Learn about the work of Chilean writer Isabel Allende, then read and discuss her recent novel A Long Petal of the Sea (Largo pétalo de mar, 2019). This historical novel is a love story set against a backdrop of war, migration and exile, and dictatorship in Spain, France, and Chile during the period from 1938 to 1994. In addition to small-group and whole-class discussions of the book, we will examine in depth the rich and multifaceted historical background of Allende's fictional story: the Spanish Civil War, the poet-diplomat Pablo Neruda and the mission of the SS Winnipeg, and the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile. Our discussions will be complemented with a variety of relevant interdisciplinary materials, including literary texts, visual art, film and music, and historical resources.

The course is taught in English; you may read the book in English or Spanish and participation in Spanish is welcome. Austin Public Library has many copies of the novel in both English and Spanish. Audible has both Spanish and English versions of the audiobook. Local bookstores and online sources also carry new and used copies in your preferred language. We will begin to discuss the novel in the second week of class.

Please bring $3 for course handouts. Note:  One-week delayed start. 6 Classes. Limit 40.

Catharine E. Wall
10:00 AM—12:00 PM Wednesday
Starts Feb. 21. Ends March 27.
The Village at the Triangle
4517 Triangle Avenue (78751)

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. We conclude with a review of Federal Trust, Estate and Gift taxes. Note:  One-week delayed start; no meeting on March 13. This course is the same as #28. 6 Classes. Limit 20.

Andrea V. Comsudi, Attorney and Counselor at Law
10:00 AM—12:00 PM Wednesday
Starts Feb. 21. Ends April 3.
Abiding Love Lutheran Church
7210 Brush Country Road (78749)

This course examines some of the best knowledge currently available on topics such as spirituality, love, faith, service, prayer, meditation, marriage and family life, positive thinking, mirth, and gratitude, each of which makes unique and important contributions to a happier state of mind and a more peaceful life. The class is based on the instructor’s book, The Secrets of True Happiness, about which Dr. Stephen Post, best-selling author of Why Good Things Happen to Good People, has said "I can easily state that this is the finest book on happiness that I have ever read with regard to both content, style, and potential to transform lives.” Note: Class begins February 21. 6 Classes. Limit 25.

Farnaz Masumian
10:00 AM—12:00 PM Wednesday
Starts Feb. 14. Ends March 27.
Unity Church of Austin
5501 W. US Hwy. 290 (78735)

This course is for those who already read music and have some previous experience playing one or more sizes of recorder. A "consort" is an ensemble of soprano, alto, tenor, and bass recorders, with occasional use of other sizes. We learn and play music from the Medieval and Renaissance periods to the present. If you enjoy playing recorder music and would like to be part of a consort, then this group is for you. To register as a new member, please contact the group facilitator at 512-825-4252 or richter@haus.org. She will provide more information about what's needed for the course. Limit 20.

Susan Richter
10:15 AM—12:00 PM Wednesday
Starts Feb. 14. Ends April 3.
Genesis Presbyterian Church, Sanctuary
1507 Wilshire Boulevard (78722)

This class is suitable for people who have taken Birds Part 1 or who have some birding experience. There will be four to five field trips (weather permitting) and the remaining sessions will be in the classroom. Field trips to various parks will take place within about a 30 minute drive of the Highway 183/N. Mopac intersection. Plan to dress for the weather and expect to walk up to a mile and a half on mainly level surfaces, which may not be paved. A few locations may not have restrooms available. You will get more practice with field ID, and, while part 1 focused on backyard birds, this class will acquaint you with the broader diversity of birds that occur in Travis County. Classroom topics will include migration, owls, raptors and bird vocalizations. An experienced teacher and avid birder, our instructor has taught for Travis Audubon, the Native Plant Society and many local groups. She gardens for birds, with 98 species on her yard list. Limit 18.

Jane Tillman
10:00 AM—12:00 PM Wednesday
Starts Feb. 14. Ends April 3.
Triumphant Love Lutheran Church, Upper Room
9508 Great Hills Trail (78759)      

This fourth-LLI-semester course assumes students already know basic Spanish vocabulary and pronunciation and have some knowledge of present and past tense verbs. We will practice those, add the compound tenses with haber, and more. You’ll speak, work, and play games with your table partners in Spanish. Expect to do homework using free, online resources and more. It’s a fun course for serious students. Bring a notebook for organizing handouts and a good Spanish-English dictionary. Please bring $3 to the first meeting for copies. Limit 25.

Julie Sanford
10:00 AM—12:00 PM Wednesday
Starts Feb. 14. Ends April 3.
Westover Hills Church of Christ, Room 201
8332 Mesa Drive (78759)

This class may be considered B1 level according to the CEFR. This means you'll be able to talk about most topics at least in simple language, construct more complicated sentences, listen to longer audio clips, and start explaining new vocabulary mostly in German. Most explanations by the teacher are in German. If you are not sure whether this class is right for you, try this placement test: https://learngerman.dw.com/de/übung-3/1-36782618/e-36783167 and/or contact the instructor via email (deutsch2henrike@gmail.com)

Ich helfe gerne! Bis bald! Ich freu' mich drauf!

Please bring $5 for copies to the first class. Limit 16.

Henrike Belz
10:00 AM—11:30 AM Wednesday
Starts Feb. 14. Ends April 3.
Violet Crown City Church
1300 Morrow Street (78757)

One of America's great thinkers and writers on the history of world cultures, Thomas Berry, called for an integration of scientific understanding of the physical universe with the humanities, arguing that an understanding of who and what we are in relation to the cosmos should guide our behavior and beliefs. It must start with knowing the story of the cosmos and Earth. This course provides a sampling of current knowledge of the cosmos, its components, history, processes, and those of our solar system, the Earth, development of life on Earth, other major Earth events, and human history. A large order! But considering the current physical challenges on Earth and questions and opportunities for the future, Berry’s writings from the 1980s (along with those of other social scientists and scientists) have proven prescient. Participants will consider how this knowledge should affect our behavior and beliefs, or not. We will have Power Point presentations, a movie, and discussion. Please bring $5 to the first meeting to cover course handouts. Limit 24.

Peter Boone, PhD
10:00 AM—12:00 PM Wednesday
Starts Feb. 14. Ends April 3.
Bethany Lutheran Church
3701 W. Slaughter Lane (78749)

Writing our stories down may be one of the most important things we do. In our own vernacular and style, we write the narrative of the experiences and people of our lives so they can be visited and revisited by ourselves and by those who follow us. Story is how we explain, understand, and reconcile our values, our ideas and how we live our lives. Through story we expand our horizons as we learn about the lives and culture of others. We write the stories at home, read them in our class, and learn from each other. Occasionally we may share artifacts from our life stories and write/talk about their importance to us. We will also share tips for writing and publishing memoirs. Class members choose which of their stories will be published in our semester book. Don’t let your stories be lost. Limit 18. 

Glenda Love Bell, Coordinator
9:30 AM—11:30 AM Wednesday
Starts Feb. 14. Ends April 3.
The Church at Highland Park, Burchette Room
5206 Balcones Drive (78731)