Bloomington Community Education

New Class! Whether you plan to stop all at once, or ease into retirement by working part-time, at some point you will need to arrange for multiple sources of income to replace your paycheck. What do you need to think about as you transition from work life to retired life? Where will you live? Where will your income come from? How can you make it last? Join us for an enlightening class that will get you thinking about your next phase of life and what you need to do to prepare for it. $5 supply fee paid to instructor in class.

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!

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!

Come see what the latest craze is about and experience the magical world of fluid acrylics and pouring medium! Version 2.0 brings different tools and techniques than previous classes. No experience required to learn how to create the same beautiful abstract canvases you see on Pinterest. Instead of paint brushes we will use a variety of tools to create our works of art including sink strainers, plastic bottles and pull chains. You will create 2 paintings on 8x8" canvases and a box will be provided to transport them home.

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 This class is located at the Community Education Campus, 2575 West 88th Street. Park on the north side of the building and enter the doors that have 2575 above them.

Join American Canoe Association instructor Fred Linehan for a full day introduction to coastal sea kayaking. The class will be held on beautiful Bush Lake in Bloomington. This class covers basic strokes, maneuvers, boat control, landing, launching, equipment, gear, rescues and navigation. You can expect a safe and fun introduction to the sport. Class size is limited to 4 participants. We provide a sea kayak, spray deck, life jacket, paddle and nose plug. You will need to bring extra water, a hot beverage, sun screen, hat, foot wear, warm clothing and a lunch. No cotton clothing worn on the water. Type 3 life jackets, provided for you, will be required in and around the water. This is a full day, one session class. Fred is an ACA Level 4 instructor and British Canoeing Sea Kayak Leader. Please contact Fred for details before your class. There will be a pre event boat and gear filling prior to class. Contact Fred at fred@fredlinehan.com.

Healthy nurturing touch is a building block in the foundation of a healthy family. Newborn massage enhances bonding, improves sleep patterns, circulation, digestion and elimination. Giving your healthy baby a daily massage soothes and decreases stress, and it helps heal birth trauma. With your baby (or a baby doll) parents and grandparents learn 15 gentle massage strokes, early infant communication, baby time out signals, comfort techniques and when not to massage a baby. The Baby's First Massage booklet will be used during class and may be purchased after class for $7.00. Please bring a small blanket to class to swaddle and keep your baby warm during the lesson, and a blanket or mat to use on the floor or table. You may use the table or floor during the lesson. Siblings and grandparents are encouraged to attend. Siblings may wish to bring a baby doll and follow along with the lesson. Breast-feeding babies may receive a massage right after being fed; otherwise a 45-minute wait is necessary.

New Class! Have fun learning to play the fastest racquet sport in town! Learn proper swing mechanics, footwork, court knowledge, and game strategies. Improve your strength and speed. Practice new skills and techniques to expand and enhance your game. All levels welcome. $5.00 supply fee paid to the instructor in class. It is advisable that participants bring their own badminton racquet. Discount racquets are available - contact: coachkit@mnvbc.com for more information.

Weekly ballet classes for adults who have some experience and want to improve technique, gain strength and balance.

In 2 fun nights (with some homework), learn how to mosaic a 20" x 25" four pane window, or a 4" x 9" or 8" x 8" lamp with colorful glass. The glass is precut and stencils are available to start the creative process. The second evening we will grout and learn about mosaics. $55 supply fee for window or $30 supply fee for lamp collected by instructor in class. Community Education staff will contact you prior to the class to find out which project you would like to make.

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).

Whether you are an absolute beginner or someone who learned to crochet in the past but has forgotten how, this class is for you! We start at the beginning, looking at tools and materials, learn to make the chain, slip stitch, single, half-double, double and treble stitches, read patterns and follow diagrams. You will complete a dishcloth, scarf, granny squares and start on an additional project. $10 cash supply fee collected by the instructor the first night of class to cover the costs of printing comprehensive crochet reference documents and some patterns for use in class. Please bring the following supplies to the first class: crochet hook, size H/8 (5mm); at least 2 ounces of worsted weight crochet cotton yarn (such as Sugar & Cream) in a light color, this type of yarn will have a paper band with the "#4 medium" written on it; a small amount of light colored acrylic (leftovers are fine); stitch markers (not the ring-type, but the type that clip closed like safety pins); scissors, and a bag to carry your project materials (a shopping bag is fine). You will need to purchase a couple of additional skeins of yarn and hooks in other sizes for projects as the class progresses, but that will be discussed in class. Stores frequently sell kits with a range of crochet hook sizes. Look for a kit that covers the size range from H through L.

New Class! Are you ready to make a lifestyle change? Are you ready to lose that pesky weight you've gained? Are you ready to begin a happier and healthier tomorrow? Join us for the Biggest Loser Competition! This is an 8 week program that includes a membership to the Bloomington Activity Centers (Jefferson & Kennedy) while you are participating in this class, weekly meetings, workouts, and contact with a fitness professional to help you lose those lbs. A fun, engaging, and healthy community is waiting for you! Register for the class and you can attend either the Sunday session at the KAC and or the Tuesday session at the JAC. Both classes held during the week are on the same topic. Each week will have a small education class along with a group workout to get that blood pumping! Prize for the highest percent weight loss is a Free One Year Activity Center Membership!

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.

A follow up class for ALL previous Introduction to Bonsai students. We will focus on removing existing wires and rewiring, and additional detail branch work. Tools will be available to use and wire available for purchase. Even if you have had your tree for a single season or many years, your tree can benefit from additional trimming and styling. Bring your tree and anything you would like assistance with, but no repotting or root work at this class.

This 10 week outdoor HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) class gives you the opportunity to get in a great workout while enjoying the outdoors. The class will consist of workouts designed to increase your cardio, improve muscle tone, and burn those pesky calories using mostly your own body weight. Whether you want to start your fitness journey or if you are looking to up the ante of your fitness routine, this is the perfect class for you! Please bring to each class a water bottle and towel. Wear comfortable clothes for an outdoor workout. This class will be at Kennedy on Tuesday and Jefferson on Thursdays and will take place on the turf or soccer fields. During extreme hot weather or inclement weather, the class will be held indoors on the indoor track or weight room. On the first day of class, please meet in the Activity Center lobby at each site.

Some music teachers may not want you to know this, but you don't need years of weekly lessons to learn how to play the piano. In just a few hours, you can learn enough secrets to give you years of musical enjoyment. How do we do it? While regular piano teachers teach note reading, piano professionals use chords. You can learn enough chords to play any song in this one session. Any song. Any style. Any key. If you can find middle C and know the meaning of Every Good Boy Does Fine, you already know enough to enroll in this workshop. Fee includes an online book and online video instruction. Instructor: Jim Anderson

New Class! Are you wondering if you'll be able to help your student finish college and still be able to retire someday? With guidance from a college planning expert, you can! This college planning overview will cover how academics and financial strategies can work together to help save you and your student money on college.

Studies have shown how important it is to have a strong core and strong muscles throughout life. Core strength is a great supplement to the other cardio workouts you do throughout the week. This class will focus on strength, endurance and flexibility through a variety of means (functional fitness, weights, bands and workouts you can do at home). Class formats will vary, but the goal is the same: improving your core strength! All levels from beginner to advanced are welcome. Eventually this class will use bands and weights, however you will be able to simply use body weight as well. During the first class, we will talk about inexpensive options. Park in the west parking lot and use the Activity Center entrance.

New Class! Are you dissatisfied with your vocation and unsure of what to do next? Learn how you can tap into your soul's innate wisdom to discover your natural gifts; move past the issues keeping you stuck; and implement a plan to manifest your vision.

New Class! Google is more than just a search tool. With a Gmail account you have access to email, calendars, word processing, spreadsheets, slides and more! If you are new to Google or have only been using Gmail, come discover what else you could be doing and how it all works together.

Many people believe that once their will is created, their planning is complete. This very common misconception can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars and months of delay after death. Elizabeth Michaelis, an Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney, will explain why you should not trust your Will. Learn the steps to take to ensure your assets are properly managed if you are incapacitated and are efficiently distributed upon your death.

Is Saturday the day you set aside to play golf, spend time with your grandkids or enjoy your hobby? In retirement, every day can be like Saturday. That's a lot of time to fill and it's important to have a plan. Make plans to learn more about the seven steps to build a more secure retirement based on financial expert Tom Hegna's book, "Don't Worry, Retire Happy: 7 Steps to a Secure Retirement."