Russian America: Exploration, Settlement, and legacy
Mondays beginning September 26/ 9:00-10:00 a.m. / Sun City Social Center Ballroom/ In-person/ On demand
Instructor: Anthony Triola
This course will focus on the Imperial Russian exploration of North America, a period spanning from 1732 to 1867. We will cover how the Russian Empire came to the northern Pacific Coast and settled what came to be known as Russian America. Week 1: The Expansion of Imperial Russia Week 2: Early exploration of North America Week 3: Settlements in Alaska Week 4: Settlements in Northern California Week 5: The Russian-American Company Week 6: Withdrawal of Russians from North America
Beginner Spanish
Mondays beginning September 26/ 9:00-10:00 a.m./ Sun City Activities Center, Meeting Rooms 1 and 2/ In-person only/ Maximum of 15 participants
Instructor: Inez Gonzales
Beginner Spanish for adults as a refresher or introductory course. Will cover present and progressive tenses allowing students to conduct a conversation about daily routines and plans for the day or future. Will include role-playing, pictures for starting a conversation using vocabulary and verbs, and an opportunity for the student to suggest material to cover. There is a maximum of 15 participants.
The Russian Ukraine War 2022
Mondays beginning September 26/ 10:30-11:30 a.m./ Sun City Social Ballroom/ In-person/ On-demand
Instructor: Fred Stein
Topics:
Historical Discussion–What we can learn from history and great masters;
Lead up to the War–What the West did and how the Russian forces were employed;
Initial invasion;
Air Forces and Close Air Support–Why the Russian AF is not performing as expected;
What makes this war different–Maneuver versus Defense;
Initial Discussion of Drones and their Impact on this and Future Wars;
Naval Warfare in the Black Sea;
Tanks and their Future in Warfare;
Impact of the War inside Russia–How the War may end–Europe after the War
Introduction to Genealogical Research
Mondays beginning September 26/ 10:30 a.m.-Noon/ Sun City Activities Center Meeting Rooms 1 and 2/ In-person only
Instructor: Ken Pinter
If you believe that it is important to know something about your family roots, this course will introduce you to the tools and techniques needed to begin your genealogical research journey. You will find out what it takes to be a researcher. You will hear ideas about how to plan and implement your research and where to find information. You will then learn about ways to organize and document your findings, create tree diagrams, and ultimately pass this heritage on to others. Finally, you will see demos of the various free and for-fee online and offline data resources available to you.
The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals
Mondays beginning September 26/ 1:00-2:30 p.m./ The Grand Living Forum Theater/ In-person/ Zoom/ On-demand
Instructor: Vic Figurelli
The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals spanned about 30 years, starting in the 1930s. This class will examine some of the best of movie musicals in that era as well as some of the actors and actresses who were major stars. Video clips will be used.
Tuesdays
Creative Non-Fiction: Word Magic for Your Writing
Tuesdays beginning September 27/ 8:30-10:00 a.m./ First Baptist Church Room E-108-110/ In-person only
Instructor: Patricia Baldwin
You want to write … blogs, travelogues, essays, website posts, podcast scripts, a family history, a philanthropic memoir, stories for mass media and social media or other nonfiction. Maybe you need to improve your writing skills with a few simple steps. After all, you want to get your writing right and get it read. In the workshop, you’ll learn about writing artfully with sensory sentences and replacing abstract words and phrases with description. We’ll also explore how to use structural “recipes.” You’ll develop skills in critical thinking, clear communication, research – and have a chance to practice. You’ll also be guided to strengthen your writing with some refreshers in punctuation, usage, grammar, fact-checking, style, voice and maybe other essentials. Make writing fun!
Worldwide Travel
Tuesdays beginning September 27/9:00-10:00 a.m./ First Baptist Church Room E-209-211/ In-person/ On-demand
Coordinator: Vivian Davis
9/27: We follow Robert Stogdill`s Airstream caravan thru a number of American REVOLUTIONARY WAR SITES in the northern colonies. We travel to significant battlefields, historic sites, homes, taverns and museums in Massachusetts, and New York state. The finale is an examination of George Washington`s distillery at Mount Vernon.
10/4: Michael Bartley takes us on a tour thru the MAYAN WORLD, which includes portions of Mexico, Belise, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. We will be looking at the Meso-American Mayan heritage, history, geography, culture, and places to experience that heritage in today`s world.
10/11: John Dallen shares his visit to the Central Asian nation of UZBEKISTAN in August 2021. Uzbekistan was the heart of the empire of Tamil the Great, known in the west as Tamerlane, the center of Islamic science and literature, and a critical link in the Silk Road. We will experience this fascinating country with its fabulous palaces, mosques, monuments—and great food.
10/18: Carolyn Schluckebier takes us on a unique bike and barge trip to visit some of the most beautiful cities in BELGIUM AND THE NETHERLANDS: Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, and Amsterdam. From Bruges, our trip follows small winding rivers, canals, polders dykes and windmills.
10/25: With Harold Bergh we go along the Douro River in PORTUGAL to the ancient city of Porto. The route is steeped in sun drenched culture, rich beauty, and flanked by vineyards, olive orchards, and peaceful villages. Modern day Portugal is famous for port wine and cork. We will visit Lisbon, the city of seven hills, and the famous religious shrine at Fatima.
11/1: Andy and Michelle Goerdel take us hiking in National Parks in AUSTRALIA. They air-hopped between seven different locations on a 3-month trip. We will get a sampling of both common and remote sightseeing locations: Ulura, Blue Mountains near Sidney, the Great Ocean Road, Bungle Bungles, Cradle Mountain and Karajini.
Intermediate Spanish Session One
Tuesdays beginning September 27, 9:00-10:00 a.m. / First Baptist Church Room E-205/ In-person only/ Maximum 15 participants
Instructor: Gloria Gonzalez
This will be a continuing course in Conversational Spanish designed to increase students’ oral and written comprehension skills. The class is designed for those who have completed the entry and earlier level classes or who can demonstrate a basic proficiency in the language. Materials will include educational videos, books, and other written materials. There will be two separate sessions of Intermediate Spanish. Please register for either the 9:00 a.m. session or the 10:30 a.m. session. There is a maximum of 15 participants per session.
Intermediate Spanish Session Two
Tuesdays beginning September 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m. / First Baptist Church Room E-205/ In-person only/ Maximum 15 participants
Instructor: Gloria Gonzalez
This will be a continuing course in Conversational Spanish designed to increase students’ oral and written comprehension skills. The class is designed for those who have completed the entry and earlier level classes or who can demonstrate a basic proficiency in the language. Materials will include educational videos, books, and other written materials. There will be two separate sessions of Intermediate Spanish. Please register for either the 9:00 a.m. session or the 10:30 session. There is a maximum of 15 participants per session.
Changes in Climate, Health, Diseases, and Migration
Tuesdays beginning September 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m. / First Baptist Church Room E-209-211/ In-person/Zoom/ On-demand
Instructor: Dr. Lilly Ramphal Naley
Most of us have witnessed Climate Change through weather events, but did you know that Climate Change has very far-reaching effects on human health, diseases, food insecurities, civil conflict, and pollution? Dr. Naley will delve into the devastating consequences of climate change and how humans are coping and finding ways to combat it. Come listen to and learn about the most recent challenges.
Week 1: Climate change’s impact on four specific air pollutants and the impact of warmer temperatures on outdoor air pollution, indoor air, and human health.
Week 2:The increase in natural disasters such as floods, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and extreme weather events including the impact on property loss, mental health, power grid and outages.
Week 3: How climate change impacts our overall health and how specific diseases such as Malaria, Dengue, Lyme disease, COVID, bacterial and viral infections are aggravated or improved as a result.
Week 4:How climate change impacts grain crops, food and water security globally including the relationship between climate change, conflict between different countries, and mass human migration.
Week 5:Prevention and treatment strategies of the aforementioned human and animal diseases with an emphasis on vaccines–how they work and their effectiveness in humans and animals.
Week 6: How to anticipate and prepare for extreme weather events including cold weather, floods and power outages. A sample of an emergency kit will be available for the audience to review
Continguing Memoir and Biographical Writing
Tuesdays beginning September 27/10:30-12:00 Noon/ First Baptist Church Room E-102/In-person only
Instructor: Alan Dawes
This Continuing Memoir and Biographical Writing Workshop will expand on what was presented in the Winter Term Workshop, expanding the story of your life and times, in good company. Participants in previous memoir writing classes are welcome to attend. We will be exploring several new genres of memoir writing–descriptive, travel, opinion, heirlooms, historical, and more. In addition, we will work on a biographical memoir to serve as an introduction to a collection of stand-alone stories of your life and times. Memoir writing can be an enjoyable pastime and a valuable legacy to pass on to children, grandchildren, and future generations.
Models, Reality, and Perception
Tuesdays beginning September 27/ 10:30-11:30 a.m./ First Baptist Church Room E-108-110/ In-person only/ Maximum 15 participants
Instructor: Dr. Herman Matthews
Life is a Mystery. What we do, individually and collectively, is make models of the Mystery from which we create our realities. These realities are our perceptions of the world and how the world works (our Worldview). This class will explore models, realities and perceptions. Examples and discussions will come from the areas of Physics, Biology, Physiology, Philosophy, Theology, Technology, Literature, History, etc. We will also explore the critical thought processes of the creation of models and how they create different realities and perceptions. This is an interactive, participatory experience and the enrollment is limited to 15 participants.
The Play’s the Thing: Of Conscience and Kings
Tuesdays beginning September 27/ 1:00-2:00 p.m./ First Baptist Church Room E-209-211/ In-person/ Zoom/ On-demand
Instructor: Dr. Guy Guidici
Netflix, schmetflix. Everyone knows that the play is the thing. But why? And where did it all begin? From cave walls to cathartic tragedies to wandering troupes of players to today’s screenplays, the long story of drama is almost as entertaining as the productions themselves. Join us as we explore some of the key moments in the history of drama and its development.
1791: Mozart’s Last Year
Tuesdays beginning September 27/2:30-3:30 p.m./ First Baptist Church Room E-209-211/ In-person/Zoom/On-demand
Instructor: Dr. Barry Williamson
Led by Dr. Barry Scott Williamson, Founder/Artistic Director of the Texas Bach Festival, this class will investigate the 231-year-long controversy over the cause of perhaps the greatest tragedy in music history – Mozart’s death on Dec. 5, 1791. Myths, theories and rumors abound: was Mozart poisoned, the victim of personal, political or professional intrigue? Did the Masons do it? Did Salieri? And was Mozart’s wife Constanze to blame for Mozart’s many troubles during the last year of his life? We will “settle the score,” drawing a rich variety of updated sources, including H. C. Robbins Landon’s fascinating book, laying myths aside for the facts about Mozart’s last year. Additional insights will be gained from listening to many of Mozart’s most famous works from 1791.
Wednesdays
A Fascinating Potpourri of Presentations
Wednesdays beginning September 28/ 9:00-10:00 a.m./ The Worship Place at Rocky Hollow
Sept. 28: When Mother Nature Blows Her Top! – Dr. Dave Weinberg (retired geologist) (In-person/Zoom/On-demand) Few natural events are more spectacular than the eruption of a volcano. They have been the subject of innumerable B-grade movies, re-creations of historic events, and the speculated cause of several Biblical happenings. Simply put, they are just the Earth “blowing off a little steam,” but ever so spectacularly. We’ll journey through space and time to examine these awe-inspiring events and some of their world-changing effects.
When you enjoy a glass of wine, its distinctive aromas and taste reflect not only the type of grapes that were used to make the wine, but also the geology of the vineyard where the grapes were grown. This talk will discuss the critical role geology plays in defining the character and quality of wine.
Oct. 12: Skin Cancer Explained – Dr. John Fazio (retired Board Certified Anatomic Pathologist, Clinical Pathologist, and Cytopathologist) (In-person/Zoom/On-demand)
The most common forms of skin cancer will be explained, both from a clinical and a pathologic standpoint. Not to worry, all medical terminology will be translated into English, and plenty of time will be left for questions. It will be (almost) everything you always wanted to know about skin cancer, but were afraid to ask.
Oct. 19: Texas Wildlife Division in Williamson County– Derrick Wolter (Sr. Biologist with Texas Parks & Wildlife) (In-person/Zoom)
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department strives to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas for present and future generations. Learn about the role of the Wildlife Division in Williamson County and beyond.
Oct. 26: Dealing with Anxiety, Phobic, and Panic Disorders – Dr. Bill Lotak (retired clinical psychologist) (In-person/On-demand)
This seminar will take a look at the thought patterns which lead to a cycle of anxiety, physical response, and avoidance in Anxiety, Phobic and Panic Disorders.
Nov. 2: How to Remain Active for Life – Tiffany Weiser(Physical Therapy Director, All CareTherapies of Georgetown) (In-person/Zoom/On-demand)
We’ll take a look at some of the best things you can do to maintain your physical quality of life as you age into your 70’s and 80’s including a discussion about some of the exercises or activities seniors do that are high risk and the key things you need to be aware of.
The Joys of Birds and Birding in Central Texas
Wednesdays, September 28, October 5, and October 12/ 10:30-11:30 a.m./ The Worship Place at Rocky Hollow/ In-person/Zoom/ On-demand
Instructor: Martin Byhower
This first 3-week mini-course will include birding tips, favorite locations and seasons, and photos and observations about both the common birds and the specialties you can see in the diverse habitats of Williamson County, including your own backyard.
All About Bees and Beekeeping
Wednesdays October 19, October 26 and November 2/ 10:30-11:30 a.m./ The Worship Place at Rocky Hollow/ In-person only
Instructor: Philip Ainslee
This second 3-week mini-course will provide information on the social structure of bees, biology, uses of bee products (honey, propolis, and wax), interesting bits of history and trivia, how beekeepers do their jobs, benefits of beekeeping, and the why’s of honeybee decline. My primary goal is to educate on the worldwide value of honeybees and what the public can do to help reduce their decline.
Computer and Information Security
Wednesdays beginning September 28/ 1:00-2:00 p.m./ Zoom Only
Instructor: John Jenkinson
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Any and all of these basic human rights can be taken away by our current cyber environments. This course will provide practical examples and how-to’s to help protect our wealth and loved ones from the ever-evolving cyber environments. Cyberspace is becoming more real than real, actions leave a digital trail, and breach incidents make the evening news. Use this course to become more aware, be better prepared, and increase your understanding.
The Linguistics of Art
Wednesdays beginning September 28/ 2:30-3:30 p.m./ Zoom Only
Instructor: Beverly Dennis
This course is an effort at understanding the meaning of art. What can we learn about past cultures from their art? Peoples who spoke different languages in foreign cultures years ago are revealed in the images and art that survives them. Beginning in primitive times and moving forward, we will consider the ‘language’ of art
Thursdays
Rare Earth Elements and Metals
Thursdays beginning September 29/ 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. / Grand Living Forum Theater In-person/Zoom/On-demand
Instructor: Dr. Dave Weinberg
The story behind “rare earths and metals” is complicated by the interweaving of geology, mining, national and international politics and regulation, environmental concerns, and a desire for a greener energy future to fight climate change. No six-week course can address all of this in detail, but we will touch on each topic to demonstrate just how interdependent our society has become, and, moreover, how limited we are by the laws of physics, the distribution of natural resources, and the quality of information we are provided. The culprit behind all of this being our insatiable need for energy and desire for technological convenience.
An Idiot’s Guide to the American Upper Paleolithic
Thursdays beginning September 29/ 10:30-11:30 a.m./ Grand Living Forum Theater / In-person/ Zoom/ On-demand
Instructor: Dr. Clark Wernecke
Recent discoveries caused a paradigm shift regarding the earliest peoples in the America’s. Though a number of researchers over the years publicly doubted the mainstream idea that the Clovis culture represented the first peoples in the New World, the excavations at Monte Verde, Chile in the 1970s changed the nature and tenor of the arguments. For the first time a large number of archaeologists agreed that a site met the rules of evidence showing human occupation in the Western Hemisphere prior to Clovis. As more evidence surfaced and older sites were reexamined, we were forced to revise the story of the peopling of the Americas. Paradigm shifts are messy, and we still have nearly as many questions as answers, but it is clear that we need to more closely test new hypotheses for the peopling of the Americas. The last session will be a field trip to the Gault Site.
The Key to Unlocking the Joy of Meditation
Thursdays beginning September 29/ 1:00-2:00 p.m./ Zoom Only
Instructor: Ki Browning
Is something missing in your life? I would assert it is the deep peaceful feeling of meditation. This meditation course guides you to rediscover that place inside of childlike joy (not childish) but childlike joy and curiosity. Through the weeks of self-exploration, you will learn new methods for seeking inner peace and letting go of resentments and regrets. Discover the advantages of meditation, the science behind it, who’s doing it, and how it works. You will learn different meditation methods to regain focus, dissolve emotional imbalances, improve healthy sleep patterns and increase overall health. Reclaim the joy in your life! Join us one hour each week for deep relaxation.
Saturdays
Fundamentals of the Islamic Faith
Saturdays beginning October 1/ 9:00-10:00 a.m. / Grand Living Forum Theater / In-person/ Zoom/ On-demand
Coordinator: Yetkin Yildirim
Oct. 1: Introduction to Islam – Seyit Erkal: In this lecture, we will cover a very short history of Islam, talk about facts and figures related to Islam and go into the depth of pillars of Islamic belief including belief in the existence and oneness of God, belief in prophets, holy scriptures, angles, destiny, and the hereafter.
Oct. 8: Islamic Rituals – Mekan Ovezmyradov: This lecture will go over deeds and rituals in Islam. This includes the testimony of faith, five daily prayers, alms-giving, fasting and pilgrimage to Mecca.
Oct. 15: Islamic Excellence – Guner Arslan: This lecture will bring together the first two lessons and explain how the beliefs and rituals have the goal of bringing believers closer to God by serving all of God’s creatures.
Oct. 22: Islamic Civilization — Guner Arslan: In this lecture, we will cover the countless contributions of Muslims to our civilizations. We will go over a wide range of topics from the first hospital and university to the invention of Algorithms and Algebra.
Oct. 29: Jihad and Women in Islam — Guner Arslan: In this lecture, we will cover two of the most commonly asked topics related to Islam: the concept of Jihad and the role of women in Islam.
Nov. 5: Sufism – Yetkin Yildirim: Sufism is the spiritual dimension of Islam. In this lecture, we will cover the main tenets and practices of Islamic spirituality.
Drawing Through Awareness
Saturday October 29/1:00-5:00 p.m./ The Georgetown Art Center/ In-person only/ Maximum 12 participants
Instructor: Carolyn Todd
If you have always wanted to take a drawing class and you would like to increase your awareness and learn how to draw what you see, or if you have some experience/existing skills and want to learn a how to improve them, then, it’s time to start or enhance your drawing skills! We will explore the basics of 2D art with limited materials and inspirations from art history. A short supply list will be provided.
