Highland Senior Center

Sign Language
Date: April 3, 2012
Time: Tuesday - 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Length: 8 Weeks
Cost: Free members
       non-members
Instructor: Sharon Bazarko
Location: Dining Room
Description: People believe no one person invented the ASL (American sign language) They say it evolved all over the world in a natural sort of fashion. In 1620 Juan Pablo de Bonet published a book that contained the Manual Alphabet. It was the first book on ASL. Not much has changed in nearly 400 years. Sharon Bazarko, our Sign Language instructor has been teaching this subject for almost forty-one years. Teaching this subject is something that is very personal to her because both of her parents are deaf. In fact, she learned to sign before she could talk. A credentialed teacher in sign language from the University of California at Riverside, she had taught at Chaffey High School, Rolling Start, and various adult education centers. She has found that the majority of her students are those who are going deaf, or know someone who is. Those who come to her class must bring a willingness to learn in addition to buying the sign language book. What you will take away from it is not only the chance to communicate with others in a way you never thought possible, but you will build a sense of camaraderie while learning at a fun, nice, steady pace. The class is designed for the absolute beginner and starts with the ABC’s and 123\\\'s. You will also talk about deafness, hearing aids, and the deaf communities, even meeting with some. If you think that deaf people can understand you without sign language just by reading your lips, you’re in for a surprise. A good lip reader can only understand 33% of what your are saying, because most sounds are made using the throat and teeth. Not the lips. So imagine trying to get through a conversation, or give a presentation and having people not understand two-thirds of what you are saying! Classes are on Tuesdays with a beginners class at 4:30 to 5:30 pm, and an advanced class from 3:30 - 4:30 pm. The next beginning class begins on Tues. Jan. 11, and runs for 20 weeks. So join the class and learn to “speak” a whole new language.

Cribbage
Time: Wednesdays 10:00 a.m.
Cost: Free members
      Free non-members
Location: Game Room
Description: This month we are happy to introduce a new old activity to the center; Cribbage. Cribbage, introduced in the early 17th century, is a card game traditionally for two players, but can be, and is, commonly played with three, four or more. The game involves playing and grouping cards in combinations which gain points. To get started all you need is a standard 52-card deck, (cards are assigned a point value equal to rank. Aces are low and count 1; face cards count 10) and a Cribbage board. A regulation board has four rows of 30 holes, marked off in groups of five and organized in two rows of two (two for each player). The pegs that come with the board are typically different colors to identify individual players. Each player has two pegs. Before play begins, the four pegs are placed at the start end of the board. The movement of the pegs, up the outside row and down the inside row back to the start, shows the progress of each player\'s game. The complete trip of the pegs is equal to 61 points. The traditional game is two trips, or 121 points. Use the two pegs in alternating fashion (the first peg indicates the previous score; the second peg indicates the most recent score); in this way, scores can be checked for accuracy. If you’d like to try Cribbage before you buy a board you can use a pencil and paper. It’s a fun game that, due to its longevity, must be entertaining! The Cribbage groups first meeting will be on Wednesday, February 1, from 10:00am - 12:00pm, and will meet every Wednesday thereafter. If you’d like to brush up on the rules first, a complete set of rules can be located in the Program Office. A set of rules, which will be followed by the group, will also be handed out at the first meeting.