The October 7th attack from Gaza did not happen in a vacuum.
This course intends to examine the history of Gaza and what has
led to the current discord. Tim Smith will review the background
history, the entities involved, and the wider implications in the
Middle East. He will present facts, in an equal and unbiased
way, acknowledging there are differing interpretations of the
conflict. It is hoped that the participants will derive a better
understanding of the issues, causes, and implications of the
Gaza dispute.

The Earth is now seeing more catastrophic weather events than
ever before. In this course, Larry Smith looks at factors that
create our weather, predictions of worldwide changes to come,
and possibilities of what changes can be made that will impact
our weather. Is man creating or contributing to these changes in
our weather? What do changes in Earth's orbit, spin, and angle
have to do with environmental changes that impact our
weather? Can we do anything about it?

Join Tom Hanks in reading and discussing poems by the woman
who was the best-selling poet in America for several years.
Deeply imbued with an appreciation of nature, some of her
poems also trace her personal journey from an abused child to
a mature woman who refuses to let her past injuries govern her
present life.

What is it about the Lone Star State that makes it so great?
Rosalie Beck will unfold the lives of fascinating women and men
in Texas history, archiving them as some of the most unique
people on the face of the earth. What makes Texas women and
men larger than life? Texas was settled by diverse populations,
resulting in strong leaders, a rich history, and stories that abound
of charismatic and creative people who shaped the direction of
people and the state.

"The British are coming! The British are coming!" 1775 was a fateful
year for the American Colonies, and 2025 marks the 250th
anniversary of all those events. In this course, Julie Sweet will
examine those watershed moments like the shots fired at
Lexington & Concord, the contentious meetings of the Second
Continental Congress, and the defense of Bunker Hill. This
background will show just how fraught those times really were and
how what happened in 1775 set the stage for the years to come.