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From mid-November to January 1st, American Radio, TV, and most retail stores are loaded with Holiday music. It's in our ears 24/7! Songs are old, some are new, and all are from different decades, genres, and styles.

In this lecture we will discover the background stories of who wrote the ""standards"" and why so many artists have recorded them. We'll visit behind the scenes of their marketing success and sometimes failure. We will relive the music not played often anymore and discuss the reasons for their holiday disappearance. Lots of music and videos will make this a nostalgic winter time romp! Come join us as we jingle and jangle our way down Santa Claus Lane humming a happy holiday tune!

This lecture is part of the FABulous Fall Lecture Series.

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

Putin's propaganda machine was first put in place already in the first year of Putin's presidency and has had a significant impact on what many Russians think, believe, and do. In this talk, we'll explore how the propaganda machine in Russia works, what its key instruments are, how it impacts people subjected to it, and why it has been so successful. We’ll also consider the question of whether there's similar propaganda in the US, and if so, how to avoid becoming its victim.

This lecture is part of the FABulous Fall Lecture Series and takes place online via Zoom.

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

In the 1960s, the baby boomers came of age, and unlike earlier generations, they rejected the norms of their parents. In this lecture, we explore how this generation gap played out in Los Angeles. Highlights include the Watts Riots in 1965, the Sunset Strip curfew riots in 1966, and the Century City anti-Vietnam War march in 1967. We also look at LA’s mod fashion styles, the Hippie movement, and movies, including “The Graduate” and “Easy Rider,” which broke conventions and ushered in a new Hollywood era.

This lecture is part of the FABulous Fall Lecture Series and takes place online via Zoom.

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

Join retired LAPD homicide detective and university professor Pedro Fernandez for a fascinating journey into the world of homicide investigations. This engaging lecture will demystify how detectives solve murders—from the first call at the crime scene to the final courtroom testimony. Learn about real investigative techniques, the role of forensic science, and how motive, means, and opportunity guide every case. With stories drawn from decades of experience, this talk offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs of bringing justice to victims and their families. Perfect for curious minds and lovers of true crime!

This lecture is part of the FABulous Fall Lecture Series and takes place online via Zoom and in-person at the Thousand Oaks campus.

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

Every city has a particular feel about it, defined by its architecture, demographics, geography, climate, and the people and cultures that have shaped the city from its founding to its current status. From historical to contemporary structures, this two-part lecture will explore the iconic structures that identify various American cities and how they came to be. A variety of architectural styles are discussed, as well as the sociopolitical context in which these buildings were created.

Our nation’s capital, Washington DC, hosts a plethora of neoclassical architectural styles in keeping with our visual and philosophical connection to ancient Greece and Rome. Other architectural styles found in the city include Gothic Revival, Beaux Arts, and New Formalism. Additionally, we will discuss the monuments and memorials that grace the environs of Washington DC, from the Lincoln Memorial to the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial.

New Orleans, nicknamed “The Big Easy” because of its laid-back, slow-paced lifestyle and vibrant, easy-going music scene, is a melding of Spanish, French, and Afro-Caribbean influences. As the city grew, a unique tapestry of architectural styles were shaped by its climate and multicultural inspirations, including French Colonial, Spanish Colonial, Neoclassical, and vernacular styles. Also famed for its French Quarter and Mardi Gras, New Orleans is notable for its distinctive range of building styles, from elegant mansions to elaborate cemeteries.

This two-part lecture is part of the FABulous Fall Lecture Series and takes place online via Zoom and in-person at the Thousand Oaks campus.

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

Medicine and race have been linked since time immemorial. Over the past 100-150 years, records have been maintained recording health disparities between white and non-white individuals, and the impact of race on access to medical care. Most recently, the CoVID-19 pandemic highlighted disparities in access to health care, treatment, and outcomes. In Part I of this lecture (Dec 24), we reviewed examples of the impact of race on medical treatment and discussed well-known cases that have impacted medicine and the medical field in the United States and abroad. Part II will briefly review information covered in Part I and will expand on this topic to provide additional examples and include the impact of social determinants of health on communities of color, including economic stability, access to and qualify of education, healthcare quality and access, neighborhood and environment, and social and community context.

This lecture is part of the FABulous Fall Lecture Series and takes place online via Zoom.

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

During World War II, the United States incarcerated over one hundred thousand people of Japanese descent. Many of these were imprisoned within California and many of them were citizens. Though the United States has acknowledged this history and even apologized to Japanese Americans for it, it’s still a topic that we rarely examine and discuss. This two-part lecture will spend time understanding the history of these camps, daily life there, and their perceived role in the war effort. In doing so, it will dive deep into an uncomfortable time, and yet a time that holds many lessons for this country and its future.

This two-part lecture is part of the FABulous Fall Lecture Series and takes place both online via Zoom and in-person at the Thousand Oaks campus.

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

Every year, the number of homeless Americans rises: In 2023, 653,000 slept on the streets or in emergency beds provided by nonprofit/government services. Yet every year, we increase funding and resources for this population. Why, then, do we have such an ever-worsening epidemic? What can we, as concerned Americans, and our leaders do to stem the tide?

This two part series will include: A brief history of the homeless, from the “hobos” of the Great Depression through the rise of homelessness in the 70s to today’s tipping point; a look at the two chief but conflicting policy approaches to the problem: Treatment First under the Bush Administration to Housing First since the Obama years; and a framework for weighing two very real competing concerns: Civil liberties---do the homeless have a “right” to remain homeless?---versus the public safety and health of all citizens.

This two-part lecture is part of the FABulous Fall Lecture Series and takes place virtually on Zoom.

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

Escape to our Halloween themed "Pumpkin Garden Cat " PaintNite event hosted in the laid-back surf vibe of Rincon Brewing!

Join us for an evening of vibrant creativity as we paint this eye-catching scene featuring wild flowers surrounding a black cat on a pumpkin. This bold, holiday themed composition captures the perfect view of an innocent black cat waiting for the pumpkin carving fun. This will add the feeling of Halloween to any wall in your house.

Our energetic instructor will guide you through creating this head-turning masterpiece, sharing simple techniques to achieve the perfect color gradient background, night scape and those beautiful wildflowers around the adorable kitten. You'll be amazed at how quickly this Instagram-worthy painting comes together—no artistic experience required!

Your ticket includes:

All painting supplies (canvas, paints, brushes)
Step-by-step fun instruction
Your completed artwork to take home
This painting is perfect for flower lovers, nature enthusiasts, and anyone looking to add a pop of color to their home or office. The techniques are straightforward while the results are absolutely spectacular!

Whether you're planning a night out with friends, a unique date, or simply treating yourself to some creative "me time," this event perfectly pairs artistic expression with Rincon Brewing's relaxed coastal atmosphere and exceptional craft beers.

Limited spaces available to ensure personalized attention. Reserve your spot today and get ready to paint yourself into a tropical state of mind!

Craft beers and food available for purchase throughout the event.

You may reschedule or cancel tickets up to 8 hours before the event starts. Read our reschedule policy here.

Join Friends of California Condors Wild and Free for a captivating screening of “The Condor’s
Shadow,” a one hour film by Mr. Jeff McLoughlin, exploring the remarkable journey of the critically
endangered California Condor! The documentary follows biologist Mr. Joseph Brandt into the historic
nesting habitat of this iconic bird located in Ventura County. After the film there will be a Q&A with Mr.
Brandt. Our guest will speak to the public after the film viewing in the Topping Room at the Ventura
Public Library located at 651 E. Main St. from 2:00 to 3:30 pm on Sunday, October 19, 2025.
After graduating from the University of Oregon in 2004, Joseph Brandt found his way to the California
Condor Recovery Program in 2005, working as a volunteer intern for the Hopper Mountain National
Wildlife Refuge Complex. After a season of working with Magellanic Penguins in Southern Chile, he
returned to the condor program to work as a condor nesting biologist along the Big Sur coast with the
Ventana Wildlife Society. There he documented the first condor nest in over 100 years in Monterey
County and the first ever in a coastal redwood tree.
In 2007, he began his career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service again working with the California
Condor Recovery Program at the Hopper Mountain Complex. In 2009, he became the supervisory
wildlife biologist for the condor program and he led the effort to release condors in the Transverse
range, Tehachapi Mountains, and Southern Sierras for the next 10 years - more than quadrupling the
wild population of condors in Southern California!
In 2019, he changed roles with USFWS and started at the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office working on
section 7 consultations and incidental take permitting. In 2023, he was promoted to assistant field
supervisor of the Central Coast Division of the Ventura Field Office, where he now leads a team of
biologists who consult on a variety of endangered species, including condors, primarily in Santa
Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties and the Los Padres National Forest.
The California condor was listed as an endangered species in 1967. In 1987 California
Condors were on the verge of extinction with only 27 alive, as the last free flying condor, AC9,
was taken from the wild. In 1992, the USFWS began reintroducing captive-bred condors to the
wild to reestablish the population. Today, there are over 560 birds with over half of them flying
free in the wild in various populations including California, Arizona, and Baja Mexico. The
California Condor is a resident of the local area and can be found in the mountains behind
Ojai, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru, and Santa Barbara.
The Recovery Program is currently focusing its efforts on the captive breeding and reintroduction of
California condors to the wild in the hopes of establishing a self sustaining population of two
geographically separate populations, one in California and the other in Arizona, each with 150 birds
and at least 15 breeding pairs.
Friends of California Condors Wild and Free is a nonprofit 501c3 all volunteer organization,
that has the mission to enhance public awareness of the endangered California Condor and to
ensure that they are protected, healthy, and free.
Come learn about the endangered California Condor, North America’s largest land