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  • Any account of the history of the American entertainment industry will showcase the pivotal contributions of Jewish Americans. In these accounts, most of the discussion will focus on Jewish men. Yet Jewish women also played groundbreaking roles in the development of American entertainment, from stage to radio to film. This course will focus on two Jewish women whose contributions have significantly shaped the American entertainment industry: Gertrude Berg and Barbra Streisand. First, we will explore the pathbreaking work of Gertrude Berg in both radio and television through her signature role as Molly Goldberg in the show The Goldbergs, which she created, wrote, acted in, and produced. We will devote the second part of the course to the transformative mark Barbra Streisand made on the American film industry through three pivotal films: Funny Girl, The Way We Were, and Yentl. As actress, singer, writer, director, and producer, Streisand demonstrated the power of her art to entertain, instruct, and change the "old boys club" culture of the movie industry. These three films show Streisand as an artist and innovator at work and provide but a glimpse into the creative career of one of Hollywood's masters.

    Cliff Wilcox is a historian who focuses on American intellectual and cultural history. His courses concentrate on the intersection of culture, ideas, education, and religion in American society. He lectures for Cal Lutheran’s Fifty and Better Program and at other local lifelong learning programs. He holds a Ph.D. in American intellectual history from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

    Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses and lectures (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.
  • For years, the Holocaust was portrayed as an act of unspeakable violence by humans who acted like animals. Yet this portrayal led to an inability to understand the psychology of the perpetrators of genocide. Further, many misunderstand why many of the victims of the Holocaust did not leave Europe––imagining that they simply chose not to leave. This course will examine why and how the Nazis were able to influence and enable almost an entire continent to murder, and why many of the Jews in Europe stayed in Europe. It will focus specifically on what impact these conclusions can have on genocide prevention for today.

    Jason Hensley, Ph.D., teaches religious studies at a private school in Los Angeles. He is a fellow of the Michael LaPrade Holocaust Education Institute of the Anti-Defamation League, a member of Civic Spirit's teacher education cohort, and the award-winning author of 10 books. His work has been featured in The Huffington Post as well as the BBC, and he has served as the historical advisor for a Holocaust documentary.

    Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses and lectures (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.
  • The increasing wealth in Europe following the Renaissance and exploration of the New World was reflected in the sumptuous furniture, interiors, and decorative arts of English palaces and country homes. This course will focus on the popular styles and design influences during the reigns of Henry VIII through Queen Victoria, including Tudor, Jacobean, William and Mary, Queen Anne, Georgian, Regency, and Victorian styles. The extraordinary influence of designers and craftsmen such as Robert Adam, Thomas Chippendale, John Nash, and Thomas Hope will be discussed, as well as the social and political influences upon their designs. Construction techniques and types of materials including fabrics, woods, and decorative elements will also be discussed.

    Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator, lecturer, and author. She lectures worldwide on art and architectural history, and she leads art and architecture tours throughout the world. She has been named a Distinguished Instructor at UCLA Extension, where she teaches history of architecture, interior design, furniture, and decorative arts. She is also Professor Emeritus of Art and Architectural History at Santa Monica College. She has done graduate work in fine and decorative arts at Sotheby's Institute in London and New York. She has served as a Design Review Commissioner for the City of Beverly Hills and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the John Lautner Foundation.

  • In 2019, it was estimated that the global economy took a hit of $78 billion because of fake news. Further, nearly 70% of adult Americans report that made-up news is a serious problem. Recent research has found that even media-savvy consumers share and spread misinformation—simply because they aren’t paying attention. This two-part lecture will explore the role of journalism and information in a democratic society, as well as the importance of local news in the health of communities. It will also review strategies for identifying misinformation—particularly when it’s designed to look like traditional news products—and best practices for media literacy in a digital age.

    Kirstie Hettinga, Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University) is an associate professor of communication at California Lutheran University. She teaches media writing, editing, and content creation and serves as the faculty adviser to Cal Lutheran’s award-winning student newspaper, The Echo. Her research addresses issues of accuracy and credibility in news media, as well as how students learn in student newsrooms. Her work has been published in Newspaper Research Journal, College Media Review, Journal of Media Ethics, and Journalism Practice.

    Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses and lectures (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.
  • Even before the invention of the automobile, Angelinos have escaped the city to play in the nearby mountains, the desert, and the seashore. Enjoy an armchair vacation while we explore their favorites, then and now. We visit Del Mar, Coronado Island, San Diego, and Tijuana to the south; Ojai, Montecito, and Santa Barbara to the north; the San Bernardino Mountains, Palm Springs, Death Valley, and Las Vegas to the east; and Catalina Island to the west. Note: These are two of five parts that will be offered throughout 2023.
    Part 1: Beach vacation spots from Santa Monica south to Tijuana, north to Santa Barbara, and west to Catalina Island.
    Part 2: Desert vacation spots including Palm Springs, Arizona, Death Valley

    Sharon Boorstin is a contributing writer for the Los Angeles Times, specializing in lifestyle, food and travel. In 2019 she won Visit California’s Eureka Award for Best Newspaper Travel Article. In the 1970s and ‘80s Sharon was the Restaurant Critic of the (late) Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, and in the ‘90s she edited the annual Gayot Guidebooks for Los Angeles and other cities. She also wrote for magazines including Bon Appetit, Smithsonian and Town & Country Travel. With her husband Paul, she wrote dozens of screenplays for feature films and television including Angel of Death (ABC) starring Jane Seymour. Her memoir/cookbook, “Let Us Eat Cake: Adventures in Food and Friendship” (Harper-Collins 2002), was a selection of the Pulpwood Queens Book Club. Raised in Seattle, Washington, Sharon moved to Los Angeles in 1966 after earning a California Lifetime Teaching credential at U.C. Berkeley. She taught high-school History, English and Social Studies in L.A. for 11 years.

    Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses and lectures (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.
  • American Popular music was in the midst of an historic change in the mid-1950's. While many of the artists and songs central to this music revolution hailed from the American South, there was a significant contribution from California and specifically Los Angeles. Artists like Sam Cooke, Ritchie Valens, The Penguins, and The Coasters were breaking out of L.A., while many local record labels became national Rock & Roll mainstays. We will take a nostalgic romp through musical history as we identify the Los Angeles contribution to the early years of Rock & Roll and beyond.

    Tony Moon has spent 60 successful years in the music business. Beginning in 1960, he joined the L.A. group Dante and The Evergreens, which was managed and produced by Lou Adler and Herb Alpert. He later moved to Nashville becoming the guitarist and conductor for Brenda Lee. Tony also began playing on recording sessions and was Nashville's first rock independent music producer, working with five major labels. He scored several big hits for The Vogues, including "5 O' Clock World." Tony has won several awards as a songwriter and music publisher. His songs have been released by artists as diverse as Porter Wagoner, Willie Nelson, Vickie Carr, Pearl Jam, and The Beatles.

    He currently administers several Music Publishing Companies and a New York Entertainment Company.

    Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses and lectures (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.
  • The Environmental Defense Center is more than a law firm, representing grassroots charitable organizations to preserve what makes this such a special place to live, work and play. We work in the public interest and empower individuals and organizations to participate in efforts to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy this bounty, long after we are gone.
    Green & Blue: A Coastal Celebration, is the Environmental Defense Center’s biggest fundraiser of the year, taking place in the beautiful gardens at Rancho La Patera & Stow House in Goleta, CA. This event brings together around 500 guests from across the tri-county region. At Green & Blue, we celebrate the many accomplishments this organization has achieved over the years and raise critical funds to ensure EDC remains strong to protect this region for those who love it now and those who will follow in our footsteps. Green & Blue will have a silent auction packed full of unique items, an exciting live auction, a short program with Environmental Heroes, and delicious food and beverages. We look forward to celebrating together.
    Find out more at http://www.EnvironmentalDefenseCenter.org/gb/
  • Dr. Brian Moncelli from NASA/JPL will discuss the Mars Rover Perseverance and with its onboard instrumentation package SherLOC and Watson. These instruments will investigate past micro-bionic life and Martian geology. This will be an exciting and fact filled slide show/lecture! The meeting is in the Moorpark College Forum [Applied Arts Building] masks optional.

    This Family Friendly event is FREE and recommended for ages 12 and up.
  • Moorpark College, Oxnard College, Ventura College and Ventura College East Campus are holding free Cash 4 College workshops to help students apply for funds to help with college costs. Funds can be used for tuition, books, housing, transportation, childcare, computers and more.

    In-person workshops are scheduled for Feb. 11 and 25. The workshops are free and open to the community; anyone may attend a workshop on either date and can drop in at any time during the events.

    Bilingual financial aid staff will assist students in completing applications for the 2023-2024 school-year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Students can also access information about basic needs support (food, clothing and housing assistance), tutoring, academic counseling, mental health services and other student services.
    AB 469 now requires school districts to confirm seniors have completed the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application before graduating in 2023. Cash for College events can help students get ahead.
    For more information, visit vcccd.edu/cash4college.

    Moorpark College
    Feb. 11
    Feb. 25
    8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
    Fountain Hall Atrium
    7075 Campus Road, Moorpark

    For info: Contact the Moorpark College Financial Aid Office at (805) 378-1462 or mcfa@vcccd.edu.
  • Gems, minerals, jewelry, and fossils will be on display at the 60th Annual “Diamond Jubilee” Show of the Ventura Gem Show at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd, Ventura, 10 AM to 5 PM, Saturday, March 4, and 10 AM to 4 PM, Sunday, March 5. The show includes children’s activities, making it fun for the entire family. Admission is free. This annual show benefits the Ventura Gem and Mineral Society, a nonprofit educational organization encouraging interest in rocks, minerals, fossils, and jewelry-making via monthly lectures and workshops and presentations to schools throughout Ventura County. Funds from the show underwrite our annual $1,000 scholarship to a local college student and free educational outreach activities for local schools.
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