Feng Shui

Feng Shui
Joanne Loftus is back with her popular and dynamic Feng Shui seminar. This three-hour workshop provides an understanding of the three principles of Feng Shui and application of Feng Shui to the students home and/or business. The “Bagua” is explained as part of the discussion of how energy enters and flows through our space. Also covers the three most important rooms in our homes -- the foyer, kitchen, and bedroom. A $10 materials fee is payable to the instructor at class.
1 Session $24 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $12) + $ materials
Please call (203) 431-9995 for fall 2008 dates.

Home Remodeling

Decks ~ Building and Finishing Your Own
If you are thinking of building your own deck, this course is a must. Ridgefield Assistant Building Official Bert Veilleux has an informative workshop that will cover the permit process, building code requirements and construction tips and pointers. Instructor Bert Veilleux is Assistant Building Official for the Town of Ridgefield. He previously ran his own construction company.
1 Session $24 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $12)
Please call (203) 431-9995 for fall 2008 dates.

Tool School 101 for Beginners
Ladies: Learn what tools you need in your own personal tool box and how to use them. Use tools such as a stud finder (handy when hanging anything on your walls), caulking gun (why wait for the plumber to seal the tub?) and a cordless drill/driver (it’s simpler than you think). Hands on demonstrations of simple tools for everyday use. Taught by Jan Brown. Jan Brown demonstrates and sells tools for Tomboy Tools, tools designed ergonomically for women.
1 Session $19 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $10) + $ materials
Please call (203) 431-9995 for fall 2008 dates.

Basic Home Repairs
Learn how to repair small holes in sheetrock, repair the most common with leaky toilets, and caulking techniques for a finished look. Hands on workshop for anyone who wants to try out becoming a DIYer (Do-It-Yourselfer). Taught by Jan Brown. Jan Brown demonstrates and sells tools for Tomboy Tools, tools designed ergonomically for women.
1 Session $19 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $10) + $ materials
Please call (203) 431-9995 for fall 2008 dates.

Interior Decoration

Interior Decoration
Back again with their popular course. Immerse yourself in interior decoration! Class members will develop a personal philosophy of style and interior decoration, and a perspective on making their home beautiful, comfortable, stylish, and artful, reflecting their individual taste. Each week different design topics will be featured including: style; color; room composition and arrangements; floor plans; coordinating fabrics, paint, and wall papers; window treatments and collecting and accessorizing. Fifteen historical design periods will be revewed. The latest design trends, designer “secrets” and a designer of the week will be deconstructed. Personal design questionnaire, recommended reading lists, handouts, helpful tips by designers and optonal homework will be a part of the class. Designers will answer individual’s design questions. Participants must attend the first class which is an introduction to style. At the first session a key homework/preparation (a design collage) will be explained and assigned. Interior Decoration is team-taught by Linda Keefer, educator and Georgette Miller, interior designer with J. Seitz & Co., New Preston, CT. A $10 fee for handouts and class materials will be collected by the instructors at the first class. Enrollment limited. A $10 fee for handouts and class materials will be collected by the instructors at the first class. Enrollment limited.
5 Sessions $78 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $36) + $ materials
Please call (203) 431-9995 for fall 2008 dates.

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 Prudential Connecticut Realty.
2 Sessions $32 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $16)
Please call (203) 431-9995 for fall 2008 dates.

Organizing/Time Management

Want to Pare Down & Simplify Your Space?
Are your hobbies, projects and collections taking over your home? Would you like to find a way to pare down and simplify your space and your life? This course will help you see things in a new way and provide you with tips and techniques to simplify the decision process of what to keep and what to let go. You’ll learn ways to lighten up and enjoy life with less and how to keep things and let them go at the same time. Then once you’ve made your choices, where you can give away, donate or sell items. Taught by Jill McKean. Jill McKean is a professional organizer. Prior to starting Organize It, she was a financial professional with over 20 years experience in business.
1 Session $19 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $10)
Please call (203) 431-9995 for fall 2008 dates.

Faux Finishing and Decorative Painting

Faux Finishing
Paint is a marvelously versatile substance and can be manipulated different ways to create interesting textures and looks. Come learn how to make walls look like old stucco, sandstone, or aged aged paint. We will work with paint and glaze to learn the techniques of ragging, sponging, and layering, and will also experiment with tissuing, marbling, and combing. A materials fee of approximately $15-20 is payable to the instructor at class. Taught by Nancy Maxwell, an experienced teacher, who has been working with gold leafing and a variety of finishes for a number of years.
2 Sessions $32 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $16)
Please call (203) 431-9995 for fall 2008 dates.

Applying Composition - Gold Leafing
An introduction to the basic steps in applying metallic leaf to surfaces. Students will prepare a surface with gesso and size and apply composition leaf. Final finishes will be explained. Please bring one wooden object (small, ideally with no finish applied), another piece will be provided by the instructor. A materials fee is payable to the instructor at class. Taught by Nancy Maxwell, an experienced teacher, who has been working with gold leafing and a variety of finishes for a number of years.
1 Session $19 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $10)
Tue., 5/27; 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.; Venus Bldg.