Campus News
August 20th, 2019
September continuing education classes announced at Garrett College
Etsy, computer skills, dance, drone racing, painting, and more scheduled
Continuing Education & Workforce Development recently announced a variety of upcoming courses for the month of September.
Local Wild, Edible & Medicinal Plants by the Season
Tuesdays, September 3rd – 24th, 6-8:30 p.m., GC Northern Outreach Center
This course will cover how to identify, harvest, and prepare local wild edible and medicinal plants by focusing on what is available by season: spring, summer, and fall. Common poisonous plants and proper foraging practices will also be discussed. Students are encouraged to bring their note pads and any books on wild plants, foraging, herbalism, etc.
The course is being instructed by local resident, Tanya Bucci, a graduate of University of Pittsburgh. She is a Certified Nutritionist with a master’s degree in research methodology.
Line Dancing
Wednesdays, September 4th – October 2nd, 5:30-6:30 p.m., GC McHenry campus
Participants in the line dance class can expect to learn a variety of dances to all genres of music. Although line dancing is found most often in country scenes, it can be danced to any style of music. Line dancing can be a fun and simple way to learn how to dance to a song without learning different steps to every single beat of the music.
Garrett County resident Kim Crosco, a certified hip-hop and gymnastics instructor and a professional member of the US All Star Federation, will instruct the course. She created her own line dance classes called "Steppin to the Beats with Miss Kim" several years ago. She coaches and is manager of the Toxic Twist Crew competition teams at Jessica's Creations in Oakland.
Basic Computer Skills for the Workplace
Wednesdays, September 4th and 11th, 6-9:15 p.m., GC Northern Outreach Center
Designed for beginners, this course offers hands-on instruction on the essentials of working with a computer to survive in the modern job market. Topics include the following: start up and shut down a computer safely, common elements of the computer to include the operating system, basic computer terms, mouse and keyboard techniques, using icons and menu bars, navigation in the Windows environment, and safety features to secure your computer.
Instructor for the course is Kristine Ayers, graphic designer and director for Bethel Christian School.
Contour Drawing
Wednesdays, September 4th – 25th, 6-8 p.m., GC Northern Outreach Center
This course will focus on contour drawing as the central theme, but will also touch on modeling, shading and hatching techniques to define weight and mass. Students will be taught simple observational skills; how to recognize positive and negative space; and composition and direction of light for shading and modeling. Contour drawing is a technique that involves the artist observing basic and simple outlines to quickly draw a subject.
No previous drawing skills or experience are required and all materials will be supplied by the instructor, Mary Kay Watson. She is an accomplished watercolorist, draftsperson, Certified Zentangle instructor and author/illustrator of "Tangled Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Advanced Portrait Painting
September 9th, 9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Grantsville Senior Center (Five Session Course)
Designed to help participants enhance painting techniques and use of oil colors specific to producing portraits, participants will use photos of friends or relatives as subjects of their paintings. A materials list will be provided upon registration.
Instructor for the course is local artist, Edna Bender. In order to register for this course, students must have taken a prior portrait painting course with Bender.
Forklift Certification Training
September 13th, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., GC Northern Outreach Center
This course is designed to teach the student how to properly operate an industrial powered forklift. The course satisfies 29 CRF 1910.178 of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training Standard. Students will receive formal training in the classroom, practical training with hands-on instruction, and an evaluation upon completion of training with successful participants receiving a certificate of training and wallet card.
Topics include the following: pre-inspection, loading and unloading, maneuvering and operational skills, rules and regulations, and an emphasis on safety. Timeframe may be adjusted due to class size.
Women’s Awareness and Defense
September 14th, 9 a.m. – 12 noon, GC McHenry campus
Designed for ladies only, this course is designed to make one aware, prepared, and ready for any situation that may occur in everyday life on any given day. Mental preparation, situation awareness, physical security, personal security, defensive tactics and personal response in a mass shooting incident are all discussed. This is a classroom only session with no physical contact.
The course is being instructed by Rick Sivic Sr., a retired Maryland State trooper and certified instructor by the Maryland State Police, Utah Bureau of Investigation, National Rifle Association, and the U.S. Concealed Carry Association. He also holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Just Dance
Mondays, September 16th – October 14th, 5:30-6:30 p.m., GC McHenry campus
This class is exactly what it says - just dance. Moving, grooving and swaying to current hits as well as the oldies. This low impact, easy to follow course features basic choreography and is perfect for beginners and active seniors. Stretching included.
The course is being instructed by Terry Whalen, a former certified Zumba and LaBlast Instructor along with being a member of "KickIt" Country Dance and former member of the County Pride Dancers of Baltimore. Whalen supports and promotes dance fitness to people of all ages and fitness levels.
Walk this Way
Mondays, September 16th – October 14th, 4:30-5:15 p.m., GC McHenry campus
This is an indoor walking class focusing on proper walking mechanics, postural alignment, interval training, balance and flexibility. As an activity, walking is shown to help with losing weight, manage heart disease and high blood pressure, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve mood, balance and coordination. Participants are encouraged to come prepared to move and wear comfortable clothing, walking shoes/sneakers, bring a water bottle, and a small towel as this is an exercise class. The course is being instructed by Terry Whalen.
Estate Planning: The Importance of Wills and Trusts
Mondays, September 16th and 23rd, 6:30-9 p.m., GC Southern Outreach Center
This two-part course will address the common questions regarding wills, financial power of attorney, advance directives, protecting one’s home, and the Maryland estate administration/probate process.
Part one will be instructed by Brandon James Hoover, attorney in the Law Office of Donald S. Goldbloom and program director for Criminal Justice-Paralegal at Allegany College of Maryland. Rita Watson, Register of Wills for Garrett County, will instruct the second part of the course.
Drone Racing Boot Camp
Tuesdays, September 17th – October 1st, 6-8:10 p.m., GC McHenry campus
This course is designed to introduce the fundamentals of FPV (First Person View) Drone Racing, and provide a safe environment to get hands on experience. Topics will include the following: FPV drone technology, flight modes, race safety, and drone options.
The course is being taught by Garrett County resident Phil Malone, who has a 25 year career experience in robotics, and has mentored youth robotics teams for 12 years.
Advanced Computer Skills for the Workplace
Wednesdays, September 18th and 25th, 6-9:15 p.m., GC Northern Outreach Center
Enroll and build upon the foundation of your basic computer skills to learn the more advance techniques needed to succeed in today's professional and technological workplace.
This course is designed for individuals preparing to enter/reenter the workforce and who will need to demonstrate basic knowledge of and the ability to use the Internet, and send and receive email. Topics covered include the following: hands-on instruction setting up a personal email account and practice sending/receiving email with attachments, email etiquette, safety and security best practices, using search engines and exploring the World Wide Web to your advantage for job searches. Kristine Ayers is the instructor for the course.
The Basics of Etsy
Thursdays, September 19th and 26th, 6-9:15 p.m., GC McHenry campus
This class is for artisans, crafters, studio artists and vintage dealers wanting to build a successful Etsy or on-line store by creating that all-important connection with buyers. The class presents a step by step guide to set up a store: shop name, listing of products; writing product titles and descriptions, how to take photos of products, set prices, setting up payments for items sold, and unraveling the mystery of shipping products. Participants will learn how to manage Etsy listings, optimize listings with SEO-search engine optimization, and social media marketing. Additional online sites available to grow a business will also be discussed.
The instructor for this course is Denise Kramer, who lives in Oakland and started her Etsy business in late 2015 to earn extra income as she approached retirement. Her store is now in the top 5% of Etsy sellers. She looks forward to sharing her successes and failures with other people interested in building a profitable online business.
Utah Concealed Firearms Permit Class
September 19th, 5-10:15 p.m., GC McHenry campus
If you travel throughout the U.S. and wish to be permitted to carry a concealed handgun, this class qualifies to get a handgun permit through a one-day training course. The Concealed Carry Permit Certification course, allows you to be eligible to apply for a non-resident Utah Concealed Firearm Permit which is honored in 35 states. It does not include Maryland.
This five-hour class covers all aspects and requirements required by the state of Utah. One must pass a criminal background check in order to obtain a permit. Utah application will be completed during the class and reviewed for completion. Photographs and fingerprinting will be done during the class at no additional cost. Please note that if your home state issues a concealed carry permit, you need to provide a copy of that permit to obtain your Utah permit. This does not apply to MD residents—unless you currently have a permit. Class charges include fingerprinting, photography service & providing a packet to mail.
A permit fee of $67 to the State of Utah will need to be paid for the course (either by credit card or check). This permit is valid for five years. Note - this is not a National Rifle Association class.
Rick Sivic Sr. of Boston Hill Training will instruct the class. He is certified by the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI), a Maryland State Police Qualified Handgun Instructor, and a NRA certified firearms instructor.
CDL Learner’s Permit Prep Class
September 28-29, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., GC Mountaintop Truck Driving Institute
This two-day course will prepare students for the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), Class A or B Commercial Driver permit exam. The course includes instruction on the following topics: general knowledge, air brakes, combination vehicles, study and test taking skills. This course is taught through a combination of lecture, discussion and hands on activities.
Entry requirements for the actual commercial driver training program includes the following: one must be at least 18 years of age, be able to obtain a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical, and pass a DOT required drug screen. DOT language enforcement rule: one must be able to read English, converse with the public, understand highway signs and signals, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports or records. Students are highly encouraged to obtain a CDL Manual at a local MVA office and review prior to the start of class.
Course registration fees apply to the above courses. To register of for additional information, contact Garrett College Continuing Education & Workforce Development at 301-387-3069.
