Pet Therapy

"Man's Best Friend" is generally associated with dogs.  But maybe we should change that to be "Pets are man's best friend".  Pets offer a special love and attachment to people.  Cheryl McClure talked to class today about Therapy Pets.  She brought along Ernie the dachshund.....and Ernie was a big hit.  Review Cheryl's presentation to learn more about Pet Therapy.
Presentation - Click Here
Cheryl's Card - Click Here
Pictures - Click Here 

Kitty Ornament from Gourd

Linda Gabrielson once again led a fun craft class....this time class members took small gourds and handpainted them to look like cats.  These could be made into Halloween cats lurking in your pot plants, or you could paint them with a Christmas theme.  These make great gifts for your cat-loving friends or those that just appreciate the craft involved in making them.  For more pictures, click here.

Birding Around Houston

Jeffrey Mohamed shared his love of bird watching with the ALL class this morning.  He specifically moved to Houston in order to pursue his love of bird watching.  He showed us many pictures of birds that he has taken at several sites around the greater Houston area.  Review Jeff's presentation and his list of birding sites and then pack your camera and take an outing for yourself.
Presentation - Click Here
List of Birding Sites - Click Here

Zoly Zamir - WWII Survivor

We were privileged to have a presentation by Zoly Zamir.  He told us of his experiences of being a teenager in Romania when Nazi Germans invaded.  His life as a student was abruptly cut short and he was forced to find work to support his family.  As times got tenser, he had to use his wits to remain in control of his life.  Here's a link to learn more about Zoly Zamir.

http://thewhiterosesociety.tripod.com/website/zoly.html

Medicare Workshop

Medicare is a hot topic these days.  Toni King presented a program on Medicare and answered many questions on enrollment, benefits, upcoming changes, etc.  Review her presentation for some answers.  If you need more info, please feel free to contact Toni for more personal attention.
Presentation - click here
Toni's Card - click here

Lubbock Cotton Club

Professor Ashley Pettiet gave us a lively program on The Lubbock Cotton Club.  This was a popular dinner club and dance hall that operated from 1938 to 1982.  Many big bands performed there and young performers that later became famous....such as Elvis, and Buddy Holly.  Ashley will soon release a book that will tell the history and include some never seen before pictures.  Below are links to articles from 2009 that tell some of the history on The Lubbock Cotton Club. 

Article - http://www.virtualubbock.com/stoJHughes_ElvisBuddyJoe.html

Article - http://lubbockonline.com/stories/102909/fea_510437708.shtml

Jambalaya

Yum !  We had a real treat on Monday....Lou Master cooked up a big batch of Jambalaya.  What could be better than a big pot of rice with chicken, sausage, onions, peppers, carrots, celery, etc. - all of those good flavors coming together.  Just add a piece of bread and you have a meal.  For Lou's Recipe - Click Here

Exploding Box

Mariluz Wofford led a fun class on making an Exploding Box.  We learned to create a beautiful and fun-to-make box that "explodes" open to reveal treasures inside.  You start with 4 pieces of 12x12 cardstock.  Then measure, score, cut, and fold to make a three layer box with lid.  Then the fun continues with the many ways to decorate your box.  Look at the following to learn how and get ideas for your Exploding Box.
Instructions - Click Here
Inspiring Ideas - Click here

Birdhouse Class Fall 2013

Gene Chism and his band of woodworms completed another fun Make-A-Birdhouse class in October 2013.  These are always fun classes where class members sit around assembling, sanding, gluing, painting and decorating their birdhouse while they chat about current events.  To view pictures of finished bird houses, click here.

Quilling Papercraft

Have you ever done Quilling.....not to be confused with quilting?  Quilling is a craft of rolling paper strips into shapes and then using those shapes to build beautiful pictures, ornaments, cards, tags, etc.  Batool Merchant showed the class the process and opened our minds to a wonderful new form of expression.  Review the handouts to learn more about Quilling.
Handout - Click Here
Pictures - Click Here
Batool's Card - Click Here

Fall 2013 Arts Performances

The 2013 Fall Arts Performances will start soon.  The first theater production is Molly's Delicious which runs November 1-3 & November 8-10.  JazzRoots will premiere November 13th. Kickin' Up Classics Symphonic Band will be November 21st.  Pop Singers Concert will be on December 3rd and the choral production Grace Journey will be on December 7th.  Mark your calendar for these events.  To see the poster, click here.

Law on the Books vs Law in Action

Professor Grady Watts gave us a thought provoking presentation on the US Justice System. Law on the books – legal foundations, what ought to happen compared to Law in action – applied law, what actually happens. The basis of our system is "innocent until proven guilty". We reviewed several cases and had lots of open discussion.  Review his presentation - click here

Supreme Court & Constitutional Language

Political Science Professor Heidi Jo Green gave us a great review of our current Supreme Court Justices and the following Constitutional Amendments.  First, Second, Fourteenth, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth. Refresh your memory by reviewing her presentation.  Her questions make you think about the laws that form the basis of our legal system.
Presentation - Click Here

Hwy 290 Construction

For people traveling in northwest Houston, it seems that Hwy 290 construction will never end.  But they are making progress and it will be wonderful once it is finished.  Mike Zientek gave us a great presentation on the timelines for different sections of the construction.  Review his presentation to learn more - click here.

1972 The Year of Texas Women

Texas Politics....there's nothing like it.  According to Professor Blake Ellis, 1972 should be dubbed "The Year of Texas Women".  His presentation centered on three women that led the headlines in Texas Politics in 1972 - Sissy Farenthold, Barbara Jordan, and Ann Richards.  Review his presentation to learn more.  If you missed this presentation, you missed a great discussion.
Blake's Presentation - Click Here

Greeting Card Boxes

Have you got a drawer full of lovely greeting cards that you have received over the years. Here's a fun way to make something cute and useful. Mary Ellen Walsh led a fun hands-on class on Recycling Greeting Cards Into Special Boxes. Mary Ellen's instructions are attached below along with extra diagrams showing some of the steps in the process.
Mary Ellen's Instructions - Click Here
Extra Diagrams - Click Here

Anni's Life & Travels in Africa

Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent and accounts for about 15% of the world's human population.  ALL member Anni Shugart lived and worked in Africa for many years. She shared her memories of Libya and Sudan with us in a class on October 2nd. To view her presentation and a map, click below.
Anni's Presentation - Click Here
May of Africa - Click Here