|
|
News From CALL January 2026
| January Events | Programs | Blog |
Watercolour by Anne Lefebvre, a member of the Sketch Club Interest Group
President’s Message
- Judy Hoad
This is the time of year when we warmly greet friends and neighbours with “happy holidays” or “season’s greetings”. We make an effort to connect and celebrate with family and friends, and contribute to those in need or to various advocacy and service organizations.
And then it will be over and we will be into the January blahs, cold and dark weather and “resolutions”. Usually resolutions are self-focused – eat better, drink less wine, get more sleep, walk every day. I frequently consider “resolving” to improve our world – drive less, stop buying fast fashion, eat local, eat vegetarian or vegan once or twice a week. And then it all comes together and doing what is good for ourselves is also good for the world. The beginning of another year is a good time to think about how our “resolutions” can start us down the path of making small choices that can benefit us and our future generations.
May you all have a peaceful and joyful season.
I look forward to seeing you in 2026. If you’d like to contact me, I’m available at info@calgarylifelonglearners.ca.
Study Programs – Consider the Possibilities!
- Adrienne Kertzer
Interest groups and study programs are similar in that both encourage discussion-based learning and do not require topic experts to facilitate them. What distinguishes them are two key differences.
The first is duration. Interest groups have no end point; the group continues to meet so long as its members agree. In contrast, a study program is time-limited. Once the program is complete, the group disbands. This makes study programs attractive to those who have limited time for their lifelong learning or spend parts of the year unable to participate in CALL for a variety of reasons.
Secondly, their short-term nature also means that study programs are more focused than interest groups. Members of an interest group might spend years reading a long list of books, improving their skills in a brain game, learning how to assess films or giving presentations on world events. Participants in a study program are more likely to limit their discussion to one novel, or a few films by one director, or one world event. They might focus on clothing fashions in 17th-century Europe, micro-finance initiatives in Southeast Asia, famous Canadian athletes, or advances in cancer treatment. There’s no end of possibilities.
The short-term nature of study programs clearly appeals to members who are curious about many topics. Study programs also offer new facilitators a way to test the waters precisely because the programs are short-term and focused. If you have never facilitated, consider offering a study program. If the program works, you may want to repeat it or offer another program on a different topic. Or you may decide you would like to expand the topic and offer it in another session as an interest group.
Have a topic you would like to explore? Uncertain whether it would be more appropriate as an interest group or a study program? Please get in touch with Adrienne or Barbara at info@calgarylifelonglearners.ca and we will help you make this happen.
January Events
Science and Environment
Search for Habitable Exoplanets
Tuesday, January 6, 7:30–9:00pm
Online, via Zoom
Speaker: Dr. Emma V. Turtelboom
The past 30 years of exoplanet research have revealed an overwhelming diversity of planetary environments that are completely unlike the Solar System, sparking many questions on how life may emerge in these extreme conditions. This talk will explorate the ongoing search for habitable worlds beyond Earth, including how the James Webb Space Telescope is advancing our understanding of exoplanet atmospheres and potential biosignatures. It will also highlight the forthcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO), a mission poised to directly image Earth-like planets and further our pursuit of life beyond Earth.
Dr. Emma V. Turtelboom is the William & Caroline Herschel Postdoctoral Fellow at McMaster University. She recently received her PhD in Astrophysics from UC Berkeley. Currently, her research focuses on understanding how efficiently planets can form around low-mass stars, and characterising multi-planet systems in order to understand how unique our Solar System may be in the Milky Way.
Attendees may benefit from looking at this video before attending this speaker event.
You must be a CALL member to register. For more information and to register go to the Science and Environment page.
Health and Wellness
Creating Connections – Tools for Supporting Those Who Are Hard of Hearing
Monday, January 12, 1:30–3:30pm
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Acres Drive NW
Facilitator: Sandy Churchill
Join us for a practical and engaging session on hearing loss, communication tips, and helpful equipment. We will explore common challenges, show off some great tools, and introduce our free seniors social support program – designed to reduce isolation and build community through mentoring, meet ups, and tech coaching.
Registration is not required. Members of the public are welcome to attend (at a cost of $5 at the door).
CALL Café
Reimagining Aging: How the University of Calgary Is Building an Age-Friendly Future
Monday, January 19, 1:00–3:00pm Presentation at 1pm, with coffee to follow
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW
Speakers: Dr. Jayna Holroyd-Leduc, Dr. Chantelle Zimmer
We are kicking off the new year with a timely presentation for lifelong learners!
Discover how the University of Calgary is advancing the health and well-being of older adults through its Centre on Aging and its commitment to being an Age-Friendly University.
This presentation will provide an overview of the Centre’s role in strengthening aging-related research, education, and community partnerships. It will also highlight the University’s age-friendly initiatives and share ways that lifelong learners can connect and engage with both the Centre and the University.
Dr. Jayna Holroyd-Leduc is the Scientific Director of the Centre on Aging and Dr. Chantelle Zimmer is the Senior Manager of the Centre on Aging.
See you in 2026!
Members are asked to register for planning purposes. You may add up to four guests.
Treks and Travels
Hiking the Cotswolds
Wednesday, January 21, 7:30–9:00pm
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Acres Drive NW
Speaker: Peter Usher
In the fall of 2024, Peter and Bobbi embarked on daily hikes from an amazing country manor house in the Cotswolds, UK. They averaged 15 to 18 km per day walking along trails steeped in history and filled with beauty. Learn about visits to market towns and cities and see the beauty of this area in the west of England and discover the joy of returning to tea and a cozy bed.
No registration required. Members of the public are welcome to attend (at a cost of $5)
Programs
Finding Peace and Joy Within
Wednesdays, 10 am to noon, January 14 to March 11
Room 310, Marda Loop c-Space, 1721 29 Ave SW
There is a universal human desire to be happy and to avoid suffering. And for the wise, this desire extends to those we love and to our community. We try to fulfill that desire through our outer world – family, career, service, hobbies, and recreation. Through modern technology, we now have wealth, health, and social connection to an extent that our ancestors (and many in developing nations) could only dream of. Yet which of us is truly happy and free of suffering? Do you have the feeling that “something” is missing? We have known since we were small children that we have a mind and a body. However, we have a third, inner resource that we easily overlook, that can provide a source of uncaused joy and respite from suffering.
Please join us at “Finding Peace and Joy Within” to have a direct experience of this resource to help you have a happier and more fulfilled life.
You must be a CALL member to register. The “mail to” link takes you to the facilitator, so you may ask questions before registering.
Special Programs
Life on the Edge – NOTE THE NEW LOCATION AT VARSITY CHURCH!
Friday, January 16, 1:30–3:00pm Note the Cut-Off Date for Registration: January 14
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Dr NW
Speakers: George Webber, Dr. Kerri Treherne
This interactive event will introduce you to the lives of those Calgarians whose daily survival is a challenge.
George Webber, a renowned photographer, befriended many of them and recorded their struggles with empathy and compassion. Dr. Kerri Treherne, a Calgary treasure of selfless compassion, works with these people every day and sees the slide into drug dependency, mental illness, and frostbite and amputations in the winter. She also examines the pressures and the consequences of being unseen by our society.
We will ask ourselves why these Calgarians are where they are, and why implementing solutions seems to be such an intractable problem. The solutions are both simple and complex, but known. Why is there no general political will to implement them? Help us to answer these questions.
Special Note: Since we will be dealing with actual examples of trauma, the material may trigger strong emotions in audience members who have experienced similar events. If you feel that you may be one of those people , we advise that you attend with a trusted friend.
Note that registration is cut off on January 14.
CALL members must register at the Special Programs page, but can bring up to two guests. There is a $5 charge for non-members.
Conflict is a Participant Sport
Thursdays, January 29, February 12, February 26, 1:30–3:00pm Note the Cut-Off Date for Registration: January 23
Haysboro Community Association 1204 89 Ave. SW, Social Room
Presenter: Dr. Deborah Sword
How do you feel during and after you have a conflict? Join CALL member and Conflict Specialist Deborah Sword to help you to manage your conflicts well enough that you don’t feel bad, awful, or regretful. You’ll handle conflict better when you know the real issue that’s the problem, and then choose the right conflict competency to manage that issue.
In three interactive workshops, we’ll build on skills we already use, and apply them to real situations.
Deborah has been a conflict specialist for over 30 years, locally, nationally, and internationally. She uses entertaining exercises and group discussions to explore, think about, and manage conflict. Deborah podcasts and writes a Substack newsletter Conflict Owner’s Manual.
Note that registration for all sessions is cut off on January 23.
CALL members may attend all three for in-depth conflict competencies, or register for individual sessions at the Special Programs page.
CALL Blog
The Joy of Researching our Family History: Genealogy for Beginners
In recent decades there has been a growing interest in genealogy as people seek a deeper connection and sense of belonging by finding out more about their ancestors. Who were they, where did they live, and what were some of their challenges and triumphs? I asked Tara Shymanski, a genealogist, to be my guest author to share her personal and professional interest in researching family histories.
CALL members might remember Tara's presentation at the CALL Cafe. "10 Strategies for Building a Family Tree".
The CALL Blog is public so please share with your family and friends. https://calgarylifelonglearners.ca/Blog
If you are on Facebook, please follow us. https://www.facebook.com/CalgaryLifelongLearners/
If you have any questions or a topic that you would like to explore in our Blog, please contact us: info@calgarylifelonglearners.ca.
The CALL Newsletter
- Newsletter Team
Did you know that we appreciate receiving articles from our members? We are happy to publish articles that celebrate CALL. Your personal experience about how you have benefited would be a valuable contribution to this newsletter. Please send your ideas and suggestions for future issues to info@calgarylifelonglearners.ca. We reserve the right to edit submissions and to determine when submissions will be published.
CALL Newsletter postings 2025-26
- Jan 30
- Feb 27
- Mar 27
- Apr 24
- May 29
- June 26
- Aug 21
Meanwhile, be well, stay well in every sense of the word.