Osher sets winter lecture series
Published: January 5, 2009
Elder Connection is published in larger type for the benefit of our senior readers.
Today I have the Rutland Area Osher Learning Institute's winter schedule to share with you, and it looks like a wonderful combination of timely global issues and eclectic Vermont topics.
As always, the lectures take place from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Fridays at the Godnick Adult Center on Deer Street in Rutland, and nonmembers may attend individual sessions for $5 at the door. For membership information, please call 773-0184.
Middle Eastern issues
Prof. Mansour Farhang, born in Iran, studied at the University of Arizona and got his Ph.D. in political science at Claremont College. He served as Iran's first ambassador to the UN, but resigned that post when Iran refused to release the American hostages. Forced out of Iran, Dr. Farhang returned to the U.S., taught at Princeton and, since 1983, at Bennington College.
Jan. 9 – America and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. It is virtually certain that American involvement in the Middle East will continue for the foreseeable future. The key to the reduction of tensions in the region is the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As long as this 60-year-old conflict continues, the U.S. will lack the credibility to play a constructive role in maintaining order and stability in the region.
Jan. 16 – Iran's Nuclear Program and U.S.-Iranian Relations. Distrust between the Bush administration and the Iranian government reached the point where neither side was willing to negotiate. President George Bush viewed Iran's nuclear program as the central cause of the estrangement and set suspension of nuclear enrichment as a precondition for negotiation. The new administration in Washington should address the nuclear issue in the context of a comprehensive negotiating agenda.
Jan. 23 – Islam and Democracy in the Middle East. The limited progress of democratization in the Middle East leads some to doubt the compatibility of Islam and democracy. It may be, however, that it is geopolitical circumstances rather than Islam that hinder the progress of democracy. A number of myths and misperceptions about Islam have led to a distorted view of Muslims in America. A more accurate view of Islam and a historical appreciation for the growth of democracy in the world can provide a realistic understanding of the prospect for democracy in the Middle East.
Local businesses
Jan. 30 – Home Energy Efficiency and Electric Cost Reduction. Ann Warrell, a native of Barre and a graduate of Ithaca College, has been with the Public Affairs Department of Central Vermont Public Service Corp. since 1999. CVPS is the leading supplier of electricity in the state. The presentation will focus on simple strategies that can be used to reduce energy consumption, including selection of alternate rates.
Feb. 6 – Omya and Transportation in Vermont. Eric Bohn is director of logistics for Omya Inc. and has more than 30 years of logistics experience in the minerals and chemical industries. Omya, a privately held international company, is a leading supplier of high-quality calcium carbonate to markets including paper, plastics, rubber, coatings, adhesives, building products and agriculture.
Feb. 13 – Books to Span the East and West. William Notte, a native Rutlander and a city alderman, has been an editor for seven years at Tuttle Publishing. The company was founded in 1948 with offices in Rutland and Tokyo and is one of the world's most respected English language publishers on Asian topics. It continues to evolve as Eastern and Western perceptions and publishing itself have changed in radical ways.
Feb. 20 – Carris Reels: A Successful Local Start-up. William Carris, now serving as a Vermont state senator, purchased Carris Reels from his father in 1982 after having worked up through the ranks since his teenage years and graduating from Castleton State College. His business goal was to change the typical family business into a more professionally managed organization. The company has grown to 10 locations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with more than 500 employees who now own 100 percent of the company.
Some Vermont foods
Feb. 27 – Organic Wood-fired Bread. Doug Freilich and Julie Sperling, proprietors of the Naga Bakehouse in Middletown Springs, strive to support their neighbors and local farms by growing their own or buying most of their ingredients locally, by grinding wheat the old-fashioned way and by producing wholesome baked goods in their homemade wood-fired oven.
March 6 – Healthy Families, Healthy Communities. Carol Tashie, an officer and board member of the Rutland Food Co-op, Solarfest, Rutland Area Localvores, Sustainable Rutland (an initiative of the Creative Economy) and a columnist for the Rutland Herald, will discuss the benefits and joys of eating locally produced food. If we do not support the farmers who grow this food, the landscape we love can quickly turn from farmland into strip malls.
March 13 – Organic Farming and Local Food Systems. Enid Wonnacott, raised on a small Vermont farm, studied at St. Lawrence University and earned a master's degree at UVM in natural resource planning with an emphasis on sustainable agriculture. She has served for 20 years as executive director of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont. She will describe NOFA-VT's role working on consumer access to local and organic food, education about organic farming and gardening, and technical assistance to commercial organic producers.
March 20 – Let Chocolate Change Your World. Matt Gephardt, who has worked at Lake Champlain Chocolates for more than five years, will explore the impact chocolate has had on our world from its regal origins to its modern mass popularity and consumption. Topics will include the growing process from plant to final product, history of the bean, the chemical makeup and health benefits of chocolate and the origins of the Lake Champlain Chocolate Co.
Barbara Hanson is director of Community Resource Development for the Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging. For information about senior services, call the Senior HelpLine at (800) 642-5119 or 786-5991 or visit the website at www.svcoa.org.
Meals on Wheels
Monday: Fishwich, tartar sauce, rice risotto, diced beets, hamburger roll, fruit cocktail.
Tuesday: Scalloped potatoes and ham, blueberry muffin, Brussels sprouts, chocolate brownie.
Wednesday: Roast beef au jus, mashed potatoes, Italian vegetables, wheat bread, cranberry crisp.
Thursday: Tenderpress pork cutlet, diced red potatoes, peas and onions, wheat bread, apple cake.
Friday: Cheese ravioli with meat sauce and Parmesan cheese, broccoli, Italian bread, peaches.
33