RMA Archives

RMA Presents “Mr. B: George Balanchine’s 20th Century”

Greenwich Sentinel·
February 7, 2024·

Dr. Homans gave a detailed account of her extensive research and personal experiences in writing a book about the life and work of George Balanchine, whom she considered one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. She delved into Balanchine's multifaceted personality, his profound influence on the world of dance, and the challenges Dr. Homans faced in uncovering his inner thoughts and desires due to his limited writings. She also explored Balanchine's complex relationships, his enduring impact on the world of dance, and his deep-seated passion for his art, offering a comprehensive insight into the life of this iconic figure of the dance world.

RMA Presents “Histories of Asian Imperialism and Today’s China”

Greenwich Sentinel·
February 1, 2024·

The lecture by Professor Westad focused on the historical context of Asian imperialism, China's international reforms, and their global economic consequences. He emphasized the need for the US to employ measures such as deterrence and improved communication to manage tensions and avoid potential conflicts in its relationship with China. The Q&A session addressed various topics, including China's military influence, its relationship with Russia, and the implications of its economic support for North Korea.

RMA Presents “From Search Engine to Generative AI: How ChatGPT Changed the World in a Few Months”

Greenwich Sentinel·
January 24, 2024·

Dr. Rick Lawrence discussed the differences between the Google search engine, which uses the PageRank algorithm to display verbatim text from reliable websites, and artificial intelligence (AI), which can create new responses based on a large database but may not always be accurate. He also addressed the capabilities of AI, the challenges of regulating AI, and the potential impact of AI on society, including issues such as misinformation, job elimination, and the responsibility for regulating AI. Further research is needed to determine whether and how AI can be controlled to behave ethically.

RMA Presents “Cannabinoids and Cooking”

Greenwich Sentinel·
January 4, 2024·

Dr. Joseph Feuerstein, an assistant professor of medicine at Columbia and Quinnipiac, discussed his book "The Cannabinoid Cookbook," co-authored with celebrity chef Daniel Green, which explores how to use herbs and spices to improve health without CBD or hemp products. He highlighted the use of natural foods like black pepper, turmeric, basil, rosemary, flax, oregano, cloves, and cinnamon to enhance sleep, mood, and reduce stress. Additionally, he shared a video of Chef Daniel preparing a dish that provides essential nutrients, promoting good cholesterol, blood pressure, and mimicking the effect of insulin in the body.

RMA Presents “What You Need to Know About Your Cataract”

Greenwich Sentinel·
January 3, 2024·

Dr. Cynthia MacKay discussed cataracts, the leading cause of blindness globally, and cataract extraction, the most common surgical procedure in medicine. She emphasized that almost everyone will develop a cataract if they live long enough, with the majority having a dense cataract that can significantly impact daily activities by age seventy. Dr. MacKay also provided insights into the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of cataracts, including the importance of lifestyle factors such as avoiding smoking, wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, and controlling blood sugar for diabetics.

RMA Presents “Recent Multi-State Actions by Attorneys General”

Greenwich Sentinel·
November 6, 2023·

Now in his second term as Attorney General of Connecticut, William Tong is working with many other state Attorneys General to sue Meta for the harms they are doing to their young users. His efforts parallel his previous lawsuits against the pharmaceutical companies that produce and sell opioids. Mr. Tong said that the states have to take these actions because Congress is unwilling or unable to rein in the rapacious social media giants.

RMA Presents “The Reluctant Soldier”

Greenwich Sentinel·
October 25, 2023·

In the novel “The Reluctant Soldier,” Virgil Carpenter becomes a combatant in World War I and joins the "Harlem Hellfighters," a famous African American regiment. This fictionalized story follows him as an expatriate in Paris during the "jazz era." When World War II breaks out, he is recruited into the French Resistance.

RMA Presents “My Career as a Major Label Recording Executive”

Greenwich Sentinel·
October 11, 2023·

RMA member Bob Morgan, a member of the Melody Men, described his entry into the music world,starting with his days as a bass player for the Yale Dixieland jazz band, "Eli's Chosen Six." He was subsequently employed at Columbia Records, rising to the position of Executive Director of Columbia's Epic Records label. He related inside stories from his career, where he worked with many prominent artists, bringing Columbia into the rock music era.

RMA Presents: “Our Man in Tokyo: An American Ambassador and the Countdown to Pearl Harbor”

Greenwich Sentinel·
October 3, 2023·

Coming from a privileged Boston family background, Joseph Grew dedicated his life to the Foreign Service, and in 1932 was appointed Ambassador to Japan by President Herbert Hoover. He became alarmed at the rising power of militarists in the 1930s, as exemplified by the Japanese invasion of Manchuria. He worked with Japanese leaders to try to moderate their belligerent foreign policy, and tried to warn the US of the growing danger, but his superiors in the State Department undermined his efforts.

RMA Presents: “Raising Monarchs”

Greenwich Sentinel·
September 20, 2023·

Jo Ubogy shared beautiful photos of her gardens and Monarch butterflies in all their stages of metamorphosis. She also warned of the dangers to the existence of the Monarchs---logging and land development, as well as climate change and pesticides. Private citizens, municipalities and businesses could all be part of the solution by planting native species of shrubbery and avoiding the use of pesticides.

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