Taught by a native speaker with a deep love for her language and her country, this course provides the first basics of vocabulary, grammar and pro-nunciation to get started speaking, reading and writing German. Learn to introduce yourself, ask basic questions for time and travel, describe your interests . . . and get hooked! Please bring $3 for course materials.

Limit 20.

 

Henrike Belz

12:30—2:00 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 13

Crestview United Methodist Church

1300 Morrow Street (78757)

This class will focus on how the LGBT community was portrayed in 1990s films, an era in which sexual minorities were gaining wider social acceptance. Titles include three comedies (In and Out, Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss, and Happy, Texas), two serious dramas (Boys Don’t Cry and Priest), one documentary (Last Call at Maud’s), and two World War II historical dramas (Bent and Antonia’s Line, a Dutch film that won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film). Michael Sirmons is a retired Professor of English and an avid film buff who studied cinema history in college. The highlight of his 36-year teaching career was a course he developed on Gay and Lesbian writers. Limit 16. CLOSED CLASS

 

Michael Sirmons

12:45—3:00 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 13

Faith Lutheran Church

6600 Woodrow Avenue (78757)

Does a wide range of viewpoints stimulate you? Then TED Talks (Technology, Entertainment and Design) is for you! With its agenda to make great ideas accessible and spark conversation, TED provides short, powerful, audio/visual presentations (20 minutes or less) covering a wide variety of topics, from science to business to global issues. It’s a clearinghouse of free knowledge from a range of inspired thinkers and a community of curious individuals willing to engage with ideas and with each other. In this course, participants will view 2-3 TED Talks per week outside of class, then gather in class to discuss these ideas. NOTE: TED Talks are not shown in the class. In preparation for the first class, participants should view the following three TED Talks (approximately 36 minutes total):

https://www.ted.com/talks/lera_boroditsky_how_language_shapes_the_way_we_think

https://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_dent_to_eliminate_waste_we_need_to_rediscover_thrift

https://www.ted.com/talks/leo_igwe_why_i_choose_humanism_over_faith

For specific questions, please email the facilitator, Michelle d’Arcy, at tedlliaustin@gmail.com

Limit 20.  CLOSED CLASS

Michelle d’Arcy

1:00—3:00 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 13

St. Luke United Methodist Church

1306 West Lynn Street (78703)

If you’d like to explore end-of-life options without someone trying to sell you a policy, a casket, or a point of view, this course is for you! We’ll discuss ways to reduce final expenses; compare prices at local funeral homes; and talk about eco-friendly green burial, tissue, organ, and whole-body donation; palliative care and hospice; and a whole lot more. You’ll have an opportunity to complete medical directives and learn ways to discuss your choices with your family and healthcare providers. Presenters include subject matter experts from the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Central Texas and other organizations that educate the public about end-of-life options. Please bring $10 to first class session for extensive handouts. Limit 20.

Nancy Walker, Coordinator

1:00—3:00 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 13

Genesis Presbyterian Church

1507 Wilshire Boulevard (78722)

This is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. The process increases focus and creativity while providing artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense of personal well-being. No drawing skills are required for taking this class! After registering, contact the instructor for a list of inexpensive supplies at cherryt@austin.rr.com . Limit 30.

 

Cherry Taylor

1:00—3:00 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 13

United Christian Church

3500 W. Parmer Lane (west of MoPac) (78727)

For students who already know how to use a foam Kumihimo disk and follow simple braiding patterns, this class will continue to explore the ancient art of Japanese braiding using more intricate and exotic patterns. We will learn several new methods and experiment with colors, textures and beads. The class will be fast-paced; the basic techniques will not be taught. NOTE - students must have completed the Beginning Kumihimo course. Students will be expected to have the basic equipment and provide their own materials to be used in the braiding process. Limit 20.

 

Rick Miller

1:00—3:00 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 13

Highland Park Baptist Church

5206 Balcones Drive (78731)

It’s hard to keep up with technology changes. This class will cover basic concepts and practical applications for your devices. You’ll learn how to make the most of your electronic device, simplifying everyday tasks. Bring a written list of your top device peeves to class and we will explain and unravel your issues. The curriculum is guided by student needs, questions and desires, and can range from buying a device that suits your needs, to choosing when to upgrade software. Any portable device—laptop PC, Apple, tablet or phone—is fair game. Bring ’em if you got ’em. The instructor started using electronic devices in her professional career in the mid-1980s and has continued to upgrade through the latest operating systems. She learned how to use devices well and solve problems as deadlines loomed and tech help had gone home for the night. She specializes in making the complex simple. Limit 20.

 CLOSED CLASS

 

Linda Gibson

1:30—3:30 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 13

Bethany United Methodist Church

10010 Anderson Mill Road (78750)

These forms have been used for centuries as gentle, soothing, enjoyable exercises to increase circulation, enhance balance and concentration, and gently tone the body for health and well-being. We will do Qigong exercises developed for optimum health, as well as T’ai Chi (Taiji) forms. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. The instructor has been practicing and teaching these forms for more than 35 years. Limit 26.  CLOSED CLASS

Anya Rylander-Jones, PhD

2:00—3:30 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 13

Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church

7127 Bee Cave Road (78746)

This course starts off with the basic grammar structure for a regular sentence (subject, object, verb) and the application of cases and their identifying articles. For questions regarding level readiness, please contact the instructor through LLI. If you have never taken German before, you might want to join the “true beginners” class. (See course 64). Please bring $3 for course materials. Limit 20.

Henrike Belz

2:15—3:45 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 13

Crestview United Methodist Church

1300 Morrow Street (78757)

We’ll explore the variety, sources and influences on American comedy through the 1950s—from the physical humor and sight gags of silent stars like vaudevillian Buster Keaton to the sophisticated satire of émigrés like Billy Wilder. Features are shown in entirety with no class break. When occasional films run 2 hours, class extends to 4:15. Correct email address is important as students receive email at least once a week with film background and other film-related news. Note: no class Nov. 1. Class extends one week. Limit 35.

 

Betsy Tyson

2:00—4:00 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 13

Westminster Presbyterian Church

3208 Exposition Boulevard (78703)

Using yoga exercises, we strengthen and tone the body, enhance flexibility in the joints, improve balance and focus, reduce stress, and improve circulation and concentration. Please bring a mat or blanket to class and wear comfortable, non-binding clothes. As with any exercise program, check first with your doctor, especially if there is any history of untreated high blood pressure, eye complications from disease, or other health concerns. The instructor has been practicing and teaching yoga for more than 40 years. Limit 23.   CLOSED CLASS

 

Anya Rylander-Jones, PhD

3:30—4:30 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 13

Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church

7127 Bee Cave Road (78746)

 Download Registration Card

Download the Spring 2018 Catalog (pdf)