Updated: Parks, Recreation and Marine Offering Variety of New Courses

9:55am | From building solar cars and advocating for special needs children to learning how to make homemade soups, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine is offering new courses that will appeal to a wide variety of people.

The fall Recreation Connection class guide has something for just about everyone, with more than 400 classes, adult sports leagues and aquatics programs scheduled from September through December 2011. It is available at www.LBParks.org, park community centers and city libraries

Some of the new classes from the Recreation Connection guide are:

How to Build a Solar Car

Become an engineer and take a drive into the future with this brand new class! Build a model solar car and learn how solar technology can change how we use energy. Explore concepts in physical, mechanical, and structural engineering as well as architecture. Children ages 12 and older; $35 fee includes instruction, solar panel, and motor. Saturday, September 17, from 9 am to 12 pm.

B.L.A.S.T.: Become Lean, Agile, Strong, and Toned with this new fun, challenging, indoor/outdoor boot camp! Strength, agility, and cardio moves will help you boost your metabolism and lose fat. Bodyweight will be your primary piece of equipment, but also bring dumbbells, a resistance tube, and a mat. Certified Personal Trainer Tami Santy will instruct. 18 and over; $54 per student. El Dorado Park West, 6 to 6:50 am, in two sessions: September 12 to October 17, and October 24 to November 28. Pre-registration required.

This new class will give instruction and direction to parents and caregivers of children with special needs, including how to effectively navigate the school support system. Learn how to ask for assessments and support, and how to participate effectively in IEP meetings. 18 and older; $100 per student plus $20 material fee. Three sessions at Stearns Park from 7 to 8:30 pm: September 12 to 13, October 11 to 12, and November 7 and 9.

Dads, escort your princess to a night filled with dance and fun! Come dressed in your most elegant attire for these dance lessons. It’s an evening to be cherished forever. This course is for fathers and their daughters ages 4 to 13, and is $25 to participate. This wonderful event will take place at Recreation Park, from 7 to 9pm on September 23 and November 4.

Help your students to excel with one-on-one, personalized tutoring sessions. Math is available Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday, Spanish on Tuesday and Thursday, and Reading every day of the week. Courses are $115 per student with a $35 fee for testing and classroom materials. Class will be held at ReadWrite Educational Solutions, 5373 E. 2nd Street. Visit www.lbparks.org for dates and times.

Create and enjoy two hearty, delicious, and nutritious homemade soups from scratch, and taste the difference when there are no preservatives or additives! 18 and over, $25 per student and an $18 fee for materials. The first session, 7 to 9 pm on September 21, will give you the recipes for Chicken Tortilla and Harvest Vegetable soups. The second session, 7 to 9 pm on November 30, will give you the recipes for Turkey Pozole and Hearty Split Pea soups. Course will be held in College Estates.

September 2, 1:45pm | Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine has more than 400 classes, adult sports leagues and aquatics programs scheduled from September through December 2011 throughout the City.

These programs provide opportunities for exercise and recreation, social interaction and learning, and growth and relaxation for ages pre-school to adults 50+. Those interested are urged to sign up for any number of art, music, nature, sports, fitness and special interest classes.

The new fall Recreation Connection class guide with classes and programs is out now and available at www.LBParks.org. Copies of the guide are also available at park community centers and city libraries.

There are five ways to register:

• Call in at 562.570.7171 (Obtain PIN in advance at 562.570.3111).
• Online at www.LBParks.org.
• Mail in the registration form on page 39 of the Recreation Class Guide to the El Dorado Park Administration Building, 2760 Studebaker Road, Long Beach, CA 90815.
• FAX in the registration form to 562.570.3113.
• Walk in to the El Dorado Park Administration Building. Monday-Friday, 9 am to 5:30 pm (closed September 5, November 24-25, and December 26).

For more information about classes, programs, registration or payments, visit www.LBParks.org or call 562.570.3111.

For information on other Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine programs, call 562.570.3100 or visit www.LBParks.org and sign up for E-notify and receive e-mail notifications about new classes and programs, as well as newsletters and special reports.