About Senior Learner Institute in Central FL

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Senior Learner Institute is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 2014 with a goal of offering college-level courses to older community members who still enjoy learning and sharing with others. A dedicated group of volunteers assist with everything from scheduling to answering phones to updating the catalog of eclectic class offerings and also assist with small social gatherings throughout the year. Experienced instructors offer many opportunities to learn about a variety of topics from Art and History to Languages and Science. Because of pandemic precautions many classes are offered via Zoom, and some are Hybrid with the instructor in the classroom ready to answer any questions and facilitate the discussions. Either way Senior Learners provides a wealth of information to anyone wishing to continue learning. Visit their website at http://www.seniorlearners.org

 

Class Registration Info For The Remainder of 2022.

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I am very pleased to announce the dates and times of my upcoming classes for the rest of 2022. I have some new proposals for additional classes in 2023 and will post here once plans are finalized. Links are available on the sidebars and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Per agreement with host facilities some classes are hybrid and instructions are sent once you have enrolled. Thank you for your support!

LUCID DREAMING: ANOTHER ALTERED STATE OF MIND

Master The Possibilities: September 16 and December 2, 2022, 9:00-10:30 AM

In-Person http://www.masterthepossibilities.org

Senior Learners Institute: November 15, 2022, 1:30 PM – 3 PM

HYBRID Class http://www.seniorlearners.org

HANDS-ONLY CPR

Master The Possibilities: October 7, 2022, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

In-Person http://www.masterthepossibilties.org

DON’T MISS MY ANNUAL ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE JOURNAL WRITING CLASS!

Master The Possibilities: November 18, 2022, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

In-Person .www.masterthepossibilities.org

 

 

When Towing Becomes A Real Drag

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Vehicle breakdowns are stressful no matter the cause. A friend of mine recently had a spate of bad luck with her vehicle and was grateful to have road service membership with the XYZ company, a nationally recognized firm with millions of members. Unfortunately for her she had to be towed twice in one week to the same mechanic. Much to her surprise three tow truck drivers tried to overcharge her for the trips (one was cancelled immediately) and rudely informed her that they were following directions from the dispatcher as far as how much to charge and claimed their GPS system showed them the mileage. The garage was a straight and simple route.

Armed with her own GPS calculations and a receipt from the prior tow to the same place she quickly resolved the issue and informed the XYZ company of what had happened. Per customer service the dispatchers do NOT tell tow truck drivers what to charge. This leaves vulnerable folks subject to false charges if they are not familiar with the rules and guidelines of their road service providers. The lesson here is to never be afraid to question a charge and voice your concerns to the proper people. Use whatever means that are available to you, in this case GPS, and don’t be intimidated by rude people when you’re in a stressful situation. Safe travels all!

Bee Careful With Your Honey!

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Yep! That’s me beneath some beekeeper gear. A few years ago, I took a “Beekeeping 101” course and learned some fascinating facts about honeybees. For example, the bees keep their hive at a steady temperature of about 95 degrees year-round in order to keep the Queen and workers safe and productive. A Queen bee lives between 1 – 2 years while workers live about a month. They fly up to 6 miles a day at a speed of around 15 mph and their wings beat approximately 11,400 per minute – buzz buzz!

What about honey? Did you know that fake honey has flooded the marketplace for years? Commercially produced honey is often diluted with additives such as corn and rice syrup and ultra-filtered, a process that removes valuable nutrients and enzymes. The end product is then labeled “pure”, a deceptive practice that misleads consumers and violates many safety standards set forth in the United States. Here’s some simple tips to avoid the fakes and enjoy the tastes of nature’s sweet treat.

Beekeepers and informed consumers say the same thing – BUY LOCAL!

Natural, unadulterated honey should contain pollen from local sources. It’s worth the trip to a farmer’s market or neighborhood beekeeper for a quality product.

Read the label. Any mention of high fructose means something has been added to change the purity.

Real honey is not runny when touched. Dip your finger in a sample and check the consistency. It shouldn’t change from thick to thin.

Talk to sellers and ask questions. A little knowledge can go a long way.


Valuable Scam Prevention Tools For Writers- WRITER BEWARE!

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Many readers are mesmerized by the words of others. Writing is a solitary and often times frustrating endeavor. In today’s techno world not only do writers have to be concerned with plagiarism and copyright infringement issues, but they also are being targeted by scammers and hackers looking to capitalize on the sheer joy of an author finishing their first novel or a seasoned writer hoping to celebrate the sale of a beloved manuscript they’ve worked on for years. Fake contracts, empty promises, and illegal transactions are now unsolved mysteries waiting to be unraveled while the careers, hopes, and dreams of many aspiring scribes are being jeopardized by unscrupulous cons.

Fortunately, there is a dedicated group of people who are helping to spread awareness of scams geared towards writers of all mediums – blogs, articles, short stories etc. As someone who has experienced potential issues of copyright infringement, I am very grateful for people like Victoria Strauss and her staff whose efforts provide writers like myself a place to learn and grow and safeguard our valuable written works. Please visit the very informative Writer Beware website and blogs to stay informed and thanks to everyone for all you do to keep writers safe and aware!

https://www.writerbeware.com

https://www.writerbeware.blog

Meet One of My Favorite Authors Richard “Pete” Peterson

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I always get comfortable before reading one of R.L. “Pete” Peterson’s stories – feet up, a fresh cup of tea or coffee at my side, and a big smile on my face because I know I’m about to embark on a journey wrapped in words so carefully crafted that I’ll soon forget where I am. Pete Peterson is a prolific, award-winning author whose stories have made me laugh, cry, and ponder life’s wonders and sorrows. I am thrilled to announce his new novella, “Leave the Night to God” will be available in the fall from Regal House Publishing and has been chosen as a finalist for their Petrichor Prize. Pete has a multitude of projects in the works, and I highly recommend a visit to his website to learn more about this master storyteller and craftsman so put your feet up, get comfortable, and enjoy the ride.  Website info https://www.rlpetepeterson.com

Anatomy of Email Scams – Spoofing and Phishing Games

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Please note these examples of email scams. Each appear to be from reputable companies – a common technique called spoofing. Further inspection of the highlighted areas reveals poor grammar, missing account information, and no identifying information. The goal is to lure folks into clicking on the suggested area so the scammers can try to obtain personal data to be used or sold to other unscrupulous users. Please take a minute and carefully inspect any and all suspicious emails no matter how legitimate they may appear to be. Be safe and stay safe!

It’s Womens History Month!

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I am proud to announce another collaboration with the curators of the Bridgeport History Center to highlight the many contributions my Mom, Colleen J. Bartram, made to the city of Bridgeport. Despite poverty and health issues she danced her way into people’s hearts and continued her stellar career as an international acrobat and entertainer. I was thrilled to write her biography which is available on Amazon and am looking forward to working with others who cherish the memories of times gone by.

Hands-Only CPR Classes Available This Month

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Hands-Only CPR is a great way to learn life-savings skills in 2 easy steps. I will be teaching two classes this month in Ocala FL. No prior experience is needed. Please note this is NOT a certification class. If interested in renewing or obtaining a 2-year certification, please use contact form. For more information and to register for Hands-Only classes please visit the following sites:

March 18, 2022     9-11 AM

http://masterthepossibilities.org

March 23, 2022    1:30 – 3:30

http://www.seniorlearners.org

Please note: Class times are approximate based on number of students enrolled. Hope to see you there!