Arlington Community Education Fall Registration Opens August 19

The Arlington Community Education (ACE) Fall 2020 brochure is now available for preview, with classes for adults, youth, and families. Registration opens next Wednesday, August 19 at noon. If you have not received a copy in the mail, view the brochure online at ArlingtonCommunityEd.org. Classes begin the week of September 21.

ACE is offering over 150 adult classes this fall, including online Zoom classes and socially distanced walking and bicycle tours. There are 34 new classes. Learn how to buy a condo, elevate your makeup routine, feel gratitude in our turbulent times, or take a workshop for fiction writers with a published author. Seasonal cooking classes will teach you to make comfort food in your Instant Pot; cook a romantic fall dinner for two; make Thanksgiving pies from scratch; and prepare pie, tart, and cookie doughs in advance of the winter holidays. Get creative and use a broad-nibbed fountain pen to form beautiful lettering at “Introduction to Calligraphy,” draft and sew an A-Line skirt that will fit your measurements perfectly, create prints without a press, or relax as you twirl and whirl paper into whimsical shapes and designs at “Zen Quilling.” New walking tours explore birdwatching, tree identification, and St. Paul’s Cemetery.

Many favorites are returning, such as Essentrics, yoga, Qigong, and tai chi; country western line dance, salsa, and Zumba; ukulele and banjo; drawing, painting, mosaics, embroidery, and digital photography; bridge and mah jongg; Spanish, Italian, French, Arabic, Russian, and American Sign Language; haiku and memoir writing; composting, home renovations, and auto repair; and Food & Drink classes focusing on enchiladas, curries, sourdough bread, and whisky tasting. “Active Bystander Training” and “White People Challenging Racism” are also back, providing students with an opportunity to make a substantive difference in our community.

Highlight events include “The Grateful Dead’s Influence on Bob Dylan” and “The Beatles’ Solo Years Re-Examined,” with author and music scholar Harold Lepidus. Enjoy, appreciate, learn, and offer your thoughts about public art from the comfort of your own home at “Art in the Open: Appreciating Public Art.” Enhance your appreciation of dance as an exciting and ever-changing performance art at “Understanding 20th Century Dance.” Get a deeper understanding of climate change, ponder the universe’s vast wonderland, or learn about the health effects and indoor air pollution caused by gas stoves with the Curious Minds series.

The third installment of the popular “We Need To Talk” interview series with Steve Almond will take place Thursday, October 15. “The Dispensary Next Door: Cannabis is Coming to Arlington… Will the Grass Be Greener?” will feature a conversation with Assistant Arlington Director for Planning and Community Development Erin Zwirko, Dianna Dixon who advises patients and clients about cannabis at what is currently the largest and busiest dispensary in the country, and Court/Home Liaison and Readiness/Emergency Management Coordinator for APS Cindy Sheridan Curran.

KidZone and TeenZone youth enrichment programs also start the week of September 21. All ACE classes for kids will be held online for the fall term. KidZone and TeenZone classes have been organized by category instead of by school. Offerings include arts & crafts, fitness & dance, STEM, languages, life skills, and more. New cooking classes feature “Kids Cook Tonight,” “Brunch!” and “Chef School.” Driver’s Ed, a new “Wall Street Boot Camp,” and “How to Become a Lifelong Activist: Active Bystander Training,” are available for high school students.

There are seven Family Nights for adults and children to enjoy together. Holiday craft classes focus on woven ornaments, paper quilled cards, and cookie decorating. Family cooking classes include “Maki Roll Sushi” and “Make & Bake Calzones.” “Working Together for Change: An Active Bystander Workshop,” is also being offered for youth 12+ with a parent.

Please note that ACE has implemented a new online system for registration. All users must create a new account to register. Please set up an account in advance if you would like to be ready to reserve your spot as soon as fall registration opens on August 19. Details and the fall brochure are available at www.ArlingtonCommunityEd.org.

Visit ArlingtonCommunityEd.org or email communityed@arlington.k12.ma.us for more information. Arlington Community Education is a program of the Arlington Public Schools that is completely supported by tuition received from our courses. ACE provides affordable education and enrichment for residents of Arlington and surrounding communities.