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Conversational Chinese, a certified pool operator course, watercolor painting, oral history and a QuickBooks crash course.

One by one, Mary Morris listed some of next semester's course offerings at Colorado Northwestern Community College.

"I could go on forever," she said.

Classes in her list varied from foreign languages and art to industry training and programs tailored specifically to Moffat County senior citizens.

Pre-registration for the spring 2009 semester begins next week. Prospective students can drop by the CNCC Bell Tower Building, 50 College Drive from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Registration will not be taken Thanksgiving Day.

Holding registration during the holiday week allows students the chance to register during a period in which they may have more time to do so, said Christine Mixon, CNCC Craig campus receptionist.

And, if students wishing to register walk through the door at 5 p.m. on those dates, they won't be turned away.

"We have that open door policy," Mixon said. "If they're coming through the door, we're going to be here to assist them in every possible way."

Other registration opportunities are scheduled before classes start Jan. 12. Prospective students can register from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 7 and 8 at the college. They also can register Jan. 9 after meeting with an adviser. No appointments are necessary.

Final registration dates are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 13 and 14 at the college. The latter date is the latest students can register for semester-length classes for the 2009 spring semester.

Moffat County CNCC students stand to save 75 percent on their tuition costs for credit-bearing classes, Morris said.

To receive the discount, students must register with the College Opportunity Fund at www.CollegeInColorado.org.

In addition to offering semester-length courses, CNCC also has several shorter courses lined up for next spring, including an oral history class that teaches students how to "capture oral histories of local residents," Morris said.

Another short course, QuickBooks-Basic Applications, is scheduled for next semester, which teaches students the basic skills required for using the business financial software.

Students don't have to take classes at the Craig campus to receive credit. The college offers online classes in fields ranging from criminal justice to sociology at www.ccconline.org.

For more information about spring 2009 registration at CNCC's Craig campus, call 824-1101.