The Central Blair Recreation and Park Commission will hold the following programs. For more information, call 949-2231.
Art Fun shop - Cartooning is designed for the artists who really like to draw. Participants will learn how to draw funny faces, looney lettering, awesome aliens, super heroes, adorable animals and create your own comic strip.
Cory Geishauser will be the instructor for this workshop which will be held Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at Altoona Area Junior High School, 1400 Seventh Avenue, Altoona. The times for ages 7, 8 and 9 years old are 6 to 7 p.m. and 10, 11 and 12 years old from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost for this program is $35 per participants with a maximum of 12 (minimum of six) participants per age group.
Children's Self Defense - This four-week introductory program will teach your child the fundamentals necessary to gain self confidence and to stop being bullied or being a victim on the playground. Learn to stand up to aggression and walk away a winner. This program introduces children to a variety of martial arts skills while emphasizing the importance of physical fitness. The sessions will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Saturdays from May 5 through 26 at the Progressive Martial Arts Systems, Route 764, Duncansville. This program is for boys and girls in grades three to six. The cost of the program is $40. The deadline to register is May 3. The instructor for this program will be Rocco Alianiello, a fourth-degree black belt.
Drawing, Painting 3-Dimensional Art - These classes will cover abstract design, three-dimensional concepts and acrylic painting. Students will choose their own ideas after given the medium and proper techniques. Classes are laid back and will teach students art terms, techniques and styles. The classes, which are for students in fifth and sixth grades, will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturdays from Feb. 25 through March 31 at the 6th Ward Community Center, 2101 Fifth Ave., Altoona. The cost is $60 with a maximum number of participants of 10 and a minimum of six. The deadline to register is Feb. 20.
Elementary Community Basketball Clinic - The inaugural CBRC/Penn State Altoona Elementary Basketball Clinic is scheduled for boys and girls in fourth through sixth grades from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 17. This clinic will offer instruction to participants on lay ups, shooting form, ball handling, passing and team-building drills. The instructor is Bill Clapper, Penn State Altoona men's basketball coach. He will be assisted by his staff and student athletes. This clinic will be held at the Altoona Area High School Fieldhouse at a cost of $10 per participant. The deadline to register is March 14.
Flower and Vegetable Gardening - Learn some of the trade secrets that Penn State Master Gardeners use to produce beautiful floral displays in their backyard. During week one, the instructors will review basic principles of gardening and will highlight topics such as site preparation, garden planning, varietal selection, nutrient management and insect and disease control. Week two will spotlight flower gardening, delving into annual, perennial and shade gardening. During the final week, the focus will be on vegetable gardening and topics like soil testing and transplant production. All participants will receive a reference packet containing some of Penn State Extension's most authoritative gardening publications. The classes will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. March 27, April 3 and 10 at the Altoona Area Junior High School, 1400 Seventh Ave., Altoona. The cost will be $20 per adult with a minimum number of participants of 10. The deadline to register is March 21.
Golf Clinic - This four-week instructional clinic will focus on the fundamentals of the game. Group lessons for area youth with equipment provided to those who need it, will be taught by Tom Koehle, head golf professional at Iron Masters Country Club and head men's and women's golf coach at Penn State Altoona. Preregistration is mandatory. The dates of the clinic are Jan. 21, 28, Feb. 4 and 18. The clinic is for ages 7 to 11 meeting from 1 to 2 p.m. and ages 12 to 16 meeting from 2 to 3 p.m. The clinic will be held at the 6th Ward Community Center. The cost is $60 per person. The deadline to register is Jan. 19.
Basic Guitar/5-String Banjo - Using common songs, you will learn how to accompany yourself or someone else. The instructor, Dan Hulse, has 45 years experience in playing and teaching. His main focus is matching the student's interest to the basics they need to have fun with music. The sessions will be held Wednesdays from Feb. 22 through April 11 at the Altoona Area Junior High School. Basic guitar lessons will be held from 6 to 7 p.m., and 5-String Banjo lessons will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Both are for ages 10 and older. The cost for the class is $50 with a maximum number of participants of 10 and a minimum number of three. The deadline to register is Feb. 17.
Half-Pint Skillastics introduces pre-schoolers (ages 3 to 5) to a variety of movement skills, as well as encouraging creativity and imagination in a noncompetitive but active environment. This class also promotes color, number and shape recognition helping to solidify these skills prior to entering grade school. It all happens on the move, featuring 36 fun drills set to music. The cost is $25 and classes will take place from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Saturdays from April 14 through May 5 at the 6th Ward Community Center. The registration deadline is April 12.
Indoor Batting Instruction Clinic - The clinic will focus on hitting and the development of a proper swing for ultimate hitting performance. Instructors will evaluate hitter's swings and work with them on specific drills to improve their mechanics. These practice sessions will help individuals turn theory into technique, technique into habit and habit into reaction. The clinic will be held Sundays from Feb. 12 to March 25 with hourlong session times from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The clinic is for ages 7 to 12 and will be held at the East Juniata Community Center, 1609 N. Fifth Ave., Altoona. The cost is $65. There are a maximum number of six participants per session. The deadline to register is Feb. 8.
Instructional Sports Clinic for children ages 4 to 6 is an instructional clinic for beginners, to teach them the fundamentals of baseball, basketball and soccer. The clinic will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays from April 14 through May 5 at the 6th Ward Community Center. The clinic will also teach sportsmanship, basic skills, teamwork and proper warm up and cool down activities. The cost is $25, and the deadline to register is April 12 with a maximum number of 20 participants.
Introduction to Computer Essentials - This course is intended for anyone with little to no computer experience, but has the interest in learning the basics of computer operation. Vocabulary and hands-on experience projects will be stressed. Students will also be introduced to the basics of the Internet, word processing and Internet communication, including email. The program will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from March 13 through 27 at the Altoona Area Junior High School. The class will be led by Jonathan Klingeman, English/communications teacher at AAJHS. The cost is $40 with a maximum of 12 participants (eight minimum). The deadline to register is March 12.
Introduction to Photography - This six-week class is intended for photo enthusiasts interested in learning basic photo-taking skills. Necessary equipment is a notebook, pen and a digital or film camera (preferably SLR). The instructor is Barbara Lauver, owner/operator of Sharp Edge Photos, Altoona. This class is for high school age and older and will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays from Feb. 8 to March 14 at the Altoona Area Junior High School. The cost is $30 with a maximum of 12 participants (eight minimum). The deadline to register is Feb. 6.
Junior Hoopsters - This program will teach the fundamentals of basketball to help children to enter the second and third grade instructional basketball program. The program will be held Saturday mornings at the Booker T. Washington Center, 1010 19th St., and continue for eight weeks. Each session will last 45 minutes. An organization meeting will be held Jan. 28. The cost is $35. The deadline to register is Jan. 26.
Learn to Skate Classes will be held at Galactic Ice for ages 5 and older. Class "A" will be held from 6 to 6:40 p.m. Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28 and March 6 and 13. Class "B" will be held from 11 to 11:40 a.m. April 7, 14, 21 and 28 and May 5 and 12. Learn to Skate Basic Skills program is endorsed by the U.S. Figure Skating Program. Learn the most important fundamentals of skating for hockey or figure skating from the Galactic Ice professional coaching staff. We offer ages 5 through adult classes. Cost is $45 if you register with the Recreation Office at 2101 Fifth Ave., Altoona, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. For more information, visit www.galacticice.net or call Galactic Ice at 942-7500.
Life Screening - The CBRC, in collaboration with Life Line Screening, will host health screenings that could save your life. Vascular packages range from $129 to $159. Screenings will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 4 at the BTW Community Center. Preregistration is required by calling 800-690-6313.
Line Dancing - Participants will learn various dances to all music types. Exercise your brain and your heart and enjoy the fun. The instructor is Julie Paige and she works with ages 16 and older. This class is being held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays from April 4 through May 9 at the Booker T. Washington Community Center, 1010 19th St. The cost is $35. The deadline to register is April 2.
Magic/Theater Arts - This interactive class will combine the basic skills of magic along with the performing art of theater. The class will focus on basic card and coin tricks, stage performance, improvisation, character performance and showmanship. No experience is necessary. The instructor Tony Greiner will hold the class from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Feb. 21 through March 27 at the Juniata Elementary School, 418 N. Eighth Ave., Altoona. This class is for ages 7 to 14 with a maximum of 10 participants (five minimum).
Science Club - Participants in this six-week program will exercise their minds learning science in a fun interactive manner. Have a project at school? Bring your questions to class. Materials will be provided and some projects go home with the students. This class is for those in fourth through sixth grades and will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Feb. 21 through March 27 at the Altoona Area Jr. High School, 1400 Seventh Ave., Altoona. The cost for this class is $30 with a maximum of 12 participants (eight minimum).
StrongWomen - The CBRC and the Penn State Extension office are offering a StrongWomen program for a cost of $68. This program is a safe, simple and highly effective strength training program for women 40 years of age and older. The program will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays today through April 5 at the East Juniata Community Center.
Swim Lessons for children ages 4 and older will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Altoona Area High School swimming pool. Group A will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. Group B is from 7 to 8 p.m. The first session is from March 1 to 27, and the second session is from April 3 to 26. The maximum is 18 participants per group. Cost is $55 per session. The deadline to register is Feb. 28 for the first session and March 29 for the second session. There is a picture package also being offered for these classes. Enrollment in the first session does not guarantee enrollment in the second session.
Tennis Camp is a six-week instructional clinic which will focus on the fundamentals of tennis. Participants will use the newest training aids. The classes will be held at ProCare Health Systems Inc., 3200 Fairway Drive, Altoona, at a cost of $50. Classes are held Saturdays from Feb. 18 through March 24. There are three different age groups: Ages 4 to 6 from 11 a.m. to noon; ages 7 to 10 from noon to 1 p.m.; and ages 11 to 14 from 1 to 2 p.m. Register at the Recreation Office, 2101 Fifth Ave., Altoona, by Feb. 16.
Fifth and Sixth Grade Boys Volleyball - This new program will be organized the first part of April. An organizational meeting will be held with coaches and players being required to attend. Rosters will be determined and rules/regulations distributed. Registration forms will be sent home with the students through the schools in March.
Fifth and Sixth Grade Girls Volleyball, Baton and Cheerleading will begin in March and April. Flyers will be sent home through the AASD elementary schools.
