Fall 2010 Courses
Many great classes are available for the coming Fall semester. Adult Learners Institute courses are conducted in cooperation with Washtenaw Community College.
Registration is required for all ALI classes and will start at the Kick Off on Tuesday Aug. 10th. For registration after August 10th, fill out a registration form and mail it to Adult Learners Institute, 809 West Middle Street, Chelsea, MI 48118, with a check made out to ALI of Chelsea, MI Inc.
Click below to open a printable form of a:
Registration continues as long as space is available. If you have questions, please send an e-mail to info@adultlearnersinstitute.org or call 734-433-1000 ext. 7358.
Please Note: ALI courses are cancelled when Chelsea District Schools are closed [Call 734-433-2275. Ext. 3, for information]. Classes cancelled for any reason will not be automatically rescheduled.
Appreciating Music (Even the Weird Kind)
Ken Kozora
Oct 18, 25; Nov 1, 8, 15 & 22 (six Mondays), 10:00 a.m.—12 noon.
The Cedars of Dexter Clubhouse, 411 Cedars Lane, Dexter , MI.
Architect Claire Allen left an enormous Chelsea legacy, including the Clock Tower Building, Welfare Building, and 14th District Court. Learn more about his effect on Chelsea and beyond through two classroom sessions and three walking tours. Slide lectures will include information on Allen and also Frank Glazier, his main Chelsea client. Walking tours will cover Allen’s major buildings in Chelsea, Ann Arbor, and Jackson. Full class participation requires the ability to take walking tours and driving to Ann Arbor and Jackson. We will try to arrange car pooling at the first class.
American Art: Come See Why We’re a Melting Pot of Culture and Art
Rick and Deb Zuccarini
Oct 14, 21, 28; Nov 4 (four Thursdays),
3:00—5:00 p.m
The Cedars of Dexter Clubhouse, 411 Cedars Lane, Dexter , MI.
Beginning with the Native Americans, their arts and crafts, and continuing through American artistic families and regional art, this class will prove not all art has to be French Impressionist or Renaissance Italian to be great. American art has influenced Western art not only through its diversity, but also by absorbing international art and creating new artistic forms. The class will even explore hip hop, which many consider to be avant-garde art for the 21st century..
The Architecture of Claire Allen
Grace Shackman
Sept 24; Oct 1, 8, 15, & 22 (five Fridays), 1:00—3:00 p.m.
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement Community,
809 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
Architect Claire Allen left an enormous Chelsea legacy, including the Clock Tower Building, Welfare Building, and 14th District Court. Learn more about his effect on Chelsea and beyond through two classroom sessions and three walking tours. Slide lectures will include information on Allen and also Frank Glazier, his main Chelsea client. Walking tours will cover Allen’s major buildings in Chelsea, Ann Arbor, and Jackson. Full class participation requires the ability to take walking tours and driving to Ann Arbor and Jackson. We will try to arrange car pooling at the first class.
C.S. Lewis: Screwtape Letters and the Great Divorce
Marsha Daigle-Williamson
Oct 20 & 27; Nov 3 (three Wednesdays), 1:00—3:00 p.m.
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement Community,
809 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
C.S. Lewis’s Screwtape Letters first put him on the map in this country in the 1940’s, especially after he appeared on the cover of Time for that novel. This imaginary set of letters from a senior devil to a junior devil has delighted audiences for several decades and is still remarkably relevant today. Lewis’s adult fantasy, The Great Divorce, which deals with the afterlife and includes many parallels with Dante’s fictive afterlife, has also been well received. Both books are short, so the discussion will focus in-depth on some of Lewis’ themes.
Designing Small Landscapes in a Big Yard
David Mastie
Sept 9 (one Thursday),10:00 a.m.—12 noon
Address provided at registration.
Come visit David’s autumn yard, and learn his secrets for designing outdoor garden rooms and small landscapes. David’s gardens are always spectacular and change with each season.
The Dynamic Systems of Earth
Steve Daut
Sept 22 & 29 (two Wednesdays), 6:30—8:30 p.m.
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement Community,
809 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
From a geological point of view, all of the systems of Earth can be understood by considering processes we observe or reconstruct today, and adding the factor of time. Small incremental changes that occur over many millions of years can result in significant geological impact. The course will focus on processes involved in dynamic systems such as plate tectonics and seismicity, volcanism, gravity and isostacy, erosion, and glacial systems, and how these processes have transformed the Earth over time. We will look at observable modern-day systems and events to help get some perspective on the current state of the Earth and our potential future impact.
Exploring Musical Theater
Angelo Angelocci,
Bob Southgate and Chris Lenehan
Oct 18 & 25; Nov 1 & 8 (four Mondays), 1:00—4:00 p.m.
Maples I, Silver Maples, 100 Silver Maples Dr., Chelsea, MI.
This class is a continuation of a previous popular film series. Four new films will be presented, geared to those of us who like musical theater. The course consists of viewing four musical productions: Chicago, Iolanthe, Tosca, and Chorus Line. Each of the movies is preceded by an introduction which includes a brief history of the production, information about the authors, composers, and lyricists. Additional information is presented about casting, location, difficulties, out-takes and interesting trivia. After the showing there will be time for discussion, questions and comments.
The Fascinating Life of Sandhill Cranes
Tom Hodgson
Oct 22 (one Friday), 9:00 a.m.—10:00 a.m.
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement Community,
809 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
Oct 29—Bus Tour (one Friday),
9:00 a.m.—12 noon—Meet in the parking lot across from the fairgrounds at 9:00 a.m.
The first class will be a power-point presentation on the life and activities of Sandhill Cranes. The following week this class will be treated to a bus trip, narrated by Tom, to show us where Sandhill Cranes may be found. Fall colors should abound in the country at this time. Class fee includes $15 for bus service.
From Carnivore to Vegan... and Back!
Franscica Fernandez
Sept 8; Oct 6; Nov 17 (three Wednesdays), 1:00—3:00 p.m .
The Community Room at the Pines, 325 Wilkinson Street, Chelsea, MI
The latest battleground in our society; food wars! Vegan? Vegetarian? Carnivore? Which one is better or healthier? I subscribe to Michael Pollan’s philosophy: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. Each class will focus on recipes geared to one of these diets. All are delicious, easy to make and suitable for company. There will be a presentation cooking demonstration and sampling of foods at each class. (Class fee includes a $7 materials fee.)
25 Fun Science Things
David Mastie
Oct 4 and 11 (two Mondays), 1:00—3:00 p.m.
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement Community,
809 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
David, with the help of his wife, Marjorie, will share 25 fun, inexpensive, science things to do with your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This is a hands on fun class for all children (whatever your age).
Greenfield Village - 81 and Going Strong!
Betsy Maxwell
Oct 21 (oneThursday),10:00 a.m.—12 noon
Maples I, Silver Maples, 100 Silver Maples Dr., Chelsea, MI.
Oct 26—Optional Tour (one Tuesday)
(Car pooling and any additional entrance fees will be discussed during class.)
Greenfield Village was introduced to the world on October 21, 1929, and has been going strong ever since! This class celebrates this national treasure, created by Henry Ford, in nearby Dearborn, Michigan. We will find out how “this village that never was” came to be, and we will time travel through 300 years of American history. We will talk of corsets, tinfoil phonographs, steam locomotives, McGuffey Readers, the Model T, and more! Buildings from each of the seven historic districts will be showcased with special attention given to those from Michigan.
Herstory's Place in History
Susan Nenadic
Oct 4, 11, 18; (skip Oct 25) Nov 1 & 8 (five Mondays),,10:00 a.m.—12 noon.
White Oak Inn, Atrium Room, Chelsea Hospital Campus, 775 S. Main St., Chelsea, MI.
This course presents Washtenaw County in the 19th century with the focus on women’s activities. Most of “herstory” has been ignored or distorted. Come and learn the realities behind the stereotypes. It will give you a more balanced view of the past. Each class will consist of a talk supported with photographs, followed by discussion. Subjects include the pioneer experience, education, employment, health, and marriage/sexuality.
How Does Your Brain Work?
Charlie Taylor
Sept 14, (skip Sept 21), 28; Oct 5, 12, 19, 26; Nov 2 & 9 (8 Tuesdays), 1:00—3:00 p.m.
CRC Dancey Auditorium, Chelsea Retirement Community,
805 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
Your brain is the most intricate mechanism in the known universe, but the basics of how it works are not hard to understand. We will discuss the parts of the brain, the types of cells in the brain, and how they work. We will discuss recent scientific ideas of how the brain allows us to see, hear, dream and think. We will discuss what consciousness is, and whether animals have it. Finally, we will discuss diseases of the brain (epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, bipolar) and what causes them.
Journeys Through Western Civilization:
Proto-Renaissance and Renaissance Art in Italy
Nancy Nilsson
Sept 17, 24; (skip Oct 1), Oct 8, 15, 22, 29:
Nov 5 & 12 (8 Fridays), 10.30 a.m.—12.30 p.m.
Maples I, Silver Maples, 100 Silver Maples Dr., Chelsea, MI.
Art historian Nancy Nilsson, with her usual abundance of slides and enthusiasm, is slowing down the pace of the journey. Instead of leaping whole epochs in a single bound, she will focus on the extraordinary development of the arts in Italy from 1300-1500 A.D. Talented artists who are often not considered “art-historical biggies” (but would have been under different circumstances) will get their due!
Introduction to Feng Shui
Wendy Warrick
Nov 9 & 16 (two Tuesdays), 10:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m.
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement Community,
809 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese system for aligning and harmonizing the life force or “chi” in a house, other building or land. Through the placement and arrangement of made features (architecture and furniture), feng shui not only creates better designs, but can be employed to enhance or create prosperity, health, loving relationships, and more. In this class you will learn the basics as well as how to diagnose and realign “chi” using special feng shui cures.
Speaking of Faith
Joy Barrett
Oct 20, 27; Nov 3, 10 & 17 (five Wednesdays), 1:00—3:00 p.m.
First United Methodist Church Community Room, 128 Park St., Chelsea , MI.
You are invited to a journey both exotic and familiar as we take a closer look at several ancient and living faith traditions. Together we will learn about central figures and teachings, examine similarities and differences, and deepen our understanding of faiths and cultures. The course will explore Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and others.
The War of 1812 in the Old Northwest
Tom Collier
Oct 28; Nov 4 & 11 (three Thursdays), 10:00 a.m.—12 noon.
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement Community,
809 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
We remember the War of 1812 as glorious naval victories, blunders and disasters on land, and a great final victory by a future president. All of those things occurred in our backyard, some within half-day drives of Chelsea. Tom Collier will discuss the military history of the war and some of those drives.
Welcome to New Zealand
Michal Taylor
Sept 15 (one Wednesday), 1:00—3:00 p.m.
CRC Dancey Auditorium, Chelsea Retirement Community,
805 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
Welcome to Aotearoa, the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud.’ New Zealand is known for its scenic beauty covering a myriad of land forms in an area the size of California. From the Kauri forests of Northland, to the geysers and boiling mud pools in the Volcanic plateau, to the glaciers of Mt. Cook in the south, the rugged beauty of New Zealand captures the hearts of all who visit. This presentation will give the highlights of some of this scenery threaded with anecdotes from personal travel experiences.
Wine and Dessert Tasting with Chef Craig
Craig Common
Sept 21 (one Tuesday), 7:00—8:30 p.m.
Common Grill Restaurant, 112 South Main Street , Chelsea, MI.
The Common Grill is one of Chelsea’s famous destinations. Join Craig Common for a wine and dessert tasting and hear his stories about the beginning of the Grill, writing his well-received cookbooks, and maintaining a restaurant that continues to draw people to Chelsea for fine dining. SPECIAL NOTE: The downstairs private dining room is not handicapped-accessible. Class fee includes $15 fee for food and service.
Who We Are
Based in Chelsea, Michigan, the Adult Learners Institute (ALI) provides a diverse selection of quality community-based learning experiences and camaraderie for adults in western Washtenaw County. ALI is a Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) affiliated with the Elderhostel Institute Network (EIN), a group of 320 similar organizations. We conduct our programs in cooperation with Washtenaw Community College.