Leisure and Special Interest

Courses

• Dicken's Punch & Austen's Beer
• Learn the Tarot
• Mushrooms, Mycelium and More
• New York Beer Appreciation
• Paranormal Research 101
• Pet Dogs in the 21st Century
• Whiskey Appreciation
• Wine Appreciation

Dicken's Punch & Austen's Beer

This course covers the literary Christmas stylings of Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Mark Twain, and Clement C. Moore over the years. Through passages in their writings and personal papers, we’ll explore the important role the holiday played in each of their lives. Jane Austen, the younger sister of two of the highest-ranking British admirals, made spruce beer and holiday wines, which her family came to rely on her for. Charles Dickens, author of “A Christmas Carol,” was an absolute lover of Christmas, and was known for his whirling dervish dancing, his feats of magic, and his famous holiday punch. And Mark Twain was a lover of Christmas, too; we’ll have his favorite whiskey cocktail and read from his trove of stories, many of which were quite personal. Join us to sample the food, drink and literature of the Victorian holidays, complete with small finger foods. Must be 21 years of age or older to register for this course.

Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 113

Carlo DeVito, Instructor

Dicken's Punch & Austen's Beer

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursdays, 11/2 - 11/9 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm	ZSPI-283 500	12 seats left	$69	Add to Cart

Learn the Tarot

The goal of this class is for you to learn how to use Tarot cards for yourself. Tarot offers ways for you to blend your inner and outer realities so you can live your life more creatively. We will look at metaphors, symbols, and archetypes to help you better understand the Tarot. Topics include the major and minor arcana, numbers and symbols, interpreting cards, reverse cards, creating questions, deck care and selection, multiple spreads, the Celtic cross, and more. We will utilize an interactive workshop format with short weekly “work” activities/readings to help you connect your cards and their meanings. Students must bring their deck of Rider-Waite cards to all classes.

Course will be held in Willams Hall, Room 113

Melody Kearney, Instructor

Learn the Tarot

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Saturdays, 9/23 - 10/28 9:00 am - 11:00 am	ZSPI-121 500	1 seats left	$79	Add to Cart

Mushrooms, Mycelium and More

Unravel the mystery and majesty of mushrooms! Discover the possibilities of a mycelium-based future! Learn how to find and identify fungi in the wild! If any of these exclamations interest you, then this is the course for you. Suggested reading: "National Audubon Society Field Guide to Mushrooms." ISBN 978-0-394-51992-0

Course will be held in  Daycare Center, Room B06 

Class on 10/30 will be held at Collar City Mushrooms, Troy

Avery Stempel of Collar City Mushrooms, Instructor

Mushrooms, Mycelium and More

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Mondays, 10/16 - 11/6 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm	ZSPI-260 500	0 seats left	$35	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

New York Beer Appreciation

Did you know New York was the number one producer of beer in America for more than 110 years? Or that New York now has more breweries than at any other time in its history? In this course, we will cover the basics of beer appreciation. We will identify styles and flavors and discuss beers such as pilsner, Kolsch, IPA, DIPA, wheat, fruit, porters and stouts, and seasonal brews from some of the state’s best brewers, including many well-known brewers, plus possibly some locally-made homebrew. The course will teach about how each beer is made, and where and who they come from, providing a thorough history of beer in New York State. Must be 21 years of age or older to register for this course.

Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 113

Carlo DeVito, Instructor

New York Beer Appreciation

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursdays, 9/21 - 9/28 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm	ZSPI-284 500	11 seats left	$69	Add to Cart

Paranormal Research 101

Join paranormal investigator Jack Kenna from TV’s “Paranormal Survivor,” “Haunted Case Files,” and “Haunted Hospitals” as he shares the steps necessary to build and grow a successful paranormal team and research/investigate haunted locations. Students will find out how to work with clients; examine 

the most common equipment used and learn how it works and when to use it; and learn tips and techniques for capturing quality evidence. Students will receive a course book and will participate in a four-hour investigation of a local historic site, the Shaker Heritage Society in Albany. Course fee includes a $65 materials fee.

Off-site investigation on Fri. 10/6, extended class time 7 - 11 p.m.

No class 10/10

Course will meet in the Administration Building, Room 104

Jack Kenna, Instructor 

Paranormal Research 101

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesdays, 9/12 - 10/17 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm	ZSPI-218 500	7 seats left	$129	Add to Cart

Pet Dogs in the 21st Century

In today’s society, behavior problems in our dogs are on the rise every year, despite the fact that dog training has never been more accessible. This is because it isn’t simply just a training problem. Using L.E.G.S.®, the program model in Family Dog Mediation®, this class will offer an in-depth look into understanding our dogs. We will look at the history of pet dogs and behavior of our dog population in the 21st century, including the struggles humans and our dogs have faced in our rapidly-changing world. If you want to have a better understanding of your dog and learn how you can have a happier, better-behaved dog, you won’t want to miss this! We love your pets but please leave them at home.

Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 113

Jamie Sharma, Instructor

Pet Dogs in the 21st Century

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 10/11 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm	ZSPI-279 500	25 seats left	$59	Add to Cart

Whiskey Appreciation

In this course, we will cover the basics of whiskey appreciation, identifying flavors, acidity, and tannins. We will discuss moonshine, bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, Canadian whiskey, rye, Irish whiskey, Scotch blends, single grain whiskies, single malt whisky, and Islay Scotch whisky. There will be tasting and notes involved. The course will teach about how each whiskey is made, and where the best regions are for each type. Other styles and varietals will be explored as well. We’ll discuss the differences between whiskies and regions, i.e. Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maryland, emerging US regions, Ireland, Scotland, and Japan. Must be 21 years of age or older to register for this course.

Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 113

Carlo DeVito, Instructor

Whiskey Appreciation

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursdays, 10/19 - 10/26 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm	ZSPI-273 500	14 seats left	$69	Add to Cart

Wine Appreciation

In this course, we will cover the basics of wine appreciation. Identifying flavors. Acidity. Tannins. We will discuss white wines: Chardonnay; Sauvignon Blanc; and Riesling. Red wines: Cabernet Savignon, Pino Noir, and Merlot. There will be a section of ports and sherries. And on sparkling wines. There will be tasting and notes involved. The course will teach about how each wine is made, and where the best regions are for each type. Other styles and varietals will be explored as well. Differences between California, Europe, Southern Hemisphere, and East Coast will be discussed as well. Must be 21 years of age or older to register for this course.

Course will be held in  Williams Hall, Room 113

Carlo DeVito, Instructor

Wine Appreciation

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursdays, 10/5 - 10/12 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm	ZSPI-263 500	3 seats left	$69	Add to Cart