“Basic Excel Skills” will be the topic of a two-evening class at North Platte Community College from 6 to 9 p.m. on March 14 and 21. The class will meet on the North Campus of the college.

The beginning level Excel class has been designed to show interested persons how to work with basic ranges, simple formulas, copying and moving data and printing. Other topics include how to format worksheets, working with cells, page setups, and working with files.

The instructor for the class will be April Fager. Registration fee is $40. Interested persons must pre-register by calling (308) 535-3714 by noon on March 11. You can also register online at register.CenterForEnterprise.com.

Award-winning health and science writer Laurie Garrett will continue the 2010-11 E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues on Wednesday, March 9, with an exploration of the critical issues in health care and disease prevention on a global scale.

The lecture, originating from the Lied Center for Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will be simulcast to the South Campus of North Platte Community College at 7 p.m. on March 9.

Garrett’s lecture will draw from her two books: “The Coming Plague: Newly Emerging Diseases in a World Out of Balance” and “Betrayal of Trust: The Collapse of Global Public Health.” A senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City, Garrett is an expert on global health with a particular focus on newly emerging and re-emerging diseases and their effects on foreign policy and national security.

The simulcast is free and open to the public. Further information can be obtained by contacting Tom Gorman at (308) 535-3714.

“Clear out Clutter” will be the topic of a one-night class from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28, at the South Campus of North Platte Community College.

The instructor for the class will be Robyn Johnston. It was designed to inspire anyone to approach Spring with the motivation to downsize, eliminate “junk,” and assess the items in their homes or offices that may be pulling down energy and space. The class will help participants develop a practical, hands-on approach to reclaiming homes and offices to increase productivity and enjoyment.

Discussion topics will include identifying the true cost of keeping “stuff” and how it impacts health, vitality, creativity, and over-all well being; tips on releasing excess clutter; organizing what you have; and creating a system that works.

The cost of the class is $20 and interested persons must pre-register by calling Tom Gorman at (308) 535-3714.

Area residents will have the opportunity to learn more about nursing home care in a one-evening session on Tuesday, March 8, entitled, “Nursing Home Care: The Ins, The Outs, The All Abouts.”

This session has been designed to debunk some myths about nursing home care and share facts that will make this process easier for someone considering this type of care for a loved one. It will focus on the difference between Nursing Home Care (Health Care) and Skilled Nursing Care. Additional information will include presentations about insurance, costs, types of care, and other related topics.

The presenter of the session will be Julie Calahan, Marketing/Admissions Director at Centennial Park Retirement Village in North Platte. It will be facilitated by Melody Walker, Director of Nursing; Sherry Johnson, MDS Coordinator; and Dan Stauffer, Administrator.

“This class would be beneficial for current caregivers seeking information on additional care opportunities for their loved ones, as well individuals who are considering a move into a retirement community,” Calahan said. “During this class, we will also be going through the benefits of using Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation after a stay in the hospital instead of going home.”

The class will meet from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the South Campus of North Platte Community College. The $10 registration fee includes additional family members.

Those interested should pre-register by calling (308) 535-3714.

High school students who are planning to take the up-coming ACT Tests will have the opportunity to obtain test taking tips and review math and English information by attending the ACT Test Prep Seminar offered by North Platte Community College from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5, at the South Campus of the college.

The seminar will include a two-hour mathematics review that will cover selected topics, including elementary algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and problem solving skills. The math session will be presented by NPCC Math Instructor Roger Volentine.

The English session will be presented by Helen Ann Mesmer, an English instructor at the college. The English session will include a review of grammar, usage, punctuation, and test tasking tips.

The seminar will include lunch, handouts and up-to-date instructions regarding ACT testing. The registration fee is $20 and interested students are urged to pre-register by calling Tom Gorman at (308) 535-3714 by Thursday, Feb. 3.

Since its inception in 2006, the Mid-Plains Center for Enterprise at Mid-Plains Community College has been dedicated to helping individuals and businesses reach their greatest potential. To that end, their recently updated website – www.centerforenterprise.com – has made it easier than ever for them to connect with and assist their customers in a variety of ways.

“The website now allows individuals and businesses to shop, view available and upcoming classes, see any changes that have been made, and register and pay for classes online,” said Cinch Munson, Area Associate Vice President for the CFE.

Munson said the new streamlined website has become a “one stop shop” for individuals and businesses that can benefit from the vast array of services offered through the CFE. The user-friendly format allows customers to view course schedules, register, and pay for courses online.

“We encourage people to register online. It is definitely to their benefit,” he said.

Munson noted that future additions to the website will include sending email updates to businesses and individuals with information regarding courses and workshops they may be interested in. This will be an opt-in, opt-out system.

Overall, Munson said the newly updated site has made it easier than ever for the CFE to interact with the customers it serves.

“The Center for Enterprise is a division of Mid-Plains Community College that focuses on professional development, business training, community and economic development, and testing and certifications for professionals,” he said. “We are committed to offering courses and workshops to help business people and communities reach their full potential.”

Munson said the latest Mid-Plains Community College and CFE short course brochure was recently distributed by mail to area residents. Those who did not receive the brochure or have questions about the CFE and its offerings can the office at (308) 535-3714 or visit www.centerforenterprise.com.

The Mid-Plains Center for Enterprise will offer a “Making Marketing Work” workshop from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 9-10 on the South Campus of North Platte Community College.

Beth Cole, Vice President of Client Strategies at One Lily, a full-service design agency offering web solutions and marketing consulting for service companies, entrepreneurs and start ups, is the trainer for this fast-paced, fun and interactive workshop that was designed to help you kick start your marketing efforts for 2011 and beyond.

Gain valuable feedback about your company brand and be inspired by small companies who have leveraged the power of branding to create loyalty and profits. Explore marketing tool options, including your company website and social media, and learn how to budget marketing dollars and track results. Put your marketing plan into practice with a simple and easy to use marketing calendar system.

Cost of the workshop is $59. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Melissa Garcia at (308) 535-3682 or register online at register.centerforenterprise.com.

Vickie Malleck, (left) McCook and Carol Schlegel, (seated) Culbertson, display quilts they have made and which will be featured in the Wrightstone Fine Arts Gallery Quilt Show later this month on the McCook Community College. Vickie’s work is a hand-quilted wall hanging while Carol’s is a machine-quilted bed-sized quilt. Both quilters are students in Janet Bamesberger’s quilting classes offered through the Center For Enterprise at MCC. A wide variety of works from these students will be displayed Heritage Days Weekend Sept. 25 and 26 from 1-4 p.m. in the Wrightstone Fine Arts Gallery at MCC.