In the beginning, people lived in hunting and gathering societies. Life was hard. They worked long hours and life was, as Thomas Hobbes would say, nasty, brutish and short. But then people discovered agriculture. This led to an improved standard of living and more leisure time.

Gradually, as we get closer to the present, life continued to get better and better as people became less superstitious, happier and had a better sense of morality. Between 1870 and 1900 the first wave of anthropologists believed this is how we could best make sense of social evolution.

We have lived for 95 percent of our time on this planet as hunter gatherers. Why did this change? What might the shape of the continents have to do with the rate of cultural diffusion? When did the state first arise and what drove it to emerge? Has capitalism always been with us? In his wonderful book, Cannibals and Kings, Marvin Harris takes us on a journey from the Stone Age to the present showing us why societies evolved through a combination of chance and necessity. He argues that so far social evolution has occurred behind the backs of human beings. He says that the only way human cultures have any hope of driving social evolution rather than being driven by it can come about once we learn the reasons for why we have not had much control up until now.

Your Instructor: Bruce Lerro has been a night-school college teacher for 27 years. He has taught in alternative college settings, in prisons, the Air Force, Navy and community colleges in the San Francisco Bay Area. Bruce has written eight books, including three on the application of Russian Lev Vygotsky’s work on word history. He’s also a pen-and-ink- artist.

Suggested Reading: Cannibals and Kings: Origins of Cultures (1977) Marvin Harris Vintage Publishing

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What if you died today or in the coming year? This workshop is a journey of discovery about what you have already left for others and what you can yet do to create your legacy design for future generations.

In three sessions you discover what you can do on your own, with companions who accompany you and through community groups. Class sharing times will expand your awareness of possibilities. Creating your own unique legacy design will assist you in finding balance and meaning in life as you choose the steps to take and the best times to fit them into the year ahead.

Limited to 9 persons at each location.

About Presenter: Marty (Martha) Worcester is a Consultant for Aging with a rich background in Growth and Development in the decades of life after age 65. She works with individuals and groups to acquire information needed to meet the challenges and find enjoyment unique to each decade of late life. She fosters appreciation of the age you are and valuing all those on the journey with you as you create your own Late Life Designs.

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What if you died today or in the coming year? This workshop is a journey of discovery about what you have already left for others and what you can yet do to create your legacy design for future generations.

In three sessions you discover what you can do on your own, with companions who accompany you and through community groups. Class sharing times will expand your awareness of possibilities. Creating your own unique legacy design will assist you in finding balance and meaning in life as you choose the steps to take and the best times to fit them into the year ahead.

Limited to 9 persons at each location.

About Presenter: Marty (Martha) Worcester is a Consultant for Aging with a rich background in Growth and Development in the decades of life after age 65. She works with individuals and groups to acquire information needed to meet the challenges and find enjoyment unique to each decade of late life. She fosters appreciation of the age you are and valuing all those on the journey with you as you create your own Late Life Designs.

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In 2023 the U.S. Surgeon General identified our “epidemic of loneliness and isolation” and published the advisory on “the healing effects of social connection and community.”

Most of us know that positive social experiences are great for our mental and physical health, so why are so many suffering from unmet social needs? Don’t we know how to get what’s good for us?

In Part II of this three-part series, we’ll dive into the study of our social integration system and learn mindfulness techniques to strengthen our capacity to relate to others. We’ll take a close look at the social wiring of our brains and explore the psychological and biological pathways that influence our social connections and we’ll train our minds to practice non-judgment, acceptance and compassion without sacrificing our values and boundaries. You may be surprised by the difference between being a “good communicator” and being a truly mindful listener and speaker. New and returning students are welcome to join!

Your Instructor: Margo Benedetto is a certified mindfulness instructor and veteran classroom teacher in Washington State. She was a leader in bringing mindfulness education to Centralia School District from 2015-2020 and continues to provide personal and professional development on mindfulness for individuals and groups.She enjoys the variety of classroom setting she finds for her work, including Thurston County Dog 4-H, Olympia Senior Services and North Thurston Public Schools.

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This course explores the unique experiences and inherent perspectives of Original Peoples in Our contemporary world through a storyworks lens.

Collectively, we will delve into the challenges faced by Northwest Nations and their surrounding communities, including but not limited to issues related to land rights, environmental justice, cultural preservation and political sovereignty. By wholistically examining Native American narratives, we will mutually gain understanding of the adaptations and hope that characterize these resilient communities.

By Indigenizing Our shared analytical thinking skills, empathy and a commitment to social integrity, we will work to nourish our wholistic perspectives to collectively work toward a more just and equitable future.

Your Instructor: Professor Ron Johnson is an enrolled member of the Makah Nation in Neah Bay.  His mother Julie is an enrolled member of the Lummi Nation. Ron has worked in a variety of natural resource fields, has three beautiful children, and is currently pursuing his Doctorate degree.  Ron Johnson has taught courses at The Evergreen State College and currently teaches at Northwest Indian College.

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The Creative Arts Therapies use expressive art processes to enhance self-awareness and cultivate improved quality of life. Stress and trauma create tension in the body that can be released through healthy self-expression and communication. Developing a more creative life can help us connect with our inner source of health and well-being.

We will start each session with movement warm-up and then weave together participatory experiences in movement, music, drama, visual arts, and creative writing each week to explore how the arts can help us tune in to our inner thoughts, feelings and behavior in everyday life. As we gain a deeper understanding of our inner life we can enhance our physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual wellbeing to improve communication and relationships with self and others. This not a therapy group but each session will involve interactions and collaborations that offer ample space and time to explore new ideas in a safe environment.

Body, mind and spirit integration through the arts can lead us to new options and possibilities. Learn to use creativity to discover your hidden talents and strengths and develop healthier lifestyle skills. Try something new in a non-competitive, non-judgmental and supportive atmosphere where your curiosity can lead you to surprising new opportunities!

Your Instructor: Maia O’Brien is an Integrative Physical Therapist and a Dance/ Movement Therapist who uses the Creative Arts Therapies and Astrology to help people develop greater insight and compassion for self and others. Her focus is on promoting healthy communities through creative integration of educational, health/wellness and artistic practices.

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