October/November  Special Events

A Congressional Overview .  On Friday, October 10, at 1 pm, hear an overview of government programs and services, the legislative process and  services available through Congresswoman Baldwin’s local offices.  Receive valuable contact information for further assistance with benefits and eligibility.  The program is given by Brett Watson, staff member of Congresswoman Baldwin’s local Madison office, and co-sponsored by Dane County SOS.  There is no charge. 

Wanted:  “Strong Women.”   The “Strong Women” Program is a six-week National Fitness program for middle-age and older women.  The Program is based research on how strength training and proper nutrition improve the health of women of all ages.  The program is appropriate for both sedentary and very active women.  The class meets every Tuesdays and Thursday, beginning   October 14, from 12:30 – 1:30 pm.      The cost is $25.    Advance registration necessary, call 266-8651.

Movie Matinee.  On October 14, see Miss Pedigrew Lives for a Day.  A gruff Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) lands an assignment as the assistant of an American starlet (Amy Adams) and finds herself swept up in a dizzying world of glamour and high society.    See Ballet Shoes on October 28.  An unusual explorer named Gum (Richard Griffiths) and his kindly niece (Emilia Fox) adopt three orphan girls.  But when Gum doesn't return from one of his adventures, the girls must fend for themselves and nurture their respective dreams—acting, aviation and ballet.  Both movies are free of charge and begin at 1 pm.

Are You An Entrepreneur?  Thinking about starting a business?  Decide if entrepreneurship is right for you in this workshop on Wednesday, October 15, at 9:30 am.  Evaluate skills and readiness for business ownership and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of starting a business.  Sponsored by the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative.  There is no charge.  Advance registration necessary, call 266-8651.

The History of the English Language.  Learn how English is a linguistic cousin to the Sanskrit language of ancient India, why the Huns' invasion of Europe 16 centuries ago determined that we speak English and not Latin and how the Norman conquest ultimately changed English from a germanic to a romance language.  Part 1 of this three-part class looks at the historical study of language, the Indo-European languages, Old English -- the language of Beowolf, and Middle English -- the language of Chaucer.  The six-week course is taught by Professor Seth Lerer, Stanford University and begins on Thursday, October 16, from 9:30 – 11:30 am. Discussion leader is George Merriman.  The cost is $5. Advance registration necessary, call 266-8651.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18: Something For Everyone 

Opening of A Photo Affair.  At 1:30 pm, visit the second floor corridor and enjoy the Opening of  “A Photo Affair.”  Photographs from folks 55 years and older throughout Dane County are on display.  The Show is judged and prizes awarded.  The Show runs week days through November 14. 

Opera for the Young at Heart   At 3:30 pm to see Opera for the Young (OFY), perform an updated, adaptation of Mozart’s The Magic Flute.  The Magic Flute is a parable of the quest for love and truth; it involves a kidnapped princess, a mysterious and powerful Queen  and a carefree, flute-playing wanderer.  The audiences become acquainted with the original score of Mozart, though the setting is changed in contexts more relevant to our 21st-century lives—outer-space.  OFY  includes five member professional cast composed of four opera singers and one pianist and 16-member students composed of children from Madison Youth Chorus.  There is no charge.

Saturday Evening Meal  Following this performance enjoy a catered meal from The Jade Garden.  The meal featuring Beef Chop Suey, Moo Goo Gai Pan (chicken) with rice and an egg roll.  Hua Mu Lan Traditional Chinese Dance provides the entertainment.  The cost for the meal is $3.50 and reservations are necessary.  Call 266-6581, the deadline is noon on Thursday, October 16. Limited transportation is available. 

Tricksters and Fools.  Bugs Bunny, a well-known trickster, is hardly the first to use wit against a foolish adversary. Folklore around the world features stories of clever tricksters.  On Tuesday, October 21, at 12:30, be entertained with stories from folklore traditions around the world. Storyteller Gwyn Calvetti shares stories that feature clever wit rather than brute force. There is no charge.    

Flu Shot Clinic.  Influenza, a highly contagious respiratory disease, affects between 10 and 20 percent of the U.S. population each year. Flu shots can prevent much of the illness and even death caused by influenza.  The walk-in clinic is on Thursday, October 30, from 9 - 11 a.m.  There is no charge for persons who have Medicare B or Medicaid. 

Tuesday Movie Matinee.  On November 4, see Made of Honor.  Happy-go-lucky Tom (Patrick Dempsey) finally decides to propose to his best friend, Hannah (Michelle Monaghan), when she returns from a trip.  But when she gets home, she announces that she's engaged … and asks Tom to be in the wedding.  Romance.  PG-13   See Leatherheads on November 18.  Hard-nosed sports reporter Lexie Littleton (Renée Zellweger) finds herself at the center of an acute 1920s love triangle when an aging football hero (George Clooney) and a rising college star (John Krasinski) go head to head to compete for her affections.  Comedy.  PG-13   Both movies are free of charge and begin at 1 pm. They are compliments of Four Star Video Heaven.  

Computer Workshops.  Four two-hour workshops are offered this month. Each cost $5 and are led by Cris Carpenter, HouseCall Computer Service.  Advance registration in necessary, call 266-6581.  Backup Strategies For Your PC:  teaches how to employ simple techniques and strategies for successfully backing up and restoring computer data files.  It meets on Friday, November 7, at 9:30 am.  Buying A New  PC:  is designed to help PC owners make informed decisions about whether it makes more sense to upgrade their current system or replace it with a new one.  It meets on Tuesday, November 25 , at 9:30 am.   E-Bay Basics Class:  learn how Ebay works and how to use it. It meets on Thursday,  November 13, at 9:30 am.  PC Maintenance and Performance:  hear how to keep their Windows-based systems running at peak performance levels and preventing common computer problems. It meets Wednesday, November 19, at 9:30 am. 

Sunday Meal.  Enjoy chicken supreme, baked potato, mixed vegetables, tossed salad and dressing, an onion roll and butter carrot cake on Sunday, November 9, at 12:30 pm. The entertainment features The Monroe Chamber Trio. Bingo completes the afternoon. The cost is $3.50 and reservations are necessary. Call 251-8405 by noon on Friday November 7^th.  Limited transportation is available.

It’s Your Life To Give and Live.  This five-week series explores wisdom of aging, looking inward and outward.  It begins Tuesday, November 11, from 12:30 – 2:30 pm.  Alita Lisbeth, Catholic sister and co-director of Wisdom’s Well Interfaith Spirituality Center, leads this class.  The cost is $10.  Advance registration in necessary, call 266-6581.

Turning Your Hobby Into A Business - Is It For You?   Have you ever wondered if your hobby has the potential to be a successful business?  On Wednesday, November 12, 9:30am – 11:30am, learn about turning your passion into a business. Explore the aspects of a successful small enterprise and the pros & cons of making the change from hobby to business. There is no charge.   

Living With Hearing Loss.  If you or someone you know has a hearing loss please join us on Wednesday, November 12, from 10–11 am. John Kinstler, a communication technology counselor at UniversaLink, presents “Living With Hearing Loss.” The presentation includes signs and symptoms of hearing loss, communication tips and strategies to deal with hearing loss, amplified telephones, and assisted listening devices. Also Information on obtaining financial assistance to purchase specialized telephone equipment will be included. There is no charge.

Attitude Adjustment.  With the Thanksgiving holiday almost upon us, take time now to start thinking those pleasant thoughts about what in your life you feel thankful for.  Whether it's a memory or tradition that you cherish, a special relationship with a family member or friend, what comes to mind when you think about what has brought peace or joy to you? Hear and share stories on Thursday November 13, at 12:30 p.m.  Supplies and assistance for making 'Thank You' cards and writing stories will be available. There is no charge.

We All Forget – Is it Normal Aging or should I be concerned?  We all forget names occasionally and misplace keys and wallets. How do our memories work? What’s normal and what’s not normal for our brains as we age? What should we do if we are concerned for others or ourselves? Carol Nimlos with the Alzheimer’s Association will answer all these questions at a free presentation on Monday, November 17, at 12:30 p.m.  There is no charge.

Jazz and the Mind of the Improviser.  This 10-week course, taught by Mary Ann Stephenson and Jerry Sanders, begins Monday November 24, from 12–1:30 pm.  This course includes a survey of the various periods from earliest beginnings through modern jazz, an examination of the task of the improviser as she/he attempts to compose a new melody “on the fly”. A variety of informational sources will be used including the Teaching Company course entitled “ Elements of Jazz: From Cakewalks to Fusion” by Prof. Bill Messenger. The cost  is $10 charge.  Advance registration in necessary, call 266-6581.

Travelogue: Sicily.  "Sicily, the island off the southern tip of Italy, is a land of contrasts -- from beaches to snow-covered Mt. Etna, still an active volcano.  It has been the crossroads of the ancient world.  Phoenician, Greeks, and Romans are among those who have held the island."  Join us on Tuesday, November 25, at 12:30 pm to learn more about Sicily.  There is no charge.

Festival of Wreaths and Tea.  Mark your calendars for the Opening of the 2008 Festival of Wreaths, and Classic English Tea.   The Festival opens on Monday, December 1.  Enjoy the beauty and creativity of handmade wreaths that are on display and for sale.  The display continues through Friday, December 12 during open hours at the Senior Center.  Purchase one for yourself or as a gift, knowing that your purchase supported the Senior Center. On December 5, at 2 pm, the fourth annual Holiday Tea begins. This Classic English Tea features various flavors of teas, finger sandwiches and sweets.  Pecatonica Quartet provides special music.   The cost is $5. Call 266-6581 for reservations.

“Senior Beat”   “Senior Beat” television programming “for, by and about seniors” can be seen on Charter Channel 994.  The November topic is housing and the guests are Tobi LeMahieu, education and outreach director for Fair Housing Center of Greater Madison.  She explains her organization does, what our rights are and how we can receive information and support for any issues that arise.  Suzanne Scott, PhD with the University's Design Department and her speciality is home modifications.   Senior Beat can be watched as follows: Wednesdays at 5 pm, Sundays at 8:30 am and 5:30 pm.   Senior Beat is sponsored by Madison City Channel and the Senior Center

Preserving Military Histories.  The Madison Vet Center, Wisconsin Veterans Museum and Senior Center are recording all veteran’s military histories.    YOUR military history is important!!  To understand history – we need everyone’s experiences!!   Please call 608/ 264-5342 to set up an appointment with the Madison Vet Center to have your history recorded. 

MyMedicare  Matters.  Lost in the Medicare maze?  For reliable Medicare information for yourself or a loved one, stop by the Computer Lab, any Friday afternoon from 12:30 - 2:30 pm. A trained volunteer will guide you to credible sites offering specific resources.  Printed handouts with local resources are also available.  Take advantage of this free assistance.  Questions: call 267-2344.I