19017 - Free OLLI Member Events

Disinformation and “fake news” are terms often bandied about in the news today, but disinformation has a long history. We'll begin with a discussion of disinformation in general and then draw examples from events in Latin America during World War II. Building on that base, we will look at espionage and counterespionage in South America as the US and UK worked to blunt Axis efforts to gain political, economic, and military power in the region.

John Bratzel is Professor Emeritus from Michigan State University where he taught for thirty-six years. He was the graduate director of the MSU Latin American Studies Center and President and later Executive Director of the Popular Culture Association.  He has authored or edited numerous books as well as many articles.  He has won the prestigious MSU Teacher-Scholar Award as well as two book awards.

Dr. Bratzel moved to New Mexico ten years ago to avoid the northern winters and to be with his grandchildren. Currently, he is Resident Historian for Viking Cruise Lines.

Digital Inclusion means access to reliable internet, and devices like computers or cell phones, as well as the understanding of how to use them. This access leads to education, jobs, social connection, and community. Yet too many people in New Mexico still experience a massive lack of access because of their income, age, abilities, race/culture or area of residence. This issue exists across the country. Trish will share a brief history of the digital divide, the progress we're making, along with ways we can create space for those who want to be included in learning to navigate the online world.

Our speaker will be Trish Lopez, Founder/CEO of Teeniors®. Teeniors are tech-savvy teens and young adults who help seniors learn technology through one-on-one coaching. Trish is a native New Mexican who has worked professionally with everyone from Hollywood executives to political leaders. After 13 years in the film industry, she returned to our state as a new mom in 2015 and founded Teeniors. Her team has earned local and national awards while helping thousands of seniors across New Mexico. Lopez chairs the Digital Inclusion Peer Group for New Mexico Technology Council and is an advisory member of the New Mexico Local News Fund, supporting independent journalism around the state. A graduate of UNM, her primary interest is bringing people together from different walks of life to create change in our communities.

Please note the date for this program has changed from the print catalog. It is now November 1, 2024.

The Elizabeth Whitefield End of Life Options Act has been in effect for over two years.  Have there been any changes?  What are the other options New Mexicans have?  Do you need to review your Advance Healthcare Directive?  These and other issues will be discussed.  Free materials will be available to help with some of these decisions.

The purpose of estate planning is to develop a strategy that will maintain financial security during your lifetime and ensure the transfer of your assets when you pass away. However, estate planning must also take into consideration the unique circumstances of your family. In this class, you will learn the key elements of an effective estate plan, the costs associated, and why each is important. You will also hear about ways you can include charitable gifts in your estate plan. There are actions you can take today that will give you greater peace of mind and ensure your beneficiaries, including your chosen charities, receive what you intend.

Please note: You are not required to be an OLLI member to participate in this event.

Presenters:

Bonnie McLeskey has been the Associate Vice President of Planned Giving at the University of New Mexico Foundation for eight years. Bonnie has over 20 years’ experience in non-profit fundraising, including positions at the University of California Santa Cruz, the Museum of New Mexico Foundation, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. She is a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving.

Madison R. Jones, J.D., M.B.A. is a partner at Wilcox, Myers, & Jones, P.C. whose practice focuses primarily on estate and business planning including trust formation, trust and estate administration, and entity formation and counseling. Madison is also a current candidate for her LLM in Taxation from New York University School of Law.

Madison is honored to serve on the Advisory Board of the Future Fund of the Albuquerque Community Foundation and as a volunteer attorney with the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center. Madison regularly speaks to attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, and others on estate planning, business planning, charitable giving, planning related to retirement benefits, and legal ethics.

Madison attended the University of New Mexico, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts (summa cum laude) and her Masters in Business Administration (with honors) prior to attending law school in Seattle, where she earned her Juris Doctor (cum laude).

Were you this child?  Why do we hang stockings on Christmas Eve?  Why is there a ginormous apple – and an orange – in my stocking taking up space where there should be toys?  Would Santa really put coal in my stocking? Why? IS THERE REALLY A SANTA CLAUS? Are you this adult? Who thought of putting a tree in the house where it can shed on the carpet? Am I irreverent if I write “Xmas”? Should I leave milk with the cookies, or would he prefer a bottle of Coke? Join us for an exploration of the plum pudding that is Christmas and its customs – religious, secular, and even “pagan.” And, yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Who the heck is Virginia?