The Lampasas County Higher Education Center (LCHEC) is pleased to announce the spring 2013 schedule of community education classes. Information is as follows:

Short Fiction Writing is a twelve-hour class that guides writers through the architecture necessary for sound fiction writing. The interactive seminar will give participants hands-on exercises on structure and tempo, from writing the perfect opening to understanding the rhythm of scenes throughout the novel. By the end of the session, participants will have a working knowledge of form, rhythm, and structure, the foundations for celebrated writing. The class is comprised of technique and style discussions, reading assignments and writing exercises. This class will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 8 through Jan. 31, 2013, from 10 – 11:30 am. Instructor: Mike Kearby. Course cost: $50 for LCHEC members/ $60 for all others.

Microsoft Word®2007 is a four-week course that will give participants the knowledge and skills to make the most out of this software. A beginning course, participants will learn to identify Word window elements; add and remove text and save and close a document; create new documents and switch between documents; open an existing document and change the view; navigate within documents; preview and prepare to print documents; and modify Word interface options and get help in Word. Class will meet Tuesdays, Jan. 8 through Jan. 29, 2013, from 6 – 8 pm. Instructor: Ann Gilmore. Course cost: $70 plus $15 materials fee for LCHEC members/ $80 plus $15 materials fee for all others.

Introduction to Spanish is an eight-week course that will emphasize oral communication in a variety of topics at a basic level. The course is intended for students with no previous knowledge of the Spanish language. This course will emphasize oral communication in a variety of topics at a basic level. The course is intended for students with no previous knowledge of the Spanish language. Class will meet Tuesdays, Jan. 8 through Feb. 26, 2013, from 6 – 7:30 pm. Instructor: Cindy Johnson Barkley. Course cost: $50 for LCHEC members/ $60 for all others.

Introduction to Sign Language is a non-credit introduction to sign language class that will introduce the concepts and skills of using sign language for the deaf, with a focus on American Sign Language and every-day communication. This is a beginning class and will cover finger-spelling and basic greetings. The class will meet for six Wednesdays from 6 – 8:00 pm, from January 9 through February 13. Instructor: Ron Morgan. Course cost is $50 for LCHEC members and $60 for all others.

American Sign Language 2 is a six-week course that will focus on specialized signs and conversational skills in sign language. This course is a continuation of Introduction to Sign Language, which met in the fall. Class will meet Tuesdays, from Jan. 1 through Feb. 12, 2013, from 6 – 7:30 pm. Instructor: Ron Morgan. Course cost: $50 for LCHEC members/ $60 for all others.

Introduction to Photography is a six-week course that will guide students through the controls and manual for your own digital camera. Learn photography terms, how to use lighting effectively, and how to select compositions, arrange photo shoots, and establish mood. Participants will also practice taking portraits outdoor photos, still life pictures, timed photos, and action shots. Participants should bring their digital camera and its manual to class. Class will meet Thursdays, from Feb. 7 through March 14, 2013, from 6 – 7:30 pm. Instructor: Robert Bear. Course cost: $50 for LCHEC members/ $60 for all others.

Computer Basics is a five-week introductory course that will guide participants through basic computer functions. If you are new to computers and if you wonder what people mean when they refer to: “the Cloud,” “Windows,” “Android,” or “Lion,” then this is the class for you. Participants will also learn a bit about how computers work. When it comes to learning today’s technology, in 5 classes, Computer Basics has all the basics covered. Class will meet Fridays, from Jan. 11 through Feb. 8, 2013, from 10 am to noon. Instructor: Matt Karcher. Course cost: $89 for LCHEC members/ $99 for all others.

Beginning Excel is a four-week course that will introduce participants to Microsoft Excel®. Excel is a proprietary commercial spreadsheet application. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and more. If you are interested in learning the basics of this extremely useful spreadsheet application, this is the course for you. Class will meet Fridays, from March 1 through March 22, 2013, from 10 am to noon. Instructor: Matt Karcher. Course cost: $89 for LCHEC members/ $99 for all others.

American Red Cross Healthy Pregnancy/Healthy Baby is a three-meeting course that covers early pregnancy, labor and birth, and the first three months postpartum, including returning to work and family planning. It focuses on giving participants the most important information and skills that they need to have a healthy pregnancy, to prepare for labor and delivery, and to bring a new baby into the family. Class will meet three Saturdays: March 2, April 6, and May 4, 2013, from 10 am to 2 pm. Instructor: Kenya Andrews. Course cost: $65 for each participant.

For more information or to register, please call 512-556-8226 or crystal.marez@LCHEC.com. You can also register and pay for classes on our website: www.LCHEC.com.