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Now that the JWST has completed its commissioning phase and is operational, we will take a look at some of the first sets of data that have been released from some of Webb’s initial observations of nebulas, Jupiter, stars, stellar nurseries and exoplanets. A brief overview of the history of the JWST conception, development, flight and deployment will also be included, as well as time for Q&A, in this one hour lecture.

Christopher Mick is the Executive Director for the STEM educational nonprofit, Space St. Croix, which brings free Space-themed STEM programming and teacher support materials to all Hudson, Wisconsin area schools, as well as The YMCA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and home-school programs at the Hudson Area Public Library. Christopher is a NASA Solar System Ambassador, OSIRIS-Rex Ambassador, member of the NASA Museum & Informal Education Alliance and was recently on the Education Advisory Board for Infiniscope as well as a blogger for the Space Science Institute.

Christopher is a member of the Planetary Society, the National Space Society, is a NASA Social Alum, and has been a presenter at the Space Exploration Educators Conference at Space Center Houston, in Houston, TX.

He lives in Hudson, WI.

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.

Although one of the leading figures in the Impressionist movement, the art of Edgar Degas looks a little different than the art of Monet and Renoir. More emotional and set indoors, Degas’ paintings have a psychological element in their scenes of contemporary life. From ballet dancers, to laundresses, to horse races, today’s lecture will look at his unique body of work.

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 Adjunct Professor of Art History at Moorpark College and 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.

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.

Join us for a policy talk and a discussion with Juan Ponce, patrol supervisor for the Ventura County Sheriff's Department and adjunct professor in the MPPA program at Cal Lutheran's School of Management.

Ponce is a Ventura County native who earned his master’s degree in public administration from Cal Lutheran in 1999. He is an authority commissioner representing the city of Moorpark. In August of 2022, he was selected by the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce as the Public Servant of the Year.

His many years of experience in undercover narcotics, felony crimes and jail watch, his lifetime membership in the California Narcotic Officer's Association, and his seven years of teaching experience demonstrate his expertise in building better community and police relations. His upcoming policy talk will be a great opportunity for people interested in public administration or law enforcement to learn from an expert. Come share your ideas and leave with some new insights.

The term “Jewish film” is widely utilized today. A common usage appears in the many Jewish film festivals held annually in most American cities and in contemporary film literature. Yet the term itself is ambiguous and is rather difficult to define. Is a Jewish film one that features Jewish actors or is made by a Jewish director? Is it one that deals with Jewish history, culture, or themes? Is an Israeli film a Jewish film? Or is it a film that appeals primarily to Jewish audiences? Some critics suggest that a film is a Jewish film if it answers one or even a few of the above criteria. It is arguably more useful to ask if a film deals with one or more aspects of Jewish identity to determine if it can be considered a Jewish film. Themes common in movies considered to be Jewish films include exploration of the immigrant experience, self-creation, and challenges of assimilation – all critical aspects of identity construction. This lecture will explore the emergence and development of Jewish films in America over the last 100 years. We will explore the role these films have played in American culture, particularly in regards to identity formation and boundary definition for American Jews.

Cliff Wilcox, PhD, 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.

The Dead Sea Scrolls have revolutionized understandings of Hellenistic Judaism, the Hebrew Bible, and the time period of Jesus. But why? Why do they matter? How were they discovered? Who wrote them? This two-part lecture will consider where these writings originated and why, as writings of a small Dead Sea community, they have made such a major impact on scholarship.

Jason Hensley, PhD, 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.

As one saying goes, “The mind is what the brain does,” meaning that when we think, remember, move, dream, feel, etc., our brain (and wider nervous system) has something to do with it. So, what happens when that vital body system starts to fall apart? Why is it that an otherwise healthy leg cannot move during paralysis? Why is it hard for a person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease to remember what happened yesterday but to have no problem remembering grade school? Why do individuals with Ataxia or Parkinson’s shake, and why do the bodies of people with ALS slowly degenerate? During this lecture we will learn about some of the most life altering neurodegenerative disorders, what happens to the nervous system, and explore new therapeutics for these disorders.

Wesley Tierney 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.

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.

It’s the time of year for singing Christmas carols but most people don’t know the true stories behind the holiday’s most enduring songs. For example, “Jingle Bells” was actually first sung at Thanksgiving and had nothing to do with Christmas. We’ll look at the fascinating stories behind many of our most beloved Christmas songs, both traditional and secular, and the people who wrote them.

Cary Ginell is a Grammy-nominated writer and author of 12 books on American music. After a 30-year career in radio, he has spent the last 20 years as a public speaker, talking about music in classrooms, at conferences, and on cruise ships. Cary brings a lifelong passion for the recording industry to his work and is one of the world’s foremost authorities on his specialty, western swing. Cary previously served as President of the Association for Recorded Sound Collections, an international organization of music scholars and world-renowned institutions. He holds a master’s degree in Folklore from UCLA and a bachelor’s in Radio/TV/Film from Cal State University Northridge.

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.

Join Trekking Ambassadors for their 5k Fun-draising Trail run-hike on November 5th, 2022 to support local Santa Barbara Organizations on their mission to deliver critically needed solar lights and reading eyeglasses to remote villagers in the Mount Everest region!

This 5k trail run-hike is set in the beautiful foothills of Santa Barbara following the San Antonio Creek Trail which meanders up a fast, well shaded trail for a big portion of the course. Great for first timers and fun for those with experience that want to challenge their PR on a 5k.

Proceeds from this “FUN-draiser” event will benefit Santa Barbara Wellness Center, Unite to Light, Santa Barbara Waldorf School and the adventure hiking team. There will be a raffle for gift baskets; gift certificates for sport equipment and excursions; gourmet foods; luxury items and more. There will also be chair massages, a giant chocolate chip cookie bake sale and body composition/antioxidant readings.

To learn more and register for this fundraising event, please visit: https://trekkingambassadors.com/events


Date: November 5th, 2022
Time: 11am - 3pm PST
Price: From $45.00
Register Link: https://www.active.com/santa-barbara-ca/running/races/trekking-ambassadors-5k-fun-draising-trail-run-hike-2022

Piano faculty member Eric Kinsley will present an eclectic repertoire of chamber music with guest musician Caitlin Boruch on flute and other special guests.

Admission is free. Donations will be accepted. For information, call the Music Department at 805-493-3306 or visit CalLutheran.edu/music.

Sheridan Wigginton, PhD, and McNair Scholar Melissa Romero will discuss how Dominicans, Dominican-Americans and Dominican culture are taught to university students learning Spanish. This virtual presentation will pay special attention to how the books adhere to the cultural standards established by ACTFL.

The presentation is part of Wigginton’s 2021-22 research as a Fellow at the Dominican Studies Institute at the City University of New York.

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required by 5 p.m. Oct. 12. Register at https://bit.ly/3cboTY8. Participants will receive a confirmation email and the Zoom link prior to the event.

This event is sponsored by the Department of Languages and Cultures, the City University of New York Dominican Studies Institute and the Afro/Latin-American Research Association.
For more information, contact Marisol Rodríguez, Department of Languages and Cultures assistant, at marisolrodriguez@CalLutheran.edu.