Iowa Western Community College

ZOOM – Monday, March 30, 2026  6:30 PM – 9:30 PM 
In just a few hours, you can learn enough secrets of the trade to give you years of musical enjoyment.  Learn to play piano the way professionals do-using chords. The chord method is LOTS of fun and dramatically easier to learn than reading notes.   Fee includes the online book, online recorded follow up lessons, a recording of the class and also an optional live periodic question and answer session.   Class is held online using zoom and is partly hands on instruction and partly lecture demonstration.  Ages 13+

ZOOM: Tuesday, March 31, 2026  6:30PM – 9:30PM 
In just a few hours you can learn enough about playing the guitar to give you years of musical enjoyment, and you won't have
to take private lessons to do it. This crash course will teach you some basic chords and get you playing along with your
favorite songs right away. Fee includes the online book, online recorded follow up lessons, a recording of the class and also
an optional live periodic question and answer session. Class is held online using zoom and is partly hands on instruction and
partly lecture/demonstration. For ages 13+.

Friday, April 10th, 2026 | 6 pm – 8:30 pm Council Bluffs Campus
The plant-forward movement is huge, and it all starts with you! Learn some awesome plant-based recipes and make veggies the star of your plate. Menu • Avocado Toast with Grilled Asparagus and Tomato • Grilled Zucchini Kebob w/ Chamula • Honey and Cumin Roasted Carrots with Farro and Ricotta    
 

April 11th Looft Hall 109 Council Bluffs 9am-3:30pm Bring a sack lunch
This in-person course prepares youth ages 11-16 to safely and confidently care for children and infants. It includes hands-on activities videos and discussions to develop essential real-life readiness babysitting skills. The course covers feeding diapering picking up and holding children safety, emergency response, basic care for infants and children, Basic first aid, Child behavior management, and Age-appropriate activities. CPR skills will also be included.

Friday, April 17, 2026 – 5:30pm – 7:30pm – Kinney Hall Room 066
Discover the joy of watercolor painting in this hands-on class designed for all skill levels. Each month features a new theme like landscapes, florals, or abstract textures-while introducing techniques such as color mixing, brushwork, and layering.
Whether you're a beginner or brushing up on your skills, this class provides a creative, supportive space to explore and grow.
Taught by Vivian Kvam, an experienced educator and creative professional with a background in media, branding, and visual
storytelling. Vivian brings an encouraging and approachable style to the classroom, making art fun and accessible for all.
OPEN TO AGES 12 & UP
Monthly Topic: April Showers

Friday, April 17, 2026  6:00PM-9:00PM  Council Bluffs Campus – Student Center
Ever wanted to master the art of sourdough? Come hang out with us for a hands-on workshop in Council Bluffs! Regardless of whether you are a novice or an experienced baker, we will guide you through the process of consistently achieving the ideal combination of tangy flavor, crisp crust, and chewy center. This is an enjoyable way to engage with a classic tradition and elevate your bread-making abilities to new heights!

What to bring: 
3 qt/9in bowl or larger (any material is fine)

What is provided:
A round 9” banneton proofing basket
All of the ingredients for bread baking
A lot of fun

What you will take home:
Knowledge and Confidence
A Tummy full of Sampled Breads
Sourdough Starter
Recipes from Class
Your Own Loaf to Bake at Home
 

Friday, April 24, 2026  6:00pm – 8:30pm   Council Bluffs Campus – Student Center
Risotto Milanese is a total Italian classic, packed with saffron and parmesan flavors. You'll learn how to nail a great risotto every time. And then there's Tiramisu – Italy's signature dessert with that delicate combo of cream, chocolate, and coffee that always hits the spot.
Menu • Risotto Milanese • Seared Chicken with Fresh Herbs • Tiramisu
 

A 4-week series at Bent Tree Golf Club led by PGA Professionals!

Whether you are new to golf or looking to sharpen the basics, these lessons are designed to build your skills and your confidence in a supportive environment.  Sign up with a friend or come on your own- all are welcome! Lessons are offered in a group format, creating a fun and social learning experience while still providing personalized instruction from PGA Professionals.

You'll learn:

• Chipping
• Putting
• Full Swing
• Golf Etiquette and rules
   

Thursdays in May from 6:00-7:30pm
$100 for the full 4-week session
18 years and older
Clubs preferred but not mandatory 

Friday, May 15, 2026, 6:00PM-9:00PM – Kitchen Council 1001 S 6th St Council Bluffs

Ready to bring the steakhouse experience home? Join us for a fun date night cooking class where you and your partner will pick up the skills to cook a pro-level meal, right down to the dessert! We'll walk you through searing a perfect medium-rare steak, roasting garlic for a creamy kale side, and getting those potatoes just right—crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. To wrap things up, you'll learn how to whip up a rich chocolate pot de crème.

Menu
•    Seared Steak topped with Gorgonzola-Shallot Butter
    
•    Creamed Kale with a hint of Roasted Garlic
    
•    Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Herbed Brown Butter
    
•    Decadent Chocolate Pot de Crème with Sea Salt

Friday, May 22, 2026, 6:00PM-9:00PM Council Bluffs Campus-Student Center Room 1024
Embark on a culinary adventure to the breathtaking Mediterranean coasts without leaving Council Bluffs! Join Chef Tasos for a vibrant, hands-on cooking class that will transport you to the heart of Greece, Tuscany, and Morocco. You'll create dishes bursting with the bold, sun-drenched flavors of this iconic region. Get ready for a feast of flaming cheese, flaky pastries, and succulent meats – Each bite is a dance for your taste buds!
Menu    
•   Fresh Homemade Naan Bread •  Saganaki – Flaming Greek cheese: OPA!!! • Spanakopita – Buttery, golden pastries stuffed with spinach and tangy
     feta • Soutzoukakia: Greek baked Meatballs in Tomato Sauce • Scratch-Made Baklava – Delicate layers of pastry, honey, and nuts for the perfect sweet finish
 

Friday, May 29, 2026  6:00pm – 9:00pm  Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall 
Join Tom O’Brien, owner of Gardens on Glen, for a hands-on workshop exploring the rewarding practice of cultivating mushrooms outdoors. Participants will learn how to prepare growing beds using wood chips and sawdust spawn, manage moisture and shade conditions, and integrate mushroom patches into existing garden spaces. Tom will explain how outdoor mushroom cultivation not only yields delicious, nutrient-rich, sometimes perennial-like harvests but also enhances soil health, boosts microbial activity, and supports companion plants. Attendees will gain step-by-step experience inoculating their own substrate and understanding the life cycle of fungi. Each participant will prepare a take-home mushroom starter setup, ready to establish a thriving outdoor mushroom bed.

Friday, June 5, 2026, 6:00PM-8:00PM Council Bluffs Campus-Student Center

Get ready for some hands-on fun! You'll pick up all the tips and tricks for choosing and pairing the best meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts to build a crowd-pleasing spread. Whether you're planning a grand gathering, a cozy evening in, or simply want to up your hosting game, this class will teach you how to craft a board that's as visually stunning as it is delicious!

Ever wanted to master the art of sourdough? Come hang out with us for a hands-on workshop in Council Bluffs! Regardless of whether you are a novice or an experienced baker, we will guide you through the process of consistently achieving the ideal combination of tangy flavor, crisp crust, and chewy center. This is an enjoyable way to engage with a classic tradition and elevate your bread-making abilities to new heights!

What to bring: 
3 qt/9in bowl or larger (any material is fine)

What is provided:
A round 9” banneton proofing basket, All of the ingredients for bread baking, A lot of fun

What you will take home: Knowledge and Confidence, A Tummy full of Sampled Breads, Sourdough Starter, Recipes from Class, Your Own Loaf to Bake at Home
 

Friday, June 26, 2026   6:00PM-9:00PM  Council Bluffs Campus-Student Center

In this course you will learn, first hand, how to prepare a Neapolitan pizza. The secret of this world known Pizza Style is in the dough. You will learn how to prepare a perfect dough that is crunchy and airy. You will make homemade Pizza Sauce, and taste different pizzas. By the end of the class, you'll take home pizza dough ready for a second rise, along with your leftover pizza and calzone (if there are any!) and recipes to impress your family and friends.

Menu
•    Pepperoni Pizza
    
•    Caprese Pizza
    
•    Calzone with Ricotta filling

This hands-on class guides new and experienced beekeepers through the complete honey harvesting process from start to finish. Participants will learn how to assess hive readiness, safely remove frames, and use essential tools such as smokers, uncapping knives, and extractors. The class also covers best practices for filtering, bottling, and storing honey, along with practical tips for keeping equipment clean and protecting hive health during and after the harvest. Whether you are preparing for your first season or looking to sharpen your technique, this session offers clear steps, demonstrations, and plenty of time for questions.

This course teaches new and developing beekeepers how to prepare colonies for a successful Iowa winter. Participants will learn how to assess colony strength, manage mite loads, ensure proper food stores, and configure equipment for cold-weather survival. The class covers insulation options, moisture control, entrance management, wind protection, and how to monitor colonies without disrupting the cluster. We also explore common overwintering challenges in the Midwest and practical steps to minimize losses. Whether this is your first winter or you want to refine your approach, this session provides clear guidance to help your bees emerge healthy and strong in spring.