WOSTEP ANNOUNCES EXPANDED SCHEDULE

The Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program in NeuchÉtel, Switzerland, has announced an expanded schedule of classes for the rest of 1995 and 1996.

“Refresher Course” is aimed at experienced watchmakers who wish to increase their knowledge. It includes visits to factories, watch institutions and museums. The 20-week course will be offered twice next year, from February through June and from July through November.

“Complicated Watches” is open to students who achieved an above-average rating in the “Refresher Course.” The course concentrates on practical work and includes restoring about 20 high-quality timepieces such as perpetual calendars, repeaters, marine chronometers and antique chronographs. The 20-week course will be offered twice next year, from January through May and from August through November.

“Turning Course,” being offered for the first time, will teach watchmakers about the tools and techniques of making new parts so they can restore antique timepieces. The 10-week course begins this October and again in January and April 1996.

“Train-the-Trainer” is designed to teach watchmakers how to instruct others. The course will be held this Oct. 9-12.

WOSTEP also offers tailor-made courses on its premises or elsewhere. Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program, P.O. Box 118, 2006 NeuchÉtel, Switzerland; (41-38) 30 48 30; fax (41-38) 30 35 89.

BROOKFIELD CENTER PLANS WORKSHOPS

The Brookfield Craft Center in western Connecticut has announced its fall schedule of weekly classes and weekend workshops.

Courses that may be of interest to jewelers are: “Jewelrymaking,” which will meet one day or evening a week for eight weeks beginning Sept. 12; “Jewelry Repair,” Sept. 9-10; “Designing Studios and Workshops,” Sept. 23-24; “Hollowware,” Oct. 7-8; “Ceramic Jewelry,” Oct. 14-15; and “Beaded Bracelets,” Oct. 28-29.

The center, which was established in 1954 to promote and preserve the skills and values of fine craftsmanship, also is accepting applications for its 19th annual Holiday Craft Exhibition and Sale, scheduled for Nov. 17 to Dec. 24. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 1. Functional and decorative handwork by U.S. artists will be considered.

Brookfield Craft Center, P.O. Box 122, Route 25, Brookfield, Conn. 06804; (203) 775-4526, fax (203) 740-7815.

GIA TO SAVE $1.6 MILLION WITH LOAN GUARANTEE

The Gemological Institute of America will save nearly $1.6 million thanks to a “Connie Lee” guarantee on certificates issued to finance its new educational campus and research facility in Carlsbad, Cal.

Connie Lee is the name given to guarantees by the College Construction Loan Insurance Association, Washington, D.C. It is a public-private partnership authorized by Congress that guarantees payment of principal and interest to bondholders on financings issued for capital improvements at colleges, universities and teaching hospitals. All bonds insured by Connie Lee receive the AAA top rating.

The guarantee helped to generate strong institutional investor demand for GIA’s $30 million financing initiative for the project, says Oliver R. Sockwell, president and chief executive officer of Connie Lee.

GIA will use the proceeds to acquire, build and equip the first phase of the new campus on 18 acres of undeveloped land. The initial phase will occupy 230,000 sq. ft. and will include classrooms, library, conference center, gemological laboratories, administrative offices and parking area (see “GIA Breaks Ground for New Headquarters,” JCK, July 1995, page 24.)

CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON FAMILY BUSINESS

“Family Business: Gateway to the Future” is the theme of the 1995 Family Firm Institute Conference. The conference will be held Oct. 11-14 in the Adam’s Mark Hotel in St. Louis, Mo.

The scheduled workshops on Oct. 11 are “Open Spaces/Inner Places: Growing at the Edge,” “Consulting to Family Business: A Primer,” “How Gender Issues Impact Your Bottom Line” and “Philanthropy and Family Dynamics.”

The remainder of the conference will follow in seven tracks: business issues, education, family relationships, global business, multiracial/multiethnic family-owned business issues, practice management and wealth management.

For fees and to register, contact the Family Firm Institute, 12 Harris St., Brookline, Mass. 02146; (617) 738-1591.

ISA ANNOUNCES FALL SCHEDULE

The International Society of Appraisers has announced its fall schedule of classes. The courses are scheduled for Aug. 12-20 in Houston, Tex.; Sept. 6-14 in Lyndhurst, N.J.; and Oct. 7-15 in Los Angeles, Cal.

The courses are geared toward appraisers and dealers in the gems and jewelry fields, as well as other personal property. Topics will include professional standards of methodology and report writing for insurance, divorce, estate tax, damage claims and charitable contributions. Teachers also will address legal issues and the latest federal regulations governing appraisers.

The courses form a core curriculum leading to the designation of ISA Accredited Appraiser and, ultimately, ISA Certified Appraiser of Personal Property. Enrollment is open to members and non-members, but class size is limited.

International Society of Appraisers, 16040 Christensen Rd., Suite 320, Seattle, Wash. 98188-2929; (206) 241-0359, fax (206) 241-0436.