Have Your Fantasy and Learn It Too

Ever had a yen to be a Mickey Spillane-style private eye? To dance like Zorba the Greek? To be able to flirt suavely with a kindred spirit . . . or perhaps chat with a dead one?

If so, you may be part of American education’s fantasy market, now being tapped by schools that sponsor offbeat courses aimed right at the secret desires of a million hearts.

Southern California’s colleges and adult-education centers offer an array of unusual mini courses designed for a student’s pleasure and, in some cases, profit.

Most of these courses are non-credit and cost less than $100, with the bulk falling in the $25-to-$50 range.

In terms of time, the minis range downward to as few as two hours. However, at least one takes the form of a 24-hour marathon.

Many schools are distributing catalogues now, and a note or phone call will put you on a mailing list. In addition, most have staffs that will provide telephone information on starting dates, schedules, meeting sites, costs and other details.

Here’s a sampler of 10 Southern California institutions and businesses that sponsor out-of-the-ordinary mini courses. All facilities listed here also offer more traditional classes.

Cal State Long Beach, University Extension Services, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach 90840, (213) 498-5561. Most classes are on campus.

“Sherlock Holmes Mysteries,” hosted by Murder Mysteries Inc., invites you to come in costume. The class includes a dinner with wine.

“Your Invention--a Road Map From Conception to Profits” traces the development of new products, including patent, trademark and copyright laws, calculating production costs, pricing an invention and marketing and promotion on a tight budget. It is taught in a one-day seminar by inventor and writer Tony King, who holds 15 patents.

Contemporary Concepts, 139 S. Beverly Drive, Penthouse Suite, Beverly Hills, Calif. 90212, (213) 276-2000. Classes are at various sites.

In “Neon Art Can Light Up Your Life,” Jose Sanchez teaches techniques that can be used by those seeking commercial careers. Students take home sculptures that they’ve created.

“Open Doors of Sexual Ecstasy With Tantric Yoga” reveals Hindu secrets of lovemaking. The teacher, Deva Maharaji, is described as a Ph.D., Tantric master and doctor of Ayurvedic medicine. Be advised: The course is all talk; absolutely no nudity or sexual activity.

Glendale Adult School, 1400 E. Broadway, Glendale, Calif. 91205, (818) 243-3184. Call for a free brochure. Classes are held at five Glendale locations.

In “You Can Have Beautiful Nails,” state-licensed instructors show you how to do your own acrylic-nail applications.

Starting in January the school will offer a number of new courses, including one in graphology and one in rappeling for cliff climbers.

The Learning Annex, 11675 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 203, Los Angeles, Calif. 90025, (213) 478-6677. Phone calls are taken 24 hours a day for information on classes, offered at several locations.

“Looking for Someone? A Career as a Private Detective” taps into the secrets of finding a clandestine wiretap, locating missing persons and lifting fingerprints. Milo Speriglio, director of the Nick Harris Private Detective Academy, is the teacher.

“How to Flirt” gives shy people “pre-flirt training” to provide self-confidence. After you’ve flirted your way into a relationship, you’re ready for “50 Romantic and Unusual Things to Do in Los Angeles,” which delves into emotion-tugging locales that will put the two of you in the right mood.

And then, perhaps, you’ll need the astrological insight offered in the “Introduction to Astrology” course. Nancy Frederick Sussan, magazine writer and author, lays in the heavenly basics and shares data from her book, “Love and Sex Under the Stars.”

Orange Coast College, Community Services, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, Calif. 92628-0120, (714) 432-0202. Classes are at Costa Mesa High School, 2650 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa.

“The Artistic Sport of Juggling” guarantees that even first-timers will leave with the ability to perform basic moves. Students who prove to be naturals will advance to clubs, rings, spinning plates and cigar boxes. The teacher is Jahnathon Whitfield, director of the California Juggling Institute and a member of the International Jugglers Assn.

“Parapsychology ESP Workshop,” which focuses on astral projection, ESP, ghosts and auras, is led by Dianne Morrissey, who has investigated haunted houses, worked with the Society for Psychical Research and appeared on “Eye on L. A.” and other TV shows.

The Real School, 215 Long Beach Blvd., Suite 428, Long Beach, Calif. 90813, (213) 495-1175. Call for a free brochure. Small, informal classes are in studios, gardens, restaurants, museums, boats, offices and even on the beach.

“Ghosthunting on the Queen Mary” consists of a 24-hour stay on the ocean liner berthed at Long Beach. It includes lectures on ghosts, a tour of places on the ship where ghosts are most likely to hang out, a test of psychic awareness, viewing of slides of haunted houses of Southern California, a late-evening social, a midnight seance and breakfast. You’re spirited away on this one by Richard Senate, who has appeared on “Eye on L.A.” and Merv Griffin’s television show, in addition to being a columnist and former producer of a TV series entitled “Ghost Hunters.”

“Balloon Animal Sculpturing” addresses your hidden craving to twist balloons into animal likenesses, such as a giraffe, King Kong and Darth Vader. Fredrick Broder, co-founder of the International Assn. of Magicians, who performs at Hollywood’s Magic Castle and owns the Presto Magic Shop in Long Beach, says you do not need experience--just a little hot air--and that hand pumps are available for the short winded.

In “50 Ways to Meet Your Lover,” Brenda Blackman elaborates on the techniques in her book, “101 Ways to Meet Your Lover.”

Santa Monica College, Community Services, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, Calif. 90405-1628, (213) 452-9214. Classes are at the college or Santa Monica High School, 601 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica.

In “Make Your House a Movie Star,” Beverly Mathews teaches the ins and outs of renting your property for movie-location shooting.

“The Art of Laughter” is taught by Betty Bryant, who bases her classes on Norman Cousins’ program of using humor to shore up the body’s immune system.

“Getting a Black Belt in Shopping” centers on choosing the best stores, getting good service and ridding yourself of shopping hang-ups.

“Board Games” covers the rules and strategies of popular games. The teachers say they can help you have the last word at the Scrabble board and to clean out your rivals at the Monopoly table.

Torrance Unified School District, Adult Education, 23751 Nancy Lee Lane, Torrance, Calif. 90505, (213) 533-4454. Classes are held at several sites.

In “Chocolate: The Consuming Passion,” you’ll learn preparation of both elegant and simple confections, along with the origins, uses and types of chocolates. And, of course, there’s plenty of tasting of the chocolates you make in class.

“Greek Folk Dancing” introduces you to the basic steps of Panhellenic and island dances of Greece and to Greek costumes.

UCLA, University Extension, Department of Student Services, P.O. Box 24901, Los Angeles, Calif. 90024. For general information or a catalogue, call (213) 825-8895. A new catalogue is scheduled to be available next week.

“Chinese Brush Painting” describes the materials and elements of the ancient art, and it outlines key philosophical ideas of Chinese culture.

“Theater in Los Angeles: Known and Unknown” explores the relationship between artists and audience by sampling L.A. theater. Students go to eight live performances and have discussions with guest artists.

“Exploring the Night Sky” features an evening of telescope viewing at a site away from heavily populated areas.

Cal State Dominguez Hills, University Extension, ERC C508, Carson, Calif. 90747, (213) 516-3741.

“Magic Close Up: An Introductory Course,” begins each class with a short performance. You’ll be given the necessary props and suggested dialogue to go with each trick learned. The instructor, James Kahlert, is a member of the Society of American Magicians.

“Comparing White Wines,” conducted by wine consultant Jerry Snyder, will compare Sonoma/Napa Valley white wines with the coastal varieties.