With our new online form, you can either type in or hand write your information. Either way, please make sure once it's filled out to mail it in ASAP so we can assure your place in your desired class(es). For the Registration Form, click here. To open a printable version of the class schedule/Fall brochure, click here. Thank you!

Doug Turner at the Larkin Center, Inc. - "Inside the Beltway" - Wed., September 3, 2008
10:00 a.m. -12:00 noon. A no-holds-barred view of the political season 2008, free to members of the Larkin Center. $25 fee for non-members. Includes continental breakfast and Q&A session. Doug Turner is the senior Washington Correspondent for the Buffalo News, and past editor of the Buffalo Courier Express. He has been writing editorials for the News from Washington since 1981. He is non-partisan and has an active opinion about the politics of today. He has promised us a lively discussion. All are welcome to attend. Reservations required. Call (716) 881-1949.

Monday Morning Special:…....................…..Sept. 22nd, 29th, Oct. 6th & 20th

SHE’S THE TOP: Time: 10:30-12:00. Fee: $45. Linda Mabry, Director of The Community Music School; Barbara Wagner, Artistic Director of the Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus and Minister of Music at the Unitarian Universalist Church; Bridget Quinn-Carey, CEO of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library; Christen Gregory, Executive Director of the Lancaster Opera House.

Monday morning class will run:..……….…...…... Sept. 29th, Oct. 6th & 20th

LOG CABIN FUN (Quilt making): Instructor: Judi Ruzycki – Time: 10:00-12:00. Fee $35. Whether you are a confident beginner, or just want to make funky log cabin blocks, this class is for you. The project can be a table runner, wall-hanging or a bed-sized quilt. Scrappy is fun, so yardage can be from your stash. If you are a beginner, I can give you yardage to start a planned log cabin. Rotary supplies and sewing machine required for this class. If you have questions, contact Judi at mystyq@verizon.net.

Monday afternoon classes will run:…….... Sept. 22nd, 29th, Oct. 6th, & 20th

QUILTING STUDIO: Instructor: Judi Ruzycki - Time: 1:00-3:00 Fee: $45. This is the time you set aside to work on your own project with fellow quilters. The confident beginner to expert quilter will enjoy this class. bring your project, supplies and sewing machine, if needed, and a smile. We’re a friendly, encouraging group and Judi is there for technical advice and support.

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE: Instructor: Jini Rizzo - Time: 1:00-3:00 Fee: $45. Do you need to improve your game? Jini is a great teacher and has wonderful tips and hints that will help you. Come to this popular class by yourself, with a partner or as a foursome. New members are always welcome!

OBAMA VS. MC CAIN: Instructor: Nicholas Cushner, PhD. Time 1:00-3:00. Fee: $45. A detailed look at The Presidential candidates, in so far as they are similar and as they differ. The topics of health care, the economy, Iraq and Afghanistan, Iran and experience will form the basis of discussion.

Tuesday classes will run:……………..Sept. 23rd, 30th, Oct. 7th, 14th, & 21st

KRIPALU YOGA: Instructor: Joyce Siegel. Time 8:15-9:45. Fee: $55. Joyce Siegel has been teaching a core group of students the practice of Kripalu Yoga since 1994. She has certification for 250 hours of study in asanas (postures), pranayama (yogic breathing) and meditation. Please join the class with yoga mat, blanket and pillow for a one and a half hour retreat that will transform your day, one day at a time. Two sessions per week are recommended and classes are not interchangeable.

GET FIT: Instructor: Candie Stubbs Time 10:30-11:30 Fee: $55. For all of us who are struggling with Osteoporosis, osteopenia, poor flexibility and balance, this class is perfect. Join us as we use 1 lb. to 2 lbs. weights, chair exercises and stretching to get back in shape and feeling great. Bring weights and water; mats are not necessary.

CONTINUING WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP: Instructor: Julie McIndoo. Time: 10:00-12:00. Fee: $55. Do you want to learn to paint with watercolors? Or are you a continuing student who loves to work in this medium? We are continuing to paint with watercolors and watercolor pencils. There is time and space for those who want to begin and all the continuing students who love to have a “day to paint”. We will be working from photographs that you would like to turn into paintings. Individual help will be given as well as timely demonstrations. For a list of supplies (if you are a beginner) e-mail: j.mcindoo@att.net or call 337-2531.

SEEKERS: Time: 10:00-12:00. Fee: $30. Welcome to Seekers, Larkin Center’s lively book discussion group. For the first 5 weeks we will be reading Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain, by Oliver Sacks. An Amazon Best of the Month in December, 2007, this book “examines the extreme effects of music on the human brain. With clinical studies covering the tragic (individuals afflicted by an inability to connect with any melody) and triumphant (Alzheimer’s patients who find order and comfort through music), Sacks provides a look at the notion that humans are truly a musical species.” This book should make us aware of the importance of music in our schools, as well as in the lives of our aging loved ones and ourselves. Available from Amazon.com and at Talking Leaves.

CHORAL WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN: Instructor: Sarah Cardwell - Time: 1:00-3:00 Fee: $55. Do you like to sing? Why not join us on Tuesday afternoons and be part of the choral group. We have a lot of fun singing a wide variety of music for treble voices, from folk songs to Broadway, in an informal setting. Previous vocal training is not required. Come and try us out - we would love to see you! Sarah is the director of music at St. Paul's Anglican Church in Fort Erie.

Wednesday classes will run:…..……….Sept. 24th, Oct. 1st, 8th, 15th, & 22nd

BEGINNERS BRIDGE: Instructor: Jini Rizzo - Time: 1:00-3:00 Fee: $55. This refresher course is for those who have decided to play again after a long respite or for those who have minimal bridge experience. Jini is a patient teacher who will build your confidence at the bridge table. Come to this popular class by yourself, with a partner or as a foursome.

Wonderful Wednesdays will run…………….….Sept. 24th, Oct. 15th, & 22nd

AARP DRIVING COURSE: For drivers over the age of 50. September 24th. Instructor: Mary Lou Frost Time: 9:00-5:30 Fee: $22. Including: $10 for the AARP and $12 for lunch and donation to Larkin Center. After eight hours of instruction, you will be eligible for a certificate good for three years that will offer a reduction in premiums on your auto liability, no-fault and collision insurance. Participants must attend entire session. Minimum number of participants required for class to be held. The building will be open before 9:00 AM, so come early to get your coffee and be ready to begin promptly.

WATER, WATER! October 15th. Instructor: Kerry Mitchell. Time: 11:00 AM. Fee: $20, including lunch. Many experts have predicted that the next big “war” will be fought over fresh water, not oil. We sit on the Great Lakes, one of the largest supplies of that commodity. The United States and Canada have historically shared jurisdiction of these waters. Next June the centennial of the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty will be celebrated in Niagara Falls, Ontario and Niagara Falls, New York. Kerry Mitchell, Manager of the Political/Economic Relations and Public Affairs Section of the Canadian Consulate General in Buffalo, will discuss efforts underway in the cross-border Niagara Region to establish a sustainable strategy for regional development. Next June’s Centennial will be highlighted, along with other bi-national heritage initiatives.

THE BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY NAVAL AND MILITARY PARK: October 22nd. Instructor: Executive Director Col. Patrick J. Cunningham, US Army (Ret.) Time: 11:00 AM. Fee: $20, including lunch. Buffalo is home to the largest inland naval park in the country. The public has access to 3 World War II ships: the USS Little Rock, a guided missile cruiser; the USS The Sullivan’s, a destroyer; and the submarine USS Croaker. There is also a museum and ship’s store. Col. Cunningham will tell us about the park and its future plans.

Thursday classes will run:…………....Sept. 25th, Oct. 2nd, 9th, 16th, & 23rd

KRIPALU YOGA: Instructor: Joyce Siegel. Time 8:15-9:45. Fee: $55. Joyce Siegel has been teaching a core group of students the practice of Kripalu Yoga since 1994. She has certification for 250 hours of study in asanas (postures), pranayama (yogic breathing) and meditation. Please join the class with yoga mat, blanket and pillow for a one and a half hour retreat that will transform your day, one day at a time. Two sessions per week are recommended and classes are not interchangeable.

GET FIT: Instructor: Candie Stubbs Time 10:30-11:30 Fee: $55. For all of us who are struggling with Osteoporosis, osteopenia, poor flexibility and balance, this class is perfect. Join us as we use 1 lb. to 2 lbs. weights, chair exercises and stretching to get back in shape and feeling great. Bring weights and water; mats are not necessary.

Thursday’s Treats will be:……………………………….Oct. 9th, 16th, & 23rd

METROPOLITAN OPERA LIVE IN HD BROADCAST PREVIEW: October 9th. Instructor: Ethel Ward. Time: 10:00-12:00. Fee: a $5 contribution to Larkin Center. Join Ethel for coffee and pastry, a discussion of the origin of the HD broadcasts, with some of General Manager Peter Gelb’s insights, and a preview of the 2008-2009 season, which this season includes eleven operas.

THE MARITIME CENTER: October 16th. Instructor: John Montague, Executive Director of the Buffalo State College Maritime Center. Time: 11:00-12:00. Fee: $12. The Center is a historic watercraft museum and a boatbuilding center with community outreach programs for both young people and adults. Find out about its place in history and on the resurgent waterfront.

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD AND HERITAGE TOURISM: October 23rd. Instructor: Dionne Williamson. Time: 11:00-12:00. Fee: $12. Buffalo is an heirloom quilt stitched with the tenacity and triumph of the African-American spirit. The city was the final stop on the freedom train north out of slavery. In its heyday, Buffalo represented hope and self-empowerment for Black Americans and a better life for generations to come. Dionne Williamson, Multicultural Sales Manager for the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau, will discuss the current status of Buffalo’s African-American attractions as an example of the ways the CVB attracts heritage visitors to Buffalo.

Thursday Excursions will be……………….…………………...…....Oct. 30th

RIVERBRINK ART GALLERY. October 30th. Instructor: Gary Essar. 11:00 AM. Fee: $12, which includes a donation to Larkin Center. Join us for a private tour of the beautiful Riverbrink Art Gallery in Queenston, Ontario, located at 116 Queenston Street at the Niagara Parkway. Coffee will be served at 11:00 AM after which Curator Gary Essar will show us historic works by Canadian and other artists from the Samuel Weir Collection as well as current exhibits. This special treat, which comes after the Gallery is closed for the season, was arranged by our own Joan Draper. We will make arrangements for a Dutch treat lunch in Lewiston after the tour. Maps will be available to participants. Check out their www.riverbrink.org.

ENCORE: THE SHAW FESTIVAL. October 16th. An Inspector Calls. Time: 11:30 AM Fee: $90, including lunch. Our matinee at the Festival Theatre will be preceded by lunch. We have a limited number of seats, including some “platinum” seats for the 2:00 PM show, which stars Benedict Campbell, the Mack of last year’s Mack and Mabel. The remainder is due by September 12th. Note: only two places left.

ADDITIONAL OFFERINGS FOR 2008 WILL INCLUDE: Coming in November and December: Marianne Smith, art history; Robert Poczik on Japan; Cornelia Dopkins and Joan Draper.

Larkin Center 2008/2009 Calendar/ Events
November 3rd ~ December 5th
January 12 ~ February 13th
February 23 ~ March 27th
April 6th ~ May 8th