January and February: Intentions

in·ten·tion (noun)

1. a determination to act in a certain way: RESOLVE
2. IMPORT, SIGNIFICANCE
3. what one intends to do or bring about
4. CONCEPT; especially: a concept considered as the product of attention directed to an object of knowledge

Synonyms: intent, purpose, design, aim, end, object, objective, goal (mean what one intends to accomplish or attain; what one has in mind to bring about).

Linda Fairstein's Lethal Legacy
Saturday, February 14, 2-3:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

Bestselling author Linda Fairstein has crafted a great murder mystery – centered around the New York Public Library. In her outstanding new novel Lethal Legacy, the New York Public Library houses dazzling treasures—and deadly secrets. Featuring a cast of elite, erudite and downright eccentric characters, and a complex trail of clues that will have you guessing until the final pages, Lethal Legacy is Linda Fairstein's most beguiling thriller yet. You'll never look at your public library the same way again! Fairstein will read excerpts from Legal Legacy; a limited number of books will be available for purchase. Book signing to follow.

Zandra Rhodes' Fashion of Desire: Opera Colorado and Denver Independent Designers Showcase
Saturday, February 7, 2-4:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

Passion infuses fashion when Opera Colorado and Fashion Denver team up to celebrate the Rocky Mountain regional premiere of Bizet's The Pearl Fishers. Featuring sets and costumes designed by international fashion icon Zandra Rhodes, The Pearl Fishers is a romantic story of desire, friendship and sacrifice centered around a tragic love triangle and set among the swaying palm trees of ancient Ceylon. This presentation on Rhodes' designs and sketches crescendos with the centerpiece fashion show that begins at 3 p.m. Featuring Denver designers and highlighting original and remixed music from The Pearl Fishers, this runway show will offer up the best red carpet designs for opening night at the opera. For more info about Fashion Denver, go to fashiondenver.com. For more info about The Pearl Fishers, go to operacolorado.org.

Prototype: Fresh Designers Runway Fashion Show
Monday, February 23, 7-10 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

Denver runway fashion explodes at this spectacular spectacle – a special fundraiser for Fresh City Life sponsored by the Denver Public Library Friends Foundation. Top impresarias of design, Style Matters' Evelinda Urman and Judie Schwartz host while Tran Wills of The Fabric Lab showcases Denver's cutting edge fashion from Lynne Bruning, Tricia Hoke, James Silvrants and Fallene Wells – designers whose names you'll want to remember. Prototype is Wills' latest stroke of genius – events that pair clothing designers with accessory designers for guerilla fashion shows. Runway show begins at 7 p.m. with a book signing and reception with Urman and Schwartz to follow. For more info about Tran Wills, go to thefabriclab.com. For more info on Urman and Schwartz, go to stylematters.us.

All proceeds for this event will help support adult cultural programming at the Library. Flawless tickets: $50; Jr. Fashionista tickets: $40 (for guests 35 and under); Fierce tickets: $100 (includes premier front-row seating and a copy of A Fashion-Lover's Guide to the Best Shopping in Denver and Beyond, 2nd Edition, signed by the authors, Judie Schwartz and Evelinda Urman). To purchase tickets for this event, go to dplfriends.org or contact Laurie at 720-865-2050.

Knitting for Our Troops Marathon
Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24, at various times and locations in Metro Denver.

Fresh City Life is partnering with the Rocky Mountain USO (United Service Organizations) to create knitted items for care packages that will be delivered to our service men and women overseas. Our current project, adapted from a full helmet liner pattern (military regulation), is designed for use under a helmet during cold nights on duty. It's a great cap to wear when a soldier has off-duty time as well. It's easy to join the project: just knit a cap or two (or three or many) 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, for overseas delivery.

To join the two-day marathon, sign up for a marathon site on the Knitting for Our Troops page or call 720-865-1206.

That 70s DIY: Kissing Ball Pomanders
Thursday, February 5, 2-5 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge
Registration Required

Our savvy craftinatrix Trish Christiansen shows you how to turn old sweaters into chic felted roses, suitable for brooches, embellishing hats, hairstyles and handbags, and making super cute kissing balls – a 1970s blast from the past and sure to snag a smooch or two for Valentine's Day. Seating is limited; please register online or call 720-865-1206.

Financial expert Doug Whitten hosts two excellent workshops for anyone who wants to have more scratch in their pockets!

Getting Fiscally Fit
Monday, February 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Room

You'll gather all the tools and basic principles of cash management in this informative class. Learn how to accumulate wealth, maximize discretionary income and avoid the roadblocks to financial success. There will be no bailout for Joe and Josephine Public, so join Doug Whitten and create your own blueprint to financial freedom.

Your Stock and Trade: Asset Allocation and Modern Portfolio Theory
Saturday, February 28, 2-3 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Room

Doug Whitten simplifies a topic that intimidates many: planning your investments and minimizing pitfalls like interest rates, inflation and market risks. In this class, you'll learn how to approach your investments with confidence by utilizing asset allocation to meet your short, mid and long-term goals.

I(heart)
MY(heart)
Monday, February 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Room

Celebrate the best start to a new year and National Heart Month by learning how to be heart healthy. HealthONE and Dr. Jody Kleiman team up for an informative evening that will introduce you to the latest medical news and nutritional guidelines for the healthiest and happiest heart. Several volunteers at this presentation may participate in a demonstration of the special heart health screening, HealthONE HeartScore.

Chef Jessica Gaydos knows how to make terrific meals that are inexpensive and delicious. She'll share her techniques for making wise shopping and cooking decisions to stretch your food dollars.

$tockpiling Meals
Saturday, February 7, 10:30 a.m.-12 noon
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Room

Be a grasshopper and an ant – eat now and freeze for later! Maximize your output by preparing larger batches of foods that freeze well. Chef Gaydos teaches basic food preparations you can use to make hundreds of variations. Save yourself time and money, while creating wholesome food you know you will enjoy. Demonstration will include guidelines for successful freezing, and recipes for kitchen basics you won't want to live without! Samples included.

Eating Seasonally
Saturday, February 21, 10:30 a.m.-12 noon
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Room

Get the most from your food dollars – you can squeeze money out of a turnip! Learn how to shop and eat in season, with tips on how to maximize your purchases. Chef Gaydos discusses smart principles to shop by, as well as recipes and techniques for getting the most out of what you buy. With spring around the corner, now is the time to start thinking seasonally! Recipes and samples included.

One Dish Meals
Saturday, February 28, 10:30 a.m.-12 noon
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Room

Want inexpensive and easy meals with minimal clean up? This demonstration will include recipes suitable for slow-cookers, as well as for the stove and oven. Casual meals that are tasty and nutritious will be a snap with Chef Gaydos' smart tips and basics for memorable one-pot meals. Who says tasty and nutritious meals need to be messy and expensive? Recipes and samples included.

Insider Recipe Trading
Have you got a creative recipe that's cheap, easy and delicious? Send your favorite to Chris at cloffel@denverlibrary.org and we'll share them at our cooking demos in February. Tested recipes only; please include any pertinent copyright info if it is not your own recipe (i.e. author or creator, cookbook title, publisher, etc.) Deadline for submissions is Friday, January 30.

KnitFlix: I've Heard the Mermaids Singing, 1987
Tuesday, February 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge

Start your new year off with a resolution that's a cinch: knitting while watching a great film once a month! Bring your knitting or any favored handwork and watch a movie in the Fresh City Lounge. For February it's I've Heard the Mermaids Singing, a sweet and philosophical comedy starring character actress Sheila McCarthy. KnitFlix is a relaxed film presentation – so film buffs beware: there will be occasional talking, munching, sipping and laughing during this event. 81 minutes. Rated R.

Newman's Own: Paul Newman Film Series
A salute to Hollywood's most handsome anti-hero – Paul Newman. Join host Walter Chaw for five superlative films and group discussion on an all-American movie legend. Check out Walter Chaw's film criticism at filmfreakcentral.net.

The Hustler - Tuesday, February 3, 6-9 p.m.

Sweet Bird of Youth - Tuesday, February 10, 6-9 p.m.

Hud - Tuesday, February 17, 6-9 p.m.

Cool Hand Luke - Tuesday, February 24, 6-9 p.m.

The Hudsucker Proxy - Tuesday, March 3, 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.

Intentional Fortune Cookie Sculptures with Artist Marie Gibbons
Monday, February 2, 3-5 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge
Registration Required
OR
Monday, February 2, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge
Registration Required

Denver ceramicist Marie Gibbons creates sculptures in clay that have captured the imagination of a legion of admirers and collectors. Gibbons joins Fresh City Life for a special art workshop centered on creating slab sculptures and experimenting with textural effects in clay. All materials provided. Seating is limited; please register online or call 720-865-1206.

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.

Join Fresh City Friends to support the 2009 Fresh City Life classes and events.

In appreciation for your gift, you'll receive:

• Special recognition in the Fresh City Life brochures
• Invitations to VIP events
• Acknowledgment in the Annual Report

Fabulous Fresh City Friends $1,000+
Fresh City Friends $500+

Thank you to our first Fabulous Fresh City Friends, Steve Savageau and Reba Lee!

For membership information, contact Laurie Romer, Denver Public Library Friends Foundation, at LRomer@denverlibrary.org or call 720-865-2050.

For information about Corporate Sponsorship, contact Brenda Cook at 720-865-2046 or bcook@denverlibrary.org.