Course Source

Let's say you're a new transplant to Las Vegas from a faraway land. Like Wisconsin.

Let's say you're recently retired, and you just bought a personal computer, with which you would e-mail friends and family in the Midwest.

Let's say the computer is still in the box. Let's say you're intimidated by the high-tech gizmo and desperately need assistance.

UNLV has just the course for you.

Retired physician Judd Heinemann teaches Introduction to Computers for Seniors.

"There are two major points in the course," Heinemann said. "First, we try to get the point across that they can lose their fear just by staying with it, by working with the computer. Almost everyone is afraid they're going to break the computer and be charged for it, and there is always a lot of free-floating anxiety with something radically new.

"Second, the more they try, the more they'll learn on their own. We try to get people to learn as they go along."

Heinemann's course is typical of the specific, sometimes arcane classes offered through the UNLV Division of Continuing Education on weeknights and weekends.

Department publicist Dick Benoit says that just because a course is unique doesn't mean it's without value.

"We try to appeal to just about everyone," Benoit, who has been at UNLV for 10 years, said. "Las Vegas is growing so fast that we're finding the new population has a wide range of interests."

One of those interests is finding ways to meet people in a burgeoning city.

"We tend to have a lot of people relatively new to town. Once they get over the excitement of living in Las Vegas, with the gaming and the entertainment and the buffets, they start looking for something new to do," Benoit said. "We have a lot of young people, yuppie types, many young couples, middle-aged working couples, retirees, all types of people looking for leisure-time activities."

In the spring, the department will again offer a special Friday night series tilted toward a more social curriculum.

"We already had some courses that were being used informally as a social networking vehicle," Benoit said. "We thought, 'why not go ahead and formalize that a little bit?' We had some courses specifically developed to draw an audience on a Friday night.

"It's a better option than a singles bar for a lot of people."

Entering its fourth semester, Friday Night with Continuing Education offers such courses as Chocolate Lover's Dream, and Enhancing Your Edibles: Food and Wine Pairing with Las Vegas chef Les Kincaid.

Also, Cindy Beckman instructs Latin and swing dance courses, and another class conducted by private investigator Dan Miller is called Find out (Almost) Anything About Anyone.

"We try to keep it relaxed, with a lot of variety, and give people a chance to interract," Benoit said. "When two citizens meet in Las Vegas, the second question they ask is, 'Where are you from?' We're trying to get people familiar with each other and new things."

There are few prerequisites for enrollment. Any Nevada resident age 16 or older can sign up. Students younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Benoit said the community has responded to the program. In fiscal 1997-98, more than 18,000 students enrolled in Continuing Education programs.

"I think a lot of what we offer is really interesting," Benoit said. "Too often, when you live in Las Vegas, people forget that there's even a school here that can offer so much."

A few more examples of the cornucopia of courses offered at UNLV:

* Varsity Men's Glee Club: David Weiller, the university's director of choral studies, instituted the program in 1987 and served as conductor until turning over duties to Kim Kamerin of the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts.

The Glee Club has performed in regional and national festivals and no audition is required to enroll. The course -- now in progress and open for enrollment until Feb. 5 -- runs Thursdays (6-8 p.m.) through May 6. The cost is $25.

* Beginning Stained Glass: Cheryl Wolfe, who has been practicing the craft in Las Vegas since 1985, teaches basic techniques in copper foil and lead. Students are taught to make windows and lamps.

The course is offered in two sessions, on Tuesdays, starting next week and running through March 9 (6-9 p.m.), and Tuesdays from April 6 to May 11, (also from 6 to 9 p.m.). The cost for all sessions is $110.

* Beginning Camcorder Videography: Bob Clark, president of his own company, BC Productions, teaches the basics -- such as turning on the camera.

"We have a lot of people who own camcorders who don't even know how to put the battery in," Clark said. "It's for people at the beginning level who just want to learn how to effectively use this piece of equipment for vacations or weddings, that kind of thing."

The course runs Thursdays, April 1-16, (6-8 p.m.) and costs $55.

* Xeriscaping: Plan and Design for Efficiency: Thomas Jaszewski, the director of horticulture at the Mirage, teaches the practice of xeriscaping.

First, what is xeriscaping?

"It's a term coined in Denver, Colo., and it means quality landscaping that conserves water and protects the environment," Jaszewski explained. "The desert can be very easy to landscape with the right techniques."

Jaszewski instructs on the finer art of managing desert landscapes and efficient water usage for homeowners. "It is my intent," Jaszewski said, "to guide homeowners through the design and installation of yards."

The course runs Tuesdays, April 6-May 11 (7-9 p.m.) and costs $70.

* Primordial Sound Meditation: The mind-and-body stress release technique is taught by Avi and Nirmal Almeida, the only instructors certified in Nevada to teach this method of meditation.

"We teach people to reach a higher state of consciousness, we explain the different levels of consciousness," Avi Almeida said. "We don't require people to assume the Lotus position or keep their mind completely clear. It's a very easy form of meditation to learn."

The Almeidas are moving to India during the summer, so this is the last chance to enroll in this course. It runs Mondays, March 1-22 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) and costs $225.

* Screenwriting: Writing Scripts that (of course) Sell: Madeline DiMaggio, former story editor and creative consultant at Paramount Studio and NBC, has written scripts for feature films and television.

The course guides students though the screenwriting process from the original concept through development and finding an agent.

The television writing course is offered on Feb. 27 (8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.). The feature film writing course will take place on Feb. 28 (also 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.). The cost is $55 per day, or $100 for both sessions.

* Hatha Yoga, Introduction: Kathleen Grace Santor and Aileen Epstein-Ignadiou teach basic yoga stretches, breathing and relaxation exercises in four one-hour sessions.

"It's a combination of getting fit and stress management, in not an overly challenging way," Santor said. "We work with breathing, self-awareness, and exercises for strength and flexibility."

The courses run in six sections, on various days and times, beginning Feb. 6 and running through April 26. The cost is $25.

* Women's Kickboxing: Jack Soderberg, a former marine and Grand National champion from Chicago, teaches the course as a version of aerobics.

"It's a self-defense method, where you're punching bags, skipping rope and working on conditioning," Soderberg said. "Boxers and kickboxers are in ultimate shape and this is something that builds confidence. You should see a woman's eyes light up when she first punches a bag."

But there is no sparring offered in this course, which runs Saturdays, March 6-27 (2-3:30 p.m.) and costs $45.

* Casino public relations: Ira David Sternberg conducts this new course, which covers the fundamentals of casino public relations, including promoting a property's theme and working with the media.

Sternberg is president of IDS Creative Communications and a longtime UNLV instructor.

The course begins Tuesday (7-9 p.m.) and runs each Tuesday through Feb. 23. It costs $95.

Prospective students can register by phone through the Division of Continuing Education at 895-3394.

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