From flower arrangement to financial peace: community classes offered

Published 9:55 am Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The following classes are offered at the Butler County Board of Education, 211 School Highlands Road (Greenville) on Monday and Tuesday evenings as specified below. Class tuition is noted by each class and tuition is supplemented by grants and Title funds. Call Kathy Atchison at 382-5199 to register or for more information on classes. Registrations are due 2 weeks prior to the start date. Classes are available on a first come, first served basis.

ACT Crash Course: This class helps students focus on test techniques and proven success strategies on the ACT. Instructor: High School Counselor Tomesha Hamilton. Date: March 7, Time:  6-8 p.m.,Conference Room

Basic Computer Training: Get the most of your home computer! Learn the basics of email, Word, photo sharing and other applications. Instructor:  Kathy Worrell Higdon. Tuition: $10 Dates: March 8 & 15, Time: 6-8 p.m., Computer Lab

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Basic Computer Training II: This is a second session for more practice and in-depth exploration of basic computer applications. Instructor: Kathy Worrell Higdon, Tuition: $10, Dates: March 22 & 29, Time: 6-8 p.m., Computer Lab

Basic Photography I: Bring your camera, either point & shoot or SLR. Learn both technical and artistic points of photography, camera modes and what they do along with photography projects. Instruction will cover photo printing and the many ways to print images today and introduce photo software programs. The instructor for this class, a licensed professional photographer with 20 years experience, has taught amateur and professional photography classes for 14 years in Montgomery.  Instructor: Photographer Michael Nimmer, Tuition: $25, Dates: Feb. 15, 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Time: 6-7 p.m., Board Meeting

Beginner Clogging: Learn new steps like the “cotton-eyed Joe, “rocking chair,” “basic,” “double,” “triple,” and “fancy double.” No previous dance experience required. Instructor: Paige Barr, teacher and dancer, Tuition: $15, Dates: Feb. 15, 22, March 1, 8, 15, & 22, Time: 6-8 p.m., Cafeteria

Beginner Cycling: Learn the basics of bike maintenance, bike safety, and the health benefits of cycling. Begin preparation for a long distance bike ride, the Butler County Bike Ride for Relay for Life on March 19, and learn of other area cycling events. Instructor: Cyclist Karen Higgins, Tuition: Free, Date: Feb. 15, Time: 6-8 p.m., Room 16

Beginning Smocking I: Learn the “lingo” and basics to geometric smocking. No previous experience required. Instructor: Fine Things Owner Mary Bertha Godwin Zorn, Tuition: $10, Dates: Feb. 28, March 1, 7, Time: 6-8 p.m. Room 16

Beginning Stacking (Smocking II): Learn to smock pictures in this follow up to the smocking class. All previous smocking students are encouraged to join us. Instructor: Mary Bertha Zorn, Tuition: $10, Dates: March 28, Time: 6-8 p.m., Room 16

Buying and Selling on eBay: Explore eBay and set up your eBay and PayPal accounts with guidance on your first night. On the 2nd night, bring an item to sell, get help photographing & uploading pictures of your item, write descriptions, etc. Learn to turn your trash into cash! Instructor: Toni Kilpatrick, Tuition: $10, Dates: Feb. 22 & March 1, Time: 6-8 p.m., Computer Lab

College Scholarships: High school juniors, seniors, and/or their parents will learn about finding scholarships, organizing student credentials, standing out on applications, writing unique essays, and other tips to succeed in securing financial help for college. Instructor: High School Counselor Tomesha Hamilton, Tuition:  Free, Date: Feb. 28, Time: 6-8 p.m., Conference Room

Cleaning Your Computer: Learn to remove spyware and downloads, find lost icons, and clean up your computer for faster performance. Instructor: Toni Kilpatrick, Tuition: $10, Date: April 5, Time: 6-8 p.m., Computer Lab

Controlling High Blood Pressure: Learn whether or not you are at risk for developing high blood pressure, what the numbers mean, what your BP should be, what lifestyle changes reduce the risk for high blood pressure, what foods to avoid and what foods to include in your diet to reduce your risk for high blood pressure. Instructor: Ada Sue Thompson, RN, Tuition: Free, Date: March 21, Time: 6-8 p.m., Room 125

Creating Centerpieces with Pizzazz: Make any occasion special with creative ideas for centerpieces for holidays, baby & bridal showers, parties, and special dinners with thoughtful and inexpensive items. Centerpieces will be on display and created while you watch. Instructor:  Nancy Idland, Tuition: $10, Date: March 14, Time: 6-8 p.m., Conference Room

CPR Certification: Earn American Red Cross Certification for administering CPR. Instructor: ARC trainer Ada Sue Thompson, R.N. Tuition: $10, Dates: March 7 or April 5, Time: 6-8 p.m., Room 125

Day Care Licensing: This course is designed to help those interested in opening a licensed family day care business. Instructor: Lisa Nimmer of Healthy Kids, Tuition: Free, Dates: March 15, 22, 29, April 5, 19, 26, May 3 & 10, Time: 6-8 p.m., Pre-K Library

Event Planning: Experienced artist and event planner shares organizational frameworks, creative ideas, shopping and bargaining tips, and the detailing required to execute a flawless and spectacular wedding, party, or special event. Instructor: Nancy Idland, Tuition: $10, Date: March 21, Time: 6-8 p.m., Conference Room

Flower Arranging: Florist shares ideas on texture, color, and dramatic flair as you create your own floral arrangement to take with you. Instructor: Nancy Idland, Tuition: $15, Date: March 28, Time: 6-8 p.m., Conference Room

Financial Peace University: Dave Ramsey (radio host & best-selling author) teaches “financial peace” with humorous and enlightening approaches to dumping debt, growing emergency funds, avoiding credit sharks, etc. Ramsey’s Financial Peace course, presented through DVD and workbooks, is offered at churches and organizations throughout the nation. Butler County’s first group saved an average $1300 per family and paid off an average $2400 per family in the 13 week course. Tuition includes membership kit with book, workbook, envelope system, web access passcode, 13 lessons on CD, and more. Facilitator: FPU graduate Amy Bryan, Tuition: $25, Dates: Feb. 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, 18, & 25, Time: 6-8 p.m., Board Meeting Room

First Aid Certification: Earn American Red Cross Certification for administering first aid. Instructor: ARC trainer Ada Sue Thompson, R.N., Tuition: $10. Dates: March 8 or April 4, Time: 6-8 p.m., Room 125

Learning to Cook: This class will start with the very basics of cooking (measuring, reading recipes, baking and grilling tips, menu planning and shopping tips, etc.) and is geared to those that have no kitchen experience (teens, brides-to-be, and bachelors). Instructor: Ada Sue Thompson, Tuition: $5, Dates: April 25 & 26, Time: 6-8 p.m., Room 125

Menu Planning for Weight Loss: Get recipes, learn to evaluate nutrition content, calculate appropriate calorie consumption, and gain helpful menu planning ideas to assist in weight loss success. Instructor: Ada Sue Thompson, R.N., Tuition: Free, Date: Feb. 21, Time:  6-8 p.m., Room 125

Photography II: Must have attended Basic Photography I class! We will cover more advanced technical and artistic photography techniques; set up a professional studio and shoot with models, working with basic and advanced lighting; cover advanced photo software and photo enhancement techniques. Instructor: Professional Photographer Michael Nimmer, Tuition: $10, Dates: April 5, 19, 26, Time: 6-7 p.m., Board Meeting Room

Sit and Sew (Smocking III): Work on your own smocking or stacking project with the help of an expert by your side. Instructor:  Mary Bertha Zorn, Tuition: $10, Dates: April 4 & 5, Time: 6-8 p.m., Room 16

Spring Container Gardening: Learn how to use hearty plants and flowers to balance height and color in order to create interesting and lasting container gardens for the spring and summer season. You’ll even take home a small container garden with you. Instructor: Nancy Idland, Tuition: $15, Date: April 25, Time: 6-8 p.m., Conference Room

Zumba Dance: Lisa Nimmer, Certified Zumba Instructor, Tuition: $25, Date: March 15, 22, & 29, April 5, 19 & 26, Time: 6-7 p.m., Gymnasium