This is a gathering of people who love to do art, be it painting with oils, watercolor, acrylic or pastels, or pencil drawings or any other visual medium. It is not a course with instruction, but an occasion where we each work on our own art,  and sometimes we share what we know—our mistakes as well as our triumphs. We learn from each other every time we meet. All visual art mediums are welcome, such as painting (non-volatile oils or other media), collage, gelli printing, alcohol inks, mixed media, Zentangle®, etc. Our coordinator is a working artist, mostly in oil, sometimes in watercolor or pastels. Bring your own supplies, share your art and be inspired by fellow artists! Group members will help clean the area after each session. Limit 18.

Karen Golden, Facilitator
12:30—3:30 P.M. Thursday, Starts Feb. 19
United Christian Church
3500 W. Parmer Lane (78727)

Get ready for another fun round of Spanish as we continue our adventure with the free video saga Destinos. Each week we’ll pick up new vocabulary, untangle useful grammar, explore cultural moments, and even dip into some advanced verb tenses—without the stress. Expect lively conversations and interactive activities inspired by the episodes (and whatever else sparks our curiosity!). Bring a binder to corral your handouts, and $4 for copies on day one. New to Destinos? – easy! To view videos with subtitles of episodes already covered (1-26), please go to: Destinos ¡Espero verlos pronto! Note: No class on April 2; class extends one week to April 16. Limit 20.

Verónica Putney
1:00—3:00 P. M. Thursday, Starts Feb. 19
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Rm 205
3525 Bee Caves Road (78746)

This course offers a taste of a variety of topics presented by different LLI instructors over seven weeks. This semester includes:

• Feb. 19 Personality Types (Nick Grant, instructor) How your positive personality style affects your communication, problem-solving, conflict and change management, and how persons of opposite styles can become a great resource. There will be a $1 fee for handouts.

• Feb 26 Genealogy Today (Phyllis Zumwalt, instructor) Recent improvements to genealogy research websites. Also tips for using Ancestry, FamilySearch updates for full-Text Search, Find-A-Grave and more.

• Mar. 5 Civil Rights in Texas (Jim Harrington, instructor) An overview historically of the advancement (or none) of civil rights in the Lone Star State and a discussion of where Texans are today in human rights terms.

• Mar. 12 Foundations of Investing and Texas in Retirement (Chris Cybulski, instructor) The five foundational principles of investing, why and when people invest, and taxes in retirement. Also, key tax tables, how Medicare costs affect taxable income, and cutting your taxes.

• Mar. 19 Common Medicare Misconceptions (Cassie Walden, instructor) A review of the basics of Medicare, looking at top misconceptions to avoid penalties and out-of-pocket costs.

• Mar. 26 Broad Comedy on the Plains of La Mancha: Don Quixote 1605 (David Wise, instructor) Don Quixote was an instant hit in Spain when it appeared in 1605. Why? Because it was hilariously funny. How so? Here’s a broad hint — pull out your DVD of Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) and view it again.

• April 2 Ethical Dilemmas: When Two Right Decisions Collide (Mary Jane Burson, instructor) The basics of how to analyze moral development, ethical judgments, and ethical dilemmas. Learn how an understanding of your own biases, values, and attitudes impact your perspective.

Join us to explore these important topics and meet some fine presenters. Limit 30.

Bronwyn Bowen and Gail Chavez, Coordinators
1:00—3:00 P.M. Thursday, Starts Feb. 19
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Rm B18/19
8134 Mesa Drive (78759)

This course is for those who have never played bridge, or for those who have played before and want to review the fundamentals. This is a learn-by-doing class. You will play a lot of practice hands, each focused on learning the "Standard American" method of bidding, and the most widely-used play-of-the-hand and defense methods. Limit 20.

Jack Graham
1:00—3:00 Thursday, Starts Feb. 19
The Church at Highland Park, Burchette Room
5206 Balcones Drive (78731)

Through the science and engineering of materials, humans have fashioned and refashioned their world, creating the life we have now. Why was the Samurai Katana Sword (15th century) such an effective weapon? How does the Arch handle stress? Why are polymers so useful but problematic? This course explores the secret life of materials in the structures and stuff we use, beginning with the basic nature of things from stone to steel, on to alloys, composites, ceramics, and plastics (benefits and problems). We explore the nature of crystalline structure and the different types of alloying for controlling properties of materials. We examine how material properties are understood by their response to stress and admire how early architects made the most of available materials to erect large structures like cathedrals. Finally we consider how materials fail and ask if failure helps to drive progress: why the first jet passenger planes kept crashing, or some theories of what contributed to the sinking of the Titanic. Our instructor is a retired research scientist and lecturer of physics and materials engineering who enjoys inquisitive students. Limit 24.

Thomas Lawrence
1:00—3:00 P.M. Thursday, Starts Feb. 19
Triumphant Love Lutheran Church, Upper Room
9508 Great Hills Trail (78759)

If you enjoy good intellectual discussion and essays as well as short stories, poems, and plays, then this course is for you. The Great Books Foundation, established in 1947, promotes lifelong education through the reading and discussion of outstanding literature. Its aim is to encourage all people to participate in a “Great Conversation” with the authors of significant works in the Western canon. This class gives you the opportunity to be in that conversation. Last term, we had outstanding round-table discussions every week. In this Spring’s 8-week course, we’ll discuss selections from the Foundation’s book titled Great Conversations 3, which is an anthology of classic and contemporary works. Our syllabus will consist of 3 essays, 4 short stories, and a play, one selection per week:

• The Pardoner’s Tale (Geoffrey Chaucer, 1387 AD)

• An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (David Hume, 1745),

• The Unknown Masterpiece (Honore’ de Balzac, 1831),

• A Defence of Poetry (Percy Bysche Shelley, 1820),

• The Man Who Would Be King (Rudyard Kipling, 1888),

• Second Epilogue to War and Peace (Leo Tolstoy, 1869),

• Six Characters in Search of an Author (Luigi Pirandello, 1921),

• The Open Boat (Stephen Crane, 1898).

The Great Conversations 3 book is available from The Great Books Foundation and from Amazon. Please call or text the moderator (512-694-3669), with any questions. Limit 11.

Leonard Hough, Moderator
1:00—3:00 P.M. Thursday, Starts Feb. 19
Unity Church of Austin
5501 W. U.S. Hwy. 290 (78735)

This course is designed for learners with prior French experience who wish to deepen their knowledge and improve fluency. We will review foundational concepts, expand vocabulary, and tackle more complex grammar. There will be conversation practice in groups at tables, listening activities, short readings, and online resources. Students will strengthen their confidence and accuracy in everyday communication in French. Limit 20.

Eduardo Duarte
1:00-3:00 P.M. Thursday, Starts Feb. 19
Westover Hills Church of Christ, Room 201
8332 Mesa Drive (78759)

These forms have been used for centuries as gentle, soothing, enjoyable exercises to increase circulation, enhance balance and concentration, and gently tone the body for health and well-being. We will do Qigong exercises developed for optimum health, as well as T’ai Chi (Taiji) forms. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. The instructor has been practicing and teaching for more than 50 years. Note: No class on April 2; class extends one week to April 16. Limit 28

Anya Rylander-Jones, PhD
1:30—3:00 P.M. Thursday, Feb. 19
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Gym
3525 Bee Caves Road (78746)

This course is NOT about strange, pretzel acrobatics, but rather strengthening and stretching, with enough balance and flexibility exercises to age well and be able to do what we want to keep doing. Using yoga exercises, we strengthen and tone the body, enhance flexibility in the joints, improve balance and focus, reduce stress, and improve circulation and concentration. Please bring a mat or blanket and wear comfortable, non-binding clothes. As with any exercise program, check first with your doctor, especially if there is history of untreated high blood pressure, eye disease complications, or other health concerns. The instructor has been teaching yoga for more than 50 years. Note: No class on April 2; class extends one week to April 16. Limit 25.

Anya Rylander-Jones, PhD
3:00—4:00 P.M. Thursday, Starts Feb.19
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Gym
3525 Bee Caves Road (78746)