That'll Teach Me

A (Not So) Little Hiatus

2011-10-11T13:35:00.002-04:00

As you might have noticed, this blog has been dormant for a few months. My apologies for that. I was out of the country for most of the summer, and now I'm starting a new phase of my education: an MFA program in creative writing.

As much as I love to learn about random stuff, I'm now focusing on a more formal educational goal. So, unfortunately, the blog is going to be quiet for a while. I'll keep it live, and perhaps I'll come back to it during school breaks or after graduation.

In the meantime, I hope you'll continue to seek out learning opportunities wherever you go. You never know which class might ignite a lifelong passion.

Mini University 2011: Day 4

2011-06-23T18:15:00.002-04:00

Like any conference, Mini University sometimes serves up a dud -- a session that doesn't hold my interest and/or doesn't meet my expectations in some way. Today, though, I lucked out with three great sessions in a row (and a Bloomington Bagel lunch in between).

This morning, Jess and I both headed to "Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby and All the Rest: Great Jazz Singers," taught by legendary professor and musician David Baker. Every year this seems to be the best-attended session of the conference, and I always feel sorry for the other presenters in Baker's time slot.

We started by talking about Crosby, who was really the first "pop" star, Baker said, because he appealed to listeners in a wide range of musical genres. The microphone was invented at that time, and Crosby invented the new, more intimate singing style that was quickly copied by everyone else in the industry. The result: 43 No. 1 hits, more than Elvis and the Beatles combined.

We also talked about Armstrong, who styled his voice after the rhythms of his trumpet. Many tried to copy this singing style, too, but no one really succeeded, Baker said. Armstrong also helped transition jazz from an ensemble genre to one that accommodated soloists. As always, Baker played us a number of Armstrong hits, including "Hello, Dolly" and "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off."

After lunch, Jess and I headed to "WikiLeaks and the Future of Journalism in America." Professor Hans Ibolt explained Julian Assange's background (including his legendary reputation -- and criminal conviction -- as a hacker), and we discussed the WikiLeaks milestones from its founding in 2006 to its massive recent release of State Department documents.

The journalism community is divided on WikiLeaks, so we weren't sure where our professor would land. He did point out a few questions we should be asking about WikiLeaks before giving it our full support:

What criteria guide WikiLeaks' decision to release specific documents? What weight (if any) is given to concerns of privacy and/or national security?
Who is funding this nonprofit organization and why?
Who are the "accredited" journalists on the WikiLeaks staff, and why do they insist on anonymity?
What process does WikiLeaks use to vet/verify the documents it receives?

Another issue with defining WikiLeaks as a media outlet is its motivation. We typically expect our journalists to be unbiased, but WikiLeaks apparently has a clear anti-establishment bias. Does that affect whether we are willing to call this a journalistic enterprise?

On the other hand, the U.S. government is considering charging Assange with crimes under the Espionage Act of 1917 -- which has never in history been used to prosecute a publisher. Even if you disagree with what WikiLeaks does, you have to admit this is a troubling slippery slope.

End result: I need to think about this one a bit more.

My final class of the day was "'Merchant of Venice' and Early English Antisemitism," with professor Ellen MacKay. I really enjoyed this one, and I'll post a more detailed analysis later today over on the Shakespeare blog. Key takeaway: Shakespeare was working in a culture rampant with antisemitism, and he created a character who reflected some Jewish stereotypes but refuted others. He also allowed Shylock to introduce some biting critiques of society, taking him beyond the usual Jewish caricature.

I can hardly believe it, but tomorrow is graduation day here at Mini University. We have one more session in the morning, followed by our graduation ceremony -- where Jess and I are likely to be the only two people singing the proper ending to the fight song. Oh, well. These 398 retirees already think we're strange.

Mini University 2011: Day 3

2011-06-22T23:48:00.002-04:00

On day three of Mini University, Jessica wins the prize for choosing the best session: An in-depth look at the political situation in Iraq and what role the U.S. continues to play there. We both feel woefully uninformed in this area, so I enjoyed hearing the summary during dinner.

I, meanwhile, was in a session about major Supreme Court decisions in the past 40 years, with an emphasis on how the court has balanced individual liberties and executive/legislative powers. I always attend this professor's lectures at Mini U, and she always shares solid information in an engaging way, but I still wish I'd gone to that Iraq class instead.

After a working lunch, I headed to my first afternoon session: "The Biology of Genetically Modified Organisms." In the past few years, I've accidentally become a composting/recycling/organic-buying/yoga-doing/meditating hippie, but I still feel ambivalent about GMOs, and I hoped this class would clear up my confusion.

I did learn a lot. For example, the vast majority of American corn and soybeans are genetically modified, and one company (Monsanto) has a monopoly on both the GMO seeds and the herbicide that is designed to work with those seeds. That concerns me, as does the fact that the genetic material in these plants can "drift" to native plants and organic farms. GMOs may also contribute to herbicide-resistant weeds and pesticide-resistant bugs, and when we transfer genetic material from one organism to another, we may also be transferring allergens or other potentially harmful materials.

On the flip side, GMOs are cheaper and easier to produce, requiring less herbicide and pesticide and using fewer fossil fuels in farm equipment. Because GMOs require less tilling, these farms have fewer erosion problems. Perhaps most important, GMOs lead to higher and more reliable yields -- a very good thing when we're struggling to feed the world's growing population.

The result: I know more about GMOs than I did before, but I still feel ambivalent. I think I'd prefer to keep them out of my own diet, but beyond that I'm not willing to pick sides (yet).

My final class of the day was "Shakespeare in Performance," taught by a seasoned Shakespearean actress rather than a scholar. It was interesting to think about the Bard's work from that perspective, especially to hear about the types of preparation that go into playing a Shakespearean role. She also encouraged the class to think of their Shakespearean education as a lifetime continuum. "If you are in love with Shakespeare, you'll be in love with him your whole life," she said. "The more you learn, the more there is to learn."

Here, I think, I found a kindred spirit.

Mini University 2011: Days 1 and 2

2011-06-22T00:02:00.004-04:00

Here I am once again at Mini University, and I'm having such a lovely time that I flat out forgot to do my blog post yesterday. So, we'll play a bit of catch-up today, and then I'll be on track for the rest of the week ... assuming I can pry myself away from Irish Lion puffballs, Laughing Planet burritos and Village Deli fries.

So, this is the 40th anniversary of Mini University, and the same 400 people have been coming that whole time. It's almost impossible to get into Mini U, and once you do, you come every year until you die. Three years ago, somebody died, and I got in. Last year, I was able to write in Jessica as my "+1." Sixty years from now, when they give the award to the person who's been coming the longest, I'm sooo going to win.

Unfortunately, the high level of loyalty means that Jess and I are the only attendees younger than 40, and we're among just a handful of students younger than 65. Translation: We have to pick our Mini U sessions very carefully, because we don't want to get stuck in a health-care seminar about reducing our stroke risk or in a tech seminar about Twitter that features confused questions about the tubes that connect the Internets.

So far, we're doing pretty well. I started my day yesterday with a lecture on the search for Earth-like planets in the Milky Way galaxy. We talked about five methods used for detecting planets, and then she shared the results: There are 70 million Earth-like planets in our galaxy alone (not to mention the zillions of other galaxies), and about 1 million of those are in the "sweet spot" in terms of distance from their suns. Statistically speaking, there's no way we're alone here.

My next session yesterday was called "The Political Future of the Death Penalty in America," and it was fascinating. The biggest takeaway: Our current death-penalty system is broken, but no one will take responsibility for fixing it. Those in favor of the death penalty don't want to change it because they perceive reform as "chipping away" at death-penalty statutes. Those who oppose the death penalty don't want to fix it because the more broken it is, the easier it is to make it disappear altogether. No comment.

Next up: "Great American Trials." The key takeaway here: We tend to become captivated by trials that help us address larger issues in our society (e.g., addressing racial tensions via the O.J. Simpson case).

This morning, Jess and I arrived at the Union with mere seconds to spare, Starbucks lattes in hand, and started another full day of learning.

First on my schedule was a fascinating class, "Mexican Immigration to the United States: Rhetoric and Reality." We learned that almost everything politicians claim about immigration is patently false. The reality: Undocumented workers from Mexico actually pay more in taxes than do U.S. citizens in proportion to the government services they use. (They pay sales taxes through purchases, property taxes via their rental rates and income taxes, often via fake Social Security numbers.)

Undocumented Mexican workers are also five times less likely to commit a crime than U.S. citizens. Conservative pundits have been trotting around a statistic that illegal immigrants comprise 25 percent of the federal prison population. That's true, but it's also misleading. Federal prisoners make up only 6 percent of the total prison population, which is primarily controlled by states. And, most of the federal prisoners they're talking about are in prison for immigration violations, not because they committed some other crime. We used to just deport them. Now we stick them in prison and label them criminals.

Another fact: Undocumented workers actually create jobs in the U.S. (beyond the jobs they fill) by buying goods and services and by enabling industries that wouldn't exist without them (especially agriculture). They are doing jobs that Americans aren't willing to do, especially because the U.S. population in general is more highly skilled these days.

Even if these things are true, why don't the Mexican workers just come to the country through legal means? Our immigration quota is so low that the U.S. is just now processing Mexican immigration applications from 1993 -- 18 years ago. If you were struggling to feed your family, would you fill out a bunch of forms and happily wait two decades?

Obviously, this was a fascinating session, and it was nice to get the facts rather than a pile of political rhetoric. As somebody in the class suggested, this professor should testify in Congress.

My afternoon classes were less eventful. A session on the new Indiana Festival Theatre was just a guided tour of the organization's brochure, and we never really got to the meat of the presentation in "Counted Out: Same-Sex Relations and Americans' Definitions of Family."

Coming up later this week are two Shakespeare classes, a lecture by professor David Baker on great jazz singers, and a session about WikiLeaks and its implications for the journalism profession. And, of course, some FarmBloomington fries, Mad Mushroom cheese sticks, and something yummy from Trojan Horse.

Classes at Traders Point Creamery

2011-06-10T16:31:00.002-04:00

This evening, my sister and I will be exploring the Traders Point Creamery farmers market and settling in at the Loft restaurant for dinner. I have a soft spot for TPC, with its fromage blanc, raspberry yogurt and cottage cheese (which is so addictive we call it "crack cottage cheese" at my house).

So, I'm delighted to see that TPC is now offering classes on organic cooking and gardening. Here's a rundown of the upcoming schedule:

How to Eat Organic on a Budget (6-8 p.m., Monday, June 20).
Perfect Picnic (6-8 p.m., Monday, July 11), including recipes for cooler-pressed chicken sandwiches, picnic in a jar chickpea salad, Greek yogurt dill dip and no-bake chewy granola bars.
Pizza from Field to Table (6-8 p.m., Monday, Aug. 1), including recipes for grilled garden pizza, colorful salad, homemade ranch dressing and fresh mint lemonade

Classes are $25 each or $60 for all three. For more information, contact Jen@tpforganics.com.

Summer Class Update

2011-05-09T13:23:00.004-04:00

Wow, I am so far behind here! My excuse: I recently joined the gym, and I've been focusing my educational energies on not breaking my nose during yoga class. (So far, so good.) While I regroup, here are a few updates you might want to check out:

Summer schedules are now available for the Indianapolis Art Center and the IUPUI Community Learning Network. I'm still thinking about taking that hiking class.
ModHomeEc has released its summer schedule of upholstery and home-decor classes, including a pillow workshop that looks fun.
Chef Erin Kem, who previously taught classes at Frasier's Gourmet Foods, is now offering monthly classes at R Bistro, where she is sous chef. Sign up for the restaurant's e-newsletter for the latest details.
Chef Tony Hanslits, of Nicole Taylor's Pasta and Market, is now offering "demo dinners," combining a cooking demonstration and what will surely be a great meal ($50).

I'll be back with more fun updates soon!

PMC Class with Washington Township

2011-03-03T14:26:00.004-05:00

For weeks, I've been looking forward to the intermediate PMC class offered by Washington Township's Community and Continuing Education program. But, on Tuesday afternoon, just a few hours before the first class, my Spidey sense was tingling. I realized I hadn't received any confirmations or reminders, and I didn't have the supply list that's usual for this kind of class. So, I called the office to confirm the class, and the program director assured me -- mere hours before the class was to start -- that the class would run as scheduled.

You can already see where this is going, can't you? You can already picture me wandering around North Central High School, searching desperately for an unlocked door. Standing in front of a dark, locked classroom by myself. Frantically calling the CCE program office to double-check the class time and location, only to find that it had closed at 4:30. Finally cornering a beleaguered secretary and begging for her help.

I'm still not clear about what happened. The secretary's schedule showed the class on Wednesdays, but the course catalog clearly showed it on Tuesdays, which is when I had it on my schedule. The secretary called the director, who told us not to worry about the schedule discrepancy, because the class had been canceled due to low enrollment. This is, mind you, the same woman I had spoken to just hours earlier.

Apparently the problems in Washington Township's CCE program go deeper than just one class. The secretary rolled her eyes at the course catalog, telling me not even to bother checking it because it was riddled with errors. She also asked me--very nicely--not to scream at her the way the last four or five people that evening had done (I didn't scream at all, I promise). I think somewhere in there she also threatened to hang herself if one more person showed up at her desk with class issues. (If you're reading this, nice secretary lady, please don't.)

So, lessons learned this week: One, trust your Spidey sense. Two, find some other place to take classes, because this venue sure doesn't look promising.

Healthy Cooking

2011-02-17T09:52:00.003-05:00

Many thanks to the Going Local blog for this tip on new cooking classes: Becky's Healthy Kitchen offers healthy cooking classes, one-on-one lessons and group cooking parties. Her specialty is revamping old recipes, such as Mom's macaroni and cheese, to create healthier versions.

Upcoming classes include:

Recipe Makeover -- 1-3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 19 (focus on macaroni and cheese)
Great Grains -- 1-3 p.m., Saturday, March 19 (incorporating whole grains)
Mama Mia Lite Italian Nite -- 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 30 (healthy pastas)

Classes are $30/person and are held at Indy's Kitchen, 2442 N. Central Ave.

Valentine's Day Cooking Class

2011-01-30T19:19:00.004-05:00

Who says education can't be sexy? This Valentine's Day, treat your special someone to a night at the city's best hotel -- and a fun cooking class.

The Conrad Indianapolis is offering a behind-the-scenes, couples-only cooking class, called Cooking by Candlelight. You'll help prepare an aphrodisiac-laced meal, sip wine, share an intimate candlelit dinner with your sweetie and then spend the night at the Conrad (at a discounted rate).

Cost is $160 per couple. The class begins at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 13. Reservations are required; call (317) 524-2574.

Modern Home Ec

2011-01-27T11:26:00.004-05:00

Shelly Leer has been a busy gal lately. She just revamped her website, ModHomeEc, and opened a new studio on 54th Street, just off the Monon. Now, she's offering a wide range of sewing and upholstery classes -- from sewing 101 to advanced upholstery skills.

Here's a quick look at upcoming classes:

Feb. 3 -- Sewing Machine Basics
Feb. 3 or 10 -- Pillow Workshop
Feb. 11 -- Intro to Upholstery: Creating a Tufted Ottoman
Feb. 12 -- Couples' Ottoman Building Class (with light appetizers)

Can't make it to the studio? She also offers online tutorials, where you'll learn how to replace sofa foam or how to make a play kitchen for the kiddos. What a great resource!

Cooking Class: Fermenti Artisan

2011-01-18T10:47:00.003-05:00

Interested in cooking classes with a healthy focus? Check out my article about Fermenti Artisan in this week's Metromix, a publication of the Indianapolis Star. The class was hands-on and fun, and I learned a notebook-full of new things about food preparation and nutrition. (Guess what? Real butter is good for you!)

Kiss Z Cook Groupon

2011-01-18T10:43:00.004-05:00

In case you missed it (which I almost did), the secondary Groupon offer today is for $35 classes at Kiss Z Cook -- a $40 discount! These classes are informative, fun and hands-on, so snatch up your coupon today and start cooking.

Green Thumb?

2011-01-11T11:21:00.001-05:00

Baby, it's cold outside, but it's time to start thinking about this spring's gardening plans. Green Piece Indy has a great post today on upcoming gardening classes, whether you're a "backyardless beginner," "proficient planter" or "horticultural hero." Enjoy!

2010 Best of Indy Awards

2010-12-31T13:33:00.004-05:00

This has been an up-and-down year for adult continuing education in Indianapolis. I had lots of great class experiences (see below), but I also had a lot of duds, such as no-show instructors, over-priced classes and closed venues.

This coming year, I resolve to take even more classes -- such as that blacksmithing class I've been putting off -- and to keep learning new things.

And now, the winners of the 2010 That'll Teach Me "Best of Indy" awards:

Best class -- Hands down, this award goes to the new Wine and Canvas. The nomadic painting class, which meets at restaurants and its new studio, is a fun, low-commitment outing. Instructors walk through the painting process step by step, making the classes perfect for all skill levels (even my kindergarten-level art skills).

Best continuing education venue -- For the second year in a row, this award goes to IU's Mini University, a week-long "summer camp" of classes for adults. I had another phenomenal experience this past June, learning about such topics as stem-cell research, Bob Dylan and the exploration of Mars. With the thriving Bloomington restaurant scene and the beautiful campus, I can't think of a better way to spend a week.

Best instructor -- As it turns out, playing the blues harmonica isn't really my thing. But instructor Allen Stratyner, who teaches the class through the IUPUI Community Learning Network and the JCC, was a methodical and patient instructor. He set clear goals for each class, gave us useful homework assignments and -- most important -- communicated his passion for the blues.

As always, let's take a moment to mourn our losses this year: chiefly, the cooking classes at Frasier's Gourmet Foods. We wish the owners a wonderful retirement!

A Farewell to Frasier's

2010-12-24T10:00:00.001-05:00

When Joy and Byron Frasier lock the doors at Frasier's Gourmet Foods today, it will be for the last time. After decades of serving the Fishers foodie community, the Frasiers are retiring, with plans to travel and spend more time with their grandchildren.

I'm happy for the Frasiers, but I'm also mourning the loss of a great class venue. Over the years, I've taken perhaps a dozen classes at Frasier's, with great chefs like Erin Kem and the late Joseph Allford. I've explored the canning process, learned cake decorating, discovered the wonders of ingredients like quinoa and vanilla, and tasted lots of delicious food along the way.

For foodies in the Fishers area, a new shop called Tasteful Times will fill the need for gourmet groceries. That shop doesn't offer classes, though, so the educational void remains.

Best wishes to the Frasiers, and thanks for the outstanding learning opportunities! And, to everyone, happy holidays!

IUPUI Releases New Catalog

2010-12-20T10:28:00.002-05:00

For the first time in several semesters, I'm excited about the new schedule at the IUPUI Community Learning Network. There's a whole new section of cooking classes, and all of my favorites are there: flower arranging with Sara Thompson, blues harmonica with Allen Stratyner and more.

One class that sounds especially intriguing is "A History of Jazz," which includes field trips to the Chatterbox on Mass Ave. Students watch the performance and then chat with the musicians afterward, so they get real-world experience to boost classroom discussions. What a fun model for a class!

The same is true of "How to Hike the Appalachian Trail," which includes day hikes and one overnight trip. I've just finished Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods, so of course now I have this feverish notion of hiking the trail, too. This class could get me started -- or, more likely, it would demonstrate that hiking 2,000 miles isn't really something I want to do. Lesson learned.

As usual, you'll also find a broad mix of dance and fitness classes, musical training, photography, languages, and professional-development opportunities, including lots of new business-oriented classes. It's such a cliche, but there really is something for everyone.

Art Center Announces Spring Schedule

2010-11-21T11:40:00.004-05:00

Usually, the Indianapolis Art Center posts its schedule online a few days (or weeks) before the printed catalog is sent. So, I was surprised when the catalog arrived in the mail yesterday. There's still no mention of the spring schedule on the center's home page, which seems odd, since registration opens Dec. 1.

In the catalog, you'll find the usual mix of classes in ceramics, glass, sculpture, drawing and painting, jewelry, photography and more. If you're looking for serious artistic study, the Art Center is still the best option in town.

And yet, I confess that I'm disappointed in the schedule (and have been for the previous few semesters, too). Perhaps my impression is incorrect, but the Art Center seems to offer fewer weekend workshops and "light" class options these days -- the very things that might attract a new student. I used to circle a class on every page and have to make hard choices about which classes to take. The number of classes I want to take next spring = zero.

Perhaps the Art Center is choosing to focus on more serious, long-term students. Obviously, the center is doing a great job with that population. But, when it comes to classes, I'm usually neither serious nor long-term. I need to find a new place for random learning experiences that don't require investing in a studio full of equipment.

Another complaint: I detest the way the catalog is organized. Classes are listed based on the day they are offered (Mondays, Tuesdays, etc.). So, if you want to find a 15-week intermediate drawing class, for example, you have to read the entire section. Why not organize classes by length (seven weeks vs. 15 weeks) or by skill level within each category? I do not say, "I want to take a class on Tuesdays." I say, "I want to take an intermediate class on PMC." Oh, look, there it is on Wednesdays. If there were a 15-week class on the same topic, it might be listed on an entirely different page. That makes absolutely no sense.

As it stands, I'll be handing off the catalog to a friend of mine, who is very much enjoying her seven-week painting class this semester. She is serious about improving her painting skills, so I'm sure she'll find something in the spring catalog to interest her. Meanwhile, I'll be searching for other options.

Wine and Canvas Opens Studio

2010-11-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, I wrote a story for the Indianapolis Star about Wine and Canvas, the nomadic painting class that sets up shop in restaurants and bars all over the city.

Now, W&C has some more exciting news: a studio of its own, where it can offer programs on weekends (when restaurant space is hard to find) and art classes for children (called Cookies and Canvas).

The grand opening of the Wine and Canvas Studio, 3600 E. 86th St., is Nov. 12, and sessions that weekend are discounted to just $25 from the regular $35-40. Stop by to check out the new space, sign up for a class and get ready for a fun girls' night out!

Spirit and Place Kicks Off Today

2010-11-05T00:32:00.004-04:00

The 15th annual Spirit and Place Festival begins today, with 40 events in 10 days related to the theme of "Food for Thought." As a bonus, most of the events are free. For festival highlights, check out my story in this week's Metromix or visit the festival website.

Upcoming Jewelry Classes

2010-11-01T08:00:00.001-04:00

The Fountain Square saga continues. Jari Sheese, the former owner of Boca Loca Beads, has re-named her year-old glass studio, formerly known as Fuego Loco. The new incarnation, Indy Flame Art, celebrates its grand opening during the upcoming First Friday Art Walk, 6-9 p.m., Nov. 5, at the Circle City Industrial Complex, 1125 Brookside, Suite C15. Stop by to see glass artists in action, and sign up for one of the many upcoming classes in bead-making, marble-making and more.

Meanwhile, the former home of Boca Loca -- now called Heirloom Classics -- is offering classes in wire-working, beading and silver-smithing. I look an introductory beading class at the former Boca Loca, so I'm interested in seeing how his class compares. Has anyone taken a class here? If so, let us know how it went!

Follow the North Star is Back!

2010-10-30T14:03:00.003-04:00

This outstanding program at Conner Prairie puts you in the shoes of a runaway slave on the Underground Railroad. It is an emotional challenge but memorable and immensely educational, and I walked away with a new understanding of the slavery experience.

This year's program runs 6:30-8:30 p.m., the first three weekends in November, with groups starting every 15 minutes. (The program lasts 90 minutes.) Tickets are $20 for non-members or $17 for members. Reservations are required; call (317) 776-6006.

Although the program is outstanding, it's not for everyone. Take a look at the museum's disclaimer: "Follow the North Star is not for everyone. This program takes place outdoors in all weather conditions, and participants walk approximately one mile on rough terrain. The emotional effect of the program is intense, as participants are treated as slaves, being told to keep their eyes down and not to speak unless spoken to." Participants must be at least 12.

Photo courtesy Conner Prairie.

Closing: Frasier's Gourmet Foods

2010-10-25T10:50:00.002-04:00

I stopped by Frasier's Gourmet Foods this weekend, in search of little chocolate cups for our annual Halloween party. The shelves seemed more bare than usual, and there were "30 percent off" signs on the cookware. It seemed ominous.

"Um, Joyce, why is everything 30 percent off?" I asked.

"Because we're retiring at Christmas," she replied.

[Insert one of those drawn-out movie screams of "Nooooooooooooooooo!" Next, in an intrigued voice, "Wait, so the Le Creuset stuff is 30 percent off? Excuse me while I shop."]

So, that's that. I'm losing the gourmet food store just minutes from my house, and we're losing one of the best adult education venues in the city. I'm taking a desserts class at Frasier's this evening, so maybe I'll get more details. Fingers crossed that someone will buy the store and keep things going.

Blues Harmonica Class at the JCC

2010-10-19T09:22:00.003-04:00

Tonight, I'm attending the second of six blues harmonica classes taught by local musician Allen Stratyner. Regular readers know that I've been trying to schedule this class for about a year, ever since I wrote about it for Indianapolis Monthly. I'm thrilled to finally make the schedule work.

Our first class, held last Tuesday, consisted mostly of housekeeping: introductions, care instructions for our new harmonicas, and a short history of blues harmonica. Finally, at the end of the class, we got to "break in" our harmonicas and learned how to hold them properly (which was actually the most difficult part). Then we learned to mimic the sounds of a train, which we were supposed to practice as homework.

The class is held at the JCC and offered in conjunction with the IUPUI Community Learning Network. Our class has about 10 students, which is perfect -- small enough for individual attention but large enough to feel comfortable in the group.

During the class, we're going to learn how to play scales and individual notes, how to perform simple songs, and how to develop our individual harmonica styles. Perhaps, if I feel confident enough by the end of the class series, I'll post an audio file of my harmonica skills!

Irvington Skill Share Feastival

2010-09-30T11:26:00.002-04:00

The Irvington Skill Share Feastival is coming up Nov. 7, promising "down to earth skills from garden to kitchen." Locals will share their experiences with canning, beekeeping, bread-baking, composting -- everything you need to know to have your own little urban homestead.

The event, which is part of the Spirit and Place Festival (more on that later), will be held from 1-5 p.m., Nov. 7, at Irvington United Methodist Church. I just put it on my Google calendar, so I'll see you there!

Hoosier Harvest at Indiana State Museum

2010-09-28T10:05:00.003-04:00

The harvest season is upon us, and the Indiana State Museum is celebrating with a variety of classes and activities.

Oct. 2-3 = Harvest Jubilee. Workshops include making gourd birdhouses, extending the growing season, and finding local food in Indianapolis. Don't miss the Hoosier Farmer's Breakfast at 9 a.m. Oct. 2 ($17).
Oct. 9-10 = Crocked, Sauced and Pickled. Learn how to make your own refrigerator pickles or create a fall wreath. Afterward, snack of local jams, jellies and preserves at the Farmer's High Tea, at 3 p.m. Oct. 9 ($12).
Oct. 16-17 = Urban Fresh. Workshops include composting 101, DIY rain barrels and spring garden planning. Celebrate with the Farmer's Chic Buffet, at 11 a.m. Oct. 16 ($17).