Along with exceptional courses and lively social activities, PLP membership enables you to participate in discussion groups known as Fridays with Friends. These year-round Friday forums offer opportunities to expand your perspectives on an array of interesting topics while connecting with old and new friends. Every Friday, PLP offers two two-hour programs on a variety of topics in a variety of styles beginning at noon. Fridays with Friends groups include Current Events, Avid Book Readers, History, Science and Technology, Arts and Letters, the Film Forum, and Travel. The schedule for each Friday is posted on Tuesday afternoon.
Current Events: Share your ideas in discussions on contemporary issues and events occurring at the local, national and global levels. Keep up with international diplomacy, the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, our competition with China, and the impacts of pandemics, climate change and artificial intelligence.
Science and Technology: Explore the latest scientific discoveries and technological advances from dynamic presenters. Bring your curiosity to in-depth presentations on such topics as geology, climate, the global transition to clean energy, artificial intelligence, computer applications and more.
Poetry: Step up to the microphone to read a poem or two – published favorites or your own originals. Even if you drop in just to listen, open mic events are a great way to celebrate poetry and meet other poetry enthusiasts in the community.
Avid Readers: Connect with others who share a love of books. Read monthly selections drawn from notable recent fiction, nonfiction or classical literature and come ready to join a lively discussion led by members.
Film Forum: View art movies, foreign films and outstanding classics, followed by a lively, free-flowing discussion based on reflections and insights.
History: Learn about historical events, people and places. Discuss their significance and gain a deeper understanding of the power of history in shaping the present.
Travel: Expand your perspective on other places around the country and around the globe with presentations from people who have been there. Participants share their adventures with photos and videos and sometimes plan group trips.
Art History: Explore the history of art with presentations and videos on artists, exhibits and world-class museums. Learn about the development of the visual arts through the ages. View the works of Renaissance masters, impressionists, contemporary painters, sculptors and photographers.
Kanopy Klub: Discussion of a film that has been viewed by the group ahead of time. The selected films are available on Kanopy, a free film-streaming service of the county library system. A library card, obtained online through the library, is required to access the service. You must be a member PLP to join the Kanopy Klub.