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The Quill
Quick Updates for Independent Lifelong Learners
February 5, 2023
#438
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Notes from the Board
Last week of WINTERSESSION! Tuesday, 2/7 thru Thursday, 2/9
LLAIC Loves Art: Bluestockings in Paris - Thursday, 2/9
LLAIC Lit-Lovers - Friday, 2/10
Temple Shalom Open House and Special Presentation - Tuesday, 2/14
Special Presentation: James Webb Space Telescope
LLAIC Zoom Happy Hour - Thursday, 2/16
Movie Mavens - Friday, 2/17
No Geniuses on Wall Street - Monday, 2/20
Spanish Conversation Group (La Tertulia) - Monday, 2/20
Conversation with Ann Hood - Thursday, 2/23
French Conversation Group
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NOTES FROM THE BOARD
We are pleased to announce that our registration for spring courses went smoothly, with just a few minor glitches. Three classes filled fairly quickly (Music Appreciation, The Art of Seeing Art, and the Films of Ernst Lubitsch) but the other classes still have openings. (Review our course offerings here and register for them here.) We are encouraged by the number of folks willing and anxious to attend classes in person. But we are also committed to continuing courses and programs on Zoom.
We are looking forward to our Open House on Tuesday morning, February 14th, where we will introduce our membership to our new home at Temple Shalom in West Newton and where we will be treated to a special presentation by member Bill Miniscalco on the wonders of the James Webb telescope (details below). At the bottom of the home page of our website, you can click on Directions for information about parking and entrances at Temple Shalom.
Our Wintersession programs have been well-attended, especially our special Thursday potpourri offerings. Most of all we are looking forward to beginning our spring semester on February 28th. The class dates for the spring can be found on the website. Cheers from the Board!
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LAST WEEK OF WINTERSESSION! DON'T MISS IT!
Our fourth and final week of the four-week Wintersession begins this Tuesday, February 7, on Zoom. Links are available below, and you can sign up until noon of the day before the event.
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Tuesday: The New Yorker Short Story Roundtable. The February 7 story is "The Hollow Children" by Louise Erdrich, in the November 28 issue. Click here before noon tomorrow, Monday, February 6, to request an invitation to the event. You'll receive it that day.
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Wednesdays: Current Events and Timely Topics. On February 8 Tom Daly will talk about his activities as a member of 350.org, a Climate Change and Environment Sustainability Action Group. He will also highlight his view on what we can do to become "quiet but effective" climate change and environment sustainability activists. Tom will then open it up for discussion. Click here before noon on Tuesday, February 7, to request an invitation to the event. You'll receive it that day.
- Thursdays: Special presentations. See below for the description of Suzanne Art's presentation, "Bluestockings in Paris," and a link to request an invitation.
All sessions will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 11:15 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend Wintersession events. They are open and free to all members.
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LLAIC LOVES ART:
BLUESTOCKINGS IN PARIS:
HOW MARY CASSATT AND LOUISINE HAVEMEYER BROUGHT IMPRESSIONISM TO AMERICA
PRESENTED BY SUZANNE ART
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9 @ 10:00-11:15
(A Wintersession Program)
Nowadays, nearly everyone loves the art of the French Impressionists. But in their day, those radical artists had a lot of trouble selling their works even in France. American Bluestockings Mary Cassatt (an artist) and Louisine Havemeyer (an art lover) teamed up in Paris to encourage well-heeled fellow-countrymen to acquire Impressionist paintings. It helped that Louisine’s husband Henry loved art and was immensely rich! Thanks to their efforts, American art collectors helped to subsidize the struggling French artists, American artists were inspired to explore new directions, and the Metropolitan Museum ultimately gained a world class collection of Impressionist paintings. Come and see how it all happened!
Click here before noon on Wednesday, February 8, to request a Zoom invitation. You'll receive it that day.
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THE RED THREAD
by ANN HOOD
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10 @ 10:30-12:00
DISCUSSION LED BY SUE GOLDBERG
In China there is a belief that people who are destined to be together are connected by an invisible red thread. "Who is at the end of your red thread?"
After losing her infant daughter in a freak accident, Maya Lange opens The Red Thread, an adoption agency that specializes in placing baby girls from China with American families. Maya finds some comfort in her work, until a group of six couples share their personal stories of their desire for a child. Their painful and courageous journey toward adoption forces her to confront the lost daughter of her past. Brilliantly braiding together the stories of Chinese birth mothers who give up their daughters, Ann Hood writes a moving and beautifully told novel of fate and the red thread that binds these characters’ lives. Heartrending and wise, The Red Thread is a stirring portrait of unforgettable love and yearning for a baby.
Click here before noon on Thursday, February 9, to request a Zoom invitation. The meeting will open 15 minutes early so we can socialize before we begin the discussion. Contact Joan Chasan if you have trouble signing up. All book lovers are welcome.
(Note that Ann Hood will be available for a conversation with us on February 23. See below for details.)
Coming up:
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Friday, March 10: The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne.
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Friday, April 14: The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate.
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TEMPLE SHALOM OPEN HOUSE
AND SPECIAL PROGRAM
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 @ 10-12
(Snow date: Thursday, February 16 @ 10-12)
Come see our new home, get a tour of the facilities, and stay for a special program with Bill Miniscalco as he explores the wonders of the James Webb Telescope.
Where: Temple Shalom, 175 Temple St, West Newton
When: Tuesday, February 14, 10-12
Program: James Webb Space telescope and the implications for life on other planets and the origin of the universe (see below).
Masks are strongly recommended.
If you are planning to attend, please click here.
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THE JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE
PRESENTED BY BILL MINISCALCO
AT TEMPLE SHALOM OPEN HOUSE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 @ 11-12
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was launched about a year ago after around 25 years of development and at a cost of $10 billion dollars. Its initial scientific objectives fall into four general categories:
- Analyze the atmospheres of planets in other star systems (exoplanets) and search for the building blocks of life.
- Look through dust into massive interstellar clouds to understand how stars and planetary systems form.
- Look back to observe the first stars and galaxies that formed out of the darkness of the early universe.
- Examine the earliest galaxies to understand how they evolved into more recent galaxies.
The JWST will dramatically improve our understanding of these phenomena. Bill will provide a brief description of its design together with some important measurements. It began collecting data last July and has already obtained extraordinary results, some of which are leading to a reexamination of our ideas about the early universe.
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LLAIC ZOOM HAPPY HOUR
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16
4:00-5:00
At our January Happy Hour we talked about masks, working from home, day care, nannies, post office jobs, teachers' salaries here and abroad, plastic surgery, and visits to theaters, As usual we had a great time and got our minds off the wastewater reports. Come join us on Zoom on February 16, with or without wine and hors d-oeuvres.
Click here to request a Zoom invitation before noon on Wednesday, February 15. You'll receive it that day.
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MOVIE MAVENS
THREE COLORS: BLUE (1993)
DIRECTED BY KRZYSZTOF KIESLOWSKI
VOTED BEST FOREIGN FILM AND BEST ACTRESS (JULIETTE BINOCHE) BY MANY ORGANIZATIONS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17 @ 2:00 P.M.
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The first part of Kieslowski's trilogy on France's national motto: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, 'Blue' is the story of Julie who loses her husband, an acclaimed composer, and her young daughter in a car accident. The film's theme of liberty is manifested in Julie's attempt to start life anew, free of personal commitments, belongings, grief or love. She intends to numb herself by withdrawing from the world and living completely independently, anonymously and in solitude in the Parisian metropolis. Despite her intentions, people from her former and present life intrude with their own needs. However, the reality created by the people who need and care about her, a surprising discovery and the music around which the film revolves heal Julie and draws her back to the land of the living.
The movie is available on the Minuteman Library Network site and through HBO MAX, and rentable on Amazon Prime for $3.99.
Click here before noon on Thursday, February 16, to request a Zoom invitation. You'll receive it that day.
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THERE ARE NO GENIUSES ON WALL STREET
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20 @ 10:30-12:00
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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.
Click here before noon on Sunday, February 19, to request a Zoom invitation. If you have any questions about the group, contact Richard Lewis: [email protected] or 617-448-4439.
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SPANISH CONVERSATION GROUP
¡Bienvenidos a La Tertulia!
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20
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Bienvenidos a todos a la Tertulia. We look forward to seeing you at our next Zoom meeting.
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 [email protected] with any questions.
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CONVERSATION WITH ANN HOOD
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23 @ 11:00-11:30
Ann Hood, author of The Red Thread, the February 10 Lit-Lovers book selection, has graciously agreed to Zoom with us on February 23 from 11:00-11:30. All LLAIC members are welcome whether or not you have read the book or attended the Lit Lovers meeting on the 10th. But of course you are welcome at both! Click here before noon on Wednesday, February 22, for a link to request an invitation. You'll receive it that day.
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FRENCH CONVERSATION GROUP | |
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The French Conversation Group is now reading La Femme au Carnet Rouge, by Antoine Laurain.
We are a group of intermediate to advanced level speakers. We read books aloud, taking turns, and stopping often to discuss any interesting aspects of what we are reading. If you are interested in this group, please contact Betty Salzberg at [email protected].
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