Probably because of Valentine's Day, February is often referred to as the "Month of Love."

Flowers, candy or a romantic meal often come to mind as we show that special someone how much we care about them. Many of us rarely think to do something special for ourselves.

Treat yourself this February and take a class through Continuing Education at Sandhills Community College.

Maybe you'll choose to learn a new language or new cuisine, learn to dance salsa and merengue or look into a new drawing technique.

Did you receive a computer or electronic tablet for Christmas and still have questions about operating it? Or maybe there are computer programs you wish to master, or learn to use your digital camera. You will love the way we can assist you.

Or maybe you would like to give the gift of learning to a loved one this Valentine's Day. Purchase a gift certificate for all classes taught in Continuing Education.

Tina Maisano, a Chinese native, will begin a four-part series of Chinese cooking classes that begin on Valentine's Day. Maisano will teach the secrets of stir-fry cooking in the Russell Dining Hall demonstration kitchen in Little Hall.

Chinese-Intermediate Conversation and Spanish-Intermediate Conversation begin in February.

The title of the course may sound frightful and better suited for October, "Deconstructing the Face," but it is not what may first come to mind. This new course teaches a drawing method used by artists that utilizes the grid. It begins on Valentine's Day and runs through mid-March.

Hot and spicy dances can heat up your "Month of Love." An introduction to salsa and merengue dance class will begin in early February.

February will see several computer classes begin. Using Windows XP Level I, Windows 7 Level I and II, Computers in the Medical Office, Migrating your Old Desktop to a new PC, Using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint 2010, Quickbooks Level 1, Mac Apps with Lion, Going Further with your iPad, Networking Fundamentals, and Google Docs will all begin in February.

Digital photography classes are in high demand. SCC will begin in February: Digital Photography, Getting to Know your Camera in a Day (non DLSR), Getting to Know Your SLR Camera, Getting to Know Your Canon EOS DSLR in a Day, Getting to Know Your Digital Camera and Beyond, and Getting to Know Your Digital Camera Review. And to help organize photos, Picasa 3 will begin in February.

Center for Creative Retirement classes during February include Financial Decision Making for Women, Breathing as a Bridge to Good Health, Mind Body Connection: Is it All in My Head?, Chinese Astrology: A Fun Introduction, Introduction to the Natural History of the Sandhills and Contemporary Japanese Art.

These are free to those 65 and older. Those younger than 65 are welcome to take the Center for Creative Retirement classes for a nominal fee.

The dates, times, cost, instructor, class locations and course descriptions for all Continuing Education classes can be found on the college's website or in the print schedule mailed to all households in December. If textbooks are required, they are available in the Logan Bookstore located in the Dempsey Student Center.

Walk-in registration is at the Continuing Education office located on the first floor of Van Dusen Hall during scheduled hours of operation.

Phone-in registration at (910) 695-3980 requires payment with Visa, MasterCard or Discover.