Community Education - Rochester, Minnesota

Start your day with Minnesota Public Radio former host Tom Weber. He will be speaking about his book, "100 Things to Do in the Twin Cities Before You Die." His book is a guide to the most rewarding list of things to do in the Twin Cities. Even if you are familiar with the Twin Cities, several of his suggestions will be a delightful surprise!  Copies of Tom's book, for purchase and signing, will be available after class.

Made up of longtime Twin Cities headliners as well as “Prairie Home Companion” alumni, Lush Country is an all-star band that plays the best country hits from the hi-fi era. Enjoy tunes from Patsy Cline to Willie Nelson and everyone in between, including favorites such as “Stand by Your Man,” “Crazy” and “Jolene.” Get your country fix with Lush Country!* Fee includes coach transportation, theatre ticket, and lunch at the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center (BBQ Chicken, BBQ Ribs, Mac and Cheese, Green beans, Coleslaw, Corn bread with honey butter, dessert, coffee or hot tea)* 10 AM Depart Northrop Parking Lot* 5:30 PM approximate return* No refunds after May 15* Fee: $89

Spring Gardening Seminar, Saturday, April 13, 20198 am-3 pm8300.2319-10:15 am Keynote Speakers Chef Chris Rohe and Jenna RoheChef Christopher Rohe started cooking early in Rochester and has worked in and around Rochester for 21 years. He received his culinary diploma from a Rochester Community College Program. He worked at the Broadstreet Cafe for 7 years as Executive Chef and as Food & Beverage Director at the Rochester Athletic Club for 5 years. Executive Chef Christopher Rohe has worked for many years to achieve his Certified Executive Chef status from the American Culinary Federation (ACF). Jenna Rohe has worked in the customer service field, restaurants and catering facilities for many years. Her training through the International Sommelier Guild has made her love of wine her second passion. Grow It, Cook It, Eat It. (From Field to Fork)Chef Rohe will share his tricks on how to utilize homegrown or locally grown produce for fast, healthy meals. You will see a chef prepare “Local” produce outside the “Box.”Chef Chris Rohe and Jenna Rohe, Owners, Prescott’s Restaurant10:30-11:20 am Session #1 Choices“Dig” Art! Cultivating Creativity in the Garden Key concepts of design, use of color and texture. Inspiration for repurposing items and art to use as a focal points.Beth Solie, Retired Landscape Designer, U of M Olmsted County Master GardenerHouseplant Patrol: Basic Care, Problem-Solving, and ResourcesBest practices of how to grow and care for popular varieties of indoor plants. Diseases, soil considerations, light, and fertilizer requirements.Nancy McGinnis, Owner, Greenwood PlantsTree and Shrub MaintenanceHow to prune. What to prune. When to prune. Proper tools and techniques.Ryan Brick, Maier Tree and Lawn Service“Weeding is NOT Fun!” In your busy life, exactly how can you have the garden you want-with the time you have? See greater rewards from your garden--without spending hours.Robin Fruth-Dugstad, RCTC Horticulture Professor11:30 am-12:30 pm Lunch and Greenhouse Tour12:40-1:30 pm Session #2 ChoicesGo Wild with Native Plants!Plants native to our area and their impact on our environment. Diseases and animal pests will be discussed as well as integrating natives into your garden.Joel Dunnette, Rochester Garden and Flower ClubHummingbirds in MinnesotaWhat you need to know about attracting hummingbirds to your garden and their benefits as pollinators. The impacts of weather and insecticides on birds and pollinators.Don Mitchell, U of M Goodhue County Master GardenerInvasive Plants: Wrong Plants in the Wrong Place Find out what is considered an “invasive plant”. Proper techniques for control and the environmental impact. Joyce and Terry Grier, U of M Olmsted County Master GardenersSuccess with SucculentsCare and propagation of succulents. A look at plant selection and hardiness as well as use in your landscape.Ron Flemke, Owner, (Landscape Maintenance Business)1:40-2:30 pm Session #3 ChoicesDig Into Gardening Basics Fundamental requirements for successful vegetable and flower gardening including: location, soil, seeds, plants, and maintenance. Plant seeds, take some home!RCTC Horticulture Students, RCTC Horticulture ProgramHerbs for the Home GardenerHow to select, grow, and care for herbs. Uses in cooking and in aromatherapy.Gretchen McCoy, U of M Olmsted County Master Gardener“Let’s Get Potted” - The Art of Container GardeningBasics of successful container gardening including location, soil, containers, seed and plant selection, maintenance, and “imagination.”Vickie Hennessey, (The Crack Pot Gardener), U of M Olmsted County Master GardenerTips for Gardening with Raised BedsBenefits of raised bed gardens. Tips for construction, suggested materials, soil, care, and plant selections. Sharon Pharis, Rochester Garden and Flower ClubCosponsored with RCTC Horticulture Program, Rochester Garden and Flower Club, Shades of Green Hosta Society, and the U of M Olmsted County Master Gardeners. Vendors will be onsite offering their products.Transportation is not included. Registration Deadline: Monday, April 8.  No refunds after March 15.  If canceled due to inclement weather, you will be issued a refund minus costs incurred (including supplies, food, and salaries).

Three love stories, a murder mystery, and a nuclear espionage plot converge in this comedy about marriage and other explosive devices. It's 1952: America's on the verge of the H-bomb, Eisenhower's on the campaign trail, and Senator Joe McCarthy's daughter just got engaged to a Soviet spy. A sharp-eyed look at love and tying (and untying, and retying) the knot. "Hilarious. A fun, farcical romp with a cleverly plot and loving heart.” Philadelphia Inquirer * Fee includes coach transportation, theatre ticket, and lunch at the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center (Chicken breast in herb and wine cream sauce, seasonal vegetables, rolls, parsley potatoes, dessert, coffee/tea)* 10 AM Depart RCTC Sports Center Parking Lot* 5 PM Approximate return* No refunds after  Feb 10* Fee: $85

This is not a typical “juke-box musical.” It offers a fresh, remarkably personal, and poignant picture of the woman whose unparalleled talent and unbridled personality made her a legend. In Tenderly, Rosemary Clooney’s journey starts with her simple Maysville, Kentucky childhood and follows her rise to Hollywood stardom. With her signature songs woven in and out, we learn both the story of her successes on film,radio, and TV, as well as her struggles in her personal life – with a career fading during the advent of rock-and-roll and her battles with addiction and depression. Audiences stand and cheer as they rejoice at her triumphant comeback and even more successful career as a jazz singer.* Fee includes coach transportation, theatre ticket, and lunch (choice of four entrees, dinner rolls, seasonal vegetable, coffee, tea, and dessert) * 9:30 AM Depart RCTC Sports Center Parking Lot* 5:30 PM Approximate return* No refunds after Apr 10* Fee: $89

The time is right to see "THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG," Broadway’s funniest and longest-running play! This Olivier Award-winning comedy is a hilarious hybrid of Monty Python and Sherlock Holmes. Welcome to opening night of "The Murder at Haversham Manor" where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines), it’s “A RIOTOUS EXPLOSION OF COMEDY!” (The Daily Beast) and “TONS OF FUN FOR ALL AGES!” (HuffPost). Ben Brantley of The New York Times calls THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG “A GUT-BUSTING HIT,” and Cindy Adams of the New York Post has just one word for you: “GO!” * Fee includes coach transportation, main floor theatre ticket, and box supper (1/2 turkey sandwich, chips, apple, cookie, water)* 4:30 PM Depart Northrop Parking Lot* 11 PM Approximate return  * No refunds after Feb 28* Fee: $95

Your energetic little one is growing and trying new things, so establishing routines and being consistent is very important. As your child learns through play and social interactions, you will discuss parenting techniques that help you appreciate the "little things" in your life. Parents move to separate room for parent discussion.

Playing, learning, and discovering are the current priorities as your toddler transitions to a preschooler. Explore a variety of skills that can help you nurture and guide your child through these early years. Parents move to separate room for parent discussion.

What strengthens a bond between a parent and child more than playing and learning together? Come and gain knowledge of child growth and development, temperament styles, and discipline techniques. Learn ways to strengthen your relationship with your child to make learning fun and discipline easier. Parents move to separate room for parent discussion.

Taekwondo is a fun family activity and great for students of all ages! Under the instruction of Patricia Young, with the American Taekwondo Association, students will improve their coordination, balance, strength, and agility, while adults will benefit from improved memory, balance, and flexibility. One adult may attend and participate with the child at no extra charge. Classes are held at Community Presbyterian Church, 3705 55th St NW.

Students in this age group can sign up and pay for either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and attend one or attend all nights. Taekwondo is a fun family activity and great for students of all ages! Under the instruction of Patricia Young, with the American Taekwondo Association, students will improve their coordination, balance, strength and agility, while adults will benefit from improved memory, balance, and flexibility. Training for students age 8 and up includes training in bully prevention, advanced self-defense, use of nunchuk, escrima, etc., board breaks, and other advanced concepts. One adult may attend and participate with the child at no extra charge. Wednesday classes will be held in the gym at the RCTC Sports Center, 851 30th Ave SE,  Tuesday and Thursday classes will be held at Community Presbyterian Church, 3705 55th St NW.

Turn retirement concerns into confidence. Learn how to manage six key risks all retirees face: outliving their income, inflation, unpredictable events, market volatility, income taxes, and rising healthcare costs. www.Thrivent.com

If you enjoy learning about historical events, this class is for you! Dorothy A. Lund Nelson will guide you through a part of American History of the many children that were “placed out” into homes across our country. Over a period of 75 years, over 200,000 children traveled by train to find new parents and families. Attend and learn why the children traveled, what conditions they left behind, and who assisted them in finding a new family. Through a presentation, videos, and many Orphan Train Riders’ stories, you will find you'll want to learn more!

Claire will explain the rules regarding income tax residency and estate tax residency. She will describe who needs to file income taxes in Minnesota and the factors the government considers when determining if an estate needs to file an estate tax return in Minnesota. Her presentation will also cover rules for non-residents who own real estate in Minnesota. www.yanowitzlaw.com.

"The Hot and Energetic Universe", is an exciting documentary about the achievements of modern astronomy, including the role of high energy astrophysics in understanding our universe. Curious? Confused? Come and learn all about it with Paul Larson, our resident Planetarium Director.Please enter Mayo High School through door #6.

Over 50 years ago humans chose to go out into space. What was that like? What is that like now? What might that be like in the future? Come to the Mayo High School Planetarium to investigate these questions. Please enter at door #6.

Learn about paddling gear, environmental and safety considerations, transporting boats, basic boat design, and paddles for flat water. In the first paddling session, learn efficient strokes using a buoy course. For each stroke we emphasize posture and body mechanics, grip, and shaft and blade angle. In the second session, practice towing, wet exit and re-entry, and assisted rescues. Provide your own gear or contact Jeff@pilgrimpaddles.com to arrange a discounted rental from Tyrol Ski & Sport. Contact Jeff about location for on the water.

Practice makes perfect. If rescues are new to you, or you want to learn the latest heel hook reentry or hand of God rescue, or just practice what you already know, this is an opportunity to do self and assisted rescues with and without sprayskirts. We use throw lines, towlines, paddle floats, stirrups, prussiks, and other gear as needed. Prior to class, contact Jeff@pilgrimpaddles.com for location and gear.

The rivers of SE Minnesota are rated class I but the trees are class III. Learn how rivers are classified, how to read and scout rapids, and to paddle turns, gravel bars, trees, rocks, ledges, waves, and eddies. We link together strokes to perform ferries, eddy turns, and peelouts. Learn to swim in moving water, do self and assisted rescues, and learn to use throw lines and z-drags. Helmets and spray skirts recommended for decked boats. Prior to class, contact Jeff@pilgrimpaddles.com for location and gear.

How do you decide where, when, and what to paddle? How do you know if a river is too low or too high? Do you understand how gages report river height and volume? Are you receive an email notification when your favorite route is at your favorite level? Learn about online resources as well as useful guidebooks. Understand what smartphone apps to use to monitor water levels, wind and weather, for navigation, file float plans, or for first aid. We’ll cover social media and websites from the American Canoe Association, American Whitewater, BSA, state DNRs, NOAA, USACE, USGS, and USFWS.

If you are interested in driving an ATV in Minnesota and you are between 11-16 years old, you are required to take the ATV Safety course. Upon completion, the student will receive a certificate that is honored in most states including Iowa and Wisconsin. OHM operators under 16 years old are required to have an OHM Certificate to operate on public lands, frozen waters, and state or grant-in-aid trails in Minnesota. DNR ATV/OHM Safety Training class includes topics on: basic operation, common parts and controls, operating safely and responsibly, trail riding, rules and laws, riding skills and protecting the environment. Complete the MN ATV/OHM Rider’s Safety Class online at: Offroad-ed.com (the fee for the online course is $29.50) for students 11-16 years old. DNR Information Center number is 888-646-6367 or 651-296-6157 for questions.  Part 2 takes place on May 5th. You MUST BE 11 years of age or older BEFORE the class start date to be eligible to take this class. Students under 11 may attend with instructor permission and a few accommodations. Class will include safety techniques, riding methods, legal requirements, first aid, and hands-on riding skills. Parents must accompany their child to class to sign the DNR forms. Class is taught by DNR Safety Instructors. Bring your lunch including beverage. The classroom instruction will be held in the cafeteria at Mayo and the driving test will be held on the west practice field. Students can bring their own ATV to class. Please bring a helmet and birth certificate and a printed copy of the completion certificate to class.