Wednesday Courses   

This course is designed for students who have taken the Absolute Beginners Pickleball class or who have a rudimentary knowledge of the game. It will be taught by seasoned instructors who are experienced players and have taught before. Expect to build on the basic game to include advanced strategy in play. We will meet for 1½ hours at Lithia Park courts for five consecutive days. There will be an emphasis on sportsmanship and safety. This skills-building course will focus on different types of serves, lobs, third-shot drops or drop shots, drives, partner communication, stacking, and different types of scoring. We will introduce Nasty Nelson, Bert, and Erne. The last day will be a FUN Round-Robin whereby players will rotate play with all players. The instructors will be from Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club.

NOTE: If you have mobility issues, this course may not be for you. A waiver must be signed prior to the first class. Students are expected to have their own paddle, know the basic game, have court shoes, and a hat or visor. Safety glasses are recommended. Bring a hydrating drink and snack. If inclement weather occurs, class will be canceled.

From lyrical to lively, silly to sublime, English country dance dates from the 1600s. Discover dances of Jane Austen’s time as well as newly composed dances. Learn about the cultural aspects and history of this joyful living tradition as you enjoy moving to beautiful music. This is an "on-your-feet" and social class. No partner necessary.  

NOTE: Please bring clean-soled, non-marking shoes and a water bottle. A waiver must be signed prior to the first class. 

In this course, speakers will explore what it’s like to work abroad in faraway places. We’ll start with teaching in China, working in the government of the Federated States of Micronesia, consulting in Uganda, and volunteer medical work elsewhere in Africa. The presenters will bring some perspectives that differ a bit from the tourist experience visiting these countries. Each presentation will be about 90 minutes, via Zoom, and there will be opportunities for questions and discussion.

NOTE: There is no class session on Wednesday, February 19.

Explore nearby winter trails with Moondance Forest, an avid cross-country skier. The group will meet at a Sno-Park close to Ashland each week. The first class will be at the Campbell Center. We’ll assess everyone’s understanding, check all gear, and get logistics for meeting on the mountain. This is not a beginner course, and students must be familiar with the activity and be aware of their physical abilities. Students must have their own gear or secure rentals. Slowing down will be encouraged, along with enjoying the scenery, breathing, releasing ambition, and always reducing effort. We’ll practice getting up and down from the ground, discuss the “buddy system,” and learn from each participant. Cross-country skiing is a wonderful way to feel your entire being while breathing the crisp mountain air and viewing Mount McLaughlin in the distance. If snow or weather conditions are unfavorable, we’ll hike the ski trail or reschedule.

NOTE: A seasonal Sno-Park pass for a car is $25 for November to April. A waiver must be signed at the first class for continued participation. The first session of this course on Wednesday, January 15, will be at the Campbell Center in Room B.

Shakespeare’s characters, conflicts, and themes are as relevant to America today as they were to 17th-century England. Far from the boring slog so many of us recall from 10th grade, this play brilliantly poses deep moral questions of contemporary import — about leadership, power, idealism, pragmatism, egotism, and honor. It crackles with brilliant rhetoric used to shape public opinion in a bitterly divided country. The author examines the fine lines between facts and assumptions, duty and ambition, and confidence and arrogance. The personal tragedies of the main characters mirror the dilemma of their society in the moment of transformation from the remnants of a republic to an oligarchy. At the end of the play, we are left to decide whether the end justifies the means, whether political violence can ever make Rome — or anywhere else — great again. Through lecture and discussion, the class will examine these questions in a study of the text and a variety of productions.

NOTE: No previous knowledge of Shakespeare is required, but students should have access to a copy of the play. Two separate sections of this course are offered: one is held at the Campbell Center on Wednesdays; the other is held online on Thursdays.

Let your personality show with a custom hand-braided dog collar or dog leash or craft a survival bracelet that allows you to wear your emergency rope. Paracord is used in parachutes but has evolved into a variety of colors that can be braided with various techniques that we’ll explore in this course. Students must provide their own cord and buckets for their project, and registered students will be sent a supply list prior to the first class. The cost will depend on the project you choose to make.

NOTE: There are two in-person sections of this course being offered, both on Wednesdays. The first starts the first week of the term; the second starts the last week of January.

Let your personality show with a custom hand-braided dog collar or dog leash or craft a survival bracelet that allows you to wear your emergency rope. Paracord is used in parachutes but has evolved into a variety of colors that can be braided with various techniques that we’ll explore in this course. Students must provide their own cord and buckets for their project, and registered students will be sent a supply list prior to the first class. The cost will depend on the project you choose to make.

NOTE: There are two in-person sections of this course being offered, both on Wednesdays. The first starts the first week of the term; the second starts the last week of January.

This fun and active class is designed for pickleball players who understand and play the game. There will be two classes of three hours each at Lithia Park’s four upper courts. The round-robin is a structured form of pickleball play organized by skill level. Players will learn format, partnering, stacking (when and how to), what hand signals mean and when to use them, types of scoring, and byes. Different types of rally scoring will be introduced versus traditional scoring, along with when you may utilize each and why. We will cover the different types of pickleballs and details of timing used in round-robin events. Players will experience the application of the information learned as they participate in the round-robin and connect with their fellow players. We will play a minimum of six games and take a break between games at each class meeting.

NOTE: If you have mobility issues, this class may not be for you. There is a $3 charge for pickleballs payable to the instructor on the first day of class. All participants must sign a waiver on the first day of class. Plan to wear court shoes and a hat or visor and bring a hydrating drink. Protective eyewear is recommended. Class will be canceled if there is inclement weather.

This innovative six-week course bridges ancient wisdom with cutting-edge science, offering practical tools for enhanced well-being and life-changing skills. Learn how breathing unlocks your capacities for self-regulation, healing, and resilience. Explore calming and energizing practices, understanding their impact on your body-mind. Delve into breath’s crucial role in trauma, stress, and immune function. Discover the often-overlooked importance of nasal breathing for health. Through practice and evidence-based instruction, develop a personalized toolkit of breathing methods for various life situations, including stress relief, better sleep, improved focus, and enhanced physical performance. Join the journey to harness your breath’s potential. Emerge with a deeper understanding of your body-mind connection and practical strategies for lifelong health and resilience. No prior experience is necessary — just bring an open mind and willingness to explore.

NOTE: This is a practical course exploring the different dimensions of your breath and respiratory functions and is not a substitute for medical care of your conditions. You are responsible for your own participation, and a signed liability waiver is required.

This innovative six-week course bridges ancient wisdom with cutting-edge science, offering practical tools for enhanced well-being and life-changing skills. Learn how breathing unlocks your capacities for self-regulation, healing, and resilience. Explore calming and energizing practices, understanding their impact on your body-mind. Delve into breath’s crucial role in trauma, stress, and immune function. Discover the often-overlooked importance of nasal breathing for health. Through practice and evidence-based instruction, develop a personalized toolkit of breathing methods for various life situations, including stress relief, better sleep, improved focus, and enhanced physical performance. Join the journey to harness your breath’s potential. Emerge with a deeper understanding of your body-mind connection and practical strategies for lifelong health and resilience. No prior experience is necessary — just bring an open mind and willingness to explore.

NOTE: This is a practical course exploring the different dimensions of your breath and respiratory functions and is not a substitute for medical care of your conditions. You are responsible for your own participation, and a signed liability waiver is required.

“The Phantom of the Opera,” the longest running show on Broadway, celebrated its 10,000th performance in February 2012. With total estimated worldwide gross receipts of over $6 billion and total Broadway gross of over $1 billion, it was the most financially successful entertainment event until 2014. By 2019, it had been seen by over 140 million people in 183 cities across 41 countries. What is it about this story that has inspired such creative effort, captured the imagination of millions, and made it a staple of modern culture? What does it say about us that we find LeRoux’s story so compelling? Students will consider this while reading Gaston LeRoux’s 1910 work, “The Phantom of the Opera.” The course will cover four or five chapters a week for six weeks and include information about the author, the Paris Opera House and stage, screen, and literary adaptations. Discussion will center on character analysis, literary style, and a viewing of the 1925 silent film adaptation starring Lon Chaney.

NOTE: The book can be purchased or downloaded for free from several internet sources. The 1925 silent film starring Lon Chaney is available on multiple streaming platforms. Links will be provided to class participants.

This term’s course will introduce six new wine regions, not covered in previous “Wines of the World” offerings. Lectures using PowerPoint and multimedia will cover the geography, climate, soils, history, varietals, labeling, and regulatory structure of each region. We will taste four quality wines from that region and discuss our perceptions. No special background knowledge is required but a passion for wine is recommended.  

NOTE: A class fee will be charged to cover the cost of the premium wines we taste. The fee will be based on the cost of the wines but will not exceed $120 per student. Students are required to pay the full fee, even if they expect to miss some classes. A signed liability waiver is required.