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Library U

Learn something new!

Take a series of classes and learn how to play canasta, brush up on canasta strategy, take a screenwriting and playwriting workshop, learn Spanish, try a writing or poetry class, and more. 

Chess classes just added!

Classes begin in January, February, and March.

Register now.

Writing

Poetry Writing on Zoom

Tuesdays
January 30, February 13, 27, March 12, 26, April 9
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $60
Class Size: 8 students
Zoom link will be sent after class payment is received.

Register here.

Designed for both beginning and experienced poets. In-class writing exercises will challenge your inner muse as we experiment with various poetic forms (rhymed and unrhymed) and sparks for inspiration. Instructor: Jennifer Dotson


Memoir Writing 

Tuesdays
February 6, 20, March 5, 19, April 2, 16
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $60
Class Size: 8 students

Register here.

What’s your story? Your life experience is the story that only you can tell. Examples of successful memoirs are discussed as well as techniques for organizing your thoughts and putting them on paper. Instructor: Jennifer Dotson


Screenwriting and Playwriting Workshop

Thursdays
March 21, 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $60
Class Size: 8 students

Register here.

Learn to Write for Screen and Stage! Class is appropriate for all levels of experience. Each session will integrate creativity sparking exercises and games to help writers develop a particular screenwriting or playwriting tool or skill. Students will work with one or more writing prompts to generate a sample scene for the next session and will have the opportunity to share a scene with the group to generate conversation. Instructor: Mary LaMont


Mindful Journaling I

Wednesdays
January 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $60
Class Size: 8 students

Register here.

No experience necessary. 

Drawing on Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones for inspiration, participants will practice tuning into themselves and tapping natural voice. Using the simple tools of pen and paper, participants will explore building a personal writing practice as a way to slow down, connect, and center. Following the simplicity and ease of the notebook, this class will focus on mindful freewriting as an accessible way to move toward clarity and alignment. Starter writing kit will be provided by instructor. Instructor: Saralina Kamholtz


Mindful Journaling II

Wednesdays
March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $60
Class Size: 8 students

Register here.

Mindful Journaling I is NOT a requirement to take this class. No experience necessary.

Drawing on Natalie Goldberg’s Wild Mind for inspiration, participants will practice tuning into themselves and tapping natural voice. Using the simple tools of pen and paper, participants will explore building a personal writing practice as a way to slow down, connect, and center. Following the simplicity and ease of the notebook, this class will focus on mindful freewriting as an accessible way to move toward clarity and alignment. Starter writing kit will be provided by instructor. Instructor: Saralina Kamholtz


Library U is a continuing adult education program made possible by the generous support of the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund. Advanced registration and online payment via ePay are required. No refunds. Registration will close when the class is filled.

If you have questions, or to suggest a class, please contact the Administration office by calling 847-432-0216 ext. 120.

Language

Beginning Spanish

Mondays
March 4, 11, 18, April 1, 8, 15
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Cost: $60
Class Size: 8 students

Register here.

This class is designed for beginning students. Students will develop the basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Learn the Spanish alphabet, basic vocabulary, greetings, personal pronouns, and identify simple sentence structure. Instructor: Cecilia Melicchio


Library U is a continuing adult education program made possible by the generous support of the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund. Advanced registration and online payment via ePay are required. No refunds. Registration will close when the class is filled.

If you have questions, or to suggest a class, please contact the Administration office by calling 847-432-0216 ext. 120.

Games

NEW! Intro to Chess

Thursdays
February 1, 8, 15
10 – 11 a.m.
Cost: $30
Class Size: 10

Register here.

Designed for absolute beginners to the game of chess, participants will learn the basic concepts of the game and how pieces move. Perfect for those who know nothing about chess but may be interested in learning the game. Instructor: Steve Kaufman


NEW! Beginning Chess Instruction

Thursdays
February 29, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4
10 – 11 a.m.
Cost: $60
Class Size: 10

Register here.

Designed for participants who know how to move the pieces. Participants will learn basic openings and checkmating strategies. Instructor: Steve Kaufman


Learn Canasta Strategy

Thursdays
January 25, February 1, 8, 15
1:30 – 3:30 p.m. 
Cost: $40
Class Size: 8 students

Register here.

Requirements: Each player should bring two decks of cards (with jokers) and pen and paper for notetaking. 

Improve your canasta game with strategy techniques and tips to make you a better player. Instructor: Trudy Cooper


Learn to Play Canasta

Tuesdays
March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, 11
12 – 2 p.m.
Cost: $60
Class Size: 9 students

Register here.

Requirements: Each player should bring two decks of cards (with jokers) and pen and paper for notetaking.

Canasta is a fun, social, and challenging card game. It is a partnership game that is played with two decks of cards. Instructor: Trudy Cooper


Library U is a continuing adult education program made possible by the generous support of the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund. Advanced registration and online payment via ePay are required. No refunds. Registration will close when the class is filled.

If you have questions, or to suggest a class, please contact the Administration office by calling 847-432-0216 ext. 120.

Mindfulness

Mindful Journaling I

Wednesdays
January 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $60
Class Size: 8 students

Register here.

No experience necessary. 

Drawing on Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones for inspiration, participants will practice tuning into themselves and tapping natural voice. Using the simple tools of pen and paper, participants will explore building a personal writing practice as a way to slow down, connect, and center. Following the simplicity and ease of the notebook, this class will focus on mindful freewriting as an accessible way to move toward clarity and alignment. Starter writing kit will be provided by instructor. Instructor: Saralina Kamholtz


Mindful Journaling II

Wednesdays
March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $60
Class Size: 8 students

Register here.

Mindful Journaling I is NOT a requirement to take this class. No experience necessary.

Drawing on Natalie Goldberg’s Wild Mind for inspiration, participants will practice tuning into themselves and tapping natural voice. Using the simple tools of pen and paper, participants will explore building a personal writing practice as a way to slow down, connect, and center. Following the simplicity and ease of the notebook, this class will focus on mindful freewriting as an accessible way to move toward clarity and alignment. Starter writing kit will be provided by instructor. Instructor: Saralina Kamholtz


Mindful Arts I: Mixed Media

Mondays
January 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $60
Class Size: 10 students

Register here.

No experience necessary.

Working with mixed media, this class will explore the art making that becomes available with accessible materials and a willingness to let art unfold organically. Using a process approach to art making and a journal for self-awareness, this class is designed to use the tools of art and writing to relieve stress, follow curiosity, and find ease. Starter mixed media art kit will be provided by instructor. Instructor: Saralina Kamholtz


Mindful Arts II: Painting

Mondays
March 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $60
Class Size: 10 students

Register here.

Mindful Arts I is NOT a requirement to take this class. No experience necessary.

Working with paints and ink to play with color, structure, and flow, this class will explore the art making that becomes available with accessible materials and a willingness to let art unfold organically. Using a process approach to art making and a journal for self-awareness, this class is designed to use the tools of art and writing to relieve stress, follow curiosity, and find ease. Starter painting art kit will be provided by instructor. Instructor: Saralina Kamholtz


Library U is a continuing adult education program made possible by the generous support of the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund. Advanced registration and online payment via ePay are required. No refunds. Registration will close when the class is filled.

If you have questions, or to suggest a class, please contact the Administration office by calling 847-432-0216 ext. 120.

Art

Mindful Arts I: Mixed Media

Mondays
January 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $60
Class Size: 10 students

Register here.

No experience necessary.

Working with mixed media, this class will explore the art making that becomes available with accessible materials and a willingness to let art unfold organically. Using a process approach to art making and a journal for self-awareness, this class is designed to use the tools of art and writing to relieve stress, follow curiosity, and find ease. Starter mixed media art kit will be provided by instructor. Instructor: Saralina Kamholtz


Mindful Arts II: Painting

Mondays
March 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $60
Class Size: 10 students

Register here.

Mindful Arts I is NOT a requirement to take this class. No experience necessary.

Working with paints and ink to play with color, structure, and flow, this class will explore the art making that becomes available with accessible materials and a willingness to let art unfold organically. Using a process approach to art making and a journal for self-awareness, this class is designed to use the tools of art and writing to relieve stress, follow curiosity, and find ease. Starter painting art kit will be provided by instructor. Instructor: Saralina Kamholtz


Library U is a continuing adult education program made possible by the generous support of the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund. Advanced registration and online payment via ePay are required. No refunds. Registration will close when the class is filled.

If you have questions, or to suggest a class, please contact the Administration office by calling 847-432-0216 ext. 120.

Instructor Bios

Trudy Cooper
Learn to Play Canasta and Learn Canasta Strategy

Trudy Cooper is a former teacher. She has taught canasta for more than 10 years in both public and private settings. She is a graduate of Northwestern University and holds degrees in education and psychology.

Jennifer Dotson
Memoir Writing and Poetry Writing

Jennifer Dotson has a BA in English Literature/Theater Arts from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and an MFA in Drama from the University of Virginia. Founder of Highland Park Poetry, Jennifer is the author of two poetry collections: Clever Gretel (Chicago Poetry Press, 2013) and Late Night Talk Show Fantasy & Other Poems (Kelsay Books, 2020). She has been facilitating poetry, creative writing and memoir workshops since 2007.

Highland Park Poetry 

Saralina Kamholtz
Mindful Arts, Mindful Journaling

Saralina Kamholtz has been an educator for over 20 years in the fields of English and Expressive Arts.  She received her Master’s in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago and has taught composition, literature, and oral expression at UIC and Columbia College.  She has also been a lead facilitator of art and writing through Open Studio Project and other arts organizations, developing community arts programs, training instructors, leading staff retreats, and facilitating adult Art and Wellness workshops.  In addition to her work with art and writing, Saralina is a trained somatic movement teacher and Nia dance practitioner.  She is certified in Conflict Resolution and Mediation and trained in healing circles, studying the intersection of non-interference arts, self-expression, and relationships.

Mary LaMont
Screenwriting and Playwriting Workshop

Mary LaMont taught for 30 years at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, where she also moderated a Filmmaker’s Club and Playwright’s Group, guiding students through the process of writing screenplays or stage plays. She is the author of a book called STORY WORK/STORY PLAY to be published by Cascade Books next spring. She has also written a number of screenplays, of which seven have made it to the quarterfinals or semifinals of leading screenwriting contests.

Cecilia Melicchio
Beginning Spanish

Cecilia Melicchio graduated from Buenos Aires University, Argentina, where she received a BA in Educational Sciences. She also has a BA in Elementary and Middle Education and an MA in Education & New Technologies. In her country, she worked several years in a variety of education-related roles such as Elementary and Middle School Teacher, Deputy Principal, Online Tutor and Pedagogical Designer. She relocated from Argentina to Highland Park four years ago. Cecilia enjoys walking to Rosewood Beach Park, traveling with her family, teaching, learning and meeting new people. Cecilia is also an English language learner and has many anecdotes about this process.

Library U is a continuing adult education program made possible by the generous support of the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund. Advanced registration and online payment via ePay are required. No refunds. Registration will close when the class is filled.

If you have questions, or to suggest a class, please contact the Administration office by calling 847-432-0216 ext. 120.