In Person Workshops   

The Great Divide, the Explanatory Gap, The Hard Problem of Consciousness. Familiar terms used to describe the “gap” between the subjective and objective world of our experience. While mid-twentieth-century split-brain research identified separate functions of both the right and the left hemispheres, little was understood of the evolutionary niche from which this brain morphology originates. In the presentation, we will explore the ways we navigate this divide and the world each hemisphere brings to our conscious experience. Much of this presentation is inspired by a study published by Dr. Iain McGilchrist, titled The Master and His Emissary.

Do “big” novels sit on your bookshelf unread. You know—the books with the big spines that shout out to you that they are NOT “quick reads.”

This summer tackle along with us Midnight's Children by Indian-British writer Salman Rushdie. Midnight’s Children won the Booker prize in 1981, and the New York Review of Books called it "one of the most important books to come out of the English-speaking world in this generation.”

For the first class, read through the fifth chapter, "A Public Announcement." We will start the following week with "Many-headed Monsters.

Casual Cards and Games is open to individuals who have taken this workshop before and newcomers alike. We will introduce new games & revisit some from past workshops. Workshops begin with introduction and then participants are given time to play the game. Most games are played for two weeks. A relaxed, supportive environment makes this a fun, social workshop.

Workshop Format: A mix of leader presentation and participant discussion

We will continue to enhance our bridge skills in a duplicate environment. Participants should have knowledge of conventions and techniques from previous semesters. Contact either workshop leader if you are unsure whether this workshop is appropriate for you.

This will be a course for beginners and those who have taken this course previously. How to identify gems using various instruments will be demonstrated. A hands-on sampling of gems and personal jewelry. Some appraising methods will be discussed.

Workshop Style: A mix of leader presentation and participant discussion

This workshop will be geared to all levels. Beginners are welcome. We will be learning how to approach Landscape Painting from photos, simplifying and abstracting the images. The medium will be acrylics on paper. Supplies Needed: Participants will need their own art supplies (acrylic paint, paper, brushes).

Discover the fascinating twists and turns of history that have created and shaped the English language, from the Anglo-Saxon invasions, to the Norman Conquest, to the Renaissance, to Shakespeare, to the Victorian Era when the sun never set on the British Empire, turning English into a global language. We will move on to the era of early 20C American English and how it grew with immigration, cultural mixing, media, and technology; and on to the Post-War Era, straight into the wilds of Digital English. We will discuss various accents, regionalisms, styles, slang, and other quirks of how we speak English and why,

This four-session, limited engagement workshop brings together science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) in an interactive, hands-on exploration of gardening and artistic expression. Participants will learn how to create sustainable gardens, understand the science behind plant growth, and explore the art of drawing from nature. The workshop will be fun, educational, and creative, encouraging participants to engage with nature in both practical and artistic ways.

We will discuss cases heard and decided by SCOTUS, with a historical background of prior decisions on point. The current Court term will be ending during the running of this workshop and the decisions will be announced, so expect to participate in some lively discussions! We anticipate rulings which will affect the 2024 Presidential Election, attempts to further define a woman's right to choose, expansion of 2nd Amendment rights, limitations on administrative agency power, voter suppression, and other surprises that will prove entertaining.