Leisure and Special Interest
Try a new hobby or just learn something new with our wide range of special interest courses!
How to Register
- Register online by selecting "Add to Cart" on the desired course(s) and select "Cart" at the bottom of the page when you are ready to checkout.
- The “Seats Left” information is updated every half hour and when you checkout.
- Other registration options are available.
Don’t see the course you are looking for below? Sign up to get updates and news about upcoming classes.
Courses
- Advocacy 101 in a Divided Era
- Beers of the Hudson Valley
- Car Care for Women
- Drinking With Edgar Allan Poe
- Learn the Tarot
- Solar Power at Your House
- The Wines of New York State
- Travel Planning Made Easy
Advocacy 101 in a Divided Era
Have you ever felt passionate about an issue but had no idea where to start in advocating for it? In this fun, hands-on course, you’ll learn how to turn your ideas and passions into action. We’ll break down the steps of understanding an issue, building support, and influencing decisionmakers – yes, even elected officials! You’ll discover how to use your voice to create change, whether it’s organizing a campaign, speaking at a town hall, or rallying your community online. Advocacy can feel intimidating, but through creative activities, real-world examples, and plenty of laughs, you’ll leave feeling empowered, confident, and ready to take on the world (or at least your cause!). No experience necessary – just bring your curiosity and your passion. Let’s make change happen – together!
Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 113
Therese Daly, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, 10/15 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm |
ZSPI-350 500 | 13 seats left | $39 |
Beers of the Hudson Valley
Join us to explore the history of beer making in New York City, Poughkeepsie, Albany, and the North Country, from classic styles to sours and barrel-aged varieties. Learn about the profiles of Vassar, Taylor, and Ruppert, and taste some of the newest brews around. Must be 21 years of age or older to register for this course.
Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 113
Carlo DeVito, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursdays, 10/16 - 10/23 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZSPI-349 500 | 11 seats left | $69 |
Car Care for Women
This course offers a basic hands-off overview of your vehicle’s maintenance needs, taught by a woman and geared for women. Topics include a discussion of the importance of your owner’s manual, knowing what kind of oil your car takes and why, an overview of the basics (as basic as learning how to open your hood), getting familiar with vehicle operations, and developing a basic understanding of systems like the brakes, exhaust, suspension, cooling, air, a/c, and the engine’s lubrication system. You’ll learn how to confidently and safely check your engine’s oil level, top off fluids, and gain knowledge of basic maintenance needs such as air filter replacements and tire rotation intervals, and learn why these things are important.
Course will be held in Cogan Hall, Room 153
Victoria Carl, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 9/19 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZSPI-208 500 | 2 seats left | $49 |
Drinking With Edgar Allan Poe
From his personal favorites to the wines, beers, and spirits mentioned in his various works, come sample the alcoholic beverages of Edgar Allan Poe. We’ll try beverages featured in “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” and other stories, as well as his personal favorites of port, madeira, milk punch, and eggnog, as well as cocktails named for Poe and his stories. Must be 21 years of age or older to register for this course.
Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 113
Carlo DeVito, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursdays, 10/2 - 10/9 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZSPI-348 500 | 5 seats left | $69 |
Learn the Tarot
The goal of this class is for you to learn how to use tarot cards for yourself. Tarot offers ways for you to blend your inner and outer realities so you can live your life more creatively. We will look at metaphors, symbols and archetypes to help you better understand the tarot. Topics include the major and minor arcana, numbers and symbols, interpreting cards, reverse cards, creating questions, deck care and selection, multiple spreads, the Celtic cross, and more. We will utilize an interactive workshop format with short weekly “work” activities/readings to help you connect your cards and their meanings. Students must bring their deck of Rider-Waite cards to all classes.
Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 113
Melody Kearney, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturdays, 9/13 - 10/18 9:00 am - 11:00 am |
ZSPI-121 500 | 0 seats left | $79 | Section Full Call to be added to wait list |
Solar Power at Your House
This class will answer all the questions about putting solar on your house that solar companies won’t tell you. Is there any truth to the ridiculous ads you see online about everything being free? Do you still have power when the power goes out? Does New York pay you to go solar? Cut through the nonsense with this informative class geared towards homeowners who are curious about solar power but don’t know who to trust.
Course will be held in Daycare Center, Room B06
Jesse Ryan, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, 10/27 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZSPI-326 500 | 0 seats left | $27 | Section Full Call to be added to wait list |
The Wines of New York State
Learn about the history of wine in New York State, including wines from the Hudson Valley, Long Island, the Finger Lakes, and the Lake Erie area. Learn about quality award-winning wines, as well as profiles of New York’s most famous winemakers, writers, and personalities. Must be 21 years of age or older to register for this course.
Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 113
Carlo DeVito, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursdays, 9/18 - 9/25 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZSPI-347 500 | 0 seats left | $69 | Section Full Call to be added to wait list |
Travel Planning Made Easy
This condensed, yet comprehensive, three-hour course is designed to demystify the process of planning your next adventure. Whether you’re dreaming of a weekend getaway or a months-long expedition, this course will equip you with the essential tools and strategies to plan your trip efficiently and effectively. From destination selection to budgeting and packing, each module is packed with practical tips and actionable advice to streamline your travel planning experience. Come to class with a future trip ready to plan or just a dream of where you may want to go!
Course will be held in Daycare Center, Room B05
Abigail Cavazos, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, 9/24 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZSPI-301 500 | 4 seats left | $27 |
Get in Touch
Office of Workforce Development and Community Education
Fax: (518) 629-8103
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (excluding college holidays and vacations)