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Fall Course Offerings 


Merced College Community Services offers not-for-credit courses throughout the year. 
The following highlight the categories for these courses with the full descriptions below:

ANIMAL CARE

MONEY AND FINANCE

ARTS, HOBBIES & CRAFTS

ONLINE COURSES

COOKING

SAFETY AND TRAINING

HEALTH & FITNESS

SPECIAL INTEREST

KIDS CORNER

SPORTS &  OUTDOOR RECREATION

ANIMAL CARE

Canine Obedience Boot Camp – Beginning dog obedience and Canine Good Citizen test. This class will teach dog owners how to train their dogs in basic obedience such as sit, down, stay and recall. The class will also be a Canine Good Citizen test. The dogs will learn not to jump, bark, or be aggressive. At the end of the six weeks, a test will be done, and if the handlers and their dogs pass, a certificate will be awarded.
Tuesdays – October 6, 13, 20, 27 and Nov. 3, 10
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Instructor: Carol Reiter / Fee $60
Location: Merced Dog Park (Yosemite Ave)
Register here

ARTS, HOBBIES & CRAFTS

Delicious Drop Necklace – A shimmering mixture of tiny beads, pearls, and crystals are peyote’ stitched over a form to create the focal point of an elegant necklace. Strung with strands of coordinating and accent beads, you’ll turn your drop into a one-of-a-kind yummy necklace.  A supply list will be provided at registration, or a kit may be purchased in class for $25.  All students should bring a work light and sharp scissors (small embroidery scissors are preferred).
Saturday, October 10, 2009
9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Instructor: C.R. Radding                     Fee $50
Location: Art 4
Register here

Water Color on WHAT? – Join local award winning artist/instructor Kate Jackson as she guides you to develop your watercolor skills on a variety of new surfaces including Yupo paper, gesso'd paper, watercolor canvas and various other unique surfaces.  Learn the techniques required to complete simple but effective paintings on the one you decide is your favorite.  Kate gives fun exercises and exciting ideas for playing with this flowing, unpredictable medium!   All skill levels are welcome and no previous art experience required!  Kate works with each student to increase their abilities from any level.
Wednesdays, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28 & Nov 4, 11
6:00 – 8:30PM
Instructor: Kate Jackson     Fee $60 plus $15 lab fee paid to instructor at first class, supply list will be discussed at first class, students will provide some of their own items if possible.
Location: Art-7
Register here

COOKING

Cooking with Chef Rory - Learn to cook with one of Merced’s best!  Bring a partner or come solo, this class will teach you four different meals from start to finish.  Each week will highlight a different course—we’ll explore take and bakes, appetizers, and desserts.  Chef Rory McCarthy has been the Merced College Chef for 3 years and has complete his advance Culinary arts at Orange Coast College.
THIS COURSE HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Cake Decorating – See how easy and rewarding it is to decorate cakes and other desserts that will delight your family and friends.  Learn the right way to decorate, step-by-step.  As you learn new decorating skills, you will gain a sense of pride in your accomplishments and share your delicious results with friends.  Bring the following items with you to the first class: apron, container for supplies (shoe box size), note pad and pencil, scissors, fine-tip permanent marker.
Saturdays – Oct 17, 24, 31, Nov 7
9:00 – 12:00 PM
Instructor: Donna Beard
                   
Fee $50 plus $25 lab fee
Location: Voc-142
Register here
  

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Fitness Boot Camp AM (Merced) – Get into great shape with an efficient workout that will burn lots of calories while strengthening your muscles.  Every workout is different and you will constantly challenge yourself.  This course is for anyone who wants to get a grip on their fitness regime.
Monday/Wednesday/Friday, Sept 2 – Dec 4
6:00 – 7:00 AM
Instructor: Ryan Ballinger / Fee $55
Location: Merced College Stadium
Register here
  

Fitness Boot Camp PM (Merced) – Get into great shape with an efficient workout that will burn lots of calories while strengthening your muscles.  Every workout is different and you will constantly challenge yourself.  This course is for anyone who wants to get a grip on their fitness regime.
Tuesday/Thursday, Sept 1 – Dec 3
5:30 – 6:30 PM
Instructor: Ryan Ballinger / Fee $45
Location: Merced College Stadium
Register here
  

Fitness Boot Camp (Los Banos) – Get into great shape with an efficient workout that will burn lots of calories while strengthening your muscles.  Every workout is different and you will constantly challenge yourself.  This course is for anyone who wants to get a grip on their fitness regime.
Tuesday/Thursday, Sept 8 – Dec 10
6:00 – 7:00 AM
Instructor: Aaron Gomes / Fee $45
Location:
Los Banos Campus
Register here
  

The Biggest Loser – Interested in a little friendly competition while shedding fat?  Based on the popular television show, you will be competing to lose pounds and inches with your class peers (based on body fat percentage).  Everyone will be a winner but the ultimate “biggest loser” will receive a CASH PRIZE.  Each class will focus on developing healthy lifestyle changes including help setting up healthy menus, exercise plans, as well as proven weight loss techniques.  You will also participate in a rigorous workout, so come dressed appropriately.  Note: Only weight loss percentages will be revealed.
Saturdays, October & November, 7:00 – 9:00 AM
Instructor: Ryan Ballinger / Fee $50 plus $20 lab fee due at the first class
Register here
 

KIDS CORNER

Children’s Choir – Expose your child to the joys of making music through the Merced Children’s Choir hosted by the College’s Department of Music.  Children ages 7 – 12 will spend 15 weeks studying music culminating in a public performance.  The Choir will study the basics of vocal production and technique, music reading, rhythm, and diction.
Wednesdays, Sept 2 – Dec 9, 2009 (except Nov 25)
4:00 – 5:30 PM
Instructor: Patrice Stribling Nelson
Fee $110                     Location: Lesher 111
Register here
  

Youth Water Polo – This class is designed to introduce and review basic water polo skills: ball handling, shooting, offensive set-up, defensive set-up, and game strategies. Participants must be able to swim 25 yards unassisted.  For more information contact Coach McCall at (209) 384-6029 or email: mccall.s@mccd.edu.  Open to grades 4 – 8th.
4:30 – 6:00 PM
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays – August 24th thru November 19th
Instructor: Betsy Bell               Fee $60
Location: Merced College Pool
Register here

MONEY & FINANCE

Buying a Home 101 - NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY A HOME! This course prepares the future homebuyer for buying a home. They will learn the home buying process, including how to hold title, what reports should be requested, and what should be included in the sales contract to protect the buyer.  All the mortgages that are available in today’s market are explained in detailed so the homebuyer can choose the right one to meet their needs.  Buying at foreclosure sales, auctions and short sales is explained with the pros and cons of each.
Saturday, October 24
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Instructor: Carol Williamson 
Fee $25 plus $10 materials fee
Location: TBD
Register here
  

ONLINE COURSES

Community Services offers more than 150 online courses on a wide range of topics.  Example online courses include, but not limited to…

Creating Web Pages                           Speed Spanish

Accounting Fundamentals                  Medical Terminology

Intro to Microsoft Excel                     A to Z Grant Writing

Grammar Refresher                            Intro to QuickBooks

Intro to Dreamweaver 8                     Medical Coding

Project Management                          Digital Photography

Secrets of Photography                      Intro to SQL

GRE Preparation                                GMAT Preparation

SAT/ACT Preparation                         Real Estate Investing

Workplace Computer Skills                Business Writing

Solving Classroom Discipline Problems

More classes and complete descriptions are located on our website at Community Services Online Courses.  All online courses are fee based.

SAFETY & TRAINING 

Traffic School – This DMV-approved course meets the requirements for those allowed by the court to attend a traffic school. Successful completion of this class could void the citation from your record and protect your insurance. A certificate of completion is awarded by the instructor at the end of class. Call (209) 384-6224 to pre-register (mandatory).  Courses are from 8:00am - 4:00pm and held on the Merced College Campus.
Sept 12 & 26, Oct 10, 24, & 31, Nov 14 & 21, Dec 5 & 12, Jan 9 & 23, Feb 6 & 20, March 6 & 20, April 10 &24, May 1 & 15, June 5 & 19
Fee $40 and pre-registration is required.
You must arrive 15 minutes early.  Bring your ticket or docket number and driver's license.
For more information, visit us at Merced College Traffic School.

Notary Public in One Day – Start your own business, provide customer service, earn additional income and/or get recommissioned.  This one-day intensive seminar will teach you the new legislation, how to pass the “new” test, identify document signers, keep a journal, fill out certificates and avoid lawsuits.  The class includes a practice Notary Public Exam as well as the official exam.  You must be present for the entire course of instruction and be at least 18 years of age.  Bring to class a proper ID (license or state issued ID), two #2 pencils, and a check or money order payable to the Secretary of State for $40 for new applicants and renewals.
Saturday, November 14, 2009, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
$125, includes course fee and supplies
Location: Tri College, Building 1

Register here

SPECIAL INTEREST

Piano Your Teachers Never Taught You – Todd Walker has taught more than 30,000 students from beginners to those with years of lessons to play the piano in just one day.  In three hours, you will learn 72 chords, 156 hand positions, and how to read music from lead sheets and fake books.  If you can read notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B you know enough to enroll.  If you do not, stop by our office for a free note reading pamphlet.
Saturday, Nov 14 / 1:30 – 4:30 PM
Instructor: Todd Walker
Fee $44 plus a $27 lab fee
Location: Music Building 1
Register here

An Introduction to Voiceovers - Have you ever wanted to be the voice everyone hears on TV and radio commercials, or documentary or audiobook narrations?  This fun, informative, and empowering class will teach you the basics of the voice over industry.  Your voice will be recorded as you read from real scripts so you can receive a professional voice evaluation later.  Be warned, many who have taken this class have gone on to become real, bona-fide, professional Voice Actors.  Come ready to laugh, learn, and be inspired...  This class is taught by a professional voice actor.
Thursday, Nov 19
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Fee $39
Location: Music Building 1

Register here

The Making of Movies – This course is a series hands-on workshops and discussions on the process of creating a motion picture, from concept of idea, through pre and production practices, to post production and marketing of films.  Students participating in these sessions will gain in broad strokes, knowledge of the entire motion picture process, including: concept creations and scripting, preproduction, shot list, budgeting, scheduling, production, directing, lighting, cinematography and camera techniques, sound recording and postproduction practices.
Section 1 – Wednesday, Sept 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 11, 18 / 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Section 2 – Thursdays, Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 & Nov 5, 12, 19
/ 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Instructor: Jason Ryder
  
Fee $129 (Register for one section only)
Location: Student Union, Room 137

Register here

Ace the Interview and Dress to Win – The class will address the needs of a broad range of job seekers from first timers, to people who are establishing new careers. Students will gain self confidence as they learn basic guidelines for interviewing effectively. 
Monday, Sept 28 / 6:00 – 8:30 PM
Instructor: Karen Hudson
Fee $35
Location: Student Union, Room 137

Register here

SPORTS & OUTDOOR RECREATION 

Golf for All Ages (weekday) – Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, your game will improve.  This four week golf lesson course will cover full swing, short game, basic rules, and general golf course etiquette.  Bring your own clubs or borrow one of ours.
Mondays and Wednesdays – Oct 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28, Nov 2, 4, 9, 11
6:00 – 7:30 PM
Instructor: Gary Olson       Fee $50 plus range fees
Location: Rancho Del Rey Golf Course, Atwater
Register here


Golf for All Ages (weekend)
– Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, your game will improve.  This four week golf lesson course will cover full swing, short game, basic
rules, and general golf course etiquette.  Bring your own clubs or borrow one of ours.
Saturdays – Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Nov 7, 14, 21
10:00 – 12:00 noon
Instructor: Gary Olson       Fee $50 plus range fees
Location: Rancho Del Rey Golf Course, Atwater
Register here
 

Rock Climbing – Want to learn the sport and adventure of rock climbing?  Join us for a two week seminar and then a trip to Yosemite National Park to put your skills to the test.  You’ll spend time on the Merced College Rock Wall learning the equipment, safety, climbing techniques, and more.  We have all the equipment you’ll need.
Saturday/Sunday – November 14, 15
Saturday, Merced College Rock Wall, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday, Yosemite Park (transportation provided), 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Instructors: Andrew Granville and Art Emus       Fee $95
Location: Merced College Rock Wall
Register here
 

Oyama Karate – Learn from one of the best, get fit, and experience World Oyama Karate.  World Oyama Karate is a classic, full-contact, Japanese style of Karate. An uncompromising dedication to teaching excellence and a well-founded reputation for coaching some of the best international full-contact Karate champions has made World Oyama Karate a phenomenal success in the world of Martial Arts.  Sensei Takeshi Saito from San Francisco will be leading this experience for the Merced area.

Wednesdays, Sept 9, 16, 23, 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28

6:00 – 7:00 PM

Instructor: Takeshi Saito         Fee $65

Location: Merced College, Gym-4
Register here

 


 

 

 

 
Page  updated  10/15/2009
 
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