Talents in Common
Talents in Common is an organizational effort by The Commons Club members to voluntarily share their interests, expertise, and friendships. Members volunteer to facilitate discussion groups, clinics, mentoring, and instructional activities. The Commons Club Members and their guests may join, free of charge, one or more of the fun activities to develop and maintain their social, physical, mental, and adaptive fitness, knowledge and skills. The Commons Club members tailor their choices of activities to fit their different lifestyles.
Click here to view the full 2025 Talents in Common Brochure
Check out the upcoming offerings...
JANUARY
Le Cercle Français
Wednesday, February 12th
This week the Cercle Francais will meet as usual on Wednesday at 11:30 at the Commons Club Enrichment Center. We will continue to read "Merde, It's Not Easy to Learn French" and have some fun viewing some short videos about how the French celebrate Valentine's Day. Please register ahead of time at the Commons Club by either calling, sending an email, or registering directly from the online calendar.
Facilitator: Lisa Baroni
Wednesdays, January 15th to April 16th
11:30 pm to 12:30 pm
Complimentary
All Sessions are via ZOOM and in person at The Enrichment Center.
Click here to register so we know how many members will be attending
or email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.
Make-Up for Mature Skin
Whether you're a makeup novice looking to master the basics or an enthusiast aiming to refine your techniques, our class offers a personalized and hands-on experience. Join us for an empowering journey of makeup mastery, where you'll not only enhance your skills but also embrace your beauty in a whole new light.
Facilitator: Robin Marcus
Friday, February 7th
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Complimentary (reservations required)
Please log onto www.thecommonsclub.com, email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot
Conversational Spanish
Join us as you learn some basic vocabulary which could be used whether traveling, going out to eat, or just speaking with a native. Highlights include pronunciation and "short cuts" - without the proper full verb conjugation.
No prior experience necessary - you may know more than you think.
Facilitator: Dianne Giglietti
Monday, February 10th
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Complimentary (reservations required)
Click here to register for Conversational Spanish
Please log onto www.thecommonsclub.com, email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.
Pickleball 101
Learn the basics and strategies of pickleball play- Ed Pieper, lifelong teacher and beginner pickleball teacher.
Facilitator: Ed Pieper
Thursday, February 13th
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Complimentary (reservations required)
Please log onto www.thecommonsclub.com, email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.
How Target & Dayton Avoided a Hostile Takeover
How Target and Dayton's Department Stores Survived a Hostile Takeover Attempt in 1987 (Of special interest to Minnesotans and anyone else who remembers Dayton's or shops at Target)
Facilitator: Jim Hale, former Executive VP and General Counsel Dayton Hudson Corporation/Target
Monday, February 17th
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Complimentary (reservations required)
Click here to register for How Target & Dayton Avoided a Hostile Takeover
Please log onto www.thecommonsclub.com, email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.
Recipe Exchange: Amuse-Bouche
We would like you to join us on February 18th to participate in the Commons Club first 2025 recipe exchange to be held at The Commons Club Enrichment Center.
"Amuse-bouches" will be the theme. In French it means "amuses the mouth". There are bite-sized savory appetizers, hot or cold, served before a meal to awaken the palate.
The first 20 members to register will have to submit their proposed recipes ahead of the event in order to avoid duplication. Each participant will have to prepare and bring 20 samples of their culinary artistry the day of the event, with a maximum of two different recipes.
All participants will have the opportunity to taste the samples and discuss their recipes.
Participants will be provided with a packet of all recipes to take home.
You will be contacted by the person running the event after signin to provide your proposed recipe, as recipe packets need to be printed in advance.
Facilitator: Richard Lucki
Tuesday, February 18th
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Complimentary (reservations required)
Click here to register for Recipe Exchange: Amuse Bouche
Please log onto www.thecommonsclub.com, email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.
TIC- Color Me Beautiful
Do you know which season YOU are? Do you know what colors will make you appear years younger? Are you wondering which lipstick shade is best for YOU? Color Me Beautiful presents Reinvent Yourself with Color Me Beautiful: 4 Seasons of Color, Makeup, and Style, by JoAnne Richmond.
One attendee will experience JoAnne's "Magic Chair" where we will determine which of the 4 Seasons is YOUR best. We will also raffle off a private consultation as well as a gift. JoAnne Richmond has over 20 years of experience in the image consulting and fashion merchandising fields. Since 1996 she has been associated with Color Me Beautiful as an Independent Color Consultant and in 2001 was selected to become a National Certified Color Analysis Trainer for Color Me Beautiful.
Facilitator: JoAnn Richmond
Wednesday, February 19th
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Complimentary (reservations required)
Click here to register for Color Me Beautiful
Please log onto www.thecommonsclub.com, email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.
Talents in Common - More iPhone/iPad/iOS Tips
You know the basics of iPhone/iPad operation, but you'd like to move on to mastering some more advanced features or you have some feature you just can't get to work for you, this class will move beyond the basics to some of the less known settings and most useful apps and being limited to 8-10 participants, your questions will be answered.
Please bring a notebook & pen for notes
Facilitator: Bob Deakin
Thursday, February 20th
2:00 pm to 3:30 am
Complimentary (Reservations required)
This class is full, please click here to add your name to the waitlist.
Please log onto www.thecommonsclub.com, email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.
Bob will be doing another More iPhone/iPad/iOS tips on March 20th.
Israel – A Long, Desperate, Crooked, and Perilous Road to a Lasting Peace
Why was Israel caught off-guard? How could Mossad be fooled? How should Israel respond?
Surrounded by well over 300 million Arabs, Persians, and other potential enemies, Israel is in a most difficult/ if not vulnerable position. Hamas, a known terrorist group, conducted a very complex and nuanced invasion of Israel. This war is like no other. Hamas emerged from an elaborate tunnel system, by sea, and by air. The inescapable truth is that there was a massive failure of intelligence resulting in thousands of innocent Israeli civilians exposed to unimaginable horrors. The Israeli Defense Force ("IDF") was too late in responding as terrorists killed 260 concert attendees. Hundreds of terrorists invaded several nearby kibbutzim and unleashed unspeakable horror on innocent families. Hundreds of Israelis have even been captured and are being held as hostages or shields. What are some of the reasons for all this carnage? A multifaceted invasion on this scale necessitated considerable planning and training. How could Mossad miss it? Could internal political dysfunction be a factor? What is the end game and how do we move forward from it?
· Assuming Israel defeats and eliminates Hamas – what must fill the vacuum?
· Who will govern Gaza in the future? Should the blockade of Gaza be removed?
· What is the future of settlements in the West Bank, Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem?
· Why did the IDF, Mossad, and other named officials ignore considerable evidence of Hamas preparation?
· How must Israel respond to prevent a repeat of such a poor performance in future battles?
· Why did Israel lose the moral high ground so quickly?
· Is it possible for Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank to coexist peacefully in the future?
Facilitator Mike Quinlan
Monday, February 24th
2:00 pm until 3:30 pm
Complimentary (Reservations Required)
Click here to register for Israel
Please log onto www.thecommonsclub.com, email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.
Search Your Family History
Native New Yorker Tom Myles will share information he has garnered in more than thirty years as an active genealogist. Tom's presentation is intended to help you get started. He will speak about how to begin, genealogy software, recommended websites, and tips for staying organized. He will also include personal vignettes about meeting 8th cousins in rural Iowa and 3rd cousins in County Tipperary, Ireland.
Tom has helped many others on their journey. In Jones County, Iowa has been called "The Legend". After helping one woman get the information she needed to become a Daughter of the American Revolution, she wrote, "You're my hero!"
Facilitator: Tom Myles
Tuesday, February 25th
10:00 am to 11:30 am
Complimentary (reservations required)
Click here to register for Search Your Family History
Please log onto www.thecommonsclub.com, email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.
Stanley's Favorite SWFL Restaurants
You do not want to miss this session. Learn the best deals and menu special options from a professional diner Stanley Ruskin. Stanley and his wife Judy eat out 4 to 5 times a week and know the best places with great deals! This workshop will include Stanley's up to date Restaurant spreadsheet. Take notes and ask questions on how to make reservations during the season!
Facilitator: Stanley Ruskin
Tuesday, February 25th
3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Complimentary (reservations required)
Click here to register for Stanley's Favorite SWFL Restaurants
Navigating Turbulence
Understanding Boeing and our Defense.
The Boeing 737 Max 8 crashes send shockwaves through the aviation industry, resulting in tragic loss of lives and profound repercussions for Boeing's reputation and market standing. What systematic flaws in the design and certification process contributed to these accidents - regulatory oversights, inadequate pilot training, flawed software implementation? The lesser-known yet significant issue of the 737 Max 9 Door Plug highlights how seemingly minor oversights can escalate into major operational concerns, leading to delays, financial losses and erosion of consumer trust.
In the Space & Defense domain, Boeing's challenges with the KC-46 Tanker program have been marred by persistent technical issues, delivery delays, and cost overruns. Supply chain bottlenecks, integration complexities, and contractual obligations reveal the multifaceted nature of these setbacks. Even Boeing's Air Force One program has to contend with the intricate dynamics between government contracts, stringent security requirements, and evolving technological demands. By contrasting the Commercial and Space & Defense sectors, we discern the nuanced differences in regulatory frameworks, market dynamics and risk management approaches.
Learn about Boeing's challenges in the commercial & space & defense sectors.
Facilitator: Craig Korkoian
Wednesday, February 26th
10:00 am to 11:30 am
Complimentary (reservations required)
Click here to register for Navigating Turbulence
Please log onto www.thecommonsclub.com, email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.
South and East of Naples on the Tamiami Trail
We will look at the history and attractions southeast of Naples, including:
- Marco Island: Historical Museum; Tigertail Beach
- Rookery Bay: Learning Center, Shell Island ((Briggs Boardwalk and Rena Point); Keewaydin
- Ochopee: Big Cypress National Preserve (Welcome Center and Oasis Visitor Center); Kirby Storter Park; Turner River, HP Williams Roadside Park; the smallest post office in the USA; Loop Road; Clyde Butcher Gallers; Collier-Seminole State Park
- Ten Thousand Islands Nationsl Wildlife Refuge
- Copeland: Big Cyress bend Boardwalk; Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
- Building the Tamiami Trail; 1923 to 1928
- The start of the Everglades National Park
Facilitator: Paul Pactor
Friday, February 28th
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Complimentary (reservations required)
Click here to register for South and East of Naples on the Tamiami Trail
Please log onto www.thecommonsclub.com, email [email protected] or call 239-949-3800 to reserve your spot.
Download the Seasonal Brochure above for the full list of classes.