Ageless Learning Seminars

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• Seminars offered at Missouri History Museum
• Seminars offered at STLCC campuses
• Social Security Benefits America

Ageless Learning Seminars are offered to the public for free but registration is required. Registration opens Jan. 13.

Seminars offered at Missouri History Museum:

The River

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P01 Tu 10:30 a.m.-noon | Ron Elz
Jan. 28

The Indomitable Theodore Roosevelt

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P02 Th 10:30 a.m.-noon | Bev Schuetz
Jan. 30

The Underground Railroad

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P03 Tu 10:30 a.m.-noon | Dorris Keeven-Franke
Feb. 11

General Overview: Digging a Little Deeper

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P04 Tu 10:30 a.m.-noon | Bellefontaine Cemetery staff
Feb. 18

Our Own Oddities: The Strange and Unusual of St. Louis

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P05 Th 10:30 a.m.-noon | Ron Elz
Feb. 20

Famous Trial Lawyers

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P06 Tu 10:30 a.m.-noon | Bev Schuetz
Feb. 25

Louisiana Purchase

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P07 Th 10:30 a.m.-noon | Bonnie Vega
Feb. 27

Art, Artists, Sculpture & Architecture at Bellefontaine Cemetery

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P08 W 10:30 a.m.-noon| Bellefontaine Cemetery staff
Mar. 11

Germans on the Issue of Slavery

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P09 Th 10:30 a.m.-noon | Dorris Keeven-Franke
Mar. 12

History of American Slavery

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P10 M 10:30 a.m.-noon | Bonnie Vega
Mar. 16

Three Women: The Treacherous, the Bold and the Brilliant

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P11 Th 10:30 a.m.-noon | Bev Schuetz
Mar. 19

The Economic Effect of Slavery on the Entire Economy, 1800-1861

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P12 Tu 10:30 a.m.-noon | Ed Vega
Mar. 24

It’s Check-In Time: St. Louis Hotels and Motels

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P13 W 10:30 a.m.-noon | Ron Elz
Mar. 25

The Mexican War

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P14 M 10:30 a.m.-noon | Bonnie Vega
Apr. 6

The Road From Here to There: The Story of Boone’s Lick Road

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P15 Tu 10:30 a.m.-noon | Dorris Keeven-Franke
Apr. 14

Flapper Era: Gateway to Modernity

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P16 Th 10:30 a.m.-noon | Bev Schuetz
Apr. 16

The Anti-Slavery Movement

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P17 Th 10:30 a.m.-noon | Bonnie Vega
Apr. 23

Bellefontaine’s Mausoleums

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P18 Tu 10:30 a.m.-noon | Bellefontaine Cemetery staff
Apr. 28

The 100 Most Important People, Places & Events in STL History

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P19 Th 10:30 a.m.-noon | Ron Elz
Apr. 30

The 1850s: Road to War

SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P20 Tu 10:30 a.m.-noon | Bonnie Vega
May 5

Seminars offered at STLCC campuses:

The History of Chocolate

Did you know that the average American consumes 12 pounds of chocolate each year and more than $75 billion is spent on chocolate annually worldwide? Come dive into the “food of the gods” and the history of chocolate through the Mayans, Aztecs, Spanish, Italians and more. From its origins of a bitter beverage to a sweet edible treat, join a self-proclaimed chocoholic and professor of dietetics to explore the different tastes, beliefs, science, practices and creative endeavors that make chocolate one of the most sought after foods in the world! Program is free but registration is required. Registration for this seminar opens 1/13.
SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P37 Tu 10-11:30 a.m. | Jeanne Florini
Feb. 4 | FV-Student Ctr, Dining A

James Eads: Engineering Genius Who Built Our First Bridge

Delve into the life of James Buchanan Eads, the man who did so much for St. Louis and its river. A world-renowned civil engineering genius who was self-educated, James Eads designed a salvage operation using an empty whiskey barrel and a garden hose to rescue goods at the bottom of the Mississippi. He built ironclads for the Civil War in record time, convinced a reluctant St. Louis to build the world’s first steel bridge and solved problems with the Mississippi’s flow at its mouth. The remains of one of Eads’ ironclads, sunk in the Mississippi mud for 94 years, have been put on display in a museum in Vicksburg, Tennessee. Take a seat with us and learn more fascinating facts about James Eads. Program is free but registration is required. Registration for these seminars opens 1/13.
SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P34 Th 10-11:30 a.m. | Douglas Schneider
Feb. 13 | FV-CWI, 136
P35 Th 10-11:30 a.m. | Douglas Schneider
May 14 | WW, 102B

Quinquagenarian: A Multimedia Recital

Thomas Zirkle, D.M.A., professor of music, is a seasoned percussionist whose career spans more than four decades. In this multimedia percussion recital, Zirkle performs an imaginary, non-stop soundtrack that is sure to delight guests of all ages. If you’ve ever wondered what an old music professor hears in his head, this is your chance to sit back, relax and enjoy the show! Reception starting at 6:30 p.m. Concert begins at 7 p.m. Program is free but registration is required. Registration for this program opens 1/13.
SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P23 Th 7-8:30 p.m. | Thomas Zirkle, D.M.A.
Feb. 20 | WW, 102A

Protecting Our National Secrets

Protecting a nation’s secrets is a process that goes back thousands of years. Join retired federal agent Joe DeGregorio as he takes you through the evolution of national security, why and how the United States protects its most sensitive information, spies and abuses of the system, and procedures in place for the checks and balances of the process. From an explanation of the method for granting a security clearance to the many personal and often fascinating stories during his 30 years in the environment (including many that took place during the Cold War), this presentation is not to be missed. No, he won’t have to kill you after his revelations, as they will be the unclassified versions! Program is free but registration is required. Registration for this seminar opens 1/13.
SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P38 F 10-11:30 a.m. | Joe DeGregario
Feb. 21 | MC-Student Ctr, 200

Iceland: Tourist Hot Spot

Come explore the history, culture and tourist features of the island country, Iceland. Natural wonders abound including waterfalls, active volcanoes, hot springs, aurora borealis plus puffins and Icelandic horses. Having the world’s northernmost capital city, Iceland is home to world’s oldest democracy. In 2008, a financial crisis halted all construction projects in the country except for one: Iceland spent three years creating a magnificent concert hall in Reykjavik harbor. Learn more in this captivating presentation about these and other facts including why you can get a St. Louis burger in every large town in Iceland. Program is free but registration is required. Registration for these seminars opens 1/13.
SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P31 Th 10-11:30 a.m. | Douglas Schneider
Feb. 27 | WW, 102A
P32 | Th 10-11:30 a.m. | Douglas Schneider
March 12 | MC-Student Ctr, 200
P33 Th 10-11:30 a.m. | Douglas Schneider
April 2 | FV-CWI, 136

Director Billy Wilder

Learn about the life and work of the man who brought us mega-hits like “Sunset Boulevard” and “Some Like it Hot.” Director Billy Wilder’s life drama rivals one of his films — a young man abandons law school to work as a newspaper reporter, breaks into the film industry as a writer, escapes Nazi Germany for the U.S. where he manages to find his way into Hollywood and becomes an Oscar-winning film director. Program is free but registration is required. Registration for this seminar opens 1/13.
SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P26 Th 10-11:30 a.m. | Mary Saputo
March 5 | WW, 102B

Music of the Civil War

You may be familiar with the conflict of the Civil War, but do you know how this event shaped music during that time? During the Civil War, when soldiers met from across the country, the various strands of American music began to cross-fertilize each other. Songs that arose from this fusion became the first American folk music with discernible features unique to America. War was an impetus for the creation of many songs that became and remained wildly popular. Soldiers awoke to the call of bugles and went to sleep to the beat of drum taps. On the home front, citizens sang ballads in their homes and songs at political rallies, joining their voices in chorus to reaffirm the purpose behind the terrible bloodshed. Music, including patriotic anthems and sentimental ballads, helped motivate people to continue fighting while also soothing the emotional wounds of loss. Learn more about these facts and the impact of the Civil War on music culture. Program is free but registration is required. Registration for this seminar opens 1/13.
SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P21 Th 10-11:30 a.m. | Bonnie Vega
April 9 | MC-Student Ctr, 200

Keepin’ Bees: A Garden Chat

We need bees. While we may take them and other pollinators for granted, these organisms are key to the varied, colorful and nutritious diets we need and have come to expect. During this lecture, community beekeeper Scott Allred and environmental scientist Katie Siech will discuss the seasonal aspects of beekeeping — from producing honey to pollinating crops. Along with sharing details about the bees, they’ll offer ways we as a community can assist honey bees and native bees in their survival. Reception starting at 6:30 p.m. Lecture begins at 7 p.m. Program is free but registration is required. Registration for this seminar opens 1/13.
SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P25 Th 7-8:30 p.m. | Scott Allred, Katie Siech
April 16 | WW, 102A

Famous Trial Lawyers

Prepare to be alternately surprised, amused and sometimes infuriated by these flamboyant defense attorneys. From the 1920s, we’ll cover the remarkable careers, cases and colorful lives of the great Clarence Darrow, renowned for the famous Scopes Monkey trial; William J. Fallon, who defended over 125 homicides and never lost a trial; and Earl Rodgers, the inspiration for TV’s Perry Mason. Also included are lawyers of more recent history: “Racehorse” Haynes, the amazing Texas attorney who saved millionaire murderers; Johnnie Cochran of the O.J. Simpson trial; and Judy Clarke, who kept many of America’s most hated killers like the Unabomber and Eric Rudolph off death row. Sometimes called the “defenders of the damned,” you won’t soon forget these amazing courtroom magicians. Program is free but registration is required. Registration for this seminar opens 1/13.
SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P22 Th 10-11:30 a.m. | Beverly Schuetz
April 30 | WW, 102A

Grace Kelly

Enjoy an in-depth look at the relatively short yet memorable film career of Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly! Presentation takes you on a journey from her first major motion picture, “High Noon,” through her last Hollywood film, “High Society.” Interesting behind-the-scenes photos accompany this royal presentation. Program is free but registration is required. Registration for this seminar opens 1/13.
SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P27 Th 10-11:30 a.m. | Mary Saputo
May 7 | FV-CWI, 136

The Motorcycle in American Life

Discover the role motorcycles have played in American life spanning transportation, cinema, folklore, self-expression, music and menace. Stepping back in time, chronicle the cycle’s humble beginnings to what would eventually become a whole new mode of transportation. We’ll explore many ways motorcycles have developed since the turn of the century, evidenced through mass manufacturing, policing efforts and marketing to reach new demographics. Program is free but registration is required. Registration for this seminar opens 1/13.
SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P36 Th 10-11:30 a.m. | Douglas Schneider
May 7 | MC-Student Ctr, 200

Medicare Updates

Are you nearing Medicare eligibility? Come discover tips about Medicare enrollment, differences between Medicare Advantage and Medigaps, how to choose a part D plan and methods to protect your benefits. Class is presented by CLAIM, a nonprofit organization providing information about Medicare to Missourians. All of CLAIM’s services are free, unbiased and confidential. Program is free but registration is required. Registration for these seminars opens 1/13.
SENR:702 | 1 session | NO FEE
P28 Tu 10 a.m.-noon | Missouri CLAIM
April 7 | MC-Student Ctr, 200
P29 Tu 10 a.m.-noon | Missouri CLAIM
April 14 | FV-CWI, 136
P30 W 10 a.m.-noon | Missouri CLAIM
April 22 | FP-G, 323

Social Security Benefits America

Guide to Spousal and Survivor Benefits

What challenges will a spouse or survivor face in retirement years? Learn about spousal, widow’s and divorced spouse benefits. Program is free but registration is required.
SENR:766 | 1 session | NO FEE
P01 Tu 1-3 p.m. | SSBA and Missouri CLAIM
Feb. 18 | FV-SS, 107
P02 Th 1-3 p.m. | SSBA and Missouri CLAIM
Feb. 20 | MC-SO, 111

Medicare and Medicare Drug

Are you confused by Medicare? Get your questions answered by a Social Security representative and a Medicare expert. In this session learn about other health plans and prescription drug companies and find out about Parts A, B and D of Medicare. Program is free but registration is required.
SENR:766 | 1 session | NO FEE
P03 Tu 1-3 p.m. | SSBA and Missouri CLAIM
March 3 | MC-SO, 111
P04 Th 1-3 p.m. | SSBA and Missouri CLAIM
March 5 | FV-SS, 107
P05 Tu 1-3 p.m. | SSBA and Missouri CLAIM
March 10 | WW, 102B
P06 Th 1-3 p.m. | SSBA and Missouri CLAIM
March 12 | FP-F, 221

My Social Security Account Sign-Up

Social Security representatives provide a brief explanation about “my Social Security” and assist attendees to open a “my Social Security” account online. Program is free but registration is required. Limited registration.
SENR:766 | 1 session | NO FEE
P07 Tu 1-3 p.m. | SSBA and Missouri CLAIM
March 24 | MC-BA, 216
P08 Th 1-3 p.m. | SSBA and Missouri CLAIM
March 26 | FV-B, 120
P09 Th 1-3 p.m. | SSBA and Missouri CLAIM
April 2 | STLCC-South County, 206

Retirement: Qualify for Benefits?

How do you qualify for retirement benefits? Learn how to estimate your benefits using the online retirement estimator and the rules for working and receiving benefits. Find out about benefits for family members and Medicare enrollment periods. Program is free but registration is required.
SENR:766 | 1 session | NO FEE
P10 Tu 1-3 p.m. | SSBA and Missouri CLAIM
April 7 | MC-SO, 111
P11 | Th 1-3 p.m. | SSBA and Missouri CLAIM
April 9 | FP-D, 217

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