Arnott and Kathleen Duncan on the Family Farm
Lifelong Learning in full swing
Check your calendar. Have you reserved the following November dates? Visit the website for complete details and contact information for purchasing tickets or reserving space; www.lifelonglearningatpc.org. You can also plan ahead for additional lectures, classes, trips and special events in December 2015 and January – April 2016.
Lectures
November 2: Strolling Through the Bluegrass
Stomp your feet and clap your hands to hard-driving, old-time bluegrass music when veteran entertainers Vernon and Kitty McIntyre take to the stage. They’ll play some of the most famous bluegrass music, explain its history and pass around instruments for us to see up close and try to play. 10:00 a.m.; $4 at the door
Friday, November 13. Bob Petrella, the Memory Man
Bob Petrella remembers everything – every date, event, even the weather on most any date. See accompanying article for more about him. 7:00 p.m.; $15 in advance or at the door
Monday, November 9: The Weed Warrior
In June 2014 the University of Arizona fired a researcher who was leading a controversial first of its kind study on medical marijuana use for veterans with PTSD. Sue Sisley, M.D., the principal investigator, is now continuing her study with the support of other universities. She will explain what she hopes to find. 10:00 a.m.; $4 at the door
Monday, November 16: The Duncan Family Farm
Duncan Family Farms has grown from one farm off Cotton Lane to one of the largest organic suppliers with farms in Arizona and California. Arnott and Kathleen Duncan are the fourth generation to be farming and will talk about why they are committed to growing healthy food and improving the environment at the same time. 10:00 a.m.; $4 at the door
Trips
Check for availability on the following November trips.
Wednesday, November 4: Arizona State Capitol Building, Wes Bolin Plaza and St. Vincent de Paul Service Center
Wednesday, November 18: Waste Management Recycling Center and University of Phoenix Stadium.
Special Events
Thursday, November 5: Family Fun on Video; Bill Fenster teaches skills and techniques to enhance and improve your videos. 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Palm Room, $20; registration required
Thursday, November 5: Cinema Society of PebbleCreek returns. Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to noon; season membership $95
The LifeLong Learning team of 60 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 updates during the season via Constant Contact by sending your name and email address to [email protected].
Ticket sales, class and trip registration brisk due to online purchases
We expected introducing online sales would be a boon to those who love LifeLong Learning programs, but we were amazed at how many residents took advantage of the system to reserve their places in our trips, classes, special events and Premier Lectures.
In fact, because so many went online the moment sales opened, the system crashed. Additional bandwidth was added and by 8:30 a.m. online traffic was brisk and several trips were closed or almost at their limits.
“I knew trips would fill up quickly, but I never expected so many places would be reserved in classes that don’t begin until January,” said Co-Chair Phyllis Minsuk. “We have never had such early sales and, from the comments we’ve had, we know online is a real boon to those who live in PebbleCreek part-time.”
Some residents were still uncomfortable with online purchasing and instead chose to make their purchases in person at the Kiosk. Residents were lined up by 7:00 a.m., causing some disruption for restaurant and fitness center patrons and the staff. For the remainder of October, sales were moved to the Computer Room where there is plenty of room to accommodate everyone.
LifeLong Learning at PebbleCreek, now in its twelfth year, is a totally volunteer-run organization with close to 70 people responsible for every aspect of its operations, including the implementation of its online system.
“Once again, our volunteers went above and beyond the call of duty to make LifeLong Learning a reality in PebbleCreek,” said Co-Chair Dennis DeFrain, noting that the enormous task of putting the system in place was practically a fulltime job over the summer. “We can’t thank them enough for their time, effort and creativity,” he said. “We know this 2015-16 season is going to be the best yet.”
To join the LifeLong Learning team, contact Phyllis Minsuk at [email protected].
Memory Man Bob Petrella
Can you stump the memory man?
For the average person, the ability to recall certain dates such as birthdays or anniversaries might not be that impressive. Although at our ages here in PebbleCreek we aren’t surprised when we don’t even remember those dates.
However, super-memory man Bob Petrella, age 64, remembers almost everything – every date, every event, even the weather on most any date you ask him about. Bob is the fourth person in America discovered to have what has been described as a super-autobiographical memory. As of 2014, sixty people worldwide have been identified with H-SAM (Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory), including actress Marilou Henner. Do you remember what sitcom she starred in — or even who she is?
At 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 13 you can try to stump Petrella and learn what it’s like to live with a super memory.
Petrella’s memory is a mixture of personal experiences and verifiable public events. He leans toward sports, but historical dates are embedded in his brain as well. His form of memory is not the same as what is often called photographic memory, according to physicians at the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory at the University of California, Irvine, who have been studying Petrella and three others with super memory.
“I always explain to people that it’s like I’m walking around with a video camera on my shoulder and every day is a videotape,” Petrella says. “So, if you throw a date out at me, it’s as if I pulled the videotape out, put it in the VCR and just watched the day as it happened.”
Petrella will share some tips on improving your memory and, even if you don’t leave the lecture with a better memory, you’ll have enjoyed a delightful evening hearing Petrella’s humorous, highly entertaining presentation.
Tickets to the lecture are $15 at the door or in advance.
Lifelong Learning classes inform and educate
Now that you have a little more time, why not try things you didn’t have time for before?
LifeLong Learning at PebbleCreek offers classes on a wide variety of subjects. Many are taught by PebbleCreek residents who willingly share their knowledge and wisdom with their neighbors and friends.
Registration is required for all classes, even those that are free. Register online at www.lifelonglearningatpc.org. Create an account; sign up for your classes and pay with PayPal or credit card or download the registration form and mail it with your check or bring it to the Renaissance Theatre lobby before any Monday Morning Lecture. Printed schedules and registration forms are also available in the carousels at both clubhouses.
Classes begin in January. Dates and fees are online and in the schedule.
Ancient Maps: Stan Dart
Appetizers: Richard Martin
Learn to use olive oils and balsamic vinegars in your appetizers at the Tree of Oil store.
Arizona History: Fred Williams
Learn about key events and people in Arizona history.
Armchair Travel Series: Suzanne Korinke, coordinator
PebbleCreek residents share their adventures. Sign up for all or select any of the four sessions.
Art Appreciation: Dr. Loni
Four separate classes: American Art, the Impressionists, virtual tours of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art and of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.
Artisan Breads: Gene Fioretti
Learn to make wonderful bread in your home.
Brooklyn Sound: Lew Goldring
Legendary music of Neil Sedaka, Carole King and Barry Manilow
Gardening: Jim Oravet
Desert gardening is totally different. Learn local techniques to assure success.
Genealogy: Loretta Morris
Begin the fulfilling exploration and discovery of your ancestors.
Great Decisions: Carole Korzilius, coordinator
Discuss eight critical issues facing America in this course sponsored by the DVD are provided by the Foreign Policy Association.
Nutrition/Eating Gluten Free: Priscilla Naworski
What is gluten free eating? Why do some people do this? How can you accomplish this?
Nutrition/Physical Fitness: Andrew Phelka
Exercise and nutrition influence brain health and longevity.
Opera: Joshua Borths
Prepare for your visit to see the opera Carmen or learn about opera in general for future attendance and appreciation.
Social Media: Bridget Alvarez
What are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest? How and when do you use them?
Using Your eReader: Erin Macfarlane
Bring your eReader and library passcodes and learn to download books and other materials.
Vegetarian Cooking: Richard Martin
Use oils and balsamic vinegars in your vegetarian diet.
Video Recordings: Bill Fenster
Learn to use your smart phone to create videos for PebbleCreek and yourself.
Writing: Dr. Loni
Is it your first novel, an article for the Post, poetry, your memoirs? Just get started! Dr. Loni will teach you how.
Lifelong Learning welcomes your suggestions for additional classes and referrals to qualified teachers for next season. We are always seeking additional volunteers to help define the class offerings and oversee the logistics of expanding the educational offerings for our residents. Contact Mary Gangl at [email protected] to volunteer or comment.