Club Purpose: We help members make the most of their computers and explore new technology.

Focus: While our meeting room is a Windows PC classroom, the club is no longer Windows-only. With our emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI), we will show you how to use free online AI tools that work on any computer or smartphone-Windows, Mac, Chromebook, or mobile.

Meetings:

• When: 2nd Thursday of each month, 10:30 a.m.
• Where: Room 357, UWF Campus
• Format: Informal and friendly. Each session includes a short presentation plus time to share tips, ask questions, and solve tech problems together.

What We Cover:

• Modern AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini
• How AI can make tech tasks easier and more fun
• Practical help for everyday computer and device issues

Why Join?

• Free Membership: You don't need to be enrolled in any CLL classes.
• Learn, share, and stay current with technology
• Great for anyone curious about AI

Class Leader Bio(s): Hal earned his PhD in Physics from UC Santa Barbara after serving as a carrier-based Navy fighter pilot while the Korean war was winding down. Since 1994, he’s been heavily involved in CLL classes and administration. In 1996 he developed the CLL’s original computerized registration program that was used continuously until COVID stopped in-person registration. Over the years he has led various computer-related CLL courses.

Course Description:  Want help wading through the flood of weather and climate info that bombards us daily? Improve your understanding of our planet and become a savvy consumer of all this data! In this class, our primary goal is to give you a clear, science-based understanding and appreciation of the earth sciences (meteorology, geology, oceanography). We’ll also discuss real world weather events and learn how to navigate the constant flow of “disaster” messaging.

Instructor Bio: Christa spent 28 years as a USAF Weather Officer and served 18 of those years as an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter. She has a B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science from LSU, B.S. in Meteorology from St. Louis University, and an M.S. in Earth Sciences/Education from Mississippi State University.

 Course Description:  Are you ready to learn how to use your iPad effectively? This course will take you from the very basics to making your iPad your own. Individual needs will be addressed to make sure everyone has an opportunity to learn. We will explore the most popular iPad tricks and topics, including how to get the most out of your iPad experience. Students must bring their own iPads to class. This is a six-week course.

Instructor Bio:  Dolores Noechel is a former Ruckel math teacher, OCSD Instructional Technology and Media Services Specialist, and Assistant Principal at Fort Walton Beach High School.

Course Description:  If you have just purchased a drone, or are about to do so, this class is for you.  Learn the different types of drones that are available and which one to buy for your needs. Learn how to fly a drone safely and stay within FAA regulations. The class will also provide tips on how to shoot video with a drone and edit it. Beginning classes will be conducted indoors with the Tello Drone.  Students will be given the opportunity to fly more complex camera drones during outdoor class sessions.  All drones will be provided for class use.

Instruction Bio:  Billy Walker has taught Video Processing and iPad classes at CLL for several years. He owns three drones and has been flying them for over five years. Walt Spodeck, an FAA licensed drone and commercial aircraft pilot  will be the co-leader for this course.  Walt owns 4 drones and has been flying them several years.

Course Description: Have you ever wondered what that ‘star’ is in the evening sky? Join a NASA Solar System Ambassador in exploring the solar system and beyond. Learn how to use a small telescope, how to navigate the night sky and identify the objects that you see. Discussions will cover the solar system as well as celestial objects such as constellations, nebulae, star clusters and galaxies. We will also cover the language of Astronomy from appulse to syzygy to zenith. 

Instructor Bio: Tom Haugh is a long-time amateur astronomer. He is a NASA Solar System Ambassador and the outreach coordinator for the NorthWest Florida Astronomy Association. His personal observatory is recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). His observations concentrate on asteroid and comet orbit verification and he has submitted more than 16,000 astrometric observations to the IAU’s Minor Planet Center.

Tour Description: This one-day tour will be a leisurely walk through the Fort Walton Beach Veterans Park Rookery to observe and identify local bird life.  Our guide is an experienced member of the local Audubon Society.  The rookery is a beautiful 1.5 acre park and home of the heron and many other bird species.  The Audubon Society has identified over 240 species of birds that migrate through our area. The rookery is on the migratory path of the Monarch butterfly.  Come enjoy nature on this educational walk through the Veterans Park Rookery on Okaloosa Island on Thursday, October 1, from 8:30 to 9:30.

Tour Host Bio: Our guide, Jim Anderton, is a member of the Audubon Society. He has led many bird walks in the rookery and other local locations. Jim is highly experienced at locating and identifying birds as well as identifying them by sound.

Notes: We will meet at the NE corner of the Fort Walton Beach Conference Center parking lot, 1300 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach.  Closed-toe shoes and binoculars are recommended.  Park and meet in the northeastern corner of the lot.

Tour Description: October is Fire Prevention Month. Come join us on this behind the scenes tour as we learn how our first responders provide protection of life, property and the environment from the effects of fires, medical emergencies and hazards with a tour the vehicles and the firehouse. Firefighters will be happy to answer all of your questions. You will depart with a new appreciation and understanding of our local fire station and firefighters.

Tour Host Bio: This Tour is conducted by local firefighters and first responders, providing valuable knowledge and insight on how they do what they do, and how you can help them and help yourself when emergencies arise.

Notes: We will meet at 10:00AM at the Fort Walton Beach Fire Station #6, 5 Hollywood Blvd. NE, Fort Walton Beach.

Tour Description: Do you know that the only source of quality wood products on the Emerald Coast can be found at Niceville Slabs and Cookies? They provide custom woodworking, sawmill services, kiln drying, and domestic and imported wood. It all started with owner Michael DeShay’s renovation business and a passion for woodworking. If you’re working on a project and need some cuts or other work done, consider visiting Niceville Slabs and Cookies. And, as a part of this tour, you will have the opportunity to purchase many of their incredible designs. This one-time class will meet on Friday October 9, at 10:00AM.

Tour Host Bio: Genevieve Burgess is a Jill of all trades, and veteran of the Air Force. Genevieve has been woodworking since 2018, when she attended Fox Valley Technical College in Oshkosh, Wisconsin for Wood Manufacturing Technology.

Notes: This one-time class will meet at Niceville Slabs & Cookies, 207 Kelly Road, Unit B, in Niceville.