The Newman Dynasty – A Century of Amazing Film Scores - Zoom
Fee: $0.00
Dates: 9/14/2026 - 9/14/2026
Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Days: M
Sessions: 1
Building: Online Classroom
Room: Zoom Classroom
Instructor: Emanuel Abramovits
Seats Still Available: 40
With nearly 100 Academy Award nominations, the Newman family has shaped the sound of American cinema for nearly a century. This course explores the family's extraordinary musical legacy, from sweeping orchestral scores and jazz influences on innovative contemporary soundscapes. Together, we'll examine iconic film scores from Wuthering Heights, Pleasantville, American Beauty , and Toy Story while tracing the contributions of Hollywood pioneer Alfred Newman, his brothers Lionel and Emil, and later generations of acclaimed composers Randy, David, and Thomas Newman.
Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
Got Back Problems - Palm Desert
Why do some populations that perform physically demanding daily tasks report fewer back and neck problems than many Americans? This informative lecture explores how posture, body mechanics, and everyday movement patterns can influence spinal health and chronic pain. Together, we'll examine common causes of back and neck discomfort while learning practical techniques to improve posture, reduce strain, and support long-term musculoskeletal health.
Participants will have the opportunity to practice postural awareness and proper body mechanics under the instructor's guidance. The lecture also covers common back and neck conditions, along with practical home strategies to reduce pain, improve function, and promote lifelong spinal health.
Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
Introduction to Fine Fragrances
Ever wonder what goes into creating a fine fragrance? This engaging lecture offers an introduction to the fascinating world of perfumery, exploring the history, artistry, and science behind the scents we wear and enjoy every day. Discover how natural and synthetic ingredients are blended into distinctive fragrances, learn about classic fragrance families such as citrus, fougère, and chypre, and explore iconic notes like rose and orange blossom. Whether you're a fragrance enthusiast or simply curious about the creative process, this lecture provides an enjoyable behind-the-scenes look at the timeless art of fine fragrance.
Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
What Do Diplomats Do? What Should They Be Doing Now? - Palm Desert
Diplomacy plays a vital role in advancing America's security, prosperity, and global leadership—but what do diplomats do? In this engaging lecture, a retired U.S. Ambassador and 38-year Foreign Service veteran offers an insider's look at the world of diplomacy, explaining how it works, what it can accomplish, and where its limitations lie. Step inside the U.S. Department of State, the White House Situation Room, American embassies, the United Nations Security Council, and NATO's North Atlantic Council to see diplomacy in action. We'll also examine today's international hotspots and consider the role diplomats can—and should—play in addressing the world's most pressing challenges.
Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
The Formation of Riverside County - Riverside
Fee: $0.00
Dates: 9/22/2026 - 9/22/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 1
Building: EUV Riverside
Room: EUV 1101
Instructor: Steve Lech
Seats Still Available: 40
The formation of Riverside County in 1893 was far more complex than a dispute over a courthouse. In this engaging lecture, author and historian Steve Lech explores the political, economic, and regional forces that led to the creation of one of California's last—and ultimately fourth largest—counties. Discover the surprising motivations, behind-the-scenes negotiations, and pivotal events that shaped the birth of Riverside County and its legacy.
Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
Land of Many Styles—Riverside as an Architectural Mecca - Riverside
Fee: $0.00
Dates: 9/29/2026 - 9/29/2026
Times: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 1
Building: EUV Riverside
Room:
Instructor: Philip Falcone
Seats Still Available: 40
From elegant Victorians to striking Mid-Century Modern homes, Riverside's residential architecture reflects the city's remarkable growth and prosperity. Once the wealthiest city per capita in the nation, Riverside attracted some of the country's most talented architects, whose innovative designs shaped its neighborhoods for generations. In this fascinating lecture, local historian, author, and City Councilmember Philip Falcone traces the evolution of Riverside's residential architecture from 1880 to 1960 while exploring the importance of preserving these architectural treasures for the future.
Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
Renditions of Famous Paintings - Zoom
Fee: $0.00
Dates: 10/5/2026 - 10/5/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Days: M
Sessions: 1
Building: Online Classroom
Room: Zoom Classroom
Instructor: Eli Vega, MFA
Seats Still Available: 39
What inspires an artist to recreate some of history's most celebrated paintings? In this fascinating lecture, photographer Eli Vega shares the story behind his two-and-a-half-year creative journey to reimagine famous works of art through photography. He'll discuss the project's inspiration, the process of finding models, locations, and props, and the careful planning and staging required to bring each masterpiece to life. Through behind-the-scenes stories and striking images, you'll gain a unique appreciation for the creativity, artistry, and craftsmanship that culminated in his published book.
Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
Riverside’s Backbone – Magnolia Ave - Riverside
Fee: $0.00
Dates: 10/6/2026 - 10/6/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 1
Building: EUV Riverside
Room:
Instructor: Glenn Wenzel
Seats Still Available: 40
Magnolia Avenue has long been known as the backbone of Riverside, but its story began as a grand boulevard serving the developing community of Arlington in 1875. In this engaging lecture, we'll trace the evolution of Magnolia Avenue from its original design to its expansion into one of Riverside's most important thoroughfares. Along the way, we'll explore the early pioneer families, citrus groves, and showcase homes that helped shape the city's history and character.
Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
A History of Baseball in Riverside - Riverside
Fee: $0.00
Dates: 10/20/2026 - 10/20/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 1
Building: EUV Riverside
Room:
Instructor: Claudia Rodriguez
Seats Still Available: 35
Riversiders have been playing baseball since our earliest years. In the 1920’s, softball became an obsession. The history of both in Riverside is extensive and impressive. In what is believed to be the first work of its kind, the Riverside Historical Society has released an extensive publication outlining the people and activities involved in our baseball history. This course will provide an overview of the research completed and its findings. Following the overview will be supplemental information and observations not included in the publication. The course is designed for both history lovers and baseball lovers.
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Life in the Foreign Service? - Palm Desert
When diplomats receive a new assignment, so do their family. In this engaging lecture, retired U.S. Ambassador Joe Manso and his wife, Patricia, share what life is really like as a Foreign Service family after 38 years, 18 moves, and assignments spanning the globe—from Mexico City and Vienna to Brussels, Bolivia, and Baghdad.
Changing jobs, homes, and schools is stressful enough. Diplomatic families also adapt to new countries, languages, cultures, and climates, often every few years. Through personal stories and firsthand experiences, Joe and Patricia will discuss the unique challenges, unexpected rewards, and remarkable resilience required to build a life in the U.S. Foreign Service.
Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
Postcards from Mecca – The California Desert Photography of Susie Keef Smith and Lula Mae Graves - Riverside
Fee: $0.00
Dates: 10/27/2026 - 10/27/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 1
Building: EUV Riverside
Room:
Instructor: Steve Lech
Seats Still Available: 40
Seeking an escape from a difficult home life and the lasting effects of childhood polio, Susie Keef Smith and her cousin, Lula Mae Graves, ventured into the remote deserts east of California's Salton Sea to photograph the region's prospectors, burro packers, stage stops, and rugged landscapes. Traveling by burro, on foot, and by Ford through sandy washes and roadless canyons, they created a remarkable visual record of a little-known corner of the American West. This lecture tells the extraordinary story of their adventures, the postcards they produced, and the dramatic rescue of Susie's photographs from a dumpster—preserving an irreplaceable chapter of California history.
Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
History of Water Farming in the Coachella Valley
Water made the Coachella Valley possible. In this engaging lecture, we'll explore how Ancient Lake Cahuilla, the Salton Sea, underground aquifers, and the Colorado River Aqueduct transformed an arid desert into one of the nation's most productive agricultural regions. Discover how careful water management supports the cultivation of more than 80 crops, including the 95% of the dates consumed in the United States that are grown right here in the Coachella Valley. Join us for a fascinating look at the history, engineering, and natural resources that continue to shape our valley today.
Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
Botanic Garden The Musical
Fee: $0.00Dates: 11/2/2026 - 11/2/2026Times: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PMDays: MSessions: 1Building: UCR-Palm Desert Center BRoom: B-100Instructor: Lindsey JonesSeats Still Available: 100
Botanic Garden The Musical funny, poignant, and intimate musical adapted from Todd Logan's award-winning play. Through an evocative piano-driven score, it tells the story of a widow navigating love, loss, and new beginnings while reflecting on more than 30 years of marriage with her late husband. Filled with humor and heart, the musical celebrates the enduring power of love and the courage to embrace life's next chapter.
Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
When Teddy Came to Riverside – Roosevelt’s 1903 trip West - Riverside
Fee: $0.00
Dates: 11/3/2026 - 11/3/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 1
Building: EUV Riverside
Room:
Instructor: Glenn Wenzel
Seats Still Available: 40
President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt's 1903 journey west was part campaign tour, part conservation expedition, with visits to Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and a memorable stop in Riverside. In this engaging lecture, we'll explore the story behind Roosevelt's western travels and his brief but eventful visit to Riverside, where he spent the night at Frank Miller's newly opened Mission Inn. Discover how one presidential visit became a memorable chapter in the city's history.
Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
Crocker's Folly – The Development of, and Opposition to, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Today, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is one of Riverside County's most iconic attractions, but its journey to completion was anything but certain. Once derisively nicknamed "Crocker's Folly," the project faced nearly three decades of planning, controversy, and determined opposition that came surprisingly close to stopping it altogether. Join author and historian Steve Lech as he uncovers the fascinating story behind the tram's development, the people who championed and challenged it, and the little-known history that has largely been forgotten over time.
Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
Discovering Riverside’s Past: The Women of Riverside 1870 to 1970 - Riverside
Fee: $0.00
Dates: 11/17/2026 - 11/17/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 1
Building: EUV Riverside
Room:
Instructor: Debbie Newton
Seats Still Available: 50
Did you know about the women who saved Riverside’s portion of the Santa Ana River? Have you heard about the club leader who became prominent in earning voting rights for women? Learn about the fascinating history of the women who helped form what we now know as Riverside in its first 100 years. From business to medicine, education to the arts, science to politics, Riverside's women have paved pathways instrumental to the modern world. Participants will also get the chance to learn how to document their own and others’ stories.
Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
The Edward A. Dickson Professorship Lecture Series - Why Tragedy? Two Famous Plays by Shakespeare - Riverside
Dates: 11/17/2026 - 11/17/2026Times: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PMBuilding: EUV RiversideRoom: EUV 1101Instructor: John C. Briggs
Why do Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet continue to move and fascinate us, even as they break our hearts? Why do we return to them repeatedly? This engaging lecture offers a preview of a larger study of Shakespearean tragedy, exploring the enduring questions of love, loss, fate, revenge, and the timeless power of two of literature's greatest plays. Lecture from 3:00-4:30 p.m. followed by a brief cocktail hour.
To register, email: retirees@ucr.edu
Riverside County Through the Lens of Burton Frasher - Riverside
Fee: $0.00
Dates: 12/8/2026 - 12/8/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 1
Building: EUV Riverside
Room:
Instructor: Steve Lech
Seats Still Available: 40
Burton Frasher was one of the most prolific postcard photographers of the 1920s through the 1950s, capturing iconic images of Southern California and the American Southwest. His postcards, now highly prized by collectors, provide a fascinating visual record of a bygone era. In this engaging lecture, author and historian Steve Lech explores Frasher's life and legacy while showcasing many of his remarkable postcard views from throughout Riverside County.
Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
The Single Funniest Sitcom Episode. Seriously! - Palm Desert
Fee: $0.00
Dates: 12/8/2026 - 12/8/2026
Times: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 1
Building: UCR-Palm Desert Center B
Room:
Instructor: Lou Gorfain
Seats Still Available: 99
In the 1970s, CBS's legendary Saturday-night lineup—All in the Family, MASH*, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and The Bob Newhart Show —set the gold standard for television comedy. In this special lecture, we'll screen a single standout episode, recognized by TV Guide and the Writers Guild of America as the funniest sitcom episode ever made. Featuring extraordinary comic timing and unforgettable performances, this classic episode reminds us why laughter and tears are often two sides of the same coin. As one character wisely observes, "If you can't laugh at death, death will have the last laugh on you." Which actor? Which series? Which episode? You'll have to join us on December 8 to find out.
Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
PALM DESERT CENTER