Popular TV series like "Downton Abbey" are not only engaging drama, they are a window into the social, political, and culture life of a period. As the show cycles through the years, we get a glimpse of the issues of the day. Explore the show’s appeal, which goes deeper than its period fashions and lavish sets, with Julie Taddeo, as she examines its historical accuracy and what it says about the 21st century, from the 2008 economic crash to Brexit to America's ongoing fascination with British royalty.

Widely recognized as one of the most successful popular singers of the 20th Century, Frank Sinatra’s decades-long career belied his inauspicious origins. From his modest beginnings in Hoboken, Sinatra’s career included sold out concerts, goofy Rat Pack films, a dramatic Academy Award performance and heaps of classic recordings. Julie Kurzava examines the musical world of the young Frank Sinatra, examining his artistic influences as he established his signature style. Come fly with us!

Widely recognized as one of the most successful popular singers of the 20th Century, Frank Sinatra’s decades-long career belied his inauspicious origins. From his modest beginnings in Hoboken, Sinatra’s career included sold out concerts, goofy Rat Pack films, a dramatic Academy Award performance and heaps of classic recordings. Julie Kurzava examines the musical world of the young Frank Sinatra, examining his artistic influences as he established his signature style. Come fly with us!

Half of all Americans age 65 or older have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Come join Dr. Zilbermint to learn about diabetes prevention, what prediabetes is and how to avoid it as we age.

Offering storytelling at its best, podcasting is a form of audio broadcasting on the Internet. Podcasts are delivered to devices like your computer, audio player and smartphone. It’s like “Radio On-Demand,” and all free for downloading. In this class, we’ll learn how to search for and download podcasts onto our device of choice. We’ll also explore a sampling of some of the most popular and intriguing podcasts, including some from NPR, TED Talks, and more. You might just get hooked.

The Industrial Revolution is the fourth of five transformations in the human career.   The Industrial Revolution began in England about 1775 and continued in two phases until the early 20th Century.  It spread to Europe and North America in the 19th Century and to the third world in the 20th Century.  It began with the use of machines for the mass production of textiles.   Subsequently, machinery was developed for use in land-, marine-, and air-transportation; agriculture; mining; tool making; and military applications.  Why did it begin in England?  How did it change society? Why did America and Europe surpass England in technological advancement?  How did it set the stage for capitalism?  How did it change life as we know it?     Learn the answers to these questions and gain an understanding of how our ancestors lived through the hardships, adjustments, and adaptations during this transformation of society.  This is a story of innovation.

The U.S. Senate is often referred to as the great deliberative body. But laws, precedents and procedures often lead the public to conclude that the body is totally dysfunctional. This course will review those procedures – regular order, filibusters, reconciliation – how and why they exist in today’s Senate and how changes might be taken to make the body once again the “great deliberative body”.

Television news has undergone remarkable transformations in the last seven decades. Beginning with the Camel News Caravan with John Cameron Swayze in 1948, evening newscasts drew tens of millions of viewers nightly, and expanded from 15 minutes to 30 minutes. With the launch of CNN in 1980, TV news expanded to 24 hours a day, seven days a week - and a new era in television journalism was born. This presentation will look at these sweeping changes and examine the impact, both good and bad, of television journalism over the last six decades.

Professor Brunsman will discuss the first two episodes of the miniseries John Adams (2008). Based on David McCullough’s Pulitzer Prize–winning biography, John Adams traces the political career of its title character in seven episodes, each approximately an hour; the first two episodes depict the Boston Massacre trial and the decision for American independence in the Continental Congress. Prior to the session, we will email you brief reading to do before the meeting. If possible, we also encourage you to watch the first two episodes of John Adams before the session, but it is not required (the miniseries is available to rent/stream on HBO Max, Amazon, and other providers).

Celebrate the life and musical legacy of one of the most innovative and influential American genius musicians, who created a genre played the world over known as Rock'n'Roll. Chuck Berry passed away in 2017 at the age of 90, but his music rocks on!

Celebrate the life and musical legacy of one of the most innovative and influential American genius musicians, who created a genre played the world over known as Rock'n'Roll. Chuck Berry passed away in 2017 at the age of 90, but his music rocks on!

In February of 1861, just days before he assumed the presidency, Abraham Lincoln faced a “clear and fully matured” threat of assassination as he traveled by train from Springfield to Washington for his inauguration. Over a period of thirteen days, the legendary detective Allan Pinkerton worked feverishly to expose the plot, assisted by a captivating young widow named Kate Warne, America’s first female private eye.

Montgomery County State Attorney John McCarthy will offer a review on the recent legislation that has been proposed to strengthen gun control, as well as key events that have led to change. Primarily, covering the national trend on gun laws, which have focused on universal background checks, ghost guns, and straw purchases.

Montgomery County State Attorney John McCarthy will offer a review on the recent legislation that has been proposed to strengthen gun control, as well as key events that have led to change. Primarily, covering the national trend on gun laws, which have focused on universal background checks, ghost guns, and straw purchases.

Many of Wright’s best-known houses were built for the well-to-do, not accessible for a mass audience.  Less well known is Wright’s quest to design housing more accessible to the typical middle-class family. By the 1930s he embraced a simplified, compact plan, budgeted for those of modest means which he christened Usonian, and many still exist today.  While his later projects all cost more than his first Usonian, Wright remained true to his goal of developing quality housing, affordable to a broad audience.

Modern downtown Rockville has a rich African-American history. This walking tour will include spots related to enslavement and the stark injustice of lynching; a once-thriving Black community in the heart of Rockville; education as a valued means to better lives; and a milestone civil rights victory by the legendary Thurgood Marshall. In all, we’ll cover about 10 city blocks. Participants are responsible for their own transportation and will meet in front of Rockville Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Ave.

In this class, you will learn about the probate process and the trust administration process. What are the pros and cons of using a Will vs. a Revocable Trust? We will discuss estate planning techniques to make the process as simple as possible for your loved ones.