 Continuing Education Short ClassesTaking the Plunge! Start Your Own Business
This class offers the student real-life, down to earth principles for developing and financing an entrepreneurial venture. If you thought running your own business might be for you, but you just weren’t sure, then this class will help you come closer to making the decision. Not only will the benefits of entrepreneurship be discussed, but the negatives will also be presented. Real world examples will be shown that will help you understand what makes businesses fail, and what makes then succeed. If you think running a business is for you, then this will be the best three hours you can spend! An Introduction to LinkedIn: A Hands on Approach to Social Networking for Business
LinkedIn is an Online Network of More than 30 Million Experienced Professionals from Around the World, Representing 150 Industries. Panoramic Photography: (3 hour session)
Think out of the box, the 8x10 and 5x7 box that is. Panoramic photos can be easier captured with today’s digital cameras. Some careful planning and the right settings can produce a set of individual images that can be “stitched” together into one long high-quality image. This workshop will cover the unique techniques of taking panoramas and how to stitch them together using one of the best softwares on the market, Adobe PhotoShop CS3 – Photo Merge. (bring some of your pano images, a CD-R or jump drive) Learn How To Sell on eBay The Right Way
This workshop is delivered by an eBay education specialist using the most up-to-date training and student materials – the same ones used by eBay University-your cost includes this student text. The “Know-How’s” of Digital Photography: (2-hour session)
Have a new digital camera? Confused by all the adjustments and options? Having trouble getting sharp colorful photos? This workshop will help answer those questions and cover digital photography techniques including; what subjects to shoot, how to steady your camera, catching the excitement of certain moments, and getting the most out of your digital camera's features. Also, learn a little about troubleshooting problems that may occur when taking digital photos including dealing with red-eye reduction, cloudy or cold weather, and reducing lens flare. (Bring your cameras and sample problem pictures) Internet Basics and Email Etiquett
Learn the basics of the internet, including the best search engines for searching for topics and how to do the search to get the information you need most efficiently. It is important to follow certain procedures when you email. Some of these etiquette areas will be discussed along with bugs and viruses that may affect your incoming emails and how to prevent them. All About Senior Healthcare
Trying to figure out the various kinds of supplemental insurances and the Part D plans for the government health care program when you hit the magic age of 65 can be confusing! When should you enroll, what are the enrollment periods, what doesn’t it cover, and what happens if you don’t enroll? A closer look at the government program Parts A, B C, D will be discussed, along with supplemental insurance plans and long term health care insurance, how to buy it, what to look for and how does it work. Expect a list of helpful resources to successfully guide you through the transition. –Come with questions and expect answers. Photoshop Basics: (3 hour session)
Need to resize, do a little retouching or get that prize winner ready to print? This workshop will cover the adjustments of how to improve and resize the image for all kinds of outputs, including email, website, blogs, inkjet and photolab prints. Learn how the professionals organize their workflow to produce good results every time by using the power of PhotoShop CS3. Includes an introduction to monitor calibration. AARP Sponsored Driver Safety Classes
Learn about current rules of the road, how to operate your vehicle more safely in today's increasingly challenging driving environment, and some adjustments to common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time. You will learn about: maintaining proper following distance at all times, the safest way to change lanes and make turns at intersections, the effects of medications on driving, minimizing the effect of dangerous blind spots, limiting driver distractions such as eating, smoking and cell phone use, properly using safety belts, air bags, and anti-lock brakes, maintaining physical flexibility, continuing to monitor your own and others' driving skills and capabilities. After completing the course, you'll develop a greater appreciation of driving challenges and how you can avoid potential collisions and injuries to yourself and others. You also may be eligible for insurance discounts. (Check with your auto insurance provider). A person registering for a class will need to provide their AARP membership number WHEN REGISTERING, AND bring their card to the class, (they will need to write the number on the class certificate). If they do not know their number or have lost their card, they can get their number by calling 1-888-687-2277. Non-AARP members may call the number above or visit www.aarp.org to become a member. They will NOT be allowed to join AARP on the day of the class. Eldercare Series-DARTS : Financial and Legal Issues
These issues are at the core of many aspects of helping an aging family member. Good planning now can help ease difficult times ahead. This seminar explores power of attorney, specialized insurance, health care directives, and other sometimes thorny family issues, as seen by an aging expert. Gain insight to the services your family may need and how to effectively prepare for professional consultations. Make Electrical Repairs and Add Electrical Features
This is a hands-on class for the electrical beginner. You will learn to make simple electrical repairs in your home such as installing a new light fixture, replacing switches and wall outlets, and checking fuses and circuit breakers. Tools will be available for you, or bring your own favorites. Adobe Lightroom Basics – (3 hour session)
How to use the new software kid on the block to download, organize, rename your images so your can track the thousands of images you shoot. An overview of the software will include the main features of library to create collections, key words, and ratings to sort images. Then a overview of the develop section for image correction and enhancement and on to printing and web gallery creation. You will have a chance to play with LightRoom 2.0 to see if it will help your workflow. (bring CD or CF of images to practice with) Maintain Your Home Computer without Frustration
Novice computer users: “Try not to feel confused or intimidate by your computer, but have fun with it!” This class will detail basic troubleshooting; show how to optimize your computer for best performance, provide an understanding of viruses and spyware and teach the basics of networking, wireless, and security. Eldercare Series-DARTS : Critical Conversations
Families value their elders and want old age to be the best experience possible. Having dialogue with the whole family is a way to make it happen. Talking with your elders about driving, health, independence, and dying can be difficult, but these conversations are critical to good planning. Use ideas from this seminar to help your family communicate better and work together to solve caregiving challenges and share the rewards. Matting and Framing Workshop: (Two sessions, 2-hour and a 4 hour)
Matting and Framing can seem like such a daunting task that you might even be tempted to turn to a frame shop and pay a huge fee to get a mat cut and a frame assembled. Learn to do this yourself. Come and get helpful hints, good material sources and access to materials and tools to gain the satisfaction of actually getting a couple of photos matted and framed during this workshop. Stress Management Strategies for Success
Managing stress is an ever-elusive ideal. We get caught up in a whirlwind of so much to do, so many different personal as well as professional hats to wear and so many people to please in our lives. This workshop will overview what stress management really means in regards to the big picture of your life as well as provide you with numerous “how to” strategies to get you started on your way to a more balanced, fulfilling and more stress free life. Adjusting Expenses To Income to Create Savings (Your Money Working for You)
This class addresses building and rebuilding credit, paying bills on time to allow for savings, money tracking, emergency money, record keeping, paycheck stub and exemptions, tax filing, manage-income plans, growing savings, reducing debts, understanding credit reports, free consumer protection, fraud and identity theft. Photoshop – Layers and Masks: (3 hour session)
Intermediate information on effective use of non-destructive adjustments to improve and enhance your images. Discussion of methods of b/w conversions, alternative methods of sharpening and how to use levels and curves to bring out the details and colors in your images. This is for someone who already has a good basic understanding of the tool palette of Adobe PhotoShop (bring some images) Eldercare Series-DARTS: Housing Options for Seniors
The goal for many seniors is to stay in their homes as long as possible. In this seminar, the question “where should I live?” is covered from all angles, including staying in your home, independent senior housing, and housing with services, as well as assisted-living housing and nursing homes. You’ll also learn the financial aspects of these options. An extensive list of Dakota County senior housing options is included. Make the Most of the Current Real Estate Market
The foreclosure market is a little trickier than what the infomercials suggest. It is possible to win in today’s tough real estate market. This seminar will introduce a variety of methods for purchasing residential real estate at bargain prices. Discover the concepts of “flipping”, buying up, and becoming a landlord. Designing and Creating Floral Planters
Pam Farrell, Manager Bachman's Floral Specialties Department Managing Change: Lunch and Learn
This workshop is designed to help you understand the importance of developing effective change management skills for personal and professional success. It is delivered in an interactive format which will allow you to learn about yourself and the world around you. This is a fun, engaging workshop that will be challenge you to view change management skills as an important personal asset. Workshop topics include:
Weeds, Insects, and Diseases Common to the Landscape
Everyone needs some help with weeds and bugs that destroy our plants and grass. Our landscaping expert knows the right products and tricks to create and nurture a garden and a lush lawn. Time Management Strategies for Success
Come join us for a fun, creative look at Time Management. Are you a procrastinator? Do you seem to only be able to get things done at the last possible moment yet get stressed about it for days or weeks ahead of time? Are you always wishing you had just one more hour for each day? If you answered yes to any of these questions then this presentation is tailor made for you! Numerous time management strategies will be discussed including several you can use without even opening up your calendar! Come join this fast paced session exploring how to manage, save and make the best use of your time! Start Your Own Business
This class offers the student real-life, down-to-earth principles for developing and financing an entrepreneurial venture. If you thought running your own business might be for you but just weren’t sure, this class will help guide your decision-making. Both the benefits and drawbacks of entrepreneurship will be presented, and real world examples will be shown that will help you understand what makes businesses fail or succeed. If you think running a business is for you, then this is three hours you won’t want to miss. |