Personal Enrichment at MCLA
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Take This Class or Die: How Staying Healthy Can Save Your Life and Make You Rich!

Instructor - Peter May

Thursdays, Mar. 6 – Apr. 10   7-8:30 pm.*    REF# 20595    CECS 100-01              Bowman 209   $65

Now that we’ve got your attention … the quality of your health will determine the quality of your life.  Here’s your chance to learn the simple adjustments you can make to your diet, fitness level and lifestyle management to take you from slow decline (no, it’s not inevitable) to glowing good health.  Like your mother always said, “As long as you’ve got your health…” 

* Due to the viewing of topical films, some classes may run over by a few minutes.

Money Management for Retirement Planning

Instructor – Gary Thomas

Tuesdays, Mar. 4-25     6:30 – 9 pm     REF# 20596    CECS 100-02              Bowman 211   $39

Learn what you need to know about these retirement planning issues and more:

Determine whether or not you can retire early.  Pinpoint your financial needs for retirement.  Learn how to potentially minimize your taxes.  Allocate your assets using mutual funds.  Learn how to seeks maximization of your income without subjecting yourself to risk.  Understand your long-term care options. $30 materials fee.

Caring for Your Aging Parent

Instructors - The staff of Elder Services        

Thursday, March 20^th    6-8 pm.           REF# 20597    CECS100-03               Bowman 211   $25 

All your life you’ve counted on your parents to take care of you.  Now that it’s time to return the favor, the task can seem pretty overwhelming.  Learn what to expect as your parent or loved one ages, as well as what resources are available to help both elders and caregivers.  Members of the “sandwich” generation will want to participate in this important and informative workshop.

Conversational Spanish

Instructor – Amy Bainbridge

Wednesdays, Feb. 27 – Apr. 2   6-7:30 pm        REF# 20614    CECS110-02    Bowman 204   $60

The ideal course for the beginner; the person looking to dust off their high school Spanish; the traveler anticipating a voyage south of the border (or in the vicinity of the border) or anyone who deals with a bilingual population. 

Conversational Italian

Instructor – John Moresi

Tuesdays, Feb. 5 – Apr. 8      6:30-8pm         REF# 20613    CECS110-01       CH1                $65

Taught by an instructor, who is bilingual from childhood, this great class is a basic introduction to using Italian in conversation. Geared toward the prospective traveler, you will explore various conversational situations.

Esperanto I – Allen Boschen

Thursdays, Feb. 7 – 28     6:30-9pm         REF#20615     CECS 110-03              Bowman 207 Free

This course will cover a broad expanse on the fundamentals to demonstrate the basis for its many applications in the general enhancement of education.  Speaking, reading, writing and listening exercises with amusing short stories, poems, songs and conversation are used throughout.

Esperanto II   Applying the fundamentals in greater depth   

Thursdays, Mar. 6 - 27      6:30-9pm         REF# 20616    CECS110-04               Bowman 207 Free

Esperanto III A continuation of all of the above       

Thursdays, Apr. 3 – 24     6:30-9pm         REF# 20617    CECS110-05               Bowman 207 Free

Rustic Italian Cuisine 

Instructors - John and Christopher Moresi

Mondays, Mar. 3 – 31     6:30-8 pm       REF# 20604    CECS200-01               CSC Kitchen   $65

Northern Italy is truly known for its rustic cuisine. Come learn the history and meal preparation of selected dishes taught by a first generation Italian American and his son, a professional chef. Experience live cooking demonstrations and get a chance to taste the flavorful cuisine of Northern Italy!  

$20 materials fee payable to the instructor the first night of class.

French Cuisine - April in Paris 

Instructor – Jean Claude Vierne

Wednesdays, Mar.5 – Apr. 9  6:30 -8 pm      REF# 20605    CECS200-02           CSC Kitchen   $65

Learn to infuse your menus with the insouciance of France in spring.  You’ll prepare French classics with a lighter twist.   Taught by a native-born, Paris-trained chef.  Magnifique!

$25 materials fee payable to the instructor the first night of class.

Wine Tasting

Instructor – Jim Nejaime

Fridays, Feb. 22 – Mar. 14     5:30–7 pm.      REF#20606     CECS 200-03         $65

Location:  Nejaime’s Wine Cellar at 60 Main Street, Lenox                         

This course will provide four weeks of focus on the three major wine-producing regions of the world as well as in-depth information about particular wines, winemakers and wineries.  Approximately eight wines will be sampled per session.  Class will take place in the Wine Cellar of Nejaime’s Wine & Liquor on Rt. 7 in Lenox.  Taught by a team of wine professionals. $40 materials fee payable to Nejaime’s at the first class.

Blogging 101

Instructor – Amy Stevens

Tuesdays, Jan. 8 & 15     6–8 pm.           REF#20612     CECS100-09       CSC        $50

The ideal class for anyone who’s wanted to learn how to get their own blog up and running.  Week 1 you’ll cover getting the lay of the blogging land and defining yourself and your site.  Week 2 is all about gathering content and setting up your blog.  Everything you need to get your very own piece of the web.

Calligraphy: The Art of Beautiful Handwriting

Instructor – Ann Kremers

Mondays, Jan. 21 – Feb. 25     7–9 pm            REF#20610     CECS100-07     Murdock 302  $60

Bookhand, classic, handsome, a very legible script, will be taught through demonstration and models.  Letterforms will be taught and each student will design and letter a text of their own choosing. 

$21 materials fee payable to the instructor the first night of class.

Watercolor

Instructor: Edith Leu

Tuesdays, Jan. 22 – Feb. 12       6-9pm             REF#20653     CECS100-16    Bowman 309   $60

This will be an introduction course for beginning and intermediate watercolorists.  Students will work in transparent colors from simple still life setup, laying washes, learning basics of color mixing, values, paper choices, etc.  Come explore this delightful medium and who knows what magic you can create!  Limit of 10 students.

Drawing

Instructor – Sean Riley

Tuesdays, Feb. 12 – Mar. 18      6–7:30 pm      REF#20611     CECS100-08    Gallery 51       $60

To Bead or Not to Bead

Instructor - Melissa James

Tuesdays, April 9 & 16      5:30–6:30 pm   REF#20598   CECS100-04        Bowman 104   $25

Stretch your creative muscles as well as your fashion dollars with this innovative new class in jewelry making.  Learn to make your own one-of-a-kind necklaces, bracelets and earrings from an accomplished craftswoman.  $10 materials fee payable to instructor first night of class.

Latin Dance for Couples

Instructor – Chris Hookie  

Thurs., Feb. 14 – Mar. 20  6–7 pm    REF#20599  CECS150-01   CSC Social Hall    $80 per couple

Feel the heat!  Learn the hip-swiveling, pulse-racing steps to the hottest Latin dances.  You’ll spend some serious time on the Cha Cha, Mambo, Tango, and Merangue.  This is six weeks of fitness disguised as fun!  The final class is a dance party for you to try out your new skills.

Instructor – Chris Hookie  

Thurs, Feb. 14– Mar 20   7–8 pm    REF#20601     CECS150-02   CSC Social Hall    $80 per couple

Tap into your inner Fred and Ginger.  Learn the basics (and not-so-basics) of Foxtrot (both Westchester and Magic Step), Waltz, and Polka.  You’ll also touch on Cha-Cha, Merengue, Rumba, Mambo and Salsa.  If you’ve been looking for a fun way to burn off some of that winter weight, here it is!  Six weeks of expert instruction with the final week as a dance party to show off your new skills.

Swing Dance for Couples

Instructor – Chris Hookie 

Thurs., Feb. 14–Mar. 20    8–9 pm     REF#20602     CECS150-03   CSC Social Hall    $80 per couple

Learn everything you need to know to rock around the clock!  All different styles of swing dance will be explored including western, pop/techno, jitterbug, Latin and the Hustle.  Guaranteed to raise your pulse rate and your spirits.  Six weeks of expert instruction culminate in a dance party.  Bobby socks and poodle skirts optional.

Clogging

Instructor – John Morton

Tues., Mar. 11–Apr. 15      7-8pm     REF#20603     CECS150-04   CSC Social Hall          $60

Clogging is a traditional American folk dance best described as a cross between tap dance and Irish step dancing.  You'll learn the basic steps and fundamentals of clogging along with a brief history of the dance.  A fun, wholesome activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, clogging also provides a solid cardiovascular workout.

All Levels Yoga – Paula Boyajian

Mon., Jan. 14–Mar. 3    5:30–6:30 pm  REF#20607     CECS100-05            $120

Location: Sullivan Lounge, Campus Center

Whether you're brand new to yoga or looking to deepen your practice, this eight-week class will help you find a new vitality and strength.   We'll work on stretching, strengthening postures and, of course, relaxing.   Although we may be in  a group setting, options will always be presented for beginners and even those recovering from an injury or dealing with a special condition such as arthritis or fibromyalgia.  Paula Boyajian is certified in Interdisciplinary yoga and has been working with mainstream students as well as those with special needs for 7 years.  Please join this class and find out why anyone can do yoga, regardless of age, size or injury. 

Home Recording – Jamie Choquette

Wed., Feb. 6-27   6–8 pm     REF#20608  CECS100-06    Skyboro Sound Studios, Windsor Mill, $75

Musicians are constantly looking for cost-effective ways to record their music at home.  New technology now allows users to record amazing projects at home without spending a fortune.  This course will cover the new trends in recording technology.  In addition, students will have learned new tricks that a commercial studio uses to get professional sounds that may be applied at home.  A final project will allow students to record in a professional recording studio (www.skyborosound.com).   Classes will meet at the Skyboro Sound Recording Studio in North Adams.                       

Opera Lovers – Keith Kibler

Mondays, Feb. 8 & Mar. 10    6:30-9pm         REF#20609    CECS200-04     Bowman 102   $25

The first evening will be “Candide” by Leonard Bernstein.  The second evening will be a revisit.  The opera will be “Der Rosenkavalier” by Richard Strauss.

Horticulture Certificate Program

The Horticulture Certificate Program of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and the Berkshire Botanical Garden is a non-credit adult enrichment program designed to benefit you: the professional, aspiring professional, homeowner and serious home gardener.

This popular program is held in Stockbridge, Mass. at the Berkshire Botanical Garden.  Level I courses meet on Tuesday evenings* and Level II courses meet on Wednesday evenings* with an occasional Saturday workshop. *NOTE some class’s meet on Monday.

For more information concerning the certificate requirements for this non-credit program call Elisabeth Cary, Director of Education, Berkshire Botanical Garden, 413-298-3926.

For a Horticulture brochure call 413-662-5543

Level I                        Tuesdays                    6-9pm                                                                                    

Ref#                CECS#                       Course                                                                                    Cost

20638              280-01                         Botany for Gardeners                                                             $120   

20640              280-03                         Advanced Landscape Care & Garden Maintenance         $120

20642              280-05                         Landscape Design I                                                                $145

20639              208-02                         All three courses                                                                     $345

Level II           Wednesdays               6-9pm

Ref#                CECS#                       Course                                                                                    Cost

20644              280-07                         Orchard and Small Fruit                                                         $120

20647              280-10                         Theme Garden Design                                                            $120

20648              280-11                         Mixed Border                                                                           $120

20645              280-08                         All three courses                                                                     $325