To request a brochure, please call 978-665-3706.
Classes start the week of September 14th.
ALFA - Fall 2009
Session I: September - October 2009
Volcanoes and their effect on climate, civilization and earth history will be explored. |
| Do you ever say to yourself:” I would if only…..” or, “I could never….”? Here is your opportunity to challenge old beliefs, and move yourself forward in the direction of your goals. It’s only too late if you don’t start. How about NOW? |
| The Historical Piano in its True Colors |
| An introduction to the kinds of piano sounds and playing characteristics known to the great composer-pianists c.1790-1907, through the resources of the Frederick Piano Collection in Ashburnham. |
| T’ai Chi Chi Kung I - Beginner's Level; Classes 1-5 |
| Developed in ancient China and practiced worldwide, T’ai Chi Chi Kung encourages the free flow of the universal life force [Chi] through the body. Benefits include enhanced immune system, reduced stress, better balance and peace of mind. Taoist philosophy and meditation techniques will be discussed and practiced. Loose, comfortable clothing is recommended for this 10 week beginners’ course. |
| Discussion and readings of plays that have and have had an impact on modern society. |
| Where the Wild Things Grow |
| We’ll wrestle with the wild things like weeds, wildlife, water, and worms. Some are great for the garden, some are very destructive. We’ll discuss remedies and prevention using organic techniques so that we enhance our gardens and properties without damaging Mother Nature. |
| This course will look at the evolution of the American short story over the 19th and 20th centuries, with emphasis on stories of mature people facing some of the basic questions of life. |
Introduction to Computers I |
| We will explore computer basics including Microsoft Windows and the myriad possibilities of the mouse. We'll navigate the Internet, e-mail and social networking sites. |
Extended Ta'i Chi Chi Kung I/Beginners' Level; Classes 1-5 |
| Developed in ancient China and practiced worldwide, T'ai Chi Chi Kung encourages the uninhibited flow of the universal life force through the body. Benefits include enhanced immune response, greater flexibility, reduced stress, better balance and peace of mind. Students will learn a series of gentle exercises known as the Brocade of Eight. Loose, comfortable clothing is recommended. This is a 10-week course from Sept. - Dec., so please enroll for both sessions. |
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| U.S. President Obama's First Year |
| We will assess and discuss the challenges of domestic and foreign policies from President Barrack Obama's first year. This class will provide plenty of opportunity for discussion and debate. |
| This course will introduce the study of folklore, concentrating on the diversity of verbal, customary, and material traditions found in New England. |
| We will demonstrate cuisines that highlight Jewish, American, French-Canadian, English, and Islamic celebrations, all of which illustrate religious holidays' influence on food, particularly its ethnic flavors. Feast on a variety of sumptuous fare. A materials fee of $15 per student is due at the first class. |
| Sharpening Your Digital Camera Skills - the Next Level |
| A "hands-on" emphasis will have students more fully develop their expertise with digital camera features in real-life situations. Photo editing techniques for printing and the web will be explored. |
| We will explore such global issues as the environment, human rights, terrorism, free trade, and globalization. We will discuss the origins of these issues, and the challenges to getting global action to address them. |
| Finding Oneself in Nature |
| Contemplating nature is often a conduit to self-understanding. We will combine literature and nature and then write about our insights. We will filter our experiences through the great outdoors, work on descriptive writing skills, and learn about our personal responses to nature. |
Session II: November - December
| Savoring Tea Clad in Mystery |
| Tea - black tea, green tea, white tea, and oolong – has a long and mystical history to be explored. We’ll examine its social impact on world trade and production; we’ll cook with tea, pair it with chocolate, and savor delicious treats that enhance tea flavors. A $10/person fee for food is due at the first class. |
| T’ai Chi Chi Kung I -Beginner's Level; Classes 6-10 |
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| See description in session I. Loose, comfortable clothing is recommended. |
| We will explore the principles of justice by observing cases at the courthouse and by examining recent high profile cases in the news. Participants are encouraged to bring articles on current judicial topics to the first class. |
Seeing Like an Artist, Listening Like a Composer |
| Participants will learn the elements of the arts and apply this learning to visual art and music from the Renaissance to 1900. |
| This yoga class will explore the body-mind connection through poses and movement that utilize and challenge strength, flexibility, balance, and breath. We will incorporate standing work and chair work; and we’ll enjoy rest at the end of class. No previous experience is required. |
Introduction to Computers II |
| A continuation of Introduction to Computers I. |
Extended T'ai Chi Chi Kung I/Beginners' Level - Classes 6-10 |
| See description in session I. Loose, comfortable clothing is recommended. |
| The Cross and the Crescent |
| The interaction between Christianity and Islam can be traced back to 622 C.E., when the Prophet Muhammad began to preach the message of Allah in the Arabian desert; by 1500, Islam became a global religion that interlinked all three continents-Europe, North Africa, and Asia. This course will explore the positive and negative aspects of the interaction between the two major religions for nearly 800 hours, thereby contributing to the lingering mutual admiration and antipathy. |
| We are going to take you around the world with stories, slide and details of culture and history from the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Holland, the Panama Canal, and Germany. |
| A discussion and lecture of current concepts of evolutionary biology and fundamental aspects of the scientific method would be followed by the basic standard model of evolution, including mutation, selection, migration, and genetic drift. Other topics determined by the class, could include inheritance of acquired characteristics, multi-level selection, natural selection as a model for cancer progression, creation biology, or evolution at the human level. |
| Discussion of contemporary Italian culture and issues~religion and politics, travel, education, style and fashion, and of course food and wine. |
Survey of Contemporary Art |
| An introduction to contemporary art since 1900. Special emphasis will be place on the beginnings of contemporary art. |
| In this course, we will discuss the nature of the Universe--distances, the big-bang, stars, supernovae, black holes, dark matter, dark energy--and the measurements that lead to our current understanding. |
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