Author: ASA Webmaster

Leslie Boyer, Emeritus Professor/Medical Director, VIPER Institute, UA Wednesday, June 30, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, a Zoom Webinar* The Sonoran Desert is a haven for interesting wildlife, including venomous creatures such as scorpions, rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, and black widow and

Janice Jarrett, PhD, Musician, Ethnomusicololgist Monday, June 28, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, a Zoom Webinar*   Science teaches us that sounds are vibrations that can be discerned by the ear. Sound is produced by vibrating objects which are carried to the

Kirsten Engel, JD, Arizona State Senator District 10 CANCELED – Monday, June 21,2021 2:30-3:30pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar*   As you may be aware, the Arizona Senate has been highly active in 2021, with several controversial bills passed. Senator Kirsten

Joaquin Murrieta-Saldivar, Cultural Ecologist/Watershed Management Group Wednesday, June 23, 2021,   2:30-3:30 pm, An ASA Zoom Webinar*   Although rain is critically needed in the Sonoran Desert, summer monsoonal downpours can result in significant flooding without water infiltration.  One way

Nathan Horn-Mitchem, Chief Information Security Officer, Provident Bank and Beacon Trust of New Jersey    Monday, June 14th, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, an Zoom Webinar*     Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting online systems, networks and programs from digital attacks.

Leslie Fuller, MA in Social Welfare and Certified Dementia Care Trainer Wednesday, June 9, 2021, 2:30–3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar*   In this lecture Leslie Fuller shares her experience working with seniors.  She explains the typical age-related memory and

Robert Glennon, J.D., Ph.D. Monday, June 7, 2021, 1:30-2:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* Note different time.   This lecture will cover a very timely topic, presented by one of the nation’s preeminent experts on water policy and law, Robert

Mike Horn-Mitchem, Academy Village Monday, May 31, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* The idea of secret knowledge possessed by secret societies goes back at least to the dawn of Western civilization and flourished during the classical era in

Dr. Geoffrey Bender, Director of the American Museum of Natural History’s Southwestern Research Station Wednesday, May 26, 2021, 2:30–3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar*   Geoffrey Bender poses the question: “Why would the American Museum of Natural History in New

Erik Berg, Historian Wednesday, June 2, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar*   In 1937, a team of CalTech geology professors and rough-and-tumble boatmen set out in three small wooden boats on a six-week journey through the Grand Canyon

David Burel, Interdisciplinary Humanities and Communication, ASU Monday, May 24, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, An ASA Zoom Webinar*   How many of us were moved by the poignancy of the 2021 Best Picture Oscar-winner “Nomadland” to recall incidents from our own

Dam Hee Kim, Assistant Professor of Communication, UA Monday, May 17, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar*   Professor Dam Hee Kim will discuss how in today’s digital society individuals have amplified control over the types of media

  Li Yang: Faculty Associate, Arizona State University Wednesday, May 19th, 4:00-5:00pm, a Zoom webinar* Note special time. Although General John “Black Jack” Pershing is likely the most famous American military man of the First World War, few people have

  Marcia Neugebauer, Moderator Wednesday, May 12, 2021, 2:30-4:00 pm, a Zoom Webinar * and Discussion   This sixth, and probably last, of the ASA 2021 “Great Decisions” presentations is based on a video and an essay provided by the

  Theresa Crimmins, Director, NPN Monday, May 10, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar*   Phenology studies seasonal cycles in nature that affect plants, animals and climates and how they are impacted by variations in the cycles. It studies

  Sairam Parthasarathy, MD, UA Monday, May 3, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar*   The role of sleep in the Coronavirus pandemic warrants serious attention. During the social isolation engendered by the pandemic, many individuals have suffered from

Caleb Simmons, Assoc. Prof. of Religion, UA Monday, April 26, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar*           When pop sensation Ariana Grande released her #1 hit single “God is a Woman” in 2018, for many

Martin Levy, PhD, Clinical Psychologist Wednesday, May 5, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* Blending an interest in art with expertise in psychology has led Martin Levy to explore the importance of creativity in aging.  Advances in brain science

Moderator: Lucy Wilson, PhD, AV Sustainability Committee Monday, April 19, 2021, 2:30-4:00 pm, a Zoom webinar* The Sustainability Committee is exploring the possibility of establishing a community garden here in the Academy Village. The Committee believes that a community garden

Nancy Fitzgerald, poet and retired professor of creative writing, College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN Wednesday, April 28,2021, 2:30 -3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar*   “Poets’ words remind us that suffering is not our only birthright.  Life is also

Moderator: Mike Horn-Mitchem Monday, April 12, 2021, 2:30-4:00 pm, a Zoom Webinar and Discussion* In this fifth of the ASA 2021 “Great Decisions” presentations based on a video and essay from the non-partisan Foreign Policy Association, we turn our attention

Doyle A. Ranstrom, Certified Financial Planner Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* It is often difficult for families to talk about important financial matters, but this reluctance can lead to poor or uninformed decisions. People need

Doyle A. Ranstrom, Certified Financial Planner Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* It is often difficult for families to talk about important financial matters, but this reluctance can lead to poor or uninformed decisions. People need

Leila Amerman, Waste Management Recycling Expert for Southwestern States Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* Are plastic bags really more harmful than paper? Is this plastic container a recyclable tub or a throwaway tray? What about

Neil Kochenour, Moderator Monday, March 29, 2021, 2:30-4:00 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar plus Discussion* The fourth in this year’s series of “Great Discussions” programs sponsored and supported by the Foreign Policy Association will focus on Brexit.  After a short

Win Holden, Former publisher of Arizona Highways  Wednesday, March 31, 2021, 2:30 to 3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* Many Arizonans, both natives and transplants, have long looked forward each month to another issue of Arizona Highways, the premier travel

Derik Broekhoff, Senior Scientist, Stockholm Environment Institute Wednesday, April 7, 2021, 2:30 to 3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* Some of you may have seen Bill Gates commenting recently that he “compensates” for his globe trotting in a private jet by

Suzanne Ferguson, Moderator Monday, March 22, 2021, 2:30-4:00 pm, a Zoom Webinar* When we were young, back in the middle of the last century, the Arctic was a place of mystery and ice, the province of heroic explorers, polar bears,

Andrew Robertson, Moderator Monday, March 8, 2021, 2:30-4 pm, an ASA Great Decisions Webinar* “The Two Koreas” is the first of five weekly foreign policy discussions from the series, “Great Decisions 2021.” The discussion materials, including both videos and summary

Laura Tohe, Navajo Nation Poet Laureate (2015-2019) Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar in collaboration with Arizona Humanities* During WWII a group of young Navajo men enlisted in the Marines without knowing they would be called

Michael Crimmins, Dept. of Soil, Water, and Environmental Science, UA Monday, April 5, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* Arizona has experienced dramatic hydroclimatic variability over the past several years, with back-to-back record warm and dry summers and an

Allen Dart, Archaeologist Wednesday, March 17, 2021 2:30–3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* Archaeological and historic sites provide tangible evidence of a region’s past and of how cultures have changed through time. There are thousands of such sites in southern

Moderated by Marna Broekhoff, Academy Village Volunteer March 15, Monday, 2:30 to 4:00 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* Again this March the Arizona Senior Academy is hosting weekly foreign policy discussions from the series, “Great Decisions 2021” by the Foreign

Sarah Nisbett, Artist & Founder, Drawn on the Way  Fridays, March 12 and 19, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm.  The class will be via Zoom and limited to 10 participants per class. Participants must register at info@arizonasenioracademy.org.   March 19 will repeat

Marcus Richter Hands-on Home Inspection Monday, March 1, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* As our homes age, or as we prepare to sell them, we may have problems with or questions about their safety, soundness, and sustainability. Marc

Dan Fellner, Arizona State University Wednesday, March 10, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* Travel journalist Dan Fellner will lead a virtual journey to some of the most interesting and off-the-beaten path Jewish communities around the world.  We

Jim Turner, Arizona Historian Wednesday, February 17, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* Ever since cameras were invented, Arizona has inspired spectacular photography. We know that good photos are a prime way to embellish history, but it is equally

Andy Bernstein, PhD, CPRP Clinical Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine Wednesday, March 3, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* This webinar is sponsored by the Academy Services Corporation (ASC). COVID has had

Catlow Shipek, Policy and Technical Director, Watershed Management Group  Wednesday, February 24, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* This webinar is sponsored by the Sustainability Committee A watershed is a geographical delineation based on the flow of surface water,

Don Swann, Wildlife Biologist, NPS Monday, February 22, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* Learn more about the natural wonders of Saguaro National Park, a close and valued neighbor of Academy Village/Altura, from Don Swann, a wildlife biologist at the

Dr. Erin Riordan, UA Desert Laboratory, Laboratory of Tree Ring Research Monday, February 15, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar*   Without radical changes to food production, arid lands face growing food insecurity in a hotter, drier future. Climate change

Dan Angelo Saturday, February 6, 10:0011:00 am via Zoom Have you ever thought, nice picture – but too dark?  Or too washed out?  If you are using Windows 10, you can make these and other changes to your digital photos

Laura McMahon, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Eastern Michigan University Wednesday, February 10, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* So-called “honor” killings have become potent symbols of Islamic cultures’ oppression of women in human rights discourses and in the

Beth Surdut, Wildlife Illustrator and Writer Monday, February 8, 2021, 2:30–3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* Our speaker is a visual storyteller with a message:  “If you practice the art of paying attention, you will find that grand adventures await

Laura Morehouse, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center Wednesday, February 3, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar*  In this presentation viewers will learn specific and easy measures to take for medication safety, including how

Dr. Michael Brescia, Arizona State Museum & University of Arizona Monday, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. (2-hour lecture with break), an ASA Zoom Webinar* Even a cursory glance at modern popular culture reveals the degree to which the Spanish Inquisition continues

Harriet Friedmann, Professor Emerita, Univ of Toronto, Food Systems Analyst Wednesday, January 27, 2021, 2:30-3:30 pm, an ASA Zoom Webinar* For the past several decades the United States and other industrialized nations have been producing food using a linear production