Newsletter: August 2010

Some courses have come to an end and I was thinking of how to replace them. This led me on to pondering the function of U3A which was started to keep the minds and bodies of retired people active. To do this we get people to come and talk to us about things that they are interested in. I think that everyone has some knowledge to share with others, be it growing African violets successfully, creative writing, art or researching someone or something of interest. After some discussion the committee thought some new lectures or courses along the lines of “My favourite things to do…” or “People who made History” would be of value to this U3A group. So, I am asking you to put on your thinking caps and tell us about people you know who would like to share something with us. Remember, U3A is only as stimulating as you make it! Best wishes. Sue

Tuesday 3^rd: Nature and Documentary Series: 10am Emmaus: Wild China: - Tides of Change: This final episode will be followed by a 30-minute special feature entitled Hunting Dragons, which shows how the production was made. Contact Pam 044 884 0351

Tuesday 10^th: Soweto Buskaid – 10.00 Emmaus: Ja well no fine - Lesson learned: we will try and give more information about programmes so people do not see things like the name Soweto and think only of riots and “indigenous” music – or even rugby!

This heartwarming DVD is about one woman, Rosemary Nalden, and her desire to improve the lives of disadvantaged children living in Soweto through music. Her idea is to get youngsters to learn a stringed instrument so that they are able play music with other children. This not only teaches them discipline, but helps them become confident in their abilities and to socialize with their peers. She started teaching in Soweto in 1992. How she goes about this is the main focus of the film, culminating with a warm surprise.

Inspirational and highly recommended viewing. Contact Pam 044 884 0351

Wednesday 11th: Musical Snippets 10am Emmaus

This will be the last lecture this season. In it we will take a look at Musicals - when are they true musicals, can they be operettas or, in the case of Les Miserables, a modern Opera?? All are welcome: come and put in your 2c worth:

Contact Sue: 044 877 1180

Thursday 12^th: Art Series: Gian Lorenzo Bernini 1598 – 1680: an Italian artist, the leading sculptor of his age and a prominent architect. In addition he painted, wrote plays, designed metalwork and stage sets. He effectively became the successor of Michelangelo. At the age of twenty three, he was knighted by Pope Gregory XV.

Contact Pam 044 884 0351

Monday 16^th Digital Camera Club: Emmaus 1400. Topic: a nice topical “Sport”! Ayoba!!

Contact Christine 044 873 4203

Tuesday 17^th: Planet Earth. 10am. Emmaus: Part 1of 6 of this stunning BBC series looks at the regions of the Arctic and Antarctica. The latter contains 90% of the world's ice. Stories are about humpback whales, emperor penguins and arctic foxes among others. Not to be missed! Contact Noel 044 873 4130

Wednesday 18^th: The Mayan Calendar: Emmaus 10am. “The Mayan Calendar does not predict the end of the world 2012, but the start of a new era. It is a system of calendars and almanacs dating back to at least the 6th century BC. and it is above all a prophetic calendar that may help us understand the past and foresee the future. It is a calendar of the Ages that describes how the progression of Heavens and Underworlds condition the human consciousness and thus the frames for our thoughts and actions within a given Age.” We are told that you are more likely to die from boredom than the effects of the Mayan Calendar as presented by Geoff Sturges: 044 620 2376

Thursday 19^th: Forever Young: A Social Group: Fully subscribed.

Friday 20^th: Armchair Travel: 2.30pm Emmaus, where Colin Morris will show slides and give a talk on his trip to Botswana. Contact: Noel 044 873 4130

Wednesday 25^th^:Monthly Meeting: 10am at the NGK George South. We are delighted to announce that the speaker is Kobus Munro, who has agreed to talk to us about development in the Wilderness and George area. He is from Setplan, a company that deals with environmental development and such-like related topics. Contact Sue: 044 877 1180

Thursday 26^th: 10am: I Play What I Like: This month features the musical choice of

Dian Malan. and will take place at Irma’s home, Sterlinghurst, Vic. Bay Heights.

Contact Irma 044 889 0042

Monday 30^th: 2.00pm Emmaus: NOTE CHANGE OF STARTING TIME! International Discussion Group: Come and join our other retired schoolteacher, Hugo Leggatt, who has taken over from William. He is very strict, wants feedback and does not allow chewing of bubble gum during the session – I’m wondering why all the folks there enjoyed it so much!

Contact Toine 044 877 0954

French: Thursday afternoons at 13.45h00 starting again on August 19^.

Contact Jeannine Blomme direct on 044 871 3017

Scrabble: Fortnightly at RLR. Keep your brain active & prevent Alzheimers!

Contact: Marsha Noble: 044 870 0315

Mah Jong: – Alternate Tuesdays at Murray House. An enthusiastic group of mostly learners.

Contact: Noel Mast: 044 873 4130

Bridge: Monday mornings 10.30am at the Bowling Club. Bridge is described as the best guarantee against loneliness in Old Age! Contact Barbara Hooper 044 874 4908

The Saturday Afternoon Book Club has 2 vacancies – contact Jean Goetsch for details: 044 870 8988

Lunch Club: Next lunch will be at The Rose in September – price and menu details to be announced – put your names on the list at the meeting, or contact: Toine: 044.877 0954

International U3A Conference: Singapore 7 to 9 August 2011.

Contact Katherine Fenton-May of the Durban U3A at Katherine@iafrica.com for more details or go to the web site http://worldu3a.org/whowcare.htm.

WESSA: Is offering 2 Geological Field Day Trips, led by Peter Ginn and Paul Rixom. The first will take place on 28 August and all U3A members are invited to attend. Contact Christine 044 873 4203 for details.

Tailpiece: A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.

Herm Albright, quoted in Reader's Digest, June 1995

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