Minestrone Soup

Winter in Houston has been colder than usual.  Are your ready for some good homemade soup?  How about making some Minestrone Soup and Dilly Bread using recipes from Bob and Connie Pepples. Those attending the cooking class were able to watch the preparation process and also taste the pot of soup that had been made the day before....soup is always better the next day after the flavors have melded together.
Recipes - Click Here

Bus Trip Info for Spring 2014

A REMINDER FROM THE BUS TRIP COMMITTEE:

If you are on the bus trip wait list, you will receive either a phone call or an e-mail when there is a cancellation. There was some confusion on the January bus trip and two people on the wait list thought they had seats. You are always free to come at check in, in case there is a last minute cancellation. This does frequently occur but not always.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT FEBRUARY BUS TRIP TO THE THEATER:

Currently this bus trip is full. If you are willing/able to drive yourself to Conroe, we can get additional tickets at the group rate. Please contact Sharon Samson (281-859-1512 or ssamson1980@gmail.com) no later than February 7. However, the sooner you let us know the better as the show could possibly sell out. After the show we will be going to dinner at Ryan's Steakhouse for a great dinner deal at $11.00 for food & beverage (separate checks and tip at the table).  Hope you can join us there.

IMPORTANT NEWS REGARDING DATE CHANGE FOR SIGN UP FOR THE SECOND QUARTER BUS TRIPS (April, May and June)  The date for sign up has been changed from Monday, March 24 to Tuesday, April 8 at 10AM.

Memoir - Your Story is Important

A memoir  is a collection of memories that an individual writes about events that took place in the author's life.  Mary Anne McMahon Brslik shared her experience of growing up in Detroit by writing her memoir.  She outlined some key points that budding authors need to remember if they are interested in writing their own memoir from inception through publication. Read her book for both content and as an example of a memoir.
Review Mary Anne's suggestions - click here
Mary Anne's Card - click here
Suggested Reading - Dan Poynter's Self-Publishing Manuel
Her Editor and Publisher - Create Space

Texas - The State of Springs

Cheryl LeJune led the class in a discussion of the state of the natural springs in Texas using the video from Texas Parks and Wildlife.  With our recent droughts, the decline of these great resources are front page news.  We learned how the springs are replenished, how and why they are declining, and how we can help in our daily lives.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.texasthestateofwater.org/
and
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/water/environconcerns/regions/

Acupuncture - Traditional Chinese Medicine

We were privileged to have Wei-Ping Kuo to give us a class on Traditional Chinese Medicine.  She explained how acupuncture is based on the concept of balance and harmony between Yin and Yang.  This 3000 year old Chinese Medicine has stood the test of time.  To learn more review the following items.  For personalized consultation, contact her at 281-647-6661 to schedule an appointment.

The Door to the East - Click Here

Harmony Acupuncture Clinic - Click Here

Advisory Committee Minutes - January 2014

The ALL Advisory Committee met on Wednesday, January 15th.  This was the first week of the Spring 2014 semester.  Registration - Open House went well with over 250 members attending.  There are good bus trips and classes scheduled this semester, so be sure to attend these sessions.
January 2014 Minutes - Click Here

Medicare Info

Peggy Mims was with us on January 14th explaining the ins and outs of Medicare.  Medicare choices and rules seem to get more involved each year.  It is important that you understand your choices between Medicare, Medigap, Medicare Advantage plans and Prescription Drug Plans. The website www.Medicare.gov is the place to start your review.  Be sure to use the Search feature if you are looking for specific items such as disability.
Medicare and You - click here   Document is 152 pages long
Medigap Plan Options - click here
Medicare Premiums for Higher Incomes - click here
Peggy Mim's Card - click here

Bus Trips - Spring 2014

First Quarter 2014 CyFair ALL bus Trips

January 21 (Tuesday)

Join us for a guided tour of the Texas Hill Country. Sights include Blanco River Road tour, Central Texas Bonsai Exhibit, Devil’s Backbone and Driftwood Estates Winery.  The cost is $5.  Lunch will be additional at a popular BBQ establishment in Lockhart, the BBQ capitol of Texas.

Note: This trip is non-refundable

February 23, (Sunday)

We will enjoy a musical (“Anything Goes”) at 2pm at the historic Crighton Theater, built in 1934, in downtown Conroe. Madcap antics aboard the ocean liner as a stowaway is in love with an heiress who is engaged to a lord.  He is aided in his quest to win her by various assorted characters.  Cost is $15 plus dinner after the show at Ryan’s Family Steakhouse. 

March 12, (Wednesday)

A Preservation Houston guide will take us on a morning walking tour of Broadacres. Broadacres was among the residential neighborhoods developed near Rice University in the early 20th century.  Its breathtaking oak allées and landscaping were the work of William Ward Watkin, the supervising architect of the Rice campus, and many of Houston's finest architects (John Staub, Birdsall Briscoe and Watkin among them) designed the houses that line North and South boulevards.  The tour explores the architecture of these gracious homes and the stories of the oil, cotton, lumber, banking and railroad leaders who built them.  After lunch at a local restaurant we will visit Houston Museum of Contemporary Crafts, one of the many museums in Houston’s Museum District. The cost is $10 plus lunch.  NOTE: This walking tour will last approximately 90 minutes without access to bathroom facilities. There will be uneven sidewalks. Please keep this in mind before signing up for this bus trip.

Sign Up & Refund Policies - January 2014  
click here

Advisory Board Minutes - December 2013

The ALL Advisory Board met on Wednesday, December 11th.  The Fall Semester will end with a holiday party on Friday, December 13th.  Much of the meeting was a discussion on the upcoming Open House / Registration on Saturday, January 11th.  It was decided that we would hold a planning meeting on Wednesday, January 8th.  Susan Chapman and Stan Wylie agreed to organize this event.  The meeting was adjourned at noon.
Advisory Board Minutes, December 2013 - Click Here

ALL Holiday Party

What:  ALL Holiday Party 

When:  Friday, December 13th from 11:00am-1:00pm

Where:  HSC 105 & and 106 (our regular classroom)

Bring:  A dish to share with friends....finger food, hors d'oeuvre, dessert (your choice)

Join us for fun with friends.  Santa will have gifts for those that attend.

See You There !!!