adult learning fitchburg area

Spring 2021

fitchburgstate.edu/ALFA

Adult Learning IN THE Fitchburg Area

All Courses ONline

Spring 2021


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Contents | About Us

What is ?

ALFA (Adult Learning in the Fitchburg Area) is a lifelong learning institute that serves adult learners in Fitchburg and the surrounding communities.

ALFA is sponsored by the School of Graduate, Online, and Continuing Education at Fitchburg State University in collaboration with volunteer members of the community.

We offer non-credit daytime classes, trips, special events, and a free speaker series. ALFA students are encouraged to volunteer and participate in program leadership and development, as well as social and recreational activities. A limited number of scholarships are available.

Our MissionALFA provides an opportunity for lifelong learners to meet and share interests in an informal setting and pursue learning for enrichment and personal growth.

Have you always wanted to teach?Have a specialty that you think others would be interested in? We’re always looking for new instructors and new subject areas to offer our ALFA’s.

Contact us at [email protected] for details about becoming an ALFA instructor.

Have a question?Call the ALFA Office at 978-665-3706, email us at [email protected].

COURSE OFFERINGS Spring 2021

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Contents | About Us

Contents

About ALFA ..............................................................2

Instructor Bios ........................................................ 4

Session 3—At-A-Glance ......................................... 8

Session 3—Courses ................................................ 8

Session 4—At-A-Glance ........................................ 13

Session 4—Courses ...............................................14

Special Events ........................................................19

Registration Information ..................................... 20

Registration Form ................................................. 21


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Arllen Acevedo is a retired certified art and English teacher and has over 16 years of teaching experience. She earned her B.A. from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico and her M.F.A. in Education from Boston University. She is also a certified hypnotist and belongs to the National Guild of Hypnotists of MA and has been a member

since 2011. She uses her knowledge as a hypnotist to teach people how to make more meaningful meditations by using the “guided meditation” method. Her purpose in life is to teach people how to empower themselves to lead more successful, healthier, and happier lives. She has been a volunteer, teaching guided medita-tion since 2011, at the Senior Center in Leominster, MA. She also teaches metaphysical classes at area colleges.Courses: Learning About Your Chakras: Your Energetic System, Pg. 17; Guided Meditation II, Pg.. 16

Sawkat Anwer came to the United States for higher studies with the intention of returning to Pakistan. Before he could finish studies, war broke out resulting in the creation of Bangladesh. He lost three brothers in the war and their property was heavily damaged. He decided to delay his return. One thing led to another and he is still here.

Course: Things You Should Know About Science, Pg. 11.

Ursula Anwer was born in Germany. She is a Neurologist and Sleep specialist. She has been practicing in Worcester, MA for more than 25 years. She graduated from the Technical University in Munich, Germany as an MD, also has an MS in Biochemistry from Kansas State University.Course: Things You Should Know About

Science, Pg. 11.

Bill Ayadi is a retired engineer born in Tunisia. He was educated in both Tunisia and Europe. Arabic was his first language and he grew up immersed in its stories and traditions. He is a life-long student of history, literature, and art. Courses: Things You Should Know About Science, Pg. 11; Art and Culture of Islam, Pg.15; Armchair Travel, Pg. 14.

Aldo Bianco emigrated from Trieste, Italy in April of 1953 at the age of 65. He received his BA from Queens College in Geology and his Master’s Degree from Brooklyn College, with a concentration in geochemistry. Aldo taught high school and then became principal of the Yeshiva Academy in Worcester, for 28 years. After retiring, he accepted a position in the

Math and Science department at Wachusett Community College, where he is still teaching as an Adjunct Professor. Course: Italian Café, Pg. 10; Things You Should Know About Science, Pg. 11.

Jean Borgatti has been consulting curator of African and Oceanic art at the Fitchburg Art Museum since 2010 when she was asked to help organize and document a growing collec-tion of African and Oceanic art and charged with the responsibility of developing a long-term exhibition of the collection. She has faculty status at Clark University where she

taught between 1984 and 2004 in the Visual and Performing Arts Department and at Boston University where she is a research fellow at the African Studies Center. She received her B.A. in Art History (Modern Art) from Wellesley College in 1966 and her M.A. and PhD in Art History (Non-Western Art) from UCLA in 1971 and 1976 respectively. She has carried out extensive research in Nigeria in 1971-1974 (doctoral research), 1979 (post-doctoral research) and 2002-2004 as well as 2014-2016 as a Fulbright Scholar. Her currently organized exhibits at FAM are Moving Objects: Art from Africa and Oceania in the Fitchburg Art Museum and Cloth is Money: Textiles from the Sahel.Course: Masquerade Traditions of West and Central Africa, Pg. 16.

Joe Choiniere has worked in the conservation field for over 40 years and taught numerous courses in all aspects of nature study. Joe is a lifelong naturalist and has a B.S. in Natural History from UMass/Amherst. Course: Winter Botany—Trees, Pg. 9; Winter Botany—Shrubs, Pg. 14.

Instructors Instructors


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Instructors

Jeff Cote The Occidental Taoist, has been called one of the hidden treasures of New England. Jeff has been professionally studying Qigong, Medical Qigong, Tai Chi, Baguazhang, Tao Yin, Taoist Meditation and Zhongyi Medicine for nearly thirty years. He is a Professional diplomate in Chinese Medicine from the Tai institute of Oriental Medicine, is

a professional member of the Wutang Chuan Gung Association, and a Registered Instructor in the disciplines of Tuina and Shiatsu with the American Organization for the Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA). He has also held a position as the national Director of Education for the AOBTA. Mr. Cote has been teaching these arts for over twenty years at Massage and Bodywork schools, Senior Centers, Community Centers, schools of Asian Healing Arts, and in various Martial Arts facilities both across the country and interna-tionally. He has been a guest lecturer at Northeastern University for the Holistic Nursing program, and the Tuina head instructor and clinic supervisor for the New England School of Acupuncture. Jeff has professionally practiced Zhongyi Medicine (Classical Chinese Medicine) in the disciplines of Tuina, Medical Qigong, and Herbalism for over twenty-five years. Most recently his public access television show—Tai Chi: The Way to Radiant Health, has earned him the moniker of “The Bob Ross of Tai Chi”. Courses: Qigong I, Pg. 12; Qigong II, Pg.18; Tai Chi, Pg. 12 & Pg. 18.

Sally Cragin is an award-winning journalist and playwright whose works have been performed in Provincetown, New York City (the Producers Club) and North Central Massachusetts. She is an author at Llewellyn Worldwide, and her books, “The Astrological Elements” and “Astrology on the Cusp” have been translated and sold overseas. She writes

the “New and Full Moon” forecasts for the Moon Sign Almanacs for Llewellyn. Course: Ancient Lore in Modern Times, Pg. 16.

Martha Crawford is a retired consultant focused on customer development in the US and Europe. She has a background in political science and philosophy, and a long term appreciation of art, culture, and making connections. Course: ALFA Salon: Continuing the Conversation, Pg. 9.

Anne Gilman is the author of the best-selling book Doing Work You Love, (Cheryl Gilman) McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books, Barnes & Noble Books; Amazon/Create Space. Anne led career seminars across the country before she started offering creative writing workshops in New England. She also has over 20 years’ experience writing and editing books, local

news, publicity stories, marketing & communications materials, proposals, and newsletters. Anne is also a visual artist and enjoys offering abstract drawing/painting courses. Her artwork has been exhibited at the Danforth Museum, Concord Art Assoc., Gardner Art League and the Lunenburg Library.Courses: Creative Writing & Memoir Workshop, Pg. 9 & Pg. 15; Abstract Drawing and Painting, Pg. 8.

Joyce Ayadi Hinckley is a retired psychologist and educator. She is also a life-long student of history, religion, art, and culture. She is truly passionate about making connections across disciplines. Courses: Art and Culture of Islam, Pg. 15; Things You Should Know About Science, Pg. 11; Armchair Travel, Pg. 14.

Gail Hoar was raised on an island in the middle of Lake Washington. She spent her summers, until she was in her early 20’s, swimming, hiking and boating in lakes, Puget Sound, the Straits of Georgia and exploring the shores of the San Juan, Canadian Gulf, and Vancouver Islands. She still considers the Pacific Northwest and the Puget Sound area home.

Courses: Armchair Travel, Pg. 14.

Catherine Hunter was a museum curator, educator, and consultant for over twenty years with a specialty in textiles. She has studied basketmaking, published feature arti-cles for the National Basketry Organization quarterly, and worked as a Research Associate for the Native American Basketry Project at the Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology

in Andover, Massachusetts.Courses: Native American Basketry: Rooted, Revived and Reinvented, Pg. 9.

Instructors


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Ann-marie LaBollita is an artist and teacher who believes in the transformational power of art and yoga. She has a BFA in painting and an MFA in studio teaching. Ann-Marie is also a Certified Yoga Instructor and a Let Your Yoga Dance instructor. She happily spends her time teaching, in her studio and on her yoga mat.Courses: Printmaking with Gelatin Plates,

Pg. 9; Reduce Pain and Improve Posture with Yoga, Pg. 11 & Pg. 16.

Sau-Mei Leung is a Hong Kong born American artist. She enjoys teaching and sharing her love of nature and art. Mei is graduate from the Natural Science Illustration Certificate from RISD CE and is currently studying Graphic Design at RISD CE. She also has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Connecticut.

Course: Creativity Workshop, Pg. 11;

Paul Luria has been performing and teaching as a musician on guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and harmonica for fifty years. He is a retired public school teacher and administrator. Courses: Ukulele for You, Pg. 17; The History of Folk Music, Pg. 15.

Paula Cookson Luria is a retired ESL & Bilingual teacher of Kindergarten through graduate-level students. She loves to travel and frequently uses her Spanish skills while exploring the world. Courses: How to Survive Any Conversation in Spanish, Pg. 14; Kick Your Spanish Conversation to the Next Level, Pg. 15;

Declutter Your Life, Pg. 18.

Carol P. McConnell is a graduate of Smith College, Northampton, MA. She has been studying and practicing breathwork for 15 years and has extensive experience and knowledge of the autonomic nervous system, its intimate connection to our breath, and the impacts on both physical and emotional health. Carol holds a certification in Coherent

Breathing and has completed training with Richard Brown, MD and Patricia Gerbarg, MD.Course: Breath-Body-Mind, Life-Altering Experience, Pg. 16.


Terry McConnell spent 40 years in public education in secondary schools. He was a social studies and video production teacher, as well as a school librarian and special education liaison officer. After retiring from the public schools, he was trained in the Breath-Body-Mind program of Richard P. Brown MD and Patricia Gerbarg MD. He now teaches

breathing techniques.Course: Breath-Body-Mind, Life-Altering Experience, Pg. 16.

Joe Moser has a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin and was a professor of English and film studies at Fitchburg State from 2008 to 2018. He is delighted to be teaching his eighth ALFA course.Course: The Cinema of Bong Joon-ho, Pg. 17.

Alison O’Hare began birding in 1998. She is a graduate of Mass Audubon’s Birder’s Certificate Program, has taught programs on Introduction to Birdwatching, Sparrow Identification, and Bird Banding, and has led many bird walks. She enjoys working with participants at all levels of experience, espe-cially new birders or those looking to develop

their birding skills. Alison currently leads birding programs at Mass Audubon’s Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. During the Covid-19 Stay-at-Home Order, when Alison wasn’t looking for birds, she taught herself how to do cryptic crosswords and she is excited to share this new skill with the ALFA community. Courses: Cryptic Crosswords for Beginners, Pg. 8; Spring Birding, Pg. 14

Ben Railton is a Professor of English Studies and Coordinator of American Studies at Fitchburg State University. He is the author of six books, most recently Of Thee I Sing: The Contested History of American Patriotism (2020). He writes the daily AmericanStudies blog, contributes the monthly Considering History column to the Saturday Evening Post,

and is a Boston Chapter leader for the Scholars Strategy Network.Course: American History through Five Songs, Pg. 12.


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Veda Ross is a lifelong learner with interests in History, Historical Fiction, Art, and Literature. Before retiring, Veda had careers in both Education and Business which provided opportunity to work on three continents. Veda has a Masters Degree in Education and an MBA.

Course: Armchair Travel, Pg. 14.

John Ryan has been active in the field of cell culture and biotechnology for over 45 years. He has always enjoyed sharing his expertise and experiences by teaching cell culture and biotechnology programs to both scientists trying to improve their research skills, as well as to children and adults interested in exploring new and exciting topics. He can

easily adapt my teaching style to the level and interests of his students; all he requires is their natural curiosity and willingness to explore new areas and ideas.Course: How Cell Culture and the Polio Vaccine Started the Biotech Revolution, Pg. 11.

Jim Simko went to secondary school at the International School in Geneva, Switzerland for four years which gave rise to a lifelong interest in world affairs and in college, he minored in International Affairs. Since then, Jim has spent time traveling for business and pleasure to about 70 countries on all seven continents. He dedicates a great deal of time

throughout the year on keeping up with international develop-ments. Jim has led the Great Decisions annual discussion group at the Groton Public Library for the last five years.Course: Great Decisions—Foreign Policy Discussion, Pg. 12.

Shanmugapriya Thangapandian teaches at Hopkinton High School as a part-time French Instructor after teaching at Pollard Middle School in Needham, as well as at multiple colleges in Massachusetts and Wisconsin. She earned her Master of Philosophy and her Master’s in French Language and Literature from Madurai Kamaraj University in India.

Previously, she received a Bachelor degree in African Francophone Literature from Sorbonne University in Paris and a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from St. Mary’s College in India.Courses: French Through Fable, Pg. 12; French Through Cinema, Pg. 18.

Carolyn Todd’s academic training includes a B.F.A. and M.A. in the Fine Arts and Art Education. As an experienced art instructor and artist, she has taught middle, high school, college, and adult students. Her academic discipline has focused on painting (all media), drawing, design, color theory, creativity, and art history. She was fortunate to be selected

as the Artist in Residence for the National Park Service, Amistad National Recreation Area in west Texas. Courses: Drawing—Everyone Can Draw!, Pg. 17; Colored Pencil New and Next Steps, Pg. 10.

Jim Wilkinson is a retired historian and educator. He received his B.A., Master’s, and Doctorate degrees from Harvard University, where he taught French and German history and literature for many years. He is the author of The Intellectual Resistance in Europe, which deals with anti-Fascist writers during World War II, and received Harvard’s Phi Beta

Kappa Teaching Prize in 2003. Courses: Masterpieces of 19th-Century Russian Fiction, Pg. 10; Armchair Travel, Pg. 14.


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At-a-glance | SESSION 3 / January – March 2021 SESSION 3 / January – March 2021Session 3 / At-a-Glance

Please Note: ALL ALFA courses will be ONLINE for the Spring Semester

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Times Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

9:30 – 10 am

Qigong I

10 – 10:30 am Crypc

Crosswords for

Beginners

Nave American Basketry: Rooted,

Revived and Reinvented

Creave Wring & Memoir

Workshop (SPECIAL

SCHEDULE - 2 Hours)

Reduce Pain and Improve Posture

with Yoga

10:30 – 11 am Abstract

Drawing & Painng

ALFA Salon: Connuing the Conversaon

(SPECIAL SCHEDULE - Every other week

across both sessions)

Things You Should Know About

Science

American History through

Five Songs

11 – 11:30 am 11:30 am –

12 pm

12:20 – 1:50 pm Winter Botany-Trees Italian Cafe' Creavity Workshop

Great Decisions—Foreign Policy Discussion

(SPECIAL SCHEDULE - 8 class sessions)

Tai Chi

2:30 – 4:00 pm Printmaking with Gelan Plates

Masterpieces of 19th-Century

Russian Ficon

How Cell Culture and the Polio Vaccine

Started the Biotech Revoluon

Colored Pencil New and Next Steps (SPECIAL

SCHEDULE - 2 Hours)

French Through Fable

`Cryptic Crosswords for BeginnersMondays: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.Jan. 25; Feb. 1, 8, 22; Mar. 1Limited to 15 studentsONLINEInstructor: Alison O’Hare

Do you enjoy word games, crossword puzzles, or a clever turn of phrase? If so, then this course is for you. Using PowerPoint presentations and group discussions, we’ll look at the differences between standard and cryptic crosswords, learn how to read and analyze cryptic clues, become familiar with different types of word play, and work together on sample puzzles to meet the challenge of this exciting puzzle genre. REQUIRED MATERIALS: Several number 2 pencils, a couple of good erasers, scratch pad to act as your worksheet, pen and small notebook or paper for taking notes, and a folder.

`Abstract Drawing & PaintingMondays: 10:30 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.Jan. 25; Feb. 1, 8, 22; Mar. 1Limited to 10 studentsONLINEInstructor: Anne Gilman

Have fun and explore your creative talent! This class is for both those who say, “I can’t draw a straight line” (use a ruler); and for those who want to loosen up their paintings. Let go of self-criticism and doubt, trust your intuition, and watch the magic begin!REQUIRED MATERIALS: A materials list is available by contacting the ALFA office. The instructor will mail out the materials list to all students before class begins.


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At-a-glance | SESSION 3 / January – March 2021 SESSION 3 / January – March 2021

`Creative Writing & Memoir Workshop Tuesdays: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Jan. 26; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23SPECIAL SCHEDULE: 2 hoursLimited to 10 studentsONLINE Instructor: Anne Gilman

Every life holds many stories. Whether your life is wildly uncon-ventional or relatively normal, there is bound to be something fascinating about it. That is why the contemporary memoir—everyday people telling their stories—has become such a popular phenomenon. A memoir covers an aspect of a life, a theme, or an adventure. Whether it’s a short piece about, say a bicycle ride with a friend, a book about your entire childhood, a marriage, grow-ing older, spiritual beliefs, etc., you will jumpstart your creativity using short prompts for those stories that you want to focus on. You will discover a supportive group to help unleash and uncover your imaginative genies whether for memoir, fiction, poetry, non-fiction and /or essays. As a professional writer/author, I know the challenges of overcoming blocks and voices that say, “What do you mean you want to write (or paint, or sing, etc.), Who do you think you are?!” Here’s an opportunity for people who have always wanted to write, to have a supportive, safe space in which to create. You must feel safe in order to create. REQUIRED MATERIALS: Notebook and pen/pencil, and/or laptop.

`ALFA Salon: Continuing the ConversationFREE | Participant-Led Discussion Group Wednesdays: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Jan. 27; Feb. 10, 24; Mar. 24; Apr. 7, 21; May. 5SPECIAL SCHEDULE: Every other week, spanning Sessions 3 & 4Limited to 30 studentsONLINEFacilitator: Martha Crawford

ALFA Salon is an informal gathering to be held every-other-week throughout the Spring 2021 ALFA sessions. Each session will begin with a brief introductory presentation followed by an engaging discussion and question period led by a host lecturer. Salon is a collaborative effort, so each session will conclude with brief discus-sion of possible future topics and presenters participants would like us to explore.This Spring Salon will host both Fitchburg State professors and community guest lecturers covering topics including:

` Exploration of the style and themes of Oscar winning film director Bong Joon-ho’s work.

`Winter Botany-TreesMondays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.Jan. 25; Feb. 1, 8, 22; Mar. 1Limited to 18 studentsONLINEInstructor: Joe Choiniere

All of our 75 common native trees are easily recognized in winter. Tree bark, twigs and buds are all helpful in identifying trees-we don’t need leaves! Winter is the perfect time to learn about trees and get a head start on the spring, when many trees will begin blooming. We will use slides and specimens to look at individual tree species and their ecology and also a few local forest commu-nities and their most common components. RECOMMENDED MATERIALS: Bark-A Field Guide to Trees of the Northeast by Michael Wojtech. This is a serious guide with well de-tailed keys to bark and great descriptions of the biology and ecology of trees and bark. Tree Identification Book by George WD Symonds.

`Printmaking with Gelatin PlatesMondays: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.Jan. 25; Feb. 1, 8, 22; Mar. 1Limited to 12 studentsONLINEInstructor: Ann-marie LaBollita

Play is the name of this game! Making monoprints with gelatin plates is inexpensive, versatile and so much FUN! Participants will explore various printing techniques as they learn to layer colors, patterns, and textures to create bright and beautiful prints. We will use either a GelliArts plate or Gel Press plate, acrylic paint, a brayer, and miscel-laneous tools and found items to create interesting marks.REQUIRED MATERIALS: GelliArts or Gel Press plate, acrylic paint, a printmaking brayer, misc. tools for mark making, scrap papers, and a smock. RECOMMENDED MATERIALS: a few bottles of profes-sional grade liquid acrylics, cheap craft acrylics, a couple of tubes of student acrylic paint- paper towels, or rags.

`Native American Basketry: Rooted, Revived, and ReinventedTuesdays: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.Jan. 26; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23Limited to 20 studentsONLINEInstructor: Catherine Hunter

This multimedia multifaceted introduction to Native American basketry will include regional styles across the continent, cultural traditions, changes in basketry due to contact with Euro-Americans, and the artwork of contemporary artists. If you own a Native American basket, please bring it to the first meeting.

—Continued next page


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SESSION 3 / January – March 2021 SESSION 3 / January – March 2021

` Unknown Influencers: How they influence our life every day by looking at a mapmaker, phony Russian Prince, Sigmund Freud’s nephew and a conspiracy theorist.

` Analysis of Fitchburg State’s Spring theater program, Ugly Lies the Bones.

` Fitchburg’s history of Anti-Slavery Pageants: a tool for educating future teachers and public schools.

` Leap into Spring with an exploration of the botanical gardens of one of New England’s premier sites; The Gardens at Elm Bank.

The following presenters will join us: Dr. Joe Moser, Dr. Joyce Ayadi Hinckley, Kelly Morgan, Darren Barry, and Massachusetts Horticultural Socient Trustee Gretel Anspach.If you are interested in any of the topics being covered, sign up. You might be surprised by what you will learn about a topic you have not thought of.

`Italian CaféFREE: Sponsored by the Center for Italian CultureWednesdays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.Jan. 27; Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24Limited to 10 studentsLocation: ONLINEInstructor: Aldo Bianco

This is a participatory group discussion class that will incorporate general everyday conversations, including discussions on Italian culture, Italian literature, and current topics in the Italian news. Participants should have at least a modest fluency in conversational Italian and basic reading comprehension. Our goal is to improve one’s fluency in the Italian language, both verbal and reading as well as safeguarding the Italian tradition in our community.RECOMMENDED MATERIALS: Italian Dictionary.

`Masterpieces of 19th-Century Russian FictionWednesdays: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.Jan. 27; Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24Limited to 16 studentsONLINEInstructor: James Wilkinson

This course will focus on five works of fiction from the “Golden Age” of Russian literature, situated against their historical back-ground. Themes of the course include the writer as witness to history, the Russian quest for cultural identity, and Russian liter-ature as a force for social reform. Sessions will begin with a brief introductory lecture, followed by active group discussion. No background in Russian literature or history is required. All texts are available in English translation and in paperback.REQUIRED MATERIALS: Alexander Pushkin, The Captain’s Daughter (1836); Mikhail Lermontov, A Hero of Our Time (1841); Ivan Turgenev, A Sportsman’s Sketches (1852); Leo Lev Tolstoy, The Death of Ivan Ilyich (1886); Anton Chekhov, The Lady with the Dog (1899). RECOMMENDED MATERIALS: A list of suggested supplemental readings will be sent to participants before the course begins.

`Colored Pencil New and Next StepsWednesdays: 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.Jan. 27; Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24SPECIAL SCHEDULE: 2 HoursLimited to 10 studentsONLINEInstructor: Carolyn Todd

Visual critical thinking and observation can lead to important trials and successes in color drawing. The class will explore creating and experiencing a variety of textures, surfaces, color identities, and techniques using a personal choice of wax, oil, and water-color pencils. Drawing and training through any media can be a challenge, but investigation of provided techniques can build the encyclopedia of experiences important for development and progress. REQUIRED MATERIALS: A list of supplies will be provided by the instructor and available by contacting the ALFA office.

Are you 90 or over? Classes are free for those who are 90 or above. If over 90, please email the ALFA office so that

we can get you registered free of charge! [email protected]


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SESSION 3 / January – March 2021 SESSION 3 / January – March 2021

`Reduce Pain and Improve Posture with YogaThursdays: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.Jan. 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25Limited to 15 studentsONLINEInstructor: Ann-marie Labollita

A gentle class geared toward relieving pain by bringing alignment to the body. Through a series of repeated poses we will reduce back pain and work to bring the hips into greater alignment. This program can help participants with chronic pain issues and is a great all around home practice. Additional stretches will help reduce stiffness and tension in the upper body and improve posture. REQUIRED MATERIALS: yoga mat, small towel, strap and two yoga blocks. RECOMMENDED MATERIALS: blanket for relaxation and to stay warm while lying down.

`Things You Should Know About ScienceThursdays: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Jan. 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25Limited to 30 studentsONLINEFacilitator: Bill Ayadi

This course will explore science issues we grapple with daily. These include a brief history of drug discovery, why and how we sleep, the ways memory works, everyday statistical awareness, the promise and danger of artificial intelligence. Everything presented in ways that are easy to understand and apply to everyday life. This course will have a different presenter each week including:

` Aldo Bianco—Everyday statistical awareness ` Sawkat Anwer—What do we need to know about drugs? ` Ursula Anwer—I sleep, you sleep, we sleep ` Joyce Hinckley—How memory works ` Bill Ayadi—The promise and danger of artificial intelligence

`Creativity WorkshopThursdays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.Jan. 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25Limited to 16 studentsONLINEInstructor: Sau-Mei Leung

This course will help students to tap into their own creative intuition through a series of hands-on exercises that focus on experimentation, exploration, attention, speed, reaction, making, and play. Each week students are encouraged to share their work for group discussion. The hands-on exercises also place great emphasis on different approaches to stimulate ideas and expand individual creative practice. Whether you are an artist or non-art-ist, if you want to find out how exciting and productive a freer, more intuitive approach to the creative process can be, don’t miss this fun class.REQUIRED MATERIALS: A notebook (any size), pencil, white paper (e.g. 8.5x11 copy paper), ruler, markers (any colors), scissor, glue, and old magazines

`How Cell Culture and the Polio Vaccine Started the Biotech RevolutionThursdays: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.Jan. 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25Limited to 16 studentsONLINEInstructor: John Ryan

The development of techniques to grow human and animal cells in vessels outside of the body (called cell culture) has now led to a revolution in biotechnology that is impacting our lives in a big way. In just over a hundred years, cell culture technology has moved from an interesting but minor research tool to a major source of cell culture manufactured vaccines, drugs, clinical diagnostics and stem cell-based therapies. It has also greatly helped researchers study cancer, human genetics, aging and viral diseases. Virtually all of us have used products produced by cultured animal or human cells. This course will explore how we grow and use cultured cells to make these life changing products. A background in science is not needed for this program, just your natural curiosity and desire to learn about an exciting technology that is already impacting your life.


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SESSION 3 / January – March 2021 At-a-glance / session 4

`French Through FableThursdays: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.Jan. 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25Limited to 20 studentsONLINEInstructor: Shanmugapriya Thangapandian

Salut to the French Language Learners! FRENCH THROUGH FABLES is the best way to develop all four skills: listening, speaking, read-ing and writing for beginners of French Language. Some of our fondest memories in childhood were the story time. It was relax-ing, enjoyable and certainly contributed to our present day love for literature. Reading and listening to short stories can be a fun way to learn any new language. In this course, French short stories introduce you to new vocabulary, new verb tenses and familiar-ize you with the context. The importance of communication will be stressed through a wide variety of activities (group/pair work, video & audio recordings, computer assignments, etc.).

`Qigong IFridays: 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.Jan. 29; Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26Limited to 24 studentsONLINE Instructor: Jeff Cote

In this course, students will learn the fundamental principles of Qigong, including the difference between nei gong and wei gong (internal and external practices), a basic view of the energetic structure of the body according to Chinese Medical principles, the basic postural and movement concepts of wei gong, and the three regulations, exploring how they comprise the building blocks of all Qigong practice. Students will also be led through a survey of basic Qigong sets, including the Six Healing Sounds and the Meridian Flow Qigong series.

`American History through Five SongsFridays: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Jan. 29; Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26Limited to 30 studentsONLINEInstructor: Ben Railton

Cultural texts like songs offer a unique and vital window into under-standing our history. In this course, we’ll use five songs, from the “Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America” to “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?,” “Mississippi Goddam,” and the Chicks “March March” to analyze two centuries of American history.

`Great Decisions—Foreign Policy DiscussionFridays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.Jan. 29; Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, Mar. 5, 12, 19SPECIAL SCHEDULE: 8 Weeks (running through the break between sessions and ending BEFORE Session 4)Limited to 15 studentsONLINEInstructor: Jim Simko

This course is a national program prepared each year by the Foreign Policy Association and has been offered each year since its inception in 1918. Each year, a “Briefing Book” is created on the eight most critical global issues facing the US. This book serves as a foundation for participants to learn about and then discuss these topics in each session. Additional resources and links to follow up materials are provided to further study on each topic. REQUIRED MATERIALS: The GREAT DECISIONS 2021 Briefing Book, which can be purchased for $32 directly from the Foreign Policy Association Website Bookstore—https://www.fpa.org/

`Tai ChiFridays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.Jan. 29; Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26Limited to 24 studentsONLINE Instructor: Jeff Cote

In this course, students will learn the fundamental principles of Wuxing Long Pai Taijiquan (Formless Dragon Tai Chi), and begin working on the Formless Dragon Long Mirror form and its basic structure. This class will focus on basic postural alignments, correct movement principles, breathing technique and coordination of form, movement, breath, and flow. During the course, each form movement will also be examined for how it directs movement, energy and synchronous activity. By the end of this course, each student will have developed a strong relationship with the ever expanding set of movements in the form and its individual move-ments sufficiently that they can take this practice on their own and develop a high level of understanding and skill with Tai Chi. This class would be designed to be an ongoing class where students could continue and learn more movement sequences beginning with the Basic Form set, followed by the Short Mirror Form, The Long Mirror Form and culminating in the Formless Dragon Long Form. Each form builds upon the previous in a modular fashion.RECOMMENDED MATERIALS: Loose, Comfortable Clothing.


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SESSION 3 / January – March 2021 At-a-glance / session 4

Session 4 / At-a-Glance

Please Note: ALL ALFA courses will be ONLINE for the Spring Semester

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Times Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

9:30 – 10 am

Spring Birding

How to Survive Any

Conversaon in Spanish

Kick Your Spanish

Conversaon to the Next

Level

Qigong II Decluer Your Life 10 – 10:30 am

Creave Wring & Memoir

Workshop (SPECIAL

SCHEDULE - 2 Hours)

Guided Meditaon

II

Reduce Pain and

Improve Posture

with Yoga

10:30 – 11 am ALFA Salon: Connuing

the Conversaon connued....

Learning About Your

Chakras: Your

Energec System

11– 11:30 am

11:30 am – 12 pm

12:20 – 1:50 pm Armchair Travel

Art and Culture of Islam Ancient Lore in Modern Times

Drawing -Everyone Can Draw! (SPECIAL SCHEDULE -

2 Hours 12:00 - 2:00 pm) Tai Chi

Winter Botany-Shrubs The Cinema of Bong Joon-ho

2:30 – 4:00 pm The History of Folk Music

Masquerade Tradions of West and Central Africa Ukulele for You

Breath-Body-Mind, Life-Altering Experience French Through Cinema


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Session 4 / March – April 2021 Session 4 / March – April 2021

`Spring BirdingMondays: 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.Mar. 22, 29; Apr. 5, 12, 26Limited to 15 studentsONLINEInstructor: Alison O’Hare (in affiliation with the Mass Audubon’s Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary)

In this class, we will concentrate on bird identification by sight and song, discuss how to get the most out of a field guide, and prepare for the arrival of Spring migrants. Suggestions will be given for outdoor activities, we’ll have a weekly question and answer session, and students will have an opportunity to report their sightings to the group. REQUIRED MATERIALS: Binoculars, field guide to birds of North America or of Eastern US.

`How to Survive Any Conversation in SpanishMondays: 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.Mar. 22, 29; Apr. 5, 12, 26Limited to 20 studentsONLINEInstructor: Paula Cookson Luria

If you want to be able to have a basic conversation in Spanish, give this course a try! Every language has certain words and phrases that are used over and over again. You will learn Greetings, Small Talk, Being Polite, Dealing with Problems, Question Words, Common Answers, Exclamations, and Goodbyes. This knowledge will get you started on your path to fluency in Spanish. REQUIRED MATERIALS: Please bring a pack of 100 index cards, some highlighters, a pen and Easy Spanish Step-By-Step by Barbara Bregstein.

`Armchair TravelMondays: 12:20 - 1:50 p.m.Mar. 22, 29; Apr. 5, 12, 26Limited to 30 studentsONLINEFacilitator: Bill Ayadi

The armchair tradition continues with some new twists. Join us to share the joy and adventure of travel and experience the insight it brings through connecting us to people, places, and cultures. James Wilkinson brings us to Japan in winter which shows its beauty in a different light. Come discover a bamboo forest, explore temples in the snow and celebrate the New Year on this photo tour of Kyoto and Nagano as tourists seldom see them. Bill Ayadi will take us to Xian, China, explore the city and the countryside, including the Terracotta Army, all while being hosted by Chinese colleagues working together to build a Niobium processing plant. Next, join Joyce Ayadi Hinckley and Veda Ross to find out what happens when two friends celebrate their 50th friendiversary with a care-fully curated trip to Jordan. Accompany them to cooking classes, the splendor of Petra, desert camping and more. Laugh and learn as they encounter the true treasures of Jordan, the people. Finally area native, Gail Hoar initiates the very first two-class tour: the Pacific Northwest, USA and Canada. She shares what she loves, including the treasures of the Seattle area, the natural beauty of Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, Olympic Peninsula, Coastal British Columbia and the Canadian Gulf Islands, and the related history of its indigenous peoples and early settlers, and more. Gail will include enough information so that it’s possible to use her information to design a trip of your own.

`Winter Botany—ShrubsMondays: 12:20 - 1:50 p.m.Mar. 22, 29; Apr. 5, 12, 26Limited to 18 studentsONLINEInstructor: Joe Choiniere

Shrubs are often easier to recognize in winter, when their twig and bud colors, and distinctive silhouettes, provide great clues to identification. There are over 100 species of native shrubs in many familiar plant families such as rose, viburnum, dogwood, and honeysuckle. We will look at and identify shrubs using slides and live specimens, and study and discuss several shrub habitats and communities including wetlands, and look at shrub impor-tance to wildlife. RECOMMENDED MATERIALS: Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide by Gordon Morrison illustrates some of our most common shrubs in flower. The Shrub ID Book by George Symonds is a black and white illustrated guide that compares twigs, buds, flowers, bark and leaves and is usable year-round.


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`Creative Writing & Memoir Workshop Tuesdays: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Mar. 23, 30; Apr. 6, 13, 20SPECIAL SCHEDULE: 2 hoursLimited to 10 studentsONLINE Instructor: Anne Gilman

Every life holds many stories. Whether your life is wildly uncon-ventional or relatively normal, there is bound to be something fascinating about it. That is why the contemporary memoir— everyday people telling their stories – has become such a popular phenomenon. A memoir covers an aspect of a life, a theme, or an adventure. Whether it’s a short piece about, say a bicycle ride with a friend, a book about your entire childhood, a marriage, grow-ing older, spiritual beliefs, etc., you will jumpstart your creativity using short prompts for those stories that you want to focus on. You will discover a supportive group to help unleash and uncover your imaginative genies whether for memoir, fiction, poetry, non-fiction and /or essays. As a professional writer/author, I know the challenges of overcoming blocks and voices that say, “What do you mean you want to write (or paint, or sing, etc.), Who do you think you are?!” Here’s an opportunity for people who have always wanted to write, to have a supportive, safe space in which to create. You must feel safe in order to create. REQUIRED MATERIALS: Notebook and pen/pencil.

`Art and Culture of IslamTuesdays: 12:20 - 1:50 p.m.Mar. 23, 30; Apr. 6, 13, 20Limited to 25 studentsONLINEInstructors: Joyce Ayadi Hinckley & Bill Ayadi

Discover the arts of Islam from architecture and literature to garden design, painting, ceramics, and most importantly, callig-raphy. Trace common threads from Spain to China to understand the diversity and complexity involved. Learn how Islam has created common cultural concepts that influence its art. Primarily lecture with opportunities for creative activities and sharing. REQUIRED MATERIALS: Ability to view visual content using an electronic device.

`The History of Folk MusicMondays: 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.Mar. 22, 29; Apr. 5, 12, 26Limited to 25 studentsONLINEInstructor: Paul Luria

Many songs, jazz, pop and folk, are different from their “origi-nal” versions because they evolve as time goes by. This is the folk process and as it’s been said, “It’s all folk music.” This course will cover American folk music from approximately 1900 to the pres-ent. The course will focus on various geographical regions and aspects and functions of folk music such as: protest, religious, retelling of history and the transmitting of current events. We will listen to and discuss recordings, and watch videos. The course will follow a historical linear format with offshoots to pertinent topics. As Woody Guthrie said, “If you ain’t got no books on history, you can just haul off and sing it.”

`Kick Your Spanish Conversation to the Next LevelTuesdays: 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.Mar. 23, 30; Apr. 6, 13, 20Limited to 20 studentsLocation: ONLINE Instructor: Paula Cookson Luria

This course will briefly review and refresh your Spanish with greet-ings, small talk, being polite, question words, common answers, dealing with problems, exclamations, the present tense, common vocabulary, pronunciation, and goodbyes. You will then move on to develop your language skills to describe your interests, surround-ings and families. You will learn Spanish that will help you with travel including navigating around cities, shopping, restaurants and transportation. Your vocabulary will expand, depending on the needs of the group. You will learn to conjugate verbs in the future and past tenses. All of this will be in a light-hearted and support-ive environment where you will experience the joy of learning to speak Spanish. REQUIRED MATERIALS: three ring binder, paper, and 101 Conversations in Simple Spanish by Olly Richards. RECOMMENDED MATERIALS: fully charged cell phone with the Google Translate app.


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`Guided Meditation IIWednesdays: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.Mar. 24, 31; Apr. 7, 14, 21Limited to 11 studentsONLINEInstructor: Arllen Acevedo

Students will learn about the “Law of Gratitude and Blessings”, the importance of not giving up your power, transforming fear, tapping into your own inner voice, and living your purpose. REQUIRED MATERIALS: Pen/pencil, notebook for students.

`Ancient Lore in Modern TimesWednesdays: 12:20 - 1:50 p.m.Mar. 24, 31; Apr. 7, 14, 21Limited to 15 studentsONLINEInstructor: Sally Cragin

Folk practices are pan-cultural, and in this entertaining and infor-mative workshop, you’ll learn about a global variety of customs, with a special focus on Astrology, Tarot Cards and palmistry. Are you curious about your sun sign or those lines on your palm? Have you ever wanted to learn about what the cards have in store? Yes it is the 21st century, but ancient lore is all around us.

`Masquerade Traditions of West and Central AfricaWednesdays: 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.Mar. 24, 31; Apr. 7, 14, 21Limited to 25 studentsONLINEInstructor: Jean Borgatti

This course focuses on masquerade traditions of West and Central Africa, drawing on examples from the Fitchburg Art Museum’s Collections, including those on display in FAM’s current exhibi-tion Moving Objects: Art from Africa and Oceania. In brief, we will look at the Masquerade as a phenomenon in its many forms and purposes, highlighting traditions represented in the exhibition. Lectures will cover such topics as the myriad materials and multi-media nature of masquerade, masquerade and education, gender and social roles such as “Beauty and Beast,” and masquerades today in sub-Saharan Africa and the Diaspora (New Orleans and the Caribbean). Students will be encouraged to visit FAM on their own (a complementary pass will be sent) to see the exhibitions on view.

`Breath-Body-Mind, Life-Altering ExperienceWednesdays: 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.Mar. 24, 31; Apr. 7, 14, 21Limited to 20 studentsONLINEInstructors: Carol McConnell & Terry McConnell

Learn simple techniques to reduce stress and anxiety, enhance concentration and balance your emotions. Breath-Body-Mind practices will reacquaint your nervous system with a balance acuity unrealized before this class. Allow yourself a more focused life, generating energy, enhancing coping skills, and good health. You will learn awareness of how your breath can agitate or comfort you. Learn how to properly breathe, keeping the body and mind operating optimally. You will learn how trauma and emotional stress are maintained when breathing is not done properly. The way you breathe is connected to the way you feel, whether it is chronic pain, panic attacks, asthma, sinus issues, depression, heart disease, high blood pressure, mood swings, headaches, COPD, PTSD, etc. You will learn how improper breathing can cause a “fight or flight” response to stressful situations. Also, you will learn how to stay calm when under stress through proper breath. Take Breath-Body-Mind to improve your health and your life. REQUIRED MATERIALS: The Healing Power of the Breath by Richard Brown MD and Patricia Gerbarg MD, please note that it is important to have the CD which comes with the book.

`Reduce Pain and Improve Posture with YogaThursdays: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.Mar. 25; Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22Limited to 15 studentsONLINEInstructor: Ann-marie Labollita

A gentle class geared toward relieving pain by bringing alignment to the body. Through a series of repeated poses we will reduce back pain and work to bring the hips into greater alignment. This program can help participants with chronic pain issues and is a great all around home practice. Additional stretches will help reduce stiffness and tension in the upper body and improve posture. REQUIRED MATERIALS: yoga mat, small towel, strap and 2 yoga blocks. RECOMMENDED MATERIALS: blanket for relaxation and to stay warm while lying down.


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`Learning About Your Chakras: Your Energetic System Thursdays: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Mar. 25; Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22Limited to 10 studentsONLINEInstructor: Arllen Acevedo

In this class you will learn about your seven main chakras: their names, where they are located, their specific colors and what part of the body they affect. You will also learn how to clear and strengthen them so that you can stay healthier. REQUIRED MATERIALS: notebooks and pens/pencils.

`Drawing—Everyone Can Draw! Thursdays: 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.Mar. 25; Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22SPECIAL SCHEDULE: 2 HoursLimited to 10 studentsONLINEInstructor: Carolyn Todd

There is no wrong or right way to draw—it is an individual, personal experience that everyone can enjoy! There are methods, styles, techniques, and skills that can help the student of drawing to develop and build a personal drawing approach and skill level.This class will build new and/or refine existing skills by exploring different drawing techniques. Emphasis will be placed on critical thinking and building a drawing experience. Class will work in graphite, charcoal, ink, and other materials. Depending on the experience levels and interests of class members, we will explore different levels of difficulty. REQUIRED MATERIALS: Due to the Zoom experience, students will provide still life components at home as discussed in the class. A list of supplies will be provided by the instructor and available by contacting the ALFA office.

`The Cinema of Bong Joon-hoThursdays: 12:20 - 1:50 p.m.Mar. 25; Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22Limited to 25 studentsONLINEInstructor: Joe Moser

South Korea’s Bong Joon-ho, director of the Oscar-winning film Parasite, is one of the great auteurs, or artists, of world cinema today. Throughout his seven feature films, Bong has a compelling visual style and consistent themes, including social inequality, family unity, and the ills of capitalism. In this course, we will closely study four of Bong’s films to gain a greater appreciation of his artistry. Along the way, we will discuss the director’s influences, particularly Alfred Hitchcock, and Bong’s clever use of familiar film genres like the murder mystery, slapstick comedy, and family melodrama.REQUIRED MATERIALS: Access to four assigned films (online or on DVD): Memories of Murder (2003); The Host (2006); Mother (2009); Parasite (2019) NOTE: the original Korean-language versions of these films (with English subtitles) are highly recom-mend. Please avoid English-dubbed versions of the films, if at all possible.

`Ukulele for YouThursdays: 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.Mar. 25; Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22Limited to 10 studentsONLINEInstructor: Paul Luria

This is a beginning course for people who want to play the ukulele. We will cover chords, various strums and simple note reading for simple melodies. Students will be able to play a song in the first class.REQUIRED MATERIALS: A ukulele: soprano, concert or tenor. Not a baritone—they are tuned differently. It is strongly recommended that you buy one from a local store where the instrument will be correctly strung and tuned.


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Session 4 / March – April 2021 FOOD FOR THOUGHT

`French Through CinemaThursdays: 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.Mar. 25; Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22Limited to 20 studentsONLINEInstructor: Shanmugapriya Thangapandian

Language that we learn in beginner textbooks is a formalized version of the real thing. Since conversational registers alter depending on the situation, watching films is a great and easy way to understand when to use different terms in a phrase. Watching a film all the way through in a foreign language is a really amazing achievement at any level. Even if you haven’t understood every-thing, it’s still a huge language success. If you have learned French in school, college or any beginners course for at least 7-10 hours then FRENCH THROUGH CINEMA is the best way to improve your comprehension, build up your confi-dence and soon you’ll understand and speak French like a pro! The importance of communication will be stressed through a wide variety of activities (group/pair work, video & audio recordings, computer assignments etc. ) Not only can French cinema help you to improve your phrases and conversation, but it can also intro-duce you to another world of intrigue and drama. Get attuned to more French!

`Qigong IIFridays: 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.Mar. 26; Apr. 9, 16, 23, 30Limited to 24 studentsONLINE Instructor: Jeff Cote

Building upon the lessons learned in Qigong I, this course will take students deeper into the practice of Qigong and how each regula-tion can be modified to affect change in the purpose of any Qigong exercise. Students will also deepen their knowledge of the Qi system according to traditional Chinese Medical principles. These concepts will be explored through further practice and training of the basic sets learned in Qigong I, and other Qigong practices such as Taoist Elixir Qigong (Tao Dan Pai) and White Crane Qigong will be introduced. This class is a combination of theoretical and prac-tical. As such some time in each class will be spent in discussion of principles followed by demonstration of movement techniques. Students should ensure they have enough room to swing their arms in any direction.

`Declutter Your LifeFridays: 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.Mar. 26; Apr. 9, 16, 23, 30Limited to 20 studentsLocation: ONLINE Instructor: Paula Cookson Luria

Take an introspective journey and choose freedom from clutter. Learn why we have problems with clutter. Think about why it is so hard to let go of things. Explore how clutter affects our wellbeing. Develop and carry out the decluttering of one area of your home.REQUIRED MATERIALS: Please bring one of those old 1/2 filled notebooks that you have hanging around and a pen.

`Tai ChiFridays: 12:20 - 1:50 p.m.Mar. 26; Apr. 9, 16, 23, 30Limited to 24 studentsLocation: ONLINE Instructor: Jeff Cote

In this course, students will learn the fundamental principles of Wuxing Long Pai Taijiquan (Formless Dragon Tai Chi), and begin working on the Formless Dragon Long Mirror form and its basic structure. This class will focus on basic postural alignments, correct movement principles, breathing technique and coordination of form, movement, breath, and flow. During the course, each form movement will also be examined for how it directs movement, energy and synchronous activity. By the end of this course, each student will have developed a strong relationship with the ever expanding set of movements in the form and its individual move-ments sufficiently that they can take this practice on their own and develop a high level of understanding and skill with Tai Chi. This class would be designed to be an ongoing class where students could continue and learn more movement sequences beginning with the Basic Form set, followed by the Short Mirror Form, The Long Mirror Form and culminating in the Formless Dragon Long Form. Each form builds upon the previous in a modular fashion. RECOMMENDED MATERIALS: Loose, comfortable clothing


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Session 4 / March – April 2021 FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Group TripsThere are NO trips for the Spring 2021 season.

We look forward to being able to offer trips again in the future.

`Abolitionism, Emancipation and Civil War Memory in Central Massachusetts in the Mid-Nineteenth and Early Twentieth CenturiesPresenter: Darren BarryTuesday, March 30, 2021 | 2:30 PMOnline

This event is FREE and open to the public! Online Through Zoom —*Must Pre-Register*

As a hotbed of antislavery activity in the mid-eighteenth century, Central Massachusetts played a vital role in the crusade to emancipate four million slaves from bondage and the ensuing Civil War that finally brought their objective to frui-tion. In this provocative presentation, Darren Barry examines the individuals and families that made up the abolitionist communities of Fitchburg and Worcester , Massachusetts. He will also discuss the complex ways in which the people of these localities chose to remember the Civil War’s fundamental issues of slavery and racial equality in the decades following the conflict.

Darren Barry is a United States history teacher at Montachusett Regional High School in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He holds a master’s degree in history from Worcester State University and a master’s in education from Chadron State College. His research interests include Civil War memory, the history of teaching slavery in American education, and African-American cultural history during the progressive era. Barry has published essays in the Historical Journal of Massachusetts and the Encyclopedia of African-American Culture, and has a forthcoming publication with the National Council for the Social Studies. He is currently working on a manuscript that explores the struggle of African-Americans to reclaim their history, public image, and identity in the late nineteenth and

early twentieth centuries.

Food For Thought

EASY online registrationKnow INSTANTLY if you got into a course!

REGISTRATION OPENS DEC. 16, 2020 AT: marketplace.fitchburgstate.edu/ALFA


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WAYS TO REGISTER

ONLINE (PREFERRED)

You can register for ALFA courses online by going to: marketplace.fitchburgstate.edu/alfa.

• Make sure to complete your registration by hitting the final SUBMIT button. You will receive a confirmation email immediately following.

• IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION EMAIL, please connect with the ALFA office to ensure you are registered.

Need help with online registration?Visit fitchburgstate.edu/alfa for complete a complete-step-by-step tutorial.

BY MAIL

We will continue to accept paper registrations by mail. However, we are strongly encouraging everyone who can to use the online course registration system.

• Please complete one registration form for each person taking classes. If you need additional registration forms, please visit our website: fitchburgstate.edu/alfa to download and print one.

• Registrations must be MAILED. No phone-in or hand-delivered registrations will be accepted.

• Any incomplete component may delay the processing of the registration form.

• All registrations are processed in the order in which they are received.

• Please make a copy of the completed registration form for personal records.

PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS / REFUND POLICY

• We accept credit/debit cards (PREFERRED) and check payments.

• If you choose to pay by check, all check payments (both online and paper) are processed electronically as E-Checks and will appear as “ACH DEBIT” on your checking account statement.

• If you submit a PAPER REGISTRATION and pay with a CHECK, but are WAITLISTED for a portion of your order, we will process the full payment in the amount entered on the check. We will then issue a refund for the surplus amount.

• Payment is due upon submission of registration.

• Course, Group Trip, and Special Event payments are not refundable or transferable unless canceled.

PLEASE NOTE: Some classes have additional expenses including required materials you will need to purchase prior to the course starting, recommended materials, and sometimes a required materials fee (cash only) that is due to the instructor at the first class. These additional materials and fees are indicated in the course description.

GENERAL INFORMATION & POLICIES

ENROLLMENT: Prompt return of forms will facilitate early process-ing and improve the chances of getting preferred classes. Due to space limitations and instructor requests, class size varies. It is important to list alternatives in the event that first choices are not available. If no alternatives are listed it will be assumed that none are desired.

CONFIRMATION: If registering online, You will receive a confir-mation email immediately following your completed submission. (If you do not receive this, you are NOT registered and it probably means that you didn’t click the final submission button.). If regis-tering by paper, you will receive a confirmation by email if you provided an email address, or by mail if you did not.

ALFA TRIPS: There are no trips currently due to Covid 19. We look forward to being able to offer trips again in the future.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT PRESENTATIONS: Although Food for Thought presentations are free and open to the public, if you are planning on attending, please be sure to check it off on the regis-tration form so we are able to send you the login information.

LOCATION OF COURSES: ALL ALFA COURSES ARE ONLINE FOR THE SPRING 2021 SEASON. ALFA classes are held both on campus and in various locations in our community. Many classes are in the C-Wing of the McKay Campus School at Fitchburg State University, 67 Rindge Road, Fitchburg, MA.

More information on course locations can be found on our website: www.fitchburgstate.edu/alfa.

ALFA INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY: Because ALFA classes are all being held online for the Spring 2021 semester, we will NOT be canceling courses due to inclement weather.

OVER 90: Are you 90 or over? Classes are free for those who are 90 or above. If over 90, please email the ALFA office so that we can get you registered free of charge!

Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. on December 16, 2020All ALFA courses are now $40 a course unless otherwise indicated.

Registration instructions and information

Please complete ONE registration form

for EACH person taking classes.

SESSION 3: JANUARY – MARCH

MONDAY

� Spring Birding

� How to Survive Any Conversation in Spanish

� Armchair Travel

� Winter Botany-Shrubs

� The History of Folk Music

TUESDAY

� Kick Your Spanish Conversation to the Next Level

� Creative Writing & Memoir Workshop (SPECIAL SCHEDULE —2 Hours)

� Art and Culture of Islam

WEDNESDAY

� Guided Meditation II

� Ancient Lore in Modern Times

� Masquerade Traditions of West and Central Africa

� Breath-Body-Mind Life-Altering Experience

THURSDAY

� Reduce Pain and Improve Posture with Yoga

� Learning About Your Chakras: Your Energetic System

� Drawing - Everyone Can Draw! (SPECIAL SCHEDULE—2 Hours)

� The Cinema of Bong Joon-ho

� Ukulele for You

� French Through Cinema

FRIDAY

� Declutter Your Life

� Qigong II

� Tai Chi

SESSION 4: MARCH – APRIL

Mail-in Registration Form – Spring 2021

GROUP TRIP

There are NO Group Trips due to Covid 19. We look forward to being able to bring trips back

when it is safe to do so.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

� Abolitionism, Emancipation and Civil War Memory in Central Massachusetts in the Mid Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Tuesday, March 30, 2021 | 2:30 PM | Online | FREE

STOPSIGN-UPONLINE

Try our online registration option at: marketplace.fitchburgstate.edu/alfa

Please see reverse side for payment information

All paper registration forms and payment must be MAILED.

MONDAY

� Cryptic Crosswords for Beginners

� Abstract Drawing & Painting

� Winter Botany—Trees

� Printmaking with Gelatin Plates

TUESDAY

� Native American Basketry: Rooted, Revived and Reinvented

� Creative Writing & Memoir Workshop (SPECIAL SCHEDULE —2 Hours)

WEDNESDAY

� ALFA Salon: Continuing the Conversation | FREE

� Italian Cafe’| FREE

� Masterpieces of 19th-Century Russian Fiction

� Colored Pencil New and Next Steps (SPECIAL SCHEDULE —2 Hours)

THURSDAY

� Reduce Pain and Improve Posture with Yoga

� Things You Should Know About Science

� Creativity Workshop

� How Cell Culture and the Polio Vaccine Started the Biotech Revolution

� French Through Fable

FRIDAY

� Qigong I

� American History through Five Songs

� Great Decisions —Foreign Policy Discussion (SPECIAL SCHEDULE— 8 class sessions)

� Tai Chi

Please make sure to read the description for each class that you register for. Check the dates, and schedule information for each class to make sure there are no conflicts.

ALL COURSES ONLINE FOR THE FALL COURSES ARE $40 UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED.

Registration instructions and information

All paper registration forms and payment must be MAILED.

Mail to: ALFA Office, Fitchburg State University, 160 Pearl Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420

Name: ________________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

City: ____________________________________________ State: __________________ Zip Code: __________________________

E-mail: _______________________________________________________________ Date of Birth: __________________________

Have you taken ALFA classes before? □ Yes □ No Are you an Alum of Fitchburg State? □ Yes □ No

How do you get your ALFA Brochure? □ Mail □ Email □ Website □ I pick it up at :_______________ □ Other: _______________

How did hear about ALFA? _______________________________________________________________________________________

Credit Card (PREFERRED): □ MasterCard □ Visa □ Discover

Credit Card #: ________________________________________________________

Exp. Date: _______________________ CVC (3 digit code): ___________________

Signature: __________________________________________________________

Check (made payable to Fitchburg State) amount enclosed: $ _________________Please note—We do not process as a paper check. We enter your account and routing number into the online system to debit the charge from your account. It will show up as an ACH debit on your statement. Please see “Payment Instructions” on page 16 for what we do if the amount on your check does not match the order total (for example: A class is full, etc.).

Shirley Pick Scholarship Program (call the ALFA Office for details at 978-665-3706)

* Courses are free for members over 90 years of age. If over 90, please send verification of age with your registration.

** Students may initially register for up to six classes. After December 23, 2020, students may select additional courses if seats are still available. Check www.fitchburgstate.edu/alfa to see if courses are available.

Registration opens December 16, 2020 — please consider registering ONLINE!

I AM SENDING PAYMENT FOR

______ Course(s) @ $40/course* unless otherwise indicated

______ (Example: FREE, $60 10-week courses, etc.) Limit 6** per SEMESTER = $ ________________________

TOTAL = $ _________________

PAYMENT INFORMATION

If you register online at: marketplace.fitchburgstate.edu/alfa you will know INSTANTLY if you got into a course!

ALTERNATE CHOICES — Due to space limitations and instructor requests, class size varies. It is important to list alternatives in the event your first choice classes are unavailable. If no alternatives are listed, it will be assumed that none are desired.

1. ________________________________ 2. _________________________________ 3. ___________________________________


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TO REGISTER ONLINE, VISIT: marketplace.fitchburgstate.edu/ALFA

adult learning fitchburg area

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