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Parasites are some of the most complex and misunderstood organisms on earth. By definition, they subsist by living off of another organism, and it has been said that a good parasite will not kill its host (until it no longer needs it). Parasites can have many different effects on their hosts and there is a parasite for most organisms. What are some of these effects? In this lecture, we will discuss the effect of parasites on humans, insects and other animals’ behaviors. Cases will be presented and discussed.

Paloma Vargas, PhD Biomedical Sciences (NYU Sackler) emphasis in parasitology, MS. Molecular Parasitology (NYU), and BS Biology (UT El Paso and EP Community College)

Dr. Vargas serves as the Dean of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at San Diego Mesa College. Dr. Vargas has over 10 years of teaching experience and over 15 years of experience in research. Her graduate and post-doctoral work focused on host-pathogen interactions of both parasitic amoeba (E. histolytica) and Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaire’s Disease.

Dr. Vargas is a published author, has served as a tenure-track faculty member, researcher, culturally relevant pedagogy facilitator, and higher education administrator. Dr. Vargas is an anti-racist in training, centers culturally relevant pedagogy in her teaching and is an active member of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Latinos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) and of the Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institute Educators (AHSIE).

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.

Ms. Goeckeritz performs, records, and tours as principal flutist with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. She has entertained audiences around the world with her expressive style, touring throughout the US and Europe. Her concerts feature a stunning blend of classic pieces and contemporary hits, along with piano accompaniment by award-winning composer, producer, and songwriter, Stephen Nelson.

Modern amusement parks like Disneyland and Universal Studios are icons of late 20th century popular culture, but the history of the "amusement park" stretches back centuries. In this lecture, we'll explore the evolution of public amusement in North America, from the earliest fairs and carnivals to the development of roller coasters and "themed" attractions, as we discover how the impulse for fun and escape deeply shapes the nation's history. (These lectures can be taken independently of each other.)

David Parsons, Ph.D., received his doctorate in History from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY). He is a professor and writer whose work focuses on the political, social, and cultural history of 20th century America. He has taught courses in U.S. history at CUNY and New York University, and hosts a long running weekly podcast on history and politics called The Nostalgia Trap. His book “Dangerous Grounds: Antiwar Coffeehouses and Military Dissent in the Vietnam Era” explores links between the civilian peace movement and the American military.

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 lecture will describe the influence Shakespeare has had through the centuries including the development of the English language, his contributions to what we think of as “the modern human,” and the importance of live theatre. Professor Arndt will discuss the founding and development of the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company and the challenge of staging a professional theatre production within a three-week production schedule. He will also discuss As You Like It and Macbeth, the two productions scheduled to be performed during summer 2022.

Michael J. Arndt (Kingsmen Shakespeare Company Artistic Director) is Chair of the Theatre Arts and Dance Department at Cal Lutheran. As a founding member of KSC, he directed 18 productions for the company, the most recent: Richard II-2019, Henry V-2016 and Measure for Measure-2015. He continues to develop and produce his play, Under Fire: Stories of Combat Veterans Across Generations and is co-writing a book about the arts as a healing force for combat veterans.

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 fourth annual Santa Barbara County Farm Day is set for Saturday, September 17. It's the once-a-year opportunity to "meet all the hands that feed you."

Visitors can use an online Farm Day Trail Map to build a custom itinerary to navigate between growers throughout the Santa Maria Valley. The public will experience a day of agricultural activities, farm tours, giveaways and onsite farmer's markets, plus hear from the local farmers who grow the food they eat.

Farm Day is free to attend. Tour stops range from farms with kid-friendly activities to wineries with complimentary wine tastings. Tour hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participating growers include Babé Farms, Bonipak Produce, Main Street Produce and Riverbench Vineyard & Winery (check the Farm Day website for a full list).

Santa Barbara County Farm Day is organized by the nonprofit Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG). SEEAG’s mission is to educate students and the greater community about the farm origins of our food and agriculture's contribution to our nutritional well-being. For more information, visit www.SantaBarbaraCountyFarmDay.com or call 805-901-0213. Also, mark your calendars for the 10th annual Ventura County Farm Day taking place on November 5.

Often described as either a genius or a lunatic, the visionary works of Antoni Gaudí have left an unmistakable imprint upon the architecture of Barcelona. His flamboyant designs executed during the Spanish Art Nouveau period of Modernisme came to characterize a city and its people through his use of brightly colored tiles and tactile materials, religious metaphors, and structural innovations in his architecture. This lecture will explore the exuberant inventiveness of Gaudí’s work in architectural and interior design, in the context of the urban and social forces that shaped Barcelona during the turn of the century.

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.

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.

Are you looking to jumpstart your career in the hospitality industry? Join us at the Santa Barbara South Coast Hospitality Career Fair and meet representatives from local businesses hiring for full and part-time employment. From hotels and restaurants to local attractions and outfitters, learn more about current job openings and meet potential employers in a relaxed, outdoor setting. We look forward to meeting you!

Studio Channel Islands (SCIART) will host an artist talk by Dr. Hui-shu Lee followed with an art demo performed by Victor Wang, on June 18, 2022, in conjunction with the event Echoes of Nature: Works by Contemporary Chinese Artists.

Dr. Hui-shu Lee will present at 1-2pm giving a lecture on pre-twentieth-century Chinese art history. Lee is a Chinese art historian with a doctorate degree from Yale University, her field of specialization is Chinese painting and visual culture in the pre-modern era, with a particular focus on gender issues. She also works extensively on representations of place, cultural mapping, and garden culture.

Later that day, artist Victor Wang will be hosting an art demo from 3-6pm about his approach to figurative painting using charcoal washes. Wang’s work has been shown internationally. The figures in his paintings serve as vehicles to convey the human experience, representing the emotional tension and psychological drama of life’s turning points.

Studio Channel Islands is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the arts in our community, providing unique and diverse artistic encounters for all ages and extraordinary opportunities for artists. Ongoing programs include open studios and arts education classes, diverse Blackboard Gallery exhibitions and performances, cultural festivals and Old Town Camarillo events. Gallery hours are Tues.–Fri., 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Located at 2222 E. Ventura Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93010. For more information, visit www.studiochannelislands.org, or call 805-383-1368.

Many wonder how one can reconcile faith with a world of suffering. On June 28th at 7:00 PM, a Buddhist monk, a rabbi, and an Episcopalian priest will talk about their approach to this very difficult theological issue, and you can listen in on this conversation either in person at the Church of Scientology in Ventura. The church is located at 2151 Alessandro Drive, Ventura, CA 93001.

Alternatively, you can view the discussion on Facebook by clicking on this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89234825634?pwd=TjhGRGtEZWVXeCtlY3VpUHpQVkpEQT09. A question and answer session will follow the presentations of these faith leaders.

For the Sake of Keeping

Hosted in partnership with the Central Coast Craftmakers, this exhibition explores fine craft artworks that are all a living attempts to preserve the artists most precious memories.