In the late 19th Century, advances in materials, iron, steel, and concrete coupled with the development of electricity, the elevator, heating, and cooling led to a building boom in the early 20th Century that created intense rivalries and the race to build the tallest. in the period up to the Depression. The focus shifts from incorporation of historic forms and styles to Modernism, stark forms rejecting ornamentation. By the mid-century, the skyscraper became the “glass box” ubiquitous, spread across the world burdening infrastructure, fueling congestion, and imposing environmental consequences. The lecture concludes with an overview of the current race for the tallest in Asia, the Middle East, and the supertall condominiums in Manhattan.

The children of immigrants, the Marx Brothers were stars of vaudeville who easily made the transition to Hollywood as they created iconic characters in some of the funniest movies ever made. This course will review the life and career of these extraordinary entertainers, and examine their influence on comedy, and f course include clips from some of their greatest films. We'll also discuss Groucho's later TV career, including his interviews with Dick Cavett and William F. Buckley.

John Raitt, Alfred Drake, Yul Brynner, and Rex Harrison are just a few of the men who created legendary Broadway roles, using their unique on-stage personae to carve out their careers and individual brands. In this musically-packed session, you’ll learn about these men and the roles they created. Steve Friedman will infuse his presentation with many examples of the music, sung in his classically-trained tenor voice!

John Raitt, Alfred Drake, Yul Brynner, and Rex Harrison are just a few of the men who created legendary Broadway roles, using their unique on-stage personae to carve out their careers and individual brands. In this musically-packed session, you’ll learn about these men and the roles they created. Steve Friedman will infuse his presentation with many examples of the music, sung in his classically-trained tenor voice!

The latest biopic and box office smash, "Elvis," tell the story of one of the greatest and most popular entertainers ever and his manager. But there were a number of things the film left out. Daryl Davis will fill in some of those stories, with musical interludes.

Dr. A.C. Barnes made his fortune marketing patent medicine in “Mainline” Philadelphia. In establishing the Barnes Foundation, he sought to use art as a tool to teach students how to think critically. To that end, from 1912 until his death in 1951, Barnes purchased hundreds of works of art – from Impressionists to African masks – which he arranged into “ensembles” at his purpose-built gallery in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania.

As we get older, we all notice changes in our memory or thinking ability. Learn answers to common questions like: - What if when I go into the kitchen, I “forget” why I went there? - Why do I sometimes say things that I previously would have kept to myself? - What is classified as normal aging? - How do you identify when it is important to see the doctor?

Is your home aging gracefully with you? This educational discussion introduces what is a home modification, how home modifications can play an important role in improving one's safety and independence as one grows older, why planning ahead before a fall or health condition can be beneficial, what are simple and low-cost home modifications, and which home modification funding options are available.