• Drawing Your Future: Planning For Your Best Life As You Age

• Come learn a new way to plan for the life you want to live as you age through Visual Facilitation. This course will teach you new ways to consider planning for your later years of life. Many people have made financial plans, chosen a power of attorney, and other technical things that need to be in place for smooth transitions as they age, however, many families have not had intentional conversations about the wishes of their elders or how family members can support them. You’ll learn about a simple visual tool called a Solution Circle that you can use to facilitate your own future planning with family and friends.

   

• Instructor: Allison Hammond

  Capacity Remaining: 8

• Dates: 10/2/2025 - 10/2/2025

  Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Sessions: 1

  Days: Th

• Building: Portage Zhang Senior Center

  Room: Meeting Room 1B

• Member Rate: $10, Non-Member Rate: $20

• COVID-19: The Lasting Impact of a Pandemic

• COVID-19 was the most significant pandemic of the last hundred years in terms of its speed of spread, number of lives lost, and lives permanently altered. The impact of this illness not only involved our health but also many other aspects of our day-to-day existence. While all nations were affected, their governments and people responded very differently, often with divergent outcomes. We’ll explore how this disease may have originated, the many ways individuals and countries responded to the crisis, and how “Long COVID” is still affecting so many people two years after the pandemic ended in May 2023. 

   

• Instructor: Gillian Stoltman

  Capacity Remaining: 9

• Dates: 10/2/2025 - 10/9/2025

  Times: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

• Sessions: 2

  Days: Th

• Building: Sangren Hall

  Room: 2510

• Member Rate: $20, Non-Member Rate: $40

• The Biggest Village in the USA: Kalamazoo History from 1828 to 1884

• This course will examine the history of Kalamazoo from its settlement until it became an incorporated municipality in 1884. By then, it had grown substantially but had retained its village form of government, earning it the nickname, “The Biggest Village in the USA.” We will learn about the original inhabitants of this region, the pioneering founders of the village, and the reasons for its success and growth. The course will also explore Kalamazoo’s industrial, cultural, and political landscape throughout 1828 to 1884.

   

• Instructor: Thomas Dietz

  Capacity Remaining: 5

• Dates: 10/6/2025 - 10/20/2025

  Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Sessions: 3

  Days: M

• Building: Sangren Hall

  Room: 2510

• Member Rate: $30, Non-Member Rate: $60

• Counterfactual Thinking: Estimating What Could Have Been

• In this course, we’ll embark on an engaging and insightful journey into the realm of counterfactual thinking, as we learn how to analyze hypothetical alternatives to past events and decisions. Through interactive discussions, case studies, role-playing scenarios, and group exercises, you’ll gain a deep understanding of how counterfactuals are applied across various fields, including history, psychology, and evaluation. This course also offers practical tools for estimating what could have been, equipping students with invaluable skills that’ll help them comprehensively consider real-world scenarios from multiple angles—such as the outcomes of social policies or historical turning points. Additionally, you’ll discover how to apply these techniques in your professional or academic work, thereby amplifying your decision-making and analytical skills. The course does not require students to purchase additional materials; all resources and readings will be provided digitally at no extra cost. 

   

• Instructor: John Akwetey

  Capacity Remaining: 19

• Dates: 10/6/2025 - 10/10/2025

  Times: 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

• Sessions: 3

  Days: M W F

• Building: College of Health and Human Services

  Room: 1284

• Member Rate: $30, Non-Member Rate: $60

• Decluttering for Seniors

• Decluttering websites and books tell us to divide things into “keep” or “donate” piles and suggest tons of other tips and tricks about how to better organize. But after living such long lives with our homes and belongings, it's never this simple—emotions, commitments, and our identities get in the way. This series of classes will focus on how we can meet the task of decluttering without feeling deprived of memories or pressured to drop down to the bare necessities. We’ll explore the best questions to ask ourselves while discovering how to distinguish between life treasures and mere possessions carrying memories that are no longer relevant to today.

   

• Instructor: Niki Nimmo

  Capacity Remaining: 11

• Dates: 10/7/2025 - 10/21/2025

  Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Sessions: 3

  Days: Tu

• Building: Friendship Village

  Room: Village Clubhouse Classroom

• Member Rate: $30, Non-Member Rate: $60

• Empowered Caregiver Series: Effective Communication Strategies

• The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to supporting a dignified experience for individuals with dementia while promoting the well-being of family caregivers. In this course, we’ll explore how dementia impacts communication and discover effective strategies for engaging with family, friends, and healthcare professionals.  

   

• Instructor: Shukurani Nsengiyumva

  Capacity Remaining: 28

• Dates: 10/8/2025 - 10/8/2025

  Times: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

• Sessions: 1

  Days: W

• Building: Kalamazoo Public Library

  Room: Eastwood Branch, 1112 Gayle Ave, Kalamazoo MI

• Free to members, registration is required.

  You must sign in to your account to verify membership before the add to cart button will appear.

   

• What Does a Director Do? Option 1

• Unlike conductors who stand in front of an orchestra and wave a baton, stage directors do not appear on stage—they are invisible artists whose work is done when the curtain goes up on opening night. So, what exactly does a director do and how do they do it? What is the director's role in the rehearsal process? Where do they get their training? What makes for a successful director? These, and other questions about life in the day of a director, will be explored. Note: This course will be offered twice this semester; students should register for only one section. 

   

• Instructor: D. Terry Williams

  Capacity Remaining: 10

• Dates: 10/9/2025 - 10/9/2025

  Times: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

• Sessions: 1

  Days: Th

• Building: College of Health and Human Services

  Room: 1035

• Member Rate: $10, Non-Member Rate: $20

• Live Music and Discussion: African American Roots of American Country and Cajun Music

• History comes alive through music in this unique course featuring an acoustic string band that will perform and discuss popular American “old time tunes” that were directly influenced by the cultural interchange between European colonists and African Americans, both enslaved and free. You’ll hear examples of songs that were profoundly shaped by the musical traditions brought to North America by people from Africa, highlighting the contribution of syncopation in particular. We’ll explore the role of the African “banjar,” or spiked lute, alongside the fiddle, demonstrating the ways these instruments influenced key elements of both dance and popular music. We’ll also compare and contrast these songs with European music that was popular at the time of cultural contact in the early years of the United States. This course takes a musical tour through time, featuring performances of historic tunes from Appalachia, the Minstrel era, ragtime, work songs, and early blues.

   

• Instructor: Howard Steiner

  Capacity Remaining: 19

• Dates: 10/10/2025 - 10/24/2025

  Times: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

• Sessions: 2

  Days: F

• Building: College of Health and Human Services

  Room: 2089

• Member Rate: $20, Non-Member Rate: $40

• Capturing and Sharing Stories with Your Phone

• Everyone has a story to tell, and today’s mobile devices make it easier than ever to capture and share them. Whether you want to document family history, create personal reflections, or capture community experiences, this interactive two-session course will teach you how to produce high-quality video recordings with minimal equipment. You’ll learn simple techniques to record, edit, and preserve stories using an iPhone, which will be provided for students to use during class. We’ll also explore best practices for interviewing, capturing clear audio and video, and using mobile apps to enhance and edit your recordings. By the end of this course, you will know how to record a video story to share with family, friends, or even contribute to community storytelling initiatives like Public Media Network’s Amplify Kalamazoo. No prior technical experience is required—just curiosity and a willingness to explore new ways to share stories and preserve experiences! Hands-on practice will be included in both sessions. 

   

• Instructor: Lem Montero

  Capacity Remaining: 2

• Dates: 10/15/2025 - 10/22/2025

  Times: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

• Sessions: 2

  Days: W

• Building: Portage Zhang Senior Center

  Room: Meeting Room 1A

• Member Rate: $20, Non-Member Rate: $40

• Why Women’s Clubs Mattered—and Still Do!

• For over two centuries, women’s clubs in Michigan have contributed to hospitals, libraries, and host of other philanthropic areas. Beginning with the Ladies’ Protestant Orphan Association that formed in Detroit in 1818 and throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, these clubs provided opportunities for members to enrich their lives and improve the communities around them. This course will look at the wide range of women’s clubs that have existed in Michigan and some of their lasting contributions. 

   

• Instructor: Sharon Carlson

  Capacity Remaining: 19

• Dates: 10/16/2025 - 10/30/2025

  Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Sessions: 3

  Days: Th

• Building: College of Health and Human Services

  Room: 2089

• Member Rate: $30, Non-Member Rate: $60

• Understanding Anime

• What was once an isolated fad beloved by quiet individuals, anime is now a global phenomenon. This course will serve as a thematic introduction to the art form of anime, how anime culture has grown within the United States, and how it is broadly viewed by millennials and Gen Zers. While this course is not meant to answer every question one may have, it presents the themes that have captivated multiple generations within the West, and you’ll walk away with a better understanding of why millions worldwide fell in love with the whimsical and wonderful world of anime.

   

• Instructor: Wayne Bond

  Capacity Remaining: 18

• Dates: 10/16/2025 - 10/16/2025

  Times: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

• Sessions: 1

  Days: Th

• Building: College of Health and Human Services

  Room: 1035

• Member Rate: $10, Non-Member Rate: $20

• What Does a Director Do? Option 2

• Unlike conductors who stand in front of an orchestra and wave a baton, stage directors do not appear on stage—they are invisible artists whose work is done when the curtain goes up on opening night. So, what exactly does a director do and how do they do it? What is the director's role in the rehearsal process? Where do they get their training? What makes for a successful director? These, and other questions about life in the day of a director, will be explored. Note: This course will be offered twice this semester; students should register for only one section. 

   

• Instructor: D. Terry Williams

  Capacity Remaining: 14

• Dates: 10/16/2025 - 10/16/2025

  Times: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

• Sessions: 1

  Days: Th

• Building: College of Health and Human Services

  Room: 1057

• Member Rate: $10, Non-Member Rate: $20

• Classical Grandeur and Victorian Beauty: The Art and Architecture of the Michigan State Capitol

• In 1992, Michigan's Capitol was named a National Historic Landmark—the highest honor accorded to American buildings—due to its unparalleled architecture and art. In our first session, we'll dive into our Capitol's architecture, including its ties to ancient Roman temples, early American capitol buildings, and the U.S. Capitol. We'll also examine architect E.E. Myers's role in establishing cast iron domes as symbols of American democracy in the post Civil War world, as well as learn about the importance and applications of nineteenth century technologies, including cast iron and industrial plate glass. During our second session, we'll journey through the fine art of the Michigan State Capitol! We will discuss artistic styles and techniques present in our portrait collection, learn more about the artists behind the masterpieces, and try our hand at visual analysis. 

   

• Instructor: Valerie Marvin, Shayla Croteau

  Capacity Remaining: 26

• Dates: 10/20/2025 - 10/27/2025

  Times: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

• Sessions: 2

  Days: M

• Building: Sangren Hall

  Room: 2510

• Member Rate: $20, Non-Member Rate: $40

• Golden Information for the Golden Years: Medicaid and Medicare102: Beyond the Basics

• Join us for Medicare and Medicaid 102, a course intentionally designed for those who want to expand their understanding of coverage options, costs, and enrollment strategies. We’ll take a deep dive into the Medicare program as we explore how to navigate Medicare Advantage, Medigap policies, and prescription drug plans, as well as discover ways you can maximize your benefits while avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you’re approaching eligibility or already enrolled, this course will provide invaluable insights to help you make informed healthcare decisions moving forward. 

   

• Instructor: Miranda Pearson

  Capacity Remaining: 24

• Dates: 10/21/2025 - 10/21/2025

  Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Sessions: 1

  Days: Tu

• Building: Milestone Senior Services

  Room: 918 Jasper St, Kalamazoo MI 49001

• Free to Members

  You must sign-in for the add-to-cart button to appear

• The Inside View: How the Radiologist Guides Diagnosis and Treatment

• The discovery of the x-ray in 1895 forever changed how we diagnose and treat patients. Many new imaging modalities are now available to radiologists and care providers, such as CT, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, MRI, PET scans, and several others. We’ll explore the history of these technologies, as well as explain the different types of exams, and why one or more studies may be preferred in various clinical situations. For example, interventional radiology goes beyond diagnosis to actually treat the patient in some circumstances. Many images will be shown to emphasize how diagnostic radiology is essential in the evaluation of trauma, pain, infections, cancer, pregnancy, and neurological problems, as well as in screening of currently healthy people. You’ll walk away from this class with both an increased understanding of the entire process of radiology and medical imaging and equipped with invaluable information needed to navigate medical reports, your electronic records, and much more.  

   

• Instructor: Kathy Gadwood

• Dates: 10/22/2025 - 10/29/2025

  Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Sessions: 2

  Days: W

• Building: Portage Zhang Senior Center

  Room: Meeting Rooms1A/1B

• Member Rate: $20, Non-Member Rate: $40

This class is full. Please use the button below to be added to the waitlist.

• Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors

• The Alzheimer's Association is committed to supporting a dignified experience for individuals with dementia while promoting the well-being of family caregivers. In this course, we’ll learn about common behavior changes in dementia, explore non-medical strategies for managing these behaviors, and recognize when additional support may be needed. 

   

• Instructor: Shukurani Nsengiyumva

  Capacity Remaining: 23

• Dates: 10/22/2025 - 10/22/2025

  Times: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

• Sessions: 1

  Days: W

• Building: Kalamazoo Public Library

  Room: Eastwood Branch, 1112 Gayle Ave, Kalamazoo MI

• Free to members, registration is required.

  You must sign in to your account to verify membership before the add to cart button will appear.

• Shakespeare Adaptations: The Tempest

• In this three-session course, we will explore the intricacies of Shakespearean adaptation by examining and discussing the strategies, processes, and patterns used to adapt “The Tempest.” First performed in 1611, Shakespeare’s final play is a complex one; featuring themes like aging, gender, magic, colonialism, and more, adaptations of “The Tempest” have a multitude of interesting—and even, sometimes, downright weird—characters, settings, and lines to embrace. Using the 2010 film starring Helen Mirren as a gender swapped Prospera as our starting point, we will discuss the principles of adaptation, dominant patterns surrounding adaptations of “The Tempest” specifically, and our own expectations, challenges, and perspectives as audience members. We will base our discussions on the original text, so some previous knowledge of “The Tempest” is preferred. 

   

• Instructor: Savannah Xaver

  Capacity Remaining: 13

• Dates: 10/22/2025 - 11/5/2025

  Times: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

• Sessions: 3

  Days: W

• Building: Sangren Hall

  Room: 2510

• Member Rate: $30, Non-Member Rate: $60

• The History and the Literature: The Curse of Pietro Houdini

• Historical novels tell interesting stories about a time and its people, requiring authors to do extensive research to ensure that their writing accurately reflects these past experiences. Using the lenses of art and war, “The Curse of Pietro Houdini” by Derek B. Miller will serve as the foundation for a one-hour lecture on St. Benedict’s storied Montecassino Abbey during World War II. This centuries-old bastion of faith played a major role in German efforts to control the artistic treasures of western civilization and became the center of the defining battle for control of the Italian peninsula in 1944. In the second hour of this course, we will continue with a discussion of the novel as contemporary literature. Avid readers and history buffs alike are welcome! Students should read “The Curse of Pietro Houdini” by Derek B. Miller before class. 

   

• Instructor: Diane Henderson, Stanley Henderson

  Capacity Remaining: 24

• Dates: 10/24/2025 - 10/24/2025

  Times: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

• Sessions: 1

  Days: F

• Building: Portage Zhang Senior Center

  Room: Community Room West

• Member Rate: $10, Non-Member Rate: $20

• Women in Air and Space: Pioneering Women in Early Flight

• Dive into the riveting stories of three trailblazing women—Katharine Wright, Bessie Coleman, and Katherine Chung—who defied societal norms to make their mark in early aviation. Katharine Wright, a driving force behind the success of her famous brothers; Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to earn a pilot’s license; and Katherine Chung, a pioneering Asian American aviator, each overcame unique challenges to contribute significantly to the history of flight. This course explores their indomitable spirits and groundbreaking achievements, shedding light on their enduring legacies that expanded opportunities for women in aviation and left an indelible mark on aviation history. This course will be held at the Air Zoo at no additional charge, but if students wish to explore the museum before or after the program, admission will be required. 

   

• Instructor: Amy Walker

  Capacity Remaining: 27

• Dates: 10/30/2025 - 10/30/2025

  Times: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

• Sessions: 1

  Days: Th

• Building: Air Zoo

  Room: 6151 Portage Rd. 49002

• Member Rate: $10, Non-Member Rate: $20