The Cure that kills - No "anti" to this virus

The Kerrville Daily Times reports that a new anti-virus protection program for your computer is actually the virus. When you install the free version, it infects your computer, then prompts you to buy the full version in order to fix what it broke. People are paying $40 to $100 for this scam. (see article at http://dailytimes.com/story.lasso?ewcd=d6ee2c70d7d5eec1)

Club Ed offers classes that help you understand your computer, protect it, and most important - BACK IT UP!

Link: www.clubed.net
Go to then then
Learn How To Back Up Your Computer - Premium [CH27]

Imagine losing years worth of work, projects and presentations that you thought were safely stored in your computer. What a nightmare it would be! Don't let this happen to you! Learn the techniques to back up your computer so you will still have your important information and be able to get your computer back up and running. We will answer questions such as, what data should you back up, how often should you back up and the most efficient and cost effective medium for backing up onto. Be prepared! Certificate Issued.

When your computer is sick... Club Ed is the cure!

"Where Learning Never Ends"

That is the slogan on our coffee mugs.

Why did we put it there? Why does lifelong learning matter?

According to About.com, lifelong learning...

* Keeps your mind sharp
* Improves memory
* Increases self-confidence
* Offers an inexpensive way to try something new
* Saves you money as you learn to “do it yourself”
* Gives you a feeling of accomplishment
* Helps you meet people who share your interests
* Builds on skills you already have
* Offers you an opportunity to learn a new skill or trade and increase your income
* Gives you a new interest that you can share with family and friends

More important, why do we NEED lifelong learning?

Here are the key challenges set forth by one government agency:

- The increasing pace of technological change in the knowledge economy
- Need for a flexible and adaptable workforce to keep pace with the economy's skills needs
- Aging population, which means we will have fewer young people entering the workforce in the future
- Closing the opportunity gap - learning plays an important role in providing a route out of poverty, and enables people to take an active part in society

Interestingly, those points came from the Lifelong Learning Strategy for Scotland! Here in the United States, there is no national plan or funding for community education. Local programs such as Club Ed exist solely because of the desire by local school districts to provide learning opportunities for all citizens, even those of us beyond our school-age years.

In Kerrville, we also are fortunate to have a population of motivated citizens that believe in lifelong learning enough to take and to teach classes. If no one came, we wouldn't have built it.

So, with the holiday season near, here are two suggestions for making lifelong learning a bigger part of your life:

1 - Give it as a gift! Club Ed will whip up a gift certificate that you can give a loved one who wants to keep on learning.

2 - With New Year's near, why not make it a resolution to better yourself by taking a class?

After all, has a coffee mug ever let you down?

XXX

Club Ed catalogs are being mailed between Christmas and New Year's. Meanwhile, you can sign up online at www.clubed.net.

We always offer custom training for individuals and organizations.

Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Courses are open to everyone. To sign up, ask a question, suggest a class, or apply to teach, call 830-895-4386, or visit www.clubed.net.

Remember Ping Pong?

As published in the Community Journal, Kerrville TX
June 2008

(OK... in some circles it is referred to as "table tennis." But we who learned the game in basements and driveways still use its onomatopoetic moniker.)

If you have a ping pong table, chances are it's covered in laundry or power tools. Anthony Coden wants to bring back the days when we actually played with paddles and celluloid balls as sport and relaxation. He is offering a free class this fall called Ping Pong Hero!

Why ping pong?

"It was fun to play; it was something we did in the summers," said Coden, who challenged the neighborhood kids when he was growing up in Bordeaux, France. "It was just a social thing, but we always enjoyed it."

Coden is trying to drum up a group of people who would like to gather round the table again just for the camaraderie. Skill level is not important. In fact, if you are Olympic caliber, this class is not for you.

"Ping pong can be played at many levels," he pointed out. "It can be fun or you can make it very serious. I like that about it: you can make it as hard as you like."

Coden, who admitted he won some tournaments as a young man, insists he does not compete at the expert level. But he is "good enough" that he often plays left-handed just to make it more challenging.

His main joy comes from teaching others to enjoy the game more. His goal is to let people get whatever they want out of it, whether they want to acquire more skills or just have fun.

"I just want to get people out and to play," Coden said. "The ideal is to create a network of people who like it and want to get together and create events."

It seems that all sports wax and wane in popularity. A few years ago it was golf that was hot, then tennis. So does Coden think ping pong is the next big thing?

He shrugged.

"I don't know," he said. "I have seen some tables around town. But," he added, "I don't see them being used."

I guess he doesn't consider folding laundry as "use."

xxx

You can call Anthony Coden at 896-6397.

Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Each year, we offer more than 400 classes with 3000 enrollments. Summer kids camps are now underway. The fall session begins in September. To sign up, ask a question, suggest a class, or apply to teach, call 830-895-4386 or visit www.clubed.net.
(First published in the Community Journal, Kerrville TX - Jun, 2008)

New catalog design - whaddya think?

Our new Fall 2008 catalogs should be in the mail by August 1. If you live or work anywhere in the Texas Hill Country, you will receive a copy automatically (we don't have mail lists - it goes to every mail address). You can pick up extras at our office (1121 Second St, Kerrville) or at any chamber or library. Of course, if you are reading this, you already found our web site. ALL the courses are posted there, and you can sign up any time.

But... I know you will want a catalog... if for no other reason than to save and frame the cover. "Phil the Builder" is our cover boy this issue. A charming addition to your den or workroom.

Seriously, I want your feedback on how you like the new catalog. We have switched to a more magazine-like format - larger, wider - so we don't have to cram in all the copy. Let us know your thoughts!

Welcome to Club Ed!

OK gang... we always want your feedback about our Club Ed program - the largest training and lifelong learning program in the Texas Hill Country.
I'll post comments and articles about our classes, teachers, and students from time to time. Might throw out some questions. We are always looking for your ideas on new classes, good teachers, and cogent topics.

Blog On!
Club Eddie