Have you always wanted to make your own clothes but didn't know how, or maybe you just aren’t satisfied with your level of garment sewing? This course will give you the knowledge to take your "homemade" clothing to "handmade and high-end". It is not a traditional hands-on sewing class but an exploration of sewing high-end garments on your own, including the language of sewing, preparing for projects, and understanding the fundamentals at every level so that you have a solid foundation and the best chance of making a garment you will actually want to wear. A beginner-friendly class, it will also be informative for experienced sewers. By the end of this course, you will have a firm understanding of sewing machines, patterns, tools, and fabrics. Working on a project on your own at home is optional. Each class will be around 40 minutes of formal class time, with 1 hour of discussion/show-and-tell/individual projects or free sewing time for those students who choose to work on a project. If the class is interested, we can add basic pattern blocks to the lesson plans. You will need to bring a notebook/sketchbook and a glue stick or tape. For this course, you do not need a sewing machine but are encouraged to bring yours if you want to do some sewing at the end of class. Note: Class begins February 20. No class on March 5. Limit 15.

Raeven K. Harris
10:00 AM—12:00 PM Tuesday
Starts Feb. 20.
The Church at Highland Park, Burchette Room
5206 Balcones Drive (78731)

This course is recommended for students with prior Yogic practice and basic understanding of Yogic postures and breath work. 'Asanas' or Yoga postures selected for this class will emphasize range of motion, flexibility, balance, and strength. Bring a Yoga mat and wear loose comfortable clothing. Limit 20.

Zareen Shah
10:45 AM—11:45 AM Tuesday
Starts Feb. 13. Ends April 2.
Unity Church of Austin
5501 W. US Hwy 290 (78735)

Continue learning to play the recorder, with other students. This course is for students who have completed the first session of intermediate recorder, using the "Sweet Pipes Recorder Book - Vol. 2 Alto" instruction book. Students who have prior experience with playing alto recorder and would like a refresher are also welcomed, after speaking with the instructor. You will need to have these materials and bring them to each class: the recorder you used in Intermediate Alto Recorder 1; a music stand, and "Sweet Pipes Recorder Book - Vol. 2 Alto" instruction book, by Burakoff and Hetrick. Other materials will be provided throughout the semester, including audio clips and sheet music created by the instructor, and made available on a website. Once this course is completed, you should be prepared to join the Recorder Consort, also offered through LLI. Limit 8.

Susan Richter
10:45—Noon Tuesday, Starts Feb. 13
Christ Lutheran Church
300 E. Monroe Street (78704)

This course uses the online service News in Slow Spanish (intermediate level) to provide reading and listening experience on topics concerning political, cultural and scientific news with a focus on Latin America. You will read a weekly compilation of news and prepare to discuss it informally in small groups in class. The remaining class time is spent discussing and practicing grammatical structures and vocabulary and relevant cultural references from the news items. We’ll spend some time on the formation and use of the past subjunctive and some other selected language topics. Students need to be familiar with present, imperfect, and preterit tenses in the indicative mood. Some acquaintance with the present subjunctive is advisable. Students must be able to use a computer or tablet outside of class to read the weekly news and view videos that complement news stories and provide listening practice with a variety of regional dialects. A group (reduced rate) subscription to News in Slow Spanish (about $10 per month for 2 months) is required. Bring $1.50 to class for handouts. Limit 22.

Jann Randle
10:00 AM—12:00 PM Tuesday
Starts Feb. 13. Ends April 2.
Lamar Senior Activity Center
2874 Shoal Crest Avenue (78705)

We will begin with what is contained in an Estate Plan including a Last Will and Testament, Medical Power of Attorney, Statutory Durable Power of Attorney, Directive to Physician, HIPAA Release, and, if necessary, a Trust agreement. Then, we navigate through the Probate process from the filing of an Application to the closing of the Estate, as well as what happens if one passes away without proceedings. We conclude with a review of Federal Trust, Estate and Gift taxes. This is the same course as #46. 6 Classes. Limit 20.

Andrea V. Comsudi, Attorney and Counselor at Law
10:00 AM—12:00 PM Tuesday
Starts Feb. 13. Ends March 19.
Triumphant Love Lutheran Church, Upper Room
9508 Great Hills Trail (78759)

MEN and WOMEN will be inspired and encouraged to follow an independent, happy lifestyle with a balanced diet by using these 10 ways to improve your heart health provided by the American Heart Association. With fun physical activities and energizing TEXERCISE exercises, we'll have a total body workout for muscular strength and cardiovascular health and stretching with breathing patterns to increase mind and body relaxation. Learn a variety of stress busters for a healthier heart plus the magic of meditation. Research shows we can live longer and healthier with proper nutrition and daily exercise. It's never too late to start exercising your 650 muscles! Dress in comfortable fitness attire and wear your walking shoes. Bring hand weights and water or electrolyte drink. Limit 15.

Rusty Cribbs
10:00 AM—11:30 AM Tuesday
Starts Feb. 13. Ends April 2.
Ascension Lutheran Church
6420 Hart Lane (78731)

Ever wonder how laces such as Belgian, Swiss, or Chantilly are made? You will learn the basic techniques of weaving lace using bobbins, which may lead to using other threads, yarn, and/or wire to create your own designs. Bring a box of straight pins, scissors, pin cushion and “cover cloth” (a large cloth table napkin or any piece of fabric about 18 inches square). Bring $5 to the first class for materials. Limit 12.

Karen Hickman and Pat Tittizer
10:00 AM—12:00 PM Tuesday
Starts Feb. 13. Ends April 2.
United Christian Church, Fellowship Area
3500 W. Parmer Lane (78727)

Calling all Queen-agers and Goddesses from 50-100.  Belly dancing is a great way to exercise, gain strength, increase balance and range of motion and just have fun!  In this beginning class you will learn the proper position, the basic steps, isolation of movements, four basic rhythms and a short choreography. Wear regular workout clothes and soft-soled shoes (or bare feet). Restrictive clothing such as blue jeans and running shoes are not recommended. Our instructor teaches a melding of American styling with classical Egyptian. She took her first belly dance class in 1972 and has been teaching all levels of classes since 1986. She has performed locally and in other states and continues to study the dance, attending workshops and sponsoring them, bringing instructors in from across the U.S., as well as from Germany and Tunisia.  Her philosophy is: Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass . . . It's about learning to dance in the rain. Please bring $2 to the first class for handouts. The music, should you wish to have it, is available on CD for $5 or thumb drive for $10. Limit 25.

Jeanette Cunningham
10:00 AM—11:30 AM Tuesday
Starts Feb. 13. Ends April 2.
Dittmar Recreation Center
1009 W. Dittmar Road (78745)

By 2050 the world human population will increase from 3 billion to 10 billion. From where will all those people get food, clean water, and precious metals? How can the oceans sustainably provide their bounty? We need to apply our creative energies to developing 70% of the earth’s surface to provide a better life for all creatures on earth. The key is understanding how the oceans work and how oceans impact life on earth. Only 20% of the oceans have been explored. We have a lot of learning to do quickly. This course examines

• Blue Planet Dynamics—how the earth became the “Goldilocks” planet of our solar system

• Keystone Species—how certain species keep everything in balance

• The Role of Whales in a thriving ocean and clean atmosphere

• Sustainable Fisheries—from hunting wild fish to farming fish

• Water, Water Everywhere; Not a Drop to Drink—Having enough fresh water for 10 billion people

• Who Owns the Oceans?—Sovereignty limits and mineral mining at 20,000 feet

• Mapping the Oceans to Understand Them.

Our ever-popular instructor, retired Naval officer and business executive, brings his love of sailing and world history to bear on his LLI courses. 6 Classes. Limit 50.

Todd Clayton
10:00 AM—12:00 PM Tuesday
Starts Feb. 13. Ends March 19.
The Village at the Triangle
4517 Triangle Avenue (78751)

In this ongoing seminar exploring how the arts affect us and why they matter, the course this term will take a clear-eyed look at value judgments in the arts. The remark “My kid could have painted that” sums up the topic. What could be more basic to appreciating art than to know what a work of art is, whether it is good or bad, and why this is so? Yet beware the snobbish opprobrium that awaits all who venture here. Tired of academic faddism, nonsensical theory, and evaluative relativism in discussions of the visual, verbal, and performing arts? Want to spend eight weeks in the company of common sense and works of art from diverse genres? This course is for you. For receiving class assignments and materials for discussion, an email address is a must. Limit 20.

Joseph Longino, PhD
10:00 AM—12:00 PM Tuesday
Starts Feb. 13. Ends April 2.
Westover Hills Church of Christ, Room 203/204
8332 Mesa Drive (78759)

This course is conducted entirely in French. Our textbook, Encore une Fois by Henry L. Herbst and Hale Sturges II, guides students in reading comprehension of Petit Nicolas stories, vocabulary building and review, grammar review, and pronunciation.  Limit 25.

Betty Clough
10:00 AM—12:00 PM Tuesday
Starts Feb. 13. Ends April 2.
Westover Hills Church of Christ, Room 201
8332 Mesa Drive (78759)

This class is designed as an introduction to the practice of Yoga. It is a slower-paced class, focused on developing clear and safe alignment in basic yoga postures called 'Asanas'. You will learn gentle stretches, simple breath work, and relaxation techniques to help you become comfortable with Yoga. Bring a Yoga mat and wear loose, comfortable clothing. Limit 20.

Zareen Shah
9:30AM—10:30 AM Tuesday
Starts Feb. 13. Ends April 2.
Unity Church of Austin
5501 W. US Hwy 290 (78735)

This course has been canceled.