Starting this week, Auburn University is opening its doors to offer spring classes, teaching various skills to locals through the end of May
From dog obedience training to car maintenance for women, Auburn is offering 50 to 75 short courses to the local community through the University’s Outreach Program Office.
Classes are taught by instructors in the local community who have interests in these fields on evenings or weekends and last for two to eight sessions during the weeks of March 24 through May 22.
One new spring course being offered this year is Baseball Scorekeeping: Getting Involved in the Game, instructed by Wells Warren.
“This class is for those who would like to learn a fun, short-hand method for recording all the details of a baseball game with a scorecard,” said Claire Twardy, program developer for the Outreach Program Office Community Course calender for spring.
The course is offered to adults and children, ages 10 and older and is dedicated to increasing the entertainment and understanding the game of the “great American pastime.”
“It is a fantastic opportunity for parents, coaches and players who want to ‘do something’ while enjoying the game,” Twardy said.
Another speciality course, Car Maintenance and Repair for Women, will be taught by Pat Barnes, a certified auto mechanic and owner of Barnes Automotive.
The course is designed to help women understand the basics of their cars. From checking oil to car problems like flat tires and dead batteries.
Although it is recommended for high school and college students, the course is open to women of all ages.
“I plan to enroll my high school senior daughter in this course (because) I want to equip her for maintenance of her car when she goes away to college next fall,” said Linda Shook, the coordinator for the Car Care and Maintenance Course.
There are no course requirements for most introduction courses, including the car maintenance course.
Along with Power-Point presentations and instruction manuals, the courses offer hands-on training and experience.
Some courses can even offer a spot for you and your best friend, your dog. The Dog Obedience Beginners course teaches owners how the basic commands and how to use them effectively.
The dog is required to have updated shots, be on a collar and a leash at all times and must be at least five months old.
Heidi Marlin, the instructor for the course, took over the course after a friend became too busy to teach anymore. Although this is the first time she has taught a dog obedience course through Auburn, Marlin has taught the same course privately through the City of Auburn and in Chambers County.
“I feel anyone who lives with or will be working with the dog should come to the class,” Marlin said.
Along with community courses, the Outreach Program Office offers on line workshops through Education To Go, which can be found on the community course Web site.
For a complete list of courses, go to www.auburn.edu/cconline.
Additional information about Community Courses can be obtained by calling the Outreach Program Office at 844-5100 or by e-mail at opo@auburn.edu.
