Parks & Rec Offering 31 Youth & Adult Classes

The City’s rapidly growing Parks, Recreation and Library department is offering 31 classes in its upcoming winter session, almost double the 18 fall classes. The varied classes range from flag football to faux painting and both youth and adult programs are available.

“We’re interested in creating new classes and programs that cater to the needs of Maricopa residents,” said Martin McDonald, director of the PRL department. “These classes are a great way to meet new neighbors, create new friendships and enjoy new experiences.”

The winter session classes commence the week of January 24 and last through the first week of March. The registration deadline is January 21, but openings will be allotted on a first-come first-served basis so early registration is recommended.

The ever-expanding course offerings are projected to grow to 42 in the spring, 47 in the summer and 60 next spring. Yoga, circuit training and women’s personal training are expected to be among the courses added.

For detailed descriptions of this session’s classes and to download a registration form, please see below. For additional information, contact Martin McDonald via email or telephone at 568-9098 ext. 204.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM

YOUTH ACTIVITES

Beginning Kenpo Karate
Day: Thursday
Instructor: Shannon Miller
Location: Maricopa Elementary School Cafeteria
Time:
Session 1 (4-5 year olds) 5:30 – 6:00 pm
Session 2 (6-7 year olds) 6:00 – 6:45 pm
Session 3 (8-12 year olds) 7:00 – 8:00 pm.
Cost:
Session 1: $35
Session 2 and 3: $65
Overview: This is an exciting introductory class that will increase discipline, focus, concentration, self-esteem and social skills while learning the art of American Kenpo Karate. Two sessions are available for different age groups. A uniform fee of $25 is due to the instructor on the first day of class.

Water Coloring (ages 7-12)
Day: Tuesday
Instructor: Bonnie Kellogg
Location: Maricopa High School -Room TBD
Time: 5:15 – 6:15 pm
Cost: $40
Overview: All children are creative and this class will provide them training, sufficient leisure and an atmosphere conducive to artistic effort. All children will develop an appreciation of basic drawing skills and transforming their drawings into water color paintings.

Rainbow Fairy Art (ages 5-10)
Day: Thursday
Instructor: Gretchen Denton
Location: Maricopa High School Art Room
Time: 5:30 – 6:30pm
Cost: $40
Overview: This creative seven week program allows children to create fairies, wands, fairy dust bags and rainbow fair hats! Your child will learn to construct these items using simple to learn basic shapes and drawing instruction. Your child will also learn to make pictures that tell stories, convey ideas and show action!

Pirates Art’s a Treasure (ages 5-10)
Day: Thursday
Instructor: Gretchen Denton
Location: Maricopa High School Art Room
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $40
Overview: Ahoy Matey! Your child will have a chance to create their own treasure map and flag, design a really cool eye patch and learn art concepts from countries such as China (origami) and Australia (drawing and painting on rocks. We’ll explore American Folklore as well with bear claw necklaces and leather kit items.

My Room….My Style! (ages 10-15)
Day: Wednesday
Instructor: Gretchen Denton
Location: Maricopa High School -Room TBD-
Time: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $40
Overview: This seven week class is based on the television hit Trading Spaces: Boys vs. Girls. Here your child will learn about style, how to design a floor plan, learn about colors and fabrics, how to become organized, how to create a new room on a small budget and a slew of other really cool concepts. Remember: “It’s not what you’ve got; it’s what you do with it!”

Creative Writing (ages 8-14)
Day: Thursday
Instructor: Susanna Glowacki
Location: Courthouse
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $30
Overview: This class will focus on teaching you fundamental principles such as plot, structure, character, voice, dialogue and description. The class is designed to encourage writers in their chosen genre, which would include: poetry, essays, short stories, plays, etc… This class will be conducted in a workshop format with all participants reading their works for critique and discussion following the Socratic Method.

Journalism for Teens (grades 5 and up)
Day: Monday
Instructor: Scott Bartle
Location: Maricopa Elementary School (Room TBA)
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $40
Overview: Have you ever wanted to build your own newspaper? Become a sports editor or news reporter? This program allows children a chance to learn the ins and outs of covering news. Lead by Scott Bartle, students will learn the “how to” of news reporting in two classroom sessions and then hit the streets every week covering City Council meetings, School Board meetings, interview the Mayor and a wide variety of community events. This is also a great program for home schoolers! All students will have their stories published on www.inmaricopa.com.

Youth Dance Programs

We’re excited to introduce Elizabeth Fujimoto as our first Dance Instructor. Ms. Fujimoto began her dance career in 1994 and has literally taught over 1,200 kids since then. She received her B.S. degree from the University of Utah after receiving a full scholarship to the No. 1 ranked ballet school in America.

The goal of establishing a community dance program is to bring an affordable means of learning and enjoying dance to students of all ages. The program also allows students to attend classes locally without traveling to Ahwatukee, Chandler, Mesa, Phoenix or Tempe to gain experience with dance. Students in this program will also gain a better knowledge of the arts and exercise through dance and have an exciting opportunity to perform for others.

The dance program will offer a variety of dance curriculum including tap, jazz, ballet, swing, ballroom and conditioning classes. Classes will range from five to thirty students and will be offered in eight week sessions throughout the year. Students will be required to have the proper dance attire to attend class.

Tiny Tot Combo (ages 3-5)
Day: Monday
Instructor: Elizabeth Fujimoto
Location: Maricopa Elementary School Cafeteria
Time: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $45
Overview: This class explores tap and pre-ballet with creative and imaginative movement.

Mini Princess Ballet (ages 5-7)
Day: Monday
Instructor: Elizabeth Fujimoto
Location: Maricopa Elementary School Cafeteria
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $45
Overview: Students will learn basic technique and steps with classical and Disney princess music.

Swingin’ Jazz (ages 8-10)
Day: Wednesday
Instructor: Elizabeth Fujimoto
Location: Maricopa Elementary School Cafeteria
Time: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $45
Overview: Students will learn basic jazz steps, core strength training, stretching and choreography.

Tappin’ Around (ages 9-12)
Day: Wednesday
Instructor: Elizabeth Fujimoto
Location: Maricopa Elementary School Cafeteria
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $45
Overview: Students learn basic steps, tap turns, combinations and have the opportunity to work as a group creating their own choreography.

Creative Ballet II (ages 10-12)
Day: Monday
Instructor: Elizabeth Fujimoto
Location: Maricopa Elementary School Cafeteria
Time: 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $45
Overview: Dancers in this class learn basic technique, musicality, and choreography. They will also have a chance to create their own ballet combinations.

NFL Youth Flag Football
Age Group 1: 5 -7 years both male and female
Age Group 2: 7-10 years both male and female
Age Group 3: 11-13 years both male and female

Cost: $35
Overview: NFL Flag is a well-organized national program emphasizing football education, participation, and sportsmanship. NFL Flag provides a new and exciting recreational opportunity. NFL Flag offers non-contact continuous action, using minimal equipment while emphasizing basic football skills such as passing, catching, defending, and running. In NFL Flag, participants also learn about formations, pass patterns, and different types of defense. This five-on-five game is about fun and learning the basic skills of football. The offensive team plays for a first down at midfield and a touchdown in the end zone. Running and passing plays are allowed, although there are “no-running zones” at midfield and near each goal line. The defensive team covers receivers, rushes the passer, and grabs flags to make “tackles.” Please indicate the age group on the registration form as well as your child’s t-shirt size. If you’re interested in volunteering as a coach, please tell us! All games are on Saturday’s at Maricopa High School. Games begin Saturday, April 2, 2005 and end on Saturday, May 21, 2005. Game times TBA at a later date.

ADULT ACTIVITIES

Instant Piano
Date: Saturday, February 12, 2004
Instructor: Craig Coffman
Location: Maricopa High School (Room TBD)
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $30
Overview: Some music teachers may not want you to know this, but you don’t need years of weekly lessons to learn piano. In just a few hours, you can learn enough secrets of the trade to give you years of musical enjoyment. How do we do it? While regular piano teachers teach note reading, piano professionals use chords. And you can learn all the chords you’ll need to play any song in this one session. Any song. Any style. Any key. If you can find middle C and know the meaning of Every Good Boy Does Fine, you already know enough to enroll in this workshop. Total beginners can request a free pamphlet by sending a SASE to Innovative Keyboard Instruction, 1019 N. Plymouth Court, Gilbert, AZ 85234.

NOTE: This class requires a $25 materials fee in addition to the registration fee due directly to the instructor on the day of class.

Faux Painting
Date: Saturday, February 12, 2004
Instructor: Linda Coffman
Location: Maricopa High School Art Room
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $30
Overview: You won’t believe how easy it is to achieve fabulous walls- and you did it! Learn what you were never taught on the decorating videos. A professional faux painter shares her shortcuts and secrets and you learn, hands on. Just come dressed to paint for hands-on learning. And you thought it took a lot of work to beautify a wall! It just takes a twist of the wrist (and tricks of the trade your instructor will share). Required materials fee of $27 +tax for “Twist On Walls Kit” will be collected in class by the instructor. NOTE: This class requires a $25 materials fee in addition to the registration fee due directly to the instructor on the day of class.

C.P.R. (ages 10+)
Dates: Jan. 29, 2005, Feb. 26, 2005.
Instructor: Richard Jackson, Paramedic and Local Firefighter
Location: Maricopa Fire District – Fire Station
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $25
Overview: Become CPR certified with local paramedic and firefighter Richard Jackson in this informative three hour course. This one-day class will teach you about both Adult and Pediatric Infant and Child Chain of Survival and how to appropriately use CPR. This is an excellent class for potential baby sitters.

Scrapbooking
Day: Wednesday
Instructor: Kim Bass
Location: Maricopa High School Art Room
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Cost: $65
Overview: Do you have a box of old photographs that you don’t know what do with? Turn those pictures into a scrapbook! Creative Memories Consultant Kim Bass will introduce you to an exciting world of scrapbooking adventures and ideas.

No Horsin’ Around: Buy Smart
Day: Saturday (four weeks beginning February 5)
Instructor: Martha Hayward
Location: Old West Rock Depot
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Cost: $30
Overview: Are you interested in buying a horse? This class is designed to help you become an educated buyer, learn about the industry, and establish goals to find the perfect horse for your needs. You’ll also learn about setup guidelines and gain hands on experience to make sure you choose the right horse.

Women’s Self Defense: Beyond Instinct
Day: Saturday
Instructor: Shannon Miller
Location: Maricopa Elementary School Cafe
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Cost: $30
Overview: This class is for women to train and share self-defense concepts and concerns. The “Beyond Instinct” Personal Safety Program is designed to introduce you to the abilities that you possess and that you can develop into remarkable skills. Specifically designed for the challenges faced by women, the intent of this program, which is broken into five courses, is to improve your awareness of potential opportunities and to increase your effectiveness. Learning to initiate the best choice of action in the event that there is an attempt to victimize you or one of your loved ones is paramount. No special uniform or equipment is required.

Water Coloring (ages 18+)
Day: Tuesday
Instructor: Bonnie Kellogg
Location: Maricopa High School (Room TBD)
Time: 6:15 – 7:15 p.m.
Cost: $40
Overview: This class is designed for both beginner’s and advanced water color students. Everyone will progress at their own pace and learn techniques ranging from drawing still life (form and perspective), the basics of watercolor wash, and line stipple for use in painting life and landscapes. Note: A supply list will be provided at the first meeting.

Introduction to Art (ages 18+)
Day: Wednesday
Instructor: Gretchen Denton
Location: Maricopa High School (Room TBD)
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Cost: $40
Overview: Each lesson will begin by creating a collage, doodling and a scrapbook of ideas for inspiration. Participants in this class will the concepts of ‘art in ourselves’ and how we see art around us. Art lessons include: beginning drawing, coloring, shadowing, perspective, stamps and using different types of media. Note: A supply list will be provided at the first meeting.

Spanish I (ages 18+)
Day: Thursday
Instructor: Vanessa Bueras
Location: City Hall
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Cost: $30
Overview: Spanish I is a course designed for students wanting to learn basic Spanish. This course is for you if you’ve never taken a Spanish course before, or if you’ve taken Spanish in high school and need a refreshment course. The instructor is Vanessa Bueras who earned her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish at Arizona State University.

First Time Home Buyer Workshop
Day: Saturdays (February 5th & 19th and March 5th)
Instructor: Dawn Madden
Location: City Hall
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $15
Overview: Can’t seem to save enough money for your down payment? Worried about your credit score? Don’t what questions to ask? STOP! This class will teach you everything you need to know so you too can finally be a homeowner. This class will be taught by professional real estate agent Dawn Madden of Great American Realty.

First Time Real Estate Investor Workshop
Day: Saturdays (February 5 & 19 and March 5)
Instructor: Dawn Madden
Location: City Hall
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $15
Overview: Now’s the time to take advantage of the growth explosion in Maricopa! Take advantage of today’s market and learn to invest your money into Real Estate. Don’t take the chance of losing your hard earned money! This class walks you through the step-by-step process of investing in homes as well as the pro’s and con’s of renting. This class will be taught by professional real estate agent Dawn Madden of Great American Realty.

Tax Time
Day: January 29, February 19, March 19
Instructor: Jim Chaston
Location: City Hall
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $20
Overview: This one-day, two hour workshop is designed to prepare you for the upcoming tax season. This is your chance to have your questions answered and to make sure you have all of your documents to complete your tax return. This class is taught by Jim Chaston, CPA, owner of Do It Right Now Business Services and local resident. This class is tax deductible.

Tax Topics
Day: January 29, February 19, March 19
Instructor: Jim Chaston
Location: City Hall
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $20
Overview: This one-day, two hour workshop is designed to answer your tax-related questions concerning home ownership, education planning and retirement saving. This is your chance to have your information reviewed and questions answered by Jim Chaston, CPA, owner of Do It Right Now Business Services and local resident. This class is tax deductible.

Pet Dog Manners
Day: Saturday
Instructor: Troy Ballard
Location: Old West Rock Depot/Horse Arena
(Honeycutt Road, just east of Porter Road)
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Cost: $80
Overview: This class is for dogs four (4) months and older. The purpose is help families and their dogs live together happily in their neighborhoods by providing timely and relevant information for people with dogs of any age and enhance the dog/owner relationship through training, attention and trust. In this class, families will learn to understand their dogs and to develop communication channels with them. Appropriate social relationships between pet and family, plus pet and other community members, are taught.

Open Gym
This FREE program allows residents a chance to hoop it up during the winter months. You can work on your jump shot, drain 3s or participate in a pick up game! The gym is open on Sunday’s from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Maricopa High School. Ages 14 and up.

November: 21, 27
December: 5, 12, 19
January: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
February: 6, 13, 20, 27

Let it Fly Flag Football
Let It Fly 5-on-5 Flag Football is a fast paced, non-contact competition that focuses on speed and accuracy. Let It Fly annually attracts over 40,000 players across the nation and offers divisions for all ages and abilities. Teams register in one of four categories – Top Gun, Competitive, Recreational and Couch Potato – with divisions for male, female, and co-ed. Let It Fly is where you play for FUN, for the COMPETITION and for reliving your GLORY DAYS!! Games are played on Sunday afternoons at Maricopa High School starting February 6 and ending with a post season tournament beginning March 27. You must register as a team and rosters are limited to no more than 10 players. If you do not have a team but want to play please call 568-9098 Ext. 204 to be placed on the free agent list. Registration deadline is January 28. Team fee is $300.