Bloomington Community Education

Convinced that you have 2-left feet and that dancing is not meant for you? Or do you know someone like this? But still… it would be helpful to know a few steps. Just in case…This workshop is easy and only 1 session! Geared to beginners and guided by a dance champion, you’ll have basic patterns plus a couple of turns by the end of the night! More than enough to provide a full night of dancing! Couples only please!  Enter Door 18, (southwest corner of building).

Grab some friends and enjoy an hour of fun, "funky" moves to the energetic Bruno Mars' song that will have you dancing the night away and burn off some calories before the holiday feasting!!!  No partner needed.

Are you over 50? Feel like you should exercise, but don’t know where to start? Want to rev up your metabolism to burn more calories? Have more energy? Relieve stress? If so, join us for low impact aerobics and balance, strength and core exercises.  Bring a mat, hand weights, resistance band, a water bottle and a smile!

Just For Women! A few reasons abdominal muscles weaken and lose shape are past pregnancies, surgeries, sitting at a desk all day, being sedentary and poor posture.  In this workshop, you will learn a series of extremely effective exercises that will quickly strengthen all four layers of abdominal muscle, especially the deepest layer WITHOUT stressing your back or neck joints and WITHOUT having to get on the floor.  Don't waste time with traditional crunches.  Learn a different, more effective way to strengthen your abdominals, re-shape your waistline and prevent/relieve lower back discomfort.

Learn with a Red Cross instructor who will guide you through hands-on practice of lifesaving skills. Learn to recognize and respond to cardiac and breathing emergencies. Successful students will receive a certificate of Adult CPR/AED valid for two years. A book will be available for you to borrow during the class. Feel welcome to download the book, or purchase First Aid/CPR/AED Participant’s Manual (r.2016) before class. Download: http://embed.widencdn.net/pdf/plus/americanredcross/8chdrkbqij/FA_CPR_AED_PM_Optimized.pdf?u=0aormr Participants can bring: beverage, snacks, garden mat for kneeling and reading glasses

Want to make bread with great flavor and texture? Surprise family and friends with fabulous, delicious homemade artisan breads! Learn to make savory, healthy loaves in less than 5 minutes using dough that you mix in minutes (no kneading required) and store in your refrigerator for up to two weeks. Sample several breads in class, mix up a batch of dough to take home and receive recipes for several artisan bread options. Demonstration, hands-on and tasting – you will leave class with a batch of bread dough and a warm loaf of bread that you make and bake in class. Bring a 4-quart mixing bowl with cover, a set of measuring cups and spoons, and a large wooden spoon to class. $8 supply fee collected by instructor in class.

Make lots of fun and easy super moisturizing melt 'n pour soaps in charming holiday shapes (snowflakes, gingerbread boys, candy canes, trees, snowmen, ornaments & more) using luscious holiday "dessert" fragrance oils (almond, chestnuts in brown sugar, chocolate mousse, mulberry, sugar plum, Christmas wreath, vanilla buttercream, warm creamy cinnamon...). Grab your best friends, family, neighbors and join our holiday soap making party! Beautiful handmade soaps make amazing holiday gifts!  Cost of materials is $20 and is collected by the instructor.

New Class!  Utilize your precious fabric scraps by repurposing them into a new project. Make, or simply mend a favorite garment with unique stitching. Students will learn how to use old fabric with quilting, patchwork and stitching to make a new piece of fabric. Artfully collage your fabrics on a piece of muslin and stitch them together. Students are welcome to bring their own fabrics, garments, or textiles, combining them to make items such as a wall hanging, pillow cover, tote bag or coaster. $15 supply fee collected by instructor in class or you may purchase your own supplies off the supply list that will be emailed to you prior to class.

Energize your brain and body. In this course, you will learn ways to activate and stimulate your nervous system. Course uses lecture and hands on practice of using holistic mind and body techniques. In this class, you will identify your own relationship with depression, demonstrate activities to awaken and energize yourself, and understand the integrated techniques that you can use with your depression.

New Class!  Weaving beads with a loom is a beautiful and traditional Native American art form that you can learn to do. Once you have added the warp to your loom, you are ready to begin weaving the weft, which is what you call the thread and beads that run across the warp. Supply list will be emailed prior to start of class.

Do you want to learn to play the guitar?  In a fun and relaxed atmosphere we will learn basic picking and strumming techniques, how to read and play notes and chords, and some basic songs.  Previous knowledge of music is not required.  We'll start from scratch and have you playing music in no time.  Students must provide their own guitar and prior to first class please purchase Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 1 (2nd Edition), by Will Schmid.  This class must be taken before advancing to Guitar II (Advanced Guitar).

Explore the ancient art of Bonsai. We will discuss the art and history of Bonsai, with a tree of your own to style. The first day covers style, art and branch placement. The second class covers potting the tree and additional refinement. $40 supply fee collected by instructor in class.

New Class!  Reach your retirement incentive goals! When people learn about and consider their options, retirement becomes appealing. This pre-retirement class focuses on how to transition your skills and talents to navigate the inevitable changes in family and social life. Dispel your fear and learn about the exciting possibilities and benefits of retirement. Barbara Berger, MSW, LICSW, is a former clinical faculty member at St Catherine University and University of St. Thomas School of Social Work.

Have you ever wanted to learn the guitar but simply find it difficult to find the time? In just a few hours you can learn enough about playing the guitar to give you years of musical enjoyment, and you won't have to take private lessons to do it. This crash course will teach you some basic chords and get you playing along with your favorite songs right away.  Topics include: How to form the three main types of chords; How to tune your guitar; Basic strumming patterns; and how to play along with simple tunes. Bring your own acoustic guitar.  Class fee includes online book and online video instruction.

Have you been thinking that now might be the time to downsize but aren’t sure where to start, how to do it, or what your options are?  Bonus - all attendees receive the Downsizing Made Easy Guide PDF - A $24.95 value.  Access to preferred service providers and discount coupons are provided to all attendees as well as a no cost home evaluation for those who want to know the value of their home and recommended suggestions to make it more salable.

A home that is Priced to Sell, but not Dressed to Sell - Won't Sell. Dress your house for success in the real estate market. From Cleaning to Staging to Pre-Inspections, learn how to Set the Stage for Selling Your Home for Top Dollar in the least amount of time on the market!! Learn Inexpensive tricks of the trade to Make Your Home Look like a Million Bucks! Take home checklists, resource lists and ideas that can easily be put into Action.

Is it really important to have an estate plan? Learn from the mistakes of others who didn't have a well-conceived estate plan and the repercussions to their family. This class focuses on understanding Wills, Trusts, Health Care Directives and Powers of Attorney and the role each plays in you families decisions. You'll learn to avoid probate. Discussion includes commonly made mistakes and how you can avoid unwanted consequences. It's never too early to make your plans and save your family the headache of trying to figure out your wishes and settle your estate. 

Learn ways to care for the people you love, even after you're gone. Leave behind a lasting, meaningful legacy. Overcome the unique estate planning challenges faced by women.

When people think of franchises, most think of food and brick-n-mortar. The truth is that 50% of the 4000 registered franchised businesses do not require storefront real estate. Furthermore, many of these non-storefront businesses support greater success rates than the retail-heavy options.