Fall 09
Political Ideologies
This poltical theory course will be an overview of political system-types we call "ideologies." The course will explain what an ideology is and also explain and define specific, major ideologies.
There will be an initial defining of the concept of ideology and setting up general categories of issues they address in order to understand given ones. Then individual ideologies will be reviewed and explained. The major ideologies to be addressed are: Democracy, Liberalism, Capitalism, Social Democracy, Socialism, Communism, Fascism, Totalitarian, Authoritarian, Monarchy, Libertarian, and Anarchism. The review will include looking at key similarities and differences, with emphasis on governing structures and economic systems.
Prerequisites: Very basic understanding of governments, economics, political principles. Emphasis on lecture and discussion. Suggested readings, none required. No assignments, but instructor willing to evaluate any written work students want to submit.
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Understanding Research Studies
“Studies are only as good as their methodology.”
We are bombarded with academic papers, research institute studies, surveys, government reports, studies from various other organizations, e.g. non-profits, political parties, etc., comments from pundits in the media, and articles of all sorts in print and on-line media that rely on presenting empirical data to present conclusions every day. It can be very difficult to understand many of these reports, particularly the formal studies of academics, research institutes, and government that aim to demonstrate causation.
It’s said that “knowledge is power,” but little attention has been given to the power in being a “creator of knowledge.” Authors of studies are creators of knowledge. We examine the “creation of knowledge.”
This course will present a basic primer on methodology issues in order to increase the student’s ability to understand and evaluate studies they encounter in their daily lives. It will be presented in common language and without engaging in studying the math of statistics. The course will look at these issues form a conceptual standpoint: What are the methodological issues, what do they try to get, strengths and weaknesses, and applicability to given approaches in given contexts?
Overviews of these topics will be presented: Information sources, quantitative vs. qualitative, identifying relevant factors—variables, margin of error, confidence intervals, correlation, causation, polls and survey methods, and “the scientific method.” Real factual reports in the public domain will be the main source of illustrating these issues. Prerequisites: None. Suggested readings, none required. No assignments, but instructor willing to evaluate any written work students want to submit.
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Designing for a Changing Future: Economic Stability Through Local Interdependence
People everywhere are seeking responses to the urgent problems of today--environmental degradation, growing scarcity of resources, especially oil, and an unregulated market economy that makes fabulous wealth for some and increasing financial and economic insecurity, if not poverty, for most. One response is the new emphasis on building a local economy--food and energy production and support for local businesses--to decrease the need for oil and production of CO2 and to increase community independence. But what can "independence" really mean in a world that relies on sophisticated technology, huge corporations to provide jobs and most consumer goods, and an educational system that prepares young people only to join the global economy?
This class will analyze this concept of "community independence." It will evaluate the essential needs of any community and then construct a framework within which these needs might be addressed through personal growth, creative thinking, investment, and cooperative work. It will offer specific ideas for evaluation in terms of their contribution to community independence.
Half of class time will be devoted to class discussion of ideas presented and ideas forthcoming from class.
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The Communist Manifesto, by Karl Marx & Frederick Engels
Students will read the Communist Manifesto, then attend the class to discuss
its contents, including relevance for today, guided by a prepared list of
discussion questions.
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Winter Bike Commuting and Maintenance
Learn techniques about how to effectively ride your bike in the winter! Winter is cold but biking through the winter is doable. Learn skills to push how much you can ride in the cold weather!
Winter is also brutal on your bicycle. The roads get slippery, the bike lanes are icy, and the salt corrodes your brakes and gears. Learn some maintenance tips for keeping your bicycle running smoothly throughout the winter.
This is a THREE WEEK class; week 1 will be focused solely on commuting tips and ideas for how to ride in the winter. Weeks 2 and 3 will be about bike maintenance and some tips on how to keep your bike running smoothly and safely during the winter.
Schedule: Thursday evenings, October 22-November 5, 6:30-9:00pm.
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Reporting 101
You’ve always wanted to get into writing and reporting, but you need some
basic skills. In this two-part session Gary Gilson teaches the basics of
identifying and developing a story idea, digging, cultivating sources,
organizing the material, identifying a lead and writing clearly, cogently and
engagingly. And on deadline.
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Learn to Play Recorder or Flute!
This class is designed for beginner and intermediate recorder, flute or oboe players who are interested in learning the fundamentals of performance and chamber music. Students will have the opportunity to perform as soloists as well as in small chamber ensembles and large recorder choirs. No previous experience is necessary. Please bring a flute, oboe or plastic/wooden soprano recorder to the first class.
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***REGISTRATION CLOSED *** Basic Bike Maintenance at Sibley Bike Depot (October)
***REGISTRATION CLOSED*** we'll offer another class in November.
This class is designed as a complete introduction to the basics of maintaining your bicycle yourself. Learning to fix your own bike can save you money, ensure access to reliable transportation, and be a rewarding personal experience to understand how your vehicle functions. You aren’t expected to know anything beforehand – the only thing you need to bring is yourself, your bike if you want, and a creative desire to learn!
Participants are encouraged to attend regularly, as each week builds upon skills and theories developed in previous sessions. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bicycle to work on; however, shop bicycles will also be available for tutorial and repair.
Class Schedule: September 13-27 - Three consecutive Sunday afternoons 4:15-6:30pm
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Bits and Bites -- Programming First Steps
Do you think that programmers are born with keyboards in their hands? Programmers are made, not born -- you too can code with the best of them. If you're interested in breaking down the barriers and mystique around programming, join us! Learn to code in a chill, non-judgmental environment.
Your facilitators, Gregg and Amanda, come from non-traditional programming backgrounds, and used to be N00bs. We have no patience for alpha geeks, macho baloney, and geek superiority.
Our big project is a web application that allows you to play a "Choose Your Own Adventure" that you write yourself! (example: http://cyoa.lind-beil.net/).
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stepping across the gaps- [Being in] Becoming culturally competent in the human services field
This course seeks to continue the dialogue and action steps for human
services workers working across lines of race, class, sexuality, politics and
religion to discern a shared set of values and ethics to inform a culturally
competent practice. It is assumed that we will not ever arrive at competence
but continually strive towards it evaluating our practice in context of the
people and families we work with (our clients), our colleagues and our higher
ideals. Special attention will be paid to the NASW Code of Ethics as well as
other Codes of Ethics (NACSW for instance). Of special interest is whether
(and how) we as human service workers (or foster parents!) in the social,
youth and family work fields are able to harmonize our different ethical, and
religious standards to overcome institutional and personal oppression along
lines of racial, class, sexual, political and religious difference.
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Movies: Cultural Enrichment or Co-Dependence?
In other words, there are classic movies which add to our cultural
enrichment such as Joe Macbeth (starring John Garfield), and The
Godfather (starring Al Pacino). However, the co-dependence theme comes
up when we are no longer able or willing to tell our own stories. After
a hard day on the job or at school, all we wanna do is rent a movie so
that we can quote "unwind." This speaks to an intellectual laziness
which could end up helping to unravel a society which is already
unravelling.
If you are interested in this class, please call at 651-714-0288.
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Indegenous Imperative
The premise of course is that our future is not only ecological but
indigenous. We will be looking at not only the Six Nations Confederacy,
but several other cultural and political powers in the western
hemisphere including the Hopi, the Ojibway, the Inca, the Maya, Aztecs
and many others. One of the goals of this course will be to not only
push the envelope but get rid of the envelope. No discussion of our
problems or potentials is possible without our indigenous center.
NOTE: Ray does not use email so if you want to get in touch with him
before the class please call.
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Mindful Eating
Do you eat most meals in under 10 minutes? Do you eat without any awareness
of taste and texture? Are you ready to gain consciousness at the dinner
table?
Our society is hyper-focused on food and yet we barely pay attention to what
we are eating - finding ourselves at the computer, watching television,
driving or talking on the phone - barely concentrating on the pleasures and
of food and the sensations of eating. We leave many meals feeling unsatisfied
because we barely remember eating anything at all.
Here is your opportunity to slow down and become mindful of eating. This is
your chance to release all the negative thoughts, emotions and beliefs you've
had about food.
October 19&26 - We will experience mindful eating in the classroom with
foods the instructor brings in. Please also bring your dinner to class.
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Beginning and Intermediate Clarinet Class
This class is designed for
beginner and intermediate clarinet students. Adults returning to the
instrument after a few years respite are especially encouraged to attend.
We will play a variety of music as soloists as well as in small ensembles.
We will also perform as a clarinet choir. Please bring a clarinet to
each class, including the first class.
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Improv Comedy: The Short and Long of It
Learn the basics of improvisation and then start doing it! We will cover
short and long form improv as well as games like you'd see on Who's Line is
it Anyway? Lecturing will be kept to a minimum as this is a subject best
learned through actual practice. All skill levels welcomed: from beginners to
salty veterens.
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Basic Acting (even if you’re not a Broadway star or even a theatre major)
We will explore several different approaches to acting, including Stanislavki, Anna Deveare Smith, and Richard Schechner’s rasaboxes. There will be brief readings and discussion in-class (no homework is required)followed by acting games and exercises to make you a better actor, public speaker, presenter, etc. No experience is necessary—just a willing attitude. Tuesdays and Thursdays for 4 weeks.
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From Abbie Hoffman to Hothead Paisan: A Brief History (and Practice) of Culture Jamming
The term culture jamming comes from broadcasting terminology for jamming the airwaves and involves ways of making your own media to counter the media messages we see every day. We’ll look at the history of culture jamming, including the Situationists International and the Yippies from the 1960s, feminist zines from the 1980s and 1990s, among others. We’ll watch movies, have discussion, and participate in some low cost/low tech (but potentially high visibility) culture jamming of our own.
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Open Poetry Collective
We are looking to start an open creative expression environment (poetry, art, songs, creative writing, etc) We want this to naturally evolve through a consensus of the group. So far ideas are that it would generally just be a once a week gathering for folks to share what they've been working on, free of judgements and free of needing to have what you have to share "be perfect." Maybe once a month there could be a positive criticism feedback if desired of the expressor at the end of a sharing. Generally, the key concept is to have a comfortable place to share.
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Bring Out Your Bodacious: Dance with Macalester’s Hip Hop Team
Macalester’s Hip Hop Dance Team
opens up to share the excitement of hip hop dance with the greater
student body and its surrounding community! Classes will be taught by
the members of Bodacious who have been exploring hip hop through
various forms within the team and want to share their passion. Each
class will be a great workout consisting of a fun warm-up and a routine
to discover a different dimension of hip hop dance. Open to everyone –
whether you already love to dance or want to try for the first time,
come and check it out!
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Climate, Development, and Energy: Renewing Our Future
In the past few years, society has suddenly awakened
to global warming, which presents a bold challenge to the way we develop
our economies, organize our communities, and operate our daily lives.
We now embark on an intense period of building solutions – a transition
that will transform our energy systems, agriculture, urban structure,
the global economy, and our everyday lives. Are we ready for this challenge?
As scientists struggle with technology, leaders fight entrenched political
and social assumptions, economists try to rethink global markets, and
everyday people prepare to adapt, we will unravel the challenge of our
century.
Is
this about the environment? Development? Culture? Technology? Foreign
policy? Social justice? Community empowerment? Your worldview? Global
Citizenship? The answer is yes. With so many facets, we will encourage
participants to work with us to develop a focus for their inquiry and
identify outside readings, news sources, and initiatives for them to
pursue – Macalester students can expand them into for-credit independent
studies. During class time, we’ll use these focuses, guest speakers,
and discussions of current events to investigate the problem as a whole.
We’ll discuss the affects of global warming on our society, economy,
and world, the global and local human response, the structure of a society
up to the challenge, and how we can renew our future. Our intimate relationship
through energy to our local communities, global economy, and biosphere
will play a central role in our discussion. You will have some prior
knowledge whether you’re an economics student, an environmental activist,
or a local resident – no one is unqualified or unrelated. Prerequisites
are a strong interest in looking at the world as a whole and investigating
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The Richest Man in Babylon: A Study in Personal Finance
We will be exploring basic tenants of financial self-sufficiency. The Richest Man in Babylon was originally a series of pamphlets distributed by banks to warn customers of investing in risky stocks prior to the crash of the stock market on Black Thursday in 1929. The lessons outlined in the book are timeless and are told in entertaining parables. We will explore and discuss these lessons and relate them to how we can set up our own savings plan in the similar market situation we have found ourselves in. This is an introduction to personal finance and is designed for students who are looking to balance their saving vs. spending budgets. Students are expected to read the text and minimal take home work will be involved.
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Introduction to Business Terms and Concepts (Fall '09)
These four sessions will be at Macalester College on consecutive Sundays from 1-3 Pm on 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, and 11/8 in room #206 of the Campus Center. The objective is to introduce some of the basic terms and ideas that are used in modern business, both in the workplace and in the media. Business is an important part of our culture and therefore we benefit from having a grasp of the meanings of the words used. It should help in your careers and in your citizenship to be better informed in these matters. This will be a rather informal class with the notion that none of you have a solid knowledge of the world of business. You should always feel free to ask questions when topics arise that you don’t completely understand, and know that your fellow students probably have the same or similar questions. If you don’t get a satisfactory answer in class you can fill out the “student question follow-up request” form or call or email me and I will respond ASAP.
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You are a Healer!
You are a Healer! is an intro course to the basics of healing and intuitive development. This 6 week class introduces the student to hands on healing and the process of opening up intuitively. Whether you are curious about metaphysical concepts or would like to learn how to work with your own intuitive gifts to facillitate healing, this class is for you! We will learn to connect with our Higher selves, how to "tune in" to our intuition, and release any blocks that may be stopping us from hearing our inner voice. We will also cover energy, chakras, auras, angels, Spirit Guides, disincarnate entities (ghosts), orbs, shielding, psychic tools such as the Tarot and runes, automatic writing, healing with crystals and more! Each class will include an in class healing session and/or meditation.
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Socialism in the 21st Century: An Introduction to Marxism
This course will provide an introduction to socialist politics and the ideas of Marxism.
*FIRST MEETING: Monday, September 28, 7pm, Blegen 115, West Bank, University of Minnesota
The current global economic crisis has led to a growing questioning of capitalism and increased interest in Marxism. Merriam-Webster reports that socialism was the third most searched-for term during 2008 in their online dictionary. Sales of The Communist Manifesto have skyrocketed, with Amazon.com reporting a 700% increase since the banking collapse.
While many have sought to dismiss socialism and Marxism as outdated, the growing polarization of wealth, brutal wars, environmental devastation, and global instability that have accompanied the current wave of corporate globalization have even forced many in the corporate media to acknowledge that Marx’s analysis – that capitalism leads to war, inequality, crisis, etc. – may have been right.
This class will provide an opportunity for participants to read and discuss some classic works of Marxism and get a basic understanding of Marxist analysis. At the same time, understanding that Marxism is not a rigid dogma, but a guide to action, we will focus on how to apply Marxist ideas in today’s world.
The class will meet every week or two, depending on people’s schedules, at a location yet to be determined. Topics examined will include Marxist analyses of economics, history, philosophy, the state, religion, the environment, alienation, women’s oppression, the media, and more. In addition to short lectures and a focus on discussion among class participants, the course will include movies and guest speakers. This course assumes no prior knowledge and is intended for anyone who would like an introduction to Marxism.
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Interpretative Dance
Liturgical or Interpretive dance is a course that teaches spiritual emphasis
on the movements of the body as instruments of praise and worship. Liturgical
dance is a sacred dance form that has been performed in celebrations of
weddings, triumphant victories and ceremonial rituals through out history in
Israel. The dances that this course will cover however will have a more
modern day approach than the traditional Jewish dances. The dances will be
accompanied by different types of music that is spiritually uplifting and
positive in its contents .The dancers will learn to how respond with an
appropriate movement that flows out of the music. Dancers will learn a short
choreographed piece and be introduced to performing improvisational movements
as well. The dance genres that make up liturgical dance are modern, modern
jazz and some afro modern dance styles. This is an open level course and
participants are not required to have any dance experience. The class will
begin at a slow to moderate pace beginning with a warm up of floor
excercises, stretch series and charge up with some cardio exercises prior to
covering the expressive portion of the dance. Participants are asked to limit
cell phone use while in class so that optimum time can be utilized.
Participants are asked not to bring small children or observers to rehearsals
so that the learning experience may not be interrupted. comfortable and
breathable attire is suggested. jeans, mini skirts and trousers can be
restrictive to movement and flexibility.The objective of this course is to
encourage individuals who desire to express themselves through movement but
have been afraid to do so and to inspire creative movement from the heart. It
my desire that we all have fun and discover a sense of wellness in the
process !
Minimum class size: 5
Maximum class size: 14
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Citizen Journalism: Empower Yourself, Empower Your Community
Journalism takes practice, and this introduction offers ways to get started writing and assignments that will put class lessons into practice. The four sessions will include:
- a brief history and introduction to journalism beginning with the penny press to our current multimedia, multiple platform landscape; identifying and surfacing story ideas and focusing stories; finding information and triangulating sources;
- five W's; basic story structures; hard and soft ledes; review of first story;
- interviewing strategies; features, investigative reporting, enterprise stories; review of second story;
- getting in print and on-line; op-ed, letter to the editor, blog post, community reporting; review of third story; plans for future.
We will use a class blog to publish and share stories generated during the class, and will explore other options for publishing participants' writing.
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Phantoms of Desire: Repoliticizing the films of Luis Buñuel
From 1929 to 1977, Spanish film director Luis Buñuel created a body of work that
sliced through expectations about what movies could be and do. Buñuel’s films
resist easy classification, and the director himself resisted any political
labels for himself or his work. However, Buñuel’s preoccupations with
Surrealism, psychoanalysis, the Catholic Church and the absurdities of daily life placed
his work in direct opposition to many of the forces active in twentieth-century
life.
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Batucada do Norte – Brazilian Drumming Ensemble
Batucada do Norte is a community group dedicated to studying and performing the many street drumming styles found in Brazil during Carnival. Founded by brothers Tim and Pat O’Keefe in 2006, the group has performed at many events throughout the Twin Cities, including the annual May Day Parade, the Minneapolis Mosaic Festival, and the Minnesota History Museum’s Nine Nights of Music. Our weekly gatherings will include both instruction in the basics of Brazilian rhythms for beginners (from 6:30-7:15), and rehearsals of the group’s repertoire (from 7:15-8:30). No prior musical experience is necessary to join, just open minds and open ears. Some musical instruments will be provided.
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Women's Circles - Every Woman's Voice Makes A Difference
In the circle, each woman has the opportunity to speak. We allow ourselves to be seen, heard and validated, and in turn we see, hear and validate the women around us. We begin to reclaim and harvest our wisdom and allow each other's wisdom to penetrate our hearts. Together, we strengthen our voices and are empowered to shine. Come experience the Awesome Women circle process, and be nourished, nurtured and inspired. ---------------------------------------------------------- Pam Nelson, CMIC, is a transformational life/wellness coach, and a trained Awesome Women Circle facilitator. She has co-facilitated the Body Wisdom & Vital Energy workshops through EXCO for six terms now, where she has led a modified circle process several times and it was enthusiastically received! She is committed to empowering others to reconnect with their innate inner guidance and to reclaim their voice and the gifts of their whole life's experience.
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Body Wisdom & Vital Energy Workshops
Introduction to reconnecting with the body's innate inner wisdom and its ability to heal itself at all levels, mind-body-spirit. This course is experiential in nature - you will actively explore exercises that support self-awareness, body-awareness, grounded- and centeredness, and an overall sense of well-being. Among other things, we will explore guided visualization/meditation, the energy healing modalities of Reiki and Qigong, and conscious connection with the Earth. Workload determined by participant's desire to apply new learning to their lives, and journaling about what they observe. No prerequisites. Dress comfortably, bring a journal, a mat/blanket for the floor, and an open and curious mind!
We're excited that we'll be presenting new material, and that we'll be joined by two different talented presenters who will generously be sharing their valuable healing work:
Sept. 20th: Dave & Pam, Intro to Body/Vital Energy, and Transitions
Oct. 4th: Dave & Pam, Loving ***this is a deeper dive, please be advised!***
Oct. 18th: Jesse Sia, grounding and Spring Forest Qigong
Nov. 1st: Ron Moor, Hands on Healing (held in 4th Flr Lounge/Old Main)
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David Nelson & Pamela Nelson
This will be our sixth term offering this course, and it continues to morph and grow as we go along! We are committed to offering the space to introduce participants to available alternatives in reconnecting to inner wisdom and improving/maintaining their vital energy, both our own work as well as that of other complimentary wellness practitioners.
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Hatha Yoga
A class designed to explore the various dimensions of the practice of yoga and give you the skills to begin a personal home practice. Through physical poses, meditation techniques, and personal reflection, we will develop strength and flexibility of both body and mind. Come and tap into the flow of energy and grace in your life!
Contact: lizwentworth@gmail.com
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Zumba Aereobicas
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Liderazgo Transformativo
Esta clase introduce ideas y herramientas de liderazgo hacia la justicia social. Venga a conocer teoria y practica noviolenta, aspectos de facilitacion, discurso publico y educacion popular y arte publica. Para jovenes y adultos.
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Yoga para Mujeres
Una clases de yoga para soltar estres, relajarse, estirar y abrir el cuerpo en un ambiente comodo. La clases esta presentada en espanol y es para mujeres principiantes hasta avanzadas en la practica de yoga. Vistense en ropa comoda y no coman por dos horas antes de la clase.
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Darwin and the Origin of Species
2009 is the bicentennial of the birth of Charles Darwin. The Origin of Species was published in 1859 and forever altered the human conception of the natural world and our place in it. This course will be an opportunity to read through the book that started the controversy and discuss it in detail. There will be plenty of time for examining the ideas of the original text and the controversies that have dogged the idea of evolution ever since.
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Introduction to Electronics
Introduction to Electronics gives a brief and condensed overview of the world of analog electronics and discrete components. This course starts from the beginning and assumes you know nothing about electronics. It is intended to give you a foundation in electronics for future studies and/or to open up job opportunities where basic electronics knowledge is useful. The book I will be teaching from is "Electronics Technology Fundamentals: Electron Flow Version second edition" by Robert T. Paynter and B.j. Toby Boydell.
What will be covered in this course:
-Component names and functions
-Engineering Notation
-Principles of electricity and electrical flow
-How to measure Voltage, Current, and Resistance
-How to read the resistor color code scheme
-Reading basic schematics
-Ohm's Law and calculating circuit values
-DC (Direct Current) Principles and Circuits
-AC(Alternating Current) Principles and Circuits
-Series, Parallel, and Series/Parallel circuitry
-Magnetism
-How to use test equipment (i.e. Power supply, Oscilloscope, Function Generator, etc.)
-Soldering
We will be doing some math exercises and we will be working with our hands from time to time. The math we will be doing is at a "pre-college" algebra level and we will be using calculators. I strongly encourage you to bring a SCIENTIFIC calculator, though I have a few to provide if needed. I encourage those without much of a technical aptitude to give the course a shot. I will be more than happy to make a techie out of you ;-)
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The Philosophy of Nothing
Class: The Philosophy of Nothing
Description: Allowing participants to understand that what they are holding onto defines them; so in letting go true emergence is allowed.
Philosophy: Everything comes out of Nothing so you don’t really need anything outside of your self and inherent inclinations which will lead you to anything external that will edify you.
Application: Trusting and knowing that everything comes from within out of Nothing allows an individual personal freedom, understanding, and power from true inherent emergence.
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Changing the Narrative of our Mental Illness
Through the use of storytelling we will explore our experiences with mental illness. Then with the group process we will explore the individual and collective meanings that uphold the meanings of our mental illnesses. We will then be listening for an alternative story that can tell us about our preferred way of being.
This class is both a self healing class and an exploration of social justice issues through the eyes and minds of those of us coping with mental illness.
I will be listing the readings here as they become available:
1. Trafficking in the World of Possibilities
2. The Narrative Construction of Reality
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Danza Mexicana
Para ninos a 10 a 20 anos. Seria danza de Mexico
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Healing through Memoir and Collage
We’ll
work on autobiographical arts in a group workshop setting. People who
want to heal themselves from trauma or illness can try healing by
getting in touch with their inner stories. This is a short workshop
series on nonfiction writing and then assembling collages that connect
the specifics of memory with physical and emotional feelings. Professor
James Pennebaker’s research has shown that this effects healing in
patients, when typical diary-writing does not. In his book, Opening Up: the Healing Power of Expressing Emotions, research shows that it’s never too late for someone to heal emotional wounds, which in turn helps people heal physically.
We'll meet on Thursdays; don't feel bad about coming late or leaving early.
First meeting: reading the research, some memoirs, and writing the inner story
Second meeting: writing exercises, exploring memoirs
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Klezmer Music Ensemble
This band offers a creative outlet for the study, performance, and ultimately, preservation, of klezmer music in a relaxed and non-judgmental, but serious, environment. While some degree of basic musicianship is requested (ability to play by ear and/or sight-read, basic competence on at least one instrument), the group is open to musicians with different levels of musicianship and backgrounds.
Don’t know what klezmer is? Come find out firsthand and learn to play one of the world’s greatest and most quickly evolving musical folk genres.
Klezmer instrumentation typically includes piano, drums, bass, violin, flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, and accordion, but all instruments are welcome.
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Knit and Such
Come and knit with us! We can teach you the basics (we have some supplies to get you started), help you through a rough spot in your pattern, or just keep you company while you work on your own fantastic creation. Crochet, cross-stitch, embroidery, latch hook, origami, bookbinding, friendship bracelet making, macrame, calligraphy, collage, and anything mostly portable and not too messy or noisy are also very welcome. Our class is working on a blanket that, when it's finished, we will donate to a to-be-decided but definitely worthy cause.
From time to time we'll be meeting at one of our homes. Make sure to give us a call or send an email if you'd like to join us to get the right location.
We changed the days of the class! We'll now meet Sunday afternoons.
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**CLOSED ** Basic Bike Maintenance at Sibley Bike Depot (September)
***Registration closed*** - please register for our October class!
This class is designed as a complete introduction to the basics of maintaining your bicycle yourself. Learning to fix your own bike can save you money, ensure access to reliable transportation, and be a rewarding personal experience to understand how your vehicle functions. You aren’t expected to know anything beforehand – the only thing you need to bring is yourself, your bike if you want, and a creative desire to learn!
Participants are encouraged to attend regularly, as each week builds upon skills and theories developed in previous sessions. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bicycle to work on; however, shop bicycles will also be available for tutorial and repair.
Class Schedule: September 13-27 - Three consecutive Sunday afternoons 4:15-6:30pm
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Complete Bicycle Overhaul: Sept-Oct
Class Time: Thursday evenings September 24-October 15 6:30-9pm, Sibley Bike Depot (712 University Ave in St. Paul)
- This class will build upon the skills taught in the Basic Bike Maintenance class and expand through overhauling an entire bicycle. Participants will take apart, clean, and repack all bearing systems, including hubs, headsets, and bottom brackets. In addition, the will install new cables and housing on brakes and derailleurs as needed, and lubricate/adjust all shifting systems. In full, folks attending this class will learn how to perform a complete tune-up/overhaul of a bicycle. Participants will work with the same bike through the class, in order to see the complexities and intricacies of one specific bicycle.
- This is an advanced beginner/intermediate level class that builds upon the principles taught in Sibley's Basic Bike Maintenance. Students who have taken Basic are welcomed to register (if you feel worried about your mechanical level, feel free to come to Open Shop hours to improve your basics). Folks who have some basic bike maintenance experience but have not taken Basic Bike Maintenance are welcomed to attend as well.
- All participants will fix SHOP BIKES. At the end of the class, we will discuss different possibilities and reach consensus on an organization (or multiple organizations) to donate the bikes to.
- Place: Sibley Bike Depot, 712 University Avenue in St. Paul (1.5 blocks west of Dale Street on University)
- Maximum 20 participants
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