[Laneco]

Our local college used to have a series of classes called "Moving On" that were designed to help women gain life skills (usually after a divorce) to help them cope with being on their own. Think about women you know who are 40, never had a job, a checking account, can't write a check, never looked under the hood of a car, never signed a rental agreement, etc.

I got to teach some automobile basics. I only got one afternoon per quarter, but we would get through the dash lights, changing light bulbs, how to safely jump start a car, how to change a tire safely, checking fluids and under hood safety, followed by changing your own oil. Usually had two or three students bring their cars in with oil and filter. We would change them together.

If you know what the lights on the dash mean, you can jump start a car, change the oil and know what to look for with "problems" under the hood such as leaks/worn/frayed belts, and can change a tire, you can prevent most service calls.

I loved teaching it and the college liked having me do the class. They said that the women would listen and learn from me. Plus I made everyone go "hands on." No one is going to this for you, you can and WILL do this yourself. Failed grade was refusing to try.

angela