September 2011 Newsletter

Welcome, Ilene!

We are so pleased to have Ilene Hames join our team as our Operations Coordinator! Ilene was originally from San Jose, and is very happy to have returned to the city after 30 years in Nebraska. She has a background in data management and worked in Quality Improvement for a hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska for 27 years. We are already noticing her analytical mind busy at work, finding more efficient ways to do things and constantly seeking ways to improve what we do. These are great traits to have, especially if you are going to be in Operations!

You might think that someone who deals with logistics would be totally left-brained. Not true! Ilene is also a painter, photographer, budding book author, and avid gardener. In fact, she took the pictures of the squash in today’s newsletter and many of the pictures in our current schedule of classes. We consider ourselves to be very lucky to have her on board with her unusual combination of skills. And, to top it all off, she has a ready smile and fantastic customer service skills.

Life After Layoff = Learning After Layoff!

There IS Life After Layoff, and we’re here to help you learn new things, “re-invent” yourself if need be, and strengthen/acquire new job skills. Times are tough. Layoffs and unemployment have wreaked havoc in many of our lives and we want you to know that we have a program to support you.

A new job may require your needing new or stronger computer skills. Many employers look for candidates with at least intermediate-level Microsoft Office skills while others need people that are knowledgeable about databases, web design, or the Adobe Creative Suite. We provide all of these classes and more for you – at amazing discounts if you’re unemployed.

We are offering you any of our computer classes for only $75.00 per day!! All you need to do is submit a current EDD payment stub as proof that you are unemployed within one week of your scheduled class. Your registration will be confirmed on a space-available basis after receipt of your current proof of unemployment.

We trust that you will take advantage of this wonderful program and let us help you get back on your feet. Nothing would please us more.

A Side Benefit!

A popular side benefit to coming to us for computer classes – we’ve been sharing organic vegetables from our gardens and recipes that kept our students asking for more. Come on in for veggies … while our squash and tomato plants are still producing! Here’s Michelle’s popular recipe:

STUFFED ZUCCHINI RECIPE

4 medium zucchini (approximately 5 ounces each), rinsed and sliced in half, lengthwise
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped mushrooms
1/4 cup finely chopped celery or bell pepper
1 pound Italian sausage
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (or 1 Tbsp dried)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary (or ¼ tsp dried)
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or Romano, or a mixture of Italian cheeses)
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons pepper

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Scoop out the seeds and discard. Also scoop out some of the insides of the zucchini halves with a small spoon, leaving a little zucchini to form a “boat.” Chop the scooped zucchini and reserve, along with the cored boats.

Remove sausage from casings and break into small pieces. Cook in pan until lightly browned and then remove from pan. Add the onion, celery and/or bell pepper and cooked until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and scooped out zucchini and cook another 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Once the mixture has cooled, blend in the cheese, egg, butter, salt, pepper, basil, rosemary and sausage. Fill the cored zucchini with the mixture.

Place the filled zucchini halves in a pan and fill the pan with ¼ inch of water. Bake for 40 minutes, until golden brown. Test for doneness by inserting folk in zucchini shell to see if it is soft enough for your tastes. Remove the zucchini carefully from the pan to a warm platter. Serve with rice.

Makes 8 appetizer or side-dish servings; 4 main-dish servings.

Let us empower you and your employees to achieve success in your professional goals and increase your productivity with individual or group classes of the highest quality! Please call us at (408) 261-2600 or email us at info@ComputerMagicTraining.com.

Visit us at www.ComputerMagicTraining.com and www.BusinessMagicTraining.com for more information & on-line registration!