On-Ground Courses   

In October 2022, the French author Annie Ernaux was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature “for the courage and clinical acuity with which she uncovers the roots, estrangements and collective restraints of personal memory.” Self-defining as “someone with a woman’s history who writes”, A. Ernaux emphasizes the collective biography, the basis for the auto-socio-biographical genre in which the individual and family narratives are inseparable from the social narrative. This course will study the author’s life, literary work, and contributions to global literature. The Years (2008) is the selected text for the course. Sessions: 5

In October 2022, the French author Annie Ernaux was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature “for the courage and clinical acuity with which she uncovers the roots, estrangements and collective restraints of personal memory.” Self-defining as “someone with a woman’s history who writes”, A. Ernaux emphasizes the collective biography, the basis for the auto-socio-biographical genre in which the individual and family narratives are inseparable from the social narrative. This course will study the author’s life, literary work, and contributions to global literature. The Years (2008) is the selected text for the course. Sessions: 5

"Brothers! Over the starry canopy a loving Father must dwell!" These words were a vital part of Beethoven's belief system throughout his life. This summer we will see how his beliefs and the responsibility he assumed for himself to share them with us are communicated in the symphonies he wrote.
Sessions: 6

"Brothers! Over the starry canopy a loving Father must dwell!" These words were a vital part of Beethoven's belief system throughout his life. This summer we will see how his beliefs and the responsibility he assumed for himself to share them with us are communicated in the symphonies he wrote.
Sessions: 6

As the world's nations endure more severe climate driven disasters they are seriously considering radical ways to fix the earth's climate. We will examine the solutions being proposed and their dangers. Sessions: 1

In this 3 week film class we will watch and discuss three films dedicated to summer of year's past - Gidget (1959); Dirty Dancing (1987); The Parent Trap (1961). Remembering time we spent on Family road trips, vacations, swimming, surfing (if you were lucky), first love, teenage angst, learning to dance, camping and more. Sessions: 3

Sing along as you read along! Taylor Jenkins Reid’s delightful book “Daisy Jones & The Six” has taken the world by storm—now a best-seller and a hit TV series. “Daisy” is gripping and realistic novel about the whirlwind rise of an iconic 1970s rock group and their beautiful lead singer, revealing the mystery behind their infamous breakup. Set mostly in California in the rock & roll heyday, it will be a familiar and fun trip down memory lane for all of us Boomers. We’ll meet three times, first to introduce the book, then to review and discuss the book. Students will have two weeks to read the book on their own. Sessions: 3  

All of us have been lied to, verbally attacked, abused, cheated, or betrayed, or have committed these same mistakes onto another or ourselves. We are human, not perfect. Compassion and forgiveness doesn't mean to forget and return to the way things were. It means learning from mistakes and choosing to grieve, feel angry, and hurt over the loss of trust. It means not being a prisoner of regret, letting go in small steps with mindful self-compassion tools for more serenity, freedom, future self-fulfillment, and self-love. Come and learn the 6 steps of mindful forgiveness in a safe, private, non-pressured class with science based mindfulness practices. Sessions: 2

Monthly gathering to discuss books selected by current members. Selections range from historic fiction to non-fiction and classics. Short presentation on author, setting or historic background sets the tone for in-depth discussion of book. Opening selection for our June 22nd meeting will be The Color Purple by Alice Walker. These meetings will be held in-person and online Zoom.

Membership Required - No Course Fee

The year is 1928. Technology transforms entertainment and the workforce, new leisure opportunities alter circumstances for women, and business exploits deepen the class divide. Optimism is weighted against the rise of illiberal democracy. The sanguinely optimistic staff meets vacationing guests mired in ominous pessimism at Anderson’s Seaside Hotel, northern Denmark. Season 1 of the Danish series Badehotellet (Seaside Hotel) will be viewed, and its historical significance studied and contextualized using supplemental materials. Sessions: 5

The year is 1928. Technology transforms entertainment and the workforce, new leisure opportunities alter circumstances for women, and business exploits deepen the class divide. Optimism is weighted against the rise of illiberal democracy. The sanguinely optimistic staff meets vacationing guests mired in ominous pessimism at Anderson’s Seaside Hotel, northern Denmark. Season 1 of the Danish series Badehotellet (Seaside Hotel) will be viewed, and its historical significance studied and contextualized using supplemental materials. Sessions: 5

Beginning Tai Chi, a gentle form of exercise. Helps improve balance, mental and physical well being. Sessions: 15

Tai Chi is a centuries old practice of gentle and graceful movements known as postures which are designed to build better balance, coordination, focus, stress relief, and mind/body connection. Students are encouraged to wear loose comfortable clothing. Our program features the Yang Long form. Sessions: 15

Continuing students are introduced to further sequences of the Yang Long form and will learn the intricacies of articulation, timing, breathing and the purposes behind the moves and advanced fluidity. Wear comfortable clothing. Sessions: 15

The new James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) pushes the engineering and exploration of space a giant leap forward. We will compare the JWST with its predecessor the Hubble Space Telescope and discuss their differences. We'll end by showing some of the JWST images and explain what's groundbreaking about them. Sessions: 1 

Growing older with health challenges, loss of loved ones, our beloved pets, and facing our own ultimate death or transition are difficult subjects we are most likely taught to avoid. Our youth oriented culture supports a basic denial of growing older. "Old and Grey and in the Way" is an often unconscious or even spoken cultural belief we elders often live with. In this class you will learn powerful Mindful Self Compassion practices to courageously and safely face, transform, and find meaning in the five stages of grief or potential loss. Most importantly, we explore and face with compassion the normal healthy fear of dying which keeps us physically safe and as well as learn to befriend and release an exaggerated fear of death and the unknown that everyone can occasionally have. Do we really die or are we transformed and reborn or just return to dust? Come and share your view or learn more about the mystery of what comes after our bodies return to nature. The past is history, the future is a mystery and learning to live in the Precious Present, no matter what your view of death, can bring meaning and aliveness every day. Come and learn in a sensitive and safe class. Sessions: 2

Frank Baum’s classic, “The Wizard of Oz,” was actually written about the 1896 Presidential contest between William Jennings Bryan and William McKinley. Yes, I know, you are shocked. Come find out who the tin man, lion, wizard, flying monkeys , Oz, scarecrow, munchkins and the witches represent. And you thought it was a classic children’s story. Wrong! Sessions: 1

Frank Baum’s classic, “The Wizard of Oz,” was actually written about the 1896 Presidential contest between William Jennings Bryan and William McKinley. Yes, I know, you are shocked. Come find out who the tin man, lion, wizard, flying monkeys , Oz, scarecrow, munchkins and the witches represent. And you thought it was a classic children’s story. Wrong! Sessions: 1

Frank Baum’s classic, “The Wizard of Oz,” was actually written about the 1896 Presidential contest between William Jennings Bryan and William McKinley. Yes, I know, you are shocked. Come find out who the tin man, lion, wizard, flying monkeys , Oz, scarecrow, munchkins and the witches represent. And you thought it was a classic children’s story. Wrong! Sessions: 1

In just seven years life will be much different in California. New technologies are changing life in the golden state and there will be hotter summers and we'll need to adapt our gardens to the changing climate. Sessions: 1