It's Officially Fall

Maybe you missed signing up for one of our classes in September. Never fear, we have more great classes starting in October.

See below under technology for details!

🎃 Make a spook-tacular candle for the jack-o-lantern on your front porch

🎃 Learn how to start a small boo-siness

🎃 Prepare mouth-watering gore-met meals, like soups, fried chicken, and mac and cheese

🎃 Pick up some new computer skills and take the scariness out of using a PC

After many requests for a basic computer class to come back to Lifelong Ed, we are happy to announce our new Basic Computer Skills Class starting on Wednesday, October 2. The class will take place at our sister Adult Ed campus, Loma Vista Adult Center in Concord from 1-3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays from October 2-23.

Consider this your call to action. Sign up now.

We have one-day sessions and ongoing weekly classes, including new selections in Cooking, Personal Enrichment, and Technology. Surprise yourself with where you can go when you step into a Lifelong Ed classroom!

All of our classes can be found on our website: mdae.mdusd.org. To register for any class, click the registration link in this newsletter or point your web browser to our website. For questions, call us at (925) 937-1530, or email us at lifelonged@mdusd.org.

All classes held at Pleasant Hill Adult Education Center—One Santa Barbara Rd., Pleasant Hill unless otherwise indicated

Zuppa soup is a delicious and hearty Italian soup made with a combination of sausage, potato, kale, and a rich broth.

Wednesday, Oct 2, 6:00-9:00 PM

Instructor: Tryphena Jefferson

$45 • Register

Lasagna soup is a deconstructive version of the classic Italian dish featuring all the flavors of lasagna in a comforting and easy-to-eat soup.

Wednesday, Oct 16, 6:00-9:00 PM

Instructor: Tryphena Jefferson

$45 • Register

Pho soup is a fragrant and comforting Vietnamese dish made with flavorful broth, rice noodles and tender slices of meat or tofu garnished with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and lime, creating a harmonious balance of flavors and textures.

Wednesday, Oct 23, 6:00-9:00 PM

Instructor: Tryphena Jefferson

$48 • Register

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with our crispy and flavorful fried chicken. Paired perfectly with creamy and cheesy macaroni, this classic combination will leave your taste buds smiling.

Wednesday, Oct 9, 6:00-9:00 PM

Instructor: Tryphena Jefferson

$45 • Register

Learn how to make your own scented candle - a beautiful gift for friends and family, or a wonderful way to make your home smell just right for each season. Leave with an 8oz. candle and the know-how to make more!

Tuesday, Oct 15, 6:00-9:00 PM

Instructor: Staff

$32 • Register

Design and create lovely rings, pendants, charms, and more! Items will be cast into precious or non-precious metals via the lost wax technique.

Thursdays, Oct 10-Dec 12, 6:00-9:00 PM

Instructor: Joseph Mullin

$159 • Register

Gain beading confidence from the encouragement of others, or work on independent bead projects with the help of a knowledgeable instructor.

Wednesdays, Oct 30-Dec 4, 4:00-6:00 PM

Instructor: Joyce Trowbridge

$56 • Register

Creating decorative headpins, jump rings, and simple clasp by adding soldering to your jewelry making toolbox.

Wednesdays, Oct 30-Dec 4, 6:30-8:30 PM

Instructor: Joyce Trowbridge

$66 • Register

After mastering the basic knit and purl stitches, learn variations to knit beautiful items for yourself, your home, or for gifts.

Wednesdays, Oct 30-Dec 11, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

Thursdays, Oct 31-Dec 12, 6:30-8:30 PM

Instructor: Dinah Holmes

$67 • Register

Use all-natural ingredients to make your own lip balm! Combined yummy labels for the perfect gift or treat. Leave with 4 lip balms and a recipe.

Thursday, Oct 24, 7:00-8:30 PM

Instructor: Julie Gilbert

$18 • Register

Sharpen quilting skills and learn new ones with an emphasis on precision skill building. Participate in class project or bring your own.

Tuesdays, Oct 22-Nov 19, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Instructor: Cynthia Sloneker

$84 • Register

Work on your own project at own pace in our well-equipped classroom. Instructor provides direction and coaching as needed. Prerequisite: Sewing - Beginning or some sewing experience.

Wednesdays, Oct 23-Nov 20, 6:00 PM-9:00 PM

Instructor: Melinda Moore

$100 • Register

Annual Open House

Make your offer stand out! Learn the entire home buying process: loan qualification and low down payments; first time buyer programs; tax saving; purchase contracts; disclosures, inspections, and buyer obligations. Feel confident, able and ready to buy a home!

Tuesdays, Oct 1-8, 6:30-8:30 PM

Instructor: Simone St. Clare

$43 • Register

Do you have a talent or knowledge to share? Not all teaching positions require a California Teaching Credential. Benefits of working part time: flexible schedule, part time day or evening, adults are fun to teach and you will supplement your income!

Wednesday, Oct 2, 7:00-8:00 PM

Instructor: Jan Schmitz

Free • Register

What do you need to start your own business? This class covers the essential steps in visualizing your business and answers your questions about taxes, licenses, and the need to form a business entity. Bring your ideas to discuss.

Wednesday, Oct 23, 7:00-8:30 PM

Instructor: Rex Crandell

$22 • Register

Are you curious about reverse mortgages? Do you want to dispel the myths and learn about the safety and history of reverse mortgages? Get the facts about how this mortgage can help you!

Tuesday, Oct 15, 10:00-11:30 AM

Instructor: Annemarie Drosos

$20 • Register

For those new to Medicare, this free class presented by the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) in Contra Costa County covers aspects of Medicare Health Insurance. Do you have questions? HICAP has the answers.

Tuesday, Oct 8, 7:00-9:00 PM

Instructor: Shari Safianoff

Free • Register

A Layman's Guide to Investing

Learn the fundamentals of investing including an understanding of basic investment vehicles, investment analysis, portfolio management and risk assessment. Instructor is not associated with any investment company, bank or investment advisors. Register at our website.

This course will build on forms learned in Tai Chi for Arthritis - Beginning. We will review Part 1 and Advanced Part 1 before learning the new forms in Part 2. If time permits, Tai Chi for Energy and Yang 24 Short Form will be touch on. Prerequisite: Completion of Tai Chi for Arthritis - Beginning.

Tuesdays, Oct 15-Dec 10, 10:30-11:30 AM

Instructor: Eileen Ladarre

$53 • Register

Learn how your home electrical system works and how to safely replace electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers, extension cords, and lamp cords. This is a hands-on class where you will learn to make home repairs in a safe manner. The proper tools and testing equipment will be reviewed. Come with all your electrical questions and get answers from a retired contractor.

Thursdays, Oct 24-Nov 7, 6:00-9:00 PM

Instructor: Kevin Hennessy

$83 • Register

Whether preserving family furniture or sprucing up flea market finds, these skills will get you there. Learn to strip furniture, disassemble, reassemble, repair wood and veneer, reclaim hardware, rejuvenate finishes, and finish wood in a variety of finish materials. Returning students will learn the finer points of sanding, wood preparation, restoring corners and edges, grain filling, veneer repairs, epoxy-based wood replacement, burn-in lacquer repairs, French polishing, and a array of touch-up repairs.

Thursdays, Oct 31-Dec 5, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Instructor: Paul Renaud

$120 • Register

Using immersion techniques, this class focuses on fluent communication
with greater linguistic accuracy. Students develop proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing through fun exercises, songs and games.

Wednesdays, Oct 2-Dec 11, 6;00-8:00 PM

Instructor: Ana Galvan

$121 • Register

Fun activities, conversation, and visual aids in a friendly and supportive environment. Taught in Spanish by a native speaker with emphasis on proper pronunciation and easy techniques for learning grammar.

Wednesdays, Oct 2-Dec 11, 9:00-11:00 AM

Instructor: Ana Galvan

$121 • Register

Dreaming of your next big trip? Learn basic Spanish for travel - conversation and vocabulary practice - while also studying about the culture, art, and food of various Spanish-speaking countries.

Fridays, Oct 4-Dec 13, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM

Instructor: Ana Galvan

$180 • Register

Lifelong Ed Spanish Instructor Ana Galvan is also a published novelist. She just returned from a trip to her native Spain, where she visited the restaurant featured in her new novel, Meet Me at the Chicote. Galvan will be speaking at a local author showcase Saturday, November 2 from 1-3pm at the Hercules Library. Here’s a bit about her book and some photos from her trip this month!

Set in the 1930s pre-Spanish Civil War period, Balvan’s historical novel pays homage to her grandfather who tended bar at the famous Madrid watering hole frequented by notable figures such as Ernest Hemingway.

“I was discussing Hemingway’s books with one of my students, when we came across a short story called, ‘The Denunciation’ where the setting is the famous Spanish bar Cicote. I told my student that my grandfather worked there and it was at that moment that it dawned on me that my grandfather might have known Hemingway, he might have talked to him, served him a cocktail. I decided to do some research in old Spanish newspapers and found pictures of my grandfather with Perico Chicote, the owner of the bar. By then I was hooked on this era, 1930s Spain. As I started writing a fictionalized account of my grandfather’s job, other characters came knocking and I decided to give them a voice in the form of vignettes.”

Ana Galvan teaches Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Spanish and Spanish for Travelers with Lifelong Ed.

In one session, receive an introduction to self-hypnosis, information on hypnosis for weight, pain, and stress management, a group hypnosis session, and a recording for after class work.

Wednesday, Oct 23, 3:00-4:30 PM

Instructor: Michelle Walters

$22 • Register

Build on the basic principles of lmprov and move forward with scene work and character development. Hone your skills to be closer to stage ready!

Thursdays, Oct 24-Nov 21, 5:00-6:30 PM

Instructor: Jaime Rich

$50 • Register

Are you sugar-obsessed? Learn practical techniques for avoiding sugar. The second half of the class is a hypnosis session designed to help you back off of sugar and decrease over-active thoughts about it.

Wednesday, Oct 2, 6:00-7:30 PM

Instructor: Michelle Walters

$22 • Register

Besides telling you exactly what time it is, you can also use Apple Watch to make phone calls, measure your heart rate, find your way home, and much more. Bring your iPhone and Apple Watch for a review of the Watch's features.

Wednesdays and Thursdays, Oct 2, 3, 9, 10, 10:00 AM-12:30 PM

Instructor: Mike Matthews

$96 • Register

Master the basics and make computers your friend! Perfect for adults with little or no computer experience. Learn how to search for information, communicate with family and friends, and manage your work without a flash drive. In-class computer provided (ok to bring own laptop).

Wednesdays, Oct 2-23, 1:00-3:00 PM at the Loma Vista campus (1266 San Carlos Avenue

Instructor: Eunyoung Cho

$56 • Register

Basic Computer Skills class returns to Lifelong Ed!

Instructor Eunyong Cho is excited to assist adults in taking charge of their computers, helping with email, Google searches, and more! With a Master's in Information Management from UC Berkeley, Eunyoung has been helping older adults solve their computer problems at Pleasant Hill Library. She specializes in helping adults learn essential tech skills and is passionate about making technology accessible, practical, and enjoyable for beginners.

You've got a trip coming up and your iPhone is a perfect traveling companion. Bring your iPhone updated to the latest version of iOS.

Thursday, Oct 3, 2:00-4:00 PM

Instructor: Mike Matthews

$25 • Register

Photos and videos contain our most precious memories, and you can use your iPhone and Apple Photos app to organize them, edit them just the way you want, and easily share them with others.

Wednesday-Friday, Oct 23-25, 2:00-4:00 PM

Instructor: Mike Matthews

$72 • Register

2024 promises to be a big year for Apple Watch and there’s a lot that’s new. We’ll cover it all in this class.

Thursday, Oct 10, 2:00-4:00 PM

Instructor: Mike Matthews

$25 • Register

The next step in woodturning - new tools and techniques used to turn wooden bowls - includes information on design and multiple techniques for mounting and turning. Prerequisite: Woodturning – 101 at PHEC.

Tuesday-Thursdays, Oct 1-17, 6:00-9:00 PM

Instructor: Rick Nelson

$159 • Register

A vast selection of tools and accessories will allow you to undertake most project under the guidance of expert coaches. Prerequisite: Woodturning – 101 Introduction to Woodturning at PHEC.

Fridays, Oct 4, 11, 18, 25, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM • Instructor: Anna Duncan

Friday, Oct 4, 18, 25, 1:00-4:00 PM • Instructor: Richard Dietrich

$15 per session • Register

Learn how to turn a small box using different technique for the top. Practice cutting and measurement for a correct fit on a practice piece. Then repeat the process with a finer piece off wood. Prerequisite: Woodturning 101 at PHEC.

Wednesdays, Oct 30-Nov 13, 1:00-4:00 PM

Instructor: Claudia Foster

$105 • Register

Whether preserving family furniture or sprucing up flea market finds, these skills will get you there. Learn to strip furniture, disassemble, reassemble, repair wood and veneer, reclaim hardware, rejuvenate finishes, and finish wood in a variety of finish materials. Returning students will learn the finer points of sanding, wood preparation, restoring corners and edges, grain filling, veneer repairs, epoxy-based wood replacement, burn-in lacquer repairs, French polishing, and a array of touch-up repairs.

Thursdays, Oct 31-Dec 5, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Instructor: Paul Renaud

$120 • Register

Join other woodworkers for a monthly exchange of ideas and information. Guest speakers demonstrate unique aspects of woodworking. Class alternates between meeting in-person and meeting online using Zoom. The location is announced in the monthly newsletter. Email David Lipscomb for information, davidlipscombii@comcast.net. This class is offered both in person and/or online.

Wednesdays, Oct 10-Nov 13, 7:00-9:00 PM

Instructor: Staff

Free • Register

Here is the summer Woodworking II class with their COMPLETED tables!!! Their instructor was Kevin Hennessy.

Cooking

Easy to make Seafood Hors d’Oeuvres

Mushroom Cooking

Pot Sticker Party!!

Soup for the Soul

Crafts

Candle Making

Creative Floral Design!

Creative Floral Design - Continuing Advanced!

Gift Wrapping

Jewelry - Friendly Beading

Finance

A Layman's Guide to Investing

How to Start a Small Business

Reverse Mortgages...Let's Talk FACTS!

Welcome to Medicare

Home and More

Home Solar - Does it make sense for me?

Personal Enrichment

Boost Your Mood, Not Your Food

Hypnosis for Personal Management

Technology

Accessibility for Everyone

Apple and AI

iPad 101

iPhone 101

What's New with iPad

What's New with iPhone

Woodturning

Woodturning - Independent Projects Open Shop

Woodturning - Open Segment Turning

Woodworking

Diablo Woodworkers

Woodworking – Independent Project Open Shop

Woodworking - Wood Finishing - The Art of Wood Finishing

Do you have a skill that you'd like to share with others? Could be you're a perfect candidate to join our staff as an instructor. And you never know where that might lead.

We are currently seeking instructors for French, gardening, and ukulele, and are open to what you have in mind!

If you're interested in joining our team, contact Jan Schmitz at schmitzj@mdusd.org or (925) 682-8000 ext 3916 for more information.

Even better, drop in on our Community Based Instructor class on Wednesday, October 2 at 7:00 p.m. and explore your options. It would be great to see you!

Maybe next year, we'll find someone to teach this class:

Zombie Survival: Brainy Strategies for the Apocalypse

Prepare for the worst in this thrill-packed course that covers essential survival skills—from finding food to building shelter, so you’ll never be caught dead in an emergency.

Many people—people just like you—are taking advantage of a slate of classes in arts, crafts, finance, fitness, Apple classes, woodworking, cooking, and a myriad of other subjects.

New classes are added regularly. Check our website for updates and register for classes. You can also call us at (925) 937-1530 or email us at lifelonged@mdusd.org.

From our website...

1. Click on the Programs button then click Lifelong Education.

2. Click a Quick Links class category.

3. Click the blue Register Now box for the class you're interested in.

If you are a returning student, enter your email and password and click log in.

If you are a new student, click Create an Account.

And let your friends know about our array of classes via your social media account. A simple tweet or Facebook post will do.

Don't miss out. Don't be left behind. Enroll today. It's easier than ever to add a new skill, refine an old one, or just learn something new.

Need to access our catalog online? Just click the image below.