The Association of Lifelong Learners will host a variety of online programs this week.

These programs are open to the public. Just send an email to ALL@AlpenaCC.edu to receive connection information. Programs are conducted using the Zoom application.

Today at 11 a.m. — “ALL Curriculum Program”

You are invited to make suggestions or volunteer for online programs or future in-person programs. We are a volunteer-based nonprofit looking for educational programs. Programs may be based on your experiences, research or connections to other organizations. Join us in the search for Lifelong Learning opportunities.

Today at 2 p.m. — “Line Dancing”

Debbie Kerr has been teaching line dancing classes for six years, four years for the ALL group. With the current stay-at-home orders, she has switched to teaching virtual classes. If you have been dancing for years or would like to give line dancing a try, this is the class for you! Wear some comfortable shoes and have a water bottle nearby and tune in for this class. This will be a weekly program until we can meet in-person.

Tuesday at 11a.m. — “Orcinus orca, i.e., the Killer Whale”

Orcinus orca (also known as the killer whale) is one of the subfamilies of toothed whales and is actually a dolphin. With their distinctive black-and-white coloring these fascinating creatures are easy to spot but their claim to fame is their unique ability to vocalize. We’ll concentrate on the resident orcas of northwest Washington and Vancouver Island while discussing the other groups also inhabiting the area — transients and offshores along with a newly discovered fourth group.

Chris Zimmel is a retired nurse with a longtime interest in marine mammals. Beginning in 1988, she spent vacations as a volunteer research assistant with several groups collecting different types of data on both humpback whales and orcas (“killer” whales). She has been involved in studies in the Gulf of Maine, Hawaii, Alaska, and off the coast of Vancouver Island.

Thursday at noon — “Steps to Help Alpena Businesses Survive”

This program will examine what local business support activities have happened in relationship to the Pandemic. It will focus on the steps taken by Target Alpena to help, programs being evaluated looking ahead, what the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce is doing and priorities for members, and, lastly, what the city is doing to support area businesses. The focus for these entities has become less on economic development and more on helping businesses survive.

This program will be presented by: Mike Mahler, economic development director at the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce, Alpena Mayor Matt Waligora, and Adam Poll, president and CEO of the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce.

Thursday at 2 p.m. — “COVID-19 Pandemic Effect on Local Churches”

This panel discussion among three clergy from Alpena churches will share what effects the pandemic has had on their churches, the ongoing issues being dealt with, and what the longterm consequences might be. The Rev. Bill McClure has been the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church for the past five years. The Rev. Bill Rayment has been the pastor of First Presbyterian Church for the past two years, plus a bit. Pastor Tom Orth has been a clergyman in Alpena for the past 16 years, currently serving Grace Lutheran Church.

Friday at 9:55 a.m. — “Yoga Online!”

ALL Zoomers have been invited to participate in an ongoing online yoga class with Jane Mayle. The class is geared toward all levels, everyone just does what their body is allowing them to do. There is no specialized instruction given during the Zoom sessions. Each participant is responsible for ensuring their own well-being during the program. Please sign in by 9:55a.m.

Jane Mayle attended yoga instructor training in 2012, which led her eventually to teach basic yoga at the Lost Woods Club Lodge and chair yoga at the Alcona Senior Center in Lincoln. Both of these programs will resume when the lockdown is lifted in Alcona County.

Friday at 11 a.m. — “Washington, Adams, and Jefferson”

Corey Daleski, in his presentation, will discuss the first three presidents of the United States: George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. In doing so, he will discuss aspects pertaining to their personalities, their strengths and shortcomings, along with their policies that shaped their presidency. Furthermore, Daleski will also detail the challenges each president faced as the new nation sought to persevere through its formative years.

Corey Daleski is a graduate of Alpena Community College and Central Michigan University where he graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history. Currently, Daleski is a history instructor at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College.