District 196 Community Education

Kickstart your Spanish journey with this engaging summer course, perfect for beginners! Designed for those with little to no experience, learn essential vocabulary, basic grammar and practical phrases for everyday conversations. Through group discussions and break out conversation practices, build confidence in speaking and understanding Spanish. Obtain foundational skills to keep learning and speaking with confidence. Online portal resources and practice tools included.

Spice up your Spanish skills in this fun and interactive class centered around food and cooking! Build practical vocabulary and conversational confidence through learning food and drink vocabulary, practicing kitchen conversations, including following recipes and cooking together. Discover traditional Hispanic dishes and the rich culinary culture behind them. Perfect for food lovers looking to bring flavor to their Spanish. Open to new and previous Spanish conversation participants. Basic Spanish skills will be helpful. Online portal resources and practice tools included.

Dogs and Toddlers is an essential program for families with dogs and babies as they prepare for mobility. Learn how to best set up your home environment and support your dog through your baby’s mobility, toddler stage and beyond. Situations that put young children at risk and cause family dogs to lose their homes can occur even with the best intentions, but these common problems can be preventable with a good plan from the start, so you can avoid them and have success.

Aging is inevitable ... but how we age is up to us. Embrace the second half of life with humor, insight and intention. Explore what it means to age well ... physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Draw on the latest research and explore timeless wisdom. Through conversation and practical reflection, discover how to cultivate grace, grit and joy, as you navigate the years ahead.

Come explore the mystery of death and dying. Learn about the growing trend to have a death doula by your side. Your instructor is a death doula who believes in the importance of restoring death to its sacred place in the beauty, mystery and celebration of life. Bring a comforting hot tea, coffee or water, and have a conversation about a topic that is often not talked about until it is upon us. Leave with information to spur these valuable conversations with loved ones.

Get paid to shop and perhaps keep the items you buy on assignment ... obtain gas, groceries, dry cleaning and more. Mystery shop on vacation for free airline tickets, lodging, car rental, tours, meals and more. Learn how to highlight your qualifications as a competent shopper and earn income. Discover the top 100 mystery shopping companies, including contact information. Sample applications and typical shopping evaluations are included.

Join in an engaging film and discussion series exploring Ken Burns’ new documentary, The American Revolution. Through powerful storytelling and vivid historical detail, this six-part, twelve-hour series traces how thirteen colonies united in rebellion, fought for independence and established a new form of government that would influence democracies worldwide. Each session includes a one-hour viewing and guided discussion with educator and historian Frank Sachs, who will help participants unpack key themes, figures and turning points in America’s fight for liberty. Part I – Episodes 1–3 (May 1754–January 1777) From the first sparks of resistance to the early trials of revolution, explore the origins of rebellion and the birth of a new political identity. Part II – Episodes 4–6 (January 1777–Onward) Examine the war’s critical years, the endurance of the Continental Army, and the founding of a nation built on ideals of freedom and self-governance. Come ready to watch, reflect, and discuss how the Revolution’s ideas and events continue to shape our world today.

Celebrate the arrival of spring with one of the world’s most beloved artists - Vincent van Gogh. Go beyond the sunflowers to discuss the man behind the canvas. Learn more about Van Gogh's times, the people who helped shape him as a painter and the artists who were influenced by him. Van Gogh's powerful legacy continues to impact the world in the 21st century. Discuss that impact on modern pop culture and on advancements in mental health.

Earn hundreds of thousands of airline frequent flyer miles and hotel reward points without ever stepping foot on a plane or paying for a hotel, and then redeem them for high-value trips. Flights and hotels are typically the most expensive part of your vacation budget. Gina will show you her easy "Beginner Strategy" then graduate you to more advanced strategies that earn you one million+ reward points a year. All the major reward programs will be detailed. Also learn tips for flying business and first class.