Piedmont Adult School classes run gamut of interests, start next week

When school-age children in Piedmont return to classrooms in early January — or older kids head back to colleges — there’s no reason adults can’t join in too and jump into learning mode. This will be especially true next week on Monday, when Piedmont Adult School’s new term starts and a full catalog makes the […]

When school-age children in Piedmont return to classrooms in early January — or older kids head back to colleges — there’s no reason adults can’t join in too and jump into learning mode.

This will be especially true next week on Monday, when Piedmont Adult School’s new term starts and a full catalog makes the possibilities varied and well-suited for the schedules, needs and interests of working adults and those who are retired or plan to be soon.

Registration opened Dec. 11, but those interested still have time to peruse the catalog and sign up. Online and in-person courses that anyone age 18 or older can attend will be available on a first-come-first-served basis until positions are filled.

Registrations are not accepted by phone, but can be completed online or in-person during office hours (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) in Millennium High School at 760 Magnolia Ave. Refunds for any cancellations due to low enrollment would be credited to the original form of payment.

Discounted rates for most classes are available for ages 55 or older, and special accommodations for people with disabilities can be arranged. Holidays during which courses go on hiatus and a helpful map with class locations are found in the course catalog PDF available online at adulted.piedmont.k12.ca.us.

The categories offered include arts and crafts, business, computers and technology, cooking, language, music, health, recreation, dance, creative retirement and general courses, two of which (English as a second language and the high school diploma programs) are state-financed and require demographic information.

Delving into each category to highlight a few selections, note that the arts and crafts classes are frequently led by local instructors. Piedmont-based floral designer Victoria Thompson teaches three-hour workshops titled “Cultivating Joy: A Floral Workshop.”

Bringing expertise from her role at Olive + Grace Stems and animated energy that could be attributed to her 16 years working at Pixar Animation Studios, participants will learn how color and texture tell stories and depart with a self-designed centerpiece arrangement in a ceramic vessel.

Bay Area resident Wendy Soneson teaches fine art watercolor during 10 classes that emphasize technique, color theory, compositions and more.

Supplies are discussed at the first meeting, with information about kits and other methods for procuring the necessary tools and materials. Preview videos at Sorenson’s website (watercolorweekly.weebly.com/watercolor-mini-lessons) are available to gain an understanding in advance of what the course entails.

Business courses are always popular and cover retirement-related or general financial planning and social media marketing for small business startups. Instructors offer substantial experience from years or decades working in the field and information from their individual journeys as investors, small business owners or members of families who have completed considerable, multigenerational financial planning.

Anyone hoping to understand Social Security, Medicare and other forms of long-term health care, legal and marketing issues related to starting a small business or basic financial planning will find a course to meet his or her needs.

Computer courses run the gamut, from beginner classes that address the basics of digital cameras, Apple Pay, widgets, iCloud, beginner’s AI, ChatGPT, setting passwords and more.

Creativity enters with Helen Nishikai’s entry-level class, “Building Beautiful Websites.” The three meetings cover managing posts, pages, images, custom menus, video and audio and more on a WordPress website created by participants that they can use for practice or bring to full production after attending the course.

Cooking classes this term will include a basic knife skills workshop, one-meeting sessions in Burmese, Indonesian, Thai and other Asian cuisines along with sessions on dim sum, healthy stir-fry, cupcake decorating, teatime treats and international crepe-making.

In May, a one-meeting “Asian Grills and BBQ Workshop” will be led by Chat MIngkwan, who trained in his native Thailand’s cooking techniques and micro-cuisines in Southeast Asia during years of travel — and before that in his family’s restaurant kitchen, learning alongside his mother and aunt, who ran the successful establishment.

General classes offer memoir or fiction writing; education for grandparents taking care of or interacting with the current, youngest generation; planning for and identifying interests and purpose in retirement; and travel planning for people with wanderlust.

The two no-fee courses previously mentioned and funded by the state of California conveniently meet during evening hours or involve independent study. Health, recreation, and dance classes present co-ed aerobic workouts, strength training and mindfulness sessions.

Language classes include French taught by Jean Monnier, an instructor at the school since 2007. Susan Galindo offers instruction in Italian for travelers, and Helmi Waits and Afsaneh Olinga cover five Spanish classes from beginning to intermediate levels.

Interested in trying your hand — and lungs — at bagpipe playing? Beginning students will learn the basics by playing a practice chanter, the preparatory instrument for bagpipes. This year, instructor Lynne Miller will introduce piobaireachd, the classical music of the bagpipe.

Students are advised to email the instructor at lmiller1600@aol.com for information about needed equipment. If bagpipes are not your thing but the ukulele is, sign up for Elizabeth Klute’s course in which traditional folk songs are the bases for learning chords, strumming, simple melodies and more.

Finally, free arts and social programs for older adults will meet on Thursdays at the Piedmont Veterans Memorial Building for light exercise and a chance to socialize with others in the community. Practice in fine arts media and needlework help sessions are included following the open sessions from 9 to 11 a.m.

Visit the Piedmont Adult School’s website listed above to register online or view any further information.

Lou Fancher is a freelance writer. Reach her at lou@johnsonandfancher.com.