While the kids sharpen pencils and prepare for the first day of class, why not sign up to learn a skill or hobby for yourself? We've picked out the upcoming classes most relevant to eco-minded Portlanders.
SUSTAINABILITY
NW Earth Institute
Guide yourself or a group through prepared discussion courses from the NW Earth Institute such as Sustainable Systems at Work, Global Warming, Choices for Sustainable Living, Menu for the Future, and more.
Cost: $20 for discussion guides
Urban Farm School
Located in Vancouver, the farm school teaches classes and offers consultation for your home produce garden.
Autumn classes: Basic Composting, Vermicomposting, Bokashi Composting, Putting the Garden to Bed, Canning and Preservation, Lawn to Food
September 11: Family Bat Night
Cost: $15 per person or $30 per family
Sustainable Living on a Budget
Workshops hosted in your home or community area include Fermented Foods and Condiment Making, Whole Grains and Meal Planning, Homemade Dairy Products, and Introductory Sustainable Living on a Budget.
Cost: Workshops $35 per person, cooking classes $50
Zenger Farm
Volunteer for free at Friday Work Parties and learn to tend crops at this urban farm located near SE 110th and Foster. Classes include preserving, worm composting, chickens, organic gardening, and home dairying.
Cost: $20-$40 ($40 worm bin class includes a take home bin)
ARTS
The 100th Monkey Studio
*Coupon Receive one hour of drop in studio time free with purchase of a second hour
Adult Memoir: Intro to the Writing Process
Spend one day learning the basics of recording memories for your personal memoir including dialogue, developing paragraphs, and expressing your thoughts on the people in your life.
August 29
Cost: $75
Painting in Layers
Use mixed media to create a painting of collage and found objects. A three part series, participants also get use of the studio after class.
August 22, September 5, September 19
Cost: $130 non members
Euphoria Dance Studio
Learn neo-tribal bellydance, Egyptian cabaret bellydance, women’s dance, Indian dance, and many other methods in ongoing monthly classes.
Cost: $14
Portland Music Company
*Coupon Save 15% on any musical accessory or save 10% on any new guitar
Learn the instrument you’ve always wanted to play with private lessons available in multiple locations around town. Piano, saxophone, guitar, and others.
DIY Lounge at Collage
$5 Fridays-A Recession Busting Art Escape
Maria Raleigh, owner of Collage, will host a class every Friday with supplies included for $5.
August 14: Airbrushing with COPIC Markers
August 21: Bamboo Tile Pendants
August 28: Mini Accordion Books
HOME & GARDEN
Ecohaus
*Coupon Save $5 on each gallon of American Pride Paint, save $20
on each 2.5 liter can of OSMO Polyx-Oil, receive 20% off American Clay
Earth Plaster
Yolo Colorhouse Advice
Yolo founders will be sharing their new color line and talking about Green Seal 2010 Certification, while also giving advice on picking colors.
August 22
Free
Wood Burning
Learn about RAIS woodstoves in a workshop covering sizes, air flow, fire lighting, and how to qualify for a $1500 tax credit for purchasing a woodstove.
August 22
Free, RSVP
Thyme Management Supper Club
*Coupon Save $25 on a Metro Meal or standard meal plan
More than a cooking class, you’ll prepare 10 entrees of family size with local ingredients for a menu selected in advance by chef Jody Peppler. Then you’ll take the prepared entrees and recipes home.
Cost: $195 for Metro Meals, $375 otherwise
OUTDOORS
Mazama Mountaineering Center
*Coupon Receive one free hike with Mazamas
First Aid Classes
Learn CPR or Mountaineering First Aid and receive certification.
October 12-15
Cost: First Aid Basics $35, Mountaineering First Aid $190 non members
Ski Mountaineering
Learn to ski backcountry safely. Sessions cover backcountry techniques, emergency shelters, avalanche awareness, and include outdoor sessions.
Applications accepted October 19, lectures January 12-17
Cost: $180 non members
Expedition Training
Experienced climbers will learn to organize an expedition including selecting a team, tips for travel in foreign countries, how to hire a mountain guide, accident management, and more for total trip planning.
Application deadline January 11, course begins January 26
Cost: $295 non members