Starting an Exercise Program

Have you kept your New Year's Resolution to "Exercise"?  Do you find it difficult to get started?  Professor Tim Sebesta gave us some excellent pointers on how to start that exercise program and how to keep it going.  We all know that exercise is good for us.....but it really is critical as we age.  If you don't move it, you will lose it (or lose use of it). 
Review Tim's presentation - Click Here

German POW at Camp Hearne

Those attending the class on Monday afternoon February 25th were privileged to hear Heino Erichsen as he described his life experiences as a German WWII prisoner of war held in Camp Hearne, TX.  Many people don't realize that there were 500,000+ German POWs held in the United States during this troubled time.  It's impossible to relay his story in this blog, but you can learn more by buying his book "Reluctant Warrior: Former German POW Finds Peace in Texas" (available on Amazon). Also, Camp Hearne is having a Living History Event on October 19, 2013. Learn more about it by clicking on the following link. http://camphearne.com/index_files/Page907.htm
Heino decided that his time in Texas during the war wasn't as bad as his homeland that was torn by the war, so he decided to eventually return to the US and become a citizen.
Heino's Business Card - Click Here

Tower Garden

Would you like to grow a garden without getting your hands dirty?  Well, now you can with the new vertical Tower Garden.  Mary Ann Sturdivant presented a great program showing us this new form of growing plants - aeroponics.  You don't use dirt.  Roots are fed using a nutrient rich mist system.  Review her presentation and the videos to learn more.  Presentation - Click Here

Videos -http://www.youtube.com/user/officialtowergarden http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO-z1Or4RTE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqcy9d_fQRY

New Understanding about the Holocaust

Mary Lee Webeck and Cynthia Capers from the Houston Holocaust Museum led the class on a New Understanding about the Holocaust.  The class reviewed material on the book "Bloodlands" by Timothy Snyder". This book is important in that it does indepth study on the times, places, and progression of the Holocaust.  For further review you may want to read some of the following books: Rise and Fall of Third Reich, The Experience of Jewish Gettos During the Holocaust, The Holocaust by Bullets, Through Soviet Jewish Eyes, Skeletons at the Feast, and The Sandcastle Girls, Ordinary Men. 
Mary Lee's Handout - Click Here

Website for the US Holocaust Museum - www.ushmm.org

Square Dancing

Class 2 - February 19, 2013
The itinerary at square dancing class was to learn 5 or 6 basic steps.  If you need to review the steps before next week's class, click on the link below.  There you will see the following steps on video: Allemande, Pass Thru, Promenade, Right & Left Thru, and Square Thru.  See you next week.....on Thursday, 2/28/13 at 10:00 in Conference Center Room 153.
Class 1 - February 12, 2013
Today we had Bernie Youngblood, a "caller" and an instructor for Square Dance.  This first class was to introduce us to the history and evolution of square dance in the US.  Square Dancing is the official folk dance for the United States.  It was very popular in times past and there are still many active clubs in the greater Houston area.  Click here to review Bernie's information.  Remember - we have two more classes where Bernie will show us the steps and then lead us in dancing.  Be sure to attend the classes at 10:00 on Tuesday, Feb 19th and Thursday, Feb 28th.....these classes will be in the Conference Center rooms.  To get a leg up on the next class, click on the following links to a webpage which offers step by step video lessons.

Square Dance Lessons - http://www.saddlebrookesquares.com/lessons.htm#mainstream 

Square Dance Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rIK3fo41P4

Behind the Scenes, In Front of the Camera

Do you want to be an "ACTOR"?  It is never too late.  Lisa Seeker told us of her experiences in the world of film.  Talent is not always needed. Perhaps you have "the look" that is needed for a commercial, short film or photo shoot.  But be realistic in your expectations.  Unless you are a professional actor devoting your career to acting, you will not make big bucks doing the small parts.  But if you would love to be involved in the industry, give it a try.....realizing that you may be doing it for free or for a small fee.  At the end of Lisa's presentation, she gives several resources to check out for more information. Review Lisa's presentation - click here.

Making Valentines

Valentine's Day is almost here, have you got a card for your sweetie?  Linda Gabrielson led another fun class on how to make beautiful Valentine Cards from plain card stock and "found items" around your home.  Pull out that pretty paper, ribbon, glitter, and old cards and use them to create something new and special. Click Here to see a sample of cards from the class.

Aborigines in Australia

Kathy Haueisen has spent a good bit of time in Australia and shared some of her experiences with the class.  Her emphasis for this class was the Aborigines and their position within the Australian culture over the past several decades.  Her presentation was informative and very insightful.  Take a few minutes to review her notes.  Click Here

Save When You Buy a Car

Stephen Ruback talked to a very full classroom of people....I guess we all want to save money when we buy our next car.  His mantra was "Who has the power? I have the power!"  We each need to remember this when we go car shopping.  The power lies with the person who has the money....and that is the car buyer.  While I can't recreate this lively class, following are a few of Stephen's points. 1) Pre-arrange any loan; 2) If you have a trade in, check Kelly Blue Book so you know the value; 3) Have your old car valued by a third party such as CarMax or Used Car Dealer; 4) To save money think about buying a used car from a rental place: 5) Make two lists - the first list is titled "I will not buy a car without" and the second list is titled "I will not buy a car with".  That way you narrow focus on what is important to you. 6) Don't go car shopping on Saturday....go mid-week; 7) Carry a notebook with you so you can record VIN numbers of the cars you like; 8) Ask the salesman if he will do a "mini-deal" which is about $300 over invoice price; 9) When you have made your selection, get a copy of the worksheet to make sure it reflects everything you have decided to purchase; 10) Don't be afraid to walk away if you don't like how things are going....there are other dealerships available.
Stephen's Card - Click Here

Top Hat Balloons

What a FUN class we had with Top Hat Balloons.  Balloons are so much more that what you remember as a child.  Carolyn Moore and her assistant Debbie showed us many illustrations of balloon decorations for various venues.  Not only parties for children, but also banquets, conventions, company parties and promotions.....even weddings.  Give them a call the next time you are planning an event.
Website -www.TopHatBalloons.com.
Business Card - Click Here