Community Education - Rochester, Minnesota

Come and learn to make and grind your own knife from basic materials. Start with a piece of steel and some wood and add a little labor and guidance. A knife will materialize. Open to all skill levels. Be prepared to come to work and be challenged. Basic blacksmithing skills preferred. $150 class fee to be collected at time of class by Tunnel Mill Crafts, includes instructor fees and a light lunch. Cash or Check only

Learn to draw in 1-, 2-, and 3-point perspective. We’ll draw a cityscape in each type of perspective. Materials provided. ***Sign up each person separately!!

Learn to build a wooden stretcher, stretch and gesso canvas in preparation to paint. If you sign up for Basic Oil Painting you can use your canvas in that class. Build up to a 30” x 40” canvas. Materials for this class are provided.

Scuba diving offers access to an amazing world above and beneath the waves, providing many physical and mental health benefits. If you are comfortable in the water and want to see more, this class is for you! This informational class will answer questions and explain the 3 steps of becoming a certified SCUBA diver and offer a glimpse into the amazing world that awaits, locally and globally.

This class will discuss the supplies needed make your very own delicious homemade jam, a demonstration of the jam making process, and two ways to preserve the jam once it is made. There will be plenty of time for questions and at the end of class we will sample the jam we make. Each participant will go home with their very own jar of jam.

This class will focus on wines that are from coastal areas of the world. We will taste 4 wines and learn what makes each of them unique. Wine only served to 21+ with ID.

Your respect for nature and the environment doesn’t have to die with you. Discover components of a green burial, natural cemeteries and why it matters. More and more choices are available as baby boomers blaze a trail in the new dying movement. MN families now have increased choices since legislation was passed in 2010. Discover alternatives to the commercial funeral, and how to care for loved ones with an open heart and minimal environmental impact. Sponsored by Earthfest and Destination Medical Center.

Learn about some of the considerations/tradeoffs when developing a withdrawal strategy -- work longer, spend less and delay Social Security. Learn ways to plan for expected and unexpected expenses with insurance. www.edwardjones.com

This four-part mastering photography course is designed to take your photographic skills to the next level and help you start shooting like a pro. Each section is part of an educational journey builds that develops essential knowledge and technical skills important to every type of photography. After the fundamentals, we explore portrait, landscape, and wildlife genres, and then dive into the aesthetic and artistic sides of photography. All learning content is fun, easy and interactive. The course format involves didactic presentations, photo critiques, group discussions, hands-on practice opportunities and shooting assignments. Join us and learn how to harness your camera’s potential, think creatively, and shoot professional quality images. Week 7-Portrait Photography Week 8-Landscape Photography Week 9-Wildlife Photography In PART III, we delve into the three most important genres of photography; portraiture, landscape and wildlife. Each topic is thoroughly explored and contains an abundance of shooting principles and objectives to help you get the best shots of people, places and animals. Developing shooting skills in these three areas enables you to shoot anything, anywhere.

This four-part mastering photography course is designed to take your photographic skills to the next level and help you start shooting like a pro. Each section is part of an educational journey builds that develops essential knowledge and technical skills important to every type of photography. After the fundamentals, we explore portrait, landscape, and wildlife genres, and then dive into the aesthetic and artistic sides of photography. All learning content is fun, easy and interactive. The course format involves didactic presentations, photo critiques, group discussions, hands-on practice opportunities and shooting assignments. Join us and learn how to harness your camera’s potential, think creatively, and shoot professional quality images. Week 10-Aesthetics and Composition (Art in Photography) Week 11-Introduction to Post-Processing Week 12-Creativity and Vision Part IV wraps up this course with discussions of the aesthetic and artistic side of photography. This is where we explore how to develop your creativity and vision as a photographer. We also examine how to take a good image and make it great with Adobe post-processing workflow and editing techniques.

With Star Wars Day coming soon (May the 4th be with you), join us to celebrate Star Wars by watching Episode 5: “The Empire Strikes Back”! This movie was originally released in 1980 and follows the continuing adventures of rebels Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo (and others!) as they fight against The Empire, led by Darth Vader. Jedi master Yoda says “See this, you will!” And as always, may the force be with you! Suggested ages 6 and up. It starts at 6:15pm. Please enter through door #6 at Mayo High School.

Are you concerned about climate change? Is this concern causing anxiety, fear, anger, or confusion? Are you stressed out about daily life or big human problems? You’re not alone! More and more people are experiencing intense stress and “eco-anxiety” but don’t have the right skills or knowledge to cope. In this practical, hands-on, engaging, and fun 90-minute workshop, you will begin to gain those skills and knowledge. You’ll walk away with a science-based understanding of stress, trauma, and the human response to both. Plus, you'll get some tools and takeaways you can put into action which will equip you to navigate the stress and anxiety of climate change and big issues... with courage and confidence!

In this one-hour workshop, you will learn what happens at a home energy audit and how it helps you plan for smart energy investments in your home. Also, take with you some ideas for DIY home energy improvements including simple, low and no-cost ways to start saving right away. At the end of the workshop you will have plenty of time for questions and the opportunity to sign up for a discounted energy audit if you are a customer of both MER and RPU. Each household that signs up for an audit will receive an energy saving goodie bag. Cosponsored with Minnesota Energy Resources (MER), Rochester Public Utilities (RPU), and the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE).

Join Julie, a Certified Donna Dewberry One Stroke Instructor, as she guides you step-by-step through the process of creating your very own special painting. She will explain how to prep your canvas, load your brushes, and the brush strokes needed to complete each step, then you will have time to work on your painting as she comes around to help and answer any questions you may have. This is an acrylic painting technique that anyone can do if you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and just give it a try. No experience is necessary, and all supplies are included. June 14th - One Stroke Painting - Floral Fence line July 12th - One Stroke Painting - Toucan August 2nd - One Stroke Painting - Purple Iris August 9th - One Stroke Painting - Hummingbird among the flowers

Come and paint a ceramic piece with friends of all ages. Pick from a wide variety of ceramic pieces, paint it and we will get it fired and ready for you to display. This class is designed for adults to bring a child or youth to enjoy a morning together. Price includes 1 ceramic piece. If both adult and child wish to paint a piece, each individual should register and pay the class fee separately.

Planning for singles is not the same as couples. Join us for an evening of education and humor as we navigate the options for planning as a single person. The events of the last few years have touched us all. Everything seems to be changing quickly! Whether it is a will, trust, health care directive, power of attorney, funeral/cremation directives or long-term care options it is important to learn your options before they are needed. This program will give you real answers to your questions, dispel myths and start you on the right track to a plan that is right for you.

Have you ever caught sight of your reflection in a window or mirror to see that your head leads the way? Or noticed that your shoulders and upper back are too rounded forward? You’ll learn simple techniques to improve posture and stand straighter. We’ll do exercises to help flatten the upper back, un-round shoulders and flatten your midsection. We’ll talk about how to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and related injuries and how to re-gain bone mass. We’ll discuss the latest research findings on nutrition and talk about the importance of minerals and trace minerals for bone health; foods that help and/or harm your bones and more. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. You will need a resistance band or tube for some of the exercises. This class will be held online. You will receive an email 2 days prior to the class date with directions on how to join the class.

Ever caught your own reflection to see that your head hangs too far forward, or your shoulders are too rounded, or you slump too much? You will learn how to correct common posture problems and learn an ‘Instant Alignment Technique’ that will have you standing straighter immediately. We’ll discuss easy to implement tips when at a computer, in a car or working out. There are many benefits to improving posture. And, the good news is no matter how long you may have had poor posture, it is never too late to make improvements. Your clothes will fit better, too! You’ll need a resistance band for some exercises. This class will be held online. Scroll to the bottom of the 2 day Course Reminder email with your instructions.

Make your own punched tin lantern. Use a traditional punching pattern or design your own. Pierced tin lanterns like this were common in Europe and the Americas from the 14th to the 19th centuries. They protect candles from the wind on shipboard and in barnyards, and the piercings provide charming twinkling light patterns. In this class students will cut pattern pieces from tinplate, punch the pieces with the pattern of their choice, and fold, join and solder to complete lanterns. Class Fee to be collected at time of class by Tunnel Mill Crafts: $275 which includes room and board, instructor fees and supplies.

Do you enjoy Rosé wine? Did you know that there are a multitude of different styles and origins? In this class we will explore 4 different types of Rosé wine and what makes them unique. We will also try to guess where each wine is from. This class will also cover basic techniques in tasting and wine label reading.