Monday Interest Groups
9:30-10:30 a.m.

• Book Discussion: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
  Heritage Room
  Discussion leader: Karen Gray
  This is a book about lost love, stepping out of an ordinary monotonous life to find out what really matters, finding a beautiful new world, beauty in the old world, and discovering hope. Harold Fry is funny, heart-wrenching, and healing.
• Great Decisions: China’s Foreign Policy
  Presidents’ Hall
  Leaders: Barb Taft and Joyce Prudden
  The People’s Republic of China becoming a more normal country is a “good news/bad news” story. It played a stabilizing role in the economic crisis, but its growing power destabilized its region. How do China’s growth and public policy decisions affect ours?
• Handwork/Crafts: Beading
  Dining Room
  Leaders: Ann Vanvick and Elaine Braun
  Make a one-of-a-kind beaded badge holder for yourself ($5) or make one to be sold to raise funds for our branch.
• Writers’ Group
  Library
  Leader: Bev Erickson
  Join fellow members who enjoy writing of all kinds. No experience is necessary.

The Uphill Struggle to Indict Genetics in Dysfunctional Behaviors
10:45-11:45 a.m.
Presidents’ Hall

Speaker: Dr. Irving Gottesman, Bernstein Professor in Adult Psychiatry and Senior Fellow in the Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota

Twin studies have shown personal variations which cannot be accounted for by genetics and environment alone. To find the cause of these variations, the field of Epigenetics studies how genetic expression is modified on a molecular level without a change to DNA. Dr. Gottesman will speak on the genetic/epigenetic basis of mental illness, touching on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, suicide, criminality, and genetic counseling.

Luncheon
12:00-1:15 p.m.

Luncheon Hostess: Elaine Braun
Guess Hostess: Marlyn Barber
Community Outreach – Association Room
Development – Association Room
Nominating – Porch

Arica A to Z: Africa’s Evolving Role in the World  AAUW Africa talk 9-22-14
1:15-2:15 p.m.
Presidents’ Hall

Speaker: Dr. Robert Werner, Geography Professor, University of St. Thomas

From its rich history to the present day, the story of Africa tells about wealth and poverty, religions, languages, population, government instability, foreign investment, and present-day conflicts. Learn how Africa’s resources and geography affect its development and what’s ahead for the future.

For reservations, call 651-220-4777 or email aauwmpls@qwest.net before 1:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the event.