CLL: Special Topics

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

July 2024

July Lunch Meet Up
Friday, July 5
12:00–2:00 (In person)

Join us for a lunch out at Gibsons Steakhouse (1028 N. Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611). Gibsons is a Surf 'n' turf staple, offering a classic menu and an extensive wine list in an upscale setting.

Art Days

Thursday, July 11 and Thursday, July 25
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (In person)
Cost: Free for CLL Members and Nonmembers

The class is free and all are welcome. Materials provided; just bring your imagination and creativity!

Registration required

Thursday, July 11
Card Making 101
Avid card maker and paper-lover, Annette Mileski (CLL Director) will be facilitating a card making workshop. Yes, cards, like to send to people or attach to a gift. All levels of experience are welcome. There is no charge for this class, and all materials will be provided.

Thursday, July 25
Encore Centerpieces
Encore is the CLL’s annual fundraiser (Saturday, August 24) and in keeping with this year’s theme of “The Art of Aging Well,” you are invited to come to Fourth Church to create a small canvas piece to be displayed as part of the centerpieces at the event.

Improv

Tuesdays, July 9–August 13
1:00–2:30 p.m. (In-person)
Cost: $50 for CLL Members, $65 for non-members

Are you looking for a way to shake up the brain cells a bit? Well, good news! We are offering an improv class that is designed to get you moving and engaging your neural pathways as you learn to let go of your self-consciousness, communicate in new ways, and create interesting characters with your classmates. No prior experience needed.

Film Series

2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month
2:00–4:00 p.m. (in-person)
Cost: FREE for CLL Members

Join us to enjoy a current film! Check back later for the list of upcoming movies.

Portraiture
Wednesdays, July 10–24
3:00–5:00 p.m. (Hybrid)
Cost: $60 for CLL Members, $80 for nonmembers

Faces, like everything else, are a series of planes, light and shadow that come together as a whole. In this three-session summer portrait class we will investigate the face…the portrayal of a person as a series of planes, lights and darks.

You can work with whatever material, style and size you would like; graphic, charcoal, color pencil, ink, pastel. Also, working off a photograph, postcard or other portrait image you would like to reproduce is recommended since we will not be able to work from a model. We will look at shadow, form and shape. All levels are welcome.

Pauline Kochanski is a Chicago area exhibiting and teaching artist, a graduate of Columbia College Chicago and DePaul University. Pauline produces artwork using a variety of materials though she loves graphite, color pencils, and more pencils. She brings a broad spectrum of teaching experiences to CLL and is thrilled to be able to support her students in their creative growth.

Supreme Court Decisions

Thursdays, July 11–August 8
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
In person (6 sessions)

Cost: $45 for CLL Members; $60 for non-members

The current Supreme Court has been the subject of either heated criticism or praise by politicians, the press, editorial writers, and in millions of conversations at breakfasts, lunches, coffee breaks, and dinners. Whether they applaud or criticize the Court, almost everyone is convinced that the “conservative” majority makes decisions motivated by political or religious agendas.
This course will not discuss whether these decisions are socially right or wrong, moral or immoral, conservative or liberal, politically good or bad, or motivated by a political or religious doctrine. Rather, it will focus on understanding the logic and reasoning articulated by the Court in reaching its decisions, and whether this logic and reasoning is consistent with the role given to the Court by the Constitution.

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.

Trip to Lake Geneva
Wednesday, July 17
9:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. (In Person)
Cost: $75 for CLL Members, $100 for Non-CLL Members

Join us for the perfect summer day trip! We will travel by coach bus to downtown Lake Geneva for shopping, strolling by the lake, or whatever you’d like! Lunch will be on your own at one of their many restaurants or bring your own. Then we’ll board the Grand Belle of Geneva for a guided ice-cream-social boat cruise. We’ll learn all about how many wealthy and famous Chicagoans spent their summers.

Guests must be able to travel on their own or bring someone to assist them.

Street Safe: Public Safety and Awareness
Thursday, July 18
12:00–1:00 (In Person)
Free for CLL Members and Nonmembers

Please join the 18th District Community Policing Office for a presentation on the important topic of street safety and overall public safety awareness. They will offer safety tips and strategies to help you stay safe at home and in public.

Sound Meditations

Thursday, July 18
12:30–1:30 p.m. (Hybrid)
Cost: $10 for Members and $20 for Nonmembers

Come learn about the seven main chakras; relax and enjoy a sound meditation either in person or from your own home! Find a comfortable place to recline or a supportive chair to sit in. Join us to hear the relaxing sounds of a gong, a Tibetan singing bowl, crystal singing bowls, a steel tongue drum, tuning forks, and a rain stick.

Jill Stein is a certified Sound Healer through Life Changing Energy since 2022. Between her degree in psychology and her love of helping others increase their wellness, she found her path to teaching and speaking. She is also a certified group exercise instructor and personal trainer through the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), a global leader in fitness certification. She has been teaching group fitness classes and done personal training since 2000.

Grief Café

Fridays, June 21 and 28
July 12, 19, and 26
August 16 and 23

11:30 a.m.–1:00 pm (In Person)
Cost: Donations accepted

Join death doula and educator Jean Buchband for a workshop that will provide a safe space and container for people to share their grief without judgment. We will also share information about the stages of grief and the different ways people mourn. We will examine grief rituals that people use to process their bereavement and what to do when we get stuck.

Dance for Hunger

Wednesday, July 31
1:00–2:00 p.m. (In Person)
Cost: Free for CLL Members with two canned goods

Join Anne Burnell for a fit and fun dance class while helping the Fourth Presbyterian Church Social Services Center!

Art Day: Neurographic Art

Thursday, August 8
11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (In Person)

Annette Mileski, director of the CLL, will be facilitating this class. Neurographic Art was developed in 2015 by a Russian psychologist. This art practice strengthens neural pathways and allows you to focus your attention and intentions.

All materials are provided – just bring you (and maybe a friend)!

Ice Cream Social

Friday, August 16
2:00–3:00 pm (In Person)
Cost: Free for CLL Members

We had such a great turnout in 2023 that we’re doing it again! Yes, we will be enjoying some cool treats as we chat...and who knows what else we will do?

In the case of inclement weather, we will be inside, because August is a great time for ice cream!

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