Eartha Kitt – does the name conjure up the sultry voice behind “Santa Baby”, the lithe figure in the Catwoman suit, or something else?  She spoke four languages, sang in seven, and succeeded on “stage and screen” as well as television.  Kitt Shapiro traveled the world with her mother as a child and managed her mother’s career as an adult.  This beautifully written memoir tells us about their lives and their unusual mother-daughter bond. Please read the book so you can participate in our structured, facilitated, Zoom discussion.  (Note: Please join the meeting at 3 pm if you would like some assistance using the features of Zoom.  Otherwise, join us at 3:15 pm for the start of our discussion.) Author: Kitt Shapiro, 2021. (For other book discussions, see classes #314, 383, 431)

Today Russians Chagall and Kandinsky are considered two giants of Modern Art, but what about the women who were instrumental in the development of these artists’ visions? This program focuses first on the bond between Marc and Bella Chagall, highlighting the painter’s celebration of their love in The Birthday and Lovers Over Vitebsk. Then we’ll discuss the creative and romantic partnership of Kandinsky and fellow artist Gabriele Munter, centering on the beautiful mountain landscape of Murnau outside of Munich where the two collaborated on what Kandinsky termed the "Spiritual in Art." (For a related class, see #340.)

Google Photos is a simple and free app for managing your photos and videos. Topics covered include uploading, organizing, sharing, editing, and backing up your photos. This class includes demonstrations with time for hands-on practice. Participants should have a Google account; please bring your log-on id and password to class. See related Google classes: #350 and #360.

Today Russians Chagall and Kandinsky are considered two giants of Modern Art, but what about the women who were instrumental in the development of these artists’ visions? This program focuses first on the bond between Marc and Bella Chagall, highlighting the painter’s celebration of their love in The Birthday and Lovers Over Vitebsk. Then we’ll discuss the creative and romantic partnership of Kandinsky and fellow artist Gabriele Munter, centering on the beautiful mountain landscape of Murnau outside of Munich where the two collaborated on what Kandinsky termed the "Spiritual in Art." (For a related class, see #340.)

Mark Rothko, one of the most famous post-war American painters, is considered a pioneer of the Abstract Expressionist movement. With his large Color Field paintings, he strove to create an active and spiritual relationship between the viewer and the painting. Rothko’s early works, figure and urban life scenes, later changed to images taken from mythology and religion before becoming the colorful rectangular forms hovering on fields of stained color. This class will examine his journey and impact.

Voters weigh a president’s economic stewardship every four years--usually rewarding incumbents and their party during good economic times and punishing them during bad times. Yet, presidents have less influence on the economic cycle while in office than the public realizes. They often are beneficiaries or victims of the marketplace, Federal Reserve interest rate changes and predecessors’ policies that later boost the economy or blow it up. We'll examine this pattern from Lyndon Johnson to Joe Biden.

Recent disclosures about activities of some judges, including Supreme Court justices, have led members of Congress, journalists, and academics to call for stricter regulation of judicial ethics and highlighted the long-standing challenge of regulating judicial ethics without impinging unduly on judges’ independence and private lives. In this class you'll learn about current controversies and regulations in place and hear assessments of the pros and cons of current proposals.

Recent disclosures about activities of some judges, including Supreme Court justices, have led members of Congress, journalists, and academics to call for stricter regulation of judicial ethics and highlighted the long-standing challenge of regulating judicial ethics without impinging unduly on judges’ independence and private lives. In this class you'll learn about current controversies and regulations in place and hear assessments of the pros and cons of current proposals.

The Climate Action Plan is Montgomery County’s strategic plan to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80% by 2027 and 100% by 2035. The Climate Action Plan details the effects of a changing climate on Montgomery County and includes strategies to reduce GHG emissions and climate-related risks to the County’s residents, businesses, and the built and natural environment. This session will discuss the five main areas that the County is focusing on to help residents combat climate change and create a more resilient Montgomery County.

Wagner’s Ring Cycle is often seen as a long, dull tale set in a world of German mythology. The Ring has always had its devoted followers (the instructor included) who find it a fascinating work telling a profoundly moving human story. This class will provide information needed to appreciate the Ring, including its sources, its use of interrelated musical themes, and its spectacular range of orchestral effects. The class is designed both for those largely unfamilar with the Ring and also for those who know it well and want to know more.

The Climate Action Plan is Montgomery County’s strategic plan to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80% by 2027 and 100% by 2035. The Climate Action Plan details the effects of a changing climate on Montgomery County and includes strategies to reduce GHG emissions and climate-related risks to the County’s residents, businesses, and the built and natural environment. This session will discuss the five main areas that the County is focusing on to help residents combat climate change and create a more resilient Montgomery County.

Since Westerners first came into contact with China, there has been an interest in Chinese women, seen as so alien. In recent years, feminism has focused on this ancient culture and novels like Lady Tan’s, "Circle of Women" have explored the lives of those who ‘transcended’ what is seen as millennia of oppression. But how accurate are they? Dorothy Trench Bonett will present recent research about imperial China, often from women’s own writings, to answer this question. (See related class #367)

The richly illustrated lecture traces the importance of Wright’s Welch heritage in his life and later in his works, examines his unsettled family life, and his developing love of nature during his formative years in rural Wisconsin. It tells the story of the ups and downs of both his personal life and career from the 1890s through the 1950s detailing his personal struggles through the marriages, affairs, scandals, murders and tragedies and their impact on his outlook and career. In addition, the lecture details Wright’s mastery in using print media and interviews to keep his name before the public.

Hampton Court? Greenwich? Been there, done that, but still looking for what to do outside London for a day or two? Check out Queen Victoria’s private train cars at York's railroad museum, the Roman Baths Museum at (of course) Bath, Winston Churchill’s birthplace (Blenheim Palace in Oxford), Jane Austen’s grave at Winchester Cathedral, and paintings by van Dyck and Picasso at Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum. European Travel Specialist Barbara Paulson offers you some London day trip options.  (See related classes #319, 387, and 436.)

(At the instructor's request, the date of this class has been changed from May 22 to June 19.) Edith Bolling Galt Wilson climbed her way out of Appalachian poverty and into the highest echelons of American power, and in 1919 effectively acted as the first woman president of the U.S. (before women could even vote nationwide) when her husband, Woodrow Wilson, was incapacitated. Beautiful, brilliant, charismatic, catty, and calculating, she was a complicated figure whose personal quest for influence reshaped the position of First Lady into one of political prominence forever. And still nobody truly understands who she was.

(At the instructor's request, the date of this class has been changed from May 22 to June 19.) Edith Bolling Galt Wilson climbed her way out of Appalachian poverty and into the highest echelons of American power, and in 1919 effectively acted as the first woman president of the U.S. (before women could even vote nationwide) when her husband, Woodrow Wilson, was incapacitated. Beautiful, brilliant, charismatic, catty, and calculating, she was a complicated figure whose personal quest for influence reshaped the position of First Lady into one of political prominence forever. And still nobody truly understands who she was.

Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy will present an overview of juvenile justice in Maryland. This topic is hot right now. There is major legislation under consideration, driven by the developments in the science of brain development. What are the common risk factors for juvenile delinquency? How should juveniles be held accountable for their actions? What is the county doing proactively to help steer kids away from criminal behavior?

Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy will present an overview of juvenile justice in Maryland. This topic is hot right now. There is major legislation under consideration, driven by the developments in the science of brain development. What are the common risk factors for juvenile delinquency? How should juveniles be held accountable for their actions? What is the county doing proactively to help steer kids away from criminal behavior?