Hickory – Catawba Valley Community College will offer a number of fun, short courses for personal enrichment this February. Contact Cheri Toney, 828-327-7037 or [email protected].

Adobe Photoshop: This class covers the workspace and tools, organizing and importing photos, color and tonal correction, image adjustments and manipulation, composting images, and masking. Image formats, selection techniques, filter effects, retouching and restoring photos, working with layers for composition, and using various painting tools are also covered. This class is required class before taking the Adobe Certification exam. Registration: $80 Thursdays, February 21 – March 28, 6 – 8 pm, Robert E. Paap Rm. 123 Instructor: Michael O. Johnson

Art Media of Your Choice: Learn basic drawing and painting techniques, including brush strokes, color combinations, preparations, and composition. Individual creativity and expression will be encouraged throughout the class which is designed for both the beginner and experienced artists. Registration: $65 Tuesdays, February 5 – March 26, 6 – 9 pm, East Campus Rm. 988,
Instructor: Randy Bell

Buttercream 101: This course will introduce you to the world of cake decorating using buttercream icing. Students will learn the difference in icing consistency and why it is important; how to fill and use a decorating bag; different tips and how to pipe them; how to decorate a cupcake; how to make buttercream flowers; and how to level, torte, fill and ice a cake, and more. Registration $60 Mondays, February 4 – March 4, 6 – 8 pm, East Campus Rm. 1209
Instructor: Glenda Peek

Buttercream 102: Students with basic buttercream icing skills will learn about tip families, how to use one tip to get five different techniques, how to pipe borders and embellishments, how to make pretty piped bouquets, beautiful cupcakes, and more. Supplies required for class will be shared at the time of registration. Pre-requisite: Buttercream 101 class, or equivalent knowledge. Registration: $60 Tuesdays, February 5 – March 5, 6 – 8 pm, East Campus Rm. 1209
Instructor: Glenda Peek

Digital Photography: Learn the basics to take great pictures with a digital camera. Designed for new users of digital SLR cameras, the class will focus on the fundamentals of digital camera operations. Included is an introduction to digital photo imaging, exploring the use of hardware/software, image capture, and input/output devices.  SLR digital camera required. Registration: $75 Thursdays, February 28 – April 4, 6 – 8 pm, CVCC Alexander Center Instructor: Milton Hawes

Photography Basics: This course covers the basics of manual camera operation. Determining proper exposure, the interplay between aperture and shutter speeds, composition, photographic techniques, and supporting equipment will be explored. In this course, the camera’s aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual settings will be used to make proper exposures. SLR camera with manual operation is required. Textbook: “KISS Guide to Photography,” by John Garrett. Registration: $75, does not include book and camera. Thursdays, February 21 – March 28, 6 – 8 pm, East Campus Rm. 1001
Instructor: Robert Dant

Basic Pistol for Women-Level I: Women are purchasing handguns now more than ever and wish to have a foundation of knowledge about the “tool” that may be necessary to defend themselves. This hands-on course teaches Second Amendment rights, the proper way to handle a handgun, safety in and outside the home, and an explanation of ammunition. The five basic fundamentals of shooting is included. This is not an NRA or conceal carry course. No pre-requisite required. Optional range time. Registration: $35Mondays, February 4, 6 – 9 pm, East Campus Rm. 1001Instructor: Tom McNeely

Beginning Pistol Defense for Women: Students will learn safety rules, home storage, buying pistols, shooting stances/ready positions, sight picture, clearing gun malfunctions, cleaning pistols and the five fundaments of shooting. This is not an NRA or concealed carry handgun class. However, students can attend with a concealed carry permit. Pre-requisite: Basic Pistol for Women class. Registration: $35 Mondays, February 11, 6 – 9 pm, East Campus Rm. 1001
Instructor: Tom McNeely

Spanish-Conversational: Get an introduction to expressions and vocabulary for basic conversation, with special focus on traveling to a Spanish speaking country or working with the public. Students should purchase the textbook “Spanish in 10 Minutes a Day,” 6th edition, at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com prior to the first class, approximate cost $25. Registration: $75 Mondays, February 4 – March 25, 6 – 8 pm, East Campus Rm. 1010, 
Instructor: TBA

Woodworking-Beginning: Making a Dulcimer: Called an Appalachian or mountain dulcimer, this unique narrow, hourglass-shaped string instrument is popular in the Appalachian mountain region. The price of the class includes registration, a kit to make the dulcimer, and the necessary tools to complete your own one-of-a-kind instrument. Registration: $575, Tuesdays, February 5 – March 19, 6 – 9 pm, East Campus Rm. 1081
Instructor: Eddie Hamrick

Yoga-BeginningYoga: Yoga has many benefits including stress relief, lowered blood pressure, increased flexibility and muscle tone and can even help with anxiety and depression.  This fun and beneficial class concentrates on relaxation, flexibility and balance and is appropriate for beginners to intermediate. Bring a yoga mat or large towel. Registration: $60 Tuesdays & Thursdays, February 5 – March 28, 5 – 6 pm, Tarlton Complex 086
Instructor: Nancy Gregory

Reading or Writing? You Can’t Have One without the Other: As an elementary teacher, do you struggle to balance your literacy time with reading and writing? This workshop explores ways for teachers to provide instruction that doesn’t forsake one for the other. Ideas for incorporating reading and writing will be shared and new ideas to take back to the classroom will be developed. Bring a charged laptop or iPad and trade books that you use during your literacy block. Provides 1.0 teacher renewal credit CEU. Registration: $55 Tuesdays, February 5 – March 5, 6 – 8 pm, Robert E. Paap, Rm. 216
Instructor: Lora Drum

21st Century Engagement: This workshop is designed to help elementary and middle school educators become a learning facilitator while increasing student engagement in the classroom. Participants will learn a variety of methods that help students become critical thinkers through active learning. Bring a charged laptop or iPad. Provides 1.0 teacher renewal credit CEU. Registration: $55 February 7 – March 7, 6 – 8 pm, Robert E. Paap Rm. 216
Instructor: Lora Drum