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Design a Native Plant Garden

Get an introduction to ecological design principles for a native plant garden. We will look at the beauty and versatility of native plants and discuss why planting native species is so important for supporting ecological health and reversing the current decline in insect and bird species. We will guide you in selecting the right plants for your site conditions and designing a plan for a selected portion of your garden (up to 10 x15 feet) on graph paper—whether or not you can draw. Go home with a garden plan, a plant list, information on where to source the plants, and resources for maintenance.

Tue, Apr 23 - May 7

Arlington High School

Dot Mandala Rock Painting: Intermediate

Ready for the next step, dotters? This class is for those who have completed the beginner Dot Mandala class. Build on your basic skills and take your dotting technique to the next level. Learn how to dot a spiral, a sea urchin, and more. Come prepared with the materials from the beginner class, as well as prepared rocks for each session.

Wed, May 15 - Jun 5

Arlington High School

Drawing Foundations

It’s true—anyone can draw! Learning to draw is about learning to see the world with accuracy, mindfulness, and clarity. Build a toolbox of skills, mindsets, and techniques for drawing the observable word around you. Each week will introduce a new topic such as types of line, shape development, proportion, perspectives, value, texture, object relationships, and composition. We’ll draw together as we integrate these concepts through a sequence of short and longer exercises. All levels are welcome, especially beginners. BYO materials, details online. The class materials list can be found here.

Tue, Apr 23 - Jun 11

9:15 - 10:45 AM

Arlington Community Center

Drawing Textures with Colored Pencils

Texture can add both beauty and realism to your artwork. Discover how to create visual textures such as stones, wood, fur, feather, glossy fruit skin, woven fabric, leather, shiny metallic surfaces, and even glass. You’ll be introduced to various techniques using colored pencil and you can add other drawing mediums that you like. Through a series of exercises, you’ll meticulously capture both organic and man-made objects, drawing inspiration from observation and photographic references. Previous drawing experience is preferred. The class materials list can be found here.

Wed, Apr 24 - Jun 12

Drawing with Pen & Ink

Explore techniques of line drawing, hatching, cross-hatching and more using different kinds of pens. Experiment with diverse tools to create depth and detail, from technical pens and markers to traditional dip pens. We’ll create shades and washes with liquid India ink and also learn how to render various textures, such as wood, foliage, and animal fur. Through guided practice, you will sketch trees, still life compositions, architecture, and wildlife. Create a range of work from realism to abstraction. Previous drawing experience is preferred. The class materials list can be found here.

Tue, Apr 23 - Jun 11

ESOL: English for Speakers of Other Languages

SPRING CLASSES ARE CLOSED. Registration will open in early August for our fall session. Please check back then. Please note: Free for Arlington residents with registration. Select one session only. If you live outside of Arlington, please add yourself to our “waitlist” class and we will contact you if we have space. Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend regularly. If you have to miss a class, you must notify the instructor in advance. Students who do not show up for the first class without notifying the instructor will be removed from the roster and will not be allowed to register for the following term. Students who miss more than three classes in a term will not be allowed to register for the following term. Learn English and build your speaking and writing confidence. ACE is pleased to fully fund these classes for Arlington residents. Level 1: For beginner level students with little knowledge of the English language. Learn the alphabet, numbers, pronouns, verbs, simple present tense, basic adjectives, prepositions, and everyday vocabulary. Level 2: For students who have taken the Level 1 course or for students who are familiar with the basic grammar topics taught in the Level 1 course. Learn simple present, past, future tenses, yes/no questions, adverbs of frequency, and daily vocabulary. Level 3: For students who have taken the Level 2 course and/or for students who have acquired survival conversation skills and basic grammar concepts. Learn advanced tenses and vocabulary, practice using complex sentences, and improve speaking confidence.

LA-Wait List for Non Arlington Residents

Tue, Apr 23 - Jun 11

12:30 - 2:00 PM

Thu, Apr 25 - Jun 13

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Marco Verch (flickr) (CC BY 2.0)

Easier Travel with Google Tools

Delve into the vast realm of Google’s suite of applications and websites to embark on a journey of tech-savvy travel planning. Uncover the secrets of securing the best deals, crafting seamless itineraries, and effortlessly sharing travel plans with friends and family. From mastering Google Flights for budget-friendly bookings to creating organized folders on Google Maps and utilizing Google Translate for language navigation, get equipped with the digital arsenal needed for stress-free travel. You’ll practice your skills with assignments where you’ll analyze and refine travel itineraries for both domestic and international travel. Course requirements include a smartphone with internet access (for Google Maps, Google Flights, and Google Translate applications). Optional, but encouraged, is the use of a laptop. Get ready to optimize your travel planning and create memorable adventures with the power of technology.

Wed, May 1 - May 8

Arlington High School

Ed2Go (Online Classes)

DO NOT ENROLL HERE. Visit Ed2Go to select your classes. Arlington Community Education partners with Ed2Go to offer hundreds of online courses that meet the varied needs of our students. Enrichment and educational courses--from Art to Web Design and everything in between at Ed2Go.

OL-Info only register at ed2go.com/arlington/

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Embroidery 101

Embroidery takes both time and patience. While it is restrictive in speed, it is also a forgiving medium, making it perfect for creatives who want to work with their hands but are afraid of making mistakes. Come learn the basics of embroidery. We’ll start with a practice swatch, where you’ll learn the different stitches you have to work with. Then, with guidance from your instructor and peers, you’ll have the opportunity to work on, and finish, a structured design that you can display in your home. Please Note: The instructor will supply a materials kit for for the first class and a short supply list at the end of the first class for students to pursue their individual projects.

Tue, May 7 - Jun 11

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Highrock Church

U.S. Embassy Jerusalem (flickr) (CC BY 2.0)

Empowerment in the Workplace (or any place) for Women

Learn what it means to use feminine leadership—collaboration, communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence—to make your voice heard, communicate effectively, and show up with confidence. These skills can be applied anywhere, from volunteer organizations to the workplace, and from the classroom to civic engagement. We will cover topics including presentations, executive presence, meetings, written communication, and supporting other female-identifying colleagues. Practice what you learn in a safe space and leave feeling empowered. Expect to allocate roughly 30 minutes weekly to work outside of the classroom in order to deepen the value of this class. All female-identifying and female-supporting men are welcome.

Wed, May 15 - May 29

Arlington High School

Essentrics

Essentrics lengthens and strengthens every muscle in the body through a dynamic combination of movements. This completely original full-body workout draws on the flowing movements of tai chi and ballet to create a balanced, flexible, and pain-free body. Essentrics rebalances the body, prevents and treats injuries, unlocks tight joints, and develops lean, strong, and flexible muscles with immediate changes to your posture. Gentle Stretching: For all ages and fitness levels and for those who are looking for a gentle, slow-tempo class that will help produce greater joint mobility. Full-Body: A faster tempo with additional emphasis on toning For all classes please bring a yoga mat, water, and a small towel. This class is done barefoot.

Tue, Apr 23 - Jun 11

Fri, May 3 - Jun 21

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Estate Planning Essentials

With both humor and knowledge, a local attorney and estate planning specialist will address fundamentals of estate planning. Essentials: Estate planning is not just for the wealthy—or the old. Nearly everyone has an “estate,” consisting of everything you own: your car, home, other real estate, checking and savings accounts, investments, life insurance, furniture, and personal possessions. Regardless of the size of your “estate,” good planning lets you control how your assets are given to the people or organizations you care most about; sets up your heirs for success by passing on their inheritance in a way that helps them; helps you and your heirs pay substantially less in taxes, fees, and court costs; minimizes family strife; and makes it easier for your loved ones to handle your affairs during a time of loss. Advanced Concepts: Dive deeper into end-of-life planning as we cover how to structure trusts for children and heirs to support them on their life journeys, while still encouraging their personal growth and achievement. We’ll discuss additional tax planning techniques to minimize estate and capital gains taxes, potential new tax law changes, provide a brief overview of long-term care planning strategies, and discuss charitable giving tools that can build family unity and shared purpose

Arlington High School

Ages	18 yr. - 105 yr.

Everyone Can Sing

Discover your singing voice in a fun group setting by learning the basics of healthy vocal technique. Get the tools you need to understand how your instrument works and how to use it properly. Learn how to warm up your voice, match pitch, use proper breath management, and maintain a consistent vocal tone. We’ll practice a variety of songs and styles and leave time for personal attention. Our instructor believes that everyone can sing—even you.

Tue, Apr 23 - Jun 11

Arlington High School

Fabulous Zumba

Shake, shimmy, slide, and sweat your way through great music that gets your heart pumping and your body moving. Join this energizing workout session moving to salsa, merengue, swing, and more. Get a total body workout through cardio, muscle conditioning, balance, and flexibility. You won’t even realize what a great workout you’re getting because you’ll be having so much fun! Dances are easy to learn, fun to follow, and gentle on your joints. Open to all fitness levels, no experience necessary.

Tue, Apr 30 - Jun 11

Facial Yoga

Pamper yourself with facial yoga. Learn how to use facial yoga poses to tighten and tone facial muscles, which help to reduce wrinkles and leave your skin rejuvenated. You will also learn eye exercises to alleviate eye strain and a sequence of facial massage techniques. All of these techniques will be learned seated in a chair. We will end class with a meditative guided relaxation, for which you can stay seated or lie down on a yoga mat. No prior yoga experience necessary. Please Note: wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat or large towel to set or lie on. If you are not comfortable on the floor, you may stay in a chair. No prior yoga experience necessary.

Arlington High School

Fearless Flower Arranging

If you love flowers and want to learn how to create gorgeous arrangements for your home, this is a fabulous introduction to floral design. With an abundant selection of flowers to choose from, get expert guidance in basic floral design techniques and design principles. Leave with the confidence to create stunning flower arrangements on your own. Please note: A vase, flowers and tools will be provided, but you can always bring your own garden scissors or shears.

Financial Strategies Toward a Secure Retirement

The investment landscape has changed dramatically over the last few years and many near retirement need to better understand how to prepare for their future with less risk and volatility. We will look at the big picture for developing a hierarchy of spending and investing, including strategies that provide a better outcome, regardless of investment performance. Discover how to manage your 401(k), 403(b), and pension as you approach retirement and what you need to know about target funds. Find out why investment strategies must be different in retirement; when a Roth IRA makes sense; exploring the hype around annuities; forgotten financial pitfalls; and alternative ways to preserve your nest egg against long-term care costs. Many who attend this course are on the cusp of retirement. However, those who learn these strategies decades in advance not only improve their outcome at retirement, but also have better financial results along the way.

Tue, Apr 30 - May 7

Arlington High School

Floral Buttercream Cupcakes

Decorate your cupcakes with realistic-looking flower designs made out of buttercream. Learn to make a variety of petals and roses to turn cupcakes into colorful edible works of art. Icing and decorating tools are included, which you will use in class for decorating your cupcakes and take home to recreate your designs. Please bring 10-12 unfrosted cupcakes (store bought or homemade), and a carrier or box to transport cupcakes.

Forest Hills Cemetery: A History Tour

Forest Hills, established in 1848, is one of the jewels of Greater Boston. Victorians created this eternal resting place for their loved ones, while at the same time designing a landscape where the living could enjoy nature. We’ll walk along the winding paths to sites including Daniel Chester French’s masterpiece, Death Stays the Hand of the Sculptor, as well as the resting places of social reformer Abby May, Revolutionary War Hero General Joseph Warren, and Dr. Susan Dimock, a pioneer surgeon. In this tree-filled sanctuary, we will explore the stories of our civic ancestors, both the famous and the lesser-known.

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Forest Hills Cemetery

French

Lay the foundation to become a confident French speaker. Learn pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and verbs with a focus on describing the world around you. Level 1: Learn basic vocabulary, present tense verbs, and useful everyday words and phrases. Part of each class will be spent practicing with oral dialogues, to gain comfort in speaking. Level 2: Focus on improving conversational precision by developing vocabulary and learning present and immediate future tenses. Practice oral dialogue and learn common and irregular verbs, possessive and demonstrative adjectives, comparatives and superlatives, and imperatives. Level 4: Focus on using passé composé versus the imperfect tense and implementing object pronouns and adverbs in both simple and compound tenses. We will also further develop the three basic skills of listening, speaking, and reading while learning about French culture and history. Please note: For Level 4: You will need a free downloadable copy of the Grammaire Progressive du Francais Intermediaire (edition 3 by Maia Gregory).

Tue, Apr 23 - Jun 11

Tue, Apr 23 - Jun 11

Tue, Apr 23 - Jun 11

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French Café: Conversation & Culture

Bonjour! Join this welcoming and lively French conversation class led by an enthusiastic near-native speaker. This is your chance to learn, practice, and improve your conversational French in a relaxed, fun yet structured setting. You will also have the chance to increase your knowledge of French history and culture and discuss topics that will surely raise passions. Isn’t this what French is all about? This intermediate course is for those who have taken French: Levels 1–3, and/or have strong skills in speaking and listening. We will review advanced grammar topics including object pronouns, compound tenses, and subjunctive, with assignments to practice your skills throughout the week.

Wed, Apr 24 - Jun 12

Fun with Black Light Photography

Peer into a world that is usually hidden from the naked eye—the information held in short, high frequency, ultraviolet wavelengths. Using blacklight flashlights and an assortment of UV reactive household objects, explore the physics of the unseen world through high speed and long exposure photography. We’ll learn several advanced photography techniques while engaging with experiments centered around the use of ultraviolet light. BYO camera and lens (details online), most other materials included. Note: To participate in this class, students must bring: DSLR or SLR camera with manual mode (point & shoot or phone cameras will not suffice) macro lens (between 50mm–60mm, ideal), or any kit lens SD card

Arlington High School

Fundamentals of Japanese Ink Painting: The Four Gentlemen

Learn several basic techniques of painting with Sumi ink and brushes to create expressive and meditative paintings of nature. Our subjects will include the plum blossom tree, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo, which are referred to as “The Four Gentlemen” in classical ink painting. We will find inspiration in the beautiful master paintings of the Edo period (1603–1868) in Japanese art. New and returning students are welcome. Supply list can be found here.

Wed, May 1 - Jun 5

Arlington High School

Fused Glass Workshop: Sushi Serving Set

Learn the basics of glass fusing while having fun playing with glass shapes, colors, and textures. First learn how to use glass powders, frits, glass beads, and stringers. Then design and create your own sushi set featuring two small plates and one large serving dish, perfect to serve sushi, cheese and crackers, or desserts. Please note: The instructor will fire your pieces in his kiln and return them for pickup at Arlington High within two weeks. Please bring to class: sharp scissors, a ruler, and a small tube of super glue gel.