When gifted and talented teacher Jane Voxland discovered the art of Feng Shui, she knew for sure what she was meant to do in life.

“In my soul is a teacher — it doesn’t matter what I teach,” she said.

The Owatonna resident will be hosting “Basics of Feng Shui,” a class made available through Austin Community Education (ACE).

Voxland, a certified Feng Shui consultant, explains that she became interested in the art while she was “getting rid of stuff.”

“Through that process the term ‘Feng Shui’ just kept coming up,” she said. “Feng Shui is a Chinese art of putting things in your environment to get the best energy flow you can with intention.”

Feng Shui is a versatile means of arranging or removing things or using color to create a sanctuary in your living space. Voxland is specialized in Black Sect Feng Shui, a Westernized version that focuses on your front door.

“When you come home, it’s going to be a space where it feels good to you,” Voxland said. “Sometimes it’s taking things away.

“It’s as simple or difficult as you choose to make it,” she said.

From Feng Shui to “Adventures in Parenting,” there is no shortage of fun, educational opportunities for anyone looking to cure boredom or learn something new through ACE.

ACE, part of the Austin Public School District and located in the Austin Community Learning Center, has released its fall schedule of classes, trips and workshops available to the public.

Terry Wermager, the new education coordinator for ACE, said some previously successful classes will again be offered this year, including “Basic Conversational Spanish,” “Basics of Feng Shui” and “Writing Seminar.”

The Spanish class has been “continuously full” in the past, she said. Instructor Kristi Beckman will teach basic conversational skills and phrases in the course, held from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 7-28.

Wermager also highly recommends “Writing 101 — Concept to Submission,” a fiction and non-fiction skills class with Sue Bergsieker, and “Writing Seminar,” where Jean Tennant explains how to find a publisher and develop a manuscript.

“We offer something for every single person, from birth to writing your will,” Wermager said.

Joel Karsten, an eBay instructor based in Roseville, Minn., will again teach “eBay Basics” from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.

“That’s awesome,” Wermager said. “Everyone wants to buy and sell on eBay.”

Community Education classes range in price from free (a tour of Worlein Funeral Home), to $68 (a trip to see a production of “Church Basement Ladies II” and a buffet lunch). Many classes offered are less than $10; some are held one evening only, and others will be held for several consecutive weeks.

“We’re always looking for new ideas,” Wermager said, adding, “We’re always looking for instructors.

“People always say there’s nothing to do,” she said. “It gets you out of the house.”

For more information about Austin Community Education or for a brochure, call 433-0900 or visit www.austin.k12.mn.us. and click on “Schools” and then “Community Education.”