It’s been nearly 35 years since the Soviet regime in Eastern Europe, which immediately followed Hitler’s occupation. This class will give you an idea of how the East European countries along the Danube River, as well as the Czech Republic (located in the Danube River Basin), are doing today. We will review the history, politics, economy, religion, culture, and lifestyle of Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, and Czechia, and take a close look at the Danube itself. We’ll introduce several UNESCO World Heritage sites which help define these countries, as well as identify some of their famous people and inventions, both of which speak of the pride of their nation and their place in history.
 

The Hollywood Western is as old as Hollywood itself. Indeed, one of the first and most influential films in history was “The Great Train Robbery,” a 1903 silent picture that follows a gang of outlaws as they plunder their way across the desert West. When it ended with a glowering bandit aiming his pistol straight at the audience, it heralded a new genre of shoot-‘em-ups described by the American Film Institute as “set in the American West that [embody] the spirit, the struggle, and the demise of the new frontier.” John Ford, John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Clint Eastwood - the names alone evoke the image of a lone gunslinger riding into town on a pale horse. In this course, we will watch clips from many classic Westerns, and the instructor will provide commentary on the political contexts, historical connections, and production details of the films.

A list of films will be provided in advance for those who wish to view them before each class.

Upon taking the job of Thomaskantor in Leipzig in 1723, Johann Sebastian Bach was finally in a position in his career to realize his aspiration to provide “well-regulated music” to the city's main churches. Bach’s cantata production in Leipzig can be grouped in yearly cycles, the first of which comprises over 50 pieces. This is our sixth Bach class at CRI, and third in the Leipzig series. Join us as we continue our journey through Bach’s first Leipzig cycle. We will look at the overall characteristics of these works and select a few for deeper analysis. We will review the occasion for each cantata, analyze its text, and conduct light musical analysis to learn about Bach’s masterful musical language, then listen to the entire cantatas in class. Whether you’re already a Bach enthusiast or new to his music, join us to get immersed in the world of one of the greatest composers in history. You do not need to have participated in any of our previous Bach classes to enjoy this one.

In this course, we will undertake a reading of the Old English poem, “Beowulf.” The earliest great work in English literature, written in the 10th century (though possibly composed much earlier), this poem provides a fascinating and topical witness to a culture torn between its allegiance to the heroic ethos of the warrior and its attempt to reconcile itself to Christian ideals of charity and forgiveness.

We will be using R. M. Liuzza’s translation of “Beowulf” (first or second edition, widely available; ISBN-10: 1551111896; ISBN-13: 9781551111896). Students are requested to have read up to line 836 for the first class meeting.

In this class, you will learn how to play and host some of the most tried-and-true, very fun, and successful party games out there. You can take them home with you and entertain friends and family during the upcoming holiday season for some real enjoyment and interaction. During the two sessions, we will play six games: “Table Scavenger Hunt,” “Friendly Neighbor,” “Majority Rules,” “Drawing Charades,” “Treasure Hunt,” and “Pharkle.” The top two winners and the lowest score will win some “fabulous” prizes - that’s what our family calls them. The rules for the games will all be provided to help you get your own party planning underway. We’ll also learn the history of the games. Sheets of several word games such as “Categories,” “Equation Analysis,” “What’s the Number?”, and “December Dice game,” will also be provided. If you like games and just want to play and have some fun, come out and join us!

We’ve had these moments watching a movie: the characters speak, and events unfold as the narrative progresses. Suddenly, we are no longer observers but part of the experience. Goosebumps appear; our heart races. We are carried forward into wonder, feeling what the characters feel, propelled through the story’s twists and turns. Often what places us there is music. Join us to discover how music for a film can do this. We will explore segments from a variety of films, learn their stories, and see how film composers meet the challenge of going beyond the narrative.

In recent decades, art historians have finally researched, praised, and exhibited the contributions of women artists worldwide. The majority of these artists have been painters. Yet a wonderful dimension of the contributions of women artists lies not on the two-dimensional canvas but in the third-dimensional art of sculpture. In our sessions, we will examine the lives and art of the women who challenged the masculine arts by taking up the chisel, bending metal, and carving wood. Their artworks produced new themes and forms of sculpture instigated by the touch of the female hand. Do we view art differently depending on the creator's sex? Do women's social and economic experiences influence their artwork? Are there male and female associations with the materials used in sculpting? Let’s join together and engage with individual sculptures for a deeper understanding of their meanings and their creators.

The splendid castles of the Loire Valley in the French countryside provide a rich historical backdrop for court life in medieval France, culminating in a flowering of creative endeavors in the French Renaissance. The beauty and refinement of this period set the stage for the legendary elegance and style that has made French design famous. This course explores the lavish art, opulent architecture, and renowned gardens that graced the châteaux. The lives of kings, queens, and members of their court will also be discussed within the social and political surroundings of court life.

 

In 2025, two Washington State residents sued ExxonMobil for falsely advertising fossil fuels as harmless. They complain that they were tricked into buying gasoline, thereby contributing to global warming, which has now made their own home insurance rates unaffordable. Their legal suit is one of dozens of similar recent cases. This course will present some of what the fossil fuel industry did to deserve these court cases: public relations activities including the “Carbon Footprint” campaign; billboards to incorrectly link whale deaths to offshore windfarms; actors hired to impersonate local citizens at city council meetings; hacked emails chopped up and leaked to the press; retired physicists misrepresenting the scientific consensus on global warming; and false claims about new technologies. In this course, we will explore how global warming denial is part of a century-long effort to promote ecological devastation and health-damaging consumer products.

NOTE: The class date has changed, and this page reflects the new date. To register for this class, please contact the CRI office at 425.640.1830.

Figuratively speaking, classical composers had no shame when it came to raking each other—and other musicians—over the coals. “Wagner has lovely moments but awful quarters of an hour,” Rossini famously quipped. The Italian icon, a well-known gourmand, also described Wagner’s music as “indigestible,” and said composing was “as satisfying as stuffing a turkey.” Wagner reserved his greatest disdain for incompetent conductors. Verdi was especially cantankerous when singers sang off-key. In this homage, both devastating and deferential, Erica Miner shares infamous yet insightful quotes from the world’s greatest purveyors of classical composition.

Join other story lovers as we talk about books, theater, and film. Each week, participants will share what they have been reading or watching. Any genre, fiction or non-fiction, is fine. We will enjoy great discussions as we connect book themes, topics, authors, and books that have found new life on the stage, in movies, and even in opera. You are guaranteed to go home with at least one new book suggestion, a new author to read, or a theme or genre to explore.

In this course, we will examine how post-World War II innovations and a booming middle class affected the demand for textiles, fashion, lighting, ceramics, and industrial design. You will discover how designers experimented with brand-new materials originally developed for wartime use to create accessible, beautiful designs for everyday life. The attitudes and social norms of the mid-century era greatly influenced and defined the design we call “Mid-Century Modern.” You do not need to have taken Part I to fully enjoy and participate in Part II.

This class is full. Please click the Add to Waitlist button below.

Get comfortable with Artificial Intelligence in this beginner-friendly course. Learn how AI can work for you and get hands-on practice with tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. We’ll start with AI basics: what it is, how it works, and where it tends to work well (or poorly). You’ll then get a chance to chat with multiple AI bots, compare responses, and develop strategies for getting the most out of your AI experiences. We’ll touch on online safety and the need to safeguard your personal data, as well as what to do when you think AI might be making things up (it happens!). Finally, you’ll get an introduction to voice-activated assistants that allow you to engage with AI without lifting a finger.

Please bring your devices that connect to Wi-Fi to class. Phones will work best, as the instructor would like students to experiment with voice-controlled AI assistance.

Are you tired of “doom and gloom” news about pollution, climate change, and other environmental issues? If you are feeling overwhelmed with environmental grief, you are not alone. This course will present an antidote called evidence-based hope, based on the work by Dr. Elin Kelsey at the University of Victoria, Canada. Evidence-based hope is not blind optimism. Rather, it is about taking action with like-minded people, thereby creating a positive cycle that encourages more action. Environmental hope is contagious! This course will focus on past and current environmental success stories, current positive trends such as increased use of renewable energy and decreased single-use plastic worldwide, new Washington State environmental laws, and actions of nonprofit environmental organizations. Each course participant will have the opportunity to develop their personal action plan and will receive a list of resources with further information.

Smells conjure up warm memories, emotions, and human relationships. Our noses are amazing molecular detectors, but how much do we really know about our sense of smell? How do we perceive smells and describe them to others? What smells are associated with certain diseases and therapies? Come explore the sense of smell, from the biology that makes it possible to the chemistry behind fragrances and essential oils. In the first class, we will discuss the biological pathway from the nose to the brain, explore the connection between smell and memory, identify odor molecules and their sources, and compare human olfactory abilities with those of other animals. In the second class, we will investigate essential oils, perfume creation, product labels, and regulations. In the third class, we’ll evaluate aromatherapy claims and review proposed future uses of smell in our daily lives.

This class is full. Please click the Add to Waitlist button below.

In this class, we will learn about Pacific Northwest plants and their medicinal benefits. Through hands-on materials and photos, students will learn to identify native (and non-native) trees, shrubs, and groundcovers and also discuss how they can be used for food, medicine, and fiber. We will also do an overview of plant-based medicine, exploring how medicinal plants can be used for one's health. We will explore the biochemical aspects of Pacific Northwest species and how their medicinal constituents can be integrated safely into our lives.

CLASS CANCELLED

Please contact us with any questions.

We will free-write together for 12-15 minutes at a time, quieting the inner critic and without worrying about grammar, spelling, or sentence structure, since no one will see these quick, rough drafts but us. You will be introduced to different creative writing techniques at the beginning of each workshop, along with prompts focusing on memoir writing. Writers may also write about whatever they wish aside from the prompts, and may read their free-writes to the group. Participants provide only positive feedback on what they liked best, what stood out, or what they remembered most of the writer’s free-write.

America’s National Parks are a true treasure. This course will take you on virtual field trips to see the splendid scenery of our parks. We will examine the geologic history of seven parks in the Western United States: Death Valley, Yellowstone, Crater Lake, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Glacier. We will also see the wonders of one of our newest parks, which is the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail. Join us as we explore supervolcanoes, epic thrust faults, landscapes of ice-polished granite, and massive canyons!

This course builds on the foundation of last year’s class on the art of the Quattrocento as we move on to the art of the Cinquecento (1500s) or High Renaissance. In the 1500s, the art scene shifts from Florence to Rome due to the rise of papal patronage. The big three - Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, and Raphael Sanzio - dominate painting and sculpture. These artists take the experimentation and disparate styles of the Quattrocento, in their own way, weave those threads into a mature, graceful, weighty, harmonious whole. We will discuss such masterpieces as Leonardo’s mysterious and haunting Mona Lisa; Michelangelo’s herculean and monumental Sistine Ceiling; and Raphael’s beautiful poetic lyricism in the School of Athens. The results for all were brilliant and unprecedented. And since it’s so fun to see how artistic rules are broken, we’ll take a peek at how the Mannerist artists came along and attempt to undo every artistic rule established by the big three!

International development, especially international public health, has made substantial and valuable contributions to health and welfare in the developing world from the end of World War II to 2025. This course will examine the history and accomplishments of international development; the closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2025; and how international development efforts can be rebuilt more effectively in the near future.

This course traces the archaeological and oral history of Iona, one of Scotland’s famous sites. A monastery was founded in Iona in 563 CE by the Irish missionary Columba. A community remained through the Viking Age, producing some of the finest art and culture of western Europe: the “Book of Kells,” St. John’s Cross, manuscripts, metalwork, and sculptures. Monks who came to the island in the sixth century entered a place that had been inhabited for millennia. Iona’s story continues long after its Benedictine monastery closed during the Scottish Reformation. Iona’s medieval history unites archaeological evidence with rich oral tradition, showing that the material record can complement oral histories. Oral records provide an enduring counterpoint, passed down through generations, shaping how people interact with objects, monuments, and landscapes in this region today. Examining the archaeological evidence alongside this rich tradition of storytelling reveals a more complex, deeply human picture of Iona.

Celebrate the centennial year of jazz giants Miles Davis and John Coltrane in this engaging online jazz history course taught by acclaimed saxophonist and educator Brent Jensen. Through guided listening, historical context, and lively discussion, students will explore the lives, music, and enduring influence of two of the most important artists in jazz history. From bebop and hard bop to modal jazz and beyond, this course traces their artistic evolution and examines how their groundbreaking work continues to shape music today. No prior musical experience is required—just a curiosity about jazz and its rich cultural legacy.

What does it mean to have “an Edmonds kind of day?” This course answers that question through nature's lens. Air, rock, water, life, and ice all interact in the web of feedback loops that geoscientists call the Earth system, forming our natural environment. Discover the wonders that the atmosphere (air), lithosphere (rock), hydrosphere (water), biosphere (life), and cryosphere (ice) in and around Edmonds offer to those who know where, when, and how to look. Learn tips and resources for finding and enjoying the many and varied natural objects and phenomena in our area. In Session 1, we will be Looking Up: Northern Lights, tides, and celestial objects. In Session 2, we will be Looking Down: big rocks, little rocks, and the Ice Age origins of Puget Sound. In Session 3, we will be Looking Out: orcas, humpback whales, and gray whales. In Session 4, we will be Looking Under: life in local tide pools.

The history of the settlement of the Americas by humankind is based on the assumption that human life did not originate there but involved migrations from elsewhere. Origin stories range from Siberian nomads crossing the Bering Sea “land bridge” during the last Ice Age (12,000 to 8,000 years ago), to migrations from Asia and Polynesia across the Pacific Ocean, to European-based immigrants following the North Sea path (Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland), a path followed by the Vikings in the 12th century. We will explore each of these theories and others that have come to light in the 21st century. We will also discuss what we know about the lifestyles of these Stone Age cultures following their arrival in North America. How did they solve the survival problems of food, shelter, and clothing? How did they make and use Stone Age tools and weapons? What patterns of environmental adaptation emerged? Class questions and contributions will be encouraged in these introductory sessions.

This course will examine mindfulness poems that invite one to be more fully in the moment. They often have a spiritual quality that can resonate deeply. Mary Oliver’s poetry has this aspect. She said once: “Be attentive, be astonished, and tell about it.” Poems of presence are all about opening up to what is within. And in so doing, they serve as a form of meditation that can activate a profound sense of compassion and kindness. Above all, being present is about gratitude. Gratitude for the opportunities that come our way on a daily basis. To make the seeming passing longer lasting in our hearts. The text for the course is: “Poetry of Presence” edited by Phyllis Cole-Dai and Ruby R. Wilson.

The artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries redefined the significance of the painted surface in the rapidly changing Parisian art world, pitting traditionalists against newcomers who would turn it upside down. Challenging the time-honored traditions of classic painting genres, artists such as Édouard Manet, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Suzanne Valadon, Georges Seurat, Henri Matisse, and others paved the way for a new canon of modern art. In this course, we will explore the lives and works of artists within the Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Symbolist, and Fauvist periods within the context of the changing social and political environments surrounding them.

This course explores the fascinating world of royal jewels—not simply as objects of beauty, but as symbols of power, diplomacy, empire, and identity. From dazzling crowns and legendary diamonds to lesser-known ceremonial pieces, we will trace how royal collections were built and what they represent. Each class session highlights iconic jewels from monarchies across Europe, South Asia, the Middle East, and beyond, using images and storytelling to uncover their origins—whether through inheritance, conquest, colonial extraction, or diplomatic exchange. We will explore the human stories behind these objects, from royal marriages and alliances to scandals and rediscoveries, while also engaging with contemporary debates around ownership, restitution, and the legacy of empire. Accessible and visually rich, the course invites participants to look beyond the sparkle and uncover the deeper histories behind some of the world’s most famous—and controversial—royal treasures.

This course will provide students with a survey of seven key scientific and medical principles that underpin the aging process in human beings. While it is not possible to reverse or stop the aging process, the course will identify practical steps everyone can take to partially offset it, based on current scientific and medical knowledge. The course is intended for the ordinary person interested in the aging process, and no specific scientific background is needed.

In this course, we will undertake a reading of what many consider Shakespeare's masterpiece. Special attention will be paid to the symbolic tension created in the play between action and contemplation, as well as the problem raised by the revenge motif: Can one engage in meaningful action on behalf of the dead?

Any edition of the play will do, though it is recommended that you choose one with annotations and line numbers. The instructor prefers the Signet Classic paperback (ISBN 9780451526922), which is widely available. Students are asked to read through Act 2 for the first class meeting.

This course will examine how a person’s life and health care decisions are influenced by their spirituality across their lifespan. We will define spirituality and how it relates to religion, as well as agnosticism and atheism. Some of the most common spiritual, religious, and cultural aspects will be addressed. The role of the chaplain will be covered as it relates to health care decision-making. We will discuss how you can make sure your spiritual needs are met when accessing healthcare at any point across your lifespan. Lastly, we will discuss how decisions made while facing your end-of-life experience are influenced by your spirituality.

The great sweep of American history begins with a step: the step of the nomads who walked onto the continent. We will briefly observe the earliest humans encountering the glacial environment of the North American continent, then move thousands of years to the 1500’s to examine their successful response to five distinct environments, helping us better appreciate the great diversity of lifestyles that had evolved. Native cultures ranged from large, well-established farming communities, to fluid bands of big game hunters, from participants in early democracy to slaveholding nobility. Throughout the course, there will be plenty of myths; sacred, bawdy, and intriguing to accompany the various cultures. Our guides will be Raven, Coyote, Corn Maiden and others.

In this course, we will look at early meetings between Native Americans and Europeans: the glory-hunting Spanish, the grand-exploring French, the practical Dutch, and the varied English colonies of Puritan and Cavalier. We will compare relationships and marvel at the daring development of those earliest colonies, while acknowledging the demise of Indian cultures that this migration caused.

Some randomized controlled experiments have indicated that the four best treatments for major depressive episodes are exercise; a book, “Feeling Good,” by David Burns; interpersonal therapy; and psilocybin. Psilocybin therapy is a one-afternoon treatment available without prescription in Oregon. This class reviews experimental research on what exercise helps most and reviews how to minimize the risks of hurting yourself when you increase exercise. The class will read “Feeling Good.” After considering the randomized controlled experiments that show the book’s effectiveness, we will review what it teaches. We will discuss a few readings and consider transcripts of therapy sessions to learn how interpersonal therapy works. About psilocybin, we will review tests of safety and effectiveness and consider what going to Portland for a psilocybin treatment would be like.

This course will cover the 19th century, during which the United States expanded across the North American continent to its present-day contiguous territory. We will cover Jacksonian Democracy, the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears, the Texas Revolution, the Oregon Treaty, the U.S.-Mexico War, and the California Gold Rush. We will explore the concept of Manifest Destiny, the changing workplace, and the effects of the 2nd Great Awakening on social movements such as abolitionism, women’s rights, and temperance. As in the previous courses in this series, the focus will be on the relationships among the various people populating America during this period: Native Americans, the descendants of early European colonists, new European immigrants, African Americans, and, at the end, a new immigrant group – the Chinese.

Movies express society’s hopes, fears, values, conflicts, and dreams. Film offers a deeper understanding of the culture that produced it. We will introduce you to the language of cinema and explore how filmmakers use image, editing, sound, performance, genre, and narrative to create meaning. Through film clips, discussion, and historical context, students will gain tools to understand, discuss, and appreciate visual storytelling. We will examine how films reflect and shape the world. From changing social values to historical events and cultural anxieties, movies offer a unique window into the concerns of their time and the reasons certain stories continue to resonate across generations. For casual viewers and dedicated movie lovers, this course will deepen students’ enjoyment of film while providing new ways to think about cinema and culture. Examples may include “The Wizard of Oz,” “Casablanca,” “Singin' in the Rain,” “Rear Window,” “The Graduate,” “Jaws,” “Star Wars,” “The Matrix,” or “Get Out.”

You see it when you travel—"This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site." What does that mean? Who is UNESCO? How does a landmark or site receive this designation? Can a site be “undesignated?” During this course, we will answer these questions and provide insight into the sites currently designated under the UNESCO World Heritage Program umbrella.

The Victorian Era was filled with rapidly changing social mores, a fascination with death and the occult, a desire to travel to exotic locales, and an interest in both historicism and modern technology. While the Industrial Revolution forced architects to rethink survival-based design, the era’s shifting social landscape gave way to some of history's most bizarre trends. From over-decorated interiors to hair sculptures to poisonous wallpaper, this course will take a fascinating tour through the art and design of this period and offer a look at some of the Victorians' odd collections.

From the common cold to COVID-19, from shingles infections to shingles vaccines, and “why do I have to wait out a virus infection?” (why antibiotics won’t work). Viruses seem to be everywhere. But what exactly is a virus? How does something so tiny cause illness, and how have scientists learned to fight back? This fun and informative class is designed for curious adults who want to understand the unseen world of viruses — what they are, how they spread, and how science keeps finding new ways to outsmart them. You don’t need a science background to enjoy this class — just curiosity and an interest in how biology shapes our lives. Each session combines clear explanations, stories from the history of science, and up-to-date examples from the news. Questions are encouraged! This is not a political debate but rather a science-based course for you to gain information to make informed decisions.

Walt Whitman (1819-1892) has been called “America’s Poet,” and for good reason. His poetry is idealistic, democratic (small-d, referring to a system of government “of the people”), ambitious, and sprawling, as was the young nation. And, like America itself, he is a poet of contradictions; despite living during the repressive Victorian age, for one example, he celebrated working-class people and occupations, and the body. “I celebrate myself, and sing myself,” he wrote, unapologetically, and he wrote to future generations—to us—“And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.” This course invites you to explore and discuss some of the most enduring portions of his “Leaves of Grass,” whether you are new to Whitman or a long-time fan. Since Whitman published his book 6-9 times, depending on how you count the editions, handouts will be provided for consistency during the class.

What if engaging with someone living with dementia could include moments of play, levity, and genuine connection—visits that leave you feeling uplifted rather than depleted? This class invites us to see dementia through a new lens, honoring remaining abilities, celebrating whole personhood, and transforming how we show up as friends, family, and community members. Through interactive sessions that blend practical tools with hands-on practice, we will explore how dementia alters daily experience, examine trusted models for meaningful engagement, and learn to connect with people living with dementia. We will role-play real scenarios, share discussion and planning tools, and build confidence for supporting people, drawing from years of education, knowledge, and lived experience. Whether this is your daily reality or you are hoping to become more dementia-aware, you will leave with a fresh perspective, practical strategies, and the ability to recognize and create those windows of joy.

Explore who Wolf Haven International is and what we do for wolves. Delve into the world of wolves in North America, why some are endangered, and others aren't, while none of them roam their historic range. We'll also take a look at just how resilient and adaptable these creatures really are.

Japanese animated film creator and director Hayao Miyazaki heads one of the most internationally recognized and awarded anime studios of all time, Studio Ghibli. Aesthetically stunning, Miyazaki’s creations tell fantastical tales featuring strong women and girl characters. Though many have been captivated by Studio Ghibli’s Oscar-winning blockbusters like “Spirited Away,” the casual viewer may not recognize the profound political commentary Miyazaki and his fellow artists incorporate throughout their animated works intended for adults and children alike. This class will explore the anti-war messaging of Studio Ghibli’s films, investigating its fictional portrayals of armed conflict and imperialism, as well as how their protagonists present alternative solutions to violence. This course is perfect for those with both a casual and invested interest in learning more about this unique animated art form as well as those passionate about social justice.

In this course, we will examine the work of three great poets of the Victorian period: Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861), Emily Brontë (1818-1848), and Christina Rossetti (1830-1894). Their brilliant, wide-ranging work includes splendid poems of love and loss, hymns and expressions of faith, and biting social commentary. All texts will be provided.