January Classes Ready to Rumble
Patricia Ingalls
Classes kick into high gear in January, with LifeLong Learning (LLL) featuring five in-person opportunities this month to acquire new skills. Most classes begin at 1 p.m. in the LLL Center. For full details and to register, go to lifelonglearningatpc.org.
Magic and Mentalism: On Wednesday, Jan. 8, Bruce Kundin will lead a guided tour into the mysteries of mentalism and magic, using a deck of cards.
Magic uses sleight of hand, misdirection and theatrical trickery to create visual illusions that cause the audience to believe one thing, while something else is happening. A slightly different concept is that of mentalism, which expands and manipulates a viewer’s sense of reality with psychology, suggestion and influence.
Real Estate Matters: What You Need To Know: On Tuesday, Jan. 14, Mandy Neat, Deputy Commissioner of Arizona Department of Real Estate, will cover what is currently happening in Arizona real estate markets and how to protect yourself.
This free class will cover new legislation that is in effect for buying and selling a home, the use of private contracts, how investors versus retailers play a role in today’s market and how to be protected from illegal fees charged through deception, misrepresentation or having vital information withheld in transactions.
Pasta From Scratch: On Thursday, Jan. 16, PebbleCreek resident Gene Fioretti will open his kitchen to students wanting to learn the techniques behind his super-delicious, homemade pasta.
During class, Fioretti will discuss the specifics of selecting ingredients, and demonstrate the processes of mixing, rolling, cutting, drying, and cooking that he has used for many years to prepare pasta like the Italians do. He will provide participants with recipes and equipment lists and discuss the many aspects of pasta-making.
Making Kimbap Korean Sushi: On Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 11 a.m., Juli Kim will teach a hands-on class on how to create delicious, versatile Korean kimbap.
Kimbap is a popular Korean dish, made of rice and various fillings rolled in sheets of seaweed (kim). Kim is like sushi, but typically features cooked ingredients, rather than raw fish. Kim will share the history and cultural significance of this beloved Korean food. Participants will learn how to prep ingredients, rolling techniques and creative variation.
All ingredients and tools will be provided. At the end of class, everyone will be able to enjoy the kimbap they made and to take home recipes.
Arizona Weather—Why Is It So Hot?: On Tuesday, Jan. 28, Kevin Hillstrom will discuss the variety of weather events common in the Sonoran Desert—from the monsoon season, through the “transition season,” to the long, hot days of summer.
Hillstrom is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) trained weather spotter, who will lead an “annual tour” of weather changes in Maricopa County.
For those interested in weather and the desert environment, this educational opportunity will reveal the dynamics that cause the county’s monsoons, including a journey into the life and death of a monsoon thunderstorm. Hillstrom will describe the end of the monsoon, called “transition season,” and the potential for hurricane remnants to hit the Valley.
On Jan. 24, Deng Mayik Atem, a “Lost Boy of Sudan,” discusses his childhood memoir of hardship during the brutal South Sudan War (photo provided by Deng Mayik Atem)
Lost Boy of Sudan Shares Survival Story
Patricia Ingalls
The next Premier Speaker, Deng Mayik Atem, will discuss “Jumping Over the Ram,” a memoir he co-authored, which tells the story of his childhood forever altered by the brutal South Sudan War. His presentation is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. in the Tuscany Falls Renaissance Theater.
Separated from his parents and tribe, and forced into the life of a child soldier, Atem endured unimaginable hardship in the Kakuma refugee camp. He will share how 30 years of his life and his entire childhood were stolen from him.
Atem was one of 15,000 boys who fled the conflict, crossing into Kenya as refugees in 1992 and capturing global attention. Labeled as one of the “Lost Boys of Sudan,” he reveals that he was never truly lost—his connection to his identity was simply taken from him. His story transcends the South Sudanese conflict; it is a testament to the resilience, survival, and determination of children caught in the crossfire of war.
Atem was born in what is now South Sudan, settling in Phoenix after the war. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. A dedicated member of the South Sudanese diaspora, Atem publishes “Ramciel Magazine,” which aims to connect those in diaspora with their homeland. He is also a certified translator, frequently translating between Dinka and English for various government agencies.
Atem also serves as executive director of the South Sudan Twic Mayardit Community of Arizona, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of South Sudanese Americans in Arizona. Through his memoir, Atem hopes to inspire others to persevere through adversity, commit to meaningful causes, and strive to make a positive impact in the world.
Admission to all Premier Speaker Series events is $15 per person and can be purchased online, or with cash in the lobby of Renaissance Theater one hour prior to the presentation, subject to availability. For full details, and to register for the evening Premier presentation, go to lifelonglearningatpc.org.
The theater is equipped with a hearing-loop system, which is a special type of sound system for people who use hearing aids. The loop system provides a magnetic, wireless signal that is picked up by a hearing aid, when it is set to the T-setting (telecoil). Many hearing aids are equipped with telecoil technology.
Speaker Seats Filling Fast
Patricia Ingalls
Only 38 seats remained open at press time for the Premier Speaker presentation analyzing the powerful role of music during the Vietnam War. Doug Bradley, author and Vietnam veteran, will speak Friday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. in the Tuscany Falls Renaissance Theater.
Admission to all Premier Speaker Series events is $15 per person and can be purchased online, or with cash in the lobby of Renaissance Theater one hour prior to the presentation, subject to availability. For full details, and to register for the evening Premier presentation, go to lifelonglearningatpc.org.