Lake Michigan College’s Bertrand Crossing Campus is offering several Community Education classes this fall, including the legal perspective of starting a small business, a Niles architectural bus tour, raptors, computer basics and understanding property taxes. The following is a sampling of classes offered. The full schedule of classes at all LMC campuses is available at www.lakemichigancollege.edu/ce.

Small Business 101
This free class is for people interested in starting their own business, but who are uncertain about the legal requirements or what type of business entity to select. Join Buchanan attorney Michael Bell of Kotz, Sangster, Wysocki, and Berg, P.C. for a discussion on selecting the appropriate business entity, proper corporate/company maintenance, and operational best practices from a legal prospective.
Small Business 101 will be held Saturday, Oct. 1 from 9 to 11 a.m. in room 109. It is free.

Niles Architectural Heritage: A Bus Tour
There is an example of most kinds of architectural design in homes and businesses built from the 1830s to 1920s dotted throughout the town of Niles. Their artistic grace and engineering ingenuity stand strong today. This bus tour departs Bertrand Crossing and weaves through Niles and environs, lead by Mickey Spencer, architectural historian and educator. This program is presented jointly by Lake Michigan College Bertrand Crossing, Fort St. Joseph Museum, and the Niles District Library
The tour will be held Saturday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bertrand Crossing Campus with a break for lunch at The Paris Soda Shop (not included in price). Cost is $30.

Rappin’ About Raptors
Raptors—or birds of prey—hold a contradictory position in the human mind because humans don’t quite know what to make of them. In this class, we will address five types of raptors that regularly appear in Berrien County: eagles, hawks, falcons, harrier, and osprey.  We will discuss the general characteristics held by all raptors and examine specific characteristics unique to each species.  A review of basic identification techniques, plumage, flight patterns, and habitat preferences will further aid in the student’s ability to accurately identify birds out in the field.
Rappin’ About Raptors will be held Saturday, Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to noon in room 109. It is free.

How to Turn on a Computer and Make it do Something
Learn the basics about computers, including opening a document and saving it, leaping onto the World Wide Web, and how to email. Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint will also be introduced.
This class will be held Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9 to 11 a.m. in room 102. It is free.

Berrien County Government and You: Understanding Your Property Taxes
Once or twice a year property owners in Berrien County receive a bill for their property taxes. Most pay them without really understanding how they are calculated. Join Gordon Schreiber of the Berrien County Equalization Department and Barb Cheek, Lincoln Township assessor, for a discussion about how property values and taxes are calculated, what is a homestead exemption and why it is important, what’s the difference between assessed value and taxable value, what tax equalization is all about, how to appeal your property tax bill, and other issues relating to your property taxes.
This class will be held Saturday, Oct. 22 from 9 to 11 a.m. in room 109. It is free.
For more information, visit www.lakemichigancollege.edu/ce. Pre-registration is required. Those interested in registering can contact Kam Chancellor at (800) 252-1562 ext. 2991. Bertrand Crossing Campus, 1905 Foundation Drive, Niles