Personal Enrichment
Personal Enrichment course topics include: Art, Astronomy, Creative Writing, Finance Planning, Interior Design, Supper Club, and many more.
Abstract Painting
Experience the joy and freedom of abstraction with this hands-on painting class that focuses on the major styles from cubism to abstract expressionism. Students are welcome to work with their own choice of medium, oil, acrylic, or water color.
FOR ACRYLIC PAINTING SUPPLY LIST CLICK HERE
FOR BEGINNING OIL SUPPLY LIST CLICK HERE
Accent Reduction Part 1
Practice new pronunciations with direct feedback from our professional, speech-language pathologist. As you change pronunciation, learn American formal and informal expressions in a relaxed, workshop-style course setting. Limited to 15 students.
What will be covered:
- Recognition of the difference between the targeted American English sounds and error productions
- Pronunciation of a number of sounds the American way in isolation, words and sentences
- Inclusion of these new productions in oral reading and in your spontaneous speech
- Introduction of American formal and informal expressions
After this class, you will be able to:
- Recognize the difference between the targeted American English sounds and error productions
- Pronounce a number of sounds the American way in isolation, words and sentences
- Begin to include these new productions in your spontaneous speech
Accent Reduction Part 2
Expand your knowledge, vocabulary and use of American expressions in areas such as descriptive language, oral explanations, guided discussions, and examining how to reply in conversational situations. Limited to 10. Prerequisite: Accent Reduction: Part 1
PREREQUISITE: You must complete Accent Reduction Part 1 before taking this course.
CLICK HERE FOR REQUIRED BOOK
What will be covered:
- Learning to produce the target sounds in multi-syllable words through extensive oral reading
- Analysis of short video clips for auditory discrimination, humor and vocabulary/American expressions
- Oral explanations, conversation, discussion with attention to inclusion of all target sounds
After this class, you will be able to:
- Pronounce the target sounds more consistently in both oral reading and in spontaneous speech
- Better discriminate discrete words in rapid speech, even when the words are not fully spoken
- Expand your knowledge and use of American expressions in areas such as descriptions, explanations, paraphrasing and replies
Acrylic Painting for the Novice
This course will touch on composition, color theory and handling, and how to achieve pictorial depth and painterly surfaces. Students will get individual attention to help achieve their personal goals.
Artistic Landscape Enhancements
Utilize best practices to elevate your understanding of the principles and elements of stunning, artistic landscapes. Leverage a firm grasp of these concepts to approach outdated sites and easily identify enhancements to maximize curb appeal.
After this class, you will be able to:
- Describe what makes a landscape beautiful.
- Explain what steps can leverage this knowledge to enhance dated sites.
- Map and manage the impact of shade in the landscape.
- Apply landscape industry best practices for installing enhancements.
- Manage drainage and rectify erosion issues.
Astronomy in the Suburbs - An Introduction to Star Gazing
Learn a basic understanding of the night sky and how to enjoy the stars from your own neighborhood. Your instructor will guide you through the constellations and how to use a sky chart to locate the major stars and planets and observe the moon phases.
Learn a basic understanding of the night sky and how to enjoy it from your own neighborhood. Your instructor will guide you through the constellations and how to use a sky chart to locate the major stars, locate the major planets and observe the phases of the moon. In this course, you learn basic astronomy concepts to further your enjoyment of the night sky. Textbook is not required; however a list of recommend books is available by request.
Beginning Drawing
Take a methodical approach to traditional drawing techniques under the personal guidance of this experienced instructor, as your work becomes a direct channel for your own self-expression.
After this course you will be able to:
- Experience the basic techniques and methods necessary to confidently continue with more advanced classes
- Develop your work on your own and have, in general, a greater ability to observe and analyze visually
- Have a great deal of fun pursuing your artistic skills
FOR SUPPLY LIST CLICK HERE
Beginning Oil Painting
Learn everything needed (including the right techniques) to get started with this flexible, rewarding medium. Explore composition, color theory, depth, and harmony as you develop your own personal style and complete your first paintings.
FOR SUPPLY LIST CLICK HERE
Blueprint for Financial Success
We'll discuss wealth management and investments, retirement strategies, asset allocation models, estate planning, and risk management. Build a comprehensive checklist of important financial documents and a list of follow-up action steps.
Compelling American Conversations for Non-Native English Speakers
Practice conversational English in the classroom through a series of activities -- game playing, presentations, role playing, and others -- to help with pronunciation, vocabulary, and confidence. Students will practice in pairs and small groups.
Students will practice in pairs, small groups, and with the class as a whole. Additionally, students will be expected to do approximately 2 hours each week of preparation for the next class session to include outside reading, research, or textbook exercises.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE REQUIRED BOOK
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Practice real-world conversations to gain confidence with the English language
- Practice vocabulary, pronunciation, and usage to improve comprehension, expand word and phrase bank, and increase fluency
- Choose appropriate idioms and phrasal verbs to include in conversations
- Practice listening and responding through stories, conversation activities, and class discussions
Decorating Basics
Explore basic interior design principles: identification of style components, continuity and flow, selection of appropriate pieces, proper furniture placement, use of color, texture, and lighting, and proper execution of wall art and groupings.
This course will address basic interior design principles such as identification of style components, and how to have continuity and flow while introducing complimentary and eclectic items. Class will also cover proper furniture placement, use of color, texture, and lighting, and how to select appropriate pieces that you presently own and to identify what you need to complete the look. Proper execution of wall art and groupings are also discussed.
Decorating Basics II
Create beautiful and functional spaces where you live, work, and play as we explore color theory and the physiological effects of color on work environments. Tuition includes exclusive 'trade only' store tour to review concepts and learn industry secrets.
English Refresher
Identify the principles of effective writing, basic mechanics, and correct usage. Via writing and grammar exercises, work to improve grammar and punctuation skills by learning how they work in the context of your own writing and that of professionals.
CLICK HERE FOR REQUIRED BOOK
After this class, you will be able to:
- Use your increased knowledge of English grammar
- Know the eight parts of grammar
- Use improved writing skills
- Use improved vocabulary
- Use increased reading skills
Enjoying Wine: The Basics and Beyond
Join us to learn how wine is made, different styles and types of wines, and the fascinating people behind these creations. Six to eight wines will be tasted at each class, accompanied by light food pairings. Must be 21 years old with valid ID.
Estimating and Proposing Landscape Enhancements
Intended for landscape designers and installation professionals, the course will cover the meaning of margin and mark-up as well as the industry's best techniques and formulas for estimating landscape upgrades, enhancements, and installations.
- Define the difference between "gross margin" and "markup."
- Calculate material and labor cost for a typical landscape installation project.
- Accurately estimate and propose landscape enhancements for a desired profit margin.
Introduction to Home Staging
Identify both exterior and interior problems areas of a home and learn professional staging tips and techniques to create a 'show ready' home. Discover professional staging arrangement tools, showcasing, and display solutions to get homes sold.
After this course, students will be able to:
- Identify design themes that will sell a home
- Be able to describe packaging and positioning solutions for staging a home
- Identify the three stages of buying/selling a home
- Apply practical and professional staging tips and techniques to showcase a home for sale
Kitchen Design and Décor
Experts say even minor kitchen remodels return more value than any other project. Explore your style and how you will achieve it, including choices for cabinets, floors, countertops and lighting. Identify tips and techniques to make the job much easier.
Experts say even minor kitchen remodels return more value than any other project on the list--about 81 percent, nationally. Whether you're building or remodeling a kitchen, the process doesn't have to be stressful. Find the inspiration and courage to begin your project with the expertise of noted Interior Design Expert, Lee Anne Culpepper. Explore your style and how you will achieve it. Choices for cabinets, floors, countertops and lighting can be overwhelming – receive the information you need to make the job much easier!
Learning the Fundamentals of Investing
Our comprehensive overview of investing aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to help make informed investment decisions. We’ll discuss how stocks, bonds, and other investments fit together as part of a diversified strategy.
Interested in learning more about investments but don’t know exactly where to start? Our course will provide a comprehensive overview of both the principles of investing as well as individual classes of investments. We’ll discuss the ‘time value of money’ and then dig deeper into how stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investment vehicles fit together as part of a diversified strategy. Groups will also utilize online resources in order to select individual securities and manage their own virtual portfolios in a friendly competition. While not specifically a financial planning course, we will delve into some of those related aspects while discussing what to look for when working with a financial advisor. The purpose of the course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to help make informed investment decisions based on facts rather than just instinct and/or gut feelings.
Materials: Principle Based Investing: A Sensible Guide to Investment Success (available in the Kindle version), HP-12c financial calculator (If you have a Smartphone you can download the HP-12C calculator application for free on Android and around $10 on IPhone.)
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE REQUIRED BOOK
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Examine the fundamentals of security markets and investments as appropriate to the personal investor
- Explore the effects of investments on personal finances
- Determine the financial environment of their personal financial picture
- Demonstrate where different investments fit into their asset mix
Principles of Design
Explore the latest color and design trends and how to create spaces that inspire. Discover helpful software applications and learn how to incorporate 'green design' elements. We'll also discuss the wide variety of design career options.
Often a trend will inspire both the amateur and the professional. Explore the latest color and design trends and how to use them to create spaces that inspire. Examine the characteristics of fabrics and learn how to select effectively the appropriate fabric for the scheme, including mixing patterns and colors. Create eye catching rooms by discovering the levels of quality and best uses of furniture. You will be introduced to simple, computer assisted software applications that will allow you to change colors and other design elements in real time on your computer screen. This class will also reveal the importance of incorporating “Green Design” into your master plan and why green is now a standard in the design industry. Finally, be introduced to the variety of career options for design.
Watercolor 101 and Beyond
Come explore the science of color theory, learn about proper brush and paper selection, and practice effective painting techniques as you develop and refine your personal style through self-expression. Both new and experienced painters are welcome.
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Define and practice color theory with their paintings.
- Define and practice composition, proportions and a variety of techniques with their paintings.
- Determine their innate watercolor painting style through experimentation.
- Develop and complete a painting by class end.
FOR SUPPLY LIST CLICK HERE
Improving Writing Impact for Non-Native English Speakers
Explore several different writing formats so you can learn how to write more clearly and use grammar correctly. Participants will practice identifying and correcting grammar errors pertaining to verb tenses and form, sentence structure, and more. Tuition: $345.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE REQUIRED BOOK
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of grammar use in writing
- Write related sentences to form paragraphs and narratives using the building block of writing
- Identify areas of weakness in writing and develop strategies for reducing errors
- Demonstrate the ability to self-edit writing material
- Practice writing skills through a variety of communicative writing activities
Sustainable Impact Investing – Aligning Your Investments with Your Values
Sustainable Impact Investing can generate positive environmental and social outcomes as well as strong financial returns. Our class will give you the tools necessary to develop an investment portfolio that reflects what is important to you. Tuition: $125.
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Differentiate between various forms of Sustainable Impact Investing.
- Explore current trends in Sustainable Impact Investing.
- Assess their goals for this type of investing strategy.
- Incorporate Sustainable Impact investing into their personal investment strategy.
The Camera You Carry: Smartphone Photography
Take better photos using your smartphone! Hands-on demonstrations and practical assignments help you improve your photo quality via proper exposure, better composition elements and editing software -- then store and share your images with confidence. Tuition: $150.
After this class, you will be able to:
- Operate you smartphones with ease
- Recognize and utilize the camera features of the smartphone
- Improve the quality of your photos through proper exposure and better composition
- Store and share photos with confidence
- Enhance photos - after picture taking