Computer Classes For Seniors

Senior citizens in the Valley who want to learn about computers have an opportunity close at hand.

The Community Colleges of Spokane offers classes for seniors in a new computer lab at University City Shopping Center.

Each quarter, the number of computer classes seems to grow.

“We just created two more ‘computer kindergarten’ classes, there’s such demand for them,” said Karen Liguori, office assistant with the CCS seniors program.

One morning this week a class of eight students worked their way through a lesson in computer basics. They were learning how to get information from a data base.

Instructor Marsilius Flumo kept his requests simple and clear. He repeatedly checked with each student, making sure they kept up.

Patiently, Flumo answered questions such as: “Why is this blinking up here?” and “Why is this hourglass showing?”

This particular class had dwindled from its starting size of 16. But at the end of the class, the remaining students explained their reasons for learning.

“We wanted to be on the same playing field as our grandchildren,” said one student, before slipping out the door.

“Frustration!” answered retiree Don Kuttlar. “I wanted to learn about computers without having to drive downtown.”

The classroom at U-City is just east of Percy’s restaurant. It holds 18 computers. Use of the space is donated by Goodale & Barbieri, managers of the mall. “We couldn’t do it without them,” Liguori said.

The next session of community college classes for senior citizens in the Valley starts at the beginning of April.

Offerings include:

Computer kindergarten; computer basics: Works 4 Windows 95, parts one and two; Word 6 for Windows 3.11; Excel 5 for Windows 3.11. All computer classes are offered at U City.

Writers workshop; self-publishing workshop; publish what you write; exploring poetry and getting going in genealogy. These classes are offered at either the Valley Senior Center or Saks restaurant.

Watercolor; oil painting; porcelain doll workshop; highlights of art history; beginning art and ceramic sculpture. These classes are offered at various sites around the Valley.

Costs range from $5 to $33, depending on the class.

To register, call 533-3393. For more information, call 533-3770.

, DataTimes