Many of America’s favorite toys were introduced during the post-World War II era and gained popularity among the baby boom generation. At Christmastime, children asked Santa Claus for things such as a Barbie doll, Etch A Sketch, G.I. Joe or a Tonka Truck. Other popular playthings included Play-Doh, Slinkies and Mr. Potato Head. What fun, and not an app in sight! Join us as we discuss some interesting facts about some of these classic items.

This course will contextualize current events in Ukraine through an overview of its history. The class will illustrate how this “borderlands” of Eastern Europe evolved from the powerful medieval kingdom of Kievan Rus to a region divided by neighboring powers. After overviewing its experience as part of the Soviet Union, the class will conclude with a consideration of independent Ukraine leading to the present.

When it comes to healthy aging, maintaining a healthy brain is of the utmost importance for quality of life. While some age-related changes in the brain are normal, diseases like Alzheimer’s, other forms of dementia, or even mild cognitive impairment are not normal. The good news is there are steps you can take in mid-life and later life to reduce the risk of cognitive decline as you age. This presentation explores the relationship between lifestyle choices, such as diet, movement, and sleep, in mitigating or promoting cognitive decline. We will also discuss emerging risk factors such as hearing loss, high blood pressure, and gum disease, which are increasingly linked to dementia. Walk away with a better understanding of how your daily habits reduce your risk of cognitive decline, including 1-2 practical steps you can take right away to keep your brain in optimal condition.

Psychological science has revealed 10 factors associated with happy people. There are also things people often think are associated with being happy but are in-fact not. We will discuss this, and an emotion beyond happiness, in this class about the science of happiness.