Noon Forum Series

Our Adventures in Learning program offers Fabulous Speakers and Terrific Topics.

Noon Forum starts Fridays at noon and adjourns at 1:15pm.

Click here to read all about our Noon Forum Series 2012

Lunch from Comfort Catering is $6 or you may bring your own sack lunch.

January 6
A Life in Dance
Billie Mahoney began with a baton-twirling act, then mastered advanced tap. She performed in New York for 40 years: in musical theater with Bob Fosse, touring with Bob Hope, and appearing on both Sid Caesar’s and Ed Sullivan’s TV shows.

January 13
Boulevard Brewing Company
John McDonald worked as a skilled cabinetmaker until a trip to Europe inspired him to create his own small craft brewery. Opened in 1989, it is now the second largest in Missouri with distribution in 12 states.

January 20
Joplin’s Tornado Tragedy
Two accomplished journalists will review the Joplin story: Eric Adler, senior feature reporter at the Kansas City Star for 26 years, also teaches journalism at KU; Laura Bauer is winner of the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism award and Investigative Reporters and Editors’ honors.

January 27
Local Theater Growth
In his 30-some years as both reporter and critic at the Kansas City Star, Robert Trussell has covered film, the arts, entertainment events, and music from pop, country and jazz to the classics. He’ll explore the exceptional growth of local theater productions.

February 3
Jesse James Museum
A Baptist minister’s son born in Kearney, Missouri, Jesse James joined the Confederacy as a teen.
Postwar, he joined other guerillas robbing trains and banks, including a murderous hit in Liberty. His mother later sold his grave rocks as souvenirs. Liz Murphy, tour guide and archivist, brings the tales.

February 10
Anne Peterson
For 22 years, Anne Peterson co-anchored local news with Wendall Anschutz. Nominated for Emmys numerous times, she was the first Kansas City anchor to specialize in health and family issues. TV journalist and talk show host Anne Peterson speaks on the “Heart of Broadcasting.”

February 17
“Harry Truman: “His Life, His Legacy and His Library” by retired educator Larry Sebby, Library volunteer. Hear of Truman’s early family farm years and southern influences, to his last nine years at the Library — sometimes answering the main phones, playing piano and leading impromptu tours for stray tourists.

February 24
Linda Hall Library
Linda Hall marks 65 years as the world’s foremost independent research library devoted to science, engineering and technology. It offers exhibitions, a rare book collection, and lectures by Nobel laureates and Pulitzer Prize winning authors at no charge. Development Director Kimberly Allen is presenter.

March 2
Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber, begun in 1887, includes 2500 businesses, non-profits and civic organizations. President Jim Heeter, former city councilman, fills us in on current issues and the innovative ways businesses are growing.

March 9
KU Cancer Center
Dr. Roy Jenson began his medical work in pathology and cell biology. Currently, director of KU’s Cancer Center as well as Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute, his lab has led studies in the genetic alterations resulting in breast cancer.