The practice of meditation is becoming increasingly common among people from all walks of life, encouraged in high-level corporate sessions, during coffee breaks and before academic tests and sports competitions. These are practices that have been cherished since ancient times. In this course you will learn about the many benefits of meditation and practice various meditation and visualization techniques, including mantra meditation, single-object meditation, breath-awareness meditation, meta-meditation, and mindfulness of the present moment. The class features multimedia-based lectures, guided meditation, and relaxation video clips. Our text is the instructor’s book, The Divine Art of Meditation, the result of almost a decade of research on the subject. Limit 20. 6 Classes.

Farnaz Masumian
10:00—Noon Thursday, Starts Feb. 20
Bethany Lutheran Church, Rm. 100
3701 W. Slaughter Lane (78749)

Come engage in cognitive stimulation by learning or refreshing the Spanish language. This course is a continuation of Spanish 1A in the Fall. This session, we will continue to emphasize pronunciation, basic vocabulary and present tense verbs.

You should already be familiar with basic Spanish vocabulary (names of family members, numbers to 1000, telling time, names of days and months), pronunciation of vowels and consonants, greetings and the present tense of regular verbs. In class, expect partner work and conversations, plus some necessary grammar explanations. Outside of class, there will be homework using free online resources and an online dictionary on your cellphone. We will continue the story of Destinos (a no-cost online video and textbook), beginning with a review of the story and vocabulary of chapters 1-6. To review:  https://www.learner.org/series/destinos-an-introduction-to-spanish/  

Please bring $5 to the first class for handouts throughout the session. Access to a computer or tablet out of class is required to view the Destinos videos and textbook, homework videos, and other course materials. Limit 20.

Veronica Putney
10:00—Noon Thursday, Starts Feb. 20
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
3525 Bee Caves Road (78746)

Do you love poetry? For many people, poetry provides a new means of seeing the world, speaking to and for us in a meaningful way. This is an opportunity to meet with other poetry lovers to share and talk about verse in a nonacademic setting, and encounter poems and poets that are new to you. This is not a poetry-writing class. Participants will bring one or two favorite published poems to read aloud and share with the group. Discussion will be along the lines of why a poem speaks to the person who brought it, or why this is a favorite poet. Prior to each meeting, participants will be notified how many will be in class so they can bring hard copies of their selections for those coming to that session, if possible (or at least one copy for the facilitator). The week after each meeting, everyone will receive digital copies of the poems. Limit 12.

Bronwyn Bowen, Facilitator
10:00—Noon Thursday, Starts Feb. 20
The Church at Highland Park, Burchette Room
5206 Balcones Drive (78731)

The urge to know what’s on the other side of an ocean, a hill, a mountain defines us as human. Our Solar System contains a myriad of oceans, hills, and mountains. So, let's explore. The first five lectures range from the tools of the trade (telescopes, manned and unmanned spacecraft), through an appreciation of our Earth and life, to the Sun and comparisons among the eight planets (Poor Pluto? No. He got promoted, not demoted.) and planetary systems around other stars. With those facts, I follow the lead of Sherlock Holmes, "It is a capital offense to theorize in advance of the facts" and end up finally able to theorize and provide an answer to our mystery story: our solar system; how? when? why? rare or ubiquitous? 

Sprinkled throughout: art and music inspired by humans thinking about our Solar System. Limit 50. 6 Classes.

G. Fritz Benedict
10:00—Noon Thursday, Starts Feb. 20
The Village at the Triangle
4517 Triangle Avenue (78751)

The Austin area is a great place to bird. We will have four classroom sessions and four field trips in the immediate Austin area. Classroom sessions will introduce students to the birds that live in Central Texas year-around as well as those that pass through during the spring migration and those that summer here. Other topics will include equipment, bird identification tips, how to attract birds to your yard and places to bird in the Austin area. Although the class is geared toward the beginning birder, all skill levels are welcome. The classroom sessions will be from 10:00—Noon on Thursdays; field trips will be 8:00—10:00 A.M. Participants can expect to walk up to a mile and a half on mainly level surfaces that may not be paved. Our very popular instructor has been birding for more than 40 years and is a Master Birder and Master Naturalist. Limit 20.

Chris Gunter
10:00—Noon Thursday, Starts Feb. 20
Triumphant Love Lutheran Church, Upper Room
9508 Great Hills Trail (78759)

You can learn from the beginning or get help with a project. Bring practice yarn and needles or hook to the first class. The instructor, an accomplished artist, has taught knitting and crocheting for more than 30 years. Call 512-364-3147 or email pat@tittizer.us with questions. Limit 15.

Pat Tittizer
10:00—Noon Thursday, Starts Feb. 20
United Christian Church
3500 W. Parmer Lane (78727)

Take a deep dive into traditional and replacement Medicare, as well as how to handle needs beyond what Medicare will cover. We’ll examine real examples of how the program works, use of Medicare for specific needs, and coverage of costs when Medicare shuts off. If you are now on Medicare, are approaching Medicare eligibility, or considering Medicare benefits for a loved one, this is a course for you. It will give you a firm grasp of how to maximize your benefits, what types of plans are available, and as a bonus, how to keep marketers from calling you so much! Our instructors are insurance brokers with a focus on educating the community. Limit 20. 7 Classes.

Cassie Walden and Maggie Davis
10:00—Noon Thursday, Starts Feb. 20
United Christian Church
3500 W. Parmer Lane (78727)

This class works at the end of A1/beginning A2 level according to the CEFR. This means you can already apply quite a few standing phrases, but also start basic communication and write more complicated sentences. You already have a solid understanding of the cases (nominative, accusative and dative), can form the conversational past and start building dependent clauses. A lot of explanations can already be done in German.

If you are not sure this class is right for you, try this placement test https://learngerman.dw.com/en/placement-test-a1/1-36696748. Limit 16.

Henrike Belz
10:00—11:30 A.M. Thursday, Starts Feb. 20
Violet Crown City Church
1300 Morrow Street (78757)

This continuation course emphasizes vocabulary development, pronunciation, reading and listening comprehension. It is suitable for those who have never studied French, as well as those who have some knowledge of the language. We will do a lot of group work to facilitate conversation in French. A variety of sources will be used, including Monarch’s Clear and Simple French, some video lessons, and some audio lessons from Pimsleur. Limit 25. Note: 1-week delayed start; first class meeting February 27. Class extends one week.

Gloria Cisneros Lenoir
10:00—Noon Thursday, Starts Feb. 27
Westover Hills Church of Christ, Rm. 201
8332 Mesa Drive (78759)