Harper College notes

Musical mosaic: The Harper College Community Music Center's third annual Concert Series will continue at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 with "Acoustic Swing and More" by the Don Stiernberg Trio.

Upcoming concerts include:

• The Hard Times Bluegrass Band at 7:30 p.m. March 8.

• "Tango Fantastico" featuring The Alma de Tango Quartet, with special guests tango dancers Javier Gomez and Olga Kokaurova, at 7:30 p.m. April 12.

All concerts are held on Harper's main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. General admission tickets cost $15 per concert, with discounts for students, seniors and children.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit harpercollege.edu or call (847) 925-6100.

Financial workshops: The Harper College Women's Program will offer its third annual series of financial workshops designed to help people achieve their fiscal goals.

"This year we've brought in a series of community experts, as well as Harper experts, to address the issues women have told us they would like to learn more about," said Kathleen Canfield, director of the Career Center and Women's Program. "Issues like how to set up a budget, the advantages of credit and how to manage it, financing a college education and raising financially responsible children."

All programs will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., with light refreshments from 6 to 6:30 p.m. The location for all programs is Building A, Room A243. Dates and topics include:

• "Raising Financially Responsible Children," Feb. 21, presented by Susan L. Baker from New York Life

• "Credit and You," March 12, Presented by Harper College Vice President Judy Thorson. Admission is free, but registration is encouraged. For more information or to register, call (847) 925-6558.

Harper survey: According to a recent survey, 99 percent of transfer graduates and 98 percent of career graduates said they would recommend Harper College to friends and family.

The survey was conducted in fall 2006 and spring 2007. 1,105 graduates responded to the survey, which was done by phone and mail. Other results of the survey:

• 89 percent of transfer graduates and 93 percent of career graduates said they would return to Harper in the future.

• 73 percent of employed career graduates were in a job related to their Harper program, and 79 percent reported being satisfied in their jobs.

• 76 percent of transfer graduates reported being enrolled at least part-time in another institution.

• 73 percent of transfer graduates reported that all their Harper credits transferred to their new institution.

• 72 percent of transfer graduates were enrolled in a major related to their major at Harper.

Harper Speakers Bureau: Provided as a community service, the Harper College Speakers Bureau provides access to local experts in a variety of subjects.

Speakers are available to community organizations such as chambers of commerce, library groups, service organizations and other civic groups for free. Experts cover a diverse array of topics including art, astronomy, career training, cultural trends, ecology, entrepreneurship, estate planning, exercise, small business development, math and science.

For more information on booking a speaker, call (847) 925-6701 or visit harpercollege.edu.

Child Learning Center: The Harper Child Learning Center's preschool program offers a curriculum to form a broad base of knowledge children can use as they advance into the primary grades.

The learning center also strives to create a preschool environment that treats children as individuals and invites parents to visit so they may share in their children's activities.

More information about choosing a preschool is available in a podcast on the Child Learning Center Web site at harpercollege.edu. Parents also may sign up for a free visit at the center by calling (847) 925-6262.

Campus spa: The Therapeutic Massage Clinic at Harper is staffed by students in the program and offers clients Swedish massage at a cost of $35 for a one-hour massage ($30 for seniors 65 and older).

There are peaceful, private massage rooms available. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (847) 925-6000, ext. 2805.