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News From CALL Mid‑September 2022
Sketch by Susan Carpenter, a member of the Sketch Club Interest Group
CALL – Lifelong Learning for the Joy of It
Do you remember?
The first day of school? The first day in a new job? The first day of retirement? First meeting with a new group? Were you new to Canada, new to the city, new to the organization? Feeling excitement, anticipation and perhaps anxiety?
We are embarking on a ‘new’ year of CALL after months of limited social gatherings and virtual Zooming. In many ways we are venturing into new territory, finding our way to venues, meeting new people or reconnecting with old friends. We are moving out of our comfortable cocoons and as much as we have missed getting together in person, we all have mixed feelings about ‘getting back to (the new) normal’.
CALL gatherings are excellent opportunities to venture out and test the waters again. Come out to a CALL Café to learn about the hidden history of jazz; hear about the adventures of travel to Ethiopia; check out the list of Interest Groups looking for new members; plan to attend a stimulating discussion about threats to democracy; discover Zentangles or history and the arts.
CALL is a community dedicated to learning for the sheer joy of it where members share their knowledge and life experiences. Join in, introduce yourself to a new friend, re-introduce yourself to someone you have only seen on a Zoom screen (we look different in 3D!). The new normal is invigorating!
Interest Groups Welcoming New Members
To see details about Interest Groups that are open for new members, go to the Interest Groups and Study Programs page. Look for groups that indicate ‘Accepting New Members.’
Exciting New History and the Arts Group
Tuesdays, 9:00 – 10:30am, October 4 – December 6. On Zoom
CALL member Malcolm Rennie will be facilitating a brand new group, "History and the Arts". Malcolm, who spent three decades teaching this topic at the senior secondary/university entrance level, will introduce each session with an overview of the period and some representative artworks. Discussion will ensue on the interplay between the two topics. Part I—from October to December, on second Tuesday mornings—will cover pre-history to the Renaissance. Part II is promised for early 2023. Book now to avoid disappointment!
For more details and to register, go to the History and the Arts page.
Guitar Jam
Thursdays, 9:30- 11:30am. Room 310, cSpace (1721 29 Ave SW)
If your guitar is collecting dust in the closet, now is the time to dust it off and join us for some fun. Guitar Jam is an opportunity for guitar players to get together and play and sing their favourite songs. Participants are encouraged to bring a song or two that they would like to share with the group.
Bring your ipad and a music stand if you have one. Mandolins, banjos and harmonicas also welcome to join us.
For more details go to the Guitar Jam page.
CALL Collaboration with McGill Community of Lifelong Learning
Did you know that CALL has two Interest Groups in collaboration with the McGill Community of Lifelong Learning (MCLL)? Both groups currently have room for more CALL participants.
The Prairies and Quebec Through Their Literature explores two of Canada’s most fascinating regional cultures as portrayed by writers from each region. The group meets on Zoom on five Tuesday mornings beginning on September 13.
Alberta and Quebec Through the Looking Glass participants discuss Alberta and Quebec cultures and ‘ways of doing things’, creating connections across Canada. This group meets on Zoom on five Tuesday mornings beginning on September 20.
These groups offer a unique opportunity to engage in stimulating conversations with other Canadians.
For more details and to register to become a member of these groups, click on the group title to go to the group's page.
Revised Interest Group: Buddha, Body and Brain.
Mondays, September 19 – November 28 at cSPACE Room 310
By popular demand, Anne Shaw, the facilitator of Buddha, Body and Brain, will be returning to in-person meetings at cSPACE Rm. 310 on Monday mornings. This fall, Anne will be shifting the emphasis a bit: following a 20-minute meditation and 20-minute walk in the neighbourhood (weather permitting), Anne will facilitate discussions on health and longevity. She will provide resources for the discussions.
For more details and to register, click on the group title to go to the Buddha, Body and Brain page.
Film Noir 2022
Thursdays from October 20 – December 1, 2:00 – 4:00pm Online on Zoom
Facilitator: George Melnyk
Group size limited to 25
Film Noir 2022 will be an online experience. The series will be viewable at home. A link, readings and discussion questions will be provided by the facilitator the day before the meeting.
A focus of this Interest Group will be the evolution of this film genre from the mid-forties to the late fifties. We will also be discussing the portrayal of women over this period since several of the films have significant female roles.
George Melnyk previously facilitated Film Noir in 2018, 2019 and 2020 at the Globe Cinema.
For more details and to register go to the Film Noir 2022 page.
CALL Housekeeping Notes
Would You Like to Contribute to CALL’s Future Success?
by Melvin Pasternak
CALL’s Board of Director’s determines the organization’s future direction and ensures it operates effectively in the present.
The Board meets in-person once a month for approximately two hours. It is a working Board so each member has a specific area of responsibility. The Board is currently seeking four new Chairs: Programming, Volunteers, Membership and Communications.
Detailed descriptions of the roles are available. If you would like to explore the possibility of joining the Board, please contact by email or phone either:
Andy Peters (Nominations Chair) 403-660-6662
Melvin Pasternak (Nominations member) 403-818-7993
Brief descriptions these positions are below:
Program
The program Chair loves learning and nurturing the development of new courses as well as ensuring existing ones thrive. This person ensures there are Coordinators for the different Interest Group areas and special events. He or she should have good facilitation skills to lead the Program Committee meetings.
Volunteers
The Volunteer Chair is a matchmaker. He or she leads a committee which matches volunteers with the needs of CALL. He or she gathers information on the skills and interests of CALL members so they can be suitably placed in volunteer roles. To accomplish this goal positions are advertised by email or the newsletter.
Membership
The membership chair can speak the language of technology. He or she leads a committee which keeps the database of all CALL members. They help make sure waivers are kept when needed. The membership committee is present at CALL Cafes and lectures if people want to join. They plan activities which help integrate new members into the CALL culture.
Communications
The Communications Chair is a fun position for someone with a flair for writing. The Chair works with a committee that crafts the CALL newsletter, emails to members and posts on social media. This position helps shape the communications policies and directions of CALL.
Facility Note:
Food and drink in the Sanctuary at Varsity Presbyterian Church is NOT permitted.
September Events
CALL Café returns on September 12 with an in-person Café at Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church
Dixieland, Swing and Bebop: The Hidden History of Jazz Patronage
Monday, September 12, 2:00pm
Presenter: Jeremy Brown
Sanctuary, Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW
In his café presentation, Jeremy Brown will challenge common assumptions about music patronage. Demonstrating through lecture and performance the unique way in which patronage functioned in the history of jazz and addressing why jazz patronage has been marginalized, he will show the impact of these overlooked patrons upon the evolution of jazz. What better way to launch CALL’s return to fall activities than to register now for Dixieland, Swing and Bebop? Whether you are a jazz expert or a novice, this café will bring you lots of intellectual stimulation and joy.
Jeremy Brown is an internationally recognized Canadian saxophonist, flutist, woodwind doubler, professor, author, composer and conductor. As is evident from his May 2020 JazzYYC contribution Creating a Diverse Life in Music: Performing, Teaching, Conducting and Writing, he is also an advocate of lifelong learning. Please note that before you register for this event, you must have renewed your membership.
To register and for more information, go to the CALL Café page.
NOTE: You must be a CALL member to register but the registration process allows you to bring one to four guests. If you decide to invite guests after you have registered, you will need to cancel your registration (Cancellation Tips), then register again and indicate the number of guests that you will bring.
Treks and Travels: Ethiopia South
Wednesday September 21, 7:30pm
In-person at Varsity Presbyterian Church and Online by Zoom. Please register no matter how you wish to attend.
Speaker: Richard King
After two long years of online only CALL presentations, we can meet again face-to-face! Members can attend September's Treks & Travels either in person at Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church or online via Zoom.
Richard King spent five weeks in 2019 touring Ethiopia. In this presentation he will share photos and stories of the people and the natural beauty of the southern regions.
For more details and to register go to the Treks and Travels page.
Intergenerational Speaker Series: Former Mayor Nenshi to Speak
Wednesday, September 28 11:00am – 1:00pm, Mount Royal University
We are pleased that former Mayor Nenshi has agreed to be the inaugural speaker at the first event of the Intergenerational Speaker Series. Joining him will be Tim Fox, Vice President of the Calgary Foundation responsible for Indigenous Relations and Equity Strategy. They will be setting the stage for small groups of older adults and university students to discuss personal agency in support of reconciliation. The event entitled Reconciliation: What does it Mean to You will be held at Mt. Royal University from 11am to 1pm on Wednesday September 28. Check the program website for more information and news about upcoming registration.
Registration is not being done through the CALL website but by MRU. Go to their Events page to register.
The Intergenerational Speaker Series (IGSS) is a joint project of CALL and the Nursing Faculty at Mt. Royal University funded by the Federal New Horizons Program. We will be offering four informative events in the upcoming year. Each event brings together university students and older adults to give those attending an opportunity to meet and share perspectives on a range of issues common to both groups. IGSS intends to provide participants with the chance to create meaningful relationships, develop skills, obtain knowledge and connect with others outside of their generational demographics.
October Events
Whither Democracy: Egalitarianism or Authoritarianism
Monday, October 3, 1:00 – 3:00pm
cSpace Theatre and by Zoom webinar
An adage notes: A nation’s biggest failure is the failure of creative imagination—the failure to envision and prepare for tragedies such as the 9/11 attack on the world’s strongest democracy. A psychologist, former politician, lawyer, and journalist will creatively imagine how we can preserve and strengthen our democracy—nationally provincially, and locally.
Registration open to CALL members exclusively on September 3; open to the public September 13. Go to the Whither Democracy page.
Science and Environment
Shall We Gather at the River: Irrigation and the Future of Southern Alberta’s Rivers
Tuesday, October 4, 7:30-9:30pm. Online on Zoom
Speaker: Lorne Fitch, Retired provincial fish and wildlife biologist and adjunct professor at the U of C.
Southern Alberta’s rivers are at risk, currently, with the present levels of water diversions for irrigation agriculture. The irrigation sector has proposed a “modernization” scheme, funded by nearly a billion dollars of provincial funds, a loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank and some of their own money. While irrigation efficiency has merits, it appears none of the saved water will remain in our rivers to improve declining aquatic health. It is critical Albertans know what the implications and consequences are if this proceeds, especially without an environmental impact assessment with broad public participation.
For more details and to register go to the Science and Environment page.
Your CALL Newsletter
The CALL Newsletter is our way to communicate what is going on in our community. It's a way to highlight events of interest, ‘peek behind the curtain of CALL’ and to give some general information about CALL groups and members.
You are invited to send your ideas and suggestions for future issues to newsletter@calgarylifelonglearners.ca. We reserve the right to edit submissions and to determine when submissions will be published.
CALL Newsletter dates for posting:
- September 23
- October 14/28
- November 11/25
- December 16
- January 13/27
Meanwhile, be well, stay well in every sense of the word.