StaRGazing 2026 Speakers

Keynote Speaker

Dave Lopez

Dave Lopez
Dave Lopez covered every major story in L.A. and Orange County for 48 years and was a regular news reporter on KCBS Channel 2. He is author of It’s a Great Life If You Don’t Weaken: Family, Faith and 48 Years on Television. Some of his stories include William Bonin, the Freeway Killer, who confessed to him in jail, and the mid-air plane crash over Cerritos that killed 82, O.J. Simpson murder trial, and the L.A. riots.

Featured Speakers

  • Dave Lehman

    Dave Lehman

    Dave Lehman worked at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for 40 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. Dave will trace humanity's journey to the Red Planet, starting with Mariner 4's pioneering flyby, the current phase of Mars exploration and advanced missions like Mars Odyssey, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, MAVEN and Curiosity and Perseverance Rovers. How will these endeavors shape our understanding and presence on Mars? Join us to explore this exciting frontier.

  • Jerry Rishe

    Jerry Rishe

    Jerry Rishe worked as an attorney in the private sector capping his career as a trial attorney for Immigration and Naturalization Services. A true polymath, in retirement, Jerry lectures on a variety of subjects all across the County. Jerry will talk about the questionable cures and the bold, often dangerous world of self-experimentation. From electric belts and radium cures to lobotomies and miracle tonics, the quest for healing has often pushed the boundaries of science, ethics and common sense.. He will uncover the strange, surprising and sometimes shocking history of how far people have gone in the pursuit of a cure and what it teaches us about the evolving relationship between science, risk and the human body.

  • Colleen Adair Fliedner

    Colleen Adair Fliedner

    Award-winning author and historian Colleen Adair Fliedner will delve into the history and legends of Griffith Park and the life of Griffith J. Griffith as described in her latest book, “Fascinating True Tales from Old California.” Griffith tried to murder his wife, went to prison, and afterwards left his property to the City of Los Angeles. His vision was to use the rancho’s remaining land to benefit the “plain man” by transforming it into a beautiful park, building an observatory on Mount Hollywood, and creating a Greek-style outdoor theater. Who was Griffith J. Griffith-a philanthropist, a visionary, a self-serving madman? Colleen will explore the history of the site, and the multifaceted nature of Griffith, whose name endures through the park and brought him fame and immortality.

Other Speakers

Coming soon!