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LIFE/Elderhostel

April Classes

Friday, April 3, 2009

The Power of Poetry Workshop Celebrate April as Poetry Month!!!

Presenter: Kay Mullen

Location: Garfield Book Co./Community Room

Time: 10:30-Noon

Class Fee: $10.00

Class Coordinator: Gene Giannobile, dgg2504@comcast.net

The purpose of this workshop is to better understand and appreciate our  everyday lives through poetry.  Class participants will look closely at the work of poets such as Rumi and Robert Frost along with other contemporary poets, to see how poems waken the mind and emotions through language and  various poetic devices. Participants will have time to write their own poems (and share them if they choose). Bring your inquisitive spirit and open min---a poem might change your life!

Kay Mullen is a former teacher, school counselor and mental health professional. Her poetry has appeared in various journals including most recently, Appalachia, Valparaiso Poetry Review, and Crab Creek Review. She is the  author of two books of poetry, Let Morning Begin (2001)  and A Long Remembering: Return  to Vietnam (2006). Kay recently earned the Rainier Writing Workshop MFA from Pacific Lutheran U. She currently teaches poetry at  Catherine Place, a center for women, and offers workshops on poetry. Kay lives in Tacoma.


Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Wings of Beauty: Exploring the Fascinating World of Butterflies

Presenter: Idie Ulsh

Location: Garfield Book Co/Community Room

Time: 10:30-12:30

Class Fee: $10.00

Class Coordinator:  Gene Giannobile. dgg2504@comcast.net

Idie Ulsh's class will feature all aspects  of the  natural  history of butterflies while taking you through the life cycle from egg to the beautiful butterfly.  At least 25 local  species  will be presented through photographs. Tips will be given on  identifying  local butterfly species,  where to find them, and how to  invite them to your yard.  All elements of the program will be illustrated by  superb  photography  taken by Idie.

Idie Ulsh was the founder of the Washington Butterfly Association,  past president of Seattle Audubon and is a Seattle Audubon Master Birder. She  has served as a docent  to the Washington Park Arboretum. She is a nationally  published  free-lance nature photographer. She is a retired high school counselor and is currently  an  Independent College Counselor.



Wednesday,  April  29, 2009

K-9 Companions: Prison Pet Partnership & Canine Companions

Presenters: Rachel Keele--Prison Pet Partnership

                     Lisa Akin--Canine Companions for Independence

Location: Pierce County Library Admin Bldg

                  112th and Waller Rd/Summit Area 

Time:       10:00 a.m.

Class Fee: $10.00 

Class Coordinator: Bette Catlin, 253-846-0354

Prison Pet Partnership (PPP) rescues  and trains homeless animals to provide service dogs for persons with disabilities. It takes from 8 to 12 months to train a dog. On the average only 1 in 15 to 20 dogs become a service dog. PPP also operates a boarding and grooming facility which provides vocational education for women inmates at Purdy Women's Prison. The job skills help with a successful transition into the community.  PPP gets their dogs from rescue groups and local shelters.

Rachel Keeler has been with the Prison Pet program since 2005. She has a master's degree in social work  and loves working with female inmates. She has two dogs, Diamond and Tippy. Her Program Assistant is Mollyrose Sommer  who has a BA in Creative Writing and enjoys spending time with her favorite program dog Izzy.

Imagine not being able to reach a light switch, pick up your keys or open cabinet doors. Then imagine having a dog do all of that for you and more.

Canine Companions for Independence Puget Sound Chapter was founded in this area in 1975 and is an integral part of the NW Region. The chapter has 70 puppy raisers and welcomes donors and volunteers.  The goal of CCI is to provide assistance dogs to people with developmental or physical disabilities that will enhance their independence or quality of life. CCI trains four types of assistance dogs:  Service Dogs, Skilled Companion Dogs, Hearing Dogs, and Facility Dogs. Throughout the regions there are more than 1000 dedicated CCI volunteers.

Approved individuals receive puppies at 8 weeks old to raise and socialize. For the next 14 to 16 months the raisers, at their own expense, provide all of the puppies needs. Upon reaching 16-20 months the puppy is returned to CCI in Santa Rosa, CA for screening and advanced training, the final step to becoming an assistance dog.

Lisa Akin is president of the Puget Sound Chapter of CCI and has been involved with the group since 1995. She and her husband, Danny, are currently raising their third puppy, Ruthie. Their first two dogs were released and they were able to keep Carmen and Risa. Lisa and Danny along with their two dogs started a reading program at the Mukilteo Library and also run the program at a branch of the Everett Library. Their lives are full and enriched through helping others with the love of a dog!!!