Peer Learning Courses
Spring 2022
Friends Around the Kitchen Table Facilitator: Kris Yensen Via Zoom Zoom Moderator: Scott Parent Monday - 11-12:30 11 weeks: Jan 24-Feb 21, Mar 7-Apr4, Apr 18
We can’t visit each others’ kitchens right now, but we can still share our stories--- and now we can do it in our slippers! Each week, we’ll have a theme and everyone who wants to tell a five-minute related story can have the floor, so to speak. (No pressure, though--- you’re welcome to sit and listen, too.) We share stories about childhood friends, pet peeves, favorite parables, neighborhoods, heroes, wins and losses.
Short Story Facilitator: Lori Shapiro & others
Via Zoom Zoom Moderator: Jim Neeley
Monday - 1:30-3 11 weeks: Jan 24-Feb 21, Mar 7-Apr4, Apr 18
The “short story” is a unique and special genre. It has its own guidelines and features as a craft. Join us as we embark on this rewarding journey of literary exploration and discovery. Each week a different participant will select and moderate group discussion. Selections are pulled from the tremendous wealth of free downloadable short stories available on-line.
Kievan Russ to USSR Facilitator: Mir Ali
Via Zoom Zoom Moderator:
Tuesday - 11-12:30 12 weeks: Jan 18-Feb 22-March 8-Apr 5, Apr 19
The Vikings arrived on the shores of the Baltic Sea in the early 9th century CE and expanded under the leadership of the ruling Rurik Dynasty who set up “principalities”. Later, Ivan III and Ivan IV united these principalities to form “Russia”. Peter the Great, followed by the “Era of the Queens”; Elizabeth, Catherine and Anne, transformed Russia to form the Russian Empire. The Rurik Dynasty was replaced by the Romanoffs. During 1917-1923, the Romanoff Dynasty was disposed and replaced by “People’s Rule”.
Nature and Ecology Facilitator: Kathy Snipes
Via Zoom Zoom Moderator:
Tuesday - 1:30-3 6 weeks: Jan 18-Feb 22
We will take a look at some recent & forthcoming releases of captive species bred and returned into nature and the introduction of species into regions where their numbers are failing, for example the NC Red Wolf. A few projects now involve back-breeding or cloning of extinct species, such as the Pyrenean Ibex, European Aurochs & Woolly Mammoth. We will discuss past events of climate change & how humanity has coped in our interglacial period.
Spring Potpourri Facilitator: Various
Tuesday- 1:30-3 6 Weeks: March 8-Apr 5, Apr 19
Six week class featuring guest speakers on gardening and other topics, sessions to be announced later.
North Carolina Glimpses Facilitator: Beth Timson
Via Zoom Zoom Moderator: TBA
Wednesday - 11-12:30 12 weeks: Jan 19-Feb 23, Mar 9-Apr 6, Apr 20
This class will be a collection of snapshots of North Carolina, from weird and wonderful places, to NC legends, to a bit of natural history, to the state's involvement in various wars, to NC economy and politics. We'll have guest appearances by some NC natives and a special on "what's exciting around this area." Long-time and recent residents alike will find things to learn and talk about.
Medical Myths, Lies & Half Truths Facilitator: Michael Joseph
Via Zoom Moderator: Jim Neeley
Wednesday - 1:30-3 12 weeks: Jan 19-Feb 23, Mar 9-Apr 6, Apr 20
Strengthen your skills at assessing the truth behind medical information and discover evidence-based guidelines for good health, led by a Yale University School professor. This course will deal with myths concerning diet, probiotics, antioxidants, vaccinations, herbal medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, magnets & pregnancy.
Human Microbiome Facilitator: Matt Epstein
Via Zoom Zoom Moderator: Jim Neeley
Thurs - 11-12:30 12 weeks: Jan 20-Feb 24, Mar 10-Apr 7, Apr 21
The human microbiome is an extraordinary collection of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and archaea that share our bodies. Their quality and diversity correlate with, and often control, our immune response, how we derive nutrients from our diet, and virtually every mental and physical condition tested, including aging. The course will focus primarily on the bacteria component, what it is, how it operates, research on its impact on diseases and conditions, and ways to improve it.
Hollywood Comedy in the Talkie Era Facilitator: Kit Hill
Binkley Room 17
Thursday - 1:30-3:30 12 weeks: Jan 20-Feb 24, Mar 10-Apr 7, Apr 21
Slapstick needs pictures, but wit needs words. Writers, directors, and actors in 1930s Hollywood had a lot of fun putting funny words together with funny pictures. Ninety years on now, these pictures depict a world that no longer exists, but the human relationships depicted in these comedies still exist, so the humor in the best of 1930s Hollywood comedy remains sharp. This series focuses on four directors who helped create the archetypes for talkie comedy: Roy Del Ruth, Ernst Lubitsch, George Cukor, and Frank Capra.
Book Club Facilitator: Kris Yensen
Flyleaf Books
Third Friday (4th Fri, Apr) - 11-12:30 Jan 21, Feb 18, Mar 18, Apr 22
We hope to be able to meet in person using books from the library. If you are interested, please register with your email and we will let you know details as soon as announced.
We can’t visit each others’ kitchens right now, but we can still share our stories--- and now we can do it in our slippers! Each week, we’ll have a theme and everyone who wants to tell a five-minute related story can have the floor, so to speak. (No pressure, though--- you’re welcome to sit and listen, too.) We share stories about childhood friends, pet peeves, favorite parables, neighborhoods, heroes, wins and losses.
Short Story Facilitator: Lori Shapiro & others
Via Zoom Zoom Moderator: Jim Neeley
Monday - 1:30-3 11 weeks: Jan 24-Feb 21, Mar 7-Apr4, Apr 18
The “short story” is a unique and special genre. It has its own guidelines and features as a craft. Join us as we embark on this rewarding journey of literary exploration and discovery. Each week a different participant will select and moderate group discussion. Selections are pulled from the tremendous wealth of free downloadable short stories available on-line.
Kievan Russ to USSR Facilitator: Mir Ali
Via Zoom Zoom Moderator:
Tuesday - 11-12:30 12 weeks: Jan 18-Feb 22-March 8-Apr 5, Apr 19
The Vikings arrived on the shores of the Baltic Sea in the early 9th century CE and expanded under the leadership of the ruling Rurik Dynasty who set up “principalities”. Later, Ivan III and Ivan IV united these principalities to form “Russia”. Peter the Great, followed by the “Era of the Queens”; Elizabeth, Catherine and Anne, transformed Russia to form the Russian Empire. The Rurik Dynasty was replaced by the Romanoffs. During 1917-1923, the Romanoff Dynasty was disposed and replaced by “People’s Rule”.
Nature and Ecology Facilitator: Kathy Snipes
Via Zoom Zoom Moderator:
Tuesday - 1:30-3 6 weeks: Jan 18-Feb 22
We will take a look at some recent & forthcoming releases of captive species bred and returned into nature and the introduction of species into regions where their numbers are failing, for example the NC Red Wolf. A few projects now involve back-breeding or cloning of extinct species, such as the Pyrenean Ibex, European Aurochs & Woolly Mammoth. We will discuss past events of climate change & how humanity has coped in our interglacial period.
Spring Potpourri Facilitator: Various
Tuesday- 1:30-3 6 Weeks: March 8-Apr 5, Apr 19
Six week class featuring guest speakers on gardening and other topics, sessions to be announced later.
North Carolina Glimpses Facilitator: Beth Timson
Via Zoom Zoom Moderator: TBA
Wednesday - 11-12:30 12 weeks: Jan 19-Feb 23, Mar 9-Apr 6, Apr 20
This class will be a collection of snapshots of North Carolina, from weird and wonderful places, to NC legends, to a bit of natural history, to the state's involvement in various wars, to NC economy and politics. We'll have guest appearances by some NC natives and a special on "what's exciting around this area." Long-time and recent residents alike will find things to learn and talk about.
Medical Myths, Lies & Half Truths Facilitator: Michael Joseph
Via Zoom Moderator: Jim Neeley
Wednesday - 1:30-3 12 weeks: Jan 19-Feb 23, Mar 9-Apr 6, Apr 20
Strengthen your skills at assessing the truth behind medical information and discover evidence-based guidelines for good health, led by a Yale University School professor. This course will deal with myths concerning diet, probiotics, antioxidants, vaccinations, herbal medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, magnets & pregnancy.
Human Microbiome Facilitator: Matt Epstein
Via Zoom Zoom Moderator: Jim Neeley
Thurs - 11-12:30 12 weeks: Jan 20-Feb 24, Mar 10-Apr 7, Apr 21
The human microbiome is an extraordinary collection of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and archaea that share our bodies. Their quality and diversity correlate with, and often control, our immune response, how we derive nutrients from our diet, and virtually every mental and physical condition tested, including aging. The course will focus primarily on the bacteria component, what it is, how it operates, research on its impact on diseases and conditions, and ways to improve it.
Hollywood Comedy in the Talkie Era Facilitator: Kit Hill
Binkley Room 17
Thursday - 1:30-3:30 12 weeks: Jan 20-Feb 24, Mar 10-Apr 7, Apr 21
Slapstick needs pictures, but wit needs words. Writers, directors, and actors in 1930s Hollywood had a lot of fun putting funny words together with funny pictures. Ninety years on now, these pictures depict a world that no longer exists, but the human relationships depicted in these comedies still exist, so the humor in the best of 1930s Hollywood comedy remains sharp. This series focuses on four directors who helped create the archetypes for talkie comedy: Roy Del Ruth, Ernst Lubitsch, George Cukor, and Frank Capra.
Book Club Facilitator: Kris Yensen
Flyleaf Books
Third Friday (4th Fri, Apr) - 11-12:30 Jan 21, Feb 18, Mar 18, Apr 22
We hope to be able to meet in person using books from the library. If you are interested, please register with your email and we will let you know details as soon as announced.