More details to come.
We are offering spots on this field trip first to individuals that were on the waitlist from the last time it was offered.
Wednesday: January 15, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by Chris Goldblatt
The Fish Reef Project is converting empty seafloor into thriving new biogenic marine ecosystems that will provide living, breeding, and feeding grounds for large numbers of marine mammals, sea birds, turtles, fish, lobster, abalone, scallops, marine algae, coral, and more. The Fish Reefs will reduce fishing pressure on natural reefs while helping to restore and enhance damaged reef systems. Locally, the Fish Reef Project is working to restore 220 lost acres to the historic Goleta kelp beds, which were wiped out in the 1980s by El Nino events. In this class, Chris will tell of various projects he has worked on in Mexico, Papua New Guinea, and Africa as well as in California. Join us for an inspiring account of environmental conservation and restoration.
Tuesday: January 21, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Valle Verde Theater 900 Calle De Los Amigos, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price $30
Presented by Darroch Greer
“Jazz in Paris” is a presentation filled with music, photos, and film tracing the development of jazz by mostly African Americans in the City of Light. Originally produced for Smithsonian Associates, this talk focuses on the vibrant French arts and culture of the belle epoque, the evolution of jazz in New York and later in Paris, the African Americans who made Paris their home, and how Josephine Baker, Sidney Bechet, Eugene Bullard, and Ada (“Bricktop”) Smith transformed Parisian culture. We’ll learn how the European tours of Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong in the ’30s transformed their careers, and how a gypsy guitar-playing genius finally made jazz French. We’ll see how WWII upended the music scene and how jazz musicians survived. At war’s end, jazz once again buoyed the spirits of the French, and prominent jazz musicians continued to come to Paris. Today, jazz in Paris is as vibrant as it’s ever been.
Wednesdays: January 22, 29, February 5, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price $60
Presented by Norm Cohen
People who lived through the Great Depression of 1929–41 mostly remember times of widespread economic hardship. Many Americans lost jobs and/or homes, not to mention lives. If anything good came out of that difficult era, it was the songs, some of which struggled to put on a cheerful front, while other pieces acknowledged the tribulations of too many Americans. In these sessions we’ll listen to a sampling of the songs that were composed during the Depression decade and tried, in various ways, to deal with reality. The selections will be drawn from mainstream popular music (e.g., “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?,” “We’re In the Money”) as well as from the genres of folk (“Cotton Mill Colic”), country (or “hillbilly”—“No Depression in Heaven”), blues (“Hard Times Blues”), and calypso (“Poor But Ambitious”) music.
Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).
Wednesdays: January 22, 29, February 5, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price $60
Presented by Norm Cohen
People who lived through the Great Depression of 1929–41 mostly remember times of widespread economic hardship. Many Americans lost jobs and/or homes, not to mention lives. If anything good came out of that difficult era, it was the songs, some of which struggled to put on a cheerful front, while other pieces acknowledged the tribulations of too many Americans. In these sessions we’ll listen to a sampling of the songs that were composed during the Depression decade and tried, in various ways, to deal with reality. The selections will be drawn from mainstream popular music (e.g., “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?,” “We’re In the Money”) as well as from the genres of folk (“Cotton Mill Colic”), country (or “hillbilly”—“No Depression in Heaven”), blues (“Hard Times Blues”), and calypso (“Poor But Ambitious”) music.
Wednesdays: January 22, 29, February 5, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price $60
Presented by Norm Cohen
People who lived through the Great Depression of 1929–41 mostly remember times of widespread economic hardship. Many Americans lost jobs and/or homes, not to mention lives. If anything good came out of that difficult era, it was the songs, some of which struggled to put on a cheerful front, while other pieces acknowledged the tribulations of too many Americans. In these sessions we’ll listen to a sampling of the songs that were composed during the Depression decade and tried, in various ways, to deal with reality. The selections will be drawn from mainstream popular music (e.g., “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?,” “We’re In the Money”) as well as from the genres of folk (“Cotton Mill Colic”), country (or “hillbilly”—“No Depression in Heaven”), blues (“Hard Times Blues”), and calypso (“Poor But Ambitious”) music.
Saturday, February 8, 2025
Doors open at 1:00; musical program begins at 1:30; refreshments served at 2:00
Lehmann Hall, Music Academy of the West 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara
Please join us at the beautiful Music Academy of the West to enjoy a delightful afternoon with your VISTAS friends and guests!
The details of our musical program have yet to be announced, but we’re confident that you’ll find our musical interlude most enjoyable. Afterwards, our caterers will provide a variety of refreshments, including assorted hot and cold hors d’oeuvres. As always, complimentary beverages, including wine, will also be provided.
This is a great opportunity to introduce your friends to VISTAS! Guests are welcome and may attend at the same cost as VISTAS members.
Mondays: February 10 and 17, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price for EACH of two parts: $30; non-member price: $45
Presented by Stan Roden
The central theme of these two separate courses (NOTE: participants may enroll in either Part I or Part II, or both) will be to examine and discuss pending or recently decided major legal cases involving constitutional rights, civil and human rights, and the environment. The course will begin with two premises: (a) Few people understand the enormous power of “common law judges,” and (b) Many people believe that the US legal system is beyond their comprehension, which it is not. These classes will pinpoint cases in the trial and appellate courts (mostly federal, but states also) and examine the judicial decision-making process and approaches used by the judges and justices on a variety of legal challenges, with special emphasis on core constitutional and environmental issues.
The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.
Second Friday of each month, September through June, 10 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2024 meeting: September 13
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12
Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.
Mondays: February 10 and 17, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price for EACH of two parts: $30; non-member price: $45
Presented by Stan Roden
The central theme of these two separate courses (NOTE: participants may enroll in either Part I or Part II, or both) will be to examine and discuss pending or recently decided major legal cases involving constitutional rights, civil and human rights, and the environment. The course will begin with two premises: (a) Few people understand the enormous power of “common law judges,” and (b) Many people believe that the US legal system is beyond their comprehension, which it is not. These classes will pinpoint cases in the trial and appellate courts (mostly federal, but states also) and examine the judicial decision-making process and approaches used by the judges and justices on a variety of legal challenges, with special emphasis on core constitutional and environmental issues.
Tuesday: February 18, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Valle Verde Theater 900 Calle De Los Amigos, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by Darroch Greer
Founded on French ideas from the Enlightenment, America’s radical experiment in representative government during and after the American Revolution changed the trajectory of the Western World away from hereditary monarchies and despotism to rule by consent of the people. Inspired by America, France followed quickly with its revolution. This presentation will be an illustrated talk on three films Humanus Documentary Films Foundation has in production on the birth of, development of, and challenges to democracy in France and America. It is told in a parallel story of how the Liberté Project came together. The three films show essentially the American Revolution through French eyes, the end of the French Revolution through American eyes, and the cultural give and take between France and America over democracy in the 20th century.
Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).
Wednesday: February 26, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Valle Verde Theater 900 Calle De Los Amigos, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by Sam Hale
“Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood.” This quote is an encapsulation of George Ellery Hale’s incredible life and monumental achievements. The five astronomical telescopes he built beginning in 1897 were the largest in the world for almost one hundred years. While living in Pasadena just after the turn of the 20th century, he turned what was a community school into what became the California Institute of Technology. At the same time, he was the driving inspiration for the creation of the Huntington Library. While serving on the Planning Commission, he was a major force for the creation of the city’s elegant civic center. As we’ll learn in this talk, Hale accomplished all this and more while suffering from debilitating emotional issues. This presentation will include a screening of the PBS Nova film “The Journey to Palomar.”
Thursday: February 27, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by Tom Parker
Almost since its inception, protecting America’s national security and its top secret technologies and weaponry from foreign adversaries has been a top priority of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unfortunately, there have always been “enemies within” who have sold out to those seeking to destroy the U.S. In this presentation, Tom will share some of his own adventures in this clandestine realm, which he hopes will bring to life the goals, techniques, and capabilities of our foreign enemies. Through his personal experiences, Tom’s presentation will give you a look “under the covers” into how Soviet spies turned a few FBI and CIA agents into traitors. Tom’s hope is to continue to educate the American citizenry on how vulnerable we are to such espionage in an open democracy, and how each of us can help protect ourselves and our country against spies like the ones he has known.
Mondays: March 3, 10, and 17, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price: $60
Coordinated by Laurie Guitteau
Women Who Dared is a new course intended to highlight women who ignored the traditions of their culture and era and contributed significantly to their world, always against tremendous challenges. In this inaugural series, a team of co-presenters (Barbara Lindemann, Lois Kaplan, George Frakes, Jill Breedon, Laurie Guitteau, and Barbara Greenleaf) will cover six such women.
Born a slave in 1862, Ida B. Wells, a journalist, was dedicated to full civil rights for Black people and the vote for all women. Frances Perkins, who served under FDR as the first woman cabinet secretary, was a driving force behind the New Deal, helping to create the modern middle class. Gertrude Bell, known as the Queen of the Desert, was an archaeologist, explorer, cartographer, and political attaché for the British Empire at the dawn of the twentieth century. Margaret Fuller, a taboo-breaking Transcendentalist, was the author of the first major work of American feminism as well as America’s first female war correspondent. Simone Veil, a Holocaust survivor and politician dedicated to women’s rights, was the first woman to serve as president of the European Parliament. Rachel Carson inspired the environmental movement, which is now more important than ever.
Wednesday: March 5, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by Milton Love
Dr. Milton Love will discuss the results of his more than 30 years of surveys of the fish and invertebrate populations associated with the oil/gas platforms and natural reefs throughout the Southern California Bight. He will talk specifically about oil platform fauna and discuss the questions surrounding the decommissioning of the platforms and what might happen next. Whether you are emotionally prepared or not, Dr. Love will discuss some of his lab’s findings on the role that California oil and gas may (or may not)play as a habitat for fishes. And finally, Dr. Love looks forward to your sharp and pointed questions, and will feel bereft if there are none.
Mondays: March 3, 10, and 17, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price: $60
Coordinated by Laurie Guitteau
Women Who Dared is a new course intended to highlight women who ignored the traditions of their culture and era and contributed significantly to their world, always against tremendous challenges. In this inaugural series, a team of co-presenters (Barbara Lindemann, Lois Kaplan, George Frakes, Jill Breedon, Laurie Guitteau, and Barbara Greenleaf) will cover six such women.
Born a slave in 1862, Ida B. Wells, a journalist, was dedicated to full civil rights for Black people and the vote for all women. Frances Perkins, who served under FDR as the first woman cabinet secretary, was a driving force behind the New Deal, helping to create the modern middle class. Gertrude Bell, known as the Queen of the Desert, was an archaeologist, explorer, cartographer, and political attaché for the British Empire at the dawn of the twentieth century. Margaret Fuller, a taboo-breaking Transcendentalist, was the author of the first major work of American feminism as well as America’s first female war correspondent. Simone Veil, a Holocaust survivor and politician dedicated to women’s rights, was the first woman to serve as president of the European Parliament. Rachel Carson inspired the environmental movement, which is now more important than ever.
Wednesday: March 12, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by Peter Beuret
A total eclipse of the moon will begin on March 13. This class is a reprise of the presentation Peter Beuret gave before the Nov. 2022 eclipse. In this class, we’ll discuss the physical influence of our moon on our planet. There are larger moons out there, so why is ours the most influential moon in the solar system? What would happen if the moon disappeared tonight and didn’t come back? What if we’d never had a moon at all? Next, we will look at the influence of the moon on us as human beings—the mystical, spiritual, practical, and inspirational influences of our moon, with a bit of special attention to Jules Verne, who wrote about a journey to the moon just a hundred years before the real thing. Finally, we’ll discuss how we observe our moon—what we see and what other people and cultures see (the Man in the Moon, the Woman in the Moon, the Rabbit in the Moon). Does the moon appear upside down in Australia? How and why do eclipses happen? We’ll also review the timetable for the March 13 eclipse.
The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.
Second Friday of each month, September through June, 10 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2024 meeting: September 13
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12
Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.
Mondays: March 3, 10, and 17, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price: $60
Coordinated by Laurie Guitteau
Women Who Dared is a new course intended to highlight women who ignored the traditions of their culture and era and contributed significantly to their world, always against tremendous challenges. In this inaugural series, a team of co-presenters (Barbara Lindemann, Lois Kaplan, George Frakes, Jill Breedon, Laurie Guitteau, and Barbara Greenleaf) will cover six such women.
Born a slave in 1862, Ida B. Wells, a journalist, was dedicated to full civil rights for Black people and the vote for all women. Frances Perkins, who served under FDR as the first woman cabinet secretary, was a driving force behind the New Deal, helping to create the modern middle class. Gertrude Bell, known as the Queen of the Desert, was an archaeologist, explorer, cartographer, and political attaché for the British Empire at the dawn of the twentieth century. Margaret Fuller, a taboo-breaking Transcendentalist, was the author of the first major work of American feminism as well as America’s first female war correspondent. Simone Veil, a Holocaust survivor and politician dedicated to women’s rights, was the first woman to serve as president of the European Parliament. Rachel Carson inspired the environmental movement, which is now more important than ever.
Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).
Wednesday: March 26, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Casa Dorinda 300 Hot Springs Road, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by Dr. Fima Lifshitz
Did you ever wonder how art, science, and medicine interact? This presentation is geared to foster appreciation of art as a complement to scientific and medical knowledge. Dr. Lifshitz has utilized his medical expertise to learn about art and the artists he was fortunate to meet while teaching in medical schools throughout the world. The practices of art, science, and medicine all require specialized knowledge as well as substantial creative inspiration, along with passion for the work. Artists, scientists, and physicians draw stimulation from each other and all focus on observation, visualization, perception, and experimentation. Moreover, art magnifies the joy of life experienced by artists, scientists and physicians. Thus, art can play a complementary role in scientific discovery and medical research.
Friday: March 28, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by Dennis Whelan
This presentation will trace the physical development of the current campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara. We’ll start with a brief history of the site, which was occupied by the Chumash peoples for thousands of years, then we’ll quickly review the Spanish/ Mexican/Californio eras, and finally we’ll address the agricultural and military developments of the Mesa and Goleta Valley. These uses left an imprint that led to the development of what was to become UCSB, now internationally acknowledged as one of America’s top universities. It’s also world-renowned for its beautiful oceanfront campus. UCSB’s buildings and landscape will be examined through the history of campus planning in the US as well as the numerous Master Plans that have guided UCSB’s development up to the present.
Wednesday: April 2, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by Joe Wheatley
Dementia—how is it diagnosed and what are some types of dementia? How do the effects of various forms of memory loss, confusion, lack of judgement, and loss of executive functions impact the family? While the family is trying to accept the diagnosis, what can and should be done to prepare for the future? We will look at the major forms of dementia and discuss some of the mental and behavioral aspects of each. How can you, as a partner or family member, begin the very long journey of providing care for your loved one while managing the new day-to-day life changes that are going to take place? We will discuss tools and resources to help you along the way.
Friday: April 4, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price $30
Presented by Allou Guthmiller
Join Allou Guthmiller for an engaging, interactive afternoon where we explore the healing power of laughter. Through personal stories, group activities, and practical tools, you’ll discover how humor can reduce everyday stressors, deepen connections, and add joy to your life. Allou will share her experiences using laughter to build relationships, foster positive environments, and navigate life’s challenges gracefully. Together, we’ll learn how humor not only uplifts our spirits but also strengthens resilience as we age. Don’t miss out on this fun, insightful event that promises to leave you energized, empowered, and ready to bring more laughter into your daily routine.
Tuesdays: April 8, 15, 22, and 29, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Valle Verde Theater 900 Calle De Los Amigos, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price: $75
Presented by Norm Cohen
The stories told in the book of Genesis have had a lasting impact on three of the world’s great religions. The characters presented—Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel; Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca; Jacob and his two wives, 12 sons, and one daughter—are among the best-known in Western literature and have influenced story-tellers, poets, theologians, and philosophers for over two millennia. The events described—the Creation of the World, and so-called Fall from Grace, the Tower of Babel, the Great Flood of Noah—are a fundamental part of our cultural inheritance. Where did these stories originate? Who put them in the form that we now have? What did they mean to their original audiences more than 25 centuries ago? This series of presentations will examine—and, hopefully, answer—these questions and more.
The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.
Second Friday of each month, September through June, 10 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2024 meeting: September 13
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12
Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.
Tuesdays: April 8, 15, 22, and 29, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Valle Verde Theater 900 Calle De Los Amigos, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price: $75
Presented by Norm Cohen
The stories told in the book of Genesis have had a lasting impact on three of the world’s great religions. The characters presented—Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel; Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca; Jacob and his two wives, 12 sons, and one daughter—are among the best-known in Western literature and have influenced story-tellers, poets, theologians, and philosophers for over two millennia. The events described—the Creation of the World, and so-called Fall from Grace, the Tower of Babel, the Great Flood of Noah—are a fundamental part of our cultural inheritance. Where did these stories originate? Who put them in the form that we now have? What did they mean to their original audiences more than 25 centuries ago? This series of presentations will examine—and, hopefully, answer—these questions and more.
Tuesdays: April 8, 15, 22, and 29, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Valle Verde Theater 900 Calle De Los Amigos, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price: $75
Presented by Norm Cohen
The stories told in the book of Genesis have had a lasting impact on three of the world’s great religions. The characters presented—Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel; Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca; Jacob and his two wives, 12 sons, and one daughter—are among the best-known in Western literature and have influenced story-tellers, poets, theologians, and philosophers for over two millennia. The events described—the Creation of the World, and so-called Fall from Grace, the Tower of Babel, the Great Flood of Noah—are a fundamental part of our cultural inheritance. Where did these stories originate? Who put them in the form that we now have? What did they mean to their original audiences more than 25 centuries ago? This series of presentations will examine—and, hopefully, answer—these questions and more.
Thursday, April 24, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price $30
Presented by Tom Parker
Since the days of Al Capone, the Italian Mafia had a foothold in Las Vegas through casino construction financed with mob money. In the 1940s, Jewish organized crime figures such as Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky arrived in “glitter gulch” to obtain, through deadly force, a share of the “skim” from those gambling operations. By the 1970s, the mafia was so entrenched in the Vegas casinos that the Feds could no longer ignore their presence. In the late 1970s, the FBI and the IRS increased their investigative staffing levels to counter the mob’s heretofore unreachable spoils. The story of these investigations, the evidence the FBI collected, and the Federal court convictions they obtained were accurately portrayed in the movie “Casino.” To date, no investigation of the Mafia has been more successful in the history of the FBI and American law enforcement than this one.
Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).
Tuesdays: April 8, 15, 22, and 29, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Valle Verde Theater 900 Calle De Los Amigos, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price: $75
Presented by Norm Cohen
The stories told in the book of Genesis have had a lasting impact on three of the world’s great religions. The characters presented—Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel; Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca; Jacob and his two wives, 12 sons, and one daughter—are among the best-known in Western literature and have influenced story-tellers, poets, theologians, and philosophers for over two millennia. The events described—the Creation of the World, and so-called Fall from Grace, the Tower of Babel, the Great Flood of Noah—are a fundamental part of our cultural inheritance. Where did these stories originate? Who put them in the form that we now have? What did they mean to their original audiences more than 25 centuries ago? This series of presentations will examine—and, hopefully, answer—these questions and more.
Wednesdays: May 7, 14, and 21, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Weinman Hall, Music Academy of the West 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price: $60
Presented by Bob Weinman
In this three-meeting presentation, my object all sublime will be to polish up the handle of the big front door. You will find out that things are seldom what they seem and you will learn the scientific names of beings animalculous and how the punishment will fit the crime, since I, of course, have got a little list. Here’s a first-rate opportunity to learn the why and wherefore as we give three cheers and one cheer more for William Schwenk Gilbert and Arthur Seymour Sullivan. Will any of your favorite songs be left out? Never! Well, hardly ever!
The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.
Second Friday of each month, September through June, 10 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2024 meeting: September 13
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12
Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.
Mondays:, May 12 and 19, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price for EACH of two parts: $30; non-member price: $45
Presented by Stan Roden
The central theme of these two separate courses (NOTE: participants may enroll in either Part I or Part II, or both) will be to examine and discuss pending or recently decided major legal cases involving constitutional rights, civil and human rights, and the environment. The course will begin with two premises: (a) Few people understand the enormous power of “common law judges,” and (b) Many people believe that the US legal system is beyond their comprehension, which it is not. These classes will pinpoint cases in the trial and appellate courts (mostly federal, but states also) and examine the judicial decision-making process and approaches used by the judges and justices on a variety of legal challenges, with special emphasis on core constitutional and environmental issues.
Wednesdays: May 7, 14, and 21, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Weinman Hall, Music Academy of the West 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price: $60
Presented by Bob Weinman
In this three-meeting presentation, my object all sublime will be to polish up the handle of the big front door. You will find out that things are seldom what they seem and you will learn the scientific names of beings animalculous and how the punishment will fit the crime, since I, of course, have got a little list. Here’s a first-rate opportunity to learn the why and wherefore as we give three cheers and one cheer more for William Schwenk Gilbert and Arthur Seymour Sullivan. Will any of your favorite songs be left out? Never! Well, hardly ever!
Mondays:, May 12 and 19, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price for EACH of two parts: $30; non-member price: $45
Presented by Stan Roden
The central theme of these two separate courses (NOTE: participants may enroll in either Part I or Part II, or both) will be to examine and discuss pending or recently decided major legal cases involving constitutional rights, civil and human rights, and the environment. The course will begin with two premises: (a) Few people understand the enormous power of “common law judges,” and (b) Many people believe that the US legal system is beyond their comprehension, which it is not. These classes will pinpoint cases in the trial and appellate courts (mostly federal, but states also) and examine the judicial decision-making process and approaches used by the judges and justices on a variety of legal challenges, with special emphasis on core constitutional and environmental issues.
Wednesdays: May 7, 14, and 21, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Weinman Hall, Music Academy of the West 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price: $60
Presented by Bob Weinman
In this three-meeting presentation, my object all sublime will be to polish up the handle of the big front door. You will find out that things are seldom what they seem and you will learn the scientific names of beings animalculous and how the punishment will fit the crime, since I, of course, have got a little list. Here’s a first-rate opportunity to learn the why and wherefore as we give three cheers and one cheer more for William Schwenk Gilbert and Arthur Seymour Sullivan. Will any of your favorite songs be left out? Never! Well, hardly ever!
Thursday, May 22, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price $30
More details to come
Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).
The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.
More details, including meeting location to come.
Limited to 12 enrollees.
Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).
The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.
More details, including meeting location to come.
Limited to 12 enrollees.
Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).
Second Friday of each month, September through June, 10 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2024 meeting: September 13
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12
Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.
The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.
Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).
Monday: December 16, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by Steve Windhager
As the first botanic garden in the nation to focus exclusively on native plants, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has long been a champion for protecting California’s biodiversity. In the face of growing environmental threats like climate change and biodiversity loss, their work today is more important than ever. Native plants hold the key to a thriving and healthier future. Where native plants are, the entire web of life flourishes! Join us for an interactive look into their efforts to understand, protect, restore, and advocate for native plants and habitats in California and beyond. You’ll learn about their important conservation and research initiatives, as well as local land transformation projects that are inspiring conservationists globally, and get a first-hand look at some of their conservation tools, including plant and insect specimens.
Second Friday of each month, September through June, 10 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2024 meeting: September 13
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12
Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.
The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.
Wednesday: December 11, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Online Via ZOOM
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by Danny Lewin
This talk will take a deep dive into recent applied science on changes in consciousness during sleep, meditation, and non-ordinary states associated with psychedelics. All of these states have direct links to mental health and well-being. Cultural and historical definitions of sleep have varied greatly, and recent advances in neuroscience and sleep health provide important insights into this essential behavior as a window into consciousness and optimal mental and physical health. A review of the history and diversity of scientific, cultural, and spiritual understanding of sleep as well as meditative and non-ordinary states will be followed by discussion of optimal sleep, sleep disorders, meditation, and recent advances in therapeutic use of psychedelics and plant medicine. Sleep and dreams will be discussed in the context of other consciousness states.
Thursday: December 5; 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Valle Verde Theater 900 Calle De Los Amigos, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by John Ferry and Grace De Soto
Although best known for orchestrating the American Indian occupation of Alcatraz Island in 1969 that led to significant social reforms for all Native Americans, Fortunate Eagle is also a sculptor, author, spiritual leader, and celebrated ceremonial pipe maker. Filmed in Nevada on the Paiute-Shoshone reservation, Contrary Warrior is an intimate first-person account of the life of the activist and artist Adam Fortunate Eagle. In November 2011 the film aired on over 90 PBS and Public Television stations, and continued airing through November 2012. NITV in Australia aired the film nationally on a continuous basis for over four years. Filmmakers John Ferry and Grace De Soto will discuss the making of their prize-winning documentary after screening the 56-minute film.
Wednesday: December 4, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum 113 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by Don Barthelmess
Would you like to learn why Santa Barbara is known worldwide as the “Birthplace of Deep-water Diving”? Few are aware of our city’s pioneering efforts that began with local abalone divers of Santa Barbara harbor in the 1950s and 1960s. These events changed the world of commercial diving and deep-water exploration that exists today. We will explore the history of diving in Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands, from the native Chumash thousands of years ago to rapid advancements driven by offshore exploration and technology. Known as “The Santa Barbara Helium Rush” by diving historians, mixed-gas breathing was introduced for deep diving by local abalone divers. Santa Barbara’s marine and commercial diving infrastructure produced much of the advanced equipment, training, and global businesses that exist today.
Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).
Presented by Dr. Joel Rothman
Humans are poised at the threshold of remarkable changes in their relationship with time, sparked by extraordinary advances in the science of aging and the discovery that it can be dramatically slowed and even reversed. These advances mean that in the near future, human health might be dramatically improved not by individually treating many different age-driven maladies, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases as well as cancer, but instead by treating only one: aging.
Even more startling, research has revealed that it is possible to reverse many aspects of age-related decline. These discoveries are leading to the development of interventions in the progression of aging, many of which are currently being tested in humans.
Dr. Rothman is a Distinguished Professor at UCSB who inaugurated and directs the Center for Aging and Longevity Studies at the university. He has been engaged in longevity-related research for 32 years at three universities: UCSB, the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and the University of Auckland.
A generous grant made to Vistas Lifelong Learning by Amy Margerum Berg in honor of her mother, longtime Vistas member Barbara Margerum, has enabled us to establish this Distinguished Speaker Program, an annual lecture that will be made available to Vistas members and to the general public at no cost to those who attend. Pre-registration is required for all attendees.
Wednesday: November 20, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price $30
Presented by Nicholas Stein
Nicholas Stein, the former showrunner of the National Geographic hit TV series “Border Wars,” has a remarkable journey to share. From capturing the heroic work of law enforcement personnel at the U.S.–Mexican border to later offering the tools of mindfulness and meditation to those same officers and agents he’d been embedded with, Stein’s story is timely, captivating, and informative. While producing “Border Wars” from 2009 to 2012, Stein and his crews gained unparalleled access to frontline units of law enforcement agencies, such as Border Patrol, ICE, DEA, and sheriff’s and police departments. From jumping from helicopters to track down armed smugglers to pulling drowned immigrants from the Rio Grande River, this work left Stein depleted and burnt out. Seeking relief after the series wrapped, he turned to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, a secular contemplative system. As a professional mindfulness teacher, he’s shared his hard-won understanding with those same agents and officers he embedded with at U.S. Customs and Border Protection while making “Border Wars.” This presentation tells this story using images and footage from his hit series and employs instructive visual teaching tools to share effective mindfulness techniques with the audience.
The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.
Thursday: November 14, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by Ted Anagnoson
In almost every presidential election cycle, the word “unprecedented” is invoked. But in 2024 it seems more appropriate than in any other election year in recent memory. As this is being written, the presidential race has just been jolted by the abrupt withdrawal of President Biden from the presidential race and the ascension of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee. And we have the further complication of a third-party candidate, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as well as the recent assassination attempt on former President Trump. In this course, we will use maps and charts to analyze the results of the presidential, congressional, statewide, and major local elections. Both journalists and political scientists will have had time to offer their major conclusions after the race, and we’ll try to explain why the election went the way it did.
Two Wednesdays: September 19 and 26, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $30; non-member price: $45
Presented by Stan Roden
The 2023–24 Supreme Court term was one of the most consequential in recent memory. This class will explore two bedrock principles of American jurisprudence: stare decisis, meaning “to stand by things decided,” and judicial ethics. Cases to be explored: Criminal law immunity for former presidents (6–3); power of federal agencies vs. federal courts (6–3); agency funding (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) (7–2); restrictions on homelessness (6–3); use of administrative courts, i.e., SEC (6–3); obstruction charges for Jan. 6 rioters/insurrectionists (6–3); cross-state air pollution (5–4); racial gerrymandering (6–3); gun rights (8–1), bump stocks (6–3), and NRA (9–0); social media companies’ First Amendment rights (9–0); abortion pills (9–0); opioid settlement (5–4); and others. Additionally, this class will explore the issues of “judge shopping,” “court packing,” and SCOTUS term limits.
*NEW DATE* Monday, November 11, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by Bruce Phillips
The human immune system is extraordinary. It has been estimated that the human body contains more microbes on and in it than human cells. Of course, not all microorganisms are disease causing; some even benefit us. But many could kill us if not for the protection afforded by our immune system. How does it work? How does it know which cells belong to you and which represent foreign invaders In this class, we will discuss: (i) the components of our immune system, (ii) how it distinguishes self from non-self, (iii) how it combats foreign disease agents, (iv) what happens when it turns on itself (autoimmunity), and (v) how immunologists are trying, with some success, to utilize our own immune system to treat cancers.
Second Friday of each month, September through June, 10 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2024 meeting: September 13
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12
Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.
Two Wednesdays: September 19 and 26, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $30; non-member price: $45
Presented by Stan Roden
The 2023–24 Supreme Court term was one of the most consequential in recent memory. This class will explore two bedrock principles of American jurisprudence: stare decisis, meaning “to stand by things decided,” and judicial ethics. Cases to be explored: Criminal law immunity for former presidents (6–3); power of federal agencies vs. federal courts (6–3); agency funding (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) (7–2); restrictions on homelessness (6–3); use of administrative courts, i.e., SEC (6–3); obstruction charges for Jan. 6 rioters/insurrectionists (6–3); cross-state air pollution (5–4); racial gerrymandering (6–3); gun rights (8–1), bump stocks (6–3), and NRA (9–0); social media companies’ First Amendment rights (9–0); abortion pills (9–0); opioid settlement (5–4); and others. Additionally, this class will explore the issues of “judge shopping,” “court packing,” and SCOTUS term limits.
Monday: November 4, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by Steve Johnson
Birds have brought joy and wonder to humans for thousands of years. What makes them so special? They have the same general body structure and senses and internal organs as humans, yet they can fly and we can’t. This is because nearly everything about bird physiology and anatomy has been optimized through evolution to permit flight. Birds have fine-tuned their bones and muscles, breathing, digestion and metabolism, body temperature, and reproduction so that they can take to the air. This class will focus on all the fascinating differences between birds and humans that allow them to delight us. It will include short video clips and show-and-tell specimens. Come to this class to learn what goes on beneath the feathers—it’s surprising and amazing!
Wednesday: October 30, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price $30
Presented by Jason Dominguez
Just what is “justice” anyway? Traditional concepts of justice include fairness, equality, and rights. Who defines these conceits and who enforces them? And who guards the guardians? We will take a look at social, economic, and legal justice and seek answers for important conceptual questions. Does the Supreme Court represent blind justice, given the gifts it receives? Does Democracy meet the call for justice with abuse of the minority by the majority, gerrymandering, and other anti-representative features? Does ranked-choice voting lead to greater justice? We’ll examine real-world examples where traditional justice may be seen as failing, such as righting the wrongs of colonialism and restoring the self-determination of people.
Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).
The book selected for our October 28 meeting is: An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s, by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Our selection for November is The Everything War: Amazon's Ruthless Quest to Own the World and Remake Corporate Power, by Dana Mattioli.
Thursday: October 24, 10 a.m. – 12 noon
This class will be presented online via Zoom. Those enrolled will receive a link via email before the presentation.
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by David Lee
There are still a few places on earth where traditional peoples use rock art images to aid in inter-generational instruction and in ceremonies. Wardaman Country in northern Australia is one such place. This lecture will present information gathered during ten field-seasons working with Wardaman Elder Yidumduma Bill Harney. The ceremonial traditions of indigenous groups in northern Australia are concerned primarily with lessons first learned during the “Dreamtime” when the world was created (still an-ongoing process). The songs, stories, laws, and ceremonies of the present are informed by that ancient past and are meant (in large part) to help teach children about their connection to the lands of their ancestors. To the Wardaman people, time and space, act and actor are all part of the woven fabric of existence. The lessons of the Dreaming serve to inform both the reality of the present and their hopes for the future.
Wednesday: October 23, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price $30
Presented by Tom Parker
While the FBI is considered one of the world’s premier investigative agencies and has had a century of successfully fulfilling its criminal investigative and national security missions, it has been criticized in recent years for its handling of several difficult cases. These include the Waco, Ruby Ridge, and Wounded Knee sieges; the Oklahoma City bombing investigation; the Robert Hanssen spy case; and the alleged improper use of confidential informants and wiretaps. Some members of Congress and presidential administrations have called for increased oversight and reform or, perhaps, dismantling of the FBI and transferring its domestic and international security functions to another agency. This presentation will provide an overview of the history of the FBI from the perspective only an insider could have and will simultaneously explore some of those calls for change in the present and future responsibilities of the FBI.
Tuesday: October 22, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Weinman Hall, Music Academy of the West 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30
Presented by Bob Weinman
With its rich history of captivating music and emotionally charged storytelling, Italian opera remains a cornerstone of opera houses to this day. For the upcoming season, Opera Santa Barbara will be presenting a terrific lineup of three popular Italian operas. First up is Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, the classic tale of jealousy and murder in a Commedia dell’Arte troupe. Next is The Marriage of Figaro, Mozart’s masterpiece of seduction and mistaken identities. And last is Donizetti’s Daughter of the Regiment, a bel canto comedy full of gorgeous melodies and vocal fireworks. This talk is bound to be both informative and entertaining. And you can expect a few surprises!
Mondays: October 7, 14, and 21, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price: $60
Presented by Pastor Chuck Burwell
Have you ever wondered how the world’s great religions came into being and how they compare with each other? Come join us as we look back in time to discover answers to these questions. There are beliefs and values that are common to many of the religions—and of course there are some major differences as well. This study will look at the origins and provide a brief history of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. We will also look at how the belief systems of these religions overlap in some areas and are quite divergent in others.
Wednesdays: October 9 and 16, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $30; non-member price: $45
Presented by Martin Kasindorf
From the perspective of a wide-ranging career writing for California newspapers, Newsweek, USA Today, Newsday, and the New York Times Magazine, Martin will introduce VISTAS members to the personalities and historic events he covered, contrasting the political and media environments of print journalism’s 1960s heyday with today’s internet-era trends and tensions. Highlights include interviews with nine presidents, from Truman to Trump; Northern Ireland’s violent Troubles; 13 national conventions; campaign travel with John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy (Marty was there at his assassination), Jerry Brown, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, and other candidates; six years of White House life and worldwide Air Force One travel with George H. W. Bush and Clinton; the trials of Sirhan Sirhan, Charles Manson, Patricia Hearst, and other defendants; the quirks of Hollywood stars and directors, from John Wayne and Groucho to Brando, Spielberg, and Jane Fonda.
Mondays: October 7, 14, and 21, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price: $60
Presented by Pastor Chuck Burwell
Have you ever wondered how the world’s great religions came into being and how they compare with each other? Come join us as we look back in time to discover answers to these questions. There are beliefs and values that are common to many of the religions—and of course there are some major differences as well. This study will look at the origins and provide a brief history of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. We will also look at how the belief systems of these religions overlap in some areas and are quite divergent in others.