Creative Arts  Using Your Mind  Physical Activities  Special Interest  Just For Fun
* These classes brought to you through an exciting partnership between Almaden Senior Program and Metro Ed's MAEP (www.metroed.org)  Please note: Students must now register in advance for any MAEP class held at the Almaden Community Center.  Registration can be completed online at www.metroed.org or over the phone by calling (408) 723-6725.

Creative Arts

Sketching and Drawing*
A "must" for all artistic endeavors.  Rediscover your childhood creative confidence.  Learn fundamentals of tools and techniques for capturing the illusion of 3D.

Beginning Painting*
A hands-on introduction to the various aspects of painting. Class determines the subject and medium. Demos in pencil charcoal, ink, pastel, watercolor, oil and acrylic as requested.

Open Studio
Are you looking for an open, fun, friendly and extremely positive environment to work on your painting skills? Join us in open studio. No instruction will be provided, but Mary Sheehan, our long time watercolor instructor will be on hand to provide tips and encouragement. There is no charge for this program. All are welcome to join us and express your unique creativity now.

Crochet and Knitting
Learn to crochet or knit with some help from one of our volunteers. If you already know how, bring a project and work on it in a fun friendly environment. This group also prepares items to donate or to sell at our annual boutique.

Happy Singers (Group Singing)
No prior music or singing training is required.  Just join us and be a happy singer.  A minimum annual membership fee is required to cover pianist, class materials, and stage performance expenses.

Group Voice Lessons
The goals are to teach proper singing techniques, including breathing, voice production, diction, expression, and posture; reading and understanding of music, music theory, music interpretation.  A wide range of music repertoire will be offered, including classical, popular, musicals, and opera, as well as songs from different countries and in different languages. 

Using Your Mind

French, Language and Culture*
Read about and discuss the French culture and language.  Learn basic conversational French.

Spanish, Conversation and Culture*
Be prepared when you visit Mexico or the corner market.  Learn everyday phrases, simple conversations, Hispanic culture, and more from a dynamic instructor.

Genealogy*
Discover proof of your family's ancestry as we dig through records available around the Bay Area and on the Internet.  Monthly field trips to libraries and archives give hands-on experience after participating in class discussions.

News and Views*
A spirited review of social, political, national, and international issues of current concern.  Feel free to bring topics of interest and offer your perspectives on them.

Creative Writing
If you have ever felt the need to put your feelings into a poem or a short story, or if you have a pressing need to get your memoirs down for the grandkids, this is the place for you.  No experience needed.

Physical Activities

Body Conditioning / Morning Stretch*
Come for a head-to-toe workout.  Improve your cardiovascular, respiratory, and circulatory systems and increase muscle tone and improve flexibility.  Free weights and bands are used and available in class.

Feldenkrais*
Awareness through movement.  Help improve your flexibility and reduce muscular tension while enhancing mobility, balance, and coordination.  Safe, comfortable movement sequences from a certified teacher.  Ideal for people with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other painful conditions.

Gentle Yoga*
Stretches based on the Feldenkrais method to increase flexibility and balanced mobility in the mature body.

Tai Chi*
A combination of graceful exercises using slow, circular movements and deep breathing,  Tao Chi helps relieve stress, tension, and improves strength and balance.

Golf
Become part of a foursome at Rancho del Pueblo, a beautiful executive nine-hole course.  Call Edith (408) 997-9539 if you would like to join us.

Golf Lessons
This five-week class will introduce you to the various shots a golfer will face while playing.  These shots include putting, chipping, pitching, full swing, and driving.  These classes will provide meaningful insight for the different shots.

Introduction to Belly Dancing
Have fun while learning and executing basic dance steps.  This class is for anyone with interest in taking belly dancing.

Ping Pong / Table Tennis
We now have three tables open for table tennis.  Play is on a drop-in basis and all are welcome to attend.

Bowling
Have you bowled in the past and would like to take it up again?  Have you never bowled, but would like to give it a try now?  Our bowlers meet weekly at Cambrian Bowl to play three games and have some fun.  All are welcome.  For more information, call Dennis at (408) 997-9539.

Quicksilver Walking Group (walks on Los Alamitos Trail)
Looking for exercise, fresh air, and socialization all rolled into one?  Join our group as we walk the Los Alamitos Trail.  The group departs from the bridge on Graystone just past Almaden Expressway.

Softball
Softball is the most popular participant sort in the United States.  An estimated 56 million Americans will play at least one game of softball during a year.  Will you be one of those people?  All are welcome to join us as we meet each Friday at DeAnza Park.  No talent is needed, just the desire to have fun.

Bocce Ball
Bocce is a fun game similar to Lawn Bowling.  There are four players on a team who take turns rolling the Bocce ball toward the Pallino (a smaller ball).  Players are awarded points for the balls thrown closest to the Pallino ball.  Equipment is provided.

 Yuan Ji Dance
Yuan Ji dance is a special dance that combines the movement from martial arts, tai chi, music, and dance.  All are welcome to check out this new offering and join in on the experience.

Ballroom Dance
Come try out the exciting world of ballroom dancing from a slow gliding foxtrot to sensuous rumba, to a vivacious cha cha... there is something for everyone.  No partners or previous experience needed, just a desire to have some fun.  The first hour will be lessons.  The second hour is open for social dance.  All are welcome to come to the first or second hour or both.

Line Dance Classes
Beginners Class

Intermediate Class

Line Dance Socials
For Intermediates: Friday, July 18th,  9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
For Beginners and Intermediates: Sunday, July 20th. 1:30 - 4:0 p.m.

$2.00 in advance, or $3.00 at the door
Come and kick up your heels in a fun and friendly environment as the Almaden Senior Program offers two more Line Dance Socials.  These socials will give you a chance to sharpen your skills and pick up some new ones.

At Sunday Social, one new beginner dance will be taught at 2:00.  There will be a one wall quick "walk through" for each beginner dance to help our new beginners.  Intermediate dancers are encouraged to come support our new beginning dancers.

Tickets available on Thursday, July 3rd, at 9:30.
Play list will be published in advance (see www.keepondancin.net)

Special Interest

ESL-Survival English*
Gain a better grasp on the English language through conversations, grammar review, and vocabulary building exercises.  Develop a new self assurance to join the English-speaking community.

Just for Fun

On Our Own
Come join other widowers and widows for a social and fun time.  Join us for games and talk.  This group meets off-site for lunch at a local restaurant the third Wednesday of the month.

Gametime
Join us for an afternoon of good, old-fashioned game playing.  We have a variety of board and card games.  The second week of each month, we play BINGO for prizes.

Intermediate Bridge

Beginning Bridge Lessons

Pinochle

Beginning Pinochle Lessons

Majong
Majong is a game of skill, strategy, intelligence, calculation, and luck.  Depending on the variation which is played, luck can be anything from a minor to a dominant factor in success.