Reduce stress and increase flexibility this new year with a beginning Taoist Tai Chi Society taijiquan (tai chi) class, held at 1060 Bannock St. Each four-month course teaches 108 movements and basic angles. Health Recovery classes held weekly. Saturday classes (9:30-11a.m.) begin Jan. 3; Mondays (7:30-9p.m.) Jan. 5; and Wednesdays (7:30-9p.m.) Feb. 4. Visit www.colorado.usa.taoist.org or call 303-623-5163 for details.
Learn how to mind your own business in 2009 with Business Mondays at TACtile Arts Center, 7777 E. Hampden Ave.: Jan. 5, Do What You Love. Love What You Do – Getting Your Business Up and Running (6-8p.m.); 12, Toot Your Own Horn Without Blowing It, Marketing for Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners (1-3p.m.) and Write It Down or Kiss It Good-bye, Goal Setting and Your One-Page Business Plan (6-8p.m.); 19 & 26, How to Start Your Own Boutique (6-9p.m., two-part class). Other classes: Remaking Sweaters with Donna Christopher, Sat., Jan. 10, 1:30-4:30p.m. Call for course fees, details. Drop in to work on a project, get help, make friends and hang out at free Weekly Wednesdays, 5-8p.m. Different crafts and mentor each week: fashion sewing, beading, weaving/knitting, embroidery & needlecraft. Register at www.tactilearts.org, email info@tactilearts.org, or call 720-524-8886.
Explore the art of the Taos school in the Taos Traditions: Artists in an Enchanted Land symposium, Tues., Jan. 6, 9a.m.-5p.m., at the Denver Art Museum’s Sharp Auditorium of the Hamilton Building, 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., featuring prominent American art scholars, curators and gallery owners. The event complements In Contemporary Rhythm: The Art of Ernest L. Blumenschein, a founder of the Taos Society of Artists. Reservations recommended; admission ($55/$45 member/$15 student) includes lunch. Info: 720-913-0025.
Denver Christian High School and Calvin College are offering a free Web Seminar Series this month. Stop by Denver Christian, 2135 S. Pearl St., weekdays Jan. 7-27, 10:30-11:30a.m., for offerings like Living Downstream: Health and the Environment (Jan. 9); Africa, the West and the Fight Against AIDS (15th); and Powerful Faith: Evangelicals in American Culture (20th). For more information, visit www.denver-christian.org or www.calvin.edu/january, or call 303-757-8501.
Finish pottery or just watch in a free American Raku Workshop, Fri., Jan. 9, noon-4p.m., with Bob Smith, Robert LeDonne and Lorri Acott-Fowler. Smith is the regional leader in the American Raku technique, invented by Paul Soldner, whose works can be viewed at University of Denver’s Victoria H. Myhren Gallery, 2121 E. Asbury Ave., through Feb. 22. Held in the studios of the School of Art & Art History, space is limited, and participation in firing is limited to five potters – bring a glaze-ready piece no larger than 8×4 inches. Email galleryinfo@du.edu or call 303-871-2846 to register, whether firing or watching.
Discover new ways to create an ideal physical, emotional, mental and spiritual body through weight loss in A New Year – A New You, a seven-week workshop using hypnosis, meditation, nutrition and workouts, starting Sat., Jan. 10, 3:30-5p.m., 1776 S. Jackson St., facilitated by Wendy Berger, LPC. Info/registration: 303-394-4202.
Whether you’ve ever written a poem or practiced Hatha Yoga, you’re invited to The Poetry of Yoga workshop, Sat., Jan. 10, 2-4:30p.m., at the eventgallery 910, 910 Santa Fe Dr. Led by yoga instructor, published poet and performance artist Roseanna Frechette, cost is $30 ($25 if registered by Jan. 8). For more details visit www.gallery910arts.com or call 303-815-1779.
Potter Shelley Schreiber shares wheel throwing in Demo and Dialogue, a live art demonstration/discussion, Sat., Jan. 10, 1-3p.m., at the Art Students League of Denver, 200 Grant St. This monthly event showcases faculty artists at work. $7/$5 members. ASLD provides beginning to advanced instruction for adults, children and teens in drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics and fiber art. Pre-registration required for all classes/events: www.asld.org, 303-778-6990.
Georgia Amar offers her 30 years of art experience to all artists, from newcomer to those ready for the next step, with classes in the intimate setting of her Habitat Gallery and Studio, 828 Santa Fe Dr., in the heart of Denver’s ArtDistrict on Santa Fe. All ages painting classes held six consecutive Saturdays, 10a.m.-4p.m., starting Jan. 10. Cost ($300) includes gourmet style lunch made on premises with student participation. Info: 303-534-9740 or www.habitatgallery.com.
Schlessman Family Branch Library, 100 Poplar St., offers free classes and activities for adults every week: Ebooks, Audio Ebooks & Eflicks (Mon., Jan. 12, 6-7p.m.); Be a Library Volunteer! (Thur., 15, 3-4p.m.); Travel Tales – Disappearing Destinations (Tues., 20, 2-3p.m.); Starting a Small Business (Wed., 21, noon-1p.m.); Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (Thur., 22, 3-4p.m.); Knitting For Our Troops Marathon (Sat., 24, 9a.m.-4p.m.);Get Ready to Read (Sun., 25, 2-3p.m.); The Savvy Book Club (Thur., 29, 3-4p.m.); Magazines Online (Thur., Feb. 5, 3-4p.m.); Love Your Car! (Sat., 7, 2-3p.m.) Full descriptions: www.denverlibrary.org/calendar. Volunteer docents available (by appointment) to help set up email accounts, search the library’s catalog and use other Web resources. Info: 720-865-0000. (Closed Mon., Jan. 19, for Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday.)
Come premeditate with us! Community Meditations on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month (Jan. 12 & 26) at 7p.m., 854 Pearl St. Beginners welcome. Yoga for children is offered during the childcare program. Also, Free Yoga every Sunday (except fifth) at 10:10a.m., at Washington Street Community Center, 809 S. Washington St. Beginners welcome! Call MJ at 303-433-6280 for info.
Create a conscious foundation for a better life in Fear Proof ‘09: Keys to Health, Wealth and Happiness, a free, introductory, experiential class, Tues., Jan. 13, 7-8:30p.m., at The Energie Center & Hypnotherapy for Women’s Wellness, 2236 S. Albion St. The Center offers other free monthly classes to promote wellness throughout the year. Space is limited; call Jennifer Welch at 303-393-1062 to reserve space.
Examine the world’s supply of – and demand for – oil, and what the future may hold for U.S. oil (in)dependence in OPEC and the Oil Economy, a free Active Minds presentation at Tattered Cover Bookstore, 2526 E. Colfax Ave., Tues., Jan. 13, 12:30-1:30p.m. Then on Tues., Jan. 27, 5:30-6:30p.m., learn the origins, teachings and practices of the world’s sixth largest religion in Buddhism. (Program repeated at Generations at Lowry, 8505 Lowry Blvd., Wed., Jan. 28, 1-2 p.m. – also free, but RSVP at 303-364-8500.) Sudan and the Darfur Crisis looks at the genocidal crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan and the separate, but related, decades-old Sudanese civil war, Wed., Jan. 21, 10a.m., at Malley Senior Center, 3380 S. Lincoln St. RSVP: 303-762-2660. Info: Jeff Robertson at 303-320-7652 or info@activemindsforlife.com.
The official start of the Tri Babes 2009 Season is Thur., Jan. 15, 6:30p.m., at Cherry Creek’s Outdoor Divas, 2717 E. 3rd Ave. Join Andie Bernard and her staff for a kick-off party and presentation about multi-sport training, including the basics of triathlon preparation and the Tri-Babes group. Sip chardonnay while learning the basics of ski and snowboard waxing and how to tune gear at Wax and Wine Night, Tues., Jan. 13, 6p.m. For details and reservations for any event, call 303-449-DIVA(3482). Or follow the LEARN link: www.outdoordivas.com.
Learn to naturally navigate the journey of menopause in Menopause Wisdom, a free clinic at Apothecary Tinctura, 2900 E. 6th Ave., a medicinal herb store & clinic, Wed., Jan. 14, 6:30-8:30p.m. Discuss and sample traditional herbs used to support menopausal health, and learn about modern medicines, including bio-identical hormones. Next month, revel in the amorous and juicy, from chocolate, wine and love letters to Cupid’s favorite plants, in Aphrodisia, Wed., Feb. 4, 6:30-8:30p.m. Free. Thursday evening classes (6:30-9p.m.): Jan. 22 & 29, A Mother’s Blessing, honoring and celebrating birth, with treat- and craft-making, $65. Feb. 5 (plus Sat., Feb. 7, 10a.m.-1p.m.), Chocolate!, sample dark and “single bean” chocolates, then roast, shell and grind raw beans to make chocolate, then create treats, $65. Call 303-399-1175 to sign up; visit www.apothecarytinctura.com for details.
Stay up on trends and innovative gardens in Denver Botanic Garden’s Bonfils-Stanton Lecture Series, starting with An Evening with Gertrude Jekyll, Thur., Jan. 15, 7p.m., in the Gardens’ Mitchell Hall, 1005 York St. Stephanie Cohen portrays legendary garden designer and author Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932), a trained artist who turned to gardening at age 59 when her eyesight began to fail. For a complete listing of 2009 lectures, visit www.botanicgardens.org or call 720-865-3580.
Listen in as explorer William Clark and President Thomas Jefferson unravel Meriwether Lewis’ suspicious death at the end of the 1804 Voyage of Discovery in An Evening with Jefferson & Clark: Hardships When Winning the West, Four Mile Historic Park’s Theater at Four Mile program, Fri., Jan. 16, 7p.m., in the Grant Family Education Center, 715 S. Forest St. Admission: $12-$18. Call 720-865-0804 for reservations (encouraged).
Single?The Seven Dating Traps and Getting Clear About What You Want and How To Make it Happen are the next relationship preparation workshops offered at Colorado Free University, near 1st & Quebec, Sat., Jan. 17, 9a.m.-noon and 1-4p.m., respectively. Info and registration: www.freeu.com or 303-399-0093.
Is the news getting to you? Disconnect from the stress. Enter into a creative place with unlimited access – your right brain – the fertile, imaginative, stress-free half of your thinking. Turn off the news and make some Art! Easy & enjoyable workshops for adults on January 17, 18, 25. Classes held in South Denver. Info: www.agooddayforart.com or call 303-369-1952.
See how Denver boomed in spite of aridity in Urbanized Water: How Gilpin’s Impossible Dream Came True, part of the Milestones and Anniversaries lecture series at the Colorado History Museum, Tues., Jan. 20, 1 & 7p.m., in Boettcher Auditorium, 1300 Broadway. Tickets: $7/$8.50. Learn the history of Denver’s performing arts from saloon hall “leg art” to the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, in Showtime!, the next First Friday lunchtime program, Feb. 6, 12:15-1p.m., a slide show presented by Tom “Dr. Colorado” Noel and Amy Zimmer, co-authors of Showtime: Denver’s Performing Arts, Convention Centers & Theatre District. Bring or buy lunch; free cookies/drinks. $4/$5. Red Hot Activism, Molly Brown Style, reveals the causes which commanded the attention and energy of the famous Titanic survivor, Sun., Jan. 18, 2p.m., this month’s Red Hot Sundays for Red Hat Ladies program. $20 includes program, refreshments at 3p.m., and museum admission. Reservations required for all events: 303-866-4686; www.coloradohistory.org.
Greening a congregation takes more than changing light bulbs and setting out recycling bins. Join Rev. Katherine Jesch for an Eco-Justice Ministries Greening Your Church program Mon., Jan. 19, 1-3p.m., at Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church, 1100 Fillmore St. Rev. Jesch is the Director of Environmental Ministry for the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth, which has developed and now manages the “gold standard” Green Sanctuary program for UU churches. Free (donations accepted), open to public, but RSVP: 303-715-3873 or ministry@eco-justice.org.
Mi Casa Resource Center For Women provides good, free advice on common legal problems every Legal Night the third Tuesday of each month (Jan. 20), 5:30-7:30p.m. Attorneys are available to provide legal guidance in areas including housing, employment, credit problems, family law, immigration, etc. Held at Mi Casa, 360 Acoma St. Info: 303-573-1302.
“Radical Hospitality” is the theme of Iliff School of Theology’s Days of Lectures & Fellowship, Thur.-Fri., Jan. 22 & 23, 8a.m.-5:30p.m., featuring lectures, workshops, dialogue, and worship. Thursday’s session opens with worship at 9a.m.; Rev. Jane Vennard will speak about Welcoming the Stranger Within. At Friday’s 9a.m. worship service, United Methodist Bishop Elaine Stanovsky will consider Aliens, Widows and Orphans. Breakout sessions include: Praying with Our Eyes Open – Using Art & Imagination; Creating Ecumenical & Interfaith Alliances; and The Christian Right’s “Paranoid” Science Agenda, among others. Held in the Iliff Great Hall, 2201 S. University Blvd., cost is $125/person. Register by Jan. 16 with Kari Buchanan, kbuchanan@iliff.edu, 303-765-3119. Info: www.iliff.edu.
Learn how to detox your body and reach your ideal weight in two free workshops, with the information, support and inspiration you need to get on the fast track to feeling great. Weight Loss and Body Chemistry with Dr. Tiffany Binder, Thur., Jan. 22; and Toxicity and Nutritional Cleansing with Dr. Tim, Tues., Jan. 27 (both sessions at 6p.m.) Sponsored by The Wellness Center; sessions are held upstairs, inside Whole Foods, 870 S. Colorado Blvd. Space is limited; call to register at 303-357-9355. Info: www.WellnessDenver.com.
Design and produce a 3-5 minute story in Digital Storytelling, a weekend workshop Jan. 22-24, 9a.m.-5p.m., at Denver Open Media, in the Microbusiness Development Center, 700 Kalamath St. Fee of $495 which includes Programming Membership with Denver Open Media. Limited to 8-12 participants; register at http://storycenter.org/registration.html. Regular classes: Intro to Studio Production (Jan. 3); Final Cut Pro Workshop (7 & 8, and 31); Field Production Workshop (17); Intro to Studio Production (21 & 22). Digital Storytelling. Visit www.denveropenmedia.org or call 720-222-0160 for details.
Exchanging your house, condo or apartment can be a great way to save money on lodging when traveling. Find out how in Home Exchange – Do You Dare? a class by exchange veteran Mary Schreiner at Colorado Free University at Lowry (near 1st & Quebec), Sun., Jan. 25, 1-3p.m. Fee: $41/$78 couple. Register at www.freeu.com (under Travel) or 303-399-0093.
Water for Elephants author Sara Gruen is guest lecturer for the Mon., Jan. 26, Post-News Pen & Podium Lecture, 7:30p.m. at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts at DU, 2344 E. Iliff Ave. Purchase tickets at the Newman Center Box Office (2344 E. Iliff Ave.) or 303-871-7720, Ritchie Center Box Office (2240 E. Buchtel Blvd.) and Ticketmaster (303-357-ARTS, www.ticketmaster.com and ticket outlets).
Bear witness as two clear voices of dissent – Colonel Ann Wright and journalist Aaron Glantz – speak out to benefit KGNU Community Radio (1390AM, 88.5FM or www.kgnu.org) and Rocky Mountain Peace & Justice Center. Both talks will be held at The Mercury Café, 2199 California St., at 7p.m. Wright, who served 29 years in the Army and Reserves and was a diplomat for 16 years, will speak on Tues., Jan. 27. She was one of only three State Dept. officials to resign in opposition to the war in Iraq. Recently, she co-authored Dissent, Voices of Conscience with Susan Dixon. Journalist Aaron Glantz reported extensively from Iraq during the first three years of this war, interviewed more than 100 recent war veterans, and recently publishedThe War Comes Home, the first book to systematically document the U.S. government’s neglect of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Glantz will appear at The Mercury on Tues., Feb. 3. Call KGNU at 303-449-4885 for advance tickets ($10-$20 suggested donation).
Sculptor Yumi Janairo Roth kicks off Contemporary Artists, Asian Roots, first of a three-part lecture series at the Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., Wed., Jan. 28, noon. Other lectures: Halim Al-Karim (Feb 13, 6:30 p.m.) and Hung Liu (March 4). Admission: $7-$10. For information, call 720-913-0040 or visit www.asianartassociation.org.
Celebrate Celtic herbs, spirituality and the sacred feminine in The Way of Brighid, a weekend workshop with meditation and ritual, laughter and song, at Moondance Botanicals, 601 Corona St., Fri.-Sun., Jan. 30-Feb. 1. $150 fee. Starting Feb. 7: The Spiral Path: A Journey into Celtic Herbs & Spirituality, held Thursdays, 6:30-9p.m., plus first Saturdays, 10a.m.-4p.m., through June 3. Course fee of $675 includes all materials. Email moondance25@hotmail.com or call 303-263-7275 to RSVP.
A half-day Learn to Meditate course will be held Sat., Jan. 31, 9a.m.-1p.m., at Avalokiteshvara Buddhist Center, 1081 Marion St. Pre-register, $30. General Program Buddhist Meditation classes held Wednesdays, 7p.m., & Sundays, 10:30a.m. Also: daily chanted prayers, advanced study programs and free stress-buster meditation. Info: call 303-813-9551 or www.meditationincolorado.org.
Join other women to learn the basics of carpentry, drywalling, power tools, home maintenance and more at Workshop for Women, 47 W. Alameda Ave. Women-only home maintenance classes offered monthly; morning and evening sessions available. Call 303-284-6354 or visit www.workshopforwomen.com for schedule.
Challenge 2009 head-on with presentations by the Cherry Creek Chamber of Commerce: How to Plan, Brand and Manage Your Career for 2009 is the next Business Success Series presentation, Tues., Jan. 27, 7:45-9:15a.m., at 101 Monroe St., $20 (free for Chamber members). Crafting a Compelling Vision: Designing a Life Worth Living is the Women of Cherry Creek’s Wed., Jan. 21, luncheon presentation, held 11:30a.m.-1p.m. at Macaroni Grill. 2500 E. 1st Ave. $20 members, $25 non-members. New Year Business After Hours takes place Thur., Jan. 8, 5:30-7:30p.m., at The Wellness Center (upstairs inside Whole Foods), 870 S. Colorado Blvd. Members free, $25 others; RSVP by Tues., Jan. 6. Save the date for The Cherry Creek Chamber of Commerce Annual Luncheon, Tues., Feb. 17, at the JW Marriott in Cherry Creek, featuring keynote speaker former Senator Hank Brown. Sponsorship opportunities are available; call 303-388-6022 for details. RSVP at www.cherrycreekchamber.org or 303-388-6022.
Resolve to keep your resolutions with the help of an exercise class at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda Ave.: Firm Believers with Karen Terry held Mon., Wed. & Fri., 9-10a.m., $3/session. Yoga with Robyn Lambert, Wed., 5:15-6:15p.m., $8 drop-in fee ($5/session if monthly). Info: 303-388-4678.
The Washington Park Rec Center, 701 S. Franklin St., now offers the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, developed by physical therapists specifically for people with arthritis. The low-impact, joint-safe program has been documented to help decrease arthritis pain and relieve stiffness while increasing flexibility and range of motion. Taught by Arthritis Foundation-certified instructors, participants perform a series of gentle movements and activities to increase mobility and range of motion. This low-impact class is suitable for every fitness level and can be taken either sitting down or standing. For schedule, contact the Rec Center at 303-698-4962.
Watch the film Nicholas Winton: The Power of Good, at the Fred Marcus Memorial Holocaust Lecture, Sun., Feb. 8, 4p.m., at University of Denver’s Driscoll Ballroom, 2055 E. Evans Ave. Winton was a young English stockbroker who saved 669 Czech children from the Nazis during World War II. The program will be introduced by survivor Tom Graumann. Tickets ($12, free to students and survivors) include parking, wine and cheese reception, and gift copy of Nicholas Winton’s Lottery of Life. Bring gently-worn shoes for the Holocaust Shoe Project. Call the Holocaust Awareness Institute, 303-871-3013 for details, or visit www.du.edu/cjs.
A Nation Still at Risk: The Future of Education is the theme of the Bridges to the Future lecture series, free, public talks and discussions continuing this spring in the June Swaner Gates Concert Hall, Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave., presented by the University of Denver. On Mon., Feb. 9, K-12 reform will be the topic, with education experts Denver Public Schools Supt. Michael Bennet, Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts principal Michael Johnston, and Euclid Middle School teacher Jen Phillips. For reservations, visit www.du.edu/bridges after Jan. 5, or call 303-871-2357.
“Sustainability: Beyond the Platitudes” will provide the framework for the 18th annual land use conference, sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute, March 5 & 6, and held at the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law. The conference will gather a diverse group of professionals and faculty from across the Rocky Mountain West and the country for discussion and debate of critical regulatory, environmental and land development issues. Conference tuition is $450; Early-Bird (cut-off: Feb. 6, 2009) registration is $410. To register and for complete schedule, visit www.law.du.edu/rmlui. Info: 303-871-6319.
Spring classes at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute – for men & women “55 and better” – begin March 30, offering a variety of academic courses for older learners pursuing high-level, life-long learning with like-minded peers. A community outreach program of DU’s University College, courses include: Are We Rome?: The Fall of an Empire and the Fate of America; Genetics for the Consumer: From the Human Genome to the Patient’s Bedside; Myths & Realities of American Foreign Policy; and Our Economic Mess. Classes held Mon.-Thur. at Central Christian Church, 3690 Cherry Creek Drive South. For schedules, prices and more, visit www.universitycollege.du.edu/olli, or call 303-871-3090.
Grow community gardens and be a better gardener through Denver Urban Gardens’ Master Community Gardener program. Designed to give Denver’s community gardeners better skills in the development, maintenance and running of their community gardens, the weekly classes run from February to April, providing 30 hours of instruction in exchange for 30 hours of volunteer garden work. Contact 303-292-9900 or dirt@dug.org for details. For info on community gardening opportunities for citizens throughout Denver, visit www.dug.org.
The Inner Connection Institute is a center for spiritual growth and psychic development, offering classes in meditation, healing and clairvoyance. Call 303-282-9439 for a free newsletter, or come by the free aura healing clinic, held each Wed., 6-7p.m., or on Thur., noon-1p.m., at 4101 E. Louisiana Ave., Suite G-1 (entrance around the back of building).
Meditation and Buddhist philosophy classes are held Thursdays, 6-8p.m., in Cook Park, using the Dalai Lama’s The Art of Happiness and Sogyal Rinpoche’s The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Call Deb Rosenberg, 303-695-0499, for location and details.
¿Habla usted Español? Haroldo’s Spanish conversation group takes place on Fridays, 9:30a.m.-noon, at Washington Park United Church of Christ, 400 S. Williams St. Advanced conversation, reading, translation and grammar. Info: 303-733-9693.