Join John Natale, a physical therapist at Suburban Hospital, in a lecture regarding what balance is, the personal and societal cost of falls, risk factors for falls in older adults, how to improve balance, and how to reduce your risk for falls through exercise and other means/strategies. This in-person lecture will be from 1-2 pm followed by a Prevention Fair from 2-3:30 pm. The fair will offer you the option of having a Falls Risk Assessment and time to engage with healthcare professionals to learn why managing your health and living environment - are excellent steps you can take to prevent a fall.

Join John Natale, a physical therapist at Suburban Hospital, in a lecture regarding what balance is, the personal and societal cost of falls, risk factors for falls in older adults, how to improve balance, and how to reduce your risk for falls through exercise and other means/strategies.

Is that a therapy dog or a service dog? Ever heard of an assistance peacock? Learn about the different types of assistance animals and delve into the world of a volunteer puppy raiser. Be prepared for some puppy antics from puppies in the Guiding Eyes for the Blind puppy raising program. Young people age 6 or over are welcome to attend – sign up with a grandchild, niece, nephew or friend!  At least one adult is needed for every two children.  Please enroll for the number of total number of seats needed, so that we can keep count of the number of participants.

Despite being dyslexic and dysgraphic, Pip Williams grew up loving words: “‘I was like one of those Olympic swimmers who started swimming because he had asthma. My dad knew I had difficulties spelling, so he gave me three dictionaries.” So it’s not a surprise that her best-selling first novel is historical fiction about the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). The OED -- the ultimate guide to the English language -- was first proposed in 1857, the first portion was published in 1884, and the final portion of the first edition in 1928. The author’s premise is that spoken words used almost exclusively by women may not have been fully represented without textual sources. 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.)

Britain’s Royal Navy took 11,000 American sailors captive during the Revolutionary War. They spent months or years buried from the world in prisons in England, Ireland, and Scotland—held indefinitely under the terms of a 1777 law that designated them as pirates and traitors, not as official prisoners of war. This talk reconstructs their experiences. It uses as its case study the ordeal of William Russell, a privateer from New England who spend thirty months trying to escape from England’s Mill Prison before being transferred to the Jersey, a de-masted prison hulk floating in Brooklyn Bay in British-occupied New York. On the Jersey, Russell who have to fight for simple survival.

There are many fascinating forms of Buddhism thriving in the world today, and perhaps the most fascinating of all is Zen.  Like all forms of Buddhism, Zen roots back to the teachings of the Buddha, a sixth century B.C.E. Indian reformer and spiritual teacher.  What makes Zen unique and deeply appealing to people everywhere, especially here in the West, is its practicality, its simplicity, and its willingness to challenge the authority of our institutionalized thinking.  Zen is a paradox.  At once ancient and modern, disciplined and liberal, deeply traditional and wildly irreverent, Zen strips away from us all that is artificial until only our authentic nature remains.  Join us as we uncover the practices and principles of this profoundly spiritual and eminently practical wisdom tradition.

Joan Baez (1941- ) released her first album of folk music in 1960 at the age of 19 and went on to contribute to folk rock, pop, country, and gospel. With eight gold albums, a gold single ("The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down"), and seven Grammy nominations to her credit, she received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. Popularly known as a singer of other people’s work, she is also an accomplished songwriter as well as a political activist.

Knowing that laughter can cure a variety of ills, Julie Kurzava continues her examination of how writers and performers combine music with humor to lighten our spirits and keep us entertained. With a special focus on parody and satire, she’ll be featuring some of her favorite writers, from Gilbert & Sullivan to Weird Al Yankovic. No prior knowledge is required!

In 1952, LIFE magazine described Anna Marie Rosenberg as “the most important woman in the American government, and perhaps the most important official female in the world.” Four decades earlier, Anna had immigrated to America as a Hungarian Jew. THE CONFIDANTE tells the story of how Anna became a close WWII advisor of President Roosevelt – his "Mrs. Fix-It" on the home front and his special envoy to wartime Europe. Astonishingly, her story from high school WWI activist to Assistant Secretary of Defense remained largely forgotten, until now.

Knowing that laughter can cure a variety of ills, Julie Kurzava continues her examination of how writers and performers combine music with humor to lighten our spirits and keep us entertained. With a special focus on parody and satire, she’ll be featuring some of her favorite writers, from Gilbert & Sullivan to Weird Al Yankovic. No prior knowledge is required!

The question of God's existence has a topic of lively philosophical debate for centuries. We will look at a wide range of arguments on multiple sides of the discussion from Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, Soren Kierkegaard, and Bertrand Russell. Is this a matter determinable through metaphysical demonstration? Empirical observation? Indeed, is it a question for rationality at all? (See related classes #498, 538, 587.)

It was the art theft of the century. On August 21st, 1911, the Mona Lisa, painted by the famous Italian artist, Leonardo da Vinci, was stolen from the Louvre in Paris, France. Who stole the Mona Lisa and why? How did the authorities recover the painting? Did the Nazis steal the painting during World War II? For the answers to these questions, join Art History lecturer Barbara Evans for a richly illustrated presentation about the most famous painting in the world.

This hour features the evolution of music on the British Isles . . . from the Renaissance to the world of Henry Purcell and Handel . . . from the Classical era to the Modern world of Ralph Vaughn Williams and Peter Warlock. A most enjoyable hour of discovery with music from Queen Elizabeth’s 1st’s court to the music that has enchanted the world during the era of Queen Elizabeth II. Fish and chips or tea and scones would be a perfect “fit” during this wonderful hour.

Good political journalism is vital. The coverage decisions and priorities of news outlets affect the behavior of elected officials and the lives of everyday citizens. Veteran journalist Steve Roberts will share his perspective on the state of political journalism today. He’ll touch on current challenges, controversies and emerging trends. With the 2024 presidential election just around the corner, how can citizens best keep themselves informed? Steve Roberts has been a journalist for almost 60 years, covering some of the major events of his time, including fourteen presidential election campaigns.  He teaches politics and journalism, including media ethics, at George Washington University.

Good political journalism is vital. The coverage decisions and priorities of news outlets affect the behavior of elected officials and the lives of everyday citizens. Veteran journalist Steve Roberts will share his perspective on the state of political journalism today. He’ll touch on current challenges, controversies and emerging trends. With the 2024 presidential election just around the corner, how can citizens best keep themselves informed? Steve Roberts has been a journalist for almost 60 years, covering some of the major events of his time, including fourteen presidential election campaigns.  He teaches politics and journalism, including media ethics, at George Washington University.

Birds are found nearly everywhere, on all continents and in all environments, displaying an incredible variety of size, appearance, diet, and behavior. In this class we’ll explore some of this diversity with photos taken both locally and across the United States and Mexico by wildlife photographer Calvin Schnure. We’ll begin with the more common species of birds that will be familiar to many people, then move to less common and more unusual species.

Do you ever feel imbalanced? Had a recent fall or two? In this class Aubrey Reinmiller, a neurological physical therapist assistant and personal trainer, will clarify the most common reasons for imbalance and will teach you some exercises to improve your balance. We will also learn about the different body systems that contribute to your sense of balance. Please have a stable chair, a pillow, a pencil, a notepad, and your enthusiasm easily available!

Learn about many unsung heroes of the Underground Railroad who lived around Washington, D.C. For example, Leonard Grimes, a free African American, was arrested for transporting enslaved people to freedom. John Dean, a white lawyer, tested in the courts the legality of the Fugitive Slave Act. And Anna Maria Weems dressed as a boy to escape to Canada. Enslaved people engineered escapes, with and without an organized network. Some ended up back in slavery or in jail, but some escaped to freedom.

Learn about many unsung heroes of the Underground Railroad who lived around Washington, D.C. For example, Leonard Grimes, a free African American, was arrested for transporting enslaved people to freedom. John Dean, a white lawyer, tested in the courts the legality of the Fugitive Slave Act. And Anna Maria Weems dressed as a boy to escape to Canada. Enslaved people engineered escapes, with and without an organized network. Some ended up back in slavery or in jail, but some escaped to freedom.