Lone Star College Foundation

Darcy Mingoia, Executive Director of the Lone Star College Foundation told us the great support and the great work that the Foundation is doing. The mission of the Foundation is to change student lives through scholarships and quality educational programs achieved by excellence in relationship building, fundraising, and investment management. If you would like to know more about LSC Foundation, please contact Darcy at 832-813-6636. View presentation - click here. This little graphic shows that you can reach goals if you have a good foundation.....such as education.

What's Eating You?

Dr. Shawn K. Taher, D.C. shared some valuable information with us on nutrition and Fast Food. Actually he thinks the words don't even belong in the same sentence since there isn't much nutrition in today's fast food. However there are lots of preservatives, fat and sugar. He actually brought in a hamburger and fries that have resided in his car for several weeks....it looked like it just came from the "restaurant"....very well preserved. It will probably look the same in a year or even five years.....it is made to last in their stores so they don't have to throw any molded bread away. He encouraged everyone to take better care of themselves by simply eating better. Review his presentation - click here.

Interpersonal Communication

Professor Patrick Barton presented a lively interactive class about Interpersonal Communication. People communicate in many ways including our language, our voice, written word, and body language. One key component to effective interpersonal communication with another person is to listen to understand. Three tips from Professor Barton: 1) really listen, 2) own your feelings (use the "I" word rather then "You" statements, 3) move from egocentrism to altercentrism. Following are clips from several TED Talks that we listened to in class in order to understand the speaker's content and communication style.
Jane Fonda: Life's Third Act - click here
Additional Link related to Jane Fonda & Vietnam - click here
Comment from Patrick: (in 1988, she did apologize for her “thoughtless” things that she said and did during her protests of the Vietnam War. Based on reading this, it’s clear she was sorry for some of her actions, but does stand behind her reasons for doing them. Painting an ever more complicated picture.)
Less Stuff, More Happiness - click here
The Best Gift I've Ever Survived - click here
Letter Writing - click here
5 Ways to Listen Better - click here
The Hidden Power of Smiling - click here
How the Internet Enables Intimacy - click here
Randy Pausch - The Last Lecture - click here
Interpersonal Communication and communication in general is an important part of our lives. Make the effort to listen when talking to others.

Paddle Sports with REI

Diana Acker and Mitch Mead of REI's Willowbrook store introduced us to the fun of paddle sports, specifically kayaking, during this informative class. With a kayak in the classroom and many of the possible accessories, we learned how easy it is to get outside and enjoy the water. There are several places to go in the area, Lake Woodlands, Spring Creek Greenway, and Buffalo Bayou, to name a few. They recommended renting to try out the equipment before taking the "plunge". Diana also showed us the adventure and volunteer tours that REI puts on. "Through volunteerism, giving, responsible business practices and more, REI connects people to the outdoors and help protect the natural places we love." - REI's Stewardship

Getting Started - Kayaking - Click Here
Travel with REI - Click Here

Advisory Committee Minutes - March 2012

The March Advisory Meeting was held on March 21st with six people in attendance. Committee Reports were given. There was additional discussion on two items -
Summer Registration - No formal open house. People can sign up for bus trips and classes in the CASA building during the week of May 21st from 10:00-2:00.
Advisory Committee - Looking for new Committee Chairmen. The current chairmen have been in place for about 3 years. Perhaps it is time for more people to get involved in managing the ALL group. If you are interested in volunteering for a committee as the Chair or as a committee member, please let it be known. We welcome more participants. Advisory meetings are always open to the general membership.
March 2012 Minutes - click here

Wine Class at HEB

The HEB on Hwy 290 was our gracious host for a Wine Class for the ALL group at LSC-CyFair. We were able to taste six different wines including both whites and reds and both low cost and mid-range wines. The wine steward shared information about the different varieties of wine and their general characteristics. View the following attachments to learn more.
Wines we tasted - click here
Talking Points - click here

Bluebonnet Signs

Howdy! This is the way "true" Texans greet each other......at least in the movies. Participants in the Bluebonnet Sign Making Class had great fun completing this project. Let your imagination come up with other ideas. Be sure to check out the attached pictures.
Instructions - Click Here
Pictures - Click Here