Dates: Oct. 23, 10:30 am – 12 noon,
Catalina II

 COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A short review of the brothers’ history then at least 12 clips from their famous movies with commentary which is open for the class to consider, laugh, joke, and/or tell funny stories about comedic movies.

Presenter Biography:
John Abeln spent 28 business years working in the International area of Medical Software. The next ten years, prior to retiring, was a co-owner of a B&B (with my wife) in Taos, New Mexico. Fully retired, he devotes some time to writing fiction, currently working on a Southwest Detective Thriller Series.

Dates:  Monday, Oct. 23, 2023
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Catalina II

Course Description:

As climate change accelerates and drought and rising sea levels become more common, millions of people in affected regions must uproot themselves and seek safety elsewhere. Who are these affected individuals, and how might the United States aid them, and be affected by the migration?

Presenter Biography:
Karen Jacobsen. Part of the Great Decisions* program from the Foreign Policy Association. Facilitator: Sue Pfeiffer

INSTRUCTIONS

*2023 GREAT DECISIONS – FOREIGN POLICY ASSOCIATION (FPA)

For over 100 years, the FPA has provided educational programs for citizens and public officials. We will meet 4 times in Spring 2023 in Catalina II. Each session begins with a 20 – 30-minute video and attendees should read the relevant chapter in the Great Decisions Briefing Book beforehand. The book covers a full year, so those who participated in Spring can continue with the book they have. Those who are joining us for the first time this semester can call the FPA at 800-477-5836 and pay by credit card $35 plus shipping or purchase an ebook version from Amazon for $25.

Dates:  Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023
10:00 – 11:30 am
Catalina II

Course Description:
Do we all age the same way, and at the same rate? What happens to my brain as I get older? In this talk, Dr. Ryan will break down some of the most pervasive myths about aging, share new science on brain aging and cognitive changes over the course of a life, and explain some exciting national studies on aging headed by the university.

Presenter Biography:
Dr. Lee Ryan. Professor and Department Head, Dept of Psychology, University of Arizona. Associate Director, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute. Director, Cognition and Neuroimaging Laboratory. Part of the 2023 Arizona Science Lecture Series.

Dates:  Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023
1:00 pm – 3:00pm
Catalina II

 COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This informal presentation will use photos and narrative to take Highlands residents from Lower Egypt to Upper Egypt and back again, through a 12-day tour itinerary covering 6000 years’ history of “the cradle of civilization.” Residents planning an Egypt trip will learn about sites not to be missed; those not planning such a trip will experience Egypt vicariously through this 2-hour program.

Presenter Biography:
Stephanie and Roger Cady retired to SaddleBrooke Arizona in 2006 from Seattle, partly due to Stephanie’s interest in the archaeology of the early southwest. Her interest in the history of man so expanded to that of Egypt that, when she and Roger began traveling, it became her first choice destination. A former business and management consultant, her business cards now read “My life is in ruins.” Her husband Roger was a communications manager in the public transit industry and is the accomplished photographer of all the slides presented in this program.

Dates:  Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023
10:30 am – 12:00 noon
Catalina II

 COURSE DESCRIPTION:

To Be Determined

Dates: Monday, Oct. 30, 2023
10:30 am – 12:00 Noon
Catalina II

COURSE DESCRIPTION: 

In this hands-on session, we will explore the magic of the Snapseed app on our phones to apply simple and quick edits to photos that we have taken. It will be helpful if the audience members come to the session with Snapseed loaded onto their iOS or Android phones or tablets along with one or more photos that they wish to edit.

Topics covered:

Decision on whether to edit your photos
The Snapseed app and its toolset
Introduction to cropping, straightening, brightness, contrast, saturation, ambiance, highlights, shadows, warmth, and healing
Sources for more information on Snapseed and photo post-processing.

Presenter Biography:
Bob Hudson has been a resident of the Highlands since 2008. A ‘snowbird’ from Canada, Bob leads the iPhone subgroup of the Grimsby Photo Group in Grimsby, Ontario. He loves photography and enjoys editing his captures. He displays his work in his online photo galleries at http://www.fourlens.ca, on Instagram and at his blog at http://fourlensphoto.blogspot.com/

Dates:  Monday, Oct. 30
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Catalina II

Course Description:

Fears of global food shortages have followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has disrupted grain shipments from the major grain producer. But what about countries and regions that were suffering before this impending shortage? How is famine defined, and how is it different from simple food shortages? What if any remedies are there?

Presenter Biography:
Daniel Maxwell. Part of the Great Decisions* program from the Foreign Policy Association. Facilitator: Maureen Conroyd

INSTRUCTIONS

*2023 GREAT DECISIONS – FOREIGN POLICY ASSOCIATION (FPA)

For over 100 years, the FPA has provided educational programs for citizens and public officials. We will meet 4 times in Spring 2023 in Catalina II. Each session begins with a 20 – 30-minute video and attendees should read the relevant chapter in the Great Decisions Briefing Book beforehand. The book covers a full year, so those who participated in Spring can continue with the book they have. Those who are joining us for the first time this semester can call the FPA at 800-477-5836 and pay by credit card $35 plus shipping or purchase an ebook version from Amazon for $25.

Dates:  Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023
10:30 am– 12:00 noon
Catalina II

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Few topics have dominated our lives like COVID-19, and the whole world is awash in facts and fictions about the pandemic. Scientists are now reporting what they’re learning about the origins of the disease, but can we trust them? Dr. Worobey will lay the groundwork for a factual understanding of the coronavirus and help dispel some common misconceptions.

Presenter Biography:
Dr. Michael Worobey. Department Head and Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona. Part of the 2023 Arizona Science Lecture Series.

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Catalina II

Course Description:

The University of Arizona Graduate String Quartet will perform a recital of masterworks from the classical repertoire. The works will be announced from the stage, and the performers will share some background about the works and music.

Presenter Biography:
The UA Graduate String Quartet is a flagship ensemble of the Fred Fox School of Music. Its members are all accomplished masters and doctoral students at the School of Music. The group has found success in national and international competitions, including Silver Medal at the national MTNA Chamber Music competition. In addition to playing dozens of concerts across southern Arizona every year, the group has performed concert tours across China and participated in major international music festivals.

Dates:  Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023
10:30 am – 12:00 noon
Catalina II

 COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Airplanes have been buzzing around the Tucson area since 1910. Follow along on a dive down internet rabbit holes as we discover airplanes, airlines, airports, and characters that made our local aviation scene what it is today. We’ll take a side quest into four generations of technology that have helped pilots navigate safely through the skies over the last hundred years, and uncover traces of the navigational aids used by previous generations.

Presenter Biography:
Alan Jones grew up listening to control towers in Philadelphia in the 1960’s, learned to fly in Los Angeles in the 1970’s, and worked at Boeing in Seattle for 35 years. He’s fascinated by how flying has changed, and how it hasn’t, in those different times and places.

Dates:  Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023
1:30 pm – 3:00pm
Catalina II

 COURSE DESCRIPTION:

History Bytes will start with a question and explore the events that led up to it. Today the Byte is – what was the US Capitol building used for BEFORE congress moved in? Join our exploration of history and the “surprises” that tend not to appear in history textbooks. (Possible future History Bytes: What did George Washington think about the emerging two-party system? What was the “secret sauce” the forefathers added to the new government? What two former presidents died on the same day?)

Presenter Biography:
John Lenzi worked for universities for 30 years after brief stints on Park Avenue and Wall Street. His academic credentials are in psychology, but he has been a history buff from childhood and still reads a great deal, mostly ancient and US history.

Monday, Nov. 6, 2023
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Ballroom

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Clogging is a type of folk dance practiced in the United States and around the world, in which the dancer’s footwear is used percussively by striking the heel, the toe(ball), or both against a floor or each other to create audible rhythms, usually to the downbeat with the heel keeping the rhythm.
Recreational Clogging is great for fun and exercise. This class will include information about what clogging is, a demonstration by our own Highlands Cloggers, and an opportunity to learn some basic steps for those who would like to learn a new way to dance.

Presenter Biography:
Mike McDow has been clogging for the past 42 years, and teaching for 40 of those years. He has had the honor of teaching at many clogging programs and National/State/Local Clogging Conventions. He was the clogging chairman of 2 National Conventions. 

INSTRUCTIONS:

Please meet in the Ballroom. Wear comfortable clothes.

Dates:  Monday, Oct. 6, 2023
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Catalina II

 COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in widespread charges of war crimes and calls for justice. But what exactly are war crimes? Opinions of what constitutes a war crime have evolved, as have ways to identify and punish the perpetrators. How will the war crimes committed in Ukraine be dealt with?

Presenter Biography:
Francine Hirsch. Part of the Great Decisions* program from the Foreign Policy Association. Facilitator: Clark (Buzz) Boren

Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023
1o:30 am – 12:00 noon
Catalina II

Course Description:

How might a nuclear war happen? What would it be like? How do strategists and leaders in the United States, Russia and other nuclear nations try to manage these risks? I will aim for a seminar atmosphere with plenty of back-and-forth discussion. ZOOM presentation.

Presenter Biography:
David Baker (PhD Princeton) is an associate professor of philosophy at the University of Michigan. He has taught a course on nuclear ethics at UM since

Dates:  Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023
10:30 am – 12:00 noon
Catalina II

 COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Airplanes have been buzzing around the Tucson area since 1910. Follow along on a dive down internet rabbit holes as we discover airplanes, airlines, airports, and characters that made our local aviation scene what it is today. We’ll take a side quest into four generations of technology that have helped pilots navigate safely through the skies over the last hundred years, and uncover traces of the navigational aids used by previous generations.

Presenter Biography:
Alan Jones grew up listening to control towers in Philadelphia in the 1960’s, learned to fly in Los Angeles in the 1970’s, and worked at Boeing in Seattle for 35 years. He’s fascinated by how flying has changed, and how it hasn’t, in those different times and places.

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Catalina II

Course Description:

In our modern technoculture, we interface with computers in almost every aspect of our lives, whether it be personal computers, cell phones, cars or even kitchen appliances — but how smart are they, really? Dr. Blanco will focus on the intelligence of computers, what they can accomplish, emerging artificial intelligence technologies like ChatGPT, and their limitations.

Presenter Biography:
Dr. Eduardo Blanco. Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, University of Arizona. Part of the 2023 Arizona Science Lecture Series.

Monday, Nov. 13, 2023
10:30 AM – 12 Noon
Catalina II

Course Description:

This talk will travel through over 75 years of art masterpieces called “living pictures” or Tableaux Vivants. This site in sunny California is where art comes alive for 90 minutes every summer evening. Enjoy paintings, sculptures, posters, crafts in a stage production. It is a pageant of epic proportion!

Presenter Biography:
Susie Heintz is a native Tucsonan who has been a Tucson Museum of Art Docent for 17 years. She holds a B. A. Degree from St. Mary’s Notre Dame and two Masters Degrees from University of AZ. She has been a teacher, International Educational Consultant and volunteer. Susie has been married for 48 years to Jim Heintz, bakes the Best chocolate chip cookies and enjoys travel, learning, and reading.

Dates:  Monday, Nov. 13, 2023
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Catalina II

 COURSE DESCRIPTION:

For the past ten years, the United States and China have been locked in a competition for who has the greatest global influence. One major point of contention is the status of Taiwanese sovereignty, which has become even more relevant recently with the possibility that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may prompt China to take similar action regarding Taiwan. How will the United States engage a China which is increasingly seeking to expand its sphere of influence?

Presenter Biography:
David Lampton. Part of the Great Decisions* program from the Foreign Policy Association. Facilitator: John Abeln

Instructions

*2023 GREAT DECISIONS – FOREIGN POLICY ASSOCIATION (FPA)

For over 100 years, the FPA has provided educational programs for citizens and public officials. We will meet 4 times in Spring 2023 in Catalina II. Each session begins with a 20 – 30-minute video and attendees should read the relevant chapter in the Great Decisions Briefing Book beforehand. The book covers a full year, so those who participated in Spring can continue with the book they have. Those who are joining us for the first time this semester can call the FPA at 800-477-5836 and pay by credit card $35 plus shipping or purchase an ebook version from Amazon for $25.

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023
10:30 – 12 NOON
Catalina II

Course Description:

If we look at the history of our planet, the climate has always changed. So why are scientists saying it’s a problem now? Dr. Tierney’s discussion will face that issue head on and provide insight into what science can tell us about the realities of our changing world.

Presenter Biography:
Dr. Jessica Tierney. Professor, Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona. Part of the 2023 Arizona Science Lecture Series.

Tuesday, Nov. 14,  2023
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Catalina II

Course Description:

To introduce a general overview of the different types of AstroPhotography with picture examples, equipment we used, and personal time commitment. When possible we’ll show you the equipment we used.

Presenter Biography:
Pete Pfeiffer is a retired Internet security specialist who moved to Marana in 2017 from Virginia. He’s been a keen observer and photographer of the moon and recently started an Astronomy club here in the Highlands.

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023
10:00 – 11:30 AM
Tucson Botanical Gardens
$17 – Please Pay Prudy Abeln several days before tour

Course Description:

Docent tour of the Tucson Botanical Gardens

Entrance fee is $17 per person. Please pay Prudy Abeln several days before tour.

Stay tuned for information regarding lunch after tour.