Experienced quilters will be able to experiment with color and value by working on one or more quilts in the style of Judy Sisneros' book, 9-Patch Pizzazz. This technique will use a large-scale printed fabric or panels for a main emphasis and then we will add complementary and/or contrasting colors around it to make a quilt that can be very dramatic or very blended. Since these are known as "potato-chip quilts" (since you can't make just one!!), we will have an opportunity to try different combinations over the semester. Share your works in progress since part of the class will be to learn from the challenges experienced by class members. 

The quilts can be made to the size you desire, from wall-hanging size to bed-size quilts.  7 Classes. Note: No meeting on March 29; last class on April 5. Limit 15.

Susan Tennison
10:00 AM—12:00 PM Friday
Starts Feb. 16. Ends April 5.
Christ Lutheran Church
300 East Monroe Street (78704)

If the idea of discussing end-of-life matters makes you a bit uncomfortable, attending this class will help turn those apprehensions into opportunities for clarity and even some fascinating discoveries! Join us for a class made to empower you with reliable, and often intriguing, insights, so you can approach life's final chapter with confidence and peace of mind. During our time together, you'll learn from subject matter experts who are not here to sell anything but are eager to answer your questions and provide you with information about price variances at local funeral homes and cemeteries; prepaid funeral contracts; the comforting world of hospice care, the gift of organ, tissue, and whole-body donation, eco-friendly green burial options, and much more. Our sessions will invite you to engage in relaxed, small-group discussions, to help you identify your own end-of-life values and priorities and encourage you to review or complete your living will and other advance directives that state your wishes should you be unable to speak for yourself. For maximum benefit, we recommend taking time between class meetings to review and reflect on what you've learned. Please bring $10 for extensive handouts to our first class meeting. Limit 16 

Nancy Walker and Alex Casas, Funeral Consumers Alliance of Central Texas
10:00 AM—12:00 PM Friday
Starts Feb. 16. Ends April 5.
Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center
808 Nile Street (78702)

Plants are the basis of our entire ecosystem. This course focuses on identification, discussion and understanding of the vegetation that surrounds us. Topics will include native and cultivated flowers, trees, and grasses, as well as identification resources, pollination, animal/plant relationships, life cycles and botanical curiosities. Whether we greet the plants outside on their turf or bring bits of them inside to study, the emphasis will be on getting up close and personal with our floral friends (except for poison ivy). Hiking is not required during class; all levels of fitness are welcome. Limit 25.

Valerie Bugh
10:00 AM—12:00 PM Friday
Starts Feb. 16. Ends April 5.
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Room 205
3525 Bee Caves Road (78746)

Research has shown that there's nothing more effective for keeping aging brains alert and active than making music with other people. So why not learn to play acoustic guitar with like-minded folks? Students will learn basic guitar techniques, including tuning the guitar, chords to accompany songs, basic strum patterns, bass runs (individual notes played between chords) and playing scales. You’ll use these techniques to play and sing songs. Reading music is NOT TAUGHT in this course. A tablature notation will be introduced to show how the songs are played. An instruction book is available on this  website: http://www.voith-usa.com/Guitar/index.html. The website also has audio to help you learn. The book has a pdf file for each chapter. You can print them yourself, or printed copies are available for $20. Each student must provide his/her own guitar. If you need help selecting a guitar, email instructor ahead of time at ray.voith@gmail.com or read these notes: http://www.voith-usa.com/Guitar/Other/buyGuitar.pdf. The instructor has 30+ years’ experience teaching guitar. Limit 15.

Ray Voith
10:00 AM—12:00 PM Friday
Starts Feb. 16. Ends April 5.
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church Choir Room
8134 Mesa Drive (78759)

The object of this course is to get your family/personal stories on paper. Studies have shown that most family stories fade beyond two generations. Our lives are filled with funny, poignant, sad, spiritual, and meaningful stories. You have stories only you can write. Most of us have wished we could ask about our families, but there's no one left to ask. Leave that written legacy for others and save them that frustration. They will thank you for it. There is no instruction, but we will discuss stories and the process of writing—don’t worry, it's painless. Each member should expect to write one story each week and read it to the class. Listening to the stories of others frequently sparks memories of our own, which we can add to our list of stories to write. At the end of the semester, we will produce a class book to which I encourage you to contribute your stories. Need more info? Email the instructor at gayle-opie@austin.rr.com or call 512-704-6558 and leave a message. Be sure to include your name, phone number, and a brief message. Limit 12.

Gayle Opie, Facilitator
9:45 A.M.—12:15 P.M. Friday, Starts Feb. 16
The Church at Highland Park, Burchette Room
5206 Balcones Drive (78731)