Dr. Edwin Dolan, resident of Lopez Island and author of books and articles on banking, monetary policy and environmental issues, leads a free seminar titled, “Understanding the Financial Crisis — Past, Present and Future Realities,” three days on three islands this month.

Learn about the origins of the crisis, how the credit crunch led to increasing losses and general panic, what we learned or thought we learned from our experiences during the Great Depression, and if our conventional policy tools will stem this tide. Participate in the discussion of these topics and in considering potential solutions.

Dolan, author of a widely used economics textbook, teaches economic policy and global economics each fall at the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, Latvia and the University of Economics in Prague, Czech Republic. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from Yale University and has taught at Dartmouth College, the University of Chicago, George Mason University and several other schools in the United States as well as in Europe.

This is a free educational seminar sponsored by the Associated Students of Skagit Valley College. Dates:

— Jan. 10, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lopez Island Senior Center (at the Firehouse).

— Jan. 24, 1-4 p.m., Mullis Community Senior Center in Friday Harbor.

— Jan. 31, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Orcas Island Senior Center.

Advanced registration requested. Call Skagit Valley College San Juan Center, 378-3220, or visit 221 Weber Way, Friday Harbor. Pre-registrants will have an information packet reserved and waiting for them at the seminar. The college encourages high school and college students to attend — this is your future.