Newtown Continuing Education announced it has limited openings available in the following classes. Contact Newtown Continuing Education at 203-426-1787, 9 am to 1 pm, Monday through Friday, for further information on dates, times, and location, or visit newtowncontinuinged.orgEssential Oils Class Series - An interactive four-class series, $15 per class or $55 for all four, starting September 20, $7:30 to 8:30 pm. Students will lean about essential oils and how to use them to promote healthy living and improve physical and emotional health. Each class will include take-homes (including samples, DIY items made during class, and handouts). This is a four-part series. No discounts apply. The September 20 class is "Intro to Essential Oils," the September 27 is "Balancing Emotional Health with Essential Oils," October 4 is "Hands-On Essential Oils for Caregivers," and the final class on October 11 is "Green Cleaning with Essential Oils."Social Security Changes In Retirement - A one-class course being offered on September 20, $29. The course will teach the key concepts people need to know before applying for Social Security. Depending on age, Social Security filing strategies may boost lifetime benefits and increase retirement income by tens of thousands. Always consider Social Security payout as a component of a retirement plan. The course will share information about: January 1, 2017 Social Security regulation changes impacting the filing timing options available; how Social Security benefits are calculated and the advanced planning required to increase them; why married couples, divorced and widowed individuals can miss out on significant lifetime sums; how Social Security sums may be integrated into a retirement analysis projecting future monthly income; the "three legged stool" approach to retirement planning and how to support future needs; and more.Create Your Dream Home Without Leaving Home - A one-class course being offered on September 25, $39. The course will look at solutions for recreating spaces for new uses, from transforming a bedroom into an office to needing to use the space again for other life changes. In this one evening class, Home Design Transformation authority Colin Healy will show ways to create new uses for existing spaces to reinvent a home to fit changing needs, evolving passions, and a growing family without having to leave home. No discounts apply.Cool Season Vegetable Gardening - A one-class course being offered on September 27, $29. Extend the vegetable growing season into fall or all winter long. Learn which cool-season vegetables can be planted now and methods to keep them growing. Fall garden cleanup will also be discussed. The class is taught by an Advanced Master Gardener and Sierra Club Connecticut newsletter contributor. Participants receive a vegetable seedling to plant at home. No gardening experience required.Get Organized And Get Control - A one-class course being offered on September 27, $29. For those overwhelmed by clutter, or who have made attempts to declutter only to be disappointed, the course will help them find a fresh start. Organizing is a skill that can be learned. Professional organizer Karen Pierce will demonstrate how to organize to save time, save money, decrease stress, improve health, and enjoy a space. Students should bring a purse/handbag/backpack to class. It should not be organized beforehand.Computers For The Confused - A two-class course starting on September 28, $69. The PC has become ubiquitous in business, in school, and at home. This course is for those who have had limited exposure to personal computers and software programs, and want to explore the PC's potential. The class will begin with an explanation of the confusing terminology used, and then explore computer basics and how to navigate around the Windows desktop. Students will also be introduced to some of the most popular programs used at home, in school, and in business, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The class will also cover some of the basics of using the Internet and communicating with e-mail. No prior knowledge is required for this class.Introduction to Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) - A one-time class being offered on September 28, $29. Due to the popularity of lower cost, passive approaches to investing, EFTs now have combined assets of more than $2.8 trillion, with more choices than ever before. Attendees will learn how ETFs might be used as part of an overall investment strategy, and what potential risks and pitfalls to watch out for. This class is for educational purposes only - no products or services will be offered.Serger Sewing Basics - A two-class course starting September 28, $29. Students will learn how to use their Serger machine correctly, what each part does, how to troubleshoot common problems, plus tips for easier threading and smoother stitches. Students will become comfortable with their Serger machine and discover how to use its best features. Students should bring their Serger with manual, accessories, thread, needles, and scrap fabric (quilting cotton) to each class. The instructor will provide general sewing supplies - pins, rulers, scissors, and hand needles - for practice.Ballroom Dancing - A four-class course, starting September 28, $99 per couple or $51 per single. Students will learn the fox trot, waltz, cha-cha and more with instructors Joe Williams and Noni Low, who have been dancing together for over 21 years and teaching ballroom dance for beginners to advanced for 15 years. Their basic concept of ballroom dancing consists of having fun with easy to learn instructions. Couples and singles welcome.Cardio Dance - A six-class course starting September 28, $79. Students will get moving and kick their metabolism into high gear with cardio moves. Students will sweat to the oldies, "ole skool," and to today's hits. No experience necessary. This is a fun and safe class with all levels welcome. Modifications are provided. Exercises will include warm-up, flex, stretch, tone, core work, and cardio. Athletic support sneakers or cross trainers and gym attire recommended. Students should bring a beach towel or yoga mat.Tap Dancing - A six-class course starting September 28, $79. Tap will give the student a basic understanding of tap sounds and rhythms combined with basic jazz movements to facilitate the sounds of the taps. Students will move through basic dance positions to begin to learn to balance and replace their weight. Tap shoes and water needed for class.Country Western Line Dancing - A six-class course starting September 28, $79. The course offers cardio exercise. For those who took this series last time and missed a few classes, it will repeat a few dances but will have additional new dances to learn. The course will also talk about country dance technique and dance floor etiquette. Comfortable clothing and flat dance shoes recommended.Fall Bus TripsNew York Botanical Garden, Chihuly Installation -A bus trip to the New York Botanical Garden, October 7, departs Newtown High School at 9 am, $94. Limited seats are available. It has been more than ten years since the artwork of world-renowned glass sculptor Dale Chihuly has been featured in a major exhibit in New York, and the dramatic vistas of The New York Botanical Garden provide an ideal setting for the work. New hand-blown glass sculptures, created especially for New York Botanical Garden will complement the architecture of the conservatory, itself a work of glass art. These one-of-a-kind installations will highlight the connection of artwork to the natural world. There will also be an exhibition of Chihuly drawings depicting the energy behind his artistic process. After spending the morning at the Botanical Garden attendees will have time to stroll down Arthur Avenue, the "Little Italy of the Bronx" for lunch (on their own) and a chance to purchase wonderful Italian specialties. No discounts apply.Fall Foliage On The Green Mountain Flyer Railroad Vermont - A bus trio to the Green Mountain Flyer, October 15, departs the Cromwell Park & Ride Commuter lot at I-91 and Route 372 (Exit 21) at 8:45 am, $119. The trip will head north and stop at The Marina Restaurant in Brattleboro for a delicious lunch with a beautiful view of a river. Attendees should indicate their entrée choice of New England baked haddock, teriyaki chicken, or butternut squash ravioli. The next stop will be Chester Depot, where the group will board the Green Mountain Flyer, one of the region's best scenic train rides. Attendees will views the beautiful fall foliage by train as it rolls past rivers, farms, and covered bridges, and they will experience sights that can not be seen from the road. Relaxation guaranteed with the nostalgic splendor of a fully restored vintage train. No discounts apply.Intrepid Museum & Grand Central Station - A bus trip to the Intrepid Museum and Grand Central Station, November 5, departs NHS at 8:30 am, $104. The USS Intrepid is an important part of America's history at sea, in the air, and in space. The Intrepid's role in history spans two major wars, the space program, and rescue and recovery efforts in the days following the attacks of September 11, 2001. Explore the 900-foot USS Intrepid. This aircraft carrier fought in World War II, served in the Cold War and the Vietnam War. Visit the Space Shuttle Pavilion and see the Space Shuttle Enterprise. Climb aboard the Submarine Growler, the only American guided missile submarine open to the public. Prior to visiting the USS Intrepid, the group will have a guided tour of magnificent Grand Central Station, renovated to its 1914 glory. After the tour, there will be time to eat in one of the many cafes and restaurants. Note: There is a moderate amount of walking on this tour. No discounts apply.Holiday Sparkle In The Big Apple - A bus trip to Manhattan, December 2, departs NHS at 9:30 am, $109. The city never looks more beautiful than at Christmas time and the day is planned to enjoy many wonderful highlights. The day will begin at Bryant Park for holiday shopping with more than 125 boutique-like kiosks. Then a full course lunch at Buca Di Beppo in Times Square, a popular Italian eatery served family style. The menu will be house bread, mixed salad and Caesar salad, fettucine alfredo, spaghetti marinara, parmigiana, dessert, soft drinks, and coffee. Lunch will be followed by a two-hour guided riding tour of Manhattan's holiday lights with a New York City guide with stops along the way. The group will see the tree at Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue windows, and more. No discounts apply.

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