WGCU

Writer/Producer:   Kristy Vaughn

Learning how to captain a sailboat answers the siren call of Southwest Florida’s waterways.  And at the Edison Sailing Center in Fort Myers, becoming an expert at maneuvering through light chop or currents can be achieved at an early age.  The Caloosahatchee River serves as the Sailing Center’s classroom, and instructors teach the kids how to hoist up their sails and go.  Kids develop discipline and self-esteem through a sailboat’s extensive prep work and the instructor’s rigorous sailing drills.  While these skills are important in life, they are also needed to prepare young sailors to compete in regattas.  The festival atmosphere created around the sailboat races encourages community and inspires camaraderie, so watching from the shore can be just as exciting as being hunkered down in the hull of a boat.  

Resources:

http://www.edisonsailingcenter.org/
Edison Sailing Center’s official website

http://www.boatsafe.com/kids/
Boat Safe Kids is a forum for kids to discuss and ask safety questions.

http://gulfcoastsailingclub.org/
Gulf Coast Sailing Club’s official website

http://www.cmcs-sail.org/
The Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society’s (a sailing club) official website

 

Writer/Producer: Janina Birtolo

Watching films or plays, grooving along with music, learning about the latest health advances and participating in lively discussions – there’s a whole lot more than books and reading going on at area libraries these days. Learn how the venerable public library system in Collier County is keeping pace with changing.

Resources:

Collier County Public Library: www.colliergov.net/library or www.collier-lib.org
 Branches:
• East Naples (239) 775-5592
• Estates (239) 455-8088
• Everglades City (239) 695-2511
• Golden Gate (239) 252-4542
• Headquarters (239) 593-0334
• Immokalee (239) 657-2882
• Marco Island (239) 394-3272
• Naples Regional (239) 262-4130
• South Regional
• Vanderbilt Beach (239) 597-8444
Friends of the Library, Collier County: www.collier-friends.org or (239) 262-8135
Lee County Public Library: http://www3.leegov.com/library 
Charlotte County Public Library: http://charlottecountyfl.com/library 

“Pour Me”
Writer/Producer/Narrator: Rod Clarke

With jobs disappearing like snowbirds in April, many southwest Floridians have begun exploring new and sometimes less traditional career possibilities – like tending bar.  And sometimes, they go back to school to learn the nuances of the trade.

Resources:

National Bartenders, Casino Games and Hospitality School 
http://bartenderdealer.com/

http://www.bartending.org/

 

Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Workshops
Writer/Producer/Narrator: Rod Clarke

Fly fishing fanatics say it’s more than just flailing about with a 9 foot rod; they call it an art. And like many outdoor activities, like archery, kayaking or even getting the hang of your new GPS, it can be challenging. But a few hours at a Bass Pro Shops free workshop can get you out of the house and into the great outdoors.

Resources:

Bass Pro Shops
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPageC?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&appID=94&storeID=30

239-461-7800

Fly Fishing Resources
http://www.flyfish.com/
781-839-2800

USA Archery
http://www.usarchery.org/

 

“Up in Smoke”
Writer/Producer/Narrator: Rod Clarke

When you fire up your grill, does your family gobble up your handiwork and beg for more, or use the meat for hockey pucks? If it’s the latter, Emmett Todd and his Backyard Barbecue School can help.

Resources:

Backyard Barbecue School
http://backyardbbqschool.com/
Emmett Todd

The National Barbecue Association
http://www.nbbqa.org/
817-496-3751

The Smoke Ring
http://www.thesmokering.com/default.jsp
 

Writer/Producer: Janina Birtolo

Cooking shows have long been popular on television. But now local restaurants and other establishments are bringing on-site cooking lessons to Southwest Florida. Learn how Robb & Stucky regularly turns its casual furniture store into a fine dining spot where patrons can learn to cook what they eat.

Resources:

Robb & Stucky Culinary Center, Bonita Springs: www.RobbStucky.com for information about the stores; 1-866-206-3840 for information about the classes.

Norman Love Confections, Fort Myers: Chocolate making classes and recipes online; www.normanloveconfections.com or 1-239-561-7215.

Naples Grande Resort, Naples: Mojito Mondays, wine tastings & cooking classes, www.naplesgranderesort.com or 1-888-422-6177.

Tony’s Off Third, Naples: cooking classes, wine tastings and recipes online, www.tonysoffthird.com or 1-239-262-7999.

Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion, Naples: cooking classes and recipes online, www.roysrestaurant.com or 1-239-261-1416.

 

 

Join host Jim McLaughlin to learn more about High Tech North’s Culinary Arts program. This top notch school offers a lot more than you might expect. Its students are trained in all aspects of the culinary arts…and it all happens in an extremely modern kitchen, just like one you’d find in a first-class restaurant. We’re joined by an instructor and two students for a closer look at this unique adult education opportunity.

Writer/Producer: Janina Birtolo

Want to learn about pirates? Watch a foreign film and discuss it? Get instruction on how to do tai chi or explore the environment of Southwest Florida – or the Arctic? Florida Gulf Coast University’s Renaissance Academy offers so many different courses that it just might have something of interest for everyone. Find out about this lifelong learning program that attracts thousands of people every year – and find out how to get in on the fun.

Resources:

Renaissance Academy:

239-590-1095 or 239-434-4737 or www.fgcu.edu/racademy

Collier County Adult Education

Lee County Adult Education

Naples Players

Philharmonic Center for the Art

Hodges University

Forum Topics:

• Why is it important to continue learning throughout your life?

• What has been your experience with continuing education programs?

Writer/Producer: Rod Clarke

Considering a career change? Or just looking for a chance to sharpen up your kitchen skills? Either way, the Culinary Arts program at High Tech North in Cape Coral may have some ideas. But be forewarned, The knives are sharp, the fire hot, the work hard and a culinary career may not be for everyone.

Resources:

Lee County, High Tech North

Lee County, High Tech Central

Charlotte County

Collier County

Johnson and Wales University

New England Culinary Institute

Forum Topics:

• Know of any other culinary programs in the region?

Writer/Producer: Kristy Vaughn

Find out how Share Club computer classes ease beginners into technology through step-by-step instruction of basic PC operation and photo-editing.  In the computer class, instructors teach students how to email friends and family, look up hobbies on the internet, as well as edit and download digital photos.  The classroom setting provides students individual attention from an instructor and interaction with others interested in learning computer skills.

Resources:

Share Club

Lee County Libraries

Collier Adult Education

Forum Topics:

• Do you know of any other free or low-cost computer classes in Southwest Florida?
• If you have ever taken a computer class, how are the classes different than just reading a how-to manual?