Life Long Learning Catalogue - Course Description Fall 2009 Call 842-0543 to enroll
Douglas County Senior Services offers diverse continuing education courses, health and fitness classes, workshops, seminars, tours, and special events for active Douglas County residents age 55 and over.
Call 842-0543 to enroll, suggest a new program, volunteer to teach a class, or be a tour director.
Fill out the registration form and mail it with your check (payable to Douglas County Senior Services) to: Douglas County Senior Services, Leisure and Learning Department, 745 Vermont St., Lawrence, KS 66044. Walk-ins are welcome.
Water Color
Mondays, Jan 11- Feb. 22 , 10 - 12pm. Fee: $20. Location: Lawrence Senior Center, MPR. Instructor: Joan Martin. In this course, students will explore the possibilities of basic watercolor techniques applied to realistic subjects and abstract designs. Materials for the class will be discussed first day of class. Beginning and experienced painters will learn the difference transparent and opaque watercolor. Joan Martin is an artist and a teacher with experience in oil, acrylic, pen & ink and water color. She has received recognition for her work.
Introduction to Computer
Call for more information, Fridays, January 22-February 26th, 1-3 pm. Fee: $62. Location: Pinnacle Career Institute. Instructor: Ron Strait. Get ready to brush up on your PC skills. We'll introduce you to the world of technology by introducing you to Windows XP, Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer (IE), Excel and PowerPoint. This class is designed for anyone who would like to improve their PC skills; even those who can barely use a mouse.
Beginning Conversational Spanish
Mondays, through June 29, 1-2 p.m. Fee: $15. Location: Studio. This simple conversational course will stress practical vocabulary, everyday sentence formatting, and emphasize words essential for a traveler.
55 Alive Driving Course
Thursday and Friday, Feb 11 & 12 - 10 a.m - 3 p.m. Fee: $12 AARP Members and $14 non-members. Location: Lawrence Senior Center, MPR.
Basket Weaving
Meets 3rd Saturday afternoon of every month. 1-5 p.m. Contact: Sylvia Martin, 843-2512
Lawrence Community Theatre Dress Rehearsal
Call 842-0543 for more information.
HEALTH & FITNESS
Chair Exercise
Wednesdays and Fridays, 11 – 11:30 a.m. Fee: None. Location: Lawrence Senior Center, Multipurpose Room.
Zumba Gold
Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 5-Mar. 4, 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. Fee: $42. Location: MPR. Instructor: Susan Pomeroy. A completely new program designed for the active senior. Zumba is a fun, effective and simple fitness system that will maximize calorie output, fat burning and total body toning. The explosive Latin rhythm creates a fun atmosphere that delivers results, as well as a "feel happy" workout! You can still enjoy Zumba even if you have limited mobility. Call 832-7930 for more information.
Yoga
Mondays, Jan. 11 - Mar. 1, 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. Fee: $42. Location: South Park Fode Room. Instructor: Annie Wilsey. A less vigorous beginner's class adapted for older adults. Stretch stiff muscles and learn to correctly align your spine through slow, progressive traction. While using the full capacity of the lungs through correct breath, you will completely oxygenate the body and the brain, improving blood circulation and your sense of well begin. Instructor: Annie Wilsey. Call 832-7930 for more information
Tai Chi
Wednesdays, Jan. 13 - Mar. 3, 10:30 - 11:45 a.m. Fee: $42. Location: South Park, Instructor: Wendy Griswold. This ancient Chinese movement improves strength, flexibility, concentration and balance by combining gentle physical. Call 832-7930 for more information.
Beginning Senior Strength Training
Monday, Wednesday & Friday, Jan. 4- Mar. 5, 8:05 – 9:00 a.m. Fee: $56. Location: Holcomb Rec. Center, 2700 W. 27th. Instructor: Wilma Elder.
Research indicates strength training for seniors is very effective in improving balance (preventing falls), improving strength in major muscle groups, and increasing muscle mass and bone density. Class is designed to include functional movement patterns to enhance daily living activities. A variety of strength training equipment will be utilized including universal machines, free weights, and resistance tubing and bands. Class includes a warm-up and a post-workout stretch component. NOTE: A physician’s release is required prior to beginning of class.
Pilates
Tuesdays, Jan. 5 - Mar. 2, 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. Fee: $27. Location: South Park, Instructor: Pat Middaugh. Pilates is a modern approach to body conditioning that will keep you on the cutting edge of times. Class will focus on core muscles such as hips, thighs, and abdominals that will strengthen and tone by stretching as the moves. Main principles include following motion, breathing, flexibility, precision, centering and control. This class not only strengthens your body but your mind as well. Call 832-7930 for more information.
Pickleball
Fridays, Jan. 28 - Mar. 4, 10 – 11 a.m. Fee: $35, Location: East Lawrence Center. Instructor: Evan Jorn. Pickleball is played with a perforated plastic baseball, similar to the whiffleball, and wood or composite paddles. It is a combination of tennis and badminton with different rules and equipment. A great game for individuals of all ages that’s easy for beginners to learn, pickleball can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players. Call 832-7930 for more information.
PATH (Personal Action to Health)
Tuesdays & Thursdays, Mar. 23 - Apr. 29, 9 – 11 a.m. Fee: $25, Instructor: Staff. Location: East Lawrence Center. This unique program is designed to help people ages 50 and over develop a healthier lifestyle and retain functions necessary to maintain independence. Learn about the values of healthy eating through low-fat cooking, simple meals and food habits. Participants will sample all meals and have recipes to take home. The exercise portion will work on building strength through group exercise by improving agility, balance, coordination, flexibility, strength and endurance. Call 832-7930 for more information.
Beginning Swing Dance Workshop
Sunday, Mar. 21, 2-5 p.m. Fee: $15. Location: Community Building. Instructor: Mike Salerno. Too busy to commit to a long series of dance classes? Then this is the right venue for you. The first two hours will be instruction with learning basic steps and patterns followed by a one-hour dance to practice. Singles and couples welcome. Call 832-7930 for more information.
Senior Travel Club Tours
New Dinner Theatre
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 10:45 a.m. – 5p.m. Fee: $50. Loretta Swit starring in Cactus Flower. In this fast-paced comedy, a philandering bachelor dentist keeps his girlfriend at bay by telling her he’s married. When the truth threatens to catch up with him, he drafts his prickly nurse to pose as his “wife”. This Academy Award winning comedy has heart and soul with a sense of humor to match.
“One of a Kind” in Kansas City
Wednesday, Mar. 31, Fee: $69. Join us for a great day trip of special places that only the Kansas City area offers! We’ll start our morning at the Harry Truman Library in Independence. This is one of the best presidential libraries in the country. The major issues and events of Harry Truman’s Presidency are highlighted, as well as the personal side of the life of Harry and his family. We will enjoy lunch at the award winning barbeque restaurant Winslow’s. Our next tour is the Arabia Steamboat Museum, home to a frontier life in the 1800’s. The Arabia was headed up the Missouri River in the fall of 1856 when she struck a tree snag and sank just north of Kansas City along with 200 tons of cargo. In 1988 a group of modern-day adventurers uncovered the lost Arabia and her magnificent cargo. They were amazed to fine dishware, clothing, even bottled food all preserved in remarkable condition. Our last tour of the day is the National World War 1 Museum. The only museum of its kind in the country. The museum collections and exhibitions tell more than an American story. They cover the entire war from the first shots in 1914 to the last attempts at peace in 1919.
Colorado and the Rocky Mountains
Depart May 30 and return on June 5. Cost: $539 per person for double occupancy, and $734 per person for single occupancy. $75 deposit upon signing and final payment on March/24/ 2010. This incredible Motorcoach trip includes, 6 nights lodging including 4 consecutive nights in scenic Colorado, 10 meals, Tour of the Garden of The Gods and see the Colorado’s “Natural Wonder” – the Royal Gorge. Visit Historic Manitou Springs at the foot of famous Pikes Peak and pay a visit to the United States Air Force Academy. Pick up brochures at the Senior Center.
Upcoming trips in 2010:
March 27 – Chicken-n- Pickin’ Ranch Duling Family Dinner Theater, Walnut, KS
May 6-7-“75th Anniversary” Pella Tulip Festival
May 17– Jamesport Missouri
May 24- Powell Gardens & Cockrell Mercantile
June 7– Omaha’ Henry Doorly Zoo
August 2-6– South Dakota
September 1-9– Washington, DC
The Leisure and Learning Department welcomes suggestions for trips and classes. Call DCSS (785) 842-0543.
