As scary as a layoff is, trying to re-enter the workforce without computer skills is even scarier. 

To help unemployed or at risk workers with no computer skills, Pierce College’s Continuing Education program is offering a series of “no frills, all basics” computer courses starting in April. The courses are taught by caring, patient, skilled instructors, who care about each student’s success. 

“We understand this is a really tough time for a lot of people and we’re doing everything we can to help them through it,” said Lisa Reeves, director of Continuing Education at Pierce College. “Our beginners’ series is perfect for adults who may be entering the workforce for the first time in several years, or for those transitioning from a field that required little or no computer skills.” 

The most basic courses, Pierce’s Computer Survival Series, features classes in basic home computer use, word processing, managing files and folders, email, and the Internet. These sessions typically run from 9 a.m. to noon on a single day and cost  $29 to $39. 

For those with a bit more computer experience, who are wishing to brush up on their skills or learn new programs, Pierce offers an Office Applications series with classes in PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, and Excel. Classes are held over four evening sessions for $119. A 10-session series in Microsoft Access is also available for $329. 

Pierce also offers several Fast Track courses designed to give workers a fast-paced in-depth tutorial through important software they may need to prepare a presentation or for an interview. These intense, single-session classes last all-day. Classes are offered in Word and Excel, and cost $99.

All of the courses listed above are community education classes offered at Pierce College South Hill Park in Puyallup through the Continuing Education program. They are open to the general public and enrollment in Pierce College in not required for registration. For a full list of class dates, times, and locations, visit www.pierce.ctc.edu/conted or call (253) 840-8451.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2009
Pierce College will celebrate the accomplishments of four former students at the annual Distinguished Alumni Banquet at 6 p.m. April 7 at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, 9401 Farwest Drive SW, Lakewood. 

Honorees this year are: 

• Bill Boyer, owner of Mokulele Airlines and inventor of the digEplayer, an in-flight entertainment system used by airlines throughout the world. 

Boyer is a 1986 graduate of Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, who developed the digEplayer while working as a baggage handler for Alaska Airlines in 2001. He sold the device in 2003 and two years later bought Mokulele Airlines, which operates inter-island and tour flights primarily among Hawaii’s smaller airports. Boyer is currently working on his autobiography, “From Baggage Handler to Millionaire.” He said of Pierce College, “That’s where I began to develop the discipline and direction to focus on my goals and objectives.” 

• Armando Mejia, Army veteran and director of military outreach for the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound.

While stationed in Iraq in 2004, Mejia was seriously injured when the Humvee he was riding in exploded. He was sent to Fort Lewis to recover and, while there, enrolled in Pierce College courses on post. He earned an associate’s degree at Pierce and used it to transfer to the University of Washington-Tacoma, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in social work. He finds his work at the Boys and Girls Clubs rewarding and his tenacity and bravery is inspiring for the young people there. 

• Dan Gaul, chief technology officer for Lake Oswego, Ore.-based Digitaltrends.com, an online technology magazine with more than 2 million monthly visitors. 

Gaul, a 1995 graduate of Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, and business partner Ian Bell started Digitaltrends.com five years ago while each held other day jobs. Their “just for fun” project grew into a successful company, which now boasts nine fulltime employees and 15 contract workers. The site features reviews, commentaries, and video profiles of consumer electronics products, as well as looks at upcoming trends in the electronics industry.

• Todd Perry, an award-winning visual effects artist and technical director in Hollywood with a resume of more than 55 films.

Perry began taking cartooning and other continuing education classes at Pierce as a teenager in 1986. Though he earned just 15 credits total at Pierce, the education came at the right time to inspire Perry to continue working towards his dream of “making magic in Hollywood.” He has since helped create the visual effects for such blockbusters as “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” and “The Kite Runner,” for which he was nominated for the 2008 Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Motion Picture. Perry earned an Emmy Award in 2006 for “The Triangle,” a three-part movie about the Bermuda Triangle produced for the SciFi television channel.

For more information or for tickets to the event, contact Ruth Ann Hatchett via phone at (253) 864-3261 or via email at rhatchett@pierce.ctc.edu.

The Fine Arts Gallery at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom is celebrating the work of talented high school artists from all over Pierce County in its annual High School Art Show.

The show opens Monday, March 9, and runs through March 27. Featured artists represent Bellarmine Preparatory, Gov. John R. Rogers, and Stadium high schools, and Tacoma School of the Arts. Twenty-four pieces from 18 different artists will be on display throughout the show.

A reception for the artists will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at the gallery, which is located inside the Olympic building at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, 9401 Farwest Drive SW, Lakewood.

Regular gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon Friday. Admission is free and the gallery is open to the public.

For more information, call Gallery Director Jennifer Olson-Rudenko at (253) 964-6535 or visit the Web site at www.pierce.ctc.edu/art.

Helping young children learn to read has never been so delicious. 

The cafeterias at Pierce College Puyallup and Pierce College Fort Steilacoom are hosting fundraising lunches for the college’s two on-campus childcare centers from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on March 10. For $6, diners will enjoy a hearty meal of barbecued chicken, baked beans, salad, cake, and lemonade.

Proceeds from the lunches will be used to purchase books for the Garnero Child Development Center in Puyallup and the Milgard Child Development Center in Lakewood.

Children from the two centers will be greeting and serving diners, and assisting with the events, as their schedules allow.

Barbara Moroco, food service manager at Pierce College Puyallup, said it’s a great opportunity for the entire community to support the childcare centers while enjoying a low-cost, healthy meal.

“It’s exciting for us to be able to do something to benefit the kids,” she said. “We’re really looking forward to it. We hope to feed as many people as possible and to fill those libraries with books.”

Pierce College Puyallup is located at 1601 39^th Ave. SE. The picnic-style lunch will be held outside the College Center building.

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom is located at 9401 Farwest Dr. SW, Lakewood. The buffet-style lunch will be held in the cafeteria on the fourth floor of the Cascade building.

In conjunction with the fundraising lunches, both cafeterias are also collecting donations of new and gently used children’s books for the childcare centers. For every book donated, diners will receive $1 off their lunch price.

LAKEWOOD — An entire day of live, championship-caliber men’s and women’s basketball for just $5? Could it be true? Yes!

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom is hosting this year’s Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges All-Star Event, a full day of exciting basketball from the best players in the four-region conference, on Sunday, March 15.

The first matchup is at 11 a.m. and features the North Women vs. the South Women. At 12:30 p.m., the East Women play the West Women.

At 2 p.m., the men get started with North vs. East. The final game is the East Men vs. West Men at 3:30 p.m.

Cost for the entire day is $5 for adults and $3 for students, seniors, and military personnel. Children ages 12 and under are free. Food and beverage concessions will be available throughout the event.

All games will be played at the home court of the Pierce College Raiders, the Health Education Center gymnasium at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, 9401 Farwest Dr. SW, Lakewood. This is the first time Pierce has hosted the all-star event, which showcases the 96 best sophomore players in the conference.

For more information, call the Pierce College Athletics Department at (253) 964-6613 or visit online at www.pierce.ctc.edu/athletics.

Celebrate the world’s diverse cultures and people with an evening of music, food, and fashion March 12 at Pierce College Puyallup.

The college’s English as a Second Language program has paired with the Office of Student Life to present a Multicultural Fair and Fashion Show. Events are scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. in the College Center, 1601 39^th Ave. SE. All activities are free and family-friendly, and the public is welcomed and encouraged to attend.

Throughout the evening, there will be information booths showcasing diverse cultures, languages, food, and customs, as well as musical performances representing cultures of Eastern Europe, Asia, Mexico, Latin America, and the Middle East.

One of the highlights of the event will be the fashion show, featuring authentic clothing from a number of different world cultures. It will start at 6:45 p.m.

“Come learn about the multitude of cultures, food, celebrations, clothing, and customs our students bring to the college and community,” invited Deb Ramirez, one of the instructors in Pierce’s ESL program. “This is a very special event celebrating diversity and multiculturalism.”

For more information, call (253) 840-8463.

Baby Mia is adjusting to her new heart, but the medical bills keep coming for the Puyallup infant and her family. To help, Pierce College’s Choir Club is hosting a free, benefit concert for Baby Mia at 3 p.m. March 14 at the College Center, Pierce College Puyallup, 1601 39^th Ave. SE.

All donations collected at the concert will go to the McDonald family for Baby Mia’s medical expenses.

Mia was born with a congenital heart defect. She had a heart transplant in November and is now recovering at her Puyallup home. To learn more about Baby Mia’s condition, visit the family’s blog at www.mcdonaldfamily.blogspot.com.

The March 14 benefit concert will feature performances by the Pierce College choir and orchestra. The selections will be fun and child- and family-friendly. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend and to support Baby Mia’s recovery.