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Join Creating 805 and Julia Mayer, Co-Owner and Founder of Dune Coffee Roasters, for a conversation around creativity and entrepreneurship.

The Creating 805 speaker series takes place on second Fridays at THE SANDBOX Goleta, and third Fridays at THE SANDBOX Paso Robles. Each event highlights the tales, insights, and lessons from a Central Coast entrepreneur's small business journey. Events are donation based and open to the public.

About Dune Coffee Roasters:
Dune Coffee Roasters was founded in 2009 in Santa Barbara. They have four locations in Santa Barbara County, and a full scale coffee roastery located in downtown Santa Barbara. Dune has worked tirelessly over the last decade to develop long lasting partnerships and friendships within the global coffee community. For Dune, sustainability means that everyone involved in their coffee earns a good living, starting with the coffee producers. They believe that coffee should be accessible, approachable, and fun.

About Julia:
Julia Mayer is the Co-Owner and Founder of Dune Coffee Roasters in Santa Barbara. Coffee shops are the connective tissue in any community, and nurturing that is Julia's full time job. Finding ways to do better and be better as a company and as a community member is her mission. She is a mom to two children, and she works hard to show them how radical community care can be.

Event Timeline:
8:30-9am | Connect + collaborate with local business owners, entrepreneurs, and creatives. Coffee by Dune Coffee Roasters.
9-10am | Live interview, audience Q&A.

COVID-19 Safety:
Masks will be required for unvaccinated attendees and encouraged for vaccinated attendees. Disposable masks will be available at the check in table upon arrival.

This event would not be possible without the support of our sponsors: THE SANDBOX Goleta, Dune Coffee Roasters.

Join Creating 805 and Jack Dyer, Founder and CEO at Topa Topa, for a conversation around creativity and entrepreneurship.

The Creating 805 speaker series takes place on second Fridays at THE SANDBOX Goleta, and third Fridays at THE SANDBOX Paso Robles. Each event highlights the tales, insights, and lessons from a Central Coast entrepreneur's small business journey. Events are donation based and open to the public.

About Topa Topa:
Born from a strong desire to produce a high quality, tangible product, Founder/CEO Jack Dyer, along with Brewmaster/COO (and Co-Founder) Casey Harris founded Topa Topa Brewing Co. in 2015. Built on the core values of quality, craftsmanship, and community spirit, Topa Topa Brewing Co. works hard everyday to create a high quality product served up with a smile. Topa Topa Brewing Company is nestled in the shadows of the Topa Topa Mountains, in the seaside town of Ventura, CA. Just off the 101, 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles, and down the hill from Ojai, Topa Topa is surrounded by all that inspires us: amazing friends, farms, mountains, and some awesome surf.

About Jack:
Jack founded Topa Topa along with Brewmaster Casey Harris with a goal of creating something (beer) that he could build a community around and use as a cause for good. After 16 years in direct sales and management positions in higher education, Jack decided to pursue his passion for good vibes and great beer. Managing Topa’s growth over the last 6+ years, Jack helped take the company from 4 total employees with one location to over 80+ with 5 locations and a wholesale distribution network. If you don’t see Jack at one of our taprooms with a pint in hand, you can likely find him enjoying our fabulous region on any network of trails or in the ocean surfing, bodysurfing, or sailing!

Event Timeline:
8:30-9am | Connect + collaborate with local business owners, entrepreneurs, and creatives. Coffee by Dune Coffee Roasters.
9-10am | Live interview, audience Q&A.

COVID-19 Safety:
Masks will be required for unvaccinated attendees and encouraged for vaccinated attendees. Disposable masks will be available at the check in table upon arrival.

This event would not be possible without the support of our sponsors: THE SANDBOX Goleta, Dune Coffee Roasters.

The Baroque art style in Italy emerges as part of the Catholic Counter-Reformation's effort to reinspire the faithful back to the Church. Understanding the power of art, the Church began to commission grand scale works of art to communicate directly with the public. Dramatic and theatrical, these works strove to entertain and inspire while also engaging the viewer. Three of the most distinct artists of this time and region are Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Michelangelo Caravaggio and Artemisia Gentileschi. Along with some other contemporaries, this class will give an overview of the development of their distinctive style.

Katherine E. Zoraster, M.A., 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 (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.

Climate change is complex, contentious at times, and one of the most defining environmental issues of the 21st century. The broad scope of this subject, as well as prevalent disinformation, can make it complicated to separate fact from fiction. The goal of this six-week course is to present the audience with not only the most accurate scientific information, but also an explanation of how these principles come together using real-word examples and predictive computer models.
We will define climate change in relation to global warming concepts, discuss natural and human-driven causes, underlying theories and physico-chemical concepts, the possible effects of change on the global climate, economic implications, and review climate change policies and the implementation of related directives. Moreover, this course will review intractable political challenges and possible investments needed to study—and tackle—this growing issue over the next few decades. Weekly topics will be defined and presented in an interactive and engaging format that includes diagrams, model generated images, videos, and thought-provoking questions for audience members to ponder and explore.

Grady Hanrahan is a Professor of Chemistry at California Lutheran University (CLU).
He received his Ph.D. in Environmental Analytical Chemistry from the University of Plymouth, England. With experience in directing undergraduate and graduate research, he has taught at California State University, Los Angeles, and CLU. His research interests span instrumentation design and development, chemometrics, computational neural networks, environmental analysis, and the use of swarm intelligence metaheuristics to model complex chemical and biological systems. He has written or co-written numerous peer-reviewed technical papers and is the author or editor of five books detailing the use of chemical separation methods and computational modeling techniques.


Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.

Jerusalem is a city of layers. It has been affected by numerous cultures and empires, built up for thousands of years, and sought after by multiple monotheistic religions. It has a depth of history that is almost unparalleled. And yet, outside of its ancient history, its modern history is also complex. In the last 150 years, it has been ruled by many groups including the Ottomans, the British, the League of Nations, Jordan, and the State of Israel. Why? Why have so many groups made their mark on Jerusalem, even in recent history? This course will begin with World War I and trace the modern history of Jerusalem––attempting to understand the modern political forces that have shaped and continue to shape the city today.

Jason Hensley, Ph.D., 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 (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.

The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is hosting its 4th Annual Gala on Saturday, September 17 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village. The evening features gourmet cuisine, a live band and silent auction.

Proceeds from the evening will benefit Southeast Ventura County YMCA programs including Find My Genius, a free five-week summer program for low- and moderate-income students who are not reading at grade level. It provides students with academic instruction, healthy meals, physical exercise and enrichment opportunities. The gala will honor Chuck and Melinda Carmichael, Simi Valley residents and longtime YMCA supporters, with the Joel and Frances McCrea Memorial Award.

The YMCA is a nonprofit organization serving Conejo Valley, Simi Valley, Westlake Village, Oak Park, Agoura Hills and Moorpark. It is dedicated to building positive relationships, impacting lives and strengthening the community through youth development, healthy living programs and social responsibility. For more information and to order tickets, call 805-497-3081 or go to https://www.sevymca.org/gala.

Music City has been the Mecca for Country Music since the 40's. Its identity has become world famous, and its music is the most programmed format on Radio. But wait! Nashville's first # 1 record over 70 years ago, wasn't even Country! In this class, we will explore the incredible and mostly unknown secret of Nashville: it's wealth of the variety of non-Country Music that has had its roots there. The list of artists, songs, and famous musicians and songwriters is truly amazing. These include some of the greats in Pop Music-Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, Perry Como, Elvis, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, and many stars of Rock and Gospel. Come see and hear "The Other Side of Nashville.”

Tony Moon has spent 60 successful years in the Music Business. Beginning in 1960 he joined the L.A. group, Dante and The Evergreens, managed and produced by Lou Adler and Herb Alpert. He later moved to Nashville becoming Guitarist and conductor for Brenda Lee. He 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 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.


Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.

The intent of religious art and architecture is to uplift the mind with artistic imagery. Beginning with the Early Christian and Jewish period during Roman times, we explore the influences of symbolism and pictorial representations of religious images in Europe and the Middle East, ending our journey with sleek contemporary structures. Methods, materials, and construction techniques are included as they pertain to art, design, and architecture in Christian, Jewish, and Islamic design.

Eleanor Schrader, M.A., 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 (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.

In today’s world it is a challenge to escape the newest “need” whether it be the modern, the secular, the financial or the political. This is increasingly evident in the art world and in how we apply meaning to art.
What if we stand back and ask the fundamental question: What is the original purpose of art? Why is it necessary to the human experience?
In this course, we will examine the creation of art and its impact on the development of faith, religion and spirituality; and inversely how faith, religion, and spirituality influenced art. Over the course, we will look at Pagan, Egyptian, Medieval and Renaissance artists before turning to the impact of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation on art. Moving forward, we examine how biblical narratives are revitalized in Mannerism and Baroque. Romanticism, Symbolism and Expressionism lead us to the Modern and the future of art revealing man’s desire to search for an understanding of a world beyond human reach.

Christine Maasdam, M.A., 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. She is a graduate of the Art Crime Investigation Seminar led by Robert Wittman, founder of the FBI's National Art Crime Team. Christine is a member of the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection and holds a certificate from Trident Manor on Protection of Cultural Venues. Christine received Sotheby’s certification on Determining Value: An Appraiser’s Perspective. She has spent over a decade as a LACMA docent and is an active volunteer at the City of David archaeological dig in Israel.

Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.