Tuesday, September 28, 2010

LSC-CyFair ALL Advisory Committee

We want everyone to stay informed and to contribute to the programs and events offered by ALL Academy for Lifelong Learning. To encourage participation, we will post the minutes of each Advisory Committee meeting. These meetings are OPEN to any and all ALL Members. Meetings are normally held on the third Wednesday of the month immediately following the L.I.F.E. program....so you can just walk from the Library to the Mod 2 classroom. Come give us input !!
Minutes from 9-22-10 - Click Here.

Change Your Mind / Change Your Life - Class 3

Your mind is a puzzle but you can arrange your thoughts to have a positive outlook. In the third class Denese presented some Mind/Brain Openers that will help you to control your thoughts.
Mind/Brain Openers - click here.
She also shared Denese's Five Rules of Life
1. Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.
2. Deny adverse conditions.
3. Picture good outcomes.
4. Pray for every person with whom you meet.
5. Practice Universal love toward everyone.
Be sure to come to the final class on Thursday, October 14th at 10:00 when Dick will share his perspective on overcoming difficulties following brain surgery. Dick's wit and humor helps us more clearly see how you Can Change Your Mind to Change Your Life.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Art Class

Drawing Class continues to be a big success. Class members are learning the basics of drawing....much more than picking up a pencil and drawing stick figures. Next class meeting will concentrate on drawing cloth, wrinkles, folds and texture. There is still time to join the class, but don't wait too long.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Change Your Mind / Change Your Life - Class 2

In the first class meeting of Change Your Mind / Change Your Life Denese started us on an amazing journey. She explained that we all have the ability to manage our brains, our bodies and our minds.

In Class II Denese explained how new science and therapies come together to help us learn new ways of dealing with situations.

Refer to the earlier post on Tuesday, 9/21/10 for more info.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Pesticides

Helpful or Harmful - Precarious Balance !
Pesticides have significantly improved the quality of human life. They are effective means of controlling diseases, weeds and insect pests. They help increase crop and livestock yield. They protect human health by preventing disease outbreaks through control of rodent and insect populations. They are used to sanitize our water. However, pesticides can also be hazardous if not used appropriately - so it is important to read and follow product labels. Read more about it by reviewing the class materials presented by Paul Nester of the Texas AgriLife Extension service.
Pesticides Part 1 - Click Here
Pesticides Part 2 - Click Here

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Change Your Mind / Change Your Life - Class 1

Life changed dramatically for Dick and Denese Schmelzkopf when Dick was diagnosed with a pituitary gland tumor. Emergency surgery saved Dick's life but he was left with substantial brain damage. This four-part class gives us insight into how Denese's research and diligence helped Dick work through physical and mental challenges. Dick's recovery is an inspiration to anyone facing difficulties.
Denese did extensive reading on brain science and philosophy so that she could develop tools and tricks to help Dick cope with his new situations. The bibliography of the 76 books she reviewed is attached. If you want more in-depth info on specific topics, you may want review a book from the list. Bibliography - Click Here.
Dick has written two books in which he shares information about his recovery with humor and love. Both of these books are "a good read" that may help you cope with situations within your own sphere of family and friends. His books are available on Amazon or from the author. Book Titles are shown below.
Brain Damage: Overcoming Adversity With Wit and Humor
Brain Damage II: I Know Who I Used To Be But Who Am I Now?
Author - Dick Schmelzkopf

Monday, September 20, 2010

Fall Vegetable & Community Gardening

Jean Fefer shared information about the Turning Point Center Garden. This is a donation garden that provides food for residents of the Turning Point Center that provides assistance to homeless elders in the Houston area. This community garden welcomes volunteers in many different areas. Jean also provided the class a lot of good basic information about gardening in Houston's climate. Check out the attachments for more information.

Turning Point Center Info - Click Here.
Vegetable Varieties Harris Co - Click Here.
Vegetable Garden Plant Dates - Click Here.
Vegetable Gardening Guide - Click Here.
Urban Harvest Comm Gardens - Click Here.
Harris County Master Gardener - Click Here

Turning Point Center http://www.turningpointcenter.org/index.htm

Urban Dirt Website – review their informative newsletters from Master Gardeners Association http://hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/urban/2010.aspx

Urban Harvest Website – learn about community gardens http://www.urbanharvest.org/index.html

Texas AgriLIFE Extension Publications http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort/pubs/vegherb.htm

Friday, September 17, 2010

Drawing Class

Drawing Art Class is a great success with lots of budding artists. Tony Kram leads this diverse group through the basic concepts of drawing. Next week they will explore how to establish proportions, placement of objects and composition. By the end of the semester we hope to see their art work on display. As Tony says "let the fun begin."

Inkle Loom Weaving

Have you ever seen an Inkle Loom? Well class members attending the Inkle Loom Weaving class at LSC-CyFair got a first-hand look and some hands-on experience. Mary Ellen Walsh demonstrated the art of weaving on an Inkle Loom. It may look complicated, but once you get into the rhythm you can make beautiful things. Review the following resources for more info.
Mary Ellen Walsh Email - maryellenwalsh@sbcglobal.net

Inkle Loom Resources - click here.

Pictures of Braids - click here.

Beginning Inkle Weaving by Heather Haroldt http://www.heatherspages.net/images/weaving/beginning%20Inkle%20Weaving.pdf

How to Weave on the Inkle Loom by Mary Atwater http://www.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/monographs/amm_inkl.pdf

Warping Your Loom http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPMUszodRH0&feature=fvsr

Local Weaving Vendor – Upstairs Studio http://www.upsstudio.com/about.html

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Math With Roxanne

Math can be FUN. At least when the games are led by Roxanne. Class participants enjoyed playing Math Trivial Pursuit that let them brush up on their math skills. There were a couple of handouts showing Number Crunchers and Brain Twisters.
See attachments for some of the fun.
Brain Twister Questions - click here.
Brain Twister Answers - click here.
Number Crunchers - click here.