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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260923T093000
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DTSTAMP:20260326T171417Z
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SUMMARY:Parenting Book Discussion Series
DESCRIPTION:Today’s high school students face intense academic\, social\, and college admissions pressure. Many feel they must excel at everything to be “enough\,” and parents often find it difficult to support their child through the high school years. This four-session parent discussion series uses Never Enough as a framework to explore how achievement culture impacts our children’s mental health\, motivation\, and identity – and how we\, as parents\, can respond in healthier\, more intentional ways. The discussions will create a supportive space for reflection\, conversation\, and practical strategies to help families redefine success during the high school years. \n*This will be a small group\, limited to 12 participants \n \nGail Gamrath is a warm\, experienced education professional and life coach with over 30 years in local public schools and a strong background in student services. Skilled in partnering with families\, supporting the transition to high school\, and strengthening agency in both students and their parents. A mom to three\, she brings empathy\, real-life perspective\, and a student-centered approach that helps families feel confident and supported.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/parenting-book-discussion-series/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Specialty,Wellness
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260924T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260924T210000
DTSTAMP:20260723T163455Z
CREATED:20260723T163455Z
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SUMMARY:Food for Life with Thais Boddicker
DESCRIPTION:Healthy Heart: Eat to Protect and Even Improve Your Heart\nDid you know that the vast majority of heart disease is preventable\, and in many cases\, its progression can be slowed or even reversed through nutrition and lifestyle? Leading physicians and researchers\, including Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn and Dr. Michael Greger\, have demonstrated that what we put on our plates each day has a profound impact on our cardiovascular health. \nIn this engaging and practical class at Gorton Center\, you’ll discover how simple\, evidence-based dietary changes can help lower cholesterol\, reduce blood pressure\, improve circulation\, and support a healthier heart\, without complicated meal plans or expensive specialty foods. \nTogether we’ll explore: \n\nThe foods that nourish and protect your heart\nHow a whole-food\, plant-forward diet can reduce cardiovascular risk\nSimple strategies for lowering high cholesterol and blood pressure naturally\nEasy\, affordable meal ideas the entire family can enjoy\nPractical tips for making sustainable lifestyle changes that last\n\nWhether you’re looking to prevent heart disease\, improve existing heart health\, or simply feel your best\, you’ll leave empowered with the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices every day. \nParticipants will enjoy a tasting of a delicious heart-healthy dip and receive a collection of easy\, budget-friendly recipes and take-home resources to help put these concepts into practice immediately. \nNo prior cooking or nutrition experience is necessary! Just come hungry to learn and inspired to take charge of your heart health. \nAbout the Instructor\nThais Boddicker is a home care physical therapist based on the North Shore of Illinois with more than 25 years of experience helping people improve their health and quality of life. A longtime advocate for plant-based nutrition\, she has been vegetarian since her early 20s and later transitioned toward a fully plant-based lifestyle after discovering the growing body of research connecting nutrition with chronic disease prevention.\nInspired by both her professional experience and her work with patients facing diet-related chronic illnesses\, Thais became passionate about helping others make sustainable lifestyle changes through education\, encouragement\, and practical support. She completed plant-based nutrition training through the and a nutrition education program led by .\nThais is active in community wellness education and has helped bring leading plant-based speakers to local events in the Chicago area. \n 
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/food-for-life-with-thais-boddicker/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Age,Classes,Cooking
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260925T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260925T100000
DTSTAMP:20260720T194328Z
CREATED:20260720T194328Z
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SUMMARY:Salsarobics
DESCRIPTION:Get Ready to Move with SALSArobics!\nJoin Esther Gutierrez Sloan every Friday for a dynamic workout that blends fun\, rhythm\, and full-body movement. This class isn’t just about exercise – it’s about joy\, discovery\, and the thrill of dance! \nThroughout the session\, participants choose their intensity level – low\, moderate\, or high – while moving to irresistible Latin\, Caribbean\, Spanish\, and African beats. Options for both low-impact and high-impact movements allow everyone to customize their experience. \nEach class delivers an energizing workout that averages 4\,000 to 4\,200 steps\, with varying degrees of intensity. Esther integrates the Total Body Training (TBT) Systems Methodology to support proper posture and promote muscle conditioning. She also incorporates Peripheral Heart Action (PHA) Training\, offering an optional challenge that builds aerobic strength based on individual pace and rhythm. \nTo build coordination and balance\, the class includes inline motion drills. Participants move across the room using steps that change direction – laterally\, diagonally\, forward\, and backward – adding functional movement to the workout. \nThe session concludes with Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching to enhance flexibility and recovery. \nColombian-born Esther Gutierrez Sloan created SALSArobics in 1989 to fuse authentic Latin rhythms with aerobic exercise. She has performed on national and local television in Illinois\, California\, Florida\, and New York. In addition to leading classes\, she has presented SALSArobics at fitness conventions\, schools\, health clubs\, ethnic festivals\, and international events. \nIn recognition of her groundbreaking work\, Esther was inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame in 2010. Learn more about Esther and SALSArobics. \nFind out why dancing is so good for you in our newest blog.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/salsarobics-september-25/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Age,Classes,Wellness
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260925T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260925T120000
DTSTAMP:20260724T161533Z
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SUMMARY:Open Play Mahjong
DESCRIPTION:Please plan to arrive early\, play starts promptly at 10am!\nCalling all Mahjong enthusiasts. Join us for Open Play Mahjong\, a relaxed and social way to enjoy the game you love. These sessions are for intermediate to advanced players who already know the rules. No instruction is offered. \nBring your strategy and a little friendly competition. Connect with other experienced players. Open Play is a great way to practice\, stay sharp\, and enjoy the challenge of Mahjong. \nWe provide all Mahjong sets. Please bring your own Mahjong card. \nPre-registration is required. Drop-ins can’t be accommodated\, so be sure to register early to save your spot. \nWe look forward to seeing you at the table.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/open-play-mahjong-sept-25/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Games
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260926T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260926T120000
DTSTAMP:20260724T201236Z
CREATED:20260720T200922Z
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SUMMARY:Tai Chi
DESCRIPTION:Tai Chi is an inclusive form of exercise that anyone can do\, whether you are in peak shape\, or have limited mobility. Despite its slow pace\, it is a valuable exercise for all ages\, read about the health benefits below. Dress comfortably and be prepared to have fun in Ken’s class. \nHealth Benefits \nTai Chi has numerous health benefits. It is good for balance\, flexibility\, and stress – regular Tai Chi practice can improve overall physical health and well-being. In fact\, Harvard Health suggests Tai Chi might be “…the perfect activity for the rest of your life.” \nAs a form of exercise\, researchers in Toronto found it is equivalent to brisk walking. So\, instead of worrying about your steps (how boring)\, join Ken’s class and have some more fun while you exercise. \nUnlike other forms of exercise\, Tai Chi movements are performed with relaxed muscles and a focus on deep breathing. Slow and gentle\, Tai Chi can improve blood flow\, balance\, and relaxation. Each Tai Chi pose flows into the next with circular\, continuous movements. This helps improve your balance and flexibility without putting strain on muscles and joints. \nTai Chi is also a very social activity\, commonly practiced in groups that rhythmically synchronize slow movements with deep breathing. Like meditation\, Tai Chi creates a calm and focused mind and can create a state of mindfulness. \nTai Chi also benefits emotional well-being and mental health. Regular Tai Chi practice can improve concentration\, physical self-awareness\, and create a sense of inner peace. Tai chi is a great exercise for relieving stress and has been shown to benefit hypertension and high blood pressure. \nWhat is Tai Chi? \nIt is a Chinese traditional exercise that blends martial arts’ movement with meditation. Dating back a thousand years\, Tai Chi remains a popular activity in China and around the world. \nTai Chi is a series of slow\, choreographed martial arts movements and poses. Tai Chi poses are circular and continuous\, with an emphasis on smooth transitions and maintaining a centered and grounded posture. Tai Chi poses mimic the movements of animals or nature\, such as flowing water or a bird in flight.  \nKen has been practicing martial arts for 27 years\, and started Tai Chi training in 1996 with Sifu Dale Washington\, Sifu Ban Toy in 2000 and Grand Master Yang Jun in 2006. He has been practicing Tai Chi for 21 years and teaching Tai Chi for 12 years. In 2016\, he received a Gold Eagle certificate from Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association. certificate. Ken is also one of Grand Master Yang Jun’s Disciples for the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan. He teaches Kickboxing and Full-contact Martial Arts teacher and is certified by Ng Family Martial Arts Association.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/tai-chi-september-26/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Age,Classes,Wellness
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