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- 10910 Act One to Encore, Take Two: The Past, Present, and Future of Twin Cities Theatre
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This program will build on our “pilot” from last fall. Your feedback taught us that you want another session, more time in small groups, and to add an actor to the mix. Done! This time we will again explore the rich history and vibrant future of live theater in the Twin Cities. We will offer insights into today's theater scene, explore what’s on the horizon, and give you more time to share your own local theater experiences and recommendations. A veteran Twin Cities actor will also give you a peek behind the curtain.
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- 10916 Bookend: Sleuth at the Guthrie
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Detective writer Andrew invites young travel agent Milo to his home and proposes a high stakes game of dubious legality in which both will benefit financially. But nothing is quite as it appears when Andrew’s endgame is a moving target. With every new revelation a test of intellect, Andrew has met his match in Milo and each needs to level up to before its game, set, and match. Discuss the play in advance of seeing the production and again afterwards.
Course Full and Waitlist Closed.
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- 10923 Music of the American Revolution: More than Yankee Doodle
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As we prepare to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday, this class will explore the music of the American colonists. More than entertainment, music-making was a communal effort shared in the instrumental music composed and played for gatherings and battlefields, and in the songs the colonists sang in church, in pubs, on the streets, and in encampments. We’ll also look at European musical influences and the beginnings of a uniquely American compositional style. No musical experience is necessary to enjoy this class.
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- 10927 Holocaust Destination: Ecuador
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Dates: 5/4/2026 - 5/4/2026
Times: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Day of Week: M
Sessions: 1
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Doris Rubenstein
Fee: $0.00
This presentation follows the history of Jews in Ecuador from their escapes from the Spanish Inquisition to their flight from Hitler during the WWII Holocaust to the present day. It describes their contributions to Ecuador’s economy and culture, often through the words of the people who lived through these experiences. The contributions of these people to the only country that offered them refuge cannot be overstated. Recommended reading: The Boy with Four Names by Doris Rubenstein, iUniverse.com, 2021.
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- 20618 From Flip Phones to Touch Screens: The History of the 2000s Technology Boom
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Dates: 3/30/2026 - 3/30/2026
Times: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Day of Week: M
Sessions: 1
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Alexis Dew
Fee: $0.00
The early 21st century was a period of great technological advancement at a rapid pace. In one short decade, dial-up internet was replaced by high-speed cable internet and the simple "phone" (now known as a landline) was replaced with the cell phone, the Blackberry, the smart phone, and the tablet. Apps and social media also became more popular than ever before. By the end of the course, participants will better understand this era of rapid technological change and how it made way for how we use technology today.
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- 20626 Wildlife Tracking
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Dates: 4/27/2026 - 5/11/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Day of Week: M
Sessions: 3
Building: Various Locations
Room: Various Parks
Instructor: Kirsten Welge
Fee: $0.00
In-Person
One of the oldest known sciences, wildlife tracking is the study of the tracks and behavioral signs left on the landscape by animals. Trackers identify and interpret tracks and signs to follow and find animals. Through this practice, we connect more deeply to the land, the other animals present here, and to ourselves and our community. During this series, we’ll explore the forests and riverbanks of the Mississippi to find evidence of these animals, distinguish the tracks of different species, and learn more about these fascinating individuals.
Course Full and Waitlist Closed.
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- 20629 When Climate Calls Them Elsewhere
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Dates: 3/30/2026 - 4/27/2026
Times: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Day of Week: M
Sessions: 5
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Kavy Pathirana
Fee: $0.00
This course explores how climate change is reshaping where wildlife lives. Using real-world examples from North America, this course reveals why species move, how traits and habitats influence their journeys, and what these shifts mean for the future of our natural world.
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- 20631 Plastic: The Good...But Mostly Bad
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We will conduct a Life Cycle Assessment of plastic focusing on the environmental impacts of plastic from its creation to its final resting place. During the first session we will discuss the different kinds of plastic and what their uses are. The second session will explore the various fates of plastic - landfills, recycling, degradation into microplastics - and effects on the environment and health of our bodies. Participants will have the opportunity to sign up separately for a field trip to Eureka Recycling's sorting facility. Recommended reading: The Problem with Plastic by Judith Enck, New Press, 2025.
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- 20632 Solving Cold Cases with DNA Technology and Traditional Genealogy
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Have you noticed all the recent news stories about decades old cold case homicides getting solved? This course will explain how law enforcement is combining cutting-edge DNA technology with traditional genealogy family tree building to solve some of the oldest and most prolific cold cases. DATE CHANGE! Class now meeting on Monday, April 13th.
Course Full and Waitlist Closed.
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- 31196 Exploring Minnesota's Regions
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Dates: 4/6/2026 - 4/27/2026
Times: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Day of Week: M
Sessions: 4
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: John Toren
Fee: $0.00
With the aid of maps and photos, John Toren, author of The Seven States of Minnesota, will share a lifetime of insights into the varied geography and history of Minnesota. He will discuss the impact of glaciation and delineate the various biomes, including boreal forest, oak savanna, karst country, Eastern hardwoods, and prairie potholes, while devoting special attention to the wide range of recreational opportunities any traveler can enjoy today, including birding, camping, hiking, and all the rest. Recommended reading: Seven States of Minnesota by John Toren.
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- 31199 American Parenting and Childhood in Historical Perspective
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This course will deal with the history of parenting and childhood in the United States from the early 19th century to the present. We will look at the emphasis on children's independence in the early American Republic; the attempt to “save” vulnerable children in the 19th century; parenting and children among immigrants; schooling and children; race, ethnicity, and class and the upbringing of children; the rise of the new science of childhood from 1890 to 1940; and the possible end of American childhood with the increasing management of children by middle-class parents in recent decades. Required reading: The End of American Childhood by Paula S. Fass, Princeton, 2016.
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- 31204 Guatemala, Argentina, and Chile: Genocide, Conflict, and Transitional Justice
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Dates: 4/6/2026 - 4/20/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Day of Week: M
Sessions: 3
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Ellen Kennedy
Fee: $10.00
In all three countries, military governments in the mid-to-late 20th century attacked left-wing or indigenous populations that advocated for political, social, and economic reform. The governments disappeared, tortured, and murdered hundreds of thousands of people. The atrocities led to efforts at international and domestic justice and institutional reform, but the countries still struggle for ‘sustainable peace’ and human rights, especially for safety and security for women, indigenous people, and other vulnerable groups, while support continues for some of the perpetrators. Course fee $10 (in support of World Without Genocide).
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- 31212 The Lure of God: God in Process and God as the Poet of the World
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Are phrases like God’s Omnipotence and Omniscience troubling? Do you agree that the Bible came from other human beings and their experience of God? When something terrible happens to someone, have you heard this: “Why didn’t God do something?” If you answered “Yes” it means you may be ready for the idea of “God as Poet of the World.” This course will explore “process theology,” which invites us to see how we live in a world of possibility, but without a strong God changing the course of a tornado.The lure of God is to draw people into relationships and harmony and relentlessly seek justice.
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- 40295 Future in Focus: Retirement Strategies
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Dates: 4/6/2026 - 4/27/2026
Times: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Day of Week: M
Sessions: 4
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Joel Barjenbruch
Fee: $0.00
This course gives you the clarity, confidence, and control to create your ideal retirement. This engaging course breaks down complex financial concepts into practical strategies—covering tax-smart planning, lifetime income, risk management, and legacy design. You’ll learn how to protect what you’ve built, reduce unnecessary taxes, and create a plan that reflects your goals and values. Designed for today’s unpredictable world, this class empowers you to make informed decisions and confidently move toward the financial future you envision.
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- 40302 Shinrin Yoku: the Japanese Art of Forest Bathing
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Dates: 4/27/2026 - 4/27/2026
Times: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Day of Week: M
Sessions: 1
Building: Various Locations
Room: Various Parks
Instructor: Kirsten Welge
Fee: $0.00
In-Person
Forest bathing, originally known as Shinrin yoku (森林浴), is a Japanese public health practice developed in the early 1980s. Over two decades of medical research now show strong evidence that this practice helps reduce symptoms of physical and mental disease and improve wellbeing. Experience a session of this gentle, sensory-based practice for yourself in an urban park, and leave with tips for future practice on your own. Walks will occur rain or shine; please dress for the weather. Recommended reading: Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness by Dr. Qing Li, Penguin Life, 2018.
Course Full and Waitlist Closed.
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- 40303 Writing a 'Legacy Letter'
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Dates: 5/4/2026 - 5/4/2026
Times: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Day of Week: M
Sessions: 1
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Jay Sherwin
Fee: $0.00
In-Person
Merriam-Webster defines a letter as “a direct or personal written or printed message addressed to a person or organization.” A legacy letter (or ethical will) is a written document that shares your values, life lessons, memories, wishes, and blessings with future generations. Shorter than a memoir, legacy letters are typically just a few pages comprising an enduring gift for those you love. Writing such a letter can be a profoundly rewarding experience, and in this course you’ll learn how to craft a legacy document, mine your life history and values, and capture your most important insights.
Course Full and Waitlist Closed.
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