Spring is Just Around the Corner
We've had a cold and wet winter.
While it's put a dent in the drought we've all been living with, it might also have kept us indoors a little more than we'd like.
So may we suggest breaking free with one of our Lifelong Education classes?
This month our class menu focuses on food. We can't think of many better ways to spend rainy days and cold nights than creating a sumptuous meal—especially if it's something you've never prepared before such as a Persian dish, seafood (sushi anyone?), or a decadent dessert.
Check out our list of March classes below. Click the registration link in this email or point your web browser to mdae.mdusd.org. For questions, call us at (925) 937-1530, or email us at lifelonged@mdusd.org.
Here's what's on tap for March...
Cooking
We have three excellent cooking instructors:
- Vince Aiello, graduate of San Francisco Culinary Academy and Tante Marie Cooking School
- Tatsuo Nagasawa, former San Francisco chef, nutritionist, and seafood specialist
- Azam Rasuli, a certified nutritionist with two international degrees from the Iranian Education Institute has 25 years of experience preparing traditional Iranian dishes
3 Quick, Easy, and Delicious Dinners
Beginners, busy singles, couples, and those with cooking phobias. 30 minutes is all the time you need to spend in the kitchen! Dishes include baked shrimp with roasted buckwheat (kasha), sautéed salmon with black beans, and Jasmine rice, etc.
Thursday, Mar 30, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Instructor: Tatsuo Nagasawa
$45 • Register
Baklava
A great gift for Father's Day! Baklava is a piece of heaven! Create this flaky, and crispy layered pastry with toasted nuts soaked in juicy syrup and wrapped in mesmerizing aromas of rose water, cardamom, and nutty brown butter. Not too sweet and quite different. This gluten-free phyllo dough recipe is sure to be enjoyed by your family and friends.
Tuesday, Mar 28, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Instructor: Azam Rasuli
$45 • Register
Gourmet Cooking
A different savory 5-course menu at each class, from classic homestyle to elegant dinners.
Tuesday, Mar 14, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Mar 21, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Instructor: Vince Aiello
$42 • Register
Gourmet Desserts
Learn to make five different Gourmet desserts at each class, from classic to elegant desserts.
Wednesday, Mar 8, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Instructor: Vince Aiello
$42 • Register
New Tasty Low Cal Cooking with Seafood
Expand your seafood repertoire without expanding your waistline. Learn to make delicious seafood dishes combined with seasonal vegetable and herbs. Examples: Baked Salmon with Basil Pesto and Fresh Bread Crumbs, Sautéed Dayboat Scallops with Quinoa and Cauliflower Shrimp Cake.
Thursday, Mar 9, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Instructor: Tatsuo Nagasawa
$42 • Register
Nowruz Dishes
Prepare delicious traditional Persian dishes for the new year! Fried noodle rice, fish tahdig, saffron muffins, pistachio delights, and more!
Tuesday, Mar 7, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Instructor: Azam Rasuli
$42 • Register
Sushi Party
Throw your own sushi party! Make rice balls, rolled sushi (Maki), and hand rolls (Temaki). Learn about sushi-making tools, techniques, ingredients, table setup and how to select fish and vegetables for sushi.
Thursdays, Mar 16-23, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Instructor: Tatsuo Nagasawa
$143 • Register
Finance
Now on Tuesday!
Welcome to Medicare
A free class presented by the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) in Contra Costa County covering aspects of Medicare Health Insurance. Do you have questions? HICAP has the answers. Intended for those new to Medicare.
Tuesday, Mar 23, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Instructor: Shari Safianoff
Free • Register
Home & More
Organize your Garage in No Time
You don’t need to empty your garage entirely to get organized. You can do it a few hours at a time. Learn a system of organizing that enables you to be fast and decisive. Become familiar with products that can help you effectively store the things you keep. The information presented can be used to organize any storage area. Gloria Bullock is an experienced professional organizer.
Tuesday, Mar 7, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Instructor: Gloria Bullock
$22 • Register
Personal Enrichment
Avoiding Frauds and Scams
Learn the tactics scammers use to take advantage of you and your loved ones. Class includes discussion on current and past scams. Learn to identify the key components of an email and how to determine an email's validity, how phone numbers can be spoofed, and popular social media sites used to promote scams and fraudulent behavior. Chris has worked as a federal criminal investigator for over 13 years, specializing in white collar crimes.
Friday, Mar 17, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Instructor: Chris Huntington
$22 • Register
Food and Culture of Europe
Class focuses on the culture and cuisine of Spain, Italy, and France. Taste olives, tortilla Española, bread, risotto, soufflé, and quiche! Learn about European history and geography and their impact on food and culture.
Fridays, Mar 3-17, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Instructor: Azam Rasuli
$60 • Register
Hypnosis for Personal Management
In one session, receive an introduction to self-hypnosis, information on hypnosis for weight, pain, and stress management, a group hypnosis session, and a recording for after class work. Michelle is a Clinical Hypnotherapist practicing online and in Pleasant Hill.
Wednesday, Mar 8, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Instructor: Michelle Walters
$22 • Register
Woodturning
Woodturning - Independent Projects Open Shop
Come and work with expert coaches. Our vast selection of tools and accessories will allow you to undertake most project opportunities. Prerequisite: Woodturning – 101 at PHEC. Open to current and former Woodturning students. Must pre-register.
Fridays, Mar 3, 10, 24, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Instructor: Jim Rodgers
$15 • Register
Woodworking
Diablo Woodworkers
Join other woodworking men and women for a monthly exchange of ideas and information. We often have guest speakers demonstrate unique aspects of woodworking. Email Jeff Traeger for information, jefftraeger@comcast.net. Please Note: This class is offered both in person and/or online.
Wednesday, Mar 8, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Instructor: Jeff Traeger
Free • Register
Spring Registration Opens March 22
Circle the date now, before you forget—March 22. Registration for Spring classes will open at 8:00 a.m. that day and we'll have our usual slate of cooking, technology, woodworking, and art classes and more. Many of our most popular classes fill up fast. So don't run the risk of being disappointed—register early.
Interested in a Spanish book club?
Our own Ana Galvan has organized monthly meetings on the first Monday of every month through August 7 at the Ygnacio Valley Library (2662 Oak Grove Road in Walnut Creek).
Click or tap here for more information.
El Club de Lectura en español consiste en un grupo de personas que leen el mismo libro y periódicamente se reúnen en la biblioteca de Ygnacio Valley para intercambiar opiniones y experiencias sobre las lecturas. Leeremos obras de todo tipo: memorias, novelas contemporáneas, clásicas, de misterio, romances, etc. Los libros estarán disponibles para sacar de la biblioteca. La actividad será impartida por Ana Galvan, autora. El próximo libro será Tiempo de tormentas de Boris Izaguirre.
Teach with Us!
Do you have the passion and knowledge to teach a class? We are always on the lookout for new instructors who can add to our course offerings, particularly if you can teach a class related to fitness, sewing, quilting, or cooking.
If you're interested, contact Judith Sosnowski at sosnowskij@mdusd.org for more information.
March calendar
March 12 — Daylight Saving Time
March 17 — St. Patrick's Day
March 22 — Spring Registration opens after 8 a.m.
March 31 — Cesar Chavez Day, a District holiday
And here's something perfect for kids and families....
Winter Registration is Open, Both Online and In-Person!
Many people—people just like you—are taking advantage of a slate of classes in arts, crafts, finance, fitness, Apple classes, woodworking, cooking, and a myriad of other subjects.
New classes are added regularly. Check our website for updates and register for classes at mdae.mdusd.org. You can also call us at (925) 937-1530 or email us at lifelonged@mdusd.org.
Registering on our website is as easy as 1-2-3!
1. Click on the blue Lifelong Education tab, then click on the class category.
2. Scroll to view and choose classes.
3. Click the blue Register Now box.
If you are a returning student, select log in.
If you are a new student, select create an account.
And let your friends know about our array of classes via your social media account. A simple tweet or Facebook post will do.
Don't miss out. Don't be left behind. Enroll today. It's easier than ever to add a new skill, refine and old one, or just learn something new.