SCALL’s annual event packs a lot of knowledge into one day

The Sarasota area has so many learning experiences for adults that there’s really no excuse for not taking up a new language or art form or interest in the history of human endeavor.

Well, there used to be an excuse — the offerings were so various that comparison shopping was tough to do. Then, three years ago, the Sun Coast Alliance for Lifelong Learning — SCALL — was formed to make the local learning curve a lot easier to climb. Its website is a great vehicle for browsing through the possibilities. But if you want a personal tour of the 20-something fountains of knowledge that belong to SCALL, your best bet is the Lifelong Learning Expo on Nov. 15.

The expo — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Carlisle Inn Conference Center, 3727 Bahia Vista St. in Sarasota — costs $69 including lunch. In addition to information booths on all the learning opportunities, there’s an intriguing lineup of speakers:

• Neurologist Dan Stein will present “Medical Marijuana 101.” You’ll get a brain chemistry lesson, plus practical advice on obtaining a cannabis card and dosing.

• Psychotherapist Shelley Stein will speak on “Sexy Seniors: Is It an Oxmoron?”

• Jean Renoux will discuss “The Man Who Saved Paris” — U.S. ambassador William C. Bullit, who remained in France during the German invasion in World War II and negotiated a deal that prevented bombing of the city.

• Cheryl Brandi, a nurse practitioner with the Roskamp Institute Clinic, will talk about “Research on Dementia Prevention: Lifestyle Does Make a Difference.”

• Will Luera, director of improvisation for Florida Studio Theater, will lead a lunchtime improv workshop.

Register at suncoastlifelonglearning.org.

Source: Herald-Tribune