Iowa Western Community College

Friday, June 27, 2025 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Council Bluffs Campus Student Center 
The plant-forward movement is growing around the world, but the change starts with you by learning plant-forward recipes and moving vegetables from the sidelines to the center of the plate!
Menu • Avocado Toast with Grilled Asparagus and Tomato • Grilled Zucchini Kebib w/ Chamula • Honey and Cumin Roasted Carrots with Farro and Ricotta
 

Class will be Tuesday, July 8, 2025 – 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Council Bluffs 
Learn the basics of operating essential equipment for effective land management. This hands-on course covers the use of machinery like Bobcats for shearing, grinding, and mulching; Bush Hogs for mowing and shrub removal; brush cutters; and other tools. Gain practical skills for maintaining and restoring landscapes safely and efficiently.

Friday, July 25, 2025 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus Student Center 
Ready to uncork a new hobby? Join us for a fun, hands-on wine-making workshop where an experienced instructor will guide you step-by-step through the timeless process of crafting your own wine. The earliest evidence of wine-making dates back over 8,000 years, and while the equipment has evolved, the process remains beautifully simple. This class includes a complete wine-making kit to take home (a $90+ value)—you’ll start your first batch in class, then continue the process at home. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or just curious to try something new, this immersive experience will leave you confident, inspired, and wondering why you didn’t start sooner!

Friday, August 1, 2025 6:00 pm- 8:30 pm
Summer is here, and pasta is the perfect light and easy meal for these warm days. In this hands-on class, Chef Tasos will show you how to turn a few simple ingredients into homemade pasta dough. While the dough rests, you'll whip up a quick and flavorful vodka sauce and a vibrant summer salad. Once the dough is ready, you'll use a pasta roller and gnocchi paddle to transform it into penne pasta. Chef Tasos will also share his recipe for mouthwatering garlic bread, a surefire hit with your family and friends.
MENU: •    Pasta Dough •    Hand shaped Penne Pasta with Vodka Sauce • Seasonal Summer Salad •    Chef's Garlic Bread
 

Class will be Tuesday, August 5, 2025 – 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Hitchcock Nature Center
This course focuses on the principles of designing sustainable soft trails in natural landscapes. Learn how to plan, layout, and build trails that minimize environmental impact while providing access for hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities. Topics include trail alignment, erosion control, and long-term maintenance strategies, with an emphasis on creating trails that blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment.

Friday, August 15, 2025 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Council Bluffs Campus Student Center 
Cajun and Creole Cuisine dazzles with bold flavors and simple techniques. Master the art of a flavorful Cajun Seasoning, a rich, dark Roux for Gumbo, and the fiery flair of Bananas Foster, a dessert that's sure to leave a lasting impression.
Menu • Cajun Spice Blend • Dark Roux • Andouille Sausage Gumbo • Mardi Gras Chicken Fettuccini • Bananas Foster

Friday, August 22, 2025 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus Student Center 
Enjoy a fun and delicious evening with this hands-on, three-course cooking class. Perfect for date nights or a girls’ night out, you’ll work in groups to create a mouthwatering menu featuring braised short ribs, creamy cheddar grits, and a sweet finish with Banana’s Foster Bread Pudding. Come hungry and ready to cook! Please bring your apron and a beverage of your choice.
Menu: • Apple Cider Salad • Braised Short Ribs | Caramelized Onions • Glazed Carrots • Banana's Foster Bread Pudding | Vanilla Cream Sauce

August 25th- October 6th, 2025 5:30pm-6:15pm 
Develop your core strength and tone up with this low-impact workout based around the Pilates and Barre. Enjoy a low-impact workout using hand wights, Pilates balls, resistance bands and a ballet barre while tighten and ton glutes, core and improve posture. No dance required! All equipment is provided by the Wellness Center, bring your own yoga mat if desired (we have mats also), and dress comfortably in yoga class wear. Footwear is yoga grippy socks, bare feet, or clean gym shoes if you prefer to keep shoes on.

August 25th- October 6th, 2025 5:30pm-6:15pm 
Develop your core strength and tone up with this low-impact workout based around the Pilates and Barre. Enjoy a low-impact workout using hand wights, Pilates balls, resistance bands and a ballet barre while tighten and ton glutes, core and improve posture. No dance required! All equipment is provided by the Wellness Center, bring your own yoga mat if desired (we have mats also), and dress comfortably in yoga class wear. Footwear is yoga grippy socks, bare feet, or clean gym shoes if you prefer to keep shoes on.

August 27-October 1st, 2025  5:30pm-6:15pm 
Feel invigorated and stretched after Yoga Flow! This gentle flowing yoga style will keep you moving, but is gentle on joints and appropriate for beginners. Flow vinyasa-style to relaxing music, and work on your flexibility. Yoga mats, blocks and other equipment are available at the wellness center, feel free to bring your own mat if you prefer. Please let the instructor know of any injuries or limitations, as portion of class may have students on their knees or in inversions such as downward dog pose. The instructor will modify poses to meet the needs of participants. 

August 27th-October 1st, 2025  4:30pm-5:15pm 
Develop your core strength and tone up with this low-impact workout based around the Pilates and Barre. Enjoy a low-impact workout using hand wights, Pilates balls, resistance bands and a ballet barre while tighten and ton glutes, core and improve posture. No dance required! All equipment is provided by the Wellness Center, bring your own yoga mat if desired (we have mats also), and dress comfortably in yoga class wear. Footwear is yoga grippy socks, bare feet, or clean gym shoes if you prefer to keep shoes on.

August 29th – October 10th  4:30pm-5:15pm 
Try out a fun Fitness Circuits suitable for all fitness levels. These workouts combine training the glutes, core, arms and legs for a great whole-body workout! Use weights, resistance bands and more to achieve a quick and fun workout! Modifications and challenges will be provided to accommodate all fitness levels. Head into the weekend with energy!!

Friday, September 5, 2025 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Council Bluffs Campus Student Center 
There is almost nothing better than fresh salmon on the dinner table. Most people enjoy eating it, however many are not comfortable cooking it at home. Join Chef Tasos, in this hands-on class, as he demystifies salmon by teaching you how quick and easy it is to prepare amazing, picture perfect salmon in your kitchen. You will also make a fresh grilled corn and summer vegetable succotash to accompany your salmon. Lastly you will learn to create a rustic berry galette for dessert.
MENU • Garlic Herb Salmon • Grilled Corn and Summer Vegetable Succotash • Rustic Berry Galette with Fresh Whipped Cream
 

Class will be Saturday, September 6, 2025 – 9:30 am – 12:00 pm – Looft Hall Room #023
New to Cricut? This beginner class is the perfect place to start. Learn how to set up your machine, navigate Design Space, understand cutting materials, care for mats and blades, and complete basic cuts. You’ll leave with several small projects and the confidence to begin creating on your own. Class is for Cricut Explore series, Maker, and Maker 3 machines. Cartridges-only machines are not supported. Bring your Cricut machine, cords, mat, laptop (preferred) or mobile device with the Cricut app, and any tools you already own. Ensure Design Space is updated to the latest version. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow time for setup. Supplies are included.

Class will be Saturday, September 6, 2025 – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Looft Hall Room #023
Discover how your Cricut can write and draw using pens and markers—perfect for addressing envelopes, creating gift tags, and journaling scrapbook pages. Just in time for the holidays, veteran instructor Veronica Rosman will guide you through this often-overlooked feature. Class is suitable for Cricut Joy, Explore series, Maker, and Maker 3. Bring your machine, cords, mat, laptop (highly preferred), or mobile device with the Cricut app, and any pens you already own. Instructor will have extras available. An updated version of Design Space and an active Cricut Access subscription (approx. $10/month) are required. Some prior experience with Design Space is necessary. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow time for setup. Supplies included.

Class will be Tuesday, September 9, 2025 – 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall  
This course provides an overview of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations as they apply to land management and stewardship activities. Learn about safety standards for working with heavy equipment, herbicides, and in the field, as well as proper risk management practices. Ideal for land managers and those involved in outdoor conservation work, this course helps ensure a safe and compliant work environment.

Friday, September 12, 2025  6:00 am – 8:30 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Student Center 
If you enjoy partaking in all that a classic American steakhouse has to offer, then this class is for you. Rather than venturing out for an expensive steak dinner, come learn how to prepare a steak at home. In this hands-on class, you will learn to pan-sear the perfect steak and make complimentary sides for the perfect at-home date night or dinner party.
MENU • Classic Wedge Salad • Cornmeal Crusted Onion Rings with a Buttermilk Basil Dipping Sauce • Cast Iron Pan Seared New York Steak with Garlic Butter • Chocolate Molten Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
 

This class will be held Sat. Sept. 20, 2025, 10 AM – 1 PM at the Council Bluffs Campus, Looft Hall. Discover techniques for drying herbs to preserve their flavor and medicinal properties for year-round use. This class will cover different drying methods, storage tips, and creative ways to use dried herbs in cooking and home remedies.

Tues.9/23/25 6:30-8:30 PM Kinney Hall Room 044. Looking to cut energy costs, boost sustainability, or stay prepared when the grid goes down? This hands-on, beginner-friendly class is for homeowners, farmers, and small business owners who want practical solar solutions. Learn how to power outdoor lighting, electric fences, security systems, and essential devices—perfect for home, ag, or business use. Led by an experienced instructor, you’ll get real-world tips and simple project ideas you can put to use right away. Sign up today and start powering your space—reliably and sustainably—with the sun!

Friday, September 26, 2025 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm  Council Bluffs Campus – Student Center 
If you are a fan of potato gnocchi, allow us to introduce you to its cousin: ricotta gnocchi (no potatoes required!). Lighter and slightly chewy, ricotta gnocchi is a simple dish to make that doesn't compromise our love for the delectable, pillowy dumplings we are familiar with. Chef Tasos will instruct you on how to prepare perfect gnocchi and teach you different rolling techniques. Once you pair braised Italian sausage with the light ricotta gnocchi, you will be won over!
 

ZOOM – Saturday, September 27, 2025  9:00AM – 12:00PM
In just a few hours, you can learn enough secrets of the trade to give you years of musical enjoyment.  Learn to play piano the way professionals do-using chords. The chord method is LOTS of fun and dramatically easier to learn than reading notes.   Fee includes the online book, online recorded follow up lessons, a recording of the class and also an optional live periodic question and answer session.   Class is held online using zoom and is partly hands on instruction and partly lecture demonstration.  Ages 13+

ZOOM: Saturday, September 27, 2025  1:00PM – 3:30PM
In just a few hours you can learn enough about playing the guitar to give you years of musical enjoyment, and you won't have
to take private lessons to do it. This crash course will teach you some basic chords and get you playing along with your
favorite songs right away. Fee includes the online book, online recorded follow up lessons, a recording of the class and also
an optional live periodic question and answer session. Class is held online using zoom and is partly hands on instruction and
partly lecture/demonstration. For ages 13+.

Friday, October 3, 2025 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm   Council Bluffs Campus – Student Center 
In this course you will learn, first hand, how to prepare a Neapolitan pizza. The secret of this world known Pizza Style is in the dough. You will learn how to prepare a perfect dough that is crunchy and airy. You will make homemade Pizza Sauce, and taste different pizzas. By the end of the class, you'll take home pizza dough ready for a second rise, along with your leftover pizza and calzone (if there are any!) and recipes to impress your family and friends.
Menu • Pepperoni Pizza • Caprese Pizza • Calzone with Ricotta filling
 

This class will be on Sat. Oct. 4, 2025, 10 AM – 1 PM at the Council Bluffs Campus, Looft Hall. Explore the methods and benefits of dehydrating food to extend its shelf life and maintain nutritional value. Topics include selecting the right foods for dehydration, equipment options, and tips for storing and using dehydrated foods in daily meals.

Class will be Tuesday, October 7, 2025 – 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Council Bluffs Campus 
Discover the techniques and tools needed to harvest, process, and clean native seeds for restoration projects. This hands-on course covers best practices for collecting seeds, ensuring quality through proper processing, and preparing them for planting or storage. Perfect for anyone interested in conservation or land restoration efforts.

Friday, October 10, 2025 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm   Council Bluffs Campus – Student Center 
Immerse yourself in the culinary delights of France and explore the art of making crêpes, beloved both as a street food and a sophisticated plated dish.
Crêpes offer a delightful versatility, catering to both sweet and savory palates. In this hands-on class, Chef Tasos will guide you through the process of crafting classic crêpe batters, unveiling his expert techniques for achieving a smooth, silky consistency every time.
You will have the opportunity to create the world-renowned Crêpe Suzette, an exquisite make-ahead dessert perfect for entertaining, as well as another sweet crêpe and several savory options. Prepare to be captivated by the enchanting world of crêpe making!
Menu • Mushroom Béchamel Crêpes • Turkey Pesto Crêpes • Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Crêpes • Crêpe Suzettes
 

October 12th, 2025  8am-2pm 
This continuing education course is designed for licensed cosmetologists looking to refine their skills, stay updated on industry trends, and meet licensure renewal requirements. Participants will explore advanced techniques, products innovations, and business strategies to elevate their professional practice while fostering creativity and client satisfaction. 
This course will be 2 hours of Iowa Law and 4 hours of continuing education. 

Friday, October 17, 2025 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm   Council Bluffs Campus – Student Center 
Celebrate Oktoberfest with an evening of German-inspired comfort food. In this hands-on class, you'll learn to make festive dishes perfect for fall gatherings. The instructor will also share optional beer pairing ideas to enjoy at home.
Menu – Skillet Beer cheese with Soft Pretzel Bites • Brats, Sauerkraut and Potato Bake • German Chocolate Truffles

This class will be held on Fri. Oct. 17, 2025, 6 PM-9PM, at Council Bluffs Campus, Looft Hall. Learn the essentials of canning food using water bath methods. This class will cover safety guidelines, required equipment, and step-by-step instructions to preserve your garden harvests effectively.

Saturday, October 18, 2025 – 9:00 am – 11:00 am. Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall ground floor Lobby 
Join us for a hands-on Native Plant class at Iowa Western Community College! This class will introduce you to the beauty and benefits of native plants as you help beautify our campus. Under the guidance of experienced instructor Lance, you'll learn about the various native species that thrive in our region and how to properly plant and care for them. All supplies will be provided, so come ready to get your hands dirty and contribute to a sustainable landscape. Whether you're a beginner or have gardening experience, this class is perfect for anyone interested in creating an eco-friendly environment.

This class will be held on Sat. Oct. 18, 2025, 10 AM-1 PM at the Council Bluffs Campus. Learn the essentials of canning food using both pressure and water bath methods. This class will cover safety guidelines, required equipment, and step-by-step instructions to preserve your garden harvests effectively.

Friday, October 24, 2025 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Council Bluffs Campus – Student Center 
There's nothing like fresh-baked bread, and it’s even better when it’s homemade! Chef Tasos will walk you through the process of making focaccia and Naan Bread; flavorful breads that are easy to make and endlessly versatile. The focaccia is pillowy soft on the inside, and crispy on the outside. You won’t be able to stop eating it. Perfectly soft and chewy, this homemade Naan Bread recipe comes together quickly and easily. 
Menu • Focaccia • Tomato | Cheese | Herbs • Olive | Rosemary • Naan Bread

Class will be Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall 
Learn the foundational skills and strategies needed to start and manage a successful business. This course covers essential topics such as creating a business plan, understanding finances, marketing your services, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. Ideal for aspiring business owners or those looking to strengthen their business knowledge.