District 214 Community Education

This class is open play style for beginner and intermediate level players. This class is perfect for players who know the basics, but are still new to the game. The instructor will be available to teach basic skills and rules as needed, as well as facilitate open play for more experienced players. There will be some paddles available to use or bring your own. Due to the popularity of our pickleball classes, all refunds are subject to a $10 administrative fee.

Pickleball is a court sport played with a whiffle ball, net, and paddle. It’s slower paced than tennis and played on a smaller court the size of a doubles badminton court and it’s lots of fun! No experience required! This class is only open to beginners and will focus on learning the rules and skills necessary to play. There will be some paddles available to use or bring your own. Due to the popularity of our pickleball classes, all refunds are subject to a $10 administrative fee.

This Pickleball class is for all levels. For those who have no experience, join the instructor to learn the fastest growing game around and for those of you with experience, play independently with others. Players will rotate during the round robin type play. Limited paddles available to borrow or bring your own paddles. Due to the popularity of our pickleball classes, all refunds are subject to a $10 administrative fee.

This class is designed for players who already have knowledge of the game, understand the rules and have previously played Pickleball. The instructor will facilitate rotating players on the courts. Must be at skill level 2.5 or higher to participate. Due to the popularity of our pickleball classes, all refunds are subject to a $10 administrative fee.

This is an independent play Pickleball program for high level Intermediate and advanced players only at skill level 3.5 or above. Formal instruction is not included in Independent Play, but individualized attention is available from the instructor to players on an as-needed basis. Due to the popularity of our pickleball classes, all refunds are subject to a $10 administrative fee.

Maybe your family heritage is Polish and you remember Polish being spoken when you were growing up but never really learned it. You may be going on a trip to Poland, or you just want to have some fun and learn basic Polish conversation. Then this is the class for you! The book and workbook; Polski, Krok Po Kroku: Level 1, are needed for the class.

Cultivating, weeding, watering, and harvesting in your garden are over and done with for the season. What do you do next? For starters, letting it lay there until the following spring is exactly the wrong thing to do. Mark Lyons, an experienced garden coach, will discuss cleaning up the garden after the harvest is in, preparing the soil for the following spring, winterizing garden tools, fall planting, dealing with excess from the harvest, and preparing for next year's garden.

Learn to efficiently manage your social media presence with this live, interactive online training class! You’ll leave the class knowing how to streamline your posting process, schedule content, and leverage insights to boost engagement on both platforms. Whether you’re a small business owner, a marketer, or simply looking to sharpen your social media skills, this class will equip you with practical tips and strategies to enhance your online impact. By the end of the session, you’ll feel confident navigating Meta Business Suite and ready to make your posts truly shine!

Have you been curious about what ChatGPT is exactly and how it can be used? Join our fun and engaging class to learn everything you need to know about ChatGPT powered by Artificial Intelligence. Understand how it works and why it's taking the world by storm. You'll explore practical everyday uses for ChatGPT in both workforce and a home, ensuring you stay in the look when ChatGPT is mentioned in conversations and on the news. Don't get left behind in today's tech-savvy world-attend this essential training today!

Your garden has yielded a bumper crop of fruits and vegetables--and your friends and neighbors can't take anymore. So what are you going to do with the surplus? Mark Lyons, an experienced garden coach, will review a number of ways that can be used to preserve the harvest through the winter and maybe even beyond. It will cover canning, freezing, dehydrating and winter storage techniques.

Unlock the beauty of watercolor painting in this hands-on class for beginners. You will get familiar with watercolor tools and basic principles, and learn how to sketch a light pencil underdrawing. While exploring several essential watercolor techniques, you will discover how to create light, volume and subtle transitions in color. After completing a series of short studies, the class will culminate withe the creation of one final piece. The cost of the class includes high quality brushes and paints for you to keep, as well as specialty paper and supplies to be used in class.

Quilting is creative, rewarding, relaxing and fun. Less experienced quilters will work on basic quilting patterns, measuring and cutting fabric and piecing (must have basic sewing skills and knowledge of using a sewing machine). Experienced quilters will work on current projects, any unfinished projects or start a new one. Our class creates a space for sharing ideas, fun facts, and new and old methods and tips. Bernina machines are available or bring your own if desired.

This course focuses on issues and financial concepts important to retirees. You'll learn tax-efficient income planning, lifestyle preservation, inflation protection and providing a legacy. The course also introduces the idea of fulfilling activities such as travel, hobbies and business ventures through most of your retirement years. Workbook is included. Price of the course is for two people.

This course focuses on issues and financial concepts important to pre-retirees. You'll learn how to plan for retirement, organize your finances and develop a personalized plan that empowers you to reach your long-term goals. Prepare for the future by discovering how to save money on taxes, manage investment risks and protect your assets from potential long-term health care expenses.

This sesion will review necessary information about Social Security and Medicare, including eligibility, enrollment periods and key considerations for beneficiaries.

Celebrate the holidays on one of CET’s most popular tours - a special event at Place de la Musique, the spectacular Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington Hills. We begin our day with an elegant catered holiday meal in the Estate’s Carousel Building. We’ll dine next to the “Eden Palais'' carousel, the only complete European salon carousel in the world. The spectacular 89-foot wide and 42-foot tall-carved façade has life-size carved horses, giant art glass butterflies and an 89-key gavioli band organ. You will see and hear this masterpiece in its full glory while learning about the estate's amazing collection. Following lunch, visit the Sanfilippo residence for a 90-minute Wurlitzer Theatre holiday organ concert performed by Dave Wickerham, one of the finest theater organists in the world. The afternoon concludes with a self-guided exploration of the mansion where docents will explain and demonstrate some of the world’s greatest collections of restored antique music machines. This elegant afternoon will help you ring in the holidays!

Embrace the comforting flavors of fall with our savory stuffed butternut squash. This delectable dish combines the natural sweetness of roasted butternut squash with the bold, savory notes of Italian sausage and melted cheese. Enhanced by a blend of spices and the subtle tartness of dried cranberries, each bite is a harmonious blend of flavors. Aromatics like garlic and onion infuse the stuffing with a rich aroma, while a sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a vibrant touch to the finished dish.

This workshop will help individuals learn how to recognize and react to dangerous situations. Strategies are discussed and practiced to develop awareness along with the use of simple and effective self defense techniques to deter and escape an attack.

This class is for any sewer with experience using a commercial pattern and a sewing machine. Participants are asked to come to the first day of class with the following: sewing supplies, their choice of a commercial pattern, either fabric ready to cut (pre-wash fabric) or a garment that they have already cut and /or started constructing. Individual guidance will be provided as needed. Sewing and construction techniques will be taught and shared with the entire group based on the projects people are working on. Bernina machines are available.

Do you have clothes that need some alterations, or something old that you want to make new? This 6-week class is for you. Bring what you have and let's transform it to what you want. The possibilities are endless, be it a garment, accessory or home decorating item that you've been meaning to sew, bring it to class. Garments can be fit to your liking, and alterations, sewing and finishing techniques will be discussed. Some prior machine sewing experience is recommended. Benina sewing machines are available in the classroom or you are welcome to bring your own.

This is a true beginner class introducing sewing supplies, the sewing machine, the fabric store, fabric types and the use of a commercial pattern. The basic projects will include two pairs of pajama pants. Pattern layout, fabric cutting and construction techniques will be taught. The first pair of pants will be made from polar fleece fabric with an elastic waist; the second pair will be made from a woven fabric with optional pockets and a drawstring waist. In addition to basic sewing supplies, students will be asked to bring their own fabric and thread for the projects. A specific patter will be used which will be made available in the classroom, or students can purchase their own.

Shotokan Karate is a Japanese martial arts system developed as a means of strengthening the mind, body and spirit. Karate training is structured to provide all around strength, coordination and agility for the body along with improving mental discipline and focus. Karate has something for everyone including physical fitness, self-defense, the excitement of sport and personal enrichment. No special equipment or abilities are required.

Learn the essentials of sign language including the alphabet, numbers and basic vocabulary that will enable you to carry on simple conversations, understand paragraphs and accurately produce signs at a beginning level. Bring a three-ring binder with 10 dividers to class.