Class No: 01S12

Enrollment Limit: maximum 35

Dates: Second and Fourth Tuesday of each month

Beginning: Tuesday January 24th thru Tuesday May 22, 2012

Time: 7:00 – 8:30 pm

Location: Don Byers RaySociety Classroom, Dial Center, room 101

Cost: Free, registration is required

Class No: 02S12

Dates: Thursday February 16, 23, March 1, 8 and 15

Time: 1:30 – 3:00 pm

Location: Don Byers RaySociety Classroom, Dial Center, room 101

Enrollment Limit: maximum 35

Session 1: Dr. Jason Glass – Thursday February 16

“Setting the Course for Success in Iowa’s Department of Education”

Iowa stands at an important moment in its storied educational history. Facing rising educational and economic competition at home and abroad, Iowa must have the courage to risk bold strategies that dramatically improve teaching and learning in the days ahead. The State is considering both long-term and short-term approaches that will be discussed in this session.

Instructor: Dr. Jason Glass, Director of the Iowa Department of Public Education, was appointed by Governor Terry Branstad in December 2010 and confirmed by the Iowa Senate in April 2011. He will serve a four-year term, providing leadership for the department as it carries out the policies and programs prescribed by state law and the State Board of Education. He has pledged to promote innovation in education, supporting efforts and initiatives to restore Iowa’s tradition as a national leader in education and to lead transformative change. Director Glass is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, where he received a Bachelor’s degree and two Master’s degrees. He also holds a Doctorate in Education from Seton Hall University.

Session 2: Dr. Nancy Sebring – Thursday February 23

“Setting the Course for Success in Des Moines’ Public Schools”

This session will focus on the demographics of Des Moines Public Schools and the challenges that result in trying to meet student needs in a diverse urban environment. The effects of limited budgets and resources on providing quality education to Des Moines students will be addressed. Examples of program successes in meeting student needs will be discussed, and we will hear about learning opportunities afforded to teachers to prepare for classroom challenges. The session will conclude with a vision for the future of our schools.

Instructor: Dr. Nancy Sebring joined Des Moines Public Schools as Superintendent on July 1, 2006. Prior to coming to Des Moines, she was Deputy Superintendent of the Douglas County (CO) School District, the fourth largest school district in Colorado serving 48,000 students. She has also held positions as Executive Director of Curriculum and Assessment, assistant high school principal as well as middle school principal. Dr. Sebring, a native Iowan, graduated from Iowa State University and received an M.A., Ed.S and Ed.D from Drake University.

Session 3: Dr. Tom Lane – Thursday March 1

“Setting the Course for Success in Iowa’s Smaller Community Schools”

There has been much discussion recently about the state of Iowa schools and the imperative need to move beyond “good” to “world class”. The governor’s blueprint for improvement outlines proposed steps to reach the goal of “world class”. This seminar will present the impact of these proposals on the state’s smaller schools. The discussion will focus on how one district plans to meet the blueprint’s imperatives. A five-year plan aimed at increasing student achievement at all levels is being developed. Critical to the plan is maintaining the state’s voluntary preschool initiative. The success of the plan hinges on finding the most efficient allocation of resources and engaging community partners in the effort.

Instructor: Dr. Tom Lane received a doctorate in educational leadership from Drake University and serves as the superintendent of the Carlisle Community School District. He currently serves on a number of local and statewide boards and advisory committees and is an active participant at the State Capitol. The Carlisle district is in its 5th year of implementing their preschool program for which they received one of the first state grants. Tom is a staunch supporter of early childhood education.

Session 4: Dr. Laura Douglas – Thursday March 8

"Setting the Course for Success in Iowa’s Public, Post-Secondary Education"

This session will review some of the myths and facts surrounding community colleges in Iowa. Our presenters will examine the array of services that an urban community college offers in educating our constituents, serving our local industries, and promoting economic development. We will also describe the statewide impact of community colleges and the challenges that they face in these difficult economic times.

Instructor: Dr. Laura Douglas, Provost, DMACC Urban Campus, has been Provost of Urban Campus of Des Moines Area Community College since 2005. The Urban Campus serves the metropolitan area of Des Moines and is one of six campuses that comprise the Des Moines Area Community College. The Urban Campus serves a diverse student body of approximately 9,000 students. Laura has a Ph.D. in education from the University of Michigan’s Center for the Study of Higher and Post-Secondary Education.

Co-Instructor: M.J. Dolan has served as Executive Director of the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees since 2007. She manages an educational association comprised of over 100 trustees in 15 Iowa community colleges. Part of her role is to oversee the advocacy effort of community colleges and contract lobbyists, as well as regulatory agencies and business. M.J. has a Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa.

Session 5: Shanell Wagler – Thursday March 15

"Setting the Course for Success in Iowa’s Early Childhood Education"

How are services and support provided to assist in the development of young children in Iowa? Early Childhood Iowa is a state-legislated initiative created to strengthen and facilitate a system of early care, health and education for children ages 0-5 years and their families. Participants will learn about Iowa’s approach to providing coordinated, comprehensive services to meet our mission that every child in Iowa, beginning at birth, will be healthy and successful.

Instructor: Shanell Wagler, Facilitator, Early Childhood Iowa Initiative, has worked in state government since 1990. She has worked with the Departments of Economic Development, Workforce Development and Management. She currently serves as the Facilitator for Community Empowerment. Shanell is a life-long Iowan who enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She received her two-year degree from the American Institute of Business.

Class No:  03S12

Dates:   Monday February 20, 27, March 5 and 12

Time:  1:30 - 3:00 pm

Location:  First Christian Church, 25th & University, Des Moines, IA 50311

      (Fellowship Hall)

Description:  This course will focus around the questions of the origins of human thought, intelligence and creativity.   The Darwinian explanation as to how these abilities evolved will be contrasted with new and emerging perspectives that suggest other factors such as the number of chromosomes, the location of the genes on the chromosomes and the activation of certain genes that result in differences between apes and humans. The implications of this possibility are that the current scientific origins of the specific abilities, so long assumed unique to man, (reason, language, moral codes, and creative expression), may require revision.  How and what such a revision could entail will be discussed and evaluated in the light of the current understanding of how brains function. 

Instructor: Dr. Sue Savage-Rumbaugh, Associate Program Director and scientist with special standing at the Great Ape Trust – a world-class research center dedicated to studying the behavior and intelligence of great apes.  The first and only scientist to conduct language research with bonobos, Savage-Rumbaugh joined Great Ape Trust in 2005 following a 30-year association with Georgia State University's Language Research Center (LRC). 

In 2008, she retired from the administrative and laboratory duties in the Great Ape Trust bonobo facility to focus exclusively on research, writing and lecturing.  In 2011, Dr. Savage-Rumbaugh was recognized as one of TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Co-Instructor: Elizabeth Rubert-Pugh began her work with the Language Research Center at Emory University in Atlanta in 1976.  She moved with the project to Georgia State University where she completed her BA in 1980.  She has been a major force in raising 12 chimpanzees and bonobos involved in the language research project initiated by Duane Rumbaugh in 1972. She has a “hands-on” understanding of how to enable a child or ape to interpret and respond to symbols - which is the domain of human reality.  Most recently she has been assisting Dr. Savage-Rumbaugh and the bonobos in rearing Teco, a fourth generation captive baby bonobo who is already helping us to understand the effects of genetics and epigenetics.

Class No:  04S12

Dates:  Tuesday February 21, 28, March 6, 13

Time:  1:30 – 3:00 pm

Location:  Don Byers RaySociety Classroom, Dial Center, room 101

Enrollment Limit: maximum 35

Description: This class will discuss how to make travel easier, safer and more fun.  Topics will include the “Do’s and Taboo’s” of different countries, keeping your money safe, language barriers, how to act around cell phones abroad, what to pack and how to avoid gouging from banks and credit card companies.  We will also address what to do if your flight is canceled or delayed, how to register your trip at the US Consulate, visas, passports and so much more!

Instructor: Barbara Kirk traveled the world with her Incentive Travel Company for 30 years.  In each of the last 15 years, she spent one month in a different culture, learning about life and society at every location.  Travel, to Barbara, means immersing yourself in the culture, food and society of where it is you are visiting. There is no better way to expand your mind!

Class No:  05S12

Dates:  Wednesday February 22, 29, March 7 and 14

Time:  2:00 – 3:30 pm

Location:  Don Byers RaySociety Classroom, Dial Center, room 101

Enrollment Limit: maximum 35

Description: Threats to Biodiversity will be offered in four sessions.  The first session will examine the questions – what is biodiversity, how is it important, where does it come from, how does it impact you, and what are the five principal factors that are currently causing declines in global biodiversity.

The causes of biodiversity loss, particularly the role of exotic invasive species and pollution will be discussed in sessions two and three. Attention will be focused on the impact of habitat destruction and the effects of exotic plants and pollution on animal species. 

We will discuss and analyze the general nature of the invasive problem and provide case studies of selected species that investigate the origin of the species introduction, the ecology that makes them invasive and debilitating to native ecosystems, and the potential methods of control.

The fourth session will discuss pollution and its effects on biodiversity.  Pollution originates from agriculture, urbanization, industry and manufacturing, energy production, mining and forestry, municipalities, and landfills. The types and effects of pollution are very diverse and potentially affect biodiversity in many different ways; the goal for this session is to develop a thorough understanding of pollution and its ecological threats to biodiversity.

Instructor:  Dr. Tom Rosburg is a Professor of Biology at Drake University.  He was formerly the Chair of Drake’s Biology Department and Director of their Environmental Science and Policy Program.   Dr. Rosburg is a collaborating faculty member of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology at Iowa State University.   He earned his Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Iowa State University in 1994.  He also received an M.S. in Plant Ecology in 1990 and a B.S. in Fish and Wildlife Biology in 1977, both from Iowa State University.  Dr. Rosburg has been involved in 63 research projects and is the recipient of many grants.  He has authored many publications and presented many invited lectures.  He is currently President of the Iowa Academy of Science and he serves on the Board of Trustees for The Nature Conservancy of Iowa.

Class No: 06S12

Enrollment Limit: maximum 10

Dates: Fridays starting February 24 thru April 20

Time: 11:15 am – 12:00 noon

Location: Bell Center Pool, 1421 27^th Street & Forest, Drake University

Description: In this 9-session course, you will be exposed to a wide variety of water aerobic exercises from beginning to advanced movements - from low impact to high impact. Most sessions will be accompanied by a variety of music and will often include familiar dance steps - a perfect opportunity to effortlessly and painlessly perform your favorite cha-cha or boogie in the buoyancy of the water environment.  Emphasis is placed on reducing joint pain and stiffness while increasing range of motion and endurance. Aside from the health benefits, it's a great way to meet people and most of all - it's FUN!

* Don’t forget to bring a towel and your swim suit.

* Please note that you do not need to know how to swim to participate in this class.

Instructor: Jo Berry is currently on the staff of both the Mercy Wellness Center and the Drake Wellness Center as a certified water aerobics instructor. She conducts classes in a variety of water aerobic exercises. She teaches sessions specializing in many levels of exercises for people with arthritis, those recovering from surgery, strokes, and various muscular diseases, as well as those who enjoy the benefits of resistance training and cardiovascular conditioning and toning. She has attended numerous workshops in water aerobics offered by fitness professionals. Besides her interests in fitness, Jo is also known for her love and support of Drake Women’s Basketball!

Class No:  07S12

Dates:  Thursday March 1, 8, 15 and 22

Time:  10:00 – 11:30 am

Location:  First Christian Church, 25^th & University, Des Moines, IA 50311

                  (Fellowship Hall)

Session 1:  Dr. Judith Conlin – Thursday March 1

Judy Conlin will provide an historical perspective of immigration to Iowa, from 1836 through to the present, 2011.  She will review where immigrants have come from in the past and where they are coming from today, the challenges they face and the resources that are available to them.  Judy will be joined by one or two Iowa immigrants who will share accounts of their first-hand experience of coming to Iowa as well as sharing elements of their culture with the group.

Instructor:  Dr. Judith Conlin began her professional career teaching in the English Department at Iowa State University and chairing the first Multi-Cultural Advisory Board for the Ames school district. She is the author of Welcome to Iowa, a multi-lingual (8 languages) international resource guide for Iowa’s immigrant and refugee communities.  She recently launched a new web site in 64 languages, which significantly enlarges and expands the information in the "Welcome to Iowa Guide" available to Iowa's newest immigrants (please visit www.welcometoiowa.org).  She has served as the executive director for the Iowa International Center since 2008. Her personal and professional commitment is to connect Iowa to the world through initiatives focused on the needs of immigrants, refugees, and international visitors coming to Iowa.

Session 2:  Sol Varisco-Santini – Thursday March 8

Sol will present her experiences as an immigrant from Argentina and describe her current work with immigrants and refugees, including her involvement with the Postville raid.  She, too, will invite one or two fellow immigrants to join her so that they can share their recent experiences of moving to Iowa as well as special traits of their cultures and traditions.

Instructor:  Sol Varisco-Santini is a 2009 Passport to Prosperity Honoree recognized for her passion and dedication to building cross-cultural understanding while promoting mutual respect between Iowans and people from other cultures.  She assists refugees in her role as Migration and Refugee Services Program Coordinator.   Sol manages general operations of the Hispanic Community Outreach Program and oversees the preparation of all documentation arrangements for local transportation, housing, food and guidelines.  She received her B.A. degree in Physical Education in Argentina and taught there for seven years before coming to Iowa in 2001 where she studied Spanish Education at Iowa State University.  She interned at the Department of Human Services as a translator and worked in the Human Rights Division of Latino Affairs.  In May 2008, Sol was put in charge of coordinating the response to the now famous Postville immigration raid.  

Session 3:  Zeljka Krvavica – Thursday March 15

Zeljka will present from the point of view of a refugee fleeing Bosnia in 1993.  Because of the work she has done with the Bureau of Refugee Services in Iowa since her arrival, she will also be presenting from the perspective of other new immigrants to our state.

Instructor:  Zeljka Krvavica, a 2010 Passport to Prosperity Honoree, was born and raised in Sarajevo, the capitol of Bosnia and Herzegovina.  She studied English Language and Literature earning a B.A. from the University of Sarajevo, where she was a Professor from 1975-1979.  She studied at both St. Mary’s College at Oxford and the School of Modern English and Contemporary British Literature at Cambridge. She also worked for the Organizing Committee of the 14th Winter Olympic Games held in Sarajevo in 1984.  In 1985 she was offered a position with the Yugoslavia Embassy in Washington, D.C., where she lived almost five years before returning to her home country.  When Bosnia and Croatia went to war in 1992, Zeljka applied for refugee status and landed in Iowa just in time for the floods of 1993.  Since her arrival in Iowa, Zeljka has worked with all ethnic groups, teaching ESL classes, volunteering in the public schools and as an interpreter.  She is one of the founders of an organization helping victims of domestic violence, “Voices of Bosnian Women”.  She has dedicated her life in America to serving some of the most vulnerable new Iowans among us.  

Session 4 - Alejandro Orozco – Thursday March 22

Alex will be presenting from the point of view of someone immigrating from Mexico.  He will focus on some of the particular challenges facing Mexican immigrants such as high rates of domestic violence and human trafficking.  He also plans to invite one or two people to join him in sharing their stories and elements of their culture with the group.

Instructor:  Alejandro Orozco was born in Mexico City but has become a voice for immigrants since moving to Iowa.  He is the founder of the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking, the co-founder of United for Dignity and Safety of Immigrants, the co-founder of Iowa Allies for Immigration Reform, the co-founder of the Immigrant Safety Network, and the former Vice President of ALIANZA Latino Business Association.  He serves on the Diversity Committee for Big Brothers and Big Sisters and is a Board Member and Affirmative Action Officer on the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa.   Alejandro is Vice President, Community Development Officer with Bankers Trust, where he oversees poverty reduction and community development programs, with a special focus on the Latino community.

Class No:  08S12

Dates:  Tuesday March 27 (one session, free of charge)

Time:  1:30 – 3:00 pm

Location:  Don Byers RaySociety Classroom, Dial Center, room 101

Enrollment Limit: maximum 35

Cost:  Free, reservations are required.

Description:  In this session, you’ll hear the story about the outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow and the shootout that occurred north of Dexter, Iowa, at the site of the old Dexfield Amusement Park in July of 1933.  Two members of their gang were captured that day.  The story includes several eyewitness accounts.  You will get to see a display of some of the different guns that were used by the posse and by Bonnie and Clyde themselves.

Instructor:  Rod Stanley is a retired school teacher who taught in the Iowa school system for 35 years.  He attended Tarkio College in Missouri majoring in History and minoring in P.E.  He went on to teach at a variety of schools including Dexfield, HLV of Victor, Bondurant- Farrar, and Panoramaof Panora.  He spent the past 4 years working part-time for Dallas County Conservation at the Forest Park Museum in Perry. 

Class No:  09S12

Dates: Wednesday March 28, April 4, 11, 18

Time: 10:00 – 11:30 am

Location: Don Byers RaySociety Classroom, Dial Center, room 101

Enrollment Limit: maximum 35

Session 1:  Dr. Paul Joslin - Wednesday March 28

Dr. Joslin will describe climate systems and their effects on human cultures with emphasis on major climate types, ecologic zones and ecosystems. Climate and weather patterns will be traced to the energy of the Sun.  Global wind and current patterns and their effects on climate and weather will be described.  Climate and weather misconceptions will be discussed.

Instructor:  Dr. Paul Joslin is Drake University Emeritus Professor of Science Education, where he taught prospective science teachers and wrote textbooks and science teaching materials.  He earned his B.S. from Cornell University, his M.A.T. from the University of the South, and his Ed.D in science education from the University of Rochester.  Dr. Joslin is a fellow of the AAAS and Iowa Academy of Science.  He has taught high school earth science and done research on lake-effect storms, continental glaciation and baseline characteristics of Iowa rivers.  He is the author of Science Meets the UFO Enigma.

Session 2:  Ed Wilson – Wednesday April 4

Local WHO-TV Meteorologist Ed Wilson will describe the work and challenges of weather forecasting, including the use of Doppler radar and computer modeling.  Interactions among the main weather factors of temperature, relative humidity, pressure and wind velocity will be explained.  Regularities and idiosyncrasies of Iowa's weather will be described.

Instructor:  Ed Wilson has been the Chief Meteorologist for our local WHO-TV station since 1988.  He was Chief Meteorologist at KIMT in Mason City prior to coming to Des Moines.  Mr. Wilson attended Quachita Baptist University and graduated from Mississippi State with a degree in Broadcast Meteorology.  He grew up in Grundy Center, Iowa. 

Session 3:  Harry Hillaker – Wednesday April 11

State Climatologist Harry Hillaker will describe the basic facts and patterns of Iowa climate and relate interesting variations from the averages, including unique seasonal storms and patterns of change in Iowa's climate.

Instructor:  Harry Hillaker has worked in the Climatology Bureau of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship since 1981 and has been State Climatologist since 1988.  He holds a B.A. in Geography from the University of Texas, Austin and an M.A. in Geography from the University of Colorado, Boulder.  His research interests include the history of weather observations in Iowa and quality control and analysis of Iowa weather records. 

Session 4:  David Courard-Hauri – Wednesday April 18

Dr. Courard-Hauri will describe global climate change and global warming and their gradually accumulating effects on human cultures and activities.

Instructor:  Dr. David Courard-Hauri is an Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Policy at Drake University.  As an undergraduate, David pursued a double major in chemistry and government at Georgetown University.  He received his PhD in Physical Chemistry from Stanford University, and a Masters in Public Affairs from Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School.  He conducted post-doctoral research in atmospheric chemistry at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.   He has published papers in fields as diverse as chemistry, biochemistry, climate education, politics, economics and ecology.

Class No:  10S12

Dates:  Thursday March 29*, April 5, 12, 19 and 26

Times:   *1:30 – 2:30 pm  (session one only!  Thursday March 29^th)

                 1:30 – 3:00 pm (April 5, 12, 19 and 26)

Location:  First Christian Church, 25^th & University, Des Moines, IA  50311

                 (2^nd Floor Lounge)

Enrollment Limit: maximum 30

Description:  This class will examine the theories of comedy in literature and then apply those very theories to four famous plays.  This five-session series will be broken down as follows:

Session 1:  Theories of Comedy (*this session only - one hour - 1:30 – 2:30 pm)

Session 2:  Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring

Session 3:  The Man Who Came for Dinner by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart

Session 4:  Born Yesterday by Garson Kanin

Session 5:  The Odd Couple by Neil Simon

There will be a copy of each script on reserve at the Cowles Library Circulation Desk.  Those enrolled in the course may either read the copy while in the library or (preferably) make their own copies.  Since all of these plays are frequently anthologized, they are also readily available at most libraries, so some participants may prefer to find copies on their own.   Please note that those enrolling in the course will be expected to read the assigned script for each week as this class will be taught through discussion rather than lecture.  Most of these scripts can be read in two or three hours at most, so it is likely that you can keep up with the weekly reading assignment.

Instructor:  Dr. Joanne Brown, Professor Emerita of English at Drake University,

has taught college-level English for more than 30 years.  During her tenure at Drake University, she taught courses on "Family in American Drama" and "The Moral Vision of Arthur Miller", as well as classes on writing short fiction, young adult literature, and business/technical writing.  She has taught at DMACC and has been a visiting professor in China.  She is the author of four books on adolescent literature, and has also published short fiction and personal essays.  Additionally, she has published articles on American comedy and serious drama.  Joanne is active at the Des Moines Community Playhouse, where she has served as president of the Board and Education Director.  She is currently a member of a radio performance group that revives and performs classic radio dramas for retirement communities, the Iowa State Fair, various clubs, and class reunions.  In 2009, she taught Modern American Drama for the RaySociety, a course that was very well received!

Class No:  11S12

Dates:  Monday April 2, 9, 16 and 23

Time:  10:00 – 11:30 am

Location:  Don Byers RaySociety Classroom, Dial Center, room 101

Enrollment Limit: maximum 35

Description:  Tax policy is an issue that affects us all.  It is also an issue that is receiving a lot of media attention, given the upcoming presidential/congressional elections and growing national debt.  This course will address what tax policy is, what the purpose and role of taxation is and how taxation is used to influence individual and business behavior.  Additionally, the course will discuss alternative tax systems such as the Flat Tax, Value-Added Tax, and the Fair Tax/National Sales Tax.

Instructor: Dr. Stephen Gara is an associate professor of accounting at Drake University.  He received his Ph.D. from the University of Memphis and an LL.M. in taxation from Georgetown University.  He earned a J.D. from SMU, and a B.S. from Syracuse University.  Prior to coming to Drake, Stephen taught at Old Dominion University (Norfolk, VA) and Long Island University-CW Post (NY).  He has published in numerous academic and professional journals.  Stephen is currently serving as the Director of the Drake University School of Accounting.

Class No:  12S12

Dates: Monday April 2, 9, 16 and 23

Time: 1:30 – 3:00 pm

Location: Don Byers Ray Society Classroom, Dial Center Room 101

Enrollment Limit: maximum 35

Description:  Ancient Romans mocked Egyptians for their devotion to their gods, yet they admired them for their prosperity and what they thought was their exotic lifestyle.  This series will investigate the lives of the wealthy and those not-so-well-off in cities and villages by focusing on archaeological discoveries at the city of Amarna built by the monotheist Akhnaten and the village of the royal tomb builders at Deir el Medina.  The high status of Egyptian women will be explored through their depictions in art, personal letters and love poetry.  Their religion will be explained by using their religious literature and architecture.

Instructor:  Phil Parks earned a B.A. and a M.A. in History at Drake.  He taught for over 30 years in the Des Moines Public Schools at Roosevelt, Hoover and the Central Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth.  Since he retired, he has offered lectures at the Polk County Senior Centers and the Iowa Genealogical Society.

Class No:  13S12

Dates:  Tuesday April 3, *10, 17 and 24

Time:  11:30 am – 1:00 pm

            *12:00 noon – 1:30 pm – session 2 only!  (Tuesday April 10^th)

Location:  First Christian Church, 25^th & University, Des Moines, IA 50311

                  (Fellowship Hall)

Session 1:  Tuesday April 3 – Michael LaValle - Embrace the River!

Once again Des Moines is on the verge of becoming a River Port! At its founding and throughout its history, Des Moines has run hot and cold with the water flowing past its riverfront, but in 2011-12, it’s about to Embrace it!

Instructor:  Michael LaValle, winner of this year’s prestigious Restaurateur of the Year Award, is currently serving as General Manager and Culinary Director of the Des Moines Embassy Club.  He recently led the expansion of the Embassy Club to a suburban location.  LaValle launched the Jon Anderson White Riverboat, an historic riverboat that travels the Des Moines River, offering public and private catered cruises featuring music and a touch of the Mark Twain era.   Michael was also a founding partner in several additional Des Moines hot spots, including South Union Bakery & Café, Centro Restaurant and Gateway Market.

Session 2:  *Tuesday April 10 – Rekha Basu– Thinking Out Loud (12:00 noon-1:30 pm)

Over two decades of writing opinion columns for Des Moines’ daily newspaper, Rekha Basu has interviewed presidents and prisoners, chronicled women’s rights struggles from the mountains of Ethiopia to the shelters of Iowa, and offered frequently dissenting viewpoints on matters of governance, politics, foreign policy, business conduct and culture. She has championed social movements, including the grass-roots contributions of change agents.  And she has cast a spotlight on how Iowans, including herself, have coped with sweeping personal changes and the loss of loved ones.  Basu will discuss some of her experiences from the frontlines, the influences that form her views, and the process by which she arrives at her topics.  She will also share some of her most memorable hate mail.

Instructor:  Rekha Basu began writing commentaries for The Des Moines Register in 1991, with a focus on human rights, gender and social justice. She has been a full-time journalist for  nearly three decades, as a staff reporter, editorial writer and columnist at newspapers in Iowa, New York and Florida. Her columns are also published in affiliate newspapers in the Gannett chain (the nation’s largest). Her byline has appeared in The New York Times, The Nation, USA Today, India Today and The International Herald Tribune, among other publications.  She has made guest appearances on

The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, National Public Radio and C-Span.

Basu was born in New Delhi and raised in New York, with childhood stints living in Libya, Egypt and Thailand. She has an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Grinnell College, masters degrees from Columbia University and Goddard-Cambridge Graduate School and a B.A. in sociology from Brandeis University.

Session 3:  Tuesday April 17 – Jill June - Perseverance, Resilience and Change

The absolute test of leadership comes from managing through hard times.  Being able to master the art of adaptation is an important survival technique.  Organizations that succeed are those that skillfully adapt.  In fact, the single most important aspect of executive leadership is managing change.  When organizations fail to succeed, the common denominator from case to case is an inability to adapt to changing times.  Management of change has a profound impact on organizations, good and bad.  Jill will share the biggest mistakes in managing change - and the lessons learned. 

Instructor: Jill June has been President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland (PPH) since 1985. She also serves as President and CEO of the PPH Foundation.   She has held numerous leadership roles in the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association including national board membership.  Amongst her many awards and tributes is PPFA’s highest CEO designation in recognition of her outstanding leadership.  Ms. June was also named as Ms. Magazine’s “Women of the Year” for her leadership in women’s health.  She has received the Margaret Sanger award from PP of New York City and the Harry Blackman award from PP of Arizona.

Session 4:  Tuesday April 24 – Suku Radia - Banking: An Industry in Trouble!

Much has been written about the financial meltdown that was the beginning of the Great Recession.  What caused the crisis?   How much weight do you give to the various explanations of what caused the economy to head in the wrong direction?   This is a complex topic which we will attempt to break down for analysis so that we can get a better sense of where we went astray. 

Instructor:  Suku Radia is CEO and President of Bankers Trust, Iowa’s largest independent community bank with consolidated assets exceeding $3 billion. Prior to joining Bankers Trust, Suku served as Chief Financial Officer of Meredith Corporation for eight years.  He also served a 25-year tenure at KPMG where he spent 7 years as aManaging Partner.  He earned a B.S. with Distinction from Iowa State University in 1974 and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1975, when he joined KPMG.  He remains very active in a number of professional, economic development, educational and charitable organizations, (he is also a current member of Drake University’s Board of Trustees), and he has been honored and recognized with numerous awards. 

Class No:  14S12

Dates:  Thursday April 5, 12, 19 and 26

Time:  10:00 – 11:30 am

Location:  Session 1:  Best Buy in Jordan Creek Mall

                 Session 2, 3 and 4:  Don Byers RaySociety Classroom, Dial Center, room 101

Enrollment Limit: maximum 25

Description:  In this 4-session series, Best Buy technology experts will share information about the many new and emerging electronic devices available.  The first session will include a tour at the Jordan Creek Best Buy store where we will break into groups and share information about technologies such as the iPad, Tablets, eReaders, 3D-TV/Connected TVs, iPhones and Smart Phones.  Session 2 will meet in the RaySociety classroom (Dial Center, room 101) where we will focus on cameras, including the DSLR and Point & Shoot models.  It will be a hands-on demonstration with Q & A.  Session 3 will cover Antivirus/Social Networking (Facebook, Twitter etc...)  This session will be led by the Geek Squad.  The last session will be an Apple/iCloud overview and a general review of what was learned in earlier sessions.

Instructor: Eric Neeley is a recent graduate of Drake University (2008) and is currently working as a Tablets and Computer Specialist at Best Buy, Jordan Creek. Gabriel Greco and Kory Kubik are two other technical experts who will assist in giving hands-on demonstrations and education on all topics. The Best Buy team taught a similar class for RaySociety members last spring and they are back by popular demand!

Class No:  15S12
Dates: Wednesday April 25, May 2, 9, 16
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 am
Locations:
      Session 1  - April 25  -  First Christian Church, (25^th & University)
       Session 2  - May 2   -    Westminster Presbyterian Church, (Franklin & Beaver)
       Session 3  - May 9   -    Faith Lutheran Church, (University & NW 104^th)
       Session 4  - May 16  -   Faith Lutheran Church, (University & NW 104^th)

Enrollment Limit: 40

Description:  Join us as we enjoy demonstrations of the unique features and musical ranges of three local church organs with emphasis on the renowned Dobson Organs built in Lake City, Iowa.  You will also enjoy demonstrations of the special features and performance characteristics of church bells and chimes.  Local organists will play as they demonstrate the significant range and variety of organ music.  We will learn about the rich history of cathedral and church organs, as well as the history and nature of organ music from the medieval period to the present.

It is our hope that this class will culminate with a tour of the Dobson Organ Factory in Lake City, Iowa, where we will witness the unique, high-level skills needed to construct, tune and install world-class organs.  We will plan the class excursion when an organ is actually under construction, hopefully this summer or fall (2012).  Lynn Dobson, organ designer and builder, owner and CEO of Dobson Organs, has graciously agreed be our personal guide!  Details on the tour will be forthcoming.

*Participants must provide their own transportation and they will be asked to sign a liability waiver in the event they should sustain injury while participating in the event.

**Recommended reading before taking this class:  Church Organs: A Guide to Selection and Purchase by John Ogasapian, 1990.  Available from the American Guild of Organists for $6.95.  Order forms available upon enrollment.  Or order online at www.agohq.org/store. 

Instructor:  Dr. Carl Staplin is Drake University Emeritus Professor of Organ and Church Music and Minister of Music and Organist at First Christian Church in Des Moines. Dr. Staplin received his B.M. from Syracuse University, his M.Mus from the Yale Graduate School of Music, and his Ph.D. from Washington University.  He has personal recordings of 35 organs in seven European countries and eighteen published compositions for choir and organ.  Dr. Staplin has participated in more than 200 recitals and workshops in the US and Europe and has taught over 300 students, with many receiving honors in regional, national and international competitions.  In fact, a large number of his former students are currently employed in leading churches, institutions and universities throughout the US, including Iowa, Yale, Western Reserve and Mt. Holyoke. 

Class No: 16S12

Dates:  Wednesday April 18, 25, May 2 and 9

Time:  6:00 – 7:30 pm

Location:  Temple for Performing Arts, 4th floor Recital Hall

                 1011 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309

Symphony Rehearsal (Optional):  Friday May 11, 2012, 7:00 - 9:30 pm at the Civic Center of Des Moines (221 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA  50309)

Symphony Performance:  Saturday May 12 (7:30 pm) or Sunday May 13 (2:30 pm) at the Civic Center of Des Moines (221 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA  50309)

Description:  Musicians from the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra will present a 4-week series on the history of the symphony orchestra.  Broken down into the four major sections of the orchestra (Strings, Winds, Brass and Percussion), guest speakers will provide insight into the who’s, what’s and where’s that transformed a group of mix-matched musicians into the modern symphony orchestra we know today. Participants will then be invited to an optional dress rehearsal with the class culminating at a performance of the symphony’s season finale.

Session 1 – The String Section, “The Orchestral Core” – Wednesday April 18

A member of the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra’s string section will speak on the formation of the symphony orchestra’s core instrument section.  This discussion will include which composers contributed to the formation of the string section as well as highlights from the Baroque Period of musical history that established strings as the fundamental section of the symphony orchestra.  Musical examples from this repertoire will be offered by way of recordings and live demonstration on their instrument.

Session 2 – The Wind Section, “Orchestral Classicism” – Wednesday April 25

A member of the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra’s wind section will speak on the addition of winds to the symphony orchestra’s instrumentation.  This discussion will include which composers contributed to the development of the wind section as well as highlights from the Classical Period of musical history that established winds as a standardized section of the symphony orchestra.  Musical examples from this repertoire will be offered by way of recordings and live demonstration on their instrument.

Session 3 – The Brass Section, “Orchestral Power” – Wednesday May 2

A member of the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra’s brass section will speak on the addition of brass to the symphony orchestra’s instrumentation.  This discussion will include which composers contributed to the development of the brass section as well as highlights from the Romantic Period of musical history that established brass as a standardized section of the symphony orchestra.  Musical examples from this repertoire will be offered by way of recordings and live demonstration on their instrument.

Session 4 – The Percussion Section, “Crash, Boom, Bang!” – Wednesday May 9

A member of the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra’s percussion section will speak on which percussion instruments are common to the symphony orchestra’s instrumentation, as well as unique percussion instruments that have been used at times.  This discussion will include which composers contributed to the development of the percussion section as well as highlights from the 20th Century Period of musical history that established percussion as a new source of orchestral color for the modern symphony orchestra.  Musical examples from this repertoire will be offered by way of recordings.

Session 5 – Optional rehearsal with the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra on Friday May 11, 2012 (7:00 – 9:30 pm at the Civic Center)

All class participants will be invited to attend a dress rehearsal with the DMSO on Friday May 11, 2012, from 7:00 - 9:30 pm at the Civic Center.  Please check-in at the stage door where you will be escorted to the concert hall.

Session 6 – Performance of the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra’s Season Finale:  West Side Story on Saturday May 12, 2012  (7:30 pm) or Sunday, May 13, 2012 (2:30 pm) at the Civic Center.

The culmination of this course will be the opportunity for class participants to attend the performance of the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra’s season finale:  West Side Story. Tickets for this concert will be required of all class participants. If you are not a current Des Moines Symphony season ticket holder, please contact Calla Whipp at 515-280-4004, to purchase your ticket(s) for the May 12 or May 13 performance.  A variety of seating/price options will be available and a ticket discount for RaySociety members will apply.  Please note you will also need to register with the RaySociety office for this class. 

Class No:  17S12A (Group 1) and 17S12B (Group 2)

Classroom Orientation Date: Monday April 30, 9:00 - 10:30 am

                                        BOTH GROUPS will attend this session which will meet in the

                                        Don Byers RaySociety Classroom, Dial Center, room 101.

Field Dates:  GROUP 1:  Tuesday May 1 thru Friday May 4

                                          9:00 am - 4:00 pm (rain day Saturday May 5)

                                          Meet at excavation site - 3038 York Avenue, Redfield, IA  50233

                    GROUP 2:  Monday May 7 thru Thursday May 10

                                          9:00 am - 4:00 pm (rain day Friday May 11)

                                        Meet at excavation site - 3038 York Avenue, Redfield, IA  50233

Enrollment Limit: maximum 12 per group

Description:  Have you always wanted to participate in an archaeological excavation? Here’s your chance!  This class will provide an opportunity to not only learn how archaeologists do their work but to actually get “down and dirty” and experience it first-hand. Both field groups will come together for session one on Monday April 30, from 9:00 – 10:30 am, in the Dial Center classroom to learn the fundamentals of archaeological excavation.

Group 1 will meet at the excavation site on Tuesday May 1 thru Friday May 4, from

9:00 am – 4:00 pm.  Please save Saturday May 5th as a rain date, should it be needed.

Group 2 will head to the excavation site on Monday May 7 thru Thursday May 10, from

9:00 am - 4:00 pm.  Friday May 11 will be the designated rain date for this group should it be necessary.

The excavation site is located at the intersection of 310^th Street and York Avenue (3038 York Avenue, Redfield, IA  50233) on the South Raccoon River in Guthrie County northwest of Dexter and a few miles west of Diamond Head Lake.  The property is located approximately 35 miles from Des Moines.  The owners of the property have a vast collection of archaeological finds so one of the things we will incorporate into the field experience is seeing the family collection.  All participants will be required to provide their own transportation (or carpool) to the excavation site.  Participants will be asked to sign a liability waiver in the event they should sustain injury while participating in the event. Maps detailing the location of the property will be distributed at the orientation session on April 30th.

Instructor:  Dr. Fred R. Gee, D. Min, is a retired minister with a B.A. degree from Drake University and graduate degrees from Lexington and McCormick Theological Seminaries.  He is an IAS certified archaeological field technician and site surveyor and active in and a member of the Board of the Iowa Archaeological Society.  He has participated in archaeological digs at New Testament Bethsaida, Cahokia Mounds in Illinois, and several sites in Iowa.  His previous classes on the Bible and biblical and Native American archaeology have been well received by members of the RaySociety.  

Class No:  18S12

Date:  Monday April 30 (one session, free of charge)

Time:  1:30 – 3:00 pm

Location:  Don Byers RaySociety Classroom, Dial Center, room 101

Enrollment Limit: maximum 35

Cost:  Free, reservations are required.

Description:  This free, one-session class will explain the growing problem of identity theft.  We will review the variety of methods identity theft criminals use to steal your personal information and what the criminals attempt to do with that information. 

Preventive measures and suggestions will be offered on what an individual can do to protect their personal information, including the data and information that we store in our cell phones.  Materials will be available listing helpful website addresses, as well as credit reporting companies and government agencies which may be useful if you think you have been a victim of identity theft.

Instructor:  J. Kent Zickefoose graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and from the Des Moines Area Community College in 1990 with a Computer Language Certificate.   He was employed by the State of Iowa for over 36 years, retiring in 2002 as an Information Technology Specialist IV.

Class No:  19S12

Dates:  Tuesday May 1, 8 and 15

Time:  10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Location:  Don Byers RaySociety Classroom, Dial Center, room 101

Enrollment Limit: maximum 35

Description:  This three-session seminar is intended to acquaint participants with a smattering of outstanding pieces of literature, including short stories, plays, and poetry, with each session devoted to one genre.  This is a great opportunity for avid readers to ‘draw out’ all that exists in a classic selection by discovering the significance of title, character, setting, theme, audience, purpose, and style.  Robert Frost suggested that every poem ‘shimmers with significance.’  How fun to read him, and others, discuss them, know them, and debate them!  We’ll make it a productive experience in analysis and interpretation. Please note that the selections for Part II will be new – Part I (offered back in Spring 2011) is not a prerequisite!  This class is open to all who love reading!

Instructor:  Dallas Freeman was born and raised in De Smet, South Dakota.  Inspired to write and teach by a high school English teacher, Mr. Freeman earned a B.A. degree from Huron College and an M.A. degree from the University of South Dakota.  After 40 years of teaching writing, literature, speech, history and theater, he and his wife Carla are now enjoying retirement.  Proud parents of 3 children (one of whom is Leanne Freeman Miller, Associate Professor of Voice here at Drake), and proud grandparents of 10 grandchildren, they hope to pass on their love of literature, music, theater, opera and world travel to them.  As a retiree, Dallas offers writing workshops and conducts readings to various groups and organizations.  He authored his own autobiography, Mirth and Misery, which was published in 2002.

Class No:  20S12

Dates:  Tuesday, May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29

Time:  2:00 – 4:00 pm

Location: Neal and Bea Smith Law Center, Courtroom,

                 24^th Street & University Avenue, Des Moines, IA  50311

Enrollment Limit:  75

*All Korean Veterans, and their guest, are invited to attend this course, compliments of the RaySociety.

Description:  The Korean War is often referred to as a Police Action or as the Korean Conflict, but to those who fought and died in Korea, and to their families, it will always be remembered as the Korean War.  It was a war that started on June 6, 1950 and never ended. 

An armistice was signed on July 27, 1953.  Today there are still 28,000 American military personnel stationed in Korea, with many standing guard on the 38^th Parallel.  In this course you will be able to experience this war through the eyes of veterans who fought and survived against terrible odds and terrible conditions in an unfamiliar land.   Approximately 34,000 Americans died in battle in this war, as well as 100,000 comrades in arms from other countries and millions of Koreans.  One hundred thousand Americans were wounded and 6,877 became prisoners of war.  More than 8,100 remain unaccounted for today.

Presenters to include:

Jodi Tymeson, Executive Director, Iowa Veterans Affairs (Retired General, U.S. Army)

Vilas (Sid) Morris, U.S. Army (Korea 1952 - 1953)

Dr. Kumsan Song, MD, Korean citizen at time war started

Lowell Lein, U.S. Marines (Korea 1950-1951)

Robert Gates, U.S. Marines, (Korea Feb.1951- March 1952)

Jake Chapman, U.S. Marines (Korea Aug. 1951 - Sept. 1952)

Alfred Mandt, U.S. Army  (Korea Feb. 1952 – October 1953)

Robert Moorehead, U.S. Air Force, (Korea March 1952 - March 1953) (Retired General)

Douglas MacKinnon, U.S. Marines (Korea Sept. 1951 - Oct. 1951)

Jerry L. Sell, U.S. Army, (Korea March 1951 – Sept. 1951)

Donald Moon, U.S. Navy, (Korea 1951, 1952, 1953)

A more specific schedule of speakers will be distributed in the class confirmation.

Instructor Coordinator:  Don Moon, Associate Professor Emeritus of Education at Drake University.   Don has previously developed and coordinated three courses on World War II and a course on the Vietnam War.  He has also taught RaySociety courses on “Idioms and Proverbs” and “Cartoons”.  He is a veteran of the Korean War.

Class No:  21S12

Dates:  Thursday May 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31

Time:  1:30 – 3:00 pm

Location:  First Christian Church, 25^th & University, Des Moines, IA 50311

                  (Fellowship Hall)

Description:  A group of five outstanding physicians will each present on their specialties ranging from Audiology, Arthritis and Rheumatology, Optometry, Endocrinology and Osteopathic Medicine. The speakers will discuss afflictions that we all experience as we age. These include hearing loss, eyesight problems, arthritic conditions, osteoporosis, diabetes, foot and ankle problems, and geriatric illness and how treatments for seniors differ from those of younger people. The physicians will discuss prevention, diagnosis and treatment (such as whether to consider surgery or not) for some of the conditions listed above along with presenting advancements of medical therapy for the future.  Each session will offer a mix of lecture and Q&A.

The schedule of speakers is as follows:

May 3:   Dr. Kent Weaver, Au.D., FAAA, CCCA, Woodard Hearing Center

May 10: Dr. Susan Jacobi, M.D., Mercy Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center

May 17: Dr. Chris Borgman, O.D., Associated Ophthalmologists

May 24: Dr. Prashanth Sekhar, M.D., The Iowa Clinic Endocrinology Department

May 31: Roberta Wattleworth, D.O.,  Des Moines University, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine

Class No:  22S12

Date: Tuesday June 5, 2012 (one session – date yet to be confirmed – free of charge)

Time:  1:30 – 3:00 pm

Location:  Meredith Hall, room 101, Drake University campus

Enrollment Limit:  230

Cost:  Free, reservations are required

Description:   We anticipate RaySociety members will have the opportunity to have a conversation with a NASA Astronaut via Skype.  We are hopeful that either Iowa astronauts Peggy Whitson or James Kelly will be available to visit with us via a Skype projection in Drake’s Meredith Hall auditorium, room 101.  If neither of the two Iowa astronauts is available, we should be able to communicate with a non-Iowa astronaut.  NASA makes virtual appearances by astronauts possible, but unforeseen events or operational commitments can result in cancellations of confirmed appearances.  Although an appearance is not yet confirmed, we have been encouraged that such a visit will happen.  Included below is a brief background of both Peggy Whitson and James Kelly in case we’re fortunate enough to communicate with either one.

Peggy Whitson is a graduate of Mt. Ayr, Iowa Community High School.  She received a BS degree from Iowa Wesleyan College and a doctorate from Rice University.  Whitson currently serves as chief of the Astronaut Corps and is responsible for the mission preparation activities of all space shuttle and International Space Station crews and their support personnel.  She has spent more than 376 days in space and holds the record as the female with the most EVA (extra vehicular activity) hours - 39 hours, 46 minutes.