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Vistas Lifelong Learning
  • Welcome
  • About Vistas
    • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Curriculum Committee
  • Membership
    • Join Vistas
  • Vistas Calendar
  • Courses and Programs
    • Current Courses
    • Book Clubs
    • Course Videos
    • How to Register
    • Past Courses
    • Become a Presenter
  • Donate
  • FAQ
  • Contact
Sep
3
10:00 AM10:00

Hermitage field trip

  • Wednesday, September 3, 2025
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Hermitage offers an outstanding collection of original sculptures, inspired whimsy, and humor. Works of art are on display in both outdoor and indoor settings, as the museum opens into a subtropical garden with trails winding through the hillside. Visitors come to appreciate art in new ways—with fresh insights into the unfamiliar, the provocative, and the unexpected.
The collection includes more than 260 bronze busts: 43 presidents, 126 authors, 72 composers, and 22 others. Many of the sculptures, including life-sized bronzes, are mounted outdoors in a unique setting with thousands of remarkable subtropical plants, including rare and exotic flowering trees. You will find many surprises there!

Important information about the field trip: The museum and 10-acre property rest on hilly terrain with steps and paths on two adjacent

This field trip is now full- please email Nichole at vistas@vistaslifelonglearning.org to be added to the waitlist in case of any cancellations.

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Sep
7
12:30 PM12:30

Save the date: Annual Fall Picnic

  • Sunday, September 7, 2025
  • 12:30 PM 2:00 PM 12:30 14:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us for our Annual Fall Picnic: September 7, 2025

Come and join us for one of our most popular annual events—our catered luncheon under the oaks, featuring delicious picnic fare in addition to wine and other beverages. Plan now to come out to greet your friends, meet some of our course presenters, and learn what VISTAS has in store for you in 2025–26. Everyone is welcome! Bring your friends to introduce them to VISTAS. The picnic is the perfect time to get a taste of what VISTAS has to offer!

View Flyer

2025 Fall Picnic
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Sep
8
1:00 PM13:00

Writing Drama from History: Finding the Stories in Memoirs, Archives, Biographies

  • Monday, September 8, 2025
  • 1:00 PM 3:30 PM 13:00 15:30
  • Google Calendar ICS

Monday: September 8, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30

Presented by: Meg Kruszewska
Meg (Malgorzata) Kruszewska’s most recently produced play, Tea with Ganna, Pearl, and Beatrice, provided a nuanced portrayal of three legendary local women—Ganna Walska, Pearl Chase, and Beatrice Wood. Like several of her other plays, it was based on biographies, archives, and public documents. This presentation will focus on how dramatists create characters and storylines based on factual evidence, but then also use fictional situations for better dramatic storytelling. The creative writer’s task differs from that of a historian or a journalist. Inspiration may arise from extensive archival research, but it then needs to be set aside in order to create the story. This writing process reflects a bigger question for those considering writing memoirs or family histories. How can character development and placement in a historical context help transform a mere chronicle of events into dramatic literature?

Writing Drama from History
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Sep
9
10:00 AM10:00

Trees of Santa Barbara 1/4

  • Tuesday, September 9, 2025
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Four (non-consecutive) Tuesdays: Sept. 9, Sept. 16, Sept. 30, Oct. 7; 10 a.m. – 12 noon (no refreshment break)
Each week we will meet at a different location in town;
participants will need to find parking nearby
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price: $75

Presented by: Bob Muller
Santa Barbara’s streets and parks are a living conservatory of over 400 species of trees from throughout the world. Some have played important roles in the history of man; others may be endangered in their native lands. All have an interesting story. Each week we will meet in a different location in town and investigate the amazing diversity that makes up Santa Barbara’s urban forest. We will learn to identify over 70 of our common and uncommon trees and discuss the fascinating stories that they all have to tell. We will also discuss some threats to this important but underappreciated legacy that we drive by and interact with in our daily lives. This field trip course will be limited to 15 participants. We are planning to provide museum guide–type audio receivers for all who choose to use them.

This course is now full- please email Nichole at vistas@vistaslifelonglearning.org to be added to the waitlist in case of any cancellations.

View Event →
Sep
11
9:30 AM09:30

Understanding AI: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters

  • Thursday, September 11, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Thursday: September 11, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N.
Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price $30

Presented by: Norah Dunbar
This lecture will offer a beginner-friendly introduction to artificial intelligence (AI), focusing on what AI is, how it works, and how it impacts our everyday lives. Designed for a general audience with little to no technical background, the presentation will demystify common AI concepts, provide real-world examples, and offer guidance on how to think critically about AI tools such as ChatGPT. We’ll start with a brief history of AI, from Turing to today, then cover some definitions and common myths. We’ll discuss the difference between AI, machine learning, and deep learning. We’ll also look at ethical considerations and misuse. At the conclusion, attendees will have a foundational understanding of AI's capabilities, limitations, and implications for the future.

Understanding AI
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Sep
11
1:30 PM13:30

Thursday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Thursday, September 11, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Private Residence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

View Event →
Sep
12
9:30 AM09:30

Mystery and Espionage Book Club

  • Friday, September 12, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

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Sep
15
1:00 PM13:00

Truth and Illusion

  • Monday, September 15, 2025
  • 1:00 PM 3:30 PM 13:00 15:30
  • Google Calendar ICS

Monday: September 15, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price $30

Presented by: Scott DeVine
Scott DeVine, Ensemble Theatre Company’s Executive Artistic Director, will unveil the upcoming ETC season, whose theme is “Truth and Illusion,” exploring how theatre serves as both mirror and mask for society. He’ll discuss the carefully curated productions, which examine authenticity versus artifice, reality versus perception, and the powerful role of storytelling in revealing deeper truths about the human experience while celebrating theatre's transformative magic. Scott will also reflect on his journey to leading the company, sharing pivotal moments that shaped his artistic vision and leadership philosophy.

Truth and Illusion
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Sep
16
10:00 AM10:00

Trees of Santa Barbara 2/4

  • Tuesday, September 16, 2025
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Four (non-consecutive) Tuesdays: Sept. 9, Sept. 16, Sept. 30, Oct. 7; 10 a.m. – 12 noon (no refreshment break)
Each week we will meet at a different location in town;
participants will need to find parking nearby
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price: $75

Presented by: Bob Muller
Santa Barbara’s streets and parks are a living conservatory of over 400 species of trees from throughout the world. Some have played important roles in the history of man; others may be endangered in their native lands. All have an interesting story. Each week we will meet in a different location in town and investigate the amazing diversity that makes up Santa Barbara’s urban forest. We will learn to identify over 70 of our common and uncommon trees and discuss the fascinating stories that they all have to tell. We will also discuss some threats to this important but underappreciated legacy that we drive by and interact with in our daily lives. This field trip course will be limited to 15 participants. We are planning to provide museum guide–type audio receivers for all who choose to use them.

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Sep
17
2:00 PM14:00

Influenza

  • Wednesday, September 17, 2025
  • 2:00 PM 3:30 PM 14:00 15:30
  • Google Calendar ICS

Influenza

One Wednesday: Sept. 17, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Online via Zoom
There is no charge for this Zoom presentation:
Simply notify our business manager that you’d like to attend and she will email you a link ahead of the presentation.

Presented by: Bruce Phillips
In this ~1 hour presentation, we will discuss briefly the history of influenza disease, including the great epidemic of 1918–1919. Later in the talk we’ll learn how that epidemic unfolded. Dr. Phillips will also analyze (i) the nature of influenza disease and the challenges of dealing with it; (ii) how the influenza virus grows inside certain cells; (iii) its nasty propensity to constantly mutate; (iv) the nature and limitations of influenza vaccines, which often require reformulation year to year; (v) medical treatments for flu; and (vi) practical behaviors to reduce the risk of infection—as well as medical myths you may have heard.

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Sep
18
10:00 AM10:00

Fiction Book Club

  • Thursday, September 18, 2025
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Bethany Congregational Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

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Sep
23
to Sep 24

Rosh Hashanah

  • Tue, Sep 23, 2025 12:01 AM 00:01 Wed, Sep 24, 2025 11:00 PM 23:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

No Vistas Classes

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Sep
25
9:30 AM09:30

Whales and Island Wilderness: Protecting the Channel Islands and the Surrounding Ocean Ecosystem

  • Thursday, September 25, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Thursday: Sept 25, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30

Presented by: Holly Lohuis
Join Holly Lohuis, marine biologist, naturalist, and co-director of the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area, for an inspiring lecture on the vital role whales play in regulating our climate and maintaining ocean health. From carbon sequestration to nutrient cycling, these ocean giants are key allies in the fight against climate change. Learn about the diverse whales and dolphins that inhabit the newly designated Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area and hear stories of conservation successes from the Channel Islands National Park. Discover the science behind whales’ ecological role in enhancing ocean productivity and why protecting the unique biodiversity of the Channel Islands and the wildlife of the Santa Barbara Channel is essential for a healthier planet.

Whales and Island Wilderness
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Sep
26
9:30 AM09:30

Chivalry—Caesar—Gantry: Opera Santa Barbara’s New Season

  • Friday, September 26, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Friday: September 26, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Weinman Hall, Music Academy of the West
1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30

Presented by: Bob Weinman
This will be a one-day class centering on the coming season at Opera Santa Barbara. The operas we will talk about are Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana (epic singing, doomed romance, rousing choruses, bad decisions and their consequences); George Frideric Handel’s Julius Caesar (aka Caesar and Cleopatra) (steamy passion, ruthless politics, vocal pyrotechnics); and Robert Aldridge and Herschel Garfein’s Elmer Gantry (satirical drama, greed, lust, and old-time religion). Like Bob’s other opera-related classes, this presentation will be of interest both to devoted opera fans and those who are perhaps only opera-curious. Expect a lot of fun … and a few surprises!

Chivalry—Caesar—Gantry
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Sep
29
9:30 AM09:30

A Guide to the Symphony Orchestra

  • Monday, September 29, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

A Guide to the Symphony Orchestra

Monday: September 29 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Weinman Hall, Music Academy of the West
1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30

Presented by: Nir Kabaretti
Discover the fascinating world of the symphony orchestra, from its origins in the Baroque era to its development through the Classical period and beyond. This guide explores the four main instrument families—strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion—and explains how they work together to create a unified sound. We’ll learn about the vital role of the conductor, how musicians are selected, and how rehearsals are structured to bring complex scores to life. Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a seasoned concertgoer, this guide offers a comprehensive introduction to the inner workings and rich history of the symphony orchestra.

Symphony Orchestra
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Sep
30
10:00 AM10:00

Trees of Santa Barbara 3/4

  • Tuesday, September 30, 2025
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Four (non-consecutive) Tuesdays: Sept. 9, Sept. 16, Sept. 30, Oct. 7; 10 a.m. – 12 noon (no refreshment break)
Each week we will meet at a different location in town;
participants will need to find parking nearby
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price: $75

Presented by: Bob Muller
Santa Barbara’s streets and parks are a living conservatory of over 400 species of trees from throughout the world. Some have played important roles in the history of man; others may be endangered in their native lands. All have an interesting story. Each week we will meet in a different location in town and investigate the amazing diversity that makes up Santa Barbara’s urban forest. We will learn to identify over 70 of our common and uncommon trees and discuss the fascinating stories that they all have to tell. We will also discuss some threats to this important but underappreciated legacy that we drive by and interact with in our daily lives. This field trip course will be limited to 15 participants. We are planning to provide museum guide–type audio receivers for all who choose to use them.

View Event →
Oct
1
to Oct 2

Yom Kippur

  • Wed, Oct 1, 2025 12:01 AM 00:01 Thu, Oct 2, 2025 11:00 PM 23:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

No Vistas classes

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Oct
6
9:30 AM09:30

California History through Song: From the Gold Rush to Little Kathy Fiscus and Cesar Chavez 1/2

  • Monday, October 6, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Two Mondays: Oct. 6 and 13, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $30; non-member price: $45

Presented by: Norm Cohen
We generally don’t turn to popular music for documentation of social and political history, but there has been a great deal of musical commentary on life in the Golden State, especially during the 19th and early 20th centuries—not only in mainstream pop music but also in country music (or “hillbilly” music, as it used to be labeled), blues music, and Hispanic music. In these sessions you’ll have a chance to hear dozens of songs that touch on California’s past—individual events (mostly tragedies), heroes and badmen (“Corrido de Patricia Hearst,” “Corrido de Cesar Chavez”), natural disasters (“The Los Angeles New Year’s Flood”); and memories from the days of ’49. And oh, yes—a song about our own Santa Barbara (“The Santa Barbara Earthquake”). These oft-forgotten gems will be accompanied by commentary on the historical background as well as the singers and composers/writers.

California History through Song
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Oct
7
10:00 AM10:00

Trees of Santa Barbara 4/4

  • Tuesday, October 7, 2025
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Four (non-consecutive) Tuesdays: Sept. 9, Sept. 16, Sept. 30, Oct. 7; 10 a.m. – 12 noon (no refreshment break)
Each week we will meet at a different location in town;
participants will need to find parking nearby
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price: $75

Presented by: Bob Muller
Santa Barbara’s streets and parks are a living conservatory of over 400 species of trees from throughout the world. Some have played important roles in the history of man; others may be endangered in their native lands. All have an interesting story. Each week we will meet in a different location in town and investigate the amazing diversity that makes up Santa Barbara’s urban forest. We will learn to identify over 70 of our common and uncommon trees and discuss the fascinating stories that they all have to tell. We will also discuss some threats to this important but underappreciated legacy that we drive by and interact with in our daily lives. This field trip course will be limited to 15 participants. We are planning to provide museum guide–type audio receivers for all who choose to use them.

View Event →
Oct
8
9:30 AM09:30

Forensic Linguistics: The Role of Forensic Linguists within the Legal System 1/2

  • Wednesday, October 8, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Two Wednesdays: Oct. 8 and 15, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $30; non-member price: $45

Presented by: Edward Finegan
Forensic linguists have served as experts in legal disputes for the past six or seven decades in civil and criminal cases related to defamation, voice identification, authorship attribution, and trademark. They’ve also assisted courts and juries concerning interpretation of deeds of trust, insurance policies, statutory law, and even the United States Constitution—in short, in any kind of legal dispute where language is an issue. Ed will describe the well-known case of the Unabomber as well as several in which he played a role, involving the celebrities Aretha Franklin, Martha Stewart, Tom Cruise, and James Woods. He’ll discuss his experience in trademark disputes between American Airlines and Delta, between Apple and Microsoft, and one challenging the USPS.

Forensic Linguistics
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Oct
9
1:30 PM13:30

Thursday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Thursday, October 9, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Private Residence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

View Event →
Oct
10
9:30 AM09:30

Mystery and Espionage Book Club

  • Friday, October 10, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

View Event →
Oct
13
9:30 AM09:30

California History through Song: From the Gold Rush to Little Kathy Fiscus and Cesar Chavez 2/2

  • Monday, October 13, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Two Mondays: Oct. 6 and 13, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $30; non-member price: $45

Presented by: Norm Cohen
We generally don’t turn to popular music for documentation of social and political history, but there has been a great deal of musical commentary on life in the Golden State, especially during the 19th and early 20th centuries—not only in mainstream pop music but also in country music (or “hillbilly” music, as it used to be labeled), blues music, and Hispanic music. In these sessions you’ll have a chance to hear dozens of songs that touch on California’s past—individual events (mostly tragedies), heroes and badmen (“Corrido de Patricia Hearst,” “Corrido de Cesar Chavez”), natural disasters (“The Los Angeles New Year’s Flood”); and memories from the days of ’49. And oh, yes—a song about our own Santa Barbara (“The Santa Barbara Earthquake”). These oft-forgotten gems will be accompanied by commentary on the historical background as well as the singers and composers/writers.

California History through Song
View Event →
Oct
15
9:30 AM09:30

Forensic Linguistics: The Role of Forensic Linguists within the Legal System 2/2

  • Wednesday, October 15, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Two Wednesdays: Oct. 8 and 15, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $30; non-member price: $45

Presented by: Edward Finegan
Forensic linguists have served as experts in legal disputes for the past six or seven decades in civil and criminal cases related to defamation, voice identification, authorship attribution, and trademark. They’ve also assisted courts and juries concerning interpretation of deeds of trust, insurance policies, statutory law, and even the United States Constitution—in short, in any kind of legal dispute where language is an issue. Ed will describe the well-known case of the Unabomber as well as several in which he played a role, involving the celebrities Aretha Franklin, Martha Stewart, Tom Cruise, and James Woods. He’ll discuss his experience in trademark disputes between American Airlines and Delta, between Apple and Microsoft, and one challenging the USPS.

Forensic Linguistics
View Event →
Oct
16
10:00 AM10:00

Fiction Book Club

  • Thursday, October 16, 2025
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Bethany Congregational Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

View Event →
Oct
16
1:30 PM13:30

Board Meeting

  • Thursday, October 16, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Google Calendar ICS
View Event →
Oct
17
9:30 AM09:30

The Life, Death—and Future?—of USAID: Dispatches from the Front Lines

  • Friday, October 17, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Friday: October 17, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30

Presented by: Christine Sheckler and Bee Bloeser
It was America’s most powerful tool you’ve never heard enough about. Through the experience of some who served, this course examines the US Agency for International Development, the greatest tool America ever had for doing great humanitarian good while building diplomatic goodwill. We’ll look at USAID projects as they changed lives around the world and increased America’s strategic influence. We’ll explore how taxpayer dollars spent were an investment in our security and will consider ways we might move forward following the dismantling of the agency.

USAID
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Oct
22
9:30 AM09:30

Murder in Santa Barbara 1/2

  • Wednesday, October 22, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Two Wednesdays: October 22 and 29, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $30; non-member price: $45

Presented by: Patrick McKinley
During the opening session, Patrick will identify 29 murder cases that occurred in Santa Barbara, wherein a total of 62 people were killed. A list of those cases will be shared with all attendees at that session and also may be requested in advance from our business manager. If for any reason an attendee would be disturbed by discussion of the details relating to a particular case, they may notify Patrick and that case will be dropped. Murder is not pretty, and we do not want friends or relatives of either the defendants or the victims to be confronted with distressing material. Each case will be accompanied by PowerPoint slides and discussion of the offense, the investigation, the trial, and other legal points (forensics, search warrants, and the outcome of the case). Photographing or otherwise reproducing any of those slides will not be permitted.

Murder in Santa Barbara
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Oct
24
9:30 AM09:30

Choosing, Cutting, Dreaming: Making Modern Art

  • Friday, October 24, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Friday: October 24, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30

Presented by: James Glisson
This entertaining presentation will explore the steps that Marcel Duchamp, Pablo Picasso, Kurt Schwitters, and Max Ernst, among others, used to make artworks that still fascinate, annoy, and inspire us today. We’ll begin with Marcel Duchamp and his still controversial urinal. The conversation then moves on to the collages of Picasso and Georges Braque, with their use of cheap, common materials such as old newspapers. The discussion ends with the Surrealists’ techniques for evoking dream-like states and pulling from dark regions of the mind’s unconscious, including how Max Ernst looked to the techniques of psychology to conjure nightmarish pictures. Over a century later, contemporary artists still draw on these strategies. Seeing how those artists worked long ago can give us insights into the contemporary art we see today in museums and commercial art galleries.

Making Modern Art
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Oct
27
1:30 PM13:30

Monday Nonfiction Book Club (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)

  • Monday, October 27, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Zoom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

View Event →
Oct
29
9:30 AM09:30

Murder in Santa Barbara 2/2

  • Wednesday, October 29, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Two Wednesdays: October 22 and 29, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $30; non-member price: $45

Presented by: Patrick McKinley
During the opening session, Patrick will identify 29 murder cases that occurred in Santa Barbara, wherein a total of 62 people were killed. A list of those cases will be shared with all attendees at that session and also may be requested in advance from our business manager. If for any reason an attendee would be disturbed by discussion of the details relating to a particular case, they may notify Patrick and that case will be dropped. Murder is not pretty, and we do not want friends or relatives of either the defendants or the victims to be confronted with distressing material. Each case will be accompanied by PowerPoint slides and discussion of the offense, the investigation, the trial, and other legal points (forensics, search warrants, and the outcome of the case). Photographing or otherwise reproducing any of those slides will not be permitted.

Murder in Santa Barbara
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Oct
30
9:30 AM09:30

Mapping the Earth

  • Thursday, October 30, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Thursday: October 30, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30

Presented by: Norm Cohen
A man leaves his house and walks due south for one mile. Then he turns, walks one mile due west, and sees a bear. He then turns again and walks due north for one mile and is back home. What color is the bear? This riddle involves one of the biggest historical challenges to map-making. In this presentation, we’ll discuss some of the problems that faced ancient cartographers: How did they measure the size of the Earth? When did they realize it is not flat? How did they attempt to display the surface of a sphere on a flat sheet of paper? How were the heights of mountains determined long before there were satellites, drones, lasers, or even airplanes? We’ll cover these questions and more.

Mapping the Earth
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Nov
3
9:30 AM09:30

The Role of “Favored Minorities” in American Government 1/4

  • Monday, November 3, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Four (non-consecutive) Mondays: Nov. 3 and 10 and Dec. 1 and 8, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price $75

Presented by: Ray Kwasnick
The struggle for political control of the national government has always been a game. The Constitution and national legislation enacted pursuant to the Constitution set the rules of the game, but the rules are now, and have always been, rigged in favor of political coalitions that control less-populated states and vote-denying and -suppressing states. The structural advantages supporting those favored coalitions include the structure of the Senate, political gerrymandering, the size of the House, voter suppression and denial laws and tactics, and the filibuster. Most people believe that it is impossible to reduce those structural advantages without amending the Constitution. That belief is wrong, as the Constitution permits Congress to eliminate or reduce these advantages by simple legislation. From the beginning there have been three primary areas of contest—the extent of Congressional power over the states, the extent of Congressional power over the Supreme Court, and control of the national government. During this course, we will explore US history and constitutional law with particular focus on the three areas of contest.

Favored Minorities
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Nov
7
1:00 PM13:00

The History, Cultural Significance, and Joy of Blues Music, an Indigenous American Art Form

  • Friday, November 7, 2025
  • 1:00 PM 3:30 PM 13:00 15:30
  • Google Calendar ICS

Friday: November 7, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30

Presented by: Steve Daniels
Arguably, blues music is the foundation of almost all popular U.S. musical forms, including rock-and-roll, jazz, rap, hip hop, folk, gospel, and Americana. Although its exact origin is debatable, there is no doubt that it arose primarily in the African American communities of the deep South in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It afforded an oppressed population cathartic music to assuage its pain and sorrows and to express its resilience. Since its beginnings, blues has gone through periods of decline and renewal. Different blues sub-genres we’ll listen to and discuss include acoustic blues, folk blues, blues rock, Chicago blues, New Orleans blues, piano blues, soul blues, West Coast blues, and double entendre blues.

Blues Music
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Nov
10
9:30 AM09:30

The Role of “Favored Minorities” in American Government 2/4

  • Monday, November 10, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Four (non-consecutive) Mondays: Nov. 3 and 10 and Dec. 1 and 8, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price $75

Presented by: Ray Kwasnick
The struggle for political control of the national government has always been a game. The Constitution and national legislation enacted pursuant to the Constitution set the rules of the game, but the rules are now, and have always been, rigged in favor of political coalitions that control less-populated states and vote-denying and -suppressing states. The structural advantages supporting those favored coalitions include the structure of the Senate, political gerrymandering, the size of the House, voter suppression and denial laws and tactics, and the filibuster. Most people believe that it is impossible to reduce those structural advantages without amending the Constitution. That belief is wrong, as the Constitution permits Congress to eliminate or reduce these advantages by simple legislation. From the beginning there have been three primary areas of contest—the extent of Congressional power over the states, the extent of Congressional power over the Supreme Court, and control of the national government. During this course, we will explore US history and constitutional law with particular focus on the three areas of contest.

Favored Minorities
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Nov
12
9:30 AM09:30

Viruses ... and Life in General

  • Wednesday, November 12, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Wednesday: November 12, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price $30

Presented by: Bruce Phillips
Most people believe that viruses are the smallest living entity on earth. However, there are difficulties with this notion. First is whether viruses are alive. Years ago, virologists agreed they were. Nowadays, most virologists have changed their minds. Viruses can only replicate by invading and hijacking the cellular machinery of a host organism and cannot reproduce on their own. The second difficulty is that there are several entities capable of reproduction but much smaller and simpler than viruses. Maybe the answer lies in how one defines “life.” The challenge is to understand these various entities and how we conceptualize them.

Viruses
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Nov
13
1:30 PM13:30

Thursday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Thursday, November 13, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Private Residence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

View Event →
Nov
14
9:30 AM09:30

Mystery and Espionage Book Club

  • Friday, November 14, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

View Event →
Nov
18
9:30 AM09:30

Opera Production: Why Did They Do It THAT Way? 1/3

  • Tuesday, November 18, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Opera Production: Why Did They Do It THAT Way?

Three Tuesdays: Nov. 18, 25, and Dec. 2; 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Weinman Hall, Music Academy of the West
1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price: $60

Presented by: Simon Williams
Nothing infuriates and divides contemporary opera audiences as much as modern stage productions of classic opera. For some, these productions violate the very essence of opera; for others, they breathe life into an antiquated form of theatre and preserve it for our time. In this course, Dr. Williams will draw on over 70 years of opera-going as an audience member and critic to explain modern approaches to production and to argue why they are necessary, even beneficial to the survival of opera. He will first examine why people resist the introduction of modern concerns onto the operatic stage and relate this to the role of opera in society today. He will then identify patterns of coherence in the somewhat confusing world of modern production. Finally, he will demonstrate how over the years one major work of the operatic repertoire has spoken to different generations of audiences so that they find their own meanings in it. You may very well not agree with everything that is said in this course, but it is sure to generate abundant conversations!

Opera Production


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Nov
20
10:00 AM10:00

Fiction Book Club

  • Thursday, November 20, 2025
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Bethany Congregational Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

View Event →
Nov
21
1:00 PM13:00

Women and Politics

  • Friday, November 21, 2025
  • 1:00 PM 3:30 PM 13:00 15:30
  • Google Calendar ICS

Friday: November 21, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Fe Bland Forum Auditorium
SBCC West Campus, 721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price $30

Presented by: Lois Phillips
In the US, women constitute 51% of the population yet hold just 24 of 100 seats in the Senate and 29.2% of 435 seats in the House of Representatives. When women are excluded from executive decision-making in state and federal governments, diverse perspectives and crucial policy priorities are overlooked. Research confirms that certain social attitudes and psychological obstacles make it more difficult for women than men to engage in politics as candidates. These challenges not only hinder women's political participation and representation, but also have broader consequences for democracy and society. In this presentation, Lois Phillips and her guest panel* will offer an overview of the history of women in politics and will review research identifying the current policy areas that women care about versus those that men do.

Women and Politics
View Event →
Nov
24
1:30 PM13:30

Monday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Monday, November 24, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Zoom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

View Event →
Nov
25
9:30 AM09:30

Opera Production: Why Did They Do It THAT Way? 2/3

  • Tuesday, November 25, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Opera Production: Why Did They Do It THAT Way?

Three Tuesdays: Nov. 18, 25, and Dec. 2; 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Weinman Hall, Music Academy of the West
1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price: $60

Presented by: Simon Williams
Nothing infuriates and divides contemporary opera audiences as much as modern stage productions of classic opera. For some, these productions violate the very essence of opera; for others, they breathe life into an antiquated form of theatre and preserve it for our time. In this course, Dr. Williams will draw on over 70 years of opera-going as an audience member and critic to explain modern approaches to production and to argue why they are necessary, even beneficial to the survival of opera. He will first examine why people resist the introduction of modern concerns onto the operatic stage and relate this to the role of opera in society today. He will then identify patterns of coherence in the somewhat confusing world of modern production. Finally, he will demonstrate how over the years one major work of the operatic repertoire has spoken to different generations of audiences so that they find their own meanings in it. You may very well not agree with everything that is said in this course, but it is sure to generate abundant conversations!

Opera Production
View Event →
Dec
1
9:30 AM09:30

The Role of “Favored Minorities” in American Government 3/4

  • Monday, December 1, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Four (non-consecutive) Mondays: Nov. 3 and 10 and Dec. 1 and 8, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price $75

Presented by: Ray Kwasnick
The struggle for political control of the national government has always been a game. The Constitution and national legislation enacted pursuant to the Constitution set the rules of the game, but the rules are now, and have always been, rigged in favor of political coalitions that control less-populated states and vote-denying and -suppressing states. The structural advantages supporting those favored coalitions include the structure of the Senate, political gerrymandering, the size of the House, voter suppression and denial laws and tactics, and the filibuster. Most people believe that it is impossible to reduce those structural advantages without amending the Constitution. That belief is wrong, as the Constitution permits Congress to eliminate or reduce these advantages by simple legislation. From the beginning there have been three primary areas of contest—the extent of Congressional power over the states, the extent of Congressional power over the Supreme Court, and control of the national government. During this course, we will explore US history and constitutional law with particular focus on the three areas of contest.

Favored Minorities
View Event →
Dec
2
9:30 AM09:30

Opera Production: Why Did They Do It THAT Way? 3/3

  • Tuesday, December 2, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Opera Production: Why Did They Do It THAT Way?

Three Tuesdays: Nov. 18, 25, and Dec. 2; 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Weinman Hall, Music Academy of the West
1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price: $60

Presented by: Simon Williams
Nothing infuriates and divides contemporary opera audiences as much as modern stage productions of classic opera. For some, these productions violate the very essence of opera; for others, they breathe life into an antiquated form of theatre and preserve it for our time. In this course, Dr. Williams will draw on over 70 years of opera-going as an audience member and critic to explain modern approaches to production and to argue why they are necessary, even beneficial to the survival of opera. He will first examine why people resist the introduction of modern concerns onto the operatic stage and relate this to the role of opera in society today. He will then identify patterns of coherence in the somewhat confusing world of modern production. Finally, he will demonstrate how over the years one major work of the operatic repertoire has spoken to different generations of audiences so that they find their own meanings in it. You may very well not agree with everything that is said in this course, but it is sure to generate abundant conversations!

Opera Production
View Event →
Dec
8
9:30 AM09:30

The Role of “Favored Minorities” in American Government 4/4

  • Monday, December 8, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Four (non-consecutive) Mondays: Nov. 3 and 10 and Dec. 1 and 8, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price $75

Presented by: Ray Kwasnick
The struggle for political control of the national government has always been a game. The Constitution and national legislation enacted pursuant to the Constitution set the rules of the game, but the rules are now, and have always been, rigged in favor of political coalitions that control less-populated states and vote-denying and -suppressing states. The structural advantages supporting those favored coalitions include the structure of the Senate, political gerrymandering, the size of the House, voter suppression and denial laws and tactics, and the filibuster. Most people believe that it is impossible to reduce those structural advantages without amending the Constitution. That belief is wrong, as the Constitution permits Congress to eliminate or reduce these advantages by simple legislation. From the beginning there have been three primary areas of contest—the extent of Congressional power over the states, the extent of Congressional power over the Supreme Court, and control of the national government. During this course, we will explore US history and constitutional law with particular focus on the three areas of contest.

Favored Minorities
View Event →
Dec
10
9:30 AM09:30

Mildly Interesting Tails [pun intended] of the Fishes of the Pacific Coast

  • Wednesday, December 10, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Wednesday: December 10, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30

Presented by: Milton Love
There are maybe 1,500 fish species along the Pacific Coast of North America. You will be happy to know that we are not going to talk about all of them. No, this is a talk for people with short attention spans, as no one story will be longer than, oh, maybe at the most 5 minutes. So, if you don’t like one, don’t worry, there will be another one right around the bend. Yes, from fishes that change sex, to fishes that don’t change sex; from fishes that make sounds so loud they keep people in houseboats wide awake at night, to fishes that are very, very quiet and kind of withdrawn; and from fishes that eat you, to fishes that you eat; this talk has, if not all, at least, well, something … Oh, and we do spend a few minutes simply ragging on salmon, which we do not like.

Fishes of the Pacific Coast
View Event →
Dec
11
1:30 PM13:30

Thursday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Thursday, December 11, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Private Residence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

View Event →
Dec
12
9:30 AM09:30

Mystery and Espionage Book Club

  • Friday, December 12, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

View Event →
Dec
18
10:00 AM10:00

Fiction Book Club

  • Thursday, December 18, 2025
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Bethany Congregational Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

View Event →
Dec
22
1:30 PM13:30

Monday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Monday, December 22, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Zoom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

View Event →
Jan
7
2:00 PM14:00

Behind the Scenes at the Botanic Garden

  • Wednesday, January 7, 2026
  • 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 14:00 16:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Presented by Steve Windhager.

More details to come.

View Event →
Jan
8
1:30 PM13:30

Thursday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Thursday, January 8, 2026
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Private Residence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

View Event →
Jan
9
9:30 AM09:30

Mystery and Espionage Book Club

  • Friday, January 9, 2026
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

View Event →
Jan
15
10:00 AM10:00

Fiction Book Club

  • Thursday, January 15, 2026
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Bethany Congregational Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

View Event →
Jan
22
1:00 PM13:00

Affordable Housing

  • Thursday, January 22, 2026
  • 1:00 PM 3:30 PM 13:00 15:30
  • Google Calendar ICS

Presented by Pat Wheatley and Rob Fredericks.

More details to come.

View Event →
Jan
26
9:30 AM09:30

U.S. Congress 1/4

  • Monday, January 26, 2026
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Presented by Ted Anagnoson.

More details to come.

View Event →
Jan
26
1:30 PM13:30

Monday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Monday, January 26, 2026
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Zoom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

View Event →
Feb
2
9:30 AM09:30

U.S. Congress 2/4

  • Monday, February 2, 2026
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Presented by Ted Anagnoson.

More details to come.

View Event →
Feb
7
1:00 PM13:00

Annual Winter Social

  • Saturday, February 7, 2026
  • 1:00 PM 4:00 PM 13:00 16:00
  • Google Calendar ICS
View Event →
Feb
9
9:30 AM09:30

U.S. Congress 3/4

  • Monday, February 9, 2026
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Presented by Ted Anagnoson.

More details to come.

View Event →
Feb
12
1:30 PM13:30

Thursday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Thursday, February 12, 2026
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Private Residence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

View Event →
Feb
13
9:30 AM09:30

Mystery and Espionage Book Club

  • Friday, February 13, 2026
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

View Event →
Feb
16
9:30 AM09:30

U.S. Congress 4/4

  • Monday, February 16, 2026
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Presented by Ted Anagnoson.

More details to come.

View Event →
Feb
19
10:00 AM10:00

Fiction Book Club

  • Thursday, February 19, 2026
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Bethany Congregational Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

View Event →
Feb
20
1:00 PM13:00

Standing on the Precipice 1/3

  • Friday, February 20, 2026
  • 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 13:00 14:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Presented by David Bisno

More details to come.

View Event →
Feb
23
1:30 PM13:30

Monday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Monday, February 23, 2026
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Zoom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

View Event →
Feb
27
1:00 PM13:00

Standing on the Precipice 2/3

  • Friday, February 27, 2026
  • 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 13:00 14:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Presented by David Bisno

More details to come.

View Event →
Mar
4
1:00 PM13:00

Women Who Dared 1/4

  • Wednesday, March 4, 2026
  • 1:00 PM 3:30 PM 13:00 15:30
  • Google Calendar ICS

More details to come

View Event →
Mar
6
1:00 PM13:00

Standing on the Precipice 3/3

  • Friday, March 6, 2026
  • 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 13:00 14:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Presented by David Bisno

More details to come.

View Event →
Mar
9
9:30 AM09:30

Voyages of Captain Cook 1/2

  • Monday, March 9, 2026
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Presented by David DeSelm

More details to come

View Event →
Mar
11
1:00 PM13:00

Women Who Dared 2/4

  • Wednesday, March 11, 2026
  • 1:00 PM 3:30 PM 13:00 15:30
  • Google Calendar ICS

More details to come

View Event →
Mar
12
1:30 PM13:30

Thursday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Thursday, March 12, 2026
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Private Residence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

View Event →
Mar
13
9:30 AM09:30

Mystery and Espionage Book Club

  • Friday, March 13, 2026
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

View Event →
Mar
16
9:30 AM09:30

Voyages of Captain Cook 2/2

  • Monday, March 16, 2026
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Presented by David DeSelm

More details to come

View Event →
Mar
18
1:00 PM13:00

Women Who Dared 3/4

  • Wednesday, March 18, 2026
  • 1:00 PM 3:30 PM 13:00 15:30
  • Google Calendar ICS

More details to come

View Event →
Mar
19
10:00 AM10:00

Fiction Book Club

  • Thursday, March 19, 2026
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Bethany Congregational Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

View Event →
Mar
23
1:30 PM13:30

Monday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Monday, March 23, 2026
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Zoom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

View Event →
Mar
25
1:00 PM13:00

Women Who Dared 4/4

  • Wednesday, March 25, 2026
  • 1:00 PM 3:30 PM 13:00 15:30
  • Google Calendar ICS

More details to come

View Event →
Apr
9
1:30 PM13:30

Thursday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Thursday, April 9, 2026
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Private Residence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

View Event →
Apr
10
9:30 AM09:30

Mystery and Espionage Book Club

  • Friday, April 10, 2026
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

View Event →
Apr
16
10:00 AM10:00

Fiction Book Club

  • Thursday, April 16, 2026
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Bethany Congregational Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

View Event →
Apr
27
1:30 PM13:30

Monday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Monday, April 27, 2026
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Zoom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

View Event →
May
8
9:30 AM09:30

Mystery and Espionage Book Club

  • Friday, May 8, 2026
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

View Event →
May
14
1:30 PM13:30

Thursday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Thursday, May 14, 2026
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Private Residence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

View Event →
May
21
10:00 AM10:00

Fiction Book Club

  • Thursday, May 21, 2026
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Bethany Congregational Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

View Event →
May
25
1:30 PM13:30

Monday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Monday, May 25, 2026
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Zoom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

View Event →
Jun
11
1:30 PM13:30

Thursday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Thursday, June 11, 2026
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Private Residence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

View Event →
Jun
12
9:30 AM09:30

Mystery and Espionage Book Club

  • Friday, June 12, 2026
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

View Event →
Jun
18
10:00 AM10:00

Fiction Book Club

  • Thursday, June 18, 2026
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Bethany Congregational Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

View Event →
Jun
22
1:30 PM13:30

Monday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Monday, June 22, 2026
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Zoom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

View Event →
Jul
9
1:30 PM13:30

Thursday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Thursday, July 9, 2026
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Private Residence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

View Event →
Jul
16
10:00 AM10:00

Fiction Book Club

  • Thursday, July 16, 2026
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Bethany Congregational Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

10 a.m. – 12 noon
Third Thursday each month, Sept. 2025 – July 2026
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 18, 2025
Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The VISTAS Fiction Book Group meets monthly for in-depth, highly satisfying discussions of a variety of types of fiction. Titles are selected and presented by individual members of the group. All group members are responsible for contributing questions and observations to the discussion. Books we read this past year include The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Circe (Madeline Miller), The Housekeeper Professor (Yoko Ogawa), The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (Lisa See), and Horse (Geraldine Brooks

View Event →
Jul
27
1:30 PM13:30

Monday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Monday, July 27, 2026
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Zoom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2025–26 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

View Event →

Jul
28
1:30 PM13:30

Monday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Monday, July 28, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Zoom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

View Event →
Jul
24
1:30 PM13:30

Board Meeting

  • Thursday, July 24, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 3:00 PM 13:30 15:00
  • Google Calendar ICS
View Event →
Jul
17
10:00 AM10:00

Fiction Book Club

  • Thursday, July 17, 2025
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Bethany Congregational Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS
View Event →
Jul
10
1:30 PM13:30

Thursday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Thursday, July 10, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Private Residence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

View Event →
Jun
23
1:30 PM13:30

Monday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Monday, June 23, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Zoom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

View Event →
Jun
19
10:00 AM10:00

Fiction Book Club

  • Thursday, June 19, 2025
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Bethany Congregational Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS
View Event →
Jun
13
9:30 AM09:30

Mystery and Espionage Book Club

  • Friday, June 13, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

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Jun
12
1:30 PM13:30

Thursday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Thursday, June 12, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Private Residence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

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May
26
1:30 PM13:30

Monday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Monday, May 26, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Zoom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

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May
22
1:00 PM13:00

Art and Spirituality in Japan and China

  • Thursday, May 22, 2025
  • 1:00 PM 3:30 PM 13:00 15:30
  • Google Calendar ICS

Art and Spirituality in Japan and China: Works from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art

Thursday, May 22, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price $30

Presented by Sarajum Quazi
Discover how rulers have used these pieces to inspire faith and comfort in their people. Explore the transformation of the Demon Oni in Japanese folklore, the legacy of Prince Shōtoku as a champion of Buddhism, and the fierce yet humble protectors, the Heads of Ni-O. Learn about the tragic love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Consort Yang Guifei and its impact on East Asian culture. Delve into the art and fashion of the Tang dynasty and meet the wise Lohan, a custodian of Buddha's teachings. Conclude with the serene presence of Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and reflect on its profound significance.

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Art and Spirituality in Japan and China
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May
21
9:30 AM09:30

Gilbert and Sullivan 3/3

  • Wednesday, May 21, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Gilbert and Sullivan

Wednesdays: May 7, 14, and 21, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Weinman Hall, Music Academy of the West 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price: $60

Presented by Bob Weinman
In this three-meeting presentation, my object all sublime will be to polish up the handle of the big front door. You will find out that things are seldom what they seem and you will learn the scientific names of beings animalculous and how the punishment will fit the crime, since I, of course, have got a little list. Here’s a first-rate opportunity to learn the why and wherefore as we give three cheers and one cheer more for William Schwenk Gilbert and Arthur Seymour Sullivan. Will any of your favorite songs be left out? Never! Well, hardly ever!

Gilbert and Sullivan
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May
15
10:00 AM10:00

Fiction Book Club

  • Thursday, May 15, 2025
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Bethany Congregational Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS
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May
14
9:30 AM09:30

Gilbert and Sullivan 2/3

  • Wednesday, May 14, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Gilbert and Sullivan

Wednesdays: May 7, 14, and 21, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Weinman Hall, Music Academy of the West 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price: $60

Presented by Bob Weinman
In this three-meeting presentation, my object all sublime will be to polish up the handle of the big front door. You will find out that things are seldom what they seem and you will learn the scientific names of beings animalculous and how the punishment will fit the crime, since I, of course, have got a little list. Here’s a first-rate opportunity to learn the why and wherefore as we give three cheers and one cheer more for William Schwenk Gilbert and Arthur Seymour Sullivan. Will any of your favorite songs be left out? Never! Well, hardly ever!

Gilbert and Sullivan
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May
9
9:30 AM09:30

Mystery and Espionage Book Club

  • Friday, May 9, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

View Event →
May
8
1:30 PM13:30

Thursday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Thursday, May 8, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Private Residence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

View Event →
May
7
9:30 AM09:30

Gilbert and Sullivan 1/3

  • Wednesday, May 7, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Gilbert and Sullivan

Wednesdays: May 7, 14, and 21, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Weinman Hall, Music Academy of the West 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $40; non-member price: $60

Presented by Bob Weinman
In this three-meeting presentation, my object all sublime will be to polish up the handle of the big front door. You will find out that things are seldom what they seem and you will learn the scientific names of beings animalculous and how the punishment will fit the crime, since I, of course, have got a little list. Here’s a first-rate opportunity to learn the why and wherefore as we give three cheers and one cheer more for William Schwenk Gilbert and Arthur Seymour Sullivan. Will any of your favorite songs be left out? Never! Well, hardly ever!

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Gilbert and Sullivan
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Apr
30
9:30 AM09:30

Genesis: History, Tradition, and Myth 4/4

  • Wednesday, April 30, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Book of Genesis—History, Tradition, and Myth

DATES CHANGED: Wednesdays: April 9, 16, 23, and 30, 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Valle Verde Theater 900 Calle De Los Amigos, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price: $75

Presented by Norm Cohen
The stories told in the book of Genesis have had a lasting impact on three of the world’s great religions. The characters presented—Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel; Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca; Jacob and his two wives, 12 sons, and one daughter—are among the best-known in Western literature and have influenced story-tellers, poets, theologians, and philosophers for over two millennia. The events described—the Creation of the World, and so-called Fall from Grace, the Tower of Babel, the Great Flood of Noah—are a fundamental part of our cultural inheritance. Where did these stories originate? Who put them in the form that we now have? What did they mean to their original audiences more than 25 centuries ago? This series of presentations will examine—and, hopefully, answer—these questions and more.

The Book of Genesis
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Apr
28
1:30 PM13:30

Monday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Monday, April 28, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Zoom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Our Monday Nonfiction Book Club meets online via Zoom. Membership is limited to 20; in case of over-enrollment, prospective participants will be placed on a wait-list. Books will be proposed and selected at the September meeting. Once complete, the selection list for the 2024–25 year will be posted on the VISTAS website.
Each discussion is led by a different group member, who comes in with suggested questions (which we are all free to supplement).
Some books recently read include: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (Michael Lewis); The Women’s Hour: The Great War to Win the Vote (Elaine Weiss); Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution (Helen Zia).

View Event →
Apr
24
9:30 AM09:30

Driving the Mafia Out of Las Vegas: The True Story Behind the Movie Casino, told by the FBI Agent Who Lived It

  • Thursday, April 24, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Driving the Mafia Out of Vegas: The True Story Behind the Movie Casino (Part Three of the Series “The FBI—Past, Present, and Future”)

Thursday, April 24, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price $30

Presented by Tom Parker
Since the days of Al Capone, the Italian Mafia had a foothold in Las Vegas through casino construction financed with mob money. In the 1940s, Jewish organized crime figures such as Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky arrived in “glitter gulch” to obtain, through deadly force, a share of the “skim” from those gambling operations. By the 1970s, the mafia was so entrenched in the Vegas casinos that the Feds could no longer ignore their presence. In the late 1970s, the FBI and the IRS increased their investigative staffing levels to counter the mob’s heretofore unreachable spoils. The story of these investigations, the evidence the FBI collected, and the Federal court convictions they obtained were accurately portrayed in the movie “Casino.” To date, no investigation of the Mafia has been more successful in the history of the FBI and American law enforcement than this one.

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Driving the Mafia Out of Vegas
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Apr
23
9:30 AM09:30

Genesis: History, Tradition, and Myth 3/4

  • Wednesday, April 23, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Book of Genesis—History, Tradition, and Myth

DATES CHANGED: Wednesdays: April 9, 16, 23, and 30, 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Valle Verde Theater 900 Calle De Los Amigos, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price: $75

Presented by Norm Cohen
The stories told in the book of Genesis have had a lasting impact on three of the world’s great religions. The characters presented—Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel; Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca; Jacob and his two wives, 12 sons, and one daughter—are among the best-known in Western literature and have influenced story-tellers, poets, theologians, and philosophers for over two millennia. The events described—the Creation of the World, and so-called Fall from Grace, the Tower of Babel, the Great Flood of Noah—are a fundamental part of our cultural inheritance. Where did these stories originate? Who put them in the form that we now have? What did they mean to their original audiences more than 25 centuries ago? This series of presentations will examine—and, hopefully, answer—these questions and more.

The Book of Genesis
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Apr
17
10:00 AM10:00

Fiction Book Club

  • Thursday, April 17, 2025
  • 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00
  • Bethany Congregational Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS
View Event →
Apr
16
9:30 AM09:30

Genesis: History, Tradition, and Myth 2/4

  • Wednesday, April 16, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Book of Genesis—History, Tradition, and Myth

DATES CHANGED: Wednesdays: April 9, 16, 23, and 30, 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Valle Verde Theater 900 Calle De Los Amigos, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price: $75

Presented by Norm Cohen
The stories told in the book of Genesis have had a lasting impact on three of the world’s great religions. The characters presented—Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel; Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca; Jacob and his two wives, 12 sons, and one daughter—are among the best-known in Western literature and have influenced story-tellers, poets, theologians, and philosophers for over two millennia. The events described—the Creation of the World, and so-called Fall from Grace, the Tower of Babel, the Great Flood of Noah—are a fundamental part of our cultural inheritance. Where did these stories originate? Who put them in the form that we now have? What did they mean to their original audiences more than 25 centuries ago? This series of presentations will examine—and, hopefully, answer—these questions and more.

The Book of Genesis
View Event →
Apr
14
9:30 AM09:30

Smallpox from Ramses V to the Final Case

  • Monday, April 14, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 10:30 AM 09:30 10:30
  • Google Calendar ICS

Smallpox from Ramses V to the Final Case

Mondays: April 7 and 14, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Venue TBD
VISTAS member price: $30; non-member price: $45

Presented by Bee Bloeser
Smallpox has been referred to as humankind's most feared disease, and its eradication was an achievement many experts declared to be impossible. This course will look at the fascinating history of the disease, the dynasties it dethroned, its role in America's War of Independence and beyond, attempts to control it through the ages, and finally the discovery of an effective vaccine. Then, after a look at the political backstory, we'll home in on the USAID-funded CDC vaccination teams sent to West Africa in the first phase of the global campaign. We'll learn about one public health family's experiences in war-torn Nigeria and then in Equatorial Guinea, which was then suffering under the brutal regime of a President-turned-dictator. We will have a look at WHO and the campaign's triumphant conclusion. We'll also acknowledge post-eradication concerns.

Smallpox
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Apr
11
9:30 AM09:30

Mystery and Espionage Book Club

  • Friday, April 11, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 11:30 AM 09:30 11:30
  • Google Calendar ICS

Second Friday of each month, September through June, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
First Fall 2025 meeting: September 12
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS members only: $25 for the year; enrollment limited to 12

Mysteries! Spies! Detectives! Private Eyes! If you want to add a little intrigue to your reading list, this is the book club for you! VISTAS is pleased to announce the formation of our newest book club, dedicated to the popular genre of mysteries, spy/counterspy novels, and thrillers. Mysteries are the oldest form of literature within this arena, going back to the 19th century with the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins. Spy novels began growing in popularity starting around the era of World War I, and thrillers as we know them today began to come into their own shortly after the end of World War II with books by Mickey Spillane and others.
At our first meeting, we will become acquainted with fellow group members, review the types of novels we’ll be reading, and discuss our first selection, The Key to Rebecca, by Ken Follett. Group members also will receive a complimentary copy of the book The Brass Ring, by local author Lance Mason. Dr. Mason will attend our second session, on Oct. 11, and will lead the discussion of his book. Time permitting, we’ll also dive into our next novel, The Foreign Correspondent, by Alan Furst. Starting with the third class, two books will be discussed at each session. Enrollment for this book club is limited; in case of over-enrollment, a wait-list will be created.

View Event →
Apr
10
1:30 PM13:30

Board Meeting

  • Thursday, April 10, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 2:30 PM 13:30 14:30
  • Google Calendar ICS
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Apr
10
1:30 PM13:30

Thursday Nonfiction Book Club

  • Thursday, April 10, 2025
  • 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 13:30 15:30
  • Private Residence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Thursday Nonfiction Book Club meets in person at a private residence. It is full and not accepting new members at this time.

View Event →
Apr
9
9:30 AM09:30

Genesis: History, Tradition, and Myth 1/4

  • Wednesday, April 9, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Book of Genesis—History, Tradition, and Myth

DATES CHANGED: Wednesdays: April 9, 16, 23, and 30, 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Valle Verde Theater 900 Calle De Los Amigos, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $50; non-member price: $75

Presented by Norm Cohen
The stories told in the book of Genesis have had a lasting impact on three of the world’s great religions. The characters presented—Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel; Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca; Jacob and his two wives, 12 sons, and one daughter—are among the best-known in Western literature and have influenced story-tellers, poets, theologians, and philosophers for over two millennia. The events described—the Creation of the World, and so-called Fall from Grace, the Tower of Babel, the Great Flood of Noah—are a fundamental part of our cultural inheritance. Where did these stories originate? Who put them in the form that we now have? What did they mean to their original audiences more than 25 centuries ago? This series of presentations will examine—and, hopefully, answer—these questions and more.

View Flyer

The Book of Genesis
View Event →
Apr
4
1:00 PM13:00

Laughter is the Best Medicine

  • Friday, April 4, 2025
  • 1:00 PM 3:30 PM 13:00 15:30
  • Google Calendar ICS

Laughter and Humor: The Best Medicine

Friday: April 4, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price $30

Presented by Allou Guthmiller
Join Allou Guthmiller for an engaging, interactive afternoon where we explore the healing power of laughter. Through personal stories, group activities, and practical tools, you’ll discover how humor can reduce everyday stressors, deepen connections, and add joy to your life. Allou will share her experiences using laughter to build relationships, foster positive environments, and navigate life’s challenges gracefully. Together, we’ll learn how humor not only uplifts our spirits but also strengthens resilience as we age. Don’t miss out on this fun, insightful event that promises to leave you energized, empowered, and ready to bring more laughter into your daily routine.

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Laughter and Humor: The Best Medicine
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Apr
2
9:30 AM09:30

Dealing with Dementia

  • Wednesday, April 2, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Dealing with Dementia

Wednesday: April 2, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30

Presented by Joe Wheatley
Dementia—how is it diagnosed and what are some types of dementia? How do the effects of various forms of memory loss, confusion, lack of judgement, and loss of executive functions impact the family? While the family is trying to accept the diagnosis, what can and should be done to prepare for the future? We will look at the major forms of dementia and discuss some of the mental and behavioral aspects of each. How can you, as a partner or family member, begin the very long journey of providing care for your loved one while managing the new day-to-day life changes that are going to take place? We will discuss tools and resources to help you along the way.

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Dealing with Dementia
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Mar
28
1:00 PM13:00

From Marine Corps Barracks to Nanofabrication Laboratories: A Physical History of the UCSB Campus

  • Friday, March 28, 2025
  • 1:00 PM 3:30 PM 13:00 15:30
  • Google Calendar ICS

From Marine Corps Barracks to Nanofabrication Laboratories:
A Physical History of the UCSB Campus

Friday: March 28, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30

Presented by Dennis Whelan
This presentation will trace the physical development of the current campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara. We’ll start with a brief history of the site, which was occupied by the Chumash peoples for thousands of years, then we’ll quickly review the Spanish/ Mexican/Californio eras, and finally we’ll address the agricultural and military developments of the Mesa and Goleta Valley. These uses left an imprint that led to the development of what was to become UCSB, now internationally acknowledged as one of America’s top universities. It’s also world-renowned for its beautiful oceanfront campus. UCSB’s buildings and landscape will be examined through the history of campus planning in the US as well as the numerous Master Plans that have guided UCSB’s development up to the present.

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From Marine Corps Barracks to Nanofabrication Laboratories
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