the Pavilion.  \nOther\nLight snacks provided.  BYOB. \n \nHow Do They Work?\nStep into the dojo!  Our Think & Drinks are monthly gatherings that consist of a “meeting of minds” over libations.  After nabbing goodies and seats\, getting acquainted & settling in…the eve begins. \n\nNo topics are off-limit; no questions are too broad\, narrow\, abstract\, or concrete.  Questions are posed by participants in a “round-robin” fashion\, clarified\, and then voted upon collectively.\nOnce our “avenue of philosophical pursuit” is in place\, we’re ready to dive into a fun night of facilitated philosophical discussion.
URL:https://merlinccc.org/calendar-event/philosophy-think-drink-may-2026/
LOCATION:Reeder’s Alley Conference Center\, 101 Reeder's Alley\, Helena\, MT\, 59601\, United States
CATEGORIES:Think & Drinks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://merlinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Philosophy-Think-Drink.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Marisa Diaz-Waian":MAILTO:marisa@merlinccc.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260607T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260607T210000
DTSTAMP:20260405T070117
CREATED:20251101T223718Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T184255Z
UID:10000212-1780857000-1780866000@merlinccc.org
SUMMARY:Building Community through Laughter: Comedy & the Good Life
DESCRIPTION:About the Program\n\n\n\nFeaturing a live performance and post-show talk-back with professional comedian & philosopher Rodney Norman\, our “Building Community through Laughter” program explores comedy and the good life. \n\n\n\nIn addition to doing the good work of helping people think & laugh\, Rodney is also a motivational speaker\, actor\, writer\, photographer\, and all-around hilarious human & bringer of joy and good vibes. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nLaughter without a tinge of philosophy is but a sneeze of humor. Genuine humor is replete with wisdom. mark twain\, quoted in mark twain and i\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat to AnticipateKnown for his hilariously unassuming and often dead-pan style of humor\, Rodney’s humor blends clean\, family-friendly comedy with deep thoughts\, and is rife with philosophical wisdom.In both the performance and conversation\, and through Rodney’s delightfully disarming vulnerability and storytelling ability\, audience members will be invited to consider themes like love\, courage\, freedom\, justice\, community\, and more through the lens of comedy.In the process\, we’ll learn about some of the philosophical inspirations behind Rodney’s work\, creative process & style\, the source of his joy\, and his view on the relationship between comedy and the good life\, and why the arts & humanities matter.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto by Mark  Daynes on Unsplash\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to See more?Visit our project page for more details\, watch some stand-up videos of Rodney\, and learn more about this fun program\, our comedian\, and facilitators. Click here to be whisked away to our Building Community through Laughter project page! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto by Kevin Snow on Unsplash\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto by Lydia Williams on Unsplash\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto by Mauricio Manzato on Unsplash
URL:https://merlinccc.org/calendar-event/building-community-through-laughter-the-good-life/
LOCATION:The Ming Opera House (Shriner’s Temple)\, 15 N. Jackson Street\, Helena\, Montana\, 59601\, United States
CATEGORIES:Special Programs
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://merlinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Building-Community-through-Laughter_Image-header.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Marisa Diaz-Waian":MAILTO:marisa@merlinccc.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260611T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260611T210000
DTSTAMP:20260405T070117
CREATED:20251217T012438Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251217T012440Z
UID:10000218-1781204400-1781211600@merlinccc.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Think & Drink
DESCRIPTION:Fun Gatherings that Stimulate the Mind!\nOur Philosophy Think & Drinks are casual\, community-oriented gatherings that are intellectually stimulating and fun.  You don’t need a background in philosophy to enjoy & participate.  An open mind & desire to engage in thoughtful dialogue (whether from a listening or contribution standpoint) is all that’s needed!  For those who love philosophy but prefer not to partake in the libations side of things\, don’t let that stop you from participating in the fun.  We emphasize the think over the drink! \nWhen\n2nd Thursday of every month from 7pm-9pm \nWhere\nReeder’s Alley — In the colder months\, we’ll meet indoors in the Conference Center. In the warmer\, we’ll meet outdoors in the Pavilion.  \nOther\nLight snacks provided.  BYOB. \n \nHow Do They Work?\nStep into the dojo!  Our Think & Drinks are monthly gatherings that consist of a “meeting of minds” over libations.  After nabbing goodies and seats\, getting acquainted & settling in…the eve begins. \n\nNo topics are off-limit; no questions are too broad\, narrow\, abstract\, or concrete.  Questions are posed by participants in a “round-robin” fashion\, clarified\, and then voted upon collectively.\nOnce our “avenue of philosophical pursuit” is in place\, we’re ready to dive into a fun night of facilitated philosophical discussion.
URL:https://merlinccc.org/calendar-event/philosophy-think-drink-june-2026/
LOCATION:Reeder’s Alley Conference Center\, 101 Reeder's Alley\, Helena\, MT\, 59601\, United States
CATEGORIES:Think & Drinks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://merlinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Philosophy-Think-Drink.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Marisa Diaz-Waian":MAILTO:marisa@merlinccc.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260902T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260902T203000
DTSTAMP:20260405T070117
CREATED:20260313T200849Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T220210Z
UID:10000226-1788372000-1788381000@merlinccc.org
SUMMARY:Making Society a Better Place: On Accountability & Responsibility
DESCRIPTION:What We’ll Explore\nFrom pedophile church scandals and Wall Street Fraud\, to improper sports betting by athletes and addiction-related tragedies…how might we make society a better place?  \n\nIn this evening’s program led by Hon. Mark C. Dillon\, we’ll examine this question through the lens of philosophy and ask: \n\nWhat kinds of personal responsibilities do we have to others? \nDoes our society have a tolerance level? If so\, where are we at? What kinds of things contribute to our tolerances (or lack thereof)?  \nDo we have fewer guardrails now than we did in the past? Are the guardrails we have sometimes ineffective?\nHow can we hold ourselves and institutions accountable?\n\n\nWHEN & WHEREWednesday\, September 2nd6pm-8:30pm (MST)Venue: TBDCOSTFree (Donations appreciated)BYOB & snacks provided\n\n\n\nAbout Our Discussion Facilitator\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA Justice of the New York State Appellate Division\, Second Judicial Department\, and senior associate justice of the court\, Mark C. Dillon has over 19 years of experience on the bench. An adjunct professor of Practice at Fordham Law School and celebrated author (Montana Vigilantes 1863-1870: Gold\, Guns & Gallows and The First Chief Justice: John Jay and the Struggle of a New Nation)\, he earned his B.A. from Colgate University\, M.A. from NYU\, and J.D. from Fordham Law School. Through Fordham\, Mark has volunteered time over three summers teaching mediation techniques to tribal chiefs\, priests\, and imams in remote regions of western Africa.  A lifetime long distance runner\, he has four children are grown\, and he resides with his wife in Dutchess County\, NY. \n\n\n\n\n\nRead more about Hon. Mark C. Dillon…\nJustice Dillon was elected to the state’s Supreme Court in the Ninth Judicial District in 1999 and re-elected in 2013.  Prior\, he served as a Judge of the Westchester County Court in 1997 and as a Town Justice of the Town of Yorktown from 1988 to 1997.  His career also includes three years as a Westchester County Assistant District Attorney\, and a total of twelve years as a trial attorney at the law firms of Cerussi & Spring P.C. and Dillon & Sarcone\, LLP. in White Plains\, NY. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nA contributing author of McKinney’s CPLR Practice Commentaries beginning with the 2019 supplements\, and has written six new hard cover volumes that have replaced those earlier authored by the late Professor David Siegel. He has published seven law review articles during the past decade through the Albany\, Pace\, NYU\, Cardozo\, and Hofstra Law Schools. \n\n\n\nJustice Dillon also published a 449-page hard cover book of legal history entitled Montana Vigilantes 1863-1870: Gold\, Guns & Gallows (Univ. of Colorado Press\, 2013)\, one of five books nominated for A History Book of the Year by the Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association.  More recently\, he authored a book of legal history entitled The First Chief Justice: John Jay and the Struggle of a New Nation (SUNY Press\, 2022)\, which focuses on Jay’s career and cases while the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.  The Jay book was one of ten books nominated nationally for History Book of the Year by the Foreward Independent Booksellers’ Association. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMake a Donation Here!\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you to Our Community Partners
URL:https://merlinccc.org/calendar-event/society-accountability-responsibility-law-justice/
LOCATION:Montana
CATEGORIES:Philosophy Shorts
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://merlinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mark-Dillon-Announcement_2-scaled.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Marisa Diaz-Waian":MAILTO:marisa@merlinccc.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261011T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261011T210000
DTSTAMP:20260405T070117
CREATED:20251022T010248Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T191601Z
UID:10000211-1791738000-1791752400@merlinccc.org
SUMMARY:Art as Transformation: Art & the Good Life
DESCRIPTION:About the Program\n\n\n\nFeaturing live music\, visual  and performance art\, storytelling\, dialogue\, and more\, our “Art as Transformation” program is an innovative public philosophy project that explores the role of art in our everyday lives and its relationship to human flourishing. Inspired by the ancient Greek concept of eudaimonia*\, our program invites people to experience and reflect on the transformative power of art\, and how and why it contributes to good living. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat to ExpectACT 1: Kick up your feet\, settle in\, and get ready for a one-of-a-kind\, interactive\, and engaging live performance by local musicians and performance artists. 3 “mash-up” musical sets accompanied by visual imagery\, dance\, narration\, and a mic…with brushstrokes of art\, history\, and philosophy throughout.INTERMISSION ACT: Be swept into a world of ideas with our toga-clad thespians. Is happiness & pleasure where it’s at? Meaning & purpose? Justice & Beauty? Explore artwork and see what glimpses of these look like through local artists’eyes.ACT 2: Lean back and hear from some of our guest artists about what the arts have to do with good living. Facilitated conversation\, inquiry\, and audience Q & A.BONUS: As part of our arts & the good life programming this year\, we also have an event scheduled for the Summer of 2026 that is sure to have you in stitches. Click on the arrow below to get a quick sneak peek or visit our Building Community through Laughter: Comedy & the Good Life.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto by Jason Rosewell on Unsplash\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWant to See more?Visit our project page for more details and to peek at the awesome group of humans and organizations involved in this project.Click here to be whisked away to our Art as Transformation page! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto by Ron Smith on Unsplash\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
URL:https://merlinccc.org/calendar-event/art-as-transformation-2026/
LOCATION:The Ming Opera House (Shriner’s Temple)\, 15 N. Jackson Street\, Helena\, Montana\, 59601\, United States
CATEGORIES:Special Programs
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://merlinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Art-as-Transformation_Fall-Project-Page-2026.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Marisa Diaz-Waian":MAILTO:marisa@merlinccc.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261201T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261201T235900
DTSTAMP:20260405T070117
CREATED:20251219T055118Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T055119Z
UID:10000220-1796083200-1796169540@merlinccc.org
SUMMARY:Giving Tuesday 2026
DESCRIPTION:WHAT IS GIVING TUESDAY?\nGivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since then\, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give\, collaborate\, and celebrate generosity. \nWhen: Tuesday\, December 1st (Starting @ 12am for 24-Hours) \nHow to give: Stay tuned… \nGive by check: Make out to ‘Merlin CCC’\, write ‘GivingTuesday’ in the memo line\, and mail to 119 Reeder’s Alley\, Helena MT 59601 \n\n\n\n\n\nWHY GIVE TO MERLIN?\nImagine a world where thoughtful dialogue & community co-exist.  Where differing perspectives break bread.  Where understanding\, truth\, and wisdom is a goal.  Imagine you live in that world\, that city\, that neighborhood\, that community. \nBe part of that vision.  Invest in that community.  Support philosophy. \nYour contributions on GivingTuesday will help to support our Winter & Spring philosophy in the community programming\, critical\, creative thinking\, the exchange of ideas\, and the application of philosophy to everyday living.  Our programs are free to the community and are opportunities for people of all backgrounds and ages — from children to elders — to gather\, to learn from and with one another\, and to uniquely cultivate their personal and civic selves.
URL:https://merlinccc.org/calendar-event/giving-tuesday-2026/
LOCATION:
CATEGORIES:Fundraiser Events,Giving Tuesday
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://merlinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GivingTuesday-2026.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Marisa Diaz-Waian":MAILTO:marisa@merlinccc.org
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR