THE WORLD IN CRISIS

6 sessions

Instructors:  Father Jude Molnar and Paul Edwards, Ph.D., both Adjunct Faculty, Pierpont Community & Technical College

Fridays, 10 a.m. – Noon, September 5, 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10, 2008

Description:  This course will examine colliding global issues such as the environment, energy, food populations, water, globalization, distribution of wealth, and war.  The quest for a sustainable future will also be included, as well as the moral implications.  Recommended reading:  Getting a Grip: Clarity, Creativity, and Courage in a World Gone Mad by Frances Moore Lappe’.

Non-member fee  $25

LIVING AND WORKING IN BELFAST NORTHERN IRELAND

1 Session

Instructor:  Richard Bowyer

Tuesday, 10 a.m. to Noon, September 9, 2008

Description:  A Power Point and oral presentation and discussion regarding our living and working at the East Belfast Mission during August and September 2006.

Instructor’s Background:  Richard is a retired campus minister for The Wesley Foundation at FSU and Adjunct Faculty.  He has visited Northern Ireland several times since the early 1990s.  Richard is also a member of Lifelong Learners.

Non-member fee $10

UPDATES AND CHANGES FOR PIERPONT COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE
      
1 session - no charge

Speaker:  President Blair Montgomery, Pierpont Community & Technical College

Tuesday, 1 p.m., September 9, 2008 

NASA FUN AND TOUR

2 Sessions

Instructor:  Jess White, Student Outreach Program Manager, NASA IV&V Facility

Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – Noon, September 10 Fun September 24 Tour,

Description:  Join Jess White as he explains what is currently happening in YOUR space program and what the NASA IV&V Facility is doing here in WV.  He will supplement this discussion with some fun activities that he uses in the classroom as he visits schools across WV.  On September 24 we will meet at the rear entrance of NASA to join the NASA IV&V Facility for a 45 minute session to gain understanding about what YOUR space program is doing here in WV.  The tour will also consist of a Shuttle Simulator in which the participants will get to experience what it is like to land the Space Shuttle.

Instructor’s Background:  Jess White has a MA in Education from Fairmont State University.  His past work experiences include 1 year as a NASA intern working with the Organization and Management pillar at the NASA IV&V Facility.  Prior to his internship he worked as a substitute teacher in Monongalia County.  Since 2005 he has served as the Student Outreach Program Manager, established through a grant with NASA.

Non-member fee $15

ELECTION 2008 - POLITICS, POLICIES, AND PROMISES        

7 sessions

Instructor:  Dr. Michael Fulda, Retired Professor of Political Science at FSU

Thursdays, 10 a.m. to Noon, September 18, 25, October 2, 9, 16, 23, & Nov.6, 2008

Description:  The rules of the game.  Description of the unfolding election campaign at the presidential and congressional levels.  Discussion of the main areas at issue: 
(1) Concerns of Seniors:  Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.  (2) Main domestic issues:  E3 Entanglement - energy, environment, and economy;  health care, education, the dwindling middle-class;  budget policy - who and how do we pay for our promises.  (3)  Homeland security issues:  War on terror and war on drugs.
Aqui se habla Ingles - English spoken here.  (4) US and the world economy:  Globalization and global warming;  Kyoto, NAFTA, WTO, and other evils;  Chinese imports and US treasury bonds; the falling dollar and the rising debt.  (5) US foreign policy:  US Defense budget - still the world's policeman;  Middle East - Iraq, Israel, Iran, and oil, oil, oil;  Europe - let's be friends again;  the Russian offensive - oil and gas exports;  the Chinese and Indian threats - oil imports.  (6) Personality and social issues:  Young, black and charismatic vs. old, white, and patriotic;  the perpetual cultural wars;  Obama's Appalachian problem; the West Virginia voter - God, guns, and gays.

Non-member fee $25

WILD FLOWER WALK        

1 session

Guide:  Dr. Donald E. Trisel, Professor of Biology at FSU

Friday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., September 12, 2008 at Prickett’s Fort
Rain Date:  Friday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., September 19, 2008

Description:  Ever wonder what's blooming in that field you pass every day?  Do you know the difference between ragweed and goldenrod, joe-pye weed and ironweed, snake root and mist flower?  Join us at the Prickett's Fort Visitor's Center for an afternoon of exploration of our fabulous fall flora.  We plan to be outside for most of the class time.

Instructor’s Background:  Dr. Trisel has taught several classes for LLL, including a series of field trips in 2007 to examine the flowers of springtime.  When he's not teaching classes or making cheese, Don can be found out in his apiary, orchard, garden, or forest.

Non-member fee $10

EXPLORING CENTRAL ASIA         
       
4 sessions

Instructor:  Jim DeLong

Mondays, 10 a.m. to Noon, September 22, 29, October 6, 13, 2008

Description:  Four years in the life of an exploration geologist working in the remote mountains and deserts of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and peoples, culture and history he encountered.

Instructor’s Background:  Jim is a retired hardrock geologist.  He has forty years of exploration for gold and other metals in the western United States, including Alaska.  He is currently residing in Fairmont, though his two children and three grandchildren all live in Denver, CO.

Non-member fee $25

HEALTHY NUTRITION TO PREVENT DIABETES

Instructor:  Deborah Shriver, MS, CHE Ext. Assoc. Prof., Ext. Agent Marion Co.

Thursday, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., October 2, 2008

Description:  Learn the basics of planning and eating a healthy diet to prevent diabetes.

Instructor’s Background:  Mrs. Shriver has an A.B. Degree and an M.S. Degree  in Family and Consumer Sciences.  She has been a WVU Extension Agent - Associate Professor from 1980 until retirement in 2008.

Non-member fee $10

UNDERSTANDING YOUR AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER

        
1 session

Presenter:  Charlotte Whipkey

Wednesday, 10 a.m. to Noon, October 15, 2008

Description:  Participants will learn a brief history of their ADRC and how the ADRC can assist them in the education and understanding of area resources.

Presenter’s Background:  Charlotte has a wide and varied career background and earned her Masters in Social Work late in life.  She is currently the Coordinator for the ADRC located in the White Hall Mall next to Subway Restaurant.

Non-member fee $10

VISIT ALASKA'S INLAND SEA

Maximum students 25 
1 session

Presenter:  John P. Jones

Tuesday, 10 a.m. – Noon, October 28, 2008

Description:  We will visit Alaska’s Inland Sea through slides that John’s daughter took in 2000 while they were on a small cruise ship touring Alaska’s Inland Waterway.  Lots of scenery and animal life.

Presenter’s Background:  John P. graduated from Cornell in 1954, worked for Exxon for 10 years, followed by 30 years as owner of Jones Fur Service.  He has been retired since 1996.

Non-member fee $10

EMOTIONS, EXPECTATIONS, AND ECONOMICS     

1 session

Presenter:  Fred A. Scheeren, Senior Vice President – Investments, Wachovia Securities

Thursday, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., October 30, 2008

Description: Whether it's up or down, the market is always on the move.  How will you react to changing market conditions?  What effects could your actions have on your financial plan?  Many people have questions about their investment strategy, yet they never find the time to get them answered.  In this workshop, we'll discuss how emotions affect investment decisions, general market expectations for three types of investors, and lessons from the last 75 years of U.S. economic history.

Presenter’s Background:  Fred A Scheeren is a financial advisor who has been a practicing Certified Financial Planner™ Professional for more than 20 years and was included in the 2005 edition of “Guide to America’s Best Financial Planners.”  He received the Securities Industry Institute’s Top Award at the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Wharton School of Business and Commerce in the early 1980’s for his analysis of the securities industry.  He has twice been named to Who’s Who in Business and Finance Among Financial Advisors.  He conducts annual continuing education seminars for accounting and legal professionals and has been featured as a guest speaker on topics including portfolio management, asset allocation, and investment planning.

Non-member fee $10

HOW TO USE FSU'S LIBRARY          

Maximum students 20
1 session

Instructor:  David Mathews, FSU Reference Librarian

Monday, 9 a.m. – Noon,November 17, 2008

Description:  We will cover all aspects of the FSU Library, its sources, services, and collections.

Non-member fee $10

TOUR THE FIXED WING ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AVIATION TRAINING SITE (FWAATS)

                                                                                                                 1 session

Guide:  Staff Sergeant Sam Cantrell

Date: Wednesday, 10 a.m. - Noon, October 8, 2008

Description:  We will see a PP presentation of the facility, tour the site, and be shown the aircraft that the FWAATS uses for training.

Guides Background:  SSG Cantrell is an Aviation Operations Specialist and works in flight operations which tracks all of the flights conducted at the FWAATS.  He has been in the West Virginia Army National Guard for 12 years and is from Athens, WV.  In 2003, he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science at WVU and is presently completing a Masters in Strategic Leadership at Mountain State University.

Non-member fee $10

FBI

3 sessions

Coordinator and Presenter: Billy Estok, Arts and Information Specialist

Dates:  Thursdays, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., September 11, October 9, 23, 2008

Description:  September 11: Law Enforcement - National Data Exchange (N-DEx): The presenter, Special Agent, Tim Reid, Unit Chief, N-DEx Unit, will give us an overview of N-DEx.
October 9: Update on CJIS;  An update on the major programs and initiatives at the CJIS Division will be presented by Billy Estok.
October 23;  First Half, FBI Recruitment/Hiring;  Todd Montgomery, Training Instructor, and Paul McInturff, Supervisory Management and Program Analyst, will do a joint presentation on FBI hiring needs and the applicant process.  Second half - Life of an FBI Special Agent; Rob Casey, FBI Special Agent, will tell us about his career.

THE MONONGAH HEROINE         

1 session

Presenter and the Film Producer:  Gina Martino Dahlia

Date: Friday, October 24, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Description:  Gina will present her film, THE MONONGAH HEROINE. 

Presenter’s Background:  Gina Martino Dahlia is a Teaching Assistant Professor and Chairman of the Broadcast News Sequence at the P.I. Reed School of Journalism at West Virginia University.  Dahlia is also an award-winning filmmaker.  Her documentary "The Monongah Heroine" aired statewide on PBS in December 2007 and received worldwide media attention.  The film focuses on the widows left behind from the December 6, 1907 Monongah mine disaster, still dubbed the worst disaster in American history.  Dahlia produced, filmed and narrated the historical film. "The Monongah Heroine" has won several awards and Governor Joe Manchin presented Dahlia the "Distinguished Mountaineer" award for excellence in contribution to her students, state and community, stemming from her film.

Non-member fee $10

TOUR ALLEGHENY ENERGY'S LINEMAN TRIANING CENTER

1 session

Guide:  Training school personnel
Date:  TBA
Description:  We will tour Allegheny Energy's White Hall Service Center where training is conducted for all Allegheny Power's linemen that serve the four state, WV, PA, MD, Va, areas.  This center provides training in the safety and proficiency needed to perform their daily duties.

Non-member fee $10

ALLEGHENY ENERGY TRANSMISSION SYSTEM PROJECTS

1 Session

Presenter:  Allan Staggers, Manager, Corporate Commicunications

Date:  Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. - Noon, October 1,2008

Description:  An overview of Allegheny Energy's two major electric transmission projects.

Non-member fee $10

THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS

1 Session

Instructor:  Roberta Absher, Master Naturalist

Date:  Thursday, 1:00-3:00 p.m. September 4, 2008

Description:  The surprising geologic history of the Appalachian Mountains, their climate and soils.
Instructor's background:  Roberta earned a BS and AB at Shepherd College in English and Biology and an MA plus 30, At West Virginia University.  She is a retired Marion County Teacher.

Non-member fee$10

TOUR TIMES WEST VIRGINIAN NEWSPAPER FACILITY

1 Session

Guide:  Toni Ricer

Time: Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. - Noon, September 23, 2008 

Non-member fee $10