CLL: Community Classes

All Community classes are open to both CLL members and non-members!

These classes do not require a CLL membership to attend; however, they require registration and may have an additional fee.

Mindfulness Meditation
Every Monday and every Friday
11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (Zoom)
Cost: Free

Sign-up through CLL; the Zoom link will be sent from the facilitator, Regan Burke.

Bridge Group
Every other Monday
1:00–4:00 p.m. (In-person)
Cost: Free

This group is currently full. Contact Linda Daly if you are interested in being put on the substitute list.

Beginner Watercolor
Tuesdays, September 10–October 15
12:00–1:00 (In-person)
Cost: $50 for CLL Members, $70 for non-members

Watercolor painting is an artistic practice that invites the artist to explore a wide range of freedoms and techniques using water and pigment applied with a brush onto paper. The resulting images may be vivid, translucent, spontaneous or representational. Through ‘play’ we will explore a world of techniques, learn tricks to create illusions and incorporate accidental drips and puddles learning that one’s “mistakes” can become a wonderful surprise and a natural part of the image.

The objective of this class is to introduce beginning students to the medium of Watercolor. In class we will learn about the properties of the medium and explore various techniques such as washes, wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, masking, creating textures and developing new techniques through our own experimentation.

This class will be designed for very beginners only in order to create an atmosphere of safety, exploration and experimentation among the beginning students. The hope is to build confidence and a familiarity with the medium without any intimidation from more advanced students.

So, come join us and learn to splash around in this wonderful media!

Monthly Book Group (on Zoom)
Second Tuesday of the month
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Led by Alan Bath
Cost: Free

All are welcome to join us for lively and thought-provoking discussion each month.

September 10: The Winners by Fredrik Backman
October 8: The Tyranny of Merit by Michael J. Sandel
November 12: The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
December 10: The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins, MIT and the Fight for Women in Science by Kate Zernike

Men’s “Great Ideas” Discussion Group
Every other Wednesday
10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (In person)
Cost: Free

A discussion group that provides a safe and supportive environment for men to discuss and work through challenges of current topics that are facing the world at large. Before each meeting we will read an article from “Foreign Affairs” magazine and then discuss as a group.

Autumn Meeting Dates:
September 11 and 25
October 9 and 23
November 6 and 20
December 4

Midweek Meditation
Wednesdays, September 11–December 11
11:00-11:30 a.m. (In-Person)
Cost: Free

Join CLL Director Annette Mileski on Wednesdays for 30 minutes of mindful restoration, meditation, and gentle movement. All are welcome.

Film Series
2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month
2:00–4:00 pm (in-person)
Cost: Free

Join us to enjoy a current film! Register to receive a list of this month’s movie selections.

Dates for Autumn:
September 11 and 25
October 9 and 23
November 13 and 27
December 11

Matters of Health
Thursdays, September 12–December 5
11:30–12:30 p.m. (Hybrid)
Cost: Free

Matters of Health is a weekly series which provides participants with information and resources about five areas of health. Local experts facilitate lively discussions about physical, mental, social, financial, and spiritual health, as all these areas contribute to healthy aging.

Participants register for the whole series and will receive a weekly email reminder about the topic and speaker for that session. This program is free and open to all, and is offered in hybrid format, meaning you can attend in person or virtually.

Nonfiction Book Study
2nd Thursday of the month, September–December
1:30–3:00 p.m. (In Person)
Cost: Free

Dates and books for this group:
September 12: Love Lucy by Lucille Ball
October 10: This Land is Their Land by David J. Silverman (first discussion)
November 14: This Land is Their Land (continued discussion)
December 12: The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama

Hooray for Hooks!
Knitting and Needle Arts
Fridays, 2:00–3:00 p.m. (in person)
Cost: Free

Interested in learning how to knit or crochet? Or do you already know how, but would love to sit and stitch with a group? Have we got a space for you! Heather Groh will be facilitating this group every other week and all skill levels are welcome. She will be able to help you get started with some simple patterns if you are new to the craft and will provide support if you are feeling a bit stuck in your stitching.

This group meets every other week in the 4th-floor lounge of Gratz Center:
September 13 and 27
October 11 and 25
November 8 and 22
December 13

Foreign Affairs Perspectives
Every other Tuesday
1:00–2:00 p.m. (On Zoom)
Cost: Free

This is a member-led small group discussion based on articles from the magazine Foreign Affairs. Group members are required to subscribe to the magazine. For each discussion, one group member selects an article from the magazine, develops questions about the article, and moderates the discussion. Each member is expected to moderate one or two discussions during each term.

This group meets every other Tuesday on the following dates:
September 17
October 1 and 15
November 5 and 19
December 3

Art Days (Make & Take)
Third Thursday of the month (first Thursday in December)
1:30–3:00 p.m. (In Person)
Cost: Open to all, a fee of $5 will be collected during class for materials.

Avid creative crafter, paper lover, and CLL director, Annette Mileski facilitates this monthly group in different hands-on artsy endeavors. All crafting experience is welcome so come join the fun while chatting and stretching your creative brain!

September 19: Card Making 101½
Even if you didn’t attend our card making 101 class this past summer, you are welcome to attend this class! Annette will lead participants in using paper, ink, and stamping to make greeting cards.

November 21: Paper Fun
We’ll be making our paper gift bags, tags, and possibly cards, too!

December 5: Holiday Cards
(NOTE: In December we are meeting on the first Thursday of the month)
Not just cards for Christmas!

An Introduction to the Legal System and Legal Reasoning
Thursdays, October 31–December 12 (except on November 28; 6 weeks)
10:00–11:30 a.m. (In Person)
Cost: $45 for CLL Members and $65 for nonmembers

This six-part course will examine how the legal system is set up, including the structure of a lawsuit. The process that a Court goes through is very logical, and not all that complicated. Using this knowledge, you will have a better context for what you read about in the news every day. We will also be covering legal reasoning—what is precedent, and how is it used in persuading judges and predicting the outcome of cases.

Henry Krasnow became interested in the recent rulings of the current Supreme Court by his frustration over how the media, politicians, and opinion writers described the Court’s rulings in a manner designed to emphasize controversy while ignoring the logic articulated by the Court in explaining those rulings. In addition to his 55 yr. career as a Chicago business lawyer, Henry was an adjunct law professor, had a book published, and authored over 20 magazine articles on a wide range of legal subjects. He holds a B.A. (Economics) from the University of Michigan, a C.P.A. from the University of Illinois, and a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School.

November 2024

Chronicle of a Death Foretold: A Metaphysical Murder Mystery

Wednesdays, November 6–27
1:30–2:30 (Hybrid)
Cost: Free for CLL Members, $40 for non-members
Non-members register here
CLL Members register for the entire series

"A metaphysical murder mystery" is what the New York Review of Books called Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s 1981 novella that explores universal questions of personal and communal responsibility in a curious mash-up of journalism and magical realism. Serving as an excellent introduction to the work of one of the twentieth century’s most lauded authors, Chronicle is a book that can be much debated but definitely not forgotten.

Susan Quaintance, OSB, has cherished being a part of the Center for Life and Learning community — whether as Program Coordinator, Director, or friend — since 2014. Still keenly interested in issues affecting older adults, she is currently Director of Heart to Heart Ministry, a program designed to help seniors remain independent in their homes, at St. Gertrude Catholic Parish in Edgewater. She also serves as subprioress for her religious community, the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago. For twenty-three years she taught English and Theology at St. Scholastica Academy in Rogers Park, and she has facilitated retreats, days of reflection, and discernment processes for adults all over the country.

CLL Thanksgiving Meet Up
Thursday, November 28
2:00 p.m.
Cost: $55 (payable at the restaurant)

Meet us at Gibson’s Restaurant (1028 N. Rush St., Chicago 60611) to celebrate the holiday with friends! This pre-fixe menu will include all your traditional favorite dishes including sides, dessert, beverages, and of course turkey.

Payment can be made by credit card or cash to the restaurant on the day of the event.

December 2024

Holiday Extravaganza
Friday, December 6
1:30–3:00 p.m. (In-Person)
Cost: Free for CLL Members

Join us for some seasonal merriment! This party will feature music, light refreshments, trivia, singalongs, prizes, and more to put you in the holiday spirit!

Mosaics Class
Monday, December 9
2:00–4:00 p.m. (In-Person)
Cost: $40 for CLL Members, $60 for Nonmembers

Learn how to make mosaics with stained glass! You will learn the basics of mosaic making with practicing artist Vivian Visser, then create a piece that you can take home! All materials will be provided.

Vivian Visser received her BFA from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit. She has focused on natural art for more than 25 years. Vivian has developed and taught classes in acrylic painting, painting on silk, clay, drawing and mosaics to people at every stage of life, from children to families and adults.

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