Upcoming Lectures

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• Healing the Heart through Forgiveness

  • When
    September 25, 2025
  •  
    1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Oakwood Village University Woods Arts & Education Center

   

  
  

  Healing the Heart through Forgiveness

  
  

  Thursday, September 25 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.

  
  

  In-Person at Oakwood Village University Woods

  Arts & Education Center

  
  

  6205 Mineral Point Road

  
  

  Registration is Not Required

  FREE PARKING
  

  
  

  Lisa Rickert has spent 20-plus years working with defense teams on death penalty cases around the country. She has witnessed the pain and trauma of those who have lost a loved one to murder. In the process, she has also explored and uncovered layers of pain and trauma in the lives of those who killed another human being. She has been humbled by those who trusted her with their stories of buried wounds and has been in awe of those who chose mercy in response to unspeakable pain.

  It is Lisa’s core belief that people who forgive contribute to a kinder, more peaceful world.

  Lisa earned her MSW at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  As a social worker, she has worked in the areas of juvenile delinquency, child protection, and sentencing advocacy.  She has always been fascinated by emotional healing practices, particularly the work of Dr. Robert Enright, a professor of educational psychology at UW-Madison, and a leader in the study of forgiveness in the  healing process.                                                                                           

  
  

  
  

                                                     

  ________________________________________

  Transportation Options:

  
  

  Bicycle:  Bike racks are available

  
  

  Bus: The BRT Route A bus  runs every 15 minutes and stops in front of Oakwood at the Island/Mineral Point station.  

  
  

  Car: 
  

  • Use the Island Drive entrance at 6205 Mineral Point Road.
  •  Veer left and follow the drive to the 2nd driveway with sign “Heritage Oaks Parking Garage.”
  •  Turn right into driveway.
  •   Press the buzzer and the Oakwood desk attendant will buzz you in. There are 70 parking stalls. Park in any visitor or non-reserved stall. Take the elevator up one floor to the main entrance, turn right and walk through the mail box area into the lobby. Ask at the desk for directions to the Performing Arts Center.
  • When you exit the underground parking, the garage door opens automatically.
  • _________________________

  Questions?  Contact lecture organizer Barbara Drake at barbaradrake21@gmail.com

  Show details
• Beyond Politics: The Content of Wisconsin’s Character, Past & Present

  • When
    October 09, 2025
  •  
    1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Oakwood Village University Woods Arts & Education Center

   

  
  

  Beyond Politics: the Content of Wisconsin's Character, Past & Present

  
  

  Thursday, October 9 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.

  
  

  In-Person at Oakwood Village University Woods

  Arts & Education Center

  
  

  6205 Mineral Point Road

  
  

  Registration is Not Required

  FREE PARKING
  

  
  

  Mike McCabe brings a farming background and a lifetime of experience in politics, journalism, nonprofit leadership and public sector management to his writing. He ran a spirited underdog campaign for governor of Wisconsin in 2018. Earlier he started the grassroots group Blue Jean Nation and for 15 years led the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, an independent watchdog group that tracks the money in state elections and works for reforms making people matter more than money in politics. In that role, Mike blew the whistle on wrongdoing by elected officials and earned a reputation as one of the nation’s best political money trackers.

  He was recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists and Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council as the “Citizen Openness Advocate of the Year” for 2012, and the University of Wisconsin’s School of Journalism honored him with its Distinguished Service Award in 2015.

   Over the years, his work attracted the attention of national news networks including ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, NBC, MSNBC, NPR and Al-Jazeera America, as well as newspapers including The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today and Wall Street Journal, and magazines such as Time and New Yorker. He also has been a frequent guest on news programs and talk shows on television and radio stations in Wisconsin and around the country. A dynamic and much sought-after public speaker, Mike has made more than 2,000 presentations to a wide range of audiences over the course of his career.

  Mike is the author of three books including Blue Jeans in High Places: The Coming Makeover of American Politics, published in 2014 and currently in its fourth printing, Unscrewing America released in 2020, and Miracles Along County Q released at the end of 2024.  Mike will have these books for sale at the conclusion of his lecture.

                                                                                         

  
  

  
  

                                                     

  ________________________________________

  Transportation Options:

  
  

  Bicycle:  Bike racks are available

  
  

  Bus: The BRT Route A bus  runs every 15 minutes and stops in front of Oakwood at the Island/Mineral Point station.  

  
  

  Car: 
  

  • Use the Island Drive entrance at 6205 Mineral Point Road.
  •  Veer left and follow the drive to the 2nd driveway with sign “Heritage Oaks Parking Garage.”
  •  Turn right into driveway.
  •   Press the buzzer and the Oakwood desk attendant will buzz you in. There are 70 parking stalls. Park in any visitor or non-reserved stall. Take the elevator up one floor to the main entrance, turn right and walk through the mail box area into the lobby. Ask at the desk for directions to the Performing Arts Center.
  • When you exit the underground parking, the garage door opens automatically.
  • _________________________

  Questions?  Contact lecture organizer Barbara Drake at barbaradrake21@gmail.com

  Show details
• Immigration Law History & Current Status

  • When
    October 23, 2025
  •  
    1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Oakwood Village University Woods Arts & Education Center

   

  Immigration Law History & Current Status

  
  

  Thursday, October 23 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.

  
  

  In-Person at Oakwood Village University Woods

  Arts & Education Center

  
  

  6205 Mineral Point Road

  
  

  Registration is Not Required

  FREE PARKING
  

  
  

  Join us for an engaging presentation on the history and current status of U.S. immigration law. We’ll trace how immigration policy has evolved over the decades, from the earliest federal laws to modern debates shaping today’s headlines. Along the way, we’ll explore the social, political, and economic forces that influenced these changes and take a close look at the challenges and opportunities facing our immigration system now. Whether you’re curious about the past, concerned about the present, or thinking about the future, this talk will offer valuable insights into one of the most important issues of our time.

  Raluca Vais-Ottosen earned her master’s in law (LL.M) from the Louisiana State University in 2004.  She is originally from Romania, where she obtained a law degree from the Spiru Haret University Law School, and a B.S. from Petru Rares National College. She is Chair of Dewitt Law Firm’s Immigration practice group and assists clients with U.S. immigration matters ranging from family-based and individual immigration applications to employment related visas and work authorization.

  Raluca Vais-Ottosen was elected to serve as the Chair of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in June 2025. AILA is the largest and most reputable immigration bar association in the United States  with 39 chapters nationwide. With extensive experience in immigration law, Raluca has long been committed to helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate complex immigration matters.                                    

  ________________________________________

  Transportation Options:

  
  

  Bicycle:  Bike racks are available

  
  

  Bus: The BRT Route A bus  runs every 15 minutes and stops in front of Oakwood at the Island/Mineral Point station.  

  
  

  Car: 
  

  • Use the Island Drive entrance at 6205 Mineral Point Road.
  •  Veer left and follow the drive to the 2nd driveway with sign “Heritage Oaks Parking Garage.”
  •  Turn right into driveway.
  •   Press the buzzer and the Oakwood desk attendant will buzz you in. There are 70 parking stalls. Park in any visitor or non-reserved stall. Take the elevator up one floor to the main entrance, turn right and walk through the mail box area into the lobby. Ask at the desk for directions to the Performing Arts Center.
  • When you exit the underground parking, the garage door opens automatically.
  • _________________________

  Questions?  Contact lecture organizer Barbara Drake at barbaradrake21@gmail.com

  Show details
• Beyond Alexa & Siri: AI, Your Digital Dignity, and an Empowered Future

  • When
    November 06, 2025
  •  
    1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Oakwood Village University Woods Arts & Education Center

   

  Beyond Alexa & Siri:

  AI, Your Digital Dignity, and an Empowered Future 

  
  

  Thursday, November 6 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.

  
  

  In-Person at Oakwood Village University Woods

  Arts & Education Center

  
  

  6205 Mineral Point Road

  
  

  Registration is Not Required

  FREE PARKING
  

  
  

  This lecture will provide a compelling and empowering introduction to AI, focusing on the crucial concept of digital dignity for older adults. It balances fundamental understanding with the practical benefits and ethical considerations. It aims to introduce AI as a tool that can enhance the lives of older adults, provided it is developed and used in a way that respects their dignity, independence, and agency, while also offering a glimpse into practical applications.

  
  

  Dr. Hank Weiss (PhD, MPH, MS) is an experienced epidemiologist and AI advocate at JBS International, passionately promoting the transformation of work through effective and ethical AI use. He earned his PhD in epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh and has worked in infectious disease control, trauma and poison control systems, public health surveillance, and injury prevention. His career spans decades, characterized by scholarship, leadership, and peer recognition, especially for his contributions to injury prevention research and practice. This includes leading groundbreaking studies on maternal and child health risks, directing Wisconsin's response to the opioid crisis, and providing expert guidance to local agencies. He has a deep, practical understanding of the challenges faced by practitioners at the intersections of science, policy, implementation, and evaluation. As an innovation-driven professional, Dr. Weiss now focuses on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. Fun facts: he enjoys playing pickleball, hiking, biking, and lived in New Zealand for five years. He is married with two grown daughters and is currently looking for a new dog.               

  ________________________________________

  Transportation Options:

  
  

  Bicycle:  Bike racks are available

  
  

  Bus: The BRT Route A bus  runs every 15 minutes and stops in front of Oakwood at the Island/Mineral Point station.  

  
  

  Car: 
  

  • Use the Island Drive entrance at 6205 Mineral Point Road.
  •  Veer left and follow the drive to the 2nd driveway with sign “Heritage Oaks Parking Garage.”
  •  Turn right into driveway.
  •   Press the buzzer and the Oakwood desk attendant will buzz you in. There are 70 parking stalls. Park in any visitor or non-reserved stall. Take the elevator up one floor to the main entrance, turn right and walk through the mail box area into the lobby. Ask at the desk for directions to the Performing Arts Center.
  • When you exit the underground parking, the garage door opens automatically.
  • _________________________

  Questions?  Contact lecture organizer Barbara Drake at barbaradrake21@gmail.com

  Show details