Summer School Is in Session in Newport

School's out for the kiddies, but for us adults summer school fun has just begun. There are a host of summer classes available in Newport Beach. And don't worry, the teachers are cool. They're not handing out failing grades, and I'm pretty sure you won't get sent to the principal's office for wearing too short a skirt. 

Gastronomy: hosts seasonal cooking classes. Summer classes will be held Aug. 15 and Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m. The class includes a four-course dinner with champagne for $65. Chef Tila will share some of the secret techniques that he employs for his award-winning recipes. For summer, the menu is bursting with thai flavors: hot Thai basil beef, chicken curry, crispy rice noodles and hot and sour chicken soup. 

Williams -Sonoma in Newport Coast's Crystal Cove Center offers free technique classes on Sunday mornings. Not only do the WS chefs teach you culinary secrets using top products, but you get to taste the finished product. Classes run about two hours and students get recipes to take home. Upcoming classes include homemade ice cream and meals. 

Maritime Science: Aye Aye, Matey! Now you too can channel your inner Jack Sparrow and take a sailing class at Newport Beach Sailing School. This school has classes where students can get ASA certified. Other fun courses include basic coastal cruising for couples, basic keelboat for the whole family, and individual classes in bareboat charter and coastal navigation. All the sailboats are newer vessels, 33 to 38 feet. 

Botany: is like Disneyland for green thumbs. Its floral wonderland will give Alice's talking flowers a run for their money. Each month, Roger's Gardens offers many gardening classes for the beginner and novice gardener. My edible garden is a free class each month that in the past has taught the care of strawberries and tomatoes. Other classes include how to attract birds to your garden and an indoor orchid gardening workshop. 

Oceanography: Not going to the Bahamas or the Cayman Islands this summer? You can still take lessons in scuba diving. At Beach Cities Scuba in Newport you can take an open water diver group class for two weekends and learn all the basics you need to flipper your way under the sea. Other classes include night diver, emergency first response and deep diver. Mermaids not included. 

Dance: Believe it or not, the country line dance is the new "it" dance. Many bars around the O.C. host country nights and you are going to want to know how to get your two-step on. Through the City of Newport Beach, you can sign up through July 24 for only $45 (residents).  Four-one hour classes on Monday evenings. 

Physical Education: You have to take at least one surf lesson in your lifetime, it's practically mandatory if you live in Newport. The Newport Surf School teaches private and semi-private classes with no more than 10 students. The four-lesson curriculum delivers proven methods to get you standing on the board and feeling confident.  The school has been around for 25 years and is endorsed by the .