Author Sherry Hutt is a Phoenix native.
November Monday lectures: Medicare fraud and cruisin’ with history’s famous characters
Monday Morning Lectures in November begin with a problem here at home — Medicare fraud — and move to a cruise around the world as seen through the eyes of historical characters. Monday Morning Lectures begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Renaissance Theatre; tickets are $4 in the theater lobby prior to the lecture.
Monday, November 7: Medicare Fraud
When a doctor, hospital or other health care provider bills Medicare for services that weren’t performed, we all pay the price for the fraud. More than $900 million in fraudulent charges were uncovered in 2015 — but some fear that is just the tip of the iceberg.
If you are on Medicare, you are a first line of defense against this fraud. On Monday, November 7, at 10:00 a.m., a special agent with the Department of Health and Human Services will explain why it is crucial for you to carefully review your Medicare statements to make sure the charges are correct.
He will also talk about the types of Medicare fraud and the strain it puts on the Medicare Trust Fund, as well as what the government is doing to detect it. It’s a lecture that has impact for all of us. Come learn what you can do.
Monday, November 14: Cruise the World with History
Sherry Hutt has been traveling the world for more than 25 years collecting stories about historical characters and taking pictures of the places where they lived. After retiring from her successful legal career her research turned into a new vocation, as she educates cruise audiences about the countries they are visiting, bringing the history and culture of the ports to life through the eyes of these characters.
Fortunately for us, Hutt will be on land at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 14 when she comes to PebbleCreek to provide a virtual cruise around the world for those lucky enough to get a seat in the Renaissance Theatre.
A Phoenix native, Hutt is the author of the Cruise through History series of story books for travelers and a weekly travel blog. She lives in Tryon, North Carolina when not at sea appearing on several major cruise lines.
LLL Center open for business weekday mornings
The new LLL Center in the Eagle’s Nest Activities Center is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon and on Mondays if there is no Monday Morning Lecture.
Volunteers are ready to answer your questions about LifeLong Learning programs, help you register for classes or trips or purchase tickets for Premier Lectures. You may also pick up tickets you purchased online at the Center.
You’ll find us in the former dance studio, between the train room and the computer lab.
LifeLong Learning in November
Check your calendar. Have you reserved the following November dates? Remember, Monday Morning Lectures are $4 per person at the door of the Renaissance Theatre. Premier Lectures are $15 per person and may be ordered in advance at the LLL Center or online at www.lifelonglearningatpc.org. You can also register for trips and classes on the web or in the LLL Center, open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Tuesday, November 1 and 8: Gift Baskets Class
Barbara Donovan, who creates magnificent gift baskets for charities and other organizations, will teach you how to make them yourself in this two-part class. In the first session she will demonstrate by making a basket that will be auctioned at the Kare Bears luncheon on November 9 and then on November 8 she will help you make your own. Registration is required; $30.
Thursday, November 3: TED Talks
The first of six TED Talks sessions is already full, but join the waiting list for these and others as openings usually occur. These free sessions involve small group discussions based on TED Talk videos.
Saturday, November 5, Premier Lecture: Intelligence Gathering, Israeli Style
Sunday, November 6: Grillin’ & Chillin’ at the Wigwam
The first LifeLong Learning trip of the season takes you to the Wigwam resort for an insider’s tour, a cooking demonstration and a delicious dinner on the Wigwam patio. Registration is required; $80.
Monday, November 7: Monday Morning Lecture, Medicare Fraud
Monday, November 14: Monday Morning Lecture, Ports of Call
Wednesday, November 16: Verde Canyon Railroad
The season’s second trip is full, but you can join the waiting list.
Thursday, November 17: Cinema Society of PebbleCreek
The third season of this popular program begins at 10:00 a.m. in the Renaissance Theatre. Membership in the society is $110 and can be purchased at the Eagle’s Nest Activities Center.
The LifeLong Learning team of 80 plus volunteers welcomes you to any of our programs and invites you to suggest topics or places you’d like to learn about or tour. Visit our website; pick up the printed schedule at either clubhouse and sign up for weekly email updates during the season by sending your name and email address to [email protected].
LLL starts new Sunday series
Nothing to do on a Sunday afternoon? LLL has the answer. We’re beginning a new series of special programs on Sunday afternoons: January 15, February 12 and March 19, 2:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Join us and other Creekers in the Chianti Room at 2:00 p.m. for a series of Arts and Humanities programs in an atmosphere similar to a salon. The programs and light refreshments are free, but registration is required as we have a maximum of 100 people.
Scheduled so far:
Café Flutes: a group of seven flautists playing instruments of varying sizes and keys will teach and entertain us with a variety of music styles during our event on January 15.
Music is a social experience, best enjoyed with other people. February 12 you will have the opportunity to enjoy another musical program. We will be announcing the particulars as soon as the artists are confirmed.
On March 19, book groups and individual readers will celebrate PC READS with Belgravia by Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey. An appropriate program, relevant refreshments and table displays will add to the fun of the day.
These sessions are all free and a gift to the community from LifeLong Learning. Please go to www.lifelonglearningatpc.org to learn more about the individual programs and to register for each event to assure your seat.
Intelligence gathering Israeli style – what went wrong?
The first Premier Lecture of the season promises to open a window on the secret world of international espionage when a former Mossad agent comes to PebbleCreek at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 5.
Victor John Ostrovsky, a former case officer for the Israeli Mossad, drew international exposure in 1990 when he published By Way of Deception to draw attention to the corruption and shortcomings he claims to have witnessed in the Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service that is probably the most highly trained effective and ruthless organization of its kind anywhere in the world.
The Israeli government tried to ban the publication of his book, an explosive chronicle of his experiences in the Mossad that details two decades of their frightening and often ruthless covert activities around the world. Lawsuits in both Canada and the United States focused attention on Ostrovsky’s story and guaranteed an international success.
Ostrovsky was born in Canada in 1949, but moved to Israel with his parents when he was five. Although he quickly showed an aptitude for art, his military career took first precedence. He joined the Israeli Youth Brigade at 14 and the Israeli Defense Force at 17. At 18 Second Lieutenant Victor Ostrovsky was the youngest officer in the Israeli armed forces (Navy). He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Israeli Navy and served as head of the weapon testing program.
He was invited to join the Mossad and served for five years before leaving the service to write By Way of Deception. He has since written three more books, a non-fiction book, The Other Side of Deception and two fictional spy novels Lion of Judah and Black Ghosts.
Ostrovsky, a successful painter, now lives in Scottsdale.