Grayslake Park District notes

Call (847) 223-7529 for informa­tion.

Little Hoopsters: This fundamental league will provide an opportunity to learn basketball skills in a low key, non-competitive atmosphere. Volunteer parents will coach the league. Interested coaches should fill out the coaches sign up Sheet and drop it off at the park district office. Kids will work on skills and drills and play a game each Saturday (one hour per week, start times will vary) from Jan. 5 to Feb. 23. Each child will receive a T-shirt (note size at time of registration). Game schedules and team selection will be mailed out and also posted on the park district's Web site by Jan. 2.

This program will be run at Woodview and Prairieview schools. Children will be separated by age. Divisions are open to kindergarten, first and second grade. Cost is $60 for residents and $75 for nonresidents. Register by Friday.

Speed and agility training: This program is a preparatory training for athletes ages 10 and older who want to improve general speed and agility for sports. Class content includes improvement in strength, speed, flexibility, coordination, stamina, vertical jump, quickness and confidence.

Class will meet from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sundays, Jan 6 to Feb. 24 in the recreation center gym. Cost is $210 per person. Register by Dec. 30.

New Year's Day activities: Among activities planned will be a free jazzercise class at 10 a.m. followed by free yoga class at 11:15 a.m. and open gym from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 1. The cost to join open gym will be $3 per person.

Basic Microsoft Excel: Beginners, novice users and intermediate level users can learn how to use Microsoft Excel. Learn how to format cells; manipulate, sort and filter data; import images into Excel; navigate in Excel; and maximize the use of functions, and learn complete copy and paste techniques and more.

This class will run from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 7 to 21 in the recreation center multipurpose room A. Cost is $48 for residents and $60 for nonresidents. Register by Jan. 2.

Digital photo album: Create a digital storybook using a free StoryBook Creator software program. Rebecca Quackenbush will guide students through the software.

Choose the look of the book, drag and drop pictures onto the pages, add text and the book is complete.

Those who own a laptop can bring it along, but it is not required to attend. This is a contractual program. This adult class will meet from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Jan. 8 in the recreation center multipurpose room A. Cost is $20 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. Register by Jan. 2.

Advanced Microsoft Excel: This class has all of the tips and tricks to use Excel to its fullest potential. Learn to stop re-entering data; import into Excel from anywhere; automatically filter data and limit what data is seen; import images; create forms like invoices and expense reports; summarize data easily; use PivotTables; show data visually and create vivid, professional charts; protect data with security and learn workbook sharing; automate tasks with macros; use favorite functions; and use the function button.

Each participant will be given workbooks to take home at the end of the session. Feel free to bring a laptop and follow along with the instructor during class. This is a contractual program.

This class will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 9 to Feb. 6 in the recreation center multipurpose room A.

Cost is $95 for residents and $119 for nonresidents. Register by Jan. 2.

Mother daughter jazzercise: Children ages 6 to 12 experience the joy of physical movement as they dance their way through choreographed age-appropriate routines to popular music.

This class will be from 7 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 9 to March 12 in the recreation center gym.

Cost is $72 for mom and daughter residents and $36 for each additional child. Cost is $90 for mom and daughter nonresidents and $45 each additional child. Register by Jan. 2.

Digital photography: Learn how to take more compelling pictures and use tools like Photoshop Elements to organize and enhance favorite shots.

Students ages 16 and older are welcome to bring a camera to class.

The first session will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 5, and the next will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 9. Classes will be held in the recreation center second level multipurpose room.

Cost is $52 for residents and $65 for nonresidents. Register at least two weeks prior to class.

Men's open basketball: Play informal pickup games this winter and spring. This drop-in program open to adults ages 18 and older will run from 9 to 11 a.m. Sundays Jan. 6 to May 18 at Grayslake Central High School. There will be no open gym March 2, 16 and 23. Basketballs are provided. Cost is $5 per person at the door.

Jump shout cheerleading: This instructional clinic will expose first-through fourth-grade girls to basic cheerleading. In this six-week clinic, girls will learn to perform floor cheers, sideline cheers, jumps and stunts. The emphasis is on fun. This clinic is a lead-in to the travel basketball cheerleading squads.

Sessions will be offered Jan. 7 to Feb. 11 and Feb. 25 to April 7. There will be no class March 24 or May 26. Both sessions from 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays at the Gymnastics Factory, 888 E. Belvidere Road, Suite 202. Cost is $63 for residents and $79 for nonresidents.

Watercolor painting: Open to ages 12 through adult, this class will offer tools and tricks used in creating watercolor paintings. Lessons will cover steps to create basic compositions to tricks and techniques that will make this medium easier and more fun.

Painting subjects include landscapes, barns, seascapes, florals and class recommended favorites.

A suggested supply list and instruction sheets will be supplied before the first class. This is a contractual program.

Sessions will be offered from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 8 to Feb. 12 and 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 26 to April 8. There will be no class March 25. Classes will be held in the recreation center multipurpose room A.

Cost is $65 for residents, $81 for nonresidents, $60 for senior residents and $75 for senior nonresidents. Register two weeks prior to class.

Tai chi: This slow, graceful Chinese exercise program pays dividends in increased strength and muscle tone, enhanced range of motion and flexibility and improved balance and coordination.

This set of 17 simple movements is practiced in a slow, relaxed manner and is easily mastered.

Sessions will be offered from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 8 to March 11 and 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 9 to March 12. Classes will be in the recreation center dance studio.

Cost is $89 for residents and $95 for nonresidents. Babysitting is available for $2 per child. Register by Dec 26.