Community Enrichment Classes

Cooking Classes (Held at Main Course California)

Cooking – Cajun and Creole Thanksgiving

Giving thanks and family celebrations are the lifeblood of South Louisiana’s Cajun population. Chef Rachel Main lived - and learned to cook - among wonderful Cajun and Creole family cooks and professional chefs. In this class, she’ll teach you the secrets of Cajun flavors and how to use them in novel delicious Thanksgiving dishes at Main Course California, one of Ventura’s pre-eminent catering companies.

Fee: $60

Sesssion 2: Nov 19, 2009

Instructor Location Day Time
Main Main Course California Th 5:30 - 10:00 pm

Cooking – Frugal Gourmet

With finances tight and “me time” at a premium, cooking nourishing food on a budget has become quite a challenge. In this four-part series, Chef Rachel Main will apply the principles of frugality to creating delicious, nutritious, and time-saving meals that individuals and families will love. Rachel is known for her entertaining and informative classes - packed with food history, nutritional pointers, and Chef’s secret preparations at Main Course California.

Fee $200

Session 2: to be determined

Instructor Location Day Time
Main Main Course California Th 5:30 - 9:30 pm

Cooking – Hip Holiday Cooking with Traditional Flavors

Learn to cook hip, gourmet holiday dishes inspired by traditional winter flavors. This is a fully interactive, hands-on cooking class where students create fabulous dishes that are both scrumptious, creative, and easy to prepare. These wonderful dishes can be created for holiday celebrations for meals that will be remembered long afterward.

Fee: $60

Session 2: Dec 10, 2009

Instructor Location Day Time
Main Main Course California Th 5:30 - 10:00 pm

Cooking – Impressive Entertaining 101

Rich, Colorful, Succulent, Inspired...this class goes well beyond the meal and teaches the intricacies and art of impressive entertaining. Chef Rachel Main and Chef/Owner Robert Jacobi of Main Course California will be hosts for this creative and vibrant gourmet entertaining class, which will delight your senses on multiple levels.

Fee: $350

Session 3: Jan 28 - Feb 18, 2010

Instructor Location Day Time
Main Main Course California Th 5:30 - 10:30 pm

Creative Classes

Cinematic Storytelling

How do you give life to a story? How do you take an audience on a journey? In this course participants will learn the foundation of good storytelling as well as theater basics such as character development, use of space, and the importance of gesture and movement with a nationally acclaimed storyteller. Bring a 10-minute folktale or personal story and dress to move.

Fee: $45

Session 2: Sep 29 - Dec 8, 2009

Session 3: Jan 12 - Mar 16, 2010

Session 4r: Mar 30 - June 8, 2010

Instructor Location Day Time
Muray Technology Development Ctr Art T 7:30 - 9:00 pm

Digital Photography Basics

This class will cover the major types of digital cameras, their components, and their usage, including the various settings and applications. Learn basic photographic techniques to take photos like a pro. Find out how to download photos to computers and print them at home or at self-service machines at local businesses from a top-notch local photographer.

Fee: $30

Session 2: Sep 28 - Oct 7, 2009

Session 4: Mar 29 - Apr 14, 2010 (no class Apr 2 - 6)

Instructor Location Day Time
Nunley Technology Development Ctr Art MW 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Digital Photography Intermediate

This class will briefly cover types of digital cameras and components by pricing categories, the various special settings, and when and how to use them. Basic photographic techniques to take photos like a pro will be examined. Creative ways to share and display photos will also be explored by a renowned local photographer.

Fee: $60

Session 3: Jan 4 - Feb 1, 2010

Instructor Location Day Time
Nunley Technology Development Ctr Art T 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Guitar – Beginning

No previous musical knowledge is required. Start at the beginning and learn the basics of classical guitar. All that is needed is a guitar, a love of music, and some time to practice. Students provide their own instrument, music stand and book.

Fee: $70

Session 2: Sep 28 - Dec 7, 2009

Session 4: Mar 29 - Jun 14, 2010

Instructor Location Day Time
Hatcher Technology Development Ctr 203 M 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Guitar – Intermediate

Continue from the beginning-level guitar class to learn more skills in classical guitar. All that is needed is a guitar and some time to practice. Students provide their own instrument, music stand, and book.

Fee: $70

Session 3: Jan 4 - Mar 22, 2010

Instructor Location Day Time
Hatcher Technology Development Ctr 203 M 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Enameling Techniques

Enameling is the colorful result of fusing powdered glass to metal with high heat. The earliest enamels known to man are from the sixth century BCE. Twenty-first century enameling is having a resurgence in practice and popularity in both jewelry and sculpture. Traditional and experimental techniques of application on various metals will be demonstrated. Learn to make objects ranging from small-scale fine cloisonné jewelry to abstract sculpture and wall art.

Fee: $190

Session 2: Sep 24 - Dec 10, 2009

Session 3: Jan 14 - Mar 18, 2010

Session 4: Apr 1 - Jun 10, 2010

Instructor Location Day Time
Tree Technology Development Ctr Gallery Th 12:30 - 3:30 pm

Personal growth Classes

Affiliate & Multilevel Marketing as Career Choices

This class is for college graduates who have not been able to get desired jobs based on our current economic situation. If resumes and interviews aren’t helping, if the jobs prospects sought are fading, or if starting a business seems to be too big a risk, affiliate marketing and multilevel marketing could be the answer. Taught by Ventura’s People’s Choice Salesperson for 2008 and 2009, Mr. Godinez is an energizing presenter you won’t want to miss.

Fee: $60

Session 2: Sep 28 - Dec 7, 2009

Instructor Location Day Time
Godinez Technology Development Ctr Gallery T 7:00 - 9:00 pm

College Applications Boot Camp

This series of classes will guide you and your high school senior through the colleege application process, including financial aid and scholarships. Taught by a high school counselor and an experienced parent, you will learn the tricks and pitfalls to watch out for as you make your way through senior year. The course includes four hands-on sessions in the computer lab where you will prepare college, financial aid, and scholarship applications. You will also receive a college application guide full of great information.

Fee: $50

Session 2: Sep 24, Oct 22, Nov 19, Dec 17, 2009

Session 3: Jan 21, 2010, and Feb 18, 2010

Instructor Location Day Time
Johnston Technology Development Ctr RHCL Th 6:00 - 9:00 pm

College Scholarships Workshop

Learn how to locate, apply, and maximize chances for scholarships from both colleges and public sources, which covers athletics, academics, and community service. The workshop will focus on maximizing qualifications and locating the dollars needed to reduce college costs. Attendees will also receive a “how to” manual created by our dynamic Linda P. Taylor.

Fee: $10

Session 2: Oct 21, 2009

Instructor Location Day Time
Taylor Technology Development Ctr RHCL T 7:00 - 9:30 pm

Grant Writing for Your School

With the current state budget crisis, many schools are turning to grants to fund everything from art and music to field trips and technology. This workshop helps concerned community members understand grant writing basics in order to access funds for schools. Teachers and parents can learn the dos and don’ts as well as tips for finding funding sources from an experienced parent and grant writer. Ventura Educational Partnership SmartGrants as well as other grant opportunities will be covered. Handouts will include examples of successful grant proposals written by an engaging parent, teacher, attorney, and volunteer extraordinaire!

Fee: $10

Session 2: Oct 15, 2009

Instructor Location Day Time
Johnston Technology Development Ctr RHCL Th 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Investing – Understanding the Basics

Students will become acquainted with the markets and investing by learning and understanding key terminology frequently used in routine financial discussions and interactions; gain an understanding of various forms of investment risk, learn about basic financial statements; review and create a generalized investment objective and corresponding portfolio. Lecture, with interactive discussion. Students will select three companies to research.

Fee: $60

Session 2: Sep 29 - Dec 8, 2009

Session 3: Jan 12 - Mar 16, 2010

Session 4: Mar 30 - Jun 8, 2010

Instructor Location Day Time
La Cross Technology Development Ctr RHCL T 7:00 - 9:00 pm

It’s My Life

“It’s My Life” presents basic tenets of success, utilizing philosophy, psychology, common sense. The program is very interactive, employing writing, reading, group discussion, journaling, role-playing, and examples to teach skills to help navigate through life. The emphasis is on becoming a better person and avoiding repeating painful lessons. Created by our very own local author of “The Dashboard Saint,” Mr. Chip Fraser.

Fee: $60

Session 2: Sep 24 - Dec 10, 2009

Session 3: Jan 14 - Mar 18, 2010

Session 4: Apr 1 - Jun 10, 2010

Instructor Location Day Time
Fraser Technology Development Ctr Gallery T 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Job Hunting with Social Media

How to use social media like LinkedIn, Plaxo, Facebook, Twitter, and blogs for job hunting and business hiring. The focus is on practical and proven steps and tips to maximize hiring results as well as teach current communication skills. This course is taught by a national leader in the field!

Fee: $30

Session 2: Sep 23 - Oct 14, 2009

Instructor Location Day Time
Taylor Technology Development Ctr RHCL W 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Kineti-Club

How fun it is to feast and play together! Busy parents will learn ways to bond with their elementary-age children in as little as 10 or 15 minutes of quality time. Bonus: Even short bouts of physical activity improve strength, endurance, dexterity, and flexibility. Learn to put together quick and healthy meals on a tight budget. Sneak in vegetables for finicky eaters. Turn old habits into healthy habits. Parents will enjoy eating the dishes made in this class with their children!

Fee: $105

Session 2: Sep 23 - Dec 16, 2009 Session 3: Jan 13 - Mar 17, 2010

Session 4: Mar 31 - Jun 9, 2010

Instructor Location Day Time
Harasta Technology Development Ctr Gallery W 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Online Banking

In today’s financial atmosphere, it is important to feel secure in knowing what your money is doing every day! Monitoring your finances online can help ease financial tension and to remove guesswork between statements and catch errors as they happen - yours and the businesses with which you deal. Learn to access all financial accounts online taught by an acclaimed financial analyst in a private and secure computer lab. Learn to set up and use bill pay functions and account alerts sent to personal email addresses or mobile phones, and perform transfers of bank funds or investment funds as well as monitor credit scores.

Fee: $50

Session 2: Sep 29 - Dec 8, 2009

Session 3: Jan 12 - Mar 16, 2010

Session 4: Mar 30 - Jun 8, 2010

Instructor Location Day Time
Gray Technology Development Ctr 202 T 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Social Media: Becoming a Sales Hero

This course is for anyone whose primary objective is to generate revenues by attracting quality and qualified clients and customers. This class combines the growing power of the social media tools available on the Internet while sharpening the “social heroes” behaviors that are needed to attract buyers who will acquire your products or services in their own timeframe. This results in the level of sales that are needed to keep a company or organization financially healthy.

Fee: $60

Session 3: Jan 4 - Mar 22, 2010

Instructor Location Day Time
Godinez Technology Development Ctr RHCL W 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Spanish – Conversational Spanish

This class is designed for individuals interested in learning, maintaining and/or improving their ability to converse in Spanish at beginning and intermediate levels. Through vocabulary development, basic grammar, reading exercises and guided practice, students learn the essentials of understanding and speaking contemporary Spanish. ¡Adelante!

Students buy their own books.

Fee: $75

Session 2: Sep 24 - Dec 10, 2009

Session 3: Jan 14 - Mar 18, 2010

Session 4: Apr 1 - Jun 10, 2010

Instructor Location Day Time
Martz Technology Development Ctr Art Th 9:00 am - 12:00 pm