Real Estate

Real Estate Principles & Practices
This course meets the minimum requirements as set forth by the Connecticut Real Estate Commission and Department of Consumer Protection for application to take the sales associate exam. Led by Terry Hastings with additional instructors. All instructors are licensed brokers with years of experience as well. Terry Hastings has taught Real Estate Principles and Practices in Ridgefield for the past ten years. He is now with Hamilton Ladd Home Loans and has over 18 years prior experience in Real Estate sales and management with Weichert, Realtors and Prudential, Fitzgerald & Hastings. Lonnie Shapiro has been a realtor in Ridgefield for over 30 years, has been teaching several years, and works for Coldwell Banker Realtors. Brad Kimmelman is an experienced realtor in Ridgefield who has been teaching Real Estate for several years. Jack Baldaserini is an experienced realtor with Century 21 Landmark Properties in Ridgefield, CT. Sharon Greene is a realtor with Remax/Home Center. Text fee is included with the tuition.

We want to start a class as soon as possible. We need ten people registered to start. Non-residents are welcome. Please call (203) 431-9995 to add your name to our notification and registration list.

60 hour course $399 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $313)
Mondays & Wednesdays - class would meet 20 sessions, avoiding school holidays. No classes February 20; April 16 - 20; May 28.
6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Venus Bldg.

Preparing Your Home for the Market (or to Enjoy It Yourself)
Lonnie Shapiro, co-author of the Connecticut issue of How to Make Your REALTOR® Get You the Best Deal, presents a general discussion of what buyers see when they look at a house and the before and after benefits of staging. She has arranged a variety of guest speakers including professional stagers and a professonal organizer who will explain what you should start doing. Participants will view a video of a major real estate trainer discussing preparing your home for the market. There will be a panel discussion including a building inspector and an attorney who will provide more information on additional ways to prepare for your eventual sale. A recent home purchaser will comment on what she expected when she saw houses. Lonnie Shapiro has been a realtor in Ridgefield for over 30 years, has been teaching several years, and works for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Ridgefield.
1 Session $31 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $23)
Check here mid-March or phone (203) 431-9995 for Spring 2012 dates.

Law

Law for the Layman
This class will include discussions of Real Estate, contracts, zoning, lawsuits, property rights, insurance, and general law areas. Taught by George Cohan, Esq. George Cohan is a partner in the law firm of Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP in Ridgefield. He has had a general practice here since 1976, specializing in real estate and related issues.
4 Sessions $61 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $46)
Mon., 2/6, 13, 27 & 3/5 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.; East Ridge Middle School

Job Search

Resume Assistance
This one on one session focuses on how to analyze your background and job history to determine the resume format that best highlights your accomplishments and skills. We also discuss what should be in your cover letter - who should it go to - how should you follow up. Instructor Glenna McNally of Ridgefield has over 30 years experience in Executive Recruiting and Human Resources Consulting and is owner of G. McNally Enterprises in Danbury.

1 Session $44 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $33)
Fri., 2/10 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.; Venus Bldg.

1 Session $44 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $33)
Fri., 3/30 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.; Venus Bldg.

Other dates/times may be available; call (203) 431-9995.

Job Market Targeting
This one on one session provides a personal overview of: How do you find companies where your background fits? How should you contact those companies and follow up? What interview techniques do you need to brush up on? People have skill sets that translate into other areas; determining what areas is not an easy task, but one that could lead to a successful job search. Instructor Glenna McNally of Ridgefield has over 30 years experience in Executive Recruiting and Human Resources Consulting and is owner of G. McNally Enterprises in Danbury.

1 Session $44 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $33)
Fri., 3/2 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.; Venus Bldg.

1 Session $44 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $33)
Fri., 4/27 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.; Venus Bldg.

Other dates/times may be available; call (203) 431-9995.

QuickBooks and Other Accounting Software

QuickBooks 2011 for Windows Basics
Prerequisite: Windows 7 PC Basics or equivalent. QuickBooks is the fastest, easiest way to manage your business. Easy to use and learn, no accounting knowledge is necessary. Learn to set up QuickBooks for a small to mid-size business and learn to set up a chart of accounts, create and print invoices, record sales, record and pay bills, and reconcile your checking account. We also cover features to help you track sales, receivables, expense, and inventory using QuickBooks reports. Taught by Peggy Bruno. Peggy Bruno, a certified teacher, has trained adults in computer applications for many years. She has developed many computer courses and training workbooks. She previously worked in corporate marketing and information services.
7 hours $133 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $100) + $ mtls.
1/24, 31 & 2/7 from 7:20 to 9:40 p.m.; Venus Bldg.
2/29; 3/7 & 14 from 10:15 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.; Venus Bldg.
3/13, 20 & 27 from 1:00 to 3:20 p.m.; Venus Bldg.
4/30, 5/1 & 2 from 1:00 to 3:20 p.m.; Venus Bldg.

Accounting Software ~ Online
QuickBooks for Windows and PeachTree
Accounting software classes available online include: Peachtree Accounting 2009; QuickBooks versions 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, and classes in QuickBooks Payroll and QuickBooks for Contractors. Visit ed2go.com/ridgefield

eBay

Buying and Selling On eBay
Prerequisite: Basic computer and Internet skills. This class can help you: buy old or new items with confidence; convert household clutter to cash; start an on-line eBay business; sell items to downsize a collection. In this two-part class Eileen Burton will unravel the mysteries of eBay by sharing her knowledge and expertise acquired from years of buying and selling on this popular site. The first two-hour class will be devoted to all the basics and the second class will cover in detail all the steps to sell an item – from photographing it to listing it on eBay – by actually putting something up for sale. Eileen Burton has had a small French collectibles business for 16 years. For the past 8 years, she has done most of her business through eBay. She has been teaching eBay in Continuing Education for many years. She has had an iPhone for several years and is ready to share her knowledge of its efficient use.
4 hours $79 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $59)
2/1 & 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon; Venus Bldg.
2/28 & 3/6 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.; Venus Bldg.
3/21 & 28 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.; Venus Bldg.
4/10 & 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon; Venus Bldg.

Internet

Using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn . . .
Prerequisite: Basic computer and Internet skills. Sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn let you connect to and network with other people, both personally and professional. Learn what these sites offer, how to set up your accounts, how to promote yourself, and how to join groups and communities. Taught by Lance Whitney (Friday) or Charles Greenberg (Saturday). Lance Whitney is a web master and consultant to local companies. Lance was previously an IT network administrator and software trainer with Ciba Chemicals; he has also taught continuing education courses through BOCES. Charles Greenberg is head reference librarian at Yale Medical School Library. He has also been involved in computer training for over 12 years.
2 hours $43 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $32)
Fri., 3/2 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.; Whitney; Venus Bldg.
Sat., 3/17 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon; Greenberg; Venus Bldg.
Fri., 4/27 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.; Whitney; Venus Bldg.

Google - Get More Out of Google!
40+ Free Products for Personal Productivity
Take a tour of Google.com’s tricks, tools, and turf, all for free. Includes the new Google Chrome browser that can translate web pages (i.e. from Russian into English and the reverse). Create a blog. Search your desktop. Track your stocks. Create spreadsheets. Share what you know. Share your images and videos. Create web sites and wikis. Create and share a calendar. Clip and collect information as you surf the web. Organize your medical records. More . . . Taught by Charles Greenberg. Charles Greenberg is head reference librarian at Yale Medical School Library. He has also been involved in computer training for over 12 years.
2 hours $43 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $32) (+ $ mtls)
Sat., 3/10 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Venus Bldg.

Intro to Google Documents (in a cloud)
Google documents provide a free, “cloud”-based platform for creating and sharing spreadsheets, wordprocessing and presentations that are compatible with Microsoft Office or Open Office. Because your Google Documents live in a virtual “cloud”, you can get to them on any computer connected to the Internet. You can also create online forms that feed data automatically into a spreadsheet, offering a free replacement for similar analytical functionality on fee-based web survey sites. Prerequisites: Internet basics. Note: If you do not already have a free Google account, you will create one during the class. Taught by Charles Greenberg. Charles Greenberg is head reference librarian at Yale Medical School Library. He has also been involved in computer training for over 12 years.
2 hours $43 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $32) (+ $ mtls)
Sat., 2/11 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Venus Bldg.

Introduction to Blogging
Prerequisite: Windows 7 PC Basics and Internet Basics. Most blogs are a personal diary or a public soapbox. A blog can also be a way to share your favorite recipes, pizza joints, or pictures. It is easy to establish a free blog, but like anything you get for nothing, a free blog can disappear without warning. If you want to do a serious blog to improve your professional credentials, consider contracting and paying a small amount to host a blog, using blog software with more flexibility and unlimited personalized email accounts. This course will cover learning about blog production, using images to enhance your posts, and learning about RSS (really simple syndication) which is how your blog content is delivered to others, or how you can bring good web content to enhance your blog. See the instructor’s blogs at http://openbiomed.info and http://ysmuvisit.blogspot.com for examples.Taught by Charles Greenberg. Charles Greenberg is head reference librarian at Yale Medical School Library. He has also been involved in computer training for over 12 years.
2 hours $43 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $32) (+ $ mtls)
Sat., 2/4 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Venus Bldg.
Sat., 3/31 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon; Venus Bldg.

RSS

Really Simple Syndication (RSS)
RSS is the circulation system of the internet, automatically depositing content from creators and providers to web pages, providing constant refreshing and creating currency. Teachers, researchers, trend analysts, politicians, physicians, and students of all ages can tap into the distribution of immediate news and knowledge by selecting an RSS reading platform and subscribing an unlimited variety of RSS feeds. Then the most up-to-date news and knowledge appear every time you access your RSS reader, whether that is a smart phone, iPad, or your iGoogle web page. This two-hour class will demonstrate the most effective techniques for organizing and reading RSS feeds, as well as the most popular and reliable sources of RSS content. Prerequisite: basic internet and web browsing skills. Taught by Charles Greenberg. Charles Greenberg is head reference librarian at Yale Medical School Library. He has also been involved in computer training for over 12 years.
2 hours $43 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $32)
Sat., 3/10 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.; Venus Bldg.

Web Sites

Web Site Basics ~ for People Curious About What’s Behind a Web Site
Prerequisite: Good Internet, word processing and file management skills. Students will gain a useful background into the structure of web pages. We will learn about HTML, the software behind a site, and even use some basic HTML code (HyperText Markup Language) to create, preview, and edit several web pages. We also review key words and where they fit into a web site, how to obtain a domain name, locate web hosting space. Finally, use of ftp (file transfer protocol) to transfer your files to the Internet will be demonstrated. Peggy Bruno, a certified teacher, has trained adults in computer applications for many years. She has developed many computer courses and training workbooks. She previously worked in corporate marketing and information services.
2 hours $43 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $32) (+ $ mtls.)
2/23 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.; Bruno; Venus Bldg.

Voice-Overs

You’re On the Air or (How to Really Make it in Voice-Overs!)
With such notable talent as James Earl Jones, Linda Hunt, and Donald Sutherland lending their voices to commercials, films, and videos, one would think that it would be next to impossible to break into this field. Not so! In this class you’ll learn about an exciting new way to get around the competition and actually turn voice-overs into a thriving full or part-time business! Rob Sciglimpaglia, successful voice-over artist (PBS, AMD, Dean Koontz, Court TV, etc.), will demonstrate voice-over technique and will introduce students to the voice-over business as a whole.  He will talk about the numerous opportunities, the income potential, and the all-important demo and how to have it produced.  You’ll step up to the microphone to do some practice recording, and best of all, hear the results! Instructor Steven Wahlberg is an accomplished and successful voice-over artist and businessman. He works for voice-over clients including: IBM, Honeywell, The Hartford, Save The Children, and many more.
1 Session $31 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $23)
Mon., 4/9 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.; East Ridge Middle School