From Pastimes to Professions, Courses Offer a Wide Array of Instruction

For those whose New Year’s resolutions include learning new work skills, academic elevation, development of new interests and hobbies, or general self-improvement, a number of South Bay agencies offer a wide range of classes, both free and for a fee.

Hawthorne Parks and Recreation offers classes for adults and children. They include a 6-week eating disorders class beginning Jan. 11, as well as physical fitness, dance, gymnastics, tennis, piano and guitar, social dancing, oil painting and right-brain drawing, golf, computer training, ice skating, dog obedience and others. Registration for most classes begins the week of Jan. 9 at Hawthorne Memorial Center, 3901 E. El Segundo Blvd., Hawthorne. For information call 970-7230.

An 8-week class in “Self-Defense and Self-Protection for Women,” taught by Al Johnson, is offered through El Segundo Department of Recreation and Parks beginning Jan. 5. Sign-ups for this and other classes begin Tuesday at the George E. Gordon Clubhouse, 300 E. Pine St., El Segundo. Day and evening classes include dance and exercise, special interest workshops, dance, tai chi chuan and yoga, aerobic exercise and others. For information call 322-3842.

Registration is open for a bonsai class at the Nakaoka Community Center, 1700 W. 162nd St., Gardena. The class will be held on Wednesday evenings, Jan. 11 through March 15. For information about this and other activities, call 217-9541, 217-9540 or 217-9537.

Different Age Groups

Creative dance workshops are offered by Inglewood Recreation and Community Services. Classes are geared for two age groups: teen-agers (12 to 16 years) and adults (17 years and older). During the eight monthly classes participants will learn to dance to African, Caribbean and reggae music.

Classes are offered in San Pedro at both the San Pedro/Wilmington Skills Center and the Harbor Occupational Center.

The Skills Center, located at 920 36th St., on the corner of Gaffey St., is accepting enrollment in computerized accounting and computer repair classes free to unemployed adults over the age of 18. At completion of the class, students are given free job referral and placement assistance.

Entry-level job skills are taught in auto tune-up and emission control, bank teller and proof machine operator, commercial baking, computer repair technician, ambulance driver, floor mechanic (linoleum, hardwood and glue-down carpet), data entry, computer accounting and bookkeeping, word processing, welding, typing and receptionist, telephone/cable installer and repair.

Preparation is also offered for those planning to take the examination for a general education development (GED), high school diploma classes and reading and math. For information about these and other classes visit the center or call 831-0295.

The industrial electrician class at Harbor Occupational Center provides instruction in electrical theory, math, blueprint reading, layout installations, lighting, power and wiring and operational techniques of electrical machines, controls and their applications to commercial and marine industries. Office careers-accounting courses include hands-on experience on office machines and stress communication skills.

Training in offset presswork includes the operation of offset press duplicators and printing presses and supplementary training in pre-press operations, such as lithocamera, negative stripping, photo-making, typesetting, paste-up and camera section.

Computer occupations classes are offered days, evenings and Saturdays.

The center is also accepting trainees for clinical assistant and hospital ward clerk. Clinical assistant classes cover procedures, ethics, medical terminology and preparation of forms for various specialties generally associated with hospitals. Ward clerk students learn medical terminology, transcribing and checking orders, completing forms and requisitions from doctors and diagnostic procedures.

For information about these and other classes visit Harbor Occupational Center, 740 N. Pacific Ave., San Pedro, or call 547-5551.

GED Preparation

Torrance Adult School’s Learning Labs offer academic courses and preparation for the GED examination. Students will be pretested to determine the appropriate level of study. Class hours are flexible. The Learning Labs are located at Newton Adult Center, 23751 Nancy Lee Lane, and at Hamilton Adult School, 2606 W. 182 St., Torrance. To make an appointment with a counselor call 533-4454 or 533-4459.

South Bay attorneys and representatives from government and private agencies involved in the legal profession will be among lecturers for a legal secretary class to be taught by Helen Apodaca through Torrance Adult School. The course is designed to enable the participant to make a smooth transition from any office situation to the unique requirements of the legal profession. Registration will be held the first meeting of the course, Jan. 12 at 6:30 p.m., Room 8, Newton Adult Center, 23751 Nancy Lee Lane.

For those who would like to enjoy the diversity of Los Angeles, Torrance Adult School will conduct three monthly tours on Saturdays, beginning with a trip to the recently opened Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum and Lawry’s California Center on Feb. 18. Other tours will include the La Reina and Valley Shopping Tour to the San Fernando Valley on March 18, and “Around the World in One Evening,” a trip to the County Museum of Art, followed by dinner and a flamenco show at El Cid, on April 1. Registration is Jan. 17 at 4 p.m. in Room 1 at Hamilton Adult Center, 2606 W. 182 St., Torrance. Call 533-4459 for information.