Spring Classes
Mon 9:30-11:30 Nancy Dowling
Birds and Birding in the Coachella Valley: Through fun video clips and tons of photos, learn how to identify local birds and understand bird behavior. We’ll discuss where to find birds in the Coachella Valley, and how to improve your birding skills with the right equipment, field guides and helpful websites.
Class Offered: In Person
Mon 9:30-11:30 Phil Kibort
History of the Jews: The class will focus on the story of the Jewish people for the past 3000 years. We will break it into 6 periods of time. We will stress key events and key persons in this history. 1) Period 1 (Bible to 500 BCE)/Introduction; 2) Period 2 (500BCE to 0) Beit Shanie; 3) Period 3 (Talmudic 0-500AD); 4) Period 4 (500AD- 1000AD) Gaonim; 5) Period 5 (1000 AD- 1500 AD) Rishonim; 6) Period 6 (1500Ad to today). The intent is to give one a basic elementary knowledge of Jewish History.
Class Offered: Zoom
Mon 12:00-2:00 Leonard Goldstein
The Stock Market, the Economy and Current Events around the World: This course will explain changes in the stock market and the economy.. The Current Events will be International as what happens outside the USA is just as important as what happens inside the USA!
Class Offered: Zoom
Mon 2:30-5:00 David Klingenberger
Great Films of the 21st Century: We are a quarter of the way into the “new” century. Let’s stop and consider what constitutes a great film and what films from the 21st Century people will be watching in the 22nd Century and beyond. Join us—in person—as we examine six brilliant movies from the last 25 years.
Class Offered: In Person
Mon 2:30-4:30 Li Kokesh
Art Appreciation--Continuation of Islamic Art and Architecture: FIRST 2 WEEKS ONLY (February 24 and March 3): This continuation of the introductory course will explore the great richness of Arts and Architecture in the Islamic World. We will peer into the diverse palaces and mosques, exquisite gardens, the arts of books and writings, textiles, etc. We will journey through some of the major monuments in the Middle East, West Africa, Spain, India and South-East Asia.
Class Offered: Zoom
Tues 9:30-11:30 Paul Faxon
Getting to Yes: Achieving Win/Win Outcomes in Negotiations: Drawing on the landmark work of Fisher & Ury’s Getting To Yes (as well as Voss’ Never Split The Difference), we will explore the theory and practice of interest based negotiations in personal, business and social bargaining. Students will be asked to both share their life experience in negotiations and to participate in role plays.
Class Offered: In Person
Tue 12:00-2:00 Jerry Blatt
Evidence vs. Emotion: This dynamic class challenges the way we shape our positions on current political, social and economic issues. We examine the objective EVIDENCE from reliable sources and observe the effect of EMOTION in reaching decisions. It's Fact vs Fiction, Head vs Heart, Data vs Opinion, Evidence vs Emotion.
Class Offered: Zoom
Tue 2:30-4:30 Harold Jacobs
Great Literature: We will discuss short fiction in The World’s Greatest Short Stories edited by James Daley. The text can be purchased from Amazon (ISBN: 978-0-486-44716-2). This collection features renowned nineteenth and twentieth-century writers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Western Europe, Latin America, Japan, and Russia. The stories were selected based on the quality of prose, integrity of structure and plot, depth of character, thematic resonance, and profundity. For our first class, read and be prepared to discuss Herman Melville’s “Bartleby the Scrivener” pp. 1-30.
Class Offered: Zoom
Tue 2:30-4:30 Mark Podrazik
Health Insurance Programs in the US: This class will review the patchwork that is the health care system in the US. Why are there so many programs? Who is eligible for each program? How do benefits differ, even across states? Areas of focus will include how health care is financed, administered, delivered and paid for, particularly in government-funded programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and the Dept of Defense. Class participants can suggest additional topics to cover in the last class.
Class Offered: Zoom
Wed 9:30-11:30 Terry Boyle
Exploring Literature: The Sacred and Profane: Emile Durkheim, a founding father of the social sciences, coined the terms ‘sacred and profane’. He argues that religion differentiates between the holy (things set apart) and the forbidden (things to avoid). Many religious groups have strict ideas regarding what writers can write about and what they can't. And, as a result of this mindset, many writers find themselves being censored or blacklisted. We will discuss what is considered acceptable literature and what was or still is seen as profane.
Class Offered: Zoom
Wed 9:30-11:30 Liliane Frymat
French Conversations: This is a French conversation course for those who would like to brush up on their rusty conversational skills, become more fluent and improve their pronunciation. It is a great opportunity to practice what you have learned in the past. THIS IS NOT A GRAMMAR COURSE OR A BEGINNER LEVEL CLASS.
Class Offered: In Person
Wed 9:30-11:30 Harry Nugent-Patten
Music, Noise, or a Little of Both: This music appreciation class welcomes music enthusiasts to the art of listening to great orchestral music. I’ll be placing a focus on learning the different elements of music: rhythm, dynamics, and pitch to name a few. We’ll learn the different instruments, the various voice ranges, and what exactly a conductor does. You’ll listen to and watch video examples of beautiful music - maybe hearing just a little bit of noise - you’ll decide. I will equip you with the listening skills to gain greater enthusiasm for classical music, and we’ll have fun doing it!
Class Offered: In Person
Wed 12:00-2:00 David George
Reviving America: The Rest of the Story: This course explores the 3 pillars that form the foundation of American society, individuals, families, and organizations. Included in this exploration will be a discussion of the connection between these 3 pillars and the 8 national government dimensions previously identified, the current status of these 3 pillars, and models of how to assess the pillars’ effectiveness. Additionally, an update will be provided for the 8 national government dimensions analyzed in the earlier Part 1 of ‘Reviving America’. [Participation in this previous Reviving America is not necessary]
Class Offered: In Person
Wed 12:00-2:00 George Haas
Conjuring 103- Magic: Discover the secrets of magic, from basic card shuffles to mesmerizing tricks. Learn fundamental sleights, misdirection techniques, and build a repertoire of enchanting illusions. Whether you're a novice or a casual enthusiast, this class will empower you to dazzle friends and family with your newfound wizardry. Get ready to shuffle and amaze!
Class Offered: In Person
Wed 2:30-4:30 Steve Garfein
Global Trends and Transformations In Technology: In the Fall of 2023, we explored the art of creating prompts in our first LIR course on Artificial Intelligence and related technologies. More recently, we've examined the political and social trends surrounding these innovations. In this sixth course (Spring 2025), we will delve into the global impacts of these rapidly evolving technologies, exploring the sweeping trends, transformations, and implications locally and worldwide.
Class Offered: Zoom
Thu 9:30-11:30 Adair Fell
Short Story Discussion Group: This participant-focused class explores new worlds, reflects on familiar ones, and seeks insights from award-winning authors. In the spirit of inquiry and discovery, we discuss one or two thought-provoking contemporary short stories each week. Class members lead most discussions, and the facilitator provides direction, tools, and support. We are reading "Best American Short Stories of the Century," edited by John Updike. https://www.amazon.com/Best-American-Short-Stories-Century.
Class Offered: Zoom
Thu 8:45-11:00 Marc Rosen
Be a Better Photographer: Open to all levels of photographers. Each week, participants will have an opportunity to take and submit photos by email that encourage experimentation with composition, lighting, perspective, etc. Participants can use phones or cameras to take photos. Observers who do not wish to submit photos are also welcome to attend and learn from others.
Class Offered: Zoom
Thu 12:00-2:00 Jim Wobig
Drones 101: Learn about the world of drones—the good and bad of this new emerging industry.
Class Offered: Zoom
Thu 12:00-2:00 Leonard Goldstein
Trump Administration-Pro & Con + Other Current Events: Whether you Love Him or Hate him...let us look at him from both sides of the Aisle...All Political views are welcome and Respected..
Class Offered: In Person
Thu 1:30-4:30 John Curran
Dark Alleys and Dangerous Blondes: The theme for the films in the Spring Dark Alleys session will be "Plans That Failed." There is a cliche in many crime films about an aging thief who wants to get out of his life of crime and move to some other country and live in comfortable retirement. The films will be The Killers, The Asphalt Jungle, The Killing, Rififi, Odds Against Tomorrow, and Stray Dog. Four of these are from the classic noir era in Hollywood, one French and one from Japan. Most of the plans go through the same phases as many projects that those of us who have suffered through at work: Wild Enthusiasm, Disillusion, Panic, Search for the Guilty, Punishment of the Innocent, and Praise and Honor for the Non-Participants. And so it goes...
Class Offered: Zoom
Thu 2:30-4:30 Marc Rosen
Controversial Issues: We will discuss and debate contemporary issues that are both controversial and familiar. Brief presentations by the facilitator and class discussion will stimulate fact-based, informative exchanges. The facilitator will ensure that all sides and viewpoints are heard and considered. (Similar classes are:The Stock Market, the Economy and Current Events around the World; and Evidence vs Emotion).
Class Offered: Zoom
Fri 9:30-11:30 Larry DeBuhr
Desert Plants: Spring time in the desert can be an amazing wonderland of colorful wildflowers. How are these plants able to survive in a dry, rocky environment, and still be able to burst into flower in the spring? What are some of the important desert plants and their adaptation for survival? What plants did the Cahuilla Indians use for foods and medicines?
Class Offered: Zoom
Fri 9:30-11:30 Jorge Moral
Everyday Spanish: So, you want to learn the basics to have some casual conversations in Spanish with the right pronunciation but without focusing on grammar or sentence structure. Then you will enjoy the informal learning style of our new inspired Spanish teacher.
Class Offered: In Person