October
Open Forum on Money - Presented by the Institute for the Renewal of Economic Life (IREL)
Location:
Macalester College (Old Main, Room 010)
1600 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, MN
Dates & Times: Every Thursday from October 18 through December 20, 2012 (except November 22 – Thanksgiving)
All (10) sessions will convene from 7:00 to 9:00 pm:
October 18, 25
November 1, 8, 15, 29
December 6, 13, 20
Open Forum:
These sessions are conceived of as open forums that will introduce the participant to the way money originates and how, generally, the financial order, political life and civilized culture arises from that process. From there we will explore money and economy along whatever avenues of inquiry are of interest to those attending. All are welcome, whether having attended a previous session or not. This “Open Forum” is designed for those looking for a way to break out of the current paralysis that has overtaken public discourse, practical application and conscious thinking on matters of money. It is not conceived of being a place to get financial counseling, sell a product, or impose any form of economic dogma. Rather, it is envisioned as an exercise in helping participants to think more clearly and consciously about money itself, thereby cultivating the ground for new economic ideas to arise. Participants are invited to come with their own particular topics, questions and materials to share.
The tenor of these sessions will be informal. They will start at 7 pm (promptness is helpful), and end at 9 pm, or however long people want to stay and talk.
Location
Science in Class Societies: Ancient Times in 21st Century
Science in Class Societies is a history of science course. It will focus on how ruling classes throughout history in various civilizations used science. This class will also discuss the role of working peoples, people of color, and women in creating science, scientific discoveries, and concepts . The books to be used are "Science in History" by JD Bernal, "A People's History of Science" by Clifford Connor, and The Origins of Materialism by George Novack (Connor's and Novack's books can be purchased at the May Day Bookstore).
Location
Women and Trans Only - Winter Biking and Maintenance at Cycles for Change
October 23, 6-8:30pm
* This class is part of the Women and Transgender Night at Cycles for Change, which offers a safe and welcoming space for self-identified women and trans people in the dude dominated world of bikes. No matter what your level of experience, we welcome you to come learn and teach and share (and just hang out). We have a regular open shop time every Tuesday from 4-8pm for you to use our space and tools. Female mechanics will be here to help you with any questions. *
Learn techniques about how to effectively ride your bike in the winter! The weather turns cold, but biking through the Winter is doable. Come if you are interested in commuting by bike this Winter, but need some support to keep motivated or if you have experience and want to share what you've learned.
This class will cover:
* riding and safety tips and ideas for how to plan your route
* how to dress for your commute
* bike maintenance and some tips on how to keep your bike running smoothly and safely during the winter
* how to modify your bike for the winter
Folks interested in continuing to modify/maintain their bike are welcomed to come in during Open Shop hours to winterize your bike. Winter gear will be for sale in the Cycles for Change retail shop!
Location
Acrobatic Yoga Instruction & Playtime
Learn the basics of flying and basing!
Acro Yoga combines elements of Yoga, Acrobatics, and Thai Massage for an adventure in communication, playfulness, and support. Using these practices, students will refine and find grounding, lightness, balance, strength, and challenge while having tons of fun.
We will work in pairs or groups of three, learning the three positions of Acro Yoga: base, flyer, and spotter. The flyer will typically be "on top" of the base, in a lifted pose. The base will typically be lying, kneeling, or standing in a grounded position. And the spotter will be keeping everyone safe by assisting communication and (if it happens) preventing or assisting falls. Most people are able to successfully practice all three positions, and every student will be supported to try.
This class is appropriate for both brand new and experienced acro yogis. Each class will include a short yoga asana practice to help us stretch, strengthen and center, followed by introductions. We then try out some partner balancing and partner and group acro yoga postures/flows. The first hour will include class-style instruction, followed by an hour and a half of supervised playtime to try out your new skills with other students in a more relaxed structure. At all times, students will be able to work safely and receive instruction at their appropriate level.
Stretchy, form-fitting clothing works best for acrobatic yoga, like most comfortable clothing worn in a regular yoga class. Make sure you can be upside-down comfortably in it! Bring a yoga mat with you if you have one (though we bring several extra to class) and bring water to keep hydrated.
Kids and youth are welcome to come to class, however, please be aware that class is generally all adults so if you come with a child please know that they will be interacting with mostly adults.
No partner needed, no experience required.
Location
Indigenous Imperative: Native Thought and its Implications for Our Future
Location: Macalester College, Old Main
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. Forget casino gambling, fry bread, pow wows, Sherman Alexie's cynical novels, and all of the other caricatures of first nations people. Rather we are going to vigorously look at the loose medicine bundle of values and cultures which evolved on this continent called sacred turtle island. We will advocate for a robust restoration of native teachings.
NOTE: Ray does not use email all that much so calling in preferred.
Also due to sometimes in the past with people leaving part way through the session Ray is requesting that participants sign up with the full intent to attend every class session. He is willing to write any class participant a letter of recommendation upon completion of the class. Please only sign up if you plan to make it to almost every class.
Location
Intercambio de idiomas: Ingles/Español - English/Spanish Language Exchange
(English Description Below)
Ha alguna vez quisiera conocer a sus vecinos pero no habla su idioma?
El objectivo de este clase es disolver las barreras del español y ingles a traves de intercambio de idioma.
En esta intercambio y clase de conversación:
- Hablamos en grupos de 2 y cada grupo va a hablar entre ustedes.
- Hablamos 30 minutos en espanol y 30 minutos en ingles
- Se guio los temas de conversacion y introducir volcabulario nuevo, pero lo demas depende en ustedes hablando en parejas.
Se recomienda todos los niveles assistir.
Se recomienda trajer un dicionario de ingles/espanol, pero no es necesario.
Un idea: trajer un amigo/a que habla ingles si tiene la oportunidad, pero no es necesario!
Temas y vocabulario que incluimos: saludos y introduciones, describiendo emociones, comida, otros temas que a ustedes se apetecen.
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Get to know your neighbors!
Have you ever wanted to get to know your neighbors but didn't because there was a language barrier?
This class has been created in hopes of dissolving those Spanish-English barriers through language exchange.
The class will be structure as the following:
- We will partner into groups of two - ideally - and each group of two (1 Spanish and 1 English speaker) will speak amongst themselves.
- sectioned into (2) 30-minute parts: (A half-hour of English conversation and a half-hour of Spanish conversation).
I will guide the topics and the topics of conversation and vocabulary, however the rest is up to you.
All levels of proficiency in the learned language are encouraged to attend.
It is encouraged to bring a Spanish/English Dictionary, a note book and pencil, but not necessary.
One idea: bring a Spanish-speaking friend with you if have the opportunity in order to practice with them!
But this is not necessary by any means.
Topics/vocabulary we will cover: Greetings and Introductions, Describing Moods, Foods, A topic of interest that may come up?
Location
Women and Trans Only - Winter Biking and Maintenance at Cycles for Change
October 16, 6-8:30pm
* This class is part of the Women and Transgender Night at Cycles for Change, which offers a safe and welcoming space for self-identified women and trans people in the dude dominated world of bikes. No matter what your level of experience, we welcome you to come learn and teach and share (and just hang out). We have a regular open shop time every Tuesday from 4-8pm for you to use our space and tools. Female mechanics will be here to help you with any questions. *
Learn techniques about how to effectively ride your bike in the winter! The weather turns cold, but biking through the Winter is doable. Come if you are interested in commuting by bike this Winter, but need some support to keep motivated or if you have experience and want to share what you've learned.
This class will cover:
* riding and safety tips and ideas for how to plan your route
* how to dress for your commute
* bike maintenance and some tips on how to keep your bike running smoothly and safely during the winter
* how to modify your bike for the winter
Folks interested in continuing to modify/maintain their bike are welcomed to come in during Open Shop hours to winterize your bike. Winter gear will be for sale in the Cycles for Change retail shop!
Location
Winter Biking and Maintenance at Cycles for Change (October)
October 18 and 25
Learn techniques about how to effectively ride your bike in the winter! The weather turns cold, but biking through the Winter is doable. Come if you are interested in commuting by bike this Winter, but need some support to keep motivated or if you have experience and want to share what you've learned.
This is a TWO WEEK class; week 1 will be focused on commuting tips and ideas for how to ride in the winter. Week 2 will be about bike maintenance and some tips on how to keep your bike running smoothly and safely during the winter. Folks interested in continuing to modify/maintain their bike are welcomed to come in during Open Shop hours to winterize your bike.
Location
Mapping Online with Free and Open Source Tools
A introduction to online mapping for anyone interested. We'll start with a basic overview of some of the tools that are out there and how to use them. The rest of the class will be developed around the interests of participants.
Online mapping can be used to visualize all sorts of things, from an issue such as the ongoing foreclosure crisis to promoting an event such as a neighborhood garage sale. If you have a project or ideas for a project, bring them!
Location
Beginning Spanish - Every Day Words
Learn Spanish!
This is a beginning-level course in Spanish which emphasizes listening and oral communication in a variety of topics at a basic level. It covers only that grammar and structure absolutely necessary for speaking. We will mainly focus on commonly used vocabulary with a little grammar, and basic phrases used in every day conversation.
Some of the topics we will cover: greetings!, the house, school, the market, and the city and more depending student's requests.
Each week we will introduce new vocabulary, however we will review the previous weeks lessons. It is recommended that you attend all 7 classes, however, I am not super duper strict! This is for your benefit! :)
We will use a multi-learning approach: Emphasis is on the development of basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
I teach in English and Spanish, however, the course is intended for students with no previous knowledge of the Spanish language.
like to keep things Interesting, Easy and Practical by using materials such as: visuals, audio, repeating, 1 on 1 conversation practise and songs! I will give a CD and prescribe work-book pages, providing you with a little something to help you practise at home!
I encourage everyone to be themselves and be comfortable. I am friendly and like to provide a space where you can feel at ease trying out something new! Be prepared to speak! Don't worry, I won't force you to speak in front of everyone if you're not comfortable, however, be willing to speak as a group and/or in 1 on 1 breakup sessions!
Upon completion, students should be able to comprehend and recite basic vocabulary and be able to introduce themselves.
:) Feel free to give me an email if you have any questions.
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