Technology User Group (TUG) Discussions for all users at all levels via hybrid meetings (in-person and Zoom) after the regular meeting, at about 11:45 a.m. (first and fourth Tuesdays of the month).
- Jan. 7 – Planning for 2025 & WSJ predictions on "What's ahead for technology"
- Jan. 28 – New security login PASSKEYS
Timely Topics Discussion in-person and via Zoom, with participation encouraged from all in attendance. Around 11:45 a.m. on the second Tuesday of the month.
- Jan. 14 – The topic will be -- "Should the U.S. change the rules for birthright citizenship? The 14th Amendment states: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
Trips Scheduled (For Old Guard members and their guests)
This group needs a chair. Any volunteers?
Walkers Group walks or hikes are once again feasible – but this group also needs a chair or coordinator. Volunteers welcome.
January Program Chair – Bob Beller
- Jan 7 – Steal a Pencil for Me: A Compelling Love Story about Two Holocaust Survivors – "Steal a Pencil for Me" is a memoir by Jack and Ina Polak that was made into an award-winning documentary feature film. It recounts the story of the couple's love nurtured through exchanging letters while both were held in German concentration camps. After liberation they married and moved to the US. Jack became a founder and long-time president of the Anne Frank Center USA and lectured extensively throughout the world on the lessons to be learned from the Holocaust. Our speaker Fred Polak is Jack and Ina’s eldest son. After Jack’s death at the age of 102, Fred dedicated himself to retelling his parents’ story and carrying forward their lessons from the Holocaust. [video]
- Jan 14 – How Rutgers Provides Academic Support Services to Student Athletes – Our speaker Scott Walker is the executive director of the Rutgers’ Academic Support Services for Student Athletes program (ASSSA), and a Princeton graduate. Services provided by ASSSA are available to all student-athletes at Rutgers. During his tenure, which includes entry of Rutgers into the Big Ten, Scott has overseen the expansion and modernization of the program and the unprecedented academic success achieved by individual student-athletes and team sports. Scott will provide an insider’s view of services provided by ASSSA and how it has evolved over the years. [video on request by members]
- Jan 21 – How Invisalign® Revolutionized Orthodontics and Expanded the Use of Clear Teeth Aligners –Speaker Dr. Stanley Gersch has been a practicing orthodontist in Westfield, Cranford and Linden for over 35 years and is the director of Invisalign® training in NYU’s post graduate orthodontic department. Stan was one of the first orthodontists in the U.S. to use Invisalign® in his practice and has been nationally recognized and awarded for his Invisalign® treatment and expertise. Stan will talk about his early interest in how new technologies could enhance treatment for his patients, his early-stage introduction to Invisalign®, and how Invisalign® grew to become the leader in clear teeth aligners. [in-person and on Zoom – for access: [email protected]]
- Jan 28 – Changes in Traditional Concepts of the Law in the U.S. – Our speaker, the Hon. Joel B. Rosen, will speak about the changing landscape in U.S. law, including the notion of the rule of law, federal prosecutions, judicial review, and ethics. Judge Rosen is a former United States magistrate judge, and as a former partner of the law firm Montgomery McKracken, was a nationally recognized leader in the practice of alternative dispute resolution. Over the course of his career, Judge Rosen has overseen thousands of state and federal legal matters, lectured extensively on constitutional principles, and was an adjunct faculty member of Rutgers Law School. [in-person and on Zoom]
February Birthdays Emcee – Larry Cunningham
February Program Chair – DJ Peron
- Feb 4 – TBA (Note:The scheduled speaker had to withdraw. Replacement will appear soon.)
- Feb 11 – The Surrealist Art Movement – Our speaker Dr. Didier Peron will describe the Dada and Surrealist movements of the 20th century, which have been the subjects of his fascination and research. He will show how Dadaism emerged during World War I as a rebellious movement against the war and the establishment, and how surrealism came to be born. These two movements have been of extreme importance in the evolution of art from post-war modern art up to our present days. The presentation will be like a stroll in a museum with many art representations shown. [in-person and on Zoom]
- Feb 18 – Current and Future Trends in Summit – Invited speaker Elizabeth Fagan, MD, is the mayor of Summit, NJ, and has been an active resident there for more than 20 years. She will discuss recent and future projects for Summit. Some of her updates will be about the coming old firehouse land project and street blockage for restaurant dining. State regulations for affordable housing is a topic that affects all municipalities in New Jersey. Bring your questions about Summit and trends among many NJ cities and towns. [in-person and on Zoom]
- Feb 25 – Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids – Marykate Vaughn, AuD, CCC-A, is a doctor of audiology affiliated with Summit Health. She will speak about the various ways to test hearing in children and adults. She will discuss the large variety of hearing aid devices on the market with their pros and cons. She will also discuss the common reasons why people end up not using their hearing aids and the remediating solutions. Dr. Vaughn has over 30 years of experience in audiology. Bring your questions about hearing and aids. [in-person and on Zoom]
March Birthdays emcee – DJ Peron
