By Sally Deering
 Winter has arrived and that means spending more time at home, but if you find yourself burning up with cabin fever, then why not lace up your boots, brave that cold and take a class.
Here in Hudson, several towns offer classes and workshops in painting, photography, tennis, ice skating, even beer-making. Here’s a sampling to stimulate your mind and soul during these next few months of frigid temps. Enjoy!
PAINT & PHOTOGRAPH
Take classes in drawing, oil painting and photography at JC Art School
1 McWilliams Pl, JC
(201) 721-6185
It’s never too late to express yourself with paint, brush and canvas; or to learn to take better photos. JC Art School offers classes in January and February that include beginner and intermediate drawing and oil painting; beginner acrylic painting; experimental figure drawing; and digital photography.
GET SMART
Take a class at Hudson County Community College
70 Sip Ave, JC
(201) 714-7100
HCCC offers more than 300 daytime, evening and weekend credit and non-credit courses for every schedule and budget. Best of all, at HCCC, you can choose from more than 50 degree and certificate programs, including culinary and nursing programs. Next class session begins Jan 29.
PAINT WITHOUT NUMBERS
Adult art classes at Pershing Field Community Center
201 Central Avenue, JC
(201) 547-6886; www.cityofjerseycity.com
Pick up a brush and express yourself in these art classes open to beginners where you’ll learn the basics of acrylics on canvas. The program is free and open to adults 18 and older, as well as seniors.  Pre-registration for each six week session is required and registration is also on-going. Programs are on Thursdays, either from 12:30 – 4 pm; or 5 – 8:30 pm through June 4. Each six-week session of classes will focus on a different subject. Download the registration form on the website.
BALLS IN YOUR COURT
Free Tennis Lessons at Public School No. 8
96 Franklin St, JC
On Tues & Thurs, from 6 to 9 pm, through Feb. 26, Jersey City offers free tennis lessons. Registration is ongoing and on-site. Download the registration form on the website and bring it with you with comfortable clothes and shoes appropriate for the tennis court.
 LET IT GO, LET IT GO!
Ice skating classes at the Charlie Heger Ice Skating Rink at Pershing Field
201 Central Ave, JC
(201) 547-4392; www.cityofjerseycity.com
Through March 15, you can let it go at the Charlie Heger Ice Skating Rink. Get your ice skates out of the closet and check out the ice skating classes they offer. There are lessons for every level; and they rent skates, too. Don’t forget to wear warm clothes and enjoy a hot chocolate at the concession stand.
HEY YOU, BAKE A CAKE!
Cake baking & decorating at Carlo’s Bakery
631 Grove Street, JC
201-659-3671; www.carlosbakery.com
On Jan. 10 and 17, from 2-4 pm, cake decorators at Carlo’s Bakery in Jersey City will be holding cake-baking classes where in just two hours, wannabe bakers will learn to make the Cake Boss’s signature Groovy Girl cake from “Baking with the Cake Boss.†From kneading the fondant to stretching and smoothing it down over the cake, experienced decorators guide, assist, and answer questions.
SEE THE WORLD LIKE PICASSO
Adult painting and drawing at the Urban Arts at Monroe
720 Monroe St, Hoboken
(201) 222-5400; www.urbanartsnj.com
Urban Arts offers six-week sessions in adult painting and drawing where students work in the medium of their choice. It features an open studio format to provide students a relaxed environment; projects are facilitated by two instructors.
GO TO BREW SCHOOL
Learn how to make craft beer at the JC Brew Club
Learn everything you need to know about brewing. You can also socialize with other home brewers and attend cool events like the Home Brew Contest, and Brewnity on Feb. 22 at the Bell House in Brooklyn, where members of brew clubs and homebrew shops will gather. (For more info: www.brewnity.com.)
GOTTA DANCE!
Bienvenue Dance Center
720 Monroe St, 4th Fl., Hoboken
(201) 253-0012; www.bienvenueballroom.com
Kick up your heels and have some fun dancing tango, salsa and swing. Bienvenue Dance Center offers private and group ballroom and Latin dance lessons for all ages and levels. No experience necessary; no partner needed. And if you’re planning your wedding, you and your partner can take dance lessons for the special day. The beginner salsa class is held every Wed at 7:45 pm with a social practice party at 8:30 pm; and there’s an Open House every last Wed of the month.
