Community Education announces Spring 2012 class schedule

It’s that time of year again. Community Education has announced the Spring 2012 class schedule. The following classes, including two classes that begin in February, are for anyone interested in learning something new this year:

Microsoft Word -- This class, with four sessions, is ideal for those who are new to the computer and want to learn all the basic of Microsoft Word, including creating documents, viewing and navigating documents, formatting, working with text, graphics and charts and printing. Learn what toolbars do and where to find them. Make personalized greeting cards, flyers, newsletters, mailing labels and much more. Sessions will be held in room 226 at Logan County High School, through entrance #5 in the back of the school, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays, February 27 and March 5, 12 and 19. The class will be taught by Abbi Brown Lillard, who teaches several computer technology classes at Logan County High School and will patiently guide you through every step.

CLASS FEE: $40

Espanol Uno -- In just eight weeks you’ll learn the basics of conversational Spanish in this class, and on the ninth week you’ll visit a Mexican restaurant, where you can try out your skills. Topics include the sounds of Spanish, the alphabet, important words, numbers, telling time and key expressions. Sessions will be in the Spanish room at Russellville High from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, February 28; March 6, 13, 20 and 27; April 17 and 24; and May 15. The class finale -- the restaurant field trip – will be on Friday, May 18. This class is great for beginners or as a continuation of Mayra Duncan’s Fall 2011conversational Spanish class. It’s an ideal class for parents to take with their children. It will be taught by Elda Chavez, whose first language is Spanish, who teaches English as a second language at Stevenson Elementary School and is excited to be teaching the Hispanic cuisine cooking class in the fall.

CLASS FEE: $80

Becoming Internet Savvy -- This three-session class was such a hit in the fall we’re offering it again so you can learn to go online to search for information and special items, including coupons, change your Internet settings, view and delete browsing history and use e-mail to send pictures or files. Learn about useful sites to enhance your computer use, such as how to create your own free Web site, and more, as well. Sessions will be in room 226 at Logan County High School, through entrance #5 in back of the school, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays, April 9, 16 and 23. Lillard will also teach this class.

CLASS FEE: $30

Container Gardening -- As you wait out the frosty temperatures and hope for warmer days, you might find yourself daydreaming about this wonderful class, which will be taught by Robert and Jodi Stuart at Stuart Gardens, 2055 Halls Store Road in Russellville. In the Stuarts’ beautiful garden setting, you’ll learn how to use a variety of containers, plants, flowers and vegetables to create container gardens ranging from small to large, functional to beautiful. Participants will provide their own containers and may provide their own flowers and plants and potting soil, or purchase the live things and soil from Stuart Gardens. Classes will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, April 10, 17 and 24.

CLASS FEE: $30, plus the purchase of plants, flowers and potting soil if you buy those items from Stuart Gardens

Experience Watercolor -- This four-session workshop will find you bringing out your inner artist as you experience different watercolor techniques used by painters. Along with exercises that will strengthen your skill as a watercolor painter, you’ll get to create multiple pictures of your favorite subjects. Instructor Jennie Blake, who teaches art at Stevenson Elementary School, suggests bringing pictures or ideas to class for inspiration. This workshop will meet in the art room at Stevenson from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on Thursdays, April 19 and 26 and May 3 and 10. Your art supplies will be supplied by Ms. Blake. Don’t forget that because class size for this workshop is limited to 8, early registration is recommended. Don’t let this one pass you by!

CLASS FEE: $45

Registration

You may register for classes by calling (270) 726-8405, by e-mailing alicia.carmichael@russellville.kyschools.us or by stopping by the Russellville Independent Schools Central Office, which houses the Community Education office, at 355 South Summer Street.

Don’t forget that because the Experience Watercolor class is limited to only eight participants, early registration is recommended. Registration for all other classes, including payment for each class, must be completed at least one week prior to the beginning of class.

Community Education Director Alicia Carmichael hopes anyone with questions about the spring class schedule or ideas for future Community Education classes will contact her.

“Our goal is to make fun, inexpensive lifelong learning opportunities accessible to everyone,” she said. “We’re already working on classes we can have in the fall, and are excited to say there will be a Hispanic cuisine cooking class on the Community Ed schedule for the first time then.”