Thursday   

Exploring how people created living spaces is a glimpse into their culture itself.  Each building is designed around visionary use and practical needs.  Within the Russian Empire and Soviet Union, buildings are also time capsules that trace history.  This series gives brief glimpses into the variety of building types and styles that define architecture.  

A sweeping and true history of three generations darkened by the long shadow of the Holocaust, The Cello Still Sings is a vivid, moving recounting of the decades of silence and deeply hidden secrets, the consequences of trauma, and the quest for truth. It portrays the lingering scars healed through the spiritual sustenance and power of music. The course will feature my career, Hungarian World War II history, the effects on the following generation, resilience and reconciliation, and draw parallels to current issues of displacement, statelessness, and the plight of current refugees.

 

The seventeen string quartets of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) have been considered defining examples of chamber music composition since their first appearance between the late 1790s and mid-1820s, a perpetual source of intimidation for composers of the 19th and 20th centuries. The characteristic style of the composer’s early, middle, and late periods of writing are each represented brilliantly among ten opus numbers, the last six so innovative and individualistic that they constituted a prototype for the concept of the avant garde as cultivated in music composition of the 20th century.

Hollywood was silent about the Holocaust until 1947. Thereafter, it addressed issues of antisemitism and Jewish assimilation through films in both direct and indirect ways. This course will screen several films that capture this process. We will also consider Hollywood itself as a “test case” of assimilation. We will watch several films together during our class meetings, but will have ample time for discussion and questions. Please note that this is a two-hour long class. 

Very rarely is the music of Hector Berlioz, the 19th-century composer, heard in the Twin Cities because of the large forces required to play the music. In this course, Philip Brunelle will present a vivid description of Berlioz and this music.

Join us for discussions of favorite mystery movies facilitated by Bonnie Nelson, Tom Rooney and George Dow. Viewing parties will take place on Wednesday evening before each Thursday class discussion. The tentative lineup will include these movies: The Big Sleep, Death Trap, The Rainmaker, Gosford Park, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Get Out, and Killers of the Flower Moon.

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.

This course examines how scientific discoveries move from research settings into public discourse.  Focusing on the themes of scientific literacy, media literacy and societal impact, we will examine the processes that connect scientists, journalists, policymakers and the public. Recent news stories in areas such as cancer, genetics, climate science and AI serve as case studies to critically evaluate how scientific findings are communicated in the media. No class on November 12th. 

Economics plays a central role in  every aspect of society. This course addresses a set of prominent policy issues where economics is at their core. We will explore their origins as policy matters, the underlying data and evidence, and what policy levers are available to deal with them. Lectures will be standalone, taught by a subject matter expert – all of whom have a Ph.D. in Economics. Potential topics include Climate Change, Social Security, Economic Inequality, and many more. The topics will be determined by what is most topical at the time of the course.  No reading is required. Course guide correction: The first meeting of this course is on Thursday, October 8th. 

In this course, you will explore the full sweep of the religion of Islam. The course will begin with the basic tenets of Islam, followed by its sources, the life of Muhammad, and a brief history of Islam. Next, we will analyze the concept of Jihad in Islam, & Islam in the later days. You will learn about the Islamic understanding of Jesus, Mary, & the People of the Book. Finally, we will discuss Islam in the current world. Ideal for beginners, this course answers questions of particular concern to those who care about the West’s relation with Islam. 

At 63, Jill Chalsty did something extraordinary. After losing her husband to dementia and surviving breast and lung cancer, she set off alone on a 107-day journey around the world. At every port, she met with education leaders to share her nonprofit's free life skills curriculum, turning her grief into a mission that continues to change lives. Jill writes about this journey in her memoir, Packets of Hope, exploring healing, identity, and finding purpose after profound loss. Her talk offers an inspiring conversation about resilience and the small steps that help us rebuild.

Recommended reading: Packets of Hope by Jill Chalsty,  2025. Free download: https://www.packetsofhope.com/get-your-copy.

This one session course explores the pros and cons of e-bikes, an increasingly popular form of recreation and transportation. We will look at types of e-bikes, strengths and weaknesses of them, and MN laws and regulations surrounding e-bikes. 

Recommended reading: Just Ride: A Radically Practical Guide to Riding Your Bike by Grant Petersen, Workman 2012

What if creativity isn't about talent or inspiration, but courage — and what if courage is contagious? In this lively, story-filled class, we'll explore what sparks us, what stalls us, and what helps us start again (and again). No critics invited — just curiosity, humor, and the kind of conversation that makes creating feel possible. Again.

Do you or someone you know have a life-changing wish? Join us for this workshop to explore the place of wishes and dreams in our lives and learn more about Wish of a Lifetime from AARP. We'll spend some time reflecting on our lives in the context of wishes and dreams, and potentially naming a wish that's on our heart and mind. You'll walk away with a renewed sense of possibility and actionable information to pursue your dreams and maybe even apply for, or nominate someone for, a life-changing Wish of a Lifetime. 

Most people don't know what they don't know—until a costly mistake, scam, or crisis forces them to learn the hard way. This seven-week course brings together six professionals who will pull back the curtain on the aging services industry, sharing practical guidance, consumer protection strategies, and hard-earned insights from their fields. Learn how to evaluate providers, verify credentials, spot red flags, avoid fraud, and make informed decisions with confidence.

Get ready for a new way of thinking about your own good intentions and what it takes to consistently turn them into life-improving action. You’ll learn why failing to make good on your good intentions isn’t exactly your fault. It’s mostly Mother Nature’s fault! Because she neglected to wire the impressive intelligence she gave us directly to our behavior, we’re good at knowing what we should do but not so good at consistently doing it. You’ll learn tricks and practical strategies for working around Mother Nature’s unfortunate oops to give all your intentions the power they need to succeed. 

Join a convivial group exploring four distinctive breweries, tasting samples, comparing styles and learning about local brewing history. First we’ll meet innovators who built a small operation with a huge national reputation, in a brilliantly crafted, amazingly landscaped grain bin. Next we’ll gather in a cozy, brick-walled establishment, then the country’s first brewery founded to support Latino communities, and finally, at an early start time, a pub that grew from a guy giving his brother a home brewing kit for his 21st birthday. A happy option: having a meal together afterward in each pub. Course fee: $45

October 8, 4 pm: Bang Brewing, 2320 Capp Road, St Paul

October 15, 4 pm: Town Hall Brewery, 1430 Washington Ave, Minneapolis

October 22, 4 pm: La Doña Cervecería Brewery, 241 Fremont Ave N, Minneapolis

October 29, 3:15 pm (note early start time): Wooden Hill Brewing Co., 7421 Bush Lake Rd, Edina

Visit the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul's Como Park. We will have a 90-minute behind-the-scenes walking tour, learning about its history and the magic that makes special exhibitions happen and keeps all those plants green. After the tour, there will be an opportunity to have lunch together (at your own expense) in the Zobota Cafe onsite. After lunch, you may like to visit the zoo, the Japanese Garden and/or other parts of the park (free!). You will also receive a 10% discount at the Garden Safari gift shop.

Since 1923, State Services for the Blind (SSB) has been Minnesota's Resource for People who are Blind, Low Vision, DeafBlind or who have a Print Disability. SSB provides tools and training for employment, living independently, and accessing print. In this tour of the Saint Paul office, participants will see how print is transcribed into braille and audio for print disabilities, explore cutting-edge assistive tech, learn about the services available to seniors with low vision to promote independence and activity, and how blind, DeafBlind, and low vision individuals are finding work in diverse fields. Free parking in lot or Green Line to Raymond Ave. Stop. Meet at: 2200 University Ave W #240, St Paul, MN 55114.