The People Plus Center has plenty of special activities to offer this month, including:

Map the world with Google Earth!

Join us for an introductory presentation on Jan. 7 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the center, followed by two hands-on instruction workshops on Jan. 14 and 28 from 10 a.m. to noon. Advance registration is required at 729-0757. There is a maximum of 12 people for the workshops unless you bring a laptop loaded with Google Earth.

Computer Tutor with Jack Hudson

Exploring the Internet on Jan. 22 and 24 will include the process for accessing the Internet and navigating websites, and using search engines such as Google. Other topics will include YouTube, eBay, Amazon, among others.

Creating an Account and Using Email will be offered Jan. 29 and 31. The course includes creating, sending, receiving, replying to and forwarding email. The course will also cover adding photos and documents to email. Participants should have a basic knowledge of computers and may bring their laptops. This is a two-day class.

The free classes are open only to People Plus members. Maximum of 12 people per class; registration is required.

Woodcarving with Jim Wade

Create your own caricature bear or stylized loon in this five-week class. It begins Tuesday, Jan. 15, and finishes Feb. 12, just in time for Valentine’s Day! Class meets at 1 p.m. and costs $40 for members and $65 for nonmembers, with a $20 materials fee.

Tri City Fitness Challenge

Ida Messerman will lead The Tri City Fitness Challenge, beginning Jan. 1. People Plus is a 2013 sponsor, and our own instructor, Suzanne Neveux, will be one of the many fitness and lifestyle coaches to participate in this 12-week session.

All classes will be held at People Plus, including a weekly Saturday class and lifestyle lectures that are free to People Plus members.

To sign up, or for more information, contact Ida at 798-9319 or getfitwithida@yahoo.com. Check out the calendar for all of the classes being held at People Plus.

Apple — Out of the Box

People Plus Executive Director Stacy Frizzle is leading an “Apple — Out of the Box” class to help those who have Apple portable devices (iPad, iPhone, etc.). Join Stacy from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 8 and 9 for the ABCs of setting it up.

Registration is required. Stay after for a more in-depth class with Juli Haugen from Bowdoin College.

— iPad Basics will be offered on Jan. 8 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. with Juli Haugen. New to the iPad? This session will cover just the basics of using the iPad — including the parts, how to use the touchscreen interface and look briefly at some of the applications that come with the iPad.

— Creating and Using an Apple ID and Downloading Applications will be offered on Jan. 9 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Creating an Apple ID is free and is the “key” to downloading the more than 1 billion applications designed for the iPad. In this session Juli will help people set up an Apple ID without needing to add a credit card and will demonstrate how to download applications.

— Reading and Downloading Books, Newspapers and Magazines will be offered on Jan. 10 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. The iPad is frequently used as a reading device. This session will explore the iBooks app and how to check out books from the library.

— Maps and Weather is the focus on Jan. 15 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. This session will focus on using the Maps app for directions and locating things and will look at some good weather applications and how to use them.

— Organizing, editing and emailing/downloading photos and videos will be offered Jan. 16 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. In this session we will look at the Camera and Photos app and learn how to organize photos and video into albums. We will then learn how to easily send the photos using email and how to download photos people have sent to you.

Middle East Conversation Series continues

People Plus will continue its series on the Middle East with six sessions. The course is discussion-based with a format of sharing what you know about the area, U.S. foreign policy, and more. Ed Knox moderates. Knox lived and worked professionally in the Middle East and taught Mideast history. Discussions will be held Jan. 10 through Feb. 14 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Brown bagging it with CASA

A brown bag lunch with CASA is planned Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 12:30 p.m. People Plus welcomes CASA to the center for an informational session on who they are and who they help. They are looking for people who want to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate called a “CASA” volunteer. Anyone that is at least 21 years of age is welcome to apply. A CASA is a trained citizen appointed by a judge to speak for a child who has been abused or neglected. CASA volunteers are a child’s voice in the legal and social service system.