Skip to main content

Virtual Classes

Welcome to our virtual registration page!

You may register for classes individually below. You will receive an email confirming your registration status after you register. This email will contain the information you need to join the class. 

This semester we will be livestreaming classes from a few of the senior centers and we are very excited. This is the first time we are offering this option. We ask that you please be patient and understanding if issues arise!

Check back regularly to see if we have added any classes to the schedule!

Date - Time Topic Course Description Instructor Location Category

10:30 AM
Orange Shirt Day: What it is & Why it’s so Important

We’ll discuss how various Indigenous communities are striving to overcome the residual challenges created by the system of residential boarding schools. We’ll also cover some of the efforts to create more awareness and understanding of these dynamics through community events, focusing on Orange Shirt Day.


Register
Current Events

1 PM
Balance is Key: A Guide to Fall Prevention

Learn ways to help prevent yourself from falling with these
tips and tricks!

Eric Weisansal
Register
Wellness and Personal Enrichment

1 PM
The Buffalo River, The Erie Canal, & Silo City

Silo City Buffalo was once known as the grain milling and
malting capital of the world. Learn about this time in history
and what is happening now to transform some of Buffalo’s
flour mills and grain storage silos.

Harry Meyer
Register
History

1 PM
Balance is Key: A Guide to Fall Prevention

Learn ways to help prevent yourself from falling with these
tips and tricks!

Eric Weisansal
Register
Wellness and Personal Enrichment

1 PM
Brainstormers - "No Future"

In 2021, when the power goes out, a small Idaho hamlet’s
mayor treks deep into the woods to ask for advice about what
to do from an old flame who’s been a reclusive and self-reliant
survivalist for years and can still write and read cursive and do
arithmetic on paper.

Brainstormers/
Register
Humanities

10:30 AM
Teachings of the Good Mind: A Haudenosaunee Principle

Many Indigenous cultures include very positive messages and
understandings for how to treat each other, ourselves, and our
environment in a good way. Keeping a good mind can be a
challenge in today’s society when there is much anger, violence,
and disrespect shown by and towards many diverse peoples.
This session will provide various perspectives of the Good Mind,
as these teachings can benefit all people.


Register
Humanities

1 pm
Quirky Portraits

Both real and imagined have been classic subject matter for
artists. In this fun look at paintings and sculpture by wellknown
and obscure people, the presentation takes you from
the REAL to the CREEPY! Drawing tricks will be shared so you
can try out your own creations.

Jean Serusa
Register
Humanities

10:30 AM
An Overview of Revocable & Irrevocable Trusts

We’ll discuss how a revocable trust can be used to avoid a
probate proceeding upon death, and how it can be used to
protect assets from Medicaid and long-term care costs.

Dan Schuller/PB Elder Law
Register
Law and Finance

10 AM
Basics of Medicaid & Long Term Care: Protecting & Preserving Assets

We’ll focus on strategies to preserve and protect assets in the event
that there is a need for Medicaid, skilled nursing home care or care
in your home. We’ll discuss how to protect your assets and ensure
that you are provided with good care for the rest of your life—even
if you are unable to get through the five-year “look back” period.

Jean Harris
Register
Law and Finance

10 AM
The Buffalo River, The Erie Canal, & Silo City

Silo City Buffalo was once known as the grain milling and
malting capital of the world. Learn about this time in history
and what is happening now to transform some of Buffalo’s
flour mills and grain storage silos.

Harry Meyer
Register
History

10:30 AM
Memento Mori: Learning to Live by Listening to the Dying

Explore the wisdom offered to us by those who are dying
and learn what brings true meaning to our lives.

Pei Grant
Register
Science and Medicine

1 PM
Brain Health

Enjoy your healthy brain for a lifetime! In this seminar, you’ll
learn tips for maintaining your brain health, including foods,
supplements, and physical and mental exercise.

Jennifer Johnson
Register
Science and Medicine

10:30 AM
Harm Reduction 101

What does “harm-reduction” mean? We’ll discuss common
community practices for harm reduction, as well as Narcan as
a method for harm reduction. Join us and learn to save a life.

Cheryll Moore
Register
Science and Medicine

10:30 AM
What’s Ahead for Africa?

We’ll examine the opportunities and challenges that
face the next generation of African leaders.

Claude Welch
Register
Current Events

11:30 AM
The Early History of the Sisters of Mercy & Mercy Hospital in South Buffalo

We’ll trace the roots of the founding of Mercy Hospital and
how the Sisters of Mercy arrived in Buffalo.


Register
History

10:30 AM
Adult Protective Services

Join for a discussion on all the services that Erie County Adult
Protective Services can provide, and what the limitations are.

Michele Pfeffer
Register
Wellness and Personal Enrichment

11:30 AM
Rock 'n' Roll Buffalo

A review of the musicians, bands, DJ’s, clubs, concert halls,
and personalities that brought rock music to the Buffalo
area. Starting with the beginning of Rock & Roll in the 50s,
we’ll focus on rock music, but will include all styles of music
performed in WNY through the mid 80s.

Rick Falkowski
Register
History

10:30 AM
The Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address

We’ll discuss the significance of this Haudenosaunee tradition
and what it teaches us.


Register
Humanities

1 PM
Buffalo Scandals: The Death of John Love

After being settled in the year 1803, the town of Boston was on
high alert after the disappearance of a resident named John Love.
Did he disappear without a trace - leaving his fortune behind? Or
was there something more sinister behind his disappearance?

Ryan Gadzo
Register
History

10:30 AM
Art Therapy for Health & Well-Being

Art therapy specifically helps people express themselves
more freely, improve their mental health, and improve
interpersonal relationships. This will be educational
discussion with a short time for art making.

Kris Crosson
Register
Science and Medicine

10 AM
Unusual, Unknown, & Even Weird Stories About Presidents Who Visited Buffalo

Considering Buffalo’s rich and perhaps unique Presidential
history, you will be surprised at how many unusual, unknown,
and even weird stories abound. Some may be controversial;
others “believe-it-or-not.”

Bren Price
Register
History

10:30 AM
Cruising the Elbe: From Berlin to Prague

Step onto a paddle wheeler and travel along one of Europe’s
storied rivers. We’ll float between two of the continent’s most
interesting cities, with major tours along the way.

Claude Welch
Register
Humanities

1 PM
Make Friends with Your Freezer

We’ll cover recipes and tips that will help you enjoy delicious,
healthy food, while spending less time in the kitchen. From
comfort food to holiday cookie exchanges, we’ve got you covered!

Erin Mahoney
Register
Wellness and Personal Enrichment

1 PM
Bail Reform

In April 2019, New York State approved criminal justice reform legislation, which eliminated the ability to set monetary bail for individuals charged with non-violent felony or misdemeanor offenses. Bail reform required prosecutors to demonstrate that a defendant, charged with a “qualifying offense,” posed a credible risk of flight in order for the Court to set bail or impose least restrictive conditions for pre-trial release. Since bail reform went into effect in January 2020, several amendments have been enacted following political and public outcry for changes to the law.


Register
Current Events

10:30 AM
Understanding Social Security

This class will include information about Retirement, Disability,
and Survivors benefits as well as Medicare.

Ben Stump
Register
Law and Finance

10 AM
Ask the Correct Financial Questions to Empower Yourself

Learn what questions you should be asking about your future
personal and financial care to make sure everyone is on the
same page. You will leave feeling empowered about where to
begin the process.

Les Robinson
Register
Law and Finance

10:30 AM
Harm Reduction 101

What does “harm-reduction” mean? We’ll discuss common
community practices for harm reduction, as well as Narcan as
a method for harm reduction. Join us and learn to save a life.

Cheryll Moore
Register
Science and Medicine

10:30 AM
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD)

Learn about what congestive heart failure is and how it
affects other organs in the body. We’ll discuss signs and
symptoms, when to call your healthcare provider and ways
to manage the condition.

Suzanne Stoklosa
Register
Wellness and Personal Enrichment

1 PM
Chair Yoga

Yoga in a chair? Yes! You don’t need to get down on the
floor to experience the benefits of yoga. This class will
include both seated postures and standing postures, using
a chair for support. All fitness levels are welcome. A yoga
mat to place under the chair is optional but recommended.

Jennifer Johnson
Register
Wellness and Personal Enrichment

1 PM
Beer Culture & Styles

What separates an IPA from a lager? How is a sour ale made?
Learn what makes each beer style unique, and the beer culture/
country that made it popular.

Tim Herzog
Register
Humanities

10 AM
The History of Beer in Buffalo

We’ll journey from the First Golden Age to the current Platinum Age.

Tim Herzog
Register
History

1 PM
What is AI (Artificial Intelligence) & What Does it Mean to You?

AI has been the subject of movies and science fiction for
a hundred years. It’s here today. Is that good news or
bad? And what does that mean to you? We will see a
demonstration of AI in action and discuss what AI can do
right now. We will also ponder what this means for our
future.

Dave Stott
Register
Technology

1 PM
Cooking with the Commish, Holiday Style!

Join our favorite Commissioner Angela Marinucci as she
shares some of her favorite holiday recipes that will have
everyone asking for seconds. She will even bring some
samples to taste. Bring your favorite recipes to share!

Angela Marinucci
Register
Wellness and Personal Enrichment

10 AM
Western New York Firsts (and a couple of seconds)

Take this fun journey through Western New York history
with various facts and stories about the people, inventions
and accomplishments that were first done in our area.

Alan Nowicki
Register
Humanities

2:00 PM
Gangsters & Organized Crime in Buffalo: History, Hits, & Headquarters

Close to Canada, Niagara Falls and Buffalo were perfect avenues
through which to transport booze, and Magaddino and his
Mafiosi maintained a stranglehold on the city until his death in
1974. Michael F. Rizzo will take us on a virtual tour of Buffalo’s
mafia exploits, everything from these brutal gangsters’ favorite
hangouts to secret underground tunnels to murder.


Register
History

1 PM
Cooking with the Commish, Holiday Style!

Join our favorite Commissioner Angela Marinucci as she
shares some of her favorite holiday recipes that will have
everyone asking for seconds. She will even bring some
samples to taste. Bring your favorite recipes to share!

Angela Marinucci
Register
Wellness and Personal Enrichment

10:30 AM
Google Photos

Google Photos is the cloud-based storage service that
allows users to save their photos online rather than on their
devices. Learn about how this service works, the positives
and negatives, and other useful features such as their
mobile app.(Class is two hours long.)

Brendan Chella
Register
Technology

10:30 AM
Article 81 Guardianship

This presentation will provide the basics regarding MHL
81, how it works, and what is required of a person who is
appointed as an Article 81 Guardian.


Register
Law and Finance

10:30 AM
Lab Results: What do Those Numbers Mean?

This is for anyone interested in learning more about
cholesterol and lipid profiles and how they affect our health.
We’ll learn about HDL, LDL, and triglycerides, how they
work in the body, and management options.

Suzanne Stoklosa
Register
Wellness and Personal Enrichment

10:30 AM
The Cloud

In simple terms, the cloud is a place to store and access
data and programs over the internet instead of using your
computer’s hard drive. Join us to learn more about “The
Cloud” and how it can help you. (Class is two hours long.)

Brendan Chella
Register
Technology

10 AM
Planning for Your Next Trip

Learn tips to make the most of your next stateside or international
trip. We’ll talk about things like booking flights and arranging
layovers to sneak in extra sightseeing at places, and important
things to learn about the culture of places you are visiting.


Register
Wellness and Personal Enrichment