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This exhibition will feature several works made throughout the artist’s career as sort of a mid-career retrospective. Adam Parker Smith has a unique ability to address complex themes in a whimsical, light-hearted way that makes his work incredibly accessible.

Adam Parker Smith is a sculpture and installation artist. He attended the University of California at Santa Cruz (BA Painting, 2000), the Tyler School of Art at Temple University (MFA Painting, 2003), and the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture (2008).

Learn about International Bird Rescue's origin and history of oil spill response and wildlife rescue. Today, in addition to operating two full-time wildlife hospitals and responding to waterbird crises around the world, Bird Rescue aims to give a voice to waterbirds through conservation, advocacy, and wildlife literacy that builds empathy and encourages action.

Bio:
Angie Trumbo started with International Bird Rescue as a volunteer back in 2016. She currently works as the Conservation & Education Specialist to further Bird Rescue’s goal to be a voice for birds in a changing world and engage followers through wildlife literacy campaigns and education programs. Angie is working towards a Master’s degree in Biology through Miami University’s Project Dragonfly. She gears her coursework toward promoting avian conservation by building connections between people and birds and has taken her studies to Mexico, Peru, and Costa Rica.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

Relations between the United States and Russia have been at the center of Global Affairs for most of the past century, continuing to today. From 1946-1991, the struggle dubbed “The Cold War '' reached its apex, with thousands of nuclear tipped missiles and bombs on each side, a small percentage of which would have caused worldwide devastation. The course focuses on the political, technological, military, economic and cultural elements of this historic struggle, as well as the period’s key decision makers. It begins with a brief review of events before 1946, as well as those through present time.

Bio:
From his childhood in a Lithuanian refugee family, Linas J. Kojelis, rose to positions in Washington D.C. including Special Assistant the President (OPL/Defense and Foreign Policy) at the White House and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, as well as service in the U.S. Senate, Pentagon and U.S. Naval Reserve (Lieutenant/Naval Intelligence). Later, he founded and headed the U.S.- Baltic Foundation. His articles on Soviet affairs have been published in the Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times. Later, he headed Kojelis & Company consulting in Vilnius, Lithuania for five years. He received his B.A. in History (highest departmental honors) from U.C.L.A., and a M.P.A. (International Relations) from Princeton University. He lives with his wife in Simi Valley, and his interests include cinema, travel, art and historic preservation.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

The art movement dubbed Regionalism, which primarily existed in the American Midwest and South, began with the Great Depression and ended with World War II. Its artists rejected European modernism, industrialization, and cities. Instead, they depicted traditional rural life, hoping to recover (or invent) a dignified American identity during an economically and socially trying period. This lecture explores the work and influence of the American Regionalist artists, including Thomas Hart Benton, Grant Wood, John Steuart Curry, and Alexandre Hogue. Their lives and work are documented within the context of the social and political issues they faced, as they left their unmistakable imprints upon 20th century art.

Bio:
Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator, lecturer, and author. She lectures worldwide on art and architectural history, and 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.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

Transformed by King Louis XIV from a hunting lodge into one of the most spectacular examples A rock pioneer? Absolutely! The first of the singing Guitar Gods? You bet! An early hit songwriter? Of course! But despite all of the above, Chuck Berry's life and career was much different from his counterparts: Elvis, Fats Domino, Little Richard, & Buddy Holly. This two-part lecture will examine his music, songwriting, guitar playing, attitude, lifestyle and much more!

John Lennon once said: "If you tried to give Rock & Roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry." Bruce Springsteen also added, "He was Rock's greatest practitioner, guitarist, and the greatest Rock & Roll writer who ever lived!" Come join us and learn why Chuck Berry mattered - REALLY mattered! As always, each lecture is independent of the other; and don't forget to bring your Rock & Roll shoes!

Bio:
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.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

As the story goes: from 1960 to 1963 in a Yale basement, psychology researcher Stanley Milgram conducted an experiment on obedience that gave evidence to the idea of 'The Banality of Evil'. Normal citizens were apparently willing to shock other citizens when asked by authority. However, like many dramatic stories, important details have been left out. Milgram conducted 24 different experiments focused on different levels of obedience. Recent research and investigations by other psychology researchers such as Gina Perry reveal that the famous ‘Milgram’ experiments cited in every General Psychology classroom and documentary on obedience, may not be as Milgram actually reported. Come learn how obedient everyday people apparently were in the 1960s and how new research is challenging our view of these shocking set of experiments.

Bio:
Wesley Tierney, M.S., is currently a PhD candidate in Neuroscience at Arizona State University. He studies the mechanisms of Herpes Simplex Virus infection of neurons. He has worked in various research labs for seven years ranging from social psychology, entomology, regenerative medicine, virology, and neuroscience.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

The Ashcan School was an artistic movement known for portraying the grittiness and realism of early twentieth century New York City. In this lecture, we explore the maverick group of artists who worked in this style; including Robert Henri, John Sloan, Everett Shinn, George Bellows. Some used the dirty streets of the city as a backdrop to the portrayal of the working class, while others painted images of working class diversions such as nightclubs, circuses, boxing matches, and trips to the beach. These were not topics considered to be appropriate subjects for high art at the time, and for this reason the historian Holger Cahill coined the term “Ashcan School,” as a tongue-in-cheek reference to other schools of art. Our discussion includes the social-political backdrop in which these artists emerged and their populist views towards the art world.

Bio:
Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator, lecturer, and author. She lectures worldwide on art and architectural history, and 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.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

Almost one-third of the world’s population views themselves as Christians. Approximately a quarter identify as Muslims. Fifteen percent practice Hinduism. Six percent practice Buddhism, and approximately a fifth of a percent practice Judaism. Together, these religions account for over three-quarters of the world; a huge majority of the earth’s population see themselves as religious. Nevertheless, all of these religions are incredibly different and produce divergent worldviews. By contrast, 15% of the world identifies as nonreligious.

This two-part lecture will focus on two of the earliest religions: Judaism and Hinduism. It is rare for these two religious to ever be mentioned together. Yet both began prior to the first millennia BCE. How were they similar at that time? How have they changed? In these lectures, we will examine each religion's origin, beliefs, and worldview and discuss how they differ from other religions.

Bio:
Jason Hensley, PhD (Holocaust and Genocide Studies), Dmin (Biblical Studies), 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 higher-education ambassador for the Council on Foreign Relations, and the award-winning author of 12 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.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

From vocal groups in the 1940s like The Mills Bros. and The Ink Spots, rhythm & blues, as well as gospel music, developed into a new style of music called doo wop. The use of non-sense syllables sung by background singers (such as shoo bee doo wop bah dah), the use of a falsetto voice above the melody, and a pronounced bass voice became the basis of this genre. This two-part lecture traces the development of doo wop throughout the 1950s and 1960s with The Ravens and The Spaniels, Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers, The Cadillacs, Dion and the Belmonts, The Penguins, and The Skyliners. We will also look at influential disc jockeys and record promoters who made the sounds mainstream - sounds which now bring back memories of a time when life was not so complex and the emphasis was on good times, simplicity and romance.

Bio:
Marv Rosenberg is one of the original members of the group The Safaris and the writer of their million selling top hit record from 1960 called “Image of a Girl." After 50 years of performing doo wop oldies with various doo wop groups all over the country (including locally at the Fred Kavil Theatre in Thousand Oaks, the Greek Theatre, and the Hollywood Bowl), Marv was once on the Board of Directors of Cash Magazine and The California Chairman of the National Music Foundation whose goal was to build a retirement home for hit artists. Dick Clark gave Marv an office in his suite of offices to run the Foundation. Over the last 5 years, Marv has had several online doo wop and oldies shows for “RememberthenRadio.com" called “Goodies About Oldies” and currently, “The Anatomy of a Hit.” Marv has a PhD. In psychology from St. John’s College in London and has worked for Kaiser Permanente Hospitals for 24 years.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

A former Beaux-Arts train station, the Musée d'Orsay was opened as a museum in 1986. Featuring mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1914, it holds the largest collection of Impressionist paintings by Monet, Manet, Pissarro, Morisot, and Renoir. In this two-part lecture, we explore the history of the building and the collection, as well as the major highlights of the 3000 art pieces on display.

Bio:
Katherine E. Zoraster is an Art Historian and a Professor of Art History at several local colleges specializing in Western art from the Renaissance to the 20th century. She graduated with a double major in English Literature and Art History from the University of California, Los Angeles. Following her undergraduate degree, she received a Master’s Degree with Distinction in Art History from the California State University at Northridge.
In addition to the courses Katherine teaches for other lifelong learning programs, she also works as an Art History Instructor for the full-time program at the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Arts. Katherine also serves as a commissioner for the Burbank Cultural Arts Commission and volunteers at the Burbank Animal Shelter. In her free time, Katherine is an avid runner and travels extensively.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.