Google Docs/Sheets/Slides
vs. Microsoft Office (online)
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday, March 8
Fee: Nonmembers, $30;
members, $25
Speaker: Richard Evans
Google Drive Docs, Sheets and Slides can replace the need for Microsoft Office on your PC and your cell phone. This class helps you create, import and save documents, spreadsheets and presentation files from Microsoft Word into the Google Drive counterparts. Also learn about useful add-ons and organizing files on Google Drive.
U.S. National Security Council:
Pivotal Role in Coordinating U.S.
Foreign and Defense Policy
(online and Naples Center)
9-10:30 a.m. Monday, March 8
Fee: Nonmembers, $30;
members, $25
Speaker: Hugo Llorens
Ambassador Hugo Llorens recently retired from the U.S. diplomatic service. In his distinguished 36-year career, he served twice as ambassador in Honduras and Afghanistan. Mr. Llorens also served at the White House on the National Security staff as a director for President George W. Bush. In that role and in other senior assignments, he gained an intimate perspective of the NSC’s critical role coordinating U.S. foreign and defense policy. He is eager to share his knowledge/experiences and underscore that efficacious policy requires a smooth running NSC.
Contract Bridge for Beginners
(eight-part series; Naples Center)
9-11 a.m. Mondays, March 8
to April 27
Fee: Nonmembers, $140;
members, $120
Speaker: Chuck Valery
This course is intended for total beginners who want to learn bridge. Modern contract bridge is an exciting and challenging card game played by millions of people. Upon completion, you can expect to have a firm foundation of contract bridge principles. The course is based on a balanced mixture of lecture and hands-on practice playing. Each successive session builds by introducing more complex subjects. The first half of each session introduces various bridge concepts. The second half is spent playing actual hands on these topics. Students get a set of 50 handouts illustrating topics discussed. Learn this wonderful card game and have fun.
Exodus: Russian Persecution and
the Jewish Flight to the U.S.,
1881-1924 (online)
1:30-3 p.m. Tuesday, March 9
Fee: Nonmembers, $30;
members, $25
Speaker: Gerald Franz
Discrimination and intermittent persecutions were part of the life of Jews in the Pale of Settlement in Russia in the 19th century. However, in 1881, a violent persecution broke out in Russia and Eastern Europe that provoked the emigration of a large percentage of Jews to other countries. Many of these Jews came to the United States through Ellis Island. Join Dr. Franz as he shares this gripping and powerful story of hope and deliverance.
A 6-Step System for Making
Any Change (online)
1-2:30 p.m. Friday, March 12
Fee: Nonmembers, $30;
members, $25
Speakers: Bill Gladwell
and Janie Brynolf
Change doesn’t happen over a 21-day period, or in five sessions with a therapist, or because your best friend had a heart-to-heart with you. Change happens in an instant when you finally reach that point of “never again.” Two experts help you learn just how easy change can be when you create the right conditions. Not everyone is going to like you, and that’s OK.
An Early American Trio:
Artists Copley, West and Stuart
(online and Naples Center)
1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10
Fee: Nonmembers, $30;
members, $25
Speaker: Carol Jonson
John Singleton Copley, Benjamin West and Gilbert Stuart were three of the foremost artists of 18th century America. These talented, innovative, forward-thinking artists gave us portraits of America’s rich and famous, from Paul Revere to George Washington, that created a visual language for our new nation.
Digital Photography
Editing/Post-Processing (online)
3-5 p.m. Tuesday, March 9
Fee: Nonmembers, $33;
members, $28
Speaker: John Keller
This lecture provides an overview of editing your digital images, both raw and JPEG, and using the editing software you have on your laptop. Bring your digital images, or the instructor will suggest subjects to photograph for the class. The recommend editing programs are: Photoshop CC, Affinity Photo, Luminar (up to Version AI) and DxO PhotoLab. We discuss noise reduction, sharpening, cropping and other techniques to enhance your masterworks.
The FGCU Academy Travel
Open House (online)
1-2:15 p.m. Monday, March 15
Fee: Free
Speaker: John Guerra
Join us as we formally unveil our 2021 travel excursions to Southern Italy and Sicily, Turkey, Portugal and Egypt. Four exciting and luxurious tours are planned for our upcoming travel season starting in September, and we invite you to learn about them all.
FGCU Academy offers lifelong learning classes onsite and virtually to enrich life experiences at any age. Onsite classes are held at 117 Herald Court Centre in downtown Punta Gorda. Call 941-505-0130 for more information and to register. Onsite classes require masks at all times and temperature check upon arrival. ¦