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| Hundreds of courses. Knowledgeable instructors. Have it your way, online or in-person.  October 2023 FGCU Academy What do bats have to do with chocolate? Greetings, Bat facts – everything you wanted to know about bats… -Bats are responsible for bananas, avocados, mangos and agave. -Bats help pollinate seeds for nuts, fruit, figs and cacao which is used to make chocolate. They pollinate over 500 plant species. -Bats wings are made of the same bones in our fingers and covered with a thin layer of skin. -Bats consume their body weight eating insects nightly. One bat can consume up to 1000 insects in just one hour! -Bats are the only flying mammals. -There are over 1400 species of bats worldwide with the U.S. and Canada being home to approximately 45 species. -Bats have few natural predators – disease is one of their biggest threats. -Bats can give you rabies. -The longest living bat is 41 years old, although most bats live less than 20 years in the wild. -Baby bats are called pups and a group of bats is a colony. -Mother bats feed their pups breast milk like other mammals. -Bats are inspiring medical marvels. About 80 medicines come from plants that rely on bats for their survival. -Since bats are mammals, they have belly buttons because of mom’s umbilical cord. -The IUCN lists more than 121 bat species as vulnerable, more than 89 as endangered, and 29 as critically endangered, at imminent risk of extinction due to the ongoing destruction of their natural habitats, hunting, and disease. White-nose syndrome, characterized by a white fungus accumulating around the muzzle, is a major threat to hibernating bats. The disease spread rapidly after it was discovered in 2006 and is now documented in hundreds of bat colonies across North America. With a mortality rate as high as 99% in some colonies, this disease is responsible for the deaths of at least 6 million bats. -The last week in October is known as Bat Week, with the month of October being known as Bat Appreciation Month. Everyone is invited and welcome to take classes at ANY of our locations. Make sure to register early as space can be limited. For assistance with registration – call our office (239) 434-4737, and we will be more than happy to assist you.  Click Below to view any topic FGCU Academy FALL PROGRAM GUIDE DONATE October Daily Calendar Register Online For assistance with registration – Call 239.434.4737 FEATURE CLASSES  iPhone/iPad: Tips, Tricks & Secrets of Apple’s Newest Operating System in iOS 17 @ TwinEagles | October 16 | 3:30 – 5 pm @ FGCU Campus – The Water School – Building AB9 – Room 106 | October 25 | 10 – 11:30 am Join this lecture-style presentation to learn all the new features, upgrades and enhancements of Apple’s newest operating system for iPhone and iPad, iOS 17. We will explore tips, tricks and secrets that make using your device easier, more powerful and efficient. All levels from beginner to advanced users will benefit from this informative and interesting program.  A Different Look at Florida @ FGCU Campus – The Water School – Building AB9 – Room 106 | October 18 | 10 – 11:30 am @ Moorings Park Grande Lake | October 20 | 1:30 – 3 pm Florida is a world unto itself. Join us as we go from the glamour and excitement of Miami Beach through the primitive Everglades and follow the beautiful beaches of the Gulf Coast all the way north and west to the Panhandle. We then head inland, where most visitors, and many locals never venture, to visit the many unique agricultural sites that make Florida famous such as sugar plantations, orange groves, orchid greenhouses and many other remarkably interesting places.  Indonesia: The Land of Volcanoes and Dragons @ Cypress Cove | October 19 | 1:30 – 3 pm Seldom visited by Americans, Indonesia is an awe-inspiring land. The world’s fourth most populous country spread over 17,000 islands offers many diverse cultures and peoples. They include sea dwellings, mountain clans and jungle tribes whose homes are located in rainforests, on rivers, next to beautiful ocean beaches and aside active volcanoes. From the tourist magnet of Bali to the cultural heart of Java and the dragons that live on Komodo, we visit an enigmatic, exotic, breathtaking and unforgettable land.  Are You an Informed Collier County Voter? @ Bentley Village | October 26 | 10 – 11:30 am Most of us don’t know as much about what’s on our ballot as we’d like to – especially the farther down the ballot we go. And yet the people we elect at the state and local levels decide how much we pay in taxes and how that money is spent, the kinds of growth and development that are allowed, how quickly our communities recover from hurricanes and how they prepare for the future, who hires our school superintendent and what’s taught in our local schools, and more. In this lecture, we will learn about the more than a dozen state and local government offices that will be on our August 2024 ballot and who currently hold them. Whether you are a new or long-time Collier resident, this lecture will help you be a more informed voter. SPECIAL EVENTS  Appetizers with Wine Pairing Social Event at Mare Terra @ Mare Terra Restaurant – Bonita Springs November 7 | 4:30 – 6 pm Pre-registration is required. Make new friends and enjoy several delectable samplings of wonderful Italian appetizers at Mare Terra Restaurant in Bonita Springs. Your guide for this food and wine experience is with a sommelier who has personally chosen the wine pairings for each appetizer. Eat, laugh and be merry at the Academy’s Appetizers and Wine Pairing social event!  Miami’s Little Havana Culinary, Artistic and Cultural Tour @ Miami | November 14 | 8 am – 6 pm Join us as we explore the rich history and culinary delights of a vibrant neighborhood. Little Havana was recently listed as an official “national treasure” of the United States by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The neighborhood is well-known for its many historical, political, culinary, and artistic contributions to our Miami culture. Nestled in the heart of the city’s downtown area and only a short drive from Miami’s famed South Beach, the neighborhood is full of interesting cultural landmarks which we visit including a cigar factory, Domino Park, Cuban Memorial Blvd., the Tower Theater, artist workshops and the Damas De Blanco Mural. Enjoy delicious cuisine including empanadas, Cuban sandwiches, mojitos, guayaba, croquetas, churros and more at a diverse range of establishments; from 5-star gourmet to hole-in-the-wall ethnic eateries. Departure information will be emailed 3 days prior to the trip. Itineraries are subject to change. No refunds within 10 business days of departure.  Miami Millionaire’s Row™ Boat Cruise & Bayside Marketplace @ Miami | December 12 | 8 am – 6 pm Enjoy a fully-narrated 90-minute cruise and enjoy spectacular views of Biscayne Bay, the Miami Skyline, Port of Miami, Fisher Island, Miami Beach and Millionaire’s Row™ – the Homes of the Rich and Famous™. Soft drinks, cocktails and light snacks are available for purchase. A modern yacht offers the utmost comfort and style. Each vessel features an air-conditioned lower salon enclosed in picture windows, as well as an upper-deck where you can take in the fresh ocean breeze and an awning that will protect you from direct sun- light and light seasonal showers. After the cruise, enjoy time for some lunch and shopping at the Bayside Marketplace, one of Miami’s most popular destinations. Departure information will be emailed 3 days prior to trip. Itineraries are subject to change. No refunds within 10 business days of departure. LOOKING AHEAD See a sample of what is coming over the next weeks click on any title below for more information Monday October 16 –Love and Treachery – Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson –The Spoils of War: Are There any Benefits to Conflict? –Artemis: Return to the Moon by 2025 Tuesday October 17 –The Last of the Romanovs Friday October 20 –The Dutch East India Company: They Meant Business Monday October 23 –Mah Jongg for Beginners (3-part series) –The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador & The Center of the World –5-Week Spanish Crash Course for Beginners –Overcoming Grief and Loss Tuesday October 24 –iPhone/iPad Apps: Apple Mail and Safari –What you Need to Know About Medicare in 2024 –An African Safari – Following the Herds and Predators –Britain: The Morning Star of the Reformation –Nuclear Power – The Essential Component in a Strategy to Mitigate Climate Change Wednesday October 25 –The Great Silk Road: A Caravan of Cultures –Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Friday October 27 –The Six Wives of Henry VIII –Alaska and The Klondike Gold Rush FALL Movie Series   International Film and Documentary Discussion Series (3 films) 2:00 pm – Sundays at Naples Center International Film and Documentary Discussion Series (3 films) –To Live – October 22 – (China, 1994, Drama, Not Rated, 133 min) Fugui and Jiazhen endure tumultuous events in China as their personal fortunes move from wealthy landownership to peasantry. Addicted to gambling, Fugui loses everything. In the years that follow he is pressed into both the nationalist and communist armies, while Jiazhen is forced into menial work. They raise a family and survive, managing “to live” from the 40’s to the 70’s in this epic, but personal, story of life through an amazing period. –Tell No One – November 12 – (France, 2008, Drama, Not Rated, 125 min) Margot was murdered by a serial killer eight years ago, and her husband, Alexandre, continues to mourn her death. One day, the police discover two dead bodies near Alexandre’s home, along with a cache of evidence implicating him in the crime. On the same day, Alexandre receives an email with a video showing his wife alive and well, along with a simple message: “Tell no one.” With the police breathing down his neck, Alexandre goes on the run. –About Elly – December 10 – (Iran, 2009, Drama, Rated PG, 119 min) A young teacher on a vacation to northern Iran with three middle-class families goes missing before she is able to be introduced to a suitor. Bring FGCU Academy to Your Community If you would like to have FGCU Academy provide programs at your community, click below and send us an email with your information: who the contact person is, their email and phone number along with name of your community. We will be happy to reach out and discuss the possibilities with them. Schedule a Private Education Session for Your Community! Travel The World With FGCU Academy Travel is not reward for working, it’s education for living View our Pre-Recorded Travel Open House Presentation Now  FGCU Academy Travel 2024 Call for More Info – 239-434-4838 Travel Brochures Coming Soon  Moroccan Discovery, May 12-27, 2024 This land of dramatic contrasts invites us to encounter its ancient ruins and sacred mosques, endless desert and storied mountains, imposing kasbahs and spirited souks. As we travel from the imperial cities of Rabat, Fez, and Marrakech to the High Atlas and vast Sahara, we open our eyes, and hearts, to a truly foreign land, an age-old culture, and genuinely hospitable people.  Classic Safari: Kenya & Tanzania, August 13-28, 2024 “On safari” … it’s one of the most alluring phrases in all of travel. And Kenya and Tanzania count among the most alluring places to be “on safari.” As our small group travels from grasslands to highlands, to reserves and national parks, we enjoy intimate game drives, see stupendous landscapes, stay in excellent accommodations, and meet gracious local people.  Exploring Iceland, August 15-25, 2024 It’s a surprising, even astonishing land; one of massive glaciers and rumbling volcanoes, bubbling mud holes and powerful waterfalls; hugely abundant bird life and just 340,000 people; and where the sun never sets for six splendid weeks. It’s also perfect for exploring in a small group, as we discover traveling the breadth of the country and getting an up-close view of this natural “wonderland.”  Southern Italy & Sicily, September 4-18, 2024 Delight in a special exploration of Italy’s southern climes, from striking Sicily and the breathtaking Amalfi Coast to unheralded Apulia, the alluring “boot heel” where a vivid history, unique architecture, and bountiful plains join the sun and sea in creating a prized (and crowd-free) region. Add Italian hospitality, outstand- ing cuisine, and notable lodgings for la dolce vita, small-group style.  Scotland: Highlands & Islands, September 9-20, 2024 “My heart’s in the Highlands,” said Robert Burns – as will you, as we travel from city to country, mainland to island, on this sweet journey. From loch to loch and glen to glen, we encounter stunning natural beauty and welcoming clans, while city life serves up the colorful past – and cosmopolitan present.  Provincial French Countryside, September 27-October 11, 2024 Experience the beauty, allure, and hospitality of provincial France, at an easy pace and in a unique style. Anchored by stays in vibrant Toulouse and enchanting Paris, the journey features diverse Languedoc, the remote Dordogne, the lovely Loire Valley, and historic Normandy as we stay in charming rural inns and small country hotels. It’s a small group tour de force!  New Zealand Adventure, October 10-25, 2024 It’s a tale of two islands as our small group journeys from New Zealand’s North to its South, through lively cities and pristine fiords, past lush farmland and enchanted forests in a land where the outdoors is the national shrine. Add engaging “Kiwis” and intriguing indigenous cultures – it’s a pure New Zealand experience.  Southeast Asia Odysseys, October 31-November 18, 2024 Engaging, diverse, intriguing … This just begins to describe Southeast Asia and our small group odyssey. We cruise the Mekong through Laos; explore the spectacular – Angkor Wat – and the sublime – Ha Long Bay; and engage with local farmers and hill tribespeople on this comprehensive, well-paced adventure. DONATE NOW FGCU Academy Needs Your Support Today to Ensure that Our Critical Mission of Senior Education and Enrichment Continues! FGCU Academy is ready to serve the SWFL community for the 2023 Season— Learning, Growing, Sharing, Socializing. I am excited to welcome you this year to the new FGCU Naples Center, which is located at 704 Goodlette Frank Rd N, Suite 330 in Naples. Also, we have two new locations in Lee County, Pelican Landing in Bonita Springs and the FGCU Kleist Center on main campus. As always, both locations are open to all our students. Our passion keeps us moving forward and your donations will do the same. Please take a few minutes to consider donating to ensure our continued success. All amounts make a difference in strengthening the work we do in the community. Your gift will allow the Academy to offer more than 1,500 diverse and fascinating programs at more than fifteen locations throughout SWFL. Please visit our website to review the rich and varied programmatic offerings that are available this year. Through our mission we promise to enrich the lives, minds and social well-being of more than 10,000 SWFL adults and seniors during our 2023 season. Donate online at https://www.fgcu.edu/academy/givenow I am grateful for your consideration to support this vital community outreach program this year. I look forward to seeing you at a FGCU Academy program soon. Please contact me directly at jguerra@fgcu.edu or 239-434-4838 with questions or to learn more. In gratitude, John J. Guerra Director of FGCU Academy     FGCU Academy Collier / Lee / Charlotte FGCU ACADEMY NAPLES CENTER 704 Goodlette-Frank Rd N Suite 330 Naples, FL 34102 239-434-4737 fgcuacademy@fgcu.edu |