MECHANIC FALLS — RSU 16 Adult Education has announced its 2012 spring courses. Registration may be completed in person at 129 Elm St. or by mail: PO Box 129, Mechanic Falls, ME 04256. Registration forms are available for download at rsu16adulted@rsu16.org. Credit card payments cannot be accepted.

ATV education: Learn how to properly operate and maintain an ATV. Laws and responsibilities, map and compass, environmental/landowner ethics, personal safety, first aid and survival skills will also be covered. Exam and 100 percent attendance required. Children must be at least 10 years old. Those 15 or under must be accompanied by an adult throughout the course. For more information, contact the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. Tuesday, April 17  from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration $5.

Babysitting certification: For youth ages 11-15 who want to become responsible babysitters. This course is taught by Grace Gendron, a certified EMT-I, 911 dispatcher and mom of three. The goal is to provide youth with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent accidents and respond to emergencies while supervising younger children. They will learn basic care, child safety and first aid skills as well as receive CPR training. Participants will receive a take-home babysitter manual, a CPR manual and a course completion card. Preregistration is required. Saturday, April 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. $45.

Boating safety: This is a nationally-certified safety course. Learn proper boating safety and operation, including handling, equipment and trailering. Laws, environmental ethics, emergencies, self-help first aid and cold-water survival will also be covered. Exam and 100 percent attendance required. This course meets Maine requirements for operation of personal watercraft by 16-17 year olds. Tuesday, May 1 from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, May 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $5.

Cake decorating: Hands-on cake baking and decorating experience for the beginner, from scratch. Learn the art of cake decorating by making flowers, borders and trying different techniques along the way. Bring your own cake to decorate on the last class. Instructor Eunice Long worked in food service in Poland for more than 35 years. She has won a state and northeast regional award for food service excellence and now operates her own licensed bakery. Wednesdays, March 28 through May 9 with the exception of April 18 during school vacation. 6 to 8 p.m. $30.

Dog obedience training with Diane Harrington: For puppies and dogs 3 1/2 months or older, we will cover basic obedience commands such as heel, sit, stay, down and come. Issues such as jumping and barking will also be addressed. Breed, age and temperament will be considered and participation may be subject to the instructor’s approval. Bring proof of vaccinations to the first class. You will be responsible for cleaning up after your dog. Mondays, March 5 through April 9, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. $50. Collars and leashes will be available for purchase.

Forensics: A repeat of November’s class. Fred Jordan, MD, a local forensic pathologist gives an overview of how the Maine death investigative system works. This program will present the law and the steps followed in determining a reasonable cause and manner in day-to-day routine casework. It will be complemented by a sensitive and professionally done autopsy video and a look at two interesting cases, one with a historical perspective that reaches from Maine to California. The content of this topic is understandably graphic by nature. Thursday, March 1, 6 to 8 p.m. $5.

Hunter safety: Taught by Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife volunteers, this course is more than a “gun safety” course. State law requires this course for those applying for a first time license, and it is a good idea for all hunters. Learn about proper handling of a rifle and shotgun, survival/first aid, hunter responsibility, map and compass, and landowner relations. This 12-hour course involves in-class lectures and demonstrations as well as home study. You must attend both days in their entirety and pass a written exam. Tuesday, March 27, from 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, April 7, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children must be at least 10 years of age. Those 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult throughout the course. $5.

Introduction to social networking: What is a Tweet? What does it mean to “like” someone on Facebook? What is MySpace? How do I Skype with someone across the country? The world? Similar to email and instant messaging, these are all examples of social networking services that people use to be in touch with one another via the Internet. We will also talk about some of the ramifications of social networking such as privacy issues and how what you share may be seen by others such as employers, colleges and even the police. Thursday, April 5, 6 to 8 p.m. $5.

Pickled spring vegetables: “Preserving the Harvest,” a hands-on food preservation workshop offered by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, will focus on pickling spring vegetables. Participants will receive a food preservation packet and will learn recommended methods for preserving foods, the latest and safest recipes, ensuring the safety of equipment and how to check for properly sealed jars. Bring your own pressure canner dial gauge for a free accuracy test. Bring a potholder to class. Tuesday, May 8, 6 to 9 p.m. $15.

Publishing a book: A one day boot camp in self-publishing. With technology, industry changes and increased options, more writers than ever before are going the self-publishing route. If you’ve ever considered publishing your own book, or wanted to learn more about going it alone, this course is for you. Self-publishing isn’t for the faint of heart, however. It’s easier than ever before, but so are the opportunities for mistakes. Award-winning author and experienced independent publisher, Jim Baumer, will walk students through the mechanics and logistics of publishing a completed book manuscript. Based upon his own experience producing and marketing two independently-published titles, including the very successful “Moxietown,” Baumer knows the ropes and can provide guidance as well as give writers a sense on whether or not the independent route is the right path for them. Is your manuscript good enough to publish? What’s the first step? What do I need to know about layout and design? Bring questions. Saturday, March 10, 9 a.m. to noon. $25.

What is high speed broadband Internet access and how can it benefit me? High-speed broad band Internet access will soon be available in almost every area of the state of Maine. Come and see how you could benefit from having high-speed access to the Internet for things such as education, enrichment, communication, research, employment, health, government services, adult education courses and more. Two hours with time for exploring online. Taught by Linda Chaisson, technology coordinator for RSU 16. Thursday, March 15, 6 to 8 p.m. Free; space is limited so registration is required.

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