JANUARY 2021 CLASSES

Find a description of each class and a Zoom link to join us below!

Week of January 4

Monday Jan. 4 10am-Noon
Title : Poetry Reading Fun!
Facilitator : Trina Gaynon, SSI member
Description :
Know a lot about poetry? Know nothing about poetry? Somewhere in-between?
There’s a place for you in this very popular class led by Trina Gaynon. We read from a
variety of published works. Really FUN!
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Tuesday Jan. 5 1-3 pm
Title : Death of a Democracy: Germany from Weimar Republic to Adolph Hitler
Presenter : Donald Steury, PhD, SSI member
Description :
How does a democracy die? This presentation will explore how a small group of
right-wing fanatics were able to subvert the democratic institutions of one of the most
advanced and educated countries in the world.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89969953064?pwd=VUJGbklTMmZ3WkxEVjFXUXhLT2tBZz09
Meeting ID: 899 6995 3064
Passcode: 935259
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Wednesday Jan. 6 10am-Noon
Title : Civics for Seniors 2: The Courts and the Constitution
Presenter : Barry Bennett, JD, SSI member
Description :
The death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett just
before the presidential election highlighted the importance of the Supreme Court, which
has become the arbiter of many of the most controversial issues in American life. In this
class we will discuss the Court’s role in interpreting the Constitution as we cover the
most important constitutional provisions, including the powers of Congress and the Bill
of Rights. We will also cover the basics of the judicial system, as the lower courts play a
critical role and have become a significant political issue in their own right.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81618169488?pwd=TW9OcEhIV3A4bkoyVkVJejFBd1dQQT09
Meeting ID: 816 1816 9488
Passcode: 685599
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Thursday Jan. 7 10am-Noon
Title : Raptors Up Close
Presenter : Dody Wyman
Description :
Join us for a closeup look at what makes a raptor a raptor, their natural biology,
differences, and a bit about rehabilitating them when they get in trouble . Dody Wyman
has been rehabilitating injured raptors for many years. She lives and works in the Upper
Peninsula of Michigan.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88627101678?pwd=OFArN3NpL1lkSnA3NUdpSmJHREFjZz09
Meeting ID: 886 2710 1678
Passcode: 461092
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Week of January 11

Monday Jan. 11 10am-Noon
Title : Willamette 1873 Locks & Navigation Canals
Presenter : Sandy Carter
Description :
In the 1860s Willamette Falls posed a huge practical barrier to the river transportation
needed to build new pioneer settlements up the Willamette Valley. Politics and
economics created a long tussle over which private company would build and own the
lock system, opening up development in the young state. Join us to learn about the
building of the canal in the run-up to New Years Day 1873, when the Willamette Falls
Navigation Canal and Locks opened.
Sandy Carter will share fascinating stories and images of the canal and locks
throughout their 147 years; discuss its closure in 2011; and share current plans to repair
and reopen this valuable and amazing Oregon marine transportation resource. Carter is
co-Vice Chair of the Willamette Falls Locks State Commission and a long-time advocate
for the industrial heritage surrounding the rugged 45’ horseshoe that is Willamette Falls.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83143240827?pwd=NmJyUXNxcXpUekF0TGlhY2Q0cjVCUT09
Meeting ID: 831 4324 0827
Passcode: 222281
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Tuesday Jan. 12 1-3 pm
Title : The Next Carrington Event, or the End of the World as We Know It
Presenter : Don Anderson, SSI member
Description :
Recently on PBS they showed the first part of a British show called “COBRA” about
what happens if a Carrington Level solar flare hits Earth, and much of our power grid,
communications systems, and satellites in orbit may go away. SSI member Don
Anderson will discuss the science behind the Carrington Event that was depicted in the
TV show.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81880547080?pwd=a2hmTnhCR0tDTU12aTAyRTJrZ0Mwdz09
Meeting ID: 818 8054 7080
Passcode: 796309
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Wednesday Jan. 13 10am-Noon
Title : Byzantium: The Forgotten Empire of the Middle Ages, Pt. 1 of 4
Presenter : Sean Munger
Description :
While Western Europe suffered through the Dark Ages, the Byzantine Empire, also
known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the center of Christianity, culture, learning,
wealth and power for over 1100 years.
Founded by Constantine in 330 and lasting until its fall to the Ottoman Turks in 1453,
this fascinating society is often overlooked in histories of western civilization. This class
will illuminate the darkness and explore the splendor of Byzantium and its major
contributions to world history.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87427625654?pwd=ZFdCbkxzQ1BRYkRrY0RlOExwMU95UT09
Meeting ID: 874 2762 5654
Passcode: 063443
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Thursday Jan. 14 10am-Noon
Title : Esperanto and Its Friends
Presenter : John Schilke, SSI member
Description :
Ever since the Tower of Babel people have sought a universal language for social,
commercial, academic, and religious communication. Here is a history and depiction of
several schemes to create this important tool.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89416120704?pwd=ekdGVnJFTklRRDlSMXIvZVBuSFVMUT09
Meeting ID: 894 1612 0704
Passcode: 058160
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Week of January 18

Monday Jan. 18 10am-Noon
Title : Poetry Reading Fun!
Facilitator : Trina Gaynon, SSI member
Description :
Know a lot about poetry? Know nothing about poetry? Somewhere in-between?
There’s a place for you in this very popular class led by Trina Gaynon. We read from a
variety of published works. Really FUN!
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Tuesday Jan. 19 1-3 pm
Title : Great Trials in US History
Presenter : Mike Sands, JD, retired attorney and law professor
Description :
Professor Sands will discuss several landmark cases, including Korematsu v. U.S., the
Japanese evacuation cases, including Portland civil rights leader Minoru Yasui; Loving
v. Virginia, the anti-miscegenation case, including discussion of the former Oregon law;
and the Pentagon Papers cases and their foundation for our freedom of the press.
Mike Sands practiced law in Sacramento for 50 years. He was a criminal defense
specialist and was also a law professor at a Sacramento law school. On many
occasions he sat as a Superior Court Judge Pro Tem, trying both criminal and civil
cases.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88606569005?pwd=RGVrT2h0TzVlQlF1NkF1d0tzSFV0Zz09
Meeting ID: 886 0656 9005
Passcode: 267900
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Wednesday Jan. 20 9am-12:30pm (The Presidential Inauguration will be
live-streamed beginning at 9am before transitioning to the presentation on
Byzantium)
Title : Byzantium: The Forgotten Empire of the Middle Ages, Pt. 2 of 4
Presenter : Sean Munger
Description :
While Western Europe suffered through the Dark Ages, the Byzantine Empire, also
known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the center of Christianity, culture, learning,
wealth and power for over 1100 years.
Founded by Constantine in 330 and lasting until its fall to the Ottoman Turks in 1453,
this fascinating society is often overlooked in histories of western civilization. This class
will illuminate the darkness and explore the splendor of Byzantium and its major
contributions to world history.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87870891776?pwd=L1U0S3lxUGFTUmpMaUpBVGI0MllCZz09
Meeting ID: 878 7089 1776
Passcode: 870236
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Thursday Jan. 21 10am-Noon
Title : Gravitational Wave Detection (1st hour)/Climate Change (2nd hour)
Presenter : Duane Ray, SSI member
Description :
- Detecting gravitational waves allows us to obtain information about our universe
that is obtainable in no other way. Gravitational waves were first detected in
September of 2015. This amazing achievement was by detectors in Louisiana
and nearby Tri-Cities in Washington state. Come along as we visit the first ever
Gravitational Wave Detector in Washington and go behind the scenes for a rare
view of the equipment involved. It’s a new window into our universe. More
detectors will soon be online.
- Combating climate change has become critical to our continued life on planet
earth. We will review the science to understand what we know and where this
leads us for solutions. We will look at our climate progress in several fields.
Because there is no single answer, we need to look at the things that we can do
to keep global warming within necessary limits.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85003664405?pwd=bG1lMG1ET2w0WW5mOGQ2YzU5VUlQZz09
Meeting ID: 850 0366 4405
Passcode: 301869
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Week of January 25

​Monday Jan. 25 10am-Noon
Title : A Powerful Thirst
Presenter : Sandy Miller, SSI member
Description :
Join SSI member Sandy Miller in delving into six beverages that have figured
prominently in human history and culture. Can you guess what they are? A major
source will be "A History of the World in Six Glasses" by Tom Standage. This is a global
topic--we may even sing a sea chanty or two! If you like, come to class prepared to lift a
glass, or cup--or bowl?--with the drink of your choice.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88518022107?pwd=QXluNkdCZjNuNW8yaERpMHRQd0pUQT09
Meeting ID: 885 1802 2107
Passcode: 493683
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Tuesday Jan. 26 1-3 pm
Title : Aesthetics: Can Quality in Art Be Measured?
Presenter : Sy Brandon, SSI member
Description :
What makes art good? Is it good because an art critic says it is good or a well-known
artist creates it? Is it good because we like it? Is it good because it is cutting-edge? This
presentation will give the audience some measurable values to judge art. It will discuss
both how the mind and the emotions are involved in the creative and it’s appreciation.
Sy Brandon holds the title of Professor Emeritus of Music from Millersville University of
Pennsylvania. He is a published composer, author, and poet. He was a speaker for the
Pennsylvania Council for the Humanities on the subject of Aesthetics in Music.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83697238770?pwd=b3pQM3lsRFBkSVNwWDBOSTJ1bnIxUT09
Meeting ID: 836 9723 8770
Passcode: 810578
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Wednesday Jan. 27 10am-Noon
Title : Byzantium: The Forgotten Empire of the Middle Ages, Pt. 3 of 4
Presenter : Sean Munger
Description :
While Western Europe suffered through the Dark Ages, the Byzantine Empire, also
known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the center of Christianity, culture, learning,
wealth and power for over 1100 years.
Founded by Constantine in 330 and lasting until its fall to the Ottoman Turks in 1453,
this fascinating society is often overlooked in histories of western civilization. This class
will illuminate the darkness and explore the splendor of Byzantium and its major
contributions to world history.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86577660664?pwd=OTdPSjA2UUhoSFZuejBvZjY1alk0UT09
Meeting ID: 865 7766 0664
Passcode: 428228
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Thursday Jan. 28 10am-Noon
Title : The Luck Factor
Presenter : Susan Schenk, SSI member
Description :
Can you influence how lucky you are? Can luck be learned or are you just born lucky?
Learn the results of a psychologist’s scientific study of lucky and unlucky people to learn
the four essential principles of being a lucky person, regardless of your past, your
intelligence or your age. By understanding the nature of luck, you can create a luckier
lifestyle and even change your future.

​Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81312257637?pwd=bUxiblI5anVVcHBRMm82T0JJVm5aUT09
Meeting ID: 813 1225 7637
Passcode: 829896
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