Monthly Archive for December, 2007

New classes, new year, new you!

Published on December 18, 2007 in Of Note, Personal Enrichment and UNM Continuing Education. Closed

The Personal Enrichment Program —
Keepin’ it fresh in the new year!

NEW from professional chef Scott Clapp: 29 and Dine! Impress your friends and amaze your family as you bring an entire meal to the table in under 30 minutes! ChefScott Clapp, owner of the Blue Plate Special, specializes in fresh and adventurous— so your quick dinners will be tasty and nutritious too! Choose from New Mexican, Italian or Chinese — or take all three! If you’re just in the mood to nibble, Scott has you covered with a new class that explores tasty appetizers from around the world.

Here’s a sample of more great new classes:

• Introduction to Body Language Does someone really agree with you? Like you? Are they telling you the truth? If you want to know what people are really thinking, you need to learn to read body language!
• Yoga for Gardeners Get ready to have a joyfully pain-free experience in your garden this year!
• Spinning This can burn 500 to 600 calories per hour! Every student will enjoy two hours of monitored aerobic conditioning per week in a supportive group. A positive class with a focus on what you can do.
• Science Fiction and Fantasy: Old and New Science Fiction fans are known to have higher IQs than average!
• World Dance: Salsa - Arabe This dance draws on the dance cultures of Andalusia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, all combined into Salsa-Arabe!

… & there’s so much more!

Check out all of the new classes in our great Spring lineup for
the Personal Enrichment Program!

Writing instructor featured in Abq Journal

Published on December 17, 2007 in Of Note, Personal Enrichment and UNM Continuing Education. Closed

“Write with a debt of honor and make a commitment to finishing what you write. It may be like putting an octopus to bed. But do it.” — Instructor Elsie Kreischer’s words of wisdom for her writing classes.

With a style careening from ornery drill sergeant to supportive grandmother, Elsie Kreischer, 87, has taught spring and fall classes on how to write and sell children’s picture books for nearly 22 years at UNM Continuing Education.

“I’ve learned a lot since I first started, let me tell you,” Kreischer says during a Sunday morning interview at a local bookstore, conducted by Patricia Gabbett Snow for her recent article covering Elsie in the Albuquerque Journal. Elsie appears as the featured “Meet a Reader” in the most recent “Mature Life” special section of the Journal. It’s worth a read to learn more about Elsie, whose life story can provide hope and inspiration to anyone who dreams of becoming a writer. (Click the replica of the paper version to read the story online.)

“You cannot become what you want by remaining what you are!” — More of Elsie’s words of wisdom for her students. “I’ve learned that every student in there has the ability to write. I believe if they’re willing to learn the rules and work, they can do it,” Elsie says of her students.

Elsie’s first work, a picture book, “Navaho Magic of Hunting” won the 1992 National League of American Pen Women Children’s Book Award. In 1995, Kreischer’s book, “Maria Montoya Martinez, Master Potter,” was published. It has won three national awards, she says. Her next published work, “Bigger Than a Button,” a picture book mystery, came out in 2002. Next July, Kreischer’s first nonfiction middle grade reader, “A Gift for Minerva, the Great Horned Owl,” will be published.

Elsie Kreischer continues to write every day. Elsie is teaching two classes with UNM Continuing Education this semester:
How to Write and Sell a Children’s Book, 8 weeks starting January 24
Write Nonfiction, 8 weeks starting March 17

The Personal Enrichment Program’s Writing courses have helped more than a few students complete their works, some going on to publication. Some of the student alumni of our annual Writers Conference: From Start to Sales have connected with editors or agents and are in the process of getting their works published. See information & links below:

4th Annual Writers Conference:
Writing: From Start to Sales
Saturday, April 19, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Attendees who enroll by April 10 will get a FREE ONE-ON-ONE TEN MINUTE MEETING with the editor or agent of their choice to “pitch” their writing project!

Learn more about the Writers Conference here.
Enroll online for the Writers Conference here.

Before the Conference, several writing courses will help writers to complete or edit their manuscript, create synopses, and polish pitches.

Great gift idea for those age 50 and over

Published on December 11, 2007 in Events, Of Note, Travel & Culture and UNM Continuing Education. Closed Tags: , .

Do you know someone age 50 and over who might enjoy stimulating, university level courses — at affordable prices — without the stress of tests or grades? Give them an Osher membership and let them choose from an exciting variety of educational opportunities in the coming year! The annual Osher membership is only $40 and gives access to members-only lectures, classes, performances and tours throughout 2008. Class fees for Osher members start at $20 and these fees are eligible for UNM Tuition Remission.

Membership in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute means the recipient joins a dynamic, active community of adults 50 years of age and over who wish to enhance their quality of life through education. Osher instructors are current and emeritus faculty, scientists, historians, and other experts celebrating the pursuit of scholarship.

We’ve got some great courses on tap for 2008: A Foreign Policy Discussion Group … Italian Cinema… Ancient Healing Wisdom… DNA Ancestry… Celtic Culture… Creating Your Life’s Legacy… and more!

Visit our Osher website (dce.unm.edu/Osher) to learn more.
Download an Osher Catalog of courses for Spring 2008.

gift certificateVisit our Registration Office to purchase a Gift Certificate for an Osher membership and include an Osher course catalog with your gift. The course catalog will show that you are giving a world of learning with the Osher membership. Even better, you can invite the recipient to join you at a FREE event for a taste of the Osher experience to kick off 2008:

“Reflections of a Compassionate World Traveler”
with Ned O’Malia, PhD
Thursday, January 10, 1-3pm
UNM Continuing Education Auditorium
FREE & Open to the Public

Through lecture and photos, Dr. O’Malia will share his passion to understand the chaotic change, endless rivalries and warfare, poverty, and hope that he has witnessed in his travels.

Dr. O’Malia has been a world traveler for 40 years, including 12 trips to China, 6 tours in India, residence in Israel and extensive travel in the Middle East. He is presently the Asian expert with the Honors Program at the University of New Mexico.

This event is also a membership drive for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Attendees are under no obligation.

At the event, registered Osher members will be entered into a drawing to win a free iPod!

Questions? Contact the Program Supervisor, Maya Sutton, mmsutton@unm.edu or 277-6179.