Education Center offers continuing opportunities

The Longboat Key Education Center’s motto suggests it’s never too late to continue learning and expanding one’s knowledge: “Like college — only better!” Registration for the winter course sessions, which begin Jan. 4 and go through Feb. 29, is taking place now (see below).

If you’ve had an interest in learning Mahjongg, a rummy-like Chinese tile game, then the two-week “Mahjongg — The Novice” course might be suited for you. The class is $40 for members and $50 for non-members and begins Jan. 9 and ends Feb. 16. And if you already know how to play and want to improve upon your skill, “Mahjongg — The Player “ might be more suited to your taste. There are two sections offered at $70 for members and $80 for non-members.

Maybe historical tile games don’t suit you as much as actual history. Some of the historical and biographical courses offered are: “A Short History of the Universe,” “The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys” and “The Hudson River School of Painters.” These are just a few of historical-based courses the Education Center has to offer.

And there are plenty of pop-culture based courses. An eight-session “At the Movies” course, taught by Gus Mollasis, discusses current films according to script, acting, cinematography, directing and scoring. There’s also a new two-session course, “Popular Songs from the Movies and the War Years” taught by David Eddleman. This class discusses popular songs such as “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.”

And if you’re curious to learn more about what Hollywood was like before the “talkies” changed the industry, sign up for pianist/keyboardist Peter Tavalin’s class at the Longboat Key Education Center. Tavalin, a graduate of Berklee College of Music, is teaching a new course on silent films Jan. 6 and Jan. 13. The class costs $40 for members and $45 for non-members.

Another new class is called, “uLEARN iPAD,” taught by Bonnie Lynn Hammer. The three-session course will teach members how to use the iPad.

Whether you’d like to learn to paint, gain flexibility, delve into history, discuss modern culture or try your hand at writing, there are plenty of courses available that cover a variety of topics and interests.

View the Education Center’s interactive brochure online at www.lbkeducationcenter.org.

If You Go
What: The Longboat Key Education Center’s winter semester begins Jan. 4; classes and workshops run from Jan. 4 to Feb. 29.
When: Rolling registration takes place at the center, 5370 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 212; or by phone, 383-8811; fax, 383-1935; or online at lbkeducationcenter.org.
Cost: Prices for classes vary.