Workshop

Art of Wine Tasting
Students will learn about the great vineyards of the world. You will taste and talk about what makes wine so special. Once the mysteries are revealed, you will no longer be intimidated only charmed by fine wine. Discussion will include: classification, evaluation, wine and food pairing and tips on buying and storing wine. Students will taste six different wines. A wine seminar book is include din the cost. Students must be at least 21 to participate in this class. Instructor, Jim Culligan has been marketing wines from major viticulture areas around the world for over 25 years. Jim has taught several wine seminars for the community.

NEW! Grape Regions of the World
Discover the "Old World" traditions of France and Italy and meet the "New World" winemakers of Australia, Chile, California and Washington. Compare the "Hallowed Wineries" of Napa Valley with the emerging excitement of the Australia vineyards. Learn about the "wine laws" in these countries. In this 3 hour journey students will taste 6 different wines from these regions. A wine seminar book and ferent wines from these regions. A wine seminar book and maps are included in the cost. Students must be at least 21 to participate in this class. Instructor, Jim Culligan has been marketing wines from major viticulture areas around the world for over 25 years. Jim has taught several wine seminars for the community.

Create a Web Site for Your Small Business
This class is an excellent overview for anyone who wants to create a Web site for their small business. Class will address just about everything and still leave plenty of time to get all your questions answered. Taught by an instructor who explains everything in your language, not just "geek speak." Include in this class: the use of domain names, finding hosting services, types of Internet access, use of POP e-mail, understanding search engines and searching techniques, Web design programs, doing it yourself versus hiring a Web designer, the importance of writing over design, kinds of pages and content to include, writing for search engine optimization, HTML coding, RS feeds, Web site tools, navigation structures, page layouts, managing images, updating and maintaining pages, marketing and promotion, and more. Students are encouraged to bring along anything about which they have question or want input. Plenty of time will be allotted for discussion and getting questions answered. Taught by artist, writer, and publisher, Joelle Steele, who has made her living as an artist for more than 34 years.

Make Your Living as a Writer
This class is for anyone who aspires to a career as a writer, fiction or non-fiction. Class will explain what is involved in becoming published, beginning with a writer's investments in knowledge, tools of the trade, software, Internet access, a space to write, handling creative blocks, etc. Topics include evaluating writing markets; insights into what editors want; querying and book proposals; pros and cons of working with literary agents; preparing manuscripts for submission; advances, royalties, and getting paid; publishing contracts; copyright laws; plagiarism; publishing rights; flexibility and fluency in writing projects; and working with editors. Also covers research, fact-checking, the writing and editing process, and keeping the process moving so that there is always work in progress and queries being produced regularly to minimize ""sales slumps" and increase the chances of finding a publisher. Students are encouraged to bring along anything about which they have question or want input. Plenty of time will be allotted for discussion and getting questions answered. Taught by artist, writer, and publisher, Joelle Steele, who has made her living as an artist for more than 34 years.

NEW! Make Your Living as an Artist
This class is for anyone who aspires to a part-time or full-time career in the arts. It explains what is involved in becoming  self-employed, freelance career artist or craftsperson, and looks at the many opportunities for artists or crafters. Topics covered include: the artist's investments in knowledge, tools of the trade, software, Internet access, and a space to work; finding, evaluating and contacting markets for selling arts and crafts; insights into what galleries and buyers want; working with artist's agents and galleries; business licensing and sales taxes; royalties and licensing fees; establishing fees and prices for works of art; contractual agreements; copyright laws; derivative works and plagiarism; publishing rights; flexibility and fluency in creative projects; keeping the creative works flowing at all times and handle creative blocks; marketing your won works via the internet; selling at arts/crafts shows; and more. Students are encouraged to bring along anything about which they have question or want input. Plenty of time will be allotted for discussion and getting questions answered. Taught by artist, writer, and publisher, Joelle Steele, who has made her living as an artist for more than 34 years.

NEW! Researching & Writing Family History or Memoirs
This class begins with researching your ancestry through the Internet and all the various official documents, personal letters, and old photographs, plus interviews with family members and friends. Learn to address the often confusing and conflicting information such as variations in names, birth and death dates, cities and countries of origin and to dig for the truth behind the stories passed down through the generations. Then assemble your research into a meaningful story or stories, handle delicate information, speculative data, and "holes" in stories. Also included are ways to publish your family history and how to handle all of the photos, tree charts and other documents and incorporate them into that history. Covers the use of genealogical programs, working with family members in other countries, researching in different languages, and more. Students are encouraged to bring along anything about which they have question or want input. Plenty of time will be allotted for discussion and getting questions answered. Taught by artist, writer, and publisher, Joelle Steele, who has made her living as an artist for more than 34 years.

• 2010 Spring brochure (pdf)
• 4 easy ways to register
• Registration form (pdf)
• Contact information

Interested in teaching a class?

• Information about teaching CE classes
• Course proposal form (word)

Current instructors

• Handbook (pdf)