June 2009 Newsletter

Summer Luncheon at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

We hope everyone will attend our summer luncheon this year, Friday July 10, at the Rozzelle Court Restaurant in the Nelson-Atkins Museum.  Everyone will buy their own lunch from the cafeteria line and sit with other members at reserved tables. If you have a Nelson Museum member card, bring it to get a discount.  There is no charge for admission to the Museum.

Lunch should cost about $8 to $12. Following lunch, museum docents will lead a tour of artwork from countries that speak our languages (dividing us into smaller groups as needed).  If you plan to attend either the luncheon or tour or both, reserve a spot by contacting Carol Cowden by July 1 (see Executive Board Members, last page).

Fall Registration

We’re working hard to finalize the 2009-2010 class schedule and hope we’ll be able to post it on our website by mid-July.  On-line registration is targeted to begin August 1^st. Watch your email for updates. As mentioned in the May newsletter, the registration fee will be $195 which covers the entire year. 

Book Sale

The annual Textbook Sale will take place at the Orientation Party on Friday, September 11. The chairman is Joan Daniels and more information will be forthcoming.  At this sale, members get the full price of any textbooks they sell.  Also, remember that if you shop Amazon.com textbooks or anything else, start with any of our Amazon.com links at www.lacauserie.org, we make some money on your purchase.  It doesn’t cost extra and includes non-book items as well.

Summer Studies

There are many options for students who want to hang on to what they’ve learned this year or get a jump-start on fall classes (or do both). Check out the following Internet websites to learn more about conversation/study groups in our area:

►Kansas City Spanish Conversation Group – http://spanish.meetup.com/73/

►Kansas City French Connection – http://french.meetup.com/27/

►La Bella Italia – http://italian.meetup.com/409/?gj=sj2

►UMKC Communiversity – http://www.umkc.edu/commu/default.asp

Some LCF students have formed their own conversation groups and meet regularly. An advanced French conversation group meets at Panera’s in Westport Sundays at 2:00 PM and an advanced Italian conversation group meets at Panera’s in Corinth Wednesdays at 3:00 PM.  As you seek out a conversation groups it’s important to check the level of proficiency expected so there are no surprises for you or the group.

Tutors

There are many good tutors available, including some La Causerie instructors, who can help you maintain and sharpen your language skills over the summer:

Spanish Tutors

• Marta Diaz, former LCF instructor, Park University Spanish instructor, offers tutoring at a mutually agreeable time and place.

• Martha Penaherrera, LCF instructor, offers tutoring at an agreeable place. 

• Patricia Siqueiros, current LCF instructor, offers tutoring Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. 

• Marty Shaffer, longtime LCF instructor, offers tutoring at all levels at her home during the summer or by appointment or arrangement during the school year.  Marty retired from teaching Spanish in the Shawnee Mission School district and is certified in both Kansas and Missouri. 

• Dr. Graciela Diaz, UMKC Spanish instructor, offers tutoring at a mutually agreeable time and place. 

Italian Tutors

• Emily White, LCF instructor, offers tutoring preferably during the day, but is available some evenings (no weekends).  She will meet either at an agreeable location or her home in Olathe (she offers a discount to students who meet with her at her home). 

• Nina Mehta-Young, former LCF instructor and UMKC Italian instructor, offers tutoring at her home in the midtown area (near the church). 

• Gabi Chitwood, current LCF instructor and native Italian speaker with over twenty years experience at all levels, offers tutoring at a mutually agreeable time and place.

     French Tutors

• Marie-Hélène Moulaert, French native speaker, offers tutoring at her home near Loose Park. 

• Kate White, former LCF instructor, offers tutoring.  Kate also does court interpreting and translation.

2009-2010 Calendar

July 1                            Last day for reservations for Summer Luncheon

July 10                          SUMMER LUNCHECON at Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

August 1                        Online Registration Begins

September 11                Enrollment Party and orientation for 2009-2010

September 25                CLASSES BEGIN and continue every Friday AM except:

November 27                 No class (Thanksgiving holiday)

December 25                 No class (Christmas holiday)

January 1                      No class (New Year’s Day)

March 19                       No class (Spring Break)

May 7                           Last day of classes

Executive Board Members 2009-2010

Note: Email addresses and phone numbers are omitted from our website at www.lacauserie.org . Please refer to the email letter or Livret when these are needed.