Monthly Lectures   

Do you think you have a firm grasp of reality? In this talk, philosopher Mike VanQuickenborne uses everyday language and examples to question our assumptions about what is real. Learn how our perception of reality is shaped by language, and discover how conversation can help us come to terms with our varied experiences.  

You’ll also learn how the concept of “reality” can be motivating, but also weaponized by things like artificial intelligence, fake news, and “deep fakes.” Our ability to use technology to distort reality is stronger than ever, and is greatly contributing to our deeply fractured society. Could something as simple as conversing with one another be the antidote? 

Join us for a comprehensive 90-minute presentation where you'll gain valuable insights into the essentials of estate planning and how to incorporate philanthropy into your legacy. This session will cover:

• Essential Estate Planning Documents: Understand the key components of a solid estate plan, including Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Directives. Learn how these documents protect your wishes and ensure your loved ones are cared for.
• Will vs. Revocable Living Trust: Discover the differences between a Will and a Revocable Living Trust. We'll explore the benefits and drawbacks of each, helping you decide which option best suits your needs.
• Retirement Accounts: Ensure your retirement assets coordinate with your estate plan and why these assets take special care in planning.
• Philanthropy in Estate Planning: Learn how to leave a lasting impact by incorporating charitable giving into your estate plan. We'll discuss various strategies to support the causes you care about while achieving your financial and philanthropic goals.
   

Whether you're just starting to think about your estate plan or looking to update an existing one, this presentation will provide you with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions. Don't miss this opportunity to secure your legacy and make a difference!

Love him or hate him, Henry Kissinger was an omnipresent figure in U.S. foreign affairs and was considered a genius, a manipulator, a war criminal, our greatest statesman, an unhinged paranoid, a deep thinker, a monotonous bore, and so on. David Fenner will cut through all the countervailing opinions and untangle the complex legacy of Dr. Kissinger.
 
In the latter half of the 20th Century, Henry Kissinger was at the center of nearly every major geopolitical event - and this is exactly where he wanted to be! From the prolonged war in Vietnam, the "secret" bombing of Cambodia, détente and arms control with the Soviets, the opening to China, the Realpolitik of the Nixon years, the orchestrated coups in Latin America, the Nobel Peace Prize shared with Le Duc Tho, to the wars in the Middle East and the advent of "shuttle diplomacy" – all bore the deep imprint of America's top foreign policy strategist and diplomat. We'll revisit Kissinger's role in these events and consider how his impact shaped what's happening in the world today.
 

“Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?”

The answer to this question—or the refusal to answer it—cast hundreds of lives into turmoil at the dawn of the Cold War. The Red Scare that erupted in the 1940s allowed the House Committee on Un-American Activities to grab headlines by parading prominent Hollywood figures before the cameras. Witnesses could either defy the hearings at the risk of their own careers, or “name names”—inform on their colleagues and friends. The resulting blacklist threw many moviemaking professionals out of work.

This presentation, illustrated with film clips, tells the stories from this heartbreaking and scandalous era, and how notables such as Humphrey Bogart, Elia Kazan, and Charlie Chaplin were swept up in the frenzy. We’ll also ask a question: With today’s politics at a boiling point, are we living in such a period again?

Join oceanographer and Fellow of the Explorers Club, Dr. Ed Sobey, for a lively presentation on sea turtles. The highlight focuses on one night along the Costa Rican shore when 77,000 turtles landed on a small beach to lay their eggs. Arribada: they have arrived!