Budding chefs: Students from Chifley College's year 10 took some MasterChef style lessons as part of Panthers on the Prowl at Penrith's Outback Steakhouse last week. They pitted their cooking skills against Panthers player star Michael Jennings. Panthers on the Prowl works with schools to encourage students having problems coping with school work. Panthers players act as mentors while students participate in classes during school time, but in a less formal atmosphere. "It gives them an opportunity to see and experience things outside the normal school structures," Panthers on the Prowl teacher Graham Collins said. "The competition at Outback Steakhouse is to increase their understanding of what's around; to offer them possible paths to employment." Jennings said the Panthers had been involved in the cooking program for several years.
Budding chefs: Students from Chifley College's year 10 took some MasterChef style lessons as part of Panthers on the Prowl at Penrith's Outback Steakhouse last week. They pitted their cooking skills against Panthers player star Michael Jennings. Panthers on the Prowl works with schools to encourage students having problems coping with school work. Panthers players act as mentors while students participate in classes during school time, but in a less formal atmosphere. "It gives them an opportunity to see and experience things outside the normal school structures," Panthers on the Prowl teacher Graham Collins said. "The competition at Outback Steakhouse is to increase their understanding of what's around; to offer them possible paths to employment." Jennings said the Panthers had been involved in the cooking program for several years.
■ Market: Ropes Crossing, Village Green, fresh food, gifts, barbecue, vintage machinery display, Sunday September 30, 9am-2pm.
■St Marys View Club: Meets fourth Wednesday of each month, St Marys RSL. Fun and friendship for women of all ages.
Details: Judith, 8807 7702.
■South Creek (St Marys) Probus Club: Are You Looking for an active retirement? Do you enjoy outings? Come to one of our meetings on the third Wednesday of the month, 10.30am, St Marys RSL, Mamre Road.
Contact: Gary 0414 468 773.
■ Free Beginners Computer Class: Learn the basics of internet, email and Windows from Thursday, July 19, 9am-noon. Autumnleaf Neighbourhood Centre (corner Autumnleaf Parade and Timesweep Drive, St Clair). Bookings are essential.
Details: 9834 2708.
■Zumba: New classes Autumnleaf Neighbourhood Centre (corner Autumnleaf Parade and Timesweep Drive, St Clair) each Thursday, 1.30pm-2.30pm.
Details: 9834 2708 or email kimcarter@scynt.org.au
■The Learning Lounge: Free service that provides homework help and educational support for young people in years 7 to 12. Tuesday afternoons throughout the school term, 3.15pm-5.15pm, St Clair Youth Centre, 97A Cook Parade.
Details: Jessica, 9837 2708 or jessicadry@scynt.org.au
■Rooty Hill and District Seniors Computing Club: Classes for beginners, advanced and internet. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Details: Margaret, 9864 6528
■ Mt Druitt Commuters Improvement Group: Making a difference on transport services and infrastructure in the Mt Druitt area. Meetings every third Saturday of the month, 10.30am-12.30pm, West Tradies meeting room, 247 Woodstock Avenue, Dharruk.
Details: Angie, 9835 1408.
■Mt Druitt Probus Club: For retirees with active minds, meets third Wednesday of each month, 10.30am, Rooty Hill RSL.
Details: Tony 0412 416 727 or Les 9625 9072.
■St Clair Youth and Neighbourhood Centre: Mondays: Patchwork Classes 1pm-3.30pm, $10 a class. Tuesdays: Gentle Exercise class for over-40s, 11am-noon, $5 a class. Tuesdays (fortnightly): Fab 40s Women's Social Group, $2 a week, 12.30am-2.30pm. Wednesday: Heartmoves Gentle Exercise Class for over 40s, 10.30-11.30am, $5 a class. Wednesdays: ESL tutoring for adults 9.30-10.30am, free. Thursdays: Kids' Arcade, St Clair Youth Centre, 8-12yrs, $3 A child, 3.30pm-5pm.
Details: 9834 2708.
■Erskine Park Community Centre: Tuesdays: Yoga for beginners, 10am-11.30am, $6 a class. Wednesdays: Seniors Social Group, 11am-2pm, $7/meeting. Fridays: Sewing group, 10am-12.30pm, $12 a class. Fridays: (in school terms) Youth Drop, 57 Peppertree Drive, Erskine Park 3-5pm, ages 12-17, free.
Details: 9834 2708.
■St Clair Youth and Neighbourhood Centre: JP services Monday-Thursday 9am-2pm, Autumnleaf Neighbourhood Centre.
■St Clair Youth Centre Drop: Monday and Wednesday (in school terms), 97A Cook Parade, St Clair, 3pm-6pm, free.
■Kids Arcade: Thursdays, St Clair Youth Centre, 8 to 12 years, games, craft, $3 a child, 3.30pm-5pm.
Details: 9834 2708.
■Harvest Hub: Choose your veggie bag size ($20, $30 or $40) then pick it up from Autumnleaf Neighbourhood Centre, 3pm-5pm Tuesdays.
Details: 9834 2708.
■Crochet club: Wednesdays 10am-noon. $5 includes morning tea. Social morning for knitters or crocheters.
Details: Creative Spirit Centre Minchinbury creativespiritcentre.com.au
■Cording or spinning classes: Thursdays 10.30am fortnightly, $5.
Details: Creative Spirit Centre Minchinbury creativespiritcentre.com.au
■Card making: Fridays, 10am-noon. $5.
Details: Creative Spirit Centre Minchinbury creativespiritcentre.com.au
■Tie dying: By appointment.
Details: Creative Spirit Centre Minchinbury creativespiritcentre.com.au
■Whalan community action group classes: Mondays: furniture restoration, 9am, Heart Moves, 11.30am. Thursdays: woodworking, 9am, craft and laughs, 9am, kinda dance classes 9.30am, Tai Chi, noon. All sessions and classes $5 at former Whalan High School, M block, Mimica Avenue, Whalan.
Details: Graham, 9677 9503.
■Computing for Seniors: Penrith Valley Seniors Computing Club, Penrith Seniors Centre, 86 Station Street. Beginners, Microsoft Office, Vista, Windows 7, Windows Movie Maker and more.
Details: George, 0408 606 473 or Alan, 4736 5541.
■Markets: Dean Park, June, September and December.
Details: Karen, 9626 5128.
■Social Club: TNC Inc is a recreation service for people with a mild to moderate intellectual disability.
Details: 9671 7217.
■The Penrith City National Servicemen's Association: Meets third Sunday of each month at 10.30am, Penrith RSL Club.
Details: John Taylor, 9864 6967.
■ Mt Druitt Probus Club: For retirees with active minds, meets third Wednesday of each month at 10.30.am Rooty Hill RSL. Outings and speakers.
Details: Tony, 0412 416 27 or Les, 9625 9072.
■St Marys Area Community Development Project: Women's Purse Group, open to all women looking for social activities. St Marys Corner, Arts and Crafts Studio. Entrance via Swanston Street, St Marys. Meet Mondays during school term, 10am-noon. Cost $3 a week.
Details: Lisa, 9673 2169.
■Mt Druitt Probus Club: For retirees with active minds and bodies. Meets third Wednesday of each month at Rooty Hill RSL, 10.30am.
Details: Tony, 0412 416 727 or Gerri, 9625 0175.
■HPSOP: The Health Promotion Service for Older People is looking for volunteers 50 years and older from any languages to talk about health to groups of older people.
Details: Habib or Barbara, 9281 3588, 1800 451 488 or email health@cpsa.org.au
■Learning Circles: For women who have "parenting alone" in common. You might be a single mum or have a partner but feel that you parent alone. If you are ready to go to work or just starting to think about it this is a good place to start.
Details: Georgie, 9677 1962.
■South Creek (St Marys) Probus Club: Are you looking for an active retirement? Like listening to guest speakers? Do you enjoy outings? Come along to one of our meetings held on the third Wednesday of the month 10.30am at St Marys RSL, Mamre Road.
Contact: Gary, 0414 468 773.
■ Al-Anon Meeting: Al-Anon groups provide support and understanding for families affected by alcoholism. Community Connection, 114-116 Henry Street, first floor, Mondays, noon. Details: 4736 4504.
■ Solo A Circle Of Friends: For 55s and over who enjoy social interaction through monthly meetings and outings.
Details: Send self-addressed envelope to Secretary, PO Box 7557, South Penrith 2750.
■Penrith City Garden Club: Meets third Monday of each month, 7.30pm, Jamison Room, Nepean Shores, Penrith. All welcome.
Details: Heather, 0408 365 002.
■ Cuppa Club: Activities for seniors. St Marys Uniting Church, 49 Brisbane Street, St Marys, Mondays, 9.30am-noon, includes morning tea. Meet people and make new friends.
Details: Daphne, 4735 2746.
■Art Class: Learn skills in drawing and painting. Cost $10. Erskine Park Community Centre, 57 Peppertree Drive, Erskine Park. 6.30-8.30pm.
Details: Kim Carter, 9834 2708 or kimcarter@scynt.org.au.
■Seniors Train Travellers: Group for 55s and over. Enjoy social interaction, guest speakers and outings.
Details: Send stamped self-addressed envelope to Group Leader, PO Box 7521 South Penrith, NSW 2750. Include name, address and telephone number.
■ Ladies' Friendship Group: If you enjoy quilting, embroidery, knitting, handicraft or just want some laughs come along to North St Marys Neighbourhood Centre, North St Marys, on Wednesdays,10am-2pm.
Details: Pauline, 9835 6894 or Gaye, 9625 7645.
■Penrith and District Philatelic Society: Meets first Thursday of each month, 8pm, CWA Rooms, Tindale Street, Penrith.
Details: kruger.uwe@gmail.com.
■Overeaters Anonymous: Meets St Marys, Thursday, 7pm-8.30pm.
Details: 0418 484 382 or www.oasydney.org
■Washin-Kan Karate: Karate classes, Colyton Public School, Monday and Wednesday nights, 6.30pm-8pm. During school terms.
Details: Bruce Bentley, 0406 907 637.