Corporate and Continuing Education - Professional development, workplace training and lifelong learning classes in Portland OR and Vancouver WA.

Calling all Amateur and Professional Photographers, Graphic Artists and Desktop Publishers

james — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:15:02 +0000

You have your computer and maybe have taken a few courses, you have your camera and probably have attended some photography classes, you’ve played with some of the Photoshop® features and definitely viewed some tutorials; but - now are you ready to go to the next step?

New technology and advances in software products are changing and upgrading constantly. It is hard to stay on top of what is happening and learn all the new features. Continuing Education strives to offer a variety of related classes to make things less complicated and more fun!

One example is Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom®

Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® will organize, process and show your work with ease. That’s what we want, right? Lightroom® software is ideal for professional and amateur photographers who want to organize, perfect, and share amazing images.

Perfect your photography from shoot to finish:

The new Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® software helps you create amazing images that inspire, inform, and delight. Bring out the best in every shot with powerfully simple one-click adjustments and a full range of cutting-edge advanced controls. Craft elegant photo books and effortlessly share your best shots on social networks, in web galleries, and more. Perfect your images, organize all your photographs, and share your vision—all in one fast, intuitive application.

Want more? Who doesn’t want to “WOW” their audience?

Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® software provides a comprehensive set of digital photography tools, assisting you with one-click adjustments to show you advanced controls. Create images that inspire, inform, and delight. Lightroom® shows you how to develop many tools including toning, touch-ups and sharpening/noise. These global tools help you achieve the best appearance and appeal.

Clark College Continuing Education offers year round classes covering beginning to advanced classes in photography and compatible and related software.

Check out our wide variety of photo and software classes to help you for both your business and home. New classes added often.

How Do I Take Better Digital Photos?
Success with Digital Photography
Creative Photography
Portrait Photography for the Amateur
Photo Walking with Your Digital Camera
Very Beginners’ Photoshop®, Parts I and II
Photoshop for the Photographer, Parts I and II
Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom®
Adobe InDesign for PC’s
Adobe InDesign for MAC’s

We feel we have some of the best professional instructors in the Vancouver/Portland area – check out their websites:

Bob Byrd - http://www.bobbyrd.com/
Paul Quackenbush - http://www.paulquackenbush.com/contact.html
Garry Stasiuk - http://uofgts.com/index.html
Valeri Darling - http://www.missingmasterpiece.com/

Check out our website http://cce.clark.edu/community-education or watch for our quarterly published “Explorations” schedule of classes in your mailbox.

Don’t see what you want? Contact Program Manager Jo Ann Ames at 360.992.2742 or james@clark.edu,

Community Ed

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photo

photographer

artists

Is Golf Your Game?

james — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:39:43 +0000

Golf involves all the senses, abilities, moods, physical stamina and a sense of humor. With a little help and practice you can improve your game and keep your sanity no matter what your level competence. Not everyone can be Tiger Woods, but some skill can help you enjoy the game more, lessen your frustration and learn to love the game!

Clark College Corporate & Continuing Education is fortunate to have two of the best golf pros in the area teaching classes for our program:

Harold Bluestein at Tri Mountain Golf Course
Jack Young at Vanco Golf Center

These instructors offer classes spring through fall quarters. Classes are small and individual attention is given to our students.Registration is open now for Spring Quarter, 2013.

Golf: Learn the Basics with Harold Bluestein Beginning and intermediate players can improve their understanding of how to swing a golf club, includes pre-swing and in-swing fundamentals from putting to the full swing. Fee includes balls and clubs.
Golf Made Simple with Jack Young Practice the basics of golf, for beginners or those wanting to improve their game.

Learn the rules and golf etiquette. Fee includes balls and clubs.

Need some fine tuning to your game? We have special sessions catered to improving your game.

Golf: Chipping with Jack One-day session on chipping to help you lower your score.
Golf: Putting with Jack One-day session “Drive for show, Putt for dough”.
Golf: Full Swing with Jack One-day session featuring computer/video analysis.

Registration for Summer Quarter classes opens June 4, 2013.

To register online for any of these classes: http://cce.clark.edu
To register by phone call 360.992.2939, Option #1
For questions or comments contact JoAnn Ames@ 360.992.2742
or james@clark.edu

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Enjoy and Explore our Beautiful Northwest

james — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:57:13 +0000

Walking in the Northwest and Finding Your Way!

The best part of walking and hiking is that you can go at your own speed. Stop and smell the wildflowers take videos or use your digital camera showing family and friends what they are missing and you are enjoying!

Walking and hiking can be a family affair, travelling with a group of friends, a best buddy or for solitary enjoyment and reflection. Added perks are that walks and hikes can be in the mountains, plains, beaches and even in downtowns and quint cities.
There are no age limits to getting outdoors and breathing in the fresh air; many organized hikes and walks> are accessible to everyone. The most important part of planning your walk or hike is to know how set your way the right way.

Clark College Continuing Education offers classes to help you discover the joys of walking and hiking and how to prepare so you have a safe and enjoyable adventure. Each quarter offers a variety of classes lead by our resident outdoors expert Don Hibbs.

SPRING QUARTER OFFERINGS: Registration going on now!

The Essentials of Hiking Together with Map & Compass Reading

Explore the world of hiking and back country travel covering the concepts of physical preparation, planning, proper clothing and equipment.

Ethno-Botany Guided Forest Walk: The Grocery Store in the Woods

Enjoy an easy walk @ LaCamas Round Lake Park studying the relationship between people and plants.
Learn how each plant was used by the Native peoples and early settlers.

COMING SUMMER QUARTER: Registration starting in June!

Downtown Vancouver Photowalk with Your Digital or Film Camera

Learn the tricks of photographing buildings, signs and distractions in Vancouver. Train your eye to see to see points of interest and show them off in their best possible light.

The Essentials of Hiking Together with Map & Compass Reading

Explore the world of hiking and back country travel covering the concepts of physical preparation, planning, proper clothing and equipment.

Photowalking with your Digital Camera

Just you and your camera! Gain tips and tricks from our photographer, Garry Stasiuk, as you walk to and fro around the Fort and meander around our beautiful Clark Campus enjoying the fabulous landscaping.

Heart of the City Historical Walk: A Look at Old Vancouver

A walking lecture on the cultural history of the City of Vancouver. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the city.
Begin at Fort Vancouver, onto the Village, the new Landbridge and the Old Apple Tree.

If you have questions or comments please contact Jo Ann Ames, Continuing Education Manager at 360.992.2742 or james@clark.edu.

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PowerPoint & You- It's A Great Relationship!

james — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:46:55 +0000

PowerPoint will make your presentations pop! Don't fumble with note cards or writing on a white board, drawing charts and diagrams. With PowerPoint you can make a great presentation fast and easily, create a professional look, grab your audience’s attention as well as lend authority to you as a speaker and reinforce your message.

The uses for PowerPoint are endless whether used in the business world, in the classroom or at home for crafts. Discover endless educational templates, business templates, wedding templates already made. You can add pictures and video clips and do things you aren’t able to do with old-fashioned flip charts, chalk and pens.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 can give you exciting new audio and visual capabilities that are easy to create and powerful to watch. You can also convert PowerPoint to videos that you can share on YouTube or on mobile devices like an iPads or iPhones.

Start from the beginning and see how far you can go in our Basics to Master I class. For professional users continue on to the Basics to Master II, or take them both in a combo and get a discount!

For your convenience, Corporate & Continuing Education offers PowerPoint Basics in one-day classes throughout the year. You can view our schedule online for dates and times.

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how to use powerpoint

office

continuing ecucation in Vancouver

TOP NEW FOOD TRENDS OF 2013

tkelly — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 01:41:16 +0000

What will be new and what’s passé for food in the next year? Let’s investigate what the futurists say. I consulted several sites, including Epicurious, the Food Network, Forbes magazine and international food and restaurant consultant group Baum & Whiteman's annual report on food and dining trends, which came out this month. They all bring up some keen points about what's to come next year.

Trend #1 – HEALTH – no surprise here, but will this be the year that people start eating really healthy and stop just talking about it? Boomers are pushing this envelope – and they will continue to influence trends as they have all done all of their lives. A special focus will be on intake of antioxidants. Look for more heart-healthy antioxidant-rich foods including omega -3 rich fish such as salmon, and green tea, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, popcorn, berries and whole grains to take over supermarket shelves. Our cooking school has always had a focus on health. Join up and make your new year’s resolution to take a class, including Weight Loss Cookery, Low Carb/ Diabetic Cookery or Weight Loss Success Strategies.

TREND #2 – FERMENTATION & PICKLING – Those of us who enjoy sour are in for a fantastic year. Fermented cherry juice and sour beer? In 2013, yes! Food palates are moving beyond sweet, salty and fatty to tart, acidic, and bitter. Heart healthy anyone? The transformative powers of fermentation of beverage is a well-known fact for red wine, but foods can also exhibit extra health benefits through fermenting. Pickling is a super low calorie way to make veggies burst with excitement.

TREND # 3 VEGETABLES - 2013 will be the year of vegetables. It’s time to make veggies the star of your meal. Meatless Mondays are a great way to get the whole family involved. People think that it’s too hard, but really it’s only because of inexperience. The more practice you get the more you will discover that meat isn’t essential.Veggies are even in dessert!

TREND #4 – APPS FOR COOKING & SHOPPING - mobile and sensor technologies will reshape the way consumers interact with and purchase food. There are even personal size sensors to test the ‘transparency” of food product claims - whether a food is organic or to learn where and how to buy antibiotic free meats or what products have GMO ingredients.

TREND #5 – GLOBAL COMFORT FOOD. People do love to try ethnic flavors. When winter beckons, slow cooking, braising and roasting come to mind. Putting together comfort flavors with Asian and Latin food will explode. Look for combinations like Mac and Cheese with Chorizo or pork rillettes, multi-ethnic burgers, new versions of Asian noodle dishes or fried chicken with new ethnic twists.

Food and Wine

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healthy cooking

cooking with vegetables

pickling and fermentation

cooking classes

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS: SWEET & SAVORY

tkelly — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 01:23:45 +0000

People have so many versions of holiday memories – my favorite ones are around food. While western traditions celebrate Christmas, Earth’s people all gather around midwinter tables with different kinds of celebrations that center around savory taste sensations. Winter is time for roasting, slow cooking and cookies and candies. Food produces memories that resonate with so many senses. What are yours?
In Mexico people celebrate Las Posadas – these are nine fiestas celebrated from December 16 till December 24. The Posada fiestas represent Joseph and Mary's arduous pilgrimage on their way to Bethlehem, and there are nine - to symbolize Mary's nine months of pregnancy. Learn to make awesome tamales and punches from Edurne Garcia Andre’s Mexican Christmas.
Kids love sweets – make new family holiday traditions with them. At the Cooking School we have Clark Baking Dept's Alison Dolder and master Ian Titterton teaching Glorious Christmas Cookies and Heavenly Candymaking. Give joyful gifts of specialty homemade treats!
When you are invited to holiday parties do you bring the same old dishes, year after year? We’ve got you covered for creativity! Be the most popular guest at the party by bringing Phyllo Appetizers for the Holidays and Sparkling Wines and Easy Appetizers.
Don’t let Christmas or Chanukah get the best of you! We’ve got a better way – let the holidays become manageable with professional organizer Kathy Young in Countdown to Christmas!
Lastly, my personal memories around the holidays are about my grandmother. I have a wise tip from her. She would set her table the day before. Not only did this reduce the hassle on the big day, but with her favorite entertaining word, she wanted it to look “elegant”. Each season I try to channel her! Lots of people no longer know what fork goes where, but there is good sense in correct table setting. Use this chart for settingfrom Emily Post and pass it on! Anyone can make a table elegant with evergreen boughs, ribbon and holly – it doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. Feliz Navidad!

Food and Wine

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christmas cooking

cooking for the holidays

las posads

ethnic holiday cooking

setting a beautiful table

cooking classes

Fred Aspler and the Advisory Council

tkelly — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:47:48 +0000

Read on for another page from Bob Williamson's 20th ML Anniversary address:

Fred Apsler rightly deserves credit for the birth of the program we commemorate today, but from the beginning he understood the importance and value of a citizen’s advisory council. The original committee he brought together shared his commitment to education as a lifelong quest. Yet the work wasn’t all serious – Fred leavened everything he did with a sense of flair and fun. It showed up even in his notes to council members, including this one to Lynn Degerstedt:
“Your Lordship… I am extremely disconsolate about not having found your exalted person present in the flesh. Our mini-course for over-aged students was successfully concluded yesterday. Reaction was enthusiastic, and there were piteous cries for more. I crave an audience with your Lordship to get something going. The hot lunch people are very eager to furnish more educational food to the aging masses. Would you deign to call this humble subject on Monday morning to indicate when I can present myself to your illustrious Lordship for an audience? Most humbly and respectfully and always, day or night, at your service, Fred A.”
Fred, his illustrious Lordship and the other members of the advisory council successfully led the transition from the early seminars of “Perspectives on Aging” to the academic curriculum of “focus On Mature Learning.” Full-time college instructors were mixed with professionals in the community to offer and teach courses on local history, interpersonal relationships, current events, psychology, and conversational languages. These early classes flourished, and effectively strengthened the program’s support with the college faculty, the administration, and the advisory council itself.
By 1977, "Focus" was growing, as was Fred’s pride in his creation. He was also finding at this time that his itch for travel and study was stretching an already crowded schedule. As a result, Fred stepped down as the day-to-day coordinator of Focus on Mature Learning but accepted the position of chairman of the advisory council. He would never be far away from the program he loved.

Photo note: This isn't Fred Apsler - it's another Clark County legend - Dan Ogden at the FDR Memorial. I took this on one of our spectacular DC travel trips!

Mature Learning

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senior education

lifelong learning at Clark College

Clark College Mature Learning

classes

GENEALOGY-IT’S AN ADVENTURE

james — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:22:31 +0000

GENEALOGY-IT’S AN ADVENTURE

*Curious about where you came from?
*Wondering who’s in your past?
*Want to find a link to the unknown?

Genealogy is your passport helping you connect and discover your roots.

It can be a fascinating and exciting exploration making one discovery after another. You never know where your search will lead you or who it will lead you to –

Genealogy can become a passion for all ages as you learn facts on where your family and relatives came from and what were their stops along the way. Where did those family traditions come from and why?

Don’t think that the process is too complicated or that you don’t have the right tools or computer savvy. You will be surprised at what you can find with just “baby steps”.

Clark College Continuing Education in Vancouver, WA offer classes for both adults and youth and neither require genealogy software or a computer. Start your adventure now!

“How will our children know who they are if they do not know where they came from."

Author unknown

Genealogy-Who's In Your Past?

Genealogy for Youth-Tracking Down the Facts

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Mature Learning's 40th Anniversary: How it Began

tkelly — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 23:53:50 +0000

We begin a four part series on the history of Mature Learning. This blog is written by guest columnist Bob Williamson. Bob wrote this as a keynote address at the ML 20th Anniversary convocation. Bob is currently VP of Administration at Clark College.
The 20th anniversary of the Focus on Mature Learning program is really the celebration of one man’s restless devotion to teaching and learning. That man is Dr. Alfred Apsler, known less formally to his friends and colleagues – which were many – as Fred. He was a writer and educator all of his adult life, a distinguished instructor at Clark College, and chairman of the Social Sciences division. But by 1971, Fred faced an unpleasant and unwanted prospect: mandatory retirement at age 65.
A longtime associate – Lynn Degerstedt – recalled that Fred approached retirement with something resembling a “mild rebellion”. He had too much drive, too much energy, to suddenly end a life’s work. He loved the Clark College community and wanted to to continue his relationship with the people and the institution. In late 1971, two opportunities emerged: leading the Clark College Foundation or developing educational seminars for older adults.
Fred was an academician by training and passion, so the choice was easy. He conferred with first with George Telisman, then coordinator of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, later director of the Area on Agency on Aging. George suggested organizing programs for others, who like Fred, were heading uneasily into retirement. With characteristic zest, Fred seized the idea, secured community support for it from community leaders and the College and quickly began promoting a collection of seminars called “Perspectives on Aging”.
The first gathering in the fall of 1972 attracted 200 older citizens, each eager to learn about life in retirement, and to share their experiences and viewpoints with one another. This “convocation” (a favorite format of Fred’s) began with a social event, moved on to a general address by a featured speaker and concluded with smaller, breakaway seminars on more specific topics. By any measure, Fred’s inaugural event – the precursor to today’s Focus on Mature Learning program – was an enormous success.
Success, of course, only fueled Fred’s enthusiasm, sp another session was scheduled for Spring of 1973. Subject matters ranged from “Adventure and Discovery Near and Far” to “Age and Mental Health”. The whole series, coordinated by Fred and George Telisman, cost but $1.00 for senior participants. There were signs, though, that changes in “Perspectives in Aging were imminent. A slogan at the bottom of the program used during the spring event read: “let’s Keep Those Brain Cells Moving, and Age Will Never Be a Burden”. These words signified a move towards classes that ventured beyond just the mysteries of retirement and aging. After one more year of “Perspective on Aging”, the program changes its name and emphasis to “Focus on Mature Learning”.
Next month: How Fred Apsler created the current program model during the 1980’s.

Mature Learning

WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE PARIS – AND FOOD!

tkelly — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 20:08:00 +0000

As a confirmed “Foodie”, I’ve always wanted to go to Paris – the capital of gastronomy. And now I have! In a series of blogs I’m going to talk about food in France, and Europe, comparing and contrasting it to what we have here. In Paris I had many chances to immerse myself in a culture that has reverence for not only the preparation of glorious food, but also enjoying food, with extended time sitting in cafes - not in a hurry as in the States. Food is about the enjoyment of life just as much as the gustatory pleasures. When you sit in the outdoor café with a friend or lover you experience what the French call “Le Petit Moment” – life is not about some wild pursuit, but rather the enjoyment of the “little moment” – and everyday life offers us this in dining, which can be a frequent peak experience. Our Food and Wine classes are all about the delectable delights of good eating. Look at food preparation as an utterly accessible, everyday joy, not as a chore. Come with me now, to Paris!

What is it that the French know about using fresh, quality ingredients and what can we in the Pacific NW learn from them? This month, in Paris I went on a “Gourmet Walking Tour” from the prestigious “Promenades Gourmandes” Cooking School. Our brilliant guide, Betty Edery Bitton took us to her favorite shops – legendary for offering the very best! Travel with me at my class “La Cuisine Parisienne” and I’ll “take” you to rue Montorgueil and La Fermette with its staggering array of cheeses and teach you the real way to put together a cheese plate. We’ll also pay tribute to Julia Child for her 100th birthday this year. You know, French cooking is more about respect for the steps and ingredients than that it is difficult. Our instructor Lucy Vaserfirer has a marvelous capacity to explain how something like a spectacular Crème Brulee can become easy. It’s all about timing – take her "Baked Custards" class to see.

Let me tell you what I saw on my gourmet tour: luscious, glistening seafood….produce palettes of gorgeous vegetables arranged in inviting displays… oh so crusty baguettes at Kayser! Each morning at our B & B our hostess went to the bakery, or bread, brioche or croissants – you could recreating that kind of experience at our "Artisan Bread Baking" class with Clark Baking instructor Melanie Templeman. Try to imagine the boutique wonder of Jacques Genin, Patisserie & Chocolaterie – a stunning gallery where I purchased chocolates with real mint and lavender - stay tuned for more on that experience in another blog!

In France and in Europe you look for the AOC: Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée. This label enables customers to recognize high-quality products from a guaranteed region of origin, created to promote not only quality but also traditional production methods in the food sector. It is mainly applied to wines and cheeses. When we teach our classes at the Food and Wine Program we also teach you how to shop, how to distinguish the better product form another. As you learn more about what is quality, you open up your whole set of senses. It’s hard to have these kinds of experience in Vancouver because we have a supermarket culture. But one can come close to experiencing this kind of quality by growing your own garden or going to the Farmer’s Market, patronizing a Community Supported Agriculture or going to stores like Whole Foods, New Seasons or Chuck’s Produce. When Fall term begins, definitely make the Clark College Bakery a regular stop! It's as close as you can get to Paris in Vancouver!

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