January, February & March 2010: Dream Into Action

"You're a doer, because you're prepared to make the necessary effort to translate your dream into action." – Paul McCabe

Are you starving to do your part but don’t know where to start? Fresh City Life offers a few resources for getting involved and helping your community. Throughout the year, we’ll create partnering opportunities in the metro Denver area to help all of our citizens striving for a safe, warm and happy life. Check our online listings at: denverlibrary.org/hungrytohelp and we’ll add new resources and ideas for getting involved each month.

Here are some ideas to start your year off right:

• Donate food for someone less fortunate
  
  
• Lend a hand with programming at Denver Public Library
  
  
• Take off some extra pounds and help feed others locally
  
  
• Knitting for Our Troops – Caps Project

February: No-Knit Scarf - Class full, registration closed.
Saturday, February 13, 2-4 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge

For yarn and fiber freaks, this technique means instant gratification. Instructor Trish Tilly will show you how to turn luxe yarn into a chic scarf using a fusion of macramé knots. You’ll start and finish in an afternoon, and you can wear it that night – proudly. All materials provided.This class is full, registration is closed.

March: Charm School - Class full, registration closed.
Saturday, March 13, 2-4 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge

We’re bringing back a smoking hot project from last year’s craft services – making charms and pendants using bottle caps, gorgeous antique reproduction images and polyresin “bar top.” These clever jewelry pieces will be ready to add to a charm bracelet or necklace. And we’ll schedule future Charm School workshops so you can add to your collection. This class is full, registration is closed.

February: Glitter Pet Pictures - Class full, registration closed.
Saturday, February 20, 2-4 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge

Paint-by-numbers meets the digital age with this technique Martha Stewart calls glitter painting. Turn a photo of your Rover, Felix or Polly into a bone-a-fido Mona Lisa! After registering, you will be asked to submit a high definition pic of your pet. We will print it into a simplified color block artwork that you will accent with glitter. All materials provided. This class is full, registration is closed.

March: Shrinky Dink Pet ID Tags - Class full, registration closed.
Saturday, March 20, 2-4 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge

If you made these when you were a kid, then don’t miss this trip on the wayback machine. If you missed these in your youth, then you’re in for a thrill! Craftinatrix Trish Tilly will show how to create groovy tags for your furry friends; use one of our premade templates or create your own. All materials provided. This class is full, registration is closed.

Cooking Demo: Lincoln Eats
Saturday, February 6, 10:30 a.m.-12 noon
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

If Abe was really being honest, what would he request for dinner? What was Abe’s favorite meal? Chef Jessica Gaydos has uncovered the most favored recipes of Abraham Lincoln, and will prepare a menu fit for a president. Recipes and samples included.

Bring your knitting or any favored handwork and watch a free movie in the Fresh City Lounge. This winter, KnitFlix makes a nod to Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday as well as showing a classic Civil War era film starring the ultimate antebellum dame – Bette Davis.

Abraham Lincoln (1930)
Tuesday, February 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge

Directed by D.W. Griffith. Starring Walter Huston. The rarely-shown classic Abraham Lincoln biopic depicts the highlights of Lincoln’s fateful life, from birth to tragic assassination. Don’t miss this exclusive presentation. 90 minutes. Unrated.

Jezebel (1938)
Tuesday, March 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge

Directed by William Wyler. Starring Bette Davis, Henry Fonda. The film for which Bette Davis won her justly-deserved second Oscar, Jezebel has it all: love, betrayal, yellow fever, costumed splendor, carpetbaggers, social upheaval – all told against the backdrop of the crumbling, antebellum South. This is arguably Bette Davis’ finest screen performance. 104 minutes. Unrated.

Overdue Love Club - Registration Required
Fridays, February 19, March 19, 6-8 p.m.
Michelangelo's Wine & Coffee Bar
1 Broadway at Broadway & Ellsworth

Hey Singles: it’s your year to have fun, meet new people and broaden your perspective (and your prospects)! Fresh City Life is pairing up with local author and Dr. John Gray protégé Janice Hoffman to bring you the Overdue Love Club, a singles' night for intelligent people. This ongoing event is hosted by Michelangelo’s Wine and Coffee Bar – and it’s a great, casual and enjoyable way to meet new people. Register online or call 720-865-1206. Go to the Overdue Love Club page for more details.

Cooking Demos: The New Irish Cuisine
Trained as a chef in Ireland, Jessica Gaydos has a deep and abiding love of Irish cookery. In this three-part series, Chef Gaydos will celebrate the best of traditional and regional Irish fare and take you on a tour to discover modern cooking in Ireland. If your knowledge of Irish cuisine stops somewhere around corned beef and cabbage, don’t miss this delectable tribute to the Emerald Isle! Recipes and samples included.

Traditional Irish Baking - Saturday, February 27, 10:30 a.m.-
12 noon

Irish Regional Classics - Saturday, March 6, 10:30 a.m.-12 noon

Fresh and Seasonal: The New Irish Cuisine - Saturday, March 13, 10:30 a.m.-12 noon

All cooking demos will be shown in the Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center.

But Not For Me: Songs of Love with Reyna Von Vett
Saturday, February 6, 2 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Schlessman Hall

During the month that celebrates chocolate, paper valentines, candy hearts and all things lover-lee, Denver’s favorite songstress, Reyna Von Vett, sings a few numbers…umm… for the rest of us. Reyna’s got a voice that will make you forget your troubles and fall in love with love all over again!

For Your Winter Blues
Saturday, March 6, 2 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Schlessman Hall

About this time of year, we’d all like to slough off our winter trappings and have a touch of ebullience and renewed life. Reyna Von Vett has created a song list that calls to all the hopes of Spring. Even if we are still in the cold zone, Reyna will warm it up with some wonderful American songbook standards that will make the mercury climb!

Denver's amazing advocates for writers young and old, Art from Ashes, conducts bi-monthly writing classes for those interested in all aspects of the power of words. Each month will feature a two-part workshop with guided exploration on relevant topics like prose and poetry fundamentals, personal style, new writing approaches and autobiographical storytelling. The first night of the month will focus on techniques and methods for getting your words down on paper; the second will be centered on sharing what you've written and constructive discussion for honing your skills.

February: The Power of One - Class full, registration closed.
Tuesdays, February 9 & 23, 6-7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge

Through guided writing prompts, you’ll learn to harness the power of your own ‘voice’ as a vehicle for your individual expression and growth. Quell your loud left brain (Is my writing any good? Should I even be writing?) and you’ll unleash your creative right brain to explore your inner vistas. (BTW, the answer to both those questions is yes!) This class is full, registration is closed.

March: How I Know I’m Me - Class full, registration closed.
Tuesdays, March 9 & 23, 6-7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge

Writing allows us to identify the ways in which we have determined our identities. With the talented teachers from Art from Ashes, you’ll learn through your writing how to distinguish between an identity based on experiences and circumstances and an identity based on purpose and intention. The second night of this session will be dedicated to using writing and spoken word techniques to communicate effectively with an audience. This class is full, registration is closed.

Denver’s authority on contemporary and classic film, Walter Chaw, hosts a collection of films by Alfred Hitchcock, arguably the greatest filmmaker of the 20th century. Hitchcock films are full of symbolic freak flags, and Walter Chaw will take you on a guided tour of Hitch’s world with post-film discussion. Check Walter Chaw’s current film reviews at filmfreakcentral.net.

The Lady Vanishes (1938) - Tuesday, January 26, 6-9 p.m.

Notorious (1946) - Tuesday, February 2, 6-9 p.m.

Strangers on a Train (1951) - Tuesday, February 9, 6-9 p.m.

I Confess (1953) - Tuesday, February 16, 6-9 p.m.

The Birds (1963) - Tuesday, February 23, 6-9 p.m.

All films will be shown in the Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center.

Go to the Film Series page for more details.

Freestyle Knitting - No Registration Required
Every *Monday, 5-7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge

Every Monday evening the Fresh City Lounge is open for freestyle stitchers to come in and enjoy the company of other knitters.

*There will be no Madame Defarge’s Knitting Salon on Monday, February 15 as the library will be closed in observance of Presidents' Day.

Beginning Knitting is Back! - Class full, registration closed.
Mondays, February 1, 8 and 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge

All the cool kids are doing it! Don’t feel left out, sign up for our first beginning knitting class of the year and our talented (and patient) knitting teachers will have you in stitches in no time. Materials list provided with registration confirmation. This class is full, registration is closed.

Beginning Crochet at Last - Class full, registration closed.
Mondays, March 1, 8, 15 and 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge

After a long hiatus, we are bringing back our Beginning Crochet class with Christa Rogers and Jani Fellows. Crochet is the latest trend in fiber arts, so you’ll learn a new-old craft that has hundreds of fun applications. Materials list provided with registration confirmation. This class is full, registration is closed.

Lace Knitting at Molly’s House - Class full, registration closed.
Tuesdays, March 9, 16, 23 and 30, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The Molly Brown House, 1340 Pennsylvania St., 80203

Knit outside the box! We’re taking knitting on the road with this advanced knitting class hosted by the Molly Brown House Museum. You’ll learn the basics needed for most lace knitting patterns and create sampler pieces that will help you to apply your newfound skills to future projects. Classes will be held in the third floor ‘ballroom’ in Molly Brown’s historic Denver mansion. Details and materials list will be provided with registration confirmation. This class is full, registration is closed.

WordNerds
Wednesdays, January 27, February 24, and March 31, 5-8 p.m.
Novo Coffee, 1200 Acoma, across from the Denver Art Museum Hamilton Building

Fresh City Life is partnering with Novo Coffee, Mad Greens and Mad Wine Bar to bring word nerds, bibliophiles and grammar freaks together once a month to test their skill, learn new small words and find like-minded community. Prizes are gift certificates donated by Novo Coffee, Mad Greens and Mad Wine Bar. Go to the WordNerds page for more details.

Born Broken: The Life and Works of Eugene O'Neill
Monday, February 22, 6:30-8 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

Fresh City Life hosts this panel discussion that brings together local artists, actors and theatre academics to discuss one of the greatest American playwrights – Eugene O'Neill. Company members from Paragon Theatre and Buntport Theatre will also be on hand to talk about their upcoming productions. Paragon will be reviving Long Day's Journey Into Night while Buntport launches The World is Mine, an original production that takes place inside the mind of O'Neill.

Keeping Our Soldiers Warm All Over the World!

Fresh City Life is partnering with the Rocky Mountain USO to create knitted items for care packages for our service men and women overseas.

It's easy to join the project: just knit a cap or two and deliver them to the Fresh City Life office, in the Central Library (Fresh City Life is located on Level One, west entrance) and we'll bundle them up and deliver them to the Rocky Mountain USO.  They'll package the caps with other donated gifts and essentials for our soldiers and send them off.

Go to the Knitting for Our Troops page for more details and a pattern for a great cool weather cap.

A sign language interpreter will be provided upon request with five business days notice. Call 720-913-8484 TTY or contact Lorrie.Kosinski@ci.denver.co.us.

• Sign up for the Fresh City Life Newsletter
  
  
• Become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!

If you’re a fan of free, public cultural programming and would like to help keep it strong at Denver Public Library, contact the Denver Public Library Friends Foundation at 720-865-2053.