Lifelong_learning

Lifelong Learning

"You're never too old to learn!"
Take a class at the Center!

Registration
Registration is required for all of the Center's educational classes. Members may call to register for free classes only. For all classes that charge a fee, members are required to come to the Center and pay the fee to reserve their place in the class. Payment may be made by mail; clearly indicate which class you are registering for. Cancellations may be made by phone; however, classes with a fee require a 7-day advance notice to ensure a full refund.

Lifelong Learning Seminars
Lets Speak Spanish Wednesdays through August, 3:00 - 4:00 pm - Room 202 Presenter: Andrine	Cost: Free The intermediate Spanish students are taking a break from formal Spanish classes until September, but we will meet once a week to practice what we have learned and to strengthen our conversational skills. We will meet at the Center every Wednesday from 3 to 4. We will take a few field trips to improve our vocabulary-- such as to the mall, a park, a bookstore, etc. Any CFAG member who speaks some Spanish is welcome. Although regular attendance is not required, participants need to register so that they can be contacted in case a session is cancelled or if the group is going to meet somewhere besides the Center.
Find Your Volunteer Passion Tuesday, August 5, 10:00 am - Room 202 Presenter: Lisa Howard	Cost: Free Registration Deadline: August 4 Are you retired and having trouble filling your day with meaningful activities? Are you thinking of retiring and using your new leisure time to give back to the community? With the country's economy as well as many people's personal finances struggling, it's not as easy to give financially anymore. But giving of your time and talents can be just as beneficial and more rewarding than giving a check. Come and learn more about how you can use your talents to help others and have fun at the same time. Don't think you have any talents? We'll show you that you do! Come learn about the many volunteer opportunities within the Sioux Falls community and how you can put passion back into your life!
Lincoln's 36-Year Funeral is Focus of Traveling Exhibit Wednesday, August 13, 12:30 am - Sertoma B	Cost: Free Registration Deadline: None Many people are familiar with the life and legend of Abraham Lincoln. A popular traveling exhibit focusing on his funeral shows another side of the lore that surrounds this famous American. "One of America's most beloved statesmen and heroic figures also had one of the largest and in some ways most bizarre funeral and interment ceremonies in the history of the world", says Jeff Gould, the guest lecturer who will be traveling with the replica casket. here are some facts and features highlighted in the presentation: About 8 million Americans took part in the funeral ceremony, a world record at that time. Lincoln's enthusiasm for embalming changed funeral practices at that time and still has influence today. The newly invented telegraph created the first "media circus' of the da that followed the funeral train, causing hysteria and showing Lincoln in his casket. The tragic story of Mary Todd Lincoln. The bizarre plot to kidnap the President's body and the paranoia that followed. Along with the lecture and PowerPoint presentation will be an 1865 replica flag of the period and brochures detailing the funeral.
Memory Keepers Writing Club 4 Thursdays, August 14 - September 4 at 10:00 - Room 202 Presenter: Bev Oliver, Past Perfect Histories	Cost: Free Registration Deadline: August 13 In the end, we are nothing but our stories. After we're gone, our solid, linear identities will dissolve and fragment into loose collections of stories, and it will fall to our loved ones to gather up and keep those stories alive. - J.R. Moehringer Would you like to write family and community stories from your own or your parents' past for yourself?...for your family?... for friends?... for the community? Share the gift of your written life's adventures and lessons. join the free weekly Memory Keepers Club 9:30 to 11:30 am each Thursday beginning August 14 and running through September 4. The instructor will give you hot tips and exercises for getting to the heart of your story quickly, will show you how to organize your tales for easy storage and retrieval, and will help you produce one or more heartfelt writings at each of the four two-hour meetings. The stories you share will draw an accurate historical picture of what life was like for you and others of your generation. You are the link in the chain of lives that began with your grandparents and extend to your grandchildren. Only you can accurately tell the story of your life and reflect upon the wisdom gained and the lessons learned along the way. The values that you hold dear can live on in your descendants who will come to know you through the pages of your writings.
Make Your Words Be Heard: Creative Writing Third Monday of each month beginning August 18, 6:30 pm - Room 128 Presenter: Toby Kane	Cost: Free Registration Deadline: August 15 Are you a great story teller? Do you enjoy the art of writing a good letter, journaling, or even making up your own plots and characters? Whether you want to exercise your creative side or simply write more colorful letters and notes to loved ones, this workshop will help fine tune your skills. You will have a chance to write, laugh, interact and share in low-pressure learning environment. Instructor Toby Kane has over 15 years of writing experience form feature writing for the Argus Leader to national advertising campaigns and his own published book of short stories, "Storm on the Mountain."
Memory Keepers Writing Club 4 Thursdays, August 14 - September 4, 9:30 am - Room 202 Presenter: Bev Oliver, owner of Past Perfect Histories	Cost: Free Registration Deadline: August 13 Would you like to write family and community stories from your own or your parents' past for yourself? for your family? for friends/ for the community? Share the gift of your written life's adventures and lessons. Join the free weekly Memory Keepers Club from 9:30 to 11:30 am each Thursday beginning August 14. The two-hour meetings. The club will give hot tips and exercises for getting to the heart of your story quickly, will show you how to organize your tales for easy storage and retrieval, and will help you produce one or more heartfelt writings at each of the four two-hour meetings. The club is limited to 12 members.
Resume Writing Seminar Tuesday , August 19 Wednesday, August 20 10:00 am - Room 202 Presenter: LaRae Claussen	Cost: Free Registration Deadline: August 16 For members who are interested in going back to work and need to update their resume, this is a seminar you won't want to miss. Tuesday the fundamentals of resume writing will be covered and Wednesday you will have the opportunity to prepare your resume in our computer lab with the assistance of a job coach with the BRIDGES Employment Resource Center. Seats are limited! Get your resume ready for the September 25 "Boomers Plus Job Fair" where you can talk to dozens of businesses looking for reliable employees.
Interviewing Techniques Workshop Tuesday, August 26 10:00 am - 1:00 pm - Room 202 Presenter: LaRae Claussen	Cost: Free Registration Deadline: August 23 If you haven't worked for many years, or had the same job for a long period of time, you may be out of practice with your job interview skills. This seminar is a must for those wishing to return to the work force or looking for a new job. Learn the latest technique businesses are using to interview prospective employees. Gain an understanding of some appropriate ways to answer those difficult questions and go into your next job interview with a new sense of confidence.
Helpful Information for Good Health Tuesday, August 26 12:00 noon - Sertoma B Presenter: Dr. David Nelson, Sanford Clinic Adult Medicine	Cost: Free Your blood pressure and cholesterol count-- When it comes to your health, you need to know: What are the target numbers? What do the numbers mean? Why does it matter? How do I reach them? At this seminar, you will learn about the American heart Associations' updated guidelines for blood pressure management. Achieving optimal numbers for blood pressure and other health measurements can make the difference between good and poor quality of life, between life and death.
Hills of Rest Memorial Park 2008 Moonlight Walking Tour Tuesday, September 9 at 7:00 pm - Wildwood Chapel & Mausoleum Presenter: Jeff Gould, Miller and George Boom Funeral Homes	Cost: Free Here's a most interesting and enjoyable way to spend a summer evening. The free tour begins at 7;00 pm at the Wildwood Chapel and Mausoleum. The tour is about one mile in length and lasts about an hour. Jeff is a funeral counselor and licensed insurance agent and has helped many families through the most critical of times before a death occurs. As a writer, broadcaster, amateur historian and accomplished speaker, he has spoken to hundreds of groups on many topics. The tours are limited to 25 participants. If you would like to join a Moonlight Walking Tour, call 338-6551.
Can't Slow Me Down! - Safety Tips for the Mature Driver and Car Fit Driving Program Wednesday, September 24 at 1:00 pm - Wildwood Chapel & Mausoleum Presenter: Eric Majeres, highway Safety Coordinator, VOA	Cost: Free Registration Deadline: September 22 Ninety-five percent of older people don't use public transportation, so maintaining an active lifestyle usually means continuing to drive. And why shouldn't it? After all, the drivers we should look out for more than the "grandmas' are their teenage grandchildren! nationally, the per-mile crash rate for 16-year-olds is five times as high as the rate for people 70 and older. however, every generation must recognize the need for safety. Being a mature driver means you have the wisdom to know that driving conditions are drastically different than when you first learned how to drive and so are the vehicles. The "Can't Slow Me Down!" presentation offers drivers of all ages some basic suggestions on how to make vehicles safety a personal priority. The presentation will not focus on the person's ability to drive. Instead, emphasis is directed to making adjustments in their vehicles so the driver feels more comfortable and more in control. Join us to find out how the "fit' of your vehicle affects your safety. Doing this could make a life saving difference! Sign up today: this class is limited to 20 students.
We, The People - An Educational Forum Thursday, October 16 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon - Legislative Coffee at 1:00 pm Presenter: Chris Nelson, SD Secretary of State and Sue Roust, Minnehaha County Auditor	Cost: Free Chris Nelson will explain the November ballot initiatives, how to use the new touch-screen voting machine, and will answer questions regarding the legislative process. Sue Roust will explain the absentee ballot process which helps ensure that everyone has an opportunity to vote, even if getting to the polls is difficult. Marcella Effertz will facilitate the Forum. Sample ballots and district maps will be available. Get involved to ensure that everyone is empowered to exercise their right to vote. The forum will focus on the legislative process; it will not include issues or politics. Lunch will be served at noon. Beginning at 1:00 pm, there will be an opportunity to meet local legislators at an informal coffee. Limited seating is available and reservations are requested by October 12 by calling 336-6722.
Declutter Your Holidays Thursday, October 16 at 10:30 pm or 1:00 pm in Room 202 Presenter: Vicki Sportelli	Cost: Free Registration deadline: October 20 Do you have more holiday decorations than space? Many of us do. This one-hour seminar will give you ideas of what to keep, what to give away and what to toss -- all the while keeping what are really your treasures.