The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center’s College for Life Long Learning (COLLL) is offering a full slate of courses for the spring 2012 term. With more than 40 non-credit courses available, this is the most robust schedule COLLL has presented and truly promises to have something for everyone. The first classes begin February 6th, with new courses beginning throughout the spring. A full list of classes, descriptions, and information on teacher recertification points is available on the College for Life Long Learning page.

If your goal is to get fit in the New Year, Fusion Fitness Dance and Pilates Yoga will put you on the right track. Fusion Fitness Dance focuses on physical fitness through dance exercises incorporating cardio, strength, and stretch movements for a total body workout. Pilates Yoga provides a method of mind-body exercise and physical movement designed to stretch, strengthen, and balance the body while improving posture and core stabilization. Both courses begin February 6th and will be taught by local dance instructor Patricia Ward.

If this is the year you’re going to slow down, reduce stress, and improve mental fitness then Meditation 101 with Christopher Ross is the perfect place to start. Students will receive basic information, skills, and techniques to begin their own meditation practices. Through lectures, class discussions, and practical, hands-on experience, serenity is just around the corner. 

Those hoping to learn a new skill or try something different in 2012 have a host of options to choose from including Basic Cake Decoration I, Introduction to Federal Income Tax, Duplicate Bridge Clinic, Photoshop Effects 101, That Wasn’t in My History Book, and Technology Tuesdays (Windows, the Internet, Pictures, Word, Excel, & Powerpoint).  Cake Decoration I provides instruction on the fundamentals of cake/cupcake decorating and simple cake design. By the end of the 4 week course students will be able to confidently decorate a cake. An advanced cake decorating course will be offered in March for students who want to continue on the road to becoming the next Cake Boss.

Intro to Federal Income Tax will shed light on the complicated federal income tax filing process, and just may show you how to save some money. With emphasis on the individual taxpayer, this course will cover filing status, exemptions, itemized deductions, basic filing requirements for FAFSA (Federal Student Aid), and more. 

Starting February 11th and 18th, Photoshop Effects 101 will teach you how to take a simple digital picture and turn it into a professional quality photo. The course will cover how to fix under/overexposed images, cropping/straightening images, correcting blemishes and imperfections, and creating motion and action with the blur effect.

Finally, entrepreneurs and small business owners will want to take advantage of several business-oriented offerings including Grantsmanship: What Grant Writers Want to Know, Accounting for the Non-Accountant, Accounting for Nonprofits, and Enterprise Virginia’s Starting & Growing Your Local Business. Accounting for the Non-Accountant will cover the basics of business operations, proper accounting procedures and reporting including journal entries and financial statements. Accounting for Non-Profits is a great starting point for any non-profit organization that wants to improve reporting procedures. Class attendees will learn the basics of maintaining accurate records, federal and state reporting requirements for non-profits as well as financial statements and tax reporting.

Other spring term courses include Women’s Self-Defense, Youth Leadership Club, Mosaic Dreams: Design & Fabricate a Ceramic or Glass Work of Art, Enjoying Modern Poetry, Beekeeping, and the Southern Virginia Botanical Gardens’ First Annual Garden Series.

Registration is now open for all COLLL classes. Complete course listings, descriptions, and registration materials are available on the College for Life Long Learning page. Brochures are also available at the SVHEC. For more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Patricia Ward at 434-572-5475, and toll free 1-800-283-0098.

The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center’s College for Life Long Learning provides affordable non-credit courses for lifelong learners of all ages.