Classes Available Throughout The Region

ADULT EDUCATION: Abingdon, Mt. Rogers Regional Adult Education offices, 625 W. Main St.; Bristol and counties of Washington, Smyth, Wythe, Bland, Grayson; GED, English as a Second Language; (800) 322-7748, (276) 739-2547.

ADULT WORKSHOPS: Big Stone Gap, Southwest Virginia Museum and Historical State Park, Various workshops; (276) 523-1322 or http://www.swvamuseum.org.

ALL: Academy for Lifelong Learners, University of Va.s College at Wise, SWVA Tech Development Center; basic personal computer use, e-mail basics, digital photography, social networking; spring, fall sessions planned at Lebanon center; $10 each class or $35 for all four; (276) 889-8180 or http://www.svtdc.org.

AMERICAN RED CROSS: Mountain Empire Chapter, Bristol, Va., 14298 Lee Hwy.; various classes; pre-register at (276) 645-6650.

APPALACHIAN HERITAGE WRITERS SYMPOSIUM: Richlands, SVCC, June 12-13, 8 a.m.; for beginning or established writers; memoir writing, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, storytelling, children’s writing and editing; registration forms at http://www.appheritagewritersym.wordpress.com.

AQUATICS PROGRAM: Emory, Emory & Henry College, various new fitness classes, lessons through June; (276) 944-6747 or .

ART LESSONS: Bristol, Tenn., Anderson Street Methodist Church; beginning drawing; 10 years and up, no deadline to begin; (423) 646-8151.

ARTS DEPOT: Abingdon, Depot Square downtown; portrait painting, basic drawing, Plein Air painting, terra cotta clay Easter bunnies, ink and watercolor, basic digital photography, watercolor for children, tapestry weaving and more; register at least three days before class.  (276) 628-9091.

BALLROOM DANCE: Bristol Ballet Center, 628 Cumberland St.; Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., $10; taught by gold level certified instructor and professional ballroom dancer Lindsay Hubbard; (276) 669-6051 or e-mail .

BALLROOM DANCE: Abingdon Senior Center, 300 Senior Drive, room 48; Wednesday evenings, 7-8:30 p.m.; $30 for six lessons taught by Ashby Dickerson; register with Tammy at (276) 628-5859.

BASIC COMPUTER LITERACY: Abingdon, Washington County Public Library, Oak Hill St., Thursday evenings, 5-8 p.m.; free sessions for workforce skills and personal self-development; register at (276) 944-5144.

BASIC DRAWING TECHNIQUES: Chilhowie, The Art Place, 131 E. Main St., Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; register with Edna Love, (276) 646-4244 or 759-1800.

BEGINNING KNITTING: Abingdon, A Likely Yarn, 380 E. Main St., Chix with Stix, Thursdays, 5-7 p.m., $5; Block-A-Month Club, second Tuesday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon and third Tuesday, 3-5 p.m.; free, reservations required; register at (276) 628-2143 or visit http://www.alikelyyarn.com.

BEGINNING YOGA, PILATES: Richlands, SVCC, King Community Center, room K208, Mondays, Wednesdays; yoga, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.; pilates, no impact, on a mat, 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., beginning first week in June, $87.65 for 10-week course; register at (276) 964-7245 or (276) 245-6145.

BEGINNER SHAG: Marion, General Francis Marion Hotel, 107 E. Main St., begins June 9, 6:30-7:15 p.m.; Latin, swing, ballroom dance, begins June 9, 7:30-8:30 p.m.; no experience, partner required; four week sessions, $40 per person; (276) 783-5349 or 783-4800.

BRISTOL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER.: Info on child development, family management issues, parenting, up-to-date list of resources including classes, health care, housing, etc; Susan N. Murray, (276) 645-3765.

BUSINESS COUNSELING: Duffield Industrial Park, Center for Workforce Development, free; second Tuesday; walk-in basis through MECC Small Business Development Center; Dr. Marolyn Parson, (800) 468-1195, Ext. 4858, or Tim Blankenbeckler, (276) 523-6529.

CHAIR AEROBICS, LINE DANCING: Bristol, Tenn., Avoca Christian Church, 2417 Volunteer Pkwy., Mondays, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon; taught by Anna Horne; free, everyone invited; Pam Cole, (423) 967-7469.

CHEERLEADING/TUMBLE: Abingdon, Va., East Coast Cheer and Dance Academy, 25218B Lee Hwy., off Exit 19; join all-star cheerleading squads for 2009, youth junior, senior ages 5-18; tumble classes daily, 5:30 p.m., beginners, intermediate, advance; jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, clogging, ballet, Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m.; (276) 623-1122 or e-mail .

CLASSIC SCRAPBOOKS:  Bristol, Tenn., 1765 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; various classes; (423) 764-0391.

CLASSICAL GUITAR: Offered to Richlands, Tazewell, Graham High School students; guitars checked out for the year, books and supplies provided free; first come, first served basis; to register, contact principal’s offices or call Jonathan Romeo at (276) 964-7742.

COLLEGE FOR OLDER ADULTS: Abingdon, Southwest Va. Higher Education Center; for ages 50 and older; various classes meet once a week during daylight hours; membership fee entitles you to take one or more courses; (276) 619-4300 or http://www.swcenter.edu.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT WORKSHOP: Johnson City, Eastern Eight CDC, 221 E. Unaka Ave., June 18, 6-7:30 p.m.; led by Colin Johnson of State of Franklin Realty; part of HOW 2, Eastern Eight’s post-purchase education program; free; (423) 232-5097 Ext. 314.

CROCHET AND KNIT: Bristol, Tenn., Skeins & Things, 311 Lark St.; knitting, daily, 10 a.m.-noon, 1-3 p.m., 6-8 p.m., individual or group; stop by to register or call (423) 764-2144.

DANCE: Kingsport, Stardust Dance Centre, 323 E. Sullivan St.; Latin dance aerobics, Mondays, 6 p.m., join anytime, $10 per dancer, no partner required; beginning belly dance, Mondays, $7 p.m., dress in costumes; summer hip-hop, Tuesdays, 5 p.m., free for high school students only; lady’s Latin line dance, Thursdays, 8 p.m; lyrical for children, adults, Thursdays; toddler dance, Saturdays; pre-register at (423) 292-9512.

DOUGLASS SENIOR CENTER: Bristol, Va., 711 Oakview Ave., Suite 130; various classes, activities, trips and more; (276) 645-7370.

EASY SOCIAL DANCE LESSONS: Elizabethton, 300 W. Mill St., Parks and Recreation Center, Thursdays through June 25, beginner, 6-7 p.m., intermediate, 7-8 p.m., $10 individual, $15 couple, discount for paying in advance; Fridays, 6:30 p.m., one hour lesson, 30 minute practice, $10 singles/$15 couples; two-step, swing, waltz, cha-cha and more, no partner required; (423) 282-1848 or (423) 547-6441.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP SEMINAR: Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator, 851 French Moore Jr. Blvd., Suite 110, July 10, 9 a.m.-noon; for small business owners and entrepreneurs, in conjunction with Virginia Department of Business Assistance; free, light refreshments provided; rsvp to Misty Gibbs at (540) 769-8564 or /

EPA REGULATIONS: Richlands, SVCC, June 3-4, finishing on June 24-25; teaches safe handling practices, procedures for all regulated refrigerants; $87.65 with additional cost for certification testing; (276) 964-7562 or 964-7538.

EXPLORING APPALACHIAN HERITAGE: Johnson City, ETSU summer classes during July 13-Aug. 14 second session; Monday-Thursday, 2-4 p.m.; (423) 439-4379 or .

EXPLOSION BOX: Wytheville, Amy Lynn’s Attic, June 13, 2 p.m.; use graphic 45 papers to create a sweek explosion box, see demo video at http://www.amylynnsattic.com or Youtube; $15.

FREE ADOPTION SEMINARS: Kingsport, Higher Ground Baptist Church, 1625 Lynn Garden Dr., second Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon; learn about legal process, children available, time involved, costs, financial assistance, countries, travel requirements, more; limited seating, child care not available; hosted by Christian World Adoption; Anita Hood, (423) 288-3166, ; http://www.cwa.org.

FREE DANCE LESSONS: Johnson City, Electric Cowboy, 1805 N. Roan St.; Wednesdays, 7:30-9 p.m., line dance; Thursdays, 7:30-9 p.m., popular couple, partner dances; open to all, no experience needed; (423) 929-0022.

FREE MATH TUTORING: Grundy Plaza, SVCC; Monday-Thursday; college math, other subjects as needed; Carolyn Colley, (276) 935-7024.

GED TRANSITION CLASSES: Abingdon, Mt. Rogers Regional Adult Education, 160 Opportunity Lane; improve skills in reading, writing, math; pass COMPASS test, enroll at VHCC in college credit classes; babysitting, help with transportation provided; Monday, Wednesday nights, 6-9 p.m.; (276) 739-2547 or (800) 322-7748.

GED CLASSES: Free; locations in Duffield (also night classes), Weber City, Pennington Gap, Rose Hill, Jonesville, Coeburn, Norton, St. Paul, Pound, Wise, Big Stone Gap, online for some counties, (800) 422-3433 or (276) 386-2433; also Sullivan East High School, 4180 Weaver Pike, Bluff City, Tenn., Mondays, Wednesdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m., (423) 378-4301 or .

GENEALOGY WORKSHOPS: Bristol, Va., Bristol Public Library, 701 Goode St., second Saturdays, June 13, July 11, Aug. 8, 10-11 a.m.; see the reference desk for more information or call (276) 821-6148.

HANDGUN PERMIT TRAINING: Elizabethton, B&K Community Center, Old Bristol Highway, June 20, 8:30 a.m.; held by Rocky Top Gun Permit School with Ken Potter, state certified instructor; $50; (423) 543-6048 or (423) 542-8064.

HEALING ARTS CENTER: Bristol, Va., 36 Moore St.; Group Meditation, ongoing on monthly basis, all levels; reservations at (276) 466-4183 or .
HEALING MEDITATION: Abingdon, Highlands Center, Charwood Drive; flexible times; learn to reclaim balance, harmony within yourself and environment; guided meditation for groups, spiritual based film shown before meditation; Nina Musick, MS, (276) 274-6076.

HIGH TECH COHORT DEGREE PROGRAM: Abingdon, Southwest Virginia Higher Ed Center or Southwest Va. Tech Development Center in Lebanon; offered by The University of Virginia’s College at Wise during fall semester; Courtney Whitt, (276) 619-4317 or http://www.swcenter.edu/uvawise.

HIGHLANDS EDUCATIONAL LITERACY PROGRAM: (HELP) Meadowview, Health Clinic and Community Center, 13168 Meadowview Square; free computer training, one-on-one tutoring in writing, English skills, basic computer, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Thursdays, 5;30-7:30 p.m., for adult residents and those working in Washington County, Va.; also classes at Washington County Public Library in Abingdon, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; register at (276) 944-5144.

HISTORY OF BRISTOL: Bristol, Tenn., Slater Center, 325 McDowell St., July 13-Aug. 14; Tuesdays, Thursdays, 5-8 p.m. for presentations, lectures, discussions, Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., visit historic landmarks; register at ETSU’s History Dept., (423) 439-4222.

INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE: Smyth County Career and Technical Center; summer classes include blueprint reading, electricity fundamentals, basic fluid mechanics, industrial solid state devices and circuits, programmable logic controller systems; information and registration at (276) 739-2430.

JOBS-HOW TO GET ONE: Abingdon, Va., Senior Center, June 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; free lunch, cover letter/resume formatted CD; reservations required; (877) 549-8239 or . 

KNITTING: Bristol, Tenn., 311 Lark St., various classes, flexible times; individual or groups; (423) 764-2144.

LAYS HARDWARE CENTER FOR THE ARTS: Coeburn, Va., 409 Front St.; Bob Ross painting, fourth Monday each month, 10 a.m., (423) 12-7027; Yoga - every Monday 6 and 7:30 p.m. (276) 284-9059; Stained Glass, every Thursday, 6 p.m. (276) 395-6103; pottery/ceramics being planned; (276) 395-3323.

LINE DANCE: Johnson City, Holiday Inn; Wednesdays, beginners, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; intermediate, 7:30-8:30 p.m.; country, pop, cha-cha, waltz, tango, hip-hop; no partner or experience needed; $5 per lesson; (423) 282-1848 or .

LINE DANCE: Johnson City, DoubleTree Hotel, Fanatics Sports Club, 211 Mockingbird Lane, Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. beginners, 7:30 p.m. intermediate; no experience needed, no partner required; (423) 282-1848 or .

MOTORCYCLE BASIC RIDER: Richlands, Southwest Va. Community College, June 18-20, 26-28; July 10-12, 24-26; Aug. 4-6; five hours classroom instruction, over 10 hours actual riding exercises in controlled environment; helmets, motorcycles provided; (276) 964-7241 or 964-7369.

PARENT EDUCATION SESSIONS: Bristol Family Resource Center, Tuesday mornings; for parents of preschoolers; registration required; Susan Murray, (276) 645-3765.

PARENTING: Big Stone Gap, Developmental Services, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon; free for parents, guardians of children ages 5-under in Lee, Scott, Wise counties, city of Norton; siblings welcome to attend; register at (276) 523-8376.

PARENTS WHO CARE: Duffield, Addington Hall, Mondays, 9-10:30 a.m.; free for parents of teenagers in Lee, Scott, Wise counties and city of Norton; register at (888) 443-1804.

PIANO: Chilhowie, Va., Chilhowie Art Place, months of June and August, taught by Anastasia Berg of Rostov, Russia; enroll at (276) 356-8863.

PRE-NATAL: Bristol, Va., Healing Arts Center, 36 Moore St., June 13, 2-3:30 p.m.; taught by Maja Tyhurst, certified pre-natal instructor; $15 per person, $25 for two; will be forming group for weekly class; (276) 698-7224 or .

RENAISSANCING, RAPPELLING: Richlands, Southwest Va. Community College; Mike Brown, (276) 964-7703, 964-7229 or e-mail .

SCRAPBOOKING: Chilhowie, Va., Town Hall Community Room, third Thursday, 4-9 p.m., beginner sessions available at 5:30 p.m.; learn traditional techniques or try digital photo books; (276) 646-3232.

STAINED GLASS, MOSIAC ART FOR SENIORS: Abingdon, Va., Abingdon Senior Center, 300 Senior Drive; (276) 628-5859.

SYCAMORE SHOALS HISTORIC AREA: Elizabethton, 1651 W. Elk Ave.; various traditional arts workshops, other events, held throughout the year; call (423) 543-5808.

WALL: Abingdon, Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center; enrichment classes for adults 18 and over; schedules and registration info for semester’s offerings at http://www.swcenter.edu/wall or (276) 619-4300.

WILLIAM KING REGIONAL ARTS CENTER: Abingdon, 415 Academy Dr.; art studio, Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m., ages 5-12; Saturday Art Partners, 10:30 a.m.-noon, 5 and older, must be accompanied by adult; register now for fall adult art classes in painting, clay, knitting, simple origami, meditative suminigashi, wearable fantasies and more; fees; pre-register at (276) 628-5005.

XTREME DANCE COMPANY: Abingdon, Glade Spring, Chilhowie; recreational classes, competitive teams; ages 3-adult; Kim or Sherry, (276) 628-8300.

YWCA COMPUTER TECH LAB: Bristol, Tenn., State St.; SharePoint Designer Basic, June 18-19; Access Basic, June 24-25, fees vary; Job Readiness Training, June 23, free, must register; register three business days in advance at (423) 968-9444 or visit http://www.ywcabristol.org.

ZUMBA: Chilhowie, Va., old high school, Tuesdays, Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.; unique Latin moves, rhythms; $5 per class; Kelly Spencer-Hill, (276) 646-3232.

HOW TO SUBMIT INFORMATION
Submission deadline is Monday noon for events scheduled during the upcoming week; notices running without a date must be updated monthly to continue in the listing.
To submit calendar entries, e-mail: ; or fax: (276) 669-3696. For more information, contact Linn Casey, from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, at (276) 645-2536.