Frederick Douglass was a visionary—a prophet who could see a better future that lay just beyond reach. His talents were nothing short of extraordinary and he put his exceptional gifts to use in the service of freedom, driving American slavery into the grave. In this talk, we’ll explore this many-sided man’s life, family, and career, and consider his impact upon our modern struggle to advance the cause of black freedom in the United States.

Examine the life history and national impact of civil rights pioneer and activist Fannie Lou Hamer, with special attention to her developmental years in rural Mississippi. Mrs. Hamer's was a powerful force in demanding the right to vote and during the Freedom Summer of 1963. Thanks to the insightful work of various oral historians, there's a rich archive of Mrs. Hamer's heroic efforts. With the Smithsonian Folkways' African American Legacy recording "Songs My Mother Taught Me" as a touchstone, you'll gain a deeper sense of this American hero.

Henri Matisse was a French artist known for his use of color as a printmaker, sculptor, and, primarily, painter. He helped define, along with Picasso and Duchamp, significant developments in painting and sculpture in the opening decades of the 20th century. We will look at his significant body of work from his painting to his cut-outs.

Get an idea of life under communism at the Deutsche Demokratische Republik Museum; view art from Rembrandt to Käthe Kollwitz, and murals on the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall; check out a gourmet food outlet featuring Lindt chocolate; visit a former hospital now a creative community space and restored apothecary; and spend an afternoon at the park (a former airfield used for the Berlin airlift). European Travel Specialist Barbara Paulson offers alternatives to the more popular Berlin sites. (See related classes #485, 585.)

A hillside dwelling overlooking the picturesque Rhone Valley in southern France attracted our ancestors, both Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons (modern humans), around 54,000 years ago, a new study suggests. Similar tools from the same period have been found nearly 1,900 miles away in modern Israel and in Lebanon, indicating that modern humans with a common culture traveled along one of the most important natural migration corridors of the ancient world approximately at that time. This lecture presents an updated chapter of human history.

TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas in the form of short, powerful recorded talks. Jill Bolte Taylor got a research opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: She had a massive stroke, and watched as her brain functions -- motion, speech, self-awareness -- shut down one by one. An astonishing story. We will watch this TED talk together and then engage in dialogue about it. Refreshments will be served! Sign up for one, two, or all three meeting dates (see also class #496 and 586). Limit: 20

Lipids are a type of fat that include cholesterol and triglycerides. If you've ever wanted to know more about HDL and LDL cholesterol and how they can support or harm your body, this is the session for you! In celebration of National Cholesterol Month, we will fight high cholesterol with a physical activity session and end with a live cooking demonstration featuring recipes to help balance your fat intake. Registration is required and your Zoom link will be emailed 24- and 1- hour prior to the session.

James Clerk Maxwell is as important to the history of physics as Einstein, Newton, and Galileo, yet his name is little known. We will examine both his physics (his theories of electricity and magnetism and his establishment of the existence of molecules) and his life (his working class background, his religion, his taking of the first color photograph in history) so that this eccentric genius gets the credit he deserves.

Think of something...go ahead, I'll wait. What was it? Whatever it was, you know what it was because you thought it. As a conscious being, you have access to your mind. But what is that consciousness? How do we know that other people posses the same sort of internal lived experience? Do animals? Could computers? Is consciousness explainable through material interactions of atoms? Does it require a different sort of stuff, a non-material mind or soul?  (See related classes #455, 498, 587.)

This election season, take your mind off the strife and vitriol with a fun and entertaining dive into the long and intertwining history of jazz and American politics. From Memphis' infamous Boss Crump all the way through a certain saxophone-blowin' President from Arkansas, jazz and politics have often rubbed shoulders, elbows, and more. This non-partisan class will examine such exciting topics as Dizzy Gillespie's 1964 campaign for the White House, Richard Nixon's unabashed love for jazz, Lionel Hampton's work as a Republican activist, and more! Vintage recordings, video clips, as well as live performances from your Lecturer-in-Chief will make this presentation an uncontested winner.

When British singer-songwriter Cat Stevens converted to Islam in 1977, heartbroken fans around the world assumed his music career was officially over. Decades later he returned to the music stage as Yusuf, with new recordings that were met with worldwide acclaim. From hit singles such as “Moonshadow” and “Peace Train”, to the cult film Harold and Maude, to his newer work, we’ll sample songs from the many musical worlds of Cat Stevens.

Versailles? Been there, done that. But still looking for what to do outside of Paris for a day or two? Check out another royal residence at Fontainebleau (e.g., Louis VII, Napoleon who resigned here); famous artists’ homes in Giverny and Auvers-Sur-Oise (Monet, and van Gogh, respectively); a nearly 1000-year old tapestry in Bayeux (Normandy); small group tours of private champagne makers in Reims, and the mustard capitol – Dijon. European Travel Specialist Barbara Paulson offers you some Paris day trip options.

Peripheral neuropathy affects millions of people in the U.S. causing pain, numbness, and weakness. Join Omid Motabar, MD as details what is going on in our bodies when we have peripheral neuropathy as well as new treatments available.

Join us for an insightful session led by experienced emergency room and trauma nurses who will share practical tips and proactive measures to prevent falls. Discover how simple adjustments in your daily routine can significantly enhance your safety. This class is designed to empower you with knowledge that can make a real difference in your everyday life. Take the first step towards a safer, steadier future—because preventing falls starts with understanding how to stay steady.

Did the American Revolution make ordinary working people happy? How did their inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness change in the immediate aftermath of the war? In this talk’s first half University of Maryland historian Richard Bell focuses on working white people in port cities like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia and asks whether post-war peace eased the economic hardships and insecurities the conflict itself had brought on and whether the end of the fighting ushered in a new economic order in which people on the bottom could not only pursue prosperity but actually achieve it. Then, in the talk’s second half, we pivot to examine the postwar struggles of rural folk, the farmers who accounted for the majority of America’s white population. Our mission is to get to the bottom of Daniel Shays’ Rebellion, a 1786 uprising by 2,200 western farmers and veterans to overthrow the Massachusetts government and burn Boston to the ground.

In September 2022, Judy and Alan Lewis boarded the new icebreaker cruise ship Le Commandant Charcot for a 2-1/2 week journey through the Canadian archipelago along that country's north coast. The route was from Reykjavik, Iceland to Nome, Alaska. It retraced some of the sea and land explorations of 19th century British explorers including Sir John Franklin. Along the way there were Inuit villages in Greenland and Canada, sea birds, whales, an Arctic fox or two ... and lots of Polar Bears. The ship's video team capsuled it all in a one-hour video that Judy and Alan will introduce, narrate in part, and talk about afterwards.

This 6-week program will bring the joys and discipline of contract bridge to beginning players (and players seeking a review of the basics). You’ll learn the mechanics of play using modern aspects of the bidding process, how to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a hand, and how the game is scored. You’ll learn at your own pace, and you’ll be able to use the class materials to review the lessons at home and with others

Level of Difficulty: 2/5 We will first tour the home of environmentalist Rachel Carson for inspiration; then we'll take a walk along the trail the Carson herself loved.  The trail has some roots and rocks but only a little change in elevation. Hiking poles are recommended for those with balance issues and of course sturdy shoes and a water bottle. We'll meet at the Rachel Carson House, located at 11701 Berwick Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20904.  Please park on the street and check in at the house.  A bathroom is available at the house for guests.  After the presentation and house tour, we'll drive a short distance to the trail for our walk. The house tour begins promptly at 10:00 am, so plan to arrive and park before then. (See additional walks: #598 and #637)