LIT S23-02: What Does It Mean To Be a Time Being? Ruth Ozeki’s A Tale for the Time Being
Jo Ellen Jacobs
Thur, Feb 9, 16, 23 10:00 am-12 noon
In-Person Discussion $60
What do 9/11, tree hugging, tsunamis, Kamikazes, cosplay and Sunnyvale play, manga fantasy and Buddhist ritual, mossy temples and skyscrapers, crow dreams and Zen nuns have in common?
Come find out by reading A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki. We will examine what it means to be a being in time. Both a philosophical and literary treasure, this book will take you into and out of yourself. You’ll discover why suicide is an answer. And why life is an answer.
Jo Ellen Jacobs, a retired professor of philosophy from Millikin University, has taught philosophy and literature courses for 35 years.
HIS S23-08-Z: John Lawrence Arc of Power: Inside Nancy Pelosi’s Speakership, 2005–2010
John Lawrence
Mon, Feb 13 1:00-3:00 pm
ZOOM Only $20
The midterm election of 2022 focused attention on the complicated inner workings of Congress: how personalities, partisanship, and competing institutional interests shape the operations of the American government. In Arc of Power: Inside Nancy Pelosi’s Speakership 2005-2010, author John Lawrence provides insights into how our national government functions when it succeeds and why it often falls short of expectations. As Speaker Pelosi’s 2005-2010 Chief of Staff, Lawrence offers an informed perspective based on 38 years as a senior House staff person. Lawrence tells the story in which the major participants—Pelosi, Bush, Reid, Obama, and many more—battle for political power, deal with the fiscal crisis of 2008, pass the Obama stimulus and health care laws, and confront a dissatisfied electorate in 2010. The course offers participants a unique insight into the innermost workings of the US political system in all its complexity.
John Lawrence (PhD, American History, University of California Berkeley) served for 38 years on personal, committee, and leadership staffs in the US House of Representatives, the last eight as Chief of Staff to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (2005-2013). His 2022 book Arc of Power: Inside Nancy Pelosi’s Speakership 2005-2010 has been praised as “superbly written …a must-read” (Professor Douglas B. Harris, Loyola University). Lawrence also wrote The Class of ’74: Congress After Watergate and the Roots of Partisanship
PHIL S23-03: Supporting Those Meeting the End of Life: The Perspective of a Buddhist-Trained Chaplain
Marilyn Whitney
Wed, Feb 15 1:00-3:00 pm
In-Person Discussion $20
Are there unique perspectives to the end of life from Zen Buddhist philosophy? Are those perspectives different from those of the theistic religions, and how do all of these support us as we face the final stage of life? What constitutes spiritual care at life’s end?
The instructor will discuss the understanding and insight she has gained from her training at Upaya Zen Center’s Chaplaincy program, her clinical training in Interfaith chaplaincy, and her countless encounters with patients facing the end of life. Let’s explore this topic together.
Marilyn Whitney has been practicing Buddhism for 20 years. Marilyn received clinical training in interfaith spiritual care at the Pacific Institute. She graduated from Upaya Zen Center’s chaplaincy program and became an ordained Buddhist chaplain in 2013. Since 2013, she has worked as a hospital chaplain at Christus St. Vincent Hospital, and specifically as an oncology chaplain for the past five years.
ENC S23-05: The Historic Santa Fe Foundation: A Preservation Future
Pete Warzel, Melanie McWhorter, Mara Saxer
Tues, Jan 31 10:00 am-12:00 noon
In-Person $20
Founded in 1961, the Historic Santa Fe Foundation (HSFF) focuses on preserving, protecting, and promoting the diverse cultural heritage of the Santa Fe area and educating the public about Santa Fe’s history and the importance of preservation.
This presentation tells the story of HSFF’s founding in the context of urban renewal and building development, the development of vision and programs over the next 50 years, and the recent shift to a more public-facing, relevant organization, including interaction with the city, state, and collaborative organizations. We will also look at education and hands-on participation for the future, involving a new generation in the deep history of northern New Mexico.
Executive Director Pete Warzel has business experience in media and entertainment. He publishes fiction and non-fiction articles and essays. Joining HSFF in 2014, he has helped manage a directional change from property owner to an education and outreach organization. Deputy Director Melanie McWhorter (MS, Environmental Studies, Green Mountain College, BA in History, Lander University) has worked with HSFF for seven years. She owns Melanie McWhorter Photography Consulting. Preservation Programs Manager Mara Saxer has worked with HSFF for seven years. She studied architecture and historic preservation at Tulane University and is co-founder of Artwalk Santa Fe.
ENC S23-04: Girls Inc. of Santa Fe: Developing a Better Understanding of Girls and Youth in Our World
Kim Brown & Madonna Hernandez
Tues, Jan 31 1:00-3:00 pm
In-Person $20
Founded in 1955, Girls Inc. of Santa Fe provides youth with life-changing experiences and solutions to the unique issues they face. Girls Inc. gives girls the tools and support they need to succeed, including trained professionals who mentor and guide them in a safe, girls-only environment; peers who share their drive and aspirations; and research-based programming. In this interactive presentation CEO Kim Brown will discuss the status of girls and youth in our community and how we can better support them to be themselves and take leadership roles in our world. Topics include language with youth, toxic stress and trauma, and developmental stages of youth.
Joining Girls Inc. in 2005, CEO Kim Brown (BS in Psychology, University of Southern Illinois) has also worked as Director of Program Development and Operations Director. She has served as a residential counselor for children with learning differences, was a trainer in the National Guard, serves as a mentor for the Girls Inc. National Latina Initiative, and is certified as a Trainer of Trainers for Girls Inc. nationally researched programs.
In 2000, at the age of 16, Director of Programs Madonna Hernandez began working with Girls Inc. of Santa Fe as a facilitator in summer camp program. Over the last 20 years, Madonna has helped Girls Inc. National write their Healthy Sexuality Programming as well as develop their Latina Initiative. Madonna is a graduate of Leadership Santa Fe and currently serves on their Birth-to-Career Collaborative, which focuses on data-driven decision-making in education. Madonna loves to inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold.
ENC S23-14: Santa Fe Animal Shelter: Creating a Foundation for the Future in Animal Welfare
Jack Hagerman
Wed, Feb 1 3:15-5:15 pm
In-Person $20
In the post pandemic world, animal shelters around the country struggle with higher admission rates and crisis-level veterinarian shortages while trying to address the core issues that lead to companion animal homelessness. Santa Fe Animal Shelter’s CEO Jack Hagerman provides an overview of the state of animal welfare in New Mexico and how his team is transforming animal services in Santa Fe to increase lifesaving, keep families together, and end companion animal homelessness in our community. He’ll probably show you some pictures of his dog too. Just go with it.
As a child, Santa Fe Animal Shelter CEO Jack Hagerman (BA in Journalism, University of La Verne) founded and operated his own make-shift animal rescue – taking in stray cats, injured birds, and the occasional bunny. Clearly not learning his lesson as an adult, he co-founded a critically endangered livestock conservancy on his farm in the Midwest. After moving to LA, he served as Vice President of Operations and Community Engagement at Pasadena Humane Society. Prior to joining Pasadena Humane, Jack built successful marketing, communications, and community relations programs at some of the largest health care delivery systems in the country. He and his partner Andrew have an elderly Dachshund who completely runs the household
