Tuesday   

Robert Caro’s multi-volume study of Lyndon Johnson—the best biography in American letters—will soon be completed with its fifth and final volume. We will examine volume 4, The Passage of Power, which chronicles Johnson’s relationship with the Kennedys, both Jack and Bobby, from the late 1950s through the transition to the Johnson presidency.

Recommended reading: The Passage of Power, by Robert Caro (Knopf, 2012). 

 

Whether you're considering part-time work, volunteer opportunities, new hobbies, or simply seeking a more meaningful retirement, understanding your interests can provide valuable direction. Based on the Strong Interest Inventory and John Holland's six interest themes (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional), this interactive workshop will help you identify your own "compass," explore activities that match your natural interests, and discover new possibilities for a pleasurable, engaging, and purposeful next chapter.

 

Charles Dickens' Nicholas Nickleby, first published in 1838, focuses on universal issues, such as family and marital relationships, debt, and power--as well as education, business, and the theater.  It is also a great read, with satisfying villains and heroes, as well as some good love stories.  Course participants will read and discuss the book in seven sessions.  The course leader will locate the novel in historical context and guide discussions.

Required reading: Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens, Penguin Classics, 1999. 

 

Create impactful photographs by editing your images. Editing will make your images mirror the feeling or mood you had when pressing the shutter. The class goal is to learn and improve image editing skills with practice, patience, and passion. Anyone with a serious interest in photography is welcome and can use any camera. RAW file format is required – even cell phones shoot RAW. This course will start with Adobe Lightroom Classic and finish editing in Photoshop, using the new TK9 v4 Plugin for Photoshop. 

Required Software: Editing software is an investment for long-term use and is essential for proper image editing; subscription to Adobe Lightroom Classic and Adobe Photoshop.  Purchase the Photography Plan that includes Lightroom Classic and Photoshop at adobe.com  $19.99 mo. TK9 v4 Plugin for Photoshop, available from Tony Kuyper at his website goodnight.us.

King Lear may well be Shakespeare's greatest play, and performing the title role is the dream of an actor's lifetime. Together, we will explore Shakespearean drama in general, read and enact King Lear, and attend the Guthrie Theater's presentation of Kunene and the King, by South African playwright John Kani. Theater professionals will join us for discussions about bringing a play from the page to the stage. Neither experience nor comfort with Shakespeare is necessary to enjoy this course–just a desire to experience one of literature’s consummate works and ponder its contemporary parallels.

Recommended reading: https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/king-lear/read/

 

Puzzles of all kinds provide enjoyment and mental stimulation.  Solving puzzles is reported to benefit brain function by maintaining and strengthening mental competence, agility, and memory. Many people are familiar with Sudoku but may not be aware of the many other types of numerical logic puzzles. This course will explore the origins and specific rules of many of these puzzles. Solving strategies will be demonstrated and discussed. Class time will include opportunities to solve various puzzles in small groups. Whether novice or expert, this course is intended to be fun for all.

 

From Martians building canals to human travel, we have long dreamed of life on Mars. Our knowledge of Mars has changed dramatically since the turn of the century, making now the perfect time to explore. This three-session course covers the evolution of our understanding. Session one will explore Mysterious Mars: the early history and early mission successes and failures. Session two will explore Rovers on Mars: the advanced rovers and their groundbreaking findings. Session three will explore Humans on Mars: the realities of travel, living, and ethics of exploration in space. All are welcome; no previous space travel required!

10-6: Sherrie Gette: More Everything Forever by Adam Becker. 

10-13: Maureen Smith: All the President’s Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Money, by Megan Gorman.

10-20: Merrily Mazza: The Think Tank Racket by Glenn Diesen.

10-27: Deborah Dillon/Steve Ballinger: Peak Higher Education: How to Survive the Looming Crisis by Bryan Alexander.

11-3: Phil Fishman: Suffrage by Ellen Dubois

11-10: Dan Hunt: King Leopold’s Ghost by Adam Hochschild

11-17: Ann Knapp: The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt

 

This four session course will meet at the Urban Growler Brewery and cover the following topics:

Session 1: History - Ancient History, Middle Ages, Modern Times

Session 2: Ingredients - Water, Grains, Hops, Yeast

Session 3: Process - Grist Mill, Mash Tun, Lauder Tun, Brew Kettle, Fermenter, Packaging

Session 4: Beer Styles - Ales, Lagers, Hybrids, European Styles

Urban Growler is located at: 2325 Endicott St, St Paul, MN 55114. Plenty of free parking available.