To promote the success of the Allied landings on D-Day, British and American planners organized an enormous array of deceptions to distract the Germans and draw their attention away from the real landings. This presentation looks at those plans, how they were conceived and the many ruses, plants, and false information used to protect the plans' security.

Yes, you’ve seen St. Vitus Cathedral and the John Lennon wall, BUT have you been to a beer spa? The Cold War Museum? The second-most famous castle in Prague with a church decorated in both Gothic and Art Nouveau styles? A museum dedicated to the history of garnet mining in the Czech lands? Artifacts from early Czech astronomers Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler? European Travel Specialist Barbara Paulson offers alternatives to the oft-visited sites of Prague.  (See related classes #319, 357, and 387.)

To promote the success of the Allied landings on D-Day, British and American planners organized an enormous array of deceptions to distract the Germans and draw their attention away from the real landings. This presentation looks at those plans, how they were conceived and the many ruses, plants, and false information used to protect the plans' security.

Isaac Newton created the most important scientific theory in history. This theory not only accounted for the falling of apples and the motion of planets, but gave rise to a scientific worldview that many thought could explain everything. But that result bothered Newton, who thought it squeezed God out of the picture. We will explore Newton's life, science, and beliefs to see the genius behind the science.

Level of Difficulty: 2.5 out of 5 This natural trail includes a beautiful waterfall and plenty of trees to keep you in the shade.  Its namesake, Rachel Carson, was an outstanding American writer, environmental activist, and Montgomery County resident. Burnt Mills West Special Park, 10700 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD.  Poles are optional.    There are no restrooms, but the park is across the street from a Trader Joe's and a Starbuck's.  Walkers will leave promptly at 10:00 am, so plan to arrive and park before then. (See additional walks: #248, 349, 396)

Headache is among the most common medical complaints. An overview of different headache types, what to watch out for and common treatments options.

In one of the most ambitious engineering projects in history, in the early 1900s the United States constructed an aquatic path connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans across the newly-created nation of Panama.  The Americans completed what the French started.  To do it, the Americans had to conquer disease, move massive amounts of earth, build an ingenious system of locks and even create a massive lake.  Professor Blaine Davies, who recently visited the Panama Canal, explains how in spite of disease, politics and daunting civil engineering obstacles the canal was conceived, engineered and opened for ocean-to-ocean transit over a century ago.

An enslaved woman has a light-enough complexion and the physique to “pass” as a white man.  She and her enslaved husband, who pretends to be her manservant, escape slavery in Georgia in 1848.  They find refuge in the North.  Newspapers cover them extensively, and they join abolitionists on the lecture circuit.  After the Fugitive Slave Act passes in 1850, they emigrate to England.  No, no – this really isn’t fiction!  The book won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Biography and the author used contemporaneous original sources in her exhaustive documentation of the lives of the couple, Ellen Craft (1826 to 1891) and William Craft (1824 to 1900).  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.) (See other book discussions: #322, 362, 401)

The three small nations forming the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea have a similar recent history, but are very different in their ancient histories, cultures, ethnicities, and attitudes.  Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have been free and independent from the former Soviet Union for over two decades and now are in the process of reclaiming their identities and their places in 21^st Century Europe.   In this lecture, we will visit these three countries and examine their peoples, places, cultures, and histories.

Head and neck cancers comprise a wide range of cancer types that can be in the sinuses, nasal passages, eye, ears, tongue, mouth, and throat. Dr. Page will be speaking to us about innovations and developments in the treatment of these types of cancers.

Mr. Wood explores the concept that music is experienced in time, not space. Composers have invented ingenious ways of structuring sound so that time can be fused together. We'll explore some of these tools and tricks and learn how masterpieces have arisen from counterpoint, sonata-allegro form, strophic writing, and many others. The ingenuity and creativity of composers comes to the fore as we see how they balance novelty and familiarity to unify their works.

In the fall of 2021, for the first time in 19 years, Montgomery County public high schools reopened without a police presence. This was the result of a vigorous, years-long debate over racial equity and student safety in Maryland’s largest school system. Unfortunately, Montgomery County also experienced its first-ever school shooting during the 2021-2022 school year; the student charged was armed with a ghost gun. More students have brought weapons into schools in the past academic year. And reports of verbal and physical attacks have nearly doubled since 2019. Learn more about the policies being discussed to keep our children and grandchildren safe in schools.

This class will focus on the top dozen cases, both civil and criminal, heard by the Court during the past year. Special emphasis will be placed on evolving trends and voting blocks on the Court. As always, issues related to criminal decisions will be discussed in depth.

In the fall of 2021, for the first time in 19 years, Montgomery County public high schools reopened without a police presence. This was the result of a vigorous, years-long debate over racial equity and student safety in Maryland’s largest school system. Unfortunately, Montgomery County also experienced its first-ever school shooting during the 2021-2022 school year; the student charged was armed with a ghost gun. More students have brought weapons into schools in the past academic year. And reports of verbal and physical attacks have nearly doubled since 2019. Learn more about the policies being discussed to keep our children and grandchildren safe in schools.

The War of 1812 is the most misunderstood war in American history. But it turns out to have been nothing short of momentous, explains University of Maryland historian Richard Bell. Fought on three fronts, including on the streets of Washington, DC, the War of 1812 unfolded on a grand continental canvas. More than simply the inspiration for the poem that later became our national anthem, the War of 1812 was a watershed moment in the history of a young republic that should best be understood as both the last battle of the Revolution and the first battle of the Civil War.

Please note, the date for this class has been changed to Thursday, August 15. Recognizing the connection between inflammation and what we eat can support our overall wellbeing.  Join us to learn, discuss and prepare a few simply healthy recipes.

Learn how to bring out the flavor in food using a variety of herbs and spices.   Let’s use less salt and explore a few recipes that are bursting with flavor.