MECHANIC FALLS – The Mechanic Falls-Poland Adult and Community Education fall program is under way. The Learning Center is accepting new day and evening students for skill upgrading, high school diplomas and General Educational Development testing. Call the adult education office at 345-3217 for more information.

Classes being offered include the following:

E-Mail Basics: The hands-on course will give participants the skills needed to navigate the Internet using Internet Explorer, and the ability to write, send and receive e-mail using Outlook Express. Wednesday, Oct. 13, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (three weeks); registration, $20/25, Mechanic Falls and Poland resident/nonresident.

Job Hunting on the Internet: Learn where to go on the Internet to locate job-hunting resources, including Maine Job Service listings, temporary employment agencies and newspaper classifieds. Thursday, Oct. 28, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. (one week); registration, $5/$7.

Microsoft Word: This is an introductory course in word processing using Microsoft Word 97 and Windows 98. Learn how to create, print, open, edit and format documents. Wednesday, Nov. 3, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (four weeks); registration, $30/$40; lab fee. $5.

Card Embroidery: Create embroidery projects to use as greeting cards or to frame. Wednesday, Oct. 13 and 20, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.; registration, $12/$14; lab fee for materials, $3 paid to instructor.

Calming Yourself and Children: Learn about the ancient art of Jen Shin Jyutsu, a form of acupressure. Learn simple, gentle hand holds that will help calm people. Wear comfortable clothing. Thursday, Nov. 4, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. (one week); registration, $4/$5.

Dog Obedience/Beginners: Basic obedience for dogs will concentrate on commands of sit, stay, down, come and walking on a leash. Positive reinforcement methods used. Discussions on solving bad behavior habits and how to be a responsible dog owner are included. Dogs 10 weeks or older having had their second set of shots are welcome. Monday, Oct. 18, 25, Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, from 6 to 7 p.m.; children 10 and up only if the child is motivated and attends with a parent; registration, $65/$70 per dog; Bring collar, leash.

Knitting Workshop: Get help with an unfinished project or peruse patterns and find a piece to knit. Wednesday, Oct. 27, Nov. 3 and 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.; registration, $9/$10.

Three Dimensional Cross Stitch: A traditional cross stitch project will be tuned into a 3D design to take home. Thursday, Oct. 14, 21 and 28, from 6 to 8 p.m.; registration, $15/$18; lab fee, $5 paid to instructor.

Writing Essays for College Applications: With the assistance of a published author, experiment with writing styles, proofread and edit work. Attend one or all four sessions. Tuesday, Oct. 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.; registration, $25/$30, or $8 a class. Space is limited.

Writing Workshop: Adults and high school students learn about short story structure by examining stories by Flannery O’Connor, Tim O’Brien. Explore setting, plot and character development via weekly writing assignments. Thursday, Oct. 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4, 18, Dec 2, 9 and 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; registration, $25/$30; free to Poland Regional High School and Mechanic Falls-Poland Adult Education Diploma students.