UpComing Talks
Sundays at Berger Center at 10:30 am
Sundays at Berger Center at 10:30 am
March 8, 2026
Jeff Collins, DO FAAD
From Itch to Ouch to Uh-Oh: Aging Well in Your Own Skin
Your skin tells a story—about your health, your habits, and your age. In this practical, eye-opening talk, a dermatologist cuts through the hype to explain what to look for on your skin: what’s harmless, what’s worth worrying about, and when to seek care. You’ll learn how to spot early warning signs, separate good advice from bad, and adopt smart, realistic strategies for keeping your skin healthy, resilient, and looking its best as you age.
Jeff Collins, DO FAAD
From Itch to Ouch to Uh-Oh: Aging Well in Your Own Skin
Your skin tells a story—about your health, your habits, and your age. In this practical, eye-opening talk, a dermatologist cuts through the hype to explain what to look for on your skin: what’s harmless, what’s worth worrying about, and when to seek care. You’ll learn how to spot early warning signs, separate good advice from bad, and adopt smart, realistic strategies for keeping your skin healthy, resilient, and looking its best as you age.
March15, 2026 >>Daylight Saving Starts<<
Ky Boyd
Ky’s Annual Oakmont Academy Award Review
Come join us for the Ky’s Annual Academy Award Review. Ky Boyd, a self-professed movieholic who operates the beloved Rialto Cinemas in Sebastopol, will give us his expert take on the movies and actors nominated for the 2026 Oscars. This is always a very lively and fun event, even if you haven’t seen all (or any) of the movies. (Sequined dress and Tux NOT required.)
Ky Boyd
Ky’s Annual Oakmont Academy Award Review
Come join us for the Ky’s Annual Academy Award Review. Ky Boyd, a self-professed movieholic who operates the beloved Rialto Cinemas in Sebastopol, will give us his expert take on the movies and actors nominated for the 2026 Oscars. This is always a very lively and fun event, even if you haven’t seen all (or any) of the movies. (Sequined dress and Tux NOT required.)
March 22, 2026
David Schmidt
The Bay Area You Thought You Knew
In this vivid, eye-opening talk, environmental historian David D. Schmidt reveals the San Francisco Bay Area not just as our home, but as a living, changing system shaped by thousands of years of human choices and natural forces. He tells a story of wildfires, ambition and consequence, loss and renewal. More than history, this talk is a revelation of the dramatic natural and human impacts on the Bay Area as we know it today. You’ll walk away seeing the Bay Area with entirely new eyes.
David Schmidt
The Bay Area You Thought You Knew
In this vivid, eye-opening talk, environmental historian David D. Schmidt reveals the San Francisco Bay Area not just as our home, but as a living, changing system shaped by thousands of years of human choices and natural forces. He tells a story of wildfires, ambition and consequence, loss and renewal. More than history, this talk is a revelation of the dramatic natural and human impacts on the Bay Area as we know it today. You’ll walk away seeing the Bay Area with entirely new eyes.
March 29, 2026
Jim Codington
A Life Behind the Lens: The Cost of Getting Close
Jim Codington’s photos portray a life lived at full throttle. His photos show a depth of experience which earned him recognition as a semifinalist in the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the invitation to exhibit his work at the de Young Museum. His images aren’t just beautiful. They are visceral, funny, humbling, and profound, offering a rare insight into wildlife, wilderness, and Indigenous cultures. Come for the photographs--stay for an inspiring peek at the man behind the camera.
Jim Codington
A Life Behind the Lens: The Cost of Getting Close
Jim Codington’s photos portray a life lived at full throttle. His photos show a depth of experience which earned him recognition as a semifinalist in the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the invitation to exhibit his work at the de Young Museum. His images aren’t just beautiful. They are visceral, funny, humbling, and profound, offering a rare insight into wildlife, wilderness, and Indigenous cultures. Come for the photographs--stay for an inspiring peek at the man behind the camera.
April 12, 2026
Craig Griffeath
Garden of Symbols: The Plants Beneath the Canvas
From ancient myths to cutting-edge exhibition design, art historian Craig Griffeath presents an intriguing, eye-opening journey into how plants have shaped the language of art. Discover the secret meanings hidden in Old Master paintings that reflect legendary gardens from Eden to Versailles, and see how flowers, trees, and vines have inspired modern icons from Monet and Van Gogh to O’Keeffe and Warhol. Once you see it, you’ll never look at art—or plants—the same way again.
Craig Griffeath
Garden of Symbols: The Plants Beneath the Canvas
From ancient myths to cutting-edge exhibition design, art historian Craig Griffeath presents an intriguing, eye-opening journey into how plants have shaped the language of art. Discover the secret meanings hidden in Old Master paintings that reflect legendary gardens from Eden to Versailles, and see how flowers, trees, and vines have inspired modern icons from Monet and Van Gogh to O’Keeffe and Warhol. Once you see it, you’ll never look at art—or plants—the same way again.
April 19, 2026
Diana R. Chambers
Before the Apron: Julia Child, Secret Agent
Before Julia Child became America’s most joyful French Chef, she was a WWII intelligence officer stationed in Asia. Through vivid storytelling, Ms. Chambers traces Julia’s journey to the remote front lines of Ceylon, India, and China, where she finds adventure, purpose, and love with Paul Child. These war years shaped Julia’s confidence, curiosity, and courage. It helped her to become the fearless, exuberant culinary icon with whom we all would later learn and adore.
Diana R. Chambers
Before the Apron: Julia Child, Secret Agent
Before Julia Child became America’s most joyful French Chef, she was a WWII intelligence officer stationed in Asia. Through vivid storytelling, Ms. Chambers traces Julia’s journey to the remote front lines of Ceylon, India, and China, where she finds adventure, purpose, and love with Paul Child. These war years shaped Julia’s confidence, curiosity, and courage. It helped her to become the fearless, exuberant culinary icon with whom we all would later learn and adore.
April 26, 2026
Eron Flory, Medtronics Engineer, High School Robotics Coach
High School Robotics Team: This is What Smart Looks Like
Being a member of the Maria Carrillo High School Robotics Team is about far more than building robots. Robotics teams run like startup companies: students learn teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and real-world business skills while working under pressure to design, build, and compete. Having “robotics team” on an application moves them to the top of the pile both for colleges and future jobs. And the best part: you’ll see an amazing student-built robot in action.
Eron Flory, Medtronics Engineer, High School Robotics Coach
High School Robotics Team: This is What Smart Looks Like
Being a member of the Maria Carrillo High School Robotics Team is about far more than building robots. Robotics teams run like startup companies: students learn teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and real-world business skills while working under pressure to design, build, and compete. Having “robotics team” on an application moves them to the top of the pile both for colleges and future jobs. And the best part: you’ll see an amazing student-built robot in action.
May 3, 2026
Doug von Koss & Friends
Rumi’s Caravan: The Powerful Impact of Poetry
By popular demand, Rumi’s Caravan is returning to the symposium to move us with their visionary, ecstatic tradition of spontaneous poetic conversation and music. This is always a visual and auditory feast performed on a Persian-decorated stage. Their resonating presentation will lift your spirits and touch your heart.
Doug von Koss & Friends
Rumi’s Caravan: The Powerful Impact of Poetry
By popular demand, Rumi’s Caravan is returning to the symposium to move us with their visionary, ecstatic tradition of spontaneous poetic conversation and music. This is always a visual and auditory feast performed on a Persian-decorated stage. Their resonating presentation will lift your spirits and touch your heart.
May 17, 2026
Transcendence
Transcendence Comes to Oakmont Symposium
A Transcendence performance is always high energy, vibrant and electrifying! These world-class Broadway-level performers will mesmerize you with their awesome talent, enthusiasm, and joyous love for what they do. AND we’ll get a sneak preview of their summer repertoire. Be prepared to be amazed and uplifted!
Transcendence
Transcendence Comes to Oakmont Symposium
A Transcendence performance is always high energy, vibrant and electrifying! These world-class Broadway-level performers will mesmerize you with their awesome talent, enthusiasm, and joyous love for what they do. AND we’ll get a sneak preview of their summer repertoire. Be prepared to be amazed and uplifted!