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Courses - Thursday PM
| Course Schedule - 8 week courses unless otherwise noted |
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61. Course Cancelled THE CRAFT OF LIFE-STORY WRITING
This course will teach you the basics of turning memory fragments into polished stories. During short presentations each week, you will learn about the importance of story elements like structure, beginnings and endings and plot, and how to make stories compelling with dialogue, description, and personal reflection. We’ll cover how memory works, versions of truth, and boundaries of disclosure. Be prepared to write a brief story at home each week to read in class. By the end of the course, you will have at least half a dozen stories you can take pride in sharing with family and friends. Limit 12.
1:00—3:00 P.M. Thursday Starts Sept. 12
Belmont Village Senior Living West Lake Hills
4310 Bee Cave Road (78746)
62. INSIDE THE SAUSAGE FACTORY--THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE AND HOW LAWS ARE REALLY MADE
In the wake of the 140-day Regular Session of the 86th Legislature earlier this year, this course will provide a close-up look at the legislative process, the leadership and members of the Texas House and Senate, and the lobbyists and interest groups that seek to influence them. Class members will learn how legislators craft the biennial state budget as well as how to identify and review the content and legislative history of some of the most interesting bills and resolutions as they made their way through the process--or fell by the wayside. The course will include audio-video presentations, outside speakers, and an optional field trip to the Capitol. Our course instructor spent 16 years as a legislative and Congressional staffer and later served as a legislative and regulatory policy analyst for the Texas Dental Association and as a legislative liaison for the Texas Department of Transportation. Limit 25.
1:00—3:00 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 12
6600 Woodrow Avenue (78757)
63. JOURNALING YOUR JOURNEY Journaling is more than a way to record life experiences. It can help you get to know yourself better, provide a way to cope with stress, heal emotional wounds, and solve problems. It’s an excellent means of exploring the truths revealed in our dreams. Research shows that people who journal about personal challenges and painful events have better health outcomes than those who do not engage in such self-reflection. In this course you’ll learn several journaling techniques so you can find one or more that suit you best. You’ll also learn guidelines for maintaining a successful journaling practice, including steps to maintain privacy. Bring a blank notebook and two pens or pencils. A laptop may also be used. There will be journaling exercises in each class followed by discussion of how the journaling process went. No one will be required to read journal entries aloud, but those wishing to share may do so. Between classes you’ll be asked to journal using a designated technique. No writing experience necessary. Note: 1-week delayed start; 6 Classes. Limit 20.
1:00—3:00 PM, Thursday, starts Sept. 19
Highland Park Baptist Church, Room 225
5206 Balcones Drive (78731)
Practice playing the game of bridge in a structured setting in order to increase your knowledge and confidence and have fun while doing it! Bridge hands will be selected and guided by the coordinator, and skilled bridge professionals will provide advisory assistance during the class. We will play each hand and analyze the outcome together with group discussion. Learning to score will be included. This course is intended for people who already know the basics of playing bridge, and it is not appropriate for beginners. Limit 24.
1:00—3:00 P. M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 12
Highland Park Baptist Church, Room 134
5206 Balcones Drive (78731)
65. IMAGES OF SENIORS IN COMIC FILMS
This course will focus on portrayals of senior characters, either in starring or featured supporting roles, in a wide variety of comedies. Titles include two Swedish movies (A Man Called Ove and The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Nebraska, Dr. Strangelove, The Producers, A Room with a View, and a documentary on Carol Channing. The instructor picked personal favorites that should provoke laughter and lively discussion after the screenings. Michael Sirmons is a retired Professor of English and avid film buff who studied cinema history in college. Limit 16.
1:00—3:00 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 12
66. TED TALKS DISCUSSION GROUP (PLEASE NOTE: This section is the same as the Monday morning course). Does a wide range of viewpoints stimulate you? Then TED Talks is for you! With its agenda to make great ideas accessible and spark conversation, TED is a non-profit global community, welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world. Devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, audio/visual presentations (20 minutes or less), TED Talks cover a wide variety of topics, from science to business to global issues, 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. Participants view 3-4 TED Talks per week outside of class (web access/internet connection required); then gather in class to discuss these ideas. NOTE: TED Talks are not shown in class. In preparation for the first class, participants should view the following three TED Talks. Go to the website (https://www.ted.com/) and search for these presenters and titles: Sal Khan “Let's use video to reinvent education”; Atul Gawande “How do we heal medicine?”; and David Christian “The history of our world in 18 minutes”. For specific questions, please email the facilitator, Michelle d’Arcy, at tedlliaustin@gmail.com . Limit 20.
1:00—3:00 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 12 St. Luke United Methodist Church,
1306 West Lynn Street (78703)
This course is open to anyone wishing to gain a basic knowledge of the grammar, vocabulary, and syntax of biblical Greek. The course starts off with an introduction to the Greek alphabet, its pronunciation, and then moves into the basic grammar, an explication of cases, nouns and adjectives, and on into Greek verbs. Grammar explanations will be illustrated by New Testament passages so that the grammar is not just a dry set of rules apart from the actual texts. The course will move at the pace of the class. While it is intended for those with no exposure to Greek, for those with some previous knowledge of it (or Latin), we can work out a way for you to move ahead at your own pace. The instructor has found that this kind of course can get students reading the Bible in Greek remarkably quickly. There is no required textbook, but recommendations will be provided should anyone want to purchase one. There are a number of online resources, too. Please bring $3 to cover the cost of handouts. Limit 20.
1:00—3:00 P.M. Thursday, Sept. 12
The Village at the Triangle
4517 Triangle Avenue (78751)
68. ART AND ALL THE THINGS FOR WHICH WE ARE GRATEFUL
We will learn to use several mixed art media as we construct a visual gratitude journal. No artistic training is necessary, as this class calls on the creative spirit we were all born with. We’ll explore several types of media and ways to use them to express ourselves in this fun and playful class. You are welcome to bring any art supplies you have, but all necessary supplies will be provided. Please bring $10 materials fee to the first class. Limit 15.
1:00—3:00 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 12
3500 W. Parmer Lane (west of MoPac) (78727)
69. FROM PCs TO PHONES AND MORE—SIMPLE ADVICE ABOUT YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICES
This class will cover basic concepts and practical applications for any of your devices—laptop, PC or Apple, Android or iPhone, or tablets. You’ll learn how to make the most of your electronic device, simplifying everyday tasks. Students will complete a short survey on their top device peeves to guide class direction. Topics range from “What is the Cloud?” to buying or upgrading your devices. The instructor uses real life examples for up-to-date discussions and specializes in making the complex simple. Limit 20.
1:30—3:30 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 12
Bethany United Methodist Church
10010 Anderson Mill Road (78750)
Documentary films can entertain, enlighten, inspire, persuade. We will watch short- and feature- length films from the U.S. and other countries. Offerings are both from directors who stayed with the form and filmmakers who became best known for fiction. No documentary shown in previous classes will be shown again. Correct email address is important, as students receive emails at least once a week with film background and other film-related news. Note: No class Sept. 26 or Oct. 3; course extends one week. 7 Classes. Limit 35.
Betsy Tyson
2:00—4:00 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 12
Westminster Presbyterian Church
3208 Exposition Boulevard (78703)
71. T’AI CHI (TAIJI) AND QIGONG
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 since 1974—45 years! Limit 25.
2:00—3:30 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 12
Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church
7127 Bee Cave Road (78746)
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 since 1974—45 years! Limit 23.
3:30—4:30 P.M. Thursday, Starts Sept. 12
Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church
7127 Bee Cave Road (78746)
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