Are you ready to try your hand at something new? Have you always wanted to start a new hobby but didn’t know where to start? These introductory courses are a great way to get you going and to make some new friends along the way!

Hot courses for this quarter:

Basics of e-Bay Selling
DIY Financial Planning
Fit Brain, Fluid Mind
Introduction to Tai Chi
Line Dancing
Make Your Own Rain Barrel
Photoshop for Photographers (Level 1)
Pottery: Handbuilding
Sewing

Basic Cake Decorating
This class is designed to teach the beginning or intermediate cake decorator the secrets that only the pros know, from how to make the perfect icing to tips for borders, leaves and flowers, basket weaves, and more. Cost:  $59 plus supplies; 4 sessions.
Blairsville, WED, 8/20-9/10, 6P-9P

Basics of e-Bay Selling
Have you ever wanted to learn more about using online auctions like eBay, but you do not know where to start?  Start with opening an account and get tips on pricing items, creating listings, and completing transactions.  Basic computer skills required.  Taught by John Presnick.  Cost:  $49; 3 weeks.
Blairsville, TUE, 8/12-8/26, 6P-8P

Composting Basics
Backyard composting can be as simple as leaving things in a pile to rot or as complicated as fine-tuning the ph balance for specific plants.  This one-session class will give you the basics with tips and techniques for effectively and efficiently composting for your home garden.  Come and see how fun and safe it can be to play in the dirt!  Cost:  $39 plus supplies; 3 hours.
Clarkesville, WED, 8/27, 6P-9P

Digital Photography
This is a great class for the beginning photographer! Students will explore techniques such as indoor and outdoor portrait composing, lighting, posing, and special effects. Bring your camera and owners manual with you when you come to class.  $99; 6 sessions.  2.0 CEUs.
Currahee, WED, 7/30-9/03, 6P-9P

DIY Financial Planning
Learn the facts so you won’t be talked into another unnecessary, expensive financial product again! Join us and learn proven strategies to help you grow, protect, and preserve your assets.  Using case studies, this program demonstrates practical financial planning techniques for self-directed families. You learn basic planning techniques dealing with taxes, saving and investing, retirement planning, insurance products, and estate planning, as well as the inter-relationship between these disciplines.  Taught by Mike Caruso.  Cost:  $49; 3 weeks.
Clarkesville, MON, 8/11-8/25, 6P-9P
Blairsville, TUE, 8/12-8/26, 6P-9P
Currahee, THU, 8/14-8/28, 6P-9P

Fit Brain, Fluid Mind
Tired of misplacing your keys?  Got an attention span the size of a gnat?  “Zoning out” during important conversations?  Come learn how to help your brain stay fit and keep your mind functioning its best, regardless of your age. Based on the latest scientific research, this fun, interactive workshop delivers effective, easy-to-learn tools that you can use to sharpen your memory, improve your concentration and attention span, and keep your thinking clear and fast.  Taught by Karen Bentley.  Cost:  $39; 3 hours.
Clarkesville, TUE, 7/22, 6P-9P
Clarkesville, THU, 8/14, 1P-4P

Flooring
Come learn the tricks of the trade from a professional who has run his own business for years.  Topics include basic strategies for choosing the best flooring materials including durability, aesthetics, installation, and maintenance.  Come and learn simple step-by-step instructions for installing tile, hardwoods, carpet and more.  Taught by Greg Willis.  Cost:  $125; 6 sessions.
Clarkesville, WED, 8/06-9/10, 6P-9P

Introduction to Tai Chi
Tai Chi is an ancient type of martial art exercises that relax and balance the body and the mind.  This introductory course uses slow, dance-like motions with gentle repetitive movements and rhythmic breathing.  Tai Chi helps with flexibility and strengthens the whole body  structure.  Come see a demonstration on Tuesday, July 15 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.  Cost:  $69; 6 sessions
Clarkesville, SAT, 8/02-9/06, 9A-11A

Line Dancing
From the “New York Hustle” to the “Electric Slide,” line dancing never goes out of style.  Come get “in step” with the newest steps and get in some aerobic exercise at the same time!  Taught by Mike McDonald.  $60 single/$100 couple; 6 weeks.
Clarkesville, THU, 7/31-9/04, 7P-9P

Make Your Own Rain Barrel
Ride the reduce/reuse/recycle wave and make your own rain barrel and start collecting water for your lawn and garden.  From how to fit your barrel to advice for where to place it, this class will get you on the road to “going green.”  Jump in, the water’s fine!  Taught by Scarlett Fuller, Water Conservation Specialist.  Cost:  $29 plus supplies; 2 hours.
Clarkesville, THU, 7/31, 6:30P-8:30P
Currahee, TUE, 8/12, 6:30P-8:30P

Photoshop for Photographers (Level 1)
This is an entry-level Photoshop course designed to give photographers help in producing quality photographs. You will learn how to correct exposure and lighting, save images, correct color, make collages, touch up photos, and restore photos. Computer skills are necessary.  Cost:  $125; 6 sessions.
Blairsville, MON, 8/04-9/15, 6P-9P
Clarkesville, THU, 8/07-9/11, 6P-9P

Pottery:  Handbuilding
Working with clay is fun, therapeutic, and just plain satisfying.  You may even discover untapped artistic talent.  But whatever you find, you will have a great time “playing in the mud.”  In this hands-on class, you will learn to create pottery pieces and sculpture using a variety of hand-building techniques, including pinch pot, molds, coiling, slab building, and carving.  You’ll experiment with texture and design as you learn about the history and advances in pottery techniques, and specifically the ancient art of handbuilding. Taught by Diane Loffmin.  Cost:  $89 plus supplies; 6 weeks.
Currahee, SAT, 7/26-9/06, 9A-12P

Sewing
Have you ever wanted to learn the basics of sewing?  Here is your chance.  Learn the basics of how to operate your home sewing machine, make various stitches with different materials, and lay out and sew simple patterns.  Taught by Sharen McCray.  Cost:  $55 plus supplies; 4 sessions.
Clarkesville, TUE, 8/05-8/26, 6P-9P

Soap Making
"What makes handmade soap different from regular soap?”  True and natural handcrafted soap is rich in glycerin, so the bar will clean and remove oils, while soothing sensitive skin.  Beginning with an explanation of saponification, humectants, and ingredients such as Shea Butter and Essential Oils, this class will give you step-by-step instructions for making soap at home and giving you a new appreciation for wisely choosing natural products when shopping.  Taught by Ellie Trinowski.  Cost:  $59 plus supplies; 3 sessions.
Clarkesville, WED, 7/16-7/30, 6P-9P

Spanish Level 1
Whether preparing for an exotic vacation to Spain or simply ordering a meal at your favorite Mexican restaurant, this class will teach the basics of Spanish from learning to count to using correct grammar.  Cost:  $89 (includes book and CD); 15 hours.
Blairsville, MON, 7/21-9/15, 6P-8P
Clarkesville, TUE, 7/29-9/16, 6P-8P
Currahee, THU, 7/31-9/18, 6P-8P

Spanish Level 2
Continue to build your vocabulary of Spanish as you move into more challenging sentences and phrases.  Cost:  $89 (includes book and CD); 15 hours.
Clarkesville, MON, 7/21-9/15, 6P-8P
Blairsville, WED, 7/30-9/17, 6P-8P
Currahee, WED, 7/30-917, 6P-8P

Whole Grain Bread Making
This class takes the Rachael Ray approach to bread making:  Use a machine to do your hard work!  Learn about the different characteristics of whole grain flours and how to use them to make delicious homemade healthy breads and rolls.  Bring your bread machine or your muscles, and we’ll provide the rest! Cost:  $59 plus supplies; 3 sessions.
Clarkesville, THU, 7/24-8/07, 6P-8P

For more classes, click here to view the Mountain Message pages, or if you’re ready to register, click here.