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With its origins in the late 19th century, ragtime burst onto the American scene and quickly became the first uniquely American musical style. Its influence affected early jazz, blues, country, and even European classical music with its infectious syncopation and melodic ingenuity. In this lecture, you will hear about the roots of ragtime: how it developed from 19th century marches, cakewalks from slavery days, and its origins in the saloons and juke joints of the American Midwest. In addition to learning about the lives of ragtime greats like Scott Joplin, we’ll hear examples of rags and their effect on popular music in the early 20th century, played on instruments such as piano, banjo, mandolin, and even full orchestras.

Cary Ginell is a music historian and leader of the Sedalia Ragtime Orchestra, a group that keeps alive the sounds of vintage as well as contemporary ragtime music. Additionally, Cary is a Grammy-nominated writer and author of 12 books on American music.

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.

It is during the time period of the Middle Ages in which Paris transformed from a small provincial city into an important commercial and religious center and the seat of the royal administration of the country. The Île de la Cité became the site of the royal palace and the new cathedral of Notre-Dame, begun in 1163. In the late 1100s, the collection of colleges on the Left Bank became one of the first and leading universities in Europe, while the Right Bank, where ports, central markets, artisans and merchants were located, became the commercial center of the city. Paris became a center for the creation of illuminated manuscripts and the birthplace of Gothic architecture. Despite civil wars, the plague, and foreign occupation, Paris became the most populous city in the Western world during the Medieval time period. This two-part lecture will focus on the development of art and architecture of the Middle Ages as centered and still visible in Paris.

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.


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.

Today, when we think of the United Kingdom, we presume England and gloss over Scotland, especially when considering art. Glasgow, Scotland was a growing industrial city in the 1880s and through that growth produced a group of artists whose rebellious natures catapulted the art world into Modernism.

Many of the artist’s names are unfamiliar but the styles and design elements that were created by their innovations will be recognizable. Curious about who married the Macdonald sisters and were known as “The Four”? Who participated and created suffragette banners?

Discover the Glasgow Boys and Girls who pushed through and ahead of the existing, stale academy mindset and became the catalysts for a barrage of contemporary artistic movements in the 20th century, whose sphere of influence remains with us today.

Christine Maasdam holds a Master in Humanities and a B.A. in Cultural Geography. Her art studies include The Courtauld Institute of Art in London, The Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center in D.C. and Post Graduate studies in Antiquities Trafficking and Art Crime at the University of Glasgow.

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.

The Classic Blues style was recorded, defined and spread during the 1920-30s by its two foremost proponents, singers and songwriters Bessie Smith, “The Empress of the Blues” and Ma Rainey, “The Mother of the Blues.” They shaped an expressive, lusty, sobbing, growling ‘opera of the vernacular,’ inscribing their distinctive voices onto America’s musical culture.

This two-part lecture explores the life and times of several extraordinary blues divas including the first woman to sell a million blues records, Mamie Smith, the bawdy Creole chanteuse, Lizzie Miles and cross-dressing singer/pianist, Gladys Bentley. Each lecture features a dozen or more video and film clips including Bessie’s 1929 collaboration with composer W.C. Handy in the landmark movie-with-sound, “The Saint Louis Blues.”

During the last four decades Dave Radlauer has been telling tales of early Jazz, Blues and Swing on the radio, garnering six broadcast awards and authoring 200 articles for online and print publications. For Stanford Libraries, he’s written interpretive online text and donated a large collection of unique music and photos. He teaches lifelong learning courses at UCLA, UC Berkeley, San Francisco State and Dominican University.

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.

On February 24, 2022, Russian troops launched a massive full-scale invasion of the Ukraine setting in motion the largest military conflict in Europe since the Second World War. Thousands have been killed and the fighting has displaced more than a quarter of Ukraine’s pre-war population. Although the West rallied to defend the Ukraine, the protracted conflict has strained the Western Alliance and threatens to undermine the world order The United States and its Allies fostered during what Time publisher Henry Luce called “The American Century.” This lecture will explore the core diplomatic, military, and political events that shaped over a century of United States foreign policy and offers insights on how to think about and understand the current crisis in U.S.-European relations.

David Livingstone received BA and MA degrees in History from California State University, Northridge and a PhD in Modern European History from the University of California, San Diego. He has taught at California Lutheran University, Moorpark College, and the United States Naval War College. He specializes in European political, diplomatic and military history with an emphasis on modern Germany.

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.

Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS affect millions, with limited treatment options. But what if we could repair or even replace damaged brain cells? In this lecture, we’ll explore the science of stem cells and their potential to revolutionize the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Learn how stem cells work, the latest breakthroughs in research, and the challenges of translating discoveries into real-world therapies. We’ll also discuss ethical concerns, clinical trials, and the future of regenerative medicine. This lecture will provide a clear understanding of how stem cell technology is shaping the future of brain health and aging.

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.

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.

Dorothea Lange produced an astonishing body of photographic work in a career that lasted from the 1920s, when she ran the most successful portrait studio in San Francisco, to her death in 1965. Best known for her Depression-era documentary work—including the world-renowned “Migrant Mother”—Lange brought the humanity of the poor into sharp focus.

Avril Angevine is an arts aficionado, teacher, and presenter with an interest in all things California. She has lived in the state since the age of 8 and is a proud graduate of California public schools, including the University of California, Berkeley. As an undergrad at UCLA and Berkeley, she studied English, several foreign languages, and art, and received an MA in Comparative Literature from UCB in 1977. Over a long career, she has alternated between teaching and publications work. She has taught English, French, and Humanities at numerous local colleges and universities, public and private, and in between, worked as a freelance graphics designer and as art director of the State Coastal Conservancy’s magazine, Coast and Ocean.


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, these lectures 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.


San Francisco, the City by the Bay: From the establishment of the Presidio and Mission Dolores by Spanish missionaries to the growth of the city brought about by the Gold Rush, San Francisco boasts beautiful Victorian mansions, luxurious hotels, and many fascinating and historic structures such as the Palace of Fine Arts, Coit Tower, and Alcatraz Prison.


New York, The Big Apple: From its establishment by Dutch settlers to its modern skyscrapers, New York is a study in architectural styles. In America’s Gilded Age of the late 19th century, New York was a center of booming industry, reflected in the elegant mansions of the wealthy industrialists. Inspirational churches, sophisticated hotels, and noteworthy museums add to the cachet of this celebrated city.


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.

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.

As the founding document of this country, the Declaration of Independence holds a position in American history that is nearly unrivaled. However, how many people could explain the declaration? How many could quote it, beyond the first few lines regarding “Life, Liberty, & the pursuit of happiness”? But, more than just quoting the document, how many could explain what it meant? This series of lectures will delve into the text and will discuss, in the context of the late 1700s, what the document meant to its signers and what it means to American citizens today.

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.

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.

Since 1996, The Garden Tour – created and still run by a passionate team of volunteers – is one of Camarillo’s signature events! Now celebrating its 27th year, this unforgettable afternoon promises a perfect blend of beauty, creativity, and community.

Explore five stunning gardens, shop in a delightful boutique, try your luck at a raffle with amazing prizes, enjoy live music, and savor delicious refreshments.

Best of all, every dollar raised goes directly to supporting our most vulnerable neighbors – parents, grandparents, children, and friends. Your participation helps provide essential care, comfort, counseling, and education to those facing life-limiting illnesses or grieving the loss of a loved one. Join us for a day of fun and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most!