In Person Workshops   

This is short, intensive conversational Spanish for Travelers. The goal is to speak right away and a lot in situations travelers encounter regularly: airport, customs, hotel, getting around, shopping, meals, and entertainment.

The Great Divide, the Explanatory Gap, The Hard Problem of Consciousness. Familiar terms used to describe the “gap” between the subjective and objective world of our experience. While mid-twentieth-century split-brain research identified separate functions of both the right and the left hemispheres, little was understood of the evolutionary niche from which this brain morphology originates. In the presentation, we will explore the ways we navigate this divide and the world each hemisphere brings to our conscious experience. Much of this presentation is inspired by a study published by Dr. Iain McGilchrist, titled The Master and His Emissary.

This is the in person section of a hybrid workshop. Only request this section if you want to attend the workshop in person. 

We will focus on the Causes of Behaviors (Emotional vs. Regulatory): the fascinating NS of Smell and Taste on Appetite & Nutrition; how NS of Pain, Emotion, Genetics influence them.

To make the workshop FUN and Enjoyable, we avoid the complexities of Neurosciences (NS). Instead, we use: Simplified Presentations, Video Clips, Fun Exercises and Discussion interspersed with MUSIC and COMEDY to illustrate:

1.      How to Enhance MEMORY, LEARNING and Motivation.

2.      Neuro-degenerative conditions (e.g., Dementia, AD, Parkinson’s): Detecting Early Symptoms and ways to Lower or Eliminate their risks.

3.      NS of Music – Cognitive & Physical Exercise - Sleep – Five Senses – Inter-Personal Relations.

4.      Using the above to AVOID STRESS and helping us to Age Gracefully – Leading to Happier, Healthier, and more Enjoyable Lives!

Please note: A Science Background is NOT necessary! ·

The only prerequisite is an “open mind.” ·The only resources you need to bring are your “creative juices.” ·

It is important to note that: any medical information (via videos, presentations, discussions or otherwise) is NOT intended to replace professional medical advice; and should NEVER be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment.

We will continue to enhance our bridge skills in a duplicate environment. Participants should have knowledge of conventions and techniques from previous semesters. Contact either workshop leader if you are unsure whether this workshop is appropriate for you.

Join in stimulating discussions about works of historical literature. This is a collaborative workshop in which members are expected to participate in and lead discussions. Our discussions include but are not limited to the author, historical period, character and plot development.

Books for the spring semester are:

1. Paris Undercover: A Wartime Story of Courage, Friendship, and Betrayal by Matthew Goodman

2. The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

3. Motherland: A Feminist History of Modern Russia, from Revolution to Autocracy by Julia Ioffe

4. The CIA Book Club: The Secret Mission to Win the Cold War with Forbidden Literature by Charlie English

5. The Briar Club by Kate Quinn

The purpose of this course is to teach the fundamentals of the Macintosh computer. The course will include a discussion of the current Operating System (OS) and some of the older versions of MacOS. The course will start with setting up your computer and go on to discuss system functions, the Mac hardware (e.g., mouse, ports, hard drive, etc.), included software (e.g. Pages, Numbers, Photo, etc.), networking, communications (e.g. email, messaging, etc.), printing, and other computer uses. At the end of the course, the student should be familiar with how to setup and use the computer so as to be able to go on and learn the more advanced features and software of the Mac. Bringing a laptop to class might be useful, but it is not required.

This is a beginner workshop where participants will learn the essential skills needed to perform magic to entertain friends, family, and especially kids. Each week several tricks will be taught that exploit various magic techniques including sleight of hand, psychology, misdirection, and gimmicks. Participants will learn magic with ropes, cards, money, and other ordinary objects. 

The practice of meditation and mindfulness can lead to lowering stress, developing a more positive outlook, and helping to deal with physical challenges in our everyday lives.

Smile, relax, and free your mind by practicing meditation and mindfulness.

Join a lively discussion of recent articles from the New York Times Science section. Each week participants select the articles of greatest interest, and workshop leaders present summaries. Added background and explanations of the underlying science are included. Volunteers are welcome to help lead the discussions. Articles from other sources may also be included. So come join the group and add your knowledge or learn something new.

Op-Ed provides the opportunity to join in discussions of the political, social and economic issues currently affecting our lives. Each week three different volunteers present newspaper, internet or magazine opinion articles, that can be read aloud in five minutes or less and make for lively discussions by members with differing points of view. While every volunteer has the opportunity to comment first or last on their own article, they may want to sit and listen as everyone gets a chance, face-to-face, to voice his or her opinion on the subject.

 

A workshop for the discussion of poetry presented by volunteer members in order to discover together the pleasure and beauty of poems and get to know the poets who created them in an environment conducive to understanding what makes a poem a poem.

The goal of this workshop is to make the case for a more environmentally friendly way to garden. We will discuss the benefits of creating a more sustainable habitat for pollinators, birds, and humans by learning how to improve the soil, introducing more native plants -especially keystone plants- lessening the presence of exotic and invasive species; managing uninvited guests (pesky animals), Spring clean up revisited, and will end with a plan for your garden to reduce watering and maintenance. 

Films with legal, political, or constitutional issues will be viewed and discussed in this popular and recurring workshop. Movies presented in past semesters ran the gamut from serious (12 ANGRY MEN) to humorous (MY COUSIN VINNY) and covered many areas of law and civil rights. The interactive workshop covers the movies’ “backstories”, making, and a study of what is “real” or “reel”. Not only do participants enjoy good flicks, but they also learn about the law.

Emphasis on performance, members will be encouraged to choose a monologue (or dialogue with a classmate) to be performed and perfected throughout the semester. Memorization encouraged but script-in-hand is acceptable.

 

This workshop is recommended for those who already have experience with the basic skills of cutting, grinding and soldering. It is a cooperative learning environment where members help one another to improve their techniques, sharing ideas, and suggestions.

 

We present two episodes per week as well as present information about the life of Rod Serling. Each episode is discussed with a focus on how the work of Mr. Serling is as relevant today as it was when the program was produced.

In this workshop, we will explore more advanced techniques/concepts in watercolor painting. We will create watercolor paintings and constructively critique each other’s work. Participants should be experienced in the creation of watercolor paintings, along with basic drawing skills. We will reference the work of established artists to inform our work. Our goal is to grow together as watercolor artists.

 

Can you name 5 women explorers? If not, then we invite you to join us to learn about brave & exciting women explorers you should know.

We will discuss the personalities and events that were involved in the War.