We would like to wish you and yours a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving week.  May you surround yourself with good company and lots of good food!

- Continuing Education Staff

#GivingTuesday is December 1.

Kick off the holiday giving season on the global day of giving called #GivingTuesday. The  Bradley community is encouraged to continue the tradition of giving started by Lydia Moss Bradley when she founded our great University. If you usually give to the Bradley scholarship fund through the annual holiday card to the campus community, please consider making a gift on #GivingTuesday in lieu of that request. 

Visit bradley.edu/GivingTuesday or click on the above video for details. 

In the Spring of 2016, OLLI will co-sponsor the Silver Screen Saturdays program at the Peoria Riverfront Museum!

For next year's series, the theme of the films will be The Prohibition Era, to tie-in with the exhibit that will be on display.

We look forward to seeing you at the movies!

If you were in attendance at last week's lecture by Peoria Symphony Orchestra Conductor George Stelluto on Economics and the Arts, you already know that the arts industry in Peoria contributes over $20 million to the local economy.  George Stelluto also discussed the ways the arts can affect the way we think and learn.

If you are interested in learning more about this fascinating topic, you may want to check out the following books, which were recommended by George Stelluto during his presentation.  Click on the titles below to view them on Barnes and Noble's website.

The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge

Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else by Geoff Colvin.

Happy reading!

Big thanks to Jim Anstett for sending us this comic -- Surely this concept would go over well at OLLI events!

The Migrant Problem in Europe: A Global Humanitarian Crisis?

The Institute of International Studies and the Peoria World Affairs Council will host a program and discussion on the timely topic of refugees in Europe.  

Will Ball, Caterpillar VP and board member of the USA for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, will discuss Europe's growing migrant crisis, the majority of whom may be refugees who seek to escape war in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.  He will share insights from his work with the UNHCR as European countries look for help to register and find new places to settle these migrants.  

The event is free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact PAWAC at 309-677-2454.

A new program is available at Peoria Public Library!  Junior FIRST Lego League is designed for children ages 6 - 9 years old and features a real-world scientific concept to be explored through research, teamwork, construction, and imagination.  

Guided by Coaches, teams use Lego elements to build a model that moves, experience the engineering design process, and develop a Show Me poster to illustrate their journey.

Anyone can help!  You do not need a technical background to be a Coach -- just a willingness to learn with the kids.

Coaches are requested to sign up by Tuesday, December 1.  A downloadable PDF flyer is available here.

For more information about coaching, please contact Elise Hearn at 309-497-2204 or elisehearn@ppl.peoria.lib.il.us.