If you want a “Quick Reference” Sheet for a bare-bones reminder of course details you can print, go HERE.
ALL PRESENTATIONS FOR THE WEEK WILL BE HELD AT SAN GABRIEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
5404 WILLIAMS DR., GEORGETOWN
MONDAYS
Knowing Margaret Bonds: A Legacy Recoveredwith Dr. Michael Cooper
Monday, June 3 9:00-10:00 a.m.
In Person and On Demand Recording
African American composer Margaret Bonds (1913-72), a child prodigy from the South Side of segregated Chicago of the early 20th century, used her faith to transcend numerous barriers to achieve success. She rose to international renown, only to have her reputation largely erased by the White- and male-dominated industries of classical music after her death. Although a few of her works remained in the classical canon, most of her more than 400 compositions were forgotten. Her legacy is only now being understood and appreciated.
John Michael Cooper (Southwestern University) is the author of the Historical Dictionary of Romantic Music (2nd edition, 2024), three books on Mendelssohn, and Margaret Bonds: The Montgomery Variations and Du Bois “Credo” (Cambridge UP, 2023). The editor of more than 100 volumes of music by Bonds, Mendelssohn, and Florence Price, he is also the author of the first book-length biography of Margaret Bonds (this to appear with Oxford University Press later in 2024).
Life in the Circus, Literally with Dr. Michelle Schmith
Monday, June 3 10:30-11:30 a.m.
In Person Only
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages – you are invited to hear about the history, challenges, and makeover of today’s circus. Meet “Roberto” and learn about his 30 years of life with the circus, where he along with numerous family members performed circus acts such as aerialists, animal acts, motorcycle feats and much more. Learn what day to day life was like for Roberto.
Dr. Schmith’s career spanned 35 years in various capacities supporting the United States Federal Government including executive positions at the Department of Navy, Office of Management and Budget, and the Air Force in performance management, strategic planning, information technology, and operational security and processes for the warfighters after 911. She is the author of two books: The Congress and DOD Management Process: Space Acquisition, a Critique and Evaluation, and Do We Make Interoperability a High Enough Priority Today? She met Roberto Chimal when she hired him to help her set up her new home here in Georgetown.
The Power of Live Theater with Linda Dwyer
Tuesday, June 4 9:00-10:00 a.m.
In Person Only
Six venues in Williamson County provide top notch live theater performances that enrich our community in a variety of ways. Linda will share her own experiences in learning to appreciate and participating in this wonderful art form, both as an actress and reviewer. The presentation will include a few historical references and examples showing how live theater celebrates diversity with stories from different cultures and gives voice to underrepresented groups.
Linda Dwyer reviews local theater for the Williamson Sun Newspaper in a column called PLAY TIME. She also writes the weekly food column TASTES OF THE TOWN. Linda and her husband raised four children in Texas and now enjoy being grandparents to four boys and three girls
Igniting the Powerful Practice of Gratitude with Kris Hooks
Tuesday, June 4 10:30-11:30 a.m.
In Person, Zoom and On-Demand Recording
According to research, people who practice gratitude show significantly higher levels of happiness and psychological well-being. They are less depressed, anxious, stressed and report having less symptoms of physical pain. They have more meaning and satisfaction in life. They have healthier relationships, too. If you would like practical strategies for igniting the practice of gratitude in your life, this session is for you.
Kris Hooks has over 35 years of experience in behavioral health. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Health and Well Being Coach, and a Sun City resident. Kris is passionate about helping people live their best life possible.
Wild Williamson — Tales from the 1880’s with Ann Evans
Wednesday, June 5 9:00-10:00 a,m.
In Person, Zoom, and On-Demand Recording
The 1880s were a different time for Williamson County, hear stories from around the county about the wild west antics that took place during the time of cattle drives and cowboys.
Ann Evans is the Adult Services Librarian at the Georgetown Public Library. She is a longtime resident of Georgetown and served as the Curator of the Williamson Museum prior to working at the library. Her love of local history began on a third grade walking tour of downtown. She currently lives in Georgetown with her husband, son, two dogs, and a hamster named Feisty.
Expertise and U.S. Democracy: Are they Compatible? with Dr. John Ray
Wednesday, June 5 10:30-11:30 a.m.
In Person, Zoom
Public issues/problems which government must address today are tremendously complex infused with a scientific and/or technological dimension. Democratic decision-making demands public participation in the making of public policy, but the average citizen is not trained in science, technology or engineering. What is the role of experts in democratic decision making? To what extent is our Constitutional system of government knowledge based? What is behind the current mistrust of experts and expert knowledge and what are the causes of this phenomenon?
Dr. Ray received his PhD in political science from the University of Wisconsin and taught courses in political science and philosophy at Montana Technological University in Butte for 48 years, retiring as a full professor in May 2023. He was active in environmental issue work particularly in the area of environmental justice and gave numerous community presentations and taught free classes on politics, political theory and philosophy. His research activity focused on political theory and ethics.
Pandemic in the Library: Season 2 with Adam Samuels
Thursday, June 6 9:00-10:00 a.m.
In Person, Zoom and On-Demand Recording
We went to the moon 50 years ago, yet some new killer disease pops up every few years? Why? How do infectious diseases, normally limited to a single animal species, “suddenly” mutate and begin infecting people, seemingly out of nowhere? Is there anything we can do to stop this spillover cycle? This class introduces two of my favorite books on the history and science of man’s fight with our oldest enemy, infectious disease. We will highlight two great books: SPILLOVER, by David Quammen and DEMON IN THE FREEZER, by Richard Preston.
Adam Samuels is a former US Naval Officer. From 2011-2015, Adam was assigned to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) Cooperative Biological Engagement Program (CBEP), partnering with CDC, USDA, and the State Dept to improve the biosafety, biosecurity, and bio-surveillance of partner countries around the globe. Adam earned a BS from Texas A&M and an MA in National Security from the US Naval War College. He currently works as a Strategic Planner at the Texas Office of Homeland Security.
AI Impacts (good or bad) on Our Lives with James Paik
Thursday, June 6 10:30-11:30
In Person OnlyArtificial intelligence or AI is changing our lives – from education and politics to art and healthcare. The AI industry continues to develop at a rapid pace. But what exactly is it? Should we be optimistic or worried about our future with this ever-evolving technology? We’ll explore some of the more pressing questions.
James Paik is a seasoned computer systems engineer with expertise in Networking and AI. Having held numerous executive roles at Samsung Electronics, he has garnered extensive experience in both technology and business realms. Presently, James is engaged in providing consulting services to enterprises in the field of AI and business development.
Pride and Prejudice….and the Pill with Dr. Guy Guidici
Friday, June 7 9:00-10:00 a.m.
In Person Only
Why does Jane Austen’s 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice still matter so much today? Why the many adaptations, endless pages of fan fiction, and legions of devoted “Janeites”? We’ll introduce ideas and questions about this cultural obsession in this one-hour lecture and then explore each in more detail in a six-week course this fall.
Once upon a time, Dr. Guy Guidici taught literature to some of the state’s most inspiring university students in a marvelous cross-disciplinary curriculum. Today, he writes, edits, and develops educational materials for students across the globe. Lately, he’s also enjoyed teaching a series of Adult Electives at First Presbyterian Church on historical topics ranging from the Christian Call to Hospitality to Living Through the Reformation, managing to work Hamlet into practically every course.
Is The Aging Process Inevitable? with Dr. Stephen Benold
Friday, June 7 10:30-11:30 a.m.
In Person Only
It is well known that “healthy living,” such as low body weight, eating a vegetarian diet and avoiding alcohol and smoking, will prolong life. It is also promising that the degenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease as well as cancer may soon be curable. We will also discuss recent advances in genetic studies that show a possibility to retard the ageing process itself.
Dr. Stephen Benold has been teaching economics and various other courses for Lifelong Learners GTX since 1999. His undergraduate degree was in economics from Rice University where he was the Hayden Honor Scholar in economics, He retired as the medical director of the Williamson County EMS, but he maintains a private financial practice.