Johnston Community Education

Course Description An introduction to the card game of Bridge -- from the very beginning -- no previous card knowledge required. You will learn the vocabulary and rules of bridge, how to bid using current standard bidding practices, and some basic play guidelines. This class will cover the fundamentals. Whether you plan to play Duplicate or Party Bridge, this class will benefit anyone who wants to build a strong foundation for the game. Logistics NA Instructor: Leslie Heimbach Leslie is a bridge enthusiast and teacher from Johnston who enjoys making the world's greatest card game accessible to everyone. She focuses on making learning fun, stress-free, and easy to understand. Leslie is on the Board of Directors for the Bridge Center in Urbandale, which provides daily games, special events, and tournaments throughout the year.

Course Description Discover the ancient Japanese art of Kumihimo braiding while creating a beautiful and practical tampico fiber hand brush. Students will learn to braid their own decorative cord using a Kumihimo disk (included to take home), then incorporate their handmade braid as the brush's hang-tie. The 6-inch brush is crafted from natural tampico fiber—a durable, chemical-free plant fiber that is ideal for sweeping dry materials such as flour, oatmeal, sawdust, and other light debris from kitchen counters, workbenches, and craft areas. No experience is necessary, and participants will leave with a useful handcrafted brush, a new braiding skill, and the Kumihimo disk to continue creating beautiful cords at home. Logistics All materials provided Participants should bring 2 towels (one for materials and one for lap) Instructor: Valerie Just Val Just is an Iowa artisan and owner of Just Whisk Away, where she handcrafts traditional broomcorn brooms, Tampico brushes, and broom-making equipment. Passionate about preserving heritage crafts, she combines time-honored techniques with her own creative style while emphasizing craftsmanship, sustainability, and functional design. Val enjoys sharing the art of broom making with others and looks forward to introducing students to this rewarding traditional craft. www.justwhiskaway.com

Course Description Create your own rustic cobwebber besom just in time for Halloween! Traditionally used by Appalachian settlers to sweep cobwebs from high ceilings, this whimsical broom features an untrimmed broomcorn head that easily reaches into corners while making a charming seasonal decoration for your front porch or home. Students will learn traditional broom-making techniques as they hand-tie natural broomcorn onto a 24-inch hardwood handle, create a decorative plaited handle, and hand-stitch the broom using black cord. No experience is necessary, and everyone will leave with a beautiful, functional broom measuring approximately 48 inches long (dependent on broomcorn length). Logistics All materials provided Participants should bring 2 towels (one for materials and one for lap) Instructor: Valerie Just Val Just is an Iowa artisan and owner of Just Whisk Away, where she handcrafts traditional broomcorn brooms, Tampico brushes, and broom-making equipment. Passionate about preserving heritage crafts, she combines time-honored techniques with her own creative style while emphasizing craftsmanship, sustainability, and functional design. Val enjoys sharing the art of broom making with others and looks forward to introducing students to this rewarding traditional craft. www.justwhiskaway.com

Course Description: Young people face challenges that no classroom prepares them for: sitting across from a college recruiter, internship coordinator, first job HR interviewer, or AI screening bot. With zero prior practice, 98% of young adults mumble, rush, freeze, speak unclearly, convey nerves, use filler words, and more… all causing doors to close before they even get a chance. This hands-on workshop teaches teens how to control their message, command the moment, and turn every interview into long-term value. Led by premier voice coach David Goldberg, students will learn how to choose strategic words, introduce themselves, answer tough questions, eliminate nervous speaking quirks, pace their responses, and enhance their image using proven body language that conveys confidence, attention to details, and credibility – all key to giving them a massive advantage in competitive interviews. What you’ll learn: The Teen Elevator Pitch: A simple way to answer “Tell me about yourself” without rambling or freezing. Eliminating Speaking Quirks: Prosody adjustments in rhythm, pitch, and tone to stop mumbling, rushing, or sounding monotone. Structured Answers: How to tackle common questions with responses that convey authenticity. (Example questions :“Why this college/job?”, “Tell me about a challenge...”) Professional Presence: Eye contact, posture, and camera framing for both in-person and online interviews. Handling Pressure: Strategies for masking nerves, awkward moments, and tricky questions (like weak grades or limited experience). Logistics: This class will be presented via Zoom. You will receive a link 24 hours prior to the class. Instructor: David Goldberg David Goldberg is a global authority on voice and presentation, having coached over 10,000 politicians, executives, and broadcasters. As the CEO of Edge Studio, an international voice recording giant, he has overseen 13,000+ projects for brands like AT&T, Google, and Microsoft. David specializes in the "Goldberg Approach," a unique method that dissects speaking patterns and quirky habits to help individuals sound more confident, trustworthy, and engaging.

Course Description This class explores practical strategies for saving for children’s college expenses. Participants gain valuable insights into how early and intentional planning can set their children up for long-term success. The course highlights essential considerations (including 529 accounts), helps families avoid common mistakes, and offers guidance on supporting children as they build a financial foundation after graduation. Logistics Park and enter on the EAST side of the District Office, Door #7 Instructor: Nathan Nicolaisen, CFP Nathan Nicolaisen is the owner and financial planner at Redspire Wealth Management, LLC in West Des Moines. Nathan is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. The firm works with clients on their financial planning and investment management needs. Redspire Wealth Management

Course Description This class explores practical strategies for saving for children’s college expenses. Participants gain valuable insights into how early and intentional planning can set their children up for long-term success. The course highlights essential considerations (including 529 accounts), helps families avoid common mistakes, and offers guidance on supporting children as they build a financial foundation after graduation. Logistics Park and enter on the EAST side of the District Office, Door #7 Instructor: Nathan Nicolaisen, CFP Nathan Nicolaisen is the owner and financial planner at Redspire Wealth Management, LLC in West Des Moines. Nathan is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. The firm works with clients on their financial planning and investment management needs. Redspire Wealth Management

Course Description: 62% of employers reject candidates based on how they speak—yet 98% of people lack formal speaking training. Don't let your communication skills hold you back. This hands-on workshop with premier voice coach David Goldberg teaches you to speak with clarity so decision-makers remember—and hire—you. Whether you’re seeking a promotion or pivoting fields, you’ll learn to master elevator pitches, navigate AI-screened interviews, and project executive presence. Gain a reliable toolkit to clarify your value and manage tough questions with confidence, even when the pressure is on. What you’ll learn: Elevator pitch assessment: How to frame your value in 10 seconds. Human & AI‑assisted screening skills: Delivering concise, structured answers that sound natural and are AI friendly. Prosody analysis: How to use pace, pausing, emphasis, and tone to sound confident and engaged. Strategic Phrasing: Proven techniques for answering behavioral questions, discussing weaknesses, and talking about past roles without oversharing or sounding defensive. Executive Presence: How posture, eye contact, and camera framing shape first impressions online and in person. Logistics: This class will be presented via Zoom. You will receive a link 24 hours prior to the class. Instructor: David Goldberg David Goldberg is a global authority on voice and presentation, having coached over 10,000 politicians, executives, and broadcasters. As the CEO of Edge Studio, an international voice recording giant, he has overseen 13,000+ projects for brands like AT&T, Google, and Microsoft. David specializes in the "Goldberg Approach," a unique method that dissects speaking patterns and quirky habits to help individuals sound more confident, trustworthy, and engaging.

Course Description: Podcasting, product promotion, and social video are exploding, but technical barriers and poor speaking patterns turn most people away. This course demystifies the digital voice landscape, teaching you how to leverage one skill set to conquer three massive platforms. You will learn: The Content Ecosystem: How to turn any idea into a Podcast episode, YouTube video, or social post. Pro Audio on a Budget: Why your recording setup is failing you and how to affordably set up a professional "closet studio" (even using your phone!). Vocal Dynamics: How to shift your energy for different formats, conversational for podcasts, influential to subscribers, and high-energy for social media. Logistics: This class will be presented via Zoom. You will receive a link 24 hours prior to the class. Instructor: David Goldberg David Goldberg is a global authority on voice and presentation, having coached over 10,000 politicians, executives, and broadcasters. As the CEO of Edge Studio, an international voice recording giant, he has overseen 13,000+ projects for brands like AT&T, Google, and Microsoft. David specializes in the "Goldberg Approach," a unique method that dissects speaking patterns and quirky habits to help individuals sound more confident, trustworthy, and engaging.