Limitless Learning
“Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another. ” – Gilbert K. Chesterton
Computers
The Pointe Claire Public Library offers beginner to intermediate computer courses. The 6-hour courses include Intro to Computers (begins Sept. 20,) Internet for Seniors (begins Oct. 18,) Internet Plus for Seniors (begins Nov. 8,) and Intro to Microsoft Word (begins Oct. 18.) Classes are Thurs. 9:30 –11:30 am or Fri. 1:30–3:30 pm and cost $35/course level.
Info: 514-630-1218.
The Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors (CJCS) offers computer classes, ranging from basic to advanced, including several levels of Windows ($45 –$90,) Internet Level 1 ($85,) Word Level 1 ($90,) Powerpoint ($48,) Excel ($90,) Windows Moviemaker ($80,) and Adobe Photoshop ($90.) Also offered are various one and two day workshops. Among them are CD Creator: Burning ($15,) Travel Planning Online ($30,) Email ($20,) eBAY: Buying & Selling ($30,) Digital Camera Workshop ($20,) and How to Buy a Digital Camera ($15.) Other computer courses are also avai lable. Mandatory registration is ongoing.
Info: 514-342-1234 x 7348.
The Atwater Library offers varying levels of computer courses. Ongoing courses beginning Sept. 10 include Introduction to Windows XP ($135,) Introduction to Internet & Email ($75,) Word ($135) and Excel ($135.) Also offered are workshops like The Best Computer at Any Budget (Sept. 13, $20,) Finding Your Ancestors Using Computers and the Internet (Oct. 4, $135,) Take Control of Your Computer (Oct. 29, $75) and Photoshop Techni ques (Nov. 6, $200.) Register in advance. Discounts for seniors are available. Info: 514-935-7344 or atwaterlibrary.ca.
Humanities
Ranging from geography, history and the arts to spirituality and the social sciences, Thomas More Institute’s Fall courses include The Spirit of Inquiry, exploring curiosity & adult learning (Tues. 3:45 pm,) Dialogues in Distress: Psychiatry for the Layman (Wed. 10 am,) Brazil & South America in the 21st Century (Mon. 3:45 pm,) Mathematical Thought (Wed. 3:45 pm,) The Ottoman Legacy (Wed. 6:15 pm,) War & The Iliad (Thurs. 6:15 pm,) Spirituality: Today’s New Quest (Thurs. 3:45 pm,) Edith & Henry, exploring the work of Edith Wharton & Henry James (Tues. 6:15 pm,) Flourishing Lives: Caring for the Next Generation (Mon. 6:15 pm,) On War (Mon. 6:15 pm or Wed. 1:30 pm,) Passport to Crime, exploring crime fiction from around the world (Thurs. 10 am,) Renewing the Sacred: Creativity & the Ineffable, about the depiction of the sacred in art (Thurs. 1:30 pm,) So You Think You ’re Human? about the distinction between humans & other animals (Tues. 6:15 pm,) Spinning the Truth, exploring truth in ethics, literature, science &
politics (Wed. 6:15 pm) & Enjoying Jazz, with jazz guitarist François Ouimet (Thurs. 1:30 pm.)
Most courses are 12 weeks and begin the week of Sept. 17. Registration begins Sat. Sept. 8. The Thomas More Institute also offers courses for Winter & Spring, as well as Fall art appreciation courses where students attend either operatic or theatrical performances. Info: 514-935-9585.
The Fondation Humanitas has bilingual courses on classical civilization Ancient Roman Religion is Sept. 17 – Nov. 26. Register before Sept. 10. The Gods in Ancient Greece is Jan. 21 – Apr. 7. Register before Jan. 15. The courses are Mon. 7 – 9 pm and cost $100.
Info: 450-445-8897.
The Pointe Claire Public Library offers The Maple Leaf, The Shamrock, the Fleur de Lys, a 6-hour genealogy workshop on discovering your ancestors in North America and Western Europe. Led by Gary Shroder, the workshop is Wed. 1:30 – 3:30 pm and begins Oct. 3. Cost is $25. Info: 514-630-1218.
The CJCS offers 2 to 6-session courses in International Studies. Among them are Benjamin Disraeli & Victorian England, (Mon. 10 am,) Money Power & Fear (Tues. 1 pm,) The ‘Politics’ of Climate (Mon. 10 am,) The Crisis of Democracy (Mon. 1:30 pm,) Great Cities of the World (Wed. noon,) Socrates ’ Café (Thurs. 1 pm,) and more. Most courses begin the week of Sept. 24 and costs range from $18 to $60. Registration is required.
Info: 514-342-1234 x 7205.
E.N.C.O.R.E.’s humanities courses include Pacific & Orient Ports of Call, 6-lectures on busy world seaports (Tues. 10 am, Oct. 23 – Nov. 27,) Philosophy, a tour through western philosophical tradition (Mon. 1 pm, Oct. 29 – Dec. 3,) and World Crises, an in-depth analysis of global trouble spots (Fri. 1 pm, Oct. 26 – Nov. 30.) Courses cost $36. Register by Oct. 12. Info: 514-989-2361.
Languages
The Teapot 50+ Centre offers a French Conversation course, designed to improve conversational skills and teach specific vocabulary for medical appointments. 10 participants are required to start the course. Sign up at the Teapot ’s office, 2901 St. Joseph Blvd. in Lachine. Info: 514-637-5627.
E.N.C.O.R.E. offers a French Conversation course, led by Jeanne Naubert. The course is Wed. 1 – 3 pm, from Oct. 24 to Nov. 28, and costs $36. Register by Oct. 12. Info: 514-989-2361.
The CJCS offers beginner to advanced English, French, Spanish and Hebrew courses. Most courses are 4 – 8 sessions and begin the week of Sept. 17. Costs range from $20 - $60. Mandatory registration is ongoing.
Info: 514-342-1234 x 7205.
Performing Arts
The Creative Social Center offers courses in Folk Dancing (Wed. 10:45 am,) and Recorder (Wed. 1 pm,) as well as Choir (Thurs. 1 pm.) Cost is $5 per class plus $25 yearly membership. Registration is ongoing.
Info: 514-488-0907.
The Teapot 50+ Centre has a number of dance classes. Line Dancing (Tues. 1:30 pm) starts Oct. 2. The 10-week Intermediate Tap Dancing class (Wed. 1 pm) begins Sept. 26 and costs $60. Latin American Dance (Fri. 11 am) runs for 10 weeks, beginning Sept. 21 and costs $35. The Teapot ’s Drama Club (Fri. 2 pm) begins Sept. 14. Sign up at the Teapot’s office, 2901 St. Joseph Blvd. in Lachine. Info: 514-637-5627.
Fitness & Wellness
The Creative Social Centre offers Aerobics (Tues. & Thurs. 10 am,) and Yoga (Tues. & Thurs. 11 am.) Cost is $5 per class plus $25 yearly membership. Registration is ongoing. Info: 514-488-0907.
The 50+ Club of NDG offers Tai-Chi, Physical Fitness and Bowling. Registration is Mon. Sept. 10, 1-2:30 pm at the Rosedale Queen Mary United Church, 6870 Terrebonne Ave. corner Mariette. A membership card is required and can be obtained on registration day.
Info: 514-872-1762. (Call Tues. – Thurs. 10 am – 3 pm.)
The CJCS offers Gentle & Rythmic Gym classes, Earlybird Fitness,Aquafit, Strengthen & Stretch, Yoga, Pilates & more. Info: 514-342-1234 x 7205.
The Teapot 50+ Centre offers a 10-week Tai Chi class (Wed. 10 am) starting Sept. 12. Cost is $35. Yoga (Thurs. 2 pm) begins Sept. 13 and costs $100 for 10 weeks. Aerobics (Tues. & Thurs. 9:30 am) begins Sept. 11 and costs $3 per class. Also available are the Cycling Group (Tues. 10 am,) the Women’s Health Group (Mon. 12 pm, from Sept. 10,) and the Walking Group (Mon. 10 am.) Sign up at the Teapot ’s office, 2901 St. Joseph Blvd. in Lachine. Info: 514-637-5627.
The E.N.C.O.R.E. educational club for seniors’ fitness classes include Yoga-Hatha, for increased energy, strength and flexibility (Tues. 12;30 pm, Oct. 30 – Dec. 11,) Yoga-Pilates, for strength, balance and endurance (Mon. noon or 1:30 pm, Nov. 5 – Dec. 17,) Basic Tai-Chi (Tues. 2 pm, Oct. 30 –Dec. 11 or Fri. 10:15 am, Nov. 2 – Dec. 14,) and Intermediate Tai-Chi (Tues. 3:15 pm, Oct. 30 – Dec. 4 or Fri. 11:30 am, Nov. 2 – Dec. 14.) Courses cost $35. Register by Oct. 12. Info: 514-989-2361.
The Unitarian Church of Montreal ‘s Walking Group meets for walks Sat. 10 am. Info: 514-747-9375 or 514-287-0814.
Visual Arts
The Creative Social Center offers an Art course including Drawing and Painting with Acrylic & Watercolor (Wed. 10 am or 1 pm,) and Sculpture (Mon. 1 pm or Wed. 9:30 am.) Cost is $25 yearly membership plus $5 per class for the Art course and $10 per class for the Sculpture course. The art studios are also open to students outside of class times. Registration is ongoing. Info: 514-488-0907.
The Teapot 50+ Centre’s 10-week Painting course (Mon. 9 am) begins Sept. 17 and costs $70. Sign up at the Teapot ’s office, 2901 St. Joseph Blvd. in Lachine. Info: 514-637-5627.
E.N.C.O.R.E. offers an Acrylic Painting course for learning basic techniques, form, color and composition. The course is Wed. 1 –3 pm and runs from Oct. 24 to Nov. 28. Led by Claire Cayer, the course costs $36 and does not include materials. Also offered is a Drawing course, led by Deanne Hall-Habeeb. Learn to draw and shade, to create foreground, middleground and background, and practise landscapes. The course is Fri. 10 am – noon and runs from Oct. 26 to Nov. 30. The $36 course fee does not include materials. Register by Oct. 12. Info: 514-989-2361.
The CJCS has a wide range of fine arts courses including Pastels (Mon. 9 am,) Portraits: Intermediate (Mon. 1 pm,) Painting & Watercolour (Mon. 1 pm,) Stone Sculpture (Mon. or Tues. 12:30 pm,) Glass Fusing (Introduction to Glass Workshop, Introduction to Drawing, Clay Sculpture, and many more. Arts & Crafts workshops and courses are also available. Course costs Range from $100 - $180.
Writing
The Thomas More Institute offers a hands-on Workshop on Writing Skills, led by 3 published writers (Thurs. 6:15 pm,) & Basic Essay Writing, for improving basic writing skills like clarity, accuracy & structure (Mon. 3:45 pm.) Courses are 12 weeks & registration begins the week of Sept. 17.
Info: 514-935-9585.
The Beaconsfield Library offers a Creative Writing Workshop led by Timothy Fain (Wed. 3 pm.) The 10-week course begins Sept. 26 and costs $40 for members & $45 for non-members. Register before Sept. 21. Info: 514-428-4460.
The Pointe Claire Public Library hosts a 20-hour Creative Writing workshop with Timothy Fain Mon. 7 – 9 pm or Thurs. 3 – 5 pm. The workshops begin the week of Sept. 16 and cost $40.
Info: 514-630-1218.
The Creative Social Center offers a Creative Writing course (Tues. & Thurs. 10 am). Cost is $5 per class plus $25 yearly membership. Info: 514-488-0907.
The Dollard-des-Ormeaux Public Library hosts a series of free Creative Writing workshops led by Trudy Kerman, beginning Sept. 25. Mandatory registration begins Sept 11.
Info: 514-684-1496.
E.N.C.O.R.E. offers a Creative Writing course, led by Jeannette Paul, suitable for all levels, Thurs. 1-3 pm. The course runs from Oct. 25 to Nov. 29 and costs $36. Register by Oct. 12.
Info: 514-989-2361.
Limitless Learning at the MILR
The McGill Institute for Learning in Retirement (MILR) offers study groups for people aged 55 and over. Members choose from subjects like literature, music, history, religion, travel and writing skills, and learn together under a moderator. Peer learning is the name of the game.
The new term begins September 24 and lasts ten weeks. The Calendar of study groups and Friday and Saturday lectures is now available. To Obtain a copy, call the MILR office Monday to Friday. An orientation session will take place at 11 am September 11 at the MILR office.
The MILR is located at 688 Sherbrooke W., suite 229. Info: 514-934-0262.
