What Just Happened - July 2026 Current Events (NSSC)
2026-07-30 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | North Shore Senior Center, 161 Northfield Road, Northfield, 60093
Once a month, you can participate in a current events presentation and discussion with a twist. Award-winning professional historian Barry Bradford will help us learn “What Just Happened?”
This session is unique because we will not just discuss our opinions about the news but also learn the history behind the events and their underlying significance. We’ll discuss several of the most exciting events of the month, and there will be plenty of time for you to ask questions and offer your thoughts.
IMPORTANT NOTE: ALL comments and questions must be respectfully asked using appropriate language. Speeches and misinformation will be terminated at the moderator’s express choice.

Celebrating Love – Wedding Officiating by Barry Bradford
2026-08-01 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-08-16 17:00, 2026-08-21 17:00, 2026-10-18 17:00 - 18:00
I’m Officiating a Wedding During This Time!
This time block is reserved because I have the honor of officiating a wedding for a wonderful couple. While this ceremony is private, I’m always grateful to be a part of such joyful and meaningful occasions.
As an award-winning wedding officiant, I’ve had the privilege of conducting unforgettable ceremonies—large and small, traditional and contemporary, religious, civil, and same-sex—for couples from all walks of life. I don’t offer “cookie-cutter” weddings. Every ceremony is personalized to reflect the couple’s unique love story.
💍 Thinking about your wedding?Whether you’re planning a cozy backyard elopement or a grand celebration, I’d love to help you create a custom wedding ceremony that’s heartfelt, memorable, and true to who you are.👉 Learn more about officiant services👉 Watch a short video with testimonials from some of my happy couples!
Serving couples throughout Chicago, Lake County, and beyond, I bring warmth, professionalism, and joy to every wedding I officiate. Feel free to email me if you or someone you know is searching for a thoughtful, experienced officiant.

Television In The 1950s
2026-08-03 09:00 - 10:00 | Private Venue
The fabulous 1950s are often called The “First Golden Era” of Television!Mel
With programs ranging from “I Love Lucy” to Edward R. Murrow, Sid Caesar to live dramas weekly, , from rigged quiz shows, Gunsmoke, and soap operas, the 1950s were the incubator of modern television.
This unique multimedia presentation combines clips from many of the most iconic shows of the 50s with insightful analysis of how TV reflected and shaped a transformational era in American history and in American popular culture. This is not an exercise in nostalgia – we will look at the cultural changes happening in the USA as reflected by what we watched on TV.

South Pacific - A Multimedia Presentation on South Pacific
2026-08-04 14:00 - 15:30 | Private Venue
South Pacific is one of the greatest works of musical theater ever created. Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s masterpiece combines a unique and fascinating story of American nurses and GI on a remote island during World War II with an unforgettable score and powerful lyrics. Add in lavish costumes, a beautiful set, and fabulous staging, and something unforgettable evolves right in front of the audience’s eyes. This multimedia presentation on South Pacific will help you more fully appreciate this work of genius.
However, South Pacific is more than just an outstanding musical. The story is powerful as it launches a broadside against racism in America. Like Hamilton, this is a work of genius that transcends musical theater expectations and attempts to influence the country’s political discussion. South Pacific is romantic, suspenseful, and often very funny. At its core, this was a personal statement against racism and prejudice by its extraordinary creators. Click here to read why this story was personal for Oscar Hammerstein II. Two different characters, both white Americans, realize that their love for non-white Asian people dooms any chance of returning to a bigoted America in the 1940s. Beloved by critics and the audience, the show was nonetheless divisive and controversial with some conservatives! This multimedia presentation on South Pacific will reveal its authors’ motivations and intent.
This multimedia presentation traces South Pacific’s backstory, beginning with author John O’Hara’s wartime experiences and brilliant book of short stories that became the basis for the musical.
We will look at excerpts from the stage musical and film versions to explore the history and impact of a Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece of the Broadway stage. Come for the music and stay for the amazing story!

Great Fortunes Of The Gilded Age (J. P. Morgan)
2026-08-14 10:00 - 11:30 | Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Senior Center, 100 E. Old Mill Road, Lake Forest, IL, 60045, United States
During the Gilded Age, America saw a handful of families dominate the economy with staggering fortunes.
If I asked you to name the richest American, other than Elon Musk, you might name Bill Gates or Sam Walton. Both are from the top of the list!
Today, we focus on the bankers who created venture capitalism, hostile takeovers, and trickle-down economics. And who gave extravagantly to charity, benefitting education, the arts, and learning even today.
J. P. Morgan was, by some accounting, the second richest American ever – and a man whose acquisition of wealth was almost unimaginable. He was so rich that twice he had to use his personal fortune to help save the nation from disaster during several economic crises. His private art collection was one of the greatest in the world, and his name still adorns one of the most powerful banks in America. The story of this powerful man is a fascinating narrative of wealth and power in a changing America.

The Beach Boys: America’s Band and Their Timeless Sound
2026-08-24 13:00 - 14:30 | Private Venue
With Brian Wilson’s death on June 11, 2025, American music lost one of its most dynamic and original creators. As co-founder of the Beach Boys, Wilson was the musical genius behind the California sound, melding lush harmonies, inventive arrangements, and emotional depth into pop music in ways few have ever done. From iconic early hits like Surfin’ U.S.A. to masterpieces like Pet Sounds and Good Vibrations, his work continues to inspire musicians across genres.
The Beach Boys created an unmistakably American sound — sunny, inventive, and layered with harmonies that captured the spirit of an era. Emerging from Southern California in the early 1960s, they became the soundtrack of surfboards, convertibles, and endless summers.
Yet their music was far more sophisticated than it first appeared. Brian Wilson, their creative force, blended rock, jazz, and classical influences to craft songs that still feel fresh decades later.
The Beach Boys constantly pushed boundaries from early hits like Surfin’ U.S.A. and California Girls to the groundbreaking Pet Sounds album and the iconic Good Vibrations. Their work influenced everyone from the Beatles to today’s indie bands. Behind the catchy tunes were stories of sibling rivalries, innovation in the studio, and the complicated personal struggles that shaped their artistry.
This fascinating multimedia program traces the history of the Beach Boys — from their modest beginnings in Hawthorne, California, to their rightful place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
With fabulous music clips, rare behind-the-scenes stories, and fascinating cultural context, we’ll rediscover why the Beach Boys remain one of American music history’s most important and beloved groups.
Whether you grew up with their records or are hearing them with new ears, their story is as moving as their melodies.

What Just Happened - August 2025 Current Events (Uniper)
2026-08-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Uniper

What Just Happened - August 2026 Current Events (PM)
2026-08-25 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Once a month, you can participate in a current events discussion presentation with a twist. Award-winning professional historian Barry Bradford will help us learn “What Just Happened?”
This session is unique because we will not just discuss our opinions about the news but also learn the history behind the events and their underlying significance. We’ll discuss several of the most exciting events of the month, and there will be ample time for you to ask questions and share your thoughts.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All comments and questions must be submitted respectfully and in an appropriate tone. Speeches and misinformation will be terminated at the moderator’s express choice.
COST
I ask for a minimum donation of $5.00. If you cannot afford it or feel my programs are not worth $5.00, email me, and I will waive your fee. I struggle to support a family, so I understand the challenges of living on a tight budget with compassion.
Cash/Check Payable to Barry Bradford
Barry Bradford
P.O. Box #177
Deerfield, IL 60015
Please put ‘August PM’ in the subject line.
Paypal:

√ Venmo
(send to @B-Bradford-1) Please add a note saying ‘August PM.’
√ Zelle – Use the email address Barry1776@ATT.NET (Please add a note that it is for August PM)
√ Don’t pay (or pay less) if you cannot afford it! Please email me for a waiver if you are unable to pay.
REGISTRATION LINK – Click Here
NO ZOOM LINK??
If you do not receive a confirmation email, you did not sign up correctly. SAVE THE CONFIRMATIONEMAIL. If you cannot find your confirmation email, check your spam folder. The other alternative is to return to the website and sign up again. I’m unable to send you the link. They come straight from Zoom!

Al Capone - Master Of The Mob
2026-09-07 09:00 - 2026-09-08 10:30 | Private Venue
Organized crime came in with a bang – literally – with the rise of prohibition. And no city was more under the control of the mob than Chicago. This exciting look at the rise of the Chicago outfit in the early days, culminating with Al Capone, finishes with a fascinating look at how Sam Giancana changed the Syndicate in Chicago from a group of bootlegging dogs to an international powerhouse that influenced American presidential elections and American foreign policy.
We’ll examine how ethnic neighborhoods, Chicago city politics, and the Kennedy administration all played into the tremendous influence of organized crime in Chicago.
Al Capone was one of the most famous gangsters in American History. Unlike many organized crime leaders, he did little to hide his identity. He was seen at Wrigley Field chatting with star catcher Gabby Hartnett.
Gabby Hartnett Chats With Al Capone

The true story of Al Capone’s rise and fall is complex and unexpected. Capone began as a cheap hoodlum in Brooklyn, working for Frankie Yale, the first man to begin organizing the mob in New York.
Later, Capone moved to Chicago to assist his pal Frankie Torrio, second in command of the Chicago mob. With ferocity and force, Capone would come to head the Chicago outfit – before his pal, a mild-mannered bookkeeper, and the federal income tax laws brought him down!

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TV By The Decades: Television in the 1960s
2026-09-11 10:00 - 11:30 | Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Senior Center, 100 E. Old Mill Road, Lake Forest, IL, 60045, United States
TV in the 1960s
The 1960s were definitely one of TV’s oddest decades! The 1960s began with Westerns dominating the ratings! The old West soap opera Bonanza became the most popular show on the air. One after another competing show was vanquished by the old-time sensibilities of an old-fashioned Western.
All you really need to know about the diverse nature of TV in the 1960s is found in the answer to the question: “What show finally was able to compete with Bonanza in the ratings?” The answer was a liberal, modern, and very controversial challenger: The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. This bastion of the hip, cutting edge liberal comedy gave young viewers quite a stark alternative to the Ponderosa! (Trivia! Bonanza, like Dragnet, had their stars wear the exact same clothes every week. It saved money on costumes and allowed the producers to reuse old shots from previous episodes!
So the 1960s were the era of Gunsmoke and Wagon Train, Gilligan’s Island and The Beverly Hillbillies and Laugh-In and The Smothers Brothers! We will talk about how TV grew and changed as viewers who had enjoyed Combat began tuning in to Hogan’s Heroes. You won’t want to miss this fast-paced multimedia presentation!
IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – LIST YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW OF THE 1960s!

What Just Happened - September 2026 Current Events (NSSC)
2026-09-24 13:00 - 14:30 | North Shore Senior Center, 161 Northfield Road, Northfield, 60093

What Just Happened - September 2026 Current Events (Uniper)
2026-09-29 14:00 - 15:00 | Uniper

What Just Happened - September 2026 Current Events (PM)
2026-09-29 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Once a month, you can participate in a current events discussion presentation with a twist. Award-winning professional historian Barry Bradford will help us learn “What Just Happened?”
This session is unique because we will not just discuss our opinions about the news but also learn the history behind the events and their underlying significance. We’ll discuss several of the most exciting events of the month, and there will be ample time for you to ask questions and share your thoughts.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All comments and questions must be submitted respectfully and in an appropriate tone. Speeches and misinformation will be terminated at the moderator’s express choice.
COST
I ask for a minimum donation of $5.00. If you cannot afford it or feel my programs are not worth $5.00, email me, and I will waive your fee. I struggle to support a family, so I understand the challenges of living on a tight budget with compassion.
Cash/Check Payable to Barry Bradford
Barry Bradford
P.O. Box #177
Deerfield, IL 60015
Please put ‘September PM’ in the subject line.
Paypal:

√ Venmo
(send to @B-Bradford-1) Please add a note saying ‘September PM.’
√ Zelle – Use the email address Barry1776@ATT.NET (Please add a note that it is for September PM)
√ Don’t pay (or pay less) if you cannot afford it! Please email me for a waiver if you are unable to pay.
REGISTRATION LINK – Click Here
NO ZOOM LINK??
If you do not receive a confirmation email, you did not sign up correctly. SAVE THE CONFIRMATIONEMAIL. If you cannot find your confirmation email, check your spam folder. The other alternative is to return to the website and sign up again. I’m unable to send you the link. They come straight from Zoom!

What Just Happened - October 2026 Current Events (Uniper)
2026-10-27 14:00 - 15:00 | Uniper

What Just Happened - October 2026 Current Events (PM)
2026-10-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Once a month, you can participate in a current events discussion presentation with a twist. Award-winning professional historian Barry Bradford will help us learn “What Just Happened?”
This session is unique because we will not just discuss our opinions about the news but also learn the history behind the events and their underlying significance. We’ll discuss several of the most exciting events of the month, and there will be ample time for you to ask questions and share your thoughts.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All comments and questions must be submitted respectfully and in an appropriate tone. Speeches and misinformation will be terminated at the moderator’s express choice.
COST
I ask for a minimum donation of $5.00. If you cannot afford it or feel my programs are not worth $5.00, email me, and I will waive your fee. I struggle to support a family, so I understand the challenges of living on a tight budget with compassion.
Cash/Check Payable to Barry Bradford
Barry Bradford
P.O. Box #177
Deerfield, IL 60015
Please put ‘October PM’ in the subject line.
Paypal:

√ Venmo
(send to @B-Bradford-1) Please add a note saying ‘October PM.’
√ Zelle – Use the email address Barry1776@ATT.NET (Please add a note that it is for October PM)
√ Don’t pay (or pay less) if you cannot afford it! Please email me for a waiver if you are unable to pay.
REGISTRATION LINK – Click Here
NO ZOOM LINK??
If you do not receive a confirmation email, you did not sign up correctly. SAVE THE CONFIRMATIONEMAIL. If you cannot find your confirmation email, check your spam folder. The other alternative is to return to the website and sign up again. I’m unable to send you the link. They come straight from Zoom!

What Just Happened - October 2026 Current Events (NSSC)
2026-10-29 13:00 - 14:30 | North Shore Senior Center, 161 Northfield Road, Northfield, 60093

2026 Election Preview
2026-11-03 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
The midterm elections of 2026 will have an immense impact on the last two years of President Donald Trump’s final term.
If the Democrats pull off a massive upset and win the Senate, they have vowed to use their clout to block any Supreme Court nominations. Suppose they win control of the House of Representatives. In that case, it is unlikely that President Trump will be able to pass any sweeping changes regarding economic policy, the culture wars, or voting rights. A Democratic House could subpoena Trump officials and launch investigations
Just as the Democratic wave of 2018 shut down much of the agenda of President Trump’s first term agenda – and twice impeached him – this election could be crucial in establishing how America will deal with many issues over the next two years.
I will highlight the significant Senate elections across the country that will determine control of the Upper Chamber. We will also look at the elections here in Illinois and examine how this will begin to shape the field for the 2028 presidential election.
COST
I ask for a voluntary donation of $10.00. If you cannot afford it or feel my programs are not worth $10, you are invited to come for free; I understand with compassion living on a tight budget!
Cash/Check Payable to Barry Bradford
Barry Bradford
P.O. Box #177
Deerfield, IL 60015
Put ‘Election’ On The Subject Line, Please.
Paypal:
PayPal (Please note, PayPal takes 10% of your donation as a fee. I receive $4.50)

√ Venmo
(send to @B-Bradford-1) Please add a note saying ‘Election’’
√ Zelle – Use the email address: Barry1776@ATT.NET (Please add a note that it is for Election)
√ Don’t pay (or pay less) if you cannot afford it!
Registration
Nov 2, 2026, 06:30 PM Central Time (The US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqfu-rrjsiE9z7E7wKj5m3DVXNKKMORqdq
NO ZOOM LINK??
If you do not receive a confirmation email, you did not sign up correctly. SAVE THE CONFIRMATION EMAIL! If you cannot find your confirmation email, check your spam folder. The other alternative is to go back to the website and sign up again. I cannot send you the link! They come straight from Zoom!

Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau - The Odd Couple Of Comedy!
2026-11-12 10:00 - 11:30 | Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Senior Center, 100 E. Old Mill Road, Lake Forest, IL, 60045, United States
Individually, they were two of the best screen actors of their generation.
Collectively they were one of the greatest movie teams of all time!

Like Fred and Ginger, Tracy and Hepburn, Burns and Allen, when you think of one, you think of the other. (Click here to read about some unusual movie teams – ones that will surprise you!) Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau each had a stellar individual career, both excelled at comedy and drama, both appeared on stage and television as well as the movies. Their off -screen personalities were as different as those we saw in the movies. And they were best friends!
Join us for a fun and fast multimedia twin biography of one of the greatest movie teams of all time!

Betty White: America's Favorite Potty Mouthed Grandma
2026-11-12 14:00 - 15:30 | Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Avenue, Morton Grove, IL, 60053
PLEASE NOTE! This is a live and in-person presentation, presented free of charge by our friends at the Morton Grove Public Library

The fabulous Betty White has been called an American national treasure – and rightly so! Up until her death at 99, Betty White was a beacon of positivity even in difficult years! Witty, working, and happy, Betty White is a beacon of positivity even in difficult times!
Did you know that at a key moment in her career, she risked her job to stand up for Civil Rights?
Betty White was voted one of America’s most beloved entertainers year in and year out. In 2018, she was chosen as the most trusted person in America! You know her as the seemingly sweet we but secretly scheming sexpot Sue Anne Nivens on the iconic “Mary Tyler Moore Show,” the endearing, naïve, and trusting Rose Nyland on the classic “Golden Girls,” and the outrageous and somewhat loopy Elka Ostrovsky on ” Hot in Cleveland.”
Betty White has been a staple on talk shows, a host and panelist on game shows, and has even performed in popular movies, including a classic political drama in which she played a U.S. Senator!
You may not know that Betty White was a pioneer in the early days of television, being the first woman to produce her own show! The amazing Ms. White is a best-selling author and tireless advocate for animals. Most importantly, she is widely considered one of the nicest people in all of show business. This warm, charming, and funny presentation is loaded with hilarious video clips and great stories about the one and only Betty White.

What Just Happened - November 2026 Current Events (NSSC)
2026-11-19 13:00 - 14:30 | North Shore Senior Center, 161 Northfield Road, Northfield, 60093

What Just Happened - November 2026 Current Events (Uniper)
2026-11-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Uniper

What Just Happened - November 2026 Current Events (PM)
2026-11-24 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Once a month, you can participate in a current events discussion presentation with a twist. Award-winning professional historian Barry Bradford will help us learn “What Just Happened?”
This session is unique because we will not just discuss our opinions about the news but also learn the history behind the events and their underlying significance. We’ll discuss several of the most exciting events of the month, and there will be ample time for you to ask questions and share your thoughts.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All comments and questions must be submitted respectfully and in an appropriate tone. Speeches and misinformation will be terminated at the moderator’s express choice.
COST
I ask for a minimum donation of $5.00. If you cannot afford it or feel my programs are not worth $5.00, email me, and I will waive your fee. I struggle to support a family, so I understand the challenges of living on a tight budget with compassion.
Cash/Check Payable to Barry Bradford
Barry Bradford
P.O. Box #177
Deerfield, IL 60015
Please put ‘November PM’ in the subject line.
Paypal:

√ Venmo
(send to @B-Bradford-1) Please add a note saying ‘November PM.’
√ Zelle – Use the email address Barry1776@ATT.NET (Please add a note that it is for November PM)
√ Don’t pay (or pay less) if you cannot afford it! Please email me for a waiver if you are unable to pay.
REGISTRATION LINK – Click Here
NO ZOOM LINK??
If you do not receive a confirmation email, you did not sign up correctly. SAVE THE CONFIRMATIONEMAIL. If you cannot find your confirmation email, check your spam folder. The other alternative is to return to the website and sign up again. I’m unable to send you the link. They come straight from Zoom!

Carl Reiner
2026-12-07 09:00 - 10:00
Carl Reiner was one of the funniest men ever to appear, write for, or direct a TV episode!
At 97, he was the oldest celebrity active on Twitter – and never contemplating retiring from show business! Join me for a fast, funny, and fascinating look at one of America’s classic comic treasures, Mr. Carl Reiner
Carl Reiner first exploded into the American consciousness as the straight man on the immortal Sid Caesar’s great TV shows.
Working alongside writing legends including Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Neil Simon, Selma Diamond, and Larry Gelbart, Carl Reiner became one of the volatile Caesar’s favorite co-stars and most trusted writers.
Their classic “Professor” sketches are still hilarious sixty-five years after they first aired. And his lifelong friendship and collaboration with Mel Brooks began as a result!
After the Sid Caesar shows ended, Carl Reiner created The DIck Van Dyke Show. This program would prove to be one of the most influential, funniest, and most transformative situation comedies of all time.
After Reiner and Van Dyke ended the show at the height of its popularity, the brilliant writer/producer/director began working on feature films.
Carl Reiner created the cult classics “Where’s Poppa” and “Oh, God” before embarking on a brilliant partnership with Steve Martin. The Reiner/Martin films include some of the best comedies of Steve Martin’s career, including “The Jerk,” “All Of Me,” and “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid.
We’ll enjoy clips and stories from all of this – and, of course – the brilliant “2,000-Year-Old Man” routines with Mel Brooks. Don’t miss this excellent presentation!

The History Of Santa Claus!
2026-12-11 10:00 - 11:30 | Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Senior Center, 100 E. Old Mill Road, Lake Forest, IL, 60045, United States
Come and learn the fascinating history of Santa Claus
Who doesn’t love Santa Claus? Even in countries like Japan, that don’t celebrate Christmas, the visage of Jolly old Santa is well known to the public.
Although Santa’s origins can be traced to a religious figure (Saint Nicholas) in Christian lore, Santa Claus has morphed into a universally recognized symbol of kindness, charity, compassion, and joy over the years.
In this unique and utterly fascinating multimedia presentation, we will trace how Santa has evolved over the centuries. We’ll look at how books, movies, advertising, and music have shaped, changed, and recreated Santa into the figure we recognize today. Only a Grinch or a Scrooge would not like this wonderful presentation!
