Monday, March 25, 2019

9:30-10:30     MONDAY INTEREST GROUPS

BOOK DISCUSSION
The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Levin
Discussion Leader: Debby Croker Treece

When his most prized possession, a collection of poems, is stolen, A. J. Fikry isolates himself before receiving a mysterious package that compels him to remake his life. This is a tale of a life of books, redemption, and second chances.

HANDWORK/CRAFTS
Topic: Zentangle
Leader: Mary Aspnes and Holly Lewis

Zentangle enables people of all abilities to create images by using repeating patterns. Using pen and paper, draw deconstructed images one stroke at a time.

HOT TOPICS
Leader: Lil Lindsey

Join us for a lively interactive discussion on newsworthy events and more.

KNOW YOUR DEVICE
Facilitator: Alice Heth

This group will answer each other’s questions about smart phones, iPads, and technology mysteries.

TRAVEL
Topic: Ecuador: Land of Rain Forests, Mountains, and the Galapagos Islands
Presenter: Leslie Swenson

Ecuador is a land rich in diversity of plant life, wildlife, and geology. Join Swenson as she shares her adventures traveling in Ecuador.

10:45-11:45   EQUITY, EQUALITY, AND JUSTICE   Presidents’ Hall

Mapping Prejudice

Speaker: Kristen Delegard, PhD, Co-founder, Mapping Prejudice, University of Minnesota Department of Geography, Environment, and Society

The Mapping Prejudice project was created to shed light on the historic practices of covenants, redlining, and predatory lending in Minneapolis. These practices have resulted in some of the largest racial disparities in the nation in housing, access to parks, schools, jobs, and wealth creation. Using digital graphics, Delegard will show us how knowledge of the past can inform our current policy making.

11:45-Noon   ANNOUNCEMENTS
Noon – 1:15   LUNCHEON

1:15-2:15       PUBLIC POLICY      Presidents’ Hall

Rewriting the Rural Narrative

Speaker: Benjamin Winchester, Rural Sociologist and Senior Research Fellow, University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality

Churches, schools, clinics, and post offices have closed in small towns as the people migrate to big cities. This issue dominates conversations in rural communities. However, the story of rural America since 1970 is rich and diverse with positive trends occurring under the radar. Winchester rewrites the narrative, relays common concerns, and suggests steps forward.