NEWS

NOTES FROM THE BOARD

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS are in order: The Quill is celebrating its 500^th issue and LLAIC will be celebrating its 10^th year!! Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information about LLAIC’s 10^th Anniversary Celebration on June 4^th. We will be honoring our founders with a catered lunch and the entire membership is invited.

The Board is busy planning for many exciting upcoming events. First, we are thrilled with the rejuvenated LUNCH@LLAIC program. We hope you find a couple of  topics of interest and join fellow LLAIC members for lunch and a stimulating program on Tuesday afternoons at Temple Shalom.

The ad hoc marketing committee is about to launch a newly designed website, hopefully live by the end of the month. The Curriculum Committee is busy seeking new course leaders and topics for the fall. And Let’s Go is in full swing with spring and summer outings.

We are reviewing Summersession and planning a return to the pre-pandemic in-person model of one day a week with interesting interactive programs. All is still very much in the planning stage, so please let us know if you have any new ideas.

Finally the Nominating Committee has concluded its search for new Board members (featured in today’s Quill). They will be elected by the membership at our annual business meeting on June 4^th followed by our 10^th anniversary celebration.

Looking forward to continued in-person gatherings!

LLAIC ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

AND 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATORY LUNCH

TUESDAY, JUNE 4 @ 10:30

TEMPLE SHALOM, WEST NEWTON

Save the date for the meeting in which we'll vote on new Board members for the coming year, review our accomplishments for the year, and celebrate our tenth anniversary.

Meet the three members nominated to serve for three-year terms on the Board, beginning in July:

• BARBARA MENDE. Barbara is well known to those who have been members of LLAIC for a while. She is a past member of the Board and had to leave due to the bylaws. Having been off the board for a year, she is now eligible to be a board member once again, and her institutional knowledge will be especially valued. Also, since the bylaws require that Mary Mansfield leave the board at the end of this year, the Board is in need of a secretary, a role in which Barbara has a lot of experience. She is the editor of the weekly LLAIC Quill and does Zoom support. In most of her previous life Barbara was a "suit" in the computer business; she also worked in law firms and libraries, did industrial market research, and wrote about career issues. Barbara has been key to the success of LLAIC.

• LOIS NOVOTNY. Lois is co-chair of the Curriculum Committee, and therefore should be on the board since the bylaws require that her co-chair Richard Mansfield leave the Board this year. Lois has done an admirable job for years and will be a valuable addition to the LLAIC Board. After completing all the course work for a Ph.D in musicology, it became apparent to Lois that the job market for college teaching (the only work for which the degree was relevant) had completely ceased to exist. Since learning something that had a job and salary attached to it seemed like a good idea, she went to law school. She has enjoyed putting her undergraduate background in English literature and art, together with her graduate work, to good use in teaching several courses at LLAIC, ranging from opera to ballet to Jane Austen. This spring, Lois is teaching Opera 101—Why is That Fat Lady Singing? The Board might also benefit from her law expertise.

• ERIC SAWITZ. Eric has been on the nominating committee and is currently helping LLAIC develop a relationship with 2Life (OPUS), near the JCC, where he and his wife plan to live when the building is completed. He says that for him “the most important role for LLAIC is to bring engaged and engaging lifelong learners" together in a relaxed setting respectful of others. Our strength lies in our vitality and energy we bring to creating a diverse community, rich in experience and enhanced by an informality of spirit.” Eric was a Primary Care Internist at Atrius Health in Braintree for 35 years, retiring in 2020. Originally from the DC area, he graduated Brandeis and BU School of Medicine, served in the National Health Service Corps in West Virginia, and did post graduate training as a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar in San Francisco. He joined the BU faculty and subsequently became a PCP at Atrius. He and his wife became members of LLAIC three years ago and have attended classes both in person and by Zoom.

Put the date on your calendar! Come and celebrate LLAIC in person!

SPECIAL EVENTS

Available to members at no additional charge

LUNCH@LLAIC

TUESDAYS, APRIL 16 THRU MAY 28

12:00 NOON @ TEMPLE SHALOM

Our first LUNCH@LLAIC on April 9 was a great success. LUNCH@LLAIC continues on Tuesday, April 16, in person! No RSVP is required, but email Jennifer Young by 11 that day if you want pizza at $3 a slice or two for $5. Or bring your lunch.

This Tuesday, the after-lunch program will feature a recorded lecture from Curiosity University entitled “The Politics and Philosophy of Kurt Vonnegut” which looks briefly at some of the most interesting points of Vonnegut’s political theory: his identification of decay in modernity, his unique ideas regarding “spiritual socialism,” his advocacy for communitarianism, and many more. Pat Cole will lead our discussion of the video.

Here's some fan mail we received after the first program:

I had a wonderful day today. I went to LUNCH@LLAIC, and I’ll tell you why it was so special. For four years, I’ve stayed active in LLAIC by zoom only. I’ve taught courses, taken courses, attended Board meetings, committee meetings and Happy Hours, “gone” to programs like LLAIC Loves Art and Lit Lovers. I’ve kept up my close friendships with LLAIC friends via zoom, emails and telephone. It was good for me, I enjoyed it all, but I missed actually being with these people.

Today when I walked into Temple Shalom and saw so many friends and acquaintances, when I talked to them face to face, sat and ate lunch with them and felt that uplifting “buzz” that you get when you’re part of an audience, rather than watching a play or movie on your own, I felt so happy. We’re baaaack—in all the best senses of the words. If you missed today, be sure to come next Tuesday for LUNCH@LLAIC, 12 to 2 in the Schmooze room. You’ll enjoy the program and the discussion, too, but above all, you’ll be so glad to be back in person at LLAIC!

Here is the rest of the schedule: 

•    April 30: "Mozart's Many Mysteries" with Phil Radoff

•    May 7:  "Jackie Kennedy: Her Life, Image and Legacy" with Jane

Bermont

•    May 14: "Six Television Shows That Changed the Rules" with Alice Freedman

•    May 21:  "The Age of Misinformation" with Karl Kelber 

•    May 28:  "Was Alexander Hamilton Jewish? A Scholar Investigates"

with Sue Goldberg

We hope to see you at this new LLAIC program! If you have questions, please contact Phyllis Cohen or Alice Freedman.

      CANNABIS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

PRESENTED BY DR. JORDAN TISHLER

MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2024 @ 1:30 ON ZOOM

Cannabis and various related products are now available legally in Massachusetts and can be used for both medical and recreational purposes.  On the medical side, they can be helpful is managing pain, anxiety, nausea, and insomnia.

In this presentation Dr. Tishler will explain what cannabis and cannabinoids are, how they can provide medical benefits, what the risks are, and how to avoid misinformation about their use. In addition, he’ll touch on the negative effects of CBD and unregulated hemp products that are becoming popular despite being unsafe. Attendees will come away with a good understanding of the real risks and benefits, which products are safe, and how to get unbiased, caring advice about health issues.  

Dr. Tishler is a cannabinoid specialist physician. He is the founder and president of the Association of Cannabinoid Specialists, an internist, a Veteran’s Administration emergency physician, and faculty at Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham. He has received Clinician of the Year awards from Americans for Safe Access and the Marfan’s Society. He is on the Massachusetts Cannabis Advisory Council and is an advisor to the Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation and Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance. His research focuses on cannabinoid medication safety and use of cannabinoids for human sexual dysfunction.

Watch this space for the link to request a Zoom invitation before Sunday, April 28. You'lll receive the invite that day.

ROAD TO THE VOTE: BOSTON SUFFRAGISTS

FRIDAY, MAY 10 @ 11:30

LUNCH AT THE UNION OYSTER HOUSE

The Road to the Vote for national woman suffrage was a long and arduous one. Along the way, countless suffragists, in Boston, and across the nation, organized, wrote, fundraised, marched, picketed, boycotted, and went on hunger strikes to call attention to their cause. Generations of women fought in the struggle, all the while hoping to open minds and move hearts. By the early 20th century women in Boston were being arrested and jailed for their convictions. It was 72 years from Seneca Falls to the time when American women voted in municipal, state and federal elections exercising the right provided to them in the 19th amendment. This tour celebrates the centennial of the ratification of that amendment and highlights the places, people and protests that helped win the vote for women.

Please join us for the Boston Suffragists tour on May 10th. We will have lunch 11:30 a.m. at the Union Oyster House.  We will order from the menu and receive separate checks.  At 1:30 we will walk over to the start of the tour in front of Fanueil Hall.

To register, fill out the attached registration form and email it to Abby Shapiro.  Please send the payment of $23.00 to Abby with Venmo, or else print out the form and mail it to Abby at the address listed on the form and include a check. It must be received no later than May 5. About a week prior to this trip you will receive an email with contact information, enabling you to form carpools if you wish.

 

We look forward to sharing this unique Let’s Go experience on May 10^th.

For more information please contact Jim Mniece at jmniece@yahoo.com or 781-879-9965.

ANOTHER EARLY DINNER THEATER EVENT!

THE OUTSIDER

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3 @ 2:00 P.M.

VOKES THEATRE, WAYLAND

This summer the Vokes Theatre in Wayland is performing a play called The Outsider, a political farce, appropriate for the season! The play concerns a governor who exits office in disgrace, leaving his qualified but socially and politically inept lieutenant governor to do his best in his place. As expected, things begin to go downhill fast, but help arrives from an unexpected source. According to Broadway World: “The Outsider is an insightful, witty satire about modern American politics. Funny, timely and – dare we say – entirely possible.”  

We would like to reserve a block of tickets for a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Saturday, August 3rd. Tickets are $20.00 each. If you would like to join the group for the play, followed by an early dinner, please send the attached reservation form with your $20 check to Andrea Teacher, at the address listed on the form, as soon as possible and before the end of May.

GROUP MEETINGS

Available to members at no additional charge

SPANISH CONVERSATION GROUP

¡Bienvenidos a La Tertulia!

MONDAY, APRIL 15 @ 1:00

Our format consists of reading and discussing articles from various Spanish language media sources of general high interest. There is no homework although everyone is invited to submit articles they might find for our agendas.

The hosts for the group are Miriam Grodberg and Larry Krakauer. Contact Miriam at mgrodberg@comcast.net with any questions.

CURRENT EVENTS

FRIDAY, APRIL 19 @ 10:00-11:15

LED BY JERRY JACOBS 

During this season of hope, renewal, and redemption for all faiths, we mark the sixth month anniversary of the Israel Gaza war. This well-informed group under Jerry's skillful tutelage will spend some time reflecting on the war and suggestions for weakening Hamas -- in addition a way to quickly liberate the hostages, provide humanitarian aid for civilians, and make short term and longer plans for Gaza -- and Israel.

Meanwhile, a plan to help arm allies including Ukraine, Israel and other countries has yet to be re- negotiated between the House, the Senate and President Biden. Will the original agreement including funding for border security and immigration reform be discussed? 

Finally, the issue of judicial rulings on reproductive rights vs. state constitutional amendments remains in flux. Will President Trump's recent policy statement and Republican moderates' opposition to the recent Alabama decision have any impact in red states?

As of today, the Red Sox have hosted Opening Day, the Marathon will take place, and Japanese cherry Blossoms are appearing in Boston.(How is that for a hopeful ending?) Stay tuned!

Click here before noon on Thursday, April 18, to request a Zoom invitation. You'll get it that day. Newcomers are welcome.

Flash: By popular demand we will be adding more sessions to Current Events beginning 10/4 to 11/8!! Specific dates will be provided closer to the fall. 

MOVIE MAVENS

SEARCHING FOR SUGARMAN

FRIDAY, APRIL 19 @ 2 P.M.

Have you heard of Sixto Rodriguez? Was he another Dylan? A victim of the Top 40 fixation? Why was he ignored here but a legend in South Africa? Did he help change Apartheid? Was he too sophisticated? Were the bizarre rumors true?

These are some of the questions raised by the documentary Searching for Sugarman.You will watch the recounting of two investigators as they try to find out what happened. Was he still alive or were the accounts of his death true? 

This exciting and powerful film highlights the power of music to transcend borders and cultures, revealing the complex interplay between fact and truth in storytelling.

The movie won Oscar and BAFTA awards for best documentary as well as 42 other awards. It is available to stream on Apple, Amazon, YouTube, and Vudu.

Click here before noon on Thursday, April 18, to request a Zoom invitation. You'll receive it that day.

THERE ARE NO GENIUSES ON WALL STREET

MONDAY, APRIL 29 @ 10:30-12:00

Are you an experienced investor, or are you new to "the market" and want to know more? We are an easygoing discussion group that deals with all market-related topics. Bring your opinions, insights, and questions. Or just listen. We are now meeting as a joint venture between LLAIC and Tufts OLLI. The next meeting after this one will be on May 20.

Click here today to request an Zoom invitation. If you have any questions about the group, contact Richard Lewis: lewisdmd@yahoo.com or 617-448-4439.