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Featured Class

Italian
Date: April 24, 2020
Time: 9:00 - 10:00 am
Length: 8
Cost: $8 members
      $8 non-members
Instructor: Rita Sicilliano
Location: Game Room
Description: Italian is taught by Margherita Sicilliano. Margherita, who also goes by the names Margo or Rita, and is from the old country. Born in Caserta, Italy, she was actually born in the Italian Royal Palace (the Reggia di Caserta). Her mom was touring the palace when she went into labor. Not many people can say that they were born in a royal palace, much less a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Raised and educated in Italy, she was still in college when she came with her family to the United States. She continued with her education getting a Bachelor's Degree. She then went back to Italy to get her Master's Degree. Her teaching experience spans 42 years and includes teaching high school French, Spanish, and Italian in New York, as well as French and Spanish Advanced Placement classes at the local Aquinas High School. After retiring some friends told her about the center. She took a trip here and discovered a fellow Italian, Virginia Kautzman, and the two became friends. Margo also found out about our University Language classes, and decided to get back into teaching. She approached us about teaching here, and after offering a choice between Italian and German, everyone decided that Italian would be perfect. Now it is the only Italian class being offered in the area. Student’s need to bring only a pencil and paper to class. There is a work book students can purchase through Amazon for $16, but it is not necessary. The class is open to absolute beginners and those who wish to keep up their Italian. A presto! See you soon!

Featured Activity

Knitting
Time: Fridays 10am - 12pm
Cost: Free members
      Free non-members
Location: Parlor
Description: Knitting has been has been around (depending on who you ask) for between 2000 to 600 years. The oldest real knitting (formed on two sticks by pulling loops through loops) object that have been discovered are the \'Coptic socks\' from Egypt, dating to around the year 1000 AD. The term 'to knit,' according to the Oxford Unabridged English Dictionary, wasn't added to the English language until the 1400s. Our knitting group is headed by Keiko Holcombe. When Keiko joined the center ten years ago, she almost immediately began teaching others to knit. She has been knitting since she was six years old, and has been teaching here in the states for over 39 years. That's not counting the years she taught in Japan. The students all work on individual projects, ranging from items as small as booties to items as large as afghans. Keiko helps each student on their projects and teaches skills to class when they are having a problem. The class is small, with about 12-15 students, so 1 on 1 time is guaranteed. If this art form sounds like something you might be interested in, the group meets on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Lost Pet Scam Targeting Seniors
By:
According to a report given to us from the City of Highland, scam artists are now preying on seniors who have lost a pet. The scam artist’s goal is to con you out of your money. This scam most often happens when a scam artist sees the ad or flyer that you have posted for your lost pet and: Uses the description from your ad to convince you that he/she has your pet and then demands a reward to return your pet. Claims to be a truck driver who found your injured pet while driving in your area.

The scam artist then asks that you wire money or provide your credit card information to pay for the veterinarian bill before your pet can be returned. Offers to return your pet for a reward, when it was the scam artist who stole your pet! Seniors are being tricked by scam artists pretending to have their pets!

The following tips are recommended: License your pet properly; senior discounts may be available. Consider micro-chipping your pet; senior discounts may be available. Attach a tag with your telephone number to your pet’s collar. Keep your pet in the house, in your fenced yard, or on a leash at all times. If your pet becomes lost: Contact your local animal shelter and give them a description of your pet. Ask your neighbors to be on the lookout for your pet. Create a lost pet ad or flyer; use a different telephone number than the one on your pet’s tag. Avoid putting a full description of your pet in the ad or flyer. Ask callers for details about your pet that you did not include in the ad or flyer. Ask for the name, address, and telephone number of the veterinarian where the caller claims to have taken your pet. Verify the veterinarian exists and then contact the vet directly. Finally, NEVER send money or provide credit card information to someone you do not know!

If you think you may be a victim of a scam, contact San Bernardino County Adult Protective Services (APS) at 877-565-2020, or your local police department.