Welcome new readers!

Welcome to readers of Carmel Magazine! This month's issue includes my article about adult continuing education opportunities in Carmel. I profiled five Carmel women who took classes at the following venues:

• Artisan Masterpiece (painting classes).
• Kiss Z Cook (cooking classes).
• Carmel Community Players (acting classes).
• Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (fitness classes).
• IUPUI Community Learning Network (misc. classes).

Need some inspiration to sign up for a fall class? Check out the article to see how adult continuing education can enrich your life.

Fall Schedule: Lawrence Township Community Education

Lawrence Township Community Education has posted its fall schedule. Some of you will be disappointed that tarot is not on the schedule this semester, but there are still plenty of interesting classes to consider.

In the cooking category, I can personally recommend Sherry Harris's one-night cobbler and biscuit classes. She's also teaching a new class on zucchini bread this semester, which promises to be just as tasty.

In addition, Allison Noa is back with her own series of cooking classes, including "Chocolate Confections for the Beginner," "Chocolate Centerpieces for the Holidays," "Creme Brulee" and "Fabulous Desserts for the Sugar Conscious."

Other categories include personal and professional development, fitness, computer training, music and dance (clogging, anyone?), spiritual development, languages, and arts and crafts. Don't want to spend your evening sitting in a classroom? Try one of the program's many online classes, which you can complete on your own time and at your own pace.

Review: "Summer Fruits" Cooking Class at Frasier's

After attending Thursday's "Summer Fruits" cooking class at Frasier's Gourmet Foods, I have to confess a few things.

First, I have a tiny crush on pastry chef Joseph Allford. How could I not? The former Peterson's pastry chef prepared three yummy dishes: blackberry fool, peach cobbler and blueberry jam. His ingredients were fresh from the farmers' market, the finished desserts were outstanding, and his commentary was fascinating.

The key: Allford went beyond recipe demonstration, sharing useful information about the ingredients and preparation methods. We discussed why vanilla beans are so expensive, learned how to whip cream without getting tired, examined the difference between factory and farm-fresh eggs, and even learned how to use different types of flour and sugar. I've never taken so many notes in a class.

Here's another confession: I have been hard on the cooking classes at Frasier's, but it seems they have potential after all. I might still argue that they should be called demonstrations, because there's no opportunity for hands-on learning. On the other hand, I learned quite a bit, so it's probably okay to call it a class.

Final confession: This review may be biased by the leftover peach cobbler I'm devouring right now. Wow, this stuff is yummy. Now, whether I can make it myself is another story ...

Update: Fall Classes

I just got an e-mail from the IUPUI Community Learning Network telling me to sign up for fall classes, and especially for its many new "green" classes. Some have been added since I checked last week, so here's a quick overview:

• Sustainable Business Practices.
• How to Become a Green Elder.
• Creating Your Sustainable Home.
• Kitchen Remodeling: Getting Started and "Green" Options.
• Recycling and Energy and Water Conservation.
• Reducing Your CO2 Footprint.

In other news, I've decided to give the cooking classes at Frasier's another try, so I've signed up for this Thursday's "Summer Fruits I" class. I'll let you know how it goes.

Fall Cooking Classes at Frasier's

Frasier's has released its fall class schedule, and it's chock-full of potentially fabulous classes. (I say "potentially" because, well, you know how I feel about these classes.) The fall offerings are taught either by Joseph Allford (former pastry chef at Peterson's) or Erin Kem (sous chef at R Bistro).

Here's a quick look at the highlights of the season:

• Summer Fruits I (July 24).
• Pasta Pasta Pasta (July 29).
• Summer Fruits II (Aug. 7).
• Pizza Pizza Pizza (Aug. 14).
• Noodles (Aug. 21).
• And More Tomatoes! (Aug. 26).
• Sweet Corn (Sept. 4).
• The Vanilla Bean (Sept. 11).
• Orchard Fruits I (Sept. 18).
• Orchard Fruits II (Sept. 25).
• High Tea (Sept. 30).
• Cookies (Oct. 2).

All classes begin at 6:30 p.m. and cost $35 (including samples of everything!).

Fall Classes at Conner Prairie

As you map out your fall class schedule, remember to consider the classes at Conner Prairie. The pioneer living history museum offers classes in blacksmithing, weaving, pottery and other old-fashioned skills. The introductory weaving class I took there inspired me to take a whole series of weaving classes.

Now's also the time to sign up for the Follow the North Star program, which runs on weekends in November. The program, which puts you in the shoes of a runaway slave, is one of the most powerful ways I can imagine to understand the horrors of the slave trade. (Click here for my April review of the program.)

Update: Educational Vacations

Here's one more educational opportunity to add to your list. The TraveLearn company offers guided tours accompanied by educational opportunities. You can choose the budget or first-class options. Would someone please loan me $2,000 for a trip to Egypt?