November 17, 2015 - Merced College’s Community Services offers a wide array of life-long learning and leisure activity classes through December.
Community Services provides area residents with opportunities for education, enrichment, and adventure. The classes are non-credit and range from belly dance and beginning water polo, to exercise and art classes. A wide variety of excursions are also offered throughout the year, including trips to sporting events, theater shows, cultural functions, educational venues, and recreational activities.
Following are just some of the classes offered:
Aikido – Through the understanding of the fundamentals of emotional and physical conflicts and by implementing basic Aikido techniques including basic body movement, synthesis of breathing, physical and mental applications, the student will gain an overall understanding of the philosophy of Aikido and how it relates to both self-defense and conflict resolution. Sensei Ron Duran holds the rank of Shodan and has over a decade of experience in Aikido. In addition, he has been a student of Ninkage Ryu Aikijutsu for the past eight years.
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays through December 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Merced College, GYM-4
Cost: $65/participant
Belly Dance Fitness Levels I & II – Learn the basic movements of this ancient and natural dance form. Appropriate for all age groups and body shapes, this unique dance and fitness program enhances posture, grace and self-confidence. Belly Dancing is a great low-impact way to burn calories, increase spinal strength and flexibility, tighten hips and thighs, and re-shape the entire abdominal region.
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays, November 10-December 17, 7-9 p.m.
Location: Merced College, GYM-4
Cost: $60/participant
Dancing for Birth (and Post-Partum) – Come have fun and learn how expectant moms can move to music before, during, and after the birthing process, using specific dance movements to help get more comfortable during pregnancy, encourage babies into an optimal position for birth, and promote healing in the post-partum period. So tie a scarf around your hips, and spend an hour of fun bonding with your baby, as we dance and talk about birthing. Post-partum moms and newborns welcome! Check it out at www.dancingforbirth.com.
Dates: Mondays, November 16-December 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Merced College, GYM-4
Cost: $25/participant
Digital Camera Basics – Do you have a digital camera and want to learn how to maximize its potential during graduations, weddings, birthdays or the holidays? Professional photographer and photography instructor Jay Sousa, through the Merced College Community Services office, will be teaching a class on digital photography for beginner and intermediate photographers. This class will cover the basic use of a DSLR camera including camera settings for auto and manual modes. The class will also cover exposure, white balance, selecting the proper light, composition, downloading, basic Photoshop, and printing. The structure of the class will be lecture, demonstration, and hands-on assignments. Students will need to bring their own digital camera.
Dates: Saturdays, November 7-21, 9 a.m.-noon
Location: Merced College, ART-8
Cost: $125/participant
Fitness Lab Membership – Want a gym membership without the application fee and yearly contract? Join the Merced College Fitness Lab for the entire spring/summer term! Memberships are available for two month periods.
Dates: Monday-Friday, November 2-30, 5:30-7:30 a.m.
Location: Merced College, GYM-5
Cost: $25/participant (Register for multiple sessions & save $5/session)
Intermediate & Advanced Microsoft Excel 2013 –Master intermediate and advanced features of Microsoft Excel 2010, including charting and PivotTables. Discover how this powerful MS Office program can boost your productivity. In this practical, hands-on course, you’ll learn how to create informative and eye-catching charts, as well as how to harness the power of Excel 2010’s filtering techniques.
Dates: Fridays, November 6-20, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Location: Merced College, Business Resource Center Room #122
Cost: $145/participant
Lap Swim – Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise. Enjoy open lap swim at the Merced College Pool throughout the summer/fall term at any of the three time slots. Please note that on occasion, Lap Swim is cancelled due to other events being held at the Merced College Pool. In the event of such cancellations, Community Services strives to provide adequate notice to all participants so that arrangements can be made to swim at a different time.
Dates: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays, November 2-December 18, 5:30-6:30 a.m./noon to 1 p.m./5-6:00 p.m.
Location: Merced College, POOL
Cost: $40/participant
Restoration of Old Images in Photoshop – We all treasure our family images. Unfortunately over the years some of our photos get damaged and colors tend to fade away. In this class we will look into editing techniques that can help us to restore those images and bring them back to their original beauty.
Dates: Thursdays, November 12 & 19, 6-9 p.m.
Location: Merced College, ART-8
Cost: $70/participant
Western Line Dance – No need for a partner in this active, fun-filled class where you can meet new friends while learning the latest western line dances along with the oldies but goodies.
Dates: Fridays, November 13th – December 18th, from 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Merced College, GYM-4
Cost: $35/participant
Western Partner Dance – Are you looking for a workout program that’s easy to learn, requires little or no equipment, and soothes your soul while toning your body? If strengthening your cardiovascular system, toning and stretching your muscles, and improving your mental fitness are on your to-do list, come join us to learn more about the basics of yoga.
Dates: Fridays, November 13-December 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Merced College, GYM-4
Cost: $35/participant
World Dance – Learn easy folk dances from around the world. No experience or partners required. Dances are mostly line and circle patterns. All ages are welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. Come meet new folks, stimulate your mind and toes alike, and get some good low aerobic exercise while relieving stress and dancing to music from a variety of cultures worldwide--Europe, Greece, the Middle East, and beyond. You will gain an appreciation for how other folks come together traditionally to celebrate and have a lot of fun too!
Dates: Wednesdays, November 4-December 16, 7-8:30 p.m.
Location: Merced College, GYM-4
Cost: $40/participant
| Bus Trip: A Day at Apple Hill – Every fall an apple festival takes place as apple growers open their ranches to the public. Following a delightful tour of the Apple Hill loop, you will be treated to a delicious hot chicken and apple pie lunch. You’ll also have plenty of time to browse the arts and crafts booths and watch apple products being made. We’ll make a short stop in Placerville on the way back to allow time to browse the downtown shops and galleries. |
Location: Placerville
Cost: $99/participant
Fitness Lab Membership – Want a gym membership without the application fee and yearly contract? Join the Merced College Fitness Lab for the entire spring/summer term! Memberships are available for two month periods.
Dates: Monday-Friday, December 1 – December 18th, from 5:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
Location: Merced College, GYM-5
Cost: $15/participant
Bus Trip: Christmas Shopping at Union Square – Join us on our traditional holiday trip to Union Square in San Francisco! Enjoy the festive displays, decorations, and “shop ‘till you drop!” As usual, we’ll provide the hospitality suite at the St. Francis Hotel. This trip sells out early.
Dates: Friday, December 4, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Location: San Francisco
Cost: $99/participant
For more information, contact the Merced College Community Services office at (209) 384-6224 or register at www.mercedcommunityservices.com.
