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After the fall of the classical world (the Roman Empire in Western Europe), people worked to construct a new world. Ironically (given the destructiveness of war), warfare was central to this process. This course will examine the dynamics of medieval armed conflict to explain how this happened. After explaining the fundamental physical characteristics of warfare, the "how" of medieval war, the course will look at the "why", that is, the way in which warfare functioned to build a new (and better!) post-classical world. By looking at armed conflict as a form of discourse, we will see how war created new communities, brought them into contact with each other, and established values that long outlasted the medieval era and continue to shape our world today. The point is not to glorify war, but to understand how it created structures that we must still negotiate in our conflict-ridden world.
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Instructor: Stephen Morillo
Capacity Remaining: 25
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Dates: 3/2/2026 - 3/23/2026
Times: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Sessions: 4
Days: M
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Building: Vineyard Assisted Living Community
Room: Activity Room
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Member Rate: $40, Non-Member Rate: $80
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Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is becoming part of everyday life, whether we notice it or not. It powers voice assistants like Alexa and Siri, the apps we use on our phones for reminders, exercise, and meal planning, and even shapes what we see and do on social media. But what exactly is AI, and how much of what we hear about it is really true? In this session, we’ll talk about AI in plain ans simplified language. What it actually does, what it doesn’t, and how it’s already helping people in areas like health, therapy, and daily living. We’ll clear up common myths, share a few surprising facts, and explore how AI is being used to make everyday tasks simpler, safer, and sometimes even more enjoyable. You’ll also get to see and have fun interacting with AI Companion Devices, including a friendly robot dog and a soft, touch-responsive stress-relief bot designed to bring comfort and calm. These hands-on demos will show how technology can support connection, relaxation, and overall well-being. By the end of the session, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how AI fits into daily life and how it might make your world a little easier, more comfortable, and more connected.
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Instructor: Habeeb Abdulrauf
Capacity Remaining: 20
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Dates: 3/3/2026 - 3/3/2026
Times: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
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Sessions: 1
Days: Tu
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Building: College of Health and Human Services
Room: 1057
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Member Rate: $10, Non-Member Rate: $20
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Join us in a musical tour of the first annual Gilmore Piano Festival when Kalamazoo becomes the “piano capital of the world.” Ten days--April 30 to May 10--and action packed, including the debuts of the very first Bell Jazz Artist and Bell Young Artists. Gilmore Director of Education Adam Schumaker and musicologist Zaide Pixley will walk us through the Festival’s remarkable line up. We will present music to savor, ranging from jazz to classical, cross-cutting genres and musical styles. Join us in exploring the work of the Festival’s outstanding jazz pianists and the music of Bach, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Pauline Viardot, and more.
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Instructor: Zaide Pixley, Adam Schumaker
Capacity Remaining: 50
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Dates: 3/13/2026 - 3/20/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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Sessions: 2
Days: F
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Building: Friendship Village
Room: Village Clubhouse Keystone
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Member Rate: $20, Non-Member Rate: $40
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When did modern humans appear, how did they evolve and how did populations settle around the world? Today 40% of people believe that humans appeared 10,000 years ago, with no evolution and no mating with other primates. During the last 100 years paleontologists have discovered many fossils from Africa, Europe and Asia that begin to tell the complex human story. More recently, the study of ancient DNA from the bones and caves of our early ancestors has provided new information about the interaction between early human types. Early humans interbred with other human types more than 100,000 years ago. This gave the hybrids the genetic variation to be able to populate the various environments around the world. As a geneticist, the instructor was able to develop a simple unified explanation, and may have even found Adam and Eve. A version of this course was offered last year, but recent ancient DNA findings have provided new insights concerning how our ancestors transitioned from hunter gathers to farmers. The goal of this course is to provide up to date information about how and when evolution of modern humans occurred. The course will provide the background information to be able to discuss these theories.
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Instructor: Leonard Ginsberg
Capacity Remaining: 40
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Dates: 3/3/2026 - 3/10/2026
Times: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
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Sessions: 2
Days: Tu
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Building: Richmond Visual Arts Center
Room: Room 1004
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Member Rate: $20, Non-Member Rate: $40
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We will be studying the fundamentals of calligraphy by using the hand commonly known as Copperplate. Starting with posture and how to hold a pen, we’ll transition into the specifics of nibs,, writing paper, shading, spacing, making lines, flourishing, and corrections. You’ll also learn about Titivillus, light tablets, laser lines, pencil layouts, computer layouts, erasing shields and workable fix. Students should expect to take home calligraphy homework throughout this six-part course. Those writing with a Left-Handed Hook should contact Robert Hosack, rlhosack967@gmail.com before registering.
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Instructor: Robert L. Hosack
Capacity Remaining: 7
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Dates: 3/4/2026 - 4/8/2026
Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
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Sessions: 6
Days: W
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Building: The Bellflower
Room: 4700 D Ave W, Kalamazoo MI 49009
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Member Rate: $115, Non-Member Rate: $175
A $55 Supplies Fee is included.
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Needing to declutter belongings and downsize your living space, or support someone else through the process? Together, for 90 minutes, we'll cover the expertise shared by Matt Paxton: author, downsizing, decluttering, and hoarding expert, and host of Emmy-nominated show, "Legacy List with Matt Paxton", in his book "Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff". Empathy and humor will guide us through Paxton's signature step-by-step process to get the job done.
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Instructor: Kelly Reed
Capacity Remaining: 12
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Dates: 3/4/2026 - 3/4/2026
Times: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
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Sessions: 1
Days: W
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Building: Richmond Visual Arts Center
Room: Room 1004
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Member Rate: $10, Non-Member Rate: $20
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In recent decades, surveys have uncovered a growing population of Americans who don’t identify with traditional religious institutions but still maintain a spiritual outlook in some way shape or form. They are the self-described ‘Spiritual but not Religious’ or SBNR for short. What does that identity really mean? Who is likely to be SBNR? Why do some folks adopt this identity instead of fully converting to another religion or claiming a purely secular identity instead? In this course, we will begin to explore these questions as well as look at some of the challenges and opportunities for studying this group in the contemporary U.S. If you are interested in religion and/or spirituality, secularization, or sociological methods, this multi-layered course may be for you!
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Instructor: Fiona Dougherty
Capacity Remaining: 15
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Dates: 3/5/2026 - 3/5/2026
Times: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
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Sessions: 1
Days: Th
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Building: College of Health and Human Services
Room: 1057
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Member Rate: $10, Non-Member Rate: $20
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In this course, we'll dive into the World of Service Animals by learning how dogs are chosen and trained to assist people with physical challenges. You'll also pick up helpful tips & proven techniques for training your puppy. Paws With a Cause is a non-profit providing free service animals for people with mobility issues and/or hearing impairments; children with autism; and people needing a seizure response animal. Their national headquarters is located in Wayland Michigan, where all breeding, puppy raising and training is based. Learn how their breeding program operates; the structure of their foster puppy program; what happens when the dogs go to prison for inmates to aid in the training process; and how they are custom trained to handle the needs of their furever person. Demos of service dog tasks will be included. BONUS: You will learn how to raise your puppy to be an exceptionally well behaved dog by using techniques developed by the service animal industry. Even owners of older dogs will learn ways to improve their dogs behavior by understanding a dog's point of view, and how YOUR actions might be contributing to problem issues!
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Instructor: Megan McCoy
Capacity Remaining: 40
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Dates: 3/6/2026 - 3/6/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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Sessions: 1
Days: F
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Building: Portage Zhang Senior Center
Room: Community Room West
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Member Rate: $10, Non-Member Rate: $20
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This course is divided into three parts: first, the class will read and discuss the Pulitzer and Tony Award winning play ANGELS IN AMERICA, PART ONE: MILLENNIUM APPROACHES by Tony Kushner; second, they will then see the production at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre (March 13-22); the final class will feature a discussion with the director and selected cast members.
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Instructor: D. Terry Williams
Capacity Remaining: 25
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Dates: 3/9/2026 - 3/23/2026
Times: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
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Sessions: 2
Days: M
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Building: Friendship Village
Room: Village Clubhouse Keystone
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Member Rate: $20, Non-Member Rate: $40
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This three-session class will explore three short stories by Flannery O'Connor, who, next to William Faulkner, is the most complex fiction writer of the American South. If you have never read O'Connor before, be prepared to be shocked by violence, depictions of racism, dark humor, and a fierce devotion to a strange Catholic faith. Students will be expected to read the stories before class: this is a discussion class with a minimum of lecture. Copies of O'Connor's complete stories can be purchased used or new from various online sources or by special order from bookstores but each is also available to download and print for free by doing a Google source by the title of the story followed by pdf. The stories are "The River, March16; "Greenleaf," March 23; and "The Enduring Chill," March 30.
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Instructor: David Isaacson
Capacity Remaining: 25
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Dates: 3/17/2026 - 3/31/2026
Times: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
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Sessions: 3
Days: Tu
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Building: College of Health and Human Services
Room: 4010
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Member Rate: $30, Non-Member Rate: $60
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This course is designed for anyone who wishes to gain a greater appreciation for the visual arts. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts' (KIA) docents, Dr Jim Carter and Dr Sam Grossman, will utilize the KIA's permanent collection and current exhibitions to lead this experience. The class will examine the various techniques artists utilize in creating art, as well as using the "Elements of Art" to further understand visual artwork. Expect to see great art with exciting discussions. Students will improve their observation skills and become more comfortable discussing art with others. PLEASE NOTE: This course has been given on three previous occasions and the content of the course is unchanged. We are not sure of its value for repeat students.
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Instructor: Samuel Grossman, James Carter
Capacity Remaining: 16
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Dates: 3/19/2026 - 3/26/2026
Times: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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Sessions: 2
Days: Th
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Building: Kalamazoo Instute of Art
Room:
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Member Rate: $20, Non-Member Rate: $40
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Dave Coverly's presentation will be a leisurely trip though his syndicated Speed Bump cartoons, old and new, with an emphasis on the age-old question: where *do* ideas come from, anyway? What makes one worth drawing and another worth avoiding? Why does he draw so many dog cartoons? How does a person do this sort of thing for 30 years? Why would anyone be dumb enough to do this sort of thing for 30 years? Oh, and he'll happily answer questions as long as they're not sartorial. This will be obvious when you meet him.
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Instructor: Dave Coverly
Capacity Remaining: 45
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Dates: 3/20/2026 - 3/20/2026
Times: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Sessions: 1
Days: F
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Building: Heritage Community of Kalamazoo
Room: Memory Care Auditorium
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Member Rate: $10, Non-Member Rate: $20
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In today’s world, smartphones are more than just a tool for calls and texts. Phones are our maps, our cameras, our social hubs, and our connection to almost everything around us. Yet, for many of us, smartphones can feel confusing, overwhelming, or even intimidating. That’s where this course comes in! “Smartphone 101: Unlock Your Phone’s Potential" is a friendly, hands-on class designed to help you understand, navigate, and confidently use your smartphone for everyday life. This course is perfect for anyone who wants to move beyond just the basics of making calls or sending texts. We will go over phone basics like charging, restarting and the settings, while also touching on Wi-Fi, safe websites, and what to look out for with scams! More than just a guide to cellphone basics, this course is designed to empower you and build your confidence to seamlessly integrate your cellphone into your everyday routines. Whether you are new to smartphones, have struggled to keep up with rapidly changing technology, or just want a refresher to feel more confident in using your device, this course will give you the tools, skills, and knowledge you need.
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Instructor: Emily Tarala
Capacity Remaining: 20
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Dates: 3/24/2026 - 3/31/2026
Times: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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Sessions: 2
Days: Tu
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Building: College of Health and Human Services
Room: 1057
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Member Rate: $20, Non-Member Rate: $40
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We have creative brains, able to tap into a lifetime of experience and education that can be used to “think outside the box.” Games are an easy way to activate problem-solving strategies such as brainstorming ideas or a shift in perspective that may lead to grins, groans, giggles, and guffaws. For example, everyone knows the 50 States in the U.S., but can you name the twelve states that begin with the letter "N" in just two minutes? A playful, mind-stimulating experience will be had by all!
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Instructor: Norman Bober
Capacity Remaining: 18
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Dates: 3/30/2026 - 3/30/2026
Times: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Sessions: 1
Days: M
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Building: Portage Zhang Senior Center
Room: Meeting Room 1B
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Member Rate: $10, Non-Member Rate: $20
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