Friday, January 20 or February 17, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Free to the public. Registration for the first seminar is January 15; registration for the second seminar is February 12.

Are you worried about how your finite resources are going to make it through the increasing costs of living and declining interest rates? Have you wondered how you could protect your future in the face of high medical costs for you or your spouse? If so, this seminar is for you. New poverty figures recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau show a large increase in the number of older adults who are falling behind financially.

Presented by Richard Davis, Financial Advisor and Tracie Paul, Attorney at Law (from Antipolo & Paul Law Firm in Everett). Ms. Paul is a specialist in Elder Law; Richard is a long time Financial Advisor and Freeland resident. We will discuss how to stretch and protect what's yours. If you've ever lain awake at night worrying about your financial life, this seminar is for you.

Tuesday, January 10, February 14 and March 13, 1-2 p.m. Free to the public, but registration is necessary.

Trying to sort out insurance questions, beneficiary issues and other options? Join Ken Leisher of Survivor Insurance Services who, in the course of this seminar, will share strategies and answer questions concerning life insurance, life settlements, annuities and more.

Ken will focus on explaining how life insurance can work for you, why choosing the correct ownership and beneficiaries on existing policies should be periodically reviewed to maximize benefits. He will share new options, such as Long Term Care Riders, how Annuities can be an alternative investment that translates into lifetime income options, how selling unneeded life insurance policies can produce more than the cash surrender value and how exploring these options with a professional can be of benefit to you. Bring your policies and your questions.

Thursdays, February 2-April 12, 1-6 p.m. Free to the public.

This year, AARP is encouraging everyone to sign up directly with them for tax assistance appointments. Although it is not necessary to have an appointment, priority will be given to those who do. Tax packets will be available on the end table in our lobby. No appointments will be scheduled for after 5 p.m.

Mondays, Feb 13, 20 and 27, 7-8:30 p.m. Cost $54/$64 due at registration. Registration deadline: January 25

Join us for this participatory exploration of the great American popular songs of the 1920s to 1950s. In a song circle setting with live music performances and group storytelling, we will share how popular music has shaped our national identity and ourselves. With music from Tin Pan Alley, Broadway musicals, and classic big bands, to the birth of bluegrass and early country and doo-wop, the themes of love, loss, hope and faith have a unique place in our lives. This song circle will encourage you to share your story of the importance of music in your life and will feature live music performances by Whidbey Island musicians. This unique and exciting series is presented by Keith Bowers, performing musician with swing group Trio Nouveau, the gypsy jazz ensemble Billet Deux and bluegrass band Swords into Plowshares. Register now!

Tuesdays, January 10-February 14, 6:30-8:45 p.m. Cost: $80/$90 for the series. Payment due at registration.

Just the word 'tango' conjures images of excitement and dark mystery. But it's so much more. Whether you're an aspiring or an experienced dancer, this class is for you. Argentine Tango is artistic, fun and highly therapeutic for dancers of any age. It sharpens mental engagement, social connection, balance, strength, and of course, musicality! Taught by David Imburgia, of Tango Poplare in Bellingham, the first 1.5 hours of this class will focus on beginners and the second 1.5 hours on intermediate dancers, with a 15 minute overlap for both. David began dancing at 50+ years of age and has danced the world over.

Thursdays, Jan 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16 and 23; 6:30-8 p.m.; Cost $50/$60 Registration deadline January 19.

Calling all history lovers, involved citizens, students of culture, change agents, activists, pontificators and the bewildered. Terry Clayton, who has instructed for 40 years in history and environmental science, is asking the question: "Is America transforming or declining?" Whatever you believe is true, this class will stretch your perceptions and give you new understandings of where we are in the grand epoch of this country.

Each of these classes will focus on specific themes and will consist of a balance between lecture and discussion. Class members will be encouraged to participate. Themes will include society and the dynamics of social change; the European conquest of North America and the beginning of the global economy; the Great American Experiment; from colonies to the Constitution; the Civil War; the role of economics, technology and racism in American society; capitalism, immigration, the labor movement; the Progressive Movement, the New Deal, the role of the state; Civil Rights movement; the American Century, the 20th century and the beginning of the end of the nation state as primary sociopolitical entity.

Thursdays, January 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16; 3-5 p.m. Cost $70/$80

The poet Mary Oliver once said that as a poet she tries to go deep into the ordinary and find something exquisite there that she can bring back and share with others. Poetry requires you to become keenly attuned to the world around you, to excavate memories and plumb the depths of experience. Then, through word use, perceptions and skill, you bring forth a poem - an art form of living expression. Whether you are beginning to experiment or have been publishing poems for years, you will gain from a series of skills and exercises offered by published author, teacher, illustrator and poet, Susan Zwinger, who has written four books and published over seventy poems in various journals.

Saturdays, 9-11 a.m., January 28-February 25, Cost $70/$80, registration deadline is January 16.

Are you a writer? Is there something in you just yearning to be said to, and read by, the world? Would you like to be able to express yourself with the elegance and forcefulness of a New Yorker magazine essay or Op-Ed page? Whether you realize it or not, you've got the wisdom of experience and insight much needed by a culture in flux. Don't hold back. Come to this class and put your thoughts to paper, or polish that piece that you've had in your desk drawer. Through careful craftsmanship exercises, you will produce at least one entire, polished essay, and then quite possibly submit it! Taught by published author, teacher, illustrator and poet, Susan Zwinger, published author, teacher, poet and woman of wisdom.

Mondays, February 6-27, 3-5 p.m. Cost: $50/$60 (includes materials*) *Additional materials available for a fee. Register by February 1.

For those who appreciate Native American style art and think they cannot make their own, this class is designed to debunk your myths and help you produce beautiful display and functional textile art pieces that will surprise and delight. Doe Stahr, your class instructor, is well known among Native organizations and societies of Washington for her 25+ years of artwork in textiles and ceramics. She works easily with everyone at any skill level and welcomes both artists and dreamers into this amazing design series. Doe teaches stenciling and freehand painting techniques in native education programs throughout Western Washington. She also makes traditional and contemporary Native regalia, and will work with you to incorporate favorite items into your finished pieces. Her artwork appears on websites of many Native organizations in Washington and Oregon. Caregivers who wish to attend are welcome free of charge for the afternoon classes.

Thursday, Feb 2-23, 3-5 p.m. Cost $80/$90, registration deadline January 23.

A new class taught by John Ursillo, award winning artist and Signature Member of the national Colored Pencil Society of America. John's techniques have been published in the CPSA Journal and his work can be seen at Artworks Gallery at Greenbank and on his website: www.bearcubstudio.com. The class series consists of four 3-hour classes that cover introductory and advanced techniques, demonstration, practical exercises and selected projects brought to completion. Some materials provided.

Saturday, February 11, 9 a.m-noon, Cost $35/$45, plus small materials fee.

This workshop springs from the work of author Seena Frost and is facilitated by Kathleen Flynn, Interfaith Minister. Soul Collage® is rooted in the work of C. G. Jung, Fritz Perls, Virginia Satir, Eric Berne, and others. The intention is to offer a fun, creative experience for exploring and evolving our many facets through the doorway of our intuition while creating something with deep personal meaning. The focus of this particular workshop is to explore and reflect on the personal affairs of the heart.

Meets once a month in Evergreen Room. Begins Thursday, March 8, 3-5:30 p.m. Cost $20/$30 per month.

The purpose of Open Studio is to provide an ongoing opportunity to work on SoulCollage® and to discuss the collages. It's intended to be free form with emphasis on individual creation rather than instruction. Everyone contributes images and provides their own materials (bring your own scissors, glue, etc.) Kathleen Flynn will facilitate the group discussion in the last hour of the three hour session. Kathleen will provide some optional materials for a small fee.

Quin Serra, Massage Therapist and licensed Reflexologist, will be here to introduce you to Reflexology, a discipline in alternative medicine that concerns itself with the massage of the feet. The practice is based on ancient Chinese Medicine, which uses reflex areas in the feet that correspond to each part of the body, as a way of promoting health. These points, when stimulated with massage and gentle pressure, help to foster well-being throughout the body and take positive action against Diabetic Neuropathy. Appointments are 30 minutes each. Call to make your appointment early.

Everyone can practice Yoga, regardless of age, shape, weight or fitness level.

This class uses modified versions of classic Yoga poses to make them usable by everyone.
Taught by Jacquie Richardson, yoga practitioner and teacher with 25 years of experience.

Very popular class.

Foot Clinic has returned to South Whidbey Center and CamBey apartments. Our favorite toe trimmer, Alison Lee, R.N., will be taking appointments for South Whidbey:

Mondays 10/10, 10/24, 11/7, 11/21, 12/5 and 12/19 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Tuesdays, 10/12, 10/25,11/8, 11/22, 12/6 and 12/20 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

For CamBey Apts, Tuesdays, 1 - 3 p.m., 10/11, 10/25, 11/8, 11/22, 12/6 and 12/20

Call Alison directly at 360-720-4563 to make your appointment.