Spring web newsletter

Silent, invisible, ubiquitous & deadly Volume 15, Issue 1 The condition usually has no symptoms. One in three adults in the U.S. has it (over 65 million), and 90 percent of February, 2012 Americans over 50 have a lifetime risk of developing it. Untreated, it damages the blood vessels, brain, heart, eyes and organs. It can lead to impaired memory and understanding, aneurysms, kidney failure and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). It contributes to the majority of all heart attacks, strokes and heart failure in the U.S. Its name is hypertension and it is high blood pressure (HBP). Increasing age is a risk factor for developing hypertension that is universal. Additional factors we cannot control include our race and genetics – blacks are more at risk, as are those with a family history of HBP. Other causes are related to diet and lifestyle: obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, too much salt, insufficient potassium, and excess alcohol. Chronic conditions such as kidney disease, sleep apnea and emotional stress may also increase risk. Stress can increase BP temporarily. Some medications may also raise BP, including decongestants and birth control pills. Any medical check-up normally includes a blood pressure check, the only way to detect hypertension. A reading is expressed as systolic pressure (during the heart beat) over diastolic pressureNEWSLETTER OF THE CANNON VALLEY ELDER COLLEGIIUM (between heart beats), measured in milligrams of mercury. Ideal blood pressure is Collegium News 120/80 or less. 120-139/80-89 is called prehypertension, which typically progresses to higher pressure over time if nothing is done about it. A reading of 140/90 or higher will likely prompt the physician to prescribe one or more medications, often including a diuretic, and to talk to the patient about diet and lifestyle changes. For some, improved diet, weight loss, and increased exercise will dramatically lower BP. Patients diagnosed with hypertension may be urged to monitor their own blood pressure at home (as shown in this photo) with a purchased blood pressure cuff, or at increasingly common sites that offer free checks, including some pharmacies and shopping areas. Besides diuretics, which lower blood volume and thereby pressure by helping the kidneys eliminate sodium and water, there are many other kinds of medications which act in different ways on nerves or blood vessels to reduce pressure. These have varying effectiveness from patient to patient, and may also have side effects, so it can take time to find the best one or combination for an individual. Those who take three or more meds and still have HBP have ―resistant hypertension.‖ An exciting new solution will soon be available for treating resistant hypertension. In the 1930s doctors identified a group of nerves around the kidney that help regulate BP, and subsequently discovered that surgically severing these nerves could lower blood pressure. However, pharmacologic treatments were developed, and the higher-risk surgical procedure was abandoned. Recently, the many possible side effects of the medications led some researchers in Europe to revisit the surgical method. They developed a less invasive procedure, inserting a catheter through the femoral artery to deliver a jolt of electricity to the relevant nerves. ―Kidney denervation‖ will be tested in the U.S. this year, and will probably be available within three years. In the meantime, those middle aged or older are wise to consider an assertive approach to preventing, delaying or mitigating the almost inevitable. Adopting the recommended healthy practices suggested will lower the risk of high blood pressure. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy foods is a good start. Less sodium and less saturated fat and total fat round out the dietary approach. Healthy weight and exercise yield extra quality of life benefits as well as blood pressure control. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol also have obvious benefits beyond lowering blood pressure. There is an abundance of information available on the internet for those interested in more details about hypertension and its treatment. One easy to understand and comprehensive overview is the hypertension web page of the Mayo Clinic at www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/DS00100. Your physician can also answer your questions about blood pressure. A healthy blood pressure will help you to, as Star Trek‘s Spock used to say (did he even have blood?), ―Live long and prosper.‖ www.cvec.org By Kathleen Mellstrom

2 Cannon Valley Elder Collegium Class Schedule—Spring 2012 March 19—May 11, 2012 (Registration begins Feb. 20 at Senior Center)Title of Class Professor Time of Class LocationThe Oresteia, Greek Tragedy Rob Hardy Monday AMs VOCBerlin in the Cold War Diethelm Prowe Monday PMs Senior CenterGreat Decisions Topics, 2012 Bob Flaten Tuesday AMs Retirement Center ChapelWisdom Literature of the Bible Gary Stansell Tuesday PM‘s Senior CenterFood in History Bill Woehrlin Wednesday AM and PMs VOCMocking the Supreme Court Charles Umbanhowar Wednesday AMs Retirement Ctr FiresideTechniques in Memoir Writing Emily Urness Wednesday PMs Retirement Center FiresideMinnesotans in the Civil War Barry Adams Thursday AMs **2 extra classes on Tues. May 8 & 15 Senior CenterCosmic Jackpot: Our Universe Don Norris Thursday AMs Millstream CommonsThe History & Chemistry of Chocolate Jerry Mohrig Thursday AMs VOCGive My Regards to Broadway Myrna Johnson Friday AMs VOC 2

3SPRING 2012 Germany the erstwhile German capital had come to stand for Western1. Rob Hardy, The Oresteia: Greek Trag- democratic freedom andedy, Modern Performance prosperity. Especially af-The three plays of Aeschylus‘s Oresteia are ter the building of thethe earliest extant Greek tragedies, first per- Berlin Wall 50 years agoformed in Athens in 458 BCE. In May 2012, a (West) Berlin became a new English transla- political, and increasingly tion of the trilogy by cultural, island, in which Rob will be performed John F. Kennedy could in Carleton‘s Weitz claim ideological citizen- Center for Creativity. ship (Ich bin ein Berliner). This course will This production will examine this intensely political ―island‖ city feature all of the po- with its webs of espionage and close Ameri- etry and spectacle of can influences in the context of the major Aeschylus‘s original— events of the Cold War. including music com- Diethelm Prowe taught modern European andposed by Mary Ellen Childs and choreography diplomatic history at Carleton College forby Judith Howard—while reducing the three forty-two years prior to retirement in 2008.Greek plays to a single full-length play. In thiscourse, students will read of the Oresteia inthe standard modern translation by Richmond 3. Bob Flaten, Great Decisions Topics forLattimore, as well as in Rob‘s adaptation, 2012.learn about ancient Greek theater, get a behind-the-scenes look at Carleton‘s production, and Discussions will be led by Ambassador Robertattend a performance in the Weitz Center. Flaten on a variety of foreign policy is-Guest speakers will include the director of the sues, continuing a CVEC series which isproduction, Ruth Weiner. sponsored by the Minnesota International Center and the Foreign Policy Association ofRob Hardy has taught classics at various the US. The following topics will be dis-schools in Minnesota, including Carleton Col- cussed in 2012: Middlelege, where he is currently a research associ- East Realignment, Promot-ate in classics. His previous work for the ing Democracy, Mex-Carleton College theater was a translation of ico, Cybersecurity, ExitEuripides‘ Iphigeneia at Aulis, produced in from Afghanistan andMay 2000. He taught ―America and the Clas- Iraq, State of thesics‖ for CVEC in Spring 2010. Oceans, Indonesia, and Energy Geopolitics. A text will be available with a2. Diethelm Prowe: Berlin in the Cold War short article on each topic. Discussion will beNo place symbolized the ideological strugle encouraged by Ambassador Flaten, supportedbetween East and West more dramatically and by guest presenters on some topics.lastingly than the divided city of Berlin.Within three years after the defeat of Nazi 3

4Robert Flaten served as the American Am- taught and published on the Old Testamentbassador to Rwanda from 1990 to 1993. He prophets, the Wisdom literature, and social-retired from the Foreign Service in 1994 after scientific approaches to the biblical world.assignments in France, Pakistan and Israel .and the State Department in Washington. Heis past Chair of the Executive Committee ofthe Nobel Peace Prize Forum, Ambassador in 5 & 6. Bill Woehrlin, Food In HistoryResidence at St. Olaf College and Vice Presi- From the days of the hunter-gatherers to ourdent of the United Nations Association of present-day system of industrial food produc-Minnesota. tion, food has been inti- mately involved in the4. Gary Stansell, The Wisdom Literature process of historicalof the Bible change. Whether our questions are about theLong neglected in biblical studies, theology, changing health of hu-and preaching, "Wisdom Books" of the He- man populations, or the brew Bible/Old Testa- nature and conflicts of ment. have been "re- human societies, food discovered" in recent issues always find some place in historical decades: These include explanations. In this course we will focus on Proverbs, Job, Ecclesi- the European and American experience with astes, Song of Solomon, only occasional reference to other parts of the the "wisdom Psalms," world. How did the production and distribu- and in the Apocrypha, tion of food relate to the larger pattern of his- the books of Sirach and torical change, and how did that larger pat- the Wisdom of Solo- tern of change affect the human relation tomon. This course will study some of the key food?issues that arise from the writings of the wis-dom teachers: What is at the center of the Bill Woehrlin, Professor of History Emeritustribal and court wisdom (Proverbs)? Is Job a at Carleton College, taught Russian andfigure who suffers innocently but is rewarded European history.for his patience (Job)? What do we learnfrom the philosophical skepticism of the radi- 7. Charles Umbanhowarcal sages who revolt against older conserva- Sr: Mocking The Su-tive wisdom tradition (Ecclesiastes)? What preme Courtabout King Solomon, the Wiseman par excel-lence, to whom the Song of Solomon (erotic Many see the Supremelove poetry) is attributed? And in summary, Court as the "least danger-how are we to understand that the "fear of the ous branch"; yet its workLord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov. 1:7 often stirs more politicale t c . ) ? passion than the other two more dangerousGary Stansell, Kenneth O. Bjork Professor ones. After a brief introduction to legal rea-of Religion Emeritus at St. Olaf College has soning and how the Supreme Court functions, we will discuss a few recent decisions se- 4

5lected by the instructor. Then we will form 9. Barry Adams: Minnesotans in the Civilourselves as the Mock Supreme Court and Warselect eight cases from the current docket This course will examine the American Civil(2011-12) and collectively decide those War from ―the ground, up‖ by seeing itcases through discussion and voting. And through the eyes of soldiers and familieswhat a document it promises to be this year! from Rice, Steele and Dakota counties inThe instructor will assume the role of the Minnesota. Nearly every famous Civil WarChief Justice guiding the discussion and as- event involved soldiers who enlisted fromsigning opinions (briefs). While not abso- Northfield, Faribault,lutely necessary, access to a computer and Owatonna, Hastings,ability to surf the internet is very important. and other local com-Charles Umbanhowar is Professor Emeri- munities. But the wartus at St. Olaf College where he taught, was more than battles.among other things, constitutional law for The course will alsotwenty-six years. touch on religion, cap- tivity, ethnicity, holi- days, letter-writing,8. Emily Urness, Writing Your Life Sto- the home front, civil-ries: Techniques in Writing Memoir ian efforts, photography, medicine, and evenThis course analyzes and draws from tech- a how-to component on Civil War research.niques and perspectives that will allow stu- Barry D. Adams in 2010 retired from hisdents to expand and hone their memoir writ- role as a historian and Licensed Battlefielding skills. We will discuss inspiration, the Guide at Gettysburg National Military Parkwriting life, and various methods of wran- in Pennsylvania. His research and writinggling our experiences into the written word. has had a strong focus on every element of It is a workshop course, the Gettysburg Campaign, as well as on lo- which means it is a safe cal history. His current passion is tracking environment to share the lives of more than 700 Civil War soldiers your work. We all have a with a Steele County (MN) connection. unique story and it‘s up to us to share it and have some fun while doing it. 10. Don Norris, Cosmic Jackpot: Why Our Emily Urness has a Mas- Universe Is Just Right for Life (by Paulter of Fine Arts from the University of Brit- Davies)ish Columbia. She grew up in small town “Our universe, just right for life” is basedMinnesota, and is currently working on a on the assertion that ―the universe must becollection of creative non-fiction essays such as to . . . bring forth life and mind.‖ Iabout her wacky family. She has taught in a hope you are curious enough about this pro-variety of venues including an at-risk youth vocative claim to join in a class discussionwriting program, and has been an editor for of Paul Davies‘ 2007 book. Davies presentsseveral literary publications. a comprehensive and persuasive narrative, and translates complex concepts in physics 5

6and cosmology into language we laypersons sharing of recipes. This is the third andcan (often!) understand. We will examine vir- probably the last time the course will be of- tually every concept fered in the Collegium. from the Big Bang to Jerry Mohrig String Theory leading taught at Carleton us to Davies‘ final eight College for 36 -fold Ultimate Expla- years and is an nations of existence. emeritus professor Be aware, this is not a of chemistry. He lecture class. Our dis- has also been an cussion may force us to amateur historian pass by concepts which most of his lifeprove to be too much for our collective un- and believes that there is nothing wrong withderstanding. having fun while learning the chemistry andDon Norris has a BSc degree in mathematics history of one of our favorite foods.and is long retired from the U of M facultywhere he worked at automating the LibrarySystem. He has taken more than a dozen 12. Myrna Johnson, GIVE MY REGARDSCVEC classes, and also taught five classes TO BROADWAYfrom 1998 to 2008. He got interested in as- This course will providetronomy when taking a class at Mankato an overview of music,State from the legendary Karlos Kaufmanis lyrics, plots and style ofin the ‗50s. Now he is anticipating the pleas- Broadway musicals fromure of another reading of Paul Davies‘ re- before 1900 through themarkable book, this time with added help ―new‖ era of Rodgersfrom students. and Hammerstein and into the 1970‘s. Using multi-media and live music, we will share ideas about many of the more popular shows and discuss how they11. Jerry Mohrig, The History and Chem- reflect life‘s experiences and the culture ofistry of Chocolate the times when they were written.We will examine the allure and romance of Myrna Johnson is the retired artistic directorchocolate while probing the history of cacao of the Northfield Arts Guild Theater. Shefrom the Mayas and Aztecs to its embrace by was a founding member of the Northfield18th century Europeans and finally to modern Musical Theater (NMT), where she helpedAmerica. We will also explore where choco- produce one, two, or three musicals eachlate comes from, its constituents and chemis- summer for over 25 years. Her career in-try, its health effects, and how chocolate‘s cluded directing, singing, and acting. Shemany varieties are manufactured. The class has remained active as Theatre and Guild Ar-will hold a chocolate tasting session and will chivist.likely also take a field trip to a chocolatier inthe Twin Cities. It would be natural to dosome additional judicious sampling and the 6

7 REGISTRATION FORM 2012 CVEC SPRING TERM CLASSES March 19-May 11, 2012 Registration Begins February 20, 2012 Complete the form below and bring or mail to: Cannon Valley Elder Collegium, @Northfield Senior Center, 1651 Jefferson Parkway, Northfield MN 55057Include course fee of $50.00 or check the financial For class selection, in the first column indicate person A, B orassistance box. Books, printed materials and travel both, and in the second column indicate your choice with X. You may register for more than one course by writing anotherwhen specified for a class, are extra and optional. X next to the second course, and including the tuition for each course.Name(s) A/B X(A)__________________________________(B)___________________________________ ___ ___ The Oresteia, Greek Tragedy ___ ___ Berlin in the Cold WarAddress_______________________________ ___ ___ Great Decisions Topics, 2012 ___ ___ Wisdom Literature of the BibleCity__________________________________ ___ ___ Food in History (9:30) ___ ___ Food in History (1:30)Telephone_____________________________ ___ ___ Mocking the Supreme Court ___ ___ Techniques in Memoir WritingE-mail Address_________________________ ___ ___ Minnesotans in the Civil War (To be used only for CVEC activities) ___ ___ Cosmic Jackpot: Our Universe ___ ___ The History & Chemistry of ChocolateCheck if you need financial assistance_______ Give My Regards to BroadwayCheck if this is your first CVEC class________Included is a tax-deductible gift of__________-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cannon Valley Elder Collegium GoalsRegister Early to Avoid Being Disappointed Our Purpose:  To provide a content oriented study experience forA registration box will be available at the Northfield Senior elder students with senior faculty.Center beginning February 20, 2012. All registrations must Our Program:be accompanied by a check unless financial assistance has  CVEC focuses on a desire for life-long learningbeen requested. If you must mail your registration, send it  The courses of study are selected to provide richearly enough to arrive by February 20. All mail and box academic experiences in the liberal artsregistrations received by the end of the first day (Feb 20) will  Most of these studies will take a seminar format withbe treated as arriving at the same time, and random selection learners actively participating in research andwill be used to fill courses if necessary. dialogue Please register by March 9, 2012. If the class for which you  CVEC welcomes younger registrants (under 50) on aregister is oversubscribed, you will be notified as soon as seat-available basispossible so you may register for another course. After March  Previous formal education is not a requirement9, cards will be mailed to confirm course registration. If acourse fills prior to March 9, cards will be mailed Our Policies:  Class size is generally limited to 15immediately to those class members. The Registration Book  Most classes will meet 8 times, once/weekin the Senior Center provides information on classavailability. Class availability and enrollment numbers will  Classes are 2 hours/session  Financial assistance is available for registrants whoalso be updated on the web page: www.cvec.org. can not afford the fee (Check above)  Students may withdraw from a course before the 2ndMEMBERSHIP FUNDING: The difference between class meeting and request a refundCVECs tuition revenue and total cost has been bridged bymember contributions and grants. Because many volunteer Questions concerning registration should be directed to:their time, our administrative costs have always been David Halsor, Operations Directorminimal. Tax deductible contributions are needed and greatly 713 Highland Ave, Northfieldappreciated. 507-645-6052 dhalsor@rconnect.com 7

8 tery to many, this book is the subject of popular novels and isNon-Profit often abused in prophetic predictions. How were worship practices described in Revelation countercultural long Cannon Valley Elder Collegium Organization 1. Rich Noer - Einstein! ago and are they so now? Engage this most dangerous book in the Bible through read- U.S. Postage Paid 1651 Jefferson Parkway Senior Center Rm106 Monday 9:30 – 11:30, ing and discussion. Time magazine‘s ―Person of the Century‖ in 2000, Albert Einstein first drew un- Northfield, MN 55057 Northfield, MN 55057 precedented public attention for his revolutionary scientific ideas (in particular, the PERMIT # 51 Rev. Richard F. Collman is a retired United Methodist minister and musician who has taught courses on Revelation over theories of relativity He remains inspiredquantum).of Revelationpublic eye he evolved music, an art the years in various settings. and the light by the Book In the for its contribution to worship, into and CVEC thea non-discriminatory allegiances today. his tousled hair, rumpled sweaters, and iconicis questions it raises about our and for figure, instantly recognizable with Organization twinkling eyes—widely revered but understood by few outside the physics commu- nity. Our classes will be devoted mainly to conceptualof Erin Hart’sEinstein‘s scien- 4. Barbara Evans, Exploringthe Haunted Ground discussion of Ireland tific ideas, including the relativity of space and time, gravity as the curvature of Tuesday 9:30-11:30,black holes,the Cannon space-time, E=mc2, Village on light as photons, and the ―spooky action at a dis- tance‖ of quantum the first of Erin these three novels. In it Ms. Hart weaves they Haunted Ground is theory. Though Hart‘s ideas sometimes strain our credulity, archae- are surprisingly easy to talk about without a need for mathematical analysis. Reading ology, anthropology, and forensic science into a mystery rich in Irish characters and cul- an excellent detectives seek to unravel a possible murder Einstein as a person. ture. Hart‘s recent biography, we‘ll also try to understand that begins with the discovery of the remains of at Carleton for 38 years. He in a peat bog near Galway. Class participants Rich Noer taught physicsa red-haired woman also became interested in the history and philosophy of science, co-authored aboth Haunted Ground and Lake of Sorrows. Related topics will include ar- will read text for liberal-arts students, and taught freshman seminars and interdisciplinary courses aimed at con- necting the sciences with the humanities. chaeology, forensic science, geography, history, folklore, literary travel, myth and music relevant to this novel. Ms. Hart will visit our class to discuss her work and to preview 2. Mary Caroline Henry, Understanding Evolution wintry Minnesota to temporarily her upcoming fourth novel. Enjoy mentally leaving dwell in the lush, green beauty of Erin Hart‘s Ireland. Monday 1:30-3-30, Senior Center Rm 106 Barbara Evans taught American Literature, Drama, Debate and Composition in Rochester, MN for 34 years. She is a What does "evolution" mean? BySt. Olaf College, teaching public speaking and first year has it been graduate of and has been a visiting professor at what mechanisms does it occur? Why writing. Her inter- An appeal literary travel,How did theCommitteeevolution her arts and crafts home here true science? ests include from our architecture, photography, of so controversial? Curriculum theory and restoration of make biology into a in Northfield. In this course we will explore these questions. We will see how genetic inheritance 5. Ed Lufkin: How to forYour Family’s Best Doctor as ―Home Of The Silver Butter Murray‘s in downtown Minneapolis advertises itself provides the foundation be has been their change. We will understandyears.theSimilarly, Knife Steak For Two.‖ It evolutionary signature item for over 50 how theory of evolution unites observations from many different areas of biology and how these CVEC has 1:30-3:30 PM, NRC Theatre of courses each trimester lasting 16 hours, in 8 Tuesday its own popular tradition, that weekly classes provide evidence forDepartures from thisthe past:have included trips seere- observations of 2 hours length. I‘ve not covered in more importantly,important ad- In this course we‘ll address topics evolution. Perhaps format Recent we will to gional this theory formsgenitourinary, gastrointestinal, and pain disorders; And fi- to how operas, museums,the basis for testableseminar-typeabout living things. vances in medicine; and theatres, with hypotheses discussions in Northfield set- how nally,in your home longer; first aid; conflict between for Obamacare. Slide seminars stay we will consider Travel has often been by individuals in car pools, but also by the possible and preparing current evolutionary thought tings led by our faculty. and religious belief. bus. discussions will be the principal tools of this course, but videos also where possible. and Mary reading Henry be mainly at Swarthmore College and a textbook. ofMy intent isShe taught high Our Caroline will was educated from handouts, not the University Pennsylvania. to show how school biology at discussionsinby your basic biology at a womens college Staff have made two things On-going a girls school Cairo and Board of Directors and in Tehran. She has taught ethology clear. First, at fully and animal physiology in the medical field by well at well informed. youneurobiologywe Carletonintend to of changeand neuroscience at St. Olaf, ascurrentintroductory biology and can best navigate the seas preserve and improve upon our staying course structure, courses at both colleges. our ―Silverserved mostKnifemedical careerso the endocrine division, research and education, explore vigorously Ed Lufkin Butter of his Steak‖, in to speak. Second, we intend to MN. His special interest was in women‘s health, but he had broad interests in patient care, drug Mayo Clinic, Rochester, and served for three years other, more flexible designs which will both challenge and stimulate Collegium mem- as medical editor of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter. bers.Richard Collman, effort Book Of Revelation: Apocalypse And College work- 3. An early planning The in this direction finds CVEC and Carleton Allegiance, Tuesday 9:30-11:30, Seniorand the Birth Of summer in 6 together to offer a Paris Center, Room 106 ing & 7. Eric Nelson, film festival this comingModernism Northfield. You—our members—can helpRevelation: Apocalypse and Allegiance is the explore anew learning path- The Book of 9:30-11-30 anddiscussions NRC Theater & to title of new book by J. shape future as we continue Wednesday 1:30-3:30 Fireside Room ways. Kraybill that contact ourRevelation in its historical context and open win- Nelson Please will examine curriculum director, James McDonnell (jmcdonne@carleton.edu) economic,suggestions was the center along these lines. revolu- In the into the political, with any and social you may of theof an international dows first decades of the 20th century Paris realities have early church. What is tionrelevance arts – poetry and fiction, painting and sculpture, music and dance. Innova- the in all the of Johns apocalypse for CVEC Curriculumanother empire? With pho- Yours sincerely, Jon Rondestvedt our lives today in Committee tions in one medium mightthe book move into materials will further consider Revela- tographs and other visuals, quickly and extra other aesthetic forms. The new medium of filmainfluenced the formal innovations of Cubism (Picasso and Braque were avid tion as great source of worship, poetry, and music throughout history. While a mys- movie-goers), which in turn influenced T. S. Eliot‘s The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock 8

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